500 licentiates. It may safely be set our dominions, this property in slaves. down, that half a million of persons in Henceforth, every slave in our dothis country have already embraced minions is to be considered free; and their views, and join in their worship. verily we shall no longer consider him They are now found in most of the as property. States of the Union.

“We have given notice of this to Tenets. -- They reject all human all the Governors of our Regency of creeds, taking the Bible alone. They Tunis. reject all doctrines which cannot be “We hereby give you notice also, stated in scriptural language ; conse- that whatever slave shall enter our quently, they reject the doctrine of the dominions, by land or by sea, will imTrinity, believing the Father alone to mediately be declared free. be God; that God is, therefore, one, “The protection of God be ever and onlyone person; that Jesus Christ upon you! is the only begotten Son of God; that “Given at Moharrem, in the Moon the Holy Ghost is that divine unction Shawal, in the year of Hegira, 1262.” with which our Saviour was anointed, (Jan. 1846.) “a divine emanation of God, by which This decree was immediately exehe exerts an energy or influence on cated without any kind of disturbance. rational minds." They believe in Most of the former slaves voluntarily Christ's pre-existence, in the ordi- remain as hired servants with their nances of Baptism and the Lord's Sup- Arab masters—who, in general, treat per, baptizing by immersion ; and they their domestics well. * reject the whole scheme of Calvi- This act of a Mahometan, and, not

long since, piratical government, puts Their churches are strictly congre- to shame the rulers of many Christian gational or independent. They are

and civilized communities--or at least giving increased attention to the edu- of states which are so called. What cation of their ministers, availing a proud day would it have been for largely of advantages afforded at the America had such a paper been isTheological School at Meadville, Pa. sued by the authority of Congressthe Board of Visitors of which is com- from the office of the Secretary to the posed of an equal number of Unitarian United States ! How worthy of the and Christian clergymen.

“Patriot Nation !" which proclaims They took the name of Christians to the world as the fundamental in order to avoid all sectarian appear- maxim of its political system—“ All

men are born free and equal."

bism.

ances.

BRITISH

AND

FOREIGN

UNITARIAN

ASSOCIATION.

Tunis.

ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN TUNIS.

ENGLAND. The Mahommedan Bey of Tunis has abolished slavery within his regency. The following letter from his Highness intimates this act of his go. The annual general meeting of this vernment to the Consuls of foreign Association was held on Wednesday, powers resident at his court.

the 3rd of June-J. B. Estlin, Esq. in “Praise be to God ! The Muschir the chair. Achmet Pasha Bey, to our ally Mr. Hornby, the treasurer, said he Consul-General of resident at had great pleasure in laying before the

Association the state of its funds for "The object of this letter is to let the year which had just closed. He you know, that that kind of property would do so very briefly, and without consisting of human beings, to whom going into any details, inasmuch as God (be he praised for it :) has been the Report, which would be read from so generous, is most unjust, and abso- the committee, contained full particu. lutely repugnant to our feelings. lars of the expenditure which had

* This matter has occupied us all taken place, and of the position of their the year, during which, as you are affairs. His statement, by being brief, aware, we have been endeavouring to would, he had no doubt, be more input an end to it.

teresting to the meeting on that ac“We are happy to be able now to count, and in matters of pounds, shildeclare to you, that we abolish, in all lings, and pence, would probably be

also the more intelligible mode of com- By purchase of £400 78.
municating the information which he 1d. 3 per cent. Consols.. £401 17 1
wished to convey.

By, expenses of deputa-
tions

40 8 3 Treasurer's Cash Account for the Year ending Dec. 31, 1845.

£1409 15

RECEIPTS.

9

Jan. 1.

From these particulars they would To Balance at Banker's...£118 13

O perceive that though there was a deDec. 31.

ficiency at the end of the year, yet To donations and congre

that on the whole the accounts were gational collections for

in an exceedingly satisfactory state, general objects, as per

the deficiency arising not from a falllist...

121 17 8 ing off of income, but from an inTo annual subscriptions,

creased expenditure, rendered necesas per list, viz. :

sary by the great demands made upon For general

them. That increased expenditure, objects.....£585 18 6

he had no doubt whatever but that For civil

the Association would willingly meet. right fund 2 1 0

(Hear.) He had, heretofore, an opFor book

portunity of stating the particulars to and tract

individuals, but these all expressed the fund........ 41 926

greatest satisfaction at the results, and

629 o had, besides, given the very best test To anniversary collection

of that satisfaction, by promising to at Essex-street chapel.. 19 15 4 increase their own subscriptions and To half-year's & div. on

renew their exertions among their £1564 16s. ld. Consols..

9 friends, and he trusted the Association To half-year's div. on

at large would be disposed to adopt a £1965 38. 2d. Consols... 28 12 4 similar course. (Hear.) To one year's div. on £100

After the transaction of business, Consols......

0 the members and friends of the AssoTo one year's div. on £104

ciation met at the Crown and Anchor, 178. Reduced 3 percents. 3 2 10 where a sumptuous dejeuner à la fourTo amount received from

chette had been prepared. C. Paget, Calcutta for sale of land 400 10. 1 Esq. J.P.presided ; and speeches were To amount received on ac

delivered by the following gentlemen : acount of books sold

-Rev. Hugh Hutton, Rev.D. Talbot, this year.......

Rev. J. G. Robberds, Mr. Yeates, Rev. To balance carried down.. 26 18 0 E. Taggart, Rev.Mr. Armstrong,

Rev. Mr. Gordon, Rev. Dr. Hutton, £1409 15 5 and some others.

22 15

3

35

1

5

DISBURSEMENTS.

WESTERN UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN UNIOX.

By payments in pursuance

The first meeting of this Association of votes of the Com

was held on Tuesday, April 21st, at mitee, in aid of congre

Taunton. The day was beautiful, gations and ministers... £521 0 0 and friends, in considerable numbers, By payments on account

were present from Exeter, Colyton, of the book and tract

Sidmouth, Collumpton, Tavistock, department .....

195 17 4 Plymouth, Ottery, "Honiton, IlminBy payments for printing

ster, Crewkerne, Bridgwater, Bath, and distributing the an

Shepton Mallet, Frenchay, Bristol, nual report.......

36 7 6 and Cheltenham. * Among the miBy payments on account

nisters, we noticed the Revds. M, L. of the anniversary meet

Yates, G. Armstrong, T. Hincks, F. ing ...

2 Bishop, W.J. Odgers, J. M. MontBy one year's rent of

gomery, R. L. Carpenter, H. Solly, J. Offices...

0 Murch, J. G. Teggin, D. Harwood, A. By payments to the resi

Lupton, S. Walker, R. M. Montdent secretary .............

6 gomery, W. James ; and among inBy sundry disbursements 5 7 fluential laymen of the district, J. B.

26 11

25

0

8

Estlin, J. Browne, D. Blake, J. War Western Union had been also of much ren, H. E. Howse, J. Terrell

, B. P. service to the Cheltenham CongrePope, W. Blake, $. W. Browne, R. gation. About the time when this Leigh, E. Bagehot, J. Lawson, J. association was established, the Rev. Hill, &c. &c. Esqs.

L. Lewis resigned the pastoral charge The service was introduced by the in that place; and as his flock were Rev. F. Bishop, of Exeter ; and the unable to secure a resident mi

ister, it Rev. G. Armstrong delivered a power- was determined that a course of ful and impressive discourse, from lectures should be delivered on SunMatt. xvi. 13—19, and 2 Cor. iv, 13. day and Monday evenings, for three The sermon will be published, and months, by ministers in connexion we need not, therefore, attempt an with "the Union.” The result had analysis. We are glad to find that been in every respect satisfactory.the committee have determined to the services had been well attended. print it, in a very cheap form, with a The opponents of Unitarian Christi. view to a wide circulation.

anity had been made to feel that its After divine service had been con- friends are in earnest-prejudice had eluded, the business of the society been lowered-more accurate views of was transacted - the Rev. Jerom Unitarianism had been diffused-and Murch in the chair. The Rev. gentle- some had yielded to conviction, and man having expressed his pleasure at united themselves in fellowship with seeing so many present, and his firm those who worship the Father, through conviction, that, if conducted with Christ the Son. "The committee had energy and judgment, the new society also visited Weymouth, in Dorsetwould be productive of great benefit

, shire, and Totnes

, in Devonshire, with in various ways, throughout the dis- a view to make arrangements for the trict to which its operations would ex- introduction of the Christianity of the tend, called upon the provisional se- New Testament into those places; cretary, the Rev. William James, to and, in the latter town, it is hoped read the report of the provisional com- that, at no distant period, this object mittee. A few months only having may be accomplished. The committee passed since the formation of the as- had engaged the services of the Rev. sociation, it could not, of course, be William Smith, late of Stockport, expected that any very great results who would enter on his labour in had been accomplished; but the state. May, and be stationed at Torquay ments which were made, showed that for three months. They believed Mr. the committee had not been idle, and Smith to be well adapted to the work that measures had been devised, and he was about to undertake there, steps taken, from which, at no very and trusted that a more convenient remote period, important and valuable place might soon be obtained for his effects may be reasonably antici- ministrations. The committee had pated.

not forgotten the small congregations The report stated, that at Torquay, in the district requiring aid. Grants a room, not very commodious in itself, of tracts had been sent to several or in a very desirable situation, but ministers for distribution, and a course the only place that could be procured, of lectures had been conducted at had been licensed, and opened for Tavistock, which was just concluded. divine worship, on the second Sunday They had been in correspondence, also, of the present year, under the direction with friends at Calne and Yeovil, and of the Western Union, and that wor- at South Petherton, where there are ship had been regularly conducted by chapels at present without ministers. different ministers in the district, with The committee had been, likewise, at a favourable prospect of success. Much some trouble to ascertain the names opposition had been encountered, and of persons holding Unitarian opinions, was still manifested; but the Sunday in places where there are no organised evening services were invariably well religious societies professing these attended, chiefly by persons of the views. They had discovered many working-classes; and seed had been who were glad to be brought into insown which, there could be no doubt, tercourse with their brethren. This would, by and by, spring up, and, it had been especially the case in the might be hoped, would produce fruit county of Cornwall. It had been preabundantly. The formation of the viously known, that at Falmouth and Flushing there are several families for its present state, and its pleasing and individuals who, for many years, prospects. had met for the worship of the Father; Moved by R. Leigh, Esq. seconded but the committee had ascertained, that by the Rev. Henry Solly—. That the at Redruth, Hayle, Probus, Truro, Rev. William James be requested to Fowey, Penzance, Carharrack. Cam- fill the offices of Treasurer and Secreborne, Helston, St.Just, Lelant,Penryn, tary during the ensuing year.” Gwennap, and Perran, there are those Moved by the Rev. R. M. Montgowho understand and rejoice in the mery, seconded by Rev. W. J. Odgers Unitarian faith. The friends at Fal. -“ That the following be the rules of mouth were especially desirous ot hav- the Society ing a minister settled with them; and “I. The Society shall be called the they thought, that if he could unite Western Unitarian Christian Union. scholastic duties with the pastoral “II. The object of the Society shall work, he would have a good prospect be to promote the knowledge and of success, both as a minister and a practice of pure Christianity, and the teacher, The committee expressed worship of One God, the Father, their gratitude for the ready response through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the which had been made to their appeal six western counties. for pecuniary aid, and especially to “III. The qualification of memberthe Cambridge graduate, who had so ship shall be the annual payment of munificently contributed £100 to their an annual subscription of any amount, funds; and concluded their report from one shilling upwards, or an ocwith these words :-" They believe casional donation of not less than two that the cause, in the support and de- pounds. fence of which you are united, is one “IV. The Society shall be connectwhich is worthy of the energies of ed with the British and Foreign Unievery generous mind. It is that of tarian Association, in accordance with humbly vindicating the ways of God the rule of that Society, requiring the to man, in the revelation of his truth payment of £5 per annum, and allowby Jesus Christ, divested of the cor- ing two representatives to be sent to ruptions which have grown around it, the annual meeting of the Associaand which, there is but too fearful tion. testimony to prove, have darkened its “ V. There shall be two half-yearly evidence, and deadened its influence, meetings of the Union; one during throughout the whole stream of its past September or October, in the county history. God blesses the sincere, the of Devon, Cornwall, or Dorset, and earnest, the endeavouring; and, let another during March or April. us not be weary in well-doing, for in “ VI. The minister or some member due season we shall reap, if we faint of the various congregations shall be

requested to furnish statements to the It was then moved by H. E. Howse, half-yearly meetings, as to the numEsq. and seconded by R. Leigh, Esq. ber of subscribers in their district, the

That the Report of the committee amount remitted, and any other parbe received by this meeting.”.

ticulars as to the state of their congreMoved by John Warren, Esq. se- gations, or the neighbourhood, which conded by the Rev. R. M. Montgo- may be interesting to the Union. mery, “That the cordial thanks of this “VII. The management of the Someeting be presented to the Rev. G. ciety shall be provided for, by a geneArmstrong, for his able and powerful ral Committee, consisting of two persermon in vindication of the objects sons from every. Unitarian congregaof the Western Unitarian Christian tion in the district connected with the Union."

Association (one of whom shall be the Moved by Rev. R. L. Carpenter, minister); and, in order to secure the seconded by Rev. S. Walker_That attendance of seven members of the the thanks of this meeting be given to committee, as a quorum, not less than those gentlemen who have formed the four times in the year, the secretary Provisional Committee of the Wes- be requested to ascertain, a fortnight tern Unita Christian Union, and before each meeting, whether he can especially to the Rev. William James, rely upon such attendance ; and in the to whose zealous exertions, as Secre- event of travelling being an obstacle, tary, the Society is greatly indebted he shall have power to make satisfac

not!'"

tory arrangements with four or five 7th of Victoria : in reply to which a distant members, for their journeys to notice had been served on his (Mr. the four meetings before mentioned, Moore's) client's solicitor, bearing date making his selection from as wide a the 2nd of June, to the effect that the sphere of the district as possible.” relators had been advisedly counselled

Moved by J.B.Estlin, Esq. seconded that the yearly sum of £100, received by J. Browne, Esq.-" That the com- by the members of the Strand-street mittee be requested to arrange for the meeting-house, and which was in issue investment of £200 of the sum now in in the cause, did not come within the the treasurer's hands; and that while provisions of the act; and that if the this meeting thankfully acknowledge defendant conceded all claim to that the generosity with which donations sum the plaintiff would give every have been thús far given, it would ex- facility to the application to the court press an earnest desire that efforts be for the benefit of the statute. The immediately made to secure, by an- only matter in dispute was the sum of nual subscriptions, small from the £100 yearly; and although the inforpoor, large from the affluent, a per- mation had also been filed as relating manent income, sufficient for the great to other matters, the counsel for the work which the society has to do.” plaintiff admitted that the defendant Moved by the Rev. T. Hincks, se

would be entitled to the benefit of the conded by the Rev. J. R. Montgomery act, except in reference to that item. -" That this meeting, recognising in On a former occasion, the court proMr. Joseph Barker an able and faith- nounced a decree without any regard ful labourer in the diffusion of Chris- to that annual sum of £100, the partian truth and righteousness, desire to ties representing the congregation of offer him a cordial welcome on this the meeting-house not being before interesting occasion, and to promote the court. The court reserved this in the West of England, as far as the matter in the following words :—“And difference of circumstances will allow, it appearing to the court that an inthe adoption of those plans for the formation is now pending in this court, advancement of religion and liberty at the suit of the same relators, rewhich he has pursued with such emí- specting the meeting-house and prepent success in the North of Eng- mises in Strand-street, and respecting land."

the property belonging to that meetMoved by James Terrell, Esq. se- ing-house, the court shall pronounce conded by the Rev. F. Bishop_"That no decree as to that portion of the a careful review of the present amount trust fund for the present, and shall of the knowledge and practice of pure direct the same annual payment to Christianity, and the worship of One be continued until the determination God the Father, in the six western of such pending suits ;” and he (Mr. counties, leads to the conclusion that, Moore) believed that the question while in some places there is much to which the plaintiff sought to raise discourage the friends of those great would be that the defendant was exobjects, in others the fields are already cluded from the benefit of the statute white unto harvest; and that in all, by the last clause in that act, which there is ample scope for zealous, gene- enacted " That nothing therein conrozs, judicious, unwearied exertion on tained should affect any order or the part of this society.”—The In- decree pronounced by any court bequirer.

fore its passing.” It appeared that

the Congregation of the StrandCOURT OF CHANCERY_ Moxday. street Aeeting-house became entitled

to the annual sum of £500 in this The Attorney-General v. Drummond. way. In the year 1698, Lady Loftus

Mr. Moore, Q.C. applied to the granted by deed, £500 to the ministers court on the part of the defendant to ot Wood-street' Meeting-house, and obtain his lordship's opinion upon a the name of that street was subsepoint lately raised in the cause. He quently changed to Strand-street. stated that a notice had been served The deed in question was lost, and no on the plaintiff's solicitor, dated the evidence was given of its contents; 9th May, 1846, calling upon him to but it appeared that in a few years consent that the information should be after its execution the trustees transdisinissed, pursuant to the 6th and ferred it to the general fund. In some

STRAXD-STREET MEETING- HOUSE.