On Thursday morning, June 17, the same chapel was again thronged at 11 o'clock, and the annual sermon before the Association preached by Mr Madge, the successor of Mr Belshám, in Essex street. This discourse was designed to show the importance and duty of the open, frank profession of our religious. opinions; and was in considerable part taken up with combatting the plea of the indifferent, that opinions are of no consequence provided the life be good, and that therefore it is no matter whether a man acknowledge or hide his convictions. There was a great deal of sound remark and keen searching expostulation ini this sermon, delivered with earnestness of manner, and a simplicity and sincerity which are more convincing than all the labors of art. I am sure the effect was not small.

The Association met in the chapel after service, and the annual Report was read. This document you will see shortly, and therefore I will say nothing about it. Several resolutions were then passed; the most interesting of which to you will be those in which reference was had to America. One of them proposed the formation of a general depository of books, &c., in. London, with a view, in part, to the more easily procuring and circulating of the tracts and other religious works of the United States. Another proposed the establishment of pastors for the poor in the large towns, on the plan of Dr Tuckerman in Boston. This subject strongly interests many of our friends, and will be unquestionably in due time effectually attended to.

From this meeting the Association adjourned to the town hall of Salford, and sat down to a cheap dinner

at half past four o'clock. Though pains had been taken to limit the number of admissions, so great was the anxiety to hear the addresses at table, that the room was more than full, and not a few were obliged to eat (as was observed by a friend) as the Jews ate their Passover, standing, with their staves in their hand, and in haste. But they would have gone without dinner, rather than miss the intellectual feast which followed; and they were kept in countenance by a number of humble believers, who had walked thirty miles in the rain and mud, and who had begged permission, being too poor to pay for a dinner, at least to stand within the door, and share the spiritual part of the entertainment. Of course, they were admitted, and dinner given to them. They sat near me, and it was no small pleasure to witness the eagerness with which these laboring men drank in the soul-stirring sentiments of the speakers; to hear too the allusion which Mr. Fox made to them, in his happiest way, and which was cordially cheered by the unanimous voice of the meeting.

It was not long before the tables were cleared, and every ear turned to listen. Dr Carpenter began— took an exhilerating notice of the exhilerating occasion, and closed with an earnest appeal to all, especially to the young, to carry out in a religious life the testimony they were here giving to the truth. He was followed by Mr. Tottie the chairman, and Mr Rutt, the venerable companion of Priestly and the editor of his works, who refreshed us with tidings of the trials and labors of the worthies of former days. Then Mr Fox addressed us in one of his animated spirit moving speeches, which lifts up and carries away

the mind, and extorts involuntary bursts of admiration. But as it is impossible to give in small compass any just notions of the speakers or the topics, I will only say that we had afterward Mr Madge; Dr Rees, who gave a detailed history of the conversion and labors of William Roberts in Madras, whose case justly excites great interest here; Dr Bowring, who told us of the providential commencement of Unitarian reformation amongst the Catholics of Spain, and plead zealously the cause of the emancipation of the Jews; Mr Mardon, of Worship street, London; Mr Martineau, junior minister of one of the churches in Dublin, who brought forth more beautiful imagery from Old Testament allusions than I ever met with in the same compass, and -told us of the trials, toils, and prospects of the friends of truth in Ireland; Mr Hone, another of the Irish deputation; Mr Kenrick, of York College, son of the cauthor of the Exposition, who spoke of the condition and interests of that important seminary; Mr Robberds, the elder minister of Manchester, who spoke of the doings of the Provincial association of Lancashire; Messrs Hornby & Potter, treasurers, who spoke of funds, and ways and means;* Mr Turner, the vener-able minister of New Castle and Visitor of York College, who plead for the religious instruction of the poor; &c, &c. The American Unitarian Association

was remembered in a toast which was received with the most cordial and enthusiastic welcome, and brought up Mr Ware, who in a few brief sentiments responded to the kind feelings of our British friends. Dr Carpenter on the same text spoke words of conciliation

* About $400 were collected at the chapel, and a large addition made to the number of annual subscribers.

and union. On the whole, you will perceive thet we had abundant variety and matter enough for excitement. It was a time of happy and rational enjoyment. The spirit and tone of all was good, and nothing occurred in this crowded assembly of more than three hundred persons to call forth a feeling of regret. On the contrary, I am confident that they separated with the best feelings, and that some permanent good consequences are to be expected. The meeting was a most important one; and if it should be, as it probably will be, the first of a series to be held annually in the principal provincial towns, it must be considered but as the first step towards a large increase of energy, influence, and sucLet the good spirit which prevailed now, but accompany them always, and we may look confidently, under the divine blessing, for the growth, not only of liberal opinions and religious liberty, but of that higher and ultimate good, personal religion; not only the extension of the cause, but the improvement of those who promote it. The tendency is this way, and I am sure Providence smiles upon it. The Association is extending its labors and influence, multiplying its friends, increasing their activity and encouraging their virtue. Therein I rejoice, and will rejoice, and pray earnestly for its prosperity.

cess.

*

Ever yours,

** It is with true gratitude and joy we learn the writer of the above letter has at length returned from his residence abroad with health so much improved as to permit him to enter immediately on his duties as Professor in the Theological School at Cambridge.

RELIGION, ILLUSTRATED BY A COMPARISON OF IT WITH OTHER QUALITIES AND OBJECTS.

NO. VI. CAUSES OF INDIFFERENCE AND AVERSION TO RELIGION.

I propose in this number, to speak of the causes of indifference and aversion to religion, and to inquire whether the same causes would not make men indifferent or averse to any other subject, however naturally agreeable and interesting to them. Let philosophy, or friendship, or native sensibility; let study, or business, or accumulation even, be inculcated and treated as religion has been, and would not men be equally averse to them? Perhaps not equally, because some of these objects are more palpable, offering a more sensible good, while religion is a later and higher developement of our nature; but if it be admitted that many of the same causes which make men indifferent