The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-24 00:00:00

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE DISSENTING

This annual conference was held yesterday, at
Guildhall Coffee-house. The chair was taken at two o'clock,
by Mr. J. R. Minns.
The report of the committee for the past year, which was
read by the SLCRITARY, commenced by congratulating the
meeting on being convened under circumstances unusually
favourable to religions liberty. Until recently, it said,
there were but few members of parliament who advocated
the voluntary principle; but there had lately been an ac-
cession to their numbers which could not fail to prove'
highly beneficial. Reference was then made to a proposal
by Mr. Trelawney its parliament to substitute pew rents for
church rates. In consequence of Mr. Trilawney's retire-
, meet, a deputation waited upon Sir W. Clay, to request
him to take up the question. It met with a favourable
reception, and Sir William promised to introduce the
subject in the Ilona. of Commons during the present
session. Attempts were made to induce the late govern-
meat to assent to • measure the object of which was to
I enable dissenting ministers to later in the parish burying-
ground without the interference of the clergyman o the
church. A bill to secure the object was proposed in the
House of Commons, but was ultimately rejected by a minis-
terial majority. The London Necropolis Bill was opposed last
session on the ground that the fees provided for clergymen
were excessive. On the Charitable Trusts Bill being again
introduced, it was discovered that dissenting chapels were
not clearly excluded from its operation. The Attorney-
General on being consulted declared that there was no
ground for such an apprehension ; but this explanation was
not considered satisfactory, and the bill was finally with-
drawn. A petition had been presented to both houses of
parliament, praying fur the repeal of the Maynooth act of
1845. The regiun &num bad been opposed as inimical to
the true interests of dissenters, and a marriage bill was
about to be introduced, which bad for its object equali-
cationion of the fees paid to clergymen and dissenting ministers.
Regret was then expressed at the resignation of the chair-
man, Mr. Mills, in consequence of the pressure of other
engagements, and it was announced that Mr. Pete M.P.,
had consented to succeed him, and that Mr. A. Fellatt,
M.P., had agreed to act as deputyvice-president in conjunc-
, lion with Mr. rewires*.

Mr. Deputy Powraoss doe-chairman, in moving the
adoption of the report, expressed his satisfaction at the pre-
sent position of the dissenting interest, and the prospects
opened up to it 111 parliament.
Mr. B. HANBURY presented the balance-sheet for the
year; from which it appeared that the receipts amounted to
3911. 145., and the expenses to 2631. 16s. 64., leaving a ba-
lance of 1271. 17s. 4d.
Mr. B. Moithnv seconded the motion for the adoption of
the report, and urged the meeting to make renewed efforts
to strengthen the position of dissenter, in parliament and
the country. He anticipated great advantages front the
introduction of so many dissenters into the House of
Commons.

Oneoriwo deputies complained of the filling up of the
vacancy of the chairmanship on the authority of the com-
mittee.

Ths CIIAIZNAN defended the come which had been
pursued. He had resigned chiefly from a desire that the
chairman might be a member of parliament, and he
believed that great benefit would accrue from the appoint.
meat of Mr. Pew.
The report was adopted unanimously.
Resolutions appointing Mr. Paw,M.P., chairman, and
Mr. A. Pellatt, M.P., deputy-chairman, in accordance
with the recommendations in the report, were agreed to
unanimously.
A proposal was then made te petition t against
the Maynooth grant, whisk led Oa a disavowsis to the
precise form of words to be adopted. On the auggestien of
the chairmen words were introduced decLaraWq of an in-
tention to offer, as opportunity night arise, slmkler opposi-
tion to all religious endowments ; and, with this alteration,
the petition was agreed to.
Another petition was adopted having reference to the
amendment of the marriage laws.
Thanks were voted to the chairman, the deputy-chair-
man, and the late committee; and a new committee was
appointed for the ensuing year.
This terminated the proceedings.