Star.
London, England, 1815-12-29 00:00:00

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were all in immense Eilsesmers, it afrottf Wilosaftol•
trim iotOlerant and persecutinkiaMitas and 'Otactices.
And they were all, both the French and the English
Protestants, dissenters from the Church of lame;
having separated from her conimunion because she
imposed doctrines, as ankles of faith, which are not
i•-the. Holy Scriptures, and because she compelled
men to profess them against the convictions of their
own consciences. He had no doubt the Bishops in
their places in Parliament, would in the ensuing• Se-
ssion, speak the sense of the Church in unison with
the resolutions of that meeting. But it was said that'
it was fithly unbecoming in us to interfere with the
French Government in behalf of its Protestant sub.
jests, because we ourselves should indignantly resent
any such interference on the part of the French in
regard to our conduct toward the Catholic subjects
of this country. The author of this objection must
suiely.suspect that there is something faulty in the
conduct of British Protestants towards their Catholic
brethren ; otherwise it could never have been surmised
that indignation would he excited by a friendly and
temperate lesson of wisdom and truth from any quar-
ter. l)id the Protestants of this country inflict en the
Catholics what Protestants are now suffering in
France, what reflecting and liberal mind is there that
would condemn an interference for their protection ?
The argument, however, admits of being viewed i
another light ; and applied to shew an inconsistency
on the part of those who, are willing to interfere is
behalf of religious liberty abroad, but who are ad-
vocates for exclusion and disabilities for
sake at borne. Mr. B. contended that there was a
manifest abstirdity in our holding ourselves out as the'
assertors and vindicators of the rights of other people,
so long as the smallest spark of persecution remained
anextinguished,—the smallest germ of intolerance
nneradicated among ourselves. He should not dwell
on this point, as it had only a collateral relation to
the same question, but he thought it right to allude to
it. . His opinion he should express in the words of,
the Apostle, 66 Recompense to no man evil for evil.
If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give
him drink." So he would say; if he endure oppres-
sion or persecution in any shape, emancipate him.
" For in so doing. thou shalt heap coals of fire on his
head." He concluded With reading the resolutions.
Rev. T. Diets rose to second the motion of the
preceding speaker, and spoke nearly as follows : •
" if, Mr. Mayor, the assembly whom I have now
the honour to address, were persons of intolerant prin-
ciples; if I had reason td %,elieve that•they thought it
necessary to hate and persecute their fellow.creaturei
in order to do Goa service, I should enter very deeply
unto the subject which now engages our attention ;
but as I have no reason to entertain sentiments so
discreditable to the present meeting, I shall not en-
large on this occasion, but shall leave it to the gen-
tleman who will succeed me to dilate on a number of
interesting facts which he will be able to bring for-
ward for our information. I must, however, be pen.
mitted to express my abhorrence of a persecuting
spirit. It is contrary to reason and to scripture, and,
as may be proved by history, productive of the most
baneful effects upon the human mind. It is contrary
to reason ; for, it I claim the privilege of thinking for
myself, certainly I ought to concede to others the
same privilege. if you would make a convert of me
to your opinions, produce your strong reasons, con.
vince my yudguient, and I may become a rational
convert. But to attempt to use fire and sword in
order to make me think otherwise than my consci•
ence dictates, is as absurd as it is wicked. Fur though
there are chains to confine the body, yet there are
none which yoU can twine around the mind. My
thoughts are, and must, in the very nature of things,
be free and unfettered by external forte. Intolerance
it as contrary to scripture as it is to reason. I know
that the holy scripture may be perverted to :observe
the basest purposes. The best things are the most
liable to abuse. Medicine is a good thing, and yet,
I conceive, that many an unskilful practitioner has
killed his patient by an improper application of its
powers I will give you, Sir, one curious instance of
the perversion of the scriptures, out of many which
might be adduced :
" Our SAVIoUIt relates a parable of a certain man
who made a great supper, and bade many ; and at
the time of•supper sent his servants to invite those
who were bidden, but they would not come; there-
fore he desired his_ servants to go out into the high
way and hedges and compel the poor to come in. Hence
certain divines have thought themselves justified in
using fire aad sword to my/id men to-come into the
church. Now, Sir, not to mention the absurdity o
building an important doctrine on a subordinate cir-
cumstance of a parable, it could not be in the power
of a few servants to compel, by any other force than
that of persuasion, a multitude of people to attend the
supper. We see, therefore, how little Christianity
,is to be blamed for the absurd abuses which injudi.
dons persons may make of its doctrines. By an appeal
to history, I might abundantly illustrate the baneful
seliects of intolerance. There is something in this spi•
nit which seems to poison the very sources of human
virtue. It destroys whatever is lovely, whatever is
,tiscellentt whatever is satiable in the human) charm.
ter—it converts men into savages. Persons other-
wise benevolent, have delighted to glut their eyes
with a horrid ferocity on the torments inflicted' on
.their fellow creatures, and to witness scenes tifcruelly
which huthanity shudders to contemplate. Here I
hove ahundantscepe for illustration, but I forbear,
'because I Would no; wish to excite hatred against,
any sect of .htistians. Let these scenes retire into
oblivion, unless necessity shall compel us to bring
them into view, for the warning and instruction of
mankind.
66 But as I do not pretend to discuss the subject at
large, I forbear to enter into a variety of particulars.
I believe that our town is sufficiently' tolerant iii its
principles. -The ministers of various persuasions live
Itillgetber in the greatest cordiality, mid as they cannot
think alike on all points, they agree to differ.--
During my long residence in this place, I have ever
erideavoureil, as much as in me lies, to preserve this
unanimity. Ido not conceive that the way to induce
Dissenters to think well of the Church of England, is
to persecute and revile them. and separate them from
our company. What can be expected from such a
conduct, but opposition to the Establishment. and
hatred tq its Ministers f i *ink no man will testify
of rise that I have ever spoke. disrespectfully of •itny
minister of religion. There pie. I allow, sentiments
which j eery much disapprove, but then those who
embrace than are accountable not Maw, bat wait,.

'Nairn Cron upon tba Ade; nraielvi
issessingthis day, is not convened so Gad afflie
slither with our GOVantinitte or with that of POW&
Louis XVIII. has been disciplined in the school Of
adversity—Protestants have afforded him an Ml*
in their country—Protestants have foughtliis banks—.
Protestants have placed the crown on his head. r
hope the guilt of persecution does not attach to thee
monarch ! His government will doubtless do every
thing which can be done to prevent a recurrence of
these dreadful scenes. Why then, it may be asked.
do we meet here this day? I apprehend o* meeting
is intencted to express our deep regret at the persecu-
tions which have taken place in the south of France :
and. it is a subject of deep regret, that in the 19th cen-
tury, men should be found so bigoted and intolerant,
as not only to revile their fellow Christians on account
of their religious principles, but to murder many, and
drive others into dens and mountains and caves of
the earth. We meet likewise to express our firm reso-
lution to assist our persecuted brethren by all the
means whichPaovintesca has put into our power ; and
on this part of our subject I anticipate no apposition.
In so goods work I trust we shall join with the
greatest cordiality. We meet to express our gratitude
w GOD, for the blessings which we enjoy under our
invaluable Constitution, and to shew that whilst we
are determined to use every effort to preserve them
inviolate, we are desirous that every nation should
enjo the same advantages.
lam, Sir, I will allow, what is called aministerial
man. If Mr. Fox were Minister, or Mr. Pitt were
Minister, I should exert my feeble efforts to support
their administration, so long as I had reason to be-
lieve that they were actuated by the love of their
country. At the same time, I esteem it right, that
the voice of the people should be heard ; 1 rejoice
that it has been heard on all those important occa-
sions which demand attention. If it should be ISt-
cessary_ for the Ministry of this country to act with
vigour, they may appeal to the voice of the people of
England, and shew that it will not be uttered in vain,
and that the wrongs of their suffering brethren must
be redreued."
Rev. Mr. Bear:—" Many of the subjects, Sir,
which are presented to our attention, are di a nature
purely intellectual. In the discussing of them no-
thing can be properly admitted but reasoning and ar-
guments; and to attempt to excite the passions,
would be to obscure the judgment, and counteract
the legitimate end. Other subjects belong exclusively
to the feelings; to argue concerning them would be
superfluous and absurd; and the question is at once
decided by an appeal to the human breast. The
subject now before you, Sir, admits of both these
methods of conviftion and persuasion. to the greatest
degree. On the injustice of persecution for religious
opinions the most able reasoner would find full scope
and employment for all his powers, without fear of
exhausting his materials ; ani the mist pathetic and
eloquent appeal to the *kinJer pAssious of the soul
would be more than justified by the condition of
the sufferers. Aware. however, of my incapacity
to do justice to the subject in either of these ways,
I shall by no means attempt it; but with your per-
mission, Sir, and under the forbearance of this Assent•
bly, offer a simple statement of the grounds on which
we proceed, and those reasons which have occurred
to the; why we should adopt the resolutions beforeats.
—The first question tfiat arises, naturally relates to
the matter of fact ; and some persons may be sur-
prised that we possess no more information concern-
ing events which are stated to have occurred in a
country at no great distance from our shores. I
would submit that this paucity of information is rather
a presumption in favour of the truth of the statements
, which are made; for it is a characteristic aggrava.
lion of the sufferings of persecuted persons, that they
find it- neither safe nor easy to complain. Souse.
times the sufferers are fearful to complain lest they
should yet more incense their adversaries; at MOM
their oppressors take effectual means to press.*
their circulating, among those who would pity
them, the tale of their woes. If, however. but a
short time bad elapsed since these events were stated
to have occurred. and no pains had been takes
to investigate the affair, we might still be required
to hesitate and refrain from acting; in this case,
however, many months have passed away, and the
facts have been verified by personal observation.
It the degree of information we possess were univer-
sally discredited, this might lead us to question its
truth and :efficiency t but on this very information
the Associated Presbytery of Edinburgh, the Com-
mon Council of London. and others fully competent'
,to decide on the value of evidence, have thought it
F right confidently to act. It will universally be ad-
mitted that the Government of our country possess
adequate,means of 'ascertaining the condition of the
inhabitants of any friendly nation. Suffice it then to
say, that the fact oldie sufferings of the Protestants
in South of France, is fully admitted by his Ma.
jesty's Ministers. If we were misinformed, it is next
to impossible that they shouid.[Mr. B. then read
some extracts from an authentic Communication,
transmitted by the Committee of the General Body
of t'rotestant Disseariat .Ministers in Loadoesl:—,'
this subject
?u.bireeetsumis—eda.--relthttnesult question which arises on
ghsaeionsnigtau? It is
tiin:oytonboet snlieverpthrisii:g thatterTsufferings on account of reli.
The thideertet shouldo acrbUg some'
eland
persecution . for religious opinions is so re-
pugn
eacvdi
vnttglai
is; oi
in
nwn ae(llnu
r France.
canoumr
human
scarcelyif e ed hi)
this
it 14
act
brailti:i hnertsoh
the
n eteverorwtlong
osiuicebotedi
possibility
century.
ctoosrnyrn
Indeed,
e,
supposed tha't France was little likely ever to have been
fithmveaentilea.of the pennutions of Protestants, For'
o successivese reigns,
Nobility, tiome
professed s i theed Royal
aFi :1; Ile' inej-
Cs9Ulrei
mi7noedf thiceitsr, persuos, and the free exercise in their
religion, have been affirmed to them by the most
and they have had fortified places de.
posited in their hands; yet we know that in scarcely
any country have Protestants suffered more than is
France. From the Reformation till the last sew
years of Henry IV. they had scarcely an interval of
be-
fore EAdicftteorftNheandtlat ots
avoilina•tedirgadarcfh:rmevarly. bere:
yoked, they were continually harassed and disturbed;
and it would be useless to dwell on the miseries they
endbred when that revocation took place. If' any
one doubt Whether thy resent lie it religious ter.
secution, I would auk have any Cittbelics ,Intrered
441Wiel affee; OS Si t
hips has