which he performed his archiepiscopal functions. With the exception of the Roman Catholic question, the Archbishop was a decided friend to all the measures proposed in his day for the relief of conscience. The Dissenters have been indebted to him for his conciliatory and liberal conduct on several occasions, and particularly on Lord Sidmouth's abortive bill and the recent abolition of the Sacramental Test. One denomination of the Dissenters, the Unitarians, must ever remember the part he took with regard to them with gratitude and respect: he mainly contributed to the success of the measure brought forward by Mr. Smith for abolishing the penal statutes against the impugners of the doctrine of the Trinity; and he was from first to last decidedly friendly to the Unitarian Marriage Bill.-His Grace was no favourer of the Evangelical party in the Church, and is said to have opposed strenuously the elevation of Dr. Ryder, the brother of Lord Harrowby, now Bishop of Litchfield. He married early in life a lady of the name of Thornton, by whom he had a numerous family. The present Speaker of the House of Commons is his eldest son, and one of his daughters is the lady of Dr. Percy, late Dean of Canterbury, now Bishop of Carlisle. Another daughter is the wife of the Rev. Charles Croft, Archdeacon of Canterbury. We know not that his Grace was an author, even in his immediate profession. He spoke rarely in Parliament, and only on subjects connected with the Church: his speeches were short, but happily expressed and impressively delivered. Of late years, when age gave to his fine form and sonorous voice peculiar dignity, he admirably sustained in the House of Lords the character of the Father of his Church.

INTELLIGENCE.

SIR,

NOTTINGHAM SOCIAL MEETING.

THE advantages of social union and of meetings for friendly converse are so obvious and so numerous, that it is matter of surprise and regret that Unitarians generally are so negligent of them. While other classes of Dissenters have their week-day meetings and Friendly Societies, and are ever ready to exercise the social affections and to commune one with another, it is the just reproach of Unitarians, that they neglect these important auxiliaries for the spread of truth, and appear to be unconscious of the solid advantages derivable from regular intercourse with each other, and from frequent discussion of the great truths of their religion, as well as from examination of the peculiar tenets of other sects, and exposure of the numerous corruptions which divide and agitate the Christian world. They know not what they lose by this neglect. The advantages

attending regular meetings of the kind alluded to, are inestimable, and such as cannot be appreciated without actual experience.

Impressed with these sentiments, a few individuals (eight in number) belonging to the Unitarian congregation in this town some time since formed themselves into a Society for the discussion of moral and religious subjects. The constitution of the Society is essentially social. The members meet alternately, on the Tuesday evening in every week, at each other's houses, where they partake of a social but strictly frugal repast after which a subject previously agreed on is discussed; and the decision thereon, after being on the next meeting night approved of by the members at large, is recorded in a book kept for the purpose, and which also contains a set of Rules, the strict observance of which and of our minor regulations is scrupulously enforced.

Previously to the commencement of the discussion, I should have said, the members join in a short prayer, which is conducted by the person at whose house we ineet, and who is also chairman for the evening. This regulation respecting prayer is found to be one of great benefit and importance.

Each member in his turn proposes a question for discussion; and each also in his turn is required to give his opinion on the subject discussed. The Monthly Repository is taken (the Reformer being separately taken by nearly all the members), and occasionally any other book which it may be agreed on to procure. We also celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of our society; when, after dining together, our proceedings during the year are read over; a Secretary chosen; the books sold to the best bidder; and other business transacted. These occasions we find furnish ample materials for social and intellectual enjoyment. All expenses are of course defrayed by equal contributions; and, as our proceedings are regulated by a strict regard to economy, they are but trifling; while, as I before hinted, the advantages have been found to be greater than had ever been anticipated-I am justified in saying they are numerous and inestimable.

We have now had the experience of nearly two years; during which time, as may be supposed, a variety of subjects have been discussed: the result of which is, a firm conviction that such meetings, if properly conducted, must be attended with certain improvement, not only in knowledge, but in temper and disposition. We have long regretted that similar societies are not more common among all classes of Dissenters; and it is this latter feeling, Sir, which is the cause of my now addressing you, conceiving it to be our duty to do what we can towards promoting the formation of other like societies, and knowing no better means of doing so than through the medium of the Christian Reformer, whose readers we are willing to believe

possess the disposition to improve their knowledge and to add to their sources of intellectual enjoyment and social and rational pleasure.

At a recent meeting the following Resolution was passed :"That the Secretary be requested to draw up and forward to the Christian Reformer, an account of the origin and constitution of our Society, accompanied with an exhortation to its readers to consider of and act upon it;" and it is in conformity with the unanimous desire of the members that I now, solicit your assistance, Sir, (by giving insertion to this paper,) towards the furtherance of our object, being convinced that your concurrence will not be wanting.—We are satisfied that real and substantial good must result from the establishment of societies of the same kind as the one I have been describing.

I will gladly furnish a copy of our Rules, with other useful particulars, to any who may apply for them (letters, it is needless to say, must be post paid); or to your valuable Reformer, if desired.* I may be allowed to say in conclusion, that I know it will be a source of great gratification to the members of the Nottingham Tuesday Evening Society, if they should be the means of the establishment of but one other society like their own, as they will feel that they have thus done something towards promoting the great cause of truth and righteousness. HENRY MOORE, Secretary. '

Nottingham, June 6, 1828.

SOUTHERN UNITARIAN SOCIETY.

The Annual Meeting of the Southern Unitarian Society was held at Poole on Wednesday, the 25th of June, when a sermon was preached in the morning by the Rev. Robert Kell, of Birmingham, from 2 Cor. ix. 2; and in the evening a lecture was delivered by the Rev. Russell Scott, from Mark iv. 26, 29. Between thirty and forty persons dined together on the occasion; Abraham Clarke, Esq., of Newport, in the chair. Amongst other topics of discussion connected with civil and religious liberty, much satisfaction was expressed that in "King's College, London," about to be established under the patronage of the Church of England, no subscription to articles of faith would be required as a ground of admission to its benefits.

UNITARIAN

TRACT SOCIETY ESTABLISHED IN BIRMINGHAM FOR WARWICKSHIRE AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTIES.

THE Twenty-second Annual General Meeting of this Society was held at Kidderminster, on Wednesday, July 9. The Rev. J. R. Wreford, of Birmingham, introduced the religious services,

* A copy of the Rules would be acceptable. Ed.

and the Rev. Edward Bristow, of the same place, delivered an appropriate and instructive discourse from the latter clause of Romans vi 23, in which he ably exposed some popular errors concerning the effects of the death of Christ, and proved that the salvation of man is accomplished by the free, unpurchased mercy of God.

At the close of the religious services, George Talbot, Jun:, Esq., was called to the chair, and the usual business was transacted. A very satisfactory account of the state of the society was given. The number of subscribers is upwards of two hundred.

About thirty members and friends of this Association dined together in the Assembly Room. Many gentlemen addressed the meeting. The recent repeal of the laws affecting Protestant Dissenters was a topic of much interest, and tended in no inconsiderable degree to heighten the enjoyment of the day. A lively feeling prevailed and was expressed in behalf of all men (and especially of our Roman Catholic fellow-subjects) who are sufferers for conscience' sake; and the complete establishment of civil and religious liberty was fondly anticipated and regarded as a consummation devoutly to be wished."

66

J. R. W.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTH WALES UNITARIAN SOCIETY.

THIS Annual Meeting was held at Swansea, on Wednesday, the 9th of July. In the morning, divine service was performed at the Unitarian chapel of which the Rev. R. Awbrey is minister. The Rev. Dr. Rees took the devotional part: the Rev. J. James, of Gellionen, preached the Welsh sermon, and the Rev. R Aspland, of Hackney, the English. The business of the Society was transacted in the chapel after service, Dr. Rees in the chair. It was agreed to request Mr. Aspland to print his sermon in explanation of Unitarianism and in vindication of Unitarians, and it was understood that, in the event of his compliance, it should be translated into the Welsh language. The members and their friends dined together at the Mackworth Arms, being upwards of one hundred in number, and receiving a large accession of visitors after dinner. Mr. Aspland was called to the chair. The usual topics were brought before the meeting, and various speeches were made both in Welsh and English. The following gentlemen addressed the chair:-Mr. Awbrey, Mr. James, Mr. Rowland, the Treasurer, Dr. Rees, Mr. Davison, of Jewin Street, London, Mr. Esdaile and Mr. Yallowley, also of London, and Mr. G. Thomas, of Carmarthen. There was a religious service in the evening, when the Rev. W. Bowen, of Coventry, offered up the prayers, and the Rev. P. Davison, of London, preached. The congregation, both morning and evening, was full and respectable.

PROPOSED NEW UNITARIAN CHAPEL AT DEVONPORT.

Ar a meeting of the friends of Unitarian Christianity in Devonport, held June 8th, 1828, for the purpose of taking into consideration the erection of a chapel, the following resolutions were agreed to unanimously:

1. That this meeting approve of the conduct of the Congregational Committee in purchasing the lease of a piece of ground, situate in Granby Street, for the purpose of building a chapel for Unitarian Christian worship.

2. That as an active spirit of religious inquiry now prevails in this town and neighbourhood, which has been excited by our having kept open a room for public worship, on Sunday mornings and evenings, during the last eight years and a half, and by the free circulation of the books and tracts belonging to our Congregational Library, it is the decided opinion of this meeting, that the erection of a neat chapel, as early as possible, would essentially conduce to the further extension of unadulterated truth, especially as we are liable to be deprived of the room we occupy at a quarter's notice, and in this case, there is no other eligible place in the town in which we could assemble to worship the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. That the best means for effecting this object, is, in the first place, to try what can be done among ourselves, either by donations of money or personal labour, and afterwards to solicit the aid of our friends in this neighbourhood.

4. That as the Rev. Israel Worsley, of Plymouth, is about to visit different parts of the kingdom, he be respectfully requested to solicit contributions for this purpose from those congregations and individuals who are favourably disposed to our cause.

5. That as it might prove injurious to be burthened with a heavy debt, it would be desirable to ascertain what sum it is probable we shall be able to raise before we commence building.

6. That Messrs. Brooking, Hoggett, Perkins, Gould, and J. Martin, be requested to act as a Building Committee, and to procure as early as possible an estimate of the expense.

7. That Mr. John White be appointed Treasurer, and that he be requested to wait on our friends in Devonport, Plymouth and Stonehouse, to solicit their assistance in furtherance of the object of this meeting.

Signed,

SYLVANUS GIBBS,
Chairman.

At a subsequent meeting it was resolved, that a printed circular, containing a statement of the case, be immediately forwarded to different parts of the kingdom.

It should be understood that the erection of a chapel in this populous town is not now a mere speculation; the cause having had a fair trial, and proceeded with increasing success, upwards of eight years. The members of the society are all decided Unitarians, and are anxious to witness a more extensive diffu