The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-09-08 00:00:00

THE PERILS OF PROTESTANTISM.

The committee of the National Cub have just issued a
second address to the Protestants of the empire, urging
them to unite aeainst the dangers that threaten their
faith and institutions :
SECOND ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CLUB.

We are asked why we think our national institutions
are in danger, and what the danger is ? Does any states-
man move in Parliament that our Church be abolished?
Does any Government threaten to invade our colleges
and schools? Da they tell us that they will commit our
Protestant rights to the will of a hostile priesthood?
These are not the quarters to which, if well advised, we
shall turn our eyes to read the signs of events that are at
hand. .

It is in the thoughts and opinions of a nation that the
seeds of their future actions are sown. That is the field
to which men must look for the promise either of good or
evil.

It is true, statesmen profess to respect our church ; they
affect regard for our religious scruples; they base not yet
openly assailed our schools. But, turn from their pro-
fessions to the real field of action—the influence sought to
be exercised over the public mind. Observe the march of
hostile opinions; see their progress, their force, the mus-
ter of their army ; mark with whet vigour they ply their
work, and with what weapons. Do they address our con-
sciences ? Do they appeal to our calmer judgments ?
Do they warn us to prize our religious rights, and to
cherish the principles which are the basis occur national
greatness? _

They ridicule, they slander, they decry them. They
brand the Church as an instrument of i igotry, and the
provision for her teachers as a public wbbery. They
treat our schools as nurseries of ignorance, and decry our
religious instructions as the lessons of fools. And what
is the remedy they propose? A racPcal change, casting
down the institutions which uphold religion, and setting
up those which deify reason ; declaring that human wisdom
alone should govern a nation, and that faith should be
barred from senates and from schools.
These are the lessons of our would-be teachers—these
they seek to instil into the public mind !
With what result ? Do we think that their influence
is slight ; We deceive ourselves. Their advance is
steady ; each day marks its progress.
Does this danger rouse us to exertion ? Have we laid
aside our petty differences, and rallied in defence of those
vital principles on which we are all agreed ? On the con-
trary : while our opponents bring to the attack courage
and constancy, we are listless and irresolute, neglecting to
combat their maxims, and turning with unconcern from
subjects which do not touch our selfish interests.

What has been the consequence ? The steady progress
of their opinions, and the ebb of ours. Our national
church indeed stands ; our colleges are yet entire ; our
schools are not supplanted : but the ground is hollow
below them. The mines are driven, cut deep into the
public sentiment. A moment, a popular cry, a turn of
parties, a pressure on government, the signal will be given,
the attack will come, and the insti•utions which now seem
to stand secure, must fall without a struggle.
Where, therefore, we are asked, where is the danger ?
we reply, that is not the question. Danger there is ; but
we would rather ask, what are the means of escape?
What forces have we to rally ? What materials for a
defence ?

He that admits in argument that religion has no place
in politics has abandoned the ground of a national church.
He that allows that our colleges and schools may be con-
ducted without religion has given up the basis of scriptural
education. He that argues that Popery and Protestant-
ism alike deserve the favour of Government tears up by
the roots our Protestant constitution. He that declares
that Christianity may be taught without its peculiar doc-
trines betra3s oar faith. Where these maxims run cur-
rent among politicians, they will soon be acted on by the
people. Admitted in the debates of Parliament, they
will speedily find their place in the Statute-Book.
This is the evil which we fear. It is at hand. It
presses upon us. The'moment for action is come. Not
an hour remains for delay. Doubt, division, are mad-
ness. What the danger is, is clear. How to meet it, and
with whom—these are the only questions for earnest men.
Signed, by order of the committee,
RICHARD NUGENT, Honorary Secretary.
13, Cockspur-s•treef, Are 26, 1816.