That, while we offer our best thanks to our London friends for the interesting Report which has just been read, we are desirous of expressing also our earnest hope, that this day will be the beginning of a much more extensive and powerful union among the English Unitarians for promoting the important objects of the Association.

That this Meeting, wishing Christianity, in its just and benevolent spirit, to be truly part and parcel of the laws of these realms, deeply partakes in the regret expressed by the Committee at the failure of the late effort to obtain for the Jews the full enjoyment of their civil rights.

That this Meeting fully approves the proceedings of the Committee with respect to the Unitarian Marriage Bill, and would, at the same time, express an earnest hope, that they will continue every reasonable effort to obtain for it the favourable attention of his Majesty's Govern

That this Meeting, convinced of the great importance to the spread of Christian Truth and to the practice of piety and virtue, of the distribution of Books and Tracts, do heartily approve of the steps which the Association has already taken; and recommend that measures may be adopted for securing a more general co-operation of the several Book and Tract Societies throughout the United Kingdom, by the establishment in London of a General Depot.

That it be most earnestly recommended to the Committee of the Association, to consider whether they cannot effect the establishment of City Missions, on a plan and for purposes similar to those detailed in the Reports of the Rev. Dr. Tuckerman of Boston, U. S.

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Votes of thanks were also warmly given to Mr. Fox and Mr. Madge, and to the Ministers and other friends who had made arrangements for this Meeting. nsstion bid «edt ti Jest br

4

"In the afternoon of the same day, three hundred and twentynine members and friends of the Association, dined together in the Town Hall, Salford. T. W. Tottie, Esq. of Leeds, in the Chair, and G. W. Wood, Esq. of Platt, near Manchester, VicePresident. Gentlemen acted as Stewards from Altrincham, Bolton, Bury, Chester, Chorley, Chowbent, Dukinfield, Hyde, Liverpool, Gateacre, Manchester, Prescott, Preston, and Warrington. After some preliminary toasts had been given, the Chairman proposed, "The true Missionaries of Christ-all, in every very Church and every Clime, who are labouring to diffuse among mankind, a filial spirit towards God, and a brotherly love towards their fellowmen."

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Jaw Mr.

Dr. Carpenter rose, and spoke to the following effect: Chairman and Gentlemen, although I feel that it would have been presumptuous in me to present myself first to the notice of the meeting, yet, as some one

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19

seen in have seen

London, I believe at least some who are now in London-meetings of Unitarians nearly, if not quite, as large as the present; but in the country, such a circumstance has never happened; and if those who think unfavourably of the progress of Unitarianism, will cast their eyes back for the last twenty,

thirty, or forty years, and reflect on the impossibility of collecting together, at that period, by any means or by any attraction, a number such as that by which I am surrounded, they must be convinced that we stand on widely different grounds from what we ever did before. Those who can go back to the history of the period when the London Unitarian Society was commenced, will find that the times are changed in toto; and though I do not mean to say to the young persons whom I see around me, that they will not have to fight battles for truth, yet they will be of a different description to those which occurred in 1791, and other subsequent periods. It was in the year 1791, that the society was established to which the present Association traces its origin; and what a difference there is in its condition and its prospects! At that time, not only every kind of public obloquy, but even 'direct persecution, had to be encountered, with no small share of personal risk. I wish those who are now assembled here, with so much cheerful feeling, to remember, that there are some present who have gone through those days of darkness; and those who have passed through them, must have a peculiar pleasure in observing how light has gone forth. And in emerging from a darkness, which may well be termed Egyptian darkness, I hope that those who are young in the struggle, will take that station which the times demand. As they have only seen Unitarianism in its present condition, they may think unfavourably of the time when only the skeleton existed; but I would have them to recollect, that if there had not been the skeleton, there would now be no vitality. Allow me to say, in the presence of one of our American brethren, whom we honour for their worth, and value as able coadjutors, that we must not forget the struggles of the Priestleys, the Lindseys, the Belshams, the Kenricks, and others. The sun, as they know, rises in the east before it goes to them; and when it moves to the westward, it does not stop there, but again comes round and revisits us. The time must sooner or later come, when Unitarian Christianity will, in the same manner, encircle the globe, for prophecy distinctly points out that such a period will come. I see multitudes doing our work, whilst they imagine they are acting against us. They are preparing the way for that simple system of Christianity which we profess. When I see numbers of churches building throughout the country, my first impression is, How error is supported! but when I look further, I consider that they are all building for us, and I cease to regret my share of the two millions which have been levied for their erection. They are doing good among multitudes whom our efforts could not reach; and they will all eventually come to us, to that great and universal church, which will embrace the whole earth. Our friends who mix in the world more than I do, often see great difficulties and discouragements; but, looking on as an observer, I see abundance to animate and encourage. All sincere Christians, of whatever denomination, are tending to one common centre of light and blessedness: they may now be widely apart; but in proportion as they approach it, they approach each other. This is also felt by the liberal among other denominations

are liberal in

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of Ch and therians, because we are called Unitarians;

shrink

us as

because they think we do not possess the same views and feelings with themselves; but as soon as they know us fully, their prejudices will fast wear away. Dr. Channing's works have done more good in that respect, than any other publications. Many persons would not look into a book written by an English Unitarian, who feel no objection to read Dr. Channing's writings; and from what they there see, venture, on some occasions, to act with Unitarians. “When they begin to act with us, they perceive that we have not the cloven foot and the horns, with which their imaginations have invested us. They then see, that Unitarians are something like Christians, and they may afterwards discover that they really are Christians. As soon as a man gets rid of his exclusive doctrines, he is ready to embrace us as brethren and as fellow Christians. The mode of teaching Christianity adopted by the missionaries of different denominations, might often be employed by Unitarians without any dereliction of principle. The accounts I heard given by Mr. Ward, of his method of instructing the Hindoos, brought nothing into view which I should not my. self have gladly taught them; and those who have examined the work of Mr. Ellis, on the South Sea Islands (Polynesian Researches), may perceive, that in them the simple principles of Unitarianism are essentially taught; and such men are preaching those doctrines more effectually than we often now do, because they are more in the habit of addressing men through their affections. I beg to impress it upon our missionaries, that Unitarianism has to make its way among those who think ill of us. I will add, that all may, in effect, be missionaries. If not by direct instructions, all may teach the gospel by their Christian conduct, in the general tenor of their lives; and it never happened that a person so living, was living merely for himself. He does more to pave the way for Unitarian doctrines, than we can do by our preaching alone. There should be such missionaries in the domestic circle, and in all the relations of life. But we look principally to the rising generation to be our missionaries, when we are withdrawing from the scene of life. It is gratifying to look around and see so many young men who are taking an interest in the success of the cause. It is not a barren system of speculation, but one adapted to regulate and amend the heart and life. There are many among us, some in this room, who have rendered great services to our cause, with which the public are little acquainted -I refer to such men as Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Ashworth, Mr. Philp, &c. And though I hope we shall never be without such a ministry as we now possess, yet we most gladly take the unlearned by the right hand of fellowship, and welcome them as our friends in a common and a holy cause,

The Chairman, in proposing "The British and Foreign Unitarian Association-may its success every where be as complete, as our welcome to its representatives is cordial," said, "I was admitted into the Christian church among the last of those who received the rite of baptism from Dr. Priestley. I am, therefore,

old enough to recollect the occurrence in 1791, when that reverend individual, for his advocacy of the cause of civil and religious liberty, had his house burned to the ground, with all its contents, and he and his family narrowly escaped with life. I saw that illustrious individual on the very Sabbath after that event, in the chapel in which my friend on my right (Mr. Madge) presides, and the sight made an impression on my mind which I shall never forget. There was a calm dignity and composure-an intellectual superiority in his manner, which indicated peace within—that peace which the world cannot give, and cannot take away, He was the finest example of that peace I ever beheld."nitesine mer

Mr. Rutt, in returning thanks, remarked: "I am persuaded that I shall speak the sentiments of those friends who form the deputation from London, when I state, that we feel ourselves highly honoured by the notice which you have been pleased to take of the Association, and in the sentiments of cordiality which you have expressed towards us its representatives. Gentlemen, from what I witnessed yesterday, when I heard my valuable friend (Mr. Fox) express the sentiments of devotion which he entertained for the cause of truth,—when I heard him so well exemplify his principles, I felt that I should be very ungrateful to an indulgent Providence which has preserved me to this day, if I did not feel the highest gratification. That I have been preserved, while so many of my contemporaries, able and zealous in the cause which has brought us here, have been called from the labours of life to the recompense of eternity, is indeed to me a matter of thanksgiving. A quarter of a century, with all its hopes and disappointments, has passed away, since my attention was first called, by an excellent friend, lately deceased (Mr. D. Eaton), to a design which he had of uniting the Unitarians, in order that they might do more justice to their principles, by inviting the attention of the people at large to the simplicity of the Christian doctrine. I honoured his zeal, but knew not how to encourage it, for I feared that his scheme would not be successful. But I was mistaken, and he was right. I rejoice in the progress which has been made since the first meeting of the Unitarian Association, at which I had the honour to preside; and I feel it to be a striking circumstance, that I was called on to preside to-day at the meeting in the Chapel of this most valuable Association, for joining the country with the town in the same common cause.. I may, perhaps, be allowed to recapitulate a few well-known facts, as I see so many young persons around me, who will have to do with the work when we have done with it. I shall, therefore, I hope, be excused, if I take up a few minutes in stating the details of the Unitarian Association, until they assumed their present aspect. It has been noticed by my friend at the foot of the table (Dr. Carpenter), almost venerable, but I am happy to say, not quite so, that in 1791 a society was formed for the distribution of books, which should aid the Unitarian cause, and promote the practice of virtue; and in justice to my friend on my left hand (Rev. W. Turner), I ought to state, that I have in my pocket a letter from Dr, Priestley, in which he mentions that he (Mr. Turner) also proposed this multiform

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society, which we see so happily completed, and as I was diffident when my deceased friend spoke to me, in 1805, I am happy to shelter myself under such authority as Dr. Priestley and Mr. Lindsey, as they also said that the time was not yet come.” That society performed its operations successfully for several years, and was the means of forming other societies; until at length it was thought, as the books circulated, that we should relieve the Unitarian religion from the existing prejudice, that it was merely a genteel and learned religion. We wished to send it to the poor to barns and cottages, as well as to those who were more enlightened; and we found excellent helps. I am happy that the name I am going to mention is to be found in this room. It is due to the first secretary of the Unitarian Fund, whose uncertain health has prevented us from seeing him here to-day,it is due to Mr. Aspland to say, that no other person could boast of the zeal and knowledge which he possessed, and devoted to the cause. We had, also, an able supporter in Mr. Richard Wright, who laboured night and day, at all times and in all seasons, in our service. The progress of the cause led us to see, that as Unitarianism became more widely known, it was the more exposed to the interference of government, and we, therefore, formed what was called the Unitarian Association, to protect the civil rights of Protestant Dissenters. It is due to that body with which I have acted so long in London, for the protection of Protestant Dissenters,* to state, that in every question that came before them, whether relating to Unitarians or to others, they wished to do the former as much justice as any other denomination that predominated in their body. It was thought desirable, about five years ago, to collect together the scattered societies, and that they should be united, and form the British and Foreign Unitarian Association; and every subscriber who contributed to each of those three societies, was equally bound to support the joint society. I shall detain you no longer, than to express my thanks to this company for their good wishes. I trust that this Association will be progressive; that while uniting in our principles, we shall go with the Greek and the Jew, the Catholic and the Mussulman, and with all others, usque ad aras, and give them our support in every thing that is just, pious, and honourable. I trust that some of the persons in this room will live to see the time, when the British and Foreign Unitarian Association will cease to exist, because it will be no longer necessary. I trust that we shall help to urge on our own extinction. I trust the time will come, when we shall view the religion of Christ, not as the tool of the great, or as the engine of corruption, which ambitious men may render subservient to their own advantage; not when the cross of Christ shall shine on palaces and churches merely, but shall rule over the passions, dissipate prejudices, and bring glory to God in the highest, with peace on earth and good will to all men." we it of the way od

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*The Deputies from various congregations for the protection of the rights of Dissenters. ›