The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-06-14 00:00:00

THE AGAPEMONE.

MAN, it has been said, is a religious animal. In
proof of the assertion we are triumphantly referred
to the history of all ages, and to existing facts
among all nations, peoples, tribes, and tongues.
Among national systems of religion there have
been, and still are, many varieties, such as Chinese
Celestialism, Hindooism, Mahomedanism, Judaism,
Greek, Latin, and English Catholicism —each
assuming forms and hues of the most opposite and
heterogeneous character according to geographical
position and historical influences. Among un-
civilised tribes, such as the aboriginal inhabitants
of Africa, -Australia, and America, we find
numerous religious creeds, most of them vague
and ill-defined, perhaps, in our estimation, but
firmly rooted, and exercising generally an irre-
sistible influence over the minds of the untutored
children Of the desert, the bush, and the prairie.
_Each boasts of Raving been vouchsafed some
special revelation of the will of a Supreme Being,
and rejoices in the ministrations of some living
exponents of that will, who are deemed to be
more or less qualified to communicate with and
to propitiate or to incense the deity. The his-
tories of these manifold varieties of religion, and
religious worship and polity, have been all alike
chequered by the appearance, from time to time,
of innovators upon their more ancient ortho-
doxies, claiming popular credence to some new
view of a generally accepted dogma, or putting
forth personal claims to more recent inspiration
entirely subversive of the established order of
things. The religious struggles ensuing between
sect and sect,—the holy contests of one system
with another,—the pious rivalry of antagonistic
prophets—and the muscular polemics in which
their several followers have indulged,—involving
great and little wars with all their terrible
calamities and more permanent changes,—consti-
tute the great bulk of the past history of
the human race. The progress of knowledge and
civilisation, however, has developed, in some happy
spots of the earth, the sacred principle of univer-
sal toleration. The evils of intolerence have
been abundantly demonstrated ; and the know-
ledge of this great truth is the most valued and
valuable inheritance of the present generation.
Its full and practical recognition is our greatest
happiness ; and its solemn inculcation on the
minds of all who have not learned to understand
aad appreciate it, is our privilege and duty as a
nation and as individuals. England is the home
of freedom, and her national Church is a model
to the world of unwavering faithfulness th her
holy mission, combined with perfect toleration of
opinion beyond, and, to the utmost allowable
extent, even within, her pale. This is one great
secret of her strength, a necessary.-condition to
her existence in the hearts and affections of the
people, and the bond which insures the perpetua-
tion and extension of those blessings which she
daily confers on the nation and on the world.
Our faith in the principle of toleration is often,
however, severely tried. We cannot behold the
mischievous excesses and eccentricities of - certain
traffickers in religious feelings with indifference,
or without the desire to correct the evil ; and
our zeal for truth and justice some-
times apt to outrun our discretion, and
tempt us to acts of intolerance. The public are
now awaiting the decision of Vice-Chancellor
STUART in a case which bears closely upon this
subject. The facts of the celebrated AGAPEMONE
case, now before the Court, are simply these
a maiden lady, aged forty-four, was induced,
some twelve yearsJAss INinpceß,tcoE, a sum of nearlytransfer, into the
name of HENRY JAMES
six thousand pounds, invested in the stocks ; she
died about a couple of years ago, and her executor
now seeks to recover that sum from PRINCE,
on the ground that the transference had been
procured by the exercise, on his part, of "undue
influence," when she was under his " spiritual
ascendancy, and in a state of religious delusion
with respect to him." PRINCE declares himself
to be a servant of the Lord." Originally a
clergyman, but latterly the outcast of two
bishoprics, he became the founder of a " new
and final dispensation," the "opener of a
new and final covenant," and the proprietor,
in fee simple, of an elegant and comfortable
establishment
in Somersetshire, called the AGA-
PEMONE, or ABODE OF LOVE, where " the day of
grace" is concluded, and " the day of judgment "
is introduced,—the " dispensation of the Spirit "
is closed,—the " last covenant with flesh " entered,
into, and the best of board and lodging, with all
the luxuries and conveniences of a 'wintry resi-
dence, provided for the "Brothers" and "Sisters',
who from time to time might be led to fall under
" the dispensation," and give up their worldly
goods to the servant of the LORD." The sister

LATEST NEWS.

(BY BRITISH AND IRISH MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.)

FRANCE.

PARIS, June 13.

The Moniteur of this morning announces that
the Senate has unanimously adopted the Senatus
Consulate relative to the annexation of Savoy
and Nice. The French laws and constitution
will come into operation on the Ist JanuarY,
1861. To-morrow the Bourse will be closed.
M. De Martino, who is expected to arrive here
to-day, will meet the Emperor at Fontaine-
bleau. Lord Cowley, the Chevalier Nigra, and
Prince Metternich, will also be there.

PARIS, June la.

The Conimander De Martino arrived the day
before yesterday in Paris, and has been received
in private audience by the Emperor at Fon-
tainebleau.

THE FRENCH FUNDS.

PARIS, June 13.

3 20 p.m,—The Bourse opened firm and
animated, with an upWard tendency, which was,
however, not maintained, on account of the
weather. Rentes closed at 68f. 55c., or the same
as yesterday.

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, June 13.

The Prince Regent, accompanied by his cham-
berlain and military suite, will leave at half past
six p.m. for Baden. The King of Hanover arrived
here this morning, and had an interview of
several hours duration with the Prince Regent.
The King returns this evening to HanOVer.

NAPLES.

MALTA (via Marseilles), June 9.

It is said that the English fleet, commanded by
Admiral Martin, will leave Malta to-day for
Besika Bay.
The Portafoglio announces that several English
men-of-war have been sent to Naples.
NAPLES, June 12.

It is officically stated that two steamers,
having on board troops and ammunition, have
been captured by Neapolitan ships of war.
Naples continues tranquil.