tian influence and Christian action. With the design of carrying into execution the important objects of the meeting, it was moved and seconded, that a committee of four persons be appointed, to draw up a number of resolutions expressive of the views and feelings of this meeting, with an address to the disciples of Christ of every denomination; and that they report to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. Messrs. Montgomery, Ranaldson, Smith, and Cornelius, were appointed the committee. Moved and seconded, that divine worship be opened in this place and a sermon delivered to-morrow at twelve o'clock. After prayer adjourned." Friday, Dec. 19th.-Met according to adjournment.-Opened the meeting with divine worship. The committee appointed to prepare a number of resolutions expressive of the views and feelings of this meeting, with an address to Christian professors of every name, reported the following, which were unanimously approved and adopted. After hearing the report of the committee, public worship was opened and a sermon delivered by Rev. Elias Cornelius, from Joel iii. first clause of the 13th verse. After divine worship the business of the meeting was again resumed.The expediency of an annual meeting similar to the present, was discussed whereupon, it was resolved, unanimously, that a meeting be holden the third Thursday in November, 1818, at Washington, to be entitled "The Religious Convention of Christian Denominations ;" to be composed of ministers of the gospel in good standing, and officers or other official representatives of any Christian church. Rev. Daniel Smith, Rev. John M. Menefee, and Mr. William Snodgrass, were appointed a committee to superintend the printing and distribution of five hundred copies of the minutes, resolutions, and address of this meeting. Concluded with prayer. D. COOPER. 2. Resolved, That it be recommended to christians of different denominations, to observe the first Monday in every month as a seasonof united prayer, social or private, for the revival of religion in our land, for the success of the gospel among the heathen, and for the establishment of the Redeemer's Kingdom among all nations. 3. Resolved, That the necessity of vital godliness, and of personal and family religion, be generally inculcated and strongly enforced. 4. Resolved, That spceial care and attention should be paid to the promotion of the religious education of the rising generation; and that the utmost vigilance be recommended to prevent the diffusion of infidel principles in the instruction of youth. 5. Resolved, That united and vigorous exertions be recommended for the melioration of the morals of society; especially as relates to intemperance, gambling, profanity, and the abuse of the Sabbath day. 6. Resolved, That general exertions be encouraged for the promotion of Bible Societies, and the distribution of the sacred Scriptures. ADDRESS, To all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth. DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN, We are assembled at the present time, as the disciples of one Divine Master. We have laid aside (for the moment, and we trust for ever) all narrow sectarian views and feelings. Our prayers and praises have ascended together to the throne of God. Our hearts have glowed with fervent affection for each other, for our Christian brethren of whatever name, and for our common Lord. Our counsels have been combined for the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom. And hitherto we have been of one heart and soul. Blessed be the Lord for what our eyes this day witness, and what our hearts this day feel. And now, dear brethren in Christ. we wish to make you all partakers of our joys, of our counsels, and of our exertions. Therefore we have presented you with the foregoing resolutions. And if we mistake not, every heart, warm with the love of Jesus and with zeal for his cause, will give to each of them its explicit and cordial Amen. And we might perhaps with propriety content ourselves with simply saying, Ponder these resolves in the fear of God; drink in their spirit, so far as it is the spirit of Christ! and let the fruits of that spirit appear in your lives. But, brethren, our feelings will not stop here. We should struggle in vain to repress them. Permit us then to pour into your sympathetic bosoms our whole heart and soul. Too long have the professed disciples of Jesus of different denominations, stood at an awful distance from each other. Cruel jealousies and suspicions have rankled in too many of their bosoms. Bickerings and strifes have marred too much of their social intercourse. And even the sacred desk (tears and blushes should cover our faces at the confession) even the sacred desk has sounded forth the voice of unchristian recrimination and rebuke. These things ought not so to be. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell toether in unity."-Think of the opprobrium infidels have cast upon the gospel, on account of the shameful contentions of its professors. Remember the declaration of Him we all so dearly love-" Hereby shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one.to another." Call to mind the testimony obtained by the primitive disciples even from envious heathen, "Behold how these Christians love one another."-Listen to still stronger and more endearing motives. Are we not all children of the same heavenly Father, begotten by the same Divine Spirit? thus made partakers of the same holy nature, and by faith united to the same glorious Redeemer. One spirit animates our bosoms, one exalted hope elevatas our affections, and one common cause demands our united exertions. Love to the brethren, therefore, if we are - Christians, is at once the inherent temper and natural breathing of our hearts, and is the only effectual bond of union. Disciples of Jesus, we call upon you in the spirit of holy affection, to rally round the standard of the cross. › Different denominations of Christians are but different phalanxes of the army of Jehovah of hosts. We call upon you therefore not only to desist from unnatural and doubly destructive warfare among yourselves, but also with holy and united violence to assail the empire of darkness, and with fervent effectual prayer to take the kingdom of heaven by force. United exertion is efficacious exertion. The faithful and true witness has said, "Where two or three of you shall agree as touching any thing that ye shall ask, it shall be done unto you." Under the sanction of this high authority we recommend a general attendance on the Monthly Concert of Prayer, established and observed in every.quarter of the globe. On the first Monday of every month, as the orb of day rolls round the world, he sees the men of God in Asia and their heathen converts sending up the voice of supplication to the throne of heaven, in behalf of a fallen world. Passing towards the west, he witnesses the once degraded Hottentot, in the deserts of Africa, lifting up his voice and heart to heaven. Then he beholds a volume of incense and the voice of thousands ascending from Christianized Europe. Lastly, he hears the fervent prayers of our Atlantic brethren of every name. And as he descends beyond the western wilderness, he calls on us to add our Amen, however feeble, to this grand Concert of Prayer. And our prayers, brethren, must be accompanied by our exertions. Worldliness and vice prevail in our land to a fearful extent. The god of this world leads thousands captive.Intemperance first brutalizes, and then destroys its innumerable victims. -The gambler's nefarious arts burry thousands into the depths of poverty and the bottomless abysses of vice.-Profanity wages war upon the attributes and glory of Jehovah, and draws down the judgements of God upon the land. While the Sabbath of the Lord,dear to every pious heart, is wantonly and impiously profaned. Who then is on the Lord's side? Let him gird his sword upon his thigh, and stand forth against these sons of Belial. Let us be united, energetic, and persevering, and the victory shall be The war we wage is a war of extermination. Let us therefore never return the sword to its scabbard until these heaven-daring vices are driven from this land, to their native abode in the infernal pit. ours. Our grand weapon, both of offence and defence, in these "wars of the Lord," is the volume of Divine Truth. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Permit us then, Christian brethren, to urge upon your attention the distribution of the sacred Scriptures. Is there one family in this Christian land (and there are thousands) destitute of a Bible? O tell it not in Gath! There are institutions for the supply of the destitute; but they languish for want of patronage and support. There are Bibles in our depositories; but they remain there from year to year for want of some one to convey them to the houses of the poor. And hence it is that our eyes are pained, with the sight of whole families, ignorant almost as the heathen of the great salvation of the gospel. Beloved brethren, we address you only on one topic more-a topic of the tenderest interest and of vital importance: 'Tis the religious education of children. Our youth are the rising hope of our churches and of our country. Shall we urge you to read the word of God to your children, and pray with and for them? You do this already, or you have no valid claim to the Christian character. More must be done. The sacred principles of the gospel must be assiduously instilled into their minds, both by precept and example. They must be prudently restrained from frequenting the haunts of frivolous amusement and dissipation. They must be led to the house of God, and taught to reverence the worship and ordinances of the Most High, and above all you must beware how you intrust their education to men of vicious habits and of infidel principles. Under so baleful an influenee, the fairest flowers of virtue will wither, droop, and die. Above all, see that the flame of holy affection and heavenly devotion is kept always burning pure and bright in your own bosoms. Let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. And by the meekness of wisdom, the patience of hope, and the labour of love, you shall yet obtain a glorious victory over your own remaining corruptions, over the rulers of the darkness of this world, and over the consciences and hearts of thousands af your fellow men. By these means you shall send up a rich revenue of glory to the throne of God and of the Lamb. Brethren, our minds and hearts are full; so that we know not where to stop. But we say all in one wordthe word of the Apostle? "If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye our joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." EXTRACTS From the First Report of the American Society for colonizing the Free People of colour. "The Managers of the American Society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States, in submitting to the Society their first report, are encouraged to persevere in their efforts from an increased confidence as well in its practicability as in its importance. In a plan of such magnitude, involving the happiness of many millions; and the success of which, while it cannot fail to create a general interest, might conflict with established prejudice, circumspection and delicacy become essential to its progress. The first step of the Board of Managers was to present a memorial to Congress at their last session, which, with the report of the committee to whom it was referred, is now laid before this society. The nature and novelty of the subject, not less than the mass of business which engage the deliberations of that body, did not permit them to pursue the re port. On the adjournment of Congress the Board adopted suitable measures to promote the views of the Society, without waiting the lapse of another session. No efficient and decisive measures could be adopted until it was ascertained where the most suitable situation could be procured on the west coast of Africa, for planting the proposed colony; and although the Managers collected much interesting and useful information, and such as gave them great encouragement to proceed, it could not supply the place of that which must be obtained from their own agents upon the spot. It was, therefore resolved, shortly after the rising of Congress, to appoint an agent to visit and explore a part of the west coast of Africa. Upon further deliberation, and considering the importance of the mission, the variety of objects to which the attention of a single agent would be directed-the danger of having the main object defeated by the casualties to which he might be exposed, as well as the importance of concert and co-operation in many difficulties which might occur, it was thought advisable to increase the number to two. The managers, accordingly, after having received the most satisfactory testimony of their zeal, ability, and other qualifications, appointed Mr. S. J. Mills and Mr. Eben. Burges, Agents of the Society for this pupose. It was supposed that much useful information might be procured in England, and the enquiries of agents much facilitated by calling there on their way to Africa. The members of the African institution in England have been for many years engaged in the laudable work of meliorating the condition of the long neglected and much abused Africans, and possess great influence in that country, and particularly in the colony of Sierra Leone. A letter was, therefore, addressed by the President to that body, in hopes that the high character of benevolence which characterizes the conductors of that institution, and the similarity of the objects of its pursuits, would lead them cordially to co-operate in the great designs of this Society, and to give our agents all the aid in their power. This letter, and the instructions and commissions of the agents,. are annexed to this report, for the information of the Society. The agents sailed from this country the middle of November last. The raising of funds to meet the expenditure necessary for effecting this object, has occupied much of the attention and labours of the Board of Managers; and a still further increase of our resources will be essential to its completion. Nor do we fear that the American community will suffer an object of so much importance, and of so high a character of benevolence, to fail for the want of necessary pecuniary aid. We are happy to state that auxiliary Societies have been formed in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New-York, Virginia, and Ohio, and the Board have received information of the intention of forming other societies in different parts of the country. The extension of these auxiliaries is of the first importance,as it is by their means the public mind must be enlightened on the great and important objects of the Society, and it is through them, in some meas ure, the necessary funds must be drawn for its support. The objectors to the Society are generally those who acknowledge the importance and utility of establishing the proposed colony; but suppose it impracticable; and they refer principally, 1st. To the difficulty of procuring a proper situation for the colony. 2d. The supposed repugnance of the colonists. 3d. The expense of emigration. The first objection is assuming a difficulty without proof, and will be best answered by the report of the agents, who have been sent to explore the country. The managers are enabled at present to state, that, from information derived from various sources, they are persuaded that a situation can be procured in Africa with the approbation, and secured from the hostility of the neighboring nations, which will possess, such fertility of soil, and salubrity of climate. as to make it an inviting situation to the people of colour in this country. 2. The objection on the part of the coloured people, it is readily seen, springs from first impressions, and is, the result entirely of ignorance and misapprehension. The Managers have ascer tained that there are numbers of the highest standing for intelligence and respectability among that class of people, who are warmly in favour of the plan, from a conviction that it will, if accomplished, powerfully co-operate in placing the situation of their brethren here and in Africa, in that scale of happiness and respectability among the nations of the earth, from which they have long been degraded. Of fers of service have been received from many worthy and influential individuals of their own colour, and from a number of families from different parts of the United States, to become the first settlers in the colony, whenever a suitable situation shall be procured. Without detail ing the variety of information receiv、 ed by the Board on this subject, the Managers cannot omit the testimony of Capt. Paul Cuffee, so well known in Africa, Europe, and America, for his active and enlarged benevolence, for his zeal and devotedness to the cause of the people of colour. The opportunities of Capt. Cuffee, of forming a correct opinion were superior perhaps to those of any man in America, His judgement was clear and strong, and the warm interest he took in whatever related to the happiness of of that class of people is well known, The testimony of such a man is sufficient to outweigh all the unfounded predictions and idle surmises of those opposed to the plan of the Society. He had visited twice the coast of Africa, and became well acquainted with the country and its inhabitants. He states that upon his opinion alone, he could have taken to Africa at least two thousand people of colour from Boston and its neighbourhood. In the death of Paul Cuffee the Society has lost a most useful advocate, the people of colour, a warm and disinterested friend, and Society a valuable member. His character alone ought to be sufficient to rescue the people to which he belonged from the unmerited aspersions which have been cast on them. The plan of the Society met with his entire approba tion, its success was the subject of his ardent wishes, and the prospect of its usefulness to the native Africans and their descendants, in this country, was the solace of his declining years, and cheered the last moments of his existence. 3d. The objection urged on the score of expenditure in transporting so many persons to Africa, has been arrayed in all the imposing forms of figures and calculations. There is a material error in estimating the expence of removing each individual, by the same ratio, which may be incurred in the removal of the first colo- . nists; without making any allowance for the thousands that will be enabled to defray their own expences. The Managers cannot pass the occasion, without noticing the death of the Rev. Doct. Finley, one of the Vice Presidents, during the past year. The deep interest which he took in the success of the Society, and the zeal he displayed in its formation, are well known to many present. In his last sickness, he was much gratified upon receiving information of the progress of the Society, and of its prospects of success. It gave consolation and comfort to his last moments. When we view the Society in this early stage of its proceedings, as animating the hopes and cheering the prospects of the dying christian who had been engaged in its service; when we view it as consecrated by the prayers of the pious, may we not be led with humble confidence to look to the good hand of an overruling Providence to guide its deliberations? May we not expect that the benedictions of millions yet unborn shall bless its anniversary?" Hibernian Society. An obliging friend has furnished us with the "Eleventh Annual Report of the Hibernian Society for establishing schools and circulating the scriptures," together with an Appendix containing some interesting Extracts of Correspondence. Those who have been informed of the general defect of education in Ireland, and who take an interest in those occurrences which are adapted to improve the condition of their fellow beings, will |