OPENING OF THE UNITARIAN CHAPEL AT HEYWOOD, LANCASHIRE.

Heywood is a large and thriving manufacturing village, situated midway between the important towns of Bury and Rochdale. The inhabitants probably number 15,000, and the prevalent character is that so strongly marked in the natives of the adjacent portions of Lancashire and Yorkshire, strong sense, independence and habitual self-reliance. Not infrequent have been the attempts of the apostles of Secularism and Infidelity to win over to their cause the people of this district: if in some instances they have succeeded in scattering their doubts and disbeliefs, there yet remains among the mass of the people a hearty attachment to religion and its institutions. In few districts do places of worship more quickly arise than in Heywood. We owe it to the sagacity and indomitable zeal of the Rev. John Wright, of Bury, and of his associates in missionary work in that part of the country, that Unitarianism has now taken its place in Heywood, side by side with Episcopalianism, Methodism and Independency. Four years ago, only a single Unitarian Christian was known to live in the township. By missionary preaching, doctrinal lectures, pastoral visits, and the help of a Sunday-school, an Unitarian interest has now been planted in the place which promises to take root and produce important fruit. The first Unitarian service was conducted in the Temperance Hall. At the first lecture there were but five persons in attendance; but Mr. Wright and Mr. Glover persevered, and soon succeeded in arousing and sustaining the attention and interest of the public. The attendance was progressively good. At the end of twelve months, a meeting was called of those that were favourable to the establishment of a Unitarian congregation. There were found then to be sixty persons willing to become subscribing members. A new and better room for meeting was engaged. The expenses of the early Unitarian services were borne by the Bury congregation; but as soon as the Heywood congregation was organized, they resolved, while gratefully acknowledging the valuable aid they had received, to be for the future independent. As soon as they had a room of their own, they established a Sundayschool, which became in a few weeks full to overflowing. The rapid progress of the congregation and the school suggested the

idea of building a chapel for themselves. Their first aspirations were humble enough, -a plain room which might be built for £250. The munificent offer of Mr. Thos. Wrigley, of Bury, to contribute £100 to the building fund, induced them to enlarge their scheme. The handsome subscriptions of friends at Bury and elsewhere enabled them to purchase an excellent site and to erect a chapel at the cost of £1300, which for neatness and simple architectural elegance may without disadvantage be compared with many buildings of greater cost. The Heywood Unitarians gave liberally according to their means, not only money, but time and labour, thus materially diminishing the cost of the chapel. For the first two years, the services were mainly conducted by Mr. Benjamin Glover, helped occasionally by Mr. Wright and other ministers of the district. Since that time, they have formed part of the valuable organization of the Missionary Society of East Lancashire.

Wednesday, November 14th, was the day appointed for the opening services. A fine morning (succeeded, however, by one of those drenching afternoons so often experienced in this district) assisted to bring together a very large congregation, composed not only of people of the immediate district, but of friends from London, Bury, Rochdale, Manchester, Liverpool, Dukinfield, Oldham, Swinton, Blackley, Sheffield, Stannington, and many other places. Amongst the ministers present were Rev. John Wright, Rev. W. H. Channing, Rev. F. Baker, Rev. W. Gaskell, Rev. Dr. Beard, Rev. R. B. Drummond, Rev. James Bayley, Rev. G. Hoade, Rev. J. C. Street, Rev. John Robberds, Rev. Charles Robberds, Rev. John Gordon, Rev. S. Macdonald, Rev. E. Hopkinson, Rev. L. Taplin, Rev. - Lunn, Rev. J. Harrop, Rev. James Whitehead, Rev. W. Moon.

The new chapel stands on an elevated site, just clear of other buildings, but near the best part of Heywood. Its front elevation is, we believe, due West. It is cruciform, the transepts being N. and S. It is a plain but substantial stone edifice, possessing enough of the architectural and ecclesiastical character to please the eye, without having anything expended in mere ornament. It is light within, the windows being in lancet form, and sufficient in number to dissipate the dim religious light, which, however poetical, is practically far from convenient. As a whole, the building is considerably larger than the congre

gation at present needs, and is capable of holding 500 worshipers. It is intended to devote the whole of the East end of the building, including the two transepts, to the purposes of the Sunday-school, which is already a large one, and is well conducted by the Unitarians of Heywood. This portion of the building will be separated from the rest by a removable partition and by drapery. In front of these the pulpit will stand, and there will be ample accommodation for an ordinary congregation of from 200 to 300 persons. The building is approached by a porch at the West end, measuring 10 ft. 6 in. by 8 ft. 9 in., and communicates with the chapel, which is 42 ft. 9 in. long by 35 ft. broad. The school-room at the East end, formed by the transepts and chancel, measures 51 ft. 3 in. by 24 ft. 6 in., and is intended to be added to the chapel when the present accommodation afforded by the chapel becomes too small. The height of the building to the eaves is 18 ft., and to the ridge 41 ft. The roof is an open one, and, together with the pews, is stained and varnished. The chapel is built in the Gothic style of architecture, and its cost when thoroughly completed will amount to £1300, towards which about £800 had been raised by subscription before the opening services commenced. Mr. Joseph Chattwood, Union Square, Bury, is the architect, and Messrs. Hobson and Glasebrook, Hornby Street, Heywood, are the builders.

The service was opened impressively by Rev. John Wright and Rev. F. Baker. Rev. W. H. Channing, of Liverpool (from John xi. 52), preached an instructive and eloquent sermon in illustration of the aim and power of Christianity in gathering together and uniting the scattered children of God. In justice to the occasion, the preacher explained with great clearness and force the distinctive doctrines of Unitarian Christianity. The sacred music was assisted by a harmonium and by the excellent choir of the Bury Unitarian congregation. At the close of the sermon a collection was made, which amounted to the liberal sum of £77.

From the chapel the friends proceeded to the Mechanics' Institution, which was completely filled by the assembled guests and presented a very animated sight. The Chairman, Ivie Mackie, Esq., ex-Mayor of Manchester, and principal guests (including Thomas Wrigley, Esq., John Grundy, Esq., R. T. Heape, Esq., and his brother, T. A. Ward, Esq., Robert Heywood, Esq., David Martineau, Esq., J. T. Hart, Esq., and many ladies) were seated on a dais. The refreshments provided were on a more than usually liberal scale. So large was

the attendance that several of the tables had to be twice served.

Tea being over, the chair was taken by Mr. Ivie Mackie, who has just retired with great honour from fulfilling for three consecutive years the important duties of the Mayoralty of Manchester. He discharged the office of Chairman with urbanity and remarkable success, giving just the right tone to the proceedings, and sustaining the hearty sympathy which the occasion inspired and deserved. We must not attempt to give even a sketch of the speeches, but must content ourselves with naming the speakers and their topics. The Chairman opened the proceedings with an interesting outline of his own theological history and a review of the leading doctrines of the orthodox church. He bore animated testimony to the power of Unitarianism to satisfy the understanding and the affections, and to make a man a good servant, a good master, a good citizen and a good Christian. Rev. Wm. Gaskell proposed a resolution expressive of the good wishes of the meeting towards the Heywood congregation, and enforced it by a powerful and most cheering speech. Mr. John Grundy, of Summerseat, proposed a sentiment recognizing the importance of Unitarian missions, one of the first and best fruits of which was before them in the Heywood congregation and chapel. A fine, manly, earnest tone of thought characterized Mr. Grundy's address. It was presently followed by addresses of great power from Mr. Thomas Wrigley and Rev. John Wright. Mr. Benjamin Glover, to whose able and zealous labours the Heywood congregation is so largely indebted, gave a very spirited sketch of its history and growth. In nearly all these addresses (and we have rarely listened to better) there were references to the desirableness of an early extinction of the debt on the chapel. The statement of the exertions and sacrifices of the Heywood people evidently made a deep impression. At this period, the members of the deputation in attendance from the Unitarian Association, composed of Mr. J. T. Hart, Mr. David Martineau and Rev. R. Brook Aspland, presented themselves to the meeting. Mr. Hart handed in the amount of a grant by the Association of £25, and Mr. Aspland gave a cheque from Mr. Alfred Lawrence, who had been appointed in the deputation, but who was prevented by business from attending; and presently the Chairman announced a series of additional subscriptions - from Mr. Wrigley, £50; Mr. John Grundy, £50; Mr. Benjamin Heape, £25; Mr. R. T. Heape, £10 (the latter gentleman had previously given £100). These and other subscriptions

swelled the contributions of the day to £246. After an interval and some sacred music effectively given by the Bury choir, the proceedings were resumed, and Rev. John Gordon in a beautifully lucid and thoughtful speech, in which he passed in review many of the religious signs of the times, proposed a resolution recognizing the importance and value of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. It was seconded by Mr. R. T. Heape, and suitably acknowledged by the Secretary, Rev. R. Brook Aspland, who followed up the observations of Mr. Gordon by dwelling on some of the grounds of hope and confidence on which Unitarians might cheerfully rest. It was much regretted that the early hour at which the Liverpool train left, deprived the meeting of the pleasure of listening to Mr. Channing. But the meeting did not forget (at the instance of Rev. John Wright) gratefully to acknowledge his admirable opening sermon. The time for departure arrived long before the role of the evening's proceedings was fulfilled, and many topics and speakers were with regret passed over. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, received by the meeting, somewhat thinned by previous successive departures, with that enthusiasm with which a Lancashire Unitarian audience recognizes the faithful and able performance on the part of their friends of public duties.

Thus terminated a most interesting and satisfactory meeting, one which greatly encouraged the congregation at Heywood and made a very great impression on the people of the district, who learnt from it that Unitarianism is not the cold and chilling religion which its opponents describe, but one which can rouse its friends to united, zealous and liberal action.

On the following Sunday, notwithstanding intense cold, preceding a fall of snow, very large congregations again assembled; that in the afternoon filled every part of the building in which seats were placed. Again there were kind friends present to help from Rochdale and Bury, but of course in less numbers than on the opening day. The services were conducted by Rev. R. Brook Aspland, of Hackney, who took occasion to discourse on the moral influences of social worship, and on the proper characteristics of Christian and spiritual worship. Collections were again made amounting to £31. The total amount raised by these opening services was £277, and when it is remembered that the Heywood congregation is composed almost exclusively of working men, such a result must be hailed with a feeling of surprise.-To their Unitarian neighbours, and especially to the

Bury congregation, the Heywood people feel that they owe a heavy debt of gratitude. They look with complacency and joy on the religious building that has been erected. The debt now remaining, not much exceeding £200, will, we doubt not, be soon wiped off; and we cordially recommend the case of this promising congregation to the consideration of all our Societies and Fellowship Funds, and to the aid of individual generosity. When the building is free of debt, steps will probably be taken to secure the services of a stated minister.

HALF-AN-HOUR AT SCISSETT.

One of the pleasing and hopeful features of the progress of our religious views may be found in the fact, that many of the villages throughout our country are now favoured with their Unitarian meetinghouses, where those who have adopted our views can meet for the worship of God the Father, in the name and as the disciples of Christ.

A short time ago, being in the neighbourhood of Huddersfield, we were induced to go a few miles into the country towards Clayton West and Scissett, large manufacturing villages, where we had the pleasure of joining in worship with a congregation in a neat and commodious Unitarian chapel in the village. It appears that a gentleman in the neighbourhood, William Robinson, Esq., has taken a lively and active interest for some time past to establish among the people a place of Unitarian Christian worship and instruction. His character, zeal and labours have proved very successful among the people, and we have no doubt but ultimately a minister will be settled in this place. The service was well attended, and we never united with a people in worship who seemed more firmly joined together and attentive to the whole of the religious duties of their church. A large Sunday-school, we were informed, had been established, and the teaching and the attendance had been very successful. Many adult persons were attending the classes and learning reading and writing and summing as well, whose early schooling had been neglected. The kindness of the members of this little church who had been more favoured in their youth is duly valued by the pupils. We found as well a library of about 700 vols, of books had been formed since the opening of the chapel. It is called "The Scissett Circulating and Sunday-school Library," which is stated to be the inalienable and irremovable property of the Unitarian congregation assembling in the Mission church at Scissett. We were gratified to learn that the Committee was

always to be formed of eleven of the members of the congregation; for we have known one or two places where our friends in the largeness of their hearts have allowed the books and funds collected by themselves and contributed by ministers and friends of our church, to lapse into the hands of men who were not members of our churches, and who cared nothing for worship, and helped to exile religion from the very place that had established the other means of improvement. The books at Scissett were of a really instructive and interesting nature. We found the preachers who conducted the services every Sunday belonged to the Yorkshire Unitarian Mission Society. We forget the number of preachers on the plan; but among the laymen appointed we were pleased to find the regular ministers of the district were taking a fair share of appointments among the villagers. They spoke highly of the kindness of the ministers and lay preachers. It was pleasing to hear the remark, that they always thought the last sermon, whoever preached it, was the best. Nothing could better shew their appreciation of the labours of those who come among them than this, and the benevolent and devotional character, rather than the fastidious and critical, which distinguished them, and so well becomes members of Christian churches.

We repeat, it is pleasing and cheering to find in different parts of our country ministers and laymen are joining hands to keep open chapels that for a time have no appointed ministers, and opening out new places of worship in our towns and villages. We had recently a plan of lay preachers of one of our northern districts in our hand for supplying our chapels, and among the gentlemen who had thus volunteered we found four of them were the principal editors and contributors to four of the leading papers of that part of the country. Silently and effectually are our views finding their way to all the towns and villages of the country. Among the villagers there is a great deal of Bible reading; and they have but to be shewn the truths we inculcate are of the Scripture, and those views we oppose are unscriptural, and they will adhere to us. If our good friends who are helping on this work in their several places not only support a character of high moral worth and intelligence, but of godly sincerity and piety and faithful attendance to public worship, added to the other numerous good qualities so many of them possess, many will be led to the adoption of a more simple, scriptural and rational faith, and to glorify our Father in heaven.

The facts before us are a complete answer

to what Cardinal Wiseman alleged some years ago, that our views, promulgated among the uneducated and working classes of the country, would lead them to abandon not only what we considered superstitions, but all religion as well. "Never yet," said the Cardinal, "had it been able to exercise a salutary influence on that class." The contrary we know to be the fact. At our meetings we have heard the rough-handed quarrymen and the pitmen declare they had found a joy and peace in our views that had saved them from infidelity; and we have seen the poor fisherman sitting in his humble home reading his Bible, to which he was drawn through our representations of Christian truth. We say to our village churches, God-speed you; go on and prosper! You will make a home of acceptable worship for many, both rich and poor, who are sick and weary with the dogmas of the Trinitarian faith.

CHESTERFIELD SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CONGREGATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.

The annual sermon in behalf of the Sunday-school connected with the place was preached in Elder-Yard chapel, Chesterfield, by the Rev. A. M. Creery, B. A., of Stockport, on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 28. The chapel was well filled, and at the close of the discourse a collection was made for the benefit of the school, amounting to £17. 12s. 6d.

On the following evening, Monday, the 29th, the annual soirée of the congregation was held in the large school-room, and was very fully attended, about 250 adults having sat down to tea. The room was very beautifully decorated with festoons of evergreen and with numerous large engravings and paintings, lent chiefly by Mr. Barnes, a member of the congregation. Frederick Swanwick, Esq., of Whittington, was in the chair, and the meeting was addressed by Revds. J. J. Bishop, B.A., of Loughborough, J. Page Hopps, of Sheffield, A. M. Creery, B. A., A. W. Worthington, B.A., of Mansfield, T. R. Elliott, of Ilkeston, Henry Solly, of Lancaster, and F. Bishop, of Chesterfield. The latter gave an encouraging report of the different institutions of the congregation, especially of the Sunday-school, which he spoke of as being in a very flourishing condition. Messrs. Woodhead, W. Glossop, Barnes and Sterland, members of the congregation, also addressed the meeting. Several hymns were sung by the whole assembly in the course of the evening, and the proceedings altogether were of a cheering and interesting character.

A local paper gave a full report of the

meeting; and the circumstance of three of the ministers who took part in it having been converts to Unitarianism from orthodox bodies, excited considerable notice in the town, and drew forth in the paper following that which contained the report an ill-natured and uncandid comment from a writer signing himself "Veritas." As there was good reason to believe that this letter, unworthy as was its tone, was from an influential quarter, it was met with a plain and fitting rebuke by Rev. Francis Bishop in the same paper of the following week, and also by a member of the Elder-Yard congregation, who signs himself A Unitarian Christian.

NEWINGTON-GREEN CHAPEL.

This ancient Presbyterian meeting-house, with which so many names dear to piety and to literature are associated, was reopened on Sunday, November 11th, after having been closed during the preceding four months for repairs and enlargement. The sermon was preached by the Rev. T. Madge, and was marked by all his usual strength and clearness both of thought and expression. There was a special musical service, in which the choir received the kind aid of Miss Philp and other friends from the Free Christian Church, Camden Town. The collection towards the repairing and enlarging fund was liberal, and all strangers present expressed their gratification at the entire success with which the alterations had been carried out. Several persons overstayed the service, to contemplate with interest the memorial-tablets to Mrs. Barbauld, Dr. Price and the poet Rogers, which are replaced in the enlarged building with greatly improved effect.

A REMARKABLE TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

The recent marriage of Sir John Bowring to Miss Castle, of Clifton, afforded an opportunity to his numerous Unitarian friends of testifying their feeling towards him. Two magnificent Bibles were procured. That for Sir John Bowring was a large paper copy of Bagster's Polyglot Bible (consisting of versions of the Bible in eight different tongues). This noble volume had been the property of the late Dr. S. Lee, the editor of this Polyglot, and may be considered in some respects unique. It was splendidly bound by Mr. Bagster. The Bible designed for Lady Bowring was a large paper copy of Bagster's Comprehensive Bible in quarto, bound in blue morocco, with gilt clasps and ornaments, and the gilt edges beautifully illuminated with Scripture passages in scroll. For each

Bible an oak box was provided, lined with crimson velvet. A magnificent readingstand was also procured, of carved oak and covered with crimson velvet. The marriage ceremony took place at Lewin's-Mead chapel, Bristol, in the presence of an unusually large and brilliant assembly of friends, and with such a concourse of spectators as probably was never before gathered within the walls of that building. The service was read by Rev. R. Brook Aspland and Rev. Wm. James. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. Aspland introduced a deputation, consisting of Mr. Wm. Wansey, Mr. Henry A. Palmer, Rev. Edwin Chapman, Rev. Wm. James and himself, who were charged with a peculiar and pleasing duty. Mr. Wansey then, pointing to the beautiful folio which was placed on the reading-stand within the altar rails, addressed Sir John Bowring in these words: "As one of a deputation appointed for the purpose, I have the honour and pleasure of presenting to you a Bible, which is offered to you by the body to which we all belong, as a testimony of the high sense they entertain of your worth and merit, of your consistency and courage, and of your perseverance in the assertion of your principles, through a long and honourable life. It is not my province to trespass much on your time, or that of the ladies and gentlemen present this morning. I will only say that we all join heartily in our congratulations to you and Lady Bowring on this important and deeply-interesting occasion, and would express to you our best wishes and our ardent desire that

health and happiness may attend you for many, many years. Of the rest, the inscription on this book will be the best testimony, and will remain a standing memorial of the views we entertain." Mr. Wansey then read the inscription, as follows: "This Bible was presented at Lewin's-Mead Chapel, Bristol, November 8th, 1860, to Sir John Bowring, Kt., LL.D., &c., on the morning of his marriage to Miss Castle, as an offering of respect and affection, from Unitarians of the United Kingdom, America, Transylvania and Australia, including persons of many ranks and classes, ministers, missionaries, students and Sundayschool teachers, to mark their appreciation of his fidelity to religious convictions, and of the services which he has rendered, by his writings and example, to the cause of pure Christianity."

Rev. R. Brook Aspland, holding in his hands the quarto Bible, said, "The honour is entrusted to me of presenting to you, Lady Bowring, a Bible which is the offering of many friends in Bristol and elsewhere. It will suffice if I read you the inscription,