beyond this, there is little that they attempt to do. . 3. While our societies are, for the most part, in a flourishing condition, so far as pecuniary support and attendance upon public worship are concerned, a general apathy prevails in regard to our churches; many of our most active and zealous, as well as worthy and respectable men, not being, even nominally, members thereof. 4. Beyond the mere support of public worship, there is little that either our societies or churches have attempted to perform; that object being attained by the former, the latter have few claims to present, for countenance or support. For this cause, it is apprehended, our churches languish, and are asleep- simply because they have nothing to do, or rather because they have never set themselves, unitedly and systematically, about the great work that they ought to do. The fault is not so much in the men, as in the system of their organization. Our churches are not thus languishing, inactive and neglected, because of a general lack of zeal, or Christian benevolence and charity, among our people. But they do next to nothing, for the simple reason that their organization does not propose to do anything of importance, beyond what could be done by any society having a legal existence. The result is, that the church is looked upon as an extra affair altogether; a thing to bind men's consciences, rather than engage their hearts and hands in works of charity and love. And so our people are content with a mere membership in our societies, constituted according to law, and devoting their energies to the support of public worship; and if their souls are warm with a desire to meliorate the condition of suffering humanity, they turn their backs upon the church, as having no means or agencies by which they can labor efficiently, and seek the manifestation of their spirit through some one or more of the benev olent institutions of the day; and the records. of those institutions will show that, of all denominations, in proportion to its numbers, ours contributes most largely of zealous, active and efficient men. We would not let or hinder any of these institutions in their labors for human good; but we would make the church, what it ought to be, not only a teacher of truth, but an example of good works, in all that is calculated to benefit our common race. How far the facts above noted are true, in their application to the various portions of our Master's vineyard, others will know for themselves. It sufficeth us to know that we have seen, and deeply felt them, in our own fields of labor, and that our earnest and anxious thoughts and prayers have been given to the remedy. In our private conversations upon the subject, the impression seemed general, that there was need of a more thorough organization, which should give to the church a wider range of objects, and greater facilities for performing its works in a regular and systematic manner. At the session of the Circle held at Haverhill, in October, 1849, a resolution was offered by Rev. U. Clark, of Lowell, for a reference of this subject to a committee, with instructions to report at the next meeting; whereupon, Revs. U. Clark, and I. D. Williamson, of Lowell, and C. W. Mellen, of Chelmsford, were appointed to the service. In November following, the committee reported at Tyngsboro', setting forth the necessity of a movement in this direction, and the general objects and principles which should be kept in view. The matter was discussed, and laid over until the next meeting. In December, the Circle met at Chelmsford, took up the report, and, after mature deliberation, appointed Rev. I. D. Williamson, U. Clark, and A. R. Abbott, of Lowell, and L. C. Browne, of Nashua, and L. B. Mason, of Haverhill, a committee, with instructions to draw up and report, at the next meeting, a form of organization and church business, in accordance with the general principles already agreed upon. This committee. reported in full, at Lowell, in January following, when the whole session of the Circle was devoted to the consideration of their report. It was laid over, and again taken up, at Lowell, in February; and, after many alterations and amendments had been made, and suggestions of improvement offered, it was finally referred to Rev. I. D. Williamson, as a committee of one, with full power to alter and amend, revise and correct; and instructions to procure its publication. From the material thus put into the hands of the committee, this little work is constructed. Many alterations and amendments, and some additions, have been made; and the whole was again submitted to the Circle, at Lowell, March 26th, 1850, and finally approved by a unanimous vote. Such is a brief history of the origin of this little work. It has been prepared solely with |