reports,-upon the finances-upon tracts-upon missionary efforts, and on other subjects which fall within the purpose of the Association. Considerable discussion arose upon the propriety of publishing tracts particularly suited to the West, and on the expediency of establishing a department of gratuitous distribution in connexion with the duties of the Executive Committee, which resulted in the appointment of a special Committee, to confer with the Trustees of the Book and Pamphlet Society upon the prospect of bringing that Society into more effectual operation. The Committees for the present year were then appointed, and the meeting was dissolved.

BERRY STREET CONFERENCE. The Conference of Ministers who annually meet at the Vestry in Berry Street was opened at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning, May 27. Rev. Mr. Thompson of Barre was chosen Moderator. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Parkman of Boston. The Annual Address was then delivered by Rev. David Damon of West Cambridge. His subject was, "The Christian Miracles in their character of an evidence of Christianity as a revelation from God." After adopting the usual definition of miracle, and explaining the Christian miracles to mean those recorded in the New Testament, he spoke of the grounds of belief in such miracles-they being subjects of belief, not of knowledge; and then passed on to consider the relation of the miracles to Christianity as a Divine revelation; viewing them first in regard to their value as evidence to the eyewitnesses, and then in respect to their value to us. Under the first view they may be considered either as credentials of a Divine authority in the case of one who has given instruction, or as means of drawing attention and confidence towards one who professes himself ready to declare a message from God; in either case the question being simply, whether the teacher can satisfy others-not whether he can satisfy himself -that he has received a revelation from Heaven. Mr. Damon then urged the importance of remembering that the particular question under consideration was, whether the Christian miracles-such miracles as we find recorded in the New Testament, not any possible or supposable miracles-are proof of a Divine revelation. The supposition too, that miracles could be wrought in confirmation of a falsehood, is contrary to all fact, and is in itself incredible. Turning then to some views which had been presented in recent publications, Mr. D. inquired, what was the value or design of the miracles, if they were not evidence; and after criticising some passages in these writings, adduced in contrast the language of Jesus and the Apostles respecting the purpose of his miracles.-The situation of men at the present day differs from the position of eye witnesses, only in respect to the previous question concerning the truth of the Evangelical narrative; if the history be received as a true account of what was done, the miracles are to us a proof of a revelation precisely as they were to the spectators. He then made the supposition, that the miraculous accounts had never existed in the record, but only the instructions of Jesus; the consequence, he believed, would have been, that though men might have admired the loveliness of Christ's character or the sublimity of his doctrine, his religion

could never have obtained an ascendancy over their minds, for want of sufficient authority. Mr. Damon concluded his address by observing that be had been particularly led to this subject by the conviction that there is at the present time much unbelief of the miraculous facts of the Gospel, and that the writers to whom he had referred, though themselves believers in these facts, strengthened this skepticism by their denial of the value of the miracles as evidence.-Still we need not become alarmists. The truth, wherever it lies, is safe, for it is God's truth and must prevail.

The Conference then proceeded to their usual business. The records of the last year were read. Rev. Chandler Robbins of Boston was reelected Scribe, and Rev. Alexander Young, Rev. George Putnam, and Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop were appointed the Standing Committee.-It was "Voted, that the thanks of this Conference be presented to Mr. Damon for his discourse delivered this morning. "The Committee appointed last year on the subject of a new translation of the Bible not being prepared to report, the subject was recommitted to the same Committee, consisting of Messrs. Walker, Gannett and Young.Questions being proposed for discussion, it was "Resolved, to take up the subject presented by Rev. Mr. Osgood of Nashua, viz. Is there such a difference among us respecting the office of the Christian miracles, as will lessen our sympathy and cooperation with one another?" The question was presented in this form, not with a view of obtaining a definitive vote, but for the sake of producing a free discussion. A free and animated discussion followed, in which Rev. Messrs. Osgood of Nashua N. H., Thomas of Concord N. H. Pierpont of Boston, Gage of Haverhill, Hedge of Bangor Me., Stetson of Medford, Muzzey of Cambridge Port, Hill of Worcester, Ripley of Boston, Hall of Providence R. I., May of Leicester, Gannett of Boston, Damon of West Cambridge, and Stebbins of Leominster took part. As the time of adjournment approached, the question before the Conference was by general consent postponed, to give an opportunity for Rev. Dr. Walker of Cambridge to offer a statement respecting the present condition of the Theological School at Cambridge in regard to available resources for the support of Professors. The statement having excited much interest, it was "Resolved, to make it a subject of discussion in the afternoon," and at 1-4 past 1 the Conference adjourned to 3 P. M.

In the afternoon the subject of the Theological School was discussed, by Rev. Drs. Walker of Cambridge, and Parkman of Boston, and Messrs. Putnam of Roxbury, Hill of Worcester, Hall of Providence, Thompson of Salem, Robbins, and Gannett, of Boston, Miles of Lowell, Pierpont, and Barrett, of Boston, and Dr Ware Jr. of Cambridge; and the following resolutions were passed.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Conference the present situation of the Theological School at Cambridge is such as requires immediate and earnest exertions on the part of our ministers to raise the sum necessary to secure the appointment of a Professor in the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Palfrey.

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to take measures for the immediate collection of $10,000 for the Theological School at Cambridge.

Messrs. Walker, Gannett, Hill, Hall, and Thompson, were appointed on this Committee. The Conference then adjourned to take tea. After tea they again met, and accepted the following recommendation of the Committee;

That the ministers of this Conference prepare themselves to bring the subject of the Theological School before their congregations in the course of the next month, either alone, after receiving the facts which this Committee will exhibit in a Circular that shall be sent immediately to the different ministers, or in cooperation with such person as the Committee shall employ to visit our parishes for the purpose of laying the subject before them.

The Conference then adjourned to 8 1-2 o'clock A. M. of the next day. On Thursday the Conference met according to adjournment, when the discussion on the question offered by Rev. Mr. Osgood was resumed, and sus tained by Rev. Messrs. Hill, Stetson, Frost of Concord, Osgood, Dr. Pierce of Brookline, Messrs. Thompson, Farley of Providence R. I., Hedge, Dr. Walker, Messrs. Fox of Newburyport, and Thurston of Windsor Vt. The time having come for the Convention sermon, it was unanimously

Resolved, That after the pleasant and profitable discussion of the subject presented by brother Osgood, in the successive meetings of the Conference this year, the subject subside.

The number of those who took part in the discussions, and the repeated adjournments, are sufficient proofs of the interest which was felt. The discussions were throughout earnest and candid, discovering both independence and fairness of mind. They were certainly pleasant at the time, and we doubt not were profitable, having served, we believe, to render still firmer the bonds of union which exist among the members of a body whose principles are individual freedom and mutual respect.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY. This Society celebrated its anniversary at the Federal Street Meetinghouse, on Wednesday evening, May 27, Josiah F. Flagg M. D. in the chair. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Sanger of Dover. The Annual Report was read by the Secretary, Rev. A. B. Muzzey. It presented extracts from letters received by the Secretary in reply to questions proposed by him; from which it appeared, that a general exercise was adopted in most of the schools-that the celebration of anniversaries had become frequent that libraries were generally, but not always, thought useful—that in regard to the introduction of doctrinal instruction there was a difference of opinion; the Report recommended its introduction to a certain extent.-The employment of Agents was the next topic. Rev. R. C. Waterston had visited Franklin county in this State and Keene N. H., had been very industrious, and done much good. The Directors of the Society had long wished to appoint a Permanent Agent, and had lately succeeded in obtaining the services of Rev. F. T. Gray for this office, who would visit the schools connected with the Society when requested.-Communications had been received the past year from Bristol, England, and from the London Sunday School Society.-Doubts, the Report went on to say, were still felt about Sunday Schools, but they were of opposite kinds and overthrew one another. Respectful mention was then made of Dr. Tuckerman, the former President of the Society. The Report concluded with drawing encouragement from the certainty of a successful issue of earnest endeavors to promote the improvement of man.

Instead of the usual extemporaneous speeches, the Directors of the Society had engaged Rev. Robert C. Waterston to prepare a written Address. This was probably felt by all to be a judicious change in the mode of celebrating the anniversary. Mr. Waterston began by alluding to the present extent of the Sunday School institution, which he regarded as the child of the Church. He was thus easily led to his subject-The diffusive nature of Christianity. This Mr. W. considered its grand characteristic. All nature is a mute prophecy of this-every thing goes out of itself. So too we find an illustration of the principle of diffusiveness in the Supreme Mind; God created other beings, and continually scatters blessings. So too in Jesus, who imparted as he received, who laboured and suffered for others. So too in the Apostles, who by their lives manifested the diffusive nature of their religion. So too in the primitive Christians, who endured martyrdom that they might spread the Gospel. So too in all the great Reformers, who locked up nothing in their own souls.-This principle should be considered important by the ministers of the Gospel. The people too, when penetrated with this spirit, will diffuse it.Here we perceive the value of the Sunday School. In proportion as a soul has spiritual life, it will seek to diffuse it, and one manifestation of the diffusive spirit will be to gather the young for instruction. Thus is a lay ministry raised up, and the clergy are stimulated to new industry; the teachers constitute a holy priesthood.-All this supposes we have the truth in our souls. Truth sometimes shines with cold splendour in the intellect. If we feel we have important views of truth, we are bound to disseminate them.-The diffusive spirit, moreover, is a means of acquiring truth. The soul which ceases to diffuse life, ceases to have it. It is like snow, which the closer we press, the sooner it melts.-So Christianity teaches the wisdom of love. A church, if alive and faithful, must diffuse truth.-If these views be true, every minister will work, and every layman also; teachers will strive to maintain spiritual life. This is the great requisite of a Sunday School; this the chief end of teachers' meetings. The chief end of instruction is the inward life. Teachers need not be perfect; they grow better in teaching. Teachers who have the right spirit will not leave the work; they will carry the diffusive spirit wherever they go.-Mr. Waterston in conclusion spoke of the importance of an Agent, and of the value of small contributions; and urged his hearers to quicken the true life in themselves.

The Address of which we have given this dry abstract occupied rather more than an hour in the delivery.-There is less need that we should attempt to repeat its various illustration or its appropriate language, as we understand that it will soon be published.

After the audience had left the house, the Society was called to order, and after voting thanks to Mr. Waterston for his Address and requesting a copy for the press, it was

Voted, that the Directors be requested to adopt measures for carrying into effect Mr. Waterston's suggestion in regard to raising funds for the support of an Agent by a small annual or semi-annual contribution from every teacher and pupil in the Schools connected with this Society.

MASSACHUSETTS CONVENTION.-The Convention of Congregational Ministers of this Commonwealth met on Wednesday afternoon, May 27, for the transac tion of their usual business. Rev. Dr. Walker, who had been chosen first preacher for this year, having ceased to be a member of the Convention in consequence of his resignation of the pastoral office on his removal to the University, the second preacher, Rev. Mr. Withington, acted as moderator; and it became necessary to elect two preachers for the next year. Rev. John Nelson of Leicester was chosen first preacher, the whole number of votes being 149, of which he had 95; and Rev. Milton P. Braman of Danvers second preacher, having 87 of 140 votes.-On Thursday forenoon the Convention sermon was preached in Brattle street church by Rev. Mr. Withington of Newbury, from Jude, 12 verse: "These are spots in your feasts of charity." Mr. W. spoke of the character of the early Christian Church, composed of persons separated by national differences and differences of rank, who yet were "melted into one affinity of love."-He then proceeded to enlarge upon some errors in the present condition of the Church, noticed particularly the importance of Christian manners, alluded to the true principle of democracy, exhibited the character of genuine charity, urged the claims of the beneficence which this Convention was specially meant to promote, declared the need of a farther developement of the Gospel, and closed with exhorting his hearers to unite an earnest love of truth with unbounded toleration.-The collection taken after the discourse, for the benefit of the widows and children of deceased members of the Convention, amounted to $132,65.

It

MASSACHUSETTS BIBLE SOCIETY.-The exercises of the week were fitly introduced by the anniversary of this Society, which for several years had held no public meeting, but this year celebrated its thirty-first anniversary, in the Marlboro' Chapel, on Monday afternoon, May 25; Rev. John Pierce, D. D., presiding. The President made a few introductory remarks. The Annual Report was read by the Corresponding Secretary, Rev. Dr. Parkman. stated the number of Bibles distributed the last year to have been 4217, the greater part of which had been in the common English version and had been gratuitously bestowed. Allusion was then made to the early days of this Society, when its operations were more extensive than at present, having been in a measure superseded of late years by those of the national institution. With the exception of the Philadelphia Bible Society, which was formed in 1808, this Society, organized July 6, 1809, is the oldest in the United States. The Report then noticed at some length the difficulties which had arisen in some minds, both in this country and in England, in regard to the character of the versions circulated by the British and Foreign, and the American, Bible Socie ties, and expressed the full concurrence of the Committee of the Massachusetts Society in the conclusion, that "imperfect versions must be used until better can be made," and that the real question is, “Shall these imperfect versions,