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THE

PROTESTANT MAGAZINE.

JUNE, 1847.

THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT AND PROCEEDINGS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.

THE Anniversary Meeting of this Association was never held at a more critical and important juncture. Nor do we remember to have heard a speech more fraught with sound wisdom, and practical instruction, than that delivered by the Rev. Hugh M'Neile.

We commend the proceedings to the serious attention of our readers, and shall rejoice to hear that in every constituency some have united for the purpose of carrying into effect the pledge recommended.*

THE Anniversary Meeting of the Protestant Association took place on Wednesday, May 12th, at Exeter Hall. The large room was densely crowded at an early hour. On the platform we observed the Earl of Winchilsea, Sir Digby Mackworth, Bart., Rev. E. Bickersteth, Rev. Hugh M'Neile, D.D., Rev. A. S. Thelwall, Rev. R. W. Dibdin, Rev. J. Hatchard, Rev. Wm. Howard, Rev. Dr. Holloway, Rev. J. Heming, Rev. J. Hopkins, Rev. D. Sewell, Rev. C. Tayler, E. D. Salisbury, Esq., J. H. Story, Esq., Admiral Duff, Major Brock, Col. Griffith, F. G. West, Esq., F. Axford, Esq., &c., &c.

J. P. PLUMPTRE, Esq., M.P., took the chair at twelve o'clock. The Hon. Gentleman was received with loud cheering. The proceedings were commenced with prayer by the Rev. Dr. HOLLOWAY. The CHAIRMAN then addressed the Meeting. He said,-They were met together in difficult and perilous times-times that might well lead them to consider, as well individually as nationally, whether their house be built upon a rock, or built upon sand. If they had reason to hope it be upon a rock, however terrible the winds that blew upon their house, or great the difficulties they were then experiencing, they might yet feel confident that "the Lord of Hosts and the God of Jacob " was with them; and, if they were building upon deceitful sands, they might yet return to him from whom they had revolted. He asked them to consider what were the circumstances under which they were at the present time living. He would not take, nor would he give, gloomy views of matters, but it would not be according to truth to speak at this time flattering words which were * This pledge has been printed and widely circulated amongst friends, and may be had at the Office of the Association. New Series, No. 18.

VOL. IX.-June, 1847.

M

not justified by circumstances. When they looked around them, they saw in their sister island famine destroying hundreds and thousands. He thought he spoke within the truth when he said that the annals of the world did not record a more tremendous visitation than Ireland was experiencing, and which we, through the sides of Ireland, were also experiencing. Let them only look at the prices to which provisions had risen, and to the disturbed state of the money market. These circumstances spoke too clearly of the fact that great distress was visiting their own land. These things happened not by chance. They spoke, indeed, not of that favour or blessing derived from the Lord which hitherto distinguished them as a nation, but rather showed the Divine displeasure manifesting itself on account of their sins, and urging them to ask the Lord wherefore this contest hath commenced, and to implore him to assist them in returning within the influence of his Divine grace. He thought they would agree with him that the circumstances of the times warranted him in assuming that language. (Applause.) But, to come more to the subject that brought them together that day, since they last met a somewhat new feature had exhibited itself between them,-Protestants, and the Church of Rome. They, as Protestants, had always declared that there was no peace with Rome as Rome (cheers), and that, whilst they would live in peace with their Roman Catholic brothers as men, and that while they would do much, short of sacrificing principle, to lead them to the knowledge of the truth and of the Prince of Peace, there had not hitherto been manifested the same candour on the part of Rome towards them, for while the words were smooth there was war in the heart. The new feature was this:-They had had from no insignificant quarter an open declaration that Rome would be antagonistic to Protestantism till Protestantism should quail and stoop and be extinct. (Cheers.) They had been told on the part of Rome what they had to expect from her, They knew what they had to expect from the great political leaders of the country. These leaders had said, indeed, that there were diffi culties in their way. He much mistook if such Meetings as the present did not increase these difficulties. (Cheers.) They told them plainly that their inclination was to move towards Rome. They did not hesitate to declare that such was the case. Well, if Protestants knew, then, what they had to expect from Rome, and what they had to expect from those leaders who were falsely called Protestants (cheers), what must Protestants do? They must look to higher sources, to the great leader and commander, the captain of their salvation. (Cheers.) They must use all the constitutional means which the times and circumstances might open up for them. They must declare openly that they would not be unprotestantized either by Rome or Oxford (cheers); that they were not to be unprotestantized either by Popery open, or by Popery covert. (Cheers.) They need not be afraid of the result: they should prevail at length, for Christ was their strength, their hope, their salvation. (Cheers.) They would be supported in all trials by the love of God; that was the high advantage they possessed; and it therefore became every true Protestant to stand against the storm which, however it might rage, could never prevail against them, for their house was built upon a rock. (Cheers.)

The Secretary then read the following

REPORT.

Your Committee present their Eleventh Annual Report, under circumstances of unusual interest and importance.

In doing so, they desire to ascribe, in the first place, all praise and glory to him from whom alone good works proceed, for the degree of blessing which has rested upon this Association, in its efforts to arouse the dormant Protestantism of the empire; and to present a rallying point for those who are united in principle, and resolved to defend the Protestant institutions of their country.

Then with reference to the past: it seems desirable to point out, for the encouragement of Protestants to renewed and increasing efforts at this crisis, not only what was the position of affairs in this country as affecting our national Protestantism at the period when this Institution was formed, but briefly to review the progress of events, mind, and feeling, prior to that period.

The Reformation in this country was a religious work; and the principles which led to the settlement of the constitution, in 1688, were evolved from those religious principles which had led to the Reformation.

With reference to theology and politics, those principles were the supremacy of God's written Word, and the doctrines taught by it, over all the inventions and traditions of men, on the one hand; and on the other, the independence of the British Church, and Crown, and people, of all foreign interference, whether civil or ecclesiastical.

We deserted, practically, the principles of the Reformation before those of 1688 were invaded. The religious principles which animated our Reformers seemed to be forgotten, or lost sight of, even in the commencement of the last century; and a Protestantism savouring more of political partizanship feebly supplied its place.

The spirit of the Reformation seemed to have fled, awhile, with the departed Reformers.

Instead of seeking the conversion of Ireland by a wide circulation of the Scriptures, and having, there, an efficient ministerial agency of spirituallyminded men amongst the people, that unhappy country was oppressed with laws that were not good. Church preferment was bestowed more as a reward for personal and political services, than with a view to the salvation of the souls of men by a faithful preaching of the Gospel, and setting forth the truth in love; 66 as the truth is in Jesus."

In the retributive providence of God, an ill-governed people are oftentimes made the scourge of those who have misgoverned them; and England, having, in the year 1172, forced Popery upon Ireland, where the peculiar errors of Romanism were before unknown, and having neglected the spiritual instruction of that people, at the Reformation and since, and having, by the Maynooth Act of 1795, and more particularly by various enactments of the last ten or twenty years, given her direct aid and sanction to Popery there, is now suffering from the calamitous state of that country; and it would seem as if Ireland was to be a rod of vengeance, and a scourge, for a time, to England, threatening the infliction of Popery, and other fearful evils, upon this country; unless we, as a nation, repent, and retrace those steps by which we have deviated from a sound and scriptural policy.

With reference to the Maynooth Act of 1795, there were many conspiring circumstances which led to that measure, and seemed, on the ground of expediency, to render it plausible.

The revolutionary wars were raging on the continent; and, to prevent the spread and influence of those principles in Ireland, it was thought expedient to have a home-educated priesthood. The remembrance of the past evils of Popery was forgotten; any future evils from a system that seemed at its last gasp do not appear to have been apprehended; and, as it did not seem

calculated to be politically injurious, principle was deserted for expediency, and the supposed good of the nation preferred to the honour of God.

Then came in 1829 that blow and severe discouragement to Protestantism, which seemed for a while to paralyze the whole of the Protestant party.

Protestants had neglected their duty; and they suffered for it. They had relied more on Act of Parliament securities than the maintaining of those living principles which alone could impart life and energy. The people, however, were not a consenting party to that measure.

In the state of the public mind and feeling, now glanced at, rather than described, the Reformation Society and the Protestant Association were called into existence. Men of faith, and prayer, and energy, were raised up to vindicate the religious principles of the Reformation and the political principles of the constitution as settled in 1688.

Their work was one of magnitude and difficulty. The embankments thrown up to keep off the flood of Popery had been broken down; Protestant securities were gradually diminishing, and ceasing to be held of that sacred importance which once attached to them. Principles were to be resorted

to.

But it was found, unhappily, that comparatively few were alive to the nature of those principles, and fewer still prepared to act upon them.

The sleeping foe had been disregarded, though he slumbered with his armour on; till, rising up like a mighty man in his strength, armed at all points, and refreshed from repose, he made too easy a prey of those who had disregarded him.

To add to the difficulties of this movement, Tractarianism was permitted to rear its head.

There was much of a specious and captivating nature about it to conciliate many of our Churchmen uninfluenced by the saving principles of Divine truth, and lead them to view with friendliness that movement which, like a bright exhalation, rose up before them.

The wild principles of reckless infidelity, and scoffing at sacred things, contending for the destruction of our Constitution, both in Church and State, led many to hail Tractarianism as a genial star, beneath whose auspicious influence a more favourable state of things might be expected. But time and investigation have dissipated these dreams have shown that Popery and Tractarianism originate at the same source, and lead to the same end.

Many have bitterly repented of that delusion which led first to inactivity as regarded maintaining Protestantism, and next to activity on behalf of Rome; whilst others, attracted by the glitter of that wandering star, have followed its meteor gleam till it has led them to apostatize from the faith, from the scriptural light of Protestantism, to the dark traditionary religion of Rome.

Such was the aspect of affairs in the country at the period referred to. Many were afraid to move. Others knew not in what direction to proceed, and gladly availed themselves of the silence, or the uncertain sound of the ecclesiastical trumpet, to excuse themselves from coming forth to the battle.

Whilst all these things tended to dishearten, whilst they tended to render the Society unpopular, and to deprive its friends of that extensive and cordial co-operation by which they hoped to have made their movement effectual, the Protestant Association still proceeded, and has received frequent assurance of the benefit accomplished through the intervention of this and kindred Institutions. Societies have been formed; sermons have been preached; meetings held, or lectures given on various occasions and subjects, in many of the towns of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by distinguished persons; men alike eminent for their piety, talents, energy, and learning, whose names it were here long, too long, to mention. Thus Protestant Associations, despised as they have been pretended to be by some, have yet, both in England and Ireland, by organizing Protestantism, given it a voice and influence which it might not otherwise have possessed; so much so, that even the present head of Her Majesty's Government, Lord John Russell, when speaking of the reasons why

he did not, at the present time, intend to move for the endowment of the Romish priesthood in Ireland, gave, as one reason, the opposition testified by the Protestant Association in Dublin.

In Liverpool, too, the Protestant feeling, organized and expressed through that organization, has commanded attention from those who might otherwise have disregarded it. In Manchester not less energy has been displayed; and the open avowal by a noble lord of his intention to aid in the extinguishment of Protestantism by endowing Popery, had such an effect upon the truly Protestant spirit of many of the electors of that borough who valued a free Bible above free trade, that Lord Lincoln found he could not make way, and therefore retired. Why should not each constituency do the same? They have the power, if they have the will, to do so.

PETITIONS.

Your Committee have not only at various times petitioned for the restoration of the Protestant character of the British Constitution, against the endowment of Maynooth, &c., &c., but have also, as evinced by their Annual Reports and other papers, strenuously opposed the various measures which have been brought into Parliament in favour of Popery, and may now congratulate their friends upon the defeat of Mr. Watson's Bill in favour of Popery.

The Protestant public, however, have seen the little use of Petitions, and the little weight attached to them by the House of Commons. Your Committee, therefore, whilst they have not been indifferent to the subject of Petitions, have directed their attention, and that of their friends, to the importance of the approaching election, and endeavoured to induce Protestants to oppose by their votes on the hustings, as well as by their Petitions to Parliament, all measures tending to advance the cause of Popery, and to impair the Protestant institutions of our country.

The Bill of 1829 took the nation by surprise, and it is a matter of congratulation that, however deserted or betrayed by their leaders, the people of this country have never expressed their approval of that measure.

So, too, in the late Act for endowing Maynooth College, 1845, and compelling Protestants to support the idolatries of Popery, more than 10,000 Petitions were presented, and more than one million and a quarter of people protested.

The Committee, from these facts, venture to indulge the hope that, though the leaders have thus betrayed, yet the people, protesting and struggling against the crime, may be instrumental in retrieving those errors, and escape the punishment they might of course expect.

The approaching election will test their sincerity, and show how far those who signed against Popery are prepared to vote against those who have voted, or will vote, in favour of it.

AGENCY, MEETINGS, LECTURES, AND PUBLICATIONS.

On the first of these points your Committee have to report, that they have not yet been able to secure the services of an efficient person whose time might be exclusively devoted to the work of advocating the cause which the Society is most anxious to promote.

They have, therefore, availed themselves of the offer of their Secretary to devote such of his time as could be given from duties in town, to attend Meetings and deliver lectures throughout the country.

He has, accordingly, attended Meetings and given lectures in various places in London and the country during the past year, and recently two lectures in the Music-hall, Store-street, on the "Protestant Character of the British Constitution, the Encroachments of Popery, and the Duties of Protestants," which are now in course of publication.

A cheap edition of the First and Second Letter of Captain Gordon is now ready for circulation. The "Protestant Magazine" has been continued, and the Committee have taken the conduct of it into their own hands, and are

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