the associations to which we have before alluded. They form and strengthen ties of union between vast bodies of men; they visit the sick, take care of them, watch with them, and provide for them in their days of suffering; they bury all their dead, relieve their widows, and take care of their thousands of orphans, and, in all these things, have immeasurably outstripped our churches. Off-shoots they may be, from the churches; yet, have they out-grown the parent stock. The only secret of their success is in their thorough organization, and in the facility with which they bring the principle of combined action to bear upon their proposed objects. The thing to be done is not left as a mere matter of admitted duty, to be done by any one, or no one; but the time when, and the man to do it, are all provided for by regular and systematic rules, and the result is, that it is done; whereas, if it were left to the unsystematized efforts of individuals, the probability is, it would be left undone.

We would not bring the church down to a mere association for mutual aid; but we would have her avail herself of the light of the age, and devote herself to her appropriate duties, in the best and most efficient manner. If the children of this world have, in the matter of organized effort, become wiser than the children of light, there is no good reason why the latter may not learn wisdom of the former; and if the associations to which we have alluded shall have the tendency to provoke our churches to good works, it will not be the least among their beneficent influences. But, if our churches, in a blind and bigoted adherence to the past, shall stand and look on as idle spectators, or leave their isolated members to run the race of benevolence, with the well organized, trained, and disciplined institutions of the age, it is easy to see who will win the prize, and who will be distanced in the race. And they will have no just cause of complaint if those who should be their

members, enlist in other bands, and labor under other banners.

Already have they lost their hold upon the affections and the confidence of the world, and suffered the impression to go abroad, that, as agents of human benefaction, they are comparatively powerless. Would they recall their alienated sons and daughters-they must gather up all their spirit of benevolence, and give it a work to do, and provide the means and agencies for its accomplishment. They must avail themselves of all the discoveries of science, and especially of all the light that shines upon the subject of social architecture, and devote all these, not merely to the propagation of a form of faith, but also to the interests of that pure and undefiled religion, which bends with sympathy over the sufferings of the wounded brother by the way-side, and seeks its purest manifestations in visiting the widows and the fatherless in their afflictions. Unless they do this, they must be comparatively powerless; and though their

spirit may live, their bodies will be but puling infants, when they ought to be mighty men, and valiant for God.

With those who have engaged in this movement, the conviction is strong, that the time has come when the people of our denomination should come out from their scattered wanderings in the wilderness, and embody themselves in a thorough organization, that they may perform their works of love efficiently and systematically. It is not pretended that the present effort offers anything like a perfect organization, which shall bring back the days of Apostolic purity, so that none who name the name of Christ, shall lack anything of worldly comforts. But it is a step in advance, an approximation, however small, to a system in which every timber shall be fitly framed, and every joint thoroughly compacted, so that the whole building shall be a glorious temple unto the Lord.

The order of business and forms of religious services are given, without the least

desire to dictate to others, or to render them obligatory upon any one. They are intended for our own use, as occasion or convenience may require. It is believed that their general use would add much to the interest of our church meetings; that it would materially facilitate the despatch of business, and aid in securing regularity and system in our deliberations; that it would be of essential service to our Pastors, particularly those who are young, and inexperienced in the duties of their office; and, finally, that it would promote the interests of true piety, by enabling the members, or officers, to proceed in order, and to edification, when no Pastor should be present. If any of our brethren shall be likeminded with us, in this particular, they will, of course, govern themselves accordingly; if otherwise, they will do the same; but the original object for which this work was prepared will be answered, if it meets the wants of our own Circle.