The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-05-16 00:00:00

THE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION

The annual meeting of this society was held on Wed-
nesday at twelve o'clock, at Exeter-hall. The audience
assembled on the occasion was respectable, but by no
means crowded.

Mr. G. ROCHFORT CLARKE presided, and in opening
the proceedings, said, he conceived there was no one pre-
sent who did not feel that at present there was more need
for the Protestant Association than at any period since the
association was formed. They were living at a peculiar
period, when Popery appeared to be assuming a new type.
The Pope seemed to wish to settle his power on a new
basis, that basis being the form of democracy. He had
said, "My subjects are but 3,000,000, but we have
'300,000,000 of brethren scattered through the world."
Scarcely, however, had that appeal been made when an
earthquake shook to their foundations the thrones of Eu-
rope. The Infidel throne of France vanished. He called
it Infidel, because Louis Philippe consented that, instead
of being called King of France " by the grace of God,"
be should be called King of the French " by the will of
the people." They alt knew what a day the 10th of April
was to the people of this country—a day, the morning of
which was one of gloom and anxiety to all but the igno-
rant or the vain, but the evening of which was one of
thanksgiving to God for a great deliverance to all but the
vainglorious. Instead of the British throne being shaken,
it stood firmer than ever in the affections of the people.
Now, if it was asked on what the stability of that throne de-
pended, he answered that it was a throne unlike any
other, because it was a Christian throne in the highkt
sense, one which was antagonistic to the false system of
Rome. and which adopted the Christian faith in such plain,
palpable, and distinct language, that there could be no
mistake about it. The Liturgy and Articles of the Church
of England, and the Word of Truth, as contained in the
Bible, stood against the blasphemy of the Socinian, and
the idolatry of the Papist. The Chairman then proceeded
to denounce the Pope as anti-Christ, and his so-called
liberal policy as a scheme to entrap the true believer. He
denounced the bill for establishing diplomatic relations
with Rome and the Jewish Disabilities Bill, and concluded
a long address by calling upon the meeting to remain true
to their Protestant principles.
Mr. LORD, the secretary, then read the report, which
reviewed the operations of the society during the past
year. It referred particularly to the steps which had been
taken to secure a Protestant party in the House of Com-
mons at the last election, and to oppose the two bills re-
ferred to by the chairman in his opening address. From
the financial statement it appears that the funds of the
society are in a prosperous condition. The receipts dur-
ing the past year amounted to £1,554, and the expendi-
ture to £1,503, leaving a balance of £5l in hand, with
outstanding liabilities to the extent of £4OO.
Mr. W. Peters moved, and the Rev. D. WILSON se-
conded, the first resolution, which was that the report be
adopted and printed; and which was unanimously carried.
The following resolutions, which were supported by the
Rev. H. Stowell, and other clergymen and gentlemen,
were also agreed to :
"That the solemn warnings of history and of Scripture ad-
monish this and other nations against making any alliance with
Rome; that the alarming aspect of the present times calls for
prayerful and united efforts amongst Protestants, in order that
the evils which Popery has brought upon other countries may
not be brought upon our own ; and that the subtle policy of the
Romish see ought, instead of beguiling the people of this coun-
try into confidence, rather to make them increasingly watchful
against its stratagems, and more zealous than ever in opposing
its usurpations and encroachments."
" That considering the progress and attitude of Popery in the
present day, and the manner in which some statesmen and
theologians are anxious to conciliate its favour, it is imperative
upon all true Protestants to exert.themselves in vindication of
the cause of true religion and the maintenance of our civil in-
stitutions against the efforts of Romanism, .whether wielding
the weapons of despotism or democracy, and especially to op-
pose any measure for establishing diplomatic relations with the
Court or Church of Rome, as unconstitutional and fraught with
•danger to the safety and independence of this kingdom."
After the usual vote of Wanks .to ,the chairman: the

.meeting separated