On this page

• Text (1)

  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.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• 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

    paying a suitable tribute of respect to Dr . Drummond , suggested that the Meeting should , by a vote , invite him to preach their next anniversary sermon ; and also , that a visit should be undertaken to Ireland by some minister accredited to the mission by the Association .

    1 he Report then impressed upon the friends of the Association the necessity of considering that the Association now embraced the objects and wants of several societies , and that if individuals confined their subscriptions to what they formerly gave to one of such societies , the cause must suffer instead of

    benefiting by the union . The whole concluded with some account of the good effected by the contributions made through the assistance of the Association to the sufferers in Lancashire . It having been then moved and carried that the Treasurer ' s Report be

    approved and received , and that the Committee ' s Report be received and printed in the discretion of the New Committee , it was further resolved , "That the thanks of the Meeting be given to the Rev . Dr . Hutton for his very able , liberal and impressive discourse delivered this day . "

    The next resolutions , on the subject of the abolition of the Sacramental Test , gave rise to some discussion , during which some variation in their phraseology , as originally moved , was proposed and acceded to . Mr . Young , Mr . Rutt , Mr . Fox , and Mr . Madge , expressed considerable disappointment at the

    recognition , in however modified a form , of the principle of a religious test . Mr . Aspland , Mr . Edw . Taylor , Mr . Hardy , Dr . Rees , Mr . R . Taylor , and Mr . EdgarTaylor , argued that the expression of disapprobation on that head was quite sufficiently embodied in the resolutions , and that it was unreasonable to complain of the efforts of the United Committee for not

    having gone further than any instructions given them , or any original design of their application , imposed upon them . They had done all they could to resist any qualification of the relief granted , but finding that they could not succeed without concession , they had certainly preferred securing the great object of their union . They had abolished the Sacramental Test . Dissenters and

    Churchmen were now equally eligible to all the honours and offices of the State . More had been done than any one would have dared to anticipate , and though it was true that at least an im-

    Untitled Article

    plied declaration of the parties ' being " a Christian" was required , those words imposed no new qualification ; they having always been part of one of the * other oaths of which the Committee had never been instructed to solicit the repeal . The resolutions as ultimately agreed to were as follows :

    " That this Association , in receiving that part of the Report which records the passing of the Bill for repealing so much of the Corporation and Test Acts as relates to the Sacramental Test , feel themselves called upon to declare , that ( although they cannot conceal that it is some abatement of their rejoicing in

    this event , that the Act imposes a declaration which approaches to a confession of faith , and with regard to some classes of persons may be felt as a priration and restraint ) they are nevertheless persuaded that the measure is a great advance in the cause of religious liberty , and that , inasmuch as it removes the

    distinction between Protestant Dissenters and members of the Church of England , it will not only tend to promote civil union , to increase national strength , and further national prosperity , but will also cherish amongst all classes a liberal spirit , which in its operation will remove the imperfections and supply the deficiencies of the Act in question , and carry to the utmost extent the practical enjoyment of the sacred and inalienable rights of conscience .

    " That they feel and hereby express " their gratitude to the United Committee appointed to conduct the application U 1 Parliament for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts , who have fully redeemed their pledge of persevering until their labours should be crowned with success ,

    and to whose firmness , assiduity , vigilance , and zeal , united with prudence , moderation , and a conciliatory spirit , this success is in a great measure to be ascribed ; and that they beg , in particular , that those members of their own body who were a constituent part of that Committee will accept their cordial thanks for their valuable services . " That they concur in the Resolutions of the United Committee which

    communicate thanks to the members of botn Houses of Parliament who supported this measure , a measure . of relief not merely to conscientious Protestant Dissenters who were excluded by the Corporation anid Test Acts from the honours and emoluments of the State , to the duties and burthens of which they have always been called upon to contribute ;

    Untitled Article

    intelligence . —British and Foreign Unitarian Association . 495

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1828, page 495, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2562/page/63/