The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-03-25 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

LORD SANDON AND MR. M`NEILE

We gave in our last the letter of the Rev. H. M'Neile
to Lord Sandon. A London contemporary on the subject
of that letter has the following remarks :—" Mr. M'Neile
has done, or at least has endeavoured to do, a great ser-
vice to the cause of truth. Finding himself met, at Li-
verpool, as we are everywhere else, by this intangible
phantom of a supposed compact or engagement, for the
support of Maynooth, entered into, no one can tell where
or when, he has distinctly addressed himself to Lord
Sandon, one of the most respectable of the public men
who have adopted this fanny, and has begged of him to
furnish, if he can, some particulars of the nature and cir-
cumstances of an undertaking which is thus asserted to
keep the nation fast bound to Popery. Lord Sandon be-
ing Mr. M'Neile's own representative, and having taken
this ground in a public letter, may fairly, without the least
imputation of obtrusion, be asked to furnish this explana-
tion ; and it could not have been solicited in a more cour-
teous or friendly manner than Mr. M`Neile has unaffect-
edly exhibited."

Another contemporary, in giving Lord Sandon's reply,
remarks •—" We must say, while giving his lordship cre-
dit for the utmost sincerity in the view he has adopted,
that his speech on the first night of the session would
have led us to suppose that the question put by his reve-
rend correspondent admitted of a more definite answer.
What his lordship said was, that • he thought it the duty
of parliament to carry out the engagements which had
been entered into with the College of Maynonth, both in
the spirit and LETTER.' " On this subject his lordship,
in a letter which appears in another part of our paper,
corrects an error which has inadvertently been made in
reference to his lordship's observations.

JEWISH MISSIONS OF THE FREE CHURCH

OF SCOTLAND

The Nev. Dr. Keith, of the Free Church of Scotland,
the author of the celebrated work on the " Evidences of
Prophecy," visited Liverpool, last week, for the purpose
of awakening public attention to the duty of taking a
deeper interest in the state and prospects of the Jewish
people, and for the purpose of explaining what had been
done in the Jtvvish cause by the missions of the Free
Church.

On Sabbath, the 16th, he preached in the forenoon to
the Rev. Mr. WPlsh's congregation ; and in the evening,
in the hall of the Mechanics' institution, to the congrega-
tion of the Rev. Mr. Fergusson,—on both occasions to
overflowing audiences. On the evening of Wednesday,
he addressed the congregation of the Rev. Mr. Gardner,
in the Presbyterian Church of Birkenhead • and on the
Thursday evening he addressed a large and influential
meeting in the Music-hall, Bold-street.
Oa the motion of the Rev. Mr. Welsh, JAMES ADAM,
Esq. took the chair. Around the chair we observed the
Rev. Messrs. Rowland, Fergusson, Welsh, Dr. M'Cul-
loch, Blackburn, Duncan, Hibhert Taylor, Messrs. J.
Cropper, J. P. Jones, J. bowie, R. Macauley, and A.
Bro,‘n, Jun., &c., &c. The meeting having been opened
with prayer,

Dr. KEITH addressed the meeting at great length, and
in a speech of great power and eloquence, of which we
can only give the following abstract :—H is opening obser-
vations were to tt,e effect that the land and people of Israel
were fraught with the highest interest to every christian
mind, and that there never was a people so scattered
among the nations, and so trodden down by the Gentiles,
as the people of Israel had been. He then remarked upon
the altered tone in which the public writers of the day
were beginning to speak of the Jews, and of the different
manner in which kings and the councils of nations were
now deliberating and consulting together concerning
them. In proof of this he remarked, that Sir Moses
Montefiore, a Jew, had been appointed High• Sheriff of
Kent, by the Queen and her Council, and that a bill had
been brought into parliament for the removal of the civil
disabilities of the Jews. thereby enabling them to be
elected to the highest municipal offices in the state. Re-
cently, in the city of Trieste, the Emperor had ennobled
two of the house of Israel, and within the last few years a
Jew went in procession, at noon-day, through the streets
of Constantinople, where previously Jews were treated
with all manner of indignities, and had had an interview
with the Sultan of the sublime Porte, from whom he re-
ceived a firman, giving equal liberty to all Jews through-
out the empire of Turkey, as to his other subjects. These
were striking changes in their condition, unknown in an-
cient times, but now rising up in familiar illustration day
after day. Again, only six or seven years ago, there was
not a single consul from any kingdom in the world resi-
dent at Jerusalem ; and thus the plaintive complaint of
the prophet, that " Jerusalem had become an outcast,"
was literally fulfilled. At present there were seven con-
suls there : Dr. Alexander, the bishop, was also there,
and lie was one of the tribe of Judah. But altered as the
feelings of Gentiles happily were towards that people, yet
very little change had, in this respect, been effected, com-
pared with the change which, of late years, had been tak-
ing place in the House of Israel itself. When visiting
different countries of Europe, on his way to Palestine,
about six years ago, he found a very prevalent belief en-
tertained among the Jews, that, in the year 1840, they
were to be delivered—that then the grand year of their
release and deliverance was to come, and that the Mes-
siah was then to appear and bring them to the land of
their fathers. But the year arrived, and passed away,
and, with it, all their fondly-cherished hopes vanished.
Another change had come over them :—Down to the end
of the last century, they were under the influence of their
Talmud or their traditions, but now a sect of reformed
or rationalised Jews had sprung up in every continental
city, whose minds were not blinded by the traditions of
their forefathers, and who were absolutely discussing the
question as to whether circumcision was adapted to the
cold climates of Europe. Some Jews at Frankfort, more-
over, were of opinion that the rising generation should be
trained up in the religion of the country in which they
happened to live. Dr. Keith then proceeded to shew
that Syria had become desolate and depopulated, and
said that the British Consul at Beyrcut, in an official
document laid before Parliament, had given it as his
opinion that the population was reduced to a tithe of what
the land could abundantly support, and that the land
itself, under proper cultivation, could be made to yield
ten-fold its present produce. On one side of the Jordan,
no fewer than 446 cities had become ruined or deserted
places. The Bedouins had now spread unresistingly over
the great plains of the country, and along the very shores
of Syria, the fat thest from their native desert, their
camps were now to be seen. From one of the house-tops
in Askalon he surveyed the whole territory towards the
north, and found it literally covered with hundreds and
thousands of sheep, goats, and camels, and about 8000
Bedouins, who, wherever they went, turned every place
into a desert, and stripped the people of their possessions.
According to a recent calculation, the Bedouins had
50,000 tents and 500,000 camels, extending over the whole
breadth of the Promised Land. Dr. Keith proceeded to
urge on all Christians the necessity of supporting in an
efficient manner the mission to the Jews, which, greatly
to their credit, the Free Church of Scotland had estab-
lished, and sat down amid loud applause.
The Rev. Mr. FERGUSSON moved an expression of
thanks to Dr. Keith for his presence and for his inte-
resting address, and stated his delight that his fellow-
townsmen had had an opportunity of hearing the claims
of the Jews advocated by a member of the first deputa-
tion that ever went forth om any Christian church with
a message of love to Israel. Associations had previously
been formed, and societies had laboured for this object;
but the Church of Scotland had been the first, in h r
capacity as a church, to seek the good of Israel, and the
first act passed by the Free Church of Scotland, upon
her separation from the state, was a recorded resoluion
to labour for bringing a blessing to Israel. He (Mr. F.)
believed that this was the secret of the success of the Free
Church—the fulfilment of the promise, " Blessed is he
that blesseth her : they shall prosper that love her."
We understand that the contributions here to the funds
of the mission have somewhat exceeded £lOO, and that a
meeting of ladies was held in the Presbyterian Church,
Rathbone-place, on Friday morning, at which, after an
address from Dr. Keith, it was resolved to organise a
ladies' association for the prosecution of the Jewish cause

CORRESPONDENCE

THE REV

HUGH MiNEILE AND THE GRANT
TO MAYNOOTU COLLEGE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

Stn,—That you were right in attributing the Rev. H.
M'Neile's late unwonted silence upon a subject of the
highest importance to the Protestant and best interests
of the empire, is now apparent,—at least, it is plain from
the tone of the Mail, that the party connected with that
paper are tar from wishing anything like a public demon-
stration in the cause of religion at the present time,—that
lee has been deserted by Mem. What else could possibly
have led that journal to adopt as a maxim, that it is use-
less complaining of an infliction before it happens—
guarding against an evil before it comes? 'Tis true the
nursery maxim says so—" Never cry before you tire
hurt" ; and we presume there it was the scribe learnt it,
and thence adopted it, as deeming that he was addressi:t-4
those who either would not or could not think for diva:_
selves.

Mr. 'Editor, I am not a politician—unfortunately. I
have no access to state papers, nor even to public news-
rooms. 1 see but as the majority of my brethren see—
at a distance. But what I do profess to see, I see clearly.
A mountain to me is a mountain—not the less plainly,
because 1 cannot define its exa'q shape, or distinguish a
windmill on its side. I am certain of the first. The
Mail says it is wrong to anticipate a measure before we
are acquainted with its details. To anticipate details, or
anything else with which we are entirely unacquainted,
is foolish, at least.' But are we unacquainted with the
nature of the measure proposed? Mr: M`Neile certainly
attacks nothing else: he has not said a word about details.
We, as Protestants, object to the measure in tato. We
-deny the justice of any grant at all to Maynooth, on the
highest possible grounds. And are we wrong in suppo-
sing, or rather assuming it for granted, that government
intends to propose, and, if possible, to carry, an increased
grant ? Let our opponents, then, meet us on this ground
—the justice or injustice of any grant. I am not aware
that Mr. M'Neile ever allowed of any. Where, then, is
his inconsistency in arguing thus :—" We deny the right
of government to tax the nation at all in support of a
false religi.m. Just at this time government says, We
will increase the grant to Maynooth.' We know that Sir
Rabert Peel's government is strong enough to carry any
measure concoctPd with his party. We feel that opposi-
tion to the principle of that measure in the House of
Commons is useless. It is only out of parliament that
such opposition presents any hope of success. It is,
therefore, our duty to oppose it there, and, as the danger
is imminent, to oppose it instantly, simultaneously, and
strenuously." Yet the Mail say Wait till it is discussed
in parliament—that is, till the principle of the measure is
acknowledged—ratified by the representatives of the peo-
ple ; for such must be the case if leave can be granted to
discuss the details of such a measure at all. And yet we

are forbidden to appeal to the people themselves until
such appeal manifestly comes too late! Did our oppo-
nents ever wait, in their opposition to the principle of a
measure, till they were acquainted with its details ? Did
they forbear pouring in petitions ? Was not the mere
announcement (and ought it not to be so?) of the inten-
tion abundant cause with them for the most vigorous
opposition ? Alas for conservatism ! We are become
(at least the Mail wishes we were become) conservative
of details forsooth, not principles—of the character and
honour of men, not of God! Is this a state of things to
be witnessed without so much as a warning cry against it?
No. Everlasting is the debt of gratitude Liverpool owes
to her tried defender of the " faith once delivered to the
Saints," for his not deserting his post on this occasion.
We feel that he is right; and whether the clergy of thiN
town join him or not, he feels that he has done his duty,
in opposing, ere it be too late, though alone and single-
handed in his opposition, the downfal—not of Protestan-
tism, we concede so much, but—of a single most impor-
tant Protestant principle. Further panegyric is needless.
Defence of such a man is needless. But my excuse is,
that this tribute from one of his own congregation, who
confesses withal that, for a space of four years, he never
heard from his lips a single sentiment or expression that
he would not gladly father—a single uttered thought that
breathed not glory to God, gratification to his friends,
and that (in the scriptural sense) " heaped" not " coals
of fire" upon his enemies—cannot be unacceptable at a
time when he must feel, though he may not know (as in
my own instance), that he is about to leave a congrega-
tion every individual of which, I cannot help believing, is
bound to him by ties of the strongest attachment and
respect.

I am, sir, yours respectfully.
A CONSTANT READER
Islington, March 22, 1845.

THE SHIP-BUILDING TRADE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Sin,—lt was with astonishment I read the remarks of
the Chairman of the Dock Committee on the decrease of
shipbuilding in this port, which be imputed to the mono-
poly of the ship carpenters, who, it was alleged, were re-
ceiving ss. a day, and refusing to work with men from
Whitehaven and Maryport, where wages were 3s. fid. or
3s. Bd. a-day. There are here two slight mistakes which
I trust you will allow me to correct. At the time this
statement was made, we had not received our 55., but had
to wait till Saturday for the first payment. The second is
soon answered by the fact, that half the men at work in

the town are from other ports, and above one hundred of
them from Whitehaven and Maryport. It is the practice
in this port to build vessels with apprentices and two or
three men, and last week two vessels were launched the
men's wages for soth of which would not exceed £500: a
small item in the cost our extra wages would be. But,
sir, the interests of the operatives have been too long over-
looked : have they no interest in the firms which have been
virtually extinguished ?—firms which formerly paid from
£3OO to £lOOO weekly as wages (never to do so again), for
we cannot build a Hindostan or a Bentinck in a dog-
kennel.

The Gladstones, Tobins, Sandbachs, Bartons, Shands,
&r.—men who are supposed to understand their own in-
terest—could have their vessels built here. I have seen
twelve vessels on at one time in Trentham-street. Humble
and Milchrest never lacked a contract when there. And
at the meeting between the masters and the men a month
ago, Mr. Wilson stated that he had he might say near a
dozen contracts, all of which he was compelled to give up
finding he could not obtain suitable premises. And are
these contracts to be executed by the men who it is alleged
get but 3s. 6d. per day ? No ; they went to London,
where the wages are 6s. or 6s. 6d. a-day. If Mr. Moore
attended the special meeting of the Shipowners' Associa-
tion, called to hear the memorial sent by the shipwrig ,ts
respecting wages, he might have learned something on
that subject. What matters it to me whether I get five
pieces of white metal, or four, or three per day, provided
I can procure the same amount of food, clothing, and as
good lodging for the three as the five. If any rr•an will
guarantee me that I shall have as good a house at the same
rent as I can get in Maryport, and provisions at the same
rate ; in one word, if he will engage to keep me and my
family at the same price as we could live in those
ports I will work here for 3s. 6d. or 3s. Bd. a-day
as long as is wished. But if I must pay Liverpool rent,
taxes, rates, water, &c.. and higher for my food, surely it
must be admitted that I have a right to higher wages. It
is a fact that rent, taxes, provisions. wages, are highest
in the largest towns. And now, sir, I will not class Mr.
Moore with those who would sink the working man into
the mere hewer of wood and drawer of water, living only
to work, and working that they may live, nor with those
who would grind down the poor to one mass of pauperism.
I will not say that Mr. Moore intended to do us—a body
of 1400 men and our families—any harm ; but I will
say that the Chairman of the Dock Committee—a com-
mittee who have the management of so large a property,
and one so intimately connected with the welfare of the
port, in which welfare we are so intimately interested—
ought to have a little better information before he puts
forth statements calculated to injure us in the eyes of those
from whom we get our bread ; for I have shewn you that
there are ships built in Liverpool in whose cost our wages
are not worthy of being mentioned, and that the men*
who did and could again employ us in great numbers, be-
sides other trades, have been prevented by the policy
adopted by the Dock Committee.—l remain, your., &c.
March 171 h, 1815. A CARPENTER.

* If Mr. Wilson had remained at his old yard, or got a new
one to suit him, he would have had 150 of us there at work, to
say nothing cf the sawyers, joiners, smiths. ironmen, &c. ; but
he who kept one of the largest establishments in the world, and
who turned out such vessels as the Hindostan and the Bentinck,
must now sink into a ship cobbler.