in being impressed by that which never had existence, except in his own diseased imagination.

It is said by Mr. Slater, that Mr. Cooke, at the same Conference, "solemnly engaged before us all, not to agitate the points, directly or indirectly, in the pulpit or in private, among our people." Mr. Ashworth has already settled this point most satisfactorily; but we would also ask Mr. Slater again to tax his memory, and ascertain whether the promise did not solely refer to the doctrine of Baptism, and that promise not made at the meeting named; and whether that promise was not faithfully adhered to?

Mr. Slater asserts, that, during the last sixteen years in Rochdale," many have left the Socinians and joined the Independents and Wesleyans." On the authority of Mr. Ashworth, we state that not one has joined the Independents, and only two who professed to hold Unitarian sentiments, have joined the Wesleyans.

It is affirmed by Mr. Slater, when contrasting the Unitarians of Rochdale with the Methodists, that "the Socinians" "have the same obscure, small place they have had for years." The reader would suppose from this, there was but one Unitarian place of worship in Rochdale, whereas there are two, one of which was built by the very people who were formerly Methodists.

Of Newchurch, Rawtonstall, Padiham, and Oldham, Mr. Slater avers, "I know nothing." The poet has long since said, "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise,' and possibly Mr. Slater may think the sentiment a good We do not; and, knowing also the itinerating system of the Methodists, we marvel much at Mr. Slater's professed ignorance as to these places.

one.

The vituperation of Mr. Cooke and of his motives and preaching, in which Mr. Slater has indulged so freely, must, with all who knew the real character of the late Joseph Cooke, recoil on the defamer. It is the testimony of those who knew him best, who witnessed his devotedness to what he thought the cause of Christ, who saw his unwearied labourings for the improvement and good of men, that, with simplicity and godly sincerity, he had his conversation in the world. Mr. Cooke was a primitive Methodist preacher as long as he professed himself to be such. He abhorred deceit, and could not act the part his accuser has assigned to him. The fear of man he knew not, for the fear of God was before his eyes. He was

sincerely indeed attached to the Methodists, but his love of Christian Truth was greater still. And it was this love which led to his separation from that people, when every other consideration urged his continuance among them. Blessed are those whom the Truth makes free, was a feeling often happily experienced by Mr. Cooke; and, though the separation pained him grievously at first, he lived to bless his God for the circumstance, as being the means, under Providence, of empowering him to seek and fearlessly avow what seemed to him to be true, unfettered by a sectarian creed. His indefatigable exertions brought him to an early grave. He died at the age of thirty-five. Blessed is the memory of the just. He needs no monumental stone to record his virtues; his best and most durable monument may be seen in those Societies he founded and cherished; his epitaph be pronounced by those whom he led to religious inquiry, to Christian benevolence and righteousness.

From Mr. Slater's account, it might be supposed that scarcely any of the Methodists of Rochdale, and the adjoining places, had embraced Unitarianism. The conclusion he would have the reader to adopt is, that our statement in October, "is absolutely untrue," is an "absolute falsity," is "directly opposed to the most clear indisputable facts," for that, after all, merely "a few deteriorated!" With respect to Todmorden, we are not acquainted with the causes which led to the decline of the Society, but we believe that it was not from any conviction that Unitarianism was untrue. The Chapel there is not closed, though at present the Society has no regular minister. At Oldham, the tide of emigration has swept away many members of the congregation in its course, but it is now reviving under the exertions of the Rev. G. Buckland, the Missionary of the Lancashire and Cheshire Unitarian Association. We are under the mark, when we state the numbers of the other Societies as follows:—Rochdale, Clover-Street Congregation, 130; children educated, 200, and at Lanehead, 120: Rochdale, Blackwater-Street Congregation 60, children educated 60; Rawtonstall, congregation 30, children taught 100; Padiham, congregation 80, children instructed 120; Newchurch, congregation 250, children educated 250. "A few deteriorated!" We think, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, an unprejudiced mind would rather say, Not a few. We.

have classed the respectable Society, meeting in Blackwater-Street, Rochdale, with the Methodist Unitarians, because we know that several most excellent families, who now meet there for worship, were formerly the hearers and friends of Mr. Cooke.

Our readers, we are sure, will agree with us in thinking, that it would be honouring Mr. Slater too far, to enter into an examination of his libels on the principles we profess. From them his poisoned arrows will fall pointless and powerless. Those principles he cannot appreciate, and does not understand, for he knows not what he says, nor whereof he affirms.

His defamation of the dead, and his slanders on the living, his mis-statements of fact and misapprehensions of circumstances, were forced upon our notice. Their insertion was demanded at our hands. We complied with the mandate, and have, we hope, exposed the scandal. And we now take leave of Mr. Slater with a parting advice, "Understand first, and then rebuke."

To the history of the rise and progress of the Societies we have enumerated, we would, however, again direct the attention of our readers. It will amply repay their study. The people whom that history records, as Mr. Ashworth truly and beautifully remarks in his Preface, "have now for a number of years been searching for truth. When they have relinquished a popular doctrine, it has, perhaps, uniformly been the case that some of their friends have relinquished them. When they have embraced unpopular truth, they have had also to bear a large share of obloquy, contempt, and persecution; nay, they have sometimes been shunned as infectious. This has given them more pain than they can express, and wounded their hearts more than their opposers are willing to believe. But what could they do? As honest men, they could not fly from truth, though by so doing they might fly from some pain, and embrace their friends. They had no alternative therefore, but to violate conscience and become hypocrites, or to be honest and forsaken, despised and contemned, yea condemned. The way to them was plain, though painful and rugged; and their rejoicing now, is the testimony of their conscience. They once thought themselves (such was their ignorance) the only people in the world who believed the truths contained in these Let*ters; they consequently looked upon themselves as friend

less and forlorn; but they are happy to find, that in this they were mistaken. Through the good providence of God, they have found a large number of able and benevolent persons, who have shown themselves friends. This has verified to them the truth of the old proverb, "Company in distress makes the trouble less." They are consoled. They are encouraged. They would, however, be humble and teachable; and ever ready to give an answer to those who may ask them a reason of the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear."

WE are sorry to be obliged to announce the resignation of the Rev. J. H. Worthington, as one of the Ministers of Cross-Street Chapel, Manchester, in consequence of severe illness.

THE Belfast Auxiliary Continental Society, met on Tuesday 15th May. After waiting one hour for a sufficient number to form a meeting, Mr. George Black took the chair, the number in the room, or rather round the room, being about thirty persons. The Secretary, Mr. Thomas Houston, read the Report, which stated that the members had agreed to sink all their other differences (though some of them were on points of primary importance, being thought essential to salvation by some, and to have no reference to it at all by others) and unite in converting the Arians and Socinians of the Continent, who were, in some other part of the proceedings, classed with Infidels! After the Report, the Rules of the Society were read, and the accounts stated; from which it appeared, that 7s. 6d. had been received at one congregational collection, and that some of the ladies who had been most active as collectors, had raised sums to various amounts, of five or six shillings, and the whole sum collected was about £14. As there was no expenditure whatever on the other side of the account, this Society can boast of what few others can, a balance in hand of £14 above its annual expenditure. The Rev. Mr. Potts, Curate of Ballymacarreb, rose to move that the Report be received, and made a speech, divided into three parts, and as many sentences: 1st, That he did not come prepared with a speech, for he came in by pure accident. 2d, That the meeting was miserably thin; and, that he thought that a bad sign of the religious state of the country. And, 3dly, that he had, while residing in the south of France, heard a preacher preach from the text, that charity covereth a multitude of sins; and assert, that almsgiving was all that was necessary to atone for sin, and secure to us Heaven. And, therefore, no one could doubt of the vast utility of this Society. The motion was seconded by a bow from the Rev. Mr. Cairns; and the Rev. R. J. Bryce resolved most satisfactorily what was so great a riddle to Mr. Potts, the great thinness of the meeting, by assuring him, that it was because there was no Jewish Wolf, nor eloquent Mrs. Fry, to excite curiosity in the town!

Surely, if these good people would think more on the saying, charity begins at home, and put forth their best exertions to reform the unsightly evils of their own land, it would be better for Ireland, and more consistent in themselves, as the avowed ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Unitarianism in America.-We have great plessure in giving the following extracts of a letter, from one of our friends and correspondents at New-York, dated 7th April, 1827:-Channing's Dedication Sermon has produced much excitement in this city; and, indeed, I may say, throughout this country. Unitarianism progresses in this city and throughout the country, as fast as can be expected: but orthodoxy is bold, officious, and active, and nothing is left undone to effect their object. But there is too much light, and it is too late in the day, to stop the march of mind; and the rising generation will, I am persuaded, grow up with very different views from their parents and predecessors.

The Christian Inquirer has imperceptibly become identified with Quaker Unitarians, a sect fast increasing, and, perhaps, the most wealthy and respectable of any in the community. They will be a valuable auxiliary to the cause of religious liberty and rational Christianity, and I conceive, that much may he calculated upon their influence. Elias Hicks is about 78 years of age, but has all the freshness of youth, and is the most influential preacher in that or any other sect in this country. He is a child of nature, has very little education or knowledge of books, but he has an extensive knowledge of men and things, and possessing a mind discriminating and powerful, accompanied with a long life of purity and uprightness, he exercises a mighty influence over the members of that sect. He has done more, in my opinion, to break down priesteraft and superstition, than any other man in this country. Many other preachers of that sect are following his track; and several are men of more education, and nearly equal talents, who will, no doubt, in some good degree, fill his place when removed.

APRIL 26, died, after a severe and painful illness, Mr. Francis Allwood. Had this excellent and venerable man lived to the following Monday, he would have completed his 75th year. Mr. Allwood was for many years the unwearied and active Treasurer of the Unitarian Congregation in this city. He had been educated in the belief and worship of the English established church; and the first Unitarian sermon he heard preached, highly roused his feelings. But calm reflection, and serious perusal of the Bible, led him at length to embrace as truth, what he had shrunk from as heresy; and he experienced, we know, peace and joy in believing. His goodness of heart, and kind unassuming manners, and venerable appearance, insured him respect and attachment. The hoary head is a crown of glory, when found in the way of righteousness.

Mr. David Logan, formerly Unitarian Minister at Port-Glasgow and Dundee, died April 27, aged 26. Particulars in our next.