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

OUCEIESIATEI INSTITUTION.

OPENING OF THE LECTURE HALI

On Tuesday evening the beautiful and commodious lec-
ture-hall of the Collegiate Institution was opened, when the
Rev. W. J. Conybeare, the principal, delivered a very argu-
mentative and convincing lecture on the " connection be-

tween true science 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 upod 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.
M`Neile, J. 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. There 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 508
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. Convbeare was then introduced
to the meeting, and was received on approaching the desk
*ith the warmest applause.
Mr. Conybeare began by alluding to the remark made by
Mr. Gladstone in his inaugural address, that the great in-
stitutions of this country have no reason to fear free discus-
sion, but may well 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 was 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 receive Christianity, they will probably require it
to be in an adultered 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 a religion, founded 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 showing 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 employment, in this aspect, was twofold ; to
strengthen the positive evidence of Christianity, and to re-
move difficulties which might impede its reception. To show
how it performed these functions in some of its principal
branches, was the object of the lecture.
This would be more strikingly evident if we observed 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 case of some Christian living 300 years ago, assailed
by sceptical objections, in order to show how much we have
since gained. He would suppose, for instance, such an ob-
jector demanding from Luther a reason why, after renoun-
cing so many old beliefs, he still adhered to his belief in the
revealed word of God. He admitted the truth, that in the
age of Luther, Christians possessed, as they have in every
age, the most important evidence of all, namely, that which
the Holy Spirit bears to the faith, in the hearts of all sincere
Christians, but showed the need of 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
pn 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 genuineness 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
manner 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 have 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 Prophe-
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, 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, afforded by the laws, which mo-
dern scholars have established with regard to the usage of
the Greek article.

From this Mr. Conybeare passed to the connexion of pley-
•sical science with religion. This must necessarily be less
direct, but not yet to 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 curiosity, 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 of 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 spirit in which our search for truth ought to be
conducted, and on the want of faith evinced by those who
Are afraid of its progress. .
On the lecturer 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 M'Neile, and carried
•with acclamation. . . .
Mr. M'Neile then. passed a very warm enconium on the
rservices rendered to the institution by the worthy chairman,
not only on those occasions when the public were aware of
,his presence, but also for his judicious advice and perseve-
ring labours at the more .private meetings of the committee,
:and at other times. This was carried by the meeting with
igreat applause without waiting for a seconder.
The chairman returned thanks in suitable terms, and the
:meeting dispersed, the organ being played whilst the company
'were separating.

An Englishman having asked a son of Erin if the roads
in. Ireland were good, Patreplied; " Yes, they are so fine
the t I wonder you 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
pil;ysic." " Have you any road to preferment?" said the
En glishman. " Yes, faith, we have, but it is the dirtiest
ror,d in the kingdom,"
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, certainly, 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 visitor, be-
ware l touch not its sacred.hem, for the last idea ever enter-
tained by Mrs. Baxter, when she laid it down, was the idea
,of any one walking over it.. Do vou not see that India 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 exultingly told
every one cost 14 guineas ; but I wish you could see the
clack look she would have bestowed upon any one (sposo not
zcepted) who had dared to. remove it from the corner she
hid destined to be its 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 or 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 comforts of life, knowing no rest
in his own well-furnished house, 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 he
would sully this, and tumble that, and disarrange everything
and a lecture from Mrs. Baxter about her household gods
(for such they were to her) was a thing in every way to be
dreaded.—Ainsworth's Magazine.

TREATMENT OP CONVICTS.—An intelligent gentleman
has 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 arc 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 in the dark brown clothing and long oval hat,
worn by the convicts. His jacket tetimed 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 of serenity and smiling
resignation. Once or twice his lips quivered, as if 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 had removed from the spot far enough to
be out of hearing, my curiosity was roused to ask what of-
fence that prisoner had committed. A most aggravated for-
gery,' said the friend who accompanied one that would
formerly have been visited with death. It was viewed the
more seriously,' continued he, ' from the education of the
man, and the high and enviable position which Ile held.'
Then who is be?' inquired 1. The reply was, ' Dr. Bailey,'
Can that. really be Doctor Bailey,' I exclaimed. It is,'
said my friend. Yes, the unhappy being wearing a convict's
sombre dress, the fetter on his left ancle, I had seen him who
as a distinguished minister of religion had formerly warned
his fellow men against the temptations of life ! Yet he, happily yielding to their seductive power, was now reduced
to sigh—

' Ye cheating vanities,
Where are ye now and what is your amount?
VexatiOn, disappointment, and remorse.'
Pitying the deep degradation I had witnessed, I could have
wished that justice had abated her sterd demand. I learned
that in a very few days his removal was to take place. He
had written to his wife to visit him, but 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
vile
solemn admonition—' Let him that thinketh he standeth take
heed lest he fall.' Dr. Bailey's case is doubtless a bad one,
but if the circumstances connected with his former station
aggrqvate his crime, how fearfully do they enhance his pun-