dent enough to keep his own;-highchurch enough to hate dissent, lowchurch enough to preach after the Evangelical fashion-and, what is the surest index of a man's real character, surrounding himself with kindred spirits; and this works well in the year 1844. In other words, to be a Puseyite in theory so long as such Puseyism does not overstep the safe mediocrity of talk, and to be high and dry and pliant in practice, is just the way to rise in the church, and to be high in favour at London-house. You make use of the present zeal in the church, and you found colonial bishoprics; but do you send your own friends to starve and die in them? You have preferment and appointments of your own; but are these bestowed on the same class from whom you and your brethren are glad enough to pick out colonial bishops, and missionaries, and Bethnal-green curates, and the rest?

"I tell you plainly, that no church in the world can stand the system upon which you and your brother bishops wish to administer it. Everybody sees that you are playing a double game. You act upon the old establishment plan; you make believe to be encouraging zeal and devotion for the church. Let a man be earnest, learned, full of prayers, active, zealous, indefatigable in church and parish, and you send him to New Zealand; let a man be slow and idle and safe, then you intrust to him the blue ribands of the church, committeeships, rich parishes, secretaryships, inspectorships, archdeaconries, and the like. And by this time you must from some experience have acquired the comfortable conviction, that to talk about an example is much pleasanter than to set it."

The Bishop of Exeter, on the contrary, goes fiercely into the fight in behalf of a strict enforcement of the rubrics of the Church, and has roused such a flame in the West of England as will not soon be put out. Parish after parish has met to resist the "Popish innovations" ordered by the Bishop. To complete the confusion and increase the danger to the Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, so says the Times, has resolved to convoke the Prelates of the Church to discuss the propriety of an uniform course of action. There will be some rustling amongst the lawnsleeves, and unless more wisdom marks the collective than the individual proceedings of the reverend and right reverend Fathers in God, the Church of

England will undergo a crisis of great peril. We shall watch and return to the subject, and especially remark hereafter upon the sayings and doings of that disturber of Israel, the Bishop of Exeter.

Since the foregoing was written, we the Western Luminary, "that the Lord see an announcement, on authority, in Bishop of this diocese, in consideration of the strong feeling which subsists in many places against the use of the Surorder in respect to that particular. To plice in preaching, has withdrawn his the enforcement of the Rubrics his Lordship firmly adheres"-for the present. With whom has Bishop Philpotts been taking counsel? Has his favourite doctrine of submission to "ecclesiastical heads," in support of which he quotes Scripture and the Prayerbook, been wisely turned against himself? Or is there truth in the prevailthe Crown has intimated the Queen's ing rumour, that the first Minister of displeasure at his proceedings?

Unitarian Lectures.-Sunday-evening lectures on various topics connected with pure Christianity, are now in the course of delivery by many of our ministers. At Hull, Mr. Higginson has been delivering nine lectures on the Harmony of Nature and Christianity, including a description of natural religion; the relations of science and religion; the theology, the hopes and the morals of the Gospel; the example of Christ; the Gospel miracles; and the nature of the Scriptures.-At Sheffield, Rev. B. T. Stannus is proceeding with a course of ten lectures, partly practical, partly doctrinal and scriptural.-At the Old meeting-house, Birmingham, Rev. Hugh Hutton has just concluded a course of seven lectures, expository of Unitarian doctrine. The first lecture was on "the Unity of God, the distinguishing feature of the Jewish Faith.' The preacher on this occasion produced an authentic Jewish statement of the doctrine by Dr. Raphall, of the Birmingham synagogue. This statement has, we understand, since been published, and we shall hereafter direct attention to it.-At Bristol, a short course has been delivered by Rev. Geo. Armstrong, Rev. W. James, assisted by Rev. Jerom Murch and Rev. R. L. Carpenter.-At Strangeways chapel, Salford, Rev. Dr. Beard has been delivering to large congregations sermons explanatory, on Unitarian principles, of the

1st chapter of St. John's Gospel.-Doctrinal lectures have also been preached at Stockport, by Rev. W. Smith; at Colyton, by Rev. James Taplin, Rev. E. Squire, Rev. C. W. Robberds and Rev. R. E. B. Maclellan; at Bradford, by Rev. J. H. Ryland; at Bridgwater, by Rev. R. L. Carpenter, Rev. R. M. Montgomery, Rev. William James and Rev. F. Bishop; at Leeds, by Rev. Charles Wicksteed; at Lydgate, by Rev. George Heap; at Shepton Mallet, by Rev. H. Solly; at Exeter, by Rev. F. Bishop, Rev. R. M. Montgomery and Rev. R. L. Carpenter.-At Padiham, the young men of the congregation, desirous of hearing the doctrines of Unitarianism ably explained, have sought the assistance of several of the ministers of Lancashire and Cheshire, who will shortly begin on the Sunday evenings some popular lectures; and a small grant of tracts for gratuitous distribution at Padiham has been obtained from the Unitarian Association.

Testimonial of Respect to James Booth, Esq.-December 13, the Sub-Committee appointed at Fendall's Hotel to bring to a conclusion the various matters undertaken during the past session of Parliament by the Presbyterian Union Committee, in connexion with the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, presented to Mr. Booth, now Counsel to the Speaker of the House of Commons, a piece of Plate, of the value of one hundred guineas, as a slight testimonial of the assistance he had rendered to the Nonconformist body since his retirement from general practice at the bar. To Mr. Booth the preparation of the Bill was in the first instance entrusted, and the Committee were assisted throughout by his much-valued advice. The Plate was presented by Mr. Mark Philips, M. P., Chairman of the Committee. It consists of a splendid epergne, and bears this inscription:

TO JAMES BOOTH, Esq.
Presented

On behalf of the Nonconformists
England and Ireland

of

Who reject Subscription to Creeds Ör Articles of Faith, In acknowledgment of important Ser

vices

Rendered during the preparation and passing of

The Dissenters' Chapels Bill.
xix July, MDCCCXLIV.

EAST INDIES.

Religious Liberty in Ceylon. We have been favoured by a correspondent with the "Overland Herald, or Monthly Summary of Events in Ceylon," of the date July 22, 1844, from which we learn that the principles of religious liberty recognized by the Legislature at home, are also extending to some of our colonial dependencies. At a meeting of the Legislative Council, July 1, the Čolonial Secretary presented an ordinance to promote the building of places of Christian worship, and to provide for the maintenance of ministers of the Christian religion. This ordinance was founded on a letter of instructions from the Colonial Office, signed by Lord Stanley, recommending that at Ceylon the same course should be followed as had been adopted with advantage in the Australian colonies, viz., the extension, on the compliance of the parties seeking aid with certain requirements, to all religious sects indifferently, of a sum not exceeding onehalf of the money needed for building a place of worship, and one-half the annual salary of the minister. In supporting this ordinance, the GovernorGeneral, Sir Colin Campbell, recommended it in a speech abounding with humane, wise and liberal sentiments. He spoke of the ordinance as presenting a new and important feature in the legislation of the East, inasmuch as it both provided a broad toleration and placed Christian instruction within the reach of every inhabitant of the colony. He thus alluded to the good effect which this liberal policy would have on the Heathen population by whom they were surrounded: "Surely, it will be admitted the ordinance now brought before us is founded upon the soundest principles of toleration and Christian charity to all men. It is in my opinion an essential point, in all our endeavours to convert the Heathen around us, to smooth over those differences of sect, those virulent hatreds among brethren, which have been a disgrace to Christianity. We ought, as far as we can, to suppress all such differences; for the effect of such rivalry as existed formerly, and which I am happy to say is neutralize our efforts to convert the now so fast subsiding, would be to Heathen, by creating doubts in their

minds as to the truth of our profession of Christianity; for when they see Christians so hating each other, they must doubt whether they are in carnest in their profession of a faith with

which it is so inconsistent. In a political point of view, it is declared that all inhabitants of Ceylon, without reference to easte or colour, are British subjects, and equally entitled to British freedom and protection. In the same way, in regard to Christianity, let us prove to the Heathen that all Christians are brethren, whatever shades of difference may exist amongst persons of various denominations, and they are equally entitled to aid in the promotion of Christian education."

The ordinance was warmly opposed, and in various ways, by some of the over-zealous friends of the Church of England, who pleaded hard for some exclusive privilege being granted to their Church, or at least for the privilege of equality being extended only to the Dutch Protestant and Scotch Presbyterian churches; failing in this, they asked the Council to delay their sanction of the ordinance as a mark of respect to the Bishop of Madras, shortly expected to reach the island. The Queen's Advocate replied to the objectors in a long and very powerful speech, shewing the mischiefs that had every where (England not excepted) flowed from the erection of a dominant Church, and of the tendency of sound opinion towards religious equality. The Acting Auditor - General, in supporting the ordinance, made use of the following remarkable expressions: "The paramount duty of the State was to maintain internal harmony, peace and goodwill, amongst the different classes of society, irrespective of favourite notions, which each person or class had an unquestionable right to maintain for him or herself or themselves. A recent paper, of the 17th April, announced that a Bill was then under consideration by the House of Lords, introduced by the Lord Chancellor, the real object of which was to prevent the chapels now held by the Unitarians in England and Ireland being taken from them on the ground that they were originally held by Trinitarians. It was said that there were at least one hundred and seventy chapels in England in this situation. The hue and cry raised against this measure by the parties styling themselves orthodox, and entitled, therefore, in their opinion, to become the proprietors of those temporalities, was, because by so doing the present Conservative Government, in their estimation, became the supporters of heresy. So absurd an inference could only be drawn by the ever-excited

imagination of an enthusiast not much disinclined to bigotry. Here, however, was the fact, that the State, which in the opinion of the ultra-church party was bound to support its supremacy, upheld the temporary interest of a heretical sect."

Mr. Armitage (a member of a wellknown English Presbyterian family in Cheshire) supported the Government ordinance by his vote and an able speech, in which he exposed the absurd arguments of the exclusive Church party, and vindicated the Government plan as tending to make the citizens of the colony contented and happy, attaching the people to the Government, and earning the blessing of every religious man, whatever his denomination might be. The first reading of the Bill was carried by a majority of three; and, though strongly opposed, both within and without the Council, by the Highchurch party, it safely passed through the remaining stages, and has, we doubt not, by this time received the assent of our Gracious Queen, and is the law of Ceylon.

MISCELLANEOUS.

A long while to wait.-At a recent Religious-Liberty meeting in the eastern part of the metropolis, one of the speakers, an Independent minister, as sured his hearers that the union of Church and State would be dissolved as soon as ever a majority of Parliamentary electors became convinced of its mischievous character. Supposing this to be true to the letter, the present enjoyers of clerical good things need not be much alarmed at the announcement. But the conclusion is by no means warranted from the premises. Many are the electors who entertain no doubt whatever of great evils resulting from the alliance of Church and State, as they see it in this country, who yet have very serious doubts whether those evils would be lessened by the prostration of the Church of England, and the setting up in its stead such a system of "religious equality" as the Independents established at Tahiti.

The Devil. To deny the existence of the Devil, is, an "orthodox" journal declares, only "adding one more proof of the awful fact." This must be very satisfactory to an "orthodox" mind, seeing that such "proof" is likely to grow with the progress of time. When everybody shall doubt on the subject, it will make even more manifest the proof that all ought to believe!

Nov. 24, at the Old chapel, Dukinfield, by Rev. R. Brook Aspland, M. A., Mr.

HENRY CHURCH to Mrs. REBECCA REDFERN, both of Dukinfield.

Nov. 25, at the new Unitarian church, Cheltenham, by Rev. L. Lewis, Mr. ALFRED KNIGHT to CAROLINE, eldest daughter of Mr. John PARK, of Sherborne.

Nov. 26, at St. Pancras new church, by Rev. Richard Baty, WILLIAM LAW, Esq., Woburn Place, Russell Square, to MARGARET, only daughter of Samuel CLEGG, Esq., Civil Engineer, Sidmouth Street, Regent Square.

Dec. 8, at the Presbyterian chapel, Bury, by Rev. F. Howorth, ISAIAH

MARSDEN to ALICE FITTON, both of Prettywood, near Bury.

Dec. 12, at Nantwich, OSWALD New, Esq., of Evesham, Surgeon, to LYDIA ANN, only daughter of R. CAPPUR, Esq., of the former place.

Dec. 18, at Cross-street chapel, Manchester, by Rev. J. G. Robberds, Mr. HENRY CHARLTON to Miss FINDLAY, both of Manchester.

Dec. 18, at Cross-street chapel, Manchester, by Rev. J. G. Robberds, Mr. GEORGE GUEST to Miss CHARLTON, both of Manchester.

Dec. 19, at the Unitarian chapel, Strangeways, by the Rev. Dr. Beard, Mr. JOHN PEARSON, Surgeon, of Stalybridge, to EMMA, daughter of Mr. SHIPMAN, of Higher Broughton.

Dec. 25, at the chapel in the Conigree, Trowbridge, by the Rev. S. Martin, Mr. JOHN WATTS to Miss MARY ANN DODDIMEAD, both of Trowbridge.

Dec. 25, at the chapel in the Conigree, Trowbridge, by the Rev. S. Martin, Mr. JAMES TOWNSEND to Miss SARAH VENNELL, both of Trowbridge.

Dec. 25, at the High-street chapel, Portsmouth, by Rev. Henry Hawkes, Mr. Wм. GAUNTLETT to Miss CHARLOTTE POWELL, both of Portsea.

1844. Oct. 4, at the house of his son-inlaw, Crumpsall, near Manchester, JOHN BYNG, Esq., aged 73 years, formerly of Derby, and last surviving son of the late Rev. John Byng, for many years minister of the Presbyterian chapel at Tamworth. His unblemished life and uniform kindness of heart endeared him to his friends and acquaintance, and to him might truly be applied the words inscribed on the tablet to the memory of his revered father:-"Simplicity, purity and integrity adorned his character. Candour, charity and a love of peace marked his intercourse with the world."

W. H.

October 12, at Timberhurst, near Bury, HANNAH, the wife of Thomas WRIGLEY, Esq., aged 32, eldest daughter of Edmund Grundy, Esq., of Park Hills.

Nov. 2, at Lupset Cottage, near Wakefield, DISNEY ALEXANDER, M.D., in the 76th year of his age.-These lines record the death of one of those gentle, good and benevolent beings, around whose memory will ever cling the tenderest recollections. Religion, conscience and truth were the ruling principles of his life; and now, that he has sunk, full of years and honours, to his final rest, he is followed by the blessings and tears of all who came within the circle of his influence.-His superior talents and genuine worth, united with a beautiful simplicity of character, and a heart overflowing with the purest benevolence, inspired all who knew him, and especially those who had the privilege of his friendship, with esteem, affection and reverence. The young loved him as a revered parent,-the old, as a respected friend, and it may be truly said of him, "He died in peace with

all men." Dr. Alexander was brought up in the doctrines of the Established Church, and the natural seriousness of his mind led to an early and earnest desire on his part to become one of its ministers; but a considerable hesitation in his speech (a defect which in after years he almost entirely overcame) compelled him to relinquish his cherished inclination, and he ultimately entered the medical profession.-His life was a singular vicissitude with regard to religious opinion; year after year found him struggling earnestly for the truth; he successively traversed the ground of Episcopacy, Scepticism and Methodism, but each of these failed to satisfy the yearnings of his spirit; and it was not until he had devoted himself to a deep and fervent study of the Holy Scriptures, particularly of the Greek Testament, that he reached the appointed haven of his rest, Unitarianism. -Most emphatically did he follow the precept of the apostle, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good." Unitarianism was the faith congenial to his soul, and for many years he devoted to its service all the powers of his mind, all the affections of his heart. During this time, he occasionally preached in Unitarian pulpits, and the earnest seriousness of his manner impressed all whom he addressed. The New Testament was his daily delight in years of health, but in the years of infirmity and decline it was the only theme that kindled his soul to animation; it was his hope, his life,-the sun of his old age. Dr. Alexander was the author of several very useful and interesting works, both in Medicine and Theology. His lectures on the "Internal Evidences of Christianity," prove his deep knowledge of the subject, and his firm belief that Unitarianism is the doctrine of the Scriptures. In general literature, he evinced an elegant, refined and poetic taste, and among other works has left a volume of very pleasing poetry.

Nov. 21, at Hofwyl, EMMANUEL VON FELLENBERG, the celebrated teacher of youth. He was born in 1771, of a patrician family of Berne. He was educated at Tubingen for the bar, but resigned the law for education. He was Professor at Pfeffel, near Colmar. He founded his agricultural school at Hofwyl in 1801.

Nov. 27, aged 60, at the residence of her son, Anchor Terrace, Southwark

Bridge, ELIZA, relict of the late Mr. Thomas SMITH, of Nottingham. She was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Benwell, formerly of Battersea and latterly of Henley-on-Thames. She was accustomed in youth to the ministry of the late Rev. Joseph Hughes, a Baptist and moderate Calvinist, at Battersea: on removing to Nottingham she attended, with her husband, at the HighPavement meeting-house, and on her subsequent settlement in London she was accustomed to observe divine worship amongst the Unitarians.

Dec. 3, of pulmonary consumption, in the 31st year of her age, MARY HUGHES, the beloved wife of Henry RIDGE, Esq., of Portland Place, Lower Clapton, and the youngest daughter of the Rev. Robert Aspland, of the Grove, Hackney.

Nov. 25, on which day he completed his 68th year, THOMAS HOLLINGS, Esq., of West House, Manningham, near Bradford, Yorkshire. Mr. Hollings was seized with apoplexy on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 24, and expired shortly after midnight. He was a trustee of the English Presbyterian chapel, Bradford, and took part in the service at the settlement of the Rev. G. V. Smith, B.A., as minister of the chapel, Sept. 22, 1841.*

Dec. 4, in her 46th year, of an attack of paralysis which she survived but a few hours, MARY, wife of Mr. THOMAS VITTY, of Dale Street, Manchester Road, Bradford, Yorkshire. She had long been a member of the same religious society with the subject of the obituary notice immediately preceding; and on the Sunday preceding her death (December 1), was in her accustomed place in the house of prayer. The services were then dictated by a regard to the solemn and sudden event of the removal of Mr. Hollings the Sunday before; and on reaching home she observed in the presence of her family, that she should thenceforward have no fear of dying suddenly. May the Providence which so soon called upon her to exemplify her happy persuasion, be the confidence and guide of her bereaved family, as it was her own; and may their Christian faith, in which they find their greatest comfort, cause a Mother's faithful cares and counsels to yield still more fruit!

R.

* Christian Reformer, VIII. 721.