do evil that good may come." i know many people will condemn this opinion and call it bigotry, but every one must settle it in his own mind, and where he is doubtful, choose the safe side, for all these things must one day be answered for before the assembled universe. "I do not offer this out of any ill will (as many will suppose) but with a siacere desire to do good, and in the hope that it may decide some doubting one that wishes to do right. " RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY, DO Some oppose religious contro versy, supposing it has a tendency to build up errour. Oppose errour, say they, and you will make if grow. Why, then, did the Saviour appose errour in the Scribes and Pharisees? Did Luther's opposition to errour make it grow? Indeed, we are utterly unable to see the correctness of this idea, either intrinsically, or from actual experiment. But the curiosity of it is, those who are opposed to religious controversy, enter warmly" into controversy against it: they argue against argument, contend against contention, and try to give good reasons why people should not reason!+ Anti-Universalist. «Religious Entelligence. Street, Hanover, Old South, Union and Park Street. The churches of Rev. Dr. Codman of Dorchester, and Mr. Fay of Charlestown, were represented by Delegates. Rev. Dr. Holmes was chosen Mod-" erator; Rev. Edward Beecher, Scribe. 32 South part of the city, forty-five To compose the Church at the persons offered themselves, and males, 19 females; from Hanover were accepted. Of these, 26 are Church, 5; Old South, 13; Union, 16; Park Street, field, I; Ashburnham, 1; Semin8; 1.Brookary at Andover, I.To compose the North Church, 97 persons were accepted; 34 males, 63 females. Of this number, Hanover Church furnished 77; Old South, 5: Unsh ion, 1; Park Street, 13; Seminary at Andover, 1. The several companies presented the same artieles of faith and form of covenant, { which was approved by the Councilo with one alteration.19* aoqu inất On Sabbath day, after the close! of the second service, the Counci}{ and Churches assembled in Park Street Church, where the religious services pertaining to the organi zation took place. The Rev. Dr. Jenks introduced the solemnities by prafer. The Scribe read the articles of faith and covenant, to 2 which the two churches united!ys assented. The Rev. Dry Jenksei ship to the South Church, and the presented the right hand of fellow!!! Rex. Mr. Wisner to the Northda Rev. Dr. Beecher gave an address From the Rec. & Tel. of Setember 7th, ORGANIZATION OF CHURCHES. On Saturday last, an Ecclesiastical Council convened in Park to both. Street Vestry, for the purpose of embodying churches to occupy the belonging to the five Evangelical A great portion of the members two houses for worship now build- Churches of Boston before named, ? ing by Evangelical Congregational now united with the churches just Christians in this city. Churches The formed and admitted to their con represented by Pastors nexion, in commemorating the and delegates, were the first in death of the Redeemer. The Rev. Cambridge; and in Boston, Green Dr. Holmes, and Rev. E. Beecher prayed. The Rev. Mr. Greene been such, as well as with all coconcluded with an address to the cerned, to exhibit a striking exe communicants, and the numerous plification of the passage, Theres spectators The lower part of the that scattereth, and yet wezenseth, house was completely filled with We gratefully record the progress the assembled believers, the num- of truth and of the religion of our ber being but little short of twelve fathers in this beloved city, for an hundred. We were favoured with encouragement to Christian enter the presence of a few from church- prize; but we feel the force of the e's abroad; but nearly all were remark made in the concluding inenibers of these churches within address at the communion tt, the city. The number is now that all the hope of these chuerbis seven, exclusive of that at South lies in their being clothed with kas Boston, which is now destitute. mility. The church in Green Street has had a place of worship but a few months, and struggles with some special embarrassments. It has not been formed on the colonizing plan, and did not furnish any of the members for these new churches, Yet it is prospering and increas-hth year of her age. Considing with very noticeable and unexpected rapidity. The houses de signed for these new churches are going on well, and will probably be ready to be opened late in the au tumn, Jn v view of these events, we may say without boasting. Not many years have elapsed since Park Street was added to Old South, The plan of sending delegations, to found or strengthen other churches, was first adopted in regard to Union church. In a short. time, she was able to send her reinforcements al-o, Hanover has had a house of worship open but 18 months; and now sends 82 members, OBITUARY. From the R. 1. Religious Messenger. Died, at Rehoboth, on Sabbath RACHEL THOMPSON, wife of the morning, September 16th, Mr. Rev. Otis Thompson, in the fir constitution, and the inju y which ering the native delicacy of her it received, at an early period, from the measles; he valu ble life was protracted much beyond the exherself. The Providence: which pectation of her friends, and of has sustained hør, under he¿¡mûrinities and cares, made her the mother of five daughters, and four sons, and en bied her so long "to look well to the ways of her household," ought to be gratefully eknowledged. The esteem and respect, which the church and people of Rev. Mr. T. so generally felt for his amiable consort, they have feelingly in its ownincipally to a church, manifested by their kind attentions' in its own neighbourhood; besides about 20 more to Cambridge-port (where a house of worship has been built, and an Evangelical church is soon to be organized) making over a hundred, still leaving more than three times the number it had at its organization. The location of this church is favourable, and its blessings have been peculiar. But, the Lord's dealings with it have to him and his bereaved family, in' their affliction. » On the 19th inst. the funeral solemnities of Mrs. T. were attended by her weeping relatives' and friends, to whom a very appro priate and instructive discourse Thacher, of North-Wrentham, was delivered by Rev Moses from I. Thesa. iv. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose erin, even so them also who sleep Jesus will God bring with him, 'rom the discourse, the following Letch of the character of the desed, is extracted: "Who bave more reason be comforted with these words, a this circle of mourners? deceased, whose precios rerains are now before us, we trust, ustained the character of a saint, and has died in the Lord." he is hot dead, but sleepeth." By and by she will awake, to sleep no As a Christian, those who were best acquainted with Mrs. Thomp son, can testify, that she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour, She was a woman of practical piety, and active benevolence. The cause of Zion, and the cause of truth, lay near her heart. She was distinguished for discretion, candour, and decision of character. No person, perhaps, was ever fur ther from the le st shadow of duplicity, both in conduct and conversation. Though she was distrustful of her own heart, and sometimes expressed doubts especting her own moral state; still she gave clea, evidence to others, that her religion was characterized by the disinterestedness of the gospel. Devoted in her affections, exemplary in her deportment, and ever persevering in self-government, she commanded the esteem of her acquaintance, and her "own works praised her in the gates She well deserved, what many were constrained to say of her, "She is an excellant woman." In her family, Mrs. Thompson answered to Solomon's descrip tion of a "good wife;" and de monstrated the fact, that the price of such on one is "far above ru bies." "The heart of her hus band, would safely trust in hershe did him good, and not evil, all the days of her life." Her children necessarily felt the salutary influence of her example, and were insensibly led to place entire con fidence in her counsels: for, in enforcing the domestic virtues, "her doctrine dropped as the rain, and distilled as the dew." They must remember, and feel the force of her instructions forever. In society, Ms. Thompson was distinguished for her usefulness, kindness, consistent and valuable friendship. The vacancy occasioned in this place by her de th, must be seen, and felt, and la mented, by every class, and by every individual, who has any just estimation or regard for real worth, Though the deceased was always a person of delicate health, yet few persons did more,. and none excelled her in exertions to do good. As the latter part of her life was distinguished for great and peculiar trials, so it was also distinguished for true Christian fortitude and resignation. Like some disciples of old, who were not ashamed of Paul's chain,' she was willing to endure with those who suffered for Christ's ake, As she advanced to the threshhold of eternity, her evidences. nd hope appeared to brighten, and she manifested an humble joy and confidence in resigning her spirit into the hands of God who gave it. DYING REFLECTIONS" OF AN INFIDEL. oes death, in fact, destroy the whole, 1 But reason shines as clear as day, Although my outward man decay; Yea, it may shine and never stop, And misery fill my future copDraw near my friends, if friends indeed: You will assist me now in need. With you I spent the jovial day, And cast the thought of death away. I spurn'd at God, at Christ and hell, As names that priests and women tell, I gave the reigns to sin and lust, Which hastened my return to dust. O can you screen my soul from harm Against the power of any arm ! Ab! wretches stop-deceive no more, I've heard all you can say before I scorn'd the Christian and his God, And trample'd on his Saviour's blood. With him po part I now can claim, For still I hate the very name: Yet he must be more safe than I, And more prepared to live or die---If I was right, still he is well; But if he's right-I sink to hell! W. ERRATA-Page 467, 2d col. 9th line, for then, read thus. P. 470, 2d col. 1st 1. for prayer, read sorrow. SERMON. OCTOBER, 1827, I. JOHN, iii. 4.—Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. This declaration of the apostle has no special connexion with the context. It is a general observation, the meaning of which is to be found in itself; and the truth of which results from the nature of sin, and the perfection of the Divine law. The last clause of the text assigns the reason of the first: as if the apostle had said, ' It is impossible for any one to sin, without transgressing the law of God; because all sin is the transgression of the Divine law.' If the last proposition were not universal; the first would not be a legitimate inference from it; for if there could be any sin, in any degree, which should not be a transgression of the Divine law; then one might sin without transgressing the law of God. The doctrine which lies upon the face of the text, is, that ALL SIN TRANSGRESSES THE LAW OF In the illustration of this doctrine, it seems necessary, I. To give a general descrip tion of sin. No. 22. II. To explain the law of God. And, III. To make it appear, that all sin transgresses the law of God. I-am, I. To give a general description of sin. 1. Sin is an evil thing. In itself, it is neither good, nor indifferent, but evil and odious. We accordingly read, that it is an evil and bitter thing to sin against God.' There are two kinds of evil, and two only, natural, and moral.→→ Natural evil is pain or misery :moral evil is sin. These two kinds of evil are altogether diverse in their nature, and ought carefully to be distinguished from each other: for though moral evil tends to produce natural evil, and natural evil may be the occasion of moral evil; yet they are entirely distinct. The one is involuntary, the other voluntary; the one innocent, the other criminal. Natural evil is dreadful; but moral evil is hateful. Natural evil may be the punishment of moral evil; but moral evil can never be, either a punishment, or a calamity. Natural evil cần never be the subject of either prohibition, or blame; but moral evil· may be the subject of both. 2. Sin is the property, or quali |