Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/37

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MORALITY AND RELIGION.
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chair was occupied by Mr. Mark Philips and the assemblage was addressed by him, by Mr. T. M. Gibson, Col.Thompson, Sir De Lacy Evans, Daniel O'Connell, Dr. Bowring, Mr. W. Aldam, Mr. J. Bright, and the Rev. J. E. Giles. The proceedings were interesting in a high degree; but we are hastening on to the more apparently though not more really important movement in the metropolis, requiring a due proportion of notice.

On Thursday, 2 meeting of ministers of religion was held in the Town Hall to consider the bearing of the Corn Laws upon the physical, moral, and religious condition of the people. There were about three hundred ministers present. The Rev. Dr. Burns occupied the chair, and near him were the Rers. Thos. Spencer, of Bath; William Mc.Kerrow; J. E. Giles, of Leeds; J. Ackworth, of Bradford ; B. Aspland, Dukinfield; J. Bakewell; C. Baker, Stockport; J. Burfit and J. Gilbert, Nottingham; Mr. Skinner, Blackburn; Mr. Dean, Devonshire; H. Baird, Paisley; Dr. Beard; J. Bramhall, Stainland; R. Cairs, Paisley: H. Dawson, Bradford; R. Fletcher; J. W. Gilchrist, Galway; Dr. King, Glasgow; G. Nolan; J. W. Massie; and G. Scholes, Leeds. The proceedings were akin to those which had taken place at the great conference of ministers held in the previous year.

A second banquet was held in the Free Trade Hall in the evening, addressed by Mr. John Brooks, the chairman; Mr: Torrens McCullagh ; Rev. T. Spencer; Mr. H. E. Wright, of Philadelphia; Mr. James Wilson, now in the whig administration : Mr. John Bright; Rev. J. W. Massie; and Col. Thompson. Another meeting of deputies was held on Friday morning, and another banquet on Friday evening, at which between 7,000 and 8,000 persons were present. At its conclusion, Mr. George Wilson, who occupied the chair, said: "This evening will terminate the great gatherings of the week. In every respect they have been such as the most sanguine anticipations of our