by a precentor, under the pulpit, and not by a choir in the gallery, as is common with us. The lines are not read. The name of the tune is announced, or hung in large printed characters, over the desk. But to oonclude this unintentionally long, and I fear tedious notice of the kirk of Scotland. There are in this establishment, no superior clergy to engross the wealth, and inferior clergy to perform the work. There are no cathedral and collegiate sinecures. There are probably no examples of clerical profligacy. There are not the glaring evils of the tythe system, which in Ireland sustain Popery, and in England dissent. And, said Dr. Chalmers, on returning some numbers of the Telegraph, with which he was much pleased, and which introduced the subject of an establishment: "It is altogether an inveterate American idea, that ministers paid by the state must be subject to political influence. We are subject to the state so far as to accept from it our bread, but this implies no desecration of ministerial principle." Still this Presbyterian establishment, after all my observation, I must pronounce as inexpedient as I always considered it unscriptural. And whatever its friends may say in its favour, they must, I think, hold it dishonoured and condemned by the injustice of compelling half the kingdom to pay for its support, who have conscientiously withdrawn from its pale.

THE SEPARATION BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Sackville Street Committee have at length committed themselves, by the formation of a new Bible Society, under the title of The Trinitarian Bible Society."

This event took place at Exeter Hall, Monday, Dec. 7th, under the presidency of Spencer Perceval, Esq. M. P. The crowded state of our pages compels us to postpone the observations we designed to offer upon this subject, but we cannot permit the present opportunity to pass without entreating the friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society indignantly to protest against this most unjustifiable appropriation of the title of "Trinitarian," as if that junto, forsooth, included the only advocates of that great mystery of godliness." We hope the public will never concede this title to them which we cannot but regard as a most unjustifiable assumption, which would be tacitly to admit the truth of all the calamities which, from the platform and the press, they have published. But we shall revert to this business again in an early number.

CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.

The quarterly conference of this admirable Institution was held on the 15th of December, 1831, at Mr. Burder's Chapel, Fetter Lane, the Rev. Caleb Morris in the chair. A hymn having been sung, prayer was offeted by the Rev. T. Stevenson, of Gate Street, after which Mr. Morris introduced the business of the evening by some very appropriate and judicious observations. Mr. Pitman, one of the Secretaries, then read reports from the several Associations in and about London; and then the Meeting was addressed in succession by the Rev. Messrs. Blackburn, Stevenson, Pyer, and Apsley Pellatt, Esq. The engagements of the evening were closed with prayer by the Chairman.

It has seldom been our happiness to listen to facts and statements so cheering and gratifying as those which were presented, in the reports of the visitors, on this interesting occasion. Copious details were furnished of ignorance instructeddestitution alleviated-wretchedness relieved-- Bibles distributed--Sabbath schools augmented-tracts and books thankfully received and diligently perused-prayer-meetings and preaching stations established-sinners converted from the error of their ways-and of the sick and the dying cheered in their solitude, and comforted in the hour of their dissolution. Some of these accounts, we are happy to learn, will soon be printed for general distribution, and will, we trust, have the effect of awakening attention to the strong claims of the Seciety upon public benevolence, and of augmenting the funds of the Institution. It is grievous to learn, that exertions so praiseworthy and self-denying should be, in any degree, cramped by a paucity of pecuniary supplies. Surely this ought not to be. Nor, indeed, will the humane, the benevolent, and, above all, the disciples of Him who "went about doing "suffer the resources of the Society good," to languish, if they will only be at the with its unostentatious but most necespains of making themselves acquainted sary and efficient labours.

THE RELIGIOUS NEWSPAPERS.

The time has now come, when we feel it to be our duty to break the silence we have reluctantly maintained, respecting the weekly papers which profess to advocate the interests of religion.

The World Newspaper, which appeared in 1827, as the avowed advocate of dissenting principles, did not originate with any body of dissenters; nor were the private parties, who embarked in the

speculation, much known in the Metropolis. While it must be confessed, that this journal did render efficient service to the dissenting community on the question of the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts; and has served the general interest of religion by its reports of public meetings, yet the tone it assumed has long been felt by all dissenters of moderate and gentlemanly feelings, to be decidedly unfavourable to the interests which it professed to advocate, and not a few of those who, as officers of the leading religious and benevolent institutions of the kingdom, had giveu their "testimony to the general faithfulness of the reports of their public meetings," and on that ground recommended the journal, have been grievously annoyed to find their names employed to sanction a paper which, in its style, temper, and general conduct, was very unlike what they wished it to be.

A Newspaper so conducted could not succeed, and the proprietors have lost, we understand, several thousand pounds by its failure, in which their creditors participate, as the leading parties have become bankrupts. The failure of the responsible parties caused a legal extinction of the property; but another individual has seized the title of the paper, and now advertises the World as if he has a moral claim to the copyright, which he has so obtained.

We have heard, that some of the parties connected with the original World have also resumed its publication; certain it is, that there have been two distinct papers published by different parties, under that common title. It is not difficult to anticipate the result.

The Record Newspaper, though avowedly devoted to the interests of evangelical religion, in the national church, received, on its first publication, respectable support from liberal dissenters who were willing to read an episcopalian journal, if conducted on Catholic principles. How those principles have been outraged in that paper we will not now pause to detail, it is enough that the sober minded and candid members of the Church of England are as much ashamed of its personalities and violence as men of the same class, amongst dissenters, have been of the World Newspaper.

The only other journal which has been devoted to the interests of religion is the Christian Advocate, designed principally to subserve the interests of the Wesleyan Methodist body. Without the cogent patronage of the Conference, however, such

an undertaking cannot succeed in the regions of Methodism, and the obvious want of powerful talent in the conduct of the paper is not likely to secure its circulation amongst other denominations. Indeed, we have understood that its circulation is much below that of the World, when its proprietors became bankrupts, and its exit, therefore, cannot be distant.

In this singular position of affairs, some dissenting ministers and other gentlemen of the Independent and Baptist denominations, have agreed to establish a new weekly paper, devoted to the support of the great principles held in common by the British Nonconformists;" but, to be confided to the hands of an editor whose literary and personal attainments shall insure a respectable and temperate exhibition of the points on which we separate from our Episcopalian brethren; while he will delight to advocate the great principles and societies in which we happily approximate.

We refer to a bill stitched beneath the covers of this Magazine, for further particulars; and beg leave to say, to our readers, throughout the Empire, let a vigorous and respectable effort now be made to secure an efficient representation of our opinions in the great Congress of the British journals.

OBITUARY NOTICE OF MR. THOS. WONTNER, Deacon of the Congregational Church in Lower Street Chapel, Islington. Extracted from the Funeral Sermon, preached on his decease, by permission of the Rev. J. Yockney.

He

Mr. THOMAS WONTNER was born at Lecominster, in the county of Hereford, on the 12th day of September, 1747. commenced active life in a family belonging to the Society of Friends, and was bound an apprentice to the trade he afterwards so successfully pursued through a long course of years. From early life, he was a strict observer of whatever passed around him, and evinced considerable independency of mind in the various moveHis ments of his subsequent history. natural character was suited to encounter difficulties, and to surmount obstacles, with many of which he had often to contend. His habits were, on the whole, regular, and were restrained by that just sense of propriety which generally influenced and controlled his conduct; and though, on one or two occasions, he was led by the ensnaring influence of some of

66

his early companions, to violate the Sabbath, it was not without severe compunctions of conscience, for he had been well instructed by his mother in the principles and duties of moral and religious obedience. About the year 1767, he was induced, by the urgent and providential invitation of a neighbour who was seriously disposed, to go to the village of Tibberton, to hear, as a matter of curiosity, the Rev. Mr. Biddulph, who then preached in the district round Worcester, his stated residence. The particular occasion which proved so very memorable to him throughout his subsequent life, he often adverted to with feelings of peculiar interest, and of devout gratitude. The preacher selected as his text, the words of the Apostle Paul, to his son, Timothy, 2 Epistle iii. 4. Heady highminded." And, it is very remarkable, that this discourse, which was blessed to his own spiritual conversion, was also made useful to a stranger then present, but who afterwards proved the chosen and endeared companion of his life, and of whom he could never speak but in terms of the most affectionate and exalted estimation. He now assumed a new cast of character, and his entire deportment was regulated by the principles of the Gospel of Christ; the power of which he had recently experienced, and which he continued to love and honour through his extended life. At this period, evangelical religion was but little known and respected in those parts; so that, on the removal of Mr. Biddulph from his incumbency, the friends of genuine piety were compelled to resort to a room in one of their houses, to realize and enjoy the means of grace; it is de lightful to know, that these meetings for social worship, were attended by the serious clergy, as well as by dissenting ministers. Those, however, who frequented these services were subjected to frequent expressions of rude and riotous opposition; and, on some occasions, even to personal injury, requiring magisterial interference. In such ill-treatment, our deceased friend naturally shared; but, instead of yielding to the means of intimidation, his zeal and ardour in the good cause, remained unabated. On the expiration of his apprenticeship, he came to London to pursue his trade, having, during his residence in the country, fitted himself for the responsible undertaking, by acquiring habits of the most laborious application to business indeed his perseverance was so great, that he very often travelled many miles to secure any object he deemed desirable, and especially to hear the gospel ;

for, on one occasion, he journeyed 40 miles to hear Mr. Fletcher of Madeley, then a reputed preacher, without experiencing the inconvenience most would have felt in such an effort. With a good constitution, industrious habits, approved integrity, and well established religious principles, he commenced, with his beloved partner in life, his business in the Minories in the year 1772.

Here, under the smiles of a gracious providence, which he never failed gratefully to acknowledge, he succeeded so as to enable him to receive to the hospitalities of his home ministers and private Christians of all denominations. At this time, he often heard, with much pleasure and profit, the late Rev. William Romaine, then a distinguished minister of the Gospel in London. Various circumstances at length led to his becoming one of the managers of the chapel in the Mulberry Gardens, erected by the Countess of Huntingdon, of honoured memory; here he embarked the holy vigour of his mind, endearing all the members of the society to himself, by his extraordinary devotedness to the cause of Christ, as some present can well attest. Nor did he, on any occasion, suspend his unremitting assiduities to the interests of religion, but when compelled by the interruption of affliction; this, with one exception, superinduced by family bereavement-and which was of a very alarming character-was seldom the case. With the late Rev. John Eyre, of Homerton, he was on habits of friendly intimacy, and was one of the honoured individuals who, with himself, were present at the first meeting for forming the London Missionary Society; he was likewise present at the first meeting for forming the British and Foreign Bible Society, and he sincerely rejoiced that an object of Christian benevolence had been originated in which Christians of different religious denominations could cordially co-operate and unite.

To many other valuable institutions he was personally and practically attached, during his extended life. The scenes of his earliest associations were very much endeared to him, and he loved to visit those spots where the feelings he had experienced, in his youthful days, were revived and renewed. In 1808, he came to reside in Islington, having erected for himself a suitable dwelling; still he continued with the family to attend the chapel at the Mulberry Gardens, and though the distance might appear inconveniently great, he never relaxed either on the Lord's day or in the week his customary

attendance. At length, after a period of 40 years, circumstances occurred which induced our late friend to retire, and to relinquish the connexion he had so usefully sustained with the church and congregation to which he had been so long attached; and now bodily affliction again seemed to threaten his speedy dissolution, but his valuable life was spared, and he was very mercifully restored to his usual health and strength, and to prolonged usefulness in the Church of Christ. I must now advert to an event which I shall never reflect on but with feelings of peculiar satisfaction and delight-- I allude to his union, by membership, to our Christian Society, in the year 1823. It appears, that he was induced to attend Lower Street on leaving his former place of worship, and when he expressed his wish to join the church, I confess it gave me a pleasure not a little encouraging and Comforting to my mind. His subsequent friendship and fellowship with us, as a Father in Christ, I know not how to describe, especially his appointment by the church, as a Deacon, an event which obtained our most cordial approbation, for he was pre-eminently suited to the spiritual duties which are usually attached to the office. His labours of love, in this neighbourhood, will, I am sure, be long remembered by the many objects of his kind attention and Christian solicitude. The 80th anniversary of his birth-day he spent among the scenes of his boyhood, with the greatest delight, though, as must be imagined, he found but few of his early associates then surviving, to recur to former events. The spiritual darkness and deadness of these spots, he greatly deplored, and always, on these occasional visits, he employed himself in village preaching, in which he delighted, and for which he was, in many respects, very peculiarly adapted; indeed, at this his advanced period of life, for six successive days he was enabled to conduct public service. In 1829, he again re-visited Worcester and the adjacent places with great pleasure; and it was in the early part of this summer, for the last time, he visited the former place, and its surrounding neighbourhood: on this occasion, he was rejoiced to find a room licensed for public divine worship, in his native place, together with a faithful minister, endeavouring to establish a permanent religious interest. His health, however, did not allow him to resume all his former exercises in the various villages, and this much distressed him; he however, exerted himself on one Sunday evening to

address his fellow town's-people once more, and the service appeared to impress deeply all present; he was likewise enabled to take the chair at a Bible Meeting, at Clifton, to his great joy. On his return home, his health was partially restored, but all could perceive the gradually advancing inroads of age and infirmity on his bodily strength: at the close of October, he was attacked by severe disorder, and though the symptoms were favourable, yet his aged frame progressively sunk under the shock it had sustained, so that after a few days confinement to his bed, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, on the morning of the 10th of November. During his illness, his mind was delightfully calm and composed, and he expressed, to those who attended on him, his cheerful acquiescence in his Heavenly Father's will: with the most unmurmurning submission, he waited his release, intimating his desire to go home, and evidently seemed to be looking aud longing for the Saviour. To the very last, he evinced a firm faith in Christ for salvation, and his mind was stayed upon his God. He was fully aware of his approaching dissolution; but, like David, he feared no evil in walking through the valley of the shadow of death. To him, the King of Terrors had no terror, and though, from extreme debility, he could not say much; when he did speak, his expressions indicated the firmness of his faith and the holy patience of his soul; in fine, he was the same man dying that he was when living, a humble believer. The kingdom of Christ was much on his heart; and when I prayed with his hand in mine, I could, by its warm pressure, at certain petitions for the diffusion of the Gospel, and the conversion of souls, feel the holy pulsations of his responding heart. To variour inquiries I directed to him, in reference to our own Christian Society, and to his friends generally, his answers were characterized by his usual ardour and affection of spirit; indeed, love seemed to burn in his aged bosom, for, on one occasion, when I asked him if I might carry his love to the Church, it was the evening of our church meeting, he having raised himself with some effort in his bed, said, with unusual energy, "A whole heart of love." Having, for several days, declined to receive any nourishment, his strength gradually sunk, and a dosing calmness prevaded his last hours, until without a single struggle or groan, his happy spirit took its joyous flight to Eternal glory. Thus died our dear de