they judge necessary, what they have given to character and competency established by an academical degree. It is necessary, in conclusion, to call the attention of all Englishmen to the fact that dissent is becoming daily more and more merely political, and that, unless very narrowly watched, its organization will enable comparatively small numbers to produce effects perfectly inconsistent with all good government. Let the address signed by a Mr. Waymouth, in the last number, calling on all dissenters to oppose the new government-i. e., calling on a body whose only point of union is religion, to bond together for factious political purposes-be duly considered; and let that signed by Mr. Wilson, which calls on all dissenters to come forward as one man in the ensuing elections, be well weighed also. If there is one thing more dangerous to the peace of a country than another, it is political faction founded on religion; and this is precisely what the dissenters are now labouring to build up among us, under the pretence of getting redress of certain alleged grievances. A pretext there must of course always be; but they who shut their eyes to the fact that this is a mere pretext must be blind indeed. As to Messrs. Wilson and Waymouth, they are probably respectable men who are mere tools, and whose names are put forward in order to allay suspicion; but there must be far more behind, and persons of a different character and order, directing and impelling all these proceedings.* It is necessary to add, on this point, that the Patriot, a religious paper, and the organ of the respectable dissenters, is far more rabid in its politics, and in its abuse of the new ministry, than any one of the radical papers. Most of them, indeed, write like advocates; the low and vulgar rage, and the personal abuse in the Patriot appear to come from the heart. This is really a serious matter, as it shews what is to be expected if such a party should ever attain more power than it has. It is pleasant to find the Wesleyans, with their usual good feeling, resisting these political schemes. The following letter is highly satisfactory :— "SIR,Some time ago I received a communication from the Secretary of the Committee of Protestant Dissenters, in Maidstone, requesting the Wesleyan Methodists to depute a number of their body, not exceeding five, to form, in conjunction with other persons so deputed, a committee for the consideration of subjects connected with the redress of the practical grievances of Dissenters. "Upon laying that communication before the trustees and leaders of the Wesleyan Society, in two separate meetings, the reply was, in substance, without hesitation, and unanimously-'It is no business of ours-politics do not belong to us-we are called to do all the good we can to the souls of men, and as a body, can take no part in political matters.' "To prevent the idea of Wesleyan Methodists having formed any part of the Committee which has published certain Resolutions in your paper of last week, is my reason for thus addressing you. "Brewer-street, Dec. 15th, 1834.” "JOHN KERSHAW, Wesleyan Minister. [In addition to the above disclaimer by the Wesleyan Methodist body of any participation in the Resolutions published in our last, we are requested to state that several members of other congregations in this town do not coincide in the view taken of Dissenters' grievances in those Resolutions.-ED. Journal.] VOL. VII.-Jan. 1835. N The dash is used in lieu of the words, "by letters dimissory from the Bishop of." Oxford Lincoln Norwich Oxford Abp. of Canterbury Camb. Salisbury Camb. Chichester Exeter Oxford Winchester Llandaff Oxford Winchester The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells intends to hold an Ordination at Wells, on Sunday, the 18th of January. The Bishop of Ely's next Ordination will be holden in London, on Sunday, the 15th of February. Candidates are desired to transmit the requisite papers to his Lordship, at Ely House, Dover-street, Piccadilly, a month previous to the before-mentioned day. The Bishop of Lincoln's next Ordination will be held at Buckden, on Sunday, the 15th of March, Candidates are required to send their papers to his Lordship before the 1st of February. CLERICAL APPOINTMENTS. Prebendary in Chester Cathedral. 66 Chaplain to His Majesty's Ship, Victory." Head Master of the Endowed Grammar School, Bridgewater. Vicar of Waltham St. Lawrence, a Surrogate for the Diocese of Sarum. Evening Lecturer to the Church of St. George, Middlesex. |