Page images
PDF
EPUB

be useless, or a source of uneasiness. The inertness of age is well suited to the tranquillity and moderation of his passions, which subside with his strength. Nor is the decripitude of age destitute of its peculiar consolations. These, however, will, in a great measure, depend on the manner in which he has employed his youth. If his spring has been duly improved, his winter will not be devoid of comfort and respect. We may even draw an enviable picture of a wise and benevolent old man; the chronicle of the past age, the friendly monitor of the present, and the paternal instructor of the rising generation; surrounded with the little company of his fireside, or the wider circle of his friends, who admire the variety of his knowledge, the wisdom of his observations, and the affability of his conversation; their countenances marked with filial respect and affection, gratitude and esteem. His mild, yet vigorous mind, shines forth like gold tried in the furnace, freed from its dross, separated from the embers, mellowed and refined by the fiery trial; or, like the evening sun, which after dispersing the mists of a cloudy and stormy day, shines out with a clear and cheerful face upon the earth, to which it gives a kind farewell. Thus he at length retires from life, like a contented guest from a plentiful feast, saying, Farewell, hospitable world."

What a beautiful termination to a life spent in the useful cultivation of the talents which a bounteous Providence bestows! Well might the subject of this address say, "hospitable world, farewell!" and he might have added, Welcome, thou world of bliss to which the Christian's faith and hope now turn the fond anticipating gaze! My pilgrimage on earth is terminated-the promised land is now in view! My conflict with mortality ends in triumph! Thanks be to God who giveth me the victory, through the Lord Jesus Christ! "I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will give me."

His transition from time to eternity was gentle, and unaccompanied by lingering pain and suffering. The stamina of life had been gradually weakened by the lenient touch of time, and at length gave way without a struggle. As he lived the life, he died the death of the righteous. May our latter end be like his! and may each and all of us have as good reason to hope that we shall be welcomed in the world of spirits with the joyous sounds, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!" Amen.

BIRMINGHAM UNITARIAN DOMESTIC MISSION SOCIETY.On Thursday evening, March 18, the "Friendly Musical Society," consisting principally of the members of the Choir belonging to the Old Meeting-House, gave a Vocal and Instrumental Concert at the Authenæum-Rooms, Birmingham, in aid of the funds of the above Institution. The first part

consisted entirely of sacred music; the second part, of favourite glees, duets, and solos. The whole, being admirably executed, afforded a high treat to the friends of the Mission, of whom the audience was principally composed. The room, which will only accommodate a very limited number, was completely filled, and the surplus accruing to the Mission amounted to upwards of thirteen pounds. At the close of the Concert, the Rev. Hugh Hutton having been called to the Chair, a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr. Joseph Timmins, Leader, and to the other members of the " Friendly Musical Society," for their services. The Committee of the Domestic Mission gratefully acknowledge this unsolicited and unexpected expression of cordial and kindly feeling, and rejoice in this new manifestation of the spirit of Christian benevolence, and the increasing desire of all connected with our congregations, to aid in dispelling the gloom of ignorance and the misery of destitution from the homes of the poor.

DIED, at Ashton, near Greenock, March 20, JAMES CARTER, Esq. Collector of Customs at that port. Mr. Carter removed from Rochester to Greenock in August last, and, during his brief residence in that town, had won the respect and esteem, not only of every person in connection with the Customs under his jurisdiction, but of all of every party with whom he had held any intercourse. His affability and Christian courtesy could not fail to ensure attachment, whilst his steadfast adherence to Christian principle commanded respect. His funeral was attended by the Provost and most of the influential inhabitants of Greenock; the flags of the ships in the Harbour and on the Custom-House were displayed at half-mast, and the sorrow on the removal of an individual, comparatively a stranger in the place, was evidently general and sincere. Mr. Harris officiated at the funeral, which took place on Saturday, March 27; and on Sunday preached to numerous and very respectable audiences in the Unitarian Chapel (at which place of worship, Mr. Carter had constantly attended), discourses illustrative of the Christian hope of immortality.

ON Sunday and Monday, April 11 and 12, was held the Nineteenth Anniversary of the Unitarian Congregation, Moor-Lane, Bolton. The services on the Sunday were conducted by the Rev. William Smith of Stockport, formerly Minister of the Moor-Lane Congregation, when collections were made towards the general expenses of the Society.On Monday evening, the members of the Congregation and

other friends, to the number of seventy, took tea together in the school-room attached to the Moor-Lane Meeting-house; and were addressed by the Chairman (Rev. William Smith), and by Messrs. C. J. Darbishire, J. Bradshaw, G. Cunliffe, P. Heywood, R. Ashworth, on various subjects of religious interest and social importance. The enjoyment of the evening was greatly promoted by the performances of a select choir from both the Unitarian Congregations of the town; and the party separated in the kindly-affectioned spirit, which is ever the result of social harmony and the interchange of generous and liberal feeling.

THE UNITARIAN GENERAL BAPTIST CHAPEL, Dover.This beautiful little Chapel was re-opened for public worship, on Sunday last, April 4. The services in the morning and evening, were conducted by the Rev. John Martin, of Barfreston. The congregations were highly respectable, and the collections liberal. This Chapel, having lately undergone a thorough renovation, is now second to none of its kind in Dover for elegant and chaste appearance.-Kent Herald.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE First Annual Report of the Birmingham Domestic Mission Society; and the introductory Lecture to a series on "the Agents of Civilization," have been received. Also, the Ipswich Express; Kent Herald; Liverpool Guardian, Standard, and Mercury; and the Northern Whig. The last contains a full and most interesting report of a Meeting of Proprietors of the Belfast Royal Academical Institution, held April 13. The meeting was convened in consequence of the opposition made by the Rev. Dr. Cooke and his party to the appointments of the Rev. Dr. Montgomery and J. Scott Porter to seats on the Board of Faculty in the Institution, they having been elected Professors of Theology to the students in connection with the Remonstrant Synod and Presbytery of Antrim. W. Sharman Crawford, Esq. was called to the Chair. Dr. Cooke delivered himself, as usual, of an intemperate and intolerant speech; and concluded by moving, that the obnoxious appointments should be annulled, in which he was seconded by the Rev. Dr. Edgar. Mr. M'Dowell moved an amendment, approving of the Resolutions of the Boards of Proprietors, and was seconded by Dr. Montgomery, in one of his most happy, luminous, and powerful addresses, in which he castigated the bigots to their heart's content, and vindicated the original unsectarian character of the Institution in the most triumphant manner. We are happy to say, that bigotry was defeated; the amendment being carried by a majority of about three to one.

THE

CHRISTIAN PIONEER.

No. 178.

JUNE, 1841.

Vol. XV.

CONSTITUTION OF THE GLASGOW CHRISTIAN
UNITARIAN CHURCH.

Or all the systems of religion hitherto promulgated in the world, that taught by Jesus Christ is the most benevolent and the most rational, and the proofs are abundant that it proceeds from God. This system teaches that there is One God, the Father, the Creator of the universe, and the sole object of religious worship; that he has the greatest love for his intelligent offspring; that the proofs of his grace and mercy to mankind beam forth in every page of the Gospel dispensation; that it is the duty of all men to love him with all their hearts, and to love one another as brethren of the same great family; that repentance and reformation, through faith in Christ Jesus, are the great requisites for acceptance with God; and that all who love him in sincerity, and are diligent in the practice of virtue, will be finally happy.

Deeply impressed with the belief of these important truths, and persuaded that it is the interest of each individual Member to promote the good and welfare of the whole Society,-We, the present Members of the Christian Unitarian Church of Glasgow, have adopted the following Rules for the regulation of our future conduct as a Christian Society:

1. All persons who believe in One God, the Father, the Creator of the universe, and the sole object of religious worship, and also in the Divine Mission of Jesus Christ, and whose moral character corresponds to that profession, are eligible to become Members of the Society, provided they have been bona fide holders and occupiers of a sitting in the Chapel, or in any other Christian Unitarian Society, for One Year preceding the application for Membership. Individuals of 18 years of age, and upwards, comprising the family of a seat-holder, and regularly attending the Chapel, are also eligible to become Members,

[ocr errors]

provided sittings be taken equal to their respective numbers. Members in arrear of seat-rents for twelve months, forfeit the right to act and vote on the affairs of the Society.

2. Every party qualified according to Rule 1, desirous of admission as a Member of the Congregation, must intimate his or her desire to the Minister, Elders, or Committee of Management, who may admit him or her at the next monthly meeting of Committee subsequent to that at which such application has been received, provided they shall be satisfied by a majority of two-thirds of the Members of Committee present at such monthly meeting that the character of the applicant is morally correct, and that the application is made in good faith, and in the full knowledge of the purposes for which the Church is instituted, as expressed in the Preamble and Rules. The name of the Member so elected, shall be inscribed in the Roll-Book of Members, and his election shall be notified to the Members of the Society at their next quarterly meeting; and the rights and privileges of Membership shall afterwards pertain to him so long as he continues to be qualified in conformity with the Rules.

3. No person to be ejected from the Society, unless the ejection be sanctioned by a majority of two-thirds of the Members present at the second or third meeting of the Members, after the case has been laid before the Society; and which meeting must be called expressly for the purpose of giving a final decision.

4. At all meetings of the Society for the discussion of any particular business, the Minister, or one of the Elders, to act as President, who shall open the meeting with prayer-state the object for which the Society is met, and to whom all the speeches of the Members shall be addressed.

5. All the resolutions and proceedings of the Society, Trustees or Managers, and of the Committee of Management, to be entered in a Minute-Book kept for the purpose, and the several Minutes to be signed by the President and Secretary for the time being.

6. The Society always to have, if possible, at least four Elders, in addition to the Minister, to assist him in visiting the sick, attending at funerals, and dispensing the

« PreviousContinue »