and efficient manner in which he had filled the chair that evening.

The Rev. Mr. MADGE seconded the motion, which was passed, amid loud and protracted applause.

Mr. ANDREWS acknowledged the compliment, in appropriate terms; after which,

The meeting separated.

WEST-RIDING UNITARIAN TRACT SO

CIETY.

The thirty-first annual meeting of this Society was held at Bradford, on Wednesday, June 10th, 1846. The service in the Chapel commenced at twelve o'clock: the Rev. Geo. Hoade, of Selby, conducted the devotional service, and the Rev. Samuel Bache, of Birmingham, preached the sermon. At the social meeting of the members and friends of the Society, held in the afternoon (the Rev. J. R. Ryland in the chair), the report was read, from which we give a few extracts:

"The Committee of the West-Riding Unitarian Tract Society, in meeting the subscribers and friends on occasion of the thirty-first anniversary, are happy in being able once more to present to them a favourable and encouraging account of recent proceedings. It has become abundantly manifest, that, since the establishment of this institution, in the year 1815, a great change has taken place in publie feeling. Instead of merely supplying its own subscribers, and a few of those chapel libraries connected with the denomination which seemed to require aid, the Society has now opening before it a wider demand for its tracts, on the part of a more general public. The labours of Bell and Lancaster are beginning to tell upon the people; and the old prophecy of the Unitarian, that education must precede, and would eventually introduce, a greater disposition for the entertainment of his views of religion, is beginning to be fulfilled. Numbers of the people in this neighbourhood, and many other parts of England, are filled with the spirit of inquiry; and it becomes a very serious question with the religious philanthropist, at the present time, how that spirit may be at once best ministered to and best directed.

"With regard to ourselves, it seems evident that the existing machinery of our Society is inadequate to these

fresh demands. As long as the prineipal business of the Society was confined to the supplying actual subscribers with the books and tracts required by them, a depôt at the house of one of the members might be sufficient for the purpose; but when we come to reflect, that we are in the centre of a population of half a million, several thousands of whom, it is no exaggeration to say, are looking out for religious instruction and guidance, and are willing to accept assistance at our hands, it is clear that greater facilities ought to be afforded, and a more satisfactory arrangement for the supply of books and tracts ought to be made, than can possibly exist with a private depository.

66

The Committee have turned their anxious attention to this subject; and, mindful of the caution with which any changes should be introduced into the working of the Society, without the full knowledge and approbation of those who have for upwards of thirty years sustained its interests, they venture only to propose, for the present, the following commencement of an extended plan, which can be pursued at a subsequent period, if found to hold out promise of good.

"In the first place, they would suggest the gradual formation of a new Series of Tracts, to be called The West-Riding Series of People's Christian Tracts. The Committee have for some time been convinced of the necessity for some such step as this. Some of the most useful and popular tracts in our catalogue are published by the American Unitarian Association, but at such prices as, with the additional charges of freight and booksellers' commission in this country, to render them too expensive for extended circulation. Tracts, for instance, for which this Society has been giving 50s. per hundred, may be printed and obtained in this country for 6s. per hundred. This is shown by the practical reply which the Committee of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association have given to the request forwarded to them from the last meeting of this Society, as they are now prepared to offer several tracts, by the aid of Mr. Barker's Press, at prices reduced to a sixth or eighth of the sum which they previously cost:

Per 100.-s. d. Questions to Trinitarians.......

1 6

One Hundred Scriptural Arguments for the Unitarian Faith 3 Elwall's Trial........

Tyrwhit on the Creation of all

3

6

0

0

0

0

6 0

6 0

6 0

things by Jesus Christ........ Clarke's Answer to the Question, 'Why are you a Christian?' Carpenter's Beneficial Tendency of Unitarianism...... Acton's Religious Opinions of Milton, Locke, and Newton Locke, on St. Paul's Epistles "These tracts, or most of them, your Committee recommend to be adopted into the New Series; and to these they would gradually add others, either to be hereafter printed by themselves, or to be obtained from other sources. They feel anxious that this Society should avail itself of the increasing knowledge which it now receives of the wants and wishes of the people in its vicinity, and be prepared to meet them. For this purpose, it is not intended by any means to confine the Series to works of a controversial character. It is proposed to introduce a large proportion of moral, didactic, strictly devotional, and also, as opportunity may offer, a good deal of narrative matter, such as the Christian Tracts supply, or of a kind still more suited to the every-day topics and in terests of a manufacturing district. For the preparation of such tracts, they have pre-eminent facility in the peculiar talents of the minister to the poor at Holbeck, which they are sure would gladly be devoted, as they already have been most successfully, to such a purpose.

"In the second place, it is recommended that a depository, in a regular bookseller's shop, be obtained in a central situation in Leeds, and, if possible, a like accommodation in other places, where tracts should be always on sale. A respectable bookseller in Leeds has signified his willingness to undertake this duty; and if the plan should answer, your Committee may be encouraged at a future meeting to propose its extension to other and larger works; so that the complaint which has so long been made, that there is no bookseller's shop in the Riding, where a stock is kept of those publications which are peculiarly wanted by us as a religious denomination, may be removed.

"It is obvious, however, that, for

the carrying out of these objects, even on a limited scale, increased means will be necessary, especially as at present the Society is considerably in debt. An effort to place the funds on a satisfactory footing would have to be made this year, at all events, and that not by recourse to any unusual proceeding, or by any additional pressure on the present subscribers. It has always been usual to have collections at our chapels, from time to time -in some places even from year to year-in aid of this Society. For some years, this custom has been omitted: the last collection for the Society was made at Leeds, several years ago. It is hoped that this meeting will pledge itself to hold collections in each congregation, during the ensuing summer or autumn, and that the local Treasurers will make an effort to place upon the list of subscribers many names now absent from it, which the mere mention of the subject would be sufficient to place there: thus, in the course of a few months. the Society may be put out of its difficulties, and into the possession of funds at least sufficient for present purposes.

"Owing to the absence of the Treasurer, who is in America, your Committee are not able to lay before you any financial statement; but they have only too great reason to believe, that, if those accounts were presented to you, they would exhibit a very considerable balance against the Society. The Committee feel no call to apologize for, or even to regret, this deficiency, because it is an indication that the Society has been active to the full extent of its funds; for there can be no condition more condemnatory to a society of the present kind than the possession of a large number of tracts undistributed, and a large balance of money unspent.

"For the better carrying out of the above objects, your Committee recommend the formation, for the next year, of a larger Committee than that to which the affairs of the Society are at present practically entrusted. With this view, a resolution will be submitted, constituting all the Secretaries and Treasurers into a General Committee.

"Something under 500 books and tracts have been distributed to subscribers, about 1,400 given away in grants, and about 100 sold; making a

total of 2,000 books and tracts. But this small number would convey a faint idea of the real influence exercised upon public opinion by agencies of a similar kind. Many of these 2,000 tracts are, in fact, large and expensive volumes, placed in libraries for the permanent use and improvement of populous neighbourhoods; and the number of small leaves circulated by friends, having many principles and objects in common with this Society, as the Messrs. Barker, the Domestic Mission Societies, and Mr. Mill, would swell the number probably to something like 20,000.

"Your Committe would beg to congratulate you on the establishment of a congregation at Huddersfield, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Geo. Heap. It has long been felt, that, in so large a town as Huddersfield, some means of public worship and religious instruction should be provided for those who could not conscientiously unite with existing societies of Christians. For this purpose, but with feelings of perfect charity and respect for all other denominations, the friends at Huddersfield have assembled themselves for their own spiritual good, and for that of such as may be like-minded with themselves, and feel the same necessity; and we are happy to say, that many of these have joined the Tract Society.

"They would further congratulate you on the settlement of the Rev. Edward Higginson at Wakefield, whose zeal and energy they doubt not will be the means of reviving interest in the Tract Society at that place, and greatly promote its general prosperity and efficiency.

"They are much gratified to learn that the Rev. John Owen has accepted the invitation of the congregation at Lydgate; and that the Chapel at Selby is once more opened for worship, under the pastoral care of the Rev. G. Hoade; and they trust that this is not the only instance in which places which formerly resounded to the worship of one God, the Father, will be redeemed from silence and neglect, to their wonted and exalted purpose."

RENUNCIATION OF ORTHODOXY, AT

EVESHAM.

Considerable sensation has been felt in this town, among the Orthodox, by the resignation of the Rev. J. D. Case

well, an able and popular minister of a Baptist congregation in this borough, on account of a change in his religi ous sentiments. His general strain of preaching was more liberal than that of his brethren, from his first settlement here, about five years ago; and some of the Orthodox had seceded in consequence. Lately his sentiments have undergone a decided change, in favour of Unitarianism; and, after hard struggles between his feelings and convictions, he resolved to follow the dictates of conscience, whatever might be the consequence. Some influential friends wished him to retain the pulpit; but he considered he had not a moral right to do so, after his change of sentiments. Mr. C. preached his last sermons to his congregation, August 9th, on "the paternal government of God," and "the dignity of human nature." August 16th, he for the first time appeared in a Unitarian pulpit, at Cheltenham, where his services were received with great approbation; and, on the 20th of August, he is to officiate for Mr. Jones, at Northampton. At the annual meeting of the Warwickshire, &c. Tract Society, held at Northampton, August 18th, Mr. C. delivered a speech of fervid eloquence, describing the struggles of his own mind, in the change which had taken place in his views of Christian doctrine, and expressive of the love and good-will he retained for his former friends and connections, in language that reached the hearts of all present. The assembly was estimated at four hundred and upwards. Mr. Casewell's speech was delivered in responding to the following expressive sentiments-"Honour to those who manifest religious principle and religious consistency, and especially to those who have suffered for the cause, hearkening unto God rather than unto man."-Christian Reformer.

ORDINATION AND DEDICATION AT
WORCESTER, MASS.

The growth of the town of Worcester, and of Rev. Mr. Hill's society, made it evident to the Unitariaus of that place, some months ago, that a new sanctuary must be opened for the worshippers, according to our faith.Through the energetic efforts of several active gentlemen in Mr. Hill's society, and with the generous co-operation of that society generally, and

of its minister, measures were taken for the organization of a new Unitarian church. A hall was obtained for the temporary accommodation of this body, and was soon filled. Religious services were held regularly on the Sabbath, for a considerable period, various persons officiating. Among these was Rev. Dr. Thompson, of Barre, whose faithful exertions were rendered through a series of successive weeks. A meeting-house was soon projected; a lot of land was procured in a central position; and a structure of excellent proportions, commodious and tasteful, was erected, all the proceedings in the enterprise being characterised by a great deal of promptitude, economy, and business-like sagacity, as well as by a generous foresight.

The dedicatory services took place April, 28, 1816, and were as follows: Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Doctor Clarke of Uxbridge; Reading of Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Hale; Prayer of Dedication, by Rev. Mr. Hill of

Worcester; Sermon, by Rev. Doctor Dewey of New York city; Concluding Prayer by Rev. Mr. Wilson of Grafton. An original hymn, which, in our judgment, is of singular excellence, was composed for the occasion by Judge Thomas.

On the following day, April 29, Mr. Edward Everett Hale was ordained as minister of the church, it being styled, "The Church of the Unity. The services were in the following order: - Introductory Prayer and Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Huntington of Boston; Sermon, by Rev. Mr. Lothorp of Boston; Prayer of Ordination, by Rev. Mr. Lincoln of Fitchburg; Charge, by Rev. Mr. Peabody of Boston; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Mr. Weiss of Watertown; Address to the People, by Rev. Mr. Hill of Worcester.

We cannot but express our conviction, that the" Church of the Unity" commences its existence with a peculiarly sound condition and high promise.

DIED-At his residence, Castlreagh, after a few days illness, Mr. John Orr, eldest son of the late Mr. Gawin Orr, of the same place.

In the unexpected death of this exemplary man, his mother, now in the 90th year of her age, has been deprived of the attention and services of a kind son; his more immediate relatives of the society and advice of a judicious counsellor.

Mr. Orr was a much-respected member of the Congregation of Moneyrea, and a decided and enlightened Unitarian in his religious views. He well understood and much valued his principles; and, whilst he was well qualified to defend them by arguments, he adored them by an upright and blameless life. It has been said, since his death, and with truth, that he was

not, for the last twenty years of his life, twenty times absent from his place of worship on the Lord's Day.

During the debates on the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, he became indignant at the methods employed to oppose it, and he pledged himself, in case it became necessary, to give a respectable sum towards the erection of a new Meeting-House, for the accommodation of the Congregation with which he was connected, and by which he was highly esteemed.

Since the Belfast Poor-Law Union was declared in December, 1838, he was, until the time of his death, one of the valuators of the property within its bounds; and such were his judicious and conscientious estimates, that the several parties interested, put the utmost confidence in his decisions.