Scholl, Foreign Secretary to the Society, &c. addressed the Meeting. We regret that for want of room we cannot transfer to our pages a portion of that holy zeal with which their speeches were animated.

The Rev. R. W. Sibthorpe has become Secretary to the Society, supplying the vacancy occasioned by the death of the excellent author of the Dairyman's Daughter, whose name was referred to with feelings of respect and affection.

PROTESTANT SOCIETY FOR THE PROTEC

TION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

The Seventeenth Annual Meeting of the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty, was held on Saturday, May 17th, at the City of London Tavern. The Right Hon. Lord Holland in the Chair.

tinue exposed, and for the substitution of a registry of births for baptismal registries, and that validation of the registers of DisBut those measures, as well as the other senters, which they hoped to undertake.

matters already intimated, it is the intention of the Committee in the next session to

attempt, and in some of them they expect that the great and useful body of Wesleyan

Methodists are prepared to concur."

The Rev. J. A. James proposed the first motion. Alluding to the instances of intolerance specified in the report, the eloquent speaker oberved—

"The voice of opposition is a low, muttering, and muffled sound, rising up from the dust, and not a loud and awful tone coming down from the high places of the nation. The spirit of persecution has been cast out from the Legislative body, which at one time it possessed, and it is now walking up and down in dry places, seeking rest and finding none. It has been driven out from the royal and episcopal Palace, from the House of Peers, and the Comhouses of a few country 'squires, or the mons, and finds a lurking place only in the sonages of a few, and they are very few, parish priests. Passing from this topic to that subject which constitutes the great, the

par

It was our full intention to have given the resolutions which were passed on that highly interesting occasion, but our limits forbid. We can only observe in general, that the meeting, both in its resolutions and its speeches, seemed less disposed to mourn over the intoler-exhilarating, the almost enrapturing theme ance that remains, than to celebrate that era in the history of the society, which marks its decline-the removal of those obnoxious statutes, which were blots in the brightness of the British constitution. We must, however, insert the close of the Report on account of its special bearing on the interest of our own denomination. The Committee add

"That the important question which has occupied so much attention and time, has prevented those exertions in this session of Parliament for the removal of the inconveniences to which their Baptist friends con

* If our readers wish to be gratified by a fuller report of the May meetings, than our pages can supply, we refer them to the World Newspaper, whose ample columns are professedly devoted to this object. There especially they will find a full report of the speeches delivered on the above interesting occasion, and hence may be able to derive a portion of that enthusiasm which animated those who were privileged to be present, and which the cause of civil and religious liberty never fails to inspire.

that we are rather merry, considering that of the present meeting, I would remark, we are brought together just after a burial; yes, my Lord, ours is a kind of Irish funeral, where festivity often prevails over grief; we have, indeed, lately witnessed funeral obsequies. There lived, as part of the progeny of the dark and troubled era of the reign of Charles the second, two acts, which long survived even the supposed necessity of their existence, and which lived to be a blot upon the statute-book of England, a disgrace to its national character, and the cause of a schism amongst its people; they are at length defunct; King, Lords, aud Commons, have ordered them to be buried in oblivion, and of all this great country, whoever lamented them, one, and one only, could be found to attend the bier in the sable garb of chief mourner ;-alas! that there should have been one; we can hold no sympathy with Mr. Irving, whom we leave alone in his gloom and his glory; and are ready to say, detested be the voice that would call forth the obnoxious statutes from their dreary abode. Soon may the last imp-like child of the whole family of bigotry be laid in the same grave."

The Rev. John Hunt, Joseph Fletcher, Dr.Styles, Dr. Cox, Dr. Newman, Thomas Smith, &c. Also Alderman

Wilson, (of Nottingham,) Alderman | and to the Honourable Lord Holland, whose Wood, &c. were amongst the speakers. unanswerable argument and splendid eloAfter whose animating addresses, the quence, whilst they contributed so essentially to the success of the measure, reflected Right Hon. Chairman closed the meet-honour on the memory of his venerated reing in a strain of energy every way worthy of his liberal principles and exalted character.

Donations may be transmitted by post to Thomas Hayter, Esq. Brixton; or to either of the Secretaries, Thomas Pellatt, Esq. Ironmongers' Hall, and John Wilks, Esq. Finsbury-square; to the latter of whom applications should be addressed.

CORPORATION AND TEST ACTS.

lative, the late Charles James Fox, the steady champion of the Protestant Dissenters at former less auspicious periods.

That they feel themselves bound in duty to his Majesty's Ministers, for yielding so to express their sincere acknowledgements candidly to public opinion, declared by the majority in favour of the repeal of the Sacramental Test in the House of Commons, and for their manifest regard to both the conscientious opinions and the religious feelings of the Protestant Dissenters, in the progress of the measure through the Legislature.

That as Christian Ministers, this Body hail with delight and affection the testimonies borne in favour of conciliation and cha

At an Extraordinary Meeting of the General Body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the three Denominations, residing in and about the Cities of London aud West-rity by many of the Clergy of the national uinster, held at Dr. Williams's Library, Red Cross-street, on Monday the 26th of May, 1828, and specially convened for the purpose of considering what measures it might be proper for the Body to take, in consequence of the Bill for the repeal of so much of the Corporation and Test Acts as imposed the necessity of taking the Sacramental Test, having passed both Houses of Parliament and received the Royal Assent: The Rev. ROBERT WINTER, D.D. in the Chair:

It was resolved unanimouslyThat the Body desire to acknowledge, with devout thankfulness to Divine Providence, their satisfaction and joy, on the abolition by the Legislature of the Sacramental Test, which had so long obstructed the liberty of Protestant Dissenters, and dishonoured the Christian religion, by the application to secular uses of one of its holy ordinances.

That in this ever memorable concession to their petitions, they feel new reasons for grateful attachment to the Constitution of their country, and for loyalty to the august Family now upon the throne of these realms. That they concur entirely and most cordially in the resolutions of the United Committee, and that being represented in that Committee, they do not deem it necessary to express at large the thanks which they, in common with all the Dissenters of Great Britain, feel that they owe to the Members of both Houses of Parliament, for their magnanimous support on this occasion of the cause of justice and freedom; but that they cannot refrain from expressing their obligations, never to be effaced from their minds, to the Right Hon. Lord John Russell, who has entwined another wreath of honour around the name of his illustrious family,

church, who united in their petitions, and by the majority of the Bench of Bishops who supported the repeal of the Sacramental Test by their votes and speeches, thus exalting their character in the estimation of the Dissenters, and of the public in general, as distinguished Ministers of that Gospel which proclaims " peace on earth, goodwill to men."

That this Body deem it incumbent upon them to express their obligations to Wm. Smith, Esq. M.P. Chairman of the United Committee, for his assiduous and valuable services in the late application to Parliament, and that they heartily congratulate him upon the final success of a measure to which, through a long Parliamentary life, his talents and influence have been honourably devoted.

That the cordial thanks of this Body be given to the United Committee appointed to conduct the application to Parliament for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, for the enlightened zeal, persevering exertion, and Christian prudence and moderation with which they have discharged the trust committed to them, and have thus so effectually promoted the success of the application.

THOS. REES, Sec.

REPEAL OF THE SACRAMENTAL TEST. "An Act for repealing so much of several

acts as imposes the necessity of receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper as a Qualification for certain Offices and Employments. [9th May 1828.] Preamble.] Whereas an act was passed in the thirteenth year of the reign of king Charles the Second, intituled "An Act for the well-governing and regulating of Corpora

of the Lord's Supper, according to the rites or usage of the church of England, as a qualification for office, a declaration to the following effect should be substituted in lieu thereof; be it therefore enacted, that every person who shall hereafter be placed, elected, or chosen in or to the office of mayor, alderman, recorder, bailiff, town clerk, or common councilman, or in or to any office of magistracy, or place, trust, or employment relating to the government of any city, corporation, borough, or cinque port within England and Wales, or the town of Berwickupon-Tweed, shall, within one calendar month next before or upon his admission into any of the aforesaid offices or trusts, make and subscribe the declaration following :

faith of a christian, that I will never exercise
any power, authority, or influence which I
may possess by virtue of the office of
to injure or weaken the protestant church as
it is by law established in England, or to dis-
turb the said church, or the bishops and
clergy of the said church, in the possession
of any rights or privileges to which such
church, or the said bishops and clergy, are
or may be by law entitled.'

tions:" and whereas another act was passed in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of king Charles the Second, intituled "An Act for preventing dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants:" and whereas another act was passed in the sixteenth year of the reign of king George the Second, intituled An Act to indemnify Persons who have omitted to qualify themselves for Offices and Employments within the time limited by Law, and for allowing further time for that purpose; and also for amending so much of an Act made in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of king Charles the Second, intituled "An Act for preventing dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants,' as relates to the time for receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper now limited by the said act:" and whereas it is expedient that so Form of declaration.] 'I A. B. do solemnmuch of the said several acts of parliament, ly and sincerely, in the presence of God, as imposes the necessity of taking the sacra-profess, testify and declare, upon the true ment of the Lord's Supper, according to the rites, or usage of the church of England, for the purposes therein respectively mentioned, should be repealed; 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 comin this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that so much and such parts of the said several acts passed in the thirteenth and twenty fifth Sect. III. Declaration to be subscribed years of the reign of king Charles the Second, before magistrates, &c.] And be it enacted, and of the said act passed in the sixteenth that the said declaration shall be made and year of the reign of king George the Second, subscribed as aforesaid, in the presence of as require the person or persons in the said such person or persons respectively, who, by acts respectively described, to take or re- the charters or usages of the said respective ceive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, cities, corporations, boroughs, and cinque according to the rites or usage of the church ports, ought to administer the oath for due of England, for the several purposes therein execution of the said offices or places reexpressed, or to deliver a certificate or make spectively, and in default of such, in the proof of the truth of such his or their re- presence of two justices of the peace of the ceiving the said sacrament in manner aforesaid cities, corporations, boroughs, and said, or as impose upon any such person or cinque ports, if such there be, or otherwise persons any penalty, forfeiture, incapacity, in the presence of two justices of the peace or disability whatsoever, for or by reason of of the respective counties, ridings, divisions, any neglect or omission to take or receive or franchises wherein the said cities, corpothe said sacrament, within the respective rations, boroughs, and cinque ports are; periods, and in the manner in the said acts which said declaration shall either be enterrespectively provided in that behalf, shall, ed in a book, roll, or other record, to be from and immediately after the passing of kept for that purpose, or shall be filed this act, be and the same are hereby re- amongst the records of the city, corporation, pealed. borough, or cinque port.

mons,

Sect. II. Declaration to be made in lieu of Sect. IV. In case of neglect to make the the sacramental test.] And whereas the declaration, election to be void.] And be it protestant episcopal church of England and enacted, that if any person placed, elected, Ireland, and the doctrine, discipline, and or chosen into any of the aforesaid offices or government thereof, and the protestant pres-places, shall omit or neglect to make and byterian church of Scotland, and the doc-subscribe the said declaration in manner trine, discipline, and government thereof, above mentioned, such placing, election, or are by the laws of this realm severally established, permanently and in violably. And whereas it is just and fitting, that on the repeal of such parts of the said acts as impose the necessity of taking the sacrament

choice shall be void; and that it shall not be lawful for such person to do any act in the execution of the office or place into which he shall be so chosen, elected, or placed.

parture from thence, to make and subscribe the said declaration until after his return to England, or within six months thereafter.

Sect. VIII. Persons now, in possession of any office which heretofore required the taking of the Sacrament, confirmed in such possession, and indemnified from penalties.] And be it further enacted, that all persons now in the actual possession of any office, command,

Sect. V. Persons admitted into any office, which heretofore required the taking of the sacrament, shall make the declaration within six months, or the appointment be void.] And be it further enacted, that every persou who shall hereafter be admitted into any office or employment, or who shall accept from his majesty, his heirs and successors, any patent, grant, or commission, and who by his admittance into such office or employ-place, trust, service, or employment, or in ment or place of trust, or by his acceptance of such patent, grant, or commission, or by the receipt of any pay, salary, fee, or wages by reason thereof, would by the laws in force immediately before the passing of this act have been required to take the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, according to the rites or usage of the church of England, shall, within six calendar months after his admission to such office, employment, or place of trust, or his acceptance of such patent, grant, or commission, make and subscribe the aforesaid declaration, or in default thereof his appointment to such office, employment, or place of trust, and such patent, grant, or commission, shall be wholly void.

Sect. VI. Declaration to be made in the Court of Chancery or King's Bench, or at the quarter sessions.] And be it further enacted, that the aforesaid declaration shall be made and subscribed in his majesty's high court of chancery, or in the court of king's bench, or at the quarter sessions of the county or place where the person so required to make the same shall reside; and the court in which such declaration shall be so made and subscribed, shall cause the same to be preserved among the records of the said court.

Sect. VII. Proviso as to naval and military officers under certain rank, and to officers of the revenue.] Provided always, that no naval officer below the rank of rear admiral, and no military officer below the rank of major general in the army or colonel in the militia, shall be required to make or subscribe the said declaration, in respect of his naval or military commission; and that no commissioner of customs, excise, stamps, or taxes, or any person holding any of the offices concerned in the collection, management, or receipt of the revenues which are subject to the said commissioners, or any of the offices concerned in the collection, management, or receipt of the revenues subject to the authority of the postmaster general, shall be required to make or subscribe the said declaration, in respect of their said offices or appointments: Provided also, that nothing herein contained shall extend to require any naval or military officer, or other person as aforesaid, upon whom any office, place, commission, appointment, or promotion shall be conferred during his absence from England, orwithin three months previous to his de

the receipt of any pay, salary, fee, or wages, in respect of or as a qualification for which, by virtue of or under any of the beforementioned acts or any other act or acts, they respectively ought to have heretofore taken, or ought hereafter to receive the said sacrament of the Lord's Supper, shall be and are hereby confirmed in the possession and enjoyment of their said several offices, commands, places, trusts, services, employments, pay, salaries, fees, and wages respectively, notwithstanding their omission or neglect to take or receive the sacrament of the Lord's Sapper in manner aforesaid, and shall be and are hereby indemnified, freed, and discharged from all incapacities, disabilities, forfeitures, and penalties whatsoever, already incurred or which might hereafter be incurred in consequence of any such omission or neglect ; and that no election of or act done or to be done by any such person or under his authority, and not yet avoided, shall be hereafter questioned or avoided by reason of any such omission or neglect, but that every such election and act shall be as good, valid, and effectual as if such person had duly received the said sacrament of the Lord's Supper in manner aforesaid.

Sect. IX. Omissions of persons to make the declaration not to affect others not privy thereto.] Provided nevertheless, that no act done in the execution of any of the corporate or other offices, places, trusts, or commissions aforesaid, by any such person omitting or neglecting as aforesaid, shall by reason thereof be void or voidable as to the rights of any other person not privy to such omission or neglect, or render such lastmentioned person liable to any action or indictment.

ASSOCIATION.

BUCKS AND WEST MIDDLESEX.

The anniversary of the Bucks and West Middlesex Missionary Association, was held at the Baptist Chapel at Reading on Good Friday. Mr. Copley, of Reading, preached from Heb. x, 34. and Mr. Hutchings of Chelsea, from Rev. xiv. 7. Mr. Douglas,