in thus blinding the vision to truth and fact. In this part of the controversy, the statements of the Church party are nearest the truth, as to the present condition of American Unitarianism. In the "Scottish Guardian" of December 7, was inserted a letter from a correspondent, J. F. of the Theological Seminary, Newburgh. U. S., dated October 28, containing the following particulars. In his enumeration of Unitarians, he has omitted the Society of Friends, comprising 450 congregations, containing 60,000 members. He is incorrect also in relation to Vermont and Connecticut, and his praise of the Scottish Church in that connection is worthless, as in both these States there are congregations of Christian Unitarians. With these exceptions, the account may be considered tolerably accurate, and the "Scottish Guardian" has done well in disseminating the truth it contains.

We

"It has been often asserted in Scotland, that American Unitarianism has long been on the decline. In the present communication, I propose to give you some information in regard to its state and prospects in this country. I have now before me the last report of the American Unitarian Association, aud from this document it appears, that this sect, so far from being on the decline, has been decidedly on the increase, especially during the last ten or fifteen years. • When the Association,' says the report, 6 was established, fifteen years ago, the number of our Societies in Massachusetts was about one hundred; it is now one hundred and fifty. At that time we had six societies in Maine; we have now fifteen. had then the same number in New Hampshire, and now we have nineteen. We had then only eight societies out of New England; now we have thirty-six. At that time there was but one Unitarian society west of the Alleghany Mountainsa small society at Pittsburgh-and there are now seventeen, besides a large number in an incipient state. In 1825, the whole number of our societies was one hundred and twenty (in the United States); it is now two hundred and thirty. The multiplication of societies is not always a just criterion of the growth of a denomination. It is evident, however, that we have been increasing from year to year; not so rapidly, perhaps, as some other denominations, and nothing like as rapidly as we might have increased, had we been true to our own principles, and possessed more of the missionary spirit a spirit of Christian sympathy towards those of our faith in other parts of the country, many of whom, because we did not take care of them, have associated themselves with other denominations.' I should, perhaps, here observe that, when we speak of the Unitarian denomination in this country, we mean exclusively the Unitarian Congregationalists, or

those who have departed from the original faith of the New England Churches, and have adopted the Socinian heresy. That these are far from being the only Unitarians in the United States will presently be shewn.

"From the report, of which I have given you an extract, and which may be relied upon as an accurate document, it appears that the Unitarians have almost doubled the number of their congregations within little more than ten years—an increase this, in one sense, greater than that of almost any other denomination. As this particular sect of Unitarians had its origin in New England, so its stronghold all along bas been and is now in that portion of our country; there being in the New England States 194 societies, and only 36 in all the others. It is a singular fact, however, that there are two of the New England states in which Unitarianism has never yet been able to get a footing, viz. Vermont and Connecticut. The reason of this, so far as Vermont is concerned, may be, because a considerable portion of the population of this state is of Scottish origin, and is strongly attached to the doctrine, government, and worship of the Church of Scotland; but as it respects the churches of Connecticut, I am quite unable to suggest a reason for their preservation from the noxious heresy of Socinianism.

"After stating these facts in regard to the numbers, and the increase of the Unitarian body, strictly so called, the report proceeds to observe - But the extent to which our views prevail in the United States should not be estimated by the number of Congregational Unitarians; for there are many in other denominations who entertain these views, and particularly in the Christian (pronounced Chrystian) denomination. It is stated on good authority, that in 1833 there were among the Christians, in twenty states, 700 ministers, 1000 churches, from 75,000 to 100,000 communicants, and from 250,000 to 300,000 attending public worship. When, therefore we consider the increase of this denomination since that time, and the number in other denominations who hold to the simple unity of God, and other views that are peculiar to us, it will appear that the doctrines of liberal Christianity are more prevalent in this country than has been supposed.' Of the truth of this

last observation there can be no doubt, and I have thought that it may not be useless to give you this detailed accout of the present state of Unitarianism in the American Church, because I have observed that some writers on the Voluntary comtroversy have asserted, that that heresy is almost wholly confined to Massachusetts, and is even there on the decline. Even admitting, what is not the fact, that New England Unitarianism is on the decline, it by no means follows that Soci

nianism is disappearing from our midst. The Chrystian sect has, as the report intimates, greatly increased since 1833, especially in the western states, though I am not able at the present moment to state their exact numbers. And although they have always professed to be the greatest enemies of creeds and confessions, yet there can be no doubt that they have quite as distinct a creed as any other denomination, aud that this creed embodies all the peculiar tenets of Unitarianism, for the Unitarians and themselves, as I have lately learned from a Unitarian paper, are on the point of uniting, if a union has not already been effected.

As it re

"The other denominations referred to in the report are the Universalists-a very numerous sect in this country-the Baptists, and perhaps I may add the German Lutherans. For many years a very considerable portion of the Lutheran miuistry in the United States held and preached Socinian doctrines! I should, however, observe, that, of late years, there has been a great, and, I am happy to add, a growing, revival of pure and undefiled religion in that large denomination. spects the Baptists, it is well known that a very large number of those who go under that name in the south and west are thorough-going Unitarians, although they are unwilling to take the appellation. I may, however, go more fully into this subject in a future communication, in which I propose to give you a particular account of the doctrines, the divisions, the numbers, and the prospects of the American Baptists. Though I cannot just now give you the exact number of the real and the professed adherents of Unitarianism in the United States, there can be no doubt that they constitute a very large body, and one which is decidedly on the increase. The New England Unitarians still have Harvard University, the oldest and the richest literary institution in this country, entirely under their control, nor is there at present any likelihood of its being restored to those to whom it of right belongs. The North American Review may, in one sense, be regarded as their literary organ, its editor being a Unitarian minister, though of late years it rarely touches upon theological topics, and when it does, uses very cautious language."

NEWINGTON GREEN CHAPEL.-Monday, November 22, being the anniversary of the opening of the Sunday School at this place, the children were examined by the Superintendant of the school as to their progress, regularity of attendance, &c. The Rev. T. Cromwell was present, as were most of the teachers. Those children whose deportment and progress were found satisfactory, partook of a little treat; and on the following Sunday, at the close of the morning service, re

wards, consisting of books of various value, were distributed to about twenty of the most deserving.

The books were presented by Mrs Bracher, who accom panied the present by suitable words of encouragement or admonition, adapted to each child's character. She was assisted by the worthy minister, to whose countenance and support the school is mainly indebted for its success. It consists of about fifty children, the elder of whom receive week-day instruction in writing, arithmetic, &c.

TO CORRESPONDENTS & SUBSCRIBERS.

Communications have been received from Paris: Thomas Clark Jun; W. J. O.; M. G.; also "The Contrast;" The Plymouth Herald; Manchester Times.

There are three modes in which the friends of Christian reformation may aid the Editor of the Christian Pioneer in his efforts:-1st, By contributing original or selected articles for the body of the work; notices of public meetings, either in manuscript or newspaper, for the Monthly Record; and pamphlets and books for Review:-2d, By informing others of the existence, natnre, and objects of this Magazino, The Editor has reason to fear, that even to the members of many Unitarian congregations, the Pioneer is unknown, It is chiefly to the active efforts of those who value it, and desire its continued publica tion, that he can look for its wider diffusion and more extensive influence. He trusts he may anticipate the good offices of many friends in this particular. The price of the Periodical can be no obstacle with numbers, by whose aid it might be rendered an instrument of no slight importance in the dissemination of Christian truth and morality.-3d, By advertisements for the Cover. Though the circulation of the Christian Fioneer is not inferior to the other Uuitarian periodicals, and enters many districts where they are not seen, it has hitherto been favoured but slightly iu this respect. The Editor solicits the attention of advertisers to the scale of prices :

Communications for the Christian Pioneer are requested to be addressed to the Editor, and Books for Review sent to the care of Messrs Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Stationer's Hall Court, or Mr John Green, 121 Newgate Street, London; or direct to the Rev. George Harris, Hope Park, Edinburgh.

THE hero is the representative of human strength: the poet the representative of human fancy: the priest the representative of human authority: the artist the representative of human grace: the Prophet the representative of moral power: the philosopher the representative of intellectual capacity. What is the Apostle? Not any of these agents singly; but the representative of that portion of them all, which can be popularly revealed and popularly applied.

The Apostle marks the transition from ancient civilization to modern civilization. There have been enthusiastic admirers of antiquity who have gone to such preposterous lengths, as to declare that Heathenism, such as it existed in Greece and Rome, was better fitted than Christianity to confer happiness on man. The proofs that they adduce of this are too one-sided in themselves, and too illogically propounded to merit notice here. But there is no doubt that ancient civilization possessed some advantages over modern civilization, which ought not to be overlooked. Among these is its greater definiteness. The more rapid and triumphant the improvement of the world, the more is it diffusive, and the more it is diffusive, the more indistinct and unseizable is it in its aspects and relations. The world of old had not one-thousandth part of the machinery to stimulate and assist its onward career that gladdens and strengthens the world of now; but what it had was more palpably clear in its shape, and more easily traceable and markable in its operations. This difference is

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