The next duty which the Executive Committee considered incumbent on them, was the support of missionaries. They have been prevented from making such appropriations as they desired for this object, by the difficulty of finding persons, who could be employed in such service. They have made an appropriation of $100 to the Rev. James Kay, a valuable minister, who resides in Northumberland, Penn.; and who preaches at stated times in several neighbouring towns, and has spent a few sabbaths in Harrisburg. Your Committee believe him to be a worthy man, and one peculiarly fitted to increase the friends of Unitarian Christianity in that part of the country. He is expected to preach whenever he shall find a favourable opportunity. The Committee are persuaded that missionaries might be very usefully employed in the Western counties of Massachusetts, in New Hampshire, and perhaps in Vermont and Maine, who should not be confined to a particular spot, but be allowed to preach wherever a Unitarian congregation may be gathered, and who might receive a part of their support from such congregations. The expediency of employing a missionary in each of the cities of Boston and New York, who should devote himself to the instruction of the poor, has been discussed in the Committee. The object has seemed to them very important, and though no plan for the support of such missionaries, who, it seems to the Committee, should draw their support from other sources than the funds of this Association, has yet been matured, they hope it will not be overlooked, but will receive attention in the ensuing year. It has been already mentioned in this Report, that an agent is

now engaged in making inquiries, which may facilitate the operations of the Association in the Western States. We have reason to expect from him such intelligence, as will justify liberal appropriations for the support of preachers in that part of our country. The Committee have also felt themselves authorised to comply with a request from a Unitarian society in Harrisburg, Penn. for aid in the erection of a building for public worship. They have transmitted $100 for this object. The central situation of Harrisburg, its importance as the place at which the legislature of the state assemble, and the exertions of the Unitarians, who belong to this society, together with the success, which has attended their exertions, appeared to the Committee, to offer sufficiently strong reasons to warrant such an appropriation, though they believe that the funds of the Association can generally be better employed in some other manner.

The Committee have thus presented a full account of their proceedings during the past year. They have chosen to enter into these details, rather than to occupy the time of the meeting by a defence of the principles on which the Association was established, or a theoretical exposition of the good effects which might reasonably be anticipated from this Society. Facts are more useful than speculations, and an explicit statement of the measures, which have been devised or executed by those to whom the affairs of the Association were intrusted, will better exhibit its character and designs, than ingenious, or even sound reasoning on its probable utility. Neither did it seem to the Committee to be their office to advocate, in this Report, the principles on which this

Society was formed. They prefer that these principles should be examined and defended in the course of a free discussion. They cannot but indulge the hope, that the exposition that has now been given, will remove any doubts which may have been felt concerning the expediency of union with the Association. While the Committee congratulate the officers and members on the degree of favour, which has been shown to it, they mean not to deny that objections have been started, and that some have been reluctant to add their names

to the list of its supporters. They have laboured to show the futility of these objections, and to dissipate the fears expressed by good men, and decided Unitarians, that the new Society might be a source of evil rather than of good, of division rather than of harmony. They have strenuously opposed the opinion, that the object of its founders was to build up a party, to organize an opposition, to perpetuate pride and bigotry. Had they believed that such was its purpose, or such would be its effect, they would have withdrawn themselves from any connexion with so hateful a thing. They thought otherwise, and experience has proved that they did not judge wrongly. They have witnessed an increased zeal for pure and undefiled religion, the religion not of this man nor that party, but of Jesus Christ, our Master and Redeemer, brought into action, if it were not inspired, by the influence of this Association. They have heard words of congratulation, but none of bitterness; and they devoutly believe, that this Society is meant in the providence of God to be instrumental in diffusing the truths and the spirit of that gospel, for

which his Son was sent, for which he toiled and suffered, and to establish which he poured out his blood. In the words of the Circular, which they have already quoted,

In

they care not for adding to the number of those, who merely call themselves Unitarians; but their object. is to increase the number of those, who are Christians from examination and conviction; the number of consistent believers, whose lives comport with their principles; the number of those, who feel the influence and power of the precepts of Jesus Christ." this cause, the cause of man's highest interest, the cause of universal love, they believe this Association is willing to employ all its energies and resources; and commending it to the favour of our Father in heaven, for whose glory they humbly trust it was established, they feel a confidence, which much disappointment alone can destroy, that it will be a blessing to future generations. It will, they hope, scatter the seeds of spiritual knowledge, which shall spring up in usefulness on earth, and shall yield a harvest of everlasting glory.

The Executive Committee beg leave to close their Report with two suggestions concerning the means of increasing the extent and efficiency of this Association.

It is essential that a general cooperation should be produced, and for this end, they propose the formation of an auxiliary association in every Unitarian congregation. They would press this on the attention of every person present at this meeting; and would express their strong persuasion, that this will be the most simple, permanent, and effectual method of accomplishing the purposes of the Association.

The Committee also advise that measures be taken to effect a union of the existing Unitarian Societies, viz. The Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, Piety and Charity, The Evangelical Missionary Society, and The Publishing Fund, with the American Unitarian Association. Such a union will prevent any interference of one Society with another, and any impression which may be received, that they are hostile or unfriendly to one another. It will also render the operations of these societies more useful, will prevent an unnecessary waste of labour, and will make the information acquired by one, common to all. After these remarks, and with the desire of giving a practical direction to the discussions of the evening, the Committee offer the following resolutions for consideration :—

1. That the proposal to form a union with other Societies having similar objects, receives the approbation and concurrence of this Association.

2. That it is considered highly desirable that, as far as practicable, Auxiliaries be formed to the Association in every Unitarian congregation.

3. That this Association views with high gratification the prospect, which is opened of a more extended mutual acquaintance and cooperation among Unitarian christians throughout the world.

All which is respectfully submitted.

The first resolution proposed by the Committee was then read from the chair. Hon. Judge Story, one of the Vice Presidents, rose and addressed the meeting. He combatted the objections usually brought against associ