The Committee are happy to inform you, to whom they are under particular obligations, on this important occasion, that you may have the pleasure of participating with them, in those sentiments which the sense of benefits received naturally inspire. They will therefore mention, that they are greatly indebted to the Right Honourable Earl Stanhope, to the Right Honourable Lord Holland, and to the Right Honourable Lord Erskine, for their attention and support in the House of Peers; and to William Wilberforce, Esq. James Stephen, Esq. Samuel Whitbread, Esq. and Thomas Babington, Esq. Members of the House of Commons, from each of whom, the Committee have derived important services relative to this valuable Act.
While endeavouring to express our gratitude upon this occasion, rather than pretending to discharge the debt which we owe to the distinguished characters we have mentioned, it is with great satisfaction that we acknowledge the co-operation which we have experienced from “the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty,” who represent the great body of Dissenters in this country, and from our affectionate friends the Quakers, with whom, as well as with other denominations of Christians we are happy to be associated in receiving benefit in the same friendly Act of the legislature: we are sure this co-operation will encrease your esteem for those respectable members of civil and religious society.
In considering the many circumstances relative to the progress and completion of this excellent measure, we cannot but adore the providence and goodness of God, without whose direction and aid the work could not have been accomplished. And we would ascribe the glory, honour, and power to Him, from whom alone all good councils and all just works do proceed. Our joy is great upon this interesting occasion; but how greatly would our pleasure have been enhanced, had this event witnessed the return of health to our gracious Sovereign, whose name must ever be associated with Religious Toleration: for his Majesty, in his first speech from the throne, declared it his invariable resolution to maintain the Toleration inviolate. A declaration which has been religiously fulfilled during a long and beneficent reign; and should it please Divine Providence to restore his Majesty in health to his affectionate people, it would, we doubt not, afford him the highest gratification that a measure so full of regard to the sacred rights of conscience, and so amply extending the bounds of Toleration, had been carried into effect under the liberal administration of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent. May it please God to smooth the bed of the Sovereign in his affliction, and endue the Prince plenteously with heavenly gifts, and prosper him with all happiness.
To conclude; while on this memorable occasion, we express unfeigned gratitude to those who have rendered us assistance, let us not forget to give the sole glory to that God “by whom, Kings reign, and Princes decree justice,” let us continue to cultivate the most affectionate regard for our King and our Country: let us pray for more grace, that we may use our extended religious privileges to the greatest advantage, not only by provoking one another to love and to good works, but by labouring incessantly to diffuse those sacred truths of our most holy Religion, which we have long proved to be the power of God unto Salvation, to them who believe; and thus promote Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth PEACE, and GOOD WILL among Men,—the great END for which our Societies have been established.
(Signed by Order and on behalf of the Committee,)
Adam Clarke, Chairman,
Joseph Butterworth, Secretary.
An Act to repeal certain Acts, and amend other Acts relating to Religious Worship and Assemblies, and persons teaching or preaching therein.—(29th July, 1812.)
52 Geo. III. c. 155.