proceeded, in reviewing the characteristics of the various churches of Christendom, to point out, in his own peculiarly graphic style, the radical germs underlying all, and in whose fusion he sought the reconciliation, at-one-ment, of the churches, which he ventured to predict, and which in God's good time would assuredly come through the communion of love, which was the essential spirit of the gospel. To no individual or church might the whole truth be given,-each stood in need of some which others had, - all were needed to complete the circle of Christian truth; and the different sections of the church had doubtless done good service in the conservation and working out each of the truth peculiar to itself.

The evening sermon, from Eph. iv. 4-6, was the sequel to that of the morning, illustrating the preacher's estimate of the present position of the Unitarian church. It was contended that the first church was Unitarian in its views touching God and Christ. Its gradual corruption, through the influence of oriental philosophy and other causes, was traced through successive steps, in an ascending scale, till popular Christianity culminated in Athanasian theology. Subsequently to the Reformation, this process had been reversed, and the churches had followed a descending scale, whose lowest point it was thought had been reached in the form of Unitarian Christianity. And whilst it was urged on Unitarians that they had not always done justice to or rightly appreciated other forms of Christianity, an appeal was made to orthodox hearers, whether the views which were set forth as those of Unitarians, had not strong claims upon their sympathies.

The Rev. Edmund Kell occupied the pulpit in the afternoon, and preached an impressive discourse. His subject was the Saviour's Robe of Righteousness wherewith man may hope for acceptance, from Hebrews xii. 14: "And holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." The preacher shewed that happiness in this life is inseparably connected with holiness, and that we cannot conceive of happiness in a future state unless as the result of virtuous affections and habits, and that the voice of scripture confirms the voice of reason. He shewed that the various sacrifices under the Jewish dispensation were intended, like the other ceremonials of their religious services, to keep

them apart from the Gentile nations, by attaching them to the peculiar institutions under which they lived, and were not intended to atone for moral guilt. He stated that atonements were offered for natural infirmities, bodily diseases and accidental events, and even for inanimate objects, as for "the altar," the "vessels of the tabernacle," the "sanctuary" and "the house," where the idea of the commission of sin was altogether impossible; but where presumptuous or wilful sins had been committed, there was no sacrifice appointed. He shewed that the sacrifice of Christ, under the New Testament dispensation, did away with the necessity of Jewish ceremonies and sacrifices, "blotting out the handwriting of ordinances which was against us;" and that, as levitical sacrifices could not atone for the commission of moral guilt, so neither could the sacrifice of Christ be a vicarious offering for moral depravity. He dwelt on the true objects of the death of Christ and its deep importance,-its benign influence on men by attracting them through his cross,— that all-conquering proof of love to himself, to his purity. He pointed to it as the gift of a Father's grace-the footstep to the Messiah's glorious resurrection-the pledge that, because "he lives, we shall live also." advocated the superior efficacy of such scriptural views of acceptance with God, over those of vicarious sacrifice, in awakening the sinner to the need of immediate repentance and holiness of life, and also in stimulating the Christian to higher degrees of piety and virtue. He urged his hearers not to be disheartened by difficulties and discouragements, but to give themselves and their first and noblest efforts to religion and its sublimest truth; and, emulating the holy enthusiasm of the early Christians, to prove before the Christian world that that great truth for which they had separated from other Christian churches, had indeed its throne within their hearts. He entreated them to aspire to no lower standard than that the Saviour held up before them, of ardent piety to God, and devotedness to the spiritual, the immortal interests of man.

He

MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS AND CHANGES DURING 1854. Newbury-Rev. F. R. Young has succeeded Rev. Robert Harris, removed to Lynn.

Congleton-vacant by death of Rev. W. Fillingham.

Macclesfield-Rev. J. C. Meeke, removing from Royston, has succeeded Rev. John Wright.

Cross Street, Cheshire-vacant by removal of Rev. G. V. Smith to London. Gee Cross, Hyde-Rev. James Brooks deceased. Rev. Charles Beard, previously assistant minister, elected pastor. Chesterfield-Rev. A. T. Blythe has succeeded Rev. Thomas Hunter, who has quitted the ministry. Crediton-vacant. Devonport-Rev. F. W. Stevens, B.A. Exeter-Rev. G. B. Brock has succeeded Rev. Thomas Hincks, removed to Sheffield.

Honiton-vacant.

Plymouth-Rev. Henry Knott, removing from Ipswich, has succeeded Rev. John Hill, returned to Chichester.

Sidmouth-Rev. Benjamin Mardon, removing from Worship Street, Lon

don, has succeeded Rev. Jos. Smith, removed to Godalming. Cheltenham-Rev. John Gow has succeeded Rev. John Dendy. Frenchay-Rev. D. Harwood has succeeded Rev. D. D. Jeremy. Royston-vacant by removal of Rev. J. C. Meeke to Macclesfield. Blackley-vacant by resignation of Rev. William Harrison.

Dob Lane-Rev. A. Lunn has succeeded Rev. James Taylor.

Lancaster-Mr.Goodwyn Barmby elected minister jointly with Rev. W. Herford.

Liverpool, Renshaw Street-Rev. J. H. Thom resigned. Pulpit filled temporarily by Rev. W. H. Channing, of America.

Manchester, Cross Street-Rev. J. Panton Ham has succeeded the late Rev. J. G. Robberds.

Norwich-Rev. D. Davis, removing from Lancaster, has succeeded Rev. J. H. Hutton.

Banbury-Rev. J. M'Dowell, removing from Crewkerne, has succeeded Rev. H. H. Piper.

Shrewsbury-Rev. J. R. M'Kee, removing from Pendlebury, has succeeded Rev. R. Astley.

Shepton Mallet-vacant.
Crewkerne

Rev. J. E. Fletcher, removing from Coseley, has succeeded Rev. J. M'Dowell.

Bury St. Edmunds-Rev. Joseph A.
Newell has succeeded Rev. H. Knott.
Framlingham-Rev. Thomas Cooper.
Ipswich-vacant by removal of Rev. H.
Knott to Plymouth.

Coseley-vacant by removal of Rev. J.
E. Fletcher to Crewkerne.
Godalming-Rev. Joseph Smith has
removed from Sidmouth.

Battle-vacant by removal of Rev. E.
Parry to Kidderminster.

Lewes vacant by the removal of Rev. W. Smith.

Coventry-vacant by removal of Rev. John Gordon to Edinburgh. Tamworth-Rev. W. Parkinson has announced his intended resignation. Warminster-vacant by removal of Rev. Thomas Cooper to Framlingham. Dudley-Rev. Richard Shaen has announced his resignation at Lady-day. Evesham-Rev. J. C. Lunn, removing from Lynn, has succeeded Rev. T. Davis.

Kidderminster-Rev. E. Parry, removing from Battle, has succeeded Rev. M. Gibson, removed to Swansea. Stourbridge-vacant by the resignation, through ill health, of Rev. Alfred Worthington.

Doncaster-Rev. W. Elliott removed from Selby.

Halifax-Rev. John Barling has succeeded the late Rev. W. Turner, but wishes to have a co-pastor.

C. H. Hubbard.

Leicester-Rev. Charles Coe elected copastor to Rev. Charles Berry. Hinckley-vacant.

Boston-vacant by removal of Rev. A. Lunn to Dob Lane.

London, Worship Street-vacant by removal of Rev. Benjamin Mardon to Sidmouth.

London, Stamford Street-vacant.
Lynn-Rev. Robert Harris, removing
from Newbury, has succeeded Rev.
J. C. Lunn.
Geldeston-Rev. J. J. Bishop.
Northampton-vacant.

Rev. W. Elliott, removed to Don

caster.

Stannington-vacant by death of Rev.
Peter Wright.

Leeds-vacant by the resignation of
Rev. Charles Wicksteed.
Idle-Rev. A. M'Combe, removing
from Crediton, has succeeded Rev.
E. Squire.

Swansea--Rev. Matthew Gibson, late
of Kidderminster, has succeeded Rev.
G. B. Brock, removed to Exeter.
Kenilworth-Rev. D. D. Jeremy, of
Warwick, has succeeded Rev. John
Gordon, removed to Edinburgh.

The above list has been in great measure compiled from Mr. Webb's excellent Unitarian Almanac. Correspondents will oblige by an early transmission of any errors or deficiencies. The list is painfully large, and the number of vacant pulpits shews the great importance of an increase of students in our educational establishments.

NEW UNITARIAN CHAPEL AT ORGANFORD.

A small chapel was opened, Nov. 19th, at Organford, in Lychett Minster, a village known to many as the spot where the able and accomplished Rev. Francis Webb passed some years in the decline of life. The chapel having been disused for some time by the body of religionists to whom it once belonged, was put into repair and refitted by the gentleman on whose estate it is situated. On the day of its opening, the chapel was filled to overflowing, and it has since been well attended, the religious services being conducted by Mr. Darby, of Bere Farm, Lychett. On Sunday, Dec. 3, the Rev. E. Kell visited this newly-formed band of worshipers, and addressed them on the duty and holy pleasure of social worship, from Psalm xxvi. 8: "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth." A present of Kippis's Hymn-books has been made to the congregation by Mrs. Dix on, of Southampton, and other friends have contributed books to the chapel library, which promises to be of much use in the neighbourhood. The circumstances of the origin of this society having been brought under the notice of the Committee of the Southern Unitarian Fund Society by the Rev. E. Kell, at the last quarterly meeting at Portsmouth, the Rev. H. Hawkes in the chair, the following resolution was moved by the Rev. J. C. Woods, and seconded by Mr. Megginson: "That this Committee beg to assure the Rev. Joseph Darby of their warm sympathy in his efforts to establish public worship at Lychett Minster, and their heartfelt wishes that, under the Divine blessing, his labours to promote the kingdom of Christ may be attended with success. They have also read his admirable Address in explanation of his views, and most heartily approve of it."-This Address was published to the inhabitants

* See Monthly Repository, Vol. XI.

P. 189.

of Lychett Minster in consequence of the uncourteous behaviour of a clergyman at Lychett (the Rev. J. B. Rogers) to Mr. Darby, on account of his having taken an active and successful part in the resistance to a church-rate. We make the following extract from its closing remarks:

"I belong, as you may be aware, to the denomination of Unitarian Christians-a body which has suffered more abuse than any other sect of believers; but I venture to assert that the greater portion of that abuse has been founded on misconception, and generated by sheer prejudice. I once held an argument with a clergyman of the Establishment, who confessed himself altogether ignorant of the views and sentiments of Unitarians, and yet he was quite ready to denounce them! Thousands are eager to judge and condemn us without investigation; but you, I trust, will not follow their example.

"We believe in the Unity of God, and we worship Him as the Universal Father and Benefactor of all his creatures.

"We believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God and the Saviour of men, and the Founder of that religion which is best calculated to remove sin and misery from the world.

"We conceive that conduct to be best in the sight of God which proceeds from a pure heart; and that man to be the most acceptable to Him, whoever he be, or by whatsoever name called, who endeavours to reach after the true Christian life by cultivating within him the purest and most devout affections, and by striving to exemplify in his every-day walk and conversation, the same spirit that was in Christ Jesus.'

"These are the primary doctrines of Christian Unitarianism; and I would beg to ask the Rev. J. B. Rogers, if this be heresy, what is truth? I might moreover have replied to him in the words of no mean authority, even those of Paul the apostle, viz., With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man's judgment. He that judgeth me is the

Lord.'"

SECULARIST NOTICE OF UNITARIAN
SERVICES.

In the "Almanack of Freedom," just published by Holyoake and Co., which is understood to be the organ of the Secularist party, there is given a list of Sunday services, "whose conductors

reverence Spiritual freedom more than Biblical injunction, or who find the warrant for perfect spiritual freedom in the Bible itself; and who, with whatever difference of creed, agree in an earnest love of Truth as Truth, above any merely theological dogmas. Such at least is the impression which their teachings convey to a bystander."The English ministers named as deserving this intended praise are Rev. C. Clarke, Rev. S. A. Steinthal, Rev. Jas. Martineau, Rev. W. H. Channing, Rev. Brooke Herford. Mr. Crosskey is the only minister named in Scotland; and Mr. Maginnis, of Belfast, the only one named in connection with Ireland. If this compliment had been won by struggles for religious liberty,-that of the Secularist equally with that of the Christian,-why is the name of Rev. John Gordon omitted, who vindicated at Coventry the right of the Secular champion Holyoake to a hearing? Some of the English Unitarian ministers named would, we believe, decline to accept any compliment based on their supposed indifference to revealed truth. We hope every Unitarian minister in Great Britain and Ireland will fearlessly vindicate religious liberty in every pos

80.

sible application of the sacred principle; but we hope none, in their zeal for spiritual freedom, will forget their allegiance to a spiritual faith. Between the hard materialism and dogged scepticism of the Secularist and the cheerful hopes and well-assured faith of the Christian Unitarian, sympathy is impossible. Let there be no mistake on this subject. If we temporize here, our usefulness and influence with the Christian world are at an end-and properly But we believe there is not much danger of Unitarian ministers forgetting their duty on this point. Let Mr. Martineau's eloquent protest against Secularism at Huddersfield, and Mr. Hincks' earnest assertion of the vantage-ground occupied by Unitarians in this controversy, be taken as proofs that those amongst us who are beyond suspicion in their love of spiritual freedom, have no sympathy whatever with the miserable negation of Secularism. We think it desirable to say thus much, because one or two indiscretions in word and act committed by others may have inspired Mr. Holyoake and his followers with an undue idea of the extent of the ground common to them and us.

MRS. WORTHINGTON.

To preserve some record of the virtuous dead seems a duty of sacred obligation upon the living. Not only to think, and occasionally to speak of their good qua lities, but to endeavour to give them a form and embodiment which they shall lastingly retain, appears but the discharge of a debt of gratitude. When death removes a friend from our circle, a reality has passed away from our presence,-passed to that unseen world from which there is no return. A memory is all that remains. To fix that permanently in the mind, and to enshrine the image which it recalls to us in the heart, ere yet the impressions from the living original have faded perceptibly from our recollection, is an office of a nature both interesting and instructive. And though such a record may be imperfect, it can never be without a value to those who are most nearly and deeply concerned in the preservation of the memory of departed friends and connexions. The object of the present notice is to give a brief sketch of a lady whose worth and value were extensively felt, and whose

many excellent qualities were acknowledged by all who knew her.

MARY, widow of the late Hugo WORTHINGTON, Esq., of Altrincham, was born December 13th, 1778. She was the eldest surviving daughter of the Rev. Robert Harrop, for forty-six years pastor of the Presbyterian society at Hale in Cheshire, and of Ann, only sister of Isaac Worthington, Esq., of Altrincham. She was bap. tized by Mr. Lord, of Knutsford, Jan. 7, 1779, and died at her residence in Altrincham, Dec. 14th, 1854, the day after she had completed her 76th year.

Mrs. Worthington was descended from ancestors who had been connected with the Presbyterian interest in Cheshire and Lancashire for several generations, and whose friends were numbered amongst the best Dissenting families in the Northern district,-a class of society, it may be safely asserted, not surpassed by any then existing, for probity, intelligence and true refinement of manners.

Being deprived by death of the advantage of maternal care in her early years, she, in common with Mr. Harrop's other

children, was entrusted to the charge of a family governess; but, for some years, resided under the roof of the Rev. George Checkley, of Ormskirk, where she enjoyed the benefit of superior instruction, and formed a close friendship with Mr. C.'s only daughter, which continued unabated on either side, until the time of Mrs. Worthington's death.

In 1804, she became connected by marriage with Hugo Worthington, Esq., Solicitor, Altrincham, for many years agent to the Earl of Stamford and Warrington. This excellent man was the grandson of the Rev. Hugh Worthington, for fifty-six years pastor of the "Great Meeting," Leicester, whose talents and virtues, religious tone of character and high moral principle, he inherited. This union was dis tinguished not only by warm affection and mutual respect, but by that great-might we not say, that indispensable recommendation-similarity of religious views and feelings. This hallowed the tie that bound them to each other, and, in a thousand ways, spread a charm and a brightness over their lives as long as it seemed good in the designs of Providence to continue them to each other; and, when this happy connexion was broken by the death of Mr. Worthington, soothed the pang of separation, and taught them to look forward to a blessed re-union in another and a better world. Mr. Worthington died in 1839, and his death was felt not only as a great loss to his family, but to the religious society to which he belonged.

Besides her husband, it was the will of Heaven to deprive Mrs. Worthington by death of five of her children-two in the days of youthful promise, and three at a somewhat later period of life. These trials she bore in such a manner as only a woman endowed with much power of moral reflection and great Christian fortitude could have displayed. She bowed reverentially to the will of her Almighty Father, and derived benefit to her soul from the lessons of submission, humility and dependence, which these repeated bereavements were intended to convey.

Soon after the death of her husband, Mrs. Worthington removed from Altrincham to Sale Hall, which, with the estate belonging to it, she purchased from John Moore, Esq., F.R.S., and rebuilt the house; but after a residence of a few years there, she returned to Altrincham, much to the joy of those who had known her value as a personal friend, and as a member of the religious denomination to which, in that town, she had belonged. At Altrincham she continued to reside till the time of her death, making it her chief object to do as

much good as possible; and giving the benefit of her experience and of her valuable countenance and counsel to all around her, in their several relations and degrees.

In the sketch of character which will be appended to this short outline of Mrs. Worthington's life, the attempt will be made to discriminate clearly and to speak with impartiality. But even from such a brief review as can here be given, it cannot but appear that an individual of no ordinary stamp or worth has passed away from among us.

In her domestic relations, she was all that the daughter, the wife or the mother can become. As a daughter, she, in the early years of life, paid to her surviving parent the reverential respect and filial regard which, in later years, she claimed, and, by a just compensation of Providence, received, from her own children.

As a wife, she was the soother of her husband's cares, the sharer of his inmost thoughts, the friend whose counsel he highly valued, and the ever-inspiring influence of whose energy and affection sustained him in every moment of doubt or difficulty. As a mother and the mistress of a family she pre-eminently shone-all that superior intelligence and good taste could prescribe being made matter of strict and due cbservance among the various members of her household. Could fancy picture a dwelling, all the arrangements of which should be indicative of liberality without ostentation, and frugality without parsimony,-where there should be seen whatever could please by its comfort, and even elegance, without offending the taste by its savouring of gaudy show or useless luxury,-where the tranquillizing influence of good order, combined with the peace arising from well-regulated affections, and the evident force of the ties of domestic attachment among its inmates, could not but be seen and felt,-where family devotion should blend with family love,-where the youthful members of the household should feel the holy influence of the mutual respect and affection that existed between its heads,-of the benevolence of their lives, the purity of their thoughts, and the piety of their demeanour,—such a model of judicious arrangement, family affection and religious discipline, surely was that which was to be seen under the roof of Mr. and Mrs. Worthington, when, years ago, their youthful family was all around them.

But Mrs. Worthington's affections, though burning with their intensest glow within the family circle, were by no means confined to it. She was a warm and active