Star.
London, England, 1823-06-13 00:00:00

England: it would introduce among us the Johanna
Southcotes, the Ranters, the Jumpers, and every ati..
surd sect hereafter to be formed by the ingenuity,
the wickedness, or the weakness of man. But there
was another part of the Bill he could not sanction :I
be could not consent that the Ministers of the Church
of England should be obliged to carry into execution
such an Act as this, to which they must entertain,
and justly, conscientious objections. He admitted
that the Noble Lord had himself some doubts-as to
the expediency of the Bill, as to what he modeitly,
enough called its perfection. It seemed, however, to
him totally unfit for adoption in its present shape,
and he should oppose it.
Lord LIVERPOOL thought that the object of the
present Bill was necessary and expedient. He cer-
tainly never could consent to the Bill in its present
form; but even at this late period of the Session he
was not unwilling to send it to a Committee. He
thought the principle, or rather the object of the Bill,'
was unexceptionable, as it had been recognized with
regard to the marriages of Jews and Quakers. He
thought it much the most advisable'course, if the:
Church felt no objection, to form such a service as
could not be objected to by any religious sect or
party. He should, under all the circumstances, move,
not for putting off the measure altogether, but set:d-
ing it as it was to a Committee.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY received with
much alarm the proposition just made by the Noble
Earl (Liverpool). It was, he apprehended, the very
first proposal ever made in. that House to alter the
Liturgy in matters of doctrine, by framing a service
to which Dissenters ofCatholics could conscientiously
conform. He knew not how ha could agree to the
present Bill, though he was quite willing to admit
that the subject deserved very serious consideration.
The Bishop of WORCESTER admitted that the
imperfections of the present Bill were numerous,
but with all its defects lie thought it right to send it
to a Committee, since he approved of its principle,
and could hereafter object to its imperfections.
Lord REDESDALE objected to the principle of
the Bill, because it went to recognise the validity of
Gretna green marriages, and, indeed, martiages of
every description.
Lord HARROWBY said, much as he was di,-
po,ed to relieve the consciences of Disienters, he
could not go the extent of this Bill. Ile thought.
by going into the Committee recommended by the
Noble Earl, a more unexceptionable Bill m, ht be i
produced next Session.
The Bishop of CHESTER thought time ought to
be given tas the Clergy to present petition; to the
House, if they should think it necessary to do so.
Lord CALTIIORPE 'did not think the interests of
- the Church of England were promoted by com-
pelling individuals to join in ceremonies which they
thought contrary to season, and unauthorised by:
Scripture. At present he was not prepared to carry:
the relief proposed to all Distenters. He thought it
ought to be confined to Unitarians, because they dif-
fered with the Established Church upon funda.nental
points. He expresseil so far his queified approba.
:tion of this Bill,. but he thought sometime ought to
be afforded for deliberation. •
The Bishop of LLANDAFP. thought two things
ought to be considered before this Bill was agreed to
};first, who were the persons who were to be at liberty
• to solemnize mart iages ; and. secondly, what were the
forms to be observed? In anxiety to afford toleration
to the consciences of individuals? te would yield to
no man; but as he did not know that any Dissenters,
except Jews, Quakers, and Roman Catholics, ob-
served any marriage ceremonies. be thought the pais•
ing of the Bill is its present form* would be prejudi-
ciil to mntals Arid religion.
Lord ELLS fl was 'surprised that the
Right Reverend Prelate should think any. injury
could' be done to nforils or religion, by peimitting
- individuals to celehratewriarriages according to their
consciences. Oa the other hand; he thought a great
injury would be done to morals and religion, by com-
pelling individuals to comply with forms to which
they entertained conscientious objections. He did itch
say that lie agreed with all the details of the Bill, and
he ther6fore wished that it should be read a-second
Aisne, in order to afford an opportunity of considering
the details in Committee,
Lotd CARNARVON—AIthough he was not very
anxious that the Bill should pass into a law this
Session, set he should vote for a second reading, be-
catise, alter discussing the clauses in the Committee,
their Lordships would be better able to suggest any
alterations they might think fit.
The Marquis of LANSUOWN replied.
Their Lordships divided on the second reading. •
Contents - -le I Non•Contenta - -16
Prozies - - - 6 ['Mk* -
SI I .
Majority against the second reading
Adjourned.