§ MR. WHALLEYrose to draw attention to The Priest in Absolution, and to move—
That, having regard to the state of the Law which renders the publication of an obscene book an offence, although the person publishing it be not actuated by any desire to deprave, and to the absence of any power in the Education Department to interfere with the religious teaching in public elementary schools or to make any inquiry thereon, this House is of opinion that the doctrines and practices set forth in a book entitled The Priest in Absolution, and carried out under the name of the Confessional by certain clergymen of the Church of England, do tend to deprave and are dangerous to the best interests of society and of religion.The hon. Member had only commenced his observations when—
§ Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,
§ House adjourned at a quarter after One o'clock till Monday next.