The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-26 00:00:00

THE IMPRISONED MAVIAL

?Yesterday a public meeting of the members and
friends of the Protestant Alliance was held in Exeter
Hall, "to adopt resolutions respecting the persecutions
in Tuscany, and the aspect of Popery in this country."
The Earl of Cavan and Captain Trotter attended, as
part of the deputation to Florence, to give an account
of the mission. The room was densely crowded._

The meeting having been opened with prayer by the
Rey. Dr. Marsh,
The CHAIRMAN said he felt that the occasion was one
of deep interest and of great importance both to liberty
and to religion. (Hear, hear.) An outrage had been
committed upon the rights of conscience—an injustice
perpetrated which was adapted to awaken the sympathy
and arouse the attention of the whole civilised world.
(Cheers.) The chief purpose of their assembling was to
listen to some of the facts of the case from the lips of
gentlemen of high character and position, whose veracity
was beyond all question, and who had 'visited the spot
ud examined into Ilk matter for themselves. The
whole subject was deeply interesting to the minds of all
who loved liberty, or cared for 14e cause of religion.
Their object, however, was to 7ereaie a public opinion
with regard to it throughout EY:ope—(loud cheers)—
not merely to satisfy themselfes by their protests,
and their pledges, and their expression of attach-
ment to their common Christianity, -but to circulate
the real facts of the case, leaviyg, them to leaven in
the mind until the whole of society should be
leavened, and there should be dne general shout of
indignation at the injustice which had been perpe-
trated. (Loud cheers.) They were called upon that day
—they would be summoned by the facts which were
about to be detailed—to act as missionaries for the
Scriptures, and to contend for the inalienable right of
every man to worship God according to the dictates of
his conscience. (Cheers.) There)uust be nothing ne-
gative in their religion ; they, must not be supine on this
question, but must feel it to be an all-absorbing Matter,
talk to their children and neighbours about it, and, by
calling meetings and attending to support them, aid in a
general movement. in furtherance of the object.
(Cheers.) He felt this to be a question which belonged
not only to Protestants, but to Catholics. (Hear, hear.)
There were, he was convinced, many intelligent and
liberal-minded Catholics in this country ; but, if there
were also some who desired to see a certain amount of
slavery upon the human conscience, lie called upon them
to reflect what could be more injurious to any system
than to shun the light, and to show that it was afraid of
the circulation of that revealed word whence Roman
Catholics as well as Protestants, professed to have got
the great facts of their religion ? It was for Roman
Catholics to consider whether that was good policy ;
and he trusted that, when all the facts of the case came
to be circulated throughout the length and breadth of
the land, many of their Roman Catholic fellow-subjects
would come forward and protest against an aggression
which was inconsistent not only with the principles of
religion, but even with those of humanity. (Cheers )
The chairman concluded by reading a letter from the
Earl of Roden. in which his lordship expressed regret at
his inability to attend, in consequence of being detained
by important business in Dublin. Similar letters had
been received, it was stated, from Mr. Chetham, M.P.
for Lancashire, and from Sir G. Goodman, of Leeds.
' Mr. T. CHAMBERS, M.P. moved the first resolution,
which was as follows :—"That it has been the desire
and prayer of the church of Christ in all ages, 'That
God's way may be known upon earth, His saving health
among all nations ;' that to the attainment of this end
the free circulation of the Bible and the preaching of the
gospel are the appointed means, to forbid the use of
which means is to obstruct the progress of Christ's
kingdom, and to deprive man of his highest privilege ;
that it is therefore with mingled feelings of regret and
indignation that this meeting has learned that there are
at this moment many Christians immured in the dun-
geons of Tuscany, under no other charge than that of
reading and distributing those Holy Scriptures, which
are able to make men wise unto salvation, through faith
that is in Christ Jesus.' " He felt, and he thought
numbers present would agree with him, that there were
recent indications en the continent that whatever states-
men, senators, or governors might desire, there was a
certain influence which permeated, the whole mass of the
governments on the continent and overruled statesman-
ship ; that by that influence goveinments were ruled and
nations tyrannised over ; that, in point of fact, they
had got to fight the whole battle over again, with this
great advantage, however that the two armies were
drawn up in hostile array for a fair contest of principle-
(hear, hear)—and that the plain issue to be decided was,
whether a man was. to be allowed to read the message
which God had sent to him, or whether he was to be
deprived of that message. (Hear, hear, and cheers'.)
Let Churchmen and Dissenters—sound Protestants of all
parties—combine together to defend the bulwark of Pro-
testantism alike from the attacks which assailed it from
without, and from the treachery which threatened it
from within. (Cheers.)

The Rev. W. W. CEipIPNETS, rector of Wlfitechapel,
seconded the resolution.
Mr. R. BEVAN sapported the resolution.
The Earl of Cavhav then addressed the meeting, as a
member of the deputation to the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
He said the subject which had convened the meeting was
he felt, one which was not limited•to Tuscany, but in-
volved the best interests, and even the very existence of
their own country. (Hear, hear.) No one could have
failed to observe the rapid progress which Popery had
been making of late throughout Europe ; and he firmly
believed that it had yet a very awful part to act in con-
nexion with the destinies of this island. A Roman
Catholic journal ;n France—the Journal desiDebats—
while denouncing the persecution of Tuscany, had de-
clared that it was Protestantism which had made
England what she was ; and he believed this to be a noble
truth. As regarded the mission to Florence, so much
had already been said at public meetings by his esteemed
friend Captain Trotter, and. so much had been
printed too on the subject, that he should simply touch
upon some of. the leading features, leaving it to his
friend to supply anything material which ho might have
omitted. He thought it was wisely determined to post-
pone for a time tie holding of a large public meeting in
London ; for, by rousing the indignation of the public,
it appeared not unlikely that' they might add to the
severity of the teatment of the Madiai, and even pre-
vent their immediate release—an event which there
hear.) Not only had they been
seemed good reison to expect. But they had—and
there was no us 3 in concealing the fact—been deceived
theHreewearre those in a higher position than
themselves who had been deceived also ; and, after all,
,atbtue rt.
it was nothing sore than a carrying out of the principles
idne ct ehi ev
e dm
of the Roman Catholic religion to break faith with
heretics, for if no oaths with them were binding, much
less could promises be so. (Hear, hear.) It was a sub-
ject of rejoicing to the deputation to find, on their
arrival in Florence, that there was no difference of
opinion among them. They all felt that the simple
object of their visit was to obtain the release of the two
imprisoned Madiai, and to do everything with a single
eye to the glory of God. No doubt many present had
read the correspondence which took place with the Tus-
can minister, a statement of the subsequent application
to the Grand Duke for an audience, and a report of
the proceedings, and he trusted that this information
would be printed in a portable form for the use of
the public generally. (Hear, hear.) During • their
stay the deputation endeavoured to ascertain, by
means of visits to Christian people, what was
the extent to which Protestant ideas had spread. Among
those whom they thus visited was one at least who had
been imprisoned since their return ; and the downcast
countenance of numbers, showed how deep was their
outward oppression, though in many cases, he trusted, it
was combined with internal peace. The oppression was,
indeed, greater than any one here could well understand.
First, there was the oppression of the priests, whose
numbers almost equalled those of the army ; then the
oppression of the Austrian power ; and, lastly, the op-
pression of the gendarmes ; and, with all these to watch
them, whether,they turned to the right or to the left,
escape was no easy matter. They had no instruction in
doctrinal matters, no churches or chapels, scarcely any
Bibles ; and there was marked joy on their countenances
when they received the smallest portion of Scripture.
Some of them made an application to the Government to
be allowed to meet together, with policemen to watch
over them, declaring that their simple object was to 'ead
God's Word and unite together in prayer, and that they
had no desire whatever to interfere with political mat-
ters. It was almost needless to say that their request
was refused, the desire of the Government being to
crush Protestantism, which the reading of God's word
tended to support. There was a touching incident
connected with the case of Francesco Madiai, which
was not perhaps generally known. The poor man
was kept for a time in solitary confinement ; and so
dee-plv oppreszed was his mind by the death-like silencewhich reigned in his cell, that he requested to be al-
lowed to have his watch in order that he might hear the
ticking of it. The governor's reply was, however, that
there was no need of watches for persons of his class,
and so. the matter ended. His oppression almost put
him out of his mind, and indeed Lord Roden had told
him (the Earl of Cavan) that some of the expressions
which the poor prisoner used to him convinced him that
he was not then of perfectly sound mind. They had all
heard, no doubt, of the severity of the Tuscan police
law. Such, indeed, was the extent of that severity that
it was in the power of a policeman to have any one in-
carcerated eight days on the bare suspicion of having a
Bible in his possession ; while_ a magistrate could order
imprisonment for 12 months on the mere information of

' one of the police. This was, however, simply carrying
out the principles of Popery, which was the same every-
where if she had the power to be so. (Hear, hear.) He
held in his hand a letter which it might interest the
meeting to hear, it being one of the last letters of Rosa
Madiai to her husband previous to the return of the de-
putation. Of course it was a translation :—" If you
knew the pleasure which the news that you are better
gave me ! It was very great, and tears of pleasure
covered my cheeks—for two motives : first, that God has
made you worthy of suffering with his dear Son ; and,
secondly, that he restores your health. Oh !if we knew
how to appreciate the degradations that we suffer for
having confessed that there is but one Mediator between
God and man ! My dear, you speak to me of expecting
grace—pardon ; but permit me to tell you that the great
pardon we have already received. How broken asunder
are all our conjugal rights ; our house and goods scat-
tered like dust to the wind l we ourselves you see in
what state. And, with all that, we would not make an
exchange with all the treasures of -Pharoah, or lose that
holy rest which the Holy Spirit has given us out of full
grace. This I call grace (or pardon), and the great grace.
If a star is again to shine for us, it can be but the star of
justice, for we have done evil to no one, but, on the con-
trary, we have received evil. Selling us for a few fran-
cesconi (this alludes to the bribes which are known to
have been given to their ungrateful betrayers and false
witnesses), one for the sake of a shop gratis, another for
50 pieces of money, our accusers are the descendants of
Judas ! Poor souls ! I pray that God may give them
the tears of Peter, and not the punishment of Judas ;
and that one day they may enjoy eternal glory. And
if (la pariva) that poor woman who has been bought
came and asked alms of me, as at other times, I would
still give it her ; for which God help me.—Amen.
My dear, let us be ready to do the will of the Father,
as .it was done by his Son, our Master ! Let us not
be troubled. Peter was troubled walking on the water,
fearing the waves, and forgot that, since the Saviour
walked towards him on the same waves, he should not
fear. He feared them, and cried out, Lord save me ?'
Tho hand of love succoured him, saying, ' Have a little
faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?' Yes, the waves of 1
this world too often makes us fear ,and the shame is ours.
Let us remember the holy words, Though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for
I have not with me Thy and —2 My dear, rest upon the
Lord, whether for prosperity or suffering, in bad as well
as in good health. All passes. Eternity is the essen-
tial. Be cheerful and seek to restore your health. While
there is that dear soul, do not give yourself the trouble
to write me, since He will give me news of you. God
bless you and cover you under the shadow of his wings for
the sake of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.—Amen."
In what an enviable- state of mind, after all, was this
poor creature, suffering for righteousness' sake ! He
must leave further details on this interesting subject to
Captain Trotter. He would, however, remind the meet-
ing that they hadsnow set before them the true princi-
ples of Popery. She talked and blustered here a good
deal about religious freedom ; but the freedom she wanted
was freedom to oppress—(cheers)—and he repeated that
they should care not to give her any facilities for that
end. Before sitting down he wished to state, that an
institution had lately been established in Geneva for
the reception of Italian converts, and, as it was con-
ducted ably, and on a sound basis, he hoped it would
receive countenance and support iu this country. It
was a solemn fact, that there were in England others
besides Romanists who were doing the work of
Romanism. He heard, only on the previous day, from
a lady whom he had the pleasure of meeting, that her
sister, after sitting some time under the teaching of a
clergyman in the diocese of Exeter, had recently been
gently handed over by him to the Church ofßome. (Hear
hear.) She was now in a convent at Taunton. Let
them, then, while they had the Bible, make use of the
Bible ; and if Romanists spoke not according to that, it
was because there was "no light in them." (Cheers.)
The resolution was then passed unanimously.
The Hon. and Rev. B. Noun moved the following re-
solution :—" That this meeting desires gratefully to ac-
knowledge the efforts which have been made by the Earls
of Roden and Cavan, and Captain Trotter, and by the foreign
members of the late deputation to Tuscany, to obtain a
remission of the sentence passed on Francesco and Rosa
Madiai ; and having now seen the fruitlessness of any
appeal to the humanity or the justice of the Tuscan
Government, it authorises a memorial to be signed by
the chairman, and presented to her most gracious Ma-
jesty, praying that, if that Government should continue
to disregard the intercessions of the Protestant states of
Europe, her Majesty will be pleased to take into her
consideration the propriety of discontinuing all diplo-
matic relations with a court which could thus show
itself indifferent alike to the dictates of humanity and

to the claims of international friendship and cour-
tesy." He said ho was glad to take part in a meet-
ing so much in favour of humanity and religion. The
Madiai were not dead ; they had not yet been brought
to a premature death by cruel persecution ; and
the purpose of that meeting was to exercise
an influence by which their sufferings might be, if not
terminated, at least much abbreviated—husband and
wife having been sentenced respectively to 56 and 45
months' imprisonment. While Catholic journals dwelt
much on the political aspect of this question, let them
keep constantly in mind that it was not a political
offence for which the prisoners were condemned, but
what was termed the crime of impiety. . Nor had the
nature of the alleged impiety been left to our vague sur-
mises ; in the sentence passed, it was stated to be the
proselytism of the evangelical confession, or pure
gospel. Their offence was, that they read the scrip-
tures. If these persons were criminals, every person in
that meeting was a criminal—.(hear, hear)—for they had
devised nothing more against the Government than any
one in that assembly. Moreover, this persecution
had happened in the dominions of a man of naturally
mild temper, whose government had been remarkable
among the governments of Italy for benevolence and gen-
tleness. Why, then, had the Grand Duke exhibited
th;s steady, dogged determination ? It was because
he was a a true Catholic—(hear, hear)—it was be-
cause he was conscientiously determined to uphold
what was sacred in his faith. (Hear, hear.) They
had heard it stated that Roman Catholicism could
change. It was not the Roman Catholic who told them
that ;ho knew it to be false. (Cheers.) Romanism
could not change ; its dogmas were written in indelible
characters by that council of ecclesiastics which, calling
itself the church, had determined that persecution
should be the-law of the church in all countries. The
vicar of Christ ; the man who was said to exercise
divine functions on earth, had given this direction :
" In virtue of sacred obedience, and under the penal-
ties constituted by the sacred canons, and others heavier,
even to deprivation, to be inflicted at our discretion,
we command bishops and all other prelates that they
diligently observe these same decrees and statutes in
their churches, states, and dioceses, and cause them to
be inviolably observed each by their inferiors, restrain-
ing all who contradict and are contumacious, by sen-
tences, censures, and ecclesiastical punishments con-
tained in these same decrees, without appeal, and calling
in, if necessary, the aid of the secular arm." Not only
was there this order of the Pope—the " Alter Dens
in ferric," as he was often called by Roman Catholics—
but the Council of Trent decreed as follows :—".lt re-
mains now that the sacred synod admonish all princes
so to afford their help that they do not permit the
things decreed by it to be depraved or violated by
heretics, but that they be devoutly received, and faith-
fully observed by them and by all men. We admonish
the emperor himself and all Christian kings and princes
that they support the prelates whenever it is necessary,
by their help and favour ; and that they do not permit any
opinions opposed to the sound and salutary doctrine
of the council to be received by the people of their
dominion, but that they altogether interdict them."
Now, what had the Grand Duke of Tuscany done but
obey and execute these commands of the Pope and
Council ? (Hear, hear.) He had interdicted the use of
the Bible because the Pope and the Council of Trent had
interdicted it. What was the difference between his
position and that of the Duke of Alva, who was gover-
nor of the Low Countries at the close of the 16th cen-
tury, or of Charles IX., who was at the same period
King of France ? (Hear, hear.) Goaded on by the
Pope of that day, Charles IX. sentenced all his Pro-
testant subjects to extermination, shot at them, while
flying, with his own hand ; kicked the dead coun-
tenance of the most gallant and glorious man in his
dominions, Admiral Coligny, and when his courtiers
complained of the smell of the body, replied in the words
—" The smell of a dead enemy is sweet." (Hear, hear.)
All this the monarch did because the Church of Rome
had taught him to do it. Pope Pius V. was sainted for
the part which he took in these proceedings ; and by
what method could Pope Pius IX. more directly aspire
to saintship than by directing the Grand Duke of Tuscany
to immolate on the altar of bigotry as many Protestants
as he could capture ? (Hear.) He believed there were
many Roman Catholics in this country who . did
not approve of the Tuscan persecution ; but they must
recollect that the Tablet, which took the lead in talent
among the Roman Catholic journals, had throughout
defended the conduct of the Grand Duke, while the
Catholic Standard, though it differed in some degree
from the Tablet, took special pains to inform them that,
the difference was but small. The opinion of the editor
of the Catholic Standard was expressed in these terms :
"For a rampant, ranting, evangelical defamer, denouncer
and persecutor of British Catholics, to ask their assistance
in releasing a pair of hireling evangelisers from a Tuscan
prison is about the coolest piece of assurance on record."
(Laughter.) Was not that enough to prove that the
Roman Church has not lost its proper motto, "Semper
eadem ?" (Cheers.) Roman Catholics would not advo-
cate here the doctrine that Englishman should be impri-
soned and destroyed for their religion ; they dare not
say that in this country—(cheers)—but for men living
in this capital to say that it was impudence to ask for a
mitigation of the wrongs of these poor persecuted
people, and impudence to ask Catholics who might
be believed to have generous feelings, to aid inthe
work—this, he maintained, was at least unworthy ofs
Englishmen. But let them look again atthe feelings
o
manifested. This was the last exhibitin • "Lord
r by
the
Frankfort is clothed in the coarse garb worn
meanest prisoner in Coldbath-fields House of
Correction,
and his lordship is exempted from breaking
stones
upon payment of a crown a week for his prison dietary
only
—junk beef, coarse bread, and oatmeal gruel. Yet no
one thinks of remonstrating against the
FMI4. i.nr.+;rsv,