try, that the editors of the Statesman have wurd; but it rahur fixes he pro-Skidmore. recently opened a large and well arranged nunséàn, so as to prévént éné elNews Room in the New Exchange, to which turan in fùcúr. Wod not he wurd Cooke. strangers may obtain an easy introduction sienç, for instanç, bé stil sìenç, 22nd inst. inst. by the Rev. Mr. Stone, John P, from subscribers. ¿ N. Y. Daily Adv. hoéñur it bé ritn sienç, cienc, or Jackson, Esq. of Patterson Landing, New Jeiscience? Yo sé ħat he wurd is ex-sey, to Miss Elizabeth Wolcott, daughter of the

VOL. I. ||

OLIVE BRANCH.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE NEW-YORK UNIVERSALIST BOOK SOCIETY.

66 BEHOLD HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN ΤΟ DWELL TOGETHER

THE OLIVE BRANCH

Is Published every Saturday morning, in the rear of the Bowery Hotel, corner of Bowery and Pell-street.

TERMS.-City Subscribers, $2 50, payable in advance. Mail Subscribers, $2 a year payable on the receipt of the first number. No subscription will be re ceived for less than a year, which includes one volume.. C. NICHOLS, Printer.

A SERMON,

ON THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF GOD.

NEW-YORK, SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1827.

IN UNITY."

|| No. 4. the eternal life which God has given us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

his command to effect his infinite designs, he
has arranged them all in the best possible
time. So it is as possible for God to cease
to exist, or cease to be what he is-LOVE-so
as for one of his purposes to fail.

O how happy! how inexpressible happy!
are all those, who can look up with faith and
confidence to such a Being! He is the
source to which they flee in every time of
distress not, as to an ideal or imaginary

The following is one of the eight Lectures de-being, who has no power to save; but as to
livered by Mr. Kneeland, at Philadelphia, in
the Autumn of 1818; called KNEELAND'S
LECTURES. (Continued from page 18.)

LECTURE II.

But, "as the Father hath life in himself, he hath given to the Son to have life in himself, and hath given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as he hath given him ;"-(John v. 26. xvii. 2.) and, (as has been already shown,) he hath given him all things for Christ himself says, "All that the Father hath are mine."-But although the consequences of a kind and affectionate Father. Does for- death would have been eternal, had it not tune frown, and pale adversity stare the been for eternal life, yet the consequences humble believer in the face, he can look to would not have been eternal misery; but an the Giver of every good to alleviate his eternal extinction of being; for death is an wants, to mitigate his sorrows, or otherwise extinction of life.* Hence, natural death He who is brought to know God as he is, (what may be of equal value) to give him puts an end as much to moral death, as it i. e. views his character through a correct fortitude under sufferings. If abundance does to natural life, because a man cannot be medium, always beholds him in the same flows from the lap of plenty, and nature even carnally minded in a state of natural lovely, amiable, and propitious light. He itself seems to smile upon all his labours, death. "He that is dead is freed from sin.” considers him a fountain, yea, an exhaustless the child of this beneficent Parent will not (Rom. vi. 7.) And the apostle argues that fountain, of immutable and eternal good- be unmindful of the fountain of all his bles- the believers in Christ having been planted ness; communicating at all times the great-sings; but, with a heart overflowing with into the likeness of his death, being buried est possible good to all his creatures. Seeing grateful acknowledgements, will go to him with him in baptism, &c. ought to be as dead the end of all things, and at all times, from for all the wisdom which he needs. Has to sin as though they were actually dead, the beginning; not being subject to any con- guilt found its way into the human heart, in for he that is dead is freed (Gr. justified) tingency or disappointment. Whatever his consequence of some disallowed sin in an from sin. Now, if that death, which is the goodness dictates, his wisdom deviseth the unguarded hour, tears of grief in silent sup- wages of sin, be endless misery, then noplan, and his power carrieth the same into plication to him who seeth in secret will thing short of endless misery would free full and complete effect. In him, power bespeak that sorrow which worketh repen- or justify any one from sin! But if it be never degenerates into tyranny, wisdom into tance: the wounded spirit unbosoms itself in simply death, then death frees or justifies craft, justice into unreasonable severity, nor penitential cries to God for mercy; which any one, and every one, from sin, having mercy into weakness. But all his attributes, fervent prayers (if in sincerity) never fail to fully received its wages. Yet, by this alone, flowing from his own eternal and immutable be answered in those pious resolutions which no one would have eternal life. Thus it nature, LOVE, concentrate in the best good are here formed for the observance of a fu- will be seen that eternal life is the free gift of all his creatures. If his children go ture life; which resolutions, being kept, sel- of God, and purely by grace, i. e. favour; astray, he corrects them in loving kindness dom fail to produce the desired effect. But for this is the meaning of the Greek word and faithfulness; and all his chastisements what can be said of those who are conscious Xagis rendered grace. are dealt out according to the multitude of to themselves that they have been guilty of Thus we have laid the foundation or his tender mercies, like as a father correcting aggravated sins which have produced un-ground-work of our future discussion. And a son whom he loveth. Although he some- paralleled guilt? The case, surely is shock- if the premises which we have laid are false, times deals out judgment without mercy to ing and trying. Yet, on this system, the the whole superstructure will be a mere dethose who have shown no mercy; yet, in very chief of sinners need not be, nei- lusion. I mean, if our ideas are erroneous the end, mercy always rejoiceth against ther is he driven into despair. But, like in regard to the nature and character of judgment. He doth not always chide; be- the prodigal, he recollects his father's house, God, (for these are the only data which are cause he delighted in mercy; nor does he where there is still bread enough and to essential to our final conclusions,) all our keep anger for ever, lest the spirits should spare; and returning to it with shame, though conclusions will be false. We may be errofail before him and the souls which he hath without hesitation, he finds the same recep-neous, perhaps, in some other points, and made. He is the same nature to all; as he tionas the prodigal did. But, suppose hedies, yet our general system be correct; but if is the same God to all. He stands in the and has no chance to return; what then? our ideas of the nature and character of same relation to all beings of the same na- Answer: If he die in his sins, he receives God be erroneous, then our whole system ture; and the change of the nature of a be- the wages of sin, which is death; but it ing would be the change of being. Hence, does not necessarily follow that he has no man would be no longer man, if his nature chance to return. We should take care we I were changed. And so sure as man is man, do not set bounds to the grace of God, or God must have had the same gracious de- limit the Holy One of Israel. But this obsign in the creation of all men, that he had jection will be more fully answered in its in the creation of any; and, being perfect, proper place. he can neither revoke nor alter his gracious and glorious purpose. Having all things at

I admit that death would have been eternal in its consequences, had it not been for

believe in an intermediate state of conscious existence
* It will be perceived here that the author does not
between death and the resurrection; and of course
ideas of a futnre state of existence are predicated on
death, to him, is an extinction of being; and all his
the glorious doctrine of the resurrection. This point
will not be laboured in these lectures: but if any one
thinks otherwise, he is requested to read attentively Dr.
Priestley's Disquisition on Matter and Spirit, and unless
he is thereby convinced of its truth, nothing which the
be likely to convince him.
author of these lectures could say on that subject would

26

of faith, being built on those ideas, must also
be erroneous. And these remarks will ap-
as well
ply to all other systems in divinit
as to ours; and with the same or equal
force. Now it will be obvious, even to the
smallest capacity, who shall be capable of
reading these lectures, that the character of
God, as here stated, is essentially different
from that which is found in all those creeds,
which limit his grace to a part of the hu-
man race. Therefore, if any of those creeds
be true, in this particular, our's must be
false; and, vice versa, if our's be true, those
must be false. And, furthermore, it appears
to me, that an honest man, if he be fully
convinced and persuaded in his own mind,
cannot conscientiously do any thing either to
support or propagate an error so important
as the one alluded to above.

But it shall be our aim to break down, if gentleness-which judgeth not, condemneth But now in these halcyon days of joy and possible, these separating partition walls. not. To teach our opponents that we have all peace, fear and faith constitute the only pure, one common Parent, and all we are bre- undefiled, genuine orthodox religion-all else is of desolation hangs over the workmanship of thren. And the same God over all, is rich heresy. Fear of an angry God whose red arm unto all, to whom be glory for ever. Amen. his hands, and who waits but a fit opportunity to

hurl them to damnation !-Fear of an endless From the Gospel Advocate. hell that burns with sulphur and flame, indignaHAVE YOU GOT RELIGION. tion and despair-lighted up by the glaring eye The popular and all-important question, is balls of foul fiends; where siniling prattling asked so frequently at the present day, that pro- babes, the mother's hope and the father's joy are to be crisped and roasted world without fessors ought to be ready at all times to give a reason of the hope that is in them, in meek-end! Faith in one infinite, eternal and unnoss and fear. But there is another question-changeable Devil, who with one foot like a what is religion ?-We ought first to be able to man, the other like a beast-who though confianswer the latter question, or we shall hardly ned by massy chains to that place of interminaknow how to answer that which is at the head ble horror and desolation, yet is in Europe, of this paragraph-What is religion? In days Asia, Africa and America, at one and the same. of yore, it was pure and undefiled religion to time, tempting poor souls to sin against God— visit the fatherless and widows in their affiic-and this is RELIGION! We were once taught It is right, however, for all men to "prove tion, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the by the blessed Saviour to believe in God and in all things, and hold fast that which is good." world. But at the present day when the mind Jesus Christ whom he had sent; but he never The noble Bereans, of old, searched the is so free from bigotry and superstition-at gave us the least intimation, that it was so very scriptures daily to see whether these things this enlightened period, these ideas are called important, to believe in an Almighty Devil. be saved if they did not thus believe; but at the were so; and in this they were more noble dangerous-heresy, licentiousness, together He certainly never told men that they could not with every other evil and false epithet, that mathan those at Thessalonica. There is no Isce can invent. At this day—the house of the present day his religion is so much improved, harm, therefore, in imitating their example. fatherless and widow is visited to be sure-and corrected and enlarged, that it is reckoned an But if any one shall be fully convinced, be- for what purpose? Ask the missionary; he unpardonable sin, to doubt the existence of the yond all reasonable doubt, that the doctrine will tell you that the good of the never dying proud monarch of the universe. No wonder contained in these lectures is, generally souls of the heathen, induces him to SPUNGE that some professors should be so tenacious of speaking, false, I cannot ask him to support (a harsh word, but it deserves no gentler term) this holy faith, for it is by this craft they obtain it, or do any thing to encourage it. The the scanty pittance from the hard hand of po- their fat livings; the devil helps them to soften only favour I can ask of such ones, is, not to verty and distress. A case in point occurred at fifteen or twenty hundred dollars a year, and during the last winter; it was told the they would most assuredly be reckoned very persecute, eitherby word or action, those who sincerely believe the doctrine true. writer of this article, by a gentleman of unim- ungrateful to say the least, if they did not And, To conclude this lecture, let us take care peachable veracity, and whatever may be said "give the devil his due." to the contrary, proof positive can be produced that we ever give the same privilege to all, in support of the fact. A certain poor widow which we ask of others. We may take the female, who by patient and untiring industry liberty, and no doubt ought, to make use of had obtained a piece of cloth, with which she every argument in our power to expose what intended to clothe her children in a decent manwe believe to be error, and to propagate ner to enable them to attend school. That day what we believe to be truth. But our weap- she was called on by a religious highwayman ons must not be carnal. Let us, therefore, to contribute something to save immortal souls use only the sword of the spirit, the word of she replied she was so poor, that it was with God, which is mighty, through God, to the the utmost difficulty she could obtain bread for pulling down of strong holds.

Let us imitate our divine Lord and master, who had compassion on the ignorant, and those out of the way; meeting our brethren at all times in the spirit of meekness and brotherly love."

erroneous,

We have altogether the advantage of our religious opponents: for, according to the doctrine we preach, and in which we firmly believe, we must look upon them, however and however sinful, now, as being heirs of the same eternal inheritance, subjects of the same divine love, with ourselves. Whereas, on the other hand, and according to the doctrine which they preach, and which charity authorizes us to suppose they believe, we may be heirs of a kingdom diametrically opposite to the kingdom of Christ, in which they hope to gain admittance; for according to them, we may be subjects of endless wo, and objects of eternal hatred!-Hence, if they do not manifest all that love, all that cordiality and friendship towards us, which we feel towards them, we must impute it to the malevolence of their doctrine, rather than to the want of a good disposition.

But to speak candidly-what shall we think of that religion, which locks up all the tender charities of our nature, and makes our friendship towards our brethren cold and cheerless as the mid-winter's day-break? What shall we say to that miraculous conversion which asks, "John have you sanded the sugar-watered the spirit-then come to prayers ?" We know not what to say to that religion, which prompts those who possess it, to speak ill of those

her children-that she wished well to the cause around them-and to withhold the common
of missions, but had nothing to spare. All this civilities of life, from those who are supposed
We know not what
went for nothing, the inhuman being cast his to be less holy than they?
eye upon the cloth, and what with threats of that religious state of mind is, which can at one
endless damnation, &c. he took the cloth to his moment slander and vilify those who pronounce
own house-and the result was the fatherless Shibboleth differeutly from them, and then in
and the orphan lost the advantage of the win-a moment transfer their affections to "things
ter's school!!! This was visiting the fatherless above," and talk of foreknowledge, free grace
and the widow with a witness! Is this reli- and good works-from schemes of bargain,
gion? It is doubted. We doubt much whether fraud and corruption to "eternal realities" and
it is an acceptable offering in the sight of him" dreadful consequences," fire and brimstone!
who is the widow's God the Father of the What shall we say to that religion which com-
fatherless-to wrest the hard earnings of days pels the many to submit blindly to the dictates
and nights of bitter toil and anguish-to take of the man who assumes the right of thinking
the bread from the mouth of children, and give for them: Men of honesty and conscience-
it to a hireling priesthood to support them in and as conscientious too as the orthodox creed
indolence and extravagance. Could not the maker himself, are obliged to submit their rea-
poor and needy more laudably and usefully be- sons, feelings and conclusions, to the fancy of
***** —who has got up a new
stow their money in training up their children any and every enthusiast-to any and every
in the way they should go, than in maintaining preaching
in luxury every idle shoemaker, who may find light, or be branded with the name of infidel!
more easy and profitable to spout nonsense and But enough of such religion-enough of that
cobble souls once a week, than to cobble soles religion which "separateth chief friends"—that
all the week round. This system of fraud, vil-induces the wife to abandon her once loved
lany, and corruption—this filching money from husband and family, and spout insanity at a
the lone widow and helpless orphan, is in very conference or a whispering meeting. Enough
of the faith that peoples bedlam with lunatics,
truth the curse of our land.
and darkens the page of history with suicide
and despair-which holds perpetual warfare
with all those moral duties of man--with jus-

But what is religion? Why in the days long since passed by, it was religion which thinketh no evil-meekness and kindness-liberality and

almost every part of the western country. Long has this portion of the heritage of out God, been laid desolate, and the fruitful field honour of joining this high-toned confederacy. of Zion laid waste, by the hand of that spoiler It is understood that the Methodist clergyman-long has superstition, clad in her sable weeds was out of town. On the 18th, the proper offi- of despair, trampled the fair blossoms of hope cer waited on Mr. Spring, officiating in the and joy beneath her feet-but the time of the North Congregational Meeting house, who de-avenger has come-light has dawned upon the clined to comply with the invitation of the moonless midnight of mind--and bigotry, bloatSpeaker, because, as he alledged, the Universal-ed and pampered, already shrinks appalled beist clergyman was thus put on a par with the fore the brightness of its beams!-The mighty exclusively orthodox. spell which has so long enthralled the world, is broken--the spirit of inquiry moves upon the dark waters-the God of nature speaks, and the sound thereof is heard along the shores, of our bright and sunny land!

tice, benevolence and humanity-and which clined the league, We understand that they subverts all the inborn feelings of the soul-also called on Mr. Wheaton, Pastor of the and every thing honest and praiseworthy. True Episcopalian church, who also declined the religion needs not the aid of fraud and artifice, to make it go smoothly down-it blushes not to walk forth openly in the face of day-and that system which requires any artificial means for its support, any twisting, turning, or prevarication, is very much to be suspected. We have abused and ridiculed the legends of the Catholic Church-but how much better or more to be desired are the legends and traditions and cant of sectarians at the present Nothing daunted by the lifting up of the porday? What if Protestants imagine that it is tentous finger of orthodoxy, the Speaker disuperstition to respect the saints, the fact is rected the proper officer to continue his invitathat Catholic Christianity is not " solely found-tions, in agreement with the resolution; in ed" in superstition!-The Catholics believe in consequence of which, Mr. Bisbe prayed with more "mysteries" than the creed makers at the the Legislature on Saturday, the 19th inst. We present day, that is the only essential differ- have not learned who claims the high honour ence; and if faith be the sole merit, then the of taking the first step in this system of proCatholics have double merit-because they be- scription, but we understand. Mr. Hawes has lieve DOUBLY! And all the cant about Catholic the imputation of it. At all events, it seems countries being "priest ridden" comes with an that members of each of the two societies first ill grace from a sectarian priest who in the ratio named, are willing to give all the honour, such of respective countries and possibilities, has, as it is, to the pastor of the other flock. and does exert all the power, that ever was ex- The precedents which are found in modern erted, by the priests of Rome. In both coun- times for this proceduré, are supposed to be the tries confessions are made; in one to the priest, two following. Mr. Payson, and some two or in the other to their neighbours, at a confer- three of the orthodox clergy refused to read in ence! In both countries the chambers of their pulpits, the very handsome and compredeath are beset with priests, in that dark and hensive proclamation of Gov. Lincoln, of trying hour, when the heart and flesh fail-Maine. The next, it is true, is furnished by the when the soul appears to quiver upon the lip, Mother Church, but as she is the lawful mother they are questioned what is their particular of orthodoxy, the example ought to be followed creed; or articles of faith--in both countries, by all her dutiful children. The facts appear to the pillow of the dying is the place to convert be these: A child of Catholic parents was refuhereticks-in both the weakened mind is often sed the rites of sepulture in a Catholic burying driven to despair-often to madness! Priests ground, because a protestant clergyman had And fight the battles of the 'soul." hang over the bed sides of the expiring sinner, prayed over it, after a Catholic had refused the Lovely indeed to the husbandman, is it to bewith a fiery-zeal, worthy a better cause; espe-office, in consequence, we believe, of some in-hold the barren heath converted into a fruitful cially, if he is possessed of wealth. The colour formality in its baptism. We do not aver, that field; and with what superior joy does the and complexion of priestcraft is the same in these are claimed as precedents, but they ap-lover of rational religion, see the wilderness all countries. The mussulman has his code of pear to furnish as conclusive reasons as any of the mind beginning to bud and to blossom sectarian instructions for the couch of death, which can be readily obtained. with lite and beauty-and barren hearts become and it matters not, whether the would be aposa garden of delight, and bring forth fruits tles and evangelists of modern times, borrowed of righteousness and peace: Verily these are theirs from Catholics, or copied them from the days of brightness and beauty, to the children Alcoran. But we forbear, and gladly turn from of the Most High-perilous days of tribulation a subject, a cant, on which we have already and despair, to the heartless grasp of tyranny wasted more words than it deserved. T. F. and oppression.

I had prepared a brief, but minute account, of the progress of our holy religion, in all the various towns through which I passed; but owing to the press of matter now on file, we are under the necessity of making our remarks more general, than we would have wished. Most of our readers, have already been made acquainted with the cheering intelligence, of the abundant prosperity of our cause in Ohio; that the cords of Zion are lengthened and her stakes strengthened; the multitudes who have long ground in the dreary prison house of desolation have been visited with the day of spring from on high-and we now have the unspeakable happiness of adding, that the other states of the west, are awaking from their deathlike slumber of delusion, and are flocking to the glorious standard of intellectual emancipation! The liberty of the mind will triumph; for men are taught "To spurn control

We have but few remarks to offer on the subject. As Calvinists, they are justified by their principles. Their great apostle, John Calvin, might believe he was doing his God service, while burning Michael Servetus to death, by a slow fire, made of moist, green wood, for the heresy of believing in one God, rather than a From Chillicothe, O. I proceeded on to KenFrom the Religious Inquirer. three-one, or triune God. The spirit of the tucky, preached in Maysville & Flemingsburg CALVINISTIC INQUISITION. doctrine has been displayed in every succeeding to crowded and attentive audiences. At FlemWe have this week to perform an unpleasant, ge, as far as power has permitted; "aud we ingsburg I met with some trifling opposition, but incumbent duty, in noticing an act of pro-have a right to determine, that a man who has from a number of Methodist preachers-had a scription, which can own no higher source than wantonly and maliciously branded the Univer-public controversy, on the subject of the imparthe bigotry and intolerance of the Calvinistic, salists as the refuse of creation, and the pests tial and universal salvation of all men, some Congregational clergy of this city. The facts of civil society, would not merely debar them account of which, we may at some future pefrom praying before the Legislature, but from riod, lay before the readers of the Advocate. are as follows: At the opening of the session of the Legis-ttering their sentiments in any place, and in After leaving Flemingsburg, passed on to Faylature in this city, "A resolution was offered any manner, could the power of the civil law ette co. where our excellent friend Gen. Russel, by Mr. Warren, and passed, requesting the he regained in aid of his tyrunnical dictation. opened his house for preaching which was fillSpeaker to invite the several clergymen of the But we rejoice that the Lord reigneth, and that ed to overflowing. After spending some days town to officiate in turn as chaplains." the civil law is not now prostrated at the feet of very pleasantly with this excellent family, and Agreeable to this resolution, the Speaker sent clerical bigotry, and vindictive persecution. with whom I parted with much regret, I pursuinvitations to the settled clergy of different de- We have now neither room nor time for pro-ed my jouruey to Lexington. Here I passed a nominations, according to their seniority. They tracted remarks, but we trust the community week, in company with those whose light shines attended, as might be expected. On Saturday, will justly appreciate the tender mercies of an upon the house top. the 11th, the turn came to Mr. Bisbe, the Pas-ambitious, a proud, and vindictive priesthood. tor of the Universalists. He was absent, and his place was supplied by Mr. Whittemore, of From the Gospel Advocate. Scituate, Mass. who received an invitation, and OUR CAUSE IN THE WEST. attended. Mr. Hawes, of the Central Church, The writer of this article, having for the last and Mr. Linsey of the South, entered into a few months, travelled in Pennsylvania, Ohio, combination not to officiate, in future, and call-Kentucky and Indiana, it will not, we hope, he ed upon Mr. Sears, who was officiating as uninteresting to our readers, to hear that the candidate for the Pastoral care of the Baptist holy cause of God's impartial and universal church in this city. He very judiciously de-grace, is going on prospering and to prosper, in

In Lexington there are very many fearless spirits, who are not to be intimidated and put down, by the cry of heresy, and trampled under foot by a persecuting priesthood; but who shun not to declare that God is the rightful owner of all that does, or can exist. I had intended to have spoken at length of Lexington-its institutions; and more especially of the heartless opposition of orthodoxy, to President Holley, 'because of his bonest independence of mind

also of the various curiosities in its vicinity; now, ascertained where it was. In a word,
but for reasons above mentioned, must waive this youth is one whom I recently waited on
this subject for the present. One curiosity at the sacred altar of matrimony, and who
however we must mention that is the "mouth had requested me to call at his house.
piece" of orthodoxy in the West. Known by
the name and title of "Western Luminary!"
Such a luminary too-three lights like this

would make a total darkness!

On entering the door we were met by the angel whose hand he received at the altar, who now conducted us to a parlor, where My next stopping place was Versailles-every thing which met the eye rose up in thence onward through Frankfort and Shelby-evidence against the gloomy doctrine on ville to Louisville; and by their kindness and which I had been contemplating. I looked attention the people of those towns manifested with careful inspection at the youg man, and their willingness to know the truth, as it is in in his countenance I could plainly discover Jesus. In each of the above named places, our the heavenly image of content and satisfacpreachers would receive a cordial welcome. In Louisville it being thought "unbecoming, blooming companion of his peaceful bosom, tion. I as carefully turned my eye on the a moral and religious people," to allow the doctrine of God's goodness, to be preached in who expressed in every comely feature the churches made with hands. I obtained the innocence and complete satisfaction which privilege of speaking in the Market Place she enjoyed in her heart, and although the weather was extremely unfa- Being comfortably seated, I inquired revourable, yet an immense concourse of people specting the very neat and commodious gave their attendance. The refusal of my re- house in which he found it convenient to quest for a church in which to preach, created live; and was happy to learn, that by his no small degree of excitement, among the ra-iudustrious habits he had been able to purtional and reasonable-the consequence of chase the lot and to build his house. It was

house without bars and bolts upon the doorfree as air or the goodness of God!

A council was called at Cyprus by Epiphanius, where through the spite of Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria, the books of Origen were condemned. [This was 200 years after Origen's death.]

A council, held at Carthage, called the 2d, decreed, that Priests should not marry. Another council, held at Carthage, called the 3d, decreed, that the Clergy, in their years of discretion, should either marry or vow chastity; that the chief Bishop should not be called the Prince of Priests, or highest Priest. but only the Bishop of the Chief.

A council, held at Hippo, A. D. 417, deshould appeal over sea; that the Bishop of the creed, that Bishops and Priests should look well unto their own children; that no Bishop head See, should not be called the chief-priest; that no scripture be read in the church, but ca

nonical.

The fourth and fifth Council of Carthage laid down the election and office of Clergymen.

The council held at Taurinum, at the foot of the Alpes, was held for the reformation of the Clergy. A. D. 421.

The council of Malta condemned the Pelawhich will probably be, that they will build a finished, not in a gaudy or unnecessary ex-gians and Donatists, and concluded, that all men were sinners; that the grace of God was given pensive style, but in the very best and most to fulfilling of the law, and Infants were to be convenient, and of course, in that style with baptized. [This is the first that we hear any which prudence and good economy are the thing about infant baptism.] best satisfied. The 6th Council of Carthage ratified the canThe furniture of the house was in all re-nons of the Nicene Council. A. D. 425. spects like the house itself. All indicated The 7th council of Carthage laid down what the good taste of the young bride, and some kind of men were fit to bear witness against the articles bore ample testimony of her in-clergy. dustry.

I should do injustice to my feelings, did I neglect to mention the liberality of Mr. D. M'Allister-a very respectable inhabitant of Louisville; who notwithstanding he differed with me in religious sentiments-yet with a spirit of benevolence and charity, that spoke the man and the christian, offered me the

church, of which he is the owner, the moment he heard these circumstances, and that too, without solicitation! By their fruits ye shall know them.

A council was held at Africk, where all the After enjoying such a scene, on leaving cious and Celestinus, Bishop of Rome, where provinces came together in the time of Bonifathis garden of innocence and happiness, they condemned Pelagius, and decreed, that no In Louisville are many, very many, who have involuntarily and most fervently said "peace Bishop should be called the head of all Priests; shaken off the trammels of popular prejudice, be unto this house." I then cast my eyes and that no appeal should be made out of Africk and glory in that truth, which makes men free abroad on creation and felt a perfect satis- to any other Bishop. -and hesitate not to believe the oath and prom-faction that a being of infinite wisdom, powises of Jehovah, rather than the creeds and tra- er and goodness still holds the sceptre of ditions of their forefathers. Notwithstanding universal government. My heart leaped for many cry "the temple of the Lord, the temple joy, and I hastened home to taste the ever of the Lord are we; all else is dangerous here- welcome sweets of domestic enjoyment; but sy"-yet there are bold and fearless minds, free as the wild winds of heaven, who are not to be not without feeling a sensible pity for those gloomy souls, who think the creation of God was ruined by what they call the fall of

appalled, even at the hollow sound of EX

COMMUNICATION! Error and bigotry have
here reached their zenith-the glorious lamp of
truth, has relumed the darksome cells of woe
and despair-it has shined and it will shine;
not all the arts of men, or devices of the sons
of men, can obscure its vivifying rays. T. F.
(To be continued.)

From the Universalist Magazine. "THE LORD

REIGNETH LET THE EARTH
REJOICE."

Adam.

ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCILS.
(Concluded from page 20.)
[We shall pass over here, and elsewhere, as we
proceed, several councils which did nothing
inore, than to condemn the Arians, or, some
other supposed heresy, the nature of which is
not named.]

A general council, called at Ephesus, of 200 Bishops, where Nestrius, the heretick, was condemned. A. D. 434. [The heresies of Pelagius were these: that man, without the grace of of God; that man had free-will; that the grace God, was able to fulfil all the commandments of God was given to us according to our merits; that the just have no sin in this life; that children have no original sin; snd that Adam

would have died if he had not sinned. For such things have men been condemned by those who styled themselves orthodox. The principal heresy of Nestorius was, " he denied that Christ was God." So, as it would seem, there were some men of common sense, even in the fifth century: but they were condemned by set a of bigots!]

A council held at Carpenteracte, decreed, A council of an hundred and fifty Bishops that the Bishop should not poll the Parishes. met at Constantinople, by the command of A. D. 443. Theodosius Magnus, where they confirmed the held about this time, where nothing was done [Several other Councils were faith of the Nicene council, divided patriarch-worth mentioning here.] ships, decreed, that no Bishop should meddle A council of 630 Bishops was held at Chalcewith any thing out of his own Diocess, and chose don by the commandment of Martianus, where Nectarius, Bishop of Constantinople. A. D. Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria, was deposed, Nestorius, Eutyches, and Macedonius condemned. A. D. 450. [These were Arians in principle, with some shades of difference.]

390.

I was walking the street, contemplating on the dismal descriptions which are so often given by our learned clergy, of the general ruin of creation, by what they call the fall of Adam, when I was unexpectedly met by a youth of my acquaintance, who presented me with a countenance, on which I could see no trace of the horrid catastrophe above mentioned. With an interesting look, which indicated desire, he pointed me to his habit-the time of Arcadius, decreed, that Priests The first council held at Toledo in Spain, in ation, which was within a few rods, and po- should marry. A. D. 403. litely invited me to step in.

I readily complied; for I had before desired to call at his house, but had not until

A Council, held at Valentia in France, decreed in the time of Siricius Bishop of Rome, that Priests should not marry.

A council, held at Venice about this time, deone Diocess to another, without dismissary letcreed, that no Clergyman should wander from ters that they should not be at wedding dinThere was a council held at Chalcedon, ners, dances, and hearing of wanton sonnets: where Chrysostom was condemned of spite, and that, throughout the same province, they obfor no other crime. serve one manner of divine service.