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of self styled orthodoxy, and even from the sacred desk, which we will not disgrace the columns of this paper to insert. Every effort has been made to put down, to crush in its infancy, our rising society. Committees of vigilance have been appointed to visit every house, to prevent people from going to our meetings to hear The infinite love and impartial goodness of God proclaimed. But our friends have not been intimidated. We have endeavored to possess our souls in patience, and to treat with kindness and forbearance our bitterest enemies and most violent persecutors.-Our numbers are increasing, and several members of Calvinistical churches have become fully convinced that "God is no respecter of persons," but "is good unto all, and his tender mercies over all his works."

Some time in the month of March, our friends met together, organized a society, and were legally incorporated as such.-Proposals were soon after issued for building a church, and considerable subscription obtained for the purpose. Tho there is not enough to complete the building, our trustees have thought best to commence the work, as some donations from abroad have been given, and they cannot but flatter themselves that some of our societies at a distance, who are wealthy, or some individuals who are well wishers to the cause, will be willing to contribute something for its completion, when they consider the local situation of the place. As there are so many hundreds of people from almost all parts of the world, who visit these medicinal springs during the summer months, it is believed that there is no spot on this continent so well situated for any established ministration of the word of truth, being extensively useful to our cause at large, in spreading a knowledge of the truth in all directions, especially during the summer months, as this is. From these considerations, and from the desire that

many will undoubtedly feel of attending meetings when here on visits at the springs, at a commodious place for worship, we indulge the hope that those who are able will be willing to do something to accomplish an object so important to our common cause. We would not ask this favor for any other place in our country. It will be proper to notice that the house will be free for the worship of all denominations of christians, when not occupied by the society. It is to be built of brick; its size, 40 by 56 feet.

The corner stone was laid on Tuesday, the 14th of this month, in proper form.-Beneath it was deposited a bottle, containing a newspaper printed in this place the same day, the last number of the Evangelical Restorationist, and a scroll containing the following memorial:

"This edifice is erected for the worship of the only living and true God, by the First Society of united christian friends, called Restorationists, at Saratoga Springs. John Bryan, Esq. Messrs. Solomon Spaulding, Salmon Huling, John Burton, and John Ellsworth, Trustees.

(motto) "GOD IS LOVE."

The corner stone was laid June 14, 1825, with appropriate solemnities."

The

The day was clear and beautiful; and a numerous, respectable and attentive concourse of people were present to witness the solemnities of the occasion. stone having been properly placed, the Rev. Pitt Morse, who was providentially present on the occasion, offered up humble and devout prayer to Almighty God, invoking his blessing on the society, on their undertaking, and all that were employed in it; after which, the junior editor of this paper delivered the following

ADDRESS,

Amidst all the vast variety of animal existencies

throughout the wide world, man holds the most conspicuous rank in the scale of being. He alone is capable of appreciating the value of his existence, of holding sweet communion with his God, of elevating his soul in pure devotion to the supreme source of all felicity and joy, and of realizing that God is his Father, his everlasting friend, and unchanging benefactor. Impressed with feelings like these, men have associated together as brethren, formed social compacts, organized societies, and erected temples and churches for the worship of God. These edifices have been designed to recognize the special presence of the Most High; who, tho he "dwelleth not" exclusively "in temples made with hands," seeing he is the "high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity," and fills immensity with his presence, yet condescends to dwell in a special manner "with him who is of a humble and contrite heart,” who "believes that he is, and that he is a rewarder of all that diligently seek him."

Under these impressions, it is, we believe, that the erection of this edifice is undertaken. Influenced by the purest motives of religion, we trust its builders will be able, by divine assistance, to complete their undertaking.

Brethren of this Society: I honor and revere the motives and the principles which have induced you to commence the building of this house. The undertaking is truly laudable: may the Lord graciously smile upon your labors, lift up his cheering countenance upon you, succeed your glorious undertaking, and perfect all that concerneth you. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." May you feel a sense of your dependence on him, a submission to his government and will in all things, use and not abuse the blessings he has bestowed on you, and im

prove to the best advantage those means he has given you for building up his cause, and spreading pure and undefiled religion in the world. This house is not to be the object, but the place of your worship. This corner stone is not to be your principal foundation, but an emblem of that more noble and glorious Stone, that was rejected of the builders, but became the head of the corner-an emblem of that "stone that was cut from the mountain without hands, and became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth"-a type of that Rock of everlasting ages, against which "the gates of hell can never prevail."

May not only this material edifice be completed in due form and season, but may your moral edifice rise on the pillars of wisdom, strength and beauty-may all of your members be fitted and prepared as "living stones" for that spiritual building, that "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," built up together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together, shall grow unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom also may you be builded together, for an habitation of God thro the Spirit."

Brethren, you are not to suppose that the building of this house is all that you have to do. There are other things of great moment to be attended to: and you will permit me to tell you that the future prosperity of your society depends much, very much, on the conduct, the private walk and daily conversation of its members. May you, therefore, take diligent heed to your waysact as becometh the gospel of Christ, and adorn your profession in all things. Walk in wisdom towards those that are without, in patience and meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, "if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the acknowledging

of the truth;" and never employing rash or violent means to overcome their opposition, or, convince them of their errors; but use fair arguments and mild language, remembering, as a Persian writer has beautifully remarked, that "a gentle hand may lead the elephant by a hair."

Tho it falls to our lot, as it did to the apostles and primitive christians, to "both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe,"* and in "the restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began,"+ yet we need not faint nor be discouraged, for "we know in whom we have believed," and we know that God, who has promised with an oath, and cannot lie, is able to perform his promises. Therefore, let us, like Abraham of old, who "staggered not at the promises," be "strong in the faith, giving glory to God:" for great is. the truth, and it must prevail-faithful is our God, and he will bless those that put their trust in him.

Go on, brethren, with your laudable work. From my very heart I bid you "God speed!" May the grace of God dwell richly in your hearts. May his arm ever support and protect you. "For my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, Peace be within thee, O Jerusalem," and peace be to thy helpers, O Zion! for

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TO THE PUBLIC, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE METHODISTS.

I have been recently informed by a brother in the faith of Universal Salvation, who resides in Charlestown, N. H. that the Rev. Mr. Merrill, of the Methodist connexion, stated before more than one thousand people, (at a Camp-meeting) that a certain Universal Minister of Vermont had said that he sin + Acts iii. 21.

* 1 Tim. iv. 10.

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