truth who have been rather inactive, and perhaps for justifiable reasons, begin to revive, and renew both their exertions and strength. We have refreshing news from several towns, even where the Saviour of all men had been scarcely named. Our esteemed Brother CоBB, labors in Waterville, Winthrop, Norridgwock, Gardiner and Union, and has preached occasionally in many other towns, to numerous and attentive congregations. From our other beloved Brethren in the ministry, we have no direct intelligence, but presume they are owned and blessed, in all their able and faithful labors.

ORDINATION.-At Wilmington, Vt. on Tuesday the 22d of October, Br. HUBBARD H. WINCHESTER, was publicly ordained to the work of the ministry. Br. DAVID BALLOU, of Monroe, Mass. the Introductory Prayer. Br. HOSEA BALLOU, of Boston, the Sermon, from Ps. li. 13: "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Br. DAVID BALLOU, the Ordaining Prayer. Br. HOSEA BALLOU, the delivery of the Scriptures and Charge. Br. HOSEA BALLOU, 2d of Roxbury, the Right Hand of Fellowship. Br. WINCHESTER, the Concluding Prayer and Benediction."

A numerous and respectable audience attended, and evinced, by its attention, a deep interest in the services.

OBITUARY.

Capt. WALTER Keating, of Portland, (late master of the brig Galen,) DIED at Hampton, Va. Oct. 1822, aged 43. He was an esteemed member of the Uuniversalist Society in this town, and a citizen of the first respectability. The following testimonial is taken from a biographical sketch, written by a gentleman of veracity, whose "personal observation and knowledge," renders it worthy of entire acceptation.

"Capt. KEATING, as a husband, was full of affection and tenderness-as a father he was kind and indulgent, encircling all those endearing ties, which render life happy. Having suffered shipwreck and buffeting by the proud billows below, and being summoned to take his departure across the ocean of death, to the peaceful and happy shores of eternity, with an UNSHAKEN FAITH IN THE UNIVERSAL LOVE AND GOODNESS OF GOD, he was enabled to meet the grim messenger of DEATH, without dismay. Thus in the midst of life and usefulness hath a brother fallen and been deposited in the cold mansion of the grave; one who will long be remembered by his bereaved family and a large circle of friends, who know well, how to estimate departed worth."

In Providence, R. I. 16th Oct. Mr. SAMUEL HILL, in the 84th year of his age. It is but justice to the memory of the deceased to say, that in his character were united those virtues which are an ornament to the Christian

name. For about forty years of his protracted life, he was a firm believer in the divine goodness, in the creation, preservation, and the final redemption from sin and misery, of all the erring children of Adam; and his life was a practical comment on his belief, for it breathed love and good will to all. After giving directions respecting his funeral, he, in the triumph of faith, commended his soul to the hands of its maker. Consolatory to his only childand numerous friends (for he had no enemies) is the reflection, that the unbounded mercy of God gave him delight in the dying hour, and brightened the beam of his setting sun.

HYMN.

JEHOVAH spake! wide Chaos heard,
And bowing to his sovereign word,
Confusion, darkness fled;

While from the deep, the void profound,
Celestial splendors shone around

And new-born beauties spread.

Up rose the Sun in cloudless light
And at meridian strength and height
Beam'd from his radiant throne;
The Moon was rob'd in silver rays,
And mild reflecting solar blaze;

Bright gem'd the starry zone.

The morning Star less lucid still,
Was orient seen above the hill,
And led the van of day;

While twice ten thousand worlds of light
Wide round the gloom of ancient night,
Shed Wisdom's mildest ray.

"Let these be signs!" JEHOVAH said;
From pole to pole the signs were spread,
And MORTALS bade them hail!
For Wisdoin, Love and Power shall be
Thy signs, O God, and lead to Thee,
Beyond DEATH's cloudy vale.

Richards altered.

THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION

Of Universalists convened at Barre, Vt. October 8th, 1822. Br. John E. Palmer was chosen Moderator, and Brs. Samuel C. Loveland and Robert Bartlett, Clerks. The Church in Whiting, and Societies in Crown Point, N.Y. and Shaftsbury, Vt. were received into fellowship. Granted a Letter to Br. C. R. Marsh, as a fellow laborer. Br. Royal Gage, was dismissed by request, and G. W. Brooks was disfellowshipped for unchristian conduct.The brethren who were present, and took part in the exercises, were Brs. Elias Smith, Samuel C. Loveland, Kittredge Haven, Robert Bartlett, John E. Palmer, J. Wallace, J. Babbit, and Adolphus Skinner. The Association was adjourned to meet, if the Lord will, at Whiting, Vt. on the first Wednesday and Thursday in October, 1823. We have only room to observe; the meeting was glorious, and the Circular Letter written by Br. Palmer, breathes the very spirit of the Lord Jesus.

THE

CHRISTIAN INTELLIGENCER,

AND

GOSPEL ADVOCATE.

EDITED BY

RUSSELL STREETER,

Minister of the First Universalist Society in Portland.

Vol. II.

March, 1823.

No. 3.

A SERMON,

Delivered at the Dedication of the Universalist Meeting House, in PORTLAND, (Me.) August 16, 1821, by SEBASTIAN STREETER, Pastor of the Universalist Church and Society in Portsmouth, N. H.

HAGGAI ii. 7 and 9.

"I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts."-"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts: and in this place will I give peace saith the Lord of Hosts."

THE Custom of dedicating places of public worship to the exclusive service of Almighty God, is sanctioned by the usage of ages. For this purpose, we have now assembled in this commodious and splendid edifice.— The words read from the holy scriptures, are thought to afford an appropriate theme of discourse on the auspicious occasion. The two houses mentioned in the text, are, the one built by Solomon, and that erected by the Jews, after their return from the Babylonish captivity. The transcendant glory of the latter is predicted. We shall do well to remember that Haggai spake with the authority of a true prophet. He followed no cunningly devised fable, nor shaped his predictions to suit ancient opinions and prejudices, or to strengthen and perpetuate popular impressions. "Thus saith the Lord," was his direction and authority. He devoutly listened to the voice of the Almighty for instruction, and whatever his spirit dictated, he fearless of consequences, indited.

In the verses which we have selected as the subject of discourse, on this joyful and interesting occasion, the prophet asserts his authority with distinct and solemn repetitions-"Thus saith the Lord of Hosts." His predictions are consequently, based upon inviolable truth, and await in the progress of the divine administration, an infallible and complete accomplishment. But the doctrine of the text will have but little influence upon the hearer, unless the divine authority of the writer is fixed in the mind, as an incontrovertible truth. If he had no authority to predict, we have none for believing in his predictions. Our hopes may end in despair, and our confidence terminate in confusion. But if he foretold "the coming of the Just One, and the glory which should follow," by the direction of the living God, "he that believeth can never be confounded." This is our persuasion, and with it, we may proceed to the labors before us, with hopeful prospects of edification and pleasure.

The text contains a number of predictions, all however, connected by the unity of the general subject, which is the coming of the Messiah, and the transcendant glory and peace, which follow in the train of his mediation.

Convenience and improvement will incline us to notice the different sections, as they are placed by the inspired penman.

I. I will shake all nations.

II. The desire of all nations shall come.

III. I will fill this house with glory, and the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former. IV. And in this house will I give peace.

The first particular prophetically indicates the uncommon solicitude which was prevalent among the Jews and others, at the time of the Saviour's birth; and the great revolutions which the diffusion of his doctrine, and the establishment of his kingdom, would produce in the institutions, opinions, and habits of all nations. These emotions and mighty changes are ex

pressed by the comprehensive phrase, "I will shake all nations." That an illustrious personage of incalculable utility to mankind, was about to enter the theatre of the world, is known to have been a very prevalent expectation at the time of the Redeemer's advent. No prophet had appeared among the chosen tribes during the space of about four hundred years. The ancient distinction and authority of their nation were extinct. They confidently looked for restoration to their ancient privileges and national elevation, by the Messiah promised to their fathers. The rabbins, in whom the multitude were accustomed to repose implicit confidence, assured them that the magnificent approach of their deliver was at hand. That their long expected Shiloh was at the door. That the august "Messenger of the covenant" to be made with the house of Israel in the latter days, would suddenly, very suddenly come to his temple in Jerusalem, wearing the aspect of supreme authority; invested with the insignia of royalty; clad with an armor irresistible; and who, subjugating all nations, would give them the dominion of the world.

Aspiring and vain, these representations were perfectly congenial to the temper of that people. Their pride was inflated. Their ambition was distended and inflamed. Illusive hopes elated and disquieted them. They were agitated and moved by an ungovernable anxiety. To use the language of the text, 'The Lord shook them.' Under the influence of conflicting passions, but particularly that of fond expectancy, they were shaken through all their tribes and families. But this expectation was not confined to the Jews. It reached other branches of the Roman empire. "Wise men from the east," guided by the star of the babe born in Bethlehem, "came with gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh," to find him who was born king of the Jews, to fall down before him with reverent prostration of soul; to welcome and worship him as "the true light of the world, and the salvation of God to the ends of the earth."

The commencement and progress of Christ's ministry