g might be. This was the origin of the
Institution, of which the following part of my Narrative speaks.]

March 5. This evening, at a public meeting, brother Craik and I stated
the principles on which we intend to carry on the institution which we
propose to establish for the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad.
There was nothing outwardly influential, either in the number of people
present, or in our speeches. May the Lord graciously be pleased to grant
His blessing upon the institution, which will be called "The Scriptural
Knowledge Institutions for Home and Abroad."

I. THE PRINCIPLES OF THE INSTITUTION.

1. We consider every believer bound, in one way or other, to help the
cause of Christ, and we have Scriptural warrant for expecting the Lord's
blessing upon our work of faith and labour of love: and although,
according to Matt. xiii. 24-43, 2 Tim. iii. 1-13, and many other passages,
the world will not be converted before the coming of our Lord Jesus,
still, while He tarries; all Scriptural means ought to be employed for the
ingathering of the elect of God.

2. The Lord helping us, we do not mean to seek the patronage of the
world; i.e., we never intend to ask unconverted persons of rank or wealth
to countenance this Institution, because this, we consider, would be
dishonourable to the Lord. In the name of our God we set up our banners,
Ps. xx. 5; He alone shall be our Patron, and if He helps us we shall
prosper, and if He is not on our side, we shall not succeed.

3. We do not mean, to ask unbelievers for money (2 Cor. vi. 14-18);
though we do not feel ourselves warranted to refuse their contributions,
if they, of their own accord should offer them. Acts xxviii. 2-10.

4. We reject altogether the help of unbelievers in managing or carrying
on the affairs of the Institution. 2 Cor, vi. 14-18.

5. We intend never to enlarge the field of labour by contracting debts
(Rom. xiii. 8), and afterwards appealing to the Church of Christ for help,
because this we consider to be opposed both to the letter and the spirit
of the New Testament; but in secret prayer, God helping us, we shall carry
the wants of the Institution to the Lord, and act according to the means
that God shall give.

6. We do not mean to reckon the success of the Institution by the amount
of money given, or the number of Bibles distributed, &c, but by the Lord's
blessing upon the work (Zech. iv. 6); and we expect this, in the
proportion in which H