The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-07-21 00:00:00

EPISCOPAL FLOATING CHAPEL SOCIETY.

A public meeting, to constitute a Society for dispensing Religious
Instruction to Seamen, according to the principles and discipline
of the Church of England, was held yesterday at the City of London
Tavern, Bishopgateaareet.
The meeting, in consequence of the extreme heat of the weather,
was by no means numerously attended.
At half-past two o'clock, the eash was taken by the Right lion.
the Lord Mayor.
Ills LORDSHIP observed, that having been requested to take the
Clair on the present occasion he lad complied with that request,
because he was aware of the great importance of the subject.
livery individual in this country must be convinced that a greater
desire, a more general thirst tor knowledge was daily spreading
over the world, and it became therefore the duty of all who was
able so to do. not only to prevent any opposition to improvement.
but to contribute to the utmost of their power to extend it. He did',
not feel it necessary to enter latgely into the subject before the meet-'
ing. because it was impopible for any person to look back upon
littwerry and not perceive how much this country was indebted to its
navy, which had done so much under most trying circumstances,
and had been for so many years the grand bulwarks of our safety.
More especially were we, who live in a land whose principal de-
pendence is upon commerce, bound to administer to the spiritual
and the temporal wants of our seamen, and to hint it was matter of
surprise that the feeling on the subject, which now appeared to be
so genera _l, was not long since called into action. All who knew

a best s. ,be set in array, in opposition to your anonymous - . - --- ---- --- -- -- -••••-•.- - En •and. -
informer, t. , upon it. thee the attention of all good men will be any thing of mikes hear their eharseter to be a livt•ly and unite- lend.-
strongly stunted by this extraordinary awe, that their hest flectingone, and many must have witnessed the state in which they The lion. Capt. WAI.I3I:OIIAVE, in seconding the Resolution,
spnpathies will be roused, and that their decision between the have been often placed when their vessels have been paid off, and observed, as he was a naval officer he could not be expected to be
venally of the accuser and the merits of the accused will he nt. they have been dwelling for a time among strangers. Fortunately the a speaker. for his whole life had been ere of action and not of
speech. Ile could add his testimony to that of the Gallant Atlnii.
timately and completely just. Thns far I have expodulated with time was come when that class, whieh Kati' been of so teach
psi, Sir, upon your charges against a prelate, who, having sunk benefit to the country, whose battles they had fought, and for ral as to tile' effect produced upon the conduct of seamen by religi-
into the grave, cannot defend himself, and who has been sum. whom tbey had endured innumbered perils, were no longer to re. nits instruction.
mead by his Maker to that tribunal, where his guilt or his ice main without that splines] help they so much needed ; tor to give Z. alacaticry, E. impreesed upon the 'Meeting the necessity
exitance cannot be unknown. them this help was the object of the present Meeting. It should of forming ample funds for the support of the Society, as by that
" When such a tale, .Y.ir, as yours, is told to the Protestant and be recollected, that persons residing on land were always enabled to memo only could it retain the power di appointing Chaplain. to the,
Catholic Chun-h.—when it is pointed against such a man as attend divine worship at their various parish churches, but with Chapel. He then moved the nomination of the Vice-1 reeidenta,:
Bistro, liabirax.—when it has been three times produced Cy sailors the case was different ; it was seldom or never that such an Treasurer,
such a writer as Dt. Milner when it is inserted io e. work. upon advantage was enjoyed by them, and they were therefore often pre. E. J. LOCILER, Esq. in secoodine the Resolution, observed,
which you stem to have employed the whole strength of your vented by delicacy from intruding theuiselves into churchee to that he had never known any elves so anxious to receive religious
vigorous and wellecultivated mind,—when, if suffered to pals with- which they did not belong. The object of the Meeting then was, instruction is the seamen and marines.
out raftltati" it may expose the memory of a learned English to try how far they could establish throughout the kingdom Float. J. POYNOr lii Esq. moved the next Resolution to the effect thee i
Prelate to infamy among Romanies for cowardice, among Pewees- leg Chapels, where the sailors might have service twice Ailey, ac- rewards should be given to well-conducted see apprentices, also
Gale fora poetacy, and among both for ouptieity,—when that in- cording to the forms of thc Established Church. He was happy te that tracts should be distributed, and a library kept by the I maitu-
Corny, by the wide circulation of a book recommended by YOU( say, that to attain this object, the assistance of the Government had tins in each chapel. He qttoted the observation of Dr. Johnson,:
naino, may extend too fign countries, and continue through dis- been vety largely promised ; so far, that it had agreed to supply that "no man would live in a ship who had wit enough to live in f
teat esneratione,—when your statement may lead to consequences for the principal ports the Floating Chapels, and to be at the whole a gaol, for in the one there was worse food and worse company'
S 3 &Bebe to a widow and other surviving relatives, and so alarm. I expense of fitting them up firi divine worship. But it was fleece. than in the other, and the chance of being drowned into the bar-
lac to every enlightened and conscientious member of the Church leery that the public should do something to assist the great cause. gain." Atthough he did not agree in this sentiment, he thought,
of fngand; awful lathed, Sir, must be your responsibility unto , lithe Government were to have the nomination of Chaplains to from the peculiarity of the situation, that sailors were entitled to
G ti
a A unto man for the truth of your deliberate and reiterated ' thole Chapels., there would be many who would regard such a considerable sympathy.
a ertions." power with a jellnus eye. Therefore the Government said. " aVe The Rev. W. licausost seconded the Resolution, and stated
The pamphlet next proceeds to enforce upon the con- give you chapels, bin you must look to the public, and to this me- that he a himself witnessed the beneficial effects of the Floating
science of D . tropolis especielle, for funds to support your Chaplains, who shall Chapel hailDblin.
Dr. Milner the biotin:len duty of examming then bea iaalb let themhofthe k;
ppo nt y you, only e Clergymen
striedy and communicating (Idly his authority for belies.-idi ...1
I ta...shi., Church, and let their appointment be sanctioned by their lution, lie felt it necessary to trouble the meeting with a few words.
Mg and publishing that &soot. H eI4FAX died a Catholic.' various dioceses. A Now, Lord near him could, he bed no doubt, The most prominent in this Institution was the immense serviallel
The writer calls upon him to declare whose authority it is enter more into detail, as it regarded the Institution, of which he would render to seamen ; and he was glad, therefore, that it ilaktil
diet Warrants him id telling a'Proteltant p
ie theta Pro-
now hailed the dawn, as one that was auspicious to the country % under the patronage of the Established Church. Ile bore testimony
and he felt •nced that the suppport of th p lit won Id he to the Christian zeal of Mr. Martin, when he formed the plan of
convince) e u ic.
testate &Apr, and i distinguished advocate of Protestant- with it, those chapels. Objections might be made against the Institution,
ism, "when lie found himself upon his death bed, refused Lord BEZLEY rase to move the first Resolution. Though he but objections would be raised against every thing that was good.
die proffered ministry of the Primate, expressing a great had had the honour of addressing his Lordship, aro' his Lordship's He felt consisted that the Institution would produce the most
wish to die a Cathodic; mid that being urged to satisfy his predecessors. on many occasions, he had never dune so upon any beneficial effects. Ile concluded by moving the thanks of the,
conscience, he exclaimed, ' What thin will become of en.. subject of greater public interest, or that called for more zealous meeting to Viscount Melville.
Y support from the Christian. community of this great city. It' any \V. J. Mosey, Esq. M.P. seconded the Resolution.
Italy and of my children 9"' thing called for gratitude from England. It was the services of her Lord CALTHORPIC then proposed, and the Rev. Mr. WIIISTIIII
the Interest of this subject at this particular crisis, and salines, Wiln, with unshaken perseverance, and firm resolution to seconded, the motion of thanks to the Lord Mayor, for his efficient
the considerable share of public attention *hid) it has endure hardships and tatigue, had for so long a series of years been conduct in the Chair.
dvierveilly excited, induced us, notwithstanding the space the safety and the glory of the country. It was greatly to be von. The hones MAYOR briefly returned thanks, and declared the
which we already assigned to it, to subjoin the followinn, deed at, that a elms of persons so useful and so numerous, shoat; great satisfaction he felt in baring been Able to give a weak but
5 have been so long, on some essential points, neglected ; that while lielping hand to so good a work.
letter from the Appendix : the Government were continually endesrouring to add to their WT. At five o'clock the meeting repented.,
Copy af g Lena to the Rev. IL Milner, D.D. F.A.S. ffie. from tea poral comforts, their moral state should Knee been left, until of late .s‘; -nEt-7 ..
Reverendd B. F. Halifax. years, altogether unnoticed. Balmily, that period tat passed by, wee arc authorised to contradict" iliC statement of the
Batchcott, near Ludlow. Fib. S. lira. and as in England, when the public feeling was excited to do good, death of p.l ti....,,,......
niv.,Sis.—As address from a stranger certainly remiires some means were never wanting to carry it into effect, this day had . ”,.11'• "r`""'• We understand that his tar r'' '
apology. sad I beg the indulgence of Dr. lifilar, under an imam. laid the foundation of a system which would make British seamen IS in excellent health, aces 'Villa in the Isle of It
lion that them is no irooroftriety in eenridering him as die author of for ages to come bless the exertions of that meeting. It was report of his Lordship's death war invent on Tu
a work entitled," The End of Religious Controversy," for this In- known that already several floating chapels were placed in our the IVest end of the town, and the servants at bpe.._
%fusion upon Ws Dale from the eon of the lira Mellor lIAL air ax. different ports, ana that they had produced the most benefietal re. II haddo
ousecough to in answering inquiries again the
to
the
A few weeks have passed since a relation called my attention to stilts upon the lives and conduct of seamen. The meeting was now h ect. His Lordship bad lately returned from a visi
a Note to the abore.named publication, at p. 77. I profess myself, called upon to assimilate ouch places of public worship as nearly as euj
before the pentad r f his Letter, t 3 hive been ignorant of the eeist. possible to parochial churches. For many years endeavours had Lord Althorp at Northampton, and on Sunday evening
Irlee of the work itself, which I was unable to procure till the even. been made to bring this subject under the notice of the Govern- left his town residence to join his family at the lair of
big of Monday, the 7th instant. Ido not ptetend to a general mint, and many gentlemen aroma him could bear him out 'Wight.
knowledge of the contents of the volume, it is sufficient that I ape. In the assertion, that his Majesty's Government had always Thethe Duke of
remains of
city the palazge to which allusion is made, wherein, after the given an attentive car to all such applicatiot.s, although some nbjec-
15°Ied on Monday morning from his house in St. James s-
words, " Some Bishops of the Established Church, fur instance, tions had belt matte to its consideration, on the ground that '
Goodman, and Cheyney, of Gloucester, and Gordon, of Glasgow.;" It was Altai** an established practice. Such objections, however, square, for interment in the family vault in Lincolnshire. 1
it is added, " probably also King, of London, and Halifax, of St. were now all removed, and there was no abatable whatever in the Q
..WITZEJIL•N D.—The Swiss Diet
was open. ed on the iith
Aeaph. died Cs holies." way. The plan had been tried, and had succeeded. In the port of July, at Lucerne, ' the usual form. The r •
in e pm irninshy
flay I era, with due respect ,nn what grounds this probabirlty of Dublin, when the Archbishop had licensed a dusting chapel,
taint. se fair as the last named Prelate is concerned 1 I know rot the beneticial ninths to the seamen exceeded expeciaturo, and speech of the President stated that there was nothing to'
whether the >rote appears in this form for the first time, in the fifth almost belief. 'netted of idle loungers, who used to throng the excite any uneasy feelings respecting the alste of the con
edition Of your work, namely, that printed in 11121, but it certainly quays of that cite, they had become constant attendants on divine try, if all time Members fulfilled their duties, and pu
trver earns so my knowledge before, that such an opinion had been worship in that floating chapel. It had been the duty of the Go- the principles the beet calculated to preseeye and to cones-
Vim to the world tinder your authority. l can solemnly declare, venomint to confer upon this subject with t4e Archbishop of Canter- ydate the most vaivahle Iportion of their prosperity. ,In
I Sever beard 4:4 it from any other source. Such, however, being bury and the Bishop of London, in order to give to the seamen of '
the oaf, I hope it is no presumption in roe to suppose you cannot the British metropolis the advantages enjoyed by their fellow_ the subsequent discussions relative to the internal concerns
have any objection to a public contradiction of that pan in the countrymen of Dublin 4 and he was happy to say that the plan of Switzerland, it was urgently recommdwied, that no en.
Note, p. 77, where my father's name occurs, when you are informed had their entire approbation. In another Port—the Port of Li- gagements might be made with Foreign POWLTS Co t Jrni4s
that Nose who were present at hie lest moments still survive; who verpool—under the sanction of the Bishop of Chester. a chapel a ^reater quantity of soldiers than Switzerland itself can
also bed been constantly attending him during the lam stages of of this description had been firmed. Thus in two of the chief °poly :by end fora larger because,
. number, they
that grievons complaint under which lie lied so lung laboured. ports of Great Britain the system had began to be acted su• • - •
Frown them I Nye every assurance thit no expression escaped the upon. and die religious and moral improvement of seamen are obliged to receive foreigners into the companies to he
Bishop's lips, from which it could be Inferred or roppoeed any I had been commenced. It had been frequently observed., and raised, who, when the time of their eery tee Ie expired, yy_
wiarige had taken place in his mind with respect to the Clitith of Ihe believed it was r true observation, that men who were in the turn into the country, where they settle, having lost their
England, in wh:esi he filled so die•ingiliehed a situation. and to ' Itatift of *immuring death. grew nowt indifferent or callous towards civil rights at home, by entering forein ierviee without
which I conceive his published works afford ample testituouy of lit.-and if this reasoalng were correct, British seamen, who were so Der 'Won On another occasion the -Gov
aliments were
b•nrve and cesiniatious attachment. frequently obliged to sea others fall, had less than most clause • nn '
At lam uninformed of your abode, I take the liberty to transmit serious thoughts of eternity. This was a consideration that should earnestly exhorted to take tare that the schools were no
I"ir letter to you through the medium of your publishers; and I have its full weight with Christians minds for it was a double duty where confided to the hands of those who fancied them-
's..oast you to believe, Met in adopting this method, or in address- ,• In British Christians to endeavour to mai, Were happy in another selves above all law and aU government.
kg yea by name, I have teen guilty of no intentional dierespeet.{wand: aho preserved them free and happy in this. Such wee Usti . •
I remain, Reverend Sir, objets of the present meeting. It had been considered advisable to Yesterday Was the !attest day we- have had for. *meta,
Your obediest'sod lourible imam, eswiesswe the proteetlinge of the day by a resole tiow expressive of Rummers ; the thermometer in the shade, .at sin o'clock,
B. c ii,u,s4,r,ge, - Ms messelty of providing religious Listroetiew laSeleaall by dais* gout at Sit degree; as g ver um, 14.—LiverpOsi Paptr.