taught. The history of opinions in philosophy and science is one of the most interesting branches of human knowledge, and in like manner religion should be taught as a branch of general knowledge, as a department of history, the history of all religions and all sects in all ages and in all countries. Not only should the facts of religion be taught, but, for the sake of moral effect, the universally recognised truths and obligations of religion, the being and attributes of God, his love of virtue and hatred of vice, the personal, relative, and social duties, should be inculcated. The most bigoted idolater in India, if left to his own unbiassed impressions and not rendered suspicious by attempts at proselytism, would not object to his children being taught the plain and undoubted facts, truths, and duties of religion. The Committee are aware that this simplification of religion to the minds of native youth would be the best preparation for their reception of Christianity when they come to mature years and judgment, but this is an advantage gained openly and fairly, in consistence with the known religious character of parents and children, and in such a way as to cherish, support, and strengthen the best principles of human nature, instead of oppressing their intellect and obscuring their moral perceptions, by indoctrinating them with distinctions and opinions which are beyond the reach of their faculties. Such are the views that are entertained by the Committee on this important subject, and they give expression to them on this occasion, both because they are regarded as just in themselves and deserving to be generally acted upon, and also because it is hoped that many will be induced to give their aid to plans of education formed accordingly. What specific plans the Committee may adopt for the advancement of education will depend upon the degree of public support they receive and the information they may be able to collect on the present state of education in this country a subject on which the Committee hope to communicate the result of their inquiries in the next Annual Report.

VI. Tracts.-Short, plain, and rational Tracts are calculated to diffuse information and to excite inquiry, and are therefore a valuable means of intellectual, moral, and religious improvement.

There will accordingly be found in the Appendix, a list of books, pamphlets, and tracts that may be had of the Committee's booksellers, and the Committee recommend the purchase of them for distribution as a means both of increasing the funds applicable to the printing of tracts and also of spreading pure religion. With regard to future publications, the Committee have in their possession a MS. translation of the Gospel of Matthew into Bengalee, the joint production of the Rev. William Yates, a Baptist Missionary, and of Rammohun Roy and Mr Adam, two of the Members of this Committee, which, if they had the necessary funds, they would immediately print under the superintendence and revision of the two last mentioned individuals. Rammohun Roy also proposes executing his long suspended design, of translating his Compilation of the Precepts of Jesus into Bengalee and Sunskrit, and of placing his translation at the disposal of the Committee. The Committee are quite aware that translations into Bengalee and Sunskrit of those portions of Scripture have already been executed, but under circumstances which unavoidably attach much error and imperfection to them, and they therefore consider that they would render an eminent service to the cause of Christianity in this country, if they could induce their learned Associate to carry into effect his original purpose, of presenting to his countrymen the Precepts of Jesus, in the vernacular dialect of Bengal, and in the classical language of India. The Committee have also in view the publication of a Series of Tracts on the Unity of God, in English, Bengalee, and Sunskrit, establishing the truth of that doctrine, by proofs drawn from Natural and Revealed Religion, and considering it as opposed both to Polytheism and Trinitarianism. This series of tracts would also be well adapted for distribution among Mussulmans, if translated into Hindostanee, Persian, and Arabic, to make them acquainted with Unitarians, as a distinct denomi nation of Christians, and by this means to produce a favourable impression on their minds respecting the truth and excellence of Christianity, but the want of funds will prevent the Committee at present from engaging in this undertaking. The publications of the

Committee have generally been printed at the Unitarian Press which belongs to Rammohun Roy; in some cases entirely at his expense, and in others, at the expense to the Committee only of press-work and paper.

VII. Library.-Public Libraries may be made very effective instruments for the diffusion of religious as well as of general knowledge. Confessedly very few individuals ever read books written exclusively on the subject of religion, and one reason is, that the public have not the requisite facilities and means of comparison and selection. There are Libraries to supply the public taste on almost every other subject, but there is no Library in Calcutta open to the public, well supplied with Theological works of every description. The most valuable Theological collections are not generally accessible, and those that are open to the public are extremely meagre and almost exclusively sectarian. If all these Collec tions were thrown into one, it would be a great means of spreading religious knowledge, especially when aided by the weekly discourses of the public teachers of Christianity. Why is it that the voice of the preacher falls so powerless on the ear? It is because, among other reasons, the minds of the hearers have not been exercised by previous reading and reflection on the same or similar subjects. Let then books of religion be put within their reach, books on every subject that can be considered as directly connected with religion,-Theology, Mental Philosophy, Ethics, Education, Missions, &c. Let all denominations of Christians unite in forming such a Library, and the most beneficial effects may be anticipated in conjunction with the other means that are employed for exciting an encreased degree of attention to the subject of religion, and forming the public mind to a just appreciation of its important truths. The Committee do not expect that other Christian sects will join with them at present in these views, but however distant the prospect of such co-operation may be, they have determined, in the mean time, to pursue the object with the means they possess, and with the aid, in books or in pecuniary contributions, which public-spirited individuals or societies in India or in foreign countries may be disposed to give. A small Library has been formed, and several valuable donations of books

have been received from various individuals both in this country and abroad, besides additions that have been made to it by purchase, at the expense of the Committee. It is open to the public, and various individuals have at different times received books from it. The Committee invite all the aid and patronage which such a Theological Library may appear to the public to deserve. They tender their thanks for those donations of books that have already been received, and they will gratefully acknowledge all other gifts, whether of orthodox or heterodox works, that may hereafter be sent to them.

VIII. Madras.-Mr William Roberts, a native Hindoo has, with great zeal and industry, been laboring at Madras for several years, under the patronage of the English Unitarians, as the Pastor of a smal! Native congregation of Unitarian Christians. In compliance with Mr Roberts's request and with the recommendation of his English friends and supporters, it was at one time in contemplation to authorize Mr Adam to proceed to Madras to ascertain the present state and prospects of Unitarianism at that Presidency; but after mature consideration this step was deemed inexpedient, in consequence both of the inadequacy of the funds applicable to such a purpose, and the importance of Mr Adam's presence in Calcutta at the present juncture. The Committee have no means of judging of the utility of Mr Roberts's la bours except from his own reports, but although they are evidently limited to a very humble and contracted sphere, yet the Committee are strongly impressed with the conviction of the integrity of his character, his firmness in maintaining Divine truth under the most discouraging circumstances, and his unwearied perseverance in his endeavours for promoting the moral and religious improvement of his little flock, and for extending the knowledge of Unitarian Christianity. The Committee, therefore, to express their sympathy with him in his labours, aud to encourage and aid him in their prosecution, presented him with a donation of 100 Madras Rupees. A further donation of 350 Madras Rupees was made to Mr Roberts, being part of a sum of 375 dollars received from America, but which does not appear in the Committee's Accounts, as it was placed at Mr Adam's disposal.

IX. Funds.--Annexed is the Trea

surer's Statement of Accounts with him to the close of the present year, including three separate funds, viz. the Missionary Fund, the Chapel Fund, and the Contingent Fund. 1. The Missionary Fund has been created by loans from individuals in Calcutta, to whom the sums borrowed are payable by the Committee without interest, whenever the voluntary subscriptions received from the public shall enable them the principal sum is Sa. Rs. 25,000, and the interest is applied to the support of a Unitarian Missionary. 2. The Chapel Fund has been formed by donations received from individuals in this country, in England, and in America, and the Treasurer's Statement shows a cash balance in its favor of Sa. Rs. 9557 2, besides the ground purchased for S. Rs. 12,250 and Calcutta subscriptions still remaining unpaid to the amount of 5 or 6000 Rupees. 3. The Contingent Fund has been formed by monthly, quarterly, and annual subscriptions received in Calcutta, and amounting, when reduced to one denomination, to about 160 Rupees per month: A donation to this fund of Sa. Rs. 1562 1 8 has also been received from the British and Foreign Unitarian Association, together with a promise, after the lapse of two years, of an annual subscription of 500 Rs. The present balance in favour of this Fund is Sa. Rs. 4455 1 4. The purposes to which this Fund has been and is at present applied, are the payment of the rent of the Hurkaru Public Rooms and of the organ used in public worship, the employment of a native copyist, a messenger, and occasionally a pundit, the printing of tracts, the freight and custom-duties on shipments of books, the postage of letters and parcels, stationary, and all other variable and incidental charges arising out of the business of the Committee.

'X. Organization of the Committee. It has already been stated, in one of the publications of the Committee, that, although they assumed this name, they did not thereby intend to describe themselves as the representatives of a larger body. They were constituted a Committee by their own voluntary act, without reference to a higher authority, and they received others into their number, according as persons were found disposed to associate with them, limiting the increase however to such a number as would not throw any ob

stacle in the way of an easy interchange of opinions on the different measures submitted for consideration. This constitution of the Committee, although originally necessary, in consequence of the small number of individuals in India who took an active interest in the promotion of Unitarian Christianity, is attended with this practical inconsistency, that while the Committee are a public body, possessing public property in trust for specific purposes, and derived in part from individuals not belonging to their own body, yet they are not amenable to the public, because not elected, but hitherto only voluntarily associated. The number of public professors of Unitarianism in Calcutta, however, has recently experienced a considerable increase, and the Committee therefore propose to render themselves elective, in order that Calcutta Unitarians may possess a real and direct control over a body which represents them, and that every individual of them may be the more induced to contribute his personal and zealous exertions for the promotion of its objects. Considering also the extending relations and prospects of Unitarian Christianity in this country, the local appellation assumed seems now to be less appropriate than it

originally was, and the Committee therefore recommend that the present opportunity be taken, to make the designation more comprehensive, and with that view they suggest that the new institution should be called, THE BRITISH INDIAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION. This will not only more correctly express the extent of the objects contemplated, but will also be a call on all Unitarians in every part of India where the existence of the Association may become known, to unite with each other and with the Unitarians in Calcutta, for the promotion of those objects, by the formation of Auxiliary associations, which it cannot be expected will be done, while the present limited title of the Parent Institution is retained. The Calcutta Unitarian Committee have therefore resolved, that if those gentlemen who have subscribed in aid of their funds, and are now present, will form themselves into a Society having the same objects in view, and willing to assume all their responsibilities, they will transfer all their rights, titles, powers, and properties to that Society, or to its Com

mittee, for the time being. In the con. fidence that the measure proposed will meet with the approbation of this Meeting, the following Resolutions are submitted for consideration.

1. That this meeting does hereby form itself into a Society which shall be called the British Indian Unitarian Association, having the same objects and principles as the Calcutta Unitarian Committee, assuming all the responsibilities of that Committee, and receiving all their rights, titles, powers, and properties.

2. That the Members of the Calcutta Unitarian Committee be requested to act as the Committee of the British Indian Unitarian Association, for the ensuing year, under the Rules and Regulations formed by the Calcutta Unitarian Committee for itself, with power to supply vacancies in their own number; and that the Committee be requested to frame and submit to the next Annual meeting, such further Regulations as may appear necessary to give efficiency to the Association.

3. That this meeting views with deep interest the combined exertions of English and American Unitarians to establish a Mission in this country, pledges itself to zealous and preserving cooperation with them, confides in their continued sympathy and aid in the prosecution of this object, and earnestly solicits the assistance and countenance of such Unitarians in Europe and America as have hitherto withheld their support.

4. That this Meeting invites all Unitarians, whether Christian or Hindoo, to form themselves into Associations Auxiliary to the British Indian Unitarian Association, and to place themselves in communication with the Seeretary of that Association.

The Calcutta Unitarian Committee conclude this Report of their proceed ings with the assurance that, under whatever name they may act, they will continue sacredly to devote their best exertions to the extension of pure Christianity in India. They are cheered by the prospect which has begun to open before them. They earnestly invite all who value rational religion to cooperate with them. And they humbly supplicate on their past and future labors the blessing of that Being "from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do pro

ceed."'

Correspondence of the American Unitarian Association, on the state of Unitarian Christianity. [Continued from p. 352.]

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

I am fully aware of the reports which have reached you, respecting the state of Unitarianism in this quarter, and I know they must have had the more weight, because supported, if not by the evidence, at least by the desponding tone of many Unitarians. But from whatever quarter such statements come, they are entirely without foundation. Unitarianism is making just the advance, which any reasonable man might have anticipated; and I speak deliberately when I say, that, if its prospects might be more animating, they could not well be surer. Many of those, who first embraced our faith in this region, expected an immediate revolution, thinking that no one could fail to welcome the light-they found that many, who, though they had not been Unitarians, had long been prepared for the new faith, joined them at once; and from this movement they took an encouragement, which was not warranted by our knowledge of human nature, because they might have known that the moment they had formed themselves into a society, they had brought matters to that state that every man must choose his party, and after the lines were decidedly drawn, it was a serious thing, and required great resolution, to pass from one side to the other. Such instances have been-there have been a few in this town, who have passed from the Calvinistic society to mine, but in each instance, they were men of great deliberation and uncommon firmness, and it was plain, that without those traits of character, they would have remained with their party to this day, rather than have encountered the difficulty and odium of a separation. Such being the obstacles to the increase of our societies, their members became a little discouraged. You can judge of the reasonableness of their anticipations, if you consider, that, in the country, every man is under the superintendence of his neighbours, generally has his wife against him in his liberality, and we have no loose and shifting population in this region, where old habits, prejudices, and opinions have a power, that may be measured by the

number of their years. You can judge, then, whether, when I tell you that Unitarianism is surely advancing, it is not as much as we could rationally expect, though not all we might desire.

I confess that it is almost with regret that I hear of associations and audiences gathered in small towns, where there are not Unitarians enough to form a regular society. It affords a momentary joy and triumph, and that is all. They soon find that they have made themselves a mark, and have cut down the bridge by which others might have joined them. I know it is hard for them to be destitute of the ordinances of religion; but they do not gain them by their separation, except when some liberal preacher happens to stray in their neighbourhood; and they put off, indefinitely, the hope of having societies, churches, and ministers of their own.

I think that the reason, I have given, is enough to show, that no sudden revolution could have been expected in this region. There are other causes, that operate also everywhere against us. Gold and silver are the measures of value, with the people at large, and they see that the Unitarians give less to what pass for religious purposes, than the Orthodox. Doubtless many sound reasons and explanations may be given for that difference, but the misfortune is, that the people generally cannot be made to comprehend, that what a man gives is not a just measure of his devotion to his faith. Besides, it seems as if the liberality of many consisted wholly in their aversion to lectures, religious charities, &c., things harmless enough in themselves, and in the hands of the Orthodox, engines of power. Many of the most upright and enlightened men who become Unitarians, are those, who, fro.n their former aversion to the received faith, have passed for infidels or indifferent. They would recommend any other cause to the people at large, but they rather discredit this-and there are always some, like the recruits of David at Adullam, who attend Unitarian meetings, for the sake of hearing a little common sense, occasionally, under the name of religion, though they care nothing about the matter. These are obstacles, especially the money-giving, which do much to withstand a general impression in our favor. This brings me back to the point with which I started, that we are

gaining as fast as we ought to expect. I do not mention these things by way of accounting for our slow growth, for I know of no society in this region, growing faster than ours. Our pews are filling up slowly, it is true, but well; and though some of our more ardent members have been at times needlessly concerned, there has never been an instance in which the Orthodox have made the least impression on our prosperity or our numbers. In truth I know of no disposition to injure us.—If there is any, it is not in the Orthodox clergyman, who is uniformly fair and manly, and I have not the least doubt wishes well to my people and to me.'

1. FRANKLIN COUNTY.

I am perfectly satisfied, that in the county of Franklin the cause of Unitarianism is gradually advancing. So far as I recollect, there has been no secession on the ground of principles, from my parish for the space of ten or fifteen years. Calvinists, indeed, we have, and always have had; but they are generally satisfied with serious, practical preaching. In M- ―, the next town on the east, where they had had an Orthodox minister for almost twenty years, there was a Unitarian society established two years ago, which has increased. Similar remarks would apply to the state of things in C

The Unitarian society in H- -, though small in the number of actual subscribers, is, I believe, increasing both in number and influence, and there is reason to hope, that, at no distant period, it may constitute the majority of the town. In C————————, a Unitarian society was established about a year since. That town, though large and wealthy, has not been distinguished by religious zeal of any kind; and although we may hope, we cannot be sanguine of great success in that place. There has lately been a Unitarian society organized in S, consisting of twentyfive or thirty members in its origin, which, it is expected, will be considerably increased by those who are already prepared to subscribe. A small society has likewise been organized in G- -, and the new Unitarian society in N- ——, which is an object of as much interest, perhaps, as any other, is in a very hopeful state. We have had hopes of something effectual in the large town of Cbut there is a want of spirit there, and