80

ons age of Charles II.? (Applause.) In a great deal of ill-will. The parish will Scotland too, where none of these eccle- not allow me any relief if I continue yon siastical benedictions are essential to con- religion; as I have been prayed for in Bubial union and to conuubial bliss, are Petersham church, which the Committee the women less “gude wives," or their think sufficient. One of the gentlemen children not “ bonny bairns?"

saw you come in himself." That is to On another topic he also requested their say, one of the Committee for distributing attention. The Poor Rates are an increas. the rates, saw this poor woman in afficing evil, which will not fail eventually to tion, and, like the minister of death, fordestroy our national prosperity: they are bade the comfort, which the minister of corroding and wide-spreading cankers: religion might afford. (Shame.) they repress the independent spirit of the Mr. Deane, of Sittinghourne, made & people, damp the ardour of honest in- similar complaint. There was an old man, dustry, augment depravity, increase in a

years of age, who for more than twentyratio perpetually progressive, and must be five years had been a Dissenter, and liad either destroyed or be destroyers. (Ap- got the title of bishop for his venerable plause.) Yet an additional feature of ugli- age, or inore venerable life. This poor ness is added to their deformity, when they fellow, reluctantly compelled to apply for are perverted into instruments of religious parochial relief, was deprived of his dinner, persecution. (Hear)

because, after having attended at the If the poor man may not have the con- church in the morning, he attended at his solation of worshiping God after the dic- cbapel in the afternoon. This sort of lates of his conscience, he is at once de- punishment some might not think severe, prived of his only remaining treasure and although perhaps, ibat should not be insupport. (Applause.) During the last timated in the City of London, where a good year, in various parts of the country, and dinner is not ill-esteemed.' (Laughter.) even contiguous to the metropolis, these But it should be recollected, that this must poor laws have been so perverted into be a real privation of a pittauce never too instruments of hardship and oppression. redundant to the poor. It is high time that this subject should It was not, however, necessary to travel be investigated, and a remedy applied. so far as Kent, to be pained with abuses of (Applause.)

the laws of the poor. In the parish of From Ringwood, in the county of Hants, Camberwell, circumstances had taken place a worthy friend, Mr. Bishop, states several in the workhouse which he must condemn. such acts of oppression.

A benevolent and respectable man, named At Ramsgate too, where many parade Dakin, had been in the liabit of visiting to inhale the salubrious breeze, and re- some poor women bed-ridden with cancers, create the mind by gazing on the works of and in a dying or dangerous condition. art and the sublime of nature, they little This good man was studiously excluded think that the pious poor are suffering a from the work house, although he bad respecies of martyrdom for an attachment to peatedly applied to distribute tracts, which religion and truth. From St. Peter's, Mr. the poor were anxious to receive, and to Cramp complains, that three or four peo- offer, with these unhappy people, prayers ple in the work house, who had attended which they were desirous he should prehis chapel, had been commanded by the sent. These boons to the poor were disCommittee to attend the parish church, allowed. It was stated that one poor and in default thereof were deprived of man, within the house, had actually been their meals. (Shame.)

mulcted in meat for a mouth, because he Ai Richmond, the Tivoli of England, attempted to speak to him at the door. amidst its bowers sacred to the classić (Hisses.) An application was made to the muse, the demon of persecution, armed Clergyman of Camberwell, also a magis. with the poors' laws, might be seen to trate, but he declined to interfere, “ as bis glide. There, among others, a poor wo- curate attended once a week to read prayers man named Rebecca Hill, was sick, sad in some part of the house, and he thought and solitary; she was visited by some Dis. that was as much of religion as these peosenting almoner, who introduced the Dis- ple could require.” senting Minister to read and pray. The Were not these cases which demanded parish officers, however, tracked their immediate and permanent relief? Would steps, and told her if the visit was repeated any present have been willing to endure she should be deprived of all parochial that sort of martyrdom? Who could be relief. (Hisses.) She thus addressed Mrs. content that the poor should groan beneath Crundell of Richmond, to whose kind such persecution? A persecution which efforts she had been indebted : “ Honoured only requires to be mentioned to be conMadam, I hope you will not be offended, demned. (Applause.) but I hope you will not bring that gentle

(To be continued.) man to visit me any more, as it has got me

valuable notes.

London Unitarian Society. with acceptance. Why then build tem-. Tae Twenty-eighth Anniversary of this ples? Will God, whom the heaven of Society was holden at the London Tavern heavens cannot contain'—will God dwell on Thursday the 22d of April, J. T. Rutt, in temples made with men's bands'? Yes, Esq. in the Chair. The attendance was he will; he has -promised so tu do, and rather less than usual, but the day was

that promise has been fulfilled. passed very pleasantly. In the course of “ Here, too, is conveniency for mortals the evening notice was taken of the obli- devoutly and unitedly to associate together gations of the Unitarian 'public to the for the purposes of Christian fellowship, Chairman for the edition of Dr. Priestley's as well as for the worship of the Supreme Works, which he is now carrying through Jehovah. Universal then is the sanction the press, on which he has bestowed great wbich we have for the object before us;.it labour in the correction of typographical combines the suffrage of Gd and the sen. and other errors, and which be has en

timents of inen. riched with very numerous original and

“ We are now, then, met to lay the first

stone of a foundation on which a chapel is No serinou was preached before the to be erected, sacred to the service of God, Society this year; nor has it been the and as a place in which a Christian conuniform practice in this institution to have munity may cougregate for the discharge 3 religious service on these occasions. of public religious duties. We think the custom, however, a good

But let us not mistake; though this one, and hope to see it resumed.

stone is to commence the foundation for a place of Christian worship, yet observe, it

is for the building only. The foundation Unitarian Baptist Chapel, Dover.

stone of the Christian Church is Jesus THURSDAY, February 25, being the day Christ; as God said by the prophet, · Be. appointed for Jaying the first stone of the hold, í lay in Zion for a foundation, a nerv Unitarian General Baptist Chapel at stone, a sure foundation,' &c.• This stone Dover, notwithstanding the unfavourable- which the builders rejected, is wade the ness of the weather, a coucourse of people head of the corner.' When our Lord, after assembled together. About three o'clock inquiring what opinions prevailed respectMr. Sampson Kingsford, of Canterbury, ing himself generally, said to his disciples, Mr. Read, the surveyor, and other friends, “ But who say ye, that I, the son of Mali, attended by the Coinmittee, appeared on am ? the answer by Peter was, “ Thou art

Christ, the Son of the living God.' To The business was introduced by sing. which our Lord rejoined, . Upou this rock ing a suitable hymn; Mr. Kingsford then (or fact, or truth) I will build any church ; addressed the company in substance as and the gates of bell shall not prevail

against it.' “ CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,

“ On the same rock, as a primary truth " We are now met together for the pur- of Christianity, we wish to build. On this pose of laying the foundation stone on the apostles built: they went every where which a building is to be erected for the preaching, not that Jesus Christ was God, Worship of the One living and true God, as but the Son of God. Take away this stone well as for the dissemination of the gospel and the building is defective: on this imof our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. portant truth we wish to build as the basis

“ There is a God. This is a first prin. both of our faith and practice. ciple in religion; take away this,' and “We are by professioni Christians. If there can be no religion. This God is to you ask (as the sects and parties of the he worshiped and adored : even nations Christian world are diversitied) under what unenlightened by revelation bave had class we rank ourselves, we anstver, we strong impressions of the importance of call ourselves General Baptists; General, these solemn duties. But a question may because we believe in the universal love of arise when and where are these duties to God, and that Christ died to benefit all be performed to this we answer, every mankind; Baptists, because we baptize, where; in heaven, on earth. All 'nature and in the admission to a Christian church is God's altar. Earth and heaven form one assimilate in practice to the original method great temple for the service and worship practised and established by Christ and his of the living, eternal, uncreated Deity. apostles.

" The great God is unconfined; his “ The term Baptist is not an exotic in presence is erery where. Prayers may be the gospel history; for although modern presented and praises offered, whether ou sects are not there to be ourd, yet the a mountaiu or in a valley, in a palace or appellation Baptist is.

le rend of John a cottage, a temple or a desert, if appro- the Baptist, who was the berald to pro. priated to those particular purposes and claim to the Jewish nation the coming of there is no place where prayer and praise their king. Our Lord may also be denooffered in sincerity to God, are not heard minated a Baptist, for he was baptized in

92

6

the ground.

follows:

VOL. XIV.

Jordan, and he made and baptized more Aspland, Mr. Fox, Dr. Thomas Rees, Mr. disciples than John.' The apostles also William Frend, Mr. Christie, &c., amongst were Baptists; all the first Christians the number of subscribers. were Baptists; and the purport of the We cannot omit to notice, that a Unita. commission, Go, teach all nations, bap- rian Pædobaptist gentleman residing in tizing them,' &c., was to make all the London, but occasionally visiting Dover

, world Baptists. So far, then, from being gave the first guinea (which is not his only a modern sect, as some have insinuated, contribution) to this undertaking; also, we claim antiquity on our side, and are as that we received a donation of five pounds, a sect coeval with Christianity itself. being part of the first year's proceeds of

“ If it should be said that we are a sect the Parliament Court Fellowsbip Fund, every where spoken against; so were the and a like sum from the Tenterden Felprimitive Christians. We wish to reseinble lowship Fund. We have further the pleaihem in our sentiments, in the constitution sure to state, that Mr. Thomas Reed, build. of our churches, in our religious duties, in ing surveyor to Government for the coast

and holiness of ! our lives. If, therefore, in our views and firm attachment to Unitarian principles

, bas practices we ure so unfortunate as to differ very kindly and gratuitously drawn our from our brethren of other denominations, plans, and superintended the work. yet we wish to live in charity with all men. All this proves to us that the shade of We claim liberty of conscience for our difference between ourselves and our l'ajselves, and we allow that others have an tarian Pædobaptist brethren, does not preequal right thereto. To think and let clude that harmony of principle and union think is our motto. We trust the gates of of effort which we conceive to be insepa. heaven will be open to the good of every rable from the true spirit of Unitarianism. persuasion amongst Christians, and think

B. MARTEN. it our duty to hold every good man in Dover, March 20, 1819. esteem. 6 We shall now proceed to the imme. after be subjoined to the Repository; but

P.S. A list of the subscribers will here: diate object of our present meeting, and as there is yet a considerable deficiency t. may the society, at whose request we are now assembled,' be steadfast, unmoveable, of any friends whose contributions will be

be made up, we beg further to solicit the aid always abounding in the work of the Lord, gratefully received, and may be forwarded furasmuch as we know that our labour is

either to Mr. G. Smallfield, Printer, Hacknot in vain in the Lord.'" This speech was heard with the most land, near Dover, Keat.

ney; or to Mr. William Kingsford, Buckmarked and respectful attention.

Mr. Kingsford then proceeded to place the stone, wbich bad an appropriate inscrip

Unitarian Chapel, Flushing. tion. A stanza, composed by Mr. Read The Unitarians at Flushing, in Coro: for the occasion, was then sung; and Mr. wall, having engaged the old Methodist Pound closed the whole by humbly im- Clapel in that place, at a moderate rental, ploring the Divine blessing' on the efforts it was opened for Unitarian worship oa of the society, and, that having com- Tuesday, May 4, when Mr. Wright, who menced they might be enabled to proceed is on a mission in that county, delivered a in the work until they should " bring forth discourse on the leading doctrines mainthe top stone with shouting.”

tained by Unitarian Christians, principally The company, consisting of persons of with the view of shewing that they are various denominations, then separated, ap- clearly the doctrines of Scripture, and content parently gratified with the novelty not only be expressed in the words of Scriptures of what ihey had seen, but of what they without either addition or comment. A had heard.

respectable audience attended. I cannot finish this article without offering, through the favourable medium of the bis

The following extract from a communi. Repository, the gratefnl acknowledyments arrival in Cornwall, may not be unaccef" of our society for the pecuniary aids which table to our readers : it has received in favour of this undertaking. Our applications were first sauctioned by

66 The progress which Unitarianism has the following gentlemen :

island, is gratifying and encouraging. Rev. S. Kingsford, Rev. John Evans, When I first visited Cornwall, about eight Mr. George Smallfield, Rev. Robert years since, I found one Unitarian; when Rees, Rev. James Gilchrist, Rev. William found a little church of Unitarians; Aspland, Rev. W. J. Fox, Rev. Dr. T. Í revisited it, about four years since, I Moon, Dr. Crombie, and Joseph Holden, they had no convenient place to meet in, Esq.

and were under the necessity of assembling to find the naines of Mr. Belshan, Mr. of the towa, (Falmouth ;]

And it affords us no small gratification in a room, badly situated, at the end

but

now

they have

tes

a good chapel, well situated; and another Report of the Scotch Unitarian
is just opened at Flushing, on the other

Association.
side of the harbour. The cause is going

Toe Seventh Annual Meeting of the
on steadily, though not rapidly, and the

Association of the Unitarians of Scotland,
persevering exertions of the friends de-
serve every encouragement: were they

was held in Edinburgh on Sunday and
enabled by the Unitarian public to pay or Monday, April 25 and 26. There were
the remainder of the debt incurred by the few strangers from the country present on
erection of the chapel in Falmouth, it this occasion, but the communications re-

ceived from the different corresponding wy

would be likely to accelerate the progress members afforded satisfactory proof of the
of the cause among them."

gradual, but steady progress, of the cause

which it is the object of the Association Lesbian Quarterly Meeting of Welsh Unitarian

to promote.

On Sunday, the devotional Ministers.

part of the morning service was conducted Tag Quarterly Meeting of Welsh Unita- chapel, and a sermon was preached by the

by the Rev. T. C, Holland, minister of the rian Ministers was held at Llangendeyrn, Rev. B. Murdon, of Glasgow, from Romans near Carmarthen, on the 14th and 15th of April last, and was well attended both Christian.” To the afternoon Mr. Holland

x. 9, on “ The Scriptural Definition of a days

. In the evening of the 14th, Mr. J. preached an excellent sermon from Matt. Griffiths, minister af Llandyfaen, intro

xv.10, on “The Use of Reason in Matters duced; and Mr. J. Davies, minister at Capel.y-Groes and Ystrad, preached from Mardon delivered the Annual Sermon

of Religion ;” and in the evening, Mr. John vii. 40, and Mr. D. Jones, minister from John iv. 23 and 24, on "The Proper at Capel-Sion, and one of the tutors of the object of Christian Worship,” which was Carmarthen College, from Mark iv. 20. listened to with great attention by all preThe introductory part of the service on the sent, and at the request of the meeting

15th, was conducted by Mr. J. Thomas of Mr. Mardon has consented to its publicaPort Pant-y-defaid ; and Messrs. E. Lloyd of tion. The Report of the Association was

Wick, and J. James of Gelli-Onnen, read after the forenoon service, from which preached; the former from Acts xxvi. 29, it appeared that the number of tracts disand the latter from 1 Tim. vi. 3—5. Im- tributed by the Edinburgh and Glasgow mediately after the service a conference Tract Societies, during the last year, was held, at which the doctrine of super- announted to 2448. These comprehended, natural agency on the human mind, (the besides a variety of tracts of which copies subject discussed at the last mecting held had been formerly circulated by the Soal Swansea,) was resumed at the desire of ciety, a considerable number of Mr. Tursome of those who had attended the former ner's' Two Discourses preached at the meeting. Several persons spoke at some

Jast Association; of the Layınan's Leiter length, and many texts of Scripture, which were thought applicable to the subject, Dr. Smith's Appeal.

to the Protestant; and of extracts from

The comittee were explained; but the doctrine bad no supporters at the conference, though it is obtained admittance into families where

were happy to learn ibal these tracts have highly probable there might be many pre- the name of Unitarian was once heard with sent who believed it to be an importaat, if horror and disgust; and they think that not an essential part of Christianity.

a very perceptible diminution of bigoted It was resolved, that the annual meeting opposition is taking place. The Edinof the Unitarian Society rendered it incon- burgb Report stated the sale of books on venient to hold the quarterly meeting in behalf of the London Unitarian Society, by the summer, and, therefore, that only three their bookseller in Edinburgh, for the quarterly meetings should in future be held every year.

year 1817-18, the first year that books The annual meeting of the Welsh Unita- been seventy seven volumes, including

were sent by the Society for sale, to have rian Society is to he at Llandyfaen on the twelve copies of the Improved Version, 17th of Jane, and Mr. J. Thomas of Pant. and amounting to £12. 198. And during y-defaid, to preach the sermon.

the last year, although very little was done The question proposed for discussion at the next, and at every succeeding meeting the number of volumes sold increased to

to promote the sale by advertizing them, of ministers, till it shall go through the

one hundred and twenty.one, including whole circle, is, What are the best laws, thirteen copies of the Improved Version, rules, or regulations for the government of and amounting to £15. ls. These are a Christian church?

J. JAMES.
May 12, 1819.

* A copy of this tract has been sent for insertion in the Christian Reformer.

exclusive of a variety of other Unitarian “ To Mr. Fletcher, commonly called the publications consigned to the same book

Reverend Mr. Fletcher. seller from other quarters. The Edin- “ The undersigned being Protestant burgh Report also mentioned that the fund Dissenters, present to you the following for the crecii o of a chapel in Edinburgh Protest agaiust the Marriage Ceremony, is steadily improving; and that, with the to which, according to the law of the assistance of the friends of Unitarianism land, they are compelled to subscribe. in the South, the society hope that, at no They disclaim all intention of acting disdistant period, this very desirable object respectfully, either to the Legislature, or may be accoinplished. Letters were re- to its civil officer before whom they stand. ceived from Glasgow, Paisley, Neilston, They Jament that they are placed in a Dalry, Greenock, Falkirk, Blackford, Til situation so unnatural, as, that even forlicoultry, Newburgh and Dundee. From bearance to what they consider as esta. the Greenock letter it appeared that some blished error, would be a fornual recantaof the tracts distributed by the Association tion of opinions which they received on had been found useful : the writer ex- conviction, and which they will only represses, confidently, his persuasion that nounce on similar grounds. Unitarian principles had been gaining “ Against the Marriage Ceremony, they 'ground through the medium of these tracts; can but most solemnly protest. but gave no information with regard to the “ Because it makes marriage a religious money subscribed in England for the insteud of a civil act. Greenock chapel, nor with regard to the “ Because, as Unitarian and Protestant intentions of ihe friends in Greenock, of Dissenters, it is impossible we can allow appropriating that money to its object. of the interference of any humau instituThe following paragraph is extracted from tion, with matters which concern our faith the letter of Mr. Millar of Dundee: “ It and consciences. is my decided opinion, that a resident mi- “ Because parts of the Ceremony are nister, combining with other essential re. bighly indelicate, and must be to every quisites a judicious and well-directed zeal, correctly-constituted mind, extremely of would soon form a pretty numerous con. fensive. gregation bere. We have long struggled. “ Because the man is required to worin the hope of procuring that assistance ship the woman, though the Founder of to which we still look forward, and which Christianity bas declared that God is the we think would be attended with the hap- only object for a Christian to worship.. piest effects, in relation to what we con

“ THO. ESC. FISHER. sider the interests of true religion, but

“ AAN CHILD. pyhich neither the present number nor “ May 13, 1819." circumstances of the joined members of the “ And I further protest against the Mar. society, can enable us to procure, witbout riage Ceremony, because, after sereral aid from the friends of the common cause years' careful and impartial examination elsewhere.” At the meeting on Monday, of the arguments for and against the the Association entered into a resolution, doctrine of Three Persons in one God, I expressive of their cordial approbation and have been led to embrace the doctrine of hearty concurrence with the objects con

the Divine Unity, as held by Unitarians; templated by the Association, lately insti. and it is therefore impossible I should tuted in London, for the Protection of the willingly join in a ceremony performed Civil Rigbts of Unitarians. At the annual in the name of the Trinity, thereby redinner of the Association thirty-six persons cognizing a doctrine which I disbelieve were present-Dr. Gairdner in the chair. and abominate. Several interesting speeches were delivered,

“ THO. ESC. FISHER." and all seemed animated with that zeal for

The minister, on this occasion, omitted, the spread of the pure doctrines of Chris

at Mr. Fisher's request-part of the introtianity, which it is the object of such duction to the service-dispensed with the meetings to excite.

kneeling at the altar-placing the ring og T. G.

the book; and he omitted also, all the

prayers and the blessings which follow the Protest against the Marriage Service. words, “I pronounce that they be man

On Thursday, May 13, a marriage look and wife together, in the name, &c. (es. place at Kettering, in Northamptonshire, cept the first short prayer immediately folbetween Mr. Fisher of St. Ives, in the lowing). He particularly begged to go corinty of ITuntingdon, Attorney at Law, through the service, and to receive the and Miss Child of the former place. Protest in the vestry, and not at the allar, Previous to the performance of the cere- both of which were objected to.

His conmony a Protest was put into the hands of duct altogether was most liberal, candid the minister, of which the following is a and gentlemanly. copy:

Mr. Fisher had previously written lo