Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Intelligence.-Protestant Society: Mr. Wilks's Speech.

of their undoubted rights; and because they have remarked symptoms of increasing indifference in the Dissenting body to the assertion of their right to equal protection and equal civil advantages with all other subjects of this realm.

The following ministers were present at this Meeting :-Rev. J. Fullagar, of Chichester; W. Marshall, of St. Albans; E. Chapman, of Billingshurst; Dr. Morell and - Ketley, of Brighton; W. Kite, of Ditchling; J. Taplin and Horsfield, of Lewes.

Many new subscribers to the Institution were obtained; and as the Committee are empowered by the Association to draw up and publish for the use of the Society a more extended catalogue of Books and Tracts than that which has hitherto been used, it is anticipated that a large increase will be made to the list of subscribers before the next Annual Meeting.

T. W. HORSFIELD,

Secretary.

Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty.

(Continued from p. 520.)

On these subjects he would repeat former cautions and advice. Meeting-Houses were rateable to the poor if any beneficial accupier could be found. But all necessary outgoings, including reasonable sala. ries of ministers, were to be allowed out of the receipts. On the net remaining proceeds only could the charge be made. The necessity of the expenses was then the matter mainly to be discussed, and which Churchmen, being the magistrates at Quarter Sessions, on an appeal against the rate, could alone decide. To prevent the vexation and expense of such appeals, he recommended, that in parishes where such charges were intended, the Dissenting inhabitants should attend the vestries and there remonstrate. If that effort was vain, then they should immediately demand a copy of the rate; being ever mindful, that unless the appeal was made to the next possible Sessions, the charge was confirmed. Having obtained the copy, let them examine what property was omitted or under-rated. Especially, let them turn to the assessments of the parochial officers, and the persons most desirous to burden them. Let them note whether the parsonage-house, the glebe, the rectorial and vicarial tithes, the Easter offerings, and all monies received for pew rents in the church or Episcopalian chapels were fully charged. Of any omissions or under-rating, let them complain on their appeal. Self-interest

581

would then often impel the aggressors to recede. Then the same mercenary motive that induced the charge, would happily re-act; and the threatened charge would be omitted, or the claim foregone. Recent cases, render this result more probable. At the Norfolk Sessions in the last month, a decision had occurred unpropitious to the clergy, and favourable to this mean of Dissenting self-defence. Dr. BULWER, Rector of Cawston, had appealed against a full charge for tithes : and his appeal was disallowed. He was held liable to pay rates on the full value of all his tithes : since, whilst the fall of agricultural produce precluded farmers from a profit, yet all the receipts of the clergymen were profit, resulting too from the capital and industry of those by whom no profit was obtained. The erection of new churches by the Church Society, and out of the parliamentary grants for those objects, would increase this mean of resistance. In all those edifices, pews were to be let, and their costly fanes would be as rateable as the humbler Noncon

formist House of Prayer. Thus the security from payment and vexation, which tolerating principles, public virtue and true policy should have given unasked, may result from less noble motives-and the very clergy and the enthusiasts for the Established Church become the earnest advocates for an exemption they have been earnest to resist.

On these pecuniary affairs he was more diffuse, because a writer in the Edinburgh Review had made them the subject of remark. The article was obviously written by a hand neither unfriendly to himself nor to their cause; but it evinced that the magnitude and nature of these questions were not understood. As to turnpike-tolls it states, "Dissenters are made to pay turnpikes if they attend any place of worship out of their parish; so are Churchmen: if any relief is granted to Dissenters in this point, the difficulty will be to prevent frauds upon turnpikes; for if any man going to any place of worship is to be exempted from tolls on Sundays, the number of religious persons rushing about on that day will be strangely increased; and the astonished toll-man will in vain look for a single person whose purpose is secular, or whose master is Mammon. If the interests of the tabernacle and the toll-bar can be accommodated, the Dissenters certainly ought to be indulged." The cases supposed were not parallel, and the difficulties apprehended did not exist. Churchmen ought not to leave their pa rish and parish church, nor to migrate beyond the parochial boundary. In that fold, and from the pastor whom the pa

tron sent and the Bishop had ordained, they must alone seek their spiritual supply. In that one edifice, whoever be the minister, and whatever be his talents or his morals, they, if consistent Churchmen, should omy worship. The limitation of their exemption to their own parishes, therefore was correct. But has every denomination of Dissenters in every parish, also its house of worship? Their principles teach them to attend, where kindred spirits assemble, on the minister they choose, and where most religious profit will ensue. To restrain the exemption from toll, as to Dissenters, to the parishes where they reside, was mockery -a very shadow of liberality and of relief. Nor had the legislature left the interests of any tollman so unprotected as the writer had supposed. On those subjects, clerks, commissioners, mortgagees, contractors, and county members, were all astute. Each exemption clause imposed the proof of the right to exemption on the claimant of the right, and appended a penalty of 57. or 107. on any detected fraud. Amid such provisions folly alone could meditate an evasion of a shilling toll, and the interests of the toll-bar and the tabernacle might be alike secure. The objections thus removed, it might be sufficient to add, as a reason for tenacity on such subjects, that a payment of these tolls would impose a new yearly burden on some congregations of fifty pounds, and on Dissenters generally, throughout England and Wales, a new special annual tax of at least twenty thousand pounds.

But great as was that amount, there were other aud higher feelings which on that subject excited diligence and zeal. Since the Revolution and the introduction of turnpike acts, and in those reigns when Dissenters were treated with respect by monarchs and their courts, the turnpike exemptions were equally extended to Dissenters as to Churchmen, and the clerical and ministerial office was deemed alike entitled to respect. The restriction on these exemptions was an innovation as it was a wrong. It was an assumption of a right of precedence before unclaimed. Honour, therefore, demanded the firm maintenance of the ancient privilege and honour, especially as connected with principle, Dissenters highly prized. If glory, with but the branch of wild olive, the parsley wreath, or some laurel crown, at ancient games, induced mighty labours; if an honorary medal and a courtly star inspired the bravest to transcendent deeds-the same regard to honour must induce Dissenters not to retrograde in their pretensions, nor sub. mit to any new despoilment. They might

not yet regain the equal rights they surrendered formerly, from loyalty and regard to the Protestant faith; but to be pushed yet more backward they could not endure. Therefore on this subject they felt as the Reviewer did not feel, and not interest only, but honour forbade them to recede.

The same sentiment applied to the remarks of the Reviewer, on the assessment of the Meeting-houses to parochial rates. He says, "Whether money be made or not by it, must be left to the examination of those magistrates who decide small civil questions; they may be indulgent or rude in this examination. This must depend on accident, but the law surely is not unfair." Without re-stating, that founders of places for public worship found the best charities-that charities are exempt from assessment-that every patriotic and Christian principle should induce the freedom of such buildings from such claims,-he affirmed, that Dissenters mainly objected to them, on account of the degradation and dishonour counected with the proceedings and tribuual that must grant redress. Could they pleasantly endure that at the sessions in a corporate town, some worshipful tallow-chandlers and buttermen, pledged by the Holy Sacrament to fealty to the Established Church, or at the Quarter Ses sions, a bench of clergy justices, who thronged it on those occasions-should examine the Meeting-house accounts, discuss the expenditure, guage the merit of a minister, and determine what remuneration in collections and pew rents the love of his grateful people should subscribe? Patiently and without complaining, these things were not to be borne. The honour of their ministers was involved: and they were their ornament and boast. Though their comforts were often too much neglected-they were known, admired, beloved. In the records of history, their learning, fervour and sacrifices were inscribed. Neither in numbers nor in worth did they decline. Mitres, robes, titles, they needed not. Their labours brought them reverence; they were adorned with grace. He looked around, and as he beheld a multitude venerable for years and wisdom, great in knowledge, by humility exalted, beaming with holy light, patient, self-denying, in beneficence unwearied, the "very salt of earth;" he saw the only true successors of prophets and apostles. He saw men who had apostolic faith, disinterestedness and love; and for whom was laid up in heaven an apostolic crown! "Rudeness" toward such men was no light offence— their exposure to rudeness no light calamity; and zeal ought not to abate, till

Intelligence.-Philanthropic Legacy.

by exemption of their Meeting-houses from rates, at least one occasion for such rudeness should for ever end.

MR. WILKS then referred to cases partly pecuniary. They included expensive offices improperly obtruded on Dissenters, and monics improperly withheld. At Barnstaple, a minister was proposed as constable, although certainly exempt. The corporation of York had also occa sioned unexpected trouble and expense. They had assailed one of the benefits incident to Dissenters from their partial proscription-one of the lesser rights resulting from a greater wrong. Corporations had occasionally wished to practise strange oppression. By the Test and Corporation Acts, Dissenters were excluded from corporate offices of emolu ment and honour, because they did not conform and these corporations sought to impose on them fines for the non-acceptance of offices which, without conformity, they could not legally accept. This plundering persecution was formerly attempted by the Corporation of Loudou. It was firmly and successfully resisted. For the information of that part of this audience whose cheeks glowed with the tints of health and whose bosoms glowed with the love of freedom, he would mention the decisions which ought ever to have exempted Dissenters from a renewal of those attempts. In the case of The King and Grosvenor, the Court of King's Bench would not grant an Information against Mr. Grosvenor for refusing to act as Sheriff of London and Middlesex when chosen to the office. But the great case of Evans, against the Chamberlain of London, was the pole-star by which Dissenters might securely steer. The corporation of London made a byelaw, imposing a fine of 6007. on every person who being elected should refuse the office of Sheriff. Mr. Evans was a Dissenter, was chosen and refused. An action was brought for the fine, and was determined on appeal by the House of Lords. The judges acquired immortal honour. The speeches, especially of Judge Foster and Lord Mansfield, should be inscribed on the memory of every statesman, on the heart of every British youth. "Conscience," said Lord Mansfield," is not controlable by human laws, nor amenable to human tribunals. Persecution, or attempts to force conscience, will never produce conviction, and are only calculated to make hypocrites or martyrs." " ."—"Than persecution, there is nothing certainly more unreasonable, more inconsistent with the rights of human nature, more contrary to the spirit and precepts of the Christian religion,

583

more iniquitous, more impolitic, more unjust. This attempt is as bad persecution as that of Procrustes, and is contrary to the law of the land." The non-liability of Mr. Evans was decided by this highest tribunal, and the judgment in his favour was unanimously affirmed. Yet the Corporation of York would revive the attempt which a great lawyer and a great statesman had thus denounced. They too had their bye-law, and they would have another Procrustean bed. though the spirit of freedom slumbers it But does not expire. Mr. OSWALD ALLEN, an eminent surgeon and well-priucipled Dissenter, was chosen Sheriff for that ancient city. He would not hold an office on sufferance, and as a criminal under an Indemnity Act, for which, as a Dissenter, he was disqualified. He dared not qualify; nor did he dare consent to pay any illegal fine. He applied for advice. The recommendation of the Committe suited his principles and purpose. He refused the office; an application was made to the Court of King's Bench, and the validity of his refusal was proclaimed. Success and honour were again the reward of firmness-and another buttress was added to this little citadel of Dissenting rights!

(To be continued.)

Philanthropic Legacy.

JOHN MACLACHLAN, Esq., formerly teacher of Mathematics in Glasgow, who died in spring last, in Calcutta, has bequeathed a handsome legacy, supposed to be about £20,000, the residue of his fortune, for the establishment of freeschools in Glasgow, for the education of male and female children of poor Highlanders residing in and about the city, and supplying books and stationery to those who are not able to purchase them. We have seen an extract from Mr. MACLACHLAN'S will. The trust is confided to the Lord Provost and Magistrates of the city of Glasgow, the Ministers and other Members of the General Church Session, and the Ministers and Managers of the Gaelic Church or Churches of the said city, for the time being, and to their successors in office for ever. sides a grammatical knowledge of the The boys, beEnglish language, are to be taught writing, arithmetic and book-keeping; the girls, besides a proper knowledge of the English language, writing and the first five common rules of arithmetic, are to be instructed in needle-work, and such other useful employments as may enable them to gain an honest living after leaving school. This interesting circumstance

was communicated to Rowand Ronald, Esq., of this city, lately of Calcutta, in a letter dated Calcutta, March 16, 1822. Glasgow Courier.

FOREIGN.

Free Press and Unitarianism in India. "IT must gratify every friend to the progress of human reason to learn, that notwithstanding the difficulties so long considered insuperable, a glorious change is effecting in British India. The free press of Calcutta has operated most powerfully in reforming the most inveterate and revolting abuses. The effect of seven native presses at work in that great city has been to triumph over Hindoo superstition in its strong hold. During the last festival of Jagarnaut there were so few pilgrims present that they were una. ble to drag the car. The Brahmins called in other aid, but no devotee could be persuaded to sacrifice himself to the Idol. They now talk of removing the Rath to a more central situation. The wily priesthood have sagacity enough to perceive that they must remove the theatre of their sanguinary superstition beyond the sphere of a free press; or that the bigotry of thirty centuries will disappear. To the permanent glory of our Indian Administration, a large portion of the population of Bengal are receiving the rudiments of an improved system of education, while thousands of elementary works are circulating throughout our empire. Even Hindoo women, against whom widowhood, and consequent burning alive, are denounced for learning the alphabet, and who must not read the Veda, under pain of death, have placed their daughters at

the public schools. The celebrated Hindoo Reformer, Ram Mohun Roy, has held public monthly meetings at Calcutta, for the purpose of freely discussing the tenets of his religion, and exposing the cruelties practised under it. By the way, a Mr. Adam, a Baptist Missionary, awakReformer, has declared himself an Unitaened by the arguments of this Hindoo rian, and established an Unitarian press. This conversion gave great umbrage in a certain quarter, and the Attorney General was applied to, to interpose the shield of some antiquated statute, to protect spiritual intolerance. As became his talents and his character, the enlightened Lawyer assured the that these days were passed. Mr. Adam, conse quently, remains at Calcutta, supported and encouraged by some of its respectable inhabitants, who are about to erect an Unitarian Chapel for him. Such are the blessings of unfettered discussion."

We copy the above paragraph from the Morning Chronicle. The statement with regard to Ram Mohun Roy and Mr. Adam is quite correct, as we hope for an occasion of shewing very fully ere long. Can the writer mean that the blank in the passage should be filled up with the name of Dr. Middleton, the Bishop of Calcutta? Is it thus that Episcopacy displays its novel front in the East Indies? Has the learned Bishop no reliance upon his fond argument against the Unitarians from the Greek article, and would he uphold the doctrine of the Trinity by banishing its opponents from the earth? Happily, the recent law for the protection of Missionaries in our Asiatic dependencies is as good for Unitarians as for Athanasians and Calvinists.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Communications have been received from Messrs. Turner, of Newcastle; J. Marsom; G. Kenrick; D. Davis; D. A. Borrenstein; also from Christianus; R. C.; and C.

Vectis is respectfully informed that No. CXXI. for January 1816, may he had of the Publishers. There must have been negligence (we cannot suspect artifice) in the booksellers referred to.

When we have received another communication or two from Discipulus, we shall be better able to judge of his proposal; but our Correspondents are none of them of the description that he seems to suppose.

ERRATA.

P. 491, col. 1, middle, for the "most high God, possessor of heaven and earth," and his friend,'-read "the most high God, possessor of Heaven and Earth, of his friend" the sense is he raised his hand to Jehovah, the same as his friend knew under the appellation of "the most high God," &c.

Mr. D. Logan requests that the title of his verses, p. 517, may be altered to The Christian Soldier's Song, and that the word of may be supplied at the beginning of the second line.

THE

Monthly Repository.

No. CCII.]

SIR,

IN

66

OCTOBER, 1822.

Blasphemy-Law in United States of America.

Philadelphia,

August 28, 1822. N p. 224 of the Monthly Repository for this year, an article appeared, signed Gamaliel,” containing the following extract from Wm. Cobbett's Register for 2nd February last: "In the year 1819, a man was tried in New Jersey, under the act of

King William III., for impugning the Holy Trinity, found guilty, and punished by imprisonment in the common gaol."

Assuming the fact to be as thus stated, your correspondent expresses a wish that you may be furnished with some particulars; and makes such comments as would only be proper were the truth of what is alleged established by satisfactory evidence.

If such an occurrence had really happened, so extraordinary and unprecedented would it have been, that it could not have failed to create a general and strong excitement. Our newspapers would have circulated the news from one end of the United States to the other, and comments would not have been sparingly made. Unitarians, more especially, (of whom I am one,) could not have been indifferent to so alarmning an attack on their religious freedom. But, happily, the news comes to us from the other

side of the Atlantic, instead of the other side of the river Delaware, which divides the city of Philadelphia from the state of New Jersey; and it is not a little suspicions, that neither the place where this trial was had, the name of the offender, nor any particulars relative to the court, jury, proceedings, &c., are given by Wm. Cobbett, though enough is asserted for the purpose of defamation.

It might be sufficient to inform your readers, that this man stands on the records of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania as a libeller, in consequence

VOL. XVII.

4 F

[Vol. XVII.

of the verdict of a jury, and after a fair and full investigation. But I have readers, that the 18th and 19th Artithe pleasure to be able to inform your cles of the Constitution of the Province, now State of New Jersey, make liberty of all persons, and that, under effectual provision for the religious this constitution, those of every Protestant sect, who demean themselves

peaceably, are equally eligible to of fices of trust, power and authority; whether executive, judicial or legisNew Jersey under which a proseculative; neither is there any law of tion could be maintained for denying the Trinity, or any other supposed doctrine of Holy Scripture. The constitution would be a dead letter did it not abrogate whatever is inconsistent with its spirit and express provisions.

About two or three years ago, seve

ral persons were prosecuted, convicted and punished by the Mayor's Court of Philadelphia, for uttering profane and contumelious language, to the great annoyance of people who were returning from their place of worship; and, on the part of the defendants, much was said about religious liberty, the but the court very properly said, that, rights of conscience, persecution, &c.; on their own principles, they ought to suffer, because they could not plead and interfering with the rights of conscience for disturbing the peace others. I have never heard of any person suffering from the civil power in consequence of maintaining and endeavouring to propagate his religious opinions. But, then, this license must not be abused for the purpose of uttering profane and impious ribaldry.

JAMES TAYLOR.

« AnteriorContinuar »