subject, the society languished and did little for some years; but it has been since revived, advocated the principle of entire abstinence, and is now doing its full part, we believe.

THE AMERICAN TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, whose Report is before us, was formed in January, 1826, in Boston. In the Address to the public made by their first Executive Committee, of which Dr Woods, of Andover, appears to have been chairman, we find the best resolution we have yet seen as the foundation of temperance societies, being wholly unexceptionable and yet sufficient. They say they have 'resolved, in the strength of the Lord, and with a view to the account which they must render to him for the influence they exert in the world, to make a vigorous, united, and persevering effort to produce a change of public sentiment and practice with regard to the use of intoxicating liquors.' Why is not such a form a sufficient pledge for all purposes? And would it not gain to the cause many good men, who hesitate to put their name to the more common forms?

Much as has been said of the magnitude of the evil of intemperance, none who have not looked very carefully into the subject can have any just idea of it. An array of figures seems to have little effect, and yet figures in the form of facts are stubborn things. It has been asserted again and again for several years, and never denied, that a moderate estimate of the quantity of ardent spirits consumed in the United States is that which places it at sixty million gallons annually, at an expense of 30 million dollars, and occasioning directly three fourths of the whole amount of pauperism, crime and misery. Any one who can look upon this single statement unmoved, must be either above or below the appeal of humanity, patriotism and religion. The number of lives annually destroyed by the vice, in our own country, is thought to be more than thirty thousand; and the number of persons who are diseased, destroyed and impoverished by it to be more than two hundred thousand.' There is one authority for these assertions in the Report before us which no one who knows the individual will question; Judge Cranch, of Washington, estimates the annual loss in the United States from the use of

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ardent spirit, including the loss of labor, cost of crime, pauperism, charity, &c. at the frightful sum of $94,425,000.'

The facts given in proof of what temperance exertions have done, are too many to be mentioned. Two years ago, there had been formed on the plan of abstinence, and reported, more than 1000 societies, embracing more than 100,000 members. One year later, May 1831, there were more than 1200 societies, and 170,000 members. More than 1000 distilleries have already been stopped, some of them given up at great loss, yet voluntarily and from principle, proving at least an intense and generous devotion to the work. And it is chiefly to show this that we present these and could present many more facts. They demonstrate a strong interest, an awakened spirit, a holy zeal; and even if this zeal should employ some instruments or pursue some measures of doubtful propriety, and producing some evil, is not the experiment itself worth making? And can we apprehend any evil, at the worst, to compare for a moment with the horrors of that scourge which is now upon us?

We intended to have given some account of what has been done in other countries, but will defer it. It is gratifying to see that our country is regarded as having given the impulse and led the way. And it is yet more gratifying to find that at the very seat of our government, our first men are lifting up their strong voices and sending out their powerful influence in favor of this cause. All our readers have probably seen an account of the meeting held in the Capitol at Washington, January 13, 1832, when resolutions in favor of Temperance were presented and advocated by Hon. Messrs Marsh, Grundy. Frelinghuysen, Bates, Wayne and Webster. Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of war, presided at this meeting, and it is among the very encouraging signs of our country, that official measures are taken both by this gentleman and by the head of the Navy Department, to diminish greatly, we hope soon to abolish, the use of ardent spirits in our army and navy. Mr Wayne tells us, in his remarks at this meeting, that in our little army of 5642 men there have

been, it is stated, 5832 courts martial within 5 years, of which five-sixths are chargeable to intemperance, and also 4049 desertions, of which almost all are chargeable to intemperance. Desertion alone has cost the United States $336,616, in five years.'

We should be glad to give extracts from the addresses at this meeting, but cannot find room. Mr Frelinghuysen expresses fully our views of the object and operation of these associations for temperance.

'Sir, there is no enterprize of modern times, which so illustrates the power of example. Its great object was to correct public sentiment, to raise the standard of moral principle; and what mode did its advocates adopt to accomplish this desirable but difficult object? They determined to gather one by one individual suffrages in its favor, and thus to elevate public sentiment, by raising the sentiment of the individuals who compose the public. This was what they determined to do, and they have done it. The power of example enlisted in a good cause has accomplished all the wonders we have seen. And, Mr Chairman, is it not matter of joyful gratulation, that that cause has at length reached this place?-not for legislation-legislation has long since exhausted all its power; and all the sanctions of law, when opposed to the course of this desolating evil, were but as chaff before the mountain storm. But here is a new principle, which in its potency is worth whole volumes of legislation. That mighty principle is personal example; and, Sir, what might not such a principle ef fect, if communicated to the constituents of all the members of the 22d Congress? What would it not effect, were all those members resolved to consecrate their combined example to this great cause?'

We have not room for larger extracts, and will close with the resolution that closed the meeting, given by Mr Webster, whose only purpose was to express his opinion of the effect which has been produced by societies for the promotion of temperance.

'Resolved. That the efforts of the Temperance Societies in the United States, and those who have co-operated with them, have had the manifest effect of diminishing crime; of lessening the number of cases of imprisonment for small debts; of benefiting the condition of numerous classes of people, by improving their health, and increasing, not only their industry

and means of living, but also their self-respect and love of character; of giving new impulse to the domestic virtues, belonging to husbands, fathers, and children; of awakening fresh attention to the subject of education and the moral instruction of the young; and of advancing, by visible and large degrees, the general cause of religion and morality in the community.'

UN TARIANS OF TRANSYLVANIA.

Translation of Alexander Farkas' Account of the Unitarians of Transylvania, communicated in Latin to the Secretary of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association.

In the absence of historical data, I must pass over the ancient rise and progress of the Unitarians in Transylvania, and can only touch in a few words upon their present state. Dr. Thomas Rees has related part of their history in his "Translation of the Racovian Catechism, Lond. 1818,' a work which I have had the good fortune to see. I am able to give the following facts in addition to his statements;-1st, in regard to their political condition; 2dly, their religious or ecclesiastical state; and 3d, their modern literature.

1st. Their political condition. The Unitarian religion has existed for 280 years in Transylvania, under many and almost hopeless difficulties and vicissitudes. In the middle of the 16th century it flourished under the exertions of Francis David and Dr George Blandrata. At that time John Zapolija was Prince of Transylvania, when almost all Transylvania and some parts of Hungary were Unitarian. After his death it had a severe struggle with other religions, viz. the Catholic, the Reformed, and the Lutheran. It retained, however, its political and legal existence. In the 17th century, Reformed Princes governed Transylvania, who drew over many of the more opulent Unitarians to the Reformed religion. In the 18th century, when Transylvania united itself by treaty with the House of Austria, although a treaty of the years 1690 and 1692, with Leopold the Great, already subsisted, there were four received religions in Transylvania, namely, the Catholic, the Reformed, the Unitarian, and the Lutheran; and it was expressly provided that each of them should have the same laws, the free exercise of their religion, and an equal

right to civil offices. However, this treaty did not long continue in force. The Catholic religion quickly raised its head, and declared itself predominant with the reigning family. Various churches were taken from the Unitarians, and the chief men were expelled by an armed band from the Cathedral Church at Kolosvar. The past century was fatal to the Unitarians, particularly from the year 1730 to 1780. During these years, Maria Theresa, then reigning, took pains to spread the Roman Catholic religion by every means, by bribes and promises. She excluded the Protestants, and particularly the Unitarians, under various pretences, from all offices; increased by various favors the number of those who went over to the Catholic religion, and so worked upon the more opulent by the promise of honors, that the greater part of them began to change their religion. In this sad state, deprived of almost all political existence, shut out from office, brought down to the dust, the Unitarians remained till the year 1790. In that year, through the instrumentality of Leopold, and later in 1792, under the Emperor Francis I., the pristine form of administration and the vigor of the laws were restored; the Unitaritans also, in many respects, recovered their rights, and some began to be employed in public offices. Now the Unitarians have one Aulic Counsellor, Martin Agoston; one Prothonotary at the Royal Court, Paul Augustinovios, descended from the Polish Unitarian exiles; three Court Assessors. There are two government Secretaries, Stephen Bartha and Michael Sala; and in other offices, Samuel Kesmarki, also a Pole, Alexander Farkas, George Nagy, Joseph Patazi, and Louis Kelanen; some also have been placed in the county Assemblies.

Although, however, it is provided, by express laws, that an equal proportion should be taken from each of the received religions in Transylvania, this law is not always strictly observed; and since the Unitarians are fewer in number than the rest, as well as inferior in property, they cannot always maintain their rights with a firm footing, and on that account not unfrequently suffer various wrongs. The Unitarian body have exhibited their grievances in the councils of the kingdom; and, from the year 1790, have demanded their reparation; but, from various impediments, to this day, they want a decision from the authorities,

2dly. As regards their ecclesiastical or religious condition. This was formerly, and especially in the 16th and 17th centu ries, very flourishing in Transylvania; but when, in the 18th century, their numbers began to decline, many churches were taken from them, and others they were obliged to cede to the Catholics. Now there are about 47,000 Unitarians, and about