effect the mingled emotions of pain and pleasure which had agitated his mind as he listened to the narratives he had heard. He recollected the period when in Yorkshire, the place of his long residence, persecution also raised her horrid front. Now persecution was there unknown: but as she re-appeared in other places, this Society, which would palsy her energies and restrain her malignity, should continue to experience his recommendation and his aid. But that such assistance should be universal, and that here, as in the Bible Society, all denominations should cordially unite for the promotion of the general benefit,

The Rev. Mr. GUMMER, a General. Baptist minister, by whom that resolution was supported, regarded this institution as the bulwark and surrounding protecting wall to all those other Societies whose commencement, progress, and prosperity, produced such just and general delight, and thought that it should therefore be upheld by their concurrent strength.

THOMAS WILSON, Esq. who seconded that resolution, also acknowledged with gratitude the effectual assistance which he had received, in procuring the remis sion of the poors' rates on Paddington Chapel, and expressed his delight that the judicious efforts of the Committee to procure the useful bill now depending would be probably attended with success.

unas

The Rev. MATTHEW WILKS considered the financial deficiency of the annual income of the Society as a disgrace, which all congregations should be anxious to remove. If their ministers were sailed by opposition, sympathy for other ministers, missionaries, and itinerants, should prevent them from withholding the annual mite they were expected to supply. Such ill-judging parsimony would indicate a forgetfulness of the past, and an insensibility to the general rights and the general welfare which could not exist. He must therefore attribute the diminished supplies to inconsideration, forgetfulness, and delay, which a hint only must terminate and prevent. He concluded by reading an impressive letter which he had received from the Rev. John Daglay, pastor of a recently established and poor congregation in Warwickshire, remitting their annual subscription, and expressing "the trials they had undergone from the threats of a magistrate, and the reproaches of persons who envied their liberty and success; but stating, that since their union to this Society had been announced, the mastiff dog had ceased to bark, and the snarling curs had retired to the lap of Lady Prejudice to seek their former repose."

The Rev. ROWLAND HILL, with his usual vivacity and eloquence, proposed the fourth resolution. He congratulated the Christian world on the establishment of this Society. The liberal and comprehensive principles he approved and che rished. Lord SIDMOUTH, by inducing its establishment, had unintentionally conferred a benefit at which posterity would rejoice. He particularly acknowledged the persevering assistance which he had received in his efforts to resist the reiterat ed attempts made by persuasion and by force, to induce him to submit to the assessment of Surry Chapel to the poor. These attempts he had resisted, not on account of the pecuniary importance of these demands to his congregation, but because he would not permit the establishment of a precedent which less opulent congregations might deplore. The unaided labours of the Society to originate and ultimately to procure the bill depending in parliament, and thereby to remove for ever that source of vexation he could not but notice with applause: nor could be withhold from government his praises and his gratitude for the attention they had kindly manifested, and the disposition to afford relief, from just complaints, which they had so repeatedly displayed. He afterwards announced, amidst the plaudits of the meeting, that he was authorized by the ministers of the Calvinistic Methodists in North Wales to assure the Society of an ANNUAL contribution of FIFTY POUNDS; because, although their ministerial labours were gratuitous, and their congregations were poor, they could not permit an institution so useful to lan-pelled to accept. But as he could sugguish, and therefore tendered all the assistance which their scanty means would permit them to supply.

The Rev. MR. JACKSON stated that he had discovered with astonishment, during his numerous journies, an apathy to this institution, which he had attempted to remove. To three objections he had been frequently compelled to attend. 1, That this institution had already effected so much, and so essentially extended the limits of toleration, that no objects now remained to demand exertions. To that objection the proceedings of the past year presented an irresistible reply. 2. That the funds of the Society were too ample to require addition. A mournful but decisive answer had been also this day supplied to that remark. As it now appeared that the total annual income had been inadequate to discharge scarcely half of the unavoidable expense. 3. That the poverty of congregations and their own necessities prevented them from remitting even the small annual payment of two pounds. He admitted the inadequacy of compensation for their invaluable labours which many ministers were com

And

gest, that if nine persons in each congregation would subscribe only one penny per week, the annual sum of two pounds would

be thereby provided, and eightpence remain to pay the postage of the remittance. He hoped that the apology of poverty would disappear, and that subscriptions would be cheerfully, generally, and permanently supplied.

The Rev. WILLIAM SEATON detailed the dreadful outrages which he had witnessed and suffered at Andover, and offered his tribute of praise to the Committee, for the promptitude and decision of their advice and support. Notwithstanding popular tumults and magisterial opposition, be had thereby been enabled to persevere. To the circumstances stated in the narrative of the Committee, he added, that the owner of the place of worship at Abbotts Ann, being a smith, their opponents had introduced another smith into the village to obtain his trade, and thereby to compel his departure. But those efforts had failed. The plain poor man was neither to be terrified nor bribed; and for himself, although he had been the subject of such repeated persecutions, he should not count even his life dear in such

a canse.

The Rev. J. BURDER, Mr. PARRY, and Mr. HUNT, gave their testimony to the useful results from the existence of this Society in Gloucestershire, in Wales, in Sussex and in Hampshire; and enumerated the cases in which bishops, deans and magistrates, taught by its past exertions, had referred to its influence and resources, and reluctantly abstained from evils and complied with demands, which they appeared otherwise disposed to inflict and unwilling to bestow. Mr. Hunt also assured the Society that to the county association of which he was Secretary, his convictions should be carefully, and he hoped successfully expressed.

Sanctioned by such statements and by such remarks, the resolutions were adopted, not only with unanimity, but with enthusiasm. Additional conviction of the importance of the Society, inspired those who were previously convinced. Those ministers whose zeal had become languid, felt their languor disappear. The spirits of the ancient Nonconformists and Christian confessors seemed to have revived. Their hatred to oppression, their love of liberty, their desire to remove all illegal and degrading obstacles to the evangelization of the country and of the world, reanimating the persons present at the meeting, must not only attract to this Society their personal attachment, but will impel that active exertion of their ministerial and local influence in its behalf, by which its continuance and increasing prosperity must be certainly insured.

That the indulgence of such sentiments may not be prevented by want of information, we only additionally state, that Two POUNDS are the amount of the annual contributions expected from each congrega

tion in England, and one pound from every congregation in Wales; that such subscriptions become due at Lady-Day, and that they and the arrears may be transmitted by friends or by the post to the Treasurer, ROBERT STEVEN, Esq. Upper Thames-Street, London; or to either of the Secretaries, THOMAS PELLATT, Esq. Ironmongers'-Hall, and JOHN WILKS, Esq. Finsbury-Place, London; to the latter of whom applications may be addressed. And that any country ministers or their friends will always be received with pleasure at the meetings of the Committee, which occur on the last Tuesday in every month, at the New London Tavern, Cheapside.

General Association of the Unitarians of
Scotland.

ON Sunday and Monday, May 14th and

15th, was held at the Unitarian Chapel, Edinburgh, the Third Annual Meeting of the General Association of the Unitarians of Scotland. Delegates were present from Glasgow, Paisley, Carluke, Dundee, Crieff, Dunfermline, &c.

On Sunday, the devotional part of the morning servivice was conducted by Mr. George Harris, and a sermon was preached by the Rev. James Syme, the Missionary of the Society; the subject, the Goodness of God. In the afternoon, a discourse was delivered by the Rev. T. S. Smith, the Minister of the Chapel, on the conduct of the primitive Christians; and in the evening, the Annual Sermon was delivered by the Rev. James Yates, of Glasgow, on the Duty and Manner of Deciding the more Important Religious Controversies, from the passage 1st Kings, xviii. 21, "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.'" On the merits of this Discourse it is needless to dwell, as, in compliance with the unanimous request of the Society, it is already before the the public. In the morning and afternoon, the congregations were very numerous, and in the evening, the Chapel was completely crowded.

On Monday, the members of the Association met in the Chapel to transact the business of the institution. After joining in singing and prayer, Richard Davenport, Esq. was unanimously elected President of the Meeting, and the Report of the Committee for the past year was read by the Secretary. The Committee commenced their report, by relating the proceedings at the last Annual Meeting, and expressed the joy they experienced on again beholding in their country, that zealous and indefatigable labourer in the cause of pure Christianity, the Rev. Richard Wright. The report next adverted to the appointment of the Rev. James Syme to be the

Missionary of the Society, and the Minister to the congregations at Carluke and Paisley, at which places he preaches alternately. It stated, that this desirable object had been accomplished, in consequence of the aid afforded by the liberality of the Carluke and Paisley congregations, and the London Unitarian Fund. A letter from Mr. Burns, of Saltcoats, on church discipline, and the proper methods to be pursued by the Association in disseminating its principles, was here introduced, which excited considerable attention. The report then stated, that in the course of the year, the Committee had requested the Rev. John Grundy, of Manchester, to preach at the Anniversary; to which they had received a very polite and obliging answer, in which he regretted his inability to accede to their request this year, but hoped he might be

you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him."

The report having been read, the following motions were submitted to the Society, and all unanimously adopted.

"That the most cordial thanks of this Society be given to the Committee of the Association, and particularly to Mr. George Harris, the Secretary, for his zealous, able and unremitted efforts, in promoting the objects of the institution."

"That the Tenth Rule of the institution be this year suspended, and that Mr George Harris and Mr. David Potter be earnestly requested to take the office of Secretaries for the year ensuing."

"That the Office-Bearers for the ensuing year shall consist of the following gentlemen in Glasgow: Mr. George Harris, David Potter,

}

Secretaries.

Thomas Mochrie, Treasurer.
Robert Smith, Esq.
Mr. Robert Orr,

John McKenzie,
James Lambe,
John Gaskell,
Gilbert M'Leod,.
John Lawson,

James H. Burn,

Committee.

Auditors."

"That the most cordial thanks of this Society be given to the Rev. Richard Wright, of Wisbeach, Unitarian Missionary, for his zealous, indefatigable and successful labours, during his last missionary tour in Scotland."

"That the warmest thanks of this Society be transmitted to the Committee of the London Unitarian Fund, for their very handsome and liberal vote towards the maintenance of a permanent missionary in Scotland."

able to return a more favourable answer at some future period. The report also stated, that during the year, the Committee had received from their ever-active and valuable friend, Mr. Wright, a Second Letter to the Unitarians in Scotland, of which they had printed a thousand copies, and respecting the contents of which, they felt it wholly unnecessary to speak, as the Letter was in the hands of all the members of the Society. The report likewise informed the Society, that the Committee had received valuable donations of books from an individual at present resident in Glasgow, and also from the London Unitarian Society, and the Glasgow Unitarian Association Fund. It stated, that since the last Anniversary, the Society had sold and distributed between two and three thousand tracts; and that ten corresponding memhers had been added to the institution, making altogether thirty-two. That besides congregations having been establish- "That the warmest thanks of this Soed at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Carluke, Pais-ciety be transmitted to the Rev. Thomas ley and Dundee, there were many friends Belsham, for proposing, and to the London to the cause at Aberdeen, Arbroath, Black- Unitarian Society for granting, a valuable ford, Crieff, Dalry, Falkirk, Galashiels, donation of books to this institution." Greenock, Hamilton, Jedburgh, Kilwinning, Kirkaldy, Lanark, Melrose, Newburgh, Perth, Port-Glasgow, Saltcoats, Tillicoultry, &c. &c. The letters from these places were then read; the accounts from most of them were very encouraging, and gave additional motives to the friends of the institution to proceed in the good work they had begun. The funds of the Society were also represented to be much improved since last year, and the Committee warmly recommended the establishment of penny weekly Societies in every place, even where there might be only two or three brethren. The great increase to the funds that would be produced by this means, was then stated, and the Committee, anxious to see this simple plan generally adopted, earnestly desired to direct the attention of their brethren to the admouition of the apostle, "Once a week let every one of

"That the thanks of this Society be transmitted to Mr. William Burns, of Saltcoats, for his letter; that the Association is satisfied the subject of it demands its serious consideration, and hope that if no specific regulations can be adopted, its general spirit will be borne in mind and acted on."

"That the warmest thanks of the Society be given to the Rev. James Yates, for his admirable sermon delivered before the Third Anniversary of the Association; and that he be earnestly requested to print it."

"That the Society have heard, with very great satisfaction, of the increasing im provement and acceptableness of Mr. Syme, and embrace this opportunity of expressing their hopes that he will continue to be a zealous and useful labourer in the cause of truth."

"That the Rev. T. S. Smith be request