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doubt the principal object of pursuit was always considered to be the Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts ; but this had only been prosecuted at intervals , and balances had from time to time reihained in their hands , which they had disposed of as seemed best for the promotion of the interests of Dissenters * Meantime , for convenience , the balance
had been invested in stock . They had , it was clear , adopted a wide discretion in disposing of their money ; as , for instance , they had embarked large sums in suits not affecting general principles , but the private property of congregations , as in the Pudley cause . They had in other instances employed the money in prosecutions of offenders . Id short , theJSor
ciety had always freely exercised the discretion freely reposed . If then there was that unity or consonance of purpose in the proposed University with their principles aud interests as Dissenters , which some thought , and on which it was the province of the meeting to decide as a fair matter of opinion and discussion , he could have no doubt that
such discretion must be the law and rule . It was the sole question , he must think , to be decided , and those who thought the object not consonant with their views would of course negative the motion . On that question he did not intend to offer any opinion either way . .
A Deput y observed , that it did not appear to be necessary to sell any of the stock at all . They had a balance of cash in hand , aud could pay future calls out of their dividends . Mr . Thomas Wilson had taken no part in originating this , motion , but must , as he trusted he always should do , take the liberal side and support it . He
considered it quite clear that they could do it if they wished . The money was in no way appropriated to any specific purpose ; it was merely money subscribed for them to apply as they saw best in the civil concerns of the Dissenters . They lay under restrictions from holding certain offices , and they were going to petition againat such laws . They lay under similar restrictions as to
education ; here was a plan for obviating that grievance . Could any one doubt that it was an object for their support if they thought proper ? The London University wanted support from every quarter , and it deserved it . It offered education
to all , and it was of the utmost importance , particularly to Dissenters , to encourage such a principle . In so doing we were remedying as far as we coul 4 the worst infringement on our liberties , and he was sure our ancestors would have gloried in such an opportunity .
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Intelligence . —The Deputies . 231
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the great misfortunes resulting to Dis ~ senters from the existence of a Church Establishment , aud the connexion between the Church and the Universities , that they were forced to acquire a sectarian character . But ought they to cherish such a character ? Young men , iiistead of associating with others , were classed by religious systems , and became narrow and bigoted in their habits . It was the abolition of this mischievous
result that gave the plan of the new University its value , and entitled it to support in preference to the limited , exclusive academies maintained by the several religious denominations . A Deputy ( we believe a solicitor ) said he came prepared to ask several questions which the production of the accounts had rendered unnecessary . But
he still wished to know something as to the origin of the fund ; whether auy of it came by will , or how ? He was very doubtful , especially after what had fallen from Mr . Wilks and Mr . Collins , whether they had legally or equitably any right so to appropriate the money . He suggested that a case should be stated for counsel ' s opinion .
Mr . Yockney did not presume to argue with legal men on legal subjects , but considered it perfectly competent to the Society to vote the money entrusted to it by voluntary contributors , for any purpose which in its discretion it considered consonant to the great principles they had in view . He was confident that they would do great credit to themselves in coming to such a vote . The Chairman did not intend to take
part in the debate on the propriety of the vote , but as questions had been asked as to the objects of the Society and the origin of their funds , he would give a short explanation on those heads . On referring to the printed history of their proceedings , it would be seen that the objects of the Deputation were declared to be in the most general terms , " for
the management of the civil affairs of the Dissenters ; " and the Deputies and Committee had always attended to any matters which they thought connected with the rights , interests , or civil situation , of the Dissenting body . With regard to the fund , not one penny arose from any bequest , donation , or specific
appropriation of any sort . The object of it was therefore as general as the objects of their association . The Committee had from time to time made appeals to congregations and the public for subscriptions for their general purposes , and the money which was sent was disposed of at the will and pleasure of the Deputation and their Committee . No
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1827, page 231, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1794/page/71/
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