Politics and the Churches in Great Britain, 1832-1868
Description:... Religious equality was a pressing question in the period covered by this book. The growth of nonconformity and Roman Catholicism, the revival of the Church of England under the diverse stimuli of Evangelicalism, High Chuchmanship and Latitudinarianism, and the demand for reform in the Church of Scotland caused problems and tension which were the continual concern of governments and politicians. Dr. Machin examines the Nonconformist campaigns for equality, particularly in relation to Disestablishment and the abolition of church rates, the relations of Tractarians, Roman Catholics and Jews with the State, the anti-patronage campaign in the Church of Scotland, and the movements to defend the Established Churches. The attitudes of many politicians are explored, together with those of clergy such as Pusey, Wiseman, Thomas Chalmers and Edward Miall. Much attention is given to parliamentary disputes, general elections, and the activities of pressure-groups such as the Protestant Association, the Anti-State Church Association, and the Church Defence Institution. While he owes much to previous work, the author has tried to explore the issues more deeply and has sought to display inter-relationships where hitherto the questions have generally been treated in isolation -- Provided by publisher.
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