666 Early Propagation of Unitarianism in Massachusetts.

After spending some months in the southern States, he arrived at Boston the 15th of May, 1784: and having a letter to Mr. Eliot, who received him with great kindness, he was introduced on that very day to the Association. The venerable Chauncy at whose house it happened to be held, entered into a familiar conversation with him, and shewed him every possible respect, as he learned that he had been acquainted with Dr. Price. Without knowing at the time any thing of the occasion which led to it, ordination happened to be the general subject of discourse. After the different gentlemen had severally delivered their opinions, the stranger was requested to declare his sentiments; who unhesitatingly replied, that the people, or the congregation who chose any man to be their minister, were his proper ordainers. Mr. Freeman, upon hearing this, jumped from his seat in a kind of transport, saying, "I wish you could prove that, Sir." The gentleman answered, that few things could admit of an easier proof and from that moment a thorough intimacy commenced between him and Mr. Freeman. Soon after, the Boston prints being under no imprimatur, he published several letters in supporting the cause of Mr. Freeman. At the solicitation of Mr. Freeman, he also published a scriptural confutation of the 39 Articles. Notice being circulated that this publication would appear on a particular day, the printer, apprized of this circumstance, threw off above a hundred papers beyond his usual number, and had not one paper remaining upon his hands at noon. This publication, in its consequences, converted Mr. Freeman's Congregation into an Unitarian Church; which, as Mr. Freeman repeatedly acknowledged, could never have been done without the labors of this gentleman. A committee was appointed to reform the book of Common Prayer, and to strike out all those passages which savoured of Trinitarian worship. This object being pursued with great deliberation, the ordination of Mr. Freeman by his congregation did not take place before the end of the year 1788, and this congregation is now as flourishing, since it has learned to say sumpsimus, as it had formerly been under its old mumpsimus. Thus, then, 700 or 800 people, who had been accustomed to worship three Gods, and to believe one of these, as consisting of two persons, to be in reality two Gods, are now become so enlightened as to worship only the One God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

While the gentlemen referred to in this communication was at Boston," he preached repeatedly there the Thursday's Lecture, and to many congregations in that city. He also preached at Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Weymouth, Marshfield, Scituate, Providence, Salem, Hallowell, &c. At Old Hingham, where the venerable Mr. Gay was the Pastor, he preached above forty times, and the noble-minded general Lincoln was one of his 1200 hearers. The friendly and enlightened Mr. Shute was the minister of New Hingham, and Dr. Barnes the minister of one of the Marshfield Churches who was also a liberal man. Many other Churches might be mentioned, from which the Calvinistic gloom is gradually dispersing. But I must particularly notice Salem. There was there one thoroughdox congregation, which was not in a very flourishing state.

There were also three large congregations, where Unitarian ministers were generally heard with acceptance. One of these, indeed, became wholly Unitarian in a little time, through the fearless and indefatigable labors of Mr. Bentley, a very learned man, and an unbiassed and strenuous advocate for what appeared to him to be the good word of truth according to the gospel. The two others were mostly Arians. Mr. Barnard, an hospitable, open hearted man, who readily entered into the circumstances of a stranger, was the minister of the second of these churches, and had so well instructed his flock, that nothing was offensive to them which appeared to flow from an honest mind. Mr. Darby, a rich merchant, rendered the third respectable, by his courteous and bountiful disposition. Our friend often preached to these congregations, and was treated with civility by them all."

"People in this country cannot well conceive, what a rapid progress truth may make where there are no establishments, nor any temporal emoluments to fetter the mind against it. A little seed sown may be so productive in three or four years, as to furnish a supply to the greatest part of a whole country. There is every reason to expect that in thirty or forty years more the whole of Massachusetts will be Unitarian."*

MOSHEIM'S SERMONS.

The following extract from "Sermons on Important truths of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, by the late Dr. John Laurence Mosheim, Chancellor of the University of Gottengen," will be read with much interest. Those," says Dr. J. P. Smith, from whom we copy the extract, "who know this eminent man (Mosheim) only by the translation of his Ecclesiastical History, are likely to have a very erroneous idea of his theological and religious character. He seems to have imposed upon himself a law of extreme reserve and apparent neutrality in writing his histories; and the English translator has added to the disadvantage, by giving him a tone and color resembling those of the infidel-philosophic school. The perusal of his other latin works would show that this opprobrium did not belong to him; but in the Discourses from which the following citation is taken, we see Mosheim's real character, as a zealous, orthodox, practical, serious divine."

"All men agree in this, that their powers of reason are not equal to the comprehension of every thing. It is universally admitted, that it would be but a mean token of wisdom for a man to say,This or that statement is not true, for I do not see how it can be.' No man, in the matters of ordinary life, would hold him a man of sense who should venture to say, There are no clocks or watches; for I do not know how such pieces of art can be made.' One might ask him, whether he knows how the sun promotes the growth of plants; and whether, if this be above his comprehension, he therefore denies the fact. What right have we to expect that truth should be found, without any mixture of obscurity, in the things of religion and man's eternal interest ?

* More than thirty or forty years have elapsed since this prediction was uttered, and it seems no nearer its fulfilment now than it did then.

"Yet, are not clearly revealed truths brought into doubt, because the manner of their being true is not known? Is not such reasoning as this employed by many; This or that doctrine is not true, because, when I take counsel with my understanding upon it, my ignorance is discovered ?—There are persons who deny the mystery of the TRINITY, and the truths connected with it. What has betrayed them into their lamentable errors? Is it not, that they overlook that clear dictate of reason which I have been stating. The foundation of all their errors is their laying down this rule for themselves; I must interpret those passages of scripture which are supposed to assert that doctrine, in some other way than the obvious meaning of the words appears to justify.' But why? Because my understanding cannot comprehend how there can be any kind of plurality in a sole and unchangeable Being in other words, I believe that my understanding can comprehend every thing; I believe that I have a right to reject any position, if I am not made acquainted with every circumstance about it.'

"No man has authority to interpret the laws and appointments of any human government according to his own pleasure. No man has a right to turn aside the ordinances of the magistracy, till his own understanding is satisfied that they are convenient and agreeable to him. The lowest of mankind allow the truth of this: and are we to be told that no mysteries shall be admitted in religion? That, if scripture is to be allowed at all the rank of a rule in matters of faith, it must be subordinated to the dictates of reason? What is this excluding of all mysteries from the doctrine and service of God! Is it not just this that we will torture and murder many passages in the volume of revelation, till we find in them nothing but what our miserable wit shall not dislike?

"God has given us a holy revelation for our own benefit. In that revelation, he has, in plain and clear terms, declared some things which contain in them that which to our minds must appear surpassingly extraordinary and wonderful. Among other things he has said God was manifested in the flesh: the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God.' The terms are plain and clear; but the things which they affirm are not equally so. What then? Shall we refuse to pay that respect to these declarations of God, which we yield to the laws of earthly rulers? Ought we not to reflect; I am not at liberty to put what interpretation I please upon the revelation of the Supreme Sovereign. Though I do not apprehend every idea that belongs to these positions, yet I sufficiently understand that God knows the subject far better than all men put together. I will therefore receive the words as they are; and for what I do not comprehend, I will wait for the light of eternity.-Yet men do the contrary of all this and then give themselves out to be children of illumination !"

Letter from the late DR. STEPHEN WEST, of Stockbridge, to the REV. ASAHEL HOOKER, late of Goshen, Conn.

STOCKBRIDGE, 27TH JULY, 1804.

REV. AND DEAR SIR-I have read Horne's Letters on Missions with sensible feeling and pleasure. Candor, I think, will oblige us to view him in no other light, than that of a friend to Christ, and to the souls of his fellow men. The manner of his writing is warm, animated and striking. Many things said by him excited in me a sense of shame, and conviction of past great unfaithfulness. If a man like ourselves can paint the obligations of a Minister in such a light as to excite a blush in us while we read; what conviction of unfaithfulness to our glorious Lord and Master, may we expect that the light of eternity, and of the divine glory, will ere long, flash upon us! Surely, we all merit to hear, from our Judge, the awful reproof, "Thou wicked and slothful servant!"

That the Lord is preparing the way for his coming, we have every reason to believe. But who can abide the event? When he sits as a Refiner, how many of his professed friends, ministers as well as others, unable to endure the trial, will be found to be but dross ! What evils are to precede the promised happy, peaceful state of the church, are known only to the Lord. We have every reason, however, to suppose that they will be sore and great. Satan will not lose his hold on the nations, without a mighty struggle. His power and arts are such, that none but the Almighty Saviour can break and confound them. I tremble for Britain; for the friends of Christ there, and for the success of their benevolent institutions for propagating the gospel among the dark and benighted nations. Yet we may confide in it, that Christ will be to them as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest. He sits upon the whirlwind, and guides the storm. How wonderful and infinitely incomprehensible must be the power and wisdom of that glorious Being, who guides and directs every purpose of every creature-every action, and word, and thought, which ever takes place in heaven, or earth, or hell-to one great and glorious end, the prosperity and happiness of his kingdom! Since He reigns, let us never be discouraged.

As to religion, I see no appearance of any revival of it in this place. Such is our pride, stupidity, and sottishness, that we merit to be eternally forsaken. But whatever becomes of us, we are sure that Christ knows all his elect by name; and can, and will, gather them all in. His house will be filled; and every lively stone, necessary to the perfection and beauty of his glorious building, will be brought, and finally found in its place.

Mrs. West joins in affectionate regards to you, and to Mrs. Hooker. I am, Sir, your Cordial Friend and Brother, STEPHEN WEST.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

1. The Works of the Rev. Robert Hall, A. M. Minister of Broad Mead Chapel, Bristol, England. First complete edition; with a brief Memoir of the Author. In two Volumes. New York: G. C. & H. Carvill. 1830.

We hardly need express the opinion, that these volumes form a valuable accession to our general and theological literature. They contain many articles which, to the mass of American readers, will be entirely new. A full account of them may be expected in a future number.

2. Letters concerning the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry; addressed to the members of the Presbyterian Churches in the city of New York; to which is prefixed a Letter on the present Aspect and Bearing of the Episcopal controversy. By Samuel Miller, D. D. Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Church Government in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey. Second Edition. Philadelphia: Towar & Hogan. 1830. pp. 485.

3. The Life of Mohammed; founder of the Religion of Islam and of the Empire of the Saracens. By the Rev. George Bush, A. M. New York: J. & J. Harper. 1830. pp. 261.

5. Mental Discipline; or hints on the Cultivation of Intellectual and Moral Habits, addressed particularly to Students in Theology and young Preachers. By Henry Foster Burder, M. A. Third Edition, enlarged. To which is appended an Address on Pulpit Eloquence, by the Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D.; also a course of study in Christian Theology, by the Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D. New York J. Leavitt. Boston Crocker & Brewster. 1830. pp. 254,

5. The Scriptural Directory to Baptism; being an Examination of the principal Passages in the Old and New Testaments relating to the Mode of administering this Ordinance By a Layman. New York: D. Fanshaw. 1830. pp. 45.

6. An Essay on the State of Infants. By Alvan Hyde, D. D. Pastor of the Congregational Church in Lee, Mass. New York: Cornelius Davis. 1830. pp. 12.

The subject of this Essay is discussed under the three following propositions; 1. Infants are immortal beings. 2. They are moral agents, and possess moral characters. And 3. They are sinners. Dr. H. supposes that infants, from the first, have moral exercises, "partaking, though in a low degree, of a moral quality," and that these exercises are selfish and sinful.

7. The connexion between the Duties of the Pulpit and the Pastoral Office; An Introductory Address delivered to the members of the Theological School in Cambridge, October, 1830. By Henry Ware, Jr. Professor of Pulpit Eloquence and the Pastoral Care, Cambridge Hilliard & Brown. pp. 28.

ERRATUM. P. 601, 1. 2 from the top, for espoused read exposed,