In the promotion of these great objects, which expand the heart with the noblest emotions, we are called in Providence to contribute our aid. In addition to the exertions, which are making in the old world for the distribution of the scriptures, and the preaching of the word, among the heathen, it is gratifying to witness the efforts of our own countrymen to promote these invaluable objects. Our BibleSocieties amount to about one hun dred and fifty. Besides numerous societies for foreign missions, and respectable annual contributions for translating the scriptures into the languages of the East, we have numerous combinations to discountenance vice and to promote reformation of manners. While so many are thus contriving various modes of doing good, it is devoutly to be hoped, that our own amendment will be effectually advanced, and that the wants of all the destitute will, in due time, be supplied. ply our own neighbours is to do but little towards the reformation of the world. The process of amendment is, in the nature of things, gradual; and it is rational to proceed from parts to the whole. If we would hope to reform others, we must begin with reforming ourselves. Let us not limit our views to a supply of the destitute in our own land. Should we ere long effect this object, there will remain much of more extensive good to be done. The enlightened christian will not be inactive, while there remains a scope for his benevolence. But suppose, that we shall not be permitted to realize in our day, the dearest wishes of our hearts; grant, that there may still be clouds and darkness to hang over scenes, which are now bright and flattering. Admit, that we may not at present be allowed to discern all the pleas ing results of our munificence. We know, that it is the cause of God, of the Saviour, of all good beings. There can be therefore no good reason, why we should withhold our exertions. We are assured, that, if we "be not weary in well doing," although we find not on earth our amplest satisfaction, we shall infallibly be recompensed "at the resurLet us not object, that to sup- rection of the just." Let us not faint at the magnitude and the difficulty of the task proposed; "for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." We shall at least perceive, for we are already beginning to witness, the good fruits of our exertions among those, whom our bounty, has been sent to relieve. NOTICE OF THE NEW-YORK CONTROVERSY. For a number of years past, been grieved by what appearmany reflecting Christians have ed to them a hostile spirit in this vicinity, between professing trines of justification, atonement, Christians of different senti- and imputation, in preference ments; and perhaps no impartial to the Calvinistick. In his person will say, that all the fault opinion, "If the mediation of has been confined to one side. Christ takes away guilt, there is Indeed this is seldom the case in nothing to pardon, and no more controversies of long continu- room for the exercise of grace, ance; and probably it is as sel- than if man had never fallen." dom that either party is duly p. 16. He of course "infers the aware of its own faults. fallacy of that theory of redemption which views our sins as debts, and says the Saviour pays them." But he denies neither the necessity nor the efficacy of the Saviour's death. Recently our attention has been called to a controversy in the city of New-York. And if the documents we have seen may be regarded as a thermometer for ascertaining the degree of heat with which the dispute has been conducted, there is doubtless much reason to deplore the spirit which prevails in that region, and also some reason for saying, that Boston is now the temperate, and New-York the torrid zone of ecclesiastical controversy. One of the documents refered to we have already given in the number of the Christian Disciple for July; namely, the Letter by which L. D. Dewey was excluded from a Theological Seminary. Since writing the remarks on that Letter, we have seen the Discourse by which Mr. Dewey drew down the displeasure of his Instructors. We have also seen a pamphlet entitled, "The Triangle." From these it is pretty evident, that the unpardonable sin of Mr. Dewey consisted in his having adopted the orthodoxy of New-England, in preference to the orthodoxy of New-York. In other words, he adopted what are called Hopkinsian views relating to the doc Mr. Dewey appears to be a young man of considerable talents and reflection. In addi tion to this, he seems to have possessed a spirit of candour and charity even towards those by whom he was expelled from the seminary. This is apparent in his reply to the letter of expulsion. Had his Instructors possessed an equal share of candour, would his connexion with the seminary have been in such a manner dissolved? It is pretty evident, not only from the expulsion of Mr. Dewey, but from the writings of "Investigator," the author of "The Triangle," that what is regarded as orthodoxy in NewEngland is supposed to be “damnable heresy" in New-York; and that those who regard themselves as the orthodox of NewYork " 'cry out" against those who have adopted the NewEngland orthodoxy, “delusion ! heresy! blasphemy!" p. 22. In the same page, in speaking of Dr. Mason and the expulsion of Mr. Dewey, the writer represents that the Doctor has "cut asun der by one expulsion," "The mighty multitude of Christians composing three fourths of that profession in the United States." He adds" Had they but one neck, he would serve them as Nero wished to serve the Romans, i. e. in an ecclesiastical sense. He has put them all into the snare of the devil,' and declared them not to be endured, NO NOT FOR AN HOUR!" In p. 74, he observes-" I fully anticipate all that will be said of these remarks; the contemptuous slangs of Arminianism! Socinianism! Ribaldry! Slander! that will be thrown out." We sincerely hope that neither class of the clergy of New-York are so exceedingly vile and corrupt as the parties are disposed to represent each other. Party passions often lead good men to judge, and talk, and write, and act very strangely. We cannot but hope that our brethren in New-York, who are of NewEngland orthodoxy, are much better men than they are allowed to be by their opponents; and we should be very sorry to know that those who treat them as hereticks are quite so destitute of uprightness, benevolence, and good manners, as Investigator imagines. We cannot however, but seriously fear, that this controversy has given the churches in that city much of a militant or military character. Investigator, who says of himself, "I love to talk figuratively," states, that "not only the great gun, but field-pieces, swivels, blunderbusses, muskets, carbines, pistolseven down to pop-guns have, other fired in squadrons and battalions." He says, some things in this connexion which I shall forbear to copy,―the reason will be obvious to those who have read the paragraph, p. 66. Why, it may be asked, is this account of a disagreable controsy brought forward in the Christian Disciple? We answer: It is done not from an apprehension that, in itself considered, it will afford any true pleasure to the writer or the reader; but from a hope that it may be useful as a warning. It is adapted to show the danger of indulging party passions and a censorious spirit-to show that little reliance is to be placed on the representations of men who are disposed to cry heresy and to destroy the reputation of their brethren on account of diversity of opinions-to show that heresy, as the term is used at this day, is just what a self-sufficient majority may please to call by that name-that the same opinions which are orthodoxy in one place, are heresy in another-and that men, who are abused for their religious opinions always, and very justly, consider such treatment as persecution." 66 The probability is, that each class of Christians in New-York is in some great errours. The same may be said respecting each class in this vicinity, and in every part of the world. But what a melancholly thing it is to see two classes of Christians blind to their own fallibility, and disposed to defame and injure one another, under a pretext of love to God! The Calvanistick clergy in New-York have as good a right to denounce their brethren of the New-England orthodoxy, and to treat them as hereticks, as the orthodox of New-England have SO to treat other Christians. Whichever of two parties may be in the right, as to the opinions in dispute, that party is always in the wrong which is disposed to revile, defame, or persecute. If this be the case on both sides, both are in the wrong, and a greater wrong than any mere errour of opinion. Investigator complains loudly of a persecuting spirit on the part of the Calvinistick Clergy of New-York, and he pleads ably for the rights of conscience. He endeavours also to prove that the opinions of those clergymen, on the doctrines of original sin, the sinner's inability, and the extent of the propitiation made by Jesus Christ, are grossly erroneous, dishonourary to God, and injurious in their tendency. The opinions of the Calvinistick clergy, on these three points, are what he calls "The Triangle." "The whole of their doctrine," he says, "amounts to this, that a man is in the first place condemned, incapacitated, and eternally reprobated for the sin of Adam: in the next place, that he is condemned over again for not doing that which he is totally, in all respects, unable to do: and, in the third place, that he is condemned, and doubly and trebly condemned, for not believing in a Saviour, who never died for him, and with whom he has no more concern than a fallen angel." p. 12. "To this," he says, "it is proper to add, that they are tenacious of their own opinions, and intolerant of those of others in no ordinary degree. I shall justify this remark, by simply adverting to the recent expulsion of a young man of unblemished character and respectable talents, from a theological seminary in this city. I cannot but notice as an extraordinary coincidence, that the very man who expelled him, has at this time come out and astonished the world by a pompous and flaming production in favour of general communion, catholicism, and christian charity. I wish he would inform the world whether he intends they shall follow his book, or his example. I cannot express what gratitude I feel to Providence, that though Bonner and Gardiner should revive, they would not find in this country a government ready to second their intolerance by the flames of persecution. The tiger may show his teeth and growl, but he cannot bite." It is certainly lamentable, if there is just occasion for such representations, and such severity of remark, respecting any minister or ministers of religion in our country, who claim the “ uppermost seats in the synagogues" of orthodoxy. And perhaps it is not less to be lamented that such representations should be made, if they are not well founded. In a future number we expect to give our readers some extracts from the reasoning of Investigator on the doctrines which compose "The Triangle." These doctrines, as stated by him, are the following: 1. "That the whole human race are guilty of the sin of Adam, independently of their own conduct, and for that sin are truly deserving of eternal punishment." 2. "That all men labour un der a true and physical incapacity to do any thing which God requires." 3. That "there is a remedy for a part of mankind; Christ has died for an elect number. They, and they only, enjoy an offer of salvation; and for them alone is provision made.” Against these opinions Investigator reasons with ability, if not with moderation. EXTRACTS FROM SOME CANDID OBSERVATIONS, BY THE REV. WILLIAM WELLS. The following passages are from a tract recently published, entitled, "Some observations, taken in part from an address delivered in the new meeting-house in Brattleborough, July 7th, 1816, being the first Christian Communion held in that place." "DR. DODDRIDGE observes, in his introductory sermon to his lectures against Popery, which I have in manuscript,—“ Such of you who have frequently attended my ministry, well know, that it has not been my custom to insist on subjects of controversial divinity. As my temper does not incline me to dispute, so I confess, when I seriously consider the importance of that eternal world to which we are hastening, I can seldom persuade myself to employ in matters of criticism and debate, those sacred and important moments, which we separate from our common time, with a view to a more immediate preparation for it. Practical preaching is, under God, the great support of the gospel, as practical precepts have every where the greatest stress laid upon them in it.' "I most sincerely and heartily assent to the sentiments contained in the above quotation. And you, my friends, can witness for me, that I very seldom indeed, bring matters of controversy into my publick discourses.-I shall, however, on the present occasion, give you my opinion, as briefly as may be, on some controversial points. "Before I came into this country, I wrote to Dr. Morse, respecting a removal hither; informing him,. I was no great stickler for particular sentiments in religion; being well assured that many wiser and better than myself differed from me, both on the one side and on the other. But as it was generally reckoned |