On this page
-
Text (6)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
For the above admirable object , and by the means generally pursued , one would be inclined to think the baleful influence of speculative theology might have been escaped , as at least unnecessary . That this is not the caso , you may judge by an extract or two from their rules . Rule 2 . '' That the office-bearers and the committee of management be select ed from such persons only as agree to the following fundamental basis : — -The publication to be scriptural , unseotarian , and free from party politics , and shall neither if / nore nor impicc / n the doctrinal basis . "
" The doctrinal basis affirms the divine inspiration of the scriptures of the Old . and New Testaments , and their sufficiency as a perfect rule of faith and practice ; the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ , with the atonement made by him for sinners , to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself , not imputing their trespasses unto them . " The 11 th rule states "That the constitution of the society be unalterable as it regards the doctrinal basis ; " nor will they further permit the same to be dismissed . Other riiles are matters of course .
As I have some interest in the elevation of the Working man , I regret exceedingly that the beneficial ! operations that such a society might effect , ( in preparing diagrams and promoting lectures upon objects of interest and advantage , ) should be damaged by the tendency and results of such or any doctrinal basis at : all ; and hence the origin of the letter I have sent to the Honorary Secretary , a copy of which I inclose to you , hoping that you will make it public , so that j > ublic opinion may be enabled to check the erroneous tendency I think the society is likely to fall into . I have
no doubt that you can , along with myself , inform this committee from experience , that they can do much better to interest and elevate the working classes , by practical matters at home , than by missionary scenes , Pagan murders , or foreign customs of ancient days . True , they may please mightily certain " very good young men" thereby ; but all must know that the people as a mass have other sympathies and interests , and they are not to be reached by any such Evangelical means . Believe me yours respectfully , John Holmes .
Untitled Article
THE BASIS OF REPRESENTATION" . ( To the Editor of'the Leader . ) Sir , —As I imagine that the readers of your paper are not of that order of mind which is apt to take alarm at suggested innovations in political matters , I venture to think that you may be not unwilling to afford a place in your "Open Council" to the following remarks . Matured of well digested they make no pretensions to be considered . Their only aim is to contribute in a small degree to the radical investigation of the great subject to which they relate—the basis of the representation . It is no new thing to regard the case of the great mass of the unrepresented as briefly this . They ask of the existing p owers , " Why have we no share in the government ? " The reply is , though not in terms so direct , '' because you are ignoran t . " " Then , '' _ they rejoin , "help us t o acquire knowledge ; we are ignorant enough to think that you possess the power to do so , but are wanting in the will or in the talent to make use of it . " To this remonstrance there is no answer at all . Now , I want to see the unrepresented come forward and take up their position as follows , or I shall be glad to be informed wherein such a course ia impracticable : —
" We are ignorant , as you say , but with some exceptions . We venturo to maintain , without offence , that your situation is the same as ours . We are ready to abide by this standard of your own selection . Lot the House of Commons represent the knowledge of tho country such as it is . Cannot you devise the meant ) by which this may be accomplished ? No ? then don ' t be alarmed , but have tho goodness to consider . You know tho Church Catechism ? that is , you aro awaro of tho existence of such a production , and have a general acquaintance with its contents ? Very well ; that in not a strictly historical compilation . But it might have boon . It is founded on history , but it gives its
own version of facts , and adorns them after its own fashion , and favours us with its own convictions respecting thorn . But it would havo been quite possiblo to convey as much information on it . s subject-matter , in a form strictly historical ; either closely limited to original facts , or . adding any statement of opinions as matters of history . Now , imagine a State Catechism of this supposed character . There aro plenty of ablo men who could represent Q . conversing with A . to tho extent of a hundred amicable interrogatories and re-HpoiiHON , in such a manner as should embrace an elomon tary sketch of tho political history of England , and of tho prineiplos of general polity , representative
government , and political economy , as laid down in the works of certain authors . For tho electoral qualification lot every grown man who chooses have put to him in a public court , and viva 'inx ' . e , ton out of those hundred questions , and be required to answer eight or nine , in his own words , or in those of the Catechism , to the satisfaction of two out of three- examiners appointed by the Queen . Wo will endeavour to qualify ourselves to thin extent . I f we succeed our knowledge will rmider us , in your view of the case , disposed to Hunport your present legmlation , and to abstain from be ho far
all innovation . If we fail' we shall still gainers that some addition will 1 ' iavo boon made to tho political knowledge of tho country at large . We do not Hot a high value on the amount of knowledge ho obtained by any individual ; but yet it may be elementary , not superficial . And if an approaching ; registration should present the spectacle of rival parties inducing ' the mob' to achieve only a parrot-like repetition of tho answers in the Ntato Catechism , yet even such a ' cram' as this would not fail to be at least as improving to all concerned aw thy tank at proaont provided
for the elector's bodily digestion . Let if you will thosewho are already on the register remain there . We believe that from our ranks the Catechism plan would nserit as many as from your own . "—I am , sir , yours ; &c . QU ^ STOR .
Untitled Article
RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS IN GLASGOW . ( To &ie Editor of the Leader . ) Sir , —In the hope that it may be interesting to your readers , I take the liberty of forwarding you a short , sketch of some strange proceedings here , in the name ; of religion . A body of young men , bearing the name of the .
Glasgow Young Men ' s- Christian Association , engage lecturers , chiefly from the ranks of the clergy , to instruct the youths of the city in various matters . One of the gentlemen thus engaged , delivered a lecture ,, lately , upon science ; and , in the course of its delivery , took ocoasion to warn his hearers against believing in science , when it contradicted what he was pleased to call divine science , as revealed in the Bible . Those
who think for themselves will understand-the sacrifice they are required to make . Under the auspices of this society we have also been favoured with a course of four tirades against infidelity , by a Mr . Brewin Grant . This gentleman ' s forte seems tobe personal abuse and mimicry , seasoned with a coarse substitute for wit , which makes a good many think that his proper walk in life would have been the circle , and his dress the clown ' s . Much as I regret what I conceive to be the errors of secularism , I regret , yet more , such advocacy as Mr . Grant's , which will never reclaim , a single secularist , but may make a few scoffers .
Another and highly pugnacious association is the Protestant Laymen ' s , who , having apparently bullied the Roman Catholics into silence , have turned upon the Morisonians , to ruin whom they are covering the walls with most unchristian placards . The Morisonians offer to discuss the subjects , ( predestination , &c ., ) if any minister , or person appointed by a number of ministers , be put forward . During this mural controversy , the Rev . James Morison , the gentleman from
whom the body takes it s name , indulges m denunciations of Unitarians as infidels , which are temperately and ably rep lied to by the Rev . H . W . Crosskey . At the request of a committee , formed of Unitarians , for the purpose of obtaining men of enlarged thought , thoug h of no particular church , to lecturo here , George Dawson , of Birming ham , delivered , during last month , a course of four lectures . Tho lectures were excellent , and well received , even by
those who differ from his theological views . The Free Church has appointed a fast day , as a protest against the infidel opinions of Lord P almerston's letter , and has also g iven another proof of its staunch orthodoxy and illiberally , by refusing bapt ism to the child of an omnibus driver , because he worked between sermons ! T ,, . Notwithstanding all this jarring of sects , I think w ( . are making progress . Perhaps the reaction from such bigoted intolerance may aid this glorious purpose . Apologising for the length of thin letter , * » m » ™ y respectfully yours , Glaugow , 14 th Nov ., 1853 .
Untitled Article
A . SUGGESTION ON STEIKES . ( To tho Editor of tho Loader . ) Bradford , Nov . 21 , 185 J . Sin , — Ab a remedy for tho prevention of trade strikes , and the evil consequences arising ' therefrom , 1 bog w » suggest that a National Association bo forthwith commenced for tho purpose of raising a fund to promote co-operation on a large scale in trade or manu acting tions f no
the means to bo obtained by subscrip o ^ than 8 rf . per week , until each subscriber has c « n imf Ml 1 Z ., the moneys to be placed in charge of more than six individuals ( men of ntandmg , wl «*•> BympathioH are with the people ) , who nhall have linnJed control over tho funds in their a ,, « l"t « o » . And until iho capital is squired in ^ nation nay obtained front all partioB engaged m the vano „» t and manufactures , so that the best ai . d most p ablo might bo selected for a " >™™ ° «™ ^ * . &o . ' ' - —"
Untitled Article
"' NOTICES TO ( JOltUMHl'ONDKNm «« Tlu > JtuHHlan lord l « ul »<>< - provided , & « ., iowi , law hod not provided , " Ae . " Huutiiuu I'uWlwUoiw in London , " next wcoic
Untitled Article
To the Honorary Secretary of the Worhmg-Mens ' Educational Union . Ncvile-street , Leeds , Nov . 1-1 , 1853 . Dear Sib , —I was not at home when your report reached here , and hence it has been overlooked . Your circular , of the 9 th , has directed my attention to it , in your request to forward my subscription to your society . On a former subscription I believe I stated , very decidedly , my objection to your doctrinal basis , as a basis for such an union ; and especially to the
affirmed unalterable constitution of the same , as provided by tho eleventh rule . It was intended , moreover , to convey , that I should not subscribe again , on that account . Your renewed application seems to imply that I had not so expressed myself , or that there is some other claim , as to price of diagrams , &c , &c , on which account , only , I incloae you , herewith , a post- office order for lO . t . Gd ., begging , distinctly , tostate I shall not again subscribe , for the reasons I wish , again , to reiterate .
First , —For any avowed object ( or certainly for any proper one ) of your union , to improve the condition of tho working classes , in my opinion such doctrinal basis is entirely unnecessary . All required is to do the thing tending to tho end , and to leave , carefully , all speculation atone . You could easily havo done all you havo done , without any doctrinal base at all : nay , I Hubniit you might have selected much better subjects for diagrams , had you not been misled with it . Instoad of pagan sacrifices and missionary scenes , you might have given an equal number , picturing the houses and dwellings of tho people at home , showing ,
truthfully , tlio bad arrangements and deplorable results , both in it moral and sanitary point of view ; and then you might have portrayed homes and habitations such as the people omjht and mhjht have , by a letter management and tan to directing the funds they now pay . " . Diagrams of a home of taste , order , and health , fitted to the means of a working man , with hints of how to obtain it , would , I Hubniit , bo quite an likely to interest and profit the people generally , an those above instanced . Why go to ancient days and to the IGast for habitations , manners , and customs , when England , Ireland , and Scotland teem with such HpeciuioiiH as abound all round uh ' (
The true , poop-show , horrific descriptions ( your own ) of your Pagan diagrams incline me to think wo havo already a sufficiently depraved taste , for the sight of marvellous and bloody murders ; without training up the young further by such secmes n . s you give . And that the moral evil of these enmities should be attributed solely to Paganism ,, would be , as you must know , most glaringly not true . Hoth . Jewish and Christian practices have ofton rivalled anything you ooulil reproHent of Paganism . A Pagan niig-ht paint Joptha ' s vow , and Haul ' H slaiitflitoiH , and Samuel ' s , when . Saul
allowed mercy , and miy , " thuH Haul the Lord to tho J'pwfl . " A . Pagan might paint from tho cruMadon , the inquisition , J ? ox '» Jiooh of Martyrs , and Puritan
persecutions , —most thrilling pictures , and say " Thus did the Christians ,, to show their love of God . " You would protest , of course , against such ab use , and so would the Pagan . But , if true , I submit , most strongly , such scenes of cruelty are neither profitable nor in good taste . Secondly , ^—Up on the views entertained in you r Doctrinal Basis , I am not inclined to waste , one word ; but
I must protest against that old' Mede and Persian spirit of your rules , which admits of no alteration . Your Eureka is the last and a most deplorable form of the Mediaeval spirit of Popery—viz ., Infallibility . Wherever this is dominant , there reigns Popery . The name of the Church—whether High , Low , Evangelical , or Dissenting—is of little moment ; where they exhibit ( as too frequently the case ) that common bond of hate to all who differ from them , and exclude all others from all benefits they themselves
aspire to . Such is a view your Society has placed itself in from its Doctrinal Basis ; and though you have published sundry commendations upon your cause from correspondents , I do not request y ou to publish this ; only , as you are a public society , advocating claims upon public grounds , I hold myself at liberty to do so ; at the same time hoping the good you might do by the means in your power may not be damaged by the incubus of disputable and doubtful polemic dogmas . Yours respectfully , John Holmes .
Untitled Article
UM THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 26, 1853, page 1144, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2014/page/16/
-