The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-07-26 00:00:00

CONTEMPORARY PRESS.

One of the latest, as we conceive, of those convulsive
struggles by which an expiring ministry is tortured took
place on Friday at noon, and the result is more likely to
be made fairly known to the public by ourselves than by
any of the ministerial organs which we have vet seen.
It mustbe a matter of some surprise to even the most
devoted supporters of government to find that on an oc-
casion announced in the ministerial papers as involving
no less an important a question than that of the estab-
lished church bill the ministers should have been unable
to make a house. That Lord John Russell in the morn-
ing stated that he must resign if defeated on this parti-
cular question, is true—that the threat of resignation
was received with universal laughter, is no less true—
but that the noble lord should have so far entertained and
evinced political fear as to render it impossible that this
vital question should be constitutionally considered, is,
if not a reprehensible, still a very remarkable act on the
part of a governing power. On this occasion the whis
received a stern remonstrance from their radical support-
ers. Against them were Mr. Hume, Mr. Mark Philips,
Mr: Charles Buller, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Aglionby, and
last, but certainly not-least, the patrician representative
of the Finsbury constituency, Mr. Thomas Duncombe.
This array of names can scarcely be counteracted by the
languid liberalism of Sir Robert Price, or of the honour-
able member immortalized ,by the apostrophe "Paul,
Paul, why persecutest thou me?" But if these indica-
tions of the popular feeling are unfavourable to the de.-
signs of the government, what shall we say of the con-
duct pursued by Mr. Daniel O'Connell? At the consul-
tation alluded to, this person is alluded to—with what
truth we know not—to have stated that he would submit
to a little injustice for England to have justice fur Ire-
lanp, for that nothing so terrible could occur to the latter
country as the expulsion of the whigs from office. We
thank the agitator for this admission. In the first place
we thank him for frankly stating a fact which we have all
along proclaimed—namely, that his so-called justice for
Ireland involved inevitable injustice for England. In
the next place we thank him for the further admission,
that if the whigs were ousted from office it would be a
terrible thing for that class of Irishmen of whom he is
the recognized representative. With the squabbles of
the administration and their supporters we shall certainly
not annoy our readers. Yet it is worthy of remark that
the ridiculous alliance of a degenerate aristocracy
with the basest of democratic influences has led to no
more satisfactory result than their political opponents an-
ticipated—i. e. mutual hate and scorn'. Let any man
versed in public life—nay, let any man feeling an inte-
rest, however slight, in the progress of public affairs, con-
sider the relative situation of political parties at the pre-
sent moment, and then say how far the tergiversation and
treachery of the whigs have tended to effect even the
paltry objects which that party is understood to have pro-
posed to itself. On the one hand we have, in the House
of Lords, an opposition to government positively irresis-
tible ; in the House of Commons, an opposition so strong
as hourly to endanger the existence of the government;
on the offer hand, we behold a ministry utterly powerless
in the upper house of parliament, and so incongruously
supported in the lower house that the self-styled leader
cannot determine from day to day as to the probable en-
forcement of the views of the administration. Is it, we
ask, possible that a great empire can.be so governed ?
The question is self•answered ; and we feel confident
that, should the patchwork power by which the whigs now
endeavour to retain possession of place resolve itself, as
we believe it must, into the constituent parts of a pre-
posterous combination, the country generally will look
for wise and well considered government to that conser-
vative party which has of late established a steadfast hold
on the affections of the people of England.--Tiines.

It were to affront the understandings, and to libel the
feelings of the Christian people of this country, whether
Churchmen or Dissenters—for all have art equal interest
in the extension, without cost to any of the means of re-
ligious worship—to suppose that any commentary can be
necessary to place this disgraceful proceeding in a pro-
per light. It is now seen what is the sincerity of the
Whig party in their professed anxiety for Church Reform,
or for real reform in any department of the State. How
ministers, or, to speak correctly, how the holders of the
ministerial offices will now act, it were rash to anticipate.
We can arrive at none but a negative conclusion—they
will not resign. To abdicate place and salary is a step
which they will never voluntarily take. Meanwhile, it
is plain that they are now realising, in grave earnest,
the 'project once jocularly thrown out, the trial of the ex-
periment, how the country can conveniently go on with-
out a government. The House of Lords will not permit
the Cabinet 6 to do anything mischievous; its House of
Commons' allies will not permit it to do anything goOd.
It, -therefore, can do nothing; and a government that
does nothing is, we presume, precisely the same thing as
no government at all. Whatever others may think of
such an anomalous state of affairs, we confess that it is to
us scarcely a subject of regret. Great Britain, at least,
was never in a happier condition, or temper, to govern
itself without any help from Downing-street; and we
ma§.be sure that, from the all but universality of Con-
servative feeling in this island, whenever it shall be ne-
cessary to disturb the repose of the offices, by the intro-
duction of an active and efficient administration, such an
administration will be promptly introduced.
It Lord Melboutne and his colleagues continue to re-
ceive salaries without rendering any service, we have
security in the House of Lords that they are perpetrating
no evil. They may sleep on, if "the pressure from with-
out" will let them, with our full consent. We suppose
that, after last night's display—after the hopeless con-
fusion into which the condUct of the Whig and their allies,
in first moving the Church question, and then leaving it
altogether unsettled, has thrown the whole ecclesiastical
establishment of the kingdom, we shall hear no more of
the obstructive influence of the House of Lords. What
has the House of Lords exhibited that will bear a com-
parison with this proceeding—leaving bishoprici. digni-
ties, beciefiCes all at sea, in that chaos of uncertainty
which we partially''.l
described? But, we must wait for
the result. W
Lord J. Russell dare to bring forward
t"hneoCitiloutiercshp oilelalagain, in the same shape ? The trick of,
than upon the bnaollottbe repeated upon this, any mole
modify the bill in compliance question ! Or, will he dare to
lanice with the inexorable com-
mand of his Infidel, andil> Dissenting, and Papist masters ?
those Or, will he dare to defy ot in its
by carrying the
majority ?—Standard.
bill, as he easily may carry l
n its present shape, with
the aid of a Conservative maj •

We have reported, at as great length as onr limits w
allow, (we regret it is so brief,) the proceedings at ti

great meet:ing, held in the Amphitheatre, Liverpool. The
Movement which has been made in that city by the Town
Council is but an indication of what, it is to be feared,
many others are prepared to, effect.; and the sentiments
expressed by the friends of the established church there
'are invested, on that account, with more than a Mere lo-
cal interest. It appears that the Council has had undtfr
its control two schools, -at which about 1800 children
were receiving education. These schools were under the
sUperintendence of the clergymen of the established
church, though,not limited to the children of those who
Were in' that communion. All were -permitted to avail
themselves of the instruction communicated in these
schools. Of course the pupils were instructed. in
The Bible was used as a school; book. This prac-
tice had shocked the liberality of the greater number of
councillors, who could not conceive otherwise than that
it must seriously affect the consciences of Roman Catho-
lics, Unitarians, and some others, to have their children
educated in the heterodox doctrines of the Church of
England. Accordingly, it has been resolved to du away
with every thing so offensive as religion in any form must
be. Christian charity requires them to extinguish Chris-
tian truth, and as charity is the royal law by which all
must be guided, nothing can be clearer or more conclu-
sive than that when religion may 'give offence to any, it
is'better to throw it aside altogether. The Town Coun-
cil of Liverpool has determined to introduce the liish
national system of instruction in their schoOls with all
its most obnoxious provisions. It is not, of course, to be
imagined for a moment, that the members of the esta-
blished church and the members of the evangelical dis-
senting.bodies, can have any objection to their children
being shut out from the light of religion. It would be
in the higheit degree illiberal to entertain such an objec-
tion The charity of modern times renders it essential,
that a man should believe no religion, or at least that tie'
should act as if 'he believed none. Unfortunately, how-
ever, the Protestant population- of Liverpool have not,
reached this elevation of modern intelligence, and they
entertain serious doubts of the propriety of excluding
ligious instruction from their schools. They are even so
bigoted as to have formed the determination, that they
will have their children taught. " the faith once delivered
to the saints." We are bigots of: the same order, and
cannot but yejoice, therefore, in the resolution to which
they have come. With all our heart, we bid them God
speed. We are greatly mistaken, moreover, if, from the
indication afforded by the meeting at the Amphitheatre,
the system of the Town Council, do not result in the same
thing as has happened in by far the larger number of the
Irish national schools. As it is a system adapted for men
of no religion, or for men of a false religion, solris only
such men/ who will avail themselve!4 of it. And though
it be a thing, in the meanwhile, to be lamented that the
Council of one of the largest and most enlightened cities in
England should have adopted such a system, as to out-
rage the most sacred and dearly cheriShed principles of
the Protestant population, it will afford, perhaps, the most
effective demonstration of the atrocious and unprincipled
nature of the seheme, if the religious people of Liver-
pool, at once witlidiar.ing their children from these
schools, shall hold up the Council to the pitying gaze
of England, as exclusively patronizing and upholding
a system of education so baneful in its influence, that no
man of sound principle dare subject his children to its
operation. We hope we do not calculate too much upon
the religious feelinc, of the people 'of Liverpool, when we
anticipate this result. If we are wrong, we greatly fear
that the glory of this nation has departed. If the experi-
ment of the Council shall succeed in Liverpool, the ex-
ample will be rapidly followed by other towns, till we
shall have Popery laying hold of the youthful mind of
England, and restraining its free energies, moulding it
to all pitiful subserviency, and binding it in everlasting,
darkness. The movement which has beers made in Liver-
pool, is one in which all the Empire ought to beinterest-
ed—:and interested in such a way as shall lead its people
everywhere to a more earnest watchfulness over the re-
ligious interests of the young. The note of alarm has
been sounded—portentous of evil, the magnitude of
which cannot well be told., The assaults made repeat-
edly upon the bulwarks of the Church, and repelled with
such triumphant success, have in great measure ceased,
and her enemies have adopted a more insidious method of
attack. Under the covert of specious pretences, they are
sappitic, and mining the foundation of her walls. Let the
enemy be 'uncovered, and marked and resisted, and all
will yet be well. Liverpool has set a noble example.
She has not only exhibited an enthusiast:li never equalled
at any public meeting in her annals,—she has in one day
subscribed £3OOO for Scriptural education, and thus shown
the' reality of the feeling she expressed. The subscrip-
tion, since that time, has been more than doubled. Let
other towns in England and Scotland imitate this exam-
ple. Let them not wait till the danger has overtaken
them. Let them rather anticipate, and thus avoid it al-
together.
The Liverpool speeches are characterised by a fervour
of, eloquence and solidity, of reasoning rarely equalled.
We regret the less our inability to report them at length,
as they. are. already printed in a separate form. We hope
they will. be extensively circulated and read, that they
will enkindle a 'greater zeal in the cause of education,
and that the heartless folly of the Council will thus be
productive of
.great and permanent benefit.—Scottish
Guardian.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE INSTITUTION FOR THE
RELIEF OF CLERGYMEN'S WIDOWS & ORHHANS.

The anniversary of this trqly benevolent institution was held
in this town on Thursday last, and drew together a numerous
assemblage of the clergy of the archdeaconry of Chester. The
annual sermon was preached •in the Collegiate Church, by the
Rev. Jonathan- Brooks, M.A., senior rector of Liverpool, from
the llth chapter of St. Matthew, the latter part of the sth verse :
"The poor have the gospel preached to them." The rev. gen-
tleman commenced bis• discourse by allusion to the prophecies
which promised a Redeemer. He dwelt upon the benevolence
of the Saviour. The dispensation of the gospel was to supersede
all others : it was to be confined to no particular class : it was
to extend to the whole human race : it was to be the perfection
of the divine system in the general government of the world,
and was to combine in one scheme of faith and hope the whole
family of man. He contrasted all this with the human policy
of that dark period, when the treasures of knowledge were con-
fined within a narrow circle, and it 'seethed to be the object of '
the great leaders of the people to enchain their minds in the
fetters of a blind and devoted superstition. His concluding
appeal was to the following effect:—We know that under any
circumstances we leave our widows and orphans in the care of a
t'rovidence that never slumbers; we know, indeed, that the God
of our fathers will be the God of our children ; We can rely with
confidence on that rock of ages, in which we have taught others
to trust; we can flee for succour to that safe refuge which we
have instructed them to seek ; but then we also know that in his
administration of this lower world the &lmighty acts by second
causes; that in remedying the inequalities which ate unavoida-
ble in this state of probation, he makes use of his creatures as
instuments of good to each other; and it must tend greatly to
alleviate the bitter anguish of the parting moment; it must,
serve most effectually to smooth the pillow of death; it must,
afford a comfort to which the heart will gladly and fondly cling,
that.there is a pledge of friendly succour When we are gone,
that there is a certainty of every consolation which Christian
benevolence can afford. To your assistance then, my brethren
of the laity, de we cheerfully and confidently look, in bringing
about this happy consummation. I know well that to those
whom I am addressing, I .shall not appeal in vain • you have
lately given an undeubted proof that you value and feel grateful
for the" privileges or the gospel, and that you 'Would have it
preached to the poor; 'you' have nobly responded' to the call
made upon you for Supplying the deficiency, of church accommo-
dation; and having so liberally contributed to provide the altar-
volt will not forget nor forsake those who minister at the altar,
I need not tell you how awfully and expressly • the duty, of ge-
neral benevolence is enforced in Scripture; I need not tell you
of the solemn charge which is given to those who have the means,
as they value eternal happiness in a world to come, to do good
here; to be glad to distribute; to be willing to communicate,
and as they here freely received, freely also to give. This is a
duty the obligation of which I am confident von all feel and ac-
knowledge; but I would briefly urge upon your attention the
Peculiar claims of the institution which is this day brouohtunder
your notice. I would remind you that the present call on your
liberality is in behalf of those who may be said in an especial
manner to belonc, to the household of faith ; that the necessities
now to be supplied' are not the consequences of vanity and vice,
but the visitation of that Being who chastens only for their pro-
fit, and who furnishes occasion, by the adversity of sonic to
exercise the virtue of others. That the bereavements expe-
rienced by the objects of your bounty are of a most distressing
kind ; that they are in one fatal moment deprived of those decent
comforts which they had hitherto securely enjoyed; that they
are compelled to sink in the scale of society; that a husband, a
father, and a home, that. beloved Travelling, which was endeared
by the recollections of their infancy and their youth—those
domestic attachments which hats been the purest sources of their
limited enjoyments, are all lost to them for ever ; they are sent
' out as wanderers into the wide world, mourning, destitute, for-
lorn, friendless. is it possible that there canoe stronger claims
on your compassion than those ? I adjure you, then, by the
love you bear to your fellow-creatures ; by the earnestness with
which you ought to promote the glory' of God; by the anxiety
which you ought to feel for the eternal happiness of man, let
your conduct this day be marked by Christian zeal and Christian
liberality. Enter intuano cold calculations; lend cheerfully to
the Lord. You will be amply repaid by that rich measure of
reward which an approving conscience will pour into your bosom.
You will provide for yourselves a consolation, of which neither
age, nor sorrow, nor infirmity can ever deprive you ,• and you
will experience most sensibly the truth of the words of the Lord
Jesus—" It is more blessed to give than to receive." The
preacher sustained the attention of his auditory throughout;
and his rich, full-toned voice, which reached the farthest recesses
of: the venerab4 pile, gave additional impressiveness to his
subject.
. After the conclusion of the service the committee orthe insti-
tution met in the boroughreeve's room, at the' Town-hall, for
the purpose of receiving subscriptions, and transacting other
btisiness connected with the society.
In the afternoon about eighty clergymen and gentlemen,
friends and supporters of the society, dined together at Lady-
man's'Hotel, Bridge•street ; and it is only doing justice to Mr.
Ladyman to say that, the dinner was got up in a very suberior
style.., The chair was taken by the Hon. and ,Rev. Ilorace
Powys, rector. of Warrington, the secretary and treasurer of the.
institution, supported on the right by the Rev. Jonathan Brooks,
and on the left by the Rev. James Slade, vicar of Bolton.
Amongst the laity who gave the sanction of their presence to the
meeting, we noticed Wilbraham Egerton, Esq., Henry Calve-
ley Cotton, Esq., James Norris, Esq., Joseph Ridgway, Esq
John Clare, Esq., John Frederick Foster, Esq., Lawrence B
Hollinshead, Esq., Hugh It'Birlev, Esq., J. C. Harter,. Esq.,
Thomas Kearsley, k_lsq., Vernon kyle, Esq., -- Heron, Esq.,
WilliaM TOwnend, Esq., Szc. &c. ' The clerical gentlemen pre-
sent included the leading clergYmeu of Manchester' and the
neighbourhood, and several from ' distant parts of the arch-
deaconry.
The cloth having been withdrawn, the Chairman gave as the
first toast,—" Church and King," which Was drunk with great
applause. Then followed.—" The Queen and the other Branches
of the Royal Family," which was equally honoured..