me cometh a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me. And I knew him not; but that he might be made manifest to Israel, for this I came baptising with water." John must have had some knowledge of Jesus before this time, as they were related by blood; but he had no reason to expect that he was the chosen Messenger of God before his baptism. "I knew him not," said

John, "but he who sent me to baptise with water, had said unto me,Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptiseth with the Holy Spirit;' and I saw, and bear testimony that this is the Son of God."

With many exhortations did John continue to publish glad tidings; and, without the slightest feeling of envy, to prepare men's minds for the greater Teacher whose coming he had proclaimed. But Herod the tetrarch "being reproved by him concerning Herodias, his brother's wife, and concerning all the evil things he had done, added this also above all, that he shut up John in prison."

MONTHLY RECORD.
JUNE 1, 1840.

In the early part of 1839, was established in Lynn, Norfolk, a Society, called the "King's Lynn Deposit Society," the objects of which are these:-To create in all, particularly the rising generation, a spirit of independence, a disposition to frugality, and a habit of industry, without which, man sinks in the scale of being and injures society; to provide for the decrepitude of age, the time of sickness, or the wants of family and friends: objects more important than these, no commercial, no benevolent society can propose. In this Society, the amount of share is so small, that it may be said to embrace the poorest member of the community, and no individual being restricted as to the number of shares he or she shall hold, accommodates the wealthiest; and the privilege, that any member may borrow to the amount of his or her share on any emergency, while it meets, in some measure, the objects of a benevolent society, removes entirely the idea of charity, and prevents the breaking down of that independent feel

ing, and those inducements to idleness and profligacy, which are the most potent grounds of objection to all public charities. Persons of every age, denomination, and sex, are eligible as members, by depositing threepence per week for each share. The number of shareholders at the close of the first year was 138, and the amount of deposits £207: 4s. 7d. Part of this sum has been employed for nearly six months, so as to allow a dividend of twopence upon each shareholder's deposit, which amounted to 6s. 6d. at the end of the second quarter; and there is no doubt but that nearly the whole sum will very soon be so invested as to realise a dividend of the same value. At the annual meeting of the Society, February 3, at the Unitarian Chapel (at which place the weekly meetings of the Society are held), the election of officers for the ensuing half-year took place, when Mr. Whitby, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Jolly, were chosen Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary, as heretofore; and the following, as Committee:-Mr. C. Plowright, Mr. H. Inkson, Mr. D. Menzies, Mr. J. J. Martin, Mr. James Allen, Mr. Binge, Mr. Henwood, Mr. W. Aickman, Mr. H. Jex, and Mr. T. Plowright. Several new shareholders were added to the Society, and several additional shares taken by other members; and there is every prospect that the Society will increase in its numbers and usefulness.

DIED, at Malton, Yorkshire, March 10, in the sixtythird year of his age, Mr. John Pratt, Surgeon. He was a man much esteemed, in the town where he resided, for his professional skill, his general acquirements, and his sincerely benevolent disposition. In early life, he was for many years connected with the Wesleyan Methodists; and whilst associating with them, by a course of free and candid examination, he became a Unitarian. His separation from the Methodist party was attended with 'great loss in his business. He was distinguished among his fellow-townsmen by his persevering opposition to injustice and hypocrisy, as well as by his strenuous support of every benevolent institution. Many of all denominations regret his loss; the congregation with which he was connected, deeply feel the loss of so able and consistent a member. MALTON, 18th March.

LORD-STREET CHAPEL, OLDHAM, LANCASHIRE.Oldham contains a population of forty thousand, and is placed in the midst of the populous villages of Shaw-inCrompton, Royton, Chadderton, Middleton, Hollinwood, Copster-Hill, Glodwick, Lees, Hey, Austerlands, Waterhead-Mill, and two miles from the busy manufacturing population of Saddleworth; in none of which places does there exist a Unitarian Chapel.

Firmly persuaded that if Unitarianism must be placed in a permanent condition here it must be introduced in a respectable manner, the friends of the cause having been obliged through unfortunate circumstances to relinquish for a time the Chapel, beg to appeal to that public through whose liberality their Chapel was erected to replace them in it in favourable circumstances. Though few in number, and comparatively poor, they have been enabled to conduct a School and have occasional services; and believing that the time has arrived for a fresh effort, with a prospect of success, they beg leave to submit to their friends the following statement:

That Lord-Street, through the increase of building, is very central, and its respectability is secured by the erection of good houses in the immediate vicinity of the Chapel, which has given an increased value to it, aided by the erection of a substantial stone wall enclosing a spacious yard. That the Chapel is in a very dilapidated state, the floor being decayed, owing to the water lodging underneath, previous to the sewering of the street. That the doors, windows, and pulpit require repairing and painting, the pulpit and many of the pews being nearly down through decay: the roof wants repairing and painting.That forms and a table would be required for the Vestry and for the middle part of the Chapel, which it is proposed to use for the present as a school, the number of sittings left in the side pews being one hundred and fifty, a number likely to be amply sufficient for some time. That a stove would be desirable in the Chapel, to prevent damp.-That the front wall, which has been pointed already, needs it again; and it has been proposed, if the expense should not be too great, to case the outside with stock bricks, as those employed in its erection are of a very inferior quality.—That the cost of these repairs

would be about seventy pounds; of which sum, seven pounds have been subscribed among the few and poor friends here. The forms required, and the table, have been kindly offered by another individual.

It only remains to state, that Unitarianism seems the only system to counteract the infidelities of Socialism, now very prevalent in this neighbourhood.

OLDHAM, April 4, 1840.

THE early printing of the Christian Pioneer for May, in consequence of the visit of the Editor to England, prevented the announcement in that number of the death of the Rev. Dr. Lant Carpenter of Bristol. It is with no ordinary feelings of sorrow, that we now record the decease of this truly excellent man. He died April 5, on his passage from Naples to Leghorn, aged 59. Sincere and heartfelt is the regret which that event has occasioned throughout a very extended circle. The talents and virtues, the piety and benevolence, by which Dr. Carpenter was characterised, had attached to him persons of all denominations; and by all his memory will be held in hallowed remembrance. The religious denomination of whose principles he was the unceasing, watchful, judicious, Christian advocate and defender and ornament, will especially mourn his loss as of a friend and father.

Those already acquainted with the writings of Dr. Carpenter, will be glad to learn the intention of his family to publish selections from the Manuscripts which he has left; whilst all by whom his Christian worth was honoured, will readily avail themselves of the opportunity to possess themselves of his posthumous instructions. To the announcement which follows we direct the attention of our readers, and hope speedily to receive their names as subscribers to the projected volumes.

"Works of the Rev. Dr. Carpenter. The family of the late Rev. Dr. Carpenter have it in contemplation to publish such a selection from his Manuscripts, as will be acceptable as well as useful to the members of the wide circle in which he was beloved and respected during life. Besides a large number of Pulpit Discourses, Dr. C. has left a complete Exposition of the Acts, and of several of the Epistles, with copious Notes on the Gospel

History. His family have also in their possession his Lectures on the Philosophy of Mind, and many valuable MSS. on miscellaneous subjects. They are further desirous of giving to the public, at the earliest practicable period, such a Memoir of him as may exhibit him in the character of a Christian Pastor; developing, so far as possible, the early influences which contributed to form his mind, and the mode in which he subsequently acquired so valuable and extensive an influence over others.

"The extent to which the publication of Dr. CARPENTER's works may ultimately be carried, must depend upon the sale of the portions first issued. In accordance with the opinions of many friends, his family think it advisable to publish a Volume of Sermons on subjects exclusively practical, with as little delay as possible. Another of corresponding size will be next issued, containing the Memoir (accompanied by a Portrait) and selections from his MSS., particularly from such as may contribute to develope his character, and to present his public labours and their results in a form adapted to encourage and stimulate others.

"Each Volume will contain upwards of 500 pages, 8vo.; and the price of the two will be 21s. to those who may send in their names as Subscribers previously to their publication; and 24s. to subsequent purchasers.Each Volume will be complete in itself, and may be separately purchased:-to be paid for on delivery."

THE Annual Meeting of the Southern Unitarian Book and Fund Societies, took place on Good Friday, April 17, at Chichester. The Rev. H. Hawkes introduced the service, and the Rev. Jerom Murch of Bath delivered a truly excellent discourse from Matt. vii. 20. At the business meeting of the Societies, the Rev. E. Kell read the Report of the Committee, which, after detailing the state and proceedings of the different congregations in the district, mentioned that a course of controversial lectures had been delivered the last year under the superintendence of the Fund Society, at Wareham, on Wednesday evenings, by the neighbouring ministers. A petition to the House of Commons against the application of the public money to the building of new churches, or other ecclesi