5. There is another institution which I may here bring to your notice. Rammohun Roy has built a small, but very neat and handsome College, which he calls the Vedant College, in which a few youths are at present instructed, by a very eminent Pundit, in Sungskrit literature, with a view to the propagation and defence of Hindoo Unitarianism. With this institution he is also willing to connect instructions in European science and learning, and in Christian Unitarianism, provided the instructions are communicated in the Bengalee or Sungskrit language. What an admirable opening to your missionaries! Happy, thrice happy, and honored the man who has the ability, and the inclination, and the means to avail himself of it! 6. There is a Unitarian Press, also the property of Rammohun Roy, at which several pamphlets and tracts have been, and continue to be printed, almost all bearing on the Unitarian controversy, or tending to promote philanthropic objects. The last original publication printed at this Press, is a Bengalee Grammar in the English language, by Rammohun Roy, which, although its arrangement is defective, throws much new light on the idioms and construction of the Bengalee, and may therefore be considered as a valuabie present to all who make the acquisition of that language a study, and particularly to those missionaries who labor in Bengal, or who may hereafter be sent for that purpose. 7. Besides the European members of the Committee, there are various individuals in the different ranks of European society, who are either Unitarians, or are in a greater or less degree friendly to their objects. Scarcely a month passes without my hearing of, or becoming acquainted with, either personally or by correspondence, some person of this description, who had been previously altogether unknown to me in that character. Rammohun Roy has lately received an anonymous letter from Bombay, starting controversial difficulties, seeking for information, and evidently showing that the mind of the writer is opening to rational views of Christianity. Is it not probable from these circumstances, that a spirit of inquiry has spread farther than we could have anticipated from the small amount of exertion to produce it? From the conflictings, not of different sects merely, but of different religions, from the liberty and respect which the Gov ernment of the country accords even to idolatry and Mahometanism, from the infant state of the Church Establishment, and the comparative liberality of some of its members, and from other causes which I cannot here detail, the prejudices of the Christian population are necessarily much weakened, and ample encouragement is given to free and unfettered investigation. '8. Besides the Native members of the Committee, there is a distinct class of the Native community which professes Hindoo Unitarianism. I have elsewhere described this class, and I therefore merely add here, that the great exertions made by Government and by individuals, by Europeans and Natives, by Orthodox and Heterodox, to diffuse education, have tended to the increase of this class, and that even institutions under exclusively Orthodox management, have, to my certain knowledge, sent forth Native youths, not only opponents to idolatry, and believers in one God, but decidedly friendly to Christian Unitarianism.' Letter from Mr Adam of Calcutta.-The following note from Dr Tuckerman, contains extracts from the first letter that has been received from Mr Adam since his entering upon the active labors of his mission. To the Editor of the Christian Examiner. 'Sir, I have great pleasure in being able to tell you that, by a late arrival from Calcutta, I have received a letter from the Rev. Mr Adam, in which he tells me, that he has been successful in exciting the attention of the community there, to the claims of pure Christianity, to an extent beyond his most sanguine expectations. He says, "the English morning service, which I commenced in August, was very indifferently attended. But an evening course of lectures, which I began on the first Sunday of that month, has been numerously and respectably attended. The subject of the lectures is the doctrine of the divine unity, in all its aspects and relations to Trinitarianism, to Polytheism, &c. *** When I speak of our service being numerously attended, I mean, with reference to our expectations, and to the congregations which usually assemble in Calcutta churches and chapels. ***But, besides the mere attendance, there is a spirit of inquiry abroad, the effects of which I will not venture to anticipate. Several persons, formerly Trinitarians, have avow ed themselves Unitarians; and within a Rammohun Roy and Mr Adam's Writings. At the meeting held in Boston for the promotion of a Unitarian mission to Bengal, it may be remembered by those present, or who read the reports of the doings of the assembly, that Mr Newton, who had for some time resided at Calcutta, insinuated, if he did not directly assert, that the several Appeals which have appeared under the name of Rammohun Roy, were not the actual compositions of that distinguished individual, but of another person, an English gentleman of high character and standing at Calcutta. We have at this moment in our hands a letter from that gentleman, Dr Gordon, which, in the strongest terms, denies the truth of the whole statement. Mr Newton made similar remarks respecting Mr Adam's replies to the questions of the Rev. Dr Ware of Cambridge, attributing these, also, to Dr Gordon. We have the evidence before us for pronouncing these remarks to be of the same character with those respecting Rammohun Roy. Everything else Mr Newton said, which was of a character to diminish public confidence in Mr Adam, is shown by documents before us to be equally unjust. were pleased to see in the Christian Register for April 19th, the following communication from the Secretary of the American Unitarian Association. The Executive Committee of the American Unitarian Association have voted to publish a second series of tracts of a more popular character and cheaper execution than the first series. They will appear in the duodecimo form, and be paged for binding in volumes, and will be furnished to members of the Association. Tracts will be reprinted that have already been extensively read, and therefore have not been included in the first series, but for which there is a demand from places where Unitarianism is a less familiar subject than in this vicinity. The former series in duodecimo will be continued.' Unitarian Library.-From a circular of the American Unitarian Association, we learn that measures are to be taken to collect Unitarian books and pamphlets, and that contributions to this object are solicited. Our wish,' say the Executive Committee, is to form a Library in which copies of all books, pamphlets, sermons, periodicals, and religious papers, the purpose of which is to explain, defend, or enforce Unitarian views of Christianity, may be preserved. Volumes, old and new, tracts and manuscripts, will be acceptable. Especially should we be glad to form a collection of works by which the history of Unitarianism in this country may be illustrated.*** We need not mention the benefits that may result from such a Library or Repository as it is proposed to establish. They will readily occur. We will only allude to the fact, that no such collection is now in existence, or, if there be, it is not generally known, and is not open for the public good.' Test and Corporation Acts.-On the 26th of February, Lord John Russell made a motion in the British House of Commons, that the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the subject of a repeal of the celebrated Test and Corporation Acts. The vote was 237 for, and 193 against it, giving to the friends of religious freedom a majority of 44. This majority, says the London Times, is in truth what may be called a thundering event. It will sound from one end of the kingdom to the othNew Series of Unitarian Tracts.--Weer, and the echo will be heard in foreign parts.' It is indeed a signal triumph of justice and reason over bigotry and oppres sion. A faithful outline of the nature, history, and operation of these Acts, is given in Lord John Russell's speech on submitting his motion. The following is the account of them by Blackstone; Commentaries, Book IV. Chap. 4. § 3. In order the better to secure the established church against perils from nonconformists of all denominations, infidels, turks, jews, heretics, papists, and sectaries, there are however two bulwarks erected; called the corporation and test acts: by the former of which no person can be legally elected to any office relating to the government of any city or corporation, unless, within a twelvemonth before, he has received the sacrament of the Lord's supper according to the rites of the church of England; and he is also enjoined to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy at the same time that he takes the oath of office; or, in default of either of these requisites, such election shall be void. The other, called the test act, directs all officers, civil and military, to take the oaths and make the declaration against transubstantiation, in any of the king's courts at Westminster, or at the quarter sessions, within six calendar months after their admission: and also within the same time to receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper, according to the usage of the church of England, in some public church immediately after divine service and sermon, and to deliver into court a certifieate thereof signed by the minister and churchwarden, and also to prove the same by two credible witnesses; upon forfeiture of 5001. and disability to hold the said office.' It is true, that the Acts have been a little modified, and that annual Acts of Indemnity are passed, by which the penalties of the Corporation and Test Acts are remitted,and that granted as a favor which is claimed as an inalienable right. But this ought not and does not satisfy a highminded nation, a decided majority of which is believed to consist of Dissenters from the Established faith. Irish Protestantism.-At the annual meeting of the Synod of Ulster in June last, a motion was made to deprive the Rev. Mr Porter of his office as Clerk to that body. He had faithfully discharged his official duties for eleven years, and, according to the usual terins of appointment, was to hold the office for life, or during good behaviour. The only reason assigned for so extraordinary a measure as that proposed, was, that Mr Porter had avowed Unitarian opinions. The attempt was unsuccessful, 59 voting for, and 91, against it. The Protestant inhabitants of the town which is the scene of his ministerial labors, were unwilling, it seems, to share with the minority of the Synod, the disgrace of so open a violation of Protestant principles, and, as we learn from the Christian Pioneer for February last, assembled in the Town Hall, Newtownlimavady, on the 18th of December, for the purpose of presenting Mr Porter with a Service of Plate. Dr Moore, on the part of the Protestant inhabitants, read the following address:"TO THE REV. WILLIAM PORTER. "Rev. and Dear Sir,-We, members of the different Protestant Congregations in the town and neighbourhood of Newtownlimavady, request your acceptance of a Service of Plate, as a mark of our sincere regard and esteem. We feel great pleasure in declaring, that we recognise in you the exercise of those Christian virtues, without which, profession is but a name. We recognise in you, Sir, an indulgent parent, an affectionate husband, a kind master, and a sincere friend; with a morality unspotted, a candor and adherence to truth unsurpassed. "Though some of us may entertain sentiments different from yours on certain doctrines, about which the wisest and best men have not been able to agree, yet we all perfectly concur in expressing our warm approbation of the impressive manner in which you have uniformly inculcated, both by precept and example, the practical duties of Christianity, and of your strenuous advocacy, and manly exercise of the right of private judgment in the formation of religious opinions. "We feel ourselves called on to express our disapprobation of the attempt made at the last meeting of Synod, to deprive you of the Clerkship of that body, merely because you had the candor to avow, and the consistency to adhere to theological opinions which you believed to be right. We, however, rejoice, that that attempt was defeated by the good sense and good feeling of the body. "Whilst we admire and applaud that elevated spirit and unbending integrity, Intelligence. which, in opposition to the seductive suggestions of worldly wisdom, prompted your conduct on that occasion, we marvel that in the present enlightened age and country, such conduct should have incurred the censure of some of your brethren in the ministry. We cannot help lamenting, that teachers of the Gospel should have departed so widely from its forbearing and charitable spirit, and that men, cailing themselves Presbyterians, should have evinced so little regard for what we deem the fundamental principles of their church; namely, the right of private judgment, and the sufficiency of the Scriptures, as a rule of faith. “ ཨ་ the most ordert wishes for your happiness here, and your acceptance hereafter, through the blessed Redeemer, we take the liberty of subscribing ourselves your affectionate friends." To the above Address, Mr Porter replied : "Mr Chairman,-I do assure you, and my other friends, that with very few persons indeed, would I at this moment During the exchange my feelings. course of last summer, there was a time, I confess, when my spirit was nearly subdued, and when I thought I should be borne down by obloquy, merely for having expressed opinions, which, however erroneous they may be deemed, can have emanated from no other source than But that time conscientious conviction. is past. I have found that there are liberal-minded men of every church, and of every creed, who will not allow an individual, whose intentions are upright, to be run down by vulgar clamor. The approbation of the persons whose names are subscribed to that address, more than compensates for all the injurious imputations to which I have been subjected; they are persons whose social, moral, and intellectual respectability, cannot be These articles are called in question. not begrimed, as such things have sometimes been, by the filthiness of the hands It affords me adwhich present them. ditional gratification, to reflect that this mark of your regard has not been earned by subserviency to popular prejudices, or by fomenting sectarian and political animosities. By ministering to the dissemination of jealousy, hatred, and all uncharitableness, it is easy for any one to obtain applause from the misjudging multitude; but the approbation of the wise and worthy cannot thus be concilia- The pecuniary value of these things, considerable as it is, constitutes only a silver nor gold did I expect to bequeath small portion of their worth: neither to my entidren, but these, memoriais of your esteem and friendship, it snail be my study to transmit to them unsullied, and I trust they will duly appreciate the legacy. To you, Mr Chairman, and my other friends, I return heartfelt thanks. Most sincerely do I wish, that it may be well with you now, and eternally well with you hereafter." On the Tea-pot and Coffee-Urn, is the following inscription, beautifully engraven:- Presented to the Rev. WILLIAM PORTER. by his Protestant Friends, of different denominations, in Newtownlimavady and its vicinity, as a mark of their high esteem for his many amiable qualities in private life; and their cordial approbation of his fearless and disinterested assertion of the invaluable RIGHT OF PRIVATE JUDGMENT.-1827."' Ordination at Cambridge.-At Lechmere Point, on Wednesday, March 5th, the Rev. Warren Burton was ordained as pastor of the Third Congregational Society in Cambridge. The services were as follows;-Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Dr Lowell, of Boston; Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr Walker, of Charlestown; Sermon, by Rev. Mr Greenwood,of Boston; Ordaining Prayer, by Rev. Mr Beede, of Wilton, N. H.; Charge, by Rev. Dr Ware, of Cambridge; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Mr Barrett, of Boston; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. T. B. Gannett, of Cambridgeport. New Church in Philadelphia.-We rial and Address delivered on the occasion regret we have no room for the Memoof laying the corner stone of a new church for the Unitarian Society in Philadelphia, whose history is given above. The ceremony was performed on Tuesday, the 25th of March, with the customary religious services. After a prayer by the Rev. James Taylor, the stone was laid by Messrs Ralph Eddowes and John Vaughan. Mr Eddowes then read a paper cotaining an abstract of the history of the Society, with the names of the architect, William Strickland, of the principal mechanics and the building Committee, with an appropriate expression of the purposes for which the house is to be erected, all of which, written upon parchment, was inclosed and deposited in the stone by Mr John Vaughan. The Pastor, the Rev. W. H. Furness, then made an address to those assembled on the occasion, and the services were closed with prayer by the Rev. Mr Stetson of Medford, Mass. VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. GREAT BRITAIN.-The new ministry, under the Duke of Wellington, appears to be firmly established. The declared basis on which the members of it were invited to take their offices, in regard to some of the leading questions of poliey, was the same as that on which the very successful administration of Lord Liverpool was formed, and on which Mr Canning and Lord Goderich organized the cabinet; but it differs from the two last cabinets, in excluding persons belonging to the old whig party. The head of this ministry, and other members of the greatest influence, are opposed to the Catholic claims, but a majority of the members are in favor of them. The publie curiosity having been a good deal excited respecting the causes of the dissolution of the late cabinet, several explanations were made in both houses of parliament, early in the session. The dissolution appears to have arisen from a trifling personal difference between two of the members-a difference which would have been of very little moment, had it not shown an uncomfortable degree of jealousy, on the part of the tory party, of the influence of the whigs. The present government has distinctly declared its intention of adhering to the principles of the treaty of July 6, relative to the affairs of Greece, but they have exhibited greater anxiety to preserve peace with Turkey, than appears to have been felt by their predecessors. They came into power too late, however, to take any measures to avert the rupture of the negotiations at Constantinople, and there is reason to believe that they will continue to act in strict concert, and cordial understanding with Russia and France. FRANCE. In the French Legislative Chamber, no measures have yet been adopted, since the opening of the session, to show very clearly the present political character of those bodies. The candidates for the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, elected by the Chambers, to be presented to the King, were part royalists, and part liberals. Royer Collard, of the Liberal party, but a man of great moderation, a friend of the constitutional charter, and a man of distinguished talents, received the appoint ment. TURKEY.-The Ottoman government having been, from the date of the battle of Navarin, vigorously engaged in making preparations for defence, and having protracted the negotiations with the Ambassadors of Russia, France, and Great Britain, as long as was practicable, consistently with its determination not to accede to the demands of those Powers, on the 12th of January threw off all pacific appearances, and issued a manifesto, in which the demands of the allied powers are ascribed to the desire of the christian nations, and particularly of Russia, to ruin the Sublime Porte, to overthrow the Ottoman empire, and to exterminate Islamism. It charges Russia with having instigated the Greek insurrection, and represents the interest expressed by the allies in favor of the liberties of the Greeks, as a mere pretence, to favor the project of destroying the Mussulman nation. In reference to the proposition of the allies, that the Porte should give to the Greeks a form of independent government, and a chief of their own nation, as in Wallachia and Moldavia, on condition of their paying an annual tribute, the manifesto declares, that neither reason, nor law, nor policy, nor religion, could admit of such propositions being accepted.' After narrating the course of the negotiations, and the efforts after the |
