The Sun.
London, England, 1828-03-22 00:00:00

PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL.

Lord KING, in rising to bring forward the motion he
bad given notice of his intention to submit to the House,
wished at the outset to clear in some respect the charac-
ter of the Bevereril Gentleman, on whose petition the mo-
tion was founded, from aspersions that had Leen thrown
upon it. The Noble Lord understood the Rev. Prelate
the other evening to charge Mr. Griffin with being a per-
son of irritable character, and an individual with whom
it was impossible for any man to agree. In opposition to
this the Noble Lord held in his hand the copy of a
memorial sent to the society in'favour of Mr. Griffin,
signed by 54 persons of Bridgetown ; one of them Mr.
Chelsea, the justice of peace of that place, and where
Mr. Griffin has resided for a considerable time. The
' memorial spoke in the highest terms of 3lr. Griffin, and
recommended the Society in removing him from Bridge-
town to appoint him at a given place where they were sure
his instructions would be attended to with the best
effect. The memorial was dated in 1826. It was
perfectly true that there was much bitter contention
in their colonies, and which undoubtedly was aggravated
by this Society. The greater part of the Colonies was
Peopled by Presbyterians, Baptists, and others, who
had no relish whatever for Clergymen of the Church
of England. In those parts there was the greatest readi-
ness to pay their own Ministers without assistance h ow
this country, and therefore the manner in which this So-
ciety had been conducted had increased the contentions ex-
isting. The Noble Lord thought there would havebeen little
objection to this motion for an enquiry into the application
for certain grants of money made by Government to this
society for the propagation of the Gospel ; but now that
he saw the noble Earl opposite, who lately held the
Colonial Department, and such a body of Holy Alliance
(there were a great many Bishops present) he began to ex •
pect it. The Noble Lord's charges were, that the Society

Earl BATHURST had on a former occasion expressed
his intention of opposing the motion which the Noble
Lord had just made, and he saw no reason now to alter his
determination. The Noble Lord seemed to think that
charging this country with the maintenance of the clergy
in North America was a Flew principle, established only
15 years ago, owing to an arrangement which he (Earl
Bathurst) had made in 1813. On the contrary, that
practice had existed so long as from 1702, and for the last
15 years the grants of money had been considerably in-
creased, in 1812 the amount granted being 2,600/. The
arrangement made for a long time previous to his holding
his former office connected with the colonies, was, that the
society should pay their minister one half and the Govern-
ment the other half, amounting generally to 701. their sa-
lary. In consequence of representations having been made,
however, of the necessity of increasing that allowance—
the salary of missionaries was raised to 2001. the Govern-
ment paying 1001. With respect to the churches, it was
true that they could not vie in magnificence with the
churches in this country, but he denied that they were mere
logs, they were such as the people could provide, and
were suited to the purposes for which they were built.—
In Upper Canada the number of missionaries had been in-
creased in consequence of the application of the Lieutenant
Governor, who stated, that i❑ consequence of the want of
Ministers, adventurers coming from the United States oc-
cupied that place which the Ministers of the Gospel ought
to till ; and stating that if on no higher principle than po-
licy, those who preached the Gospel in his Majesty's do-
minions in America ought to he the subjects of his Majesty
and not of the United States. His Lordship would now
state some particulars respecting the gentleman on account
of whose petition the motion before the House had ori-
ginated, He had been a missionary for five or six years,
and had, after that period, in accordance with the advice
of the Bishop of Nova Scotia, been removed as unfit for his
office. That gentleman now called upon their Lordships,
in consequence of that removal, to dispossess all the Minis-
ters in the colony of their remuneration, though their
Lordships had heard no complaints from any other person
or colony. If their Lordships had heard Mr. Griffin's
petitions read, they would have found the statement of the
Bishop of Nova Scotia, with respect to his being
of an irritable temper, sufficiently borne out. His
Lordship stated, that he would read an extract from that
petition to their Lordships. The petitioner stated " that
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel was deceived
by the artful representations of the natives, whom the pe-
titioner believed to be surpassed in profound cunning by no
people in the world." That was, however, mild language,
compared with a letter which he had addressed to Mr. Se-
cretary Huskisson about six or seven weeks ago. Mr.
Griffin wrote, that he had very important communications
to make relative to the corrupt state of the ecclesiastical
and colonial affairs of the British settlements in North

America, and particularly with respect to the diocese of
Nova Scotia and Prince of Wales's Island, where the autho-
rities dispensed with the laws and the gospel, as best suited
their purpose. The persecutions to which persons of all
ranks from the mother country were exposed were most
alarming. There was no difference with respect to reli-
gious persuasions ; the native interests of the colony was
the watch-word : Englishnten were stigmatised as aliens
and bastards; they were deprived of the privilege and pro-
tection of the laws of the land, and reduced to the condi-
tion of outlaws and excommunicated persons ; the perpe-
trators of outrages against them were promoted. Hear,
Old England, and be astonished !—(A laugh.) That was
the letter which had been written by a gentleman, for
whose inoffensive turn of mind the Noble Baron could
answer. The Noble Lord had on a former occasion stated,
as an instance of the mismanagement of the society's fund,
the case of Mr. Jenkins, who received a salary as mis-
sionary at Quebec, while residing in Prince of Wales's
Island, eight lomdred miles distant. The fact was, that
Mr. 3enkirs, in proceeding to Quebec to fulfil the
duties of his appointment, stayed a short time at
Prince of Wales's Island for the improvement of his
health, and the Society having learned that the climate of
that place agreed with him, altered his appointment, and
made him missionary in Prince of Wales's island, and sent
another person out to Quebec. Mr. Griffin complained,
that in consequence of that appointment he had been re-
moved from Prince of Wales's Island. One reason for the

removal of that gentleman was, in consequence of a letter
which he addressed, not many weeks after he arrived in
that island, stated that the missionary there was not in
priest's orders ; that he was in a deacon's office, taking
upon himself to officiate as a priest in the sacrament. The
society, upon receiving this information, wrote out to the
person to whom Mr. Griffin had alluded, and the answer
be sent back was his letters of ordination dated in 1774.
The gentleman was of very advanced years, and as the
feelings of the inhabitants were very strong in his favour, it
was thought proper to remove Mr. Griffin from that island.
The Noble Lord opposite had made it matter of complaint
that the Bishop of Nova Scotia had never thought of
residing in his diocese excepting for two or three months
after his appointment, but that lie came over to this coun-
try', and after some years of amusement received a pension
of 8001. With respect to the Society, they hail no con-
cern in that matter. If there was any thing improper
in the proceeding, he (Lord"Bathurst was alone responsi-
ble. Dr. Stanser had been rector of St. Paul's in the

parish of Halifax, for thirty years. It was at this time
that he (Earl Bathurst) had read a requisition signed by
all the principal inhabitants, the object of which was to
obtain the appointment of this respectable divine to
the Bishopric ; and under the circumstances stated, he
(Earl Bathurst) felt himself warranted in submitting his
name to his Majesty, who was graciously pleased to confer
the appointment upon him. A year and a half only after
big appointment, a fire broke out in Nova Scotia ; it was
in the night time, and the Bishop, as soon as he heard of
it, went to the spot,and by his own personal activity sue-
ceedeil in extinguishing the flames, His exertions on this
occasion were followed by a severe illness, and he was in-
duced to come over to England to have medical advice.
During his stay here, he called upon him (Earl Bathurst)
and represented his 'desire to return to his diocese; -and in
consequence of his auzjii".7 pg theeubject, he (Earl Bathurst)

Lord GODERICH said that of all the petitions ever
submitted to the consideration of their Lordshis, he thought
this the most unfortunate, there being no ground for any
of the allegations it contained. The Noble Lord who pre-
seated the petition, had stated the other irvening that be
was prepared to rest his mstion exclusively on the represen-
tations of the petition ; and his (Lord Goderich's) Noble
Friend (Earl Bathurst) had shown that those representa-
tions were unfounded. He (Lord Goderich) had read
the petition, and he could not help saying, that he thought
it contained a great deal of what was commonly called rig-
marole. He (Lord Goderich) would take the liberty of
giving their Lordships another specimen of the language in
which this petitioner expresses himself when his feelings
are excited, and after this, he (Lord Goderich) thought
their Lordships would feel na surprise that the society had
taken the step with respect to him Which was now so
much complained of. In a letter addressed in June, 1826,
to the Bishop of Nova Scotia, who, so far as be (Lord
Goderich) knew, had nothing whatever to do with the
Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts, he had
made use of words to this effect :—" The vicar is a man
who had completely studied the art of duplicity."—
" Surely this is playing the part of a madman or a devil."
(A laugh. )—"lt will require almost the whole of your arts
of deception and intrigue to set the people against him ;"
and then, in conclusion, this gentle peaceful person (Cor-
nelius Griffin) gives the following advice to the Bishop :
" In conclusion, I must ask you to repent of your enor-
mities. You have been guilty of acts which are contrary
to law, to reason, justice, and the gospel of the church.
Remember, there will be a day, when the terrors of the
great Ged will await you; and when you will be subject
to render an account of your acts done upon earth. Pre-
pare for the thunders of the Almighty."—(A laugh.)—
These specimens of Mr. Griffin's gentle temper he (Lord 1
Goderich) thought would satisfy their Lordships as to the
degree of attention which out to be paid to the statements
of such a person. The Noble Lord then adverted to some
of the complaints as stated in the petition against the so-
ciety. With respect to the complaint that the society had
employed those who were natives of the province, he (Lord
Goderich) confessed he was surprised at it. If persons
from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge had been
selected in preference to those who were educated on the
spot, lie (Lord Goderich) should have thought that the
Noble Lord would have been the first to complain. The
society had acted in a manner which he (Lord Goderich)
thought they had a right to be specially proud of, and he,
for one, returned them his sincere thanks.—(Hear, kear.)
The Bishop of LONDON felt it due to the society, as
well as to the individual from whom lie had received the
letter which he held in his hand, to state that the charge
against the society of their having offered to Mr. Griffin
'rst 501., and afterwards 1001. not to bring the state-
ments which the petition contained before their Lordship',
appeared entirely without foundation. The letter he al-
luded to was from Archdeacon Potts, whose kind dispo-
sition had induced him to make a communication to Mr.
Griffin on the subject of his statements. 'With their
Lordships leave he would read the letter, which was ad-
dressed to himself.—(Near, hear.) The Right Rev. Pre-
late then, read the letter, which stated in substance that
Mr. Griffin had called at the house of the writer (Arch-
deacon Potts), at Kensington, on Sunday, the 9th inst., be-
tween seven and eight o'clock in the evening, and that in
reply to some observations of his (Archdeacon Potts's),
respecting the violent and inflammatory letter which he
(Mr. Griffin) bad written, and for which he (Archdeacon
Potts) said he thought the Society had done right in
getting rid of him, he asked whether there was any law
against repentance and apology, and adverted to the pe-
cuniary losses he had met with. The letter then went on
to state, that on the next meeting of the Committee of the
the Society, he (Archdeacon Potts) had made a represen-
tation of what had passed between him and Mr. Griffin,and
they requested that lie should see him again ; thtt another
interview between them accordingly took place, and the
Archdeacon then told Mr. Griffin that he thought if he
(Mr. Griffin) would make an apology to the Society for
his conduct, and state the amount of losses he had sus-
tained, the Committee might probably advance him 501.
orloo/.; but he was not to consider the suggestion as made
from motives of fear, or to purchase his silence. The
Archdeacon added, that he had no knowledge of the nature
of Mr. Griffin's petition to their Lordships. The Right
Rev. Prelate said, that this was the substance of the letter
from Archdeacon Potts to him, and having read it, lie
did not think it necessary to trouble their Lordships with

any further observations.
Lord KING said, that with respect to the observations
made by the Noble Lord (Lord Goderich) as to the temper
of Mr. Griffin, he could say nothing, for he had never
seen Mr. Griffin but once in his life. He (Lord King)
had made the statement respecting the offer of 501. or 1001.
upon the authority of Mr. Griffin, who, is a recent letter
to him, said, " Archdeacon Potts called on me yesterday
to request me not to bring the affair before the House, and
offered me first 501. and then 1001. I repelled his offer,
and (laughter.) This was his (Lord King's) authority.
He had not rested his motion on the allegations contained
i❑ the petition. He had put it upon other and different
grounds. What be complained of was the provision made
by the colonial assemblies. The Right Rev. Prelate had
said that the society had no objection to the inquiry, and
yet he had resisted the motion on their behalf. He (Lord
King) rested his motion on the ground of pluralities ; and
if an inquiry were directed, their Lordships would see
what the real nature of the case was.

The motion was then put, and negatived without
division,—Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, MARCM 21.

At four o'clock a Messenger from the Lords presented
himself at the Bar of the House, and stated that the pre-
sence of the Commons was requested in the other House,
in order to hear read a Commission from his Majesty,
giving the Royal Assent to several Bills, for which see the
Lords' Report.
The SPEAKER informed the House that the peti-
tioners against the return of a Member to sit in that House
for the borough of Weymouth had not entered into the
requisite securities and the petition was therefore dismissed.
A person from the Secretary's Office in Ireland pre-
sented papers relative to Charitable and Literary Institu-
tions in Ireland.

Mr. Wilbehere, from the Audit Office, presented the an-
nual accounts from that office.

111 r. VILLIERS STUART presented a petition from
the inhabitants of Waterford, in favour of the Youghall
Bridge Bill.
Sir J. ASTLEY moved the third readinc, of the Bill for
dividing awl allotting lands in the parish of Horton.
Mr,HOBHOCSE presented a petition from an indivi-
dual named Thomas Bradfield, of Darby-street, praying
that two or snore coal meters may be appointed by his Ma-
jesty (and not by the magistrates), for the county of
Surrey; and that the petition be referred to the Commit.
tee on the Surrey Coal Bill.—Referred to the Committee
accordingly.
Sir WM. HEATHCOTE moved the third reading of
the Bill for erecting a new Market-house at Gosport.—The
Bill was read a third time accordingly, and passed.
BATTERSEA AND WANDSWORTH INCLOSURE.
Mr. CHARLES PALLMER presented a petition from
the Trustees of Marshall's Charity against this Bill ; he
stated that the impropriate tithes of the fields intended to
be enclosed, were invested in the petitioners for the bene-
volent purposes of increasing small livings, and releasing
persons confined for small debts. The petitioners, as well
as he (Mr. P.), were too well aware of the liberality

upon consideration, it should appear to him that the Act
required amendment, he should be most ready to introduce
such amendments as were consistent with the principle of
the Bill. He denied that the Bill had an ex post
.facto
operation, and contended, that the parts of the Act which
had excited the greatest opposition, were those which com-
pelled men to he honest and fulfil their obliptions. (Hear. 6
With respect to the opposition to the Act, on account of
interference with the law of wills, he would admit the Bill
restrained the owners of leasehold lauds from doing that by
will which they were prevented from doing by granting
leases, viz., splitting their leasehold into several small farms.
If he could make any amendment without abandoning th,•
principle of the Bill, he was willing to do so, but if not he
should prefer adhering to the principle of the Bill, and leav-
ing it as it stood at present.
Mr. WM. PEEL presented a petition from Thorna.
Williams, of Bangor, praying for an alteration of the pre
sent system of licensing public houses.

Mr. DAWSON uao-ed that there be laid before thr
House variov, returns relative to the amount of duties pa;fi
upon Malt, &c. by scotch Distillers during the year end
ing January, IS2B.—Ordered.