The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-05-18 00:00:00

FIGHT AMONG THE PARSONg .OF• HOPE-STREET
CHAPEL; Ott SECTARIAN CHRISTIANITY EX-
EMPLIFIED BY ITS TEACHERS. •

On Wednesday, at the Police-office, Mr. Pearson,.one of the
trustees of Hope-street Chapel, and Mr. Bowes, a preachir
there;' were summoned before the magistrates, by a Mr. Broth-
ley, also a'preaeher there, on a charge of aisaulting aim, and
attempting to turn him out of his pulpit, while he was in the act
of preaching.
We give a full report of it, because it is an apt illustration of
the way in which trite Christianity may suffer in the estimation
of the thoughtleis crowd, whose principles may be unfixed,
from the unchristian.exhibitions which the vile passions of incn
lead them to mix up with professed religion; and to show the
necessity of au Established Church to present religiOn pur'e
and undefiled" to the love, and the veneration of the people.
Well may infidelity thriie, when men see Christians-phara-
saical Christians—Christian teachers—Christians par-excellence
—conducting themselves in a place set apart for the publi
worship of God, wnere our thoughts only should be turned
" heaven-ward," and far removed from the conflicting passion's
of life, nay, in the very pulpit, in a mode which would disgrace
the ale-full brawlers of a pot-house. Thank God we have a
Church Establishment, where religion is treated of as a sacred
thing; where its ministers, who preach " forbearance, Chris=
tian meekness, and brotherly love," are exemplars to their
flocks of that which they teach ; and where above all, the cha,
racter, station, and respectability of the endowed minister, gives
weight to his doctrine with the wavering, and unfixed in prin-
ciple. We do not speak thOrghtlessly, When we assert our be-
lief, that such exhibitions Obese, and similar ones, which have
taken place in this, and other chapels, do infinite barm to the
progress of religion, by bringing it into contempt, and to be
lightly thought of, and greatly aiding the march pf infidelity.
Mr. Bromley having been sworn, and requested by Mr. Hall
to proceed, said :—I was preaching in the Hope-street Chapel
pulpit, on Monday night. Had been preaching about twenty
minutes, when Mr. rearson who is standing there, violently
broke open 'the pulpit door; and after he had broken the
pulpit door, Mr. Bowes, an expelled minister of our society
rushed into the pulpit, and endeavoured to push me on one side,
and 'take possession of the pulpit. I endeavoured to prevent
his doing so, and he pushed very considerably against me, and
tried to stride over the knees of those persons who were in the
pulpit bs my request, leaders, or deacons of our united church.
Mr. Pearson,•,-The trustees were assembled in the chapel, and
they passed a tesolution. that Mr. Hatch, superintendant of
police, should clear the way for Mr. Bowes to preach. as they
had resolVed that he should preach that night at seven o'clock;
and to request !Sir. Bromley, Mr. Barstow, and Mr. Bentley to
immediately withdraw from the pulpit, as the Reverend I. Bowes
was appointed to preach at seven o'clock. Soon after six o'clock
those gentlemen went into the pulpit, and took forcible posses-
sion. At the request of 'the trustees, Mr. Haten went up, and
desired them to go, but they would not. I then went up, and
requested them to withdraw, as it was not the usual preaching
night, but that he might preach any other night in the week
without molestation. Mr. Hatch .was on the steps with a party
of policemen there to keep the peace (1) ; and they pulled the
pulpit door to, with my finger in, and broke that part off. I
said to Mr. Hatch, " you had better not persiSt if they are de-
terminad ; let the blame be on them. Mr. Bowes may address
the congreytiiion at any other part of the. chapel, GIVE OUT A
HYMN ( !), and afterwards retire to the open air. It was better
to retire to the open air than to have such opposition, as it was
the wish of the owners of the chapel." And, according to that
resolution, it was resolved, that Mr. Bowes should preach Mon•
days, Wednesdays, and Thursda vs, arseven o'clock, and every
other Sabbath-day, and the trustees had no objection for Mr.
Bioinler to preach the other days, peaceably and quietly. •
Mr. HALT..- The better way would have been —I don't mean
to offer any opinion as to the right of the parties—but the more
prudent course would have been, wheaYeu found him in posses-
sion of the pulpit, to have retired that night, and then to have
closed the doors and windows, and taken possession for any
other occasion. It was wrong to attempt to make any distill--
bdince there, and force your way into this place. Really, I don't
know how the cause of religion is to be bent:fitted by such
means.
Mr. Pearson.—lt is not, sir.
Mr. HALL.—Two people squabblipg who shall address the
audience, one saying he is authorisedjity the trustees; the other
that he is in some other way authoriset.
Mr. Pearson.—That was a special night appointed by the
trustees.
Mr. Har.r..—ln fact it seems to me that both parties are to
blame—
Mr. Pearson.—They are, sir.
Mr. HALL—Because Mr. Bromley brought to me a written
statement; but it immediately occurred to me on reading it,
that there is some blame attached to Mr. Bromley also. Mr.
Bromley states that he was passing accidentally—it does not
appear to be his night at all—and seeing a collection of persons
there, it appears strange that he should select that night for the
purpose of going in to do duty. It seems as if be was inviting
a disturbance. He admits that he was passing accidentally
with Mr. Newkotne, of Manchester, and then he walks in and
walks into the pulpit. It seems to me very much like saying, I
am anxious to have this matter settled, and to have a contro-
versy about it.
Mr. Bromley.—May I be permitted now to speak ?—I have
an official charge from the president of our convocation to keep
the pulpit at all hazards; that, I suppose, means at the hazard
of my life.
Mr:HALL—That is a very foolish charge, and a very im-
proper one.
Mr. Bromley.—Acting for the society, confidence, I suppose,
is placed in me as an individual; and' I am resolved that no
other person shall enter that pulpit for the purpose of preach-
ing, unless I be forcibly taken out of it, and then those who do
it must take the consequences.
Mr. HALL.—WeII, if yon are so exceedingly pugnacious, you
know the consequences may be very serious. I thought to
preach was to inculcate peace, and not war.
Mr. Bromley.—l will read to you our rules, to show you that
no other person had a right there.
Mr. HA LL.—I am not going into the question of right,
Mr. Broinley--I had then as much right as any other person
there to go and take possession of the pulpit.
Mr. HALL—It appears to me an exceedingly indiscreet pro-
ceeding. Could there be no arrangement made to have this
matter•put into the way of settlement ?
alt. Pearson.-3evetal~,~.L~ait►uoe•ba.lec...bestl-inade, bill
none acceded to.
Mr. HALL—Who are the parties in possession of this chapel
in law ?
Mr. Pearson.—The trustees
Mr. Thompson, attorney, (who appeared for the mortgagees.)
—The mortgagees.
Mr. Bromley.—The trustees are expelled members of the
society; those ou the side of Mr. Bowes.
Mr. H I.l..—the better way would be for the mortgagee to
take possession of the building. Who is the mortgagee?
Mr. Thompson.—l am. ,
Mr. Bromley.—The mortgagee cannot take possession of it;
the interest has been paid. He cannot, neither shall he.
Mr. HALL—I understand from the professional man that he
can.

11Ir. Bromley.—That gentlemen is altogether misinformed.
Mr. HALL.—He speaks as a legal adviser, and Mtn be sup-
posed to know as much as you of the law.
Mr. Bromley.—l shall never make the slightest concession to
Mr. Bowes, who is an expelled minister of his society; but as
long as I stop here the slightest coucession shall never be made
to Mr. Bowes. I will meet him on no wound whatever. I have
been assaulted, and the law will protect me.
Mr. HALL.—I don't know what your statement is. Three
different statements have I had. Your written statement varies
from what you told me this morning,* and now what you say
is different. .
Mr. Bromley.—l did not in my verbal statement go into what
I stated in the written statement; in my verbal statemailli there
may be some omissions, but I am positive there is not the least
clashing of statement. And were I not a stranger, and dealt
with as I feel myself dealt with in this place, I would not assume
so much positiveness. But I feel 1 must do that to stand on
any ground at all.
Mr. au..—ls there no mode, Mr. Pearson, by which this
can be put an end to ?
Mr. I-4earson.—We have proposed, and will either give or
take £2,400, and give or take possession of the chapel.
An individual.—Allow me to state, no individual has a right
to make any such proposal on our side.
Mr. Pearson.—There was seven mediators chosen of different
denominations. •
Mr. HALL—You know, as to any disturbance I cannot per-
mit it.
Mr. PRAnsoN.—They are preparing for a disturbance to-
night; they are preparing in ju,4 the same way. Mr. Bromley
has announced that he is to preach.
Mr. Whitty.—Mr. Bromley's friends are in possession of the
chapel.
Mr. HALL—I cannot permit it; it will lead to a breach of
the peace. I never saw a greater degree of obstinacy than this.
Mr. Pearson.—We have done all we can, and you see the
obstinacy manifested.
Mr. 11 ALL.—Why not get the affairs in a state of settlement?
Mr, Bromley.—The affairs of ihe chapel are already in the
legal way of adjustment ; and what I come here for is for redress
for the assault.
Mr. Ha LL.—Who laid bands on you ?
Mr. Bromley.—A great many persons.
Mr. HALL—WiIt you swear that Mr. Pearson laid hands on
you?
Mr. BeosiLET.—l will just state I have been before the ma-
gistrates this morning, and there was a dictastion of the state-
ment I am to make, and if I state who laid violent hands on
me I must bring other parties before you, and take out another
warrant.
Mr. HALL—You have got no warrant. Do you mean to
swear that Mr. Pearson laid hands on you? '
Mr. Brotnley.—No, he did not. He broke open the door, and
be aided and abetted Mr. Bowes in getting up.
Mr. HALL.—Did Mr. Bowes lay hold of you?
Mr. Bromley.—He laid his shoulders against me, and put his
hands against me, and tried to push me out of the pulpit to get
in himself.
Mr. HALL—Now, Mr. Bowes, am Ito understand that this
thing is to go on.
Mr. Bowes.-1 exceedingly regret that this matter has come
into court; and I express my regret at the scene that has taken
place.
Mr. H A t.t...—But what I want to know is, is it your intention
to go there again to turn him out?
Al r. Bowes.—No. As theie has been a great many statements
male inimical to my character, that I have been expelled the
connexion, I beg to say that I have been expelled by one man,
by the Reverend R. An ken. I merely wish to state that bekase
my character is reflected on. The society will be called together
about it, and some have declared that the expulsion was tyran-
nical. I now come as to my right.
Mr. HALL.—The right, Mr. Bowes, cannot .he determined
by me; it must be determined by an action in another court.
Mr. i3ovres.-1 only want you not to be misled as regards my
character. I cheerfully resigned up the pulpit for two months,
and in the cold month of March worshipped with the congregation
in the open air, till we got a legal-document signed; and in my
possesSiori, and then I went to take possession.
Mr. Bromley.—You have only that document signed by four
trustees.
Mr.H ALL (after conferring with M r.Thonipsiin,)—StipPOsing
whpever is in possession of it now, you know they cannot very
well be removed without. some breach' of the peace. Now,
would suggest that-the mortgagee adopt legal Means hr obtaining
possession; the law will give him possession; and adopt pro-
ceedings against the individual holding it: The law will eject
him; and in the mean time,: till that proceeding is settled, that
no further,steps should be taken.
Mr. Bowes.-1 feel disposed to submit to your judgement sir,
it is a wise course. Bat I wish to state what has not been stated.
Upon my attempting to enter the pulpit I did pot do so till the
superintendent of police had requested the party to retire, and
they refused; and then Mr. Hatch requested me to take pos-
session, or something of that sort, and I then got tip. But Mr.
Fletcher and Mr. Bromley himself laid hands on me, and I ac-
tually sustained injury. I have not made any talk of it,- but I
may state that my right side yesterday, from the crushing that
Mr. Bentley end Mr..Biomley gave me, was crushed and gave
me pain. To-day it is better. Therefore I have receiVticl bodily
I injury. never laid hawk on any one and would Met attempt'
to do so.
Mr. Mr. Pearson, you are a res*table man
and a trtiS/4e, I shall be perfectly satisfied if 'you will pledge,yeur
4ord to that nolliing like an attempt shall be made to nike