The Express.
London, England, 1847-10-22 00:00:00

BRITISH ANTI-STATE CHURCH SOCIETY.

A meeting of this associ►tion was held at the Lon-
don Tavern, last evening, Dr. Thomas Price in the chair.
About 1,000 persons were present.
The CHAIRMAN commenced the proceedings by stating
that the association had been refused the use of Exeter Hall,
because it was said that it was not a fit society to meet there,
(A laugh ) Since they had last a‘sembled events had
occurred which had greatly advanced the objects of the asso-
ciation, the public mind having been directed to them,
and public opinion having been freely expressed on the sub-
ject of the union of the church sod state. The chairman
proceeded to c,mdenin the government plan of education as a
sort of junior establishment. Good, however, bad arisen out
of evil, for men had been compelled to think on those princi-
ples which lie at the basis of religious liberty, and thousands
of minds were now sympathising with the nonconformist
movement who otherwise could not have done so.

Rev. J. Be itstErr moved the first resolution:
That in the judgment of this meeting every compulsory method of
sustaining or extending religious Institutions involves a departure
from the precise of the primitive Christian churches, and an obvious
violation of the genius of the Gospel ; and that In seeking, by peaceful
and moral mean*, the removal of every such institution within these
realms from a compulsory to * voluntary basis, the Itritieb Anti State
Church Awociation aim, at an object worthy the sympathy and sap-
port of all who are interested in the welfare of their country and the
advancement of religion.
The speaker commenced, by contending that the compul-
sory support of religion was incompatible with the spirit of
the Gospel. Our Saviour said, " Sly kingdom is not of this
world." The Apostles did not even carry out the voluntary
principle to its legitimate extent ; for the apostle Paul said
he would rather work with his own hands than become bur-
thensome to the church. (Elear,* hear.) But it would be
said, that if the New Testament did not support compulsion
the Old did. It was true the Old Testament introduced
tithes and the support of a priesthood; but then it was on
the voluntary principle—there was no appointment of a
tithe-gatherer. The voluntary principle alone was laid down
in the New Testament ; and therefore the religion which
professed to be founded on it must be voluntary. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. SCOBLE seconded the resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted.
Col. Tsosaraos, M.P., moved the next resolution, which
was as knows :

Is embed that, owing to a variety of anew
rest asano, ansoW Me nonironisent of which may be mentioned
the seadeglieel Wasnwet several measures submitted to cake lbw
Mire geeing the lest witement, and the ',matron tars susses.
krsdat Sestets st the late wand eketioe, the eoyt see le
wiesmilestroction on newestica °funkiest
awl this meeting therefore rejoice. in the emseemee Mot the esesulhe
sessultlee of the British Anti-State Monk Asedattha nes adds,
steps for diffusing through the connsualty sound news ca
tnL meat importantaableet.
The hon. gentleman congratulated the nonconformists
on the triumph of their principles in so many instances at
the last election, and ably advocated the principles of re.
'igloos equality.
Rev. H. HINTON, in seconding the resolution, said it was
the intention of the association to take every means within
their power for diffusing correct views on the subject of the
union of the church and state. For this purpose they would
require ample funds, which ho trusted would sot be with•
held by those who felt the unholy nature of the alliance.
The nonconformists had made their influence felt of late ;
and it only wanted two or three more such doses to be ad-
ministered in larger quantities to produce the desired effect
on the House of Commons. (Cheers.) If the tories had not
come to the help of Lord John Russell, the nonconformists
would have ousted him at the last election for the City of
London, and the rapid program of public sentiments on the
question of the dissolution of the union of church and state
would render it very unsafe for his lordship, with his present
opinions, to offer himself again for the City. (Hear, hear.)
The addition of three new bishops would quicken the views
of the public on these matters, and the supporters of a state
church would find their opponents doubled by the next elec-
tion. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said that nine deputations were about, in
the course of the winter, to visit Yorkshire, Lanceshire,lNot-
tinghamshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire,
Somersetahire, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.
(Cheers.) Mr. Miall and Mr. Burnett would visit the seve-
ral towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire next week. (Re-
newed cheers.) Upon the question of funds he need not
state that great pecuniary aid would be nee:nary to carry
out the views of the anociation, and he begged Is mint:
a gentleman had just offered to be one of fifty to ea
501. each, or even one of one hundred to contribute 1001.
each for the object, of the society. (Cheers.)
The resolution was then put and carried tinesintowly.'
Mr. J. 11. T ttirrr, of Norwich, in a powered space,
moved the third resolution, as follows :
That to the tallest extent which the cewititettes of the samti, was
MEM of, it le Emirates to immolate with eeriest news et Ws and
ether meadow the noessisa of political power ; est SY fasting
therethre aseuselly resemind the supporters et aullghwe avadtty to
Mthods he the mat great deithrel =MAI, a 'artful
reimmits el mime la ever, pert et tho Weitorn,
mid bY nentedeill Fuskellthelli wine the ••=el the
emir framable ey the et*, tortysiWeg
Mr. E. Mum., reeenilthe the reesielise, sell be
thought tho dissenters bedding well at the Int cease' new
tioe ; but If they bad Item better "ug to tie think "
they would have done auteh Meth The ler or
small Wage, hemmer, was tit to be bashed : was
something le ben mob • bot : sal do
morel influents produced ea the tWitbed
by the fact of their having at length taken their Wad
on right principles, would be incalculable. He verily be-
limed that two more parliaments, lasting the& sutural term,
would be sufficient for carrying the AMID lithe association.
(Hear, hear.) The subject had Oben • deep slid il
hold oonpopular qmpathile—etheSPlll Isms ethisslel
rightly—and the time would sew Noe what the at
this country would bear the thraldom of • MON so
longer. (Cheers.) The establishment was deommi.elaideg
could save it. (Loud cheers.) The reason, the essassa
sense the feeling of justice—the religion of the 19th century,
all declared in the face of heaven that it was a ass.
sinus wrong, and should not be. (Cheers.) The thies
would and must be done; and it was theirduty, as Christians,
to see that it be done in the spirit of the gospel. (Hear.)
As a money question it would interest the whole community,
for the revenues of the church were now from ten to eleven
millions a year, and such a sum, if applied to civil pi
instead of keeping up a sort of ecclegastical mill" :4
police throughout the country, would enable the Chancellor
of the Exchequer to relieve the people from an immense
amount of taxation. (" Hear," and laughter.) The speaker
made some further observations on the religious view of the
question, and concluded by seconding the resolution.
After an attempt to move an amendment by a Mr. HILL,
which the Chairman said he could not receive, as it was ine.
levant, the resolution was carried unanimously.
Tanks w -o' ;en voted to the chairmen, which having
been aclmow:.dgea, tue Westing eapasa»...

TAMAR SILVER LEAD MINING COMPANT.—The
annual general meeting of the shareholders in this eompany
was held yesterday at the offices in Finsbury-equare. P. N.
Johnson, Esq., in the chair. It appeared from the report that
the accounts passed at the last general meeting showed •
balance against the company of 8721. 18s. 4d. The present
accounts, however, exhibited a balance in the company's
favour of 8961. 4s. 2d., thus showing that a clear profit was
made during the last 12 months of 1,7701. The report went
on to state that a dividend might be declared at present, but
it was thought more advisable, looking to the permanent in-
terests of the company, to suspend • dividend till a future
period, and that the prospects of the company were cheering
and propitious. The expenditure for the year amounted to
10,3811. 16s. 2d., the receipts to 21,1601. 178.13 d. The re-
ports of Capt. Bpelg and Capt. Johnson were read, showing
the progress of the -works. The Chairman stated 1,240 tons
15 cwt. of ore had been smelted, producing 896 tons 2 cwt.
of lead and 61,447 ounces of silver. The report and
accounts were received and adopted after a short &amnion.
A vote of thanks was paned to the chairman and directors,
after which the meeting separated.