tuted for such an object, and by such a complainant, who can doubt? The Society have therefore removed the suit into the Arches Court of Canterbury, in this metropolis, where an enlightened judge will preside, and justice will result. But for the Society, however this poor man, who though strong in right, is weak in fortune, would not only have no redress, but would be humbled or undone by the very wrongdoer of whose wrong doing he complains. In such cases the importance of the Society seems most manifest; it opposes a mound to the torrent of oppression; it stoops to sustain the feeble in a righteous cause; while it bends not to the lofty, it assures the humble of defence, and forbids presumption to the proud. Happy am I to state that the law's delay, and the oppressor's wrong have not, however, prevented the union of these peasant lovers, and I doubt not but they remember the Society in their morning orisons and evening prayer.

On the subject of the exemption of Dissenters from Sunday tolls, some applications have been received. At Harniston, near Lincoln, a toll was demanded at Lincoln bar, from the wife of Mr. Thorold, a Wesleyan Methodist, as she passed alone to the Methodist chapel, which was "her usual place of religious worship." The advice of the Society was requested whether she was liable, or could not also claim the same exemption which to her husband would not have been denied. In that case the Committee displayed true Christian gallantry. They regard their female friends with true respect, and were gladly upholders of their rights, and they desire that they should also worship God as their consciences approve, and that no obstructions should oppose their inclinations but such as reason, religion, and pure affections may create. They replied with pleasure, that the same exemption which the husband might have claimed in passing to his place of worship, his wife also in passing to the place which she preferred, might equally enjoy. From Mr. Leonard, of Bristol, and the Rev. Mr. Roberts, of Holywell, in Flintshire, letters have also been received. In the former case, no relief could be awarded, but in the latter case, I believe the letters addressed by this Society will ensure redress. The introduction of the decisive clause of exemption into the General Turnpike Act, whereby the rights of Dissenters have been protected, and which after many efforts this Society obtained, has insured for Dissenters a liberation from a burthen which many individuals greatly felt, and which extorted from many country congregations a very large amount.

On the question of Poor Rates, I also find less disposition to trouble and oppress. From Bristol, from Buckfastleigh, and

from Purton, in Wiltshire, applications have been made as to the rating of chapels, and advice and relief have been bestowed. The Rev. Mr. Chappel, of Yaxley, in Huntingdonshire, wrote to the Society to state, that a chapel lately erected at Stilton had been rated to the poor's, rate. His application for assistance and advice arrived too late, as a session had intervened, and the law forbade them to appeal. In all such cases, I repeat, that no redress can be obtained against assessments illegal in nature or excessive in amount, but by appeal; and the appeal must be made to the next Quarter Session after the allowance of a rate; for if a Session be allowed to intervene, no objections, however just or numerous, avail, and redress against such rate cannot be obtained.

At North Crawley, in Buckinghamshire, a notice of appeal has been given against a rate by some individual, and the nonassessment of the dissenting meeting-house · was among the objections he alleged. The Rev. Mr. Bull, of Newport Pagnell, well known, and well respected wherever he is known, wrote upon the subject; notice was given that we would protect the congregation. That very notice was sufficient; we were soon apprized that such objection would be waived, and "nominis umbra,' by the very shadow of our name, we were relieved from all trouble and expense. At Chertsey, in Surrey, also, rates were demanded, but the interposition of the Society procured the abandonment of the demand, and we were encouraged by suc

cess.

On this subject I renew my statements, that unless a profit forming a beneficial occupation arises to the minister or trustees, after the payment of all requisite expense, from any place of religious worship, no charge for poor's rates can legally be made, and if made, cannot be sustained. In all such cases, where chapels have been improperly assessed to the rates, the parties should watch the making of the rate, should attend the vestry, and object, and if that effort should not avail, but the rate be made, then they should demand a copy of the entry, being the assessment of the chapel, give regular notice of appeal to the very next Sessions; that notice must announce all grounds of objection to the rate; and when the Session arrives, unless great prejudice be entertained, and church influence prevail, the assessment will be disallowed, and a good triumph may be

won.

On the subject of rates for building new churches, several applications have been made; nor do they excite surprise. As Dissenters, we do not complain that we have to erect and to repair the edifices, whether perfect or humble, which we dedicate to religious adoration. We do not complain that we have to support the ministers we prefer, and who amply repay

us by intellectual and moral benefits, and leave us their debtors in amounts no fortunes can supply. No; we feel no sorrow we utter no complaint; it is our honour and delight. But really, when we find, that after paying dues, and fees, and tithes, and rates for ministers we do not know, and buildings we never visit; and after contributing to the £1,500,000. voted, exclusively for the erection of new churches, for the accommodation of the members of the Established Church; we are further compelled to pay long and largely additional charges as new church rates, in our respective parishes, for the repairs and expenses attendant on new churches, we cannot but writhe under the new burdens, and our withers become wrung. But however grievous, such burden must be borne. From the Rev. Mr. Fry, the Unitarian minister of Kidderminster, an application on this subject was received. He felt as I describe. But it was not even of the new church, chapel, and the heavy rate alone that he complained. The introduction of organs and ornaments to please the taste or vanity of parish officers, and the requirement of rates from Dissenters for those objects especially excited his displeasure. Those matters--those painted trifles-and gaudy decorations neither he nor myself could deem essential for the humble, spiritual, acceptable worship of the Infinite Supreme -He who disdaineth not to irradiate the humblest heart, and who sees no glory in the splendour of a thousand suns! Or if the gilded pageant could please some beings, he thought that they who were so pleased, should not require him and the Dissenters to pay the purchase for the toy. As the law, however, gave the vestry the power to sanction such expense, and he had not resisted the measure at the vestry, the Committee could only advise acquiescence in the rate. Many such evils Dissenters might obviate or lessen, if they more frequently attended public vestries, and asserted, as they well and usefully might do, their parochial rights. vestries inhabitants are entitled to attend. There, officers are chosen-expenses ordered-poor and church rates are im posed--and if Dissenters did not heedlessly neglect attendance, they might often crush in the bud those evils which, when matured, form a spreading plant which no time nor labour can uproot. And as to the many extraordinary burdens that cannot be prevented, Dissenters must heroically bear them. Ever when a sacrifice is required that cannot be conscientiously avoided, let them go firmly to the altar; let them temember those holy men who, firm to principle and true to freedom, consented to endure all the sufferings persecution could inflict!-Who, if driven from their homes, fled into the valleys-if

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chased from their vales, sought refuge on the mountain-top--if hunted from the summit of the bleak bare rock, found a refuge over the ocean wave, and amid swamps and forests, and pathless wilds, mourned in America over the land that had expelled them, but was still dear to memory and cherished in the heart.

On demands of Easter Offerings many applications have been made. How I wish I could induce ministers of the Established Church to forego these petty and vexatious exactions, which add little to their wealth, but which detract greatly from their usefulness and honour! These paltry and irritating trifles are like the blight, small indeed, and almost imperceptible, but which cankers the vintage, destroys the vernal blossom, and converts the land of plenty and of pleasure to a sad region of sterility and death! One of these cases occurred at Dolgelly, in Merionethshire. Ah! there is no place, not even among the mountains which kiss the clouds, or the deep glens, that seem to penetrate their base, that troublesome extortion does not visit, and where the village Dissenter may find himself unteased. Letter after letter has arrived upon this subject. One from Dudley states, that within the last month, even in these times, when wretchedness is so much abroad, twenty persons, wretched in poverty, have been summoned up for arrears of these Easter dues, before the very clergyman (though not a magistrate) by whom the claim was made. Öne poor old man, 85 years old, was sum. moned for two years' dues, at 4d. each year! Another poor man was summoned for three years' dues, at 4d. each year, and then in the account came the charge "for your daughter" 24d. each year, making 74d. But this was not all, for the person whose arrears for three years amounted to 1s. had 4s. to pay for expences. Finally, however, the poor old man did obtain indulgence. After trembling before the judgment-seat, and hearing many threats of proceedings that should cost at least £20. his poverty and age were such advocates, that he was allowed to pay the Easter dues with the addition of four hundred per cent. for costs by moderation, at the moderate instalments of 6d. every week! and yet the clergyman was not a magistrate, and his conduct was illegal. The law does not allow the demand after two years, and the clergyman had rendered himself amenable to punishment at the instance of any person who may inform against him. Is it not to be desired that the enlightened, educated, and well paid incumbents of the Established Church, should not degrade themselves by such exactions, nor add to the duties of their ill-remunerated curates, the discredit of acting as Shylock collectors of their Easter ducs? Is not the honour of the Esta

blished Church assailed by such proceedings? Is it not these members of the Church who put the poison in their own cup--who endanger the stability of their own Church-who excite disapproval and disgust and who prevent the growth of that reverence and regard which their rank, their education, their fortunes, their influence, and their office would else promote?

As to Mortuary Fees, two cases had occurred. These old exploded demands are also little in amount: in vexation only are they great. In parishes where they have been claimed since the reign of Edward V. they may now be claimed, and the clergyman is entitled to 6s. 8d. or 3s. 4d. on the death of a parishioner, according to his rank. But to support the claim, the clergyman must prove that from time immemorial the demand has been allowed, and which he rarely can perform. But these, and other claims equally unsustainable, are often made. During the past year, the Rev. William Marshall, of Newport Pagnell, has so offended. His name will be long remembered. He was the clergyman who apprehended two men, and had them sent to Aylesbury gaol, because they dared to knock at his door, not knowing that was the parsonage, to ask for a contribution towards a chapel they had built. Untaught by experience, he had claimed fees for a corpse interred in the burial ground of the dissenting meetinghouse within that town-the fees claimed amounted to 5s. 6d. The items were as follows:--For going to church, 2s.; for reading the service, Is; for the clerk's fee, 6d.; and for the grave-digger, and the passing bell, 2s.; total 5s. 6d.; though the corpse went not to church, though no service had been read, though no clerk appeared, though no sexton had been employed, and though no passing bell was heard to toll. This claim for. services unperformed excited some remonstrance; but the Rev. Clerk thought his conduct was perfectly correct, and that the burial ground of the dissenting meetinghouse, though it relieved him from his labours, ought not to deprive him of his fees! Proceedings, however, being threatened, new information visited the clergyman, and the money was returned. Leicester, Mrs. Davies, whose father and husband had been ministers, and who had been taught to love religious freedom, with a woman's truth and fondness, refused to pay 10s. demanded by the Rev. Mr. Barnaby, of St. Margaret's, Leicester, for Mortuary Fees on the death of a truly revered husband, torn from her arms and from her heart. Bold in a right cause, this lady was not to be intimidated, and that demand was withdrawn. As to these claims, it would be well if those who had power and influence, and who valued the

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honour of the Church, would remonstrate with the clergy. Would they take the trouble to read Milton's excellent tract on "The Way of Keeping Hirelings out of the Church," they would find it there stated, that the best mode to keep up divisions was, to exact such dues. Even according to the decrees of the Council of Trent, the opinions of many of the Fathers of the Catholic Church, many Learned Judges, and of Selden himself, these claims on the part of the clergy, for the administration of any of the Sacraments, were considered simoniacal. They were originally accepted as gifts, and are now sought as grants. Let us teach our children how they yield to little innovations. Illegal claims generally creep on until the bowing grateful minister assumes the iron brow and tone of right. The voluntary offerings of affection may be converted into a legal tribute, and that which had first been proffered with kindest charity, may at last be extorted by the grasp of power. No! let us ever crush the scorpion in the shell, so shall we best escape its rage and poison.

The subject of Disturbances in places of worship, and of molestation to worshippers, is a theme on which we would not lay an improper stress. We would rather attribute these evils to local prejudices, vulgar passions, and individual excitement, than to any general disposition to preclude Dissenters from that religious worship which the law not only tolerates but protects. Yet some clergymen and country squires, churchwardens and overseers, and persons dressed in some petty transient authority require to be taught, that if they will encourage disturbances and annoyance, there are persons as wise, and wealthy, who will not allow village worshippers to be assailed, and who will take care that their wrongs shall receive sure and full redress.

At Bulford, in Wilts; at Burwash, in Sussex; at Alresford, in Hants; and at Wrestlingworth, in Bedfordshire, disturbances or measures have occurred which have required from the Committee interference or advice. At Hedge End, in South Stoneham, a case demanded particular attention. The Rev. Mr. Draper, of Southampton, whose piety and zeal deserved respect, applied on behalf of a congregation who assemble in a small chapel at Hedge End. On Sabbath evenings some worshippers associate for prayer, and they have been repeatedly disturbed. Doubts have been entertained whether such meetings for prayer were religious worship; and whether they could claim the protection of the law. Is not the very doubt surprising ?-are not prayer and praise most truly-worship? If a band of brethren meet to breathe out fervent supplications to their heavenly Father, for

themselves and those they love, but who may be far away, they seem to me to perform an act of worship more religious than if they meet to listen to the most eloquent address that ever soothed or roused the heart. Two of the disturbers were apprehended and one was bailed. The other committed to prison for want of bail. These men at first treated the proceeding with contempt. But when the hour of trial had drawn nigh; then humble applications were made on their behalf. Ever attentive to any sound that breathes contrition, we accepted an apology made public, and on payment of the charges in the country, the prisoner was liberated, and the other was forgiven. And gladly do I state that the worst offender frequents the very chapel whose frequenters he annoyed, and now joins in those supplications he before contemned. Thus benignity may thaw the icy spirit, or like music soothe the angry foe; thus may creation affected by strains sweeter than Orpheus could utter, listen, and admire, and bless our deeds of firmness but of love.

Much has the attention of the Committee been occupied as to Out Door Preaching. It is a subject involved in difficulty, and as to which they scarcely know what advice they should transmit. At Barford, near Warwick, is one of the lovely villages that grace the land; watered by the "soft flowing Avon," and near to Warwick Castle, a noble and pleasing memorial of ancient times. At Barford, is a Green. Some persons had desired during the summer months to leave their adjoining place of worship, and to assemble on the Green. But as it might be deemed a trespass, we could not legally advise them to persist. At Westend, in Middlesex, persons were allowed on Sundays to play at cricket on the Common; nor did the clergyman complain. But when some persons wished to occupy another corner of the Green for the preaching of the Gospel-then the clergyman delayed not to interpose and such measures were taken that all preaching was prevented, and the place left to the divided and alternate empire of the cricketers and of the church! Similar interruption occurred at Bucklebury, in Berks. The parochial clergyman did not interrupt or sanction interruption. But another clergyman, forsooth, a Justice of the Peace, and clerk, came from his own parish with his son, a servant, and a constable, made disgusting noises, endeavoured to disturb and ridicule the peaceful people in their worship, and by threatening them with apprehension by the constable, he brought them to disperse. As to places of worship, they should all be notified either to the ecclesiastical office of the Bishop, or Archdeacon, or to the Clerk of the Peace, and the consent of the owner of the place

they notify should be procured. For worship in streets or public ways, no consent can be obtained, and an obstruction of the public way is an indictable offence. But worship on a village green does not appear necessary to be a breach of the peace, though it might expose intruders for actions for trespass at the suit of the owners of the soil. At Winchester, last month, a man belonging to some Seceders from the Wesleyan Methodists was guilty of the offence of preaching in the streets. To prison he was committed and heavy recognizances were required. Those recognizances might have precluded his future labours, and he has refused to give a pledge which his conscience would not allow him to fulfil. Imprisonment therefore is his doom, and a prisoner he continues for the deed which in other states and times has immortalised Wesley, Whitfield, and many benevolent and holy men, and which the great apostle and even the Saviour of mankind, cheerfully performed. To abstain from such labours may be wise and human; but to err with such greater beings seems more divine. While therefore we are here enjoying the liberty we possess, he is still in gaol. If the magistrate of that ancient city had dismissed the man with a caution and rebuke, who would have condemned him? would not that conduct have been more consonant to Christian charity than to commit him to a vile gaol among men guilty of the crimes he desired to lessen, and accused of break ing that peace which he was desirous to preserve; I have had a plain and heartdictated letter from his wife, in which she says, "It is a hard thing to see poor William looking through the prison bars!" -Eminent counsel have been consulted, all that can be done shall be attempted for his vindication and release.

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The refusal to bury the dead is another subject which has often occupied the attention of the Committee, and to which the legislature must speedily attend. You are aware that the clergy in various parts of the country-have repeatedly refused to bury those who have not been baptized by Ministers of the Established Church. this subject the law is clear. Some doubts were entertained previous to a luminous decision by Sir John Nicoll in 1795, whether lay baptism had any validity. By Sir John Nicoll it was determined that lay baptism was valid, and that the Ministers of the Established Church were bound to perform the rites of burial upon all those whom even laymen had baptised. Notwithstanding that decision, many clergymen have ever struggled and still struggle to withhold what their duty and the law require. At Child's Ercol, in Shropshire, the Rev. Mr. Hodgkins declined to bury a child baptized by a Dissenting Minister, the parents were therefore compelled to

deposit the child in another and distant grave. In this case, however, ignorance rather than malevolence produced an effect which he now regrets, and which he assures us shall not recur. At Rudwick, in Sussex, a child named Etherington which had been baptized by a Dissenting Minister, died. Application was made to the aged clergyman to officiate, but he refused. The parents gave him regular and convenient notice of the time they should attend, and they attended at the church-yard with their friends in sad procession. The clergyman, however, was determined in his refusal, and as the mourners passed along they saw him driving by in his chaise, heedless of their notice and their grief. The child was then taken nine miles to a dissenting burial ground, and there interred at great inconvenience and expense. To this clergyman we wrote. The result confirmed our experience, that the insolent are often timid, and that no cheeks are sooner blanched by fear, than those which are soon crimsoned by disdain. Little spirit is required to outbrag such braggarts; and this very man, when threatened with suspension from his living for his neglect, wrote to the minister connected with the Home Missionary Society, labouring in that district," that he would attend and perform the customary service on the day he might appoint!" Resolved that an example should be made, the coffin was disinterred, brought back to the parish, and the burial service of the church was read over the remains! A triumph, truly! yet what sad conflicts and hideous victories! At South Shields, the clergyman has refused to bury a child baptized by the Rev. Mr. Lawson of that place, unless he received the fees of baptism as well as of interment. What parents in such moments would withhold any demand? The fees were paid. Mr. Lawson was indignant, and interfered.

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action was threatened against the clergyman, for the recovery of the money; he offered to give Mr. Lawson back the money. "No, Sir," said he, "send it back yourself, and let all know that you had no right to do the evil you have done." There are, however, cases in which no efforts on the part of the Society can prevail, nor can we afford assistance to our members who complain. I refer to cases affecting a vastly extended body of Protestant Dissenters-our Baptist friends. Where children have been baptized by a Dissenting Minister, or by a layman, the law entitles them to burial, according to the ritual of the Established Church; but where persons die unbaptised, then, according to the present state of the English law, it is thought that no clergyman can be compelled to perform the service! This affects several hundred thousand individuals, including many families of great NEW SERIES, No. 18.

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opulence, intelligence, and worth. their behalf, we have, therefore, during the last few months, communicated with Lord Liverpool. The communication related to two points. The first was the power claimed by the clergy, to refuse admittance to the corpse into the church, and thus justify their omission of the biblical part of that most impressive composition, which forms the burial service of the Established Church. This subject certainly appears to be involved in some obscurity. No legal decision has been pronounced, but some parts of the Rubric appear constructively to invest the clergyman with this invidious right. It must, however, be presumed, that it is an authority which the clergy ought not to possess, and as to which the legislature should afford relief. The other and more important point related to that situation in which it has been stated, that all the Baptists throughout England and Wales unnecessarily are placed. This power to withhold the burial service from the unbaptized, we learn that they frequently exert.

At Llandulas, in North Wales, in the diocese of St. Asaph, the Rev. Mr. Hughes, the clergyman, refused interment to an infant six weeks old, the child of Baptist parents. At first he only refused, himself, to officiate; then he said, that it should not be buried; that prohibition, however, he recalled, and would allow the interment, provided the father and a friend brought the corpse at eight o'clock at night (and this was in the month of December)-and that without ceremony, it was deposited in a certain part of the church-yard, where still born infants are entombed! Well indeed may you evince disgust. Why this poor child had as much right to a place in the church-yard as this clergyman had to the profit of his glebe. The father would not comply with such gross indignities, and the mother, who had a tender heart, though feeble frame, said, "No;" the child she had borne upon her bosom, and whose spirit angels had upborne, should not be thus degraded at the mandate of unchristian men. No! they took their child to a Baptist burial ground, nine miles distant. This indignity and inconvenience, and expense, they were obliged to suffer and rarely may enjoy the sad though soothing pleasure of going to plant wild flowers upon the grassy hillock that marks the grave. Another case had been communicated by Mr. Terrell, of Exeter, a most active and enlighted friend. At Islington, in Devon, a similar refusal had occurred. Oppression makes fools ingenious, and the timid brave. Determined that some funeral rite should be performed, 14 Yeomen, and the Baptist Minister stood outside the church-yard, and on its very verge, and the minister delivered an address, and

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