1823, Feb. 20, at Madeira, JOHN SOLLY, second son of ISAAC SOLLY, Esq. aged 22.

March 29, at his Lodge, in Downing College, Cambridge, EDWARD CHRISTIAN, Esq., Chief Justice of the Isle of Ely, and Professor of the Laws of England in the University of Cambridge.

19th inst., at Brixton, Mr. LINDSAY BOWRING, aged 28, an amiable and excellent young man, who was deservedly held in the highest esteem by the numerous members of his family, and by all his connexions. It may be remarked, as another of the many coincidences that strikingly manifest the vanity of human life, that he had given his name as one of the Stewards of the Christian Tract Society Anniversary, and that when the meeting was held, he was a corpse. This melancholy event was alluded to at the meeting, and a just tribute of respect was paid to the memory of the deceased.

At Cirencester, at a very advanced age, Mrs. KIMBER. The qualities which most distinguished this excellent lady were integrity, benevolence and piety. Her integrity appeared in every transaction of her life. She uniformly acted from principle, from a sense of duty, from a regard to right. The fine tender feeling of honour which she possessed, gave a dignity to her mind and an independence to her conduct, such as are seldom witnessed in the world. Of the integrity of her religious principle she gave a remarkable proof about fifteen years ago, when, in consequence of the Unitarian Meetinghouse at Fairford having been given up to the Independents, she left the town and a large circle of friends, and removed to Cirencester, where she could worship God, even the Father, in a manner more congenial to her views and feelings. Her benevolence shewed itself both in her spirit and her conduct. She wished well to all, thought the best of every one, and put the most charitable construction on every action.

If

any

66

impartial, it was disinterested, it was generous. Meek herself as a child, and humble as a saint, she regarded not the distinctions which pride and vanity make shred of the same frail texture, and, among mortals. She considered all as a therefore, meriting her equal love. She bestowed her charity without regard to persons, and almost without regard to character;" for e'en her failings leaned to virtue's side,"-it was sufficient for her that an object wanted relief, and she could give it. But her benevolence was not quite impartial; for she certainly leaned towards the poor, the distressed, and those who had none to help them. Many such in her neighbourhood are now mourning her loss; and well they may, for her place will not soon be supplied. Her charity was disinterested: what she gave, she gave for the object's sake, and not for any private gratification or show of vanity. Her right hand knew not what her left hand did. She never liked to be thanked for any kindness she bestowed, much less did she ever mention it herself. "To do good," she used to say, was a duty in which there was no merit." Moreover, her charity was generous, and what is a remarkable fact, her generosity increased with her years. To form an idea of this excellent quality, it was necessary to witness its effects. Her liberal hand extended itself as far as it could. And it is but justice to add, that the recipients of her bounty were not ungrateful, if a devout attendance at her grave, and many tears and expressions of regret, can be considered indicative of the feelings of the heart. Of her piety much might be said, but it is unnecessary after such an exhibition of its fruits; for her philanthropy sprung from its legitimate source, love to God. general it may be observed, that her piety was an habitual feeling, and not an occasional impulse, or formal observance. It was a disposition of soul which softened down all her thoughts and feelings to one continued flow of devotion-to a constant expression of gratitude and praise to the Giver of all good. It was her practice to trace every blessing and mercy, every comfort and convenience, every pleasing thought and holy feeling, to the Great Origin of all things, even her God and Father. She saw God in every thing, aud every thing in God. She believed and she felt that all circumstances and events were under the controul of a wise and gracious Providence. Hence her constant

thing, she was too charitable in her feelings, which led her sometimes to administer pity where censure would have been more just. Of the benevolence of her actions, or what is more commonly termed charity, or alms-giving, it is almost impossible to speak too highly. It was

In

prayer was, "Thy will, O God, not mine be done." But though her piety was thus pure and elevated, so as almost not to need any adventitious aid, yet she was a great advocate for public worship and family devotions. Her last effort, and a painful one it was to leave her home, was to attend her usual place of worship. With respect to family prayer, she uniformly practised it in her own house, and evidently with great seriousness and ardour; and she often lamented the

lightness with which it was regarded by many families who make a public profession of religion-who perform the duty but once or twice a week, and not even then if at all inconvenient. In a word, the piety of this excellent lady was of the most elevated character, and such as, no doubt, gained her the favour of her God, and qualified her for a seat among the blessed in heaven. During her illness, which was short, but very painful, she was perfectly resigned to the will of God. She softly sunk in the arms of death, without a murmur or a sigh.

Lately, in Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury, aged 54, the Rev. WILLIAM BINGLEY, F.L.S., author of "Animal Biography," and of several other ingenious works of natural history. Mr. B. was brought up in the law; but prospects of promotion led him to exchange this profession for that of the church. He

devoted his leisure from his early years to the study of natural history, and was beginning to acquire a solid reputation at the time when he was cut off by a short illness. He wrote for many years the Monthly Reports of Natural History for the Monthly Magazine, dated from Christ Church, where he then performed parochial duty.

Lately, in Covent Garden, aged 64, Mr. WILLIAM PLAYFAIR, long known to the public as a political and statistical writer, and as a miscellaneous editor. He was the elder brother of the late Pro-` fessor John Playfair, of Edinburgh.

Death Abroad.

1822, Aug. 22, at Serampore, by an attack of the cholera morbus, KISHUN PALL, the first idolatrous Hindoo in Bengal, who was converted to the Protestant faith. He was baptized by Dr. Carey, in the Ganges, in the year 1800, and throughout a Christian profession of more than twenty years, proved how well-suited Christianity is to elevate the Hindoo character. He has left a widow, four daughters, and eleven grandchildren. He was beloved and respected in life, and was followed by his relations and numerous friends to the grave. He died full of Christian hope and joy.-Calcutta Journal.

DOMESTIC.

Anniversary of the Opening of the Unitarian Meeting-House, Moor Lane, Bolton.

THE First Anniversary of the opening of the Unitarian Meeting House, Moor Lane, Bolton, was held on Easter Sunday and Monday, March 30th and 31st. There were individuals present from Blackburne, Bury, Chowbent, Cockey Moor, Congleton, Dob Lane, Dukinfield, Haslingden, Hindley, Liverpool, Macclesfield, Manchester, Mellor, Monton, Newchurch Rossendale, Ormskirk, Padiham, Park Lane, Preston, Rivington, Rochdale, Southport, St. Helens, Stand, Tildesley, Walmesley, Warrington, Wigan, &c. The morning service was introduced by the Rev. Thomas Madge, of Norwich; and the Rev. Dr. Philipps, of Sheffield, delivered an admirable sermou, strongly enforcing a steady adherence to Christian principle in spite of every obstacle, an

union of heart and soul, and the strict observance of Christian practice, as the only sure foundations of the prosperity of a religious society, and of human happiness. The Doctor's text was Philip. i. 27:"Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ; that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries." In the afternoon, the Rev. T. Madge conducted the whole service, and preached an eloquent and argumentative discourse, On the Right and Duty of fearless Inquiry, and of a bold Declaration of Truth, from 1 Peter iii. 16. In the evening, the Rev. Joseph Marriott, of Liverpool, took the devotional part of the worship, and the Rev. Dr. Philipps preached from Psalm lxxxvi. 5, and Psalm ciii. 11, very ably vindicating and illustrating the free, unpurchased grace and mercy of God.

On Monday, a public dinner of the members and friends of the congregation was held in the Cloth Hall. Dr. Philipps (in consequence of the illness of the Rev. George Harris) kindly presided, and Mr. Joseph Best, of Rose Hill, was the Vice

President. Two hundred and thirtyseven persons, male and female, sat down to dinner; which number was increased to nearly four hundred after dinner by

the admission of other members of the

society. Various sentiments were given, which drew forth animated speeches from Dr. Philipps, Messrs. Makin, Brandreth, F. B. Wright, Revs. Joseph Marriott and T. Madge, and Messrs. H. Clarke, F. Boardman, W. Duffield, Berry, and P. Smith, Jun. The congregation were congratulated on the success which has attended the efforts of the minister and members during the year, in which period they have established SundaySchools, a Benevolent Society for the

Sick and Poor of the Congregation, a Library, and a Class Meeting for Religious Conference; and have paid off more than £500 of the debt on the Meeting House. On the health of the Rev. George Harris being given, the following Resolution was proposed, and carried by acclamation :

Resolved, "That the warmest thanks of this Meeting be given to the Rev. George Harris, for his valuable and unwearied services both in this town and the county at large; we beg to assure him of our sympathy in his present affliction, aud of our fervent wishes for his speedy restoration to health, and to the exercise of his ministerial functions in the temple of our God and Father."

In the evening there was another religious service in the Meeting-House. The Rev. Robert Cree, of Preston, engaged in prayer, and the Rev. T. Madge, from John i. 46, gave an unanswerable reply to the common and prevailing objections to the Unitarian Christian doctrine. The religious services were all well attended, and the collection towards the liquidation of the debt on the Meeting-House amounted to £55. 17s. 10d.

On Tuesday the Sunday Scholars, educated by the congregation, to the number of one hundred and sixteen, dined together in the Cloth Hall; they were at tended by their teachers and others, and nearly two hundred persons sat down to the tables; the Rev. R. Cree in the Chair. Various addresses were made by Rev. R. Cree, and Messrs. D. Shaw, Brandreth, E. Seddon, R. Scowcroft and E. Makin; and the afternoon was spent in a truly edifying and rational manner.

S.

Somerset and Dorset Unitarian
Association.

On Tuesday, April 1st, the Half-Yearly Meeting of the Somerset and Dorset Unitarian Association was held at Bridgand evening, were performed by the Rev. water. The religious services, morning S. Fawcett, D. Hughes and G. B. Wawne. It was resolved that the next Meeting should be held at Crewkerne, on which occasion the Society have reason to hope for the advantage of Mr. Fawcett's services as their preacher. The plan adopted last year for the circulation of cheap and the Committee have resolved to distracts has met with geueral approbation, tribute this year Mr. Wright's Essay on Repentance, (one of the "Christian Tracts,") and, if possible, to procure the publication, in a separate form, of a part senters, viz. that part in which the prinof Mr. Aspland's Plea for Unitarian Disciples of Unitarianism are admirably ex

hibited both in contrast with the Articles of the Church of England, and in the words of Scripture.

G. B. W.

Southern Unitarian Tract and Fund Societies.

THE Southern Unitarian Tract and Southern Unitarian Fund Societies, held their Annual Meetings at Portsmouth, on the 2d of April. The Rev. William Stevens, late of Newport, preached in the morning before the Tract Society, at the General Baptist Chapel, from Luke iii. 5, 6. He took a review of the obstacles which Unitarian sentiments have to encounter, and of those favourable circumstances which indicate their ultimate success. The preacher observed, that it might on superficial consideration be expected that doctrines so benign, rational and scriptural need only be aunounced, to meet with general acceptance; but when we look at the nature and antiquity of prevalent errors, the firm hold they have taken on men's minds, and the dependence of one false dogma on others, so that the inquirer shrinks with horror from the consequences which may follow from removing any part of the fabric, we shall have more cause for gratulation than disappointment. Pride, interest, the influence of national establishments, and the mistaken and calumnious reports of Unitarianism given by its adversaries, were pointed out as other powerful obstacles. Under the last-mentioned head, Mr. S. observed,

"There is no subject upon which there is a more extravagant misunderstanding. As it comes from the lips of our opponents, is resounded from every pulpit, repeated