No. II. RESOLUTIONS OF THE UNITED COMMITTEE. 6 "At a special meeting of The United Committee appointed to consider the grievances under which Dissenters now labour, with a view to their redress,' held at Dr. Williams's Library, Redcross-street, on Friday, the 15th day of December, 1837; Henry Waymouth, Esq., in the chair: "It was resolved, "That the introduction of an examination upon one of the Gospels, or of the Acts of the Apostles, and upon Scripture History in general, by the Senate of the University of London, as a pre-requisite to a degree, does appear to this Committee an indirect violation of the liberal principle on which the University of London was founded, and by which it was recommended by her Majesty's Government when it was granted as a substitute for a charter conferring degrees to University College, for which the House of Commons had, by a considerable majority, voted an address to the Crown. "That a deputation be appointed to wait on Lord John Russell, relative to the above resolution; and that the deputation consist of the Chairman, Deputy-Chairman, Treasurer, the Rev. Mr. Burnet, Dr. Brown, and Mr. Wilks. "That the Chairman be requested to solicit an early interview with his lordship for this deputation." No. III. Letter from Lord John Russell, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, to the Earl of Burlington, Chancellor of the University of London. "Whitehall, Dec. 18, 1837. "My Lord,I have not yet consulted the law officers on the question which you transmitted to me respecting the reading of the Greek Testament and Church History as a qualification for a degree in arts at the University of London. "It appears to me that this question can hardly be made a dry point of law, and that its solution depends not less upon the manner in which the examinations are conducted than upon the letter of the regulation itself. "It cannot be doubtful, I should imagine, that examinations in the Greek Testament and Scripture History might be so conducted as not to offend any class of Christians. On the other hand, such examinations, while seemingly confined to a knowledge of the Greek language and of historical facts, might be so pursued as to force the scholar to a defence or apology for his religious faith. "It is, therefore, without surprise that I have perceived symptoms of alarm among those who looked to the foundation of the University of London as the sanction of religious liberty in education. "A deputation from University College, London, has represented to me their fears, that the freedom guaranteed to them at the institution of the body over which you preside, may be violated and destroyed by the introduction of the proposed rule. "They further conceive that, as the Greek Testament is not read by their professor of Greek to his scholars, their pupils may be exposed to an unequal contest with the candidates for a degree from King's College. "The deputies from the Protestant Dissenters in London have likewise shewn, by a resolution which I have the honour to inclose, their fears of an infringement of religious freedom by the proposed rule. "I own I do not think that these apprehensions would be allayed by the exemption of such as should plead religious scruples from the proposed examination. Such a plea might probably be misconstrued, and the grounds of the refusal would leave a wide scope for malignant rancour and personal attack. "Whether it might not be possible to frame a rule, which should leave it to the candidates for degrees to be examined in the Greek Testament and Church History at their own express desire, I am not prepared to say. Jealousy, perhaps, being now awakened, it may be difficult now to frame any rule on this subject, which shall not meet with objection from conscientious Dissenters. "With this view of the case, I must request your lordship to bring again under the consideration of the Senate the proposed rule. "It would be most unfortunate if a rule were establish ed which should make the University an object of suspicion, instead of a means of increasing the just distinctions to be conferred upon learning and science. "It would scarcely be less of a calamity, were the authority of the Secretary of State to interpose a bar to regulations deemed essential by the Senate. "I must therefore request your lordship to bring this matter again before the Senate, and to state to them fully the difficulties which I feel must arise, should they persist in requesting the opinion of the law officers of the Crown on the proposed regulation. "I have the honour to be, my lord, "Your obedient and faithful servant, "The Earl of Burlington." [To be continued.] "J. RUSSELL. A HYMN FOR PRESERVING GRACE. FATHER of all, assist me now To make Thy will my choice; Save me from all impure desire, Support me in the trying hour, When earthly pleasure flies; Then bring me to a world of joy, I'll praise, in that immortal state, And join with saints to celebrate J. O. S 71 THE WORSHIP STREET SOCIETY OF PROVIDENT FRIENDS. THIS Society was established on the 9th of August 1836; its object being to raise a fund, by weekly subscriptions, for the purpose of giving relief to its members in time of sickness, infirmity, and distress (and so far as the funds will hereafter allow), for maintenance in old age-and for benefit of the widows and orphans of members. The advantages to be derived from this society are not confined to any particular sect of Christians, but are open to all of a good moral and religious character. The object is not only to benefit the physical, but also the moral condition of its members; by holding frequent meetings for the purpose of moral and religious instruction. It is founded upon the basis of benevolence and brotherly love; and tends to extend individual and social happiness to the poor and needy. It not only holds out the hand of true friendship to the sick and to the infirm, but also tends to preserve independence and moral principle. Should the outlines of this society meet the eyes of any (male or female under fifty years of age) desirous to become members, they may receive further information by application to the Secretary, at the chapel in Worship Street, on any Sunday before or after divine service. J. G. COLEBROOK. OBITUARY. Lately, SIR D. K. SANDFORD, of typhus fever, after an illness of only eight days; an accomplished scholar, and highly respected gentleman. Sir Daniel was Professor of Greek in the University of Glasgow, and during one session M.P. for that city. On the 28th January, at Downpatrick, in the 70th year of his age, and the 47th of his ministry in the first Presbyterian congregation of that place, the Rev. James Neilson, D.D. Among his brethren he was highly distinguished as a divine, and as a scholar of the first order; and his Alma Mater, Glasgow College, conferred upon him the unsolicited honour of D.D., on account of his critical and accurate knowledge of the Holy Scriptures in their original tongues. 19th February, Mrs. Macmurdo, of Hackney, a highly respected member of the Gravel Pit congregation. SUNDAY MORNING LECTURES TO BE DELIVERED IN WORSHIP STREET CHAPEL, BY THE FOLLOWING MINISTERS. March 4.-Rev. EDWIN CHAPMAN : Universal Blessedness the Glory of the Eternal World. 11.-Rev. J. O. SQUIER: Prison Discipline and Death Punishment. 18.-Rev. SAMUEL WOOD: The Authority of Christ. Rev. ED. TAGART: 25. April 1.-Rev. B. MARDON: The Christian's Desire for the Conversion of Israel. 8.-Rev. JOHN GEARY: The Love of Man calculated to promote the Love of God. 15.-Rev. GEORGE KENRICK: CORRESPONDENCE. WE feel much obliged to T. S., for the good opinion which he expresses of our labours. We hope to take some notice of his suggestions in our next number. We trust that our readers will feel an interest in the documents relating to the examination for degrees in the University of London. We have been the more disposed to give them insertion in "The Advocate," as the decision of the Senate, in which we rejoice, will probably lead to the establishment of private classes for the study of Sacred Literature, with which our readers may subsequently be made acquainted. |