are specially saved. But the kingdom of heaven is likened unto the whole ten-the foolish as well as the wise; and as the five foolish virgins, who are characteristic of unbelievers, or such as are not specially saved in this life, whether Jews or Gentiles, are included in the parable, we are authorised to look forward to the time, when he who is the light and life of men will pour out of the overflowings of his fulness, light; by which their darkness will be enlightened, and their lamps furnished with oil, and lit, they too will see the door, the way of entrance unto truth and life; and seeing, they will believe, and believing, enter also into the joy of their Lord.

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib, but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." "God's people, then, are of two descriptions, believers and unbelievers, wise and foolish, obedient and disobedient, happy and miserable."

But as members by Faith of "the Evangelist or Primitive Apostolic and Catholic, or Universal Church of Christ," whose doctrines support the belief of the final restoration of all men to holiness and happiness; we believe that "God will destroy in this mountain, the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations;" that "he will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it."

God's people will be then all of one description-all of them believers, wise, obedient, happy: the members of his invisible Church will be now made manifest, and "every creature which is in heaven, and in the earth, and under the earth, the sea, and all that are in them, will be heard saying, blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever."

We now proceed to assign the reasons that have determined us to the adoption of the title by which our Church is distinguished from all other Churches in Chris. tendom.

We believe in the doctrine of the restoration of all men to holiness and happiness; the final restitution of all things; the salvation of all men. We accept the Holy Scriptures as the Rule of our Faith, and by which we have been brought to see and believe the final salvation of all men to be the Primitive and Evangelical Doctrine of the Scriptures. Wherefore-1, We accept this doetrine as Primitive and Evangelic, because it has God the Almighty Father for its origin. (Gen. iii. 15; xxii. 15, 18; Isaiah xlv. 22, 23; Philip. ii. 9, 11, and various other passages.) 2, We accept this doctrine as Primitive and Evangelic, because it has been ratified and confirmed by the Son of God. (See Sect. I. page 17, &c.) 3, We accept this doctrine as Primitive and Evangelic, because it was attested by the Holy Spirit, in the form of an Angel. (Luke ii. 10.) 4, We accept this doctrine as Primitive, Evangelic and Apostolic, because it was believed in, and promulgated by the immediate disciples and apostles of our Lord, and has never been lost sight of, from the first formation of the Christian Church to this time. (See Sect. II. and III.)

ART. XV. Of the Order of the Church and authority of its Rulers.-1. As a Christian Church, we acknowledge no head but "Christ, who is God over all, blessed for ever." We believe it to be essential to the order and good government of the Church, (and therefore, as far as practicable, determine to adhere to the Primitive and good old custom of the Apostles,) that there should be "Apostles," or Bishops, "Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers:" in other words, that there should be faithful Ministers of the Gospel of Reconciliation; men who can give evidence that they have the glory of God and the salvation of all men in steady view, and that are determined upon doing the work of Evangelists, in faithfully preaching Christ and him crucified for the sins of the world. Such, and such only, are to be the Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers in our Church.

We adhere to the Apostolic form of electing Bishops, Pastors and other officers of the Church, according to 1

Tim. ii. and iii. chapters, and with regard to forms of worship; while on the one hand we would avoid all monkish austerity, so, on the other, we firmly object to all pomp and pageantry; and shunning extremes, we prefer the middle path, and desire only to assemble peaceably and orderly in the House of God, to unite in offering up, "first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men-for Kings, (or Presidents,) and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty." In singing the praises of God and the wonders of his Redeeming Love; in hearing the pure Gospel of Reconciliation freely preached to a perishing world, without respect of persons, inviting, wooing and beseeching all to come to Christ, accepting him as their Saviour.

We admit of Sacred Harmony in the Church, both vocal and instrumental, so that all things be done in decency and order.

2. The Ministers of the Church are to have no other authority over its members than as the faithful stewards of God's household, in teaching and instructing them concerning the things that make for their peace, by preaching to them sound doctrine, in strict accordance with the pure Gospel of Reconciliation, in visiting the sick, and in all things labouring in the Church, to do the work of Evangelists and Teachers. They shall also have a voice in common with the rest of the members in all things per taining to Church government.

As Ministers of God, they are to be held in due esteem, veneration and respect by all the members, who are bound to love them, if not for their own sakes, yet as the Messengers of him who so loved the world as to give his life a ransom for their souls; and as they minister unto us their spiritual gifts, and labour for our spiritual welfare, so are we bound to administer unto them of our temporal gifts, freely and sufficiently, by being careful in providing for them the necessary means for their decent and comfortable support and maintenance; for of a truth, "all faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard are worthy of their hire."

3. Three or more Trustees, duly elected by the members, shall have the entire management of the pecuniary and secular concerns of the Church; subject, however, to the control of the Church, which can call them to account at every quarterly meeting; and shall have authority to remove, displace or expel them for improper conduct, or abuse of trust, provided the charges are clearly sustained, and are fairly acted upon, by a majority of bona fide members. The Trustees are to hold their office during good behaviour; and in the event of death or resignation, their place to be supplied by election from among the actual members of the Church. They are also vested with authority for making By-Laws for the security and good management of the general concerns of the Church; subject, nevertheless, to the control of a majority of the bona fide members, as above expressed.

4. Members of this Church are to be distinguished-1, as Seekers, or those who are desirous of associating, but have some doubts as to the validity of one or more Articles of our Faith; these are not to be accepted as bona fide members: while-2, bona fide members are such as accept all the Articles, as matters of Faith and Practice; cordially agreeing thereto without doubt or reservation. And these latter constitute our Association.

In all respects, the government of the Church and its members, is intended to be conducted upon principles of genuine Christian charity, liberality and brotherly love; and with regard to disorderly members, the Trustees of the Church, or a majority of them, in conjunction with the Pastor, have authority to proceed against such, according to Christ's direction. (Matt. xviii. 15, 17.)

ART. XVI. Of the Punishment of the Impenitent and Wicked. As we believe in the general resurrection, and the great judgment, so do we also believe in future rewards and punishments. We do most truly believe that the Righteous Judge of all the Earth will most faithfully and impartially reward every man according to his works; that the wicked will be punished according to the correct meaning of the Scriptures of his truth. We admit that

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their punishment may be lasting, but we object to the terms eternal, everlasting punishment, as translated in our English version of the Scriptures, (see pp. 39 and 53,) and applied to the future punishment of the impenitent and wicked human nature, by all the advocates for a partial or limited salvation. And we honestly and conscientiously reject the unmerciful doctrine of the eternal, never-ending punishment of sinners, in the indefinite sense applied to these terms, as being contrary to the known wisdom, justice, mercy, and love of God, and repugnant to his nature and character, as the Father of the Spirits of all flesh. We believe that all punishments, present and future, are disciplinary, corrective, and will be finally efficacious, to the full, perfect and entire recovery of every human soul. Such was the object of our Creator for sending his Son into the world, that the world through him might be saved. Wherefore, being perfectly convicted and fully convinced of the validity of the Scripture doctrine of the "restitution of all things;" and, hence, the reconciliation of all men unto God, through Christ: we are, therefore, disposed to leave to the determination of our Heavenly Father the duration and limits of all punishment, particularly as we are authorised to believe that "his anger endureth but for a moment, but his mercy endureth for ever and ever."

ART. XVII. Of the Final Salvation of all Men.-The doctrine of the Restoration of all Men to Holiness and happiness; of their reconciliation to God, and of the final salvation of every human being, is unquestionably a Scripture Doctrine, a doctrine in conformity with the Will of God, "who willeth all men to be saved."

We believe and maintain, "that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord;" that "except our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, we shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven;" and that "except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." But as there are but few, among the many myriads of human souls, that are made, visibly, holy and righteous in this