WEDNESDAY EVENING. First Prayer, Br. P. Dean. Sermon, Br. Robert Bartlett, from 2 Cor. v. 20. 7. The Committee, who were appointed the last session of this meeting, held at Hancock, to draft a Constitution for the government of this Association, reported that they had attended to that part of their duty, and presented a Constitution, which, after some slight amendments were made, was unanimously adopted. 8. The Committee appointed to receive requests for Fellowship and Ordination, reported in favor of granting a Letter of Fellowship to Br. Nathaniel Wright, Jr. and, that public ordination be conferred on Brs. Orestes A. Brownson and Lyman Maynard, which report was accepted. 9. Adjourned to 8 o'clock, Thursday morning. Prayer by Br. O. A. Brownson. 10. Thursday morning met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by Br. L. Willis. 11. Chose Brs. C. Hudson, R. Bartlett, W. Skinner, P. Dean, and L. Willis, a Committee to take into consideration the subject of publishing a periodical work, or some items of the gospel, to be distributed among our Societies and brethren, gratuitously. The Committee took into consideration the subject of their appointment, drafted a subscription paper, and obtained several dollars, almost enough to defray the expense of publishing one pamphlet. Those brethren who are favorable to this thing, and have a few cents or shillings to spare, will please to forward them to either of the Committee, which will be as prudently and profitably expended as their judgments shall dictate. 12. Made the arrangements for public exercises. THURSDAY MORNING. First prayer, Br. L. Maynard. Sermon, Br. E. Turner, from John iv. 35. Last prayer, Br. L. Willis. ORDINATION SERVICE---THURSDAY AFTERNOON, First prayer, Br. C. Hudson. Sermon, Br. P. Dean, from 1 John i. 1, 2, 3, 4. Ordaining prayer, Br. L. Willis. Charge and delivery of the scriptures, Br. E. Turner. Right-hand of Fellowship, Br. W. Skinner. Last prayer. Br. R. Bartlett. 13. Voted, that the proceedings of this Association be pub lished in the Christian Repository, accompanied by a circular from Br. R. Bartlett. 14. Adjourned this Association to meet, by divine permission, at Washington, second Wednesday and Thursday of June, 1827. 15. The business of this meeting being brought to a close, and that in the most amicable and religious manner, we felt it our duty once more to bless God, before we separated, and united with our respected Br. Edward Turner, in the discharge of this duty. A true copy, EDWARD TURNER, Moderator, MINISTERS PRESENT. Brs. Edward Turner, Portsmouth, N. H. Paul Dean, Boston, Mass. Nathaniel Wright, Jr. do. Warren Skinner, Langdon, N. H. Charles Hudson, Westminster, Mass. Alvin Dinsmore, Washington, N. H. Orestes A. Brownson, Balltown, N. Y. Theophilus Fisk, Wilton, N. H. Lemuel Willis, Lebanon, N.H. Robert Bartlett, Hartland, Vt. Lyman Maynard, Medway, Ms. EPISTLE.- -1826. To all believers in the unbounded and illimitable goodness of God, the members of the New-Hampshire Universalist Associa tion send christian salvation, wishing grace, mercy, and peace to attend you in all the journey of life, and everlasting happiness in the world to come. BELOVED BRETHREN,-We have witnessed the return of one more of our anniversary meetings, and have interchanged those social and christian feelings with our brethren, who live far away from each other, which God hath kindly planted in our natures. The pleasure of seeing so many of our dearly beloved friends in that faith which was once delivered to the saints, which works by love and purifies the heart, was greater than we can express. After meeting with, and cordially congratulating our brethren, we organized a council for the performance of such business as should come before us. Christian feelings and the most uninterrupted harmony prevailed during our sitting. Indeed, we could say, that the spirit of the Savior was with us. From the council chamber, with united hands and hearts, we walked in company to the meeting house, where a large number of friends were seated, who had come from different towns to hear the word of life and salvation proclaimed. It is a fact, we cannot deny, our souls were comforted at the prospect which was then before us of having so respectable a meeting. In the midst of all this glory which our enraptured hearts were exercised with, our ears were next saluted with pleasant praises to our God, from a large and respectable choir of youthful singers. All these things tended much to qualify and prepare the minds of those brethren who were called to labor in word and doctrine. And if we may judge from what we saw and felt, truly we can say, our brethren who preached, were instructed of God. The discourses were interesting and solemn. The doctrine of the final reconciliation of all things to God, made up a part of the sentiment which was offered to the notice of a very respectable audience. Piety to God, benevolence towards man, were sentiments that were urged more or less in every discourse. We were informed, in the most direct terms, that we could not be happy without being holy. This sentiment of our preaching was very different from the report which our enemies have circulated. They have told the world, that we preach, "live in sin, all is just as well." But we are ready to let them know, when prejudice has so far left their minds that they can sit down and hear us, that we believe no such thing. But it may be said that we have those among us, who make little or nothing of religion, who do not regard the Sabbath nor the Bible, who do not reverence prayer nor respect preaching. This we do not deny. There are some who call themselves Universalists that we believe are not such. If they be owned and received by us, we look upon them as unworthy members. And pray tell us, Christian friend, where is the society on earth, which has not some such trash to tarnish its glory? If on due consideration we find all societies to have unworthy adherents, let us not then throw rough stones at each other, lest we scratch our own fingers, or mar our own characters. It is a fact that will not be denied, that we are too apt, while we lack charity, to represent the character of a whole town, or an individual society, by a few of its bad characters. But this is no fair or proper way to make an estimation. The whole church of Christ was not corrupt because Judas betrayed, or because Peter denied. But as some make the reckoning, it would prove it so. that Universalism is not true because there are some immoral or irreligious persons who advocate it. If this were good proof, the same argument might be used, with equal force, against Calvinism or Arminianism. But no sound, intelligent person will make use of such a course of reasoning. They will see its insufficiency before they commence. These things have just been hinted to cause us to be more careful in our reasoning, and consequently more charitable. Some tell us This letter I shall now close by giving a short exhortation to my Universalist brethren. One who needs to receive christian exhortation himself, now performs this duty to his friends. We have obtained, as we believe, the most correct views of God and his government; and, if so, we should prove it to the world by living more worthily than others. I do not mean that we should make great professions of our goodness, and then not be virtuous; for that would be like the Pharisees "who say and do not." But let us all improve the light we have, and do good as opportunity permits. "Let our light so shine before men, that they seeing of our good works, may glorify God." "Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation." Watch over your own corrupt passions, and subdue them as much as possible. Pray that the Lord may keep you from the evil that is in the world. "Deal justly, love mercy and walk humbly," and you need fear no evil. And while the truth is spreading and our societies are increasing, let us manifest a commendable zeal in this work of the Lord, in building up and supporting the benevolent cause. May we not fold our arms and say all is well. "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." May that wisdom which is from above, lead and guide us through this life's uneven journey, and at last, may we all be so happy as to meet the countless millions, the redeemed of the Lord, in heaven, to praise God for ever and ever. By order, Amen. ROBERT BARTLETT. From the Universalist Magazine. TO REV. HENRY WARE, D. D. HOLLIS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN THE UNIVERSITY AT CAMBRIDGE. Rev. Sir,-When, some years ago, I read your letters addressed to Trinitarians and Calvinists, occasioned by Dr. Wood's letters to Unitarians, tho I was edified with much of your reasoning, I could but regret the manner in which you treated the subject of the salvation of all I then had some thoughts of suggesting to you a few queries, which should you duly consider, might in duce you to give me more information on the subject than your letters furnish; but other labors crowding upon me, I let the affair go out of my mind. Very recently, however, a friend, whom I esteem, has sent your letters with a special request that I should notice, in some way, what you have said on this all-important subject. In compliance with this request, I now take the liberty of suggesting to you some queries, which are, in my apprehension, of vital concern to christians. On page 34th, you make use of the following passage in 1 Tim. ii. 4, "Who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth," to convince Calvinists that Universal expressions, in the scriptures, may be properly understood in a relative or restricted sense. In such a use of this text you might feel perfectly secure, as to any attack that could be made by Calvinists, because they are under the necessity of restricting the unlimited expression in this passage, in order to maintain the doctrine of election, as they hold it. But when you advance with your own statements, and assert, "It is not true that God wills every individual to come to the knowledge of the truth, i. e. of the gospel; for thousands are precluded from the possibility of it by the circumstances of their being. Nor is it true that he wills all men to be finally saved; but only all of every rank, and every nation, who are penitent, obedient, and faithful. He wills none to be excluded from having the truth proposed, and salvation offered to them. And that all, who receive and obey it, shall actually obtain the salvation offered," did you sufficiently guard against doing an injury to the divine testimony? In rendering yourself victorious over the Calvinist, in one particular, and that a minor point, have you not yielded to him another, which all Unitarians hold as a major? Consider, Sir, this question as it stands in relation to the following from what is above quoted; "Nor is it true, that he wills all men |