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Esq. Thomas Bagnall, Esq. Wm. Ward, Esq. W. H. Folliott, Esq. W. H. Worth ington, Esq. Richard Richardson, Esq. J. Finchett Maddock, Esq. Robert Baxter, Esq. G. B. Granville, Esq. Mr. J. Walker, Mr. Leet, Mr. W. Ward, &c. &c. Soon after 12 o'clock, the BISHOP rose, and said, that as the present was a Meeting of the Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, it became him to open the proceedings with the usual prayers to the Almighty for its prosperity and his protection.-His Lordship then read the prayers in a very impressive manner, all present kneeling; after which,

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very centre of the Metropolis, to forward the objects of the Society, he found hundreds who actually did not know of its existence! He was aware, some might say, that this ignorance was owing to the inertness of the Society, but there had been no inertness but what arose from the want of support and if this had been the case, it certainly was not so now! That there had been a discreditable indifference he was not prepared to deny; and he even found amongst his parishioners many warm friends of the Church, who, strange to say, supposed the Bible was never distributed by the Society unless it was bound up with the book of Common Prayer! This error, it was pretty obvious, had originated in the misrepresentation of some one; but he would not enquire into that. When he sought the contributions of his parishioners, it was fairly stated to them, that the ap

exclusively to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, which was strictly in its principles a Church Society; and he was glad to say, that although his parish was situated in that part of London abound. ing with seceders from the Church, he found many of them who gladly contributed towards so good a purpose.-Far from dissembling the fact, we ought to avow with pride that this is a Church of England Society, and we should cordially co-operate, in order to disseminate the pure principles of that Church of which we profess ourselves Members.

The BISHOP OF CHESTER addressed himself to the audience in words to the following purport: -He said, he felt a lively satisfaction-a satisfaction which he had not words to express,-to behold before him a meeting so numerous, and so truly respectable. It was highly gratify-propriation of the money would be confined ing, inasmuch as it convinced him, that there was abroad, not only a spirit of zeal in support of our Holy Religion, but also of love to the Established Church, which was the best instrument, under Divine Providence, of propagating true Religion. Assembled as they were with a particular object in view, he felt it his duty to offer to their notice a few observations. He would be as short as he could in explaining to them his sentiments, first, because, probably, a greater part of those he had the honour of addressing were well acquainted with the principles of the Society; and secondly, because he disliked from his heart, the ostentation of being prominent in speaking on public occasions. Charity is unobtrusive and retired; she courts not public gaze, nor does she seek public applause, any further than may be requisite to attract the notice, and to conciliate the regard of those, who would otherwise remain in ignorance of her exertions and deserts; and he would therefore confine bis remarks within the shortest limits which the execution of the task he had undertaken would permit. Glad was he to observe at the Meeting so great a number of the Clergy of the neighbourhood; but still more rejoiced was he to see so numerous and respectable an assemblage of the Laity, because it shewed that the support and welfare of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, was not confined to Ministers of the Gospel.-He saw around him many old and valued friends of that venerable Institution, numbers of whom, no doubt, were better acquainted with the subject than himself; but he would observe, that when he (the Bishop) took on himself last year, in the

The Society first originated in the year 1699,-a period when this Kingdom was threatened on one hand with the danger of Popery, and with Atheism and Infidelity on the other. It was formed to counteract their operation, and was soon afterwards divided into two branches, the one called the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the other called the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The principal object of the latter was the foundation of CharitySchools, generally confined to the Metropolis, and the formation of parochial catechetical libraries; that of the former to sending out Missionaries abroad. Let not the splendour of later and more extensive Charities so dazzle our eyes, as to make us blind to the early and effectual labours of this Society. So early as 1740, there were no less than 2000 Charity Schools founded by this Society, directly or indirectly; and at prerent the Metropolis exhibits to our view the great meeting of the different Charity Schools in connexion with the Establishment, holden before the Society—a sight the grandest and most affecting that could

be conceived!-to behold from 10,000 to 12,000 children assembled together in the Temple of the Lord, what could be so impressive?—what could sooner touch the sensibilities of our nature? (His Lordship at this period appeared to feel the import ance of the subject to which he adverted, and was generally cheered)—He must apologize for being carried away by his feelings -but he did hope to see an Annual Meeting of the Children similarly educated in Chester, in that Cathedral.—(Hear, hear.) -He trusted he should be excused trespassing on their time a little longer; and he could not forbear adverting to the lamentable deficiency of such Schools in this city. There was not one which gave public instruction on the Sabbath Day; so that, when Children, imperfectly educated, had arrived at an age in which they could earn something for themselves, they were taken away from their present schools, and the consequence was, that instead of having a school connected with the Establishment to avail themselves of on the Sabbath, they were obliged to take shelter in the seminaries of seceders,-so that, in point of fact, we were actually educating children for dissenters from the Schools of the Church! Did it not, then, become us, to establish similar schools?-(Hear, hear.)

At the present moment there were upwards of 300,000 children receiving the blessings of a Church Education, but that could not be done (as his noble and excellent Friend, Lord Kenyon, had just observed) were it not for the assistance of the Society for Promoting Christian Know ledge. This fact alone would establish its indefeasible claim to support from the Friends of the Church. But the object and influence of the Society did not end here; it was always ready to give its assistance, and disseminate its instructive books, not only to children but to adults. The great increase of schools had of course given a great increase of readers, and unless the Church of England supplied them with the books they required, the Dissenters undoubtedly would.

The second great object in view by the Society, was the general distribution of the Word of God. His Lordship was aware that till within the last few years, the operations of the Society were comparatively limited; but a stimulus was given to it-the Members of the Church rallied around it-its funds became extended, and it was now enabled to dispense its blessings in a larger sphere of action. There were more than 15,000 Subscribers on the Society's Books, and they were yearly and monthly increasing-its pro

gress was rapid,―bnt he would not stop to enumerate the labours of its earlier years. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that within the last FOURTEEN YEARS, at least FIF TEEN MILLIONS OF BOOKS had been DISTRIBUTED by the SOCIETY, of which a very great proportion was THE COMMON PRAYER, and the remainder useful and simple manuals of devotion for the poorer classes. At the present time, the Committee were employed in carefully revising the general Tracts of the Society in order to meet the errors and wants of the times in the most effectual way, so that, in a short time, he had great pleasure in stating, many more excellent Tracts and devotional books would be ready for circulation. He must not forget to mention also the Family Bible published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge-a work certainly in some degree expensive, and calculated not exactly for the means of the lower orders of Society, but rather for the middling and higher classes. Its usefulness would be proved by the fact, that not less than 24,000 copies had been sold.

In this neighbourhood it might be of some interest to state, that within the last century, upwards of 130,000 Welsh Bibles and Prayer Books had been distributed by the Society; and by its means the blessed Word had been translated into most of the modern, and some of the Oriental languages. In 1819, when it was permitted, for the inscrutable purposes of that Divine Providence which ruleth all things, and for the trial of his Church, that Atheistical and Infidel publications should spread abroad the poison of unbelief,— not fewer than ONE MILLION Tracts, &c. were issued by the Society in order to counteract and refute such dangerous principles. About thirty of these tracts were written by pious and learned Members of the Church, and, thank God! we have since seen the good effects of their exertions. The Bishop hoped he might be excused saying, and he adverted to it, with great gratitude to God, that there never was a time, when the work of Infidelity was less busy and bold than at present, and proud was he to say, that one great cause of this was owing to the activity and influence of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (Hear, hear!)-Lastly, another object which the Society had in view, was the distribution of the Scriptures to such unhappy Members of the Church, who, straying from the paths of rectitude and virtue into those of vice, offended against the laws of their country, and were imprisoned; and not only to Prisons were

the beneficent views of the Society directed, but also to those suffering under the hand of affliction in public Hospitals and Infir maries. He was fearful he was trespassing too much on the time of those who heard him, but he could not refrain from stating the principal features of the views entertained by the Society.

There was yet one point untouched, and that was as to the progress of the Society in Foreign Parts, and particularly in the East Indies. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel had long ago supported Missionaries in the East, as it did at present; and he could not but admire the devotion of those venerable and Apostolic men, who would thus voluntarily forego the blessings and comforts we enjoyed in this highly favoured land, in order to preach to those who sat in darkness the truth as it is in Jesus. Their labours had been encouraged by this Society, and they are now most materially aided by the introduction into the East Indies of an Episcopal Establishment. District Committees were there formed-Societies institutedand large depôts for books were established at Sincapoor, Cawnpore, Poonah, and many other places, besides the seats of Govern ment. It was particularly gratifying to observe, that these books were called for by the natives faster than they could be sup. plied, and it was a most important fact, that the Book of Common Prayer-that excellent exposition of the Scriptures, was principally sought for. In order still further to aid the glorious prospect which presented itself in that quarter of the world, a grant had lately been made by the Society, of £5000, for the foundation of a College at Calcutta, under the sanction and patronage of the Bishop, in order to prepare Preachers of the Gospel according to the discipline and doctrine of the Established Church. He (the Bishop) would forbear to dilate on this interesting subject, but he must observe, that the avidity with which the Scriptures, translated into the Tamoul tongue, were sought for at Tanjore, was most gratifying. He hoped and believed he should not be deemed guilty of a breach of confidence in stating, that he had been favoured with a sight of a recent communication from that learned and excellent Prelate (Dr. Heber) who now fills the See of Calcutta, in which he adverts to the auxiety manifested by the natives, to send their children to the Missionary Schools, eleven of which were supported from the funds of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.

Before he concluded, the Bishop observed, that some years ago, a Branch

Committee of the Society had been established in Chester, but it was exclusively confined to those who were Members of the Parent Society, who paid their annual Subscription. Now in the present instance be did not mean to propose that such a qualification should be indispensable; on the contrary, the Committee would be happy to receive the mites of ALL those who were disposed to contribute in aid of a Society formed for such really Christian purposes-from the poor as well as from the rich,-in testimony of their good will towards the holy cause in which they had embarked. He would, however, mention that none could be Members of the Committee, who did not contribute half-aguinea annually. He was of opinion, also, that it would be of no use to call occasional Meetings, where a speech or two might be made in illustration of the progress of the Society, unless its friends contributed their personal co-operation; and he was satisfied, the views he entertained could not be efficiently supported, unless by the individual exertions of the Members, and particularly of the Clergy, who might personally seek the assistance of their parishioners: and he was persuad. ed no minister of the Gospel could be ashamed of interesting himself in a cause in which charity was united with Christianity. In his own parish, in London, he called a Meeting for the same object for which this was convened; it was very thinly attended, and but few subscriptions, though liberal, were put down at the time; but upon going with the Committee round the parish, and waiting personally on bis Parishioners, the consequence was he scarcely had one refusal. In ten days he collected about 2007, and had he not done so, the probability was that the receipts would not have exceeded 10l. He hoped from the numerous and highly respectable attendance that day, that much would be done in aid of the Society's wants (hear, hear)—that its objects may be enlarged, and its operations extended. His Lordship here again urged the necessity of the Clergy personally exerting themselves in the cause of the Society, and confidently anticipated an ample harvest.-Before he sat down he must express his unqualified thanks to his noble and excellent friend (Lord Kenyon) who was always foremost in the cause of Charity and Religion, for his attendance that day; he had purposely travelled a considerable distance at great personal inconvenience to himself; nor could he omit naming another gentleman of great rank and influence in the county, (Sir R. W. Vaughan, Bart.)

wbo, although not connected with this immediate neighbourhood, had nevertheless attended as friendly to the Establishment, and to the new Bishop of the Diocese. (Hear, hear.) He had almost forgotten to state, that a letter had been sent by that highly-respected Nobleman the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, Lord Lieutenant of the County, to his friend Mr. Pearson, in which his Lordship expresses great regret that business alone prevented his being present; and he (the Bishop,) had also received one of the handsomest and kindest letters from the Earl Grosvenor, at Leamington, in which his Lordship observes, that he delayed till the last hour writing, in the hope that the health of Lady Grosvenor might be sufficiently restored to enable him to be present on the occasion: unfortunately it was not so; but his Lordship expressed his earnest wishes for the welfare of the Society, of which he had for many years been a warmly attached member. The Bishop here congratulated the Rev. Dr. Parkinson, bis Chancellor, who had just arrived in the room, and whom he described as an old and valuable servant of the Diocese; and then proceeded to read the resolutions, and recapitulated the number of books, &c, issued by the Society.

Lord Kenyon then rose. It was not his intention to have obtruded himself on the Meeting by any observations; but having been called upon by the highly respected Diocesan to propose the resolutions prepared, he should not shrink from the task. The object of the Meeting was one, for the prosperity of which he had ever entertained the greatest anxiety, having had the honour to be a Subscriber to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, for a great number of years, nearly as long, he believed, as the worthy Bishop had himself. (The Bishop: "Longer, my Lord.") The Committee in Chester had been established by the Right Reverend Predecessor of the Right Reverend Prelate, who then sat on his right hand,-whose activity and exertions in its cause, whose desire to forward the welfare of the Diocese entrusted to his charge, as well as the general interests of the Society, had excited universal satisfaction, and the particular gratification and gratitude of the Clergy of Chester, and those of every other place in the Diocese; and in every other situation, politically as well as religiously considered, his conduct claimed the tribute of public approval. (Hear, hear.) In thus expressing his sentiments as they respected the late Bishop of Chester, he could not but have the most pleasing sensations in noticing, that the

See was now possessed by one, in whom we had the assurance of having its most important duties executed with energy, activity, and ability, (hear, hear,) at the same time tempered with piety and benevolence.-The subject upon which they had assembled, was one which called upon them all for their undivided assistance, and knowing well, as he did, the temper and liberality of the inhabitants of this high-spirited county, he had no doubt whatever, but that it would be most strenuously supported. (cheers.) It would evince bad taste on his part were he to attempt to expatiate on what had been so ably illustrated by the Right Rev. Prelate. The Society, it was evident, had rendered the most eminently important services, in the foundation of Schools, the distribution of books, &c. but, as was judiciously observed by the Right Rev. Diocesan, its prosperity as much depended on the activity of the Laity, as on that of the Clergy: and we should not be worthy of belonging to that Church, which had already conferred such great benefits on the country, were we not to use our best exertions in promoting its prosperity and welfare. Our country is now blessed with plenty, peace, and happiness; and he (the Noble Lord) did sincerely believe, that the blessing of the Almighty was upon it. Being fully persuaded, that to the exertions and influence of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Church was indebted for the very extensive diffusion of its Apostolic principles, he would therefore propose, that the Resolutions be adopted by that Meeting.

The following Resolutions were then read:

1. That it is highly desirable to increase the Funds, and to extend the operations of the Diocesan Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, which was formed in this city in the year 1812.

2. That steps be taken to give publicity to the objects of that Committee; which are, to supply the poorer inhabitants of this city and neighbourhood, with Bibles, Testaments, Common Books, and Religious Tracts; and to aid Prayer the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in the prosecution of its pious designs.

3. That this Committee do receive Annual Subscriptions, and occasional Contributions, however small, for the objects stated in the second Resolution.

4. That Annual Subscriptions be due at Christmas,

5. That one third of the sums collected

by the Committee be remitted annually to the Society, in aid of its general designs.

6. That the remaining two thirds do form a separate Fund, for the use of this district, as far as its wants may require; the surplus, if any, to be remitted to the Society, for the supply of less opulent districts at home, or for the purpose of promoting its objects in foreign countries.

7. That for the supply of this district, the Committee do avail themselves of the privilege allowed by the Society, of ordering, through its Secretaries, Books on the Society's List, at the reduced prices marked in the Society's catalogue (which prices are less than two thirds of the bookseller's charges to the public).

8. That the books so ordered, be distributed to the poor, at the recommendation of the subscribers, either gratuitously, or at reduced prices: and that the money returned to the Committee from such sale, be considered as a further contribution to the district.

9. That the books purchased, and distributed by the Committee, be exclusively those which are on the Society's List.

10. That, with the permission of the Dean and Chapter, the Committee do meet at the Chapter House, on the last Monday in the months of December, April, July, and October.

11. That the accounts of the Treasurers, and Secretaries, be audited annually at the Quarterly Meeting, in April.

12. That the Lord Bishop of the Diocese be President of this Committee.

That the Right Hon. the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, Lord Lieutenant of the County,

The Right Hon. the Earl Grosvenor, The Right Hon. Lord Kenyon, The Right Hon. Lord Combermere, The Right Hon. Lord Delamere, The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Chester for the time being,

Richard Tyrwhitt, Esq. Recorder of Chester,

The Very Rev. the Dean of Chester, be requested to accept the Office of Vicepresidents.

That the following gentlemen be requested to form the acting Committee :Mr. Alderman Larden, Mr. Alderman Francis, Mr. Alderman Rogers, Roger Barnston, Esq. George Brooke, Esq. W. M. Thackeray, M.D. G. B. Granville, Esq. P. Humberston, Esq. Robert Baxter, Esq. John Finchett Maddock, Esq. J. Fletcher, Esq. W. Richardson, Esq. T. Dixon, Esq. George Harrison, Surgeon, George Harrison, Esq. Crane-street, W. H. Folliott, Esq. Mr. Thomas Whittell, Mr. Leet,

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Mr. Josiah Thomas, Mr. George Harding, the Rev. the Prebendaries of the Cathedral, and the Rev. the Clergy of the city and neighbourhood, with power to add to their number, under the regulations of the Society.

That Messrs. Williams, Hughes, and Co. be requested to accept the office of Trea

surers.

That the Rev. Thomas Armistead, and the Rev. George Pearson, be requested to accept the office of Secretaries.

13. That the care of the books in the depôt of this Committee, be entrusted to Mr. Richards, master of the Diocesan School.

14. That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Very Rev, the Dean and Chapter, for the use of the Chapter House.

The Very Rev. the DEAN Seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. After some conversation,

Dr. TREVOR rose, to observe, that it was not from any want of zeal that his clerical brethren did not come forward as speakers on this occasion. The Right Rev. Prelate in the Chair, he considered had exhausted the subject. No man respected their late Diocesan more highly than himself; but he was most grateful to his Majesty's Government for sending them such another Bishop as his successor.

Lord KENYON then proposed the thanks of the Meeting to the Lord Bishop of Chester. The motion was seconded by Sir R. VAUGHAN, Bart, when

The BISHOP said he would not trouble them further than by saying, that he never could be more effectually or properly employed than in disseminating Christian principles according to the discipline of the Church of England. He should look for no higher reward in this world, than the approbation of his brethren in the ministry, and of those whose eternal interests they were labouring to promote.

Subscriptions were then entered into, and the Meeting was dissolved about halfpast one o'clock.

The sums remitted to the Parent Society, by the District Society, since its establishment, amount to 15991. 13s. 8d. The books sold during that period areBibles..... • Testaments.

Common Prayer Books

Psalters

.....

1,904 420 5,188 800

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