and publick at large, and deserve to become, and undoubtedly must ultimately, the theme of earnest consideration. The subject has indeed already attracted no inconsiderable share of attention, and its nature and the controversies respecting it, authorize the expectation that it is soon to excite a much more general and ardent interest. The doctrine must necessarily, at some period or other, be given up by the church,-manifestly from the fact that it is a most palpable and fatal errour ;—and strong probabilities appear that its abandonment, at least to a considerable extent,-is speedily to take place. It is not to be believed that a dogma, which, like that, contradicts the dictates of human reason, consciousness, and obligation, the doctrines of revelation, and the attributes of the Deity, can continue uninterruptedly to be held and inculcated, when men are on all other subjects fearlessly breaking away from a vassalage to names and systems, asserting the right of judging for themselves, acquiring habits of independent investigation, and rapidly advancing in the knowledge of mental philosophy, logic, and criticism. It has through every period of its prevalence been a source of excruciating perplexity and embarrassment to multitudes of every rank in intellect and knowledge;-reason has been confounded and faith staggered by its felt inconsistency with innumerable of the most important truths learnt from revelation and experience ;—and discussion respecting it and the progress of knowledge on the topicks to which it related, will more and more develope its deformity and perniciousness, and render its rejection inevitable by all, whose ignorance or prejudice does not debar truth from access to their minds, or prevent it from exerting over their faith its legitimate influence. They are now indeed encouraging indications that important changes are taking place in the views of many respecting it. But although its ultimate abandonment may thus be regarded as certain, yet enjoying as it does the sanction of great names and of a long prevalence,-wrought as it is into the prevailing system of theology,-and possessing a strong hold on the faith of the church at large, it is not to be expected that it will at once be generally relinquished, nor without severe struggles on the one hand to accomplish its extermination, and on the other to vindicate and perpetuate it.' pp. 99, 100, 101.

We did intend before concluding, to revert to the peculiar views advocated by our author, 'relative to the nature and character of man as a Moral Agent,' especially as regards his first acts of sin, and their proximate causes, and his first acts of holiness, and their proximate causes. But as we have already run out this article, considering its subject, to unconscionable dimensions, we shall reserve what we have to say on those topicks for another number.

Entelligence.

American Bible Society.-This institution celebrated its ninth anniversary on the 12th of May last, at the City Hotel, in New York. Governor Clinton presided, and addressed the meeting in a very impressive manner, and paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of Matthew Clarkson, Esq. one of the Vice Presidents of the Society, deceased. An interesting address was communicated from the venerable President, Mr. Jay, whose infirmities prevented his attendance. The Treasurer's Report represented the finances of the Society in a very flourishing condition; the receipts of the present exceeding those of the last year, by $4,589. There have been printed at the Depository, during the year, 48,450 bibles and testaments, including 2000 Spanish bibles, making a total, in the nine years of the Society's existence, of 451,902 bibles and testaments, and parts of the latter printed, or otherwise obtained by the Society. The managers have recently been engaged in contributing to the supply of penitentiaries and prisons with the Scriptures; and the troops stationed at remote parts of the United States. They have been animated in their work by the readiness, with which the bible has been received in South America, and the evident softening of the prejudices of the people, in relation to the circulation of the Scriptures. Christian Enquirer.

Evangelical Missionary Society.-The anniversary of this Society was held at the vestry of the Church in Federal street, on the Wednesday evening of election week, at half past six o'clock. After the transaction of the usual business, the members repaired to the church, where a Discourse was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Flint, of Salem.

We give the following extracts from the yearly Report of the Trustees.

The Trustees have the satisfaction to state, that the present condition of the society is prosperous, and that its prospects are equally as favourable and encouraging as at any former period. Its friends are increasing, and it only requires activity and zeal in its members to excite a still greater interest in its favour.

'Since the last anniversary, the Executive Committee have employed several missionaries in places destitute of regular preachers of the Gospel; and have afforded aid to settled ministers, whose circumstances were such as to call for additional means of support. The grants made for these purposes, during the year past, exceed those made at any former period. For the respective years 1822

and 1823, about $900 were granted. But in the course of the last year $1410 have been allowed for missionary purposes.

'There are several established missionaries or settled ministers, who perform missionary service in their respective neighbourhoods, who have received aid from our society for a number of years. Their situation remains much the same; and it is believed they still merit our assistance. Some new cases, during the year past, were made known to the committee, and assistance solicited, which, after due examination, was readily granted. Instances more frequently occur, than formerly, of the diminution of regular Congregational Societies, from the prevalence of various sects in the country, at the present day, and of the legal facilities of forming new Societies, which render the situation of settled clergymen unpleasant and embarrassed.

"The Executive Committee have had many applications, growing out of such cases, with which they have considered it their duty to comply; especially as this was a particular object of the original members of the society. They have also afforded pecuniary aid to several societies recently formed; which have been thus enabled to obtain settled ministers.'

The report here mentions thirteen different religious Societies, that have received assistance during the year past; and then proceeds to say ;

'Tracts are generally given to our missionaries for distribution : and are believed to be very useful. Perhaps it would subserve the interests of piety and morality, if a larger sum was appropriated in this way in future.

"The present state of our country is such as to require our continued efforts in the cause of religion. Much is to be done by individuals and societies for the support of Christian ministers in distant parts of this state, and in other states. The spirit of religious freedom is spreading; and while it produces many good effects, it is the occasion of various sects, and of divisions in old established Societies. This state of things, perhaps, cannot be entirely prevented; but something may be done, by the enlightened and liberal, to assist those from whom a portion of their usual support is withdrawn, and to maintain a just sense of the importance of regular religious instructions by learned and pious ministers.'

The receipts of the Society during the past year, were $1472,81. The expenditures during the same time were $1410,46.

A number of sums have been contributed to the funds of the society, which have not yet been publickly acknowledged. As we have not, at this moment, the means of designating them with accuracy, we shall defer it till a future opportunity.

The increased amount of the receipts of this society, during the past year, evince that it is becoming an object of general attention. The excellence of its plan is undoubted; and the good it has already done is too manifest to suffer it to be regarded by enlightened and liberal Christians with any other feelings than those of deep interest and affection. We trust that the many small but acceptable contributions, by which the amount of the funds is annually increased, will not be suffered to abate, but will still, like so many refreshing streams, increase the generous fountain, that it may continue permanently and more extensively to refresh and fertilize the moral wilderness. Christian Register.

Convention of Congregational Ministers.-The usual meetings of this body were held on Wednesday and Thursday of election week. The usual business was conducted with great unanimity. The Annual Discourse was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Peirce, of Brookline, from 2 Tim. iv. 5. on the 'Peculiar Trials of the Ministry.' The collection, amounting to $365, with some additions from the funds of the Convention, and from the Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society, is divided this year among thirty-six widows and orphans of clergymen, and in sums regulated by the circumstances of the respective individuals. We greatly rejoice in the harmony, with which the transactions of this meeting have for the last two anniversaries, been conducted; regarding as we do, its sacred charity as the grand object of its institution.

The Ministerial Conference in Berry street, was holden on the morning of election day at the vestry of the Church in Federal street. Rev. Dr. Bancroft was rechosen Moderator, and the Rev. Henry Ware, Jun. Scribe. An address on the importance of an exemplary character in ministers, was delivered by the Rev. Winthrop Bailey, of Pelham; and several interesting communications on the state and prospects of religion, in different parishes of the commonwealth and neighbouring states, were presented by their respective ministers.

American Unitarian Association.-A Society, under this appellation, has recently been formed; the objects of which are to 'diffuse the knowledge and promote the interests of pure Christianity throughout our country; inviting the union and cooperation of liberal Christians throughout the United States. According to its constitution, an annual subscription of one dollar shall constitute a person a member, so long as such subscription is paid; and a subscription of $30 shall constitute a person a member for life. Its annual meetings are to be held at such times and places as the Executive Committee, to be appointed by the Society, shall deem advisable.

The following copy of a Circular, just issued by the Committee, will best explain the spirit and wishes of this new institution.

At a meeting of gentlemen from various places, held in Boston the 25th day of May, 1825, a proposition was made for forming some bond of connexion and cooperation among the Unitarian Christians of the United States. After deliberate discussion it was thought that the time had arrived, when such a measure would be generally acceptable, and greatly conduce to the extension of correct religious sentiments. A committee was accordingly appointed to draft articles of association, who reported a Constitution; which having been considered, was unanimously accepted. The Association was then organized by the choice of officers, and a subscription immediately opened.

'The Executive Committee of the Association, to whom are intrusted the management of its concerns and the accomplishment of its purposes, present to the publick the following brief exposition of the objects it is designed to promote. They wish it to be understood, that, in accordance with the second article of the Constitution, its efforts will be directed to the promotion of true religion throughout our country; intending by this, not exclusively those views which distinguish the friends of this Association from other disciples of Jesus Christ; but those views in connexion with the great doctrines and principles in which all Christians coincide, and which constitute the substance of our religion. We wish to diffuse the knowledge and influence of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour. Great good is anticipated from the cooperation of persons entertaining similar views, who are now strangers to each other's religious sentiments. Interest will be awakened, confidence inspired, and efficiency produced by the concentration of labours. The spirit of inquiry will be fostered, and individuals at a distance will know where to apply for information and encouragement. Respectability and strength will be given to that class among us, whom our fellow christians have excluded from the control of their religious charities, and whom, by their exclusive treatment, they have compelled in some measure to act as a party. The more immediate purposes of the Association may be thus enumerated.

1. To collect and diffuse information respecting the state of Unitarian Christianity in our country.

2. To produce union, sympathy, and cooperation among liberal Christians.

8. To publish and distribute books and tracts inculcating correct views of religion, in such form and at such price as shall afford all an opportunity of becoming acquainted with christian truth.

4. To employ missionaries, especially in such parts of our country as are destitute of a stated ministry.