Smethurst at the next meeting, which Manchester Presbyterian Meeting. is to be held at Chowbent, in the spring. The Christmas Quarterly Meeting of Presbyterian Ministers, in Manchester and its vicinity, was held at Dob-lane chapel, near Manchester, where the Rev. Mr. Jones regularly officiates. Mr. R. Smethurst introduced the service, and Mr. Grundy preached from John xviii. 38. to a crowded congregation. Mr. Johns was chosen supporter to Mr. Eight en ministers, and above forty lay OBITUARY. MR. GEORGE CARTER. 1812. Jan. 5.-Never was a more striking instance of the uncertainty of human life exhibited, than in the recent death of Mr. GEORGE CARTER, of Bridport. On Sunday the 5th instant, in the vestry belonging to the Unitarian chapel in that place, just before the morning service, in apparently good health, he dropt down suddenly by the side of the minister, and was taken up a senseless corpse. He expired in the 64th year of his age. How true is the common observation, that we know not what a day may bring forth, and what a solemn call is it upon all persons to be habitually prepared for death and eternity!-In very early life Mr. Carter was subject to fits, which, it is supposed, impaired his faculties; but though deficient in judgment, his memory was remarkably retentive of passages of sacred scripture, and psalms and hymns used in public worship. He seemed to have had very serious impressions of God and religion made upon his mind in his youth, which, instead of being erased, were strengthened by time. He was always shocked when he heard profane language. He took so much delight in attendance on public worship, that, without doubt, the Lord's day was to him the happiest day in the week. Though unable to form accurate ideas of the points on which the various denominations of Christians differ, he thought that all of them ought to cultivate mutual candour and love, and was always displeased whenever he heard any of them consign others over to eternal perdition, for differing from them in religious sentiments, and not believing just as they do. He has told the writer of his short sketch, who had daily inter course with him for a considerable num- regard will be then had to qualifications for future happiness, arising from a detestation of vice, a love of piety and virtue, and sincere endeavours to do one's duty, according to the abilities which God has bestowed, the humble subject of this Obituary, will be in a much more eligible condition than thousands who now stand high in fame. It is an equitable rule of the divine government, that as on the one hand, proportional improvement is demanded of superior ad vantages, so on the other, "to whom little is given, of them is little required." Bridport, Jan. 11, 1812. T. H. 1812. Jan. 21, In London, aged 76, ANN, the relict of JOHN JEBB, M. D. "Mrs. Jebb was the eldest daughter of the late Rev. James Torkington, Rector of Little Stukely, in Huntingdon hire, and of Lady Dorothy Sherard, daughter of Philip, second Earl of Harborough, She was married to Dr. Jebb in 1764, when he was in the height of his literary reputation at Cambridge. The Dr. it is well known, engaged in some very strenuous reformer. No name is better known among the advocates of parliamentary reform, than that of Dr. Jebb: the active energy of Mrs. Jebb is also well known: being an invalid, she lived a retired life but her zeal rose to the full level of her husband's-she saw with the same quickness, glowed with the same ardour, and wrote occasionally with the same spirit. But Mrs. Jebb was not more distinguished for the vigour of her mind, than the qualities of her heart. She was a Christian, without bigotry; a moralist, without severity; a politician, without self-interest or ambition; a sincere friend, without disguise and without reserve. With considerable powers of mind, she possessed all the amiable softness of the female character. With as few failings as could well fali to the lot of humanity, she exercised an unlimited candour in judging those of others. Candour and benignity were the prominent features of her character. Her friends, therefore, were numerous, and she could not have a single enemy.-These superilodged in a body of the most delicate or qualities of mind and heart were She used to recline on a sofa, and had not been out of her room above once or twice these 20 years she seemed the shadow of a shade, or rather all soul and intellect, like one dropped from another sphere. For her ar dour and patriotic firmness, mixed with urbanity and gentleness, and occasionally brightening with innocent playfulness gave that to her countenance, which the mere bloom of health cannot bestow, nor the pen describe; it gave a singular interest to her character: it can only be felt, and will be lastingly remembered, by her surviving friends. serious controversies with the University, particularly on abolishing sub. texture. The frame of Mrs. Jebb was scription to the 39 articles at the time extremely feeble, her countenance always of taking degrees and on public annual languid and wan. examinations of under-graduates. These disputes found exercise for the first talents at that time in the University, and Mrs. Jebb was not content with being a silent observer; she became the active opponent of Dr. Powell, the master of St. John's College, who conducted the other side of the controversy, and who felt as sensibly the point of Mrs. Jebb's pen, in the public prints, as he did of the learned Doctor's. It was in reference to the force of argument contained in a smart pamphlet, written by Mrs. Jebb on the same subject, under the signature of "Priscilla," that the late Dr. Paley said, at the time, The Lord had sold Sisera into the hands of a woman.' When Dr. Jebb, having embraced so ne speculative opinions, which he thought, made it necessary for him to resign his preferment, and leave the church, settled in London, he became a physician, and a M. Chron. Jan. 27, 1812. Lately, Mr. MILFORD WINDEAtt, Jun. of Toines, Devon: of this pious young man, we shall be glad to receive some account from any one of our corres pondents acquainted with him. MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS ment. OR, The Christian's Survey of the Political World. R tion, with greater force will it go afterwards in the contrary direction, when the mind is left to its own e ertions. The The falsely called National Society, for the education of the poor, has taken into consideration the plan of union of their diocesan and district committees, Our sentiments on this National Soand have made such resolutions as natu- ciety, or as it is more properly called, and rally arise from the connection between we shall hereafter give it that name, the correspond ng societies It is a very The Anti-national Society, have received judicious plan as thus a constant com- great support by a debate, and the result munication w ll be kept up between the of it, in the court of Common Council members of the established sect and of the metropolis A motion was the whole seems to have been formed made to grant five hundred pounds to upon the system of those correspond ng the society, and the argument on which societies, which a few years back were it was founded was-i became the city the object of the vigilance of govern- to encourage an establishment for the One regulation only respecting benefit of the established sect. the children to be educated claims our motion was opf- sed by Alderman Goodattention: It is in the following words: behere, who considered the society not "It is required that all the children to be national, not formed to unite and received into the schools be without increase universal harmony, but to disexception instructed in the liturgy join man from man The great merit and catechism, and that, in conformity with the directions in that liturgy, the children of each school do constantly attend divine service in the r parish church, or other place of publ c worship under the establi hment, wherever the same is practicable, on the Lord's day, unless such reason for their non attendance be assigned, as shall be satisfactory to the persons having the direction of that school, and that no religious tracts be admitted into any school, but which are or shall be contained in the catalogue of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge." The members of the established sect have thus taken due pains to instil such notions into the children, as may, it is to be presumed, preserve them from imbibing the principles of any other sects. And this would be a great point, if the established sect had a great majority over the other sects. But as it is, hap pily, in a minority all these pains will be to very little purpose Their child ren will mix with other children, and the defects of the liturgy and catechism, will sooner or later be pointed out. The farther the falsely called Nation Society proceeds, the less danger do we apprehend to the cause of liberal ty, religion and truth; and the more pains are taken to bend the tree in one direc of Lancaster's plan was ts comprehen- here and talent were generally excluded from the regular churches, and ther fore people went elsewhere to hear better preaching and if the careless and slovenly con-, duct of the ministers of the established sect in re sed the number of Diss nteis, they had no right to attac men for dissenting. On taking the votes, the nun:bers were for granting five hundred pounds to the Anti-national Society, forty-seven. against the grant fifty-three, and it must afford satisfac ion to every liberal mind, that the new scheme of illiberality has been hus defeated. gentry of the coun ie attended, and in all the same sprit of liberality was manifested. Au iliary Bible Surienes. were founded, and the members of the different sects, whether established or not, concured in the great dein of promoting, to the utmost of their power, the diffusion of the scriptures. We rejoice in seeing the hearty concurrence of all parties in this holy object, and trust that it will produce the beneficial consequence of love to each other, and a firm union in the principles of the religion of love would resist, or they would be crushed by it. Mr. Dixon declared, that the establishment was a most tender mother to all descriptions of people, and he would defy any one to shew that it had ever evinced a persecuting spirit. The speaker forgot the persons burned in the reigns of Edward the Sixth, condemned to the stake in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, burned in the reign of James the First, and the punishments inflicted on nonconformists in the reigns of Charles I. and II Mr Blundell was astonished at the insensibility of the clergy of the establishment to the edu- The established sect has met with cation of the poor, and did not know of any more defeats. The victory obtained at thing done by the new society, e cept Cambridge, by the Bible Society, has raising subscriptions: whereas Lancas- been followed up by similar tmphs in ter had educated thirty thousand child- other places Meetings have been called ren, before he applied for assistance. and numerously attended at HuntingMr. Pearsall read a letter from Newport, don, Buckingh m Betford Hertford, stating that the children of Dissenters at hich the principal nobility and at the Bellian school there, were not perm ted to accompany their parents to the places of religious worship of their own persuasion Alderman Birch expressed his surprise at the question: What was the national religion? The constitution of the country had inter woven the established sect with the state, not that the sect should be political, but that the state should be religious. The court therefore ought not to assist in the education of the poor of any sect, except that which is established by law, and he begged the members of that court to consider, that they sa In the corpo But the Dissenters have cause of al rm rat on as members of the established sect. from another quarter, and the Toleration Mr Waithman considered the new plan Act will be of litle use to te if the to have originated in no other motive interpretation that has been gencia ly than opposition to Lancaster, and the acted upon for the last hundred years, cry of the church being in danger, was should be sup reded by one, which raised to assist this grand cause If after this generation, will leave them they succeeded in beating down Joseph entirely without ministers. It is now Lancaster, he did not know, what would advanced hat a minister, previously to become of the funds: but he believed the receiving of his licence, should have the country would hear little more about a certificate signed by certain members the National Society. Churchmen saw of a con regarion, signify.ng that he is no danger in universal ignorance. but their approved minister. but according were quite alarmed at any education, to the system of Dissenters, and a very except in their own religious doctrines, proper system it is, a man i not settled Every man in the community was en- a minister, till he has een approved of titled to his fair chance of rising by his by the cong eat on. Ho then can the merit, but this chance was withheld, if congregation approve of him, un ess the firs: rudiments of education were they hear him and if they sign this denied to him. The number of Dissenters approbation, they bear witness, ththe was owing to the carelessness of the has preached without a licence, that is, has clergy, for who would risk an ague in a offended the law, on which these licences cold church, to be set asleep by the are founded. The ques ion will be ardrowsy discourse of a preacher without gued in this and other cases and judg energy or talent? Preachers of energy ment given next term, at which time the Dissenters will know the ground and bring them to a better temper in this they stand on, and we should suppose great question. Mr. Kirwan, on the cause take such measures as the case requires, being given against him, was not appreand the liberality of the times will not hended, but permitted to be at large, think inexpedient. The established sect and, when brought up for judgment, a disavows persecution; of course they can- trifling fine was imposed upon him, and not countenance a measure, that would he was released. The judges in passing deprive their brethren of other sects of sentence spoke with great asperity: but teachers. This would be a refinement the main point is se tled, and as governof persecution, which has escaped the ment has withdrawn all the other prosesagacity of former times, and would cutions, and the Catholics are still at render toleration nugato y: and the more liberty to present petitions from their we think of it, the more are we impressed several districts, we do not see why with the solemn words of our Saviour, they may not continue their exertions 'My kingdom is not of this world;' it within the limits allowed to them; and cannot be upheld by its rules of politics, the cause of liberality has not lost any nor destroyed by its censures or persecution. thing by this conflict. Indeed, as one verdict was for them, and one against them, neither party has cause of triumph over the other if they wish to triumph, let them do it, by shewing which can give up the most to the other, which can most prove themselves to be Christians, by possessing most of that temper, which was in Christ, our common Lord and Saviour. But difficulties arise, it seems, in the Establishment, and recourse is had to temporal jurisdictions on the subject of their ministers. A gentleman, supposed to be of the evangelical persuasion, has been elected into a lectureship, to which it seems the confirmation of the bishop is necessary. In this case it has been denied, the prelate declaring, that he The Regent is now without restrictions. cannot conscientiously approve of him, The situation in which he was to be and the object of the motion was to com- placed, occasioned much discussion, and pel the bishop to give satisfactory rea- the great question was, Is there to be a sons for this refusal. With this the change of ministry? Time has proved court would not comply, and the elected the conjectures of the Opposition, as they minister has one resource left in laying are called, to be fallacious; and Mr. his complaint before the archbishop. Perceval is still prime minister. A sort A court of law would indeed be curiously of negotiation was entered into, through employed in sifting the merits of a knotty point of divinity, in which the bishop and the priest chance to disagree. But much is to be said on both sides of this singular case. The bishop is to look to the edification of his flock, and though preaching, in his opinion erroneous, may be approved of by a congregation, his pious cares will be employed, that they should have better instruction. As the making of priests and deacons rests with the bishops, their superintending care seems equally requisite after they are made but such difficulties could not occur in a community, framed on the plan of the gospel, where the idea of going to law on the nature of their own officers would seem as strange as did to Paul the application to Pagan tribunals on differences between Christians. The Catholic Question is at rest for a time in Ireland. The government has gained its point, in the conviction of one person under the Convention Act, and has used its superiority in a manner, which we hope will conciliate all parties, the mediation of the Duke of York, between the Prince and the lords Grey and Grenville, and the letter of the Prince to the Duke, and that of the lords to him in reply, have been published. The lords conceived, that they could not take part in the administration, under or with the present minister, and the Prince's letter manifested such sentiments with respect to Ireland and Spain, as rendered it not very expedient for these lords to be in the cabinet. Marquis Wellesley has however resigned, but there seems to be little likelihood of a change of measures. The Prince had scarcely taken his independent seat in the council, when there was a rumour of peace with Sweden, and overtures were said to have arrived to this purpose. Such a proposition was not unlikely to come at the time it did, as it might suit the purpose of the great Ruler of the Continent, to make an ap plication, when a change in the councils of the sovereign was to be expected. The quarter, from which it comes, may |