fast, and which entereth into that within the vail; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus.

Hear us, in these our humble, and most fervent supplications, O heavenly Father, and answer them to the peace and joy of our hearts. And to thy holy and most reverend name, be the praise and the glory for ever; through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. AMEN.

A Prayer for Christian Unity.

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GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life; whose service is perfect freedom: earnestly pray that thou wouldst pour upon all Christian people, even all who name the name of Christ, the true spirit of Christian unity-a spirit of condescension, forbearance, forgiveness, and of that heavenly charity, which is the very bond of peace, and the perfection of all virtues: that there may be no divisions nor contentions among them, but that they may all be of one accord and of one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. Teach them, O Lord, to consider, and affectingly to realize the near and most endearing relation in which they stand to each other, as the offspring of one common, almighty, and most gracious Parent: as members of the same human family, whose Father is in heaven, and who is constantly watching over, providing for, and governing the whole, in infinite wisdom, and in unvarying, and unbounded benevolence.

May they also duly reflect that, as Christians, they have one and the same hope of their calling-one Lord, one faith, and one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in them all. May they therefore endeavour to keep

the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; provoking unto love and good works, and being kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven them.

Unite their hearts, O God, more and more, in love and gratitude to thee, and in affection and kindness toward each other. Teach them to fulfil the law of Christ in bearing one another's burdens, and in loving one another, as he has given commandment. Thus showing forth, in its just operation, the true spirit, and the blessed influence of the Christian principle and doctrine; and thus letting their light shine before men, that seeing their good works, they also may be led to glorify our Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. AMEN.

FORMATION

OF

SOCIETIES.

As the denomination of Universalists is extending more and more, and its numbers greatly increasing in almost all parts of our country; and as new societies will, of course, from time to time, be formed, and admitted into the fellowship of the order, it is thought expedient and desirable that this publication should contain a suitable and approved form for the organization of such societies. It should be remarked, however, that no prescribed form can, in all its parts, be adopted in every place, but must necessarily be varied, so as to conform to the laws and regulations, which may exist in the different states, relative to this subject.

At the New York State Convention in 1836, a committee was appointed, consisting of Brothers T. J. SAWYER, P. MORSE, and C. F. LE FEVRE, "to prepare a model, or models for society, or church

and society constitutions," &c. In compliance with the objects of their appointment, the committee subsequently reported the following models;-that for societies can be varied according to the legal provisions in the different states:

For a Society.

There being "an act to provide for the incorporation of religious societies," passed by the Legislature of the State of New York, the committee think they cannot better discharge their duty with respect to the formation of societies, than by following the instruction of the statute in such case provided. They submit the following extracts as all that strikes them necessary for this purpose:

1. Fifteen days previous to forming a society, notice shall be given at the place where worship is wont to be held, of such intention. This notice to be given for two successive Sabbaths.

2. Two individuals from the society to be formed to “be nominated by a majority of the members present, shall preside at such election, receive the votes of the electors, and certify under their hands and seals the names of those elected as trustees." There shall not be less than three nor exceeding nine trustees.

3. By such act, the trustees and their successors become a body corporate and may be so recorded by the county clerk, who is entitled, for the recording of the certificate of incorporation, to seventy-five cents, and no more.

4. The trustees shall have and use a common seal, and take charge of all temporalities belonging to such society.

5. The trustees shall continue in office three years, but those first chosen shall be divided into three lots, numbered one, two, and three, so that there may be annually a third part of the whole number chosen. A month's notice shall be given when a vacancy is to be filled, and the election shall take place at least six days before the vacancy occurs.

6. No person is eligible to the office of trustee who has not been a stated attendant on the worship of said society and contributed to its support, for one year previous to his election.

They also reported the following form for the organization, or recognition of a church :

For a Church.

Believing that church connexion is conformable with Scripture,

and sanctioned by general usage, we do agree to associate ourselves in that capacity for the purpose of promoting mutual knowledge, virtue, and piety.

Constitution.

ART. 1. This Church shall be known by the name of

day of

ART. 2. The officers of this church shall consist of a Moderator, Clerk, and two or more Deacons, who shall be annually chosen on the who shall perform all such duties as are connected with these respective offices. ART. 3. No person shall be a member of the church unless he acknowledges a belief in the Scriptures, and sustains a good moral character.

ART. 4. The ordinances of the gospel shall be duly administered in this church at convenient seasons, but a participation in them shall not be considered necessary to constitute church membership.

ART. 5. This Church disclaims all right to deal with immoral members, except by admonition and reproof, and in case of no reformation, by a withdrawal of fellowship.

ART. 6. Any member shall have the privilege of withdrawing from the church at his or her option, by giving notice to that effect, and shall be entitled to a certificate expressive of his or her moral character.

ART. 7. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any meeting called for that purpose, by a vote of two thirds of the members present.

The above committee also reported what they denominate a Confession of Faith. It consists of only three articles, all of them expressed in the precise language of Scripture, as follows:

Confession of Faith.

We believe in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as containing a divine revelation, and as our guide in faith and practice.

Our faith in relation to the character of God, the mission of Christ, and the destiny of mankind, is clearly expressed in the following Scripture language :

1. We believe "there is one God, even the Father."

2. We believe "there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

3. We believe that "Christ hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

There might, perhaps with propriety, be added another article, expressive of the distinguishing doctrine of Universalism, as follows:

4. We believe that "God our Saviour will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth :" and we believe that He "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,” and “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times" He will "gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”

We have no great reverence for creeds, containing a long list of articles, and specifications of doctrines, contrived "by art and man's device," especially such as are not and cannot be expressed in the simple language of the holy Scriptures.

That many of the articles of Faith, contained in the creeds and summaries of doctrine, adopted by different denominations of professing Christians are of the above character, and cannot be expressed in the language of Scripture, must, on examination, be obvious. Take, as an instance, the 2d of the 39 articles of the Episcopal church, entitled "Of the Word, or Son of God, which was made very man." The article is expressed as follows:-"The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood were joined together in one person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man; who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men."

It would be impossible to express the sentiments