But really, Sir, to be serious—“I feel very strong objections to the whole plan, not indeed the simple, pure object of” securing the Scriptures from perversion; “the mischief lies in the _manner_ and means,” which must at all events be employed for “carrying that object into effect.” {34} The word of God, which is a savour of life unto life, _may_ also, I know, become a savour of death unto death. I am sorry for it: but to restrain the circulation of it, in order to provide against this _contingent_ evil, would, I continue to think, with the authority before cited, be at once as unreasonable and unjust, as to “forbid people to eat or drink, for fear they should abuse that liberty.” I am really sorry, Sir, you were so much at a loss to interpret the meaning of that “liberal basis,” upon which his Lordship recommended the Society to your notice. The terms “broad bottom,” {35a} which you substitute in their place, would have expressed well enough his Lordship’s intention; but as he was writing to a _Country Clergyman_, and not to “a preaching blacksmith,” he would not “fail in the respect” that is due to “a gentleman and a Christian.” {35b}—“Those who are used to good company (you say) know how to behave.” {35c} What then is his Lordship to think of _you_, when you tell him, that you have “not been educated on liberal-basis’d or broad-bottomed principles,” {35d} but that either you have not put on your prettiest behaviour, or that you would “feel” less “uneasy,” than you pretend, in that class of company to which, as a member of the Bible Society, you would expect to be introduced? But were there no other authorities to which you could have recourse, when the lexicographer failed you, than the mouths of the “_vulgar_?” {36} I have an authority before me, which throws so much more light upon his Lordship’s “liberal basis,” than either the synonyms of the “lexicographer,” the slang of the “vulgar,” or the etymological quirks of the “Country Clergyman,” that I shall make no apology for producing it: “Give us all grace, to put away from us all rancour of religious dissension, that they who agree in the essentials of our most holy faith, and look for pardon through the merits and intercession of the Saviour, may, notwithstanding the differences upon points of doubtful opinion, and in the forms of external worship, still be united in the bonds of Christian charity, and fulfil thy blessed Son’s commandment, of loving one another as he hath loved them.”—_Form of Prayer for the Fast_, _October_ 19, 1803. Now here, Sir, I found that “liberal basis” upon which the Society is erected, and I am surprised you did not think of looking for it in the same place. But perhaps the liberal basis of the prayer, like that of the Society, “has no charms for” _you_. I will not presume such a fact; but if you were to affirm that it is so, I should have very little difficulty in believing you.