any denomination of christians, it must be competent to those of that denomination, who object to any part of his statement, to point out what it is that they deem incorrect; more especially if, in their apprehension, the cause of religious truth is likely to suffer in consequence of an unguarded or inaccurate expression amidst much that is excellent and valuable. It is well known, that among other charges brought against Unitarianism by those who are usually designated by the term orthodox, and more particularly Calvinists, it is said to reject the atonement of Christ, and to set up human merit as the ground of the sinner's hope; and also, that it holds the idea of man's ability to do the will of God without any extraordinary or peculiar aid from above. In reply to such charges, it has been usual with unitarians totally to disclaim merit in reference to their Creator, to deny the possibility of the existence of such merit, and in the most unqualified manner to repeat after our blessed Saviour, that had we "done all things which were commanded, we should be unprofitable servants." And as to man's ability to do the will of God, whether the idea be formally expressed in words or not, unitarians do not imagine that they do any thing, even the most common action relative to animal life, by a power inherent in themselves, or independently of their Creator; but they believe that God has given to every intelligent being sufficient power to do what is good, and to avoid what is evil; so that according to the use or abuse of this power, man becomes a fit subject of the divine approbation or displeasure. I am afraid the following passage in your last number, and which is part of an "Abstract of Unitarian Belief," may have a tendency to strengthen those misapprehensions respecting Unitarianism, which it has been my present endeavour to remove. The passage referred to is as follows; "We believe men have in themselves the power of being good or bad, of meriting the rewards, ondeserving the punishments of a just God." I would submit to the author of the "Abstract," whether it would not have been better to express himself thus; "We believe that God has given to men the power of being good or bad, of becoming fit for happiness, or of subjecting themselves to punishment." From what follows, this appears to me to be all that is meant by the writer; for the succeeding sentences are an excellent commentary on the representation which I have now ventured to give. There is no allusion in them to merit, but most explicitly to confidence in the promised mercies of God. Perhaps the author of the "Abstract" will favour your readers with his own explanation. Meanwhile, I am strongly inclined to believe, that he will concur with me in acknowledging that "eternal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." A UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN. Rev. Dr. Harris's Selection of Hymns. We have read with much pleasure a small book of Hymns, lately published by the REV. DR. HARRIS, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, under the following title; "Hymns for the Lord's Supper, original and selected." The selection is made from different authors with judgment and good taste, and comprises some of the best hymns, which we recollect to have seen on the subject. More than half of this little work is composed of original hymns, a few of which we think in no degree in ferior. either in poetical beauty or appropriateness, to the best of those, which are selected. The following specimens, taken from the original hymns, we are willing to believe will be sufficient to justify our opinion. Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. 1 WHEN, on the midnight of the East, 2 The shepherd, leaning o'er his flock, 3 The Arabian sage, to hail our King, 4 If heathen sages from afar Followed, when darkness round them spread, And worshipped where its radiance led; 5 Shall we, for whom that star was hung In the dark vault of frowning heaven;- That song of peace and sin forgiven; 6 Shall we, for whom the Saviour bled, Careless his banquet's blessings see,Nor heed the parting word that said "Do this in memory of me"-? 1 THERE'S Something sweet in scenes of gloom To hearts, of joy bereft; When hope has wither'd in its bloom; 2 'Tis night; a lovely night;-and lo! The Saviour and his brethren go, Led by heaven's lamp serene, 3 From Salem's height, o'er Kedron's stream, To Olivet's dark steep; There, o'er past joys-so like a dream, 4 Heaven on their earthly hopes has frown'd; Their dream of thrones has fled; The table that his love has crown'd 5 Blast not, O God, this hope of ours, Then, when our friends the grave devours, We'll look from earth to heaven. Theological Education. THE Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, which was instituted at New-York in 1817, was transferred, by a vote of the last General Convention, to New-Haven, and is now in operation in that place. The "Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society in the state of New-York," was established by the Convention of that state, in October. The "Society for educating Young Men for the Ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Maryland and Virginia," has proposed to establish a Theological Professorship in William and Mary College, for the purpose of forming, in connexion with the other Professorships in hat institution, a theological school. The Baptists have established a Theological College at Washington. A building is now erecting suitable for the accommodation of eighty or ninety students. This Institution is under the patronage of the Baptist General Convention. According to the last Report of the Baptist General Convention, there are in the United States two thousand eight hundred and forty-eight Baptist Churches, and more than two thousand ministers. The German Reformed Church proposes establishing a Theological Seminary. A meeting has lately been held for this purpose at Harrisburgh, Pa. Its location has not yet been decided. CORRESPONDENCE. Communications from L. and Z. will appear in the next number. |