which paternal affection could have raised.

Apart from the affecting event which the reader associates with them, the Discourses are interesting, and on the young, for whose benefit they were written, must be deeply impres

sive.

The conclusion of the second Discourse exhibits an extraordinary as well as melancholy coincidence: we shall give it, together with the Notes of Mr. Belsham, the Editor:

"I have just suggested the vast accumulation of the motives to virtue arising from the connexion of this life with a future; and I shall conclude this discourse by urging the very great uncertainty of human life, as a motive for earnestness and zeal in the practice of virtue. A very recent and most melancholy event adds feeling to the conviction that not a moment ought to be lost, even by the youngest of us, in order to prepare ourselves for our final home. You have, no doubt, anticipated my reference to the very deeply-lamented death of the Princess Charlotte of Wales and that of her infant son. .

"To her the attention and pleasing hopes of the nation have been naturally directed for many years. Her excellent dispositions endeared her to Britons, and gave them the most flattering promises of future, though distant, good to the nation. These hopes, alas! are now entirely blighted by the deplored death of this amiable Princess: and for reasons inscrutable by us, but certainly most wise and benevolent, it has been ordained that her infant offspring should fall (as we view things) an untimely sacrifice to the king of terrors. So unexpected and so awful an event has, no doubt, struck a panic

through the kingdom. But let it be recollected that we are Christians, and have the most substantial grounds for trusting in the living God. He is the actual ruler and governor of all nations, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The measures and events of all nations are under his controul. And believing that he is infinitely wise in all his measures, and perfectly good in all his purposes, we have reasons for the most consoling confidence under every event of his government. At the same time we cannot fail to sympathize in the sorrows thus excited. And finally,

"This melancholy news arrived at Warrington on Saturday morning, and was communicated to the Author of this discourse while he was composing it, and made a very deep impression upon his mind."

my fellow-christians, may this awful event be so wisely improved by us, that, know. ing that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, we may seize hold of the present moment, experience the wisdom and blessedness of virtue, and be prepared to obey the summons of death, whenever it may arrive, as a passport to a better land, where sickness, and sorrow, and affliction, and pain, and crying, and mourning shall be done away, and glory from the eternal throne shall fill everlasting ages. God grant it. Amen."

Mr Robberds's short Address at the Interment is throughout peculiarly happy.

An Advertisement, by the Editor, explains the reason of the publication, and pays a just tribute of praise to the much-lamented Author.

A beautiful Portrait is prefixed, the first impression from the plate from which the portrait at the head of this Volume was struck off.

Within six hours after the pious author had written this affecting peroration, he himself was very suddenly and unexpectedly removed out of this world. He had finished his composition at midnight, and read over the last paragraph to a friend who was with him; after which he retired to rest in his usual health and spirits, to rise no more till that day when all who are in their graves shall bear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing,"

means to designate the Father as "the true God." Perhaps, however, it is not quite correct to quote Luke vi. 12, as a proof that our Lord continued a whole night in "a dreary solitude," since EU sometimes, and probably here, signifies an oratory or house of prayer. (See Bishop Pearce, in loc. and Acts xvi. 13, and Note.) The latter part of the sermon is au animated exhibition of the influence of Unitarian principles. On a review of it, persons least inclined to Unita ́rianism would not, we apprehend, pronounce it a cold and cheerless system, whatever other judgment they might form. To such among our readers, we recommend the following passage:

"In that populous town near which I reside, Unitarianism has to boast of many converts; and the number is increasing. One has said, 'As a Calvinist, I was miserable;-as an Athanasian, confounded. I was tempted to become an Atheist: a Deist I had most certainly been, had I not become acquainted with Unitarian Christianity.' 'I die,' said another, whose weeping friends were standing with me around his bed, 'I die as I have lived, an Unitarian, and my faith, which has never failed me in life as a comfort and support to me, is my comfort and support now, in the prospect of death. I have neither doubts nor fears. I thank the living God.' 'I thank God,' said another, for having brought me to the knowledge of his truth. I am going my last journey; perhaps we continue to live. Yet, the sleep of the grave is but a point of time. I am satisfied of the unpurchased grace and love of God: here is real mercy, and we can rely upon it for eternal life!'* Others I might name; but I cannot proceed. Yet not a case could be mentioned,

* “ Mr. John Hutchinson, of Attercliffe. This gentleman was originally a member of the Church of England, but with Mr. John Spencer, (the author of the New Pilgrim's Progress,) and several other persons, he left the Church, many years ago, and united himself to a small society of Unitarian Christians, which assembled for worship at the house of the above-mentioned Mr. Spencer, who was a man of the most enlarged and liberal mind. After some years, this little flock of Christ' was dissolved as a separate society, by the removal of some of its members, and the death of others; and those who remained, joined their brethren in the town of Sheffield."

[For an account of Mr. Spencer, see Vol. V. pp. 260-262. Also Vol. VI. P. 620. ED.]

TH

An

THE Sunday Schools supported by the Old and New Meetings at Birmingham, are amongst the most important and valuable of the Protestant Dissenting Institutions. interesting history of them is here given by Mr. Luckcock, as also of a Brotherly Society established amongst the teachers. At the close of the business of the Sunday, it is the custom of the teachers to deliver an address to their pupils. This was the origin of these Lectures, though by a subsequent arrangement, the teachers only to them the Lectures, in the latter came under Mr. Luckcock's care, and part of the volume, were addressed.

The Lectures are designedly moral, rather than religious, the Lecturer judging it unnecessary to inculcate religious principles, as the pupils were accustomed to attend divine worship twice a-day; but the morality which they contain is purely Christian. They embrace almost every topic relating to the conduct and respectability of persons in the humbler ranks of life, and furnish maxims and rules which, if habitually acted upon, would infal libly better the morals of young persons of every condition. Mr. Luckcock relieves the gravity of a moral Lecture, by the introduction of a variety of anecdotes, some of them drawn from his own experience. The turn of these, the plain every-day morality which all the addresses insist on, and the simplicity of the style re

mind us frequently of Franklin, the best ethical teacher of modern times. We think that the volume would be a most suitable Christmas present for apprentices and other youths that have just finished a common education, aud for servants of some cultivation of mind. No London bookseller is named on the title-page, but we presume that the work may be obtained through the regular channels. The necessity of brevity, in this closing Number of our Volume, alone prevents us from inserting some passages which we had marked for extraction, as exceedingly entertaining and instructive.

ART. VII.-The Principles of Unitarian Christians stated and explained, and Erroneous Views respecting them corrected. A Sermon, preached before an Association of Unitarians, at Hull, September 29, 1818, in which are defined the Nature and Objects of the Association. By John Platts, Minister and Private Preceptor, Doncaster. 12mo. pp. 36. Doncaster, printed: sold by Hunter,

London.

THE

THIS is a lively sermon, and its perusal will, we doubt not, according to the Author's hopes, "justify the approbation with which it was honoured on the delivery." Mr. Platts devotes several pages to the subject of infidelity, and repels with becoming indignation the idle reproach of Unitarianism as a system of unbelief: but we think his zeal has led him to ascribe to unbelievers in compatible qualities. "Enthusiasm," for instance, can scarcely co-exist with scepticism. The moral evil of unbelief is, in our opinion, its tendency to deaden the better feelings of our nature and to paralyze the heart.

ART. VIII.—Thoughts on Social Prayer: intended to shew its Reasonablenett and Consistency with the New Tes tament. By Richard Wright, Unitarian Missionary. 12mo. pp. 24. Liverpool, printed: sold by Eaton, London. 6d.

IKE all Mr. Wright's tracts, the

La Thoughts" are judicious and pertinent, and plainly and familiarly expressed. He first contends, that "Social Prayer" is a reasonable and useful practice, and then proceeds to examine the doctrine of Scripture with relation to it. He considers Matt. vi. 5, 6, as a direction concerning the prayers of individuals, and no than our Lord's precepts, with respect more a prohibition of social prayer to private alms, are a prohibition of united exertions for the relief of the poor. He produces and comments on the following passages, as decisive of social prayer being agreeable to the mind of our Lord, and the practice of the primitive church, viz. Matt. vi. 7-13; xviii. 19, 20; Acts i. 13, 14; ii. 42; iv. 23-30; xii. 5 and 12; xiii. S; xvi. 13 and 25; xx. 36; xxvi. 35; 1 Cor. xi. 4, 5, 10, 13 and 14, compared with xiv. 15, 16; Rom. xv. 30; Ephes. vi. 18; 1 Tim. ii. ! and 8, compared with iii. 14, 15; and 1 Pet. iii. 7.

The "Thoughts" will assist the inquiries of such as feel any difficulty upon the subject. If the Scripture evidence be reckoned small, let it be remembered, that social prayer was the universal custom of the Jewish Synagogue, and, of course, of our Lord and the apostles, and that they no more thought of vindicating its authority, than of proving the being of God. This would have been "laying again the foundation."

aged 83. Mrs. Wise had lived for many years in habits of the most intimate and affectionate friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Chilley, and their minds from the day of her death, appear to have been chiefly occupied with thoughts of preparation for the same awful event, endeavouring to alleviate its gloom, with the idea of reposing with her in the same common

receptacle. Of them all it may be justly affirmed, that their piety was of that sober, steady and liberal character, which distinguishes the Old Geueral Baptists. It was evinced not by flights of enthusiasm, nor by airs of affected sanctity, but by an upright, kind, and generous course of conduct. Mrs. Wise had been left a widow for upwards of twenty years, and during the last five years was almost wholly confined to her house by infirmity. She, however, always devoted a consider able portion of her income to the relief and benefit of her fellow-creatures, solicitously seeking out objects to which it might be advantageously applied, though often acting in secrecy, and always without ostentation. Her contributions formed a very large share of the sum expended in the erection of the New Meeting House, and the support of its minister. Mr. Chilley having by unremitting application and frugality acquired a moderate competency, retired from business, and settled at Rochester many years since. Carrying with him, however, the same persevering activity and industry by which he ba been hitherto characterised, he constantly exerted himself for the benefit and comfort of those around him. Although some family misfortunes had early and deeply impressed upon bis mind the folly of prodigality, and the imprudence of a careless confidence, there was scarcely a time after he arrived at manhood, when he did not, in some way or other, endeavour to render pecuniary aid to some of his neighbours, with whose difficulties he became acquainted. Perfectly honest and punctual in all his dealings, he expected the same regularity in others. He would, indeed, if possible exact it from them. And as his judgment and caution prevented his being betrayed by the idle and improvident, so his assistance was generally effectual and useful. Mr. Chilley had no children of his own, but when an only and beloved sister had the misfortune to lose a worthy husband in the prime of life, he most cordially united with an excellent brother-in-law, to assist her young family: and when soon after wards, they were bereft of their mother also, and were left (as he had been himself) without any earthly parent to guide them, the welfare of his nephews and nieces became one of the dearest objects of his life. His heart was also always open to an erring brother, whose course he seems to have watched with constant solicitude, seizing every opportunity of rendering him useful assistance, and at length most affectionately administering to the comforts of his latter days. With views necessarily contracted by the circumstances in which he had been placed, Mr. Chilley seems honestly to have ex

Even

ercised his judgment, and through a long life to have actively strove to do the good within his observation and his reach. Throngbout his last illness, by which he was confined to his bed eleven weeks, he retained the possession of his faculties, contemplating his approaching dissolution, which he clearly foresaw, with steady fortitude and humble resignation; often raising his thoughts to the great Father of mercies and God of consolation. He ceased not to exercise the most considerate regard for the comfort of others, anticipating with singular minuteness arrangeinents subsequent to his decease. his habitual cheerfulness did not forsake him, but continued to manifest itself in many traits of innocent pleasantry and kindness. Mrs. Chilley was characterised by a most amiable sweetness of temper, and affectionate tenderness of disposition. Of her it might be truly said, that she had a heart which could lose both itself and every other object, in its fervent attachment to her friends, and that her life was bound up in the life of her husband, for whom she so long cherished the warmest affection, and whom she so quickly followed to the grave. Her conversation was ever sensible and agreeable. She delighted much in rational religious intercourse and reading, and had attained an intimate acquaintance with the sacred writings, on which she meditated with attention and seriousness, and with much good discernment of its genuine excellences; and from which she derived heartfelt consolation under her last and most severe affliction. She died, as she had lived, with a sweet tranquillity, which seemed to disarm death of half his terrors. Maidstone, Nov. 13, 1818.

P.

July 14, the Rev. EZEKIEL BLOOMNorfolk, aged 40. Mr. B., who struggled FIELD, Dissenting minister at Wortwell, long with pecuniary difficulties, has left a wife and eight children unprovided for. He has also left in MS, a volume of Historical Lectures, delivered with approbation at several principal towns in the neighbouring counties, which are to be published for the advantage of his family.

Ar Landissil, in Cardiganshire, some time in the month of August last, highly respected and lamented, Mr. THO MAS THOMAS, second son of Thomas Thomas, Esq., of Llanvair, and of Jane, the eldest daughter of David Lloyd of Llwyn-rhyd-owen, and grand-daughter of Jenkin Jones of Paut-y-defaid. This young man was therefore, the greatgrandson of the man who formed the first professedly Heterodox congregation in South Wales; and the grandson of his

Successor, who carried the interest at Llwyn rhyd-owen to a pitch of success seldom effected by the talents and exertions of one person. Jenkin Jones built the first chapel on his own estate, principally at his own expense, and officiated for some years to the infant society. In the time of his successor, that chapel was greatly enlarged, to accommodate, in some measure, the increasing numbers of the people, who were eventually subdivided into several separate churches. In time, a considerable body of the people outran the minister, who became the pastor on the death of David Lloyd, and refined their Arian and Arminian sentiments into Unitarianism; and, as usual, met with no small vexation from the minister and many of the members. The consequence was, a separation of the Unitarians from the old societies, and the erection of two new chapels, Llwyn-y-groes and Pant-ydefaid, during the years 1801 and 1892. On this occasion, all that remained of the two families of Jenkin Jones and David Lloyd joined the separated Unitarians; and John Jones, Esq, of Pant-y-defaid, son of the former, furnished the requisite land for the site of one of the chapels, and contributed largely towards its erection. Of those two congregations, the Rev. John James became the first minister, and D. J. Rees, of Lloyd Jack, lately commemorated in the Repository, [XII, 740-745,] among the departed worthies of our churches, a most important member and occasional preacher. Mr. Thomas Thomas as he grew up, attached himself with no common ardor to the same canse; and the aid of these two important members was most happily distributed, as the subject of the present article formed one of the society at Pant-y-defaid, while D. J. Rees belonged to that assembling at Llwyn-y-groes. Mr. Thomas had a very strong inclination to the Christian ministry, and was once on the point of entering upon the usual academical preparation: but, alas, he was prevented by the complaint, a decline, which for almost ten years rendered life a burden, and terminated in his removal! He was a young man of very respectable talents, which he had considerably cultivated, in spite of his complaint, especially by domestic association for several years with Mr. James and Mr. D. J. Rees, in the family of the latter. Perhaps a finer Christiau, for temper which was all mildness, and for benevolence which was all disinterestedness and generosity, has seldom been found. From his youth upwards, he had feared God, and exerted himself in his cause, which is also that of truth and mankind. The writer appeals to those who knew him, if he was not affectionate almost beyond example, most patient and

submissive during his melancholy illness, zealous all the while for the prevalence of evangelical doctrine, "sober, chaste and temperate in all things;" beloved, in retur, and honored and finally regretted as a brother and friend by an extensive circle.

At the close of life, he made a very judicious and equitable distribution of his property, which was not inconsiderable for the country in which he resided. la these days, few of our wealthy members imitate our ancestors by leaving, trois their accumulated riches, a small portion for the support of the good cause which, in life, they esteemed as the cause of truth. In this respect, the great and good man, D. J. Rees, was no exception to the generality of our friends. The cause would have derived no small comfort and encouragement, if, when his most importaut influence was withdrawn, a small part of his property had been devoted towards compensating, in a little measure, for the loss which, in hin elf, the society had sustained. Mr. Thomas thought of the interest of truth when he was bid to consign it to the care of those who yet survive. After devising the balk of his fortune to his immediate family, the present minister of the chapel at Pant-ydefaid was not forgotten, and Mr. James had a substantial proof of the esteem of the deceased. To the support of the future ministry of the word of God, Mr. Thomas bequeathed £200, and £30 towards inclosing the burying ground at the chapel with a suitable wall. Besides, as his heart, while alive, was wholly devoted to the gospel and to the brethren, he directed by his will, that his body should be deposited in the chapel, where it lies awaiting the resurrection of the just. It is the first buried there of many that will probably follow, were no other motive to operate but the desire to be laid near one so entirely beloved. The edifying example of this most amiable and virtuous young man consoles us in the midst of the corruption of the world, and proves, to a demonstration, the salutary efficacy of "the truth as it is in Jesus," to enlighten the understanding and to pusify the heart. Being dead he yet speaketh. The band that writes this is agitated by the various emotions with which the heart is affected at the recollection of a gentle and excelleut kinsman, removed so early from extensive usefulness, ripe however in holiness, and in fituess for the inheritance of the saints in light." London, Dec. 2, 1818.

C. LL.

Sept. 22, after a lingering illness, the Rev. ROBERT SLOPER, of Devizes, entered his rest. In the very house in which he was born, he breathed his last, without