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We have neither time nor room to enter into the difficulties and trials encountered by the few who undertook the responsibility of this enterprise. If there were at first those who opposed what appeared to them so rash a measure, there are none who do not now hail its success. The corner stone of the church in Chamber Street was laid on the 29th of April, 1820, with appropriate religious services by the Rev. Henry Ware Jr., and was dedicated by the Rev. Edward Everett, on the 20th of January, 1821. If all the bright and glorious anticipations formed on that occasion, have not been fully realized, we yet trust, that in the great decisive day,

'It may before the world appear,

'That thousands were born to glory here.'

From the time this house was opened for religious worship, the society has been gradually increasing. Towards the close of the same year, they invited the Rev. William Ware to become their pastor, and he was ordained on the 18th of December, 1821. Both before and since that period, they have been rudely opposed, but never discomfited. They have resisted every attack with truly christian prudence and mildness, and gained strength and vigor with every attempt to overthrow them. They have held on the even tenor of their way,' commanding respect for their opinions, where they could not inspire confidence, and refuting in their lives the calumny and reproach, which bigotry and intolerance would have fastened upon them.

It was not till about four years after the consecration of the first church, that the want of another began to be felt. We are apt to consider the progress of truth slow; but it is nevertheless sure; and it has often found its way to the mind long before its effects became distinctly visible. If Unitarianism in NewYork can boast of no great and sudden accessions to its numbers, it is the more secure of losing nothing of what it has gained. But who shall pretend to count the converts to its leading principles? It is well known that there are many who are restrained by various considerations, more or less laudable, from openly joining the ranks of a small minority. But we may seek and record its triumph elsewhere. It has effectually rebuked that violence which broke forth in wrath and denunciation, even at the altar of God. It has set inquiry on foot, and where it has not produced conviction, it has disarmed intolerance. The whole tone and temper of society here, has become softened by its influences,and few are now found bold enough to disturb its harmony.*

* The great changes which are taking place among the Quakers, may be partly referred to that introduction of Unitarianism into the city of New-York, which we have attempted to describe; but these changes are worthy of distinct consideration.

In the Autumn of 1825, the corner stone of the Second Congregational Unitarian Church was laid in Mercer Street, at the corner of Prince Street, about a mile distant from the first church. The ceremonies were performed by the Rev. William Ware. This building was begun by a few members of the society in Chamber street, who have proceeded with great economy and order to its completion.*

This church was dedicated on Thursday, the 7th of December, the day appointed by the Executive of the State for a day of thanksgiving, and the anniversary occasion of laying the corner stone. At an early hour the house was thronged. The services were introduced by an original hymn from the pen of Bryant. The consecrating prayer was by the Rev. Wm. Ware; the concluding prayer by the Rev. Mr Walker of Charlestown; the sermon by the Rev. Dr Channing. All the services of the day were highly satisfactory. Of the sermon it is difficult to speak in measured terms of approbation. It has been pronounced the noblest production of the very pure and original mind which composed it, and was delivered with an effect which will never be forgotten by those who heard it. It occupied an hour and a quarter, and it was regretted that the failure of the preacher's strength, compelled him to omit some interesting topics of illustration.

It may be thought a too sanguine expectation, but it can hardly be doubted, by those who are, best informed of the state of religious feeling in the city of New-York, that nothing is wanting but a preacher of talents and fervency to gather, almost immediately, a full congregation in the Second Unitarian Church. The few members of the first church, who will be drawn to the second by the greater convenience of local situation, will have their places soon occupied, while they will carry with them the order and system which they have learned in the regulation of the church they leave. They will serve to harmonize the two societies, which, it is hoped, will act with a combined impulse for

* It is 80 feet long and 63 feet wide, of the Doric order, with a receding portico or vestibule. Four large columns in front support a pediment, which, with the wings, is surmounted by a broad tower, extending the whole width of the front. The entablature is without blocks or triglyphs, the design having been taken in part from the Choragic monument of Thrasyllus at Athens. The walls and columns are of brick covered with cement in imitation of marble. The pedestals and steps are of granite. The interior is beautifully arranged; the principal floor containing one hundred and thirtytwo, and the gallery or organ loft, twenty four pews. The pulpit is of a pedestal form, with a pedestal and balustrade on each side. The whole is correct in proportion, chaste and neat in design and execution.

the common good and the advancement of the common cause of christian truth and christian righteousness.

Installation at Groton. Rev. Charles Robinson, late of Eastport, in Maine, was on the 1st of November, installed as the pastor of the first parish in Groton. The services were performed by Rev. Mr Field, of Weston, who offered the Introductory Praver and read portions of the Scriptures; Rev. Mr Walker, of Charlestown, who preached the Sermon; Rev. Dr Kirkland, who made the Installing Prayer; Rev. Dr Thayer, of Lancaster, who gave the Charge; Rev. Mr Barrett, of Boston, who presented the Right Hand of Fellowship; Rev. Mr Ware, of Boston, who Addressed the Church and Society; and Rev. Mr Bascom, of Ashby, who offered the Concluding Prayer. Mr Walker's text was Isa. lxv. 5; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.' The exclusive system, as he called it, was accordingly the subject of his sermon, aud he spoke of its origin, traced its history, examined the grounds on which it is defended, noticed the pleas respecting fundamentals, conscience, concern for souls, &c, showed the injustice of the whole scheme, and remarked that its operation left us little cause to congratulate ourselves, that we have no civil penalties to incur in consequence of our religious belief. We are not sure we are exactly correct in this abstract; but we know that the sermon was marked with the usual characteristics of Mr Walker's discourses, clearness, directness, and power.

Congregational Society in Purchase Street. On the 8th of November, Mr George Ripley was ordained as the pastor of this church and society. The services were uncommonly solemn and impressive. Rev. Mr Young offered an Introductory Prayer, and read appropriate Selections from the Scriptures. Rev. Dr Kirkland preached a Sermon from 1 Thess. ii. 4; ' But as we are allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.' After reconciling the apparent inconsistency between these words of St Paul and those he used to the Corinthians,— 'I please all men in all things,'-by showing that what by his text is in terms excluded, is in fact only postponed, as if the Apostle had said, that in speaking, the teacher of the Gospel should have a supreme reference to pleasing God, and is only to please men when it may be done without displeasing Him,-the preacher spoke of the office and duties of a christian minister with reference to this rule. He described the character he ought to pos

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sess, what he should speak, and how he should speak it. Such were the general divisions of the sermon. Each topic was unfolded and enforced with great power and felicity of expression. The Ordaining Prayer was next offered by Rev. Dr Lowell, Charge given by Rev. Dr Ware, the Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Mr Gannett, of Boston, and a Concluding Prayer offered by Rev. Mr Ripley of Waltham. A church had been previously organized according to Congregational custom, and we are happy in being able to state that a respectable and constantly increasing congregation has been gathered by Mr Ripley's ministrations. The success of this establishment, has, we believe, exceeded the expectations of its original projectors.

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Society for the Promotion of Christianity in India. On Sunday evening, November 12th, a meeting of the subscribers to a fund for the promotion of Christianity in India, was held at the Vestry in Berry Street. A committee, previously appointed to confer with the Society for obtaining Information respecting the State of Religion in India,' reported that a union of the subscribers to the fund with that society was practicable and expedient, and presented the draught of a Constitution for a new society to be formed by this union, which, with some modification, was adopted. The designation of the new Society stands at the head of this notice. By the Constitution, the yearly payment of two dollars constitutes any person a member; the third Thursday of November is appointed for the day of annual meetings, at which a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and two Auditors are to be chosen and constituted an Executive Committee; the duties of these officers are defined; the Commitee are to have the disposal of all the Society's money, it being provided that no part of the sum already subscribed, nor any increase of that sum, by future donations, shall be sent out of the country, but by a vote of the Society. The Constitution, on due notice given to the members of any proposed alteration, may be changed at any time by a vote of two thirds. The officers for the ensuing year are—

Rev. Henry Ware, D, D. President-Hon. Peter O. Thatcher, Vice-President-Mr George A. Sampson, Treasurer-Rev. Joseph Tuckerman, D. D., Corresponding Secretary-Mr Joshua P. Blanchard, Recording Secretary-George Bond, Esq. and Robert Waterston, Esq., Auditors.

The objects of this Society we have often presented to the public. We know not how we can now better show their importance and the urgent call there is for the cooperation of Unitarians in effecting them, than by publishing the letter from

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Mr Adam to the Secretary of the American Unitarian Associa tion, which has also appeared in the Christian Register.

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Letter from Mr Adam, on Unitarianism in India. It was with sincere pleasure that I received your letter of the 25th Feb. last, by the Pagoda, together with the Tracts of the American Unitarian Association. The set for Rammohun Roy, has been delivered to him in your name; and he has been so much gratified by the perusal of the One Hundred Arguments for the Unitarian Faith, that he has caused an edition to be printed at his own press, for distribution in Calcutta.

I congratulate you and myself on the formation of the Association, and from its labors I anticipate the happiest effects in the increased zeal and effectiveness of the denomination both at home and abroad. I trust the day is not far distant when we shall have a British Indian Unitarian Association, not only an association, so named-but, whether so named or not, one having direct relations with avowed and zealous supporters of Unitarianism at the three Presidencies of British India. O! what a wide door is open here for Unitarians if they would only enter and take possession! I tremble lest they bring on themselves the guilt of neglecting to communicate, according to their ability, the knowledge of the pure and unadulterated gospel of Christ to the numerous inhabitants of this vast continent. With the strictest adherence to truth, I can say, that the minds of many, both Europeans and Natives, are prepared to receive the doctrines of Unitarian Christianity; if they are not actually received and embraced, it will only be because means are not used for that purpose, and because those who are willing and anxious to use them, have them not to use. But it is not with reference to India alone, extensive and important as that field is, that we here might be useful in preparing the way of the gospel. Ceylon to the south, now wholly under a christian government, and having a numerous christian population, with a Native populatión freed from the shackles of cast-the Cape of Good Hope to the west, with a population growing in numbers and importance, amongst whom the seeds of Unitarianism have already been partially sown, although I fear they have not taken root-and New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land to the east, settlements rapidly growing in population, intelligence, and wealth, in commercial importance and in liberal institutions, all of these stretch out their hands to us and we to them. Constant opportunities of communication occur, and if a permanent Unitarian Mission could be established in Calcutta, from it the word of God might be made to sound forth to them all."

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