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Maynooth endowment was received as an acquittance from all objectionable characteristics. At York, the leading Dissenters were not to be found among the 867 who voted for the Voluntary. At Paisley, the ministers and elders of congregational churches canvassed against the only Antistate-church candidate in the field. Middlesex and Manchester would have been lost even to Liberalism, if the advice of Dissenting journalists and county magistrates had been acted upon by their fellow religionists. Nonconformist electoral organization is henceforth necessary as much for the repudiation of false brethren, as for the support of trusted friends.

We have spoken of a general election as, in its ideal, a great national solemnity. The spectacle that has just been presented resembled rather a Saturnalia. The worst passions of our nature have been conspicuously active during the past few weeks, and sometimes under the holiest of names -the lowest portion of our populace has been stimulated to outrage by men in the highest ranks and of the purest professions. Protestantism' was almost universally substituted for Protection' by the ministerial candidates. By that sign they conquered at Liverpool, and were nearly successful in Middlesex. At the former, vulgar ruffianism enjoyed a three days' license-in the latter, unpitying intimidation was notoriously employed by the canvassers, to give effect to the disgusting cant enunciated on the hustings. A wide-spread organization and a Parliamentary debate of unparalleled length, had failed to produce anything like a national excitement. The proclamation prohibiting Roman Catholic processions, issued just before the rising of the House, was no doubt intended to fillip the languid Protestantism of the constituencies. The device did not accomplish that object, but it proved unhappily successful in kindling the antipathies of race as well as of creed. At Stockport, fourteen thousand Irish labourers dwell side by side with as many English of the same class. The former are, of course, Papists, and the latter have their Protestant association and Orange clubs. An annual procession of Roman Catholic Sunday-school children, divested of every offensive symbol, stirred the spirit of their antagonists, who had exulted in the hope of its suppression by the magistrates. A drunken brawl seems to have given the signal for an armed turn-out of both parties. Whoever were the actual aggressors, it is clear that the Irish were the victims of premeditated and brutal outrage. One of their number was murdered, and sixty or seventy badly wounded— their habitations were ransacked and gutted-two of their chapels were demolished, the furniture thereof burnt in heaps, and the most venerated instruments of their worship wantonly desecrated. Of course, a fierce desire for revenge has been excited among so irritable a people as the Irish. On this side the Channel it has been restrained, but in Ireland it has wrought terrible mischief. At Belfast and Cork, and in the county Clare, each party has to count its killed and wounded, to rebuild its chapels, and repair its housefronts. Other and less obvious mischiefs have been done, and will be even less easily repaired. The priesthood have exerted themselves scarcely less than in the celebrated elections which preceded Catholic emancipation; and if they have not swelled the ranks of the 'brigade,' they have infused into it additional virulence and servility. Thus Mr. H. Grattan has been forced

to give place to Mr. Lucas, editor of the 'Tablet.' Two other Irish journalists Mr. Duffy, of the Nation,' and Mr. Macguire, of the 'Cork Examiner'—— I have been returned as a defiance to the persecutors of the Irish people and faith. The urban freeholders of Warwickshire having failed to oust Messrs. Spooner and Newdegate, and Mr. H. Drummond reappearing on the scene, there is little hope that the new Parliament will be free from the acrimony and turbulence which disgraced its predecessor...

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Nor is it the violence of word and deed inspired by bigotry alone, that we have to denounce and deplore. The name of Tory is disclaimed by the political representatives in this age of Castlereagh and Sidmouth, but the spirit and practices of Toryism have re-appeared in all their arrogance and foulness. From the hustings of North Essex, Mr. Beresford, Secretary-atwar, spits his venom on the rabble' below-tells the unenfranchised in so many words that he hates and spurns them and ostentatiously addresses himself to the clergy and gentry of the county. At Stamford, another member of the Ministry wishes the 'big loaf' were stuck in the throat of the non-elector who clamours for it; and refuses, with his colleague in office and in the representation, to answer the interrogation of an elector who had spoken unadvisedly of their lord and patron, the Marquis of Exeter. At Liverpool, the Derbyite candidate trumpets forth his contemptuous indifference for the business of legislation, by declaring he 'don't know' how he voted on a given question last year. The tactics of the party have been in keeping with their demeanour. At Dover, Greenwich, Chatham, and other places in which Government influence is extensive, the screw has been twisted a few turns beyond the customary pressure. At Derby a man has been taken from a dark room, to which voters were admitted by a pass word, with nearly two hundred sovereigns on his person, and a letter sworn to be in the hand-writing of the Mr. Beresford we have heard at Braintree! In the counties, landlord power is said to have been exerted with a severity never before felt by tenants-at-will. The unseating of Mr. Cornewall Lewis, for instance, is described as having been effected by votes arising from farmers deeply attached to him as a man and a politician. In the county of Down, Mr. Sharman Crawford's supporters appear to have been systematically coerced by bludgeon-men, as well as by bailiffs. That the demand for the ballot has acquired great additional force, is already obvious; and it is said that if Lord John Russell persevere in his objections to it, his deposition from the Liberal chieftainship will be the certain result.

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And the ballot being gained, the Whigs will assuredly be the first to fall under its retributory power. Than the coalitions into which they have entered, nothing could be more unprincipled. Lord John Russell owes his seat for the City a second time to votes split with the Conservative, Mr. Masterman. Lord Robert Grosvenor coalesced with Mr. Osborne only when the appearance of two Tories was announced, and lent him but ant encumbering assistance: In the metropolitan boroughs, wherever a Conservative and Whig coalition could keep out a Radical, the coalition was made. At Leicester, it was attempted by these means to defeat even Sir Joshua Walmsley and Mr. Gardner; but the attempt was happily as feeble

as it was base. At York, as we predicted, the Derbyite and Liberal candidates split votes almost man for man. At Edinburgh, Free-churchmen returned the generous anxiety of the Lord Provost's friends to return also Mr.. Cowan,, by splitting votes with either Macaulay or the Conservative. It is a mockery to pretend anxiety for the extension of the suffrage, while the election of the people's, candidates is thus systematically prevented by alliance with declared obstructives.

A single paragraph must suffice for the few incidents that have escaped through the din of the elections into notice and record. Mr. Gladstone, the late minister of Long-acre Episcopal Chapel, has seceded from the Establishment, to become pastor of a Free Church at Torquay; but is forbidden to 'exercise his ministry' there, or elsewhere in the province of Canterbury.— The judges have delivered to the House of Lords their judgment on the sesquipedalian Braintree Church-rate case: being equally divided in opinion, the decision still rests with the Law Lords.-The people of Tamworth have set up in their market-place a statue of the statesman who has given celebrity to that locale; and young Sir Robert has permitted a glimpse of the private picture gallery in which his father surrounded himself with his contemporaries of all parties, and made their effigies his friends.-Louis Napoleon has broken up his Corps Législatif, alarmed, perhaps, by the first symptoms of vitality it displayed; and has visited Strasbourg and Baden, intent, it is believed, on an enterprise matrimonial.-Marshal Excelmans, general of the old Imperial army, recently advanced to the highest military dignity of France, has terminated a life of violence, duplicity, and desertions, by a fall from his horse in a summer evening's ride.-Henry Clay, the great American statesman, has given up the life that has long flickered in its socket, and his remains have been honoured by funeral rites pompous as the affectionate admiration of a proud people could make them. The greatness of his high intellectual attributes may be taken on credit by those who never heard his persuasive speech, and did not watch his career; his great moral defect, and the condemnation of that career, are expressed in his own words 'I went with the current'-in the designation of the acts which the Senate and Congress adopted at his advice, Compromise '-words fatal to hopes of high and enduring fame.

Jutelligence.

THE DISSENTING COLLEGES.

The anniversary celebrations of the various Dissenting Colleges have taken place, mostly since the publication of our last number. Looking at the constitution of many of these colleges, and at the general results of the present college system, we can hardly say that we regret to notice but few symptoms of improved success. In none is there a greater number of students attending than at the commencement of the session now closed, and in no respect can we find much ground for the encouragement of better hopes in relation to the future.AIREDALE COLLEGE celebrated its anniversary on the 23rd of last month, and it is stated, that the reports of the Examiners were discriminating and satisfactory. The general report stated, that the session began with twenty-two students, of whom there were twenty left, besides seven candidates. The financial report was favourable.-HACKNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY held its anniversary soirée on the 24th ult., but excepting the names of speakers and preachers at the meeting, we have no account of its state and prospects. The LANCASHIRE IndependeNT COLLEGE closed its session on the last day of the last month. The report presented a highly satisfactory statement of the diligence and progress of the students during the past year, and we are informed that the general impression of the period of the institution was highly encouraging. Twenty-five students were in attendance. The financial condition of the college does not appear to be very satisfactory. The institution is burdened with a heavy debt.

-ROTHERHAM COLLEGE held its fifty-seventh anniversary meeting on the same day. Mr. Reynolds, of Leeds, had examined the students, and reported in favour of their progress. The number of students is not stated. The financial condition of the college is better than it was. -The BRISTOL BAPTIST COLLEGE, the principal and most successful of the collegiate institutions in connexion with the Baptist denomination, also celebrated its anniversary on the 30th ult. The examiners bore 'very decided testimony to the general advancement of the students.'-NEW COLLEGE held its second annual meeting on the 1st of July. The report was, on the whole, of an unfavourable character. The session had commenced with forty-seven students, to whom five had afterwards been added, but many had retired, and three had been expelled. Allusion was made in the report to the expulsion of the students. Anxious to do justice to both parties in this unfortunate affair, we had intended quoting that part of the report in which mention was made of this matter, but understanding that the statement is not to be regarded as official, we forbear any further remark. The treasurer's financial statement showed a balance against the institution, on the current expenses of the year, of 9061. 4s. -CHESHUNT COLLEGE held its eighty-fourth anniversary on the same day. We gather from the report, that six students had left during the year, and that five had been received. The financial statement appears to wear a favourable aspect.

REGISTRATION OF DISSENTING CHURCHES.

We have received from the office of the Registrar-General, a copy of the Act of Parliament, altering the mode of registering Dissenting churches. Hitherto, as our readers will know, the law has provided that all places of worship belonging to Protestant and Catholic Dissenters should be certified to the bishop or archdeacon of the diocese. In the last session of Parliament, however, a bill was introduced by the Bishop of Salisbury, providing that in future such certificates should be granted by the justices, at sessions of the county, through the clerk of the peace. In this shape the bill passed the House of Lords, but in the Commons, Mr. Bright introduced and carried an amendment, providing that the registration should be made by the Registrar-General. This was so obvious an improvement, that it obtained the immediate sanction of the upper House, and receiving the royal assent on the 30th of June, immediately became law. The certificate of registration will be furnished by the District Superintendent Registrar, and will cost 2s. 6d.

By a subsequent clause of this Act, the clerk of the peace or town clerk is instructed to obtain and forward to the Registrar General a list of all places of worship in his district which have been certified from the year 1688 to the present time. This will furnish every necessary information regarding the number of Dissenting places of worship to the date of the passing of the Act, after which the Superintendent Regis

trar will annually report to the Registrar-General the number that have been certified in his district. The returns up to the 30th June are to be rendered by the 29th of September, and we trust that such of our ministerial readers especially who may have it in their power to assist in their compilation by giving information to the town clerks, will willingly do all in their power to make the returns as accurate and complete as possible. We believe that when the returns are made they will be published, and we hope then to obtain from them and the census returns much and valuable information regarding our ecclesiastical history and standing.-We may mention by the way, that ministers of duly certified places of worship are exempted from liability to serve under the new Militia Act. As a piece of information, we may also add, that the first building certified under this new Act to the Registrar-General was the new Baptist chapel in Cross-street, Islington, on July 1st, it having been opened on June 29.

CHURCH BUSINESS IN PARLIAMENT.

According to the Church and State Gazette, we are threatened with a heavy amount of Church business in the ensuing session of Parliament. Our contemporary states that the Bishop of London is engaged upon a bill, the object of which will be the improved administration of discipline amongst the clergy. The law respecting the institution of clerks will also have to undergo some revisal; and therewith the canon law is threatened with modification. The Ecclesiastical Courts of Appeal, and the reform of the Church courts generally, are also connected with questions of wider interest, upon which Convocation will possibly express an opinion, and the next Parliament decisively legislate.'

CHURCHES FOR THE POOR.

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We are glad to be informed, that in other places besides Aberdeen, special religious services for the working classes are being organized. In a late number of the Bradford Observer,' there is a history of a religious service for this class.' January, 1851,' says the writer, 'the lecture-room of the Mechanics' Institute was opened on Sunday afternoons for religious worship, under the auspices of the Town Mission, for the especial use and instruction of the class of people of whom we are speaking. They accepted the invitation to come: the place of meeting was soon filled. A course of lectures, on the Bible, delivered to them by the Rev. A. Wallace, was published in a cheap form; this class of people bought up the edition in a few days. In the summer-time the preachers addressed them out of doors, in a kind, familiar, practical way; they came and listened, and not a few went away instructed and profited. Another autumn came, and again the Mechanics' Institute was opened. The service became increasingly popular, and for more than six months the place has not been nearly large enough for the multitude who have assembled. The expectations of the promoters of these services have been more than realized, for it is impossible that so much good seed can have been scattered without some fruit springing up. The winter course was terminated by a lecture by the Rev. David Sim, on "Miracles an evidence of the Truth of Christianity." Open-air services are now again begun. We allude thus to this subject, that the example pursued in Bradford and Aberdeen may be followed up in other towns similarly circumstanced.'

MINISTERIAL REMOVALS.

The following calls to church pastorates have been accepted:

BOLTON (Congregational church).-Mr. W. H. Davison, late of Cheshunt College. CAMBRIDGE (Baptist church).-Rev. William Robinson, of Kettering.

DUNMOW (Congregational church).-Mr. H. Garnidge, late of Hackney College. EGHAM (Congregational church).-Rev. J. G. Manly.

EYNSFORD (Baptist church).-Rev. J. Whittemore, late of Rushden.

MILE END (Latimer Congregational church).-Rev. Samuel Eastman.

ST. AUSTELL (Congregational church).-Rev. W. G. Hillman, late of Western College.

TOOTING (Congregational church).-Rev. F. F. Thomas, late of Whitchurch.

NEW CHURCHES OPENED.

HAWES (Yorkshire Congregational church), June 10.

ISLINGTON (Cross-street Baptist church), June 29.

RADWENTER, ESSEX (Congregational church), July 6.

FOUNDATION STONES LAID.

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE (Congregational church), June 26.

CHEETHAM-HILL, MANCHESTER (Congregational church), June 26.

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