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compromise could take place by the defendant entering into sureties not again to offend in like manner."

Mr. Courtney (counsel for the defendant) said, "that the conduct of his client had been guided by what he conceived to be his duty; and as his view of that was not altered by the verdict which had been given, he was instructed not to apply for any mitigation of the sentence that the court might think proper to pronounce. He should still insist on the matter of right, and he therefore was averse to any thing like a compromise."

The Rev. Chairman, Mr. Norris, and Mr. Wright, the only Magistrates on the bench, then retired, and in 5 minutes returned, when the defendant was put into the dock, and the Chairman addressed him as follows:

has

Samuel Waller, you have been found guilty of the charge of obstructing the King's highway, by a Jury, who have taken no ordinary pains to come to a correct decision. The point was the simplest that could be brought before a Jury, although it has been mixed up with other topics by your Counsel, and the true point lost sight of. It is no more than this, Whether you, or any man, a right to obstruct the public streets? As to the question of religious opinion, it has no more to do with your case than the question of High Treason has. This prosecution is instituted by the Church Wardens of Ashton,* who found it necessary for their own protection, after many pains had been taken to persuade you to desist. In passing sentence, the Court is far from wishing to be vindictive; but, at the same time, the public peace must not be broken with impunity. However, it must not be supposed that you are suffering for opinion, but for your own misconduct. The sentence of the Court is, that you be imprisoned in this House of Correction for the space of three months; and, at the expiration of that time, that you enter into sureties to keep the peace for two years, yourself in the sum of 50%. and 2 sureties of 251. each."+

Mr. Waller was accordingly committed; and some persons present have since stated, that on the same day the same punishment was inflicted for selling obscene songs songs so grossly obscene, that the Counsel for the prosecution

*This seems to have been a mistake; our correspondent informs us that the majority of them have expressly disavowed the prosecution.

+ See Report of Trial, pr. 6d.

thought it improper they should be read in court!!!

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We are informed, that upon Mr. W's imprisonment he was taken seriously and dangerously ill; but have the pleasure to learn that he is now much better. We have since heard of a similar case in another part of the country. Messrs. Jn. Littlejohn, Jun. and Mr. P. Moass, have been fined five pounds each, which, not choos ing to pay, they have been committed for three months to the Devon County Bridewell, by Js. Burke, Esq. and the REV. P. Glubb, under the heavy charge of preaching in an unlicensed place" at Little Torrington. These persons, it appears, deny being at that place on that day; and a third person, who really did there preach, has paid the fine, and was discharged. Messrs. L. and M. we understand, are Wesleyan Methodists, and a minister in that connexion has advo cated their cause in the Alfred Newspaper, in consequence of which, says the writer, on the evening of the same day, "A gentleman in office came up from Torrington to discharge our brethren. This gentleman desired to be nameless, and he shall be so. He expressed his regret for what had been done confessed he lay at our mercy-and is willing to make any reasonable reparation. And with more than common pleasure, the writer recommends to the Committee for guarding the privileges of the Wesleyan methodists the most lenient measures, as far as may be consistent with what due to violated privileges.' -(Three Letters to Messrs. Littlejohn, &c. p. 9.)

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There is one circumstance in these prosecutions peculiarly painful. It is ge nerally found, if not always, on these occasions, that one at least of the presiding Magistrates is a clergyman. We cannot but think with the late Judge Willes, that a clergyman of the Church of Eng land, who does his duty, has quite enough employment without interfering in secular business at least without persecuting his dissenting brethren-and we think they ought to know the laws of the country and the privileges of Dissenters too well to attempt it-to say nothing of its utter inconsistency with Christianity.

BLACKBURN INDEPENDENT

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at the Academy House in the presence of the Committee and other friends of the Institution. Dr. Clunnie, of Leaf Square Academy, in the Chair, and continued till two in the afternoon; after which, the Committee proceeded to the ordinary business of the Institution. The course of examination was conducted in the same order with that which was adopted last year, and was highly creditable to the diligence and talents of the students. In the evening, two of the senior students delivered discourses at Mr. Fletcher's chapel: Mr. Birch, "On the commission given by Christ to his Apostlés ;" and Mr. Wild, "On the character of the Apostle Paul, as illustrative of that commission." The public business of the Institution was then transacted, and various Resolutions moved and seconded by the Rev. Messrs. Slate, Ely, Walker, France, and J. H. Heron, Esq. relative to the future proceedings of this Institution. In the course of the last year, four students have completed their Academical terms, and are now settled as follows:-Mr. Cornson, at Preston; Mr. Burdekin, at Stone; Mr. Robinson, at Cratfield; and Mr. Stowell, at North Shields. Since their removal, three students have been finally received on the foundation, and two have been admitted on probation.

ASSOCIATIONS.

THE Staffordshire Association held their seventh Annual Meeting at Uttoxeter, at Mr. Chester's chapel, April 23, 24, being Monday and Tuesday of Easter week. Monday evening, Mr. Cooper, of Westbromwich, preached “On Spiritual Mindedness;" and on Wed. evening, Mr. Salt, of Litchfield, on "The attention due to the Sacred Scriptures." Wednesday afternoon, the Public Meeting for business was held. Mr. Tallis prayed, and Mr. Brook was called to the Chair. The Report was read by Mr. Farmer, the Secretary; after which, with several others, the following resolutions unanimously

passed

"That this Meeting feels sincere gratification in knowing that the Gospel is extending its influence both at home and abroad," &c.

"That this Meeting feels highly gratified that the Home Missionary Society has sent into this county an acceptable and useful Missionary (Mr. Ball;) and cordially rejoices in the foundation, efforts, and success of that Institution, and earnestly prays for its increasing prosperity."

The Meeting was addressed in animated and appropriate speeches by the Rev. Messrs. Burdekin, Conder, Chalmers, Butteaux, Whitridge, Farmer, Fernie, Ball, Newland, and Tallis. In the evening, after sermon, the Lord's Supper was administered. Rev. H.Williams presided. Mr. Tallis addressed the communicants, aud Mr. Fernie the spectators; Mr. Farmer closed the whole with prayer. The Itinerant (Mr. Butteaux) employed by this Association, is actively engaged in preaching the Gospel in the most dark and destitute villages, in forming and aiding Sun day Schools, and in the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures among the poor at reduced prices. "We beseech thee, O Lord, send now prosperity."

On the 30th of May 1821, the forty-fifth half yearly Meeting of the Lincolnshire Association was held at Wrawley. In the morning, Mr. Morley, of Hull, preached from 1 Cor. ii. 2. After which the death of Christ was commemorated. In the afternoon, Mr. Cullen, of Caistor, preached from Ps. civ. 34; in the evening, Mr. Mather, of Beverley, preached from 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23; and on the preceding evening, Mr. Smelle, of Grimsby, preached from Rom. viii. 1. At this Meeting it was resolved, that the plan submitted to the members present should be taken into further consideration at the next meeting, which is to be held at Grimsby on Wednesday Sept. 26, 1821.

PEPPARD ANNIVERSARY

WAS held, as usual, on Whit Monday, ing the wicked practice of Revelling in June 11th, for the purpose of counteractthat neighbourhood, which is evidently much on the decline. In the morning, Mr. Sherman, of Reading, preached to the young people and children of the school from Jer. iii. 4; in the afternoon, Mr. T. H. Hinton, of Reading, preached from Col. i. 12; and in the evening, Mr. Leifchild, of Kensington, from 1 Tim. i. 5. Messrs. Watkins, Douglas, Cannon, and Bubier, engaged in the devotional services. The children who are

daily and gratuitously instructed by Mr. Walker, of Peppard, were as usual newly clothed on this occasion, and a comfortable dinner was provided both for them and for the poor people of the neighbourhood.

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that place. Mr. J. Wadsworth, of Clitheroe, delivered the introductory discourse and asked the questions; Mr. G. Partington, of Park, offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. J. Fletcher, of Blackburn, gave the charge; and Mr. Hacking, of Darwen, addressed the people. May 2d, 1821, the Rev. John Wells and the Rev. Geo. Mottram, late students at Cheshunt College, were publicly set apart to the work of the ministry in the late Countess of Huntingdon's connexion, at Portland Chapel, Cheltenham. The following ministers took part in this interesting solemnity. Rev. J. Sheppard, of Ely, commenced the service by reading and prayer; the Rev. E. Lake, of Worcester, delivered the introductory discourse, &c. and offered up the ordination prayer; the Rev. J. Rees, of Rodborough, gave the charge from 1 Tim. iv. 16; and the Rev. T. Smith, of London, concluded by prayer.

MAY. 20th. A neat and commodious Chapel, capable of holding 200 persons, was opened in the village of North Fredingham, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, under the patronage of the Hull Evangelical Society. Mr. Ryan of Bridlington, preached in the morning from John v. 2. "Bethesda." (the name of the Chapel,) Mr. Gilbert of Hull in the afternoon, from John ii. 17; and Waterhouse of Dewsbury in the evening,

from Ezek. ix. 4. Great numbers at

tended; and in the afternoon, Mr. Waterhouse preached in an adjoining field, to about 300 attentive hearers, from Daniel v. 27.

This little Chapel is erected entirely free from debt; and Mr. Oram the present Minister, takes this opportunity of gratefully acknowledging the liberal aid of the Christian public.

On Tuesday, May 22d, the Rev. J. E. Isaac was ordained over the Independent Church and Congregation at Peterborough, Northamptonshire. Mr. Jarvis of Ramsey commenced the Service with reading and prayer; Mr. Holmes of Wisbech delivered the intro. ductory discourse, and proposed the usual questions; Mr. Morell of St. Neot's offered up the ordination-prayer, and gave the charge, from 1 Cor. iv. 2; and Mr. Wright of Stamford preached to the people, from Rom. xii. 1; and concluded in prayer.

Mr. Holmes preached in the evening. June 6. Rev. W. Blackburn (late of Rotherham College) was ordained to the pastoral office over the Independent Church in Silver Street, Whitby. Mr. Ryan, of Bridlington, introduced the service in the usual way; Mr. Green

wood, of Malton, stated the nature of a Gospel church, &c.; Mr. Hinmers, of Guisbro', prayed for a blessing on the relation; Mr. Gilbert, of Hull, delivered the charge, founded on 1 Cor. xii. 31; and Mr. Sugden, of Mickleby, concluded the morning service with prayer. In the evening, Mr. J. Gilbert preached to the church and congregation from Heb. xiii. 17; and at the close of this service, the Lord's Supper was administered-Mr. Gilbert presided.

NOTICE. Sept. 5, 1821. The next half yearly Meeting of the Middlesex and Herts Union will be held at 11 o'clock at Mr. Williams's Meeting, Edmonton; when Mr. Thomas, of Enfield, will preach "Steadfastness in the Lord," &c.

on

FOREIGN.

AMERICA.

MORE UNION.

IN the month of May last, at the city of Philadelphia, a Union of the Presbyte rian and Associate Reformed Churches the highest judicatories of the two bodies in the United States was pronounced by to be both practicable and expedient. A coalition is confidently expected to take place next Spring. Such an event may be bailed as the harbinger of a general, cordial, and speedy combination of Christians throughout America. May that charity which has done so much, and had and has so much to do in the present day, for Zion's peace, and strength, and beauty, soon constrain all the followers of Jesus ticipation in his likeness and love! decisively to recognize their mutual par

Extract of a Narrative of the State of Religion within the bounds of the Ge neral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and of the General Associa tions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, during the last

year.

THE General Assembly have now under their care 62 Presbyteries; 50 of which have sent up Annual Reports of 1300 churches within their respective bounds.

We have much to lament, but more to present as subjects of congratulation and praise.

The sources of lamentation to which some of the Presbyterial reports direct us, are, errors in doctrine and morals; neglect of the duties of family and social prayer; coldness and indifference on the part of professing Christians; and the want of labourers in the gospel vineyard,

In some of our bounds, exertions are making, with a zeal worthy of a better cause, to propagate a modification of infidelity under the name of Unitarianism or Socinianism; and as there is an aptitude of the human heart to entertain the grossest errors, we regard it as an imperious duty to warn our congregations against every attempt to bring to their notice such doctrines as "deny the Lord who bought them."

Immoralities in practice have naturally, and in many places, flowed from error in doctrine. The intemperate use of aident liquors, and the profanation of the Lord's day, are particularly mentioned, as too prevalent among those whom the "grace of God teaches, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, they should live soberly, righteously, and godly."

The complaints of several of the Presbyteries, of the want of a sufficient number of labourers in the gospel vineyard, have been truly affecting. Entire districts to the South and West, comprising a population of thousands of souls, are represented as destitute of ministrations of the word, from any denomination of Christians. In one Presbytery, in which there are 28 organized churches, 18 are destitute of the regular administration of the word and ordinances; in another, consisting of nearly 40 churches, there are only 11 ministers; and, in another, out of 28, 16 are vacant.

While on these accounts the Assembly have cause for lamentation, and call upon their churches to sympathize with, and pray for, those among whom the abovementioned evils exist; they also call upon their churches to unite with them, in gratitude and praise to God, for his great, unmerited, and continued goodness. We have probably never heard so much, nor had so much to tell, of the wonderful works of God amidst the churches under our care.

Outward attention to the means of grace has almost every where increased. Many new congregations have been organized, and new places of worship erected. Biblical and catechetical instructions have been generally attended to. The children and youth have been led to the fountain, and instructed in the first principles of the truth. Baptized children have, in many congregations, been convened with the parents who dedicated them to God, and been solemnly and affectionately reminded of their obligations to be the Lord's. The system of Sabbath school instruction has been pursued with great and increased success. Thousands, who, but for these institutions, would have grown up in ig

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norance and vice, are now taught their obligations to God, and fitted to be useful members of society. Great zeal and regularity is generally manifested by the pupils in their attendance; several instances were mentioned of young persons who frequently walked 10 miles on the Sabbath, for the purpose of attending the school; and, in several instances, the blessing of God has attended this mode of instruction, to the hopeful conversion of the teachers and the taught.

The monthly concert of prayer is generally attended through the Presbyterian church and the other churches connected with the General Assembly; and it is found that this extensive union of prayer for the influences of the Holy Spirit appears to be attended with the special blessing of God.

Additions have been made, during the last year, to the churches from which reports have been received, of 7188 souls. To many of these the Lord manifested himself, not "in the great and strong wind," but in "the still small voice." They were the fruits of the ordinary operations of the Spirit in the word; which, though not called revivals, afford a gradual accession to the church, of such as, we trust, shall be saved; and for which we owe to God our gratitude. But the most of that number are the fruits of such numerous, extensive and blessed outpourings of the Spirit of God during the past year, as the Assembly has never before had the opportunity to record.

In the Presbytery of Rochester, congregations have received special communications of divine grace; the fruits of which are seen in the conversion of upwards of 160 souls. In the Presbytery of Ontario, a work of revival is progressing, which promises favourable results. In the Presbytery of Cayuga, the towns of Brutus and Auburn have shared extensively the effusions of the Spirit.

In the Presbytery of Onandaga, many congregations have been visited by refreshing showers of divine grace; and more than 360 have been added to the church.

In the Presbytery of Oneida, 283 have made a profession of religion, as the result of a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

In the Presbytery of Otsego, the congregation of Cherry Valley, 129 have been added to the church.

The Presbytery of Troy reports an instance of special refreshing in the congregational churches at Bennington, Vermont, &c. and is under the pastoral care of one of their members. A very respectable accession has also been made to the

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church in Lansingburgh, and 88 person have been added to the visible church in

Nassau.

The Presbytery of Albany have presented a most interesting report to the Assembly. The additions to the churches, during the year 1820, amount to nearly 1400!

In the Presbytery of Columbia, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit has been experienced in New Lebanon and Chatham, and several other places.

The Presbytery of Hudson state, that most of their congregations have been copiously watered with showers of divine grace during the past year: and that the fruit has been the addition of 1037 to the several churches.

In the Presbytery of New York, the Brick Church has had a revival, which has resulted in the hopeful conversion of about 80 souls.

In the Presbytery of Jersey, the churches of Elizabethtown, Orange, and Bloomfield, a good work seems to have commenced: 150 at least appear to have been awakened; and of these about 80 give evidence of hopeful conversion. The revival yet progresses.

The Presbytery of Newton report, that during the past year, 185 persons have been visited with the renewing and, consoling influences of grace, and received into the communion of the church; and they particularly mention the church at Newton as having been visited with the special influences of the Holy Spirit; and that 64 have already become the hopeful subjects of this work.

In the Presbytery of Philadelphia, the church in the Northern Liberties, and the 3d Presbyterian church in the city, have been favoured with special manifestations of the divine presence. In the former, 60 have offered as candidates for an approaching communion; and in the latter, 73 communicants have been received during the year.

The Presbytery of Grand River report, that 15 townships, comprising 11 churches, have been visited with special revivals of religion; that to several others the Lord has vouchsafed a more than usual measure of his Spirit; and 253 souls have been added to the communion of the church.

In the Presbytery of Portage, the

church of Euclid has been favoured with a revival, and about 100 are mentioned as the subjects; and in six or seven other congregations there is special attention.

The Presbytery of Lexington state, that in the missionary field within their bounds, there has been a general awaken

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From the report of the delegates from the General Association of Connecticut, it appears that a work of grace has begun, in the course of the last year, in NewHaven, which has ever since been extending to other towns; and that about 70 congregations, out of a little more than 200, are now sharers in the mighty operations of the Divine Spirit. The number of hopeful subjects of grace in the respective congregations has been from 20 to 300. This is stated to be the greatest work of divine grace enjoyed by the churches of Connecticut, since its first settlement, except the revival in 1740-41.

From the report of the General Association of Massachusetts, presented to the Assembly by their delegates, it appears that in many churches in their several associations, there has been a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, which resulted in the addition of many hundreds to their communion.

From the report of the delegate from the General Association at New Hampshire, it appears that a glorious work of grace has been carried on in Boscawen -extending to both the parishes in that town, and also into some of the neighbouring congregations. It also appears that in the town of Bath, a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord had been enjoyed, the result of which is, the addition of 103 to the communion of the church.

While the Assembly unfeignedly rejoice in these and other signal revivals of religion, and earnestly pray for still more rich manifestations of divine grace to all the churches, they are convinced that the principal hopes of the church of God must rest on the ordinary operations of the Divine Spirit accompanying the appointed means of grace. The Lord has promised, that the humble, the faithful and prayerful exertions of his ministers and people, shall never be without bis blessing; yet he has reserved to himself the prerogative of watering his churches with copious showers, as He in his wisdom sees fit.

The character of these widely-extended and wonderful works of God has been much the same with those which have formerly been reported to the Assembly. Deep and pungent sense of guilt, thorough convictions of inability to help themselves-professed hopes of forgive ness only through the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ-and dispositions

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