The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-04-02 00:00:00

The Protestant Sentinel

The tenth number of this cheap but valuable periodical
contains a history and description of the " scapular," with an
engraving of this piece of popish trumpery—along with other
original and selected articles, suitable to the design and cha-
racter of the publication. We are rejoiced to see this little
work sustaining the part it undertook at the commencement,
with steadiness and ability, and learn with satisfaction that
it bids fair to attain a circulation proportiOnate to its merits,
It is designed chiefly for the operative classes ; but it con-
tains an abundance of excellent matter, with which it would
be well if other classes would often refresh their memories.
If those who can afford it would make it their business to take
a number of copies of each publication, and distribute them
where they might calculate on their being acceptable, it would be
performing a work that would be doubly useful. We do not
expect that Dr. Byrth, or other gentlemen who, like him,
may think that the " influence of Protestant Associations is
injurious," will do any thing of this kind, for the Protestant
Sentinel is published under the direction of the Liverpool
Protestant Association, and is probably a direct consequence
resulting from its existence ; but there are plenty of others
who, in defiance of such an unfortunate state of opinion, will
rejoice in the diffusion of sound Protestant principles, and in
an instrumentality for the purpose so unexceptionable and so
effective as the Protestant Sentinel. The price, we must
add, is only one penny each number, and the office of publi-
cation is 38, Church-street.

LIVERPOOL SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION

[The following report was prepared for our publication of
Tuesday, but in consequence of the pressure of assize and
other intelligence, we were unable to ,rind room for its in-
sertion.l _ _ .

vv
Captain Hunt 'gave his second lecture at this Institution
on Friday evening last, to an audience most gratifyingly nu-
merous. W. Rowett, Esq., chairman of the committee, was
again called to the chair, which he filled with his usual
ability. The subject of this lecture were salvage and average,
and Captain Hunt handled them both in a masterly manner.
He commenced by explaining away the popular error that
all underwriters are members of Lloyd's, and by making
some strong observations against masters quitting their ves-
sels when wrecked, for the often abused purpose of entering
a "protest," thereby leaving the property he ought to pro
tect, to the tender mercies of wreckers, or the salvage laws.
Those laws, it appears by the lecturer's remarks, vary consi-
derably in their nature in different parts of the world. In
France and Holland the demand for salvage is ad valorem,
while in England it is governed more by the extent of the
exertions of the parties coming to the rescue. All her Ma-
jesty's ships are bound by law to render assistance to mer-
chant vessels in distress, under a penalty of XlOO ; but mer-
chant ships are bound to do so by no other laws than those
of humanity. Captain Hunt explained many other points
in the law of salvage, such as the circumstances under which
the Admiralty Court claims upon wrecks; the illegality of
passengers claiming salvage, although they may have contri-
buted by pumping or otherwise to the saving of a vessel ; the
power of salvers to keep possession until paid, &c. &c. He
then took up the subject of average, which appears to be a
most important question for a shipmaster's attention, in-
asmuch as the law or custom of general average, (for custom
is law to a great extent in England,) often runs in an oppo-
site direction to what would appear to be equity or common
sense ; moreover the act upon which a master claims salvage,
being committed at sea under trying circumstances, and be-
yond the reach of counsel or advice, it becomes doubly im-
perative upon him to study the subject thoroughly. The lec-
turer remarked that the law of general average is in its principle
and intention one of the wisest and most equitable of our mari-
time code, and that its introduction into our laws was so far
back as to be beyond record. For the information of our
non-nautical readers, we will just observe that general ave-
rage, in its simple and matured form, is a rate upon all the
adventure in a ship, to pay for any sacrifice made by the
commander of any part thereof to save the whole, the portion
sacrificed being rated with the rest. Captain Hunt, in his
usual comprehensive manner, shewed the difference in the
bye laws (if we may so term them) of different nations in
their administration of this law. In some countries every-
thing is rated, wren down to passengers' luggage and the
sailors' wages. He also pointed out the difference between
cargo washed overboard and thrown overboard, and Plus-
trated his remarks by the case of the Kilkenny steamer,
where the captain having thrown overboard a number of pigs
in a storm, his owner was proceeded against by the shipper
of the pigs, and compelled to pay their value. The owner,
in his turn, then commenced an action against the under-
writers, but failed because the court, having no laws to refer
to which applied particularly to steamers, fell back upon
those governing sailing vessels, which refuse compensation
for deck cargo thrown overboard, on the plea that it may be
prejudicial to the proper working of the vessel in rough wea-
ther, and therefore ought not to come within the law of ge-
neral average. 'ln commenting upon this trial, Capt. Hunt
animadvertd strongly upon the injustice of the verdict, and
upon the neeessity of remodelling this part of the law to suit
steamers, which being worked upon a totally different prin-
ciple to sailing vessels, ought not to be governed by the same
rules. The underwriters also must, have known that cattle
upon deck forms almost invariably a part of the cargo of
coasting steamers when they underwrote the Kilkenny.
Captain Hunt next introduced the knotty question of
average where masts are blown away or cut away, which
led ultimately to a very animated discussion between
the lecturer and his auditors. It would appear that
underwriters' law on this head does not go hand in hand
with equity, for if a ship is thrown upon her beam-ends, and
the master cuts away her masts, he can claim average for the
loss; but if he has his masts blown overboard, and then cuts
them away, for precisely the same reason as in the former
case, viz., the safety of the' hull and freight, he cannot claim
salvage ! We must confess that, although there may be a
distinction in this case, we cannot see a difference in point of
justice; and it appears to us to be incumbent upon under-
writers to put forth reasons for such a rule more at length
and convincing than what is to be found in Lorimer or
Stevens. Capt. Hunt passed some high encomiums upon
the works of these gentlemen, which he pronounced to be
admirable both in style and matter, but on that particular
head he conscientiously differed from Mr. Lorimer. The
opinions held by the lecturer appeared to be those of his au-
ditors generally, with the exception of Capt. Jacques, who
seemed to think, with Lorimer, that where masts had been
blown overboard the mischief was already done, and the
cutting away the rigging to release them was merely a conse-
quence of such mischief. and that, therefore, what the cap-
tain cut away, under such circumstances, was of no value.
Mr. Rowett replied, that although the masts were no fur-
ther available for that ship, they were stmt of value as masts
for a smaller vessel, and as such clearly entitled, in his opi-
nion, to claim average for their reduced value, if cut away
and lost. In this view we entirely concur, and we trust the
agitation of the subject on this occasion will lead to the mat-
ter being overhauled by the parties interested, and induce
Mr. Lorimer to explain more fully his opinions. Our space
will not allow us to touch upon the remaining numerous
points of Capt. Hunt's lecture, which was truly rich in know-
ledge and information; and we trust the worthy commander
will ere long give us another opportunity of listening to the

thereon

f rcloarcii into war,

e law, and his reflections

After the lecture a conversation took place, as to finding a
coadjutor for Capt. Hunt in the useful work he has so gene-
rously began ; and Mr. Purnell having been named as emi-
nently qualified to undertake the task, it was moved by
Capt. Hunt, seconded by Capt. Butler, and carried unani-
mously, " That Mr. Purnell be requested to favour the mem-
bers of the Shipmasters' Association with a lecture on nau-
tical astronomy."

PROTESTANT OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION IN
ST. JUDE'S SCHOOL ROOM.

A meeting took place in the above school-room on Tues-
day evening, to form a branch association for that district.
Although St. Jude's Church and Protestant Association are
thoroughly identified, there has not hitherto been an associ-
ation in connection with it, and it is part of the arrangements
of the Protestant Operative Association to divide the town
into 13 divisions, and to have active working associations in
each. These 13 branch meetings to hold quarterly meetings,
so that a meeting will be held every Monday evening in some
part of the town.
The Rev. Hugh M'Neile presided, and laid before the
meeting the plan of the above arrangements, and delivered
a most impressive address to the members present.
The first resolution was moved by Rev. R. DAVIES, in a
most powerful and energetic speech, in which he fully proved
the importance of such meetings.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. RADCLIFF.

The Rev. Dr. TATTERSHALL, in rising to propose the se-
cond resolution, said that he would not be guilty of what he
believed Would be thought a work of supererogation, namely,
that of using many words. to assure the present meeting of
his approbation of the Protestant Association. (Hear, hear.)
Tne part he had been privileged to take on more public oc-
casions than the present would be more than sufficient for
such a purpose. He regarded popery as an evil both in a
political and in a religious point of view, the former being
the necessary consequence of the latter, inasmuch as error in
religion could not exist without -producing its evil effect in
every department of life, whether public or private ' • and he
thought the plans of the Protestant Association well calcu-
lated to expose those evils, and therefore to check their pro-
gress. The political evils of popery were many; among the
chief of which were the divided allegiance of nhe subject,
which, let the advocates of that system say what they will,
must exist where two sovereigns are ackuowledged ; and the
obstruction of the impartial administration of justice, arising
from the fact, that Roman catholics are taught, where the
interests of their church are concerned, to think lightly of
the obligation of an oath. (Cheers.) But the political evils
of popery were trifles compared with its religious evils : the
former were bounded by time, the latter extended their in-
fluence into eternity. A chief feature of the system was, that
it destroyed the free and gracious character of the gospel, by
interposing, and this under the specious pretence of humi-
lity, other mediators between the sinner and the Saviour ;
and taught that the Saviour required to be persuaded by
others, and was not ready of himself to receive returning
sinners into his favour. What an insult was this to be of-
fered to him who, if a sinner is enabled by grace to take one
step in returning to him, may well be said to take ten thou-
sand steps to meet the sinner ; yes, who came down from
Heaven to give his life a ransom for many. (Loud cheers.)
Protestantism was original Christianity—primitive .Chris-
tianity—the Christianity of the New Testament, as it existed
antecedently to all the additions and corruptions of Rome.
He liked well the familiar question, which had been put in
reply to the objection often urged by Roman catholics in the
form of an inquiry—Where was your religion before Luther?
which rejoinder was—where was your face before it was
washed? He approved of this rejoinder for the very reason
that it was so familiar, so easy of apprehension, and so per-
fectly illustrative of the true nature of the case. (Hear,
hear.) Primitive Christianity, or Protestantism—the life-
giving truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ—might very well
be likened to a beautiful face—a face full of health and fresh-
ness—a face which knew not how to assume the expression
of anger—a face which could indeed express sorrow on ac-
count of rebellious sinners, and which beamed with joy and
gladness upon all who turned from the evil of their ways.
But this beautiful face popery had covered over with dirt—
with dirt so black as quite to hide its colour, and so thick as
in many places to render imperceptible the very form of its
features—and had changed it altogether into a dark, grim,
and ugly visage, incapable of any pleasing expression what-
ever. This dirt, however, our Reformers had washed away,
and presented primitive Christianity again in all its native
loveliness. Protestantism was not indeed the original name
of Christianity—it has been adopted solely in consequence of
Christianity having been defiled and then restored ; but if
we are obliged to employ now any other name than that of
primitive Christianity, who is to blame? those who defiled
Christianity, or those who restored it ? Perhaps I may
be asked, since I have said that popery has so completely
changed the features of Christianity,whether I think a Roman
catholic can be saved ? and I answer the question at
once—not by his popery : not by virtue of any of those
doctrines which the Church of Rome has heaped upon origi-
nal Christianity. All who are saved must be saved by those
heavenly truths which constitute the fair and beautiful face
of primitive Christianity, and cannot be saved by the errors
which constitute the thick and dirty incrustation which alone
is popery. He could believe=and he blessed God that he
could—that here:and there one and another conscience-sick-
ened and heart-broken sinner, who has in the distress and
anguish of his soul sought relief and ease, and sought it in
vain in the schemes and devices of popery—who has sought
the intercession of saints, but could obtain no relief—who
has sought priestly absolution, but could find no peace—who
has performed one penance and one austerity after another,
but could find no satisfaction, no rest of mind, no ease of
conscience—may in very agony have forced its way through
the popish incrustation—may have washed away the popish
pollution, even with his own tears—may thus have caught a
view of the beautiful face of the gospel salvation—may thus
have become in reality Protestants without being conscious
of it—and having through all the obstructions of popery made
its way to Christ, may, in him have found that peace and se-
curity which he had sought in vain in all that belonged pe-
culiarly:to the Romish system. He could believe this, he
said ; but still, what an evil must that system be which, in-
stead of bringing the sinner immediately to the Saviour,
interposed barriers in the way—hindrances which required to
be removed before the alarmed and burdened conscience
could obtain that relief, which it was the design olGod, in
gracious revelation of his mercy, to afford. (Great appro-
bation.) For these reasons he abhorred popery, t....4..nr5
anxious, especially when that system appeared to be making
encroachments, that these encroachments should be resisted.
But he was also anxious that it should aliays be borne in
mind that our controversy was with principles, not with
men—that we abhor not Roman Catholips, not the men,
not their persons, but the system of which they are the vip.
Urns—that we love the persons themselves—that we are soli-
citous for their welfare, and the more so because we sec them
to be the victims of a degrading and destructive system—and
means should, therefore, be employed to expose and arrest
the progress of that destructive system. Yet no means can
be allowable except such as are consistent with the utmost
alacrity in rendering every possible kindness to our Roman
Catholic neighbours and brethren—none except such as are
consistent with the desire on our part, were such a thing
possible, to clasp them to our bosoms and carry them in our
arms to heaven.—The Rev. Dr. sat down amidst loud cheer-

The resolution was seconded by Mr. TAYLOR.
Several other resolutions having been moved, the meeting
separated, after a concluding address from the Chairman.

DOCK COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of the Dock Committee was held on
Wednesday to consider the dock bill, as approved by the
council.

Some delay took place in consequence of the clauses, as
altered, not being clearly set forth, which obliged the chair.
man to send for the town clerk, who shortly arrived and ex-
plained the alterations, and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Messrs. Mellor, Aikin, Middleton, Moon, Martin, and
Chapman thought the town-council had almost gone too far
in the way of concession to the warehouse proprietors, more
particularly in regard to the clause fining goods a month's
rent if not removed in 24 hours ; they thought a week's rent
sufficient, but as the compromise had been made, all parties
were in honour bound to adhere to the bargain, leaving it
open to the parliamentary committee to determine that point.
A long petition from the warehouse proprietors to parlia-
ment was read.

Mr. EVANS, inquired of the town-clerk the reason of the
petition to parliament I.3ing so lengthened, and going into
matter that had been refuted over and over again.
The TOWN-CLERK replied that he understood it was a
friendly petition, and not one of a hostile nature, arid that,
as for its verboseness, he could only account for it in the
usual way, viz., lawyers being paid two shillings a folio.
(Loud laughter.)
_•

Mr. TOBIN moved and Mr. MIDDLETON seconded a mo-
tion to alter the nature of the dock trust, and, for the future,
to elect ten from the town-council and ten from the rate-
payers ; the chairman to be elected by the town-council.
Mr. EVANS opposed it, as did Mr. AIKIN, Mr. SMITH,
and Mr. CHAnTAN, the latter observing that the dock so-
licitor had already given his opinion that such a recommen-
dation could not come from the committee or town-council,
but that the ratepayers might endeavour to got such a clause
inserted in the bill when before the parliamentary committee,
After some further conversation the meeting broke up.