On this page

• Text (3)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    variance with his coronation oath ; and , in 1817 , they give an official advice to the Prince Regent , or his confidential servants , to go down to parliament to give his Royal assent to the hill !

    Untitled Article

    desired to transmit these resolutions to the friends of Mr . Wright , in such a way as he may judge most proper . The list of members received a , considerable addition of names from Coseley , Wolverhampton and the neighbourhood . J . FL B .

    Untitled Article

    Protest against the Marriage Ceremony . Sir , Your readers have doubtless heard with pleasure the intentions of Mr . Smith , of Norwich , that noble advocate of the rights of conscience ,

    particularly as affecting Unitarians , to bring the marriage question under the consideration of the legislature . It is really a disgrace to our age and country , that men , whatever may be their sentiments and religious opinions ,

    should be called upon to bow at the altar of any mode of faith , established or otherwise . Marriage , in fact , is and should be a civil contract ; it is a private agreement between the parties which is to be publicly sanctioned indeed by law , and which should be so sanctioned

    by the magistrate > not the priest . The sole object of the legislature in passing the marriage act , that act by which every one who marries is now compelled to visit the established church , the sole object I say , Sir , then in view was publicity , and to prevent illicit and unadvised unions : this

    should be ever kept in view in all our endeavours to obtain redress ; till we obtain it , however , we must submit ; though something may still be done ia the way of bearing our testimony against this grievous imposition on the conscience of all Dissenters , Unitarians in particular . Asa proof of this i

    inclose you the copy of a protest which , in a parish church in the city of London , was publicly delivered by two parties at the time of their marriage last Sunday j every effort was , besides , made by them to resist the performance of the ceremony , particularly by their refusing to kneel while the idolatrous and unchristian rite was

    performing . Your giving publicity to their protest just at this particular moment , may essentially serve the cause of freedom of conscience in this instance . Requesting , therefore , your speedy attention to it , T am , Sir , W . L . London , Sept . 26 th , 1817 .

    Untitled Article

    5 ? G Intelligence . —> JProte $ t against the Marriage Cei * emonu

    Untitled Article

    Warwickshire Unitarian Tract Society \ The Annual Meeting of the Unitarian Tract Society , established in Birmingham , for Warwickshire and the neighbouring counties , took place at Coseley , in Staffordshire , on

    Tuesday , June 17 , 1817 . The Rev . James Hews Bransby , of Dudley , read the Scriptures and conducted the devotional service . The Rev . James Yates , of Birmingham , delivered a very interesting discourse from 1 Kings xviii . 21 . " And Elijah came unto all the

    people , and said , c How long halt ye between two opinions ? If the Lord ( Jehovah ) be God , foHow him ; but if Baal , then follow him . " Mr . Yates first applied the words of the prophet to the present state of opinions in this country : he then endeavoured to obviate the various excuses which men

    commonly urge for declining the examination of the most important religious controversies : he afterwards pointed out the dispositions with which such an examination ought to be ^ conducted , and the proper employment of religious truth when discovered .

    After the usual business had been transacted , upwards of forty gentlemen , members and friends of the society , dined together . In the course of the afternoon several subjects , connected with the progress of Christian truth and with the interests of religious liberty , engaged the attention of the

    meeting-. The Rev . John Kentish having read a letter , addressed to him by the Chairman of the Committee , for conducting the defence of Mr . John Wright , of Liverpool , against whom a prosecution had been commenced , on the charge of blasphemy , it was resolved ,

    I . That the meeting cordially sympathize with Mr . Wright in his present circumstances . IT . That they will be most happy to contribute , individually , to the expenses which may be necessary for his defence , at the enduing assizes , at Lancaster . III . That the Rev , John Kentish be

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1817, page 570, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2468/page/58/