Star.
London, England, 1815-02-16 00:00:00

WYE./
LE BA! II and /FAST OF &NGLAND socarr.

Minutei of Proceedings at a Meeting of the Clergy
in the vicinity of Bristol, held at Langford Inn,
on the 2rith day of January, 18Ig.
The Rev. S. T. WYLDE, Rector of Übley, being
called to the Chair, addressed-thentiretingas allows
Anxious to promote the sacred cause which I
have presumed to espouse, I cannot but feel a consi-
derable degree of satisfaction on finding my views of
the subject so approved by the general opinitm of my
clerical brethren. I could have much wished that it
had suited their convenience to have been personally
present at this meeting—from their numbers. more
weight, perhaps, would have been given to an appli-
cation which I propose to be made to Parliament,
for obtaining a measure congenial with the belt in-
terests of religion and morality. The facility with
which the marriage ceremony can. be procured in the
environs of large towns is really alarming. It has
been the source of the most shameful indecencies, the
most heart-rending inquietude and the grossest vio-
lation of the laws both divine and human. About
two years ago I circulated adroit pamphlet on this
subject among the neighbouring Clergy, which has
been printed in the first Number of the Parartturrare,
together with the answers of the same, containing
the most extraordinary cases of illegal marriages. &c.
within their knowledge. The perusal of those letters
would speak more in favour of the adnption of the
measures on which we are met to consult, than any.
thin I could advance on the subj-ct.
a From the insignificance of my own private sta-
tion, I had little hope of (*.lining a redress of this
alirmiag and wide-spreading evil ; but it has been
my good fortune to attract the attention of a gentle--
man, as distinguished for his abilities ashe is ensibent
in rank, with that warmth a heart so peculiarly his
own, and with that strong desire of doing good which
has ever placed him in the Immo t range of philan-.
thropy : he has engaged to. patronize the cause, and
nothing, I believe, is wanting
.to induce his immedi-
ate; service‘ but the declared wishes of the Clergy of
this neighbourhood with strong proofs sof the existence
of the evil they complain of. As I believe we all
concur in this wish, and are all but too well furnished
with strong proofs of the existence of the evil, I have
only to move—.
" That Sir Imo HIPPCSLItt 1011 n; of Stoneman, In this
County, be earnestly req • :sted to ;nabs an application to Parlia-
ment for a repeal of some pans of the.present Mat deg. Act—
and more particularly far enacting some Stronger and more bind-
lug ties on persons applying for publication of Banns to parishes
wherein they de nut reside, and thereby co prevent the sanctity
of the m• Mar contract from being su frequently and shamefully
violated. And,
"'That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to Sir /cm Colts
Mere star, Ban. M.P. for the stales' regard be has manifested
to the cause of religion and morality, in the excellent Address
which he, delivered at thrlast Meeting of the sigitgriculbsral
Soddy, on the subject of irregular basso and isteemeous mar.
stases."
11. T. Wrios, Rector of Uhler. •
J. F. lioveroo, Rector of 'Bogdan.
Wm Ha a a LOT, Curate of Compton Marti&
JAM Cs NOCSWITT, ViCar sal West Itarptress.
Wm Levels, Rector of Wrinvon.
sicuAso Davis; Curate et Paxton.
TKOMAS WICKMAN', /Mar of Yaston.
Rico* Rs Hewitt. Curate of Cougresbury.
Row LA ND HOWlLL,Crrateof Wyke St. Laurence.
Rum rates, Rata of Rowbeirow.
Dam WILLIAMS, Curate of Bootontbe.
/ono N Vicar.4Bllat bran.
D. CATTeLL, es
_ 1011A1113CACLII, %NSW of Uphill.
foster Sonia, Curate of Sanwell:
alas Jones; Rtetot of Sbipbam.
U. S. Moocautrvo, Rector of-Lotto'.
WILLIAM! Puits.r.s, Ylcar:Of
J. Custer, Vicar of Cheddar. .
T.liewat es, Carats of Arbridge.
O. VAL,V, Yellow of King's College, Cambridge.
The Chairman having quitted the Chair, it was
unanimously resolved that the thanks of this Meeting,
be givi-n to the Rev. S. T. Wyt.nic, for the zeal and
abilities which he has evinced on this important !l
occasion.