of God, being born again. They are translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. 2. Regeneration is the antidote to the moral maladies of human nature. Some men are more wicked than others, before their conversion, and, therefore, need a greater change. Saul of Tarsus, was a worse man, than Cornelius the centurion, previous to the regeneration of either, and while both were professors of the same religion. Acts, ix. x. The account of Paul's conversion differs as widely from that of Cornelius, as his temper, disposition and habits were different. The new birth is intended to effect a change of principles and feelings, and therefore, makes no alteration where they are right. As the centurion was a devout, prayerful, alms-giving man, previous to his believing in the word, whereby he and his house were saved, it is evident, that an entire change would have made him undevout, prayerless and illiberal. Whatever is right in our nature or habits, needs no alteration; but all errors and sinful habits, must be corrected. 3. If the instantaneous effect of the new birth were a total change of man's whole nature, the new creature would be wholly unnatural; and if the natural man be entirely depraved and sinful, the unnatural man would be entirely pure and holy. He would be perfect in holiness. According to that view of the subject, no man was ever born again in this life. But it should be remembered, that regeneration gives the character of children of God, having yet to learn his will, grow in grace and knowledge. That the change is at first but partial, and effects a reformation in a degree only, the lives of all those who were called the children of God, apostles and others, demonstrate. John says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him;" that is, we shall be perfect. Therefore, notwithstanding they were regenerate, a deeper and more perfect work of grace must take place, to render them perfect in regeneration. He that is born 66 of God, in the highest sense and is made perfect in love, cannot sin, for his seed remaineth in him ;" he is not merely a child, but has "the perfect stature of a new MAN in Christ Jesus." PROCEEDINGS OF THE EASTERN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSALISTS, Convened at Turner, (Me.) June, 1822. The Ministers and Delegates composing the Eastern Association of Universalists, met according to adjournment, in TURNER, at Br. Seth Staples', and opened the business of the Council by devout thanksgiving and Prayer by Br. S. Streeter. Proceeded to business by choosing 1. Br. Sebastian Streeter, Moderator. 2. Brs. Sylvanus Cobb and Russell Streeter, Clerks. ORDER OF EXERCISE, Wednesday, A. M. Br. S. Streeter, introductory Prayer.-Br. S. Cobb, Sermon, from Eph. i. 13, 14.-Br. Wm. A. Drew, concluding Prayer. 3. Chose Brs. R. Streeter, S. Cobb and Wm. Frost, committee, to receive and examine applications for fellowship and ordination and report on the same during the session; and to grant Letters during the recess of the Association. ORDER OF SERVICE. P. M. Introductory prayer, Br. J. Woodman.-Sermon, Br. R. Streeter; Phill. III. 10.-Concluding Prayer. Br. A. Barton. 6 O'CLOCK SERVICE. First Prayer, Br. J. Butterfield.-Sermon, Br. Wm. Frost; Ps.lxxii. 17.-Last Prayer Br. S. Streeter. 4th. Met in Council, and adjourned to Thursday morning, 8 o'clock. Prayer by Br. R. Streeter. 5th. Thursday, 8 o'clock, met according to adjournment, and joined in Prayer with Br. Wm. Frost. 6th. Read the credentials from several delegates, and heard particular relations of the state of Societies, and of the prosperity of the Redeemer's cause, in this section of his heritage. 7th. Voted, That the Universalist Society in Minot, be received into fellowship with this Association. 8th. Voted, That the Universalist Society in Lewiston, be received into fellowship with this Association. ORDER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, Thursday, A. M. Opening Prayer, Br. S. Cobb. Sermon, Br. W. A. Drew, 1 Cor. xv. 12. PUBLIC SERVICE, P. M. Introductory Prayer, Br. R. Streeter. Ordaining Prayer, Br. J. Butterfield. Delivery of the Scriptures and Charge, Br. S. Streeter. Hand of Fellowship, Br. William Frost. Prayer and Benediction, Br. S. Streeter. 9th. Voted, That Br. Russell Streeter prepare a Circular to accompany the Minutes of the proceedings of this Session, and print them in the CHRISTIAN INTELLIGENCER AND GOSPEL ADVocate. 10th. Adjourned this Association to meet by Divine permission, at WATERVILLE, on the fourth Wednesday and Thursday, in JUNE, 1823. 11th. Closed by solemn and devout Prayer by Br. Joseph Butterfield. CIRCULAR LETTER, FOR 1822. The Ministers and Delegates of the Eastern Association of Universalists to their religious Brethren and friends, send christian salutation and benediction, wishing you grace, mercy and peace, from the infinite fulness of Him, whose presence filleth immensity. BRETHREN We are happy to congratulate you on the general prosperity which attends the cause of impartial benevo fence and universal salvation. As far as our knowl ་ edge extends, there is much reason for expressing our gratitude and rejoicing, that the gospel has been preached in its simplicity, and in many cases, with demonstration and power. The seed of the kingdom has taken deep root, in the hearts of thousands, and produces the fruits of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, kindness, faith, meekness and temperance. In proportion as the sowers of the word have been careful to prepare the ground for its reception, and preserve it pure from the mixture of tares, their labors have not been in vain. The great Lord of the vineyard has crowned their faithful exertions with much success. BLESSED BE HIS NAME ! Pleasing to us and gratifying to you, brethren, as it might be, to take a comprehensive survey of the present state of our cause, in this section, compared with what it was some twenty years since, when a BARNS, a Roor and a FARWELL, (the two former of whom have since been called to the eternal home of their Master,) first proclaimed the glad tidings of Salvation to all men, in this quarter of the vineyard, adding thereto the untold felicities which abounded in a thousand hearts at our annual meeting, when we in spirit, shouted aloud for joy, in hope of the glory of God; superadding our conjectures of the probable alteration which will be realized, in as many years to come, still, we deem it most expedient to direct our attention and yours, to considerations of the causes of such consequences. Devoutly grateful for the past, conscious of our present accountability for the means of promoting the prevalence of truth, let us soberly devise a system of operation, which may add to the increase, respectability and permanence of our religion. Without system and order no christian denomination can long flourish and prevail. When the fire of ardent zeal is, in a measure, extinguished by uninterrupted joy, and we begin to depend more on deliberate reflection, systematical movements become indispensable to the permanence and prevalence of our cause. The history of transient swarms of burning fanatics, is the loudest testimony in support of our assertions. Then, brethren, First. Let it be your prevailing object to form yourselves into regular Societies, religious bodies, for the purpose of maintaining public worship and of giving all possible countenance to our Master's religion. A body, in this figurative sense, is composed of many members, all fitly designed and associated, with a head, on the intelligence and volition of which, the several parts depend. This intimation, and the reflections with which you will accompany it, will admonish you of the obvious propriety of putting yourselves into a situation to proceed understandingly and systematically, in all your operations as Societies. Officers should be chosen whose health, inclinations, abilities and occupations will best admit of their being useful. Every good brother, cannot, with equal propriety, devote much of his time to the society's concerns. Both our hands are extremely useful and dear to us; and though one is often preferred, the left hand will not complain that the other is most used, nor the right murmur, that it bears an unreasonable burthen. Remember the maxim, "United we stand, divided we fall." Every regular body acts to one end. Did the feet and eyes wage war, what would be the consequence? When first beginning to act, you must expect to feel the ligaments and strength of your union tried and proved. Look at the machinery, in which one wheel turns a thousand; and while it stands unused, the connection of the several parts is unnoticed. Put it in operation, and the connexion will be discovered, and every wheel move with the rest, in harmonious motion. Thus may we form societies, go into operation, and realize the ties and bonds, by which we are united. Having Having begun a GOOD WORK, let us persevere. Too many societies having been organized, and meeting with some embarrassments, have neglected, if not abandoned, their profession. How unreasonable! As though a number of men were to build a fine costly vessel to trade to foreign ports, and fit her out to ride |