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ceive. This is using great plainness of speech, I am sensible. Let Mr. Lathrop make his defence, and exonerate himself if he be able. It would be satisfactory to me to have him produce convincing proof, that his words were spoken in sincerity, though every man of reading knows they were untrue.Does Mr. Lathrop mean to be understood that even Mr. WINCHESTER, Dr. CHAUNCEY, Dr. HUNTINGTON, and DAN FOSTER, were ignorant and unlearned men? Here is work enough for charity and forbearance. The former was pronounced a man of talents, candor, and learning, by the London Criti cal Reviewers; and the three last were divines of liberal education, and undisputed abilities and information. Look at the writings of those authors, and then judge. Has Mr. Lathrop ever examined those authors? If he had, he would know better than to impose his groundless statements on a christian audience. If he has read them, and yet persists in his declarations, he is without excuse. But if these are acknowledged to give him the refutation, what will you say, when I name, Petitpierre, Cleyne, Simpson, Scarlett, Tillotson, Stonehouse, Whiston, Chevalier Ramsay, the scientific Priestley, Newton, Hartly, Bur-` net, Rust, More? Men of the first talents and erudition, and whose names will live in future generations, when Mr. Lathrop and the writer, have long since flown off, on wings oblivious. Or, if you please, go back to the fathers of the church, Origen, Tertullian, Romanus and Clemens. To assert, that none but ignorant and unlearned men have denied the eternity of hell torments, is not only abusive of the living, but ignorant or sacrilegious trampling on the ashes of the worthy dead! Further remarks are reserved for the next number, in which brief notice will be taken of the texts Mr. Lathrop quoted to prove endless misery. RUSSELL STREETER.

On the nature of Punishment.

Punishment, as an act of the Supreme Being, must be the effect of some design. As he can have no other design but that which is good, so it seems difficult to conceive, that he can have any other object in punishment.

Various are the names, used to define the nature of punishment. As a proportionate reward for iniquity, it is sometimes called retributive justice. As given in prescribed rules, it is said to be the penalty of the law. As designed for amendment, it is called disciplinary. In communities, we sometimes find, that punishments which are designed for good, cannot always be for the good of the sufferers, but for the general benefit of the communities. In cases of executions, it gives the sufferers no opportunity for amendment; or, at least, as it respects this life, except what they gather by reflection, before their punishment takes place. But such punishment is justified only by the weakness of human authority; for where the criminal cannot be reformed, for the preservation of society, he must be set aside.

It is easily seen that all disciplinary punishments, are directly for the good of the sufferers. It is, therefore, a question to which we would now attend, whether all punishment by the hand of God may be considered disciplinary. No one can suppose this to be true of interminable misery. But as it is possible for a punishment to be for the good of others, that is not disciplinary, as in cases of executions, already mentioned, the inquiry remains, what good design there can be in the infliction of endless misery? The writer thinks, that it is only on the Hopkinsian ground, that any consider the future endless misery of the wicked for the general good of the whole of mankind, which they understand to be in a collective sense. On this idea, therefore, let us employ an argument.

[To be continued.]

Proceedings of the Southern Association.

The Southern Association of Universalists met at the house of Rev. Joshua Flagg, in Scituate, Mass. on Wednesday the 14th of June, 1820.

1. Chose Br. HOSEA BALLOU, Moderator. 2. Chose Br. JOSHUA FLAGG, Clerk. The order of public services was as follows: MORNING SERVICE.

Br. Hosea Ballou, the Introductory Prayer. Br. Richard Carrique, the Sermon, from Eph. i. 9, 10, "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him." Concluding Prayer, by Br. David Pickering.

AFTERNOON SERVICE.

Br. David Pickering, the Introductory Prayer. Br. Paul Dean, the Sermon, from Acts xi. 13, 14, “And he shewed unto us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter, who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved." Br. Richard Carrique, the Concluding Prayer.

THIRD SERVICE.

Br. Richard Carrique, the Introductory Prayer. Br. Hosea Ballou, the Sermon, from 1 Thess. iii. 10. "And might perfect that which is lacking in your faith." Br. David Pickering, the Concluding Prayer.

The Southern Association was adjourned, to meet at Attleborough, Mass. the second Wednesday in December next.

A very large congregation attended the services, and gave great evidence of a very deep interest in the word of doctrine which was delivered.

We are happy to inform our friends in different parts, that the Society in Scituate has recently received many additions from adjoining towns, and appears to be in a flourishing condition.

Installation. T

On Wednesday last, (August 9, 1820) the Rev. BARZILIA STREETER was installed as pastor of the First Universalist Church and Society in Salem, Ms. The public solemnities were as follows:

er.

Br. Hosea Ballou of Boston, the Introductory Pray

Br. Sebastian Streeter, of Portsmouth, the Sermon, from 1 Tim. iv. 12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example to believers, in word,' in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Br. Edward Turner, of Charlestown, the Consecrating Prayer. Br. Hosea Ballou, the Delivery of the Scriptures and Charge. Br. Edward Turner, the Right Hand of Fellowship. Br. Thomas Jones, of Gloucester,the Concluding Prayer.-Univ. Magasine.

Obituary.

Departed this life in Randolph, Vt. the 5th of July last, Br. JOHN Goss, aged 71.

Br. Goss adds one to the number of believers in the salvation of all men, who left this world, strong in the faith in which he lived. He lived a christian,and he died a christian. Virtue, sobriety, and benevolence, were the characteristics of his life; faith in the Redeemer, hope in his mercy, and joy in his embraces, were the sweet consolations of his expiring moments. Retaining his senses to the last, he devoutly and vocally commended his spirit to his Maker, in supplication and prayer. Some thought he was too

good a man to die a Universalist, and were sorely grieved that he should bear such love and zeal in an hour that tries the souls of men. But let us remember, "The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : but the way of the ungodly shall perish."

The End of the Year.

Composed the evening of the 31st of December, 1818, just before retiring to rest.

Behold, another year is past,
And yet my life is spar'd;
To future periods still I haste,
As in the past have far'd.

O, let experience, Lord, improve
To teach me what is right;
As taught by wisdom and thy love,
Obey with all my might.

If I another year should live,
Wilt thou my helper be?
If not, O Lord, I freely give
Myself and all to Thee.

Gloom of Autumn.

SECOND PART.

Soaring like an angel flying,
She ascends the azure blue,
To her Savior, who's inviting
Her his glory to pursue;
Saints and angels there adoring,
In prostration low they bend,
In seraphic pleasure glowing,
Welcome their dear sister friend;

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