The White Flag. This is the fancy name of a new paper, whose design is to bring in the millenium on the wheels of twenty-nine kinds of reform, with Universalism for the propelling power.

What

a scheme! The appearance of such a sheet is some proof that the millenium is a good ways off yet; at least, it is a sure proof that the devil is not yet bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, "that he should deceive the nations no more." However, we must stop. When the great adversary of souls sends us a "flag of truce," we must not fire upon it, till the bearer has had due warning to take himself out of the way.

Cambridge Divinity School. This seminary has long given great dissatisfaction to the Unitarian Community. Some of the guardians of the College proper are said to wish for the removal of both the Law School and the Divinity School from Cambridge, on the ground that each of these seminaries, though in different ways, tends to the injury of religion, morality, and sound discipline among the undergraduates. -A few weeks since, the management of this school was severely criticized by a Unitarian in the Boston Courier. But since its last anniversary it has been bitterly denounced by the Unitarian paper in New York, more bitterly by the "Christian World," in this city, and most bitterly by the Monthly Religious Magazine, also of Boston. Last of all, the Christian Register, though in more milky and mucilaginous style, joins in the outery. These all concur in the complaint, that there is an utter want of vitality in the graduates of this school. It is intimated, that no class will be formed for the coming year, and the hope is expressed that this poor lifeless concern may "shut up shop" altogether. It is surprising to observe how much feeling there is among our Unitarian neighbors on the subject; though, as they never were famous for much "vitality," it is natural that they should be distressed to see the little they had, or seemed to have, expiring. By the strictures they make upon the exercises of the last graduating class of half a dozen members, it would seem that Dr. Bushnell's sermon on the subject of the spiritual life, addressed to it on the preceding Sabbath evening, had not infused much of it into them. Perhaps the leaven was not first rate, or perhaps it had not had time to work upon the six measures of dry meal, especially as they seem to have been of a nature more lumpish than usual. The Religious Magazine likens them to poor starvelings suckling at the breasts of a dead mother, and calls piteously for a change of nurses. But alas! our Unitarian friends are sadly deluded, if they think that any form of their meagre and vapid theology can nourish the souls of their young divines to spiritual life and vigor. From the time when it was first avowed in this region, it was said that it could not last, for the want of that vital energy which only evangelical truth can impart. In the more distant parts of the country, their frigid and lifeless system used to be called the "Boston religion;" and when a standard was wanted to measure the rigor of an extreme wintry season, it was usual to say: It is as cold to-day as the Boston religion!" This was thought to be as far below zero as the moral thermometer could indicate. The Christian Register, though "mumbling the matter

66

cautiously as a donkey mouths a thistle," allows the fact to leak out, that there is serious disagreement between the friends of the Divinity School and the Corporation of the College. The editor says: “It remains to be seen whether our churches must do their first works again, and found a new theological institution, like Andover, and Princeton, and Lane Seminary. For ourselves, we have not a shadow of doubt that this is the best course to be pursued." For this belief, he assigns several reasons, of which the last is this: "Our influence on other bodies of Christians will be greater; for our apparent reliance on a State institution, which is really not now a support, has with them the weight of substantial considerations to diminish their respect for us." This last assertion is most true; and we rejoice at this first printed proof which our eyes have ever seen, that the Unitarians are to any extent sensible of the just scorn and indignation which men of sense and spirit, among all evangelical denominations, must feel at their course in this matter. We rejoice too in the persuasion that our own warm remonstrances against the scandalous dishonesty of that course, have not been without their due effect. It is an utter shame to them, that they should take such advantage of their control of a confessedly "State institution" to secure the training of their ministry at its expense and under its sanction, while the constitution of that State forbids the favoring of one denomination more than another. Such conduct is fatal to their character for moral honesty and integrity.

July 11.

66 18.

Aug. 3.

ORDINATIONS.

Mr. Franklin W. Olmsted, Bridgeport, Vt. Mr. J. Emerson Swallow, Greenport, Long Island, N. Y. Mr. John Lawrence, Evangelist, Hooksett, N. H. Mr. George W. Bowman, Kennebunk Port, Me. Aug. 10. Mr. J. M. Steele, South Woburn, Ms.

66 9.

June 29.

INSTALLATIONS.

Rev. Luther Clapp, Wawatosa, Wisconsin. July 26. Rev. John Smith, Kingston, N. H.

66 27. Rev. Charles Chamberlain, Hatfield, Ms.

DEATH OF MINISTER.

Aug. 1. Rev. Thomas Punderson, Huntington, Conn., æ. 65.

CHURCH ORGANIZED.

Aug. 2. Boothbay Harbor, Me.

TESTIMONIALS.

THE subscribers hereby express their conviction, that a periodical of the character of the CHRISTIAN OBSERVATORY is demanded by the wants of the religious community; and they heartily commend it to the members of evangelical congregations, and to all with whom their opinion may have influence. It is their purpose, also, to contribute to its pages, so far as their duties and engagements will permit.

N. ADAMS,
S. AIKEN,
RUFUS ANDERSON,
EDWARD BEECHER,
G. W. BLAGDEN,
EDWARD N. KIRK,

BOSTON, OCTOBER 29, 1846.

GEORGE A. OVIATT,
AUSTIN PHELPS,
GEO. RICHARDS,
WM. M. ROGERS,
M. HALE SMITH,
J. B. WATERBURY.

Manchester, Feb. 21, 1848.

I should do wrong to myself, did I not express my hearty approval of the OBSERVATORY. I love its thorough-going, unbending, Puritan character, its unflinching advocacy of the "old paths," and firm adherence to "sound doctrine" in these days of slippery theology. May it live and flourish, so long as there is work to be done for the defence of the truth.

B. F. NORTHROP.

THE subscribers, having been constant readers of the CHRISTIAN OBSERVATORY, can cheerfully recommend it to the Christian public as a sound, able, and judicious publication. It is well adapted to the times, and worthy of extensive patronage.

EAST WINDSOR HILL, Jan. 10th, 1848.

B. TYLER,
E. W. HOOKER,
W. THOMPSON.

Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, of Hadley, Mass.

The character, objects and execution of the CHRISTIAN OBSERVATORY are, in the opinion of the subscriber, such as to give it a just title to the warm and extensive patronage of the friends of evangelical truth, of the primitive order of the New England churches, of the junction of liberty with conservatism, and of practical and experimental piety. JOHN WOODBRIDGE.

THE CHRISTIAN OBSERVATORY stands in the right place, having the widest horizon for its purposes in New England. It is built upon a good, solid, Puritan foundation; and below that, as I believe," upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, JESUS CHRIST himself being the chief corner-stone." But such an observatory, with all its advantages of basis, location and height, would be of little use without a competent and wakeful observer; and so far as I have been able to learn, the public think they have got the right man. He is, every month, pointing out to us some of the disturbing forces, which vex our system, and threaten us with "disastrous twilight." If any of these dubious "vestiges," which lie beyond our system, should conglomerate themselves into "wandering stars," I doubt not he will give us the elements of their orbits, and warn us of the danger. Some, perhaps, would be heartily glad to be rid, both of the Observatory and the Observer; but for myself, I hope that the one will stand as long as Bunker Hill monument, that the other will live a great while to announce the result of his observations, and that when he is transferred to a higher sphere, a worthy successor may never be wanting. Pittsfield, Feb. 14, 1848.

H. HUMPHREY.

CHRISTIAN OBSERVATORY.

VOLUME FIRST.

THE first volume of this work, for 1847, contains a series of articles on the Inspiration of the Bible; another on the use and necessity of creeds; another exposing the mistakes and misstatements, in disparagement of Orthodoxy, made by ex-president Quincy in his History of Harvard College; and another of lives and sketches of eminent Puritans. Besides these, there is a great variety of articles and reviews, none long, and many short and condensed, relating to subjects of religious and practical interest. The whole forms a handsome volume, combining utility with entertainment. It may be had, on appli. cation at this office, neatly bound in cloth, at very moderate terms.