316 4 The Preachers' and Prayer-Leaders' Plan for Rochdale.—1815. And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, &c.—Acts, chap. v. verses 38, 39. June. 1. JOHN ASHWORTH 2. J. RUDMAN 3. J. POLLARD 4. J. TAYLOR 4/11/18 15 5 1 4 1 5 5 1 4 1 5 1 4 1 5| 1|| 47 5 14 87 574 10 6 711 8 41 10 9. J. DRIVER J. L. R. W. 10. B. HOWARTH W. G. J. C. Monthly Conversation Meetings on Religious Subjects, when the vacant column occurs. 1 shall now say a few words of the three ministers, with whom I am acquainted, in the order in which they are mentioned in the memorial. Mr. John Ashworth, resident at New-church, was a local preacher amongst the Wesleyan Methodists, and expelled for heresy. He has never received more and often less than 10. per annum for his ministerial services. He is a clothier, a manufacturer of blankets and coarse woollens. He made use of a contrivance to suspend a book before him at the locm, so that he could read and weave at the same time. In this way he read Stackhouse's History of the Bible. Mr. James Taylor resides near Rochdale. He is a fuller and cloth-dresser. He has, from conscientious motives, always declined receiving any thing whatsoever for his services. Mr. J. Ashworth and Mr. J. Taylor were local preachers in connexion with Mr. Cooke, after his expulsion from the Methodists. Mr. James Wilkinson, who began to preach soon after Mr. Cooke's death, is a shoemaker in Rochdale. I understand he has never received more (and perhaps generally much less) than 57. per annum. He has a wife and three little children. Such are the men to whose disinterested labours the Unitarians in the district of which I have been speaking, are so much indebted. I have had opportunities of hearing these preachers, and I bear my willing testimony of approbation of their services. They speak without notes. Their services are scriptural, plain, pious and edifying; and I consider both the ministers and their services as well adapted to spread the knowledge of Unitarianism amongst the middle and lower classes of society. I trust that these facts are sufficient to prove that the Unitarians, as a body, are much indebted to these men. I trust that these facts will interest the liberal and the affluent in that body to lend a helping hand in lessening or removing altogether, the peeuniary incumbrances on the Rossendale chapel. Now then for an effort and let us extinguish this debt of 3501.! This debt which is so oppressive at New-church, becomes nothing when divided and shared by the Unitarian public. This debt is felt as a great incumbrance by their worthy minister; not from the most remote consideration of his own interest, but from an anxious wish, that by the reduction of the debt in his life-time, he may know that of the money advanced upon the Chapel every one has received his own with interest. And particularly as a considerable part of this debt was borrowed from and is wanted by persons not belonging to the religious Society. I add the names of a few individuals by whom donations, however small, will be thankfully received; and with your leave, Mr. Editor, the subscriptions may from time to time be published in the Monthly Repository; a mode of acknowledgement which will save some trouble and expense both to the subscribers and the receivers. I cannot close this appeal to the justice and liberality of the Unitarian public, without stating that there are attached to the New-church Chapel a Sunday School and a Vestry Library. And I take this opportunity of soliciting from the subscribers and committees belonging to the several Unitarian Tract Societies, and from the authors in the Unitarian cause, the gift of any Tracts or larger works, for the Library and for distribution amongst the Unitarians in Rossendale. I am, dear Sir, JOHN THOMSON. Donations in aid of liquidating the debt of £350 upon the Unitarian Chapel at New-church, in Rossendale, Lancashire, will be received by The Rev. Robert Aspland, Hackney Road, The following Subscriptions have been ter 1 0 0 1 1 Rev. Richard Astley, Halifax 1 Dr. Thomson, Halifax 1 1 £8 4 Meeting of the Bourbon and Napoleon [From the Examiner.] The following highly interesting account of the turn, upon which every thing seems to have hung in this business, is taken from a brother journalist who is not apt to be very eloquent, but who appears to have caught a sort of second-hand inspiration, in spite of himself, from the mere force of what has been told him. It is impossible to read it without hearing, in a manner, the silence of the awful moment described, and then, after a pause, the small but quick gathering of the sounds, that announced the strange Being who came to break it : "Many of the Nobles," (says the Morning Post) "who from their warm attachment to their unfortunate monarch have been also obliged to fly from France and follow his fortune, arrived in town yesterday. We have conversed with several of them, who have communicated to us the following highly interesting particulars of the late events : "They estimate the number of national guards, volunteers, and other troops, collected at Melun, to stop the march and crush the hopes of the tyrant, at not less than 100,000 men. The best spirit seemed to prevail amongst them. They appeared devoted to the cause of the king, and eager to meet and repel his antagonist. A powerful artillery strengthened their positions. Relying on their numbers, they had left the town, the rocks, and the forest of Fontainbleau unguarded, preferring the flat plains of Melun, where the whole of their army might act at once against the comparatively small band of the invader. "On the 20th Buonaparte reached and occupied Fontainbleau without the least opposition. He had at that time with him only 15,000 veteran troops, but other divisions were either following him, or advancing to support his right and left flanks ou parallel lines of march. Ney, whose corps is stated to have amounted to 30,000 men, had previously communicated to the Court a declaration signed by the whole army under his command, both officers and privates, in which they stated, " that they respected him too much to deceive him; XVIIIth, and that they would shed all that they would not fight for Louis the their blood for Napoleon the Great." This declaration, which sufficiently explains the apparent hesitation, inactivity, or want of skill of Ney, did not, however, entirely extinguish the hopes of the Bourbons. They still relied on the good disposition and numbers of the troops at Melun, and blinded by the addresses sent up from many garrisons and provinces at the very moment of their defection, still thought that their cause would be espoused by the nation as her own. As a measure of precaution, however, part of the King's household was dispatched to secure the road to Calais, in case a retreat should prove necessary, and on the 19th occupied Amiens. "Early on the morning of the 21st, 318 Intelligence.-Dudley Double Lecture. preparations were made on both sides for the encounter which was expected to take place. The French army was drawn up en etages on three lines, the intervals and the flanks armed with batteries. The centre occupied the Paris road. The road from Fontainbleau to Melun is a continual declivity, so that on emerging from the forest you have a clear view of the country before you, whilst, on the other hand, those below can easily descry whatever appears on the eminence. An awful silence, broken only at times by peals of martial music, intended to confirm the loyalty of the troops by repeating the royal airs of Vive Henri Quatre, and La Belle Gabrielle, or by the voice of the commanders and the march of divisions to their appointed ground, pervaded the king's army. All was anxious expectation; the chiefs, conscious that a moment would decide the fate of the Bourbon dynasty, and the troops, perhaps secretly awed at the thought of meeting in hostility the man whom they had been accustomed to obey. On the side of Fontainbleau, no sound, as of an army rushing to battle, was heard. If the enemy was advancing, his troops evidently moved in silence. Perhaps his heart had failed him, and he had retreated during the night. If so, France was saved and Europe free. At length a light trampling of horses became audible. It approached an open carriage, attended by a few hussars and dragoons, appeared on the skirts of the forest. It drove down the bills with the rapidity of lightning: it reached the advanced posts" Long live the Emperor," burst from the astonished soldiers! Napoleon! Napoleon the Great" spread from rank to rank; for, bareheaded, Bertrand seated at his right, and Drouet at his left, Napoleon continued his course, now waving his hand, now opening his arms to the soldiers; whom he called his friends, his companions in arms, whose honour, whose glories, whose country (the Tyrant said) he now came to restore. All discipline was forgotten, disobeyed, and insulted; the commanders-in-chief took flight; thousands rushed on his passage; acclamations rent the sky. At that moment his own guard descended the hill-the Imperial March was played -the eagles were once more displayed, and those whose deadly weapons were to have aimed at each other's life, embraced as brothers, and joined in universal shouts. In the midst of these greetings did Napoleon pass through the whole of the royal army, and placing himself at its head, pursued his course to Paris. tion of the villages flocked round him; The populathe inhabitants of Paris, informed of his approach, came out to meet him, and at the head of two hundred thousand persons, (to the eternal disgrace of Frenchmen be it said) in the midst of enthusiastic accla mations, did he re-enter the capital, and seat himself in the Palace of Kings." editor, "which we have received from "Such is the account," concludes the forced to seek a shelter in this country. some, whom Buonaparte's triumph has They agree in stating"-(and here comes assisted eloquence)" they agree in stata piece of our old friend's native and uning-Oh! what horrible depravity!-that the enthusiasm displayed in his favour by the people approaches to wilduess. They know not how to account for the monster's popularity, but say that it surpasses all that was evinced towards him in the midst of his most brilliant victories. Not a musket is said to have been fired since the period of his landing, and both the military ceived him with equal enthusiasm in every and the people are represented to have replace through which he passed. It is sup posed that he will turn this effervescence of admiration to the aid of his ambitions plans. He will not let the public spirit cool; and availing himself of the great disposal, it is the prevailing opinion among means and resources which it puts at his the Refugees, that he will anticipate an attack from Belgium by a sudden irruption into that country." Dudley Double Lecture. Two the Annual Meeting of Ministers, denomiOn Whitsun-Tuesday, May 16th, 1815, nated "The Double Lecture," took place conducted the devotional service. at Dudley. The Rev. Benjamin Carpenter able and interesting discourses were delivered to a numerous congregation: the former, by the Rev. John Small, on the. preaching of our Saviour considered as an evidence of the truth of his religion,from Luke iv. 22. “And all bare him witwhich proceeded out of his mouth. And ness, and wondered at the gracious words they said is not this Joseph's son?"-the latter, by the Rev. Robert Kell, on the obligation under which a minister is brought by his office faithfully to inculeate all the doctrines and duties of Christianity, from Coloss. i. 28, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every every man perfect in Christ Jesus." man in all wisdom; that we may present Fourteen ministers were present: viz. tle, of Birmingham; Small, of Coseley; Rev. Messrs. Guy, Kell, Kentish and LitScott, of Cradley; Bransby, of Dudley, Corrie, of Handsworth; Bristowe, of Hinckley; Fry, of Kidderminster; Lloyd, of Kingswood; Davis, of Oldbury; CarWolverhampton. penter, of Stourbridge; and Steward, of Mr. Scott and Mr. Little were appointed to preach at the next anniversary. able and instructive conversation. On "the health of our absent brethren,” being given from the chair, Mr. Corrie observed, “Among the friends whose absence we have to regret, is one gentleman who has for more than ten yearsever since he has resided in this part of the kingdom-been a very regular attend. ant at this annual meeting-a gentleman venerable both for years and virtues-respected and esteemed by all who know him, and most by those who have known him longest. I need scarcely add that I am speaking of Dr. Toulmin. "It has occurred to several gentlemen present, that we may with great propriety avail ourselves of this opportunity of of fering Dr. Toulmin our thanks for his "History of the Protestant Dissenters," of which he has lately published the first volume. We are all Dissenters: and though we may not all adopt precisely the same articles of faith, we still feel a common interest in the work to which I refer. We all, I believe, are of opinion that it contains a great body of curious and authentic information, detailed with judgment and perspicuity, and marked throughout by a spirit of genuine candour. "And on proposing this vote of thanks to Dr. Toulmin for his work, I venture to add an expression of the sentiments we all entertain of his most amiable and respectable character. I am not prepared to pronounce a studied eulogy on Dr. Toulmin-the time I hope is far remote at which this may be done with proprietybut we may be allowed to assure him that we are not insensible to the merits of a life passed in the conscientious discharge of the important duties of the pastoral office-in the diligent study and diffusion of religious knowledge-and in the exercise of the most amiable and exemplary Christian virtue." On the motion of Mr. Corrie, seconded by Mr. Carpenter, who said a few words expressive of his great regard for Dr. Toulmin, it was unanimously resolved, "That the Rev. Dr. Toulmin be requested to accept the cordial thanks of this assembly, for his very seasonable and judicious History of the Protestant Dis senters. "The ministers present likewise beg leave to take this opportunity of expressing their respect for the talents which Dr. Toulmin has displayed in that and many other valuable publications; and their veneration of the uniform and exemplary Christian piety which has alike adorned his writings and his life. "It is their sincere and fervent prayer that it may please the Almighty Disposer of events to grant him many years of health and happiness to benefit the world by his pen, and to afford society at large, and themselves in particular, the advan tage of so pure and attractive an example. Signed by order of the meeting, JAMES HEWS BRANSBY, Chairman." Mr. Kentish, on moving that Mr. Bransby be requested to communicate the resolutions to Dr. Toulmin, remarked that "the interesting relation in which he had the happiness to stand to the gentleman who was most deservedly the object of the esteem and gratitude of the ministers then assembled, gave him particularly favoura ble opportunities of knowing his various excellencies. For his own part, he felt great pleasure in availing himself of the present occasion to acknowledge his signal, affectionate regard for his venerable colleague and it was his wish and prayer that, in the choice of a successor to Dr. Toulmin, Divine Providence might direct the views of the congregation of which they were now joint pastors, to some individual of endowments, and especially of temper and character, similar to those of his much respected friend." : The foregoing resolutions were received by every one present with an interest which the writer will make no attempt to describe. J. II. B. General Baptist Assembly. On Tuesday, May 16th, the Annual Assembly of the Old General Baptists, was held in the Meeting-house, Worship Street, London. The scriptures and hymns were read by the Rev. James Gilchrist, of Newington Green, and afternoon preacher at Worship Street; the devotional service was conducted by the Rev. Sampson Kingsford, of Canterbury; and the Rev. John Coupland, of Headcorn, Kent, delivered a discourse founded on the words in Gal. iv. 18, "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing." This sermon gave great satisfaction to the audience, and will shortly appear before the public. The preacher's object appeared to be, to lay before his hearers a concise but perspicuous view of the two distinguishing doctrines of this denomination,-The universality of the divine love, and the immersion of believers on their personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The coinposition of the discourse was plain but correct, the quotations from scripture apposite; the preacher's delivery characterized by manliness and modesty, the impartiality of the Common Parent vindicated in a firm and interesting manner, and haptism zealously enforced by a brief and lucid explanation of its nature, the proper subjects of the rite, and above all by shewing its various moral uses. The letters from the several churches in 320 Intelligence.-Manchester College, York. connexion with the Assembly, were said to be of an unusually pleasing and satisfactory nature:-the body generally appears to have received a new impulse ;several sunday schools have been established since the last annual meeting; and the means of reviving the cause seem only to require being pointed ont, in order to their being adopted and zealously pursued. The Report of a Committee appointed by the last year's Assembly was read, approved and ordered to be printed, that it might be circulated among the churches. The report, however, consisted chiefly of extracts from letters which the Committee had received in reply to their inquiries, addressed during the year to some of the most approved ministers in the connexion, requesting them to point out what they conceived chiefly to have contributed to the decline, and what where the inost likely means to conduce to a revival and increase of the cause. In the report, the cause of the General Baptists and that of the Unitarians were identified. The subject is thus introduced :-"Should you mean in yours by an open avowal of our sentiments,' preaching up Unitarianism, I answer, the times will not yet bear it in common congregations." With deference to the respectable writer, your Committee thinks, facts are against his opinion; for there are proofs almost innumerable, that under the divine blessing, the virtuous lives and well-directed zeal of its professors are amply sufficient to ensure the success of Unitarianism, which, with the exception of baptism, may surely be called the cause of the General Baptists. And even with respect to baptism itself, let it be remembered, that it cannot be admitted universally as an exception, for in many instances the General Baptists are to be ranked among the most zealous supporters of Unitarianism." In confirmation of the above statement it may be proper to mention here, that all the Unitarian Missionaries, with the exception of the Students belonging to the New Academy, have been of the General Baptist denomination, and as far as the writer's knowledge extends, all of them still continue Baptists. This is a fact perhaps not generally known among Unitarians, who are therefore incapable of duly appreciating their obligations to that venerable and respectable, though unobtrusive, denomination. in reality, there is nothing wonderful in the General Baptists having supplied all the Unitarian Missionaries, for their churches have long, have indeed uniformly heen sanctuaries of religious liberty. In them every man has been taught to think, to judge for himself; and as meetings for the discussion of religious subjects have long been common among them, the lead But ing doctrines of the Old General Baptists have, with few exceptions, been very nearly the same as those now held by the great body of Unitarians. The same cause will always produce the same effect: examine the scriptures seriously, fearlessly, and with as little prejudice in favour of any opinion as is compatible with human frailty, and they will be generally thought to teach the same doctrines. But to return to the report. The language in many parts was peculiarly strong; the defects of the body as it respected their want of learning and zeal, were undisguisedly pointed out; the means which were supposed likely to conduce to the revival of the General Baptist cause were laid before the meeting, and after the report was read various resolutions embracing the substance of the topics contained in it, were agreed to unanimously. After the public business was concluded, the ministers and their friends withdrew to the White Hart Inn, Bishopsgate, to dinner. In the course of the evening a number of toasts or sentiments was given from the Chair, of which the following were the principal. "The Preacher; Civil and Religious Liberty all the world over; Sunday Schools; The Memory of Michael Servetus, Francis David, and other Baptist Worthies; Dr. Toulmin and the Principles of Dissent; The Union of Zeal and Charity; The Monthly Repository and Christian Reformer." Several very animated and interesting speeches were called forth by the giving of these sentiments, and the evening concluded to the apparent satisfaction of the whole company. In a word, it may perhaps be truly said, that this day promised to be the commencement of a new era among the General Baptists. Manchester College, York. The following benefactions have been received on account of this Institution. Anonymous, by the hands of the Rev. Thos. Belsham Rev. J. Bull Bristowe, Hinckley 100 0 110 |