claim for themselves the independent exercise of the privileges which hitherto they had enjoyed as a portion of the general body. The resolutions passed at this meeting, after recapitulating the terms of the original union, and the various acts by which those terms had been violated, proceeded to state

"That, contemplating these proceedings and various indications of the disposition of the majority of the members of the United Body of Ministers, we cannot entertain a doubt that it is the wish and purpose of such majority eventually to exclude the Presbyterian body from the union, or to make its relative position such as no religious body, alive to its own dignity, could

consent to occupy.

That, therefore, we feel it to be an imperative though painful duty,-imposed upon us equally by regard to our own character as Protestant Dissenting Ministers, who hold it to be one of the inalienable rights of conscience, that no man shall, without his own consent, be answerable to another for his honest judgment upon the sense of the Holy Scriptures, by respect for the memory of those that went before us and laid the foundation of our freedom, and by regard to the welfare of those that shall come after us,-to withdraw as a body from an union, the compact of which has been violated, and in which we can see no prospect of equal and peaceful co-operation, or of real and effective service to the interests of religious liberty."

*

This important document, which was prepared and moved by Mr. Aspland, concluded by disavowing all angry and hostile feelings, and by tendering to the other two denominations sincere wishes for their usefulness in the cause of freedom, truth and virtue.

On the following day, the Presbyterian Deputies met and passed resolutions of a similar character. Dr. Rees, Mr. Aspland and Mr. Madge, waited immediately on Lord Melbourne and Lord John Russell, to state and explain the withdrawment of the English Presbyterians from the two other bodies of Protestant Dissenting Ministers.

In addition to the causes of division now stated, considerable political disagreement developed itself amongst the English Dissenters soon after the meeting of the Reformed Parliament. In enumerating the grievances from which they asked and expected a Liberal Administration to free them, the English Presbyterians, and with them many of the other denominations, confined themselves to practical points-such as Church-rates, compulsory Church Marriages, &c.; whilst others included in their statement the existence of a State Church, and asked for the expulsion of the Bishops from the House of Lords, and the severance of the Church from the State. The course of the latter party was equally embarrassing to Dissenters and to their friends in the Administration. It was beheld by Mr. Aspland and many others in the Unitarian body with deep regret. He saw at once with what a powerful weapon these impracticable politicians were arming the clergy, and that the influence and power of the Church would be greatly and most undesirably increased by this insane attack upon its very existence. Upon all these topics the extracts that follow, from his Diary and letters, will shew what were Mr. Aspland's opinions and feelings.

"Feb. 4, 1833.-There is a stir upon the Marriage question. The Independents are striving to be considered by Ministers as the Dissenters, and have had

* See the Christian Reformer, N. S. (1836), pp. 276, 277.

separate conferences, the result of which they will not disclose. We shall have to explain to Government their insidious measures, which are not approved by the best of their own body. The subject is before the general body at Redcross Street. Some are for a dash-others of us are for consulting the interests and wishes of the Reform Government."

"March 12.—To town, to a meeting of the body at the Library, to choose twelve delegates to United Committee. Independents trickish. I left early, on account of an engagement. Afterwards, the young members carried vote by ballot. I had every Presbyterian vote; but Dr. Winter,* the Chairman, was thrown overboard by his own brethren!"

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May 25.-With a deputation of United Committee of Dissenters to Earl Grey, at Downing Street, consisting of Mr. Waymouth, W. Smith, Dr. J. B. Brown, T. Wilson, Dr. Newman, &c. We were courteously received, and obtained general promises with regard to parochial assessments on places of worship, the marriage law, &c. We were with Earl Grey, who was alone, three quarters of an hour."

"May 26, Whit-Sunday.-In the evening, I preached at Little Portland Street. Mr. Tagart, the minister, had preached in the morning, and now read prayers. My sermon from Philipp. iii. 3. Very large and attentive congregation. A good company of divines present, also Rammohun Roy and Mr. Agar, the patron of the chapel. The building spacious, commodious and elegant."

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May 28.-My good old friend John Marsom died, in his 88th year. The funeral at Worship Street, June 3. I met the corpse there and officiated. Address and prayer extempore. Fifty or sixty persons present."

"June 13.-Mr. Edgar Taylor and I visited Lord Holland this morning, at Great Burlington Street, where we had an hour of his delightful conversation. Topics, the Unitarian Marriage Bill, with other Dissenting topics—also the Ministers, the Tories, the Bishops, &c."

Rev. Robert Aspland to Rev. R. Brook Aspland.

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Hackney, Feb. 19, 1834.

* Sydney will have told you of our successful meeting yesterday. † I shall propose on Friday, when we have the first committee meeting, to set on foot a periodical, called the English Presbyterian Reporter, to contain letters from the journals, &c., in defence of our body.

"We are all in merry confusion, having got up a party and provided coaches, &c., to go to the Oratorio to-night, and being this afternoon informed that the pious Bishop of London has forbidden the profane performance.

"With Mr. Edgar Taylor, I saw Lord Holland confidentially the other day. We had a pleasant morning chat with him. He says Lord Grey and the Cabinet are not a little displeased at the conduct of the violent party amongst us. But for Lord H.'s representations with regard to some of us, the Cabinet would have thrown us off and left us to shift for ourselves. Lord H. has re

* Dr. Winter, the grandson of the celebrated Thomas Bradbury, died August 9, 1833. Mr. Aspland entertained great respect for Dr. Winter, whom he described, in an obituary notice, as "a truly upright, honourable and amiable man," and as "exempt from bigotry and sectarian zeal and extravagance." Alluding to the incident noted above, Mr. Aspland assigned as the cause of the strange slight put upon this venerable minister, to "his being an advocate of the union, and the real and friendly union, of the Three Denominations. But if his liberality, untainted by insincerity, were not accordant with the sentiments and purposes of many of his own denomination, it was properly appreciated, and is respectfully and gratefully remembered, by others whose good opinion he was accustomed to consider a testimony to his having manifested the spirit of Christianity."

To establish the English Presbyterian Association.

quested a note from me, explaining the views and designs of the Moderates, to be shewn to his Cabinet brethren."

แ

"March 4, 1834.

On Saturday I wrote confidentially to Lord HOLLAND, on the subject of Dissenters' views and expectations. A pretty long letter from him, received this morning, is highly satisfactory. He says my letter arrived quite opportunely. He shewed it to Lord Grey, who was much pleased with it:' 'it has done good, and softened many angry impressions.' I expressed my dissatisfaction with the proposed Marriage Bill, and hinted that the hand of the Church was in it: his Lordship expresses himself a little disappointed that the Bill is not entirely approved of' by me, and declares that the Church has no hand in it-any amendment of reasonable Dissenters is welcomed. But he fears the finger of the Church will be more busy (in the House of Lords) in spoiling this, or any other Bill of the sort, than it has been in framing it.' He almost says the Bishops are sulky.

"While I assured Lord Holland the Cabinet might rely upon the mass of the Dissenters, I ventured to advise that Ministers should make some demonstration of an intention to relieve Dissenters in other matters besides marriage. He says he is 'very glad' I mentioned Church-rates, and assures me that Government will make more than a 'demonstration' on this point, and will, in fact, do what will prove satisfactory to every reasonable Dissenter.' He is pretty confident' that in due time our wishes, with regard to the Universities, will be accomplished. Of the Reformer' which I sent him he says, Many thanks for your periodical work. I have read many articles in it with great pleasure.'

"I see by the papers that Lord Grey took my advice, and made a demonstration in our favour last night. What he said (explained by Lord H.'s letter, without its being referred to) may be made use of as you please.

"You should have good care that your Dissenters' meeting is a respectable one, and called with rational as well as honest views, before you commit yourself to it.

"Lord Holland recommended to me, as I do to you, 'Second Travels of an Irish Gentleman in Search,' &c., 2 vols. The writer outdoes Tom Moore in humour, and floors him in argument. He has been said to be Archbishop Whately. Lord H. says No. Whoever he be, he is of the Whately or liberal school; one of us, in fact, with some Paley expedients for climbing over Church-of-England difficulties."

"March 17, 1834.

"I was summoned to the United Committee (but read dis-united) to-day, and refused to attend. Hypocrisy written on certain faces warns me away from the sight. The state of the Dissenters is deplorable. No common understanding, no confidence, disowned almost by the Government. In such

a condition, men that value sterling principle, and entertain a sense of honour, have no other course than to keep aloof. Meantime, we have contrived, by our violence and folly, to force into union the hostile parties within the Church, and to strengthen the Conservative party; though I think we have done another thing, and that is, to shew the sane portion of the old Church of England that the Unitarians, the descendants from, or connections of, the old English Presbyterians, are not, as their red-hot divines taught them, the rancorous enemies of the Establishment.

"Poor Sir Jas. Mackintosh's book on the 'Revolution' is out (4to, 3 guineas). He has fallen into sad hands. An introductory Memoir, made up from his own writings, seems designed to lower him in moral rank. This comes of his mortgaging his talents and posthumous fame to the London booksellers!"

* "This, on reading it, sounds big, but I am content to let the expression stand.

"May 26.—Introduced Dr. Tuckerman and Hon. Mr. Phillips to Lord Holland, at Holland House. Our interview lasted an hour and a half. Lord H. in better health than usual, and cheerful, notwithstanding the distractions in the Cabinet.

"July 9.-Lord Grey's Ministry expired, after three years and a half's duration! But only Lord Grey and Lord Althorp have yet (the 10th) sent in their resignations. An anxious political week.

"— 15.-Lord Melbourne Premier. Lord Althorp to be brought back. Attended Aged Ministers' Society at King's Head. The ministers present, on the suggestion of Dr. J. P. Smith, signed a requisition for a general meeting of the Body, to express gratitude, &c., to Lord Grey, on resigning office. Signers, Dr. Smith, Dr. Humphrys, Dr. Collyer, Dr. Newman, Messrs. Russell, Yockney and R. A.

"Aug. 18.-Dr. J. P. Smith called, to read to me his proposed resolution in the Body to-morrow, in honour of Earl Grey.

19.-Meeting of Body to-day at Library, to consider of complimentary resolution to Lord Grey. I exceedingly regretted that, through indisposition, I could not be present. The motion was opposed, and withdrawn.

Rev. Robert Aspland to Rev. John Kenrick.

"Hackney, March 20, 1835. "My dear Sir,-Permit me to thank you most cordially for your communication of last month. You will have seen that I ventured to give it a heading, as for a new department in the work. This I did, relying partly upon your kind offer of continental intelligence. I almost envy you the faculty of being at home amidst the German literati. If you have any thing for me this month, it will be in time by the 25th; and may I request that you will address me here, and always leave the postman and me to settle the account.

"Are you not amused with the simplicity of the reformed and reforming House, in hailing with such applause Sir Robert's Dissenting Marriage Bill? It is an artful though clumsy measure. The Dissenters cannot accept it, and the great Unpaid would not work it if they did; but the end is answered by our having liberty of conscience offered us, at the price of civil degradation, and by the Premier's having to boast, notwithstanding our perverseness, that he has redeemed one of his pledges!

"You will see in next No. of C. R. a full report, from short-hand writer's notes, of the Vice-Chancellor's Judgment, a wretched though mischievous effusion of intolerance. It makes Unitarians outlaws, and strips us of all our public property, and incapacitates us for every religious trust. This, of course, is not to be borne. We shall appeal; but we want a general fund for the protection of the whole body, and the Presbyterian Association is about to make an effort to raise one, so as to be able to meet every case of legal persecution promptly, boldly, and with the most effective instruments. I trust we shall have the sympathies and the assistance of our body throughout the kingdom. "It seems that the Judge's bench is to be turned into a pulpit. Every day gives us some new forensic sermon. The Judgment in the Methodist cause is ludicrous. I see to-day symptoms of the Chancellor's correcting the Vice's orthodox propensities. This latter has now before him the case of a worthy man whom I know, Michael Jones, of Llanuchllyn, who, though a good Independent, is ejected by an Antinomian gang because he is moderately Calvinistic, and holds the passive-power scheme of the late Dr. Williams, of Rotherham. He, poor fellow! will, I expect, be decreed to be wanting in Vice-Chancery soundness of theological faith. How long will this official foolery be suffered to harass and plunder the liberal Dissenters, of all creeds?

"But I am trespassing upon time which you devote to higher authorities and better things than the Vice-Chancellor and his Greek-law, and hasten to subscribe myself

"Your much obliged and obedient friend and servant, ROBERT ASPLAND."

"March 26.--At Waredraper's nursery grounds, for shrubs and plants for the G. P. ground. A stranger pointed me out as 'the man that says there is no Christ.' I reprimanded him for being out without a keeper."

April 8.-Peel and Wellington Ministry out. At the Orphan Working School dinner, sate between Mr. Baines, M. P., and Mr. Clay, our Member for the Tower Hamlets. Both had come down from the House, where Sir Robert Peel had just announced his resignation. Lord Brougham was in the chair. He spoke much and long, but feebly. He bewailed being a Lord, and losing, under the call of public duty, his real power. He recognized me and offered his hand."

"April 11.-Dr. Rees wrote me word that he had received notice of intention to oppose his re-election as Secretary of the General Body of Ministers, at the annual meeting at the Library on Tuesday next, on account of opinions, and to put up Mr. Geo. Clayton in his place. I wrote on the subject to the following ministers-Messrs. Geary, Means, Squier, Yates, Dr. Barclay, Wood, Hunter, Madge, Tagart, Kenrick, Davison, Dr. Newman, T. Russell, J. Coates, J. Clayton, Dr. J. P. Smith, Le Breton and Cogan."

"April 14.-Annual meeting of body at Library. Attempt of intolerants to exclude Dr. Rees from the office of Secretary. Mr. Barrett in the chair. I spoke freely. Discussion adjourned."

"April 28.-At adjourned meeting of body, the intolerants voted Dr. Rees out of Secretaryship, and George Clayton in, by a great majority. Not above half a dozen Independents and Baptists stood by us. Hints were thrown out of something further."

Rev. Robert Aspland to Rev R. Brook Aspland.

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'Hackney, May 6, 1835. "Dear Brook,-We are making a great effort in the Presbyterian Association to raise a fund to enable us to meet the enemy in the gate. We have issued a circular appeal to the country, and are forming ourselves into parties for canvassing our richer friends throughout the kingdom. Mr. G. W. Wood has undertaken Lancashire; Mr. Mardon and I may scour Kent; and Richard Taylor and I propose to run down to Chichester, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight. I shall be disappointed if we do not get £2000 or £3000.

*

"The Association is, I assure you, not inactive. We are carrying the Wolverhampton case, by appeal, to the House of Lords; and we have taken a bold step (but tell only Dr. Carpenter and Mr. Palmer, and enjoin secrecy upon them for the present) with regard to the Lady Hewley case. Agreeably to the hint thrown out in last number of the C. R., we have procured from some of the beneficiaries of the charity a remonstrance to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, and we ourselves as a society have sent resolutions to the Attorney-General, pointing out the illegality of the course agreed to be pursued relative to the ex-Chancellor's judgment. We shall not, I hope, be sent to Newgate.

"The orthodox here wax worse and worse. The Body of Ministers have refused to re-elect Dr. Rees to their Secretaryship, avowing openly their opinion of his unfitness, on account of his religious creed, and have chosen Geo. Clayton, who, much to my surprise and to the chagrin of his brother John, my neighbour and acquaintance, has suffered himself to be used as a tool by the bigots. These sons of liberty have thrown out pretty plain hints that they mean to purge the body, and to throw us off as so much peccant matter. We shall

In furtherance of this object, Mr. Aspland during this summer visited Bristol, Bath, Bridgewater, Exeter, Plymouth, Crediton, Moreton Hampstead, Collumpton, Taunton, Gloucester, preaching at most of these places, and inviting contributions to the fund for the defence of English Presbyterian rights. Other members of Mr. Aspland's family visited, for the same object, many of the congregations in the Eastern and Northern and North-Western counties.