Association. According to the plan here offered, the auxiliaries are composed of subscribers to the General Association, which is thought by the Committee preferable to the usual method of belonging to the parent institution only indirectly, and in consequence of a connexion with the auxiliary. It is proper however to state, for those who may adopt the latter course, that by a vote of the Executive Committee, passed some months since, no association can be acknowledged as auxiliary, to which the terms of subscription are less than those fixed in the Constitution of the General Association. The propriety of this rule must be obvious to any one, especially if another vote of the Committee be considered, by which every member is entitled to a copy of every tract pub. lished by the Association. Tracts are also sold to agents and to auxiliary associations, at a large discount. To these two votes the 4th article of the annexed Constitution refers. The purpose of these auxiliary associations is two fold. They will be a means of increasing and perpetuating the interest felt in the American Unitarian Association, and will present the most effectual method of securing for it friends, funds and intelligence, from every part of the country. With this view it is required that an annual report be made from each branch to the parent society, the directors of which will thus be made acquainted with the religious condition of different sections, and be enabled to issue such publications, and make such appropriations, as shall best accomplish the ends of the Association. It is therefore hoped, that the annual reports of the auxiliaries will contain such statements, as may assist the Executive Committee in their duties. The chief good, however, expected from such associations, is the increase of social and practical religion among their members. The frequent meeting of those, who shall assemble for religious purposes, to advise and assist one another in the support of religious charities, it is thought, must be favorable to personal character, and must increase that sympathy and cooperation, which are among the chief objects of the Unitarian Association."

WE, the Subscribers, desirous to aid the operations of the American Unitarian Association, do hereby associate ourselves for that purpose, and agree to the following articles by way of

2. The objects of this Association shall be, in general, those of the American Unitarian Association, namely, "to diffuse the knowledge and promote the interests of pure Christianity."

3. This Association shall be composed of members of the American Unitarian Association; i. e. of persons who have each contributed $30 as a life subscription, or who pay at least $1 a year, to that Association.

4. A depository for tracts shall be appointed by this Association, at which each member, besides receiving gratis one copy of all the tracts of the American Unitarian Association, shall be allowed to purchase any number of them for distribution, at per cent discount.

mem

5. The business of this Association shall be conducted by an agent, or by a committee, consisting of bers, who shall superintend the depository, correspond with the executive committee of the General Association, pay over to the Treasurer thereof the monies due, and make to the Secretary a yearly report of its doings.

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. LIFE sub.

ANN. SUB.

In the First Annual Report it was stated that a meeting of gentlemen friendly to the Association was held in Boston in April, 1826. At that meeting a committee was appointed to prepare a circular, from which the following extracts are taken.

"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 disseminating 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. Unitarians are often charged with lukewarmness and indifference to the cause of religion. We will not undertake to say how far this charge is well founded; but we will say that much of it is rather apparent than real, and is owing to a want of concert among ourselves. 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."

"The great end of this Association is the promotion of pure morals and practical piety. We value our doctrines only so far as they evidently are the revelation of the will and character of God, and so far as they tend to improve the religious, moral, and intellectual condition of mankind. Believing that from their simple, sublime, and elevating character, they are peculiarly adapted to the wants of all conditions of mankind, to the ignorant and simple, as well as the learned and gifted; believing too, that they are more eminently calculated than any

other views of Christianity to warm the heart, to interest, elevate and purify the feelings, and to develope all the faculties of the mind, we are desirous that they be known and understood and felt by every individual in our community."

"Whilst the friends of this institution would endeavor to establish correct principles and awaken a deep religious feeling in our own churches and community; they would also diffuse abroad the knowledge and influence of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour. For this end, it is their intention, so far as their funds will admit of it, to assist destitute churches in the support of public worship, and to send missionaries to those parts of our country, where they may be particularly wanted. This is a subject, in relation to which serious and reflecting minds cannot doubt that there are solemn and important duties to perform. If we regard the gospel as a blessing, if we have imbibed any of its spirit, if we have felt any of that charity, which forms so essential a feature in the christian character; that charity, which confines itself to no limits, but which is as boundless as the universe, which, beginning at home, extends itself to all conditions of men, to all orders of moral beings; that charity, which limits itself not to the relief of temporal wants and sufferings, and the promotion of temporal happiness, but extending itself beyond this world, points out the only way and means which lead to eternal peace and happiness and joy; if we have imbibed this spirit, and, at the same time feel, that the gospel is the richest, the most invaluable blessing, which God has bestowed on us, then there can be no question as to our duty.

"Moreover, if we are convinced, that God has shed new light into our minds, in relation to his will and character, we are bound in gratitude to Him to exert ourselves in its diffusion. Let it not be said, that if the doctrines we profess are correct, they will certainly prevail, and that they need no assistance from us. indeed, is mighty, for it nerves the mind, gives to it confidence, energy and power, and animates it to great and unwearied exertions. But God operates through second

Truth,

causes, and having sent our religion into the world, he left it to man to support and disseminate it. It was introduced into the world, and has been sustained and transmitted to the present generation, through much labor and persecution and suffering. But the great work is not yet completed, much remains to be done by us. Let it not be said of us, that we are unworthy of the blessings we have received; but possessing the means and opportunities of doing much towards this cause, let us so use them, that we shall finally be able to render a good account."

The auxiliary Unitarian Association of Philadelphia have printed a small tract, containing their constitution with some valuable introductory remarks, from which the following extracts are taken.

"It is no wonder that associations of men for the maintenance of particular religious views should be regarded with distrust, when it is considered what an undue influence they have oftentimes exerted, and how directly they have aided in retarding the progress of free inquiry. Enormous as the abuses of associations have been, the very existence of abuses intimates that this mode of operation (by means of association) is capable of a lawful and important use, and may be employed with great power in the cause of truth. We thus judge. If men, by forming themselves into societies for the support of certain doctrines, have succeeded in effecting their object, surely by the same means the great doctrine of religious freedom may be advanced. Now let it be remembered that to establish this doctrine more firmly in the world is one of the principal objects of our Association, acknowledged in every other doctrine and opinion which we may labor to extend. It is our aim to diffuse a rational faith; and as we can have no idea of such a faith that does not involve the exercise of private judgment-the liberty of thought, we feel that we cannot in