EXTRACTS FROM MY NOTE BOOK.

If the Society for the Diffusion of Usefu! Knowledge' had done no other service than proved the occasion of calling forth rivals in the important work of simplifying knowledge and extending its advantages, they would have deserved well of their country, not to say their kind. Among these rivals, not the least worthy is The Committee of General Literature and Education, appointed by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.' Its publications, generally, are both good and low-priced. The following I can, from my own knowledge, recommend:- Conversations of a Father with his Children;' Readings in Biography;' ، Readings in Science;' ، Readings in Poetry;' ، Domesticated Animals;' Three Weeks in Palestine and Lebanon;' Scenes and Sketches from English History;' English Grammar; Easy Lessons on Money Matters; Hints for the Formation and Management of Sunday Schools; The Instructor.'

While I am on the subject of the exertions of Churchmen on behalf of popular instruction, I may also introduce one or two other of their minor productions. A Few Words on Lying' contains little that is bad, much that is good, and more that may be made useful by a parent or teacher, who would avail himself of the materials it presents, as topics for conversation with the young. In the preface to Faith and Practice' is an admission which implies an important change of opinion in a quarter where it was usual to condemn all selections from the Scripture as 'mutilations of the Word of God.'

The Bible in its naked form is, perhaps, hardly adapted to assist them (the young) in the pursuit of religious knowledge. Under this impression, the author conceived it might be useful, under the heads of the various duties incumbent upon us, to select some of those texts of Scripture which more particularly refer to them, and thus, at one view, manifest to those who, by their age, are incapable of reading the Scriptures with judgment, the authority on which such duties are prescribed.'

In addition to this, which is the main object of the work, there is given ' a slight sketch of some of the "reasons for the faith that is in us."" What is that faith?' The reader, perhaps, is prepared to find me answer-A new edition of the Church Catechism,' or 'The Thirtynine Articles condensed and simplified.' No such thing. It is simply, the faith in Jesus as the Son of God. True, there is here and there a phrase which savours of what is called orthodoxy; but in its general tenor the book is harmless in this respect, while the reasons are solid which are assigned on behalf of the truth of Christianity, and the articles of faith and practice' which it lays down, are such as every Christian child ought both to know and obey, being none other than are warranted by the Scriptures themselves. For family and sunday-school instruction the work is excellent.

Societies such as those I have now referred to possess an advantage, both in regard to price and quality, which can scarcely be shared by private individuals. The command which they have of an extensive sale enables them to offer their productions at a low charge, and also to engage the pens of those who are eminently fitted to write in each department. Yet they are not without successful rivalry in individual enterprise and benevolence. Of this I may mention, as a proof, Easy

Reading Lessons,' part the first and second-than which I know no book more competent for the purposes designed by the accomplished writer, presenting, as they do, an easy gradation of lessons for acquiring the art of reading, while they win the learner onward by the interest they excite, and instruct him by the information they supply. The authorities of at least one nursery have given the preference to these Easy Reading Lessons,' over even Mrs. Barbauld's excellent books for children.

Reflections on Unitarianism, by the Rev. W. J. Kidd, Curate of St. Anne's, Manchester. Whittaker, London.'-Mr. Kidd's 'Reflections' reflect on no one but himself and the two judicious and respected friends' who urged him to publish them. How the advice could have been given by persons of competent judgment-or how Mr. Kidd, with but even a small portion of self-knowledge, could have adopted it, we confess ourselves at a loss to imagine. Of the belief of those on whom he has volunteered an assault, Mr. Kidd is ignorant; with the history and merits of the Trinitarian controversy, he appears unacquainted; in general theology and scholarship, he betrays a mind scantily furnished; and of all attempts at reasoning that we have witnessed from the pen of an educated man, his enjoys the unenviable distinction of being among the worst. It is not Unitarianism that he has assailed, but the imaginations of his own mind; for Unitarianism, equally with Mr. Kidd's views, admits a threefold'-nay more, maintains a manifold development of the divine essence,' as well as the sinfulness of man, the necessity of regeneration and sanctification through faith in the death of Christ. Except, therefore, he had defined his ideas with greater precision, and acquired a less incorrect knowledge of the principles he has assailed, Mr. Kidd would have done well to save himself the trouble he has taken. The publication of his book shows that he and his advisers have more zeal than discretion; and, did we think it worth our while, we could easiy adduce from his pages evidences of inconsequential argument and ungrammatical constructions, sufficient to show that he would be more profitably employed, both for his congregation' and himself, in the perusal of Whately's Logic,' Whately's Rhetoric,' and Blair's Lectures." We recommend to him the study of these works, that he may train his mind to habits of correct thinking and correct writing; and when he has, in addition, made some progress in theological lore, he mayshould he, perchance, have any thing to offer distinguished by originality of thought or vigour of style-find Unitarian divines not indisposed to enter the lists with him. Meanwhile, his book can do no harm, and as little good.

The Sunday School Reward Book, Part First. London, Longman.' This little volume consists of selections from the new version of the Psalms, with the corresponding verses from the Bible and Prayer-Book, accompanied by Notes from Bishop Horne's Commentary, and suitable Reflections. Having been found very useful in the school for which it was originally drawn up, it is offered to the public in the hope that it may be of equal use to others. The plan and the execution are good.

'Christ's Holy Gospel; a Lecture, by Jerom Murch. London, Hunter:' -The title has been chosen in consequence of the litigation instituted

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in Chancery by the Calvinists, to get possession of property left by Lady Hewley for Poor and Godly Ministers of Christ's holy Gospel.' The writer's object, which he has pursued in a temperate and interesting manner, is to show that the Scriptures afford no warrant for the exclusive conduct of our Trinitarian brethren, and that there is every thing in the doctrines of Unitarianism to render those who disseminate them worthy of being considered Preachers of Christ's holy Gospel.' - Mr. G. Kenrick, in his Political Establishment of Christianity Inconsistent with the Precepts of its Founder, a Discourse; Hunter, London'-has shown that he is too faithful to his principles as a Dissenter, to be turned aside from avowing them, either by the example of others, the fear of having his motives misinterpreted, or of the odium which the advocacy of unpalatable truths is sure to call forth from those who are concerned in the maintenance of existing abuses. I admire both the integrity of his conduct and the manner in which he has managed his argument. Πολυπράγμων.

MANCHESTER MINISTRY TO THE POOR.

THE Second Annual Meeting of the Members and Friends of the Society instituted in Manchester for the support of a Home Missionary, or Minister to the Poor of this populous town, was held in the Cross-street Chapel, on Thursday evening, the 16th April; Mr. JAMES ASPINALL TURNER in the Chair.

In opening the proceedings, the Chairman said that the proposal to establish a City Mission in this town was received with so much interest, that a sufficient sum was soon raised to carry the plan into execution; and its promoters had been particularly fortunate in meeting, in Mr. John Ashworth, with an individual well qualified to undertake the office of a Minister to the Poor. That he had well performed his duty would be obvious to all from the interesting extracts from his monthly reports, which would be read to the meeting.

The Rev. J. G. ROBBERDS, Minister of the Chapel and Secretary to the Institution, then read the report of the Committee, from which it appeared that Mr. Ashworth had made 3684 visits to the homes of the poor, from the 26th March, 1834, to the 19th ult. ; making a total number of visits, since the commencement of his ministry in January, 1833, of 8570, and a monthly average of 330; but with due allowance for times when he had been prevented going his usual rounds, the number of homes that were regularly receiving the benefit and consolation of his friendly visits, and which might be said to be under his pastoral charge, could not be fewer than 350; and on the small average of only four inmates to each, as many as 1400 persons of different ages might be considered as brought within the reach of his influence. The number who attended a public worship which he conducted fortnightly had increased during the year from about 25, to between 40 and 60, consisting chiefly of persons who had before worshipped nowhere. The Sunday school instituted under his superintendence was full of scholars, and well supplied with teachers. A society had also been formed, consisting of operatives, for reading

and mutual instruction, which numbered 110 members, who subscribed a halfpenny each weekly to purchase books, and by the aid of donations had begun to form a useful library. The whole of the society's funds expended by the minister in relief, in aid of the Sunday school and library, and a subscription to the Ardwick and Ancoats Dispensary, had not reached £50. in fifteen months. A variety of highly interesting extracts were read from the reports of Mr. Ashworth, which showed the beneficial effect of judicious efforts like these for reclaiming the poor and vicious. By the treasurer's account the receipts appeared to be £271. 11s., and, deducting the expenditure of the year, there remained a balance in the treasurer's hands of £66.

In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR said there was no part of it in which he more fully concurred than that which enforced the importance of paying peculiar attention to the proper training up of the children of the poor; for it was upon them that this and other societies must chiefly operate. And it should be the endeavour of all who were in a higher station so to educate their children, as that they should feel that degree of interest which would lead them to devote a portion of their own time and means to the prosecution of that work in which, so much to his own credit, Mr. Ashworth was engaged, and in the prosecution of which it was to be hoped he would long continue. Mr. EDWARD SHAWCROSS moved that the members of this society receive, with great satisfaction, the announcement by the Committee of Mr. Ashworth having consented to continue in his present office, and they desire to express, together with their cordial thanks to him for his persevering and valuable services during the past year, their earnest hope that he will be spared for the like exertions for many years to come.

The Rev. J. R. BEARD, in seconding the motion, said he could not but express his satisfaction that the Ministry to the Poor directed its attention chiefly to their moral and spiritual wants. Experience had shown that pauperism increased with the increase of societies for its relief. In Boston, whence the idea and the impulse were derived, which led to the institution of the Ministry to the Poor, it had been found necessary to abstain from giving alms in connection with the instrumentality devised for a moral reformation. From a Report of the Committee of Delegates from the Benevolent Societies of Boston,' he would read two resolutions, which would show the conviction which inquiry had forced upon them:-

That, notwithstanding the great number of such (benevolent) societies, and of funds devoted to charitable uses, in this city, pauperism has increased to an extent which calls for the immediate and serious investigation of all those who feel an interest in this most important subject.'

That the existing mode of dispensing public charity by societies, which act without concert, and which have no knowledge of each others' doings, is wholly inadequate to relieve the real and just wants of the poor, and is highly injurious to society at large, by encouraging extravagance, idleness, and vice.'

The evil appears to have arisen, not from any want of care in each individual society, but from the facility afforded by the existence of many societies, having no point of union and no co-operation, to paupers for obtaining their livelihood by applications to each in turn.

So long (says the report) as all the various benevolent societies in the city act independently of each other, in visiting the poor and bestowing their funds upon them, so long, it is plain, it will be utterly impossible for any committee, with all their scrutiny into appearances, to ascertain, with certainty the real deserts of any individual they may visit.

The poor find out how many societies there are, and how Ignorant they are of each others' doings, and take advantage of this ignorance for their own benefit. Those who have the least moral principle and the most art stand the best chance of obtaining the largest share. The chances of obtaining a large supply of necessaries from those societies that do not co-operate together are, in the opinion of the poor, so great, that they are often unwilling to agree to accept the bounty of any one association, though it may be adequate to all their real wants.' The consequence has been an organization among the different societies which it is hoped will prevent these abuses. A similar organization, Mr. Beard thought desirable in all the large towns of this country; and even individuals, if they were not careful, might foster pauperism by administering in succession to pretended need. For himself, he thought it much better to go at once to the causes of pauperism by endeavouring to diffuse intelligence and reform the character. Here every individual might work with a certainty of good, and without fear of doing harm. And to show the meeting what might be effected by individuals, even in the humbler walks of life, he would read some extracts from a report handed to him by a benevolent member of his own congregation, Mr. John Jones, who, with the aid of a few friends, had for some months past contributed to the real welfare of several poor families.

When, in August, 1834, I commenced visiting, I set out high in hope; for I had frequently noticed that towards Tuesday-about the time they had no more money to spare for the public-house-the leisure time of the labouring men in my own neighbourhood seemed to hang heavy upon their hands, and I thought that if I could accommodate them with an interesting book, it might do them good and beget a taste for reading, and lead to habits of sobriety. I have not been disappointed. During the last eight months I have visited from 50 to 64 families every week, chiefly on the Sunday, as far as my time would allow, and the rest on the week evenings. If it be asked, "Is there any ground for encou ragement?" I answer, "There is." When I think of the pleasure and gratitude with which they receive my visits, the eagerness with which they receive my books, and the good will and friendly feeling with which they receive any advice or admonition, or pressing invitation to attend a place of worship, I repeat," There is encouragement." When I think that two whom I visit have, for the last three or four months, entirely abstained from intoxicating liquors, and that one of these was formerly much addicted to drinking; and when I hear his wife say, she never knew him read so much before, and his boy tell his mother how comfortable they now are, I say "This is encouragement;" and when I think that in others the habit of intemperance is much weakened, and that I frequently find them preparing to go to a place of worship, and sometimes see them sitting in my own place of worship, I ask, "Is not this encouragement ?" But this is not all; it is in times of distress and sickness and bereavement that the heart feels its loneliness, and its need of sympathy and encouragement; and it is at these times, especially, when called upon to pray with the sick or the dying, that I witness the good effects of the visiting plan. Oh, how I long to see the day when it will be more extensively in operation-when men of stronger nerve and clearer intellect than the humble individual who now speaks will be found ready to engage in the work!'

Mr. JOHN ASHWORTH, in acknowledging the good wishes of the meeting for his welfare and success, called upon the employers of operatives to exert their influence to prevent their hands from indulging in excessive drinking, and to avoid paying the wages of their workpeople at the public-house or the beer-shop. He thanked the ladies and gentlemen who had generously supplied him with wearing apparel and other things useful in his mission, observing that a cast-off garment was as good a donation to the poor as even food.

The Rev. WM. GASKELL observed, that by means of this society they might be assured that good would be done, which was more than could be said of many others called charitable, which, with the best intentions, spent their strength in fruitlessly contending with the effects, instead of endeavouring to cut off the sources of evil.