lent letters also from many warm-hearted schools of the prophets," and from which Welsh Methodists, who feel an animating had proceeded some of the ablest, most zeal for their poor neighbours, for whose learned and most useful men, who now benefit they traverse the roughest roads, bless and adorn the world ascend the steepest monotains, and descend Among those was the Dissenting Acainto the glen-like valleys, only to promul. demy, under the superintendance of the gate the gospel, and whom is important Rev. Mr Vint, of Idle, in the West Riding to protect from pecuniary loss in their of York. Notwithstanding a former deciapostolic labour.

sion of the Judges, as to lloxton Academy, Mr. Meek, of South Moulton, in De- that no house tax or window-rates were vonshire, and the Rev. Dr. Cracknell, of payable for the apartments occupied by Weymouth, for his own and a Wesleian students, the Commissioners and Surveyors Methodist congregation, bad also com- thought proper to impose a charge of £20. plained. This subject was of vital impor. 4s. over and above their former charge, on tance to Dixsenting congregations. Their account of the part of the Academy occumeeting houses are generally in towns, and pied by the students. On the recommenthe congregations are collected from neigh. dation of the Committee, Mr. Vint applied bouring bamlets. The charge ou some to the Commissioners for relief, but without congregations, if tolls should be perma- success. Applications were then made to dently enforced, would annually amount the tax-office, without avail. Another to from forty to fifty pounds The personal case for the opinion of the Judges was then hardship and pecuniary exaction present, demanded; and six learned Judges had however, subordinate objections: the sub- contirined the right to exemption in these ordination thereby assumed of Dissenters words: “We are of opinion that the deto Episcopalians of the equally pious and termination of the Commissioners to rate enlightened and useful frequenters of the these premises was wrong." ( Loud meeting-boitse, to the attendants at the cheers. j And he could also state, with parish churchi

, suggests more important additional delight, that Mr. Vint oblained reasons for disapproval and regret:

back from the Receiver-General of Taxes Since the decision, the Committee had the sum of £20.4s , which was the ainouut done all that they could do on this subject : of a distress which, with most uncourteous they bad watched the local acts that have eagerness, the Commissioners bad levied been intcodaced during the present ses. on the library, pending the appeal. (Apsions, and provisions were introduced plause.) And he thought that if the Sowhich would prevent any recurrence of ciety had done nothing inore, during the those exactious in the particular roads to past year, thao thus having vindicated the which those acts might refer. But he did rights of Dissenting Ministers and Dishot like that tardy and uncertain mode of senting Academies, that they would have relief. He did not like waiting in a Lord's deserved general approbation and support.

nor sok<citing this just and an- (Shouts of applause.) cient right as a boon from the Chairman Among the other subjects to which he of the Committees of the House of Lords. would allude, was the subject of Poors'

some distinct legislative en- Rates charged on places of religious woractment should be obtained some bill ship, and he never should address them

to the general Turnpike with perfect pleasure, until that source of Act, which should be distinct in its decla- vexation no more could flow. ( Cheers.) ration, and satisfactory, universal and per- At Wimbourne, in Dorsetshire, an atmanent in its effect. (applause.) tempt had been made to impose this rate, To several cases relating to the Assessed originating with a clergyman; but which Tares he would next refer. At Richmond, the greater liberality of other inhabitants the windows of the place of worship of would not allow to be enforced. the Rev. Mr. Thomas had been assessed; At Worcester a charge had been made advice was given by the Committee, and upon the chapel

. As the chapel is in two the demand has not been renewed. A parishes, and sixteen heavy rates are an. letter from a most excellent friend, the wally made, the establishment of the liaRev. Mr. Cockin, of Holmsfirth, York-bility to assessment would have imposed a shire

, and from the Rev. John Humphreys, burden adequate to a gross sum of £1000. in North Wales, bad obtaived all the at- upon the trustees. There the officers had tention which the Committee could supply. actually begun to pull down the organ,

But to one case connected with the As and to remove the patent lamps. 'The setted Taxes he with great satisfaction Committee sanctioned an appeal, and by must advert, as an unjust demand had been their intervention, and the prudent conresisted with complete success. Upon a

duct of an individual member, the parish former occasion he had paid a tribute of officers, after repeated explanations, deterrespect to those Institutions among the mined that the rate should be reduced to Dissenters which may truly be called the 16s. a-year, to be charged upon a little

anti-room,

He thought

supplementary

house appertaining to the chapel, and to far they were necessary. One man sapi. which charge it was impossible to object. ently asked in what way the chapel was (Cheers.)

lighted? He was answered, “ with oil." At Chatham a case likewise occurred " With oil, (said he,) oil is ton expensire, which was not conducted by this Society, it would be much more economical to ligbe and in which an attempt had been made it with candles !" (Laughter.) This to rate the chapel of the Rev. Mr. Slat- gentleman it will probably be conjectured terie, whuse ill health alone prevented the was a tallow-chandler! ( Loud laughter.) information and pleasure which his zeal If a tallow-chandler, he naturally voted and eloquence would always produce. against the oil. (Laughier.) He did; There it was not the parish that wished to and sitting there as a magistrate, he said impose the rale. They well knew the ad. he could not permits

so much to be charged vantages arising from his ministerial ex. for lighting the chapel. (Laughter.) ertions to the population of the town; and Then ihere was a charge of £10. for 3 that the chariiable benefactions which clerk. “ Oh! (said their worships) we Christian principles induced his congre. can't allow you to pay a clerk £10. a-year. gation to dispense, far exceeded in uility Why can't some of you give out the hymus, and amount all that the most vigilant tax- and chaunt, unaided, your nasal strains :" collector could extort. Was it not deeply (Laughter.) The 210 was disallowed. to be lamented that an individual should Next came a charge for pew-openers. This have this vexatious power? And ought was a new source of extravagance. " Why their efforts to relax until this power, at should not those people who had pens individual caprice, lo impose a tax un- open the doors themselves ?" Then ibere friendly to religion, was entirely swept was something allowed for cleaning the away! (Cheers.) The case has not yet chapel. This too was quite ont of the been finally determined, but the expenses question. " If people look peuts, why incurred amount to £50, which from high did they not become their own sweepers and deserved respect for Mr. Slatterie, and cleaners :” (Laughter.) This charge the Committee directed their Treasurer to was also disallowed. But even these depay.

ductions afforded imperfect satisfaction to At York a far more important case had these enlightened adjudicators

. During occurred, and towards the expense of the previous year, the benevolent ministers which the sum of fifty guineas had also been presented by the Committee. The cepl for their travelling expenses

, to off.

who came, and without remuneration, ex. neighbouring ministers bad deterinined ciate in the chapel, had received about that the ancient city of Sork sheuld not 1007. “ There were many cnrates in be without a place of worship for Inde- the city of York who had but 501. 2. pendent Dissenters

, which many inhabi- year–1001. a-year to Dissenting ministers tants desired. Lendal Chapel was there- was therefore an extravagant expense." fore erected The chapel had not been (Laughter.) Under these circumstances

, built more than a year. The receipts and and with these deductions, the disburse. disbursements were therefore distinctly ments were brought below the receipts ; known, and that the disbursements had and these inagistrates decided that the chaexceeded the receipts i get the place was pel was rateable, and direcied that it assessed. The Trustees, i ho were men of should be charged upon a profit of 201. intelligence and public'spirit, determined (Shame.) In such a state was it honournot quietly t» yield to this demand. The able for D ssenters to continue? Especourt agreed upon the law, that Dissen. cially when the Court of Quarter-Sessions ters' places of worship were not raleable was so frequently constiruted by clergyto the poor, provided the necessary ex- men, who in these modern times neglecung penses equalled the receipts, and were their personal duties, and, invested with cbargrable only for such pet profit as magisterial power, often came pre-detershould remain after a deduction of the mined to crush by such vexations the necessary expense. This case is most spirit they could not otherwise repel; and momentos, as it shews the situation in to eradicate the plants, the growth and which Disocieers are placed. It is nol at beauty of which they could not otherwise the amount of the payments to which we destroy. ( applause.) ought maioly to look; that is relatively Among the resolucions which would be unimportant.

proposed, was one by which the meeting On lbat Ocrasion there was a very nu

would be pledged to endeave us to obtais meçous bench of magistrates assembled in from the Legislature an enactment on this

ork, but of the city alone. subject, which he trusted would abrogate These city magistrates having admitted the this unworthy intermeddling, and bury principle, proceeded to exercise their of this abuse in the same sepulchre with many fensive right of examining the payments departed wrongs. (Applause.) made by the Trustees, and deciding how

arces, by which congregations in places those who conceive that power constitutes of worship bad been interrupted, during right, and that the possession of wealth the year, he would next advert. These entitles them to oppress. (Cheers.) disgraceful occurrences pervaded not dis- From Horsley, near Ashtead, in Surrey, tant parts of the country only, but even in be had read with peculiar interest ibe lei.' London, and in the vicinity of the metro. ters of two good men, who were there polis, congregations had not been exempt itinerating and preaching the gospel, in from this species of persecution. A con- villages u bere it had not reached, and who gregation in Newton Street, Holborn, had feeling heavenly compassion in their hearts, been assailed by a mob. At Camberwell, and viewing, with weeping, large multithe Rev. Mr. Innes complained of inter- ludes perisling for lack of knowledge, Fuption At Ilford some interesting and wrote to state, that if it cost them their amiable ladies had suffered by a removal of lives, the poor people must not go untheir shutters and the fracture of their taught (Applause.) Other similar cases windows, and some opulent inhabitants by had occurred, and it was hardly needful an instigated rabble.

to say, that the Committee had not re. At Ludgershall, in the county of Wilts, ceived these complaints with folded hands field-preaching was prevented. At Oxon- or nnaffected bearts don, in Northamptonshire, a similar pro- It would be well if he could say that hibitiou ocenrred to a Baptist minister. these were the only means adopted to preThere Mr. Bulton, the rector of the parish, vent the progress of truth. Protestant was the prohibitor.

Painful was the Dissenters had no hostility to National thoughe that such bigotry should exist in Schools, although they thought they should this laud of liberty- and England was yet be denominated Episcopalian, and not as. that land of liberty, whilst they had heard sume a nationality, which their exclusive during the week ibat in distant and barbar principle disclaims; but they did not nus regions such evils did not exist : tbat, treat Dissenting schools with equal tolera. without interruption, the Missionary migliz tion. At Dronfield, near Sheffield, in the in India, beneath the shade of a tree, county of York, some excellent Sundayfreely tell his heart-affecting tale ; an schools had been interrupted by the churchItinerant, unmolested under an ancient wardens, instigated by the clergyman. cross or gothic ruin, might in Ireland ad. They bad sought to intimnidate by threatdress the interesting villagers; and be eping prosecutions, and by proceedings greeted with rapturous welcome, as he in the ecclesiastical courts.

But the supunfolded the message of life and peace porters of such institutions were not to be among the groves that adorn the islands of appalled by threats so impotent. On liberal the Southern Sea. (Loud cheers.) principles let the education of the poor

At Haslemere interruptions had been proceed, and then knowledge and love and occasioned by birds sent into the chapel, piety will finally fertilize the land. and extinguishing the ligbis. At Can- These principles had been recognized nock, near Walsall, in Statiordshire, dis. as to the Macclesfield school, by the Court turbances arose from bowling, groaning of Exchequer. Those judges had conand whistling, hy external vivlence and ferred honour on their characters by sancinternal noise

(Shame.) Al Hammer- tioving the Lancasterian or British system

to London, disgraceful of education. To a matter which came scenes of a like nature were exhibited. before their court, in which the trustees There a Society of Baptists were inter of the Macclesfield School were concerned, rupted in the performance of one of their and in which the question of different sects sacramental ceremonies. The windows at was involved, all the judges, and espe. Kirton, near Ipswich, had been covered cially Baron Garrow, approved of the Bri

lish system. Baron Garrow, in particular, At Wolston, near Coventry, acts equally said, " I think well that the children of improper have been performed. There the poor, of different sects, should miuMr. Sawbridge, the clergyman, has threat. gle in one school and place of worship; ened that no place shall be registered for i think it is a great improvement in our twelve months.

The impotence of that mode of educatiou, as it tends to smooth threat the Committee will expose. They dowo some of those roughnesses that are will try the question with Mr. Sawbridge, at present bul too predominant, which, for and evince that no bishop or archdeacon the happiness of mankind, are sincerely to can be beyond the controul of the law; be deplored.” (Cheers.) and if they do not instantaneously record A measure will probably be introduced the notice of the registry, when left by the into parliament during the present session, poorest villager, notwithstanding their if the health of the individual, by whom it frowns, on them the law shallo frown. is projected (Mr. Brougham), will allow, (Applause.) These poorest and most illi- which demands all the considerations that terale peasants may not be borne down by can he bestowed. That bill contemplates

smith,

near

with soil.

66

the establishment of parish schools, in a labourer--the rector opulent and pox. every parish throughout the empire; an erful. The Committee interfered : nor did excellent design, but requiring great cau. they interfere in vain. The poor Dis. tion, and to be watched by Dissenters with senters blend astonishment with joy, when a vigilant eye, lest it should become against they learn that the same justice is obtained them a inost powerful and injurious iustru- for them in the lowly cottage, as for the ment.

turretted castle which frowns over the Some miscellaneous cases of considerable vale. They take courage as they bless interest he could not omit.

the Society, and are grateful to their The clerk of the peace for the county God. of Rutland had refused to register a notice But why, he must again inquire, did a of a place of worship in that county, left body so respectable and so enlightened as by the Rev. Mr. Corbishley. The magis- the Dissenters of Evgland, submit to these trates bad conceived that they possessed insults from clergymen? Why, by setking sone discretionary power; and did not interment exclusively in a church-yaid, know that they had only a ministerial duty connect themselves with an establishment, to perform. The right of registration bad which they professed to disapprove! Whai been maintained and asserted with success, was a church-yard to merit particular reand the result is important, principally as it spect? ( Applause ) Papal superstition demonstrates the necessity of firmness and had bestowed on it an interested sanctity, decision, and teaches not to suspend on the unsanctioned by reason, but wbich imagibrittle thread of favour and indulgence, nation and poetry had combined to adera. those rights which should be npheld by an ( Applause.) In former times people col. adamantine chain.

lecied themselves round the Church, beLetters from Elland, near Halifax, com- caitse they hoped to be relieved from para plain that the minister of the parish had gatory by the prayers of the faithful attempted to prevent a mason from cutting attending at the Church. (Laughter.) grave-stones in the charch-yard, because Be no longer fettered by such absardities, he was a Dissenter. Thus substituting (Applause.) Let gardens surround ou power for persnasion, and persecution for meeting-bouses, and there let our ashes argument. (Applause.)

slumber till the resurrection of the just. The case of Mrs. Gould was affecting. ( Applause.) If the poor posthumous re. Her husband had long been deacon of a nown be sought, which brass and marble Baptist congregation near Brayford, in can bestow, what can be more delightful Devonshire Nothing was more natural to the father, than to know, that the is. or more innocent than for this poor woman, scription shall be fixed on the walls of the in the language of unconrtly truth and meeting-house where he and his family pious sensibility, after she had wept over throughout their lives have worshiped the remains of her beloved companion, to God ( Applause.) What more grateful state on the grave-stone “ how the good to the children, as they bend their knees man had lived, and how he died." This, in the house of prayer, than to have the however, offended the parochial clergy: memorial of their father in their devontest man, wbo determined that the tombstone moments present to their eye! Thus death should be removed. He admitted that the would lose somewhat of its terror-fami. Dissenter had a right to be buried in the lies yet would be united-kindred would church-yard, and ibat the sexton bad re- survive, still living in the hearts and ceived the usual fee: but he denied that thoughts of those by whom they were besi any person might erect a tombstone with. beloved. (Cheers.) out his more express consent. The mi. But even to the meeting-house extortion nister of the Church of England thus will pursue us. The Rev. Mr. Bretter, sought to obtain a wretched triumph over of Birmingbam, had been there interred. an aged and unhappy widow! True, he The opulent rector of that vast lowo would might thus increase her pangs and add to not lose bis profit, and demanded ten shil. her cup of sorrow, already overflowing. lings as a mortuary fee. Explanations He might prematurely deinolish a monu- were required, and the demand was forment which the hand of time would obli- gotten. But no! such forgetfulness is not terate or destroy ; but he could not touch allowed: for, after near two years, the the inscription written by the finger of the Rev. Mr. Curtis has actually renewed bis archangel in the book of life, nor cloud the demand. During the present week, de glory that in another state shall radiate (Mr. W.) had received a letter, stating around the memory of the just. (Ap. that this clergyman, opulent and elevated, plause.)

has personally called on a friend of the From Corfe Castle Mr. Smith com- widow of Mr. Brewer, and insisted on the plained, that the Rev. Mr. Clavell, a cler. amount. (Hisses and cries of shame.) gyman and magistrate, had refused to bury He did not wonder at this expressier the child of a Dissenter. The parent was of indiguation and contempt; but be

hoped that the demand would fail, and man rejoined, " I consider all such bapevery inhabitant of Birmingham was jo- tism as illegal, it is only lay-baptism. I terested in its defeat. The right to mor- do not consider you a Christian, and tuary money is ancient, but there are few therefore I shall noi marry you Was it parishes in which it can be sustained. It possible to conceive a siluation more emmust have been claimed before the reign barrassing and unfortunate? What reof Henry VIII.; and if disused, cannot be medy would the Clergyman propose ? revived.

Rebaptism only would satisfy his mind. But for clergymen, the situation of the The demand was disgustful; but then the Committee would be comparatively a sive- mortification of disappointinent at such a cure. This statement was illustrated by moinent, was it not even more intolera. most of the cases, and confirmed by one ble? ( Laughter.) The parties were from Tremadoch, in Wales. In that dis- therefore compelled to submit, and the tant retire ent a young man, member of a respectable families were detained whilst congregation under the pastoral care of the sex top was sent for a bason of water, Mr. John Jones, went to assist a neigh- with which the adult persons were actubour in bay-making, aud by the consent ally sprinkled by this zealous priest, and of the family read a chapter and prayed.

to two sacraments of this Protestant rela the afternoon he read another chapter, formed church the Dissenters were oband again they went to prayer.

This liged to submit. (Cries of shame.) house being a public-house, the rector of

If there be any proper feelings among the parish, who is a magistrate, happened Protestant Dissenters, they must be exto be there! (Laughter.) The family,

cited by circumstances like these. He which, including all who were in the had combatted one prejudice as to churchhouse, amounted to fifteen, attended the yards, and was not the marriage of Dis. devotious of the young man.

The rector

senters by Clergymen an equal prejudice? began cursing and swearing, laid hold of Why should they not also be freed from the young man by the neck,' in the act of the compulsory administration of this same praying, and actually tarned him out of rite also, by ministers of a church to which doors! (Shame! shame)

conscientiously they are unwilling to conMr Parry of Chester, wrote also to forin? ( Applause.) What is there in this complain of another clergyman in the same sacrament of marriage? Is matri

conaty of Denbigh He was offended be- mony a civil or religious ceremony? If it = cause a new merring house was erecting be civil, abstain from the priest; if reli.

within, what he thought, some hallowed gious, let the ministers of religion with plats circle round the parish church. He must whom they are connected, ntter the useful I have feared the internal attractions of the

exhortation and breathe out the pions building,

as the humble edifice could not prayer. ( Applause.) Are Dissenters to - torie in architectural splendour or costly submit to an arbitrary forın, from which, ** adornment with his Established Church. by mere consistent attention, and more This gentleman wrote, that the clergyman

vigilant care,

the people called Quakers had but one arm, yet threatened to knock and the Jews are exempt? Why should down the rising meeting house. The

they not apply for, and obtain a similar 1. Committee replied, that if the clergyman exemption? ( Applause) The Unitarians, instead of one arm had been Briareus unwilling to recognize the doctrine of the with

one hundred arms, he would find the Trinity, according to the established form, * Jaw had a still stronger arm, should be have resolved op such an application; and

presnme to execute his threats. (Loud who will not wish them success? What is applause.)

marriag”, by the law of England, but a Froin Soham, in Cambridgeshire, com- civil contract between two persons, complaints were made that the Clergyman re

petent and willing to contract? These fused to marry Dissenters. In Northamp. ceremonies too are a remuant of Catholic * Sunshire certainly the fact occurred. The superstition, improperly retained by the

Clergymau actually refused the per- Reformers: by the Reformers, those great formance of a marriage ceremony until men; those giants of a dwarfish age; the bridegroom bad been rebaptized. those lights amidst deep darkness; but (Laughter.) Two respectable families who were yet only men, and whose cheerassembled to witness the marriage cere- ing splendour was occasionally obscuredmony, intended to unite two estimable as an envions haze lessens the lustre of the

Young persons in “ holy matrimony." full-obed moon. (Applause.) Before him 12What was their surprise to bear the

(Mr. W.) was a copy of a certificate of pie Clergyman, previous to the commence- marriage in the Protectorate of Oliver

loent of the ceremony, ask the gentleman Cromwell, before a Justice of the Peace; if he had been baptized? The bridegroom and in that period of Puritanism, were not Teplied affirmatively, that he was baptized husbands as good, and wives as fair aud bg a Dissenting Minister. The Clergy- chaste, as in the episcopalian and voluptu