to the duties and obligations of that sacred relation-the communion of Christian brethren around the sacramental table-and the commingling of sympathies over the bier of the departed. These he described as forming the true consecration of the temple of God, and of this in whose beautiful courts the congregation before him were assembled. To these purposes it was to be dedicated; by these it was to be consecrated; and, as the preacher touchingly dwelt upon these, in their turn, with all the pathos which a suggestive conception, a pure heart, and a thoughtful head, together with an eloquent tongue, could supply, we saw many a wet eye among the large congregation around us."

The body of the discourse was a contrast between Unitarianism and the different forms of Orthodoxy, shewing its freedom from the objectionable characteristics of the latter. In the evening, Dr. Putnam, from John xviii. 37, delivered to a crowded audience a discourse on "Jesus a Divine Teacher, and what he taught."

On the following day, the Committee reported several resolutions for the consideration of the Convention. The first was passed unanimously: "That the Unitarian Christianity, being derived solely and wholly from the Scriptures, avoids alike the errors of hierarchical and traditionary faith and discipline, on the one hand, and of the Rationalistic theory on the other."-The second resolution was, "That while we adopt our theology on account of its scriptural truth, we hold it pre-eminently valuable for its influence upon the personal character."

Mr. G. G. Channing, of Boston, sustained the resolution at some length, and gave some interesting statistics of the Unitarian connection. There are 250 regular churches-average attendance, 75,000; communicants, 18,000; average number of communicants to each church, 75; 27,000 Sunday-schools -4800 Sunday teachers."Father Taylor" (the well-known eloquent preacher to the sailors in Boston) came forward and went into an elaborate defence of this resolution. He spoke of the deep interest which this Convention had with him. He intimated that, though not of the Unitarian connection, he found them not at all in his

He liked their character. He had been invited to attend this Convention by the pastor of the church, and had done so with great satisfaction, for he had heard preaching of great power here. He highly approved of the wide and high walk of the denomination, and believed it to be the truest gospel preaching.

The third resolution pointed the attention of the Convention to "the changes which have been adopted by some of our congregations in the mode of conducting public worship." Upon this resolution there was some conversation, in the course of which Rev. Dr. Dewey and a minister from Providence expressed opinions in favour of set forms of prayer and the introduction of a Liturgy into the church, to be used in connection with spontaneous prayer. Dr. Gannett thought the introduction of the topic was an interference with the rights of congregations. "What was wanting, in his opinion, was not forms, but a more truthful and entire devotedness of the whole heart and soul, with all their powers, to God. This was the beginning of the spiritual life, and nothing could ever come of a religious profession not based upon this principle. To that the efforts of Christians should be directed, without reference to the forms by which it was done." He moved to lay the resolution on the table, which motion, being seconded, prevailed, without a dissenting voice.

The other resolutions were "That the recent death of a venerable teacher of theology to many of the members of this Convention, Dr. Henry Ware, Senior, and also of one of the former Presidents of the Unitarian Association, Mr. Justice Story, and of one of its distinguished Vice-Presidents, Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, calls for our solemn and affectionate commemoration of their Christian worth and valuable services in the cause of truth.' "That whilst we steadfastly maintain the independence of the individual congregations, we cordially favour such modes of association and organization as may quicken the life and secure the purity of our churches."

In the evening, Dr. Peabody delivered in the new church an impressive sermon on the moral influences of the Resurrection of Christ.

DOMESTIC.

The Church-Building Society.-From the 27th Annual Report of this incor

porated Society, it appears that during the year 140 grants have been made, of which 80 have been for the erecting or rebuilding of churches, and 60 for the enlargement, &c., of churches already built. Church-room has thus been provided for 42,800 persons, six-sevenths of which is free. The grants amount to £59,432. From the names of places mentioned in the Report, as well as from circumstances in our own knowledge, we fear that the funds of this Society are administered chiefly with a view to oppose Dissent. "Spiritual destitution," to use a favourite phrase of these Church-crusaders, is generally measured by the number of Dissenting places of worship, rather than the absence of religious instruction. Thus we find the Society is erecting churches in the parishes of Oldham, Bolton and Ashton-under-Lyne. In p. 8 of the Report we read the following choice passage, which sufficiently discloses the evil mind of the Church-builders: "The third application, received at the same meeting, was from the neighbourhood of Bristol (district of Warmley), where a population of 2000 was described to be frightfully teeming with dissent, poverty and profligacy." Whether a desire to suppress the "dissent" or the "profligacy," thus put in invidious juxtaposition, were the ruling motive of the reverend and right reverend committeemen who distribute the funds of the Society, we leave our readers to form their own opinion.

The Past Year.

When this page shall be read by the bulk of our readers, the year Eighteen Hundred and Forty-five will be only a name. It will, however, be a name that will be long remembered. It has been an eventful year, and it will furnish the historian and the philosopher with topics of discourse. The ecclesiastical history of the year shews us in England the struggles of that mischievous and intolerant party in the Established Church called Anglo-Catholic, though unrebuked by the majority of the Prelates and aided by a small minority of them, yet overcome by the dogged resistance of the middle class, who, though they may not always understand consistent Protestantism, yet resolutely withstand undisguised priestcraft. It further shews us the natural termination of the system of theology taught at Oxford, in the secession of the best and most learned men belonging to the Anglo-Catholic

party to the Church of Rome. It shews us Dr. Pusey, Mr. Sewell, Dr. Hook, and other Anglo-Catholics, continuing to enjoy their benefices, and eating the bread of a Church, some of the members of which denounce them as traitors to their Church and enemies of the cross of Christ.

Agitation and division have in England befallen others besides the Established sect. Is there a Dissenting denomination that has not its root of bitterness? Every where are to be seen signs of dissatisfaction and sources of division and weakness. The signs of the times are such as to call forth in the Unitarians of England a bold and united effort for the advancement of their principles, which, if Unitarianism be the doctrine of the gospel, ought to be regarded by us as the best, if not the only cure for the obvious evils of the religious world. But, alas! we too are divided, and have first to settle amongst ourselves what Truth is before we can go forth an united band to confute error and rebuke intolerance. In America, Slavery is dividing the members of the same Christian churches into two hostile bands. In Germany and Switzerland, the arrogance of spiritual domination has stirred up a conflict from which good results may be anticipated. Oh! if throughout the world Christian men knew and protected and exercised their spiritual rights, what convulsions should we be spared! How different would be the aspect and the influence of the Church of Christ!

The year 1845 has developed the vast importance of national intercommunication by railways. The public mind became possessed with the one idea of the value of railroads, both as a means of national progress and a source of wealth, and with eagerness little short of phrenzy rushed into multitudinous and, in many instances, most visionary schemes. The mania spread from circle to circle, and descended lower than any previous folly of the same nature. Nine men out of ten panted to be rich, and in order to appropriate some of that wealth which interested adventurers every where prodigally spread before their view, rashly undertook pecuniary responsibilities to an alarming extent. The retribution was as sudden as the bursting of a bubble. Wide-spread has been the ruin.

"Britain, know Thou who hast shared the guilt, must share the woe.

Nor distant is the hour; low murmurs spread,

And whispered fears, creating what they dread;

Ruin, as with an earthquake shock, is here;

There, the heart-witherings of unuttered fear.

Severe as has been the retribution to those who have gambled in what, with bitter pleasantry, people call "railway securities," it was absolutely necessary to protect the morals of trade and the settled industry of the country. Another six months of the share-madness, and we should have become a nation of gamblers and sharpers.

The year 1845 opened upon us in the enjoyment of great national prosperity. Its close has found us in the midst of distress and fear, extending through many, if not all classes of society. This, as has been hinted, is partly owing to our own improvidence. A wet harvest, and the consequent destruction of a large portion of the potatoe-crop, and injury to the corn-crops throughout Europe, have completed the mischief begun by our own folly. We have now to face the prospect of a famine, with resources diminished, on the one hand, by individual improvidence, and, on the other, by a mischievous system of protective legislation. But, in the midst of our gloom, some rays of light are seen. The sudden dissolution and equally sudden re-formation of Sir R. Peel's Government, inspire the hope that the conviction of the injuriousness of our laws respecting the importation of food, which has latterly been entertained by all the trading community, has at length reached the minds of most of our rulers, and that we are on the eve of achieving a system of perfect commercial freedom. If the result

We do not imagine that the nation's will can prevail over the powerful class-interests arrayed against it, without a struggle. The struggle may be, beyond all precedent, severe. Of the result, we entertain a perfect confidence. But whether the struggle be of a short or longer continuance, will greatly depend on the heartiness with which individuals throw themselves into the civil and electoral fight. If of long continuance, civil discord and a palsied trade will bring on extensive suffering. It is for every one's interest that this great question should be speedily settled. Our counsel is, to every man, to take the side which right and the common weal point out to him, and to labour with all his might for the victory.

New Remonstrant Meeting-house at Ballymena.-The meeting-house of the new congregation in Ballymena, in connection with the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster, was lately opened for divine worship, by the Rev. Dr. Montgomery, who preached, from Matthew x. 34, an eloquent and powerful discourse. It has been erected from the designs and under the direction of Mr. Thomas Jackson, architect, Belfast. The style of the building is an adaptation of the ecclesiastical style (commonly, but erroneously, called Gothic) of about the twelfth and the thirteenth centuries. The front elevation is in the form of a gable, boldly enriched by projecting buttresses, with cut-stone weatherings, surmounted by pinnacles, and leaving embrasures, with cut-stone dressings, extended between them. The entrance door, with the windows in front, and on the flanks of the building, is surrounded by appropriate cut-stone dressings, the sash frames being of cast metal, in imitation of cut-stone. In the centre of the front, over the door entrance, is a large ornamental wheel window, also formed of cast metal. The meeting-house contains 250 sittings.-The collection amounted to upwards of £170.

1845. Nov. 10, at the Old chapel, St. Nicholas Street, Ipswich, by Rev. T. F. Thomas, Mr. JAMES CROSS to Miss S. DALDY.

Nov. 25, at Coseley Old meetinghouse, by Rev. J. F. Manderson, SĂMUEL GRAINGER, of Coseley, to MARY BEACHE, of Tipton.

Nov. 25, at the High-Pavement chapel, Nottingham, by Rev. B. Carpenter, Sir CHARLES FELLOWS, of Russell Square, London, to ELIZA, only daughter of Francis HART, Esq., Nottingham.

Nov. 30, at the Presbyterian chapel, Bury, Lancashire, by Rev. F. Howorth, Mr. JAMES INGHAM to Miss JENNY ORMEROD, both of Rossendale.

Dec. 3, at the Presbyterian chapel, Bury, Lancashire, by Rev. F. Howorth, Mr. WILLIAM DAWSON, of Manchester, to Miss HANNAH CARTER, of Prettywood, near Bury.

Dec. 3, at the Dissenting chapel, Gorton, by Rev. George H. Wells, M.A., Mr. WILLIAM BEATTIE TAYLOR, of Flowery-field, Hyde, to JANE, daughter of Mr. Peter SHAWCROSS, of Longsight.

Dec. 7, at the Presbyterian chapel, Bury, Lancashire, by Rev. F. Howorth,

Mr. JACOB TWEEDALE to Mrs. SARAH BIRCH, both of Bury.

Dec. 9, at the Holy Trinity church, Hull, HANS MURCHER, Esq., to SOPHIA, daughter of Henry BLUNDELL, Esq.

Sept. 30, at Bristol, Mrs. SARAH JEFFRIES EVANS, aged 80, daughter of the late Rev. Caleb Evans, D.D., formerly pastor of the congregation of Calvinistic Baptists at Broadmead, Bristol. Strictly educated in her father's doctrines, and possessed of a mind peculiarly susceptible of religious feeling, she for many years faithfully professed them as the true gospel of Christ. But her temporary residence with a friend of Unitarian principles led her clear and powerful understanding soon to doubt whether her early opinions could stand the test of scriptural inquiry. With extreme fear and trembling, yet with steady perseverance, she searched the Scriptures, and finally became a decided and most faithful Unitarian. And although her great humility and self-condemnation made her one of the "trembling ones" through life, yet it was delightful to see that, as age drew on, her faith increased, and her latest expression was her readiness to depart and be with Jesus.

Oct. 28, at Derby, in his 70th year, Mr. ROBERT BENNETT. He was a consistent friend of truth, righteousness and charity, and his life was an illustration of his religion.

Oct. 29, at Scarborough, after a short but severe illness, Mr. THOMAS WRIGHT, of Derby, aged 42. He was a sincere and active friend to liberal Christianity in his native town. His honourable character and perfect candour had gained him the respect and confidence of men of all parties.

Nov. 2, aged 32, EMILY, the beloved wife of Mr. B. POTTER, Jun., of Warnham Mill, Horsham. During a lingering illness, she invariably manifested the most cheerful patience and submission, and the same ever-active and thoughtful regard to the wishes and well-being of others, which had in her days of health and strength gained the esteem and love of all who were acquainted with her. She died, as she had lived, beloved and happy; expressing a deep assurance that suffering had exercised a sanctifying influence over her soul, and a firm hope of a blissful re-union with her virtuous friends in a brighter world above.

Nov. 10, at Hinckley, in the 54th year of his age, Mr. FREDRICK Dawson. He was amiable and benevolent, and will justly be affectionately remembered by his numerous friends. He ever adhered steadfastly to what he

conscientiously believed to be the truths of the gospel of Jesus; yet his zeal did not outroot his Christian charity, and hence he esteemed men for their personal worth. His love to God and trust in the Redeemer, his Christian resignation and hope, sustained and consoled his mind during his protracted bodily weakness and suffering; and he willingly left his dearest earthly kindred, to associate with celestial beings and with Jesus Christ his Saviour.

Nov. 13, in London, MARY ANNE, the wife of Thomas JEVONS, Esq., of Liverpool, and eldest daughter of the late William Roscoe, Esq., of that place.

Nov. 17, at her residence, South Street, in her 76th year, the dowager Lady HOLLAND.

Nov. 20, aged 71 years, Mr. WILLIAM SHAWCROSS, of Manchester. He had for many years acted as the chapelwarden of Upper Brook-Street chapel, and in that and every relation of life was greatly respected.

Nov. 21, at Croydon, after a long and painful illness, borne with exemplary patience and resignation, MARY, the wife of George Eagles MARSDEN, late of Lewisham, Kent, honoured and lamented.

Nov. 22, at the house of her daughter, at Taunton, Mrs. OWEN, aged 76. For more than sixty years she was a constant attendant on public worship at Mary-Street chapel in that town. Her life, spent in the fear and love of God, and in the faithful discharge of unostentatious but not unimportant duties, was terminated by a calm and peaceful death. The last act, in the moment of her departure, was an evident indication of a composed and happy frame of mind, sustained by Christian faith and hope, on which her children, who

affectionately cherish her memory, will often dwell with fond and grateful recollection.

Nov. 27, at Higher Broughton, near Manchester, Rev. WILLIAM JOHNS, aged 74 years. (Of this excellent man we are promised a memoir for our next No.)

Nov. 27, aged 48 years, at Chimney Mills, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Mr. WILLIAM ANDREW MITCHELL, formerly a student of Manchester College, York, and for many years Editor of the Tyne Mercury and the Newcastle Magazine.

Nov. - Mr. THOMAS ALGER, of the Old Kent Road. His parents were Unitarian, and he adhered till his death to the principles in which he was educated. He kept a school at Brixton for several years; for which occupation, as the progress and affection of his pupils testify, he was admirably adapted both by his ability and disposition. As a son, brother, friend, he was exemplary. His remains lie near those of his former pastor, the Rev. W. Vidler, in the burying-ground attached to the New Gravel-pit chapel, Hackney.

Dec. 3, at Whittington, Derbyshire, HANNAH, relict of the late Joseph SWANWICK, Esq., of Whittington, and formerly of Chester.

Dec. 4, aged 77 years, at Beverley, ROBERT STEPHENSON, Esq., father of Mr. William Stephenson, proprietor of the Eastern Counties Herald, Hull.

Dec. 6, at Bath Lodge, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, JANE, the beloved wife of the Rev. Thomas HINCKS.

Dec. 7, aged 31 years, at Manchester, ALFRED JOHN TAIT.

Dec. 11, at Dukinfield, Mrs. SARAH LEECH, in the 81st year of her age.