testimony to prove, have darkened its evidence, and deadened its influence throughout the whole stream of its past history. God blesses the sincere, the earnest, the endeavouring; and let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.""

Various resolutions were then passed relating to the appointment of officers and the rules of the Society; and at three o'clock, about fifty gentlemen dined together. The business of the Union was resumed, instead of the usual after-dinner toasts; and the discussion continued until it was time to prepare for the evening service. Mr. Barker lectured in the chapel, not in connection with the Union; but Mr. Montgomery had arranged for his visit on this occasion, in order that many of the friends from distant places might hear him. The chapel was crowded with persons of various classes and opinions, and great pleasure, we are sure, was experienced.

At ten o'clock on Wednesday (the following) morning, several ministers and laymen again met in the vestry of the chapel, at an adjourned meeting of the Western Christian Union, and continued together for about three hours. Thus ended one of the most interesting Association meetings that it has ever been our happiness to attend. The impression produced by it, we believe, is universally favourable; and we cannot but hope that the Western Christian Union, having been commenced with prospects so encouraging, will be found extensively useful, and do well the work which it has undertaken.

Stockport Unitarian Church.

On Sunday, April 26th, sermons on occasion of the fourth anniversary of the opening of the new Unitarian church were preached at Stockport by the Rev. S. Bache, of Birmingham. His excellent discourses were listened to with marked attention by a large congregation, and at the close of each service the usual collection was made for the purpose of defraying the still remaining debt upon the building.

On the following evening, Monday the 27th, a congregational tea-party was held in the spacious school-room beneath the church, which was well filled by the congregation and their friends. The chair was taken by the minister, Rev. D. Davis, who, after giving out a hymn, which was sung by the whole assembly, and making a

few introductory observations, proposed thanks to the Rev. S. Bache for his services in conducting the worship and delivering the discourses of yesterday, and expressed the pleasure that was felt in seeing him present on that occasion.

Mr. Bache responded in an interesting and manly speech, in the course of which he took occasion to advert to his family connection with Mr. Higginson, formerly minister of the HighStreet chapel, Stockport, and to pay a graceful tribute to the beauty of the building in which the congregation now assembles. In concluding, Mr. Bache proposed the prosperity of the Stockport congregation, which was acknowledged by the Chairman, and by Mr. H. Coppock, town-clerk, and senior warden of the church, who expressed himself most hopefully of the affairs of the congregation, and stated that its numbers continued steadily to increase. The Rev. J. J. Tayler, of Manchester, next addressed the meeting in a speech, the truly enlightened earnestness of which must have carried his words to the hearts of all present, on "The Religious Spirit-not confined to the services of the sanctuary, nor to the special offerings of devotion." He was worthily followed by the Rev. P. P. Carpenter, at present of Stand, who enlarged with great animation and power on the subject of "Moral Reformers-may their call be answered and their efforts successful." The familiar, but often little understood, sentiment, "Civil and Religious Liberty all the world over," was responded to by Mr. Herbert New, of Evesham, who brought fresh interest to an old theme. The interests of the "Sunday-schools of the Stockport Unitarian Church and associated Institutions,' were connected with the name of Mr. Johnson, one of the superintendents of the former and librarian of the vestry library, who read a report, somewhat at length, of both institutions. The school, which was opened in November, numbers nearly 100 scholars, among whom many have become subscribers and readers to the library. As the evening was already considerably advanced, the Chairman called on the Rev. Franklin Howorth, of Bury, to close the addresses of the evening. Mr. Howorth enforced the necessity for "the religious and moral training of the Young in our Sunday-schools,' illustrating his observations with many interesting extracts from the corre

spondence of old Sunday-scholars who had come within the sphere of his own observation. After a few concluding remarks, a hymn was sung, and a final prayer offered by the Rev. S. Bache.

Besides the gentlemen above mentioned, there were present, the Revds. R. B. Aspland, of Dukinfield; J. Taylor, of Dob Lane; Mr. P. E. Marsland, Mayor of Stockport; Mr. C. Hudson, Coroner for N. Cheshire, &c. &c. The proceedings of the evening closed at an advanced hour, and appear to have afforded pleasure and improvement to all present.

Bolton District Unitarian Association. The fortieth half-yearly meeting of this Association was held on Thursday, April 30th, at Chorley. It was numerously attended by members of various congregations in the district. The ministers present were the Revds. H. Clarke, F. Knowles, F. Howorth, Dr. Harrison, W. Probert and F. Baker. The religious services were introduced by the Rev. F. Knowles, and a useful discourse was preached by the Rev. F. Howorth, from the words, "Thy kingdom come," Matt. vi. 10. This kingdom was described as a kingdom of truth, righteousness and love. The blessings of its extension were devoutly acknowledged, while regret was expressed that there was so small an amount of real Christianity in the world. Some of the causes were pointed out why practical Christianity had not made greater progress. One was the practice of preaching Christianity in a style of vague generalities, instead of giving it a practical application to the existing evils of the time; and the superiority of the latter method was illustrated in reference to the great questions of war, slavery and intemperance. Other causes adverted to by the preacher were the influences of political institutions and the general education and habits of the people. 3. The inconsistencies of the lives of professing Christians. The preacher concluded by shewing the necessity of individual regeneration and of social organization for the promotion of true religion, urging the duty of presenting the religion of Christ less in a controversial and more in a positive and devotional form.

Tea was provided in a spacious room in the town, where a large party assembled. The minister of the place presided over this meeting, and called

upon all the ministers present in the course of the evening to speak to some sentiments connected with the progress or application of our religious opinions. The autumn meeting of the Association was fixed to be held at Cockey Moor on Thursday, Oct. 1st. Preacher, the Rev. J. Ragland; supporter, the Rev. F. Howorth.

Unitarianism in Southampton.

A small number of Unitarians have for the last two years regularly met together for public worship at the house of one of their friends, and have evinced a strong desire to aid in the extension of "pure and undefiled religion" to their brethren around. Influenced by these considerations, the members of the Southern Unitarian Fund Society have for some time past been desirous of assisting in this laudable attempt, and by the kind co-operation of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association have guaranteed the rent of a suitable place for worship for one year, and the necessary expenses attendant on its preparation for that purpose. The Rev. Edwin Chapman has preached, morning and evening, for four Sundays. Measures have been taken for continuing the lectures by other ministers for some time longer, and though the success of the attempt has not been so great as might have been expected, yet a sufficient degree has attended these exertions to warrant their continuance. In the mean time, the friends of Scriptural Christianity, not only in the district, but in other parts of the kingdom, to whom God has given the ability, are earnestly requested to come forward and assist this infant society with the means of securing the services of some stated minister who might be able to devote himself wholly to the propagation of religious truth, and give the experiment a fair trial. The funds already subscribed are altogether inadequate to this purpose. Further contributions will be thankfully received by Rev. E. Kell and Rev. H. Hawkes, Secretaries to the Southern Unitarian Fund Society; or by Mr. P. Brannon, 25, Carlton Place, Southampton, Treasurer of the congregation.

The friends to Unitarianism at Southampton are desirous of engaging the services of a minister who would for a short time encounter the difficulties of forming a new society, and the consequent uncertainty of income, and would be obliged by communications on the

Shildon Congregation. Mr. Hoade, the Unitarian minister of Selby, has called our attention to the Shildon congregation, in the North of England. The society arose out of expulsions, on the score of doctrine, from the Wesleyans; it consists of about twelve church-members, with an average attendance, in a confined room, of forty persons; and it is considered that if a fitter place could be obtained, congregations averaging above a hundred, and a Sunday-school of fifty children, well supplied with teachers, could be obtained. There is hope of securing a suitable chapel, if the means could be raised. The whole sum required is very small. The case is recommended by Joseph Barker and Dr. Bateman, who are personally acquainted with it, and consider it worthy of attention. The Rev. George Hoade, of Selby, Yorkshire, will thankfully receive any subscriptions that may be offered.

Shildon is situate near Darlington, in a populous and improving neighbourhood. The entire sum required for establishing this cause will not exceed 901., of which, it is expected, 207. will be raised by the congregation.

Warrington Sunday-School Union.On Monday, May 4th, a tea-meeting of the teachers and friends of Sundayschools was held in the large room of the Lion Hotel, N. Cooke, Esq., in the chair. We observed on the platform or in the body of the room members of almost all Christian denominations in the town-Baptists, Independents, Unitarians, Quakers, Methodists, and Lady Huntingdon's Connection. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Roberts on the moral condition of the town; by Mr. Robson, on the Sunday-school institution; by Mr. Ryland, on the duty of personal effort; by Mr. M'Minnies, on the advantages of union; by Mr. Phillips, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Leather and Mr. Wilson; and the evening passed over in uninterrupted harmony and peace.

Society of Preceptors.-Attention has of late years been called in various ways to the depressed social station of Educators, whose services to society entitle them to a better reward than they ordinarily receive. A Society has just been formed, the object of which is to protect the interests and enhance the

ing. This it proposes to effect by exacting from its members some test of capability and proof of qualification; the masters of public schools and graduates at the Universities alone to be exempt from this test. It is hoped by its founders that in time a corporate body or college, consisting of persons engaged in tuition, may be formed, to be called "the Royal College of Preceptors." In the mean time, the Society proposes to elect from its own body certain persons who shall examine applicants and grant certificates of qualification to Teachers. This plan will secure to the public a safe guarantee of the qualifications in character and attainment of those who aspire to educate youth. By it, the respectability of the scholastic profession will be enhanced, and in time it is hoped that the Schoolmaster will be placed by his office on a footing as to rank in society with the other learned professions. We foresee some difficulties in the organization and proper working of such a Society, but if its purposes be carried out with prudence, but, above all, unflinching honesty, it may be the means of good both to educators and the public. Great care must be taken, especially at the outset, to let no religious test be introduced, or the fate of the Society will be quickly sealed. One matter surprises us—it is that the originators of the Society of Preceptors have not yet decided whether female teachers and schoolmistresses shall be incorporated with it.

Episcopal Persecution.—It may be recollected that about two years ago, the Bishop of Exeter commenced proceedings against a gentleman who had been a clergyman in his diocese, but who previous to the offence charged against him had announced to the Bishop his secession from the Church. As, how. ever, the circumstances may not be fresh in the minds of our readers, we shall briefly recapitulate them. In 1832, the Duke of Somerset built a chapel at Bridgetown, in the parish of Berry Pomeroy, and the Rev. James Shore, the curate of that parish, was appointed incumbent by the vicar. In 1836, the vicar died, and in 1843, his successor exchanged livings with the Rev. Mr. Cosens. Soon after this gentleman's induction, the Bishop's secretary wrote to inquire whether Mr. Shore's license had been renewed. Finding that it had not, the Bishop

directed Mr. Cosens to refuse any application for the purpose from Mr. Shore, and withdrew his license from the chapel. The Duke of Somerset, indignant at these proceedings, directed his steward to have the chapel (which was his own property, and had never been consecrated) licensed as a Dissenting place of worship. Mr. Shore qualified himself as a Dissenting minister, and inquired from the Bishop's secretary whether any other step was requisite in order to withdraw himself from the jurisdiction of the Church of England. No answer being received, Mr. Shore proceeded to perform the service and administer the sacrament in his chapel, according to the rites of the Church of England. On this, the Bishop of Exeter, after monition, commenced proceedings against him in the Arches Court at Canterbury. Mr. Shore took the case into the Court of Queen's Bench, urging that he was no longer subject to ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Lord Denman lately announced the decision of the Court, which was, that there was no ground for a prohibition. Defendant was a priest of the Established Church, in holy orders, and nothing could divest him of that sacred character and the consequent liabilities of his vow, except the power ecclesiastical. No priest in holy orders could be divested of the sacred character, and of its duties, except by the same authority which had created him such priest in orders. By the 17th canon, no clergyman of the Established Church shall, after ordination, be allowed to use himself as a layman upon pain of excommunication by the ordinary and the ecclesiastical law." We presume, therefore, the Ecclesiastical Court will now proceed to pass sentence on Mr. Shore, and that excommunication will probably be his punishment. And let no one imagine that this punishment is slight. The excommunicated man, says Blackstone, "cannot serve upon juries, cannot be a witness in any court, and, which is the worst of all, cannot bring an action, either real or personal, to recover lands or money due to him," &c. (Commentaries, III. 102.) His mild, Christian Diocesan seems resolved on convincing Mr. Shore that he has "subscribed slave," and that a slave he shall continue to be. We hope the Bishop of Exeter will push this matter on to extremities, both to open the eyes of candidates for "holy orders," as to what natural rights they

are about to surrender, and to bring about the repeal of the barbarous statutes which thus give up the minds and consciences of clergymen into the keeping of intolerant and inexorable priests armed with the episcopal power.

Crimes of the Clergy.-The alumni of the Universities, candidates for the priesthood in the Church of England, have petitioned the Lords to increase the spiritual authority of the Bishops. They say "That your petitioners have observed with deep concern some recent cases of clerical delinquency, painful to every well-regulated mind, but peculiarly so to those who, like your petitioners, look forward with hope to the enjoyment ere long of the high privilege of being themselves dispensers of God's Holy Word and Sacraments. That in the cases referred to, facts which have exhibited in the delinquent parties gross profligacy and an utter disregard of the sacred office which they hold, have been brought home by undoubted evidence, and yet a measure of punishment has been inflicted which, as your petitioners believe, is greatly disproportioned to the heinousness and evil tendency of the offences committed."

A Move amongst the Baptists.-We hear from several quarters that there is considerable theological restlessness amongst the Baptists, and that there are not wanting indications of an advance towards liberal views amongst portions of this highly respectable religious body. At Hull, a rather inte resting movement has just taken place in the congregation which, forty years ago, was taught by the Rev. James Lyons, who in the year 1808 resigned the pastoral office in consequence of embracing the Unitarian doctrine. Since Mr. Lyon's time, the ministry at the George-Street chapel has presented two other heretics. The last is the Rev. Mr. Pulsford, a young minister who is described to us as possessed of much ability and taste. At the time when he was chosen at Hull, the Baptist interest was somewhat declining, but the popularity of his services gave the desired renovation. Lately, however, his deacons began to entertain suspicions of his being heretical. They called upon him to make a confession of his faith on the subject of the Trinity and the Atonement. In doing this, he avowed some recent modifications of his views, but maintained a kind of