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general obloquy . With the view of softening these prejudices , and of promoting the spread of the opinions he has embraced , Mr . Berry has occasionally delivered lectures , chiefly during the winter season , whicli hare been very numerously attended , and have , it is to be hoped , prepared the way for the prevalence of a more candid and Christian spirit hereafter .
It was at the conclusion of one of these courses in March last , that the congregation , gratified by Mr . Berry ' s exertions , and desirous of expressing , by some permanent memorial , the sentiments they entertained of hia character and ministerial services generally , determined on presenting him with a piece of Plate .
A meeting of the subscribers was in consequence convened in the vestry of the chapel , Joshua Grundy , Esq , of the Oaks , in the Chair , when it was resolved unanimously , that a piece of Plate of the value of One Hundred
Sovereigns , with the foliowiug inscription , should be preseuted to the Rev . Charles Berry , by the Chairman , " attended by J . W . Simpson , Esq ., of Rearsby , aud Thomas Paget , Esq ., of the High Street , Leicester , in the name of the congregatiou :-
—To The Rev . Charles Berry , in grateful testimonjrof the fidelity , zeal , and affection , with which , during a period of Twentyfive Years , he has fulfilled the duties of a Christian Minister , advocated the principles of Civil and Religious Liberty , and adorned the intercourse of social
life , this piece of Plate was presented at the close of a series of Lectures in vindication of The Unitarian Doctrine , by the Congregation of the Great Meeting , Leicester , March , 1828 . "
In conformity with this resolution a Stiver Salver , beautifully ornamented , and bearing the above inscription , was pro * - cured from London . It cost one hundred and ten pounds , and has been much admired for its elegant and handsome appearance *
After having been exhibited for a few days for the gratification of public curiosity , it was presented by the Deputation before-mentioned , when Mr . Grundy addressed Mr . Berry as follow * :
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" Reverend and dear Sir , " The Unitarian Society , assembling at the Great Meeting in this place , has assigned us the pleasing office of presenting to you this * piece of Plate , in pursuance of a resolution passed in the vestry , which , with your permission , I will read :
" * Resolved , That a piece of Plate , of the value of One Hundred Sovereigns , with a suitable inscription , be presented to the Rev . Charles Berry , in grateful testimony of the fidelity , zeal , and affection , with which , during a period of Twentyfive Years , he has fulfilled the duties of a Christian Minister , advocated the principles of Civil and Religious Liberty , and adorned the intercourse of social life . '
" In the name of the Congregation we beg your acceptance of this . Salver ; not as a remuneration , but as a small token of the high esteem , the sincere respect , we entertain for your public and private character . " Deeply as these sentiments are here
engraven , be assured , Sir , they are no less deeply impressed on our minds . As the powerful advocate of our peculiar religious tenets—as the dauntless assertor of those constitutional rights which distiuguish this favoured isle from surrounding nations , you are entitled to our warmest thanks .
" In you , Sir , we have ever found the faithful pastor—the able instructor—the kind companion—the constant friend . Allow us to express a hope , that by the blessing of that God , who is alone the proper object of religious worship , a connexion so auspiciously commenced , so long , so happily continued , may , at some far distant period , be dissolved by the hand of death alone . "
Mr . Berry then delivered the following reply , addressed to the congregation : * ' My respected Friends , "In acknowledging your splendid present , which has been conveyed to me this day , I can hardly select words sufficient to describe my gratitude to those who have manifested to me their respect in so munificent a manner . The gift it * self is costly , and is a proof of the
generosity of the subscribers ; but it is rendered to me most interesting and valuable by the inscription which it bears , recording the affectionate regard of those with whom I have now passed the longest and happiest portion of my life . The zeal and cordiality with which , as I have been informed , my friends have contributed on this interesting occasion , renders my gratification complete . That I am ardently attached to the principles of
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InteUigence .- ~ Pre * 4 ntation of a Piece of Plate to the Rev . € . Berry . $ J \
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1828, page 571, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2563/page/59/
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