The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-02 00:00:00

POPERY.

MR. EDITOR—I could ilave wished that all
the advocates of Popery had been present at the
parish church of St. Mary Somerset, in Upper
Thames-street, on Sunday last, to hear Mr.
JoHN LEE, an individual from the Sister King-
dom, born and educated a Papist, read his
_Recantation of the errors of POPERY. Ile said,
that by searching the Sacred Volume he felt
convinced of the blindness of those who relied
on fallible man for the pardon of sins, by means
of pecuniary gifts or ridiculous penances, instead
of looking up to the infallible Redeemer and
only Mediator of mankind ; therefore he had for-
saken the Romish communion, and been baptized
and initiated into the Protestant and only true
faith, and had lied from a country where his life
was not safe from the vindictive and intolerant
spirit of those who 44 depart from the faith, giv-
ing heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of
devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their
conscience seared with a hot iron."-1 Timothy,
chap. iv., v. 1 and 2. He justly observed, that
in the Scriptures he found not one word concern-
ing the Pope, unless he was alluded to under the
title of " the Man of Sin, the son of perdition,
who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that
is called God, or that is worshipped.-2 Thessa-
lonians, chap. ii., v. 3; or in the Book of Re-
velations by the name of the Dragon, the Beast,
and the false Prophet. The recantation, was of
some length, well written, and containing many
quotations, to shew that the doctrines of the
Romish Church were not only unwarranted, but
opposed to the pure religion of Christ.
After the recantation had been read, the Rev.
J. S. SERGROVE, the Rector, made an energetic
and impressive Sermon on the subject, from the
Ist Epistle to Timothy, chap. iv. verses 1 and 2,
wherein he successfully exposed the absurdity of
Paradise, or a middle state, and the wickedness
of receiving pecuniary rewards by the Priests
for rescuing souls from that imaginary place of
punishment, as well as the abominable and un-
warrantable practice of worshipping Saints and
'Angels, &c. The worthy Rector, I understand,
intends to publish the Recantation and the Ser-
mon, which I hope he will do, as they are well
worthy of it.
After the service, a number of respectable in-
dividuals, who felt a strong interest in the case
of the convert, assembled round him in the ves-
try room, and a voluntary subscription was made
for his encouragement and support. Ile intends
to receive the sacrament in the ensuing week,
and appears to be most earnest and devout in the
good work, he has thus begun.—May He, " to
whom all hearts are open," graciously assist him;
is the prayer of
Sir, your most obedient Servant,'
ANTI-POPE.
London, June 1,1324.

THE DUBLIN CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.

• SATURDAY, MAY 29.—The Chair having been
taken by Mr. LAWLESS, Mr. CONWAY presented himself to
the Association. Before the Meeting should proceed to the
business of the day, he was anxious to solicit their attention to
a letter with which he had been honoured by Mr. Plunkett.
He should first, however, take the liberty of reading a copy of
the letter which he had addressed to .111 r, Plunkett.—(llear,
hearl):_:Mr. Conway then proceeded to read the letters, of
which the following are copies .
" Dublin, No. 4, Capel-street, May 21.
" am desired by the Catholic Association to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your letter to Mr. O'Connell, and to ex,
press their thanks for the promptness of the communication.
" I am directed however, to say, that they would feel wanting
td the interest of their Body, anti would be acting in contradic-
tion to the unanimous opinion of the Catholic people of Ireland,
if they did not, with all the respect and gratitude due to so able
and so zealous an advocate as yourselt, hut still, with all the
earnestness of men, who feel themselves long and deeply ag-
grieved, press upon your consideration the necessity. of bringing
their Question before the House of Commons during the pre-
sent Session.

" It is not for them to anticipate an unfavourable result, but
it is, in any event, they think, their duty to bring this question
forward every year, and to avail themselves of every opportu-
nity, without a reference to circumstances, to have their claims
discussed, until the wisdom of Parliament shall set the question
finally at rest, by granting the prayer of the petition.
" With the highest and most sincere personal respect, I have
the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
"Right Hon. W. C. Plunkett. "F, W. CON WAY."

" SIR, " London, May 28, 1824.
" I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 21st
May, signed Frederick W. Conway, Pro Secretary, stating,
that you are directed by the Catholic Association to acknow-
ledge the receipt of my letter to Mr. O'Connell, to express
their thanks for the promptness of the communication, and to
state their opinion as to the propriety of bringing the question
of the Roman Catholics of Ireland before the House of Coin-
mons during the present Session.
" In answer, I think it right to inform you, that the letter to
which you refer was not addressed to the Roman Catholic Asso-
ciation, but to Mr. O'Connell, in answer to one received from
him, which had no reference to any Association, and merely
stated that a draft of the Roman Catholic Petition was inclosed,
and that the original with signatures would be sent to me in a
few days, in the hope that I would procure a discussion on its
merits this Session. My answer was addressed, individually
to Mr. O'Connell, stating my readiness to present a petition,
but that it was not my intention to bring forward, during the
present Session, any motion on the claims of the Roman Ca-
tholics. I never received any other communication from Mr.
O'Connell, on the subject, except a letter dated the Ist of May,
stating that the Roman Catholic petition was then ready, and
that he was one of a deputation of the petitioners appointed to
wait on me on the Monday following, to request that I would
present it, hnd procure as speedy a discussion on its merits as
could be had. I answered this letter merely by stating my
willingness to take the charge of the presenting the petition ;
that I was to sail from Dublin on the next morning, but that
the petition might be forwarded to me to London.
" I therefore beg leave to say, that I have never, directly, or
indirectly, authorised the opening of any communication be-
tween me and the Catholic Association ; and 1 therefore re-
quest, that you will not attribute to me any want of personal
respect, that whilst I acknOwledge the politeness and obliging
terms of your letter, I beg leave to decline a correspondence
with the Roman Catholic Association, or with any person act-
ing in their name.
have received a petition, signed by a very large number of
individuals, which I take for granted is that which Mr: O'Con-
nell's letter announced to me. The petition professes merely
to be that of the undersigned Catholics,' and has no refer.
ence to any Association or 'Body, other than the individuals
whose signatures are affixed to it. These persons have a right
to expect that I shall present their Petition, and it is my inten-
tion to do so, stating, at the same time, that I act neither under
the direction of, nor in communication with, tny Association,
nor any authority other than that of the Petitioners.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" Your obedient Servant,
" F. W. Conway, Esq. " W. C. PLUN-KETT."
Mr. Co riwAY concluded by moving that the letter should be
inserted on the minutes.
Mr. O'CoNxELL having requested the letter to be read a.
second time, spoke for a considerable time, and with great ear-
nestness, in explanation.
Mr. MuLLEN gave notice that he would move, on Wed,
nesday next, that the petition should be withdrawn frdm Mr.
Plunkett.—(Hear !)
Mr. O'CoNNEr.r. moved that the petition for disarming
the Orangemen should be adapted. Carried on a division of
38 to 5. '
After some routine business, the Association adjourned at
six o'clock.