Br. Hubbard H. Winchester, now a preacher of our connection, has lately been excommunicated from the Congregational Church in Marlborough, Vermont, for disbelieving endless punishment, and preaching universal salvation.

The celebrated Hindoo philosopher and theologian, Rammohun Roy, who recently became converted to Christianity, contemplates a visit to the United States. In a letter to a gentleman in Baltimore, dated Calcutta, Oct. 9, 1822, he states, that he shall probably be in this country in the course of the next year. Rammohun Roy is a native of Bengal, and by his writings in the English, and several of the Eastern languages, has proved himself to be one of the most learned and remarkable men of the present age. Baltimore Patriot.

Swearing-St. Chrysostom proposes a singular method to facilitate the leaving off of this practice of customary swearing. "Wouldst thou know," says the father, "by what means thou mayest get rid of this wicked custom of swearing, I'll tell thee a way, which, if thou wilt take, will certainly prove successful. Every time whenever thou shalt find thyself to have let slip an oath, punish thyself for it by missing the next meal. Such a course as this, tho troublesome to the flesh, will be profitable to the spirit; and cause a quick amendment; for the tongue will need no other monitor to make it take heed of swearing another time if it hath been thus punished with hunger and thirst for its former transgression, and knows it shall be so punished again if ever it commits the like crime hereafter."-Register.

Proposals have been issued at Little Falls, N. Y. for publishing a paper, entitled "THE GOSPEL INQUIRER, "devoted to the dissemination of the doctrine of Universal Salvation. To be published semi-monthly at one dollar per annum.-Gos. Adv.

Br. Edward Turner of Charlestown, Mass. has issued proposals for publishing a small periodical work, at 75 cents per annum. Further particulars concerning this contemplated work we are not able to to give, by reason of the subscription paper received, being mislaid.

DEDICATION AND INSTALLATION.

The new and elegantly finished Meeting-House, erected for the Central Society of Universalists at the corner of Bulfinch-Street and Bulfinch-Place, was on Wednesday last dedicated to the service of the Most High. Service as follows: viz. Lessons from the Scriptures; Introductory Prayer by Rev. Mr. Streeter of Portsmouth; Dedicatory Prayer by Rev. Mr. Mitchell of New-York; Dedicatory Address by Rev. Mr. Dean; Concluding Prayer by Rev. Mr. Winchester of Vermont; Benediction by Rev. Mr. Dean.

In the afternoon, the Rev. Paul Dean was installed Pastor over the Society hereafter to worship in this house, incorporated as the Central Society of Universalists in Boston. Exercises as follows: viz. Lessons from the Scriptures; Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Streeter of Salen; Installation Sermon by Rev. Mr. Mitchell of New-York; Installation Prayer by Rev. Mr. Streeter of Portsmouth; Delivery of the Scriptures and Address to the Society, by Rev. Mr. Turner of Charlestown; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Mr. Streeter of Portsmouth; Concluding Prayer by the same; and Benediction by Rev. Mr Dean.

The exercises throughout the day were appropriate, and marked with religious solemnity. The installation sermon by Rev. Mr. Mitchell, was an able and argumentative discourse, and delivered in that style. of energetic eloquence for which the speaker is particularly distinguished. Several select pieces of music were performed by the choir between the various exercises, in a masterly style.-Boston paper.

OBITUARY,

Died in Barre, May 14, Col. BENJAMIN WALKER, aged 72, a veteran of the Revolution, distinguished for his services in public life, and endeared to his friends by his virtues in the domestic circle.

In Bridgewater, May 11, Capt. BENONI SHAW, Jr. aged 28 years. Mr. Shaw was much respected, beloved as a friend, and as a christian he was an animated example of piety and devotion.

ON THE DEATH OF MR. U. S.

Relentless death, whose appetite doth rage,
And, for his victim, marks both youth and age,
Upon an only son has laid his hand ;--

No skill nor physic could his claim withstand,
But from the dear companion of his bed,
Has snatch'd a husband, yea her help and head.
No soothing care, nor medicine could save
Her helpmate from the coffin and the grave.
Almost without a warning was the blow,
With scarce a struggle, did he seem to go.
Scarce was disease upon his body laid,
When from this life his exit he had made;
His helpless offspring have a father lost;
He's left this world for Canaan's blessed coast.
And tho his wife in tears her eyes may steep;
Tho friends may mourn and sonless parents weep;
Yet we may hope in heaven he finds his rest
Among the spirits of the truly blest.

Tho here on earth they mourning may sojourn,
And bathe with tears their son and husband's urn,
The time shall come when they once more shall meet.
And death no more their union separate.
When every creature of the human race,
Shall join in one to sing redeeming grace,
This family shall with the concert join,
And sing the universal song divine.
When death shall cease to hold despotic sway,
And life eternal brings in endless day ;-
When sin and misery wholly disappear,
And every one in righteousness shall share,
From every eye the tear shall cease to flow,
And every heart the love of God shall know.

J. J.

No. 2.

AUGUST, 1823.

SERMON, NO. XI.

Vol. IV.

1 Cor. ix. 26.-I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air,

It is one of the excellencies of the Christian revelation, that its most sublime truths are capable of being reduced to a level with every man's understanding. This we might expect in a system in whose truths all are interested, and which is designed to promote the welfare of the rich and poor, the wise and the ignorant, the learned and unlearned, in a word, of all mankind. To attain this end, figures of speech are employed, to illustrate important truths; and allusions to ancient practices and customs are frequently made by the inspired writers, to enforce their doctrines and impress a sense of the duties arising from a belief of them, upon the hearts of their readers. Of this method of instruction, the text is an example.

In those ages in which ancient Greece was in her highest glory, she instituted the Olympic games, which were celebrated every fourth year, with great parade and splendor. Those who were admitted as candidates for the honors bestowed upon the worthy, prepared themselves for their exercises by rules, and modes of living that were supposed to be useful in promoting strength and vigor of body; and when they had undergone the necessary preparation, and had divested themselves of every incumbrance to their persons, and laid aside "every weight" that could impede their progress, or diminish the force and action of any physical power, they fought, wrestled, and ran; and he that was victorious, when the exercise had ended, and was declared by the judges to have conformed to the laws and rules of the games, was crowned, and received the plaudits of the whole assembly. This is a brief history of those transactions, a knowledge of which is necessary to an understand

ing of much of the epistolary part of the New-Testament, in which there are frequent allusions to these combats. Thus in the text, and the associated passages, Paul alludes to these things, in his description of the Christian life. "Know ye not, that they who run in a race, run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly, so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.”

First, The life which the Christian is required to live is represented in the Scriptures by various similitudes; it is called a race, a battle, and sometimes a wrestling; but in every instance it supposes a prize to be obtained by him who is victorious; and this prize is to be received when the race is ended, or the battle fought. I consider this subject of sufficient importance, to justify the utmost plainness of speech; that if I am correct in my views, my observations may have the deeper impression, and if incorrect, I may lay myself open to more just and consistent views. We are inclined to believe that we have a present reward in the virtuous deeds which we perform here, and that this reward is amply sufficient to cover all the sacrifices that are necessarily made in pursuing a virtuous course. To prove this, we adduce the testimony of scripture, "in keeping the commandments is great reward." It will be found difficult to prove that this is not, at least, partially true; nor have we any desire to prove to the contrary. But does it necessarily follow, that because we have a present reward in acts of virtue and religion, that there is nothing in reversion, which the virtuous and faithful servant of Christ will receive when his race is completed, and which even now, he holds in prospect, and with reference to which he acts, and which has great influence in stimulating him to activity, faithfulness, and perseverance in his course? Does it necessarily follow, that because I receive a present