Hollis Street Church. This church, which has been designated as "the Botany Bay of Boston rum-sellers," occasionally does some things, which look as if its members did something with rum besides selling it. Of late, one Mr. Knapp, from Nantucket, was engaged to supply their pulpit for a couple of Sabbaths. His first sermon was an attempt to explain our Saviour's miracles on transcendental grounds; namely, that they were such influences as any man may exert who is as good as Jesus was. We will believe this theory when we see some such man, performing some such" mighty works," and explaining them on this principle. That same Sabbath night, the supplying committee wrote to Mr. Knapp a stringent rebuke for his infidel sentiments, and for his impudence in broaching them in that place. They also requested him to supply them the next Sabbath by proxy, and not in person. Their letter and the sermon forthwith appeared in one of those vile prints which serve as common sewers to carry off the pollutions of this great city. And yet this same church has invited Mr. King, a popular Universalist minister, who is as much of a Rationalist as Mr. Knapp or Mr. Parker, to be their pastor. In the recent warfare in the Universalist Convention, Mr. King took the part of the trancendentalists against those who maintained that a belief in the gospel narratives is necessary to a Christian minister. He goes into the Hollis Street pulpit, expressly declaring that his sentiments are unchanged, and reserving the right of exchanging with Universalists. It remains to be seen what course will be taken in this matter by the Unitarian ministers and churches in Boston. ORDINATIONS. Sep. 7. Mr. Jonathan Edwards, Woburn, Mass. Mr. Albert Paine, West Amesbury, Mass. "22. Mr. William Ireland, New Ipswich, N. H., to be a Missionof the A. B. C. F. M. ary 66 28. Mr. Sylvester Hine, Ticonderoga, N. Y. Oct. 4. Mr. Charles C. Parker, Tinmouth, Vt. 5. Mr. Thomas W. Cir., Phillips, Me. 66 INSTALLATIONS. Aug. 2. Rev. W. E. Knox, First Cong. Church, Rome, N. Y. 66 6. Oct. 13. Rev. Socrates Smith, Chandlerville, Cass Co. Ill. 23. Rev. W. H. Hayward, New Salem, Mass. 4. Rev. Benjamin Tappan, Jr., Winthrop Church, Charlestown, Mass. DEATHS OF MINISTERS. Sept. 21. Rev. E. G. Babcock, Thetford Vt., æ. 48. 28. Rev. E. R. Tyler, New Haven, Ct., æ. 48. 66 CHURCH ORGANISED. Aug. 20. Berkley, Mass. 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, BOSTON, OCTOBER 29, 1846. GEORGE A. OVIATT, 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, 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 application at this office, neatly bound in cloth, at very moderate terms. CONTENTS. DIVINE RIGHT OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT, THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE ENGLISH BIBLE, Davidson's Ecclesiastical Polity, Dr. Watts a Trinitarian, OBSERVATIONS ON MEN, BOOKS AND THINGS: Hon. S. A. Eliot's History of Harvard College, Rev. E. N. Kirk's Home Missionary Sermon, Ordinations, Installations, Etc., TERMS. This work is published at Boston, in monthly numbers of fortyeight octavo pages, forming a volume of five hundred and seventy-six pages, original matter, for two dollars per annum, payable on the delivery of the first number. No person will be considered as a subscriber, who does not distinctly make known his wish to that effect. His subscription will be continued on our books, till a discontinuance is ordered, and all arrearages are paid. Clergymen will be supplied with the work at one half the subscription price, or one dollar per annum. Clergymen in whose congregations six copies are taken, will be furnished gratuitously. Subscribers, indebted for the work, are requested, if they please, to send the amount to our office, by mail, at our risk. Communications relating to the editorial department may be directed to A. W. McClure, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston. Communications relating to the business of the office should be directed to the subscribers. JOHN V. BEANE & CO., PUBLISHERS, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston. |