public attention was immediately turned towards Mr. Dwight as his successor. He was accordingly elected to the presidency of Yale College, at the first meeting of the corporation; and inducted into office the succeeding September. Dr. Dwight did not disappoint the expectations of his friends. Under his superintendence the College soon began to flourish beyond all former example; and perhaps its reputation was never more extensive than at the time of his death. As President, it was his duty to superintend all the general interests of the college; which, in so large an establishment, demanded no inconsiderable portion of his time and attention. He likewise took upon himself the whole instruction of the senior class in rhetoric, logic, metaphysics and ethics, heard two disputations each week, and once, each during the same period, gave the class an informal lecture on the first principles of theology. As, Professor of Divinity, it was his custom to deliver, in the forenoon of each sabbath, a discourse forming part of a general system of theological science, which it usually took four years to complete; and, in the afternoon, a discourse on some miscellaneous subject, such as he judged the circumstances of his audicuce to require. In addition to this, he had under his care and instruction a class of graduates, pursuing the study of theology, with professional views.

July 12th, in the 71st year of his age, Mr. WILLIAM COTES, silk weaver, Spitalfields. The gout, that cruel and inexorable disease to which he fell a martyr, had for many years past assailed his bodily frame, so that his protracted sufferings were aggravated and severe: but he bore his affliction with the fortitude of a man and with the resignation of a Christian. Since the decease of the REV. HUGH WORTHINGTON, he had attended the ministry of the REV. JOHN EVANS, Worship-street, Moorfields, who had long known and esteemed him. His afflicted widow and family, who were most assiduously attentive to the alleviation of his sufferings, and who were best acquainted with his virtues, affectionately revere his memory. In the communication of the intelligence of his death, by his eldest

daughter, to the writer of this article in the country, it is feelingly observed: "He was perfectly sensible to the last hour, and though for the last week his sufferings in his stomach with the oppression on his breath were dreadfully severe, he went off very calmly; he had long anticipated what to him has been a happy release from suffering, and we can never forget the example nor cease to lament the loss of so excellent a parent." His remains were intered by the REV. THOMAS MORGAN, in that vast and crowded receptacle of the dead, Bunhill Fields. Islington, Aug. 18th, 1817.

Lieut. D. Young.

J. E.

Aug. 26th, at Poole, in the 23rd year of his age, Lieut. DAVID YOUNG, of His Majesty's Royal Marines.

This young officer was at the burning of Washington, in the late American war. He came home an invalid, having had the misfortune to break a blood vessel, which is supposed to have laid the foundation of a pulmonary disease that finally terminated in his death. He was interred on the Sunday evening after his death in the burial ground belonging to the Unitarian Meeting, in Poole; and 2 sermon from Prov. xxvii. 1, was delivered on the occasion, by Mr. BENNETT, to a numerous congregation, supposed to consist of from ten to twelve hundred persons. The meeting-house, though large, was so full that numbers of people went away without being able to get in.

Sunday, Sept. 21st, after a short but severe disease, Mr. GEORGE MEAD, of Billericay, Essex, aged 56 years. He was deservedly beloved by his family, esteemed by his acquaintance, and respected by his neighbours. He was equally characterized by a solid judgment and an affectionate heart. His Christian walk was unostentatious, but he possessed and exemplified the principles and feelings of a faithful follower of Jesus Christ the Righteous.

Addition to the Obituary of Mr. Winder, (p. 490) being the conclusion of the Discourse on occasion of his death, by Mr. Luke Kirby. Mr. Winder died July 31st, 1817, aged 45 years.

The distinction of a funeral sermon from any other is mainly this, that it

says something in relation to the dead for the good of the living. It never was my habit to say much, nor shall I on the present occasion; but it is peculiarly pleasing to me, (and I doubt not to you too,) that what little we have known of the deceased, as a friend and a minister of the gospel, has left on our minds impressions that will only be lost when memory shall have lost its office. Mr. WINDER was no common man; he did credit to the discernment of his predecessor, who reccommended him to you, and to you who chose him to be your minister his mind was of a superior cast, bold, penetrating and generous. He could not be held in fetters by whomsoever formed or imposed. This made him leave the Wesleyan connexion after having been a preacher among them some years; and following his sober convictions, he united with a congregation of General Baptists, in Norwich, where, for some time, as among the Methodists, he was popular; and there he became an Unitarian.

Considering he was nearly altogether self-taught, his penetration and diligence must have been wonderful. He could not satisfy himself by looking at the surface of things, nor yet at his own side of a question, though it were ever so particular: he was will. ing to give the opposite all its weight; he was not more eager to retain his own opinion than he was generous to allow others to differ from him. Some have thought he went too far to meet those who do not entertain the same views of revelation as the generality of Christians. If he erred here, those who knew him would rather ascribe it to his charitable and generous mind than to any wish to encourage scepticism and infidelity. It would, we think, at least, be uncandid for any one to say he violated his conscience in not dealing faithfully with all descriptions of his hearers.

His abilities as a public speaker it is not for me to eulogize before you: his voice was good and his manner of address powerful, even to astonishment, when his weak habit of body was looked at. It appears, as a medical gentleman who last attended him, observed, he had been several years labouring under the complaint of which he died, namely, an affection

of the liver. Perhaps few men ever suffered more and said less of their affliction; and it might be from this calm habit of mind that he said so little in his last illness of that, or of death itself. Mentioning the subject to him, he said, "there is always something for which we wish to live:" no doubt referring to his wife and family. I observed, that what we think our lives necessary for, may, by Providence, be ordered in a very dif ferent way, and I hoped this affliction would be for good: he replied with considerable emphasis, "I cannot in the least doubt it." He had said to others, he did not wish to live longer than he could be useful. I forbear enlargement, but let me recommend to you his example, not that he was perfect; he pretended to no such thing: but let me recommend to your imitation his humility, his meekness, his patience, his brotherly kindness, his charity and his zeal for truth and righteousness; and remember, you are accountable for all you have seen and heard of him, according to Christ Jesus, to do, as you would meet him at the last day, with joy and not with grief. And let me just say, one of the best marks of respect for the deceased will be to be kind to the widow and children, as it is well known they are cast upon the wide world unprovided for, at a time very unfavourable to poverty. But while I mention this I accuse myself of officiousness, conscious that your kindness will not be buried in the grave of the deceased.

Addition to the Account (p. 429) of

Madame de Stael.

[From the Morning Chronicle.] As several groundless rumours have prevailed respecting the last events of MADAME DE STAEL's life and the nature of her unpublished writings, we are requested to lay before the publio the following authentic particulars on these subjects:

She manifested, to her last moments, the same sincere and zealous attachment to the Protestant faith from which her judgment had never deviated. The distribution of her fortune was made with a considerate regard to every equitable claim on her bounty. It is thoroughly approved by the Duchesse de Broglie and the Baron de Stael, who not only she.. the most

profound respect for not only her testamentary dispositions, but have already displayed an auxiety to give effect to every wish and intention which they can reasonably believe to have been entertained by her.

Her unpublished work, which will form three volumes in octavo, is entitled, "Considerations on the Principal Events of the French Revolution." The principal part, amounting to two-thirds of the whole, extending from the first administration of M. Necker to the battle of Waterloo, is finished and corrected by her own hand. The style seems scarcely to need the last touches which she was accustomed to bestow on her writings as they were passing through the press.

Though she shunned the pretensions which would have been implied in the title of "A Parallel between the English and French Revolutions," yet the very nature of the subject frequently presented that comparison to her mind. The unhappy results of the attempts of France to become free, turned her eyes to the only great nation of Europe which still maintains her liberty. Towards the free Constitution of England she felt a reverence which indeed can hardly be too great, and for the national character an admiration deeper than is commonly preserved in familiar intercourse with nations or individuals; though in her mind perfectly reconcilable with a warm love of her native country, and a preference for the society of her countrymen, over that of those whom she might sometimes regard with more distant respect. Ve neration for the seat of liberty, and sensibility to the honour and happiness of France, were, indeed, naturally corrected by the filial affection which was the ruling sentiment of her life.

To England her third volume is de

dicated. The object of it is, to describe the society and the government of this country as they appeared to her during her last visit, with very favourable opportunities of observation, and at one of the most critical moments in the history of Europe. The whole of that volume has not received the last polish; a circumstance peculiarly unfortunate in the case of a writer, who, with all her ardour and boldness of expression, never presumed to offer any composition to the public till it had undergone frequent, patient, and singularly minute revisals.

She has left the care of her Manuscripts to the Duke de Broglie, the Baron de Stael, and the celebrated Mr. William Augustus Schlegel, who will certainly approve themselves worthy of her confidence in the performance of their somewhat delicate task, respecting the unfinished part of the work which they are about to publish.

This publication, agreeable to her desire, will be followed by a complete edition of her writings, which will contain some new matter, and much important correction of her early productions, intended to bring them more near to the standard of her mature and final opinions.

It will also contain an authentic account of her life, which, in her case, will at least soon terminate the circulation of those narratives, which are not likely to spare her memory, as they have attended the death of almost every considerable person in our time; seeking a dishonest profit by the gratification at best of vicious curiosity, and often a jealousy and malice, at the expense of inevitable falsehood, of cruel wounds inflicted on the most virtuous affections, and of a savage violation of the sanctuary of private life.

DOMESTIC. RELIGIOUS.

tions. Whilst some, considering the service in an improper light, have acted as if they wished rather to establish their own authority and power over the consciences of men, than to give that instruction and important advice to their younger brethren which the occasion required; others,

disgusted with their extravagant conduct and absurd notions, have run into the opposite extreme, and neglected it altogether. Indeed, it seems to have been one part of the rage of Unitarians, if I may so express myself, to reject as ridiculous and irrational, almost every thing peculiar to those who have professed a creed diametrically opposite to their own. And need we be ashamed of acknowledging that we have erred in this respect? A return to the old method of performing the ceremony is not at all desirable. The much-improved plan of modern settlement-services seems to have taken the place of the authoritative system of ordination with imposition of hands, &c. There are some important advantages to be derived from that service, when conducted in so truly enlightened a manner as those at Bradford, Elland and Thorne. The particulars of the two former have already appeared before your readers; and of the latter I shall now give you some account. The circumstances of the Thorne Society are too well known to the public to need any explanation in this place. They unanimously invited the Rev. Johu Gaskell, A. M. late of the college, Glasgow, to undertake the pastoral office amongst them, and, on occasion of his settlement, appointed a public religious service, June 12th.

The Rev. Richard Astley, of Halifax, introduced the solemn services of the day by prayer and reading appropriate parts of the Scriptures. Mr. Martin Simpson, then, in a brief address, stated, in behalf of the congregation, the reasons which induced them to request Mr. Gaskell to become their stated minister. This address was followed by a statement of Mr. G.'s views, in entering on the ministerial office, and more particularly in complying with the request of the people at Thorne. On the remainder of this service, the writer of this could expatiate with pleasure, but must content himself with observing, that the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, theological tutor of the Manchester College, York, addressed a discourse to Mr. Gaskell, from 1 Tim iv. 16, the intrinsic excellence of which, joined with the

* Vide Mon. Repos. VIII. pp. 687,688, X. pp. 594-596.

warm and affectionate manner in which it was delivered, will secure it a lasting place in the hearts of those who heard it. He also offered up the second prayer. The Rev. Nathaniel Philipps, D. D. of Sheffield, delivered a discourse to the people, from Phil. i. 27, 28, which was distinguished for the bold, manly and independent tone in which it recommended the people to strive for the faith of the gospel, and to defend its simple uncorrupted truths before men. The Rev. P. Wright, of Stannington, near Sheffield, delivered the concluding prayer. The company afterwards dined together, (Mr. Gaskell in the Chair,) and filled up the afternoon by the rational, cheerful and free interchange of ideas. From the prevailing sentiments which were given, might be inferred the cordial interest and sincere pleasure which the meeting felt in the prospects of the Thorne Society and of Unitarians in general.

Mr. Simpson mentioned an error which had obtained some publicity respecting himself, which it is but justice to mention in this place. It had been stated by Mr. R. Wright, in the account of the Thorne Society, published in the Appendix to Dr. Philipps' Sermon* on the opening of the chapel, that "an avowed unbeliever came to hear him preach." It appears that the spirit of opposition to every departure from the orthodox faith, was at that time so strong in the neighbourhood, that the gentleman in question was stigmatized by his adversaries, whilst pursuing his inquiries after truth, as an unbeliever; and hence appears to have originated the mistake. But Mr. Simpson appears never to have disbelieved Christianity.

To the honour of the Thorne Society be it named, they have had regular services on the Lord's day, ever since the opening of the chapel; for which they have been chiefly indebted to the disinterested zeal and steady conduct of Mr. C. J. F. Benson, a member of the society, who has led the devotions of his fellow-worshipers in a manner that deserves the imita tion of others, whose abilities qualify them for so noble a service. Long may this infant society flourish under the fostering care of heaven, and be

* Vide p. 38.

the means of bringing up to maturity many heirs of immortal glory and happiness!

The Epistle from the Yearly Meeting, held in London, by Adjournments, from the 21st of the Fifth Month, to the 30th of the same, inclusive, 1817, to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of Friends, in Great Britain Ireland, and elsewhere.

DEAR FRIENDS,

THE love of our Heavenly Father has prevailed in this our annual assembly. It has united us in the fellowship of the Gospel, and has extended to our dear absent brethren. Under this influence, our confidence has been renewed, that the foundation upon which the righteous in all ages have built their faith and their hope, is for ever immutable. Notwithstanding our own iufirmities, and the discouragements which surround us, we have felt the consoling persuasion that the Lord is still mindful of us. He who hath blessed us and our forefathers with many tokens of his divine regard, is yet waiting to shew himself gracious; and by the Spirit of his Son is calling us to purity of heart, and to holiness in all manner of conversation. May we then consider the sacred duties which devolve upon us as Christians; the awful responsibility we are under as to a right use of all those gifts and talents, with which we have been intrusted; and the necessity of becoming a more spiritually-minded people.

In turning our attention to the state of the Society as it has been now laid before us, the proper employment of the first day of the week, the day more particularly set apart for public worship, is a subject that has claimed our serious attention. It is no small privilege to be living in a country where much regard is paid to this duty, and it highly becomes us to be careful that our example in this respect be consistent with the profession we make to the world. We desire that heads of families, and our younger friends also, may closely examine, whether they are sufficiently solicitous to improve that portion of this day which is not allotted to the great duty of meeting with their friends for the purpose of divine worship. To those who are awakened to a due sense of the eternal interests of the soul-and

oh! that this were the case with allwe believe that these intervals have often proved times of much religious benefit. Many have derived great increase of strength both at these and other times, from retiring to wait upon the Lord; from reading the Holy Scriptures with minds turned to their Divine Author, in desire that he would bless them to their comfort and edification; and from perusing the pious lives and experiences of those who have gone before them. But we avoid prescribing any precise line of conduct, believing that if the attention be sincerely turned unto the Heavenly Shepherd, his preserving help and guidance will not be withheld.

Those of the class whom we have just been addressing, may sometimes feel that their faith is low, when about to attend their meetings in the course of the week, it may be, under great outward difficulties. These sacrifices of time, and opportunities of withdrawing from wordly cares, have been blessed to many: they have proved, in seasons of deep trial and discouragement, times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The waiting, dependent mind has thus been enabled to put on strength to persevere in the Christian course; and under the pressure of many troubles and perplexities, to experience an increase of faith in the merciful and omnipotent care of our Great Creator. Be encouraged then, dear friends, not to neglect your meetings, however small; but to believe that by a diligent attendance of them, and a right engagement of mind therein, you will be strengthened to fill up your stations as faithful and devoted Christians.

In a well-ordered family, short opportunities of religious retirement frequently occur, in which the mind may be turned in secret aspiration to the Author of all our blessings; and which have often proved times of more than transient benefit. It is our present concern, that no exception to this practice may be found amongst us; whether it take place on the reading of a portion of the sacred volume, or when we are assembled to partake of the provisions with which we are supplied for the sustenance of the body. On these latter occasions, may the hearts of our young friends also, be turued in gratitude to God, who thus