Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

their religious festivals; and in the parable of the prodigal son we are told, “As the elder son came, and drew nigh to the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.'

"

Solomon says, there is a time to dance; but as the wise monarch does not say there is a time to refrain from dancing, we would humbly suggest, that it should be discontinued at an early and seasonable hour.

Bradshaw's Little Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge. Vol. I. New series. London: S. Gilbert. Pp. 188.

WE have occasionally noticed this unpretending, but most interesting and instructive juvenile magazine. The articles in the present volume, as in the preceding ones, are judiciously chosen, combining entertainment with useful information. We regret to learn that this volume, the first of the new series, is to be the last of the publication -the proprietor has not received the encouragement which might have been expected, and to which his work so well entitled him. We believe that a considerable number of copies is still on hand, and as each volume, and indeed each monthly number, is complete in itself, they will be found most suitable for Sunday-school rewards and children's presents. There are six volumes, of which the first three are sold in volumes at 14d. each, the latter ones at 18d. There is seldom any article of merely local or temporary interest, and we therefore heartily recommend them to our friends, hoping for the proprietor's sake, and still more for sake of the young, that they may be widely circulated.

INTELLIGENCE.

UNITARIAN CONVENTION AT NEW

YORK.

A CONVENTION of Unitarians was held in the city of New York on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Oct. 21, 22, and 23. There were present from Massachusetts 52 ministers, and 21 lay delegates, and various ministers and laymen from other States. The proceedings seem to have been of a most interesting kind, full of life and love, boldness, fervency, and zeal. Our limits will not permit us to give even an outline of the several discussions as we find them reported in the Christian World, but we shall present to our readers the resolutions on which the discussions were founded, and give such a notice as our space will allow of the most important speeches.

The Business Committee reported the following resolutions:

Resolved, That Unitarian Christianity being derived solely and wholly from the Scriptures, avoids alike the errors of hierarchical and traditionary faith and discipline on the one hand,

D

and of the Rationalistic theory on the other.

Resolved, That while we adopt our theology on account of its scriptural truth, we hold it pre-eminently valuable for the influences it is suited to exert upon the personal character.

Resolved, That it is worthy of consideration, whether the changes which have been adopted by some of our congregations in the mode of conducting public worship be expedient.

Resolved, That the recent death of a venerable teacher of theology to many of the members of the convention, Dr. HENRY WARE, Senior, and also, of one of the former Presidents of the Unitarian Association, Mr. Justice STORY, and one of the former Vice-presidents of the Association, Hon. LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, calls

for solemn and affectionate commemoration of their Christian worth. and valuable services in the cause of truth.

Resolved, That whilst we steadfastly maintain the independence of the

[blocks in formation]

Mr. OSGOOD, of Providence, remarked that he hoped to hear the first resolution discussed upon the ground of the great principles of Unitarianism. He wished to have them explained, illustrated, and defined, so that they might be understood by those among whom the convention was now assembled, to whom nothing was more familiar than the great hierarchical system of "the Church," and to whose apprehension we are only infidels and deists.

Mr. BELLOWES hoped the discussion would take that turn. He deprecated a discussion of the "rationalistic theory," and desired that it might be avoided. They in New York were not concerned in that subject. They knew nothing and thought nothing of Rationalism, technically so called; and though it might be a useful subject sometimes in the East, where the topic was agitated by those who had arisen among the brethren to contend for it, it would be utterly unwelcome there. He could not tell his brethren how much good they had done their New York friends by their mere presence, by the encouragement of a bold and numerous group of sympathizing fellow-labourers. Nor could the influence of the preaching they had heard be estimated. Everything, so far, had inspired and rejoiced them; and it only remained to continue the same united, harmonious course of proceeding to produce what he hoped would be the one united and harmonious influence and impression of their meeting upon New York.

The following remarks were made in support of the second resolution :The second resolution being in order, Rev. A. B. MUZZEY, of Cambridgeport, Mass. said, that Unitarianism is capable of producing a greater effect upon character, than any other form of religious belief-not that it had produced its proper effect, for it had been left to fall below it. We have something more to do than to oppose error. We have, as yet, only faintly conceived of what the preaching of the gospel might do. For look around and observe the in

fluence which our preaching produces upon the heart. How trifling, how insignificant-is it not so? But in the main, perhaps, we may be said to be in advance of many other Christian bodies. Is not the great error of the Protestant world our adherence to the ancient Lutheran idea of the office of preaching? Are we not still too obedient to the idea that the great work of the pulpit is to disseminate truth for the intellect? Mr. Muzzey here spoke of the mighty power of the Unitarian pulpit, as he had seen it, in some cases now in his mind. He could tell of its influence in the hands of God in regenerating the hard and careless heart of the mere man of the world, whose hopes and interests were all of the earth alone.

Rev. ALONZO HILL, of Worcester, Mass. mentioned a remark made by Mrs. Dana, of Charleston, S. C. in her recently published letters on the Trinity. She said that the character, which as a Calvinist had been thought sufficiently good, she found, as a Unitarian, had to be greatly reformed. That is doubtless the truth; for Unitarianism does aim at the highest order of character. Men feel it to be so. Where are the men and who were they, who have been at the bottom of our modern reforms? Who are they who have given the great impulse to Temperance, Peace, and general philanthropy, and who do most to sustain these movements and keep them growing? Mr. Hill here described the adaptation of our simple faith to the wants of men in their utmost need. He had gone to the prisoner; he had lately been called to visit two or three under the condemnation of death; and had there seen its power to reach the hardest, corruptest heart, to comfort and to bless. It told of a Father's love. It came with the outstretched arms of love and mercy to welcome home the poor, heart-stricken, and repentant prodigal. Go, said he, and preach this gospel in the haunts of vice and sin-preach it to the inmates in their utmost vileness, and you can melt them into tears.

Rev. GEORGE W. BRIGGS, of Plymouth, Mass. said, the great question is-How shall we best carry Christianity to men so that they may appreciate and feel it? Why don't we better succeed in carrying forward what we all say is so beautiful and true? In my judgment, we have got

to alter our mode somewhat-we have got to take the great spiritual truths of Christ's gospel and make them the doctrines. The doctrines of theology are too prominent with us everywhere. And we have never sufficiently trusted and believed in the spirit of Christianity. Christ preached repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation. Doing as he did, we shall reform all the theology of Christendom. The difficulty in men's minds in relation to Unitarians is not, I think, so much about the doctrines we teach, as in the doubt they entertain whether we are really in earnest about these spiritual things. Look at the great influence and growth of the Christian connexion. They are in doctrines almost coincident with ourselves. Let us grow in the spiritual life and cultivate the spiritual life; and where that life is, the true doctrines will be sure to be.

G. G. CHANNING said, if in his power, he would like to correct those mistakes into which other sects had fallen in respect to what they so frequently style as shallow, unscriptural, unphilosophical, and unsatisfactory, in the Unitarian faith. He insisted, that its exactions were more severe, and its hopes more inspiring, when faithfully presented, than any other form of faith with which he was acquainted, and that nothing more was required of them, to whom was committed the preaching of scriptural truth, if the increase of our body was desirable, than to present with all possible earnestness, the simple truths of religion, for the diffusion of which so many of our brethren, like good soldiers of the cross, had successfully laboured. For want of this earnestness many, very many, thousands, nay, tens of thousands, who entertain similar views to our own, have been prevented from uniting with us; preferring to remain with those, who, notwithstanding their peculiar dogmas, always manifest a devoted interest towards all who unite with them, irrespective of class or condition. Let us once permit the social and sympathetic influence, which so beautifully characterized the primitive Church, to enter our churches;-and once let all who have made a good profession of Christ, see to it, that, whilst sin abounds, and godless men and women are about them, that they have a work to do, as truly as Christ and

his early disciples;-there would be no limits to the prevalence of our views. Nothing had struck him so forcibly, as the adaptation of Unitarian Christianity to the spiritual necessities of the poor, and he cited several cases within his own knowledge, to show how the most beautiful and sustaining piety had been fostered under its benign influences. He urged the ministers of the Gospel to deal with men as sinners, who needed to repent of their sins, that they might obtain forgiveness and everlasting life. He took for his text,-"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Mr. Channing then offered some interesting statistical calculations respecting our denomination, which were of a most encouraging character, considering the few years that had elapsed since Unitarians had assumed to act for themselves in relation to religious matters. From what Mr. Channing stated, we gather that there are 240 churches belonging to our body, having a stated ministry.Average attendance at these, 75 to 80,000. Our Sunday Schools are yielding instruction to 24,000 scholars, having 4800 teachers.

Rev. CHARLES BRIGGS, the General Agent of the Amer. Un. Asso. referred to the great fear among our people of being too sectarian. Many will give more money to help others than they will to aid the movements of their own body. He urged a warmer interest in the missions as a want of the denomination. The outward growth of our views was encouraging. There were some two or three thousand societies now in the country who reject the doctrine of the Trinity and its kindred errors. But the growth in grace was still more a matter of interest and hope. The spiritual growth of the denomination was now really great.

Rev. S. K. LOTHROP, of Boston, pointed to the contrast between the efforts and sacrifices which will be made in all secular matters, and those which we make for the cause of Christ. How sad and gloomy, he exclaimed, is the picture! He wanted to have more stress laid upon the "beginning" of the Christian life. We must preach repentance. Improvement was for those who had repented alreadywho could point to some time when they felt that they had given them

66

selves to God. It was not for the impenitent man. It would mislead him, to leave him thinking that improvement was all he needed. This beginning" is what we urge too little; and this lack of ours is our great or one of our great defects. And we want more religious union and sympathy, he continued, binding us together and making us one in interest and effort, though not to the sacrifice of the independence of churches or of individuals. We have preached liberty of thought and freedom of action until we have been near driving sympathy and union out of doors.

Rev. Mr. OSGOOD, of Providence, said, Upon the positive Christianity of the New Testament we stand, and ask no favours of men, fear no denunciations, no anathemas. Enough are, and have been with us, to save us from feeling alone, or desolate. Enough has been done by us to urge us to still better achievements. Humbly we should feel, but not despondingly. On to the work, and do cheerfully what God has committed to our charge. Let us carry out our positive Christianity, and prove its pre-eminent influence upon personal character. Faith is a great element in character. What am I without it? A frail, ignorant, sinful man; I need to trust in something beyond myself. My unaided reason and conscience suffice not either for my purity, energy, or peace. Who does not pray with the disciples, Lord increase our faith? Who of us will not bless God for giving us such a foundation of faith-the Christ of the New Testament, thus living, speaking, suffering, dying, rising, inspiring-the Saviour, divine in spirit, human in affections and sympathies-the Saviour, sent to reveal to us the Father, and win us to reconciliation, to peace, and heaven? What an element is such a faith, in acting upon personal character! We need to worship. What is character without devotion? What are we, unless we look upward? What an object of devotion in the Gospel-how free from perplexing dogmas-God in Christ, the Father, through the Son; the New Testament God, not some vague spirit of nature, like the God of Lucretius, nor some awful Deity, indifferent to human concerns, caring for races, and not for the individual, like the God of Zeno-but the God of

Christ, caring for us with more than a parent's love, so loving the world as to give his own Son, that the world, through him, might be saved. Such a ground of devotion, and also of faith, must needs be accompanied with true views of duty. What morals in the Gospel-our free Gospel-not merely an ideal of duty, but a living exemplar, clothed with spiritual power. Heathen sages may have dreamed of an excellence like that of Christ. Passages of Socrates or Confucius, Plato, or Epictetus, may remind us of the sublime ethics of the Gospel. But Christ's word was with power-he has established among men the principles which he exemplified. Their teachings moved not the mass, nor converted their little circle of hearers. He was commissioned to pour out a new spirit among men-not to paint a saintly picture, but to kindle a saintly life. His name stands alone among the teachers of duty, unapproached and unapproachable. Imperfect, erring though we be, who of us is so recreant to Christian privilege, as to have known nothing of the power of our heavenly Saviour, in bringing the spirit of truth and consolation to our souls, and acting upon the character with a might not of this world? To his name, to God, through him, be all the praise!

Dr. GANNETT said, He thought there must be somewhat more than doctrinal opinions, pre-eminently to influence character. There must be submission of soul to God-habitual nearness of soul to God-that communion with him that should strengthen, and shield, and guide ns, as we go forth to the scenes of daily life and duty. And when we return to our homes, and to our closets, there should still be that nearness to God, that should lead us to seek his forgiveness wherein we may have fallen, and a return to newness of life and new obe. dience. He spoke in demonstration of the spirit, and with power, on the great point of the constant thought of the presence and will of God; that it should be the first thought that should come to us with morning light, and the latest upon our pillows, even as the thoughts of mammon are ever present to the worldly-minded, and the lovers of pleasure and gain, more than the lovers of God.

The following remarks were made

upon the adoption of the fifth resolution:

G. G. CHANNING felt so grateful to the committee for their recognition of the advantage of meetings for Christian effort, other than the stated ministry of the Sabbath, that he felt called upon to say a few words in furtherance of plans of operation, common in Boston and neighbourhood, and constantly spreading more and more over the land. If the Sunday School was the primary school of the church, to train up the young for heaven, there was no less a felt necessity of providing a primary religious school for adults, where warm and true hearts may unite together for mutual edification, and into which multitudes of men and women may gather, to receive of the grace of God in their hearts, whose circumstances would not permit of more costly worship. Mr. C. did not feel that he had control of language sufficiently strong to convey to the members of the Convention his warm interest in prayer and conference meetings, Sundayschool teachers' meetings, and Bible classes. The first of these proposes to hold out attractions, through the interest which each church shall manifest towards them, that shall draw into them young persons particularly, who come from the country, and who need the sympathy of Christian hearts to keep them from falling into temptations, that nothing but religious principle can certainly resist. They are also calculated to bind together the members of the church, by a tie, holier and more indissoluble than any tie of earth. They tend, also, to break down the barriers, that so divide into classes the members of our religious societies, and which so dreadfully interfere with that social intercourse and warm companionship which so marked the primitive church. On this resolution, Mr. MUZZEY spoke as follows:-Mr. President, I am glad we have an opportunity to discuss the subject of increasing our associated influence as Christians. I am in favour of the union of all in our societies, in the great work of promoting personal piety. This should not be confined, I think, to the pulpit. How was it when the Saviour was upon earth? We find he associated twelve with him at first, then seventy, as aids in his ministry. After his death, it would seem that not only his

apostles, but every new convert took a part in the diffusion of Christianity. Every Christian, as such, was engaged in leading others, by his conversation and exhortations, to become followers of Christ. Have we any more wisdom on this subject, than the primitive believers and the Master himself? We lose much of the effect of our preaching, I think, by the neglect of those social influences which might be employed to increase and confirm it. Let the sermon which has produced a serious impression, be followed by a meeting on the Sabbath evening, in which all who sympathize in such impressions, shall express their views and feelings to one another, and who can doubt the happiest results would follow it? I speak on this point, from experience, having seen, in my own society, many instances of great good from such meetings. We desire every soul to be converted to God. I fear we are not employing all the instrumentalities essential to that end. Let us not reject any one whatever, merely because it has been abused by other sects. The preacher should welcome every aid within his reach, to do good to his people.

On the Wednesday the members of the Convention were entertained at a collation by the Unitarians of New York and Brooklyn,-about six hundred persons were present.

[blocks in formation]

The

On Wednesday, October 22, the new church in New York, erected by the congregation of the Rev. W. H. Bellowes, and called Church of the Divine Unity," was dedicated to the worship of the One God, the Father. Its front is upon Broadway, running back to Crosby-street. The entrance from Broadway to the church is very imposing, and the interior is exceedingly beautiful. The style, we were told, is the florid Gothic, with oak-coloured panelling. The house was filled, excepting reserved seats, at an early hour. The introductory prayer was offered by the Rev. F. A. Farley,reading of the Scriptures, by the Rev. H. Furness,-dedicatory prayer by the Rev. Dr. Kendal. The sermon Bellowes, the pastor of the congregawas preached by the Rev. H. W.

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »