Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible SocietyBorrow, George
Religion
Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible Society
Borrow, George
Authors, English -- 19th century -- Correspondence; British and Foreign Bible Society; English letters
As very erroneous ideas are generally entertained in Spain concerning the
constitution of the Bible Society and the views in which its proceedings
originate, I will endeavour in a few words to afford some correcting
information respecting both. I beg to state that the Bible Society is
composed of Christians attached to many and various sects and forms of
worship--for example, members of the Roman, Greek, Anglican, Calvinistic,
and Lutheran Churches, and of all ranks and grades in society, who,
though they may differ from each other in points of religious discipline,
form and ceremony, agree in the one grand and principal point: that there
is no salvation from the punishment due to original sin but through vivid
faith in Christ, manifested and proved by good works, such being the
amount of the doctrine found in those inspired writings known as the New
Testament which contain the words of the Saviour whilst resident in flesh
on earth, together with the revelations of the Holy Spirit to His
disciples after He had ascended to the throne of His heavenly glory.
Having said thus much respecting those who constitute the Bible Society
and the religious feeling which unites them, I will now devote a few
words to the explanation of their views, than which nothing can be more
simple or easily defined. They have no other wish or intention in thus
associating together than to assist, as humble instruments under Christ,
in causing His doctrine to be propagated and known in all the regions of
the vast world, the greatest part of which is still involved in
heathenism and ignorance; and looking upon their earthly goods as of
little or no value in comparison with such a glorious end, they expend
them in printing editions of their Master's Word in all languages, and in
transporting them to the remotest corners of the earth, that their
benighted fellow-creatures may see the lamp of salvation, and enjoy the
same spiritual advantages as themselves. Such is their wish, such their
view, totally unallied with commerce or politics, hope of gain and lust
of power. The mightiest of earthly monarchs, the late Alexander of
Russia, was so convinced of the single-mindedness and integrity of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, that he promoted their efforts within
his own dominions to the utmost of his ability, and established at St.
Petersburg a Bible Society of his own, whose publications have been a
source of blessing not only to Russia, but to many other lands.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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