The Sun.
London, England, 1839-06-19 00:00:00

MEETING AT BIRMINGHAM.

God is every where presentTbut his grace, which influences
and supports all demonstrations of the clergy, was riot to be
found last night in the Town-hall of Birmingham. The whole
clergy of Birmingham and its neighbourhood were assem-
bled, with Sir C. E. Smith, Bart., M. P., at their head,
as Chairman, to hear the annual report of the Town Mis-
sion Society, and to extend its operations. The meet-
ing opened at half-past six o'clock, and was chiefly
composed of ladies. The business began with prayer,
and went on very nicely for some time, the Chairman
and speakers having assumed the usual long and
sanctimonious faces. About eight o'clock a loud knocking
was heard at some of the doors, or other barriers, and im-
mediately a flood of Radicals or Chartists entered the
Hall, and a change came over the spirit of the dream—
parsons and their friends became agitated, and their faces
pale. The Rector of St. Martin's, Birmingham, was
speaking. He was greeted with a universal hoot, as the
first indication of the temper of the crowd. Again and
again attempts were made to address the meeting and
carry on the business ; but it was all in vain. The Chartists
cried, " Give us the Charter," " Give us education,"
" Give us food." Appeals were made by the clergy to the
justice and good feelings of Englishmen ; Let they were lie t
with" No Clergy," " No cant," " No Established Church."
At length Mr. Fussell stood up in a side gallery, and having
so far gained the ear of the Chartists, advised them to
allow the business to proceed. He said he was there to
see that nothing should be done in public inimical to their
interests, and that he was ready to oppose their opponents
ia every way, even to rebellion, if they were not justly
treated. He wanted a religion founded on love, kindness,
and intelligence, and he thought that the religion which
the present clergy upheld was " CONTE ,PTIBLE." For a
short time order was obtained, but neither the neiv-horn
zeal of Dr. Redford, of Worcester, to obtain for every
person the free utterance of their opinions, nor the
Parliamentary or electioneering skill of the Chairman
M. P., nor the passion of some of the other Re.
serends, could controul the uneducated energies of the
working men's minds, already roused to prevent the
full-fed and well-paid clergy from having it all their own
way. At length the resolutions of the Town Mission
Society were hastily passed in dumb show; and whilst
this was going on, Fussell was also addressing the congre-
gated multitude. An attempt was then made to make
he collection in plates. A few coins were obtained under
the jeers and laughter of the crowd, and the collecting-.
boxes for Brown's and Fussell's defence were also well plied
throughout the Hall. The most of the clergy having been
thus hooted from the Hall, without any returning of
thanks to God for his presence amongst them—one of
the Chartists, in front of the large gallery, addressed
the crowd on the necess:ty of obtaining first those
things which were necessary fur their bodily wants,
and they would tske the risk of the wants of the
soul, or attend to them afterwards, They then passed
a resolution to the effict that they ought first to obtain the
Charter, and then education. and true religion, based on
kind sympathies ; contentment, and comfort, would follow
in a few months. They would not endure to be deprived
of every place of meeting, nor allow others to meet, whilst
they were put in jai) for meeting in the epen spaces of the
town. This occurrence will teach the meek and holy
clergy a lesson they have never yet learned. Their zeal
was to extend a town mission, now in the SECOND ! year
of its existence, for the purpose of carrying the blessings
—as they say—of religion to the doors of the poor and
ignorant. They had forgotten the effects cf all their
former doings, and their recent opposition to the plan of
National Education, and callousness to liberty of thought
and equality of privileges for the public, whilst they are con-
tinually raving that to " feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
or give a cup of cold water to the thirsty," &c., if done in
the name of Christ, to one of the poorer brethren, was
done to Him. This outburst of feeling on the part of the
oppressed, shows V 4 bat may be expected if they are to re-
ceive nothing but saintly words from those who have been
entrusted with the training ef their mind and morals. I
never could have anticipated such a complete set down to
the united clergy of a whole city, met about a work which
led them to congratulate each other most lovingly on the
unanimity of feeling which pervaded their endeavours ; and
it appears to me that, until circumstances very materially
change in Birmingham, it will be idle for the clergy to
attempt to meet in public. They must henceforth be con-
tented to concoct their schemes in holes and corners, and
God be with them I AN EYE WITNESS.