Intelligence.-Wright's Journal of an Unitarian Mission in South Wales. 681 counties, who are in whole or in part Unitarians, but could gain no definite account of them. I shall be thankful to any person who can and will communicate to me any information respecting the state of inquiry and progress of religious opinions in North Wales; in particular if they will communicate the names and places of residence of any persons who are favourable to Unitarianisin in that part of the principality. It appears to me that a correspondence with that part of the country is desirable, and might lead to some important results. After the preceding introductory remarks, I proceed to state succinctly the particulars of this mission. It was extended to six counties. I: CARDIGANSHIRE. In this county Unitarianism has been openly professed, and plainly preached, for a number of years; and ceases to excite the degree of horror which attends its first introduction, and which can be removed only by a continued fearless avowal, and plain statement of its doctrine, accompanied by a truly Christian spirit and conduct. I was informed that reputed orthodoxy has here lost much of its asperity, and its professors are more mild and charitable than in other parts of the principality. The cause here owes much of its success to the labours and consistent conduct of Mr. David Jenkin Rees, of Lloyd-Jack, the oldest Unitarian in this part of the country, and of Mr. J. James, lately removed to Glamorganshire. These worthy men were several years joint ministers of the Unitarian churches in Cardiganshire. The following are the places where I preached in this county. 1. Pant-y-Defaid. The congregation in this place is well established in the Unitarian doctrine. I preached once, and Mr. J. Thomas, from Islington, afterwards delivered a sermon in Welsh. The audience were deeply attentive. 2. Capel-y-Groes. Here also the congregation are steady, well-informed Unitarians. I preached to them once, and Mr. B. Phillips interpreted to those who did not understand. English. 3. Lloyd-Jack, a farm house. Unitarian worship is here conducted in a large school-room. I preached to a numerous assembly of attentive hear ers. Mr. Phillips gave an outline of the discourse in Welsh. These congregations are supplied by the before-mentioned Mr. D. J. Rees and Mr. Thomas, from Carmarthen shire, who succeeds Mr. James. 4. Lampeter, a market town. Here I preached in a room at the inn, which was crowded with hearers. 5. Llandyssil. Here I preached in a school-room to a large company. Mr. Meek preached at Lloyd-Jack, to a pretty large and attentive audience; and Mr. Phillips gave an outline of the discourse in Welsh. At some of the above places many strangers attended, persons of different religious denominations. Among our friends in Cardiganshire, we found much intelligence, simplicity, Christian affection and rational zeal. There are five congregations in this county who rank as Arians. They meet at the following places: 1. Llwyn-rhyd-Owen. 2. Penrhyw. 3. Cilicu. 4. Alltblacca. Of these four, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Willium Recs, are the ministers. I found Mr. Davis very infirm and unwell. Mr. Rees I had for a hearer at Panteg. 5. Llechrhyd. Of this Mr. Griffiths is the minister. II. PEMBROKESHIRE. Unitarianism has been but recently introduced in this county; one congregation only is yet formed, but there are persons favourable to the doctrine in several other places. As the English language is chiefly spoken in Pembrokeshire (indeed in a considerable part of it they know nothing of Welsh), I thought it right to pay a particular attention to this district, and to the infant church which has been lately formed at Templeton. After going forward into Carmarthen-: shire and Glamorganshire, I returned. and spent eight more days in Penbrokeshire. The following are the places I visited. 1. Templeton. Here a decent house has been erected for the worship of the One and Only God, on the most economical plan possible, and one individual who is the chief support of the cause in the place, and who has a large family, is still £43 15s. Cd. out of pocket, by the erection; which small debt it is highly desirable he should be repaid. The building of this meeting-house first introduced Unitarian preaching as a regular thing into Pembrokeshire, and it is said this circumstance so alarmed some of the reputed orthodox, that they offered up public prayer to Almighty God, to prevent such dangerous doctrine proceeding any further in that county. Mr. B. Phillips preaches one Sunday in the month at this place, and Mr. David Johns preaches at other times. 1 preached at Templeton nine times, and Mr. Meek twice; we had always good, sometimes crowded congregations, though the weather was mostly rainy, and many of the people had to come a considerable distance. Several new hearers attended regularly during our stay, and seemed to have their minds stirred up to serious inquiry after truth. I administered the Lord's Supper twice to the little society, Mr. Meek baptized one person, and I delivered an address on the occasion. It is of the more importance to eneourage and promote the Unitarian cause at Templeton, as it is in the midst of a district where the English language only is spoken, and where Unitarianism was till lately unknown. I think, if proper encouragement be given, and steady exertions be continued, much good will be done at Templeton and the country around it: there are many openings for preaching, where occasional lectures might be delivered, and much attention and inquiry is already excited. 2. Narbeth, a market town, a short distance from Templeton. Here preached to a multitude of people: I stood in a window at the inn, which answered the purpose of a pulpit; a number of people were in the room, and several hundreds abroad; indeed the market place, which was before the house, was pretty well filled. The audience was generally very attentive. I learned afterwards that the clergyman of the parish threatened the owner of the house for suffering us to meet there, but I believe some inquiry was excited. Some of the inhabitants came afterwards to Templeton to hear me. 3. Saundersfoot, a village on the sea side. I visited and preached twice at this place, in the house of a widow. woman: the last congregation was much the largest; both were very attentive. A week evening lecture might be delivered regularly at this place, and there is reason to think it would be productive of good. 4. Jeffreston, a small village among the collieries. I preached here to a small attentive audience. I should have visited this place again, but the state of the weather and roads rendered it impracticable to get there at the time. 5. Carew, a village. I preached here in a cottage, which was crowded with attentive hearers. There are two Unitarian families in this place. Here meetings might be occasionally held to good purpose. 6. Pembroke, a corporate town. The minister of the parish is also the inayor. He forbade the bellman to publish a meeting in the open air, and said he would not suffer such a meeting to be held. The minister of the Tabernacle lent us the use of it, and we had a large and attentive audience. 7. Haverfordwest. A friend of mine applied to a Dissenting minister in this town, to know whether I could have the use of his chapel: his letter in reply shewed that if I went in disguise, and said nothing about my peculiar sentiinents, I might be admitted: he said, if I went merely in the character of a Dissenting minister I should be cordially welcomed; but considering the 4 character in which I should appear, my visit would be turned to their disadvantage. I however went and' preached in a house which had been an inn. We had a large congregation. I found afterwards several persons were friendly to the cause. I was informed four clergymen heard me: one of them, the next morning, sent me the Bishop of St. David's paper, called "The Unitarian Catechised," and 1 ordered to be sent to him "The Unitarian Catechised, and Answering for Himself." I visited Milford, but could procure no place; and from the number of rough sailors, and what appeared to be the general state of society there, did not think it prudent to preach in the open air: besides, there were twò mee?” ings in the town that evening ? however I had some interesting conver-sation. I also went to Tenby," "haping' Intelligence.-Wright's Journal of an preach there, but no place could be procured, and I learned that the clergyman, who is also the mayor, would suffer no meetings to be held in the open air. He had, a short time before, prevented the bellman's publishing a preaching in the Methodist meeting house. In the parts of Pembrokeshire bordering on Cardiganshire, I understand there are a number of Unitarians; but learning that the Welsh language is chiefly spoken there, and those parts being more remote, I thought it best to employ my time in that part of the county where the English is chiefly spoken. I was told of two congrega. tions near Cardigan. These are visited occasionally by Mr. B. Phillips, and supplied at other times by others. III. CARMARTHENSHIRE. Though in this county, some who raised expectation, and seemed disposed to inquire freely after truth, a few years since, have disappointed that expectation, and fallen back into the regions of mystery, the Unitarian cause is still advancing. Its most violent opposers have aided its progress, by even their bitter invectives against it; they have helped to draw the attention of the public to the subject. The seeds of Unitarianism are too widely scattered, and have taken too much hold to be rooted out. In this county I preached at the following places: 1. Panteg. In this village there is a congregation of Unitarian Baptists. Mr. B. Evans is their minister, I preached and had interesting conversaamong tion with some of them. Mr. Phillips gave the substance of the discourse in Welsh.. 2. Rhyd-y-Park. Mr. David Phillips and Mr. J. Evans are the ministers in this place. The former is in years and infirm; but his conversation is very interesting. I preached to a good eongregation. 3. Felin-Court. Here I preached at the house of the sister of my worthy friend Mr. Johns, of Manchester; the room was well filled with attentive, hearers. 4. St. Clears. I visited and preached twice in this place, at the house of Mr. B. Phillips, to very attentive congregations. There is a small Unitarian Baptist society in the neighbourhood of this town, which is supplied by Mr. Unitarian Mission in South Wales. 683 5. Carmarthen. The Unitarian cause in this town is highly important, and is in a promising state. The congregation at Carmarthen is respectable, and a number of its members zealous in the cause. I preached there five times, and Mr. Meek once. The congrega tions were always good, several of them crowded ones, and the hearers very attentive. A number of strangers, of different religious denominations, attended. I was glad to find Mr. Evans, late of Ilminster, who is now the minister at Carmarthen, much better in health. There is reason to hope his labours will be very useful in his present situation. On the whole, Carmarthen exhibits a good prospect of success to the Unitarian cause. 6. Kidwelly. The minister in this place, Mr. Abel, ranks as an Arian. He very readily granted me the use of his meeting-house. By some means the notice of my preaching did not arrive in time, yet a good company was called together in a few minutes, who were very attentive to the discourse I delivered. 7. Llanelly. I visited and preached at this place twice, in a room in any Mr. Meek also uninhabited house. preached here. We had many attentive hearers. The last audience would have been much larger, had it not been for a heavy rain which continued through the evening. I am told there are about twelve Unitarians in Llanelly and its vicinity. It is very desirable a regular congregation should be formed, and Unitarian worship conducted in this place. 8. Llangyndeirn. This is an Unitarian Baptist congregation, of which my late friend, Mr. William Thomas, was the minister. Since his death the place has been supplied by various ministers. The congregation is not at present in a good state. I preached here once, and Mr. Phillips gave the substance of the discourse in Welsh.a 9. Brechfas The meetings are held here in a private house; the people are Unitarian Baptists. Mr. B. Davies, a poor man, is their preacher. The room where the meeting was held was crowded with attentive hearers, who 1 had been waiting nearly two hours before we arrived, there being a mistake respecting the time when the service should be held. I preached, and Mr. Phillips repeated the discourse in Welsh. 10. Llandilo. Here I preached in a room at one of the inns, had a large and attentive company, and much conversation before and after the service. Mr. Phillips translated. 11. Llandyfaen. Here I had a better audience than might have been expected the service being in the middle of the day. Mr. Phillips gave the substance of the sermon in Welsh. Mr. J. Griffiths, of Llandylie, an Unitarian Baptist, preaches to this and several other small congregations, 12. Llandybic. Here I preached at the house of Mr. Griffiths, just before mentioned, to a crowded congregation, and Mr. Phillips interpreted. I visited this place again; but the notice having Siniscarried, we could not have a public meeting. On the whole, Carmarthenshire presents an extensive, and in many places an encouraging field for the propagation of Unitarianism. Mr. Jones, one of the Academical Tutors at Carmarthen, who ranks as an Arian, has a congregation at CapelZion. [To be concluded in our next No.] Unitarian Baptist Chapel, York. discourse by an attempt to impress the minds of his auditory with the necessity of attending to Scripture as the only proper guide in matters of religious faith and practice. The congregation consisted of nearly 300 per sons. In the afternoon, Mr. Torrance preached a sermon to a very numerous and attentive congregation, on the Divine Unity, from 1 Pet. iv. 11. "Ifany man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" He proved by a variety of arguments, that both nature and revelation declare God to be One. He also took a brief view of the doctrine of ~tisfaction, and shewed it to be contrary to every idea we have of the goodness of the Father and Friend of man. At six o'clock in the evening the chapel was crowded to excess; it is supposed there were near 500 persons present, to whom Mr. Griswood preached a sermon from Mark xvi. 16, in which he exhorted his hearers each for himself to form his religious creed by the Gospel, that is alone calculated to promote the love of God and the happiness of man.. He also made some apposite remarks on the moral effects likely to be produced in the temper and conduct of those whose actions, are regulated by it. York. R. D. The following is a statement of the O Saturday, November 2nd, the Unitarian Baptists, York, Trustees of the Independent Chapel in the city of York, gave possession of the same to the Trustees named by the Unitarian Baptists. Unitarian Fund, W. Turner, H. Turner, Bradford, Students at York College, J. Rawdon, Esq. York, Mr. Robson, Newcastle, Mrs. Cappe, The following morning, the Chapel was opened for Unitarian worship by Mr. Torrance, who conducted the devotional part of the service. After which, Mr. Griswood, of Hull, preached an excellent sermon from John v. 29. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," in which he took a view of the state into which man was brought Paid for the Chapel, Writings, by Adam's transgression, proving that the doctrine of Original Sin is unsup Miss Hotham, York, Sundry Subscriptions, &c. 63.18 6 20 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 10 6 0 10 6 100 2 13 6 ported by the Scriptures. He then Debt upon the Chapel, THE Rev. William Lampori, of Lancaster, has offered a prize for an essay in answer to a work lately pub Intelligence.-Manchester College, York.-Hanover Street Lecture. lished, entitled, "An Enquiry into the Integrity of the Greek Vulgate, or received Text of the New Testament, &c. by the Rev. F. Nolan." The prize to consist of books of the value of five guineas. The candidates to be such Dissenting ministers as have received their theological education in Manchester College, York, and have left the College within the last seven years. The Essays to be sent in anonymously before the 1st of May, 1817, each distinguished by a descriptive motto; and the prize to be awarded by the Visitor at the next annual examination, to the author of the best Essay, on the decision of the Visitor and Tutors. Manchester, Nov. 15, 1816. Manchester College, York. Rev. E. O. Jones, Duffield. + 1 1 0 2 1 0 Rev. N. T. H. Heinekin, Gainsborough.. 0 Rev. Benj. Mardon, Glasgow. 1 1 0 Rev. R. W, Wallace, Chesterfield. 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 0 10 16 4 G. W. WOOD. Manchester, Nov. 16, 1816. 0 0 0 0 685 Sunday, Dec. 8.-Rev. T. Rees.- Sunday, Dec. 15.-Rev. R. Aspland Tuesday, Dec. 17.-Rev. T. Rees- Sunday, Dec. 22.-Rev. J. Gilchrist.-Hindrances to the Reception of Truth. Tuesday, Dec. 24.—Rev. R. Aspland.— Jesus "the Carpenter's Son." Sunday, Dec. 29.-Rev. T. Rees.-The Creation of all Things by Jesus Christ. Tuesday, Dec. 31.-Rev. J. Gilchrist. Scripture Doctrine concerning the End of the World. The Conductors of the Lecture design, with the Blessing of Providence, to publish the Subjects of the Second Course before the Expiration of the Year. A Gentleman will attend in the Vestry every Evening to receive Subscriptions for defraying the Expenses of the Lectures. FOREIGN. Account of an Unitarian Church in (In a Letter to the Rev. T. Belsham.) 6 |