holy cause of human improvement. This was the presentation of a beautiful writing-desk, of rose-wood, ornamented on the top with a silver plate bearing the following inscription: "Presented by the Teachers of the Old-Meeting Sundayschools, Birmingham, to Mr. WILLIAM GREENWAY, as a tribute of respect for his zealous and unceasing exertions as a teacher in their Schools for the period of thirty-two years. August, 1842." It is gratifying to add to the above, another instance of the generous and brotherly feeling with which these schools are contemplated by other parties connected with the congregation. The choir of the Old Meeting-house, in conjunction with a few of their friends of other religious denominations, have for some years past formed a society for their mutual improvement in the art of music, under the title of "The Friendly Musical Society." It had been their practice every year to invite their friends to a gratuitous, miscellaneous concert; but last year a small sum was charged for admission, and the proceeds devoted to the support of the Unitarian Domestic Mission in this town. Their last anniversary concert was given on the evening of the 19th October, for the benefit of the Old-Meeting schools. The whole of the performers gave their services gratuitously and efficiently, to advance the cause of popular education. The audience, amounting to upwards of 500, were highly delighted both with the character of the performance, and with the noble Christian spirit by which it was animated. After defraying the unavoidable expenses, the sum of 201. 8s. 9d. was realized, and immediately appropriated to the liquidation of the debt on the building. The excellent and indefatigable leader of the Old-Meeting choir, Mr. Joseph Timmins, presided as conductor on the occasion, with his accustomed energy and taste, and all the performers united their efforts most heartily with his, to give satisfaction to their friends, and to render assistance to their fellow-creatures who are perishing for lack of knowledge. Portsmouth. The members and friends of the High-Street chapel held a meeting on Wednesday, November 2nd, to celebrate the erection of their new school-rooms, at the Crown Assembly Room, which was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens. The company, amounting to upwards of 300 persons, joined in singing an appropriate hymn before and after tea, when H. E. Howse, Esq., of Bath, was called to the chair, and expressed the high gratification it afforded him to be present on so joyous an occasion, and to hear of the zeal and liberality which had enabled them to provide additional accommodation for the education of the children of the poor. The meeting was also addressed by the Rev. H. Hawkes, (the respected minister of the chapel,) the Rev. E. Kell and Mr. J. Shepherd, on the advantages of education, and more particularly of Sunday-school instruction, as conducing to the prosperity of our congregations, and on the especial adaptation of Unitarianism to meet the wants and wishes of the great masses of mankind. Various other topics connected with the interests and progress of truth and righteousness were discussed, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mrs. Waymouth for her liberal donation of £50, and to the other contributors to the new school-rooms, the expenses attending the erection of which, we are happy to state, are completely defrayed. In the course of the evening, the death of Dr. Channing was adverted to in tones of deep-felt regret for his loss and of admiration for his character, which found an echo in every heart in that assembly. Between the delivery of the various addresses, some beautiful pieces of vocal and instrumental music were introduced by the excellent choir of the chapel. In recording the particulars of this interesting meeting to celebrate the completion of a building consecrated to the moral and religious instruction of the young, we would fervently pray that God's blessing may rest on the labours of the little band of teachers whose zeal and perseverance have effected this desirable result, and that He may crown their future exertions with still more abundant success. E. KELL. Mansfield, Notts.-Nov. 6th, the Rev. C. W. Robberds, Unitarian minister, had the gratification of receiving, at the hands of his congregation, a very handsome silver inkstand, appropriately inscribed, accompanied with a purse of gold, which were raised by subscription, and amongst the donors were individuals who are not of the congregation. The following is a copy of the address presented to Mr. Robberds :-" As a token of respect and esteem for their pastor, the Rev. C. W. ROBBERDS, on his retirement from the ministry amongst them, the undersigned members of his congregation solicit his acceptance of a Silver Inkstand, with a Purse of Gold, accompanied with their most sincere wishes for his future happiness and welfare."— A neat New Testament was presented to the rev. gentleman on the following morning, in which was inscribed-"Presented to the Rev. C. W. ROBBERDS, by a few humble individuals of his congregation, as a testimony of their respect and esteem for his character as a Christian teacher, and of gratitude for the many very valuable and instructive lessons received from him as their pastor, accompanied with their unqualified regret at his retirement, and their sincere wishes for his future happiness and prosperity." MISCELLANEOUS. Tischendorf's Greek Testament.-The basis which the editor has taken for the construction of his text, is one that will not bear a close examination. He states, generally, that he has preferred ancient readings to modern guessings, and that he has abandoned the Elzevir text, which Griesbach almost made his standard. In the present state of Biblical criticism, it is of the highest importance that scholars should agree to have some one text generally received, and to give the variations and corrections in the margin. In fact, M.Tischendorf has now published two editions of the Greek Testament, and is preparing a third, with a different system for the rectification of the text in each. Now "ancient testimony" may be a good foundation; so may approximation to the Vulgate," and so may the valuable Codex Rescriptus of Ephrem Syrus; but if any one be correct, the two others must manifestly be improper. We are not disposed to be harsh in commenting on the labours of a scholar who has devoted himself to such editorial toils as Tischendorf; but before consenting to so perilous a step as abandoning that text of the New Testament which is generally received throughout Christendom, we should wish to have a clearer statement of the principles on which the new text is to be constructed, than that which the editor has given in his prolegomena.-Athenæum. 66 Mormonites.-Nearly a dozen of these deluded people left Hereford lately by waggon, and proceeded to Liverpool, whence, they were to embark on the 10th for Nauvoo, better known to this sect by the term of New Jerusalem, there to await, with prayer and fasting, the coming of Jesus Christ. Among these misguided emigrants was a family consisting of five persons from Cwms Moor, 795 Presteign, Radnorshire, and an old wo- The emigration of the "Mormons, or to be seen through by every person of ordinary capacity.-Liverpool Albion. Between twenty and thirty families who resided in the potteries and neighbourhood set off from Longport on Sunday, in a boat for Liverpool, with the intention of embarking at that port for the new settlement of the Mormonites or "Latter-day Saints" in the United States.-Birmingham Advertiser. The report that Joe Smith and his accomplice in the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs had gone to England, is erroneous. He has been at or about Nauvoo ever since his arrest; for he knew full well that he was safer here than any where else. During this time he has been concealed by day, and now and then seen at night, thinking that after the excitement subsided, he could come forth with impunity. He went up the river on the steam-boat Galena, Saturday night, the 3d. Six officers had caught the scent and were in warm pursuit. Where his destination, none knew; or those who do are Mormons, and they maintain profound silence. It is supposed that Canada will be his first resting-place for the present. His influence is on the wane; his sun has already reached its meridian height, and is now on the decline.-St. Louis Republican. Dissenters and Church Rates.-(From a correspondent.)-"Out of five or six Dissenting ministers in the town," (Doncaster, where there was lately a contest,) says a writer in the Leeds Mercury, “not one voted." A fair sample of many Dissenting ministers in other places, who are perpetually preaching to their flocks on the direful effects of compulsory payments for religion, and yet, when the opportunity offers, will not stir a step to put an end to the evil. By their want of consistency and principle, they invite the dominant party to treat with disrespect their plea of conscience in religious matters, and then are offended because the invitation is accepted. Academical Honour to the Rev. John Harrison.-The Rev. John Harrison, of Chowbent, has received from the University of Giessen the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts. He is a grandson of the late Rev. Ralph Harrison, of Manchester, and a lincal descendant of the Rev. Cuthbert Harrison, whose name appears in Dr. Calamy's account of ejected ministers. Hinckley A correspondent states that Mr. Mountford's engagement with the Presbyterian congregation in this place is only temporary. Oxford.-October 28th, the prize of £200 for the best Essay in Refutation of Hinduism, which was proposed in 1840 by some unknown benefactor, through the Bishop of Calcutta, has been decided by the judges in favour of the Rev. J. B. MORRIS, M. A., Fellow of Exeter. The very Rev THOMAS TURTON, D.D., Dean of Peterborough, is promoted to the Deanery of Westminster; and the Rev. GEORGE BUTLER, D.D., late Headmaster of Harrow School, succeeds to the Deanery of Peterborough. MARRIAGES. 1842. Oct 20, at the Unitarian chapel, Plymouth, by the Rev. W. J. Odgers, Mr. THOMAS JEFFERY to Miss ELIZABETH BUCKLAND, both of that town. Nov. 2, at Greengate chapel, Salford (Manchester), by the Rev. Dr. Beard, Mr. NATHAN HOOD to Miss ELIZABETH TAYLOR, both of Salford. Nov. 6, at the Unitarian chapel, Ipswich, Mr. JOSEPH WARDEN to Miss ROE, daughter of Mr. J. Roe, of Ipswich. Nov. 7, at the Unitarian chapel, Diss, Mr. NOAH ELSEY to Miss ELIZA DADE, of Diss. Nov. 13, at the Unitarian Baptist church, Dover, by the Rev. J. A. Briggs, Mr. JAMES LINDSAY, printer, to MARY, eldest daughter of the late Mr. DICKSON, farmer, Peebleshire, Scotland. Nov. 16, at the chapel in the Conigree, Trowbridge, by the Rev. S. Martin, WILLIAM HAWKINS to RACHEL BARRETT, both of Trowbridge. Nov. 23, at Newport, Isle of Wight, by the Rev. E. Kell, Mr. STEPHEN TILEY to Miss JANE WILLIAMS. At the New meeting-house, Kidderminster, by the Rev. M. Gibson, WILLIAM BROMAGE to ELIZABETH ALLCOCK, both of Kidderminster. OBITUARY. 1842. Sept. 14, at Northampton, in the 78th year of her age, ANNE WISH. She was a faithful and most highly-respected servant in the family of the late Rev. J. Horsey and his survivors for more than sixty-one years, and she remained with them to the day of her death. Her sterling integrity, unimpeachable veracity, and strict attention to the duties of her station, gained for her the most unbounded confidence of the family with whom she resided, and the esteem and respect of all who knew her. Sept. 24, at Hope Street, Liverpool, Miss MARY GASKELL, aged 61 years. Sept. 29, at Kendal, Miss ALICIA ANNE THOMPSON, daughter of the late John Thompson, Esq., of Kendal. Oct. 12, at Sawbridgeworth, Herts, after a few days' illness, CAROLINE, the wife of Mr. William BARNARD, aged 39 years. Oct. 16, at Sidmouth, of pulmonary consumption, of which she had long exhibited decided symptoms, SARAH, wife of Mr. METCALF, in her 52nd year. Even when suffering painfully, she still continued to attend the worship of the Old chapel, of which she was a respected member. Oct. 26, at Northampton, MARY, the beloved wife of the Rev. William Arthur JONES, Unitarian minister of that town, and youngest daughter of the late James Cuff, Esq., of Merriott, Somerset. In life, she was pure, patient and loving; in death, calm, peaceful and resigned. Oct. 28, in the 67th year of his age, LEWIS COOPER, Esq., of Maidstone, for many years an inhabitant of Norwich. Oct. 31, the Rev. SOLOMON HERSCHELL, in the 82nd year of his age. He was Chief Rabbi of the German and Polish Jews' Synagogue for forty years, and we believe it is truly stated in the newspapers, that "he was during that long period beloved and respected by all classes of persons, without reference to religious opinion.' Nov. 6, at Tottenham, Mr. WILLIAM HONE, who some years ago attracted public attention by his political pamphlets, for which he was thrice tried and acquitted, aged 63. He was for some time Sub-Editor of the Patriot newspaper, the organ of the Independents, to which denomination he had joined himself, professing their opinions and observing their discipline with no little zeal. Nov. 7, aged 66, of a pulmonary complaint, Mr. JoHN EDNEY, of St. John Street, Clerkenwell, son-in-law of the late Mr. John Marsom. CORRESPONDENCE. COMMUNICATIONS have been received from the Revds. S. Wood; Hugh Hutton; W. Jevons; S. Bache; T. F. Thomas; J. R. Wreford; J. Johns; W. Evans; Thomas Hincks; and G. W. Philp: from Messrs. T. J. Read; and H. H. Jones: and from Investigator; Stealth; and Christianus. We propose to continue collecting Notices of Dr. Channing from the American and other periodical works, and shall be much obliged to any of our correspondents who will furnish us with materials for carrying on our design. The Reports of the London Domestic Mission were received too late for the present number, but will appear in the next, as is the case with a variety of other communications. The Rev. E. Kell wishes us to state that he and some other ministers who use Kippis's Hymn-Book in their congregations, have made an arrangement with the proprietors and publishers for a new and cheap edition, provided a sufficient number of copies be subscribed for, and that he shall be glad to hear from any persons desirous of promoting the new edition, at his address, Newport, Isle of Wight. The obituary Memoir of the late Rev. Dr. N. Philipps is just come to hand, Nov. 28, after the present number is made up; we hope to give it a conspicuous place in our next. The author of the Sonnet on Dr. Channing, p. 763, wishes us to substitute the word throned for "fix'd" in the last line but one. |