in Chancery, or a General on the Staff, or Sheriff, or Sub-sheriff of any County,-to which was added a long catalogue of other disqualifications. From these badges of intolerance, it is ever to be remembered that the Roman Catholics of Ireland have only been delivered within a few years of the present time, after many fruitless efforts, and to the great regret of the staunchest defenders and most eminent supporters of the Established Churches of England and Ireland."

DESIGNATION OF UNITARIAN PLACES OF WORSHIP.

MR. EDITOR,-A writer in the Christian Reformer has made some useful remarks on this subject, which demand, I think, the earnest and immediate attention of the Unitarian public. That the principles and doctrines to which we give the name of Unitarianism, or Unitarian Christianity, are not making, in this country, that rapid and triumphant progress which is the object of our desire; or, at any rate, that the professors and advocates of them are a "little flock," a "sect everywhere spoken against," is a fact too evident to be disputed or denied. And is it not better to acknowledge our numerical feebleness, look the evil in the face, and endeavour to apply a remedy, than "lay the flattering unction to our souls," and sink into the fatal vortex of carnal security?

That London and its environs, for instance, with their myriads and masses of human beings, should contain so few temples dedicated to the sole worship of the one God, even the Father, must be a matter of surprise and concern-a difficulty of no ordinary magnitude, to conscientious Unitarians, who may well ask the question, not whether truth be great and will prevail; but whether, if they have it, their exertions and sacrifices to spread it around, be at all proportionate to its supreme importance, or to the extent and weight of their obligations.

We live in eventful times, and know not what a day may bring forth. We witness the two belligerent armies, liberty and despotism, rushing to an encounter which may shake not only the established institutions of England, but the loftiest seats in Europe; nor can we plead

ignorance of the dreadful consequences which must follow, if we neglect our opportunities of usefulness and despise our means of improvement. Ought we not, therefore, to examine ourselves, whether we be faithful to our convictions and just to our principles? How are strangers, in London and other large cities, to find our places of worship, without some conspicuous inscription, declaratory of the sentiments maintained within them? "No man having a candle puts it under a bushel or bed, but on a stand, that it may give light unto all who are in the house."

There is, to my knowledge, about four miles from the metropolis, belonging to the General Baptists (Old Connexion), a meeting-house, whose pulpit, I suppose, has, for near half a century, been successively occupied by Unitarian ministers, and whose congregation, during that period, has been Unitarian: but, since the inscription is merely "General Baptist Chapel," and there are two denominations of General Baptists, how can strangers tell whether it be in the Trinitarian or the Unitarian Connexion?

I wish all Unitarian Christians, whether Presbyterian or General Baptist, would consent to put Unitarian Christian Church, in bold legible characters, upon the gates or doors of their places of worship. This might stimulate thought, and awaken inquiry in those who pass along, and induce not a few to come within the reach of the preacher's voice, and answer practically in the negative the question which candour once proposed, "Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doeth?"

Truth then might reign with undisputed sway,
"And fools who came to scoff remain to pray."

Let Unitarians be prepared both for action and suffering. Let them face a frowning world, and confess Christ before men. They will then strengthen the hands and hearts of their friends, while they stop the railing accusation of their foes: "These men, calling themselves Presbyterians and General Baptists, fight in ambush and march under false colours: their trumpet gives an uncertain sound, and their care is to conceal the flag which they ought to unfurl."

I am much disposed to think, with the correspondent in the Christian Reformer, "that the words Unitarian Christian Church, conspicuously placed in front of every building for Unitarian worship in the three kingdoms, would greatly tend to advance the Unitarian cause."-I remain, Mr. Editor, yours truly,

Greenwich.

J. O. S.

THE SPARROW AND THE CAGED BIRD.

Founded on an Anecdote related in the Naturalist's Magazine.

I dote on every little bird

That twitters in the sun

I love them all, from having heard
The simple tale of one!

In cage that 'neath the eaves was hung
When morn put forth her smiles,
A little yellow warbler sung
A song of distant isles.

One morn, when loud his melody,
There came on idle wing
A sparrow, and, from sympathy,
Thus seem'd to say or sing:-

"Fair captive! why this joyous lay,
When sad should be thy heart?
Art thinking of a happier day,
Forgetful what thou art?

Perchance, while high thy music floats,
Where ne'er thy wings may flee,
Thy spirit rises with thy notes,

For they, at least, are free!

Thy song goes forth among the trees,
And up to heaven's high dome,
And haply bears thee o'er the seas

To thy own island home!

Poor bird! could'st thou come forth with me,

I'd lead thee to the grove,

Where all that's known of slavery

Is servitude to love!

How sweet to join in airy chase,
Or cower within thy nest,
Yet only bound to that one place
Because thou loved'st it best!

Alas, alas! the wish is vain,
Thy prison-bars are strong;
But I will come to thee again,
Adieu, sweet bird of song!"
Away it flew, but day by day,
Return'd with gather'd food,
And through long months, the watchers say,
Went on this work of good.

I felt my holiest thoughts ascend,
Such heaven-taught love to trace,

And deem'd, perchance, this captive's friend,
The Howard of its race!

Edinburgh.

J. H. JUN.

CONVERSATIONS UPON CHRISTIAN UNITARIANISM, BETWEEN A FATHER AND HIS FAMILY.-No. IV.

Two old friends of Mr. Mornton having spent the last three weeks at Elm Park, the conversations had received another interruption; Mr. Elwood and his daughter at length departed, and the children felt all impatience to resume their edifying discussions. Had it not been for a short cough which still hung about her, Sophia's health would have been perfectly restored; still, as she was able to go about, felt no pain, and prosecuted her studies as usual, her anxious parent ceased to feel that great uneasiness which had so oppressed his mind a month before. He trusted much to her youth and excellent constitution, and many a prayer did he send up to heaven, that so great a trial as her loss would prove, might be spared him. As the weather was warm, they assembled, as formerly, under their venerable oak; but, on Sophia's account, an hour earlier. Minna had brought a little stool for her sister, and a piece of carpet, which she tenderly placed under her feet; and, as she carefully adjusted her shawl, to prevent the possibility of cold, the dear being of her solicitude felt how sweet it was to be the object of such affectionate interest.

P

Sophia. "Thank you, Minna, I shall do nicely now; what an excellent little nurse you make.

Charles. "I wish, Uncle, to ask you to-night several questions relating to the atonement, or the satisfaction made by Christ to God."

Henry. "That is a very deep subject; I always find difficulty in expressing myself clearly upon it."

Mr. M. "On the contrary, nothing can be simpler than the Scriptural view of that doctrine; and I hope to explain it so that it may be easily understood by all of you."

Charles. "Christ surely atoned to the Almighty for our sins. The Apostle says, We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement."

999

Mr. M. "The text you have quoted, Charles, is the only one in the English version of the New Testament in which the word occurs, and is universally acknowledged to be a mistranslation of the original term. In every other case it is rendered reconciliation; as when St. Paul adds, he hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation. The true meaning of the word is reconciliation; to atone, signifies to reconcile; and is formed by the union of the two words at and one, signifying to make of one mind two opposed parties."

Charles. "But is it not God who receives the reconciliation?"

Sophia. "No, my dear Cousin; I was reading in a discourse, last Sunday, that the reconciliation flows from his grace, not that his grace is the consequence of that atonement; that He sent his Son to live and suffer for the salvation of men; not that the Son lived and suffered in order to win the good-will of God toward them. It would be dishonourable to our Heavenly Father, to suppose any other one to have more compassion than He, and to be the first in devising and prosecuting a plan for human redemption. The Scripture expressly speaks of reconciling men to God; never of reconciling God to men.""

Henry. "I am surprised that you remember to repeat all that so very correctly, Sophia."

Sophia. "I liked the passage so well, that I learned it by heart; and I understand it too."