rather than sell his independence for a crown of gold. But though all parties of ins and outs oppose, we have pushed our bark into the sea, and though waves, and tides, and storms beat us off, season after season, the crew are principled and firm-they are true tars of England-with them we will try and persevere; and, at last, the waves, and tides, and storms shall be surmounted, and the shore attained. Indifferent! Never, till the cause of religious freedom triumph, not only in England, but throughout the world. Can my heart refuse to sigh with sorrow, or expand with joy, as I learn its glory or decline? Can I be indifferent, while over the continent of Europe the struggle between light and darkness, between the rights of conscience and superstitious tyranny, fearfully endures? Who can hear, without some anguish, that the Protestant sons of Switzerland desecrate their faith by persecution, expatriate their pious brethren, and allow, at Lausanne, oppression to rear a throne? Who can learn, without indignant horror, that in Spain attempts are made to revive inquisitorial power; that her squares may be again illumined by an auto-da fe, and the waves of the Guadalquiver and the Tagus be defiled with blood. And who, but with gratitude and transport, can contemplate in America, the growth of that tree of religious liberty which each year spreads her root more widely and bears more abounding fruit? The great rivers of the northern climes flow through regions where penal statutes are unknown, but where religion prospers. There abide peace and piety, philanthrophy and Christian love. The Methodist and the Catholic, the Episcopalian and the Independent, alike are free; and with patriotic attachment to their country, they blend good-will to man. May the world profit by the example, and may the rights of the Deity, of conscience, and of man, be every where revered. For that cause I live, and I would die: nor can I ever be content until the heart and mind of every dweller upon earth, beat with the bliss of freedom, and share the light of truth.

After the enthusiastic applause which followed the conclusion of the learned gentleman's speech had subsided,

The Rev. Mr. TIDMAN (of Frome), after a few able prefatory remarks, moved :

"That the Meeting delight to express to their noble and illustrious Chairman, Viscount Milton, M. P. for the county of York, their gratitude and respect. That regarding in him an illustrious descendant from a now venerable, but ever illustrious Sire, they gladly per

ceive eminent rank connected with popular representation, and the love of the people animating a noble heart: and that he be assured that his uniform exertions in favour of constitutional freedom -liberal principles in trade--and public improvement, have won for him that general attachment and esteem which, by his attendance at this meeting, will, among a large body of his constituents and countrymen, be confirmed and inereased." The announcement of this resolution was welcomed with great applause, and the assembly rose to express

their concurrence.

Lord MILTON, in rising to acknowledge the compliment, observed that he felt almost overpowered by the manner in which the Meeting had received the resolution which had just heen moved; and therefore he trusted on that subject they would permit him to be silent, only expressing his gratitude for the manner in which they had received his imperfect endeavour to assist at their deliberations. As it might be expected of him to say something upon the important subject that had that day much occupied their attention, he would allude in the first place to the altered condition of the country since the time the laws complained against were passed. Did any one who surveyed the country imagine that any of these causes which induced our ancestors to exclude Dissenters from the rights of citizens now had existence? Were we now afraid that Republican Dissenters and papists would become the advocates of despotism? Surely no one believed that, in these days, it was the wish of the Catholic to endanger the church, or of the Dissenter to overturn the throne. If these wishes and feelings were banished from the hearts and minds of the different classes of Dissenters, justice demanded that the laws which were enacted to restrain them should be annulled, and Government could not long withstand their righteous claims. He, too, must express his surprise and concern at their disabilities being called theoretic. Were those evils theoretic which were so luminously de tailed in the Report they had heard? Was it only a theoretic evil to the Dissenter, that he could not be admitted into the magistracy except by a conformity which his conscience disapproved, or a miserable evasion of the law through the act of indemnity,-the very passing of which every session was a practical proof of the folly and evil of such objectionable laws? But it was not only to the civil disabilities he objected; they were likewise, in his opinion, highly injurious to the promotion of true religion. He recollected that when the bill brought in by his honourable friend, Mr. Smith

But

of Norwich, for the relief of the Unitarians, was in its progress through the House of Peers, one of the late ministers objected to it, on account of its making the church a handmaid to dissent. he would ask, if under the present laws, the church was not made an auxiliary to civil rights and legal proceedings, as the only legal evidence of a birth was the parish register of the christening of a child? A rev. gentleman stated, that he was not aware of any instances of religious oppression having occurred in Nottingham; but that rev. gentleman ought to have added, that there, the Test laws were virtually extinct, for the Corporation was composed, not of Churchmen only, but of Churchmen and Dissenters. He (the noble Viscount) wished that the same liberality was displayed throughout every part of the country, for then England would be one universal Nottingham. He was afraid that a vast number of the legislators were ignorant of the matter: but that was not their fault. It was not usual for men to seek to become acquainted with inconveniences, by which they were not affected; and it was, therefore, the duty of the Dissenters to make their situation known To their passiveness alone, must be attributed the ignorance which unhappily prevailed. It had been mentioned, that at the last election for the county which he had the honour to represent, on one of the flags were inscribed, The Repeal of the Test and Corporation Laws;" and a rev. gentleman had recalled to his recollection a sentiment expressed at a Meeting over which he presided, wishing "a speedy

death and decent burial" to those obnoxious acts. The non-tolling of the bell had also been mentioned as one of their grievances. Now, although he thought that was one of the minor points, yet, when those acts should die, he would willingly consent, that to announce the funeral, every bell should toll. He assured the Meeting that a more ardent friend to their cause than himself, did not exist; and although he must repeat his sorrow at the unfortunate declaration made by Mr. Canning, from which he could not hold out to them a hope of immediate redress, yet, among the persons who were now entrusted with the administration of the affairs of the country, there was so much liberality and talent, that he felt convinced it was impossible for the Statute Book to be much longer disgraced by the continuance of any religious tests, which not only were derogatory to the character of a free people, but tended to impede that growth of charity and religion which every Briton and Christian must desire.

His Lordship then retired, amid ge

neral acclamation, and the Meeting was closed.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED COMMIT

TEE FOR THE REPEAL OF THE TEST
AND CORPORATION ACTS.

Since our last Number, most important and very unexpected changes have occurred in the administration of Government, which have involved the question of the Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts in great perplexity. The party in opposition to the new Premier had sought to embarrass his arrangements on this question, and Mr. Canning avowed, in the House of Commons, his determination to oppose the motion of repeal. Lord John Russell, however, expressed in his place in parliament his resolution to proceed, unless he was strongly urged to the contrary by the Dissenting bodies.

A conference has been held by the United Committee within the last few

days, with a large body of senators friendly to the repeal of the Acts, when the majority decidedly recommended the Committce not to press the measure this session, on account of the peculiar position of public affairs; and it is understood that one of the ablest advocates of religious liberty intimated that it was his intention to move the previous question, should the business be now introduced. A general meeting of the Deputies was therefore called, and they referred the business to the final decision of the United Committee, which met on the 28th of May, when, after mature deliberation, it was agreed, that the question shall not be brought forward in Parliament this session. It is, however, thought desirable to present the petitions which are already in progress, and to make the most effective arrangements to bring the question before parliament next year, supported by the united energies of the whole Dissenting body, and to repeat the appeal from session to session until the object be granted.

We exceedingly regret, that untoward circumstances have led to the postponement of this question for another year, but we trust, that the Dissenters will then show, by their dignified, united, and energetic efforts, that they deserve the confidence of the country.

RECENT DEATHS.

Died on Tuesday, April 3, at his house, Blackbeath Road, in the 72d year of his age, SAMUEL SAVAGE, Esq. for several years deacon of the church at Greenwich, under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. Chapman. Mr. S. was a native of Deptford, and enjoyed the unspeakable advantages of a religious ancestry, and truly pious father, who for years was a member of the church in that village, then under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Olding; and through life the impressions produced by

parental piety and consistency were vivid on his mind. His religious feelings were strengthened by the ministerial labours of the excellent and Rev. N. Trotman, of White's Row; but it was not till he be came a stated worshipper with the congregation at Greenwich, that his experience assumed a decided character.

With an inquiring mind, and a taste for reading, he would admit no sentiment but upon careful examination and deliberate conviction, and therefore his decided preference for nonconformity was not fixed, though educated a Dissenter, until he had prosecuted a prayerful and scriptural investigation of the subject, which terminated in his union with a Dissenting church.

At the age of little more than 50, he retired from a lucrative situation, in connection with his Majesty's Customs, which step gave him greater opportunities for usefulness. His sound judgment, active benevolence, and inflexible integrity soon pointed him out as a suitable person to bear office in the Christian society to which he was united. He was therefore requested to act as joint Treasurer to the chapel, and was also chosen to the honourable office of deacon, the duties of which he discharged with the most constant, devout, and persevering attention to the last hour he was capable of exertion.

Though his Christian affections were too expansive to be confined within the narrow bounds of our communion, yet the church to which he was united, and with whom he worshipped, engaged his most vigilant and tender care; with them he was at home, and by them his memory will be long and deservedly revered.

He descended to the grave through a long and wearisome illness, in which he found the value of the simple elementary truths of the gospel. The complete redemption of Christ, and the unchangeableness of his redeeming love were his infallible support, till his enfeebled frame sunk under the influence of disease and suffering, and his emancipated spirit fled to the joy of his Lord. The Rev. W. Chapman preached his funeral sermon on the Lord's-day morning after his interment, from Nehemiah vii. 2. "He was a faithful man."

On Saturday evening, April 28, died at Stoke Newington, Mr. JOHN AUDLEY, formerly of Cambridge, in the 77th year of his age. He was a man of sound understanding, distinguished piety, and while he had it in his power, of real benevolence. Renouncing at an earlier period than most the engagements of business, he devoted his talents to the ministry of the gospel. Though he was never fixed as stated pastor over any church, (which, indeed, he never appears to have contemplated,) yet he was often engaged, not only in supplying the pulpits of neighbouring ministers, but in

several instances in regularly officiating for destitute churches, during a period of several months. In the religious world in general, and more especially in Cambridgeshire and the neighbouring counties, he was extensively known and deservedly respected.

Died at Shacklewell, Monday, May 7, in his 74th year, ROBERT STEVEN, Esq. of Upper Thames Street, London.

The long life of this venerable man has been identified with the establishment and progress of the principal religious institutions of the last half century, to which he lent the aid of his active and energetic mind. He was one of the first Directors of the London Missionary Society, and his name has been honourably associated with the Committee of the Bible Society from an early date, and he was the firm friend and liberal Treasurer of the Protestant Society for Protecting Religious Liberty. But to the Hibernian School Society he cheerfully devoted his time, energies and influence, and in his death the cause of biblical education in Ireland has sustained a serious loss. By his frequent visits to that country, he became intimately acquainted with her affairs, of which he gave interesting evidence in "An Inquiry into the abuses of Chartered Schools in Ireland, &c." which he published in 1817, and in "Remarks on the present state of Ireland," &c. which appeared in 1822.

Mr. S. was, we believe, for many years deacon of the Independent Church, Kingsland, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Campbell.

Though he manifested the infirmities incident even to our sanctified nature, yet his life, has strikingly illustrated the extent of usefulness which a pious, devoted, and intelligent Christian may accomplish, whilst engaged in business, and surrounded by the claims of domestic life.

Mr. S. had visited the residence of a beloved friend in Essex about three weeks before his death, and found the fortnight he spent in his residence highly beneficial in recovering the tone of health which he had for some time lost. He returned to London to attend our May festivals, and was present at the Annual Meeting of the Hibernian Society, on Saturday, the 5th ult., when his services were thus noticed in the Report.

"It would be highly unjust to pass over the very important services of your long tried and faithful friend, Robert Steven, Esq. in several parts of Great Britain. Though unable to engage in the same extensive tour, as on many former occasions, he yet kindly visited Shrewsbury, North Wales, and various parts of Scotland, engaging with all his accustomed ardour and energy in the promotion of your cause."

On Lord's day he worshipped at Kingsland, and united in the celebration of the

It is usual for persecutions, if not to appease intestine controversies in the church, at least to effect a cessation of arms. The foreign enemy pursues both contending parties indifferently, engages all the attention, which before they employed against each other, and converts their redundant spirits into fear and anxiety. By these means he unites the minds of the persecuted, better than all mediators or lawgivers. But the sufferings and adversities of the church in China had not this happy effect. The war among the clergy was carried on with the same life and vigour, when they were imprisoned and beset by their enemies, as in the times of peace and liberty. The indulgences of Mezzabarba extended the wounds they were meant to heal. The adversaries of the Jesuits opposed these indulgences as warmly, as the Jesuits did the bull itself, and absolutely refused to receive or acknowledge them as valid. Francis Sarazeni, bishop of Lorima, even circulated a pastoral letter, prohibiting, upon pain of excommunication, the observation or introduction of those indulgences. How strangeby men are blinded by their passions! This was doing the very

Castorani observationes in Bullam Benedicti XIV. p. 40. N. S. No. 31,

thing for which the Jesuits had been so bitterly reproached. They were condemned for refusing immediate obedience to the injunctions of Tournon and Maigrot. And certainly Mezzabarba was equal in dignity to Tournon, and superior to Maigrot; consequently his indulgences claimed the same respect at least with their injunctions. This inconsiderate piece of obstinacy so inflamed the Jesuits, that they inconsiderately plunged themselves into a fresh offence, great enough to revive the memory of all their former transgressions, and entirely ruin their cause at Rome. Mezzabarba had expressly prohibited the translation of his pastoral letter, or the publication of the indulgences it contained. The Jesuits ventured to violate this command. They dispersed his indulgences among all the Chinese Christians, and endeavoured to impose them upon those to whom they were obnoxious. The assistance of an eminent bishop was requisite for this purpose. They obtained that of the new bishop of Pekin, Franciscus de Purificatione, who was promoted in the year 1731. This prelate perceived, soon after his arrival, that the good-will of the Jesuits at Pekin was of more consequence to him, than the favour of the pope. They influenced him to charge the clergy 2 Y