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dividual of the whole human race; as a native of this highly-favoured country; as a Minister of the Established Church of these realms; or as an inhabitant of this particular county, he saw in it every ground for unequivocal satisfaction. He expressed a hope that the time would not be long distant, before every Minister in the land, whether in or out of the Establishment, would see and feel that the best interests of religion at large, as well as of the church in particular, were closely connected with the support and welfare of the present institution. said, however, that his greatest pleasure in appearing on this occasion was, that he stood there, not merely in his own individual capacity, as a cordial well-wisher to the universal circulation of the Holy Scriptures, but as the accredited representative and ambassador from a large number of parishioners, whose contributions he brought, and of whose unanimous sentiments, in behalf of this great cause, he was the willing messenger. Not only had the rich, and those of the middle ranks of his neighbours, commissioned him to declare, by their gifts, an approbation of the object and constitution of the Society; but the poor likewise had begged permission to add their lesser donations in support of a charity like this: nay, the little children of the poor throughout the whole parish, anxiously cried out, "And may not we too give a penny to buy a Bible for those that have none?" He concluded by observing that, as a Briton, a Christian, and a Clergyman, he equally felt the imperious duty of aiding and supporting this, which now ranks as the foremost of institutions for promoting the present and future happiness of mankind.

The Rev. Mr. Hillyard, of Bedford, being appointed one of the Secretaries, jointly with the Rev. Mr. Beachcroft, Rector of Blunham, expressed the willingness that he felt in accepting any office that enabled him to promote the important object of this institution. "If I had gold and silver," said he, "these should be cheerfully offered to aid your funds; but if I have not these to offer, this hand is yours, and if I had a hundred hands I would employ them at your request. The Society of Protestant Dissenters," he continued, "with whom, for no short time, I have had the honour and happiness to be connected, during sonie months have distributed Bibles among persons of different religious denominations; and I have the pleasure to say, that, like a brook, it has now finished its limited course of beneficence by uniting its streams with a river, which, in a

channel more winding than the Ouse, will fructify every town and village in the county and its vicinity. The day of Pentecost, when divine promises were accomplished, and a pledge afforded of future triumphs of the cross, was a glorious period never to be forgotten in the church. On that day, men of different nations heard the fishermen of Galilee speaking, in their own tongues, the wonderful works of God, and were amazed. No more are such wonders expected by the church: no longer does she need them. The wonderful works of God are now published by the translators, in a greater number of languages and dialects than were spoken by the Apostles when the cloven tongues of fire descended upon them." He congratulated the Society on the union of different denominations of Christians. "The dawning of the day," said he, "is visible, when the Nonconformist shall not envy the Establishment, nor the Establishment vex the Nonconformist any more. Bunyan's successors are not likely to be tried at the bar of this very house where we are now assembled, for preaching the Gospel to a few poor cottagers; nor will persons be excluded from communion for attending religious wor ship in the neighbouring church." He concluded with repeating, that his heart rejoiced in the prospect of the extended diffusion of the Bible.

Mr. Professor Martyn, Rector of Pertenall, next rose to move the vote of thanks to His Grace the Duke of Bedford. He expressed the peculiar satisfaction he felt in witnessing the zeal and ability with which His Grace had so nobly come for ward to patronize the important object of that meeting; and in return for services which he was sure none appreciated more highly than himself, he begged to propose the cordial thanks of this meeting to His Grace the Duke of Bedford, for the honour conferred upon them by his accept ance of the office of Patron, and for his able and dignified conduct in the chair.

His Grace the Duke of Bedford arose, amid the general acclamations of the whole meeting, to express his conviction of the important object of that day's deliberation; and begged to assure them, that they should ever find him most willing to promote the welfare of the institu tion, and facilitate its establishment by all the means in his power.

The Rev. Mr. Grimshaw, Vicar of Biddenham and Rector of Burton, hailed it as a happy omen for the country when men of rank and eminence thus came for ward as the avowed advocates and cham pions of religion, and joined in that tri bute of praise and approbation, which

had been so justly bestowed on His Grace. The Bible, he said, had been most eloquently defined by a celebrated writer, as having God for its author, Salvation for its end, and Truth, without any mixture of error, for its contents. - To circulate this book was the object of the parent institution; and by means of it, it had already diffused light and knowledge throughout various parts of the British Empire, cheering the peasant in his cottage, and administering consolation to the afflicted. It had extended the same blessings to foreign countries, where it had penetrated not as foreign countries were usually penetrated into, with fire and sword and the torch of war. It came with the blessings of divinę truth, to soothe, to inform, and edify. It aimed to establish no kingdom, save the kingdom of God; it claimed no triumphs, but those of charity and love; it pretended to no victories, but a victory over superstition, ignorance, and error. In the accomplishment of this glorious plan, it had penetrated from the banks of the Thames to the shores of the Caspian and the Euxine-there it was lighting up the lamp of Divine Truth amidst Mahometan darkness and superstition. From the Caspian it had extended to the Wolga, where, in the two provinces of Esthonia and Livonia, it had been discovered, that no less than 400,000 families were without one single Bible. By the liberality of this institution 10,000 Bibles had been distributed among them. Nor was this all; it had proceeded on wards in its vast circuit of benevolence till it had at length reached the astonished Brahmin on the banks of the Ganges, and bade him bow the knee at the name of Jesus. Such were the labours of this Society; all calculated, under Divine Providence, to hasten the approach of that happy period, when we are told, that "the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea ;” labours which seemed to know no limit, but the limits of the earth itself-no boundary, but the circumference of the globe, And how were these mighty labours achieved? By means of the constitution of the Society, which incorporated men of all sects and denominations, and thereby extended the sphere of its operations, by so large an accession to its funds. It was this, its constitution, that in his opinion formed its excellency and its beauty. There were so many points that were unavoidably a ground of difference, and where we could not coalesce, that surely an opportunity of union, where that union was practicable, where it was to be effected without any compromise of principle, and where the beneficial effects resulting from it were felt by the whole 2

buman race, was not to be passed by to compliment a prejudice that curtailed the means of doing good, and could not but be offensive to Him who was said to be no respecter of persons.

The Rev. Richard Whittingham, Vicar of Potton, then moved, that the thanks of the Society be given to those noblemen and gentlemen who have accepted the office of Vice-presidents of this Auxiliary Institution. He observed, that he was unable to express his feelings on the glorious occasion of the meeting for the purpose of disseminating the knowledge of Divine Truths, by the distribution of the Bible into the different parts of the earth. He rejoiced that the Institution formed common ground on which Chris tians of every name might cordially unite their exertions in promoting the glory of God, and the happiness of man; and that the Bible Society was calculated beyond description, to bring forward the glorious period, when the knowledge of the glory of God shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.-He warmly expressed his hearty co-operation for promoting the design of the Society, and that his utmost influence, as long as he lived, should be exerted to enhance its interests. He was happy in saying that his parishioners came forward in a very liberal manner for the support of so excellent an institution, and trusted that a similar spirit of libe rality, for accomplishing its design, would be universally excited.

1812. March 3.-The signs of the appearance of the true Messiah, as stated by the Jewish prophets, found in the advent of Jesus Christ.

April 2.-The characteristic marks of the Messiah, as predicted in the sacred Scriptures, discovered in the person, actions, doctrines, and sufferings of Jesus Christ.

May 7.-Proofs of the resurrection of Jesus.

June 4.The claims of the oral law (from which the Jews profess to derive the true interpretation of the written law) considered as to its pretended divine origin,

July 2.-The opinions of the modern Jews compared with the doctrines delivered by the ancient Jewish writers (nat inspired) whose works have been handed down to posterity.

To the Editor of the Christian
Guardian.

Errors and mistakes which are sanctioned by great names, and which have been of long standing, are not easily removed. Among these I reckon that of the Title to the celebrated Ode of Pope, "The Dying Christian to his Soul." Pray, is there, properly speak ing, one word of Christianity in that Ode ? Is there any thing which a Socrates or a Cisero might not have written? There is, indeed, a reference to angels; but those philosophers had some notion of invisible agents, as the instruments of carrying on the designs of the Divine Being. Is there any mention of a Redeemer in that Ode? Can a Christian triumph over death without a Redeemer ? Did St. Paul? What a cold jingle of rhymes is Pope's, in comparison with the impassioned Language of that holy Apostle, "O Death! where is thy sting? &c. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, though our Lord Jesus Christ!" Pope indeed borrows part of these words, but he stops short, and touches not the cause of death, nor the only means of deliverance from it.

The world may admire the profane poet (for such I must call him); but let none of his religious performances be extolled by pious Christians. His mind was polluted; this is evident even from his translation of Homer, where he always heightens and improves any licentious idea which occurs in that ancient poet. His muse was not the delicate muse of Cowper, corrected and improved by her knowledge of Christianity, and taught to frequent the fountain of divine truth.

I have attempted a substitute for the above Ode, which is, I trust, more scriptural, and rather more adapted to the Christian ear. you think proper to insert it in your valuable work, you will oblige your constant reader, J. B. O. C.

THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL.

WHY, my soul, this trembling fear?
Would'st thou linger always here?
Dost thou love thy prison so?
Wilt thou never wish to go?
Look beyond this earthly frame:
Rise, O rise, immortal flame!

Rise, my soul; triumphant sing:
Where, O Death, thy painful sting?

Where, O Grave, thy dreadful pon't,
Since that great and awful hour,
When the Son of God arose,
And did heav'nly joys disclose?
"Pains and sorrows, now adieu;
Once I sunk oppress'd by you.
Now the world of light appears,
I have done with carnal fears.

Quickly shall I haste away,
And enjoy eternal day.
"Lov'd companion of my toil,
Thou must sink in earth awhile;
Motionless, and with the clay,
Thou must wait the judgment-day:
Then the trumpet's awful sound
Shall awake thee from the ground!
"Listen-now the heav'nly choirs
Strike aloud their peaceful lyres.
Hark! they call thee to arise,
And with them ascend the skies;
View no more this transient scene
Come with us to joys serene.”

PRAYER.

THOU! whose all-seeing eye

Observes thy children's wants,
Whose ear attends their cry,

Whose hand each blessing grants;
Oh, give my heart the love of thee,
In holiness and purity!

Thou! whose amazing pow'r
By man is feebly known,
Whom angels glad adore,

Whom saints rejoice to own;
Oh, guide my steps that devious stray
Along a rough and thorny way!

Lord of the saint! thou givest rest
To those that bear thy love;
And send'st an earnest to their breast,
Of greater joys above!

Oh, bring me safe, when life shall cease,
To rest in heaven, in joy, and peace!

And as thine holy hand

Hath tied the kindred knot,
And bade our friends command
Peculiar love and thought;

Oh, grant that those who here are dear
May meet with me in glory there!

"THIS reverend Prelate was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, July 1, 1574, where his father, under the Earl of Huntingdon, was governor or bailiff of the town. His promising parts in his childhood were admirable, so that he was destined to an academical life; for as soon almost as Emanuel College was admitted into Cambridge, he was admitted into that college; a college which for good orders, studious carriage, strict government, and austere piety, if it hath any equals, I dare say hath no superiors. He passed all his degrees with great applause, being much noted in the UniverCHRIST. GUARD. Vol. IV.

it truth or paradox), that Mundus senescit, The world groweth old: yet in some sort his position confuteth his position, the wit and quickness whereof did argue an increase, rather than a decay of parts in this latter age.

"His first church preferment was the rectory of Halsted in Suffolk, where he bestowed great cost in repairing the parsonage-house; and being, by his affairs, inclined to a married state, as he walked from church with Mr. Grandidge, a reverend neighbour minister, he saw a modest and comely gentlewoman, daughter to Mr. George. Winniffe of Brettenham, at the door of that house where, they were invited to a wedding dinner; whose discreet deportment so won upon his affections, that having obtained her and her friends' consent, he was married unto her, becoming his wife for forty-nine years after.

"Soon after, upon the importu nity of Sir Edmond Bacon, he attended him to the Spa in Ardenna, out of his curiosity to make an ocular inspection into the state of the Romish Church, under the

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protection of the Earl of Hertford, then ambassador to Archduke Albert. In which voyage he passed through many dangers, not so much by the perils of sea, as by his Romish adversaries, who knowing him a man of superexcellent parts, according to their old principles, whom they cannot confute, they seek to confound: yet returned he safe into his own country, and went to London, upon the overture of a preacher's place, void at St. Edmund's Bury; but missing that, he was, by Edward Lord Denny (afterwards Earl of Norwich), placed at Waltham Abbey in Essex, continuing there two-and-twenty years, where his little Catechism (delivered without book with the same exactness it was penned) did much good in that populous parish; and it is to be wished that ordinance were generally used all over England.

"Being doctor of divinity, there was a synod assembled at Dort in Holland, consisting of learned divines, sent from the Count Palatine of the Rhine, from Hessia, From Switzerland, from the church of Geneva, from Bern, Embden, Holland, Zealand, Utrecht, Friesland, and other provinces. Four also were, by King James, sent trent England; namely, George Bishop of Landaff; John Davenant, Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge; Samuel Ward, Master of Sidney College 1. Cambridge; and this our learned Fr. Hall and for Scotland, Walter Belcanquel, Bachelor of Divinity. But our Doctor's weak body agreeing not with the unquietness of those garrisoned towns; after some pathetic speeches and motions for accommodation, after the expedient (called Sententia 4. Theol. Brit.) for reconciliation, and the elegant Latin Sermon for peace; he retired first to my Lord Ambassador Carlton's the Hague, and with His Ma

jesty's leave returned into England.

"In his room was substituted Dr. Thomas Goad. This synod was assembled to examine and determine the doctrine of Arminius, 1. Concerning God's predestination, election, and reprobation. 2. Concerning Christ's death, and man's redemption by it. 3. Concerning man's corruption and conversion to God. 4. Concerning the perseverance of the saints. all which points the doctrine of Arminius was rejected, as also of Vorstius; and the true doctrine, by a general consent, received with the approbation of the lords the states.

In

"But to return to our reverend Dr. Hall: he was preferred first Dean of Worcester, then Bishop of Exeter, then Bishop of Norwich, then Bishop of no place; for the Long Parliament, in the reign of King Charles the First, intending to down with episcopacy, this pious prelate was one of those charged in the House of Lords; and strong demurrer stopping that ceeding, he was endangered by the rabble, who one night vowed their ruin, hardly escaping from the house, under the Earl of Manchester's protection, having in vain moved both Houses for assistance.

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"These unpunished insolences caused him and eleven other Bishops to protest against all acts done in the House during that violence; which so incensed the House of Commons, that they passed a resolution by vote to accuse them of high treason, and sent Mr. Glyn to the Lords' House to impeach them thereof; which caused them, January 30, (a fatal day!) late in a bitter frosty night, to be sent to the Tower, where they continued about four months; during which time he preached in his course with his brethren, and meditating. He heard cheerfully of the bonfires and ringing in the city upon their imprisonment: nar