Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 71, No. 438, April 1852Various
History
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 71, No. 438, April 1852
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
truth, and as an instrument of incalculable good here, and leading to
still more incalculable good hereafter. I say, my lords, that it is not
only the interest, but the duty of her Majesty's Government to uphold
and maintain that Church in its integrity, not by penal enactments
against those who dissent from her communion, or by violent abuse and
invective against the religious faith of those whose errors we may
deplore, but to whose consciences we have no right to dictate; but by
steadfastly resisting all attempts at aggression against that Church,
come from what quarter, and backed by what authority it may, and by
lending every power of the Government to support and extend the
influence of that Church, in its high and holy calling, with the view of
diffusing throughout the length and breadth of the empire (and I speak
not of this country alone) that knowledge which can be derived only from
the diffusion of the Holy Scriptures."
[G] Almost every other sentence of this paragraph was followed by loud
cheering; but the Earl of Derby continued to speak with calmness and
solemnity.
By this passage of his speech, even had it stood alone, the Earl of
Derby established a claim to the hearty confidence, the zealous and
enthusiastic support, of every sincere member, lay and clerical, of the
Church of England--nay, we go fearlessly much further, and say, of every
sincere Christian in the empire, in the portentous times in which we
live. And, indeed, we entertain no doubt whatever that this noble
declaration has already produced great, though silent, effect, which
will be made manifest when the time _for action_ shall have arrived.
While breathing a spirit of pure and ardent affection for the Church of
England, this declaration is not disfigured by the faintest trace of
bigotry, intolerance, or uncharitableness; and we thank God that such
words are now going forth all over the world, as having been spoken, and
on so great an occasion, by the Prime Minister of the Queen of England.
The concluding passage of Lord Derby's memorable exposition was very
finely delivered; not with oratorical art, but in a manner which exactly
befitted the affecting simplicity and solemnity of the matter. He spoke
with a dignified manliness, which went to the heart of every one who
heard him, friend or opponent, who had a heart that could be reached and
influenced by anything worthy and great.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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