The Sun.
London, England, 1840-05-13 00:00:00

EVENING EDITION.

CHURCH-RATES.

HOLY TRINITY PARISH, HULL.

After the election of Churchwardens and other rou-
tine business usually transacted at the annual meeting
of the rate-payers, which in this parish is held on Easter
Monday, some conversation ensued as to the repairing
and ornamenting the exterior of the church. It was
suggested that the,Mayor should be requested to call a
public meeting, from which applications for funds might
be made to the wealthy of any dierict and the nobility
connected with the county, and that in this way several
thousand pounds might be raised. The very great ma-
jority of those present seemed adverse to a compulsory
rate, though some expressed themselves favourable to a
rate upon property above 101., but that the payment of
even this should be voluntary. Mr. Harris was the
only party who stated himself favourable to a rate, and
he said in St. Mary's parish they had just had Me
pleasure of passing a lid. rate. He was Told it would
be long before the parishioners of Holy Trinity would
afford him that pleasure. After passing votes of thanks
to the Vicar, the Churchwardens, and Sidesmen, the
meeting separated.

On this judicious and conciliatory proposal, the
Hull Observer has the following just remarks :
" The recurrence of Easter gives prominence again
to the question of Church Rates. The conversation
which took place yesterday at the vestry meeting of
the parishioners of the Holy Trinity in this town re-
assures us that, in that parish at least, compulsory
Charoh-rates are at an end. There is no question that
the splendid edifice in which the meeting was assembled
is in a very dilapidated state, and that repairs are much
needed. We believe that a vast majority of the inhabi-
tants would be willing to contribute to the repair of
so noble a building—the ornament and pride of the
town. But they object to Church-rates on principle ;
they believe it is opposed to justice that any one should
be compelled to keep up a fabric to which he
does not resort ; and though this church is very dif-
ferent from many others, yet that is no ground why
compulsory payments for religious observances should
te made. The voluntary principle is too extensively
practised in Hull to furnish the Church Extensionists
with any arguments in this locality. Besides our nu-
merous chapels we have three churches built and sup-
ported an the voluntary system, and a fourth is about to
be erects.,.d. With respect to exterior repairs of the
Trinity Church, we are of opinion that they ought to be
done at the expense of the whole town ; or, at least, of
that portion of the inhabitants in general who choose to
contribute ; but that no person who is too poor to pay,
or who has scruples against any payment to the esta-
blishment, should be compelled to do so- We trust
that the inhabitants of St. Mary's parish will, ere
long, follow the example of their neighbours, and that,
another year, no one will have to boast of 6 the plea-
sure' of announcing that a rate has been laid upon men
of all grades and classes to compel them to support, not
merely the building, but the observances of worship
from which they dissent. The Tories, it seems, will
not allow such an equalization of ecclesiastical revenues
as will suffice to repair the buildings—and, as every
Dissenter cannot afford to be a John Thorogood, the
best plan to adopt is to follow the example of the parish
of Holy Trinity, and determine that no compulsory
rates shall be granted. The Dissenters owe it to them-
selves and their principles, seeing the further efforts
making to tax the country for ' Church Extension,' to
do their duty and agitate anew for the total abolition of
Church-rates."

Throughout the country the question of the non-
payment of Church-rates is extensively agitated. The
parsons, like the landlords, have over reached them-
selves, and two of the greatest abominations of the pre-
sent age will most probably fall at one and the same
time. At Leeds, on Monday, an important meeting of
the inhabitants took place, at which were unanimously
passed resolutions to the effect—that the present con-
nexion between Church and State is impolitic in its
charr.eter, and pernicious in its effects, and ought to be
abolished—that " all compulsory exactions levied for
the support of the Church of any particular creed are
unjust and dishonest, as well as grossly at variance with
the spirit and principles of Christianity—that, therefore,
the Church-rates and all grants of public money for pur-
poses of Church Extension, ought by all legal and consti-
tutional means to be opposed and resisted."—That "this
meeting declares its cordial sympathy with the Church-
rate victim, John Thorogood, and considers his impri-
sonment for fifteen months in a damp, and narrow cell,
in Chelmsford gaol, for non-appearance in an Ecclesias-
tical Court for the recovery of .ss. 6d. of Church-rates,
as a disgrace to a Christian country ; that immediate
steps should be adopted to accomplish his liberation,
and that a subscription be commenced forthwith for
his support." And that " the interference of the Ec-
clesiastical Powers and Authorities, in matters affect-
ing the lives and properties of British subjects, is
irreconcilcable with every principle of civil order
and justice, injurious to the peace and well-being
of society, and greatly obstructive to the spread of
religion itself ; that Ecclesiastical Courts, having
been denounced by the highest ecclesiastical law
adhorities tried, condemned, and sentenced by
4054 Commission,
.eight years ago—branded by a
condemnatory resolution of the House of Commons,
and held in universal detestation by the people—ought
forthwitirto be abolished, and the Bishops removed at the
SAM:: time fowl their civil jurisdiction in the House of
Lords. Here is enough to make a parson swear—and
swear some of tbeem most assuredly will, when it comes
to their knowledge that the sentiments embodied in the
foregoing resolutions are not confined to the Dissenting
part of the community, but that many among their
flocks, indeed all who have any Christian fee:ing oflove ,
towards their fellow-crostures, must approve of them.
It is plain that the Christianity which moves the State
Parsons is of a different kind to that inculcated in
the New Testament, or the conduct of Dr. Oliver, as
exhibited in the following article from the Staprdshire
Examiner, would form the general rule among them
and not the exception :—" A Vestry Meeting was
held at Wolverhampton last Monday, to appoint
Churchwardens for the ensuing year. The business
was opened by the Rev. Dr. Oliver, a part of whose
address is well worthy of general attention As to
the legality of Church-rates, I continue to hold the sen-
timents I have heretofore professed ; but when I con-
sider that the granting of such rates is optional,and that
the discussion of the subject only tends to create feud—
to divide the town against itself—to set father against
son, and son against father—to sever long-standing
friendships, and to dissolve mutual ties—when I reflect,
also that the agitation of that question is little less than
scourge on the public peace of the town, I cannot '
consent to aim a blow so heavy, and a discouragement
so great upon what I consider to be the interest of the
Church. I shall not give my consent, therefore,
to the agitation of this question of Church-rates.
My motto, is Peace ; and the banner which I this
day unfurl, is the banner of Unity a banner,
which cannot, as it shall not, be raised to lead
you into contests, in which all is to be lost and no-
thing to be gained. I know I shall be asked how I
purpose, without a rate, to provide for the congrega-
tional expenses of the Church ? My answer is simple.
I have no doubt whatever of the success of the Vo-
luntary System, if it is properly tested. 1 shall, with
the assrstance of my Warden, and the colleague you
-may appoint to act with him, give this plan a fair and
a free trial ; and so long as I continue the resident
incumbent of this parish, I pledge myself never to go
for a rate if you will support me, which I repeat, I
bave no doubt you will, in defraying the congregational
expenses of the Church by your voluntary contribu-
tions."—Sufolk Chronicle.

The number of grocers and spirit retailers in this
city and liberties is reduced from 450 to 100. There are but
three applications for spirit licensesinthis city, to be made at
Quarter Sessions, before the mayor, recorder, and magistrates,
to-morrow.—Limerick Chronicle.
Mr. Mathew, the Catholic priest, administered
the teetotal pledge in Nenagh, the most Protestant district of
Tipperary, one day last week, to 16,000 persons. The society
new cessisto of 700.000 members.
The Earl of Lucan is to be the new representa-
tive of the Peers of Ireland in the House of Lords, filling the
vacancy in the representative Peerav occasioned by the de-
eeas,t_o_f the Earl of En4hillan.
W ITCHCRAFT tc WALES.--At the Petty
sessions held at Devvnnock, I3reconshire, last week, an appli-
cation was made to the Magistrates for a warrant against a per-
son*thseatening to burn the complainant (a man seventy_
rs of age), for bewitching a mare of the defendant's ;
that his ‘ complainant's) wife, frequently appeared in the
form cif a oaf.— Cambrian.

DEATH PROM MEPHITIC GAS.—On Friday
;a is-insst was held at Northampton on the body of Thomas
Snits, who died tke previous afternoon under the following
singuhr circumstances:—William Harding stated that on
Thursday haerngag he wat in the company of the deceased at
the 1 lly 'Butchers. About five o'clock Mrs. Barker went
into the -caller to draw some ale. She set the candle on the
fourth step. and hearing a .nrgling noise witness ran down and
saw her lying on the ground. She was insensible. Deeeased
asd two others, who bad followed him down, raised her up and
drew her out of the cellar. Shortly after Mrs. Barker was got
out, and while they were endeavouring to recover her, witness
perceived that deceased was missing. Russell went down and
the other followed, but the fumes were so strong that the can-
dle went oat and Russell fell on the stairs senseless. They just
saw the logs of the deceased hanging out of a large tub. He
eras drawn out with great difficulty and in a senseless state.
The tub contained .the harm working Witin out of the new beer.
ess was himself much affected by the fumes in the cellar,
and felt satisfies( that if he had rmained there much longer he
sheal shave ied. Verdict, Accidental death."—Northanip-
ury.
LUDLoW.--No candidate, on either side; has as
yet addressed the electors. 1« is stated that the leading Tories
have lost, since 11637, not less than 50,0001. ; it is evident no
persan can stand this gave.
Ths New York Mornino'ffHpearroki.d announces the
P
which took place
death of the well-known ex-She"ri
in the city on the 12th of April.
H e
iSys'a se
tahhesEtwnhagaslvi
esOl Englishman
the most singular men that ever lived.
by birth, having been born at Carlisle.
brought " into this breathing world" about
being over 70 years of age at the time of his death.ye7l:7LB'
at Newark, New Jersey,
A RAPID INCREASE.—The wife of a sawyer
residing at Danbury has, on three successive occasions within
the last four years, presented her husband with twins. The
happy couple are each 35 years of age only; they now have
nine children. The last pair presented themselves on Tuesday
last.