And what was that? Why, practically, no force at all: and, in a few years afterwards, only four Presbyteries out of fourteen kept up even a nominal subscription-the other ten openly and manfully laying aside a mere deceptive formulary.

In the promotion of these liberal views, the Rev. Samuel Barber, of Rathfriland, already mentioned, the Rev. Moses Nelson, of Redemon, the Rev. Dr. Black, of Derry, the Rev. Wm. Steele Dickson, of Portaferry, and the Rev. Dr. Campbell, of Armagh, took a leading share. Mr. Barber, in particular, was the head and front of "the movement party". He was a man well fitted for the office of a Leader, possessing a singularly vigorous mind, a culti vated taste, a ready wit, a fluent elocution, a firm purpose, an unsullied character, and a most courteous demeanour. In the year 1787, Dr. Woodward, Bishop of Cloyne, in one of his controversies with the celebrated Father O'Leary, of Cork, attacked the Presbyterians as well as the Roman Catholics. To this unprovoked assault, an able and triumphant reply was published by Mr. Barber. Two ministers of the Establishment came to the aid of the Bishop; but these also, Mr. Barber completely demolished by a few strokes of his vigorous pen; and, thenceforward, he took his place amongst the tersest and most accomplished writers of the day. His excellent daughters, Mrs. John Galt Smith and Miss Barber, obligingly supplied me, a short time since, with four Volumes of Pamphlets relating to the stirring events of those interesting times; and I only regret that, as a writer of mere "Outlines," I cannot avail myself of their contents, by making several extracts. They admirably served their purpose, however, at the time; and no Bishop has since ventured to assail Presbyterians.

I feel some pride in stating, that all the eminent ministers to whom I have referred as connected with the Volunteer Associations and the progress of religious liberty, were Unitarians. Twentyfive years later, when I, myself, entered the General Synod, all the leading members, except two or three, entertained the same religious sentiments; and so long as they retained the ascendant, Presbyterianism continued to be identified with the glorious cause of civil liberty and Christian toleration.

(To be continued.)

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Sermons, by the late Rev. Henry Acton, of Exeter, with a Memoir of his Life. Edited by the Rev. William James, and the Rev. J. Reynell Wreford, F.S.A. London: Chapman, Brothers, 121, Newgate-street, 1847. THE author of these Sermons was an able, faithful, and distinguished minister of the Unitarian Church, in England. He was born at Lewes, at the edge of the South Downs, in the county of Sussex, on the 10th of March, 1797. At a very early period his love of Books and desire for information, were remarkable. When he was about sixteen years of age, he was apprenticed to a printer, in his native town, and his situation was favourable to the indulgence of his literary tastes. He became an active and leading member of a small Literary Society which was formed in the town of Lewes about this time, and which was the origin of the Mechanics' Institution now existing there, and supposed to be one of the best conducted in England. Mr. Acton's parents were members of the Established Church, and he, as a matter of course, was brought up in the belief of her doctrines. But he felt the necessity of inquiring for clearer and more intelligible views of religious truth than were to be found in the Creeds and Standards of the State Church, and was thus induced, occasionally, to visit the Unitarian Baptist Chapel at Lewes. He soon became an ardent defender and advocate of Unitarianism, and his capacity for public usefulness having become apparent, he was induced by the urgent wish of influential friends to devote himself to the Christian Ministry. In the year 1818, he placed himself under the care of the Rev. Dr. Morell, who conducted a flourishing school in the neighbourhood of Brighton. Mr. Acton remained in Dr. Morell's establishment for the space of three years, and devoted himself to the necessary course of study with great diligence and success. During this time he preached, occasionally, at Ditchling and Southover, delivering his sermons, even then, without notes, and giving promise, thus early, of that pre-eminence which he afterwards attained as an extempore speaker.

In the year 1821, he became the Minister of the Presbyterian Congregation of Walthamstow. In a letter to the Rev. J. R. Wreford, dated Nov. 1820, Mr. Acton thus refers to his settlement in that place:-" When I consider the train of worthies who have occupied that pulpit,—when I consider that I have to succeed to the profound learning of Hugh Farmer,to the deep-toned and pathetic eloquence of Fawcett,-to the masterly and vigorous intellect of Radcliffe, to the perfect taste and high attainments of Mr. (now Dr.) Hutton,-to the elegant simplicity and metaphysical acumen of our friend Mr. Cogan, I know not whether I feel most elated with my good fortune, or diffident from the unequal manner in which my humble abilities will meet it."

In the year 1823, he succeeded the Rev. William Hincks, as one of the ministers of George's Meeting, Exeter, and as co-pastor with the Rev. James

Manning. He had been preceded in the charge of this Congregation by such men as Pierce, and Towgood, and Kenrick, and Carpenter, and his character and talents were such as to adorn even this honourable position. His pulpit services soon excited a deep interest, which was not confined to the members of his own worshipping society, but extended to many others of different religious sentiments, and in the Memoir prefixed to his Sermons, it is stated, that ministers of the Established Church frequently attended his Sunday Evening Lectures.

In 1830, Mr. Acton published Six Lectures on the dignity, office, and work of the Saviour. These Lectures soon reached a second edition, and are eminently fitted to advance the interests of Gospel Truth. In 1833, he became editor of a religious periodical called "The Gospel Advocate," which was discontinued for want of sufficient support, on the completion of the fourth volume. It was in the pages of this work that he first published his powerful examination of the Bishop of Exeter's Charge to his Clergy on the subject of Tithes, Church Reform, and Unitarianism.

"I

In 1835, the Rev. D. Bagot, of controversial notoriety, visited Exeter, and in the course of a series of Lectures, on the Proper Deity of Christ, assailed the principles held by Unitarians, and called upon the Unitarian Ministers of the city to reply to his arguments, "if they were able." Fortunately, Mr. Acton was present, and readily accepted the challenge. felt," said he, in referring to it," that it was due to myself, due to my respected congregation, and above all, due to the sacred value and importance of the principles in which I rejoice, that relying on the support and blessing of God, 1 should undertake the defence of those doctrines which I believe to be the pure truths of the Gospel." And those doctrines had in him an advocate, in some measure worthy of their purity and worth,—and admirably did he perform his duty, and powerfully did his pulpit efforts on that exciting occasion, tell in the cause of religious liberty and truth! The writer of the "memoir" informs us that the lectures delivered by Mr. Acton, in reply to Mr. Bagot, were heard with intense interest by immense congregations, comprising persons of all denominations, and universal admiration was called forth by the talents and resources which they displayed."

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In another course of lectures which were published by the request of his congregation, Mr. Acton powerfully influenced the public mind on the subject of Apostolical Succession, and exposed, with unsparing hand, the pretensions of the Church of England Clergy to be regarded as the only authorized dispensers of the bread of life. Indeed, he was always ready to lend his powerful aid to assist in any great movement to promote the welfare of his fellow-men." And scarcely any meeting of importance," says his biographer, "has been held in Exeter during the last twenty years, for the promotion of knowledge and liberty, at which he has not been present and taken a prominent part." But his useful and honourable life was rapidly drawing to a close. On the 16th of August, 1843, he had a severe attack of paralysis, and on the 22d of the same month he died, calmly anticipating the enjoyment of that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

Mr. Acton is fortunate in his biographer. The Rev. William James has carefully performed the melancholy, and yet pleasing task, of recording his friend's labours and virtues. Assisted by the Rev. J. R.Wreford, he has made a most excellent and judicious selection from Mr. Acton's manuscripts, consisting of fourteen Discourses on some very interesting and instructive subjects. We regret we cannot give extracts from these Sermons, and we recommend our readers to procure copies of the work, which we venture to say, will prove no common addition to their knowledge of true religion.

INTELLIGENCE.