"If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."-Isaiah viii. 20. PROTESTANT MEETING AT LIMEHOUSE. (From a Correspondent.) ON Tuesday Evening, the 8th March, a crowded and highly respectable Meeting of the Tower Hamlets Church of England Protestant Association was held in the capacious new National School Room, Limehouse. THE CHISHOLM in the chair. After prayer by the Rev. C. Day, the Chairman opened the meeting in a speech of considerable interest. The Rev. CHARLES DAY said, I should not have been the first to address you on the present occasion had not peculiar circumstances required that I should place myself in the battle front. Having been accustomed to take part in the proceedings of this Association, I have been singled out as the object of attack, and accused of intending to prejudice the influence of your respected minister (the curate of the Parish), who declines to take part with us in our humble endeavours to expose the errors of. Popery, and uphold the true Protestant character of our beloved church. It has ever been the wish of our Committee to give every support in our power to the Established Church, and I can with great truth assert, that she ranks not among the members of her household more faithful and devoted VOL. III. children. We have much wished to conciliate all who are opposed to us, and have patiently and forbearingly laboured to accomplish that object; to meet the wishes of many, we altered the designation of our. Association, and called it The Tower Hamlets CHURCH OF ENGLAND Protestant Association, but it was required that we should go over to the objecting party, and by so doing neutralize our efforts in opposing Popery this, however, we would not, we could not, we dared not do (cheers); for independently of other reasons, which may be assigned, we should have stood accused of receiving money from our various supporters under false pretences. One gentleman refused to join us because an article had appeared in the Magazine, published under the auspices of the Parent Society, calling in question the validity of certain translations of the Scriptures circulated by another Society; another consented to join us if we would pass a law excluding Dissenters-this also we refused to do, being unwilling to provoke unnecessary hostility (hear, hear). If, Sir, the gauntlet is to be thrown down, my adversary shall do that, and believe me, I will not be the last to take it up (cheers). I hold in my hand a work published by a Dissenting Minister at Brighton, in which I find this passage! "I fear for the Church of England,THE BULWARK OF THE PROTESTANTISM OF THE WORLD, lest many of her de vout members, if this heresy (Puseyism) extends, should faint and retire; lest the IRRELIGIOUS masses, who love her not, should through the breach attack and overcome the citadelGod, save my country, spare it, O King of Kings" Sir, whilst I am bold to affirm that if the Established Church were overthrown to-morrow, I would rather be found in communion with that church, preaching from a rostrum in Smithfield market, than attach myself to any sectary in the kingdom, I cannot, I dare not, without a cause, particularly with such a passage as this before my eyes, denounce the Dissenters as a body. That there are to be found many, as in former times, among our rabid opponents, I have no doubt; but that it is so with all, I deny (cheers). Would Dissenters, as did the men they call FATHERS in by-gone days, unite in opposing Popery-democracy would have fewer advocates, and the talented, jesuitical declaimer of the Sister Island, would have to affirm, "Othello's occupation's gone." Dissenterism and Popery have to be fought with very different weapons-to meet the former, let our Clergy preach in all their fulness the great doctrines of the Reformation, as set forth in our liturgical services, homilies, and articles, and let the members of the church flock round their honored pastors, as those who must give account, and we shall soon find dissent upon the wane. Not so, however, with Popery, whose wily and insinuating efforts are directed to the achievement of personal aggrandisement, and universal sway. It is to the influence of jesuitism, the powerful agent of Popery, that I ascribe much of the opposition we have experienced from Political Dissenters, Chartism, Socialism, and the no-faith men of every grade (hear). You will ask me where they are to be found-I cannot tell you: an honest man may always be seen; but a jesuit, a man of superior attainments, accommodates himself to all circumstances, and will find his way to the table of princes and nobles, as well as descend to be the companion of the dissolute democratic, so that he can promote the interests of Popery. Time would fail me, and words would not aid me, to describe the anti-scriptural, antisocial, and unchristian character of the Church of Rome. The Sovereign Pontiff assumes to himself the attributes of Deityat least no Pope has ever repudiated them: this I am prepared to prove, not by declamation and inference, but from the writings of Papists themselves (hear). Of Popery, apart from jesuitism, we have nothing to fear. The Jesuits are a body of men who were put down by Pope Clement XIV., A. D. 1773, in whose edict the iniquitous effects of jesuitism are described in terms quite as strong as any I can employ; but at the conclusion of the Peninsular war, the order was re-established by Pope Pius VII., in a BULL bearing date, August 7th, 1814. And what find we among the consequences in our own land?-The passing of the Catholic Relief Bill, and the extinction of ten Protestant bishopricks (cheers). Sir, I would call upon all present, whether Churchmen or Dissenters, to rally round the unfurled banner of the Protestant Church of England-and this I may safely do, when I know that most of the dissenting communities in England profess to admire, and (differ though they do in matters of discipline) avow their attachment to the doctrinal articles of the Church of England (hear). To prove to the present meeting that I have not wantonly charged the Romish Church with error and blasphemy, I will furnish you, Sir, with an extract from one of the canons of that church:-PAPA dispensare potest de omnibus Preceptis, veteris et novi Testamenti-The Pope can dispense with all the precepts (or doctrines) of the Old and New Testament. And it is further said of the Pope, that all power is given to him both in heaven and on earth-TIBI data est, omnis potestas, in Calo et in terra—Super omnia regna mundi SEDENS (cheers). EDWARD DALTON, Esq., moved the next resolution, and said that the usefulness of the Protestant Association, or of any other christian society, must not be measured by the plumb-line of human judgment, or of man's opinion, but by the plumb-line of God's eternal truth. Its value and importance must not be measured by the limited and contracted span of this man or that man's intellect, but weighed in the balances of the sanctuary.-[Hear, hear.] If the objects of the Protestant Association, and the success which had attended its operations, were brought to the touchstone of God's word, he hesitated not to say they would be found to be incalculable, inestimable.-[Cheers.] That word declares that " he that winneth souls is WISE; " and assures us that the value of one soul is such, that it would be a wretched bargain, if a man were to gain the whole world, and yet lose his soul.-[Hear, hear.] Consequently, every society that labours on behalf of souls, that strives in a christian spirit, and by legitimate methods, to benefit and serve the imperishable souls of men, to shield and warn them of destructive heresies, and to preserve for them the inestimable blessings of truth, must be worthy of the cordial and enthusiastic support of all chris- to rob him of this birthright, surely that tians. [Cheers.] Now souls have been was enough to recommend it to their prayers brought to the Saviour by means of our and active support. Let them only bear in Protestant Associations-brought to that remembrance what the bible was. The Saviour, whom to know aright is life eternal, Christian's best companion from the cradle who is the essence of the brightest and to the grave: yielding him light by which loveliest of heaven's glories; the knowledge to find the path to the paradise of God; of whom produces in this world joy, and enabling him to avoid every snare laid for peace, and hope, and love, and puts the soul him, and repel every attack made upon him in possession of joys beyond the grave, by his spiritual adversary, the devil; comwhich are ineffable, unutterable. Many forting him in affliction, buoying up his souls, who were in darkness, have been en- drooping spirits in the dark days of trouble lightened; the rays of divine truth have, and of sorrow; enabling him to receive afflicthrough the instrumentality of this society, tive dispensations from the hand of his heapenetrated the veil of ignorance and super- venly Father, not merely with acquiescence stition in which they were wrapt, brought but with gratitude, saying "I know that in them into the sunshine of God's everlasting very faithfulness thou hast afflicted me," favour, and translated them from the king- and "it is good for me that I have been afdom of satan into the kingdom of God's flicted;" enabling him also to look at the dear Son. I had the pleasure only ten days king of terrors himself with cheek unblanchago to receive a letter from the Rev. Hugh ed, and know that Jesus has robbed him of Stowell, in which he informed me, that he his sting, and spoiled the grave of its vichas at this present time two interesting tory; revealing to him, that henceforth there young men, who have been brought out of is laid up for him a crown of life," a far more the communion of the Papal Church, by the exceeding and eternal weight of glory."labours of the Manchester Protestant Asso- [Hear, hear.] The bible was the mighty ciation, receiving instruction from him in weapon with which Luther smote down the the great truths of the Christian religion.- huge fabric of corruption, which Rome had [Loud cheers.] I had also the pleasure heaped like another Babel upon the ruins some short time ago to receive a communi- of Christianity. It was with the light decation from across the Atlantic, from the rived from this glorious and blessed book President of the New York Protestant As- he kindled up again in the heart of Chrissociation, informing me, among other tendom the fire of pure and hallowed devothings, that one hundred and forty-two con- tion, and restored the worship of God in verts from Popery had been the fruit of spirit and in truth, where before scarcely their exertions, and that two of those con- anything existed but cold formality and verts were now preaching the saving truths heartless life service.-[Cheers.] Mr. Dalof the gospel to their fellow-countrymen.- ton then alluded to the opposition with which [Cheers.] Surely this success was enough the Association had to contend, and warned to encourage them to persevere in the pro- the meeting, that if they were engaged in secution of their Christian work. The the service of God, they must calculate divine command is "in the morning sow upon meeting with the opposition of merely thy seed, and in the evening withhold not nominal Christians, as well as open enethine hand; for thou knowest not whether mies. That their great adversary, who reshall prosper, either this or that, or whether sisted and hated every good work, would they both shall be alike good." It is our strive to cripple their exertions, and impede business to scatter the seeds of truth abroad, their usefulness, not merely by means of to disseminate them throughout the popula- those whose opposition they might naturally tion of the country, and leave the result to expect and reckon upon, but also by the inHim who alone can make them germinate, strumentality of those who ought to be their and yield fruit to the glory of God, and the best friends. He told them that the History benefit and prosperity of the country.- of the Church proved, that Satan was wiser [Hear, hear.] If the society did nothing than to attempt that by open assault which else but defend the bible, surely it was pre- he could effect more completely by cunning eminently worthy, on that account alone, and subtilty: he had always striven to frusof their strenuous support. If it did nothing trate God with His own weapons. To ilelse than vindicate and uphold the great lustrate this, Mr. Dalton alluded to the Protestant principle, that it was every man's Papal Church calling herself the Church of right and privilege to have the word of God, Christ, and calling her priests the ministers and that no power on earth, Pope, Council, of Christ, and very strongly animadverted Potentate, or Church, had any moral right upon the Jesuits stamping their infamous doctrines, and abominable practices, with the holy name of the Son of God. Mr. Dalton then proceeded to encourage them, and exhorted them not to be faint-hearted in their noble and truly Christian undertaking. I know, said he, that opposition is not pleasant or easy to bear, and that many a time the spirit quails before it, and one feels almost inclined to give up and abandon our work for God and His truth. But we must not be cast down, or forget the great truth, that while Satan and the emissaries of evil are actively and incessantly at work, and may seem to succeed for a time, they will not ultimately triumph.-[Hear, hear.] The bright and glorious designs of Jehovah must be realized. His purposes of mercy are, in fact, ripening every hour. We are apt to be terrified at the contemplation of evil; but if we could but have our vision opened like the seer of old, we should discern the chariots of fire and the horses of fire encamping around us, and should realize the consolatory and supporting truth, that greater is He that is with us than all that be against us. [Cheers.] All things in the moral and the visible world are beneath the control and dependent on the will and permission of Him "whose kingdom ruleth over all." Oceans, rivers, cataracts, the scathing lightning, the tempestuous hurricane sweeping down whole forests before its desolating fury, all, and if there be any other power in creation terrible and terrific, all, all, move in as perfect harmony with the divine control as the gently flowing stream gladdening and fertilizing the verdant valleys by its silent flow. [Cheers.] The howling blast which mingles sea and sky in wild commotion, and strews every shore with the shattered fragments of shipwrecked vessels, moves as harmoniously with the mind of the Creator as the balmy Spring zephyr which wafts nothing on its bosom but fragrancy and delight. And as with the convulsions of nature, so with the convulsions of nations. Revolutions which lay desolate and deluge continents in blood, strewing the world with the wreck of thrones and empires, are as completely beneath the controlling power and superintending Providence of Jehovah as the gentlest operation that occurs in the most retired recess of the most harmonious social circle.-[Cheers.] The same voice which calms the raging of the deep, and speaks to the wild warfare of its waves peace, be still," can speak to the wild waves of revolutionary democracy, and the rolling tide of Papal influence which threaten our beloved Country, and all the opposition we may meet with in contending for the faith of Christ, and say "thus far shalt thou come and no farther, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed."-[Cheers.] The speaker then proceeded to appeal with much force and persuasion to those who might be parents, exhorting them to resist Popery, and not to permit any influence to deter them from the discharge of this important duty. He told them to be thoroughly persuaded that Popery unresisted would soon become Popery rampant. If they wished the dear objects of their parental care and solicitude to meet them in a brighter and better world around the radiant throne of God; if they would wish them to be present in that great day when the good Shepherd would pen His fold in immortality; if they would not wish them when they were gone to their rest to be taught the errors of Rome instead of the saving truths of the Gospel, and to be taught to confide their souls to the maternal sympathies of the Virgin Mary instead of being led to Him whose gracious lips had said, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven," he exhorted them earnestly to resist the onward increasing power of Popery.- [Cheers.] Mr. Dalton having forcibly urged upon the meeting the strong duty of prayer in all their proceedings, and aptly referred to the example of the Reformers of the English Church in this respect, who were enabled, he said, by means of the strong spirit of prayer poured out upon them to light up that flame in England which, by God's blessing, had not yet been put out, concluded a speech to which our limits have not permitted us to do anything like justice. JAMES LORD, Esq. addressed the meeting in a speech of great length and considerable ability, pointing out the necessity and utility of such an Association, and contended that Protestants were alike called on by the precepts of Scripture, and the principles of the British Constitution, to defend themselves from the aggressions of Popery. The Rev. J. R. BARBER, shewed with much eloquence in a long and able speech, that Popery was not the ancient faith of England, that the gospel had been preached and a Christian church established in this island long before Augustine was sent hither from Rome, and the Court of Rome usurped authority in England, from which we were happily delivered, and our primitive faith once more restored at the period of the glorious Reformation. After thanks to the Chairman had been moved by HENRY DIXON, Esq., seconded by another gentleman of the parish, the doxology was sung, and the meeting separated. The House of Commons kneeling to the Pope's Legate. Ir may be well to draw attention just now to the reconciliation of England to the see of Rome, and the re-establishment of the pope's authority in our land, by Queen Mary of cruel memory. Cardinal Pole was appointed legate from the pope for this purpose; but having been attainted for high treason in the reign of Henry the eighth, he could not return to England till the parliament repealed the act. This was the first measure proposed when the parliament met. Great care was taken to exclude all persons suspected of favouring the Reformation, or of being averse to the restoration of the pope's power, as many members of the preceding parliaments had been. Its proceedings soon showed that it was thoroughly a Romish parliament, or, as was directed in the queen's circulars to the sheriffs, respecting the election of suitable persons, "of the Catholic sort." The act was introduced on the 17th of November: it was hurried through both houses, and received the royal assent on the 22nd. On the 24th the cardinal arrived in London. Cardinal Pole was descended from the royal family, and for a time was much in favour with Henry the eighth; but being strongly attached to the doctrines of Romanism, and the authority of the pope, he opposed the king's divorce. After some changes of conduct, he left England, and was appointed a cardinal by pope Paul the third in the year 1536, and was immediately sent to reside in Flanders, as a legate, to communicate with and encourage the popish party in England, who were then engaged in rebellion against their king. Of course, Pole was speedily outlawed as a traitor. He resided for some months at Liege, and then returned to Rome, the insurrection being quelled. He continued in correspondence with the English malcontents, and was also employed by the pope as one of his legates at the opening of the council of Trent. On the death of Paul the third, Pole was chosen his successor; but this being announced to him at night, he refused to accept the papacy until the next morning. The morning came, but the Cardinals had changed their minds, and Pole, who had in the meantime composed an oration to return thanks on being elected, was set aside. He acquiesced in the election of another, and continued his usual course of life till the death of Edward the sixth, when he was appointed legate to England. The emperor was apprehensive lest Pole, being only in deacon's orders, the queen should fix upon him for a husband, in preference to Philip; and with Gardiner's assistance, prevented his coming to England, till the period now under consideration. The cardinal was received with many honours, but did not make a public entry, as the pope's authority was not yet restored. Letters patent, however, were issued by the king and queen, ordering their subjects to receive, honour, and obey this legate, and allowing them to apply to him for such fa |