to go free, however, there can be no quarrel with the government for consigning books, written and printed at their own expense, and which they consequently possessed a full right to issue or withhold at their own pleasure, either to the fire or the fortress. Some perhaps may feel inclined to ask why I did not come forward at the meeting to express the sentiments, and to put the questions, which I now take the liberty of addressing, through you, to Dr. Paterson. I regret, gentlemen, on some accounts, that I was not present at the meeting in question, having, in consequence of particular engagements, deferred my attendance to the adjourned meeting in the evening. On some accounts, I say, for I do not wish to conceal that my want of facility as a public speaker would have rendered it to me a peculiarly painful duty to address the meeting, especially on a subject respecting which the sentiments of many of those present might not improbably have been at variance with my own. I rejoice to know, however, that some of my respected fellow-townsmen, whose opinions on theological subjects differ most widely from mine, coincide with me, nevertheless, in a decided objection to the introduction of controverted questions in theology, directly or indirectly, at meetings of the Bible Society, and in a disapproval of that particular part of Dr. Paterson's speech, on which I have thought it my duty to animadvert. In conclusion, let me express my best wishes for the prosperity and success of the Leeds Auxiliary Bible Society, of which I have long been a well-affected, and would not have refused, had the managing committee thought my services desirable, to have been a more active member: but it is well known that the majority of that committee-for there are exceptions which some will perhaps agree with me in thinking honourable, and others will deem the contrary-are not desirous of recognizing, though they cannot absolutely disclaim, the connexion of Unitarians with their body, and though they do not think it necessay to immure our subscriptions "in a fortress." Their scruples, whether well or ill-founded, wise or weak, are (I doubt not) conscientious. I feel no hostility to them, therefore, nor yet the slightest diminution of goodwill to the society at large, the welfare of which I shall always rejoice to hear of, and, when I have the power, to promote. I am, Gentlemen, with respect, very truly yours, JOSEPH HUTION.

OBITUARY.

1828. May 10, of the cholera morbus, at his house near Calcutta, Mr. WM. TATE, Attorney at law, in his 36th year, eldest son of Mr. Isaac Tate of Virgil street, Liverpool.

This gentleman was educated at the school belonging to the Unitarian congregation, Paradise street, Liverpool. As similar instances of gratitude and affection are rare, it was thought by some of the patrons of the school that it might be useful to give publicity to the following sketch of his character drawn on the occasion of his funeral sermon. The subject of the discourse was the increase of Jesus in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and Man. It was thus concluded:

*

"I have been led to this train of thought by an event similar to those of which we have lately witnessed so many, the death of one who formerly belonged to this Society. And I have addressed my discourse principally to you, children, who are now scholars in Manesly Lane School, because he also received his education there. It may serve to impress upon your minds the great advantages you enjoy, and induce you to improve them as you ought. He was a remarkable instance of success in his worldly concerns, having risen from the humble station in which he was born, to the head of his profession in a large and opulent city. But it is not to the circumstance of his success that I wish to call your attention, but to the means by which he obtained, and the manner in which he employed, his gains.

"He appears from the first, both at school and afterwards to have manifested the most persevering industry. The master of the school at that time ventured to predict his future success from his incessant application. During his apprenticeship (though in full occupation through the day) he often employed his extra hours in his master's service. In a letter written four years ago he says, 'After I believe 20 years of uninterrupted fagging at the desk, I am now beginning to taste the sweets of life.' And in another of the same date, he says that after being compelled to work at his desk from six in the morning till ten at night, he should shortly be enabled to return to his native town.'

"Of his affectionate attachment to his parents and his dutiful remembrance of them as soon as he could manifest it by his conduct, he shall speak for himself: 'I feel bound and every way inclined to impart to you some of the riches which I am beginning to possess, in the hope that your latter days may be

*Three in one week.

He was "confessedly" the leading attorney in Calcutta.

These extracts are taken from two very interesting letters written in Nov. 1824, soon after he became head of the firm, one to his mother, the other to the Rev. John Yates, his former minister.

pleasantly and comfortably spent. Your extreme attention and kindness to my sisters and brothers as well as myself can never be forgotten. I now therefore enclose you a bill for 1007., and you may expect a like sum every year. His feelings of gratitude for the education he had received at the school he thus expresses: 'It is impossible that I should ever forget the school in which I was educated, or the names of those from whom I received the rudiments of my education. Having it now in my power to contribute towards its funds, I beg to apprize you that henceforth I shall be an annual subscriber of 5 guineas." This has been followed up by a bequest which will be the means of enabling many more children to receive similar benefits from the school.

"His attachment to his religious principles, and attention to the discharge of his public religious duties, he manifested, by seeking out such places of worship on his quitting Liverpool, as he could conscientiously join, and where he could worship God in full simplicity and sincerity of heart, and by encouraging and promoting the establishment of true religion and genuine Christianity abroad.§

"He certainly received in this world one of the rewards to be expected from the acquisition of religious wisdom, the favour of man. Obtaining recommendations from one employer to another he advanced step by step, securing friends, so that since his death his executors state, that there was not a man in the city more respected for his generous and benevolent qualities.

"What increase or what progress he made in the favour of his God, is not for man to say. God alone knew the secrets of

This allowance he was enabled afterwards greatly to augment, as will appear from the following extract from a letter written to his mother in August 1826. "It is my wish that you should take a house out of town, and with my unmarried sisters live retired and enjoy the best means of obtaining health. Nothing can now prevent my allowing you about 2007. or 2507. a year, unless Providence should interfere in a more especial manner than in taking away my life. But of Providence we cannot utter a word of suspicion." In 1827 he sent his parents 3007.

+ At the beginning of the present year he sent 10 guineas as his intended future subscription, viz. ♬ in his own name, 3 in his father's and 2 in his brother's.

He has left it a legacy of 500%.

§"One of the greatest pleasures I have experienced here, is in having been enabled to contribute handsomely towards the salary of the Rev. Mr. W. Adam, an able and a pious man, and whose name in conjunction with that of Rammohun Roy, an exceedingly zealous Unitarian, must now be well known to you. Most assuredly Rammohun Roy is the most wonderful man, his country at least has ever produced." He has left in his will, to his "esteemed friend" Rammohun Roy £100 to be applied to the benefit of his School,

his heart. But if his secret thoughts and private actions corresponded with his public conduct (which there is no reason to doubt), then must the consciousness of the Divine favour even here, have been to him in the midst of his occupations, and in the absence of all his relations and early friends, an ever present source of supreme gratification. And now he is gone to experience it in full perfection, unmixed with earthly alloy."

INTELLIGENCE.

BOLTON DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.

THE Fifth Half-Yearly Meeting of the Bolton Dictrict Association was held at Cockey Moor, on Thursday, September 30. The Rev. W. Allard, of Bury, undertook the devotional services to the great satisfaction of his brethren, who felt happy to observe him so much restored after his long and severe indisposition. The Rev. J. Ragland, of Hindley, preached from the words of Matthew (xii. 9), " And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue." From the incident thus recorded the Preacher inferred that Christ had been trained to a habit of attendance on public worship, and hence took occasion to urge on the guardians of children the duty of accustoming them, at an early age, to the same religious practice. His observations on the advantages which attend it, both in a moral and social point of view, were characterized by much good sense and feeling.

Having dismissed this part of his subject, the Preacher addressed himself to the conduct of Christ on this and similar occasions; in developing which, he took occasion to point out that union of prudence, with wisdom, firmness, and zeal, which characterised all the efforts made by Christ to regenerate the moral condition of mankind. From this view of our Lord's conduct were adduced some appropriate reflections on the spirit which should actuate Christians, in the present day, in carrying forward the work thus auspiciously begun of removing prejudice and error, and diffusing truth, piety, and charity.

Mr. Robert Heywood, of Bolton, presided during the proceedings of the afternoon. The Rev. F. Knowles, of Park Lane, was appointed to conduct the devotional services at Hindley, where the next Meeting of the Association will be held, on the last Thursday of April in the ensuing year.

SOMERSET AND DORSET UNITARIAN SOCIETY.

THE half-yearly meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday se'nnight, at Dampret-yard Chapel, Bridgewater. The Rev. T. W. Horsfield, F.S.A., of Taunton, delivered a most impressive discourse, from 1 Tim. i. ver. 5; and the Rev. R. Cree, of Bridport, in the evening, on the faith of God's Elect, from Titus i. ver. 1, 2-The highly respectable members of this

Association afterwards dined at the Globe Inn, where a most excellent dinner was provided by Mr. Jeffreys.—Bristol Mirror, Oct. 4.

NORTHIAM DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.

THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Northiam, on Wednesday, October 22. Mr. Taplin, of Battle, introduced the service, and Mr. Talbot, of Tenterden, preached an interesting discourse from Ephesians iii. 8: "The unsearchable riches of Christ." After the service the friends adjourned to an inn, where they took tea. After tea Mr. Taplin was called to the chair; he was supported by Mr. Edwards, Sen. as VicePresident. Considerable interest was excited by the observations made on Catholic Emancipation, it being on the eve of the important Kent Meeting. The Chairman observed, that he hoped no Dissenter would desert his post on that day; that the promoters of the meeting were the opposers of the repeal of the Test Act, and enemies to liberty in every shape, and therefore it was the imperative duty, of Unitarian Dissenters especially, to rally round the standard of freedom on Penenden Heath, there to uphold, with heart and voice, those sacred principles which would emancipate not only Catholics, but, Protestants also. Messrs. Talbot and Edwards combated the arguments against Emancipation in an able and energetic manner: Mr. Grove also made allusion to the subject, and intimated that the uneducated among the Unitarians were hostile to concession. The Chairman warmly refuted this charge, observing that he presided over a congregation which consisted chiefly of the class to which reference had been made by the last speaker, and that he had lately conversed with them on the subject, and found them, to a man, friendly to emancipation. He could also assure the meeting that Petitions to both Houses of Parliament, praying for concession were now preparing by the Battle Congregation. Mr. Blundell addressed the meeting on various subjects connected with religious truth, piety, charity, and liberty, with his usual good sense and Christian feeling, as did also Mr. Hanson. About half-past eight the Meeting broke up. N. C.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Communications have been received from Mr. R. Mills; W. R.; J. Groves; and A Friend to Religious Meetings.

We have received from a friend the Leeds Mercury containing Dr. Paterson's reply to Dr. Hutton's letter inserted in the present number. This we shall give, with remarks, in our next.

On Sunday, the 16th inst., died at Meersbrook, near Sheffield, in the 91st year of his age, SAMUEL SHORE, Esq., a gentleman who, during a life prolonged by a kind Providence to an unusual term, adorned his rank and fortune with every public and private virtue and every Christian grace.