of dissenters being small, no other minister succeeded him, and by degrees the building falling into decay, the premises were sold, with the ground whereon the same stood, which is now occupied by Mr. James Harrison. The late Thomas Cox, esq. was one of the trustees of the chapel.

THE SOCINIANS

have a chapel in Deadman's Lane. Socinus, who died in 1604, is generally considered as the founder of this denomination, and from him they derive their name. Modern Socinians, being strenuous advocates for the Divine unity, now claim the appellation of Unitarians. They were but little known in England until the reign of Charles I. They acquired some distinction from the writings and influence of Dr. Priestley and his associates, but are now said to be on the decline.* They reject the doctrines of the Trinity, Original Sin, Atonement, &c.

It is proper to observe, that the dissenting bodies have several institutions of a charitable and religious nature in connexion with them, such as Sunday Schools, Missionary Societies, the Bethel Union, Friendly Societies, &c. all which are well supported, and do credit to their zeal.

A District Committee of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge

has been instituted at Wisbech, but before we particularize its establishment, we will refer to the origin of

*Jones' Religious Opinions.

this society. Early in the year 1699,* a few individuals of elevated station and eminent piety, both among the clergy and laity, began to meet together in a voluntary society, and as such, with unanimity and zeal, and with numbers gradually increasing, they exerted themselves to advance the knowledge of true religion, by such methods as appeared to them most conducive to that end. The object of the society is expressed by its name-" For promoting Christian Knowledge" generally throughout the world, consisting partly of subscribing, and partly of corresponding members; the former contributing towards the support of the expenses of the institution, and the latter, of such persons in Great Britain and Ireland, and other parts of the world, as are invited to correspond with the society, to acquaint them with the state of religion.

About the middle of the year 1701, at their instance, a charter was obtained from his majesty king William III., by which many of the then subscribing and corresponding members, with several other persons of distinction in church and state, were incorporated by the name of "the Society for the Propagating of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," for the better carrying on of that branch of the society's design which related to the colonies beyond the seas, belonging to the united kingdom. The members, however, of the voluntary society, still continued, in that capacity, to prosecute

The first meeting took place 8th March 1698-99, at which were present, the right honourable lord Guildford, Sir Humphrey Mackworth, Mr. Justice Hook, Dr. Bray, Colonel Chichester, &c. In a short period, they were joined by seven bishops, dean Stanhope, Robert Nelson, esq. author of the Companion for Fasts and Festivals, and many other eminent characters.

their benevolent design at home. The education of youth in the principles of the Christian religion, and in habits of useful industry, has ever been an object of the society's special regard and concern. To disperse the holy scriptures, the liturgy, and many pious and judicious works and tracts, has been another principal branch of its design. In 1709, the society circulated copies of a new edition of the Welch common prayer book; and in 1714, a new impression of the Welch bible was printed; then followed Irish and Mank's impressions. From a very early period, the spiritual necessities of the army and navy have constituted one important department of the society's concerns: copies of the holy scriptures and other books having frequently been granted to both those great national establishments. The religious wants of the poor and afflicted in hospitals, prisons, workhouses, and other public institutions, have been attended to, and packets of books sent to every county gaol. The sources from which the society was enabled to carry on these and other important and extensive designs, have been annual subscriptions, with legacies and occasional donations. The proceedings

of the diocesan and district committees are regulated according to the transactions of the original society. Their objects are to increase its influence and means of circulating religious books; to invite all persons in a

* Some of the legacies are as follows: the first was a generous one of £4,000. bequeathed by a lady in 1728; after that, several legacies from £1,000. to £100.; and in 1791, Peter, lord Vryhouven, in Holland, died in London, leaving two-thirds of the residue of his personal property, which amounted to £27,331. 4s. 2d. in the three, four, and five per cent. stocks. And by a decree of the court of chancery in 1805, transfers were made of the residue of the personal estate of the Rev. Richard Canning, of Ipswich, of £9,946. 4s. 11d. stock.

district, whether clergy or laity, to become subscribers, with a contribution annually of not less than one guinea; to promote parochial collections for the uses of the society, and supply of books to the district; to afford members a facility of obtaining books upon favourable terms, and to ascertain the wants of the several parts of each district. Of the diocesan committee of Ely the lord bishop is president.* At the report of the diocesan committee, held at Cambridge 15th December 1826, it was announced that the sub-committee had distributed in the course of that year, 324 bibles, 344 testaments, 535 prayer books, and 5,011 tracts. If we take a view of the inhabitants of the earth, it will be shewn that there remains still a vast field for exertion lying open to Christian benevolence, ere the blessings of civilization, mental improvement, rational liberty, and Christianity, are fully communicated to the Pagan and Mahometan world. It is said, that the number of inhabitants on the whole earth at one time may be estimated at 820,000,000, which, with regard to religion, may be calculated as follows:

* Of the district committee for the deanery of Wisbech, established there in the year 1813, the Rev. J. Jackson is secretary, who is em powered to receive benefactions or annual subscriptions.

So that it appears there are more than four Pagans or Mahometans to one Christian, and only one Protestant to seventeen of all other denominations; and there are six hundred and twenty millions of our fellow men, ignorant of the true God, and of his will as revealed in the holy scriptures. A second branch of the design of the venerable society for promoting Christian knowledge has been to diffuse the blessings of Christianity, by the establishment and support of religious missions, in extending its regard to the destitute condition of the natives of Africa, and on a more enlarged scale towards those of Asia, by the name of

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

This society possesses great facilities in making known the Gospel, and a most judicious zeal has always marked its operation. A society in aid of this institution was last year established at Cambridge, and the Rev. R. J. King, who has for many years been the respected assistant and curate to Dr. Jobson, has employed his influence in exciting at Wisbech that interest in others which he feels himself in promoting its objects. Of this society, at Cambridge, his royal highness the duke of Gloucester, chancellor of the university, is patron; the right honorable the earl of Hardwicke, lord lieutenant of the county, and the most noble John Henry duke of Rutland, vice patrons, and the right reverend the lord bishop of Ely, president. By the report of the committee, there are at present one hundred and three missionaries, and one hundred and thirteen schoolmasters, employed in the service of the incorporated society, and it is proposed to add very considerably to their number. The income of the society, arising from every available source, cannot