The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-10-08 00:00:00

THE Gann% MEETING
aF LIVEItI'OOL PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION,

The sanual. celebration of the formation of this association
was held at the Amphitheatre on Friday last, pursuant to
aaaouncement. The house, as on all former occasions of a
simile, nature, presented a most brilliant appearance, being
crowded in miry part, and seven-tenths of the auditory being
lodides—who, in spite of the unfavourable state of the weather,
would vulture from home to enjoy the delightful oratorical
treat provided for theta. Great numbers besieged the doors
as early as nine o'clock in the morning, and soon after ten,
at which time they were thrown open, not a seat was left un-
occupied, with the exception of that provided for the re-
porters, tad these reserved for the clergy and others who
were take part in the business of the day. A large gallery
was erected at the back of the stage, and was crowded with
fair visitants. The clergy sat on chairs in front, intermingled
with a few laymen. We noticed amongst them—The Revs.
Dr. Tatter-Oval, HughM'Neile, P. Barker, C. W. Lawrence,
A. Knox, J. E. Bates, R. P. Buddicom, B. Marshall, W.
reMoon, C. W. Richard., Fenton, J. K. Connor, J. N.
Pain, J. H. Stewart, H. S. Joseph, Fielding Ould, Prince
Crawford, G. Mansfield, A. 'M`Conchy, G. Stokes, W.
Picton, E. 'Spencer, W: Pardon, W. Maynard, W. Bowstead,
sad R. Davis, of Liverpool; Rev. D. James, Kirkdale ; Rev.
J. C. Hamilton, Birkenhead • Rev. W. Rawson, Seaforth ;
Revs. Dr. O'Sullivan, C. Plailoon, and Ross, Ireland ;
kers. Ambrose Ldne, W. G. Mayne, and W. Hall, Man-
chester ; Rev. J. Lyon, Bolton • Rev. W. Furnival, St.
Helen's ; Rev. Mr. Mackenzie, Wigan ; Revs. J. Wright
and W. Power, Warrington • Rev. H. Forsyth ; Rev. D.
Vaudrey, Nortlawich ; Rev. W. Badnall, Wavertree ; Rev.
Mr. Hoskine, Chester ; Rev. Mr. 'Wright, Demerara ; Rev.
J. M'Cormick, Leicester; T. Porter, C. S. Parker, William
Jones, Edward Jones, Joshua Edwards, J. Rigby, Charles
Boutfiower, David Hodgson, Samuel Holme, Shepherd,
John Howard. Thomas Forsyth, J. E. Gladstone, Stewart,
Coltsworth, J. lAtughton, Esqrs., and Dr. Jeffries, Liverpool ;
W. Cheshyte, Esq., Manchester; W. Hall and John Clare,
Warriegton ; E. Dalton, Esq., Secretary to the Lon-
don Protestant Association ; J. Hall, jun. Esq., Grappenhall.
On the Rev. Dr. O'Sullivan and the Jun.,
Hugh M`Neile
entering to take their places, they were most heartily wel-
comed by the spectators.
The Rev. Dr. TATTNILSIZALL was moved to the chair, and
briefly addressed the meeting as follows .—My Christian
friends, I am sure I shall only be anticipating the wish of
every individual in this vast assembly, if I propose that, as
we are met together for a purpose in which the interests of
true religion are eeeentially concerned, we open this meeting
with prayer to Almighty God for his blessing. One circum-
stance, however, even before we unite in prayer, I wish to
mention, and that is that we are, in the order of Divine
Providence, this day' eprived of the presence of one of our
**ellen* and highly valued friends wham we expected on this
occasion ; and it wi:i be, I am sure, a matter of deep regret
tit every individual present to learn that the absence of our
valued and 414114 respected friend, the Rer. Mr. Stowell, is
occasioned by the loss, by death, of a dearly beloved sister,
during the course of last night, I believe. I trust that every
individual present will acknowledge that he has a claim on
oar sympathy, and deserves an interest in our prayers ; and
ender that impression I beg of my friend the Rev. Mr.
Buddicom to open the meeting with prayer.
The Rev. _kir. BUDDICOM having offered up an appropriate
extempore prayer,
Tee (HARMAN again rose, and spoke as follows :—My
Christian friends—ln entering upon the discharge of the ar-
duous duties of the responsible situation in which you have
placed me, I may venture to observe, and I am sure I shall
be believed, when I say that it is at no small expense of per-
sonal feeling that do enter upon these duties ; and that I
should altogether shrink from them if I did not feel assured
that it is my blessed privilege to be permitted to look- up
for assistance to Him Who can give grace in every time
of need; and did I not also feel confident that the kindness,
indulgence, and support of every member of this assembly
will be continued to me during the whole course of the pro-
ceedings of the day. Under impressions of this kind, it is a
matter of no small consolation to me that we have entered on
those proceedings by an act of solemn devotion. We have
been asking Almighty God to vouchsafe to us His grace and
blessing that all our doings may be begun, continued, and
ended in Him. I trust I shall not be deceived in persuading
myself that the whole proceedings of this meeting will be
ecnducted in a manner suitable to that in which they have
began. The remembrance that we have invoked God's
blessing and presence, will, I hope, continue through Out
this meeting to exercise an influence on speakers and hearers,
and I trust that the speakers will address themselves, under
such solemn considerations with sincerity, seal, and earnest-
ness, to the subjects which are this day to be brought spe-
cially under your notice, and that you, my friends, who are
to be hearers, will, under the same influence and considera-
tions, listen to what may be said, in the spirit of serious-
ness and candour. I think It right to make one remark in
reference to those who may possibly dissent from the opinions
entertained by the great majority of those who may be said
to constitute the present audience. It is well known that
we are assembled to celebrate the anniversary of a Protestant
Association. There may be here present individuals whose
feelings do not sympathize with Protestantism—individuals
of the Roman Catholic persuasion. Such may be here. If
so, I wish to cement [het they are among the most welcome
of the audience—(cheers)--we wish them to hear what may be
said, and we rejoice is their presence. We welcome them
with all our hearts—we wish them well in the name of the
Lord, and trust that they may hear truths which, by the
grace of God, may he for their own present, future, and eter-
nal salvation. I think it,lhowever, desirable to remind them,
that we are here eeet as the members of a Protestant Asso-
ciation. We are met here not for the purpose of discussion
—not to propose questions to a general assembly, but, as a
Protestant Association, on a leaner of business. I think it
right to intimate to those here as visitors, and nut members,
that they see not a part of the body to whom we are about to
appeal to decide on questions proposed. It is to be expected
that, being admitted into an assembly of Protestants, they
will hear many things stated which will be different and
opposed to the opinions which they have been accustomed to
entertain, and much at variance with their own feelings; but
I trust they will listen to them in silence, as they can have
no right to be offended with anything they may hear, or to
offer opposition to the sentiments stated. (Hear.) I think
it not right to detain you long from the business of the day ;
but I hope I may be permitted to makes one or two remarks,
which, perhaps, will not be considered as foreign to the ob-
jects of the present meeting. I wish this, because it has not
hitherto been my custom to take much part in the discussions
which have excited some interest in the town. If, therefore,
I express my opinion respecting the schools under the pa-
tronage of the corporation, I hope I shall not be thought
to be travelling oat of my proper business in the sphere in
which your confidence and kindness have placed me. (Hear.)
Hitherto, as I said before, I have taken little part in discus-
sions of this nature, but have confined myself to the place in
which the Lord ha.. been pleased to appoint me to labour in
his vineyard, and for my fidelity in which I shall one day be
milled to account. I now, however, take the opportunity to
observe, that those who have hitherto taken part in this con-
troversy have been accustomed to direct their attention prin-
cipally to one particular part of this subject, and for the most
part, in one particular form. The question has been. whether
the scriptures are read in the schools or not. lam ready to
grant that this is the first and .most essential of all the par-
ticulars to be inquired into ; but I take leave to observe that
the question in this form, is in some and no inconsiderable
degree open to misrepresentation or misinterpretation. The
phrase itself is somewhat ambiguous, and persons who take
part in opposition to the mode in which we wish the schools
to be conducted, may plausibly maintain that the scriptures
ere read in the school. The argument on one side—and
many are led away by it—is of this kind. " Surely," say
they, "if the Scriptures are read in any part of the schools,
then the Scriptures are in the schools"—of course I am al-
luding to the Scriptures in the authorized version—" If the
Scriptures are admitted to be read by a part of the children,
then it is net fair to so- that they are not admitted into the
schools." While, on the other side, it is contended that
it mutest be justly said that the Scriptures are in the
schools, while they are only used in certain sections of the
schools. And the contention thus arising has had more
the appearance of a dispute about words than a contest for
principles. (Hear, bear.) I wish, however, to draw your
attention to another view of the subject. I'ligious instruc-
tion is now, I believe, understood to be a part of the business
of the schools. At first an hour was set apart, after the
school had slimed, during which the ministers of religion
might be admitted to give religious instruction. That hour.
is now included hi the school hours, and religious instruc-
tion is therefore now acknowledged and understood to be a
part of the system. Ministers of religion are now allowed
to be present to teach the children during the hour—no
hindrance is offered to them. But if such ministers are not
present, it is a part of the duty of certain accredited, paid,
tutlsorised teachers to give religious instruction. Therefore
it is part and parcel of the business in the schools conducted
lender the patronage of the corporate body. I shall now sup-
pose that there are so complaints of any inefficiency in the
religious instruction. I take it for granted, on the contrary,
that the religions instruction of Protestant children on the
one hand, and of the Rolnick Catholic children on the other,
is honestly, ettoiently, and carefully conducted. I take it
also for graAttd, that the system is answering in another
T„pe.ce the wishes of its advoeates—that it is doing what its
asivooates have eft** assorted—that it operates to unite
the cbildre* in the bends of fond and mutual affection.
Now there are sonic particulars—l might mention many—in
which the (ill Iren—if they have been carefully, efficiently,
and honestly taught—hare certainly been instructed. One is
—I speak now of Fratestaet children—the sole and all-suffi-
eient utediatorship of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hear, hear.)
I am guise sure that if educated on Protestant principles,
they have been taught that there is but one God and
one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. If
faithfully and honestly instructed, they have been taught if
they look to ether ineslia.torship they are guilty of idolatry.
Again, they have been taught that whoever believes in the
Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved. This they have been
taught, if they are honeatly taught. On the other hand,
I wish you to look at the ease of the Roman Catholic
ebildres. They, if honestly taught, have been instructed
that prayers to saints are not only allowable, but cotrimend-
able. They are taught, if honestly taught, that a certain
worship may be rendered to images, and that there is
no salvation oat of the pale of the Roman Catholic
thatch. (Hear, hear, hear.) I will suppose that these
eitildrsa are brought together in the spirit of love and har-
mony, , and that they do ha fact love each other with a
devoted affectiou ;—I will then ask what reflection, what
nos:sits of reasoning and reflection' must be carried on in
the mind of a reflecting Protestant child, or any person edu-
cated is this maw.= is the corporation schools ? Would he
not soy, " I was taught at the instance of the body who have
the patronage of the corporation schools, that there is only
one mediator between God and man," and other truths to
which ellusieu I.es been made. (Hear, hear.) " These
were the doctrines taught in which the interests of my im-
mortal soul era involved--that there is no other mediator than
Christ, arid tieeugh him alone can I have access to the
rather. What is true in my case, must be true in the cases
of other persons. If there is no way but this of attaining
salvation—if I can look to no other quarter for mediation,
why do they not teach the same truth to others ? What is
the reason why my dear school-fellows, whom I love as my-
self, are taught the contrary ? How comes it to pass that
they are taught that it is allowable to look to other mediators?
How comes it that they are taught to look to saints, and to ask
for their intercession ? How comes it that they are instruct-
ed that it is allowable to bow down to images, contrary to
God's commandment ?" This is the species of reasoning
which a child instructed in Protestant principles would use.
We may reverse the picture,—for you see I take it for
granted that the Protestant children know what the Roman
Catholic childrim are taught, and that the Roman Catholic
children know what instruction the Protestant children re-
salve ; and those who think that there would be secrets in
this respect have not had the experience in schools that I
have,—and notice the Roman Catholic child, who is taught
that there is no salvation out of the pale of the Roman Catho-
lie church, reflecting on the circumstance that his Protestant
sehoolfelkw is taught exactly the reverse. What would be the
reflection of a child of either description, therefore, on one
side or the other ? Would they not think that the views of
the geatlemen having the patronage of these schools, and
requiring'them to he so taught, were very strange views?—
that they must entertain very strange notions of religion
themselves ? They would say, " These are matters and
sentiments which are not capable of being reconciled
with each other, and it is impossible to believe both.
(Hear, hear, hear.) They must believe on one side or the
other ; and if they do, what unheard-of cruelty is inflicted—
what unheard-of cruelty it is to teach the other side, not for
life or death in this world, but for life or death in eternity,
what they knew to be a vain deceit? If they do not believe
either, what are we to think of themselves and of their fitness
for the office which they have undertaken?" That system,
therefore, I contend cannot be a right one which lodges its
abettors on one or the other of these painful alternatives.

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