The Express.
London, England, 1859-09-16 00:00:00

MWIKG 4T .11q!NBURBEI. 4OAflf3T THE

4.-iii il F7Y-1517

A public meeting was held at Edinburgh an Wed-
s's:lay melds( "to consider resolutions expressive of
disapprobstioa of the went promedinp of the established
clergy of Edinburgh in enforcing payment of their infamous
annuity tax." Toe meeting was crowded to excess by a
highly remeeiable audience, and hundreds had to bum
unable to obtain admission to the body of the lull. Oa the
*Vona were, among other her.
Be,. Dr. Andrew
Thornton, Rev. Dr. Crawford, her. William Reid, Rev. Dr.
Croons, Rev. R. 8. Drummond. Mr. Jam,* Miller, Council-
lors Ford end Boyd, Mr. J. S. Stott, end Mr. William Dia.
can,
. .

At the Joor of the ba'l a placard wu bung, ow which ware
the following words :—" Found In Bt. Andrew's-atm; on
tbe 7th curt.. a pair of bracelets. litipposed to belong to the
swab/lobed awry of Zellabergb. If the owner &ell apply
Wide they shall be retuned to him."
Mr. J.-Matas, St. Aadnw•atreet, waa called to the

Tit; CZATIMAN stated that motes of apology had been re-
ceived from the Lad Provost, who had been expected to take
the chair, from Mr. Charles Cowan, Mr. Baxter, M.P.. Mr.
Tait, of Priorbank ; Mr. Dooms M'Lartn. ex-Bailie Fyfe,
the Ilev. Dr. Brown, Dalkelth ; the Rev. Dr. Robson.
Oliugow • and the Rev. Dr. Johnston, Edinburgh—al of
whom expressed their thorough sympathy with the objects
of the meeting, and their desire to do everything Is their
power to obtain the abolition of the annuity tax. (Chews.)
The chairman proceeded to my that the meeting had been
convened in consequence of the unfortunate proosedlngs that
had been est en foot by the agents of the established church,
la order to enforce compliant's with a tax which the majority
of the Inhabitants' area a majority of than connected with
the established church itself, entitely disapproved of.
Re hooped that the I torts now to be made would toad to
strengthen the bands of Mr. Black, so that they might obtain
the total, and he would say Immediate, abolition of this most
obnoxious Mx. (Cheers.)
The Rev. Dr. A. *raceme, he movies the first 1111101*-
dote, said—Churchmen may depend upon It, that every month
that eolith:oats the annuity tax shot; ohs the existence of
established churches, and Is loosing the great bold which
they already have upon the gees,. IMPS of the Scottish people.
(Applause, end • fey faint hien.) But, whatever may
lie duns by those who cling to this and similar Imposts
with • tenacity at if the stalllity of our religion
depended us It, for one, in the nom of Christiaayy,
repudiete the thought of all such deptadenos The
history of &Wand- within the last fifteen yews has
pp or that the church he. within the beans of her
Being people 'sough to maintain her stability without bar-
teen away ter freedom ; that she is strong In the mesuire
weekeees of her great financisl law ; that the sword is a
weapon which she does sot need, and wh'eb she disowns.
=et ohoorinaThe rev. doctor conoloded by moo ieg the
That the imposition at taxes for
whisked's] purpose Is beyond the rightful province of the
eivfl nagletrate,end all te imposto are • grimes encroach-
ment on the rights of cossionto end hied freedom ; sad
that the easaity tax, bounden bist unjustlable on three
fategresade, le peculiarly and oppressive in
sZi smdos, end should be Inseadimely and completely
abcys•

We. T.B. Mtutrit meconded tits rooolutlon.
Yr. Jolts boasts.. advocate, moved the seeded meals-
ties : "That the conduct of the sotabilahed away of the
dty of Edinburgh-1u opposing off the piano which have mos
Oen propceed foe the at °lidos oe mitigation of do tea, ens
io perraliting their sgeuta and dated to enforce paymtst by
the end aad haisnotto WM of handcuffs and kuhrou ate by

fr."-
gamely alaasibid tha peace of the community.
Mr. JO= CLIO weeded the nisolatlcat, wield was
maid rill hod don.
The Bev. W. REID moved the third reaolutlan, whir*
was as follows That this meeting desires to express its
earnest synepashy with Mr. Brown. now imprisoned In gaol
for anapay meet of ties ton, and wi• other victims who have
recently medal lajuy at It
their Made