The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-04 00:00:00

LIBERATION SOCIETY.

lasting, which is not based on the withdrawal of state
aid from all religious bodies in Ireland." He argued at
considerable length that the Irish church had been always
the cause of disaffection, which had expressed itself in the
various secret societies and cons Incite which bad arisen
in Ireland at various times, and was now showing itself in
Fenianism. He condemned the proposal of taking the
funds of the state church in Ireland and using them for
the endowment of all religions. The voluntary principle
was but another name for true religion, which was power-
ful engh to make its own way by its own inherent force.
He urged the withdrawal of the Regium Donum, adding
that when the question was put to a presbyterian clergy-
man who was • recipient of the donum, he said, if the
question were between endowing all or endowing none,
he would go with the society.
Mr. C. BRED seconded the resolution, remarking upon
the decreasing population of Ireland, arising from emigra-
tion, in answer to the late Sir R. Peel's argument, that
the church funds of the Irish established church ought to
be retained, in order to make provision for the probable
future expansion of numbers. lie believed if it was pro-
posed to share the money, neither the presbyterians, the
Roman catholic*, nor the denominationaries, would
accept it.
The motion was carried.
The Rev. C. 11. SPURGEON moved the concluding resolu-
tion, via :
" That, believing it to be, at the present time, the duty
of the friends of voluntaryism to advocate their principles
with increased earnestness among all classes of the com-
munity, this meeting warmly approves of the recent mea-
sures of the executive committee having in view that
object, and rejoices that augmented pecuniar7 resources
will enable them energetically to prosecute this important
department of the society's operations."
This was seconded by the Rev. MARK WILES and
' adopted.
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the pro-
oeedings.

The society, established in 1844, for the Liberia-
neligion from State Patronage and Control, held its
boo
wieweary meeting on Wednesday at Hanover-square-
; ILL W. EDWARDS, the treasurer, presiding.
Two was a preliminary meeting of the oounoil of the
'• held in the morning at Radley's Hotel, also under
shipowidency of )Ir. EDWARDS, at which the executive
•ttee presented a report elaborately reviewing the
wilitie operations during the year, which were described
sowing probably been more important than those of any
pprssips period. The society's electoral policy was reported
to lee been most successful, as was proved by the
ceiess of events in parliament. The Qualification for
ogees Bill and the Parliamentary Oath Bill would this
mean become law. The decided majorities for the
(nod Tests Bill, and the Fellows of Colgge's
peat/anon Bill, proved that the principle; of religious
equality were making great progress. The majority for the
Church-rate Bill, and the probable abandonment of com-
resey taxation for religious purposes, were referred to in
gagritulatory terms. The recent debate on the Irish
droll was commented on, and the idea of endowing all
seep in Ireland strongly deprecated. The society had
boa unusually active in connexion with lectures and pub-
boons, and was about to extend both those departments
dill work. It had been greatly strengthened by the pro-
pos' to raise a special fund, of which 13,0001. had been
peered. The income exceeded by 3,000/. that of last
ntr, and the treasurer had a balance of 1,61.110. in hand.
the report closed with expressions of faith and hopefulness
fa regard to the ultimate accomplishment of the society's
object. The reception of the report, which was received
with much enthusiasm, was followed by the adoption of
!solutions referring to the various topics on which it
touched, special attention being given to the supposed in-
tentions of the government having in view the settlement
of the church rate question.
At the evening meeting there were present upon the
platform besides the chairman, Mr. H. E. Crum-Ewing,
Vele, Mr. T. Barnes, H.P., Mr. C. Reel, Mr. Carvell
Williams, Mr. Maclaren, M.P., Messrs. H. O. Ball,
E Miall, Lee, Profeseor Newth, E. S. Robinson, Revs.
C. H. Spurgeon, Mark Wilke, Dr. King, J. Pillans, J.
Harcourt, 1). Wilson, H. Richanl, kc.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, repeated the
information contained in the report of the executive com-
mittee presented in the morning. He congratulatol the
meeting on the increased numbers in the present House of
Commons who sympathised more or leas with the objects
Duringof the society. the parliamentary
recess the
attention of the committee had been directed to a further
woof the press and the platform, and a scheme had been
anima, which in due time would be made public, with
Rat view. They had arranged for increasing the numbers
and imprwing the character of the society's publications,
sad for issuing publications for the young, so as to acquaint
the rising generation with the objects and purposes of the
witty—in this respect following the example of the &d-
-ecease§ of an established church. Lecturer had been mi-
med whose ettorta hail been successful in awakening
Public attention to the principles which the society advo-
eateJ, and in other ways the efforts of the so-
ciety had been very successful during the past year.
The income of the past year Ind been 7,6001.
Three years ago what was called a reaction took place in
the Rouse of Commons on the church-rate
rev question, and
Sir John Trelawny's bill, which bad in pious sessio
been carried, was thrown out on the second reelding. This
onion the question was again introduced, an although
Sir John Trelawny and Sir C. Douglas bad not been
returned to the present House of Commons, it was taken
up with great ability by Mr. Hardcastle, who had in years
guns by seconded Sir J. Trelawny in a committee on the
church rate questien, and the discussion, the division, and
the result fully justified the committee in again pressing
forwent the subject. (Cheers.) The Chancellor of the
Exchequer had intimated an intention of inking it up—
(hear, sear)—on the part of the government, giving up the
principle of compulsory payment for church rates, end to
viable episcopidiens to subscribe for the support of their
own churches. But whether it was Mr. Gladstone's bill,
or Yr. lianlcistle's bill, it must do away altogether-
with the magistrate, the constable, arid the summons
in ceenexion with the support of the church. (Cheers.)
Turning to other matters, snowing the progress of the prin-
ciples advocated by the society, he referred to the par-
liamentary proceedings on Mr. Coleridge's bill in regard to
Oxford University, and which, if carried, would do away
with the existing tests, and open the government of the
university, the appointments, and the right of voting for
members for that university, to nonconformists. Then there
was Mr. Bouverie's bill for opening the fellowships of
the colleges to nonconformists. The bill for removing the
oath qualification on taking municipal office, which had
been curie! by Mr. Hadfield in the Hume of Commons in
seven separate sessions, had been rejected five or six times
by the House of Lords, and wire now introduced in the
House of Lords ; and again the Oaths Bill, which would
clear away any gn ievance the Roman catholice might
yet feel. The present position of these several
measures showed the progress of public opinion in the
direction at which the society arrived. And in regard to
Scotland notice had been given in the House of COIIIIIIOIII
for a conunittte um the working of the annuity tax, which
was a tax on the cititens of Edinburgh for the support of
the clergy of 3 certain number of them only—and he
trusted the result would be to bring the church establish-
ment as it existed in Scotland before the legislature.
to Ireland, the established church in that country had
been brought under discussion on Sir John Gray's motion,
sad tint discussiou was still pending. The probability
had ben suggested of the legislature giving some assistance
from the state resources to the dissenters for religious
purposes. Any such projersal he hoped would always
meet with the decided opposition of all who
adopted the views of the Liberation Society. If they
tamed to the coloilies they would find public
opinion there far in advance of this country upon these
questions, and had practically proved that religion could
be carol for without the patronage of the state. (Cheers.)
And even on the continent the principles which the society
bad taken up were not altogether lost sight of, and one of
the society's minder; publications would relate to the his-
tory of the state church on the continent, and another
would bring before them the state of such matters abroad.
Everywhere the principles of the society stood in a more
favourable position than at any fernier periorL Not that
he had ever lied eny doubt of the ultimate success of those
principles, which hard in their favour the authority of the
liible, where they were to!d that the church of the Living
Gal was to be entirely separated from the power, the
favour, sad the ennavol of nian. Those principles must
triumph ultimately. and the time was not far distant
when they might hope to realise the objects
they had in new. But it waA the duty of
the society to prejere such a :-tate of public
opinion that would enable them to take advantage of every
ciram.stance and every opportunity ;is it arose teuding to
the solution of the •iniestion. They must adopt political
means to accomplish their object, simple, because the esta-
blished church had been made a political church. He com-
batted the notion that tic church would go down if sepa-
rated from the state, aildiee, that he had faith in the vo-
bantary priuciple as applied to episcopacy to the same
extent as when applied to :he other denominations.
The Rey. J. G. ltontats, of Clapham, moved the first re-
liolution :—" That this meeting rejoices at the advance of
public opinion in the direction of the objects aimed at by
the society, as evidenced by the results of the recent
general election ; by the passing of the Parliamentary
Oath and Qualification for Offices Bill ; by the present
position of the church rate question, and by the willing-
teas evinced, in the universities and in parliament, to
abandon sectarian tests in national educational institu-
tions. That in these and other facts the meeting finds
reefs of the value nif the society's past operations, and
mcentives to new and more vigorous efforts on its behalf."
The rev, speaker, in: an eloquent address, urged that they
should insist upon the total repeal of church rates, and
pointed out the progress of the liberation principle by a
reference to the perlianientary proceedings of the present
session, and to an article which appeared a few days back
in the Times, in which the writer declared that all
educated men had a right to demand perfect religious
equality.
Mr. Carl-Ewree, M.P. for Paisley, seconded the reso-
lution. To the principle of the society, which he under-
stool to be that of supporting the principles of the gospel
by voluntary aid, be gave his entire adhesion. He spoke
d the prevalence of the voluntary principle in Scotland.
where two-things of the people paid their own clergymen
aed supported their own churches by voluntary contribu-
tmus• Be condemned church rates, and had always since
he lead been in parliament voted against the tests which
excluded conscientious dineenters from fellowships in the
universities ; he also condemned the law which forbade
cilia:inters the use of the church burying grounds unless
the church service was read over the person buried.
But the greeted grievance was the church of Ire-
land. an institution established against the wishes of the
people, end maintained ia spite of them. It was an ano-
maly different from the church of any country in the
world, and had been the source of all the evil and all the
iSseontent that existed in that country. The church of
Ireland was st badge of conquest, and was alien to the
feelings of the emit majority of the Irish people. He re-
commended, as the true solution of the difficulty, the with-
trawal not only of state patronage, but of the church reve-
nues, leaving the reformed religion free to make its way,
as it would 410, in Ireland.
Mr. HAMNER, M.P. (Bolton) supported the resolution, ex-
pressing his firm adherence to the principles of the society
:Wiling that equality in regard to persons belonging to
4 religious opinion or :mother should be as perfect as it
between persons who had faith in homeopathy and
those who behe' ved in allopathy. The progress of the prin-
!apes of the society was evidenced by the manner in which
ladstone's proposal for a settlement of the question
had been received in the House of Commons. The efforts
Of tips society were not directed against the church—its
object was to liberate religion altogether from state influ-
ence and controL
The resolution was carried unanimously.
. Dr. ICING moved—" That the meeting recognizes
wits pleasure the growth of a conviction that the establish-
?ifeltft,!,f the church of England in Ireland is a grievous wrong
inhabitantsra..tiono of that country, and demands the serious
phis meeting,
parliament_ ; and that, in the judgment of
IW, WallauTe slangs will be satisfactory, or

THE . EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 4, 1866.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS.

The will of the late General the Right Hon.
Ulysses de Burgh, Lord Baron Downes, G.C.8., K.T.S.,
K.A.S., of Bert House, Kildare, was proved in the London
Court on the 20th ult., and probate granted to his
daughter, Anne, Countess of Clonmel, wife of the Earl of
Clonmel, one of the executors ; power being renerved
to his son-in-law, Lord Seaton, the other ex-
ecutor—a probate having been first granted to
them in Ireland. His lordship had sat in the
House of Commonsfor Carlow and Queenaborough between
1818 and 1830, and was in 1831 elected a representative
peer. The will is dated May 14, 1863, and his lordship
died at the age of 75. He has bequeathed to his grandson,
the Hon. Thomas Charles Scott, an estate in Ardristan ;
and to his grandson, John Lord Earlefort, an estate at
Elmgrove. To his daughter, the Countess of Clonmel,
he leaves some landed estates in Durham ; and to his son-
in-law, Lord Seaton, he bequeaths all his estates in
Kildare ; and appoints his said daughter and son-in-law
joint residuary legatees.
The will of the Right lion. Lady Maria Theresa Lewis,
of Kent House, Knightsbridge, relict of the Right Hon.
Sir George Cornwall Lewis, Bast, was proved, in the
London Court, by the executors—viz., her brother-in-law,
the Rev. E. H. Cradock, D.D. ; and her son, Thomas Vil-
liers Lister, Esq. The personalty was sworn under 40,0001.
Her ladyship was the daughter of the Hon. George Villiers,
and widow of T. H. Lister, Req., and married, in 1844,
the late Sir George C. Lewis Bart. Her ladyship died
Nov. 9, 1865, at the age of 62, having executed her will
Aug. 11, 1863, by which, after leaving legacies to ser-
vants and an annuity to the person who was formerly
the nurse to her children, and making some other minor
arrangements, bequeaths the lease of Kent House and all
the rest of her property between her son, Thomas
Villiers Lister, and her daughter, Alice Beatrice, in equal
portions.
The will of Sir George Joseph Palmer, Bart. of Wanlip
Hall, Leicester, was proved in London by his son, Sir
Archdale Robert Palmer, Bart., and George Anderson,
Esq.,of Walton-on-Thamea,the jointexecutors and trustees.
The personalty was sworn under 14,0001. Sir George was
the eldest son of Sir Charles T. Hudson, Bart. (who as-
sumed the name of Palmer), and Harriet, the daughter of
the late Sir William Pepperell, Bart. Sir George was
Deputy-Lieutenant for the county of Leicester and
High Sheriff in 1840. His will bears date Feb. 7, 1861,
and he died Feb. 22, 1866, at the age of fifty-
five. He bequeaths to his wife, Lady Palmer, his carriages,
horses, wines, and consumable stores and farming stock
absolutely. The plate, linen, books, pictures, and house-
hold furniture he leaves to her ladyship to enjoy the use
of whilst she occupies Wanlip Hall as the ordinary place
of residence of herself and his children, and afterwards
they will devolve to the son or heir entitled in possession
to the said mansion and estate, and bequeaths the residue
of his personal estate to his wife for her life, and upon her
decease to his eldest son.
The wills of the undermentioned persons have been
recently proved :—Major General Thomas Charretie under
12,0001. personalty. Captain Thomas A. Burrower,
25,0001. James D. Denegre, of New Orleans and Brussels,
60,0001. personalty in England. Robert Hobson, Esq., of
Leamington Priors, 100,000!. Henry Rogers, Esq. of
Stagenhoe Park, Walden, 140,0001. Mr. Greenwell, draper,loo,oool.—lllustrated London Nears.