"It is but honest to confess in plain terms, that the chief and
most obvious privilege of members at first, is likely to be
little more than a satisfactory belief that they are doing a
good work, and serving their generation. In a word, the
nicely-balanced _quid pro quo_ is not offered. It might be
prudent for the present to confine one's self to a positive
assurance that the Society will, at the worst, make as good a
return as several other societies formed for the promotion and
cultivation of other branches of knowledge. If subscribers will
only be content to pay as much, and receive as little, as the
fellows of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies, the
Church-History Society will thrive. But considering the nature
and object of the proposed Society, I cannot help expressing my
confidence that there are many Christian people who will give
their money freely, and no more wish to have part of it
returned, than if they had put it into a plate at a
church-door--let them only be satisfied that it will not be
embezzled or turned into waste paper.

"At the same time, the members of the Society might derive some
legitimate benefits. They would have constantly increasing
advantages from the use of their library, which would gradually
become, not only rich in books, but in transcripts, catalogues,
indexes, notices, &c., not to be found together elsewhere. Of
all these they would have a right to as much use and advantage
as joint-proprietors could enjoy without hindrance to each
other. With regard to works published by the Society, they might
reasonably expect to be supplied {372} with such as they should
choose to possess, on the same terms as if they were the