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The service was opened by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, of Totness; the sermon was preached by the Rev. H. Acton, from Romans i. 16, defending the Unitarian doctrine from the charge of flattering the pride and corruption of humau nature. It was an admirable discourse, exciting the close attention of the auditory, among whom we were much pleased to observe some leading members of other sects. After the Meeting, the business of the Society was transacted. By the Secretary's report there appeared to have been an increase in the number of tracts distributed in the last year, and at the same time an increase in the funds. Many tracts had been given to the Missionaries of Devon and Cornwall who had stated their distribution to have been of very essential service, that they were sought for with avidity, and lent from one to another, producing the best possible effects. The members and friends then dined together, W. Hornsey, Esq, in the chair, and were favoured with the company of the Rev. James Taylor, of America. On his health being drank, he gare a most pleasing and satisfactory account of the rise and progress of Unitarianism in Philadelphia and its present state. Mr. Wallace in giving an account of the progress of the cause in his district, read a letter from a humble tradesman of his congregation to a gentleman who had dismissed his daughter from his service, because her father, the writer of the letter, attended an Unitarian place of worship. After several able and eloquent speeches from the Chairman, the Rev. H. Acton, T. M. Kingdon, Esq., the Treasurer of the Missionary Society, and others, the company separated. In the evening, the service was opened by the Rev. Mr. Yeates, of Collumpton, and a most interesting sermon was preached by Mr. Taylor, from John xiv. 29, on the Arguments derived from Prophecy for the Truth of Christianity.

Western Unitarian Society.

THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Trowbridge, Wilts, on Wednesday the 13th of July. The morning service was introduced by Mr. G. Smallfield, of Hackney, with reading of the Scriptures, and a short, but most appropriate prayer; Mr. Taylor, of Philadelphia, U. S. of N. America, made the general prayer; and the Rev. R. Aspland preached the annual sermon, which was heard by a respectable audience with deep attention, and, it is hoped, will not soon be forgotten; and, if remembered, it cannot fail to produce effects highly beneficial. The discourse was founded

on the words of Paul, 2 Tim. iii. 7; from which the preacher took occasion, in a very full and circumstantial manner, with extraordinary clearness and energy, to point out the causes of the slow progress of truth, or the obstacles which keep men from coming to the knowledge of the truth; and made that practical use of the views stated, which is calculated to stimulate the zeal, and animate the hopes, of the friends of the Unitarian cause. It would be impossible, in a short compass, to do justice to this most excellent sermon; but the reporter hopes that, in compliance with the unanimous request of the society, it will be printed, being fully persuaded that the perusal of it will both highly gratify and much edify the real friends of truth, whether they have previously heard it or not.

At the meeting for business, after the morning service, several new members were added to the society. Sixty-six persons, members and friends of the society, dined together, A. Palmer, Esq., in the chair; and Mr. Aspland, Dr. Carpenter, Mr. Taylor, and several other gentlemen addressed the company, on subjects well calculated to promote the objects of the institution, and the general cause of truth and charity. Throughout, the proceedings were truly edifying.

There was a public service again in the evening, which was introduced by the Rev. H. Clarke; and the Rev. Dr. Carpenter preached on 2 Cor. x. 7. In his discourse the Doctor ably defended Unitarians against some of the false charges which are brought against them by mistaken men and bigots, (who deny them the name of Christians, and regard them as exposed to eternal condemnation,) by shewing that they believe all the essential doctrines taught by Christ and his apostles, and even agree with Christians of other denominations in the most important points; by exposing the injustice of censuring and condemning and unchristianizing those who believe in and worship the one living and true God, refer all the temporal and spiritual blessings they enjoy to him, hold them. selves continually accountable to him for the improvement of all their talents, and expect from him, as his gifts, eternal life and happiness; who believe that God sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to be the Mediator of the New Covenant; that Christ came to seek and save the lost, that in him they have life, and that all who come to God by him shall receive remission of sins; who believe that every thing which Christ taught proceeded directly from God; that God was with him, and manifested by him; and that in his precepts and example we have an infallible rule of faith and prac

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tice; and who also believe and expect that Jesus will finally be their judge; that all must stand before his judgment seat. The candid and solemn appeal which the doctor made to his hearers, as to the right of Unitarians to be acknowledged and treated as Christians, must have been felt by all serious and impartial persons. On the whole, this discourse was well suited to Trowbridge and its neighbourhood; and, it is hoped, will help to remove some of the misconceptions which so generally prevail there respecting Unitarians. There is good reason to think that the holding of this meeting at Trowbridge, together with the valuable services of Mr. Aspland on the following Sunday, which were numerously attended, will contribute to the advancement of the Unitarian cause.

R. W.

Eastern Unitarian Society.

THE Thirteenth Anniversary of the Eastern Unitarian Society was held at Framlingham, in Suffolk, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 13th and 14th of July. On Wednesday evening, Mr. Ryland (who for the last three months had been supplying the congregation at Norwich) introduced the service, and Mr. Worsley, of Plymouth, preached. On Thursday morning, Mr. James Martineau, a stu dent at the York College, commenced the service by prayer and reading the Scriptures: Dr. Philipps, of Sheffield, followed, and Mr. Tagart, of Norwich, preached from Isaiah xxxv. 8, "The way-faring men, though fools, shall not err therein." The object of the sermon was to prove that the prophet's declaration could not be applied to the commonly reputed orthodox notious and schemes of religion, since the Scriptures would be searched in vain for any clear and explicit statement of those doctrines which are usually called the essential parts of Christianity.

After service the business of the Society was transacted, Thomas Robinson, Esq., of Bury St. Edmund's, in the chair. The Report of the Committee was received and adopted by the meeting, and the next Yearly Meeting was appointed to be held at Norwich on the first Wednesday in July, 1826, and following day. In consequence of the resignation of Isaac L. Marsh, Esq., and Mr. Edward Taylor, who had filled the offices of Treasurer and Secretary from the formation of the Society, Mr. Henry Martineau and Mr. William Newson, both of Norwich, were severally appointed to succeed them. Mr. Tagart and Mr. Worsley were requested to print their sermons, but declined ac

ceding to the wish of the Meeting. The Meeting then proceeded to take into consideration the propriety of forming a District Association, to be called the Eastern District Association, and connected with the British and Foreign Unitarian Association, when it was unani. mously resolved that such Association should be formed, and the Treasurer was directed to pay the sum of five pounds to the Treasurer of the British and Foreign Association. Mr. Edward Taylor, and Thomas Robinson, Esq., were appointed Deputies.

The thanks of the Society were voted to William Smith, Esq., for his able and judicious efforts to free the Unitarians from the degradation of being compelled to submit to the marriage service of the Established Church; for his vigilance in watching and securing their civil rights; for his consistent support of Catholic emancipation; and for his numerous and steady exertions in the cause of freedom and humanity during his long political career. Also, to the Marquis of Lansdown and to Lord Holland, for their powerful support of the Unitarian Marriage Bill, and for their steady attachment to the cause of civil and religious liberty.

The thanks of the Meeting were also given to the late Treasurer and Secretary for the discharge of their respective duties during the last fourteen years.

Seventy-three gentlemen afterwards dined together at the Crown Inn, and after dinner about twenty ladies joined the party, as did also several labouring men, some of whom had walked a distance of twenty miles in order to be present at the Meeting. We believe that none went away disappointed. Perhaps it was the most interesting Meeting the Society ever had. To see such a number of individuals, assembled, from various and distant parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, in a small market town, animated by one common feeling, men of all classes and all ranks, and welcomed and headed by the excellent and venerable minister of the Unitarian Chapel-to witness the respect which his character claims and receives from all who come within the sphere of his influence, could not fail to excite the best feelings and affections of the heart, and to lay up a store of reflections which the memory will delight to dwell on. The Chair was ably filled by George Watsou, Esq., of Palgrave; aud in the course of the afternoon the company were addressed by Mr. Tagart, Mr. Worsley, Mr. James Martineau, and Mr. Edward Taylor.

Address and Presentation of a piece of Plate to the Rev. W. Field, of Warwick, by his Congregation, on the Thirty-fifth Anniversary of his Ministry.

We have very great pleasure in recording the honourable and highly-deserved compliment and respect paid to the Rev. W. Field, of Warwick, on the above occasion. The private virtues of Mr. Field, his zealous and eminent services in the Unitarian ministry, are too well known

to our readers to require any publication In 1790, when he first

in our pages.

assumed the office of the Unitarian mi

nistry in that town, the congregation was comparatively small, and the political and religious prejudices of the town and neighbourhood were greatly excited a gainst the profession of Unitarian opinions, and the establishment of the Sunday-schools: we only refer to these cir. cumstances as a gratifying contrast to the liberal spirit of the present day. No one is now more universally esteemed than Mr. Field: his evening services are frequently attended by many members of the Establishment and other Dissenting churches; and he is entrusted with the education of many of their sons. Thus truth triumphs over error.

On the evening of the 12th, the whole congregation, and many ladies and gentlemen of different religious sentiments, assembled to tea in the large room of the Race Stand, which the proprietors had liberally lent for the occasion. Mr. Field was present by invitation. After tea, Mr. Brookhouse, in the name of the congregation, presented a Silver Salver, with the following Address :

"I have much pleasure, Sir, in presenting to you this Salver, in the name of your congregation, who beg that you will accept it, as a slight token of their high regard for your character, both public and private.

"Our Society has now been favoured with your services, for the long period of thirty-five years. The occasion is one which presents no ordinary claims on our respect and gratitude; and we think that we should be wanting in duty, both to you and to ourselves, if we suffered it to pass, without some more than ordinary expression of our feelings. You will believe, Sir, that it is not the language of flattery, but that of sincerity and of truth, when we say, that in presenting you with this token of our regard, we have been influenced by the deepest sense of the value of those public services on which we are in the habit of attending on the Lord's day. We feel the happiness of

frequenting a place of worship, where the most enlarged views of Christian truth

are unfolded before our minds; where

the great rules of our duty are illustrated and enforced in the most impressive manner; and where we are made intimately acquainted with those consolations under the troubles of life, which religion alone is able to furnish. We

feel that we have ourselves alone to which you so ably conduct; and we are blame, if we do not profit by the services sensible that those services are rendered doubly impressive by the excellence of your private character, by that pure spirit of Christian charity, by that strict integrity, and that unwearied assiduity, in life, by which your conduct has been the performance of all the great duties of uniformly marked. These excellencies

also deservedly obtained for you the high have endeared you to us, as they have respect of your neighbours and fellow

townsmen.

"As a token of the sincere and fervent esteem and affection which we entertain

for you, we beg that you will accept this piece of Plate-accompanied, as it is, with our most ardent wishes, that you may long be spared as a blessing to us, and to your family, and that the Great Author of all mercies may bestow upon you every real good, both in the present and the future life."

This Address was received by the company with the warmest applause. It was truly interesting to observe the feelings of pleasure and interest in every counte. nance of this general assembly. The presence and intermixture of all classes of the society was consistent with the

principles and practice of the first promul gators of Christianity, the great Author of which had "no respect of persons." Mr. Field was the patriarch of the family. He then came forward and addressed the company to the following effect:

He began with saying, that he could hardly find words to express how much he felt obliged and gratified by the favour they had done him, in assembling, so numerously, as a respectful compliment to him; and especially by the great favour they had conferred upon him, in the generous and the splendid gift which, by the hands of one of his earliest and one of his best friends, they had, in so handsome a manner, and with so many kind and encouraging expressions, presented to him. Such a public testimony of respectful and affectionate regard was, indeed, a flattering distinction: and, he hoped, they would believe that he received it with a high and glowing satisfaction at his heart: and that he should never cease to remember it with gratitude

and with delight, so long as the powers of memory lasted.

He then proceeded to mention that, on that day thirty-five years ago, he first took upon himself the duties of that of fice, which gave him a fixed residence in their town; and brought him into near connexion with many, then present, as fellow - worshipers in the same temple, and with all of them as fellow-townsmen: -and " your presence here," said he, "encourages me to add, not as fellowtownsmen only, but also as kind friends and well-wishers." Noticing the long course of his services-though he could not flatter himself that they were valuable or important, in proportion to the length of their continuance; yet some part of the praise they had so kindly bestowed upon him in the address of his excellent friend, and in the inscription, just read, he did venture to take to himself-the praise of his fidelity to his trust-the praise of sincere intention and earnest exertion, in the discharge of his official duties. "Yes!" said he, "looking back through the course of the thirty-five departed years, I hope I may venture to say, that if I have not laboured so effectually as I could wish, yet that my labours have been sincerely and earnestly directed to the great object of promoting the sacred cause of religious and moral truth!"

Speaking next of the changes which had taken place in the state of his own religious society, he remarked, that of all who belonged to it when he first took the charge of it, there were not more than three or four individuals now remaining! Of the rest, he said, some had been removed from this place by the changes of life, and many had been removed from this world by the great change of death. After pathetically la`menting the loss of almost all those who first invited him to Warwick, he went on to say, that though he had lost many kind and affectionate friends, many steady and zealous supporters, who, if they had been living, would have rejoiced to witness the honours, and to share with him in the happiness of that day-yet that he had abundant cause for gratitude in finding so many other friends rising up in their place, no less kind and affectionate than they; no less steady and zealous in their support than they. "Of this," said the speaker, "could I desire a greater or a more decisive proof, than this large assembly, crowding round me, or that noble present lying before me ?"

One of the most pleasing circumstances, he next observed, of their present meeting, was, that so many persons, not members of his congregation, had united with them, in promoting the ob

ject of it; some by handsomely granting the use of the large and commodious room in which they were assembled ; others by generously contributing their pecuniary aid; others by their declared good wishes; and many, he was proud to see, by their actual presence. This he dwelt upon, as a testimony to what little merit he might have, most of all gratifying to him, because it could only proceed from some strong feeling in his favour. He then expressed, very fervently, his thanks to those friends, not of his congregation, for the great favour they had done him, by their presence in that assembly, and by their coucurrence in that gift, which would for ever signalize this day, said he, as one of the happiest days in the "short and simple annals of his life." Such kind support, he should ever remember as an indulgent act of respectful regard to him; and whilst, most honourable to his own character, he considered it as no less honourable to the candour of theirs.

The times we now live in, the speaker next, with much animation, exclaimed, are glorious times! times of increasing knowledge, improving morals, and more enlarged, more enlightened, if not more ardent and active, benevolence! But in no respect did he consider the times as more glorious than in this-that the spirit of religious bigotry was every where either dying fast, or quite dead and gone; and instead of it, is springing up, every where, into full life and active vigour, a uoble spirit of religious candour and cha. rity. All men, in almost every country, of almost every religious sect, are learning, and learning very fast too, this important lesson-not merely to endure those who are honestly of a different opinion, but to love and respect them, just as much as if they held the same opinions with themselves. This, said he, is a grand improvement in human character. It tears up, by the root, some of the most painful feelings, some of the most pitiful prejudices, that have ever planted themselves in the human mind. It must increase greatly the pleasures of social intercourse, and contribute much to promote the order, the harmony, the happiness of social life.

Alluding to one of his own publications, the speaker observed, he had already said it in print, and he would say it there again, that in the liberal spirit of the times, few places have more largely participated than the town in which he had lived so long. This he ascribed, in no small degree, to the happy influence of known liberality of sentiment, and known benevolence of spirit, which a great divine, (Dr. Parr,) whom they had lately

lost, exerted and diffused in a wide circle all around him. "And here," said he, "I cannot help indulging for a moment in the melancholy pleasure of thinking, had he been now living, how cordially would he have rejoiced to meet us in this place, and to join with us in all the transactions of this day! How pleased would he have been to witness the honour you have conferred upon one whom he himself delighted, on all occasions, to honour; and whom he distinguished by his kind and affectionate regard, continued through many years to the last moments of his existence. Well!" said the speaker, mournfully, "he is gone! By his death, one great happiness of my life is struck down, and the chief glory of our neighbourhood is for ever eclipsed! If that venerated person, to whom I am alluding,' continued the speaker, "were capable of hearing what I am now going to say, I am sure he would approve it: I am sure he would applaud it. It is this: that we cannot do greater honour to his memory than by cherishing in our own minds, and promoting in the minds of all around us, the same candour and charity which shone out so brilliantly in his character." Mr. Field concluded by repeating his thanks for the honour and happiness the company had conferred upon him that day, by their kind attendance, and by their most generous and splendid gift; adding his best wishes for their health and happiness, and his humble hopes of having with them a far more joyful meeting, under far more favourable circum. stauces than they could now conceive of -hereafter !

We need make no comments on the excellent sentiments of the Address and Auswer, alike honourable to all parties.

The Plate was of the value of Fifty Guineas, and bears the following inscription:-"Presented to the Rev. WM. FIELD, by the Congregation assembling in the High-Street Chapel, Warwick, in testimony of the high respect which they entertain for his private character, and in grateful acknowledgment of the exemplary fidelity, the animated zeal, and the unwearied diligence with which, during the period of thirty-five years, he has discharged among them the office of a Christian Minister. July 12th, 1825."

The health of Mr. Brookhouse was drank, who returned thanks. Several gentlemen addressed the Meeting, and proposed other toasts. The Rev. Mr. Wood, of Kenilworth, and Mr. Wallace, of Altringham, were present; and other Dissenting Ministers, of different denominations, expressed their intention of attending, had not previous engagements prevented them.

Address of the Catholic Association to the People of Ireland.

(Concluded from p. 380.) Fellow-Countrymen,

ATTEND to our advice-we advise you to abstain from all such secret combinations; if you engage in them, you not only meet our decided disapprobation, in conjunction with that of your revered clergy, but you gratify and delight the basest and bloodiest faction that ever polluted a country-the Orange faction. The Orangemen anxiously desire that you should form Whiteboy, and Ribbon, and other secret societies; they not only desire it, but they take an active part in promoting the formation of such societies; they send amongst you spies and informers; first to instigate you to crime, and then to betray you to punishment. They supply their emissaries with money, and they send them to different parts of the country, holding out to the people the pretence of being friends and fellowsufferers. The instances are not few nor remote of such instigation, and it is quite natural that the Orangemen should adopt such measures. When the country is disturbed, it is the Orangeman's harvest; he is then employed in the constabulary force and in the police, and he obtains permanent pay in the yeomanry corps. He shares the rewards with the informer, and often helps him to mark out his victim. He is also able to traduce the people and the religion of the land. The absence of constitutional law enables the Orangeman to exert ruffian violence with impunity; and thus, by means of secret and Whiteboy societies and outrages, the fell Orangeman is able to gratify his predominant passions of avarice, oppression and cruelty.

You could not please the Orangemen more than in embarking in secret socicties, Whiteboyism and outrage.

On the other hand, you cannot do any thing that could more afflict your sincere friends. You could do nothing that could give greater grief to the Catholic Association, that now affectionately and anxiously address you. We are striving to obtain your rights by constitutional and legal means We are endeavouring to procure redress, through the proper and legal channel, for the oppressions which aggrieve you. We are anxiously desirous to obtain from Parliament a great diminution of tithes-a total abolition of the Church rates-a great reduction of the grand jury cess-the abolition of the odious oppressions and heavy tolls, raised by bigoted and narrow-minded corpo rators-a more pure administration of justice, more especially as it affects the lower and poorer classes of the commu

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