The Express.
London, England, 1852-09-24 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 24, 1852.

NONCONFORMIST CLUB IN LONDON.

A highly respectable meeting of the Evangelical
Nonconformists was held at the Royal Hotel, Manchester,
on Wednesday, to consider a proposition, originated in
London, for establishing a club•house there. It is proposed
to establish a society there, to be called the Milton Hall
and Club; capital 60,0001., to be raised upon 1,000 deben-
tures of 604. each, bearing interest at 4 per cent. • and of
this amount, it is understood that one-fifth, or 10,0001., had
already been subscribed in the metropolis itself. The com-
pany invited to the Manchester meeting assembled, in the
first instance, at breakfast, and included Mr. James Side-
bottom (of the firm of Messrs. Kershaw, Lees, and Side-
bottom), manufacturers, who presided; Mr. Thorn's
Barnes, M.P., for Bolton; Mr. Forster, of Saint's' ; the
Rev. Dr. Vaughan, the Rev. Dr. Halley, Mr. James
Watts, and Mr. Councillor Simpson. A deputation from
the committee formed in London, was present, including
Mr. Benjamin 14nothby, Berjeant's-inn, Temple ; Mr. C. J.
Forcer, LL.D., Lincoln'e-inn, and Professor of Jurispru-
dence to the London University; Mr. Henry Bateman, of
Sun-street, Dishopegate ; and Mr. John Bennett, 14,
King's-road, Bedford-row, secretary. Several gentlemen
addressed the meeting, expressing a strong belief that there
was a great want of such a club in the metropolis, as a
means of preventing division in the various branches of
the Nonconformist body, and of uniting them in more har-
monious action ; for strengthening their cause and increas-
ing their influence ; and for promoting among themselves a
more intimate, social, and friendly intercourse. It was in
fact to be a recognised place of resort for all who hold evan-
gelical principles with Nonconformist principles. It is con-
templated, ultimately, to convert the debeatures into free-
hold nut-charges on the building, giving to each holder the
benefit of a clear 40.. freehold, conferring a vote for Mid-
dlesex; and no responsibility is to attach to debenture
holders or club members beyond the amount of their shares
or subscriptions. The dab is not to be Baited as to mem-
bers, except by the aeomemodation the balldhig will aimed
(assumed at 1,500)1 minisima by ballot-tea birds ban la
20 to exclude, but we ballet Se be valid wbese 40 imembese
have not voted ; Lomita entrance fee, 6 guineas • sad sea.
anal eubeeripties 3 guinem ; and countay Itee
=gad sum
pious. The club-house is Is
Wine WU and drawing-room, a Libra,'
with wows sad room, rooms for private parties,
sennelttees, and a eepertory for all that may be necessary or
tensed to the nossemformist body, with arrangements for
'enacting stadsliat suriosted with nonconformity, and Its
position mai apasallaa is Christendom, and relations to
government anal air satablahed church, with records of
relrgio societies, gurliamentary information, commercial
and mercautilo ialbemation, &c., besides a hall for public
meetings, capable d persons, eating 1,500 and a room un-
derneathit for 800 persons. The objects
establishment as gm detailed appeared to meet with much
approhatiews sae tits meeting before its close increased the
shares by _balsam UAL
s,
and 3,0001. Meetings are to be
held in Leeds, Liverpool, and all the large towns of the
kingdom, and no doubt is entertained, from its favourable
reception so far that the object will be easily accomplished.