The Annual Register, Or, a View of the History, Politics, and Literature for the Year Volume 66 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 Excerpt: ...Mr. G. Lyon, W. S., rose to move a 13th resolution, which having been seconded by the rev. Dr. David Dickson, was unanimously carried. The rev, Henry Grey referred to the pure days of tbc church when the people were called upon to do more than witness the solemn ceremony of the induction of their minister--when they had also a voice in his nomination. He had no anxiety to bring back dissenters to the church; but he wished to see the ground of difference between them and the church removed by restoration to the people of their lost rights. It was curious to remark the changes of opinion on certain subjects. When the people had the choosing of their minister, they were thought capable of discreetly exercising it; but now, when they have no longer the right, their capacity was disputed. There might be some truth in the observation of their unfitness, for the possession of a right may be a necessary stimulus to a man to qualify himself for the due exercise of it. The Resolutions were to the following effect. 1. That the meeting do form themselves into a society to he called. " The Society in Scotland for improving the system of Church Patronage," with auxiliaries in other towns and parishes; the ohject of which shall be, to acquire rights of patronage, and to secure the nomination of acceptable ministers, by settling them on a popular principle, as well as by every means to excite attention to the importance of this branch of ecclesiastical polity, so as to ameliorate the exercise of patronage in those instances where the right cannot be acquired. 2. That without proposing anyvery exended right of suffrage, it shall accordingly be the object of this institution to settle the nomination in all rights of patronage acquired by it, on trustees who I shall...