had created needless alarm, by publishing exaggerated accounts of their own proceedings and successes. It would further seem, that there is as much need of effort at the East, to supply teachers and the means of education for the West, as has been asserted. But it is needed, not so much for counteracting Romanism as for the prevention of barbarism and infidelity; very much as Dr. Bushnell maintained in his noted sermon on Home Missions. There has also been a newspaper controversy carried on with some warmth, excited by the examination of a candidate for ordination in one of the parishes of Newbury. The only practical result of the discussion thus far, appears to be a confirmation of the fact which has often been suspected, that it is very difficult and sometimes impossible for an "Old School Presbyterian" to understand some of the glorious peculiarities of New England Orthodoxy. One of the most beautiful edifices for public worship in this State has just been completed for the use of Rev. Mr. Gilbert's society in West Newton. We take the more pleasure in noticing this evidence of prosperity in that ancient and beautiful town, because it is in the village where the State Normal School diffuses its malaria of hatred against evangelical religion. It was feared, at one time, that the fair fame of Newton, as to sobriety and the observance of the Sabbath, would be blighted. But in spite of the opening of a Unitarian conventicle to meet the wants of the Normalists, the cause of truth still prospers and prevails. It has long been the custom of the Boston churches to unite in a meeting on the evening of the first Sabbath of the year, to pray for the conversion of the world. The last meeting of the kind was one of the most interesting of its class. The spacious house of worship in Park Street was filled with the friends of missions, who joined in the several prayers and listened intently to the addresses. It was a thrilling thought, that already the kingdom of Jesus extends "from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." After so long preparation, the Institution for Orphans at Philadelphia, under the will of Stephen Girard, has gone into operation. Had the founder required it to be conducted strictly on infidel principles, it is to be hoped that a Christian city would at once have refused the splendid bribe; or that the law would have set aside such a feature of the will, as 66 contrary to good morals." It can hardly be doubted, however, that the provisions of the will were studiously framed to prevent Christianity from ever finding an abode in those magnificent marble palaces. If such was the design, it is, for the present, confounded. The testator required that the "purest morality" should be diligently inculcated upon the orphans; and the excellent gentlemen to whom the care of the institution is committed, not being restricted by the will as to systems or text-books, have decided that the Bible, beyond any other volume, teaches the "purest morality," and teaches it in the most effectual way. Highchurchmen may distrust the plan, but if those children are faithfully instructed from the Bible by pious laymen, they will be safe, and the devil disappointed. Satan's fine scheme will be turned against him self; and this instance, like the treason of Judas, will afford another proof that, despite his art and subtlety, the devil is but a poor, unconscious drudge, slaving in the work of God. For nearly thirty years Rev. G. A. Calhoun has been pastor of the Church in Coventry, Ct. He has all that time been preaching in an old-fashioned pulpit, "so high that it was dreadful," with a massive sounding-board impending over it. His people have taken advantage of the temporary absence of their pastor, to erect a new church edifice of great beauty and comfort. His return will test the question, Whether old wine, in its full strength and flavor, can be put into new bottles, so that both may be preserved? A Unitarian minister in New York, Rev. Mr. Bellows, conducts a paper called the "Christian Inquirer." In this paper, some months since, he commended the Universalists; and, to their great delight, expressed a readiness to exchange pulpits with them. A correspondent of his paper, not satisfied with this, attempts to draw out the editor on the subject of universal salvation. In a long article, Mr. Bellows avows his belief in Universalism; but thinks that it is better and safer to preach endless misery! He also admits that Universalism is not in the Bible, and that he holds it as a philosophical deduction. Here is a professed minister of the Bible, declaring his belief in a system of doctrine not contained in that Bible. Here is a professed minister of the truth, admitting that what he rejects as error is safer for men than what he embraces as truth! "Their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." The Universalist organs speak of these admissions of Mr. Bellows "with surprise and pain." We too have read them with pain, but without any surprise. Our Monthly Record for January contained a statement in regard to the decline of the Unitarian interest in Boston. The papers of that denomination in this city copy the statement; and though they dare not deny one line of it, they unite, in imagining that we wrote it with a "chuckle of satisfaction, exactly similar to a Yankee pedlar, who had just succeeded in cheating a servant-girl out of a quarter of a dollar." We "imagine" that those accomplished editors, when they concealed their vexation by penning this evasive jest, must have chuckled with a satisfaction exactly like that of the same servant-girl when she had succeeded in partially repairing her loss, oy cheating her mistress out of three cents. The first of the series of Sabbath evening lectures, in the Old South, was preached January 9th, by Rev. Mr. Blagden. The pews, both tiers of galleries, and aisles were full. Hundreds stood up during the whole service; and hundreds more, unable to gain even this privilege, went away. The preacher retained the undivided attention of this great audience to the close of his discourse, which was an able, affectionate and earnest argument in favor of the plenary inspiration of the Bible. — On the next Sabbath evening, January 16th, Rev. Dr. Waterbury gave the second lecture, on the "fall of man, and the character of the race as affected by that event." This, too, was a very able production, "sound and ortho dox," as Hollis would say; and held that vast audience, which, if possible, was more crowded than that of the preceding Sabbath evening, quiet and attentive for an hour and a half. The spirit of these meetings, and the interest excited by them, seem to indicate that the pastors who have engaged in this work, have not mistaken the will of God. The decease of Rev. Dr. Codman, followed so soon by that of Hon. Judge Hubbard, caused the last year to close sadly for our churches in this region. These excellent men, who have so long "seemed to be pillars," made us tremble when they fell. Many have leaned upon them for comfort and support, fully confiding in their Christian integrity, wisdom, and kindness of heart. Each, in his sphere, was a man to be loved, honored and trusted. Long and gratefully will their memory be cherished for their early efforts and sacrifices in the cause of truth, at the time of its lowest depression and most imminent peril. Dec. 66 ORDINATIONS. Mr. S. S. Hyde, East Falmouth. 8. Mr. Wm. H. Corning, Clintonville. "29. Mr. E. D. Taylor, West Stockholm, N. Y. INSTALLATIONS. Dec. 8. Rev. Joel H. Linsley, D.D., Greenwich, Ct. 9. Rev. Edward A. Bulkley, Geneva, N. Y. "15. Rev. William Barnes, Foxborough. Jan. 5. Rev. Samuel H. Morrill, Old Town, Me. Rev. Solomon B. Gilbert, Parma and Greece, N. Y. 12. Rev. George E. Day, Northampton. 66 66 Rev. J. C. Paine, Gardner. DEATHS OF MINISTERS. Dec. 23. Rev. J. Codman, D.D., Dorchester, æ. 65. 66 Dec. 21. Hingham. CHURCHES ORGANIZED. The Madison Street Church, in New York City, Presbyterian, has been organised as a Congregational Church. THE subscribers hereby express their conviction, that such a work as the Christian Observatory, set for the defence of the faith and practice of the Puritans, is needed by the Christian community; and that its extensive circulation would highly subserve the cause of evangelical truth, and of a pure and wholesome literature. From the ability and spirit with which it is conducted, they also believe, that it will prove an attractive, as well as an instructive and useful, visiter, in any intelligent Christian family that may receive it. They therefore commend it cordially to the confidence and support of all with whom their opinion may have influence. EDWARD HITCHCOCK, E. G. SNELL. Amherst College. I have examined, with considerable care, the first numbers of the Christian Observatory. The result, in my own mind, is a decided conviction, that the work is one of great value. It is a periodical for the times; and it will commend itself to all who love, and who would have others love, the faith of our puritan Fathers. I regard it as especially adapted to the wants of this community, and should be glad to see it in as many of the families of my congregation as may feel able to take it. E. Y. SWIFT. Northampton. I have read, with much pleasure, the Christian Observatory. A periodical of this character is much needed at the present time, when such onsets are continually made upon the "faith delivered to the saints." This work is conducted with ability, and is sufficiently catholic in its spirit to meet the approbation of every lover of those religious sentiments which the Puritans of New England imbibed, and under whose influence the churches reposed and flourished for two hundred years. I hope it may receive sufficient patronage from the Christian public to ensure its success. SAMUEL OSGOOD. Springfield. HARTFORD, May 5th, 1847. I have read with much interest the numbers of the Christian Observatory. I heartily approve of its plan, its object, and its execution. It is just such a work as is needed in our churches; and I earnestly hope that it may obtain an extensive circulation, highly adapted, as it certainly is, to promote the cause of truth and piety. J. HAWES. WE cordially commend to the families of our congregations the Christian Observatory. We feel that a work is needed in the Christian community, which will present sound and discriminating views in religion, detect and expose the many plausible errors and specious delusions of the present day, and vindicate the faith of the Pilgrims. We have confidence that this work will have a decided influence in accomplishing this desirable purpose. E. SMALLEY. S. SWEETSER, Worcester. THE Christian Observatory has thus far fulfilled all my anticipations. I cannot doubt, that it will be eminently useful. I can most cordially commend it to the very favorable regards of all those friends of Zion, who have a peculiar pleasure in a sentinel, whose trumpet will never "give an uncertain sound." Salem. SAMUEL M. WORCESTER. 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, for $1.50. |