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had such signal success among the Paraguay Indians." Does not this show the shallowness of observation, the deficiency of reflection on the part of that official, and is it not a fair sample of those "at home." It is easy to pour water on a black, and call him washed, but the colour of his skin is not changed. The Jesuits may pour holy water, and their "able” instruction on the Indians and call them "good Catholics," but are they cleansed from their Heathenism? is the black heart changed to living white? What do the Indians give up-forsake when they turn Catholics-Papists? their own rough idols for the more artistic ones of Popery! It is easy enough to persuade a beggar to change his poor rags for a splendid dress, but to persuade a man to forsake a life of worldliness, a course of dissipation, and take a directly opposite course, to turn to the plain and full worship of God, who is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth, is MUCH more difficult. The Protestant religion cannot adapt itself to tribes and people of all descriptions, they must grow up to it; there is but one standard, even the Bible, the written word, and one Lord and only Mediator to whom all must bow. The standard cannot safely be altered-neither add to nor take from it, is the admonition of the Almighty.

Protestants, stand forth,-be not dismayed-do your duty: use all means the law allows, hasten to petition, trust not in man. March 20, 1846.

P. C.

DUBLIN PROTESTANT ASSOCIA- Prior, T. D. Gregg, John Light, Daw

TION AND REFORMATION SO-
CIETY.

THE Fifth Anniversary Meeting of
this Association was held on Thurs-
day, April 28, in Whitefriars' Hall.
The attendance was both numerous
and respectable.

The platform, which presented an improved appearance, having been re-constructed, and on which was placed a handsome chair, the gift of the Wesleyan Orange Lodge, was occupied by a number of clergymen and gentlemen, among whom were Revds. H. S. Owen, Richard Budd, Richard Verschoyle, F. Trench, H. B. Macartney, Alexander Miller, William Magee, J. B. Owen, W. R. Stacke,

Syte, A. Nicholls, P. Henry, Brett, John Benson, J. C. M'Causland, Robert Kingsmore, Usher, Shields, Elwood, Hill Wilson, H. Siddiard, J. Potterton, Mark Caldwell, Charles Archdall, Richard Maunsell, Thomas Maguire, William Simpson, D. A. Percy, W. W. Sillito, Francis Irwin, John Mulloy, Richard George, Edwin Thomas, Francis Thomas, H. R. Halahan, Hugh E.

son D. Heather, and D. Creighton;
Sir Edmund Waller, Bart.; Messrs.
Wilcox, Gwynne, Gerrard, Briscoe,
Hewson, Parker; Drs. Richey,
M'Leod, and Hyndman; Captain
O'Hara; Messrs. Grattan,
Fry,
A.B., Thomas H. Thompson, W. F.
Taylor, &c., &c. Shortly after twelve
o'clock, the chair was taken by The
Very Rev. the Dean of Ardagh.

--

The Meeting was opened with

prayer.

The CHAIRMAN said, he had observed the proceedings of that Association for the last five years, and he could say, with respect to that period of time, that his heart had been with their hearts. He had long wished for an opportunity of addressing them. The Protestantism of England was of a twofold nature-political and religious. The former was comprehended in this proposition-the supreme head of the Church of England is the King of England, and the Bishop of Rome has no authority within the realms of that country. Religious Protestantism was, justification by faith alone. So long as

these two parts of their faith unitedly existed in England she enjoyed prosperity. The moment they ceased to co-exist a period of domestic discontent and misery commenced. Now, there had been a revival of Protestantism within the last sixty or seventy years, but it was a revival exclusively of religious Protestantism. The latter was in the ascendant, but political Protestantism had been kept down; and he maintained that all the evils which had come on the country within the last thirty or forty years were attributable to that circumstance. The Bishop of Rome had now jurisdiction in their corporations-in their registries and elections-in the National Board of Education (hear, hear)-in the Poor-law Boards in the Houses of Commons and Lords; for not a Bill could pass through either which was disagreeable to the Church of Rome-in their own Church; for it was a well-known fact that no Member of the body would be provided for by the Government who did not send in his adhesion to the abominable system of national education and jurisdiction over the Throne; for the Pope of Rome now shared with the Queen of England a power which, according to the Constitution of the empire, belonged exclusively to Her Majesty-namely, that of conferring dignities on subjects. (Applause.) The Very Rev. Dean denounced the endowment of the College of Maynooth as a national sin, and concluded by saying that he should be extremely happy to render that Association any assistance in his power whenever he was in Dublin. (Hear, hear.)

W. C. ESPY, Esq., then read a Report, which detailed the proceedings of the Association during the past year, and also a financial state

ment.

The Rev. JOHN MOLLOY moved that the Report and statement of accounts be adopted, printed, and placed at the disposal of the Committee.

The Rev. T. MAGUIRE seconded the Resolution. In doing so, he bore testimony to the willingness of the people of Ireland to receive the Scriptures, and observed that it appeared

to him that that Association had begun to make the dignitaries of the Church of Rome tremble. The statement made by that astonishing man -for he was a man of great mindJohn M'Hale, in his letter which appeared in the "Mail," of the 2d of March, had presented the public with the facts that the Bible was making inroads on Catholicity, and that he feared the consequences. (Hear, hear.)

The Resolution was passed unanimously.

The Rev. J. B. OWEN, an English clergyman, moved the second Resolution:-"That it is a paramount duty of all Protestant Irishmen to labour for the promotion of the welfare of their country, and the best interests, both for time and eternity, of their countrymen. That we are convinced that these never can be secured so long as Popery prevails in Ireland, and that hence it is incumbent upon Irish Protestants to give their best exertions in a Christian way to eradicate from their country that false and erroneous system."

The Secretary called on the Rev. Frederick Trench, of Cloughjordan, to second the Resolution.

The Rev. Mr. GREGG said he had to inform them that Mr. Trench would be found to differ from them not inconsiderably, and to animadvert with something like severity on some of their proceedings. Upon this understanding, Mr. Trench having requested to be allowed to speak there, he (Mr. Gregg) told him that it had been always their practice to allow every objection to be made, provided he allowed them a reply. He therefore entreated that they would be so kind as to lend him (Mr. Trench) their best attention.

The Rev. F. F. TRENCH, of Cloughjordan. I hope there is not a person in this house that has a more heartfelt admiration of Mr. Gregg than I have, and I recollect that one of the sentiments he expressed on one occasion was, that when he felt himself called upon to do so, he would express his opinions in the face of persons who differed from him event to the extreme. (Hear.) He said, he would not be afraid to go into some

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town where there were as many devils as slates on the roofs of houses. (Laughter.) Now, I feel that I am here in the midst of honest men, and surrounded by a vast number of Christian brethren; I have no doubt about that; and though I do decline paying compliments, yet there may be a call for it on some occasions, and I do say I honour Mr. Gregg, I feel respect for his zeal and boldness, I differ very materially from him, and I am sorry to say with you, as to the means whereby our great object is to be accomplished. There is a circumstance mentioned in the GovernorGeneral of India's late despatch concerning the late victory, that suggests what I mean. One of the Sikh princes was killed in battle, and his friends came and asked permission to take away his dead body. Orders were given to allow us dead body to be taken away, because, said the General, he honoured him for the bold decisive character he showed, that he was ready to perish in battle rather than yield. I know Mr. Gregg for that character of boldness, and I feel that it is the privilege of every Protestant to let every person act as they think right, provided they do nothing that violates law. I came here distinctly on the invitation of Mr. Gregg, and he has promised me that I shall have a fair hearing, and I do not ask you not to express your disapprobation to anything I may say that you may consider not right-I ask you to give me a fair hearing. Mr. Gregg put the Resolutions into my hand, and he asked me to move an amendment to any of them. When I looked over the Resolutions, I found that the second Resolution was one that I could most cordially support; and as it is always more agreeable to support than to differ, I feel great pleasure, indeed, in seconding this Resolution. [The Rev. Gentleman then read the Resolution, as proposed by the Rev. Mr. Owen.] I should feel myself unworthy to stand here if I would willingly yield to any individual in giving my assent to that proposition; and I feel that nothing will do good to the peace of this country that deserves the name of good, till they have embraced the

glorious Gospel of the blessed God, the doctrine of justification by faith only, and till they have received holiness as consisting in conformity to the mind and character of our blessed Lord, instead of thinking, as many do, that it consists in external forms and ceremonies (hear, hear); and therefore I do most cordially second this Resolution, and say that no true happiness, no true religion, can be enjoyed in this country till that which we believe to be false religion is eradicated from it. The question is, how is this to be brought about? That is the only difference between us. (Hear.) Now, my dear brethren, what has led me to be here to-day is this: the day before yesterday I was attending one of the clerical meetings, and the question proposed was, Is it right for Christian friends

Mr. GREGG rose to order.-What

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passed in these Meetings is innerfectly confidential, and I entreat that that feeling which we must all bear to the will of the clergy, may be respected, and that what was said there may not be referred to. I am sure that the clergy are distinctly aware that no mention is to be made of their private conversation in public.

The Rev. Mr. TRENCH.-Well, as this Resolution has been put into my hands, I would wish to speak a few words to it. It alludes to every Christian way in which we can eradicate Popery from the country. Now, my dear brethren, we feel we have but one object in view, and the kindness that I have experienced from you makes me feel that I will experience more of your kindness. I would just wish you to be well-informed on every subject. We all know that ignorance, in the Roman Catholic Church, is called "the mother of devotion," but general information and knowledge is a great help to Protestantism, and therefore I am sure you would wish to be well informed as to a matter of fact relative to every institution that is connected with the progress of truth in this country. Now, I wish to mention a fact with respect to an eminent person in the Church of Ireland, and who, I should suppose, would be the best informed of any I could name respecting the National

Education Board. Two years ago, I was asked to meet that individual and have conversation with him respecting matters of fact as to the National Board. (Cries of name.) I will name him. It is the present Bishop of Cashel. I met him two years ago, and he said to me, “Mr. Trench, do you mean to say that you can have a national school, and Roman Catholic children in that school, and that you can prevent the priest from coming in to teach the Roman Catholic children?" I said, "My Lord, I mean to say that I can; and I have four national schools in my parish (hisses), and I would not allow a Roman Catholic priest to enter one of them to teach a single Roman Catholic." (Cries of hear, and no, no.) His Lordship said he never knew that before. He knows it now; and I would wish you to consider

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ver we might not obtain the friends of the Education Board to establish schools where the priests would not be allowed to enter to teach error, rather than, by refusing it, to leave it all in their own hands; and that is one of the ways in which I think the welfare of this country might be promoted. The Reverend Gentleman concluded by seconding the Resolution.

A Gentleman on the platform said, Might I permitted to ask Mr. Trench, where are his Protestant teachers?

The Rev. Mr. TRENCH.-One of my masters is ill of fever, and the other is teaching at the school, I hope, at this present moment. The Protestant mistresses, too, I hope, are teaching at the school at this moment.

In answer to the same Gentleman's question. Did you employ a Popish master lately? he said, he did not. He afterwards explained, and said, I found in my parish a Roman Catholic school, with a Roman Catholic master, and I found sixteen Protestant children going to this Catholic school. I proposed to this man that he should come with his scholars, and himself, and his sixteen Protestant children, and leave all his Popish books behind him, and act as a monitor.

The Rev, T, D. GREGG rose to re

ply, amidst loud and long-continued cheering. He said, Mr. Chairman, and my Protestant friends, I shall take Mr. Trench's last subject first, lest I should forget it. (Addressing Mr. Trench.) Sir, you have informed us that you allow no Roman Catholic priest to teach your Roman Catholic children Roman Catholic error. Permit me to say, that I, as an individual, and I fancy I speak the minds of the Protestants of Dublin, give you very little thanks for the admission. (Cheers.) Sir, do you teach them Protestant truth?

Rev. Mr. TRENCH.-I do.

Rev. T. D. GREGG.-Do you announce to them that the Pope is Antichrist, and that the Popish religion is the apostasy?

Rev. Mr. TRENCH.-No. (Hisses.) Rev. Mr. GREGG.-Do you tell them that the sacrifices of masses are blasphemous fables and dangerous deceits; and do you honestly tell the priests that that is your object?

Rev. Mr. TRENCH.-No, I do not. (Hisses.)

Rev. T. D. GREGG.-Sir, God does not want Roman Catholics to be swindled into the truth. He does: not give us any command, to scheme for Roman Catholic converts. (Ap plause.) He has committed to us the words of the everlasting Gospel, and he denounces as a traitor to himself the man that flinches from its utterance, "in season and out of season," in its length, in its breadth, and in its fulness. (Great cheers.) My Christian friends, if there be a vital error, or to use more correct language, a mortal error, it is to believe, or hold, or teach the people that the mere absence of what is wrong, constitutes Christian rectitude. We stand up to war against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and we must not be satisfied if they are neutral with respect to us, we must denounce, oppose, and overcome them. Therefore, I am, may I ask, are you? for the uncompromising assertion of Protestant truth at all times, and at all seasons.. (Cheers.) And I am for pronouncing that man, in fact, a traitor, who flinches from the occupation of that position. (Hear, hear.) Sir, I laugh to scorn the principle that would

teach me that benefits are to be expected from the diffusion of mere secular information as a counteractive to Popery. I believe that Popery is perfectly consistent with an extensive and first-rate secular education. What, Sir, is not Mr. O'Connell educated? Is not Dr. Wiseman educated? are not the cardinals and the priests educated? (A voice, "Some of them.") Ay, and if they all were, they would be just as much priests as they at present are, unless their education were based on "the word and on the testimony." (Cheers.) Sir, you will excuse me, when I say, that there is some slight misconception as to the invitation to this Meeting. I rather think you are here as a volunteer opponent, than as an invited one; but the fact makes little difference. I assured you of a hearing, if you were willing to permit an answer, and sustain its consequences. These consequences are, that you should be compelled to hear and know that the Protestant mind and conscience wholly abhor your National Board (cheers), and, Sir, I will be bold, that the Protestant heart regards that man as a traitor that is united with it. (Tremendous cheers.) Sir, you have heard the verdict. I verily believe, that it would be that of all the people of God; and I warn you that you will at length stand before a bar where no subterfuge will be possible; and I beseech you in time to ponder upon your responsibility in this respect. (Hear, hear, hear.) And now, my friends, in respect to the charge. I speak to Mr. Trench in love and affection. If I speak strongly, let him not suppose that my language springs from enmity to his person, (Mr. Trench, "No, no,") or proves anything but Christian concern for his best interests. (Hear.) I now say, that the man who brings in a brother as an offender for a word, has not the spirit of Christianity in him. (A voice from the platform, "No.") What, Sir!"No?" If I mistake not, the sentiment is Divine inspiration. Does not the prophet say, "Woe unto them who make a man an offender for a word ?" A man must be judged by his spirit, and so should an As

sociation. I used strong language in addressing Dr. M'Hale. I did use very strong language. I avow the composition; nor let Mr. Trench fancy any advantage gained by its repudiation by Mr. Montgomery, who, from being unacquainted with its spirit and motive, might well have been led to judge wrongly of it from an isolated passage. With respect to the Latin quotation, let me ask you, Mr. Trench, did you know where it came from? Sir, that sentence is taken, verbatim et literatim, from Martin Luther's Commentary on the Book of Genesis. (Loud cheers, which lasted for some time.) Martin Luther used the language; and I willingly admit that, under ordinary circumstances, its use would be indefensible; but there did strike me to be a parabolic excellence in its use when I employed it, and therefore I borrowed it from Martin Luther; and I confess that I should rather borrow a word from Martin Luther than seek conformity with the spirit of a man who was a supporter of the National Schools. (Cheers.) And now bear with me while I give you a theory. My distinct belief is, that so besotted are the Roman Catholics of Ireland with the Lethean draughts of their apostate system, that the ordinary language of controversial theology is absolutely lost on them. I know them to be rendered so excessively thick-skinned by their system (if I may use the expression with propriety) that they are not so sensitively alive to refinement of expression as Protestants would be. I believe, in fact, that when they hear us treating them with our fine-drawn theories, and metaphysical objections to their system, they view us with scorn, and set us down as weak. Trench says, that my language was offensive. Sir, I used it because it was. I wished to offend in order to arouse. I wished to use startling and striking language, that the truth of the everlasting Gospel might find an entrance into spirits thus awakened and aroused. Sir, that is my principle. (Hear, hear.) I tell you, from my soul, that I love the Roman Catholics of Ireland; and, I will tell you more, I believe they know

Mr.

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