forms. A record of the transaction might, if desired, be lodged with the clerk of the peace for the county; and all disputes relative to marriages or compacts were to be decided at the General Quarter Sessions. To satisfy the curiosity of the reader, we subjoin a few extracts from the registers (in Salisbury) during the time that the most solemn and most important of compacts was thus degraded nearly to a level with a bargain for cattle. It is remarkable that, although all other marriages were declared invalid, not more than one in six of the parishioners of St. Edmund's appear from the register to have conformed to this law. In the parish of St. Thomas the ancient ceremony was occasionally revived in the years 1658 and 1659. "December 28th, 1653, William Poore, married to Margaret Clarke, by Mr. Francis Dove, Justice. "Jan. 12, 1654, William Smith, sonne of Mr. Thomas Smith, of this parish, and Catherine Newe, daughter of Christopher Newe, of St. Martin's parish, were published three several market-days, three several weeks, in the market-place, by George Nicholas. "Rowland Platt, of Tolland Royall, in this county, Esq., and Mrs. Prudence Swanton, daughter of Francis Swanton, Esq., were published three several weeks in the market-place, the 4th, 11th, and 18th May, 1658." DURING the present Parliament, the power of the Dissenters has been felt in the form of what Lord Grey calls " pressure from without." The gift of the elective franchise by the Reform Bill took the Dissenters by surprise. They were not aware of the extent of power which it placed in their hands; for the previous distribution of the constituency of the House of Commons nearly excluded them from any participation in the manufacture of members of that assembly. Those of them who were aware of their power were, like the rest of the nation, so grateful to the medium through which it reached them, that, for the most part, they exacted no other promises from those in whose behalf they exercised it, than that they should support the Administration. The consequence of this was, that, as to the Dissenters in particular, few advocates of their peculiar claims found seats in the so-called Reformed House. Now, however, the Dissenters are quite well acquainted with their means of influence. Their power to turn the scale of national affairs was confessed by ministers themselves, when groaning beneath the pressure from without; and ministers, as their general conduct clearly manifests, could have no disposition to exaggerate that power. Let the Nonconformists themselves, however, prove, by fair arithmetic, that Earl Grey and his colleagues were not mistaken in their estimate, If their experience of the Reformed Parliament and the Reform Ministers lead them to consolidate, and, as far as possible, extend their Parliamentary strength in the new House of Commons, they will have little reason to regret the failure of the old to do them any service. * All, then, that the Dissenters have now to do is, to make preparations for shewing themselves in their utmost strength at the hustings, which, in all probability, will be speedily erected. Let them act by united counsels, obtaining, wherever they can, a distinct pledge in favour of these principles : that religion, as represented by various denominations, ought to be supported by the voluntary contributions of its adherents, and by them alone; and that, due regard being had to vested interests, what is called church property, is, in fact, the property of the nation. Above all, since their cause is the cause of God, let them pray for divine guidance, direction, and assistance.—Christian Advocate. VOL. VI.-August, 1834. 2 c SIR, To the Editor of the “Cambridge Chronicle." I SEND you a Copy of Mr. Wood's bill as amended by the committee "A Bill (as amended by the committee) to remove certain Disabilities which prevent some classes of his Majesty's subjects from resorting to the Universities of England, and proceeding to Degrees therein." "Whereas it is highly expedient that the benefits of academical education should be extended as widely as possible to all classes of his Majesty's subjects; Be it therefore Enacted, by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that from and after the passing of this Act it shall be lawful for all his Majesty's subjects to matriculate in the universities of England, and to take Degrees therein (Degrees in Divinity only excepted) without being required to subscribe any articles of faith and religion, or to make or subscribe any declaration or acknowledgement touching any matter of religious faith, doctrine, or worship, or touching any matter of ecclesiastical government or discipline; and law, statute, ordinance, decree, or rule of the said universities notwithstanding. "And be it further enacted, that from and after the passing of this Act, wherever upon or for the purpose of matriculation in the said universities, or upon or for the purpose of taking any Degree therein (Degreess in Divinity only excepted), the oaths of allegiance or supremacy may be required to be taken, it shall and may be lawful and sufficient for any person profess ing the Roman catholic religion, instead of taking such oaths, or either of them, to take and subscribe the oath appointed and set forth in a certain Act of Parliament passed in the tenth year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the Fourth, intituled,An Act for the Relief of his Majesty's Roman Catholic Subjects.' "And be it further enacted, that from and after the passing of this Act, wherever upon or for the purpose of matriculation, or taking any Degree as aforesaid (Degrees in Divinity only excepted), any oath may be required to be taken, it shall and may be lawful and sufficient for every person of the persuasion of the people called Quakers, and every Moravian, instead of taking an oath, to make his solemn affirmation or declaration, according to the form set forth and prescribed in a certain Act of Parliament passed in the third and fourth year of the reign of his present Majesty, intituled, An Act to allow Quakers and Moravians to make Affirmation in all cases where an oath is or shall be required;' and for every person belonging to the seet called Separatists, instead of taking an oath, to make his solemn declaration or affirmation, according to the form set forth and prescribed in a certain other Act of Parliament passed in the third and fourth year of the reign of his present Majesty, intituled, 'An Act to allow the People called Separatists to make a solemn Affirmation or Declaration instead of an oath.'" I believe its framers have managed the clauses exactly according to their own wish. The proceedings of the committee have scarcely been noticed by the public; nor does it seem worth while to dwell much upon their labours. In the result, the bill retains, as far as regards the Universities, all the vices of its original concoction. All classes of his Majesty's subjects are empowered to be matriculated, and to take all degrees (except in Divinity) without any reference to religion; and all laws of the Universities, adverse to this provision, are abrogated. The fundamental principle, therefore, of our Universityconformity in religious doctrines with the Church of England—and which has subsisted ever since that Church was established-would be abolished; and the whole power of our corporate body, which it is well known resides in our Masters of Arts, would be laid open to persons of any religious persuasion, however alien or hostile to that faith to which the University by law appertains. Is it not strange that, at the same time that the Court of Chancery has been discussing, in the case of Lady Hewley's Charity, the minute distinctions between different sects of Non-Conformists in order to decide whether Unitarian Dissenters are entitled to partake of a charitable foundation established by a Trinitarian Presbyterian-the admitted principle being that the will of the founder is to be observed, and most especially by the exclusion of persons of different religious persuasions-a branch of the Legislature should, during the same period, have been considering whether they should not, by the exercise of their absolute authority, at one sweep violate and desecrate the most venerable institutions of the country for the education of the youth of the communion of the Church of England, by forcing upon them not only Presbyterians and Unitarians, Roman Catholics, Quakers, and Moravians, but Jews, Mahometans and Pagans? Among all which classes his Majesty certainly possesses many subjects. Ever since the first Act of Toleration, 1 Wm. 3rd, the law has been clearly settled that any sect of Christianity which is tolerated by law, is so far protected by the law, that any foundations for instruction or worship, according to such mode of faith, are established by the Courts of Equity; and, in particular, protected by the exclusion of other religious persuasions. Without seeking to interfere with the foundations of other sects, is it not monstrous that those which belong to the Established Church should be exposed to that spoliation and desecration by our Legislature, from which our tribunals defend even the most insignificant and the most hostile mode of faith that can be named? That such a measure can pass the House of Commons, I will not believe till the third reading has passed, which is now fixed for the 16th. If, in the confusion of other schemes of Church spoliation and other acts of misgovernment and distraction, Lord Grey's tottering administration have time now to bestow on such trifling subjects as the existence of our Universities. That it can ever pass the House of Lords, I do not believe possible. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM FRERE, Master of Downing College. 8, Devonshire Place, London, 9th July, 1834. RELIGION IN AMERICA. "IF we reject the drones of the Church of England, and consider only the working clergy, the American clergy on the voluntary principle are better paid than ours on the compulsory system. The salary of a clergyman at New York ranges from 300l. to 600l., which is at least 1001. more than the average income of the clergy of Scotland, and more than double the average income of the working clergy of the English establishment, or the Dissenting clergy throughout the kingdom; and this, too, in a country where bread and meat are about half the price they are here, where sugar is about half the price, where coffee is half the price, and where wine is about one-third of the price, and where tea is about one-fourth of the price. Even bishops are not overlooked in America. Mr. Stuart tell us that Bishop Hobart was a few years ago advised, on account of his health, to visit Europe, and that the trustees advised him while there "to live like a bishop." On his return, after two years' absence, they presented him with 14,000 dollars, being at the rate of near 1,500l. a year, although they must have also paid for a substitute. Now, this, although it was not paying him like the Bishop of London, was giving him a great deal more than is paid on the Continent of Europe to an archbishop under compulsion.-Westminster Review. [This writer would seem, by one phrase, to intend to oppose the voluntary system in America to the same system in England. Be it so. As to what he says about the payment of the episcopal clergy, he very honestly omits all notice of the Episcopal Clergy in country places in America, and confines himself to the city of New York. Is truth promoted by such proceedings ?—ED.] What is the end of this abominable bill no one seems to know or inquire. It is generally reported that it is, or is to be withdrawn. What legislation! It consisted of four clauses only. Two are taken away, the first altered, and a third added! And then, in all probability, the bill is withdrawn.-ED. VOLUNTARY SYSTEM. An account of a discreditable scene at the Tabernacle, or Tottenham Court Chapel was given in a former Number. The struggle between the ejected minister, Mr. Campbell, and the managers and trustees, who have ejected him, is going on with great vigour. The writer would be sorry to misrepresent either party, but, as far as can be made out, some of these managers and trustees are not "members of the church," but still contend that they have, by trust deed, the exclusive patronage of the chapel. Of what persuasion these "churches" are, does not appear. The trustees are altogether against the congregational system, while the congregation at the Tabernacle wish to effect something very like it. They sent a deputation to the trustees, who gave them a rough and ready answer. The following statement of part of the deputation as to the numbers and rights of those who sent them, and the trustees' reply, are curious, as well as the "observations" which follow. They all come from the " Patriot" "The deputation begs further to state, that the memorial signed 525 297 Making together It is believed the number of tickets of admission issued, on an 850 72 There will leave as the signatures of seatholders..... 750 To which may be added at least 50 who would not sign, but expressed themselves most decidedly with Mr. Campbell, and avowed their determination to continue if he remained Making together.... 50 800 800 So that, out of a constituency of 850 seatholders, there were with and for Mr. Campbell, proving to a demonstration that it is considerably within the truth to say nine-tenths of the people share the sentiments of the deputation, and are anxious for Mr. Campbell's return to his wonted labour. "The deputation beg further to state, that, divesting the case from all superfluities, the sole point raised by Mr. Campbell, in his letter from Edinburgh, was, whether individuals who never were members of the Church,-who had ceased to be members of the Church,-who had refused to do that which properly constituted them members of the Church,-were to rule the spiritual affairs of such Church, and were to supervise the Pastor in the discharge of his ministerial duties. And they shudder at the very thought, that by your negativing the wish expressed in the Memorial, it should go forth to the Church and to the world, that thereby you virtually say, Yes, non-members of the Church are of more importance, more highly estimable and desirable, more worthy our attachment, regard, and retention, than a minister so appointed and so approved, and who continues so to be by a very large majority of the members of the Church. "The deputation earnestly hopes that the trustees will duly estimate their own number-they are but twelve-and that they will also consider their character-they are not all members of the Churches. It is to be hoped, therefore, that a body so small will appreciate the fact that they are opposed to a multitude, and that a body so mixed will seriously pause, before allowing themselves to interfere with and annihilate the dearest rights of a Christian people. THE ELEVEN TRUSTEES' REPLY THERETO. "We have doubted whether we could properly even acknowledge the memorials and letters addressed us, and thereby, though in the most indirect manner, unintentionally sanction an interference never heretofore exercised; but lest such seeming neglect should be construed into a want of the courtesy which we desire always to manifest, or into an indifference or disrespect quite foreign from our hearts, we prefer to protest, on public grounds and as guardians of the peace of these congregations, against any right of interference by those who are communicants, or who take sittings at these places, and then to inform you that after the most careful and deliberate and anxious consideration, and especially after reflecting on the reprehensible publications and indecorous and unchristian proceedings renewed and increased since the presentation of the memorials and letters, we are compelled by our sense of duty to decline compliance with the wishes expressed in those memorials and letters, though expressed by many whom we greatly esteem, and to apprise you distinctly that we cannot consent to the restoration of Mr. Campbell. Signed by the Eleven, including J. WILKS, M. P." "OBSERVATIONS, by way of ANSWER to the ATTACK in the PATRIOT,' June 25th, entitled—Reply to Resolutions passed at Tottenham Court Chapel,' and signed 'Lewis Russell, Chairman,' by one of those present at that meeting. "That the managers are in no way responsible for the resolutions then passed, or for any expressions contained therein (any more than they are for this present Answer), the same never having been submitted to them until after they had been adopted by that meeting. "That that meeting was nowhere represented as having been a public meeting, but of gentlemen only; and that it is yet to be learned that the real friends of truth and peace in that place may not meet when, where, and how they please, without being exposed to the wanton and malevolent attacks of the Rev. Mr. Campbell and his friends. "That the said resolutions had the concurrence, not only of the individuals then present, but of very many necessarily absent; and that of 470 seat-holders in the pews of the said Chapel, more than two-thirds have expressed their approbation of these resolutions, one of whom, so absent, enclosed a donation of 201. as an additional testimony of his approval and satisfaction of the conduct of the managers. "That most, if not all, those denominated occasional hearers had become so, entirely in consequence of their disapproval of Mr. Campbell's preaching, and were consequently usually absent when he occupied the pulpit. "That the major part of those present at that meeting are quite equal in rank, respectability, talents, or piety with any equal number of Mr. Campbell's present party, however carefully the same might be selected by him. "That the declaration, that Mr. Campbell and his friends have never disturbed the peace of that place is contrary to truth, unless it can be said hissing, violent declamation, and the exhibition of angry passion, is not a disturbance of the peace of public worship. "That Mr. Campbell has not proceeded to the pulpit in the same decorous manner as if he was going to preach: his violence and conduct on some such occasions have caused some to retire who formerly advocated his cause, as it will, no doubt, if persisted in, cause many others who may have a regard to their own characters. "That the statement that 17007. has been raised by the congregation at the Tabernacle, is evidently put forth to mislead, as it includes 2001. given to Isaac Smith, Esq., by the late venerable Matthew Wilks, two years before the chapel was purchased; as well as, to quote the Rev. Mr. Campbell's own |