and notice of it appointed to be given to Mr Watt. The proposed scheme of union with the Relief Church was laid on the table; when it was agreed that the presbytery shall consider the same at next meeting. communion principles, with the view of prohibiting members of the Free Church from connecting themselves with the Evangelical Alliance, moved," &c. Mr Gibson states that he "never was a member of the Relief Church ;" and complains of the statement as representing his "views in reference to the Evangelical Alliance, to be the result of something like the extreme bigotry of un apostate." We have received from the Rev. James Gibson, of Glasgow, a letter, complaining of the following words in our report, last number, of the General Assembly:- We did not observe the words com"Mr Gibson of Glasgow, who, we plained of as the report was passing believe, once belonged to the Relief through the press. Had they attracted Church, and who, on leaving it, of course our notice we would have erased them. went to the opposite extreme from its free ED. U. S. MAG. MONTHLY RETROSPECT. ENDOWMENT OF THE IRISH PAPISTS. tempt that which I must confess I know at the present moment to be impracticable. I On this vitally important point we are believe, with regard to the destruction persuaded there is but one opinion among of the Protestant Church of Ireland, that our readers as to what ought to be done; there could be no worse or more fatal but there seems no small diversity of measure sanctioned by Parliament than opinion as to what the present govern- such a measure would prove to be. I ment is likely to do. Of so much con- believe it would be politically injurious, sequence do we reckon it that the mat- because I believe that many of the most ter should not for a moment be lost sight | loyal persons in Ireland, many of those of, that though we have little else than who are most attached to the connexion the conflicting opinions of professedly with this country, would be alienated by well informed parties to offer, we never- the destruction of that Church to which theless cannot suppress these. It will they are attached. I believe, too, that, be something to keep up a watchful, in a religious point of view, it would be eager, almost suspicious, and jealous equally impolitic; that it would be the attention. If the government has evil commencement of a religious war; that intentions, they can be frustrated only by it would give rise to what does not at being checked in the bud. The critical present prevail-a most violent and moment is the coming election. On the vehement attack on the Roman Catholic 16th of July, Lord J. Russell said in religion; and I believe, also, that the Parliament " Then, sir, with respect to Roman Catholics themselves would be the Church of Ireland, and the endow- the first to complain of the destruction of ment of the Roman Catholic clergy. I that Church. Then, sir, with regard to voted in favour of providing for the the question, Can you found or endow establishment of Maynooth out of the the Roman Catholic Church? Mr Pitt funds of the Protestant Church in Ireland. was of opinion, that it was possible to We were defeated by a very great ma- endow or make some provision for the jority; and the opinion of the House Roman Catholic Church by the state. was evidently adverse to that proposi- My belief is, that if Mr Pitt had carried tion. I afterwards voted to the end, and such a measure, he would have carried a gave my zealous support to the bill for measure which would have been conducive the establishment of Maynooth, which to the welfare of Ireland-conducive to was proposed to be provided for out of the maintenance of the union between the consolidated fund. Need I now say, the two countries-conducive to the that I retain my opinions with regard to peace of the United Kingdom. Conthe Protestant Church in Ireland, and formably with that opinion, I gave my with regard to the endowment of the Roman vote, in 1825, in favour of the motion of Catholic clergy? But, sir, I do not think my noble friend Lord F. Egerton, for a that it is necessary I should urge this opinion provision for the Roman Catholic Church. at the present moment--that I should at- But I find at this moment that, generally 66 useful arrangement than the present, to be an opponent of such an adjustment." speaking, the members of the Church of England, the dissenters of England, the Established Church of Scotland, the It is well known that the Roman Free Church of Scotland, the Established Catholic bishops of Ireland have again Church in Ireland, the Protestant Asso- and again, and that lately, expressed in ciation of Ireland, and, lastly, the Roman the strongest terms the settled determinaCatholics of Ireland themselves, are all tion of their church to accept of no state vehement in their opposition to such a support; and O'Connell, just a week or plan. Why, I received a placard from two ago, said, on a public occasion;-"In Edinburgh, in which the Roman Catholics point of religion, there is one thing we of Edinburgh declared that they would don't want, that is, any connexion with resist to the utmost of their power any the state. We don't wish our clergy plan that might be introduced for the should become pensioners of governpayment of their church. I cannot, there- ment; we don't want the bribery of the fore, say that that is a measure which Castle or the seduction of St James's; I could, consistently with my duty, bring we want to have our clergy totally dis under the consideration of the House connected with the state in everything until such time as I should see some sign of but their obedience as subjects and their a more favourable disposition towards it on allegiance to the throne. It is said that the part of the country than now appears to the present administration want to form exist. I do say of this measure, or of an establishment for the Roman Catholic any other measure which should become church in Ireland. I believe they would urgent, that, although impracticable, I be very glad to do it if they could; but should still feel it my duty to urge it they cannot, I will say they shall not. in the councils of my sovereign, and to I warn them even against making the resign office if I could not carry it; but attempt, for nothing could disgust the I must confess, with regard to that people of Ireland so much with the prequestion and to the question of the sent ministry as any attempt on the established church in Ireland-admitting, independence of their church. The as I do, that neither the state of the Roman Catholic church in Ireland is a protestant established church, as it affects model for the churches of all the nations the south of Ireland, nor the voluntary in the world. It owes nothing to the tax system, as it affects the Roman Catholics collector,-nothing to the soldier with of Ireland, is satisfactory to my mind- his bayonet,-nothing to the policeman yet I do not see in either, that case of with his truncheon,-it owes nothing to urgency that would need my proposing any the ministers of state, from the highest immediate measure. I do conceive that to the lowest; and yet the Irish people there are remedial measures which may the poorest people in the world— be beneficial to Ireland far more practicable than these; and I do not see, therefore, the necessity of urging forward those that I do say are impracticable. If, however, any member of this House do choose to feel, to express, or to act on any want of confidence in my administration, on the ground that I am not disposed for ever to rest satisfied with the present condition of ecclesiastical affairs in Ireland-on the ground that I am not disposed to say that this system is consistent with all justice, and must be kept up in perpetuity on the principle of endowment for the protestant minority, and on the voluntary principle for the Roman Catholic majority-if any persons are disposed to declare a want of confidence in me on that account-I really cannot help their forming that conclusion. I cannot say that I am satisfied in my own mind with that convictionI cannot pledge myself, if I find the people of England and of Scotland disposed to accede to what I think a more just and support them, and support them well. Never-never shall they be the bribed servants of the state or the minions of power. There is an affectation of opinion gone abroad, that there is, on the part of the British government a wish that the Catholic clergy would accept of a state pension. But let the bigots console themselves-let the friends of freedom and of true religion also console themselves. The priests will not be bribed." The Nonconformist of 12th August, says:-"We say advisedly that were Lord John less disposed than, by his own confession he is, to endow the Catholic clergy of Ireland, his reluctance would be overborne, or his administration would perish. The thing is determined on by stronger men than he. He is minister by the sufferance of Sir Robert Peel and O'Connell. * * The time understood by all parties as best fitted for the execu tion of this project is the session immediately after next general election. * * Lord John Russell, Sir Robert Peel, and * Rumours have reached us, O'Connell are at one in regarding the [ and has the approval of the O'Connell, endowment of the Roman Catholic priest- as well as of the Peel section of our hood as necessary to the permanent statesmen. pacification of Ireland. All their recent movements indicate that they are acting in concert. The object they have at heart they will be able to effect by merely practising the reserve, which statesmen commonly believe themselves justified in resorting to. * * We state once more, for the warning of our fellow countrymen, that the principle, the outline, and the time of the contemplated policy, are so far settled as to form a basis for party compromise." * The Churchman's Monthly Review says: "We have received the most positive assurances from the lips of one whom we know to be in daily communication with, and to enjoy the confidence of, many in the highest departments of the state, that in spite of the assurances of Lord John Russell, the terms of an arrangement are actually settled, and have received the approval of O'Connell on the one side, and of Sir Robert Peel on the other, by which the establishment of the Romish priesthood in Ireland, mainly out of the revenues of the Establishment, but partly by a new charge upon the land, is fully determined on. But the whole matter is meant to be kept a profound secret until the ensuing general election of 1847 shall have given the government a House of Commons prepared to support such a plan." The Watchman, a Wesleyan paper, says: "We really wonder how any man having eyes to see, or ears to hear, or a mind to reason, can entertain a doubt that it is the intention of Lord John Russell, and of most of the members of the government, to endow popery in Ireland at the earliest period at which they shall find themselves strong enough to accomplish the object. Every individual in the ministry (with, so far as we recollect, only the solitary exception of Mr Fox Maule) has, with more or less distinctness and frequency, declared him self in favour of such endowment in one shape or other; and if the protestant public should be so far deluded by evasive and ambiguous statements like those recently made by Mr Macaulay, as to slumber over the subject at the next general election, they will assuredly be awakened to a sense of their folly and guilt, though probably only when it will be too late to avert the result." The Eclectic Review for July says:"There is reason to apprehend that the government scheme is already concocted, on the substantial truth of which we are disposed to rely, that the government, as such, will maintain silence on this point until a general election has taken place, but that immediately afterwards, when a seven years' tenure of parliamentary existence has been secured, the establishment of popery in Ireland will be forced through the legislature, however hostile it may be found to the national will." What to make of all this we confess we do not well know. We feel extremely loath to assume that the distinguished persons referred to are capable of equivocation and falsehood. But it will clearly be the duty of the constituencies to exact the most distinct and “unmisunderstandable" pledges from their future representatives against all additional endowments; and that being done, we hope that, slippery as statesmen proverbially are, the adage will still be found to applyfast bind, fast find. SUFFERINGS OF THE FRIENDS. THE "yearly meeting"of this bodywas held in London, by adjournment from the 20th of fifth month (May) to the 30th of the same inclusive; and the following extract from the "annual epistle to the quarterly and monthly meetings of Friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and elsewhere," shows the extent to which they have ascertained that members of the society have this year been deprived of their property for the support of ecclesiastical establishments. It will be recollected that Quakers uniformly refuse to make payment of all demands for such purposes, but unresistingly allow their goods to be seized, in course of law, just as Dr Brown, a few years ago, allowed his furniture to be poinded, carried off and sold, for payment of the annuity tax :-"We have, in usual course, received accounts of the sufferings of our members in Great Britain and Ireland in support of our testimony against all ecclesiastical claims, and to the freedom of gospel ministry. The amount thus reported, including the costs and charges of distraint, is about L.9,300." LIBERTY OF THE PRESS. SOME time ago we noticed the action for libel which had been successfully brought by the Rev. Michael A. Gathercole, a clergyman of the Church of England, against the editor of the Nonconformist. The BEQUESTS TO THE IRISH PRESBYTERIANS. charge delivered by the presiding judge | have already a deputation in London produced a considerable sensation, as besieging the ministry for an endowment laying down what was not generally to their new college. Surely those at understood to be law, as giving exten- the head of affairs will not allow a march sive and alarming powers and privileges to be stolen before the whole measure is to clergymen in speaking from the pulpit, duly submitted to the great council of and acting about parochial affairs, and the nation. The endowment solicited is as trenching on the freedom of public clearly an educational grant, not only discussion. A new trial was therefore for religious, but for denominational moved for, but refused. Mr Gathercole, purposes, and involves some of the knothowever, it appears, will not yet be at tiest points in the whole question. rest. He has commenced a second action against the Nonconformist-damages laid at L.5000-on the ground, we believe, that that paper, in common with many others, published reports of speeches and of resolutions at public meetings and elsewhere, which he regards as prejudicial to his character. We are glad to understand that every effort will be made to have the case,-which will not come on for some time,-brought forward to the fullest advantage; and the result, we trust, will be that, without in the least encouraging the licentiousness of the press, its legitimate liberty will be more clearly and indisputably established. The issue will be looked forward to with the deepest interest by the reading portion of the community, and especially by the conductors of newspapers and periodicals of all sorts. NATIONAL EDUCATION. THIS question of the day is awakening considerable attention in England, and we almost regret that Scotland is not more promptly furnishing her contribution towards the solution of the difficulties with which it is connected. Lord John Russell has hitherto spoken only in general terms-in fact, done little else than throw out feelers. He is doubtless waiting for the expression of public opinion, and may probably commit himself to nothing for some time to come. Till then, we should hope, he will be ready to listen to anything reasonable, and to modify his plan, as needs he must, according to the national will, if that be unequivocally and strongly uttered. At such a juncture, one who should broach even a faulty scheme might prove a benefactor to the cause, by awakening discussion and eliciting sounder views. Apathy and inaction, till too late, are chiefly to be dreaded. The opportunity of the Synodical meeting in October, we trust, will not be lost for emitting a certain sound, to which, as issuing from a large, self-sustained, and every way independent church, no government dare turn an inattentive ear. The Irish Presbyterians, it is understood, Mrs Magee of Dublin, who died on the 22d of June, and was the widow of a minister of the General Synod of Ulster, has left L.20,000 for the establishment of a Presbyterian College in Ireland, under the direction of the General Assembly. She has left also L.25,000 to the Foreign Missions of the Assembly, the principal of which is to remain untouched, but which is so vested that it will yield L.700 or L.800 per annum. On the same terms she has left L.5000 to the Home Mission. To all which she has added L.5,000 to her minister, the Rev. Richard Dill, making a total of L.55,000. FLOGGING IN THE ARMY. * * * OUR readers must have been shocked by insane man should be flogged to death." | their deliverance from Egypt, so, we In these sentiments, we believe, the doubt not, that all who have been prenation very generally concurs. It is sent at this meeting, will remember it consolatory to reflect, however, that under the wise and beneficent providence of the Almighty, evil is seldom wholly unproductive of good. It has not been so in the present case. The attention of Parliament has been eagerly called to the subject, and though an attempt to get flogging immediately and entirely abolished by law did not succeed, yet the manifestation of public feeling which took place, has materially accomplished the object. The Duke of Wellington, as commander in chief, while he pleaded for the necessity of flogging as a means of maintaining the discipline of the army, issued an order that the highest number of lashes which it should be lawful to inflict should be fifty instead of 200, as heretofore; and he declared in parliament, that he hoped to live to see the time when such a punishment might with safety be entirely dispensed with. The humanity of the age will clearly not permit it to be continued. A vast amelioration has already, within a short time, taken place. The number of lashes was reduced to 200, whereas, formerly men were sometimes sentenced to 2000. So late as eight years ago, one in every 108 privates was every year flogged; since that time the average has been reduced to one in every 189. We trust the entire abolition of flogging, which is at hand, will tend greatly to the humanizing of our soldiery, and will lead to a variety of improvements in the army, favourable to intellectual and moral cultivation, so as to render it quite practicable to maintain the necessary discipline, without so cruel and degrading a punishment. It with sentiments of deepest gratitude and joy; and will command their children after them to commemorate it as a new era in the church of God. No meeting of a similar character has been held for centuries-probably not since the days of the apostles. Its effects are likely to be of the most beneficial character, upon both the church and the world; for if the spirit which has been already diffused among the members, and so impressively manifested in the meetings which have already been held, be sustained when they are separated from one another, and be as strongly manifested when they return to their respective stations in the church, the doom of sectarianism and bigotry is sealed, and the intercourse of Christians will be something very different from what it has been in the days that are past. We speak strongly, and to those who have not been witnesses of the proceedings, and who have not felt the spirit which has been created, we may seem to speak extravagantly. But we are not so. We hesitate not to affirm, that the 19th of August 1846, will be regarded as the beginning of a Pentecostal time. has been repeatedly declared to be so by members who have spoken, and many more have felt that it is. We are, however, extremely sorry to state that we are, at present, precluded from giving any report of the proceedings which have already taken place. One of the first acts of the Alliance after its formation, was to decide that no reporters from the press were to be admitted, and that no one present was to furnish any materials to any periodical for publishing such a report, till the whole business of the body was concluded, when an authorised report will be published. We had made provision for a full report of the proceedings of the first two days, but this decision has shut us up to a few THE Evangelical Alliance has com- general remarks. There are upwards of menced its sittings! The sublime and one thousand tickets disposed of to memholy spectacle of christian men of almost bers. The meetings are held in Freeevery evangelical denomination, and masons' Hall, Great Queen Street. The from many countries both in the old room is capable of containing between world and the new, and of many lan- seven and eight hundred persons. It is guages, agreeing to forget their differ- quite filled during the meetings; none ences, and uniting as one man to declare but members are allowed to enter, so their union with the Saviour, and with that the number in attendance must be one another in him, has, at length, been at least seven hundred. There are men realized in the metropolis of the British from many lands, and there are the leadEmpire. As the children of Israel were ing Christians of their respective councommanded to remember the day of tries. It will be interesting to many of THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. (From a Member.) |