ken of me. It is not possible for me to find words that will do justice to my own feelings on the present occasion. My connexion with the Unitarian Fund I have regarded, do still regard, and shall ever regard, as one of the happiest circumstances of my life; it has given me opportunity of extending my exertions, in a cause which will ever be dear to me as life itself, to the most distant parts of this island, and of labouring incessantly for the promotion of that glorious cause. I wish to express distinctly the obligations I am under to this Society and its Committees. They gave me, Sir, the whole island for my bishopric; it is true, it, in certain districts; and I ar dently wish that its children may rise up in every district of the kingdom, to aid and be aided by, and act in concert with their venerable parent, the London Unitarian Fund. I bless heaven, Sir, that I have had strength to go on in its service until it is so well established, and has produced such important effects." Mr. W. then referred to the new aspect which Unitarianism has assumed during the last few years, to the new churches which have been formed, many of them consisting of the poor and unlearned, and stated as facts, which had been proved by the operations of the Fund, and of which he had wit to this bishopric were not append-nessed the proof, that Unitari anism is capable of being, and now is in many places, the religion of the poor and unlearned, and his full conviction, that of all religi. ous systems it is eminently calculated to be the religion of those despised and numerous classes, as ed a palace and large worldly emoluments; and what has a Missionary of the pure gospel to do with palaces and worldly emoluments? But they gave me in connexion with this bishopric what is far more valuable; they gave me their judicious counsel, their pow-being perfectly level with their 'erful countenance, and able and effective support, in the important work in which I was engaged: and what can an Unitarian Missionary need more? With the weapons furnished by reason and scripture he may go on to demofish the strong holds of error, and spread successfully the Unitarian doctrine among the mass of the people. I cannot forget, Sir, what were my feelings, and what I believe were the feelings of others with whom I had the honour of acting, when this Institution was first established. If, then, it was regarded as an experiment, it has long ceased to be so regarded: it has long been well established, and may now be regarded as a parent institution, others having sprung from capacity, containing a provision for their moral and spiritual wants, and requiring nothing but what they are capable of doing; that Unitarians can no longer be charged with dwelling in the frigid zone of Christianity, with being without zeal; and that he had seen its efficacy in destroying bigotry and producing Christian charity. He expressed his deep regret in having been compelled by increasing years and infirmities to withdraw from an office in which he experienced the purest pleasure; but that though he retired from the field, before the conflict with error, superstition and bigotry was concluded, it was not till the victory was ensured; and with the determination that if the enemy assailed his quarters, they that they have been laboriously employed in considering them, particularly the cases of Roman Catholic marriages, and those of other Dissenters, especially Unitarians, which latter have been brought under their consideration. in numerous petitions referred to them by the House; but after inquiry and discussion, they have thought it more advisable, upon the whole, not to recommend that specific provisions respecting them should be included in the proposed bill; the cases of the various denominations of Dissenters being extremely diversified in their various circumstances, and appearing to require a diversity of provisions much more proper to be suggested by communications of their own to the Legislature. should find him still in his armour. | general subject of marriage, and and ready to renew the contest with all the strength he had remaining. This led him to mention the controversy in which he is now engaged, having been attacked by a Calvinist minister at Trowbridge. In which controversy he stated, that one important point is ascertained, i. e. that though the Unitarian doctrine can be expressed in the words of scripture without addition or comment, the Trinitarian doctrine is ackuowledged by his opponent to be incapable of being so expressed. Mr. W. distinctly expressed the obligations he felt to the successive Committees and officers of the Unitarian Fund, and concluded with saying, "You may have missionaries of superior learning, of greater talents, but I have been resolved that you shall have none who will be more devoted to the cause, who will serve you more faithfully, or with greater zeal."* The next day, Thursday the 22d, the first stone was laid of the new Finsbury Unitarian Chapel, when Mr. Fox delivered an address, of which, as well as of the ceremony, we hope to be favour ed with some account.-Monthly Repository. Extract from the Report of the Committee of the House of Lords, on the Marriage Laws. "The Committee think it not proper entirely to omit, that their attention has been called to many other topics connected with the "The Committee has therefore upon the whole thought that a more satisfactory discharge of their duty would be found to consist in suggesting regulations for the domestic marriages of English subjects, according to the rites and ceremonies of the National Church." It may be fairly gathered from this, that the noble Lords who framed this Report, see no objection in principle to the claims either of Protestant Dissenters or Catholics, and that they are likely to be received with attention when introduced in the form sug. gested. It may perhaps be not undeserving too of remark, that the Unitarians are in the Report (probably for the first time in any official or legislative document) recognized by that name; and We learn that Mr. W. in-apparently designedly, inasmuch tends publishing a Review of his as none of the petitions themMissionary life and labours at as selves so described the parties early a period as circumstances presenting them.-Report of Uniwill enable him to do it. tarian Association. Laying the Stone of the New Uni. tarian Chupel, Edinburgh. The foundation-stone of this chapel was laid on the morning of Thursday the 6th of March, in presence of a number of the members of the congregation and of some strangers attracted by curiosity to the spot. On this occasion an appropriate prayer was delivered, in a very impressive manner, by the Rev. John Omer Squier, minister of the congregation. The site is in a retired, quiet street, nearly in the centre of the richest part of the New Town of Edinburgh, and every day becoming more central in consequence of a large piece of ground belonging to the Earl of Moray having been recently opened up for building. A number of papers were lodged in a sealed bottle, and deposited in the foundation-stone, one of which contained the following inscription: This Chapel, dedicated by The Edinburgh Unitarian Church to the worship of One God in One Person, 66 even the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," (being the first erected for this purpose in this city,) was founded the 6th day of March, 1823. The Rev. John Omer Squier Minister of the Congregation. Messrs. Patterson and Son, Architects. In the evening a number of the members supped together, and congratulated each other on the commencement of an undertaking which all of them felt to be likely to give a great impulse to the cause of Unitarianism in Edinburgh, and which, together with the union and good understanding universally prevailing among the members, and the well-merited respect and attachment which they entertain towards their minister, will give permanency, it is hoped, to that cause in this great city. POETRY. HYMN. Sung after the Sermon preached by the Rev. JOHN MORELL, LL.D. before the Friends and Supporters of the UNITARIAN FUND, at Parliament Court Chapel, London, May 29th 1822. 1. Ancient of Ages! humbly bent before Thee Songs of glad homage, Lord! to Thee we bring: Let Thy grace befriend us, 2. Send forth thy mandate! gather in the nations, Millions of voices shall join in adorations, Every soul invited, Every voice united, United to praise Thee! Undivided One! The Rev. James Lambert, Senior Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. THE REV. JAMES LAMBERT, was the son of the Rev. Thomas and Anne Lambert, the father being at the time of his birth Rector of Thorp, near Harwich, and afterward Rector of Melton, near Woodbridge, in Suffolk. He was a member of the Zodiac Club at Cambridge, consisting of the most eminent literary characters of that day, and was not less remarked for his attainments than for the polished urbanity of his manners. His son James, born the 7th March 1741, old style, received the rudiments of his education at the Grammar School at Woodbridge, under Mr. Ray, till he was about fifteen years of age, when his father superintended it till he went to College, to which he was admitted in the year 1760. In the year 1763 he became a scholar on the foundation. In 1764 he obtained the Chancellor's Gold Medal for classical attainments, taking his first degree in the same year, when he was fifth or sixth in the first Tripos, or what is generally called fifth or sixth Wrangler. In the year 1765, he was elected Fellow of Trinity College, having about that time been ordained, and becoming officiating curate of Bawdsey and Alderton, near Woodbridge. In 1767 he took his degree of Master of Arts, and became a resident and asssistant tutor in Trinity College. In 1771 he was elected Greek Professor. About this time the great question was agitating for the relief of the clergy, in the matter of subscription to the Thirty-Nine Articles, which was greatly supported by many of the most distinguished members of the University of Cambridge; among them Mr. Lambert was by no means the least active. In 1772 he received a proposal to accompany Prince Poniatowsky to Poland, which he declined. In 1773 he formed the resolution not to accept any clerical preferment, in which he persisted to his death, having repeatedly passed by the best livings in the gift of the College, which in succession were offered to him. In 1774, the University was much occupied with the resolution then proposed by Mr. Jebb, for annual examinations, of which Mr. Lambert was a strenuous supporter, and was named one of the syndicate, or committee, to establish a plan of uniting polite literature with the accustomed mathematical and philosophical studies of the place. In this attempt he had, among other eminent men, for his intended colleagues, Watson, afterwards Bishop of Landaff; Hallifax, successively Eishop of Gloucester and St. Asaph; Hey, afterwards Norrisian Professor of Divinity, and Author of Lectures on the ThirtyNine Articles; Farmer, well known among Shakspeare critics and book collectors; Paley Tyrwhitt, the well known Unita. rian, who shewed his zeal for the University by leaving at his death £4000 for the encouragement of Hebrew literature; Pearce, after wards Master of Jesus College, and Dean of Ely. The colleagues were not, however, all agreed in the approbation of the plan, for we find by Dr. Jebb's account of the proceedings of these times, that Dr. Hallifax and Mr. Farmer "did all in their power to obstruct and distress their brethren," Farmer declaring that the proposed grace "would be the ruin of the University, and shake the foundations of the constitution in church and state." In consequence of the appointment of the syndicate, nineteen resolutions were proposed, which were all rejected, there being for the first six, Ayes 43Noes 47. For the next five, Ayes 41 Noes 48. For the next eight, Ayes 38-Noes 49. Some other attempts were made, but equally failed, and no alteration took place till the year 1780, when another day was added for examinations, and more stress was laid upon Natural Law and Moral Philosophy, and particularly on Locke on the Human Understanding. In 1775, Mr. Lambert quitted the Assistant Tutorship, and in 1777 left College to superinted the education of Sir John Fleming Leicester, Bart. and his brothers, residing with them at Lady Leicester's, partly in London and partly at Tabley, in Cheshire. In 1780, he resigned the Greek Professorship, and returned to College with Sir John Leicester in 1782. His connexion with the Liecester family continued till 1787, when the two younger brothers, Henry and Charles, took their Bachelor's degree, from which time he resided principally in College, making occasional excursions on visits to his numerous friends in different parts of the island. In 1789, he was appointed Bursar of the College, which he held for 10 years from this time. To nearly the end of his life he was punctual in his attendance at the annual examinations, as also at the examinations for scholarships and fellowships. Mr. Lambert though well versed in the severer studies of the University, paid more attention to polite literature and theology. To the latter subject his conscientious scruples necessarily made him devote much of his time, and it was not till after a thorough examination of the Scriptures that he gave up the doctrines of Athanasius, and adopted in their stead the precepts of our Saviour according to the true principle of Protestants, that from the Bible and from the Bible only, their religion is established; and though he sacrificed much to his conscience, the consequent losses did not excite a moment's regret, and no one seems to have followed better the apostolical precept, Rejoice evermore. Natural History in every branch was among his favourite pursuits. The elegant and moral turn of his mind is well know to those friends to whom on various occasions he communicated those poetical effusions which never failed to unite instruction with amusement. He particularly endeared himself to the young, who never lost their regard for him in after age. His cheerfulness did not forsake him to the last, and after a well-spent life, he left this world with the utmost resignation to the Divine will, and with the Christian hope that he should in a future life be admitted to participate in the glories of his Saviour, Though he outlived many of his friends, sufficient are |