The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-23 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

I shall feel obliged if you will give insertion to a few
lines relative to the situation of Head Constable. I
think it is very unjust that strangers should be appointed
to every situation worth having in preference to men born
in the town, and calculated equally well to discharge the
duties of the situation. I would call upon the Watch
Committee to consider well the forthcoming appointment
of Head Constable ; and as there will, no doubt, be many
highly-respectable natives of the town who will aspire to
fill the situation, I trust the Watch Committee will give
the claims of such gentlemen their due attention, and not
dismiss them at once because they emanate from towns-
men. DICKY SAM.

[We are aware that appointments have been sometimes
made which would almost justify our correspondent's ap-
prehensions ; but we are satisfied that in the present in-
stance if any resident in Liverpool appears to the Watch
Committee in all respects eligible to the situation, he will
not, on the ground complained of by " Dicky Sam," be
summarily rejected.]

SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.—The annual meeting of the
subscribers and friends of the above excellent institution
was held in the board-room, London-road, on Friday last.
James Aspinall, Esq. in the chair. It appeared from
the proceedings, that the institution is gradually getting
into debt, the receipts being unequal to the expenditure.
At present the debt is upwards of £6OO, and before all
the accounts against the institution are discharged, it will
probably be £lOOO. The debt has been gradually in-
creasing of late years, while the donations and legacies
have fallen off, owing to an erroneous impression which
prevails that the institutio❑ is highly prosperous, and that
its income exceeds its outlay. The feeling of the meeting
was, that a stirring appeal to the public would speedily
relinquish them, and disabuse the public mind of the im-
pression that the charity had a surplus income. 'rhe
chapel accounts, which were next read, showed a gradual
decrease in the contributions at the doors. The chairman
called attention to the fact that numbers of respectable
people were in the habit of frequenting the church who
did not contribute at all, end many families only gave
threepence or sixpence. Mr. Bold explained that such
parsimony was most injurious to the charity. A number
of open pews were set apart for the frequenters of the cha-
pel who had not pews of their own, on the understanding
that a contribution at the doors would be given. These
pews might be let, and the proceeds given to the charity ;
indeed it would be better to let them at once, unless the
contributors were more liberal. Formerly the contribu-
tions at the doors amounted to £2O on a Sunday ; now they
seldom exceeeci £l4. A statement was read of the sums
annually received at the doors durinz the last seven years,
from which is appeared that the falling off had been con-
siderable, especially during the last two years. In 1837
the sum received at the doors amounted to £758, in 1838
to £786, in 1839 to £760, in 1810 to £756, in 1841 to
£713, in 1842 to £602, but in the last year it had de-
creased to £535 16s. 2d. The numbers who attend the
church were as great, or even greater, than formerly, not-
withstanding the decrease in the casual contributions.
Mr. Bold enpressed a hope that the choir this year would
resume its wonted efficiency; formerly it wes the best in
this part of the country, and this year he believed that it
would not be at all inferior to its best days. A letter was
read from Mr. Shuttleworth, appointing Mr. Alderman
Turner and Mr. Alderman Richard Houghton as the vice-
presidents of the institution, by the town council, in con-
formity with the act of parliament. Lord Skelmersdale
was elected president. His lordship filled the same situa-
tion in 1830. Mr. Raymond Houghton, who has always
been most indefatigable in his attentions to the interests
of this excellent charity, was re-elected treasurer.

CONSUMPTION OF FLOUR IN THE METROPOLIS.—It
IS estimated that 30,000 sacks of flour are consumed
weekly in the metropolitan districts, the population of
which, according to the last census, is 1,873,727 ; the
consumption of bread, allowing 51b weekly to each per-
son, is 2,338,409 loaves, each weighing 41b ; and admit-
ting that a sack of flour is manufactured into 93 of these
loaves, it requires 25,144 sacks to yield a sufficient quan-
tity of bread for the metropolis, leaving 4,856 sacks for
puddings, biscuits, pastry, and other manufactures.
THE FIRST ALMANAC.—The Almanac that is believed
to have been the first ever printed, bears the date 1482,
and is entitled au " Almanack, or Kalendar." It foretells
all the eclipses that were to take place from the year 1483
to 1530, showing the portion of the planet that was to be
eclipsed on each occasion. It likewise has a moveable
instrument for taking lunar observations, and a quadrant,
and is published in the quarto form. Copies of the work
are very rare and curious, as might naturally be supposed.
This almanac is, thus, very complete, considering Oat
three centuries and nearly three quarters have passed since
its production.

ANTI-LEAGUE Alm-Eli-EsTs.—The farmers are at
length aroused, and the following are some of the meet-
ings which have been held during the present month :
At Chichester, Jan. 3, a meeting of tenant farmers, or
occupying proprietors, most numerously and respectably
attended ; at Boston, Jan. 3, a meeting of tenant farmers,
also most respectably attended ; at Colchester, Jan. 6,
a meeting attended by about 500 respectable agriculturists
and tenant farmers ; at Lincoln, Jan. 5, a meeting of a
considerable number of leading agriculturists ; at Newport
Pagnel, on Jan. 10, a meeting of farmers, " more fully
attended than any meeting of farmers in that town was
ever known to be," above 200 occupiers of land being pre-
sent; at Reigate, on Jan. 16, a meeting of above 200 far-
mers ; at Framlingham, on the 13th, a meeting of about
200 occupiers of land ; at Lewes, on the 16th, a meeting
attended by a large number of influential farmers ; at
Banbury, on the 18th, a meeting of full 200 farmers, oc-
cupying 60,000 acres of land.

WHAT'S IN A NAME ?—To the Irish must indisputably
be accorded the merit of being, all to nothing, the most
poetical of mere mortal creatures—that is, understanding
poetical to mean whatever is most above common matters
of fact. A gunmaker is not a particularly supermundane
craft, yet the state trials at present proceeding in Dublin
have produced an instance of a man employed at lock and
barrel, at barrel and lock, ten or twelve hours a day,
whose mind so far soars above homely affairs, that he
knows not for a certainty his own name. Mr. Rigby
apologised to the Supreme Criminal Court of Ireland on
Wednesday for having stated, on the preceding day, that
his name was John Jason Rigby ; whereas, upon subse-
quently looking at his door plate, he found that it was
simple, unsophisticated John Rigby. It is to be feared
that these trials will exhibit many such instances of the
native prowess to consider what is imaginative and imma-
terial above what substantial and positive. Truly, a
good drilling in the exact sciences is what the " fine piian-
thry " stand most in need of.
THE WAY THEY DO IT.—A peculiar faculty which is
called " smartness," is possessed by the hack and cab-
men of New York to perfection. One evening last week,
says one of their city papers, a gentleman and lady, com-
ing out of the Chatham theatre, at the close of the per-
formances, were astonished at finding the flags before the
house wet, indicating a curious change of weather—a
curious change, as but an hour before the stars twinkled
with unusal brilliance, and the heavens were as calm and
serene as the countenance of a sleeping infant or a slumber-
ing young wife. " Cab, sir ! " shouted a score of drivers.
"Yes," answered the gentleman, alarmed for the safety
of the lady's silks and satins, which had arrived from the
mantuamaker's shop only a week previous, bundling into
the first cab he encountered. Upon alighting opposite his
own door he noticed the dry and dusty state of the pave-
ment, and felt more puzzled than ever. " Why, it could
not have rained much," said he, handing the driver of the
vehicle his fare. " Hasn't rained at all to-night," said
"No ?" said the gentleman, interrogatively. " NO,"
responded the driver. " How came the walks .it, then ?"
inquired. oar anxious seeker after the truth. " You won't
blow, sic?" " Blow !" mused the gentleman, not exactly
comprehending the meaning of the verb, as used by his
interlocutor. "Yes, sir; expose me." "No ; certainly
not." " Well, sir, we got a a watering-pot and sprinkled
the walk."

ST. ANDREW'S SCOTCEI CHURCH, RODNEY-
STREET.

Last evening, a special general meeting of the share-
holders of St. Andrew's Scotch Church, Rodney-street,
was held in that building, for the purpose of submitting
the revised constitution of the church to the proprietors
for their consideration and approval. The meeting was
rather numerously and respectably attended. Shortly
after seven o'clock, the chair was taken by CRAWFORD
LOGAN, Esq.
Mr. ROBERT ANGUS, the secretary, opened the pro-
ceedings by reading an extract from the minute book, by
which it appeared that a sub-committee had been ap-
pointed on the 15th ultimo, of which Mr. Alderman Nicol
was chairman, for the purpos, of revising the constitution
of the church, suggesting alterations, and seeking the
professional assistance of Mr. Lowndes, with a view of
making tha constitution as perfect as possible. it further
appeared, that at a meeting of the trustees and committee
of management held on the 11th instant, a draft of the
constitution as revised by the sub-committee was submit-
ted, and, after various emendations had been made therein,
fully approved; and that the present special general meet-
ing was then ordered to be held, to consider and approve
of the revised constitution. The secretary was about to
read the revised constitution, when
Mr. DUNCAN GIBE suggested that it would be better
in the first instance to take the sense of the meeting on
the constitution, or rather on the assumed constitution,
of the church which was passed in July last, in order that
it should be set aside altogether.
The CHAIRMAN asked whether Mr. Gibh wished to
have the constitution of July last read ?
b ther
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the negative:
revised he
constitution wished to
thave
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with this view, he was anxious that the
assumed constitution should be rendered null and void.
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t
constitution
hsapebrcnlooemnmt
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the
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on
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riorye ens sse outn
hlptueet superseded
statelos7entd,he t.
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the
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htAbh raeainTtodugt hEcfe: MATTHEW
jthuel
Mr. GIBE seconded the motion.
The CHAIRMAN expressed his dislike to the word
" superseded," inasmuch as the superseding of a thing
meant merely the putting of it in abeyance. He suggested
that the word " annulled," or " alsdicated," or be con-
sidered as a " dead letter," should be substituted.
The words " is consequently a dead-letter," having
been accordingly substituted, the motion was unanimously
adopted.
Dr. M'CuLLoca said, he was not aware of the conse-
quences to which it might lead if they renounced the con-
stitution ofJuly last, and that he was unprepared to acquiesce
in the motion until he first heard the nature of the revised
constitution. He thought they were prematurely seeking
for a decision, and that they were absolutely working in
darkness.
Mr. ANGUS presumed the doctor was perfectly well
aware of the constitution that he himself was a party to
forming in July last ?
Dr. M'CULLOCEI replied in the affirmative. He agreed
to that constitution as one consistent with the free use of
religious worship in the church. It was connected with
the order of religion which had been instituted upwards
of 200 years ago by the general assembly, who consti-
tuted the order of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
To that order be still adhered ; and when he advanced
his aid to build the Church in Rodney-street,
his idea was, that he was to share in all the advantages
of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. He did
not, at the time, take any notice of being in con-
nexion with the Establishment. He knew that the Esta-
blishment had no controul over societies in this part of
the kingdom. But his peace of mind had since been in-
jured, and his religious interests prevented, by the inter-
position of the secular powers to deprive him of that free-
dom in religious worship which God had given him. He
never dreamt of worshipping estate religion, or any other
form of religion which was not founded on the scriptures
of truth. Of this he had given sufficient evidence when
he left the Rodney-street Church, a building in which he
expected to have spent the remainder of his days, without
having manacles placed upon him. He wished to have
excellent gospel ministers officiating there ; and this
would have been the case, had not a hindrance been
placed in the way, and had not manacles and slavery
been imposed upon the people. He called upon them to
sell the church, and to pay those shareholders who were
disposed not only to leave, but to erect another building,
and to have a minister by whom they hoped to be edified,
leaving those who were so fond of state religions to wor-
ship an idol, for it was nothing else. (Uproar.) His
resolution was, that the church should be sold.
Mr. ANGUS informed the speaker that there was a
motion before the chair, and which was, in fact, passed ;
and asked him if he had any amendment to propose?
Dr. M'Cum.ocit then proposed an amendment, to the
effect that the Rodney-street Church be constituted in
such a manner as that those attached to it should have
the freedom of choosing a Gospel minister, professing
the doctrines of the Church of Scotland and its disci-
pline, as those were originally settled in ancient times
by men of the best understanding, and that the hearers
should have the privilege of inviting a Gospel minister
from the Presbyterian or from the Church in Ireland.
Mr. ANGUS said there was an injunction from the
Court of Chancery against such an amendment as that
just proposed.

Dr. M'CuLLocn, after having deprecated strife, was
understood to withdraw his amendment.
?Ir. ANGus then proceeded to read the revised con-
stitution, which was of a very voluminous character, and
which will be printed at length for the more general in-
fortnatiou of the shareholders. Its tendency was to place
the Rodney-street church in close connexion with the
Established Church of Suitland.
_ _

Dr. :11`1N•rvitE suggested the propriety of having the
document printed before any resolution was come to with
reference to its adoption.

. _
Mr. ANGUS said the doctor had exactly hit on the in-
tentions of the sub-committee. Their wish was that it
should he adopted in so far as it related the election of a
minister, and no further for the present; for it was desir-
able that it should be sent to the ecclesiastical lawyers in
Scotland to receive their suggestions as to its general cor-
rectness, and then, that a second meeting of the shar.-!-
holders should be held to receive their further suggestions,
and to ratify it. He thought it extremely necessary that
a minister should be elected as speedily as possible, as
part of the congregation was falling off; and it was in
consequence of this that the meeting were requested to
adopt that portion of the constitution which relates to
his election and qualifications.
Mr. Gina moved that the /constitution then read be
confirmed, in so far as the trustees and committee of
management were authorised to proceed to the appoint-
ment of a minister to the church according to the pro-
visions of the revised constitution.
Dr. RAMS AY thought it would be more satisfactory to
the clergymen that something definite should be come to
regarding the constitution before be was brought forward.
Dr. I\I'INTYRE thought the motion should make some
reference to the particular clauses of the revised constitu-
tion which it was thought desirable to have adopted at
the present stage. He objected to the manner in which
the motion had been worded, inasmuch as they could not
act upon the revised constitution until after it should
have been passed.

Dr. PETRIE thought they might recognise the docu-
ment and adopt the particular clauses referred to.
After some farther conversation, the following motion,
proposed by Mr. Gibb, and seconded by Mr. Malcolm,
was substituted for the previous one and passed :—That
the constitution now read be confirmed by the present
meeting, in so far as the trustees and committee of
management are authorised to proceed to the appointment
of a minister to the church, according to the provisions of
the four resolutions of the proposed constitutions, as
follows :

" The pastoral charge of the congregation for the time
being, assembling in this church. shall be placed in one
minister, or in one minister and an assistant, such minis-
ter and his assistant always receiving licenses, or licence
and ordination, from the Presbytery of the Established
Church of Scotland. And if a minister already ordained
shall be chosen, then the consent of his Presbytery to his
admission shall be obtained. in testimony of his being at
the time a recognised minister of the Established Church
of Scotland. And if any minister or assistant shall have
his licence withdrawn by the Presbytery from which he
received it, he shall ipso facto cease to be a minister or
assistant of this church.

" The election of a minister and his assistant shall be
vested in the communicants enrolled on the last lists of
the session, and adhering to this church up to the time of
election, any individual renting whole seats or pews. and
any shareholders being constant sitters, those individ ;Ms
having only one vote, though unitirg two or more of the
above qualifications ; and no vote sl all be valid unless the
elector shall be qualified at least six months before the va-
cancy. Any person, however, who has rented an entire
pew, or paid rent for the same for a half-year current, at
the time of election, shall be entitled to the privilege of
voting.

" On a vacancy occurring in the pastoral office, or when
assistants are to be elected, the trustees and committee of
management, then in office, united with our body, shall, by
a majority, have the appointment of candidates for the
office, and the time when such election shall take place,
but it shall he imperative on them, on the petition of
50 electors, to give any one candidate a fair hearing.
" The election for the office of minister or assistant
shall always be held in the body of the church, on a day
appointed for the purpose by the trustees and committee
of management, under the presidency of a minister of
the Church of Scotland, and in full communion with it,
who shall open the meeting by supplicating the divine
blessing and direction on this solemn act. The meeting
being constituted, it shall be competent for any two of
the electors to move for and second the placing the name
of any one nominee on the lists for election, which list
being completed, votes shall be taken in such order as may
be found most convenient; but in all cases, where there
are more than two nominees, the two nominees which
shall have the largest number of votes shall be
again proposed for election, to the intent that the
choice shall fall upon the nominee, who shall have
a majority of the whole of the votes. The
nominee who shall have the greatest number of votes
shall be declared duly elected, and a call be proceeded
with. But in case a majority of the votes shall agree to
sign a call to an ordained minster, the form of an election
in the manner above directed shall be dispensed with."
A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman, and
the meeting separated at nine o'clock.

TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOLS, WOODSIDE.--These
schools, which have been in progress during the last two
years, and are built in conformity to the plans and speci-
mens of the National Society, to accomodate 180 boys
and 180 girls, are now nearly completed and are to be
opened, on the first of next month. On Monday last
Mr. George Jackson, from the Chester Diocesan Training
College, was appointed master, and Miss Fanny Green,
at present second mistress of the Liverpool North Church
of England Schools,
was appointed mistress to the
schools.