call for an address on the part of the Unitarians of Scotland, to one who, in a foreign clime, and surrounded by most adverse circumstances, had burst the trammels of systems, and nobly stood forward in vindication of Christian liberty and truth. The following letter was, therefore, addressed to the Indian Reformer, by your Secretary: Dear and Honoured Sir, In the name and on behalf of the Christian Unitarians of Scotland, I have the pleasure of tendering warmest acknowledgements and thanks, for the admirable and luminous manner in which you have defended the principles of our common faith. The manly integrity which induced you to discard the debasing and idolatrous rites of a system that must once have been associated in your mind with every sacred feeling, is above all praise. May you find your reward in the silent approbation of your own mind, in the consciousness of benevolent efforts for the improvement of your countrymen, and in the blessing of that all-gracious Father, who has made of one blood all the families of earth. Edified and instructed as we have been by your writings, it was with no small pleasure we learned your arrival in Britain. Heartfelt must be your welcome by every friend of humanity. We were sorry to learn, however, that illness had attacked you since your arrival, but we earnestly hope that you may soon recover the fatigues of your voyage, and may be perfectly restored to health and its blessings. We know not what may be your plans as to travelling and continuance in Britain, but we are persuaded you will not be offended at the expression of our ardent hope, that you will not leave our country without visiting Scotland. This land of mountain and of flood,' has peculiar attractions to a mind which loves to trace the wisdom and benignity of God, in the beauties and magnificence of the creation. Its cities, also, may well rank among the noblest productions of the power and ingenuity of man. It is a land blessed in many things, but not in its religion. That frowns with sternest gloom on the charities of life and the discoveries of Revelation. Mr. Adam, and other friends, may probably have described to you the bigotry which rules the minds and hearts of this people. Unitarian Christians, comparatively speaking, are but a handful; they are compassed about by many enemies; and loud and long are the predictions, that that handful will be scattered as the chaff. 'To strengthen each other in the principles of their holy faith, as well as to disseminate works in their vindication to dispel bigotry, as well as to proclaim truth, the Unitarians have an Annual Association similar to the one in London, but of course on a smaller scale. The meeting is held in August, and in Glasgow. 'Incalculable would be the good which would accrue to our cause, were you to honour the Association with your presence. It would give an effect and an impetus to the spread of our principles, lasting and invaluable. Earnestly and respectfully, therefore, do we invite you to come and help us. "Are we presumptuous in stating the wishes of our hearts? Our motive must plead our apology. That your acceptance of our invitation would personally gratify us, gladly do we avow. Our chief gratification would be in honouring the advocate of Christian truth, and in believing that his presence would greatly forward that enlightened and benevolent faith, which we conceive is destined to reform and regenerate the world. 'I am, in the name and on behalf of the Unitarians of Scotland, Most respectfully yours, Glasgow, 26th May, 1831. GEORGE HARRIS, Sec.' "To this letter, the following reply was returned: • Sir, 125, Regent-Street, June 27, 1831. 'I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th May, which indisposition and numerous engagements prevented me from answering sooner. I am highly gratified to receive such testimonials of approbation from a country, the people of which are noted over the whole world for piety, worth, and intelligence, more especially when such approbation comes from a body of men who are labouring to promote the cause of truth and establish liberal sentiments. I feel deeply interested in your success; and this will form an additional motive to visit a land which contains many of my best and warmest friends. I cannot, however, at present fix the exact period of my departure from London, or the course I shall take with reference to my various engagements. Therefore, it is quite uncertain whether I shall be in Glasgow at the time of your Anniversary. However, if I be so fortunate as to be there, I shall be happy to avail myself of your most obliging request. I beg you will express my grateful compliments to the members of your Association; and in the hope of seeing you personally in London, 'I remain, with the highest respect, Your most obedient Servant, RAMMOHUN ROY.' "In the course of two interviews with which your Secretary was favoured during his late visit to London, the Rajah entered with deep interest into the circumstances and prospects of Christian Unitarianism in Scotland. His pledge, repeated in a letter received within these few days by your Secretary, that ere he leave Europe he will pay a visit to his Northern brethren, will be welcomed by every one who appreciates the value of that enlightened man's testimony to the principles of religious truth and benevolence. 'My Dear Sir, 'London, September 24th, 1831. 'I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 26th August, which I delayed answering, until I hoped I might ascertain when I could expect to have the pleasure of seeing you personally in Glasgow. However, not being as yet able to come to any determination respecting my journey to Scotland, I lose no further time in assuring you, that whenever I have the pleasure of visiting Scotland, I shall not fail to do myself the honour of seeing you and your friends in that part of the country. 'Although I cannot hope to be present personally in your Association on the first Sunday and Monday in October, yet my heart will be with you, and wish you every success in the sacred cause of liberty and truth. 'I have the honour to be, My Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant and Friend, "The Committee have the pleasure of calling the attention of the Association to the letters from the various individuals and places hereafter mentioned. [We give the following abstract of the intelligence of those letters. At Blackford and Auchterarder in Perthshire, there are several avowed Unitarian Christians, many inclined to the principles, and more friendly to inquiry. When Mr. Harris preached in these places last year, he was heard with attention, and the audiences were numerous.— -In Falkirk and its neighbourhood, there are several avowed Christian Unitarians, and the population being large, it is hoped the labours of a Missionary there would do good.. At Lanark and Kirkfield Bank, there are a few individuals who openly and consistently profess the Unitarian doctrine; there is a considerable number of persons who have liberal views on religious subjects; prejudice is gradually wearing away, and could an occasional service be conducted there, an accession of numbers might reasonably be looked for; Mr. Harris's preaching there was well attended.The Society in Edinburgh has, for many years, had to contend with various difficulties. There are between 50 and 60 adult members, the chapel is free from debt, and the congregation have lately secured the services of the Rev. B. T. Stannus of Belfast. Many strangers have been attending, and as in so large and intelligent a population there must be many inquiring persons, a well-grounded hope may be entertained that the prospects of the congregation will gradually brighten. -At Stranraer an excellent and intelligent individual has avowed, that after the way the world calls heresy, he worships the God and Father of all, and though bigotry may at present reign there, such an avowal cannot but be productive of beneficial consequences. -In Greenock, a Unitarian Christian Congregation has been formed by the indefatigable labours and truly Christian confession of the Rev. Archibald Macdonald. It commenced in July 1830, and joined by some individuals who had avowed their sentiments when Mr. Harris preached there in 1815, the society has gained various accessions. The individual and family subscribers are 52, the audience in the forenoon about 70, afternoon 100, evening crowded. The congregation have fitted up a place of worship, which seats comfortably 270 persons. The expense has amounted to about £100, towards which £60 has been contributed by the infant Society, and the progress of inquiry is altogether cheering. -At Port-Glasgow, the little society of 18 adult members, though deprived by death of its worthy and excellent conductor, continues to assemble regularly for the worship of God, and the services are conducted by some of the members.- -The congregation at Carluke meets every Sabbath, and the worship of the Father in the name of Jesus, is conducted by several of the members in rotation. The number of avowed Unitarian Christians may be about 40, and many others are very friendly to the opinions. The attendance when Mr. Harris preaches there is much greater, there being an evident disposition to hear. In country places, however, there are many obstacles to overcome. The sittings in the parish church being free of expense to most of the auditors, there is not only the difficulty of avowing obnoxious truth, but also the difficulty of contributing to its dissemination; so that though the doctrines taught in the Church may greatly vary in course of years, yet from habit and from ease, people continue to uphold an Establishment they may at the same time dislike. But could the services of a minister be secured, it is probable that in time these difficulties would cease to be.In Beith and Irvine, the correspondents state that much prejudice exists, and that the name of Unitarian is held up to public obloquy. Still individuals inquire, and Unitarian works are read, and the calumny uttered by supporters of things as they are, leads to different results from those they anticipate. -At Tillicoultry, near Alloa, owing partly to the efforts of bigotry to prevent Mr. Harris's preaching there, a few individuals commenced a Society, and have for two years assembled every Sunday, for the worship of the One true and living God. A Sunday-school has also been begun. Death has made its inroads amongst the little flock, and removals have also lessened their number, yet from 25 to 30 regularly assemble; and much inquiry has been occasioned in the neighbourhood, in consequence of the testimony thus borne to the oneness and benevolence of the Almighty. The Society is situated in the midst of a populous district; they entertain strong anticipations of further success, especially if the services of a Missionary could be secured, which they believe would, under God's blessing, be a great mean to bring about the desired reformation.. -Dumbarton numbers a few individuals attached to the faith of the Divine Unity; some tracts have been put in circulation, and have been read with attention. -At Kilwinning, Dalry, and Saltcoats, there are persons friendly to the principles of Christian Unitarianism, but no public bond of union having been established in the respective places, their efforts, with one exception, are confined to a narrow circle. A Missionary might do much to direct these isolated efforts to one combined plan of usefulness. The Congregation at Dundee secured in August 1830, the valuable services of the Rev. W. Smith, the first licentiate of the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster. The number of members at that period was about 25; they have increased to nearly 40. The attendance on Sundays, forenoon and afternoon, is from 30 to 70. At the evening lectures, the place, capable of seating about 120 persons, was generally filled. A Sunday-school has been commenced, and also a congregational library. There is a fair prospect of the cause increasing in Dundee, were a better place of At meeting obtained. This is essential at any rate for the delivery of the evening lectures.- -In Perth there are a few steady friends. As soon as arrangements can be made, Mr. Smith has promised to conduct an occasional service in that populous town.Aberdeen there are two or three openly avowed Christian Unitarians; but the principles are little known in that city. Dr. Kidd's essay on the Trinity, and his lectures about the time of its publication, condemned the obnoxious faith; and those who remember these, may condemn Unitarianism. Otherwise there appears to be little inquiry at present. A missionary visit, if it could be followed up, would rouse attention, and in so large a population would tend to diffuse knowledge and charity.- -Kilmarnock appears to be a town which augurs well for the establishment of a Unitarian congregation. There are already several families who have embraced the doctrine, many entertain a favourable idea of the pure and simple faith, and there are numbers, who, disgusted with Calvinism, anxiously wish for something more rational and benevolent, but who, unacquainted with the principles of Christian Unitarianism, frequent no place of worship. A hall can be had in which preaching could be begun, and an anxious desire is expressed for missionary labours and regular services among its activé, intelligent, and numerous inhabitants.. -At Dumblane there are several individuals who are doing their utmost by conversation and lending tracts, to diffuse the knowledge that "God is One, and his name one.' -The Paisley congregation, though seriously lessened by death and removals, numbers about 40 members, and the attendance on Sundays varies from 35 to 50. For many years the services of the Society have been conducted by a few excellent and talented individuals. The place in which the Society assembles, was built by the subscriptions of the members to a building club. A considerable debt still remains, and there is no congregation in Britain which more deserves to be relieved from their burdens, than our brethren of Paisley. Public feeling in the town gives respect to the conduct of our friends, but the absurdities of the popular faith are so alien to the intelligence for which that population has long been distinguished, that for years there has been a growing dislike not only to orthodoxy but to Christianity, with which it is in public estimation identified. Hence the necessity of an indefatigable and faithful minister, who could rouse public attention to principles which at once vindicate the rights of man and advance the glory of God. In Monkland, Kilsyth, Kilbride, and Bell's Hill, tracts are circulating, and inquiry is on the increase. -The Glasgow Report, read by the Secretary of the Congregation, Mr. H. Smeaton, after some remarks on the importance and necessity of the Association, and congratulations to the numerous friends present from various parts of the country, stated, that "at the time of Mr. Harris's settling in Glasgow, in October 1825, the congregation, it is believed, did not consist of more than 80 persons. Since that period, many old and valued friends are dead, amounting in number, including the young and middle-aged who have also died, to upwards of 100 |