The Sun.
London, England, 1838-05-09 00:00:00

FIFTH LECTURE.

Dr. Chalmers delivered his fifth Lecture this day. The room was, as
on former occasions, very much crowded with Members of both Houses
of Parliament, and other persons.
The Rev. Doctor commenced by stating that the subject of the lecture
to-day was a territorial establishment and collegiate efficiency. It might
well be thought it was easier to state the grounds of preference on
which Protestantism should be adopted rather than Popery. In Ire-
land, it was not yet the national faith. It was an easier task to select
the one and pass over the other, from the very wide and popular dis-
tinction there was both in principle and effect between. The one was
most entitled to the honours and privileges of an establishment; for
substantially speaking, those Protestant sects—Evangelical sects—had
ene and all the same theology, and he might add that, experimentally
speaking, they :had all made their respective contributions to the sound
education of the people in Christianity. For example, they could not
conceal the wholesome effect in the active and wise ministration that
had been rendered by the Wesleyan Methodists, and that too among
the families of the very class that stood most in need of those cheap and
gratuitous services which it was one great object of an establishment to
serve. They could not deny the pure and effective ministrations of
Baptists and Presbyterians and many other sects, all varying circumstan-
tially from the Church of England, yet all in essence and effect teaching
the same Christianity. It would be uncharitable to deny that the edu-
cation given in many of our dissenting chapels -a as a good education for
Heaven. It might be easy to say, why Popery should be kept out and
Protestantism let in, but it did not appear easy to fix on the
proper reason why, when there was so little to discriminate be.
tween them, one species of Protestantism should be let in and
all the rest kept out.—(Hear, hear, hear.) We think when
there is a substantial agreement the matter becomes more easy,
and the principle more defined. All other sects were then
kept out, and the anomalies of an ecclesiastical system are vindicated.
Now let us look to the Establishment 'upon the territorial principle.
This, though it has been a stepping-stone to some, was one of the most
important to consider, and would almost require one lecture to demon-
strate. What was meant by a territorial Establishment ? The circum.
stance of its being barely an Establishment involved in it the legal pro-
vision for the clergyman. Supposing a clergyman had a certain district
to attend, he must be so allied to his pariSh as to make a tender of his
services to every householder. He was bound to add his weekdays as
well as Sundays to his ministration, and for the benefit of his parish. To
illustrate the distinction between particular or merely congregational and
general ministers, and to exemplify what he had defined, namely, an
Establishment, without that Establishment being territorial—there
was a legal provision to a certain amount in the shape of a re_
glum donum, granted to the Presbyterian clergymen in the
north of Ireland, without any definite section of territory being assigned
to them, within which they might exercise their Ministry as regarded a
beneficial surveillance. The Ministry was thus enabled to surmount
the barrier which presented itself against their Ministry, and which
consisted in want of wealth, and that was one advantage of endowment
that they could let down the seat lints, and thereby secure the at-
tendance of the people. But there ilsas no provision to enable them to
surmount the other barrier—want of will. The people might attend,
if they liked, but if they did not, they might accumulate in any num-
bers without the sphere of the Clergyman's observation, and beyond his
moral influence and control —(Cries of " Hear, hear.") If they
did not come to him, there was nothing in that congregational
system which would compel him to go to them, and thus great
masses of atheism and infidelity might be congregated around him,
the one portion infecting the other. See how possible it was, in.such a
state of things, that the people might sink into a rapid state of degene-
racy when there was no force sufficient to resist them.—(Cheers.) The
same economy obtained at one time in the United States of America ;
but instead of a provision being made for one seat, it was extended to
all, although it did not appear that any minister had charge of all the
families within a given district; nor was there any understanding with
the State from which he received his maintenance, that he should take
cognizance of those who did not come. The Presbyterian Establishment
in Ireland was sectarian, but not territorial. In the Northern- States
of America it extended to a number of sects, but it was not ter-
ritorial.—(Loud cheering.) In the Presbyterian Establishments of Scot-
land, the ministers were sectarian as well as territorial, and he used
the word sectarian in its general and comprehensive meaning, and not
to signify any particular tenets. The churches of Scotland and England
were both sectarian in virtue of their being endowed from holding cer-
tain tenets, and territorial in virtue of certain ministers having a geo-
graphical portion of territory assigned to them, which it was their duty
essentially to superintend. Now, it was the object to show that
in the territorial system, the strength of gis establishment lay. It would
be necessary, for this purpose, to adopt strictly experimental means
of proving the inefficacy of the voluntary, and the efficacy of
the: territorial system. And in discussing this important question,
the truth would be attained by directing attention to one locality, from
the present state of which—ascertained by actual investigation—might
be gathered the pure, inductive philosophy of the argument. In any
large town, where the population had greatly outgrown the capacities of
the Establishment, no difficulty would be found in discovering a suffi-
cient specimen of ecclesiastical destitution ; but the number of sittings
in places of worship, of all denominations, and melancholy evidence would
be afforded of the impotence of voluntaryism, which in its arrogance
would supercede every other.—(Cheers, and hear, hear.) Let
them come at once to verities of the subject, and it would
tound that frequently not more than one in six—on the average not
more than one in eight —nay, often not more than one in twelve, fifteen,
or twenty of the population had the means of accommodation in any
place of worship. This would be acting upon that inductive system of
philosophy which was followed in all scientific investigations. The cal,
ciliation was, that out of a population of 2,000, there were not above
200 that ever went to any place of worship at all—thus, there was
in one locality, not less than sixteen hundred people living in
the practice of heathenism, or eight hundred to be provided with
Church accommodation. A voluntary Chapel might be erected in the
midst of them ; but if it were filled at all it would only be with hearers
collected from a distance, and with hearers who had net only the power
but the will to pay for the celebration of that worship in which they
delighted—and that of necessity would be the case, because there was
no territorial charge assigned to the ministrations of the preacher. The
charge that was often brought against the scheme was that there
were many Chapels with sittings unlet ; but suppose that there
might be one with five hundred unlet sittings, and which might
not be let even if the price was reduced to almost nothing,
so far from that being pleaded in bar or in arrest of our proceedings, he
would say that was the very reason, there being a chapel, with 500
sittings rented, why they should build another chapel by the side of
it, and bring that to bear in such a way as to act with moral compul-
sion on the people.—(Hear, hear.) The thing they wanted was the
creation of new chapels ; what they wanted was to place the
church in the middle of such a territory as he had just specified, and allow
a clergyman the perseverance and labour of a whole life time, not to fill
his church any how, but to fill his church out of that district. He would
have each district singled out for the attention of one endowed clergyman.
The important question was, how a territorial establishment was to be
worked ? He would suppose an Establishment in the most depraved
recesses of the Metropolis. The object of a clergyman there would be
to recover his charge from their non-attendance. His object would be
not to perpetuate a good, but to restore a bad object to a good one. The
question was how a territorial minister would address himself to such an
important duty. He would begin with a very small attendance ; few—
very few—would be inclined, in the first instance, to go to him on the
Sabbath ; and, such being 'the case, it was a reason why he should
attend them in the week. The first movement was with the
people, and when once they became alienated from the ser-
vices of the Gospel, without great exertions they might be alienated for
ever. A minister would never by his own powers of attraction draw
the people to his Church—he must, therefore, adopt another mode of pro-
ceeding—namely, that of going to them.—(Cheers.) If he did not do
this he would never succeed. The movement must begin with him, or
there would be no movement at all. The Reverend Gentleman here re-
ferred to certain returns of the number of persons attending at the se-
veral churches in a certain district, for the purpose of demonstrating
the superior advantages of the Church Extension System.—(Hear.)
The principle upon which they went was one of attraction—they (created
a new market for themselves, and got altogether new customers, none
of whom were in the habit of going anywhere previously, and they
could fill their congregations—those they received from the Dissenting
meeting.houses being merely accidental—and leave all the others as en-
tire and numerous as they were before; because their congregations
were filled by those who were not in the habit of going anywhere.
But they might be asked upon what experience, or what know.
ledge of human nature, they grounded their proposition, of such
mighty practical effects as these, and it had been asserted that the
power of operating upon such stubborn and unlikely classes was but a
fancy that could never be realized—that all their experience and ob-
servation proclaimed against it, and that much as it might be admired as
a picture, it was but a picture of Utopianism—that they could not
look for the living fulfilment of the plan in their actual every-day expe-
rience ; but such was not the case. These projects could not
be put into the same category with mere imaginary plans ;
nor like those schemes of honest but visionary philanthrophy which
passed so often before the public eye, but to be forgotten. It was
necessary to show that the system had nothing in common with an
Arcadian romance—or a fiction of any sentimenalism.—(Hear, hear.)
The first experiment quoted would be one which it was in the power
almost of every one to verify at pleasure,—it was the cordiality with
which the visits of Christian teachers were received by the people.—
(Loud cries of " Hear, hear," and cheers.) From the immense
overgrowth of the parishes, the practice of household visitations by
the clergy had fallen into desuetude, but when tried on a
little experimental slip of the huge territories, there would be found
in human nature in this respect a certain vigorous identity; and
Christian ministers had been astonished at the cordiality of their recep-
tion, not only in the agricultural, but in the manufacturing population.
He (Dr. Chalmers) had undertakers some years ago a visitation in the
parish of St. Giles's, in company with the late Joseph Butterworth—
not with the ostensible object of distributing money, for that might have
caused the result to be somewhat equivocal—(A laugh)—but to in

quire into the state of education : and there was scarcely one exception
to the cordiality of their reception. He had learned, a good many
years ago in Glasgow, how one might go into the poorest house in the
country upon errands of such a nature with the greatest safety
to both person and property. Mr. Butterworth at the time
made the remark, that it was only a short time—only a few
months--since they had made the discovery, that the rich might
go among the poor with safety. Such, he was afraid was still the feeling
amongst a great part of the rich, and of course caused much distrust on
the part of the poor. That was a discovery which all who heard him
had the opportunity of making for himself any day. They might
themselves have all the benefits ofexperience. It was an experience of
much good, for it proved the power of subduing the hearts of the poor
by attentions, however trifling, if good will and kindness went along with
it. Might they not anticipate, from the working of the same engine,
when the man of God went forth in the spirit of zeal and love, and in
the midst of domestic groups spoke out with the earnestness of an
affectionate heart to the fathers and mothers of families with
the same god result. But why should . they make that a
matter of inference which should be and which was a matter of
direct observation ? Let the depravity of the peasantry be what it might,
they never shut the door against their clergymen, and if he would but
cross their threshhold lie met with a courteous and friendly en.
tertainment. At the commencement of a new parish, when pro.
Tided with its new Church, specially destined for the accommoda-
tion of the people assembled, it was his part to move towards
them, for they never, If left to themselves, would move towards
him, and he could be at no loss for topics of introduction
to please his parish families. The very announcement of him as their
minister would secure him a favourable reception. As when he made
enquiry into the education of the children who were visited by himself
as their official guardian—or as when his services were required for
marriages, and baptisms, and funerals—or as when he volunteered to
attend at the bedside of the sick and the dying—or as when with kind
judicious advice, he could make himself of nse to them in their quarrels,
or their misfortunes, or difficulties—by that means he rivctted his
moral ascendancy over them.—(Cheers.) This was not giving any
exaggerated description, but the real truth of what in all likelihood
would take place by the adoption of such means. If a Clergyman adopted
the means he had pointed out he was sure ultimately to succeed; be.
cause he would add the weight of his persomal exertion, which would
be assisted by the Divine Spirit. If he went forth in that spirit, he
would light up a moral sunshine in his parish.—(Cheers.) He must
not slacken in his labour, for if in the first twelve months he only made
100 converts in the parish, lie must be satisfied,
for he might depend
upon it that in a short time he would make his parish a territory of
Church-goers.—(Cheers.) Speaking fairly, from the result of experi-
ence, it was stated that one in nine was a tolerable number to have
acquired, but by the last ecclesiastical survey it was ascertained
that more than one in three now went.—(Hear, and cheep,;) It might
be asked why not one in two, which was the maxiMlM number, but his
answer was, that it was for the want of that endowment for which they 1
were now contending.—(Hear and cheers.) All th.: low priced seatta were already taken, and what they desired APW W4ll thl'Pt4 *P4A)
•

•• had
might be more generally extended to the people of Scotland. He h,
had no access to the printed evidence taken before the Commission/7,010
public instruction, or he could have referred them to the evi
~t.
upon the present p
of a eentlemen which bore strongly
admitted
He had given very strong, very fair, and impressive
with regard to the necessity of instruction—it was
e_
by him that the establishment of Sabbath schools did not_aon
nerally speaking spiritualize, but that it civilized the population
of a country. That was not their argument, but it was a very
P conversion
one to present to such persons. They did not deny that the conve 0,
of a people was a work of great difficulty. They were quite sensiblencie
this with regard to men who had lived in a state of ignoraon. _
of the truths of the Gospel, and therefore they could
or.iol3:t
count upon a very gradual accession from the grown P t
that
of the population; but all their experience told them,
ted.
even of these a goodly number might confidently be exPercegas
Perhaps, but a small fraction at first were drawn,—but, on
the
gf
the
evidence
rious principle, others soon followed, till the rigorous observance o_
the
Sabbath ripened at length into one of the established properties of t
little vicinage which was selected as the field of this momentous experi-
ment,—fraught with the deepest interest to the commonwealth.
(Cheers.) It was impossible in the course of a single lecture to enter
e
into all the philosophical bases of the question. But this one
of the gregarious principle in human nature, CO ""
es
he had alluded, was worthy of the greatest consideration.
.
He confessed that their best hopes were founded upon the rising de",
ration by the education of the young, and inducing a punctual attend-
ance
upon the schools in which the teachin of the Bible formed a por-
tion,e
of the master's duty. They must notg , however the
, lose sight of `'
fact, that the benefits were not confined to public schools, but might ,e
.
brought to work in every private family. The Rev. Lecturer then 1!1
°.
ceeded further to illustrate the beneficial effects of a territorial Establish-
ment. He felt convinced that if clergymen madegreat efforts, accomParnea
e,
with perseverance, they would shortly form a local cengregation,"d
every parish, and ultimately that would extend over the length o
breadth of the whole empire.—(Loud cheering.) It was trues
though they could create the right ministering, they could not createat
the right men, and without those the ministry could not be workefuns
all, and, therefore, bad instead of good might be effected. Five hun-
dred e a
clergy might be made to work effectively upon a population the
million of souls. The great difficulty was the want of
_s.
men, and could they only be found the best results would be productis7at
Let the minister standing in the station they had supposed make the
parish or assigned district the peculiar territory of his week-day Ish° d
and he would find a welcome in every house. With very few
from their rarity he might call them monstrous objections, he eoftit
be at no loss for a right topic of introduction—even the annouccen%..
of himself as their minister would secure him in the majority of case, 3 re
spectable and friendly reception. His inquiries after the health of the fain's,
would be well taken, and his inquiries into the education of the young'
branches, especially when he could point to the school at the very 'Wr:
where goad and cheap education might be obtained, would be an apps;_;
prime topic. By his attendance there he would soon become the 'lto
verenced and well-liked acquaintance of every young parishioner is tti
attended it. His frequent appearance in the parish seminary 5y".111,.
obtain for him golden opinions throughout the boyhood of the parish,
and his report of the examinations there borne to the maternal ear,e
would at all times tend to soften and conciliate her. But there were OW' n
events of deep interest in every domestic history, which would °Pee
the door to still more endearing and improving attention. providence
furnish him with many such ; disease would work for IH—. lc
rare, Old
death would work for him; and, as the spiritual visitant of every sick
and and dying bed, his very appearance would be associated with the d•e3r-of
interests, and the tenderest regards. Even of the most lier.ttle's be
those long neglected children of Nature could not withstand for ever
ot
ad
moral force of such applications. The most reckless dersrerado" the
been softened and subdued, and men who had set at defiance all 5
....
strength of the law, and who were uninfluenced by the fear of the Ballot
or the scaffled, had at length given way to the influence of char' id
If such a moral conquest might be achieved over the most hardened,S9o
most hopeless of men, what might be anticipated from the coasl,L3n,
operations of a zealous and laborious clergyman ?—(Hear, hear.) ftieeod
clergyman would soon come to be regarded as the best and truest
of the parishioners—and in the course of years, doubtless, they W,°u
,
be changed into a serious and church-going community—net, indeed,.
s .
by a simultaneous, but by successive movements.—(Hear, hear)--n„
the Roman Emperor made it his proud boast that he found the city " vh
with stone, and left it built of marble—how much loftier was the triunjs,' d
of the Christian Minister who had found a parish of irreligious% "d
left it a parish of church-going inhabitants. (Loud ebeerill,7;.
It was a high, but not a hopeless enterprise. The projectors of the P,,,1i- g
raids of Egypt might have been laughed at, but stone after stone it.bnsti
been put down by the 2,000 men who werepressed into the service, 00 t.-0,
raised one of the great wonders of the world. The result they looked
at,
was not the fruit of rare or extraordinary talent, but of Pati'the
practical, and most common place assiduity—the visits of
clergyman to his people during the week, and a proper retufr' t°
the same by the attendance of the same people on their Tier%
man on the Sabbath. What he affirmed was, that betSween y
ni I.
week day surveillance and then Sabbath observances the cod"
would be presented with families of a higher aspect asid of a hig:cg
moral grade than those that not now peopled the lanes and also thea"i;s,
—the deep and densely crowded places of this hue metroP° ' ?
Where, it was said, were the men that were to work the systemse
Why, in answer to that, he would say that 700 dery ymen could sc
.)
a Church economy for the great metropolis.—( Continued °West's],
They were anxious to see the establishment of the true parochial system,
because it bore with such force u
creatures—the highest objects which could'oe sought by a Chri,tis'?„':,
philanthropist, or a man.—(Cheers.) T'Aeir hopes were not sangt"-er
the P°W„ts.
but they believed them to be solid, because resting upon
Pon the reformation of their fell°
brought to bear in a kindly endearing way by
of Christian truth, combined with Christian charity----aA:r.
The man who was to address his parishioners when their hearts We'
most alive to the impressions of religon and morality—such a men besckleie
by the sacredness of his charrcter, having on his side the feelings and the
sympathies of his hearers, could not long be withstood by even e)
most depraved and degenerate.—(Cheers, and cries of " Hear, hear.
They all knew the omnipotence of kindness over the hearta
sf men, and in the long run a clergyman who diachte4h
his duty in a kind and conciliating spirit, would acquire for hie.nself A ob.
an ascendency over the minds of his allotted hearers, that he would to
taro a ready obedience to his precepts. Every thing, lie was profoun a
a Christian minisi..l
sensible, depended upon the operation of the Divine will, „,8n
the y
influence of the clergyman depended much more upon
his moral and Christian than upon his literary
attainments'
The triumph, if gained, would be The victory of high
and heaven-born
worth.—(Cheering.) Heavers would cast severest mockery on MI
which were founded on mere pulpit accomplishments alone •
3%
not on the zeal and laborious efforts of the Christian minister, ' svh"
plying daily the work to which he is devoted, is hailed among the inha-
bitants as their dearest friend, and venerated by them for his pia
and love.—(The Rev. Doctor concluded amidst tremendous cheers.)
F