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century. Making this a central point, and proceeding north about forty miles, he enters Wolfenbuttel, a small town of less than 7000 inhabitants, and learns with no little pleasure, that the government of Brunswick has en riched it with a library of 200,000 volumes. Advancing still north to Hamburg, he is delighted in visiting the commercial and city libraries, of 25,000 and 80,000 volumes, to discover that this mercantile city has displayed the same love of literature as Frankfort. South-east of Gottingen, at the distance of thirty miles, he arrives at Weimar, where a library of 110,000, and at Jena, ten miles further, another of 30,000 volumes, proclaim the princely spirit of the dukes of this little state. Leipzig is but a short ride from the last mentioned city. Here he observes, with equal pleasure, two libraries, containing 100,000 volumes; at Halle, in Prussia, only twenty-five miles distant, one of 50,000; and at Dresden, the capital of Saxony, a third, of 240,000 volumes. Proceeding to Berlin, he enters the library of the University, containing 180,000 volumes. The Konigsberg library, of 50,000; the large collection at Breslau, as well as those of many other cities of Prussia, all display the patronage of the government, as well as the love of literature, which characterizes the Prussians.

"Proceeding from Strasburg through Southern Germany, a similar prospect presents itself to his view. At Freyburg, he finds a library of 20,000; at Tubingen, another; at Stuttgard, one of 116,000; at Wurtzburg, a fourth, of 30,000; at Eriangen, one of 40,000; at Landshut, one of 100,000; and at Munich, he discovers the largest in all Germany, and the third in the world, containing 400,000 volumes. On his arrival at Vienna, he finds that a similar spirit has influenced the Austrian government, if not at the present day, at least of a former time. There, in the four great libraries, the Imperial, the University, the Theresian, and the Medical Chirurgical, he discovers 590,000 volumes. Proceeding north to complete the circuit of Germany, he is led to believe, on his arrival at Prague, that its library, of 100,000 volumes, will do something to dispel the ignorance which now covers Bohemia.'

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OUR readers, many of whom possibly may not see the Monthly Repository, but whom we strongly advise to commence, as subscribers, with the next volume, on the 1st

January, will be gratified, we are persuaded, by the following extract from William Roberts' letter to the Reva W. J. Fox. William Roberts is a native of India, born of Malabar and heathen parents, and some years since embraced the doctrines of Christian Unitarianism. He has formed a congregation, consisting chiefly, if not entirely, of natives, at Pursewaukum, near Madras. He is now employed by the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. The following passage will show, that the fruit of his labours is not confined to his own society:

"It may rightly be said, that Chiniah, like myself, has learned Unitarian Christianity by reading and thinking. Though surrounded with opposers, he is not ashamed to assert the pure Unitarian faith, and confess himself as one of those who own the crucified man, Jesus of Nazareth, to be their only spiritual head under God the Creator. Chiniah, some time after his conversion, began to have divine worship in his house on Sundays; by degrees some have joined him and become regular hearers and converts. In the appendix to the second memoir respecting the Unitarian mission in Bengal, p. 59, some account is given of a Unitarian Christian, by name Robert Macdonald, at Moelmyne; that man is one of Chiniah's converts. Chiniah first used to write me occasionally, but afterwards his communications became more frequent and interesting. I have from time to time sent him plenty of English books, and Tamil ones, as soon as they were printed. Chiniah is a married man, but has no children; he has an adopted young man whom he educates. His congregation at present, with his own, I think, are four families and six men individuals; to these, three families from Madras have joined; their number, with their children, will be about thirty. While I was writing this, Chiniah's letter, dated 13th of the present month, came to my hand, in which he says, that they have, on the 18th April last, dedicated the little chapel that he built, after prayer. The Rev. Richard Wright's discourse, the Comprehensiveness and Practical Importance of the Doctrine of the Divine Unity, Gal. iii. 20, “ God is one," (which I have translated in Tamil, and sent him a copy of it,) was read. On the day following, Sunday 19th, they received the Lord's Supper in the chapel. The chapel is twenty-one feet in length, thirteen feet wide, and nine high; has four windows and one door: he has joined a sloping viranda to

the chapel in front, in which their school is kept. The building of the chapel and viranda has cost 345 rupees; the whole expense hitherto, I think, has been defrayed by Chiniah himself. Besides some little expenses, unavoidable in keeping up public worship, he has a schoolmaster, whom he pays ten rupees and a half a-month. I earnestly beg my respectable Unitarian friends, to recommend Chiniah and his little congregation to their patronage; may their fostering countenance to our feeble endeavours, by the blessing of the Most High, be an encouragement in others to a like exertion."

ON the 19th October, died at Paisley, in the 61st year of his age, Mr. ROBERT BOAG, one of the Founders, and upwards of twenty years a Pastor, of the Unitarian Church in that Town.

Mr. B. was born of poor but sober, industrious, and pious parents, from whom he received a common English education, and strong religious impressions. Being themselves members of the Church of Scotland, they assiduously instilled into his youthful mind, the doctrines of Calvin; and, in early manhood, he joined that Church, in which connexion, as well as in all that he formed, he was much respected for habitual piety and sober-mindedness. Early in this century, the Rev. Neil Douglas had roused public attention to Universal Restoration. Winchester's Dialogues on this subject, were put into Mr. Boag's hands, which he diligently perused, and endeavoured to combat; but, contrary to anticipation, he became a convert and a warm admirer. He and four or five, similarly minded, met in each others' houses, freely to investigate religious opinions. To aid these inquiries, a book club was formed -works of celebrity, on religious topics, were purchased, and perused with avidity-and that their judgment might be well founded, both sides of a controversy were procured. But the sacred volume, which he esteemed an infallible guide in faith and practice, was his constant study and delight. Thus bent on truth, the minds of Mr. B. and his associates were expanded, and they formed a church, on liberal principles, into which believers in God, and the divine mission of Christ, were cordially admitted. Mr. Douglas became their Pastor, but left them, in 1807, with a number more, because the Church attached no essentiality to Trinitarianism or Unitarianism. After diligent

research, serious reflection, and careful and impartial examination, the Unity, as well as the benevolence of God, became the settled conviction of their minds.

Mr. B. had a vigorous mind and a clear judgment was grave and sedate, without moroseness-calm, not cold-cautious, not timid-economical, not sordid-industrious, but not avaricious. He was methodical, and strove to "do all things in order." He was benevolent, without ostentation; and, though unassuming and retired, was ever ready to forward plans for the melioration of the poor, or of public utility. He was ardent for the diffusion of truth; and, when seriously requested, he was ever ready to give an answer of the hope that was in him, with meekness and fear. He aimed to be free from sectarian bias, and to estimate the tree from the fruits it bore: hence, he had friends, admirers, and acquaintances, of almost every denomination; and many, who esteemed him heretic in principle, owned him a Christian in practice. He was pointed in attending public worship, and greatly regretted negligence in others. As a Pastor, his public services were solemn and impressive; his exhortations and sermons showed depth of thought, minute acquaintance with the Scriptures, and a great share of good sense. To the sick and the mourner, he was ever attentiveadministering comfort and consolation, by unfolding the glorious prospects promised to the Christian in the Gospel. His bodily sufferings were at last very acute and painful; but he bore them with exemplary patience; not a murmur escaped him; free from anxiety, except for the prospective situation of his widow, he was calm, collected, and serene, arranging his earthly affairs with the utmost composure; and giving directions for his funeral, that they might not be overlooked by his beloved wife, in her hour of anguish and agitation. He had ever a lively sense of the divine goodness was happy to converse with his friends, till weakness denied him the pleasure; but his soul continued to join them in acts of devotion. In the faith, which was the result of unbiassed conviction, he continued, without wavering; and experienced, in his last days, especially, its blessed efficacy, in cheering and supporting those who fall asleep in Jesus.

On the Sabbath afternoon following, the Rev. Mr. Harris of Glasgow, improved, to a crowded congregation, at Paisley, the mournful dispensation, by an impressive

sermon, on the Christian doctrine of a future life and immortal felicity. C.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne Unitarian Tract Society.-The Anniversary Meeting of the above Institution, was held in the Chapel, at Hanover-Square, on Sunday evening, November 1st, when an excellent discourse was delivered by the Rev. William Turner, from Romans v. 11, "We also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." At the close of the religious services, the usual business was transactedthe Rev. William Turner in the chair. A favourable report was read by the Secretary; and, from the number of Tracts circulated, we have reason to hope that much good has been effected.

THE intolerants of the Synod of Ulster have issued the first Number of a periodical, entitled "The Orthodox Presbyterian." The Remonstrants are also preparing for publication, a Magazine, to appear monthly, and to be called "THE BIBLE CHRISTIAN." This is as it should be. We rejoice in both these works; for discussion is the harbinger of truth. It was needful that our brethren in Ireland should have a periodical of their own, specially devoted to the defence and promotion of their principles, under the very peculiar circumstances in which bigotry has placed them. Heartily do we wish "the Bible Christian" success. May it be supported with a persevering zeal, a rational and consistent liberality.

WE have also to record the decease, on Wednesday the 8th November, in the 80th year of his age, of the associate, and friend, and successor, of Priestley and Lindsey;-he who, like them, suffered for conscience' sake:—the firm and consistent advocate of pure and undefiled Religionthe kind encourager and assistant of youth-whose words breathed instruction and goodness-in whom elevated devotion and expansive benevolence of feeling were blended in sacred harmony-whose works have been instrumental to the enlightenment of many minds, and the blessing of many hearts-the scholar, the philosopher, the gentleman, and the Christian-the Rev. THOMAS BELsham.

"Thou wert my Guide, Philosopher, and Friend."

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