Book Description

Excerpt from Some Remarks on the State of the Established Church in Ireland I am induced to commit the following observations to the public under the impression, that the peculiar circumstances in which the Established Church in Ireland stands are by no means clearly estimated, at least in this country; and though Protestant sympathy may be awakened at the sufferings of its clergy, and Christian charity come forward liberally to their assistance, I can yet understand how erroneous impressions may nevertheless extensively prevail. And in truth, if some even who agree in doctrine and discipline look on the state of the Irish branch of the Establishment as a disfigurement, it cannot be wondered at that those of a different communion should for the most part not regard it with a very favourable prepossession. Nor can it be denied that objections may be raised which at first sight bear a plausible appearance. These I propose to consider severally. I wish, however, my object to be understood in the outset. Whether Protestantism should be put down in Ireland, and Catholicism obtain the ascendant in its place, is not the point I am desirous to bring under discussion. I presume the minds of all those into whose hands these remarks may fall, indeed of all Protestants who deserve the name, to be fully made up on this matter. Whether a government, under any circumstances, could be justified in legally establishing a religion it believes to be erroneous and prejudicial, is beyond my purpose now to inquire. The matter which I wish to bring under consideration relates only to the Established Church - whether it be deserving of support: - having hitherto confessedly failed of its object of bringing the Irish people to the reformed faith, whether in consequence it stand self-condemned, and its maintenance therefore be consistent with the true interests of Protestantism? About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.