greater dignity, than any earthly potentate; by Him from whom Established Churches profess to derive their authority, the PRINCE OF PEACE. As the image and representative of the Infinite Father, he has disclosed the truth, that all war is directly opposed to the will of the Great Ruler of the Universe; and the whole scope, spirit, and tendency of the religion of love, demonstrates, that “ peace on earth, and goodwill to men," constitute not alone the prelusive song, but also the characteristic purpose of the mission of the Saviour from that Universal Parent who has made of one blood all nations.

Having embraced this view of the teachings and spirit of Jesus, with the moral courage and disinterestedness becoming a practical disciple of Christ, Mr Thrush, in the year 1825, resigned his commission as a Captain of the Navy. In doing so, he addressed a letter to the then reigning sovereign, George the Fourth, containing his statement of reasons for adopting the course of conduct which his conscientious convictions of duty impelled him to take. Mr Thrush, subsequently published "The Apology of an Officer for withdrawing from the profession of Arms," containing a series of letters on the Unlawfulness of War, and the Military profession. And now, in a good old age, an evening of life rendered happy by conscious integrity, and the practice of righteousness, the venerable opponent of the vice of bloodshedding, sends forth his "LAST THOUGHTS" on this important subject, in ten letters, addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, to which is appropriately prefixed his letter to the King on resigning his commission. The letters treat of War, as inaccordant with Natural Religion, and the spirit both of the Jewish and Christian revelations, as well as with the evidence of prophecy; the causes and evils of War; on the arguments adduced in its favour; and the practice of the first Christians with regard to it. The whole work is worthy to receive the careful and serious consideration of all, who would learn to refuse the evil, and choose the good. Most warmly do we commend it to the serious, thoughtful, perusal of all our readers. Would that its voice of peaceful, Christian morality, could be

heard in the courts and cabinets of princes. Would that it could be indelibly impressed on the hearts of all people. Thank God, the principles of peace are spreading amongst the masses, and the cheering fact inspires us with hope for the future; for "War is a game, which, were their subjects wise, kings could not play at."

We should gladly have made copious extracts from the "Last Thoughts," but must content ourselves with the closing paragraphs of the work. With the venerable author, now in his eighty-second year, we implore the "blessing of Almighty God on his humble endeavours to fulfil his will; and that He will, in his good time, open the eyes of men to the disasters and miseries of war, and its utter inaccordance with the precepts of the Gospel, and the virtue and happiness of mankind.” "Sixteen years have elapsed since the publication of my Letter to my Sovereign, George the Fourth, which I have now submitted to your inspection. During that long period I can assure your Grace that a day has not passed in which I have felt regret for having written that letter. I may, as I often have felt that it was not more worthy of the solemn occasion on which it was written; but so far from feeling sorrow or regret, for the step which that letter announced, I have, as my years increased, gone on my way rejoicing; and impressed with sentiments of gratitude to the Great Giver of all good, that he endowed me with courage-with the moral courage, to write it. I use the word courage, because I believe that it required more courage to write that letter than to fight a battle. I can further assure your Grace, that since publishing it, I have never regretted the loss of half my income; so far from it, I have been convinced of the truth of our Lord's assurance, that no one can make any sacrifice in his cause, the cause of truth, without receiving more than an adequate reward here. The same remark I can with truth apply to the sharer of my joys and privations. God has been graciously pleased to prolong both our lives beyond what is generally considered as the boundary of human life: to grant to us a happy old age; to bless us with contented minds and a larger

portion of health and enjoyment than generally falls to the lot of persons, like ourselves, far advanced in life.

"And now, my Lord, I have only once more to implore the blessing of the great Ruler of nations upon my feeble endeavours to promote the sacred cause of peace. May He, in future ages, render our nation as glorious in cultivating peace, as it has hitherto been successful in war and conquest! But whilst, with Bishops and Missionaries, we also send armies to the most distant parts of the globe, may we not fear that our prayers for peace will, by a righteous and just God, be regarded rather as a mockery and insult, than as an indication of a serious and sound frame of mind."

MONTHLY RECORD.

OCTOBER 1. 1842.

Died, June 30, at Frittenden in Kent, aged 71, Mr Richard Allchin, for many years a member of the Unitarian congregation, Maidstone. The Sunday following the funeral, the solemn event was noticed by the minister of the congregation in a discourse from 1 Cor. iv. 3, from which we have been favoured with the following extracts:

The preacher observed, that he had been chiefly led into the preceding reflections by the decease of one who, for many years, was a fellow worshipper with us within these walls, and whose character was illustrative of the sentiment on which we have been dwelling; one who was an intelligent advocate of those important and valuable truths especially, which distinguish us as a body of Christians from other denominations; one whose modest humility, expanded benevolence, and amiable disposition, and manners, gained him the respect and attachment of all who enjoyed his friendship and acquaintance." The preacher then proceeded farther to remark: Many of you need not to be informed that, though educated in the principles of the Established Church, he very early in life, was led to examine into their claims upon his belief, and, from his own personal study and comparison of them with the Scriptures, was induced to renounce them as untenable under that venerated authority. At that time, even greater obloquy attached to the profession of those views of Scripture doctrine which we entertain, than they now experience. The

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amiable and venerable Dr Priestley had, about that period, been compelled to seek an asylum from the cruel spirit of intolerance in a strange land. But the inquiry of our deceased friend wrought conviction, and he manfully came forth and separated himself from a church between whose opinions and his own there was but little accordance, and with whose worship and practices he had but little sympathy. He knew that he would probably meet with uncharitable judgment from those who could but little appreciate his feelings and motives; but he "counted it small moment to be judged of men's judgment," looking forward to that day when every man, who earnestly sought it, should "have praise of God." The same opinions in which his inquiries then resulted, he continued to maintain, with steady consistency, through a period of nearly fifty years, and up to the very end of life, neither doubting of their truth, nor failing to receive that comfort and enjoyment which his bright and cheering views of God and of futurity are so well fitted to impart. This "good confession" he did not hesitate to repeat, even upon his death bed to one * who, in his mistaken zeal, as we consider it, sought to reclaim him within the fold of the Established Church ere the last spark of life should depart. Had his strength permitted, well would he have been able to give a reason for the hope that was in him. The attempt was doubtless made in Christian kindness, but it failed, and I hope, the result of it was sufficient to shew that a man may die in peace, full of confidence, and hope, and joy in believing, albeit he be an avowed member of a Christian sect everywhere much spoken against.

"The consistency of his conduct throughout life, and the stability of his hope in death, were doubtless the result of his personal inquiry and individual examination. If we desire to have a similar confidence in the truth of the divine promise of eternal life to the righteous, and pardon to the penitent (and who of us would not), let us do as he did, read, examine, and decide for ourselves. Feeble must ever be that faith which has no foundation in our own personal convictions if we believe only because our fathers have believed. Though many probably have gone through life in an exemplary manner, and have met death with confident hope who have had no better reason than this to offer for it, yet it would be far from wise to depend upon this. If the wind should blow, and the rains descend, and the foods come, and beat againstfour house, we should probably find in the hour of need and trial that it would fall in ruins, because built upon the sand."

*The parish clergyman, who was more importunate than good taste or correct feeling would have dictated at such an hour of suffering and exhaustion.

NEWPORT SUNDAY SCHOOLS.-The Annual Tea-party of the Teachers and Friends of the Unitarian Sunday School, Newport, Isle of Wight, took place on Monday July 3, at the Green Dragon Assembly Room, which was gracefully decorated with flowers by the young people of the congregation on the occasion. The Rev. Dr Beard presided, and, after having addressed the meeting on the advantages of Sunday school instruction, and the necessity that existed in these times for increased exertion, in support of our religious opinions, called upon one of the teachers, Mr Pinnock, to read the report of the schools for the past year. The report stated the present number of pupils to be 107, and dwelt much on the advantages that had accrued from the establishment of a branch school for the last four years in an inferior part of the town, for children whose parents were too poor, or too reckless, to afford them suitable clothing to attend a regular Sunday school. A discussion arose after the reading of the report, as to the most desirable method of imparting religious instruction to the children of the school, so as most effectually to influence them to become, on their quitting it, regular attendants at our places of worship; and the union of doctrinal teaching with moral and practical instruction, was strongly recommended. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Messrs Thomas and John Cook, and A. Clarke; and the Revds. J. Fullagar, H. Hawkes, M. Davison, and E. Kell, on various topics connected with the advancement of religious truth; and the latter of whom, in alluding to the various changes that had taken place in the congregation since his long connexion with it, expressed his thankfulness that, in so many instances, they were able to say" instead of the fathers, had risen up the children, to call God blessed."

SECOND ANNIversary of the opening oF THE UNITARIAN CHURCH, NEW HALL HILL, BIRMINGHAM.-Sunday, July 10, being the day two years since the opening of the above place of worship* the Rev. David Lloyd of Caermarthen having been invited to preach on the occasion, conducted the religious services of the day, and preached in the morning from Hebrews, vi. 1. and in the evening from Matthew vii. 12.

On the Monday evening following, the congregation and friends took tea together in the large school-room, at which meeting they rejoiced in the past, and encouraged one another's faith in the future well-being of the society.

After tea, the company sang the hymn, beginning

"God of mercy, God of might."

*See "The Christian Pioneer" 1840, p. 379, also “The Christian Reform er" for 1840, p. 615.