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death. "There, they would say, is the wooden chair in which our good Archbishop used to sit amongst ús;" 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. 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 I was happy in morning. 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 subscribing 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, 66 suppose God Almighty should be as just in the next world as my lord chancellor is in this, where are we then !"

CANDID REFLECTIONS BY AN ORTHODOX CONTROVERSIAL WRITER.

"ON complicated questions men will always differ in opinion but conscious each of the weakness of his own understanding and sensible of the bias which the strongest minds are apt to receive from thinking long in the same track they ought to differ with charity and meekness.

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

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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."

INTELLIGENCE.

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 contemplated by the Rev. Joseph Bullen and other ministers of the gospel, at whose request the appointment had been made. These objects it appeared ware in a high degree benevolent, and such as every real friend of Christ, of whatever name, could not but regard Vol. VI.-No. 4.

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with equal concern.

It was conceiv

As

ed 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. the grand object is one, so their efforts to obtain it should not be weakeded by unnecessary divisions. It had long been a desideratum amon 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 mo rality.

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 i..creasing and perpetuating those happy results, which he believed could not fail to be produced by such an extensive concentration of Chris

tian influence and Christian action.

With the design of carrying into execution the important objects of the meeting, it was moved and seconded, that a committee of four persons be appointed, to draw up a number of resolutions expressive of the views and feelings of this meeting, with an address to the disciples of Christ of every denomination; and that they report to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.

RESOLUTIONS.

1. Resolved unanimously, That a spirit of Christian affection and unanimity be recommended and encouraged among all Christian denominations.

2. Resolved, That it be recommended to christians of different denominations, to observe the first Monday in every month as a season of united prayer, social or private, for the revival of religion in our land, for the success of the gospel among the heathen, and for the establish

Messrs. Montgomery, Ranaldson, Smith, and Cornelius, were appointment of the Redeemer's Kingdom*aed the committee.

Moved and seconded, that divine worship be opened in this place and a sermon delivered to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

After prayer adjourned.

Friday, Dec. 19th.-Met according to adjournment.-Opened the meeting with divine worship.

The committee appointed to prepare a number of resolutions expressive of the views and feelings of this meeting, with an address to Christian professors of every name, reported the following, which were unanimously approved and adopted.

After hearing the report of the committee, public worship was opened and a sermon delivered by Rev. Elias Cornelius, from Joel iii. first clause of the 13th verse.

After divine worship the business of the meeting was again resumed.— The expediency of an annual meeting similar to the present, was discussed: whereupon, it was resolved, unanimously, that a meeting be holden the third Thursday in November, 1818, at Washington, to be entitled "The Religious Convention of Christian Denominations ;" to be composed of ministers of the gospel in good standing, and officers or other official representatives of any Christian church.

Rev. Daniel Smith, Rev. John M. Menefee, and Mr. William Snodgrass, were appointed a committee to superintend the printing and distribution of five hundred copies of the minutes, resolutions, and address of this meeting.

Concluded with prayer.

D. COOPER.

mong all nations.

3. Resolved, That the necessity of vital godliness, and of personal and family religion, be generally inculcated and strongly enforced.

4. Resolved, That spceial care and attention should be paid to the promotion of the religious education of the rising generation; and that the utmost vigilance be recommended to prevent the diffusion of infidel princi ples in the instruction of youth.

5. Resolved, That united and vigorous exertions be recommended

for the melioration of the morals of society; especially as relates to intemperance, gambling, profanity, and the abuse of the Sabbath day.

6. Resolved, That general exertions be encouraged for the promotion of Bible Societies, and the distribution of the sacred Scriptures.

ADDRESS,

To all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth.

DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN, We are assembled at the present time, as the disciples of one Divine Master. We have laid aside (for the moment, and we trust for ever) all narrow sectarian views and feelings. Our prayers and praises have ascended together to the throne of God. Our hearts have glowed with fervent affection for each other, for our Christian brethren of whatever name, and for our common Lord. Our counsels have been combined for the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom. And hitherto we have been of one heart and soul. Blessed be the Lord for what our eyes this day witness, and what our hearts this day feel.

And now, dear brethren in Christ,

we wish to make you all partakers of our joys, of our counsels, and of our exertions. Therefore we have presented you with the foregoing resolutions. And if we mistake not, every heart, warm with the love of Jesus and with zeal for his cause, will give to each of them its explicit and cordial Amen. And we might perhaps with propriety content ourselves with simply saying, Ponder these resolves in the fear of God; drink in their spirit, so far as it is the spirit of Christ and let the fruits of that spir it appear in your lives. But, brethren, our feelings will not stop here. We should struggle in vain to repress them. Permit us then to pour into your sympathetic bosoms our whole heart and soul.

Too long have the professed disciples of Jesus of different denomina tions, stood at an awful distance from each other. Cruel jealousies and suspicions have rankled in too many of their bosoms. Bickerings and strifes have marred too much of their social intercourse. And even the sacred desk (tears and blushes should cover our faces at the confession) even the sacred desk has sounded forth the voice of unchristian recrimination and rebuke. These things ought not so to be. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell to gether in unity."-Think of the opprobrium infidels have cast upon the gospel, on account of the shameful contentions of its professors. Remember the declaration of Him we all so dearly love" Hereby shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Call to mind the testimony obtained by the primitive disciples even from envious heathen, "Behold how these Christians love one another."-Listen to still stronger and more endearing motives. Are we not all children of the same heavenly Father, begotten by the same Divine Spirit? thus made partakers of the same holy nature, and by faith united to the same glorious Redeemer. One spirit animates our bosoms, one exalted hope clevatas our affections, and one common cause demands our united exer tions. Love to the brethren, therefore, if we are Christians, is at once

the inherent temper and natural breathing of our hearts, and is the only effectual bond of union.

Disciples of Jesus, we call upon you in the spirit of holy affection, to rally round the standard of the cross. Different denominations of Christians are but different phalanxes of the army of Jehovah of hosts. We call upon you therefore not only to desist from unnatural and doubly destructive warfare among yourselves, but also with holy and united violence to assail the empire of darkness, and with fervent effectual prayer to take the kingdom of heaven by force. United exertion is efficacious exertion. The faithful and true witness has said, Where two or three of you shall agree as touching any thing that ye shall ask, it shall be done unto you." Under the sanction of this high authority we recommend a general attendance on the Monthly Concert of Prayer, established and observed in every quarter of the globe. On the first Monday of every month, as the orb of day rolls round the world, he sees the men of God in Asia and their heathen converts sending up the voice of supplication to the throne of heaven, in behalf of a fallen world. Passing towards the west, he witnesses the once degraded Hottentot, in the deserts of Africa, lifting up his voice and heart to heaven. Then he beholds a volume of incense and the voice of thousands ascending from Christianized Europe. Lastly, he hears the fervent prayers of our Atlantic brethren of every name. And as he descends beyond the western wilderness, he calls on us to add our Amen, however feeble, to, this grand Concert of Prayer,

And our prayers, brethren, must be accompanied by our exertions. Worldliness and vice prevail in our land to a fearful extent. The god of this world leads thousands captive.Intemperance first brutalizes, and then destroys its innumerable victims.

The gambler's nefarious arte hurry thousands into the depths of poverty and the bottomless abysses of vice.-Profanity wages war upon the attributes and glory of Jehovah, and draws down the judgements of God upon the land. While the Sabbath of

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the Lord,dear to every pious heart, is wantonly and impiously profaned. Who then is on the Lord's side? Let him gird his sword upon his thigh, and stand forth against these sons of Belial. Let us be united, energetic, and persevering, and the victory shall be ours. The war we wage is a war of extermination. Let us therefore never return the sword to its scabbard until these heaven-daring vices are driven from this land, to their native abode in the infernal pit.

Our grand weapon, both of offence and defence, in these "wars of the Lord," is the volume of Divine Truth. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Permit ùs then, Christian brethren, to urge upon your attention the distribution of the sacred Scriptures. Is there one family in this Christian land (and there are thous ands) destitute of a Bible? O tell it not in Gath! There are institutions for the supply of the destitute; but they languish for want of patronage and support. There are Bibles in our depositories; but they remain there from year to year for want of some one to convey them to the houses of the poor. And hence it is that our

eyes are pained, with the sight of whole families, ignorant almost as the heathen of the great salvation of the gospel.

Beloved brethren, we address you only on one topic more-a topic of the tenderest interest and of vital importance: 'Tis the religious education of children. Our youth are the rising hope of our churches and of our country. Shall we urge you to read the word of God to your children, and pray with and for them? You do this already, or you have no valid claim to the Christian character. More must be done. The sacred principles of the gospel must be assiduously instilled into their minds, both by precept and example. They must be prudently restrained from frequenting the haunts of frivolous amusement and dissipation. They must be led to the house of God, and taught to reverence the worship and ordinances of the Most High, and above all you must beware how you intrust their education to men of vicious habits and of infidel principles.

Under so baleful an influenee, the fairest flowers of virtue will wither, droop, and die.

Above all, see that the flame of holy affection and heavenly devotion is kept always burning pure and bright in your own bosoms. Let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. And by the meekness of wisdom, the patience of hope, and the labour of love, you shall yet obtain a glorious victory over your own remaining corruptions, over the rulers of the darkness of this world, and over the consciences and hearts of thousands af your fellow men. By these means you shall send up a rich revenue of glory to the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Brethren, our minds and hearts are full; so that we know not where to stop. But we say all in one word the word of the Apostle? "If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye our joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

EXTRACTS

From the First Report of the American Society for colonizing the Free People of colour.

"The Managers of the American Society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States, in submitting to the Society their first report, are encouraged to persevere in their efforts from an increased confidence as well in its practicability as in its importance. In a plan of such magnitude, involving the happiness of many millions; and the success of which, while it cannot fail to create a general interest, might conflict with established prejudice, circumspection and delicacy become essential to its progress. The first step of the Board of Managers was to present a memorial to Congress at their last session, which, with the report of the committee to whom it was referred, is now laid before this society. The nature and novelty of the subject, not less than the mass of business which engage the deliberations of that body, did not permit them to pursue the re

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