The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-09 00:00:00

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LOADON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.
The Anniversary Meeting of this Society, instituted for the
obosbnient of Schools, and the circulation of the Holy Scrip_
noes in Ireland, was held yesterday at the Freemasons'Tavern,
00, Queen-street, Liocolu'a lan- fields.
Ae an early hour the spacious Hall was crowded, chiefly with
aganoy dressed females, and on the platform, set apart for the
orjeees and the Committee, we distinguished the Earl of Gos-
jsj, the Earl of 'tacks-moire, Lord !safest', Lord Gambier, Sir
lion. E. Stanley, M.P., Right Honourable Sir
Rase, Six T. Bering, Honourable C. Shore, Honourable B.
trod, the SHY. Dr. Trench, Mr. Smin Rice M.P., the Rev. Mr.
visig.aod many Irish Gentleman of distinction.
rpm the motion of the Earl of Goseoito, In the absence of the
pan,/ Gioucester, the Patron of the Society, the Right Honour.
dy Lind GAxulEa was called to the Chair.
flit LORDSHIP opened the busiseas of the day by expressing
h, regret at the absence of the Illustrious Patron of the Society,
oiee regret was still greater when be considered who it was that
04 seen called upon to attempt $ till up the office, which his
goal Highness would have Wed SO much better and more ad-
posgroasly. The Chairman them referred to a letter which had
bps received from the Right Hommosble Lord Bexley, expressing
pi regret that his attendance at ae Astoieersary Society Meeting,
!hue could met hapegagemeal, proeunied him from having the setts.
onion of atte=owesent ifinardngiof the London Hibernian
OcietY• _ the Choisman Wily adverted to the objects
ogopeatittes eft thedeelety. Vs said it was a universally-ad.
siopi bolo abli alma of the Irish people was degraded in
ody mil modal in spiritual information. !teas the endea-
nesr d skis eashay-to raise the Irish from this derailed state ; and
defeat* sesseeNdldent that much might be done by the applies.
somedi,, which, if received in a becoming spirit, would ,
',wee delt biels laws all evils, supply their wants, and raise them
for Ana PAM medltion. The remedy to 'which he alluded
aorrdill (hear) • which was calculated to enlighten the
Mods of the igassont. and to teach them those things which it is
NOM they shoaddl know. It was his fervent prayer that the
omit= cl the limisty might be attended with beneficial effects.
IYs enpury Irmo road the Annual Report of the Society's
enrations, table lilt mast favourably received.
The Report having been resd—
fiord LILT ORD MO* move the first Resolution. Having peo-
pled this Resolution, he should have considered that his duty
sae discharged, but that from transactions which occurred during
oe last year he felt himself personally identified with the cause of
tat Society. At the last anniversary meeting he had pledged him.
self to stand forward in the spirit of peace as the champion of the
Society. Since then a systematic opposition had been offered to the
Society's operations, and he (Lord Lilfonl) now felt himself bound
segued forward and redeem his pledge, by the re-assertion of those
l eo:sill:les upon which the Society are successfully acting. The
Hibernian Society had no peculiar tenets, no favourite
doctrines to promulgate. It desired the co-operation of all to
(stem' to the Irish people the full benefit of that which was the
only foundation of divine truth, the aired word of God. The
osiety bad met with difficulties. There were difficulties without
and within. There were difficulties in Ireland which he should
other forget than remember. though it was not always easy to pre-
serve patience as opposition increased, uor to practise that charity
witch we teach. let it was neceosary. not only that the principles
of the Society should be laudable, and its established practice
pod, but even that the language of its friends should be mode-
rate. Wherever violence or intemperance may have been used,
that was no the place for it. This was not the place for remind-
rsion or religious controversy ; "'TA he prayed those who should
'suet him to bear in mind, that the stream of our charity ought
to to be corrupted by such an infusion.
the Rev. J. W. Co Nif INOHam (Vicar of 'farrow) seconded
the first Resolution. He could only account for being called
tool to tale a part in the business of the day, because he resided
is a district remote from the scenes of contest in which the Society
vat involved, and was therefore expected to deliver his sentiments
dispassionately, and with some degree of impartiality. Ireland
vac admitted on all hands to be in a most anomalous condition.
It waa on the borders of civilization without being civilized—it
we in the centre of political light without being irradiated—and
a came in contact with the purest form of religien, without par.
taking of its spirit. The evils which oppressed the Sister Island
Wild loudly for the interference of the people of England. Yet it
had been said, "Let Ireland alone—let this agitated ship float
spon the stormy ocean, and it will right itself." Nothing could be
MOH preposterous. If the mass was inert, it might be allowed to
=tin untouched.but whilst it was impregnated with its own vicious
principles it must be attended to: we may le; alone the silent lake
not the rapid river. But it was said that political enactments
wield be found sufficient to regenerate Ireland ; but every man of
niectien must see that Acts of Parliament could not touch the core
ef the disease which affected Ireland. There was another plan
f reform laid down : it was said we must educate the people of
lte and : give them lectures in mechanics and elecricity, and weights
cad measures. ' This was the way, in the opinion of some
mons, in which we might regenerate the people of Ireland.
Al..er some further observations, the Reverend Gentleman pro.
railed as follows'—Divine Providence has now presented us with
re exact specific for the calamities of Ireland. She lies before us
Ike the miserable sinner dying on the road-side, and when the
Almighty places 11l our hand, that medium which can restore her
a health, and cause her to rise up a useful, active, and vigorous
ember, 'hell we refrain from administering it. (Hear, hear.)
101 l on you as men—as men of feeling—to rescue Ireland (ruin
hr miens—poor, _prostrate, and miserable Ireland. (Great
/*use.) My Lord, if there were wanting an additional motive
tr our exertion, it is that this country has been in part the cause
of Ireland's wretched situation ; as men of conscience therefore
out bound to assist her, and seek to wipe out from our national
cunt er that blot which centuries of misgovemn • it have left
):hind. To effect this, you are merely called on for a paltry sub-
itiption. Arm us then with your xubecription, and with jay sill
it go forth to rescue Ireland from her thraldom. (Applauss.,—
Lord Gosroan proposed the second Resolution. It was a vote
thanks to his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, whose
peonage the Society lout beneficially and extensively experienced.
II was unnecessary to enlarge upon the peculiar claims of his thace
ta their gratitude, as they all felt that to his support and encourage-
r-eat their success was mainly attributable. His Lordship me-
taled by moving that the cordial and respectful thanks of the
Sating be presented to his Royal Higneas the Duke of Olouces-
le, Earl of Connaught, for his very effective patronage of this In.
*aim.
The lion. C. SHORE, in sect g this Resolution, was glad of
the opp ertunity it presented to him of stating his attachment to the
menet; principles of this Institution. It was an extravagant or
eethurastic attachment he entertained towards it, but his calm and
deliberate reflection convinced hint of its many and useful advan-
tages Charges the moat unfounded had been made against the
Sonety. These charges, lie was glad to find from the Report, had
been vi hshd vn or altogether abandoned. Ile should notice one.
horeve-, which had been still preferred against it—it was that of
pas:iytisen. The only persons against whom that charge was pre-
ferred were not regular members of the Society, but it egular
agent., who wandered about the country and attached themselves
*it: and even in these instances it was alleged that the Roman
Catholics tempted and provoked them to the discussions. But it
was proposed to make the Roman Catholics readers of the Scrip.
bah which office they refused to accept. It they did so, they
might have an opportunity of inculcating their own doctrine, and
be would be glad to see the Protestant and the Catholic feaster placed
ride, and thus carry, as it were. a two-edged sword into the widest
wastes of ignorance and the strongest holds of superstition. (A p-
*toe) lie was satisfied that the result of a general reading of
'he Sroptur a would be to effect s reformation in the religion of the
▪ ,ple of I e and, and to induce them to become members of that
fa th shies he professed. ( applause, and slight laughter.) lie
perceived th some Roman Catholics were present, but they ought
roi,ott his for stating his conscientious opinions thus boldly,
dna it he were, by any unworthy compromise, to conceal it.
Rise, Mir.) Ile concluded by assuring the fleeting that, if again
appoist,d a member of their Commi:tee, he should earnestly con-
: .rat to discharge his duty to the Society.
Tbe lion. ST L E, 51. P. in proposing the third Resolution,
congratulated the Society on their successful exertions during the
rK year. lie was induced to pledge himself to the support of this
! sooty, from a consideration of the tuslancholy and degrades! ig-
afflance of the •oeople of Inland, and from a conviction that the
Sacred Scripture was the best book to enlighten them. He saw in
tie formation of this Society, a light breaking in upon that oohs's-
py country—he saw it gradually advance and increase as it ad-
vanced in brilliancy—a brilliancy that shone brighter by a contrast
with the darkness that had preceded it. (Applause.) Amid the
Political jars and dissensions of Ireland, ft was well to encourage
the circulation of a book which taught charity, which encouraged
ten to love one another, which made no distinctions, and the pre-
cepts of which were preached by " the Shepherd" who knew but
" one tick." (Hear, hear). In the furiherance of this great
object they ought to keep out of view all prejudice and passion, and
allies: arising from differences of opinion. As he who aimed at a
oak, calc.dating the force of the air and the other resistances he
aid to encounter, was obliged to elevate his aim above die level of
the object, so it was nelessary for them, in the great moral object at
which they aimed, to raise themselves above the passions that sur-
round, d them, and even the passions that might actuate themselves
one they not resolved to client themselves of them. They should
bear in nind the admirable instruction of the Divine Master whose
tnpel they ought to disseminate, and whose beautiful lesson in the
la•Tisge of the poet it would become them to adopt.--
" He who reigns within himself and rules
passions, desires, and fears, is more a king,
Which every wise and virtuous man attains,
And who attains but all aspires to rule,
Cities of men or headstrong multitudes,
Subjects himself to anarchy within
Or lawless passion in him which he serves ;
But to guide nations In the way of truth
By sawing doctrine, and from error lead
To know, and knowing God aright
Is yet more kingly ; this attracts the soul,
lioYeellS time inner man—the nobler part."
lAnalaase). Such were the feelings by which they should be
dtd in the proomotion of the great design they had in view.
It
,ertTer widely others may differ from them, yet were they bound
Vend them with forbearance and kindness. He (Mr. S.) was
"P"ed to admit the Roman Catholics to the privileges of the
Constitution viola they sought ; but there admission would not
roe twregerjeraepteo people of Ireland ; for he could not admit,
tro' Istiiacd espediency was a stronger motive of action than tell-
boat na h• (Neat, hear). Ile was happy to be able to inform
arc '4l by a letter which he had only received that morning
V" "lima, that much of the opposition that had been given by
,Itotilalt Catholics to the Society had cessed—his correspondent
tt''''‘ nisi he bill only egerience of oppoollitan iq tWO ifoltances