master of the school shall be a member of the Church of England. This provision necessarily follows from the indispensable arrangement that the master shall attend the majority of the children to the worship of the Establishment. It may be imagined that the negative granted to the clergyman of the parish, or the choice of a master by the householders, may give him too much power. The object of that power is, however, of comparatively little moment. The clergyman has no authority to intrude any one into the office of master at his own will; and it is not to be conceived that many clergymen will run counter to the wish of their neighbours, without some substantial reason. After all, the provision is no hardship upon us particularly as Dissenters. In the speech with which he introduced his Bill, Mr. Brougham proposed that the master should be obliged to take the sacramental test. To the proposal of the extended use of that criterion, so obnoxious to our feelings, I had strong objection, which I lost no time in communicating to him; but before he received my letter, he had been apprized of the impression it was likely to make on our body, and for that and other reasons had withdrawn it; and, in point of fact, it never composed a part of his Bill. I trust, Sir, that by this letter I shall have satisfied you and the rest of my Nonconforming brethren, that Mr. Brougham never entertained any unfriendly sentiments towards Dissenters. It would give me pleasure to understand that my statement of the provisions contained in his Bill in security of our rights, has abated the prejudices entertained against it. The education of the mass of the population of England is a grand and momentous object,-for the furtherance of which, if need were, we should be prepared to make some sacrifices. But I am persuaded that no sacrifice we shall, by his Bill, be called upon to make, save the sacrifice of unreasonable jealousy and suspicion. With sincere esteem for your character as a man, and thanks for your exertions in defence of the common rights of the Dissenting body, I remain, yours truly, WILLIAM SHEPHERD. Gateacre, Feb. 1. Christian Tract Society. THE Anniversary of this Society was holden on March 8th, at the Old London Tavern,-JAMES ESDAILE, Esq., in the Chair, at the meeting for business. When the Treasurer's report was laid on the table it appeared that the Society was indebted to him £11. 16s. 3d., and to its Stationers £93. 19s. The Report of the Committee was then read. The first topic on which it treated was, a liberal offer made to the Society by one of its life subscribers to provide a pair of dies from which a medal might be struck, to be presented to the author of the best Tract during any one year. Neatly executed drawings of a devise and a motto for the obverse and reverse of the Medal were shewn to the Meeting; but as the other business was of a highly interesting nature, the subject of the medal was referred to the new Committee, of which the gentleman alluded to was chosen a member. It was stated that during the last year, three new Tracts had been published, and that 2000 copies of each had been printed. The first was from the pen of the Rev. R. Wright, under the title of The Recovery of the Lost Son; the second was written by Mrs. Hughes, (the author of so many of the Society's publications,) and entitled The Sunday Scholar; or, a Sketch from Real Life;-and the third, by Mrs. Price, (author of The Orphan Sisters, The Old Soldier, History of Elenor Williams, and The History of Edward Allen,) and entitled The Miller's Boy; or, the Life and Death of Thomas Sankey. Besides these new tracts, three of the old ones had been reprinted; amounting together to 11,000 copies : but the number circulated in that period was stated to be nearly 21,000. The amount of the Tracts printed from the institution of the Society in 1809, was mentioned as being 295,000, of which 261,000 had gone out from its store, and most of them had been circulated. In the course of the ensuing year, in order to keep up the stock for complete sets of the four published volumes, it was supposed that not less than a dozen of the Tracts would require to be reprinted. From the extensive continental correspondence of one of their number, the Committee had been enabled to send sets of the Tracts to Spain, France, Holland and Piedmont. In Holland they had been thankfully received by Professor Van Swinderon, of Groningen, and by his recommendation a set had also been sent to the Moravians, of Zeist, near Utrecht, who have established a society for the distribution of Tracts, with objects similar to those contemplated by The Christian Tract Society. In a journal published by the French Protestants of Nismes, a very honourable testimony was said to have been given, in the number for November 1820, to the excellence and superiority of the Tracts published by this Society. Several grants had been made to Sunday-schools, in different parts of the kingdom, during the year, and the Com the Secretary, the Committee, the Audi- The following gentlemen were elected The Rev. Dr. T. Rees, Messrs. Hart, Holt, R. Taylor, Bowring, Leach, Rev. 206 7 0 R. Wright, Rev. R. Aspland, and Messrs. G. Robinson, S. Parkes and Edgar Tay 35 0 0 lor. 387 9 4 The appointment of a Collector was 105 15 3 referred to the Committee. ..£281 14 1 This was about £58, less than the Society's property two years since and the causes of the diminution were thought to be that, from the now great number of Tracts, a large stock was always required to be kept on hand; and as a considerable portion of the annual subscriptions had been withdrawn within the last three years, smaller impressions were necessarily printed, and, consequently, at a greater proportionate expense than when the series was much less. Added to this defalcation in the annual income, some of the first life subscribers were stated to have begun to receive the fruits of their early, kind patronage of the Society, without adding to its present resources. This depressed, state of the finances was deeply lamented by the Committee, as it had prevented them from resolving to print two MSS., with which they had been favoured by Mr. Wright and Mrs. Hughes; and they had, therefore, ventured to make an appeal to the friends of the Society at large, in the persuasion that its pecuniary difficulties need only be known, to ensure it that support which had become necessary to its future usefulness and even its very existence. Those ministers who approve of its object, were requested to give it the benefit of an occasional public collection. The appeal having been advertised on the wrappers of the last month's Repository and Christian Reformer, it is unnecessary to go into further detail; but as it has been hinted above, that the Society will be obliged to incur a greater expense in reprints during the ensuing year than for some years past, the attention of all its friends is respectfully invited to the appeal made by the Committee. Thanks were voted to the Treasurer, At the close of the business fifty-four gentlemen sat down to dinner, Jonn WILKS, Esq., in the Chair. After the cloth was removed, the Chairman gave "The King," and, as the second toast, "Civil and Religious Liberty all the world over ;" and his prefatory remarks, notwithstanding he complained of indisposition, were characterised by that ardour and manly independence, by that striking and fascinating eloquence for which he is deservedly popular. The next sentiment given was, "The Education of the Poor." The Chairman considered this as entitled to precede the mention of the Society whose anniversary the company had met to celebrate; for it was useless to distribute Tracts among the poor unless they were able to read them. If they were enabled to read, it was necessary to furnish them with such food as would enlighten the mind and regulate the affections. On this topic the Chairman very naturally alluded to Mr. Brougham's Education Bill, and expressed his hope that the Dissenters throughout the kingdom would exert all the moral influence they possess to prevent its passing into a law. But should it unhappily pass, he felt persuaded, the measures it contemplated were such as would speedily sink it under its own weight. In his preface to the next sentiment-The Christian Tract Society-the Chairman expatiated at considerable length on the vast importance of Tract Societies. With a liberality worthy the station he then occupied, he gave a due share of praise to the Tracts published by this Society, for their catholic spirit and for their highly moral tendency; and, as an inducement to every subscriber to exert himself, to the utmost, to get them into circulation, he mentioned the following interesting fact: a Tract, giving an account of a female West-India slave, who had been converted to Christianity, fell into the hands of a French gentleman, distinguished for his literary attainments and rank in life. The tract related the truly Christian behaviour of this poor young woman, who, while her master continued to beat her in the most merciless manner, poured out fervent prayers to Heaven for blessings on her persecutor and his family. The gentleman was struck with the narrative, and began to question himself as to the source whence the sufferer could have derived such exalted principles, and the fortitude to put them into practice under such painful circumstances. The result was, that he became a serious inquirer into the nature and evidences of Christianity, and a sincere convert to and bright ornament of his newly-adopted faith. "The Memory of Dr. Lindsay," who had kindly consented to take the Chair on that occasion, was then given. To do justice to the respectful tribute paid by the Chairman in his description of that good man's worth exceeds the writer's power. Suffice it to say, it was such as did credit to the departed and his evidently sincere eulogist, and such as every one who knew Dr. Lindsay must have felt to be just, though he might not have been able to express it with equal felicity. Its effect was not lost on the company; for, on "The Treasurer's" health being given, that gentleman rose and announced various sums he had received in consequence of the Committee's appeal and since the company had assembled one of which was, "£21, a tribute of respect to the memory of Dr. Lindsay." Among other contributions, to relieve the Society from its difficulties, the Chairman announced his own life subscription, and several gentlemen present doubled their life and annual subscriptions.-The sentiment, "Our coadjutors in Holland, France, Piedmont and Spain," called forth some glowing anticipations on the progress of liberal and enlightened principles of Civil and Religious Freedom. Unitarian Fund. AN Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society was held at the London Tavern, by advertisement, on Tuesday the 6th inst., "to consider the expediency of Mr. Wright's undertaking a Missionary Tour the United States of America," John Christie, Esq., the Treasurer, in the Chair. After much discussion, from which it appeared that there was considerable difference of opinion, the decision of the question was postponed to the Annual Meeting at Whitsuntide, which will this year be June 13. The Meeting of the Unitarian Association of Somerset and Dorset, which was to have been held at Bridport on Easter Tuesday, is postponed, on account of the lamented death of Mr. Howe and Mr. Blake, till Tuesday the 2nd of October next. SAMUEL FAWCETT. Yeovil, March 17, 1821. MISCELLANEOUS. AN Exhibition is about to be opened of Engravings by Living British Artists, under the Royal Patronage. An individual artist, Mr. W. B. Cooke, has taken the whole expense and risk of the project upon himself. The exhibition is to be opened at No. 9, Soho Square, in the middle of April. This novel and interesting institution will have the good wishes of all lovers of the arts. British engravers have attained the highest eminence in their profession, but for want of some means of communicating with the public, their most exquisite productions are scarcely brought out before they are locked up in the cabinets of the curious. THE Provisional Committee for Encouragement of Industry and Reduction of Poor's Rates, have prepared the heads of a Bill to be introduced into Parliament for enabling parishes to employ and settle the poor on waste lands; and a petition corresponding to it now lies at the King's Head, in the Poultry, for signatures. New Churches. THE Commissioners for building New Churches have made their First Report, from which it appears that the churches or chapels proposed to be built amount to 85, which are calculated to furnish sittings at one time for about 144,190 persons, of which accommodation about one-third will be in free seats, to be appropriated to the use of the poor; and that the probable expense of erecting these churches or chapels amounts to about £1,068,000., including £59,000., the amount of loans which the Commissioners propose to make to various parishes, from which sum is to be deducted about £88,000., the amount of parochial and private contributions. At this rate for building churches, the sitting-room for each person will cost seven pounds, eight shillings. The Commissioners state that they have been obliged to postpone the consideration of 25 applications for farther church-accommodation, from a belief that the Parliamentary fund will be totally exhausted in the completion of the churches and chapels which they have already proposed to build. FOREIGN. FRANCE. The opponents of certain late proceedings in our House of Lords always urged the disgrace which they would cast upon the nation in the eyes of foreigners. Their apprehensions have been realized. England has become a by-word on the continent: the better sort of our neighbours who do not mock us, sigh over us. Thus writes one of the purest men in France in the Chronique Religieuse, for January 1821: "Beyond the Straits of Calais, a celebrated suit has for a long time afflicted men of virtuous minds by obscene details, which have inflicted a wound, a very deep wound, on public morals. A dispute concerning the political liturgy has followed. What a combination of ideas, or rather what a contrast! How many reflections does it suggest!" We are informed that several persons possessing considerable zeal and influence, as well Catholics as Protestants, have formed themselves into a Provisional Committee, to consider the most expedient means of establishing a Society in France, for the promotion of Peace on Christian principles. Among the former, we see the names of the Baron de Gerando, the Baron de Staël, the Compte de la Borde; and among the latter, Marron, President of the French Protestant Church; Wurtz, an eminent bookseller and a man of talent; Stapfer, Ancient Professor of Philosophy; Willm, &c. &c. From the present state of affairs in France, a Society so directly opposed to the warlike spirit of the country, cannot perhaps immediately be established; but it is proposed to institute a Society, which shall embrace other objects connected with this, under the title of "La Société des Amis de la morale Chrétienne et de la Paix;" and to publish a monthly journal, embracing the various objects of the Bible and Mission Societies, the Prison Improvement Societies, &c. &c. avoiding all political discussions and dogmas which divide the professors of Christianity. -Herald of Peace. PORTUGAL. The list of 100 Deputies, constituting the Portuguese CORTES, contains twenty ecclesiastics, of whom eight are bishops. In 1797 died the celebrated Portuguese member of the Oratory, ANTONY PEREIRA, author of learned works, which maintained with great éclat the rights of episcopacy and those of the civil power against Ultramontane pretensions. In the number of ecclesiastics deputed to the Cortes, we perceive another ANTONY PEREIRA, member, like the former, of the Congregation of the Oratory, and professor of philosophy. A singular identity of name and profession! Heaven grant that the Deputy may have the courage and the talents of Pereira who died twenty-four years ago.-Chronique Relig. AMERICA. Our readers may recollect that the people of the MISSOURI territory lately applied to Congress to be admitted as a new state into the Union. This was resisted by a great number of the best friends of American freedom, on the ground of their constitution recognizing the right of holding slaves, but the bill for this purpose passed the Senate. The country seemed thus on the point of contracting an indelible stain: the fears of the patriots have however been relieved by the decision of the House of Representatives, who decided on the 13th ult., by a majority of 93 to 79, against the admission of any new slave state. Whether the Missourians will expunge the obnoxious clause, or erect themselves into an independent government, having slavery, not liberty, for its basis, is a speculation which already interests politicians. Surely these republicans will not begin their national existence under the curse of both God and man, which they certainly lie under who coolly calculate and deliberately resolve upon the degradation and oppression of a large portion of their fellow-creatures as the means of wealth and prosperity! INDIA. Burning of Widows.-This atrocious superstition begins at length to arouse the attention of the British in India, and to excite the interference of the public authorities. Three instances are related of British officers having iuterposed with courageous humanity to prevent these religious murders. A pamphlet has appeared, entitled, "Remarks on the Immolations in India; and particularly on the Destruction of 1528 Females, Burnt or Buried Alive in Bengal, in the years 1815, 1816 and 1817; as authenticated by a Copy of the Official Returns now in England; with various Arguments to prove that these Immolations may be safely and easily suppressed." We learn with pleasure that RAM MOHUN ROY, the celebrated Hindoo Reformer, has exerted himself zealously in this cause, and published more than one Tract, in behalf of the female character. It is still said that this philanthropic theist purposes to fulfil his resolution of visiting England. THE Monthly Repository. No. CLXXXIV.] APRIL, 1821. Memoirs of Himself, by Mr. John Fox. [Vol. XVI. of all sorts, and was pretty much of Lord Halifax's opinion, that no man had the digestion of an ostrich, and that God did not expect him to digest iron. While I lived with him, he married a niece of Knight, Cashier to the S. Sea Company, by which means he got at last to the collection of Bristol, where he got money, and lives yet in character and content. HOUGH I had been in Town before, yet it seemed quite strange and disagreeable to me at my first getting up. The way of living and Conversing was new and seemingly disagreeable. I had scarce any one to speak to, and I was like one banished, though in the hurry and noise of the world. What added to this, was my falling afresh into my father's displeasure about an affair I wrote him of, from Exeter, in my way up. However, in a few weeks that matter fell quite. I was recommended to good lodgings in Austin Friars, where lived four young ministers, who were all men of sense, and very agreeable companions. We lived and conversed with much innocent freedom. But my favourite was one Mr. Jer. Burroughs, (now Collector of the Customs in Bristol,) whose taste and temper pleased me above the rest. He was assistant preacher to Mr., since Dr., Wright at Black Friars, who bore the character of a man of sense and a polite preacher, and one who put a proper value on his abilities. I think Mr. Burroughs was the best preacher among all the Dissenters I heard in London. He imitated the style and manner of Mr. Addison in all his compositions; he had a very lively imagination, and a neat, unaffected delivery which pleased every body. He never read his sermons, but preached them, which were generally on good subjects, and free from all the grimace and cant of party. He had a latitude in his way of thinking far beyond the rest of his corps, and he did not in all points behave as was commonly expected from one of his character, though he never broke out into any indecency. He had a fine ear and taste for music; he sung Purcell's songs and played Corelli's sonatas very correctly. He loved diversions, and sometimes gained very well by them; for he understood chances and played well himself. He had a very great contempt for priests ED. VOL. XVI. 2 c He was not the only person I was intimate with. I was brought to the knowledge of one Mr. Secker, in whom at first sight I perceived something extraordinary. We became intimately acquainted soon, and, during my stay in Town, I conversed with him in the full extent of confidence and true friendship. We had a third man with us, Mr. Samuel Chandler, † who was of a bold, lively temper, and truly generous in his way of thinking; but he had not the depth and strength of Secker. I got a great deal from them, and particularly that turn of mind which hath ever since enabled me to receive truth wherever I see it, without any regard to interest or prejudice. And though this is certainly no principle to thrive by, because it exposes a man to the disregard or sneer, and sometimes resentment, of most men, who all run into one party or faction or another, yet it is a principle that affords a constant satisfaction, and which will secure the applauses of the virtuous few, and of your own conscience. When Mr. Secker and I were intimate, he was intended for a Dissenting Minister, but he did not like their principles and practices in a great many things. And as he was strong in Dr. Clarke's scheme about the Trinity, he was under great difficulty about subscribing the Articles. * Afterwards Archbishop Secker. ED. + Afterwards Dr. Samuel Chandler. |