The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-22 00:00:00

THE REV. A. FLETCHER.

Yesterday the congregatio7l7l7es's-lane Chapel. Canon-street,
met by summons front the Committee, or Presbytery, for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the conduct of the Her. A.
Fletcher, as regards his breach of promise of nmrrMage to Miss
Dick.
The Meeting was 211ITTO,Itil for 11 o'clock, but before that hour
a number of persons had assembled ; and, as might be expected,
from the nature of the business, by far the greater proportion of
them were females; some anxious tor the establishment of the po-
rity of the Minister, but more, evidently collected through that all-
powerful motive of female action--curiosity. At first the galleries
were rot opened, but the ladies came in so fast, that the Ehlers of
the congregation directed them alone to be accommodated with seats
in the gallerits.
At a quarter before twelve o'clock the Rev. Dr. WAI:031 eraered
the desk, to preside as Moderator of the Meeting. lie said it was
not recensary to point out to theni the propriety of preserving the
strictest order. He ought not to suppose, that among them, there
would be any improper conduct on such an occasion, when the
Church must be supported and protected. lie was glad to find
the regulation that the female friends had been properly accom-
modated. at,d all would hear and see better by keeping their seats.
One of the Elders then directed all those that were standing to
take seats, which was done accordingly.
Dr. WAUGH then delivered a attitarle and appropriate prayer for
the occasion of their trertiriT.
Mr. 11NOADF007 ruse, but spoke so low that no one could hear
him.
An old gentleman exclaimed—" Speak out."
An Elder sac d, the Court was under the protection of the Lord
Mayor, and there were peace-otneers in attenaaaee to take any dis-
turber:into custody.
Mr. JONES wished all to hear.
The Elders said that was also their wish—they did not intend to
do any iniog in a corner.
Considerable disturbance here took place in getting some new
comers seated. After order Fad been Tenured, the minutes of the
11131. Meeting of Presbytery were read. They principally related
to the refractory conduct of Mr. Fletcher, in continuing to elliciate
after being suspended by the Synod..
Mr. HAT, of iiinross, wished to bear the eorrenpontience which
the Moderator had held with Mr. Fletcher. These consisted of an
intimation of the rens:lotions of the Synod and Presbytery, couched
in the mildest and most charitable manner towards the unfortunate
brother. de boring it to be their wish to give him an oNiortunity of
recovering his exalted station In the Church, which he had held
until temptation shook him, and requesting a meeting before the
; Presbytery for that purpose. Mr. Fletcher'anusswer declined the
' interview, as he was about to publish an account of his correspond-
mice with' Miss Dick. Another letter front Dr. Waugh re-urged a
meeting. and Mr. Fletcher's answer declined all intercourse with
men. who, under the name of religion, were guilty of the most un-
christian-like conduct, and reqaesung to be left to his studies and
meditations.
Dr. Warrant descended from the desk, and said he did not be-
litre Mr. Fletcher capable of aoreaaing arty reports respecting his
interference in the matter. which were at variance with tnith. His
ear had been assailed with calumnies against Mr. F., but he had
kept his mind unprejudiced and unbiassed, knowing that lie might
be called opal to be a judge tin /le occasion. lint when the sett-
tence of the Synod came he bowed down to it, from a conviction of
its truth and tustice. lie would, however, lay down his hoary
head under Mr. Fletcher's' feet, if he would but listen to him, and
take measures to runner his elevated and useful station in the
church and in nocitay. Mr. Fletcher had said be would go to the
Synod to reverse his sentence, but he knew he dared not. How-
ere; he would go and knock at the door fur him, even if his old
amt should drop off. The atmosphere was polluted with foul as-
sertions, not one of which he believed; but to the decision of the
Synod, come to by three or four leandred learned and upright men,
he bowed down his head in silence, satisfied of its
Mr. KIDSTON said he would make no reflections on the letters
that bad been read, but proceeded to deserilse the endeavours they
made to enforce the award of the associated Synod.
Mr. Law contended that the charges against Mr. Fletcher were
such as authorised them in referring them to the Synod. It had been
stated in the newspapers that he had gone to take possession of
Albion Chapel as 31imster. lie did not do so, but merely in obe-
dience to the Synod. He had pretty strong nerves, but he could
tell the people of Albion Chapel that he would rather turn his
hick on them than meet them. (A laugh.) lie denied that the
Srnod had any intention of publishing Mr. F.'s correspondence.
The newspapers bad left out the most important transactions—
namely, the conduct a the Synod and Presbytery. He had come
to London with a good character, and be had no doubt he should
retire from it with as good an one. He understood that .Ir.
Fletcher had said they were once like Jonathan and David. That,
was true. There was a time when he entertained friend.m‘•:o and
'love towards Mr. Fletcher, but painful circumstances had made
him alter his opinion. He had had nothing but trouble and vex,
ation in the business—but in reviewing his cos.duct he could see
no one point that he could wish to alter, were the same line to be
pursued an.
31r. BRgOaiAEOPOOT said, that taking all the conduct of Mr.
Fletcher into consideration, they would feel it ahnolutely necessary
to depose him from the ministry. Through the whole of the busi-
ness he (Mr. Broadfoot) had gone on his knees in secret, when no
eye but ...is Maker saw him. and poured forth his soul, praying that
the Lord would be graciously pleased to bring back Mr. Fletcher to
his senses, and return hint to the ministry. (Cries of " shame"
and Manes.)
Mr. HAT rose to order, saying that there were peace officers in
every part of the chapel. to take any disturber into custody,
(Cries of " turn him out."—Hut after an ineffectual struggle the
person pointed at was not turned out.)
The Gentleman contended that he had a right to express his
opinion. whether censure or approbation.
Mr. HAY replied, that the civil and ecclesiastical law gave
them power to command silence, and they knew- what they were
about. . _ .

Mr. BROADEOOT resume]. lie said, that writ the Lord in
his infinite mercy should return 111 r. Fletcher to a sense of his
duty to the Presbytery, they should consider him as excluded from
their body, and till the senteote against him should be reversed—
(Great uproar.)
lilt..i'uxes hoped, that though they would exclude the minister
of Albion Chapel from their body, that they would nut exclude the
people. (Continued confusion and uproar.)
Mr. 13110AOFOOT.-1 wish to know, Mr. Moderator, who that
gentleman is ?--(llissea, and hear, hear.)
Dr. WAliGll.—Why should I ask him that when I know who
he is ?—(Laughter.)
Mr. ISNOADEOOT.—Hs holds a paper in his band, which be
intends to present.
Dr. WAVOH.—WIio art thou, Friend?
Mr. JONES—M) name, Sir, is John Jones—l have been •
member of Albion Chapel for several years, and I preset this
memorial against the proceedings here, and the sentence of the Sy-
nod on Mr. Fletcher.—(Applause and uproar.)
RIOADFOOT-1 suppose that--(Loud hisses, and cries of
" hear him," " hear Mr. Jones.")
Mt. BCOADEOOI*---1 know 31y. Jones very well.—(lauglatey.)
I have been received by him with very great urbanity at Albion
Chapel.—(Much disorder.)
Mr. JONES-1 beseech all company to hear every gentleman
fairly, and to act with proper decorum.
Mr. BIOADFOOT then stated, that he and several others went
with the order of suspension from the Synod, to Albion Chapel,
but that they were refused admittance into the church unless they
were armed by the civil power.
Mr. Joins said, that what Mr. Broadfoot said was right in sub-
stance, hut not as to the precise facts.
Mr. BIIOEOEOOI then said, that if Mr. Jones would allow that
the people of Albion Chapel had acted wmng--(loud cries of !
an ! and much confusion)—he had a right to present his petition.
He certainly had a right to attend here.—(Much applause.)
Mr. Jowza said, the people of this Chapel and Albion Chapel
were Cousin.germans. But if the congregation interkred with
the rights of those of Albion Chapel, there must Ce a bar opposed
to them.
Mr. Haoanrocre—Well, then, there must be a bar here against
those of Albion Chapel.
Mr. Jones—four rising up now is certainly a bat against my
being heard. But I thought that in a public place a worship
there would be liberty of conscience allowed, more especially on an
occasion of this kind.
Dr. Wa.cox linked Mr. Jones, whether he came there in the
name of the congregation of Albion Chapel, to make a declaration
of their submission to the Associate Synod, in the case of their
dear Minister? If so, they would hear him.
Mr. JONES said, he would speak the truth; but really they
wese setting • trap or man-trap for him.—(Loud laughter.)--He
must say that he bad no authority from his Chapel to make any
such declaration.
Mr. BitorinrooT said, Mr. Jones had spoken like a Christian,
and told the truth. He now wished his answer to be recorded.
(60,11 e confusion.) Put out that man with the blue neckcloth.
Tee man said—You shall not turn me out—l defy you. lam
a member of Albion Chapel. (Great tumults)
Mr. B no/mour —But we shall let you see whether this chapel
or the Albion is the strongest.
The answer being written down and read, Mr. Jones asked what
they would now do ?
lily. llnnanroor said the thing WWI plain; till the congregation
of Albion Chapel returned to their duty, they must he considered
es excluded from the Presbytery.
Mr. JONES contended, that it was hard to shut him oat from de.
fending himself when his conduct and character had been tual.tned.
surely, when a lady had been heard the other day they ought to
hear hint.
Mr. KIDSTOze said, they ought to have time to eenelder of their
proceedings, and to endeavour to bring Mr. Fletcher to • sense of
his duty, and when he came to that they would receive hint with
open arms. Mr. Fletcher had been steipended by a very full
Synod. and.after the most mature deliberation. True it was, that
since the Apostles' days ill synods might err, but it was Mr. F.'s
duty to comply with its decision until he could show by evidence
that he was right, which he felt and knew to be impossible. The
congregation of Albion Chapel ball net been suspended, but they
might suspend themselves by continuing their connexion with a
minister who was under sentence of suspension by his Synod.
Mr. Juices appealed to the Moderator as to the right to be
heard. . .

Mr. HAY again spoke to order. Mr. Jones evidently felt the
force of whit he (Mr. H.) had before said, that he had no swiel.
ing there until he admitted the authority of the Synod. Mr. Fletcher
was still minister of Albion Chapel, but was uuder censure until
tke next meeting of the Avioeiate Synod. Ile bad be,:i tried by
Hod and his country. (Cries of nu, no.) lie had beet, tried by
Lien, tbegratat pt of whom Dever saw hill, and could hare

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