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honor of Christ and his religion? Without this, no remedy will prove effectual.

It is said, that churches with their ministers become corrupt in doctrine, or in practice, and being independent, cannot be disciplined. So may presbyteries, consociations, and national churches. So did the boasted catholic church. Where was the remedy? Whence the reformation? In silencing that church? or in so exhibiting divine truth, as to draw away her supporters? The fact is, that whatever be the forms of religion, or of church government, religion itself must depend, under the Spirit of God, on the spirit of its professors. The most heretical and the most corrupt individuals and churches may for a time have a name to live. May we not apply the following passage? Not by might, nor by power; but by my Spirit, saith the Lord!

In individual churches Christ has evidently established a government. Let those who are entrusted with its administration, realize the importance of being faithful. If churches may with propriety be independent, or bound together only by charity and opinion, if their influence over each other ought to be only advisory, as has been the prevailing opinion in Massachusetts, then apostate churches must be viewed and treated as sectarian churches of greater

extent.

Some confusion may ensue in a neighborhood, as there has been confusion among different sects and nations. But shail we look for the remedy of this evil in a spirit of coercion; in the establishment of a tribunal, to which

many serious, evangelical, and eminent ministers and churches will not submit; in a tribunal, the establishment of which would create discord and division, and call into exercise unhallowed passions; or in the promotion of vital religion and holy zeal?

Union and authority, whilst exercised in a spirit of Christian love and meekness, are useful. They may retard the spread of error and corruption. But what shall secure those who possess authority from declension? Were not cardinals and popes the successors of apostles and evangelists? And united power when once corrupted, will have greater influence in perpetuating error and corruption, than it can have in preserving truth and purity. Let Onesimus, and let the public, candidly weigh these remarks. If he still thinks, that the honor of Christ and the purity of his religion calls for such a tribunal, as has been proposed, let the subject be calmly and candidly discussed. I wish myself, as well as the Christian public, to lie open to conviction. But before we take so important a step as that proposed, let us seriously and prayerfully consider both the necessity, and the consequences. C. K. G.

THE SPLENDID WEDDING.

The principal part of a letter from the late Rev Dr Buckminster in reply to a letter from Miss Elizabeth C to one of his daughters.

"IN an accompaniment with one of your letters, I find a pictur esque description of a fashionable ball in the neighborhood of Albany, given on account of the

The

marriage of Mr. guests were many, the accommodations capacious, rendered splendid and sublime by all that art and taste could devise. Fancy and ornament combined their powers to throw a lustre over the delighted attendants. Three hundred silver candlesticks, and an infinite number of lamps, poured their light upon thirty mirrors, which faithfully reflected what they received, in softened brightness, through the several apartments and their variegated scenery. The desserts were delicious, exhibited in a style of elegance and grandeur. The music and amusements were enchanting and transporting. This must have been a scene highly delightful to a man of the world, or to the daughter of worldly taste and pleasure. But, Betsey, I find it lasted but one short night; nay, it blushed to meet the rising sun, as if conscious that the lamp of heaven would tarnish all its glory. The ladies retired at three; the gentlemen at five; probably they both resolved to take their revenge upon the disturber of nightly pleasure by despising its charms, till they begin to be lost in the evening hemisphere.

"The reading of this description suggests to me the attempt to give a faint sketch of a marriage festival, for which preparation has long been making; and from time to time descriptions have been given of what is there to be exhibited. To this festival I have the honor to be invited as a guest, and am entrusted with authority to invite others. I have heard a little, and imagine more, of this transporting scene; but could I correctly paint both on

paper, the half would not be told you.

"This festival is to be celebrated at a seat or palace, the length and the breadth of which are 12,000 furlongs; its height and stories proportionally elevated. It stands upon a foundation of twelve different kinds of precious stones of variegated hue, arranged with so much art, as to throw reciprocal and increasing lustre; all producing such a flood of splendor, as mocks the attempts of men or angels to describe. To this palace there are twelve gates of entire pearl, neither fractured nor divided. The flooring of the palace is of pure gold, as it were transparent glass. The ceiling is of jasper. The particular apartments, the hangings, the ornaments, I cannot pretend to describe to you; if they bear a customary increased proportion to the splendor, riches, and elegance of the exterior, what, Betsey, must they be. O! let us be ambitious to go and behold.

"Of the guests that are invited, I can give you no exact account, and a still more imperfect one of those who will accept. Of one particular circle, there were long ago 144,000, that had accepted the invitation. Among these were kings and queens, princes and princesses,noblemen and their daughters, priests and prophets.

Since then, the number of inviting servants has been greatly increased, and they have been running with notes of invitation to more distant neighborhoods and families; and though they often meet with the accents, I pray thee have me excused, through the indisposition, want of taste, trivial and foolish

engagements of those to whom they apply; yet, upon the safest ground, I can assure you there will be such a numerous collection as no man can number. Of the dress of the guests I cannot give you a full description. Some few particulars have come to my knowledge. Their Paiment is to be wrought gold with the most elegant and deli. cate needle work; and their general splendor will be as if they were clothed with the sun, and crowned with a crown of stars. But their principal glory, beauty, and excellence are within; in the sweetness of their dispositions, the elevation of their minds, the purity of their hearts, the entire perfection of their souls. They are all glorious. Not one worthless spectator will be watching to make unfriendly remarks; not one to render distance and

reserve necessary.

The music of the occasion is to be all manner of instruments, softened by an infinite number of harmonious voices, so adjust ed as to make one perfect whole. A song is already prepared, and the performers are practising upon it, in their several departments, with reference to this festival. O! Betsey, O! Betsey, what will be the effect when they perform in full band.

"The entertainments, and desserts, I shall not even touch upon: they will doubtless be in har

ceivable light, lustre, and glory constantly emanate from his di vine person, that the extensive palace needs no other light. Its most distant corner is illuminated with his rays. And, my dear friend, there is this peculiar circumstance to give an interest to this festival, that every guest has a share in the heart and affections of the glorious Bridegroom; and all combined in one mysterious body will constitute the happy bride for whom all this glory is prepared. This festival, once begun, will never end, never tire; no rising or setting sun will ever summon a dispersion. Pleasure more extatic and refin ed will be continually springing up. The celestial Bridegroom will lead the partakers to living fountains of delight, and all occasions of sorrow will for ever

cease.

"My friend, shall earthly festivals and scenes of pleasure, which compared with this are but a glow-worm in the light of day, so interest our passions and engross our hearts, as to banish this from our thoughts, and hinder our assiduous endeavors to be suitably attired and ornamented, that we may be hailed welcome guests. I hope to receive this honor and happiness. There I hope to meet the name of in all its branches."

mony with the rest of the exhi- Naval and Military Bible So

bition.

"But the principal object, the glory of the whole, is yet unnamed; this is the Bridegroom. Of him I dare not attempt a description. I can only say, he is the chiefest among ten thousand and altogether lovely. Such incon

ciety.

To the Editor of the Panoplist. SIR,

IF you think the suggestion worthy a place in your interesting Magazine, I would call the attention of the religious public

to the subject of a Naval and words of the prophet, are runMilitary Bible Society.

We are now at war; and our forces are, perhaps, at least as destitute of Bibles as those of Great Britian, where there is just such an establishment. Boston would be a good place for beginning such a Society, as it has lately been a kind of rendezyous for our navy. Should the business be taken up, I beg that you will appropriate the small sum inclosed [a five dollar bill] in aiding it; if not, that you will apply it to some other beneficial purpose of the same kind, as your judgment may direct.

N. H 1812.

Ω The request of our Correspondent shall be complied with. We apprehend that the Bible Societies now existing can sup ply our soldiers and sailors with Bibles, in cases where they would be received with gratitude. We believe that some have been dispersed in this manner, and are certain that some have been given to the British prisoners of war stationed at Boston. How ever, whether the proposed Society is needed, the religious

public will determine: and, if needed, we doubt not it will be formed.

SIR,

ED.

HINTS TO MISSIONARIES.

To the Editor of the Panoplist.

Should the following hints be thought useful, plase to give them a place in the Panoplist.

NEVER was there a period when the friends of knowledge and religion were more deeply engaged than at present. Many, in the

ning to and fro, and knowledge is increasing. Yet there is room for other means, and more laborers, to be employed in producing the very great change which must be effected before the mil

lennium.

Many faithful instructors are needed, and great exertions are to be made, to train up the rising generation, and prepare them to live and act as becomes them, in this most interesting state of the world. In the noble enterprise of fashioning the minds of children and youth, there is the greatest encouragement for missionaries and moral instructors to engage with spirit and perseverance. The mind of a child is

highly susceptible of receiving a good or bad direction; and incalculable and everlasting conselessons of early instruction. quences may result from a few

In the business of education, it is of great importance to mingle amusement and instruction. And every instructor, whether in learning, morals, or religion, should simplify and explain the subject under consideration, in such a manner that every child may understand it.

Great improvements have been made, and doubtless still greater are yet to be made, in the mode of instruction.

1 he simple method of learning to write on slates, or on sand spread upon a flat surface, which has been principally confined to schools in large and populous towns, may be introduced to great advantage into small settlements and private families. In this manner, thousands of children may be taught to read and write at small expense.

The

practice of sand-writing, indeed, seems peculiarly fitted for retired neighborhoods. This practice was introduced by Dr. Bell into England, from India, where it had been immemorially used; and has been subsequently adopted by Mr. Lancaster with great

success.

Boys of active minds may improve in geographical knowledge by laying out small plats of ground, in such a manner as to impress upon the memory the relative situation and size of contiguous states and empires. One portion might be appropriated to the United States, another to Europe, and different places might be indicated by planting different vegetables in the portions assigned to them respectively. Dividing lines, rivers, &c. might be represented by alleys, rows of vegetables, &c. Thus boys would make amusement and instruction friends."

Missionaries who are fixed at any place for a considerable time are well fitted to superintend any such useful amusements. With out degrading their character, or rendering themselves less ac

ceptable to the people among whom they labor, they might thus do much towards introducing new methods of instruction.

No faithful missionary will think his work is done, when the labors of the pulpit are ended. He will remember that he should feed the lambs, as well as the sheep of Christ's flock. He will therefore do all in his power to prepare little children for happiness in life, and the enjoyment o God in heaven. He will not only teach children, and pray with them and for them, but will leave suitable small books with them, and give out portions of Scripture to be learnt by heart. He will lay a foundation for permanent usefulness by establishing well chosen libraries so connect. ed with moral regulations as to render them sources of instruction and barriers against vice.

Should the writer be accused of being visionary in these hints, he can with confidence reply, that he has been an eye-witness of the good effects resulting from most of the plans and inventions above hinted at.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

0.

THIRD ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.

THE annual meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was held at the house of Mr. Henry Hudson, in Hartford, on Wednesday and Thursday the 16th and 17th days of September, 1812;

Present,

Gen. JEDIDIAH HUNTINGTON,

Hon. JOHN TREADWELL, Esq. LL.D.

Rev. JOSEPH LYMAN, D.D.

Rev. TIMOTHY DWIGHT, D.D. LL.D.

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