The other arrangements of the Installation were novel in their character. Instead of a formal dinner, to which the clergymen and Council alone should be admitted, an elegant and abundant collation was provided at the "Central House," where nearly two hundred gentlemen and ladies of the Society met the clergymen, and the remainder of the afternoon was spent in the pleasures of social communion. Addresses, with appropriate music at intervals, were made by Rev. Messrs. Osgood, Arnold, Miles, Thomas, Peabody, Pratt (Pastor of the Baptist Church,) and also by Hon. A. G. Atherton, and Daniel Abbot Esq., who presided at the table. It was among the gratifications of the occasion, that the sentiments of the Discourse were noticed with approbation by others than members of our own body.

DEDICATION AT CHARLESTOWN, N. H.-The new meetinghouse in Charlestown, N. H. was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God on Wednesday, November 8, 1843. The services were performed in the following order :-a Collect sung by the choir; an original Hymn by Rev. Levi W. Leonard; Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Farmer of Walpole, N. H.; Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Brown of Brattleboro', Vt.; Hymn; Sermon by the pastor, Rev. Jaazaniah Crosby; Anthem; Prayer of Dedication, by Rev. Mr. Livermore of Keene, N. H.; Anthem; Benediction by the Pastor.

The sermon was founded upon Ezra vi. 16: "And the children of Israel * * * kept the dedication of this house of God with joy." After speaking of the joy felt in the erection of a new house upon the ruins of the old one, which was burnt, the beauty given for ashes, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,—the preacher showed that the act of dedication did not invest the place with any peculiar sanctity, except so far as it embodied the feelings of the worshippers. The service was for the soul, not for the walls. He dedicated the house to the one God, strictly speaking, not to a multiplied and incomprehensible Godhead; to God as our Heavenly Father, revealed as such in nature, providence, and above all in the Gospel of his Son Jesus Christ. He dedicated it to Christian Liberty, Charity, Peace, and Holiness; upon each point amplifying in an appropriate manner. The discourse was concluded by practical remarks addressed to the members of the religious society, exhorting them to duty and improvement.

The house was crowded in every part by an attentive audience, not only from the town, but from other places in the vicinity. The edifice is of the Gothic order, quite pure, built of brick. It has a bell and

clock, and an organ is soon to be added. The color outside is that of red sandstone. The wood work inside is painted in imitation of oak, and presents a very beautiful appearance. There are forty-six pews, besides two in the gallery, which extends across only the end of the church. The pews were all readily sold, and more were wanted. The sum thus raised paid for the house, which cost $4,000, and left $400 in the treasury. The interests of the society are flourishing, and the zeal and spirit manifested in erecting the new temple have, as is usually the case, been highly beneficial to all concerned. It is a somewhat remarkable fact in these days of change, that the present pastor dedicated the previous house, having therefore officiated during his ministry in no less than three different houses in the same parish.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.-With the close of another volume we are prompted to look back over the last few months, and consider what changes have been made in the condition of our churches. Within this time they have suffered severe bereavements, and other causes than death have in some instances produced a disruption of ministerial ties. But new connexions have been formed, and perhaps both ministers and people have felt a fresh interest awakened by their new position. With scarcely an exception, our churches enjoy peace within themselves, and our clergy are generally in the enjoyment of sufficient health to enable them to perform their work. Rev. Messrs. Ingersol of Burlington Vt., and Morison of New Bedford, have suspended their labors for a few months, in the hope of resuming them with more efficiency after an interval of rest. Rev. Messrs. Muzzey of Cambridge, and May of Leicester, have returned from their visit to Europe, with improved, if not established, health. Of the class which graduated at the Theological School last July, three have been settled in the ministry, and three others have received invitations to take charge of congregations. In many of our religious societies a desire is manifested for a more social exercise of the religious spirit, and our ministers encourage this disposition by the various meetings which they conduct or take a part in sustaining. The influence of the Providence Convention has been felt beyond the immediate number of those who were present. It has drawn attention to the points there discussed and the spirit which was exhibited, and in the result both our faith and our love will be increased. The notices of this Convention in the journals of other denominations betray a singular ignorance of its purpose, and of

our past history. Because it was an occasion of special interest, they appear to consider it an extraordinary movement, and deduce from it wonderful auguries. If they knew a little more about us, they would neither make the mistakes nor manifest the spirit which we discover in their remarks upon this meeting.-In this city the members of our congregations, returning to their winter residences and resuming their winter habits, again fill our houses of worship and attend upon the various instructions of the ministry. During the autumn the interior of the First Church (in Chauncy Place) has been wholly remodelled, and at a very large expense been rendered more agreeable to the taste of the congregation. The light is now admitted only from the roof, and the church has an aspect of elegance perhaps beyond the demands of ecclesiastical purity. A course of Sunday evening lectures has been commenced, and will be continued through the winter, in the Bulfinch Street church, which is sustained by the services of the Unitarian clergymen of the city.

In other denominations, we have been particularly struck with the evidences of a more earnest spirit among the Universalists. We had intended some time ago to notice the "Union Conference Meetings," which during the summer were held in several places in this neighborhood. The full reports of them which were given in the Trumpet show that in their purpose and the manner in which they are conducted they bear a considerable resemblance to the Convention of Providence of which we have just spoken, excepting that they were confined in each instance to a few neighboring churches. The discussions appear to have related chiefly to the nature and growth of the Christian life, and to have been maintained with freedom and force. Members of other Communions sometimes took part in the Meetings. We observe that at a late meeting of the Boston Association of Universalists the members passed a resolution in which they recommended these Meetings as "highly calculated to propagate Christian truth in the world, and to promote vital piety among believers in God's boundless grace," and therefore advise their "brethren of neighboring societies to meet in Union Conference Meetings, as frequently as their circumstances will permit." The growth of the Universalist denomination is not probably known to all our readers. The frequency of their Dedications of new meetinghouses is an undeniable evidence of their increase. The Episcopalians, without surrendering the tone of ecclesiastical arrogance which must belong to any portion of the Christian brotherhood that claims for itself the title of "The Church,” find employment enough just now in healing their intestine dissensions. There are manifest signs that "Puseyism" or "Oxfordism" will not

have as free course here as in England. Rev. Mr. Clark of Grace Church in this city, one of the most faithful and successful ministers whom we have ever known, (though as an editor we have sometimes wished he showed a more candid spirit,) has accepted an invitation to a church in Philadelphia.—The Baptists, we think, are among the most adventurous of our religious denominations. They must either have large pecuniary means, or great faith in the spread of their peculiar doctrines, to enable them to multiply so fast their places of public worship. One of the neatest meetinghouses which we have seen for a long time has just been erected by the Baptist Society at Jamaica Plain; the front is particularly worthy of notice. We were surprised, upon going into the late Tremont theatre in this city, to observe how convenient and spacious a room the congregation that intend worshipping there have secured for their own use. It is well lighted, and the interior is arranged with a view to the best accommodation of the largest number of hearers.-The Methodists in this part of the country make less noise than in some other parts, but they give close attention to their various religious meetings, and annually gain increase of numbers. The secessions that from time to time take place, of those who cannot endure the yoke of their ecclesiastical organization, seem not to impair their strength. We rejoice, with many others besides those of his own denomination, in the return of Rev. Mr. Taylor, the minister of the Bethel church in this city, from his visit to the East, with sufficiently improved health to resume his laborious work.-Among the Trinitarian Congregationalists and Presbyterians we do not hear so much of late, as a few months ago, of " revivals" in the churches. They certainly attach less value than formerly to "extraordinary" measures, and depend more on the usual means of instruction and impression. Experience must have taught them some valuable lessons. A necessity has been felt for special efforts to sustain or increase the ability of their large organizations for the spread of religion in this and foreign lands. Success has of course attended these special efforts, but the fact that they had become necessary suggests the question, whether these associations had not been multiplied or enlarged beyond the sympathies of the congregations on whose support they must depend for their efficiency. At present attention is very much directed to methods by which the influence of the Romish Church may be counteracted or undermined. The system of colportage has been adopted in this country as one of the regular instrumentalities of missionary zeal.-The Roman Catholic Church in the United States is on the point of receiving an accession of ecclesiastical dignitaries. Several new Bishops have been lately appointed to American dioceses, among whom we

observe the name of one as Assistant Bishop of Boston.-The Swedenborgian Society of this city has in the course of years so increased, that a site has been purchased for a new chapel, larger than that which they at present occupy.-The "Miller Tabernacle" has become a place for the exhibition of "entertainments" on other days than Sunday. The professors of the "Second Advent" doctrine begin to fall back from the faith which they had received under this name, and a few months will probably see the delusion exploded.

To sum up our impressions in a single line;—the year has on the whole, we think, been a year of religious progress. Truth has gained rather than lost ground, and Christianity is in a better position for extending its triumphs.

Intelligence FROM SYRACUSE, N. Y., and WESTERN NEW YORK.— We have received from a friend a letter written for our use, containing intelligence and remarks which we are glad to publish.

I have just returned home from the Dedication of the "Church of the Messiah" at Syracuse. Our friends in that flourishing village have done well. They have struggled into life, and their society is now permanently established. None but those who have learned by experience know what labors and sacrifices are attendant upon the building up of a religious society. Five years ago it was supposed that there were not more than two men in Syracuse who were Unitarians. About that time Mr. Muzzey spent a sabbath there. He was told that it would be in vain for him to preach, as Unitarian was a term of reproach and not more than five persons in the whole vicinity professed to be Unitarians; but he did preach, because he would preach. This was the inception of the good cause in that place. And now a very chaste, beautiful church stands in the midst of the village, to testify that faith removes mountains; a respectable society has been gathered; and in all that vicinity liberal views of Christianity are producing their good results. Brother Storer has done a good work there. His labors and sacrifices should quicken us all in our duties.

At the Dedication it was cheering to see seven Unitarian ministers assembled in the centre of New York State;-Messrs. Storer of Syracuse, Emmons of Vernon, Buckingham of Trenton, Holland of Rochester, Van Tassel of Salina, Hosmer of Buffalo, and Rev. Mr. Parsons