cruelty. It is a well known fact, that he persecuted those who would not conform to his standard of belief on doctrinal and ecclesiastical questions. He caused Jerome Bolsec, a French physician, to be banished for his heretical opinions. He served George Blandrata, an Italian physician, who denied the doctrine of the trinity, in a similar manner. His treatment of Sebastian Castalio, his friend and regent of the College, a great, learned, and good man, was much more severe and unchristian. And his causing the death of Michael Servetus has left an indelible stain of disgrace on his character. The only apology for all these unchristian persecutions is to be found in the history of that period. Calvin himself published a work to prove that it was lawful to destroy heretics; that is, those who differed from his interpretations of scripture. He was a man of uncominon mental powers, of extensive acquirements, and respectable piety for the times in which he lived. His system of church government, and his views of the Lord's Supper, differed materially from those of Luther. On many other points he differed not only from Luther, but most essentially from the other Reformers. He established a system of faith peculiar to himself; and his followers from that time to the present have been called Calvinists.

"Michael Servetus, was born in Spain, in the year fifteen hundred and nine. He studied law three years in his native land. Hearing of the progress of the Reformation in other parts of Europe, he devoted his time and attention to the scriptures. Taking these for his only guide of faith, and having at this time no connexion with the other Reformers, he immediately renounced, among other Catholic absurdities, the doctrine of the trinity. He then wrote a work on the Error of the Trinity, in seven books. As it could not be published in Spain without exposing his life, he went to Germany where more liberty was enjoyed, and there gave it to the world with his own name attached. He probably thought that this error would be one of the first to be rejected by those who took the Bible as their only standard of religious truth. He was sadly mistaken in this supposition. The publication produced a great sensation among all classes of the community, and was of course condemned by most of the leaders in the Reformation. Next year he published two dialogues to explain and defend his views on the subject of the Trinity. Soon after this, he repaired to Paris, and pursued the study of medicine. Having obtained a medical degree, he commenced the practice of the profess on in that city and also engaged in decturing on Geography and Mathematics. All this time he was in constant correspondence with Calvin. He spoke to him with all that unreserved freedom which is manifested by one devoted friend towards another. These familiar and confidential letters were afterwards used by Calvin to destroy his correspondent. In fifteen hundred and fifty-three, he published a large work without his name, entitled "The Restoration of Christianity." In this book, he not only pursues his attack on the trinity, but inveighs severely against other Catholic absurdities. The Catholics, having authority then in France, en leavored to discover the author, that they might bring him to punishment, It has been proved to my satisfaction, that Calvin was so base as to give them information, and to send something like twenty of the Latin letters of Servetus, which might be used in his trial. He was accordingly seized and imprisoned; but soon after made his escape, and started for Switzerland. On his way he passed through Geneva, where Calvin reigned. He went in disguise, and did not mean to be known in the city. But Calvin discovered the fact on his first entrance into the place, and immediately gave information to the magistrates, who placed him in prison. After suffering various and most inhuman cruelties in his confinement, he was brought to trial, which lasted for a long period. A servant of Calvin was his accuser. A manuscript, which he had put into the hands of Calvin some years before for his friendly criticisms, was produced on his trial. He was finally condemned to be Larnt alive in a slow fire of green wood. And we are informed that his sufferings were excruciating beyond description, and lasted more than two hours. From all accounts, it appears that Servetus was as learned, as accomplished, as zealous, and as pious, as any of the other reformers. His system of belief differed from those of the

others; and those, who adhered to his doctrine of the trinity, were called Servetists. Some of them were murdered for their heretical opinions; and so great was the persecution of the unitarians, that the sect was but small for many years."

For a more particular account of Calvin's acknowledgments and guilt, in this horrid affair, see Whitman's Letters, pp. 106.

Let us now look at the fruits of Calvinism in America, and in our own New-England States. Look at the history of our own native country.Who compelled Roger Williams and his associates, for an honest difference of opinion, in the days of our pilgrim fathers, to flee in the depth of winter, for refuge, to a neighboring State, [now Rhode Island] then a wilderness and uninhabited except by the untutored tenants of the forest? Who fined, and whipped, and branded, and cut off the ears, and slit the tongues, and banished the sects called Baptists and Quakers-yea, crimsoned the earth with their blood? Who hung, burnt, or drowned, aged and innocent mothers, for supposed witchcraft-and venerable, upright, and virtuous fathers, for wizards? Who did all this, and ten fold more which might be named? We answer-a polluted, blood-thirsty, tyrannical Calvinist priesthood!

Witness the movements of the Calvinist Clergy in Pennsylvania and New York, for the past ten years, and see the cloven foot of priestcraft.Witness that great and daring step of the Calvinist leaders to stop the United States Mail on the Sabbath--and see their wickedness and inconsistency in having a law to punish some for travelling on Sunday, while they hire and pay money to others for breaking the Sabbath, who are engaged to travel and watch their neighbors! O shame! where is thy blush!

Look at the abominable attempts of the Caivinist leaders in Connecticut and Massachusetts, "to carry out their principles," and punish some of the most excellent and pious men of New-England, for their religious opinions. See them attempting to establish their despotism by Ecclesiastical Courts, to condemn and silence such men as Rev. Win. E. Channing, Noah Worcester, Preserved Smith, Thomas Worcester, Joseph Field, Daniel Huntington, Winthrop Bailey, and Mr. Sherman-with many others-who are the salt of the earth. Look into these high-handed Calvinist measures. Let me come nearer home. Behold the intolerance and arrogance of the Calvinists in New-Hampshire. Take the case of Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, in this State. See the abominable measures of the Hopkinton Association of Calvinists, in their wicked attempts to punish Mr. Worcester, because he would not preach their abominations and follow their wicked ways. This gentleman was excommunicated for not subscribing to their unholy and grossly wicked creed-and he was advertised in the Calvinists papers. I believe the N. H. Observer contains the inquisitorial proceedings of this daring outrage. A similar farce was acted by the Hampshire Association, of Massachusetts, in the case of Rev. John Truair, and published in the Hampshire Gazette. The reader will find a particular and correct account of the outrageous abominations of Calvinism in New-England, in "Whitman's Letters on Religious Liberty," recently published in Boston by Gray & Bowen.

It will be well to take notice of the attempts which have been made by some of the leading Calvinists, within a few years, "to carry out their principles." Behold the Calvinist missionaries in the State of Georgia, led on by an organized religious party, making attempts to enforce their measures and opinions on the people in that region. These men" attempted to carry out their principles," in defiance of all the laws of the State. And for their unchristian conduct and insolence they were sent to the State Prison for four years, as they richly deserved exemplary punishment. Our good people are abominably deceived about this matter. It is generally considered a persecution of pious missionaries for teaching the precious doctrines of inspired truth, -when in fact, it is directly the reverse. These men set up their opinions for the law of the people, and were determined "to carry out their principles," and obtain the influence of the U. S. government to sanction their daring attempts at supremacy. In this wickedness they were detected, convicted and punished. It is wrong to regard these men as poor, persecuted missionaries, suffering for the cause of Christ-when they in fact have brought the evil upon themselves by their unholy attempts to gain power and usurp their despotic influence,

Let me further ask, in the language of Rev. Zelotes Fuller, of Phila delphia, Who would gladly banish religious freedom and liberal sentiments

from our country, and establish an ecclesiastical government? Who are determined, if possible, to unite Church and State, and are using every means which they can command to effect such an object? Who would compel the people to be religious in their way; to worship by their creed, or destroy them upon the wheel of torture, thrust them down the precipice or roast them in glowing flames? A tyrrannical, persecuting priesthood. The spirit that has done this is still alive, and is in our own beloved country, and has manifested itself in instances not a few, and still continues to manifest itself in a variety of ways, to the disgrace of human nature, and to the destruction of human happiness.

That it is the object of the clergy of a particular stamp, to effect, ultimately, a union of Church and State, or, in other words, to establish a national religion, would be folly to doubt. That this, for a long time past, has been their fixed and steady purpose; that it has been their study, by day and by night; that to this end all their various operations, such as amassing large sums of money, forming national bible and missionaries societies, setting up large printing establishments, forming a Sunday School Union, officious Tract societies, &c. &c. &c. have been, and still are, directed to this purpose, is evident from many circumstances; yea, from their own acknowledgments. These alarming facts are being effected in various ways, and under the cloak of religion. I cannot go into a detail of these abominations; they may be seen in a pamphlet published at Philadelphia, entitled the " Threshing Instrument."

"the state

Mr. Fuller, in speaking on this subject in another tract, says, ments and facts described in the Threshing Instrument, have not yet been refuted, which is a pretty conclusive argument to our mind, that they cannot be that they are indisputably true. We requested the clergy to examine the lecture candidly, impartially, and critically, and if they detected any thing wrong in it, to point it out; but to the best of our knowledge and belief, they have never called in question a single statement which it contains; nor can they, with the least shadow of propriety, or semblance of honesty. We pronounce the statements and facts of which the lecture treats, true, and we challenge a refutation." I believe this abomination has never been refuted.

"History will bear its pointed testimony to the fact, that, in all ages, and among all nations, where the clergy have borne rule, where they have held the reins of government for a considerable length of time-where a corrupted priesthood has gained the ascendency over the people, thrones of human skulls have been erected; fields have been covered with the bones of slaughtered millions, and the earth deluged with blood!

Far be it from us to speak thus of ALL, of every individual who has worn the clerical robe; for, in all ages of the world, and among all nations, there have been those of this class, yea, hundreds and thousands, who justly deserve to be reckoned among the excellent ones of the earth-whose aim was the best good and greatest happiness of humankind-who sought not their own aggrandizement, but the public welfare--who were indeed ornaments of society, patterns of piety and virtue; who were real friends to humanity, and bright examples of the most illustrious and exalted morality. And we trust there are many of this description now living in the world. We doubt not there have been. and still are, many individuals of the clergy, who would be among the last men in the world that would rob the people of their rights and privileges--that would countenance tyrranny and cruelty. To such our remarks are not designed to apply.-We speak of the priesthood as a body--not of individuals--for of these there are, and ever have been, many honorable exceptions. We speak not too severe-we speak not without ample evidence of what we say we speak as the most authentic history authorizes us to speak-we speak advisedly. A few pointed examples, which go to confirm the truth of this position, have already been noticed, and many others might be adduced, if time would per mit.

The question naturally arises, What has occasioned the clergy, as a body, to be thus tyrannical, oppressive, and cruel? This question we would answer at large, if our limits would permit. The principal cause we conceive to have originated in erroneous ideas of the nature, character, purposes and government of the Deity. The clergy, as a body, have believed the Almighty to be a wrathful, tyrannical, and vindictive being-a being filled with hatred and revenge towards his enemies, and who will consign a large portion of our race to the quenchless flames of a bottomless hell! Nothing could have a more direct tendency to make men tyrannical, cruel, and malignant, than such a belief. People will naturally be, in degree, like the God they worship. Well might the clergy have burnt heretics a few hours, when they believed that their God would burn them eternally! The commou idea of the Divinity is every way calculated to harden the human heart, to render man the foe of man, and to urge him forward to deeds of wickedness and cruelty, better befitting the character of a demon than that of a human being. And where the common idea has had its full weight upon the mind, what we have stated has ever been the result. The conduct of the holy Inquisitors, and of those who crimsoned Europe [and America] with innocent blood in the cause of persecution, are examples of the truth of this remark. Many others might be named if it were necessary.

If the clergy, as a body, had believed the Divinity universally and impartially benevolent; if they had believed him to be the Father and Friend of all mankind, even of his enemies, who wishes to make all men happy; and if they had looked upon all men as brethren, equally dependent, and destined to the same common happiness, would they have conducted as has been stated? Never! They would have been kind and affectionate, and the demon of persecution had slumbered in eternal darkness ! As all men are born free and equal, they would, most willingly, have had them remained so. They never would have attempted to deprive others of either life, liberty, or property, for an honest difference of opinion. They would most willingly have given to all others the privileges they claimed for themselves -the right of private judgment, the right of thinking and acting freely and independently. He who believes that his God is kind to all, even to the unthankful, will naturally do good to all, as he has opportunity, even to his enemies. He will imitate the God he worships. This is perfectly natural.

if in this, our now happy, flourishing, and beautiful America, the clergy should finally succeed in their grasp at supremacy, to establish an ecclesiastical government-if an ambitious priesthood should finally succeed and become the reigning power-what surety have ye that an Inquisitorial Court will not be founded, and that the same cruelties will not be practised here which have been practised in former times, under similar governments? None! To suppose that this would not be the case, would argue the utmost folly and the most consummate stupidity."

In a Report, made before the Orthodox 'National Union Sociery,' the speaker has adopted this motto: 'We hold the lever that moves the world.' Let us examine this matter. I have already said that the Calvinists are seeking out means to establish a National Religion. That this is actually the case, cannot be doubted. Read these alarming words from a high Calvinist, now editor of a bigoted paper in Philadelphia. I mean Dr. Ely. He says What cannot be accomplished by moral persuasion, must be done by PHYSICAL FORCE This motto has been adopted by a Preshyterian Convention in New York, and proclaimed from the pulpit in Rochester, and other places in that State. The annunciation of such a design as is expressed in their motto, should cause Americans to a wake and arrest the wickedness of these religious tyrants.

To carry on their despotism under the cloak of our holy religion, these bold usurpers set their machinery in operation in 1828, and formed a "National Society' in the city of NewYork, denominated The General Union for promoting the Observance of the Christian Sabbath.' In the address To the People of the United States,' by this Union Society, we learn the length and breadth of their designs. Hear their own declaration. They say It is the object of the Union to enorce the laws of the several States in favor of the Sabbath.' Here we have another high-handed act of the clergy. Who authorized these usurpers to ENFORCE laws? What right have the clergy to assume this power? It is a broad stride at supremacy. Let us hear their determinations. They say'We have not the madness to think of COERCION merely. It is by the calling up of a general attention to the subject; by the extension of information; by the power of example; by renovated vigilance in families and among ministers of Christ and professors of his religion; and by withdrawing our capital and patronage, as fast as may be, from all participation in the violation of the Sabbath, that we hope to convince the understandings of our countrymen, and awaken their consciences, and gain their hearts to abstain_voluntarily and entirely from the violation of that day which God has given us as the token of his love, and upon which he has suspended all our hopes for time and eternity.'

I am astonished at this declaration and determination. Here we have a key by which we are able to unlock their unaccountable movements and detect their rank hypocricy and deception. We learn by this that some ambitious tyrannical priests are determined to have POWER. To effect this purpose they organize a religious party, form themselves into a National

Society,' adopt a constitution and swear 'to carry out their principles,' by withdrawing their capital and patronage' from all such men as refuse to submit to their dictation. Is it in the power of man to adopt a worse method. Here the clergy set on foot the principles of the Inquisition. These measures are tyrannical and every way calculated to make HYPOCRITS; and their ministers and professors of religion must comply with the wishes of these abominable dictators, or they threaten to withdraw all their patronage and follow ship. And these principles we see carried out every day among us. Will any of these Calvinists stop their ships from sailing on the Sabbath? If not, with what consistency can they attempt to stop the Mail or any person from travelling on the Sabbath? We see their vessels arrive and depart on the Sabbath, and not a word is uttured against it, because they make money by thus trading on