The following is found in Edward Morgan's 'Valuable letters, essays and other papers' of Elias from 1847, the items printed at the close of his biography reprinted by the Banner of Truth in recent years. For some reason this piece is omitted from the latter work.
ON THE ROMAN CATHOLICS
The cause of the Roman Catholics was a matter of great grief to our esteemed friend. He had witnessed a great deal of the evil of Popery in his travels. The consideration of the delusion those poor people laboured under, and the awful situation they were consequently in, must be productive of great distress to such a mind as that of Elias. A letter which he wrote to his son, whilst in London, bears much on the Roman Catholic question. It seems that he went one evening to the House of Commons, and heard much there on this subject, which was of vital importance to him. The letter is dated, London, April 26th, 1826, and will be found at page 46 of this volume (see below). I recommend the re-perusal of it here. It will be seen by this letter how keenly Elias felt on account of Popery; knowing the evil of it, and being convinced that it is the anti-christ mentioned in Scripture, he could not view its existence and progress in this kingdom, but with painful feeling and alarm. There were many good people in and out of Parliament then, who imagined that if the Roman Catholics had the claims granted them, for which they were so anxious, they would be quiet and satisfied; but they found themselves, to their great mortification, mistaken on this, subject; for the Papists became more turbulent and insolent than ever, after obtaining the boon. Elias perceived how the case would be, and could not agree in allowing them to have those liberties, which would enable them to do more mischief, and to increase in the kingdom. His apprehensions have, in this respect, been alas fully verified. Elias was, therefore, much concerned at seeing these measures carried through Parliament: whatever ministry advocated their cause, met with his opposition in that respect. It was the alarm arising from this view of the case that induced him to take an active part on that side of politics which opposed the Hydra of Popery. He had a strong apprehension that they would again prevail to a certain extent. There was nothing of a political nature that distressed him more than the passing of the emancipation bill. When we consider what evils were perpetrated once by Roman Catholics in this kingdom, we cannot but shudder at the facilities granted them for the reassumption of power. How much did they resemble wolves and tigers in their treatment of the sheep of Christ. What a contrast was there between them and those harmless flocks of Christ, which they butchered!
The cause of the Roman Catholics was a matter of great grief to our esteemed friend. He had witnessed a great deal of the evil of Popery in his travels. The consideration of the delusion those poor people laboured under, and the awful situation they were consequently in, must be productive of great distress to such a mind as that of Elias. A letter which he wrote to his son, whilst in London, bears much on the Roman Catholic question. It seems that he went one evening to the House of Commons, and heard much there on this subject, which was of vital importance to him. The letter is dated, London, April 26th, 1826, and will be found at page 46 of this volume (see below). I recommend the re-perusal of it here. It will be seen by this letter how keenly Elias felt on account of Popery; knowing the evil of it, and being convinced that it is the anti-christ mentioned in Scripture, he could not view its existence and progress in this kingdom, but with painful feeling and alarm. There were many good people in and out of Parliament then, who imagined that if the Roman Catholics had the claims granted them, for which they were so anxious, they would be quiet and satisfied; but they found themselves, to their great mortification, mistaken on this, subject; for the Papists became more turbulent and insolent than ever, after obtaining the boon. Elias perceived how the case would be, and could not agree in allowing them to have those liberties, which would enable them to do more mischief, and to increase in the kingdom. His apprehensions have, in this respect, been alas fully verified. Elias was, therefore, much concerned at seeing these measures carried through Parliament: whatever ministry advocated their cause, met with his opposition in that respect. It was the alarm arising from this view of the case that induced him to take an active part on that side of politics which opposed the Hydra of Popery. He had a strong apprehension that they would again prevail to a certain extent. There was nothing of a political nature that distressed him more than the passing of the emancipation bill. When we consider what evils were perpetrated once by Roman Catholics in this kingdom, we cannot but shudder at the facilities granted them for the reassumption of power. How much did they resemble wolves and tigers in their treatment of the sheep of Christ. What a contrast was there between them and those harmless flocks of Christ, which they butchered!
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC QUESTION
London, April 26th, 1825
The Lord kindly continues his support to me; and the Word is attended with some effect. Two females entered the society this week; and there is some stir in the church also; the prayer-meetings are multiplying.
You have seen in the newspaper that there is a great probability that the Papists will gain their point! There are twenty-seven more votes this time in favour of the second reading of the Bill! But who knows from whence deliverance may yet come; it is not even now too late with God. Israel were delivered although the day of their destruction was appointed, and the letters and powers for that end were sealed with the king’s seal! And Mordecai was saved, notwithstanding the gallows were made ready for him. Let us confide in our Lord for ever.
The Duke of York made a remarkable speech yesterday evening, in the House of Lords, against the Papists. I was last night in the House of Commons till near midnight, yet they had not finished when I left: there was a great debate on the Roman Catholic question. Some want all the poor ignorant Papists to have the power of voting for 82 member of parliament. The greatest zeal I ever witnessed, was manifested on both sides of the house: I had some grounds to hope they shall yet be confounded. Those on the side of the Catholics were unable to argue together on the subject. Brougham went on with such a zeal, and became so warm and passionate that the Speaker was obliged to desire him twice to desist; and Plunket, one of the greatest orators in favour of the Papists, told Brougham that there was no sense in his speech, that he had been excited and confused by too much zeal, and that he did more harm than good to the cause, by trying to plead for it. There was such vehemence and excitement in the house, sometimes this side, and sometimes that, that it was fearful to be there.
I was today in a very different place, in a church hearing Mac Neil, a clergyman from Ireland; it was delightful: - he preached a very excellent sermon on Isa. lix. 19. It was a sermon for the Hibernian Society, and it was suitable for the circumstances of the times. He said some remarkable things of Satan, the great enemy, raising up and employing instruments against the church of God ever since the fall of man, - that the Papists have been his chief agents for a long time. Then he dwelt on their false religion, their deceitfulness, and their wrath in Ireland, especially their anger against the truth, against the Bible society, against schools on Bible instructions, and preaching the gospel, and every good on right principles. Then he shewed, to the great joy of the believer, that the spirit of the Lord was promised to put him to flight. I have no time to add. You ask for a long letter, but you do not know how much work your poor father hath to do. I was this week much engaged in a committee of the Bible Society, it was very large; some of them persons of very high rank. I also met the directors of the London Missionary Society another day; they were both very good meetings: and we had delightful news from abroad.
You have seen in the newspaper that there is a great probability that the Papists will gain their point! There are twenty-seven more votes this time in favour of the second reading of the Bill! But who knows from whence deliverance may yet come; it is not even now too late with God. Israel were delivered although the day of their destruction was appointed, and the letters and powers for that end were sealed with the king’s seal! And Mordecai was saved, notwithstanding the gallows were made ready for him. Let us confide in our Lord for ever.
The Duke of York made a remarkable speech yesterday evening, in the House of Lords, against the Papists. I was last night in the House of Commons till near midnight, yet they had not finished when I left: there was a great debate on the Roman Catholic question. Some want all the poor ignorant Papists to have the power of voting for 82 member of parliament. The greatest zeal I ever witnessed, was manifested on both sides of the house: I had some grounds to hope they shall yet be confounded. Those on the side of the Catholics were unable to argue together on the subject. Brougham went on with such a zeal, and became so warm and passionate that the Speaker was obliged to desire him twice to desist; and Plunket, one of the greatest orators in favour of the Papists, told Brougham that there was no sense in his speech, that he had been excited and confused by too much zeal, and that he did more harm than good to the cause, by trying to plead for it. There was such vehemence and excitement in the house, sometimes this side, and sometimes that, that it was fearful to be there.
I was today in a very different place, in a church hearing Mac Neil, a clergyman from Ireland; it was delightful: - he preached a very excellent sermon on Isa. lix. 19. It was a sermon for the Hibernian Society, and it was suitable for the circumstances of the times. He said some remarkable things of Satan, the great enemy, raising up and employing instruments against the church of God ever since the fall of man, - that the Papists have been his chief agents for a long time. Then he dwelt on their false religion, their deceitfulness, and their wrath in Ireland, especially their anger against the truth, against the Bible society, against schools on Bible instructions, and preaching the gospel, and every good on right principles. Then he shewed, to the great joy of the believer, that the spirit of the Lord was promised to put him to flight. I have no time to add. You ask for a long letter, but you do not know how much work your poor father hath to do. I was this week much engaged in a committee of the Bible Society, it was very large; some of them persons of very high rank. I also met the directors of the London Missionary Society another day; they were both very good meetings: and we had delightful news from abroad.
