It is a happiness for the friends of the Bible Society to know, that opposition like this, is not new against an institution of the most acknowledged merits; and which has the testimony of the very writer of these “Reasons.” At an early period of the existence of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the very same opposition was raised against itself. In the year 1718, that Society thought proper to answer these allegations, and I will extract a passage from a preface which it published to some missionary letters. Extract from the Preface to a Collection of Letters from Foreign Missionaries, part 3, published by the direction of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. London, 1718, page vii. “As things of this nature are generally subject to various opinions and reflections, so hath in particular this undertaking met with the same treatment since it came to be known in Europe. It hath been highly approved by some, and disliked by others. Some, who do not suppose an enterprize of this nature to be altogether impracticable, do, however, think it now very improper, when every one _complains of hard tines_, and is called upon by _other expences nearer at home_; and, for this reason, they are fur putting it off to a more convenient season. Others have been startled _at the newness of the thing_ and are shy to venture into a road so little beaten in this age, and so much exposed to danger and difficulty. Others have been bare spectators in this matter, unwilling to judge of a work, which, like a tender blade, did but just appear above ground, _not discovering as yet what its fruit might prove_. Others again, have taken a transient view of the scheme, but declared their unwillingness to be farther concerned, till they should see some _eminent men espouse it_, and by their example encourage others to engage in the same. Others are displeased with the heathen themselves, who, for the sake of a little gain, will conform to the christian name, but, at the approach of danger, quit it again, and relapse into their former ways. “It is not the design of this preface to examine at large the various opinions and judgments which hitherto have been passed on this affair, much less to determine how far they might be well-grounded, or how far, perhaps, they might be biassed by mistaken and prejudices. However, thus much may be said in answer to those, who, on the one hand, are so easily terrified by the common calamities of the times, and, on the other, by the expensiveness of the design, that they seem to be little acquainted with the ways and dispensations of Providence. For if we take a survey of the most considerable transactions, both under the law and the gospel, it will plainly appear, that, generally, the _best of works have been carried on in the worst of times_, and that they have triumphed at last (though after much toil and labour) over all the clamours and oppositions that wicked men and devils could raise against them.