whose loss we deplore, began to scatter the hopeful seeds of truth and universal grace, along the shores of the Atlantic. Although he sowed in tears, amidst the storms of persecution, yet he was preserved by heaven to witness a joyful harvest as the fruit of his labours; and like Simeon of old, was blessed with a peaceful departure, his eyes having seen the salvation of God. But we now behold the wilderness, blossoming as the rose-From the shores of the Atlantic, to the margin of the Lakes, Ontario and Erie, the doctrine of universal and impartial grace, is spreading with a rapidity which is truly astonishing and from the banks of the Delaware, to the flowing current of the Penobscot; as well as along the extended plains of the Ohio, thousands are rejoicing in the confidence of God, as the Saviour of all men.

The doctrine of unmerciful suffering is losing its influence among the sober and reflecting of community, and multitudes are rejoicing in the harmony of the divine attributes. So numerous are the societies, West of the Hudson River, that it is clearly ascertained that the present session of the Convention has been held in the most central and convenient place for a general representation. In view of these truly encouraging prospects, you will feel under renewed obligations to increase your diligence in extending the knowledge of salvation to those who are still in darkness, and are bound down under superstition and prejudice, with the cords of worse than iron bondage.

In the faithful discharge of your public duties, you will doubtless be assailed by the foul breath of slander. For even the great Apostle and High Priest of our profession suffered such indignities in the days of his flesh and if they have done these things in the green tree, what shall they do in the dry? Equip yourselves then, brethren with the whole armour of righteousness, that you may be able to maintain and defend the truth, through evil, as well as through good report. Were it consistent with your high calling in the ministry of reconciliation to pamper the pride of designing men, or to give encouragement to a system of malignant partiality; you might indeed enjoy the momentary gratification of being caressed and applauded by such as love the praise of men, more than the praise of God: But such a repast for the mind, would be like the dreams of an hungry man, who imagines himself as feasting upon the rich dainties of a luxuriant board, and behold, he is waked from his slumDers, and his soul is famishing for want of bread!

Your true interest is therefore inseparably conjoined with faithfulness in the administration of the Gospel, wherever the wisdom of divine Providence may direct you in the duties of your calling.Let it be your invariable purpose then, to maintain that true dignity, which in the character of the Saviour, was coupled with unalloyed humility, and which shed an unfading lustre around all the actions of his life. Bear in constant remembrance your dependence upon him who hath cast your lot in the vineyard of Christ; and let this consideration remind you of the importance of secret, and frequent intercourse with that exalted Being, who seeth in secret, and who will bless you with an open reward.

Finally, Brethren, be Ministers of Christ, in word and in deed: let the patience of the glorious Redemer shine in your example; be

zealous in the defence of the gospel; diligent in seeking out the hidden treasures of revelation; watchful for an opportunity to promote the prosperity of Zion, and faithful in the cause of universal benevolence; till the Captain of salvation shall call you from the fields of labour in time, to mingle with the church triumphant in heaven.

We esteem it our privilege to address a few remarks to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, without regard to sectarian names. Το is there is but one God, who is the Father of all; and one Lord Jesus Christ, who hath once appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, and to lead the wandering and benighted children of our Heavenly Father to the Zion of rest, the habitation of uninterrupted enjoyment. To share his benignant smiles, to taste the riches of his grace, to enjoy the mild and peaceful influence of his truth, and to feel the expanding power of his love, has been your exalted privilege, and remains to be the theme of your gratitude and joy.

While you reflect upon the inestimable blessings, which flow through a confidence in the goodness and mercy of God, can you hesitate for one moment upon the propriety and importance of recommending the same unfathomable ocean of love to the confidence of all that intelligent family, of which you constitute a part ? Is it possible that you can indulge a timerous reluctance from the apprehension that it would loosen the bands of moral obligation, and endanger the peace of society? Has a confidence in the friendship of heaven produced a relaxation of your desires to promote the honor of God or the welfare of his creatures? If not, such a decision is evidently incompatible with the lessons of your own experience : nor is this all; it is equally incongruous with the plain testimony of inspiration" We love him because he first loved us.”

If it were dangerous to recommend the love of God to sinners, why did he send his Son into the world to testify his benevolence? Why did God reveal his plan of salvation by grace? Why did he assert his design to reconcile all things unto himself? And why did the angel proclaim "glad tidings of great joy to all people" at the birth of Christ? A little calm reflection must afford evidence to you that the only way to induce sinners to forsake the path of iniquity, is to convince them of the goodness of God, which leadeth to repentance. This truth, being established upon the most rational and conclusive evidence; we entertain the hope that you will contribute to promote its dissemination, for the honor of God, and for the reformation and happiness of his rational offspring.

After entreating the wicked to forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and to turn unto the Lord who will have mercy-and earnestly recommending to the rising generation the practice of faith and every virtue:

We affectionately commend the several classes addressed, with all the family of man, to the mercy and grace of God, invoking on them the endless blessing of Him who died, and rose, and reigns in cloudless Glory.

By order of the Convention.

DAVID PICKERING.

Ashbel Stoddard, Printer, Hudson.

OF THE

GENERAL CONVENTION OF UNIVERSALISTS,

FOR THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

FOR THE YEAR 1835,

BEING ITS

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

TOGETHER WITH

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNIVERSALIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

NEW YORK:

PUBLISHED BY P. PRICE,

NO. 2 CHATHAM-SQUARE.

In presenting the Report of the proceedings of the General Convention of Universalists to the denomination, for the first time in this form, a word or two on the utility of the course may not be out of place here.

It was believed that in view of the present situation, and the rapid increase of our denomination, some measure should be taken for preserving in a more compact form than our periodicals generally can do it, the doings of the highest body in our connexion. Even now its measures are looked up to with interest, and as the denomination advances, this interest must advance in an equal ratio, and render these sessions, and the information in the way of statistics, which will naturally come before them; a matter for frequent, and important, future reference.

The form now adopted was suggested to and approved of by the Convention. And if proper attention is hereafter paid by Societies, Associations, and State Conventions, in reporting statistical information to the General Convention, it is believed the plan will be found invaluable; for here will be concentrated all the important particulars touching the progress of the cause. Let the Reports be issued from year to year in a uniform size, and above all, let the purchaser preserve them carefully and bind them when a sufficient number are obtained, and he will then have a valuable record of the order, for the time being, in a cheap and very convenient form for reference. It will also date at a very appropriate period-the year of JUBILEE!

It will be found to contain the Proceedings in detail, Statistical Reports, the very interesting Occasional Sermon by Rev. S. R. Smith, Circular Letter, Constitution and By-Laws of the Convention, as also the Proceedings of the Universalist Historical Society.

Indulging the hope that the work may not be without its use and interest, it is respectfully submitted to the denomination without further remark.

New York, Oct. 1835.

THE PUBLISHER.

Delivered before the Jubilee Session of the United States Convention of Universalists, in Hartford, Conn., Sept. 16, 1835.

BY S. R. SMITH

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

On an occasion like the present, it is impossible to meet the public expectation, and at the same time, de justice to the immediate bearings of a given text, within the time allotted to a single discourse. And it is equally difficult, to review the past, and look forward into the future as connected with our particular circumstances, and also, to enforce those religious truths and moral duties in which we are so deeply interested at present. While therefore, you will not expect the performance of impossibilities, allow me to ask your attention to the remarks founded on the following passage of scripture:

"And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart-and prospered." 2 Chron. 31 : 21.

Several of the predecessors of king Hezekiah, had done evil in the sight of the Lord, by forsaking the institutions of Moses, by discontinuing the appointed worship of the true God, by substituting that of the Pagan divinities, and by defiling the Temple and the Holy Place. And as generally happens, they were followed by the great body of the people in their departure from righteousness.

One of the first acts of Hezekiah on his accession to the throne of his fathers, was, to repair the doors of the Temple. He also instructed the Levites to purify themselves, and then, to cleanse the Holy Place-assuring them that it was in his "heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel." The work was accordingly undertaken, and carried on with such vigour, persevering industry and success, that in the very short period of sixteen days, it was completed. And in due process of time, the great national festival-the Passover, was celebrated with very unusual demonstrations of joy, and in a manner which showed the revival of the venerated institutions of their fathers, in their purity and splendour.

So general as well as active, was the spirit of reform awakened and diffused by these timely and efficient measures, that the people every where throughout the land, abandoned their idols, broke in