The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-02 00:00:00

SECOND DAY.

Yesterday the sittings of the Convention were resumed at
the Crown and Anchor, Strand. The room was filled with
delegates, upwards of 1,000 being present.
At eleven o'clock the Rev. Dr. YOUNG, of Perth, took the
chair, and congratulated the delegates on the spirit which
had been manifested on the preceding day.
The Rev. Mr. SHOEBOTHAM, of Dundee, was then an-
nounced. A short time since he and his fellow countrymen
thoucht that they IVAra haina
"WM Ilt3rtnomt now they had crossed the border to witness
the scene of conflict in England.—(Loud cheers.) As in
Scotland, so in England, moral suasion and moral force must
' be employed; in moral measures there was enough of power
to throw off the incubus which a national Establishment had
placed on Christianity. They (the Dissenters) had been
taunted by the charge of belonging to the movement party.
He, for one, did not deny it. Change was the law of the
universe; everything changed but Jehovah, and as to be-
longing to the movement party, he gloried in it, and forward
they would proceed in their course until they succeeded in
obtaining the full triumph of the Gospel.—(Loud cheers.)
The Rev. Gentleman addressed the meeting at great length,
and concluded by proposing the first resolution, which was a
summary of a paper read on the preceding evening. It
affirmed that in the judgment of the Conference the union of
the Church with the State had been proved, by a long and
varied course of experience, to be highly injurious and
productive of the most deplorable results, both political
and spiritual ; that all historical evidence led to the conclu-
sion that national establishments for securing the stated ob-
servance of Divine ordinances and the promulgation of reli-
gious truth, were maintained chiefly for political purposes,
were essentially secular rather than religious institutions,
and merged the spiritual interests of men in the attempt to
further; the ends of civil rulers ; that the endowment by the
State of any class of clergy had never failed to render them
till abettors of oppression ; that State churches, wherever
they existed, and under every variety of modification, tended
to enhance the bitterness of political strife, to deepen feel-
ings of alienation between class and class, and to infuse into
the discussion of all leading topics of national policy a spirit
of intolerance and bigotry; that the claims which they set
up and enforce restricted in every way the rights of citizen-
ship, rendered just, impartial, and comprehensive legislation
an impracticability, checked the free action of political insti-
tutions, and clogged the whole machinery of civil govern-
ment, seriously retarded the progress of popular education,
and threw a seemingly religious sanction over the most un
righteous principles of State policy; that, great as were the
political evils resulting from the union of Church and State,
they sunk into insignificance when compared with the in-
juries inflicted by it upon the spiritual interests of mankind,
and that Christianity had had to contend with no external
and institutional impediment mere formidable than State
churches; that by establishments the amount of pious and
benevolent zeal on the part of the people was repressed ; and
that the union of Church and State was the largest, the most
specious, and the most fatal obstacle which Christianity in
these realms had to encounter.

The Rev. Mr. EDWARDS (of Nottingham) seconded the re
solution.

The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried nem. dis.
The Rev. J. W. Masses (of Manchester) then read a
paper reviewing the various forms and degrees in which
the principles of the union of Church and State is carried
out in the ecclesiastical arrangements of the British Govern-
ment, both in the United Kingdom and in the colonies and
dependencies of the empire.
On the motion of the Rev. J. E. Grum, of Leeds, seconded
by the Rev. Mr. KING, of Cork, a resolution embodying the
facts of Mr. Massie's paper, was put to the meeting and car-
ried with but two dissentients. This circumstance was oc-
casioned by some reflections on the Unitarians, but the re-
marks objected to were eventually struck out by mutual
agreement.
It was resolved,—" That in contending for the separation
of the Church from the State, this Conference contemplates
au ultimate appeal to the Imperial Parliament for the fol-
lowing objects :—First, for the repeal of all those laws which
render either the profession or the disavowal of any form of
religious faith and worship, or the subscription, or recital, or
adoption, in any way, of any declaration containing or im-
plying a pledge of a certain line of conduct towards any re-
ligious body or institution, a necessary qualification for the
exercise of any public office or employment, or which confer
on the ministers of any religion, in any of its forms,
the
right, as such, to fill any Parliamentary station or public
office, or to perform any public or State function, or which
exclude all ministers of religion, except thosea ttachnendotcocaa-
specified sect, from conducting services of re
bodiest
ak
out of the sions of State ceremony, and before either
or of tilineattira'
otinonosusoers
of Parliament, and other national
revenue,
which devote public money, whether
Parlia-
mentary taxes, or any other branch
f lands, buildings, or
form of religious faith or
worship, or which, on
otherwise, to the support of any
the
ground of religious faith or
national
or public property; whether consisting o
payments, or create distinctions of
b-iic
wor-
ship, exempt front pu
f laws, entirely abolishing public exactions in
any nature, honourable or otherwise. Secondly, for the
enactment o
support of any form of religious faith or worship, and re-
suming into the hands of Parliament (with due regard to the
life interests of actual beneficiaries, and to the equitable
claims of all other parties), for application to purposes strictly
national, and purely secular, all lands, buildings,
foring ths,aendsupOpotherrt
property, at any time granted by Parliament
of religious faith or worsnip in any form, or for the exclusive
use of men or bodies of men, professing or maintaining any
description of religious faith or worship."
After the transaction of some routine business the Confer-
ence was adjourned; its deliberations will be closed this day.

OPENING OF• TIIE BRICKLAYERS' ARMS STATION
OF THE CROYDON RAlLWAY.—Yesterday morning the branch
line was opened, despite the lamentable accident which hap-
pened so recently. Everything is again restored, and the
greatest pains have been taken to render safety doubly se-
scure by cross braces and struts to the roofs, &c. The whole
of the platform, pelages, and waiting-rooms, to the extent
of at least 40,000 feet,'have been laid by the Seyssel Asplialte
Company, and present. a remarkably even surface, and is
indeed so close a resemblance to a light coloured slate, that
until the spectator's attention is drawn to the tablets in-
serted here and there in the asphalte, he is left in surprise
as to the manner in which so large a surface could be so uni-
formly laid down. There is also the flat roof of the colon-
nade laid with the same material in lien of lead. It contains
five thousand feet, and is free from those rolls which are ne-
cessary to secure the joints of that metal. The fc rade of the
terminus is a very novel one, and reflects great credit upon
Mr. Lewis Cubitt, the architect ; and the whole of the works,
which have been entrusted to Messrs. Grissell and Peto, are
finished in the best possible manner.

England...'
Scotland...
Ireland

54
G. A.
Excise-office. London. 20

Total ..

2,922,706
18,560
51,795

i 2,993,061
COTTRELL,
Ith April. 1844,

£26,189 5 6
Acct. Gen'.

AQUATICS.

The arrangements for the forthcoming season, of the seve-
ral clubs interested in aquatic sports, are now pretty well con-
cluded, and under circumstances that leave no doubt of a
brilliant and delightful season, such indeed as has not been
sustained for some time back; this remark may particularly
apply to the grand summer festival of the metropolitans—
the Thames Regatta, which will take place under the usual
management, about the middle of June; the exact time, how-
ever, will be made known at the general meeting of the club.
A large suns has been subscribed towards the funds, and
amongst the contributors are the Vice-Chancellor of England,
Lord Castlereagh, and several other noblemen and gentlemen.
The regattas of the Royal Squadron will take place as usual,
and the general prizes, including her Majesty's and other
cups, will be contended for. Several yachts are undergoing
the necessary alterations for the season, and are being other-
wise prepared. The total number is about 86, of which are
entered those of the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Earl of
Wilton, the Earl of Dysart, Sir T. M. Wilson, Sir J. H. Pelly,
the Marquis of Conyngham, Lord H. Cholmondeley, Lord
Wharncliffe, the Duke of Rutland, the Earl of Ilchester, the
Marquis of Anglesey, Sir John Bezley, Bart, Viscount Mil-
ton, Sir Hyde Parker, Bart., the Earl of Yarborough, the
Earl of Orkney, the Earl of Egremont, the Earl of Tyrconnel,
the Marquis of Ormond, T. M. Gibson, Esq., M.P., Viscount
Pewerscourt, Sir John Walshe, Bart., and other noblemen
and gentlemen. The Royal Southern Yacht Club have also
made the necessary arrangements for a propitious season.

CAST-IRON LIGHTHOUSE.—The attention of the
curious for seine time past has been directed to an immense
iron building which, for the last two or three months, has
been progressing under the auspices of its builders, Messrs.
Cottam and Mullen, iron-founders of the Corawall-road,
Lambeth. It is to he a lighthouse made entirely of cast-
iron, one of the first, if not the first, that has ever been con-
structed. It is composed of 130 iron plates, averaging eight
feet by six, and an inch and a quarter thick. These plates,
ten of which make a circumference, are connected together
by wrought-iron bolts, screws, and sheet-iron, the inter-
stices being filled up with cement. Its diameter at the base
is 24 feet, gradually decreasing to a width of 14 at the top,
where it is surmounted by a gallery 20 feet wide, which is
encircled by iron railings 4 feet high. In the centre of this
gallery is the lantern, surmounted by a cone 8 feet high, and
which is also mace of cast-iron. Its total altitude is 137
feet. The top of the building is gained by a staircase of iron
fixed to the sides. The structure is divided into nine cham-
bers, the floors and ceilings of which are made of sheet-iron
fastened to the sides and to a cast-iron pillar, which goes to
the top of the building. It is lighted by windows 18 inches
square, and glazed with strong plate glass. Its total weight
is about 300 tons. It is to he fixed on one of the Bermuda
islands, on a rock 150 feet high, consequently its total height
faom the sea to the top of the lantern will be 387 feet. Such
a building as this has been for a long time a great desidera-
tumsrtrepass of
s.oas
in these islands, for during the winter, which. begins in
November and ends in April, these islands are sulivFct to se-
vere north-west gaits, which frequently dismast titpes cross-
ing these lattitudes ; indeed, there is scarcely awt
without eighteen or twenty
weather, or forced on the rocks,outveelswbhe'icinhgrdurinv'en by
many nailer
to north and north-west.
At the Anti-Corn-law League meeting, last night,
ticularly happy in his allusions to the
Mr. Ricardo was par
that so long as the Premier o
repeated references were madeemonatdienoto.utiliee.aßpupldicaettioofnMoofntdhaey.r.
subject. lie justly, remarked,
Chancellor of the },chequer
free trade principles to minor monopolies, such as corks, straw
currants,
and herrings, the corn monopolists are as
benches on which they recline : but that the
m
proposed to touch the monster monopolies, they '
alarm and frighten the Minister from his spilloaenintitse:n a
3 moment iti t i
i
raise
pur-
pose, by menacing his Government with destruction. The
question then, comes to be, what are the Corn-law Repealers
carry
a freehis t
to do ? Or how, to put the question in another form, Is the
Minister to be prevailed on to disregard the threats of the
floarndthedatolsigir Robertarc,a
Peelnd is frreaedetrraidnehveiaerwt-,s
tihnetoreecaffenc,
as?
Lord Kinnaird remarked last night, be no doubt. We concur
with Mr. Ricardo in thinking, that there is no hope of corn-
law repeal while the present Parliament lasts. It is exceed-
• l tug y doubtful whether, even were the Premier to make the
attempt, he would succeed in abolishing the bread monopoly
with the present Parliament. The landed interest is too
strong for him. Another general election must take place
before the oligarchical power can be crushed in the Commons.
Let the friends of free trade, then, make the requisite prepa-
rations for such an event ; and let them commence imme-
diately. There is no time to be lost. A general election
cannot be very remote ; it may be much nearer than is gene-
rally supposed. It'may be at hand. " One thing is certain,
that if Sir Robert Peel should make up his mind to abolish
the corn monopoly, the very first thing he will do will be to
dissolve Parliament. Let, then, the League hold themselves
in readiness for any contingency that may occur, and not
be taken by surprise when it does happen.—Advertiser.
DEATH OF ANOTHER STEEPLE-CHASER.--The horse
St. Botolph's, the property of Mr. Stokes, which rancatthe
Tenby steeple-chase on the Bth ult., andsubsequen I.y in a
private steeple-chase at Haverfordwest, which _
it won, died a
few days since from inflammation; the supposed consequence
of a cold caught after the last race.
f
THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.—Yes.erday a Court
of Directors was held at. the East India House, when Major-
General Sir George Pollock, G.C.8., was appointed a pro-
' visional member of the Council of India.
On Monday last Lord Robert Grosvenor visited the
• • establishment of Mr. SpottiswOode, and the printing
type-
foundry of Mr. Caslon. His Lordship, who is about to pre-
side at the ensuing anniversary dinner of the Printers' Pen-
sion Society, wished to obtain some insight into the nature of
the business, and learn from personal observation how the
employment of a printer is calculated to engender the dis-
eases to which lie is said to be liable. His Lordship made
very minute inquiries into the details of the business both
of the printer and the type-founder, particularly as to the
amount of their earnings, and the number of hours they were
employed. His Lordship was accompanied by the Secretary
of the Society daring his visit, which occupied him quite
three hours, and expressed himself much gratified with what
he had seen.