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ment the decree of abolition was registered in the book of fate. It must be so and cannot be otherwise. This year may not see the vast work commenced, nor the next, nor the next. A ha f century may not see it completed. But, commenced i will be-COMPLETED IT WILL BE.

CANT TERMS.

We sometimes copy articles, especially accounts of revivals, in which the language is very exceptionable. Such terms as "anxious seats," "anxious meetings," and the like, are a palpable murdering of English, and ought to be entirely avoided. Certain quotations from Scripture, not the most appropriate, and certain allusions to facts mentioned in the Bible, tho' frequently met with, are equally reprehensible; such as "a cloud no bigger than a man's hand;""a sound of abundance of rain ;" "a sound of going in the tops of mulberry trees," and the like. Each of these may have been first introduced into descriptions of revivals on an occasion which justified it; but their constant appearance, with which they are annoyed, shows nothing but want of definite ideas in those who use them; and it shows that most clearly. These phrases, thrown into an account of a revival to lengthen it, convey no definite meaning. Equally censurable are certain ever recurring expressions, not found in Scripture; such as "mercy drops," arrows of conviction,"

&c.

If a man wishes to write an account of a revival of religion, let him just state in plain language, what was done and what was the result, in such words as express his meaning, avoiding carefully all figurative language and scriptural allusion which does not convey a definite meaning. If you have something to relate, which words cannot adequately express, the matter will not be mended by using words which express nothing clearly.

Such language as we have here deprecated has been censured as a violation of good taste and as tending to prejudice literary men against religion. We have an objection against its use which lies deeper, and is of still more importance. It tends to propagate and perpetuate that vagueness of thought in which it originates. It habituates the religious public to use words, supposing that they mean a great deal, when in fact they mean nothing. It favors the habit of being excited by words which convey no definite ideas; and this is the very essence of fanaticism. It tends to relax the habit of saying exactly what you mean; and as the habit relaxes, the sense of obligation to do it will grow weak, and the whole character will deteriorate. In these and in various other ways, it tends to injure the quality of our religion; and for such an injury, no supposable good can be an equivalent. Vt. Chron.

From the Christian Mirror.

THE AMOUNT OF POWER IN THE COMMUNITY.

The amount of power in the community for the promotion of general happiness is wonderfully great. In our country, labor, to the amount of 133,000,000 of dollars, has, by recent calculation, been yearly expended about ardent spirits; and yet this immense loss has been borne; and our country has grown richer and happier. It may reasonably be supposed that an equal amount has been expended in other follies and vices; and then we have two hundred and sixty six millions of dollars' worth of labor lost to the whole community; and yet we have continued to flourish. If we survey other countries, we find sums beyond calculation expended in luxuries for a few, and yet national happiness on the whole augmented. In England, more than one hundred millions of dollars is expended in mere luxuries on several hundred titled drones; in addition to the amount wasted in vice and folly by the great multitude; yet England can sustain this enormous useless expenditure; and increase its wealth. Our country has so much power of every kind, that its inhabitants might enjoy all the substantial comforts of life of all descriptions-dwellings, apparrel, food, means of education, religious privileges, civil government, and in addition to all this, appropriate two hundred and sixty six millions of dollars annually in labor to promote the public welfare. The power possessed by a community comprises human strength, the strength of animals at man's control, water power, machinery of all descriptions and all the agencies of matter under the direction of human skill. When we reflect what men can do by the aid of machinery and of the power of water, animal strength and steam-it will be apparent that the amount of power possessed by the community is immense. The wonder is that this immense power has not raised society to higher perfection; but one reason of this is that its amount has not been thought on; and a proper estimate has not been formed of what might be done for the promotion of human happiness. LET CHRISTIANS THINK OF THIS. It is in their power by union and effort to have such an application made of the resources of the community, as shall improve beyond conception the condition of their country. B. e.

POETRY.

From the Christian Mirror.

THE CHRISTIAN RUM SELLER

IN HIS CLOSET: OR, THE TRIUMPH OF CONSCIENCE.

A Christian once retired to pray,

And, kneeling low, was wont to say:

"Our Father, still in heaven the same,
All hallowed be thy glorious name."
When conscience, with a load oppressed,
Our humble suppliant thus addressed:
"To-day you 've sold that rum for gain,
That made your neighbor so profane,
And now may be with poisoned breath
Still scattering arrows, fire and death."
He next proceeds, though almost dumb,
And whispers out, "Thy kingdom come."
But, adding still to his surprise,
The monitor within replies:

"You still pursue your cursed craft,
And vend the soul-destroying draught,
That greatly checks this kingdom fair,
And fills the regions of despair."
He ventures on once more, and said,
"Give us this day our daily bread.”—
"What! while your premises retain,
In pay for Rum, the poor man's grain!
Or in your drawer the price is laid,
That should have bought his children bread!"
Thus conscience roused to do his part,
Directs the arrow to his heart,

At length by keen conviction stung,,
With heavy heart and faultering tongue,
He cries, "Forgive, and grant salvation,
And keep us ever from temptation;
Nor any longer will I lay,
Temptation in my neighbor's way;
What thus is earned, when understood,
Is certainly the price of blood.
I'd rather dig, or beg, or serve,
And if I must, I'd rather starve.
O where shall end the frightful tale,
Conveyed by every flying mail,
Of murder, misery and wo,

That from the cursed traffic flow?
I am resolved the unrighteous gain
Shall never more my coffers stain."
Then, in humility disposed

To blest assurance, sweetly closed:
"The kingdom's thine and will retain
The glory, power, and praise, Amen."
Then calmly rising from his knees,
His heart approved and all was peace.
Bristol, April 10, 1832.

MNASON.

INTELLIGENCE.

THEOLOGICAL. It is rumored, and we believe correctly, that a Minister of one of the oldest and most respectable congregational societies in this city has recently notified his church that he considers the administration of the Lord's Supper a useless form-that it has not a divine origin-that it is productive of no good-exciting no religious or

benevolent feelings-that it is altogether a sensual indulgence at variance with the spirituality of Christianity-and he advises that its administration be dispensed with in future. It may well be supposed that the proposition produced no little surprise to his church, who it is said have referred the subject to a committee for consideration; perhaps it may not be improper for us to remark, that there are many christians who have a similar view of this ordinance.'

"Since we first read the foregoing article, we have understood that the minister referred to, is Rev. Mr. Emerson, of the Church to which Rev. Henry Ware, jr. formerly ministered. Such is the downward course of unitarianism. It first thrusts the Divine Redeemer out of the church, and then (consistently we should say,) sets aside his ordinances. We hope the proposition of Mr. Emerson will be carried into effect, not only in his, but in every Unitarian church in the land. It is no more than a legitimate fruit of their faith, or rather of their want of faith; and the distinction between Unitarian and Christian churches cannot be too widely marked. If we deny the supreme divinity of Jesus Christ, the ordinance of his Supper must indeed be a "useless form," and its observance has no more of a divine sanction, than the birth day of Washington. The progress of infidelity, however, is truly alarming. The "Free Inquirers" lead the van; and the Uiversalists and Unitarians are, by the" lock step," marching at ther heels."-Morning Post.

Remarkable Baptism.-We are requested to state, that the old Gentleman of one hundred years of age, who was baptised by Rev Enos George of Barnstead, on the 6th of May last, and which was mentioned in our paper of the 19th May, stood on the door stone of his own house, in the presence of between 400 and 500 people and received the ordinance by effusion or sprinkling.-New Hamp. Observer.

Temperance.-Twenty-one merchants from 8 towns in that vicinity formed a Temperance Society at Farming Centre Village, N. Y., on the 16th of April. Their object is to discountenance the traffic in ardent spirits. They say, "more evil results from the intemperate than benefit from the temperate use of ardent spirit and consequently its exclusion from the country would promote the general good.-Gen of Temp.

Chatham Mass.-The successs which has attended the efforts of the friends of temperance in this town has been encouraging. The Society numbers about one hundred and fifty. The consumption of ardent spirits has been much lessened.-Jour. of Humanity.

A correspondent in N. H. writes us as follows: "Two years since I abandoned the traffic in poison entirely, after having been engaged in it eleven years. Among my reasons for so doing were the following, viz: 1. I was convinced that the use of spirits habitually tends to destroy health, wealth, reputation and vital piety; 2. That in order to secure a living by selling spirits, a man must be dishonest, i. e. he is under the necessity of adultrating his liquors with pernicious drugs more poisoness than alcohol itself; and 3. That if he succeeds, he must reflect that he is eating the bread and wearing the apparel of he poor drunkard's wife and children. Since I have abandoned that part of my business, my profits on other goods have amounted to two hundred dollars a year more than before."-Ib.

Brown University.-The Hon. Nicholas Brown of Providence, has resolved to erect, at his own expense, another College edifice of brick, to embrace a Chapel, Library, Philosophical Hall, Lecture Rooms,&c. It is to be three stories high and a basement-86 feet long and 42 wide. It will be placed in the front yard of the College, on the south line.

A subscription has also been commenced, for raising twenty-five thousand dollars-to constitute a permanent fund-the proceeds to be a nually appropriated to the purchase of books for the library, and of philosophical and chemical apparatus. To this fund, Mr. Brown has subscribed ten thousand dollars. Another gentleman of Providence has subscribed one thousand dollars.

As an apology for the late appearance of this, and the preceding and following numbers, the Editor states, that he was taken sick, on a journey, of the Scarlet Fever, or Canker Rash, and confined three weeks. He had the disease severely; but, through the goodness of God, is restored to comfortable health.

AGENTS.

RHODE-ISLAND. Providence-Yates & Richmond, No. 3, Market square. Pawtucket, (North Providence)-Joseph McIntire, Bookseller.

New-BedAmherst

MASSACHUSETTS. Boston-Dea. James Loring, Bookseller, No. 182, Washington-street. Taunton-Deacon John Reed. ford-Stephen Potter. Reading-James Weston Jr. Thomas Hervy. Falmouth-Capt. Silas Weeks. CONNECTICUT. Ashford-Rev. Israel G. Rose. NEW-YORK. Paris-Charles Simmons. NEW-JERSEY. Newark.-Amos Holbrook.

All those ministers, who receive the Magazine, are authorized and requested to act as agents.

Published at Rehoboth Village. Mass. by Rev. Otis Thompson, Editor and Proprietor.

POSTAGE OF THIS PAPER.--Under 100 miles, 1 cent: Over 100 miles 1 1-2 cents.

CORY & BROWN, 17 Market-street, have for sale a general as

'sortment of religious books, among which are Daily Food-Mrs Rowe's Devout Exercises-Comforts of Piety-Daily Piety-Gems of Piety-Gems of sacred Poetry-Dew Drops-Daily Crumbs-Directions to Persons just commencing a Religious Life-Daily Scripture Expositor, &c. &c. together with a variety of new and standard Theological works.

Providence, March 26, 1882.

W.

Tracts.

& H. REED, Taunton, Mass. are agents for the American • and Doctrinal Tract Societies, and have a general assortment constantly for sale at their store nearly opposite the Taunton Bank.

E

Printing.

DMUND ANTHONY, Taunton, Mass. will execute BOOK PRINTING in good style and on reasonable terms. Office a few doors west of Taunton Bank.

April, 1882.

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