1846.] Religious Intelligence. 311 formerly been its public teachers. Several of our old houses of worship have been remodelled, or replaced by new and more convenient edifices. We especially rejoice to see that our congregations are taking advantage of the prosperous condition of the country, to relieve themselves of the embarrassment or inconvenience of debt. The church at St. Louis, Mo., under the care of Rev. Mr. Eliot, have within the last year freed themselves from debt by a voluntary subscription of more than $8,000 for this single purpose. The society in Montreal, Canada, of which Rev. Mr. Cordner is minister, have just raised by subscription from their own members $1,000, by which they have cancelled all their liabilities, except for the land on which their house stands, to extinguish which a sinking fund has been established, that will amount to a sum sufficient for this purpose when the prescribed time of payment arrives. - The Unitarian congregations in and about Salem, Mass., have united themselves for the purpose of sustaining missionary operations in Essex county, and have, in reference to this object, adopted the name of the "Fraternity of Unitarian Churches in Salem and Vicinity." It includes the four congregations in Salem, and those in Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, and Gloucester. We understand that Rev. Mr. Stone of North Beverly will be employed by them as a preacher in that neighborhood. An Association of a somewhat similar character has been formed in the cities of New York and Brooklyn, the design and plan of which give promise of much usefulness. It has taken the name of the "Unitarian Association of the State of New York," and is meant to include not only the members of the congregations in those two cities, but the Unitarians of Fishkill, Albany, Troy, Trenton, Syracuse, Vernon, Rochester, and Buffalo, where regular societies exist, and any others of our faith in any part of the State. Zebedee Cook Esq., has been chosen President; Moses H. Grinnell Esq., Vice President; Messrs. P. M. Irving, George Ireland, S. J. Beals, Richard Warren, Seth Low, and W. H. Carey, Directors; William B. Allen, Treasurer; and James A. Cleveland, Secretary. The object of the Association is, in general, to promote the interests of Unitarian Christianity within the limits of the State; and the suggestions made in an "Aďdress" which they have put forth, respecting the methods to be pursued for this end, show that the plan originated with wise and energetic men. The first annual Catalogue of the Meadville Theological School justifies the officers of the institution in "congratulating its friends upon its flourishing condition." The three classes contain twenty-three students, of whom fourteen have entered this year. The Library "has been increased the past year by an addition of 900 volumes-making in the whole 1,400 volumes;" besides "800 volumes of text books; the use of which is given to the students during their connection with the School." The plan of studies is comprehensive, and the Professors are indefatigable in their attention to the classes.-The rapid sale which Unitarian books obtain is a circumstance to which we can also refer with pleasure. The first edition of Mrs. Dana's Letters on the Trinity, published last September and consisting of 1250 copies, has been sold, and the work is now in process of being stereotyped. The whole of the first edition of the Memoir of Henry Ware jr., by his Brother, consisting of 1,500 copies, has been exhausted in two months, and a stereotype edition on larger type is now in press. Missionary Subscription. - The Executive Committee of the American Unitarian Association have issued a "Circular to the Unitarian Clergy and People," in reference to the Missionary interest which was placed under their charge on the dissolution of the special Missionary Committee the last spring. This latter Committee was appointed in the year 1841, when an effort was made to raise the annual sum of $10,000, in addition to the former subscriptions to our various religious Associations. Some time elapsed before the Committee were able to perform the service entrusted to them, and but two years' subscription to the Missionary Fund was collected, when, on account of the inconvenience of a double organization, it was thought best to transfer the business of the Missionary Committee to the Committee of the Unitarian Association. With these facts our readers are probably familiar, though we do not recollect that they have been before distinctly presented on our pages. The "Circular," besides a forcible and timely appeal in behalf of "the cause of Missions," contains some statements which may not be so generally known. "The collections of the first year exceeded somewhat ten thousand dollars, which was the sum proposed to be raised; and, in the second year, they amounted to over twelve thousand dollars; the sum total in the two years, being $22,665,90. "Of these two collections, $15,321,80 have been transferred, in accordance with the special directions of the donors, to various societies and individuals throughout the country, by whom they have been disbursed; $3,083,12 have been distributed by the Board itself to the American Unitarian Association; $1,362,95 to the Evangelical Missionary Society; and $1,432,17 to the Society for Promoting Theological Education; -to be appropriated by each of them in fostering the particular objects to which their action is confined. The small balance of $1,340,32 has been expended by the Board in paying the salary and travelling expenses of the Agent, for missionary lectures, printing, postage and rent. Of the $15,321,80 specially appropriated by the donors, $12,226,51 were directed to be divided, in various proportions, between the three Societies above named. * "With the desire of enabling the Association to maintain and increase its sphere of usefulness, the Missionary Board, in June last, dissolved its organization, - and transferred its books and papers, and with them the duties and responsibilities which had rested upon them, and which they had so ably and successfully sustained, to the Executive Committee of this Board. * But though this work has now passed into our hands, and will be henceforth conducted by us according to our best judgment and ability, no change has taken place in the plan originally proposed to be pursued. Yourself and all other persons in the denomination will be at liberty, as heretofore, to direct that the sums, which they may please to transmit, shall be appropriated for the use of the Evangelical Missionary Society, of the Society for the promotion of Theological Education, or of any other institution or object they may name; and they may rest assured that such direction shall be strictly complied with. At the same time, it may not be inappropriate to remark that this Association, from its position and the duties which necessarily devolve upon it, must be best acquainted with the religious condition and wants of all our institutions and of all sections of the country, and are [is] most likely to disburse the sums that they [it] may receive in such manner as shall effect the greatest amount of good.' 1846.] Religious Intelligence. 313 We may in this connexion notice the last Annual Report of the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America, from which it appears that $1,050 were appropriated the last year to missions at the West, and $500" for the benefit of the Cherokee Indians," in aid of the mission and school which the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions have established among them; besides other appropriations nearer home. The pamphlet before us also contains extracts from a very interesting Report made by Rev. S. K. Lothrop, who in June last visited portions of Michigan and Wisconsin, to ascertain what prospects of usefulness there might be, to encourage the establishment of missions by this Society" among the Indian tribes on our Western borders." Unitarianism in England. Our accounts of the condition of the Unitarian body in the United Kingdom are on the whole favorable. So great are the social disadvantages under which the profession of Unitarianism must be made in England, that we can expect only a slow increase in the number or strength of the congregations bearing this name. The progress and results of Puseyism have led the friends of the Establishment to a more active zeal in its behalf, while the prejudice of the Orthodox Dissenters against those who do not embrace what they are pleased to call evangelical doctrines finds no abatement. Unitarianism, exposed on either hand to hatred and opposition, may congratulate itself on any evidence which it may be able to furnish of growth or triumph over difficulties. Internal differences, too, tend to weaken the energies of the denomination. The same question which has been so freely discussed here — the value of historical Christianity has given rise to two parties there, who, while they respect each other's characters and motives, find themselves unable to sympathize on some points of grave import. The Editor of the Christian Reformer, after alluding to the "agitation and division" which have befallen not only the Established Church, but every Dissenting denomination, as presenting "signs of the times such as to call forth in the Unitarians of England a bold and united effort for the advancement of their principles " as "the only cure for the obvious evils of the religious world,” adds - "But alas! we too are divided, and have first to settle what truth is, before we can go forth an united band to confute error and rebuke intolerance." - Still we find ground of encouragement in the general aspects of the denomination. The passage of the Dissenters' Chapels Bill has been followed by the renovation, in several instances, of ancient chapels, for which the congregations were unwilling to incur great expense, while it was uncertain whether they should retain the possession. A late number of the Reformer gives a list of thirty-five "chapels that have been or are immediately to be rebuilt or repaired," at an expense varying from £70 to £5,000; two of which only are in Ireland-the others being all in England. Frequent communications in the Inquirer - the London Unitarian weekly journal, the circulation and influence of which, we are glad to learn, are increasing show that a greater interest than was manifested in former years, is felt in the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. In the West of England, particularly, our friends seem to be animated with stronger purposes and to be engaged in giving more efficiency to their labors in the cause of truth and righteousness. Willing to look facts in the face, they are bent upon infusing energy where there has been languor and depression. A Society has been formed under the title of "The Western Unitarian Christian Union," the object of which "shall be to promote the knowledge and practice of pure Christianity, and the worship of one God the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ, in the six Western Counties" of Gloucester, Wilts, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall. In the Address which the "Provisional Committee" have published it is stated, that the Society has grown out of a belief that "our views of Christianity have not of late years made such progress as might have been fairly anticipated. Congregations in the Western Counties, known by the name of Presbyterian, Unitarian, and General Baptist, are even fewer now than they were fifty years ago. In some cases our societies have continued to prosper, and their numbers have considerably increased; but in others there has been an obvious decline." The "Western Unitarian Christian Union" will "be connected with the British and Foreign Unitarian Association, in accordance with the Rule requiring the payment of £5 per annum, and allowing two representatives to be sent to the annual meeting of the Association. The support given to Unitarian journals, is a circumstance which we notice with pleasure. Besides the " Inquirer" to which we have just alluded, and which is edited with much ability; and the "Reformer," published monthly under the judicious direction of Rev. R. B. Aspland; ; and the "Prospective Review," the last number of which contains a long article on "Theodore Parker's Discourse of Religion," the writer of which, while in some points he differs from Mr. Parker, bestows upon him and his work the most sincere admiration; -a new periodical has been started in London, under the name of the "Unitarian," "designed to furnish the public with correct information of the principles of the Unitarian's faith." It will be published monthly, in 12mo. at the very low price of three pence, by Mr. Mardon. The "Bible Christian" of Belfast has been enlarged, and will in future appear under the title of the "Irish Unitarian Magazine and Bible Christian." It promises to give its readers a history of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, prepared by Rev. Dr. Montgomery at the request of the Remonstrant Synod. The Christian Pioneer, established by Rev. George Harris in 1826, and conducted by him first at Glasgow, and afterwards at Edinburgh, has been discontinued on account of his removal to Newcastle. The death of Rev. Mr. Aspland of Hackney, after a long illness, has produced a wide sense of loss at his removal, and called forth many expressions of grateful remembrance of his services. Ministry at Large. This noble institution, the genuine fruit of Christian faith, is extending its benefits both in this country and in Great Britain. There are now four ministers connected with the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches in this city;-Rev. Dr. Bigelow, who labors principally in the North and West parts of the city; Rev. Mr. Cruft, who confines his visits chiefly to the poor at the South end; Rev. Mr. Burton, who has been employed for many months in collecting the statistics of Pauperism over the whole city; and Rev. Mr. Barnard, of the Warren Street Chapel, who devotes himself especially to the children in that neighborhood. In Lowell the minis 1846.] Religious Intelligence. 315 try at large, established by the "South Parish," has been conducted for more than a year by Rev. Horatio Wood, with great diligence and success. In Baltimore, Md., Rev. Mr. Capen, whose first Quarterly Report has just appeared, has been invited "to continue his labors among the destitute of that city, as a missionary of the Board" of Trustees of the ministry at large. - Steps have been taken to establish a similar ministry in Portsmouth, N. H. — Other denominations are also prosecuting the work with industry and success. A very neat and commodious stone chapel has been erected in this city for the use of the Domestic Mission supported by the Episcopalians, of which Rev. E. M. P. Wells is the minister. The Domestic Mission in London appears to have been conducted the present winter with unusual spirit. At Spicer Street chapel it has been thought best to have a course of Sunday evening "Controversial Lectures" delivered by different ministers, to remove the misapprehensions in regard to the faith of Unitarians, which were found to be impediments to the missionary's usefulness in that section of the city. A course of "Lectures to the Working Classes" has been given on Wednesday evenings, in the Temperance Hall, Milton street, by different scientific gentlemen, which has afforded much gratification to those for whom they were designed. On Christmas eve the children of all the Mission schools, to the number of four or five hundred, "most of them from abodes of dirt and wretchedness,” were entertained at the hall in Milton street, where a Christmas tree was provided by their teachers and other friends.-The "Sixth Report of Lewin's Mead Meeting Domestic Mission Society," in Bristol, presents various evidence of the devotedness of their missionary, Rev. Mr. Bayley. Besides his Sunday evening Services in the chapel, and Wednesday evening Readings, he speaks of a Sunday afternoon service in private houses, where the number present on the first occasion was only three -yet he was not discouraged; of the Sunday School; the Library; the Loan Fund; the Provident Fund; the Mutual Assistance and Improvement Society; the Sick Club; and the Tracts which he had written for the benefit of those among whom he labors.—The Eighth Annual Report of Rev. Mr. Johns, minister to the poor in Liverpool, which we have been for a long time intending to notice, affords similar proof of judicious and earnest efforts for the elevation of those who are sunk in want and sin. We observe particularly that he speaks of an addition of "eight acres of land to the allotments;" and says, "There will now be 143 gardens. Every shilling of the rent has hitherto been paid, and we hope that so simple a mode of eking out the poor man's income will extend itself from year to year." The Fifth Annual Report of the "Birmingham Unitarian Domestic Mission Society," with the address of the missionary, Rev. Mr. Bowring, has also been some time on our table. It is a particularly interesting pamphlet, and exhibits the mission in Birmingham in a state of unusual prosperity. A new chapel and school rooms have been erected, at a large expense. "The congregation occasionally numbers nearly 300;" "about sixty communicants" have in one instance partaken of the Lord's supper; the number of children in the Sunday schools is 330; day schools have also been established; and a Library and a Savings' Club are made to extend the blessings of this admirable institution. |