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opinion that tenets entertained exclusively by Trinitarians are peculiar religious tenets within the language of this proviso. See the Answer of the Judges to the 6th Question of the House of Lords in Lady Hewley's Case.

"If it could be shewn by extrinsic evidence, that at the time the rules were drawn up, and amongst the several persons by whom they were resolved on, the words 'peculiar religious tenets' had acquired a limited or especial meaning differing from their primary and strictly legal interpretation, and so as to exclude Trinitarian opinions from their operation, the construction we have put upon the words might perhaps be controlled. We think, however, that the facts of the case afford no sufficient evidence of this nature, but rather lead to a contrary conclusion. It may be contended that the open and avowed practice, which according to the statements of the pamphlet has always prevailed, of teaching in the schools the doctrines of the Divinity of Christ and of the Atonement, must have induced many to subscribe to the Society in the belief that those doctrines would continue to be taught; and that having regard to the fact that Unitarians have to some extent (according to Mr. Dunn's statements) acquiesced in or not openly complained of the practice, the strict construction of the rules must now be controlled by the practice. But we think this view of the case is not sound, and that the language of the rules must prevail, notwithstanding the existence of a practice which in our opinion has been inconsistent with the intention of the founders of the Society, as clearly expressed in the rules. We are aware that Unitarians were not, at the time this Institution was founded, fully entitled to the benefit of the several Toleration Acts then in force, but we think this circumstance will not affect the view taken by Unitarians of their rights on the present question. Though the open preaching of their tenets might then have been illegal, it was not, we think, illegal to found an Institution in which the teaching of doctrines opposed to their tenets should be excluded. On the whole, we are of opinion that the present administration of the British and Foreign School Society, as disclosed in Mr. Dunn's pamphlet, is a Breach of Trust.

"2nd. We think the Fund bequeathed by Mr. Dawe cannot be properly applied to the Borough-Road School, or to any school where the doctrines of

the Divinity of Christ and the Atonement are taught. It cannot, in our opinion, be said that the benefits of such a school are (within the meaning of Mr. Dawe's Will) open to the children of every religious persuasion."

Among the incidents of the past year to which the Committee refer with peculiar satisfaction, they mention the visits paid by a deputation from their body to Birmingham, to Kidderminster, and by the Hon. Secretary to Swansea, with a view to diffuse information relative to the objects and proceedings of the Association, and to obtain for it additional support. The result has been gratifying—an addition of £90 to the finances of the year, and an increase of £26 to the annual subscriptions.

In the "Foreign Department," the Report furnishes much interesting information in reference to the spread of liberal views of Christianity in France, Montreal, Barbadoes, and the East Indies; and in the “Book Department, " details the grants made and the additions to the Catalogue during the year. Reference being made to "Wellbeloved's Letters to Wrangham," the Committee add,

"The mention of the last name reminds your Committee of a subject to which occasionally their attention has been called, viz. the publication of a new translation of the Hebrew Scriptures in a cheap and accessible form. They lament, in common, they are sure, with a large portion of the reflecting public, that Mr. Wellbeloved has not met with due encouragement for the continuance of his Family Bible, the notes and reflections and introductory dissertations appended to which have been so highly and deservedly approved.

"Your Committee would gladly contribute to make this work, for the labour of which the learned author has been so ill requited, more known and more used, by placing it in their Catalogue, or by any other means that may appear expedient. They conceive that the time is come when, by the assistance of Mr. Wellbeloved's translations and the approved translations of other learned writers, such, perhaps, as Professor Noyes's, of America, Improved Version of the Text of the Old Testament,' a volume might be prepared which would give great satisfaction to Unitarian families, and be of very great use to our students and ministry and youth. But it is a matter that would require the greatest care and consideration."

The Report, which was listened to with much interest, was unanimously adopted. Almost the only topic of discussion arising out of it was one mooted by the Rev. E. KELL, in reference to the difficulty which has lately arisen of procuring small Unitarian publications. He found, he said, that their London publisher did not think it worth his while to keep them on sale. As Secretary of a district association, he had been much inconvenienced. Regarding the circulation of tracts as the life-blood of all efforts for making their views better known, he trusted the Committee would direct their attention to the matter, and by some means or other procure a remedy for the evil to which he had adverted. The Rev. W. James, Rev. R. M. Montgomery, and other gentlemen, expressed their concurrence with Mr. Kell, and after an animated conversation, the subject was referred to the Committee, the Hon. Secretary giving an assurance that it should receive their early attention.

Various resolutions (which will be found in our Advertising sheet) were then severally moved and spoken to by Rev. E. Talbot, Mr. Richard Taylor, Rev. R. M. Montgomery, Rev. Dr. Montgomery, Rev. J. Gordon, Rev. W. Smith, Rev. E. Tagart, Dr. Carpenter, Rev. J. Taplin, Rev. Dr. Hutton, Mr. H. Preston, Rev. H. Hawkes, Rev. W. Stevens, Rev. W. Jones, and others; and after an acknowledgment of the kindness and courtesy of the Chairman, the business of the meeting closed.

In the evening, most of the attendants on the morning services, with some considerable additions to their number, amounting together to between 500 and 600, attended at a Soirée, which was held in the Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle Street. The room in which the company assembled is one of the most elegant in London, and presented a gay and interesting sight. Mr. Alderman Lawrence again ably presided; and in the course of the evening, addresses were delivered by Revds. E. Tagart, George Harris, J. Gordon and Dr. Montgomery, which did great credit to the speakers, and gave much pleasure to their hearers. As these have been already fully reported in the Inquirer, and we hope seen by all our readers, we attempt no outline of them. Never, on any similar occasion, were so many persons present; and the satisfaction which all seemed to experience, will, we trust, secure a still larger gathering next year. There can be little doubt of

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this result, if the same judicious system be adopted. It was high time that London, with its comparatively large congregations, wiped from itself the reproach of never, on these occasions, assembling in any thing like the numbers that are common in the country.

Sunday-School Association.

On Thursday morning, June 15th, the annual meeting of the SundaySchool Association took place, after a public breakfast, at Radley's Hotel. The attendance was very good, though the room did not appear so crowded as on some former occasions. There was an unusually large number of ministers present from the country. The Rev. Henry Hawkes, of Portsmouth, presided, and by his earnest manner and Christian spirit contributed very much to the harmony and efficiency of the meeting. After the Chairman's opening address, several resolutions were moved, seconded and spoken to, by the Revds. George Harris, John Gordon, R. M. Montgomery, H. Ryder (an American Universalist minister), E. Kell, J. Briggs, W. Stevens, &c., and Messrs. H. Preston, C. Corkran, J. Lawrence, &c. The meeting was a spirited and interesting one, and could hardly fail to be useful in giving a stimulus to all present who are engaged in the blessed work of Sunday-school instruction. We were particularly struck with a fact stated by Mr. Corkran, that there was a lady in the room who had for a long time been in the habit of conducting a Sunday-school in her own house, without any assistance from others. She had begun with gathering in a few children in her own locality, with the hope of doing them good; and others have since joyfully gathered round her; so that every Lord's-day she has now a considerable number whom she is teaching, and leading, it is hoped, to Christ. We could not help wishing, as we heard this statement, that many others would go and do likewise. What numbers of women are there who are feeling time almost a burden, from not having any object to call forth their energies and to occupy their attention! And how much happier would they be if they could be induced to seek out, from the multitudes of poor and ignorant children which are, alas! to be found in every large town and city, some few to watch over them, and instruct and raise up from their degradation! Would it not be a pleasant

thought in their heart, and one for which they would have reason to thank God all their life long, that they had been enabled and privileged to do this service? Would not the smile of a redeemed child be brighter and more beautiful in their sight, than the splendour of the most fashionable assembly? And surely the retrospect of labour bestowed upon the mental and moral culture of that little one, would be far happier than the memory of time devoted to unprofitable or frivolous amusements! We hope that these annual meetings of the Sunday-School Society will be long continued, for to us they have always appeared to be amongst the most useful of our religious anniversary gatherings.

Christian Tract Society.

The annual meeting of this Society took place in Essex - Street chapel, Strand, on Thursday, June 15, 1848. An appropriate and interesting sermon was preached on the occasion by the Rev. William James, of Bristol. The object of the service was to excite, if possible, a wider and deeper interest in this interesting and valuable institution. But in consequence of its following so closely upon the other meetings, the attendance was far from being so good as could have been desired. Mr. James gave a brief statement of the history and operations of the Society, and appealed to his hearers to give it their earnest and liberal support. A collection was made amounting to about £17. We hope that another year the Committee will arrange for the sermon to be delivered, if the plan be continued, at a time when a larger number of persons will be likely to attend the service. After the sermon, the annual meeting for business was held, the Rev. Dr. Hutton in the chair. In their report, the Committee refer to the steps they have taken to increase the usefulness of the Society by communicating with the Secretaries of District Tract Societies and advertising for MSS. These steps have been in a great degree successful, and the Committee have now several MSS. which are under consideration. Two new tracts, "Walks in a City," and "Bear ye one Another's Burdens," both from the pen of the Rev. T. Bowring, and admirably fitted for distribution by our City Missionaries, have been published during the past year. The Committee also announce the commencement of a new

series of works, biographical memoirs of distinguished Christians; and they add, that they thought they could not commence such a series better than by a Memoir of Dr. Carpenter, a divine so distinguished for the purity of his life and the ardour of his zeal in the promotion of all good and Christian objects.

Referring to the state of the funds and the grants they have made, the Committee express their hope that a Society based as this upon common ground, will continue to meet with that support so necessary to carry out to the fullest extent its benevolent and Christian objects.

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The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year: Treasurer-Jas. Esdaile, Esq.; Secretary. Mr. J. E. Clennell; Committee-Revds. Dr. Harrison, W. Vidler, S. Wood, Messrs. R. Dunn, W. Green, J. Hart and J. Law

rence.

Provincial Assembly of the Presbyterian Ministers of the Counties of Lancaster and Chester.

This ancient Nonconformist Assembly was held on Thursday, June 22, at Gee Cross, Hyde. The day was remarkably fine, and the attendance very large. In consequence of his removal from Stockport, by illness, the Rev. D. Davis was unable to fulfil the duties of supporter. The service was in his absence introduced by Rev. James Martineau, whose prayers were characterized by deep devotional feeling and solemn beauty. The sermon was preached by Rev. P. P. Carpenter, of Warrington. Taking for his text 1 Thess. v. 19, Quench not the spirit, the preacher described the several ways in which men may quench the spirit, both in their own hearts and in the hearts of others. The spirit might be quenched in their own hearts by the commission of sin, by the omission to do good when the opportunity offers, by little acts of personal gratification, by neglecting the means of grace. In the hearts of others it might be quenched by tempting them to wilful sin, by surrounding men with worldly instead of spiritual influences, by treating religion in a mere controversial spirit, by endeavouring to stop the free exercise of the mind in the search after truth, and curbing the spirit in the search after holiness. The preacher concluded with an earnest appeal to his brethren in the ministry in behalf of the movement for the suppression of intemperance. At the close of the service, the meeting for business

took place, the Rev. James Brooks in the chair. The Secretary, Rev. James Whitehead, of Ainsworth, was unfortunately prevented from attending by an accident which happened to him in proceeding to the railway station at Bury, which, though reported not to be serious, disabled him from pursuing his journey. The Rev. J. G. Robberds acted as Secretary. The roll of ministers was called over, when the following gentlemen answered their names: Revds. R. B. Aspland, of Dukinfield; Joseph Ashton, of Preston; J. R. Beard, D.D., of Manchester; James Brooks, of Hyde; Franklin Baker, of Bolton; Francis Bishop, of Liverpool; P. P. Carpenter, of Warrington; William Fillingham, of Congleton; Henry Fogg, of Ormskirk; William Gaskell, of Manchester; Henry Green, of Knutsford; C. Hubbard, of Rivington; G. Hoade, of Oldham; Franklin Howorth, of Bury; J. Layhe, of Manchester; James Martineau, of Liverpool; Travers Madge, of Manchester; T. E. Poynting, of Monton; J. G. Robberds, of Manchester; J. Robberds, of Liverpool; John Ragland, of Hindley; G. V. Smith, of Manchester; J. J. Tayler, of Manchester; William Turner, of Manchester; G. H. Wells, of Gorton; W. Whitelegg, of Manchester; John Wright, of Macclesfield. There were also present Rev. John Owen, of Lydiate, Yorkshire, and Mr. Oldham, a minister of the Christian Brethren at Dukinfield.

Rev. JOSEPH ASHTON, of Preston, begged to submit to the meeting a communication which he had pleasure in bringing before it. It was an application of a novel kind, perhaps an unprecedented one; but he trusted it would not for that reason, when stated, the less interest the meeting, or be the less heartily welcomed and responded to by it. It was from a highly valuable lay member of our denomination. The gentleman of whom he spoke, he was sure, was very well aware that the Provincial Meeting neither exercised nor affected any synodical jurisdiction over the congregations it represented

in the two counties. But it was from

the circumstance of his being resident at a somewhat distant point of a not even contiguous county that the occasion of this application arose. The communication was from Mr. Ainsworth, of Cleator, in Cumberland. Mr. Ainsworth had now been for some years resident in that neighbourhood. There was not in Cumberland a single Unitarian congregation, nor did he (Mr.

Ashton) know of any other avowed and professed Unitarian there. Kendal, Lancaster and Preston were the nearest places at which there was public Unitarian worship. With both the congregations of Kendal and Preston Mr. Ainsworth was connected; and of the latter congregation he was an actual, though non-resident, member. Under this disadvantage of a remoteness from any of our religious societies which precluded all frequency of attendance on their worship, Mr. Ainsworth made a proposition for the establishment of a monthly Sunday service at Cleator for the ensuing year. He had very naturally looked to the Provincial Meeting (as the body of ministers nearest to him) for assistance in the arrangements necessary for the carrying out of his plan.-The communication to the meeting which Mr. Ashton now presented from Mr. Ainsworth was as follows:

"Being wishful to obtain for myself and family occasional religious worship (wherein the right of private judgment shall be asserted, individual responsi

bility enforced, personal holiness recommended, and religion in earnest insisted upon), I have alloted for this purpose £60, and should wish, if possible, to obtain for this sum twelve services during the ensuing year-one of each of the services to take place on the last Sunday of each month.

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'Although these services are to be will be performed in a room open to all, more private than public, yet, as they and as the adult villagers who may attend are almost altogether uneducated, and have never been taught to think either on religious or any other subjects, I think it dethe nature of the discourses-the plainer sirable to mention that the more practical and more simple the elucidation and the language-the better; and though not averse myself to advancing doctrinal subjects, yet am under the impression that we may do more good by shewing that the life and conduct are the best evidences of a pure faith.

the name of the clergyman, the day on "It appears to me also desirable that which he will preach, and the subjects he will treat upon, should be arranged beforehand; as, otherwise, we might have a repetition of subjects.

"THOMAS AINSWORTH. "The Flosh, Cleator,

June 19, 1848."

He regarded this communication to the Provincial Meeting as a highly interesting one, and trusted that the

meeting would gladly give its best assistance to Mr. Ainsworth in the proposed arrangement for carrying his plan into effect. Already had Mr. Ainsworth, in the particular of secular education, conferred an important benefit upon his neighbourhood by fixing in a school connected with his works a very skilful teacher, whose instructions were sought through the vicinity. His proposition appeared to him (Mr. Ashton) as judicious as possible, and to be characterized by the intelligence and soundness of judgment which marked his well-directed efforts for the improvement of his neighbourhood. Mr. Ashton concluded by suggesting that the Provincial Meeting appoint a Committee to communicate with Mr. Ainsworth, and assist in the requisite arrangements for carrying out his plan.

A conversation ensued, in which Mr. Robberds, Dr. Beard and Mr. Ashton took part; and the Assembly passed a resolution expressive of the great pleasure it received from Mr. Ainsworth's communication, and appointing a Committee to confer with Mr. Ainsworth and carry his wish into effect, the Committee to consist of Revds. Joseph Ashton, J. G. Robberds and F. Baker.

A ballot was then held for the supporter and preacher, and the Secretary reported that the choice of the Assembly had fallen on Mr. Travers Madge as supporter, and Rev. W. Herford, of Lancaster, as preacher. The next meeting was appointed to be held at Chowbent.

On the motion of Rev. J. J. TAYLER, seconded by Rev. G. V. SMITH, the thanks of the Assembly were voted to Mr. Martineau for his impressive devotional services, and to Rev. P. P. Carpenter for his excellent and truly Christian discourse. A very cordial vote of thanks was also passed to Rev. James Brooks and his congregation for their kind and hospitable reception of the Assembly.

Mr. BROOKS stated that, in accordance with a wish expressed at the previous meeting, he had prepared for the use of the Assembly an historical me. moir of his predecessors at Gee Cross; but, straitened as they were for time, he would not now present it, but would, with the consent and aid of the Editor of the Christian Reformer, shortly give it to them in print.

The meeting then resolved itself into one of the Lancashire and Cheshire Presbyterian Association, ROBERT Andrews, Esq., of Rivington Hall, taking the

chair. Rev. JAMES MARTINEAU stated that though no circumstance had lately called the Association into active service, it was not deemed desirable that it should be permitted to cease. Emergencies might arise in which hereafter, as heretofore, the Association might render important service. To enable them to act, if circumstances called for action, he begged to move the re-appointment of the officers of the Association. Rev. W. FILLINGHAM seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The service being over, most of the strangers present took the opportunity of inspecting the beautiful ecclesiastical structure, rapidly approaching to its completion, which is to be opened for the future use of the congregation on the 5th of July. (See the Advertisement on our Advertising sheet.) The chapel choir attended, and, to test the capabilities of the building for sacred music, sang a hymn accompanied by the organ. The result was most satisfactory. All the visitors agreed in the expression of high admiration of the pure taste and finished beauty of the building, especially of the interior.

The ministers and their friends then proceeded to the Norfolk Arms inn, where a very handsome dinner was provided (the ministers present being the guests of the Hyde congregation). Amongst the lay gentlemen were S. Ashton, Esq., of Pole Bank; Samuel Ashton, Jun., Esq., of Oaklands; Randal Hibbert, Esq., of Brookside; A. W. Thornely, Esq., of Godley; Robert Andrews, Esq., of Rivington Hall, &c. The chair was filled by Rev. JAMES BROOKS, the minister of the place, and the vice-chair by the Rev. JAMES MARTINEAU. Between fifty and sixty gentlemen sat down.

We cannot profess to give a report of all, or a full report of any, of the addresses spoken on this occasion. It has never fallen to our lot to be present at a meeting of more sustained interest, and we shall merely glance at a few of the principal topics dwelt on by the several speakers. All the sentiments were introduced by the Chairman in a series of judicious and happy remarks. In speaking to the sentiment of "Zeal without Bigotry," Rev. F. HowORTH alluded, as fit illustrations of the sentiment, to the congregation at Rossendale, and to the interesting services which on the previous Sunday he had attended there, when Dr. Montgomery, of Belfast, had conducted the services

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