The History of the Last Trial by Jury for Atheism in England: A Fragment of Autobiography Submitted for the Perusal of Her Majesty's Attorney-General and the British ClergyHolyoake, George Jacob
Philosophy
The History of the Last Trial by Jury for Atheism in England: A Fragment of Autobiography Submitted for the Perusal of Her Majesty's Attorney-General and the British Clergy
Holyoake, George Jacob
Atheism -- England; Holyoake, George Jacob, 1817-1906 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Blasphemy) -- England
Permit me now to draw your attention strongly to what has been said by
men in authority of the impolicy of these prosecutions--that even if you
were justified in inflicting punishment on me, it would not be wise to
do so, Lord Brougham, three or four years ago, said, 'I may underrate
the power of truth opposed to error, and I may overrate the good
sense of my fellow country men in rejecting it, but one thing I do not
overrate--the power of persecution to spread that which persecution only
can spread.' When I walk through any of those ancient places, as I did
yesterday through your beautiful cathedral, I feel the majesty they ever
present, and think of the manner in which our Catholic ancestors acted
on the minds of men. There were sublimity and pageantry and pomp to
create awe. We have none now of that beauty of architecture in our
meagre churches and more meagre chapels. They had a service more
imposing than we ever had. Recollecting all these things, I have
wondered how anything could be found sufficiently powerful to shake them
off. I have wondered how Luther, with his rude vulgarity, could have
effected so much. I can only account for it in this way--that when
the Catholics dragged his followers to gaol, it was found that human
feelings were stronger than human creeds.
These prosecutions are entirely in opposition to the sentiments
promulgated by yourselves, as appears from a book given me in gaol
called the 'Manual of Devotion.' I amused myself by contracting the
profession contained in it with the practice of my opponents. It is
published by the 'Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.' In
the 'Discourse concerning Prayer,' it is laid down that the 'second
qualification for prayer is charity or love. There is nothing so
contrary to the nature of God, nothing so wide of the true spirit of a
Christian, as bitterness and wrath, malice and envy; and therefore it
is vain to think that even our prayers can be acceptable to God, till we
have put on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness
of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and
forgiving one another, as St. Paul commands.' Gentlemen, where are these
sentiments evinced in this prosecution?
The 'third qualification--Is faith. If any of you lack wisdom, says St.
James, let him ask of God, but let him ask in faith.' My prosecutors
have asked Mr. Bubb, have had faith in policemen, and confidence only in
the 'common law.'
The 'fourth qualification is--That in all things of a temporal concern,
we must exercise an entire submission to the will of God. A good
Christian will be sure to leave the issue in God's hands.' In my case
not the will of God, but the will of bigots was done, and the 'issue'
left in the turnkey's hands.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account