tion of Christian doctrine is as indispensable now as ever. Principle is preliminary to practice. "Whatsoever things are true" precede in fact as well as in enumeration "whatsoever things are pure, honest, lovely." Always were they associated in the preaching of Christ. What he has joined together let no man attempt to thrust asunder.

REV. WILLIAM HUGHES.

DIED, November 30, 1848, in his 84th year, at Widcombe, near Newport, Isle of Wight, the Rev. WILLIAM HUGHES, son of the Rev. David Hughes, minister for many years at Wincanton, in Somersetshire. His family were descended from one of the ejected ministers in Wales, and from generation to generation were distinguished for their attachment to the Principles of Civil and Religious liberty. His elder brother, John, was for thirty-eight years minister at the Unitarian Chapel at Honiton, and his younger brother, David, filled the same office at Yeovil, whence he removed in 1830 to Montreal, in Canada, and was about to take charge of an infant congregation there, when he was suddenly cut off by the cholera. The subject of this notice received his education at Hoxton Academy, London, under Drs. A. Rees, Savage, and Kippis. He entered on his ministry at Sidmouth in the year 1784, where with an attached congregation he remained until the year 1797. when he kindly exchanged pulpits with the Rev. Edmund Butcher, of Leather Lane, London, for whose delicate state of health the mild air of Sidmouth had been recommended. With this congregation he continued until the year 1801, when he gave up the regular discharge of the duties of the ministry, and in the following year settled in the vicinity of Newport, in the Isle of Wight, where he purchased an estate. Although no longer connected as pastor with any congregation, he was ever ready to supply the pulpits of his brethren, and the congregation at Newport was much indebted to him for occasional services. He took an active part for many successive winters in conjunction with the ministers of Chichester and Newport, in conducting controversial Lectures on a week night at Portsmouth and its vicinity, under the auspices of the Southern Unitarian Fund Society, and by the originality of his remarks, and the energy and fervour of his style, was greatly instrumental in promoting the great cause of Christian Truth which he had deeply at heart. He was twice married. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Sweet, he had no children. By his second, Elizabeth McArthur, he has left five to lament his loss. The following remarks are extracted from a funeral sermon preached on the occasion of his death by the Rev. E. Kell, from Zechariah 1., 5. "Yet another reflection forces itseif upon us at the tomb of the departed, the importance of making the Word of God the foundation of our faith and hope. On no occasion could I have had a more seasonable opportunity of bringing this home to you by example, and it seems to me that I should be unfaithful to his memory if I were not to speak of his experience, and of "his joy and rejoicing" in the prospect of Immortality. Our revered friend, as you well know, did not receive the Word of God in the spirit of a blind credulity, or without full and free examination of its claims to be hailed as a message from on High. He remembered the appeal of our Saviour, Why even of yourselves judge ye not that which is right?" and the injunction of the Apostle, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.' Having satisfied himself by impartial investigation of the Divine authority of the Sacred Records, he devoted himself to a critical and careful study of their contents. You could scarcely enter his Library for many years but that you found him with this volume open before him in the original, (for he was wont to express his objection in no measured phrase to the fidelity of the English

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translation,) and, it might be, some Commentary, printed, or in manuscript of his own, on his desk. To my latest hour I shall never forget the quiet aspect of that apartment, with the open volumes arranged for reference on all sides. There, too, was always the friendly welcome that came from the heart; there, the kindling eye when some favourite point of Theology or Morals was discussed; there, the benevolent smile at the mention of aught that affected the onward progress of humanity. One great subject of interest to him had been the fulfilment of Prophecy; but in my later visits he dwelt more particularly on the certainty of a Future State, and the pleasures of a reunion there with the friends he had "loved and lost." It would be a violation of the sacred confidence of that sanctuary to reveal to you, even if I were able, the touching thoughts to which at such times he gave utterance, full of that beauty and power of eloquence which he always evinced when interested in conversation, but those who were privileged to hear him speak on such themes will agree with me in thinking, that the firmness of his faith, his realizing sense of Futurity and of "the many mansions of his Father's house," made the listeners almost feel as though in the presence of a Visitant from that better world.

And the Faith which thus animated him in life cheered him on the approach of Death! During his last illness he had had placed over the mantelpiece of his library a beautiful engraving of our Saviour, one which he had always admired, said to have been taken from a "portrait carved on an Emerald by order of Tiberius Cæsar." The last words he ever read were those inscribed beneath, giving the traditionary history of the supposed likeness. He remained for some time fixed before it, silently gazing on its lineaments, probably retracing in thought each varied passage of his Saviour's life, his words of grace, his deeds of mercy, the Cross, the Resurrection, the Ascension; his heart kindling with memories of his absent Lord, for on his heart that image was graven. O! may it be graven on ours also, till we see him "face to face!"

In the mention of these and other traits of him, whose removal has so touched our hearts with grief, believe me, my brethren, I am not actuated by any desire to eulogize. Eulogy on him I have avoided as needless to those who knew him, and foreign to his disposition to have desired; but I have dwelt on the brightness of his anticipations, that you, knowing the grounds on which he rested his hopes of a Future Life, may be stimulated by his example to value the word of God as the anchor of your faith and hope. That hope in him was founded on the Saviour's express words, "I am the Resurrection and the Life, He that believeth in me, though he were Dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die," "Because I live ye shall live also;" words triumphantly verified by his Resurrection from the dead, "the first fruits of them that slept."

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, HANOVER SQUARE CHAPEL, CHILDREN'S PROVIDENT SOCIETY.-On Christmas Day, at the conclusion of forenoon worship, in the Chapel, the Boys and Girls attending the Sunday Schools connected with this Congregation assembled in their respective School Rooms. Dr. Hayle addressed the boys and Mr. Harris the girls. In the course of the year one hundred and twelve children have given in various sums to the Superintendents of the Schools, amounting to £27. This amount was returned to the respective contributors. Forethought, it is believed, is encouraged by this plan, and a provision made for the close of the year, which has often proved very beneficial.

THE NEWCASTLE AND NORTH OF ENGLAND DISTRICT SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.-The first anniversary of this society was cele

brated by a tea party at Dodd's Temperance Hotel, on Tuesday evening, December 26. About seventy persons were present. Dr. Hayle, the President of the association, in the chair. Before tea, prayer was offered by Mr. Harris, and after tea a hymn of thanksgiving was sung from the Sunday School Hymn Book. In introducing the business of the evening, Dr. Hayle made happy reference to the season in which the meeting had assembled, and read an extract of a letter addressed to him by a friend, expressive of the feelings which should actuate all on its recurrence. "People understand by a "merry Christmas" a state of things constituting great personal comfort, plenty of friends, and good health and competence. The few who really enjoy these things might teach a more modest interpretation, one in significance less savouring of mockery. Let me try a wish myself, and wish you now a merry Christmas," as "merry" as the associations of the time can make it, as "merry" as the consciousness that it represents to one's mind, the era of the commencement of a great and glorious moral revolution, can make it, as merry" as that universal charity preached by the Great Founder of our faith, and which finds a joy far bevond the limits of personal ties and home circles, can make it. I wish that the spirit of Christmas, not of its mere joviality, but of its kindness, its truly Christian tone, may make you and yours, and me and mine, to rejoice in spite of all accidents. None of us, I dare say, but could glean sadness enough were he or she to deal with the material facts of their own or their friend's existence. But away with it. Let private grief be silent in the hour when humanity at large should rejoice, and let us, in the highest sense, be merry.'

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Mr. John Catcheside, the Secretary of the Association, read the Report; and the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Harris, Mawson, Guthrie, R. Kay, W. Kay, Swan; Mr. J. Simpson sang "The Good Time Coming," and a very interesting evening was enjoyed.

OPENING OF THE NEW CHAPEL AT LEEDS.-Mill Hill Chapel was built in 1673. It was one of the earliest Nonconformist structures in the North of England. The Congregation has steadfastly maintained the principles on which it was founded, and has possessed for its Ministers a succession of able and faithful men. Acting up to the generous and devoted spirit which characterized the Fathers of Protestant Dissent, the present members of the society determined to erect a new building more correspondent to the wants and tastes of the present age, and like that in which they and their progenitors had worshipped, a Chapel which should prove an enduring memorial of their Christian earnestness, faith and love. The cost, entirely defrayed by the Congregation, has been £7,000. It was opened on Wednesday, December 27. A crowded audience filled the building before the commencement of the worship. Ministers or other friends were present from London, Brighton, Tenterden, Manchester, Salford, Wakefield, Dukinfield, Halifax, Bury, Knutsford, Liverpool, Malton, &c. The introductory worship the Rev. Charles Wicksteed, B. A., the minister of the congregation, conducted; the sermon, from John Iv. 23, was preached by the Rev. Dr. Hutton, of Carter Lane chapel, St. Paul's, London, who, from 1813 to 1835, had been minister at Leeds. A collection was made for the Stranger's Friend Society. In the afternoon a party of about three hundred, celebrated the opening, at the Exchange Hall, T. W. Tottie, Esq., presiding. Admirable addresses were made by several of the Ministers and friends, and warm congratulations given, and good wishes expressed for Pastor and people. May they be realized!

HANOVER SQUARE CHAPEL, EVENING SCHOOL FOR ADULTS.-In Mr. Harris's inquiries in Newcastle in connection with the Sanitary Association, in the district to which he was appointed, he found that of

1,037 persons, 616 could neither read nor write, Most of these indi viduals were born and bred in the Town, and the major portion had reached adult age. Other facts had come to his knowledge inducing the conviction, that the eldest daughters of workmen's families often received less education than others of the children, The desirability, the duty of giving opportunity for their instruction, and that of others, married or unmarried, similarly circumstanced, could not be questioned. At a meeting of "The Ladies' Society for Works of Charity," held fortnightly in the vestry of the Chapel, the subject was brought before them by Mr. Harris, earnestly taken up, and resolutions passed to fit up and open the Girls' School Room for the purpose, on Monday and Thursday evenings in each week. Several Ladies volunteered in conjunction with Mr. Harris, to conduct the several departments of the plan, for three months. An address to mothers and daughters was printed, and carried round to the houses of the parents of the Sunday School children and others. The School began September 4. Thirty persons came the first night. One hundred and six have been enrolled from the opening. All these are engaged in labour during the day. The ages various, none, however, younger than fourteen. The attendance has been exemplary, the improvement rapid. Instruction is given in reading, writing, spelling, figures, sewing, knitting, geography, moral and Christian principle. Information has been attained, manners improved. To encourage and give pleasure, it was determined to have a Tea meeting in the School room, on Wednesday, December 27. Sixtytwo attendants at the School were present, Teachers and other friends twenty-five. It was a happy sight. All was cheerfulness, attention, order. Mr. Harris presided. Hymns were sung, the addresses of the chairman, Mr. Guthrie, who had kindly helped some evenings, and Dr. Hayle, were listened to with evident interest, the Magic Lantern delighted. The School has now been five months in operation, its earliest Volunteers, with others, continue their labours, good has been done, good will continue to be effected.

HANOVER SQUARE CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOLS.-On New Year's Day, Religious worship was conducted in the Chapel, and the Sunday School children with their Parents were addressed by the Minister. At the close of the service, the Prizes for the byegone year were distributed, nor were the unsuccessful forgotten.

OCTAGON CHAPEL NORWICH DISTRICT VISITING SOCIETY.-The annual social meeting of the members and friends of this society, was held on Tuesday evening, January 2, in the Girls' school room. About 330 partook of Tea. The proceedings of the meeting were introduced by the Rev. J. Crompton. Mr. J. W. Dowson read the Secretary's annual Report, which gave a favourable view of the progress and present condition of the Society. The Savings Fund shewed a considerable increase over the year 1847, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the times. The meeting was addressed by the chairman, Messrs. E. L. Corkran, C. N. Bolingbroke, J. W. Dowson, and other friends. Mr. Rudd and the choir contributed to the enjoyment of an evening spent in great harmony, and a type of the Good Time Coming," which was heartily sung by one, and chorussed by the rest of the company. The whole concluded with a parting hymn, and blessing from the Minister.Norfolk News.

DOMESTIC MISSIONS.-The Twelfth Anniversary of the Liverpool Domestic Mission was held in Renshaw Street Chapel, on Monday, January 15. The meeting was large and interesting. Thos. Harvey, Esq.,

presided. The various Resolutions were moved and seconded by. Revds, J. H. Thom, John Robberds, J. H. Hutton, and Messrs. T.: Thornely, M. P., C. Rawdon, C. Booth, T. B. Blackburne, G. Holt, and others. Income for the year, including preceding balance, £628;/ balance in hand £340. The Report of the Missionary, Rev. Francis Bishop, is highly interesting. Referring to his predecessor in the work, the late Rev. John Johns, he said

"If I had stood in need of encouragement, I should have amply found it in the trace which my lamented Predecessor has left behind him. His memory still lives fresh and green, in the dark and gloomy haunts that were the scene of his labours. Deep is the furrow his course has left, in the hearts' affections of many of the poor. 'He was a good man.' "He is gone to his reward.' 'If ever man went to Heaven he is there.' Such are the exclamations I have often heard from young and old, from Protestant and Catholic, in garret and hovel, when my Predecessor's name has been introduced. In these grateful recollections of him who is gone, I see an evidence of the power for good the Minister to the poor may secure; and if ever for a moment inclined to despond, a recurrence to such touching manifestations would reassure my confidence and trust. "The Poor are often said to be wanting in gratitude; but, as a general statement, nothing I believe can be further from the truth. If we approach them with the love of Christian sympathy in our hearts, we are sure to be met by the love of gratitude in return.

"With our rapidly-increasing population, the need of such a Ministry is obvious. Valuable as are the influences of our ordinary Christian organizations, there is, in this and in every other large town, a vast and growing number of our fellow-creatures, who stand outside and beyond,` these influences, who are never found within our churches and chapels, and whose homes are uncheered by the voice of Christian sympathy and love. To labour amongst this outlying population, who are morally as distant from the influences of Religion as the Hottentot or South Seaislander, I regard as the primary duty of the Minister to the poor; and; to this end I would desire to bend all my plans and operations."

"On one occasion, I found a large crowd of men and women assembled in one of the worst streets of the district. It was on a Sunday af-, ternoon. There was much noise, anger, and excitement. On proceeding to ascertain the cause, I found that an Ulster Orangeman and a Connaught Catholic were quarrelling about their respective creeds and countries, and preparing to fight. I got on a door step, and remonstrated with the people on the impropriety of the scene, and, to my surprise, succeeded, by a few words, in inducing the spectators to go into their houses; when the two principals, left alone with me in the street, soon felt ashamed of their position, and, quietly putting on their coats, parted from each other without coming to an encounter.'

"Of giving to street beggars, I feel that I cannot speak in too strong terms of censure. In most cases, those who thus cheaply indulge their benevolent feelings, are the unconscious ministers of laziness and vice.. I have made it my object, to examine into many of the statements of these professional mendicants; but without a satisfactory result, even in a solitary instance. A little girl came to my door on one occasion, and, by her looks of innocence and modest intelligent demeanour, I was induced to believe that here 1 had at last met with a genuine and unexcep tionable case. She told me a sad tale of her mother's illness; of her two younger sisters' hunger; of their little parish pay being quite exhausted; and, with tears of apparent shame, she added that she had never been sent out begging before that day. My heart was touched. I could not doubt the child's story, and gave her therefore a supply of food to carry home to her mother, promising at the same time to call and see her the next morning. I went, and then, to my grief, discovered that a false address had been given me, and thus was driven to the conclusion, that