requires us to declare, that we believe the responsible Ministers of the Crown in Ireland to have been badly advised in almost every thing they have done and determined with regard to this Act since it became law." This condemnation appears to be justified, 1st, by the refusal to accept of the buildings, grounds, library and apparatus, of the Belfast Academical Institution, generously offered by the proprietors to the Government for the purposes of the Act, and by the threatened position of the Northern College at a distance from the town of Belfast. 2ndly, by the appointment of Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the new institutions. The least objectionable of these are Dr. Kane and Dr. Ryall at Cork; yet they are neither eminent in science nor academically experienced. Dr. Kirwan, the Galway President, is described as "an indifferent scholar, totally unacquainted with the sciences," and "destitute of experience." Dr. Henry, the President at Belfast, is thus described: "Dr. Henry is well known to possess barely such an amount of knowledge of language, literature and science, as would enable a student to take a degree, upon the lowest scale of qualification, at any College or University. He could not undertake to discharge the duties of Professor in any one class of the whole that are to be under his superintendence." It is not difficult to conceive that Lord Heytesbury and Sir Thomas Freemantle might, misled by interested representations, have made a very bad appointment in honest ignorance; but what are we to think if we credit the statement here made, that Dr. Henry candidly informed the Government of his deficiencies before he received his appointment? Sir Robert Peel must select wiser or honester Irish Ministers to do his bidding, or that country will continue to be his rock a-head. In the hands of men who can make so good a law as the Colleges Act an instrument of evil, what engines of oppression must the bad laws be which still disfigure the Irish Statute-book! The Monthly Religious Magazine, New Series, No I., January, 1846 (Boston). -This new and enlarged Series of our American contemporary, under the editorship of Mr. F. H. Huntington, opens well. The work very much reminds us of the first series of the Christian Examiner, which we confess we liked even better than the present more ambitious series, excellent though it be. We are glad to see that the names of the writers are prefixed to several of the articles. The principal contributors to the present No. are, Rev. Chandler Robbins, Rev. S. Osgood, the Editor, and Rev. S. K. Lothrop. The Editor's "Sunday-school Lesson" is an admirable paper, and will help many a teacher in making the Scriptures both intelligible and interesting to Sunday-scholars. Mr. Osgood's description of "Calvin's Career at Geneva," and Mr. Robbins' Memoir of Henry Ware, are both excellent. Contributions to this periodical are, we see, announced from the pens of Dewey, Frothingham, Gannett, Peabody, Waterston, and other well-known divines, so that we may predict for it a brilliant as well as useful career. The People's Dictionary of the Bible.-This instructive work is carried on by its enterprizing author with very great spirit. Hitherto, a Part has been published on the first of each month. We are willing to conclude from this circumstance that the Dictionary is liberally supported by the public generally, as well as by the Unitarian body. We are glad to record a great improvement in the style of the wood-cuts. We see Mr. Barker announces his purpose some day to print very cheaply "A Dictionary of the Bible." We regret this, because it must divert from the present work a share at least of that patronage to which it is so well entitled, and without which so costly a work cannot be completed. In his eagerness to do good to the mass, Mr. Barker must be careful not to injure others that are as able and zealous as himself in promoting human improvement. SIR, CORRESPONDENCE. ANCIENT PRESBYTERIAN TOMBS. I READ with interest in a late No. of the C. R. the account of chapels rebuilt or renewed since the passing of the Dissenters' Chapel Act, and think the Unitarian denomination is beholden to you for collecting so many facts in relation to their places of worship. I see, however, no reference to one kind of renovation, which is in many places needed, and which is due from the modern representatives of the old Presbyterian confessors of England. A century and a half has passed away since the founders of our English Presbyterian congregations went hence to their reward. The tombs which were erected to their memory by the piety of contemporaries, especially where exposed to the severities of our insular climate, are in some instances which I could specify defaced, and inscriptions which our fathers loved to read are no longer legible. This should not be. In these unimaginative days, it were an idle dream to suppose that some enthusiast will arise amongst us possessed with the reverent spirit of Robert Paterson, whom Sir Walter Scott has immortalized under the name subscribed to this letter. But surely it is enough to call attention to the subject, and each minister and congregation whose house of prayer is enriched with ancient tombs will at once "perform this tribute to the memory of the deceased warriors of the church." For, further to borrow the beautiful words of Scott, they ought to consider themselves "as fulfilling a sacred duty, while renewing to the eyes of posterity the decaying emblems of the zeal and sufferings of their forefathers, and thereby trimming, as it were, the beacon light which was to warn future generations to defend their religion even unto blood." But I would plead for something more than renovation. I should wish to see the walls of our houses of prayer adorned with memorials of their founders or first ministers. At the proposed new chapel at Leeds, let some simple marble slab tell to distant generations the faithfulness of Sale, and Sharp, and Todd, and Stretton. At Gee-Cross, let the same be done for Angier and Cooper. At Gloucester, let the name of John Bidle have its suitable memorial in Burton-Street chapel. Let the Presbyterians of Manchester do honour to the virtues of Newcome and Chorlton; and the congregation of Chester, to those of Matthew Henry. At Lewin's Mead, Bristol, let a tablet preserve a record of the services of John Weeks, and of Joseph Kentish, who (as his schoolfellow and friend, Calamy, records) at Merchant Taylors' School witnessed a good confession of Nonconformity when only eighteen years of age. There are amongst the "orthodox" Dissenters not a few who think the present race of English Presbyterians unworthy descendants of the first Presbyterian Nonconformists of England. An act of simple reverence such as I now propose would be a proof to them that, while dissenting from some of the opinions of our fathers, we appreciate with loving and reverent hearts their pure integrity, their enduring courage, and their pious and godly lives. OLD MORTALITY. SIR, THE LATE MR. ACTON'S SERMONS. WILL you permit us, through the medium of your pages, to inform your correspondent B. (p. 49), that "definite proposals" for the publication of a volume of the Sermons of the late Rev. Henry Acton, stating price and size, and the names of different persons who would receive the names of subscribers, were advertised, and extensively circulated by us, more than a year ago; and that it has been owing to no diminution of our interest in the object that it has not been accomplished. It is unnecessary to trouble your readers with the reasons which have prevented our going to press. But we are happy in being able to state that, having had the promise of assistance in bringing out the volume, it will now be published with all convenient speed, and that persons wishing to subscribe may send their names to either of us, in Bristol, or to the Messrs. Chapman, Booksellers, 121, Newgate Street, London. Bristol, January 22, 1846. WILLIAM JAMES, AMERICA. INTELLIGENCE. Harvard University.—We learn from the Boston newspapers, that the Corporation of Harvard University, a short time previous to the return of the Hon. Edward Everett from England, addressed to him a letter requesting him to consent to be put in nomination for the office of President of the University, in place of Hon. Josiah Quincy, resigned, and informing him that in that case he would receive the unanimous vote of the Board for the appointment, which, on the meeting of the Board of Overseers, would be laid before them for their confirmation. Mr. Everett has recently given an answer to the application, in which he has consented to receive the appointment.-The Christian Register states, that "the announcement of Gov. Everett's acceptance of the Presidency of this institution, is hailed with inexpressible satisfaction by all the friends of our venerable University, and of literature and learning throughout the land. EDWARD EVERETT is the name which all the people of all sects and parties, here and every where, have uttered, with one accord, as the successor of JOSIAH QUINCY. The most accomplished son of the College, whose heart has turned towards it, at all times, with grateful affection, during his whole brilliant career, at home and abroad, will now bring back the rich fruits of his experience, his most matured faculties, and the meridian lustre of his fame, and offer them up to its service."-By the annual catalogue, this institution now contains, Seniors, 67; Juniors, 67; Sophomores, 61; Freshmen, 78; general students, 6; making a total of 279 undergraduates. Then the Divinity school numbers 32; the Law school, 132; the Medical school, 157; and resident graduates, 15; making a total of 336. The whole number, therefore, of undergraduates and members of the professional schools amounts to 615.-In other Colleges, the undergraduates are, Yale, 435; Amherst, 118; Williams, 167. Dedication at Bridgewater, Mass.-The new house of worship erected by the first Congregational Society in Bridgewater was dedicated on Wednesday, November 19, 1845. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Bradford, pastor of the society, from Haggai ii. 7: "I will fill this house with glory."-The new church is an elegant building of the Doric order, seventy-two by fifty feet. It contains seventy-two pews, uniformly furnished. The interior combines richness with simplicity, and the exterior is adorned by a beautiful spire, one hundred and forty-five feet in height. There are few churches in New England of chaster proportions, or more favourably situated. We rejoice in the happy prospects of this ancient church. Church and Dedication at Troy, N. Y. -A correspondent of the Boston Religious Magazine thus writes:-"ThirTroy by Mr. Brown, late of Brattleteen years ago, an effort was made in boro'; but after some two months' preaching, the prospect was discouraging, and the attempt was abandoned. Since then, Unitarianism has not had rished it affectionately, did so in the an open advocate. The few who che solitude of their own bosoms. ImmeI felt the importance of a sister society diately after my arrival here last year, so contiguous,-and getting hold of the names of some two or three individuals, sounded them on the subject. They stood for some months aghast at the temerity of the idea; not until May last, when they had discovered one or two more of the reliably faithful, did could be got out to hear a sermon. they make an attempt to see how many On the first Sunday in June I preached house; and at least one sabbath serto some seventy people in the courtvice a week has been held from that time. In the course of two months, finding themselves actuated by a united and energetic spirit, they have purchased a house, formerly a Presbyterian house, in the heart of the city, have fitted it neatly, and on Friday afternoon, November 14, it was dedicated. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Farley, of Brooklyn, Rev. Mr. Pierpont, and by Rev. Mr. Harrington.-The chapel contains fifty-six pews, and enough have already been let to realize above seven hundred dollars per annum. This is remarkable for a society in a city wherein, six months ago, not a half-dozen Unitarians were known to exist. With favourable circumstances, much may be hoped from the character and spirit of this society. Rev. Mr. Pierpont will supply the pulpit until April next. Here, in Albany, we are slowly progressing in outward growth and rapidly in interior enlargement. A spirit of earnestness, unity and life is in progress, that promises to accomplish much for us.' Writings of Henry Ware.-We are glad to learn that Selections from the published and unpublished discourses and miscellaneous writings of Henry Ware, Jun., D.D., will shortly be published, especially as we are informed that they will include a new Devotional Work, designed by Mr. Ware as a continuation of that admirable treatise on practical religion, "The Formation of Christian Character, addressed to those who are seeking to lead a Religious Life." IRELAND. Portrait of the Rev. Dr. MontgomeryPublic Meeting. On Thursday, Jan. 1st, a meeting was held in the Commercial Buildings, Belfast, for the purpose of presenting the Rev. Dr. Montgomery with his Portrait, admirably painted by Knight, of London. William Sharman Crawford, Esq., M. P., the Chairman, read an address to Rev. Dr. Montgomery, stating that the gift was offered him by friends of different religious denominations and political parties. Though differing among themselves in religious and political opinions, they were fully agreed in paying to his private worth, public merits, and commanding talents, the strongest tribute of their affection, gratitude, and admiration. The address also alluded to Dr. Montgomery's efforts in the maintenance and promotion of liberty, civil and religious. The address then proceeded in the following terms: "The occasion in which this presentation originated was one of deep public and private interest. The religious rights and congregational properties of a large number of Christian societies in this country and in England were threatened to be invaded, under the operation of antiquated penal enactments. You, Sir, as well befitted you, took a leading part in resisting that extraordinary attack; and we recognized in the triumph of justice and liberty the operation of your great personal influence and distinguished abilities. It pleased God to afflict you in the midst of your exertions with heavy and protracted sickness; but even when prostrated on a bed of suffering, your zeal never abated, and your energies never flagged; and we recollect, with mingled gratitude and amazement, that even then your unbending energies and cloudless genius manifested themselves in a splendid and unanswerable refutation and exposure of the opponents of the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, whereby you disconcerted their projects, and afforded resistless aid in the achievement of the glorious triumph of truth and justice which speedily ensued." From Dr. Montgomery's eloquent and beautiful reply, we regret we can only select the following striking pasYou have been pleased to refer sage: to the great act of justice consummated in the passing of the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, as the occasion in which their presentation originated,' and to speak of my labours in the promotion of that measure in terms of eulogy, more suited to your own generous exaggeration of my exertions than to the actual value of my services themselves. That I laboured zealously, perseveringly, and amid some dicouragement, but with a spirit worthy of a good cause, is quite true; that I rendered some service also, I am happy to believe: but, under God, we owe the security of our properties to a Government magnanimous enough to do an act of justice to their political opponents-to Christian and enlightened statesmen of all parties, in both Houses of Parliament- -to the disinterested support of all our Catholic, and many of our Protestant countrymen—and, I firmly believe, in no small degree, to the uncompromising pertinacity with which our opponents declined meeting every overture for a settlement on the principles of substantial justice. I often think of the sad scenes through which I then passed, as upon a troubled dream wondering how we were ever assailed, but wondering, still more, how we ever obtained protection. Those sad scenes cannot fade from my memory; but the irritation of conflict, thank God, has died within my heart; and, if I cannot yet entirely recall my esteem for those who would have left me without a temple or a home, for no crime but the honest worship of my Creator, I can, at least, obey our great Master, by 'forgiving them from my heart!'"' Presentation of his Portrait to Rev. Dr. Drummond. On Jan. 30, an interesting meeting was held at the Strand-Street chapel, Dublin, in order to present. to Dr. Drummond his Portrait, as a token of the gratitude and love felt towards him by his friends and admirers in Dublin and elsewhere. The chair was taken by Counsellor Moody, and a very appropriate address was read on the presentation by Dr. Ferguson. Happy allusions were made to the honoured men who had in succession adorned the Strand - Street pulpitEmlyn, Abernethy, Duchal, the two Bruces, Plunket and Armstrong; and to Dr. Drummond's moral and intellectual attainments, which he had so zealously devoted to Christian truth and righteousness. The gift was acknowledged by Dr. Drummond in a speech characterized by his usual ability and eloquence. Gladly would we insert the whole speech, but in the crowded state of our pages must content ourselves with a single extract: "It is melancholy to reflect how little the principles of genuine Protestantism have been understood or regarded, and how little progress in religious knowledge has been made by the great body of mankind since the time of Luther's Reformation. The object of most of the new societies into which the Christian world was then divided, was not to advance, but to retard and limit, the progress of inquiry. Having burst the chains of papal tyranny, they were impatient to forge and to rivet other chains not less galling on the minds of those who were boasting of their emancipation from slavery. Vain boast! The Pope of Geneva was not less intolerant than the Pope of Rome, nor the yoke of Presbyterian Synods and General Assemblies less oppressive than the yoke of General Councils, -nor the fires which burned Servetus less cruel and tormenting than those which consumed Huss and Jerome of Prague.-What have the coarse intellects and unfeeling hearts' of the General Assembly of Ulster done to promote the cause of genuine Christianity? Ask the Court of Chancery! and it will tell us, that when they failed to dislodge us Unitarians from the high and holy position which we had assumed as servants of the One only living and true God, by the legitimate weapon of controversy, they hoped to prevail against us by the revival of certain intolerant laws, which, in the lapse of years, their very intolerance had rendered obsolete; and had it not been for the wisdom and justice of the British Legislature in passing the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, we should have been robbed of our houses of worship, of all our congregational properties, of the very funds which our benevolent predecessors had provided, and to which some of our living contemporaries largely contributed, to be a provision for the fatherless children and widows of your pastors. Such are the fruits of their Christianity, such the lessons they inculcate on their priest-ridden, downtrodden, miserably deluded and mystified congregations; and so certain were they of the success of their nefarious projects, they had actually began to quarrel about the division of the pillage. The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.' But, thanks to our Almighty Protector! in the hour of their anticipated triumph, they were signally defeated, and we still continue to worship in the houses built by our pious ancestors, and raise the voice of praise and thanksgiving to our great Deliverer, who hath rescued us from the fangs of the destroyer, who 'brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth."" In the evening there was a Soirée in honour of Dr. Drummond at the Northumberland Buildings, which was numerously attended, and some excellent speeches were delivered, under the presidency of Daniel Hutton, Esq. DOMESTIC. Appeal to the Unitarian Public in behalf of Mrs. Gisburne. In the year 1822, the Rev. John Gisburne, of Trowbridge, and previously of Soham, was deprived by a paralytic stroke of both bodily and mental strength. An appeal in behalf of Mr. G. and his destitute family was made by the Editor of the Monthly Repository (XVII. 418) to the Unitarian public. A considerable fund was raised to support Mr. Gisburne during the remainder of his life, and to provide for the children till they should be capable of supporting themselves. Mr. Gisburne died in 1826, leaving a widow and eight children. A considerable portion of the fund raised by the generosity of the Unitarian public was consumed in paying Mr. Gisburne's debts, and supplying |