We perceive by "The Times" of the 6th May 1847, that the Bishop-Elect of Melbourne was present at and took part in the proceedings of the annual meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society held in Exeter Hall on the previous day. This speaks well for Bishop Perry; his present quasi Lordship of Australia has the Apostolic succession folly so strongly engrained in his composition that he would have thought he had lost caste by fraternizing in this manner with Dissenters.

We have already alluded to the Bishop of Melbourne as present at, and taking a part in the proceedings of the British and Foreign Bible Society's anniversary meeting. The following is a portion of Dr. Perry's speech. The Bishop-elect of Melbourne said:-

"Let me say that I love the constitution of this society, because I rejoice in the opportunity which it affords me of co-operating with evangelical Protestant Dissenters. (Cheers.) I rejoice to believe that many Dissenters in this country, laymen and ministers, are, like members belonging to my own Church, "members of Christ, children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven;" and therefore I regard them as my brethren, and desire to love them in that character. I lament that they are separated from us, I lament that we cannot co-operate with them, or perhaps I should rather say, that they cannot co-operate with us in all things. This, indeed, cannot be hoped for. But what is the Apostle's rule in a similar case? - "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."" (Cheers.)

"Yes, I desire to act upon that rule, and I firmly believe that active co-operation with one another in the work and labour of love is calculated, by the blessing of God, to produce mutual sympathy and concord, and to enable us, notwithstanding all our minute differences - for the differences between Churchmen and evangelical Protestant Dissenters are minute - (Hear, Hear.) - to hold "the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.""

"Allow me to add another reason for heartily supporting this society, and it is the last which I shall mention, viz., my affection towards that particular branch of the church of Christ, of which I am a minister. None of my dissenting brethren present will be offended when I say that I regard the Church of England as the most pure and Apostolical branch of the Church of Christ. I do most heartily approve of her services, her Articles, and her Episcopal Government. I do believe that she is, and will continue to be, one of the chief instruments, under God, in extending the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, both in our own land and throughout the world. This, my dear friends, is my own opinion, as a member and minister of the Church." (Cheers.)

"I do not condemn those who differ from me. God forbid! Let them retain the opinions which they conscientiously hold; but they ought not to be offended with me for expressing mine; and holding such opinions, my affection for the Church of England constrains me to connect myself with the British and Foreign Bible Society." (Cheers.)

[What will our Reverend friends, Parsons Adam Compton Thomson and James Yelverton Wilson think of such sentiments as these coming from their Diocesan? The latter particularly must be shocked beyond measure at such degeneracy. - Editor, "Melbourne Argus"]