system, as it is called. He accordingly requested Mr. F, and a young conceited clergyman, right from an Institution where sophistry is taught for divinity, to meet at his house on a certain evening. Being too old and discerning to engage in the argument, the aged gentleman opened the conversation of the evening by informing Mr. F, that he had requested the company of the young minister and himself, that the doctrine of universal salvation might be fairly discussed in his presence; but he would be excused from taking any part in the debate, on account of his age. He proposed that Mr. F, should proceed in stating a few of the principal arguments in favor of his doctrine, and that the young clergyman should oppose him, according to orthodox rules. Mr. F. therefore began ;-The scriptures assert that, "God is good unto all, and his tender mercies are over all his works :" therefore he never was so cruel as to decree the endless misery of the greatest part of his noblest work. The Saviour declares, “The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand; that he hath power over all flesh, and will give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him ;" therefore all men will have eternal life, instead of endless sufferings. St. Paul also affirms, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive; and if any man be in Christ he is a new creature." And do you contend, Sirs, that new men in Christ will be endlessly tormented, or that God reprobated to that state of those who died in the first Adam, and were made alive in the second, the Lord from heaven? The young, collegiate in divinity, somewhat surprised at the fluency and address of Mr. F- and half confounded at his ready and just connexion of the scriptures, walked nimbly about the room, exerting his mind to recollect the cant which his learned tutor gave those texts, but failing in the attempt, he stared the old clergyman in the face, exclaiming "I thought you invited me here to dispute with a man who disbelieved the bible and denied the Saviour; but instead of that, I find I have got to convince any him that the Psalmist was a deceiver, Jesus an impostor, and Paul a false witness, or acknowledge Universalism to be true ?" 66 Very well," calmly replied the aged divine, "as we find the controversy is, in reality, between Calvinism and the doctrine of the New Testament, I think we may as well submit it to the real authors of each, without further interference. OXFORD, SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION. The SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSALISTS, was holden at WESTERN, (Mass.) December, 1822. The Brethren present were, H. Ballou, J. Flagg, H. Ballou, 2d, J. Bisbe, T. Whittemore, R. Carrique, J. Frieze, H. B. Clark, T. G. Farnsworth. Brother Adin Ballou received letters of fellowship, and Brs. Frieze and Farnsworth were Ordained to the work of the ministry. The new meeting-house in Western was dedicated to the worship of God. A committee having been raised, to prepare subjects for discussion, reported the following: 1. What is Paul's meaning in Rom. v. from the 11th to the 19th verses? 2. As christians in general assert that man's moral character is naturally fixed at death, and that each man dies a sinner, if this be true, how can any be saved? The Association adjourned to meet in Stafford, Con. on the second Wednesday in June, 1823. Brother Bisbe prepared and published a Circular Letter, of which the following is an extract. "CHRISTIAN BRETHREN-Under the smile of an indulgent and protecting God, we have enjoyed the happiness of another half-yearly meeting, and realized much satisfaction in finding the empire of the Redeemer extending in the earth, producing peace and good will in the hearts of men, and causing the disciples of Jesus to be diligent, and to rejoice. We met in a section of the country where efforts have been made for many years to promote the doctrine of God's eternal love to each soul of man, and we joy to say, that though the early patrons of the cause went forth weeping in fearfulness and dismay, they have received an hundred fold for all their toil and labor of love." We should be extremely glad to publish the Minutes and Circular in full, would our limits permit. A CHURCH ORGANIZED. Intelligence has been received of the Installation of Br. LEVI BRIGGS, over the first Universalist Society in Westminster, Mass. Our brethren have accommodated themselves with a convenient Meeting House, and are in a prosperous way. As a testimonial of the lively interest and active part which our Brother in the ministry takes in our common cause, we insert the following account of his success and prospects from his own pen. "We have a fine Meeting House, which is generally as well filled as we could reasonably expect; and the audience appears to listen with a desire to hear, believe and obey the truth. Since I commenced my feeble labours in this place, we have succeeded in organizing a Church, for the commemoration of the most glorious, though the most soleinn event, that is recorded in Sacred history, and to commune together in the interchange of those divine sentiments and affections, which the occasion demands. "Believing we are established on the broad and firm foundation doctrinally laid in Zion, even the impartial and changeless love of God, revealed through the mediation of Jesus, our sacred festivals are interesting and glorious, while we sit together in heavenly places in Christ. Our number is between twenty and thirty, all whose christian deportment comports in a good degree with the precept which they obey; "This do in remem brance of me !" I am authorised to say, we know by happy experience, "how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity." Dear brother, though we are not disposed to attach undue importance to any ordinance, yet we are convinced that did our brethren and friends generally, treat this subject with more attention and deference, they would be led to organize Churches, cultivate sacred intercourse, and virtually partake of the bread of God, which cometh down from heaven." Brethren, let us go, and do likewise. OBITUARY. Died in Portland, on the 20th January, Capt. JOHN PRICHARD, aged 50, after a long and extremely painful illness of complicated complaints, which he bore with great resignation to the will, and confidence in the goodness of God. He was industrious, liberal, upright and compassionate, and though frequently disappointed in his calculations, by unavoidable misfortunes, he was an honest man, and justly is it said, "An honest man's the noblest work of God." He was an affectionate, faithful and provident husband and father; beloved by his relatives, respected by his neighbors and acquaintance. His faith in the equal grace of God was unwavering, and he was wholly resigned to the will of Heaven. His remains were interred with Masonic honors, by the Mount Vernon Chapter, of which he was a member. Also, on the 23d of January, Mrs. MARY G. wife of Capt. William Smith aged 33. In justice to the memory of a departed friend, we deem it our duty to observe, that she was possessed of an amiable disposition, was a most affectionate and virtuous companion, an esteemed and respectable neighbor and friend, and a worthy member of a religious society. Mrs. Smith died of a lingering consumption, and during her whole sickness manifested the greatest patience and reconciliation of heart. She conversed upon death with the same cheerfulness and composure, that she would upon any other serious subject, and with as great strength and vigor of intellect, as her debilitated constitution would admit-testified to her solicitous relatives, friends and neighbors, her unshaken confidence in the universal goodness and mercy of God, as revealed in the character of the Lord Jesus. As she saw death approaching, yet nearer and nearer, she bade him a hearty welcome, commending herself and her connexions to the infinite mercy of the Saviour of sinners. Joyfully and firmly believing in the final restoration of the whole human family, through the name of the Lord of Glory, Mrs. Smith closed her eyes in saint-like peace, in hope and christian triumph. In her departure to the heavenly country, was the truth happily expressed by the poet, made manifest: "Jesus can make a dying bed, Feel soft as downy pillows are ; And breathe my life out sweetly there." POETRY. THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. Once on the stormy seas we rode, The storm was loud, the night was dark, It was the star of Bethlehem. It was our guide, our light, our all; And, through the storm and danger's thrall, It led us to the port of peace. Now safely moor'd our peril's o'er; It is the star of Bethlehem. TO PATRONS AND CORRESPONDENTS. The Editor and Proprietor of the Christian Intelligencer and Gospel Advocate, avails himself of this opportunity, to express his unfeigned gratitude to his Subscribers for the liberal patronage it has received, and to offer the principal reasons for publishing the 3d and 4th Numbers at once. As it has been thought advisable, agreeable to the expression of the general opinion of our friends and patrons, to alter the form of the publication, and issue the Numbers of the THIRD VOLUME, semi-monthly, in a Royal Quarto size, it was deemed expedient to complete the Second Volume, for several reasons; among which are the following: 1. That none of our Subscribers who would wish to continue taking the INTELLIGENCER, might mistake our mean ing, either by supposing they were subscribers for both forms at once, or were not to receive this Volume entire 2. That sufficient time might be had, before the regular commencement of the next Volume, to ascertain the probable number of subscribers. The work will be too expensive to warrant the Proprietor in having many more printed, than to answer to the sub |