not will prosecute it perseveringly and successfully. The need of a more exact knowledge than can be obtained from books, or even from correspondence, induced the Committee to employ an agent, whose sole business it should be, by actual observation, to make himself familiar with the religious condition of the Middle and Western States. This gentleman is now on a tour through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. He will probably spend some months in the journey, and has been directed to collect and transmit to the Committee whatever facts in the ecclesiastical history of those states he may obtain, as well as the result of his inquiries and observation concerning the present feelings and condition of the people. The Committee do not possess such information as would enable them to give an estimate of the number of Unitarian congregations in our country. Of New England it would be difficult to speak with certainty. There are in almost every town Unitarians, in many towns of Massachusetts they constitute the majority, in many more they have respectable, though not large churches, but in far the greater number of parishes in New England they are still blended with other sects, and either from a distrust of their own strength, or from a reluctance to disturb the quiet of a religious society, or from local reasons, they make small exertions to secure such an administration of the gospel, as may accord with their convictions of truth. The number of these silent Unitarians is increasing, and at the same time, more are manifesting a determination to assert their rights as citizens and as christians. The Committee conceive that they have sufficient evidence of the in crease of Unitarians in New England, especially in Maine, in some parts of New Hampshire, and in the valley of the Connecticut in Massachusetts. They say this gladly, but not boastingly. The progress of correct opinions has been more rapid than their support, ers could have expected for them. They are introducing themselves into every village, and have given peace and joy to many who are yet unknown to the company of their brethren. Before another anniversary, the Committee trust that they from whom the annual report shall proceed, will be able to present an exact statement of the number of Unitarian churches and ministers in the northern section of our Union. They do not attempt it now, because they have not the means of making it complete. In the Middle States also, Unitarianism is constantly acquiring new adherents. The erection of a second church in New York, the increased prosperity of the society in Philadelphia, and the commencement of a building for Unitarian worship in Harrisburg, the seat of government of Pennsylvania, are auspicious circumstances. From the Southern and Western divisions of our land, it is presumed that future correspondence and the communications of agents will furnish intelligence equally gratifying. We are assured that the society in Charleston, S. C. continues to prosper, that there are several churches in North Carolina, and that Unitarians are numerous in the states, which lie west of the Alleghany mountains. The assistance which has been extended to the Association may not equal the expectations awakened by so general a sentiment of approbation as the Com mittee feel confident they may announce. The Treas urer's Report exhibits the amount received, and the Committee beg leave to state that the subscription is, they believe, larger than has ever before been collected in the same space of time by any Unitarian Society, and that these sums have not been drawn from this city, but, on the contrary, have been chiefly obtained in other places. The Committee have, also, found it difficult to prepare a system of cooperation, which should apply to all Unitarian societies, and have been more anxious during the first year of the Association, to give the public a thorough acquaintance with its designs, and to secure the patronage of a few in every place, on whom they might rely for future support, than to fill the treasury with money contributed by persons imperfectly acquainted with our purposes. Neither have they been able to make large appropriations, from a want of information concerning the manner in which the funds could best be expended. They have been engaged chiefly in exciting an interest in behalf of the Association, and in laying a foundation for future efforts. A few facts will show that they have not been unsuccessful. In Worcester county an Auxiliary Association has been formed, but no returns have yet been received from its officers. The formation of county associations does not, however, appear to the Committee to promise great good, and if the scheme which will be laid before this meeting, should be accepted, it will supersede the necessity of such associations. At New York and Philadelphia auxiliary associations have been formed. In Boston meetings were called by persons friendly to the Association, at which its objects were discussed, and votes of approbation and assistance were unanimously passed. These meetings were attended by gentlemen from all the Unitarian societies in this city, and from some of the neighbouring towns, and the spirit exhibited was such as offered the most cheering prospects to the friends of this institution. At the last of these meetings a committee was appointed to address a circular to the standing committees of the several parishes, inviting their cooperation in advancing the interests of the Association in their several societies. From this circular we beg leave to extract the following remarks : "The American Unitarian Association has been established from a persuasion, that the time has arrived, when it is necessary for those who profess the simple Unity of God, to adopt measures differing, in some respects, from those which they have heretofore pursued. By this we do not mean, that Unitarians should lay aside those means of support and defence upon which they have heretofore relied; or divest themselves of that charity, which they have always cherished towards those, who differ from them in sentiment. By a difference of measures we mean, that the circumstances of the times require a more systematic union, and a concentration of labours, by which interest may be awakened, confidence inspired, and efficiency produced.' The want of union among Christians of our denomination, is felt to be a great evil by those, who have directed their attention to this subject. Living in an age of unusual religious excitement, surrounded by numerous sects, all of which are zealously employed in disseminat ing their peculiar tenets, we should be wanting in duty to ourselves, and be doing injustice to the doctrines we profess, if we should allow them to fail in exercising their due influence, for the want of a corresponding zeal and interest. Our exertions have not been apparent, because insulated; and the contributions of many of our friends have been thrown into the treasuries of other denominations of Christians, from the want of some proper objects among ourselves, upon which they could be bestowed. We feel confident, that there are among us men of zeal and energy, who are both willing and able to exert themselves in the cause of religion; and that others, who are now indifferent to the subject, might by sympathy and encouragement be excited to similar exertions. All that is required, is, that they be brought together, and be made acquainted with each others' views and feelings; that they be allowed to unite their labours in one comomn field, and for one common end, and thereby warm each others' hearts and strengthen each others' hands. To produce this concert among Unitarians is one of the objects of the American Unitarian Association." Sufficient time has not elapsed since the distribution of this Circular for any measures which might be adopted in consequence. The committees of the several churches have not since acted upon the subject, and the directors of this Association have thought it proper to defer any attempt at a general subscription in this city and vicinity, till their decision shall be made known. It is probable that auxiliary associations will be formed, as is recommended in that Circular, and that the Unita |