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The tone assumed by the high church party throughout the country , the virulence of their publications , arid the intolerant dogmas they revived , were clearly exposed . The sermon of Mr . Cassan , of
Frome , in a discourse " on Schism / which unchristianized all persons who ventured to dissent , and whkh had obtained the thanks of his own Diocesan , and of four other Prelates : —tke volume
entitled " Correlative Claims , written to prove the necessity of an Established Church , and which had obtained from the clergy of Wales an honorary prize ; —and the Bampton Lectures of the past year by Mr . FAUSS . ETT , which re-asserted
the needfulness of the Sacramental Test , and pronounced its eulogy , were noticed , not with any apprehension from their virulence or arguments , but to prove that the zeal of their opponents being unabated - —the watchfulness of the friends to
religious freedom to study and to announce , and their union to defend their principles , should never intermit . And an hope , sometimes faint but always cheering , was expressed , that finally the chill luRar light of toleration would be succeeded by the meridian day-beams of religious liberty ;—that protection would
be needless , because the sacred rights of conscience would be universally recognized—and nd assailants of those rights abide among the dwellers upon earth ; that then no rumour of oppression , for an honest difference in religious sentiments ,
would sound on the ear , nor restir the spirit ; and that then he might enjoy the retirement that he sought , well knowing that when knowledge , freedom and religion held an undisputed sway , plenty , purity and peace , with happiness and love , would be universal and complete .
Of the admirable speech of Mr . Wilks , which was often interrupted by shouts of acclamation , and on the conclusion greeted by plaudits , continued during several minutes , we regret that the beat of the room and a disadvantageous situation , have compelled us to present only this very abbreviated and imperfect sketch .
On its conclusion , the following resolutions were successively proposed , and unanimously adopted : 1 . " That notwithstanding calumnies and opposition , experience confirms this
Meeting iti their opinion of the necessity , importance and advantages of-this Institution , and additionally attaches them to 4 ; he great principles of religious freedom which * its founders justly expressed , and which this Meeting glory to avow .
2 . " That they deeply regret the continued aggressions of the clergy of the Established Church on Protestant Dissenters , by renewing their refusals to sread the burial-service oyer their dead ,
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and to celebrate their marriages , and by sanctioning many proceedings hostile not only to their useful labours , but even to the toleration they are entitled to enjoy :
bat that they cheerfully acknowledge the courteous conduct of the Bishops of Salisbury and Lincoln , who , at the request of the Committee , interfered to restrain some clerical aggressions of which they complained .
3 . " That whilst this Meeting continue ardently to desire the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts , they approve the abstinence of the Committee from any measures for attempting that repeal during the past and present Sessions of Parliament , but direct them to make that attempt at the earliest period that prudence may recommend .
4 . " That regarding Henry Brougham , Esq ., M . P ., as an eloquent , benevolent and enlightened friend to civil and religious freedom , and obliged by his exertions to correct the abuse of educational charities , this Meeting deplore that a Bill should have been introduced by him
to Parliament , as to the Education of the Poor , that would injuriously increase the power of the Established Church , add largely to the load of the public burdens , augment the degradation and evils of which Dissenters complain , and lessen
that general , extending and beneficent instruction , which honourable zeal and Christian philanthropy abundantly supply : and that the Committee for the ensuing year be directed strenuously to oppose the progress of the measure whenever revived .
5 . " That they continue especially to approve the firmness , but moderation ; the vigilant , but unobtrusive activity ; and the conciliating candour , but fearless energy , with which the affairs of the Society have been again conducted during the past year .
6 . " That this Meeting having expressed that opinion of the conduct of the Committee , entreat them to accept their cordial thanks : and that
Rev . Messrs . J . Brooksbank , W . B . Cullyer , D . D ., Geo . Collison , F . A . Cox , A . M ., Thomas Cloutt , Alex . Fletcher , A . M ., Rowland Hill , M . A ., Thomas Jackson , W . Newman , D . D ., W . F . Platt , S . W . Tracey , John Townsend , Matthew Wilks ; and
David Allan , Wm . Bat email , J . B . Brown , James Emerson , James Esdaile , Thomas Hayter , J . O . Oldham , J . Pritt , Wm . Townsend , Matthew Wood , M . P ., Thomas Walker , Thomas Wontner , and James Young , Esqs ., —consisting of ministers and laymen , in equal proportions , with the Treasurer and Secretaries , be appointed to act as the Committee for the ensuing year .
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378 Intelligence . — Protestant Society .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1821, page 378, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2501/page/54/
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