In the profecution of thefe defigns, the laity and clergy of every denomination and description are immediately interested; and every pious perfon, according to the talent with which heaven hath intrusted him, however private may be his fituation, may oc casionally affift, either by his communications, or his fupport.

The business of the society will be transacted in the metropolis, in conformity to its rules and regulations; but much vigour and effect may be afforded to their labours by their distant members and other correfpondents. By their concurring endeavours, the fociety will acquire stability and strength; and their attempts to illuftrate the facred writers be productive, it is hoped, of happy confequences to the general interests of truth and virtue.

Influenced by thefe motives, and not without hope of the general countenance and support of ferious and liberal-minded chriftians, it is the intention of the fociety to publish fuch original papers, explanatory of the fcriptures, and also in vindication of the right of free inquiry and of private judgment, correfpondent to the fcheme of

their inftitution, as fhall be communicated

and approved.

With the fame views, it is another part of the defign of the fociety, to reprint such -tracts or papers, upon thefe important fubjects, as fhall be thought worthy of renewed attention; and which, from the distance of the time of their original publication, or from the scarcity of the books wherein they are to be found, may escape the notice of perfons who would principally be benefited by them.

In both cases, however, they propose, in-. variably to abide by the fpecific description of their plan, contained in the form of inftitution.*

It is recommended to those who may be difpofed to tranfmit any papers to the fociety, and, at the fame time, inclined to withhold their names from the public, to adopt fome fignature fufficiently diftinguishing, according as their own difcretion fhall fuggeft.

In

[* The form of the fociety's inftitution is as follows. Effex-house, Monday Sept. 29, 1783.

"IT appears to the perfons here prefent, that a SoCIETY, inftituted FOR PROMOTING THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES, would be very seasonable at this time, and answer many valuable and excellent purposes.

In the mode of publication, the society do not intend to confine themfelves to time, or quantity of letter-prefs, as is the cafe in regular periodical publications; but to publish, occafionally, in fucceffive numbers, and at irregular intervals, fuch papers as fhall have been approved; without obferving any other order or preference than the time of their communication.

The expense of printing will be defrayed by the fociety, and their publications will be circulated by the members in fuch manner, as each fhall judge most conducive to the fuccefs of the fociety's defign. In aid, however, of this part of their plan, which might otherwife be limited in its operation, they purpose to comply with the ordinary method obferved in literary publications, and to direct their papers to be fold by their book feller.

In confequence of fuch perfuafion, We, whofe names are underwritten, do accordingly confiitute ourselves A Society for maintaining the right of free inquiry and of private judgment in religious matters; and for receiving and circulating critical and philological tracts, explanatory of the books of the old and new Teftament.”]

REMARKS

their inftitution, as fhall be communicated and approved.

With the fame views, it is another part of the defign of the fociety, to reprint fuch tracts or papers, upon these important subjects, as fhall be thought worthy of renewed attention; and which, from the distance of the time of their original publication, or from the scarcity of the books wherein they are to be found, may escape the notice of persons who would principally be benefited by them.

In both cafes, however, they propose, in-. variably to abide by the specific description of their plan, contained in the form of inftitution.*

It is recommended to those who may be difpofed to transmit any papers to the society, and, at the fame time, inclined to withhold their names from the public, to adopt fome fignature fufficiently diftinguishing, according as their own discretion shall suggest.

In

[The form of the fociety's inftitution is as follows. Effex-house, Monday Sept. 29, 1783.

"IT appears to the perfons here prefent, that a SoCIETY, inftituted FOR PROMOTING THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES, would be very seasonable at this time, and answer many valuable and excellent purposes.

In the mode of publication, the fociety do not intend to confine themfelves to time, or quantity of letter-prefs, as is the cafe in regular periodical publications; but to publish, occasionally, in fucceffive numbers, and at irregular intervals, fuch papers as fhall have been approved; without obferving any other order or preference than the time of their communication.

The expense of printing will be defrayed by the fociety, and their publications will be circulated by the members in fuch manner, as each fhall judge moft conducive to the fuccefs of the fociety's defign. In aid, however, of this part of their plan, which might otherwise be limited in its operation, they purpose to comply with the ordinary method observed in literary publications, and to direct their papers to be fold by their book feller.

In confequence of fuch perfuafion, We, whofe names are underwritten, do accordingly conflitute ourselves A Society for maintaining the right of free inquiry and of private judgment in religious matters; and for receiving and circulating critical and philological tracts, explanatory of the books of the old and new Testament."]

REMARKS