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peculiar and superior emotions; he felt proud and grateful for the honors of the day; he never felt satisfaction equal to that arising from his attendance on the present meeting. The extraordinary success of the institution appeared to be the work of providence; it could not be accounted for by mere human assistance. They might now consider his attendance as a brotherly act, and the result of mature and sober reflexion."

All party spirit seems to have been banished from the scene by the prevalence of mutual love, and a sense of the infinite importance of the great object, the general diffusion of the divine and unadulterated truths of of christianity. The names, by which

the several seets of christians are distinguished, seem to have been brought to view on that occasion for no other purpose, than that persons of one sect might express their cordial regard for those of another. If we may confide in the accounts which have been given of the meeting, we may apply the language of the sacred historian with some qualifications-"The multitude of them that believed were of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL: neither said any of them, that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common; and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and GREAT GRACE WAS

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BIBLE SOCIETY OF NASSAU HALL. THE Directors of this society have recently resolved "to make the navy of the United States a particular object in the distribution of Bibles." They have accordingly transmitted seventy-five Bibles to be distributed among the sailors under the command of Commodore Decatur, at New-London. General Huntington was employed as the agent to deliver the present. We shall give the Commodore's letter of thanks.

ing their highly laudable design. The light, in which the Board have considered me personally, is the more flattering from the opinion I entertain of its source, and you will oblige me by making to them my warmest acknowledgments of their condescen tion and goodness. I am, &c.

"U.S.S. United States, July 22, 1813. "Dear Sir,

"I have this moment received your letter, containing the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Bible Society of Nassau Hall. You will have the goodness to express to them the grateful sense I, in common with the officers of the navy, entertain of their having made the navy of the United States a particular object in the distribution of their Bibles; my thanks for the liberal supply which they have proposed for the squadron under my command, and to assure them of my most cordial cooperation in effectuat

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"STEPHEN DECATUR."

The above account we regard as the harbinger of still greater good. The example of this society will probably be followed by others, and the example of the Commodore we hope will have a salutary influence, both on the officers and seamen of our navy. While we sincerely deplore the necessity of a navy, we as sincerely wish that efforts may be made, to supply all our fellow citizens, thus employed, with the best means for religious improvement. In addition to the Bible we would còrdially recommend Mr. Abbot's sermons to mariners, to the notice of our navy officers, and to the notice of those societies who may wish to furnish seafaring men with the means of religion.

THE SPANISH INQUISITION Abolished. THIS important event has been recently announced. In our next number we intend to give some account

of the tribunal, and some remarks on the protest against its abolition,

The report of the Trustees to the Evangelical Missionary Society, at their annual meeting, holden at Westborough, Oct. 0, 1813.

WITH gratitude to the Supreme Dispenser of blessings the Trustees rejoice to inform the society of the success attending the measures they have used to "spread the savour of the knowledge of Christ." Experiment confirms them in a belief of the utility of the principle, upon which they have practised. They have still a full persuasion, that by bestowing their charitable aid upon particular churches and societies, they may more effectually advance their breth ren in social and christian life, than by allowing their missionaries to traverse an unlimited extent of territory. Since the last anniversary the most favorable accounts have been received of the fidelity, usefulness, and accept ance of the Rev. Peter Nurse, and Rev. Silas Warren. Towards the support of each of these ministers the trustees have appropriated one hundred dollars. With the charitable contributions afforded from another missionary society, the people to whom they minister are enabled to render them a comfortable support. The members of the Evangelical Missionary Society cannot "be weary in these ways of well doing," when they learn, that under the ministry of these faithful servants, the social and moral state of some of their suffering fellow christians is much improved, the spirit of sectarianism abated, and a laudable attention to religious duties and institutions awakened. It must also be a strong motive to the continuance of charity, when informed that in the present season of distressing calamity, was this aid withdrawn, the people in the settlements where they are estab-lished must fail of having regularly dispensed to them "the bread of life."

One hundred dollars has also been applied to the support of the Rev. Jonathan Keith, as missionary in the town of Dixmont, in the District of Maine. Of the purity of his character, the board had received ample testimonials. A leading inhabitant of that town has embraced the earliest opportunity to convey informa

tion of the acceptableness of Mr. Keith's services, and to express the gratitude of the inhabitants for this instance of generous concern for their spiritual welfare.

The Trustees have now on hand for distribution, two hundred copies of the Worcester catechism; two hundred of the Address of the Trustees; and eighty four of "Doddridge's rise and progress of religion in the soul."

As appears from the Treasurer's account he has received $1363 95.

After a deduction of the monies paid in the course of the year for missionary labours, there remain in the treasury $1176 79.

The Trustees, in consideration of the calamitous times on which we have fallen, and fearing, should they continue, annual contributions will fail, have instructed the Treasurer to put one thousand dollars at interest with good security, that it may be for an accumulating fund. By this arrangement they hope that the society in a season of the most pressing necessity will be enabled to continue their useful labors.

In conclusion, the Trustees invite the attention of a christian community to the object of their institution. They beseech those, who are favored with the regular dispensation of the word and ordinances to express their sympathy for their brethren, who are suffering for lack of knowledge. They assure all the benevolent, that their charity shall be faithfully applied to the education of children and youth, to the founding of churches, and to the support of regular ministers, who "shall contend earnestly for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints." They indulge the hope, and unite with the members of the society in the devout prayer, that this Association may be successful in its humble endeavours to arrest the triumphs of error, to promote "pure and undefiled religion," and especially to enkindle that "charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

ELIJAH BRIGHAM, President. Accepted. Attest, NATHANIEL THAYER, Rec. & Cor. Sec'y. [An additional note to the above report will be inserted in the next number.]

Love to enemies.

FROM a report of the Directors to the London Missionary Society it appears, that among other benevolent exertions, they have employed min

isters to preach the gospel to the French prisoners, and established among them little libraries of useful books.

Obituary.

DIED at Boston, Sept: 29, 1813, CHARLES ELIOT, son of Samuel Eliot, Esq. The following account_of the deceased is taken from the Columbian Centinel, for Oct. 2, 1813.

"The death of Mr. Eliot, who was yesterday interred, is an event of uncommon distress. It has blighted many fair hopes, and dissolved many affectionate attachments. It has removed from the family circle an object of peculiar interest and congratulation; from society a rising and valuable member; from the University an accomplished son, and has deprived the church of one who promised to serve and adorn it. Mr. Eliot was graduated at Cambridge in 1809, and continued there as a resident graduate, pursuing the study of divinity. On taking his Master's degree in 1812, he pronounced the valedictory oration of his class. His diligence in pursuit of his studies was exemplary, if not excessive; there is too much reason to fear, that the disease which terminated his life, was contracted by severe application. Having acquainted himself extensively with the scriptures, with sacred criticism, and with the other parts of sacred learning, and disciplined his mind and heart by faithful preparation, he was approbat ed in January last, by the Boston association, as a candidate for the chris. tian ministry. The few sermons he preached, before he was arrested by the symptoms of disease, were dis

He

tinguished for soundness of doctrine, for rational views of religion, for richness of thought, and great propriety and chasteness of expression. preached however but a few sabbaths, before his health began to fail, which continued to deciine, notwithstanding the most skilful and prudent attentions. By a remarkable coincidence he preached in the pulpit of the late Dr. Eliot, a part of the last sabbath which that lamented divine spent in the house of God; and now he is called to follow his venerable kinsman, as we humbly trust, to higher and purer services. In the course of a long and gradual decay, he found his support in that religion, to which he had consecrated his life. He was upholden by it in those trying hours, and they were not a few, which passed after the hope of his recovery was lost. It is no common share of faith and piety which will sustain the heart in that period of anticipation, when the world around us has lost its interest, and we are beyond the reach of human aid. Through this solitude of the soul, Mr. Eliot displayed a christian composure and collection of spirits, and found in the promises of religion the support, which time and sense could no longer afford. Many hearts have followed him to his long home, and many will affectionately cherish his memory."

In our next we hope to insert an extract from a sermon, occasion by the death of Mr. Eliot.

Candidates for the ministry in Cambridge and its vicinity.

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For the Publishers' Notice see the third page of the cover.

No. 8.

THE

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE.

DECEMBER, 1813.

VOL. I.

OCCASIONAL REFLECTIONS AND REMARKS.

As this month will close the year 1813, and the first volume of the Christian Disciple, some occasional reflections and remarks may naturally be expected.

In the course of the year which is about to end, there have been remarkable indications of divine anger against the nations of christendom. What nation, which has borne the christian name, has not this year felt the calamities of war? In addition to the ordinary course of mortality, how many hundreds of thousands, who were alive at the commencement of the year, have been hurried into eternity, by wars, which have resulted from human pride! How many millions of our fellow creatures have been reduced to want and wretchedness! What numbers have been subjected to months of exeruciating pain, by wounds, received in the field of battle? What multitudes have been called to mourn the loss of husbands, or of parents, or of children, or of other dear friends and relatives! Wherefore this flood of wrath on christian nations? Is there not a procuring cause?

Every one, who impartially examines the gospel of the blessed

God, must be sensible, that this horrid carnage is not to be imputed to the nature of the christian religion. Had the precepts of the gospel been duly regarded, and the temper required duly cultivated, these scenes of blood and devastation would have been unknown in the christian world. All the horrors and miseries of war have resulted from flagrant violations of the principles and precepts of the christian religion. Earth and heaven would be equally free from wars and fightings, were christian love universally to govern in the hearts of men. But if nations, that are blessed with the gospel, prove ungrateful for the favor, trample on its precepts, and despise its blessings, they offend the God of grace, and bring upon themselves the tokens of his righteous displeasure.

As our nation has felt in some degree the awful scourge of God, what can be more proper, than that we should penitently reflect on the returns we have made to the Father of lights for the blessings, by which we were long distinguished from most other nations of the earth? By what we have already felt of the calam

ities of war, we have been solemnly warned; and unless we repent, we may reasonably expect to share the fate of ungrateful nations.

To cultivate the mild and benevolent temper of the gospel, to extirpate groundless prepossessions, to allay the spirit of animosity, and to excite christians, of every sect, to unite their efforts in behalf of the common interest of our Saviour's kingdom, has been a principal object in conducting the Christian Disciple. Whether the means used have, in all instances, been a dapted to an end so important, may perhaps be justly questioned; for we have no claim to infallibility. That the universal prevalence of the christian temper would be productive of universal peace and tranquillity, we firmly believe. But it appears to us impossible, that the benefits of the christian religion should be extensively felt in society, so long as the several sects of christians treat each other as enemies. And whether the bitter spirit, which professed christians have indulged one towards another, is not to be placed in the front rank among the abominations which have drawn down the anger of Jehovah on the nations of christendom, is a question, which deserves the serious consideration of all who profess to be followers of the Prince of Peace. What in its nature, can be more offensive to God, than such a hostile spirit among his professed friends? And what could tend more to bring the religion of Jesus into contempt, and to subvert the natu

ral influence of the gospel? Let the humble, peaceful, and benevolent spirit of the Saviour of men be considered as the grand criterion of the christian character; or let love one to another become again the distinguishing badge of christian disciples; then religion will appear in its native simplicity, and its influence will be felt as a blessing in society.

Party spirit is ever injurious to the peace of society; but in no connexion is it more injurious, than when employed about the things of religion. When thus employed, it not only tends to bring religion itself into disrepute, but to eradicate its benign influence from the hearts of men, and to convert the richest gifts of heaven into means of discord and mischief.

Whether our declaration will be now credited, or not, it is a fact, that we have no wish to establish a new sect, nor to attach ourselves to any existing sect or party, in hostility to any other. We have no belief, that any existing sect is free from error, either in sentiment or practice; nor do we claim that perfection for ourselves, which we deny to others. If our work may be a means of eradicating party spirit, breaking down party distinctions, promoting a humble and candid spirit of inquiry, and of disposing the real friends of Christ to treat each other according to the laws of brotherly love; this will afford us more satisfaction than we could derive from being the instruments of building up any one party by the ruin of another. It is our open

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