Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

gentleman, residing is Holborn, witnessed above thirty deaths from the same cause; and that nearly one-fourth of them happened in Eagle Court, from the contagion communicated by a single child! These important particulars, we hope, may suffice to deter religious parents from acting se cruelly and incautiously.

A CAUTION.

Legacies, -Mortmain, SEVERAL instances having lately occurred wherein Legacies, left to Dissenting Ministers, or to Dissenting Churches or Congregations, for the use of the ministers, or for the benefit of the poor, or for the ge neral carrying on the public worship of God in such churches and congregations, have been LOST, by reason of the respective testators having, unfortunately, made them payable out of real estates, or cut of the rents of houses or lands (either freehold or leasehold) instead of charging them wholly on their perşonal estate,

The Committee for Supporting the Civil Rights of Protestant Dissenters, think it their duty to apprize their Dissenting Brethren in general, and in the country in particular, of the necessity of attending to this distinction in framing their wills, as, otherwise, any legacies they bequeath, payable out of real estates, or out of houses or lands (whether freehold or leasehold) or the rents and profils thereof, for the benefit of any of their churches or congregations, will be void by the statute of Mortmain; and, consequently, their intentions will be frustrated.

And, in order to assist (as far as possible) persors who may be de. sirous of leaving any part of their property to such purposes, the Committee have thought fit to subjoin the form of different clauses, appli. cable thereto; which, if adopted, will be the means of securing such Legacies going according to the intentions of the respective donors. Legacy for the Use of the Minister. I give and bequeath the sum of to be raised by my Executors out of my PERSONAL estate, and to be paid to the Deacons for the time being, of the Church or Congregation of Protestant Dis

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

Minister for the time being, of the said Church or Congregation, for his own use and benefit. Or, (Legacy for the Use of the Poor.) As above. Then say,

Unto and amongst such Poor Persons, Members of the said Church or Congregation, as the said Deacons for the time being shall, in their discretion, think fit." Or, (Legacy for the Use of the Place.) As above. Then say,

Towards the Expenses of carrying on the Public Worship of God in the said place, as the said Deacons for the time being shall, in their discretion, think fit."

In those congregations where other officers are appointed instead of deacons, the word deacons must be varied accordingly.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

in the system of education adopted in this Seminary. Several interesting and useful branches of study are now added to those which formerly engaged the attention of the students; and this enlargement of the plan of tuition, has rendered necessary the appointment of a third tutor. To this office the Rev. H. F. Burder, at the recommendation of the Committee, was unanimously chosen. The departments of tuition are arranged as follows: Simpson, Hebrew, connected with Biblical Criticism, Jewish Antiquities, Systematic Divinity, &c.; Rev. John Hooper, the Latin and Greek Languages, &c. ; Rev. H. F. Burder, Beiles Lettres, The Philosophy of the Mind, Logic, and Mathematics.

[ocr errors]

- Rev. R.

The comfortable accommodation of the students has been greatly promoted by the erection of thirty small rooms for studies, which are furnished with fire-places, and rendered favourable to retirement, by brick partitions. A great part of the heavy expence incurred by this improvement has been already defrayed by the liberal contributions of individuals, and of congregations: a debt, however, of £600 still remains; which, together with the increased expenditure, attaching to the enlargement of the plan of tuition, renders it necessary to make au urgent appeal to the generosity of the religious public.

Provincial Intelligence.

EDINBURGH.

Persecution exposed. The following Cause, determined in the Court of Session, Edinburgh, about a year ago, isof so much consequence to the cause of Religious Liberty, that we think it necessary to insert it. Mr. M'Arthur, an irregular preacher, had formerly been employed in conveying her rings from Loch Fyne, in Argyleshire, to Glasgow. Being very zealous, he began to speak to a few people about their souls; and, by degrees, became very popular. His representations of eternal

things were. sometimes so awful, that some of his hearers have been extremely agitated; and he is said to have maintained, That sovine expérience of this kind was cssential to true religion. He is said a so to have made some very free remarks on the conduct of the rich, and also on the regular clergy; all which circumstances, probably, encouraged a neighbouring gentleman to exceed the bounds of the law in his treatment of the preacher. Had Mr. M'Arthur rendered himself obnoxious to the law, he ought to have been treated in a legal manner; but the violent persecution he has endured, has been properly exposed in a Court of Juslice; and we rejoice that the laws of our country will not permit any man to be injured for his endeavours to do good. At the same time we would recommend it to zealous and well-disposed men to refrain from unnecessary reflections on their superiors, which can seldom have any other effect than that of provoking opposition:

:-

Court of Sessions, Edinburgh. On Tuesday, the 6th inst. the court determined a case of a very interesting nature:-Mr. Donald M'Arthur, the pastor of a dissenting congregation at Port Bannatyne, in the island of Bute, brought an action against John Campbell, Esq. of Southall, upon the ground that the latter gentleman, on the 20th of October, 1805, while Mr. M'Arthur was celebrating divine service, in the midst of his congregation, violently seized upon his person, forced him on board a vessel bound for Greennock, and having landed him a few miles from that place, had, after confining him in a small inn during the night, marched him along the road as a common felon, and delivered him to Capt. Tatham, the regulating officer for that quarter, as a fit person to serve in his Ma jesty's Navy. The officer accordingly (as the pursuer farther stated) sent him on board the Tourterelle frigate; which speedily conveyed him out of the jurisdiction of the

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

36 Scottish courts. After being detained for five weeks on board different ships of war, and suffering, as he alleged, every species of indignity and hardship, Mr. M'Arthur was discharged by express order from the Lords of the Admiralty; and fus. nished with a certificate, that he was never again to be impressed into his Majesty's service. The summons concluded against Mr. Campbell for £2000 damages, with expences.

Mr. Campbell, in his pleadings Before the Lord Ordinary, denied several of the most aggravating circumstances of the case. In particalar, he alleged, That the pursuer was in the practice of preaching immoral and seditious doctrines; that he was a fit object of the impress, having been formerly employed in the berring fishery, and being consequently a seafaring man; and that, ander these circumstances, acting bona fide as a justice of the peace, he conceived himself fully entitled to deliver him to Captain Tatham. The Lord Ordinary (Lord Meadow bank) prosouneed an interic cutor of considerable length, finding, for the reasons therein stated, the whole proceedings scandalous and unjustifable; repelling the defences, whether founded on the pursuer's having once been a seafaring man, or on the religious doctrines he is said to have taught, or on the seditious speeches which it is stated he uttered; and further, finding the pursner catitled to £105 sterling, as a solatium for the wrong he suffered; together with indemnification of the expences incurred by him, personany or otherwise, in obtaining his deliverance, and c expences of

dridge's Rise and Progress, among the prisoners of war, and others.

Endeavouring to keep your advice constantly in view, I have, with care and economy, distributed above two-thirds of Doddridge. This awakening book was at first sparingly distributed, and received with seeming indifference, particularly by those of an infidel cast; of which there are,, aias! too many among these captives, who, on looking into the book, threw it away. On a second distribution to a greater extent, it was received by the prisoners in general with great avidity particularly by some to whom I had before given a copy of the New Testament.

On enquiry, I find Doddridge has been, and is still read with considerable attention, even by those who at first treated it with contempt. You will unite with me in prayer to the Lord, that his Spirit may fasten the heart-affecting truths contained in it upon their minds!, From the above period, applications made to me frequently for a copy of this work; and it is truly gratifying to observe persons, in different corners of the prison-rooms, reading Doddridge or the Scriptures, with apparent solemnity and seri

ousness.

were

Having been occasionally furnished with French Testaments by Mr. B. I have distributed them to persons in whom I could confide for their preservation.It gives me pleasure to aud, that they have taken great care of this invaluable book: it is frequently read by them; and they speak of it with the greatest veneration. process.

Distribution of Tracts, &c. among the Prisoners of War.

[Extract of a Letter from Mr.

to his Friend in London.] ASSURED that all intelligence of a religious nature must give some degree of pleasure to you, I feel it my duty to state the progress I have made in the distribution of Religious Tracis, the Scriptures, and Dod

In some, I humbly hope it has excited a desire after religious knowledge, which, by the blessing of God, may ultimately prove the means of their salvation!

By the cartel, that lately sailed, I embraced the opportunity of sending a few Tracts, Testaments, and Doddridge's Rise, &c. under care of a French officer, on whose integrity I place great reliance; and who promised he would distribute them when on his journey home, from the sea-coast into the interior, Among the prisoners returning to France in

this cartel was a young midshipman, to whom I had shewn some attention. On taking leave of me, he assured me he would never forget to carry the New Testament and Doddridge with him wherever he went. These,' said he, I mean to make my companions in the hours of re-, laxation from duty.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

A friend has likewise supplied me with a few Dutch, German, and Danish Tracis, and some Italian Testaments; some of which I have distributed among persons belonging to these natious, in the prison and prison - ships. It gives me pleasure to say, That much good appears to have arisen from the distribution of Tracis among the soldiers of the militia, and also among the Some, who were remarkable for profaneness, have been restrained; and in others, a visible change has taken place, from ignorance, contempt, and disregard of divine things, to some degree of knowledge and concern, and a desire to hear the word of God.

seamen.

The boys belonging to the ship, and a number of children, whose parents reside on board, have been instructed to read, and to repeat Dr. Waits's Catechisms and Hymns. Many of the former, who scarcely knew a letter of the alphabet, can now read the Bible, repeat the whole of the Catechisms, a number of the hymns, and various portions of Scripture, with great facility.

[blocks in formation]

On Wednesday, Dec. 6, the Rev. T. Humpage was ordained over the church at Winchmore Hill, Middle

sex.

Mr. Steil, of Wigan, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Simpson, of Hoxton, prayed the ordination-prayer; Mr.Clayton.sn. of London, gave the charge, from/ Rom. xi. 13, latter part; and Mr. Thomas, of Enfield, preached to the people, from 1 Cor. xvi. 10. Mess. Morrison, of Barnet, Atkinson, of Mill Hill, and Whitefoot, of Enfield, engaged in prayer, &c.

The Church and Congregation at Princes Street Chapel, Plymouth Dock, have lately forwarded to the

[blocks in formation]

On Thurs lay, the 4th of January, at a very nem rous and respectable Meeting of the Inhabitants of the above town and its vicinity, copvened by public advertisement, am Auxiliary Society was formed, to promote the objects of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which happily embraces Christians of every denomination. The Rev. Dr. Blackburn,, Warden of the Collegiate Church, was appointed Presideat; the Rev. Mr. Tweddale, a Clergyman of the Establishment, and the Rev. Mr. Hoby, a respectable Dissenting Minister, Secretaries.. AMERICA. We have the pleasure to announce, on eredible anthority, That, besides the Bible Socielies, mentioned in ourlas: (p. 42) similar Institutions have been formed for the State of Massachusets and the district of Maine, and that it was expected that, in the cours? of the winter. Bible Societies would also be established in Georgia and South Carolina. ..

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

THE MAGI.

Verses addressed to a Friend on Christmas Day.
MAIL, Bethl'hem! highly-favour'd city, hail!
And hail, thou Star! I mark thy lustre mild,
Whose faithful light, unerring, points the way
Of eastern Magi to the holy Child!

Yes, ye were wise, had search'd the sacred page,
And knew the language of that mystic ray
Which led your steps from Persia's plains afar,
From the dim twilight to the noon-tide day.

True to the light ye had, that star arose

On you, though distant from fair Salem's towers:
That star pursued, to Bethl'hem leads you, where
The Sun of Righteousness his radiance pours.
The pilgrim, thus benighted and forlorn,

Who o'er the desert seeks fam'd Mecca's 'shrines,
Catches the first faint glimmer in the east,
And follows, till the holy city shines!
But he, alas! in Error's darkness strays;

No guiding light ere dawns upon his soul,
No day-star darts its beams upon his path;
Bot darker, and more dark his minutes roll!
Ah! how unlike those sages of the east,

Whose twilight dim increas'd to perfect doon:
The Star of Bethl'hem for their guide, they pass'd
Through Wisdom's gates, and saw Salvation's Sun.
Thus, my dear friend, may we our way pursue!
Thus wise, improve our rising dawn of grace!
This faint light follow'd, will to Jesus lead,

And He's our SUN,

[blocks in formation]

LINES written in the Case of a Lady's Watch,
by Mr. E. Button, and set to Musie by Mr. J. Whitaker.
ONWARD, perpetually moving,
These faithful hands are proving

[ocr errors]

How quick the hours steal by;
This monitory pulse-like beating
Is constantly, methinks, repeating
Swift, swift, the moments fly!'
Reader, be ready; or, perchance, before
These hands have made one revolution more,
Life's spring is suapt! — you die!

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

To a Lady, with a little Volume, entitled The Refuge.”

Ir darkness, like Lavinia's, should be thine,
And unbelief prevent thy peace divine,
Accept the volume, which describes so well
The grace and love which in Immanuel dwell.
Look to that Refuge which his gospel brings,
And trust thy soul beneath his shelt'ring wings:
Strong is his arm of mercy, rich his grace,
As young Lavinia's happy faith could trace!
Affection's gift peruse; and while you read,
May that best Refuge be your friend indeed!

Printed by G. AULD, Greville Street, London.

J. J.

« ZurückWeiter »