for the regulation of their relation and intercourse with one another, and for granting Letters of Fellowship and conferring Ordination, and also for securing a uniform and wholesome discipline according to the laws of the United States Convention.

It is the legitimate tribunal before which all cases of dispute and difficulty between Associations, or between Societies and Associations, or Ministers and Associations, shall be tried and decided. It may also receive appeals from the decisions or action of any Association, and its judgment shall in all cases be final, except when an appeal to the United States Convention is provided for by the Article defining the powers of this body.

It may also determine the ratio of representation to which the several Associations in its fellowship shall be entitled.

Of the powers and jurisdiction of Associations.

Each Association has jurisdiction over the Societies or Churches and Ministers of which it is composed, and may enact such laws as may be necessary to regulate their relations and intercourse, to secure discipline and promote the interests of the denomination within its limits. It may grant Letters of Fellowship, and confer Ordination in accordance with the laws of the United States Convention and the State Convention of which it is a member. It shall take cognizance, in the first instance, of all cases of difficulty between Societies, or Societies and Ministers, and try and determine them, subject always to an appeal to the State Convention of which it is a member, under such circumstances and conditions as the Convention itself may prescribe. It shall hear all complaints against the moral or Christian character of any minister residing within its limits, and may, for sufficient cause, suspend or withdraw its fellowship, subject to an appeal, as in the case before stated.

Each Society has exclusive jurisdiction over its own members, may make its own laws, appoint its own pastor, provided he be in fellowship with the denomination, and exercise all the powers of an independent body, excepting only such as are expressly delegated in the preceding Articles.

The Occasional Sermon was preached by Br. E. H. Chapin. What lack I yet? was the text.

He first dwelt briefly upon the circumstances attending progress. All attainment results from a sense of imperfection, coupled with earnest desire. It was so with individuals. The want must be felt and then the desire to supply it, and hence it was that progress, whether intellectual or spiritual, kept pace with aspiration. It was thus with associations, with any religious denomination. It is probable that every sect has its mission, and this, in its earlier stages, may be carried on successfully by the force of a new truth and of an earnest conviction. But as it goes forward its circumstances change,-its internal life becomes of more importance than its numerical increase; its developing relations demand other than the original means of its progress. And then its members must prepare to exhibit a constructive as well as a destructive talent.

Mr. Chapin then applied these remarks to the denomination of Universalists; and in reply to the question, What lack I yet? his three answers were, Education, Individualism, Spirituality.

Under the head of Education, he reviewed briefly the past remarkable progress of this denomination,—of the power of the early giants in

its defence, who did their work faithfully, and who could not be imitated. Now, however, he intimated, a different strain of sermonizing was required,-one that would meet the wants of the age, intellectually. The great questions that were coming up anew,-among others enumerating that of Protestantism against Romanism,-that of Christianity against unbelief,-must be met, and by men of cultivation and learning. That they may be met by this denomination successfully, it needed a thoroughly educated ministry. The Universalists, to supply this want, needed a theological institution of a high order; and Mr. Chapin concluded this head by making favorable mention of one that had just passed under the supervision of an able and a learned theologian in a neighboring State.

Under the second head, Individualism, the preacher contended for an independence of mind, that while it clung to the sympathies and fortune of a sect, would adhere with a yet stronger tenacity to the truth, it might see above and beyond its teachings. It was such a spirit as this that animated the old reformers. It demanded a rigid self-examination, that religious opinions might not come from hearsay, or custom, or passivity of any kind, but from a thorough and prayerful investigation of this great subject. After dwelling at length upon this subject, he passed to his third head,―

Spirituality. The denomination needed more of what has been called the life of God in the soul of man,-of personal holiness. This point was briefly but clearly and eloquently presented. Mr. Chapin then closed by alluding to the present state of the denomination. Its prosperity could not be measured by enumerating its Churches, but rather by considering the wide diffusion of its ideas. They were seen pervading the spirit of the age. They were corroborated by the facts of science, literature, and human nature. The idea, said Mr. Chapin, nearly in conclusion, the idea of universal happiness was one around which gathered the best affections of the human heart, and by which reason justifies the ways of God to man. It was confirmed by that Christianity that came to seek and to save the lost. The rising up of one soul to perfection was a great thing. But when it reached that state, would it be only an elevated selfishness? No! It would ask, What lack I yet? and the answer would be that the good and the loved might gather around it. But then it would possess Christ's spirit,the spirit that sought the lost, that yearned over the guilty and poured from the cross benedictions upon its enemies. It would still ask, What lack I yet? and the answer would be that the exiled, the wandering should also come. And when they should come, should the soul then ask, What lack I yet? it would receive no answer! Yes!-exclaimed the preacher, in the full, rich tones of a voice that thrilled the immense audience, yes, it would receive an answer, breaking from one great flood of praise and rapture, filling the universe of God.

The Convention adjourned to meet in Troy, N. Y. Br. A. Moore is to preach the Occasional Sermon.

On Friday, the 19th, there was a

MASS MEETING.

Br. John Moore of Connecticut was chosen Moderator, and Br. J. P. Weston, of Maine, Secretary. Brs. T. Whittemore, T. J. Greenwood,

A. Moore, T. B. Thayer, H. Bacon, H. Sumner, and L. L. Saddler were appointed a Business Committee. They reported the following resolutions, which were adopted :

Resolved, That it is the duty of Universalists to sustain the Literary Institutions of their own denomination.

Resolved, That the circumstances of the present age require that we have a ministry of high literary and theological attainments; and that great care is essential in introducing any person into the ministry.

Resolved, That the Theological School at Clinton, New York, recently established under the care of Br. T. J. Sawyer, in connection with the Institute at that place, as re-organized, has our perfect confidence, and should receive our hearty support.

Resolved, That the press is a mighty engine of power, especially in the present age, and that to secure its aid to the cause of the furtherance of the Gospel, Universalists owe it to themselves, to the cause, to humanity, and to God, to give it, as connected with their denomination, a steady and liberal support.

Resolved, That no modification of the great principles of moral reform by clans or parties, should lessen our zeal or prevent our putting forth every possible, reasonable effort to promote Temperance, Freedom, Peace, and a higher regard for the sanctity of human life.

After the passage of this resolution, the following motion was submitted by Br. H. Bacon:

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to prepare a solemn, earnest, and plain Protest against American Slavery, and when prepared, to present it to every Universalist clergyman in the United States for his signature, respectfully requesting those who are not willing to sign it to give a reason for refusing; and when it has been fully circulated, and they have waited a reasonable time for answers, they shall publish the Protest and signatures, with the reasons offered by those who do not sign it.

This was discussed; various queries and suggestions were made; and it passed with but a single nay.

The meeting then proceeded to the choice of the Committee contemplated in the sixth resolution, and Brs. H. Bacon, E. H. Chapin, L. R. Paige, S. Cobb, and S. Streeter were chosen.

This was a meeting of great interest, and cannot fail of accomplishing much good. The addresses were able and spirit-stirring.

We will close our notice of these meetings by presenting the following Programme, copied from the Trumpet :

PROGRAMME OF THE SERVICES DURING CONVENTION WEEK.

TUESDAY.

All the services were held in the School Street Church.
Forenoon,-Resolutions and debates on Sunday Schools.
Afternoon,The same continued.

Evening, Address, by Mr. G. L. Demarest, of New York. After which, several others addressed the meeting.

WEDNESDAY.

Forenoon, Occasional Sermon, by Br. E. H. Chapin, in the School Street Church.

Sermon by Br. W. S. Balch, of New York, in the Warren Street Church.

Afternoon,-Occasional Sermon (repeated) in the Warren St. Church. Sermon, by Br. Moses Ballou, of New York, in the first Church, (Br. Streeter's.)

Evening,-First Church. A Conference Meeting.

Second Church. Sermon, by Br. A. R. Bartlett, of
Bath, Maine. After which, several addresses.
Fourth Church. A Conference Meeting.

Chelsea. Sermon by Br. A. Moore, of Philadelphia.
THURSDAY.

Morning, First Church.

Sermon by Br. G. Bates, of Turner, Maine. Fifth Church. Conference Meeting at 9 o'clock. The crowd very great. At 11 o'clock, the audience filled the large Vestry as well as the Church, and public service was commenced in the two places, viz: in the Church, Sermon by Br. J. M. Cook, of Perrington, N. Y., and in the Vestry, by Br. A. C. Barray, of Fort Plain, N. Y. Afternoon,-First Church. Sermon by Father Ballou, and the Lord's Supper.

Fifth Church. Sermon by Br. Eli Ballou, of Montpelier, Vermont, and the Lord's Supper.

Evening, First Church. Conference Meeting.

Morning, Meeting at School Street Church, on Education, the Press, and the Benevolent Enterprizes of the age.

Afternoon, The same meeting continued, closing at sundown. Evening, The accustomed Conference Meeting at the First Church, at which many of the visiters of the Convention were present.

"ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LAW OF KINDNESS."

This excellent and popular work by Br. G. W. Montgomery, which has passed through several editions in this country, has been re-published in England by Wiley & Putnam. Their edition is printed on fine, white paper, and is in all respects executed in a superior style.

We know of no American work more worthy of re-publication. It illustrates one of the most important and efficient laws in the economy of life,—a law which is the basis of all the divine dealings. The character in which God most frequently presents himself is that of a Father, -a Father of infinite, unbounded, eternal, and unchangeable love ;a Father whose mercy extends over all his works, and who has ever

fostered the human race in all the tenderness of infinite compassion. In this light he is most anxious to be viewed by all his people. He wishes them to see that love is the essence of his nature; that his justice is the justice of love; his punishments are the punishments of love; his government is the government of love; his purposes are the purposes of love; his faithfulness is the faithfulness of love. He wishes all men to regard him as the perfection of all excellence, and realize that whatever of loveliness can be seen in the world is but a "faint and shadowy transcript of that original substantial excellence, which resides in the conceptions of Him who is the fountain of being,— that all the pleasing of goodness and all the venerable of worth, and all sovereign command of moral dignity meet and are realized in the person of God,—that through the whole range of universal existence there cannot be devised a single feature of excellence which does not serve to enrich the character of Him who originated all things, and who sustains all things.' Now why is this, if there be not an omnipotent influence in love; if it will not conquer the heart when all other means have been exerted in vain; if it be not an almighty principle of attraction, which will draw the soul to God, when it has " remained unaffected under every other application?" Why, too, has God adopted so many measures, and made such great and expensive sacrifices, to demonstrate to the world that he is merciful, gracious, forgiving, and compassionate, if we more readily obey him when clothed in terror? Thus God seeks to win souls by an exhibition of his love.

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If we look at the great leading characteristic of the religion of Christ, we shall discover the same reliance upon the law of kindness. Here is a boundless field of riches and beauty open before us. Look, Christian! what can you behold that is not inviting,—that does not win the best affections of your hearts? We behold here Virtue, leading its disciples in bowery walks, through peaceful vales, where flow in quiet beauty, the streams of love. We behold, also, Faith, comforting the afflicted, raising the weary and sorrowful, and pointing far across the sea of death to the land of eternal sunshine and joy. We behold, also, Hope, lighting smiles upon the wasted features of the aged, the sick, and the dying, and assuring them that however bereaved by earth, they can never be deserted,—“ that above them is the protection of eternal power, and the mercy of eternal love." And we behold messengers of grace, inviting all to duty and God, promising honor to the faithful, security to the upright, and happiness to all who bear the image of Jesus. These, too, we see led on by him who was the brightness of the Father's glory, and who is conducting all the varieties of men to that eternal city,