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Intelligence.-Unitarian Fund:

during the present summer. He is to be accompanied at his request by one of the junior Students of the Unitarian Acadeiny. This plan of sending out a companion with

missionary is of great advantage, especially to the young men who are thus seat, who acquire habits of religious exertion and are educating for public service.

Since his return from Cornwall, Mr. Cooper has been supplying the long destitute congregation of Moreton Hampstead, in Devonshire, of which he has undertaken the charge for the next twelve months. The congregation have submitted to the Committee a plan by which a preacher may settle with them and employ the summer months in missionary excursions, particularly into Cornwall. This plan suggested by Mr. Wright, may, it is hoped, be hereafter carried into effect.

With this mission into Cornwall, Mr. Wright will connect one into Wales, whither he has never yet gone, but where there is a great desire to see him. There can be no doubt that in those towns, in which the English language is spoken or understood, his labours will be exceedingly useful.

I was in contemplation at the last Anniversary to authorize Messrs. Wright and Cooper to devote the spring and summer of the present year to a mission into Ireland, recommended by a respectable subscriber at Dublin. Upon mature consideration however and further correspondence with the gentleman referred to, it was deemed expedient to drop the design for the present. As the Committee never doubt of the sanctions of the Society to any scheme which requires or indicates zeal, so neither do they question their concurrence in any measure of prudence.

In this connexion the Committee judge it proper to state that a proposal was submitted to them by Mr. Wright, of a mission to the United States of America, of which he entertained the desire and had formed the plan. This proposal was taken into consideration at a meeting specidly appointed for the occasion, when the following Resolution was passed.

"Resolved unanimously-That the Committee have deliberated, on Mr. Wright's proposal with a seriousness proportioned to its importance; that they regard it as a new and decisive proof of his zeal in the cause of truth and virtue: but that at the same time they consider an American mission scarcely within the object of the Unitarian Fund, and are so impressed with a conviction of the great services to which Divine Providence has called Mr. Wright in this country, that they think they slonld be departing from the plain path of duty, were they to be

instrumental in removing him from his present sphere of usefulness."

Mr. Wright's candid interpretation of this resolution, ought to be considered as an additional sacrifice and service to the Society. His reply to the letter of the Secretary communicating it, is so grateful to their feelings, that the Committee cannot refrain from breaking through the rule which they had laid down of not lengthening their Report with extracts of correspondence, and laying a part of it before the Meeting. The extract which they meditate is as follows:

"Accept my thanks for your favour of the 20th inst. containing the decision of the Committee on my projected mission to the United States of America. Though it is contrary to the decision I had anticipated, I neither question the superior wisdom nor the truly Christian zeal of the Gentlemen of the Committee, in negativing a plan which I took the liberty of submitting to them; and am truly thankful to them for the expression of esteem contained in their resolution. I had fully made up my mind to the undertaking which I contemplated, as a difficult and arduous one, and did not think my uninterrupted continuance in this country of the importance which the Committee seem to suppose, but conceived I might be very well spared for two or three years, without any injury to the great cause in which we are engaged: however, as it seems to be scarcely within the objects of the Fund, and the decision shows that in the opinion of those for whose judgment I bave a very high respect, I ought not to leave England for so long a time, I acquiesce; and, if God be pleased to give me strength, will endeavour to render my services worthy of the opinion they form of them. I wish to state distinctly, that I most sincerely thank you, my dear Sir, and the whole of the Committee, for the kind attention paid and the serious consideration given to the plan which, from a deliberate sense of duty, I submitted to them: that the approbation of my labours which they have so kindly expressed, will, I trust, be a motive to further exertion: that I esteem it a blessing, for which I thank the Almighty, that I can have the judgment and advice of such judicious persons respecting plans which suggest themselves to me: and that I am deeply sensible my services in the best of causes, of whatever value they may be, derive no small part of it from their support and countenance, without which many of them could not have been undertaken.”

The Committee have great satisfaction in reporting, that one measure of a novel kind, which they pursued during part of the past year, has been attended with complete. sticcess. It occurred to them that as the

Intelligence.-Unitarian Fund.

Sunday Evening Unitarian Lectures at St. Thomas's and Parliament Court bad answered the expectation of those that set them on foot, there was great probability that a Unitarian Lecture on a Week-day would also be well attended. They therefore appointed a Sub-Committee to make due inquiry, and report to them the result: in consequence, a Lecture was established on the Thursday Evening, in the MeetingHouse in Worship-street, which was gratuitously lent to the Unitarian Fund for this purpose. The following preachers gave their services in this good work: Messrs. Gilchrist, Vidler, Rees, Broadbent, Flower, Treleaven and the Secretary. The Lecture was continued during four months. All means consistent with decorum were taken to make it known. The congregations were generally good and sometimes large. Private subscriptions and public collections enabled the Committee to discharge the expense, without drawing upon the Fund for more than the small balance of 61. 14s. 11d.

The success of the plan leads the Committee to recommend that it be hereafter followed up with zeal, and extended. In order to strengthen the hands of the Lecturers resident in London, unhappily weakened by the illness of some gentlemen who were at first calculated on for most valuable assistance, they invited Mr. Treleaven, of Dorchester, to London for a few weeks in the winter, and the Society is indebted to that gentleman for his ready compliance with the invitation. It appears most desirable to the Committee, that a succession of ministers from the country should be engaged for the London Winter Evening Lectures. They cannot doubt of their willingness to concur in the plan, and they anticipate that the weight of expense which would lie upon such a proceeding, would be in great measure borne by subscriptions and collections for this particular purpose: though should the Fund be required to make good even a large deficiency, they consider that whilst the Treasurer's Report continues to be so satisfactory, a better use could not possibly be made of the Society's wealth. Were this plan to be adopted, all the late Lectures might be renewed with spirit, and others instituted, particularly at the West End of the Town, to which the attention of the Committee had been long directed in vain, but to which the Society, if it should concur in the present proposal, may look with very high expectations of success.

The missionaries have not been inactive during the past year. In Wales, Mr. Benjamin Phillips and Mr. Davies, of Carmarthen, have made frequent journies, of which the report is pleasing. Mr. Winder has gone out preaching with great acceptance,

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in the neighbourhood of Wisbeach. The usual labours of Mr. Bennett, in Sussex, have been continued, and appear to be progressively valuable and important. And, besides the mission already described, Mr. Wright has visited numerous places which have been named in the Reports of preceding years.

On the recommendation of Dr. Thomson, of Halifax, the Committee have voted ten pounds, to defray the expense of the hire of a room for the experiment of Unitarian preaching for one year, in the populous town of Huddersfield, in Yorkshire; two neighbouring ministers having zealously offered their services for this purpose, namely, Messrs. Donoghue and Beattie.

Assistance has been rendered to various congregations during the year; to Edinburgh, which has hitherto had the able services of Mr. Smith, but which will soop be without a pastor; to Paisley, where the Unitarian cause is prospering under the ministry of Mr. Syme, who has been for several years patronised by the Fund; and to Brighton, which is supplied on Sunday evenings by Mr. Bennett, but which is in want of a Sunday morning preacher.

This want the Committee are able to provide for, during the months of July and August next, by the liberality of the Governors of the Unitarian Academy, who have consented that one of the senior Students should spend the ensuing vacation at Brighton. One of the junior Students will also be able to assist Mr. Bennett at Ditchling; and thus Mr. Bennett may be set free for some more extended plan of missionary labour, to be hereafter determined on.

Considerable pecuniary grants have been made by the Committee to new Unitarian places of worship; not indeed the first objects contemplated by the Unitarian Fund, but still objects which the Committee, with means in their hands, have not thought it allowable to neglect.

The interesting case of Rossendale was reported from Dr. Thomson at the last Anniversary, and the Committee have observed with pleasure that the sanction of the Fund has contributed greatly to the relief of the zealous body of Unitarian Christians in that place.

A new chapel has been lately built at Oldham, a town of considerable population, in the neighbourhood of Manchester. In this town Mr. Wright preached the first Unitarian sermon, on his journey into Lancashire, the time before the last. A congregation has been since collected, and a neat and cominodious chapel erected, capable of holding nearly 300 people, and sở built as to admit a gallery hereafter if ne cessary. The building cost £541 and about 5301, had been raised when application was

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of expensive law proceedings, that they have been able as yet to take no steps towards the accomplishment of this object, nor are they certain that it would be for the interest of the Society to hold this species of cumbersome and uncertain pro

made to the Committee. They voted 201.
It is but justice to an individual to state,
that the raising of a congregation at Old-
ham, and the providing of the means of build-
ing a new chapel, are chiefly owing to the
zealous but wise and prudent exertions of
́Mr. B. Goodier, late a student in the Uni-perty. ›
,tarian Academy.

Another new chapel has also engaged the attention of the Committee that at Thorne in Yorkshire. The Unitarian doctrine was introduced into this town and neighbourhood about ten years ago, by your missionary, Mr. Wright, and has been taught by him in repeated journeys described in preceding years. Amidst some discouragements the cause of Truth has continued to prosper, until it has been found necessary that the worshippers of the One God, the Father, should have a capacious building in which to assemble. The chapel is to be finished by the end of this month. The plan appears to be commendably economical. It is calculated that the cost will be 3501. of which 1201. have been subscribed in the immediate neighbourhood. The Conumittee gave 201. to this case.

Many private subscriptions have since been received. In the judgment of several judicious correspondents, Thorne is an important station; and Mr. Wright has impressed upon the Committee, that it would form a proper centre for the labours of a missionary.

The names of Trustees are upon the books of the Fund for taking care of any monies that may be bequeathed to the Society; and the Committee have reason to expect that in the course of time their means will be recruited and enlarged by this kind of liberality.

In looking back to the receipts of the last year, the Committee see many instances of individual and some of congregational zeal which they gladly acknowledge; but they cannot help recommending strongly to congregations in general, to adopt some plan of contribution, by which the resources and consequently the exertions of the Society may be increased.

The Committee find a perpetually growing demand for Tracts, of which they have distributed many hundreds in the course of the last year; in which they have been assisted by the Unitarian Society and the Christian Tract Society and other Book Societies; though the cost of Tracts will still be found a considerable item in the year's expenditure.

The Committee have great pleasure in announcing Mr. Fox, of Chichester, as the next year's preacher.

the Society may continue to proceed upon the principles by which it has been hitherto guided, uniting zeal for truth with prudence in exertion, and boldness in the great canse with delicacy towards individuals; and their prayer that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may own and prosper the labours of the Society, and make it an effectual instrument of promoting the purity of evangelical truth, the inprovement of the human mind, and the glory of the Divine character and name.

The only remaining case of this kind which the Committee think of sufficient In concluding their Report, the Comimportance to report, is that of the Uni-mittee have only to express their wish that tarian Baptists at York, whose early his tory has been so well made known by Mr. David Eaton, in his "Narrative." This people, consisting of persons in humble life, had laboured under great inconvenience from the narrowness, obscurity and unpicasant situation of the room in which they had been wont to assemble. At length, a commodious chapel, formerly occupied by another denomination of Christians, became vacant; and with the advice of judicious friends they ventured to purchase it at the price of 3001. though of this sum they could raise amongst themselves no more than 601. The case was strongly recommended to the Committee by the respectable name of Mr. Wellbeloved, of York: and they voted to it the sum of 201. hoping from the representations made to them, that the whole debt may be speedily liquidated. In no instance would the Committee sanction any congregation in the contracting of a burdensome debt.

A former Report advised the preparation of a Trust Deed, under which places of worship might be held by the Fund; but the Committee have found this so difficult, and in some cases which they have duly considered there appeared such great danger

Unitarian Academy.

The Annual Meeting of the Governors of this Institution was held in the Chapel, Parliament Court, Artillery Lane, on Wednesday, June 5th, 1816, after the Meeting of the Subscribers to the Unitarian Fund, William Cooke, Esq. of the Isle of Wight, in the Chair, when the following Report was read and adopted :

The Committee of the Unitarian Academy report with much pleasure to this General Meeting the proceedings of the Institution through the past year.

The four students who have been in the Academy throughout the present session have continued to prosecute their studies

Intelligence-Dudley Double Lecture.

to the entire satisfaction of the tutors and of the committee. Mr. Goodier has not been able to resume his situation, from the precarious state of his health; but the committee have the satisfaction to state, that the time he passed in the Academy has not been lost, for he continues to prosecute his studies though absent, and should his health and strength be restored, he promises to be a zealous and useful preacher of the gospel pure and undefiled.

The Rev. R. Aspland and the Rev. T. Broadbent have continued their able assistance through the session now closing, to the great advantage of the institution and of the pupils. The committee have also availed themselves of the assistance of Dr. Morell in the mathematical depart ment.

The thanks of this meeting are justly due to these gentlemen for their care and assiduity, as the funds of this institution buve not yet been able to offer any adequate remuneration to them for the time and labour they have devoted to the inprovement of the students.

It is in the recollection of this meeting that two years was the term appointed for the course of study of each student, with power given to the committee to extend it. But many inconveniences have been found to result from this method for in every instance the tutors and the committee have found two years too short to accomplish the objects of the institution; and the committee have uniformly extended the time to the longest period in their power: so that the term of three years instead of two may now be considered the rule not the exception. From the experience of the tutors they have learned that this extension of time at the end of two years has been attended with great inconvenience to them and has proved a hinderance to the progress of the students; as the tutors have not been able to arrange their course of instruction to the longer period from the uncertainty of the committee acceding to their request to continue the students under their care beyond the period of two years. Thus it appears from the experience of the committee and of the tutors that the plan originally designed has not been found advantageous or practicable.

The committee therefore recommend that the course of education be extended to four years. Though at the same time the original plan of the institution need not be lost sight of, as a course of instruction limited to two years may be arranged, in order to prepare students for the Christian ministry, by instructing them in general theology and English literature only. The students admitted into the Academy on this plan ought not to be

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permitted to continue longer than two years.

For admission to the larger course of instruction the committee recommend three months should be fixed for probation, and that no young man be admitted under the age of seventeen or above the age of twenty, nor any who have not previously attained the rudiments of the Greek and Latin languages. For the shorter course a probation of six weeks, and from the age of eighteen to twenty-three, and that no one be admitted who has not previously received an adequate English education.

The committee also beg leave to add, that they trust a fitness for pulpit services will at all times be considered an indispensible qualification for all candidates for admission on the foundation of this Academy, whether for the longer or the shorter period: as it is the fundamental principle of this institution to offer its assistance to such young men only who appear to be qualified to be useful and zealous Christian ministers.

The committee wish they were able to close their report with a favourable account of the funds of the Academy: but with every possible attention to economy, they are obliged to declare them inade quate to the objects of the institution. The committee cheerfully offer their ser vices to maintain and direct the establishment, but these will not be effective unless the funds for the support of the Academy are considerably increased. Aad here they cannot refuse the opportunity to direct the thanks of this meeting to the Rev. T. Belsham, who has been through the past year a most liberal promoter of the Academy in regard to its pecuniary resources. They recommend to the serious consideration of the Unitarian public the advantages an institution in the neighbourhood of London, like the new Unitarian Academy offers, for the promotion of the general interests of true religion and virtue. Hitherto it has been supported by a very few of the friends of free inquiry in matters of religion, but it demands the liberal support of all to con-tinue its existence and to make it effective. THOMAS GIBSON, Secretary.

Dudley Double Lecture.

On Whit-Tuesday, June 4th, 1816, the Annual Meeting of Ministers, denominated "The Double Lecture," took place at Dudley. The Rev. Robert Kell conducted the devotional service. Two excellent discourses were delivered to a very numerous congregation: the former by the Rev. James Yates "on the historical argument in favour of the truth of Christianity, arising from the progress

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Intelligence.-Warwickshire Unitarian Tract Society.

which it has made in reforming and ameliorating the state of the world," from Isaiah lv. 10, 11,-For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it-the latter by the Rev. James Scott, "on the duties of the Christian ministry," from 2 Cor. viii. 23,they are the messengers of the church, and the glory of Christ.

Fifteen ministers were present: viz. Rev. Messrs. Guy, Kell, and Kentish, of Birmingham; Small, of Coseley; Davis, of Coventry; Scott, of Cradley; Bransby, of Dudley; Davis, of Evesham; James Yates, lately of Glasgow; Corrie, of Handsworth; Bristowe, of Hinckley; Fry, of Kidderminster; Davis, of Oldbury; Carpenter, of Stourbridge; and Steward, of Wolverhampton.

In the course of the afternoon, Mr. Bransby read the following extract from a most affecting letter addressed to him by his lamented friend, Dr. Toulmin, in reference to one of the resolutions at the last anniversary.*

"London, No. 2, Pump Court, Temple, May 23, 1815.

"Dear Bransby. My mind is variously affected with the unexpected and united testimonies of respect and affection, and of approbation of my work from my worthy brethren, assembled at the Double Lecture at Dudley on Whit-Tuesday, and with the cordial interest you express in the communication of their resolutions:on which I shall ever place a high value, and ever recollect with lively gratitude. As they do not meet again under the same circumstances till next Whitsuntide, when probably my intercourses of a friendly and ministerial kind, and my days may be terminated, it must remain uncertain whether I shall ever have an opportunity to offer them, as a body, my sentiments of affectionate respect, and my warm thanks for these expressions of their estimation of my imperfect labours and character. But, as they fall in your way, I would request the favour of you to express to them individually, my sentiments of brotherly attachment to them, as ministers, my sense of the honour they have done me and the sincere pleasure with which I entertain the thought of

spending the remainder of my days in the circle of such characters and friends as I am cordially united to in the neighbourhood of Birmingham.

Dear Bransby,

Your obliged and sincerely affectionate
Friend and Brother,

JOSHUA TOULMIN."

Warwickshire Unitarian Tract Society.

The Members of the Unitarian Tract Society, established in Birmingham for Warwickshire and the neighbouring counties, held their Annual Meeting at Oldbury, in Shropshire, on Wednesday, June 19th. In the morning, the Rev. Richard Fry, of Kidderminster, read the Scriptures and conducted the devotional service. The Rev. John Small, of Coseley, delivered a very argumentative and interesting discourse on the Unity of God, from John viii. 54.-"It is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God." The sermon was heard with the most marked attention. Two passages, in particular, the one referring to the preacher's emancipation from Calvinism, and the other offering a tribute of affection to the memory of Dr. Toulmin, exhibited specimens of the finest eloquence. Mr. Small has kindly consented to favour the Society with a copy of his sermon to be printed for distribution among the members.

At the conclusion of the service, Mr. Samuel Kenrick, of West Bromwich, (second son of the late Rev. Timothy Kenrick, of Exeter,) being called to the chair, the minutes of the last general meeting and of the subsequent committee meetings were read by the Secretary. After the usual business had been transacted, upwards of forty members and friends of the Society dined together. In the course of the afternoon several gentlemen addressed the meeting on topics connected with the objects of the Society, and the day was spent in a way that could scarcely fail to exercise and improve the best emotions of the heart.

It was resolved, "That the warmest thanks of this meeting be presented to the Rev. Jeremiah Joyce, the Secretary of the London Unitarian Book Society, (an office which after having ably discharged its duties for fourteen years, he has signified an intention of resigning,) for his uniform punctuality and kindness in furnishing the tracts ordered from time to time by the Committee, and for the lively interest which he has always taken in the welfareof this Society."

It is impossible to record this vote of thanks (passed only two days before Mr.

• See Monthly Repository, Vol. X. p. Joyce's lamented death) without feelings

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of mournful regret. Mr. Bransby, in

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