NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT.

A large and respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Newport, Isle of Wight, was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, the Rev. C. Kell in the chair, to receive a statement of the operations and claims of the Peace Society, from the Society's Agent, the Rev. W. Stokes, who, in a most eloquent and convincing appeal, showed that war is inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity, and the true interest of mankind. The following resolution was then proposed to the meeting, by R. M. WAVELL, M.D., and seconded by Mr. SAYER :

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That this meeting expresses its gratitude to the London Peace Society for their efforts in past years to promote permanent and universal peace, and more especially for their exertions at the present crisis to draw the attention of the public to this important subject.

A resolution was then proposed by Mr. T. PIERCE, and seconded by Mr. JOHNSON:

That a petition be adopted by the meeting, praying the House of Commons to take such practical measures, that in all international treaties clauses should be introduced to refer national diputes to arbitration instead of war.

After thanks had been voted to the Mayor for the use of the Hall, and to the Chairman, the meeting separated, highly gratified with the proceedings of the evening.-Hampshire Telegraph.

ILMINSTER.

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

The members and friends of this useful society were favoured with a visit from the Rev. R. M. Montgomery, Taunton, on Tuesday last, who delivered a very instructive Lecture "On the Nature and Functions of the Skin of the Human Body." The simple and lucid style in which it was given made it a source of pleasure, as well as of instruction, to the whole audience, which, we are happy to say, was one of the most numerously attended of the season.

HANDSOME DONATION.

We have pleasure in recording the liberal gift of that excellent lady, Mrs. Thos. Collins, of this town, who has given orders for the erection of a school-room adjoining the Unitarian Chapel, in East-street, at her sole expense. The building, it is expected, will be completed at Whitsuntide.

ABERDEEN.

On Tuesday, the 3rd, of March, the children in connection with the Unitarian Chapel, were examined in reading, spelling, grammar, &c &c., according to annual custom. The examination was listened to by their Parents and Friends, after which, about thirty Prizes were distributed to those most deserving them. The Rev. Mr. Hope, minister of the Chapel, conveyed to Mr. A. M'Donald the pleasure with which he and the other visitors had witnessed the evening's proceedings. The examination concluded at about 10 o'clock, when all separated, resolved not to lose sight of so worthy an object, and use every effort to extend its present usefulness.

RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF MINISTERS.

We understand that the Rev. R. E. B. Maclellan has signified his intention of resigning the pastoral charge of the Unitarian congregation at Bridport, on the 1st September next.

The Rev. J. H. Hope, Pastor of the congregation at Aberdeen, has resigned his pastoral charge. The Rev. P. P. Carpenter, of Stand, has accepted the invitation to become the Pastor of the congregation of the Unitarian Chapel, Warrington.

The Rev. John Wright, B.A., assistant minister of St. Saviour's Gate, Chapel, York, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Stand congregation, to become their Pastor.

The Annual Meeting of the Southern Unitarian and Southern Unitarian Fund Societies will take place on Good Friday, April 10th, at Portsmouth. The Rev. Edward Tagart, has engaged to preach on the occasion.

MARRIAGES.

On the 21st February, at the Unitarian Church, Stockport, Mr. James Williams, to Miss Harriett Jackson.

On the 9th March, at the Unitarian Chapel, Billingshurst, by Dr. Sadler, of Hackney, Mr. Wm. Turner, to Miss Mirian Johnson.

On the 10th March, at Bowl Alley Chapel, Hull, by Rev. E. Higginson, Thos. Earle Esq., Sculptor, of Upper Ebury-street, London, to Mary, daughter, of Mr. Frank Appleyard, of Hull.

On the 22nd Feb. at Christchurch Chapel, Bridgewater, by Rev. R. L. Carpenter, B.A., Philip Shepherd, to Eliz. James.

On the 10th March, at the Great Meeting, Leicester, by the Rev. Charles Berry, Mr. Robert Marshall, to Mrs. Hipwell, both of the <same town.

On the 17th March, by licence, at Chapel Lane Chapel, Bradford, by Rev. J. H. Ryland, Mr. B. G. Morris, late of Shrewsbury, to Martha, eldest daughter of Mr. J. Spencer, both of Bradford.

On the 4th March, at the parish church of Leigh, by the Rev. J. Irvine, Vicar, R. W. B. Sanderson, Esq., of Laburnam House, Chowbent, to Miss Gowland, sister-in-law to the Rev. Dr. Harrison, of Chowbent.

DEATHS.

On the 5th March, in her 42nd year, at the residence of her brother, the Rev. Dr. Hulten, Hamilton Place, King's Cross, Mrs. Brenan, widow of John E. Brenan, late of Bombay.

On the 6th March, at Horsham, aged 82, Mrs. Lucy Caffyn, much lamented by a numerous circle of friends.

On the 11th March, aged 26, Caroline, eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph Sayer, mercer, Newport, Isle of Wight.

On the 15th March, at Geldestone, Norfolk, aged 82, Susannab, relict of the late Benjamin Utting Dowson.

On the 17th March, Elizabeth Jane, eldest daughter of the late William Stanley Roscoe, of Liverpool.

Lately at Havre, Caroline, wife of Ralph Emmerson, Esq, merchant of that place, and youngest daughter of the late Rev. Israel Worsley.

On the 21st March, 1846, aged 27, James Hone, Esq., of Dublin, M.D. "An honest man's the noblest work of God." Educated by Dr. Shepherd, of Gateacre, he entered Dublin University as a Unitarian-graduated in the year. Pursuing the medical profession, he was particularly attached to the science of Natural History. A Unitarian on principle, he dreaded, notwithstanding, the "tenets of the Rationalists, fearing their views might lead to unbelief, no less certainly than the preposterous weeds of orthodoxy, so called. He considered the New Testament a well-authenticated history, which it concerned the laity, not less than the clergy, to study critically. He rejoiced in the increasing knowledge of the age, and looked forward with benevolent pleasure to the growing union and brotherhood of man. He was the son of Joseph Hone, of Harcourt-street, Dublin, with whom he travelled to meet the British Association for the Promotion of Science for many years. He was interred in the family tomb at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dr. Ledlie performing the funeral service. Qualis erat, dies suprema indicabit.

PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.-It is ascertained that those countries where the population are generally characterised by a readiness to resort to violence, are the very countries where the example of capital punishment is most frequently set forth. Thus in Spain, "that wretched land where assassinations abound in the streets, on the mountain sides, on the high roads, in the cottage, and in the palace itself," there were from 1832 to 1837, yearly executions in the proportion of one to 122,000 inhabitants; the proportion in Sweden being one in 172,000; in Ireland, one in 200,000; in England, one in 250,000; in Baden, one in 400,000; in France, one in 470,000; in Norway, one in 750,000; in Austria, one in 840,000; in Prussia, one in 1,700,000; in Bavaria, one in 2,000,000; and in Belgium, since 1830, not one!-Popular Record.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of a valuable tract from the Rev. W. Turner, Jun., of which use will be made in the number for May.

"G. H. G," of Aberdelais; "Rev. Edmund Kell;" "E. M. C.;" "Rev. Dr. Beard;" "J. H.;" "E. T. M.;"" B. F.;" Sundries from the Peace Society at Manchester, are thanked for their communications.

We are in possession of letters respecting the Abbé Rongé and his friend Czerski, which we are reluctantly obliged to defer till our next number.

Communications for the Editor to be addressed to the care of the Publisher, JOHN MARDON, No. 7, Farringdon Street, London.

No. 5.

THE

UNITARIAN.

MAY, 1846.

VOL. 1.

WAR AND PEACE, WITH REFERENCE TO

THE PRESENT TIME.

THE discussion of the subject of the anti-Christianity of War in the abstract has so frequently and successfully engaged the pens of benevolent and philanthropic writers, to say nothing of the long-continued and strenuous labours of Peace Societies, that scarcely any arguments remain to be added to this specific treatment of the question. Ably as most of these writers have handled the matter in this particular respect, they have seldom or never, that we know of, treated the subject in the concrete, or taken that practical view of it, which, bringing into account the present state of mankind, as distributed over the globe in a mixed, or civilized and barbarous condition, the peculiar relation of those two conditions, or even those subsisting between neighbouring or remote civilized states -together with a variety of other circumstances, political and moral, bearing a close affinity with these considerations—would have gone far, at least, to satisfy the reader that War was unjustifiable at all times, and in every respect and form. We should apprehend that there exists no Christian at the present day who requires to be told that the dispensation of the Gospel was and is a dispensation of Peace; that there is scarcely a chapter in the New Testament that does not virtually condemn War, and breathe the spirit of forgiveness and good-will. All must admit this, but then the questions suggest themselves: Are all the world Christians? Is Christianity matured? and if not, is a Christian nation meanwhile to submit to be subjugated by barbarians? We know the sort of reply that may be given to these queries; but it

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should be borne in mind by the respondents, that, without miraculous interposition, supposing governments to act on their view of the question, cases might and probably would occur of such subjugation. Are they prepared to advocate universal and unconditional Peace on such a position, and at such a risk? If not, it must be admitted that occasions may arise in which the alternative is presented of either a national subjugation or a war of defence.

It is universally admitted, that a community may employ force to repress the rapacity and violence of its own citizens, to disarm and restrain its internal foes; and on what ground can we deny to it the right of repelling the inroads and aggressions of a foreign power? If a government may not lawfully resist a foreign army, invading its territory to desolate and subdue, on what principles can we justify a resistance of a combination of its own citizens for the same injurious purpose? Government is instituted for the very purpose of protecting the community from all violence, no matter by what hands it may be offered; and rulers would be unfaithful to their trust, were they to abandon the rights, interests, and improvements of society to unprincipled rapacity, whether of domestic or foreign foes.

We are told, indeed, that the language of Scripture is, "resist not evil." But the Scriptures are given to us as reasonable beings. We must remember, that to the renunciation of reason in the interpretation of Scripture, we owe those absurdities which have sunk Christianity almost to the level of heathenism. If the precept to "resist not evil" admit no exception, then civil government is prostrated; then the magistrate must, in no case, resist the injurious; then the subject must, in no case, employ the aid of the law to enforce his rights. Why, the very end and office of government is, to resist evil men. But what says Dr. Channing on this subject? He commences the concluding part of his essay on "War" in these words:

Still I may be asked, whether a people, however forbearing, may not sometimes owe it to its own dignity and safety to engage in War? I answer, yes. When the spirit of justice, humanity, and forbearance, instead of spreading Peace, provokes fresh outrage, this outrage must be met and repressed by force. I know that many sincere Christians oppose to this doctrine the precept of Christ, "resist not evil." But