The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-02-26 00:00:00

(MUT PROTESTANT MEETING.

One of the most important and infinentlal ruetinp
ever held in the county of Dorset, took place last
Thundoy afternoon, at the Shirehall, to protest
against ritinalietio practices and doctrines. In a few
minute. after admittance was given to th• hall every
seat was filled, and very shortly there was not
the lesst standing-room left unoccupied, while
many thronged around the doors. The Earl
of Shah mho ry presided, and on the platform
we notioed the Lord Portman, J. H. Caloraft, Esq.,
(high sheriff of the county), G. D. Wingfield Dishy,
Esq., the Hon. W. H. B. Portmao, ur., H. Gerard
Stuart, Req., M.P., John Floyer, Esq.,
Sir John H. D'Oyly, Bart., Cot. Mensal,
J. P. Mused, EN., R. Williams, Esq., E. L.
Kiodersley, Esq., E. Pearce, Esq., Joseph
Guudry, Esq., J. P. F. (landry, Req., H. C. Good.
den, Esq., J. Gooddso, Req., Robert Williams,
Fag., A. B. Foster, Eq.. R. L. Thornton, Esq., J.
F. Felwasser, Req., K Basilan, Esq., R.
Esq., Geo. Warry, Esq., Col. Bingham, J. &
Bridge, Faq., Willete L Adye, Esq., R. H. O.
gwaygaa. Faq., G. Eliot, Esq., &a Amongst the
audience we sleo observed :—The Rev. Lord Sidney
Godolphin Osborne, George Curiae, Esq. (Mayor of
Dorchester), Dr. and Miss Aldridge, E. Burnett,
Esq., W. R. Barrett, Esq. (Weymouth), G.
Andrews. Esq. (Weymouth), Capt. Barnett (Wey-
mouth), Capt. Ewe, Lii, W. Glennie, Req., Rev.
C. W. and Mrs. Bingham, Mrs. Col. Bingham, Dr.
and Mrs. Cowdell and panty, Mrs. J. Gundry, BAT.
Rev. K and Mrs. Hesdland, Rev. C. J. Glyn, G.
J. Andrews, Esq., sad Mrs. Andrews, Dr. Smith,
the Misses Churchill. Rev; H. Motile, Rev. K
Ludlow, Rev. K W. Peers, RAT. W. Eliot, Rev. H.
C. Pigott, Rev. L Foot, Rev. J. R. Quirk, Rev. J.
R. Cotter. Rev. W. Churchill, Rev. Mr. James,
Rev. J. & Hypo, Rev. C. Tooker, BAT. H. Candy,
Rev. J. Fisher, Rev. Mr. Kelly, Rev. H. Juan,
Rev. R. He:knees, Rev. W. Urquhart, Rev.
W. H. Lyon, Rev. H. P. Raikee„ Rev. C. J. Bird,
Rev. D. W. Evans, Rev. J. Bart, Rev. H.
Miles, Rev. J. Ellis, Rev. Mr. Carpendals,
Rev. W. C. Templer, Rev. R. Farquharson, Rev. J.
0. Davis, Rev. H. D. Wickham. Rev. B. C.
Marriott, Rev. A. Wilkinson, Rev. J. Stephenson,
Rev. K N. Henning, Rev. C. P. Phinn, Rev. T.
Carole, Rev. J. Acworth, Rev. D. Hogartb, Mr.
sod Mrs. H. W. Hawkins, Mr. K Pope, the Mimes
Waldy, Miss Sampson, Mrs. and Miss Bolivian, bliss
Wagon, Mrs. Suns., Mrs. Brown, Miss Griznwood,
Mr. Warne, Mr. J. Homer, Mr. G. W. Homer,
Mr. T. H. &ander., Mr. J. Loveless, Mr. G. Mayo,
Mr. Dugdale, Messrs. Symes, Mr. Gillit, Mr. H.
Fookee, Mr. J. S. Tell, Mr. R. rook's, Mr. J.
Jamb, Mr. J. Shinto, Mr. Smith, Mr. Renville,
Mr. Normal., Mr. Fitch, Mr. Good, Mr. L, Groves,
jun., Mr. C. Kent, Mr. R. Gear, Mr. L. Groves,
Mr. Mayo, Mr. Masai, Mr. Saunders (Formica), Mr.
Rhorto, Mr. E. Steels, Mr. Lipscomb*, Mr. Gal pin,
Mr. J. Davie, Mr. R. Smith, Rev. J. Fox, Mr.
Burden, Mr. Ling, Mr. Buoombe, Mr. Troves,
Mr. C. Mayo, Mr. H. Mayo, Mr. G. Tell, Mr.
Swatridge, Mr. end Mrs. W. Galpio, Mime M.
Oalpin, Mr. Best, Mr. T. Puree, &a, &a

Lord 81107031/01T, in opening the proceedings,
said Brother Protestants of the county of Dorset
--It Is unnecessary, in assuming this chair, to
tear at large into the causes that have celled
you together, and, indeed, I believe it is unnecessary
that I should enter at large into the subject to incite
you to a deep and active feeling in pursuance of the
purposes for which we are assembled here to-day—(hear,
bear). lb. subject hes been before you and the
requisition you a vied and your presence hire at this
moment, sufficiently Indicate the principles you enter.
tam n and the solemn decision by which you are animated
that you will carry them into eteet—(spplaum). Now
let me begin by saying that this matter is one far too
serious for mere indignation —(applaum)— or for mere
expression of misgiving and doubt: it is a question that
comes home to our very bosoms, to our deepest interests,
to our most profound and thoughful anxieties: it is a
question that tends much to endanger the vitality of
the principles of the Church to which we are attached—
it goes far to undermine and sap the foundations of that
very establishment of which I know we are bumble and
devoted
.tnembers7(applause). Therefore let us enter
. _

upon this dismission with all the solemnity of feeling
the oeeesion requires ; let as arm our hearts by the
interehange of ooefidenoes and by solemn resolutious
that 0 d helping us we will maintain the precious gift
we nave inherited from our forefathers, end transmit it
with spot, or stain, or diminution under His gram to
the latest posterity-(applause). We are called upon
to enter • solemn protest; and there is good reason
why the laymen of Dorset should be the first to enter •
protest of this description, became they are the first
who ban been terrified by the de-laration of authority
that the principles and practises now being introduced
are consistent with the traditions of the church to which
we belong ; and, repudiating as we do from our inmost
souls such an assertion as this, we are bound to come
forward as we have done and declare before all Ragland,
and mere especially before all this diocese, that we at
least of the county of Dorset, whatever others may do,
will not submit to that species of priestly domination-
(applause). We have opened a line of protest, and I
think we have done well. I know soma have sneered,
and said "Why do you go on protecting, why do you
not have recourse to action r I am not going to delay
you now by showing the various impediments to what
is meant by having "recourse to action," but I maintain
that • protest is • grand warning -• preliminary to action
-that which sounds the note of &term-which stirs all
hearts, unite, all sympathies, and begets public opinion.
It is to public opinion, under Heaven, we must look it
is to that opinion gr. will have resort, and we
will have recourse to all legitimate and proper
means for the purpose of begetting, sustaining,
and advancing that public' opinion -(applause). And
I should like to know how did out forefathers pro-
ceed when they began in their sesames@ and timidity,
when they had no direct course of action before them
What did they do at the blessed Reformation Heel(
How was that Reformation carried to completion?
Only through the forge of public opinion ridged by the
protest of the martyrs who went to the stake-by the
protest of their sufferings-by the protest of their
preaching, and by the protest of their declaring to the
right and to the left that too long had they submitted
to the Church of Rome, and would submit no longer -
(applause). I will just dwell for one moment upon what
It Is against which we protest. We protest, in the first
place, against that system of ritualism that has wept
Into our Church and into her serviette in go many parishes
and in so many churches and chapels: we protest limiest
ell the details of ritualism: we protest against lights
burning upon the Lord's table in the glare of a meridian
lUD: we protest against the use of we protest
againstall those strange mancees roe, movements, back-
ings, marchings to the right and to the left ,• and when I
have rovisted at one these ethibitions, declare that I
thought I was on Fordingtowfield presiding at • review
rather tbaa in an act of religious worship-(applaage and
laughter). We protest against these various things-
thee, ungodly exhibitions of gold and colour-we pro-
test against them all-(appleage). We protest most
solemnly against that violation of the deeeney and
simplicity of worship which has prevailed in our Church
for more than 260 years- we stand upon that simplicity
and protest against innovations; and I call epos you
now, and I am sure you will answer, and say with
me, "We will go back to that purity of observance and
simple truth consistent with the gospel, and will
endeavour to transmit it to our children"- -(applause).
We protest against riteallem if it be • emetics, and we
protest naiad ritualism if it be symbolical. If jibe a
practier, I niaintsin it is childish and irreverent • awl if
It be sytnboliesl, I go further, and maintain it is
heathenish and elasnhemeue-(applause). We protest
too spinet the introduetion of the conferclanal-
(Appian se). We protest stalest the violation of domes tie
decency and domestic life. We protest Realist every-
thing that shall stand between the parent and the child ;
- between the husband and the wife. I will not enter I
into details on the suhject-yos all knew them well.
You will join with me in entering a most solemn protest
against so unholy and impure • state of things being
introdueed into the pure, simple, holy Church
of England - (applause). We protest agsines the
sacerdotal and awful assumption that the bishops
and the priesthood of our °harsh claim, wires, and
will exercise all the powers claimed, possessed, and
exercised by the priests of the eastern and western
obstrobes-(applause). I protest most solemnly against
any weak and fallible WWI taking upon himself the
power of Almighty God, and declaring it is in his heed to
remit or to retain sins -(applaose). I preterit against
the system which wishes to introduce any new Mediator
between God awl men. I protest against that therein.
able system which by • declaration of that kind will
exclude from all hopes of salvation the members of
soe-episcopel communities-fappleuel-but will allow,
and almost en.are, salvation to Alexander IL and to
Bi-hop Bonner, while denying it to men of pions and
%hosed memory-Matthew Henry sad Philip Dod-
gridge- lepplause). I know something has lately been
put forth which may adminster • kind of balm to your
feelings, and to that I will direct your attention. Then
has been issued frees Lambeth • deelaration from the
In.hrips stating the principles upon which they intend
to act, awl the course they desire to panne. I tempt
it with thenkfelness so far as it goes. I accept
with thankfulness their declaration that them peas-
tiroi are grievous errors and are tending to the chunk
of Rome and that if we are to propitiate by eonessaion
we must do se, not to the Roman Catholic but to the
great Nowainformist bodies -(applagise). I accept it
with thenkfulnesc, lest I say then is • great defect in
the coucesion they hew. weds There is an appeal to
the bishoos-well and good, hut there must be also asappeal to the archbishop of the province, It to not
sufficient to have an appeal to the bishop of the diocese,
trusting you will get from him • diminution of
sitcaiistio premien and Ultra:neatens doctrines-(hem
beer, and "ii,, 110"). I cannot on all matters trust to
the bishop-(seeluse). We must have an appeal to
the Archbiehop holding • peat publie court before the
eyes of the world, and who most give judgment accord-
ing to sense, principle, and reason-(applause). I doubt
whether a meeting similar to this has ever occurred
before in the history of England. There have been great
Protestant gatherings, but they hen always hem to
meet draggers from without-they have been for the
purpose of declaring that it would be danger-ins to
extend civil and political Privileges to the &mean
Cetholice which were excluded. This is the Ant
time I know of when a large body of the us,
of a &suety, terrified by the language which has
fallen from authority, have met together to dealers
their alerts at the internal dangers whieb beset them,
and that they must have moors to every legitimate
mane le defend U....selves against the inroads of false
doctrine ; end I oonfeas mar position is painful in the
slictreme. It is not an enemy that bath done this, but,
as we may nay, our own familiar friend-(applause). It
lfirribiat froin one with whom we may hays taken
sweet counsel, awl to whom we looked for 'video°,
sad protection-to whom we looked to drive away all
erroneous doctrine and all evil from the absinth of
which we are members. I my it has eons from our
Own familiar friend, and from him who we may almost
mill our natural protector; the laity, theeseees, have
Mao soma forward to say that what Mak preabotor vim