FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION,

DELIVERED MAY 10, 1837.

Third Edition.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY A. MACINTOSH, GREAT NEW STREET.

M DCCC XXXIX.

AT the Second Annual Meeting of the Protestant Association, held in the Great Room, Exeter Hall, on Wednesday, May 10, 1837;

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF WINCHELSEA,

Followed by

J. P. PLUMPTRE, ESQ., M.P.,

IN THE CHAIR,

The Rev. Dr. HOLLOWAY opened the Meeting with prayer; and, the Report having been read, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted :

Moved by J. P. PLUMPTRE, Esq., M.P.; seconded by the Earl of RODEN,

"That the Report now read be adopted and circulated."

Moved by J. E. GORDON, Esq.; seconded by the Rev. HUGH M'NEILE,

"That the admission of Roman Catholics to Legislative power is directly at variance with the Protestant principles and character of the British Constitution; and that the members of that communion, who, by the Act of the year 1829, for the relief of His Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects, were admitted to Parliament, under the security of an oath, have violated the condition of their admittance."

Moved by the very Rev. the Dean of ARDAGH; seconded by ALEXANDER PRINGLE, Esq., M.P.,—

"That the objects which the Protestant Association has in

view are objects of vital importance to the Protestant

interest in the United Kingdom; and that these objects cannot be attained without the energetic support and liberal pecuniary contribution of the Protestant public."

Moved by the Rev. JOSEPH IRONS; seconded by HENRY POWNALL, Esq.,

"That the following gentlemen be the Committee for the ensuing year."

Moved by J. D. H. HILL, Esq.; seconded by the Rev. A. S.

THELWALL,

"That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Earl of Winchelsea and to J. P. Plumptre, Esq., M.P., for their kindness in presiding on this occasion, and for their zealous and unwavering exertions in the cause of Protestantism."

FUNDAMENTAL RESOLUTIONS.

I. That the influence of true religion over a people forms the best security for their individual rights, and the surest basis of national prosperity.

II. That the British Constitution acknowledges in its principle and laws the Sovereignty of Almighty God, and the Supreme Authority of his Holy Word, and has provided for the Scriptural Instruction of the people by its religious establishments.

III. That in opposition to this principle of the Constitution, doctrines have of late been propagated, that religion is unconnected with the duties of Legislation,-that in the eye of the State all religions are alike—and that support should be equally given or denied to all.

IV. That under cover of these doctrines, the members of the Church of Rome are zealously exerting themselves to destroy the Protestant character of the Constitution, and that the first object to which they direct their efforts, is the overthrow of the Established Churches, as forming the main obstacle to their ulterior designs.

V. That to counteract these efforts, all who venerate the Word of God, and value the British Institutions, should be called on to co-operate in pointing out to the people the peculiar dangers of the present time, and in taking measures to inspire them with a just sense of the blessings and benefits of the Protestant Constitution.