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those who ranked under one of the divisions of their tripartite flag; and another association (the Protestant Society) was in consequence formed, which, though in some things active and energetic, has added, we fear, nothing to the prospects of the main cause;-the only one, in fact, interesting in a popular and enlarged view of the political state of the Dissenters. It is not very creditable to modern zeal that a new society-an avowed improvement-should shew less disposition even than the old one to grapple with any but those petty grievances which are the mere excrescences of a system of oppression, and which exist only in feelings and prejudices which mere discussion would go far to dispel.

General Meeting of the Deputies of the
Three Denominations of Dissenters, King's
Head, Poultry, December 15, 1826.
WM. SMITH, Esq., M. P., in the Chair.

THE minutes of the preceding General Meeting and the intervening Committee Meetings were read, by which it appeared that, in pursuance of the directions of a former General Meeting, a petition to Parliament against the Test and Corporation Acts bad been presented last session, but that it had been thought adviseable to take no other proceedings;-that consideration had been given, in concert with a deputation of the Ministers, to the subject of the Registry of Births at Dr. Williams's Library, and opinions had been taken from Mr. Tindal, Mr. Shadwell and Mr. Bickersteth.

The minutes being confirmed, the Committee's report and the resolutions to which it refers were read as follows.

[We gave the substance of the resolutions in our last Number.]

The report shortly congratulated the Meeting on the absence of any cases of oppression or annoyance requiring the exertions of the Society, and also on other symptons of increasing liberality on the subject of the claims of Dissenters; and it concluded with stating at some length the circumstances under which the London University was proposed to be founded, and the unanimous recommendation of the Committee to the Deputies to invest a portion of their funds in ten shares of that Institution.

The CHAIRMAN begged to say a few words in explanation of the Committee's recommendation. The subject was one of very great interest. The effect of the subscription required at our Universities had always been felt as a great hardship on Dissenters. They must forego educa

tion and academic honours, or do what was repugnant to their consciences. Feeling this, many had warmly concurred in establishing an University in London, which should afford, at least, several of the benefits of education at a small expense, within the reach of all, and unfettered by any religious proscription. The Deputies' funds had of late been very lightly drawn on. There had been no legal proceeding for two years, and they were therefore at more liberty to consult their feelings. The Committee recommended the investment of a portion of their funds in the shares of this University, being unanimously of opinion that such a measure was in perfect accordance with the objects of the Society, and would have a most beneficial effect, and would recommend them strongly to many persons who thought they had not shewn so much interest as they ought on so important a matter. A resolution for the purpose would be moved after the reception of the report.

The question as to receiving the report. being first put,

Mr. MONTGOMERY stated, that he had always objected, and should do so, to receiving any report unless it was accompanied by a statement of their funds. He had been a Deputy twenty years, and could never learn what funds they had, if any; and he considered such concealment a stigma on their proceedings.

The CHAIRMAN said, he had been a Deputy forty years, and for the first twenty was equally ignorant as to their funds. He thought the question of publicity of little importance; but one thing he would observe, that he hoped real advantage would ensue if publicity was required, and that if congregations called for accounts, they would contribute. If only those inquired whose contributions gave them an interest so to do, they would be found to be very few.

The report was then received.

Mr. EDGAR TAYLOR said, that it had been entrusted to him to move the resolution as to the London University; but as a preliminary objection had been raised to discussing it before the production of the accounts, he should (although the next Meeting was a fitter occasion for discussing that point) move, that the accounts be produced, in order that the sense of the Meeting might be at once taken on that head, which might otherwise perhaps embarrass his other motion. He had always advocated the production of the accounts.

Dr. BROWN had doubts as to the expediency of publicity. He was not prepared

to say that they ran no risk on the old law of maintenance.

Mr. RUTT regretted the introduction of this question at all to-day; but as it had been started by Mr. Montgomery and opposed by Dr. Brown on fallacious grounds, he could not help saying, that if they were in danger, they ran into it every day. Did not they write every day to litigious people, who would annoy them if they could, expressly threatening legal proceedings at public expense? Their acts left it nowise doubtful; and what, then, could a statement of their funds add to the danger? He for one should at the proper time move for the accounts next meeting, when they would have been audited. At present, he moved. the previous question.

Mr. MONTGOMERY did not wish to press the point now, but always should at the proper time. There was but one opinion wherever he went as to the absurdity of concealment.

Mr. TAYLOR then withdrew the motion, as it seemed the wish of the Meeting he should do so.. He had only made it to bring on some understanding on the subject and prevent being embarrassed by any difficulty on this point. He should move at once, therefore, That the Committee's unanimous recommendation should be adopted. The Chairman had stated most fully the grounds of the recommendation, and he would only add his personal conviction that no one step they could take would be more conducive to their interests, or better conciliate the good feeling of those to whom they must look for parliamentary support.

Dr. BROWN seconded the motion. He hoped there would be but one opinion as to the propriety of supporting so excellent an Institution, which furnished some counterpoise to those relics of the barbarous ages which imposed on the candidates for academical education the obligation of withdrawing from the road to learning and honour, or of subscribing what their consciences disclaimed. He was willing to give the Committee credit that the sum was one which the Society could spare; and, after all, it was only a change of security, productive at the same time of great intermediate good.

Mr. WAYMOUTH felt deeply interested in the success of the motion. At the time of the planning of the University two parties were at work on the same object. A body of Dissenters were assembled in that very house, and were invited to meet the other party. They had gone on cordially together, and he could not but contemplate the most beneficial conse.

quences to all parties, and especially those situated as the Dissenters were, from its final success.

Mr. RICHARD SMITH, entirely approv ing the proposal, suggested some difficulties as to its execution in point of form, particularly as to the names in which it was proposed that the shares should stand.

Mr. MILLS wished the names of the Trustees of the Society's stock to be read.

The SECRETARY said, they were the Chairman, Mr. Waymouth, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Busk.

Mr. MONTGOMERY said, he did not mean to oppose the present motion, but he thought it strange to vote money when even gentlemen on the Committee said they did not know what they had.

Mr. JACKSON observed, that it was not voting away money, it was changing to an investment which was, in fact, to pay interest, and would give a patronage to the Society.

Mr. RUTT admitted that they did not know whether there were any funds or not, but all they said to the gentlemen who were reported to be Trustees was this, "If you have any of our money, pray buy some University shares with it." He had been a Committee man twenty years, and knew nothing of funds. How should he? unless he broke into the mystery irregularly, which he had always determined he never would do. He saw two or three friends who had got the Masonic secret, and he begged them not to tell it.

Mr. WooD and two other Deputies (whose names we did not learn) opposed the resolution, on the ground that it required time for consideration. It involved an opinion as to the London University and also the security of their funds. It was strange to vote funds till they knew what they were, and, as the subject of disclosure was deferred, this had better be deferred also. The same mystery which prevailed as to the fund might be applied if they asked questions hereafter as to the patronage.

Another DEPUTY supported the motion. The London University had been long enough in existence to be known. It would enable the Dissenters, whose particular institutions provided for the theological education of their youth, to go there for other attainments. There could not be an object more in unison with their feelings and interests as Dissenters. They were at present deprived of all the benefits which the new Institution promised, and the sole question was,

whether having a dead fund they should assist it. To do so was to promote even their principal object, the Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. It would have been much more pleasant to have had the state of the fund declared. It was very inconsistent to announce by their acts that they had funds for such an investment, yet attempt to conceal their having funds at all.

Mr. WILKS opposed the resolution. He professed himself one of the warmest supporters on principle of the London University, but the warmer his feelings were, and the greater the importance of the object proposed to be assisted, the more should he mistrust himself, lest the warmth of the moment should lead him from his better judgment. He considered it no investment, as there was not likely to be any return, at least he never contemplated it on his own shares; and as a donation he thought it would be a most dangerous precedent to make it, at all events, without full deliberation. He therefore moved as an amendment the postponement of the matter to the next General Meeting, and, that notice should be given of it to each Deputy.

Two other Deputies supported the amendment. They thought the fund should not be diverted from its original object without more consideration.

should oppose the motion and vote for the amendment, as the accounts were not produced.

Mr. E. TAYLOR complained that the last and other speakers, who professed themselves favourable to the measure, but voted against it, had not taken the fairest course on this occasion. He had moved for the production of the accounts on purpose to prevent that question clashing with this, and had withdrawn his motion with their concurrence, and at the general request and feeling that it should be so withdrawn, and that the two questions would not be blended. If persons really favourable to this disposal of the money voted against it on another ground, they ought to have brought that point to a vote first.

Mr. WILKS having replied on his amendment,

The CHAIRMAN put the question, and on a show of hands declared the amendment carried.

Thanks were then voted to the Chairman and the other officers for their services during the past year, and the Chairman returned thanks.

Anniversary of the opening of the
Salford Chapel.

On Sunday and Monday, December 31 and January 1, was held the Second Anniversary of the opening of the Unitarian Meeting-House, Salford, Manchester. The religious services on the occasion were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Hutton, of Leeds, and the Rev. R. B. Aspland, of Chester. They were of no ordinary excellence, and were heard with deep interest by numerous and respectable audiences. Collections to the amount of £50 were made towards the liquidation of the debt on the chapel. £350 of debt, however, still remain, for the discharge of which, the Salford Society appeal to the liberality of the Unitarian public. After divine service on Monday, about 200 persons sat down to dinner, in the school room connected with the chapel; OTTIWELL WOOD, Esq., of Liverpool, in the Chair. To that gentleman the meeting was greatly indebted for the animation and interest which attended it. The feelings that prevailed, the sentiments that were uttered, were of the most gratifying character.

Mr. RICHARD TAYLOR said, if he had any notion of the object of the fund, it was for the protection of Dissenters from persecution and oppression for opinions sake, and he could imagine no greater persecution than the one as to education in our Universities. He should be very sorry, if, as a Dissenter, he had not considered this subject long ago, He must assume for their credit and honour, that every one there had been considering it, and that no one could venture to say he was taken by surprise on such a point. It appeared the strangest perverseness in Dissenters thus to come and throw cold water and delays In the way of the benevolent views of so many friends of liberty and education, who were standing forward in so good a work. Those who had not the means of assisting individually should rejoice in such an opportunity of supporting it. As to not knowing the state of the fund, whose fault was it? The Treasurers and the Committee did not conceal the fund, it was the order of the general The Rev. J. BEARD took occasion to body that they should. The accounts congratulate the company on the present had been once moved for and lost by a aspect of affairs, in connexion with the great majority. If it was their wish to Unitarian Church in Salford. In comknow the fund they could easily vote it, paring the condition of the Sunday-school Mr. MONTGOMERY stated, that he at the present time, with that of the

same period last year, they would find
that the number of scholars had increas-
ed from 90 to 213. In addition to this
institution, an Adult school had been
established, the average number of whose
attendants was twenty per night. It was
also in contemplation to establish a Sew-
ing school, which promised to be actively
supported by the ladies who had pro-
jected it. It would be seen, from the
capaciousness of the school-room, that
the Sunday-school had not yet reached
its full extent: the room was capable of
He re-
accommodating 400 children.
gretted to observe, that the means for
carrying on the school were extremely
limited. The support which had been
given to it by his respected congregation
reflected upon them the highest honour,
and they were still anxious to render all
the support to it which was in their
power. From the circumstance of the
school-room being unoccupied during the
week, he had thought that an Infants'
School might be established in it with ad-
vantage, as soon as means adequate to the
establishment of such an institution were
procured. He should devote the school.
room in the week days to the purpose. A
gentleman, Mr. Thomas Potter, who was
ever ready to further benevolent designs,
had most liberally offered to contribute
one-fourth of the sum necessary for the
outfit of the school, and one-fourth also
of its annual expense, for the first two
years of its establishment. With such
encouragement, he should at once pro-
ceed with his design, and solicit sub-
scriptions in its support. He then ad-
verted to the present condition of the
The
chapel and of his congregation.
chapel had undergone a considerable im-
provement; a number of pews had been
added, and an organ had also been erect-
ed. The congregation amounted to 200
persons, and he was happy to state that
it continued to increase. A course of
Lectures on evangelical subjects had been
delivered during the last quarter, and
attended by at least 400 persons per
night.

Dr. HUTTON, in returning thanks for
the manner in which his health had been
drank, observed, he could truly say that
he felt great pleasure in meeting the nu-
merous and highly respectable company
by whom he was surrounded; and his
pleasure was considerably heightened by
witnessing his valued friend the pastor
of the congregation in Salford, with se
many of his people, and that they duly
appreciated his talents and services. Im-
pressed with the Christian union and af-
fection which he now beheld, he should

go to his own flock with an increased.
portion of good in his heart, and anxious
to promote amongst his hearers the spirit
which he had seen exhibited here, and
to inculcate on their minds the propriety
of diffusing it widely around them. The
benign principles of Unitarianism breath-
ed the spirit of Christian charity and af-
fection. Its professors were not in the
habit of denouncing any man or party of
men; to the Calvinist, the Churchman,
or the Roman Catholic, they offered the
hand of cordiality and kindness. As an
Irishman he could not reflect but with
feelings of satisfaction on the conduct
which had been universally shewn by
Unitarians to their friends the Roman
Catholics. Whatever opposition had been
manifested against them by other bodies
of Dissenters, Unitarians were all united
in their favour, and willing to come for-
ward and plead their cause. He should
wish that those persons who opposed the
just claims of the Roman Catholics could
have the opportunity of witnessing the
sad effects which religious bigotry entailed
on this body of Chistians in Ireland.
They would then most heartily desire
that Catholics should enjoy all the im-
portant benefits of a liberal Protestantism.

The Rev. R. B. ASPLAND observed, that it was highly satisfactory to his mind to find his friend, the pastor of this congregation, exercising his talents so successfully in the Christian vineyard; aud he begged to offer to him his cordial congratulation, for the ability with which he he had stood forward in defence of the Christian evidences, and opposed an infidelity which had reached the maximum of audacity. He rejoiced that his friend had come forward to reply to Taylor and Carlile.

The Rev. J. G. ROBBERDS felt truly gratified in being present on this most interesting occasion, and at witnessing the diffusion of those principles which it was the common object of himself and the friends who were around him to disseminate. He rejoiced also to observe a growing feeling of kindness and unanimity amongst the professors of Unitarianism in this town, and that although they assembled for divine worship in various places, they began to consider that they were only one great congregation, united together for one great object. For himself he could say, that he was ready to render his services to any of his brother ministers, and to promote, as far as he was able, the prosperity of the congregations committed to their care. He next adverted to the ignorant and vicious state of a great part of the large popula

tion of this town, and called upon his hearers to use their best exertions in endeavouring to ameliorate the condition of the class to which he referred Various societies existed for the instruction of the ignorant, and for reclaiming the vicious. Yet these institutions could not compel these characters to participate in their advantages. What appeared to be wanting was a visitation of Christianity to every house. It was the duty of Christian professors to carry the healing influences of Christianity to those who refused to come and partake of them.

Mr. FREME, of Liverpool, gave an excouraging account of Unitarianism in America. Fifteen years ago, he stated, there was only one minister in that extensive country, who had the courage to declare explicitly from the pulpit his belief in the simple unity of God. So great had been the change, that there are now at least twelve large and flourishing congregations in one town, Boston. The publications received from America afford abundant proof of the zeal, talent and success with which primitivè Christianity is promoted in that country. The late President of the United States chose a Unitarian minister for his chaplain, and the present one attends public worship in an Unitarian chapel. Public worship is attended in most parts of the Union better than in this country, and the tenets of other sects had considerably

softened down.

The Rev. WM. SHEPHERD, in a speech of considerable length, in which he glanced at the present state of political affairs in this country, declared himself to be the uncompromising friend of civil and religious liberty, and to be ready on all occasions to render every assistance in his power in their defence or promotion.

Mr. JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH spoke with great animation and energy on the subject of the liberty of the press. He proved the value and importance of a free press in this country, and animadverted with just severity on the attempts which are now making to punish journals under the law of libel.

Mr. R. POTTER, the local Treasurer of the Unitarian Association, expressed himself highly gratified by being noticed from the chair, in connexion with his brother, Mr. T. Potter, as an ardent friend of the Salford society. He rejoiced to meet them on the present occa sion. Meetings like these make us bet. ter acquainted with each other, and create kind and sympathetic feelings. He rejoiced that Unitarians had ever stood forward as the friends of civil and reli

gious liberty. On a recent occasion, Unitarians were almost the only body of Dissenters who came forward to support the just claims of the Catholics. He concluded by calling.on his hearers to make common cause with the Catholics. If they could not obtain the redress of their own grievances, let them assist the rights of others.

JOHN WOOD, Esq., M. P. for Preston, expressed his ardent hope that Dissenters of all denominations would speedily petition the Legislature for a repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, and a modification of the annual Indemnity Act. The Honourable Gentleman stated that he should be ready to forward the views of the great body of Dissenters in their application to Parliament; and that Mr. John Smith, the Member for Midhurst, was anxious to procure the removal of the disabilities under which they laboured, and would cheerfully render the aid of his talents in endeavouring to obtain this desideratum,

Removals of Ministers.

THE REV. JOHN SMALL, of Coseley, in of Totness, Devonshire, have accepted the Staffordshire, and the Rev. J. C. WALLACE, office of joint ministers of the Chapel in York Street, St. James's Square. The Unitarian public at the West-end of the Town, will be glad to learn, that these

gentlemen have determined to deliver a course of Lectures on the Sunday even. ings during the three first months of the the doctrines professed by Unitarian new year, for the purpose of elucidating Christians, and with the view of shewing that such are the genuine doctrines of the Holy Scriptures.

The Rev. HENRY CLARKE, of Frenchay, near Bristol, has accepted an invitation to become the Minister of the Congregation of Newcastle and Hanley, in the Potteries, Staffordshire.

The Rev. Mr. PHILP, of Whitchurch, Salop, has accepted an invitation to take the charge of the Congregation at Ipswich, Suffolk.

MR. GREEN has accepted the office of Minister of the Unitarian Congregation at Knutsford. The Congregation at Diss, in Norfolk, where he had been officiating, is in consequence without a

minister.

Widows Fund.

THE Anniversary Meeting of the Society for the Relief of the Widows and Children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, instituted 1733, will be held on Wednesday, the 4th of April next, when

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