REVIEW.

The Little Magazine for Young Readers of every Denomination. 1841. Pp. 368. London, S. Gilbert, Paternoster Row; Edinburgh. C. Ziegler, South Bridge.

We had the pleasure of recommending to our readers the first volume of this interesting and instructive work, and we have increased satisfaction in directing their attention to the present volume. By a perusal, they will at once see that it is admirably adapted to the purpose at which it aims, the improvement of the young. Great variety of subject is introduced; the selections are in general very judicious, calculated to make the acquisition of knowledge a pleasure rather than a task, whilst the original articles display sound sense and rational piety. Natural history and biography, moral maxims and religious thoughts, prose and poetry, diversify the publication, and attract, please, and instruct the reader. A very useful "little Almanac" is given in the January number, in which, amongst other things, the births and deaths of celebrated individuals are recorded. Wood-cuts are occasionally introduced, which impart additional interest to the work. We trust the Editor will persevere in his laudable undertaking, and that a constantly increasing sale will evince the satisfaction and gratitude of the young in his labours for their good.

The Evidence for the Divine Unity destructive of the Trinitarian Theory. By John Taylor. P. 24,

The Aim of the Christian Ministry. By John Taylor. P. 22. Simpkin, Marshall and Co., London; Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh; James Hedderwick and Son, Glasgow.

The first of these discourses was preached before the Warwickshire Unitarian Tract Society in July, and the Scottish Christian Unitarian Association in September. From the "Christian Reformer" we learn, that its delivery gave great satisfaction to those who were present at Coventry, and that an earnest wish was expressed for its publication. We can testify that similar feelings were excited at the anniversary meeting at Glasgow,

and we now gladly welcome the appearance of this clearly-reasoned discourse from the press. Its diffusion must do good. It satisfactorily disposes of the sophistry of Wardlaw and Stuart, by establishing the three following propositions:-1st, "That the existence of One God cannot be supernaturally revealed, since, in logical strictness, belief in such existence must precede whatever professes to be a revelation of the Divine will; and that, consequently, Christianity properly speaking is not a revelation of the Divine Unity, though it may and does proclaim, enforce, and confirm such doctrine. 2d, That we have as much evidence for the existence of the Divine Mind, as for the existence of any other mind; and as much evidence of the nature of the Divine Unity, as for the nature of our own unity. 3d, That, therefore, every Trinitarian hypothesis is incompatible with the positive testimony of nature, and cannot form any part of any revelation professing to come from the Author of nature." In substantiating these propositions, the author shows that every attempt to hold the Divine Unity in connection with the Trinitarian theory is fallacious, and that all the various modifications of the Trinitarian system are destructive of the Divine Unity; but for the chain of reasoning we refer our readers to the Sermon itself.

The second discourse was delivered on occasion of the commencement of Mr Taylor's ministry to the Christian Unitarian Congregation of Glasgow, and is founded on 2 Corinth. i. 24. Having deduced from these words the individual liberty which inseparably attaches to every freedman of Christ Jesus, and shown the opposition to the principle in the conduct of the Papal Church and its Protestant imitators, the author states that the main object of his ministry will be to vindicate in all its bearings this right of individual freedom and judgment, conjoined with the inculcation of the various virtues which spring from it, "candour, charity, zeal for truth, humility, Christian piety, and love." In following out this course, Mr Taylor will be treading in the steps of his predecessors, carrying on the work which they begun, and helping their joy in its ever-increasing stability and prosperity.

MONTHLY RECORD,

JANUARY 1. 1842.

The Anniversary Sale of the Tenterden Juvenile Book Society, took place in the School-Rooms connected with the Chapel, on Wednesday the 20th of October. Though a sale, this was also a joyous festival. Previous to the commencement of business, the members of the Society and their friends, to the number of 120, partook of tea, which had been kindly provided by the ladies, who had culled and tastefully arranged the last flowers of summer, and by the hands of female enchantment changed the mart of business into a fairy scene. This Society, from very humble beginnings, has become one of no small importance; it now numbers about 70 members, and has upon its shelves 200 volumes. The subscription is 1d. per week. At the end of the year the books which have been two years in circulation are sold; at the sale they fetch two-thirds of the cost price; hence this two-thirds, which becomes greater every year, added to the annual subscriptions, gives us an increasing capital for the purchase of new books. This is not theory, but a result discovered by experience. The fact is mentioned, as it may afford a useful hint to others. But a similar result must not be expected, unless the plan is taken up with life and spirit. The success which has attended this Society, is owing in no small degree to the elegant and delightful repast which the ladies provide for the members and their friends, at the annual book sale. On these occasions it is most delightful to hear the spirited biddings of the children for some favourite book. The competition on such occasions, is no mean proof of the success of an author in his efforts to delight, and by delighting, to instruct the young. This Society, though called Juvenile as it has increased in numbers and in funds, extends its advantages to all ages-but still the gratification and the benefit of the children are not, and, it is to be hoped, never will be overlooked.

On the day immediately following the sale, and while the beautiful decorations of the room still remained unfaded, the children who attend the Sunday school, ahout 70 in number, were regaled with tea and cake in the school-rooms. This also was a pleasing scene. After a brief address and a hymn, they departed to their respective homes, highly gratified with their afternoon's entertainment. The devising and the carrying out of this treat was also the work of the ladies.

TENTERDEN DISTRICT MEETING —The Seventeenth Anniversary of this branch of the Kent and Sussex Unitarian Chris

tian Association, was held at Tenterden on Tuesday the 26th of October. On this occasion a beautiful and appropriate discourse was delivered by the Rev. Alexander Walker of Canterbury, from Titus i. 2. The Rev. C. Saint of Headcorn introduced the service, and the Rev. G. Buckland offered up the general prayer. There was a very good attendance at the chapel. After divine service, the friends adjourned to the Court-hall, where 149 individuals partook of that beverage which cheers but not inebriates. The chair was filled by the Rev. Edward Talbot. On this occasion the speakers were more than usually animated; and it was a general feeling that this was to be reckoned amongst the most pleasant of the very many pleasant meetings which we have had on these occasions. A happy kindly hopeful spirit pervaded the addresses that were delivered, the influence of which was evidently felt by the hearers, and reacted on and encouraged the speakers. It is exceedingly difficult to describe these meetings afterwards, especially when they have been peculiarly happy. Mr Walker gave a cheering view of the progress which Unitarianism is making, notwithstanding the obstacles with which it has to contend. Mr Buckland, in adverting to the Tenterden Juvenile Book Society, made some excellent remarks on the connection between intellectual and moral improvement. The friends were also addressed by Messrs Blundell, Mace, J, E. Mace, the Rev. C. Saint, and Mr Edwards of Northiam. The company separated between nine and ten o'clock, and many if not all quitted the meeting, feeling that it was a good thing for them to have been there.

OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL ROOMS, BRIDPORT.-These buildings, in connection with the Unitarian Chapel (for the speedy erection of which, as well as for his unremitting attention to the general interests of the Sunday Schools, many thanks are due to the Rev. S. Wood), have just been completed. They are placed immediately above the vestry; and the children can enter from them at once to the galleries of the chapel. The total cost of building was about L.360; and we are pleased to state, that the entire sum was contributed within the bounds of the congregation. The rooms, which were tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, were opened by a Social Tea Meeting, on the evening of Tuesday 16th November. Above 100 of the children attending the Sunday Schools, accompanied by their teachers, partook of tea and cake in the boys' room; while above 140 members of the congregation were similarly entertained in that appropriated on Sundays to the girls. After tea, the parties adjourned to the chapel, the doors of which were then thrown

sent.

open to the public; between 400 and 500 persons were preGollop, Esq. of Strode was called to the chair, and the proceedings of the evening were introduced by a chaunt, which was followed by a prayer from the Rev. R. E. B. Maclellan, the minister of the congregation. The chairman having mentioned the purpose for which they were assembled, called on Mr Maclellan, who delivered an address to the children, parents, and teachers. Addresses were also delivered on the following subjects:-The beneficial effects of Sunday Schools, by the Rev. John G. Teggin of Crewkerne ; the blessings of Unitarian Christianity, by the Rev. Henry Solly of Yeovil; the general importance of education, by the Rev. W. Smith of Dorchester; the obstacles to the diffusion of truth, by the Rev. Edward Whitfield of Ilminster; civil and religious liberty, by Mr Bainbridge of Yeovil, &c. &c. The entertainments were varied by occasional hymns from the children, assisted by the regular chapel choir and the organ. Mr Gollop having received the thanks of the meeting for his conduct in the chair, which he acknowledged in suitable terms, expressive of his interest in the cause of education generally, and his attachment to Unitarian Christianity, the meeting was concluded by Mr Maclellan with prayer and benediction. All, of whatever creed, who were present, concur in declaring that they have seldom spent a more delightful evening; and the opinion seems general among the best informed, that the lovely depictures of the character of God, the glorious hopes of the ultimate redemption of all mankind, and the heartfelt love to our brethren of every sect and denomination, so eloquently and feelingly uttered by the different speakers, have made through the borongh of Bridport an impression highly favourable to our exposition of the Gospel. Following out the good work to which they are dedicated, the minister of the congregation, with the assistance of some of his friends, has it in contemplation to open the Rooms on two evenings in the week, for the purpose of communicating particular instruction in Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, and History, to the children attending the Sunday Schools.

CHRISTIAN UNITARIANISM IN AMERICA IN 1841.-Whilst the so-called orthodox friends of the "Voluntary Principle" in Scotland, have frequently asserted, in order to testify the power of that principle in suppressing heresy, that Unitarianism was in a dying or defunct state in America, the advocates of Church Establishments have as loudly affirmed its increase, in order to shew that that increase was inevitable where no Church Establishment existed to check its growth. It is curious and edifying to witness the effects of system and bigotry