The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-06-21 00:00:00

CHURCH EDUCATION SOCIETY FOR IRELAND.

The anniversary meeting of the Liverpool members and
friends of the Church Education Society for Ireland was
held yesterday, in the Music-hall, Bold-street. There was
a highly respectable, but not a very numerous auditory.
The Rev. Dr. O'Sullivan and the Rev. Thomas Walker at-
tended as a deputation, to promote the interests of the soci-
ety. In addition to the deputation, we observed the follow-
ing clergymen and gentlemen in the meeting :—Rev. Rector
Campbell, Rev. H. WlNeile, Rev. F. Ould, Rev. J. Jones,
Rev. A. M`Conkey, Rev. C. J. Hamilton, Rev. F. Parry,
Rev. J. H. Stewart, Rev. J. Cordeaux, Rev. A. Townsend,
Rev. S. Cragg, Rev. T. Dover, Rev. F. Barker, Rev. W.
Archer, Rev. J. -Walter, Rev. Maginnes, Rev. Gore,
Rev. Hill, A. Hodgson, Esq., J. Rigby, Esq., C. Inman,
Esq., C. Bouttlower, Esq., T. B. llorsfall, Esq., E. Jones,
Esq., W. Jones, Esq.
The Rev. Rector CAMPBRI.L took the chair, and the
proceedings commenced by the Rev. Thomas Walker im-
ploring the divine blessing upon them.
The CHAIRMAN then said, It being the wish of the com-
mittee that the proceedings of the Church Education Sqcie.ty
for Ireland should be conducted in strict conformity with
parochial order, and consequently that at the anniversary
meetings in this parish one of the rectors should take the
chair, I have great pleasure in complying with that wish,
although conscious of my inability to perform my duties pro-
perly, from the feebleness of my health, which, I believe,
perhaps unfortunately, has prevented this meeting being held
at a time when it perhaps might have been more fully at-
tended. I conceive that with the exception of our local
charities, which ought to have the foremost claim, not one is
more entitled to our support than that whose interests will
be advocated before you to-day. (Hear.) Ireland is avow-
edly the weak point of the British empire. Ido not now
wish to make any political allusions, neither do I refer to the
religious condition of Ireland with any party views ;
but it is -impossible, I think, for arty friend of pure and
undefiled religion—nay, more, it is impossible for any
riend of common humanity or religious peace to con-
template the present condition of the Irish people without
the deepest feelings of sorrow and alarm. (Hear, hear.)
No one who is at all acquainted with their character can fail
to admire the generous qualities by which that character is
adorned ; no one who is at all interested in their welfare can
fail to deplore the purposes to which those generous qualities
are perverted by men who sway their affections at the pre-
sent time. (Hear.) We hear a great deal about the slavery
of the Irish people, and 1 am prepared to admit that
they are very deeply, but let us trnst not hopelessly
enslaved ; and essential as it is that they should be eman-
cipated from slavery, I am willing to admit that the best way
of doing so is to enable them to emancipate themselves.
Their moral end religious condition must be elevated before
they can become morally and religiously free—(cheers) ;—and
I know no surer way of effecting this emancipation than by
Scriptural education—an education in which the Scriptural
instruction of the people is recognised as an essential prin-
ciple. (Cheers.) When, therefore, I see a society professing
to accomplish this great work—a society proceeding in strict
accordance with Scriptural order and discipline, under the
sanction and authority of the bishops of that primitive but
reformed branch of Christ's holy Catholic church, which is
established in Ireland—and when I cull it a primitive brarmh
of Christ's church I wish to observe, by way of parenthesis,
I do so deliberately and advisedly, because I think it is a
great misrepresentation to assert, and a great mistake to be-
lieve, that the branch of the Romish church which isiirevail-
ing in Ireland is the primitive church. (Hear.) The primi-
tive church is the reformed church, professing the same doc-
trines, and maintaining the same discipline which were
taught and prescribed by the apostles, and by St. Patrick too,
if the truth were known. (Hear, and cheers.) Its bishops
are the successors of the primitive bishops of Ireland, and in
so far as apostolical succession has any claims to spiritual
allegiance, its bishops have a claim to the spiritual allegiance
of the people of Ireland. (Cheers.) When, then, I see a
society so sanctioned, and professing such an object, I think
I see a means for the emancipation of Ireland, which,
to use a common phtaseology, deserves and de-
mands the support of every friend to the cause of civil
and religious liberty throughout the world. (Hear.) The
cause of this society is the cause of religious liberty, claiming
and asserting to the people the free use of the word of God,
in opposition to those who would deny them that free use.
(Cheers.) Its object is the same as that which the Great
Head of the Church declared to be his object in his sermon
to the people of Nazareth, when he took the following pas-
sage from the book of the prophet Isaiah :—" The Spi
the Lord is upon me, because he bath anointed me to preach
the gospel to the poor; to heal the broken hearted; to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind ; to set at liberty them that are bruised ; and to preach
the acceptable year of the Lord." (Hear.) The object of
this society is to preach deliverance to the captives, the re-
covery of sight to the blind ; to set at liberty them that are
bruised; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord—(hear);
and I trust that the Spirit of the Lord will be upon it ; that
it will go forth through the length and breadth of the
land, armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God, achieving the peaceful triumphs of
the cross, and setting the captives free. (Loud cheers.) I
trust that by this society, in unison with that which I believe
has recently been established for the preaching and explana-
tion of the word of God to the native Irish in their own
native tongue, Ireland may at length be emancipated, and
become really free. (Hear.) For myself I can honestly say,
in application of the words of St. Paul, that " my heart's
desire and prayer to God for my brethren is, that they may
be saved," because I bear them record that they have a zeal
for God, but, 'as 1 think, not according to knowledge.
(Hear.) lam anxious that this knowledge should be com-
municated to them ; and I believe it can only be communi-
cated to them through the word of God, that they may know
the truth, and that the truth may set them free. (Hear.)
And now, as I think it more than probable, from the pre-
sence of a highly gifted and highly valued friend and bro-
ther minister whom I see here to-day, that you may hem.
something of Popery, in reference to the proceedings of the
day,—l wish, in conclusion, to say a very few words upon it
myself—words to which I request your particular atten-
tion, though perhaps they may not be exactly in the terms
to which you have been accustomed upon occasions like
this. (Hear, hear, hear.) You must not suppose front
this I am going to speak lightly of the errors and cor-
ruptions of Rome, neither that I am going to sanction them.
(Cheers.) If that is done I will leave it to others who will
do it, and who have much more spirit of belief than I. This,
however, I wish to say, as I Sai;., before, and this I wish to
repeat publicly,—my deep and solemn conviction is—in
this, moreover, I believe I shall have the concurrence of all
my clerical brethren who hear me,—that if Popery is to be re-
stored in this country, its restoration will not be owing to
its own intrinsic strength, hut to the weakness consequent
upon the divisions of Protestantism. (Hear.) It is impos-
sible to view the Protestant countries abroad backsliding into
the lowest depths of heresy; it is impossible to view the
whole Protestant world torn to pieces by intestine divisions;
it is impossible to view men of pious, and amiable, and cul-
tivated, and, perhaps you will say, of weak minds. seeking
refuge in what you will consider to be the stagnant waters of
Popery, because they are seeking peace in true religion! and
like the dove, when first sent forth from the ark, they find
no rest for the sole of the feet amidst trouble, and wars, he-
resies, and schisms ; it is impossible, I say, to witness all
these things without feeling deep apprehension. (Hear.)
The principle of Popery is unity; the principle of Protest-
antism seems to be division, as if its n: >ml vnte leainn.
(Hear.) And we must take care lest the ItIO of unity
prevails, as it very frequently does, over the in inciple of di-
vision. (Hear.) Now I, in my ignorance anu bill plicity,
can find no cure for these divisions but this, that every one
who loves the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth
should unite upon the platform of the primitive church, as
exemplified in the doctrines and discipline of that branch of
it which is, by God's providence, established in England and
Ireland—(hear)—a church which, as a human establishment
has, no doubt, and must have, its imperfections, because
what human establishment has not, but which in doctrine
and discipline is built I believe upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone, and out of which, therefore, I think men need
not seek an imaginary perfection, which cannot be found.
The principle of religious unity may, I believe, be found in
obedience to episcopal government as limited by the word of
God, and with the Bible as its code of laws. In the same
way, by way of illustration. I may observe that the principle
of civil unity may be found in obedience to the monarchial'
government limited by the laws of the land. If the clergy
will make it a sacred principle to obey their bishops, those
ruling over them spiritually, the storms that now threaten
our beloved church will pass away like a summer cloud.
If the laity in the exercise of that faith and humility
which is so salutary to the human mind, will consent to be
guided and instructed by a clergy thus scripturally governed,
the Church of Christ in this country will be like a city at
unity in itself, and it may bid defiance to the gates of hell.
(Hear.) But I know that in this lam expressing a vision-
ary wish, and therefore I need not trespass any longer upon
your time. I know, in this respect, my words will seem to
the generality like the sounding brass and the tinkling cym-
bal, or the voice of the charmer to the deaf man'sear ; but
still, though they may be destitute of power, I do hope that
I may not hesitate to lift up the voice of charity ; and when
I appeal to. you in behalf of a charitable society for the scrip-
tural education of the Irish poor, 1 trust I shall not appeal
moving the first in vain. I shall now conclude my observations by calling on
the Rev. Thos. Walker to move the first resolution. (Hear).
resolu-
tion, saide h
do thee Irish
NsoVhnaocru.hrcruEtroue
Church
Education
Society, theob-
h e g
appear before the meeting as
ts of which had been alreadyjec so ably stated by their ex-
cellent chairman. Its design, simply, was, to afford an op-
portunity to the people of Ireland of receiving an education
founded upon the word of God, whereby they might be made
aeßnetv. fore T
had
the

wise unto salvation in faith through Christ Jesus.. It had:
however, this very much in view, that that education should
be guided and directed by the clergy of the established
church. The society was a church society, inasmuch as it
sought to place the parochial clergy of Ireland in their pro-
per position. (hear.) The meeting were aware. for the
matter had acquired too much notoriety to have escaped their
notice, that the Government of England had done a deed in
Ireland lamentable in its results ; and that one, not the least,
of the evils connected with that deed was, that the clergy
had been displaced; so far as Government could effect it,.
from their position as teachers of the young. This society,
headed by the Primate of Ireland, and supported by the
generality of the bishops and the laity cf Ireland, sought to
replace the clergy where they ought to be—(hear)—and so to
give to all in Ireland an opportunity of acquiring sound reli-
gious instruction. (Hear.) An institution Lad been founded
in Ireland, supported by Government, and which was based
upon a principle diametrically opposed to that upon. which
the Church of Christ bad been, and ever would be, built ;
and the scriptures, though given for the instruction of all,
had been mutilated as if there Were not to be found in them
those truths by which it pleased God, through the holy spirit,
to make men wise unto salvation. (Hear.) It had been
stated by the chairman that there were two partiei, two
great bodies in Ireland—the one the primitive reformed
church; and the other claiming (but most falsely) to be the
catholic church. Now if they wished to have a ready test
whereby to ascertain the claims of these two great bodies, to
see which was the Church of Christ and the church of the
primitive ages, they should enquire which it was that held
forth the Scriptures, which opened, the Scriptures for the in-
struction of all, and which refused them, alleging that they
would do more harm than good. Which, he asked, was the
church of Christ ? Which was the primitive, catholic, and
apostolical church ? Surely it was that which publishedl the
Word of God—that which sought to make men acquainted
with His Holy Word, and to bring all, both young and old,
to know Him whom that Word set forth as the Saviour of
sinners. (Cheers.) The church of Ireland, which the
chairman had so properly described as a primitive church,
had, from the beginning of this century down to the year
1829 or 1830, extended the blessings of scriptural education
throughout Ireland, so that in the schools connected with the
various religious societies there were to be found 560,000
children, 400,000 of whom were children of Roman Catholic
parents, 33,003 out of those 400,000 being wholly under Ro-
man Catholic teaching, the rest being under the teaching of
persons belonging to the church. Just when the various in-
stitutions in Ireland were acquiring strength, when they
were extending largely through the land the blessing of reli-
gious instruction, when success was following in their steps,
when the people of Ireland were anxious for religious instruc-
tion—both Romanists and others—then government listen-
ed, not to the demands of the Roman Catholic population,
for they were satisfied, but to the demands of their
ecclesiastical rulers, and suddenly withdrew all the aid
that had previously been afforded for the purpose of support-
ing the religious societies which supplied the people with
scriptural educatiOn, and substituted in their place "the Na-
tional Board of Education." In a letter to the Duke of
Leinster, government distinctly stated, that the principle of
the Roman Catholic Church being so much at variance with
the principle of the societies affording scriptural education,
that the Bible was not to be used in instruction at all. See
what a painful position they were placed in in Ireland;—
aid suddenly withdrawn just at the time when success was
attending their efforts, and at a time when the Church in
Ireland was grievously harrassed by what had been well
termed " the anti-tithe war," when clergy were robbed of
their incomes. Just when everything was dark and lowering
upon the church, that moment was seized upon to afford
countenance to a principle, as regarded education, directly at
variance with what had been previously acted upon—to which,
indeed, the Church of Christ must always adhere—namely,
that the Scriptures are the birthright of all, and should be
used in the education of all, if they are to be brought to the
knowledge of that truth which, when blessed of God, teaches
the way of salvation. (Hear.) In this position things stood
for a short time; but after the lapse of two or three years,
all the various Diocesan Societies combined into one,
out of which had arisen the Church Education Society
for Ireland, the cause of which he was pleading. It was
under the guidance of his grace the primate of Ireland, most
of the bishops were patrons of it, and the clergy of the church
of Ireland were actively co-operating in carrying into effect
the various designs which the institution had before it. One
great object had been to improve the character of the in-
struction given. They were not opposed to secular educa-
tion, as some faltely reported of them ; they were not op-
posed to the best general instructions that could be given, on
the contrary, they approved of it ; but they believed that
there should be a sanctity given to that education by con-
necting it with God's most holy word. (Hear.) Knowledge
in itself was neither good nor evil; it was the application of
knowledge, the direction which it took, which made it either
evil or good. It must, therefore, be directed into right chan-
nels, in order to prove a blessing, and this could only be
done by associating with it the truths of the gospel. This
proposition was expanded to considerable length by the rev.
gentlemen, who, in support of it, quoted from Mr. Wyse,
the historians of the Catholic association, and Mr. Donovan.
Reverting to the society for which he appeared, he stated
that the first object of it was to give religious instruction to
the children of the members of the church, but at the same
time its doors were open to admit all upon the simple
condition that they would receive education in God's
most holy word. Out of seventy thousand that were re-
turned in Decemer last as receiving instruction in them,
no less than 22,000 were the children of Roman Ca-
tholic parents. There were 1219 schools in connection with
the society, and they had hundreds of applications to become
so which they could not listen to, because their friends would
not permit it. There were thousands and thousands of chil-
dren who were asking fora Scriptural education, but they had
not the means of receiving them. Durin,, the three years
the. society had been in existence, they had raised funds to
the amount of £19,000 from their own resources, and they
now came to ask the aid of England, to enable them to open
schools to receive those children who were craving at their
hands the food they required. The rev. gentleman then made
an eloquent appeal to the meeting, and he thankfully acknow-
iedged, on behalf of the society, the contributions of Liver-
pool last year, which amounted to upwards of £7O. He con-
cluded by moving the first resolution as follows :
" That the circumstances in which the great body of the
members of the Church of Christ in Ireland are placed, by
_ _ _

the withholding of public aid from any system of education
in which they can conscientiously concur, are such as to re-
quire the for.ostiow And vi.7orous support of a Church Edu-
cation Society, which shall provide religious instruction for
the Irish poor."
The REV. Dn. O'SULLIVAN seconded the resolution in a
speech of nearly two hours length, which it is of course im-
possible for us to give anything but a meagre outline of. He
said that the advocate of the Irish Church Education Society
in Liverpool appeared under very peculiar circumstances. In
a cause which seemed pre-eminently a cause of principle, he
was, he might almost say, prohibited from applying
himself to the consideration of principle, because
he appeared in a place where the principle of the cause had
been already indicated. He stood in the place where the
principle of scriptural education was put-upon its trial, and
had had judgment pronounced in its favour; he stood in the
place where an attempt was made to introduce Romanism
under the mask of liberality in scriptural education, and
where that attempt was met in a spirit worthy of the nation
against which it was meditated. It was not in such a place,
with recollections of ' that great struggle pressing themselves
upon the speaker's mind, with the victors in that great strug-
gle at his side, that a man would come forward and attempt
to bring up again the question of principle, on which already
they had spoken their judgment so decidedly. There was a
day, which the annals of our country must commemorate,
when Romanistn, in a form more undisguised, attempted to
introduce superstition and intolerance into this good land—
a day when Spain, which at that time was elevated into the
rank of defender of the Church of Rome, covered the sea
with its flotilla, and sought to disturb the land with its trea-
sons, in coming down against the land which Almighty God
seemed to have designed as the defender of the faith. (Hear.)
In that day, when our Queen rode through the ranks of Bri-
tish soldiery, and, with her words and bearing, struck fresh
fire into every heart, she said, " I know I have the body of a
weak woman but I have the heart of a king ; aye, of a king
of England, too, and think it foul scorn that a prince of
Parma, or Spain, or any other country, should dare to in-
vade the borders of my realm." (Cheers.) These were the
words of a queen ; and let him say to them—" you met the
attempt that was made in more recent days in a spirit worthy
of the land to which God has given such a line of sovereigns ;
you met that attempt as it ought to be met, and you vindi-
cated the land, you vindicated the cause of Scriptural educa-
tion; and here in England you have provided by exertions
which God has blessed that there shall be no fetters upon
your Scriptures, that in your schools of national instruction
the voice of the Word of God sounds still." (Loud cheers.)
In a place like this, then, it became not him to speak of the
principle engaged in this cause ; but what had he done this
for ? To shew that we had done our duty but iii part—that
we should not be satisfied with merely protecting our own
people and rescuing our own land from the foul scorn, but
that we should, as far as we had •the power, make the
principle not to be contravened that wherever the
British language was spoken the same principle that
gave freedom to the human captive, should make that free-
dom blessed to him by leaving the Bible free. (Cheers.)
This was the work which we had to do, and it divided itself
into two parts. To show that it was right we should do it—
that there is nothing in the circumstances of Ireland which
can justify an abandonment of the Bible, and to show that
there was hope we could do it. There were men who told
us it was hopeless, and that because the powers that have
been, and the powers that be, arc alike opposed to the scrip-
tural instruction of the people, so it was useless to contend
for it—it was useless to promote agitation in the hope of
establishing scriptural education. Dr. O'Sullivan then ad-
dressed himself to this point, which he successfully contro-
verted by showing, that there was in reality a desire for
scriptural education, among the people of Ireland. though it
was opposed by the Roman Catholic priesthood, and he
urged that when this desire was known to the administra-
tion, they must feel it incumbent upon them to meet it.
The resolution was then carried.
The Rev: J. H. STEWART moved the second resolution,
which expressed the approbation of the meeting at the efforts
of the society, and pledged all present to support it in its
efforts to spread true scriptural knowledge among the people.
The Rev. HUGH M'NEILE seconded the resolution. 1
think (he said) that the proper business, as well as the con-
venient time, of this day is spent, and that a, very few words
may suffice from me in seconding this resolution. Though
the society upon whose behalf we are assembled bears an
Irish name, and though Ireland be especially the direct field
for its operations, yet it is a British cause, affecting England
as well as Ireland. (Hear.) In saying this, I do not wish
to detract from the Christian character of English sympathy
in aiding us in this cause ; neither is it to detract from that
Christian character and sympathy to have a reflection upon
1 one's self. We are called upon in Holy Scripture to remem-
ber them that are in abundance, as abounding with them ;
and we are to consider them that are tempted, Its being our-
selves also in the body and liable. Upon the same principle
I venture to ground an appeal to you, to consider the neces-
sities of the Irish poor, as being yourselves exposed to dan-
ger still. (Hear.) You have been highly flattered to-day
by the encomiums passed upon what has taken place in this
town. I am thankful to see that much for which we have
reason to be thankful to Almighty God did take place in this
town; but the cause requires-watchfulness still, and if we
relax the system of efforts by which the good cause has been
won, we have no reason to suppose that good results can be
maintained. (Hear.) The principle will be strengthened
in us by the exercise of it towards others ; and in the day of
our own prosperity we are invited to aid the cause of the
poor Irish; who have inflicted upon them still a system with
which you were threatened, from which your children were
at once delivered, and from which now your town has been
delivered. You have heard to-day a condensed history of
the education of the poor in Ireland. You have heard that,
for twenty years from 1806, it made prodigious progress—
scriptural education made prodigious progress—such pro-
gress that the priests of the Romish schism were alarmed ;
but how could they stay its
_progress ? The direct and pro-
per mode of attempting it was by influencing their own peo-
ple, but that they could not do. It is in evidence before you
that the Roman Catholic people of Ireland were determined
to have scriptural education for their children. How, then,
could the priests stop it ? They attempted it by influencing
the British government. You have heard how they suc-
ceeded. They succeeded, not by avowing an intention o
stopping it, but by propounding a mode which serieoclnTore
it
fair, considering the condition of the whole p
there-
commends itself as more fair • concession, like
fore the national hoard-was conceded. This but, as in
.ree resp- c°tPs,u and
other concessions, was attended with. e
other cases, the concession has been
This,Lusllcy carried mat, but
I say, you have
the security has been all forgotten.
and now, what is to
had laid before you in evidence to-day ;
many are hopeless of
be done? You have been told that
any national support for seripttgaleducation in Ireland, be-

r cause the members of the present government, as well as of
the late government, are individually opposed to the princi-
ple of scriptural education. You have heard that this is one
argument urged. In vain you expect anything to be done
by the state, because the Duke of Wellington, and others
that might be named, are opposed to it. Now, I confess I
do not believe that the Duke of Wellington, or any other
member of the present government, is opposed to the prin-
ciple of scriptural education. I believe that they doubt its
policy under the present circumstances s I believe they fear
that to enforce it with authority would raise such opposition
among the liberals in both countries, as would peril their
Places, and the good of the country, which is connected with
beth eceoirpulol,ia if they lost their places, those places must
men more opposed to the good of the coun-
try. They do fear, therefore, that scriptural instruction is
not one of those benefits which ought to be forced by a go-
vernment upon an unwilling people. They wholly approve •
of our voluntary efforts, is members of the church, to
give scriptural instruction to the people, and of our
appeals to your voluntary benevolence to assist us in
so doing ; but when they come to legislate upon the
point, and to appropriate funds collected front persons
of all denominations, they hesitate about the propriety
of applying those funds in a matter where conscience is in-
volved in a way that men of those denominations disapprove
of. If I do not greatly mistake, this is the reason that they
do not assist us ; not that they are opposed to Scriptural
education: this is the reason that they hesitate to give funds
for what we wish to have in Ireland. If it can be shown that
the people are not unwilling, if it can be shown to them that
the Roman Catholic population are willing to have religious
instruction, Scriptural instruction—this ground of objection
would vanish from their minds. They would then see that
an educational grant is for a williug not for an unwilling peo-
ple ; and I think, therefore, that the evidence adduced to-day
by Dr. 'O'Sullivan in this meeting is quite to the put pose,
and highly calculated to remove the honest though mistaken
objection in the minds of those who hold it, that is entertained
by men in power against a grant for Scriptual education in
Ireland. I think it is highly calculated to touch the very
turning point in their minds, and calculated to show them
that instead of fairly and candidly meeting an unwilling po-
pulation,would unwillingly
andil rigelfryaining, from forcing upon them what they
receive, that population is riot unwilling,
but only the priests are unwilling; the government will have
to decide, not between two large bodies of the population,
one desirous of and the other rejecting Scriptural education,
but between the mass of the population of all denominations
desiring the Bible and the hierarchy of Rome. If this be the
ground of their objection, I cannot but anticipate a different
decision from that which they would come to if the evidence
presented to them a still reluctant population. For, sir,
surely I am right when I say that government, while they
profess personally, and entertain personally a high regard for
Scriptural education, hestitate publicly, hesitate as a govern-
ment to enforce what might seem to be an interference with
the religious scruples and the conscience of any section of the
people, they entertain a notion that it is not lawful for them
as governors to carry out those sentiments which they enter-
tain as individuals, because, although they may properly en-
tertain them as individuals. and act upon them in their indi-
vidual capacity, they do not thereby injure anybody else, but if
they act upon them in a public capacity they are interfering
with the conscientious scruples of other men. It is this that
causes the difficulty, and not that they are opposed to the
principle of scriptural education. (Hear.) If they were op-
prised to-the principle, we would argue the principle with
them ; but if they are, then the evidence is exactly in point
and in season, and I hope it will be exceedingly useful.
There was one point to which allusion was made at the con-
clusion of my reverend brother's (Dr. o:Sullivan's) speech
which induces serious reflection indeed—it is the threatened
division among ourselves with regard to what ought now to
be done, and the intimation he gave you, that there are some
men from whom better things might be expected who are
willing now to compromise the matter, and to accept monies
from the state for secular education only, leaving all parties
to fill up at their pleasure the religious part of the instruction
to be given. There is one argument by which this has been
Supported, which 1 think it very desirable to examine for a
few moments, for it is very plausible, and addresses itself
with considerable power to certain classes of minds only fond
of -general instruction, and fond of what is called natural re-
ligimr. It is argued that we have two books from God, na-
ture and the scriptures, and, coming from the same source.
they must substantially teach the same lessons. This is laid
down as a principle. It is greatly enlarged upon by writers
on natural religion, endeavouring to demonstrate from
nature the glorious truths we have stated in the bible—
the goodness, kindness, and love of God. When they have
satisfied their people that these two books are parallel, and,
coming from the same source, teach the same lessons, they
then advance a step. If, then, these two books teach the
same lessons, and we find persons of all denominations
can join in reading the book of nature without difficulty,
but as soon as they turn to the Scriptures they split off with
a thousand parts, is it not better to confine their attention •
to that book which they can read with harmony, and with-
draw that other book which causes so much disunion among
them? This is the ground of the argument taken up in de-
fence of the secular general instruction without the Bible.
What is the answer to it? I think the answer to it is that
these books are not parallel—that nature is a fallen blotted
book with a curse upon it for man's sits, bringing forth briars
and thorns, not a part of the original creation, which was
very good, but a part of the curse incurred by man's trans-
gressions, exhibiting also stones, and tempests, and ho ricanes,
and volcanoes—all declaring that a great disaster has befallen
it, and if honestly and adequately examined to the con-
clusions which these philosophers appear to deduce, they
know before hand the conclusion they want; they select for
their examination the points which suit them as premises ;
they wilfully omit those points equally in the book of nature
which would not suit them, and by a partial selection of
premises they arrive at conclusions identical with Scriptural
truths. But if they look at the book of nature fairly ; if
they take in all its objects, not a selection ; if they take in
the tempest as well as the serenity of the summer evening ;
if they take in not only the design of benevolence as exhibited
in love throughout creation, but the apparent design of evil
exhibited in death throughout creation ; it they take in not only
the proof of goodness in giving life and in giving enjoyment
of life, but the apparent proof of malice in inflicting pain,
sickness, soirow, and, in every instance, death; if they ex-
patiate not only upon that form of God's workmanship. so
exquisite in form and figure, so beautiful, so admirable,
abounding in health and strength, beaming with life and
beauty ; but if they also take the fact, that in every single
instance these forms become a mass of disgusting corruption.
If they read nature honestly and adequately, it will not teach
what the Bible teaches. It will not teach that God loved
this fallen world. The book of nature is a fallen book ; the
Scripture is an unfallen book, given for the instruction of
natural man—given for the rectifying of the disorder that
has come both upon him and upon the world he inhabits.
We cannot do without this unfallen communication ; there-
fore the principle upon which this argument rests is a false
one from the outset : the books are not parallel—the books
do not teach the same lesson. (Cheers.) We are invited
then, sir, after hearing the history of Irish education, to the
sad, should I say, disgraceful failure of the Irish board, and
the still more disgraceful perversions in the mal-adtninistre-
tion of the funds contrary to the rules and conditions upon
which those funds were voted,—we are invited to assist
another society, which has arisen from the energies of the
Irish church in Ireland, a voluntary association of church-
men endeavouring to supply the lack of service of the state
to give to the children of the poor instructions in God's holy
word. They have succeeded largely, and is it not very ex-
traordinary? Does it not supply, in connection with the
evidence already brought before us, that, after all this his-
tory, and under these peculiar circumstances, that in the
schools so got up by the members of the established church
there should be at this moment twenty-one thousand
children of Roman Catholic parents? (Hear, and cheers.)
This is a fact to be stated in evidence to the government.
(Cheers.) I suppose, Mr. Chairman, it would be wrong in
me to disappoint the expectations you raised in your opening
speech. I consider it a very great compliment to be so
identified with opposition to Popery that my presence is
hailed by our respected rector as a certain pledge that you
would hear something against the Church of Rome. (Cheers.)
I said I consider this a compliment and not a reproach, be-
cause I belong to a most respected body, and a most respect-
able body, too,—a body that deserves to be respected. and I
hope it will continue to do so, and increase more and more.
I belong to the body who are pledged in the most solemn
manner that they will continue to be careful to give all dili-
gence to banish and drive away all erroneous doctrine con-
trary to God's word, and to a body who have subscribed a
declaration that the Popish doctrines as being erroneous and
contrary to God's word. If then,• Sir, I have been too faith-
ful in redeeming my pledge, if I have been too zealous in
performing my vows, if I have been too sedulous in doing
what I solemnly swore I would do, if I have been too careful,
too constant, too fervent, too bold in fulfilling my vows and
keeping my oath, I hope I shall be forgiven this wrong.
(Cheers.) Dr. O'Sullivan held out a hope that we are only
filling up a gap, pro tempore,—that by and bye government
will come to a determination that Scriptural education should
be supported in Ireland. (Cheers.) 1 hope so ; and 1 think
the evidence he has adduced highly calculated to attain this
happy result. In the mean time, it is well that we should
look at this matter not only in its controversial point of view
but as a matter of Christian benevolence—as a matter of
positive good to the children. The rev. gentlemanthte society
hesnpro-
ceeded to enlarge upon the necessity of supporting
on this ground ; and he concluded by calling upon them to
continue their attachment and to give their renewed support
to the cause of Scriptural education. (Loud cheers.)
The resolution was then carried unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. IsnuAre, seconded by Mr. RIGBY,
the thanks of the meeting were presented to the Rev. Rector
Campbell, for his able and courteous conduct in the chair.
A blessing was then pronounced, and the proceedings ter-
minated.
Several sermons have been preached in aid of
sofhtletalnideaxsyolcm7iewotreynr'..se
funds. One was preached in St. Judes on Thursday even-
ing, when the sum of ~C2l was collected,
On
ing Dr. O'Sullivan preached at Aigburth, w
collected ; and in the evening at St. Barnabas's,
when £l7
10s.
6.
terday weamounted to about re contributed. Th£ e collections at the meeting yes-

The newly-appointed Bishop of Gibraltar is the Rev. Gfo.
Tomlinson, M.A., of St. John's College, Cambridge. Mr.
Tomlinson took his B.A. degree in 1823, and soon
after his
ordination was appointed Chaplin to the Bishop of London.
He was subsequently tutor in the family of Sir Robert Peel, and recently one of the secretaries to the Society for Pr-
omoting Christian Knowledge. The new bishop
is a sincere
and consistent churchman.—Cambridge Chronicle.
EMIGRATION FROM TUE UNITED " STATES '
CANAaDit Aon. —lt will be gratifying for the friends of British eingrom is
to the North American colonies to know, that a°
state
left for Mr. Joseph Hume, or others, this year Ll', intending
Live-sixths of those persons who leave this cona,tr.i Dr- T':°IPIL
to settle in Canada, proceed to the United Stat:!ino, him that
has received a letter by the last mail, int,l,ltraites 7„ the
6,000 persons have come from the United
pre-
sent year to settle in Canada.
n'h rsday last a man of
FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—On a .
roved for that day. as
that
'le ciPP - d K rkintillocb.
driver on the Gla g
Sherrieare that of his horse,
the name of James M`Kellar, win
ow a, c •
a supernumerary
at a point of the railway near to ii,,,;, 5,,..
nn us., and dr'
:Hied on
a di"'
Railway, lost his life in attemPtjinogt Iron Works. It
poor
up with his restive Inrse,
were required
frausteudua‘ye,
his anxiety to keep
h trains, and war
eevxcprmaltedatnyy time
M'Kellar, in e of t e
fell under the wheels of on
spot.—Glasgow paper. f.cv _°o7,g- along the line
EXPORTATION
re_ _hoe' .
yeffeatnr
the last mout Wars from the
lace—machines of the kingdom
loefssththisadni:34strictivpiathnidnbtohba-t
Cutts,snincgreater
t 1
tel bobbin
quantities tii'it
we car'
Felth a n .
i
best informati°nv:ne'ecexacli's°ebttld neoustoins,
bin-machines have
„aviog
taken, we are assured, no less than
period, one person rio- •13,
been taken out
la has this trade been carried on, that
eight to Lille
openly packed at a neighbouring village, and
machines werewharf in open day. I`i the
and
. practice of the English
taken to a .
some other af-
fairs,l ld to be •
carrier is held irresponsible for all goods he
a •
• • this has been taken ample advantage of, of
as one
carries , 1
,rs
had the machines
our carriers has had . brought to the wharf, and
there. Yet, by,.a decision of the Court of Exchequer,
packed
courts ofjustice,
although these machines may be seen thus packed, and the
parties should declare they were going to France or Germany,
they may be taken by river or canal to London, and declared
not wate4-borne, according to the statute, until they are put
on board.a vessel or boat on the Thames, with the intent to
be shipped. Thus, if the Excise or Customs seize them on
the canal or on a London wharf, they are too soon , and if
they watch to see them the ship is soon under on board,•
sail,
and ti,en they are too late, the packages being entered as
other goods. Such is the manner in which the manufactur-
ing interest, or rather the productive interest, has been tat-
; telly praecta—Nottingham Journal.

She leaves her home when morning first
Awakes the early lark ;
Ere her more dazzling beauties burst
Her garments deep and dark ;
She comes upon the track of night,
To bless the crystal dew,
And sheds around a soft delight,
That lasts the long day through.

And when, at evening, twilight dims
The landscape, late so fair,
Invisible but blythe she skims
Her native fields of air ;
She wakes the birds in hedge and wood,
She wakes the human soul—
She soothes the sad, and cheers the good,
All onward to their goal.

I love this spirit, free and fair,
More than all things beside,
For she bespeaks our Maker's care
Of this creation wide ;
And oft, at midnight, when the sky
Is studded all with gold,
She lends the soul a harmony
That never could be told.

PASSAGES FROM AN EDITOR'S NOTE-BOOK

(For the Liverpool Standard.)

HENRY MELTON

CHAPTER 1

Some months ago a communication was placed in my
hands from a correspondent, who intimated, in the note by
which it was accompanied, the necessity which he was under
of requesting for it, in case of its acceptance, the remunera-
tion usually allowed by the press in similar cases. There
was nothing in this circumstance to excite more than a pass-
ing remark. The communication itself displayed considera-
ble talent. It was indeed beautiful in thought and language;

yet its character and subject were not suited for the columns
of a public journal, and it would probably have been returned
to the writer with a mere intimation to this effect, but for a
certain indefinable interest excited by the almost pleading,
though gentlemanly, tone in which its acceptance was pressed
upon me, added to some grateful associations, called up in
my mind by the name of the writer. Henry Melton !
There were memories of youth, boyhood, nay of childhood
even, in the sound, as I repeated the words again and again.

The weary weight of the everyday realities of life was lifted
from my heart; and my spirit bounded back, through the
long vista of past years, to wander by the green hills and
woods and streams of my school-days.

Yet this Henry Melton, this poor expectant of the casual
s of journalism, reflection told me could not be the
being—the son of a revered tutor and pastor—with
vhom my first thoughts had identified him. That Henry

reward

Melton, ten years ago, was a rosy, happy boy, with bright
hopes and bright prospects for his portion. I had heard of
him, since that period, as a successful competitor for univer-
sity honours ; and by this time I doubted not that he had
become an ardent labourer in the high and holy calling for
which he was destined. An indistinct memory, too, flashed

me that I had heard his name mentioned as the cho-

sen protector of a fair being, whose sunny girlhood is still
before my eyes—whose joyous, ringing laughter is still upon
my ear—whose light step still flits past me in my dreams of
the happy past : and could the partner of such a one be the
lost, wrecked being whom imagination pictured as the write]

munication before me

It could not be. I dis-
missed, therefore, from my mind the feelings which his name
had called up ; yet not without indulging thqse feelings by
the dispatch of a kind and encouraging note to him who had
unconsciously stirred them, inviting further communica-
tions, and, at the same time, pointing out the subjects and
the style which would be most acceptable.

For some months afterwards my correspondent was an
occasional contributor ; and, as I was assured, called duly to
receive the produce of his labours, which, trifling as it must
have been, appeared nevertheless to be an object of impor-
tance to him. Were it not so, indeed, what man, of the
education and talent which he evidently possessed, would
have tasked himself—(and it is as hard for talent to stoop
as it is for mediocrity to rise)—in the production of such
communications as those from time to time furnished by
him? The mere worldly man, as he glances over the co-
lumns of a daily journal, and laughs at, or admires, a witty
paragraph or a noble sentiment, little guesses at the bitter-
ness of the spirit from which the former may have emanated,
or at the aching of the well-nigh broken heart which has
been wrung in the effort to give expression to the latter.
What a lesson--a sorrowful, though instructive lesson—
would it furnish, if we could be permitted to trace back the
thousand intellectual gems, scattered daily over the face of
our periodical literature, to the miserable garret, the obscure
coffee-house, or the tavern, from which, amidst penury and
sorrow, or, too often, amidst the fumes of dissipation and
riot, they have had their birth! In some such distressful
circumstances, the writer in question was now toiling for
very bread. He did so, however, without intruding his suf-
ferings upon any; and, during a period of six months, I

cannot call to mind that I was ever favoured with even a

glimpse of his person

I was passing, however, one day through the office occu I.
-
pied by the cashier of our establishment, by whom the bills
of casual contributors are discharged, when a tall gentle-
manly looking man, in somewhat faded attire, turned away
from the counter ; and, in the glimpse which I caught of his
features, I thought that I recognised those of some one who
was familiar to me. They were wasted and careworn, yet
in expression infinitely more intellectual than those which
ordinarily distinguish the frequenters of the place where they
presented themselves ; and involuntarily the contemplation
of them inflicted a chilling sensation upon my heart, from
which it was some moments before I recovered. Could it
be
the wreck of him, upon whom, in despite of the prompt-
ingsi of calm reflection, my mind had often dwelt, as the
singularly brought under my observation ? Could
that emaciated s°
emaciated and feeble form be the once high spirited
boy _the once gifted and honoured man—Henry Melton ? I
ate
pt ol) to the desk up on which lay the acknowledgment of
the
few shillings which he had just received as the fruit of his
lowly labott
and the whors); I looked at the signature to the document ;
himself?lsytartling truth flashed upon my mind. It was
waste,—oti tuatasall at least which was left,—the miserable
o and as the co: noble being,—that loved of my boyhood;
hastily out of the ectists rushed upon my heart, I passed
busy thoroughfare oue
, and in a few minutes was pacing the
who, as I learnt
afterwaraSstrand, in the vain quest of one
than at that moment have , would have forfeited life rather
Need I say that my search
me.
ineffectual, when I have
already mentioned that thenohjec7tmoef it was not willing to be
found? He had darted
p ;
and
which lead into Covent-garden of the numerous alleys
a saddened spirit and with busy memories
iriwas compelled, with
eian my mind and of the past, which
this incident had clouded over,
teeming
tug-
ging
at my heart, to turn my steps from the jostlingit
and retire to the privacy of my own home.
week scene,
over, and day by day I waited anxiously for the eeokrapmunn‘se;l
cation of my once-loved friend—not on account of any --
par-
ticular value which they possessed,—for heaven know'
how
wsoon the vacuum created by the loss of one talented eccu_
pant of the lower walks of perfodical literature is filled. up by
some other fallen spirit ready to submit to its drudgery,---but,
because I would fain have been afforded an opportunity of
elevating, if possible, the position in which I had seen him.
They cat= not, however, or at least they came not in the
same form and in the same name ; and in another week the
memory of the occurrence was obliterated by the crowd of
events which fill the roll of time in this passing world.

CHAPTER II

A month had passed over when, on entering my room one
morning, amidst a heap of the usual communications which
occupy the morning hours of the journalist, a letter presented
itself, in which, upon opening it, I recognised the hand-
writing
and the signature of Henry Melton. Its contents
transcribe
as I find them, copied at the time from my note-
book.

" SIA, .I dare not use those familiar words which my soul
yearns to pronounce. I would, indeed, at this moment have
shunned your knowledge and crawled on, uncomplaining and
unmarked, to my dishonoured grave ; but sickness and the
near approach of death have softened my obdurate heart.
If you would deign to look upon an unworthy and spirit-

how involuntarily heaven knows ! He had bowed his spirit
to the task of meeting me ; he had opened the sealed casket
of his withered heart to admit me to a place there, and he
fancied that he had been repulsed, and to a spirit like his—a
broken spirit, yet still a proud one—who can paint the bit-
terness which such a fancy must have borne with it ? It was
but fancy, however. Another glance assured him that it was
so—that a pitying, a shocked, a grieving eye was gazing upon
him ; and with a sob, as if the heart from which it issued
had burst, he sunk into my arms and became insensible. He
had fainted.

It was some minutes before my summons for assistance
was attended to ; for the little apartment occupied by poor
Melton was not of that description which the reader, perhaps,
accustomed to the comforts of a family fireside, or to fashion-
able lodgings, with their ready bells and obsequious attend-

ants, may picture to himself. The room in question was
decently furnished, it is true. It was bed-room and sitting-
room in one ; and by the occupants of such domiciles—(how
many literary men in London have no better !)—attendance
of any description is rarely enjoyed. In the present case,
however, my friend had been especially fortunate in the kind
of persons in whose house I found him. The landlady, or by
whatever other term she might be called, attended promptly,
as soon as my cries and stamping reached her ear ; and with
her assistance—(and it was:rendered, I speak it for her credit,
with almost maternal solicitude)—he was placed in the little
sofa bed whichtoccapied one side of the room, and the neces-
sary stimulantd promptly applied.
It was long, however, before he recovered ; and, whilst
anxiously watching for the return of sensibility, I was enabled,
with deep pain, to contemplate the full danger of his state,
and, by a few questions to his landlady, to ascertain some-
thing of his pecuniary condition. That I could relieve ;
and at once placed in her hands the means of affording him
the comforts which he required. But his health it was too
evident was gone beyond recovery. He was wasted to a very
shadow, and a devouring fever was in all his limbs ; and as
his eye glanced round occasionally, whilst he returned to
consciousness, there was a wildness in it, and at times a va-
cancy of expression, which suggested sad thoughts with
respect to his mental state. He became, however, more set-
tled at length ; and when he recognised me, as I sat by his
bedside, he smiled sadly upon me, and grasped my hand once
more with an affectionate pressure, motioning, at the same
time, to his landlady to retire. " I knew you would come to
me, George," he spoke in a faint and broken voice, " I have
been ill—very ill ; but now I shall be better—happier at
least."

I could not speak, for as I gazed upon his worn and still
noble features, a choking sensation paralyzed my tongue ; but
I pressed his hand in silence. " You will come again,
George," he resumed, " when I am better—to-morrow. I
am weary now, and, as poor Shelley sings,

I could lie down like a tired child,
And weep away this life of care ;'
and yet my tears would not be all of sorrow. lam not yet
all deserted and desolate—although I deserve to be so."
His features darkened as he spoke, and his eyes resumed the
wild gleaming expression which I had noticed during the re-
covery from his swoon. I interrupted him. " You must not
talk now, my dear friend ; I will come again when you are
more settled—when we can talk over the past and arrange
for the future."

" The past !" he broke in with a bitter energy, which,
from one so weak, surprised me, " Oh I you know not what
misery is in Vhe tloooglat I Wlavn I thinla of aloe poet, tinotso
maddening lines of Wordsworth are ever rising up into my
brain, and every breeze whispers, every object reflects them
upon my sight,—

` But she is in the grave,
And, oh ! the difference to me !'

Once, George, I thought that was not poetry," he continued,
with a strange volubility of manner, " but now how often
have I felt it to be so ! The past—yes, we will talk of the
past—of the bright and beautiful—of the darkened and
wretched hours which are now summed up in that one em-
phatic word. You shall know all ; but not now. When I
am calmer ; when I am stronger."

, .., I
seized gladly upon the opportunity of interrupting this
wild and intensely-painful rambling ; and having repeated
my promise to see him on the following day, he turned upon
his pillow, and I left him enjoying, apparently, a tranquil
sleep. Before leaving the house, I encountered the old lady,
and from her I learnt much of the sufferings of my unhappy
friend, and much of the occasional recklessness of conduct
by which those sufferings had been aggravated, if not caused.
This information was communicated, however, with forbear-
ance, and almost in a pleading spirit; and I felt, therefore,
that I might safely leave him to her friendly surveillance.
Leaving with her, therefore, in case of any sudden emergency,
my address, I turned from the scene with a saddened and a
heavy heart.