The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-20 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.

SPEECH OF THE REV. H. M`NEILE AT THE
ASSEMBLY-ROOMS, BATH.
( From the Bath Chronicle.) .
On Tuesday last, pursuant to advertisement, a public
meeting was held at the Assembly-rooms, in this city,
for the purpose of petitioning Parliament against any
further grants of public money to the Roman Catholic
College at Alaynooth. The meeting took place in the
large room, which was filled. The great mass of the
attendance was of the.highest respectability, and on the
platform was assembled a most numerous body of the
clergy and influential gentlemen of Bath and its neigh-
bourhood.
After an eloquent speech from the Rev. R. J.
M' Ghee,
Rev. HUGH WNEILE then presented himself amid loud
cheerinis, and spoke to the following effect—l sin not in the
least surprised that these gentlemen should deny the statements
just made by my rev. brother. The}, have never been told by
their own clergy that such principles are held in their church.
Why, I ask, are these canons, and decretals, and class books of
ethics and theology, kept in an unknown tongue? (Elear.) Be-
cause the priesthood are ashamed to let the laity know the dark
vows by which they are bound. (Cheers.) These gentlemen,
therefore, never hearing, in these days, such sentiments avowed
by their clergy, sincerely believe that it is calumny in us, to
ascribe to them such sentiments. These, however, are the un-
rescinded principles of the Church of Rome, though not always
avowed because it is not always conducive to "ecclesiastical
utility" to avow them. (Cheers.) We hope sincerely that
these gentlemen will catechise their clergy upon these points,
because we regret that they should be deceived by false pre-
tences to a change for the better, in the unchangeable, the in-
fallible, and, of course, unimproveable Church of Rome. Sir,
I had not intended to say anything either upon the subject of
the requisition which invited us here, or our motives in coming.
Our motives, so far as we ourselves are personally concerned,
are of a description which can be appreciated only by persons
capable of b, lag actuated by such Motives themselves. But it
may be right to address a few words of vindication to persons of
a very different character, who, judging of us by themselves,
are ready to accuse us of being actuated by worldly mercenary
objects. (Shouts of "so you are.") What objects? Now
suppose I wanted to be made a bishop; I tell you what I would
do; instead of attending such meetings as this, I would keep
myself quiet, and write a plausible pamphlet in defence of the
Irish Education Board. (Cheers.) Sir, you have heard much
to-day of the tiemendeus assumptions of the Romish Church;
in arrogating authority over kings and nations. It is important
to inquire where such assumptions could have originated. They,
'are mere inventions without any apparent basis. They are
grounded upon a perversion of holy scripture, and I:grieve to.
be obliged to add the lamentable fact, that Protestants have
been very generally betrayed into, and are now quietly acqui-
escing in that perversion- a perversion which has given nourish
controversialists such a vantage ground on one must important
subject, as must have crowned their cause with complete
victory, but for the flagrant opposition to Scripture exhibited
in other features of their system. The subject I allude to is the
alleged visibility and catholic authority of the Christian Church.
They quote Isaiah ii. 2, 3. " It shall come to pass in the last
days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established
in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the
hills ; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall
go and say, Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the
Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob : and he will teach us of
his ways, and will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go
forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." 170
this they add many parallel passages which abound in the
holy prophets, and then they boldly assert that Zion and Jeru-
salem signify the Roman Catholic Church. because nothing but
the visibility of that church, and its notoriety among-all na-
tions, is. or can he, the fulfilment of that prophecy. Their
argument fairly stated, is this. And I have no wish to
understate it, touch less to misrepresent it. (Cheers.)—
No, sir, I would not condescend to deception, even if it could
ensure victory; which, however, it never can; for true mora-
lity will ever be found the best policy. (Cheers.) Their argu-
ment is this. It is clear from the words of the Prophet, that
the design of God was that Zion should be as a mountain on,
the top of the mountains, with all nations flowing towards it,
and receiving instruction from it. This implies locality and
visibility, and notwithstanding its locality, Zion is to possess
universal influence, that is, to have catholicity. Where and
how has this been fulfilled ? The Christian Church, as defined
by Protestants, is either lit risible, if they mean the elect people
of God : or particular, if they mean any visible national branCh
of the baptised. But none of them have ever given or even can
give, an account of what they call the Church, possessing the
combined marks of visibility and universality. These marks are
combined in the Prophet's desctiption of Zion. These marks
are combined in the Roman Catholic Church, in a greater de-
gree at least than in any thing else; therefore the Roman Ca-
tholic Church agrees nearest with the Scriptural description of
the Zion or true Church of God. flow is this to be answered?
It is a grave question, and one with which I earnestly desire
that our Protestant controversialists should fairly grapple.
(Hear.) To say that the language of the prophecy is figura-
tive, will not be sufficient. What do the figures mean ? A
mountain is an image for something having a locality, a visible
thing, very visible and from a great distance. It would be a
perversion of all sound interpretation, and of the genius of all
imagery, to say that a mountain is a figure for something invi-
sibleaand without any fixed locality. The question recurs,
what does it mean ? It is connected iu the prophecy, with
" the house of the God of Jacob." And all nations shall flow
unto it. This is figurative. The meaning is added by the
Prophet in simpler language, verse 3. Taken together, the
prophecy means that the thing, whatever it is, intended by the
mountain, shall have in itself locality and visibility, and in its
influence universality over all nations. Now these marks are
not combined in any view that has ever yet been given of the
Christian Church. Not in the election of grace, for it wants
visibility. Nut in the visible Church of Antioch, or Carthage,
or Geneva, or England, for each of these want universality.
But it is alleged by Roman Catholic controversialists, that all
these are combined in the Church of Rome, and on this ground
rel. of fso
tinlingtifiiihkr6§nillu'itre-d:-.--this is the sirengtn dr- en.
ease;_ unquestionably it demands au answer, and I do repeat
that Protestants generally have acquiesced in such a fatal per-
version of Scripture as deprives them of the power of giving a
full, fair, and satisfactory answer. If Zion mean anything in
the Gentile churches, there is a prima facie presumption that it
is Rome, arising out of the fact that only Rome has either
exercised or claimed to exercise anything at all like the autho-
rity which is here predicted. Let us try then, whether the pro-
phecy is indeed fulfilled in the visible locality of Rome, and the
wide-spread almost universality of Popery. "How shall we try ?
In the fairest way imaginable, "by quoting the remainder of the
prophecy; for Roman Catholic controversialists all stop in the
middle of it. The next clause is, " And he shall judge among
the nations, and shall rebuke many people : and theyshall beat
their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning
hooks : nation shall not lift sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war any more." These are figures also, but they
uiean something. Who can hesitate to decide that they mean
universal peace ? Has this been fulfilled in any sense Has
actual war ceased ? Has moral war ceased ? Has controversy
ceased ? No, no. To the marks of Zion according to the pro-
phecy, we must add PEACE : perfect and permanent peace among
all the nations, who flow towards the mountain. In looking for
the true Zion predicted by the Prophets we are nut at liberty to
take some of her characteristics, and omit others to suit our own
purpose. We are bound in fairness to take them all. Visi-
bility, universality, peace ! Where now shall we find the true
Zion of God ? Where is the mountain, or house of the Lord,
or church, or kingdom, whose influence has been a catholicity
of peace, banishing war for ever from among all nations ? Alas,
no where. Wars continue, and rumours of wars, and must
contiuue, till the second coming of the Prince of peace. Is the
prophecy false then ? Has the word of the Lord failed ? No,
no such thing. There is a time for all things, and each in its
own order. On what authority do men say that Zion means
anything among the Gentiles ? Where, in the Word of God,
is. Zion ever used to signify a Gentile church or kingdom ?
Zion is Mount Zion in Judea, the true visible locality of the
restored Jewish nation. The restored Jewish nation is the
subject of this prophecy and of all its parallels. This prophecy
opens thus : " The word which Isaiah the son of Atnoz saw,
concerning JUDAH and JERUSALEM." The Jewish nation re-
stored to Jerusalem and Mount Zion, will possess all the marks
here laid down. The Lord Jesus Christ come back from
heaven, in like manner as the Apostles saw him go into heaven,
will be in the midst of her, a Priest upon his Throne ; the Gen-
tiles will come to her light, and kings to the brightness of ber
rising; yea, all kings shall bow down before her, all nations
shall do her service. In her, and in her alone, all these marks
will be fully and perfectly realised—visibility, universality,
peace. But now if vou desire to see a prophecy of a profane
imitation of this, of an intruder into the House of God blas-
phemously pretending to this divine honour, showing himself as
both King and Priest, and claiming that all kings should bow
down before him, and all nations do him service ; and thereby
incurring swift destruction when Jesus comes King of kings
and Lord of lords—you may read it in the Apostle's description
of that man of sin, the son of perdition who sitteth in the Temple
of Gud, showing himself as if he were God. (Hear, hear.)
Here is the anti-Christian imitation of the blessed picture
of the Prophet. His visible locality is not the bill of Zion,
but the seven hills of Rome where the whore sitteth. His
boasted catholicity is not universal adoration of the God
of Jacob, but an adoration, far from universal, of saints
and angels and statues, of the Virgin Mary, and above all of
the consecrated wafer. He would, if he could, add the mark of
universal peace, by imposing universal submission, -.silence,
prostration,..slatiery--the_peaca..not of life and liberiy,and-pu-
ray and love, but the peace of the tomb, the stillness and cor-
ruption of death. Such a peace, thanks be to God, the man of
sin has never been able to impose. (Cheers.) In vain did the
faggot blaze. Iu vain did the inquisition prolong its tortures.
In vain have lying blandishments, and flatteries, and profes-
sions of charity been substituted for violence. In vain are the
poison and dagger concealed beneath a cloak of words, smooth
as butter, saying peace, peace. God's witnesses have lived
and spoken. and still live and speak, and this has been and is
their cry—No PEACE WITH ROME ! (Tremendous cheers.)
No peace so long as Jezebel, that wicked woman, usurps a
vineyard, belonging to another. (Loud cheers.)
Another difficulty in our way, arises from the fact that the
true use of antiquity is not properly understood. ( Near, hear.)
Protestants have very generally discarded all refet'ence to anti-
quity. Finding that the primitive fathers are not to be de-
pended upon as interpreters of Scripture, they have hastily; and
without discrimination refused to refer to them at all. It should,
however, be remembered that there is an essential difference be-
tween an interpreter of doctrine, and a witness to (acts. The
ancients, as witness to facts, are indispensable ( ear.) It is
true, they are not to be depended upon as interpreters. If any
sine doubt this, he has only to take up Archbishop Wake's
translation of the Apostolical Fathers, and read such a passage
as this from Barnabas,
"Understanding, therefore, children, these things more fully ;
that Abraham, who was the first that brought in circumcision,
looking forward to the Spirit of Jesus, circumcised, having re-
ceived the mystery of three letters. For the scripture says that
Abraham circumcised three hundred and eighty men of his
house. But what, therefore, was the mystery that was made
known unto him? Mark, first the eighteen, and next the three
hundred. For the numeral letters of ten and eight, are I
and these denote Jesus. And because the cross was that by
which we were to hind grace; therefore he adds three hundred,
the note of which is T (The figure of his cross.) Wherefore by
two letters be signified Jesus, and by the tbird his cross. He
who has put the engrafted gift of his aoctriue within us, knows
that I never taught to any one a more certain truth; butt trust
that ye are worthy of it."
• Being contemporaries of the Apostles did not qualify the
fathers to be interpreters of scripture. This can only tie by
the teaching of the holy spirit, and the difference between the
language of Paul, and this absurdity of his companion Barna-
bas speaks loudly on the subject of inspiration. Supposing
Barnabas or any of the ancients, not to lie actatilly inspired as
the Apostles were, we have now greater advantages as interpre-
ters than they hail. But surely, though the circumstance of
being alive at the time, did not qualify them to interpret infalli-
bly, it did qualify theist to be accurate and true witnesses of
facts,—(bear)—such as the change in the day observed as the
Sabbath,.the genuineness and authenticity of the books of the
New Testament. To establish these and such important matters

of fact, an appeal to the testimony of antiquity is indispensable.
This appeal we gladly and fearlessly make; and when Roman
Catholic controversialists chaLen:re us to prove the authenticity
or canonicity of such or such a book of the New Testament,
our answer is, what! do you deny it? If ypu deny it, and hinge
our discussion thereon, I am ready to -prove it; but why cauti-
ously ask proof of what both admit? We have no contro-
versy upon this point, and you have ❑o right as a Roman Ca-
thol►c man, to fence behind an infidel argument. (Cheers.)
In your mouth is no better than a cavil. If you were a sincere
infidel, I would endeavour to enlighten you by historical evi-
dence, but being a Popish gladiator you must be confined to
your own weapons.

But the deadliest of all the difficulties we have to contend
against in bringing before you the true merits of the question
ber.veen Popery and Christianity arises from the worldly apathy
of Protestants. They are at ease, and willing to continue so.
They are unwilling to be disturbed, and when they are distui bed
for a moment, they harken rather to the apologist fur Popery.,
who whispers peace, sleep on, than to their own faithful watch-
men, who sound an alarm. Nay, more, we have fallen upon
such reasoning, such enlightened, such consistent days, that
while it is esteemed an infallible proof of liberal principles and
advancing intelligence loudly to protest against every existing
or supposed abuse, lo.wever minute, in the Protestant, scriptu-
ral, and therefore, free institutions of England ; it is denounced
as equally the infallible proof of bigotry, narrow mindedness,
and incurable hostility to all improvement, to protest against
any of the Papal, anti-scriptural, and, therefore, enslaving dog-
mas of the Church of Rome. Reform is the boasted order of
the day. Reform, reform, writes the old, witty, and calcula-
ting revolutionist in his garret. He is all but a beggar, glad to
commit to the press any extravaganco which will procure him
a livelihood by the sale of his periodical, and occasionally in-
dulging in day dreams of a golden change to himself, in the
downfall of everything respectable in his country. (Cheers.)
Reform, reform, re-echoes the unfledged politician from the hus-
tings. He does not understand his own words :he has heard of
the movement, and that the movement is popular, and that the
people are the source of power; he loves power dearly, without
perceiving the lurking tyranny of his heart; therefore he courts
the supposed source of power. Consequences to his country are
tame, unwelcome considerations to him. On, on with the move-
ment, he cries, Reform, reform !—(Cheers.) The philanthro-
pist cries reform; the philosopher cries reform; the education-
ist cries reform. Put all bigotry out of our, schools, give us a
national system so liberally in unison with our advancing in-
telligence, not to say infidellity, that it will contain nothing to
offend Christian or Pagan, Jew or Greek, Unitarian or Socinian,
Baptist or Quaker, but open its comprehensive embrace to both
food and poison, both bane and antidote, and accomplish what
has been a grand desideratum since the days of chaos, the har-
monious coalition of light and darkness! (Cheering and cries
of hear.) Yes, this is the tone of reform which kindles the
aspiring spirit of the 19th century iu England. which is caught
upon the breeze of popular opinion, and wafted on the wings of
the liberal press, from John O'Groat's to the Land's End,
which concentrates its mighty power in St. Stephen's Chapel,
and exhibits its catalogue of peaceful fruits in the Dublin Ga-
zette.—(llear, hear.) Reform, reform! So say we. We are
reformers also; sincere, zealous, out-and-out radical reformers.
We are consistent too, for we assail-at once with our cry for re-
form, that great citidel of canonized corruptions in which reform
is most urgently required. (Cheers.) Where are our poor
, puny pretenders to reform ? Where are the men who clamour
' against the bigotry of forcing scholars to read the word of God,
and are silent, dumb as death against the bigotry of forcing
scholars to read De Lahogue and Bailly and Dens ? Are they
hypocrites? or are they cowards? or are they infidels; or have
they become Papists in secret without having the boldness to
avow it ? What ! strain so violently at English gnats, and swal-
low Popish camels with such unstraining facility ? 0 rare con-
sistency, 0 admirable reformers! When any favourite tempo-
ral project, any change in our political arrangements, from
which they expect, or find it convenient to say, that they expect
improvement, is the matter in hand; then they are all bustle
and activity and zeal; their cry is agitate, agitate. ( Hear,
hear.) But when the everlasting truth of the Must High God
is the subject, the simplicity of the gospel of the Lord Jesus, or
the integrity and unfettered circulation of the holy Bible, then
they are all quietness, and peace, and charity. Their cry is,
leave us alone, why will you disturb the harmony of society with
your pestilent fanaticism ? (Hear, hear.) We reply, is there
not a cause, a sufficient, an urgent cause ? And, not to seek
for it in any distant or ambiguous features of the case, does not
the state of mind which can prompt the inquiry contain in itself
a cause for interference ? Is there not a cause in the wide spread
indifference about revealed truth, which applauds infidel doubt-
fulness as humility, and brand the holy assurance of Christian
faith as presumption—thus calling good evil, and evil good,
putting, bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter, darkness for light
and light for darkness? (Cheers.) But it is retorted against
us, that tee cannot agree amongst ourselves, what is truth, and
thus the differences among Protestants are pleaded as an apo-
logy for Popery and infidelity. This retort is wide of the mark,
because there is an essential difference between the varying
preferences for different branches or proportions of truth, which
exist among us, and the indiscriminate patronage of truth and
falsehood, against which we protest. Doubtless there are differ-
ences of opinion among us. We enjoy the privilege of free-
men. We read and think, and write, and speak freely; and
not being tyrannically impaled upon any Procustes dimensions
of slavish uniformity, we manifest the natural varieties of
honest minds. (Hear.) And yet, there is a real fundamen-
tal
unity of doctrine and experience among us, and among
all scriptural Christians of every name and clime. For, de-
spite of all the ridicule which has been heaped upon the
distinction by persons desirous of confounding right and wrung,
we must still maintain the reality and justice of the distinction
between fundamental truths which constitute the essence of our
common Christianity, and incidental points, which however they
may affect the wellbeing, do not affect the being of the Christian
Church. I was much struck with that saving of Lord Bacon,
" Moses when he saw the Israelite and the Egyptian fight, did
not say, Why strive ye,' but drew his sword and slew the
Egyptian : but when he saw the two Israelites fight, he said,
'Ye are brethren, why strive ye ?' If the point of doctrine be
an Egyptian, it must be slain with the sword of the spirit and
not reconciled : but if it be an Israelite, though in the wrong,
then. Why strive ye?" • (Cheers.) This distinction deserves
our most serious consideration, both in the forbearance which-
it recommends as to incidental points of difference, and the high
"-- faithfutri.,.Q -
truths. -imagine a- public concert consisting. of ten different
pieces of music, some of them more and some lest scientifically
composed. In the auditory there are ten different parties of
amateurs, each entertaining a preference for one of the ten
pieces of music—a preference so decided and engrossing, that to
please themselves they would have nothing but a repetition of
their favourite piece. The concert commences. The ultra-
admirers of the first piece on the list are delighted. They are
at home. They feel completely satisfied. They exclaim yes,
this is music indeed! Amongst the others, there is not the same
congenial response. What. they hear is not quite to their taste.
However it is music, and they wait quietly through it. Another
piece commences, and another partly occupy the place of su-
preme enjoyment; they have their favourite. A third piece is
played, and the third party ate delighted. Thus in the end, all
parties have had their turn of coeiparative forbearance and pe-
liar gratification. Suppose, however, that in the course of the
performance, some strain of discord, something that was not
music at all, had been intruded upon the company ; would it
have been amiable forbearance to take this also patiently to
treat the intrusion of discord in the same way in which they had
treated the variations of harmony? Nay, the person capable
of so doing, would give proof thereby, that he was totally desti-
tute of all true musical taste, and that his apparent satisfaction
hitherto had been mere hypocrisy. (Hear, hear.)

Within the comprehensive range of Christian doctrine, there
are many truths; and among Christian- people there are many
preferences, so decided and engrossing that some are never
content to hear any other truths than those which they prefer.
One minister gives peculiar prominence to one Frand truth.
The peculiar lovers of that subject are delighted. They are at
home. They exclaim yes, that is the gospel! Other auditors
are not so well pleased. The subject is not to their taste. It is
truth, however,and they wait patiently and forbearingly through
it. Another and another minister give prominence to other
topics. Another and another party of auditors are supremely
pleased. And thus in the end, all parties have their turn of
of comparative forbearance, and peculiar gratification. But
suppose falsehood, and not truth to be taught; (hear, hear,) is
it Christian charity to bear this also patiently ? to treat the in-
trusion of heresy, in the same way we treat the various.
branches of Scriptural orthodoxy? Nay, the person capable of
so doing, would thereby oive proof that he was destitute of
all true religion, and that hia apparent forbearance had
been nothing better than real indifference. (Hear, hear,)
There is a point at which every musician, whatever his prefer-
ences may be, must protest; and that point is the introduction
of discord. And there is a point at which every faithful Chris-
tian must protest, and that point is the introduction of falsehood.
(Hear.) Suppose such a state of things to arise in a community,
that it was very generally esteemed a mark of amiable modesty
and diffidence to say, 'I really dare not be bold enough to
take upon me to determine what is harmouy, and what is dis-
cord ; and therefore I dare not be presumptuous and unchari-
table enough to protest against anything :' what would or could
be said of the musical taste of that community? Would their
acknowledged incapacity to distinguish between harmony and
discord be received as triumphant proof of their advancement
in musical science? (Hear, hear, hear.) And suppose such a
state of things to arise in a comtnurity, that it was esteemed
very generally a mark of amiable modesty and humility in a
man to say, ' f really dare not be bold enough to take upon me
to determine what is truth and what falsehood, and therefore
I dare not be presumptuous and uncharitable enough to protest
against anything:' what would or could be said of the religious
knowledge and feeling of that community? Would their ac-
knowledged incapacity to distinguish between truth and error,
between Christ and Antichrist, be received as triumphant proof
-of their improvement in Christianity? "(Loud cheers.) Alas
this state of things is not merely hypothetical. It is towards
this point of religious indifference producing in its judicial re-
sult religious incapacity, that the feeling of this country has
grievously fallen. Christian charity, as defined by an Apostle,
irjoiceth in the truth :" but what is now boastingly called
charity. rejoiceth in inability to discern truth from falsehood,
and a consequent indiscriminate complacency in, or indifference
about both. This is indeed to glory in our shame. To rouse
men from this torpor, to convey impressions of the reality of
spiritual things, to rekindle in 'Protestant England a practical
and earnest and consistent zeal for the truth of Scripture and
the glory of God, and the salvation of perishing sinners—these
are our objects! In pursuit of these, we endure without a mur-
mur the taunt and the sneer, and the sarcasm, and the evil re-
port of the enemies of our Lord and of his church. In pursuit
of these, we give cheerfully of our property, our time, our toil
both of body and mind, if God peradventure will mercifully use
' our feeble instrumentality for the spiritual good of our fellow
countrymen. (Loud cheers.) Sir, I think we have now shown
good and sufficient cause why this meeting should adopt the re-
solution which I shall have the honour to submit, and implore
our legislature no longer to sanction and support an institution
in which such principles are inculcated as those contained in
the class books in Alaynooth College. That college was founded
' in 1795. Previous to 1793, it was contrary to law to endow any
Popish college in these kingdoms. The clergy of the Roman
Church for Ireland were then educated on the continent. But
when the progress of the French revolution had deprived the
Continental colleges of their property, and rendered access to
them from this country dangerous if not impossible, it became
a matter of apparent urgency that steps should be taken for the
education of Roinish clergy at home. The republican leaders
in Ireland were anxious for such a step for political pur-
poses. This appears from the journal of the celebrated
Wolfe Tone, who writes under the date of August 15, 1792.
" This country will never be well until the catholics are edu-
cated at home, and their clergy elective. Now is a good time.
because France will not receive their students, and the catholics
are afraid of the revolution." In 1795, Lord Fitzwilliam, in
his speech to parliament on opening the session, recommended
the subject to the attention of both houses. Lord Catuden, on
succeding him, found the government pledged to carry the
measure into effect, and on the 3d of April leave was given to
bring in a bill for applying the sum of £lO,OOO, granted to his
Majesty, or part thereof, Inc establishing a college for the better
education of persons professing the Popish or Roman catholic
religion, and intended for the cleiical ministry thereof. The
R.omish pries's who had been educated ott the continent retain-
ed so much respect for the essentially monarchical spirit of their
system that they could not and did not lend themselves to the
levelling agitation against the government at home, which was
daily becoming more popular amongst their lay gentry, insti-
gated by their oratorical lawyers. But we have the authority of a

popish historian of our 1 ay, Mr. Wyse, for saying that the
Maynooth clergy were not so scrupulous. Writing concerning
the Popish Association, in 1828, he says, " The clergy too, sent
io from time to time, their adhesion; M AYNOOTH BEGAN 'ft) BE
.FELT; Irishmen who had never left Ireland were the piiests
whom it sent forth, and though in some instances the proprieties
and decencies of their ecclesiastical station considerably lost,
the country upon the whole gained by the infusion of a more.
popular spirit Amongst the body." You have heard much of
the nature of the education inculcated, 1 will only add a speci-
men upon a smaller scale, and more tangible to the practice of
the bulk of their poor people in Ireland.
" In Bailly's Treatise on the Decalogue, mankind are divided
into four ranks, noblemen, independent gentlemen, artificers,
and beggars; and it is laid down that a person way steal any
sum under fifty or sixty pence from the first, under forty pence
from the second, twenty pence from the third, and four pence
from the last class, without losing the favour of God, or at all
risking the salvation of his soul, or its being even necessary to
acknowledge the theft in confession to a priest. The stolen
property need not be returned to the owner, nor any compensa-
tion made to him, if there shoull be a difficulty in doing so
without the offender being discovered. All that is required is
to give the amount to the poor, or to expend it on stone good
work; and it is but a venial offence, even if this species of res-
titution be omitted. Further it is taught, that a wife may steal
from her husband, contrary to his known and reasonable wishes,
a greater quantity of his property than is laid down in the pre-
ceding scale, without being guilty of more than a yenia/ sin;
and she may steal as mach as will support any of her near re-
latives without being guilty of any sin, provided that after his
death she deducts the amount from her jointure. A servant,
also, may pilfer any common food in order to eat moderately of
it, without incurring guilt. Such is a part of the Maynooth ex-
position of the divine commandment thou shalt nut steal.' "
(Hear, hear.)
The testimony of an eye witness, himself a liberal, Mr. In-
glis, in his "Tour through Ireland" is,
" In the journey which I subsequently took, I had ample op-
portunity of forming comparisons between the priest of the olden
times, and the priest of Maynooth : and with every disposition
to deal fairly by both, I did return to Dublin with a perfect con-
viction of the justice of the opinion which 1 had heard expressed.
I found the old foreign educated priest, a gentleman ; a man of
frank easy deportment, and good general information; but by
no means, in general, so good a Catholic as his brother of May-
nooth, he, I found, either a coarse, vulgar-tninded,—or a stiff,
close, and very conceited man ; but iu every instance, Popish
to the backbone; learned, I dare say, in theology; but pro-
foundly ignorant of all that liberalizes the mind ; a hot zealot
in religion ; and fully impressed with, or professing to be im-
pressed with, a sense of his consequence and influence.
"1 entertain no doubt that the disorders which originate in
hatred of Protestantism, have been increased by the Maynooth
education of the Catholic priesthood. It is the Maynooth priest
who is the agitating priest ; and if the foreign educated parish
priest chance to be a more liberal-minded man, less a zealot,
and less a hater of Protestantism than is consistent with the
present spirit of Catholicism in Ireland,—straightway an assist-
ant, red-hot from Maynooth, is appointed to the parish ; and,
in fact, the old priest is virtually displa'ced. In no country in
Europe,—no,. not even in Spain,—is the spirit of Popery su in-
tensely anti-Protestant, as in Ireland. In no country is there
more bigotry and superstition among the lower orders, or more
blind obedience to the priesthood; in no country is there so
much zeal and intolerance among the ministers of religion. I
do believe that, at this moment, Catholic Ireland is more ripe
for the re-establishment of the Inquisition, than any other
country in Europe."
In conclusion, I call your attention to a passage in Dr.
11P,Hale's letter to Lord John Russell. "It is but right to ac-
quaint your lordship that the Catholic bishops and the Catholic
bishops alone, have the right to regulate the choice of the books
out of which the faithful are to draw the nutriment of piety and
sound doctrine." (Hear, hear.) On the authority of Dr.
M'llale, therefore, we charge the Catholic bishops and the Ca-
tholic bishops alone, with the choice of Badly, Delahogue, Dens,
Van Ess, Maldonatus, the angelical doctor, and all the other
seraphic canonists, theologians and moralists, from whose pages
you have heard specimens of the " nutriment of piety and sound
doctrine," which is administered by authority to the students in
Maynooth. (Hear, hear.) The rev. gentleman concluded
amid the most cordial applause, by reading the resolution,
which he seconded.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MONEY

INIARKE"F

(From the Sunday Times.)

LONDON, SATURDAY.--The tenor of the mercantile advices,
received from the United States to the 20th ult., are not of a
more promising nature than those which previously came to
hand. The high rate of interest still demanded for capital, and
the continuance of the restrictive policy by the whole of the
Banks of the Union, had almost entirely put a stop to extensive
operations in imported goods The rate of interests for dis-
counts, or loans, was lto 12 cent. per Month. The Exchange
had taken a slight rise a week previously to the date of the pre-
sent accounts, but when the Wellington sailed from New York,
the best paper was sold at 51 per cent premium Only. The ne-
cessary consequence of this stale of things is, that but very
limited orders have been received for the shipment of British
manufactured goods.
The variations in the British Securities this week have been
limited to about per cent. The anticipation of an extensive
exportation of the precious metals to America, in consequence
of the balance of trade having turned in favour of that country,
and the very reduced ratio of Exchange at New York, with a
contemporaneous demand for bullion at high rates have not had
an injurious effect upon prices of Stock, as the situation of the
Bank of England of England is highly satisfactory; added to
which, there continues to flow in extensive remittances of gold
and silver from the Continent and South America. It is, there-
fore, not apprehended that the Stock of Bullion held by the
Bank will diminish to any extent. before the trade with the
United States has again become brisk; thus producing a reflux
of specie to Great Britain. The value of Consols for money has
ranged only between 92i and 931. In the April settlement, the
prices have been 92i and 231. The operations of yesterday
afternoon were nearly at th. I.,(lL^^` -1--,tatinas of trio ~.e.
/to._ u new loan for the government, to the amount
of £2,000,000, has been current, but since the Meeting of the
Bank proprietors on Thursday, when the governor stated in re-
ply to a question, that he had no knowledge of such an orange-
ment, the statement has been discredited. Some curiosity is
shown to ascertain how the Chancellor of the Exchequer will
provide for the acknowledged deficiency in the revenue, with-
out some advances from the capitalists of the City. Exchequer
Bills have been Leavy during the week at a fall front 67 to 62
prem., and on India Bonds nearly an equal reduction has taken
place. The favourable expose given at the Bank meeting of the
affairs of the Company raised the value of the Stock from 2081
to 2091 for the account day.

The prices of Spanish an Portuguese Bonds have advanced
nearly 2 per cent. this week, the rumour being that some plan
is under consideration in Paris, to place the debts of their go-
vernment upon a footing more satisfactory to the Bondholders,
but no details have vet been allowed to transpire, if, in fact,
there be any truth in the statement. Spanish have risen to 22.
Portuguese Five per Cents. to 311, and the Three per Cents.
to 211. Yesterday the advices from Paris quoted a decline,
and tee Bonds were sold Ito 2 per cent. lower here. In Bel-
gian and Dutch Stock a fall of 1 to 1 per cent. has taken place
—new loans being talked of. The price of Two-and a-half per
Cent. (Dutch) bas been as low as 521, of the Five per Cents.
102, and of the Belgic Stock 103. Republican bonds are not so
high as they were last week.
Two additions have been made this week to the list of specu-
lations in the city, and which have attracted great attention.
The scheme for a railway from Paris to Havre and Rouen is
said to be acquiesced in by the government of Louis Phillippe,
and the desire to obtain shares is very considerable. The other
project is one for extendinga new plan for the purpose of form-
ing roads, under the title of the Asphalte Company, and
it has met with much support-
The market for railway shares
has become dull for the greater propartion of the projected lines.
HALF PACT TWELVE.—We have no arrivals from the colo-
nies this morning.
Rather an interesting document has come to band by the
French Mail of last night, addressed by the President of the
Board of Trade at Paris to the Chairman of the Chamber of
Commerce at Nantes. In this communication the attention of
the mercantile classes of France is called to the monetary and
commercial difficulties existing at present in the United States,
and to the highly unfavourable position in which the banks of
New York are now placed, as compared with their situation in
1837. " Such an extraordinary diminution in their transac-
tions, is not" writes his excellency "to be found in the financial
history of any people." In cautioning the merchants of France
to use their best discretion in their operations with America, he
asserts that judging from present appearances, little short of a
panic equal to that of last year, may be anticipated.
Not much business is doing in the British Stock market.
Consols for account have been done at 93 to 93w, and from im-
mediate transfer at 92 93. Exchequer bills continue at 62,
and India Bonds at 66 premium.
Foreign Bonds have not much varied. Spanish Active Bonds
realise 21ilt Portuguese New Bonds, 32; Brazilian, 26%;
Mexican, 211; and Dutch Two-and-a-half per Cents 521.
Shares remain without alteration.

REMARKABLE CASE IN SURGERY.—There is at present in the
National infirmary for relief of the poor afflicted with blindness
and diseases of the eye, Cuffe-street, the case of a little boy seven
years of age, born blind, with the disease of cataract in both his
eyes, upon whom the operation for their removal has been per-
formed within the last few days, with such complete success as
to enable the little patient to observe many objects presented to
him immediately after the operation ; he continues to improve
daily in the acquirement of a new sense, to the surprise and de-
light of his par ents.—Saunder's News Letter.
HOPRIBLE SCENE.—At a village in the commune of La
Ferte-Fresnel, in France, a scene has lately been witnessed
which has tilled all minds with consternation. A farmer,
seated at the table of a wine-house with several other persons,
agreed to sell a fat pig to a neighbouring proprietor, and to
deliver the animal upon the following Wednesday. The hat-
gain was sealed by a few glasses of cider, according to ancient
usage, after which the seller and buyer ruse from the table.
Upon leaving the cabaret the purchaser recollected that he had
a pressing engagement for the Wedivisday, and stated to the
seller that it would be an accommodation to him to receive the
amount one day before that already fixed. To this no objec-
tion was made, and in fact the pig was delivered to the buyer
upon the Tuesday evening. Having thus disposed of the
animal, the seller was returning home, when, near his own
door, he was accosted by a man leading a bear, who begged a
night's lodging for himself and his charge. The farmer, under
other circumstances, would not have felt an inclination to en-
tertain such guests, but as night was falling, and the wind
chilling and frosty, and recollecting too, that the pig stye was
vacant, his good feeling prevailed, and he determined to give
shelter for the night to the bear-leader and his savage corn_
!tannin. When they arrived at the farm the bear was installed
in the pig's place, and his }vier having fed and made him up
for the night, retired to thelarmer's cottage, where he was in_
vited to sit near the fire, admitted to the table, and provided
with a bed. The night passed
but it would appear that two
of the persons who had been drinking at the same table with
the farmers when the terms of the bargain were agreed upon,
and who were under the impression that the pig was to be sent
On the Wednesday, had determined to steal the animal before
it was so removed. Accordingly they repaired to the farm at
night, and one of them crept into the stye, whilst the other re-
mained on the outside of the hedge. What passed between the
ill-fated intruder and the ferocious animal was only known by
the pools of blood, broken bones, and fragments of flesh which
were found strewed upon the floor the following morning. The
other robber, feeling uneasy at not receivin, the agreed' signal
for his accomplice, ventured to approach the house, and finding
all still, crept nearer to the den. He called to his comrade, hut
all was silent. lie then determined to penetrate into the
stye,
but had advanced but half his body when the ferocious beast,
whose thirst for blood
The
become excited, threw himself upon
him with great fury. unfortunate man was overwhelmed,
but after a short time succeeded by an extraordinary effort in
saving himself from the rage of his enemy. Be was so weak-
ened, however, by the loss of blood, from his wounds, that he
was unable to fly, and he fell in the garden, where he was found
by the people of the farm, lie died next day in the greatest
torture,—French paper.

IMAiten 20, 1838._

LI‘TER. THEI T 122, CHURCH-STREET.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF MRS. RAYMOND.

rytHIS present TUESDAY EVENING, the 20th instant.
IL ou which occasion Mr. T. P. COOLE, from the Theatre
Royal, Drury-lane and Covent-garden, will appear, being
engaged for a limited period.
Mr. W. J. HAMMOND, riot-4/ the Theatre-Royal, Covent-
garden, will also appear.
Messrs. BROWN. KING, and GIBSON, and Mrs. GIB-
SON, in some of their most admired Dances.

The Evening's Entertainments wtl! commence with the popular

Nautical Drama of
THE PILOT;
OR, A STORM A T SEA.
Long Tom Coffin (as originally acted by hind) Mr. T. P. Cooke,
in which character he will sing his descriptive Songs of Long
Tom euffin's Courtship and a Sailor's Consolation la a
Storm, and dance the Celebrated Hornpipe.
Captain Boroughcliff (a regular Yankee) Mr. W. J. Harui.;:onel►
in which character he will sing the popular Song or " Yan-
kee Doodle," and, with Mrs. Itayinond, the admired ,
Duett, called " Captain Um' yowtook so smart."
Kate Plowden..Mrs. Raymond.

Cecilia
After .r•hich, sles,:rs. Brown, King, and Gibson will Dance
their CHINESE PAS DE TROIS !.
To which will be added the new laughable lateilude, called
TEN MILES FROM LONDON ;

OR, AN INCONVENIENT DISTANCE.
Patrick Rooney
Mrs. Gibson will (for the first time at this Theatre) Dance
" LA CACHUCIIA."

To be followed by a new and highly successful Drama, as acted
in London during the present season with distinguished
approbation, entitled
THE CULPRIT.

- -
Captain Hussey, R.N Mr. W. J. Hammond-
Mrs. Hussey
Messrs. Brown, King, and Gibson will dance a popular
PAS DE TROIS."

To conclude with the laughable Farce (not acted her these three

years) entitled
THE MAYOR OF FLANDERS;
_Oll, THE THREE CoFFINS.

Pogo Potts (the Mayor of the Village) Mr. W. J. Hammond
Mynheer von Lindon Mrs. Raymond.
Tickets and Places to be had at the Box-office.

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.

Second Night in Liverpool of the splendid Spectacle, called
CHEVY CHASE, in which the whole strength of the Com-
pany will appear, aided by Mr. Ryan's splendid Stud of
H orses.
Revival of the celebrated Historical Drama, entitled THE
BATTLE OF WATERLOO !
rui HIS present TUESDAY EVENING, the 20th instant,
IL the Evening's Entertainments will commence with the
Scottish Romantic Spectacle, founded on the Ballad of the
same name, called
CHEVY CHASE
In which Mr. Ryan's Stud and Company will appear.
Earl Douglas.. Mr. Nesbitt. I Laurence Lapstone, Mr. Sloan.
Andrew Mr. Neville.
Monsieur Le Blanc, being Re-engaged, will appear and Sing
one of his favourite COMIC SONGS.
Master Giunett will introduce his peculiar Equestrian Act,
called THE UNION OF ENGLAND, IRELAND, AND
SCOTLAND, in which he will personate Rory O'More, with
an Irish Jig on Horseback.
Miss Giunett, the youngest Female Equestrian in the World,
will ride her astonishing act on a single horse, as the FLOWER
GIRL.
Mr. Sloan will appear as JIM CROW, and Sing a New
Version, written by a Gentleman of Liverpool.
The Evening's Entertainments to conclude with
THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO !
In which a Detachment of the Regular Military will give their
aid for the general effect of the Piece.
Duke of Wellington Mr. M. Robinson.
Molly Maloney.... Mr. Sloan. I Napoleon Mr. Neville.
Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 25.; Lower Gallery, Is.; Upper Gallery, 6d.
Second Pike at Half-past Eight • Boxes, Is. 6d.; Pit, Is;
Lower Gallery, W. Children Half-price from the commence-
ment to the Boxes and Pit only.
Proprietor, Mr. BATES,
Stage Manager, Mr. NEVILLE.'

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF RANDALL, THE CLOWN.
eN Fit IDAY next, the 23d instant, when he will perform
the WHOLE OF HIS WONDERFUL FEATS, and
present the Greatest Selection of Novelties ever witnessed,
LIGHT AND HEAVY BALANCING.
The Chivalrous Spectacle of
THE WOOD DEMON !
ON, THE CLOCK HAS STHUCK.
In which Mr. Ryan's Stud and Company will appear.
THREE NEW ACTS IN THE CIRCLE.
The whole to conclude with
A NEW COMIC PANTOMIME.
Particulars in Bills of the day.
For Tickets apply to Mr. RANDALL, at Mr. Hale's, 39,
Hunter-street, or at the Boxoffice, Amphitheatre.

HALF PRICE.
Bo.tes, or Front Seats, Is; I'it, or Second Seats, 6d.
PANORAMA of the HOLY CITY of JERUSALEM,
CAPTAIN SIR JOHN ROSS'S VOYAGES, &c., at
the Large ROQUI, QUEEN'S ARMS HOTEL, entrance by Cook-
street. _ _

Mr. LAIDLAW, before he leaves Liverpool, is anxious that
every person should have an opportunity to witness his splendid
so well known, and connected as it is
with Scriptural History, and is decidedly interesting to all
Christians; he, therefore, has Reduced the Price of Admission
so as every person can gratify th,e.),-,For th 9 small suss or
SIXPENCE, and as the Panorarna.can only remain tore very
short time, he trusts that no person will suffer the opportunity
to pass.
Day Exhibition punctually at One o'Clock • Evening, at
Seven; and again at Half-past Eight o'Clock. 'The History of
Jerusalem and Plate, 6d.