on the 1st September. Two chairmen were appointed, Mr. John Ashworth of Newchurch, Rossendale, for the Unitarians, and the Rev. Harbottle, a Baptist minister, for the Trinitarians. The discussion began at halfpast nine o'clock in the morning, and the Trinity and Deity of Christ were debated till half-past one. The meeting then adjourned to three o'clock, when the atonement and future punishment were considered till seven in the evening; at which time, a crowded and most attentive audience separated. We doubt not good will result.

ON Tuesday evening, Sept. 13, the Sunday scholars connected with the Unitarian Chapel, Derby, were rewarded for their good conduct and diligence, by a treat. The school-rooms attached to the Baptist chapel, were readily and promptly lent for the occasion, and lamps furnished from the Independent chapel. About one hundred and fifty persons, members of the Unitarian congregation, and others of all denominations, took tea together. After tea the children were introduced, when Joseph Strutt, Esq. kindly complied with the wishes of the school committee, and distributed the prizes which had been previously awarded by the teachers, presenting at the same time to each child a private testimonial of his individual interest in their welfare, which appeared to give the young folks great delight at least, so were interpreted sundry clappings of hands and shoutings. I was glad to see that distinctions of sect appeared for once to be forgotten, and the bitterness of party spirit to be excluded, while all appeared highly gratified in witnessing the gratification of the children. Amongst other addresses, Mr. J. Byng, a teacher, in a nervous and energetic manner, briefly pointed out the importance of Sunday-schools, the necessity of cooperation, and of more extensive exertions. He was right: Sunday-schools might be made far more productive of benefit than they are. Hundreds have no opportunity of learning beyond that which is thus afforded them. Why, then, cannot plans be adopted that shall embrace even the elements of a liberal education? Why confine the children to reading the Scriptures merely, and perhaps to writing? Why not endeavour to give them an insight into the treasures of intellect that lie before them, and to infuse into their minds a taste for literature? I have been led to ask these questions, because, what is very uncom

mon in Sunday-schools, one or two of the boys belonging to this school, after having gone through a course of arithmetic and practical mensuration, have, under the guidance of their judicious and indefatigable teachers, made very considerable progress in mathematics. May success attend the efforts both of teachers and pupils. W. R.

ON Wednesday, 14th Sept. the children of the Sundayschools connected with the Unitarian Congregation meeting at the Upper Chapel, Sheffield, assembled to celebrate the jubilee of the introduction of those invaluable institutions, and to call to mind the memory of their benevolent founder, Robert Raikes of Gloucester. The children were addressed by the Rev. Dr. Philipps; after which they partook of some refreshment, kindly provided for them.

In the evening, about sixty ladies and gentlemen drank tea together in the school-room, at which the plan of a Tract-lending Society, formerly mentioned as proposed, was matured, rules agreed to, several ladies appointed to visit the poor, and leave at their houses the works intended to be circulated by the Society. Fifty-two individuals directly subscribed, and the Society will commence its operations with about one hundred and thirty different tracts.

ON Thursday, 15th Sept. the half-yearly meeting of the Unitarian ministers of the district, was held at Sheffield. The Rev. N. Philipps of Sheffield introduced the service, and the Rev. R. Wallace of Chesterfield preached an excellent sermon, strongly advocating the Tract-lending Society, and all other plans that have a tendency to improve the moral and raise the intellectual condition of the industrious classes of the community. About thirty individuals dined together, and considerable interest was excited by Mr. Ward's and Mr. Palfreyman's remarks in behalf of the British & Foreign Unitarian Association.

THE Rev. Charles Wicksteed, B. A. of the University of Glasgow, has accepted an invitation from the Congregation assembling at the Park Chapel, Liverpool.

THE Rev. John Wright has resigned the situation he has so admirably filled for some years at Alnwick, and has accepted an invitation to become the minister of the Congregation at Sunderland.

CHRISTIAN PIONEER.

No. 63.

NOVEMBER, 1831. Vol. VI.

Scottish Unitarian Christian Association.

[THE importance of this Insitution to the promotion of a spirit of rational inquiry, and the dissemination of the principles of Christian Unitarianism, must be evident to all who are acquainted with the state of religious feeling in Scotland-who know the difficulties and discouragements attending the advocacy of despised and unpopular doctrines who have experienced the power which early religious impressions and early imbibed prejudice have over the mind and heart, captive to their deleterious might-and who, emancipated from their thraldom, have been blessed with the knowledge of that sacred and benevolent faith which rejoices in God as a Father, and looks on man as a brother. Union is strength. Banding together their advocates, and directing their united efforts to the accomplishment of various beneficent objects, thereby encouraging the hearts and strengthening the hands of those, who, by their distance from any of the established Unitarian Congregations, are at present precluded from uniting in the public worship of the One God the Father, by promoting intercourse and correspondence with these individuals and societies, nerving all to the conflict with prejudice, bigotry, and error,— these are purposes which every sincere friend of Christian liberty and Christian truth, must anxiously desire to aid. It is therefore that we cheerfully comply with the request which has been made to us, to devote this Number of our Magazine, in recording the proceedings of the First Annual Meeting of the Association since its re-organization, persuaded that all our readers, of whatever country, will have pleasure in its perusal, and will hail the auspicious revival of a Society, which, under God's blessing, is so admirably calculated to contribute much to the emancipation of the human mind from the dominion of heart-depressing sentiments of man and God.-Edit.]

THE First Anniversary of the Scottish Unitarian Christian Association, since its re-organization, was held at Glasgow, on Sunday and Monday, the 2d and 3d of October. The weather was exceedingly unfavourable, and had been so for some days preceding, which prevented the attendance of several friends from various parts of the country. Notwithstanding, individual members were present from Dundee, Auchterarder, Tillicoultry, Carron, Kilsyth, Edinburgh, Carluke, Davies Dykes, Lanark, Bell's Hill, Kilbride, Paisley, Saltcoats, Kilmarnock, Dalry, Port-Glasgow, Greenock, Dumbarton, Renfrew, &c. The introductory service on the Sunday forenoon, was conducted by the Rev. Fletcher Blakely of Moneyrea, Belfast, Moderator of the Re

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monstrant Synod of Ulster; and a truly Christian sermon on the duty of prayer, the proper object of prayer, the fatherly character of God, and the common brotherhood of man, was preached from Luke xi. 2, by the Rev. Henry Clarke, Unitarian Missionary of Lancashire. The audience consisted of about 450 persons, who were deeply attentive and evidently much impressed. In the interval between the morning and afternoon worship, many of the friends from the country, upwards of 70, and some of whom had walked a great distance, partook of refreshment, and had conversation with each other on the prospects of the cause in the various places. In the afternoon, the Rev. William Smith of Dundee, led the devotions: and an argumentative and energetic discourse, on the adaptation of pure religion to the mental character and moral wants of man, was delivered by the Rev. F. Blakely, The from Joshua xxiv. 15. The Chapel was completely filled. Rev. H. Clarke prayed in the evening, and the Rev. F. Blakely preached to an overflowing audience, from Jude 3, contrasting, in a bold and powerful manner, the opposing sentiments of Unitarianism and Trinitarianism.

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On Monday afternoon, at three o'clock, a Public Meeting of the Members and Friends of the Association, was held in the Chapel. The Rev. B. T. Stannus of Edinburgh, gave out a hymn and engaged in prayer. Mr. Gemmill of Greenock, then moved, and was seconded by Mr. Hedderwick of Glasgow, that Mr. Barr of Crutherland, be requested to take the chair. motion being unanimously approved, Mr. Barr, on complying with the request of the meeting, made the following observations: My Christian Friends,-You have invited me to the honour of taking the chair upon this occasion; and though I feel myself inadequate to the interesting charge, yet I would not willingly shrink from the performance of any clear and important duty: and such seems to me the endeavour to promote the objects and views of this Association. Our religious opinions are not generally well understood. They are often stigmatised as antichristian, as dangerous to the order and peace of society, and as destructive, in man's trying hours, of his comfortable feelings and his future hopes. Now, surely such meetings as this, must have a tendency to excite more general and careful inquiry, and to make known what Unitarians believe to be the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and what they consider the errors and corruptions that have been incorporated with it, by ignorant, prejudiced, and interested men. They may also assist in strengthening and confirming the faith of some, and in animating and giving life and vigour to the exertions of others, in clearly defining and diffusing the knowledge of the Gospel, as it was taught by its holy Founder and his Apostles.

"When we look back to the efforts of fanaticism during the past year, to put down Unitarianism, as they term it, we see strong reasons for union and exertion in the cause of our religious faith. The banners of bigotry and persecution were lately unfurled in the metropolis, to prevent the believers in One God alone, from

employing their talents, and making voluntary contributions towards printing the Holy Bible, and placing it in the hands of the poor and ignorant, and those that were out of the way. The same spirit has been manifested in the chief city of Scotland, and an attempt made to exclude Unitarians from municipal office and power. In this city, too, during the same period, both the pulpit and the press have sent forth their anathemas, and denominated our religious sentiments, blasphemous heresy. But a champion in defence of the unadulterated Gospel of Christ, immediately entered the lists, and unveiled their sophistical and feeble arguments. The assailants, having felt the weight of his powerful arm, retired from the contest, and have now shrunk back into their original obscurity. Now, in my opinion, it is no mean advantage of such Associations as this, that they are well calculated to strengthen the hands and to encourage the heart of such zealous and consistent friends of truth and righteousness.

"The persecution of Unitarians is not new to me. Forty years ago, I was a member of the venerable Dr. Priestley's congregation. Though at that time very severe penal statutes hung ever his head, he stood erect, the intrepid champion of the Unity of God, which he believed and asserted was taught in the Scriptures. When it became evident that his opponents could not confute his arguments, a spirit of barbarous violence was inspired into a ferocious mob, who eagerly sought the life of this learned, this pious man, this friend to his country and mankind. When disappointed in their savage object, they burned his house, and the houses of many of his fellow worshippers. They destroyed his library and philosophical apparatus, the most valuable at that time in the kingdom. They even reduced to ashes the temple in which he taught the doctrine of salvation, and worshipped the One God even the Father. When I recollect that all this I saw, and was in some degree a sharer in; and that notwithstanding all this unexampled barbarity, the Society has continued to prosper, and still continues to flourish, increasing in numbers and respectability; from this review of former occurrences, may not we, my friends, congratulate each other on the happier circumstances in which we this day meet. The penal statutes affecting us, are all repealed, and we can now openly avow our opinions, and worship the only God according to our consciences, none daring to make us afraid.

"If we then, my friends, shall collectively and individually carefully examine the grounds of our faith, so that we may be ready to state and support the doctrines in which we believe and trust; if with union and firmness, but with Christian meekness, we shall fearlessly assert what we believe to be the truth as it is in Jesus; and, above all, if our lives and conversation are in strict conformity to the pure and holy Gospel of the blessed God, then we may rest assured, that Truth is mighty and shall prevail."

The Report of the Committee was then read by the Secretary, Mr. Harris, assisted by the Rev. W. Smith, and Mr. H. Smeaton of Glasgow. It was as follows: