cient agencies of the denomination. Others thought that the new Society originated in a spirit somewhat akin to fault-finding, and might in its workings alienate some who were not disposed to any very intimate sectarian fellowship. The friends of the new movement made a strong appeal for it, based on the need of sympathy, which was felt by many, in their religious feelings and in their philanthropic efforts. The social distinctions which weigh far more pressingly in England than in this country, the almost entire absence of personal relationships and acquaintance between the attendants upon the London Unitarian chapels, and the constant complaints of the chilling influences which prevented the growth of our body, - these and other considerations engaged a sufficient number of persons in the new project to insure for it at least a trial. We have been interested in marking, from time to time, its progress and its fruits, because it had so natural an origin that much real good was to be expected to result from it. All opposition to the Society seems to have died away, or to have ceased from any public expression of itself. Some of our brethren who seemed most distrustful of it have coöperated in its measures and taken a part in its social meetings. There has been no conflict between it and the Association, and we have reason to believe that it has drawn to our views the attention and sympathy of many who needed just such a Society to attract them. London is such a world in itself, with such long distances and such high walls and such a turmoil of life within it, that nothing but a very strong magnetic influence can bind fellow-believers into any social relations in which classes and cliques may be forgotten, and speculative religious convictions shall be the means of one fellowship. The purposes and methods of the Society are very simple. A small fee annually insures membership. Lectures, discussions, and social meetings are the principal means that are relied upon. Quarterly social meetings are held in some public hall or hotel, at which, for a small sum, a simple repast is partaken of, and then, seated around the table with the chairman in his place, the members discuss some subject which has been previously agreed upon and announced. At the last quarterly meeting in November, the subject discussed was as follows: "What course is it the duty of Unitarians to pursue in relation to the present unsettled state of the public mind on religious affairs?" Several courses of doctrinal lectures have likewise been arranged by the Society, and the delivery of them has drawn together large audiences, so that those who have engaged their labors in them have been exceedingly pleased with the result. A course of lectures on several of the doctrines connected with Trinitarian theology having been advertised for delivery at the Southwark Literary Institution by several Trinitarian ministers, the Society requested the London Unitarian ministers to reply to them, or to their subjects, one by one, in the same place, and the request was cordially complied with. This course was delivered on week-day evenings, as was likewise another course at the Lecture Rooms in Mortimer Street, while a third course has been delivered at the Chapel in Stamford Street on the evenings of Sunday. All these lectures were designed to exhibit the distinctive opinions of Unitarians on the great doctrines and subjects of religious interest. The names of our brethren who take part in this good work of communicating to all who are desirous to hear what in our view are the great truths of revealed religion, are an assurance to us that the work is faithfully and earnestly performed. How many thousands there must be in London to whom the grounds and substance of our belief would be inexpressibly valuable! Now, too, is a favorable moment for Unitarians to win a new hearing, while Prelatists and Romanists are contending together. Dedication. The new Unitarian Church at Wayland was dedicated on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The edifice is a neat and convenient one, sufficiently elegant in its arrangements for good taste, and wisely adapted to the means and the comfort of the society worshipping within it. The Sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. E. H. Sears, late of Lancaster. The Dedicatory Prayer was offered by the Rev. Calvin Lincoln. Rev. John B. Wight, Rev. Dr. Field, and Rev. C. C. Sewall took part in the services. Installation. The Rev. Frederick Hinckley, late of Norton, was installed as Pastor of the Unitarian Church at Haverhill on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The Sermon was preached by the Rev. G. W. Briggs of Plymouth. The Charge and Prayer of Ordination were by Prof. Francis of Cambridge. Introductory Services by the Rev. F. C. Williams of North Andover. The Fellowship of the Churches by the Rev. H. F. Harrington of Lawrence. The Address to the Society by the Rev. James Richardson, late Pastor of the Society. Ordination. Mr. Charles J. Bowen, of the last class from the Cambridge Theological School, was ordained Pastor of the Unitarian Church and Society at Newburyport, on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Putnam of Roxbury. The Prayer of Ordination was offered by Rev. Dr. Miles of Lowell. The Rev. Dr. Hall of Providence gave the Charge, the Rev. J. F. W. Ware of Cambridgeport gave the Fellowship of the Churches, and the Rev. A. P. Peabody of Portsmouth, N. H., addressed the Society. The Rev. Messrs. Woodbury of Concord, N. H. Frothingham of Salem, and Huntington of Boston, also took part in the services. The volumes of the "Examiner," neatly bound in cloth, will be given to subscribers in exchange for their numbers at twenty-five cents a volume. CROSBY & NICHOLS, 111, Washington Street. A NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW UN ALONGAN A 1. North American Review, January, 1850. "The 2. North American Review, April, 1850. "The Pol- "The 3. North American Review, January, 1851. NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and 352 earnestly performed. How many thousands there must be in London to whom the grounds and substance of our belief would be inexpressibly valuable! Now, too, is a favorable moment for Unitarians to win a new hearing, while Prelatists and Romanists are contending together. Dedication The now Initarian Church at Wavland was dedicated ARTICLE CONTENTS. PAGE I. MEMOIR AND WRITINGS OF J. H. PERKINS 157 The Memoir and Writings of James Handasyd Perkins. II. COMTE'S POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY 174 Cours de Philosophie Positive, par Auguste Comte, III. UNITARIANISM IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH IV. V. The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey. Edited by his Son, the Rev. Charles Cuthbert Southey. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH VI. THE ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD UNI VERSITY 202 228 VII. THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW ON HUNGARY 2. North American Review, April, 1850. "The 3. North American Review, January, 1851. NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and 352 |