be upon our country and nation. May rulers and magistrates, of every grade, be disposed and enabled, so to discharge the duties of their respective stations and offices, as shall most contribute to the suppression of immorality and vice, which are a reproach to any people; and to the promotion of virtue and righteousness, which truly exalt a nation. Finally, we would offer unto thee, O our God, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men, of all orders and conditions; and in all circumstances earnestly desiring that we and all others may possess those true principles of piety and gospel obedience, which will effectually incline all to lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in the further duties which are now before us. May we praise thee with gladness of heart, and with sincere gratitude; and may the instructions and counsels which may be communicated unto us at this time, be in accordance with thy holy word and gospel; even the word of our God, which liveth and abideth for ever. May this word of truth be mixed with faith in those who hear it, so that they may be edified and profited thereby; and may bring forth the fruit of good living; to the honour and glory of thy holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer, AMEN.

CONFERENCE AND SOCIAL MEETINGS. Remarks and Suggestions.

UNIVERSALISTs are not in general favorably inclined to violent, or passionate religious excitements; produced, as they commonly are, by fearful representations, and terrific descriptions in relation to God, and

the supposed condition of the souls of men, a numerous portion of them, at least, in a future state, or in the eternal world, as the common phrase is. Neither are they disposed to place much confidence in the public relation of individual experiences; descriptions of particular feelings, and exercises of mind; gloomy and almost despairing apprehensions, succeeded suddenly by sensations the most exhilarating and joyful, producing ecstasies and raptures inexpressible; a process which appears to be relied upon by some, as certain evidence of regeneration, a change of heart, getting religion, &c.

Nor are Universalists in favour of keeping up and attending a constant succession of religious meetings, protracted for several weeks together, on which it is wished and expected the people should attend, day and night, to the neglect of their temporal avocations, and even their domestic duties.

Nevertheless, Universalists are strongly, and unitedly in favour of the regular and devout celebration of public worship; esteeming it not only a solemn duty, and strictly obligatory; but also a most desirable privilege and happiness; and which, we believe, exerts a very beneficial influence upon the minds and morals of community. And beside the usual occasions of public worship, when a regular discourse or sermon is expected to comprise a part of the religious services, many are persuaded of the utility, at convenient times, of what are termed conferences, or social meetings for praise, prayer, exhortation, &c. Such meetings, when judiciously conducted, cannot be justly objectionable, and may, it is believed, be very interesting and salutary; tending to increase devout and pious affections, and to strengthen the bonds of Christian union and fellowship. They can only be injurious when imagination, fancy, unchastened zeal, or ungoverned feelings and

emotions, overpower and control the understanding or the solemnity,

and judgment, and desd always accompany

and the holy awe which

divine worship; and the humility and reverence which should characterize the Christian worshipper.

At these social meetings it is expected that some ministering brother or brethren, or some judicious lay brother, when no minister is present, will superintend and direct the religious exercises; so that nothing like confusion or irregularity may occur, but that, as the apostle directs, all things may be done decently, and in order.

The devotions at these meetings, may properly be commenced by singing a suitable hymn of praise, in which all present, who are able, should be invited to unite. Then may follow a prayer, to close (if thought expedient) with the Lord's prayer, which all present may be requested to pronounce distinctly and audibly with the minister, or leader. After this, brief addresses, exhortations, statements and remarks, may be offered, by such as may be so disposed, whether ministering brethren or others: at intervals between which, other hymns, or parts thereof, or set pieces, may be sung, as may be desired, or thought expedient. The services may be closed with a short prayer, and benediction, or with the latter only.

It is expected that the prayer, or prayers on these occasions, will usually be extempore. A form, however, is here subjoined

A Form of devout Adoration, Praise and Prayer, for a religious Conference, or Meeting for social Devotion.

LORD our God, we would rejoice in thee, and magnify thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things: thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the

gods? who is like unto thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. Thy mercy, O Lord, reacheth unto the heavens, and to the uttermost bounds of the earth: thy righteousness is like the strong mountains: thy judgments are a great deep. How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings: they shall be abundantly satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house, and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasure. For with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see light. Thou art our God, and we will praise thee; our father's God, and we will exalt thee.

We rejoice, and we fervently bless and praise thy name, O Lord our God, that thou hast made it both our duty and happiness to adore and worship thee, the Father of our spirits, and the God of love. And we bless thee that through thy good providence, we are assembled together at this time, for the holy exercises of Christian devotion, and for mutual edification. May thy gracious influences be upon us; and may the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord our strength, and our Redeemer.

We confess before thee, O Lord, our manifold sins, and our unworthiness of the least of all thy mercies; for we have done wickedly, and rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of face. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Deliver us from

all our iniquities, and cause thy face to shine upon us, and we shall be whole.

Grant us, O heavenly Father, renewed tokens of thy favour and loving-kindness, and the constant influences of thy holy Spirit, to preserve us from the power of temptation: to strengthen us in the performance of our various duties, and to lead us into all truth; that we may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

And we earnestly pray, O Lord, that the truth and the light of thy holy word, and especially of the glorious gospel of peace and salvation, may prevail, and be extended more and more. May its doctrines and counsels, its precepts and its precious promises, be faithfully inculcated, and cordially embraced; and may there be a great and joyful ingathering of the lost sheep, both of Gentiles and Jews, into the fold of Christ; until, in the fulness of times, there shall be one fold and one Shepherd; and one great salvation experienced by all.

To this end, we beseech thee, O God, to bless thy ministering servants, and to send forth many more of them into the harvest, which indeed is plenteous, that they may declare the counsels of thy boundless love, the unsearchable riches of Christ, and proclaim salvation to the ends of the earth: saying unto Zion, Thy God reigneth. Yea, for the sake of the Zion of the Redeemer, may they not hold their peace, and for the sake of the new gospel Jerusalem, may they not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. That God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, may shine upon all people, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

Father of mercies, and God of all grace, we humbly offer these our supplications, prayers, intercessions,