a few persons were requested to attend. At the first meeting a committee was chosen to form a constitution, and the meeting was adjourned to the 28th of the same month, to be held at Chauncey Place, immediately after the Thursday Lecture; at which time the committee reported a constitution. This was read, discussed, adopted and subscribed, by a considerable number of persons.

The choice of officers

was postponed to January 11, 1816, in the hope that the number of subscri bers would be increased. The numbers of subscribers has indeed been increasing, and some of the officers have been chosen, but the list is not completed. We shall therefore defer giving the names of the officers to a future Number. But we have the pleasure of stating that in the list of subscribers may be seen the names of the Governor of Massachusetts, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the President and several of the Professors of Harvard University, twenty ministers of the gospel, and a considerable number of respectable laymen.

This may surely be considered as an auspicious beginning; it is the Lord's duings, and to him be all the praise.

Extracts of a letter from a Friend, to the author of the "Friend of Peace."

"THE Friend of Peace, 3d No. came very opportunely, as leisure, and a state of mind favorable to its perusal combined; and it has been attentively and deliberately read. It must do good to hold up to view such a picture of the horrors, and of the miseries of war. Secret conviction, that war is unlawful for a Christian,' if not an open avowal of the doctrine, I hope will be the happy fruit of thy labors in many minds. But while we entertain such hope, let it be remembered, that we ought not to look for our reward in the fruit or effects of labor, but in the consciousness that we 'have done what we could' 'Paul may plant, and Apollos, water, but it is God who gives the increase'-and he may give that increase where Paul

and Apollo, may never see, or come to the knowledge of it.

"I was particularly pleased that an attempt was made to guard persons from hasty and rash judgments of the characters of men, without regard to the time in which they lived. There is room for further views on this subject, and views that inculcate the tenderest feeling and charity for one another, on every subject in which conscience is concerned. Indeed I should like to see in some of thy future Numbers a lucid explanation of conscience itself;without understanding what it is, I think Christians are liable to great error in judging of themselves or others.

"With respect to the subject thou hast delicately touched, ought we not to remember, that the full display of the gospel dispensation is not opened to any man at once?-Who can read of the simple and childlike obedience of the apostles, and the heavenly condescension of Christ Jesus, even to their prejudices, without believing tender compassion ought to be in our hearts toward all who have not seen as we see? Only consider his blessed cundescension. "I have many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now,' and surely our eyes would be opened to see, that many Christians may be faithful and sincere as far as

they have seen, who nevertheless have many things to learn in his school;ves, even to learn that they are not to resist evil.' How senseless then, and how fraught with evil is that blind zeal that condemns all who differ from themselves upon doctrines!

"With these sentiments, thou canst believe, my friend, that I can sit down in my worship, in the persuasion, 'that what is to be known of God is manifest in man.' That Christ has come to teach his people himself, that he is with his disciples to the end of the world that he is not far from every one of us, and that he is worshipped in spirit and in truth, without feeling any heart-burnings, or jealousy, or dispo sition to condemn those that have not the same understanding of his coming, his service, or his worship.

"Much of the difference in our com

trious, never thinking his proper business a burden, and punctual in fulfilling engagements. He maintained a cheerful serenity of mind; not elated by prosperity nor dispirited by adversity: was contented and patient, a stranger to envy, and free from a worldly spirit; looking habitually to his final destination.

His

With such qualities, as would be supposed, he entered into the spirit of his sacred office, and discharged its various functions with fidelity and affection. His views of Christianity in the beginning of his ministry had the Calvinistic tincture, which his education would naturally produce. further inquiries led him to think what is peculiar and distinctive in the statements of doctrine by that sect erroneous, and to vary accordingly the tenor of his instructions. But he was afraid to use the pulpit, as though it were designed to be a "mint of controversies." He considered the sanctifying and consol. ing influence of Christianity, as depending on a few simple and plain, but grand, fruitful, and affecting truths and motives. These he aimed to display and enforce, not coveting a precision of sentiment and exactness in theological language, which may serve to give a reputation for ingenuity and depth, or to excite or gratify a party spirit, but not to make men wiser or better.

Dr. Lathrop was a zealous champion of Christian and protestant liber. ty, and a catholic spirit. The judging, imposing temper and separating schemes, so often prevailing among Christians, would lead one to suppose that men thought Christianity was de signed to give them a ground of selfexaltation; to encourage our propensity to think very highly of ourselves and contemptuously of our neighbours, and allow us to make a principle of our selfish passions. There seems to be no remedy for this deep disease, but the conversion of all good men to one opinion, or agreeing to differ. As unity of speculations and dogmas is not to be expected, it is wise to cultivate unity of affections and views. Catholicism, however, is not indif erence. It is founded on principles

which purport to unite the interests of truth and charity. It maintains that, revelation being designed for all class es of persons, the doctrines universally essential to be believed must be plain; that it is the first and indispensable duty of every one to follow the light he has, and seek for more; that virtue, holiness, is final in Christianity; that saving faith depends not on the number or extent of the doctrines believed, but on the disposition of the mind to the light presented, and that an honest mind cannot fatally err. These and other maxims of the catholic sect received the cordial assent of Dr. Lathrop, being consonant alike to his judgment and temper. In the delivery of his discourses, he was earnest and affectionate-in prayer, fervent and solemn. In the private duties of the pastoral office, he was exemplary and engaging-the counsellor, the comforter and friend of his people.

Dr. Lathrop loved his country with ardor, and thought it is duty in his pulpit discourses, to notice interesting events, and give the counsels which the aspect of the times seemed to require. He was a patron of all our most valued institutions, and an associate in their labors and cares. In 1784 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the university of Edinburgh. He was Librarian and one of the Counsellors of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences-one of the Trustees of the Humane Society-President of the Massachusetts Congrega. tional Charitable Society-Vice Pres ident of the Bible Society; and of the Society for propagating the Gospel in North America. From the year 1778, he was one of the Corporation of Harvard University, and for many years Secretary of the Board of Overseers. He took peculiar pleasure in the duties arising from this Academic relation; though they were sometimes rendered arduous by peculiar circum

stances.

With some heavy afflictions, Dr. Lathrop enjoyed much prosperity. He outlived the friends of his early years, but the proofs he received of attachment and respect from those interment.

who came in their places, abated the sense of their loss. He was favored in his end. After a short, though painful illness, in the full possesion of his mind, he sunk to rest. He was enabled to meet death without dismay, and to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

On the 9th instant, after a service suited to the occasion, in which prayers were offered by the President of the College and Rev. Mr. Channing, and an affectionate and just tribute paid to the memory of the deceased by Rev. Francis Parkman, minister of the church connected with that of Dr. Lathrop, his remains were carried to the grave, attended by a numerous concourse of friends and fellow citi zens, who joined in testifying their regret for the loss of a character so long known to the community, and so generally esteemed.

From the loss of such persons, let us learn what are true principles for the conduct of life. By proper meditations on the removal of the good, may survivors be excited to such usefulness as may tend to repair the breaches made by death.*

Hibernian Sunday School Society.

A GENTLEMAN from the neighbor, hood of Castle Blaney, in the county of Antrim, gives the following very interesting account:-"A little boy, one

of our scholars, became so impressed,

as never to go to bed without saying his prayers. One evening, while he was doing so, his father, a very profligate man, came home, and, as usual, began to curse and swear, and abuse

his wife and family. In the midst of his rage he overheard this child, who was only separated from him by a low mud partition, praying aloud, that 'God would have mercy on, and pardon his wicked father.' The effect was astonishing; his heart was struck; he crept to the bed side, and there with 'a broken and contrite heart,' joined in supplicating that God would be merciful to him, a sinner Such a prayer was never yet rejected at the throne of grace: a Saviour was presented to his view, able and willing to save to the uttermost. He is now a perfectly reformed, correct, industrious character, and his wife and other children are partakers with him of 'like precious faith;' and thus a family, in which comfort was before unknown, and who were a proverb in the country for wickedness, are now patterns of sobriety, industry, and cleanliness to the neighborhood. May we not exclaim then, "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings the Lord hath perfected praise;" and should not such blessed effects animate the friends of religion, and of their country's welfare and good order, to further the objects of such institutions. We are happy to be enabled to state, that numerous additional Sunday schools have been lately formed, and are now forming in various parts of Ireland. Evang. Mag.

Report of the Trustees of the Evangelical Missionary Society.

THE Trustees refer to their Report published in April, 1812, for the state of the Society at that time.

The pleasing events, which were then in prospect, have through the Divine blessing, since taken place-The town of Ellsworth, and the Plantations of Jackson and Washington, in the County of Hancock and the District of Maine, encouraged by your benefactions, ripened measures for the ordination of the gentlemen as their ministers, who for years had been among them as preachers of the gospel. At the earnest solicitation of those societies, and of the pastors elect, three of the Trustees, the Executive Cmmittee, made a journey in the autumn of that year, and, in compliance with the votes of their respective churches, assisted in gathering a church and ordaining the Rev. Peter Nurse at Ellsworth, and ordaining the Rev. Silas Warren at Jackson. They received the warmest expression of gratitude from the people of Ellsworth for the aid afforded them. Although this people have manifested a disposition to contribute to the utmost of their ability to the maintenance of the public institutions of the Gospel, yet they are fully persuaded, that without assistance they. could not have retained among them the man, to whose person and ministrations they are greatly attached. But thus assisted, a church gathered, and a minister ordained, that people have a fair prospect of continued peace and harmony, and are encouraged with the hope, that the labors of their minister will be attended with increasing usefulness. The birth of a church, the society will hail as a renewed evidence of the success of their humble endeavours in the Christian cause, and bless God for his benediction upon their measures.

The plantations of Jackson and Washington are new and small, but are continually increasing in numbers; and by your bounty, and the benevolent agency of others, they have been enabled to maintain the public ministrations of the gospel; and these are silently and gradually producing their desired effects.-The divisions which in new settlements too often arise from the preaching of ignorant itinerants are subsiding; and under the faithful and prudent services of Mr. Warren,

your Committee found that the Congregational Society was gradually gaining order, strength, and stability. The expressions of delight from this people, at the prospect of having the Christian ordinances statedly administered among them, were repeated and ardent; they receive your donation with gratitude, and earnestly entreat its continuance, that the temporary engagement with their minister may be followed by his permanent establishment among them.

In 1813, the Rev. Mr. Keith, of whose qualifications the Trustees had ample testimonials, was employed to perform missionary services ten Sabbaths in the town of Dixmont, Maine. He was received by numbers with attention and respect; but on account of great divisions, as we learn from a respectable inhabitant, an asso ciation could not there be formed of sufficient importance to contribute in any proportion to the support of a preacher of the Gospel; the Trustees were therefore discouraged in their attempt to give that people aid.

That the Society might not be wholly destitute of means, should the annual contribution of its members occasionally fail, the Treasurer has been directed to put one thousand dollars at interest as an accumulating fund.

The Trustees having been fully confirmed by experience in the opinion, that by bestowing their charitable aid upon particular churches and societies, they should more effectually promote the objects of the institution, than by allowing their missionaries to traverse an unlimited extent of territory, and in the apprehension that the war might press with peculiar weight upon the eastern section of our Commonwealth, in 1813 and 1814, they made the support of the Rev. Messrs. Nurse and Warren a primary object; and they directed that the surplus of appropriation in those years should be expended in schools-a part in Jackson and Washington, under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Warren; and part in the neighbourhood of Ellsworth, but not within the town under the inspection of the Rev. Mr. Nurse, whose agency in transactions of this nature was fully approved.