cited by the discussion in the Parent Society, prove that a strong party-spirit may exist without an atom of the pure spirit of Christianity, and that there may be an appearance of forbearance, without its being produced from Christian motives. To quote the words of one of the writers, "If the author be a minister of Christ, we expect Christian meekness, and that he who comes forth publicly as a servant of the lowly Jesus, will exhibit himself in that character which he professes to hold." Whether this expectation has been realized, may be decided by the following quotations from those writers who have urged the "purification of the Society," by the expulsion of the unbelieving "Socinians."

"In the face of Christendom, the Bible Society must now either sanction the union of professing Christians and acknowledged unbelievers, in one religious body, and affirm that the infidel Socinian possesses a valid claim to the denomination of Christian, and deliberately ratify by its verdict the appalling fact, that in these days the blasphemer of our Lord Jesus, may be associated with his disciples in a religious work; or with alacrity and promptitude it must disclaim the unhallowed alliance, repel the odious charge brought against it, and wipe away the foul stain, by formally and finally casting off Socinianism, and every other specious infidelity."

They will now, by a formal and deliberate verdict, sanction the validity of the Socinian's claims to be classed with the other denominations of Christians. These persons who by the unanimous voice of the church of Christ, in all past ages, have been excluded from its pale, by the decision of the united body of different Christian denominations, will be triumphantly admitted within that pale."

"The real injury Socinians would have to sustain, would be, in point of fact, only this, the reproach which would be cast upon them by the Christian world; and this I believe it to be the duty of Christians to cast upon them, in the spirit at least, if not the very letter of that command, 'note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.'"

"A belief in the Divine authority of the Scriptures, (whether it reveals Christ, or Moses, is all one to the Socinian,) may entitle a man to be called a Deist; but what if many parts are not believed, as is the case by Socinians!" "What delightful unity can subsist between infidel So

G

cinians and believers, I know not; we might as well talk of unity between light and darkness, life and death, truth and falsehood, blasphemy and piety, as between the members of Christ, and the members of Satan."

"......... virtually assign the name, community, and privileges of Christians, to the men who deny the godhead of the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore denounce him as a blasphemer! Under the control of these enemies of Christ, the concerns of this institution may now be placed; under the taint of this pestilential heresy, the whole system of the Bible Society may yet be moulded; and the professed object of circulating the Oracles of the living God, may become the channel through which the tide of infidelity shall roll onward, till the last vestige of vital godliness be swept away, and the last landmarks of Christian truth be destroyed."

Many remarks naturally suggest themselves on these quotations, but we refrain, and proceed to give a few extracts from those writers who have ventured to raise a voice to prevent the expulsion of the Unitarians. Well may they desire to be spared from such "tender mercies," for though two such passages as follow, may excite the hope that here we shall be gladdened by some display of Christian charity; yet how soon is it destroyed by those which succeed.

"Let us use no weapons, but those of truth, and while we assail errors, let us beware of that acrimony of spirit and language, which would only promote them. I am quite sure that some of the speeches and publications, in opposition to the Bible Society, have had this effect: the Socinian has had it to say, that instead of being reasoned with, out of the Scriptures, he has been vituperated, and not treated with the kindness or common courtesy due from one man to another."

"Why use towards them such asperity of language, as can only lead to a recoil in their favour?" The same writer continues:-"It is not very desirable to stop this gigantic machinery, just to brush off a few flies that may chance to infringe upon it, with much likelihood of crushing themselves amidst its wheels, but none whatever of impeding its mighty evolutions."

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They have been made too much of. What could be so likely to add to their importance, as to tell them and all mankind, what is without a shadow of truth, that the

great majority of what is called [admirable distinction!] the religious world, have embraced them as brethren."

"Whoever says that the Society has publicly pronounced Socinians to be Christians, is under a grievous mistake; the Society has never done any such thing."

Oh! no, that would indeed be a degree of charity far beyond what the most liberal could endure. Unitarians may be ridiculed for worshipping at "the tinsel shrine of liberalism;" but they feel that they have never been empowered, nor have they the wish, to fulminate the thunders of excommunication. Strange infatuation! that men should think they prove their zeal for God, by exhibiting a want of charity to their fellow creatures.

Unitarians are styled "the most inconsistent of mortals," if they do join the Bible Society; yet they are charged with "want of attachment to the Bible, because they are not oftener found in its ranks;" and it is also said, "after what has passed, that they should cheerfully continue their support, would indeed be extraordinary." And again, "the strict rule of no comment, has been violated in such a way that no Socinian can feel comfortable in joining us, or honestly tolerate the headings of the chapters; and he cannot give it his sanction, without tampering with his conscience. The headings and marginal notes are a stumbling-block to him, which must utterly preclude his willing circulation of the Bible Society copies." For this concession we heartily thank the author; yes, the headings of the chapters, and not the text itself, are opposed to the Unitarian doctrine. The following are some of the harsh epithets that abound in these pamphlets. Unitarians are styled "avowed enemies of the Saviour;" "acknowledged infidels," "who cannot bear prayer," "to whom the name of Jesus is an offence;" 66 scorners and dissemblers;" "God requires from his people to be separate from sinners;" misguided men who blaspheme the name of his Son;" "whom an inspired Apostle declares to be a deceiver and antichrist." "The Jew and the Mohometan," are said "to admit as much sound theology, or thereabouts, as the Socinian"-" he rejects in his own circulation, some most undoubted portions"-" he is wont to mistranslate and mystify, to suit his heterodox opinions"-"soul-destroying errors - "horrible heresy of infidel Socinianism"-"to suppose for a moment, that those who cast contempt on the high character of the Son, can be capable of piety!"

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"The Socinian's distaste of Christian principles and Christian spirit;" perhaps it may be thought that other denominations are more deficient in this essential qualification of the Christian character.

It is sufficiently apparent from the tenor of these passages, which are but a small portion of what might have been selected, had not the subject already occupied too much space, that the co-operation of the Unitarian is only endured, not desired, and the motives for wishing to retain him are not disguised.

"Were they expelled, they would have enlarged funds, as well as an ample excuse for sending out their obnoxious publications." "I rejoice," adds the writer, "at every guinea got out of such funds.”

The Society glories in having circulated the Scriptures far and wide; well would it have been, had the members themselves first imbibed their sacred contents, and remembered those beautiful injunctions they contain against harsh judgments, and uncharitable censures: but alas! they "know not what manner of spirit they are of." Unitarians can say, with the Apostle, "that to them, it is a small thing to be judged of man's judgment; but he that judgeth him is the Lord." They will not return railing for 'railing, but rather adopt the language of Scripture, and say, "why dost thou judge thy brother, or why dost thou set at nought thy brother, for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ."" Speak not evil one of another, brethren." "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who art thou that judgest another?"

Unitarianism has nothing to fear from such attacks as these, it is founded on a rock; and innoxious will the darts of calumny, and powerless will the arrows of fanaticism fall around it. The envenomed shafts may wound those who hurled them; but the glorious panoply of truth in which it is enveloped, will prove an all-sufficient protection against such assaults. Let Unitarians endeavour to dash down the buckler with which fanaticism strives to intercept their efforts; let them try to break through the thick armour in which bigotry envelopes its victims, and to shiver in pieces the weapons which intolerance opposes; and if armed with "the sword of the spirit, the shield of faith, the breast-plate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, and the whole armour of God," they need not fear their most powerful opponents.

M.

Illustrations of Political Economy-No. 7, A Manchester Strike; and No. 8, Cousin Marshall. By Harriet Martineau. Charles Fox, London.

IN these admirable tales, Miss Martineau follows out, with equal talent and perseverance, her wise and benevolent purpose, which aims at no less an object than to enlighten men as to their most important interests; to make them acquainted with the true means of securing and augmenting the sum of individual and social happiness. We have already so fully expressed our opinion as to the merits of this series of tales, and the singular talents of the accomplished writer, that all we can now require to do, is to introduce, very briefly, to the notice of our readers, the present numbers of this agreeable work.

We may observe generally, that some disappointment will probably be experienced on their perusal, by those to whom a chief attraction of these tales has been their dramatic spirit and variety, the force and liveliness of their sketches of natural scenery, their rich assemblage of character, or the truth and animation of their groupes. As mere stories, they are certainly neither so varied nor so piquant as their predecessors, which arises entirely from the character of the scenes from which the author has drawn her illustrations. Instead of smiling villages, or the rural or grander scenery to which we had been accustomed, we are now brought into the crowded haunts of men, we are in the midst of populous cities, and compassed about with the din and clamour of unceasing industry. But we are consoled for these deficiencies, and for the less attractive character of the pictorial part of these tales, by the terseness of much of the dialogue, and the vigour and variety of the discussions, not less than by the happy illustrations which are thus produced, of some of the most important doctrines of political economy. The characters of Allen and Clack, the leaders of the operatives, and of some of the master manufacturers, are drawn with great force and spirit, whilst the rude excitement and bustle of the "strike" are described with equal ability. In this admirable tale, we have a ray of light thrown upon one of the profoundest sections of society, in the most densely peopled of our districts; the principles which move, control, and regulate the most various parts of its machinery, are laid before us with a subtlety and power of analysis, and a clearness and force of description, seldom excelled. And we would consider it as a great boon to the working classes, if the principal part of this tale of "A Manchester Strike," were reprinted in a cheaper form, and circulated widely amongst them; it could not fail to be of great and extensive use.

No. 8, is entitled "Cousin Marshall," and contains a touching memorial, drawn from "the short and simple annals of the poor,' of their virtues and their vices, of the sins which most easily beset them, and the nobility of mind to which they may attain, even when surrounded by vulgar temptations, and heart-struck with the cheerless prospect of immitigable poverty. The glaring