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already been done to "bind the strong man armed, and to spoil his goods," but much more remains to be done. The very citadel of the enemies of Universal Grace must be taken and demolished. To accomplish this, great, and fearless, and prudent exertions are necessary. We live in an age distinguished above all others for intelligence and activity, enterprize and improvement. A universally stirring spirit is abroad in the earth. New lights in the sciences, in arts, in governments, and in morals are perpetually bursting upon society. The religious world, to use the language of the poet, is "tremblingly alive all o'er." Seas and lands are traversed to make proselytes to a system of doctrine revolting to every generous sentiment of the human soul. The fears, and hopes, and purses, both of the rich and the poor, are adroitly laid under contribution by those who "limit the Holy One of Israel." Under such a state of things, it illy becomes the advocates and friends of Universal Grace to be careless and slothful. No. brethren,

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must act up to the spirit and enterprise of the age in which we live. We must nullify the saying, which has too long been true, "The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light."

Let us then, wake up all our powers, marshal all our means, and with one united, mighty, ceaseless effort, "strive together for the faith of the gospel." Let an increased attention be paid to the sessions of the General Convention. Let no preacher be absent, unless through absolute necessity. Let every society send a representative, or at least, a letter stating in detail its condition. Let all committees, and especially those appointed to visit Associations, without fail, make a faithful report, either in person or by communication. Let a more general and liberal patronage be given to our periodical publications. These may be made pow

erful vehicles of truth to the world. Let every believer contribute as generously as his circumstances will possibly admit, to the maintenance of public worship; and be particularly careful to patronize and encourage the younger preachers. They, so far as instruments are available, are our chief dependance. Finally, brethren, let us be "constant in prayer, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord in all holy conversation and godliness."

Per order,

S. STREETER.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSALISTS.

The Ministers and Delegates, composing the Northern Association of Universalists, convened at Barre, Vt. Oct. 3, 1826, and united in prayer with Br. K. Haven. Organized the Council, by choosing,

Br. J. E. PALMER, Moderator, and

Br. K. Haven, Clerk.

Appointed Brs. K. Haven, J. Wallace, and N. Wright, jun. a committee to receive requests for letters of fellowship and ordination, and report thereon.

Adjourned till half past 8 o'clock, Wednesday morning. Prayer by Br. Isaiah Boynton, jun.

Wednesday morning, convened and united in prayer with Br. J. Moore. Read the credentials of the delegates and the letters from the societies in connexion, and found them satisfactory.

Appointed Brs. J. E. Palmer, K. Haven and J. Moore, a committee to inquire into the recent proceedings of Br. A. Kinsman, and report at the next annual association.

MORNING SERVICE.

Introductory prayer by Br. N. Wright, jun.

Sermon by Br. J. Moore.-Text, Psalms cxvii. “O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth forever: Praise ye the Lord." Concluding prayer by Br. I. Boynton, jun.

AFTERNOON SERVICE.

Introductory prayer by Br. T. J. Whitcomb.

Sermon by Br. N. Wright, jun. from 1 Thess. v. 21, “Hold fast that which is good."

Concluding prayer by Br. T. Browning.

EVENING SERVICE,

Introductory prayer by Br. J. Moore.

Sermon by Br. T. J. Whitcomb, from Rom. viii. 38, 39. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Concluding prayer by Br. N. Wright, jun.

Attended to the reports of the Brethren, appointed to visit the several societies in connexion with this Association, and found them expressive of the growing prosperity of our spirit

ual Zion.

Adjourned to meet on Thursday morning, at half past 8 o'clock: Prayer by Br. J. Wallace.

Met, according to adjournment, and addressed the throne of grace, with Br. M. Coburn.

Appointed the following brethren to visit the societies in fellowship with this Association:

Br. K. Haven, Barnard, Bethel, Hancock, Rochester, Shoreham, and Whiting.

Br. J. E. Palmer, Barre, Montpelier, Richmond and Randolph.

Br. S. C. Loveland, Cavendish, Chester, Reading, and Weston.

Br. R. Bartlett, Hartland, Londonderry, and Townshend Br. T. Browning, Calais, and Plainfield.

Br. M. Coburn, Craftsbury, and Royalton.

Br. D. Walker, Bolton, and Crown-Point.

Br. J. Moore, Northfield, Strafford, and Williamstown. Br. N. Wright, jun. Burke, Compton, Danville, St. Johnsbury, and Waterford.

Br. T. J. Whitcomb, Rockingham, Wardsborough, WestWindsor, and Athens.

Br. Cooper, Pawlet, and Queensbury.

Br. Ward, Shrewsbury, and Wells.

Br. I. Boynton, jun. Plymouth.

The Committee for requests, &c. reported in favor of granting a letter of fellowship to Br. Daniel Walker, and of conferring ordination upon Br. John Moore: which reports were accepted.

PUBLIC SERVICE, THURSDAY MORNING.

Introductory prayer, by Br. N. Wright, jun.

Sermon by Br. J. Wallace. Text, Mat. v. 16, "Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven"

Ordination of Br. J. Moore.-Consecrating prayer by Br. M. Coburn. Delivery of the scriptures and charge, by Br. K. Haven. Right hand of fellowship, by Br. J. E. Palmer. Benediction by Br. J. Wallace.

AFTERNOON SERVICE.

Br. D. Walker, the introductory prayer.

Br. K. Haven, the sermon, from Rev. xiv. 6, 7, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Br. J. Wallace, the concluding prayer.

Appointed Br. K. Haven, to prepare the present proceedings, accompanied with a Circular.

Voted, That they be published in the Universalist Magazine, and the Christian Repository; and, that the Editors of similar publications be requested to insert the same.

Voted, to adjourn this Association, to meet, by divine permission, in Calais, Vt. on the first Wednesday and Thursday in October, 1827.

United in deyout prayer with Br. J. E. Palmer.

K. HAVEN, Clerk.

J. E. PALMER, Moderator.

GENERAL EPISTLE.

To all believers in the unbounded goodness and impartial grace of our common Parent: To all the humble followers of his dear Son: and to all the children of darkness, sorrow, and affliction, wheresoever scattered abroad; the Northern Association of Universalists sends christian salutation: wishing you great peace in believing, and immortal felicity beyond the grave.

While another year has glided into the vast ocean of eternity, our lives have been preserved, and we have been permitted, under the smiles of our indulgent Father, to meet once

more in annual association; to behold each other's faces in the flesh; to reciprocate the genial emotions of fraternal affection; to recount the mercies of the Lord, and to contemplate the increasing prosperity and welfare of our spiritual Zion.

The great Master of assemblies, we trust, was graciously pleased to bless us with his divine presence; to preside in our council, and to direct our public labors of love.

In the temple, we heard the peaceful step of prince Emmanuel walking amidst the golden candlesticks, and felt in our hearts to say, "It is good for us to be here." "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will be still praising thee."

In the congregations, which were numerous and respectable on each day,—we discovered many fathers and mothers in Israel, whose hoary locks, bleached by the frosts of many winters, indicated that their earthly prilgrimage was fast drawing to a close. The tears of love, gratitude, or contrition, that rolled down their wrinkled cheeks, told us that they were deeply impressed with a sense of the glorious doctrines, truths, and precepts, that were elucidated and enforced.

There too, were seen the youths, like tender plants, adorning the walls of our Zion. The rose of health bloomed upon their cheeks; the placid smile of contentment sat upon their countenances; while the tears of joy or grief, that flowed in copious effusions, showed that they were not "past feeling." May "the genial current of their souls" never be frozen by the heart-chilling doctrine of interminable misery. May they grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and be like corner stones, in our spiritual edifice, "polished after the similitude of a palace.”

The loud anthems of praise that filled the temple, and ascended like grateful incense to the skies, added much to the pleasures of the occasion, while they did equal bonor to the excellent choir, and to the science of vocal and instrumental music.

The audience listened with attention, while they were called upon to render unto the Lord unfeigned gratitude and praise, for the plenitude of his goodness and mercy to the

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