DOMESTIC.
RELIGIOUS.

Unitarian Fund.

[Report of 1818: Mr. Wright's Journal of his Mission in Scotland, in 1817, continued from p. 62.]

2. Glasgow.

THERE is not, in my estimation, a town in Britain, after London, of more importance to the Unitarian cause than Glasgow. Its great and increasing population, its commercial character, its connexion and intercourse with other places, and the intelligence and liberality of a large proportion of its inhabitants, point it out as a favourable spot for the diffusion of religious knowledge and Christian charity. The Unitarian cause was in its infancy in this city, and the society had existed but a short time as Unitarian, when I first visited it, in the year 1809. Since that time the cause has made considerable progress, and the congregation have much increased, notwithstanding the many difficulties and unfavourable circumstances which have arisen to retard their course.

I spent eight Sundays in Glasgow, and also preached on some week-day evenings; in all I delivered twenty-six discourses there. It was not in my plan to spend so much time in this city; but Mr. Mardon (the present minister of the congregation) being on a journey to England, and the peculiar circumstances of the Society seeming to render it necessary, determined my conduct. The congregations were always good and very attentive; sometimes quite large, especially on Sunday evenings, when I delivered lectures on doctrinal subjects. I had the pleasure of seeing the hearers increase until my departure, and of being informed, that during my stay some new converts to Unitarianism were made from among the strangers who attended.

Soon after my arrival in Glasgow, I found some differences existed in the congregation, by which its peace was interrupted, and the cause likely to be injured. These occasioned me some labour out of the pulpit as well as in it; but I trust my labour was not in vain. The differences, referred to, appear to have arisen from a diversity of opinion respecting matters of discipline, and the best modes of proceeding in their public assemblies, and in conducting the affairs of the Society. consequence of the above differences, a depatation from the Society waited on me to request that I would preach on church discipline; with this request I complied, and I did it the more readily as Mr. Mar

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don, before he set out on his journey, expressed a wish that I would do so. Consequently, I delivered a series of discourses on Sunday mornings, on topics which have a relation to the subject proposed to me. Thinking the difficulties respecting discipline had arisen, either from incorrect views of, or inattention to some other points, and that it is highly important to establish some leading principles, which are to be kept in view as grounds and rules of action, I began with a discourse on Christian brotherhood; to shew that all Christians are brethren, and ought ever to treat each other as such; and that bence arises their equality, as to religious rights, privileges and duties. The next discourse was on Christian liberty, in particular the liberty the members of Christain congregations are to exercise, shewing when this liberty is abused, and that it ought never to violate the law of love. The next discourse was on the nature and design of the Christian ministry; in particular, as ministers are to be distinguished from priests, and all pretenders to a sacred character, and their ministry from every species of priestcraft and domination. The last discourse of the series was on the nature and discipline of a Christian church. The unpleasant differences I have mentioned appeared to have subsided before I left Glasgow; and as all the parties seem to have been influenced by good motives, and to have had the promotion of the cause in view, it is hoped they will continue to exercise the mutual forbearance and candour which are essential to the peace of Christian churches, and the progress of religious knowledge and improvement.

The congregation at Glasgow labour under pecuniary difficulties, from which it is hoped their brethren in different parts of the kingdom will assist them to extricate themselves. These difficulties have arisen chiefly from the change of times, which has altered the circumstances of some persons belonging to the church, and greatly reduced the annual rental of the buildings connected with the chapel. A statement of the case has been communicated to the Unitarian public by a circular letter, and through the medium of the Monthly Repository, and it is hoped will excite the attention of those who are capable of giving some assistance on so important an occasion. Those who help to diminish the debt which remains on the chapel will materially serve the Unitarian cause.

Whatever circumstances may operate to diminish the success of the Unitarian cause at Glasgow, for a time, it has taken too

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deep root, and been already too successful, to leave its stability and permanency doubtful. The valuable labours of Mr. Yates for five years, and the effects of the controversy he so ably conducted with Mr. Wardlaw, can never be lost in this great city. The numerous friends of Unitarianism in it and its vicinity will, under any disastrous circumstances that can arise, rally round the cause and save it from perishing; know them well, and speak with confidence. Not that I anticipate any serious disasters, but I wish to give every possible assurance to those who may assist the Glasgow friends, that their aid will not be fruitless. The leaven of Unitarianism is so far spread in a class of society, which will not fear to speak freely and extend it around them, that I regard its continuing to spread more and more, however imperceptibly, as certain.

3. Paisley.

In this populous manufacturing town the Unitarians continue steadfast in their profession; and if they do not rapidly increase, they are preparing the way, by exemplary conduct and judicious measures, for the future success of the cause.

In no place have I laboured with greater pleasure, or met with inore serious and ready attention, than at Paisley nor have I met any where with persons of the same class in society, so generally intelligent and well-informed, and who seem to possess so much mind.

During the journey of which I am giving an account, I spent three Sundays in this town, and also preached on many week day evenings in all, I delivered seventeen discourses. The meetings were always well attended, the congregations were generally large, sometimes the place was much crowded, and numbers came who could not get into it. Being informed that a number of unbelievers came to hear me, I delivered a series of discourses suited to them, of which I gave previous notice. These discourses were on the nature of moral evidence, and the grounds of religious faith; on Atheism, theoretical and practical; on Theism, or the evidences of the being and government of God; and on several subjects illustrative of the nature, truth and design of Christianity, or calculated to remove popular objections to it. I had their continued attention. What impression was made, and what effects may follow, I know not having scattered the seed, I must leave the rest to the great Lord of the harvest.

With that independence of feeling and conduct which the Unitarians at Paisley ever manifest, though most of them are merely working people, they have begun to raise a fund for the erection of a chapel, without calling upon others for assistance. The plan they have adopted is after the

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manner of a savings' bauk; and though the times have been unfavourable to their design, I understand they have already raised nearly a hundred pounds. they mean to build in the most economical way, deeming it most consistent with their circumstances, and the simplicity of the gospel, it is likely in no long time they will carry their plan into effect.

Whenever I preached in an evening at Paisley, a number of persons, sometimes twenty or thirty, accompanied me from the place of worship to my lodgings, for conversation and the investigation of subjects. On these occasions we had much free and friendly discussion. Sometimes a diversity of opinion appeared, and animating debate ensued; how indeed should it be otherwise where men think freely, and fearlessly speak as freely as they think? But whatever difference of opinion arose, or debate took place, nothing illiberal, uncandid, or contrary to kind feeling was discovered indeed I should be surprised to find at Paisley a man, any theological discussion, otherwise than candid, liberal and friendly.

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When the brethren have completed their plan of erecting a chapel, if they can procure a minister of popular talent, as their public lecturer, who might form a little circuit, of which Paisley should be the chief town, and Renfrew, Kilburchan, and Dalry be included in it, I have no doubt a large congregation would be established in Paisley, and much good done in the district around: nor have I any fear but that such a minister acting on liberal plans, would find the support necessary for the work.

4. Dundee.

The little society in this town is the oldest Unitarian church in Scotland, and the only one that existed there when the missionaries of the Unitarian Fund first visited that country. This church has been preserved in the midst of its numerous opposers, under a variety of difficulties and disasters. For a number of years it stood alone, north of the Tweed, in the midst of the surrounding corruptions of the Christian doctrine, constantly maintaining the exclusive worship of the One God the Father, and bearing an unostentatious, but firm and uniform testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus.

After that worthy man, Mr. T. F. Palmer, was sent into exile, left without a pastor, this church continued to assemble; and the cause has been kept alive, chiefly by the labours and exertions of Mr. R. Millar, a merchant, who has ever since Mr. P.'s removal taken the lead in conducting the public services. A few persons, regard. less of the reproach' and 'contempt of the votaries of more popular systems, have been faithful to their Lord, and by their

truly Christian spirit and conduct bare done bonour to their profession.

Since I was bere before, some of the members of this church, owing to the eircumstances of the times, have been under the necessity of removing, but others have been added. The society is removed to a more convenient place of meeting, which has been decentiv fitted up, enieny, if not entirely, at MMlar's expense. On the whole, things have a promising

appearance

I preached two Sundays at Dundee, and one week evening, in all seven times. The last Sunday the place was completely illed Many respectable people attended, aud I was informed that whenever a regular minister preaches there, most of the same persons attend. There is good reason to think, that could a minister be placed in Dundee, the congregation would much increase, and after the first year or two, during which they would need some assistance, be able to support one. This eburch ought to be regarded as an object of attention, on account of the stability and perseverance of its members, the populousBess of the town, and the readiness of the society to allow the minister who should be with them to act as a missionary, part

of his time.

[To be concluded in the next Number.]

Unitarian Association.

MARRIAGE LAWS.

THE following has been approved by the Committee of the Unitarian Association as a proper form or outline of a petition on the subject of the Marriage Laws. It is thought proper to make it public for the accommodation of any who may be desirous of coming forward on the occasion.

To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled;

or,

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom in Parliament assembled.

The humble petition of the undersigned Sheweth,

That your petitioners are Protestant Dissenters of the Unitarian persuasion. That the marriage service, required by the existing law, is inconsistent in several points with the religious belief which your petitioners conscientiously entertain.

That by the municipal laws of many Christian states, as well as of this kingdom prior to the Act of 26 Geo. II. C. 33, commonly called the Marriage Act, the matrimonial contract has been considered as VOL. XIV.

of a civil nature, although usually consecrated by some religious ceremony.

That, accordingly, the marriages of Dissenters, celebrated in the face of their own congregations, after the date of the Toleration Act, were considered valid by our courts of law, although some attempts made to disturb such marriages in the Ecclesiastial Courts, served to dispose the majority of Dissenters (between whom and the Established Church there was then no essential dit erence in points of doctrine) to conform in that particular to the ritual of the Church.

That whilst your petitioners are far from wishing to impugn the policy of the Mar riage Act, considered as a measure of civil regulation, they beg leave to suggest, that in its operation, as connected with the present Church service, it imposes a burthen on conscience, which they humbly conceive was not intended by the legisla ture, as is evident from the exemption in the act of the two classes of persons, t against whose religious feelings and discipline it seemed particulary to militate.

That the act passed in the 53d year of his present Majesty's reign, c. 160, has encouraged your petitioners to hope that their religious opinions present no sufficient objection to the extension in their favour of the recognized principles of toleration; but they humbly submit, that such toleration is in their case necessarily incomplete, while they are obliged, by the operation of the marriage law, to join in a service repugnant in many parts to their religious feelings and principles.

Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray

that your [Right] Honourable House will take their case into your serious consideration, and afford them such relief in the premises, as in your wisdom shall seem meet.

And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.

bers, at the request of the minister. It has been usually attended by between thirty and forty persons, and has tended not only to promote union and zeal in the cause of genuine truth, but what is still more important, to produce that devotional and serious impression of mind, without which religion is but an empty name."

Somers Town. Here a "Christian Union Society" has been established in a small congregation raised by the Rev. T. Moore, who has furnished us with the particulars in a letter, which also contains an account of the institution of the Pennya-week Societies amongst the Wesleian Methodists, and which we intend to insert in the next Number.

Unitarian Chapel, Brighton. Ir is well known to most of our readers that there has been for some years an Unitarian chapel, at Brighton, raised and kept open by the meritorions exertions of a few individuals. Of late, Dr. Morell has also carried on worship, in his own house, in the same town, on the EssexStreet plan. A design is now on foot to unite both congregations, and to erect for their use a new chapel in a more cominodious situation, and on a scale better suited to the taste of the visitors of this elegant watering-place. A plot of freehold ground has been purchased for the building; and as some persons prefer a Liturgy, and others approve of free prayer, it is proposed to use a Liturgy in the morning service, The ground is in a very convenient situation, on the side of the New-road; it cost £660 and the estimate for building a neat and cominodious chapel and vestry is £1600. Upwards of £700 is already subscribed. In a circular, signed by Dr. Morell, in which the case is recommended by the Rev. T. Belsham, E. Cogan, R. Aspland, Dr. T. Rees, John Evans and W. J. Fox, it is stated, that "as Brighton is now a place of great public resort, it is of high importance that it should contain a respectable chapel for Unitarian Worship. The few Unitarians who reside in Brighton and its neighbourhood, have exerted themselves to the utmost, and they look with confidence to the liberality of the friends of uncorrupted Christianity to supply their deficiency; and particularly to those who, by visiting Brighton in the usual season, are likely with their families to be principally benefited by a mode of worship according with Scriptural principles."

Quarterly Meeting of Welsh Unitarian Ministers.

tist Meeting-house, Swansea, on the 31s of December last. Nine preachers attended, and only one preached; a circumstance I never witnessed before but once, at a meeting called a meeting of ministers, in Wales: and the reason at that time was invincible, for there were no ministers present besides the preacher, but at Swansea it was a matter of choice. Whether the taste of the Welsh Unitarians be so much altered as to have in future only oue sermon at their quarterly meetings, time only can shew. In the evening preceding, Mr. David Jones, of St. Clears, preached from Gal. vi. 7. The next morning, Mr. John Thomas, of Ca: diganshire, introduced the service, and Mr. T. Evans, of Aberdare, preached from 2 Cor. v. 15. The next meeting was appointed to be held at Llangendeira: and the annual meeting of the Unitarian Society was appointed to be held at Llandyfaen, on the first Thursday after the 20th of June, the usual time. After this a conference was held, which is considered a part of the service. The subject discussed was, the doctrine of Supernatural Agency on the Mind of Man.

J. J.

New Congregation of Unitarians in Liverpool.

On Thursday evening, the 5th November last, a large school room, in Great Cross Hall Street, Liverpool, was opened for Unitarian worship; when an excellent and appropriate sermon was delivered by the Rev. W. J. Bakewell, of Chester, from Rev. iii. 20: Be zealous. The society is established by a number of persons who were anxious to have a week evening service, and desirous that that service should be adapted to the capacities of the poor. The school room, which they bave licensed, is situated in a part of the town, far remote from the two Unitarian Chapels existing in it. And the supporters of this institution cannot but think, that if similar measures were pursued in other large towns, the same beneficial effects, which are likely to arise from this plan in Liverpool, would also follow in other places. The service will be conducted principally by lay brethren, and the congregations, since the 5th of November, have been numerous and attentive.

Liverpool, December 7, 1818.

Case decided in the Court of Rolls, Dublin, June 19, 1818, on a Dispute between the Methodists in Ireland. DINNEN AND SMITH V. MOORE, EDGAR AND M'KEENER.

THIS important case, involving the interest of the Methodist body in Ireland, received its final decision from the Master of the Rolls, on Friday the 19th alt.