letters to laymen in different parts of our land, who are themselves Unitarians, but who reside in places where there are no Unitarian societies. The objects of this correspondence have been to cheer such individuals in their loneliness, to unite them more closely with ourselves in the bonds of religious sympathy, and to learn from them the state of opinions around them upon the subject of religion, and the degree to which indifference and scepticism prevail. In the answers which have been received to this class of letters, there has been manifested the earnest longings which some individuals, in such situations, have for the unmolested enjoyment of Christianity in its purity, and their grateful sense of any manifestation of interest on the part. of those who are in more favored circumstances than themselves. Besides, from men who are in the midst of those who differ from us in opinion, and who mingle freely with their fellow-men in the ways of business, much may be learned in regard to the real objections which are urged against our opinions, and the kind of effort necessary to interest the great mass of the community in the truth as it is in Jesus. Intercourse of this kind is capable of indefinite extension. There is scarcely any part of our land, in which there may not be found men of the class alluded to, with whom it may be of the utmost importance to hold free communion, both to their own religious improvement, and to the spread of what we regard as the truth. And then, too, this correspondence may be the means of increasing the circulation of our periodical publications, as in this way, they may, without impropriety, be introduced to the notice of those before unacquainted with them. And, finally, it may be the means of intro

ducing the living preachers of our faith into different parts of the land, and to those who will receive them with open arms, and rejoice in their ministrations. No one can doubt the great importance and advantage of enlarging and carefully cultivating this division of the correspondence.

4. The fourth division embraces the foreign correspondence of the office. This has heretofore been conducted by the Foreign Secretary; and amid the multiplicity of other objects, it has received but a small share of attention. An answer to one communication, from a friend in England, giving an account of the state of Unitarianism in that and neighboring countries, has already been laid before the public. Letters have been sent to others, and especially to the Foreign Secretary of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. But answers to these letters have not as yet been received. This interchange of thoughts and feelings between ourselves and our brethren in other lands, it is conceived is of the utmost importance. We are engaged in the same struggle with them, the struggle for the right of individual independence in matters of religious opinion. We are engaged as we trust in the same struggle with them for the subversion of error and sin, and the establishment of truth and holiness. It is right then, that we should strive to cheer each other's hearts, and strengthen each other's hands. And then, too, those who differ from us have endeavored to dishearten our friends in Europe by discouraging accounts of our condition in this land, and to dishearten our friends in this land by discouraging accounts of the condition and prospects of our cause in Europe. This renders it doubly important that we should endeavor to cultivate an ac

quaintance, and to keep up a frequent correspondence with those in other lands who have embraced similar religious sentiments with ourselves.

5. A fifth division of the correspondence of the office has been with members of different religious denominations. One object of this correspondence has been to ascertain, if possible, the precise points in which we agree in sentiment, and the amount and character of our differences of opinion. Another object has been to bring about, not an amalgamation of sects, but a more kindly state of feeling among different Christian denominations. It is thought that much good may be accomplished by this kind of correspondence aiming at the objects specified. For it is believed, that if Christians of different denominations, instead of keeping aloof from each other, and discussing their differences of opinion, will come together and define these differences until they understand each other's use of language, they will not find themselves so essentially at variance as they had supposed. And then, too, it was thought important, that since different denominations cannot agree with each other in speculation, they should cherish the unity of spirit, and preserve with each other the bond of peace. It is believed that, with prudence and discretion, a correspondence of this kind may be opened with members of all the principal denominations in our land, not only with those who most nearly agree with us in opinion, but with those who most widely differ from us, and that if conducted in the right spirit, it may be productive of Gospel peace and harmony.

6. The sixth and last division of the correspondence of the office and that which has been the most extensive during the past year, has been on mere matters of busi

ness, relating to the supply of pulpits, and to a vast variety of other topics. In regard to the whole subject of correspondence, one remark should be made. There has been generally manifested in the letters received, a respect for the Association, a promptness in imparting information, and a perfect readiness in offering suggestions as to the wants of the community, and the best means of supplying them.

In the discharge of the second division of his duties, the General Secretary has gone forth in two different and distinct capacities, simply as a Christian Minister, and as an Agent of the Association.

1. In the first place, he has gone forth simply as a Christian Minister to visit and preach to feeble societies. In these visits it has been his endeavor, by ascertaining and adapting himself to the peculiar circumstances of the place which he visited, to advance the cause of vital religion. If the spirit manifested in any particular place has seemed to him to be a truly devout and Christian spirit, he has endeavored to cherish and increase it. If there has been manifested a spirit simply of opposition to other denominations, he has endeavored by every means of influence which he possessed, to check and restrain it. If there has appeared to be indifference to religion, and an unwillingness to support its institutions, he has either spoken directly upon the importance of religious institutions, and urged the obligations of every real Christian and every true patriot to support them, or else he has endeavored to excite and deepen a feeling of interest in religion itself, by plain, direct and affectionate appeals to men's hearts and consciences. As his visits of this kind have been confined to New England and to societies al

ready organized as Unitarian societies, he has felt himself called upon in but few cases to enter upon controversy. He has endeavored to present explicit statements of doctrines, but has dwelt principally upon the great practical principles of the Gospel.

In his advice to feeble societies he has discouraged reliance upon assistance from abroad, and has urged to greater efforts and greater sacrifices on the part of these feeble societies themselves, for the support of religious institutions. In cases where feeble societies have been situated near each other, he has suggested the expediency of acting in concert, and employing one preacher for both societies, each enjoying his services in proportion to the amount respectively contributed for his support. In these visits he has uniformly been received with kindness.

2. In the second place, the General Secretary has gone forth as the Agent of the American Unitarian Association, to advocate its claims upon the affections and the patronage of Unitarian Christians, and to strengthen Associations already in existence, or revive or form new ones where there were none. He has, during the year, visited thirty different Unitarian parishes in this capacity. In most of these parishes there were auxiliaries already formed. These have been made more fully acquainted with the principles on which the American Unitarian Association is based, the objects it proposes to accomplish, and the means by which it aims to accomplish them. They have been urged to greater and more persevering exertions, and have been cheered and encouraged in their efforts. In some places the subject has

been laid before the people, and no final action has been

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