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continually being made to get entrance well apply the words of the apostle, into those parts which heretofore have" Now it is high time to awake out of been inaccessible or unreached. sleep." When our Lord sent out the

The society has now existed for forty-twelve, he said to them, "Freely ye one years. It does not say it has never have received, freely give." We in this erred or made mistakes, in its varied and island, and still more especially in Scotextensive operations, during so long a land, have received early and freely this period, nor does it pretend to be perfect most estimable boon of the holy scripnow in all its ways; but it wishes, ac- tures in our own language. Let us cording to the best of its judgment, to then, speedily and liberally, bestow the improve itself, and to adopt those mea- holy book on all mankind, and in all sures which time and circumstances may, their various tongues. in the providence of God, point out.

It has already been said, that through this institution, directly and indirectly, there have been put into circulation about 27 millions of copies of the word of God, and over a vast extent of the world, and in a great variety of languages. But what are these 27 millions, numerous as they are, compared with the population of the world? The world's population may be estimated at 800 millions or more, and some 600 millions of these may be heathens and Mahometans. Probably not more than two millions out of these 27 have as yet reached this immense mass of mankind, and all have souls to save or to perish. The great bible work seems, therefore, only at its commencement. It hence becomes all who have the bible themselves to bestow the bible upon the world; and every encouragement should surely be given to such an institution as the one here named, whose labours, and versions, and arrangements are so extensive.

This island, above all parts of the world, has been favoured with the bible; and Scotland has benefited more by it than England, from the more general instruction in reading. It is an especial duty, then, which lies as an obligation on Great Britain, and yet more particularly on Scotland, to put on new activity in the blessed work to which we are called, of distributing the holy book of God over the entire world, and with the least possible delay.

One of the natives of the Fegee islands, said to a missionary, some years ago, Oh, why did ye not send us the bible before?" Others, on receiving the word of God, have expressed themselves after a similar manner. In short, the heathen seem more anxious to receive the bible, than we are to give it to them. This is a strange position of things, and surely it ought to be reversed; we should press the scriptures on the world, rather than be put to shame, as we now are, by the world pressing us with a desire to obtain them. And to this matter we might

A few observations are required here, in reference to some objections made to certain parts of the society's operations.

For some time after the society commenced its labours on the continent of Europe, the apocryphal books were printed with the bible, in the understanding that the people for whom they were printed would not receive the scriptures without this addition, having always been in the habit of seeing them together.

This was an error on the part of the society, though done with the best intentions; as these apocryphal books ought never to have been published by it, seeing they form no part of the holy scriptures given by inspiration of God, and for the publication of which alone the society was instituted. The attention of the society was drawn to this error by the Edinburgh Bible Society, and by various of the auxiliaries in England. This led to the adoption of a resolution to exclude for ever these uninspired books, and they were accordingly excluded. This resolution was formed in 1825, and since that time (now a period of twenty years), the society has never published a single copy of the apocrypha in any language. In regard to the English language, the apocrypha never was published by the society, not even one copy of it at any time.

The bible societies in England who had opposed the printing of the apo crypha, when they saw that this practice. was laid aside, cordially continued to act with the parent society. But this was not the case in Edinburgh, and in some other parts of Scotland. The chief grounds stated by them for continuing their separation are, that the British and Foreign Bible Society retains a certain connexion with the bible societies on the continent, which still circulate the apocrypha. But what is the nature of that connexion? It is simply that of giving them some bibles without the apocrypha, and bound, to prevent its being added;

the apostles, who made general use of a version of the scriptures, in many respects defective, because it was received. and generally used by those to whom they spoke and wrote.

whilst all the money that may be received for them is remitted to London, and not one farthing of it, therefore, can be employed to aid in printing bibles containing these objectionable books. This connexion with these societies cannot, The Latin Vulgate, from which transthen, enable them, as some have alleged, lations have been made into different to print more apocryhas than otherwise languages, and some of which have been they would do, for they never print and published by the society, may well, in a circulate the apocryphal books by them-critical point of view, be considered supeselves. It should also be stated, that rior to the Septuagint, the Greek version these societies, consisting as they do of used by the apostles. protestants, never call these books the word of God, nor consider them as such; but, on the contrary, print with them a declaration of their uninspired nature. It is wrong, therefore, to say, as has been said, that "these bible societies circulate the apocrypha as a part of the scriptures of truth."

It was this self-same Latin Vulgate, it may be truly said, that was the sword of the Spirit, by which the Reformation was achieved, and with which the reformers found no fault.

In different parts of Europe, particularly in France, where translations from the Vulgate are circulated, we find none of the evils taking place which some have predicted; but circumstances quite the reverse have occurred, for we see great numbers brought, by the reading of these versions, to renounce popish errors, instead of being confirmed in them, as some have alleged, and to become true Christians, as above already indicated. In fact, the main errors of the Catholics are not founded on such matters, but on passages wrongly interpreted by them, about the translation of which there is no difference between Catholic and Protestant versions.

There is another aspect of this connexion with these societies, and one which is worthy of especial notice, and it is this, that these bibles without the Apocrypha, furnished by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and circulated by the societies in question, in their respective places, will gradually and certainly bring into discredit, and thence into disuse, their own bibles containing the apocrypha. It is well known that, from the commencement of the Reformation, down to a very late period, the apocrypha was contained in all, or nearly all, the family bibles used in this country, Some other objections are also enterand is still extensively found in them. tained in the same quarter against this The change for the better in this, is ow-society, but which it is unnecessary here ing chiefly to the Bible Society opera- to enter upon. It may be enough to say, tious, because the bibles circulated by that they have met with their proper the societies being cheaper, and never containing the apocrypha, have come into very general use, and thus forced out, in some degree, the apocrypha bibles from our families, And this same thrusting out will no doubt take place, in due time, on the continent of Europe. Some objections have also been made against the British and Foreign Bible Society, as respects certain of the versions which it publishes. On this matter the following remarks may be made:— The society's general plan is not to make translations of the scriptures itself, but it adopts those which are received in countries where versions exist, and it gladly avails itself of translations made by missionaries in different parts of the world. Some of the translations they thus obtain are better than others, and none of them, perhaps, are without defects. But, nevertheless, they may well and truly be styled the word of God.

In adopting these versions, the society undoubtedly acts on the plan pursued by

replies, in various publications, by various hands. One of the best tracts upon the whole subject of this controversy, is entitled, The Bible Society Question, in its Principles and Details, by the Rev. Samuel Charles Wilks, M.A., published by Cochran and Key, Strand, London, 1832, price 3s. Those who really wish to know the true state of this question, would do well to consult this ably written pamphlet.

In the mean time, the world is lying in darkness for want of the heavenly light of the Word of God, and the commands of our Saviour lie on us to send this light to all mankind, and as early as we can. We may differ as to the best mode of doing this work, but surely we should not hinder and discourage one another. And if, unfortunately, there are certain things which hinder us from acting conscientiously in one united body, let us bear with each other, and do our work without envy and strife.

Finally, let us all remember, and let us

press the thought on our consideration | and our consciences before God, that we are privileged with the Word of God, not for our own good solely, but also that we should be God's instruments in sending it to others. It was at first sent to us by others, and by foreigners; we, therefore, ought to send it to others, and to foreigners every where. Let us be faithful in

giving the Scriptures to mankind, and God will bless us more than he has yet done in the knowledge of the bible ourselves, and in all the consequent benefits.

And, again, let Scotland consider that it ought decidedly to be the foremost in this holy work, seeing we have so greatly benefited, in every way, by the heavenly book.

MONTHLY RETROSPECT.

FREE CHURCH SUSTENTATION FUND. tion during the second half of the REGARDING this fund as an interesting ex-year [from Martinmas to Whitsunday] periment in ecclesiastical finance, we feel the dividend [for the whole year] cannot grateful to our brethren for the ample be expected to equal that of last year." and explicit information they afford re- But the fund itself for the last half year specting its progress, and always look has increased considerably as compared with a degree of eagerness to the Month- with the corresponding half of the prely Statement. Nothing seems clearer ceding year. The total amount received than that other denominations might from 15th May to 15th November 1845, learn valuable lessons from the punctu- was L.40,046, of which there was receivality and precision of the Free Church ed from congregational associations, in reference to money matters. From L.38,429. While for the same period of the Statement for December it appears 1844 the total was L.39,314, of which that all their ministers "entitled to the from associations, L.34,005. There is equal dividend" have received the sum thus, for the last six months, a gross inof L.50 as stipend from Whitsunday to crease of L.732 as compared with the Martinmas last, exactly the same as they same period of 1844. But it is of imreceived for the same half of the preced-portance to observe that in the proceeds ing year. We may here correct a mis- of the associations there is an increase taken opinion which many entertain, of L.4424, while there is a decrease that the emoluments of all Free Church of L.3691 in the private contributions, ministers are exactly equal. The fact is, clearly showing that in no long time the that they are distributed into several fund must be dependent almost entirely different classes even as to what they on the associations. During the last six receive from the Sustentation Fund; and months the aggregate proceeds of the individual congregations are entitled to associations in sixty out of the seventy raise the stipends of their own ministers presbyteries have increased. The presaccording to their pleasure and ability, as byteries in which there has been a dewill be seen from the following law of the clension are the following:-Selkirk, General Assembly:-"The ordinary col- Paisley, Dumbarton, Stirling, St Anlections at church doors shall be adminis- drews, Brechin, Fordoun, Garioch, Turtered by the deacons of the congregations riff, and Strathbogie. Satisfactory rea(after deducting feu-duties, insurance, sons it is said can be assigned for the and the ordinary expenses of the place of defalcation in all these cases except worship, where not otherwise provided three. The four presbyteries in which for), in increasing the stipend of the the increase has been smallest are Islay, minister defraying the expenses of Cupar-Fife, Kelso and Lauder, and Sabbath schools-aiding in the support Orkney, scarcely averaging L.10 each. of elementary local schools, or contribut- The four in which the increase has been ing to any of the general funds of the greatest are Perth, L.383; Aberdeen, Free Church, at the choice of, and in the L.237; Edinburgh, L.213; and Lochproportions fixed, by the congregations, carron, L.204. But as regard should be or by the deacons, with their consent; paid to the relative rather than the the sums required for making more com absolute increase, it may be more instrucfortable the poor of the congregation to tive to say that Lochcarron has more be raised by extra-collections for that than trebled its contribution; that Shetspecific object." land has done nearly the same thing; that Abernethy and Lewis have each more than doubled theirs ; and that Forfar and Breadalbane have each approximated to that rate.

The Sustentation Committee state that "from the increased number of ministers to be provided for, it is evident that without much additional exer

RESIGNATION OF THE MNISTRY.

SINCE our last there have been several important occurrences connected with the public affairs of this country, which we fondly hope will, under the infinitely wise and good providence of God, lead to results for which not only our own age and nation, but distant times and lands will have ample reason to be fervently grateful. Free Trade seems now at no great distance, and in that we verily believe, that the temporal welfare of Britain, of Europe, and of the world, is included, and that their moral and spiritual interests are not remotely connected with the same. Let it be our earnest prayer and hope that so great a boon may be constitutionally and quietly obtained.

It appears from the December Statement, p. 50, that a number of the late quoad sacra congregations are not contributing to the Sustentation Fund at all, as might have been expected from the efforts they made, previous to the disruption, for the maintenance of religious ordinances among themselves. It is justly said that nearly all the vigorous and flourishing congregations of this class left the establishment, and that being inured to habits of self-support, and having in many instances paid the interest of the debt on their fabrics, and been in every respect independent of foreign aid, it might have been reasonably hoped that they would prove useful auxiliaries to the funds of the Free Church. "But what," says the editor, "is the real state From the continued rotting of the of the case? We have before us facts potatoes to an extent far beyond what which show that not a few of them have was imagined, it became palpably plain all at once come to depend for a large that a large portion of the people must, proportion of their support on the central of necessity, either die of starvation, or fund. One congregation, for example, be sustained by food from abroad. The with about 500 communicants contributes idea of paying duty on such food in the only about L.80 to the central fund; so present circumstances of the country, that its minister last year drew about with provisions so high, and trade giving L.40 from a fund designed to extend the unequivocal symptoms of decay, was too church to poorer localities, which that gross to be entertained by any whose congregation so far prevented from en-minds were not incurably blind. The joying the benefit. This is but a sample warning given by Lord Glenelg, a few of not a few such cases. Some of years ago, had come to be regarded as the churches formerly called quoad sacra a prediction fulfilled. "In times of have done all that was expected from them, but others with congregations of 800, 900, 1000, or even 1200 have acted far otherwise, and we should think it must be the unanimous opinion of the Free Church that such cases should be inquired into. The simple question is this: Why are the churches which were self-sustaining before the disruption, not self-sustaining still?" We do not know to what answer an inquiry may lead; but it appears to us that if the facts be as alleged, they must be regarded as pro tanto an argument against a central fund. They seen to show that congregations, like individuals, when left chiefly to their own resources, will exert themselves for their own immediate behoof, beyond what they will do on the scheme of a community of goods. We cannot refrain from adding, that though we have never flattered the congregations of the Secession, and never will, it being much more in our way to provoke them to jealousy, and excite them to increased liberality and zeal, yet to their credit it must be spoken, that not one of them, half so numerous as those just mentioned, would disgrace itself by being in any degree indebted to a public fund for the support of its minister.

pressure and difficulty," said his lordship, "there may come a crisis in which there will be no longer an option as to the rate and manner of admitting foreign grain. There may come a time of extremity in which government will find itself constrained to attend only to the interests of a starving population, when the pleas of humanity and justice will become allpowerful. We are also bound to consider, in settling a question of this important nature, the growing intelligence of the age, the enlightened mind of the community, and the power of the public press, and I am greatly mistaken if we will not find ourselves before long, under the necessity of viewing it in regard only to the real justice of the question." Accordingly in the latter part of Novem ber, Lord Morpeth, a nobleman of great influence and weight of character, who had not previously committed himself to free trade in corn, formally joined the league, and declared his "conviction that the time was come for a final repeal of the corn laws." Without any concert, Lord John Russell, who had hitherto pleaded for a moderate fixed duty, addressed a letter to his constituents, dated Edinburgh, 22d November, in which he says,

"The Queen's ministers have met

*

IRISH ROMAN CATHOLICS.-COLLEGES
AND ENDOWMENTS.

and separated without affording us any length to which it is safe to go in talking promise of seasonable relief. It becomes to hungry men,-men made hungry by us, therefore, the Queen's subjects, to statute law, for the unjust aggrandiseconsider how we can best avert, or at ment of a handful of their fellow-subjects, all events mitigate calamities of no or--about warming their stomachs with dinary magnitude." He afterwards says, a pinch of curry powder, and then going. "It is no longer worth while to contend comfortably to bed. Meanwhile let all for a fixed duty. * * Let us unite good men earnestly implore the gracious then to put an end to a system which interposition of divine providence that has been proved to be the blight of com- all may be brought speedily to a pros merce, the bane of agriculture, the source perous and comfortable issue; and let of bitter divisions among classes, the every one of us, whether at a Genecause of penury, fever, mortality, and ral Election, or otherwise, determine to crime among the people." It is well do his duty in this crisis of our counthat his lordship sees and admits all this try's affairs, as conscientiously and as at last, though most unprejudiced and zealously as if that whole issue depended enlightened men, who have reached his on himself. time of life, saw it as clearly twenty years ago as they do now. The effect of his letter, however, followed up as it was by a number of large and influential public meetings, where many individuals of commanding talents and station, who formerly stood aloof, came forward, and where there seemed to be entire harmony of classes, not long ago hostilely arrayed against each other, the effect of all this seemed to be a resolution on the part of the cabinet, not unanimous, but concurred in by the Duke of Wellington it is believed, that foreign grain should be admitted duty free. It is alleged, however, that his Grace, contrary to his usual practice, changed his mind, and withdrew the consent he had given. Sir R. Peel who, with all his faults, is not destitute of intelligence and sagacity, saw the hopelessness of his position, and he and all his colleagues tendered their resignation, which has been accepted. Her Majesty sent for Lord John Russell, and empowered him to form a government. But at the time we write, the latest intelligence is that he has not succeeded in doing so, and apprehensions are entertained that he must abandon the task.

In such circumstances, speculation would be foolish. But of this we are well persuaded, that free trade, especially in corn, will soon be conceded or extorted,-whoever may be the minister of the crown. A voice more powerful than that of a king has said, It must be. The landlords may be strong enough to deter Lord John Russell and his friends from taking office, but before matters 'come to extremity, they will do well to reflect whether an insulted, plundered, starving, and infuriated people, may not deprive them of something more than their monopoly. There is but a certain

Ar a recent meeting of the Irish
Catholic Bishops, it was resolved,
"That the archbishops and bishops
of Ireland, having resolved that the
measure of academical education pro-
posed by the government, was dan-
gerous to faith and morals, while the
securities which they required for the
removal of those dangers were refused
by the government and legislature; we,
as guardians of the faith in Ireland, and
anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit
in the bonds of peace, lay before the
Holy Father our former resolutions, their
application to the act in its present
form, together with the grounds on which
those resolutions were founded, in order
that we may all receive the decision of
his Holiness, and recognise, the voice
of Peter in the person of his success-
or." From this, seven of the number,
including two of the archbishops, dis-
sented, because they considered it a more
accurate statement of the case, and more
respectful to the Holy See, simply to lay
the bill before his Holiness for his con-
sideration and decision. These seven
are understood as favourable to the mea-
sure. The prelates also unanimously re-
solved, "That our resolutions adopted
at different periods, condemning a state
pension for our clergy, be now repub-
lished in order to inform our people that
our opinions on the subject_are_un-
changed and unchangeable." Let Lord
J. Russell avail himself of this, as a rea-
son for keeping in abeyance his avowed
opinion respecting the endowment of the
Papists. If he do otherwise, he, too,
may find that his chief difficulty has re
ference to Ireland.

MURRAY AND GIBE, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH.

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