The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-01-17 00:00:00

WORKING MEN'S CHURCH
ASSOCIATION.

LIST night, the second annual meeting of the Working
Men's Church Association was held in the Theatre of the
Collegiate Institution. The chair was occupied by the
Rev. Rector Campbell. On the platform we observed the
Rev. A. Campbell, Rev. H. Hampton, Rev. Dr. Baylee,
Rev. Thorold, Rev. Lawrence, Rev. J. D. Hirsch,
Rev. Sheldon, Rev. R. Dandy, Rev. T. L. Pain, Rev.
W. Hughes, Rev. P. Gell, Rev. Gabriel, Rev. W. A.
O'Connor, Rev. W. Prince, Rev. G. London, Rev. H. G.
Vernon, Rev. J. W. Welsh, Rev. Moore, W. Balleny,
Esq., P. M. Dove, Esq., H. Cole, Esq., F. L. Hausburg,
Esq., R. L. Jones, Esq., Jas. Holme, Esq., &c. .
The meeting having been opened by prayer,
The Rev. CHAIRMAN said it was a subject of congratu-
lation to witness the success which had attended the
exertions of this Society. At its start many had predicted
that it would be a failure. Through the instrumentality
of Dr. Baylee, whose exertions had been beyond all praise,
that prediction had been disappointed. He (the chairman)
felt much satisfaction in mentioning this success and
noticing these exertions, for it was of no use attempting
to conceal that the Church of England, however estimable
in itself, and however much appreciated by the wealthy
and the intelligent, was by no means to be looked on as the
Church of the trading and working classes of large towns.
They were, therefore, exceedingly glad to promote the
growth of a Working Men's Church Association, as that
would, in a great degree, enable them to realize the wish
so well expressed by the Scotch poet—

"The glorious privilege of being independent."

Through the well-directed efforts of this association, four
additional clergymen are now working among the ranks
of our working men. In addition to these, there were
also two additional curates provided for and working
among them. Through the instrumentality of this asso-
ciation and its agencies, they had got money enough to
buy land in one place for the building of a church. In
the district connected with the North Docks the associa-
tion had been, in a great degree, successful. Mr. John
Shaw Lee had given a present of land, of the value of £3OOO.
On this land he (the speaker) expected they would be able
to build not only a church, but also a parsonage-house.
Money to the amount of £1,200 had also been promised for
the benevolent purposes of the Association ; that sum, it
was hoped, would be vested in trustees for the purpose of
carrying into effect these intentions. Among the contri-
butors, he might be permitted to name the promised
sums of £2OO from Mr. J. Naylor, £2OO from Mr. James
Holme, and several sums of £5O each ; and £25 from Mr.
Holt for the schools ; and he himself meant to give £2OO.
(Cheers.) In conclusion, he thought he was warranted
in congratulating the members of the association on the
success which had attended their efforts.

The Rev. Dr. BAYLEE said, on rising, he was reminded,
by the absence of Dr. M`Neile, of the truth and universal
applicability of our blessed Saviour's words : " Behold, the
night cometh, when no man can work." He was happy
to say the countenance and support of the rev. doctor
were not withdrawn from the association ; on the con-
trary, he still continued to experience the warmest inter-
est in its welfare; but the removal of a near and dear re-
lative had brought over him that night, iu which he could
not work. The absence of that gentleman would, no
doubt, be a source of great disappointment to many ; but,
even to them, it must be satisfactory to know that his
sympathies and good wishes were still with the associ-
ation. (Hear. hear.) It was true, they had not pre-
pared for a platform performance on the present occa-
sion, and it was gratifying to state that the progress,
although not equal to what could have been wished, or
might have been expected, was marked. At the last an-
nual meeting the number of subscribers to the association.
was 1,300, now it was nearly 2,000. These 2,000 sub-
scribers might be taken as representative of about 10,000
of the people of Liverpool. The amount of aggregate
collections might seem small compared with the number of
the contributors ; but this to some extent would be ac-
counted for by several of the subscribers having also sub-
scribed to the proposed new churches. This should not
in any degree lead to the creation of jealousy, as there
was ample scope for the benevolent endeavours of all.
During the year, the association had held twenty-four local
meetings, and on these he placed more reliance than on the
annual meetings. In carrying out the objects of the associas
tion the greatestpraise was due to the collectors,whoseexer-
tions were beyond all commendation. Without intending
invidious distinction, he might be allowed to make special
mention of the services of the collectors of St. James's, St.
Barnabas's, and St. Bride's. He might likewise allude to
the course pursued by Mr. Hausburg ; that gentleman
had intimated to his extensive establishment, that what-
ever amount they might contribute, he would give a-
much ; they raised the handsome sum of £lO, and Mr.
Hausburg has given £lO (cheers). He proceeded to
read, in detail, the various district contributions, amount-
ing, in the aggregate, to £391 18s. 6d., including the
handsome donation of £6O from Mr. Naylor. In the dis-
trict of St. Aidan's, the success of the association had been
most gratifying. The association,it must be remembered,was
theWorkingMen's Church Association,andby that we mean
the Church of England. By that it is not meant to make
membership of the association the badge of a disagreeable.
and unchristian distinction. He was himself a Church
of England Clergyman, believing that the Church of
England Prayer-book is in strict accordance with the word
of God. (Cheers.) The success of the scripture readers'
society he might state had been markedly useful in promo-
ting the objects ofthe Working Men's Church Association.
By next annual meeting he hoped to present a detailed
and formal report of the Association's proceedings, when
he should be able to congratulate the Association on a
great extension of its useful working, notwithstanding
the gratifying fact that at present they had reason to be
thankful that 2000 families in Liverpool are willine• to
contribute to the forwarding of God's work. Still it was much
to be regretted that while so much had been done in a
right direction, so very much more had been done in an
opposite one. It was sorrowful to think that not less
than the sum of £53,000,000 was annually devoted to
intoxicating liquors and tobacco. Few, he thought, would
I be prepared to say that one-half of that large sum was not
ill-spent. He was not one who had yet been able to join
the ranks of the Total Abstinence Society, but he was ,
satisfied one-half of the sums devoted to liquor and
tobacco might be applied to much better purposes. With
£26,000,000, what colleges and churches might be built
and endowed ? what numbers of schools, libraries, and
museums might be supported, and still leave better than
a million sterling for Bibles. (Hear, and cheers.) The
expenditure on these useless and pernicious luxuries,
however, was but a portion of their cost ; to this must
also be added the amount of time lost by indulgence
in them. (Hear, hear.) After alluding to the sums
lost through the mere threat of war, by which we
have been beset, and glancing at the effects likely to
be produced on the Christian Church by the vast empire
of China shaking off the idolatry of ages, China itself, he
might say, calling for a million of bibles, (cheers,)
at next annual meeting he hoped he should be able to
report, instead of £2OO or £3OO as the income, as many
thousands.
The collection, amounting to £7 17s. 6.1 d., was made
at the end of Dr. Baylee's address.
The Rev. P. GELL in an animated address congratulated
Dr. Baylee, as the principal mover in the Association, on
its success. He next proceeded to denounce the evils
attendant on habitual drinking, and designated the gin
shops as the slaughter-houses of society. If the Working
Men's Church Association had a tendency to counteract
the malignant influence of these pest-houses, it ought to be
supported, and it would be supported. He recounted
many of
,the leading arguments antagonistic to traffic in
liquor. He then adverted to the small attendance at the
meeting asnot a reasonable acknowledgment of Dr. Baylee's
services ; respect towards which, he hoped, would be more
numerously and more earnestly demonstrated at the next
annual meeting.
The Rev. CHAIRMAN then said a few words in acknow-
ledgment of Dr. Baylee's services on behalf of the Associa-
tion ; after which the Doxology was sung, and the meeting
separated.

GRAND PROTESTANT SOIREE AT
THE CONCERT-HALL.

LAST night, a grand Protestant tea party and re-union
was held at the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street. There
were upwards of 1,000 persons present, including a goodly
sprinkling of the fair sex. The hall, which presented a
most animated appearance, was very gaily decorated with
Orange banners. • Suspended from the front of the gallery
was a magnificent flag, containing the portrait of Lord
Roden, whilst the front of the orchestra was very gaily
festooned with evergreens, the centre space being enriched
by the Crown, Bible, and other loyal Protestant emblems.
Those who officiated as stewards were arrayed in handsome
Orange scarfs and rosettes, several of the ladies wearing
similar favours.

The proceedings derived additional interest from the
Announcement that the Hon. H. T. Liddell, one of our
representatives, would be present and address the assem-
bly. He was not present during tea, but about eight
o'clock entered the building, and his appearance upon the
platform was the signal for a burst of the most enthusias-
tic applause, followed by Kentish fires and continued
cheering, the mass of the company rising.
The Rev. W. F. TAYLOR, M.A., occupied the chair, and
on the platform we observed the Revs. W. H. Duck,
Philip Haines, W. B. S. Matthias, G. L. Ireland, Henry
Cook, Verner M. White ; and • Messrs. March, Garratt,
Kerrison, W. Wynne, &c.
Tea, which was in abundance, and of the best quality,
was supplied by Mr. Milbourne, of Clarence-steeet. It had
been arranged that the proceedings should be interspersed
by anthems and other vocal music, and an excellent choir
for the purpose was constituted by Miss Evans, Miss
Hiles, Miss Williams, Mr. D. Jones, Mr. Blades, Mr.
Fisher, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. S. Jones, Mr. Wallace, &c.—
Mr. Finney presiding at the piano-forte.
Grace was sung before and after tea, and the meeting
having been opened by prayer,
Mr. JOHN F. ROLSTONE, the hon. secretary, stepped
forward to make various announcements. He said he
had the pleasure to announce that the Hon. H. T. Liddell
would be there in about ten minutes.—(Cheers.) Alder-
man Thos. Bold would have come, but for a very pressing
engagement. Letters of apology had also been received
from numerous gentlemen, clerical and lay. Mr. Edmund
Molyneux had written that indisposition prevented him;
from going out at nights, but had forwarded a donation
of a sovereign. Mr. Thos. Littledale had done the same.
Letters had also been received from Mr. W. Rowett, Mr.
J. Cooper, and Mr. Challis, &c., regretting that they were
unable to attend. Letters of a similar character had like-
wise been received from the Revs. Messrs. Sutton, Bards-
ley, Maynard, Butler, Parry, the Rev. Hugh Stowell, and
other gentlemen. Mr. Rolstone said he thought those
present would, perhaps, find some compensation when
they looked around them and saw the Protestant cham-
pions that they had present. (Applause.) To prove that
that Protestant gathering was not a mere sectional one,
he need only point to the Rev. Chairman on the one side,
and to the Rev. Mr. White on the other. Mr. Liddell had
been in Wales, and the first letter to him went to the north.
Mr. Liddell, in answer, said he was afraid that his engage-
ments would prevent him attending, but if possible he
would do so ; but he was always anxious when he could to
comply with the desires of his constituents. On that they
ventured to announce that he would in all probability
attend; and he had come at great inconvenience, about
balf-paat four o'clock that day, from the residence of a

relative—a son-in-law, he` believed, at St. Asaph's.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said he looked with delight on that
great Protestant demonstration, because these were days
when it was important that the might and majesty of
Protestantism should be manifested not only to the na-
tion, but the world at large. Their principles were the
very truth itself, and on that ground they might take
their stand, and demand to be heard. (Applause.) What
they demanded was the ascendancy of truth, and that
they were determined to have: (Kentish fires.) They
contended not for the supremacy of party, but of prin-
ciple, and he was himself utterly disgusted with
party and party men. It was important also that they
should make a demonstration of their principles, because
Popery, that deadly antagonist of social advancement,
that enemy of all social improvement, that determined
foe of civilization, of liberty, whether civil or religious,
was making the most desperate efforts to advance its ends,
to accomplish its purposes,—purposes the most base that
could be conceived, the utter subversion of the rights of
mankind. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Taylor took a hasty glance
of the movements of Popery throughout the world,
tracing its present operation in Tuscany, Spain, France,
Portugal, and Malta. He said, in fact, there was a
universal conspiracy on the part of the leading
members of the hierarchy of the Church of Rome,
to put in motion the governments of the various countries
in a deadly antagonism to the principles of truth and
liberty, so that it might effect the utter prostration of the
liberties of the people. He then glanced at the efforts of
the Church of Rome to secure power in this country,
especially in Parliament.
[At this moment Mr. Liddell entered, and after the
cheering occasioned by the event had subsided,]
The Chairman continued his address, making happy
reference to the incident which had interrupted him. He
hoped that, when their right hon. friend again went to
Parliament, which might shortly be the case, his heart
would be nerved and cheered when he remembered
the welcome which he had got from the Protestants
of Liverpool. Mr. Taylor then alluded to the conduct of
the " Pope's Brass Band" in the house, and to the depu-
tation which had lately waited, with Lord Shaftesbury at
their head, upon Lord Clarendon, calling attention to the
fact that when that nobleman was Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, he had written a letter to the Romish Archbishop
of Dublin, expressing " reverence" for " his Holiness the
Pope." He (Mr. Taylor) had no reverence for him, for he
regarded him, as taught by his Church, as the Man of
Sin. He then spoke strongly on the subject of Maynooth,
holding it out as matter of great congratulation that
whilst the government were actually getting up a propo-
sition to appoint Romish chaplains in gaols, the working
classes of Liverpool, the hard-handed carpenters and others,
had been the first to petition against it. He concluded by
commenting on the last speech of William the Third to
Parliament, in which he had urged the necetsity of strict
unity and unanimity amongst Protestants, and resumed
his seat amid considerable applause.
An anthem was then sung.

The Hon. H. T. Lrianimi, M.P., was then introduced,
and received with uproarious applause. Hesaid—Mr. Cuair-
man, ladies, and gentlemen, I should indeed. be unworthy
of the high position in which I have been placed by the
gaod opinion entertained of me by the constituency of this
great town—l should, indeed, be unworthyof that position,
were I not to feel very sensibly the honour you have done
me, and the welcome you have given me among you this
night. I can assure you that, although it is impossible for
any one man to be in two places at the same time, and
although my native place may be somewhat distant from
the great town I have the honour to represent, yet in
thought and spirit I am never so far absent from my con-
stituents, as not to be ready to attend at their bidding
upon any occasion when my services may be useful for the
public advantage. (Loud applause.) And whatever may
be said or written of me by those who are opposed to me
in politics, yet so long as I shall continue to be honoured
by the support and by the good wishes of this great town,
so long will I prove myself at least a faithful servant of
their interests, and I trust when called upon, a faithful
expositor of their feelings. (Loud applause.) I may be
permitted to say that the advertisement which ap-
peared some ten days ago, announcing as it were
authoritatively my presence among you this day, was
not authorised by me, for at the time that advertise-
ment was issued, I was indeed uncertain whether it
would or would not be in my power to attend here on this
day. But when I saw that advertisement issued before
the public, bearing somewhat of the stamp of authenticity,
and when I found that even at some sacrifice of private
convenience I might be enabled to attend this day. I
thought it was better on the whole that I should appear
among you in my proper person, rather than that any
disappointment should ensue by my non-appearance
on the platform.—(Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen,
I must be permitted to say that I have attended here
in consequence of the invitation which you did me the
honour to send, but I attend here not with any
expectation of addressing you, but rather to see and
r tither to hear the feelings that might be expressed.
(Hear, and cheers.) And what is it that I sea?—and
what is it that I hear ? I see a numerous, respec-
table, and intelligent portion of the community
of Liverpool assembled here in devotion to a great
cause. I hear, for that part which I was privi-
leged to hear, able arguments, well digested, and well
considered, adduced to prove to you the advantages of that
Protestant constitution under which we live, and the
dangers to which that constitution might be exposed from
the papal aggression of the Romish Church. Now,
Mr. Chairman, standing in the position I do, I do
not wish, and I trust you will not expect me, to descend
into the arena of polemics. My business is with politics.
My business is faithfully, so God help me I may, to repre-
sent the feelings and wishes of this great constituency in
the Commons House of Parliament. The rev. gentlepaan
who occupies your chair has truly said that I may gain a
lesson from my attendance here this day. That lesson
which I may gain I shall endeavour to learn, and I shall
faithfully preserve the record of. (Applause.) I don't desire
at the present time, for it would be out of place, to enter
upon any of those disputed topics which may and which
will occupy the attention of Parliament. When that time
comes, in my proper place, as your representative, in the
House of Commons, then will be the time for me to speak
my sentiments upon those topics—then will be the time
for you to see if in me you have chosen one who is ade-
quate and competent to represent you. (Load cheering,
and Kentish fires.) Ladies and gentlemen, I have had
some experience in public life. Let me for one moment
call to your recollection the difficulty that a legislator has
to encounter in almost every subject that may be brought
before Parliament, more especially with regard to those
questions in which such high and deep feelings are en-
listed. Let me, however, call upon you to remember that
where, on the one hand, I am prepared to give the utmost
possible extent of tolerance to the religious feelings of
others, yet the difficult course I have to pursue is to steer
that course between toleration and encouragement.

(Hear, :hear.) It is quite impossible to steer that
course both for an individual legislator and for the
executive Government of the country, representing, as they
do, the material interests of this mighty nation. We
must ever remember that a portion, I might even say a
large portion, of the people of this united kingdom, is
attached to the Romish faith—more the pity !—(applause) ;
—but, at all events, do not let us endanger our state
because we cannot by any immediate process enlarge our
church. Let us remember that every consideration is due
to the feelings of those who entertain the sentiments which
you have properly, and I dare say justly, designated in the
address which I have just had the honour of listening to.
But, on the other hand, I do most truly and sincerely
express my opinion, that I should be wanting in the duty
which I owe to you, and that I should fall off from those
assurances which I gave the constituency of this great
town, were I, by any vote in the House of Commons,
by any act or speech of mine, to give any encouragement
whatever to the propagation of those principles, or to
give any support specially to them from the public funds
of this great nation. (Applause.) Before I sit down,
ladies and gentlemen, I do not hesitate to say, that how-
ever the practice of the Romish Church may be modified
by the prevalence of public opinion, by the march of
events, by the revolving change of centuries, yet the sys-
tem of Popery is essentially the same. (Applause.) If
you look to what that system was, you must look to days
now long gone by—the days when the sentence of
excommunication thundered from the Vatican, made
the heart of the soldier quake beneath his steel,
and the throne of the proudest monarch in Christ-
endom totter beneath him--(hear)—when a sentence of
excommunication directed against kingdoms, as it w a
against this kingdom, plunged the whole land into mourn-
ing, silenced the church bell morning and evening, and
prevented the celebration of any religious ceremony
throughout the length and breadth of the land. (Applause.)
This is what the system of Popery has been, but this it
can no longer be, because the march of the human mind
which has taken place in the interim prevents its exercise.
(Hear, and applause.) But I regret to state, if you look
to what it is, I can refer you to events of the present day.
I can refer you to the case of the Madiai at Florence,
where the same spirit, the same system was manifested
in the persecutions which that family has undergone;
and not that family alone, but others that have been re-
cently announced in the public journals. Nay, I may
refer you to that aggressive attempt upon the Protestant
liberties of this country, now not above two or three years
since, when Cardinal Wiseman was sent as the legate of

the Pope to this kingdom ; but that has been met, as it
ought to be, by the feeling excited against it. In all
those matters the spirit of Popery requires to be sup-
pressed and kept down, as it formerly was, by the indo-
mitable Protestant spirit of the people of this country.
(Loud applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, these matters
are matters that won't admit of contradiction. They are
patent, notorious to the whole world ; and it is the busi-
ness of the legislature of this country to keep its eyes open,
and to resift such encroachments as I have alluded to. On
the other hand, let us not forget that our laws, whatever
they, may be, must continue to be.-framed in the spirit of
:toleration and impartiality. As it appears the pleasure of
Almighty Providence to shower down the genial rain
from heaven upon the evil and the good—as the light of
the sun shines upon the just and the unjust—so let the
light of British legislation shine upon all parties without
distinction of persons and creeds, preserving only those
great blessings which have been secured to us by the
spirit and religion of our forefathers • but at the same time
meeting those opposed to us in certain dogmas of faith
with that same spirit of toleration and indulgence which
renders this land now, as it has ever been, the refuge of the
oppressed, and the region of hospitality to all parties.
Those, ladies and gentlemen, are my sentiments. I do
not' think that those sentiments will be incongenial to
any of those I have the honour to see around me. (Ap-
plause.) By those sentiments I shall continue to abide.
(Loud applause.) The hon. gentleman then concluded by
referring to the resignation of his seat by Sir Robert
Inglis, of whom he spoke in the strongest tents of eulogy,
saying that a more honourable, more conscientious and
upright man never sat in the House of Commons. Mr.
Liddell concluded by calling for three cheers for Sir Robt.
Inglis, which were heartily given ; and,
At the CIIIIRMAN'S suggestion, a vote of thanks was
passed, by enthusiastic acclamation, to the hon. member
for his attendance and address ; and he resumed his seat
amid• continued cheering.
After a chorus and anthem,
The Rev. Mr. WHITE was called upon, and with
his usual force, pointed out the reasons which exist
for continued hostility to Romanism. He said that he
should never cease to oppose it, so long as it continued its
blasphemy against God. He should oppose it again, because
it trampled under-foot the Word which he held dearer than

his existence. He should not cease to protest against Rome
till it ceased to pervert and dishonour the doctrines of
God's Word,—till Rome ceased to publish such a ques-
tionable morality as it teaches, and till it ceased to be
opposed to civil and religious liberity. Mr. White then
showed the poverty and debasement of nearly all Romish
populations, and concluded by saying that the chairman
would persevere in his opposition to Popery. "He will
persevere. I ask, are you determined to persevere ?"
(Yes, Yes.) Well, then, so am I. (Laughter and loud
applause.)

Mr. LIDDELL here retired, and was again saluted with
applause. _

- After more music,
The Rev. W. H. DUCK was called upon. He went
at length into historical references, to show that England
had invariably stood low in the scale of nations when the
Popish element was largely diffused in it ; and said that
Popery had no more to do with the freedom of the British
constitution than light had with darkness, or night with
glorious day.
Mr. Wnt. CLARK subsequently addressed the meeting ;
and the proceedings concluded with the national anthem
(a new version)—
" Confound their politics,
Frustrate their Popish tricks."
We cannot close our notice of the interesting meeting
without recording the delight diffused by the efforts of
the very clever vocalists, of whom, perhaps, we may more
particularly mention Miss Evans, Miss Hiles, and Miss
Williams.—Theproceedings concluded about eleven o'clock.

LIE BISHOP AND THE CHAPTER OP MANCHESTER.—A
dispute of not a very seemly character has transpired in
the papers between the Bishop and the Dean and Chapter
of Manchester, originating in the imputation of falsehood
cast by the Bishop on the answers of the Capitular body
to the inquiries of the Cathedral Commissioners. The
quarrel has run so high that the Bishop's name has been
omitted from the Bidding Prayer in the Cathedral.
In BALLYCOTTON CHURCH, on New Year's day, as Mrs.
Gosling, wife of the officer commanding the coast guard&
at that station, was kneeling during the litany, she
suddenly fell backwards in an apoplectic fit, and died.
immediately.

THE DUKE OF Buccunrcn presided at a meeting held.
in Edinburgh, on Tuesday, for the purpose of promoting
the improvement of the dwellings, and, by this means,the
social condition of agricultural labourers.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

MONDAY EVENING, JAIMA.ItI 16.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

LONDON.—After business hours, markets became heavy
Consols for February, 93i. The French Funds are lower;
to-day. On 'Change to-day nothing new, except in Pig
Iron, which advanced to 775. per ton.
PARlS.—There were no political grounds for the rise in
the Funds on Saturday. It was generally attributed to a
well-known speculator, whose operations are mostly on a
large scale, and the cause is said to be the assurance that
the Berlin and Austrian Cabinets have accepted the entry
of the combined fleets into the Black Sea.