Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-13 00:00:00

IRISII SOCIETY. . . The antual meeting of the Liverpool Auxiliary of the Irish Society, which was established in the year 1818, for the purpose of promoting . the Scriptural education of Irish-speakinm . Roman Catholics, chiefly through the• medium of their own language, was held in Hope Hall, HopeTstrect, last evening. The meeting, which was a very cro wded one, Was presided over by the ' Rev. Dr. MNeile ; and amongst those present were—Revs. G. H. Ellaby, Alleock, Canon Stowell, W. M. Fannon, Dr. Taylor, henry Carpenter, Joseph Bardslev W. Hunl - , O. Powell, Greer C. W. Lawrence, Thomas Cowan. W. Mayrand, D. An:ierson, Sampson, Ball, Watson, J. But ler, and Bannerman, Messrs. William Gregson, John Eden, J. K. Rounthwaite, W. H. Moore, RfA. Payne, G. Duncan. On the motion of the Rev. H. Carpenter, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Taylor, thb Rev. Dr. 31...Tei1e was called to the chair. The proceedings having been opened with prayer by the Rev. E. Ellaby, the secretary, - The CIIIIRMIN said—My Christian friend:, the Irish Society needs 'no introduction to you. It is all old acquaintance. You are aware that -its object is to give an elementary and Scriptural education, and to give Christian instruction to the native Irish, elderly through the medium of their own language. It has been in operation now for many years, and _the good accom plished by it is not to be. limited to, nor measured by, the number of outward or avowed conversions from the Church of Rome. It is gradually and surely producing effects which, though not subversive, are counteractive of that prostration Of mindand life which it is one great object of priestly despotism to perpetuate among the people. (Hear, hear.) That such effects. have been .produced Appears upon the face of the narratives sent from tune to time by the scripture readers employed by this society. One for example ,writes that whereas formerly the Sabbath-day was greatly desecrated in his neigh bourhood, mid the holy wells were numerously fre quented, now the Sabbath is well-kept, and the wells almost deserted. (Hear, hear.) And yet in that neighbourhood there has been no avowed conversions from the Church of Rome. The process of improve : . merit such as I have indicated is plain, because men receive into -their mindS very often. truth-maeh truth, without perceiving at the time its antagonism to the falsehood that 'is already there; yet after - the lentil has produded much salutary effect they are still ready to do battle for the falsehood. The salutary influence pro dueed by this society has been hindered and is still hindered by the priests and by the old women. (Laughter.) Remarkable ! The old women of an expiring generation in the Roman Catholic parts of Ireland, are, I believe I may say with truth, the most inveterate Popish bigots in Europe. Well,our part is to perseVere with our Irish school, our scripture readers, our kindness, our courtesy, our gene rosity—returning good for evil—blessing for cursmee. In order to do this, a continual outlay is necessary, and, therefore, this Irish Society and its noble fellow-labourer in the same field—the Irish Church Missionary Society, —both require continual supplies. I am glad to be able to say, that a gentleman, who several times in years past has sent large donations anonymously through me, has now again still imposing upon me the necessity of concealing his name has sent for the Irish SoHetv 4250. (Loud cheers.) Having said this, I might sit down, and leave the fur ther-consideration of this work, and the, more urgent appeals to your liberality, to those gentlemen who have kindly come amongst us to give attraction and interest and efficiency to this meeting. But the Irish Society, which is, as I have said, an old acquaintance of yours, is an old favourite of mine --(hear, hear)—and therefore I hope you will excuse me while I keep you from the treat you so naturally anticipate, and say a little more concerning this old friendship. (Cheers.) I mentioned language. That is one important _point. Why shonld they persevere in the use of that barbarous tongue ? The answer is simple. It is that a very large number of the people of Ireland—l won't venture to say now how many—but a large number are in this respect very much as ydu are yourselves=they are not acquainted with any language but their own. Is not that the case with you ? ..They can receive no instruction except through their own language. They can't understand a gentleman speaking to them except in their own lan guage. Is not that the case with you ? Perlieps, even these accomplished gentlemen who are now taking down \V LULU IL nay a.. tAts. ..e t er . breakfast time in the morning,--perhaps even those gentlemen are not acquainted with any other language but their own ; . and that, if I were allowed to speak in some other language than their own,, there would be a gap in the report. (The reverend doctor then quoted a Greek and Italian verse,. and concluded, by asking, in French, what the gentlemen of the press thought of that? Of course, there were peals of laughter.) Now see what a barbarian I have made myself to my audience. Al though I have been speaking one of the noblest, and one of the sweetest, and one of the most versatile languages that ever issued from human lips. Now, just as hgen tleman, who would speak Greek and Italian or French, is useless to you, so one of you with your noble English, would be quite useless to the Irish Irish—(laughter)— therefore we must have language. The object in view is worthy the effort if the effort were greater than it is ; for -what is the object in view, my friends? It is to diminish the amount of Romanism in Ireland, and thereby to abate the greatest nuisance that has ever plagued the nations of the world. (Hear, hear, and 'applause.) Romanism, both in its ecclesiastical and in its civil claims—for I cannot call either of the swords -which it yields spiritual-but in its ecclesiastical and in its civil claims is the plague-spot of civilised society. Its false doctrines are strychnine to the true Christian life—(hear, hear,)—and its claim of temporal doininion is the etnbroglio of the nations of Europe. The temporal authority of the Pope is unlike any other temporal authority. It is not localised—it is not confined within any territory. If the adherents of the Popedom were confined to the inhabitants of the Papal States, it would be comparatively easy to deal with it—there would be no embarrassment ; but they are scattered throughout all the states. They are connected with, mingling in, and influencing. all the governments of Europe, heneethe embarrassment. The eyes of the civilised world arc fixed on Central Italy, and all men who love freedom are desirous that those States should have the power toehose,their own govern ment—(hear,' hear, and cheers)—to elect, if they will, their own Dictator, or to annex themselves, if they will, as one constittionalkingdom under the Crown of Sardinia. (Applause.) Now, suppose that the Emperor of the French were as willing as any of us can be that that consummation should take place in Central Italy, • dare he avow it ? If he avowed it boldly and decidedly, and refused to allow any intervention by force either by his own troops or by those of Austria, it would be tantamount to the downfall of the temporal power of the Pope. (Hear, hear.) And what would be the result of it in respect of the hundred thousand Popish priests, with their influerce over the people and the soldiers? The Emperor dare not do it, for his own sake ; hence embarrassment and perplexity. The voice of England is for liberty. - - I suppose no Government of England would venture now so to outrage the feelings of the nation a s t o counse l coerc i on i n C entra l I ta ly , and the re establishment of the - Dukes at the point of the bayonet. And yet, if the B r iti s h C a bi net were boldly and strongly, and decidedly, to take the o th er s id e, what would it lead to I do not now speak of a contemptible rebellion in Ireland. It might lead to that, but that is easily done away ei with (L aug hter and cheers.) What would i t d o? It would precipitate a crisis in Europe—it would compel the Eni ' peror of France to take his side, and in all for he would chose the side. of the Pope —not for the love he has for the Pope (laughter), but for his own sake, and for peace •in his own dominions : all perturbation and perplexity arising out of the temporal power of the Pope. And what are we doing in the meantime in England? Like the Jews of old, when threatened with an invasion, we are endeavouring, by all the means in our power, to render such a thing: impossible; and if attempted, unsuccessful. But while the Jews were so engaged—while they were strengthening their ram parts, repairing the breaches in their walls - 2 - while • they were digging water-courses to drain their reservoirs outside the wall, and bring a supply to themselves within while they were burnish ing the armour that had been laid by in their arsenal, the House of the Forest—an inspired prophet was . commissioned to tell them that they were not looking to Him who had made Jerusalem what it was — they were not having due respect to Him that had . fashioned it long ago. It had, indeed, become difficult for them to make any national acknowledgment of their God, because they had become a ruined multituie. There were idolaters among them, bowing the knee to the image of Baal; and there were Sadducean infidels among them, refusing to receive any practical influences from considerations of eternity. They were called to humiliation for such a state of things, but they gave themselves to reckless enjoyment, and they were fairly told that the end must be ruin. Well, now look at homy, The paragi is =Tycho.% What de we see here? There is the sound of prepatation for war all over England; volunteers aboond; artillerymen, rifle men, and corps arc formed; meetings are called, day after day and night after night; enthusiasm is on the boil ; the steam is upa the sdrill-serjeant is the man of the m overnent ; and what has been the occasion of all this? What has roused•the country—what is it that has.called out oar men of peace and merchants to get themselves ready for the battle? The Emperor of the French has been making great preparations. He has a great army ; and as they. say a man who keeps hounds must hunt, a man who keeps soldiers must fight—so it is said. (Laughter.) lie has been adding greatly - to his fleets ; he has been storing his arsenals ; rifling his cannon, and making himself in various ways exceedingly for midable. No man can prove that he has, or ever had, any serious intention of invading England. (Hear, hear.) But the supposition—the saspicion of the bare possibility of the thing has inaugurated a most effective and most wise counter-preparation. (Applause.) Where now are the peace-at-any-price party ? (Hear, hear.) They are at a discount. Apologists for Napoleon are suspected; and our neutrals—those gentlemen who in the magnanimity of their moderation say nothing on either side, and do nothing, and pay nothing—(laughter) — these are locked down upon as though they were only half Englishmen. What does all this prove ? All this proves that England is alive to the iniportaucc of her political position, her civil privileges, and is determined at all cost to maintain them. Well, do we find fault— do wo men of peace find fault with this, or blaMe these operations in the country ? Far otherwise. We com mend them all, as the prophet commended all' the exercise of watchful sagacity—all activity in the use of second causes. We commend all this ; bat then we have more to say, and I am glad of this opportunity to say it. We would say to our dear country—.and through you I vesture to say it now, and through the press —look to Him, Old England, who made you what you are. -(Applause.) have respect to Him who fashioned it long ago. Have respect to Him who in the days of Edward and Elizabeth gave you, and in the days of Cromwell increased and strengthened to you, and in the days of William the Third—(cheers)—con solidateland established for you, a reformed religion— (applause)—indispensable to that free inquiry which is an essential 'element in the Anglo-Saxon character. (Applause.) Have respect to Him. You do well to defend the blessings that you possess you do well to fortify your coasts, and to enrol your volunteers— but look higher, I. say • look higher still. Remember that the national safety dependson the national character. Remember that the true secret of your national superiority rests in those institutions which have been gradually resulting from your national character, 'and which cannot be extemporised by any theories however sound. They have grown with your growth ; and they never could have grown, nor you with them, if you had not had a reformed religion. If you had been kept down, if your minds had been en slaved, if your powers of inquiry and investigation had been stunted, if you had been afraid of a dominant priesthood, you never could have advanced in political institutions. (Applause.) These institutions have now given you balanced liberty well balanced liberty— without the slightest apprehension on the one side of anarchy or on the other side of despotism: Main tain the balance maintain the balance. There is not the slightest risk of any such weight appear- . lag on the side of prerogative as would tend towards an ill-use of power. Take heed, then, that no such movement shall appear on the other side, as would make the prerogative kick the beam under the pretence of more liberty to the subject. Keep the balance— 'cheers) —maintain the balance. Let no short-sighted demagogues induce you, in the vain stretch after more liberty, to disturb that balance. (Hear, hear, and ap plause.) A breach of that balance would be more mis chievous to you than the demolition of all the fortifications around your coast. If you would maintain that balance, cherish your national church—(cheers)—itself a ba lanced institution—(hear, hear) —prizing above every thing—above life itself—the essentials of Divine truth, while it repudiates with instinctive detestation the slightest approach to human perfection. (Applause.) Maintain that institution; and take heed how your hearken to plausible theories on the ground of conscience, which come, I must say, with rather a questionable shape ; because, if gentlemen had no con scientious scruples to become possessors of property, at a value less than it would have brought had it not been sacialea whit It. la, I nay, a cium - otAtinalulc co:aooicvno, that pleads its scruples about paying the rates, and a strange sort of conscience that amasses first the property .of th Church, without offering any equivalent to the former owner. (Hear, hear.) 'Maintain your national Church—Old England. Again, I say, you have a right to defend, and determine to maintain your civil privileges and your political position. But still remember, again, that all the high political position that this country has attained to—her noble civil privileges, her national mission to the world, her national Useful ness, her national happiness, her national honour, her national safety-nare inseparably connected with her reformed religion. (Applause.) Is it too late ? Is our citadel so undermined that it cannot be repaired ? That is a question for our defenders to answer, not with the Minie rifle and the Armstrong gun, but with the suffrage. (Hear, hear.) That is a question for our defenders to answer, not on the field of battle, but at the hustings and - the polling booths. (Hear, hear.) You understand me. (Hear, hear.) Well if you understand me I will tell you another secret. The French invasion . would be an evil—you grant that —a grievous evil, a disgraceful evil. (Hear, hear.) I want to tell you of a greater evil still —Popish corruption. (Loud applause.) It is not only a wound in the extremities; it is a vital paroxysm of paralysis at the heart. :Yes. What is a wound in the extremities ? It is bad enough ; but a paralysis at :he heart is worse. Now, this paralysis is felt ; it is embarrassing the whole State—in Parliament, and therefore in the Cabinet, in the Corporation ' in the parish, in the Vestry, in the poor-house, in the regi ments of our army; and now, into the ships of the navy --no, they have not got there yet—the paralysis is felt. This is your real dan g er ; these are your weaknesses. It is not the strength of the French army, but it is the embarrassment that is upon you, now really to acknow ledge as a nation th e G o d that has made you the nation you are. (Hear, hear.) For among you there is a mixed multitude ; there are idolaters bowing the knee to the image of the Virgin Mary—as great an abomi nation under the Christian, as the image of Baal was under the Jewish dispensation—(applause)—: for an image is an image, and bowing to an image is a breach of God's commandment, as it was from the first. (Applause.) And you have among you Sadducean infi dels—men who deify development, adore the order of nature, and banish God from his own works. (Hear.) Hence your difficulty—hence your embarrassment. But I say to you—and would that it could reach the ears and the hearts of all the sound followers of our gracious Queen—God preserve her—(applause . )--cand defend her against all her enemies—all the traitors in her camp, as well as all her enemies in foreign' nations, for traitors at home are worse than enemies abroad. (Applause.) I would say to you, and I would say to, them all—that . - Her volunteers muster—her riflemen arm ! Not a Briton now seeks for release ; But it is not for conquest—it is not for harm: It is for country, for home, and for peace. But England, oh England, distinguished so long, Keeps the paths thy Reforniers have trod, For by one sacred tenure alone thou art strong— ' Hold fast the pure truth of thy God.. - . (Loud cheers.) The Rev. Mr. ELLABY deputation secretary, moved the first resolution as follows :—"That we have great reason for thankfulness to Almighty God for present results to the Irish Society, and abundant encouragement to go on." One reason hoa said that the appeal of the Irish Society ell so feelingly and sympathetically by the e Protestanto p l e * a s Churchbecause theyf Ireland. honoured A vast and change res pectedElrnsg lreceived e h" for the better had taken place in the moral character prosperity of the people. These things and the material he could, he, thought, trace to the leaven of Bible truth which had been infused amongst the people, and to the knowledge of the gospel. He concluded by moving the resolution. The Rev. Mr. Aacocia . , in secondin g th e resolution, said the history of the Irish Society would form a link, and a very important one, in the history of the Irish Bible, and on this account it would form an interesting page in the history of Christian missions. Since the dawn of the Reformation in Europe, the history of th e Bible had been the history of Chr istian missions. It was not till the year 1822, when the Irish Society had commenced its operations, that the Bible was put in the hands of the Irish speaking people of our sister land. That Society was the first united agency which commenced to circulate the Scriptures among the peasantry, and to teach the peasantry the glorious gos pel of the grace of God, and the wonderful works of God, in that language which they understood. Thou sands, he believed—and he believed he should be speak ing within the limits of truth when he •staa tens of thou sands—had lived and died witnesses to the truth, and sonic of them martyrs to the truth, in the highest sense of the term, who first drank from the fountain of life through the means of the Irish Bible circulated by this Irish Society; within the last thirty years. (Applause) The motion was put, and carried unanimously.. The Rev. Huhu STOWELL, of Manchester, on rising to move the second resolution, was received with applause, several times renewed. He had, he said, been requested to move—" That the reception given and the response made to the appeal of the Irish Society in linglaud are such as to show that its history, object, and principle are cordially approved by the Christian public." It had been his privilege to take some little part in supporting and setting, forward the younger sister society, and he felt that his heart, and he thought he Might answer for their hearts, was not so narrowed as that, embracing the younger, they need to discard the elder. (Hear, hear.) It seemed to him that there was room enough in Christian sympathy, room enough in Christian liberality, for the support and furtherance of both ; and, instead of regarding them as antagonists, he regarded them as fellow-labourers. Long be it from tlieM to abandon the good old society, so long as the old society did not abandon its principles. (Hear, hear.) He trusted, too, that England would be true to it until it had accomplished its glorious mission, by contributing its part—and it had been no •• small part— to ridding Ireland of - Popery, ridding it of its bane, its blight, its curse. (Applduse.) The grand principle of the Irish Society is the Word of God—the Word of G6d altogether—the Word of God only—the grand p . rinciple of all sound education. (Hear, hear.) A principle so vital that we in Liverpool had done nobly in vindicating and maintaining it,. and lie trusted would continue to vindicate anal maintain it so long as Liver pool stood. . (Applaithe.) A principle for whieb the Irish clergy had stood up in a unanimity, in a self sacrifice, and in an uncompromised determination, which, though, it had brought the finger of Popish scorn .to be pointed at them, and provoked the ridicule cf latitu dinarians, entitled them to the love, faith, and reverence of the whole body of Christians throughout the World. They might depend upon it that it was only the Word of God, interwoven with the education of a people, that would give to that people peace, prosperity, liberty and duccess • and if England once set aside the Bible, she would ;trip herself of her glory, and subvert the whole glorious Constitution, her liberty,'and her prosperity. If they wanted Italy to be free, they must give.ltaly the Word of God in their own tongue. (Applause.) It was not Louis qsrapoleon e nor . was it-the noble Italians themselies, that could free them of their own power and accord ; they must be fitted to be free—they must have the true principle of freedom,—the true power of being free, and then it was neither Louis. Nnpoleon, nor Austria, nor all the autocrats in Europe, with the Pope to back them all, that could keep them down. (Cheers.) Let the people be, fitted to be free, by fearing God, by keeping His. laws, honouring the authorities that He had appointed—let thern,be free by not abusing their freedom to licentiousness, and men could not, and. God would not, keep them daves. . (Hear, hear, and lond applause.) It was the same in regard to Ireland. If they wanted Ireland to be practically and ogee:daily feee they must permeate it with the Word of God. Let them consider the blessing that God was pouring down on. Ireland at this moment, and the results that. were calling down the blessings of the whole world. Be it that there was somewhat of dimness and of smoke that darkened the face—he it that there was much of man in the movement, there was infinitely more of God; and they might depend upon it that where the Word of God was, the results would' be of God. The coming of the glorious results that had been seen in that country had been delayed. It was only the in corruptible seed that would ever produce eternal life in the soul, and therefore it was the wide spread diffusion of God's Word up - and down through Ireland, as it appeared to him, that had prepared the way 'for this gracious infusion of the Spirit of - God. It was not that there were new revelations, or that there was an im portation of new, truths ; but rather that the old seed lying dormant in the furrow, waiting the shower and the sunshine, had at last received the shower and the sunshine, and thus the incorruptible seed, dry and dead as it appeared for a time, had retained the incorruptible principle of life, and by God's _blessings showered upon it, had sprung up out of the furrow, and showed that however long it might have been buried, it had not, and coma not nave, lest thil vital principle. (Cheers). There had been a broadcast of the incorruptible seed in Ireland, and there had been •an earnest looking for to God to send the sunshine and the shower, and the prayer for these was granted. • Let them not suppose or imagine that • this blessed work had been produced without the work of God. • He believed it was to be traced to the Word of God and to prayer, which was the great instrument in calling down the rain of grace upon the seed which had been sown. God had vindicated the fulness and sufficiency of his own written word. And, although, some spoke of the necessity of ceremonial and preaching he would say that, whilst not despising the preaching of God's Word, he. believed that, without preaching, without a church, without the interventisn of any . human instrumentality, the Bible, in its simplicity, its integrity, and its fulness was sufficient to make any man and every man wise unto salvation, who studied it as it ought to be studied, and prayed over it as it bade him to pray over it. ' They found that, in Madagascar, . there were 5,000 converts at this moment who had had no preacher, no public ordinance whatever except what had arisen amongst- themselves, and been called into existence by the written word of God. (Hear, hear.) They had no human preacher, but the little leaven .had resulted in five thousand converts. (Loud cheers.) They had got the water, not second-hand and muddy from some of Our muddy - ecclesiastical cisterns— (laughter,)—but had drank of it in its purity. (Hear, hear.) -He had often wished they could ga now to the fountain-head, and thus have our Christianity far less piebald than it.was; and with fewer sections, we should not-hear of Methodists, and Wesleyans, and Mormonites —(renewed laughter,)—but we should become like'the Madagascar Christians, knowing nothing but brotherly tote and union. Christ would never shut such men out, however high Churchmen and Papists might shut them out—(laughter and applause,)—for heaven's door . would neverbe barred against him asking, as he was, in the name of heaven's King •, washed in His blood and sealed in His Spirit, no church could bar him out, and no man , could hinder him from receiving acceptance at the e neat day. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) • Now, in Ireland the Bible was rapidly undermining every system that was antagonistic to it. The ecelesi .asties of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland had not • now nearly so much influence as formerly they had over their flocks. Look at the Popish bishops sounding the tocsin and seeking to make war on the piebald national education, which had so little of the bible in it that even the Protestants were brought in antagonism to it. And ' vet the Roman Catholics thought 'that system had too iriuch light for 'them. Romish - ecclesiastics and'emis saries had such tender eves, like the orris and the bats, 'that not only did they shrink from. the blaze of noonday : but they winked at the little twinkle of the farthing candle if it was held up to them. (Roars of laughter.) But the time Of Ireland's liberation and emancipation was fast approaching; and the day was not far distant when there should be sympathy ''amongst all hiassea of the people, and when there should be no such wretched principles.of disunion and discord' as were introduced andperpetuated by Popery. (Loud cheers.) Then we should live in pedco together; two countries under one Qiieens-eunder one God, from whom -she derived her title to reign, and whose title no Pope on earth had any right to question or to interfere with her in the possession of it. (Tremendous cheering.) Why was it that whenever there ;was a' talk of an invasion, the eyes of the nation were directed to the coasts of Ireland ? It Was because of the divided loyalty of the people, and the only true remedy for, that was the open Bible. (Loud applause.) . • A hymn was here sung, during which the collection. was made.. • - The Cshinstsos said his paper of instructions con tained no name of any gentleman to second the resolu tion. He had appealed to his: friends on the platform — Dr. Taylor, Mr. Bardsley, and Mr. Falloon—to under take the duty, but they had respectfully declined. What was he to do.? (Several of the audience called en the rev. doctor to second it himself.) Very well, he would second it, if no one else would. (Applause.) There was One question which he wished to answer—why should the reading of the Bible deliver a man from priestly thraldom ? Now, what was the. bondage in which men were kept by priestly tyranny under the Church of Rome ? It was that the work on which the salvation of sinful man depended was not finished, but was left in the hands of the priest to carry on; and so long as a man believed that it was in the option of - the priest, so long, in proportion to his sincerity, watn the abject slavery in which he would be held.. Now the Bible proclaimed that the work on which the sinner's. salvation rested had been finished, it was not left in the power of man to arrest it; it was not left with the NORTIMN IMILY TIMES priest•to.ohootie whether a man - shohld have it or net. Christ, by 'one offering, once and for ever, had made a full atonement for the sins of all mankind. No priest 'could stop. it ; no priest could add to, it, or diminish from it. When this ,was -read by a poor sinner, at once -the. ;lawn of emancipation broke .upon his mind, and he saw hiS way to freedom. - He looked not for saint or aotel—he looked not for blessed Virgin, nor priest ; he had far above them all the blessed Son of God, Son of man, God 'and man; one Saviour, one Mediator, one J'esus---all and in hil—the glory of God in Heaven—the liberty of man on earth—peace, -good-will to the wide world, fallen into sin, and now • rescued by the infinite love of God. This was the pro cloniation that gave liberty. Acquaintance with .the Bible and prostration to the priest could not live together; it was the truth that made free. And by the proclamation of this truth, 'it was their aim —he -would • not say to put an end to Popery—hut it was their object to call the people of God from out of that system. "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her plagues." For plagues were corning upon her—not conversion. Our true Protestantism, which rejoiced in the efficiency of the. Bible, did not rest for its rule of faith upon the Bible minus the prophecies, but upon the Bible of the prophecies. (Applause.) Let them beware how they identified the Bible with extracts - from the Bible. If they would have the Bible, let them have the whole Bible—that was the cry of true Protestant principle—the Bible, aye, the whole Bible. (Applause.) He was willing to add most cordially, nothing but the Bible, as the religion of Protestants ' • but if they were to have nothing but-the Bible, let them have all that, was in the Bible. - (Applause.) The time of the great apos tasylad not yet coin(); but it wouhl, and the object of that society was to call the people from that wretched apsstasy before it was too late; to urge the cry upon them, " Come ont, come out of her my people, that ye be .not sharers in her sins, that ye be not partakers of her hiaoues." . The ° CHAIRMAN put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously. The meeting then dissolved. LIVERPOOL. WINTER ASSIZES. CROWN COURT, V- ESTERPAY. Tire Nrintcr assizes, or general gaol delivery, corn natneed in the Crown Court, St. George's-hall, yester day 'morning. Mr. Baron Martin took his scat on the bench at eleven o'clock. _ _ Tiie usual proclamation against vice and immorality having been read, the following gentleman were sworn upon the grand jury. The Right Hon. Edward. Henry• Lord Stanley, Knosssley-hall, Prescot, foreman ;- Thomas . Darnley Anderson, Esq., - Liverpool ; -Thomas Brockhurst -Bar clay, Esq.; Wavertrce-lodge, Liverpool; Thomas Baz ley,' Esq.. Hayes Leigh, Manchester; William Brown, Esq., Richmond-hill, Liverpool; John Cheethat, Esq.,. • Eastwood, Staleybridge ; William Entwistle, Esq., Man Chester ; Joseph Christopher Ewart, Esa., New Brighton, Cheshire - , Gilbert Greenall, Esq., Vralton 7 hall, Warrington; Matthew Gregson, Esq., Liverpool; Wm. Hall, .E q., Seaforth, Liverpool ; Hugh Hornby, Esq., Sandown-laall, Wavcrtree; Thomas Berry Hors fall,. Bellamcre-hall, - Staffordshire ; Thomas Dyson Hornly, Druid's Cross, Woolton, Liverpool; the Hon. Colonel Chssries Lindsay, Haigh-hall; William Preston, Esq. Rock-house, West Derby; Robert Neilson, .Esq., Halewood ;. Francis Shand, Esq., Liverpool; Alexander Shand, Esq., Liverpool ; Samuel Henry Thompson, Esa. Thingwall-hall, Liverpool; Richaid Watt, Esq.-, Spoke-hall. • His Lordship, in delivering his charge, said—Gentle men of the grand jury, I shall have occasion to occupy your time for a very few minutes. The number of prisOners is 76, 'which, I understand, is considered to be exceedingly below the average at the assizes at this period of the year. BUt, I am sorry to say, that cut of the 62 cases in'the calendar there are no less than 14 for homicide; and although, perhaps, not more than one or two of them have the appearance of the crime of murder, yet in reality they exhibit the most reckless violence I have had the misfortune to read.. It appears that in this county, upon the slightest offenccupon a dispute between persons who immediately before were upon the moat friendly terms—the party offended has recourse to the I:r4 re, to an iron tool, or any other weapon that cornea to his hand ; - and upon several of these occasions— T- dare. say not less than ten or a dozen of them -you will find the man immediately killed by the violence - - applied to him under these circumstances. There are three of the most appalling cases. One of them is of a child. A man received some insult from Some . boys. He immediately seized some iron weapon which was at hand, and flung it at a child, who died im mediately afterwards. Another is a case of a man and his wife. - Both being drunk, they abtised each - other for some time, and in the end the woman stabbed the man. He died a short time afterwards ; and, as you may sup pose, immediately afterwards, the woman exhibited traces of tenderness which you will rarely find in such a .rank of life. She is left a widow in consequence of this violence. There is another very sad case, where two men were sitting together perfectly friendly :in conversation, when a sister of the deceased Man comes in ; she upbraids this man, her brother, as her enemy; and, the result is, the man is immediately killed. These are three cases which are of a most Melancholy character, and afford specimens of what will be brought before you. One or tu'o others are little more than acci dents ; but, generally speaking, they are of the most reckless Violence ; and, I dare say, you will find that wounds are inflicted, lives lost, and wive 3 left widows, and children fatherless. There is a case which will be brought before yon which is ratifier novel; and that is a bill 'will .be preferred, I preturne, under one of the late acts to prevent undue influence being used towards voters. The depositions have not yet been sent to me but, if necessary, when I see them, I will call your attention - to the facts and the law upon the subject; but I dare say some of you are acquainted with the law, and it may not be necessary. The Clerk of the Court here informed his lordship • that the depositions in the case alluded to had been withdrawn. His Lordship—Then you will not be troubled with it, gentlemen ; but I was not aware of it. There is only one other case—one matter to which I have to call your, attention ; and I do so, beCause I am sure when it comes before yourselves it will appear to you that some public attention ought to be called to it. And it by no, means seems to me, as far as I can judge from the depositions, that the case I am about to make a feW remarks upon has at all a general existence'in this county. As far as. I can edllect, the police conduct them selves extremely well, and I see no reason to suppose that, generally speaking, anything they do is subject to .any observation at all.' But, with respect to a case which will come before you, I think yeti will find that the police have entirely gone out of their province: By the law of this country no man is bound in any way to criminate himself; and although a different law exists in "'Other, countries, and I believe that that different law is approved by some persons, nevertheless, the law of this country is, that for 'the purpose of con victing a man of a criminal offence he must be convicted by evidence, and it ought to be entirely his own voluntary 'act to make any statement with respect to, it. So strictly is that the case that I need not "tell Tou, who, I daresay, are justices of the peace and administrators of the law iii this district, that by an act of Parliament, passed not very long ago, you are bound to read or cause to be read to each person who is charged— to state to them that they are not called upon to make any statement—to state to them that any promise held out to them is of no avail, or any threat, and to tell them at the same time that they are entirely to act upon their own judgment, whether they make any statement or not ; and that if they do make any statement it will be produced against them, but it is left entirely to the exercise of their own free will. I need not tell you if before a prisoner is brought before a justice he is to be questioned by the police, and pressed and urged upon the matter, that it will be perfectly idle for the legislature to direct the justices to use that caution, for its effect would be entirely done away with. I think that you will find that not only with regard to the man, but also with regard to the woman, that con duct was pursued which is utterly contrary to the whole custom and practice of the law. It is proper that observations should be made upon it, because it must be put an end to. It cannot be permitted to policemen to do what the law prohibits the justices from doing. I think in most cases they are not anxious to press, and it is the universal practice not to press upon any one to state more than they think proper to state. It is quite right that the charge against parties taken into custody should be distinctly stated to them, but the persons should be left to make any statement they think fit or no statement at all. The mat ter has been brought before me by reading the depositions, and , I have no doubt when you come to hear the evidence, you will agree with me that a highly improper course has been pursued against the persons Wholtvill be brought before you. I don't feel that I 'can occupy your time any longer. Should you have any difficulty in the cases which will be brought before you, I shall be happy to give you every assistance on my part. The 'Grand lury having found true bills in several cases, the court proceeded to the TRIAL OP PRISONERS. BURGLARY AT NORTTI MOELS.—Thomas Tithering ton, aged 19 years, was indicted for having, at North Mods, on the 28th 'of August last, stolen from the ' house of William Dodson, provision dealer, a drawer containing lh 114. Several witnesses were called, and from their evidence it appeared that the prosecutor's house was all secure on the night in question, excepting the kitchen window, which was a few inches open to admit air, and it was supposed •that an entrance had been effected at that place. About four o'clock in 'the morning, a policeman met the prisoner carrying a drawer and a pair of shoes, which he threw down and made off. The shoes were known to be those of the prisoner, and in consequence he was apprehended on the charge of burglary. At the time of the arrest the prisoner was barefooted. The prisoner, in his. defence, stated that his shoes had been stolen from him. The jury returned a .verdict of " guilty." Sentence was deferred. ALLEGED BIGAMY AT LIVERPOOL. Bridget Lenaghan, aged 35, was indicted for having, at Liverpool, on the 27th. April, 1854, feloniously married Patrick Mooney, her former husband being then alive. Mr. Rattles appeared for the prosecution. Several witnesses were examined, who proved that the prisoner had been married sonic 17 years ago in Ireland, to a man named Bernard Branni gan, and again in Liverpool in 1854, to Patrick Mooney, by whom she had two children, her former husband being still alive. The prisoner stated that she had not seen her husband, nor heard of him, for nine years before her marriage with Mooney, and that she had only lived with Brannigan for six months. This state ment was admitted to be correct by some of the witnesses for the prosecution. The jury at once returned a verdict of " not guilty." His Lordship said—l "am not at all satisfied that this woman was brought forward for the ends of public justice. ASSAULT AND ROBBERY AT LIVERPOOL.—Thomas Clarke, aged 29 years, was indicted with having, at Liverpool, on the 18th October last, assaulted a sailor, named James Burns, and stolen from his person 7s. Mr. Deighton appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Scott for the defence of the prisoner. It appeared from the evidence, that the prosecutor went out en the evening of the 18th of October last, with a companion, to a public-house in Gloucester-street, where they spent some time. The prosecutor became partially intoxicated while in the public-house, which he left in company with his friend, between twelve and one o'clock in the morning, and they separated for a time in the street. The prosecutor Burns went to Skelhorn-street, where two mex came up to him, the prisoner being one of them. Burns was knocked down n and from the treatment he received, he was rendered nearly insensible ; but previous to that, he saw the prisoner by the light of a lamp, and knew him to be one of the persons who bad assaulted him. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to ten years' penal servitud e , that being the thirteenth time he had been convicted of felony. ASSAULT AND ROBBERY AT ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. —Edwin Moorhens°, twenty-seven years of age, was indicted with having, at Ashton-under-Lyne, on the 28th of August last, feloniously assaulted James Ham mon'il, and, with violence ' stolen from his person a watch. The evidence went to show that the prosecutor . was walking along Crab-street, Ashton-under-Lyne, about twelve o'clock on the night in question, when the prisoner came up to him, and knocked his hat off, and whea he stooped to pick it up, the prisoner made a snatch at his watch-guard and drew the watch from his pocket. A struggle ensued, during which the prisoner wrenched the guard asunder and ran away with .the watch. The prosecutor gave in formation to police-Officer Chadwick, and the prisoner was taken into custody : On the house being searched in which the.prisoner lived, the watch was found in a flue covered with soot, where it was concealed. A ver dict of "guilty " was, found against the prisoner, ,and he was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. FORGERY AT IVIA - Nenr.sTEn."—Christopher Kelly (22) was charged with feloniously forc ' ing at Manchester, on the 17th October last, a £5 bank note, and uttering the same, knowing it to be forged. He. was also charged with forging and uttering at Salford, on the Bth October, another £5 note. Mr. Liddell conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Torr defended . the prisoner. On the 17th October the prisoner went to a public-house in Oldham street, Manchester, which was kept by a person named Bell, and bought a quart of pale brandy, requesting the landlady to serve him -quickly, as he had a horse and cart at the door. When the brandy was supplied, a £5 note was tendered as payment. Mrs. Bell saw at once that it was a forged note and asked the prisoner to wait till she would show it to her husband, and at the same time sent for a police officer, into whose custody he was given. It was after wards ascertained that the prisoner had passed a forged note to the same amount on the Bth October, in a public house kept by. a person named Barlow, in Cross-lane, Salford, in payment for some gingerette. The prisoner was found guilty of the offence, and the prisoner asked for mercy on account of his wife and family. His lord ship, in passing sentence, said it was a painful duty to pass sentence upon prisoners, on account of their wives and families, who were in some measure punished for the crime of the husband and the father. If, however, that were taken into consideration, the law could not be administered. It was the most painful part of a judge's duty to apportion the amount of punishment, but fortunately in cases of forgery the judge had little discretion left him, for he believed it was generally understood that the punishment for every such offence was very severe. Bank-notes were necessarily in great circulation in a commercial community such as in Lancashire ; and it was quite right that the public should be protected from having pieces of worthless paper passed upon them for good gold. It was the worst kind of robbery; and he should, therefore, sentence him to neither more nor less than the law demanded—six years' penal servitude. BURGLARY AT LITERPOOL.—James Morris, 23 years of age, was charged with having, at Liverpool, on the 24th October last, burglariously broken and entered the dwelling-house of Ann Hogan, and stealing therein twenty pounds of beef.—Mr. Preston conducted the prosecution.—The prosecutrix went up stairs after she had secured the house, and on hearing some one inside, she came down again, and saw the prisoner ran off. She never lost sight of him until he was arrested, and during the time he was being pursued, he threw away a piece of meat which she identified as her property : — The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced' to nine months' imprisonment. FORGERY AT MANCHESTER.—ThOMa3 Gibson, aged 14 years, pleaded guilty to having, on the 13th October last, at Manchester, feloniously form b ed an order for the delivery of goods, and with having uttered it knowing it to be forged. His Lordship, in passing sentence, observed that there were two kinds of forgery :.one of a very serious naturea nd which was always visited with a very heavy punishment, the other; simply amounted to obtaining goods under false pretences. Fortunately for the primer his offence was of the latter class ; and he should, there fore, sentence him so six' months! imprisonment. DESTROYING A CARDING MACHINE. Thomas Beaty, 25 years of age, was indicted for having at Newchurch, on the 6th September last, feloniously destroyed a certain quantity of cardings and a carding machine, the property of the executors of the late John Lord. ir. Cross conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Scott defended the prisoner. The prisoner was a stripper and grinder, and was employed in the carding room of the factory, in company with several other operatives. While so employed, he applied a screw turner to one of the screws of the revolving cylinder, the effect of which was to bring the teeth of the cylinder into violent contact with the clearers, causing serious injury to the machine and the material then in process of being carded. The defence offered was that the former overseer had given his consent to the prisoner adjusting the machine, as he was thoroughly conversant with its mechanism, and that there was no malicious interference. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The court then adjourned to five minutes to nine o'clock this morning. THE SALE OF OLD STORES. A return has been published to-day showing the sums paid into the Ex chequer during the three years ending 1858, as the pro duce of the sale of old stores. The amount paid by the Naval department in theyearslBss-56 was E 73,358, in the years 1856-57, £104,600, and in the years 1 1 1 8 , a s r 7- d s e B p , t m 22 e 7 n ,3 t o w 7. e r e T 5 c , o 7 r ( i n l d l i , n 4 g 4o s u , a m s n d p a a i d 6 b 3, y 6 t s h 7 e , the aggregate of the whole for both services . b e i ng £1,106,095. DEqEMBER 13, 1859. COUNTY COURT. YESTERDAY. (Before W. A. HULTON, Esq., Judge.) COMMITMENTS,—The following persons were ordered - to be imprisoned for the terms stated, for not having complied with previous orders of the court :—Richara Butler, 48, Hook-street, Latimer-street, 14 days; Gee- Robinson, 4, Canton-street, Everton, 10 days—warrant to issue in three weeks ; Patrick Conley, 16, Ford-street, 10 days; Michael Sizes, 53, Thomas-street, 10 days; Daniel Rielly, No. 1 court, Upper Milk-street, 10 days ; and John Lawler, 8, Blenheim-street, Derby-road, 1 0 days. A SHILLING LAW-6IITT.—John Tynan sued Jas. Parr for five shillings, for polishing his brother-in-law's coffin. When asked by the judge why he refused payment, the defendant replied, " It is an overcharn.e."—His Honour Of how lunch ? Defendant : Of a shilling.—Plaintiff You made no demur when I told you what it would be, and not till six months afterwards, when you offered me four shillings.—His Honour : How long is this since ? Plaintiff : Two years.—Defendant : It is not two years; my brother-in-law died in May, 1858. He could have had payment a dozen times; a few weeks after, I offered: him four shillings. It is nothing at all but spite, and it is an overcharge.—His Honour.: Have you any wit nesses ? Defendant : No, sir ; I thought it a frivolous case and a vexatious case. I offered to pay him four shillings many times, and on one occasion put the money in his pocket.—Plaintiff : I had no right to take four shillings for five shillings' worth. Defendant : It was badly gene-; a pcnn'orth of bacon would have polished the coffin better.—His Honour ; having ascertained that the amount charged was that usually arged to persons in the trade, said that the lowest price seemed to have been asked, and ordered a verdict to be entered for the plaintiff. SINGULAR CLAIM AGAINST AN ATTORNEY. MINTON V. THOENLEY.—The plaintiff in this case was Mr. Richard Rowland Minton, paint manufacturer, Manehester-street, and the defendant, James Jonathan Thornley, solicitor, Itmelagh-street. Mr: Deighton, barrister, appeared for the defence. The action was brought to recover the sum of £5, a debt due. from C. A. Eyre, late a printer of this town, which was said to have been guaranteed by . the following letter written by the defendant to tbe.plamtiff 57, Ranelagh-street, Liverpool, Sept. Bth, 1859. Sir,—Mr. C. A. Eyre has placed all his accounts in my hands for collection and payment. He was very unfortunate in his speculations at the Gardens; and having disposed of his business in Lord Nelson-street, I shall be able to settle your, and all: other accounts against him; on the sth October.—Yours obediently, JAMES JONATHAN THOESLEY. " Mr. R. R. Minton, 12, Manchester-street, Livegool." Mr. Minton's cashkeeper, having produced the note, said, in reply to Mr. Deighton, that he could not saY that it was in the handwriting of the defendant. Se did not know Mr. Thornley previous to the transaction, but that it was in consequence of his having called at the office that he sent that note. Thomas Williams, book-keeper, in the 'employ of )fr. • Minton, said he saw Mr. Thornley on the sth October , and shewed him the note. The defendant said-he did not think he had done wrong in sendin g He did not, deny that he had sent it, and said that Mr. Eyre would be coming down _that afternoon—that there would be plenty of money to pay everybody; that Mr. Minton's" claim being £5, would be paid in full, and that if wit ness would call on the following Friday, the account - would be settled. He also said that there was not the least fear that the amount would be paid ; that Mr. Eyre, was connected with highty respectable families, and that a Mr. Greenhough had proffered to advance as much money as was required. - Witness went again on 1' rids). morning, and Mr. Thornley said he had seen nothing of Mr. Eyre since. Mr. Minton said the defendant came to him, told hit , " he did not consider that he was responsible, and walke d away in a very insulting manner. This being the case for the plaintiff, Mr. Deighton contended that Mr. Thornley was onlY' acting as solicitor for Mr. Eyre in winding up his affairsr. and he submitted that it would be a vary serious thing if writing.a letter like that amounted to a guarantee fo r payment of the debts of persons whose business the) . were attendinc , to in their professional capacity. g r .;. Eyre plaCed the accounts in his hands for collection avid payment, but he could h ave countermanded that an thoritY: saying he would collect the debts him Self; and he c oale,, hardly suppose that any gentle m an w ho saw that letter could suppose that a solicitor intende d to guarantee his client's debts. Payment was to made out of the accounts to be collected, and he would be able to show that Mr. Thornley had not been able to collect sixpence. Mr. Minton called it a guarantee, I)3t there was no consideration. His Honour said it was not necessary that the color &ration should appear on the face of it, and asked gr' Minton if he intended to sue Mr. Eyre. Mr. Minton replied that they intended to sue r ' Eyre, but did not do it in consequence of the re presea ' n " tation by Mr. Thornley that he would be sure to recei lw it. Mr. Deighton submitted that the letter merely mew. 7 4 that he was willing to pay the pl a i n t i ff ou t o f ma ll " collected. His Honour said it was another question whether the! were to read the letter, as an undertaking by ljr. t Thornley to satisfy this demand, or merely to mean tha he hoped to have funds in hand to pay it. the • The defendant was here called and said that at - time he wrote that letter, he was and had been actiag e , Mr. Eyre's solicitor for about six months, and had c o ducted upwards of seven actions for and against bila the superior courts, as his attorney. On the Bth Sept he had a conversation with Mr. Eyre and an apprea t ul'" `' of his, and was informed that he had disposed of Pita business in Lord Nelson-street to Mess rs . Hy-seato Proctor, of Castle-street, for £4OO, that he was ab°T t be take a public-house in Smithdown-l ane f or £250 ; thal le t had £6O good debts in his books ; that h e o we d altome t ..o, £l2O ; that he would put the debts, amounting t;,,1,9, in his hands for collection, which he did, and tha i iba- £4OO, payable by Messrs. Huson and Proctor, slic l i i` the paid into defendant's hands ; and that then a);/05 bf creditors should be paid in full. Defendant's eler,,., his orders, wrote 'above thirty letters to Eyre's erecil'3l( and it was after these letters were written, that h as ti ot Mr. Minton's clerk. He told Mr. Williams thaloca hairing the addresses of Eyre's debtors, he bad p.re unable to see them, and that he had sent W several times, but had seen unable to see him' et 1 0 also told him that he (the defendant) was a strand boa town, and knew - nothing of Mr. EVre, but that if 11 0 ° 13 6 ra EL not the recommendation which he had of the 'lle should have taken him for an infamous swindler• to gave him the address of Mr. Eyre, and advised 11 ' sue M him. r. Williams—l never heard a word of that e°4l. versation. t g r. The defendant added that while he was a bseil_ en d Eyre came to his office, took away all the accoallits;ort said he would collect them himself, and he had otfea received a shilling of the accounts. Mr. Erl a i ti t him costs to the amount of £7O; had givea,, t d i l b: acceptance for £25, which he (defendant) I !` iei a obliged to meet when due, and that before that t ' s. was satisfied Mr. Eyre would be in foreign pa r e d O a told the plaintiff also that he had been inform, , o pose Eyre was going to America or Australia for the F ake 0 of defrauding his creditorS, and offered to 1 31 0, affidavit to that effect, to promire Eyre's arre st. A clerk of the defendant's had been called in ration of the defendant's statements, and after ' AV. able discussion, w hetber t ber His Honour said, the 'question was (re - Thornley had made himself personally liable °r loc o , his letter merely amounted to his "wait a I n ltti lss arl i f and Mr. Eyre will pay you." It was not e i c c h ol e Show the consideration; if he really had Ta a `,: aco of l ' et , personally liable, the consequence was on the: the f‘ilt document. He confessed, no opinion upo to ., bial se lo Generally speaking a solicitor did not in ) ,i'',: to ta 3 liable by a letter like that, and the assumi his favour. e Mr. Deighton said, that if that docuinett b t e 'i o vir eo him liable for this debt, the effect would . 0 1 to him liable for something like £5OO, as be u' e e ffect/ thirty-eight of those circulars, all to the sag Eyre's creditors. His Honour reserved judgment till Frill).* has astrengthening HOLLOWAY'S debilitated become deranged by bilious affections, Ecc . i .',i , r 0,, lose no time in giving these admirable pins 3 ,,,,,c Of fr o, Coughs, colds, asthma, are also within the rtr',Fhe cot sanative powers of this renn kable medicine. a per' —These eesgetivPoilolsrgatiartneu:inico:: jelot:00010$01001: 'etc Bl' ' O ll 6 are not superficial or tempo'rrarT, but comp c ool , c 0 manent. These pills are as mild as they ar e ~ 0 3 ' and may be given with confidence to WWl' and young children.