years be crowned with increasing abundance, and call the thousands and ten thousands of coming generations, to more joyous feasts of Thanksgiving and more fervent offerings of praise!

D.

ORTHODOXY VERSUS HARVARD.

We have had repeated instances of the opposition of the orthodox to Harvard College. It is not known, however, so generally as it should be, that they are making every exertion in every quarter and by every possible instrument, to injure the reputation and interests of the College. I have no hesitation in expressing the belief, that many clergymen and other influential members of the community are saying things which they themselves do not more than half believe, to prevent young men from going to Cambridge. I know they cannot believe them wholly, because I know they are not true, and that many of those who report them have been at the College recently, and must also have known they were not true. We have reason, too, to suspect their fairness, when we hear them in one breath assert that there is no religion in the College, either among teachers or scholars, and in the next breath complain and condemn them because the professors are awakening in the students an interest in religion, and leading them to express that interest by joining the church. A more unworthy or shameful accusation, I have never known. The very step which the orthodox themselves always regard as evidence of

religion, and of which they make continual boast-viz: inducing young people to join the church-this very step they here sound abroad as sectarianism, and endeavor to raise upon it a new prejudice against the Institution.

I am led to think of this subject and to speak of it, from having lately received an account of another and still more singular attack, or rather more singular circumstances in which to venture an attack. A Mr. Sumner was ordained a few weeks ago over an orthodox society in Worcester county. A Mr. Stearns (there are cases where it is right to mention names, and so public an occasion as an ordination, is plainly one) gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. And will it be believed, that he contrived and dared to bring into that exercise a gross assault upon Harvard College? How he managed to get it in, I know not nor care not. But he did speak of it, in no sparing or delicate terms; terms such as these the profligate daughter of the church who has apostatized, and ought not to bear the name of Harvard; if such things are known in heaven, how must that good man weep over it.' I do not pretend to give his precise words, but these, I am assured by an eye and ear witness, are very near if not exact, and at any rate do not convey half the grossness of the attack. And this in giving the Right Hand of Fellowship! I have no words to express my sorrow and contempt of such things. I will only add-what indeed is no slight aggravation of the abuse-that the gentleman who uttered it, a graduate of Cambridge College, is said to have received the benefit of its charitable funds while there, and is now a settled clergyman within the limits of the town.. TRUTH.

AGENCY OF THE AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION.

IN the Advocate of June last, we gave an account of the discussions, at the late Anniversary of the American Unitarian, Association, in regard to the establishment of a permanent Agency of the Association; and also of the resolution to es tablish such an Agency, and the appointment, by a unanimous vote, of Rev. E. S. Gannett, of Boston, as Agent. Since that time, measures have been undertaken for raising the necessary funds, for the support of an Agent. At a meeting held in this city, a General Committee was appointed, consisting of the Executive Committee of the American Unitarian Association, and two gentlemen from each parish in the city, under whose direction, a sub-committee prepared a circular to the several Societies, and Auxiliary Associations. This circular was signed by Prof. Henry Ware, Jr., Hon. William Sullivan, and Hon. Joseph Story, whose views of the importance of the Agency, as well as the urgent motives for its establishment, are clearly set forth in the following passage of the circular.

'The state of the times, and the demand of the public mind for religious instruction, seem to render it the duty of the friends of free inquiry and wholesome religious influences, to exert themselves more strenuously than ever, in behalf of enlightened views of the Christian faith. The American Unitariau Association, desiring to discharge something of this duty, has proposed to appoint and support some individual, whose known character and standing shall insure confidence and respect, whose office it shall be to act as the representative of the Association before the public, to superintend its publications, to conduct its correspondence, to answer the calls which are made from every part of the country for information, advice, and assistance, to visit all portions of the land, for the purpose of ascertaining their religious condition and wants, of preaching the truth, encouraging societies for worship, and opening means of communication and fellowship. There is reason to believe that such a messenger would be extensively useful in correcting error, removing misapprehension and prejudice, repressing infidelity, uniting and confirming believ ers, and erecting permanent religious establishments in places where they do not now exist. It is especially thought that he may do good in the great field of the West,-a region, the importance of whose moral condition to the fre welfare of

the nation, cannot be too highly estimated; in which it has been ascertained that there are not far from two million persons, unconnected with any religious denomination, and where, consequently, there must be opportunity to gather many congregations. Having these objects in view, the project in question is not to be regarded merely as a movement in favor of our own denomination ; but as the discharge of a solemn duty, which, as Christians and patriots, we owe to those portions of our country which are less blessed than we are with Christian institutions.'

Committees were also nominated in the country, to aid in procuring the necessary funds; and a circular was addressed to them, signed by JOHN GRAY ROGERS, Esq., in behalf of the General Committee. After referring to the establishment of an Agency, and the Appointment of an Agent, this committee in their circular, proceed to say:—

'We request your co-operation in calling the attention of the community to the benevolent purposes to be accomplished by this measure. We feel that the cause of truth and Liberal Christianity has always a claim to the warmest affection and best services of its friends, but we are still inore deeply impressed with the conviction, that the circumstances of the present times give to the call of duty a more earnest, solemn, and impressive tone, than at any former period. It is the decided opinion of those among us, who have the best means of observation, and upon whose judgment we most confidently rely, that many have become disaffected to the form in which religion has been presented to them, and by these means to religion itself; that the zeal which has been manifested to spread a feverish excitement, and establish doctrines which seem irrational, has been the occasion of much concealed and some avowed infidelity. A great trust and high duty has thus devolved upon Liberal Christians of meeting this exigency of the public mind, and of doing something to prevent the evils of its present state; upon them, more than any other denomination of Christians, because they may address many with effect, who will listen to no others.'

On the evening of the 14th of October, a meeting of the friends of Liberal Christianity, was held in Berry Street Vestry. This meeting was addressed by several gentlemen, with much ability and spirit, and among other proceedings, it was

Voted, That we are deeply impressed with the utility and necessity of the appointment of a General Agent of the American Unitarian Association, and heartily concur in the

general approbation with which their choice has been received, and that we entertain the greatest expectation of benefit to the cause of Libera! Christianity from the piety, learning and talent to be devoted to the duties of this office.

Voted, That it is expedient that a general public meeting should be held in this city as soon as convenient, for the purpose of addressing the body of Liberal Christians in behalf of the undertaking, &c.

Agreeably to the above vote, and in compliance with the order of the Executive Committee, a public meeting of the American Unitarian Association was held in the Federal Street church, on the 23d of October. Judge Story, one of the Vice Presidents, presided. After prayers by Rev. Mr. Harding, recently from England, the subject of the general Agency was discussed.

The meeting was addressed with feeling and eloquence, successively by Judge Rogers, Prof. Henry Ware, Jr., Rev. Mr. Brownson, of New York, Prof. Palfrey, and Judge Story. On motion of Hon. William Sullivan, the meeting was adjourned to Thursday evening.

On Thursday evening, October 28th, the Association met agreeably to the vote of adjournment. After prayers by Rev. Dr. Bancroft, President of the Association, the meeting was addressed in a similar strain of eloquence by Rev. Mr. Walker, of Charlestown, Hon. William Sullivan, Rev. Mr. May, of Brooklyn, Conn., Rev. Mr. Brownson, and Judge Story.

On motion of Hon. William Sullivan, it was unanimously Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, the establishment of an Agency of the American Unitarian Association is a measrue so important to the best interests of Liberal Christianity, that it has strong claims for aid and support upon our religious societies, and upon individual Christians: and that we cordially approve the intended application of the Association to our several parishes in this city and throughout the country.

In conformity with the suggestion in the above resolution, application has been made to the several Unitarian parishes in this city for aid in furnishing funds to support the Agency; and we have great satisfaction in being able to state, that as far as the results are made known this call has been met with a noble generosity.