year. From this report it appears that the balance in the hands f the treasurer at the close of the year 1831 was 283 1. The balance last year was the other way. This change, as the meeting was informed by Mr. Hornby, the treasurer, was oocasioned by means of the interest excited in behalf of the Home Mission of the society, which was last year agreed to for the purpose of affording religious instruction to the poor, the ignorant and the degraded of their great metropolis. In reference to this mission Mr. H. very justly remarked, 'It is no doubt, honorable to us to endeavor to check and counteract erroneous theological opinions; but, in my humble judgment, that is only a secondary object to that of teaching men the two great moral lessons of their duty towards God, and their duty towards their fellow-beings.

In an earnest address to the meeting soliciting the aid and influence of those present, in behalf of the association, Mr. Hornby said.

I

'I hold in my hand a brief statement of the plan and objects of this Association. I am almost afraid to trust myself to state the various objects it has in view: but I know not how better to satisfy you that we need your best assistance, than by mentioning a few of the modes in which the Committee dispose of the means which you entrust to their care. find herein stated, (and to the truth of the statement I can bear witness as one of the officers of the society,) that a considerable portion of the funds of the Association is expended in different ways in the support of Unitarian worship;-that 'the Committee conduct the publication or republication (both for sale and distribution) of standard works on Unitarian Theology, in such forms, and at such prices, as render them generally accessible;'-that 'donations, varying in amount, according to the circumstances of the case, are made, both of books and tracts, to ministers and missionaries, to congregational and vestry libraries, and to individuals who may have opportunities for promoting their circulation where they are likely to be read with advantage ;'—that 'the legal department of the Association embraces whatever conduces to the security and extension of the civil rights of Unitarians;'that local persecutions are checked or prevented; and trusts and endowments are often preserved by timely advice from being perverted or lost;'-that an extensive and interesting foreign correspondence is maintained by the Association; friendly communications are exchanged with the Unitarian churches abroad; and during the past year three admirable

College established at York, their conviction of the eminent services which it has rendered to religion, and their high ad miration of the liberal and enlightened principles, on which it is conducted.'

These resolutions were unanimously adopted, as was also another in relation to the trust for printing an improved edition of the New Testament.

The addresses of the gentlemen by whom these resolutions were introduced aud supported were sensible and appropriate, and in some instances very eloquent.

On motion of Mr. Cordell, voted,

"That the cordial thanks of this meeting be respectfully presented to William Smith, Esq., one of the earliest members of the Unitarian Society, and one of the most steadfast and effective advocates of liberty, both civil and religious, for his obliging and able conduct in the chair.'

In his acknowledgement of the honor conferred on him, Mr. Smith referred to the transactions of the evening, and closed with the following remarks :—

"We have borne a very just and grateful testimony to those friends on the Continent who have expressed themselves in favor of civil and religious liberty. But there is one man who has tone as much or more than all the others, and whose name we have omitted to mention ;-I mean Dr. Channing, the American, who has published several tracts precisely with the view to which one of the speakers this evening has alluded— tracts in which our views are broadly set forth, without anything controversial. There is one sermon in particular which no one interested in our cause can read without pleasure, because it shows how much more calculated the tenets of the Unitarians are than any other to promote and foster love towards God and benevolence towards mankind. But indeed, in every point of view, Dr. Channing may be placed in the foremost ranks of the defenders and protectors of our cause.'

ERRATA.

On two pages of a part of the copies of this number some errors will be found which the reader will please to correct. Page 98, 13th line for an read one; saule page, 17th line, for lines read levers. Page 101, 11th line, lor effects read efforts; same page, 18th line, for Day read Davy; same page, 25th line, for science read service.

THE Christian doctrine of the efficacy of prayer in procuring the favor and help of Almighty God, was one which laid very near the hearts of our ancestors. It was with them, for support and guidance, in all their trials and distresses in placing the foundations of civil authority and social order in this then new world; and was as 'a wall of fire' around them, amidst a thousand evils felt and feared in their daily walk. It has not become wholly obsolete in this more prosperous, but certainly less devotedly religious period. And it is matter of congratulation, that it is, ordinarily, and has been, in an especial manner, on a recent occasion, recognised in the councils of the government under which we live. Long may it be thus recognised; and distant, far distant be the day, when it shall, in any measure, lose its hold upon the minds either of the rulers or the people.

But still it is sufficiently obvious that this doctrine of the efficacy of prayer is not always, perhaps not generally, well understood; that it is often mingled with much doubt in the minds of those who professedly receive it; and that, sometimes, it is referred to in conversation, and even in some few of our public prints, we regret to say, in a tone of flippant remark, which, as a matter of taste merely, and in decent respect to other minds, might well be spared; and which certainly would be spared, were there a better understanding of the subject, and a deeper sense of its importance.

For what doctrine of our religion is important if this be not? If prayer have no efficacy in procuring God's favor, why do we pray? Why do we assemble ourselves together on ordinary, or on extraordinary occasions, in our houses of worship, to go through, even so imperfectly as we do, our religious exercises there? What a dead, empty, and worse than unmeaning form is prayer, as it respects ourselves? What an impious mockery as it respects our God? Well might the scoffer, the sceptic, the half or no believer, in beholding our religious offerings, adopt the cutting irony of the Prophet towards the idolaters of Baal, and say to us poor deluded worshippers-Cry aloud, for he is is a God, either he is talking or pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked,' since there is none to answer, and none who regardeth our prayers.

And what, if our petitions are unheard and unanswered in heaven, what is our reliance, what our hope, in the gloomy passages of life, when friends sicken or die around us, or we ourselves are overwhelmed by

infirmity and distress, or are brought to the grave's brink, and there is no longer support or comfort on the earth? Alas! there is none. The dark and fearful way is before us, and we must pursue it alone, with no eye to pity, and no hand to save.' Does not the consciousness of many respond to our words, when we say, that there is a privilege in the 'prayer of faith,’ in the communion of the trusting heart with God, whose preciousness no language can describe; which is more and better than any or every earthly blessing, and which is sufficient to strengthen and support us in the loss of them all?

In the remarks which will follow, we shall attempt to meet and answer those objections against the Christian doctrine of the efficacy of prayer, which are thought to be most valid and important. The affirmative side of the question, or those proofs and arguments on which a positive belief of the doctrine is based, may, claim attention hereafter. Our present design, and we repeat it, because we wish it to be kept distinctly in view, is to answer the prominent objections which are thought to lie against the doctrine. In doing this, we shall not aim at originality. Our object is far higher. It is to enstamp on other minds those convictions respecting this subject, which, are inexpressibly dear to ourselves, and we shall freely and gladly employ for this purpose the best resources at our command.

One of the objections which is urged against the efficacy of prayer, and one, which, it would seem, from the positive and triumphant air with which it is urged, is considered as quite decisive, is derived from the immutability of the laws of nature, as they are called;