Mr. John Smith, and to convey to them the warmest thanks of this Committee for the readiness with which they consented to propose and second the motion now recommended to be postponed; and that they be most respectfully and earnestly entreated to continue their invaluable assistance to the cause of religious liberty, and of the Protestant Dissenters in particular, by renewing that motion in the next Session of Parliament.

4. That the numerous Members of Parliament, who have, under all the difficulties of their situation, given this Committee the strongest assurances of support, be requested to accept their most grateful acknowledgments, accompanied by an earnest expression of their wishes and hopes that they will afford their powerful support to the measure in which the Committee have thus pledged themselves to persevere.

"5. That the foregoing resolutions be published in the newspapers and the religious periodical journals.

"6. That the above resolutions be communicated to the various Dissenting Ministers in London and the country, with a request that they will not, on account of this postponement, delay forwarding petitions to Parliament."

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS,

Lord J. RUSSELL said, that having to present several petitions for a repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, he felt it necessary to say a few words in explanation of the unusnal course he was about to take with respect to the motion of which he had given notice on that subject. He had on all occasions voted for a repeal of the laws affecting the Roman Catholics. He had done so on the broad ground of general religious liberty. If on this principle he had voted in favour of the Catholics, whose religion even at the present day was mixed up by many of its professors with the most objectionable and slavish doctrines, he could not refuse to give his support to the removal of the laws affect ing the Protestant Dissenters, who had on all occasions proved themselves the steady friends of civil and religious liberty; if he had voted in favour of the Catholics, who had in the course of the last century been the active partisans of the House of Stuart, he could not consistently refuse his vote to those who had in every instance proved themselves the strenuous supporters of the House of Hanover. (Hear, hear.) Had he brought this question before the House, as it was his intention to have done, he trusted he should have been able to make out a good case to the House, to show why they should erase from the statute-book those laws which were the dregs of that penal code which evinced the illiberal spirit of the times that gave it birth. He should

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have been able to show the impolicy and injustice of continuing as a test of loyalty, or of qualification for office, a sacred rite, which, he feared, as such test, was often grossly perverted,-of making that a sign of division and disunion which ought to be sacred symbol of conciliation. He should have been able to show that in many other points of view, those laws were a disgrace to our statute-books, and ought therefore to be repealed. Since he had given notice of a motion on this subject, a change of Government had taken place, which, it was unnecessary to add, had become the subject of much conversation in public and private. This had produced a considerable change in the intentions of the great body of Protestant Dissenters. It was admitted on all hands, that the present Administration was more favourable to the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts than any which had existed for the 37 years during which the subject had been allowed to rest; but there were very many amongst the Dissenting body who doubted the propriety of urging that measure upon the present Government so soon after its formation, and who were therefore for delaying the discussion of the question until the next session. Others of that body were, however, of a different opinion (and in that opinion he concurred), and thought the present the most favourable opportunity for the discussion of the question of repeal. He however could not act of his own mere will, but felt it necessary to consult those who took a lead in the affairs of the Protestant Dissenters, and amongst others, of his Hon. Friend the Member for Norwich (Mr. W. Smith), who by common consent was admitted to be the organ of that body. On consideration of the question amongst themselves, it did appear that the majority were in favour of postponing the discussion of the question for the present, and a request was made to him (Lord J. Russell) not to bring it forward. With that request be found it necessary to comply; for he felt that if he brought it forward against the opinion of the majority of those principally concerned, he should have afforded a good ground for some of its opponents to meet his motion with the " previous question." He was aware that by the course he was pursuing, he had placed himself in the unpleasant situation of one having the appearance of acting with a view to party interests; but he should be ashamed of himself if, to avoid an imputation personal to himself, he consented to a course which would be injurious to that cause of which he was the conscientious advocate (Hear, hear.) In discharging a duty to those most interested, he could not therefore bring forward the motion this session. It was, however, the intention of the whole body, that the subject should be brought forward

early in the next session, and if then unsuccessful, to be continued on from year to year. On this latter intention, he would not say further, than after so long a lapse, during which the question was not brought forward, he could not think the wish to press it from year to year at all unfair. He would observe, with respect to the petitions in favour of the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, that on the present occasion they were numerous beyond precedent. There was, however, a difference between some of the petitions from others. They all concurred in praying for the repeal of those acts, but some of them prayed also for a repeal of religious disabilities of every kind. He had had to present many of that description, and from his knowledge of the parties, he believed that the most enlightened and intelligent of that body viewed every kind of civil disabilities on account of religion amounting to persecution. Amongst the petitions which he had now to present, was one signed by clergymen and other members of the church of England, calling themselves the friends of religious liberty, who stated that they valued the repeal of those test acts only as one step towards general religious liberty. There was also one petition signed by the heads of a Roman Catholic establishment, by a Catholic baronet, and by other highly respectable members of that communion. They prayed for a repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. In a letter which accompanied that petition, it was stated, that many were of opinion that if the Dissenters were relieved, they would be found amongst the most bitter opponents of the Roman Catholics; but the letter added, that this would make no alteration in the prayer of the petitioners, --that they would not be prevented from praying for a removal of the civil disabilities of the Dissenters by any consideration of what use they might afterwards make of their liberty. What he (Lord J. Russell) was anxious to see, was a co-operation of all parties to put an end to those disgraceful acts. When they should have accomplished this, --that religion should no longer be considered a qualification for office,--they would have achieved a triumph important not only to England but to the world in general. By such means they would strengthen the state, give stability to the church, and purify religion itself. (Hear, hear.) He would now only add, that it was not his intention, for the reasons he had stated, to bring forward the questions in the present session. He would conclude by moving that the pe tition he held in his hand be brought up.

Mr. W. SMITH said, it would be unfair of any parties connected with the Protestant Dissenters, if they refused to thank the Noble Lord for his general advocacy of their cause, and for the part he had

acted on the present occasion. The Dissenters at large very naturally thought their interests were connected with those of the state. It was true there were dif. ferences of opinion amongst the body as to the question of bringing on their case in the present session, but the majority, in deciding for its postponement to the next session, hoped that by that time their situation would be better known, that many of the prejudices against them would be removed, and that they would stand better with Parliament. The Hon. Member then proceeded to show, that it was a gross fallacy to suppose that the grievances of the Protestant Dissenters were only theoretical, and to contend that they were practical, and in many cases severely so. Was it not a practical grievance, that a Dissenter could not be a member of Oxford University without declaring his assènt to the 39 Articles ?--that he could not take his seat as a magistrate, without the sacramental test, if any person chose to insist on it? (and this was done in some counties, and might be done in all.) He could mention a thousand other instances, if he were disposed to go into the question. He would not, however, trespass longer on the House, as the question was to be postponed. He trusted, however, that the justice of Parliament would soon put an end to those practical disabilities.

Mr. J. WOOD expressed himself favourable to the Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, and contended that their existence were practical grievances to the Dissenters. It was a practical grievance that many of that class, who were men of immense wealth, should be shut out from all management or influence in the corporation of Liverpool, as was the case for the last 50 years.

General GASGOYNE hoped that the question would be brought forward early next session, though he could not see why it was not brought on at present. It would, he thought, be more satisfactory to the great body than the postponement. That postponement was looked upon with some suspicion--that it was a concession, not to public opinion, but to the opinion which was so strongly expressed by a right hon. gentleman (Mr. Canning) on a former evening: and, indeed, he had heard that opinion quoted as a reason why the question was postponed. From what fell recently from an honourable member, it appeared as if there was a kind of compromise, and that the question of the Catholics was not to be brought forward without that of the Dissenters. (Cries of "No, no.") He should protest against any such course, as he felt that the man who took that course would be doing injustice to the Dissenters. He did not impute any intention of the kind to the

noble lord (J. Russell), who he hoped would persevere next session in the course he had marked out.

Mr. CURTEIS wished to ask the noble lord whether he intended to mix up the two questions? If they were united, it would be doing a serious injury to the cause of the Dissenters,

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Lord J. RUSSELL said, he was not aware of the resolution of the Protestant Dissenters (as was understood) until the 6th of June. He denied any intention of compromise in the course he pursued. answer to the hon. member (Mr. Curteis) he begged to say, that there was no intention of uniting the questions of Catholic emancipation and that of the repeal of the Test Acts. He would bring on the latter motion as a separate question.

The petitions were then read. They were from several congregations of Protestant Dissenters; one from some Protestant clergymen and other members of the Church of England; and one from several Roman Catholics, praying for a repeal of the Test Acts.

They were ordered to lie on the table.

NORTH RIDING ASSOCIATION.

The above Association of Independent

Ministers and Congregations in the North Riding of Yorkshire, which was formed in 1823, was re-organized at Kirkby Moorside, on the 24th of April. On the evening of the 23d, a sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Buckley, of Thirsk, from Deut. xxxiii. 3, the first clause. The former part of the 24th was spent in revising the rules of the Association, &c. In the evening, the Rev. W. Brewis, late of Lane End, Staffordshire, was publicly recognized as the pastor of the Independent Church and congregation in Kirkby Moorside. The Rev. J. Hague, of Mickleby, read the Scriptures and prayed. The Rev. H. Greenwood, of Malton, described the nature, &c. of a Christian church. The Rev. G. Croft, of Pickering, prayed for the pastor and people, and then addressed the former from 1 Tim. iv. 16.; and the Rev. H. Blackburn, of Whitby, preached to the people from Deut. i. 38. The other devotional parts of this and the former public service were conducted by the Rev. J. Benson, A. M. of Northallerton, J. Hafton, of Sutton, and Henderson, of Staiths. On both occasions the chapel was well filled, though the weather was very unfavourable. The Riding is now divided into three districts, each of which will hold meetings half-yearly, or oftener, and an Annual Meeting of the whole Riding will be held on the last Tuesday and Wednesday in May, when a sermon will be preached on Tuesday evening, and a public meeting held on Wednesday evening. This association has already been the means of establishing a separate interest at Guisbo

rough, and as it is now fixed on a more firm basis, it may be expected to be more extensively useful, in the support and spread of the Gospel throughout the Riding.

NEWPORT PAGNELL EVANGELICAL
INSTITUTION.

The Fifteenth Anniversary of this Society was held on Tuesday, the 1st of May, at Newport Pagnell, Bucks, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. Edward Parsons, of London, and the Rev. Eustace Carey. The former from 2d Corinthians ii. 14.; and the latter from 2 Co1. viii. 9. The Rev. Messrs. Griffiths, of Long Buck

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by; Gravestock, of Old; Hyatt, of Northampton; and Dobson, of St. Neots, engaged in the devotional exercises. the Institution was read in the afternoon, interesting report of the present state of when several respectable Ministers and Laymen from that and the adjoining counties ably advocated the cause of academical preparation for the work of the Christian Ministry, and recommanded the Institution to the support of the friends of an enlightened and effective Ministry. The meetings were respectably and nume

rously attended, and a growing attachment to the Institution was evinced by the amount of the collections.

BLACKBURN ACADEMY.

The Anniversary of this Institution was held on the 20th and 21st of June, when the Committee of Examination, having called the Rev. Dr. Clunie to the Chair, proceeded to examine the students in the different branches of study pursued during the last session. In the classical department, the several Latin classes were strictly examined in what they had read in Cicero, Sallust, and Quinctilian; and the Greek, in the New Testament, the Cyropedia of Zenophon, the Crito of Plato, the Edipus Tyrannus of Sophocles, and the Media of Euripides. Several other books were professed by the students, but time would not permit their examination in them. In the Mathematical and l'hilosophical department, the students were examined in simple Equations in Algebra; and in the Mechanical Powers, and the Elements of Astronomy, both of which were illustrated by some interesting experiments, and an excellent apparatus. In the Mental Philosophy and Theological department, they were very minutely examined in the principles of general grammar, the doctrines of moral accountability, original sin, election of the Trinity. And in the Hebrew and Chaldee, the students read various portions, at the pleasure of the Committee, in Genesis and Daniel, with considerable facility and correctness. The whole examination was highly satisfactory to the Committee, as it clearly evinced the great ability and success of

ORDINATIONS.

On the 24th of April, Mr. G. Hoyle was set apart to the pastoral office, over the church of Christ assembling in the Independent Chapel, Milnthorpe. The Rev. Edward Stillman, of Keld, introduced the service by reading suitable portions of Scripture and prayer; the Rev. S. Bell, of Lancaster, delivered the introductory discourse; the Rev. Richard Slate, of Grimshaw Street, Preston, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. D. T. Carnson, of Cannon Street, Preston, (Mr. H.'s former pastor,) gave the charge to the minister; and the Rev. D. Jones, of Kendal, preached to the people.

On the 26th of April, the Rev. N. M. Harry, Student from "The Newport Pagnell Evangelical Institution," was set apart to the pastoral office over the Congregational Church, Church Lane, Banbury, Oxon, when the Rev. T. Searle, of King Sutton, introduced the service by reading and prayer. The Rev. J. Slye, of Potter's Pury, delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. E. Barling, of Buckingham, asked the questions, and received the confession of faith. The Rev. D. W. Aston presented the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands. The Rev. T. P. Bull, of Newport Pagnell, gave the charge from 2 Tim. ii. 1.-"Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." Rev. T. W. Percy, of Warwick, preached The to the people from 1 Thess. iii. 8.-" For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord." The Rev. C. W. Bottomley, of Middleton, closed the interesting service with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. C. Morris, of Narberth, preached from Eccl. xi. 8. The Rev. Mr. Richards, of Hook Norton, conducted the devotional exercises. Divine service was held in the Chapel on the previous evening, when the Rev. R. Fletcher, of Bicester, prayed; and the Rev. C. Gilbert, of Stoney Stratford, preached from Psalm cxviii. 25.

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set apart to the pastoral office, over the On the 26th inst. Mr. S. Healey was church of Christ, assembling in the Iudependent Chapel, Kirkby-Lonsdale. The Rev. R. Slate, of Grimshaw Street, Preston, introduced the service by reading the Rev. D. Jones, of Kendal, delivered suitable selections of Scripture and prayer; the introductory discourse; the Rev. D. T. Carnson, of Cannon Street, Preston, Ely, of Rochdale, (Mr. H.'s former pasoffered the ordination prayer; the Rev. J. tor,) gave the charge to the minister; and the Rev. S. Bell, of Lancaster, preached to the people. The Rev. R. Slate, preached again in the evening.

On Thursday, the 10th of May, the Rev. W. Wild, late of Chalford, in Glucestershire, was publicly recognized as assembling in Caskgate Lane Chapel, pastor over the church and congregation Gainsborough; when the Rev. S. Nichols, of Bawtry, commenced with prayer, read the Scriptures, and proposed questions to the church and pastor suitable to the occasion. The Rev. Mr. Soper, of Lowth, offered the general prayer. The Rev. J. propriate and affectionate address to the Gilbart, of Nottingham, delivered an appool, pointed out the duties of the people Minister. The Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverto their pastor, in an interesting and comprehensive manner. The Rev. Mr. Mar. ston, of Gainsborough, concluded the solemnities of the morning with prayer.

The

RECENT DEATHS.