themselves upon our attention.The great Missionary interest, so cheering to benevolent minds, seems to be extending its influence to all the villages and countries of the Christian world. The growing zeal and opulent means of Bible Societies give hopeful promise, that the word of God, at no distant period, may be read in all the languages of mankind. That the next generations of the world, and the great mass of the people, even in Christian nations, will become more enlightened and humanized, may be sanguinely anticipated from the multiplied and extending means of education, and the increasing attention to intellectual and moral culture. Nor do we hesitate to acknowledge, that from recent declarations, by some of the mighty Potentates of the world, we have been powerfully excited to hope, that those, who have been oppressors may ere long become the ministers of God for great good to his people. You perceive, that we refer to the Holy League" formed by three of the powerful empires of Europe, Russia, Austria and Prussia-in which they recognize the Gospel of Jesus, as the basis of their alliance, and embrace each other as brethren. They, also, offer to receive all other powers, "who wish solemnly to profess the sacred principles which dictated that holy alliance." Nearly simultaneous with this great event, Peace societies were established in the capital of Massachusetts, and New-York, and (probably) in Great Britain, and all this without any previous concert or

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correspondence. This is laying the axe to the root of the tree. Should Peace societies be extensively established, heroes and conquerors will no more be allowed to wade to thrones through the blood of their people; the silver trumpet of the Gospel will not be drowned in the clangour of war, nor the soldiers of the cross be driven from their pious labours by the legions of tyrants.→ In connexion with these things, when we recollect the prophecies and promises of Divine Revelation, our faith almost rises to assurance, that the day makes haste, when wars shall cease, and all shall know the Lord. Should Peace societies be extended, they will be so many handmaids, or rather guardian angels of other benevolent institutions. Their establishment seems to be the commencement of a new era of hope and benevolence. One of the great purposes of the Gospel was, to produce peace on earth and good will to man. It has been devoutly expected, that in the process of ages, this would be the glorious result; hence ministers of the gospel, and other saints, have prayed, that "wars might cease, and the lion and lamb lie down together;" but this consummation, so devoutly to be wished, has never been permanently and extensively accomplished. But rulers and people are beginning to believe, that carrying desolation and murder over a country is not the most reasonable method to ensure peace or prosperity; no means seems so likely to produce universal peace, as the influence of such societies.

I UNITE Cordially with thee, in hailing the many extraordinary symptoms of an awakened attention

to the highests interest of our species in various parts of the world. On the subject of war, a number not

of our fold, have associated for the purpose of disseminating Tracts, asserting its inconsistency with Christianity, and it began its labours by re-printing the "Solemn Review," of which several thousand copies are already circulated. I hope its author will be encouraged to persevere in his purpose of a quarterly publication, and would willingly subscribe for ten copies of it, if the means of conveying them in a private channel should present."

The above extract is given to establish the fact, which we have for sometime believed to be true,

that a Peace society did really ex ist in Great Britain; and to remove all apprehensions of danger from the exertions of the friends of peace in this country.

If we take into view the Holy League or Imperial Peace society, the accession of Sweden and Holland to that League, with what has been done in Great Britain and in the U. States within one year; may we not indulge a hope that the renown of war has passed the meridian, and that the time is at hand, when those who shall choose to fight, will be influenced by some other motive, than love of military fame.

Ordained, at Middletown, (Con.) July 24, Rev. Chauncey A. Goodrich. The parts were performed in the usual order, by Rev. Mr. Ripley of Meriden; Rev. Mr. Goodrich of Berlin.-Sermon from Heb. 13, 17-Rev. Dr. Lyman, East-Haddam ; Rev. Mr. Selden of Chatham; Rev. Mr. Smith of Durham, and Rev. Mr. Merwin of New-Haven.

In North-Yarmouth, July 30th, Mr. Otis Briggs, over a Baptist Church in that place. Sermon, by Rev. T. Baldwin, D. D. of Boston, from Eph. iv. 17.

In Portland, July 31st, Mr. T. B. Ripley, over the Baptist Church, in that town. Introductory prayer and sermon by Dr. Baldwin.

Rev. Willard Preston, has been installed pastor of the Pacifick Congregational Church and society in Providence.

At St. John's church, in Providence, Aug. 1, Rev. G. T. Chapman was admitted to the order of

Deacon, by Rev. Dr. Griswold, Bishop of the Eastern Diocese. Sermon by the Bishop.

In New-York, Rev. J. T. Hull, and Rev. T. C. Brownell, Deacons, were admitted to the order of Priests, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart.

In Easthampton, Aug. 14, Rev. Asa Brooks, as a Missionary to the county of Randolph, Virginia, for one year, by the New-Hampshire Missionary society.-Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Packard of Shelburne.

At Beverly, Aug. 14, Rev. N. W. Williams, as pastor of the Baptist church in that place. Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Grafton, Newton; sermon by Rev. Dr. Baldwin; consecrating prayer, by Rev. Mr. Bachelor of Haverhill; charge, by Rev. Mr. Bolles, of Salem; right hand, by Rev. Mr. Chaplin of Danvers; concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Collier, of Charlestown.

VI. We should be excited to persevere in the good work of distributing the scriptures, from the consideration, that, after the first efforts, we are prone to relax in our exertions to do good.

The reason is, we often act from the influence of feeling, rather than of principle. We require some powerful excitement to call forth our active powers; and as this, in the nature of things, cannot be of long duration, when it ceases, or becomes weakened, we remit our efforts. How often have we seen good objects at first supported with a zeal, which seemed to promise the happiest results? But this zeal has suddenly abated; and the most flattering prospects have been disappointed.

That this may not be verified in us, with respect to the distribution of the Bible, let us attend to the many arguments, which prove it to be our duty; let us fix it in our minds, that it is an object deserving our assiduous care; and, having begun a good Vol. IV. No. 10.

work, let nothing hinder us from persevering in this way of well doing.

VII. A further encouraging motive to the unwearied discharge of this duty, is the wonderful union which prevails, in advancing this interesting object.

'

Under a painful conviction of the contentions, which, in every age of the Christian Church, have been excited respecting the doctrines of that gospel, which proclaims peace on earth' and good will toward men,' it is refreshing to find one cause, which so nearly relates to our common salvation, in which we can, for the most part, so harmoniously unite. This glorious object combines the exertions of all the various sects, into which christianity is divided. As if none dare show a backwardness in diffusing these means of light, even members of the Roman Catholick church, whose usual policy has been to conceal the scriptures from the common peo

ple, have manifested a laudable zeal to retrieve their errours in this respect, and to provide for the diffusion of the sacred oraeles, among all classes of the destitute.

In the accomplishment of this object we find a unanimity, which the most sanguine friends of peace despaired to witness, in these days of confusion and of revolution.

It must be allowed, that there are some who doubt the expediency of this measure, who are reluctant to distribute the Bible without note or comment, doubtless from the apprehension, that it will operate to the disparagement of their darling theories. They seem to prefer, that the scriptures should not be embraced at all, rather than that they should be understood to favour any sect, but their own. Hence they identify their human creeds with the pure and unerring dictates of inspiration. They claim for them equal respect, and appear to wish, that they may stand or fall together. It is but justice to add, that of those who have recently published their opinions on this subject, the members of the papal hierarchy have not been the first nor the fiercest to insist on this heterogeneous mixture.

VIII. The good, which has already been done, and which there is an opportunity of still further accomplishing, is an additional animating motive to unwearied perseverance in distributing the holy scriptures.

It is now but twelve years, since our parent country, in the

midst of private and publick disasters, while struggling for all, that is dear to humanity, and while clouds and thick darkness of most portentous aspect hung over the civilized world, laid the foundation of THe British and FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY; and what, short of miracles of mercy, has it not been instrumental in producing! From the eleventh annual report, for May, 1815, it appears, that it had given birth to more than five hundred auxiliary societies within the united kingdom; that it had printed, or assisted in printing and circulating, the scriptures in fiftyfive different languages and dialects; that it had expended three hundred and forty-eight thousand five hundred and ninety-two pounds sterling, amounting to one million five hundred and forty-nine thousand, and three hundred dollars; and that it had distributed, in various parts of the world, Bibles and Testaments to the almost incredible amount of one million, two hundred and ninety-nine thousand, two hundred and eighty-two!

Who can pretend to estimate the sum of good, which has been produced, and which is likely to result from these unexampled acts of christian liberality? In view of such munificence, and in prospect of its blessed effects, who is not constrained to exclaim, "This is the Lord's doing; and it is marvellous in our eyes!"

But this benevolent spirit, though enkindled in the British nation, has not been confined within its narrow limits. All

Europe, and various parts of America, of Asia, and even of Africa have caught the generous flame. The missionaries, which have been sent forth from the great centre of light and of heat for imparting a kindred warmth to other regions, have met astonishing success. Nothing but the ample, and impartial reports, which have been made on this subject, can do it justice. Permit me however to remark, in proof of the heavenly spirit, which presides over these undertakings, that, in the midst of the late war with our parent nation, "The British and Foreign Bible Society," with magnanimous superiority to the prejudices, which the vindictive temper, that originated the contest, was adapted to excite, generously contributed to the funds of several of our sister societies in this land; and that, in the same pacifick spirit, our Society, with the aid of our benevolent fellow citizens, refunded the amount of captures, which the rapacity of our privateers had made of Bibles and Testaments appropriated to gratuitous distribution. The interchange of christian sympathies* and congratulations, which these transactions occasioned, do equal honour to their authors, to the institution of Bible Societies, and to the cause of the gospel, which is the cause of peace and of love.

How animating to the friends of peace and of the sacred scriptures, which alone, under God,

can ensure and perpetuate it, is that national tranquility, which is now so universally enjoyed! Not only is it favourable to the control of those lusts and passions, which are a disgrace to our natures, and especially to our profession, as christians, and an impediment to our noblest plans of usefulness; but it will give encouragement to commerce, and thus enable us to discern and to supply the wants of our brethren, in every part of the world, who are destitute of the holy oracles.

How reviving to those, who have lately been weeping over the calamities of war, who have seen increasing reasons, and felt new motives for disseminating the principles of the gospel of peace, to witness the pacifick instrument, which has been recently issued by three of the most powerful potentates in the north of Europe! We will not suffer any infidel suggestions to interrupt our hope and our belief, that it is a token for good, that the late tremendous war of desolation has been instrumental, under Providence, of awakening men in the most exalted stations to its absurdities, its miseries, its enormities, and that, under the influence of the Prince of peace, it is about to lead contending powers to other modes of adjusting difficulties, than have been before adopted, and of which the document, just specified, is equally a novel and extraordinary specimen.