THE MILTON CLUB.
41h March 1853. SIR—In reference to your article of last week on the above topic, allow me a word of explanation.
When the first meeting was held to originate the Club, the question of the basis on which it should be founded was fully discussed. Mr. Miall M.P. and others strongly advocated the desirableness of avoiding all theological tests; but the sense of the meeting; was decidedly against them, and a reso- lution adopted by a large majority introducing the word "Evangelical." It so happens, that the designation " Milton Club" was suggested before it was supposed there would be any religious test of membership ; and as in that ease Dissenters of all denominations would have been eligible, the name would have been more appropriate than it now is. It strikes me, that your objection to the title on the ground of the national character of Milton's name is somewhat hypercritical. He may be more generally known as "England's greatest epic poet," but his Nonconformity was very marked and decided. His denunciations of prelacy and priestcraft, and his very advanced views on the State support of religion, are a distin- guishing feature in his character ; he will ever be known not only as an epic poet, but also as the great Puritan poet and a political Dissenter. Non- conformists of the present day, who are proposing to associate together for the advancement of their principles, appear to me, therefore, most appropri- ately to have raised as a standard the name of a man whose nonconformity was not merely a theological difference, but a vindication of a natural right
of all men. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, A NONCONFORMIST.
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