"Might it not fairly be assumed that the deepest and clearest views of the value, inspiration, and supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures, must lie at the very root of all desires and endeavours to circulate the volume which contains them, and must therefore be first principles in the formation of a Bible Society? ... Assuming that those who engage in this great and important work of Bible distribution do so from deep and clear views of the value and authority of the sacred Word, might not such persons ... pause a while and consider what the Bible is?

It is a singular book. Among the vast variety of books that have been written and published there is not one that is like unto it, or that can be compared with it. It stands, among the multitude of writings with which the world has been deluged, not merely unrivalled, but alone.

It has God for its Author; Salvation for its object; and Truth, without any mixture of error, for its contents. In it the High and Lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, condescends to speak unto men in the language of men, and to reveal to them all that is necessary for their present guidance and comfort, and for their eternal salvation and glory. For it is written, 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works' (2 Timothy 3.16,17)."

Spoken by the Rev. A. S. Thelwall, M.A. , Secretary, at the 6th Annual Meeting of the Trinitarian Bible Society held on 8 May, 1837