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given to them in cases of particular distress. The evening monthly meetings at which the different articles of clothing and linen have been made, have given great and increasing pleasure and satisfaction. These meetings are held at the secretary's house, and Mr. Crcmpton reads some interesting book during the evening. Many attend who have not time and opportunity to give their help in any other way, and thus all work together for good." The report concluded with an appeal for help, by small annual contributions, but especially by active co-operation, and a suggestion as to the establishment of a domestic mission.

Mr. Crompton then rose, and, in an admirable address, noticed the several topics of the report, dwelling, first, on the happiness which all appeared to feel in the evening's enjoyments, and enforcing, with truthful earnestness, the necessity and advantages of such a society. He also took up the subject of a domestic mission, and expressed a hope, that at no very distant period they would be able to establish one in Norwich.

J. W. Dowson urged the immediate application of such means as were already possessed towards the formation of a domestic mission. He adverted to the City Mission, already established for several years in Norwich, attended with very considerable success, yet which, from conscientious motives, declined our co-operation, as not being evangelical Christians. The secretary of that mission had, however, warmly expressed his approbation of our desire to co-operate with them, and his earnest hope that we might succeed in any parallel operations of our own.

A Christmas carol was here introduced and sung with great animation and effect.

Travers Madge seconded the proposal of immediately setting about the work of a domestic mission, the very work in which Christ himself was engaged while on earth, and the noblest work in which any Christian can engage. He maintained that all are, or should be, ministers of Christ; that the visitors of this society were especially so, in their labours of love as "sisters of charity;" and that all should work together in the Christian ministry. There has been too much talk already about Unitarians being Christians or not; they must prove it by their works, if they would have others believe it. This animated address was responded to by all present, and failed not to give a tone to the meeting.

Chas. L. Corkran, who had recently arrived from London to settle in that city, was equally warm and energetic. He said it was quite impossible to talk down the prejudices of others; we must love them down, and live them down; and how so effectually as by employing our talents, opportunities and best energies in such labours as were necessary to prepare the way for and maintain a Christian domestic mission.

J. M. Wade, a former teacher, and now a visitor from London, responded to the call of the chairman with a readiness and warm th which summed up the enthusiasm of the evening. He invoked the blessing of God on their proceedings, and only wished that he could partake in them as he hoped to do elsewhere.

The assembly then rose, and sung, with one heart and voice, the dismissal hymn, after which,

Mr. Crompton uttered a few words of fervent prayer and blessing, which made every heart glow with gratitude and love.

Many who were present have declared that they never before spent so perfectly delightful and satisfactory an evening; and a general impression prevailed that if a similar meeting should be held again, the civic hall would not be too large for the assembly, which was now restricted, for want of room, to those above sixteen years of age.-Abridged from "the Inquirer."

LONDON DOMESTIC MISSION.

A very pleasing celebration of the season was given by the committee of the London Domestic Mission Society, to the children of the schools belonging to that institution, in the Temperance Hall, Milton-street, City, on Christmas eve. This society was formed, and is principally supported, by the Unitarians in and near London. Its object and aim is to promote a good understanding between the different classes of society so widely separated, and to show the humbler class that their richer brethren care for them, and enter into their feelings, their lifficulties, and their distresses, and this not as much by almsgiving as by their intercourse and friendly communications, advice, and sympathy, by manifesting an interest in their circumstances and views, encouraging them to hope and persevere, and imparting to them the means of it in various ways-endeavouring, in short, to act as friends, administering succour and relief occasionally. The society maintains two missionaries, who go about in their districts, visiting and communicating with the inhabitants who are willing to receive them; and it is gratifying to state they generally find a welcome. Two stations are connected with the society, at which regular religious services are conducted on Sundays: one is situate in Spicer-street, Spitalfields, of which the Rev. R. K. Philp is the missionary a spacious building has been erected, which serves the two purposes of school room and chapel. The other is in Half-Moon-alley, Whitecross-street, Cripplegate, of which the Rev. William Vidler is the missionary: but here the efforts of Mr. Vidler are cramped for want of more room. The friends to the mission are, however, raising a fund to obviate this difficulty, by erecting a commodious building, as soon as an eligible site can be procured, so that the objects contemplated may be more fully carried out. It is our earnest hope and desire that it will be done speedily, feeling convinced that the hands of the missionary will be strengthened, and the cause of Christian benevolence greatly increased.

It is part also of the institution to give occasional treats to the children of the schools, in the summer, by excursions into the country; and in the winter, by evening meetings-singing, exhibition of the magic lanthorn, and various other amusements. In the afternoon of Christmas-eve as many as 400 children assembled with their teachers and many friends: all who saw their happy

little faces, and heard their shoutings, need have no further proof of their enjoyment, which was augmented by an exhibition of "The Christmas Tree, or Tree of Love," which was erected on the platform in the hall.

Christmas-eve is usually celebrated in this way in Germany, and on the Continent. In almost every family this pleasing object is set up, having the resemblance of a growing tree, laden with a profusion of fruit and flowers; and upon its branches each

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member of the family suspends the presents intended for those towards whom they have the greatest esteem and affection, and when exhibited, the tokens of love are claimed by the donors, and given with compliments to their friends. This pleasing custom is becoming more general in this country, and was well carried out by the children of the Mission, who hung oranges and fruit, besides a great number of other presents, on their Christmas tree, the whole being brilliantly illuminated with candles. The presents were successively given to the children by the guardians of the tree, and they presented them to their friends and schoolfellows. We were much pleased to notice that the first present was made by a little girl to the venerable senior missionary, the Rev. R. K. Philp, who was the president of the festival. Before

and after its exhibition, the magic lanthorn was shown, and the amusements of the evening were enlivened by some pleasing singing, suitable to the occasion: and thus terminated this simple and interesting celebration of Christmas-eve, 1845.

Before and after the exhibition of the Tree, the magic lantern was shown; and the amusements were enlivened by some pleasing singing. Then the children were addressed by the Missionaries; by Mr. W. Wansey, the Treasurer of the Society; by Dr. Bateman, the Secretary; and by several of the Teachers of the different Schools. The fruit was then taken from the Tree, and distributed amongst the delighted children; and thus terminated this simple celebration of Christmas Eve in Cripplegate.

ANNUAL SCHOOL FESTIVALS, CHICHESTER.

Two excellent Sermons were delivered by the Rev. H. Hawkes, of Portsmouth, on Sunday the 21st of December, in aid of the funds of the Sunday School, in connection with Biffin's Lane Chapel, and which were responded to by a liberal collection. The importance of early training the minds of the young in the pure truths of the Gospel was ably enforced. In the afternoon the chidren belonging to the school were examined as to their proficiency, according to annual custom, and gave great satisfaction to all present, after which prizes for improvement and general good conduct were distributed among them. Appropriate addresses in support of the projects of the meeting were delivered by several leading members of the congregation, and all seemed. delighted with the present and future prospects of the school, and with the day's proceedings.

LEICESTER.

The annual Tea Meeting of the schools connected with the Unitarians of this town, was held at the Wellington Rooms, on Monday, December 29th. About three hundred and fifty children, besides their parents, sat down to tea, and before the meeting finished there could not have been less than seven hundred persons present, including the Rev. C. Holland, of Loughborough, J. Whetstone, Esq., the Messrs. Biggs and ladies, W. Stone, Esq., the Town Clerk, and family, H. Stokes, Esq., and nephew; and a number of the most respectable families of the Town and County. Pleasing and suitable addresses were delivered by the Revs. Bery, Holland, and Jones, J. Whetstone, Esq., &c., &c., for the amusement of the children; the magic lanthorn was introduced, with which they were highly delighted. We look upon these meetings with great pleasure, feeling convinced they must do good by bringing all into union with each other.

HALIFAX.

The Sunday School Tea Party in connection with the Unitarians of this town, was held on the 1st. January; upwards of one hundred and sixty scholars, teachers, and friends were present. The room was decorated with evergreens; and the Tea was under the

management of the female teachers. The Rev. W. Turner was called to the chair, who in an animated and touching address called upon all present to aid in the work of giving religious improvement to the young; the report was read in a very able manner by Mr. Baines. Addresses were delivered by Mr. T. Rawlings, Mr. Stancliffe, Mr. Tossard, Mr. Wandsworth, &c., &c. Several anthems were sung by the chapel choir, and a vote of thanks was given to Mr. Turner for his valuable services. The meeting then joined in a prayer of thanksgiving to the Throne of the Heavenly Grace, and separated highly delighted.

SHEPTON MALLET.

On Tuesday, January 6th, the Unitarian Congregation of this town, held their annual Tea Meeting; about two hundred sat down to the social repast. Animated and interesting speeches were delivered by Mr. Wasen, Mr. Norton, and the Rev. H. Solly. The choir sang some beautiful pieces of sacred music, which added much to the evening's gratifications.

SELECTIONS.

THE legitimate and perfect action of the religious sentiment takes place when it exists in harmonious combination with reason, conscience, and affection. Then it is not hatred, and not fear, but love before God. It produces the most beautiful development of human nature; the golden age, the fairest Eden of life; the kingdom of Heaven. The demands it makes are to keep the law which God has written on the heart-to be good and to do good; to love man, to love God. It may use forms, prayers, dogmas, ceremonies, priests, temples, sabbaths, festivals, and fasts; yes, sacrifices, if it will, as means, not ends; symbols of a sentiment, not substitutes for it. Its substance is love of God; its form love of man: its temple a pure heart; its sacrifice a divine life. The end it purposes is, to reunite-man to God, till he thinks God's thought, which is truth; feels God's feeling, which is love; wills God's will, which is the eternal right; thus finding God in the sense wherein he is not far from every one of us; becoming one with him, and so partaking the divine nature.-Theodore Parker.

Every individual should bear in mind that he is sent into this world to act a part in it; and though one may have a more splendid and another a more obscure part assigned hin, yet the actor of each is as equally responsible.-Hannah Moore.

MARRIAGES.

On the 13th December, at the On the 6th, at the Old MeetUnitarian Chapel, Shepton Mal- ing House, Birmingham, by the let, by the Rev. H. Soley, Wm. Rev. Hugh Hutton, M.A., Mr. eldest son of William Cooper, Jacob Coley Ashcroft, of Balsall Esq., of Bowlish, to Sarah Martha, Heath, to Eliza, only daughter of second daughter of Saml. Brom- Mr. Isaac Horton, of Lower head, Esq., of Bristol. Hurst-street, in this town.

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