which, for no crime, either proved or imputed, they have been so harshly thrust away?

That your petitioners humbly conceive that, even allowing the right of defending an establishment by such restrictive laws, it would be difficult to prove that they confer any security whatever, and far more so, such a degree of it as to justify the means; but that, on the contrary, justice and liberality are the natural sources of strength and safety, while danger is the far more common result of suspicious policy and oppressive conduct; it having also been the opinion of King William, (as on record in your Journals,) that "granting ease to Dissenters would contribute very much to the Establishment of the Church."

That the specific test actually imposed is in itself particularly objectionable, as liable to the imputation of profaning a solemn rite of Christian worship to the great disgust of many religious persons, and to the scandal of religion itself; and that it is worse than useless, because it can only deter the conscientious, while it is no bar to the unprincipled and ambitious; but that to this argument, as affecting themselves, your petitioners do

not attach any great importance, as by any other impediment equally efficient they would be equally injured; and that for the impropriety of the test, those who ordain it, and not those who suffer under it, are responsible.

On the whole, your petitioners humbly pray this Honourable House to take the premises into their serious consideration, and to grant them relief; and they persuade themselves that the former successive relaxations of harsh and oppressive enactments against religious liberty, so far from being considered as a reason for their being expected to continue to suffer in silence the grievances to which they still remain exposed, ought rather to be regarded as an encouragement from the Legislature, respectfully, but frankly, to submit to its wisdom, the expedience of abolishing every remnant of that system of coercion and restraint on religious profession which had its origin in times of darkness and intolerance; and by which your petitioners are, to this very day, severely, and, as they presume to think, most injuriously affected.

And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.

DOMESTIC. RELIGIOUS.

New Chapel at Merthyr Tydfil.

Merthyr, June 15, 1820. THE Unitarian Dissenters of this place were, some years ago, under the necessity of leaving their usual place of worship, built by their forefathers, and of assembling in a school-room, in consequence of an injunction obtained by the minister, who had officiated but a short time among them, against a descendant of one of their late Trustees, restraining him from interfering in the concerus of the chapel; in which doctrines were then preached, utterly at variance with the opinions of its founders. [Mon. Repos. Vol. IX. pp. 722, 723, and X. 191, 192.]

Seeing their dearest rights thus violated, they sent an invitation to the Rev. Thos. Evans, of Aberdare, who, with the concurrence of his congregation, kindly consented to preach to them once a fortnight, in the afternoon, in the said school-room; trusting that a short period would determine the point in dispute. Several years, however, have now elapsed, and, from recent decisions in Chancery, in this as well as similar cases, scarcely any hopes are entertained by them of recovering the

place in which their forefathers and themselves were accustomed to worship. By the subsequent death of the owner of the school-room, (a zealous Unitarian,) the congregation were obliged to procure another place, which also, from unforeseen occurrences, they have been obliged to relinquish, and are now quite destitute of any place at Merthyr to assemble for the worship of God, according to the dictates of their consciences.

We, the undersigned, fully convinced of the beneficial tendency of correct and scriptural views of the gospel, have commenced a subscription towards immediately erecting a place of worship for Unitarian Christians. The sum hitherto subscribed by ourselves and friends, in this place, amounts to about £260.

Yet, without the kind aid of our Unitarian brethren, in different parts of the kingdom, we fear we shall not be able to effect an object, in the accomplishment of which we feel the liveliest and deepest interest.

Our intention is to build a commodious chapel, in which a regular minister may preach, in Welsh and English alternately, morning and evening. Could this be effected, we have no hesitation in saying that essential service would be rendered

to the cause of Unitarianism in this populous and increasing town, where the most favourable appearances are brightening around us.

We therefore most earnestly request that our case may be taken into consideration by the Fellowship Associations in England and Wales, as well as by those liberal individuals in various parts of the kingdom, who, on so many occasions, have given the plainest proofs of their warm and disinterested attachment to the simple, consistent, rational and efficacious doctrines of Christianity as taught by its divinely commissioned Founder.

Communications addressed to the Secretary, Mr. Taliesin Williams, or to any of the undersigned, will be duly and thankfully acknowledged.

Warwickshire Unitarian Tract
Society.

THE members of the Unitarian Tract Society, established in Birmingham, for Warwickshire and the neighbouring counties, held their Annual Meeting, at the Old Meeting House in Birmingham, on Tuesday, July 18, 1820. The Rev. John Kentish read several portions of Scripture, and conducted the devotional services. The Rev. Robert Aspland preached, on the scriptural meaning of the phrase "Son of Man," as applied to Jesus Christ, from Matt. xvi. 13. The discourse was heard by a numerous congregation, with the most lively interest.

At the close of the religious service, the Rev. Stephen Weaver Browne was called to the Chair; the Secretary read the Minutes of the last General Meeting, together with those of the subsequent meetings of the Committee, and several resolutions, connected with the objects of the Society, were unanimously passed.

In the afternoon, ninety-four gentlemen, members and friends of the Society, dined together at the Shakspeare Tavern, T. Eyre Lee, Esq., being in the Chair.

The sentiments which were given, after the removal of the cloth, all prefaced by some appropriate remarks from the Chairman, called forth many animated and interesting speeches. Mr. Aspland was earnestly requested to print his Sermon, the more earnestly, as it would form so excellent a companion to Mr. Kenrick's very masterly discourse on a kindred subject" the title, Son of God"—preached before the same Society, at Wolverhampton, in the year 1818. *

The list of members received an accession of upwards of thirty names.

J. H. B.

Sussex Unitarian Association. ON Wednesday, 23rd Aug., was held, at Lewes, the First Anniversary of the Sussex Unitarian Association. The service was introduced by the Rev. W. Stevens, Isle of Wight, and Dr. Morell, of Brighton; when the Rev. W. J. Fox, of London, delivered an eloquent and excellent discourse to the very respectable congregation assembled. At the conclusion of the business of the Society, the members and friends of the Association adjourned to the Crown Inn, where an economical dinner had been provided. Sixty ladies and gentlemen sat down to dinner. In the course of the afternoon many valuable remarks were offered to the company, by the Chairman, Eb. Johnston, Esq., and the following gentlemen severally addressed the Meeting:Dr. T. Rees, Dr. Morell, Rev. W. J. Fox, T. W. Horsfield, W. Stevens, H. Acton and Mr. Ashdowne. Mr. Fox enlightened and animated the company, by the information that he communicated and the eloquence that he displayed. Every one, indeed, endeavoured to give pleasure to the Meeting, and the endeavour was

crowned with success. Never was more rational delight felt, or more satisfaction expressed at a social religious Meeting, than on the present occasion. One and all seemed to enter into the spirit of the Society, each anxious for its prosperity and all determined to support it. Upwards of twenty new subscribers enrolled their names on its list.

T. W. H.

Methodist Schism.

A schism of considerable extent appears to have taken place among the Methodists in the Northern counties, as well as in the South, owing principally to the folly of some of their preachers, in interfering with the political opinions of the people. This began about the latter end of last year, when their Committee

* Sce Monthly Repository, XIV. 573.

of Privileges in London, in concert with his Majesty's Government, issued circulars to the different preachers in the connexion in all parts of the country, to discountenance amongst their people all those who might be attached to Political Reform. Immediately the Methodist pulpits every where resounded with the murderous doctrines of passive obedience and nonresistance, those doctrines which in England brought one tyrant to the block, and obliged another to abdicate the throne. In consequence of which, added to the tyranny of the preachers and their exorbitant exactions from the people, few of whom are opulent, great numbers have separated from the body and formed a new community, under the denomination of Independent Methodists;" maintaining the same discipline, but differing in church-government, as their preachers, like the primitive teachers of Christianity, claim no pecuniary reward for their labours. In Shields, Newcastle and other vicinities, they are rapidly increasing, and have already 14 chapels and places of worship, which are supplied by twentyone preachers.-Durham Chronicle.

Reformed Jews.

IN the Twelfth Report of the London Society for the Conversion of the Jews, allusion is made to the Reformed Jews. They are said "to be increasing considerably in numbers." The Society look upon them with no very friendly eye, yet regarding them as the breakers down of rabbinical barriers, their system is allowed to be highly interesting, and likely to lead to the most important consequences. "One result, at least, it has already produced, and that of no inconsiderable moment, a desire amongst the followers of the new system, to see and read for themselves." The Report expresses, very naturally, a dread of "liberal principles."

Quakers' Epistle.

We have generally given in our work the Quakers' Yearly Epistle, and we had procured a copy for the purpose this year; but on looking over it we see so little that is interesting or even intelligible to persons that do not speak the same tongue, that we shall content ourselves with one extract. This, indeed, may be understood; but how far it is creditable to Friends, let any Protestant judge. (Some remarks upon the Inquisitorial passage will be found in The CHRISTIAN REFORMER of the current month.)-"Be very careful then, we beseech you," (i. e. the young,)"NOT TO READ publications which openly or indirectly inculcate a disbelief in the benefits procured to us by

the sufferings and death of Christ, in the divinity of Him our Lord and Saviour, or in the perceptible guidance of his Spirit." The Epistle is signed by Josiah Forster.

Managers of the Society for the Relief of the Necessitous Widows and Children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers, deceased, for the Year 1820.

Ebenezer Maitland, Esq., Clapham Common, Treasurer; Joseph Bradney, Esq., Clapham Common; the Rev. John Clayton, Sen., Manor-house, Walworth; Danford, Esq., Aldgate; James Esdaile, James Collins, Esq., Spital Square; John Esq., Bunhill Row; William Freme, Esq., teridge, Esq., Camberwell; William GillCatharine Court, Tower-hill; Joseph Gutman, Esq., Bank Buildings, Cornhill; George Hammond, Esq., Whitechapel ; Samuel Jackson, Esq., Hackney; William Marston, Esq., East Street, Red Lion Square; the Rev. James Philipps, Clapham; James Pritt, Esq., No 15, Wood Esq., Clapton; John Rogers, Esq., SwithStreet, Cheapside; John Towill Rutt, in's Lane; Thomas Rogers, Esq., Clapham; Josiah Roberts, Esq., Terrace, Camberwell; R. Sangster, Esq., Denmark-hill, Camberwell; Thomas Saville, Esq., Clapton; Benjamin Shaw, Esq., LondonBridge-foot; John James Smith, Esq., Watford; Samuel Stratton, Esq., No. 31, New City Chambers; Thomas Stiff, Esq., New Street, Covent Garden; the Rev. Timothy Thomas, Islington; William Titford, Esq., Hoxton; John B. Wilson, Esq., Clapham Common; Thomas Wilson, Esq., Highbury Place, Islington.

PARLIAMENTARY,

House of Commons, Tuesday, June 6. Mr. W. SMITH presented a Petition from the Dissenters of Norwich, praying for an alteration in their favour of the Marriage Law, agreeably to the Bill which he had introduced in the last Session of Parliament. He gave notice that on Friday next he should move for leave to bring in the said Bill.

THE QUEEN.

In the short conversation on the Message from the King relating to the Queen's return, Sir R. WILSON alluded to the paltry indignity of striking her name out of the Liturgy of the Church. Lord A. HAMILTON differed from the hon. member who thought that the striking of the Queen's name from the Liturgy was only a paltry indignity; he considered it as one which ought to be cited on the present occasion, as shewing a predetermination on the part of his Majesty's ministers to condemn her Majesty without a hearing and without a trial. (Hear.) He believed,