WALES was holden on Thursday the NUAL MEETING at MANSFIELD, on the 24th of June. Dr. Warwick, of Kother. ham, prayed and read the scriptures; and Dr. Philipps, of sheffield, delivered,. in a striking, energetic, and impresive, manner, a very excellent sermon, from the viiith chapter of Luke, v. 18th, "Take heed, therefore, how ye hear," in which the various classes of hearers, the uncandid, the prejudic.d, the hyperaritical, the captious, the conceited, the capricious, &c. were delineated by the hand of a master, and admonished with a dignity and firmness, worthy the imi tation of his brethren in the ministry, The number of mini ters pre-ent was fourteen, exclus.ve of a c ergyman of the established church, and the Calvinistic minister of Alfreton. The congregation was much larger than on any former occasion.

25th of June last at the Wesleyan meeting-house, near Pont-Nedth-Vaughan, Glamorganshire. The service of the day was introduced by Mr. David Davis of Neath, with prayer, and reading and expounding Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. Mr. John James of Cardiganabire delivered an excellent discourse on the best means of propagating religious truths, from the 3d of jude. Mr. David Oliver of Gelionnen preached on the unpurchased mercy of God, from Luke vii. 42. And Mr. Benjamin Philips of St. Clears on the doctrines taught by Jesus Christ, from John iii. 2. The concourse of people on the occasion was great-the meeting-house could not contain much more than one half of them. After the public worship was concluded a large party dined together, at the expense of a few well-wishers to the cause in the neighbourhood.

It was

The thanks of the Association were unanimously voted to the two gentlemen The business of the Society was who performed, in so able a manner, transacted in the meeting-house; among the duties of the mornun.. other resolutions, it was re-olved that agreed, at the earnest requet of the the Rev. Thomas Morgan, of Blaeng Rev. rael Wers.ey, of Lincoln, tỏ wrach, be requested to select hymns and meet in that city next year. The Rev. palms in Welch, adapted for the use of H. Piper, of Norton, is appointed to Theo-Unitarian worshippers. That prea h in the morning; and the Rev. the next annual meeting of the society J. Grundy, of Nottingham, in the be held on the first Thursday after the evening. 21st of June, 1808, at Gellionnen, and that the Rev. Thos. Davies, of Coed-yCymmer, and Mr. Jenkin Rees, of Merthyr, be appointed to preach, and, in case of the failure of the latter, the Rev. B. Philips. The names of a few new subscribers were added to the lit; and a donation from Mr. Belsham was thankfully received.

The books voted for distribution to the Welch Theo-Unitarian Society, by the Southern Unitarian Society, will be a most acceptable present as there are many subscribers and non-subscribers, in the principality, who cannot read Welch, who will peruse them with avidity. If our fund had been strong enough, a certain sum should have been annually appropriated to the purcha e of Unitarian Tracts in the English language.

D. DAVIES.

The Ministers, and nine lay gentlemen dined in great harmony together.

At the Annual Meeting last year at Chesterfield, the Rev J. Bull, had, in his sermon before the A sociation, recommended the formation of a society, "for the promotion of pure and undefiled christianity, and the practice of virtue, by the distribution of books;" similar to those already established in other parts of the nation. The plan was warmly espou ed by Dr. Philipps and Mr. Piper but adjourned till the present meeting; when, on the motion of Dr. Warwick, it was again taken into consideration, and after serious dis cussion the foowing resolutions were agreed to.

Resolved, Ist. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that it would be highly advantageous to the cause of rational Neuth, Aug. 6th, 1807. religion and genuine morality, to esTHE UNITARIAN MINISTERS of tablish a society for the purpose of diNOTTINGHAMSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE, tributing religious and other useful LINCOLNSHIRE, and the SOUTHERN books, to be called "The Northern PART of YORKSHIRE, held their AN- Unitarian, Society."

VOL. II.

3 N

thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth." Psalm xxvi. v. 8.

Resolved, 2nd. That a committee be " Lord, I have loved the habitation of appointed to carry the views of this society into immediate effect; and that the Rev. Dr. Philipps, the Rev. T. O. Warwick, M. D. and the Rev. H, Piper, with several respectable lay gentlemen, be that committee.

Resolved, 3d. That the Rev. Joseph Bull, of Mansfield, be the Secretary, and that he be requested to co respond with other societies of a similar kind.

It is but justice to add, that the services of both parts of the day were highly acceptable to every candid and well-disposed hearer; and it may not be too much to hope, that they will have a salutary effect on all who attended them. July 5, 1807. J. B.

The WESTERN UNITARIAN SOCIResolved, 4th. That the lowest sub. ETY, met this year at the general baptist scription to this society be ros. 6d. per meeting house, in Trowbridge, Wilts, annum; and that any person subscribing on Wednesday the 12th instant. The five guineas at one time, be considered service was introduced by the Rev. a subscriber for life, and be entitled to Mr. Rowe, of Bristol, who read a suitbooks of equal value to those of an an- able portion of the scriptures, and denual subscriber of 10s. 6d.-This busi- livered the general prayer: then the ness being settled, the attention of the Rev. Mr. Brown, of Warminster, adassociation was next attracted to the dressed the audience in a judicious dispaucity of Unitarian Ministers, and course from the 1st. chap. of Philippians, to the means of increasing their number; the 9th, 10th, and 11th verses. He expatithe following resolution was adopted, at ated on the duty of love or christian the suggestion of Dr. Warwick; That, charity, and strongly insisted on its considering the small number of young" abounding more and more," but only men en now educating for the ministry, it in such a manner as to keep pace is highly desirable for the members with " knowledge and judgment"-he of this association to make inquiries, then concluded with prayer. whether there are not among their respective congregations, young men of serious habits and good abilities, whose education, as Unitarian Ministers, is worthy of being supported by those funds, which might be procured for that purpose, and to report the result at the next meeting of this society.

Resolved, lastly. That the Rev. Mr. Bull, be desired to tran mit an account of this meeting to the Editor of the Monthly Repository, for insertion in his yaluable Magazine.

The evening service opened with singing; the Rev. E. Jones, of Duffield, gave out the hymns; the Rev. H. Jenkins, of Stourbridge, prayed suitably to the occasion.

The divine blessing was properly invoked upon the means about to be adopted by the society for the extension of unadulterated christianity, and for the practice of virtue. The Rev. J. Scott, of Cradley, favoured a very numerous, attentive and highly respectable auditory, with a ṣersible, pious and judicious discourse, upon the 12tional pleasure, the refined delight, and the mp al advantage of sericus, habitual attendance upon public worship.

In compliance with a particular re. quest, it was agreed to have an additional service in the evening, when the Rev. Mr. Rowe delivered a discourse from 1. Timothy, 2d. chap. and the 5th verse. His subject (which he treated with great ability) was the truly important one of the Divine Unity, the first and greatest article of true reli gion! to promote the belief of which is the leading object of this society, and other similar ones.-The society was gratified with the addition of five new members, among whom are the Rev. Mr. H. of Bridgewater, and three of his friends: the conversation during the hours of transacting business, and the interval between the services was very interesting-and among other resolutions, it was agreed, that tn pounds' worth of books from this society be voted in aid of the UNITARIAN FUND. That the YORK ACADEMY be recommended as an useful institution, worthy of more general support.

And, that the MONTHLY REPOSITORY, is a valuable publication, entitled to the patronage of all liberalminded Christians.

The next annual meeting was ap

pointed to be holden at Bristol, where the Rev. Dr. Carpenter, will be expected to preach, or in case of failure the Rev. Mr. Aspland. D. J.

The EPISTLE from the YEARLY MEETING, held in LONDON, by Adjournments, from the 20th to the 29th of the fifth month, 1807, inclusive, to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of FRIENDS, in Great Britain, Ireland, and elsewhere.

Dear Friends,

prayer to the Almighty Parent of the universe, that he may be pleased to re gard this kingdom for good; and direct its future councils to such further acts of justice and mercy as may promote his glory, in the harmony of his rational creation.

We may also here mention that we learn by the accounts which we have received from our brethren in America, that their attention in assisting some of the Indian nations to attain to the beneReceive, we beseech you, the salu- fits of civilization, is still continued with tation of our undiminished and renewed vigour and with increasing success. We are love may we not reverently say, of gratified with being informed of the conour love in the gospel of Christ. For tribution which friends in this nation we desire to be as the messengers of good have raised in order to participate in this tidings, to allure you to increasing de. work of benevolence. Six thousand grees of dedication to the cause of truth, pounds of it are already put in train to and to make you partake of the encou- be remitted to America; about nine ragement which we are mercifully al- hundred more are ready to follow, and we lowed to feel, by meeting thus together have cordial assurances from our friends as with one accord. But though we abroad that they will readily take upon have again cause to confess that there is them "the administration of this serstrength in the union of exercise, in a vice:" which we trust will not only joint engagement of spirit, we also en- prosper, to the advancement of our treat you to remember that "the same Indian brethren in the scale of civil life; Lord over all is rich unto all that call but, like the gift of old, mentioned by upon him." Rom. x. 12. We believe, as the apostle, may be "abundant also, a frequent application of heart to the by many thanksgivings unto God.' Lord is the practice of friends in their 2 Cor. ix. 12. remote allotments, that he will enrich them with due portions of his wisdom and strength. Thus will he restrain in them the dispositions which tend to wards the world, he will invigorate those which have their origin and accomplishment in heaven, and he will even "make glad for them the solitary place." Isa. xxxv. 1.

Now, dear friends, seeing Christian duty is not a complex sy tem, but consists of a few and simple parts, it can not be expected that great variety should be found in the subjects, on which, from time to time, we are induced to address you. It is a peculiar glory of the gospel that it remains THE SAME. Love to God and love to our neighbour are its On the particular inspection this year grand and primary divisions; each into the state of our religious society, harmonizing with the other; neither various objects tending to its welfare subsisting apart. To the latter we have engaged our attention; some of immediately refer the general care which we shall endeavour briefly to lay which our Christian discipline probefore you. But first we are inclined to motes; and we believe it is also express our thankfulness for an event the ground of that more private, which concerns not us only, but incal but not less beneficial care, which we culable multitudes of our fellow crea- long to see subsisting in vigour in Christures-our fellow-possessors of the fa- tian families. You know our annual culty of reason-our fellow-objects of inquiry," Do Friends endeavour, by the redemption which comes by Christ. example and precept, to train up their We scarcely need name the Abolition of children, servants, and those under the Slave Trade. We view it as one their care, in a religious life and conof the most important acts of public, na- versation, consistent with our Christian tional righteousness, which ever digni- profession?" The query then descends fied the councils of any government; and to four particulars, all of them indeed our minds have been directed in secret important, but we now hint at them

only to observe, that, important and that several persons have been added to

indispensable as we believe they are for us, they are not to be made the sole criterion for judging whether religious education has been duly and successively given. Consider, dear friends, what subjection of spirit, what care of conduct, and what self-restraint go to make up a good example: tempered, as it should be, with sweetness of manner, seconded by holy firmness, and recommended by its being manifest that yourselves are "seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousne s." Mat. vi. 33. These are truly great, but they are attainable object; and equally the duty of every one who lays claim to the Chri tian character: for though all are not cailed to the same stations in the militant church, all are invited to heaven; and the general terms of invitation are alike to all. O friend, did we all thus seek and attain to the things that are excellent, precept, impressive precept, would not be withheld. Love would inspire it, prudence would direct it, both as to season and quantity, and what rea on have we not for hoping that the Lord himself would render it availing by his blessing?

us by convincement. We desire it may also have been by conversion, from form to power. Such truly convinced and converted, are a strength to us They know the sa rifice which they have made for their present condition, and value it accordingly. They have bought the truth, and are so far from desiring to sell it, that they are concerned that others should possess the same enjoyment. But we are sometimes grieved that persons finding their way, and probably through self-denial, into our society, do not always retain their ground. The salt doth not always retain its savour. Mat. v. 13. In tenderness therefore of heart we entreat the newly convinced not to esteem their admission as a period of rest from conHict. It rather requires a deeper exercise. And we beseech friends among whom such may dwell, to treat them with great circum-pection as well as kindness. Beware of hurting them by any ill example. They may be offended and if they are sincere they are in the number of those whom we are cautioned not to offend. Ch. xviii. 6. On the other hand they are tender and inexpeOur query, as we have said, then rienced, and they may be laden with descends to particular: of which we the concerns of our discipline faster than shall only now advert to one, and that, their strength will bear. Thus, friends, because it hath rentwedly at this time on every occasion we see that sound occupied our attention, called forth ex- judgment and sound practice require pression of the sense of several brethren, depth and solidity. Let us then keep and furnished our meeting with ne incon- in view, and earnestly desire to be ensiderable subject of consolation. We ducd with that discernment which is believe there is an increased attention in friends in various parts, not only to pomote in their families the frequent reading of the holy Scriptures, but to make it the employment of a portion of time daily. We commend this practice, and we believe that if the heads of families are ca cful in cultivating the seed of truth in themselves, there will be so little danger of the custom becon.ing formal, that it will not unfrequently be the means of quickening the mind of those concerned in it more especial y if a subsequent pause be allowed; in order that the sacred truths which have been read may have time to make their due impression on the mind; or that the mind may have time to rise in secret aspiration after a blessing.

We find, at this as at other times,

the means, under direction of the holy head, of edifying the body of Christ.

The amount of the sufferings which have this year been reported to this meeting, from our several quarterly and other meetings, and from Ireland, is upwards of ten thousand nine hundred pounds: chiefly on account of tithes and those called church-rates, and also for undry demands of a military nature.

Before we conclude, we are di posed to turn our attention to you, dear youth, who are rising up to manhood. To you we would extend a tender, yet an earnest invitation. We are interested in your happiness, the church will have need of your help, and there is nothing that we desire more for you, than to see you advancing, in ranks of rightcousness, to the Christian warfare. And