The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-23 00:00:00

is, that such a usage would speedily open the the eyes
the people to the unwarranted pretensions of the priests
—to the false doctrines which they inculcate—and to the
accordance of Protestantism with the oracles of truth.

The priests, we are informed, are inimical to the per-
mission to read the script Ores, even when not objected to
by the parents.- Is not this tyranny ? Did we not rightly
characterise the Church of Rome as a system of spiritua
despotism ? What 'does the editor of the Mercury think
of such language as the following—" over the books
used for the religious instruction of my flock I shall ex-
ercise, without regard to any board, exclusive and abso-
lute controul ?" Is such an exercise of power compati-
ble with the Mercury's notions of liberty of conscience ?
Is it not right to call the Papists slaves to their spiritual
tyrants, when we find the latter declaring, that they will
• not suffer them to place their children under the care of
any one " whose faith shall be tainted by the religious
training of any professing a different creed ?"
Our readers will bear in mind that the language em-
ployed by titular Nlgliale is nut the expression of his
individual opinion only. It is the deliberate language
of the Popish hierarchy, as the following extract will
prove :

" Permit me, then, my lord, to lay unquestionable evidence
before you, that so far from any arrogant assumption of indivi-
dual privileges, lam only literally conveying the resolutions
adopted by that body to which 1 belong. In the year 1826,
January 25, at our general meeting, held in Dublin, we unani-
mously adopted the following resolutions:—.
"‘ Resolved,—That, in order to secure sufficient protection
to the religion of Roman Catholic children, under such a system
of (national) education, we deem it necessary that the master
of each school in which the majority of the pupils profess the
Roman Catholic faith, be a Roman Catholic; and that, in
schools in which the Roman Catholic children form a minority,
a permanent Roman Catholic assistant be employed, and that
such master and assistant be appointed upon the recommenda-
tion, or with the express approval of, the Roman Catholic
bishop of the diocese in which they are to he employed; and
further, that—ibey or either of them be removed upon the re-
presentation of such bishop. The same rule to be observed for
the appointment or dismissal of mistresses and assistants in
female schools,
" Resolved,—That we consider it improper that masters
and mistresses intended for the religious instruction of Roman
Catholic youth, should be trained or educated by or under the
controul of persons professing a different faith.
" Resolved'—That, in conformity with the principle of pro-
tecting the religion of Roman Catholic children, the hooks in-
tended for their particular instruction in religion shall be select-
ed or approved by the Roman Catholic prelates; and that no
hook or tract for common instruction in literature shall be in-
troduced into any school in which Roman Catholic children are
educated, which book or tract may be objected to on religious
grounds by the Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese in which
such school is established.
" Resolved,—Thar, appointed as we have been by Divine
Providence to watch ever and preserve the deposit of Catholic
faith in Ireland, and responsible, as we are, to God for the souls
of our flocks, we will, in our respective dioceses, withhold our
concurrence and support from any system of education which
will not fully accord with the principles expressed in the fore-
going resolutions.'
Cats any thing be more conclusive in its bearing against
the Irish system of education than this language ? Tne
Popish bishops will not even pertnitinoman Catholics to
become teachers, if they have been contaminated by a
"training under the control of persons professing a dif-
ferent faith ;" nor will they allow any books to be used
but those of there own chosing—no, not even "a tract
for common instruction in literature." Insolent dictation!
And yet it is to this species of dictation that the poor de-
luded papists are trained to submit. Did we not rightly
call them slaves
It is somewhat singular that this arrogant prelate
should furnish us with the following striking corrobora-
tion of the language employed by the Rev. H. M‘Neile
in reference to the system introduced into the Corporation
Schools:—
" I trust, however, that you will not be equally indifferent to
the solemn warning of the dangers to society with which they
proclaim such a system to be fraught. It cannot be otherwise.
It is worse than mockery to strive to blend in One harmonious mass
elements that are essentially discordant and repulsive; and'while
men attach a value to religion, and believe—as believe they
must—that only One is stamped with the prominent seal of the
Divinity, it is impiety to attempt to smooth away that impression
by a refining proeess, intended to obliterate all the distinctive, ea-
tures between trolls and error. That the printing-office of the
board may be turned into a theological laboratory in which all
the asperities of creeds and confessions are to be rubbed away,
may be inferred frorn the testimony of some of the commissioners,
as well as the motley character of some of their compilations."
So nearly do these terms assimilate to Those employed
by the Rev. H. 111'Neile that we can scarcely acquit the
titular of plagiarism. With equal truth may we say that
"it is worse than mockery" in the education committee
of the Town Council "to strive to blend, in one harmo-
nious mass, elements that are essentially discordant and
repulsive." With equal truth may we charge Messrs.
Blackburn and Co., with the " impiety" of attempting
" to obliterate all the distinctive features between truth
and error." We thank thee, Johnny M‘Hale, for supply-
ing us with such a missive to launch against the brain-
less pates of our radical town-councillors !
We cannot proceed any further to-day with our exami-
nation of this letter. We find in it many other remark-
ble passages, to which we shall refer on Tuesday.
It has frequently been stated in the radical papers
of this town that " the school question has been set at
rest." They will find this to be a vain boast, however
much they may wish to have no further agitation on the
subject. The exertions which the liberals are making
to get the legislature to consent to a Board of Education
for England, require that we should follow up these
observations.

THE BLUE COAT HOSPITAL.-At this particular junc-
ture, when the institutions of the land are so openly as-
sailed, and the question is about to be answered whether
education without religion can be considered a national
benefit or not, we cannot avoid directing the attention
of our readers to those excellent institutions which are
the glory of our country, and where the destitute chil-
dren of the poor are not only taught those things which
are absolutely necessary, but are grounded in those scrip-
tural principles which give to intellectual culture a right
direction, and are the sure guides to honour here and
happiness hereafter.

thisEEvery
wrnmhaans
fno)rumst admit
ore:iiatnha the E
at
century
Coat Hospitalybeenan of
unspeak-
able blessing ; and, by the kindness and liberality of the
to xn, many an orphan has been snatched from penury
and wo, has been clothed and educated, and has there
received a sound and healthy culture, which has fitted
him to become a valuable member of society; and ena-
bled him in after life to shine as a benefactor to the very
institution where his infant years were passed. Many
'tradesmen of the highest respectability, and not a few
of our merchants, were educated in this school ; and it
is gratifying to find that not a year passes but the trus-
tees of this valuable institution have evidence that the
benefits they are enabled to dispense are not forgotten.
Our readers will recollect that about a fortnight ago fifty
highly respectable young tradesmen invited Mr. Forster,
the amiable and excellent master of the institution, to
dinner, and presented him with a most splendid testi-
monial of their esteem, which was accompanied by an
address breathing sentiments honourable alike to him and
to themselves. A copy of that address having fallen into
our hands, we cannot resist the opportunity of publishing
it, and we trust that in doing so we shall not infringe the
strict rule of propriety by giving publicity to that which
was alone intended for the gratification of both pupils
and master. We are induced to do so, because we think
it bears indubitable evidence of the soundness of the
educaticn which the children receive; and we earnestly
hope that an institution which has so long been a bless-
ing to the town may be liberally supported by persons of
all ranks and classes.

The following is a copy of the address alluded to:—

" TO MR. WILLIAM FORSTER.

" SIR-It is with feelings of peculiar pleasure and satisfac-
tion- that we meet you on the present occasion, to offer for your
acceptance a token of our esteem and gratitude, although we
must acknowledge its inadequacy. We beg leave to state to
you, who have been for so many years the Superintendent of
the Blue Coat Hospital, the deep sense we entertain of the kind-
ness and attention which we received whilst inmates of that in-
stitution; and we desire to express our gratittide for the inva-
luable benefits we derived from our education there. We ex-
perience sincere delight when we recal to mind the. happy days
we passed. in the, school—the friendly intercourse between our
patrons and or rselves—the aids and encouragements which

were bestowed upon us for the advancement of our welfare—
and last, though not least, the wholesome discipline to which

we were subjected, awl. which eminently conduced to our real
interests in after life.

" We most earnestly desire, that the institution may be perpe-
tuated in the energetic and scriptural manner in which it is at
present conducted ; and that it may become, if possible, increas-
ingly useful for the relief and benefit of thousands who stand in
need of such an asylum ; that it may succeed,and prosper in the
good designs for which it was erected; and that you, Sir, may
icing continue in your present situation to dispense the blessings
of sound religious instruction, and remain a conspicuous orna-
ment to the establishment such as you have hitherto been.
" One distinguished advantage that we derived from our edu-
cation in that valuable institution over which you so faithfully
preside, was, that we were carefully brought up in a loyal and
devoted attachment to our venerable institutions in church and_
state;, and that whilst we were carefully taught to fear God, we
were alsoinstructed to honour the king.

" We would conclude, by repeating► our anxiety for the pros-
perity of the Blue Coat Hospital, where we were providentially
nurtured in our younger days, and we desire you to accept our
fervent wishes for your enjoyment of uninterrupted health and
happiness for many years to come."

The address bears the signatures of fifty individuals,
many of whom are tradesmen of the highest respecta-
bility.

LIVERPOOL SPRING ASSIZES.

These assizes commenced yesterday. It having been intia
mated to the sheriff and to the mayor, that the judgeS would
meet them at the boundary of the town, near Kirkdale, at two
o'clock yesterday, shortly before that hour, the usual cavalcade
of javelin men, consisting of the yeomen and tenantry on the
estate of the High Sheriff, were assembled before the Adelphi
Hotel, where the High Sheriff was stopping. The cavalcade
was one of the most splendid we have seen in
,Liverpool, the
javelin men being more numerous, better dressed, and better
mounted. The cavalcade soon after proceeded in the following
order:

Four officers of the court, in scarlet coats, as outriders.
Two trumpeters.

The High Sheriff, in full dress, cocked hat, sword, &c.. .on
horseback, the horse superbly caparisoned, the saddle cloth
embroidered with his coat of arms; and the Deputy Sheriff
also on horseback, the horse similarly caparisoned.
Fifty or sixty javelin men. _ _ _

The Hi;.Y.tr Sheriff's carriage 'and four horses for the judges;
the coachman and jockey in superb livery. This contaiued
the Sheriff's Chaplain, the Rev. Rector Brooks.
Mr. Peter Bournett in his private carriage.
Javelin men bringing up the rear.
In this order they proceeded to Kirkdale, where they were
joined by the Mayor's carriage, with the corporation servants
in full livery, containing the Mayor, the Rev. Rector Campbell,
and the Town-clerk and Deputy Town-clerk.
Soon after two o'clock the judges' carriage arrived at Kirk-
dale, containing, however, only one of the judges, .Sir J.
Patteson, Sir J. T. Coleridge, the other judge, not having con-
'eluded the Nisi Prius business at Lancaster, His Lordship
then drove rapidly to the town, escorted by the High Sheriff,
and the Mayor and suite, and proceeded at once to the Assize
Court, where her Majesty's commission ofgeneral gaol delivery
was opened with the usual formalities. - His' Lordship then
drove to St. George's Church, accompanied by the Sheriff's
chaplain, and followed by the. Mayor, several gentlemen, and
the javelin men. The Mayor took his seat in the corporation
seat, behind the Judge, and wai unattended by the usual para-
phernalia, and wore no robe of office, Mr. Joseph Langton
escorting him into his pew.
Prayers were then read by the Rev. J. B. Monk the incum-
bent. The usual chaunts, we believe by order of the Mayor,
were not sung.

The Rev. Rector Brookes, the Sheriff's Chaplain, then
ascended the pulpit, and after most expressively delivering a
beautiful preparatory prayer, preached with great impressive-
ness the following excellent sermon, of which we have endea-
voured to give a verbatim report, (so 'far as a disadvantageous
position would permit,) feeling that its intrinsic excellence is
deserving of being perpetuated beyond the transient effect of a
spoken address.
He took for his text the Bth chapter of the Gospel according
to St. John. and the latter part of the 11th verse, " Go and sin
no more." Our blessed Saviour had been travelling from one
city, the city of Galilee, to another, preaching the doctrines
of the gospel, and conveying his words with many and wonder-
ful miracles. He had begun to attract universal attention.
The people in general could not but consider hint to be some
extraordinary person; though they differed materially in the
opinions which they had formed of him; some believing hint to
be a great prophet sent to make the way straight for the coming
of the promised Messiah; others regarding him as the very
Christ himself; whilst some again adopting the vulgar error that
he was born at Nazareth altogether rejected him. The chief
priests, however; whose fears had been awakened by his grow-
ing popularity, had sent their officers to apprehend him, for he
had come up to Jerusalem to the feast, and had taught publicly
in the temple. The officers were so much astonished at what
they saw of him—so impressed by the Almighty dignity of his
manhood—so affected with the power of his eloquence, and so
impressed with the authority with which he spake, that they
abandoned their intention of committing any violence against
him, and returned without accomplishing their object; and in
answer to the inquiries of the ruler why they had not executed
their orders so positively given, declared that they could not,
for "never man spake like he spake." And therefore when the
Scribes and Pharisees found that they bad no chance of securing
him by open force, they determined on trying. a different me-
thod, and endeavoured to gain their end by stratagem and de-
ceit— It was his usual custom to retire in the.,evening 'to the
Mount of Olives, and he had done so the night before the
transaction took place which is here recorded in St. John.
After having indulged in the wonted privilege the retirement of
this place afforded him, he had returned into the city and again
entered the temple, where a great multitude of people were as-
sembled to listen to his instruction as he sat down and talked.

In this employment he was soon interrupted by the arrival of a
ciotipany of Scribes and Pharisees, bringing with them a
woman guilty of an offence which the Jewish law invariably
punished with great severity, and by which she had incurred
the penalty of death. They addressed him with every out-
ward appearance of respect, "Master, we have brought you
one who has been guilty of a most heinous crime ; and
as it is a case beyond suspicion, in which the fact is clear
and unquestionable, we are come to advise with you as
to what is to be done; the law of Moses orders, that such
offenders should be stoned; but what sayest thou?" Now this
conduct had on the face of it every appearance of sincerity;
but this was far front being its real purport. We read that they
did it with a view to tempt him, in order that they might have
something on which to ground an accusation. Their design
was to ensnare him, to place him in a dilemma, from which they
imagined that he could not possibly extricate himself. If, on the
one hand, he sentenced the immediate infliction of the punish-
ment, he would incur a double hostility. His whole conduct
had been characterised by a constant succession of acts of mercy.
His mild and affectionate deportment had endeared him to the
people. He had appeared amongst them not as a judge ; that
was the office which was reserved for his second coming, but as
a Saviour. He had repeatedly declared, that he was not come
to destroy, but to save; that he was not come to condemn the
world, but to call them to repentance. If he had acted then
against the woman all these impressions would have been weak-
ened, if it bad not destroyed the popular favour which he then
enjoyed. But besides this, it would have been assuming an
authority which he had no right to exercise. Then the great
council of the Jews had not the power to carry the sentence of
death into execution in any case without the express sanction
and permission of the Roman governor. If then he had issued
any such order, or given any such advice, it would have been
construed into such an act of rebellion against the state, that
he would have subjected himself to the greatest personal danger.
If, on the other hand, he had directed the release of the woman
after she had been so notoriously guilty of so disgraceful a viola-
tion of the Jaw of Moses, they then hoped he would expose him-
self to the indignation of the people, who were very jealous of
that law, and fall a victim to their intemperate zeal. Jesus
was well aware of the malicious feelings which they entertained
against him. He knew that they, were not actuated by a pure
desire to encourage virtue, or to restrain vice. If this had been
their object, they would have come before their regular tribunal,
and have taken the case before those who were invested with
legal authority to decide upon it. He, therefore, appeared not
to regard them, but to be intent on another occupation, " for,
stooping down, he wrote with his finger on the ground, as
though he heard them not. They were determined, however,
not to be satisfied without an answer; they, perhaps, flattered
themselves that they had put him in a difficulty from which his
silence proceeded, and continued, therefore, to urge the ques-
tion. He at length raised himself up, and, surveying them
with a calm and placid dignity, said unto those around him—
" He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a
stone at her." No words could have conveyed in gentler
yet stronger terms, his opinion of their conduct, his- detec-
tion of their malignity, and his reproof of the bitterness of
their spirit. They were calculated to awaken the consciences
of these hallowed amen, and to expose their awful sin. " You
who come here under the pretence of being the great patrons
and asserters of virtue- you who would urge me with so much
importunity to pass sentence on this woman, whom it is no part
of my office to condemn, do you feel or express the same indig-
nation against your own crimes? Is there any one amongst you
who can assert his own innocence, that he is free from all guilt?
Has he no infirmity, no errors to answer for that he has no need
of compassion, tbal he requires no pardon ? If there be such an
one, let him proceed to put this law into execution, let him that
is pure and perfect in himself--" let him who is without sin
first cast a stone at her!" Having thus spoken he resumed his
former employment. The effect of this answer was immediate
and powerful. It flashed like lightning on their consciences.
Never was triumph more complete. The hypocrisy of these
men was at once unmasked. They who had come with the in-
tention of entangling another, were caught in their own snare.
They were self convicted, foiled, and abashed in the presence of
all the multitude. Thus foiled in their object, "they," says the
Evangelist, "being con victed by their own consciences, went out
one by one, beginning at the eldest even to the least, and Jesus
was left alone with the woman standing in the midst." The
accusers were all ;one; they found they had to do with one
" before whom all hearts were open," and they dare not face
the exposure of their own wicked deeds. When our Savior
perceived that they were gone, he said to the culprit, "woman,
where are these thine accusers? Where are those who were.
lately so importunate in demanding that the law should be en-
forced against you ? Amongst all these, have none of them
ventured to condemn you?" She said no man, Lord." And
Jesus said unto her, "neither do I condemn you; go, and sin
no more." Such is this interesting and affecting narrative • and
the first consideration which it suggests to us, is connected
the circumstances tinder which we are now assembled. That
there is no foundation for drawing the conclusion from it, that
because our Saviour dismissed without any punishment, the wo-
man who had been guilty of so serious an offence against the
Jewish laws—he therefore intended to defeat their efficacy, or
in the remotest degree to censure or impugn the constitutions
of civil governments. We are told by St. Paul that "all power
is of God;" it is his will that there should be governments in
human society as the best means of securing the peace and hap-
piness of mankind. There must be some persons invested with
authority to protect the innocent and to defend the weak from
the violence of oppression. Civil institutions were from the
. earliest ages the remedy appealed to, to counteract the inconve-
nience of a state of nature; not by depriving men of their
,ipatival rights, but by confining them within such due bounds
would be most likely to advance the general good. So far is
christianity from superceding these institutions, that, on the
contrary, its decided tendency is to ameliorate and improve
them. By the infusion of its own spirit into the minds of men,
it raised the character of those principles upon which human
associations have been founded, and has engendered a those
universal and mote uniform attention to truth, to hums-
humanity, to clemency, and to all the milder traits of humanity.
The Gospel inculcates obedience in ordinary cases as a matter i
Hof conscience, and directs that prayer he made for all that are
in authority, as being the ministers of God for the good and
benefit of the community over which they are raised. So