usefulness in their congregations would be the result. Although this was strictly a concio ad clerum, it was heard with the greatest attention and approbation by those to whom it did not directly relate. It was resolved that the next meeting should be held at Derby, in June, 1823. After the public services were ended and the business transacted, the ministers and friends dined together at the Angel Inn, to the number of about 50. Various subjects of conversation were started, amongst which, the establishment of a Quarterly Meeting within a convenient distance of Sheffield, after some discussion, was agreed upon. Apparently great interest was excited by the proposal of instituting a Sunday-Evening Lecture in Sheffield, to be conducted by the neighbouring ministers. A Committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for carrying both these objects vigorously into effect; and it is expected that the Evening Lectures will shortly commence and be carried on through the winter season: the first Quarterly Meeting is fixed for September 26, to be held at Sheffield. It is suggested that the attention of these Quarterly Meetings might be usefully directed to the establishment of Unitarian worship in several of the neighbouring villages; and no doubt can be entertained, that many active and zealous young men would be found in Sheffield, who would willingly join in promoting this object. Their services, together with the occasional assistance of the neighbouring ministers, might be turned to useful account in furthering the spread of the glorious gospel, the real glad tidings of the everblessed God. As yet no such effort has been made and it is presumed that a prudent and vigorous attempt of this kind might be made with a fair prospect of success in Attercliffe, Sheffield Park, Bridgehouses, Dronfield and, perhaps, Owlerton.

Sheffield, Sept. 18, 1822.

P. W.

Sussex Unitarian Association. On Wednesday, the 28th ult., the third Annual Meeting of the Sussex Unitarian Association was held at Lewes, when a sermon was preached in the Westgate Meeting-House, by the Rev. J. Fullagar, of Chichester. As the preacher has kindly consented to publish his discourse, the public will have an opportunity of doing justice to its merits. At the conclusion of the religious service, the business of the Association was transacted. The Report of the Committee gave an interesting account of the exertions that had

been made by the Association during the last year; and particularly of the establishment of the Unitarian cause at Crawley, chiefly through the exertions of Missionaries in connexion with the Society. A chapel was stated to be much called for in this promising station, as the congregation are now compelled to hire a school-room of an individual altogether hostile to their views and inimical to their sentiments, who has given frequent intimations that their assembling there must ere long be discontinued. When obliged to give up their present place of meeting, the congregation must disperse, as no other room is to be met with in the town. The expense of building and fitting up a convenient room is calculated not to exceed £100; of which sum the congregation can raise £30. The case is well worth the attention of the Unitariau Fund. The exertions of the Association have also been directed to Cuckfield, but not with equal success: and it is in contemplation to extend the aid of the Society to Battle, by sending Missionaries there, alternately with Crawley.

Upwards of 60 ladies and gentlemen sat down to an economical dinner at the Star Inn, where Eb. Johnston, Esq. presided with his usual ability. Many excellent and animating speeches were delivered in the course of the afternoon: every one present seemed to partake of the delight arising from the consciousness of being engaged in furthering the spread of truth, and the consequent felicity of man. In the course of the day an interesting discussion took place, relative to the Test and Corporation Acts; when the members of the Association, wishing to express their sense of the obligations due to those who are labouring to obtain the repeal of these disgraceful laws, and anxious to express their conviction of the stigma which these Acts unjustly throw upon them, with their brethren at large,

Resolved unanimously,

That the Committee of this Association be instructed to transmit to the "Unitarian Association" in London, their thanks for their past services in the protection of the rights of Protestant Dissenters, and particularly to express their satisfaction on being informed, that the attention of the Unitarian Association has been in an especial manner directed to concerting measures, tending, as it is hoped, to a speedy repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. That their satisfaction on this account is the greater, because it ap pears to them that Dissenters owe it to justice and to themselves, to remain no longer silent sufferers under this privation

Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty.

(Continued from p. 520.)

On these subjects he would repeat for mer cautions and advice. Meeting-Houses were rateable to the poor if any beneficial occupier could be found. But all necessary outgoings, including reasonable salaries of ministers, were to be allowed out of the receipts. On the net remaining proceeds only could the charge be made. The necessity of the expenses was then the matter mainly to be discussed, and which Churchmen, being the magistrates at Quarter Sessions, on an appeal against the rate, could alone decide. To prevent the vexation and expense of such appeals, he recommended, that in parishes where such charges were intended, the Dissenting inhabitants should attend the vestries and there remonstrate. If that effort was vain, then they should immediately demand a copy of the rate; being ever mindful, that unless the appeal was made to the next possible Sessions, the charge was confirmed. Having obtained the copy, let them examine what property was omitted or under-rated. Especially, let them turn to the assessments of the parochial officers, and the persons most desirous to burden them. Let them note whether the parsonage-house, the glebe, the rectorial and vicarial tithes, the Easter offerings, and all monies received for pew rents in the church or Episcopalian chapels were fully charged. Of any omissions or under-rating, let them complain on their appeal. Self-interest

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would then often impel the aggressors to recede. Then the same mercenary motive that induced the charge, would happily re-act; and the threatened charge would be omitted, or the claim foregone. Recent cases render this result more probable. At the Norfolk Sessions in the last month, a decision had occurred unpropitious to the clergy, and favourable to this mean of Dissenting self-defence. Dr. BULWER, Rector of Cawston, had appealed against a full charge for tithes : and his appeal was disallowed. He was held liable to pay rates on the full value of all his tithes since, whilst the fall of agricultural produce precluded farmers from a profit, yet all the receipts of the clergymen were profit, resulting too from the capital and industry of those by whom no profit was obtained. The erection of new churches by the Church Society, and out of the parliamentary grants for those objects, would increase this mean of resistance. In all those edifices, pews were to be let, and their costly fanes would be as rateable as the humbler Nonconformist House of Prayer. Thus the security from payment and vexation, which tolerating principles, public virtue and true policy should have given unasked, may result from less noble motives-and the very clergy and the enthusiasts for the Established Church become the earnest advocates for an exemption they have been earnest to resist.

On these pecuniary affairs he was more diffuse, because a writer in the Edinburgh Review had made them the subject of remark. The article was obviously written by a hand neither unfriendly to himself nor to their cause; but it evinced that the magnitude and nature of these questions were not understood. As to turnpike-tolls it states, "Dissenters are made to pay turnpikes if they attend any place of worship out of their parish; so are Churchmen: if any relief is granted to Dissenters in this point, the difficulty will be to prevent frauds upon turnpikes; for if any man going to any place of worship is to be exempted from tolls on Sundays, the number of religious persons rushing about on that day will be strangely increased; and the astonished toll-man will in vain look for a single person whose purpose is secular, or whose master is Mammon. If the interests of the tabernacle and the toll-bar can be accommodated, the Dissenters certainly ought to be indulged.” The cases supposed were not parallel, and the difficulties apprehended did not exist. Churchmen ought not to leave their parish and parish church, nor to migrate beyond the parochial boundary. In that fold, and from the pastor whom the pa

tron sent and the Bishop had ordained, they must alone seek their spiritual supply. In that one edifice, whoever be the minister, and whatever be his talents or his morals, they, if consistent Churchmen, should only worship. The limitation of their exemption to their own parishes, therefore was correct. But has every denomination of Dissenters in every parish, also its house of worship? Their principles teach them to attend, where kindred spirits assemble, on the minister they choose, and where most religious profit will ensue. To restrain the exemption from toll, as to Dissenters, to the parishes where they reside, was mockery -a very shadow of liberality and of relief. Nor had the legislature left the interests of any tollman so unprotected as the writer had supposed. On those subjects, clerks, commissioners, mortgagees, contractors, and county members, were all astute. Each exemption clause imposed the proof of the right to exemption on the claimant of the right, and appended a penalty of 51. or 107. on any detected fraud. Amid such provisions folly alone could meditate an evasion of a shilling toll, and the interests of the toll-bar and the tabernacle might be alike secure. The objections thus removed, it might be sufficient to add, as a reason for tenacity on such subjects, that a payment of these tolls would impose a new yearly burden on some congregations of fifty pounds, and on Dissenters generally, throughout England and Wales, a new special annual tax of at least twenty thousand pounds.

But great as was that amount, there were other and higher feelings which on that subject excited diligence and zeal. Since the Revolution and the introduction of turnpike acts, and in those reigns when Dissenters were treated with respect by monarchs and their courts, the turnpike exemptions were equally extended to Dissenters as to Churchmen, and the clerical and ministerial office was deemed alike entitled to respect. The restriction on these exemptions was an innovation as it was a wrong. It was an assumption of a right of precedence before unclaimed. Honour, therefore, demanded the firm maintenance of the ancient privilege and honour, especially as connected with principle, Dissenters highly prized. If glory, with but the branch of wild olive, the parsley wreath, or some laurel crown, at ancient games, induced mighty labours; if an honorary medal and a courtly star inspired the bravest to transcendent deeds-the same regard to honour must induce Dissenters not to retrograde in their pretensions, nor sub. mit to any new despoilment. They might

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not yet regain the equal rights they sur rendered formerly, from loyalty and regard to the Protestant faith; but to be pushed yet more backward they could not endure. Therefore on this subject they felt as the Reviewer did not feel, and not interest only, but honour forbade them to recede.

The same sentiment applied to the remarks of the Reviewer, on the assessment of the Meeting houses to parochial rates. He says, "Whether money be made or not by it, must be left to the examination of those magistrates who decide small civil questions; they may be indulgent or rude in this examination. This must depend on accident, but the law surely is not unfair." Without re-stating, that founders of places for public worship found the best charities-that charities are exempt from assessment-that every patriotic and Christian principle should induce the freedom of such buildings from such claims,-he affirmed, that Dissenters mainly objected to them, on account of the degradation and dishonour connected with the proceedings and tribunal that must grant redress. Could they pleasantly endure that at the sessions in a corporate town, some worshipful tallow-chandlers and buttermen, pledged by the Holy Sacrament to fealty to the Esta blished Church,-or at the Quarter Sessions, a beuch of clergy justices, who througed it on those occasions-should examine the Meeting-house accounts, discuss the expenditure, guage the merit of a minister, and determine what remaneration in collections and pew rents the love of his grateful people should subscribe? Patiently and without complaining, these things were not to be borue. The honour of their ministers was involved: and they were their ornament and boast. Though their comforts were often too much neglected-they were knowu, admired, beloved. In the records of history, their learning, fervour and sacrifices were inscribed. Neither in num bers nor in worth did they decline. Mitres, robes, titles, they needed not. Their labours brought them reverence; they were adorned with grace. He looked around, and as he beheld a multitude venerable for years and wisdom, great in knowledge, by humility exalted, beaming with holy light, patient, self-denying, in beneficence unwearied, the "very salt of earth;" he saw the only true successors of prophets and apostles. He saw men who had apostolic faith, disinterestedness and love; and for whom was laid up in heaven an apostolic crown! "Rudeness" toward such men was no light offencetheir exposure to rudeness no light calamity; and zeal ought not to abate, till

by exemption of their Meeting-houses from rates, at least one occasion for such rudeness should for ever end.

MR. WILKS then referred to cases partly pecuniary. They included expensive offices improperly obtruded on Dissenters, and monies improperly withheld. At Barnstaple, a minister was proposed as constable, although certainly exempt. The corporation of York had also occasioned unexpected trouble and expense. They had assailed one of the benefits incident to Dissenters from their partial proscription-one of the lesser rights resulting from a greater wrong. Corporatious had occasionally wished to practise strange oppression. By the Test and Corporation Acts, Dissenters were excluded from corporate offices of emolument and honour, because they did not conform-and these corporations sought to impose on them fines for the non-acceptance of offices which, without conformity, they could not legally accept. This plundering persecution was formerly attempted by the Corporation of London. It was firmly and successfully resisted. For the information of that part of this audience whose cheeks glowed with the tints of health and whose bosoms glowed with the love of freedom, he would mention the decisions which ought ever to have exempted Dissenters from a renewal of those attempts. In the case of The King and Grosvenor, the Court of King's Bench would not grant an Information against Mr. Grosvenor for refusing to act as Sheriff of London and Middlesex when chosen to the office. But the great case of Evans, against the Chamberlain of London, was the pole-star by which Dissenters might securely steer. The corporation of London made a byelaw, imposing a fine of 6007. on every person who being elected should refuse the office of Sheriff. Mr. Evans was a Dissenter, was chosen and refused. An action was brought for the fine, and was determined on appeal by the House of Lords. The judges acquired immortal honour. The speeches, especially of Judge Foster and Lord Mansfield, should be inscribed on the memory of every statesman, on the heart of every British youth. "Conscience," said Lord Mansfield, is not controlable by human laws, nor amenable to human tribunals. Persecution, or attempts to force conscience, will never produce conviction, and are only calculated to make hypocrites or martyrs."-"Than persecution, there is nothing certainly more unreasonable, more inconsistent with the rights of human nature, more contrary to the spirit and precepts of the Christian religion,

more iniquitous, more impolitic, more unjust. This attempt is as bad persecution as that of Procrustes, and is contrary to the law of the land." The non-liability of Mr. Evans was decided by this highest tribunal, and the judgment in his favour was unanimously affirmed. Yet the Corporation of York would revive the attempt which a great lawyer and a great statesman had thus denounced. They too had their bye-law, and they would have another Procrustean bed. But though the spirit of freedom slumbers it does not expire. Mr. OSWALD ALLEN, an eminent surgeon and well-principled Dissenter, was chosen Sheriff for that ancient city. He would not hold an office on sufferance, and as a criminal under an Indemnity Act, for which, as a Dissenter, he was disqualified. He dared not qualify; nor did he dare consent to pay any illegal fine. He applied for advice. The recommendation of the Committe suited his principles and purpose. He refused the office; an application was made to the Court of King's Bench, and the validity of his refusal was proclaimed. Success and honour were again the reward of firmness-and another buttress was added to this little citadel of Dissenting rights!

(To be continued.)

Philanthropic Legacy.

JOHN MACLACHLAN, Esq., formerly teacher of Mathematics in Glasgow, who died in spring last, in Calcutta, has bequeathed a handsome legacy, supposed to be about £20,000, the residue of his fortune, for the establishment of freeschools in Glasgow, for the education of male and female children of poor Highlanders residing in and about the city, and supplying books and stationery to those who are not able to purchase them. We have seen an extract from Mr. MACLACHLAN'S will. The trust is confided to the Lord Provost and Magistrates of the city of Glasgow, the Ministers and other Members of the General Church Session, and the Ministers and Managers of the Gaelic Church or Churches of the said city, for the time being, and to their successors in office for ever.

The boys, besides a grammatical knowledge of the English language, are to be taught writing, arithmetic and book-keeping; the girls, besides a proper knowledge of the English language, writing and the first five common rules of arithmetic, are to be instructed in needle-work, and such other useful employments as may enable them to gain an honest living after leaving school. This interesting circumstance