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words (in the funeral sermon for the late Mrs. Wilson), the princely sum of five hundred pounds given by his distinguished son, J. Wilks, Esq., the now M.P. for Boston; of the remaining 10007., it is not believed half was given by the present followers of Mr. Campbell.

"That the congregation now attached to that place, and remaining to worship there, is as great as it was on many occasions when Mr. Campbell occupied the pulpit, and would, no doubt, be greater, were not some aged and timid people kept away unwillingly, solely on these occasions, by the disturbances created by Mr. Campbell and his followers, and who are anxiously desirous of again uniting with their friends there; and that Mr. Campbell's absence has caused some to return who had left the chapel in consequence of their dislike to him-among others the venerable and respected late manager, J. Smith, Esq., who has publicly expressed his concurrence in the conduct as pursued by the present managers, in dismissing the Rev. Mr. Campbell, the same being in perfect conformity with the system of management of that Chapel in all past times.

VOLUNTARY SYSTEM.

TO WESLEYAN METHODISTS.-Those Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Society, and Friends of Methodism in Birmingham, who have proclaimed their HATRED of Tyranny, and their LOVE of Justice, by withholding their usual contributions to the Methodist Funds, in order to compel the Conference to reinstate the Rev. J. R. Stephens, are respectfully informed that their united efforts have been so far successful as to cause a very considerable deficiency in the Circuit's income this quarter.

The Circuit Stewards, who had last quarter a balance in hand, are now about twenty-five pounds in advance!

It is earnestly hoped that every independent and truth-loving Methodist will continue to withhold his contributions, or to reduce them to the lowest possible amount; and thus tell the Conference, in a voice which cannot be mistaken, that, while they are firmly attached to Methodism, they will not give their money to support its abuses.

It is right the Public should be informed, that the vote of censure which was passed upon the "stoppage" party, at the quarterly meeting on Monday last, was not introduced till near nine o'clock at night, although the meeting commenced at three o'clock. About one hundred members were present during the greater part of the afternoon; but when that resolution was passed there were only about thirty present, and out of that number one had the courage to oppose it!-Birmingham Journal.

EXTRACT FROM MR. YEATMAN'S SPEECH AT STURMINSTER.

"UPON the preamble of this bill-the bill for the commutation and redemption of tithes in England and Wales'—it is not my intention to make a single observation; and the more so, as one part of that preamble involves the existence of an abstract principle connected with a branch of political economy, the discussion of which would be inconvenient, and perhaps irregular, at the present moment. I therefore proceed at once to the second section of this bill, which proposes to give a power to the Justices of England assembled at any Quarter Sessions to transmit to his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State, the name of every person who shall appear to such Justices qualified to act as valuer of tithes under this Act;' and I would say, speaking as a magistrate, that this clause of the act will certainly place the justices of the united kingdom in a very delicate and responsible situation.

When it is considered that the justices of England are the persons who principally own and possess the landed property of the kingdom, upon which the rent charge proposed to be given in lieu of tithes is to be imposed, and that the persons thus to be appointed as valuers of land and tithes for the purposes of this act are likely to be their agents and confidential stewards, acting individually in respect of these estates so to be valued in pursuance of this statute, I would go the length of saying that there is an awkardness in the proposed mode of appointing these valuers which I could wish to see avoided, and which I have every reason to believe that the magistrates of the whole kingdom would wish that they themselves should not be connected with. But it appears to me that, by the 9th section of this act, a serious invasion of the rights of the church is about to be made, should it be carried into effect. The section thus complained of is as follows:- And be it further enacted, that, for the purposes of this act, all mixed tithes shall be deemed and taken to have arisen and been produced upon and from the lands NOT ARABLE of the parish or place in which the same shall have become due and payable.' And I cannot better explain the manner in which this section will operate to the disadvantage of the clergy than by presenting this meeting with an extract from a very able pamphlet lately written by a talented and highly respectable individual of this county, who has expressed himself as follows:-By clause 9, all mixed tithes are to be considered to have arisen from lands not arable.' By this new specimen of tithe law it seems, that if the usual rotation of crops is followed on arable land—namely, turnips, barley, clover, wheat, &c., the mixed tithe, such as turnips, lambs and wool, milk and calves, from stock fed on clover-grass seeds, potatoes, &c., are not to be valued in fixing the rate on arable land.' And I would add, that in parishes that are principally arable, the depreciation of tithes about to be effected by this clause cannot be much less than forty per cent. on the average.

"But it appears that by the 29th section a most novel mode of assessing the new tithe rate for each parish is about to be introduced. The land of every parish is not to be valued for the purpose of fixing upon such valuation the tithe assessment which is to form thereafter the rent charge in lieu of tithes; the value of every parish is not to be allowed to stand independently on its own intrinsic merits, but the relative value of the tithes of all the parishes within the county is to be relied upon for the purposes of framing this new and extraordinary mode of payment, as an equivalent for the parson's tithes as at present established by law; so that the full and just value of one parish is to be modified, and nullified, and abated by the depreciated value of some other; that depreciation, too, caused by the non-residence or negligence of the clergy, and who are thus to be empowered to fasten the effects of their own irregularity and supineness on their friends and neighbours, and the clergy in general; and the more so as the average rate of tithe, for the period of five years past, is to be taken to be the value of all tithes. But, Sir, I pass over other sections of this act, not wishing to scrutinize it too closely, or at all vexatiously, in order to draw the attention of this meeting to the effects of the 66th section, and which, if passed into a law, will impoverish and degrade the clergy to an extent which it is appalling to contemplate. Upon this part of the case I will not trust myself to use any language of my own, fearing that I may express myself too strongly, or give offence in a matter which I am most anxious to avoid, wishing to use the language of mere argument, and not the language of vituperation. I will therefore again have recourse to the powerful exposure of the unjust operation of this clause which my talented friend, who is the author of the remarks on the Tithe Bill, has made in the 11th page of his excellent work :

"And be it further enacted, that whenever any land shall by virtue of this act have become liable to the payment of such annual sum as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for any person to redeem such annual sum by payment in manner hereafter mentioned, as the price or con

sideration for such redemption, a gross sum equal to twenty-five times the amount of such annual sum, and a further sum equal to one-fourth part of such annual sum, for the purpose of defraying the costs of the said commissioners of and incident to such redemption.

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"Clause 71 enacts that the redemption money be invested in the three per cent. consolidated bank annuities or three per cent. reduced annuities.

"To understand the effect of these clauses let us suppose the annual income of a living from tithes to have been 500l. a-year. The redemption money will be 12,5001. This invested in the three per cent. at the present price, 92%, (May 3), will produce 13,5687., and an income of 4081., a year.

"But further: Suppose this clergyman, formerly enjoying 500l. a-year from his tithes, to have his tithe rate cut down to meet that of a non-resident clergyman, he will lose by this at least ten per cent. in the calculation of his former income, and his living will now produce him less than 3501. a-year. He will lose, in short, 30 per cent. in his income.

"But this is not all. His former income of 5001. a-year arose from a property really worth 7001. a-year; a property hitherto progressively increasing in value, and which will still continue to increase in value with the wealth and population of the country, as well as from improvements in agriculture. His new income will arise from a property fluctuating in value, which by future wars, civil commotions, or the blundering mismanagment of public affairs, may be reduced to nearly half its present worth. The three per cents. cannot well advance above their present price, 92%. We have known them at 52; and the errors of a weak administration may bring them again to a greater depression.

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"Clause 73 empowers the commissioners, at the request of the persons entitled to the dividend, to invest the money in the purchase of land.'

"Having then sold, or been compelled to sell, our interest in the landed property of our parishes at twenty-five years' purchase, by this clause there is a provision for vesting the purchase money in land, now not to be bought under thirty years' purchase.

"No person of sound mind would voluntarily dispose of his property on the terms of this act. Nothing but compulsion would drive him to such a sacrifice of his interests, and dereliction of his rights.

"Such flagrant injustice stamps at once the character of those who have brought forward this unprincipled measure for the spoliation of the Church. What would be said of any ministers who should propose a bill compelling his Grace of Bedford or the Earl Spencer to sell their princely mansions and estates 30 per cent., I ought rather to say 50 per cent., below their real value, for the purpose of dividing them among the eager competitors who would advance to share the spoil."

But, Sir, the 72nd section is also, in my humble opinion, full of danger to the church of England. It enacts that commissioners may invest the money arising from the redemption of tithes on mortgage. But I ask this question, whether it ought not (which it does not) contain a clause of indemnity to the clergy, in case these moneys should happen to be placed by these commissioners on an estate whose title should eventually turn out to be bad in law. It appears that the whole disposing power is to be left to these commissioners, and that if the money thus invested by them is lost, the clergyman thus mulcted of his inheritance will be at the mercy of the world. There are other clauses of this act (the 80th and 81st especially) which I also consider to be highly objectionable and oppressive to the clergy, and which, in my humble opinion, will lead to the most disastrous circumstances, in so far as the poorer clergy are concerned, but which I will not weary this meeting by investigating and exposing, after having made so long an intrusion upon its time and indulgence.-Dorset Chronicle.

Extract from "Dugdale's Short View of the late Troubles in England.” SPEAKING of the acts and deeds which the parliament of that day was guilty of, he thus expresses himself:-"That this blessed Presbytereal government might be the more secure from danger, the Houses at Westminster passed an ordinance, not only for abolishing the name, title, and dignity of archbishops, bishops, &c., but nominated in whom their land should be settled. Amongst which instructions it is not the least observable, that for the better encouraging of purchasers, they should sell them at ten years' purchase. About this time also there was a committee appointed to inquire into the value of all church livings, in order to the planting of an able ministry, as they gave out; whereas, in truth, it was to discover which were the best and fattest benefices, to the end that the principal champions for the cause might make choice of those for themselves."

REPORT ON PUBLIC PETITIONS.

THE Thirty-first Report on Public Petitions (June 16, 17, 1834,) exhibits the following statement of the total Numbers of Petitions on subjects ecclesiastical:

Against Separation of Church and State

In support of the Established Church (deprecating any mea-
sures tending to weaken its efficiency, and in some cases
praying that the claims of the Dissenters relative to Church-
rates, burials, and admission to the Universities may not be
granted)

For alteration of Lay Patronage in the Church of Scotland
For a Due Observance of the Lord's Day
In favour of the Lord's Day Observance Bill
Against the Claims of Protestant Dissenters
From Protestant Dissenters for Relief.
Against Universities Admission Bill

Against Church Rates . .

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1,094

343,094

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The first thing observable in this statement is, the small number of signatures attached to the petitions got up in favour of the Establishment, compared with those annexed to the Dissenting petitions. Many of the former are from the minister and churchwardens of the parish, with only some half dozen or dozen parishioners. Thus, some of these petitions have but seven, nine, or ten names annexed to them, and one only four! On an average, the 490 petitions in support of the Establishment have only 140 signatures to each, while to the 1094 Dissenting petitions, the average is upwards of 300 signatures. Again, the petitions against the admission of Dissenters to University honours, are nearly four times as many as the petitions against Churchrates. Yet the latter have not far short of an equal number of signatures, i. e. the former 38,000, the latter 34,000, in round numbers.-Patriot.

[The honest "Patriot” very wisely forgets the Lay Declaration now signed by nearly 250,000 persons, chiefly householders too, in behalf of the Church. Every day too we find meetings addressing the throne, as the reports of every levee shew. Perhaps it would be wise to take the hint here given by the "Patriot," and in all such cases to petition Parliament also, that the numbers may, after this Dissenting fashion, be brought to account. It is curious, by the way, after all this, to find the "Patriot," on July 2, recommending the dissenters not to petition as to church rates, because the wholesale manufacture of petitions by the clergy is reducing the thing to a farce!-ED.

BIBLE SOCIETY.

We regret to learn that an esteemed clergyman, in one of the southern counties, has resigned his official connexion with an Auxiliary Bible Society, on the extraordinary ground, that the Protestant Dissenters of the town have not protested against certain proceedings of their brethren in London and elsewhere, although they have themselves abstained from any outward demonstration of hostility against the Church. Had we not the best authority for both the fact and the explanation, we could hardly have deemed it possible that a man of respectable understanding and pious feeling could have acted a part at once so unreasonable, so intolerant, and so impolitic.-Patriot. [It is unreasonable not to increase the influence, and countenance the proceedings, of a party bent on your destruction; it is intolerant to refuse subscribing to a voluntary society, because you utterly reprobate the principles of those with whom you are condemned to act, and who, under the pretence of spreading the Gospel among the people, are endeavouring to do what you conscientiously believe will deprive thousands of its blessings, and reduce them to heathenism.—ED.] VOL. VI.-August, 1834.

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CHURCH RATES BILL.

"We have obtained a copy of the printed Bill for the Abolition of Church Rates,' brought in by Lord ALTHORP and Lord JOHN RUSSELL; and, before offering any remarks, shall lay before our readers an abstract of the proposed statute. The preamble sets forth, that it is expedient that the system of Church Rates be discontinued, and that it is at the same time essential to make due provision for the sufficient maintenance and repair of parish churches and chapels, and for the decent performance of divine worship therein. Clause 1 enacts, therefore, that from and after the.... day of .... 1835, no churchrates shall be levied, provision being made for the assessment and levy of rates for the current year. Clause 2 enacts, that after the same time, 250,000l. shall be annually charged upon the land tax for the purposes of the act, and paid to his Majesty's commissioners, for the time being, for building churches. Clause 3 directs the existing mortgages of church-rates, and other bona fide charges, to be redeemed and paid off as a primary charge upon the annual sum. Clause 4 directs that the commissioners shall in each year ascertain, by estimates to be obtained from the several dioceses of England and Wales, the amount of the sum required for the current year, for the repair or rebuilding of parish churches and chapels. If the total amount of such estimates shall exceed the disposable funds, the commissioners may at their discretion reduce the amount; and if there is any unapplied surplus, it is to remain in their hands. Clause 5 directs the commissioners to apply once a-year to the bishop of each diocese for the requisite information and estimates; and the bishop is directed to require that the archdeacons, rural deans, rectors, &c., to furnish him with the needful particulars. Clause 6 provides, that wherever under or by virtue of any gift, bequest, trust, charge, or settlement, or by reason of any commutation or exchange, any estates, funds, or other property have been applicable to the purpose of church-rates, they shall continue to be so applied; and the minister is to transmit to the bishop a statement of such parish funds. Clause 7 empowers the archdeacon to call in a county surveyor to inspect, where necessary; the charges to be paid out of the county-rate. Clause 8 directs the commissioners, after having received the estimates, to allot a sum for each diocese, and transmit the same to the registrar, giving notice to the bishop. Clause 9 provides that, in case of urgent necessity for immediate repairs, the archdeacon may call in a surveyor, and direct the execution of the repair, transmitting to the commissioners a certificate and affidavit of his having done so, and of the expediency of the same on which the charges are to be allowed. Clauses 10 and 11 relieve all persons or bodies politic or corporate, heretofore liable to repair and maintain the chancel of particular churches or chapels, from such liability; the repairs to be in future allowed and defrayed out of the annual sum; persons entitled to any pew in such chancel to retain their title notwithstanding; and fees on interment in any chancel to be due and paid as heretofore; and, in lieu of the liability to repair chancel, such person or body politic or corporate is bound to provide certain requisites, specified in schedule, for the decent performance of divine service. But in all cases in which the parishioners at large have hitherto been bound to keep the chancel in repair, or where there is no chancel, such requisites for divine service are to be defrayed out of the monies to be raised by letting the pews; and if these shall be insufficient, to be chargeable on the sum allowed by the commissioners, if specifically applied for. Clause 12 allows persons made liable by this act to provide such requisites, to redeem their liability by a fixed payment or conveyance of land. Clause 13 vests the property in such requisites in the churchwardens. Clause 14 enacts that such liability to provide may be enforced by action. Clause 15 secures property in any aisle to the present possessors. Clause 16 provides for the fencing and keeping in repair of church-yards out of the funds applicable for the repair of churches. Clauses

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