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    higher dignitaries , for the body at large , i £ polled , would be decidedly in favour of reljgious liberty . The Deputies of the Dissenters in . London have had a meeting on the occasion , in which it was thought prudent not to stir , but the body of Dissenting Ministers of the

    Three Denominations are impressed with the necessity of considering the question more at large , arid have come into the measure of that worthy clergyman of the Church of England , Mr . Wyvill , and have addressed the legislature to purge the statute book of all its enactments on

    the subject of religion , which tend to set one sect against another and to embitter Christian affections . Three Dissenting Ministers at Norwich , have been refused a licence on the ground of not having procured the certificate of their appointment , said to be required by the Toleration Act . In this

    interpretation the magistrates are justijied by a Dissenting Minister , who , in notes to a Fast Sermon published this month , has given his own interpretation of the act , which is in unison with the high church party , and totally opposite to the opinion of his brethren , aad of the Jast century . Whether the

    judges are of the same opinion we shall soon learn : but surely the question might have been left to their decision , without affording arguments or advantages to . the opponents . It is obvious that , if the interpretation contended for is granted , the Dissenters have no

    alternative but to preach without licence , or to apply to the legislature for an interpretation of the act . The early Christians took the former course ; and when meetings take place upon the tame Christian principles the interference or support of the legislature will be

    unnecessary * Whilst the Papists and the Dissenters are thus claiming our attention , it iswith pleasure that we see a party rising , which we trust will increase rapidly in numbers from all the sects . It has been raised by the prudence , the industry and the zeal of a distinguished member of the establishment , a clergyman of considerable fortune and independent

    principles . We need not mention the name of Wyvill , the true friend of civil and reli g ious liberty . He circulated copies of his petition , through a very large part of the country , and he has had the satisfaction 16 see it presented to parliament by

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    M r * . Whitbread , and signed by upwards of nine thousand persons , chiefly clergymen , gentlemen , and the higher orders of merchants , manufacturers and tradesmen * This petition goes upon true Christian principles , and prays for the removal of all religious tests and penalties , that every man may adopt what religion he pleases , and be accountable to the state not for matters of conscience but

    for civil crimes . If the Catholic Emancipation is rejected , this will afford matter for another debate , and the principles of the Established Sect , will

    undergo a severe discussion . It will be seen how far the experience of the past has operated upon them , and whether they can embrace in their true extent the doctrine of love , the genuine maxims of the gospel .

    The Lancasterians have had a triumph in a very extensive district of London , around the line from Black friars * Bridge to Clertenweli Church : and the Beilians have met with success in Dorsetshire . In the former district , a very respectable meeting was holden , over which Alderman Smith , late Lord Mayor , presided , whose plain and inartificial

    speech on the influence of knowledge on morals , aided by his own experience in the magisterial chair , of which he gave very important instances , pointed out in the strongest manner the necessity of educating the poor . The resolutions

    were introduced by Mr . Waithman in a very eloquent and impressive manner , and supported by Mr . Quin , in a speech that would do honour to any assembly . They were resisted by * a gentleman , who threw out the most illiberal and

    unfounded assertions that could be devised , representing the Quakers as Socimans , and the opposers of Lord Sidraouth's Bill , as ready to support their opinions by force . For the honour of the meeting , he had on the shew of hands only two to support him in some resolutions > and in others he stood alone . A Committee was formed and a liberal

    subscription commenced . Of the Dorsetshire meeting we know nothing but by the advertisement , from which it appears that the bishop of the diocese was appointed president , five peers , one right honourable and two honourable * , a dean and an archdeacon , vice presidents , and these with five baronets , seventeen esquires ., and nineteen without ari > r distinction to their name * form a committee .

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    State of Public Jffairs . 275

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1812, page 275, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1747/page/67/