Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-04-05 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. bISSOLITTION. 11 , • HOUSE OF LORDS. —MONDAY. --et rLord s hi wee very _ Ps Met at five o'clock, when the attendance of Peers Thee .hystuzars efous. the sitt . '"r . • gallery was crowded with an expectant auditory. ont o„fanes were filled with ladies, and every inch of space in The of the throne and bar had its occupants. olifor)litw..stior,wooti:stDkelefrbiny rose at ten • utes past five. For the purpose order, he moved' th formal motion . that the r aetrio ry of , °w .• a dJourn. It must be fresh, he said, in ns ' the Tiih r ,,,_ all their Lordships, that the House of commo rellest"?,lnght last, after seven nights' debate, and' in one of 'the arte.ell.es which had assembled for years, negatived, by I leed bv majority, the second reading of the _ e atati ot i' of Government for amending .the474otpoehrtaretlacturiePbill reprom tro eople. paying a just tribute to the talent en t he :e e d the debate in the other house, which more than reietantion of thasembjyto. e,..e,st:hich h ad i;ee- ` s e r e 'were only ' t e Nv alsed, itd . m He ao sa d id hi th s a e t o a u f ea ter gu th e e s hich they could pursue. It was of ;,7,;101,9 for the to doeuoth courses which than to regard that vote as one I t °ace t u o',. e dence, and therefore it was only open to them either •Soth er eslgfn their offices, or to appeal to the constituencies. ..eec di ” !barge had indeed been suggested, but it . came from no earir-,',Tlaler, and even the bare suggestion of it amounted, as !riert.",7.2ossible, to a personal insult. (Cheers.) He then took a !ears, a,'•.sPect of the state of political parties during the last few party tt,lTebe.,pressed his acknowledgments . to the great political j :,,, t ke other had generously given him their unbounded . suppor . ts Voecd ed s ide he regretted to see nothing but confusion worse t„'esioa • Aniongst that party there' appeared to be little c v c oura ed wld the rivalries of the leaders in the other house t' s eithe r ofsniall hopes of a satisfactory government being formed tietatletsh duds them t , e . Lord J. Russell was possessed of that singular 4 'Le die - ""h Made him look with no' favour upon anything '`lji,set tao ,._ not do himself, and he had had the singular fortune to . ,ats ants than any other man alive-not only govern nhtlet_hn.deinwas opposed, but those with which h on to st are ee rs and a laugh ) The noble Earl then passed to the -k i; i11 :1 „. t:i m' il e : u eus i t ica i g Ms' 'own accession to office, and commented r ' "'Y "'' his mg had to encounter with an admitted P. 441,, the How f Com ns The duty of dealing with iel ' t ' l i s-"lt t y Re ha f d o . rin had s a t be - en ra b e eqn . ethed to them b their prede tttetoladheraVutfillePqle t te t d o t l h e d e m g e s . e ly H e e bringg ntedon forward a measu re , the . impar- Of t ° leak, "°o which the House of Commons had promised .to tslj,:r.4 -s`f.y. iteancl.the the resolution manner in which it was met by ttle i'itY whi t ksaeu• The course of debate had shown that the Tps-eit of ',.- Unit ed against the government would be dissolved kit4 ft ec ni , e ,_nt by the conflicting opinions of its various sections. h i of the 4,,,r_resolution had been to frustrate the fair settle iela of to.,,aelorin question. He indignantly repudiated the Th e Droceed't Palmerston, that they should accept the resolution , Il e talk s , * With the bill under the guidace of the opposition. 14, 3 : 1 13.e co !' had no alternative but . to . resign or to dissolye. -..., -eeseh the,"d•th at aS public business permitted. Her Majesty had ells " thott,ilta(.lice. They had come to this resolve, both because chi t a': and ,_'lle theycouy ought to be consulted at the present tht rte of adL'e.eause interest of peace would suffer from a tile ad of or'itatstration. He looked forward with confidence to trr a ,„ r aini,t,. 4 . anneal to the nation, wnich would decide whether -, of '•• • 'Lion of froverh Politiei the country should be confided to a dis-unzted Ea r '• a ns, who could combine to overthrow, but not to eu.. h vra riv ,„ , aidt.Non, ~..,,e vindicated the Liberal party from the charge of coicellasis.'o,i4 censured Lord Derby for attacking absent I n' rues h a ds for the late Reform Bill. two of the former ae the Ow e sad refused to adopt its provisions. It was condemned r" „ DorB.. o, l , l t pP e nzt o . i rs „. and, as it appeared, abadoned b its . own 4'5,11)-'''Y butt •••;,'" a ooPted by the ministry t involved a serious n oa, "l e e d i tinhe ' r :' was perfectly legitimate. The subject then je4rn ed at 7 .25 p. m. al n ' sines s of a formal kind was t r ansacted, and the kr rv_ 11 0 st - e ao • .Nell P M li , -• ° f the - a tated t COM — MONDAY. —M . ONDA.Y. -in r e 80.1, tarty opposed toe government, seeing the dis . organise - e n to e t?. not , t and the state of foreign affairs, 4 0 t d issolv e her Majesty had te..-P ed and e li - a - r s ii t a ll ' . Th em e; had therefore . recommended the et b„. acted opo,, Inent, an advice which s as ettlate''',,t?ess eiotta* P arliament would therefore, as soon Is W.. 4,1 throwS44ation Pe Parliament be prorogued, with a view to i ° al, d a rstee . it,. t . l „, ~,,4 _ said t, tiliett u, o , coonie diettitietshine advice hwa w y. as very unwise, though he Ce s _Seht i v °4 With regard gave notice that he should on the next day a ask Leeai. ,an. b a rd to an alleged irregularity at the late tri lof nt, wh et ask ed ""`, s ethr.gethe r ,„ - •:d the Secre of State for the Home Depart ii.,4(itif rr o e t , 50 ,.. u , s N.,g o s a t r ey2 have been taken to _regulate the imprison er Peru ''eeth t . 'enw subj ected thereto arisey courtju . dge n s? „.' to t, ° l l of v .. anY i neonvenience would from rescindi . g eir ' , Ari z° ee order for • n discipline *which subjects par /4ese. '4 * t 4 te ntilei tt in a thoughprison ard. r e ,,, y rit 83 . ste cu rt ,ald, great hardships occurred under the kr t ° on,!.°, there teas great difficulty in altering it. He was 1 66 •O r Ider , Me c esr ask _,anY suggestion that might be made. ib ell t't s °4 ''Al ci„ N the Chancellor of the Exchequer wkether the ' i ,;" reo,„,_'" i lers of Her Majesty's Treasury were disposed . to „er r t 4 : 4o veth - ,, - „J 'Rnt of the sums due by certain Irish counties for '',,ese ritZears - `'„:„ 1 Of the navigation of the_ lower Bann to be spread Astir 8 `u for' tt ; some longer term than five years, the period now 'orie l° • No rth at p urp e, i 'lie U r e , t vl tiati e b et e said that no such permission could be given - "eat o r'''Laae e ilg tile entire proceedings. 44 t c,-... 91e 110°'Exchequer moved pro form . a the a t dj e ourn re: ~ehf:.:es. il l .; 85 , to enable a discussion to be raised on h p "Prei., 4l t lie ~,,` e ald that after the late vote of the house, they °,th••„!lient t,,•"4•Pised to hear that it was not the intention of the , ri s l e .. cow,- Proceed ; With Bill for the better Representation t,ktt_hetodvetytow4.llll,_he had t itroduced a . bout five weeks ago It ka"l a„.errehaat eonse to state that it was not . the Intention 14 • ,t,nde v llast th e de Proceed with ' the bill. On their part he pro , i ter de ilke nal in the etrines, that this question was an appanage oi , th, ° roa : al f DrOSPeetB of particular party. Any buot7 r o y i 1, vno, with ally to deal 'with the question of Parhamenta_ i,,, at aki expedieu other question, in the manner they felt to be l`seLreti ?":.:.,olitro•etcerthe Publie•welfare and interest. He desired hi m „ r' i ii `tve ii,,,'Y on the subject at present, but it was to be 1t,;; 0 4 3 .e did tt,s'f'ts-the Conservative and the Revolu ktid,otiseorve Ng - o w -Al : 11 t,O use this' term in an offensivesens e e t . tt, eaasses ,2111teous t o maintain the present constitution . 41 PI Y the \ . ei 4 he other the representation of various interests iO - !(1 th at 4 her the 'Z it to deal I," °f the n u ' e i'? was to make the House of Commonsro ,.°lerical majority. Reserving to the gove d6 . icel ao d ,_a. Prese nt I , i i t t a il this question as it thought fit, he t er: tzift , ed e!.',_iraty ede r i te ' e. d fulfilled its pledge, made at an g • P itiltpe 4Lfie!enieuts. " , ,,,, , nd he would not enter in_to gre a t e f a urther had7 . ,' ho tue 'essary for Th e vote of the House of 3 Commons had t ile ' eoc t i l ' In fa ct , Luc government to consider their position '4l o l ' e , s seio ti ( „er th e i r ' ee had felt that previously to that vote, they_ 4 v “esti o 4 the goverill'N'tion. Ever since the commencement . of hi:::y paiot!,,?f iraport,ale_nt haltspeatedly found itself in a e m ne i e no b ri ee t i y i La Hitt Vi o one, a , at till'aeci appeared position hg an m o c o o e n e seq to u necessitate t!,,,a . e',4401;5. n'Zilaleatio In r c t eive n ' a erical The n teouse r ! lie had refrained for first was this : That, notwithstanding the qat e 3., h' I Y great" t he Party opposed to them, he could not 'llh of 44 when, cohesion or unity of purpose . in that 1 '' 4 , °0 4 Dai lies ..easo sta ti te erb f 'l f assnmed the govarnment. n,litklalitheir a i d l ,a 8 the affairs. Her Majesty ae k ".laj e 0 , m ° ice, consented to foreign as mediator between two t * hi l'i '' 41 th• - " le s• It was of the e highest importance that Ikon q' to' h ave Is Position, Should be supported by a ministry th4ett o r , the fr the general confidence of Parliament. The third tritath4dli•efork.ecal...ent failures which had taken place on the . ° t4pled fr e e la ii•b.,!,or ten years it had been before the country , term 4 4, 4 eh ara b t tyll4-e, recommendation from the Crown nd ow a t: 4 'ely 4 to ° I PUlt• cuss, and it would have been aheatrY °I t k lie 41 1)1 °141 e th • men, and of that house,. if they had e gagements. Remembeying . that the r eel 1' lit n 4 e,, eclg e;s? elll-01 .'n and impartial consideration, it seemed NI titeeeiftli°llld introduce an honest and earnest measi i i i r o e d 05y 4tat i ,l seat s • _ Vtidet• these powerful reasons, they on le Th4ey were do circumstances of great mortification, e ~- It aFre r slay li '<nag their duty to the country. But the Zlell. et, et , ahies_ad rendered it impossible for them to censurethe Of 'eaiesty,'-'B'rit• That vote was one of a titt,;ehteer'siire bg°7ernment. It was intended n as as h4r 4N h a : it, or l_ e h y th y , i nt . Principal p . r l o t n'gt n e t rs ;he a go d vern. °:to ~ lit,Z th a ; ks d of all authonriitt,r3in, cons ile equ e ence of that vote. He h,a,NlALtebd hi k t° ,,hts oWn Party for the manner in they 14e-k hl! tlit;" a rnea s ‘ 44 "ing the struggle. No minister could bring . a4tt it:l . , !otters, and as the struggle . with the entire concurr ence Ile „r_.14, - ,7i . n ee , b n e cLnlany of them who supported h , ln,did - n the „ lki.sel d u te nt ve'f,ls_ convinced that there was nothing__ had 0 ov e r t ,.. 11 4 th.....n strict conservative principles. It ,',. 4 1 a 2:, a s eat the nebate, that the reign of party was over, k . 4 4 k11 .4 RII t t !leir w e re ign of party was over, the rule of the house a - i4h, th e 3,, iab ote .as no other guarantee of its independence. He Otteost I , i, wiTatl 1 1 „.., 0 „ the c onservative party for the high . spirit h. 'h liii.,eh red Zested in their conduct during recent circum- Otte ,‘4(er Iketeanjled to the credit of the party. The result had ti4Otwat %;;asarertkost thou4 a tlie , in from condition vp moment they accepted 4ki '' l't t it e d Y h b Y last session. The gentlemen opposite. I.,•.eka,c,,,tattrot4 a:ad received without solic ' itation or condition. h.. 4 :a hd ttiee'e4Be of the peculiar circumstances under which e •' 4 l ith e ' li n t i 1: 1 1_14 tor,t,?ned from a sense of public duty. He effered t th':eci4airehiqtehe .Personal support they had given him. I V t 'IN Y 4 6:_ r tt3'. T W il l e c e tas tu be called to leave that house ln a ki: i icedhi c t i 'l,at e d u „,, k-a difficult one at all th tim o e e s a - m w e a to s th at 444144 e propose ouch zuch circumstances, He Elq,: or i‘,..benei,,,whether the tale : under existing e circumstances. evident want ag-,`,tetio''."llo%,", sti t, cohesion was ir oiiy g o I.'arti e st th, 'kill: e n:l L feeling established whether there greater dear m ()f atte r a ,i'Rk4 the c lov e the late occ asiou is a he vote m ofecensure was carried foreign and i t t . tr oe t t O it . eao,latfirat. The two ' most eminent leaders who had t h (l , 11 1 1 0 4 0 ;11 e rt.a, .recommend exactly a contrary policy with ,t i oc t , to e , s ! th e 7.1 e lord, crow member for London, advised th ble s' With ' 44 as a to teo r lee h r t. .ous m 42% g et th e b,,,0r Tiverton, recommended them h late d , 0 ; 4 Ipi l r ti e , evid e n t ; The scene which followed t e The t L tli t 4 :ed i ° v ot: l Tlet Nr e as 0 : the want o b a l f arge nnt nlm . ber of a hkiri,,tle' „e,itheiol't the r es.:Mi n o r : 4 , d and y yet the ballot was not %;, a roh":ttrairy n o - , l Lle two noble lords. Under such cireum ki.N4..r or 5.21 tyat snore ability in gentlemen opposite to form litittt4teli, t. Zetio rta v :,!li they retired. The opposition contained an ~a 44 l 'ajhi.`ii tri a i'oer e wac. ° l o, When united, could overwhelm_ e y N c:_otio °, 41 t: , very p'bno security that there would not b . '•t?ti t :4 'loth ; atitll o ,,, e Mary, which would be at once prejudicial 'el Ile '4' t o - q• The Government felt conscious that it 1 11,1 4 1 1 , r hee, the forfeit the su f l iven to it ; and, '4elve t Prer.had felt it thpport ormer y . g ~ 8 ti s 0 Us_ baLlve a n , •h Meestir to eir duty toadvise er A j re l at,,,gint 4c liatt oasi ~u Otto dissolve Parliament. It stature _ Lieat t o t eo hiti ,lgh t abo_ faterest to refer to the country . a of tcl 'a4 i ait e !lfill e u d t * As soon as the urgent requirements of ‘,4 t li oh . eo ht ediat e di , Parliament would be prorogued, with a th o A,t;., that vote s t a.solution. Some bills must be proceeded 'hi kov e t e sty i„.., t he s u a n k en; as the bill on the Finance of India, !eP t re ~ea,"ct. adog;.-!nnuation Bill, might be allowed to pass, 4,1, 1 4 . zd Ant it e ez ‘'::, and sanctioned the course adopted by i / e 'll '''' the 4111 hoD e 7ased. on the part of his colleagues, a 4011 and t ,e olive ittea net the measure they had adopted would tNil 'l be tl erst bestbitecie °f Her Majesty, the honour of par- NA , , t ., o __, on s a i d, _este of the country. k w -11141Eletl, he w o rtesy of that til e right hon. gentlman had ac no . o ki. , nle ack ne 14 -° t'ae. To himself personally, in 0 1 ,1• 1 ' .t ,, a t o 'le wou, nowledge the courtesy of the right • hon. t,10:400, of Blas i il.o. not taunt the government with their dter }4i,'Y tila thjelishrelrer. lle had not looked upon the , late n It ~, c 1 tiiepit. It' ut as a convenient mode of expressing N t !! b v 4)14, expr e ss o t to be considered a vote of censure, 11 1 '41 4 " i ' th e tro v ed its pinion on parts of the measures to il? k " ' 1 111)°86 ib erliment. Opinion on parts of the measures g o in ce Were this the nary practice, hand e t t„ h e ko !ern ince the Ref 'll, for t s y government i:4 41 l i f to ovnent, in t he o circu ß ra l staces under which ta lthq, ) a o rdi _they e :_ pould not avoid introducing a reorm Iv or, _1:1, 14 _nary p r i i ' l af! . introduced a moderate measure, o,_ e43,eqe°l4l7tete4 oth cipis ' The house would have supP ..Ttal. lte,,, 4 0 _ ffly, „,...wise, and the house had exercised 1, ... b-, P ?' h "oss wno obstaclesaft respect to the course they had adopted 1 4 4 (1 e'!fitiii_eonrse,, in the way, but he thought it was a 4,, tt. th, otat o ss, ai ld inlno question of Reform would be agitated on 44 i 1404't4 a1 °4 4 ! f ar le e..ver'f place of the present Parliament, they it, v ' t teat :tette oe irlePiziPact and moderate than at present. taitikhaea t"ac G° foreign affairs, when it was of so much im- Qei, ce ile c !' jih r , o 7 g o to`irolut/ilent should have the support of Perim- 5 A ttle e !, a t ',',.le,bll3.eir E prapeUrreoran Congress, itther courjoehwavue u ti "tak,ll founded °n urge would have rn __ the opinion of Parliament. If au early opportunity 91 ClissOfingf _ let them take the earliest .. ty. The house would concur with them in facilitatineat uni Te be no motion for delay, and he trusta°ments, There could position to dissolve before Easter. Parllan? ~they would be in a the earliest moment after the writs are determingkt to meet at must do, as the supplies granted could be only praz this they again repeated his regret that the country had now be:a l l ... H i ! the inconvenience of a dissolution, when a second resolution it,'..' ",, follow, for the purpose of bringing into effect that R e f orm w hiCh this or some Government must introduce. Mr. Bright said that the Government had trken the course they were bound to take by the constitutional and Parliamentary practice of the country. They had been defeated by a most iinpor tant majority on a most important measure. He did not share in the fears expressed by Lord Palmerston as to the danger of refer ing this question to the constituencies. If they could not trust the present constituencies how could they trust the constituencies on a more extended basis. He, therefore, applauded the steps now taken. Were they to understand that the Government declined to undertake a future measure of reform. He was not sorry for this, as he thought they had done foolishly in making the pledge at all, but he protested against the cry attempted to be got up by Mr. Disraeli, that his was the conservatiue measure, while that which would be introduced by his opponents was to be a revolutionary measure. For himself, any measure he should pro pose wouldbe in strict accordance with the principles of 1832—the landmarksi laid down by statement of the highest eminence for sixty years. Was it revolutionary to call upon them to pass a measure in accordance with the principle to keep in view the number, weallh, and importance of the population. He warned the censer= vatives against heralding such a charge, against their opponents on the hustings, or by their Press. They knew which side the numbers were, and if they dared the contest to the utmost, they must take the consequence. He repeated his approval of the measure of the Government, trusting that the new house would enable such Government as should be formed to pass a moderatebut substantial measure, which would satisfy the country and prevent the future disturbance of the question, at least during the lives of the present generation. Lord J. Russell vindicated the course he had pursued in proposing his resolution. The right hon. gentleman talked of the peace of Europe, but he had, on the introduction of the bill, declared tnat it was snperior in importance to a question of peace or war. If they believed that the consequences of discussing the bill would be . fatal to the' peace of Europe, they ought not to have introduced it. But he did not believe anything of tbe kind. He did not agree with Mr.. Bright, that the question should be referred to the country; on the contrary, he thought the present garl*ment was perfectly competent to deal with it. CoUsidering the many risks involved, they should have exerted every attempt to pass a proper measure before they adopted their present course. Referring to the terms of his resolution, he declared that he had made it in vague terms designedly, as it was not intended to settle details. He rejoiced that the bill of the Government had disappeared, as leading to changes more important than its supporters imagined. He sketched out the basis of a measure of his own. He would retain the basis-of the actual constituencies. He would adopt the £lO county, occupation franchise, and approve of many of those which were called fancy frachises. As to the boroughs he would re duce the present yearly value of Lie to £6. He thought that the parliamentary and municipal franchises ought not to be identical. He further thought that a larger number of the working classes should be introduced into Parliament. This would, he believed, form a better and sounder basis of representation than at present. He Would not interfere with the privileges of the free men. The question of disfranchisement and re-distribution of seats ought to be made the Subject -of a separate measure. It was environed by difficulties of every kind. He would now say that he would take 26 members from the 26 least populous boroughs, now returning two members, who, with the four seats now vacant, would give 30 seats for the large centres of population. He protested against the language so strongly held by the Ministry, in which they had declared that the franchise ought not to be lowered, and the working classes, not further admitted to the fran chise. He, with Lord Palmerston, urged that the new parliament should be summoned at the earliest moment. As for the ballot, he would only say that if any ministry introduced a measure with a clause for, the ballot, he should vote against it. Mr. Drummond said that if the measures proposed by Mr. Bright were noerevolutionaxy, there was no meaning in language. Mr. Horsman approved of the course taken by the government. Mr. Deedes blamed the government for having introduced a bill, and for not withdrawing it, when they found that the bill thus in troduced was not satisfactory to the house. He approved of the course adopted by government of dissolving parliament. Mr. Newdegate gave his reasons for objecting to the uniformity of franchise proposed in the late bill. He thought that the Govern ment ought to have withdrawn their bill after the • expression of opinion on the part of the House, and lamented the present prema ture appeal to the country. Mr. W. Patten urged the immediate dissolution of the House, which there was nothing on the order-book te prevent; and asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state his opinions more definitely. Mr. Bentinck protested against the threats put forth by Mr. Bright. • Sir Minto Farquhar was glad to find that no unconstitutional mode was to be pursued in order to prevent the dissolution of the present Parliament. He declared, as a Conservative, that he was not afraid of an appeal to the country. Colonel French asked the government to state when the dissolu tion might be expetted to take place. Sir F. Smith regretted that they were not at that moment discuss ing the Reform Bill in committee, believing that an excellent measure might have been produced. Sir D. Morreys did not think the liberals sufficiently united to form a government, though they made an excellent opposition. Lord Elcho asked Lord J. Russell what he meant by a new pro posal for enfranehisingthe working classes. ' Mr. B. Osborne warned the government to expect the conse quences now that they had set the ball rolling, and urged union among the liberal party. After some observations from Mr. Ball, Mr. Wilson, and other members, in respect to the business to be transacted before the dis solution. MANNING THE NAVY. Sir C. Napier asked when the report of the commission for Manning the Navy would be acted upon. Sir J. Pakington said it would be acted upon as soon as an order in council could be issued. _ _ Mr. Cogan hoped that any future Reform Bill would be considered as an imperial question, and asked Mr. Spooner whether he intended to bring forward his motion respecting Maynooth. The Chancellor of the Exchequer expressed his surprise that it should be doubted that it was the intention to summon the new Parliament as soon as possible. It would assemble at the earliest passible moment. As for the time when the dissolution might be expected to take place, he believed that it would be shortly before Easter. He declared that from the first the Government had reenlved in ite present determination. Ilc denied that he had over said that the opposition to his bill was dangerous to the peace of Europe. It was the irregular conduct of Lord J. Russell, which affected the peace of Europe. He had made this statement before, and he deliberately repeated it. With regard to the business of the house, he trusted the Superanuation Bill would be allowed to pass. Referring to the speech of Lord Palmerston, he denied that he had declared any intention of declining all further measure of reform. All he said was, that he had fulfilled his pledge on the subject, and was not bound to bring forward a measure at the meeting of the new Parliament. • THE MAYNOOTH GRANT. Mr. Spooner said that it was his intention, to-morrow, to bring forward the subject of Maynooth: The motien for adjournment was then withdrawn. Amts. Lord Stanley moved the third reading of the East India Loan Bill, observing that more money would be • required, bdt that it was due in great part to the disappointment as to the expectations of sums to be raised on loans in India. He bore testimony to the prospects of increasing revenue from trade in India. Mr. Vansiltart, Mr. Crawford, Sir C. Wood, Sir G. Lewis, Mr. T. Baring, Colonel Sykes, and Sir H. Willoughby continued a some what prolonged discussion, After which the motion was agreed to, and the bill was read a third time and passed. The Debtors and Creditors Bill was read a second time. The Savings' Bank (Ireland) Act Continuance Bill was read a third time and passed. Lord Naas moved for leave to bring in a bill for carrying into effect the report of the Comnalssioners appointed to inquire into the state of the municipal affairs bf the borough of Belfast, in Ireland. Mr. M'Cann opposed the introduction of the bill. Lord Naas explained that his object was merely to have the bill printed this session. Leave was then given to bring in the bill. The remaining business was then disposed of, and the House adjourned at ten minutes to twelve. MINISTERIAL CRISIS. The Daily News says, it seems to be generally understood that Lord Derby has for the last two days been engaged in an attempt to strengthen his administration, with a view to his resumption of power. The names of Mr. Gladstone and the Duke of Newcastle have been freely mentioned in con nection with the negotiations presumed to be going on. The grand reason to be given by Ministers for ignoring defeat in the House of Commons and retaining office, is the complicated state of nur Foreign relations, and the danger of disturbing the efforts of diplomacy by a change in its guiding spin t. The Daily News remarks that the first question to be asked will be, is there or is there not to be any real and substantial measure of Reform to be laid forth with upon the table ? As to the retention in office of Lord Malmesbury being made the pretence for setting at nought the verdict of the House of Commons, it is an impertinence not to be endured. Lord Derby has, by his tender of resig nation, admitted that his confidence account with the House of Commons was closed upon the 31st of March ; if he seeks to re-open it on the 4th of April, he must be ready to offer unexceptionable bills to be placed to his credit. The Times announces that the ministry will neither resign nor dissolve, but simply retain their offices. There is no occasion to characterise conduct which ministers have themselves commented upon with so much unction. We apprehend that the excuse for their remaining in office will be the threatening state of foreign affairs. The only terms on which their ministerial existence can be protected are, that they should prepare a reform bill on principles to be gathered from the resolution of the. House of Commons, and the speeches of its principal supporters. The Herald predicts that the manner in which the crisis is to be met will, when announced, give general satisfaction The Post says it is now decided the ministry will retain office. Lord Derby intends to appeal to the country as soon as the state of business will allow him. A dissolution of parliament may, therefore, be expected in about six weeks time. The Post says the country will fully understand that Load Derby's object is simply that of burking the question of reform for another year. The Advertiser asserts that although the Derby Cabinet will remain in office as a body, Lord Stanley has sent in his resignation, and General Peel is anxious to retire . The Post contradicts the statement of Lord Lansdowne having been consulted by her Majesty. The Star says the Cabinet have kept their secret so well, that it is impossible to do more than surmise, but it is its opinion that there ara only two courses open to the Govern ment on constitutional principles, either a resignation or a dissolution. The third course cannot be supposed pos sible, after the recent declaration of the Government. There are no signs of ministers going out, and therefore the conclusion is that a dissolution must be their alternative; but, as in 1852, it may be a postponed dissolution, put aside until the House has disposed of some of the most necessary business now before it. The Star highly approves of a dissolution, as calculated in the end to gain a more efficient Reform. The Chancellor of the Exchequer issued a notice to the supporters of the Government in the House of Commons, requesting them to be early in their places last evening, to. ,hear his statement en the present aspect of affairs, THE NORTHERN TOTES, TUESDAY, APRIL 5 1858 ; • CHURCH AID' 'SOCIETY: '1 Yesterday a meeting of laity and clergy -was held in the Blue-coat school, for the purpose of forming a society, to be called the ".Liverpool Church Aid Society," the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of the diocese occupied the chair. There was a numerous attendance, and among those present were Worship the Mayor of Liverpool, Archdeacon Jones. Recto. Campbell, Dr. M'Neile, Revs. C. Laurence, J. Stewart, •w* - . Falloon, T. Hecker, H. Carpenter, J. S. Twist, Dr. 1 1.vlor ' Revs. C. Barton, G. Warr, T. Gardiner, s. H. Jones, J. _.l, t h , T. L. Pain , F. Harke , A. J. Tomlin , T. Cowan, 1 - -, rlen, J. Lomas, J. Evans, W. Hindley, Tr T. Moore, W. 7 .-eveson, J. Hassell, H. Stafford, T. Moeran, D. Bai,, T. 0. Powell, J. S. Howson, H. Garrod, D. Trougt . u, n , W. Calder, J. Bannerman, G. French, R. Moore, G. *Watson, J,, Bardsley, JW. H. Vernon, J. Bewley, W. H. Denny, B. Ry. croft, T. Lingley, W. Owen, J. Mi'Callon, ' H. Postance, L. Robinson ' J. Butler, E. G reen , J. Irel an d, D r . Hume, J. Linton, H. Hartley, Pickles, A. HodgsOn, Esq., W. Gregson, Esq., C. Bushell, J. Torr, C. Groves ; C. Grayson, H. Grazebrook, T. D. Anderson, M. W. Collett, R. Duckworth, P. M. Dove, H. Halhead, J. B. Lloyd, F. Peek, C. S. Parker, W. Titherington, J, Stewart, I. D. Ilebson, W. Hall, G. Casey, E. Gibbon, J. W. Cropper, and N. D. Bold. • The Right Rev. Chairman said : It is a very.great piti fication to me to see so large an assemblage both of the clergy and of . my lay friends. It is for a very impbriant object that you are met together=one connected with the best interests of religion in this great town." ' I do rot wish, myself, therefore, to occupy your time by any prei minary remarks, fisther than to state my own connection with this movement. Some time ago, my kind friend, the Rector of Liverpool, communicated with me, and sent me a copy of the resolutions of the society. I made an answer to him that, appr ov i n g v e r y highly 'o!..' all the objects which was marked out in it, yet I perceived that many of them were objects for which there were already societies existing. I pointed out particularly that its objects were to a great extent the same as those of the Pastoral Aid Society, and of the 'Additional Curates Society. I pointed out also that there were parts of the . plan similar to that of the Diocesan Church Building Society, and that there might be other cases of the same kind. I expressed a desire before making any formal answer as to concurring in the plan, that there should be a com munication made to the officers or leading promoters of the several societies that had any objects in common with this now proposed, in order that it might 'be ascertained from them whether they thought - it would interfere injuri ously with the working, the prospects, and the support of their own societies. To that, in due time, I received an answer from the rector, that he had, to some extent at any rate, conferred with those parties, and that 'the general impression was that it would not interfere disadvantageously, and that there was no desire to throw any obstacle in its way. I must say that I rejoiced that that was the answer, for I should have been very sorry myself to have engaged in any new plan, the effect of which was merely to draw off from existing societies the liberal, and, I may say, continually increasing, support which these societies happily are receiv ing—(hear, hear)—but being assured that it was not likely to interfere with this plan of Christian charity in other channels, I expressed my very great pleasure in being able to give my hand, to support in carrying out the new undertaking, so far as I could by any means be instrumental in doing so. Since then, a very kind friend of mine, whom I wish to speak of with great respect—J don't know . whether he is here to-day or not—wrote to me a letter, in which there was a friendly and kind intimation given, that this movement' was looked upon by some persons as being somewhat hostile or antagonistic to the additional Curate's Society. I must say I hope it is not so in the intention of any of its promoters (hear, hear), and I must say that I hope it will never be acted upon by them or the public in any such spirit. (Hear, hear.) I wish to say a word upon one point, however delicate it may be, and that is to state my opinion of the claims of the Pastoral Aid Society and of the additional Curates' Society in connection with each other. I belong . to both of them. (Hear, hear.) I cannot see what there is in either of them that a true man of the church might not reconcile himself to. There are two of them, let a man take which he has the predilection for. The great difference is, not in the objects that they have in view—not in the principles in which they move, but in the kind of machinery they employ in carrying out their views. The Additional Curates' Society employs no other machinery than that which they found in the Church from the beginning. (Hear, hear.) The Pastoral Aid Society has introduced a piece of machinery of its own. But I believe that was done with the most sincere and honest purpose of maintaining the principles of the Church intact. (Applause.) I grieve to use such a word as " party" in our Church. I cannot see why there should be any " party" in it. (Hear, hear.) It is not that I have stood aloof since I was bishop from "party," but for the many years that I have been clergy man I novo, belnnged to any party in the Church. (Ap plause.) My heart was with them all. (renewed applause.), and I have been for years a subscriber to all of them. I have subscribed to the Christian Knowledge So ciety, the Bible SocietS - , and many others. (Ap plause.) It is out of no narrowness of view that I use the word "party," but I really don't know how to express my meaning without introducing it. The Pastoral Aid Society is looked upon as intended by its peculiar .rules to carry out the views of one party in our church. Let me say, then, that if it is to be called a part:) , I do not originate the word. It is at least a' very large' and a ve efficacious party in our church, God be thanked (cheers; and I firmly and thoroughly believe, though not in any way mixed up with it, as a party, myself, I fully believe in my heart this, that the purpose of that party is not to lower or let down the rules and the discipline of our church. (Hear, hear) For if it was so, I must say, it would be inconsistent with the solemn engagements that the clergy of the church enter into at their ordination. (Cheers.) I believe its object to be a very;, different one. I believe it is simply this—to make sure that the ministers whose salaries are paid out of the funds of the Pastoral Aid Society are men who hold the principles of evangelical truth—those principles which form the text of the Gospel, those principles u on which the Reformation was founded—(loud cheers those principles on which the Church of Englan is established. (Renewed cheering.) Let me say that the only point on which, as to its principles, the Additional Curates' Society differs from the Pastoral Aid Society, is in the single point that they do not• themselves employ that particular additional test and piece of machinery which constitute the peculiarity of the Pastoral Aid Society, and on which I am not going to offer any re mark. The only point on which they differ from the Pastoral-aid Society, is in a more scrupulous, perhaps, re cognition of the existing forms and rules of the church within herself, but in other respects, as to its principles, as faithfully and truly upholding those great principles of evangelical truth, of which:l spoke as the Pastoral Aid Society itself can do. (Cheers). I am speaking of the principles of that society ; it upholds those same great principles, and on as broad and comprehensive a basis as that on which the Church of England itself stands, and will, I hope, through God's blessing, for ever stand. I wish to say another word about the operation of the Additional Curates' Society. The applications to that society for my diocese necessarily pass through my hands, and I am bound to say I cannot trace any indications of partiality in the grants which they make to my diocese. (Cheers.) I will venture to say, speaking of my diocese generally, there are as many grants made for curates of that school, if I may so express myself without giving offence—which the Pastoral Aid Society takes under its exclusive patronage, as there are of any other class of curates whatsoever. 1 am glad to think that the gentle men present have come here so very united, with a de sire to promote the objects for which we are met ; and if there are any friends of the Additional Curates So ciety who have looked on this movement with a less favourable view than others, I hope they will understand that what has been said by me has been drawn from me, not only by a sincere desire to be impartial, but to do justice to their dealings. I hope it will be a pledge to them, so far as I am concerned, when I say that nothing would be further from my heart than to join in anything that is in tended in a hostile or antagonistic spirit to the Curates Aid Society. I wish all these societies God speed (cheers). The Pastoral Aid Society is a central society in London, with a most efficacious branch here, and most energetic and successful promoters and patterns here ; the Additional Curates Society has, perhaps, struck rather more of a local complexion with this town ; but this society, for which we are met, is purely loca. It is to work for Liverpool itself. And, let me say, when I first came into this part of the world, from a scene of life very different, the first impression I ever had in connection with these great societies in Liverpool was, "oh, that I could see Liverpool independent of extraneous aid for these things ; and, instead of sending up to London for help, with all its own wealth, oh, that it would, at least in matters of Christian religion, be self-supporting." I did fervently hope that Liverpool, wealthy, beautiful Liverpool, would, whatever denominations it contained, promote all churches, schools, and other things necessary. for the religious instruction of all (hear, hear). There is no sound-hearted man but will admit that Liverpool should do this for herself (hear, hear). On that ground, I hope that this society will not interfere unfavourably with any that is in existence, and that it will not take one shilling from any other of our Christian societies. I trust that we shall have the countenance and enconragement of all good church men (hear, hear). The Rev. Rector Campbell moved the first resolution. It was as follows :—" That this meeting desires to express its solemn conviction, that the spiritual destitution pre vailinsin seTexal populous districts of Liverpool, and the eyil consequences . resulting _therefrom _ (as shown by the concurrent testimony : of various recent publications), call imperatively upon tie members of the Church of England to adopt such measures as may, by the blessing of God, improve the moral and religious condition of the population in these districts. "_ (Applause.) He said : —• As the chief minister of a parish containing a popu lation possibly of not less than 280,000 souls, I may be supposed to have some feeling of anxiety respecting the moral and religious condition of its people ; and although I may thank God that I have not an undivided responsibility, but, to express myself in commercial phrase, have only a limited liability in this vast concern,—though it is my good fortune to share it with an active, earnest, and, I hope, united clergy—united . , so far, that is to say, as men can be or need be expected, in a church which does not claim the prerogative of an infallible despotism ; though, unhappily, of the vast number supposed to be committed to our pastoral care, a great proportion repudiate our interference upon principle, and of the remainder,. a majority repudiate it practically, upon no other principle than that of perfect indifference to all religious obligation, and a total uncon cern as to the salvation of their souls. (Hear.) Still, with all these abatements, responsibility enough remains to create a feeling of deep and serous concern, and makes them anxious to solicit the co-operation of those who, though they might not be alive to their obligation, are not less really interested in' the work than the clergy themselves. I &list, therefore, my lord, that I may be permitted to trespass upon tour time while I endeavour to impress upon our lay friends the duty of assisting us in estab lishing the Church - Aid Society, which we contemplate, and which we hope, by' God's blessing, may tend to alleviate the evils which everyone admits, and which everyone is interested in remedying. It were needless to enter on the useless task of attempting to prove the existence of evil, or dwell on the statistics of crime ; it is lost labour to exaggerate the vices of the poor, or quarrel with the rich for neglecting the poor. Neither is it very profitable or very agreeable to confess the nealect of former times, or admit or deny the sins of omission in former years ; an acknowledged evil exists, and there is no great use in wrangling about its origin. The publications referred to in the resolution prove that there is a great mischief to be remedied, and all who think that the best mode of remedying it will be by preaching the gospel to the poor will do well to consider whether it may be worth while, on religious and social principles, to co-operate with the clergy in some such attempt as that which we are engaged in pro moting to-day (hear, hear). For surely, my lord, it is a great mistake to suppose, or at least act upon the sup position, that we, the clergy, are the only persons responsible for the duty of spreading the Gospel. The clergy are not the chnrch, but the clergy and laity combined. The laity, as the most numerous, being the most important part of it; and as our , church says every member of it has his peculiar voca tion and ministry, in which he may truly and godly serve unto the edifying of the whole body. We do not, of course, wish to commit to the laity any more than we give to 'our princes, the ministry either of God's word on the sacra ments ; but we should do very . wrong to encourage the very common but very erroneous impression, that they are not a little interested in the propogation of the Gospel, or concerned in the preaching it to the. poor. (Applause.) The whole body of Christians are interested in this work ; and, as has been well argued by a distinguished foreign- noble man, with whom in this respect we all agree, the Baron Bunsen, if we regard this subject properly, and look with a searching eye into the weakness of the church, we shall find that the lay people of Christendom have to ascribe to , themselves a considerable portion of the blame. " The clergy," he said, "have for the most part been brought into their present confined and isolated position by the love of the people growiug cold" (applause) • and if I might be permitted to do so, I would even solicit in this work the sympathy, indeed the co-operation, of those who do not agree with us in points which we think of vital importance. Asserting that Christianity is essential to the perfection of civilisation, I am suite willing to admit, that a certain amount of civilisation is essential to the effectual preaching of Christianity, and that to preach it to men sub jected to the brutalising influences of crime and vulgar sen suality is like casting pearls before swine. I rejoice, there fore, and can cordially join with those who are attempting to promote the advancement of social science, as it is called, and give help to every endeavour that is made to refine the tastes and improve the morals of the working classes. (Hear.) I am refreshed by the sight of Charles Melly's drinking fountains, and of temperance coffee-houses, and ragged schools, and free public libraries, and baths, and wash houses, and above all, the erection of better family dwell- , ings and lodging-houses for unmarried girls and men. But while I join with the promoters of these benevolent works, and go with them one mile in the co-operation, I would fain persuade them to go with me twain ; and while in their company, I reason with the working men, as Paul did before Felix, upon temperance and righteousness ; 1 should very, much rejoice if they' would help me to 1 reason with them also upon judgment to come, 1 and add the awful sanctioning of religion to the terrors of the temporal law, and te plain, moral obligation which lies upon the canscience of every man to do justly, and , love mercy, and walk humbly with his God. (Applausel) The scheme which we propose, and which has been most carefully elaborated, appears to me emi nently practical, and as little open to objection as any human scheme can be,---perfection, of course, and all liability to objection being quite impossible. And, first, as to the increase of the number of clergy. If, as is said, and, I think, truly said, no clergyman can super intend effectually more than 2,000 people, and if the borough contains 400,000 people, and we have only that half of the neople which our hostile critics grudgingly assign to us, we ought, even then, at that low estimate, to have 100 clergymen, and our proposed addition of 10 will leave abundance of work for the other clergy-aid societies to do. There is very little chance that our proposed society will monopolise all the work that is to be done ; where the harvest is so plenteous, the more machines there are in the field the better ; there is no fear of competition in the work ; it will not be competition, but co-operation. When St. John told our Lord that the disciples had forbidden a man to cast out devils in His name, because he was not one of their followers, he said, " Fillsid him not; there is no man which shall do a miracle is my name that can speak lightly of me. He that is not against us is on our part." There is no reason why we should attempt to cast out the devils of uncleanliness and infidelity all exactly in the same method. Some prefer one mode, some another ; and variety, instead of provoking jealousy, may serve to stimulate activity. (Applause.) To those, however, who may not think the increase of clergy the most important point, or who may suspect, needlessly, I trust, an objectionable mode of doing it, there is another part of the scheme to which I should conceive no possible objection need be apprehended. It is often cast in our teeth, as a subject of reproach and sneer, that our churches are so ill attended, and our worshippers com paratively so few ; and I admit that it is sometimes very discouraging and very much to be deplored; but I cannot so readily admit that it is all our fault, or that we are so much to be blamed. We prepare the Gospel feast, and invite the guests to attend by every means in our power, but, with our inadequate means, we cannot go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in. We provide the means of grace, the good and wholesome food of the gospel, as interpreted by the articles of .our reformed Protestant church, with the use of a liturgy of unsurpassed excellence ; and if we cannot always provide the treasures of heavenly eloquence, or the highly sea soned dainties required to stimulate the fastidious appetites of the present day, the blame, I humbly think, is perhaps more to be assigned to the people than ourselves. But there is one stone of stumbling and rock of offence, there is one manifest obstacle to the general attendance of the working classes, namely, the want of comfortable seat room ; and that it is proposed to remove by the purpose of the society second on the paper, and which is justly called a prominent feature in its operations, the large increase, viz., of free accommodation for the poor, by throwing open pri vate pews and making ground floor or gallery free. On this, perhaps, I need not dwell—on this we shall, I expect, be cordially unanimous, without a single misgiving. (Hear.) The next purposes of the society the third and seventh on the paper—are those in which personally, .I must confess, I take the deepest interest —the increasing the incomes of laborious and ill-paid incumbents, and the defraying, in whole, or in part, the necessary expenses incident to divine worship in the poorest parts of the town. Being happily exempt, by the- unmerited goodness of God, from any personal inconvenience in that -respect, I do not know by personal experience the amount of suffering that must be endured by a conscientious clergyman with a laborious and ill-paid cure in a populous district, but I do not on that account take less interest in his welfare ; or rather, on the contrary, I feel that there is no one more entitled to the sympathy of every Christian man no one who ought to be more studiously cared for in his heavenly work, or supported, not grudgingly or of ne cessity, but with cheerful bounty fed, not merely with the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table, but with such abundant nourishment as may strengthen him for his labour, and enable him, like Elijah in the wilderness, to pass with undiminished vigour through the exhausting trials of his long and toilsome journey. To impress this more strongly, I would exhibit the picture of a clergyman's labours in a populous district, drawn from life. It will become me now, my lord, to bring these obser vations to a close, with many apologies, for having tres passed at such unusual length upon your time. But I am so deeply impressed myself with the importance of this movement, that I am anxious to convey my impres sions to our lay friends, and solicit earnestly their willing co-operation and effectual aid. It is not my purpose to e c e o , m a p f l te ai r n t o h f e s l n a e c h lc l n e e s s. evidences wwould h n e o u e t t become h m e me e t o e ui d e o r charities which we kayo recently witnessed. Admitting abundant liberality to -the temporal -wants of the - pool I wish to ,secure a similar feeling with regard to their spiritual wants. (Hear, hear.) I wish to see a systematic combination .of clergy and laity in spreading the gospel among the masses of the working people. I don't mean 1 a controversial- gospel, but that mode of preaching it I which teaches a man that he has a soul to be saved, and that the means of saving it are those which the gospel provides ; that judgment in a future state is as sure as death in this, and that the only means of avoiding .the penalty of judgment is to trust in the merits of a Saviour and obey his commands. I wish to impress upon the minds of the laity that it is not enough to imitate the Saviour in his works of mercy to the bodies of men, by healing the sick and causing the deaf to hear and the blind to see, but we should imitate him also in his mercy to their souls, by preaching the gospel to them, and cleansing them 'from the leprosy of sin, encouraged in this work by the promise of inspiration, that he who converts a sinner from the error of his ways, shall save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. • To know the act of alms, says an ancient father, is better than to be crowned by the direction of kings, and yet to convert one soul is better than to pour out ten thousand talents into. .the baskets of the poor (applause). Having this day entered my 74th year—(loud and 'protracted cheers), I have reason to feel, my lord, that my eleventh hour has sounded, and that to me, at least, the nig,ht.is rapidly approaching when no man can work ; but I, would ask respectfully, is it very different with any one of us ? Are we not all standing on - the brink,of eternity ?Is there one of us who can say with the vile .man in the parable, " Soul thou hast much good laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry ?" And will it not be well for all of us, in the midst of the strife and contention of this striving and contentious world, to work for eternity as well as time, and, with due regard to the honest and honourable acquisition of worldly treasure, lay up heavenly treasure for the life to come. (Applause.) Mr. Adam Hodgson was called upon to second the reso lution. He hoped he would not be misunderstood, as having but small interest in the objects of the society, if he would simply content himself by seconding the resolution which had just been proposed. He earnestly hoped that the society would meet with generons and active support, and hoped it would be conducted on enlarged Catholic principles—principles on which, he thought, every society seeking general co-operation in a Christian church ought to be conducted—principles which to him, to be so far apart from one of a party character as to make party shrivel into insignificance when brought into the face of the objects which that society contemplated. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. The Von. Archdeacon Jones was called upon to move the next resolution, which was that, " with a view to the Scriptural improvement of the people, it is essential that the parochial system should be extended and invigorated by the employment of additional clergymen, and by a large increase of our accommodation for the working classes in existing churches, so that opportunities of attending on the public means of grace may be multiplied, and also that the blessings of the Gospel may be diffused by pastoral visitation from house to honse." This resolution, he said, was based upon the spiritual necessities of this large town. Its neces sities were great, and increasingly great from year to year and from month to month. This society was established for the purpose of supplying, under Divine blessing, the spiritual wants of the large masses of our dense and ungodly population. No one could have penetrated through the dark and dismal alleys and streets, and have listened to what was going on, especially . on Sunday, without being impressed with the terrible spiritual destitution of the large masses. He asked what was the remedy for this ? He had ventured to read the resolution, believing firmly that it prescribed the only possible remedy. If the present state of matters were allowed to go on, they would become worse and worse. (Hear, hear.) The resolution touched the very root of the matter. He referred to the three great points of the reso lution, and dealt with them separately. He pointed to the trammels which were upon some of our existing churches and said that the society would affect a great good if it could free them from those trammels. These churches, he said, never were free and never could be free, unless such an institution as that came forward and set them free. Many . of the pews belonged to private persons, and not occupied, the owners having left town or become insolvent, and they could not claim them ; but, it would be a good thing if the society could purchase these pews for the accommodation of the working people. Mr. Bushell seconded the resolution. He said that duty ' sometimes beckoned where inclination was not much dis posed to follow ; but he could truthfully say that in this case his duty and inclination accorded (applause), because he felt the urgent necessities, of the case, and because he felt that these urgent necessities were predisposed to be met in a most wise and practical manner, as set forward in the synopsis, which many of them had had put into their hands. The locality of Lirci pool had been changed within the last few years. Liverpool, as far as it was represented by wealth and influence, might be said to have gone out of town. (Hear, hear.) The districts of the town formerly inhabited by the wealthy, had ceased to be so, and had now become places of business, and in some instances residences of the poor. Merchants had gone to the upper parts of the town and to the suburbs to reside , and the necessity therefore had arisen that they should no longer regard districts as districts, a regard 4 the supply of funds. That would be doing an in justice,- as some of the districts were extremely poor, and others very wealthy. He took a statement from Dr. liume's pamphlet, which said that in the district of Vauxhall-road, Within a radious of 500 yards, there was a population of 35,000, and they had, to supply the spiritual wants of this population, only twelve places of worship ; that was to say, four churches of the establishment, five dissenting chapels, and three Roman Catholic chapels. Taking in contrast a rich district—taking the Philharmonic Hall as the centre— within the same radius, they had a population of 10,000 persons, and to that they had 30 places of worship, If this was not making religion a luxury, then he did not know what was • and more than. that, their dissenting brethren were following the wealthier classes. This fact he also got from Dr. Flume's pamphlet. The dissenters being entirely dependent upon voluntary contributions, were obliged to take those districts where they could get money, and consequently the lower districts of the town had been thrown entirely upon the Church of England. Thus, while they , had 305,000 people in con nection with the Church of England, 105,000 of whom, so far as could be gathered, were not even nominal members of the Church, and did not attend public worship. The time was come to take a great and comprehensive view of this matter, when the wealthier people must come forward and meet this gigantic evil. A man must not now say, "This is not my district, and, therefore, I have nothing to do with it." What they wanted was an extension of the parochial system, and this could only be done by supplying ample funds, which they would collect from those present and from those outside of equal ability to subscribe. And he trusted, that when members of the Church of England discovered that the application of their funds was truly a practical one, he was persuaded that there would be no difficulty in raising any sum required. In dealing with men of business, they must show them the effect which the cause would have, and the object of the society should be to show that a practical result was intended to be produced. .The circular which was put into his hands commended the matter most heartily to his mind. There was an objec tion urged against building churches while the churches they now had were not filled. There was a great deal of truth in that ; one would like to see their present churches filled before they built others. But this could not always be so, because there might be a district which was more than supplied, while another was not properly supplied. To the remarks put forth by the Archdeacon he most heartily subscribed. There were these difficulties yet; still, it this society took thematter vigorously in hand, it would, he did not doubt, find means of getting rid of them, and such an object as that should commend that society most heartily to the consideration of the laity and clergy of this town. The remuneration of the incumbents should be increased, for they could not expect a man to carry out his duties with the same energy, if difficulties were thrown in his way by too small a salary, He heartily agreed with the scheme for providing small temporary chapels to be licensed by the bishop, but he thought some of the districts ought to be managed with a little more economy than they had been, in some instances, by other societies. • The cost of building a church was estimated at £4 or £5 a sitting, while the cost of building the Free Churches in Scotland, which they all knew to be very substantial buildings, only cost £1 per sitting, and there has been cases in Liverpool where the church cost £lO, £l2, £34, and £44 nor sitting. No one, he said, on visiting the Continent, but could be struck with the constant open door of the churches. (Applause.) He had been struck with the devotional spirit of some of the people on the Continent, and he did not see why we should not adopt the same means to bring about that devotional spirit in a pure worship which was found in an impure one abroa d. ( Hear, hear.) If he had his way, he would never sh ut the church from sunrise until sunset. If they kept an open door, there was many a man who had never entered a church might, in the first instance, be induced from curiosity to walk in ; and there was some thing in the architecture of the churches of England which would impress the man's mind with the feeling that he was truly in the house of God. If the doors of the gin -palaces were open in the morning to tempt the working man, why were not the church doors open also that the man might walk in and offer up his hearty thanksgiving to God ; Which of them, when abroad, and deprived of their own minister, had not walked into a Roman Catholic church, and lifted up his heart to God in p ra i se an d prayer for all his blessings.? He thought there be little difficulty in having a morning service, at about half-past six, and also each evening in the week. Why were their churches not open as well as the dancing room, theatre, and the gin palace ? (Applause.) die believed tAc whole fau,lt lay with the. laity in not sup plying the means. It was a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence. He concluded by saying that 1 per cent. on the income tax in this town would realise £s,ooo—an amount which would carry out the objects which they all so much wanted. • The Chairman put the reso l u ti on t o t h e meet i ng, w hi c h was carried unanimously. Mr. Wm. Gregson then moved a resolution, to the effect that a society for the relief of the spiritual destitution be established under the title of the " Liverpool Church Aid Society," and that it be conducted according to the prin ciples set forth in the synopsis. The Rev. Dr. M'Neile reminded the gentlemen of Liver pool that ordinary donations, such as they had been in the habit of giving for such purposes, would not meet this case. It was an extraordinary case. Some sacrifice must be made ; and if a pecuniary sacrifice were not made, and that to a very considerable extent, the rector would have the mortification of a failure to an extent that he thought would be painful to every man in the town that had known and loved him for so many years. The rector: had made an appeal, to them that day, that had reached his very heart. The rector called it his eleYenth.hour, and spoke as a dying man to dying men. My lord, said the doctor, it is in that spirit that we must work, if we are to work effectually. Let I drat, Yace, coming as it were at the eleventh hour, from the labourer who has toiled all day in the vineyards, go forth to the public. (Hear, hear.) Let the press scatter through the town the appeal of the rector, and I have every confidence in the appeal of our aged rector to a town which has known him and loved him so long. (Applause.) The voluntary system was now on its trial. Were there virtue in the system to keep up the National Church, would the members of the Church of England in great towns become members of so many sects ? That was the issue they were now bringing before the country, and he hoped this would, not be another failure in the sight of the world. He seconded the motion. The Rev. Mr. Cowan read a letter from the Rev. Chan cellor Raikes, of Chester, stating that he intended to devote £2OO a year from the DiocessanAid Society to the town of Liverpool. The Rev. Mr. Lomas said :—My Lord, I feel some little delicacy in asking to be permitted to say a few words before the resolution which has been proposed and seconded, is put to the meeting ; both because I am extra-parochial, and because I was not invited (doubtless on that ground) to take part in the initiative proceed ings for the establishment of the society which this meeting is called to inaugurate ,• and yet I think I may' claim a hearing both because I feel a most cordial sym pathy with the object sought to be attained, and because the society, when established, will, I presume, be, in. some measure, dependent for its success upon the liberal contributions of suburban districts like my own. It is, then, because I wish to become a member of the society— because I hope to be able to interest my flock in it, that I venture to crave your indulgence for a few moments. I find, in the synopsis to which the resolution refers, the words, "No clergyman shall be employed or continued in any district without the consent of the incumbent thereof, nor until there shall have been satisfactory probf of his quali fications. The incumbent in each case shall nominate the curate for his district, with the sanction of the committee." To obtain the unanimous support of churchmen it seems to me that the functions of its committee should be so far limited to matters of routine as to afford no pretext for making the elections of new members a theme of controversy ; there should be no opportunity given for converting such elections into an arena for party strife. And, therefore, I venture to suggest that the duties of the committee be confined to the bestowal of grants, having regard only to the spiritual destitution of the district which seeks aid, to the absence of resources within the district itself for the supply of its own wants, and to the comparative extent of its population. I deprecate the principle which would confer upon the committee the power of interfering, in any way what ever, with the selection of the agents to be employed_ If that principle be recognised and acted upon, your own office, my lord, and that of the parish priest, are both, as it appears to me, touched upon, and the whole scope of the society's operations will thus reflect the ecclesi astical colour of its committee, and hold out the temptation to churchmen of another colour to try to assimilate the colour of the committee to their own. It is of no use to ignore the wide differences of opinion which exist among members of our church ; but it is of use—of the greatest possible use—to endeavour to sink those differences, and to . unite cordially, whenever any common ground of action invites us to joinhand in hand, in the endeavour to stem the torrent of vice and infidelity which threatens to swamp us all. And, therefore, being able to say, in the honest integrity of my heart, that all my sympathies, and all my predilections, are inalienably in favour of the church of which I am a member, as I doubt not are those of all my rev. and lay • brethren, by whom I am surrounded, I venture to move the following amendment:—" That the society be established upon the principles embodied in the synopsis, omitting, in the first paragraph, the words, Until these shall have been satisfactory proof of his qualifications,' and substituting, for the words With the sanction of the committee,' the words With the sanction of the Bishop,' " The Rev. John Stewart seconded the amendment. The Rov. Dr. M'Neile said the bishop had put the question plainly in his own speech, and it would no doubt have been very gratifying to the laity amt had it been ibinui flan* lvtdahlp s expressed opinion had carried weight with the clergy. The Rev. Rector Campbell said, the words in ques tion " The incumbent in each case shall nominate the curate for his duties, with the sanction of the com mittee," were not in the original synopsis, but after a meeting of the borough clergy, they had been agreed to in the hope that the question of the Pastoral Aid Society prin ciple, or the Curates' Aid Society principle would have been settled in an amicable manner. But he was disappointed in the result, and he should, therefore, only say that he should attempt to carry out the objects of the society with out the aid of those who were hostile to its principles. (Loud cheers.) The Yen. Archdeacon Jones said he had no doubt that his friend the Rev. Mr. Lomas would, if the meeting were averse to the amendment, support the society. (Hear, hear, from the mover and seconder of the amendment). He thought Mr. Stewart and Mr Lomas simply wished to secure a modification of the clause in the synopsis, as to the appoint ment. The Rev. Mr. Lomas said, to prove that he acted in no hostile spirit, he would withdraw his amendment. The Chairman was rejoiced to find that Mr. Lomas had withdrawn his amendment, and said he could not charge that gentleman with hostility to the society. (Hear, hear.) The amendment was then withdrawn, and the resolution unanimously agreed to. The Bishop was then appointed president of the society, and the committee and officers were appointed. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The following donations ant subscriptions have already been received : Subscriptions. E s. Henry Itaikes ........ 2OO 0 T. D. Anderson .... lOO 0 Christopher Bushell William Grcgson . Francis Peek The Lord Bishop ....... . 25 0 Rev. Rector Campbell .. •. •.• 25 0 Charles Groves.. ...... 20 0 Rev. C. W. Laurence ..... 10 0 J. Woodall • •• Archdeacon Jones .. ...... 5 5 J. W. Cropper. .. • ..... • . 5 0 F. A. Hamilton ...... William Preston, the Mayor .... Joseph N. Walker E. Sefton Rev. Dr. M'Neile ........... C. S. Parker . John Eden.. Donations. s. • ‘,.‘- 100' 100 0 100 0 100 0 50 0 10 10 10 10 5 0 5 0 • 5 0 5 0 3 3 ▪ 2 2 ▪ 2 2 ' 2 I I 1 I William Hall . Douglas Hebson.... J. B. Lloyd . W. Tithetington Rev. Dr. Taylor Hugh Evans... Rev. W. Falloon .. ••.. •• • H. Grazebrook Rev. C. H. Burton Rev. Dr. Hilleoat LECAS'S REPOSIT ORY . ANNUAL CARRIAGE SA,E, LA.RENCES, PARE PELETONS, BROUGHAMS, ALBERT PIETONS, DRAGS, Light and elegant Gins, WAGGONETTES, BASKET CARRIAGES, FAMILY PILETONS, Two and Four-wheeled, BRITICAS, • &C., &C. BY Messrs. lICAS and Co., To-morrow (Wednesday), the 6th instant, at their Repository, Great Charlotte -street, Liverpool, 300 CARRIAGES, Order of Sa 70 sets HARNESS. le.—Ten to Eleven o'clock, harness; Eleven to Siz o'clock, Carriages. The whole on view this day (Tuesday). IIRW" An inspection of this splendid stock of Carriages is earnestly requested. The death of General Frederick White, one of the oldest generals in the service, is announced. AFFECrIoNs.—I am of opinion that the instinctive and natural affections of the industrious classes of society are , more pure, more sincere, and more active, than among the educated classes. I have witnessed sacrifices on the part of the people in the lowest condition of life, which I n ever saw among people educated artificially from the very com mencement of life. The yearnings of those people after their progeny, and their filial affections, disparage the heartless manner and cold morals which too often prevail in. fashionable life.—i Sir .4inthony Carlisle. t r i