nesday, June the 26th. Mr. G. Kenrick preached on the occasion from the concluding clause of Luke vii. 22: “To the poor the Gospel is preached," shewing that Unitarianism is that Gospel, and that it is infinitely better suited to the capacities and wants of the industrious classes, than the tenets to which it is opposed. Such were the combined excellencies of this discourse, both as it respects its composition and its delivery, that they can be estimated only by its being heard from the lips of the preacher. The writer must be content with expressing his cordial sympathy in its benevolent design; may it have proved efficacious in promoting in the auditory, whose attention it so powerfully arrested, and particularly in that numerous and respectable class to whom it more immediately related, those convictions and those salutary impressions, for which it was so eminently calculated. That it has produced such effects in no ordinary degree, there is every reason to conclude. After the service, the Report of the Committee was read, including the journal of Mr. Harding, who has in the course of the last year been engaged by the Unitarians of these parts, in the capacity of their Missionary. Some extracts from his journal have already appeared in the Christian Reformer, and have been adopted in the Report of the Unitarian Fund. The engagements of Mr. Harding from the commencement of his labours in October last, have been various, and his success in the several objects has been, all things considered, highly satisfactory and encouraging. His applications, being supported by the Resolutions of the Committee of the Association, have proved effec. tual in uniting the exertions of almost all our churches; which, with the friendly and generous assistance of the Unitarian Fund Committee, in concurrence with that of the Unitarian Baptists in London, has enabled him to enter upon the undertaking. He has been employed on the Sabbaths in conducting the services of several of our churches which have no stated ministers; and much of the intervening time has been employed in announcing Unitarianism where it was previously little known. In Queenborough and Hastings he has introduced Unitarian preaching in the first instance, and has excited a considerable degree of public attention. In Sheerness he has been the leading instrument of re-uniting the "little flock" into a regular society, and of making a permanent accession to their number. Having at his suggestion formed a Fellowship Fund, they are now carry ing on their services and conducting a Sunday-school by their own exertions. In the course of a little more than five months, when his report closed, Mr. Harding had travelled 733 miles, and preached 74 times. A vote of thanks was passed to the Committee of the Unitarian Fund for the liberal grant of £20, and for their friendly aid in forwarding the undertaking by the occasional labours of Mr. Wright. Thanks were also voted to the Unitarian Baptist Committee, and to those churches and individuals who, though not previously members of the institution, have generously co-operated with them in carrying this object into effect. The Society resolved on using their utmost exertions toward continuing Mr. Harding in his present " useful and animated career of missionary preaching." The business of the day having closed, the Society now retired to partake of a common repast. The afternoon was spent with much harmony and friendly intercourse. Some appropriate sentiments were given, which called forth addresses from Mr. Holden, Mr. Kenrick, Mr. Harding, and several other friends. Among others, the memory of that good man and liberal supporter of benevolent institutions, Mr. Sampson Kingsford, was not forgotten, which gave occasion to some excellent remarks from his intimate friend and coadjutor, Mr. Benjamin Marten. Mr. Paine, who a few years since wrote two excellent Letters to a Clergyman in Defence of Unitarianism, which obtained a rapid circulation, addressed the Meeting on occasion of his having again been engaged in a similar contest with one of that order. His sound refutation of the general charge that his principles were erroneous, had received no other notice from his clerical opponent, than that of the almost immediate return of his Letter. Such methods of shutting out the approaches of light are but too congenial with the principles of an establishment, which attempts to say to advancing knowledge, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further. June 30, 1822. T. P. Eastern Unitarian Society. THE opening of the New Chapel erected by the Unitarian congregation at Diss took place on Wednesday evening the 26th June. The building is delightfully situated in a field adjoining the town, which overlooks a large piece of water, and is constructed in every way most tastefully and judiciously. There is nothing about it showy or extravagant, but all is substantial and convenient. It is calculated to seat about 300 hearers. The congregation at Diss is not a numerous one, and the erection of such a Intelligence-Eastern Unitarian Society. place of worship is highly creditable to the piety and liberality of its founders. May" peace dwell within the walls" of their church. The service was opened by an appropriate Hymn;. after which, Mr. Valentine (the minister of the place) pronounced the introductory prayer and read the Scriptures. Mr. Scargill, of Bury, delivered the succeeding prayer; after which, the following Hymn (written for the occasion by one of the congregation) was sung: I. God of our fathers! though on high II. Now may thy Spirit bless the place! With Christian faith our souls inspire; IV. In every heart thy temple rear: Thee, and Thee only may we fear : Deep in our souls thy name record, The Servants of the living Lord. V. Our earthly temples pass away; 447. Protestant Churches, and it was most convincingly shewn, that, tried by the test to which Popish errors were subjected, modern orthodoxy must be discarded as untenable and unscriptural. There is some reason to expect that both the above Sermons will be given to the public. After service, the business of the Society was transacted; Meadows Taylor, Esq., of Diss, in the Chair. The opening a new Chapel for Unitarian worship at Harleston, a market-town upon the borders of Suffolk, was noticed, and there appears every reason to hope, that, with the assistance of Mr. Valentine, who conducts the service every Sunday morning, a permanent interest may be established there. The Society recorded in the strongest terms their protest against the persecutions which, to the disgrace of those who profess to call themselves Christians, have been carried on within the last year against unbelievers, believing that such practices are in direct opposition to the spirit of the gospel, and calculated to bring into notice publications which would otherwise have been unnoticed and disregarded. James L. Marsh, Esq., and Mr. Edward Taylor, were re-elected to the offices of Treasurer and Secretary: and it was unanimously resolved, that an Address be presented to the venerable Bishop of the Diocese, in order to convey to him the thanks of the Unitarians in those counties with which he is connected, for the truly liberal spirit which he has shewed to Christians of all denominations, and for his Man fades, more weak, more frail than valuable and disinterested labours in pro they ; But thou, O Lord, for ever sure, Through rolling years shalt still endure. Mr. Madge, of Norwich, then preached from Psalm c. 4: "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise." It was a sermon worthy the occasion, and worthy the preacher, and was heard with deep attention and interest by a crowded audience. On the Thursday morning the Yearly Meeting of the Eastern Unitarian Society was held. Mr. Bowles, of Yarmouth, began the service by prayer and reading the Scriptures, after which, Mr. Perry, of Ipswich, prayed; and Mr. Fullagar, of Chichester, preached from Isaiah xxxv. 8: "The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." In the course of the Sermon the arguments used by Protes. tants of the Church of England at the time of the Reformation, against the corruptions of the Church of Rome, and particularly against the doctrine of Transubstantiation, were applied to the corruptions which yet remained in most moting the cause of civil and religious liberty. Fifty-six gentlemen afterwards dined George Watson, of Saxlingham, Esq., in together at the King's Head Inn, Diss; the Chair. During the afternoon, the Chairman noticed, in terms of well-merited eulogy, the liberality of the Diss congregation in having erected so handsome and commodious a building for public worship. Meadows Taylor, Esq., returned thanks on behalf of the cougregation. The absence of Mr. Aspland, and especially the afflicting cause of it, were the subjects of general regret, and a hope was expressed that he would favour the Society by his attendance at their next Anniversary at Bury St. Edmunds. Mr. Toms, Mr. Madge, Mr. Fullagar, Mr. Richard Taylor, of London, Mr. Henry Taylor, of Liverpool, and the Secretary, severally addressed the company, on subjects connected with the interests of the Society, and of the great cause of civil and religious liberty. Warwickshire Unitarian Tract THE members of the Unitarian Tract Society, established in Birmingham, for Warwickshire and the neighbouring counties, held their Annual Meeting at Kidderminster, on Tuesday, July 2, 1822. The Rev. Samuel Fawcett, of Yeovil, whose presence, on such an occasion, in his native town, was peculiarly gratifying to his friends, began the religious services of the day with prayer and reading the Scriptures. The Rev. James Hews Bransby, of Dudley, offered up the general prayer; and the Rev. Joseph Hutton, of Leeds, preached from James ii. 18: "Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." The preacher was evidently heard with the most lively interest; and the writer of this brief notice ventures to renew the expression of his hope, that Mr. Hutton will prevail upon himself to print his discourse, in compliance with the earnest wishes of the meeting. About forty members and friends of the Society afterwards dined together, J. T. Smith, Esq, being in the Chair; and in the course of the afternoon several gentlemen addressed the meeting, on subjects connected with the interests of Christian truth, liberty and virtue. J. H. B. Unitarian Association for Hull, Lin coln, Doncaster and Thorne. THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Hull, on Wednesday and Thursday, 3rd and 4th July. The Rev. W. Bakewell, of Chester, introduced the service on Wednesday evening; and the Rev. G. Harris, of Bolton, delivered an eloquent and most animating discourse on the Causes of Infidelity, from Isa. lii. 5. The preacher having noticed the great alarm lately excited by the supposed prevalence and increase of scepticism, particularly that species of unbelief which is known by the name Deism, and having admitted that such sentiments did exist, much to the injury of society, and that they afforded a just subject of regret to all pious Christians, proceeded to shew in what they originated, and for what they were still indebted for their support. He stated two of the principal causes of Infidelity the first of which was to be found in the gloomy, repulsive and contradictory sentiments of reputed orthodox writers, which, having been too generally identified with the genuine principles of the gospel, had caused the understandings : of reflective men to revolt, and had induced them to discard the Christian system. The argument was ably supported by a review of the opinions expressed in the writings of some of the most celebrated orthodox divines, by a reference to the system of religious belief established in those countries which have been most distinguished for the growth and spread of infidelity, and by an ap. peal to the declarations of Deistical writers themselves. Another of the causes to which Infidelity was said to owe its origin, was the illiberal and persecuting conduct of the professed believers in the gospel. On Thursday morning, the Rev. C. Wellbeloved, of York, preached from The discourse was Philipp. ii. 5-9. fraught with sound criticism and judicious observation, and afforded a most satisfactory explanation of the manner in which this much controverted passage of Scripture ought to be understood. The difficulties on the side of Trinitarianism were shewn to be irreconcileable; while, upon a more rational principle of interpretation, the text appeared to convey a consistent, appropriate and beautiful meaning. On the same day, the friends of the Institution dined together, in number sixty-nine, and were much gratified with the strength which their cause seemed to have acquired since their last meeting. In the evening the Rev. G. Harris delivered a discourse from Luke vii. 22: "To the poor the gospel is preached," in which he endeavoured to shew that the doctrines now improperly termed Evangelical are not taught in the writings of the Evangelists; but that they are directly at variance with the sentiments contained in these interesting portions of the sacred volume. The three services were numerously attended. On Thursday evening, the Chapel in Bowl-Alley Lane was crowded to excess; and so strong was the interest excited in the minds of the inhabitants of the town, that on the Sunday following, when Mr. Harris again preached, numbers of persons were unable to obtain admission into the chapel. This Institution has already been productive of important effects in the town It has and neighbourhood of Hull. brought into more general notice the sentiments of Unitarians, and tended much to diminish the prejudices formerly entertained against them. In the end it will, no doubt, prove eminently serviceable to the cause of rational Christianity. W.W. Intelligence.-Literary.-Ecclesiastical Preferments. THE Annual Meeting of the Trustees of Manchester College, York, will be held at Cross-Street Chapel Rooms, Manchester, on Friday the 2d August next, at Eleven o'clock in the forenoon. J. G. ROBBERDS, S. D. DARBISHIRE, Manchester, July 12, 1822. THE REV. GEORGE KENRICK has accepted the pastoral charge of the Unitarian Church at Maidstone. SOME late proceedings in Parliament and in the Scottish courts of law have exposed the abominable system of libelling, lately adopted by persons high in .office, and in various ways connected with the Government, in that country, in order to overwhelm every independent politician. The infamous scheme is defeated by its exposure, and its plotters and abettors, whatever be their rank and talents, are consigned to public contempt.-Meaner tools, in what hands remains to be seen, are still carrying on the same disgraceful mode of political warfare in England. These creatures, who brandish the tomahawk and the scalping knife, and whose object it is, by base and cowardly calumnies, to frighten public men from the path of patriotic duty, will we hope be tracked to their dens and dragged forth, their employers and patrons by the side of them, to the indignation of the country: in the mean time, it is satisfactory to observe that virtuous men, who are commouly devoted to the measures of Government, feel and express proper abhorrence of these ruffians of the pen. Thus the Christian Observer says, in its Number for June (PP: 381,382),-"We are increasingly grieved that among any of the professed friends of good order and constituted authorities in Church and State, there should be found so gross an inconsistency and dereliction of principle, as is indicated in the wide circulation of such a publication as the John Bull Sunday newspaper, the libellous and disgraceful character of which has been recently decided by a court of law, in perfect accordance with the feelings of every well-disposed mind." Cambridge, June 7. The Chancellor's Gold Medal for the best English Poem by a resident Under-Graduate, was yesterday adjudged to Mr. JOHN HENRY BRIGHT, of St. John's College-Subject, "Palmyra." Orford, June 19. The Essays to which the Chancellor's Prizes had been awarded, were recited in the following order: Latin Essay. "An re vera præva VOL. XVII. 449 luerit apud Eruditiores Antiquorum Polytheismus," by Mr. J. B. OXLEY, of Oriel College. Latin Verse. "Alpes ab Annibale superatæ," by Mr. F. CURZON, of Bra zenose. English Essay. "On the Study of Moral Evidence," by Mr. W. A. SHIRLEY, of New College. Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize.—English Verse. "Palmyra," by Mr. A. BARBER, of Wadham College. Rare and Select Historical and Theolo gical Tracts connected with Nonconformity. The Rev. Mr. Redford, of Uxtion, an octavo volume of about 600 or bridge, proposes to publish, by subscripchoice, rare and interesting tracts, con700 pages, containing a selection of very nected with the History of Nonconformity. the volume, The Discourse of the TrouAt present it is intended to include in bles at Francfort, &c., 1577; several of the celebrated Marprelate tracts; a few tracts by the early Independents or Brownpositions; Marvel's Rehearsal Transists; Vincent Alsop's Mischief of Improsed, and Answer to Danson; Palmer's against Wesley, 1760; Clegg's Life of Vindication of the Dissenting Academies Ashe; Defoe's satirical tract, called The Shortest Way with Dissenters, &e. &c. &c. As the object in this publication is not gain, but the preservation of works deeply interesting to every Dissenter, though nearly extinct, it will not be un dertaken unless a sufficient number of names be transmitted to cover the expense; which it is supposed will not exceed twelve or fourteen shillings. The tracts contained in the volume will be a literal reprint from the earliest and best editions, and without abridgment. The names of persons disposed to encourage this undertaking, should be transmitted without delay to Mr. Hamilton, 33, Pa ternoster Row. Ecclesiastical Preferments. Rev. R. LAURENCE, D. C. L., Canon of Christ Church, and Regius Professor of Hebrew at Oxford, to be Archbishop of Cashel (not Bishop Alexander, as stated p. 389). Very Rev. Archdeacon BISSETT, to be Bishop of Raphoe (not of Down and Connor, as stated p. 389). Rev. A. NICOL, M. A., of Baliol College, to be Canon of Christ Church, and Professor of Hebrew in the University of Oxford, vacated by the promotion of Dr. Laurence. Rev. G. GASKIN, D.D., to a Prebend in Ely Cathedral. 3 M Rev. C. LLOYD, D. D., to be Cauon of Christ Church, Oxford, and Regius Professor of Divinity in the room of the Rev. Dr. Hodson, deceased. Very Rev. the Dean of Hereford (Dr. Carr, of Brighton) to a Prebendal Stall in that Cathedral. Hon. and Rev. R. Bagot, a Prehend of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, vice Heath, deceased. logical; displaying to the historian one of the features of the present times. The subject has received at least its share of attention in this work. At the close of our report of the proceedings in Chancery on this matter, in the last Number (p. 389), we inserted, from the Monthly Magazine, a paragragh relating to Mr. Lawrence's reappointment as Surgeon to Bethlem Hospital; but the Editor of that Journal has published, in the present Number, the following letter of Mr. Lawrence's, which we think it right to reprint, since, if it does not alter the state of the case generally, it relieves his opponents from some portion of that odium of intoReceipts of Religious Charities, 1821. lerance under which they seemed to lie. THE Bishop of Chester has obtained a grant to raise every benefice in his dio *cese under 50%. to that amount. British and Foreign Bi- Society for propagating Moravian Missionary Society Naval and Military Bi- Poor Pious Clergy men Continental Society African Institution Mr. Lawrence's Retractation. MR. LAWRENCE'S "Lectures" have given rise to much discussion and controversy, civil, legal, metaphysical and theo ED.] "College of Physicians, April 16. “ DEAR SIR, "The renewed publication by others, over whom I have no controul, of the work which I suppressed three years ago, induces me to offer a few observations on the subject; and to present them through you, to the Governors of Bridewell and Bethlem. The motives and circumstances of the suppression in question, are detailed in a letter to Mr. Harrison, through whose medium it was communicated to the Governors of the two Hospitals; and this letter, I conclude, is entered on the minutes of their proceedings. Further experience and reflection have only tended to convince me more strongly that the publication of certain passages in these writings was highly improper; to increase my regret at having sent them forth to the world; to make me satisfied with the measure of withdrawing them from public circulation; and consequently firmly resolved, not only never to reprint them, but also never to publish any thing more on similar subjects. Fully impressed with these sentiments, I hoped and concluded that my Lectures would in future be regarded only as professional writings, and be referred to merely by medical readers. The copies which have gone out of my possession, from the time when the sale was discontinued to the late de cision of the Lord Chancellor, which has enabled all who may choose to print and publish my Lectures, have therefore been granted only as matters of favour in individual instances to professional men, particularly foreigners, or to scientific and literary characters. My, expectations have been disappointed by the piratical act of a bookseller in the Strand, named Smith. When his reprint of my Lectures was announced, I adopted the only meathe suppression of the work, namely, an sure which could enable me to continue application to the Court of Chancery for an injunction against this person, being |