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This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. A UTHOR: TITLE: THE JUSTICE AND EXPEDIENCY OF .. FLA CE: LONDON DA TE: 1835 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT BIBUQGRAPHIC MTrROFORM TARHFT Master Negative # Restrictions on Use: Original Material as I'ihned - Existing Bibliographic Record and" nr>uir\Q .d >f asce-ndsi'ncV v.. / in c^ ana "txpeditncy ot cor\- pTo-fe.sr5)nT ckmrch ascend Tiefly No. C c.' ■ ... ■ '\Ur lep /. TECHNICAL MICI^OFORM DATA FILM SIZE: IMApE PLACEMENT: IA(JL5>,IB IIB REDUCTION RATIO: //<^ DATE FILMED: ^//£?^ INITIALS 3E RLMEDBY: RESEARCH PU BLICATIONS , TNC WOOnnRmnFrT / c Association for Information and Image Management llOOWayne Avenue. Suite 1100 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301/587-8202 Centimeter 12 3 4 5 liiiiliiiiliiiiliiiil nil IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 mm rrrrj Inches TTT T IT 1 1.0 I.I 1.25 TTT 1^ 2.8 2.5 ■ 5.0 1^6 3.2 ■ 63 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.4 1.6 TTT TTT 1 MRNUFfiCTURED TO RUM STflNDRRDS BY APPLIED IMRGE, INC. / Ko.6 THE JUSTICE AND EXPEDIENCY OF CONTINUING PROTESTANT CHURCH ASCENDANCY IN IRELAND BRIEFLY EXAMINED. m LONDON: PRINTED BY J. BRADLEY, 78, GREAT TITCHFIELD STREET, ST. MARY-I.E-BONK. 1835. V m V THE JUSTICE AND EXPEDIENCY, cjc. (J-C. At the period of the revolution, in one thou- sand six hundred and eighty-eight, the Roman Cathohcs of Ireland were devoted to the interests of the Stuart family, sympathized with them in their misfortunes and supported them in their pretensions to the crown ; and it was therefore considered ex- pedient to deprive them of all legislative and poli- tical powers, and to exalt protestantism and repress Catholicism, as was done by severe penal statutes, by exclusion from all situations of honour, profit,' trust, and power, and by establishing the 'ascend- ancy of the protestant episcopalian church, and endowing it with all the property set apart for reli- gious uses in Ireland, at the very moment that it was made to succumb and give place to the pres- byterian church in Scotland. Now, however, the Stuart family is, in effect, extinct; there is no longer any pretender to the throne ; and the Ca- tholics are as much attached to the reigning family as the rest of their fellow subjects ; all the penal statutes and civil disabilities affecting them have been one after another repealed and removed, and i 3 protestant church ascendancy alone remains to re- mind them of their former prostration and degrada- tion. Every thing has been conceded to them that can confer legislative or political power, and that which is retained can only serve to humble, to mortify, and to irritate them. Such being the case, it is proposed briefly to ex- amine, whether it would not now be just and expedient to reduce the present church establish- ment in Ireland, so far as the spiritual wants of the protestant population will fairly admit, and give an equal establishment to the catholic church, and thus abolish protestant church ascendancy, the only remaining mark of cathohc degradation. There is no proposition here to convert to secu- lar purposes any part of the property now appro- priated to ecclesiastical or religious purposes ; and this property having been originally bequeathed or granted to the catholic church, and subsequently transferred to the protestant church on account of the principles then entertained by the cathohcs, or for reasons of state, if the cathohcs have discarded these principles, or if it is necessary or expedient for the general interest, there can be no doubt but that the Legislature have not only the power but the just right again to transfer to the cathohc i church the whole or any part of this property. / By again conveying to the use of the cathohc ^ church, on the death of the present incumbents, any tithes or lands which it had formerly possessed, no property would be taken from any person during his hfe, or from his heirs or assigns at his death, no new precedent would be introduced, no violation of w y/ any moral principle would take place, and the gene- ral security of property would not be in any way affected. Nor is there any reason to suppose that the .placing of the protestant and catholic churches in Ireland upon an equality, in the way proposed, would endanger or injuriously affect the established church in England. The objection to the established church in Ireland is founded upon the fact, that it is the church of a very small minority of the people of that country ; this is the chief or sole reason for the proposed change, and it cannot be applied to the established church in England, which is the church of a great majority of the people. The best secu- rity for the established church of England, and the one on which it ought to rely, is the fact/ that a great majority of the people of England are mem- bers of it ; but it is obvious that this ground of se- curity is greatly diminished, if not altogether destroyed, by a union with the present established church in Ireland, inasmuch as, if the churches are united the people must also be united, and the cathohcs, Presbyterians, and dissenters in the two kingdoms are neariy, if not quite, as numerous as the protestant episcopahans. The union of the two churches may^^rengthen and support the esta- bhshed church iiVlreland, but it must weaken and endanger the established church in England. Then in respect to the articles of union between Great Britain and Ireland, which might be affected by the proposed measure, it must be considered, that at the time they were arranged or settled, the catholics could neither vote for or be members of pariiament, and that although, then as now, a great majority of the Irish people, and essentially the na- tion, they were not in any way parties to the agree- ment. Besides, it would be absurd to contend that the articles of union are, under all circumstances,* irrevocable, or that they cannot be in any way al- tered, if it should be necessary or expedient for the interest and happiness of the majority of the people of both countries, or for the public weal, to do so. If it should be objected, that the property now appUed to the uses of religion in Ireland would not be sufficient to provide adequate establishments for both the protestant and catholic churches, and that large grants of public money w^ould be annually wanted for these purposes, which would not be either convenient or agreeable; it might be sufficient to state, that Parliament has lately given a sum of twenty millions, and contracted large annual pecu- niary engagements, to facilitate the abolition of slavery in the colonies, which cannot be considered of greater importance than the abohtion of discon- tent and agitation amongst the people of Ireland, and the establishment of a cordial union between them and the people of Great Britain ; but let it be examined whether any or what further revenues would be wanted. Dr. Paley states, " That the division of the country into districts, and the stationing in each district a teacher of rehgion, forms the substantial part of every church establishment": and Ireland is now divided into one thousand, three hundred, and eighty-five protestant episcopaHan districts or benefices; in forty-one of which benefices there are no members of the established church ; in ninety- y t' ,/ nine, there are one and not more than twenty mem- bers ; in one hundred and twenty-four, there are more than twenty but not more than fifty members ; and in one hundred and sixty, there are more than fifty but not more than one hundred members ; and in the whole kingdom tliere are only about eight hundred and fifty-two thousand protestant episco- palians of all ages : considering these, and the va- rious other statements made in the Report of the Irish Ecclesiastical Commissioners, it may be fairly concluded, that if Ireland was divided into one thousand two hundred districts or benefices, and a teacher or clergyman stationed and always residing in each, the spiritual wants of the whole of the protestant episcopahan population would be fully provided for. Then the duties of these teachers or clergymen would be, the public celebration of divine worship, the communication of religious instruction and con- solation to the people, and the ministration of the offices of their church ; for which duties it would not be necessary that they should be clothed in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day, or that they should be supplied with the means of vieing with the nobility and gentry in expense. Large incomes elevate clergymen too much above the majority of their flocks, and induce habits and pursuits incompatible with their sacred characters, and the due and suitable performance of their va- rious duties in and out of the pulpit. The best situation, perhaps, in which a clergyman can be placed, in respect to income, would be an equality with the most humble of the gentry, or with the middle classes of the people, amongst whom they reside. Considering these circumstances, and the cost of the necessaries and comforts of life in Ire- land, as also that the curates are not now paid more than from fifty to seventy-five pounds a year, it may be fairly concluded, that clear net incomes of from one hundred to three hundred pounds a year, ex- clusive of a house and the baptismal and other usual fees, would be an adequate provision for these twelve hundred clergymen: indeed, it may be doubted whether the eflficient resident, or working clergymen of the established church in Ireland now receive so much as average incomes of two hun- dred pounds a year. Then for the government of a church consisting of one thousand two hundred beneficed clergymen, and about eight hundred and fifty-two thousand members of all ages, one archbishop, and four bishops resident in their dioceses, each bishop having as assistants eight archdeacons resident in their respective archdeaconries, would be fully suflBcient ; and as it would be desirable that the archbishop should have a seat in the House of Lords, for the purpose of giving information and explanation upon all subjects relating to his church and to rehgion, he ought to have a clear net annual revenue of five thousand pounds, and a residence. But as it would not be necessary or desirable that the bishops should have seats in the House of Lords, but rather that they should always reside in their respective dioceses, incomes of two thousand five hundred pounds a year, and a residence, would be quite sufficient to enable them to perform all 8 the duties and maintain the dignity of their offices. The archdeacons would be beneficed clergymen, with incomes of three hundred pounds a year, ex- clusive of a house and fees, and an addition thereto of two hundred pounds a year would be sufficient. Here then would be an establishment for the protestant episcopalian church in Ireland, of one archbishop, with a clear annual income of five thousand pounds and a residence; four bishops, with clear annual revenues of two thousand five hundred pounds each; thirty-two archdeacons, with clear annual incomes of two hundred pounds each, exclusive of their incomes as beneficed cler- gymen ; and one thousand two hundred beneficed clergymen, with annual incomes of from one to three hundred pounds, and averaging two hundred pounds each, which would amount altogether to two hundred and sixty-one thousand four hundred pounds a year. And there can be no doubt, but that this establishment would be, at least, as effi- cient and as beneficial in every respect for the pro- testant episcopalian people in Ireland as the present estabUshment. The difference between the two establishments would not be in the substantial but in the ornamental and sinecure parts ; the reductions in which might be injurious, in some respects, to the nobihty and gentry of Ireland, but for which they would be abundantly compensated by the tranquillity and prosperity of the country, by a bet- ter security for hfe and property, by the advance of rents, and by the restoration of the legitimate influence of the landlords with a peaceable and contented tenantry. ^-c^ / 9 _ There appears to be six millions four hundred and twenty thousand Roman catholics in Ireland, and two thousand four hundred teachers or clergy- men would be necessary for their spiritual wants ; but as the clergy of the catholic church are not allowed to marry, and have no families to support, incomes of from fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds a year, exclusive of a house and reasonable baptismal and other fees, would be sufficient ; and for the government of such a church, one arch- bishop, with an income of five thousand pounds a year and * a residence ; and eight bishops, with in- comes of one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds a year and residences, each bishop having eight assistants, with incomes of one hundred pounds a year each in addition to their incomes as beneficed clergymen, might be necessary. And it would be de- sirable to give to the archbishop a seat in the House of Lords, for the same pm-poses that a seat is given to the protestant archbishop, as also in order that the two churches should be placed upon an equality in every respect. . In this way an establishment would be provided for the cathohc chmxh, which would have twice the number of clergymen belonging to the protestant church, but which would cost the same annual sum, namely, two hundred and sixty-one thousand four hundred pounds. Then if the sum now annually granted to the presbyterian church was increased to fifty thousand pounds, and made permanent, the annual expense of the three estabUshments would amount to five hundred and seventy-two thousand eight hundred 't 10 pounds; and as the property in Ireland, appro- priated to the uses of religion, will produce about eight hundred thousand pounds a year, there will be a surplus of more than two hundred thousand pounds a year. If the incomes, which have been here proposed to be given to the twelve hundred protestant beneficed clergymen,should be considered inadequate, they may be increased, so as to be from one hundred to four hundred pounds a year, exclu- sive of a house and fees ; and the incomes of the two thousand four hundred cathohc clergymen may be increased, so as to be from fifty to two hundred pounds a year, exclusive of a house and fees, which would make the expense of these two estabhshments amount to six hundred and forty-two thousand eight hundred pounds a year ; and if fifty thousand pounds to be given to the presbyterian church are added thereto, the whole will amount to six hundred and ninety-two thousand eight hundred pounds, which is about one hundred thousand pounds less than the revenues now appropriated to the uses of reli- gion in Ireland. It appears, then, that the spiritual wants of the protestants, the cathohcs, and the presbyterians, might be amply provided for out of the revenues now set apart for religious uses in Ireland ; but the protestants will contend, that the doctrine, disci- phne, and form of worship of their church is the truest, purest, and best, and that it ought therefore to remain the sole estabUshed church in Ireland. They should, however, consider, that the catholics, the presbyterians, and every other Christian sect, necessarily entertain the same opinions in respect \ ./" 11 to their several churches ; and how is it to be de- cided which of them really and truly deserves that character ? If such was made the rule of prefe- rence, every sect would claim that theirs should be the sole established church, and there would be no end to pretensions and contentions. Under other circumstances and in other times such a rule might be fatal to the present established church in England. Besides, if the protestant episcopalian church ought to be the sole established church in Ireland, be- cause it is the truest, purest, and best, it ought also to be so in Scotland. Dr. Paley, in his article on religious estabhsh- ments, has shewn, that if any particular rehgion is made the sole established religion, it ought to be that which prevails amongst the majority of the people ; and in England, the members of the pro- testant episcopalian church being more numerous than the members of any other sect, it is the esta- bhshed church. InScotland the members of the pres- byterian church are the most numerous ; and after many years of contention, civil wars and bloodshed, it became the national or estabhshed church. In each of these sections of the United Kingdom, the rule of making that the established church which has the most communicants is justly and wisely observed ; but in Ireland, although the protestant episcopalians are not much more than one-tenth of the population, their church is made the estabhshed church. In Ireland a revenue of about eight hun- dred thousand pounds a year is appropriated to the use and benefit of eight hundred and fifty thousand protestants, and nothing to the use or benefit of six / 12 millions four hundred and twenty thousand catho- hcs, such property having been originally bequeathed or granted, and for ages in the possession of the catholic church, and subsequently transferred, by the State, to the protestant church. These facts abundantly prove, that the catholics of Ireland have great cause to complain of injustice and oppression, and that discontent and agitation are the natural and necessary consequences of their situation. The Presbyterians of Scotland were infinitely more vio- lent in their opposition to the protestant episcopahan church, when it was the establislied church in that country ; and the protestant episcopahans of Eng- land, under the same circumstances, would not be less so ; and they are both utterly regardless of the christian precept, " Do unto others as you would wish to be done by," in endeavouring to force pro- testant church ascendancy upon the catholics of Ireland. A church estabhshment, it is contended, is neces- sary or expedient for the purpose of securing the public celebration of divine worship, and religious in- struction and consolation for the people, and more particularly for the poor and ignorant part of the population; but in Ireland, the church of the rich, the intelligent and small minority of the people, is made the national or established church, and pro- fuse revenues appropriated to its use, and no provi- sion whatsoever is made for the communication of religious knowledge and the celebration of divine worship to the poor, the ignorant, and great bulk of the people ! An alliance between the church and the State is considered expedient, for the purpose 13 ot securing the influence of the clergy with the peo- ple in favour of the State, and of inducing them zealously and diligently to preach and inculcate respect and obedience to the law^s and constituted authorities; but in Ireland the State richly endows, allies itself with and secures in its favour the clergy of a church having congregations of less than one milhon of souls, and provokes the enmity of the clergy of a church having congregations of more than six millions of souls, over whom they are said to have the most unbounded influence and control for good or for evil! Surely nothing can be more absurd than such a system, or more in opposition to all the rules and principles which ought to govern a state in the choice of a national church. It is, in fact, a system oi favouritism, which naturally produces discontent and disaffection amongst the catholics, and the most deadly feuds between them and the protestants ; which divides the people of Ireland into two adverse factions, mortally hating each other, and eagerly seizing opportunities to reciprocate insults and in- juries, and which diffuses discord and bloodshed throughout the land. Whereas, if, in place of this sole established church, adequate establishments were given to the protestant, catholic, and presby- terian churches, in the way which has been proposed, the spiritual wants of all the people would be fully provided for, they would all be interested in the preservation of the property appropriated to reli- gious uses, and the sacrifice of a part to save the rest would be unnecessary. The State w^ould secure the influence '^nd zealous and powerful assistance 14 of the clergy of the three churches, in maintaining respect and obedience to the laws and constituted authorities. Favouritism would be abolished, with all the bad feelings and passions which it engenders ; and reasonable hopes might be entertained, that the people of Ireland would become contented and peaceable, and cordially united in good will towards each other and towards the people of Great Britain. If Ireland was a separate and independent king- dom, or if it had a separate and independent legis- lature, it would be impossible for the protestant episcopahans to maintain the ascendancy of their church ; and why should the people of Great Bri- tain, or their representatives in parliament, impose it upon the cathoUcs ? They have no interest in doing so, but on the contrary, its continuance is most injurious to them, for the discontent and dis- order which it occasions in that unfortunate country, makes it necessary to keep a large military force there, the expense of which, with the civil expen- diture, more than absorbs all the revenue ; so that Ireland contributes nothing towards the interest of the national debt, or the expense of the navy, the colonies, the diplomatic and consular establishments, the two houses of parliament, or any other item of the general expenditure of the empire. In short, Ireland, now in time of peace, is a source, not of revenue but of expense, to the people of Great Bri- tain ; and if war should take place, it would be a cause, not of strength but of weakness and of dan- ger, and a repeal of the union would be preferable to the present state of things. The catholics of Ireland have firmly adhered for '; 15 3ges to the faith of their forefathers, under every kind of obloquy and persecution, and are yet essentially the Irish people; they cannot be converted, they are too powerful to be despised or coerced, and it would be wise to conciliate them without further delay ; but it will not be sufficient to abate twenty-five or thirty per cent of the tithes, and transfer the payment of the residue from the tenant to the landlord, and to take from the established church a part of the funds which it possesses, and apply them to the edu- cation of the people, without distinction of sects, as is now proposed ; these measures will have no better effect than the abolition of the church rates, and the other enactments of the Irish Church Temporali- ties Bill have had. Like them they will fritter away much of the property now set apart for religious uses, and irritate the protestants, but they will not give full satisfaction to the catholics, or permanent tranquiUity to Ireland. Protestant church ascend- ancy will remain, which the catholics of Ireland must necessarily always consider unjust, injurious, and insulting ; a brand of subjection, degradation,, and inferiority imposed upon them by England, which it concerns not only their interest but their honour to resist and remove ; and the longer it is forced upon them the more hateful British con- nexion must become. They now unite and com- bine to resist the payment of tithes, which may soon extend to the payment of the rents of church lands ; and it is to be feared, that whenever opportunities may offer, they will unite and combine for the pur- pose of effecting, not merely a repeal of the union, but the separation of the two kingdoms. In fine. 1() it is to be feared that the property appropriated to religious uses may be lost, and the empire involved in civil war and dismembered, if this to them ob- noxious church ascendancy is continued. It is not in the nature of things that the catholic people of Ireland should ever be satisfied with any thing less than being placed upon a full and perfect equality — political, social, and religious^with the rest of their fellow subjects in that country. This being done, either by abolishing the present church establishment, or giving equal estabhshments to the protestant and catholic churches, justice would be fully meted out to them, and they would no longer have any common cause of complaint and miion. The result, then, of the examination which has been made is, that there are no vahd objections to the abolition of protestant church ascendancy in Ireland, by reducing the present church estabhsh- ment there, and giving an equal establishment to the catholic church ; and that some such measure is not only expedient but necessary for the peace and tranquiUity of Ireland, the interest and happi- ness of the people of that country and of Great Britain, and for the preservation of the union, power, and prosperity of the empire. . J. Bradley, Printer, 78, Great Tltchfidd Street St. Mar>lebone,