ASSOCIATION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF

DUELLING.

A PUBLIC Meeting was recently held at the British Coffee-house, Cockspur-street, to prepare a Memorial for presentation to the Queen, praying Her Majesty to exercise her royal prerogative towards the suppression of duelling. The Meeting, though not very numerous, was well attended by persons of character and influence, amongst whom were Viscount Lifford, Lord R. Grosvenor, M.P.; Sir R. H. Inglis, M.P.; Hon. W. Cowper, M.P.; Admiral Sir F. Austen, C.B.; Admiral Oliver, Sir E. Parry, R.N.; Captain Robertson, R.N.; Mr. S. Walpole, Mr. J. S. Buckingham, &c.

ture.

Viscount LIFFORD, on being called to the chair, explained the object of the Meeting. The Association had been formed nearly a year, but, hitherto, those who composed it sought as much as possible to keep themselves out of view the more effectually to promote the design they aimed at accomplishing. They had, however, come to the conclusion that the subject should be fairly submitted to the public; and the first step which suggested itself was, an appeal to the Sovereign to put a stop to the pernicious practice of duelling, which, though opposed to the laws of God and man, was too often resorted to, in some instances with fatal results. He thought the simple question for Christians to decide was, whether they would obey God or man? He denied that it was either just or expedient, under any conceivable circumstance, that one man should run the risk of his own life, or seek to take away the life of his fellow-creaUpon what tenable plea could the practice be justified? The courage of the army and navy of this country rested on a better and less disputable foundation than any which could be established by duelling. He had the gratification to know that many officers of both services, whose bravery was admitted-who had distinguished themselves by their gallant bearing in the field, had refused to fight a duel, whilst the trembling coward had gone out, and periled his life, not under the impulse of true courage, but impelled by a false principle of honour. If, then, duelling could not be justified as a test of moral courage, it seemed to him that the authorities of the country should put a stop to a practice which was in itself a flagrant violation of Divine and human law. It was incumbent on the higher class of society to pay obedience to the law; for those below them regarded their conduct with jealous scrutiny. It had been his duty as a magistrate to assist in quelling disturbances in his own immediate district, and he well remembered that the lower classes sought to justify their conduct by referring to breaches of the law committed by those above them, and he was not sure but that the practice of duelling was one of the points on which the people relied for their own vindication.

The Hon. SECRETARY then read letters from Lord Teignmouth, Mr. J. P. Plumtre, M.P., and Mr. J. Finch, M.P., expressive of regret at being unable to attend the Meeting, but declaring their cordial approval of the objects of the Association,

Captain HOPE, R.N., then read the following Memorial, which SEPTEMBER, 1843,

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had been prepared by the Committee for the concurrence of the Meeting :

"To the Queen's most excellent Majesty :

'We your Majesty's most loyal and devoted subjects, members of an Association founded on the 12th of February, 1842, for the discouragement of Duelling, having witnessed, with feelings of the deepest regret, that the crime of duelling is still sanctioned by custom, though alike condemned by reason, by religion, and the laws of the land, beg leave most respectfully to approach your Majesty, in the humble yet earnest hope that this unchristian practice, which your Majesty's goodness cannot fail to deplore, may be visited with the marked expression of your Majesty's displeasure.

It is needless for us to dwell on the evils and inconvenience which must result if individuals should be allowed to lay down a law for themselves, and to right their own wrongs.' And it is quite as needless to point out to your Majesty what injury is done to reason and justice to charity and religion-so long as the world is induced to believe that the acceptance of a challenge is a mark of honour, while the refusal to engage in an unhallowed quarrel is deemed ignominious, or an act of cowardice.

Repugnant, however, as such notions must be to all laws, human and Divine, we cannot but observe that they are still defended, and even approved of, by the usages of society, as if it could be honourable to do what is unlawful: as if it were reasonable to adjust the differences between man and man by making it even chance whether the innocent or guilty should suffer; or as if it were manly (independently of higher motives) for any one to peril for a blow, or perhaps for a word, the eternal salvation of his adversary as well as his own. 'We are constrained to believe, and confess it with shame, that nothing will so far tend to restrain an evil hitherto unchecked by the fear of God and the ordinances of man, as the voice of public opinion led by example, and influenced by authority, to assume a better and a more exalted tone. And to this end we implore your Majesty to make known your Royal will, by denouncing a custom which is barbarous in its origin, unjust in its principles, sinful in its nature, and disastrous in its consequences.

If such an intimation were to emanate from your Majesty, to whom we all look up as the fountain of honour, and the providentially constituted guardian of public morals, we confidently believe, that as men of honour, and members of a Christian community, your Majesty's subjects would rejoice in obeying it.

We would submit to your Majesty whether there ever was a time when such an expression on the part of your Majesty would meet with more general concurrence. The character of the army and navy for personal courage never stood higher than it does at the present moment, and as it was nowise derived from duelling, it is not dependent on duelling for its continuance. If the high-minded members of those gallant professions were enjoined by your Majesty to refrain from sanctioning an evil custom, which good men hate and wise men despise, we are convinced that others would emulate an example so nobly set, and the crime of duelling would be a thing

unknown except in history, the laws of the land would be upheld and obeyed, the precepts of religion would be observed and reverenced, and from that time forward, in the estimation of the world, as well as in reality, there would be much more honour in forgiving an injury than there has been hitherto in avenging an insult.

We, therefore, most humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to take this our Memorial into your Majesty's Royal consideration.'

Sir E. Parry, in moving that the Memorial be adopted, and signed by the Chairman on behalf of the Association, observed, that he had snatched a few minitues from his official duty at the Admiralty, because he felt that, as a member of one branch of the service, he ought not to shrink from testifying his abhorrence of that wicked and unchristian practice against which he rejoiced to think, that a standard was about to be raised. He considered it as an omen of the religious feeling which was growing up in both services. It was clear that legislation would not put a stop to it, for though it was an offence punishable by existing law, it was constantly committed. Under these circumstances an appeal to the Sovereign was the only available course. He would assure the Meeting that many of the best and bravest officers of both services were opposed to duelling, both on principle and in practice. He had just met at the door his old and valued friend, Sir N. Willoughby, a man covered with wounds received in his country's cause, who, though deterred from attending a public Meeting by the state of his health, had authorized him to express his approval of the object for which the Association was established. When an officer of Sir Nisbet Willoughby's bravery was prepared to say that the practice should be abolished, no other officer of either service ought to feel that his courage could be called in question from endeavouring to put a stop to a practice which furnished, indeed, most unsatisfactory evidence of that quality.

Lord R. Grosvenor seconded the motion.

The Memorial was then unanimously adopted.

Admiral AUSTEN moved that a deputation be appointed to wait on Sir R. Peel, with a request from the Association that he would present the Memorial to Her Majesty. The Gallant Admiral said, that duelling was not only an unjust, but often an unfair mode of settling a quarrel, for one of the combatants, being an adept, could hit a shilling or snuff a candle, whereas his opponent might never have fired a pistol. He knew of an officer who commanded a frigate that practised shooting fowls in the hen-coops, and though he had fought many duels he lost his life in one at last. True courage was shown, not in fighting a duel, but in avoiding to give offence, or, having given one, in making honourable reparation.

DECLARATION AND PROTEST OF THE CLERGY.

THE following Declaration and Protest has been circulated amongst the Clergy, and has received above two thousand signatures.

The Declaration and Protest of the undersigned Clergy of the Church of England, called forth by the exigences of the present times,

We, the undersigned Presbyters of the United Church of England and Ireland, declare our firm and unaltered attachment to the doctrines of our holy religion, as they are embodied in the formularies of our Church, expressed in her Liturgy, and defined in her Articles, taken in their plain and literal sense, and as the same are generally set forth in the Homilies, and other writings of the Fathers of the Reformation. And, we do hereby solemnly renew our protest, in conformity with our ordination vows, against the errors of the Church of Rome, as those are confirmed by the Decrees of the Council of Trent, authorised in the Creed of Pope Pius IV., and maintained in the writings of Romish doctors, and modern apologists: and we further testify against any modified system of Popery which, by undermining the supreme authority of the holy Scriptures as containing all things necessary to salvation, by subverting the great doctrine of justification, as contained in Article XI., and teaching for doctrines the commandments of men; tends to lead men's minds back to the errors and practices abjured by our venerable Reformers. Finally, while we deprecate all attempts to re-establish a spiritual despotism, by denying to the people all rights of judgment in matters of faith, we desire to make a public profession of our unshaken attachment to the Church of England, her apostolic order and wholesome discipline; and of our willingness to render due obedience to our ecclesiastical rulers in all things lawful.'

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN
BISHOPS.

AT the present moment, when the church is so unhappily distracted by the semi-popish opinions as to her ritual observances, her privileges and doctrines, which have been so extensively embraced, it is truly refreshing to contemplate the sound views contained in the following official letter from the Bishops of the American Protestant Episcopal Church assembled at the last General Convention ; and we shall do well to imitate the Christian fervor, the scriptural orthodoxy, and the apostolical simplicity which it breathes throughout.

'BRETHREN AND FRIENDS, BELOVED IN THE LORD:

'It again becomes the duty of your Bishops, being assembled with your Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention, and

at their request, to address to you a Pastoral Letter on the state of our churches.*

We would again "write unto you of the common salvation " which is in Jesus Christ, "and exhort you, that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once," by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, "delivered unto the saints," and faithfully perform those things which are required in the word of God, that we may obtain eternal life.

The religion taught us in the holy scriptures may be included under two heads:-What we must believe, and what we must do. Under the former head is included a belief in all things respecting our religious hope and final salvation, which are revealed to our understanding in God's holy word; such as the creation and fall of man; the character of the Saviour, and what he has done to redeem us from sin and eternal death; the merits and other doctrines of his cross; the institution and nature of his Church and its ministry; the number and efficacy of his Sacraments; the persons of the Deity; the agency of the Divine Spirit, and the life and immortality brought to light in the gospel, which his ministers are sent to preach. These are among the principal things which we are to believe, and which are essential to that faith which is required of those who would have a sure hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

But the great practical question for those who have this faith, the question, which, in different forms, was often put to Christ and his apostles, and which his ministers still should be willing and prepared to answer to all who ask it, and to all who have ears to hear, is, What must we do to be saved? This, in the same scriptures, we are clearly and so fully taught, "that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation."

Our Church has taught in her catechism what are "the first principles of the doctrine of Christ," and in her articles and homilies, what is most necessary to the obtaining of a sure hope of salvation in Jesus Christ, and to the perfection of the Christian character. The more carefully you, as Christ commands, "search the scriptures," the more will you see and have cause to admire the wisdom and piety of those holy men, who were instrumental in reforming the Church of England, and who compiled, on true scriptural grounds, Articles of Faith, and a Book of Common Prayer. Since this branch of the "one Catholic and Apostolic Church," to which we have the happiness to belong, became independent of the Church of England, in its ecclesiastical polity, our fathers of the American Episcopal Church, as we may now well call them, made some few alterations and improvements, that our worship and discipline might be better adapted to the state of this country, and the manners of the age; but, as you may easily see, they have carefully adhered to the sure word of God.

"And it is hereby made the duty of every Clergyman having a pastoral charge when any such letter is published, to read the said Pastoral Letter to his congregation on some occasion of public worship."-Extract from Canon VII. Sec. 3, 1835.