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chapel, when James Heywood, Esq., M.P., was called to the chair. The Treasurer, T. Hornby, Esq., presented statement of the accounts, the income being £1,039 9s. Od., the expenditure £1,040 14s. 7d. The annual subscriptions, it was said, had declined to the amount of £120. We are persuaded there is a mistake here. It has been usual, hitherto, to apply for these subscriptions. This has not been done, we apprehend, in the year just closed. It may be that they will be forthcoming when solicited, and should have been reckoned as arrears, rather than as abandoned. The Treasurer's Report was adopted, on motion of J. B. Estlin, Esq., of Bristol, seconded by J. Christie, Esq., of London.

The Rev. E. Tagart, of Little Portland Street Chapel, London, the Honorary Secretary, read the Report of the Committee. Its adoption was resolved on, on motion of Rev. H. Hutton, of Birmingham, seconded by Rev. J. Gordon, of Coventry. The thanks of the meeting were voted to the Rev. J. Scott Porter "for his truly Christian, impressive, and appropriate discourse," moved by Rev. Dr. Hutton, of Carter Lane Chapel, London, seconded by H. J. Preston, Esq. Mr. Porter acknowledged the Resolution, and moved "That the Committee be instructed to continue their efforts for the establishment of a Depôt for their books and tracts, with a view to the more efficient supply of the Unitarian public; and for the appointment of an active and influential Agent to assist in carrying out the objects of the Association; to visit the rural Churches, and co-operate with the settled Ministers in the Provinces, in plans for the diffusion of Unitarian Christianity." It was seconded by the Rev. S. Bache, of Birmingham, and adopted. The Resolution, good so far as it goes, appears to us to fall far short of the necessities of the case. If by "their books and tracts" be signified merely the books and tracts included in the Catalogue of the Association, meagre and scanty as it is, this is not the want required to be supplied. There are hundreds of works, not included in that Catalogue, which are occasionally sought after, and arrangements should be made by which they could be readily obtainable, not by "the Unitarian public" merely, but the general public also. Something on the plan of the Book Room of the Wesleyan Methodists is what is wanted. Satisfied are we, that if properly arranged, and thoroughly worked out, such a Depôt would prove a source of revenue to the Association, as well as of extended usefulness. It ought to be taken up vigorously, and carried out at once. Nothing should stand in its way. Outlay here, though it should bring present loss, would ensure eventual gain. "The appointment of an active and influential Agent," is likewise needful. To be really "influential," however, he must do more than "visit the rural churches." No place more needs effort than London itself. Missionary stations should be planted in its every locality, The "diffusion of Unitarian Christianity" in the Metropolis, is yet a work of the future. The country is already ripe for Missionary labour, and will set the Metropolis the example, if it do not bestir itself promptly. "To co-operate with the settled Ministers in the Prcvinces" is well, but more than this must be done. To bring into active co-operation willing and faithful Lay Brethren is as important. There are many ready to work, many actually working now, whom it would be most useful to combine in plans of wide-extended and energetic action.

The Rev. E. Talbot, of Tenterdon, moved a resolution in reference to American Unitarian brethren, and expressive of desire to cooperate in conjoint efforts for the diffusion of a common faith, and the Rev. William Hincks, of London, who had recently visited America, seconded it. The Rev. J. Boucher, of Hackney, in proposing a resolution on "Popular Education," spoke of the Unitarian controversy as "exhausted," and that those who were "seeking after a purer theorem of faith," might "go to our libraries, and there they will find a solution." Such statements could be enunciated only by persons unacquainted with the actual condition, sentiments, and feelings of the people of this country, as well as the past history of our churches. This bugbear of controversy is of old date, and its fear has done much to injure our churches, and stay the progress of our denomination. The congregations amongst us which have life and energy, are precisely those in which Christian principle has been most steadfastly maintained; whilst those in which it has been shirked, and kept out of sight, are feeble, cold, dying. To induce men to seek "after a purer theorem of faith," their attention must be roused to its existence. The stagnation of uniformity must be broken up. The waters must be troubled, or healing will not enThe error in Unitarian churches has been the non-enunciation of Christian truth, not its over-manifestation. The schoolmaster might as well refuse to teach an A B C class, because the alphabet was familiar to him, as the Christian minister cease the enforcement of Christian principles, because he himself is a Scribe, well instructed in the Kingdom of God. In the work of Education, Unitarian Christians have ever been amongst the foremost. To them "Popular Education" is no new work. They had their schools when others had them not. Raikes, Lancaster, found in them their most zealous and efficient supporters. It is because elementary education is spreading, that the greater necessity exists that the Christian missionary should uphold Christian truth, righteousness, and freedom,that education may prove a blessing indeed. The Rev. W. James, of Bristol, R. Taylor, Esq., of London, Rev. J. Gordon, Rev. E Kell, of Newport, Isle of Wight, also spoke in reference to this Resolution, and Mr. Boucher's statement; and a vote of thanks to the chairman, moved by Rev. E. Tagart, supported by Dr. Rees, Resident Secretary, closed the proceedings in the chapel.

sue.

In the evening, about five hundred persons assembled at a Soiree in the Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn, the chairman, James Heywood, Esq., M. P. This plan of assembly, adopted for the first time by this Association last year, is preferable to the tavern dinner of former date, or the more recent "late breakfast;" but, it is susceptible of many improvements in the details. Were the whole company seated at the tables, and the platform parade and formality got rid of, previous arrangements made with the speakers, a more religious character and spirit promoted, unity and order would be given to the proceedings, at once more useful, and agreeable, and Christian. The evening meeting on this occasion was addressed by the chairman, Messrs. R. Taylor, T. Hornby, E. J. Clennell, Hon. F. Hincks, of Montreal, Revds. H. Hutton, E. Tagart, F. Bishop, of the Domestic Mission, Liverpool, J. Scott Porter, S. Bache, Dr. Hutton, T. Madge, of Essex Street Chapel, London, and terminated with thanks to the chairman.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.-The fifteenth Anniversary was celebrated at a public breakfast, held in the large Hall of Radley's Hotel, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, on Thursday morning, May 31. The Rev. J. Colston, of Styal and Dean Row, Cheshire, chairman. A numerous assembly convened. The Secretary of the Association, the Rev. W. Vidler, of London, read the Report of the Committee; and Mr. Robert Green, the accounts of the Society, after the chairman had made an opening address. The following persons also spoke to the various business of the day :-Revds. J. Scott Porter, S. Wood of London, who we are thankful has prepared an excellent catalogue of books suitable for Sunday School libraries and prizes; H. Solly of Cheltenham, E. Talbot, H. Hawkes of Portsmouth, J. C. Means of Chatham, E. Kell, R. L. Carpenter of Bridgewater, F. Bishop, Dr. Hutton, R. E. B. Maclellan of Canterbury, and Messrs H. J. Preston, J. B. Estlin, Wade, J. C. Lawrence. We regret the plan of the Sunday School Teachers connected with Hanover Square Chapel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, of a shilling annual contribution from each Teacher of the Schools connected with the Society, does not find favour with the Committee of the Association, and that they prefer Congregational or District Collections. The one plan appears to us much more easy of adoption than the other, and if carried out would materially raise the income of the Association. The other, not being dependent on those practically interested in Sunday School work, will not we think meet general response.

There was a Conference of Teachers and friends of Sunday Schools in the evening of Thursday May 31, at the Domestic Mission Chapel, Milton Street, Cripplegate, the Rev. E. Talbot, chairman. In addition to many of the persons named as speaking at the morning assembly, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. B. Mardon of Worship Street Chapel, London, E. Hall of Billinghurst, J. Hill of Cranbrook, M. Davidson of Godalming, Messrs. Passmore Edwards, G. Cockran, &c., and much valuable thought and suggestive matter were enunciated. The Conference closed by singing a hymn, and joining in prayer by the Rev. H. Solly.

IRISH UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN SOCIETY.-The nineteenth annual meeting took place in Dublin, Sunday May 20. The religious services were conducted in Eustace Street Chapel in the morning, and in Strand Street Chapel in the evening, and on both occasions the Rev. John Gordon, of Coventry, preached. The business meeting was held in the Vestry at the close of the morning worship. On Monday, May 21, friends to the number of forty dined together at the Northumberland Hotel, John Classon, Esq., in the chair. The Revds. Dr. Drummond of Strand Street Chapel, and his colleague, G. A. Armstrong; J. Gordon, Dr. Ledlie, of Eustace Street Chapel, with Messrs. R. Dowden of Cork, J. Armstrong, W. Drennan, Classon Bankhead, J. G. Drennan, R. B. Falkiner, and P. M. Taylor, addressed the meeting.

CHRISTIAN TRACT SOCIETY.-Friday June 1, the fortieth anniversary was held in Essex Street Chapel, London, James Esdaile, Esq., chairman. The Report was of interest, the Society out of debt, and pursuing steadfastly and perseveringly its useful and benevolent

career.

ANNIVERSARY WEEK IN BOSTON, UNITED STATES.-This appears to have been a season of unusual interest, life, and vigour. Our American Unitarian Christian brethren are conscious of the position in which circumstances have placed them, and are anxious to discharge the duties which those circumstances impose upon them. The first meeting was that of the Unitarian Book and Pamphlet Society, held on Sunday evening, May 27, in the South Church. Rev. James F. Clarke prayed, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. John Pierpont, of Troy, New York State, from Rev. i. 3,-"Blessed is he that readeth." At the conclusion of the discourse the Rev. J. F. Clarke added a few stirring facts, illustrative of the eagerness with which our publications are read in the West, and the good they accomplish. The church was well filled, and a good collection taken up.

The fortieth Anniversary of the Bible Society of Massachusetts was held on Monday, May 28, the Honourable Simon Greenleaf, L.L.D. presiding. Rev. Dr. Jenks read the Scriptures and prayed. The Secretary, Rev. G. W. Blagden, read the Report. 3625 Bibles and 2708 Testaments had been distributed in the course of the year, of which number 2530 had been given to seamen. To emigrants bound to California 850. The Report closed in the words of Martin Luther on the value of the Bible, "I have found it a tree of life bearing many fruits. I have gone round it and shaken its boughs, nor is there the smallest branch which, if properly shaken, will not yield good." The Honourable Robert C. Winthrop spoke with great power and earnestness on the agency of the Scriptures in advancing human welfare, improvement, and happiness; and was followed by Revds. Budington of Charlestown and Dr. Bellows of New York. The services closed with the Doxology and Benediction.

The Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society held its annual meeting on Monday, May 28, in the house of Rev. Dr. Frothingham. From the Report of the Treasurer it appeared that the funds of the Society were in a very flourishing condition, and many widows of our deceased brethren are partakers of this most excellent charity.

The Boston Port Society, designed for the benefit and instruction of Seamen, and of which Father Taylor, as he is usually and truly called, is the very efficient and laborious Missionary, held its twentieth anniversary in the Federal Street church on Monday evening, May 28, Hon. Albert Fearing in the chair. The services began with singing, and Rev. Dr. Sharp prayed. J. A. Andrew, Esq., read the Report, and the Hon. J. H. Clifford, of New Bedford, moved its adoption. Rev. Dr. Bellows, of New York, followed on the duties owing by society to seamen, and Father Taylor succeeded. The meeting closed with the doxology and benediction.

Morning Prayer Meetings in the Church of the Saviour, began on Tuesday morning, May 29, and were continued during the anniversary week. Very large audiences attended them, and expressed the deepest satisfaction and manifested the deepest interest in these seasons of fellowship with God our Father, and Christ our Redeemer, and with one another.

The American Unitarian Association business meeting was held in the Chapel of the Church of the Saviour, at nine o'clock on Tuesday morning, May 29, the Rev. E. S. Gannett, D.D., the President in the chair. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Osgood. The Secretary, Rev. F. W. Holland, read the Report, and the officers of the Association for the ensuing year were appointed.

At two o'clock, the Ministers and their Wives, from various parts of the Union, who are annually invited to the anniversary, and entertained by the Laymen of Boston, met together, with their Christian friends and brethren in the Assembly Hall in Albany Street, to a social repast. It

was crowded, between nine hundred and a thousand persons being present, the Hon. Josiah Quincy, jun., the President. The Divine blessing was asked by Rev. Dr. Peabody, and after dinner thanks were offered up by Rev. Dr. Bellows. The chairman welcomed the friends from a distance, in hearty and beautiful terms, and the welcome was responded to by the Rev. F. A. Farley, of Brooklyn, New York. Various hymns were sung in the course of the afternoon, and many interesting and animating addresses delivered by Ministers and others, the Rev. J. Pierpont thus concluding, "Sursum Carda!" he would say. Up with your hearts! The time is coming when this will be the key-note in our anthem at our festivals, and shall ascend to the ear that always bowed to us, that gracious Being who will give his approval to every effort to lift man up to God." The meeting closed with the doxology, "From all that dwell below the skies."

At seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, May 29, the annual meeting of the American Unitarian Association was held in Federal Street church, Rev. Dr. Gannett presiding. A hymn was sung, and the Rev. J. Pierpont prayed. Rev. F. W. Holland gave an outline of the Report read at the business meeting in the morning. The Chairman said the Committee had selected a few subjects for remark, and requested friends to speak to them, our distinctive views as a Christian denomination, the education of young men for the ministry, the circulation of books and tracts, Missions, and the great purpose of our religion and the cause of Christ's mission into the world, spiritual religion, the spiritual redemption of man.

Rev. G. W. Burnap, of Baltimore, addressed the meeting on the distinctive principles of Unitarian Christianity; the Rev. J. F. Clarke, of Boston, on the Christian ministry, confining it not to any special body of men, but comprehending in the term all who were desirous of advancing Christian truth and righteousness, particularly noticing the usefulness of the Meadville College in training Pastors for the people. Hon. T. D. Elliott, of New Bedford, advocated Missions as peculiarly the duty of Unitarian Christians and of the Association; the Rev. Mr. De Lange, formerly of the household of Abraham, now of Christ, and Pastor of the Unitarian Church, of Quincy, Illinois, supported energetically the same views; the Rev. G. E. Ellis, of Charlestown, spoke of book and tract circulation and the various agencies needful in disseminating Gospel truth; Rev. Dr. Frothingham, of Boston, addressed himself to the life of God in the soul of man, whilst Father Taylor, of the Wesleyan Methodist denomination, urged Unitarians, if possible, to out-work them in good works and he would gladly follow in their steps. Singing and prayer closed these meetings.

The facts detailed contain the substance of reports of various meetings as given in "The Christian Register," of June 2. Other meetings were also held, and of these we hope to give account in our number for August.

NEWCASTLE AND NORTH OF ENGLAND UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-The fourth anniversary of this Association was held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on Sunday and Monday, June 17 and 18. There were present at one or other of the various meetings, friends from Alnwick, Morpeth, Barnard Castle, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Malton, North Shields, South Shields, Durham, Chirton. On Sunday morning there was a numerous attendance in Hanover Square Chapel. The religious services were conducted by the Rev. John Gordon, of Coventry, who preached from John iv. 35-38. The discourse contained a lucid and powerful delineation

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