AMERICA.

Organization of a Unitarian Association in the State of New York. — The strength of Liberal Christianity in New York is visibly growing. During the week commencing May 10, 1846, the Unitarians from all parts of that State came together in the city of New York, and with earnest deliberation and enlightened discussion organized themselves into an Association,-a body that promises to have a vigorous and efficient vitality. Meetings were held in the course of the week in the " Church of the Divine Unity," (Mr. Bellows',) at which Zebedee Cook, Esq., presided. Mr. Cook was chosen President of the Association, and James S. Cleveland, Esq., Secretary. Sermons were preached by Rev. Dr. Dewey, of New York, and Rev. Mr. Osgood, of Providence, R. I. In the course of the discussions, remarks were offered by the Rev. Dr. Dewey, Rev. Mr. Bellows, Rev. Mr. Farley, of Brooklyn, Rev. Mr. Hosmer, of Buffalo, Rev. Mr. Holland, of Rochester, Rev. Mr. Buckingham, Rev. Mr. Pierpont, formerly of Boston, Rev. Mr. Conant, of Geneva, Illinois, Father Taylor, of Boston, and Hon. Mr. Jenkyns, of Oneida county.- We understand that efforts will be made to establish a newspaper in New York, devoted to the spread of Unitarian Christianity, and also that Rev. Mr. Pierpont is in that city, with the hope of gathering a new Unitarian society.

New Unitarian Church.-On July 29, a second Unitarian church was dedicated at Roxbury. The building has cost upwards of 16,000 dollars. The sermon was delivered from Ezek. xlviii. 10, by Dr. Putnam, of Roxbury. The other portions of the service were undertaken by Rev. F. D. Huntington, of Boston, and Rev. N. Hall, of Dor chester. The preacher very emphatically dedicated the handsome new church as a Christian church. "This," he said, "should be a Christian temple in this respect that Christ is to be recognized as Master here. His life, death, resurrection, sufferings and ministry of love, are to be received as verities-his word as divine-his authority as conclusive in religion. This pulpit is not to be a sphere in which genius is to invent a religion, but it is to diffuse that which has come from heaven through Jesus Christ." Let

The Presbyterian Assemblies. - The triennial meetings of the General Assemblies of the Old-School and NewSchool Presbyterian Church recently held in Philadelphia were signalized by discussions of great interest and ability. In the latter body especially, the debate in regard to the action which the Assembly should take on the subject of Slavery, prolonged through several days, was one of the most remarkable ever held in America. Southern, Northern and Western men expressed themselves with the utmost freedom and strength of conviction, but in most cases without asperity. Some advocated the passage of strong anti-slavery resolutions; some defended slavery on moral and Scriptural grounds; some advised no action on the subject; and some were in favour of an explicit but moderate declaration of opinion, condemning slavery, but leaving any question of ecclesiastical censure which might arise out of its existence to the inferior judicatories. This last course was adopted by a large majority. In the Old-School Assembly, much time was spent in debating a proposal to brating the Lord's Supper, which was unite with the other Assembly in celerejected on the ground that it was contrary to usage to unite formally with any other ecclesiastical body in that service. * *It is mournful, in reading the reports of these meetings, to

observe with what deference the standards of the Church are adduced in argument, as being of at least equal authority with the Bible. - Christian Examiner.

President Everett.-The Christian Examiner for July, in an article on University Education, speaks of the appointment of Mr. Everett, and his acceptance of the office of President of Harvard University, as a circumstance of great good fortune to the University

and to the cause of science and liberal culture.-"No event could have been hailed throughout the land, by every friend of learning and of sound moral and intellectual education, and every lover of the truest glory of his country, with a more sincere and profound joy. Not a single discordant note, not a whisper of discontent at his elevation to the high post he now occupies, has been heard from any party, or, so far as we know, from any individual. All strife respecting the College, the sounds of which had been for months falling harshly on our ears, has suddenly ceased. All hearts have welcomed his coming to take the oversight and guidance of the oldest establishment for secular education on this Western continent.' He has brought his well-earned fame, all the stores of his rich and varied learning, all his valuable experience, and the powers of his vigorous intellect, yet in its prime, and like a dutiful son laid them at the feet of his venerable Alma-Mater, who, to adopt the language employed of the chief Magistrate of the commonwealth in the ceremony of investiture, had' adorned' him with her brightest honours, and bade' him 'go forth into the world.' Important as are the services he has already rendered to his country, at home and abroad, it is felt, we believe, universally that he has yet higher to render. For ourselves, we anticipate the noblest results from his administration of the affairs of the University."

GERMANY.

Gleanings regarding Ronge. The important movement of which Ronge is the head, makes steady progress in Germany, daily acquiring more consistency, strength and influence. It has now been in existence long enough to prove that it is no momentary effervescence. It has survived attacks and been invigorated by opposition. Internal dissensions have been composed, though we have seen indications of vacillation on the part of Czerski, which make us think that he is open to the influence of English gold, so active on the continent for effecting conversions to orthodoxy. Time and trial have occasioned reflection, and in general the leaders now better understand both their position and their work. If the freshness of a first enthusiasm has abated, its advantages have been succeeded by a greater harmony of feeling and a greater concentration of effort;

while the tendencies of the public mind are quietly but effectually working to spread and deepen the movement, and to lead to its recognition by the civil powers. Meanwhile there are fewer wonders to recount. In regard to immediate interest, the harvest has been gathered. Gleanings only can we hope to present from time to time to the acceptance of our readers.

Among the signs of deliberate action and systematic effort, we place the establishment of a monthly periodical (Monatsschrift von A. M. Müller), the 1st No. of which appeared on January 1 of the current year. The address to the reader thus speaks:-"As a purifying fire does the thought of evangelical freedom hasten through men's minds; at every point of the Catholic Church it sets in motion that process of purification which is in accordance with the spirit of the times. The necessity of a rational reform manifests itself in living facts. For the preservation, however, of the harmony of the reformatory movements, there is need of an organ whose historical progress may systematically follow the entire interests of the new Catholic Church in its inward and outward relations. We intend to put forth an authentic reporter of the important movements which are now taking place in the Catholic Church, with a view of preventing the danger of division and anarchy."

The work is intended to be a central organ of Catholic Reform, as it is now being wrought in different parts of the world; having for its object not merely to record what is achieved, but to gather up and communicate power, as well as to advise, moderate, guide and impel. Did we possess such a representative of the every-day's proceedings of the Reformation in the sixteenth century, it would be invaluable now, and at the time of its appearance would have greatly served the cause of Christian truth and liberty.

Among the contents of the work we can mention only one or two articles. In No. I., is a valuable and appropriate essay, bearing the title, "What is the Aim of the present Church Reform ?" According to this authority, "The authors of the Reform aim not to be sectaries or originators of division, but solely to promote the pure doctrine of the Gospel, the everlasting foundation of a true universal church. For this purpose it is indispensably necessary that the people should be awakened out of their slumbers."

In the February number is a Pastoral

Letter addressed to "the German Catholic Christians:" "a word full of light, power and love." "The unhappy conviction," it is here stated, "that the Roman Church is the only medium of salvation, has to bear the blame of all the abominations which orthodoxy has inflicted on persons thinking differently from itself. Only the highest spiritual imbecility can allow itself to fall into the chains of Rome. In the Vatican, people think as they formerly thought; they understand neither the relations nor the progress of the human mind, or rather they are ignorant of both."

The April number gives a paper, the object of which is to promote a general union of friends of religious reform both in the Protestant and the Catholic Church. Citing a remark of Jean Paul, that there is a higher toleration which is the fruit not of the peace of Westphalia nor any outward thing, but of a life elevated and refined by long experience, the writer, who is a Protestant, maintains that this toleration finds truth in every opinion, beauty in every kind of beauty, and in men, nations and books, abstains from regarding the diversity and individuality of excellence as its absence. Christian toleration, in the eyes of the writer, is the recognition of different forms of opinion, resting on a faith which lives in love and is altogether alien from any form of verbal doctrine. It recognizes that Christianity is not a complete system of religious opinion, but spirit and life-a new life which must take possession of the heart, and work for the furtherance of the kingdom of God. Union is a combination, on the ground of this toleration, of hitherto separated communities.

Union, we know, is a most praiseworthy aim, but, to be stable, it must be founded on clear and rational as well as recognized principles. Now the doctrine here laid down, if clear, is not rational, and if not rational can scarcely be clear; while so long as human nature and the New Testament remain our guides, it is not likely to be generally recognized. Toleration and union are two different things. We may be content to put up with error, because we cannot substitute truth. We may feel it our duty to hold our peace in regard to error. We are bound to practise universal charity and observe the laws of justice and honour, as much towards those who differ from, as those who think with

are of one mind. Union is properly oneness of mind. And until a unity of mind is produced, outward union is nugatory. Minds that are diversely affected, must go in diverse directions, and it is far better they should be allowed to take their natural course, without any effort to compel them to pursue the same path. Unity in diversity there may be, but it is a unity of love and good-will combined with diversity of action. This unity is founded on the conviction that there is good in every thing; but it is not guilty of the blunder that in consequence every thing is good. This paralogism is at the bottom of that religious indifference which in all ages has been either the cause or the consequence of religious disbelief.

We should therefore be sorry to see any attempt on the part of the friends of progress in Germany, to combine together on a basis such as this. They may all continue to love each other; to work on in faith, hope and charity; to make the most of their points of agreement; to unite whenever and for whatever object they honestly can; but unless they have renounced all positive belief, and hold that any one opinion is as true and as good as any other-that is, unless they have thrown off the authority of Christ, without taking any other guide, they cannot combine on the ground of an utter disregard to religious truth. Already some friends of the New Reformation have feared that they saw in Ronge tendencies towards negations which, if not changed, might end in nothing, to the grievous disappointment of some and the lasting injury of many. The Christian life cannot be sustained unless on Christian nutriment. The spirit of Christianity, without its body, has for

us no real existence and can exert no permanent influence. Much as we dislike a formal creed, we dislike equally the recognition of a system of indifference, in which every thing is equal because every thing is alike unimportant. By such means the world never was and never will be reformed.

The progress of the New Reformation is not to be measured by an appeal to numbers. While the movement is spreading in most civilized countries, Germany feels its influence in all parts. Among Protestants it has its supporters in the "Friends of Light," with Ulrich at their head; and Ronge takes the lead among Catholics. Independently of these and other definite facts, there prevails in all classes of society

and all communions a sympathy with the aims of the New Reformation, more or less decided in its character, which results partly from the influence of a regenerated theology, and partly from the ameliorated and softened spirit of the age. Numbers, however, are still some indication, and we therefore subjoin the latest "muster of the forces" that has come under our notice. "The German Catholic Church numbers 321 communities, of which the community at Berlin has 2250 souls; that at Brandenburg, 38; at Halle, 160; at Stettin, 140; at Halberstadt, 200; at Frankfort on the Oder, 390; at Spandau, 62; at NeuRuppin, 45; at Erfurt, 225; at Stolp, 45; at Potsdam, 390; at Magdeburg, 200; at Mühlhausen, 60; and at Kottbus, 30." Another account makes the number of churches to be 417. These are ministered to by 70 clergymen. From other sources we learn that at Königsberg the German Catholic Church numbers 500 souls, being about a third of the Catholic population of the town; at Danzig, 480 members, children not included; and at Posen, 600.

While every proper means are adopted for extending in the world the influence of the principles of the New Reformation, its chief men seem to regard it as their special duty at the present moment to take steps for consolidating the churches already gathered. Accordingly, questions of practical concernsuch as the forms to be observed in baptism and in the administration of the Lord's Supper-are receiving marked attention, and to all appearance with satisfactory results. Ronge himself is occupied with the preparation of a new Catechism, which is already nearly completed. We shall be disappointed if this work does not do something to answer the extravagant misrepresentation made in this country of his opinions, as if he were on the extreme verge of an anti-supernatural rationalism. We have lately seen a statement that three Scotchmen who are visiting the German Catholic churches with a view to ascertain their actual condition, have been pleasingly surprised at the tone of doctrine which they found prevalent. How far such feelings are likely to gain prevalence with those who maintain the old forms of orthodoxy, we cannot say, but we have an assurance that the New Reformation will give increasing satisfaction to the friends of primitive Christianity. There

is an obvious tendency visible in the churches towards more positive forms of opinion. We subjoin an extract from the Confession recently made in the church at Leipsic by three catechumens at their confirmation: "I believe in Jesus Christ, our Saviour, the Son of the Father, full of grace and truth, who as man lived, suffered and died. He is our purest and loftiest model, has freed us from spiritual bondage, raised us to the liberty of sons of God, has gone to the Father and received the highest dignity in the spiritual world; he is the only Mediator between God and men, and solely through him do we go to the Father. I solemnly promise to receive his doctrine as the word of God, to follow his example in word and deed, and, in imitation of him, so to do the Divine will, that I may be one with the Father, as he himself is one with the Father. I believe in a holy universal Christian church, which embraces all men that receive and follow the doctrine of Christ, and regards as dead members those only who are devoid of love. I recognize Christ alone as the Head of the Christian church, as the sole Shepherd and Bishop of souls, whose words stand higher than the commands of men or ecclesiastical decrees. I promise to remain true to the faith of the German Catholic Church, as a member of which I will, according to my ability, labour for the furtherance, in myself and my fellow-men, of the kingdom of God; diligently employing the means provided for my improvement and elevation, so that I may make progress in truth and virtue, and, banishing all hate against those who hold different opinions from my own, live in peace and love with all men."

DOMESTIC.

Carmarthen Presbyterian College. The annual examination at Carmarthen College took place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the 23rd, 24th and 25th of June. The College was thrown open to the public. Many eminent Dissenting ministers of the neighbourhood were present, and expressed great satisfaction with the proceedings.

The Rev. D. Davison, M. A., of London, and the Rev. W. Davies, Ph. D., of Froodvale, were the examiners.

The students of the first (senior) class were examined viva voce by Mr. Davison in the Prometheus Vinctus of

Eschylus, Demosthenes on the Crown, and the Epistles and Ars Poetica of Horace. They had also read during the session the 5th and 6th Books of the Iliad of Homer, the Lælius, Cato Major and Somnium Scipionis of Cicero. They were then examined by Dr. Davies in the Hebrew and Chaldee texts of the Old Testament, and in the Greek text of the New Testament in Paul's Epistles; in Natural Philosophy, embracing Dynamics, Mechanics, Hydrostatics and Optics; in Latin Composition and the Evidences of Christianity. Much of the time of this class had been devoted to the composition of sermons and essays.

The students of the second senior class were then examined viva voce by Mr. Davison in the Medea of Euripides and the Memorabilia of Xenophon. They had also read during the session the Agricola and Germania of Tacitus and the Satires of Horace. Dr. Davies then examined them in Hebrew, viz. the first 11 Psalms and the History of Joseph; in Conic Sections and Quadratic Equations; Ecclesiastical History. This class had paid much attention to the structure of the English Language and Scripture History, as had the first and second junior classes, who were examined viva voce in portions of Homer, Xenophon, Horace, Virgil and Sallust; and by Dr. Davies, who conducted his examination by written questions, in the first 6 books of Euclid, Plane Trigonometry, and the elements of Algebra, including Simple Equations. They had read during the session Whately's Logic and Rhetoric, and English History, as required by the London University for matricula

tion.

On Thursday morning, after a sermon had been delivered by Mr. T. Thomas, senior student, Mr. Davison proceeded to distribute the prizes to the successful competitors; but before doing so, he made the following remarks. The examinations as a whole had been compared, and were found to be very satisfactory: before he distributed the prizes, he would let them know where the books for distribution came from. They were the gift of a gentleman who was formerly a student in that College, Mr. Lewis Loyd; he took great interest in that institution and in every thing pertaining to the welfare of his native country; he was desirous of promoting education, and he looked upon that institution as a great means of diffusing useful knowledge through

out the country, and regarded them as so many missionaries to carry that object into effect. Not that it was intended to lay any bond on them to continue ministers or schoolmasters; for if, after mature consideration, they found it inconsistent with their feelings to follow those professions, and saw reason to repent of the course they had adopted, it was wise in them to discontinue following those professions, and to take to other pursuits more congenial to their inclinations. He should consider it no reproach to any young man if, after receiving his education at that academy, he should find it inconsistent with his feelings to continue in that profession: if he found he had no heart or zeal in the sacred cause, it would be far preferable for him not to be a minister. There could not be a greater mistake than to follow the ministry merely for the purpose of getting their daily bread; it was infinitely better to work six days by the sweat of their brows, than to enter the ministry for the sole purpose, perhaps, of occupying a higher station in society or more honourable position. It was the duty of every student, when he found his habits not consonant with the sacred duties of the ministry, to retire; it was the duty of older ministers, if they saw any thing tending to that point, to advise those persons to leave their profession; and he would do every thing in his power to prevent such persons from entering the ministry. It was for the interest of all that men should not assume a character inconsistent with their feelings. These remarks did not apply to any then present. He was happy to learn from the tutors that the demeanour of the students was exceedingly good, and that the discipline of the College was as perfect as it well could be. The selection of the prizes was entrusted to him, and he had endeavoured to select those which were the most useful and appropriate. The prizes and education they received they should consider were a trust committed to them, not for themselves alone, but for the good of the public at large. Each should regard himself as a missionary sent forth to extend and cultivate useful knowledge among his brethren. He was glad to learn from the tutors that the students had felt it an honourable distinction to obtain a prize, and that it stimulated them to greater exertions. After some further observations more especially applicable to the students, Mr. Davi