ecclesiastical monopoly. This evil cannot be prevented, but by having the eyes of our legislators opened to the true state of the case, that they may be induced to do, constitutionally and quietly, what otherwise will be done for them, amid the turbulence of excited passions, endangering the existence of the most stable civil institutions of the country. By far the most effectual method of gaining this object on the part of Dissenters appears to be,-the acting out the principles contained in the following exposition. Were all, or were even the great body of the Dissenters in this country, quietly, yet resolutely to refuse to yield support to the ecclesiastical institutions, of which they conscientiously disapprove, following in the peaceful and praiseworthy track of the Friends, the attention of the government and the legislature, would be irresistibly drawn to a subject, which has been but little considered, and is not at all understood by them; and the impossibility of long upholding the present system, would glare on them with an evidence which would persuade them, even against their will, that no time was to be lost in preparing for an approaching event, which, if met unprepared, may have consequences from which all soundminded, right-hearted men, to whatever religious or political party they belong, would start back with alarm. Were the Dissenters generally to refuse to pay church taxes, no government which could exist in this country, whether Tory, Whig, or Radical, durst continue from year to year the measures which would be necessary, in this case, to support the Establishments. They would be obliged practically to repeal the law for their maintenance, so far as Dissenters are concerned, and this would be found equivalent to a dissolution of the connexion of Church and State. It has been justly observed, that "nothing is so invincible as determined non-compliance. He that resists by force may be overcome by greater force; but nothing can overcome a calm and fixed determination not to obey." To follow the course, which I recommend both by.my doctrine and by my practice, is to "follow the things that make for peace." Violence is equally to be deprecated for the sake of Christians in the Established Churches and out of them; and that Dissenter acts the kindest part to his Christian brethren in the church, though they may not think so, as well as the most consistent part in reference to what he accounts the cause of truth and righteousness, who, by peaceable non-obedience to an unjust law, and patient submission to its consequences, adopts the course which, above all others, gives the fairest promise of preventing that violent disruption of Church and State, which otherwise, according to the ordinary laws by which the affairs of men are regulated, cannot be very long delayed. Could the thinking and the influential portion of the community be but brought to look the present dangers of the country, as connected with ecclesiastical affairs, full in the face, and act according to the impression which such a view must produce, these dangers would be greatly diminished, if not annihilated. If they obstinately refuse to follow this course," Down comes the thunderbolt,"-and "who shall live when God does this!"* These observations would have force, were the course recommended merely consistent with the higher obligations of religious and moral duty-how greatly must that force be increased if it be, as I am convinced it is, sanctioned and required by their obligations. Those concerned would do well to consider whether in following an opposite course, they are not only neglecting an innocent means of doing much good, and preventing much evil, but incurring direct criminality in "building again what they have destroyed." It were easy to substantiate the charge of * "These are terrible conjunctures, when the discontents of a nation-not light and capricious discontents, but discontents which have been steadily increasing during a long series of years-have attained their full maturity. The discerning few predict the approach of these conjunctures, but predict in vain. To the many, the evil season comes, as a total eclipse of the sun at noon comes to a people of savages. Society, which but a short time before, was in a state of perfect repose, is on a sudden agitated with the most fearful convulsions, and seems to be on the verge of dissolution; and the rulers who, till the mischief was beyond the reach of all ordinary remedies, had never bestowed one thought on its existence, stand bewildered and panic-stricken, without hope or resource, in the midst of the confusion. One such conjuncture this generation has seen. God grant that we may never see another."-Edin. Review, vol. Ixviii. p. 152. folly. It will be difficult to rebut the charge of guilt. Under a deep impression of the truth and importance of these principles, I most earnestly call the attention of Dissenters throughout the kingdom to the consideration of the question discussed in these pages. The more thoroughly the principles they uphold are examined, the more reasonable I am persuaded will they appear to be in themselves the more abundantly supported by appropriate evidence—the more obviously calculated to promote the peace of the commonwealth, and the prosperity of religion. If they are not true, let them be disproved. If they are true, let Churchmen embrace them, and let Dissenters act on them. 4, BELLEVUE TERRACE, November 19, 1838. |