INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC. RELIGIOUS. Southern Unitarian Society. THE Annual Meeting of the Southern Unitarian Society took place at Poole, on Wednesday, August 3rd, when the Rev. Edmund Kell, of Newport, delivered an admirable sermon, on the Superior Influence of Unitarianism over Calvinism, considered as a Moral System, and urged his hearers, from the question in the fifth chapter of Matthew's Gospel, "What do ye more than others?" to see that they conducted themselves worthy of the principles they professed to esteem. In the evening, the Rev. J. Fullagar, of Chichester, addressed a numerous audience, on the Nature of the "Damnable Heresies" mentioned by the Apostle Peter, and in his discourse clearly shewed, that the charge of "denying the Lord that bought them," frequently made against the Unitarians, could not be applied to them, without setting scripture phraseology and ecclesiastical history at defiance. After the service in the morning, the business of the Society was transacted, Thomas Cooke, Esq., of Newport, having been called to the Chair, and the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to. That, while the members of this Society deeply deplore that the attempt to relieve conscientious Unitarians from the present Marriage Service, has again been frustrated, they feel themselves the more obliged to those friends of civil and religious liberty in both Houses of the Legislature, who have continued to support their cause, and beg hereby to return them their cordial thanks. That the members of this Society, deeply feeling the great obligations under which they lie to that upright and enlightened Senator, William Smith, Esq., for his endeavours to procure them relief from the present Marriage Service, and for his judicious and unremitting exertions in favour of civil and religious liberty, beg to return him their sincerest thanks, and to express their hope, that his life will, by a gracious Providence, be long preserved, for the furtherance of those plans connected with the moral and social welfare of mankind, by the steady pursuit of which, his senatorial career has been uniformly characterized. That the renewed thanks of the members of the Southern Unitarian Society be individually presented to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most Noble the Marquis of Lansdown, the Right Hon. Lord Liverpool, and the Right Hon. Lord Holland, for their late support of accompanied with an expression of their the Unitarian Bill in the House of Lords, of their Lordships will not be wanting to confidence, that the continued endeavours been already granted them by the Comobtain for Unitarians the liberty that has ing their Marriage Contracts in conformons House of Parliament, of solemnizmity with their religious principles. finished, the members of the Society steps should be taken to introduce Unita- The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Price, its worthy Secretary; and Mr. P., he having been prevented from Mr. Fullagar (who acted as Secretary for attending the Meeting) was requested to forward copies of the votes of thanks to the several distinguished individuals above-mentioned. ing letter from Lord Holland, iu acknowThe Secretary has received the followledgment of the Society's resolution of thanks communicated to him. to convey to the other members of the I beg you to accept for yourself, and Southern Unitarian Society, my thanks for your flattering notice of my earnest justice due to persons of your religious endeavours to contribute to an act of persuasion. It will always be my wish exempted from insult, as well as from to see persons of every religious opinion injury, on account of their opinions; and to exact from those who differ from the Church, a conformity in the points on which they differ, as the condition of legalizing such an important contract, as sulting and injurious. You may always that of marriage, appears to me both in August 12, 1825. A numerous party partook of a friendly dinner together, which was enlivened by addresses from ministers and other menibers present. The Rev. M Maurice, in acknowledging the cordial thanks presented to him for his services on this occasion, said it was truly gratifying to To the Rev. John Fullagar, Minister of him, compelled as he is, by the afflicted Unitariau Chapel, Chichester. Southern Unitarian Fund. THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Portsmouth, on the 20th of September, when the Rev. Michael Maurice, of Southampton (late of Frenchay) delivered two useful and impressive discourses; in the morning, on the scripture doctrine of Regeneration, (from John iii. 7,) and in the evening, (from Isa. liii 7,) he encouraged his audience to increased efforts in publishing this "good news of peace and salvation" to the whole race of man. The introductory and devotional services were conducted by the Revds. J. Fullagar, W. Hughes, J.B. Bristowe, and E. Kell. An interesting report was read by the Rev. Russell Scott, the Secretary. The Society has persevered for several years past in giving popular lectures on week evenings, in hired rooms, and inviting public attention by means of handbilis. Although there are two old established places of Unitarian worship in Portsmouth, experience has shewn that by pursuing this plan in the adjoining town of Portsea, and the suburbs, many persous have heard the word of life and peace, and received it gladly, who would never have strayed from their accustomed folds on the Lord's Day; others, attracted by mere curiosity, have had their feelings interested, and their minds directed to religious inquiry; even orthodox watchmen who came to detect the supposed sophistry which was seducing sheep from their fold, have by this means been transformed into zealous defenders of Unitarianism. The Society has been and is now anxious to extend its operations to other towns. In one situation, two individuals offered their houses for the purpose of lectures; but the Committee, finding on further inquiry, that one of them was in danger of being turned out of doors, and the other deprived of a principal means of support for his family, if their generous offers were accepted, could not consent that these worthy persons should be the victims of their Christian sincerity and zeal. By unanimous recommendation of the Committee, the Society resolved to ally itself with the British and Foreign Unitarian Association, by a subscription of 51.5s. state of his family, to separate himself from a Society endeared to him by the closest bonds of religious and social fellowship, to find himself this day reassociated with two companions of his early years, whom he had not seen for thirty-eight years, when they were fellowstudents with him at the Orthodox Dissenting Seminary at Hoxton; he alluded to his venerated senior brother Mr. Scott, and his beloved class-fellow Mr. Hughes, for whom, soon after their first acquaintance, he had conceived the affection of a brother by nature as well as by grace. Mr. M. eloquently enforced the duty of union, and rejoiced in the centre of union afforded by the British and Foreign Association. He had seen with regret chapels and chapel funds wrested or diverted from our cause, because the charge of contesting for them at law was too great for individuals, however, zealous, to incur; and since Unitarians had learned to act on a principle of fellowship, he had also seen the spoils wrested from the grasp of the spoiler. The cases of Marshfield and Bradford had come lately within his own immediate notice; their property would have been lost for ever, but for the Society for protecting Unitarian Civil Rights; and now that it is redeemed, by the assistance of the Unitarian Fund and the aid of neighbouring ministers and congregations, the good work is going on most encouragingly in both places. The public services were well attended. The primitive simplicity and apostolic energy of the preacher, the importance of the subjects brought before the Society, and the freedom and ability with which they were discussed, the presence of friends from Newport, Chichester, &c., and the zeal aud cordiality generally evinced, rendered this meeting one of the most gratifying we have enjoyed since the formation of the Society. Birmingham Unitarian Tract Society. THE Nineteenth Annual General Meeting of the Unitarian Tract Society, established in Birmingham for Warwickshire and the neighbouring counties, was held in the New Meeting house, Birmingham, on Wednesday 27th July, at 11 o'clock A. M. The Rev. James Hews Bransby, of Dudley, commenced the devotional service and real the Scriptures; the Rev. Charles Berry, of Leicester, offered the general prayer; and the Rev. W. Johnson Fox, of London, delivered an eloquent and appropriate discourse on "zeal for pure religion," from Proverbs viii. 1-4. It is hoped that the Unitarian public will shortly have the benefit of the Preacher's excellent and interesting observations through the medium of the press, as nearly 300 copies were subscribed for at the Meeting. At the close of the religious services, John Ryland, Esq., was called to the Chair, when the usual business of the Society was transacted, and twenty-nine new names added to the list of members. The weather being favourable, a number of friends attended from Kidderminster, Oldbury, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Hanley, and other neighbour. ing places. In the afternoon the subscribers and friends of the Society dined together at Willday's Royal Hotel, to the number of 186, which is perhaps the largest assemblage of Unitarians ever collected ou a similar occasion, except in the Metropolis. The usual sentiments were proposed from the Chair, which drew forth several appropriate and impressive addresses from the gentlemen present. SIR, Case of the Congregation at Middleton, near Manchester, June 18, 1825. THE Congregation of Unitarian Christians at Middleton wish to give publicity to their situation through the medium of the Monthly Repository, and request the insertion of the following statement. They are a poor but zealous body, consisting of thirty or more families, all, with one exception, working people, who have adopted the tenets of Unitarian Christians, many of them within the last few years, from the conviction of their own minds, without any influence or persua sion, and maintained these opinions, in spite of much odium, prejudice and opposition. There is a spirit amongst them now of inquiry and reasoning, which, fostered by a little external aid, will lead to results gratifying to the friends of Unitarianism, and it is for this aid that they now earnestly and respectfully appeal to the Unitarian public. The room now used for the purpose of worship, and for the education of one hundred and fifty Sunday-school children, is inconvenient and unpleasant, in itself almost enough to prevent persons joining the congregation. A chapel lately resigned by a congregation of Calvinists is now offered for sale, and there is no place in the neigh bourhood so eligible and convenient; it is believed that this chapel may be bought VOL. XX. 4 D and put into repair for about 300%, and there are two cellars under it, used as dwellings, which are let for 91. a year. A subscription has been entered into amongst the congregation themselves, expected that this sum may be made into which has produced about 307., and it is 507. by them. Their friends at Manchester have subscribed liberally, and promiscongregations in the neighbourhood are ed very considerable aid. Several of the expected to afford some assistance, and for the rest they must throw themselves upon the charity of the friends to the propagation of their doctrines. They most urgently request the assistance of Fellowship Funds, which they trust will be granted to themn, although no direct application is made to each separately. congregation have hitherto borne the curIt may be proper to state, that the rent expenses without difficulty, and have day-school, which indeed may now be been indefatigable in forming a good Sunconsidered the best in the town. Some late additions to the congregation will pense, in case of obtaining the chapel, enable them to bear the additional exwith equal facility. A preacher attached to the Missionary Society of the district, will preach regularly in his turn; and they have the expectation of the assistance of some other Unitarian ministers occasionally. A testimonial is annexed from the Mistimately acquainted with the circumsionary Society, whose members are instances of the case; and it is hoped this, joined to the above simple narration of the facts, will induce the immediate aid of the friends of the cause throughout the kingdom. your consenting to receive subscriptions For the society of Unitarian Christians RICHARD AUBREY, Jun. Cheshire Unitarian Missionary Society The Committee of the Lancashire and have authorized me to give a testimonial on behalf of the congregation of congregation has been regularly supplied Unitarian Christians at Middleton. This with preachers by the Missionary Society, and the exemplary conduct of the members, joined to their zealous perseverance in conducting a very excellent Sundayschool, established at this place, has caused this congregation to be regarded as an important one by the Missionary * The Editor cheerfully consents. Society. The Committee entirely approve On behalf of the Committee, Ministerial Resignations and Appoint ments. Dr. DAVID REES has given in his resignation to the Unitarians of Merthyr, alleging as a reason the narrow principle of their chapel-deed. The principle to which he objects, and which he deems incompatible with the spirit of Dissent, is contained in certain provisions of the deed to the following effect: That a vote in the election of a minister, and in other affairs of the chapel, be restricted to contributors of ten shillings a year and upwards. That two-thirds of the Trustees may eject a minister thus elected by the contributors; and that the minister so ejected should be ineligible for ever after. That, when the number of Trustees is reduced by deaths to five, the contributors, as above, shall be entitled to nominate successors; the Trustees shall have the right to approve of, or reject, the persons thus nominated. MISCELLANEOUS. Resolutions of Protestant Peers possessing Property in Ireland, relating to the Catholic Claims. Resolved-1. That while we acknowledge with gratitude the measures adopted by Parliament for the general improvement and prosperity of Ireland, we cannot but feel that full effect can never be given to the benevolent intentions of the Legislature while our Roman Catholic fellow-subjects labour under civil disqua lification; that every accession of wealth and knowledge must, by increasing the capacity of exercising the highest civil rights, increase equally the desire of obtaining them, and thus aggravate the discontent of those who are aggrieved. 2. That the civil equality of all classes of the people would not endanger the Constitution, which is best secured by giving to all an equal interest in its sup port; nor the Protestant faith, which is secured by its own clear truths, and by the pious zeal of our clergy; nor property in tithes, which, like all other property, is secured by law. 3. That without such civil equality there is no hope of permanent tranquillity in Ireland, or of that perfect national union, which is alone wanting to complete the greatness of the empire, and for ever to preserve it from hostile aggression. 4. That it is expedient to do an act of justice in a time of prosperity; to confer rights while they will be received with gratitude; to confer with advantage what cannot be refused with safety; and to adopt in peace a measure which may be forced upon us in war, and which the uncoutroulable course of time must evidently force upon us soon. 5. That we, the undersigned Protestant Peers possessing property in Ireland, most earnestly recommend to our Roman Catholic fellow-subjects, firmness, temperance and union. That we desire them to rely upon us as the determined friends of their just cause; and upon the good sense of their Protestant fellow-subjects for the ultimate recovery of their civil rights. Minority Majority 32 དྱུl。| 8 178 130 48 It appears from the above statement, that the majority of the young Lords are in favour of Emancipation, and the number of Lords above sixty years of age are two to one against it, so that in a few years, in all probability, the measure will be carried in the House of Lords. The strength of the Opposition, therefore, lay in men whose opinious belong to the last century, not to the present. Every body knows, that after Harvey had demonstrated the circulation of the blood, no physician then living, above 40 years of age, would believe in the doctrine. Edinb. Mag. Union Schools. IN compliance with our request, a correspondent has sent ns, in a printed circular, the following proposals for establishing a Subscription Classical and Ma thematical School in the East of London. The plan has been some months before the public, but has not yet been carried into effect. "In the year 1821, a school was esta "That, for the purpose of carrying so desirable a measure into effect, an outline of the Plymouth establishment be printed and circulated, at the discretion of the meeting.' "Agreeably to this Resolution, your attention is requested to the following leading features of the School alluded to. "A capital was raised, by subscription, to purchase a suitable piece of ground, and to erect a proper school-room. This property was vested in trust, and divided into one hundred shares. The holders of one or more shares, (not exceeding three,) are constituted proprietors, from amongst whom, all the officers are elected to manage the concerns of the Institution. A Committee was chosen, and four masters, of approved talent and integrity, were appointed. “Each shareholder may introduce one boy for every share he holds, paying an annual sum of eight guineas on each share, by quarterly instalments, for which trifling sum, every proprietor at Plymouth, obtains for his child a superior education, while, by the combination of the whole of the subscribers, a sufficient amount is raised to procure masters of the first-rate talent. "Such (with several minor arrangements) is the plan of the Plymouth School; and it must be evident to every parent, that this mode of tuition combines, at once, all the advantages of a public and a private education. The youth (who will all be of a respectable class) will be placed under the care of masters, approved by the proprietors, during the greater part of the day; and at night, will return home, and be the objects of domestic care and vigilance, under the paternal roof, and the parents will have the double satisfaction of knowing with whom their children associate, and of watching the improvement which they make in their various studies. The education will be comprehensive, embracing all that is necessary to qualify either for commercial pursuits or professional engagements; and all these advantages will be combined with the greatest economy." PARLIAMENTARY. blished at Plymouth, entitled The Ply- Conduct of Dissenters with regard to mouth Subscription Classical and Mathematical School,' the object of which is to secure a superior education, under approved masters, on an economical plan. "A gentleman, residing in the East of London, who has been an eye witness of the success attending this plan at Ply. mouth, having mentioned it to several friends, a meeting was called to consider the propriety of forming a similar establishment in this neighbourhood, at which the following Resolution was unanimously agreed to, namely: Catholic Claims. HOUSE OF LORDS. Lord HOLLAND presented a petition from the Dissenters of Wareham, in favour of the Catholic claims. The petitioners, he observed, were anxious to vindicate themselves from the imputation of opposing Catholic emancipation. They consider those petitions stated to have been presented from Protestant Dissenters, and praying for the continuance of restrictions on their Roman Catholic |