DR. PRIESTLEY died on the
6th of February, 1804, having devoted himself during a large portion of
his life of nearly 71 years, with remarkable energy and zeal, to the spread of
Christianity.
During his ten and a half years' residence in Birmingham, he exercised a wide
influence by his religious teaching, his moral courage, and his fearless
advocacy of the truth.
The
Churches comprised in the Midland Christian Union of Presbyterian, Unitarian,
and other non-subscribing Churches, have decided to celebrate the 100th
Anniversary of his death by raising at least £5,000 by donations and a bazaar,
such sum to be spent, under the direction of the Committee of the Union, in
assisting the weaker Congregations, in the hope of their gradually becoming
self-supporting.
In the absence of any account of the Churches above
mentioned, at a price within the reach of their Members generally, the Bazaar
Committee have arranged for the issue of the present Handbook in the belief that
it will not only be of interest to those closely connected with these Churches,
but to a wider public also, and in the hope that by its sale a considerable sum
will be realised for the Centenary Fund.
5.