The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-09 00:00:00

had that individual been supposed to commit ? He was un-
willing to part with his inheritance in the land of promise ;
and I trust our friend is unwilling, and so am I too, to part
with our Scripture inheritance, our Christian inheritance,
and with that which is bound up in the purity of faith, our
eternal inheritance. They have found hint unwilling to part
with his inheritance. And what have they done ? Why, they
have set him on high among the people. And what is the
accusation that they bring against him ? That he blasphemed
God and the Queen ! (Applause.) And they have been
ready enough to throw missiles in abundance, in the form of
hard words and newspaper paragraphs ; but missiles of this
sort, I am happy to say, break no bones, and we have here
the happiness of seeing our friend scatheless in the midst of
us. (Cheers.) I shall allude also to another circumstance,
not of less notoriety, with which another friend near me is
connected. (Cheers.) It is well known that I refer—l see it
is—to an issue which has recently been tried in a court of
justice in this town. Ido not entertain the intention of ex-
pressing any decided opinion of my own on the merits of-the
case, for what I conceive to be a very powerful and proper
reason, namely, that although this case has issued on one
trial, yet it is not itnrossible that it may be reviewed in
another. (Cheers.) The remarks, however, which I shall
make, though expressing nothing in the form of a decisive
enunciation of my own views, will yet have something of
that bearing in them. It appears that a paper was read, at
a meeting in Manchester, that had been put into the hands
of my rev. friend Mr. Stowell, in which certain statements
were contained that have since been held to contain libellous
matter against a Roman Catholic priest resident in the town
of Manchester. The paper was supposed, I say, to contain
libellous matter—that is, matter reflecting on the character of
that gentleman. Now, in what does this libel consist? Why,
in the statement that this gentleman had appointed a certain
penance to an individual, winch penance that individual was
said to have been seen performing. I suppose, from the
necessity of the case, we arc compelled to believe that the
penance was confessed to be a wrong one, and the injury to
that gentleman's character is also supposed to consist in the
fact of its being made to appear that he was capable of im-
posing it. Now, I apprehend that in all inquiries of this
kind, and in every case in which injury to character is con-
cerned, it is of most essential importance that a distinction
should be drawn, and clearly maintained, between moral cha-
racter and mere discretional character. If the imputation
were supposed to affect that gentleman's moral character,
and they thought that what he was stated to have done was
in itself morally wrong, then I could very well understand
how a statement of that kind should be a libel. But still that
which is morally wrong in one place is morally wrong in
another ; and I, therefore, feel surprised, as similar penances
are performed in other places, as we know full well from good
authority, and not a few in the sister island, how, if this be
an imputation against amoral character here, any thing of the
same nature can be carried on elsewhere, without bringing
down that expression of disapprobation and punishment which
is said to have been due to it. had it been true in this instance.
But, on the other hand, if it were a mere imputation on the
discretion of that gentleman—if to have imposed such a pe-
nance, had lie done so, would have been a mere act of indiscre-
tion, why, then, I say that discretion is a thing belonging to
time and place; and I can, therefore, very well understand
how the system may be carried on without any expres-
sion of displeasure, where it might be so carried on without.
exciting much observation or attention on the part et
others, but I cannot, I confess, understand how the mere
imputation of an act of indiscretion—how, because a per-
son may have done a thing not morally wrong, yet um-_

prudent, because it was done at a wrong time and a wrong
place, can be said to constitute a libel. This, I again
repeat, I cannot fully understand. It is no unusual thing,
and not considered a matter of offence, to observe that
persons who have discretion enough for one situation have
not for another ; and I confess that I never heard, in any
former instance of this kind, that such an observation was to
be considered libellous. We have heard, however, of " the
glorious uncertainty of the law," and 1 think, that, if the
imputation of indiscretion and mere error in judgment,
may serve as the basis of an accusation of libel, " the glori-
ous uncertainty of the law" is rendered more gloriously
uncertain still, and in what position any of us may stand is
more than I can undertake to declare. One single observa-
tion more in reference to this matter, and I have done. We
have it on the confession of the parties who have been brought
prominently before the world on this occasion, that to ap-
point any penance of such a kind as that referred to, is
degrading thing, (hear, hear), we have it, on their own con-
fession, that they are ashamed of it. Let us hope that such
penances, then, will be entirely discontinued in England and
Ireland too, and that we shall never hear of any of our
beloved brethren residing in Ireland being subjected to
any such degradation for the time to come. It is not
impossible that there may he, among the persons as-
sembled here, some individuals of the Roman Catholic
persuasion. I may beg just to say to such persons'
that with my whole heart I bid them welcome, as wit-
nesses of the present proceedings. We have no secrets
to keep, and we wish not even to pretend to keep all
from you. We hope that you will be attentive to such pro-
ceedings as will now follow. I must, however, beg to rennin'
you, that this is a meeting of the Protestant Association"—
that you, who are not either members or friends of that
association, cannot be regarded as a constituent part of thi6
meeting, but only as visitors on this occasion. We have 11°
questions to propose, either for your acceptance or dis-
approbation, and if, as will most probably be the easel
statements shall be made in which, the doctrines and
practices of your church may be set forth in a light dif-
ferent from what you have been accustomed to view theni,
and if anything is said that may be unpleasant to your fee
ings, recollect that you are here of your own act and deo,
and that you have put yourselves in a position of hearing
them. We bid you heartily welcome : but we hope, and ex-
press a full confidence, that in return for the cow-tell,
extended to you, in permitting you to witness these proceeu
ings, you, as the only and most proper return you can mae'
will witness them in peace. (Cheers.)
The SECRETARY then read the following
REPORT.
The committee of the Liverpool Protestant Association
desire to meet their constituents, at the termination of An%
ther year, with expressions of heartfelt gratitude to the Ge
of all mercy, for the amount of blessing manifestly vouch-
safed upon their labours. The two great evils among IT;
testants against which your society had to contend, and
the removal of which it was originally constructed, areain'.
rapidly disappearing. Those evils are ignorance and 0 4'
The proceedings of Protestant Associations, well direct.,
and perseveringly sustained as they have been, have Ost
considerable extent supplied the needful remedy. Amo'
the middle and lower classes of the community especitiliPks
Protestant determination has sprung up, and is daily ~,Ltt'Ara
ing and strengthening itself, well calculated to check Fib•
progress of Romish aggression, and to make the 141"si.
emissaries throughout our country feel, that whr
tteeltit
temporary influence they may attain over any govern
or parliament, bylfraudulent professions, they ran nnsr;flinneire:
tain no hope of beguiling the masses of the English Pefiryed
Englishmen, considered as a national body, have ree`
more effective information within the last ten years, collard'
ing the true character of Papal ecclesiastical ambition, as $
as Papal theological profaneness, than they had for abovses
century before. The valuable results are shewing theinselbrio
gradually but steadily. The painstaking researches Of I'o3
leaders of Protestant associations ; the documentary evidell •
carefully examined, and luminously exhibited to the publif:
the circulation of tracts and lectures and other cheap Pub li-
the
cations ; the spirit-stirring appeals addressed to meetings ye
thousands and tens of thousands of the people; and, 1130
all, the vastly advanced tone of true Protestant, because scrip-
tural, preaching from so many of the pulpits of our nation!!
church ; these have sown the good seed, and already there.
more of a return than the most sanguine could reasonsu"
have anticipated.
Your committee are aware that they have still much Pr!,
judice to contend against, in the minds of those who, loft"
present peace, and not apprehending any coming danger;
resent the commotion occasioned by our proceedings 1114
needless and consequently an unjustifiable violation of taut
harmony and good feeling of the community. But 342 t
committee have the satisfaction of knowing that even among:,
this class considerable influence has been produced by tame,
light lately thro'wn upon the true unaltered nature and
signs of the Papal system. Many persons, who were asurof
edly hostile to our proceedings, are now secretly approving„
them, and wishing us success, though they have not bete
able so far to overcome former associations as formally
join us.
Our decided opponents are compelled to feel our growl
influence among the people. Affecting to despise, they $
in reality tremblingly on the watch over our proceedin,
and ready, as is evident from a few remarkable facto, `,t
seize instantly upon any handle afforded them by the slight 1p
mistake on our part. The incident of five years ago, Abbe
Mr. M`Ghee, amidst voluminous evidence which could nnt
gainsayed, adverted by mistake to a document which could Sr.
be defended ; and the incident of this year, when la
Stowell boldly and honestly charged a priest by name with
posing degrading penance prove their systematic watchful',
ness ; and the fact, that in those instances alone they I°4
had anything to say, proves to demonstration the accuracy
our advocates, and the undeniable power of our proceediug:
Adverting to the local proceedings of your own associatill
your committee have to inform you that we have distribiltcyj
in the course of the last year, above 30,000 useful tracts s':,e
handbills ; that we have sent several petitions to both Boils
of parliament (one against the continuance of a grant to Mgt;
nooth College, bearing the names and addresses of 12,
~/
men), and assisted materially in forwarding other petitin'e.
of a similar character. We have supplied every subscribr
of 10s. per annum with the Protestant Magazine, at an .ei).
penditure of nearly £25 from the funds of the associatleto
We have granted 30 copies monthly of the same magaxile,tes
the Operative Protestant Association ; and your cornill".4.
regret extremely their inability to supply the necessary
to their operative friends to carry out their plans of tract :",,t
tribution, the formation of a lending library, the deliver, is
lectures, and other useful and important proceedines.4
which the Protestant operatives of the town have manila*
a most resolute and laudable zeal.
We have commenced a monthly periodical entitled b,
Protestant Sentinel. Four numbers of this have been 13.11.
lished, and have already attained considerable circulatl°o;
but the work is still attended with a small monthly chargehhe
the funds of the association. This may be removed, and 4
publication made a source of profit as well as'usetuhiessi
a little exertion on the part of our friends to promote its CP
cu
Your committee have much pleasure in adding to this Is
of their proceedings, that they have been instrumental in 'it
formation of several Protestant associations in different Ps:b.,
of the country ; and also of branch associations among
operatives. rid
These and similar efforts, to be carried on with vigor al,
any fair prospect of good effect, involve inevitable and con !t,
derable expense. Your committee with respectful earile,
nese invite attention to this point, and take the liberty nr:eit
treating their friends and supporters either to increase t'se
own contributions, or to solicit among their acquaintancel
increased
number of subscribers, or both. sioU
committee cannot conclude without giving 'spas to
to their strong feeling of the obligation they are underde,
your salaried secretary, to whose zeal, ability, promptitlp
and untiring activity, they have no hesitation in ascriu,'Thw-
uuder God's blessing, the practical efficiency of your asl

_
ation. en
T. B. HORSFALL, Esq., then rose and said, I have bej
requested, Mr. Chairman, to move that the report now rii.
be printed and circulated, under the direction of the comity st
tee. I have much pleasure in doing so, because I feel tht,
my duty on the present occasion will be comparatively li,g.,ti
although the resolution is in itself important. I feel myri.o
to be light, sir, because I know that I stand on this platilp,
in the position of an individual appointed to move the 14-01,
tion of the report as a sort of necessary preface to the, 0
dresses of those champions of protestant truth, tow ri°,.5.)
we shall soon have the gratification of listening. (Cbeeu'ere
I know, sir, that it is only necessary for me to say, that t"„„,i0
are on this platform a M`Ghee, a Stowell, and our ;to
M`Neile,—(much applause)—it is only necessary for
say that there are such men as these, in order to gnarl ''",;t.
self against the suspicion even of wishing to occuy tneot,
tention of this meeting for more than one single room
(Hear, hear.) But I said, sir, that the resolution is "ticli
portant, and it is important; it is important, inesre,. 0
as it asks the assent of at least, I should say, from ft'u'ety
five thousand persons to the uncompromising Christian !re.
timents embodied in that report. (Hear, hear.) Tho' the
port, sir, speaks of the apathy of protestants; but °the
same time, we rejoice to learn from it, as well as from"
sources, that that apathy is fast vanishing away. (11;ebed
And, sir, the unblushing efforts of popery have accomPllot-
what protestant preaching, protestant exhortations, Prehoe
ant entreasy, had in some degree failed to do : they 0,
roused the latent energies of those protestants who were °the
ions to pass on in a smooth and even course, and leaceo.,)
rugged path of protestant agitation to others. (Heart 12„eber
They see the strides that popery is making. They SrNOOO
attempting, particularly at the present moment, in ouriad,
town, to swamp the protestant constituency of the