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of the influence of the Crown, was its influence through the Church. That reverend body always, perhaps from good motives, went with the Crown, even in matters to which it should seem difficult for any persons, having religious feelings, to follow it. Not speaking of the establishment of Ireland, where the nobility parcelled out the lands of the kingdom among the younger branches of their families, under the names of bishops and archbishops-where there was a church of 500,000 Protestauts with a body of ecclesiastics richer even than those of Spain had been-a body of ecclesiastics having less to do and more to receive than any in the world. There were in England alone in the gift of the Crown, 2 archbishopricks, 24 bishopricks, 38 deaneries, 46 prebends and 1020 livings. He would ask whether the gift of this enormous patronage had not necessarily an immense effect on the country ?"

JULY 24.

Ancient British Histories.

THE CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER proposed an address to His Majesty, representing the defective state of the ancient history of the kingdom, and suggesting that an edition, published under royal authority, would be most honourable to his reign and most useful in furthering the general dissemination of knowledge; further praying directions for the publication of such an edition, and assuring His Majesty that Parliament would provide for the expense. Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH applauded the motion, and recommended Dr. Petrie, Keeper of the Records at the Tower, as an individual well qualified, by a life of study, to perform the work in question. The Reso lution was unanimously agreed to.

Same day, on the third reading of the LOTTERY BILL, the House divided, when the numbers were, For it, 32. Against it, 11. Majority, 21.

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The Abbé TESSIER has published a retractation, addressed to the Bishop of Mans, in which he declares, that after thirty years of errors he renounces the oaths he has taken, and he regrets hav ing been ordained by the constitutional Bishop of Sarthe. He further deplores two marriages he successively contracted; he detests the faults which followed this forgetfulness of his state, and begs the Bishop to receive his repentance, and to give this representation all the publicity possible.

over.

GERMANY.

A circumstance which has lately occurred in Brunswick gives the people of that state additional reason to regret their temporary subjection to the King of Hanlogian of Germany, held a professorship M. de WETTE, a celebrated theoin a Prussian University at the time Kotzebue was assassinated by Sandt, and having written a letter of condolence to the mother of Sandt, (who, we believe, had been his pupil,) he was forced in Consequence to resign his situation. The people of the town of Brunswick having the right to elect their own clergy, and entertaining, in common with the rest of their countrymen, the greatest regard and esteem for M. de Wette, on the occasion of a late vacancy in one of their churches, chose M. de Wette to fill it. Knowing the state of destitution in which he was, and his inability to provide himself with what his establishment would demand, with a spirit aud feeling which reflects the highest honour on them, they determined to furnish his house and supply him with whatever else might be necessary to enable him to appear among them in such a manner as his station rendered necessary, and a general contribution was immediately begun, in which some gave money, others such articles as they could spare, and in which all, from the highest to the lowest, eagerly participated. To their great astonishment, however, when all this was done, an interdict was issued by the Government which refused to ra tify the election of M. de Wette. Fortunately for him, he received immediately afterwards, a call to one of the churches of Bern, in Switzerland. The mean and vindictive spirit displayed on this occasion has, however, excited a very indignant feeling throughout the north of Germany.-Times, July 20.

A law has been passed in the Duchy of BADEN, granting to the Catholic clergy the same allowance for their maintenance heretofore enjoyed by the Protestant.

ITALY.

(From the National Intelligencer.)

Washington, Wednesday, June 12. Agreeably to the previous arrangements, and the public notice given of City of Washington was opened and dedithem, the First Unitarian Church of the cated on Sunday last, the 9th instant. The dedication sermon was preached in the forenoon, to a large audience, by the Rev. Robert Little, Minister of the congregation, followed by a sermon in the afternoon, by the Rev. Mr. Eddowes, of Philadelphia; both services were accom

Rome. His Holiness having recovered from his illness, gave his apostolical benediction to the people on Whitsunday, and exhorted the faithful to engage themselves in such a manner as would enable them to gain the benefit of the indulgence. Two cardinal deacons published the indulgence. The people were rejoiced to see the Holy Father in a state to perform this act of piety. In all the churches in this capital, consecrated to the blessed Virgin, a new feast instituted by his Holiness since his release from captivity, has been celebrated under the title of Anni-panied by a number of fine pieces of lium Christianorum.-Catholic Miscel Lany.

SWEDEN.

Colonel GUSTAVSON, the Ex-King of Sweden, has for some time past applied himself to philosophical studies. He has just published a work at Frankfort, but not for sale; it is distributed gratis, by the illustrious author, to the amateurs of arts and sciences. It is written in the French language, and is dedicated to the Royal Academy of Arts at Norway. It is entitled," Reflections upon the Phe nomenou, the Aurora Borealis, and its Relation with the Diurnal Movement." The journals of Hamburgh announce the arrival of several copies of the work at Stockholm, where they are now translating it into the Swedish language.

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We have received with high satisfaction the following accounts of the opening of the First Unitarian Church in the capital of the United States. They are from newspapers in opposite interests. "The slight difference in the two statements, (says our American correspondent,) may shew how hostile politicians in this country feel nearly the same disposition towards Unitarianism." He adds, "Although there are ten other places of worship in our city, the sound of the churchgoing bell' will, we expect, be first heard from the Unitarian steeple; and the Catholics and Episcopalians follow us as soon as they can. O! strange reverse of European etiquette.-Will no Herculean arm sustain the fainting cause of Orthodoxy!"-A drawing of the front elevation of the Washington Unitarian Church is said to have been sent us, but is not yet received. ED.

sacred music, performed by the strongest and finest choir we have ever heard in this city. The opening of this church is interesting to our community generally, inasmuch as it adds a very handsome improvement to our city. The design of the edifice was furnished by Charles Bulfinch, Esq., Architect of the Capitol, and it is certainly highly creditable to his taste and judgment. The unfinished tower on the south end, we understand, is to be surmounted by a cupola and bell, and, when that shall be completed, we question whether there will be in the Union another building, uniting so much architectural elegance, within and without, with so little cost. The present Minister of the Society, the Rev. Mr. Little, we understand, was recently pastor of the Unitarian Church at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England.

(From the Washington Gazette.)

Dedication of the first Unitarian Church, in the City of Washington, June 9th, 1822.

Service commenced with singing the one Hundredth Psalm, that sublime hymn of praise which has for three thousand years expressed the devotion of the worshipers of the Supreme First Cause. A part of Solomon's address at the dedication of the Temple was read, and the whole of Paul's inimitable discourse to the Athenians on the Unity and Spirituality of God and the great object of the Christian dispensation.

The well-known hymn, "Before Jehovah's awful throne," was sung with musical accompaniments in fine style by a select choir, chiefly from the congrega

tion.

After prayers, Mr. L. preached from 2 Chron. xxxi. 20, 21: "Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the House of God-he did it with all his heart

and prospered." During the sermon, Mr. L., in a solemn and impressive manner, dedicated the building to the service of the One Living and True God.

The service concluded with the admired anthem, "Strike the cymbals," &c.

In the evening, after prayers and hymns, Mr. Eddowes, of Philadelphia, preached from John v. 23: "That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father;"-convincingly shewing from the Scriptures what kind of honour is due to the Saviour as the Messenger of God to men; and what supreme worship and homage are reserved exclusively for the Father who sent him.

The evening service closed with the anthem, "Grateful notes and solemn praise," &c.

To speak of the discourse of the Rev. Mr. Little as it deserves, would not fail to be accounted flattery: the prominent features of it were calculated to shew that the Christian religion, like the Jewish in the days of Hezekiah, had been grossly corrupted and perverted in almost all re spects: the objects of divine worship had been greatly multiplied: the idea of one holy, just and good God almost obliterated from the Christian world: and a system of corrupt, priestly government, where every crime might have been commuted for wealth, substituted instead of the divine morality taught by Jesus Christ.

In this time of terrible mental darkness rose John Knox, Martin Luther and Jolin Calvin, who from their bold characters and convincing reasoning effected a comparatively great reformation in the Church, considering the age in which they lived; but much remains yet to be done before all the rubbish which the bigots of the dark had heaped on the fair Christian fabric, can be entirely removed. A correct translation of the Bible, with the light of increasing science, he recommended as the best means of bringing back the Christian Church to its original simple state, as in the days of the Apos tles.

With regard to the musical performances, they were seldom if ever equalled in this city on a similar occasion; and though all the performers deserve praise, yet much of the credit is due to the excellent arrangement made for that purpose by Mr. P. Mauro of this place.

The building was erected under the superintendence of Mr. Bulfinch, Architect of the Capitol: it is spacious, convenient, well lighted, airy, with a handsome ceiling, and reflects much credit on him and on the Committee, who in so able and skilful a manner procured the funds for completing this expensive but excellent and useful undertaking.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Communications have been received from Messrs. Thomas Foster and F. Boardman; from Mrs. Hughes; and from H. W.; Amicus; K. T. a.; Philalethes; and S. C.

"A Female Correspondent" will, we expect, receive a practical answer to her inquiry in the next Number, when we hope to be able to insert some account of the proceedings of the "Protestant Society."

A. V.'s paper is returned according to his directions.

MUSIC PLATE in the last Number.

Through an inadvertence in the Engraving of the Music in the last number, it was omitted to be stated that it was composed by a LADY for the Hymn by Mr. BoWRING, inserted p. 372, and sung at the Unitarian Fund Anniversary in Parliament-Court Chapel, May 29th.

ERRATA.

Page 360, col. 2, last line but one, dele his.

Page 361, col. 1, line 4, for " regular," read irregular.

THE

Monthly Repository.

No. CC.]

A

AUGUST, 1822.

Unitarianism in the United States of America.

SENSIBLE and candid correspondent has contributed to The Christian Observer some letters from America. One of these gives an account of the lamentable spread of Unitarianism in the United States. Coming from a Trinitarian, we esteem it in several respects valuable, and judge that our readers will be pleased to have it laid before them. It is verbatim as follows:

"Salem, Feb. 24, 1821. "In my last, after giving you, I think, what you would consider an encouraging picture of the present state, and still more so of the future prospects, of religion in this country, expressed my regret that Unitarianism had acquired so much influence, and promised to say more on the sub. ject in my next. From all I can learn, it appears that Unitarian opinions have been entertained in New England for fifty years at least, and perhaps much longer. Generally speaking, however, they were not very openly avowed, till much more recently; some of those who held them concealing their sentiments because they were unpopular, others, because they felt indifferent about them, and others, more reflecting and philosophical, because they conceived that their extension would be most effectually promoted at that particular time by reserve and caution. The first Unitarian congregation formed in America, was established in the King's Chapel soon after the Revolution. This was the chapel in which thre Governor worshiped; but becoming afterwards private property, and the majority changing their sentiments, they expunged from the church prayers all allusion to Trinitarian doctrines, and openly denounced the Trinity. The minority of course retired. In 1792, an Unitarian congregation was formed at Portland, in the district of Maine; and another at Saco, a small town twenty miles further to the south. Both these congregations soon expired: but I regretted to find, when

VOL. XVII.

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at Portland last Sunday, that another congregation was established there, and that the legislature of the newlyelected State of Maine, who were then sitting, were debating on a bill which would have a tendency, (if, indeed, it were not one of its immediate objects,) to favour the extension of Unitarian sentiments. The sermon of the minister of the Episcopal Church which I attended, was on the duty of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints,' and had a specific reference to this bill. As Unitarian sentiments became more general, they were gradually avowed with less reserve; yet the pulpits of many ministers who were supposed to have imbibed them, gave no evidence of the fact, except that of omissions. This at length brought upon them the charge of insincerity from their more orthodox brethren. The imputation was repelled with warmth; and the public were left in great doubt as to the precise sentiments of many of their pastors. Dr. Morse, who had been the most prominent of those who publicly manifested their regret at the defection of their brethren from the common faith, was accused of misrepresentation; and the most candid felt it almost impossible to arrive at the real state of things. At this time, Dr. Morse happened to meet with Mr. Belsham's Life of Lindsay [Lindsey], in which he found his own representations borne out by letters and documents transmitted from Boston by the Unitarians themselves. These he strung together in the form of a pamphlet, under the title of American Unitarianism; or a Brief History of the Progress and present State of the Unitarian Churches in America; compiled from Documents and Information communicated by the Rev. James Freeman, D. D., and William Wells, Jun., Esq., of Boston, and from other Unitarian Gentlemen in this Country. By the Rev. T. Belsham, Essex Street, London. Extracted from,' &c. &c. This pamphlet was eagerly read, and

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produced a great sensation. It disclosed the actual state of things, brought the question to issue, and ranged in opposite ranks those advocates of conflicting sentiments who had hitherto been confusedly intermingled. A paper controversy has since been carried on at intervals, as particular circumstances or occasional excitement prompted; and both parties, as usual, claim the victory. In the mean time, however, Unitarianism has advanced; but although it is painful to see that it prevails to a considerable extent, Dr. Morse assured me that he did not believe that it was gaining ground at present. If the number of its advocates seems to have augmented during the last year or two, he was disposed to ascribe the apparent increase rather to a more open avowal of their sentiments by many who were Unitarians before, than to a more general conviction of the truth of Unitarianism.-Of the present numbers of the Unitarians, I can give you no idea. There are comparatively few, except in New England; and very few there, except in the towns on the coast. In Boston, I believe there are seven or eight congregations of Unitarians of different shades. In Baltimore, a splendid and costly Unitarian chapel was lately completed; but I was told that it is almost entirely mortgaged to the banks. In Philadelphia there is a small Unitarian chapel. In New York, a new Unitarian chapel, or what the orthodox consider as such, was opened while I was there, by Mr. Everett, the Professor of Divinity from Cambridge (Massachusetts). I was told it was numerously attended, as Mr. Everett has some reputation, but that it was generally rather frowned upon. As, however, those whom I heard speak of it, were among its strongest opponents, I know not how far to conclude that that was the case. The chapel was opened on a week-day, and the minister was said not to dwell at all on doctrinal points-a line of conduct you would anticipate from a sagacious advocate of his scheme.

"But Boston is the head-quarters of Unitarianism; and many of the Unitarians there are so amiable and so intelligent,-possess so much practical kindness, and so many social virtues, -as to exert a powerful influence in

favour of their opinions, and to shame many a narrow-minded, indolent professor of a purer faith; a faith which too many of us are apt to forget it is our duty to illustrate, as well as to maintain,-and to exhibit not merely as a dry system of restraint and prohibition, but as a source of the most generous incentives to excellence in all that is lovely and of good report.'

"There are many things in the situation of the respectable classes of society in Boston, which are calcu lated to promote the extension of Unitarianism. In the first place, the strong traces which still remain of those habits of order and morality which their religious forefathers left as a rich inheritance to the population of New England,-habits intrinsically valuable, and entitling the possessors to esteem, but rather apt, perhaps, to lull asleep any suspicion of error in the creed with which they are found connected. 2dly. A consciousness of literary superiority to the rest of the Union; an undue appreciation of talent in the estimate of character; and an association adroitly established between liberality and Unitarianismall strengthened, if not produced, by proximity to the most celebrated university in the United States, where the principal professors are Unitarians, and the system, though ostensibly neutral, is Unitarian also. 3dly. Á state of worldly ease and comfort, in which the necessity of religious consolations is apt to be less strongly felt, and their foundation to be investigated with less trembling solicitude than under poverty and affliction.

"I am not, however, without hopes that the tendency of these circumstances will be fully counteracted by a more auspicious influence; I mean, the influence of the warmer piety, the more evident spiritual-mindedness, the more obvious interest in religion, which characterize many who hold the opposite sentiments, and which give to their opinions a persuasive air of sincerity and truth. In fact, so naturally does a high degree of religious sensibility appear to result from correct and deep views of religious truth, that opinions which are seldom found in connexion with devotional fervour, seem to want one very important credential of their authenticity. Many

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