The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-12 00:00:00

likely to bring about a compromise, and to settle the ques-
tion; therefore he should vote for it.
Mr. EVANS rose amidst loud cries of " Spoke, spoke,"
and claimed to be heard on the amendment. (Cries of
" No, no.")

Mr. BARCLAY asked the Mayor whether Mr. Evans could
not be heard.

The MAYOR replied in the negative.
Mr.EVANS.—Is there not an amendment bef6re the

council?
The MAYog..—There is.
Mr. EVANS.—Then I claim my right to be heard.
The MAYOR intimated that such a course was irregular.
Mr. EVANS said he should speak to the amendment, and
nothing else. (Loud cries of " Vote.")
Mr. EARLE rose, but not being heard, Mr. EVANS again
rose, and asked the Town-clerk to decide the point.
The T0w1,.7-OLERK stated that Mr. Evans was irregular.
The MAYOR then addressed the council briefly in favour
of the amendment.
Mr. EARLE having replied, a division took place, when the
numbers were declared to be,
For the amendment
Against it

Majority 2
No division was taken on the original question. The fol-
lowing are the names of the voters:—

For: the amendrnent.-112essrs(4uayle, Thornhill, Case,
Mellor, Walmsley, Aikin, Woolfright, Bright, Priestley,
Hornby, Yates, Robinson, Morecroft, Coglan, M`Kee,
Platt, Mather, Shiel, J. Hornby, Roskell, G. Holt, Benn,
Evans, Barclay, T. Holt, Harvey, and the Mayor—Total 27.
Against.—Messrs. J. Holmes, Hodgson, Isaac Holmes,
Houghton, Sandbach, Copeland, Wright, Barton, Blundell,
H. Holmes, Tculmin' Cooper, H. Lawrence, Wood, Birkett,
Gladstone, Bushell, Proctor, Rigby, Kilshaw, R. Jones,
Leigh, G. Smith, G. H. Lawrence, Harbord, A. Smith,
Booth, Earle, and Freme—Total 29.

Absent.—Messrs. Sands, J. Lawrence, Slater, Jordan,
Leathom, C. H. Jones, Moon, and Bulley.
Mr. EARLS then proposed the committee as follows :
Messrs. Walmsley, Evans, Freme, Gladstone, Harbord, J.
Holmes, George Jolt, H . Hornby, Moon, Proctor, and
Alexander Smith.

Mr. EVANS objected to such a committee. It was not
nominated in a fair spirit. Mr. Harbord had already told
them that, let the committee propose what they pleased, he
should oppose them to the last.
Mr. H ARBORD had said no such thing. His assertions
had already been perverted in a most unjustifiable manner by
Mr. Aikin, but he had not thought it worth while to take up
the time of the council by noticing them. Mr. Evans's state-
ment was one of the like kind.

.Mr. GEo. HOLT said there were six individuals pro-
posed who were opposed to warehouses, and five in favour of
them.' Such a committee could not be a fair committee.
Mr. J. HORNDY believed that the numbers would be found
seven to four.

Mr. EvANs.—l never saw such a committee. It proves
all that has been said about the animus.

Mr. EARLE.—You see, Mr. Mayor, that Mr. Evans is
determined to have all his own way.
Mr. MELLOR considered the committee unfair, because
there were only four in favour of warehouses, whilst there
were seven against.
Mr. EARLE defended the constitution of the committee.
_ _

None other would suit tE

other side bnt those who were i

favour of the warehouse scheme

Mr. ti. tiORNBY was sorry that Mr. Earle was not named
upon it. He should also have liked to have seen the name
of Mr. G. H. Lawrence upon it.

Mr. EARLE stated that Mr. Lawrence could not attend,
as he was going out of town for a fortnight; and as to him-
self, he was quite.unable through the illness of his peat-4er.
The following members were then appointed unanimously

as members of the committee!—Messrs. Walmsley, Evari
Freine, Aikin, Gladstone, J. Holmes, Geo. Holt, H. Hornby
Proctor, and Smith.

On the motion that Mr. Harbord be appointed,
Mr. EvANs again objected to the constitution of the com
mittee.

Mr. BIRKETT said it was quite unfair to take Mr. Evans
and Mr. Aikin, who had taken such a prominent part in
promoting the dock bill, without they elected Mr. Harbord
and himself.

Mr. EVANS then moved that Mr. Mellor be added, so a
to make the number twelve.

Mr. HODGSON said, that if that motion was perMsted in,
he should move that the name of Mr. Birkett be added.
Mr. J. SMITH moved that the number of the committee
should consist of eleven, and Mr. J. Hornby seconded the
motion.

Mr. BRIGHT said, that if the question was faily considered,
it would be found that the numbers ought to be equal.
Mr. CASE thought that the committee was sufficiently
extensive, especially as its decision was not final, and why
dispute about straws.

Mr. EVANS.-It is no straw, they want a report against
the previous decision of the council, and against the bill.
It is absurd for the committee to enter upon the question,
for you have their report already. As for myself I shall fling
up the committee. I shall just leave them, and protest
against them.

Mr, EARLE.—That is just it.
Mr. EVANS.—Aye, you find them going on as you ex-
pected.

_
Mr. EARLE.—As he had proposed the committee he would
not allow Mr. Evans's observations to go forth without a
reply. In the nomination of the committee, he had been
actuated by a sincere desire to settle the question ; but the
fact was, that Mr. Evans had a monomania on this subject ;
and every body knew that, of all the species of insanity, that
was the most difficult to cure.

Mr. EVANS would rather be thought insane that betray
the public interests. He was not to be taken up by mere
professions. Mr. Earle had put six against the warehouses,
and only five in favour of them. Thus all his professions
were sent to the winds.

Mr. EARLE would contradict that in as plain language as
he could. He had not had the fixing of the parties himself,
but there were four gentlemen who were decidedly in favour
of the warehouses, and four who were decidedly against
them, and two were willing to make a compromise, Mr.
Freme and Mr. J. Holmes.

Mr. EVANS said that Mr. J. Holmes had given a direct
negative to the warehouses.

Mr. J. HoLikiEs.—l deny it. (Great uproar.) I deny
what ,you say.

Mr. EvAws.7-Did you use the word " false'! to me, sir?
(Renewed uproar.)
Mr. J. HOLMES said that he merely denied the assertion.
Mr. COGLAN said that nothing would satisfy the public
but a committee composed of equal numbers.
Mr. BOOTH confessed that he did not consider the com-
mittee a petfectly fair one, as there was a decided balance
opposed to the building of warehouses, and he thought there
ought to be an equality.
Mr. A. SMITH, jun., thought that the Council did not
know his sentiments on the warehouse question, or how far
he was in favour of, or against them.

Mr. EVANS—They say you were returned for your ward
upon the warehouse question. I know I am charged with
the loss of that ward in consequence of it.
Mr. PROCTOR had no interest in warehouse property ; but
was as much interested in the welfare and prosperity of the
port as Mr. Evans; and he should, therefore, do his duty on
the committee.

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY stated on the part of Mr. J.
Holmes, that he had always voted for the erection of ware-
houses and transit sheds.

Mr. G. HOLT said that the nomination of the committee
was not consistent with the spirit of Mr. Earle's speech,
because it gave a decided preponderance against the bill. It
would, in fact, be the death blow to it.

Mr. BUSHELL inquired whether the Mayor was not a
member of the committee ?

The TOWN CLERK replied that he was ex officio ; and that
the chairman of it would only have a casting vote in cases of

_ .
The MAYOR said it was perfectly true that he was a mem-
ber ex officio of the committee, but he very seldom inter-
fered. If the council, however, wished him to attend on
this committee, he would.

Mr. G. EL LAWRENCE considered that the Mayor would
act as other Mayors ; and it being known that he was of the
same bias as Mr. Evans, the balance of power, which was
complained of might be infringed.
Mr. EVANS did not think that the mayor could find time
to give his continued attention to the committee.
Mr. BUSHELL—I presume the mayor could find time to
give his vote. Indeed, he would take care that he did.
Mr. SHELL thought it was not desirable that the mayor
should attend, or give his vote one way or the other. At the
same time, he thought the committee was unfairly con-
stituted.

Mr. BUSHELL disapproved of the mayor's attendance on
the committee, because it would give a preponderance on the
side of warehouses. If the council had a pledge from the
mayor that he would not attend the committee, then it would
render unnecessary the addition of another member ; but,
unless he did that, it would be necessary to have another, in
order to equalize the numbers.

The MAYOR most readily met Mr. Bushell's suggestion,
and he hoped the council would excuse his attendance.
Messrs. Harbord, J. Smith, H. Hornby, Isaac Holmes,
Aikin, and Evans, (who strongly protested against the com-
mittee) addressed the council, after which the committee was
appointed as proposed.
The council separated at three o'clock.

INTELLIGENCE FROM THE EAST.

We received the following letter on Saturday last via Mar-
seilles, from a gentleman on board the Great Liverpool steam-
ship, who is well acquainted with nautical matters, and who,
from his having visited Egypt on several recent occasions,
takes an interest in the affairs of the East. Some few of the
facts relating to China and India have already transpired ;
but the interesting information relative to Syria, and the
British shipping recently employed on that coast had not be-
fore reached us, and we therefore give our esteemed corres-
pondent's communication as it stands :

" Malta, Dec. 28th, 1840.
" TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
" Sir,—According to promise, I send you a few particulars
of what is going on in this part of the world.
" The Great Liverpool arrived at Alexandria on the even-
ing of the 16th instant, thereby making the shortest passage
ever made between England and Egypt by steam direct. We
were always of opinion that the Great Liverpool, after her
alteration, would prove herself the crack boat of the ocean
steamers. She sailed from Alexandria on the afternoon of
the 24th, and reached Malta on the evening of the 27th,
making a distance of 850 miles in less than 3k days. The
Great Liverpool brings important news from China and In-
dia ; Dost Mahomed has given himself up to the India au-
thorities. Thus ends the war in that part of the world. The
China question is nearly settled. Elliot has had an inter-
view with the Emperor, who has promised to pay two mil-
lions sterling for the opium destroyed, and another million
to defray war expences. Thirteen passengers from India came
by the Great Liverpool, also Sir Charles Smith, and Sir Wm.
Eden, from their service on the coast of Syria. We regret to say
the marines serving on shore are sickly. Syria is in a very
distracted state. No possibility exists of getting even a letter
conveyed between the seaports and Damascus ; so that to
this day Ibrahim Pacha knows nothing of the conventions
entered into by Napier and Stopford, although his Highness
Mehemed Ali has made every endeavour to send his son the
information. The Egyptian force is now concentrated at
Damascus-70,000 troops, besides 30,000 women and chil-
dren. Unless these poor wretches are conveyed from the
seacoast to Alexandria, we fear not one in three will survive
the march. The British frigate Carysfoot lies in the west-
ern harbour of Alexandria. The Hydra sailed two days be-
fore the Liverpool,.s to join the admiral at Marmorin. No
other British ship is off the coast. The Zebra was lost about
a fortnight since, off Acre : crew saved. The Pique frigate,
dismasted and jury-rigged, sailed for Malta. The Bellero-
phon was also nearly lost. -I hope this will be the finish of
the piratical expedition to Syria, which was got up to enable
one man to vent his spleen against another, who, instead of
being driven out of Syria, ought to have been allowed to take
possession of Turkey. Mehemet Ali has nearly regenerated
Egypt. A few years ago a stranger could not travel through
that country in safety ; and now, even in these troubled
times, every security is given. The Asia and Hastings are
here (Malta) repairing."

ADULTERATION OF SUGAR.—We understand that the high
price of sugar is likely to lead to considerable adulteration of
that commodity ; and we have in our possession a sample of
a substance manufactured expressly for the purpose, and of-
fered for sale to several grocersin this town. It consists,
we believe, principally, of potato-starch, mixed apparently
with some heavier material, probably not quite so innocent.
—Manchester Guardian.

CORRESPONDENCE.

CATHOLIC AND POPISH FORMS OF CONFES
SION AND ABSOLUTION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
am extremely desirous, for the better understand.
ing of the subject under discussion, that your Episcopal
readers may not forgot that dissenters invariably, and
Papists when they would throw vatican dust into " liberal
eyes," assert that there is no difference between the churches
of Rome and England as to the nature of the absolving
power attributed to the priest. It will be also well to bear in
mind that the editor of the Mercury—as may be seen by re-
ference to my first letter--broadly states that " Protestants
hold in common with the Roman Catholics, if there be any
meaning in words, the "doctrines of transubstantiation,
and the power of the minister to absolve penitents from their
sins." When after I had placed in junta-position the Ca-
tholic and Popish forms, the editor of the above journal
politely writes thus, in his notice to correspondents :
" Pacianus has made ' a distinction without a difference.' "
The distinction then is recognised at once • and, if after
.
what has been cited, and vet remains to be cited—from
Popish documents, the difference be not palpable to the
editor of the Mercury—I shall, indeed, marvel at his in-
fidelity.

It lias been shewn, then, sir, by reference to authorities—
authorities from which I defy any Popish priest, who holds
allegiance to the " Man of Rome," to appeal—that the Ro-
mish church lays imperative obligation upon her children,
under pain of damnation, to repair to the confessional, and
that the priest sits in the chair of confession not to declare
God's general promises to such as are penitent " by the mi-
nistry of God's holy word," but as a JUDGE to decide how
far God has been injured, and what bulk of compensation is
to be awarded.
But, sir, the poor Papist is much to be pitied, for he is
obliged to look upon his priest in such a light as, indeed,
makes one shudder when perusing Papal treatises on the
power of th..; priesthood : take the following as a specimen :
—" Seeing the bishops and priests are, as it were, the inter-
preters and ambassadors of God, who in God's name teach
men the divine law, and the rule of life, and PERSONATE
God himself on the earth, it is evident that their function is
such as a greater cannot be conceived. Wherefore they are
worthily called not only angels, but GODS also, because they
hold the POWER and THE NAME OF THE IMMORTAL GOD
AMONG VS."—Cat. Rom. p.. 293, and Latin edit. p. 270.
The above extract, it will be remembered, is made from a
work out of which the priest is bound to instruct the souls
committed to his charge. Let, then, anything like the above
be culled out of the formularies of the Church of England—
anything so fulsome, so repuynant-to God's word, and so
repulsive to Christian feeling—and then, and not till then,
will there be any truth in the assertion that the Church of
England attributes equal power to the priesthood as does the
Church of Rome. But it is time 1 should introduce Dr.
Phillpotts in continuation.
" The words of the priest, I absolve thee,' are, I repeat,
the form of the sacrament, what makes it to be a sacrament.
And they confer, as is the property of the sacrament, the
grace which they signify. They confer reconciliation with
God; absolution, or remission of all sins, on those who receive
`le sacrament with tl contrit2—

.ton, or attrition, and that
which have been described : and be it remem-
this grace of_ reconciliation with God (as I hefnrp

sant) can be obtained by those who have,fallen into mortal
sin after baptism, only in this sacrament, ordinarily, never
without the desire of it. For not, as under the old law, is
there now a power in the church given to priests ONLY TO
DECLARE any person to be absolved from sin : but they do
as the ministers of God TRULY ABSOLVE THEM : the SAME
thing which Gon HIMSELF does, who is the author and
.-,ce and righteousness.' I quote from the Cate-
-41 of '7" "*.; "" faithfully

father of y,

....Una minium
translated into English by permission, page 211.
" The Council of Trent, indeed, distinctly and in the
strongest terms decrees that the priests are JUDGES, and
their absolution strictly JUDICIAL. And this is stated by it
to make an important difference between baptism and this
sacrament (and of course between the absolution respectively
given in the two). In baptism the minister ought not to
be a JUDGE, for the church exercises no judgment over those
who are not yet within it. But after baptism sinners are not
to be cleansed by a repetition of baptism, but they are to be
made to STAND AS caTINALs before this TRIBUNAL, in
order that as often as penitents have recourse to it, after sins
committed, they may be released by the SENTENCE of the
priest.' Con. Ti•id., Secs. XIV., c. 2.

" For, although .the absolutio'no-f- the priest be the dis-
pensation of a benefit belonging to another, yet it is not
merely a naked ministerial act of either announcing the gos-
pel, or declaring that sins are pardoned, but it is EQUIVA-
LENT TO A JUDICIAL ACT, WHEREIN SENTENCE IS PRO-
NOUNCED BY HIMSELF AS A JUDGE.' [C. 6. Ad instar
actfis judicialis, quo ab ipso, velut a judice sententia pronun-
ciatur.] And this in can. 9 is afterwards re-affirmed with
an anathema annexed on all who deny it."
We have thus seen the doctrine of your church respect-
ing confession and absolution. You, in this instance, (as I
have been sorry to find, in different degrees, is almost inva-
riably your practice,) have contrived to evade the whole of
the real question at issue between the two churches, AND
HAVE AFFECTED TO PERCEIVE NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THEM. * * Consult your own heart, sir, and let
that tell you whether you have not here deeply, I had almost
said shamefully, prevaricated. You know that AURICULAR
CONFESSION IS, WITH YOU, an essential part of a sacrament,
which, as you value YOUR SOULS SALVATION, YOU MUST
perform. You also know, (that, with us, the same confes-
sion is NOT AT ALL required 8S a NECESSARY service, not
as apart, of repentance, not even of discipline:—[Will the
editor of the Mercury say that here too there is " a distinc-
tion without a difference' ?]—that it is merely a matter re-
commended to those sinners whose troubled conscience ad-
mits not of being quieted by self-examination however close
and searching, nor any other instruction however diligent;
that he only who requireth further comfort or counsel,'
after all that he can do for himself, is invited to repair to
some discreet and learned minister of God's word, and open
his grief; that, by the ministry of God's holy word, he may
receive the benefit of absolution, together with ghostly coun-
sel and advice, to the quieting of his conscience and avoiding
of all scruples and doubtfulness.' (See Ist Exhortation after
Warning for the celebration of the Holy Communion, Com-
munion Service, Book of Common Prayer.)
* * * * ic *

•
I shall proceed to state Melly what else our church
teaches, or requires, in respect both to CONFESSION, espe-
cially secret confession, and also to ABSOLUTION.
" The confession ordinarily required is only general and
public confession to Almighty God, made simultaneously by
the whole congregation, every individual being expected ta-
citly to include the acknowledgment of his particular trans-
gressions under the general form. This confession occurs
at the beginning of Morning and Evening Prayer, and in a
different form in the office of Communion, and is always
followed by absolution. in the two former cases the nature
of the absolving power committed by God to his ministers is
EXPRESSLY stated; it is to DECLARE and' (not only de-
clare, but) ' PRONOUNCE' (that is, authoritatively declare
in God's name) to his people, being penitent, the absolu-
tion and remission of their sins'; and, having made that
statement, the priest (i. e., of the Church of England) exer-
cises his power by declaring that God then pardoneth and
absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe
his holy gospel.
" In the Communion Service, the church does not again
state the nature of the absolving power, (it would have been
unnecessary,) but directs the priest to exercise it in a some-
what different, an optative form. But this form is equiva-
lent to the other : it consists of a declaration of God's gene-
ral evangelical promises, and invokes the fulfilment of those
promises in favour of those who have just made their hum-
ble confession to him.—Such is the ordinary confession and
absolution of our church. But in the office last mentioned,
the church further invites those who need ghostly counsel
and advice [in the terms already cited] to have recourse to
particular confession, and to seek the benefit of particular
absolution. And here again the nature of that particular
absolution is distinctly intimated to be of the same kind as
the two former instances of general absolution; it is to be
exercised (not by the JUDICIAL sentence of the priest, after
a PROCESS carried on before his TRIBUNAL, as YOUR church
insists, but) ' BY THE MINISTRY OF GOD'S HOLY WORD,'
or an AUTHORITATIVE DECLARATION of God's general pro-
mises applied in favour of that particular penitent, if BE BE
INDEED PENITENT.

" There remains one other.instance, that in ' the Visita-
tion of the Sick,' which has been correctly though not fully
cited by Dr. Milner. The rubric requires, that at a certain
part of this office ' the sick person shall be moved by the
minister to make a special confession of his sins, if he. feel
his conscience troubled with any weighty matter.' I hate
said that this is ordered at a certain part of the office, and
it is important that this be borne in mind. For so little is
our church inclined to encourage its ministers in prying into
the secrets of their penitents, that it enjoins every other step
to be previously taken, before the last measure of particular
confession be proposed. The minister shall' (first) exa-
mine whether he (the sick person) repent him truly of his
sins, and be in charity with all the world ; exhorting him to
forgive, from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have
offended him ; and if he hath offended any other, to ask
their forgiveness ; and where lie had done any injury or
wrong to any man, that he make amends to the utmost of
his power.'
Now, it is after he has done and said all this,—after he
has satisfied himself, on such general inquiry, whether the
sick person have indeed a true Sense of the awful condition
in which he stands, of the nature and necessity of sincere
and universal charity —and whether he have, by God's bless-
ing, attained those graces, as well as learned the necessity of
attaining them,—that the minister's duty respecting parti-
cular confession is laid down. If, from the sick man s an-
swers to his inquiries, he find him in a state of penitence
and peace, his business is completed; he is not authorised—
he is by implication forbidden—to move him to any further
disclosure :—and in this case (as it will be necessary to bear
in mind) NO ABSOLUTION IS PRONOUNCED, evidently be-
cause particular absolution is to be given in our church only
to those whose minds cannot be quieted without such espe-
cial application to them of God's general promises. But if,
after all general discourse and advice on the nature of re-
pentance and the means of making his peace with God have
been exhausted, the sick man still exhibits signs of distrust
and dismay,—be is to be asked whether he feel his con-
science troubled with any weighty matter' ; and if he say
that it is, then, and only then, he is to be moved to a spe-
cial confession of his sins ; evidently, in the words of the
former exhortation, that he may receive ghostly counsel and
advice, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all
scruple and doubtfulness.
To be continued in my next.

I am, sir, yours faithfully,
St. Helens, Jan. 6, 1841. PACIANUS

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT YALE ROYAI
nesday last the fine baronial mansion of Lord Delamere wa,
the scene of Christmas festivities, on a scale worthy of the
ancient hospitality of the noble house of Cholmondeley. An
old Christmas pageant was got. up on the occasion, which
was performed in the grand drawing room. The following is
a cast of the characters sustained by the distinguished
amateurs who took a part in the proceedings of the evening :
—Prologue spoken in the character of Sir Hugh Chol-
mondeley, by the Hon. Henry Cholmondeley ; King
of Misrule, Hon. Hugh Cholnaondeley ; Abbot of Un-
reason, George Wilbraham, Esq. ; Old Times (as Sir Roger
de Coverley), Captain Cotton ; March of Intellect (a Yan-
kee), Hon. Thos. Cholmondeley ; Lord Chancellor, Arthur
Brooke, Esq. ; Lord Steward,, Captain Cotton ; Lord High
Constable, William Glegg, Esti- ; Herald, Hon. Thomas
Cholmondeley ; Knight of Pie Verdant Spectacles, Hon.
Henry Cholmondeley ; Knight of the Tea-chest (a Tea-
totaller), Hon. Robert Curzon; Knight of the Tankard,
George Egerton, Esq. ; Knight of the Bath, Hon. Charles
Cholmondeley ; Queen of Misrule, Hon. Harriet Chol-
mondeley; Queen of Beauty, Sir Watkin Williams Wynne ;
Maid of Honour,
Miss Bentinck. The character of
the " Yankee " was exceedingly well sustained by the
lion. Thomas Cholmondeley.The "King of Misrule"
and " Old Times " also elicited great applause. Sir
W. W. Wynne, as the " Queen of Beauty," kept the
company in a continued roar of
laughter. The following
Lady C. Stanhope, Hon.
were among the company.present
W. W. Wynne, Capt.
R. Curzon, Sir R. and Miss Brook, Sir
Cotton, Mr. Tomlin, Mr. G. Egerton, Mr., Mrs., and Miss
Glegg, Mr. and Mrs. Warburton, Mr. Conway, Mr. Tatton,
Mr. A. Brook, Mr. T. Egerton, Sir Philip and Lady Eger-
ton, &c., Lady Brook, of the Grange, Lord and Lady Bra-
bazon, Mr. and Mrs. Bateman, Mrs. and Miss Leigh, Mr.
Bra-
and Miss Corbets.—Mr. P. Stubbs' Royal Harmonic Band
was in attendance. The memhers of this excellent band were
highly complimented on their performances. A ball was
given on Thursday night, and the festivities terminated with
a masquerade ball on Friday night.

—On Wed-

THE EXHORTATIONS OF THE ORANGE INSTI-

TUTION TO ITS MEMBERS

(TRANSLATED PROM THE GERMAN.O )
TRou! whom we have initiated in the doctrines of
Wisdom ! listen to us, and open thy heart to the serious pre-
cepts of Truth. We will shew thee the path to happiness of
life; the way in which thou mayst please thy Creator; how
thou mayst employ with benign success, for the benefit of
mankind, all the means which Providence has entrusted thee
with, and thus procure thyself the sacred pleasure of bene-

volen CE

—TRY DUTY TOWARDS GOD AND RELIGION.
Thy first homage thou owest to the Deity. Adore the
Being of all beings, of which thy heart is full ; which, how-
ever, thy confined intellects can neither conceive nor des-
cribe. Loci► down with pity upon the deplorable madness
of those that turn their eyes from the light, and wander
about in the darkness of accidental events.
Deeply sensible of the parental benefactions of thy God,
and with a heart full of gratitude, reject with contempt those
shallow inferences that prove nothing but how much human
reason degrades itself when it wanders from its original
source. Oft elevate thy heart above sublunary things, and
cast thy eye with ardour towards those higher spheres which
are thy inheritance. Offer up in sacrifice to the Most High
thy will and thy wishes ; strive to deserve His animating in-
fluence, and obey the commands he has prescribed for thy
terrestrial career. 4

Let it be thy only happiness to please thy God.
thy incessant endeavour, the incitement to all thy action.
to effect an eternal union with him. The. Sacred Code is th,
foundation of all thy duties ;--if thou didst not. believe in it,
thou wouldst cease to be au Orangeman. Let every action
be distinguished by an enlightened and active piety, without
prejudice or bigotry.

—let it I

Religion doe-s
not consist of speculative truths ;—exert thy-
self in fulfilling all those moral duties it prescribes, and then
only thou shalt be happy—thy contemporaries will bless thee,
and with serenity thou mayst appear before throne of the
Eternal. Particularly, thou shouldst be penetrated by the
feelings of benevolence and brotherly love, the fundamental
pillar of this holy religion. Pity him in error, without hat-
ing or persecuting him. Leave the judgment to God, but—
" do thou love and tolerate."

Children of the same God! ye who are already Brethren
through the universal faith, bind closer the ties of brotherly
love, and banish for ever all prejudices that might disturb
our brotherly union.

lI.—THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
Man ! King of the earth ! Master-piece of the creation ;
animated by the breath of God, be sensible of thy dignified
destination. The whole animal race is subdued under thy
dominion. All that waves and moves about thee ceases again
to be, but thy soul survives all component things, and is, by
virtue of its divine origin, incapable of being destroyed. In
this consists thy true nobility. Peel thy happiness without
arrogance. Pride was the cause of the degradation of man ;
it would certainly plunge thee into the same abyss.

Degenerated being, what art thou iu the presence of the
Eternal, with all the dignity originally appropriated to thee,
and still distinguishing thee from other beings ? Adore Him,
the Lord on High.; in the utmost humility, and take care
that the heavenly immortal essence which animates thee be
not depraved. This essence is thy soul : exert thyself in en-
dowing it, it is capable of infinite perfections. Make it to
susceptible, so open to virtuous impressions, that, after thy
dissolution, it may, without impediment, return to the pure
and original source of virtue. So prepared, thou will be
free, even in fetters ; serene in misfortunes, the heaviest
storm will not make thee tremble, and with true heroism,
thou wilt advance, even in the face of death. if ever thou
couldst doubt the immortal nature of thy soul, and its high
destination, in vain had we initiated thee. Thou wouldst
not be the adopted son, the darling of wisdom, thou wouldst
step back, and mix again with the multitude of the profane
rabble, who, like moles, crawl in the dark.
lII.—DUTY TOWARDS THY KING AND COUNTRY.
God has ordained a sovereign power of each country to be
his vicegerent. . Entertain reverence for the supreme power,
and be faithful to it, in whatever corner of the world thou
livest : after the homage thou owest to God, the duties to-
ward the state and country follow next. Should man wander
rude and unsociable about woods and forests, he would be
less inclined to answer the intentions of Providence and to
ensure to himself all the good intended for him ; his being
ennobles itself amongst his equals, and the difference of
opinions improve his genius.

But in society, were every one left to himself, the posses-
sion of property, and the unrestrained passions would cause
incessant quarrels, and cunning or power would soon triumph
over innocence. For this reason laws were necessary to re-
gulate mankind by, and rulers to support and keep inviolate
those laws. Sensible man ! thou honourest thy parents, ho-
nour the fathers of the state also, for they represent the Deity.
If they err, they are accountable for it to the Judge of Kings ;
but thy own, often very erroneous, judgment cannot exempt
thee from obedience.

Pray to God for their preservation, and exert all thy powers
in favour of thy country. Shouldst thou ever neglect this
sacred duty, should thy heart not beat with joy at the dear
names of thy country and thy prince, every Brother would
turn thee away as a disturber of public tranquillity and order,
and an outcast that does not deserve to partake of the pre-
rogative of a society that has particular claims upon the es-
teem and confidence of the sovereign power : because, ani-
mated with patriotism and zeal to form the best citizens, she
makes it an invariable law for her pupils to fulfil all civil du-
ties in the most distinguished manner, and from the purest
motives.

An Orangeman ought to be the most valiant warrior; the
most just judge ; the kindest master, the most zealous ser-
vant, the tenderest father, the most faithful husband, and the
most obedient son ; for his duties as a citizen in general have
been strengthened and rendered sacred by his voluntary ob-
ligation ; and he, if ever he should neglect them, not only
would show a want of fortitude, but also be guilty of hypocrisy
and perjury.

IV.—DUTIES TOWARD MANKIND IN GENERAL.
But should the compass of thy country, which opens to
thee such a fruitful and charming field, still be too confined
for thy benevolent antivitv • L.. • ,

heart wisi

. . .-..—
expand beyond the limits.of empires, and to embrace all na-
tions with the tender feelings of humanity ; shouldst thou,
reflecting on the universal pedigree, long to love tenderly all
those that are with thee of the same shape, in the same need
of benevolence, and have, like thee, the same desire to make
themselves useful, and an immortal soul, come, then, into our
temples, and lay down thy offerings on the sacred altar of
humanity. Reflect with reverence on the majestic structure
in which the ties of humanity and morality, too much relaxed,
are bound closer. Love this universal alliance of virtuous
souls, that were capable (by Divine assistance) of elevating
themselves Oove the dust. Thou wilt find it in every
country, where enlightened reason has forced its way, existing
under the.sacred banner of humanity, and under the guide of
simple and uniform laws.

Be sensible of the objects of our revered Order; all thy
faculties, thy whole life, be consecrated to benevolence and
the happiness of mankind.

Cultivate incessantly thy moral perfection, and effect the
closest union with the Deity. Thus only thou canst ennoble,
purify, and fortify, the motives of this laudable institution.

V.—BENEVOLENCE.
Being created in the similitude of God, who, in His mercy
and immense bounty, communicated himself to men, and ex-
panded over them the abundance of His blessings, strive
thou, assiduously, by making mankind as happy as possible,
to resemble this Divine original. Thou canst not imagine
anything good, that is not an object of activity. Look down
upon the helpless situation of infancy ; it challenzes thy as-
sistance; reflect on the sad inexperience of youth; it demands
thy good counsels. Find thy happiness in protecting them
against errors and seduction, the common rocks of that age.
Awake in them the heavenly fire of genius, and instruct them
how to unfold it for the benefit of the world. Every suffering
being has a claim on thy assistance—take care not to deny it ;
do not wait till thy ears ring with the lamentations of the
miserable; affectionately anticipate the wants of the unfortu-
nate, and inspire them with courage. Do not poison thy
gifts by ostentation; thou shalt not find thy reward for thy
benefactions in the vain and loud applause of the multitude;
a Brother will always find it in the silent and sacred testimony
of his heart and in the sacred pleasure with Which the Deity
looks down upon him. Has Providence granted thee abun-
dance? Let it be far from thee to make an inconsiderate
or shameful use of it. God has given thee above thy wants
that thou mayest cause those that have received a scanty lot
to feel less the inequality of the distribution of the riches of
the earth. Enjoy this glorious prerogative,—may the most
abominable of all passions, avarice, never predominate over
thee ; may thy heart for ever revolt against the worthless cal-
culations of covetousness.

But should this melancholy vice overpower thee, approach
no more the temples of philanthropy ; they would have no
more charms for thee, and we could no longer discover iii
thee the image of God.

Let religion and prudence be the rule of thy benefactions ;
thy heart may be inclined to relieve every want, but thy rea-
son must direct to assist where necessity is most pressing.
Instruct, advise, intercede, be charitable, console according
to the exigency of circumstances. If thou findest at last
that thou art confined, and that thy soul begins to mourn
and lament the incapacity of expanding as much happiness
as thou wishest, then haste to our temples. Behold here
the sacred ties of benevolence, and contributing, as far as
thy abilities permit, to the laudable institutions of our fra-
ternity, rejoice at the idea of being a fellow-citizen of this
better world, and enjoy the sweet fruits of our faculties
united and concentrated to one point. The sources of relief
will then flow more abundantly ; instead of helping one thou
wilt co-operate to make thousands happy, and thy wishes
will be fulfilled.
VI.—FURTHER DUTIES TOWARDS MEN.
Love thy neighbour as thyself, and do unto others as thou
wishest to be done by.
The faculty of expressing thy thoughts by words is an
external sign of thy command over nature. Make use of
this gift to alleviate the wants of thy fellow-creatures, and
to encourage them to virtue.

Be affable and serviceable; edify others 1,4 y thy example,
and bear thyself kindly and without repining at the prospe-
rity of others. Do not suffer thy heart to entertain any
envy ; it would 'undermine thy happiness, and rage in thy
breast. Pardon thy enemy, and have manliness and heart
enough to do him good.

This generous sacrifice, one of the most exalted precepts
of religion, will awake in thee the most benign sensations ;
thou wilt represent the image of the Deity, who with adora-
ble kindness pardons the errors of men, and, disregarding
their ingratitude, pours down his blessings upon them.
Always recollect that this is the most glorious victory thy rea-
son can obtain over the brutal instincts.
VII.—CULTIVATION OF ONE'S SELF.
By making thus the prosperity of mankind, the object of
thy labours, do not lose sight of the necessity of forwarding
thy own perfection, and do not neglect the concerns of thy
immortal soul. Often unveil and examine thy heart to dis-
cover its most secret dispositions : the knowledge of one's
self is the sum of all precepts. Thy heart is the rough ashler
which thou must labour to polish ; thou canst not do ho-
mage more worthy of the Supreme Being, than when thou
offerest up to him regular desires and inclinations, and re-
strained passions. By strictness and modesty in thy moral
conduct, acquire the esteem of the world. Distinguish thy-
self by discipline, rectitude, love of truth, and humility.
Pride is the most dangerous enemy of mankind, and the
source of all their evils. Do not look back to the point from
which thou proceedest—this would retard thy career; let thy
eye continually be cast towards the goal, the short time of
thy journey will hardly afford thee the hope of arriving at it.
To compare thyself with those that are possessed of inferior
faculties would be a dangerous flattery of thyself ; rather let
a virtuous emulation animate thee when thou perceivest su-
perior talent. Let thy tongue be a faithful interpreter of thy
heart. A brother, who could abandon candour, and hide
himself behind the mask of dissimulation and deceit, would
be unworthy to sit amongst us, he would sow upon our peace-
able soil the seed of distrust and dissension, and soon become
the abomination and scourge of our assemblies. May the
sublime idea, that thou walkest before the Omnipresent,
strengthen and support thee. Review daily the vow of mend.
ing thy life—watch and meditate, and call to thy recollection
at night a noble action or victory over thy passions, then
lay down thy head in peace, and gather new strength. pi_
nally, study eagerly the meaning of the hieroglyphics and
emblems which the Order lays before thee. Even nature
does not always unveil 4, her secrets ; she must be observed,
compared, and frequently watched with attention in her
operations.

-Of all societies, on whose extensive field the industry of
men gathers useful Illustrations, none will afford thy heart
heavenly satisfaction but that which instructeth thee in thy
relation to God and the creation.
VIII.—DUTIES TOWARDS BRETHREN.
Among the numberless inhabitants of the earth, thou hast
chosen, by a voluntary vow, Orangemen as thy brethren.
Equality was the first lot of nature, but was soon swerved
from. The brother restores the original rights of mankind,
he never sacrifices to vulgar prejudices ; the sacred plumb-
rule amongst 115 puts all ranks on a level. Nevertheless,