Imatges de pàgina
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to appeal to the quarter sessions of the peace, next holden after such conviction, giving to the justices before whom such conviction shall be made, notice in writing within eight days after such conviction, of his intention to prefer such appeal; and the said justices shall proceed to the hearing and final determination of the matter of such appeal, and to make such order therein, and to award such costs to be paid by and to either party, not exceed ing 40s. as they shall think fit.

XVII That no penalty shall be recoverable under this act, unless the same shall be sued for, or the offence in respect of which the same is imposed, is prosecuted before the justices of the peace or quarter sessions within six months after the offence shall have been committed; and no person who shall suffer any imprisonment for non-payment of the penalty, shall thereafter be liable to the payment of such penalty or forfeiture.

XVIII. That if any action or suit be brought or commenced against any person or persons for any thing done in pursuance of this act, that every such action or suit shall be cominenced within three months next after the fact committed, and not afterwards, and shall be brought in the county wherein the alleged cause of action shall have accrued, and not elsewhere; and the defendant in such action or suit may plead the general issue, and give this act in evidence on any trial to be had thereupon, and that the same was done in pursuance and by authority of this act, &c.

XIX. And be it further enacted, That this act shall be deemed and taken to be a public act; and shall be judicially taken notice of as such by all judges, justices, and athers, without specially pleading the same.

OBSERVATIONS

Taken from a Circular Letter, lately printed by the Committee of the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty.

THE repeal of the Five Mile and Conventicle Acts, contained in

the first section, removes the principal punishments to which Dissenters were hitherto exposed. Government have therefore required, in the 2d and eleventh sections, that all places, wherein more than 20 persons assemble for worship, shall be notified as heretofore to the Clerk of the Peace of the county, or to the Registrar of the Archdeacon or Bishop, within whose jurisdiction such places shall be situate; and that during worship their doors shall be unbarred. It is also provided in section 5, That all persons who are teachers at such places shall, if required by a magistrate, take the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and sign the declaration that they are Protestant Christians, inserted in the act of 19 Geo. III. But such requisition must be in writing-no person who has once taken the oaths, and made the declaration under this act, or the 19th Geo. III. will be subject to a second requisition -nor can any fee be demanded by the magistrate, who must gratuitously supply a certificate to the person who has so complied with the requisition. the other provisions tend to increase our advantages, and to strengthen the security of religious worship. The exemption from parochial offices and military duties, is extended to all students and persons who preach at one or more congregations, if they do not follow a secular employment, provided they take the oaths, &c.: power is therefore conferred on them to require any one magi strate, on payment of 2s. 6d. to administer such oaths, to attest such declaration, and to certify such proceedings, as evidence that the person claiming the exemption is entitled to the exemption which he claims. The advantages obtained by this act, not only from the dreadful evils which must have been consequent on the recent decision of a superior courl, but, even over the most liberal construction of the former acts of Toleration, cannot escape your regard. The former acts were confined only to persons being Protestant. Dissen iers, and did not afford protection

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to the numerous bodies of Methodists, who object rather to some of the preachers in the establishment than to the discipline or doctrines of the established church: whilst the comprehensive language of this act includes every person of every denomination who is a Protestant and a Christian. The penalties of the Conventicle Act extended, notwithstanding the former acts of Toleration, to every assembly for religious worship in an unregistered place, where more than FIVE persons were assembled; - but this act supersedes the necessity of any registration where the number assembled does not exceed TWENTY. From the laity as well as from the ministers of religion, the former acts required, previous to their becoming entitled to the relief of toleration, an expensive and inconvenient attendance at the sessions of the peace; and such attendance was a preliminary requisition to their presuming to deliver a private exhortation, or a public address. Whilst this act completely removes this onerous and absurd demand, it enables every person to attend at such places of religious worship as he approves, without being liable to any future requisition to take any oaths; and to preach, teach, and exhort, without previously attending at a sessions for permission to discharge the duties which his conscience may suggest. The immunities and exemptions bestowed on preachers by the former acts, and which were restricted to the appointed ministers of separate congregations, are more widely and beneficially dif fused. The judicial and discretionary power which was before asserted by magistrates, is entirely swept away; and they must accommodate even the humblest religious instructor, whenever his own convenience shall induce him to take the oaths, and sign the declaration as pledges of his belief in the holy Scriptures, and of his fidelity to the state. As another advantage, we must not omit that, under the Toleration Act, no persons were liable to penalties for disturbing a congregation, unless

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they entered the place where the congregation was assembled; but this act will enable you to punish, with equal certainty, those who are guilty of external clamour and disturbance, as those who may internally interrupt your devotion.

Perceiving that all legal important impediments to the progress of religious instruction are thus happily removed, we hope that you will partake the pleasure which we expressed, and be stimulated, by your additional security, to additional labours to promote the salvation of men. But whilst we express this unaffected satisfaction, we do not intend to intimate that the provisions do not admit improvement. We regret that, under any circumstances, the notification of places of religious worship should be required,-that any oaths should be from religious instructors peculiarly and exclusively demandable, and that civil disabilities, imposed by the Test and Corporation Acts, improperly exclude conscientious and devout men from offices, which they would occupy with honour to themselves and with advantage to the state. All these objects our Committee. are not unsolicitous to obtain; and as the Sun of Religious Liberty has risen so high above the horizon, they hope that we shall survive to hail its meridian and unsetting splendor with delight.

Whilst we have endeavoured to explain the advantages we have acquired, and offered our tribute of praise to the human instruments who have assisted their attainment, we would endeavour to impress our own minds with that devotional gratitude which is due only unto Him in whose hands are the hearts of men, and without whose blessing our ablest and our kindest friends would have laboured but in vain.

By this sentiment we would restrain ourselves from improper exultation, and by avoiding all triumphant language, we would prevent alarm to our watchful enemies, and prepare the path for further advantage. We would also advise all persons immediately to notify all uncertified places of

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No plan which human wisdom can devise, can have a more direct tendency to improve the funds of this excellent institution; and consequently to enable the Directors to extend their benevolent exertious among the heathen, than the formation of Auxiliary Societies. In connexion with a plan so rational and desirable, it has been thought, that besides the annual meeting held in London, which is in the month of May, an Autumnal meeting might with great advantage be held in some one or other of the principal cities or great towns in the kingdom. About ten of these have been mentioned as eligible places for holding such meetings in rotation. The most salutary effects may be expected to result from the adoption of such a plan, as it will have a direct tendency to diffuse the Missionary spirit, and will doubtless become the occasion of many Auxiliary Societies being formed. In this good work Bristol has agreed to take the lead. In that venerable and populous city there are many thousands of truly pious persons; and amongst the various evangelical ministers and congregations, there is a happy degree of Christian union, which has subsisted for many years, and which renders their Jerusalem a quiet habitation :'— -an union which is highly honourable to the interests of the Prince of Peace,' and truly worthy of the imitation of the Christian world. It is intended that the meeting, which is to be held in October, shall bear as near a resemblance as may be to the annual meetings in London: there will, therefore, be the same number of services, the preachers will be of different denominations, and there will be a general sacramental service, to which all persons usually partaking of the Lord's Supper will be invited.

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The first public service will be held on Tuesday morning, October the 6th, at 11 o'clock, in that venerable structure St. Mary's, Radcliffe, which is said to be the finest parish church in England; and on this occasion the Rev. Mr. WILCOX, of London, is expected to preach. In the evening of the same day, at six o'clock, there will be a second public service at Bridge Street, where the Rev. ALEXANDER WAUGH, of London, has consented to be the preacher.

On Wednesday morning, at 11 o'clock, the Rev. GEORGE CLAYTON, of Walworth, is expected to preach at Castie tireen; and in the evening of that day, the Rev. ROWLAND HILL will preach at the Tabernacle. Thursday morning there will be a public meeting for business at Castle

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Green; and in the evening, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper will be administered at the Tabernaele. The Rev. Mr. BOGUE, of Gosport, is expected to preside.

We cannot but earnestly recommend the intended meeting in Bristol to the serious attention of Ministers and Christians, especially in the western part of the kingdom, earnestly hoping that as many as can reader their. attendance practicable, will countenance and animate it by their presence, and aid the public solemnities by their services. It is taken for granted that the evangelical ministers of Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wilts, will almost all be present; and we understand, that it is the kind intention of the friends in Bristol to provide beds for all the ministers who may favour them with their company.

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On the whole, we look forward to the Bristol meeting with emotions of peculiar pleasure; and our earnest prayer to the God of all grace' is, that he may condescend to pour the richest of his celestial influence on the several assemblies of his servants; that he may graciously assist and bless his ministers who are to be publicly engaged, and that in the happy result of the whole, a more ardent flame than has ever yet been kindled, may burn in the hearts of his saints for the salvation of the lost. ́ ́ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel; thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubim shine forth! Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doth wondrous things; and blessed be his glorious name for ever and ever! and let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen.'

PLYMOUTH.

We are happy to add, that a General Meeting of the Friends of the Missionary Society will, with divine permission, be held at PLYMOUTH, on Tuesday, October the 13th, and the following days, for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Missionary Society; when several of the Ministers from London and elsewhere, who attend the Bristol Meeting on the 6th, &c. are expected to be present, besides many others of Cornwall, Devonshire, &c. One of the Sermons will be preached at St. John's Chapel, Dock, and others at Mr. Mends's, &c. Particulars in our next.

AUXILIARY MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.

WE greatly rejoice to hear that an Auxiliary Society, under the title of The Missionary Committee,' has recently been formed at DUBLIN; the Plan of which will hereafter be given to our readers. Lord Viscount Lorton is elected President; and ainong the Members are the Rev. Dr. Whitelaw, Dr. M'Dowal, Dr. Thorpe, the Rev. Messrs. Matthias, Roe, and Davies; J. Clark, W. M'Aulay, T. Parnell, Esqs. &c. A most commendable degree of zeal was manifested on the occasion; and there is the greatest reason to hope, that, by the future exertions of this respectable body, the Missionary Cause will be essentially promoted.

The public collections made in Dublin, after sermons by the Rev. Mr. Waugh, of London, and the Rev. Mr. Jack, of Manchester, were very considerable.

Auxiliary Societies are forming at Liverpool, Hull, Preston, Blackburn, Shrewsbury, Yeovil, and Brighton; and we hope at many other places.

The Directors have lately determined, that the Names of all Members of Auxiliary Societies subscribing Half a Guinea, or more, annually, shall be printed with their Annual Report, under the head of each Auxiliary Society respectively.

East London Auxiliary Missionary Society, Several ministers and other public-spirited Christians residing in the eastern part of the metropolis, have repeatedly met together to form an Auxiliary Society; which we expeet will shortly be organized and liberally supported.

City of London Auxiliary Society. Several ministers and others have in contemplation the formation of an Association in the city and other centrical parts of the metropolis, for the support of the Missionary Cause.

EAST INDIES.

Extract of a Letter just received from Messrs. Gordon, Lee, and Pritchell, at Vizagapatam, dated January 11, 1812.

SINCE our last we have had to lament the death of our good Anandee, the wife of our Bramin Anandarayer; but we enjoy the unspeakable satisfaction which springs from a hope that she has joined the society of the blessed around the Throne above.

It is with much pleasure we inform you that the first three Gospels are now printed in the Telinga language; and many of the surrounding multitudes are eager to peruse them. May the Father of Lights give them the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ! On the arrival of our expected brother Missionaries, we feel strongly inclined to commence Missions at Chicacole and Ganjam. One must be sent to Bellary, to assist Brother Hands. We anticipate with a high degree of pleasure, the prospect of proclaiming the glad tidings far and near; which we hope to do before the present year has closed. In the mean time the work of translation proceeds, which we hope will be rendered more perfect here where the Telinga is understood and spoken in its purity by so many thousands. Brother Gordon proceeds with the New Testament, where dear Brother Des Granges left off; and Brother Lee with the Old Testament. In our Schools, the boys both natives and half cast, continue to improve. Your female Missionaries are not idle spectators, but are daily employed in a Free School, which they commenced for the instruction of girls, both native and country-born; which latter are perhaps more the objects of compassion than the former, being reduced to almost the lowest state of wretchedness. The house which was built by our departed brethren, is in so dangerous a state, in consequence of its having been built of brick and mud, instead of chunam, that the walls are full of white ants, and the wood work of the roof so much eaten away, that it is deemed necessary to take it down; which we have resolved to do, and erect it again with good materials upon a larger plan, fit for the accommodation of the Missionaries, and as many children as we think of taking as boarders. The profits of the School will defray the expence; so that we do not intend to call on the Society for any part of it. The packet of paper and stationery came safe; for which accept our thanks; but we need more, as the work of translating consumes a great quantity of paper; which is to be bought here only at a most extravagant price.'

MR. MORRISON has translated the Gospel of St. Luke into the Chinese language, and printed it very neatly, at Canton. He has sent but one copy to the Directors; which they have presented to the British and Foreign Bible Society, as a token of their esteem and gratitude.

We are also informed that Mr. Morrison has completed his laborious work,-a Grammar of the Chinese language; which he has presented to Lord Minto, Governor General of Bengal, who, like his noble predecessor, Marquis Wellesley, is a patron of useful science.

ENGLISH PRISONERS IN FRANCE.

Sir, To the Editor. Should you deem the following extract of sufficient importance for a place in your Miscellany, I should feel obliged by its inser-

tion. One letter of a more recent date has been received by his aged parent; from which it appeared that Mr. T. continued in the same circumstances both as to body and mind; and that the Gospel was still preached,

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