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the colony of Newfoundland-a colony, which was in itself at least a contradiction of that statement so generally made, that our colonies were rather a burthen than an advantage to the mother-country. In Newfoundland, that Bill, to which he had alluded, under the profession of serving the Protestant Dissenters, had, in point of fact, produced much mischief; or, at all events, in its present condition, it was calculated to cause considerable inconvenience. had himself pointed out within a few weeks the manner in which that measure interfered with the rights of Protestant Dissenters. An Act had passed too, requiring that all marriages should be celebrated by Protestant ministers; and this law was qualified, by permitting Protestant Dissenters to be married by their own pastor, provided they resided at a distance of ten miles from a Protestant Church. But what would the meeting think? Lest the Protestant Dissent ers should regard this measure as a boon, it was accompanied by this enactment, that they (the Dissenting pastors) might, under such circumstances, marry even Protestants-members of the Established Church. (Hear.) In consequence of a suggestion from him (Mr. Wilks) the Bill was altered, and its obnoxious provisions rectified; and he did trust, that an enlightened legislation would speedily perceive the necessity of introducing some measure on this subject applicable to the whole of the British nation.

Association for Hull, Lincoln, Doncaster and Thorne.

THE Annual Meeting of the Members of this Institution was held in Hull, on the 7th and 8th of July. There were, as usual, three religious services. On Wednesday evening, July 7, the Rev. Dr. Hutton, of Leeds, preached from John ix. 41, "If ye were blind, ye should have no sin." On the morning of Thursday, July 8, the Rev. C. Wellbeloved, of York, delivered a discourse on 2 Cor. v. 21, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be

North Eastern Unitarian Association. ON Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th and 7th of July, the Annual Meeting of the North Eastern Unitarian Association, was held at Lutton, in Lincolnshire. On Wednesday evening Mr. Scargill, of Bury, introduced the service with reading and prayer, and Mr. Selby, of Lynn, preached from Acts v. 29, vindicating Unitarian dissent on the ground of the allegiance we owe to God rather than to men. On Thursday morning, Mr. Kirby, of Thorne, conducted the devotional services, and Mr. Scargill preached from the Gospel of John, i. 29, giving a practical view of the mission of Jesus Christ: and on Thursday evening, Mr. Jones, of Boston, demonstrated the inconsistency of modern orthodoxy with the divine immutability: his text was James i. 17; Mr. Selby having previously introduced the service with reading and prayer. Immediately after the morning service a number of friends connected with the Association entered into resolutions to VOL. XIX.

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And on the evening of the same day the Rev. W. J. Fox preached from Acts xvii. 31, "Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained," &c.

To convey a just idea of the merits of these discourses would be difficult, especially in a report which must of necessity be brief. It may be sufficient to observe respecting them, that they were all well suited to the occasion on which they were delivered; that they afforded the highest satisfaction to those persons who were more immediately interested in the objects of the Association, and that they were well calculated to diminish prejudice, and to sap the foundation of popular errors. They proved that, although the advocates of Unitarianism may be comparatively few, they are yet inferior to none in the power of their eloquence, in the profundity of their biblical learning, and in the weight of their arguments, deduced both from reason and revelation. These discourses were heard with a degree of attention

suited to the earnest and impressive manner in which they were delivered. The congregations were numerous, and the general effect has been such as to satisfy the friends of the cause in Hull, that their sentiments are gaining ground notwithstanding the many obstacles with which they have long had to contend. The devotional part of the services was performed by the Rev. T. Johnstone, of Wakefield; the Rev. J. Keurick, of York; and the Rev. Dr. Hutton.

The supporters and friends of the Intitution dined together on Thursday, to the number of seventy-seven, and were agreeably entertained by speeches from several gentlemen. The Rev. W. Turner was present from York, and the Rev. J. Platts from Doncaster, besides lay brethren from various parts.

On Sunday, July 11th, the Rev. W. J. Fox preached twice in Hull to crowded audiences, and collections were then made with a view to lighten the debt upon the Chapel, in Bowlalley-Lane. It may not be known to the Unitarian public at large that this place was rebuilt a few years back. The cost of the New Chapel, which was not built upon an extravagant plan, far exceeded the means of the Society, though their exertions at the time were great. Efforts are now making to liquidate the debt, and an application has been forwarded to the ministers of various congregations and the committees of Fellowship Funds with a view to obtain assistance. Those who are interested in the prosperity of the Society of Unitarians at Hull, and feel disposed to contribute to their relief, will have an opportunity of learning something more of their case by consulting the Appeal which they have addressed to the public, and which is as follows.

Appeal on behalf of the Unitarian Society, assembling in the Chapel, Bowlalley-Lane, Hull.

THE supporters of the Unitarian cause in Hull, beg leave to call the attention of their brethren, residing in other parts of the kingdom, to a statement of certain difficulties under which they now labour, and which are found materially to affect their prosperity as a religious body.

They have hitherto refrained from laying their case before the public, and from soliciting the aid of those who may feel an interest in the dissemination of their principles as Unitarians, in the hope that they should be able, by their own efforts, to remove the difficulties which form the ground of the present application. But

as there appears to be no probability of their accomplishing this, at least for a long period of time, and as they are desirous to place themselves on a footing similar to that on which other societies are placed, and especially to remove those causes which tend to retard the progress of their religious sentiments in this neighbourhood, they think it right in justice to themselves and the cause which they are pledged to support, to make this public appeal. They are encouraged in their present undertaking by a knowledge of the fact, that Fellowship Funds have been established in various parts of the country, by societies of Unitarians, partly with a view to afford relief to congregations situated as they now are. It is to the committees of such funds that they would particularly address themselves; though, at the same time, they respectfully solicit the aid of those individuals who may be disposed to contribute to their relief. They trust that the following statement of their case will not be found unworthy of notice.

In 1802, the old Chapel being then in a state of complete dilapidation, it was deemed necessary to erect a new place for public worship. The cost of the new building, which stands on the site of the former one, was 14937. 78. Voluntary subscriptions, to the amount of 8457. 10s. were received towards defraying this expense, and a debt was left standing, amounting to 6471. 17s. In consequence of the income of the Chapel not being equal to the expenditure, the debt was afterwards increased to 6687. The constant efforts that have been required on the part of the Society to keep up their religious establishment, have hitherto prevented them from throwing off this encumbrance; but feeling anxious to effect this, and being willing to do all that lay in their power towards an object so important, they resolved, a few years back, to establish a sinking fund. But this measure, though it has received liberal support, is likely to operate too slowly to prove of any benefit to the majority of the present congregation, who are, in the mean time, subject to the inconvenience attending the existence of a large debt upon their Chapel, the interest of which debt they are required to pay. Their present prospects, as a religious body, are in other respects highly encouraging. Of late years their numbers have been considerably augmented; and they entertain no doubt that, if they can remove the obstruction of which they now complain, their Society will continue to flourish. For this, however, they must depend in a great measure upon the assistance afforded

as they are often employed to support error and suppress truth, and thus fettering the human mind in its progress of knowledge and improvement, they make men ignorant bigots or pretending hypocrites. Such laws are seeming proofs of the weakness of religion, and make in quiring men suspect it is imperfect and unable to support itself. That if the Christian religion is a divine revelation no discussion can injure it, nor any human efforts overturn it; if it is founded on truth, free discussion will exhibit that truth, and consequently strengthen every rational mind in the belief of it; but if it is founded on errors, severe laws may harass individuals who criticise it, and may prop it up for a time, but cannot permanently support it against truth and reason.

"That the laws of Scotland, made for the support of the Church, and the punishment of what is called blasphemy, were so severe and oppressive that they suppressed all inquiry into the foundation of Christianity, or the truth of its doctrines, and compelled every one to submit to the established opinion whether right or wrong. That though two of the statutes which awarded the punishment of death for what is called blasphemy were repealed by the Unitarian Act, passed in 1813, yet as free discussion on religious subjects is still considered by every one to be very dangerous, your petitioners apprehend that there are other laws yet in force for the protec tion of established religion, which are far too severe for the enlightened and inquiring spirit of the present time.

"That your petitioners, though peace able members of society, and strongly attached to their country, regard these laws as still allowed to exist for their oppression; and even if these laws should be considered in desuetude (which is doubtful), the uncertainty of that matter, and the apprehension lest they should be prosecuted for the open expression of their opinion, keeps their minds in a state of great uneasiness, and creates a dislike to the laws of their country, instead of a respect for them.

"That your petitioners conscientiously differ in opinion from the Established Religion of their country, but have no wish whatever to disturb it; they conceive that Deists and Christians, if they act according to their professions, and are not knaves and hypocrites, may carry on their discussions with temper and moderation, and live together in peace, vying with each other in good works, and not striving for each other's destruction.

"That your petitioners are not anx

ious to engage in theological controversy, but as they are weekly consigned to eternal perdition from the pulpit, and daily by many of the people, they have surely the strongest reasons to examine the truth of these doctrines, and the merit of these books, from which they are threatened with such unrelenting severity. That your petitioners being consigned to eternal misery in a life to come, and also unfairly dealt with in this, they are not allowed by the law to answer the arguments and examine the doctrines of those Christians who attack their opinion, abuse their character and motives, and use every exertion to make them detested by their fellow-men.

"That, as your petitioners are compelled to pay their full proportion of the Established Clergymen's stipends, they consider that these Reverend Gentlemen would act more consistent with their professions, if they were to visit those who, they think, have gone astray, and endeavour to instruct them, rather than so rashly to pronounce their condemnation. That, by the prosecutions instituted against all those who are known to print or sell their books, your petitioners are prevented from obtaining those books which defend or advocate their own opinions, and are thus deprived of the benefit of the press, and excluded from the same privileges which are enjoyed by every other sect, however extravagant.

"That your petitioners being liable to be punished if they meet together for public discussions or instruction, are convinced that it is through the forbearance of the civil authorities, and not under protection of the laws, that they can meet for that purpose; consequently, in their present state, they have as little interest in the stability of the laws and institutions of their country, as Jews or Aliens.

"That your petitioners, in publishing their opinions conceruing revealed reli gion, and in defending their opinions, conceive that they are no more guilty of blasphemy thau the Jews, who openly dispute and ridicule the doctrines of Christianity, and even reproach the character of its founder; yet are protected by law.

"That your petitioners have no motive but the love of truth in questioning the divine origin of Christianity, and can have no interest in following error when it is so dangerous; they have as deep an interest in discovering and supporting true religion as any other men: they question the divine origin of Christianity from the sincere conviction of their minds, which their inquiries into its ori

gin have produced, and not from any wish to disturb the peace of society or the happiness of individuals.

"That your petitioners do not conceive that their public discussions or the circulation of their books are dangerous to religion as it is only reflecting men who engage in such inquiries, their principles are never likely to be generally embraced besides, divines inculcate that the Church is founded on a rock, and cannot be overthrown, and many who have studied the human character, are convinced that the principle of devotion is so deeply planted in the human heart, and so much influenced by surrounding circumstances, that it will never be destroyed by any arguments, however rational or strong. That the unrestrained circulation of books, and free discussion of all religious subjects, would be of great benefit in clearing away error and superstition, aud displaying the merits of true religion, and also in directing and assisting the human mind in acquiring knowledge, and thus promoting the improvement and happiness of mankind."

The petition was then ordered to be printed.

JUNE 3.

Persecution for Religious Opinions.

Mr. HUME presented a petition from Stokesley, in Yorkshire, complaining of the steps now adopted to prevent freedom of discussion in matters of religion. -Mr. M. A. TAYLOR was of opinion, that unless the publication of blasphemies and irreligion was restrained, there would soon be no religion at all. (Hear.) He really did not think that such men as Carlile merited the sympathy of the House. He was no bigot; but he was decidedly hostile to those who would undermine all religions!-Mr. HUME thought it would have been as well if the Honourable Member read the petition before he talked in that way: it merely prayed for the liberty of free discussion; and it was a sad proof of the illiberality of the age that any objection was raised against so reasonable a request.-Mr. W. SMITH was satisfied that the opinions of the Honourable Member (Mr. Taylor) would not advance the cause of Christianity, which needed not coercion to make it flourish, and did not depend upon law. Persecution for religious opinions was unjust and impolitic.-The petition was ordered to be printed.-Mr. HUME presented another petition from John O'Neill, a Quaker, of Bath, praying that the House would remit the punishment inflicted on Richard Carlile. Mr. Hume

begged Mr. M. A. Taylor to notice the observation of the petitioner, that the punishment of persons for the expression of their religious opinions was not authorized by Christianity. He (Mr. Hume) thought the case of Carlile a very hard one. Mr. M. A. TAYLOR said that noth

ing he had heard at all altered his opinion; and Sir THOMAS Lethbridge was astonished at the sympathy which the case of Carlile seemed to excite among Honourable Members. He was sure that, out of doors, his conduct was the subject of universal execration! A man who, like him, could deny the divinity of Christ, and openly attack the Established Religion, was, in his opinion, a bad subject for panegyric.-Sir R. WILSON said, that the Unitarians were permitted to exercise their religious opinions unmolested, although they denied the divinity of Christ.—Sir T. LETHBRIDGE said, that he did not think the Honourable Member near him (Mr. W. Smith) would feel obliged by the insinuation. Mr. W. SMITH observed, that having been the means of getting a Bill passed through both Houses, which exempted the Unitarians from any penalty which might attach to a denial of the divinity of Christ, it was unnecessary for him (Mr. W. Smith) to say that he participated himself in that opinion. (Hear, hear!)

And notwithstanding his avowal of that opinion, he believed he might, with safety, appeal to the very Reverend and Venerable parent of the Speaker, for testimony to his (Mr. Smith's) being considered by him as a good Christian. (Hear, hear !)-Mr. HUME said, that if the Hon. Baronet was himself, like Carlile, in a prison, he (Mr. Hume) would feel most happy to present a petition from him. (A laugh.)—The petition was ordered to lie on the table.