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mediate issue, the final result would be glorious. If the courts of law should re gard Unitarians as unprotected, the legislature would eagerly come forward to effect its intentions, and vindicate them from the calumny with which our opponents had dared to asperse them.

The

Mr. T. concluded by expressing his assurance, that although the object of this Society was to protect a particular sect, there would be no exclusive spirit in the feelings which it would engender. Our charity had not begun, and assuredly would not end, at home. In defending our own rights, we should only refresh and enliven a spirit which would make our adversaries free men in their own despite, and derive new vigour for the general cause. protection of Unitarian institutions was, indeed, most important to the canse of religious freedom; as in their success was to be found its most productive germ. For who so likely to support it with undecaying energies, as those who feel its principles in every sentiment of their creed; who look not down, as from a pinnacle, on their fellow-men, on whom they are to dispense their benevolence, but grasp, in strong sympathy, all that is human; who alone make charity an article of their creed; and who look on all men as members of one family, the children of one Father? Never would they relax their exertions, till all that kept this great family asunder was thrown down, and every obstacle removed which was designed to obstruct the free devotions of the hearts of its diversified members from ascending to their common Parent.

The motion was put on the preamble and first rule, and carried unanimously.

MR. RUTT rose to second the second resolution, and to express his hearty concurrence in the measure. He was one of a few among those who had known very different times, that had survived to witness the accomplishment of such undertakings as the present; and he was confident that many with whom it had formerly been his happiness to co-operate, would have known no higher gratification than the assurance that their writings and endeavours would prepare the way for such happy results. He was desirous to express his entire approbation of the proposed Institution, and the more especially because no one there, perhaps, had better reason to know the necessity of it. He had long been associated with the Deputies, from whom he had uniformly received the greatest courtesy, and of whom it would little become him to speak otherwise than in terms of the highest regard; and this circumstance furnished him with the means of making some observations on what had been said on that part of the subject before this meeting. His friend Mr. Aspland would

excuse him, he knew, for saying that he had not been quite correct in asserting that the Deputies never interfered in dif ferences between parts of a congregation. They had sometimes done so, and with very good effect; and he was sure, if any of the highly respectable men who composed that body were asked, whether the cir cumstance of a person's being an Unitarian would form any objection to extending to him their protection, they would decidedly answer in the negative. Still no one could wonder if prejudices, to a certain degree, obscured the better judgment and damped the zeal of such persons, in support of an individual whose opinions were very much at variance with their own. Mr. Wright was so circumstanced. His case was referred by a general meeting to the committee, which determined not to interfere at the next general meeting it was proposed to consider this decision of the commnittee, but the previous question was carried by a majority of one. He could, he believed, state the probable grounds of the committee's determination. There had been reports of imprudences and indiscretions on Mr. Wright's part, (he believed wholly groundless,) which might induce the decision, but it was very probable that they would have made much less impression, and been justly treated as calumnies, if it had been the case of an orthodox minister. To provide, therefore, for these occurrences, he certainly thought an Institution, like the one proposed, highly expedient. The very great use of such bodies, arose from the weight and support which their very name gave to small societies of individuals in remote places, who otherwise might be despised and trampled under foot.

He could assure the meeting, that whatever number of cases of effectual assistance might appear on their books, the actual number would be far greater: the small congregation of a village would acquire weight by its known connexion with them, and thus appear too strong for persecution; and many individuals and societies would be essentially benefited by the connexion, whose names would never come before them.

With regard to the marriage ceremony, Unitarian Dissenters were most particularly aggrieved by the forms of the Churches of England and Rome. In the Geneva form there was no expression, he believed, to which an Unitarian could object. But whatever the form, he thought Unitarians, and indeed all Dissenters, ought to unite to get rid of it as a religious institution altogether. It appeared to him, that each religious sect ought to be left to perform any rites it thought best, but that the legal part of the contract ought to be civil. He had often thought

of calling the attention of Dissenters in general to the subject. There was, he believed, a statute yet in force authorizing the minister to inquire, before he performed the ceremony, whether the party had been baptized. An instance of this inquiry had once been brought before the Deputies, who were going to take it up, but the young man, whom it concerned, was in greater haste than they, and he suffered himself to be baptized first, and married afterwards.

He would only add, that it was no answer to the arguments in favour of these associations, to say, that the government and the courts of the country were liberally disposed. He remembered to have once heard Lord Ellenborough himself, in a case of private libel, breaking out, as it were, in his father's spirit, when Sir Vicary Gibbs, then Attorney-General, was endeavouring to harass a witness, and prejudice the court against him, by making him confess he was an Unitarian, and observing, “What does it signify, Mr. Attorney, to what denomination of Christians the witness belongs?" and yet the same judge would have been obliged, if called on, to put in force laws which treated this man as a blasphemer, unworthy of the Christian

name.

MR. HOLDEN, of Tenterden, observed that it was not his intention to have offered himself to the notice of the meeting, but that he felt it incumbent on him, at the same time that he united himself with the present Association, to disclaim any intention to be in the remotest degree disrespectful to the Deputies, from whom he had received the most polite attention. He was extremely happy to find this feeling so general, and was convinced that no slight could be intended. He had had occasion to apply to the Deputies for their advice and assistance, in the case of a person whom the minister of the parish refused to bury, because he had not been baptized in the Church; that assistance had been readily given, and had been attended with the best effect, for the minister read the service six weeks after the death and interment of the person in question. He took that opportunity of expressing his grateful acknowledgments, and was confident, that, in joining the present Association, he was not doing any thing which would appear disrespectful to the body to which he had alluded.

The second resolution was carried unanimously.

DR. THOMAS REES seconded the third. He also wished to bear testimony to the polite attention he had always received from the Deputies; but, at the same time, it appeared quite clear to him, that cases peculiarly belonging to Unitarians could not be effectually conducted there, nor

ought matters of exclusive interest to them to be left to be attended to at the trouble and expense of that body, which had already large claims on their exertions and their funds, in behalf of the general community of Dissenters. The third resolution was then unanimously agreed to.

MR. RICHMOND seconded the fourth resolution. Were they about to publish a crusade, he observed, against the possessions of their brother Dissenters, their object would be justly reprobated; but to their associating for protection, he could see no objection. The peculiar advantage of societies like this, was, the facility which it afforded for collecting and preserving that sort of information, of a mixed character, partly legal and partly religious, which it would be difficult to obtain from the mere lawyer. This had been frequently experienced. If this Society was formed, every congregation that might happen to have its property or rights invaded, would have the opportunity of the immediate assistance of gentlemen, not only acquainted with the law, but who had uuited that sort of religious and legal knowledge, which was so necessary for the proper conduct of such causes. Every one would then know where to go for information on these points, and in most cases would, in the first instance, receive an opinion on the question in dispute, that would decide the matter, and answer all the purpose of expensive judicial proceedings.

The fourth resolution being unanimously agreed to, MR. RICHARD TAYLOR Seconded the fifth. He should only express his entire concurrence and approbation. They had peculiar disabilities, surely they ought to have peculiar Associations, by which they would not only benefit themselves, but confer a benefit on society in general, in removing one portion of the load of intolerance.

The sixth and seventh resolutions were then seconded by DR. MORELL and MR. PARKES, and carried unanimously.

Some discussion arose (in which MR. GIBSON, MR. RUTT and DR. T. REES took a part) as to the propriety of having the officers chosen by ballot, which was, however, given up, the general feeling seeming to be against it.

The eighth, ninth and tenth resolutions were seconded by MR. YOUNG, MR. IVES HURRY and MR. SMALLFIELD, and agreed

to.

MR. Fox observed the vessel was now built and rigged, and they only wanted to man her and set her afloat. He had but little to say, but that he hoped would be to the purpose. The main point was to raise the wind, and a breeze from the country, he believed, was most necessary to set them afloat. In the few days that

had elapsed since the summonses issued, be was happy to say he had received letters of approval from several ministers, and on behalf of several congregations, which would become members of the Asso ciation. The approbation of Dr. Carpenter, of Bristol, would have great weight: besides that, he had letters from Mr. Soott, of Portsmouth, Mr. Worsley, of Plymouth, Mr. Toms, of Framlingham, Mr. Blake, of Crewkerne, Mr. Astley, of Halifax, Mr. Grundy, of Manchester, as "Chairman at the Quarterly Meeting of the Ministers of the Presbyterian Denomination and their Friends in Manchester and its vicinity," Mr. Turner, of Newcastle, Mr. Probert, of Alnwick, Mr. Knowles, of Nantwich, Mr. Moore, of Meadrow, Godalming, and Mr. Ashworth, of Rossendale. These names would, he thought, abundantly shew that the feeling of the country, was the same as that of London, and many others, he knew, only waited for the official announcement of the proceedings of that day. *

Of course it was of importance their offices should be well and ably filled. The names of many persons would have been obviously very desirable, but they were already connected with other societies. The Treasurer should be a man of acknowledged worth, stability and character, and he knew no one better qualified than MR. YOUNG. He therefore moved,

"That JAMES YOUNG, Esq., of No. 16, 'Change Alley, and of Grove Place, Hackney, be appointed Treasurer for the ensuing year."

MR. HOLDEN Seconded the motion, and observed, that he attended the meeting at the request of his congregation, and that be had no doubt they would, on his return, eatirely concur in what had been done.

The resolution being carried unanimously, MR. YOUNG returned thanks to the meeting. Ile was anxious to observe, that there was, in his opinion, no impropriety in his accepting the appointment, although a member of the Protestant Society. For his own part he liked best to fight on on general principies; but he conceived the general body was fully employed, and that, for special purposes, it was much better to form particular institutions. He would only add, he hoped gentlemen would not make his office a sinecure, as he was not in the habit of accepting such appointments.

Ma. Fox said he thought all would agree it was desirable to have a legal man their Secretary; he would therefore move "That MR. EDGAR TAYLOR (No. 9,

The Rules, &c. will be printed, and, together with an official announcement of the proceedings of the meeting, be circulated as early and widely as can be.

King's Bench Walk, Temple) be appointed
Secretary for the ensuing year."

MR. ASPLAND seconded the motion, observing, that he knew no one so well qualified for the office as the gentleman proposed. His family name was of itself a recommendation, and to this he added the personal qualities of knowledge, firm. ness, zeal and affability. To Mr. Edgar Taylor the public were indebted for the valuable report of the proceedings in the Wolverhampton Case, which was published in the Monthly Repository, and he had now the conduct of that important cause. It ought to be known also, that Mr. Taylor had done more than any other individual towards originating the Asso

ciation.

This resolution being unanimously carried, MR. TAYLOR returned thanks for the honour the meeting had done him, and for the obliging terms in which the gentlemen had been pleased to propose his appointment. He could only say, that no zeal in the protection of their Civil Rights should be wanting, and that he should readily afford as much exertion in their cause as other engagements, many of which had a prior claim on his attention, would permit. He should regard his appointment, as he hoped they did, merely as an experiment, on both sides; they would soon judge of the extent of the business before them, and the attention it would require, and if he should find that the assistance he could give was insufficient to the end in view, he had no doubt they would relieve him by appointing him a colleague or successor, as should seem most for the benefit of the Association.

The following gentlemen were then appointed the first Committee:

JOHN CHATFEILD, Esq., Stockwell, Surrey.

REV. R. ASPLAND, Hackney.

THOMAS GIBSON, Esq.,Trump Street.
DR. THOMAS REES, Somerset Place,
Kennington.

IVES HURRY, Esq., London Wall.
S. PARKES, Esq. Goswell Street.
RICHARD TAYLOR, Esq., Shoe Lane,
REV. W. J. FOX, Suffolk Place, Hack-
ney Road.

T. N. TALFOURD, Esq., Inner Temple.

C. RICHMOND, Esq., Inner Temple. It was then moved and agreed, that the appointment of the present officers should continue to the general meeting in 1820.

MR. RUIT said it was impossible they could separate without bedring a testimony of respect and gratitude to the gentlemen who had called them together. They all knew the difficulty of uniting particular opinions, so as to bring them into general

measures: he should move

"That the grateful acknowledgments of the meeting be offered to the Committee of the Unitarian Fund, and the other friends of the Unitarian cause, who have discovered so much zeal and judgment, in convening and preparing the way for the present meeting."

This being agreed to, Mr. RUTT moved, "That the thanks of the meeting be given to the Chairman, for his uniform services to the Unitarian cause, and for his able conduct in the Chair on the present occasion."

Mr. ASPLAND said he had great pleasure in seconding the motion, and observed, that it ought to be explained why they had not secured the advantage of such names as those of the Chairman and the Mover of the present resolution on their Committee. The only reason was, that it was thought best at the outset not to elect for this office gentlemen who were on the Committee of Deputies, as he hoped both Mr. Rutt and Mr. Christie, who represented the New Gravel-Pit congregation, at Hackney, would be.

The motion was unanimously carried; the Chairman returned his acknowledgments; and the meeting was dissolved.

About fifty gentlemen gave in their names to the Treasurer, as members of the Association.

Communications are requested to be addressed to the Secretary, and subscriptions to the Treasurer. Congregations wishing to enrol themselves in the Association, are requested to make known their intention, and to report the names of their representatives some time before the annual meeting at Whitsuntide.

Late Proceedings in the Wood Street,

Spitalfields, Charity School. Monday Evening, Nov. 30, 1818. A numerous Meeting of the Managers and Subscribers to the Wood-Street Charity School was held at the School-House, Spitalfields. Chairman, James Collins, Esq. Agreeably to a notice given, the Rev. R. Stodhart, of Pell Street, Ratcliff Highway, stood up, and moved that "the children of the school should no longer attend at the chapel, Worship Street; adding, that the people assembling there denied the co-equal and co-essential Godhead of Jesus Christ; and with Unitarians would be damned to all eternity!" This profound and liberal divine had declared, at the former meeting, that he that worshiped the Father alone, without God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, was an idolater; for the Father alone was a false Deity! True Christians, however, that follow the New Testament, and not the Assembly's Catechism, will continue to adopt the words of the apostle Paul:

(Ephes. v. 20,) "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father," without fearing to incur the guilt, or hazard the punishment of idolatry. But to proceed. Mr. Stodhart was supported by Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Islington, who unhesitatingly declared, though in a somewhat milder manner, that all denying the sacrifice of Christ and the influence of the Eternal Spirit, were not entitled to the name of Christians, and could not be saved in the world to come! Three Calvinistic gentlemen, much to their honour, Mr. A-n, Mr. L—e, and Mr. E—r, ably and zealously opposed the motion, as antichristian, and pregnaut with mischief to the charity. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Teulon followed them in the inculcation of similar sentiments; when the Rev. John Evans, concluding the business, spoke thus:

MR. CHAIRMAN,

66 to

It is only justice to myself and a duty I owe to the morning church at Worship Street, over which I have presided as Pastor near thirty years, to say a few words on the present occasion. Last week I received in an envelope two communications of a very contradictory nature, and which I now hold in my hand. The one is a notice of the present meeting, prevent the Wood-Street Charity School from attending any longer at Worship Street ;" and the other is the little book containing the rules of the school, the first paragraph of which states, that "this school was founded in 1717, without the least distinction of parties and denominations, and has been ever since supported upon the same Catholic principles." Now, Mr. Chairman, judge my surprise when these contradictory communications came to hand. Has this school, said I, abandoned these Catholic principles? No; I have never heard any thing of the kind. Have the church at Worship Street altered their religious principles? No; I have been with them as pastor twenty-seven years, and the only alteration has been the admission of Free Communion, which I pronounce an improvement in candour and charity towards our Pædobaptist bre

This gentleman rung changes on the Assembly's Catechism, which is taught the children; and the children hearing at Worship Street any thing hostile to the Catechism, seemed most to distress him, The Bible appeared to be forgotten. But it is worthy of remark, that even Neal, a zealous Calvinist, says, of the Assembly's Catechism, in his History of the Puritans, "It has by some been thought a little too long, and in some particulars too abstruse for the capacities of children!"

Within

ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be mea. sured to you again.'

thren, whom we highly esteem, (though temper and disposition-the heart itself they differ from us on the subject of bap- that the Supreme Being regards with ap tism,) distinguished as they in general are probation. We touch one another on for their virtue and piety. What then can every side. It is therefore our behaviour be the ground of the extraordinary purpose and conduct towards each other through for which this numerous assembly are life that will be inquired into at the last called together this evening? Have we great day of account, when the plaudit at Worship Street been deficient in our will be uttered, "Well done, good and subscriptions to this charity? No; almost faithful servant; enter thou into the joy every person of property amongst us is of thy Lord." We trust nevertheless that a subscriber; and a very few years ago, we are right in our religious principles; owing to the pressure of the times, when but being fallible creatures, we would the support of the school was diminished, avoid all dogmatism and uucharitableness. I among others was called upon to double We only claim that liberty which we freely my subscription; which was immediately grant to others. We condemn not our bredone. Have we at any time been back- thren of different sentiments. To bear ward with our annual charity sermons, and forbear is the indispensable duty of when it came to our turn? No; last May bumanity. They differ no farther from two serinons were preached for this pur- us thau we differ from them. We would pose at Worship Street; and both myself view all our fellow-christians with an eye and colleague gave up to two respectable of love and benignity. "Judge not, that ministers-Dr. Philipps and Mr. Fox-ye be not judged; for with what judgment under the idea of their obtaining a larger sum for the charity. Have our deceased friends been deficient in legacies to the institution? No; far from it. these last ten years, no less a sum than £1200 hath been bequeathed for the beLeat of the Wood-Street Charity School! My late worthy friend and constant heater (Mr. Joseph Coope), who left you £1000 sterling, a little more than twelve months ago, was attached to this school on account of the liberal principles by which it is characterized; and hence his munificent legacy! Had this cloud of illiberality which has been gathering around our institution appeared in his life-time, and been suffered to obscure its glory, not a farthing of his money would have been Dow in your possession. But on account of its catholic principles he befriended it through life, and at his decease left a permanent inemorial of his regard to posterity! Thus the living and the dead at Worship Street have been studious of the welfare and intent on the prosperity of the charity. After this are we to be told that it is in contemplation to remove the children from their attendance at Worship Street? Justice and gratitude dictate au opposite conclusion.

But our religious principles, it seems, are dangerous, and pregnant with mischief to the minds of the children. As to our principles, they are now what they have always been; founded on the New Testament. We firmly believe in the divine mission of Jesus Christ, who lived and died for the great family of mankind. Our creed is indeed summed up in the words of the Saviour: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." But, Mr. Chairman, it is not theoretical principles that make the Christian; it is the

VOL. XIV.

I

But we are not met here, Mr. Chairman, to discuss confessions of faith; we are desirous of joining heart and hand to promote the interests of the charity. And has it not been found that the catholic principles on which the school is conducted have ensured its prosperity? It has been established upwards of a hundred years; and last year you celebrated with joy and gratitude its centenary anniversary! On that, as well as on every annual occasion, its liberal principles have been mentioned in terms of the highest commendation. And I well recollect how at your annual dinners the late Dr. Henry Hunter, your revered and perpetual chairman, (and he was a Calvinist,) dwelt on the catholic basis of the school, descanting most eloquently, so as to electrify and delight, by his expanded sentiments, the whole company. Your institution, indeed, reared on its broad foundation, has stood the test of time, whilst other institutions, of a more narrow and contracted spirit, have sunk and disappeared for ever! Your charity having survived a century, with increasing prosperity and glory, resembles the British oak, which, through each successive period, only strikes deeper its roots, and extends more widely its branches; blessing, by its grateful shade, those wha seek and enjoy its protection. And thus it is that the most excellent of all our religions societies for "distributing Bibles without note or comment," hath spread itself to the ends of the earth. *

In the account of the British and Foreign School Society, it is admirably remarked, "Education conducted on enlightened principles, while it inculcates the purest morality and the most impor

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