and jealousies. They, therefore, in deference to the judgment of their Parlia mentary friends, as well as upon their own views of expediency, postponed their intended application till the fate of the Catholic Claims should be decided.

The refusal of even so limited a measure of justice removed this difficulty, and though the period of the Session offered little prospect of pushing the measure, even if favourably received, to any great extent, they requested their former advocate to undertake its revival. Their request was readily assented to; the Committee have not failed to press the subject repeatedly on his attention, and they feel satisfied that want of suitable opportunity for usefully bringing it forward, at an advanced period of the Session, has alone occasioned the delay which has undoubtedly taken place.

They would, however, recommend to their successors, in future to take earlier measures; and they now doubt whether it answers any good end to postpone openly urging fair and just claims from any views of speculative or temporary policy. Satisfied as they are of the equity and strength of their case, they think it highly desirable, now that it has become known and duly appreciated, to have the subject at once put broadly upon its true and permanent ground. With this view, they beg leave to suggest, that it may be expedient for the General Meeting to recommend that petitions should, during the vacation, be in preparation for presentment in the very commencement of a new Session.

In common with all other societies in the country who are attached to the principles of civil and religious liberty, your Committee's anxious attention was directed to the Bill announced under the auspices of Mr. Brougham, for the purpose of accomplishing that most desirable object, the General Education of the Poor. Such a measure, under any form, could not but be highly interesting, and your Committee felt themselves peculiarly called upon to avail themselves of their means of union and communication, in co-operating with other institutions to make the bearings and operation of the projected Bill fully understood and appreciated.

They felt that considerable gratitude was due to the promoter of the intended law for his active exertions, and there could be but one opinion as to the expediency and duty of adopting all proper means for accomplishing the great result proposed; but, looking at the principles and detail of the plan then under consideration, they could not refrain from unequivocally expressing their disapprobation of both.

It appeared to the Committee, at least, of very doubtful policy, to substitute for private virtue and active benevolence, already in full operation, the inefficient sanctions of positive law; to damp the zeal and diminish the resources of individuals who have, with great labour and expense, matured excellent and popular institutions; to sow the seeds of disunion and distrust by unnecessarily blending the departments of civil and religious instruction; and in any way to recognize the propriety or justice of placing the management of foundations, to which all

were to contribute, in other hands than those from which the funds for their maintenance were to be drawn.

The Committee fully participated also in the political objections raised against a measure which seemed to add an additional weight of secular influence to the Clergy of the Establishment, and to give further stability to that system of combined policy which they have been accustomed to deprecate.

As Nonconformists, moreover, they felt the strongest repugnance to a law which unjustly exalted one sect of Christians above another, which avowedly sought to knit it into closer union with the State, and displayed, at any rate, great inexperience, if not indifference, to the practical effects of conscientious scruples in matters of religion.

Your Committee lost no time in communicating their sentiments to the different members and congregations constituting this Association, as well as to the other societies interested in watching over the liberties of the Dissenters, and to the British and Foreign School Society. They were glad to receive from all quarters ample proof of that union of feeling, which has quietly warded off the evil apprehended, without contest or altercation, so much to be deprecated among persons labouring in the same cause, although differing in their ideas as to the mode of its accomplishment.

Your Committee have had their attention and assistance solicited in the case of that highly interesting individual, W. Roberts, a native Indian of Madras, who is now so meritoriously engaged, in reclaiming his countrymen from ignorance and idolatry to the pure precepts of Christianity.

Notwithstanding the public and parliamentary assertions of the liberty of the press in British India, it appears that there are parts where no such freedom exists, and that the simple permission to print the little volume of plain and rational devotion translated by this indefatigable man, has been repeatedly refused by a Government which readily extends its license to the printing of Heathen, Roman Catholic, and Missionary productions. An interesting and energetic Memorial has been sent by him to this country, praying for permission to print, and for a license for his humble place of worship. Your Committee have done all they could to put this into a train for favourable consideration from the Board of Directors, and they trust that their successors will continue their attention to so deserving a subject.

In individual cases, little has come before your Committee which it would be at all interesting here to detail. Their efforts have chiefly been confined to supplying, through the correspondence of their Secretary, prompt advice in particular emergencies. These cases are now of constant and frequent occurrence, and they perhaps form the most useful, though an unassuming and humble part of the duties of a Committee of this Association.

[Such part of the Report as relates to individual cases, it is thought better to omit, as, in some instances, a public statement might be prejudicial to the parties.]

Your Committee have only, in conclusion, to congratulate the General Meeting on the permanent establishment which three years have given to the Association, and the general advantages which, at a very trifling cost, have resulted, and are likely on any emergency to result, from its labours in connexion with the other Unitarian Societies, whose common object it is to promote, in their several departments, the diffusion of the great principles of Truth and Liberty.

At the General Meeting held as above-mentioned,

It was (amongst other Resolutions) Resolved,

That this Meeting approves the line of conduct pursued by the Committee, with regard to the Marriage Bill, and concurs with them in the propriety of making active preparations for reviving the subject early, and with effect, in the next Session of Parliament.

That the different Congregations in connexion with this Association be recommended to prepare Petitions during the recess, and to transmit them for presentment immediately on the meeting of Parliament.

That this Association feels very deeply the absolute necessity of immediate measures being adopted towards the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, and that it be recommended to the Committee to avail themselves of any practicable means for reviving the question amongst all denominations of Dissenters.

Treasurer,

JAMES YOUNG, Esq. 16, 'Change-Alley.

Secretary,

Mr. E. TAYLOR, Inner-Temple.

Committee,

JOHN CHATFEILD, Esq. Stockwell,

IVES HURRY, Esq. London Wall,

Mr. RICHARD TAYLOR, Shoe Lane,

Rev. W. J. FOX, Dalston,

M. D. HILL, Esq. Boswell Court,

Mr. GEORGE ROBINSON, Fenchurch Street,

Rev. R. ASPLAND, Hackney,

Dr. THOMAS REES, Kennington,

Rev. JAMES GILCHRIST, Newington Green,

Mr. ROTHERAM, Staple Inn.

RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION.

1. This Society shall be denominated "The Unitarian Association for the Protection of the Civil Rights of Unitarians."

2. The Association shall consist of individual subscribers, and of the representatives of congregations making an annual contribution.

3. The qualification of individuals, as members of this Association, shall be an annual subscription of not less than 10s. 6d., or a donation of not less than £5.5s.

4. Every congregation contributing annually not less than one guinea, shall be at liberty to send two representative members. Officiating ministers of congregations shall be eligible as representatives.

5. An Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be holden on the Thursday in the Whitsun-week.

6. A Committee, consisting of ten persons, resident in or near London, shall be chosen at the Annual Meeting, to transact the business of the Association, of whom four, viz. those who shall have given the least attendance at Committee Meetings, shall be ineligible for one year. Where in any case the numbers of attendances shall be equal, the person who is to withdraw shall be determined by lot.

7. A Treasurer and Secretary shall also be chosen at the Annual Meeting who shall be added to the Committee. The Treasurer shall receive subscriptions, and make all necessary disbursements on account of the Association; and the Secretary record its minutes, conduct its correspondence, and summon Committee and General Meetings. Two Auditors shall also be chosen at the Annual Meeting, for the purpose of auditing the Treasurer's account of the current year.

8. In all meetings of the Committee, the presence of five members shall be necessary for proceeding to business.

9. All subscriptions shall be paid in advance, and be considered as due on the 1st of January in each year. And no person shall be allowed to vote at an Annual Meeting until his subscription for the current year be paid.

10. The above Rules shall not be altered except by two-thirds of the members present at a General Meeting. Any alterations intended to be proposed to the Society, must be first notified to the Committee at one of its meetings.