"That as Unitarian Christians, your Petitioners cannot exculpate themselves from the charge of a palpable violation of moral principle in joining in devotions addressed to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and particularly in receiving a benediction pronounced for the ratification of the ceremony, in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. "That finding that the British Legislature, in an Act passed in the reign of his Majesty George the Second, relating to Marriage, recognised the importance and sufficiency of such religious scruples, by exempting the Jews and Quakers from all obligation to submit to its provisions, so far as it respected the Members of their several communions; your Petitioners feel encouraged to submit their case to the consideration of your Honourable House, and humbly to petition, that they also may be allowed to marry among themselves, in conformity with their religious principles. And your Petitioners will ever pray." South Wales Unitarian Book Society. THE Annual Meeting was held at the Unitarian chapel in Carmarthen, on Tuesday the 8th July instant, and not on Thursday the 10th, as stated by mistake in the notice, which appeared in the Repository for May. The services commenced on Monday evening, July 7th, when the Rev. Rees Lloyd, of Kingswood, near Birmingham, read the Scriptures and prayed in English. The Rev. D. Davis, of Neath, preached an interesting English sermon from Rom. viii. 32, and the Rev. John Thomas, of Llwyn-y-groes then delivered an excellent Welsh discourse on Religious Liberty, from Rom. xiv. 4, 5, and the Rev. William Rees, of Penrhiw, closed the service with a Welsh prayer. On Tuesday morning the service was introduced in English by the Rev. R. Awbrey, of Swansea; then the Rev. T. Rees, of London, delivered a masterly statement of the objections to the doctrine of the Trinity, from Isaiah xl. 25, "To whom will ye liken me, or shall I be equal, saith the Holy One?" The Rev. John James, of Bridgend, afterwards preached a most admirable Welsh sermon on the perfect and universal love of God, from 1 John iv. 8, "God is love," and concluded the service. The business of the society was then transacted in the chapel; several new members were added to the list, and the next anniversary appointed to be held at Llwyny-groes, in Cardiganshire; the Rev John Evans, of Carmarthen, to be the preacher. A large company of country people afterwards retired to an Inn to partake of refreshments, provided for them by the congregation. The ministers, twenty-four in number, and a respectable party of friends, in all fifty-seven, dined on an economical plan at the White Lion Inn. After dinner, the usual sentiments being proposed from the chair, gave rise to several appropriate and animated speeches; and the afternoon was passed in the utmost harmony. The evening service was introduced by Mr. T. Rees, and Mr. Awbrey preached a very judicious and impres sive discourse, in English, on the object and nature of Christian worship, from John iv. 23. The venerable and Rev. D. Davies, of Llwyn-rhyd-Owen, then preached in Welsh from Phil. iii. 20, an engaging sermon on the heavenly citizenship of true Christians, and concluded the service with prayer. The congregations at all the services were very large and respectable, and many persons attended from the neighbouring counties of Glamorgan, CarThe meeting digan and Pembroke. will be long remembered by all the friends present with feelings of satis faction and delight. July 20, 1817. T. Unitarian Tract Society, West Riding of Yorkshire. THE second Anniversary Meeting of the Unitarian Tract Society, for the West Riding of Yorkshire, was held at Wakefield, on the 11th of June last. The business of the day commenced with Divine Service; of which the introductory and devotional part was conducted by the Rev. John Kenrick, A. M. Solemn, earnest and impassioned was the address to the Deity; and we trust, it ascended as the incense of praise, from hearts sin cere. The Rev. Thomas Jervis addressed the audience from John xiii. 17: "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.". The venerable preacher, in a strain of masculine argument, and with a delivery the most impressive, pointed out the value of Christian knowledge, and the propriety of using our rational faculties in our researches after truth. He then dwelt, with the happiest effect, on the practical influence this knowledge should have on our lives. It was a clear, copious, and irresistible torrent of reasoning; exhibiting the same evangelical style and spirit, so conspicuous in the discourses with which that gentleman has already favoured the religious world. After the service, the report of the Tract Society was read by the Rev. R. Astley, of Halifax, who had kindly accepted the office of Secretary, in the room of the Rev. H. Turner, removed from Bradford to Nottingham. The report was highly satisfactory, and called forth some excellent observations from different members, expressive of the utility of the Association, not only in the diffusion of Christian truth, by the distribution of tracts, but also in forming a bond of union between the ministers and members of different congregations. Before the formation of this Society, the congregations of the Protestant Dissenters seemed almost isolated; now they meet, co-operate, and by their united and unslackened efforts, produce in these parts the most astonishing revolutions in the minds and hearts of men. When the business of the Tract Society was concluded, about sixty gentlemen sat down to a plain and comfortable dinner, at the Strafford Arms. Many subjects congenial to the purposes of the Meeting were introduced; among which, of major importance, was the infant cause at Huddersfield. A statement of its rise, progress and present condition was given by the Rev. J. Donoughue, of Lidgate. The success which had attended the labours of Messrs. Beattie and Donoughue that populous place, and the flattering prospects which still offered themselves for future exertion, interested every heart, and awakened a generous desire to support an undertaking which promised such happy results. Dr. Thomson, who may be truly considered as the parent of the cause, stepped forward and made a most fervent and pressing appeal to his friends in its behalf. It proved irresistible. A liberal subscription was immediately eutered into, which would more than cover all the expenses of fitting up our new place of worship. The Rev. John Gaskell, who is lately settled at Thorne, gave a most pleasing account of the Society there. He found them well-informed, united in love and glowing with zeal. In the name of his congregation, he desired that Thorne might be added to the Association, and the Annual Meeting held there in rotation. The next Anniversary is to be considered as the Lidgate Meeting; owing, however, to its proximity to Huddersfield, and for the sake of convenience, and the encouragement it will afford our brethren there, it is proposed that it shall be held in that town; when we hope a numerous attendance will witness, and celebrate the complete triumph of Unitarianism in Huddersfield. J. D. Western Unitarian Society, and Devon and Cornwall Association. THE Annual Meetings of the Western Unitarian Society, and the Devon and Cornwall Unitarian Association, were held at Exeter, on Wednesday, July 9th. Divine service was introduced by the Rev. Benjamin Mardon, of Glasgow; the Rev. Joseph Fawcett, of Yeovil, offered the general prayer, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. John Kenrick, M. A. Classical Tutor at Manchester College, York, Mr. K.'s text was 1 Tim. vi. 4: "The doctrine according to godliness." The sermon was an able, judicious and eloquent defence of the Unitarian doctrines as being best calculated to promote godliness. We have great pleasure in informing the Unitarian public, that they may soon have an opportu nity of perusing it, as Mr. K. has promised to comply with the unanimous and earnest request of both societies by its speedy publication. After the service the meetings for business, first of the Western Unitarian Society, and then of the Devon and Cornwall Unitarian Association, were held in the vestry of George's Meeting, William Brown, Esq. of Cullumpton, a member of both societies, in the Chair. The Subscribers present had the pleasure of witnessing a considerable accession to their body, and amongst others, the venerable Mr. Bretland, whose learning and talents have long since made his name familiar to the friends of Unitarianism, became a member of both societies. Ilminster, Somersetshire, was fixed upon as the place for the next annual meeting of the Western Unitarian Society, and the Rev. T. S. Smith, M. D. of Yeovil, was appointed to preach. The Devon and Cornwall Unitarian Association resolved to hold their next meeting at Tiverton. Upwards of eighty of the subscribers and friends to both societies dined together at the New London Inn, Richard Hall Clarke, Esq. of Bridwell, in the chair. After dinner, Mr. Kenrick, Mr. Rowe, Dr. Carpenter, Mr. Worsley, and several other gentlemen, addressed the company. There was service at George's Meeting on Thursday morning, at seven o'clock, when the Rev. W. Evans, of Tavistock, conducted the devotional part, and the Rev. Dr. Smith preached. The congregations were and respectable; a great number of ministers and many other distant friends of the societies were present, and the meeting was altogether a highly interesting and important one. Exeter, July 20, 1817. numerous W. H. port, they have been favoured with the services of the Rev. Thos. Howe, of Bridport, who spent two Sabbaths with them, on the first of which he administered the Lord's Supper to a few of the members; and, at their request, he preached again on the evening before he left Tiverton. His services were highly acceptable and interesting to all who attended them; and more particularly so, from the great degree of interest he has shewn, both by his personal exertions and solicitations, in behalf of their infant cause. A letter was drawn up, and signed by all the members, (previous to his leaving Tiverton,) expressive of their grateful acknowledgements, accompanied by a request that he would repeat his visit to them, at some future time convenient to himself. To which he returned a most affectionate reply ; assuring them that he should always continue to feel the greatest interest for their future welfare and prosperity, and be most ready, on all occasious, to render them any advice or assistance in his power. 16th August, 1817. M. L. Y. Subscriptions are received by the Rev. Dr. Carpenter, Bristol; Rev. R. Aspland, Hackney Road; Rev. Thomas Howe, Bridport; Mr. George Dunsford, or Mr. M. L. Yeates, Tiverton. Parliament Court Chapel Auxiliary Unitarian Fund. SIR, HAVING read, with much interest Dr. Thomson's remarks on penny-aweek societies, in the Mon. Repos. for October last, and the accounts, in a 1 1 0 subsequent Number, of the adoption of his plan at Birmingham and Swansea, it is with pleasure I announce the formation of an Auxiliary Unitarian Fund, by the congregation assembling at Parliament Court Chapel. 100 THE friends of the cause at Tiverton, solicit the further assistance of those who are desirous to promote their object, in order that they may be enabled to pay the balance remaining due from them, which amounts to about £25. Small as this sum may appear, yet having already raised amongst themselves as much as they can with prudence contribute, they are unable at present to obtain sufficient to discharge the few accounts that are unpaid. Since their last re This society originated in an unanimous resolution of the congregation, which has been carried into effect The with great zeal and success. regulations are not materially different from those already before your readers. The number of subscribers is already considerable, and is rapidly increasing. I am requested to communicate this fact, in hopes that, together with the instances already recorded in your pages, it may act as a stimulus upon other congregations, to adopt means so easy and effectual for the promotion of our common cause. It is an impor tant recommendation of this scheme that, while it furnishes ready aid to necessitous congregations for building or repairing chapels, &c.-to our book societies, academies and other institutions, it is also eminently useful to the congregations by which it is adopted. Your former correspondents have shewn its advantages as forming a bond of union, and increasing or creating in our youthful and poorer members, an interest about the principles and progress of the religion which they profess. Were such societies generally formed, they would remedy two great evils in the present mode of raising money for building chapels. Of the sums now raised for this purpose, a considerable proportion is, of necessity, sunk in the travelling expenses of the collector. The amount collected is also much more dependent on temporary and accidental circumstances than on the merits of the case. By the proposed plan, the relative claims of the applications would, it is probable, be pretty correctly estimated, and the sum voted would be transmitted immediately, and without drawback. This would be advantageous both to contributors and recipients. I cannot conclude without expressing my thanks to the benevolent and zealous individual by whom this useful plan was formed and recommended, and my wishes for its speedy and universal adoption. Hackney Road, 18th August, 1817. W. J. FOX. G. W. WOOD, Treasurer. Manchester, July 12, 1817. Subscriptions towards defraying the By Dr. Thomson. By Rev. T. Johnstone. The Misses Lumb, Wakefield Subscriptions to the Unitarian Chapel, Mr. David Walker, Hoxton Glasgow. Mrs. Severn, Broughton, Notts. Mr Mace, Tenterden S. Gawthrop, Esq. Birmingham Fellowship Fund 5 10 31 0 0 2 0 0 0 1152 N. B. There still remains a debt upon the Unitarian Chapel at Thorne, of about nineteen pounds, incurred by enlarging and enclosing the burying £6 18 0 ground, &c. MONTHLY RETROSPECT of PUBLIC AFFAIRS; OR, The Christian's Survey of the Political World. THE events of the last twenty-five years are acknowledged, by the men of the world, to be amongst the most surprising that have been recorded in the pages of history; yet they seem to have made but little impression on what is called the religious or serious or evangelical public. To this Protestant country the conclusion of the war and the facts daily announced are deeply interesting; and every true Christian will, notwithstanding the alarming appearances they wear, preserve his confidence in God, that however triumphant the cause of the pretended Holy Church may be, yet its inquisitions, its infallibility, its rising pomp are hastening to destruction final and complete. The European world has been set against republics. Every thing republican has, with the utmost care, in every instance, except that which is the most important, been either weakened or destroyed. Holland, Genoa, Venice, and most of the smaller republican states have disappeared. Yet one republic remains, and before it, as in former times before its prototype, sovereigns bow down with awful reverence, and receive its mandates in the government of their own estates. The former republic was founded on force, the latter on fraud. The writings of our ancestors for the last three hundred years are filled with protestations against the latter their descendants, in these days, view it with complacency, and have been mainly assissting in restoring it to a state, from which at one time it seemed to have 'been precipitated for ever. The Papal republic stands again upon its legs, for a republic it is, and of the worst species. The members of this republic are spread through the nations of Europe, each individual in it deriving some power from its head; and all who have sufficient talent may aspire to the highest dignities of this extraordinary state. The Pope, the pretended Holy Father, is elected from the dignitaries who form his council, and who for the greater part are Italians; but policy requires that some should be admitted from the kingdoms which pay their homage to the republic, and in general the men selected possess great talents natural and acquired. With the nomination of their subjects the kings are much pleased, and the House of Bourbon, the great protectors, sons and servants of this republic, has been lately gratified by the nomination of three persons, on whom the French king placed, with solemn pomp, the Cardinal's hat received from the pretended Holy Father, after the usual pretended apostolical benediction. In addition to these dignities, conferred upon three subjects of France, the Bourbon king has entered into a treaty with the republic, by which he is permitted to make a new arrangement of ecclesiastical benefices in his kingdom. The number of archbishoprics and bishoprics is to be increased, by which means the kingly authority is expected to be more firmly consolidated, and the republic, by the increase of its higher dependents, cannot but be benefited. This is one of the most extraordinary delusions that has ever taken place. A sovereign applies to a foreign state to erect offices in his own dominions. A sovereign, priding himself on his birth, bows down to one, perhaps, born in the lowest situation of life; he who boasts of descent from kings for a thousand years, who looks upon legitimate authority to be vested in him by a kind of Divine right, is content to reign with divided authority; the republic possessing the homage of a great part of his subjects, of whom some one may come to be its head, and to claim from his king allegiance next to Divine. That the sovereigns of Europe, with unbounded authority, several of them in their respective states, should feel it necessary to be dependent on a foreign republic, which at times has exacted obedience in a very harsh and severe manner, is only another proof of the power of delusion over the minds of men; though, perhaps, in this case they are not so completely shortsighted as may be imagined. There are two parties in the fraud. The priest is to support the despot, and the despot the priest, in the common cause, by which each is to gain an advantage at the expense of the people. This does not prevent the two parties, when the latter are not concerned, from endeavouring to get the better of each other; and, as circumstances require, each calls the people to his assistance. This the Protestant sees through well enough; but the people, who are in subjection to the pretended holy republic, remain, and are likely to remain for some time, subject to the delusion. The necessities of Spain have also required the assistance of the pretended Holy See. A great part of the revenues of that country is possese by the subjects of the republic, according to whose doctrines they are hallowed, and to be kept inviolate from the touch of the state in which they are situated. But the republic has a power over these revenues, and by an humble petition of the king and an explanation of his circumstances, the republic has granted to him a certain portion of these revenues, for |