The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-05-18 00:00:00

THE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.

On Wednesday the annual meeting of the Protestant
Association was held in the large room, Exeter hall, which
was denSely filled with a highly respectable assembly. The
chair was taken by Mr. Plumptre, M.P., who was accom-
panied on the platform by the Earl of Winchilsea, Sir
Digby Mackworth, Admiral Duff, the Rev. Dr. M'Neile,
the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth, the Rev. Mr. Prest, and a great
number of other gentlemen, lay and clerical.
The CHAIRMAN said, they were met in critical times,
and times of great peril to the church. He had no wish
to take a gloomy-view of matters; but, at the same-time,
he could not allow himself to use flattering words which
the circumstances of the times would not justify. If they
looked around them, they would see in the sister island
thousands of persons carried off by a famine scarcely
paralleled for severity in the history of the world, while at
home they had dire distress, depression of trade, and
panics in the money market, all of which he looked upon
as judgments from God on account of our national sins,
and under which it was our duty to bend humbly and
contritely at His footstool. Since they last met. a new
feature had manifested itself in the relative position of
Protestants and the church of Rome. 'lheg, as Protest-
ants, had always candidly declared that that' could have
no peace with Rome as Rome (hear); but, while they had
always made this candid admission, the same candour had
not been manifested to them on the part of Rome. While
their words had been smoother than oil they had often
reason to fear that they had war in their hearts. The new
feature, however, to which lie alluded was this, that they
had recently had an open declaration and proclamation of
war. They had been plainly told that Rome must and
would be antagonistic with Protestantism until the latter
should quail, and stoop, and become extinct. They had
been told what they were to expect from Rome, and he
regretted to say that they knew also what they had to ex-
pect from the great political leaders of the country All
those great leaders had unblushingly declared what their
meaning and intentions were, and that they were only
prevented from carrying their views with regard to the
church of Rome into effect by the difficulties which lay in
the way. They took counsel together as to the time and
the manner in which they might move, but their inclina-
tions to move, and that towards Rome, they did not hesi-
tate to declare. In these circumstances he asked what
were Protestants to do? In the first place they must be-
take themselves to their great commander, the captain of
their salvation, and they must. use all legitimate and con-
stitutional means in defence of the truth. They must de-
clare boldly that they would not be unprotestantized
either by Rome or by Oxford, arid that they were Pro-
testants, not only by profession, but in reality. The hon.
gentleman, in conclusion, expressed the hope that their
meeting together would be the means of exciting them to
the holy but honourable determination to go forward
boldly in the warfare in which they might be called to
engage.

'The Secretary then read the report. During the past
year the expenditure had been very considerable, and at
present there was in hand, £lO3, but liabilities to the
amount of £350, chiefly on account of special publica-
tions.

The Rev. Mr. BICKERSTETH moved that the report be
printed and circulated under the direction of a committee,
which he proposed. The rev. gentleman observed, that
they had now arrived at a point when their conflict with
Rome must become more vigorous than ever. Rome was
getting bolder, and Protestants must get bolder still. The
national recognition of Popery had brought down divine
justice upon them, as was manifested in the present com-
mercial crisis and the general state of the country as re-
garded food ; he had no hesitation in saying that these
judgments had come upon the land chiefly on account of
our national apostacy from the Protestant faith. In car-
rying on this contest with Rome, he thought they ought
to have a deeper sense of the power of the enemy with
whom they had to contend. The danger from Popery was
not sufficiently regarded, and its arms were carefully con-
cealed. He thanked God, however, for the speech of the
Earl of Arundel and Surrey ;—(hear)—he liked the honesty
of it, and wished that the JeSuits would show only half as
much honesty. The Earl of Arundel and Surrey believed
Popery to be of God, but he (Mr. Biekersteth) believed
it to be of Satan, and that there could be no compromise
between light and darkness. (Hear.) But there was a
liberal Pope, forsooth! (Laughter.) He believed this,
however, to be a great political humbug. They must not
allow themselves to be tricked by such plausibilities as
the pretended liberalism of Popery, but should bear
in mind the words of the Saviour,—" Beware of false
prophets, that come to you in sheep's clothing." A more
gentle, a more attractive, a more delightful thing than the
prEs,mt aspect of Popery, it was difficult to conceive.
(Laughter.) But it was their duty to put forth the objects
of the Romish charmer in their true light. He thought
it was needful that Protestants should exhibit more vigor-
ous practical measures in their opposition to the progress
of Popery, and its endowment, as in the case of Maynooth ;
for he believed the country never could be in a safe con-
dition while the Popish religion was nationally recognised.
As another means of carrying on the controversy against
Popery with success, he would propose the publication,
in a cheap form, of the old Protestant works, in which, in
this country, the doctrines of the Protestant Reformation
had been so powerfully maintained. This was a duty
which he thought the University of Oxford ought to dis-
charge, but, if not, societies should be established for so
great an object, in order that the public mind should be
properly enlightened with regard to the grounds on which
the Protestant religion stood.

The Earl of Wi;,-:cut LSE 4. seconded the resolution, and
expressed the heartfelt gratification he experienced at be-
ing present on such an occasion. He could sincerely say
that he rejoiced at being able to support those great Pro-
testant principles which that association was formed to
support, and to come forward at this hour of great nati-
onal danger to bear his testimony in favour of those prin-

England; by departing from them she had been Made to
totter on the very verge of destruction, and he did not
hesitate to say that, unless she retraced her steps, judging

to escape punishment. Looking at past proceedings,
could any one doubt that the majority of the members of
our legisla4ure were suilerirg from judicial blindness?
(Cheers.) This country had attained great glory under
the reign of that great monarch, Queen Elizabeth, the
founder of sound Protestant principles in England. God

was pre-eminently with that sovereign, on account of the
faith she supported and established in the land, while they
found in the reigns of the Stuarts, who succeeded her a

,nsequence

very c
I. allying himself with one who was a zealous adherent
of the Roman Catholic faith, the unhappy James 11. was
led to adopt that religion which hrnii..ht h;.

sion from his throne and country

The hou,,e of Briin

wick eve

tle by which they occupied that th;one ?—Protestantism.
(Cheers.) This he would ever avow and maintain; rnd
he called upon the people of England to rouse themselves

for themselves, seeing that they had been deserted by
leaders, who bad apostatized from the defence of
the faith. The maintenance of the true faith had brought
down on this country great national blessings, and a de-
parture from that faith
.would lead to the withdrawal of
•

those blessings. He believed the character of Pole y
was little known in England ; be had seen it in its t rue
colours on the continent, and in Ireland, he believed, tl era
was such an under-current going on, that if they had an

honest and firm government to give security to persons
and property, a great body of the people would abandon
that faith and become Protestants. (Cheers.) Could
any one doubt that the Catholic Emancipation Act and
the Maynooth grant had brought down the judgments of
I God on the land ? They could not suppose that the de-
PlorahL- ' be confined to that

state o, Ireland woulu
country. It was fast approaching our OVVII shores, not
merely in the high price of provisions, but in the fever
which was spreading among all grades of the people. It
was the duty, therefore, of every individual to remove the
cause of those sad calamities. Much would depend on
the next election. (Cheers.) They had a strong body
arrayed against them, for it was not only the powers of
Popery they had to resist, but the forces of infidelity, and
Socinianism, and Unitarianism, all banded together for
one object—the destruction of true Protestantism. He
thanked the noble lord, the descendant of one of the most
ancient Roman Catholic families in this country, for the
open, manly, and plain declaration he bad made as to the
object of his church. The noble lord concluded by ob-
serving, that though he certainly took a very gloomy view
of the present aspect of affairs,-he yet hoped, that as the
God they worshipped was ever merciful, He would send
f I t(licehmeearss:)a nation the help of which they stood in need

example among the Wesleyans, to which body he be-
longed, strong and powerful opposition to the inroads of
Popery. (Cheers.) He wondered if any one in parlia-
ment thought that Protestantism would be tamely surren-
dered. Such views as those he knew would be called in-
tolerant, but if he had not a spark of religion about hint
he would, as a Briton and a politician,- oppose Poperl.-
They would not surrender their Protestantism, and of this
they would give earnest proof at the next election.
(Cheers.) He knew that it was no easy matter to get
right-minded candidates. There were many men who did
not like parliamentary life, though well fitted to.discharge
its duties, and who were -averse to being placed in a situa-
tion where they might be subjected to scoffings of such
wits as Mr. Macaulay and hiq fraternity. But he did not
doubt many good men would be found to undertake the
duty. Their chairman had taken up his cross there, and
had been able to bear it. What they wanted was other
men to take up their cross and bear it as heroically as he
had done. For several years the Protestantism of this
country had not been represented in parliament (hear);
and if they sent back the same men to another parliament
let them not come forward next year to complain of it.
(Cheers.)
Admiral DUFF seconded the resolution, which was car-
ried unanimously.

The Rev. Dr.M`NEILE moved the following resolution

" That at this crisis it is more especially the bounden duty of
every elector to exercise the elective franchise as a solemn and
sacred trust reposed in him for the glory of God and the good
of his country ; that the more mature devel.mment of the de-
signs of the church of Rome r nders it imperative upon Protes-
tants to return those to Parliament who will oppose Popery,
extend the cause of Scriptural Christianity, anti uphold the'
Protestant institutions of the country in church and state."
This, he observed, was a practical resolution. The time
for making speeches was past. and the time for action was
come. Their adversaries laughed their speeches to scorn;
and, after all their speeches, what had been done? Air
opportunity offered now for action ; and, if nothing was
really done, he for one would solemnly protest that
he would not he a party to the hypocrisy that clapped its
hands at public meetings but did nothing afterwards.
(Cheers.) The rev. gentl,man then proceeded to say be
would imagine a conversation which had taken place in
the streets of London between two of the artful brothers
of the College of Jesuits who were now in this country ;
and accordingly he went on to narrate the imaginary con-
versation, bringing out what might be supposed to be the
Jesuitical views entertained by the parties. These the
rev. gentleman made the subject of passimy, remarks, but
at such length we find it impossible to follow them out.
In the course of his observations he remarked, that in
promoting the supremacy of their system, which was the'
great purpose of such men's lives, they were ready to be
anything that suited the time being—they would adopt no
creed or any creed, and they would be zealous or indiffer-
ent or moderate, just as circumstances pointed out.
(Cheers.) After describing the true spirit of Protestant-
ism as tolerant of the religion of others, and as the great
defence of civil and religious liberty, and ridiculing the
notion of Popery having- any connexion with liberality, he
went on to point out the duty of resisting Popery to the
utmost. Their preaching and speaking were not sufficient
for this purpose. Preaching was no defence against sedi-
tion or conspiracy. (Hear, hear.) And what was Popery
but an elaborate sedition ? (Cheers.) The great object
was to accomplish this end, not by force. but by gradual
legislation ; and to eTect this purpose they used every'
plsible means to influence members of Parliament. The
Roman Catholic members were not asked to take a pro-
minent part in those transactions—aggressive ,measures
were left to he taken by nominal Protestants, who were
used by the Papists for their own ends, and to pioneer
their attacks on the establishment, which they regarded as
their greatest enemy. (Cheers.) He then asked whet
could he clone by Protestants to oppose this mighty evil ?
An election was near, and an organization was forming
from which some prospect of mzefulness might be expect-
ed, if followed up with vigour. (Hear.) He knew there
was a movement going on in the country—not' much
among the gentry as yet, who were afraid of it—but among
the operative classes who had the franchise. (Cheers/
The principle of it was simply this, that political differences
nsecular matters sh mid be merged at the next election.

—(hear)—ard that Protestantism'should be theturiiira.o
point at that election. A declaration to this effect had
been signed by a good many. to what exact extent 111
could not say. It had been quietly, affectionately. and
carefully explained, from house to house. among the elec-
tors—tn Whigs and Tories, and Free. Traders awl Protec-
tionists, all alike ; and the success of the inea,ure had been
great indeed. This declaration or pledge was as follows!
—" I, A. 8., do hereby solemnly promise, that at the nett
Parliamentary election I will give my vote or votes in fa'
your of any candidate pledging himself to resist the en'
dowment of Popery, and all its advances an-I claims. if
preference to any other candidate whatsoel er who will n°,l
give such pledge; and that I will not forego this my vv°,'„
for any private interest, or at the solicitation of any in"-',4
whatsoever." (Cheers.) Now the meaning of t"
pledge was that a man, though a Whig, houid himself t",,
vote for a Tory if he should pledge himself to resist Popel
rather than vote for a Whig who would ult do so ;
that in the same way a Tory would vote for a Whig No:-
accepted the pledge, rather than for one of his own Ward
who refused. (Hear.) He was happy to say that it "'I,
receiving numerous signatures in Liverpoo' ; and, thong;
he did not anticipate complete success fron the s(
him
yet it was easy to see what effect it might pr ,duce in mnpn
of the boroughs, where the majorities at th last electto
were not more than four or five, or, in a ewe like London'
where the majority was only five. (Cheers.) Then
pose that some 30 or 40 elections were ealeVa,.ii„ment to
wliat encouragement would it not give'
those who supported the interests of Prole ,tan
tism,how far would it not go in making the Minister feel h
they were not to be tampered with. (Cheers.) Ulf:
the rev. gentleman distributed a few copies of the In''l,"
printed on cards on the platform ; and it seemed t°
tan
understood that a large supply should be provided an..

UST UV/ ltll SC/ICA CIL U,U. .I.IIG rev. gentleman=
read, in support of the views he entertained as to the (!ti
gerous policy of Popery, an article published in The TIT
in 1839, entitled " Protestant or Popish AscoodancY:A
and also from speeches of Sir J. Graham and Sir R.
on which lie freely commented as he went along ;

concluded a long speech by moving the reqplution.
Sir D. MACKWORTH seconded the resolution, and hoPej
that thousands of the electors would pledge themselves
return to Parllanient only Protestant candidates.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.

THE NATIONAL CLUB

üb, whit

was established in June

" in support of the Protestant principles of the col-141,11,0
tion, and for raising the moral and social condition of 11'.4
r dinner on Wednesday, at its I°o9
he Duke of Manchester was info