1846.]

Religious Intelligence.

153

amidst the blended associations of home and the sanctuary. Jonathan Goodhue Esq. of New York presided. The Divine blessing was asked by Rev. Mr. Lunt of Quincy. After the wants of the body had been supplied, brief addresses were made by several gentlemen. The company separated at 6 1-2 o'clock, after singing the doxology. On Wednesday evening religious services were held in the church of the Divine Unity. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Huntington of Boston, and a Sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Putnam of Roxbury, from John xviii. 37, on the sufficiency of the teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels.

The Convention reassembled on Thursday morning, at 9 o'clock. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Hall of Providence. The resolutions presented by the Business Committee, after the first, (which had been recommitted,) were severally considered. The second was in these terms, and after a few words from one or two members, was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That Unitarian Christianity being derived solely and wholly from the Scriptures, avoids alike the errors of hierarchical and traditionary faith and discipline on the one hand, and of the rationalistic theory on the other.

Elders Simonton and Currier, of the Christian denomination, and Rev. E. T. Taylor, of the Methodist Connexion, being present, were, by a unanimous vote, invited to take seats with the Convention; each of them afterwards participated in the debates. The next resolution gave rise to an animated discussion, in which many of those present took part. After a slight amendment it was unanimously adopted, in these words:

Resolved, That while we adopt our theology on account of its Scriptural truth, we hold it preeminently valuable for the influences it is suited to exert upon personal character.

The next resolution offered by the Committee pronounced it "worthy of consideration, whether the changes which have been adopted by some of our congregations in the mode of conducting public worship be expedient." After remarks from several gentlemen, upon a suggestion that the passage of such a resolution might be interpreted as an encroachment upon the independence of our churches the fundamental principle of Congregationalism, -- it was voted that the resolution be laid on the table. The next resolution was couched in these terms, and after a few remarks by the President of the Convention, was unanimously adopted, the members rising and standing in silence till the vote was declared :—

Resolved, That the recent death of a venerable teacher of theology to many of the members of this Convention, Dr. Henry Ware, Sen., and also, of one of the former Presidents of the Unitarian Association, Mr. Justice Story, and of one of its Vice Presidents, Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, calls for our solemn and affectionate commemoration of their Christian worth and valuable services in the cause of truth.

As it was now the hour for dinner, the Convention, after prayer by Rev. Mr. Furness of Philadelphia, adjourned to 4 o'clock.

At 4 o'clock the meeting was resumed. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Burnap of Baltimore. The Business Committee presented a report on the subject of organization, which had been recommitted

to them on the previous day. This report met with no objection, and was at once unanimously adopted. It was in these terms:

Whereas the result of our Autumnal Conventions has been thus far highly satisfactory, and their regular continuance promises to further the religious interests of our denomination, and the cause of Liberal Christianity in general, alike by the interchange of sympathy, the discussion of Christian truth, and the quickening of Christian zeal:

Resolved, That these Autumnal Conventions be regularly continued. Resolved, That whilst we disclaim all authority on the part of the Convention over the individual churches, we earnestly invite our pastors and people to give their zealous cooperation in the purposes of the Convention.

Resolved, That at the opening of each Convention the following offi

cers be chosen :

A President, three Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and Assistant Secretary :

And that at the close of each Convention a Committee of Arrangements of five be chosen.

It shall be the duty of the President, to preside at all meetings of the Convention; or in his absence, one of the Vice Presidents.

It shall be the duty of the Secretary, to keep a permanent record of the proceedings of the Convention.

It shall be the duty of the Committee of Arrangements, to determine the time and place for the next meeting, and devise measures for giving it interest and efficacy, and to prepare and present topics for the consideration of the Convention.

Rev. Mr. Burnap then communicated the desire of his congregation, that the next Convention should be held at Baltimore. Rev. Mr. Furness presented a similar invitation from the society at Philadelphia. J. F. Polk Esq. expressed a wish that the Convention might be held at Washington. The Convention thought it best that the subject should be referred to the Committee of Arrangements; which was then appointed, to consist of Rev. S. K. Lothrop, of Boston, Rev. Samuel Osgood of Providence, Rev. Ephraim Peabody of New Bedford, Hon. Stephen Fairbanks of Boston, and Hon. S. C. Phillips of Salem. The last of the resolutions reported by the Business Committee was taken up, and after several had spoken upon it was unanimously adopted, as follows:

Resolved, That while we steadfastly maintain the independence of the individual congregations, we cordially favor such modes of association and organization as may quicken the life and secure the purity of our churches.

The business of the Convention having been completed, Rev. Dr. Dewey, on behalf of the New York and Brooklyn societies, expressed their gratification at the attendance which had been given and the interest taken in the meetings. Rev. Mr. Lothrop proposed a vote of thanks to our friends who had shown such a cordial and generous hospitality; which was adopted by the unanimous assent of the Convention, the members rising, and pronouncing an emphatic Aye. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. Putnam of Roxbury, and the Convention adjourned sine die.

On Thursday evening the closing services in this series of meetings took place at the church of the Divine Unity; where, after prayer by Rev. Mr. Lothrop, a Sermon was preached by Rev. Mr.

1846.]

Religious Intelligence.

155

Peabody of New Bedford, from 1 Corinthians xv. 14 and 20, on the moral results, in the history of the world, of the resurrection of Christ. We have given the briefest account of the proceedings on this occasion, which was consistent with our wish to make an accurate record. Of its character we can only speak in the most general terms. It was altogether an agreeable and profitable season. Those who were present felt "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to "meet" together in unity," and those who were absent lost an opportunity of spiritual edification as well as fraternal intercourse. These autumnal Conventions, if they should continue to be conducted in the same spirit of freedom and love, will be among the most efficient means of giving our denomination stability and influence.

Sunday School Convention. A Convention of Sunday School Teachers was held at Salem, Mass., October 29, 1845, by invitation of those connected with the Schools of the four Unitarian congregations in Salem. A Circular was addressed to the Sunday Schools in the County of Essex, in the city of Boston, and in one or two other places inviting attendance and proposing several questions respecting the instruction and management of Sunday Schools. The Convention assembled in the Barton Square Chapel, in number, including pastors, superintendents and teachers, about three hundred. Hon. Robert Rantoul of Beverly was chosen President; Messrs. J. W. Foster of Portsmouth, and L. G. Pray of Boston, Vice Presidents; and Mr. J. C. Chamberlain of Salem, Secretary. After prayer by Rev. Dr. Brazer of Salem, Hon. S. C. Phillips, chairman of the committee of arrangements, read extracts from the replies to the Circular. A question proposed by the Committee, relating to the means by which a greater number of teachers might be obtained and a greater interest imparted to their work, was made the subject of discussion, in which many participated. After other exercises of prayer and singing, the Convention adjourned to the vestry of the North Church, to partake of a Collation. Mr. Phillips presided and offered some pertinent remarks. After which the members returned to the Chapel and resumed the discussions. Prayer having been offered by Rev. Mr. Stone of Beverly, several gentlemen spoke, particularly on the discouragements and encouragements of the Sunday School teacher. The Convention was then closed with prayer by Rev. Mr. Thompson of Salem. In the evening, however, the members again met at Tea in the Vestry, and were addressed by Rev. Mr. Gray of Boston; and afterwards in the Chapel, with parents and other friends of the Sunday School, where an address was delivered by Mr. G. F. Thayer of Boston, and remarks were made by various gentlemen. The day was enjoyed by those who participated in its scenes, and the example of this Convention will probably lead to other similar meetings. The Worcester County Association has, through a trial of some years, found such meetings of the teachers of different schools to be very useful.

Ordinations and Installations. Rev. WILLIAM B. GREENE, of Bos. ton, a member of the last Senior class in the Cambridge Divinity School, was ordained as Pastor of the First Congregational Church and Society in BROOKFIELD, Mass., November 5, 1845. The Sermon

was preached by Rev. Mr. Clarke of Boston, from 2 Corinthians iv. 13; the Ordaining Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Wellington of Templeton; the Charge was given by Rev. Dr. Parkman of Boston; the Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Mr. Nute of Petersham; the Address to the People, by Rev. Mr. Hill of Worcester; and the other services, by Rev. Mr. Allen of Northboro', Rev. Mr. May of Leicester, and Rev. Dr. Thompson of Barre.

Rev. THOMAS B. Fox, late of Newburyport, was installed as Pastor of the "Church of the Warren Street Chapel" in BOSTON, Mass., November 9, 1845. The Sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Peabody of New Bedford, from 1 Corinthians xv. 14 and 20; the Prayer of Installation was offered by Rev. Dr. Pierce of Brookline; the Right Hand of Fellowship was given by Rev. Mr. Lothrop of Boston; the Address to the People, by Rev. Dr. Putnam of Roxbury; and the other services by Rev. Messrs. Huntington of Boston, and Thompson of Salem.

Dedications. The "church of the Divine Unity," erected by the First Congregational Society in the city of NEW YORK, was consecrated by religious services, October 22, 1845. The Sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Bellows, pastor of the church, from Ezra vi. 5 and 16; the Prayer of Consecration was offered by Rev. Dr. Kendall of Plymouth, Mass.; and the other services were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Farley of Brooklyn, N. Y., Furness of Philadelphia, Penn., and Osgood of Providence, R. I.

The meetinghouse just erected by the First Congregational Society in BRIDGEWATER, Mass., to take the place of their former house; was dedicated November 19, 1845. The Sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Bradford, pastor of the church, from Haggai ii. 7; the Dedicatory Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Richardson of Hingham; and the other services were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Briggs of Plymouth, Russell of Hingham, and Hodges of Cambridge.

The chapel of the First Unitarian Society of TROY, N. Y., was dedicated November 14, 1845. The Sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Harrington of Albany, N. Y., from Ezekiel xlviii, 10; the Prayer of Dedication was offered by Rev. Mr. Pierpont of Troy; and the other services were performed by Rev. Messrs. Farley of Brooklyn, N. Y., Pierpont, and Harrington.

Protest against Slavery. At a meeting of Unitarian ministers held during the anniversary week in May last, of which an account was given in the Examiner for July, a Committee was appointed to "draw up and circulate for signature among the ministers of the Unitarian body a Protest against the institution of American Slavery." Such a Protest having been prepared and transmitted to the different ministers of our denomination, has received the signatures of one hundred and seventy-three clergymen and preachers of our faith; being about two-thirds of the whole number. This Protest, which was excluded from our last number by the want of room, has been widely published in the Unitarian and other weekly journals. Still we think it too important a document, not to be placed in our record of ecclesiastical matters. Those who affixed their names to this paper, we are sure, were influenced by conscientious and Christian

1846.]

Religious Intelligence.

157

motives; and those who withheld their names, we know, were constrained by not less urgent persuasions of duty. Imputations of other than right purposes and sincere convictions, on either side, are unjust, if not ungenerous. On a question of methods or measures they who agree on principles may be permitted to differ, without losing their confidence in one another. The Protest which we now give has been adopted as an expression of their own sentiments by the "Rhode Island and Massachusetts Christian Conference."

Protest against American Slavery, by one hundred and seventy-three Unitarian Ministers.

WE, the undersigned, disciples of Christ and ministers of his Gospel, in bearing our solemn testimony against the system of American Slavery, deem it proper in the first place to declare the grounds of our action.

We owe it to three millions of Slaves, our fellow-men and brethren, to do what we rightfully can to undo their burdens. The wrongs of the Slave, however distant he may be, are our wrongs; for Jesus has taught us that every sufferer whom we can relieve is our neighbor, though a stranger, of another race, and in a distant land.

We owe it to Slaveholders, our fellow-men and brethren, whom we believe to be in a position hostile to the influences of Christianity, to speak a word of warning concerning the moral evil and inhumanity of the system with which they are connected.

We are the more obliged to bear this testimony, because the Gospel of Christ cannot now be fully preached in the Slaveholding States. If it could, it might be less necessary to express our views in the present form. But violent and lawless men, as is well known, and as recent instances in our own experience show, have made it impossible for the Southern minister to declare the whole counsel of God by speaking freely of that particular sin with which the community he addresses is specially concerned. Consequently Southern men of better character, who would not, perhaps, themselves sanction such constraint, are nevertheless left without instruction as to their duty in relation to Slavery. And if neither religion, nor the instincts of humanity, nor the first principles of American liberty have taught them that the system is wrong, their ignorance may not be wholly their fault, but it would be ours, were we to suffer it to remain. That they have been educated to believe that Slaveholding is right, may be a reason why we should not severely blame them, but it is also a reason why we should show them the truth; since the truth on this subject must come to them, if at all, from the free States, through books, writings, and public opinion.

These reasons would induce us to speak, even if the North were doing nothing to uphold Slavery. But by our political, commercial and social relations with the South, by the long silence of Northern Christians and Churches, by the fact that Northern men, going to the South, often become Slaveholders and apologists for Slavery, we have given the Slaveholders reason to believe, that it is only the accident of our position which prevents us from engaging in this system as fully as themselves. Our silence therefore is upholding Slavery, and we must speak against it in order not to speak in its support.

Especially do we feel that the denomination which takes for its