motion of a brother, to appoint a committee to deliberate on the expediency of forming a Charitable Society, for the purpose of raising a fund for the relief of widows and orphans of deceased brethren in the ministry of Universal Grace, who may be left in indigent circumstances: Whereupon, Brs. H. Ballou, Paul Dean, S. Streeter, D. Ballou and R. Bartlett, were chosen.

EVENING SERVICE.

First prayer by Br. Warren Skinner; sermon by Br. Wm. Morse, from 1 John iv. 16; last prayer by T. G. Farnsworth. Br. S. Cobb called upon the Lord, and the Council adjourn ed to Thursday morning, 8 o'clock.

Thursday Morning, 8 o'clock-convened in Council, and supplicated the blessings of heaven, with Br. Aaron Kinsman. Received heart-cheering intelligence by the reports of the committees appointed at the last session of this Convention, to visit the several Associations.

Appointed Brs. A. Kinsman, R. Streeter, and K. Haven, a committee to visit the Northern Association of Universalists, to be holden at Danville, Vt. on the first Wednesday and Thursday of October, 1825. Brs. E. Turner, S Cobb, and R. Streeter, to visit the Eastern Association, at Union, Me. on the fourth Wednesday and Thursday in June, 1826. Brs. John Bisbe, Jr. D. Pickering, and J. Flagg, to visit the Southern Association, at Dana, Mass. on the second Wednesday and Thursday in June, 1826. Brs. H. Ballou, E. Turner, and Paul Dean, to visit the Rockingham Association at Meredith Bridge, N. H. on the fourth Wednesday and Thursday of August, 1826. Brs. L. Willis, R. Bartlett, and W. Bell, to attend the New Hampshire Association, at Jaffrey, N. H. on the first Wednesday and Thursday in June, 1826. Brs. H. H. Winchester, J. Brooks, and W. Skinner, to visit the Franklin Association, at Wilmington, Vt. on the third Wednesday and Thursday of October, 1825.

Voted, That this Council accept the report of their committee, to grant letters of fellowship to Brs. Orestes A. Brownson, of Ballston, N. Y. James H. Bugbee, of Providence, R. I. Zenas Thompson, of Turner, Me. Josiah Gilman, of Guildford, N. H. and Ezekiel Vose, of New London, N. H., as preachers of the gospel of Christ; and that ordination be conferred on Brs. Wm. Bell and M. B. Ballou, as approved laborers in this ministry."

PUBLIC ORDINATION SERVICE.

Thursday Morning-Introductory Prayer by Br. A. Kinsman; Sermon by Br. S. Streeter, from Isa. xiii. 4; consecra

ting prayer by Br. R. Streeter; the charge and delivery of the scriptures, by Br. Samuel Hilliard; right hand of fellowship by Br. S. Cobb; concluding prayer by Br. L. Willis.

Preparations having been made by the brethren in Hartland, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the symbolical elements were administered, by Brs. Dean and S. Streeter, through the assistance of deacons of different churches, to about two hundred participants, in the presence of a large assembly of spectators.

PUBLIC INSTALLATION SERVICE.

Thursday Afternoon-Introductory prayer by Br. C. Gardner; Sermon by Br. P. Dean, from Acts xx. 28; installing prayer by Br. H. Ballou ; charge and delivery of the scriptures by Br. R. Streeter; right hand of fellowship by Br. H. Ballou. 2d; concluding prayer by Br. D. Skinner.

Being assembled in Council, Resolved, unanimously, That this Convention approve the doings of the Eastern Association, in forming the "Christian Visitant Society," for the publication and gratuitous distribution of interesting and useful articles in a pamphlet form.

Voted, That the next session of this Convention be held at Wells. Vt. on the 3d Wednesday and Thursday in Sept. 1826. Voted, That Br. Russell Streeter be appointed to prepare and superintend the printing of the Minutes of the proceedings of this session of the Convention; and that the same be published in the Christian Intelligencer, printed at Portland, Me. accompanied by a Circular Letter, as soon as may be

convenient.

Voted, That Br. Streeter be also requested to publish the constitution of the General Convention of Universalists, accompanied with the amendment which was adopted at Strafford. Vt. Sept. 1824.

The business of this meeting having been amicably conducted and satisfactorily completed, the Council united with Br. Russell Streeter, in offering the humble tribute of thanksgiving and supplication to the Giver of every good and perfect gift; and adjourned the session as above determined. PAUL DEAN, Moderator. RUSSELL STREETER, and

A true copy.

DOLPHUS SKINNER, } Clerks.

NOTE.-The visiting members of the Convention would be pleased in expressing, in their individual capacity, their obligations of gratitude to the brethren and friends in Hartland, of whose liberality and kind attentions they shared so boun

tifully; nor would they neglect exhibiting a proper tribute of respect and praise to the accomplished choir of singers, led by Mr. Josiah Perkins, of Windsor, whose excellent performances animated the devotions of the temple, did honor to the science and art of music, and excited in the hearts of a crowded auditory, sentiments of high esteem, for the performers whose attendance was so punctual and becoming.

MINISTERS PRESENT.

H. Ballou, P. Dean, S. Streeter, M. B. Ballou, Boston; H. Ballou, 2d, Roxbury; C. Gardner, Charlestown; T. G. Farnsworth, Newton, Mass. S. Cobb, Waterville; R. Streeter, Portland, and Z. Thompson, Turner, Me W. Skinner, Langdon; L. Willis, Lebanon; D. Ballou, Richmond; E. Vose, New London; W. Bell, Pelham, and J. Gilman, Guilford, N. H. W. Morse, late of Philadelphia, Penn. D. Skinner, Saratoga Springs, and O. 4. Brownson, Ballston, N. Y. S. HillBard, Clarendon; A. Kinsman, Wells; K. Haven, Bethel, and R. Bartlett, Hartland, Vt. J. H. Bugbee, Providence, R. I.

GENERAL EPISTLE-1825.

To the Brethren and friends of like precious faith," whithersover scattered abroad, to whom this brief address may come-the Ministers and Delegates composing the General Convention of Universalists, for eighteen hundred and twentyfive, tender christian felicitation and benediction:

You are earnestly invited, fellow believers in the truth as it is in Jesus, to participate with us in the abundant joys of the late conventional mecting. The occasion may be humbly announced as having been highly interesting and heavenly. The business of the Council, which is recorded in the preceding Minutes, was conducted and finished in a perfectly harmonious manner. The services of the sanctuary were well attended by a numerous and attentive auditory. The divine presence was manifestly in our midst, and the glory of the Lord shone, from his works and his word, round about us. Our hearts were much encouraged by witnessing a more full representation of societies, by delegates and letters, than usual; and the accounts from various directions, were such as to augur well for the future prospects of our common cause. The accession to the ministry, and to the number of societies already in fellowship with this convention, afford a subject for pleasing consideration to all who rejoice at the dissemination of light and truth, and the increase of good

order and practical piety. Were it necessary and becoming, we might indulge in strains of exultation and rejoicing. But we deem it improper; since none could be essentially benefitted by passionate transports and adventurous flights to the starry regions of anticipated triumph. Bestowing no more attention on the past, that what may be useful for mutual congratulation and encouragement, let us "leave the things which are behind," and, fixing our eye on the main object of religious pursuit, endeavor to be heartily united, "and go on to perfection.' The excitement to exertions is the same, in all intelligent beings, however various the means which are employed for the attainment of the desired object. Happiness, in some of its captivating forms, is the subject of anticipation. The great question, then, which should include all minor considerations, and be continually presented in all its length and breadth, before the intellectual eye, is, What can be done by human means, aided by divine revelation, to improve the heart, and meliorate the spiritual condition of man? The doctrine which we have embraced, professes to maintain that God will render all men superlatively happy, "in the dispensation of the fulness of times;" and if this be heaven's truth, and we imbibe it in its spirituality and power, it will reflect some rays of its meridian splendor in our believing hearts; it will render us measurably happy, and excite to new and more vigorous endeavors to impart the same divine blessing to those who still remain in darkness and unbelief.

Beloved Brethren: if we honestly believe our religion to be productive of more real felicity in the present world, than any other, should we not manifest a good degree of zeal and earnestness in propagating and extending it? Other things being equal, there is no apology for lukewarmness and indifference. He that is not for us, is against us. Inattention in professors to the sacred interests of our cause, carries the implication to beholders, either that our sentiments are unworthy of cultivation, or that the profession of them is mere emptiness and vanity. Let us then, be immediately excited to new and vigilant exertions for the promotion of the truth. Let ministers and people be heartily united, in forming, supporting, and continuing in operation, regular and well goyerned societies. Let the usual ordinances of the gospel be duly and statedly observed. Let the preachers of the cross strive to produce serious and devotional meditation in their hearers; to elevate the tone of moral feeling, and improve the religious sensibility of the heart; exhorting, admonishing and rebuking, with fearful earnestness, as occasions may

require; while the auditors should possess a teachable disposition and spirit, endeavoring to profit by all wholesome instructions, "and to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Let all professors of the impartial faith in Christ, consider the mighty influence of personal example, and "be careful to depart from all iniquity." Let believing parents watch over the morals of their children, as with breathless solicitude, lest they fall into those habits in early life, which will not only prevent their usefulness, but terminate in wretchedness and disgrace; and may the rising generation receive and cherish in their hearts the pure principles of morality and religion, that when they may be called to occupy the stations of their venerated predecessors, they may emulate and excel their virtues, and leave a series of examples, worthy of imitation by unborn millions, who shall next succeed them, on the theatre of life. And may kind heaven in mercy grant, that "no root of bitterness may spring up among us," as a christian denomination-that no unfriendliness may be manifested towards professors of other doctrines -that as our principles are better understood, less time may be devoted to argument, and increasing attention be paid to experimental and practical godliness, "till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man; unto the measure of the stature, of the fulness of Christ."

The grace, mercy and peace of God, rest on all herein addressed, and on all his Israel, forever. Amen and Amen. R. STREETER,

Per order,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSALISTS.

The members of the Northern Association of Universalists convened, according to appointment, at the house of Br. John Weeks, in Danville, on Tuesday evening, October 4th, 1825, and, after uniting in devout prayer with Br. John E. Palmer, organized the council by choosing,

Br. S. C. LOVELAND, Moderator, and

Br. John Moore, Clerk.

Appointed Brs. Wm. Morse, J. E. Palmer and Thomas Browning a committee to receive requests for letters of fellowship and ordination, and report thereon.

Read the credentials of the delegates, and the letters from the several societies, and found them expressive of good tidings.