that Christ should be our pattern, and his love should constrain us to walk in his footsteps. Rom. 2: 4, and 5: 8; 2 Cor. 5: 14, 15; Tit. 2: 11, 12, and 3: 8; 1 John 4: 11, 19.

ARTICLE V. Concerning the Reward of Obedience. We be lieve that great peace have they who love God's law, and nothing shall offend them; they are like trees planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth their fruit in season; their leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever they do shall prosper; that Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace; that she is a tree of life to them that lay hold of her, and happy is every one that retaineth her; that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace; that Christ's yoke is easy and his burden light, and all who come to him will find rest to their souls; that we who have believed do enter into rest; that, though God is the Saviour of all men, he is especially so of the believer, and that whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Ps. 1: 3, and 119: 165; Prov. 3: 17, 18; Matt. 11: 28-30; Heb. 4: 3; 1 Tim. 4: 10; James 1: 25, and 3: 18.

ARTICLE VI. - Concerning the Punishment of Disobedience.We believe that God, as the righteous and moral Governor of the universe, will render to every man according to his deeds: tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first and also of the Gentile; that he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is no respect of persons; that the way of transgressors is hard; that the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt; for there is no peace, saith our God, to the wicked. Rom. 2: 6, 9; Col. 3: 25; Prov. 13: 15; Matt. 16: 27; Isa. 57: 20, 21. ARTICLE VII. Concerning the remedial Design and Limitation of Punishment. We believe the Lord will not cast off for ever; but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies; that he will not contend forever, nor be always wroth, lest the spirit should fail before him, and the souls he has made; that although he may apparently forsake his children for a small moment, yet with great mercies will he gather them; in a little wrath he may hide his face from them for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will he have mercy on

them, and heal them, and lead them also, and restore comforts unto them; that whom he loveth he chasteneth (and he loveth and chasteneth all) for their profit, that they may be partakers of his holiness, and be enabled afterwards to say, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word." Lam. 3: 31, 32; Isa. 54: 7, 8, and 57: 16-18; Heb. 12: 7-11; Ps. 89: 30-35, and 119: 67. ARTICLE VIII. — Concerning Baptism. As there is a difference of opinion among the sincere followers of Christ, in regard to this ordinance, and this difference ought not to separate true disciples one from another, we believe it is the duty of every one to follow the dictates of his or her conscience, leaving each to judge both of the subject and mode of Baptism, as shall seem most consistent with Scripture and reason. Matt. 28: 19; John 4: 2; Acts 2: 41; Rom. 6 : 3—5, and 14 : 1-6; 1 Cor. 1: 14–17; 1 Pet. 3: 21.

ARTICLE IX. Concerning Repentance, Faith and Love. We believe, according to the divine doctrine and preaching of Christ and his apostles, that repentance toward God for sin, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and love to God and our fellow-creatures, are means of grace appointed by God, and essential to our salvation, and glory. Matt. 4: 16, and 22: 37-40; Mark 1: 15; Acts 3: 19, 5: 31, and 20: 21; Heb. 11: 6; 1 John 3: 23, 24.

ARTICLE X.- Concerning the Extent of Salvation. - We believe that God, who is rich in mercy, who turneth the hearts of the children of men as the rivers of water are turned, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, whose people shall be willing in the day of his power, will, in the dispensation of the fulness of times, gather together in one all things, in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in him; and that every (intelligent) creature in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, shall at last unite in the song of Moses and the Lamb, saying, Blessing and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Eph. 1: 9-11, and 2:4; Prov. 21: 1; Ps. 110: 3; Rev. 5: 13.

PLAN OF GOVERNMENT.

The following article, taken from the Universalist Register and Almanac for 1836, and written by A. B. Grosh, is as clear and correct on this subject as can possibly be desired.

"The government and discipline of the Universalist denomination, so far as it has yet been established on general principles, is republican and fraternal — in accordance with the mild,, equalizing and affectionate principles of Christianity.

"The smallest associations are those called churches and societies. These are formed by any number of believers in a vicinity, according to the laws of the State or Territory, or to the customs of the community where there are no legal regulations on the subject. Brother is the common and equal title of all the male members, as sister is that of the females. Where discipline is instituted among societies only, it is, as it should be, a church discipline, and conducted according to the rules laid down in the New Testamentparticularly as recommended in Matt. 5: 23, 24; 7: 12; 18: 15-23; and the parallel passages. It is to be hoped that, ere long, every society will establish such a discipline among its mem bers.

"The societies are sovereign and independent-competent to govern themselves, select and discharge their own officers and preachers. But for social purposes, and to promote unity and harmony among and with each other, in certain districts they unite them. selves into

"ASSOCIATIONS. - These are governed by a council, composed, in general, of two or more delegates from each society, and of the ministering brethren residing within the bounds of the Association. The delegates are elected annually, by their respective churches or societies. Ministering brethren from other Associations are either constitutionally admitted as members of the council, or are invited to unite in its deliberations. The discipline instituted over preachers and societies, by the Associations, is similar to that of churches or societies, except where gross offences are committed by preachers, when immediate suspension or expulsion is pronounced; and in no case is any further authority assumed than the withdrawal of fellowship.

PLAN OF GOVERNMENT.

"The power to grant letters of fellowship or ordination, or both, in general belongs to every regularly associated body of believers in the order; but of late years is only exercised by the Associations and Conventions, or by ordaining councils, or committees on fellowship and ordination appointed by them, or acting at the wishes of a society in presumed accordance with the wishes of those bodies.

In all other matters the Associations merely advise or recommend, leaving to societies and individuals the privilege of acting or not, as circumstances or their own judgments may dictate and require. When Associations become numerous in any one or more States, they generally unite, to extend their social intercourse and

influence in

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"CONVENTIONS. These are State or sectional, as one or more States are embraced within their boundaries. Their councils are generally constituted of a certain number of lay, and a certain number of ministerial delegates sent by each Association in their fellowbut in ship. Generally, the lay delegates are most numerous some Conventions an equal number of each are required. The powers of these Conventions, except in granting fellowship and ordination, in suspending preachers and, withdrawing fellowship from them, are merely recommendatory and advisory.

แ

When State Conventions become numerous, they sometimes unite in a General Convention embracing several States. Thus, formerly, the New England States had a General Convention (even before any State Conventions were formed), and the Southern and But the largest organWestern have formed similar Conventions. ized body of Universalists in America is

"THE UNITED STATES CONVENTION. Its council is composed of delegates chosen annually by each Convention in its fellowship, each State being allowed four ministerial and six lay delegates. It meets annually, in each State alternately, and continues its session until its business is transacted. Its powers are merely recommendatory and advisory. If its organization be reckoned from the formation of the General Convention of the New England States and others,' which it superseded, then the session in September, 1853, was its sixty-eighth Anniversary."

STATISTICS OF THE DENOMINATION.

UNITED STATES. -In 29 States and Territories of the Union, there are 19 State Conventions, beside 16 State Organizations for other than governmental and disciplinary purposes, 84 Ecclesiastical Associations, beside 8 Associational Organizations for Missionary and other purposes; 16 Periodicals, beside 4 Annuals; 10 Books published within the last year; 10 Schools under denominational patronage; 1097 Churches or Societies, not including churches organized within societies; 837 Houses of Worship owned wholly or in part by the denomination; and 612 Preachers.

These are united in a national organization called the United States Convention, to which is attached a national Historical Society, and a General Reform Association.

BRITISH PROVINCES.- One Association, 15 Societies, 7 Meetinghouses, and 5 Preachers.

TOTAL FOR NORTH AMERICA. One General Convention and two National Organizations for Historical and Reformatory purposes; 19 State or Territorial Conventions, and 16 other State Organizations for Missionary, Tract and Educational objects; 85 Associations, and 8 Associational Organizations for general objects; 20 Periodicals, including annuals; 10 Schools, 1112 Churches and Societies; 844 Houses of Worship, 619 Preachers.

Of the clergy of our denomination it may with truth be said, that, generally speaking, in point of natural and acquired abilities, moral character and literary and scientific attainments, they are at least respectable. In their political principles they are purely democratic; the advocates of free toleration and equal rights, and the champions of civil and religious liberty. The same is also true of the lay members of the denomination.

As a denomination of professing Christians, we entertain sentiments of the utmost liberality and charity towards all Christian sects. We extend the hand of fellowship to all professing the Christian name who walk worthy of their vocation. When clergymen of other denominations are present at our meetings, they are invited into our pulpits and to take a part in the services. At the administration of the Lord's Supper our opposing brethren are