The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

INTERESTING LETTER.

From the London Morning Chronicle, of the 17th of August, we copy the following letter addressed to the Editor. The information it contains respecting the National Bible Society in Sweden, will, we doubt not, be highly gratifying to our readers:-

Sir-To that part of mankind who are accustomed to rightly appreciate the rapid progress and expansion of Bible Societies, &c. it cannot but incline additional gratitude to the Supreme Disposer of events, for the late important and unprecedented accessions to our great cause of intellectual emancipation; for we may boldly and exultingly avow, that at no former epoch of the world have mankind witnessed such gigantick efforts as the British and Foreign Bible Society are now making in different quarters of the globe. We no longer contemplate this illustrious Society, as merely patronized by the magnanimous few, whose heavenly-directed intellect first brought it into existence. No! it is not as heretofore promulgated by the exclusive efforts of the disciples of the "despised Nazarene," but involves in its lucid orbit the immense populations of continents and islands, with those august Monarchs, who thus stand foremost in the lists of royalty as the avowed champions of the human race, and candidates for imperishable fame!! It is a Sovereign of this class, Mr. Editor, which consults his real grandeur by estimating himself, not according to the extent of his territory, or the brutal ferocity of his subjects, but in being the ruler of a people distinguished above all others by that elevation of mind which raises the subject in the moral scale of being, and thus fulfils the sacred appointment of the royal delegation, and the eternal destination of the human race. Under the benign auspices of such an active Prince as this, the noblest and most useful faculties of man will be elicited, to adorn his reign with all the brilliant virtues and talents of these associated principles, which alone can impart stability and glory to a throne and people. Such a great example as this is no longer wanting to irradiate, with its mild and kingly lustre, the Courts of Europe; and the commencement of the nineteenth century; or in the philanthropic monarch of Sweden we behold one of the noblest monuments of a polished and benign age. We contemplate, this real "father of his people," surrounded by all the assembled rank and dignity of the legislative and ecclesiastical authorities of the kingdom, united in one common interest of employing their energies in the promotion and diffusion of the Sacred Scriptures throughout his hereditary and newly acquired dominions. For the information of many of your readers, Mr. Editor, I beg to subjoin this pleasing statement of the Swedish National Bible Society, held their anniversary at Stockholm, on the 20th of April last, under the patronage of his Majesty the King of Sweden, and the presidency of Baron Rosenblad, Minister of the home department. The meeting was held in the largest room in Stockholm, and was most numerously and brilliantly attended. All the Bishops and clergy from different parts of the kingdom, who were attending the Diet, were present, together with a numerous concourse of all ranks. The Crown Prince, who is the first honorary member, presented the society with 6000 rix-dollars, and has further given a handsome sum to encourage the formation of a Bible Society for the kingdom of Norway. The British and Foreign Bible Society has offered the sum of 500l. for the promotion of a similar object. Wishing it every possible success, I am, &c.

A LOVER OF LIGHT.

Beacon-hill. August 10, 1815.