At a Meeting of the "Deputies from the several Congregations of
Protestant Dissenters of the Three Denominations in and within twelve
miles of London, appointed to protect their Civil Rights," held at the
King's Head Tavern in the Poultry, on Friday, the 19th day of December,
1834.
HENRY WAYMOUTH, Esq., in the Chair.
Resolved,
That this Deputation cordially approves of the following Resolutions of
the United Committee of Protestant Dissenters in London, passed on the
18th ult.; viz.--
"That, while this Committee bows to the exercise of the Royal
Prerogative, they have learned, with feelings of unfeigned and profound
regret, the sudden dismissal from His Majesty's Councils of his late
confidential advisers; entertaining, as they do, a cordial approbation
of the general measures of their Administration, and confiding in their
principles as the sincere friends of civil and religious freedom.
"That, while the Committee cannot but express their disappointment and
sorrow that the just claims of Protestant Dissenters have hitherto
been postponed, they are convinced that such delay on the part of His
Majesty's late Government arose chiefly from the obstructions to which
they were subject, both from ecclesiastical and political opponents.
The regret which this Committee feels at the dismissal of the late
Administration is also greatly aggravated by the assurance that it has
occurred at a moment when its members were preparing means of redress
for the chief practical grievances of which Dissenters complain.
"That, in the probable event of a General Election, this Committee
confidently anticipates, from the Protestant Dissenters throughout the
empire, the most decided and uncompromising opposition to that political
party who have avowed themselves the unflinching opponents of their
interests, and whose speeches and votes on the Bill for the admission of
Dissenters to the Universities, ought never to be forgotten; and, in the
event of such election, this Committee relies also on all classes of
Dissenters for the immediate adoption of measures best calculated to
ensure the return, as Representatives to Parliament, of men liberal and
enlightened in their views, the tried friends of Religious Liberty,
National Improvement, and Universal Freedom.
"That this Committee pledges itself to persevere in seeking the full and
immediate relief of the practical Grievances of Protestant Dissenters
upon the principles it has repeatedly avowed."
That this Deputation strongly urges upon its Constituents the importance
of promptly and vigorously acting upon the recommendations contained in
the foregoing resolutions as to the choice of Representatives in the
ensuing Parliament.
That the declaration of the line of policy intended to be pursued by the
Administration of Sir Robert Peel, as contained in his address to the
Electors of Tamworth, is most unsatisfactory to Dissenters, and affords
no prospect of the adoption of liberal measures on the part of the
Cabinet of which he is the head.
That this deputation cannot but record its total want of reliance on the
granting of any effectual relief to Dissenters by a political party
which have ever been opposed to the affording to that numerous and
important body their just and equal rights as subjects of the Realm.
That the foregoing Resolutions be inserted in the "Morning Chronicle,"
"Morning Post," "Morning Advertiser," "Globe," "Standard," and "Patriot"
newspapers.
RESOLUTIONS OCCASIONED BY THE LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN BOARD OF FOREIGN
MISSIONS[C] TO THE BOARD OF BAPTIST MINISTERS IN AND NEAR LONDON.
[C] See page 8 of the present Number.
At a meeting of the Board of Baptist Ministers, specially convened at
Fen Court, Nov. 25th, 1834, the Rev. F. A. Cox, LL.D. in the Chair, the
above communication having been read, the following resolution was
adopted:--
Resolved unanimously,
"That we receive with much pleasure the expressions of esteem and
attachment, and fully participate in the affectionate sentiments,
contained in the letter of the American Board of Foreign Missions, dated
Boston, Sept. 1, 1834; and while we deeply regret that, in the judgment
of the said Board, it would violate the Constitution of the Triennial
Convention to entertain our communication of the 31st Dec. 1833, we hope
that such of our American brethren as concur in the opinions of that
communication, will adopt every means consistent with Christian
principles, to diffuse their sentiments, and thus secure the immediate
and entire extinction of their slave system.
"That the Secretary be requested to transmit the above Resolution to the
Vice President of the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions in the United
States.
"It having been reported to the Board, that our brethren who have been
requested by the Baptist Union to go as a deputation to our Baptist
brethren in America, having consulted their respective churches, have
acceded to the wishes of the Union;"
Resolved unanimously,
"That this Board, feeling the importance of the deputation to America
appointed by the Baptist Union, earnestly recommends, that the churches
in London and its vicinity collect, in what way they may severally think
proper, towards the expenses of such an object."
J. B. SHENSTON, _Secretary_.