is a fact which requires no proof; but that a majority of our citizens are governed by different motives is equally susceptible of demonstration.

Among those who are thus given to "run after strange gods," there are 'individuals of quite different characters and conditions, who are probably governed by dif ferent notions, but who have the one great object, popularity, in constant view. Among persons of the above description, are some, who, having found themselves low in the estimation of the world, have thought most advisable to forsake their former associates, and cling to others, with the hope of gaining friends by the exchange. There are, perhaps, many others, who, having little or no intrinsic merit of their own, and being sensible of their defect, will select some demi-god for a guide, and follow, with implicit obedience, in his wake, with the hope of being shielded from the evils of their former condition, by the supposed greatness of their little deity. There are others whose attention, perhaps, is attracted by the parade, the show, the pomp, the grandeur, or possibly the external appearances of some religion. With such, a large wig, a flowing robe, a gilt prayer-book, or a genteel parson, has more weight than all the sacred injunctions, the solemn oaths, the divine promises, or the weighty asseverations of the eternal God. To such, the imposing ceremonies, the "essential" ordinances, or the venerated formularies of faith, adopted by any sect, no matter which, provided it be popular, form the grand desideratum. The darling object is no sooner discovered by such persons, than every former profession is given to the winds: each former attachment is consigned to forgetfulness; and, peradventure, every former obligation under which they may have been placed, is considered "null and void," if not altogether oppressive and unjust. By slow but sure gradations, they work themselves into a

belief, that every measure is done in compliance with duty, that every step is taken in wisdom, and that even heaven itself approves and sanctions their conduct. Such do not consider the pure and undefiled religion of God of primary consequence, but "step lightly o'er" the ashes of martyred christians, to kiss the garment's hem of some well-fed clerical dignitary, and to kneel, devotionally, before the cushioned altar of ostentatious wickedness.

But there are others among the group, which deserve more unqualified censure. Such are they, who, as pretended preachers of Christ, and followers of the Lamb of God, inculcate the lesson, that the practices above enumerated are praise-worthy. An unconquerable desire for a good living, a fat salary, an easy life, or to obtain the smiles of all, at the expense of moral honesty and pure religion, leads some, perhaps many, to lull the consciences, or flatter the pride of the world. Possibly, in the creed of an individual of this class, are found the words of partial grace, vindictive vengeance, and eternal despair: but each offensive paragraph is cautiously concealed, carefully expounded, or insidiously explained, to meet the views of several, and all of those who incline to swallow the golden bait! It remains for future years to develope the pernicious effects of this thirst for popularity, and for future generations to stigmatize such intolerable vanities, with the well deserved epithet, "full of all falsehood."

From the Christian Iutelligencer.

ORIGINAL ANECDOTE.

When the venerable MURRAY resided and preached in Boston, a young man from the interior of Massachusetts, went into that town to establish himself in business. On leaving the paternal mansion, the father, whe

was a rigid Calvinist Baptist, was, above ail things, very particular in charging his son to beware of that dreadful Murray and his more dreadful doctrine. Dr. STILLMAN was a great favorite of the father, tho it seems he was not sufficiently acquainted with him to recognize his person. On his meeting, he charged the son to attend, and in his sentiments, to have implicit confidence: adding, "Go not near that Murray, on peril of your soul's eternal destruction; for his doctrine is the snare of Satan."

When a person is prohibited in that which he sees free to others, a greater desire is generally created by the very prohibition, to know what the "forbidden fruit" can be. It was so with the young man. For some time he remembered and rigidly regarded the paternal injunctions; but his curiosity increasing, the more he thought upon the subject-and considering "himself sage;" he at length ventured to hear Mr. Murray deliver a Lecture. The young man was much disappointed. He had expected, according to the assurance of his father, to hear every thing bad; but nothing fell from the lips of the venerable speaker, which was not, on the contrary, very good. So agreeable was his disappointment, that he renewed his attendance on Mr. Murray's meeting; till at length he became a believer in the final restoration, and joined Mr. M's society.

The father, hearing of his son's alteration in his views, harnessed his horse with all possible haste, and drove like Jehu, into town. It was of a Saturday night that he arrived, and he hastened to accuse his son of infidelity and to warn him of his eternal danger. After considerable conversation, upon the subject of doctrines, which had the effect to make the enraged father a little more conciliatory, it was agreed, on the morning of the Sabbath, that the father should attend the son's meeting in the forenoon; and in the afternoon, the son

should attend his father's. The son's meeting was Mr. Murray's; and the father's Dr. Stillman's. Accordingly, at the proper time, they both set out for M's place of worship; but as the father was a stranger in town, the son succeeded in conducting him to Dr. Stillman's meeting, which, the former supposed all the while to be Mr. Murray's. On returning from meeting, the young man inquired: "Well, sir, how did you like my minister ?" "Oh," said the father, "he was most abominable; there was not a word of truth in all he said; don't, I conjure you, go there again.”

According to agreement, the son was to accompany the father in the afternoon. "Now," said the old man, "we shall here something from Stillman, by which, I pray you may be benefitted." The son conducted him to Mr. Murray's meeting. The father, supposing M. to be Dr. S. swallowed every word most eagerly, occasionally calling the attention of his son, to the animating speaker. After their return, the old man was again interrogated "How did you like the discourse ?""Most excellently," said the father. "That is what I call the truth; the bread of life. If you would be wise, my son, attend where we attended this afternoon, and believe the doctrine there preached: but beware of the doctrine of Universal Salvation; it will ruin your soul."

The son smiled at the prejudices of his father, saying, "How totally does prejudice blind us. This day, my parent, 'I have caught you with guile.' The sermon you heard in the morning, and which you so much abominated was not delivered, as you supposed, by 'that dreadful Murray,' but by your idol Stillman. He it was, whom you just charged me to avoid. And he who preached this afternoon, whose doctrine you so eagerly swallowed, and so zealously extolled, was the very Mr. Murray, whom you so much despised. Henceforth, let

us learn to abate the violence of our prejudices, and to condemn no man in his sentiments unheard."

The above anecdote very happily illustrates the force of ungenerous prejudices, and it is hoped that its practical tendency may not be lost.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Genesee Branch Association of Universalists convened at Parma, N.Y. on the last Wednesday of September, 1825, and enjoyed a very harmonious and refreshing interchange of social, moral, and religious sentiments. Brs. N. Stacy, G. B. Lisher, L. S. Everett, O. Ackley, J. S. Flagler, S. Jones, L. Knapp, C. G. Parsons, J. W. Reese, H. Roberts, and A. Wood, were the ministering brethren present. A letter of fellowship was granted to a Br. James B. Shannon; and two Societies were received into the fellowship of the Association. A resolve was passed to discontinue the use of titles of distinction, as applied to Christ's ministers, except those which have a precedent in the New Testament. Also, that the fourth of July, 1826, be observed by the Societies in said Association, as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise. Having attended to the various duties of the meeting, the Council adjourned, to meet by divine permission, at West-Mendon, Monroe county, N. Y. on the last Wednesday of September, 1826.-Abridged from the Gospel Advocate.

New Association.---An assembly of Ministers and Delegates in the faith of Universal Salvation, convened at the city of Hudson, (N. Y.) on the second ultimo; and after mature and prayerful deliberation, organized "The Hudson River Association," in fellowship with the General Convention of Universalists, and all other