Star. — London, England, 1815-12-29 00:00:00

.• were all in immense Eilsesmers, it afrottf Wilosaftol• trim iotOlerant and persecutinkiaMitas and 'Otactices. And they were all, both the French and the English Protestants, dissenters from the Church of lame; having separated from her conimunion because she imposed doctrines, as ankles of faith, which are not i•-the. Holy Scriptures, and because she compelled men to profess them against the convictions of their own consciences. He had no doubt the Bishops in their places in Parliament, would in the ensuing• Se ssion, speak the sense of the Church in unison with the resolutions of that meeting. But it was said that ' it was fithly unbecoming in us to interfere with the French Government in behalf of its Protestant sub. jests, because we ourselves should indignantly resent any such interference on the part of the French in regard to our conduct toward the Catholic subjects of this country. The author of this objection must suiely.suspect that there is something faulty in the conduct of British Protestants towards their Catholic brethren ; otherwise it could never have been surmised that indignation would he excited by a friendly and temperate lesson of wisdom and truth from any quar ter. l)id the Protestants of this country inflict en the Catholics what Protestants are now suffering in France, what reflecting and liberal mind is there that would condemn an interference for their protection ? The argument, however, admits of being viewed i another light ; and applied to shew an inconsistency on the part of those who, are willing to interfere is behalf of religious liberty abroad, but who are ad vocates for exclusion and disabilities for sake at borne. Mr. B. contended that there was a manifest abstirdity in our holding ourselves out as the' assertors and vindicators of the rights of other people, so long as the smallest spark of persecution remained anextinguished,—the smallest germ of intolerance nneradicated among ourselves. He should not dwell on this point, as it had only a collateral relation to the same question, but he thought it right to allude to it. . His opinion he should express in the wo r ds of, the Apostle, 66 Recompense to no man evil for evil. If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink." So he would say; if he endure oppres sion or persecution in any shape, emancipate him. " For in so doing. thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." He concluded With reading the resolutions. Rev. T. Diets rose to second the motion of the preceding speaker, and spoke nearly as follows : • " if, Mr. Mayor, the assembly whom I have now the honour to address, were persons of intolerant prin ciples; if I had reason td %,elieve that•they thought it necessary to hate and persecute their fellow.creaturei in order to do Goa service, I should enter very deeply unto the subject which now engages our attention ; but as I have no reason to entertain sentiments so discreditable to the present meeting, I shall not en large on this occasion, but shall leave it to the gen tleman who will succeed me to dilate on a number of interesting facts which he will be able to bring for- ward for our information. I must, however, be pen. mitted to express my abhorrence of a persecuting spirit. It is contrary to reason and to scripture, and, as may be proved by history, productive of the most baneful effects upon the human mind. It is contrary to reason ; for, it I claim the privilege of thinking for myself, certainly I ought to concede to others the same privilege. if you would make a convert of me to your opinions, produce your strong reasons, con. vince my yudguient, and I may become a rational convert. But to attempt to use fire and sword in order to make me think otherwise than my consci• ence dictates, is as absurd as it is wicked. Fur though there are chains to confine the body, yet there are none which yoU can twine around the mind. My thoughts are, and must, in the very nature of things, be free and unfettered by external forte. Intolerance it as contrary to scripture as it is to reason. I know that the holy scripture may be perverted to :observe the basest purposes. The best things are the most liable to abuse. Medicine is a good thing, and yet, I conceive, that many an unskilful practitioner has killed his patient by an improper application of its powers I will give you, Sir, one curious instance of the perversion of the scriptures, out of many which might be adduced : " Our SAVIoUIt relates a parable of a certain man who made a great supper, and bade many ; and at the time of•supper sent his servants to invite those who were bidden, but they would not come; there fore he desired his_ servants to go out into the high way and hedges and compel the poor to come in. Hence certain divines have thought themselves justified in using fire aad sword to my/id men to-come into the church. Now, Sir, not to mention the absurdity o building an important doctrine on a subordinate cir cumstance of a parable, it could not be in the power of a few servants to compel, by any other force than that of persuasion, a multitude of people to attend the supper. We see, therefore, how little Christianity ,is to be blamed for the absurd abuses which injudi. dons persons may make of its doctrines. By an appeal to history, I might abundantly illustrate the baneful s eliects of intolerance. There is something in this spi• nit which seems to poison the very sources of human virtue. It destroys whatever is lovely, whatever is ,tiscellent t whatever is satiable in the human) charm. ter—it converts men into savages. Persons other wise benevolent, have delighted to glut their eyes with a horrid ferocity on the torments inflicted' on .their fellow creatures, and to witness scenes tifcruelly which huthanity shudders to contemplate. Here I hove ahundantscepe for illustration, but I forbear, 'because I Would no; wish to excite hatred against , any sect of .htistians. Let these scenes retire into oblivion, unless necessity shall compel us to bring them into view, for the warning and instruction of mankind. 66 But as I do not pretend to discuss the subject at large, I forbear to enter into a variety of particulars. I believe that our town is sufficiently' tolerant iii its principles. -The ministers of various persuasions live Itillgetber in the greatest cordiality, mid as they cannot think alike on all points, they agree to differ.-- During my long residence in this place, I have ever erideavoureil, as much as in me lies, to preserve this unanimity. Ido not conceive that the way to induce Dissenters to think well of the Church of England, is to persecute and revile them. and separate them from our company. What can be expected from such a conduct, but opposition to the Establishment. and hatred tq its Ministers f i *ink no man will testify of rise that I have ever spoke. disrespectfully of •itny minister of religion. There pie. I allow, sentiments which j eery much disapprove, but then those who embrace than are accountable not Maw, bat wait,. 'Nairn Cron upon tba Ade; nraielvi issessingthis day , is not convened so Gad afflie slither with our GOVantinitte or with that of POW& Louis XVIII. has been disciplined in the school Of adversity—Protestants have afforded him an Ml* in their country—Protestants have foughtliis banks—. Protestants have placed the crown on his head. r hope the guilt of persecution does not attach to thee monarch ! His government will doubtless do every thing which can be done to prevent a recurrence of these dreadful scenes. Why then, it may be asked. do we meet here this day? I apprehend o* meeting is intencted to express our deep regret at the persecu tions which have taken place in the south of France : and. it is a subject of deep regret, that in the 19th cen tury, men should be found so bigoted and intolerant, as not only to revile their fellow Christians on account of their religious principles, but to murder many, and drive others into dens and mountains and caves of the earth. We meet likewise to express our firm reso lution to assist our persecuted brethren by all the means whichPaovintesca has put into our power ; and on this part of our subject I anticipate no apposition. In so goods work I trust we shall join with the greatest cordiality. We meet to express our gratitude w GOD, for the blessings which we enjoy under our invaluable Constitution, and to shew that whilst we are determined to use every effort to preserve them inviolate, we are desirous that every nation should enjo the same advantages. lam, Sir, I will allow, what is called aministerial man. If Mr. Fox were Minister, or Mr. Pitt were Minister, I should exert my feeble efforts to support their administration, so long as I had reason to be lieve that they were actuated by the love of their country. At the same time, I esteem it right, that the voice of the people should be heard ; 1 rejoice that it has been heard on all those important occa sions which demand attention. If it should be ISt cessary_ for the Ministry of this country to act with vigour, they may appeal to the voice of the pe o p le of England, and shew that it will not be uttered in vain, and that the wrongs of their suffering brethren must be redreued." Rev. Mr. Bear:—" Many of the subjects, Sir, which are presented to our attention, are di a nature purely intellectual. In the discussing of them no thing can be properly admitted but reasoning and ar guments; and to attempt to excite the passions, would be to obscure the judgment, and counteract the legitimate end. Other subjects belong exclusively to the feelings; to argue concerning them would be superfluous and absurd; and the question is at once decided by an appeal to the human breast. Th e subject now before you, Sir, admits of both these methods of conviftion and persuasion. to the greatest degree. On the injustice of persecution for religious opinions the most able reasoner would find full scope and employment for all his powers, without fear of exhausting his materials ; ani the mist pathetic and eloquent appeal to the *kinJer pAssious of the soul would be more than justified by the condition of the sufferers. Aware. however, of my incapacity to do justice to the subject in either of these ways, I shall by no means attempt it; but with your per mission, Sir, and under the forbearance of this Assent• bly, offer a simple statement of the grounds on which we proceed, and those reasons which have occurred to the; why we should adopt the resolutions beforeats. —The first question tfiat arises, naturally relates to the matter of fact ; and some persons may be sur prised that we possess no more information concern ing events which are stated to have occurred in a country at no great distance from our shores. I would submit that this paucity of information is rather a presumption in favour of the truth of the statements , which are made; for it is a characteristic aggrava. lion of the sufferings of persecuted persons, that they find it- neither safe nor easy to complain. Souse. times the sufferers are fearful to complain lest they should yet more incense their adversaries; at MOM their oppressors take effectual means to press.* their circulating, among those who would pity them, the tale of their woes. If, however. but a short time bad elapsed since these events were stated to have occurred. and no pains had been takes to investigate the affair, we might still be required to hesitate and refrain from acting; in this case, however, many months have passed away, and the facts have been verified by personal observation. It the degree of information we possess were univer sally discredited, this might lead us to question its truth and :efficiency t but on this very information the Associated Presbytery of Edinburgh, the Com mon Council of London. and others fully competent' ,to decide on the value of evidence, have thought it F right confidently to act. It will universally be ad mitted that the Government of our country possess adequate , means of 'ascertaining the condition of the inhabitants of any friendly nation. Suffice it then to say, that the fact oldie sufferings of the Protestants in South of France, is fully admitted by his Ma. jesty's Ministers. If we were misinformed, it is next to impossible that they shouid.[Mr. B. then read some extracts from an authentic Communication, transmitted by the Committee of the General Body of t'rotestant Disseariat .Ministers in Loadoe s l:—,' this su bject ? u . bi r e e et sum is— ed a .-- re l th t t ne su lt question which arises on g hsae io ns n igtau ? It is tiin:oyto n b o e t sn lieve rp th ris i i:g thatterTsuffer ings on account of reli. The thideertet shouldo acrbUg some ' eland persecution . for religious opinions is so re pugn e a cvdi v n t t glai is ; oi in nwn a e( ll nu r Fra n ce. canoumr human scarcelyif e e d hi) this it 1 4 act br ai lti:i hnertsoh the n ete v er o rwt long osiuicebotedi possibility century. ctoosrnyrn Indeed, e, supposed tha ' t France was little likely ever to have been fithmveaentilea.of the pennutions of Protestants, For' o successive se r ei gns, Nobility, tio me professed s i t heed R oyal a F i : 1 ; I le ' i n e j - C s9 U l r e i m i7 n o ed f th ic ei ts r , persuos, and the free exercise in their religion, have been affirmed to them by the most and they have had fortified places de. posited in their hands; yet we know that in scarcely any country have Protestants suffered more than is France. From the Reformation till the last sew years of Henry IV. they had scarcely an interval of be fore E A dic ft t e o r f t N he an d tl a t ot s avo ili n a • t ed i rgad arc f h :rm ev arly. be re: yoked , they were continually harassed and disturbed; and it would be useless to dwell on the miseries they endbred when that revocation took place. If' any one doubt Whether thy resent lie it religious ter. secution, I would auk have any Cittbelics ,Intrered 441 W i el affee; OS Si t hips has pissrazwaswis=l=etherigediffi r MELTING at the. MANSION-HOUSE, HULL, ON DEIIALFIQF xeitbtEsT.ANTs. a i . - •v tin the STAi of Teesday lastswe had Were our Readers the Rewbrions "Aortal at the .Hull Meetings we noir Of! the Speeches delivered : on that occasion, persuaded that we cannot roid.r a more acceptable service to the, cause of humanity') t 13y half-past eleven o'clock the place of assembly WAS so crowded that further admission was impos &ble. The MAYOR having taken his ;teat, Mr. Conn, the Town. Clerk, read the.Requisititm.—The MAYOR then briefly addressed the company, and, being de. sired to take the Chair, said that he would endea. your to discharge the duty of it to his best ability. The Rev. J. H..BR'IMBY, in risieg to propose cer tain Resolutions to the Meeting, expressed his amis• faction that it had Lille.% to his lotto take the lead in the business of the day. if ever there was a question in which the interests of humanity, justice, and reli gion were intimately united that , was one ; and there was no man, he thought. who had any claim to the character of humane, or just, or. religious, but must feel a deep interest in it. It appeared that certain individuals in London,. ( who they.were was a matter that had little concern with the merits of the question, we had a right to presume that they were actuated by the best motives), had received accounts from France, well authenticated, of . .dreadful enormities praCtising there ; to which accounts they had drawn the attention of the public; feeling, doubtless, that at men, and Christians and Protestants themselves, they were bound to pay regard to the sufferings of their fellow-men, their fellow Christians, and fellow Protestants. He thought if one half, or if a thou. sandth pin of the heart-rending account were true, there had been no subject more highly calculated to call forth their benevolent sympathies and exertions, even in these eventful and extraordinary times. For proofs of the facts he should refer to the documents in' the hands of a gentleman then present, who would probably communicate them to the Meeting. But tite truth of them was sufficiently substantiated by the adniissiins both of the French Government and our own. friargoing, therefore, on the propriety of interfering in behalf of the sufferers. he should take the facts for granted. Their sufferings, indeed, were as severe as man could well experience. They were deprived of the means of subsistence—their houses and property pillaged and destroyed ; they were driven from their filmes, and compe lled to leave their families destitute and defenceless; their places of worship were destroyed or shut up ; and they were forced to Are for refuge into the woods and mown. tains, " to the dens and caves of the earth," like the early Christians, or like their own forefathers of the 13th century, when pet secuted by the demons of the Inquisition. That these men were innocent sufferers we were justified in concloding from the absence of all charge against them. h was not for any evil that thiy had done, but because they were the objects of the evil-passions—the rage and jealousy, the cruelty and rapacity of their enemies. And the principal cause t 4 is hostility, it was lamentable to observe, eras their profession of the reformed'religion. It was sufficient, as it appeared, for a man to be a Protes tant• to be marked for persecution. and made the subject of all these horrors. Really, he thought, when one compared what was then going forward ire France, with proceedings of a similar character and tendency in other parts of the South of Europe, there was ground for the apprehension that the days of Louis XIV. of Charles IX. and of Dominic with his Inquisitors, were about to be revived ice out times. Unworthy he •eltould think himself of the name of man, and of a Protestant and Christian Mi •nister,. it he did not loudly protest against such enor mities. He was confident there was not an indivi dual present in whose breast the cause had not an. advocate—and he hoped it would find an advocate in the 'breast of every man is the country. Before be read the Retiltetions he would touch upon one ortvio objections, which had fallen 'seder his notice, against taking up this question in the way in which it had been done. Doubts, in the first place. wets suggested against the truths of the facts stated ; but he was con • Eden when the document; to which he referred were laid before the Meeting, especially when the admissions of the two Governmeuts were also considered, there would not remain a shadow of doubt on this bead..... But, secondly, it was said that this was a political questions ; and consequently ought to be left entirely in the hands of Government. This, he contended, was. an argument which could be considered as valid by those persons only, who thought the people should mei& interfere in politics. ys'ith these he could not agree, Vor though he was an enemy to factious op position, yet he maintaiaed that it was the right and duty of the people of England to make their voice heard by their governors, whenever they pursued, measurts adverse to the national interests; or when, in the eager anxiety to promote certain objects of t e mporary politiCal expediency, they forgot or oven s lobked the acred claim, of j u stice Of humanity.— hut the pieseireqeestion was not a political . One; It was One of . ins4tanity; iiivolviug in it a consideretioti of the righcs 01. conscience, and ow interference in it did not appear on any ground reprehensible, seeing the relation at present subsisting between . the two countries. ms it is considered b his Majesty* Miniitcrs ; Lord Liverpool' having. declared to the' deputation of Gentlemen who waked on him to state the information they hadleceived, and to learn the sentiment: Of. Government,. that he and the re;t of his Majesty's Ministers deeply deplored the atrocities committed, and were disposed to use their best en. deavours to restore the freedom slf -religious faith and worship. What better method to give weight and efficacy to the arguments and efforts of Government in this cause. then for the people to let their voice be heard in its behalf ? It would be recollected how effectual that voice had been in recent instances. He would specify the two cases of African . c4vilization, and the Indian missions. And as the voice of the nation had prevailed in firmer of du oppressed Afri cans and the benighted Indians,sehe trusted it would .beraisN with equal effect fit favour of the perse. gifted Protestants of France.. •As to its being a dis senting question, it was true thit it related to dissen sion hone the Mirth If France, and *a; taken up by dissenters • lode th e Puirch of En d ta4. And that was all that mild be said i Tits tftlf here bad, greatly to their honour, taken the lead in this --dibour of love ; mid mid Chereffmes he bed no dottlit - iesisekt, equa sq 'their !!unourilollow in ;WI caul. • They would d ie leo'thef loiedirea: They would specify the two cases of African *Civilization, tdgether wt the greatest cordiality. and as they cannot religion, have ' .; and the Indian missions. And . as the voice of the think alike on all points, they agree to differ.— solemn edicts, • . , • ~; nation had prevailed in favour of the °pinned Afri- , During my long residence in this place, I have ever posited in their • . n can; and the benighted lndians,eshe trusted it would erideavonreil, as much as in me lies, to prnerve this any country ha • N be• rais e d with equal effect fit f avour o f the pa r se- unanimity. Ido not conceive that the way to induce France. Froa ~ S l usted Frotestants of France.. 'As to its being a dis- Dissenters to think well of the Church of England, is years of Henry 4' *voting question, it was true that it related to dissen- to persecute and revile them, and sepirate them from repose. After ,f *is from the ChurCh of France, and *as taken up our company. What can be expected from such a fore the Edict o by dissenters ran the Clinich of Englaqo. And conduct, but apposition to the Establishment, and' yoked, they we • t h at was al l th at tep id be said, Th e d aae h teti h ere hatred 19 its Ministers 1 I think no man will testify and it would b bad, greatly to their honour, taken the lead in this of me that I have ever spoken disrespectfully ot •iny endued when . 1 I • ilbour of bye; nod, minister of religion. There pie, I allow, sentiments one doubt Ttli -Chasettrasa he bad no chink ld, °ally Their henotti %You ell RI ,lollow in thif taus" ... . , which r, eery much disapprove, but then those who tecution, Iwo 'they would hits *gime loteihrea: They ebb !MP im mgoollogbie !log go me, 'bog ge-i&l"' 4 Is downs; am . • . ••.. • f i . 7 • . _ . ....... _.. beetkincitsdeffi' if, ilfs Viirdrersisevi l one religious commuoion, is ahem and at bail &peed sonspoi" that their saffeeings,ore connected with. their religion But - they are charged with disaffection to the actual government. This is not the first time that French persecutors have used this pretext; nor, indeed, is any thing more common than for perse cutors to accuse their victims of sedition. This charge would have more appearance of truth, had the Pro- testants in past times been unfriendly to the House of Bourbon; but, on the contrary, they have always been its warmest friends and supporters. That House has been assisted by Protestant councils, Pro testant wealth, and by Protestant blood ; indeed, at some periods, it has been indebted to Protes tants for its existence as a reigning family. The efforts of the celebrated League, to ;lace the Duke of Guise upon the throne, were defeated by the Protestants, who rescued Henry 111. from de struction at Tours. Nothing can be more clear, than that Henry IV. his successor, and one of the most illustrious of the ancestors of the existing ,ll•narhons, would not have succeeded to the Crown of France. but for the aid of the Protestants. At ene time the Protestants actually possessed SUO fortified places. and almost whole provinces ; had they been a politi cal faction, they might at least have divided the kingdom with the Catholin s but they relinquished all these civil advantages, and contented themselves with an edict which they hoped would secure to them 1 the exercise of their rights of contclence. Some cf t the most dlnstriout names which adorn the history cf ; _ France are the names of Protesmots. —To ir continued. JA ittif Ia a. Omani 2l.—Tbesday atterr.oon, at four o'clock, the Honourable House of Assembly met, agreeably to the Proclamation of his Grace the Governor, when a Committee was appointed to acquaint him there. with ; upon which he desired their immediate at tendance in the Council Chamber, and was pleased to opec the Session with the following Speech " Gentlemen of the Council. " Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly, " I have called you together at an earlier period than usual, its compliance with what I understood to be the general wish, and ' with a view of affording you ample time for the cans:defame of such business as may require your attention. • Since our last meeting the calm, which the Continent of Europe had begun to espy, has been again interrupted, and all the miseries of war experienced, through the desperate enterprise of the deposed Ruler of France, and the treasonable defection of its army. happily, however, the prompt and determined coo duct of the Allied Powers, and the decisive victory at Waterloo, have arrested the career o f ! his usurpation, annihilated that army which was his only support, and Snaily compelled him to place his person at the disposal of the Prince Regent. • Whilst we most ever deplore the great and inestimable loss sustained hi a c•villict the most sanguinary, though the most gin. riwas and importsmt in its cosisequeuces, of any which history re cords, we must reflect with pride and almiratton on the weeders ful exertions of those great Commanders, by whose conoinferate skill and unconquerable valour Europe has been mice moot rescued from tymuny and desolation. Let as hope too that t:.e French nation, worn out and exhausted by a su:cessien of such °fere/Miming calamities, may at last return to a state of order and tranquillity, awl cultivate the relations of, peace wades the, add aad equitable Government or their lawful Sovereign. " Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly, - • • " Your zeal for his Majesty's service, end your regird for the interest of your Constituents, will, I aid persuaded, iiiad yea to grant such supplies as the public exigenclas may require. " Gentlemen of the Council, Nir. Speaker, and Genticaten of the Asienthly, " My experience et fear unwearied f i l tplicatioo to rout duty memo see that all year measures vein, be calculated to advent.: the general welfare; and ic will be turista/ ples,ing to me, if I jam hie Instrumenral In promoting so di Prat,' an ohjecs.". a THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 99, 1811 A Dutch Mail arrived this morning with the fol. lowing intelligence : BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 20. The French Government is now raising in great haste an extraoriinary contribution in the part of Pi cardy which has least suffered from the passage of the troops, in order to provide for the support of the allied troops ;hat remain in France. By the Com missioners on both sides, all the necessary arrange, meats are made for the giving up of the fortresses. but the time when it will take place is not yet know.n. Our national troops are in motion in all directions. Several battalions, it is said, are going to Loom burg, to form part of the garrison of that important fortress. Marienburg, Fhtlippeville, Nieuplrt, and Ypres, are to be garrisoned by our troops. The Commissioners named by his Majesty to draw up regulations for the organisation of the Public In. unction in the Southern Provinces, labours with great diligence in order to accomplish this important task, and lay the regulations befote his Majesty as um as possible. • BOIS I.E DUC, DECEMBER ts. We understand that a Swiss regiment is expected here on the 22d, to remain in garrison, and at the sante• time two battalions of Nassau. From Breda they write on the 17th t—es We arc here overburdened with , troops of the Netherlands coming front France and the Southern Provinces, partly to remain, partly to halt for a day and night. In oar whole neighbourhood the march of the turps has been, for some days past, stopped by the ice LI the rivers and they are quartered in the villages." PTRECHT, DECEMBER 21. We learn that the head-quarters of the troops his Majesty the King of Deqmark, with the litst cc Intan of 30 Olken, 190 men, and 200 horses, 4r• rind yesterday at Amersfort. The whole corps Will arrive in seven nr eight small columns, by the 'l7 Lb Or VIM, tallith* br aU of 250 Officers, 4,585 woe cad low horses. • HAT;ul,.Dlguthasalt *l. • The atato of the water mid ice in the rivet!, :it' cording to the accounts that us have received, begin' to assume a wore alarming appeaiance, on ACCOUIIi of the 2010inged stoppage of the lower . rivers ; an d L die Mere Wagiuls observed in the river Wash lc