Intelligence.-French Protestants.

117

can alone justify a foreign interference, and that such interference, especially when needlessly protracted, may increase jealousy, perpetuate suspicion, and inflame resentment, in foreign countries;---relying on the auspicious change which has obviously and actually occurred,---confiding in the promises of future and equal protection, now repeatedly promulgated by the Court of France,---encouraged by the recent assurances which have been given by Lords Liverpool and Castlereagh to the inhabitants of Glasgow, and the Catholies of the north,

belonging to the Protestants in forty departments of France, and one college for their literary and theological instruction, established at Montauban; and that in the department du Gard a persecution, partly political but rendered most acrimonious by religious animosity, had continued during several months, that many persons had been murdered, that public worship was prevented, that churches were despoiled, that trade and manufactures were suspended, that hundreds, appalled and alarmed, had quitted their occupations--their property and their homes, and be--and informed of the wishes and situation come fugitives ;---and that all the evils had locally existed, which mobs, unrestrained by adequate authority, and stimulated by party spirit, ignorance, desire of pillage and superstition, could inflict.

8. That although the Committee do not rely on letters influenced by fear,---on publications induced by interest,---and on assurances inserted in the subservient Journals which circulate in France ;---and although they regret that perfect compensation has not been made to the sufferers, and more decisive measures earlier adopted against their aggressors,---they are convinced that, even in that department where the evils did exist, those evils are now much decreased: that the rights of the Protestants have been officially recognized, in reiterated publications ;---another Royal Ordonance, for their advantage, has been announced ;---civil and military authorities have united for their protection; --- their ministers have been placed on an equality with the Catholic Clergy in the Electoral Assemblies, and flattered by titular and honourary distinctions ;---their churches have been re-opened;---many fugitives have returned ;---manufactures have revived;---some of their persecutors have been committed for trial; -and repose and security re-appear.

9. That this Committee cannot but attribute these results to the declarations of the Allied Powers, to the special efforts of the British Cabinet, and to those expressions of public opinion in England and throughout Europe, which have abashed the violent and unconstitutional Catholics in France--and, penetrating to the Thuilleries, have induced that Court to display an interest, a decision, and an energy, which had been too long deferred :---and that the Committee therefore rejoice in all the exertions which have not only contributed to this immediate effect, but which have formed an example for future labours---have announced the rights of conscience---have declared to the existing generation and to future ages, that Religious Freedom is esteemed and revered,---that Intolerance will no longer be endured, and that all persecutors must expect contemporaneous abhorrence, and a contempt permanent as the remembrance of their crimes.

10. That aware that imperious necessity

of the Protestants of France,---this Committee will not solicit Subscriptions on their behalf, and will now withdraw from active interposition with their affairs;---but that they will continue feelingly alive to their future destiny, and ready to afford them all that assistance,---cordial, prompt and abundant, which authentic applications may invite, or unexpected exigencies shall demand.

11. That the Committee cannot announce this determination without renewing their acknowledgements to the British Governmeut for their wise and liberal conduct,--nor without expressing their thanks to the Corporate and other Bodies,---to the publie spirited inhabitants of Glasgow, Hull, Newcastle, Gosport and Plymouth, and to the Catholics of Dublin and of the North of England, who have afforded them manly and Christian co-operation and support. And,

12. That convinced of the resistless pow. er of public opinion in a free country, and of the inestimable value of the independence of the press, the Committee cannot but offer their unfeigned and grateful applause to the spontaneous perseverance and zeal with which the great majority of the Editors of the public Journals have, with judg. ment and eloquence, advocated the cause of humanity and freedom, have counteracted the efforts of opponents, and have promoted an important and memorable triumph for Religious Liberty and Truth.

T. PELLATT, }

J. WILKS,

Secretaries.

At a Meeting of the Committee of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations, held at Williams's Library, Red-Cross Street, on Monday, January 29, 1816,

It was unanimously Resolved, That the Committee, at length, feel it an imperious duty to declare publicly, that they have never had any connexion with the Association denominated, "The Protestant Society ;"-that, from sufficient evidence, the Committee can assure the public of the correctness of their published statements; and that the contributions which have been, or still may be, entrusted to their care, continue to be highly ne

Intelligence. Report of Manchester College, York.

cessary, and will be appropriated to the efficient relief of the Protestants in the South of France, whose sufferings have not only equalled, but exceeded, the representations given by this Committee.

THOS. MORGAN, Secretary.

Intelligence-Report of Manchester College, York.

Students; and also because the custom of preaching annual, or at least occasional, Sermons for its support, may be made subservient to the interest of religious liberty, by supplying Ministers with a fair opportunity of addressing their hearers on those great principles which are the foundation of a Protestant Dissent, and on the expediency of providing for them a regular supply of enlightened and able advocates.

But while this is an object which the Trustees would particularly keep in view, they feel it, at the same time, very desirable, that the Friends of the College should be aware of the importance of keeping up the list of individual Subscribers to at least its present standard. This is probably the way in which the more opulent Dissenters will always choose to give their principal assistance; but to this purpose it is necessary that the subject should be frequently called up to their attention: for a consider able annual reduction may naturally be expected in any list of Annual Subscribers, in consequence of deaths and other contingencies, which it is therefore desirable to have supplied by new names.

The institution of Deputy-Treasurers in forwarding the interests of the College in this respect, has already been of such great importance, that the Trustees cannot but feel desirous of seeing their number increase, till at least one active and enlightened person be found in every neighbour. hood where there are any considerable number of friends to free inquiry, who, by circulating among them the Annual Reports, promoting Sermons and Congregational Collections, and collecting and transmitting the Subscriptions of individuals, may render the most essential service to the College, and to the cause which it was instituted to promote.

119

the Committee hope the exertion of their Friends will furnish them with the means of discharging, before the publication of their next Report.

The Deeds relative to the York Buildings are now completed, and are enrolled in the Court of Chancery.

The Trustees beg leave to announce, that Benjamin Gaskell, Esq. M.P. of Thornes House, has accepted the office of President of the College, on the resignation of their present most worthy President, Samuel Shore, Esq.

Mr. Thomas Rankin succeeds Mr. Morgan (who resigns from ill health) as DeputyTreasurer at Bristol; and the Rev. John Kentish succeeds his lamented colleague, Dr. Toulmin, in the same office at Birmingham; Mr. Robert Kay, of Bolton, and Mr. J. D. Strutt, of Derby, are also added to the List of Deputy-Treasurers, these being the first appointments for the above towns.

At the last Annual Examination on the 27th and 28th of June, the first Prize for Diligence, Regularity, and Proficiency, was adjudged to Mr. John James Tayler, of Nottingham; the second to Mr. Patrick Cannon, of Sheffield; the third to Mr. James Taylor, of Manchester: The Prize for Elocution, to Mr. William Bakewell,— Next year there will be only two Prizes of the former class; but the best Oration or Essay, delivered at the Annual Examination, is to be considered as a Prize Composition: and the Rev. William Shepherd, of Gateacre, has announced his intention of giving a Prize of Books, value Five Guineas, to the best Classical Scholar in the College.-Also, to encourage a perseverance in Theological Study, after the expiration of their Academical Course, a Prize of Five Guineas in Books will be annually given to the best Essay which shall be writAn additional Benefaction of 1007. has ten by any of the Gentlemen who have been been received from the Rev. John Yates, Divinity-Students in the College within the and has been appropriated, according to his last three years, and have completed their The subject will be prescribed by kind intention, to the further reduction of the Debt upon the York Buildings; which the Tutors; and the Essays must be deliit is hoped the continued liberality of the vered in, on or before the first of May each public will enable the Trustees shortly to discharge.

An anonymous Benefaction of 1007. has likewise been received through the hands of the Rev. Thomas Belsham; which has been laid out in books, and Philosophical Apparatus, in consequence of an intimation that this would be most agreeable to the generous intentions of the Donor.

it

An opportunity having occurred of redeeming the annual chief rent of 581. 12s. charged on the Manchester Buildings, has been purchased for 1172.; to reduce the burden arising from which to the Funds, a chief rent of 14. 11s. 10d. per annum, due from the Trustees of Cross-street Chapel, has been sold for 2917. 16s. 8d. There still remains, however, a balance of 3361. Os. 9d. due to the Treasurer, which

course.

year.

Of the Divinity-Students who left the College at the close of the last Session, Mr. Wallace is settled at Chesterfield, in the room of Mr. G. Kenrick, removed to Hull, and Mr. Bakewell, at Chester. The number of Students for the Ministry during the ensuing Session will be nine; Mr. Marden and Mr. Morris in the last year of their course; Mr. Cannon in the fourth; Messrs. Haslam aud Wood (of Liverpool, from the University of Glasgow) in the third; Messrs. John Tayler and James Taylor, in the second; and Messrs. John Wellbeloved and Charles Thompson, of Norwich, in the first. There will also be ten Lay-Students.

The Trustees beg leave once more to call the attention of the public to the advantages which, the Institution offers for the

120 Intelligence.-Case of the Unitarian Society at Thorne, Yorkshire.

completion of a course of liberal Education.

Between the ordinary close of a school education, and the commencement of studies strictly professional, or of the occupations of civil and active life, an interval occurs during which it is of the utmost importance to the future character that the mind be cultivated with more enlarged and varied knowledge than is attainable at school, and be guarded by a superintending discipline, from the danger of having its moral principles corrupted.

With this view the Trustees, in pursuing their primary object, the education of Dissenting Ministers, have endeavoured to render their Institution at the same time subservient to the liberal education of youth in general,without distinction of partyor religious denomination, and exempt from every political test, and doctrinal subscription. The course of instruction for the Christian Ministry comprehends Five Years; but it is so arranged, that, with the single exception of the study of Hebrew, the whole course during the first Three Years is equally applicable to Lay-Students.

In the first year the Students are instructed in the Greek and Latin Classics, in Ancient History, and in Latin and English Composition; in the Elements of Plane Geometry, Algebra and Trigonometry.

In the second year they proceed in the Greek and Latin Classics, and in the practice of Composition, and read a course of Modern History, in pursuing which their attention is particularly directed to the History and Principles of the English Constitution. They are instructed in the Geometry of Solids; in the Conic Sections; the Doctrine of the Sphere, and the higher parts of Algebra. Lectures are also given on the Philosophy of the Miud, and on Logic.

In the third year they are further instructed in the Greek and Latin Classics, and in the Belles Lettres; in some of the higher departments of Mathematical Science, particularly the method of Fluxions, and the Newtonian System of Physical Astronomy. They are also introduced to an extensive course of reading in Ethics, Jurisprudence, and Political Economy; and Lectures are delivered on the Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion. An extensive course of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Chemistry forms a part of the business both of the second and third Sessions.

The Students are lodged and boarded in a set of buildings near the dwelling-house of the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, the Theological Tutor, and Director of the Institution. The other two Tutors, the Rev. W. Turner, jun. M. A., and the Rev. John Kenrick, M. A., reside in the buildings with the Students.

The terms for Lay Students are 100-Gui

neas per annum, which sum defrays the board and lodging, and every other expense connected with a residence in the College.

Divinity-Students on the foundation have every expense of board and education defrayed.

In order to secure, as far as is possible, the respectability of the Students who shall be educated for the Ministry in this Seminary, with regard both to character and literary attainments, the Trustees have resolved, "That, in future, no Candidate shall be admitted on its Foundation, but on the recommendation of three Protestant Dissenting Ministers, residing in the neighbourhood where he lives, who shall certify, that at the commencement of his Course, he will have attained the full age of sixteen; that on their personal examination, his moral character, natural endowments, and classical proficiency, are such as to qualify him for becoming a Student for the Ministry; and that the profession is the object of his own voluntary choice. His ability to read Homer and Horace, will be considered as essential to his admission.". Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, York," who All applications must be addressed to "The Trustees, at York, on the last Wednesday will lay them before the Annual Meeting of in June; at which Meeting they will be taken into consideration, and those Candimonials produced, to be most eligible. dates preferred, who appear, from the testi

Letters on the subject of this Institution, Wood, Esq. Treasurer, Manchester, or the may also be addressed to George William upon-Tyne, by whom, or by any of the DeRev. William Turner, Visitor, Newcastleputy-Treasurers, Subscriptions and Donations are received.

SAMUEL SHORE, President. Manchester, August 2, 1815.

Cuse of the Unitarian Society at Thorne,
Yorkshire.

Among other circumstances which serve may be reckoned the formation of many to shew the rapid progress of Unitarianism, places adapted to the purposes of public new societies and the increased demand for worship. To the cases of this kind which have of late occupied the public attention, in Yorkshire, may be considered as an inthat of an Unitarian congregation at Thorne, teresting addition. There have been several Unitarian Christians in this neighpractice from the beginning has been to asbourhood for about ten years. Their semble together at the house of one of their friends on the Lord's day, and other convenient opportunities, to perform 'religious worship, as well as more fully to investigate the truth and importance of their religious sentiments. By these meetings, by his Missionary journeys, and the assistance the occasional services of Mr. Wright on

Intelligence.-Opening of the New Unitarian Chapel at Oldham.

of books which they have obtained, the society consisting of persons within a few miles of Thorne, may now be fairly considered in a flourishing condition. It is not the object of the present sketch, to take an elaborate survey of those circumstances which have had a remote or more immediate influence on their progress towards correct views of religion, but simply to make known to the world their present state and circumstances, as well as their prospect of future increase and prosperity. In justice to themselves, therefore, they state that their number is so materially increased, and the present place of meeting so inconvenient as to render it exceedingly desirable to erect a chapel. The expense, however, of such an undertaking, would far exceed their ability of supporting and they are not without a hope, that by giving their case publicity through the medium of the Monthly Repository, their wants may excite the generous sympathy and benevolent feelings of their more opulent brethren. They have conceived it necessary, previous to their making this public appeal, to form an estimate of the expense which would be incurred by such an undertaking, and the result of their inquiries justifies them in stating, that a sum of not less than three hundred and fifty pounds will be required, in order to meet the expense of purchasing a suitable situation, and erecting a chapel sufficiently large for their purpose.

A situation has already been procured, and about one hundred and twenty pounds have been subscribed by persons in the immediate neighbourhood, and it is thought that more cannot at present be raised there. This would leave a deficiency of two hundred and thirty pounds to be supplied from some other source.

After having made this statement of their own case, they cannot conclude without earnestly appealing to the feelings of all who are interested in so good a cause, and soliciting the cordial co-operation of those who may be friendly to the plan proposed. Subscriptions will be received by the following gentlemen :--

121

and solemnly dedicated to the public worship of Almighty God, At an early hour of the day, it was filled by a serious and attentive audience, many of whom, regardless of the inclemencies of the season, had come fifteen or twenty miles, and some still further. Every individual seemed to participate in the joy of the Oldham Society, at the accomplishment of their arduous undertaking; and at the commencement of the religious services, when a hymn, suitable to the occasion, was read from the pulpit, the whole assembly joined to sing it, with such earnestness and spirit, as evidently to shew that the heart was engaged. The Rev. W. Johns conducted the devotional exercises, and the Rev. J. Grundy preached, from Joshua xxiv. 15,Choose you this day whom ye will serve, &c. The deep and fixed attention with which this discourse was heard, was an involuntary tribute to the force of its arguments, and to the manly eloquence which characterised almost every part of it, as well as to the ability with which it was delivered.

After the conclusion of the service, the ministers present and their friends adjourned to a neighbouring inn, and a large party, composed of sixty-three gentlemen and twelve ladies, partook of a cheap and economical dinner. The union of ladies with gentlemen at our religious associations, we have twice witnessed with great pleasure in the midland counties, but this was the first instance of it in the north. Here the cold formalities of fashion have forbidden it, and it has hitherto been thought inconsistent with decorum. Those, however, who have been in the habit of attending these associations, will need few arguments to convince them, not merely of the strict propriety, but also of the great utility of such an union. On these occasions, a rich mental feast is generally furnished by the speeches of the ministers and gentlemen present; why should females be deprived of it? These addresses are exceedingly useful in stirring up the company to zealous exertious in support of religious truth; will the zeal of females do nothing in the good cause? Let their influence upon society in general, and especially upon the infant and youthful mind, be considered, and every thing will be hailed as an auxiliary to human im1. 8. d. provement and happiness which tends to engage them in the cause of religion. Mr. Grundy was called upon to take the 0 chair, and by his able manner of dis0 charging its duties, he effectually kept up the interest of the meeting. He proposed a succession of appropriate sentiments and toasts, which gave rise to several spirited addresses. Amongst these we recollect the following:-"Our Unitarian friends at Oldham; may their future conduct be consistent with their present professions.”

Rev. Robert Aspland, Durham House, Hackney-road; Rev. Richard Wright, Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire; Reverend P. Wright, Division-street, Sheffield; Mr. W. Darley, Thorne.

Subscriptions already received.

Congregation at Elland.

J. P. Heywood, Esq. Wakefield
Mrs. Milnes, Freyston

Rev. P. Wright, Sheffield

A Friend, by ditto

14

5

5

1

1300010

0

0

0 10 6

Mr. S. J. Wood, Bury, Lancashire 1 0 0

Account of the Opening of the New Uni-
tarian Chapel at Oldham, Lancashire.
On Thursday, January 4th, the New
Unitarian chapel at Oldham was opened,

VOL. XI.

R