of love-that it seeks not to drive men to God by denunciations and threats, but to draw them to him by beautiful and glorious manifestations of his love. Whenever these views are faithfully proclaimed, bigotry is checked and fanaticism moderated; the doubts of scepticism are removed; thinking men are changed from opponents to friends of Christianity, and a better spirit prevails.

Such considerations, Brethren, lead us to the thought, that we should take more active measures for the extension of these views. The time has come when Unitarians in the West should do more.They should take a higher stand. They owe it to the cause, to themselves, to truth, to the church, to our rising country, to posterity, to the hopes of freedom in coming time, that now in this forming state of society, we should cast the seed far and wide.

We have done something; we ought to do more. We need something to unite us more firmly together, to add new believers to our number, to remove prejudice, to build up our cause. To accomplish these objects, we suggest the following plan:

In some central city in the West, where a Unitarian society exists, let a general agent reside, whose duty it shall be to visit the different places which appear favorable, and form societies by preaching

and distributing Tracts. Let him also visit the different churches already established, to strengthen and encourage them. Let him correspond with individuals through the West, and take a general oversight of the state of our body.

In connexion with this agency, let us also lay the foundation of a Theological School. Above every thing else, we need preachers. The East cannot supply us, and if it could, it is better that they be educated among ourselves. It is believed that many young men could be found disposed to enter such an institution. We e can commence on a small scale, and the general agent, together with the Minister of the church where he resides, may perform at first the duties of Professors.

To defray the expenses of such an agency and professorship, the following mode is suggested. Let societies be formed in every place where Unitarians are-composed of those who shall pay one dollar annually. In addition to this, those who are able may contribute larger sums for these objects. In this way we believe many hundred dollars can be raised every year in the West. We may also hope for liberal assistance in such an enterprise as this, from our Eastern friends. The money thus collected, may be placed in the hands of a central Board, to be chosen an

nually by a meeting of Delegates from all the societies. Such meetings would form pleasant and profitable occasions for assembling our friends together, exchanging views, and refreshing our hearts for our labors.

After considering this subject attentively among ourselves, and consulting our friends in Cincinnati, we look upon this scheme as entirely practicable, and likely to be attended with the most valuable results. Operations have been commenced by the formation of a society in this city, which promises to be a large one.

We have been directed by this society to address you, and beg that you will take this subject into consideration, and if you sympathise with our views, and are disposed to cooperate, we beg you to form an association among yourselves, on a basis of a yearly subscription of one dollar for a Western Agency and Theological School; and communicate to us your views, and the results of your proceedings in the matter.

In the mean time, an agent will visit the East, and endeavour to procure assistance there for this undertaking. As soon as we can learn the results of these appeals, we shall appoint the time and place for a general meeting of Delegates from each society, to choose a Board of Managers, and

We hope this may be effected by next June, so that the Agency and School may commence at that time.

The societies to which this circular is sent are those in Syracuse, Lockport, Buffalo, Meadville, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Mobile, Quincy, Hillsboro, Peoria and Chicago. As soon as you can conveniently communicate to us on this subject, we shall be glad to hear from you. With Christian sympathy, Your Brethren,

SIMEON S. GOODWIN,"
GEO. KEATS,

Board

Of Managers.

WILKINS TANNEHILL, ED. H. LEWIS, A. G. MUNN, Louisville, Kentucky, April 10, 1840. Please address A. G. Munn, Secretary.

That our friends may understand how this plan is intended to work, and as a proof that we are in earnest about the matter, we subjoin the two following papers:

1

At an adjourned meeting of the Unitarian Society of Louisville, held in the Vestry of their Church, April 1st, 1840, the following Constitution was adopted:

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE 1. This Society

Unitarian Association for the Extension of Christian Knowledge.

ART. 2. The objects of this Society shall be to assist in sustaining a General Agent for the West, and a School for Western Preachers.

ART. 3. Any person may become a member of this Society, by signing the Constitution, and paying one dollar annually.

ART. 4. The officers of this Society shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and Secretary. These officers shall together constitute a board of managers for the transaction of all business under this Constitution. They may adopt By-laws, call meetings, and three shall constitute

so, an anniversary meeting, with suitable exercises, at such time and place as the Board shall determine.

ART. 7. It shall be the duty of the Board of Managers, as soon as convenient, to form a Depository of Books and Pamphlets in this city, from which the members of the Society may be supplied with works for use and circulation. These works to be procured by donations, special contributions, or any source except the general subscription.

ART. 8. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any annual meeting, by the vote of a majority of members present.

2

At a meeting of the First Congregational Society of Cincinnati, Thursday, April 9th, the following Constitution was adopted:

CONSTITUTION.

ART. 1. This Society shall be called the Union of Christian Brethren of the First Congregational Church of Cincinnati.

ART. 2. The object of this Society shall be the diffusion of a Christian spirit by the support of a General Agent, and by aiding young men in preparation for the Ministry.

ART. 3. A subscription to this Constitution, and the annual payment of one dollar

shall make a person a member of this Society.

ART. 4. The officers of this Society shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

ART. 5. The officers of this Society shall be empowered, ex officio, to collect and disburse the funds of this Society.

ART. 6. An annual meeting of this Society shall be held at some time and place appointed by the officers, who shall be authorised to call meetings of the Society, whenever they shall think it expedient.

ART. 7. Amendments of this Constitution may be made and By-laws added, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, at a meeting summoned by the officers for this purpose.

WOODLAND, (LA.) April 1, 1840.

DEAR BRETHREN:-I am glad to learn that you are about to revive the Messenger. I would beg leave to say, that I regret the change you proposed in your last number. I am for peace-I love it. I dislike, generally, controversy, but sometimes the surest way of obtaining final and lasting peace is by boldly controverting error, and for the time apparently stirring the waters of strife.

I think the Unitarian controversy is by no means over. We have much yet to do in removing errors of belief and practice, before our work shall have been completed. In this part of the world especially, the work is just begun, and we want clear, candid, and yet charitable exposures of the prevailing systems of theology and morals. I hope you will not, therefore, shun fair controversy too much. Let the traditions of the elders Sometimes be detected, and the pure gospel vindicated from human additions.

But I did not commence my letter to give you directions. You are of age, and can judge for yourselves, and do better for your readers than I can suggest. I only wished to express some sentiments, in this part of my letter,

that had occurred to my mind upon reading your intention of giving less attention to theology. I hope your periodical may soon re-appear, whether it comes as a messenger of practical and rational theology, or a sower of peace and concord. Yours, &c.

A. D. WOOLDRIDGE, We say to our friend, and to all who agree with him, our pages are open, and we will cheerfully print whatever seem to us clear and candid. We request our brethren everywhere to send us accounts of the progress of pure and rational Christianity, in their neighbourhoods.— We wish in our Monthly Record to awake each other's sympathy and zeal by good news mutually exchanged. C.

From the Cincinnati Chronicle. DEATH OF PRESIDENT KIRKLAND.Letters from Boston announce the death of the Rev. JOHN THORNTON Kirkland, L. L. D., formerly, for about twenty years, the distinguished President of Harvard University, and the predecessor of the Hon. JOSIAH QUINCY, who now holds the office. Doct. Kirkland was a very amiable man, kind-hearted, and benevolent—a good scholar, and of much refinement of manners. He was the author of many articles in the earlier volumes of the North American Review, of several papers in the Transactions of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in the Massachusetts Historical Society. After relinquishing his station at the head of the University, he travelled extensively in Europe and Asia. For ten years past he has been suffering from the effect of a paralytic stroke, but has still, until within a few months past, been enabled to enjoy the pleasures of social intercourse, and to mingle in society, of which he was a distinguished ornament. R.