that if free discussion be allowed, there will be no danger; that the poison cannot in that case operate; and that, if let alone, these writings will soon fall into oblivion. To this I reply, Not so very soon. The lower classes, with the exception of the wise and good among them, to whom these publications are an annoyance, gladly drink in the poison, and neither understand nor wish to understand that which opposes their wicked inclinations. In addition to the sweetness of the poison, and the unpalatableness of the remedy-will the objector take upon him to be responsible that the reader of the blasphemous trash shall always be in possession of the remedy? Shall then thousands, and hundreds of thousands, of our countrymen be exposed to be carried away by bold and scurrilous publications, which are consonant with their own depraved inclinations, and thereby not only ripened for temporal and eternal ruin, but rendered dangerous and pestilential members of society?

nothing can justify in any country; since they can answer no other purpose than that of exciting the indignation of the worthy part of the community, of seducing the young and unsuspecting, and of rendering the worthless part still more worthless. For my part, I would not revile Mahomet in a Mahometan country, nor the idols in a pagan country. What good can be done to any one by provoking his resentment? But when he sees that you are actuated by love to him, and that to firmness and magnanimity you add humility and modesty, who knows but that he may be won by the loveliness of these graces, even as the infidel husband has been sometimes won by the humility and meekness of his believing wife?

Since the above was written, that part of it which makes a distinction between a modest and humble expression of doubts concerning the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and an impudent, scurrilous, and blasphemous attack upon them, we happy to find sanctioned in the Court of King's Bench at the passing of sentence upon Carlile; on which occasion the Attorney-General made the following amongst other observations.

are

passionate discussion of particular doctrines, but a direct attack upon the truth of our holy religion. I will not go over the painful and disgusting passages which were recited at the trial. They are all summed up in one assertion, namely, that the Bible is a collection of lies, wickedness, and imposture. The question is not therefore, whether the defendant has exercised the right of free discussion and of forming his own opinion. In such a case, I should be the last man to call upon him to answer. FOR OPINIONS SO PROMULGATED I COULD NOT SO CALL UPON HIM."

To conclude;-Will the objector say, that wicked men ought to be tolerated in slandering their unoffending neighbour? Does not the law take cognizance, and ought it not to do so, of the offence? And "The publication [Paine's Age of yet it might be said, in the objec-Reason] is not one of calm and distor's own words, that "if free discussion were allowed, there would be no danger; that the poison could not in that case operate; and that, if let alone, the slander would soon fall into oblivion." And what are the writings of Paine and Carlile but scurrilous libels against the Creator, the Saviour, and the Sanctifier of the world, against the prophets and apostles, and against the noble army of martyrs? If the | circulation of libels of this description is not to be repressed, I know not what kind of libels should be so. If they had entertained doubts concerning the truth of divine revela- The Attorney-General most decition, and had expressed those doubts dedly declared, that it was not the in a modest and humble manner, object of this prosecution, nor of the and with a becoming regard to the punishment which he hoped would pious feelings of the heads of Chris-be inflicted, EITHER TO FETTER RELItian families, the case would have GIOUS DISCUSSION, OR TO CRAMP been very different; but impudence, RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. scurrility, and blasphemy, are what

Mr. Justice Bailey, in passing

sentence, said, "You have been convicted for the publication of two works notorious for their blasphemy, and their tendency to undermine the religious faith of the country, as well as to destroy that hope of a future state which is founded upon it. It has with justice been observed, that this prosecution has been conducted for a work, not as against God, but as against men. The crime of blasphemy is one of the most serious offences known to our law. THAT LAW ALLOWS A FREE TOLERATION TO ALL. IT IMPOSES A RELIGIOUS CREED UPON NO MAN, BUT LEAVES HIM TO WORSHIP HIS CREATOR IN THAT WAY WHICH MOST ACCORDS WITH THE DICTATES OF HIS OWN CON

SCIENCE. But these publications, instead of being written in a spirit of temperate inquiry, grossly traduce a moral and religious code, from the belief and practice of which

fitting mankind by removing the securities and obligations by which their conduct is regulated. With regard to the subject of intention, it is doubtless the duty of the magistrate to inquire into it. But God only is acquainted with the inward man: the power of human tribunals therefore, can no otherwise ascertain intention, than by means of actions | and the effects produced by them upon society." V.

ANNUAL MEETING.

Sept. 8th. The Churches of the Hants and Wilts Assistant Society in aid of the Baptist Mission held their Annual Meeting for 1819, at Forton. Mr. Russell preached on Meekness as a fruit of the Spirit, from Gal. v. 23. Mr. Bulgin from Luke xviii. 7, 8. And in the evening Mr. Ward, from Serampore, preached at the Methodist Chapel, Gosport; after which there was a collection for the Mission.

Mr. Millard preached the preceding evening. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the brethren Miall, Ward, Franks, Buigin, Millard, George, Headden, and Saffery. The next Association is appointed at Lockerly, Wednesday in the Easter Week, 1820. The brethren Millard and Saffery to preach, the former on the given subject.

mankind have derived the most extensive advantages. Let any one calmly contemplate the doctrines of Christianity, let him examine the mildness of its principles, and the purity of its morals, and it will be impossible but that, in the fair exercise of his reason, he will be influenced to admire and adopt it. Every principle it contains tends to benefit society; it says, "Love your neighbour as yourself; and do unto The subscriptions and collections re all as you would they should do ceived by the Treasurer of this Society for the year ending September 30th, anto you." The FORCE AND SANCamount to 442l. 2s. 9d. NotwithstandTION OF OATHS ARE DERIVED FROM ing the distressed state of the times, this RELIGION; and upon their inviolais a larger sum than has been remitted to bility depends the safety of all those the Parent Society in any preceding institutions under which we enjoy year. The increase is ascribed to the happiness and freedom. The king preaching of Mr. Ward, an advantage himself takes an OATH which binds which cannot be hoped for on a succeed, him to a certain line of conduct, ing occasion of this sort. The ministers that forms his title to the obedience of this association therefore cannot reof his subjects. How could proper-frain from urging their dear people, to ty be secured, or crime punished, unabating exertions in this good work, but for the sacred influence of OATHS which asks for, and deserves their prayers and their pecuniary aid, with extraor over witnesses and juries? The addinary claims of interest, and necessity, ministration of justice must stand or fall with the respect in which OATHS are held. The same benefit has extended to the public by the QATHS which persons in my capacity take when they enter upon their functions; and I hope the country will long continue to enjoy it. It is strange that the defendant should conceive that he was bene

ORDINATION.

CROSCOMBE, NEAR WELLS,

APRIL 27, 1819.-Mr. William Hush, of Allhampton, was ordained over the Baptist Church, meeting at Croscombe.

NEW MEETING OPENED. September 14, 1819.-The New Meeting-house in Cherry Lane, in the Parish of Lymn, in Cheshire, was opened. Mr. John Thompson of Hill Cliffe commenced the service. Mr. Moses Fisher of Liverpool preached two Sermons on the occa sion from Psalm xciii. 5, and 1 Cor. iii. 5, 6, 7. The brethren James Swinton, John Swinton, and James Bradford, engaged in the devotional exercises. The congregations were numerous, the divine presence was enjoyed, and liberal collections were made after each service. The Meeting-house was built by the members of the Particular Baptist Church at Hill Cliffe in Cheshire, near Warrington, and

Just Published.

is considered as a branch of that church. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. The existence of the mother Church can be traced back as far as the year 1663. The Particular Baptist Church Meeting in Byron's Street, Liverpool, now under the pastoral care of Mr. M. Fisher, is a branch of the same church. In the year 1714, the church at Hill Cliffe agreed that the branch at Liverpool should be considered as a distinct church. The church at Hill Cliffe is now flourish, ing under the pastoral care of Mr. John Thompson.

ABSENCE FROM CHURCH.

From the Times of Nov. 22, 1819. "On Thursday the 11th inst. Benjamin Baker, John Muncey, and James Allen, in Great Eversden in Cambridgeshire, labourers, were severally convicted before the Rev. Mr. Leworthy, in the penalty of twelve pence each, for neglecting to resort to their parish-church on the preceding Sunday, during Divine Service, without having lawful or reasonable excuse for such absence." From such a mode of "compelling persons to come in," the Act of Toleration secures Protestant Dis

senters.

RELIEF OF A DISTRESSED

FAMILY.

Mr. W. Humphry, pastor of the Baptist Church at Isle-Abbots, wishes to return his grateful acknowledgments

Memorial respecting the Diffusion of the Sacred Scriptures throughout the United Kingdom; particularly in the Celtic or Iberian Dialects. By Christopher Anderson, one of the Secretaries to the Edinburgh Bible Society, and the Society for the support of the Gaelic Schools.

Personal Religion; containing, 1. A General Inquiry into the Nature of Personal Religion.-2. A more particular Description of it, in its salutary Fruits and Effects.-3. Its great Importance.-4. Addresses to different Ages and Cha racters. By Reynold Hogg

In the Press.

A Sermon, occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Thomas Thomas, of Peckham, by Dr. Newman; with the Address delivered at the Grave, by Mr. Griffin.

Memoir of Miss Ann Price, by Joseph Ivimey. Second Edition.

Preparing for the Press, in one Volume, 12mo. Price Six Shillings, Boards, a Work to be entitled, "A concise View of True and False Religion." With a List of the best English Books on Experimental Divinity, and Explanatory Remarks. By the Rev. G. G. Scraggs, A. M. It will contain about 300 Pages, and be published by Subscription in January or February, 1820.

LINES written during a Journey to Chittagong, in Feb. 1818.

Now faithful Mem'ry, in this calm retreat
Long years of pleasant toil and care review,
And bid each breeze the Saviour's praise repeat,
For ever boundless and for ever new.

Bless'd be the hand that form'd this human frame,
And gave me being in a world like this,
Destin'd to teach th' unutterable name
To endless worlds, and through eternal years.
Bless'd be that power which fix'd this vagrant mind,
Aw'd and astonish'd, on the blessed cross,
Taught it to seek a bliss by truth refin'd,
And tread on all things else as worse than dross.

And oh! if when this life must be resign'd,
Tho' fill'd with errors baneful,-I may see
One soul reclaim'd, illumin'd and refin'd,
And fitted for a bless'd eternity;

If precious seed, now sown in tears, may yield
Successive harvests in all time to come,
Till the whole land become a fruitful field,
And all the labourers shout the harvest home;—
Then bless'd existence mine-in such employ
The longest life's too short-since every breath
Of prayer lifts an immortal soul to joy,
Beyond the power of sin, or reach of death.
But be it so, that fruit will ne'er arise,
Nor superstition from its throne be hurl'd,
Well pleas'd with this, I'll close my peaceful eyes.
That I have served my God and not a dying world.

SONNET, written in the Sunderbunds, in Bengal, in the Year 1818.

THOUGH far from youthful scenes, and long-lost home
Endear'd by recollections ever new,

Of grove and stream, of hill and dale, I roam,
And all that Friendship, all that Fancy drew,-

Though ev'ry face, and form, and stream, and tree,
Be alien, and strange each sound I hear,

Though ev'ry mode and form of life I see,
Displease, and shew that I'm a wand'rer here,
Though in this wilderness no voice is heard,
Save roar of tiger at the midnight hour,
And all the horrid spectres feign'd or fear'd,
Meet here, and gambol in unbroken pow'r,-
Still, even here, O MORN, thy fragraut breath,
And the gay lark, can cheer the realms of death.

SONNET, written at Chittagong, in Bengal, in the Year 1818.

ROMANTIC spot! And have I found at last,
After long wand'ring on the stagnant plain,
Where every prospect is but like the past,
Nature in all her glory ris'n again?
Here on an eminence of sober height
For Contemplation a divine abode,
Nature appears to our enraptur'd sight,
Leading her votaries to the seat of God.

To the vast deep; mountains that touch the sky;
Forests impenetrable; and the stream

Meandering through the plain-she points the eye ;--
Impressive emblems of the Great Supreme.

Romantic Scenes; Here would I spend my days,

And here would sing the Saviour's boundless praise,

Missionary Herald.