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intelligence \~ -Protestant Satiety . 459
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a more ardent friend to their cause than himself , did not exist ; and although he must repeat his sorrow at the unfortunate declaration made by Mr , Canning , from which he could not hold out to them a hope of immediate redress , yet among the persons who were now entrusted with the administration of the affairs of the country , there was so much
liberality and talent , that he felt convinced it was impossible for the Statute Book to be much longer disgraced by the continuance of any religious tests , which not only were derogatory to the character of a free people , but tended to impede that growth of charity and religion which every Briton and Christian must desire .
The following were the Resolutions passed at this Meeting : — 1 . " That this Meeting deem it their duty to renew the avowal of the principles they have often promulgated , and to which they adhere ; that it is the unalienable right of every man to worship God as his judgment and his heart direct ; that neither legislatures nor societies are entitled to restrict that right ; that its infringement , if attempted , may
convert unworthy men into hypocrites , and good men into martyrs , but can never produce a beneficent result ; arid that such infringement is attempted , and persecution introduced , whenever peculiar honours , wealth , and rewards , are distributed by a state to the upholders of certain doctrines and forms , while exclusion and inconvenience inflict practical punishment on those who to those doctrines and forms conscientiously refuse to conform . "
2 . " That this Meeting regret , that in England , at the present period , so many cases connected with the undoubted rights of Protestant Dissenters , even under a mere system of toleration , still annually require the attention of this Society ; and that riots , and disturbances
of worship—assessments to the poor ' s rate—claims of turnpike tolls—refusals of marriage and interment—illegal pecuniary demands—and many acts of intolerance and oppression , should yet demonstrate the utility of the institution , and require its continued support . "
3 . ** That this Meeting learn with sorrow , that the lamented indisposition of the Earl of Liverpool , and various political events during the present Session of Parliament , have prevented those strenuous efforts for the relief of the numerous and respectable members of the Baptist denomination from various
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special evils to which they are exposed , and for the establishment of a new aystern of registration of births , which the imperfection and injustice of the existing laws clearly require , and that the Committee be instructed to take the earliest fit opportunity to obtain for these matters that attention from the Legislature and
Government , which they truly deserve /' 4 "That , interested in the general welfare of the world , they partake the sorrow felt by those who perceive still in " Spain , and even in some Protestant Cantons of Switzerland , an intolerant and persecuting spirit ; but are cheered by the successful resistance made in France
to attempts at its revival in that coun - try ; and rejoice that in the vast continent of America the principles of religious liberty appear to be understood and upheld , and hope that their universal influence throughout the earth will , ere long , and everywhere , promote the piety and purity , the honour and happiness of man !"
5 . " That the conduct of the Committee , in the attention they have invited to a general application to relief from the Corporation and Test Acts , and the resolutions circulated by them , are highly approved by this Meeting . That they gladly offer their thanks to the body of Deputies , and to the very estimable ministers of the Three Denominations , and to all other Societies who have been
prompt and cheerful coadjutors to the Committee , and assisted the cause by their labours and advice ; and also present grateful acknowledgments to Lord John Russell , M . P ., and those other noble and eminent personages who have expressed their approval of the attempt , and their assurance of support ; and that while this Meeting are unwilling to differ
from any members of his Majesty ' s Go * vernment , or to urge forward an attempt which they will oppose , yet they cannot consent , therefore , to waive an application on which they had resolved—which has been too long delayed—which many pious and dignified members of the Established Church greatly approve—which
merits and needs discussion and inquiry —which is demanded by the duties due to our ancestors and to posterity—and which only asks explanation , unity , and perseverance , to ensure , if not an immediate triumph , yet final success ; and thii Meeting must , consequently and universally , recommend energetic co-operation and unabatlng zeal . " 6 . " That with undiminished pleasure they present to the Committee during
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1827, page 459, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1797/page/67/
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