an offence to every upright magistrate, who unhappily feels himself compelled to administer it?" Now, Sir, how far this language may become the friends of "the Crown and Mitre" I cannot say; but sure I am, if a Dissenter had used such an expression of any of the existing laws of the country, it would have been considered as a black mark of Jacobinism.

The Toleration Act, Mr. Editor, I have ever considered as one of the pillars of the throne, and am per suaded that its removal might be fatal to our constitution, as it would introduce a system of persecution and oppression tending to prepare the way for anarchy and revolution, as it did in France, where the former cruelties of the priests had much exasperated the public mind against their order.

But we are told the Toleration Act has been abused: so has the Habeas Corpus Act and others, that I could name; but the question is, whether these abuses are equal to the mischiefs which would result from its repeal, or from the alterations these innovators would introduce? As to the pretence of a few boys preaching to a few old women, it is an object too contemptible to be set against a violation of the rights of conscience; and with respect to a few knaves and cowards, who avail themselves of licences to avoid serving in the militia, neither is that an object of importance in the time of peace; though I think this might be remedied without any infringement of the act in question, or any encroachment on the privileges of Dissenters.

I am persuaded, however, these are not the objects of those who cry "the Church is in danger." They are alarmed at the increase of Methodism and Dissenterism, and at the decrease of attendance at the parish churches. Now, Sir, allowing the truth of these complaints, and that the notions of these sectaries are as wild and foolish as they are represented, appeal to experience and to common sense, whether the measures proposed would not have an effect exactly the reverse of that expected: or even supposing them to succeed, whether the remedy would not be worse than the disease.

I

On the first question, I ask, was it ever known that men were convinced of errors in opinion by force or per

secution? or is it in the nature of the human mind to be thus convinced? No, Sir: it was "the decision of a great mind, that the true secret to govern sectaries is to tolerate them."

With respect to the measures proposed, as far as they respect internal regulations among the clergy, I have no wish to enter into particulars; but I understand the object is to promote a stricter conformity among them, especially as it respects ecclesiastical discipline. But let the effects of the former "Act of Conformity" be recollected before another is attempted.

To prohibit the use of the Common Prayer to Dissenters, beside the ab. surdity of the measure, would be, to be sure, the only way to reconcile them to its use; but would this bring them to consecrated ground? By no means: the supposition is founded in. ignorance of human nature-at least, the nature of an Englishman, to whom nothing is so odious as compulsion.

I am not to suppose, however, that our pious Churchmen would dragoon Dissenters into church as Louis XV. did the Protestants. Thanks to the liberality of the nineteenth century, the Author of the "Hints to Heads of Families" only proposes to starve them into conformity, by very strongly painting the sin of employing thein, or in any way assisting them.

66

According to him, "no man should be allowed to buy or sell," or work or beg, save he that bath the mark of the Church of England on him.

The Author of the "Letter to the "Bishops" has another very humane proposal, which will certainly endear him to his country. He very modestly assures us, that, "if we only value our establishment, on no consideration whatever should Sunday schools (and by parity of reason other schools) be permitted to be carried on in any parish, but under the controul, superintendance, and management of the established minister of it." If this be true, it is no wonder that we hear the Toleration Act spoken of as the " disgrace of our statute book," for it is one primary design of that law to allow Dissenters to keep schools.

But suppose the point were gained, Mr. Editor, every fanatic confined to his own tub, and all methodist and

dissenting schools (at least Sunday schools) shut up, would this stop the schism would this heal the breach? No, Sir, I am bold to say it would more than double the number of Dissenters in the country; because it would make thousands who now only attend the conventicle occasionally (of an evening for instance) decided enemies to the church; and as to the effect of such a measure on the trade and manufactures of the country, I can only judge of it by looking to the effects of intolerance in France, in the early part of the last century. In short, Sir, it is as much from a sense of the folly and madness of persecution, as from a conviction of its cruelty and injustice, that I am Yours, &c.

Furnival's-Inn, Feb. 8, 1802.

SIR,

A Friend to Toleration.

TO THE EDITOR.

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