have to correct the asperity of feelings and expressions which it was his misfortune to have used in his controversies with a late respectable and highly-talented individual (Dr. Priestley). Whatever degree of error there might have been in that procedure, he begged to say, that it did not arise from any disrespect to that highly-respected individual, but from what he then considered to be his duty. (Cheers.) The probability was, he might not again have an opportunity of avowing his unintentional errors; and, at the same time, of stating his conscien tious opinions. He wished also to declare his satisfaction at the liberal feelings and constitutional sentiments which had been that day expressed, and his entire concurrence with every thing that had been said in that room relative to those liberal principles which might tend to perpetuate the prosperity and happiness of the town of Birmingham. To promote those ends was their purpose in attending that day, and would be their never-ceasing endeavours. (Loud cheers.)

*

The Rev. T. CHAPMAN expressed his perfect assent to the opinions which had just been delivered, and in accordance withi those sentiments, and in that spirit of liberality, he begged to propose the health of the Dissenting Ministers of this town and neighbourhood. (Loud applause.)

The Rev. Mr. CORRIE,† in returning thanks, said, he did so with ten-fold pleasure, because he considered the toast they had given as a testimony of their possessing those liberal Christian principles which had been expressed by the clergymen on the other side the table. The spirit of religious bigotry, he hoped, was flying away, and that they should be still more and more united in the bonds of Christian charity.

The Rev. H. HUTTON ‡ felt himself called upon to express his thanks for the mark of respect which had been shewn to the Dissenting ministers of the town, and he hoped the chairman would excuse his proposing a toast, in unison with the sentiments that had been expressed, which was- -the Catholic Clergy of the town of Birmingham.

The Rev. Mr. M'DONNELLS said, that in rising on this occasion he participated in the feelings expressed by the gentle. men who had preceded him, and he also experienced sentiments which were peculiar to himself. That was the first time this toast had been proposed on occasions like the present, and he regretted that none more able than himself was there to return thanks adequate to the manner in which the toast had been given. He hailed it as the establishment of the great principle that all the members of the Christian religion are alike worthy

* A Clergyman of the Church of England.

An Unitarian Minister.

Minister of the Old Meeting (Unitarian), Birmingham. § A Catholic Priest.

of being admitted into Christian fellowship-of a system which went to destroy all difference arising from religious sentiments in the great principle of the Christian religion, which was-universal charity. (Cheers.) He was ready to enter the arena of > religious discussion, and to shew the superiority of his creed by the superior evidence of its possessing that grand principle of Christianity-universal benevolence. Difference of faith would, perhaps, exist till a late period, but it should be their duty to prove that there is one virtue common to all, which is greater than faith; and he hoped the time would come when the spirit of Christian benevolence would be universally diffused, and that they might meet hereafter and unite in one common bond of fellowship. These were the sentiments he had cherished from a child, and were entertained by all his brethren. He felt more than usual in returning thanks to the company on such an occasion, and he most heartily wished health and happiness to them all. (Loud applause.)

History of the Unitarian Congregation now building a Chapel at Radford, Nottingham.

SIR, Nottingham, February 15, 1826. THE lively and praiseworthy interest manifested by yourself and a large proportion of your readers in the spread and establishment of doctrines which you believe to be really those of the Gospel, encourage us in an endeavour, through the medium of the Reformer, to direct the attention of the Unitarian public to the situation (as set forth by himself) of a worthy and acceptable Minister, and a respectable, though small, society of Unitarians, of the lower class, in Radford, a populous village in the vicinity of Nottingham.

In the hope that his appeal to public feeling will meet with the countenance and aid which we believe that it deserves, we remain, &c.,

BENJAMIN CARPENTER,
JAMES TAYLER.

To the Rev. Benjamin Carpenter, of the High-Pavement Society, Nottingham.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

WITH respect to the rise, progress and present state of our little society at Radford, I inform you, that we were originally a society of Methodists, amongst whom I was brought up. My parents were pious members of that community; and, when I arrived at years of maturity, I joined the society from a conviction of their piety and use

fulness; and amongst them I trust I devoutly worshiped. Being accustomed to reflect upon what I heard, I soon began to doubt respecting various things advanced from the pulpit, as not being consistent with the Scriptures of divine truth. After continuing a member of the Old Connexion for some years, I joined the New, believing it to be more liberal in sentiments, and in the mode of church government. A short time after I became a member in this Connexion, I was appointed to the important office of Local Preacher, upon which high and sacred employment I entered, I trust, with a due sense of its importance, and of the conscientious manner in which it ought to be performed. Having doubts upon various subjects, especially upon the doctrine of the Trinity, and the divinity of Jesus Christ, I was led to think upon these very important subjects; being very desirous of knowing and teaching the truth as it is in Jesus. I could by no means reconcile some things that I heard upon the subject, with what I read in the Scriptures. I could not understand how Christ could be the servant of God, and yet the God he served; the Son, and yet the Father; the way to the Deity, and yet the Deity to which he led; the only Mediator between God and man, and yet to be worshiped as God without a Mediator; that he should be the appointed Heir of all things, and yet the Sovereign Proprietor; and the like. Though I saw these things to be plainly contradictory, yet, on the other hand, I found many difficulties both in reading and hearing; and such was the perplexity of my mind, that at times I was quite distressed; and in public, when I became the mouth of the congregation, the Almighty only knows what oftentimes I felt from not knowing certainly whether to address only one, or more than one, Divine Person, as I was desirous to lead the people right. In this doubtful state of mind, what had I left to do but diligently to read the Scriptures, with prayer to the Almighty for instruction? This I did, and this I wish all would do, and I doubt not but all in the end would attain to that sweet satisfaction of mind that I did. Yes; though it was a work of time, and indeed of a long time, yet the fullest conviction was the final result. Though there were passages of scripture I could not understand, nevertheless I found many more for the doctrine of the Divine Unity than against it; and, being thus far convinced, (reason and scripture uniting,) I, in the end, no longer doubted. But, oh! Sir, in vain should I attempt to describe the satisfaction

that I derived from so full a conviction upon this important subject. All my prejudices were obliged to give way to the force of divine truth. Then it was, indeed, that I worshiped God in spirit and in truth; then I did it with the understanding and the heart. From this time I became a believer in the Divine Unity, though I retained my belief in the personality of the Spirit, and the pre-existence of Jesus Christ, holding them both to be inferior to the Father, and dependent upon him. Though thus convinced, I was not inclined to quit my present connexions, being closely attached to my friends, to their mode of worship, of church government, and the like. In process of time, however, a few Unitarian books being put into my hands, I read them with attention. I cannot say that much alteration was produced in my views, but the new sentiments which I had imbibed were more fully impressed upon my mind, so that I could not sit under the preaching of Trinitarian doctrines with the same kind of feeling as I before did. As to my speaking in public, I proceeded in the same way that I had long done; for I always spoke agreeably to my sentiments, though I suppose that might not often be perceived. While my mind was in this state, I happened to hear a discourse on the subject of Redemption, in the delivery of which the preacher very emphatically said, "Yes, you are redeemed with the blood of God." Now, though this language was not entirely new to me, yet it was either uttered in a different manner, or, if not, produced an effect upon my mind different to any I had ever before experienced, so that I felt myself bound to speak to the minister upon the subject. This was a cause of my sentiments being more fully known for, though I had before sometimes spoken to some of my more particular friends upon these subjects, yet my views were not, generally, even suspected. Now, however, they were no longer concealed; nor did I wish that they should. I then little thought of the misrepresentation to which I exposed myself and my sentiments.-I had now to pass through a most fiery trial, for which I was but ill prepared. Such was the nature of my situation, that many of my dear friends I felt myself compelled to leave. I did it with the utmost deliberation, though with the most painful sensations of mind. God and my own conscience were my support under the uncharitable behaviour of those friends. Within the course of twelve months after I left the Methodist con

nexion, a few of my former friends seceded from the very society at New Radford to which I had belonged, though not at all on my account, but owing to some difference that had arisen amongst them and other members of that society. Having so done, they solicited me to unite with them, and to conduct divine worship among them. With their solicitations, on certain conditions, I complied. I advised them to act with deliberation; and added, that if, after mature thought, they should be inclined to return to the friends they had left, they ought by all means so to do; but that, if they should not be so inclined, I would freely explain my sentiments to them; and, if we could so far agree as to unite in affection, I would assemble with them, and render them all the assistance in my power. Coming to a seeming understanding, we met together in a small dwelling-house on the 21st Sept. 1818, in which house we continued to meet for a length of time; and our meetings were, I believe, both pleasant and profitable. In the course of time we, after some changes, thought it best to adopt the usual mode of worship. We embraced the first opportunity of getting a larger place, and of commencing a Sunday-school, which we did in 1819. We had soon many scholars, and upon the whole they were well attended to. Many hearers joined our little society; and this seemed to be the beginning of good days. But, alas! these appearances did not last. One and another forsook us. A few friends continued steadfast in the cause; and I endeavoured to persevere in the important work, in the best manner I was able, of converting sinners and building up believers in their most holy faith. I led the minds of my little flock to the plain, but all-important, truths of the Gospel: often dwelling with delight on the Unity of the Godhead, and the free, unmerited Grace of God. Yes, Sir, on these delightful subjects I have ever loved to dwell. Are we told that the Unitarian scheme is not calculated to afford satisfaction te the mind? I would ask, what can give equal comfort to the pious soul as a firm belief in one God, the fountain of all goodness, the "Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning"? Yes, Sir, to dwell upon his rich, his free, unmerited grace, has ever been my most ◄ delightful theme. Believing these things thus fully, and discoursing upon them frequently, I did not doubt but that, in course of time, all my friends would embrace the same truths. I found it, however, a more difficult task than I