22 Suffolk Place, Hackney Road, SIR, November, 12, 1819. town, and the shell of a commodious chapel is nearly completed. The HAVING been acquainted with estimated expense of this undertaking the Unitarian congregation at Boston from its first existence to the present time, having with pleasure seen the gradual progress of Unitarianism in that town, and being fully acquainted with the present circumstances and prospects of our brethren there, in compliance with their request, and prompted by the interest I feel in the promotion of trath and charity, I beg permission, through the medium of your valuable Repository, to submit to the consideration of the Unitarian public, and to recommend to their patronage, the case of the new Unitarian Chapel at Boston. The above congregation has existed but a few years; at first it consisted but of a few persons, and, though their number gradually increased, they had to struggle through many difficulties, which, by steady perseverance, they have so far surmounted, that, notwithstanding the opposition they encounter from the prejudices of their reputed orthodox neighbours, the prospect of success, of a large and respectable congregation being firmly established, is much greater than the most sanguine of them had dared, till recently, to expect. When the congregation was col. lected, by the zealous exertions of their first highly-esteemed minister, Mr. Platts, now of Doncaster, and a chapel became necessary, as but little money could be raised in Boston, it was prudent to erect merely a small place, on the most economical plan. For a considerable time this place has been found too small for the congregation, and there is good reason to think, were it larger, more people would attend, who cannot at present be accommodated; and the situation of it (the best which could be obtained at the time) has been found very inconvenient. Such being the case, after due deliberation, it has been judged essential to the interests of Unitarianism that a much larger chapel, in a more eligible situation, should be erected. Accordingly, a parcel of land has been purchased, sufficient for the site of a chapel and a burying-ground, in a most convenient situation, near the middle of the is as follows, viz. : £400 The ground cost about it Towards the defraying of which, the friends in Boston The value of the shell of the old chapel was estimated at £200, but it is feared it will not sell for more than Subscriptions already obtained from friends at a distance Leaving a debt, at present un- 0 0 0 40 0 1290 0 0 677 14 6 130 0 0 76 3 0 883 17 6 £406 2 6 I beg leave, in the name and on the behalf of the Unitarian congregation at Boston, to solicit the aid of the Fellowship Funds, and of the Unitarian public, towards the discharging of the above debt, necessarily incurred for the promotion of a cause which every Unitarian must think highly important. The population of Boston is rapidly increasing, and is at present supposed to amount to 9000 persons. The nearest Unitarian congregation to Boston is that at Lutton, which is nearly twenty miles distant. The surrounding district is very populous. This undertaking is not an experiment; the ground is tried, and the success morally certain. What the friends at Boston have themselves subscribed is a great proof and pledge of their zeal, and, considering their numbers and circumstances in life, more than is usually done in such cases. The congregation contains a number of promising young people. It is hoped, the consideration of these things will recommend this case to the patronage of the liberal friends of Unitarianism. I am, Sir, very respectfully, your and their servant in the gospel, R. WRIGHT, U. Missionary. P.S. I am happy to add the following recommendation of the above case, by my worthy friend Mr. Lyons, of Chester. "I have witnessed, with great pleasure, the very zealous and liberal exertions of the Unitarian congregation at Boston, and, being well acquainted with all the circumstances of their case, do most cordially recommend it to the attention of our brethren. "JAMES LYONS." Subscriptions are requested to be sent to the Rev. R. Aspland, Hackney; the Rev. W. J. Fox, 4 Suffolk Place, Hackney Road; or to the Rev. D. W. Joues, and Mr. C. Wright, Boston, Lincolnshire. London, November 15, 1819. Dr. T. Rees's Account of a Correspondence with W. Roberts, and the Native Unitarian Christians at Madras. SIR, HE case of William Roberts, and just to add, that if I can in any way forward the views of those societies in the country which have declared an intention to assist the Madras congregation, I shall feel great pleasure in co-operating with them either offcially or otherwise. If any thing is to be attempted it would be well, I think, that it should be done in concert. THOMAS REES, Secretary to the Unitarian Society. "To the Secretary of the Unitarian Society, of London. "REVEREND Sir, "I have received your letter, and the ample benefaction of books, safe ou the 26th of last month. My good master not being at Madras at the time of its arrival, it being left in his office, on his return I received them. Our joy and gratification on the occasion were great-no earthly possession can ever give such pure pleasure and sensation to the mind. May the Lord our God give us due sense and wisdom to profit by them. By this large collection some of my books are now This tante congregation of native courted. 1 een my books are now Unitarian Christians at Madras, having excited considerable attention among our Unitarian friends in the metropolis and in the country, it will, I doubt not, be interesting to them to learn what has been done in that quarter since the last account was published by Mr. Belsham, in William Roberts's second letter, which was addressed to him. Last year, Į was instructed by the Unitarian Society to open an official correspondence with William Roberts on their behalf, to convey to him a donation of books, and to assure him of their disposition to give him every encouragement and assistance in their power, towards prosecuting the work which he had so honourably and ably commenced. On the 8th instant I received a long letter from him in reply, dated Madras, the 30th of April, 1819. From this I transmit some extracts, in the hope that you will admit them into the Repository. The letter is at present under the consideration of the committee, and will, I suppose be, like the others, printed entire, or with the exception ouly of some communications which are of a private nature. I take this occasion them to others more freely than I could do before. Myself and my friends return our heartfelt thanks and obligation to the respectable Unitarian Society for their benefaction and kindness, and hope in the day of retribution it will not be found as lost upon us." [The next paragraph relates to an application to the proper authorities for leave to print in Tamul, some of the books which Roberts had prepared for the use of his flock. This part of the letter cannot be published at present. The writer then gives a copious analysis of two tracts which he had drawn up for publication. They relate to the Hindoo Mythology and superstitions, and are designed to lead the worshipers of Brahma, &c., to the knowledge of revealed religion, and the principles of Unitarian Christianity.] "My present labour in hand," he proceeds, "is notes and discourses ou the Gospels. Dr. Doddridge's Family Expositor, Dr. Priestley's Notes, Mr. Lindsey's Works, your Improved Version of the New Testament, and all other Unitarian writings that is [are] in my possession, are my guides. I do not think that I shall do much harn to my countrymen, as some thinks [think] that I does [do] it already, while I am guided by such masterly hands. I have wrote, and copied it fair, fifty-five sections al ready, following Dr. Priestley's order, except the story of the miraclous [miraculous] birth of Jesus Christ, which I pass by, only stating my objections against it. These notes I read in our chapel, whenever I am there, instead of sermous. My brethren are upon intent of copying and dividing these notes into small portions, so as to have them in circulation among them, there being nothing of the kind in our language." [After alluding to the difficulty of getting his MSS. printed, and noticing the scantiness of the means of himself and friends, he proceeds:]" Therefore, I and my brethren most humbly beg leave to lay our case before your respectable Society at large, as the man of Macedonia, Acts xvi 9,) to their beuevo lent considerations. You have, Sirs, already begun doing the work of benevolence and love upon us, and may he, who is the God of Abraham, the fear of Isaac, the strength of Israel, and the excellency of Jacob, put it into your hearts, bless and strengthen your hands to continue it, aud consider us as those who have received their religious birth from you,-not as those who presume upou the goodness of their parents, but as those who earnestly crave whatever assistance you could afford. In the present state of things you know full well that Unitarian Christians can expect little or no favour from any other quartertherefore, we would beg you to have an eye over us, that we may not be discouraged. Whatever assistance your respectable Society can or think proper to afford us, we shall think ourselves very happy with such bless ings, and thankfully endeavour to make [the] best use of it." "I have no fear of Indian Unitarians doing for themselves when they are once set agoing with necessary means, and multiplied into societies. The voice of Unitarianism is clear, distinct, sound, and penetrating into the inmost recesses of the understanding, whenever worldly interest and worldly glory is [are] not in contact. Unitarianism enters with little or no resistance, the deepest prejudices and revited [rivetted] errors of ages comes [come] down before it like the Egyptian frauds of old (Exod. viii. 19). In my humble opinion [of] Unitarianism only can [it] be said that it is like a fire, and that it is like [a] hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces. "In my account to the Rev. T. Belsham I said, that, after the death of my friend Annathy, our school was kept by a Trinitarian Christian of Tranquebar. This man died with Chollera Murboos [Cholera Morbus] in last October. After a while the school is opened again by a young man of our own society. We have also now another school under our direction, which is also kept by another young man of our society; but they are poorly paid. May Jehovah, the keeper of Israel, increase our numbers, and make things go easy with us.' "I have nothing further for the present, but to wish and pray that your respectable Society may increase more and more with its unresistable, pure and glorious light, and be the means of spreading it to all the world, to the honour and glory of the One Great God, our heavenly Father, even the God and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. "I remain, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, William Roberts, at W. Harrington, Seuior's. Madras, 30th April, 1819." 66 Clapton, November, 1819. SI believe many of your readers SIR, take an interest in the progress of the English settlement in the Illiuois, and a near relation of mine, who has just received a letter from a family that has lately arrived there, says I am quite welcome to publish any part of it I please, I have extracted all the information that it contains respecting the settlement, for insertion in the Repository, if it meet with your approbation. The family consists of a gentleman and his wife (an uncle and aunt of Mrs. Janson's) and their eight children: they occupied a farm for some years at Boustead in Surry, near to Wanborough, and were very much attached to Mr. Birkbeck as a neighbour. The letter is written by one of the daughters: it will be perceived that they are members of the Society of Friends. 66 T. H. JANSON. ‹ English Prairie, Illinois, "MY DEAR AUNT, "I feel much pleasure in addressing thee for the first time from this far distant land, or wilderness, as some of our friends doubtless imagine this place to be, but which, even at this early period, does not seem its proper appellation: we are, indeed, living in a log cabin, but nevertheless we are surrounded by agreeable and intelligent neighbours, who are situated like ourselves, and we have a much more agreeable society than when we lived at Banstead. This is a delightful country! displaying rather the mild beauties of nature than any bold aud romantic features. Accustomed as we are to see timbered land, we have not yet lost our taste for woodland scenery, and the prairies exhibit a fine space of open country, diversified with clumps of fine trees and delightful slopes: we have no river within view, which we do not much regret, as the neighbourhood of large rivers is almost invariably unhealthy, and which we understand is the case at present in many places on the banks of the Ohio. It seems a matter of regret that so great a barrier should hinder settlers from choosing residences on the shores of that grand and delightful river, which, though not nearly so large as the Mississippi, I much prefer, from the superior beauty of its banks. This place is considered remarkably salubriousthere has been very little illness here, and we have all enjoyed excellent health since we arrived, considering the long journey we had gone through -my dear mother's health is, upon the whole, improved since she left England. "You have, doubtless, heard many accounts of the progress we have made towards settling; it is not quite decided where our final abode will be fixed. It is most probable that my father and mother will reside at this place, where we have a cabin of our own and another rented one, but hope before winter arrives we shall have erected a convenient frame-house. This kind of building seems generally preferred on account of the great facility of erecting them, though brick is easily procured for chimnes, &c. Morris Birkbeck has nearly finished a large and commodious mansion of this kind, and we hope it will be completed in a few weeks, fit to receive his daughters, who have been absent almost ever since we arrived here, on a visit to their friends in Kentucky and Cincinnati. We shall be glad to see them return, as they are very amiable and interesting girls, and we promise ourselves much pleasure from their society. Their father appears to feel their loss very much; he has only his youngest son Charles at home with him, a very clever and ingenuous lad: we see a good deal of him and his father, as they live only about the third of a mile from us, and we much value the privilege of conversing frequently with so superior a man as M. B. Such energy of mind, depth of understanding, and elegance of manners, I should think were sel dom united. "The summer is certainly hotter here than in Englaud, and we sometimes experience a day or two of very sultry weather, but in general the heat is not at all oppressive, for the warmth occasioned by a more fervid sun is alleviated by a refreshing breeze, which is particularly delightful on the prairies. All kinds of melous ripen here without any other care than just digging the ground and sowing the seed; we have a great many of different kinds, which are growing most luxuriantly, and expect to gather some in a few days. Grape vines spring up in the woods spontaneously, but the fruit is small and acid, yet might, doubtless, be much improved by cultivation-we mean to cultivate all that spring up in our garden, with some care. It is thought that this would be a fine country for vineyards. At that celebrated little town Harmonie, they have planted European vines, and already make excellent wine. It is a great advantage to this settlement to have such industrious neighbours, from whom to procure many of the luxuries of life; but we shall principally be indebted to them for their skill in gardening, as from them we shall procure all the fruits that we were accustomed to in our native land. My father has paid them a visit, and was much pleased with the extraordinary progress made in four years, and the order and unanimity of their proceedings; he says it has the neatness and comfort of an English town, and there are many elegant and substantial brick buildings erected: they have also manufactories to supply themselves and others with all the conveniences of life, "In consequence of coming by way of New Orleans, we have seen less of America, than if we had travelled over-land. At that place, though the population consists principally of French and Spaniards, we saw many Eastern Americans, as we did also at Shawnee Town, where we were detained many weeks, and lodged at a public tavern. We generally sat down to table with upwards of thirty gentlemen, many of them employed in different trades and professions in the town, the rest travellers, and we are inclined to judge very favourably of the American character: they are in general well-informed and polite. This settlement is almost entirely Euglish-we have a few Americans amongst us, and they are agreeable. The back-woods-men are quite a class of themselves, some of them are wild, semi-barbarous people, but most of those we have near us, if treated well, are very civil; they sometimes pay us an uninvited visit, (the ladies, I mean,) and after sitting an hour, asking a few questions about England, and making good use of their eyes, they generally conclude with saying, well, I reckon I must be going,' wish us good day and depart. These women are in general very ignorant, but they are exceedingly independent, riding about the country on horseback, and visiting one another; their dwellings are not very cleanly, and, though very fond of finery, they do not look comfortably dressed like English women of the same rank of life. Some of the men are great raw. dies, as they are called, but by preventing the sale of whiskey in this settlement, we have now no disturbance from them. We cannot say the same of the town that has established, which is situated on a pleasant elevation about two miles from hence, and is considered a thriv. ing place. "Last week a great number of In dians paid us a visit, and encamped a few miles from us; they were very fond of stopping at the door to converse with us, and ask for a draught of water; they were very friendly, and fond of shaking hands with my brothers, and when they found we were all English, they exclaimed, “then good all;" they were Miamies, and were much finer men than most of the other tribes that we had seen on the shores of the Mississippisome of these were very tall and wellmade, and their faces by no means unpleasing, as far as we could distinguish through the stripes of vermillion paint with which they ornament themselves; they wear large feathers stuck in their hair, and silver ear-rings and bracelets; their chief, who called himself Captain Billy, and who was particularly sociable, had a ring in his nose: they bring moccasins and skins to sell, riding about on horseback at a very quick pace, but are sadly addicted to drinking whiskey if they can procure it. We feel no fear of molestation from them, as they are in general very peaceable; there was a skirmish between them and the Americans some time since, at Vincennes, when some Americans lost their lives, and three Indians were hung, which they feel as a deep disgrace, and have been very quiet ever since. "We have heard that W. Cand family sailed from England some months ago, but have received no intelligence of their safe arrival on this continent; we hope soon to hear from, or see W. C., as he had some intention of preceding his family. I hope this spot will have sufficient inducements for him to fix his final abode near us; it will be very delightful to have them for near neighbours. We expect another friend's family, and hope when they both arrive, to be able to form a little meeting of our own. There are no Friends in the Illinois, I believe, but there are a few in Indiana; and, as the country becomes more thickly peopled, there will, no doubt, be many of our society scattered in different parts. "My brothers are busily employed in hewing down trees, clearing land, and fencing in a garden, and we hope soon to begin farming on a pleasant tract of land, about a mile from hence, mostly prairie, where, I ex |