“In the first place we feel ourselves constrained to assert, that the dissemination of the Scriptures does not appear to us to be conducted in a proper spirit, and with proper views. If we investigate the character of many of those who distinguish themselves by more than ordinary activity in the cause, it cannot be denied that they very frequently seem to possess only a narrow view of theology, and exceeding littleness of mind. That laudable veneration, which they feel for the word of God, easily acts in them, in the absence of more solid theological attainments, as a check to the liberty of thought and judgment, to which Christianity leads; they confound an ecclesiastical system of doctrine with the Gospel, they adhere with enthusiastic devotedness to exterior forms, and sacrifice to these the heavenly spirit of Christianity; they seek the essentials of our religion in the blood and wound theology {15} (blut und wunden theologie) of former centuries, and it is sufficiently clear that, by the exertions of such men, a blind adherence to the mere letter of the word of God is again sought to be brought into use, to the great injury of genuine Christianity and moral improvement. The peculiar interest which Mystics and Pietists of the present day take in the advancement of Bible Societies, and the connection in which they frequently stand with those who create disorders, by dissent and separation from the church, is a sign of the times which ought not to be passed over unnoticed.” The editor next objects to the resolution taken in England on the subject of the Apocrypha. This the editor thinks should be opposed, on the ground, amongst other reasons, that two _thirds of the canonical books of the Old Testament_ might _with far less injury be withheld than one single book of the Apocrypha_, for instance, the book of Sirach, &c. &c. I think from this extract it will be obvious, that the Bible Society abroad is regarded by the enemies of the truth as a great instrument for promoting evangelical religion; and, in spite of what has been said against its agents and its apocryphal books, I cannot but concur with the German editor, in his general argument. It is my deliberate conviction, that the Bible Society has been in Germany the instrument of the greatest good; and, if some of the heads of this institution have not profited by it as they ought, the poor at least, in many considerable districts, have been gainers to an extent of which those are little aware who have not carefully investigated the subject.