Source: Bell's Weekly Messenger, No.1839, Sunday, July 3, 1831.
On Tuesday a numerous and respectable meeting of the friends and supporters of this Society was held at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen-street. The Archbishop of Canterbury in the chair.
There were also present, the Lord Mayor, the Bishops of London, Chester, Chichester, Winchester, Llandaff, Nova Scotia, and Quebec; Lords Clarendon, Kenyon, and Bexley; Mr. Justice Park, Sir T. D. Ackland, Sir Howard Douglas, Sir John Malcolm, &c.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said that it would be unnecessary for him to explain to the meeting the object for which they met, as that would be the best explained by the address made to the public, and the report of the Committee, which would be read by the Secretary.
The Secretary read the report, which entered into a long detail of the good resulting from the exertions of the Society from sending Missionaries to the numerous colonies in Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, the Bermudas, &c. In India the same exertions had been made with the same beneficial result, and a great improvement had been produced in the ameliorating the condition of the slave population. From the extensiveness of the measures found necessary by the Society, a considerable increase of expenditure of its funds was required, and an annual additional sum of 10,000l. was required to fulfill the present engagement of the Society, which had latterly been carried on at the expense of diminishing their capital. The most disastrous consequence must ensue unless this increase to their funds should be obtained. The report concluded by stating that the King had been graciously pleased to direct his Majesty's letters to issue in support of the funds of the society.
The Lord Mayor, in moving that their report be printed, observed that it was with heartfelt satisfaction he came forward to promote in every way in his power a society, which had for its object the extension of the principles of the Church of England. If there were any time more than another when it became necessary for the exertions of a religious society like this, it was the present. A dreadful malady was desolating Northern Europe, and precautionary measures had been adopted to prevent its extension to this country; but he considered that there was a still greater pestilence-a moral pestilence, existing and widely extending its baneful consequences, by the machinations of blasphemers and atheists. He thought the present occasion a very fit one for exercising a solemn fast. At all events, it was a period, above all others, when societies of all descriptions for the maintenance of religion should not remain inactive, but use every exertion in arresting the progress of this moral pestilence.
The Bishop of Winchester seconded the motion. He considered an appeal to a Christian people only necessary to restore the funds to an amount equal to all that was required.
A motion for printing the report was unanimously carried.
Sir Howard Douglas moved the second resolution-"That the meeting, whilst it deplored the diminution in the state of its funds, from its extensive operations, cannot but rejoice at the success attending their labours in the British Colonies."
The Bishop of Llandaff seconded the motion, which was adopted unanimously
A vote of thanks was proposed to the Bishops of Nova Scotia and Quebec, for their exertions in promoting the objects of the Society.
The two Rev. Prelates severally returned thanks, and entered into a very long description of the state of their respective dioceses.
Upon the motion of Sir John Malcolm the meeting adopted a resolution recommending the society to the support of all Christians of every denomination, and to those professing the principles of the Church of England in particular.
A description was entered into; and after thanks had been returned to the Archbishop of Canterbury for presiding on the occasion, the meeting separated.