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walk, and to his instructions they submit with unlimited deference.

The assertion, that almost all the students who were educated in Unitarianism, at the Hackney Academy, under Mr. Belsham, became avowed infidels, is a gross mis-statement. I could name many highly respectable ministers of our denomination, educated under Mr. Belsham, who are now preaching the Gospel in various parts of England, and are ornaments to their profession. That a few of the Hackney students, during the wonderful revulsion produced in the human mind by the French Revolution, were induced, in that period of high excitement, to involve in one sweeping condemnation, Christianity and its corruptions, domineering priests and the humble ministers of Jesus, must be admitted. Unitarianism, however, did not lead to this lamentable defection; it was the innovating spirit of the age, which rejoicing in the downfall of tyranny, superstition, and priestcraft, did not stop to discriminate between religion and superstition, tyranny and rational liberty. But, I ask, did no other college send forth infidels?—was even Edinburgh University immaculate?

That the Hackney Academy was broken up, in consequence of Infidel principles, is another gratuitous statement utterly destitute of truth. "The principal, and, in truth, the only cause of the failure of the Institution, was the unfortunate purchase of the estate at Hackney, which involved the Committee in an expense of building, and a load of debt, which the funds of the Institution,never were, nor could have been able to support. The creditors became clamorous, and it was necessary to sell the estate to great disadvantage, in order to pay off the debt."

I ask, who, during the storm of the French Revolution, stood forward as the firmest advocates of the truth of Revelation? who, during the dissemination of infidel principles, were the most zealous and successful champions of Divine Truth, in opposition to the daring attacks of English Deists, and French Philosophers? I need only mention Gilbert Wakefield, and the injured name of Priestley, who, in season and out of season, attacked the strongholds of Infidelity; whilst others, pluming themselves on their Orthodoxy, were carelessly slumbering at their posts. That Unitarianism does not lead to Infidelity, might be proved from a long list of Christians, who have

taken refuge in these cheering and purifying princ from the gloomy abyss of unbelief, into which the po systems of Christianity were hurrying them. But I shall content myself with the following testimony of the celebrated Robert Robinson of Cambridge, author of a work entitled, a "Plea for the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ." Of this work, which was pronounced unanswerable, the writer lived to show the fallacy, by his conversion to the principles he opposes in it, like Whitby, who, in his Last Thoughts,' advocates the principles which he strenuously opposed in his celebrated Commentary. In a letter addressed to Dr. Priestley, Robinson says, "I am indebted to you, for the little I know of rational, defensible Christianity. But for your friendly aid, I fear I should have gone from enthusiasm to Deism; but a faith founded on evidence rests upon a rock."

EDINBURGH, Oct. 25, 1826.

A UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN.

One Hundred Scriptural Arguments for the Unitarian Faith:-published in Boston, by the American Unitarian Association.

(Continued from page 32.)

"I would

11. Because, the head of Christ is God. have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."-1 Cor. xi. 3.

12. Because, in the same sense in which we are said to belong to Christ, Christ is said to belong to God. "And ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's."-1 Cor. iii. 23.

13. Because, Jesus affirms, in another connexion, and without the least qualification, "My Father is greater than I."-John xiv. 28.

14. Because, he virtually denies that he is God, when he exclaims, "why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God."-Mat. xix. 17.

15. Because, it is the express declaration of an Apostle, that the Father is the one God, and there is none other. 66 Though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things."-1 Cor. viii. 5, 6.

16. Because, our Saviour, after having said, "I and my Father are one," gives his disciples distinctly to understand, that he did not mean, one in substance, equal in power and glory, but one only in affection and design, &c., as clearly appears from the prayer he offers to his Father in their behalf," that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us."—John xvii. 21.

17. Because, the Father is called the God of Christ, as he is the God of Christians. "Jesus saith unto her, *** go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father; and to my God and your God."-John xx. 17.

(To be Continued.)

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THE CHRISTIAN PIONEER.

GLASGOW, November 11, 1826.

We have sincere pleasure, in directing the attention of our readers, to the first article of our present Number: it is from the pen of the late Rev. S. C. Thacher of Boston, America, and bears, we think, the marks of a clear and well informed mind. The conclusion will appear in the Christian Pioneer, for December.

THE Annual Meeting of the Unitarian Congregation, Glasgow, was held on Sabbath afternoon, November 5th, when the Committee's and Treasurer's Reports were read, and Office-bearers elected for the ensuing year. We gladly insert as much of the Report as our pages will allow.

"CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,

YOUR Committee cannot contrast the feelings of unfeigned satisfaction, with which they undertake the pleasing task of laying before you, a brief report of their proceedings during the last year, with those they have formerly experienced on similar occasions, without sentiments of heartfelt gratitude to that Great Being, to vindicate whose Character, and support whose Truth, we here assemble ourselves together. They congratulate you, on the increasing prosperity of the holy Cause it is our earnest endeavour to promote, on the more extensive dissemi

nation of the benevolent and heavenly doctrines it is our happiness to profess, and on the truly cheering and auspicious aspect which our affairs have now assumed. Twelve months have scarcely elapsed, since our situation was comparatively discouraging: our adversaries, with the finger of scorn and derision pointed at us, prognosticated our speedy dissolution, and even public thanksgivings were offered up from a pulpit in this city, that the Socinian heresy (as they opprobriously denominated Christian Unitarianism) was at its last gasp!

But, we now gladly take a survey of what has been effected since that period. The hope which had nearly deserted us, and the zeal which had been almost palsied, have been relumed and revived amongst us, animating every heart by their cheering and gladdening influences. Our devotional feelings are now heightened,-our zeal animated to greater exertions, and our attachment to the cause of Truth, daily increased and strengthened. The improvement of the Congregation, both in point of numbers, and respectability of appearance, since Mr Harris's arrival, has far exceeded the expectations of even the most sanguine amongst us. The sittings let, have quadrupled the number of those during the last eight years, and nearly trebled that of any former period since the opening of the Chapel; and the increase in the number of strangers, who occasionally join in our services, has been in nearly the same ratio. During the delivery of Mr. Harris's Course of Lectures, last winter, the Chapel was in every part crowded to excess, and some hundreds frequently went away from our doors, unable to obtain admission. So great was the interest excited in the public mind, that your Committee requested Mr. Harris to re-deliver the Lectures; and our library, although tolerably extensive, was found quite inadequate to supply the unprecedented demand for books. Nearly two thousand tracts were also gratuitously distributed at the door. It ought not, perhaps, to be omitted, that the number of communicants at the Lord's Supper, has also increased far beyond our hopes. The state of our finances, notwithstanding the great distress which has pervaded all classes of the community, and the necessarily heavy amount of our expenditure during the last year, is extremely cheering: in confirmation of which, your Committee beg to refer you to the Treasurer's accounts.

The Treasurer's Account with the Glasgow Unitarian Christian Congregation.

DR.

Seat-Rents, from Nov. 1825, to Nov. 1826,£116 7 71

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Expenses of Removal, to the Minister, The Minister's Salary, from 1st Oct. 1825, to 6th Nov. 1826,

Insurance, Poor of Congregation, Printing,

Gas, &c.

Hymn-Books, Binding, &c.

Repairs of Chapel, Painting, &c.maram

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10 4 10

40 4 9

Sundries,

18 3 61

Balance on hand,

1 14 01

£436 4 2

A Society, justly denominated "The Benevolent," has been instituted, to relieve the necessities of our brethren in sickness; there are now 99 members, and the funds are in a very prosperous condition.

Schools have been established, for the education of children of every religious denomination. The Sabbath School commenced on the first Sunday of last April, with 52 scholars; the number has since much increased, and, although frequently greater, it may be fairly estimated, that about 160 boys and girls (regular attendants) are now receiving there the elements of useful knowledge. In addition to reading, spelling, and exercises in memory, the children are, on two week evenings, taught writing and arithmetic; and their attention and improvement

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