ing classes of the community) should they be unable to procure the benevolent assistance of their distant friends. Nothing in fact but the anticipation of such assistance could have encouraged them to commence the building of a chapel, the foundation stone of which was laid on Monday the 18th ult. by Mr. Francis Moat, who expressed with Christian fervour the following devout wish on the occasion: "God grant his blessing that it may answer the purpose for which it is intended; may it tend to promote the glory of God and the good of our fel low-creatures." The Unitarians at Stainforth are far from being ignorant of the numerous calls which have lately been made upon the kindness of the common supporters of the cause which they have espoused, but they are happy in being able to reflect that there are many among the believers in the faith "once delivered unto the saints," who are neither wanting in the inclination nor in the ability to offer their benevolent assistance when they have reason to expect that it will not be abused but converted to the "glory of God and the good of our fellowcreatures." To these individuals they therefore beg leave, Mr. Editor, to submit the consideration of their circumstances, through the medium of your Mouthly Repository.

I have only to add the request, Sir, that you will be pleased to receive any subscriptions that may be presented towards defraying the expense that will be incurred in erecting a Unitarian' Chapel at Stainforth, and to report the names of the individuals by whom they are presented, in your Monthly Repository. Subscriptions will also be received by Dr. Thomson, of Leeds; Rev. P. Wright, Sheffield; Rev. John Gaskell, Thorne; and Mr. John Marsdin, Levells, near Thorne. MARTIN SIMPSON. Stainforth, Sept. 10th, 1817. P. S. It may not perhaps be improper to state, in addition to what has been already said, that Stainforth is a small village, about three miles from Thorne and seven from DonThough it does not contain more than about inhabitants, it is surrounded by other villages in which there are a few Unitarians, and many favourable to the cause.

caster

There is no Meeting-house or Established Church in Stainforth. The Methodists and Calvinists, it is true, conduct public worship in their own dwelling-houses; but they have no chapel expressly set apart for that purpose.

Mr. John Gaskell, who has lately settled as the Pastor of the Unitarian Church at Thorne, preaches also at Stainforth every Sunday afternoon; and we confidently anticipate that his labours among us, assisted by several auspicious circumstances of a local nature, which now seem to favour us, will be attended with considerable success as soon as we shall have procured a neat and commodious place of worship.

We are desired to add the following notice :—

The new Unitarian Chapel at Stainforth will be opened on Thursday, October 9th, 1817, when the Rev. R. Wright, Unitarian Missionary, is expected to officiate. Service to commence at half-past eleven o'clock. There will also be service in the evening.

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Unitarian Worship, Huddersfield. On the 31st ult. a new and large room, in the populous town of Huddersfield, was opened for Unitarian worship, by the Rev. James Kaye, Rev. Jeremiah Donoghue, and the Rev. John Beattie. There were three sermons-all well attended. In the afternoon scores, nay, hundreds went away, not being able to get in. Several stood in the street to listen at the door and windows.

Removals, &c. amongst Unitarian
Ministers.

The Rev. ROBERT LITTLE, late of Birmingham, has accepted the pastoral office in the Presbyterian Congre0 gation, Gainsborough.

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Bentley, Esq.

Mr. John Hall

Mr. Thomas Wilkins

Mr. Samuel Kay

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Mr. Robert Kay

Rev. W. Johus

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The Rev. N. HEINIKEN, of Gainsborough, has accepted an invitation from the congregation at Bradford, Yorkshire, late under the pastoral care of the Rev. H. Turuer, now of Nottingham.

The Rev. Mr. CANNON, of the Manchester College, York, is going to supply for some months at Edinburgh, The Rev. JOHN CORRIE has accepted the office of co-pastor, with the Rev. Mr. Kell, of the Presbyterian Congregation at the Old Meeting, Birmingham.

FELLOWSHIP FUNDS.
Exeter.

On Sunday, August 17th, a meeting was held in the lecture-room, at George's Meeting, Exeter, for the purpose of forming a Fellowship Fund Society in the congregation. The Rev. W. Hincks introduced the business by prayer, and an address on the objects and advantages of the society. After which, Mr. Hincks having been called to the chair, a series of resolutions were passed respecting the formation and government of the society, and appointing a committee and officers for the ensuing year. It was agreed to name the society, The Exeter Unitarian Fellowship Fund. Its objects

were stated to be, to afford occasional

contributions to Unitarian Chapels about to be erected or repaired, to the Unitarian Fund Society, and to Unitariau Academies, and to promote generally the diffusion of Unitarian principles. Subscriptions are limited to one penny a week. About an hundred subscribers have already given their names, and additions are daily made to the list. The formation of this society has been some time in contemplation, but has been delayed by vari ous accidental circumstances. It is hoped that similar ones will soon be established in several of the neigh bouring congregations. Exeter, Aug. 25th, 1817.

SIR,

Lewes.

W. H.

EVERY person who is anxious for the diffusion of religious knowledge must have noticed with delight the accounts that have been given in the Repository of the formation of Fellowship Funds in different parts of the kingdom. The good that may result from these institutions is incalcuTable, for the objects which they em brace are various and extensive. Besides placing at the disposal of congregations, funds which would not otherwise have been collected, they will tend to unite in closer bonds the individual members of our societies, by exciting amongst them an interest for the promotion of Christian truth. One of the leading causes of the rapid increase of the Methodists may be found in the union that exists amongst the members of each congregation. They are interwoven with each other by societies of various descriptions; the attention of every individual is kept alive to the advancement of religious truth by active engagements; and every one feels himself of importance to the success of the cause which he has espoused. The followers of Calvin are pursuing the same means for the increase and preservation of their congregations. In almost every Meeting are to be found Sunday Schools and Congregational Book Societies, Tract Societies and Missionary Funds; whilst the young are eucouraged and exhorted to form amongst themselves juvenile associations of various kinds. Hence, the members of the different societies are actively employed in the support of what they are taught to consider

important truth: the connexion that exists amongst them becomes stronger and more pleasing by perpetual intercourse; and a growing attachment to the institutions, in which they are individually engaged, biuds them together with ties almost indissoluble. Fellowship Funds, in some measure, promise to have a like pleasing and beneficial influence upon Unitarian congregations. They will create, in every society where they are established, an object towards which the ener gies of individuals may be exerted; they will augment the pecuniary means of our congregations, and call forth generally a desire for the extension of Unitarian truth. By the Christian emulation to do good, which must necessarily be excited, they will tend to kindle amongst the members of our societies a glow of religious zeal. Sanguine as I am as to the advantages that will mediately and immediately arise from the general adoption of these societies, you will believe that it is with the highest satisfaction that I acquaint you, that a Fellowship Fund has just been established at Lewes. The two Congregations have joined their strength in this Institution, and the prospect of success is very encouraging. I take the liberty of transmitting you a copy of the resolutions which have been agreed to, and which are now acted upon: if you think it proper to insert them, their appearance in your Repository will oblige our friends. T. W. H. Resolutions.

1. That a Society be formed called the Lewes Fellowship Fund, for the promotion of Unitarianism.

2. That the objects of this Fund shall be the distribution of religious tracts, affording occasional relief to Christian congregations, giving assis tance to Unitarian Academies, and promoting generally the diffusion of religious truth.

3. That this Fund shall be supported by weekly contributions of one penny and upwards; to be collected every six weeks.

4. That a Committee of fifteen persons, including a Treasurer and Secretary (five of whom shall be empowered to act, shall be appointed for the direction and appropriation of the funds of this Society, agreeably to the objects before stated.

5. That the Committee shall be chosen equally from the Westgate and Southover congregations: and that at the close of a year, five of the number who shall have attended the meetings of the Committee the least number of times, shall not be re-elected for the ensuing year.

6. That the Committee shall meet every six weeks, at four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, at the Westgate and Southover Meetings, alternately, when every subscriber shall be at liberty to attend; but that the right of voting shall be confined to the Committee.

7. That an annual General Meeting shall be held on the first Sunday in September, every year, when the Committee shall be named for the ensuing year, the accounts audited, and the report of the Committee read. 8. That in cases of emergency, the Secretary shall be empowered to call a special meeting of the Committee.

Mr. T. FISHER, Treasurer.
Rev. T. W. HORSFIELD, Sec.

Newport, Isle of Wight. A Meeting was held at the Unitarian Chapel, Newport, Isle of Wight, on Sunday, Sept. 7, 1817, immediately after the afternoon service, for the purpose of establishing a Fellowship Fund. Thomas Cooke, Sen. Esq. was called to the Chair. Several resolutions were passed declaratory of the nature and objects of the Society, and stating the rules by which it is to be governed. Thomas Cooke, Sen. Esq. was appointed President of the Society, and Mr. A. Clarke, Treasurer and Secretary. Every person present joined the Society, and many others have given their names as subscribers to the Fund since the meeting.

DOMESTIC.

MISCELLANEOUS. Dissenting Meeting Houses. Hayes v. the Poor Rates of Pailton. Warwick, July 17.

THIS was an appeal brought in consequence of an assessment lately made of a Baptist Chapel, erected about four vears ago, in the hamlet of Pailton, in the parish of Monks Kirby. In opposition to the inclinations of the inhabitants of the hamlet, this Chapel had been assessed to the last four rates, as of the annual value of 71. Although

the amount was small, the principle was important; and, therefore, the person rated as the occupier considered that as the expenses necessary to religious worship equalled the receipts, there was no beneficial occupation, and that no rate upon him, in respect of the Chapel, could legally be made. He had therefore applied to "the Society for the Protection of the Religious Liberty of Dissenters," in London, and they had authorized him to appeal against the rate.

When the appeal was called, and Mr. Reader and Mr. Reynolds, who were counsel for the appellant, were proceeding in the appeal, Mr. Tench, on the part of the parish officers, stated that they were convinced the rate could not be sustained, and that he was instructed to consent that the rate should be quashed, and 157. paid by them to the appellant for his costs; and which was accordingly ordered by the Court.

General Synod of Ulster.

Ar a meeting of this Presbyterian Assembly, held on Friday, June the 27th, the Rev. Mr. Carlyle moved for the reading of the report of a deputation to Lord Castlereagh respecting the education of the Protestant Presbyterian students for the Church. Lord Castlereagh had asked whether this was a matter of discipline, which it certainly was, as the education included not merely the classic languages or even theology, but moral education also. He observed, that at Cookstown, an individual, styling himself Lord Castlereagh, stated, by verbal messages, that "Government might regard their electing a professor to teach their students in theology as an act of hostility to them, and they were therefore required to desist." Who, or what was this Lord Castlereagh, that he should send such a message to the Synod of Ulster? Was he an Elder? Had he his credentials with him? What right had he to obtrude himself officially on their deliberations?" The Rev. Mr. C. concluded by proposing a declaratory act, that they considered the education of students as a matter of ecclesiastical discipline, in which they are determined to admit of no interference whatever. Allusions in the debate are made to a letter of Mr. Peel's, and to some other inter

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