to raise that society than the aggregate efforts of the whole of them. Although a recognition of the services of Mr. Kentish did not form part of the immediate object of that meeting, he could not refrain from requesting the Chairman to convey to Mr. Kentish the gratification they felt that that occasion gave them the opportunity of expressing their reverence for his character, their gratitude for services rendered, and their hope that the future would bring to him only what was productive of happiness and comfort.

WILLIAM WILLS, Esq., seconded the motion with all the best feelings of his heart, and with the full concurrence of his understanding. He felt a peculiar pleasure in supporting that resolution, grounded on a long and intimate friendship with that venerated gentleman, in whose character was blended affection, faithfulness and truthfulness. He hoped that there might be heaped on their venerable friend and minister all that happy old age could bring; that, under Divine Providence, his useful and honourable life might long be spared for the benefit of their society and the good of all who knew him; so that the pleasing and delightful intercourse which had ever characterized their connection might long continue, and that they might reap all the advantages which his truthfulness and affection could confer on affectionate friends.

The CHAIRMAN, having conveyed to the Rev. gentleman the thanks and congratulations of the congregation, added how grateful they all felt to Mr. Kentish for the continued efforts he made to be with them upon all occasions, and how much grace and joy his presence always added to the meetings of this society. God grant that this blessing may be long continued to

them!

The Rev. Mr. KENTISH briefly acknowledged the honour, so kindly enhanced by the compliments of his two friends. He felt very deeply the honour of receiving the expressions of good will and kindness of that congregation; and while life continued, he should feel it one of his highest duties, as he would also esteem it a privilege, to promote the best interests of that society with which he had had so long and delightful a connection, and to contribute to the welfare and happiness of every member of it.

SAMUEL THORNTON, Esq., (Mayor of

Birmingham,) after a compliment to that gentleman, moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Russell for his conduct in the chair.

Alderman PHILLIPS Seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation; and

The CHAIRMAN having expressed his thanks and his obligations to various gentlemen who had exerted themselves in promoting the objects of the meeting, the interesting proceedings of the evening terminated.

The forty-eighth annual meeting of the Southern Unitarian Society was held at Newport, Isle of Wight, on Tuesday, Sept. 25, the appointed time of meeting having been postponed in consequence of the cholera, which has fallen with peculiar severity on this town. The chapel has lately been improved in its appearance, and its accommodation increased by the conversion of the square into slip pews. Divine service was introduced by the Rev. J. Fullagar, and an able and impressive discourse was delivered by the Rev. E. Talbot, from John xv. 20, containing an earnest appeal to persevere in the diffusion of Christian truth. After service, the business meeting of the Society was transacted, Thomas Cooke, Esq., in the chair,-and the Rev. E. Kell read the report of the Society's transactions during the past year. Among the resolutions passed at the meeting, was one of regret at the continued exclusion of the Jews from the Legislature, and a petition for their admission. The following extract from the report may be of general interest, as evincing the continued and growing usefulness of this

institution:

"The object of the Society is manifestly of a twofold character. Its more ostensible one is to diffuse through the community, by means of tracts and books, juster conceptions of the Eternal Father and the dispensation of his will revealed by Jesus Christ, to correct those sad and pernicious errors into which so many of our Christian brethren have fallen, and to bring them back to the pure and healthful doctrines of the gospel. This is its aggressive but sublime intent. And who that looks at the present state of the Christian world, its lamentable deflection from the most simple teachings of Natural Religion, and the first and greatest commandment of Revelation, and the grievous results to which this deflection

This beautiful chapel (or church) was dedicated to the worship of God, by a public religious service, on Thursday, October 18. Before proceeding to give an account of the very interesting services in celebration of this event, it may be well to give a brief abstract of the past history of the religious society by whom this noble structure is raised. Of the early struggles of Protestant Nonconformity in Liverpool, it is feared there are very few records. Mr. John Fogg was ejected+ by the Act of Uniformity, but probably continued to live there until driven away by the Oxford Act. Thomas Crompton, the Nonconformist minister of Toxteth-Park chapel, does not appear to have been disturbed, but continued his services there, assisted by Mr. Briscoe and Mr. Richardson, the former the ejected minister of Walmesley (Lancashire), the latter of Kirkheaton, Yorkshire. These worthy men appear by their services and labours to have nourished the Nonconformity which Mr. Fogg had planted. Mr. Richardson's life was prolonged till the close of 1698. About the year 1700, we find a congregation of Dissenters meeting in a newly-built chapel at Kaye Street, situated about three hundred yards to the north-east of the Exchange. The first minister was the Rev. Christopher Basnett, who probably commenced and closed his pastoral life here, for he entered Mr. Frankland's academy at Rathnell on April 1, 1696. In 1728, the Rev. John

We frankly confess we do not particularly admire the term, Hope-Street Church. It is scarcely sufficiently definite. We hear of another church likely to be erected in Hope Street. We have heard another designation suggested, which would, we think, be an improvement, viz., The Church of the Evangelists, or, The Church of the Apostles. The only thing that reconciles us to the use of the word Church is, that it is an assertion of equality with the Establishment.

From the parochial chapel, for at this time Liverpool was only a chapelry in the parish of Walton. It was not till 1699 that Liverpool became, by Act of Parliament, a separate parish. In 1662, when Mr. Fogg was ejected, the annual marriages of Liverpool were 5; christenings, 30; and burials, 30. The population would probably not exceed 1000 persons.

Brekell was appointed his colleague, and in 1744, on Mr. Basnett's death, became the sole minister. Mr. Brekell was a scholar and a liberal theologian, the contemporary and correspondent of Doddridge, Benson, Lardner and Lindsey. His published works were numerous. During his ministry arose the controversy on the subject of free prayer and the use of printed forms. A secession took place, in 1763, of members who favoured the use of printed forms, from both the chapel in Kaye Street and that in Benn's Garden, who erected a chapel, called the Octagon, in Temple Court, and appointed Dr. Nicholas Clayton as their minister. Mr. Brekell died Dec. 28, 1769. He was succeeded by Rev. Philip Taylor, who remained until 1777, when he removed to the Eustace-Street congregation, Dublin. On Oct. 1, in that year, the Rev. John Yates and Rev. Hugh Anderson were ordained together in Liverpool, the sermon being preached by Dr. Enfield, and the charge delivered by Rev. Richard Godwin. Both were published in order to distinguish the Dissenters of Liverpool from the "numerous and daily increasing tribe of fanatics," and to prove themselves free from that "dogmatical and censorious spirit which many who call themselves Dissenters discover." Mr. Yates succeeded to the vacant pulpit of Kaye Street, and Mr. Anderson to that of Toxteth Park. The popularity of Mr. Yates's services was very great; and in the year 1791, the congregation emerged from Kaye Street, having built a spacious and very handsome chapel in Paradise Street. It was intended that Dr. Priestley should open the new chapel; but the riots at Birmingham of the previous July, and the still excited state of the country, rendered this inexpedient, and the chapel was opened by Mr. Yates himself, September 11, 1791. Shortly after, Mr. Yates induced his flock to build a charity-school in connection with the chapel, for the instruction of boys and girls. In 1812, Mr. Yates resigned; but, at the urgent request of his congregation, resumed the pastoral office amongst them, the duties being lightened by the appointment of a colleague in the person of the Rev. Pendlebury Houghton, who remained at Liverpool till 1823, when he resigned. Mr. Yates at the same time resigned the office which he had filled with so much abi. lity and success for forty-six years. The congregation marked their sense of his eminent services by the presen

tation of a piece of plate. Mr. Yates died, Nov. 10, 1826, on the evening of the 71st anniversary of his birth. The Rev. John Grundy removed from CrossStreet chapel, Manchester, in 1824, to Paradise Street. In consequence of Mr. Grundy's failing health, a colleague was sought, in 1832, in the Rev. James Martineau, who had then recently resigned his situation as one of the ministers of Eustace-Street chapel, Dublin, in consequence of his disapprobation of the Regium Donum. On Mr. Grundy's resignation, he became sole pastor. The increase of the town, and the altered habits and more distant residences of this wealthy congregation, had the effect of making them dissatisfied with the place of worship, large and handsome as it was, built by their fathers, and measures were taken for rearing, in a better part of the town, an ecclesiastical structure worthy of their cause. Accordingly, on May 9, 1848, the foundation-stone was laid of the new church in Hope Street, by Thomas Bolton, Esq. (see C. R. 1848, pp. 373-377). Mr. Martineau received shortly after from his attached and admiring flock, a twelvemonth's release from pastoral duty, and delivered his last discourse in Paradise Street on July 16, 1848. During his absence the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Joseph H. Hutton, who preached the last sermon in Paradise-Street chapel on Sunday evening, Oct. 21.* The opening of the new church was announced in the first instance for Oct. 4, but was deferred a fortnight in consequence of the building not being sufficiently finished for the use of the congregation. The day of opening was very fine; and long before the hour appointed for the commencement of the service, the seats began to be filled by a very numerous and highly respectable congregation. In addition to the leading Unitarians of the three congregations of Liverpool, we observed many friends from the neighbouring counties and even from London, Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Sheffield, Bristol, &c. The following ministers attended :-Astley (Shrewsbury), Ashton (Preston), Aspland (Dukinfield), Bache (Birmingham), Dr. Beard (Manchester), Chas. Beard, Bishop (Liverpool), Carpenter (War

In attestation of the ability and zeal with which during fifteen months he discharged his onerous duties, the congregation have just presented him with a valuable gold watch.

rington) Cropper (Stand), David Davis, Fogg (Ormskirk), Gaskell (Manchester), Green (Knutsford), Joseph Hutton, Richard Hutton, Howorth (Bury), Hawkes (Kendal), Hornblower (Nantwich), Herford (Lancaster), Higginson (Wakefield), Hubbard (Rivington), Hunter (Wolverhampton), Kenrick (York), Layhe (Manchester), Martineau (Liverpool), M'Donald (Chowbent), Maurice (Chester), Madge (London), Travers Madge, Poynting (Monton), Robberds (Liverpool), Ryland (Bradford), W. Smith (Rochdale), Solly (Cheltenham), G.V. Smith (Manchester), Tayler (Manchester), Thom (Liverpool), Tagart (London), Wallace (Altringham), Wright (Macclesfield), Wicksteed (Leeds), Wells (Gorton).

We now proceed to give an architectural description of the church.

The church affords accommodation for 700 worshipers on the ground floor, without galleries. The style is Middle Pointed, or that which prevailed in the early part of the fourteenth century, probably about the year 1320, with a few earlier features; and too much cannot be said in praise of the strict adherence to outline and detail exhibited in every part of the building; indeed, it has been pronounced by many competent judges to be the very best modern church in Lancashire.

The plan of the church is cruciform, consisting of chancel, 20 ft. by 15 ft. 6 in.; south chancel aisle, 18 ft. 4 in. by 12 ft. 10 in.; transepts, 23 ft. by 20 ft.; nave, 78 ft. by 21 ft.; north aisle, 49 ft. by 10 ft. 6 in.; and south aisle, 56 ft. 8 in. by 10 ft. 6 in.; south porch; tower (engaged) at north-west angle, and west porch. Cloisters are provided at the north and south sides, running the whole length of the aisles; and a vestry is obtained at the northeast angle of transept and chancel, with internal approach to pulpit. A novel and highly attractive feature, the octagonal committee-room, at the extreme north-east (after the manner of the ancient chapter-houses), adds considerably to the general effect of the combination.

The tower at north-west angle stands on a massive plinth of fine proportion; on the north is the noble tower door, with its clustered columns and floriated capitals, surmounted by the deeply moulded arch, richly ornamented in its several hollows with the ball flower and other foliage characteristic of the style. In this arch a sculptured spandril is introduced, which forms a trefoliated head, and (recessed back the thickness

of the wall) the door-way is divided by a central column, supporting double trefoliated heads and a pierced spandril, which has a magnificent effect. The door is finished externally by a pediment surmounted with crockets and a finial of the richest design.

Immediately westward of the tower door is a niche, with crocketed canopy, supported by two exquisitely carved angels, and having beneath a carved bracket of unique design. Within the niche is a beautiful female figure of Religion, holding in her left hand the sacred volume, while with the right she points to heaven. This figure has been presented by Thomas Avison, Esq.

A blind arcade forms the next feature in the tower, beneath which several feet in depth are left without ornament of any kind, which adds much to the substantial appearance of the tower, while it increases the rich effect of the ornamented portions above. Over the arcade, and in the four sides of the tower, are coupled windows of bold design, filled with Louvres, and having very deeply weathered sills, and above those windows is a trefoliated corbeltable, shewing a remarkable effect of light and shade. Immediately over this is the crowning cornice of the tower, having its hollow filled with ball-flowers, and at each angle bearing the emblems of the four Evangelists, viz., of St. Matthew, an angel; of St. Mark, a lion; of St. Luke, a bull; and of St. John, an eagle. The broach of the spire here commences; and a few feet higher, on pedestals, and over their respective emblems, are large and most ably carved figures of the Evangelists, surmounted by crocketed and finialed canopies of the richest design. A cincture of honeycomb diaper-work here surrounds the spire, and above this are the lucarnes, or spire lights, after which the spire is again twice divided by diaper bands, and finally completed with a gilt ball and floriated cross, to which the point of the lightning conductor is attached.

The west porch is of earlier character, and is entered by a very elaborately moulded door of fine effect. Within this porch are two entrances to the nave, which, with its moulded columns of polished Drogheda marble, contrasting so well with the white stone capitals and light pointed arches, its coupled clerestory lights and lofty, open-timbered roof, in which the finely-carved angels are made to hold the pendant coronæ lucis (twelve in number) which light the church, produce a truly beautiful

effect. To this may be added the quaint form and exquisite tracery of the aisle windows, the lofty and deeply moulded chancel arch, with its foliated capitals relieved in gold and polychromy, and at the base the oak communion rail of novel design.

The pulpit is of Caen stone, and stands immediately to the north of the chancel arch, being in the centre of the north alley or passage, by which arrangement (as the nave columns are also placed in the centre of these alleys, which are 6 ft. 8 in. wide) the minister is visible to every worshiper on this side of the church. The design and workmanship are truly beautiful: it consists of a richly moulded base and stem, in good keeping with those of the nave columns, the small angle shafts of which, being of black marble, contrast well with the white stone of the stem, bases and capitals; above this is a most elaborately moulded corbel, which swells its graceful outline to the octagonal form and size of the pulpit above, the recessed mouldings being richly ornamented with ball-flowers and deeply relieved foliage, with emblematical devices. The panels or sides of the pulpit comprise trefoliated heads, supported by black marble columns, having Caen stone bases and carved capitals of the same; the spandrils round the trefoils are filled with minutely carved diapering, and the whole is surmounted with a bold and effective cap moulding.

The chancel aisle forms a very interesting feature: it is divided from the chancel by two arches. The shaft of the columns being of polished Drogheda marble, an arch supported on large corbels representing angels bearing shields, separates it from the south transept. The east window, which is of three lights, is singularly rich in effect and beautiful in design.

The roof is decorated with carved shields illuminated in polychromy.

The chancel is raised one step above the level of the nave, having on the north side a beautifully moulded doorway leading to the vestry. The communion-table, with crimson velvet cover, stands at the extreme east, and the floor is richly carpeted throughout. This portion of the building is intended for much polychromic decoration, for which it is not yet sufficiently dry. In the walls are inserted four panels in plaster, exquisitely modelled from Thorwalsden, representing Christ blessing Little Children, the Virgin with the infant Saviour and St. John, Charity, and