The Sun.
London, England, 1827-02-09 00:00:00

ST. OLAVE'S HART-STREET.

A Meeting of the Parishioners of Dr. Owen, of St. Olave's,
Hart-street, took place yesterday, to take into consideration the
propriety of continuing to assess Dr. Owen for the poor's-rate,
and all other matters connected therewith. It was very nume-
rously and respectably attended. Mr. Churchwarden FRISBY, in
the absence of Dr. Owen, took the chair.
Mr. NELSON moved the resolution.

Mr. KING said, he came to the meeting quite in the spirit of
conciliation. Dr. Owen had not acted as he could have wished
him ; but for the sake of charity and conciliation, he trusted the
parish would forgive and forget all that had passed, and live hap.
pily with the rector for the future.

Mr. ROLM had a duty to perform to the parish which he
could not conscientiously abandon. They were called upon to
consider the propriety of continuing to assess Di. Owen for the
poor's-rate. Of such a propriety he could not for a moment enter-
tain a doubt. It was true that he heard much that day of concili-
ation, and of the propriety of conciliation ; but why did not Dr.
Owen, whose duty it was both to preach and practice conci-
liation, come himself, and manifest a desire to promote it?
But he would ask, was his opposition to contribute towards
the maintenance of the poor a mark of conciliation ? Was the
compelling the parish to borrow money at interest, a proof of
his conciliation ? Was the repeated law suits, in which he had
been so constantly engaged with his parishioners, a sign of
conciliation? Did his threat, that he would appeal against
every poor's-rate, if the parish continued to assess him, manifest
a spirit of conciliation? The very act to which he claimed
his title was enacted before the poor laws were created, and
consequently compelled him to give a fourth part of it for the
maintenance of the poor ; but Dr. Owen, not content with ex-
actingte
i3utiaottentt i
toot hf etuhfreenopoomry iilpwLa,eriwsehxhiipeocncteitedrws,ertueonondbeotrta
itfnhraermeoledbi
esfo
tlfeniill tahnaedn
ypuencroeionnd--
rolledtti
of Queen Elizabeth. One gentleman had informed them that he
had Dr. Owen's solemn assurance, that if he was exempted from
any payment of the poor's-rate, he would never augment his
tithe beyond 2s. in the pound. This, to be sure, was very
forbearing, considering that Dr. Owen only receives 2,0001. per
annum, at the levy of 2e. in the pound. But what faith could
be attached to the solemn assurance of Dr. Owen ? Look to the
minute book, refer to their own transactions, and they would
find that they were compelled,in vindication of their own honour,
to place on public record, and in public vestry, that Dr. Owen
had sent to the House of Commons a string of calumnious state-
ments and erroneous information. He argued upon other state-
ments to the same effect. But consider the time Dr. Owen
had chosen to object against bearing any part towards
maintaining the poor, the very period when the head of
the church had directed the Bishops to instruct the clergy
to ask the people alms for the support of the poor.—{Hear,
hear !) " Yes, gentlemen," be exclaimed, "we have had this
anomaly existing in our parish, Dr. Owen going round, in obe-
dience to the mandate of his master, soliciting alms for the poor,
and this very self-same Dr. Owen setting himself up in hostile
array against the whole parish, with a view to get exempted from
bearing any portion of the expence attendant on the maintenance
and support of the poor." Mr. Rolph concluded a sensible
speech by saying, that in dealing with him, the memorable words
of st. Peter should always be before them—" Through covetous-
ness shall they with feigned words make, merchandise of you."—
(Cheers.)
Mr. KING had unfortunately too much reason to impeach the
conduct of Dr. Owen ; he was sorry to say it was not what it
ought to have been ; but be was heartily tired of these dissensions;
and was in great hope that they were to cease.

Mr. NODIN observed, that the law rendered it imperative not
only to assess the rector, but also to receive the rate from him after
being so assessed.

Mr. RYLA ND.—I perfectly agree in the propriety of continuing
to assess Dr. Owen.

Several parishioners expressed themselves to the same effect,
and it was at last agreed, without a dissentient voice, that Dr.
Ocven should not only be compelled to pay the two poor's-rates
which were due from him, but that he should still continue to be
assessed for the future.
A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, and the meeting
then dissolved.