astical purposes, was then agreed upon, and signed by the Chairman, the Rev. J. Fullagar, in behalf of the meeting. Sixty members and friends afterwards dined together at the Dolphin Inn-Abraham Clarke, Esq. of Newport in the chair; and, at 5 o'clock, adjourned to the Assembly-rooms, where tea was provided; and upwards of 200 persons of both sexes spent the evening in listening to various interesting addresses connected with the objects of the meeting.

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The following were the sentiments introduced to the meeting by the different speakers (the Rev. Jerom Murch in the chair):-" Christian Fellowship: May the advocates of religious truth feel more and more the necessity of cordial co-operation, and of promoting the unity of spirit in the bond of peace." "The Southern Unitarian Fund, and the Southern Unitarian Book Societies: May the objects of these institutions be more fully appreciated, and the number of members be speedily increased." Religious Liberty-perfect Religious Liberty: The Abolition of all Punishments for conscience' sake; and honour to the men who have made sacrifices at the shrine of truth and duty." "Education-National Education without Restrictions: May a Christian desire to enlighten all classes of the people, prevail over an ambition to maintain the influence of any sect or party." "A cordial Welcome to our Friends from a distance: May the Ministers who have visited us this day, find increasing encouragement to pursue their labours, and behold them crowned with abundant success." "Prosperity to the Chichester Congregation, and a complete recovery to its respected Minister." To the last sentiment the company most cordially responded; and, after singing a hymn, departed highly gratified by the proceedings of the day.

E. K.

CHELTENHAM CONGREGATION.-On the evening of April 17, the Sixth Anniversary of this Congregation was celebrated by a Tea Meeting. The attendance was larger than on any former occasion, numbers being unable to gain admission. The company was composed of the friends to religious freedom of every denomination. Mr. T. Furber, the founder of the Society, presided; sup

ported by the Rev. Dr. Davies of Gloucester, and the Rev. F. Bishop, the future permanent minister of the congregation. The Chairman, during the evening, announced a variety of sentiments on the important topics of National Education, Religious Liberty, Christian Charity, and the Protestant principle of Free Inquiry. This last was responded to in an eloquent and lengthened speech by the Rev. F. Bishop; in the course of which, he clearly proved from Scripture the right of Protestants, each and all, to form their opinions from the Sacred Records, and that creeds and articles of churches, as by law established, were "the allies of earthly power, the foes to heavenly faith." The other sentiments were responded to by Messrs. T. J. Read, Fry, and Goding. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr. Furber, for his past services in behalf of the Society, which he acknowledged in a heartfelt speech; also to Mr. Spackman, for his gratuitous assistance in conducting the musical department. The place of meeting was tastefully decorated by the stewards with wreaths of flowers and evergreens, and six beautifully executed silk banners, containing the following devices and inscriptions:-The tomb of Servetus, the Spanish physician, burned to death by Calvin; surrounded with the words, in gold letters, "Cheltenham Unitarian Society, instituted 1834;" an emblematical representation of Peace on earth, with the mottos-Freedom of Opinion, Civil and Religious Liberty, Priestley, Lindsey, Belsham, and various others renowned in the annals of religious liberty. The meeting terminated by singing Dr. Bowring's hymn, "God is Love." J. G.

CRANBROOK, KENT.-On Friday, April 17, a very excellent discourse, founded on Proverbs iv. 7, was delivered in the General Baptist Chapel, Cranbrook, by the Rev. A. M. Walker, of Canterbury, to an assembly of about two hundred persons, including a considerable number of friends from Tenterden, Rolvenden, Headcorn, and other places in the district. At five o'clock the company partook of tea in the Chapel; and afterwards, the Rev. E. Talbot of Tenterden having taken the chair, about three hours were spent in the most satisfactory and profitable manner. Various appropriate sentiments were

announced from the Chair, and animated addresses delivered by Messrs. Talbot, Groves, Walker, Saint, Blundell, and Bradshaw. In the course of the afternoon and evening, several pieces of sacred music were performed by the Choir, which contributed to the enjoyment of the occasion. No collection was made; yet the sale of tickets for the tea-party had been so considerable, that a surplus of rather more than four pounds remained after the expenses had been met. This is to assist in effecting some necessary repairs on the Chapel.

T. B.

LONDON DOMESTIC MISSION SOCIETY.-The fifth annual meeting of this Society took place on Thursday, May 14, at Carter-Lane Chapel. It began with divine service. The Scriptures were read and the prayer offered by the Rev. Dr. Hutton. The sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Hincks, from Matt. xi. 5: "The poor have the gospel preached to them." The preacher, in a clear and energetic discourse, pointed out the duty of striving to enlighten and exalt the labouring classes; and expressed his firm conviction, that the Unitarian body of London and its neighbourhood would not fail to do their part in this sacred work, by liberally supporting an Institution so admirably fitted for the purpose.

After the service, James Heywood, Esq. was called to the chair, and the reports were read. From the Treasurer's Report it appeared, that on Dec. 31, 1839, there was a balance in hand of £50: 2s. 5d., but that the outstanding engagements of the Society were from £90 to £100, and that £62: 3s. 10d. were due to the poor's purse; thus showing a deficiency of upwards of £100 upon the year's account. Between £60 and £70 of this, however, were for disbursements of the year 1838; thus reducing the actual deficiency of the year to about £50. This will also appear by another mode of stating the account:-Total receipts for 1839, for general purposes, £405: 17s. 7d.; actual expenditure, £351: 1s. 8d.; outstanding engagements from £90 to £100.

On this statement the Committee's Report founded an earnest appeal for increased support; urging on the attention of the meeting, that unless this were given, some portion of the valuable operations of the Society must be

given up. Subsequently there was some discussion as to the propriety of drawing more largely on the Unitarian public; but the general feeling of the meeting evidently was, that efforts should be made to prevent the necessity of any narrowing of the field of labour, especially when it was clearly understood that the current expenses of the year exceeded the current income by no overwhelming amount; and the following resolution was passed:"That this meeting recommends to the Committee, to take the state of the finances into its earliest consideration; and expresses its conviction of the importance of prompt, renewed, and extended efforts to prevent the necessity of contracting the present operations of the Society."

The Report with regard to the labours of the Missionaries, the state of the Schools, Classes, Mutual Instruction Societies, &c. was very favourable. The Missionaries' Reports to the Committee, furnished much interesting and important matter, which was freely made use of, and excited an earnest attention in the meeting. For the particulars the reader is referred to the printed report, which may be had on application at the booksellers.

In the course of the proceedings, a respectful tribute was paid to the memory of the late and lamented Dr. Carpenter, so justly venerated, and whose labours will so long survive, monuments of his untiring energy, zeal, and benevolence. A resolution was moved by the Rev. Dr. Hutton, and seconded by the Rev. B. Mardon, which was received with that silently cordial feeling which befitted the occasion:-"That this meeting, remembering the deep interest taken in Domestic Missions by the late Rev. Dr. Carpenter, and his generous zeal for the promotion of this Mission in particular, desires to express to his mourning family, its sympathy in their bereavement, and its earnest wishes that the consolation and support of God's Holy Spirit may be with their hearts.”

The remaining resolutions necessary to the business of the Society, were unanimously passed: and the meeting closed, after the announcement of sundry donations, subscriptions, congregational collections at Little Portland-street, and Worship-street, and a collection at the doors of the Chapel on the present occasion-amounting altogether to upwards of £100. Thus proving, in a most

satisfactory manner, that the Society had at least the warm sympathy of that meeting.

In the evening, a Tea Meeting was held at Spicerstreet, which was well attended, but not so numerously as on some former occasions. The arrangements were most neat, orderly, and pleasant; and the tables ornamented with several bouquets of flowers. After tea, Thomas Hornley, Esq. one of the founders of the Society, was called to the chair; and the following sentiments were proposed by Mr. Surridge, Rev. E. Chapman, Mr. Wansey, Rev. W. Hincks, Mr. Mason, and Rev. B. Mardon.

1. "The improvement of the human race." 2. "The London Domestic Mission Society, an instrument of human improvement." 3. "Our Missionaries:" This was responded to by Mr. Philp and Mr. Vidler in interesting speeches, bearing reference to their labours, their hopes, and prospects. 4. "Those who have seconded the labours of the Missionaries in the Day, Evening, and SundaySchools." 5. "Prosperity to the Mutual Instruction Societies:" this was given by Mr. Mason, a member of the M. I. S. at Spicer-street, with a neat and appropriate speech; in which he stated, that he owed everything which he most valued, to his having joined that Society; and spoke of his connection with the Sunday-School as one of the happiest circumstances of his life. 6. "The friends of the Institution present and absent." In the course of the evening, the children of the singing class, sang several of the excellent airs in Hickson's " Singing Master."-Between eight and nine pounds were collected at the door.

ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS.-On Wednesday evening, April 15, a lecture was delivered at the Whitehall Rooms, in this town, on the demoralising tendency of death punishments, by the Rev. George Harris, of Glasgow. The subject is one to which the rev. gentleman has long and warmly devoted himself; and, in the course of his philanthropic labours, he has addressed crowded and most respectable audiences in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and many of the principal towns in Scotland. In several of the places which he visited, so great