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invitation to preach; showing now, as these communications did, the probable good effect which the admirable advice of these Rev. Gentlemen had had, in encouraging the chief founders and workers of the Society, to go forward with zeal and discretion.

Copy of the REV. G. HARRIS's Letter to MR. JOHN GREEN. "Glasgow, 26th August, 1834. "MY DEAR SIR,-Your kind invitation has highly gratified me. Sincere is the gratification I should have had, in complying with the flattering request made to me, had it been in my power. But after much consideration, I find it impossible, and must though most unwillingly deny myself the pleasure I should have enjoyed in visiting you. I have nothing to do with the merits of the question that led to the formation of your Society, but I do most heartily rejoice that it is formed. I pray most fervently for its success. I have long been convinced that such a Society was alone wanted to make the principles of Christian truth and righteousness triumphant in Birmingham. The great results of the Sunday-schools have not yet been seen, nor will they till a place be found where the people can assemble.

"My kind respects to Mr. Corn, and many thanks for his invitation. I hope some day to accept it.

"I beg my kindest respects to the friends who have invited me. Sorry am I to lose the pleasure that I know would have been mine, could I have done as my wishes prompt. Heartily I say, God speed.

"Yours faithfully,

"GEORGE HARRIS."

Copy of the Letter addressed to MR. JOHN GREEN, by the REV. JOHN PALMER.

"MY DEAR SIR,-I have been a good deal from home during the last week, and have suffered your letter to overtake your unobeyed directions relative to the hymns left with my sister some days since. Your letter places me in a strait between two duties. I have business at home on the Monday, when you propose having a tea-party; but I must acknowledge, I consider your proposal carries to my mind too much of a duty to be easily resisted. I intend, God be willing, to accept your brother's invitation for Saturday (this day fortnight), of course to stay over Monday; and if it shall appear that my presence can, in any respect, promote the objects of the tea-party, to relinquish all other engagements and stay for that. I approve very much of those teaparties, they give animation to zeal, and serve to extend

good fellowship and Christian feeling. I look on them, much as they are neglected, as the most apostolical of all our Christian institutions-not, to be sure, in the matter provided, but in the spirit promoted.

"I shall endeavour to meet the wishes of your Society, not only on the present, but on all future occasions, as I have a very high veneration for the objects of your Association; but I conjure you to use every exertion to subdue those feelings of rivalry and contention, to which, from circumstances, you stand much exposed, not only from your relative position with other Societies, but from your connections with one another. Believe me, you will preach and recommend your doctrines better in your practice, than in the most learned and ingenious reasoning. Let your motto be Titus ii. 6; and let the last clause of Titus ii. 8, be the principle by which you shall fortify and adorn all your arguments. I have this evening suffered the post to pass. I shall, however, try to let you have this in time. Select all the hymns yourselves, except the last one of each service, the numbers of which I shall annex.

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"I am, my dear Sir, faithfully yours,

"DUDLEY, Nov. 29, 1834."

"JNO. PALMER.

The following resolutions and sentiments were then brought before the meeting, which were unanimously passed and severally responded to.

"1. That this meeting is glad to tender their best thanks to the Rev. George Harris, for the excellent discourses delivered by him on Sunday last; and they rejoice in believing that the Reverend Gentleman has a satisfaction in the success and healthy prospects of the Society."

"2. The Memory of the late Thomas Gibson, Esq. the munificent donor towards the erection of the Church and Schools."

"3. Education, the only sure preservative and extender of civil and religious liberty."

"4. May Unitarian Christianity be advocated with ability and sincerity, yet freed from the spirit of sectarianism.”

The meeting was addressed in the following order:—by Mr. John Lloyd, W. Earl, Esq., Messrs. Thomas Prime, Joseph Corbett, Thomas Jackson, the Rev. Thomas Bowring, Messrs. Thomas Towers, John Bumford, William Taylor, the Rev. Mr. Savage of West Bromwich, and Mr. M. Green. Thanks were voted to the Chairman; and the meeting was concluded by the singing of a hymn, accompanied by the piano-forte; after which, the company separated, about half

past nine o'clock,—no doubt, pleased and improved by the several topics which had been discussed relative to education and religion, by the various speakers. A very general opinion seemed to prevail, how very much good was done to the health, the intellect, and the hearts of many, by thus for a few hours meeting, for such a feast of love, in the exchange of sentiment, and the adjusting of conflicting opinions, where, nevertheless, all concurred in one grand object-the elevation of the human race to a fuller conception of their intellectual and moral capabilities as sons of God.

MATTHIAS GREEN.

CONVENTION OF MINISTERS OF ALL RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS, IN REFERENCE TO THE LAWS RESTRICTING THE FOOD OF THE BRITISH COMMUNITY.-This important meeting was held in Manchester, on Tuesday, Aug. 17, and three following days. Its proceedings, we are happy to believe, were characterised by the freedom-loving and benevolent spirit of Christianity. The addresses delivered, were, many of them, most valuable, and the results, we confidently trust, will prove most beneficial. In itself, it is a cheering fact, that so great a number of ministers could meet together, and merge sectarian differences in one common effort for the welfare of their suffering brethren, the physical and moral elevation of the masses, the repeal of unrighteous and unchristian laws. And the objects of that meeting being so steadfastly adhered to, without jar or collision of feeling on other points, is a presage, we trust, that these objects will be effected, and universal freedom become the recognised principle of action in relation to them. The following letter was addressed by Mr. Harris to G. Thompson, Esq. the Honorary Secretary, by whom the meeting was called:

"Birmingham, August 14, 1841. "MY DEAR SIR,-I received, at Maidstone, a copy of your Circular, respecting the proposed Conference of Ministers of all religious denominations, on the Laws restricting the Food of the Community; and had hoped I might have been enabled to be present.

"I am persuaded, that, in consideration of the purposes contemplated by the meeting, my attendance at the Conference would have met with the sanction of my friends, the Christian Unitarians of Glasgow; and I should have rejoiced had it been possible for me to have represented them on this important occasion.

"I am, however, unfortunately unable to be present; but I cannot refrain from the expression of their and my own ap

proval of the objects contemplated by your projected meeting. Yet, as an advocate of unrestricted and universal civil and religious freedom, I cannot altogether approve of the convocation of any class of men, as a class thinking that the divisions and distinctions of class and caste, have done very much to degrade and demoralise society-and being compelled, from past history, to look on assemblages of ministers as peculiarly liable to distrust and objection. I am hopeful, however, that if the objects of this projected meeting, are faithfully adhered to, it may prove one of the few meetings of ministers, which have upheld human rights and promoted human happiness.

"In another view, I rejoice in this meeting. Protesting, as I do, against all Monopolies, whether of earth or heaven, of food or salvation, I trust that those ministers who may be present, may see the fearful incongruity of protesting against a monopoly of the bread which nourishes the body, whilst upholding the exclusiveness which restricts the Bread of Life to the few, and denies it to the millions; and may thereby be induced, whilst uniting their efforts to uproot illiberal and unchristian human legislation, equally to put forth their strength in proclaiming the universality of Christian redemption the free salvation of sinful man, through the unpurchaseable riches of the grace of God, in Christ Jesus.

"In the hope that your labours, and those of the projected Conference, may issue in the breaking up of all monopolies, and the furtherance of the real and lasting improvement, freedom, and happiness of the millions,

"I am, yours respectfully,

"GEORGE HARRIS."

THE Eleventh Anniversary of the Scottish Christian Unitarian Association, will be held at Glasgow, on Sunday, September 19. The Rev. John Taylor of Kidderminster, the future minister of the Glasgow Congregation, will preach in the forenoon; and Mr. Harris will preach in the afternoon, being his farewell discourse as minister of the Congregation at Glasgow.

WE are happy to inform our readers, that the Rev. Thomas Bradshaw of Cranbrook, Kent, has undertaken the charge of the infant Society at Tillicoultry, and the missionary stations in the surrounding district, and will enter on the discharge of his important duties in October.

REMOVALS AND SETTLEMENTS OF MINISTERS.—Rev. W. Linwood, from Ditchling, Sussex, to Brixton, London. Rev. T. Gilbert, from Northiam to Ditchling.

Rev. G. V. Smith, of Manchester New College, at Bradford, Yorkshire.

Rev. J. A. Briggs, of Manchester New College, at Dover. Rev. P. P. Carpenter, of Manchester New College, at Stand, Lancashire.

Rev. T. May, from Stand to Tavistock.

Rev. J. Cropper, from Aberdeen to Wareham, Dorsetshire.

Rev. R. E. B. Maclellan, from Edinburgh to Bridport, Dorsetshire.

TO CORRESPONDENTS & SUBSCRIBERS.

IN reply to the many inquiries we have received, as to whether the Christian Pioneer will continue to be published after the removal of the Editor to Edinburgh, we have now respectfully to announce, that that removal will make no alteration as to the publication of the Magazine. Whilst we continue to receive such gratifying testimonies, from so many parts of the Kingdom, as to the importance of the work to the great cause of Christian truth, liberty, and righteousness, we should deem it a dereliction of duty to stop the Pioneer in its progress. Relying on the continued aid of our present friends, and soliciting their kind assistance in promoting its increased circulation, and thereby extending the sphere of its usefulness, we have pleasure in stating, that the Christian Pioneer will be published as usual on the first day of every month.

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