Imatges de pàgina
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On the whole, the cause of Unita-
rianism is advancing in the West
of Scotland, and there is a good
prospect of its growing success.
[To be concluded in our next Number.]

Proposals for building a Chapel in
Glasgow, for conducting Public
Worship on Unitarian Princi-
ples.

The characteristic features of the Institution, to which the attention of the public is here solicited, will be these:

1. That every aid and encouragement will be given to Free Inquiry on religious subjects;

2. That prayer and adoration will be addressed, in the name of Jesus Christ, solely to the One True God.

3. That repentance and reformation of manners, piety to God, benevolence to man, and a strict abstinence from every sinful passion and indulgence will be enforced as the on y means of obtaining happiness in this life and in that which is to come.

The supreme importance of these principles will, it is hoped, incline all who perceive their close connection with the welfare of individuals, and the general improvement of society, to support, according to their ability, a house of praver, in which they may worship the Father in spirit and in truth in which pure and elevated devotion may spring from their knowledge and contemplation of the character of their Maker in all its majesty and loveliness; where they may meet with kind and friendly assist ance in the calm, dispassionate and unbiassed investigation of sacred truth; and where they may be incited to do honour to their Christian profession, and to accomplish the great ends of their being, by growing perpetually in conformity to the image of their Saviour, and in fitness for the presence of their God.

To accomplish this object, the follow ing plan has been proposed:

1. The money for building the chapel shall be raised by Subscriptions and by

Donations.

* We have great pleasure in laying this plan before our readers; and gladly offer our work as the medium of communications and subscriptions, in furtherance of the object of the Glasgow Unitarian Church. ED.

II Every Subscriber shall receive annually 5 per cent. interest for his money; but no Subscriber under £25 shall be eligible as a manager, nor shall Subscribers under £5 be entitled to vote at elections.

lii. Donations shall be the property of the Glasgow Unitarian Church, and shall be applied to the building of the Chapel.

IV. The management of all affairs relating to the Chapel shall be vested in a Preses, a Treasurer, and five other Managers; two of whom shall go out of office annually by rotation, and their on. Those going out may be re-electplaces shall be supplied by a new electied.

V. There shall be a general meeting of the Subscribers annually, when the ma nagers shall produce a statement of their receipts and disbursements, and report Proceedings; at which meeting the election of managers shall take place.

of the seats, &c. shall be the property VI. All profits arising from the letting of the church, whose object it shall be to pay back to the subscribers what they have borrowed, as soon as possible, so that the chapel may in the course of time become their property, un ncumbered with debt; but should the church ever be unable to pay the interest due, the of the chapel so as to dis harge the debt. managers shall be a thorized to dispose

which the chapel may be built, shall be VII. The right to the ground on taken in name of the managers for the time being, and their successors in office, for behoof of the church; and all other investitures of the funds of the church shall be taken in the same terms.

paid at the time of subscribing, or one VIII. Subscriptions may either be fourth then, and the remaining threefourths by equal instalments, at the date of three, six. or nine months,

IX. Should any alteration be found necessary in these rules, the proposed alteration must be laid before a general meeting of the subscribers, and if sancthe meeting, it shall be equally obligatotioned by a majority of two-thirds of ry with the above.

Unitarianism in America.

From one of the ministers of the Phi. ladelphia Unitarian Society, we have been recently favoured with accounts of the growth of Unitarianism in the United

States, which we are happy to extract F. and C. when in a congregational pulinto our work they relate to the state pit, conduct the prayers after the conof religion at Boston, and to the design gregational mode In most of the conof erecting a church at Philadelphia, sa- gregational churches, Belknap's collecticred to The One God. on is used. Mr. Buckminster uses Tate and Brady's, and a selection compiled' by himself. Ere long, Belknap's book must be discarded, for all the & ministers alluded to are anti- calvinistic and antitrinitarian. The mode of preaching which prevails among them is rational and instructive The congregations are

The following extract is from a letter dated, "Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 1811. "Having this summer made an excursion to Boston, perhaps a few particulars relative to the state of religious information there may not be unacceptable. I shall proceed therefore, without farther preface, to give you this informa- made up of no inconsiderable proportion tion. There is only one place of wors! ip of literary and professional men; for, at Boston which is avowedlynitarian, in New England, great attention is paid viz. King's Chapel, originally an Episco- to public worship. To stay habitually at pal Church, and still so in regard to the mode of worship, except that the service has been freed from every thing relative to the trinity, atonement, &c. A new and improved Liturgy was published a few months ago, which is now used in stead of the former one. The ministers are, Mr. Freeman, a most excellent man, and Mr. Cary, a young gentleman of superior talents and great respectability. To see the harmony and kindness which subsists between these ministers is truly delightful, and the congregation is not deficient in paying them every proper mark of respect. For years after Mr. Freeman's settlement, the other ministers, with few exceptions, regarded him with considerable shyness, on account of his supposed heterodoxy, and because he had not had clerical ordination-but now, and for a considerable time past, these prejudices have given way; while the weight of his talents and great goodness of his heart have rendered him the object of high and general esteem. Mr. Carey was not ordained in any other way than by Mr. Freeman laying his hand on his head, merely in the name of the congregation. No minister was called to assist. Of late years, there has been a remarkable change in the congregational churches at Boston. Of this description, there are 9; 8 of which are supplied by ministers differing more or less on various topics, but all living in great harmony with each other and with Messrs. Free man and Carey, with whom they occasionally exchange pulpits, reading the King's Chapel service, when they preach there, and on the other hand, Messrs.

A few days ago, Mr. Freeman had the degree of D. D. from Harvard University.

home, would be deemed di reputable. The churches, generally speaking, are supplied with organs. Every min ster is considered as a minister of the town generally, and as the friend of his own hearers in particular. The ministers of Boston and its vicinity hold meetings at each other's houses in rotation once every fortnight, for the examination of candidates, and for friendly advice and social intercourse; at these meetings you may see Unitarians, Arians and Trinitarians, indiscriminately-as also at the weekly Thursday morning Lecture, which is preached by orthodox, and heterodox men alternately I heard two of these, one by Mr. Carey, quite an Unitarian discourse; the other, by a Mr. Codman, in the true style of an old puritan. By the bye, Dr. Osgood, whose sermon was animadverted on in the Monthly Repository, vol. v. 606 is a high Calvinist, of a warm and affectionate temper and of great liberality and candour on theological subjects His sympathies are with the Anti-Calvinists, and if any of his own folks show any thing like bigotry.-Dr. O. is their champion. He is therefore a great favourite with the Boston ministers. As to politics, they all think alike. The preaching of political sermons has long been customary in New England-I mean on weekdays-they have election sermons, artillery sermons, &c &c.-The Presbyterians of the middle states, finding that so many of the congregational churches had departed from the old faith, erected a fine new church at Boston to promote revivals. It is supplied by one Dr. Griffin, who had been extremely popu lar in New Jersey; but he has settled down at Boston. The church is deeply in debt, half the pews are yet to let, and the good man himself, by not returning

the civilities paid him by the other mi- America, inserted by Mr. Grundy, as a aisters when he first came to Boston, is note to his sermen, at the opening of the now neglected not only by them, but by New Chapel, Liverpool; to which we their hearers, and he has to stand his refer our readers. (See pp. 26, 2,.) ground, and plead the cause of orthodoxy - The extract which follows is from a against eight of the congregationalists, letter dated "Philadelphia, Nov. 22, besides the King's Chapel ministers.- 1811." While at Boston I had every opportunity of seeing with my own eyes. The different ministers were remarkably frank and friendly, and high as the character of Boston has always ood for hospital ty, what Lexperienced far exceeded my expectat ons, much as they had been raised. There are in Boston Ep sco. pal, 4 Baptist, 2 Methodist, 1 Universalist, 1 Catholic, Friends', Sandemanian, and Black Church, as also a place called the Travelling Preachers' Society: these are in addition to Mr. Freeman's and the 9 congregational churches. It was peculiarly pleasing to me, while at Boston, to find the congre gational ministers, as well as Messrs Freeman and Cary much interested in the welfare and perinanency of our Ittle society, and since my return, I have had the pleasure of hear ng from some of them-Messrs. Thacker and Cary had this spring been a Philadelphia, and each of them gave us a sermon. Mr. T. is a worthy and valuable young man, but, alas! his health is very precarious He succeeded Dr. Kirkland who had been elected President of Harvard University. Mr T. gave so good an account of us, that Mr. Cary, who had occasion to go to New York, came to Philadel phia on purpose to spend Sunday with us; and these occurrences pa ed the way for my journey. It was my wish to have been only a hearer, while at Boston; but although I declared myself a layman, yet a minister according to our constitution, i. e. as respects our flock, I had to officiate twice. Had the pleasure of a personal interview, I could say much respecting Boston, and especially as to the correct manners of the people and the excellent spirit of the ministers. Had your correspondent known Dr. O. personally, however he might have uisliked his politics, or the introduction of any politics into the pulpit, he would have extenuated matters a little. I mean, he would have accompanied his criticisms with unequivocal acknowledgements of the Doctor's worthiness."

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"You have heard of our humble progress, of the manner in which our little flock was collected again after a suspenson of our worship for more than 5 years, and generally or every thing of conse quence in relation to us which has since occurred. No doubt, t will be matter of pleasing surprise to lea n that we have engaged a su table lot of ground on which we intend, as soon as possible, to erect a church for he worship of the One True God, the Father. Our own members and contributors do not " uch exceed 30 persons, and a cons derable proport on of these are persons whose support arises from the labour of their hands. Our own folks, however, who are unen mous in the measure, have done their bet; and it is with no small degree of sat s'action and gratitude that I have to add, that we have been favoured with the names of a good number of persons of opinions very diss milar to ours, who have kindly lent us their aid. This is a pleasing omen; yet it must not be concealed that there are those who, vaunting themselves on their orthodox creed, scruple not to hold use up as infidels in disguise, and us all their influence to excite and perpetuate prejudices against us. This is our situation, but unanimous among ourselves, satisfied with the grounds of our hope towards God and encouraged by the liberality and courteousness of many who belong to other persuasions, we mean to proceed.-The place in which we now meet is incommodious; besides we have no certainty of obtaining the use of it much longer, the landlord having already declined renewing the lease. The smallness of our present scale precludes all expectation of getting a minister, according to the common acceptation of the term. My two coadjutors are advanced in life; we have no prospect of any young person stepping for ward to supply our places, and therefore unless we now make some effort to give permanence and st ength to our society, its utter ext nction may be reasona ly expected We have concluded to e:ect an octagonal building, 50 feet each way, except where the form of the building

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renders it necessary that it should be narrower. A bell and an organ will be given us; we have obtained subscriptions for about 1200 sterling, and hope to raise more ere long. Our whole expence will not be less than 5000 dollars and probably more. We shall study to combine economy, convenience and neatness. This is the first attempt that has ever been made in the United States to build a house for Unitarian worship; and probably among the numerous readers of your Repository there may be some who will cheerfully embrace the opportunity now afforded of aiding a cause which is here in its infancy, and struggling with numerous dihculties ! therefore leave it to you to make use of the present communication, or of any part thereof, as you may deem most expedient, and I write with the greater freedom, because we who at present officiate have declared our determination to accept of no compensation, and to continue our services so long as may be necessary. I have only to add, th t our attendance appears to be increasing since the New Church was projected. We find it necessary to consult the public taste in the style of the building; for it is well known that nothing is so injurious as the appearance of penury."

New Chapel, Lynn, Norfolk.

On Sunday, January 5, 1812, a new and commodious place of worship, called Salem Chapel, was opened for divine service at Lynn, in Norfolk. The Rev.

J, Evans, of Worship Street, London, preached in the morning, from Ezek. vi. 13; and in the evening from John iii. 16. Mr. Finch minister of the place, preached in the afternoon, from Luke ii. 14.

The congregation was numerous, respectable and attentive throughout all the ser ices, and in the afternoon and evening especially the chapel was crowded, and numbers went away who could not be accommodated. Liberal collections were made at the close of each service towards the expence incurred by the building, and the friends who have undertaken the cause entertain the most pleasing hopes of permanent success As the whole of the pews are already engaged, it is expected, that the chapel must soon be enlarged by the addition of galleries, and it is therefore hoped that the friends of Scriptural Christianity, when solicited, will cheerfully contribute towards it their pecuniary aid.

On Wednesday evening, Mr. Evans preached again at Salem Chapel to an equally crowded and attentive audience, from Genesis alv. 24. At the request of the friends likewise, Mr. Evans agreed to publish the sermon that was preached on the Sunday morning, as a memorial of that event. from which it is hoped that lasting good will result.-Should any of our readers wish to be further acquainted with the circumstances which gave rise to this new cause, they are referred to Mr Finch's Sermon and Narrative recently published, and reviewed in our Jast volume. [Vol. vi. p. 679, 680.] ~

MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS;

OR,

The Christian's Survey of the Political World.

We have already apprised our readers [vol. vi. p. 700.] that the exertions of Dr. Marsh, at St. Paul's, had not been without an effect; and as he had roused the church, it was not likely that he would rest upon his arms. A National Institution, as it has been falsely called, has been formed, and, as Dr. Marsh is so candid in his writings, we trust that he will join with us in reprobating this very improper title. The institution for educating the people in the principles of the 96

tablished sect is an institution of a small body of men in this kingdom; for this sect is a small body, and daily growing less; though we confess that it abounds in the rich, and the great, and the noble. In power and influence it stands by far the highest of any sect; but these are not the tests by which we estimate a church of Christ. We know of no political rights on which a church of Christ can boast: yet, if the established sect wishes to he considered as a political institution

We rejoice that men, like Dr. Marsh, basis on which this modern society is will proclaim, "that dissenters of built. In this constitutional equality, every description should, for con- there is evident danger, the Doctor science' sake, be tolerated." Tolera- contends, that the pre-eminence of tion, in the mouth of a Christian, is a the established sect should be gradualstrange word: if we could not tolerate ly forgotten, and finally lost. He exour brethren, how should we be disci- hoits the sect to consider, whether it ples of a master who has given a de- is prudent to augment the power of cided mark by which his followers such a society, by throwing into its should be known, namely, that they scale the weight of the establishment. should love one another. We will not He suggests, that his sect can have only tolerate Dr Marsh, but we assure no guarantee, that other objects, inihim, that we will not envy him any mical to it, will not, in time, be wealth or honour, which his sect can associated with the main object. He confer upon him; we will applaud argues, that the constitution of the him in all liberal proceedings; we will modern Bible Society gives an impornever be displeased with any fair and tance to the dissenting interest, which honourable means which he employs otherwise it never would have obtainfor the support of his cause.-Dr. ed. And he contends, that, if the Marsh has attacked the liberal mode members of his sect injure, or even of education introduced by Mr. Lan- neglect to support it, small will be caster, and adopted in many parts of the compensation by the distribution the kingdom; and he cannot be con- of bibles in foreign parts. If this sect, tent unless the doctrine of his sect is the doctor modestly observes, professes tacked to it. Another object of attack christianity in its purest form, its has presented itself to his imagination, downfal will be an irreparable loss and he has commenced his warfare in not to this nation only, but to the another field. The University of Cam- whole world: and we will put another bridge has a correspondence with all if to this learned doctor; if your sect England, and a subject discussed in does not profess christianity in its its senate cannot fail to become gene purest form, Dr. Marsh cannot be rally known in every part of the coun- better employed than by using his entry. On this account, Dr. Marsh has deavours to bring it to the standard of very prudently addressed the members the scriptures.-The doctor's Letter of the Senate, and, in a Letter, called to the University has produced a donaupon them to examine the nature and tion to the old societies, and excited views of the Bible Society, lately esta- a considerable sensation, which tended, blished in the metropolis, and sup- however, to the benefit of the Bible Soported with great success by voluntary ciety. A very large body of men, both subscriptions from both dissenters and in the established sect and out of it, members of the established sect.-The begin to be sensible, that Christianity complaint against the Bible Society, is was not made for this or that sect and of a similar nature with that against to be merely a political engine. They the Lancastrian schools. The Bible are convinced that Christ died not for Society distributes only bibles, where- this or that people, but for the whole as there are two very extensive Societies human race, and that it is the duty of in the established sect which distri- every Christian to extend the influence bute not only bibles, but the common- of our beloved Saviour to the utmost of prayer books and other books written his power. With respect to the three on the principles of the sect. Of these societies, as far as they are willing to societies, one amounts to about five promote gospel truths, we wish them thousand members, no one being ad- all well; we wish them God speed, in mitted into it, as Dr. Marsh informs the name of the Lord. But we have the University, without testimony of something to say against them all. What his attachment to the constitution in makes you so tenacious of the English sect and state; but he very candidly Translation? Why is it, that when such states, that the Bible Society is much great improvements have been made in more numerous, but it consists of the scripture criticism, when manuscripts sectmen and dissenters indiscriminate- have been examined, and so pure a text ly; and equality of power and interest has been given to the public, both of the between the two parties is the avowed Hebrew and the Greek scriptures, why is

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