The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-10-23 00:00:00

and who, however influenced, lends his aid to promote
the ascendancy of Radicalism or Republicanism, Po-
pery or Infidelity, forfeits his claim to the character of
Churchman, and proves himself A HYPOCRITE. This
title is indelibly branded on his character. Let us
hope that no such Churchmen are to be found in
Liverpool. The only satisfactory proof of their non-
existence will be the exclusion of every one from the
Town-council who is not a staunch friend to the
church.

It is our intention in our next publication to direct
the attention of the public to the conduct of the Rev.
James Aspinall, who, in defiance of the solemn autho-
rity under which he exercises the office of the Chris-
tian ministry, has condescended to receive a piece of
plate as a mark of approval of his zealous support of
the Irish system of education at present pursued in the
Corporation Schools. We had hoped that the ambi-
tion of this political parson had been too high to take
part in such a contemptible farce. How deeply fallen
in his own estimation must he be to receive such a gift
at the hands of such an obscure and paltry faction as
the teachers of this system ! But we shall recur to the
subject. This insult on the Christian character—es-
pecially upon the sacred office of a Christian minis-
ter—deserves the execration of every Protestant in
the empire. But to his master let him stand or fall.
The advocates of Infidelity and Popery are surely not
the most fitting persons to lavish praise upon a clergy-
man of the Church of England. But who knows ? He
may be yet a rector, or a monk, or perhaps a f►iar; but
a Jesuit's habit would, we think, best suit his treach-
ery to the Protestant interest.

RUMOURED RESIGNATION OF MR. ALDERMAN RO-
BINSON —We have been informed on very good
authority, that the electors of Liverpool are about to
be deprived of the services of this little bustling radi •
cal, who by virtue of his revolutionary and ultra radi-
cal principles was made an Alderman. However we
may sympathise with the public on the loss they will
sustain, we are by no means anxious that his mantle
should fall upon us. Our ambition was laid prostrate
when such men as Robinson, Coglan, Shiel, and some
others were elevated to Municipal distinction. Our old
sleepy friend, Mr. Alderman Barclay, is perhaps an
exception to the general rule, and of him we would
speak with more charity, his natural propensity prompt-
ing him to a quite easy kind of life, neither having
the power to do any good, nor the inclination to do
any harm. But the case is widely different with the
bustling, meddling, quack of Castle-street, and as his
services entitled him to the gratitude of his fellow
electors, we would earnestly recommend that a sub-
scription be entered into to purchase a clean piece of
plate, and that it be served up on a clean tray and
covered with a clean cloth presented to him, some-
what similar to that given him for his unwearied exer-
tions on behalf of his friend Ewart, the rejected of
Liverpool, Mary-le-bone, and Kilkenny. The Alder-
man best knows the value of the gift last presented,
and we are given to understand that he was in such a
hurry to return thanks for the honour conferred upon
him, that he made his speech before the tray was un-
covered, after which to his mortification the liberal gift
was presented to his gaze in the form of a broken plate,
a piece of earthenware, and we believe that a similar
mark of esteem would be appropriated to the ability and
zeal which this precious specimen of an Alderman has
exhibited in the Council Chamber. We believe that
Samuel Knipe, of disfranchising celebrity, is named as
his successor through the influence of the corn specu-
lators. But of this we are not yet certain, as some
more noisy and consequently more eligible character
may have the additional qualification of being rejected
at the approaching election.

REPRESENTATION OF LIME• STREET WARD. We
have great pleasure in directing attention to the ex-
cellent address of Mr. Lace, the candidate for repre..
senting this ward. It is one of the most sensible and
manly addresses we ever perused. All necessary re-
forms are conceded with a most liberal hand, but united
with a firm resolution to maintain those institutions
i.vhich are identified with our national freedom and our
religious liberty.

To THE METHODISTS OF ABERCROMBY WARD.—In
Saturday's Chronicle there appea►s a letter, signed
" Selim Mirza," evidently the production of some im-
pudent infidel, who wishes to insult your deep and
well-grounded conviction of the efficiency of Christi-
anity in withstanding the "cunningly devised fables"
of man, or to create disunion (for political motives ob
viously) in your ranks at the approaching municipal
election in your ward.

We are quite aware, gentlemen, that, in offering any
remarks for your consideration to guard you against
the insidious foe, we shculd be guilty of a work of
supererogation, inasmuch as you are too "firmly built
up in your most holy faith" to be led astray by any
ignis fatuus emanating from that slough of Popery
and infidelity, the Chronicle. But in order that the
self-deluded dupes, who waste their precious time
(would that they knew its value !) in concocting such
trash, may see that their foolery and wickedness isnot
undetected, we shall very briefly notice the ignorant
and stupid letter above referred to.
The writer, surely, was not aware, that, "in spin-
ning his fine oriental yarn," he was placing himself on
the horns of a dilemma. He would lead us to infer
that coolies (porters, as we term them) immigrating to
our West Indian colonies, must, as a matter of course,
draw over Christians (Methodists) to adopt the Koran
in lieu of the Bible. Now, we would only ask you,
gentlemen, let any sect of professing Christians, of
any grade here at home, read, or hear read, " Selim
Mirza's" letter, and then to note, would it not be with
feelings of indignation and scorn they would regard
that individual, who should presume to propose, for
their acceptance, the bondage of Mahomedanism (as
set forth in Selim Mirza's letter) in place of the glo-
rious liberty wherewith Christianity has made them
free? What are the convictions of your Own bosoms,
gentlemen, on this point ?
Mahometanism, then, either is or is not likely to
take root where Christianity is already established. If
it be, why infect our atmosphere here with its pesti-
lential breath, as " Selim Mirza" has so wantonly
done ?—and, if it be not, to what danger are our West
India colonies exposed from the circumstance of a few
illiterate porters being imported into them from the
shores of India in the East?

" &Jim Mirza" may flounder to disengage himself
from the horns on which he is so ignominiously trans.
fixed, while we (with a hope that his feet may .yet
gain the " path of peace") proceed to whisper in his
ear for his consolation, that " the gates of hell shall
never prevail against the church which Christ has es-
tablished, himself being its chief corner stone"—that
" the word of God shall not return unto him void, hut
(although there be many gainsayers—many deceivers,
speaking lies in hypocrisy) still it "shall accomplish
that for which he sent it."

As for ourselves, Gentlemen, we cannot but bail,
with a holy delight, the wonderful interposition of a
merciful God in snatching, as it were, these few fortu-
nate coolies from darkness into light, and placing
them where the divine Being is "worshipped in the
beauty of holiness," and that they thus be led to embrace
"the faith as it is in Jesus!" Here we see God
bringing his harvest from parts where " labourers are
few," and placing it at our very doors! How strong
is your faith, Gentlemen ; indeed, it is evident you
" know in whom you trust" when you can part with a
dear brother; and send him " to India's coral strand"
to preach the glad tidings of gospel salvation in the
very heart of Mahomedanism ! Well can we imagine,
then, how you and all the faithful must rejoice to see
the objects of your Christian philanthropy and " la-
bour of love" brought from climes were " labourers
are few," and placed, we may say, under your own im-
mediate influence. The Christian can appreciate this.
Let Infidelity and Popery, and every other thing
"that loveth and maketh a lie," tremble and quail be-
fore the workings of the Almighty ; but let the true
believers rejoice, and say alway, " the Lord be
praised !"—for, being strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might, they shall go forth conquering
and to conquer, till, finally, " righteousness shall cover
the earth as the waters cover the deep."
Before we conclude we would warn this person, who
assumes the name of " Selitn Mirza," how he meddles
with " strange fire," lest it consume him ;—to beware
how he interferes in a matter in which he has " nei-
ther part nor lot ;"—to seek pardon for his blasphemy,
and to dread attempting to sow dissension among
Christians to compass a political end.