5. That no speaker occupy more than fifteen minutes, except the opener of the question, who shall not be restricted to time; and no one be allowed to speak twice, until the discussion has gone round, except for the purpose of explanation. 6. That any member not being in his turn provided with a question for discussion, except illness prevent his attendance, shall be fined 6d.

7. That the chairman be allowed to choose his opportunity of delivering his sentiments on any question under discussion, without regard to the order in which he sits, and which shall regulate the turns of the other members, the proposer of the question sitting on the chairman's left.

[Rule 8 provides for a strictly frugal and economical supper.] 9. That no member, except the one at whose house the meeting is held, shall invite strangers or visitors, except with special permission.

10. That the Society take in the Monthly Repository, each member being allowed for its perusal two days in the first circulation and four days in the second circulation-the last member to return it to the secretary; and at the Anniversary Meeting, which shall be held in December, the whole of the numbers for the current year shall be sold to the best bidder.

11. That any member omitting to date in the list of circulation the time of receiving or forwarding the Monthly Repository, or any other book which it may be agreed on to procure, shall forfeit 1d.; and if he keep a book longer than the time allowed, he shall forfeit 1d. for the first day, and d. for each succeeding day.

12. That all the books in circulation be produced on each night of meeting.

13. That any member absenting himself six successive meeting nights shall be considered as having withdrawn from the Society.

14. That all expenses be defrayed by equal contributions.

NOTTINGHAM FELLOWSHIP FUND.

THE annual meeting of the Fellowship Fund Society of Nottingham was held on the 14th Sept.; and after the receipt of subscriptions due, an adjournment took place to the following afternoon, when about 120 subscribers and friends took tea together in the school-room of the High Pavement chapel, the proceedings of the past year were reported, the officers elected, a variety of useful grants made, and other business transacted. The whole afforded the highest satisfaction to those assembled on the occasion, and appeared to establish a conviction of the desirableness and importance of encouraging so rational and social a means of promoting harmony and good fellowship.

OLDBURY LECTURE.

The annual lecture at Oldbury took place on Tuesday, Sept. 9; the introductory devotional service being conducted by the Rev. James Hawkes, of Nantwich. A sermon was preached by the Rev. John Kenrick, of York, on the Preparation of the World for the Advent of the Messiah," from Matt. iii. 1 -3,-and another, by the Rev. John Cooper, of Coseley, on "Protestant Nonconformity," from Acts x. 28.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN JAMAICA.

[From the Jamaica Journal of July 27.]

A court of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas was held at the Court House, St. Ann's Bay, on Tuesday, the 8th instant, Hamilton Brown, Esq. presiding, associated with their worships John Hawthorn, Francis Rob, Samuel W. Rose, and Anthony Bury, Esqrs.

The Grand Jury being sworn in and retired, a few indictments were handed in; among others the King v. Isaac Whitehouse, a Wesleyan Methodist Missionary, for preaching without a license; a true bill being found, a bench warrant was issued accordingly for his apprehension.

Previous to the Petty Jury being empannelled, a Baptist Missionary applied by a letter (through the Deputy Clerk of the Peace) for a license to preach at Dry Harbour, which (after the Court took every thing into consideration) was very properly refused, the same gentleman being licensed to preach at St. Ann's Bay and Ocho-Rios. His worship, Mr. Brown, in as mild a manner as possible, pointed out to Mr. Bromley the evil arising from extorting money from slaves, when there was not a member throughout the island but willingly paid the Clergyman of the Church of England for instructing their slaves. Besides, the inhabitants of Dry Harbour are not very distant from Brown's Town, where there is divine service every Sunday and Wednesday; in fact, he deprecated the receiving money from slaves, in toto, as it encourages them to steal from their masters. The Rev. Protestant Baptist acknowledged that he had received money from slaves; but to prevent this, in future, very wisely suggested to their Honours to subscribe a doubloon each, to enable him to give religious instructions to the negroes. His Reverence considered the refusal of a license as illegal!

On the Clerk of the Peace consulting the Court whether a warrant would be executed on Mr. Whitehouse, the presiding Magistrate observed, By all means; that, from his refusing to act in conformity with the laws of the land, he could not be called any thing better than an outlaw.

THE

CHRISTIAN REFORMER.

No. CLXVII.] NOVEMBER, 1828.

[Vol. XIV.

THIRD ANNUAL REPORT TO THE AMERICAN UNITARIAN

ASSOCIATION, PRESENTED MAY 27, 1828.

THE third anniversary of the American Unitarian Association, was celebrated in Boston, May 27, 1828. The meeting for business was held in the vestry in Berry Street, at 6 o'clock, P. M., the President in the chair.-The proceedings at the last annual meeting having been read, a Report was offered by the Executive Committee, on certain matters referred to them at that time. From this Report it appeared, that circumstances had prevented the attendance of messengers from this Association, at the United States' Christian Conference, held last September, though several persons had been requested to perform this service. At the close of the Report it was stated, that the meeting of the Association for business was held before the public meeting, in obedience to the vote of last year; but the Committee "still regretted, that they were compelled to bring the celebration of their anniversary within the limits of a single evening, a disadvantage which they know not how to obviate, as other portions of the week are appropriated to other societies, which are unwilling to relinquish them." The Treasurer's statement of receipts and expenditures was then read. Amendments of the Constitution were proposed, agreeably to the vote of the last year, on the subject: they were separately considered and were accepted, viz.,

That the fifth article of the Constitution be so amended, that instead of the words "a Secretary," shall be read, "a Secretary for Foreign correspondence, who shall be styled the Foreign Secretary; a Secretary for correspondence within the United States, and for keeping the records of the Association, who shall be called the Domestic Secretary."

That the sixth article of the Constitution be so amended, that instead of the word " Secretary," shall be read the word "Secretaries."

The next business being the choice of officers, Mr. Moody, of Kennebunk, and Dr. Spooner, of Boston, were appointed to collect the votes. The President, Directors, Secretary, and Treasurer of the last year, were re-elected by a unanimous ballot. The Vice-Presidents of the last year, having been nominated from the chair, were unanimously re-elected.* Rev. John G. Palfrey, of Boston, was unanimously chosen Foreign Secretary by ballot.

The business being concluded, the Association adjourned at 7 o'clock, to the Federal-Street church. The house was thronged. After a voluntary on the organ, prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Porter, of Roxbury. The annual Report (now printed) was read by the Secretary. Honourable Joseph Story, of Salem, moved its acceptance, which was seconded by Joseph May, Esq., of Boston. Rev. Mr. Ware, of Boston, rose and expressed his hope that a silent vote would not be given, but that something would be said to encourage the Committee in their labours. Rev. Dr. Channing then addressed the meeting. He noticed some circumstances which seemed to him favourable indications of the character and progress of Unitarian Christianity; especially its rise among the intelligent and moral part of the community, and its reception by the poor. His remarks were appropriate and eloquent. Judge Story followed in a long and powerful speech, in which he vindicated the importance of reason, and the principles of liberty; and went into an examination of attempts recently made to abridge the exercise and enjoyment of these privileges, particularly by means of "Trust Deeds." He traced the history of this measure, portrayed its character, and exhibited the evils inseparable from it, both to the property and the mind of the citizen. He considered the language of the Constitution, and the legal consequences involved by the creation of a perpetuity. The topics on which he touched were handled with great effect, and strongly excited the interest of the audience. The question was then taken on the acceptance of the Report, and passed in the affirmative.

Rev. Dr. Thayer, of Lancaster, offered the following resolution, which he supported by some pertinent observations:

Resolved, "That the state of religious sentiment, and

* See list of Officers at the close of the Report.

the progress of religious inquiry, are such as to afford encouragement to the friends of truth."

The resolution having been seconded by Mr. F. A. Farley, of Boston, who made some remarks in its favour, was accepted.

Rev. Mr. May, of Brooklyn, (Conn.) proposed a resolution which he ably sustained. It was seconded by Rev. Mr. Sullivan, of Keene, (N. H.) who also addressed the meeting, and was adopted, viz.,

Resolved, "That the American Unitarian Association highly disapprove the spirit of acrimony and misrepresentation, which is too often discovered in the religious publications of the day."

S. Higginson, Jun., Esq., of Cambridge, presented the following resolution, which he supported by a statement of facts. Rev. Mr. Hall, of Northampton, seconded its acceptance, and spoke of the efforts which Unitarians should make for the diffusion of their faith. The resolution was accepted, viz.,

Resolved, "That the increasing demand for Unitarian preachers, calls for an increase of the means by which this demand may be supplied."

Other gentlemen who intended to speak, were prevented by the lateness of the hour. Judge Story moved, that the Report be printed, and circulated as a tract, which was voted. Rev. Mr. Ware, of Boston, proposed that a doxology be sung before the dissolution of the meeting. The Ascription, beginning "From all who dwell below the skies," was sung by the assembly, standing. A motion was then made for adjournment "sine die," and at a quarter past ten, it was voted.

Third Annual Report of the Executive Committee, read and accepted May 27, 1828.

The third annual Report which the Executive Committe now make to the members of the American Unitarian Association, will contain a brief notice of circumstances which are thought to be peculiarly interesting through their connexion with the purposes for which the Association was formed. These purposes we would repeat are the diffusion of religious truth and the increase of true religion. Our objects therefore are most effectually secured, when the mind is freed from error, and the heart is sanctified by love, when the life of the soul is cherished by the influences that come from God.

But of