The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-04-07 00:00:00

Wii#I,CE3IATE INSTITUTION

OPENING OF THE LECTURE. HALL

On Tuesday evening the beautiful and commodious lee-
ture-hall of the Collegiate Institution, was opened, when the
Rev. W. J. Conybeare, the principal, delivered a very argu-

mentative ane
tween true

convincing lecture on the

cience and revealed religion." At half-past
seven precisely the reverend principal, accompanied by the
professors of the institution in their college gowns, and
several members of the committee, came upon the platform,
and were received with the greatest enthusiasm. The Rev.
Rector Brooks occupied the chair, and amongst the gentle-
men about him We noticed the Revs. Dr. Tattershall, H.
Cordeaux, and F. Barker ; and Messrs. Wm.
Potter, Edmund Molyneux, C. Bushell, T. Muncaster, J.
Leyland, James Parker, John Grantham, and Wm. Jones.
In consequence of the extreme wetness of the night (the
weather being even more unfavourable than it was on the day
appointed for the opening of the institution itself) the at-
tendance was not so numerous as it otherwise would have
been. Thire were probably about a thousand persons pre-
sent.

The Rector introduced the reverend principal by a. short
address, which he commenced by -a congratulation at the
opening of the spacious hall in which they were assembled,
and in the course of which he stated that there were 598
persons receiving instruction in the day and evening schools,
which was indeed a satisfactory progress of the institution.
He concluded by saying that the committee had .attended
officially at the opening lecture, which they had deemed it
right to make of. a more general character than the lectures
which would succeed it. Mr. Conybeare was then introduced
to the meeting, and was received on approaching the desk
with the warmest applause.
Mr. Conybehre began by alluding to the remark made by.
Mr. Gladstone in his inaugural address, that the great in-
stitutions of this ountry'have no reason to fear free discus-
sion, but may will abide the test of scrutiny, and-stand the
firmer for the investigation. Mr. C. observed that this re-
mark, true as it is with regard to our political institutions, is
still more true of our religion. That we ought not to regret
that our lot has not been cast in the ages of mechanical
assent; that it vras an error to suppose that ignorance:in-
clines men to believe in. Christianity. For the ignorant are
as likely to disbelieve the true as to believe the marvellous ;
and if they receiie Christianity, they will probably require it
to be in an athiltered form. He :proceeded to illustrate
this by some examples, drawn from the present character of
the majority of unbelievers; and showed that the spirit of in-
vestigation, which accompanies increased knowledge, cannot
be dangerous to is religion, feunded on evidence, which can
answer every question.
He proceeded to notice an objection which might be
brought, namely; that if increased knowledge be advantage-
ous to religion, a more intellectual age ought to be a more
believing age, which is not always the. case. This was an-
swered by show4ig how, in particular cases, the decrease of
faith has not been the consequence of 'the increase in know-
ledge, but has resulted from other causes, as in the case of
France, and more generally by the avowal that knowledge
cannot give religion ; the utmost it can do is to aid it. Its
principal emploinent, in this aspect, was twofold; to,
strengthen the positive evidence of Christianity, and to re-,
move difficulties which night impede its reception. To show
how it performed these functions in some of its principal
branches, was the objecte of the lecture.
This would be 'more strikingly evident if we obserired the
addition made to:the evidence of Revelation, since the revival'
of letters ; and he would therefore begin by noticing the in-
creased evidence ;gained during that period by the growth of
philological, historical, and critical science. He would ima-
gine the ease of same Christian living 300 years ago, assailed
by sceptical objections, in order to show how much we have
since gained. 11:4: would suppose, for instance, such an ob-
jector demanding from Luther a reason. why, after renoun-
cing so many oldbeliels, he still adhered to his belief in the
revealedword of lod. He admitted the truth, that in the
age of Luther, Christians possessed, as they have in every
age, the most ineportant evidence of all, namely, that which
the Holy Spirit bears to the faith, 1u the hearts of all sincere
Christians, but str owed the need d external evidences in ad-
dition to this, and went on to show• how very insufficient a
defence Luther could have given of Christianity (when placed
on the footing Of external evidence) compared with that
which it is now in our power to give.
Mr. Conyheare proceeded to mention the evidence on
which the genuinfaiess of the scriptural books is proved. Ist,
—that of successive citation. 2d—the critical evidence from
the style and language. 3d—the argument from undesigned
coincidences, and gave some examples illustrating the im-
portant addition which these had received in the last three
centuries. He next showed the connexion between the proof
of the genuineness and of the truth of the New Testament,
proving that when the genuineness was established, the ma-
terial facts could not be denied, and went on to give a sketch
of some of the direct arguments which establish the authen-
ticity of the scriptural narrative, in order to illustrate the
mariner in which they had been strengthened by the progress
of learning. He gave several detailed examples of this, espe-
cially of the mode in which .modern investigations haie esta-
blished the perfect coincidence of the facts mentioned in
scripture with the state of things as represented in foreign
and independent accounts.

The next subject- touched on was the additional proofs of
the fulfilment, which have been elicited by the discoveries of
modern geographers and travellers ; and in connection with
the same branch of evidence, Mr. C. mentioned the remark-
able manner in which the accomplishment of some pi °pile-
cies has been rendered more clear and striking, by a more
accurate translation of the original; and instanced particu-
larly the 53d chapter of Isaiah.
Though it could not be expected that our knowledge of
Christian doctrines' would be increased by an advance in se-
cular knowledge,l yet, in some instances, we had been ena-
bled by it better to, defend those already known to the
church. As an example of this was mentioned the confirma-
tion of trinitarian doctrines, aftbrd.ed by the laws, which mo-
dern scholars hare established with iegard to the usage of
the Greek article.:
From this Mr. Conybeare passed to the connexion of phy-.
sisal science with religion. This must necessarily be less
direct, but not yet tó be neglected. First, because natural
theology, which is the basis of all religion, must rest on it :
and, secondly, because it guards us from certain errors which
might have prevented our reception of Christianity. For
example, the ancient opponents of the faith referred all
Christ's miracles to magical agency, which our knowledge of
the laws of nature renders now impossible. Arid, further,
the growth of physical science has led men to beware of some
erroneous views concerning the mode in which truth is re-
vealed in scripture. Formerly it was looked on as given
partly to satisfy man's euriosity, and to anticipate the disco-
veries of science. Such was the idea of those who persecuted
Galileo, The danger to faith of such a view was exhibited
in the preface to the Jesuit's edition of Newton; and in
more recent times by some nf the ignorant opponents of geo-
logical science. Mr. Conybeare showed the important con-
firmation given by this science to the truth 'of Revelation,
since it proves by:independent evidence,•the creation of ani-
mals, and of 'man "as the last. He concluded with some re-
marks on the spit.* in which oursearch lokruth ought•to be
conducted, and o* the want' of 'faith evinced by those who
are afraid of its progress. " • .... •
On the lectureri. retiring to his seat he was greeted with
several rounds of. applause.' Dr. Tattershall immediately
rose, and proposed that the thanks-of the •meeting be given
to Mr. Conybeare; for his interesting and important lecture.
This was seconded by the Rev. Hugh M4Neile, and carried
with acclamation.:
Mr. M`Neile then passed 'a very warm enconium on the
services rendered to the institution by the worthy chairman,
not only on those occasions Whets the public were aware- of
his presence, but also for his judicious• advice and perseve-
ring labours at 01 more private'meetings`of the committee,
and at other times. This was carried the meeting'with
great applause without waiting fora seconder: -• • The chairman returned thanks in suitable terms, and the
meeting dispersed, the organ being playedwhilst the company
were separating.

. • • •
An Englishman having milted a son of. Erin. if the roads
in Ireland were good, Pat replied, " Yes, they are so fine
that I wonder yon do not import some of them into England:
let me see, there's the road to love, :strewed with roses -;• to
matrimony through nettles; to honour .through the camp;
to prison through the law; and to the undertaker's through
physic." " Have you any road to preferment?" said the
Englishman. " Yes, faith, we have, but it is the dirtiest
road in the kingdoba."
THE TIDIEST WOMAN IN` THE WORLD.—Mrs. Baxter's
house contained three or four sitting rooms, yet the kitchen,
to the great annoyance of her hard-worked-maid, was the
place where she chose to take her meals: Her dining room
was large and well-furnished; but on entering it- you would
involuntarily exclaim—" Can 'this be an inhabited house ?"
for not one sign of habitation was there. Curtains' there
were to the windows, certaibly,' but not put • there to be
drawn ; for the coldest day in the depth •of a Russian winter
could never tempt Mrs. Baxter to see them so 'treated.
There was a comfortable carpet, too ; but, rash visiter, be-
ware ! touch not its sacred hem, for'thelast idea ever enter-
tained by Mrs. Baxter, when she laid it down, was -the idea
of any one walking over it. Do you not see that 'lndia mat,
laid down and across the room, which, and which only is to be
so profaned ? There was a fine easy chair, made in the last
style of luxury and elegance, which she exulting) every one cost 14' guineas; but I Wish y told
you' could see the
black look she would have bestowed upon
any one (sposo not
excepted) who had; dared to remove it from. the corner she
had destined to beAts abiding place. In short; Mrs. Bax-
ter's goods, like the Crown jewels, were to be looked at with
awe and admiration, but not to be touched; and thus her
poor. victim of a husband, more miserable than a traveller
in an Arabian desert, who, if 'he doeS not see the element he
languishes for, at least is not tantalized, 'pines in the midst
of plenty for the common corriforts of life, knowing no rest
in his own well-furnished horns!, but in that blest oblivion--
sleep. Came home hungry or thirsty, there.was nothing in
his larder, Mrs. Baxter being
.much too clean
to cook, or
allow cooking ; and 'some excuse would always be found
against drawing the strong ale, or opening a bottle of wine.
Was he weary, not for worlds durst he seek repose in the
inviting arm-chair, or stretch his limbs on the sofa, for be
would sully this, and tumble that, and disarrange everything
and a lecture from Mrs. Beaxter about her household gods
(for such they were to her) was a thing. in every way to be
dreaded.—Ainsworth's Magazine.

TREATMENT ON! CONVICTS.—An intelligent gentleman
Was written the following graphic statement in reference to a
fallen divine which corroborates the Scriptural declaration
that " the way of transgressors is hard," and proves that the
criminals who were in superior stations are not for that rea-
son, shewn any leniency. " Whilst going through the con-
vict department at Woolwich, one of the inspectors turned to
a convict who was engaged in folding some of the articles,
and directed him to open one of the blankets. The prisoner
seemed disposed to'obey with an air of alacrity. He spread
the flannel wide, so as to display the stripes introduced as a
distinguishing mark, instead of the broad arrow of the Crown.
He was attired ifi the dark brown clothing
and long oval hat, worn by the convicts. His jacket seemed to be quite a new
one. His countenance, though not remarkably prepossessing,
was intelligent. He was a man of small size, and without
exhibiting hardihood preserved an air orserenity and smiling
resignation. Once or twice his lips quivered, as it he were
doubtful whether a reply was not essential to one or two of
the brief speeches addressed to him—' but answer made he
none.' When we bad removed from the spot far enough to
he out of hearing, my cariosity was roused to ask what of-
fence that prisoner had committed. ' A most aggravated for-
gery,' said the friend who accompanied me, one that would
formerly have been visited with death. It was viewed the
more seriously,' continued he, ' front the education of the
man, and the high, and enviable position which he held.'
' Then who is he?' inquired I. The reply was, ' Dr. Bailey,'
Can that really be'Doctor Bailey,' 1 exclaimed. • It is,'
said my friend. Yes, the unhappy being wearing a convict's
sombre dress, the fetter on his left node, I had seen him who
as a distinguished minister of religion had formerly warned
his fellow men against the temptations of life ! Yet he, un.
happily yielding to their seductive power, was now reduced
to sigh—

'Te cheating vanities,
Where are ye now arid what is your amount ?
Vexation, disappointment, and remorse.'
Pitying the deep degradation I had witnessed, I could have
wished that justice had abated her stern demand. I learned
that in a very few days his removal was to take place. He
had written to his wife to visit him, bat it was very doubtful
whether he would not depart before she could arrive. Look-
ing at his deplorable situation and the melancholy prospect
before him, at that moment I felt all the importance of the
solemn admonition—, Let him that thinketh lie standeth take
heed lest he fall.' Dr. Bailey's case is doubtless a bad one,
but if the circumstances connected with his former station
agg—ivate iris crime, • how fearfully do they enhance his m-
ild...int."