The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-11-06 00:00:00

THE LIBERATION SOCIETY,

The executive committee of the Liberation Society
have issued a circular to their supporters describing
the general character of their proposed operations
during the approaching season. Mr. Dillwyn's motion
for disestablishing the Church of England in Wales is
to be renewed, and the fact that at the late election
every Welsh Liberal returned was in its favour is re-
ferred to as indicating the strength of the movement
in its support. The opinion is also expressed that the
discontent of the Welsh agriculturists at the present
mode of levying tithe, and also at its present appro-
priation, will hasten the adoption of a disestablish-
ment policy. It is announced that a union of three
existing disestablishment organisations in Scotland has
been effected, by the formation of a "Disestablish-
meat Council for Scotrand," and a new agitation
in support of Dr Cameron's motion will be forth-
with commenced.
Of the promised legislation relative to tithes and
glebe lands, the committee say: "These questions in-
volve some difficulties, and admit of diversity of
opinion. They will, therefore, lead to lengthened
and serious discussion, and the society's committee
will be called upon to circulate information and to
exert their influence in favour of legislation based on
equitable principles, and likely to prove beneficial to
the entire community."
Of probable measures of Church reform it is said:
"These will require to be carefully scrutinised and
watched, not for the purpose of factious opposition,
but to prevent any infringement of the principle on
which a national establishment of religion must neces-
sarily rest. The discussion of all such proposals will
afford to the society invaluable opportunities for ex-
posing the injurious results which are inseparable
from the regulation of Church affairs by Parliament,
and for deepening the conviction, already extensively
prevailing among Episcopalians, that in self-govern-
ment will be found the only remedy for existing evils,
and that that is unattainable except as a result of dis-
establishment."
Under the Lead of " Disestablishment and political
parties," the committee express the opinion that,
" under existing circumstances, it is the duty of the
society to press the disestablishment question, as one
of practical politics, without regard to the interests of
political parties. Some of the reasons for holding it
in abeyance can no longer be urged; and the way is
now clear for insisting that disestablishment should
be included amongst the legislative changes which are
essential to national progress, and which should be
effected at the earliest practicable period. To that end
it is important that the movement should be conducted
on broad and neional and not on sectarian grounds.
The society's friends should also steadily exert them-
selves to influence the educational and electoral
operations of local and other political organizations,
as well as do their utmost to secure the choice of
candidates who will endeavour to advance the principle
of religious equality in Parliament."
The circular further states that to carry into effect
these and other plans it is essential that the society's
local organizations should be strengthened and
multiplied, and that its pecuniary resources should be
considerably increased.