Scripture "the kingdom of heaven." John partook of some of these blessings, he heard Jesus occasionally preach to the Jews; but he was soon shut up in prison, he was soon beheaded, he died before the close of the ministry of Jesus, he did not live as we do in a constant participation of the benefits accruing from the death, and, above all, from the resurrection of our Master. When it is considered, that the crucifixion of Jesus, his rising again, his numerous appearances to his followers, are by far the most important incidents of his history-bearing such powerful witness, as they do, to the doctrine of a future existence of eternal felicity-that the humblest disciple of Jesus now dwells in the enjoyment of these blessed hopes and revelations and that John was not in possession of them, we see clearly how "the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he was," enjoys superior privileges and superior expectations. MONTHLY RECORD. TESTIMONIAL TO MR. GIBBS, DEVONPORT-(Concluded from page 96).-After Mr. Gibbs had sat down amidst great cheering, Mr. William Rundell proposed, and Mr. Elworthy seconded the following resolution: "That this Meeting return their sincere thanks to the Committee who were appointed to superintend the preparation of the Picture, viz. the Rev. W. J. Odgers of Plymouth, and the Rev. John Kendall, late of Devonport, for the attention they cheerfully bestowed on a work so honourable to their feelings, and for the successful termination of their duty; and they take the opportunity of this interesting occasion, which has brought among them the Rev. Mr. Odgers, to tender to him their grateful acknowledgment of his many kind and efficient services to the Devonport Congregation; and to express their high esteem for his character, talents, diligence, and perseverance in the cause of God and Christ, and man's improvement and happiness, and their prayer, that they may long be favoured with his presence, example, instructions, and activity, and that his happiness may abound in doing good." Mr. Ödgers, in reply, spoke as follows:-"It is with great pleasure, Sir, that I rise to acknowledge the resolution which has just been passed in reference to Mr. Kendall and myself. On behalf of Mr. Kendall, I may say, that he felt sincere respect for Mr. Gibbs, and that he engaged most readily in promoting the object for the completion of which we are now assembled. For myself, I assure you, that whether I look to Mr. Gibbs as an intimate and highly valued friend, or as an able and faithful advocate of truths which, I trust, we all most sincerely value, abundant reasons are presented which make it peculiarly gratifying to me to think, that I have in any way whatever assisted in accomplishing the object of the present meeting. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Gibbs for more than fifteen years; and ever since I became connected with the Plymouth Congregation (in 1832), I have not only enjoyed uninterrupted friendly intercourse with him, but also his ready co-operation and sympathy, his advice and assistance. And I am truly glad of this opportunity of acknowledging the debt of gratitude which I owe to him for his valuable aid and unvarying kindness. "But while feelings of personal regard, and recollections of friendly intercourse, may well make this occasion interesting to all of us, there are other feelings and other recollections which blend with these and add to their dignity and strength. While we recognise in him the "honest man," which is "the noblest work of God," we see also the firm friend of Christian truth, the unflinching advocate of liberty of conscience, the patient and untiring labourer in the Gospel vineyard. It is well, Sir, that we should remember with gratitude those who, in darker days, and in the midst of fierce opposition, laboured to promote our great and sacred cause. Others have laboured, and we have entered into their labours; but while we reap the harvest, we should not forget those by whom the ground was first ploughed up and the seed sown. If we venerate those who, like Clarkson and Wilberforce, devoted their toilful days and sleepless nights to the great and benevolent purpose of releasing their fellow-beings, of whatever clime or colour, from bodily slavery-we must not be unmindful of those who, with similar devotedness, have laboured as they had opportunity, to emancipate men from the still more galling bondage of error, superstition, and human creeds, and to lead them forth into the sunshine of heavenly truth, and to the liberty of the sons of God. If we recount with delight and gratitude the exertions of a Howard on behalf of those whose crimes had brought them to a prison, we must also remember the labours of those who have endeavoured to set men free from the chains which priests have forged to fetter the human mind, and the iron of which has eaten into the very soul and destroyed the peace of many a pious Christian. In these times of bigotry and fanaticism, when fear and fashion and prejudice exert such a general and powerful influence in preventing the avowal of private opinion and honest conviction, it requires no small degree of moral courage and of self-sacrifice, to stand boldly forward in the profession and defence of unpopular truth, unmoved by the obloquy which is cast upon everything which men call heresy and the coldness and indifference, if not the enmity, with which they are commonly regarded who profess their dissent from the popular theology. But while encompassed by greater obstacles and more causes of discouragement than I have now mentioned, our friend Mr. Gibbs has continued to steer his course right onward,' regardless of the opinion of the world, whenever that was opposed to the dictates of his conscience and the word of God. And may I be allowed to add, that among the tried and consistent friends of our common cause, our respected Chairman also well deserves honourable mention, for he is ready on all occasions to bear his firm and disinterested testimony to the truth and value of the great principles of our faith. "The occasion of our meeting, has naturally led us to glance at the days that are past. And while the retrospect affords. reason for congratulation and encouragement, let us resolve to anticipate the future with hope, and prepare for it with energy. Considering all circumstances, very much has been done by our friend Mr. Gibbs for the spread of Unitarianism at Devonport; and, wherever our sphere of exertion may be, if we only determine to follow his example, as far as we can, every one of us (and I include both sexes) may do much to aid the same holy cause. The example of our friend may teach us two very important lessons, which every Christian, and, not least of all, Unitarian Christians, would do well to learn and practise-I mean, honesty and industry. By honesty, I do not now mean integrity in the common affairs of life-that, of course, must always be deemed indispensable; but I refer to truth and firmness in the maintenance of principle and the profession of opinion. Of this, our friend has given us an honourable and valuable example. We live in times when it is the imperative duty of every one, who is a Unitarian at heart, openly to avow his honest sentiments. We live in times when real conviction is often made to yield to worldly expediency, and to the clamours of bigotry and intolerance; when the influence of fashion is often too strong for the love of truth, and consistency of conduct vanishes before the sneers or anathemas of the proud, the prejudiced, or the ignorant. We must be on our guard against such influences, if we would be found true to our trust, and if at last we would escape the doom of the unprofitable servant. We must profess ourselves what we are. To use the words of Mr. Gannett of America, Shame to him, who, being a Unitarian, dares not to avow it. Let him stand up in the face of the world, no matter what the consequences, no matter what the obloquy, and avow and maintain the faith which he inwardly holds.' "Our friend Mr. Gibbs has also set us a worthy example of industry. Many, very many there are, who, had they similar occupations during six days of the week, and the same amount of bodily indisposition which, I regret to say, our friend Mr. Gibbs so often endures, would have found abundant excuses for frequently, if not generally, remaining away from public worship; whereas, in the midst of these duties and sufferings, our friend has not only conducted the religious services during a long series of years, and that without any pecuniary remuneration, but has also made the needful preparation for the pulpit. What a lesson to us all, to be diligent in spreading around us, as we have opportunity, a knowledge of what we solemnly believe to be the truth as it is in Jesus! I now beg to propose (and I do so with most sincere pleasure) the following resolution: "That we gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity, to offer a cordial welcome to our friend the Rev. James Forrest; to express to him the great pleasure it gives us to have among us so able and valuable a fellow-labourer; to assure him of our high appreciation of his character and servicesof our earnest hope that he may long continue among us— and our heartfelt wishes for his happiness, and for the success of his exertions in the cause of religious truth.' "At such a meeting as this, Sir, we are reminded that Scotland has taken from amongst us one warm-hearted and valued friend, who has gratified us by his presence at more than one of our social meetings-I refer to Mr. Cropper of Aberdeen. But, although Scotland has taken from us one friend, she has sent us another-generous, bold, and true. And I am sure, Sir, you will utter, not only my most honest sentiments, but those also of every one in this room, when, as Chairman of this meeting, in the name of all of us, you offer a cordial welcome to our friend Mr. Forrest. He has left many attached friends behind him, amid the blue hills, and beside the glorious lakes and streams of his native land. But I trust, that, in this warmer clime, he will find warm hearts, and many who will value his friendship and endeavour to deserve it. I am delighted to find that he is already half in love with the South. As yet, indeed, he has seen our neighbourhood in scarcely anything but the garb of win ter. When he has beheld it in the opening beauty of spring, in the full richness of summer, and in the varied glories of autumn, I trust he will find that there is something here to make amends to him for his being no longer able to look upon the majestic scenery of his native land. But, Sir, while we esteem and value Mr. Forrest, and bid him welcome as a friend, we especially rejoice at having him amongst us as the able advocate of Christian truth. And, while those around me who have heard his instructions from the pulpit, must (or the fault was their own) have been pleased and benefited, you will easily believe, that it is a source of peculiar satisfaction and thankfulness to myself, that I have so near me, one with whom I can so cordially co-operate, who is so ready in every way to unite his exertions with my own, and whose services are so acceptable to the Congregation at Plymouth. It is my earnest hope, that he may remain among us for many years; that much happiness may be his lot; and that the blessing of God may rest upon his labours. I will only say further, that there is one way in which we can best do honour to Mr. Gibbs, and at the same time offer the most appropriate and acceptable welcome to Mr. Forrest-it is, by our zealously endeavouring, individually and collectively, to aid in promoting the sacred cause of Christian truth-that cause to which their labours have been devoted, for which their fervent prayers have ascended, and which, while it spreads peace and happiness among men, brings glory to God in the highest." 66 The resolution which Mr. Odgers proposed, being seconded by Mr. Perry of Devonport, and unanimously approved by the Meeting, the Chairman, in their name, tendered his welcome to Mr. Forrest, as a friend, and fellow-labourer in the common cause; which Mr. Forrest acknowledged by addressing the Meeting as follows: 66 Mr. Chairman,-Although I am an Englishman of only a few months' standing-having, with brief exceptions, spent my life hitherto on Scottish ground-yet I am not therefore wholly ignorant of England's history, its merits, its renown -I am not so much a stranger to your country's career, and your country's favours-as not to feel sensible of pleasure and pride, in appearing before an assembly of English citizens, to return them my thanks for having welcomed me as a friend and fellow-labourer. I am not unacquainted with— I am not unindebted to England. Not few nor small have been the benefits, moral and physical, benefits of instruction, improvement, example, encouragement, which your great country has sent to mine. And I therefore may be pardoned, if, on this my first opportunity of addressing, in a free and |