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Intelligence.-Account of an Enitarian Church in America.

and in its vicinity, together with the state of things at Harvard College, are such as not only to generate a hope, but to inspire with confidence, that the doctrine of Divine Unity has at length come to the birth, and is actually born in New England, under circumstances so propitious as to allow no longer of alarm or even anxiety about its destinies. It must of necessity prevail. In our new settlements, which are populating with an unexampled rapidity, surpass ing the belief of any but eye-witnesses, and which are composed of enterprising spirits from the older establishments, who, of course, are more inquisitive and liberally-minded than the mass of the communities they have left behind, the primitive faith, supported as it is by reason and the plain letter of the Sacred Scriptures, needs only to be preached with fidelity in order to obtain converts. From the success which has attended the exertions in this town, and in the neighbouring regions where the Divine Unity has been occasionally preached, we feel an undoubting assurance, that, did our new settlements enjoy the regular ministration of the unadulterated gospel, Unitarian churches might be easily established in all its parts and notwithstanding the scores of orthodox missionaries who swarm in every district, the truth would certainly and speedily triumph.

The church here has considerably increased in numbers of late, and daily additions are made to it of worthy and respectable citizens. Its members are not only seriously convinced of the Unitarian doctrine, but are (its females not excepted) so well versed in the argument and have so often put to silence their orthodox neighbours, that they are far from being held in contempt. Indeed our society is becoming more respectable in the eyes of the community around us our congregation is increasing, and had we a decent and conmodious house of worship, in all probability it would secure a permanent establishment to our society, and consequently to the cause of Unitarianism in this district. Numbers would flock to the standard, and the rising generation, even the children of the orthodox, would hear the plain truth of primitive Christianity and be liberated from their errors.

Under these impressions, some of our enlightened, worthy, and most respectable sisters of the church, formed a

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few months since an eloquent address to the friends of Christianity here, and put in circulation a subscription for the erection of a house of public worship in this village. This eloquent address roused the dormant spirit of the society, and, considering the embarrassments incident to new settlers, who have a forest to prostrate, their lands to pay for, and habitations to erect for their ac commodation, the friends of Unitarian worship have exhibited a highly lauda. ble zeal beyond what would have been imagined. Still, however, the sum raised is inadequate. Our friends in Philadelphia, although pressed with the expense of erecting a chapel for themselves in that city, have, nevertheless, manifested their zeal for the promotion of the common cause, by a contribution of fifty dollars. The disposition of our brethren in Boston is good, but their peculiar situation requires all their exertions at home.

Unwilling to abandon the highly important object, and knowing that you and your worthy brethren in England are earnest for the dissemination of primitive Christianity throughout the world, we feel a degree of freedom in stating our condition, and requesting such aid as your circumstances may warrant. Should a collection for this object be obtained, we wish it to be made "to the Reformed Christian Church in Trenton." Aware from the new societies which are con tinually forming in your own country, that you must probably have numerous applications of this nature, and fully persuaded that you are always inclined to aid to the extent of your ability, we shall rest satisfied, should we receive little or no assistance, that it cannot be imputed to your disposition.

We rejoice, that though we are yet weak, you are growing daily more strong; and notwithstanding our present low estate, in comparison with yours, we indulge the pleasing hope that our feeble, but well-intended exertions, will meet the approbation of Heaven, and that genuine gospel truth will extend itself here, with as high effect as it has done in Great Britain.

The distribution of books, which our worthy Mr. Vander Kemp has, from time to time, received from his friends in England, has greatly contributed to the dissemination of correct principles in this region.

Any aid which our brethren in

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Intelligence.-Articles of the American Reformed Church.

England may be disposed to furnish in this way for the promotion of Christian knowledge among us, will be thankfully received and gratefully acknowledged. The hope of establishing Unitarian societies in the adjoining towns, leads us to mention particularly the Rev. Mr. Aspland's Hymn Books for their use; also the Welsh Hymn Books, mentioned in the Monthly Repository, as the Welsh are very numerous in our neighbourhood.

And now, worthy and dear Sir, we commend you to Him, who rewards with a blissful immortality, the faithful in the cause of truth and virtue. May He preserve your valuable life to venerable old age, and render it as happy as it has been useful to mankind.

With the highest respect and the most affectionate regard, we subscribe, Your Brethren in Christ,

JOHN SHERMAN, ISAAC BLISS PEIRCE, Pastor of the Reformed Christian Church.

The Rev. Thomas Belsham, Minister

of the Chapel in Essex Street, London.

Articles of the American Reformed Church. [Communicated by Mr. Vander Kemp, of Oldenbarneveld, New York, United States of America.]

The Reformed Christian Church was composed from a part of the United Protestant Religious Society-the remaining members continuing to associate with it in religious worship.

Articles of Association.

I. We acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to contain a revelation of God's will to mankind, and that they are in matters of religion the only standard of doctrines and rules of practice.

II. We acknowledge that no other confession or test of Christian fellowship, and standing in the visible church of God, ought to be established, than that which Christ and his Apostles made necessary, or on which they received believers in the Gospel. Matt. xvi. 15-17, "He said unto them, but whom say ye that I am? and Simon Peter answered and said, thou art Christ, the Son of the living God: and Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Acts viii. 36, 37, " And as they went on their way, they came to

a certain water; and the eunuch said, see, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest-and he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 1 John iv. 15, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God." 1 John v. 1, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God; and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten by him."

III. Liberty of conscience shall be preserved inviolate. Every member shall be maintained in his right of free inqniry into the doctrine of Scripture, in publishing what he believes the Scriptures to contain, and in practising according to his understanding of his duty. This liberty shall not be abridged as to his understanding and practice respecting the ceremonies, ordinances, or positive institutions of Christianity.

IV. The government and discipline shall be according to the directions of our Lord, Matt. xviii. 15-17, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother; but if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established; and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican." The executive authority of the church shall be rested in the minister, the elders and deacons; but if any one suppose that by the church there mentioned is intended the brotherhood generally, he shall have the liberty of referring his cause for adjudication to the body at large.

V. The officers of the church, elders and deacons, shall be chosen by ballot, and hold their office during the pleasure of the church, or that they choose to decline serving any longer.

VI. The mode of admission to the church shall be, that any person wishing to become a member, shall make known his desire to the consistory, the minister, elders and deacons, who shall, if the applicant be a person of good moral character, refer his case for decision to the church at large.

Intelligence.-Mr. Rull on Priestley's Works.-The Franklin Manuscripts. 689

VII. The Lord's supper shall be celebrated four times a year, twice in Oldenbarneveld, and twice in Holland's Patent, on such particular days as shall be found convenient.

VIII. The name by which this church is designated shall be The Reformed Christian Church.

N. B. Our first pastor was Rev. John Sherman, the present, Rev. Isaac Bliss Peirce.

LITERARY.

Mr. Rutt on his Edition of Dr. Priest

ley's Theological Works. SIR, Clapton, Nov. 19, 1816. I BEG leave to acquaint those of your readers who may take any interest in the success of the project for collecting Dr. Priestley's Theological Works, that it is my present intention to send for your next Number a list, as correct as I can ascertain it, of the names of all those who have already become subscribers to the proposed edition. Thus the friends to the writings and memory of Dr. Priestley will have an opportunity of observing what support a design to do honour to both has yet received, and they will judge for themselves what further patronage such a project may require or deserve.

As it is, of course, very desirable that the list should be as full as possible, I am induced to request any persons who design to possess the edition, to send their subscriptions before the middle of December, that their names may be inserted. The amount, though but a single subscription, would be received by any Bank in the country to be paid to me in London, and if such subscriber would write to me at Clapton, Middlesex, mentioning the Bankers in London where the money might be received, the business would be easily settled and the receipt be sent as they should direct. I take the liberty of requesting those who have already subscribed, but whose subscriptions have not been received, to employ the same mode of remittance.

I cannot omit to acknowledge Mr. Cordell's renewed attentions, (p. 589.) and to thank two other Correspondents for their expressions of good-will. I should readily adopt the proposal of T. H. (p. 590.) if I could perceive it practicable on my plan of bringing to gether so many publications, of such various sizes, and connecting them by

notes and a general Index. Those who have had occasion frequently to consult such a publication as Lardner's Works, can best appreciate the superior use of the writings of a voluininons author in a connected form. From such persons, especially, I very naturally expected, what I have received from several of them, a ready support of the present undertaking.! I remain, your's, J. T. RUTT.

The Franklin Manuscripts. We congratulate the public, that after a lapse of so many years, these valuable treasures are at length about to be laid open by the Doctor's grandson, William Temple Franklin, Esq. to whom they were bequeathed, no doubt, with the intention that the world should have the chance of being benefited by their publication. It was certainly so understood by the person in question, who, we know, shortly after the death of his great relative, hastened to London, employed an amanuensis for many months in copying, &c. and had so far prepared them for publication, that proposals were made by several of our principal book-sellers for the purchase of them.

The terms asked for the copy-right were however so high, amounting to several thousand pounds, that a demur arose, and the negociation broke off. From this period to the present year nothing more was heard of the manuscripts, and it was asserted by various persons, both in this country and America, of whom some were intimate with the grandson, that the proprietor had found a bidder of a different description, in some emissary of government, whose object was to withhold the manuscripts from the world, not to benefit it by their publication, and that they had thus either passed into other hands, or the person to whom they had been bequeathed had received a remuneration for sup pressing them. We are glad to find that this conclusion was erroneous, and that the interesting remains of this profound philosopher, sound politician, and excellent moralist, are to appear forthwith. They consist, we understand, first, of his life, writ ten by himself, to a late period, and continued to the time of his death by his grandson; the whole of his corre spondence, private and political, nu

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The Christian's Survey of the Political World.

ANOTHER deliberative body has commenced its discussions, which are likely to be of considerable importance to Europe. The members of this body are of the higher ranks, and their object is to settle the affairs of Germany, The overthrow of the Germanic or holy Roman empire was followed by the confederation of the Rhine, in which Buonaparte held a rank similar to that so long possessed by the House of Austria. The changes that have taken place in consequence of the destruction of the system set up by Buonaparte, have rendered it necessary to take some steps for a new constitution in Germany. This is taken in hand chiefly by the great estates, that have parted out this fine country amongst themselves. They have sent their deputies to Frankfort, and their session resembles that of the antient diet. It was opened by the deputy from Austria, who presides on this occasion; and in his speech he expatiated in strong terms on the excellencies of the German nation, and promised on the part of his master not to exercise any farther interference in the debates, than what became him as chairman of so august an assembly, He was followed by the deputy from the King of Holland, whose speech was wholly panegyrical, and it now remains to see what will be the result of this meeting.

All that the above-mentioned speaker advanced on the excellence of the German character is very little if at all exaggerated; but this praise be longs to the people, not to the class which has so long domineered over them. Nothing could be more wretched than the antient state of Germany, in which three classes were

strongly marked: the noble, the learn-
ed, and the common people. The
noble distinguished by pride and igno-
rance; the learned by indefatigable
application; the people by unwearied
industry and the heavy yoke of oppres-
sion. To the two latter classes the
world is indebted for great improve-
ments in literature, science, and for
much mechanical ingenuity. The
trade of the former class was war, and
young and old improved their fortunes
by commissions, in their own and
neighbouring countries.
One great
benefit of the French revolution is the
lowering of the pride of the nobles;
for not to them but to the people is
Europe indebted for the final overthrow
of the mighty monarch.

In consequence of the late struggle, the people of Germany are alive to their rights, and this will probably be seen in the course of the discussions. It is not to be expected that the line of distinction between the nobles and the other classes will be completely withdrawn. The former will continue to pride themselves on the quarterings in their arms, and may disdain to mix their blood with that of the classes, whom they look upon as so much beneath them but still they will be brought nearer to each other, and offices of state will be more widely diffused. The discussions also that will arise throughout Germany on the subject of the debates, will be beneficial; and it is not improbable that an effort will be made to introduce the representative system. We shall see more of this however in the issue. The debates will partake of the slowness of the German character, but something will be gained on the side of freedom.

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The death of the King of Wirtem- measure. It is in contemplation to burg promises to put an end to the dis- let them receive testamentary gifts, putes in his domains. This kingdom, but it is in vain to attempt to raise founded by Buonaparte, seems likely to them to their former splendour. The be the first to enjoy the representative age of delusion is gone by; and unless system. The new sovereign was, they come nearer to Christianity, friendly to the demands of the sub- which is not very likely, they will sink jects, and he has a fine opportunity to lower in public estimation. The Probegin his reign in a popular manner. testants, however, will be preserved It is probable also, that the power from such proceedings as took place at given to the Duke of Cambridge may Nismes; and, if they conduct thembe beneficial to the Hanoverian states. selves with prudence, will at least not Prussia begins to feel some embarrass- suffer any infringement on their rights. ments from its new subjects of Saxony. This latter country was the best as Prussia was the worst governed of all the States of Germany, and the ideas of the new may be beneficial to the old subjects. Indeed, if it is true that a minister from one of the pulpits of Prussia, who had served against Buonaparte, inquired what have we been fighting for if we are not to have a constitution? we have reason to believe that the subjects may answer the question, and keep the sovereign to his promise.

The national assembly of France has met. The sessions was opened by the king with the usual formalities. He went in solemn procession to the temple of her who is profanely called the Mother of God; was addressed by the priests in language which Protestants deem profane; and after assisting at their rites, delivered an oration to his assembled states. His speech has been re-echoed by the usual addresses, and the chambers have been employed in verifying the powers of the deputies. Great questions are to come before them; but by all accounts the ultraroyalist party seems to be in a minority. This augurs well for the French people, and it will be curious to see the ultra-royalists taking up the canse of liberty. Their grand advocate has already published doctrines consonant to those held by the Whigs at our Revolution. The liberty of the press is loudly called for, and the espionage of the police held out to deserved contempt. But it does not seem likely that their ministers will part with this too grand engine of despotism. Nor do the French seem to have acquired as yet just notions of the decorun that belongs to a deliberative body. The affairs of the church seem likely to form a prominent part in the debates; some agreement has been negotiated with the pope; and the clergy will aim at raising themselves a little by the

The affairs of the insurgents on the shores washed by the gulph of Mexico, appear to be unsuccessful, but how far this extends to the country properly called the kingdom of Mexico, is not ascertained. French officers are said to be expatriating themselves in great numbers for these regions, and we are yet to learn what has become of Humboldt and his expedition. In South America the cause of independence bears a more favourable aspect, and the shores of La Plata seem to be advancing fast towards a settled constitution."

At home, meetings continue to be held, some on the subject of parlia mentary reform, others on the dis tresses of the times. Amongst the former, Cornwall holds a high pre-eminence; and that county in which the abuses of representation are the greatest, speaks the loudest for the correction of them. The late meetings have also had very beneficial effects. A general disposition prevails to alleviate as much as possible present distress; and let us hope that benevolence duly exerted will be crowned with success. In this as in every thing belonging to his of fice, the Lord Mayor co-operates with his usual energy. His entrance into office for the second time must not pass without a remark. The procession upon these occasions returned not as usual by water, but by land through Westminster; and wherever the state coach passed, the acclamations of the people, and the crowded windows manifested the delight of the two cities in the popularity so well earned by this exemplary magistrate. Some um brage was taken at this procession by one of the ministers; but the publication of the correspondence between him and the Lord Mayor, tended only to raise the latter in public estimation.

The case of Lord Cochrane has again been brought before the public. He appeared before the judges to receive

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