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If that property were more equitably distributed amongst the clergy , I believe that it would be productive of a wider and more efficient good than it has ever yet been . As dissenters , we can have no interested wishes in desiring to see reforms in the Church ; for I believe that a reformed ~ Chu-r ~ e-h- ~~ would—i n ci'ease—in
numbers and strength , and would secure its continuance for a number of years ; so that if I looked at it in a mere narrow , sectarian spirit , I should say , * I do not desire Church reform . ' But I look at it , asking myself not what will do most to extend the numbers and influence of
the body to which I belong ; but what , under the actual circumstances , taking mankind as they are , will be best calculated for the moral happiness and harmony of all classes . My fervent hope is , that whatever changes take place will be peaceable
and amicable , that there will be a deep and tender respect for the feelings , and even for the honest prejudices of the present generation who are enjoying the benefits and sharing in the distinctions of the Church establishment . There can
be no such thino ; as a national religion ; it must be an individual thing . The national will has only to decree the dissolution of the connexion of the Church with the State , and then that connexion will peaceably and constitutionally take place . The next sentiment given from
the chair was the following : —* We profess ourselves heartily desirous of joining together with all our fellow-Christians who will accept our co-operation , in endeavouring to improve the physical and moral condition of the poor in our own town and neighbourhood . '
Mr . James Aspinall Turner , in responding to this sentiment , spoke with pleasure of the recently insti - tuted 4 Ministry to the Poor' in Manchester , the object of which , he said , was not so much to teach the poor to depend on the aid of
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others in buffeting the waves of life ' s stormy sea , as to show them how they might stem the tide themselves . Mr . Richard Potter mentioned as an instance of ineieasing co-operation amongst those of different denominations , that a meeting , at ^ rhirh , he had been present that
morning , ( to consider in what way a few huudred pounds remaining from the cholera subscription should he applied , ) consisted of two Catholic priests , the chairman of this meeting , ( Rev . J . G . Rbbberds , ) a Church clergyman , a Methodist minister , and
two or three others ; and that a sub-committee , consisting of a Uni ^ tarian minister , a Catholic priest , and ( he believed ) a Methodist minister was ^ appointed to consider how the money might be ^ best applied to the benefit of the pock .
The next sentiment , We cordially wish success to the various experiments which are already going on for the promotion of instruetion temperanee , and domestic comfort , ' was spoken to by the Rev . Wm . Gaskell , who observed that the reports of several excellent institutions , and of various experiments which had been tried , showed that the higher classes began to take a deeper interest in the welfare of those beneath
them , that more of the opulent and the mighty were gathering to the cause of virtue and piety ; and * while they had reason to rejoice in this , he trusted it would not be forgotten that none were so mean or poor , but they could take their share in this great work .
The Chairman next expressed the sentiment , We especially wish success to the experiment Just begun by ourselves of a City Mission or Ministry to the Poor ; and we promise to give what encouragement and help we can , individually and collectively , to Mr , Ashworth , in the important office which he has undertaken / . —For this office was wanted a man of great benevolence and at
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124 INTELLIGENCE AND
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 1, 1833, page 124, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2611/page/28/
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