The Express.
London, England, 1863-06-12 00:00:00

WEST CONNAUGHT CHURCH ENDOWMENT

SOCIBT Y.

A public meeting in aid of this society was held
yesterday at the Hanover-square Rooms ; the Earl of
Halutoirrir presiding, the Archbishops of Canterbury
and Armagh, the Bishop of Winchester, Canon Wordsworth,
&r R. Peal, M.P., Mews. Whiteside, M.P., Long, M.P.,
end Hr. Henry Hoare being also puma
The Archbishop of ARMAGH moved—" That considering
the pure and ecriptand faith of the primitive church of
Ireland, and the subsequent compulsory introduction of the
influence and errors of Hops, as well as the hindrances
pissed in the progress of the Reformation by
some to whom Ireland looked for help and
support, this meeting is of opinion that the
Irish branch of the united church has strong claims upon the
sympathy and assistance of British Christians in the efforts
she ia making to spread and deepen the institutions of true
religion amongst the people of Ireland." The moat reverend
primate gave a most learned and interesting account of the
religious history of Ireland, from the first establishment of
Christianity there, pointing out that the Irish church, like
the English, or gi y sprang from the Eastern, and not the
Western church, that for nearly a thousand piers it WM
entirely independent of Rome, and that the teaching of Si.
Patrick, Ireland's apostle, was as much opposed to
that of Rome and as far from Romish superstitions
as was the protestant ohm ch of the present day.
Ireland was first brought under the infltienai of the Paul
system by England in 1172; and by penal 'nutmeats against
the use of the Irish language in official proceedings, and
against the printing of the Scriptures in the Irish language,
it was England who had been mainly instrumental in ex-
cluding from the sister country the blessings of the Refor-
mation. After speaking of the happy efforts of missionary
exertions in West Connaught he appealed to the meeting
for contributions, in order to endow existing new churches,
and to extend the blessings which bad been received with
so much gratitude by the Irish people wherever thou
churches had been pleated.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY seconded the motion.
He expressed his satisfaction at observing the progress of
the cew reformation now in operation in the western part
of Ireland, and remarked that for four centuries, during
the early history of the church, not only in Ireland but in
England also, it was independent of Rome, and was entirely
free from its errors and superstitious. It was due to England
that the corruptioos of Rome were first introduced into
Ireland, and consequently the duty was the mote pressing
upon this country to promote such a course as the society
W" carrying out.
Canoe woaDeworra likewise spoke in support of the
resolution, stating that he looked upon the present meeting
as a pledge of the union between the English and Irish
branches of the established church, which was months' to
the permanent interests of both countries ; and respecting
the allegations made in some quarters that the church of
Ireland was au obtrusive and innovating body, he held that
as England in the days of Henry IL had Romacised
Ireland, she wu bound to do all in her power to evangelise
Ireland.

Theresolution bevies been agreed to,
The Bishop of WINCHESTER moved " That, considering
the great importers°, mf securing permanent provision for
resident clergymen to minister in the newly-formed congre-
gations in Western Connaught, and the onions difficulties in
the way of increasing such provision from loon! resources
. . . .

within 's° extremely poor a district, this meeting wishes to
support the appeal for an endowment fund, which the Bishop
of Tuam has sanctioned, and which Mr. Garrett has been re-
quested to conduct throughout England." He spoke of the
great success of the Irish church minions, the number of
new churches built, new clergymen appointed, stations and
schools opened, and converts made, as forming an irresistible
claim upon the people of this country to male some provision
for their permanent endowment. As a strong proof of the
progress of the movement he quoted a passage from the
Roman catholic paper, the Tablet, to the effect that not oily
had proselytism extended in Town, in Omaha', and in
Armagh, but bad began to extend in Dublin itself.
Mr. WHITEILDZ, M.P., seconded the reeolution,: which
was carried.
Sir It. Parc moved a vote of thanks to the London com-
mittee. and to the Earl of Ilan owby, as a member tof it,
for presiding that day. The right boo. gentleman bore tes-
timony to the happy results observable is the improved
moral and social condition of the Irish people wherever pro-
testantism prevailed, sad expreeried a hearty concurrence in
the object of the meeting.
The motion wu seconded by Mr. Los°, M.P., and the
proceedioga terminated.