MR. EDITOR,

I SEND you the following IMPROMPTU by a gentleman in England, Alumnus of Harvard University, and respectable for his talents and character. It arose literally out of the circumstances mentioned. It contains a moral, which the intelligent reader will readily apply to every sentiment, forced upon the public mind by custom or antiquity, and unsupported by reason or scripture, whether such sentiment relates to church or state, to war or peace. Some of the party present, devoted to high church and to the national ecclesiastical establishments, were a lit tle indignant, and thought the reader, who was educated a moderate dissenter, had evinced a want of reverence for the only true church.

In a conversation with a few friends on church government, a clergyman who was of the party said, "No one was entitled to administer the offices of the church, who had not received Episcopal ordination; for wherever the episcopal • succession is preserved, there only is a true Church. "Nulla Ecclesia sine Episcopo." Tertullian.

The opinion of the gentle man being required, he replied, There is in the history of one of the Indian tribes in America an anecdote somewhat analo. gous, which with permission I will read. Taking down a book, he apparently read what follows:

"As the Sun was hastening to cool himself in the placid waters of Lake Erie, Commemoroonah, Sachem of the Tuscaroras, sat at the door of his wigwam, scouring his red-rusted scalping knife. Bambarrah, his faithful squaw, was preparing hominee for the supper of her lord; whilst their sons were striving, who with truest aim could direct the tomahawk.

"At this interesting moment three envoys approached, bearing a talk from Alpequot, the renowned Sachem of the Chippewas; which they thus delivered.

"Brother, when the great Spirit created Tobacco for the solace of red men, He delivered to Animboonab, Father of the Chippewas, a torch, which the had lighted at the great, day-star-The Chippewas have not suffered this celestial spark to be extinguished; but from it have all our pipes been ignited for ninety nine thousand five hundred and fifty moons. This therefore, and this only is the true canonical fire; all other is unholy and damnable.❤ (A belt of wampum)

"Brother, I send to you a portion of this sacred fire, preserved by uninterrupted succession, that with it you may light your pipe, and diffuse the blessing through your nation." (A belt of wampum)

BE THAT TENTH PART OF THE CITY WHICH SHALL FALL! MAY WE HEAR OF A MIGHTY

JOHN TETZEL, a Dominican inquisitor, employed to sell the indulgences of Pope Leo X. travelled throughout various parts of Europe persuading the people that the moment any person had paid the money for his indulgence, he might be certain of his salvation; for all his crimes, however enormous, would be forgiven. At Leipsic, it is said, that after he had "scraped together a great deal of money from all ranks of people," a nobleman who suspected the imposture, put this question to him—“ Can you grant absolution for a sin which a man shall intend to commit in future?" "Yes," replied the frontless commissioner, "but on condition that the proper sum of money be actually paid down." The nobleman instantly produced the sum demanded, and in return

received a diploma sealed and signed by Tetzel, absolving him from the unexplained crime which he secretly intended to commit. Not long af ter, when Tetzel was about to leave Leipsic the nobleman. made inquiry respecting the road he would probably travel, waited for him in ambush at a convenient place, attacked and robbed him; then beat him soundly with a stick, sent him back again to Leipsic with his chest empty, and, parting, said, "This is the fault I intended to commit, and for which I have your absolution!"

This humorous story is related by the cautious Seckendorf, and may serve to show the almost incredible lengths to which the popish agents proceeded in the detestable traffic so clearly laid open by this anecdote. Am. Baf. Mag.

WHEN Fenelon lost his library by fire, he exclaimed "God be praised that it is not the cottage of some poor family "This was characteristic

of the amiable archbishop of Cambray, and expressive of his compassion for the poor. By his tenderness towards the poor peasants, his kindness to them in their distresses, his habit of visiting them to impart to them of the good things of this life and the consolations of religion, he gained their affections in a remarkable manner. They regarded him as a father and venerated his name long after his

death. "There, they would say, is the wooden chair in which our good Archbishop used to sit amongst us;" and weeping they would add "Ah! we shall never see him more " FENELON wrote against the Jansenists, believing that their doctrine was dishonorary to God and injurious to man. What a terrible Being, said he, do they make of God! For my part I consider him as a good Being And I can never consent to regard him as a tyrant, who having fettered us, commands us to walk and then punishes us because we cannot obey him."

Still however Fenelon was averse to every mode of persecution. "Let us be," said he, "with respect to them, what they will not permit the Divine Being to be with regard to mankind, full of mercy and indulgence." He was told that the Jansenists were his avowed enemies and omitted no opportunity of decrying him and his doctrine;" a more forcible reason still, said he, to forbear and forgive them."-Fenelon had learned of him who was meek and lowly of heart.

On a certain day Louis XIV. attended church and was much astonished to find only one of his court present. He demanded the reason of the major of the guards. "Sire, replied the officer, I had given it out that your majesty would not attend divine service this morning. I was happy in your having an opportunity of knowing for yourself, those who come hither to pay their devotions to God, and those who only come to pay their court to your majesty."

LORD chancellor King, in a conversation with Mr. Whiston, vindicated the practice of some of the English clergy, in sub. scribing articles of faith which they do not believe-" because, said he, we must not lose our usefulness for scruples" Whiston asked his lordship "whether in his court they allowed of such prevarication ?" The chancellor answered, "We do not." Whiston replied," suppose God Almighty should be as just in the next world as my lord chancellor is in this, where are we then !"

Since unhappily there are still so many subjects of debate among those who name the name of Christ, it is doubtless every man's duty, after divesting himself as much as possible of prejudice, to investigate these subjects with accuracy and to adhere to that side of each disputed question which

after such investigation appears to him to be the truth; but he transgresses the favourite precept of his divine Master when he casts injurious reflections or denounces anathemas upon those who with equal sincerity

may view the matter in a different light, and by his want of charity does more harm to the religion of the Prince of Peace, than he would do good were he able to convert all mankind to his own orthodox opinions."

From the N. Y. Christian Herald. RELIGIOUS CONVENTION OF CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS.

Ar a meeting of Ministers of the Gospel and Christian brethren of different denominations, convened on the 18th of December, 1817, at Clear Creek Church, near Washington, in the State of Missisippi, pursuant to information publicly given, for the purpose of mutually reciprocating the expressions of Christian friendship, and endeavouring unitedly to promote the common interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom; the following ministers were present;-Rev. David Cooper, Rev. William Montgomery, Rev. James A. Ranaldson, Rev. Daniel Smith, Rev. Lawrence Scarborough, Rev. John M. Menefee, Rev. Benjamin Davis, and Rev. Elias Cornelius, Missionary, Rev. Wm. M'Mahon.

The Rev. David Cooper was chosen Moderator, and Rev. E. Cornelius, Secretary.

The Meeting having been opened with divine worship, it was moved and seconded, that all officers of any Christian Church who might be present, be considered as forming a part of this Religious Convention: when it appeared that the following officers of churches were present:-Messrs. John Henderson, Abraham Galtney, Joel Pate, Wm. Foster, Wm. Snodgrass.

At request, the Rev. Mr. Montgomery rose to explain the objects of the meeting as originally contempla, ted by the Rev. Joseph Bullen and other ministers of the gospel, at whose request the appointment had been made. These objects it appeared were in a high degree benevolent, and such as every real friend of Christ, of whatever name, could not but regard Vol. VI.-No. 4. 16

with equal concern. It was conceived that in all countries, and particularly in this, where the harvest is great and the labourers few, there there should be as strong a bond of union among the different denominations of Christians as possible. As the grand object is one, so their efforts to obtain it should not be weakeded by unnecessary divisions. It had long been a desideratum among the good, that practical demonstration should be given to the unbelieving and the ungodly, that however much the followers of Christ might differ upon subjects of smaller moment, they have in fact, a common interest -a common cause-the cause of virtue and of God. With the view of unitedly and effectually promoting this cause the present meeting had been called; and it was hoped by the help of God it would soon appear that it had not been called in

vain.

These sentiments were followed by the most cordial and animated expressions of mutual approbation by the brethren present, who all seemed to partake of the same spirit of love, and to be governed by the same purpose of united efforts for the promotion of true piety and Christian morality.

The Rev. Mr. Bullen having arrived, united in expressing his congratulations on the occasion of the meeting, and explained still further the subjects originally contemplated for discussion, particularly the expediency of an annual meeting of the different denominations of Christians in this country for the purpose of increasing and perpetuating those happy results, which he believed could not fail to be produced by such an extensive concentration of Chris