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we are surrounded. We ourselves understood them when we commenced, and we think our success has been beyond our most sanguine expectations. Our friends from the eastward have always written as if they thought there was a large number of Unitarians in this town; if that had been the case, we never should have consented to the arrangement made at the time of Mr. Tucker's ordination; but, in fact, we could not then count more than four or five males who were heads of families. When we determined to secede, we were less than twenty; and when Mr. Peabody preached for us in December, it seemed doubtful to us if we could procure an audience of fifty persons. It must be very obvious to any body who understands pecuniary affairs, that such a handful of persons could not have built a church and settled a minister, unless they were very rich, which we are not; or else very willing to beg, which we are not. We procured Mr. Hall; he has preached for us seven Sundays, and three Thursday lectures, to our universal acceptation and admira tion. His preaching has been highly appreciated, and his character as a man has secured our respect and regard. In the meanwhile, the Calvinists have done everything to plague and thwart us that they could. They have not scared us, but they have tried to; and I dare say they have sent word to Boston they have succeeded. But no matter, facts speak. Yesterday we organized our society; about fifty persons associated themselves. Of these persons not more than six or seven can be said to be in easy circumstances; the others are persons who supply the

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wants of every day by the toil of every day. It will be obvious that the principal burden of expense must rest on the six or seven first mentioned, but they are prepared for the work; and all, even the poorest, have manifested the disposition to do what they can. A committee was chosen to build a meeting-house, and the money is to be paid for it by seven individuals. Another committee is chosen to make arrangements with Mr. Hall to remain with us permanently. Of our success in this we are not certain, because we know that his talents and attainments are such as entitle him to a better situation; but we intend to make him the very best offer in our power, and it will be such a one as will enable him to live comfortably in this place, and it is a situation in which he will be able to do a great deal of good; and as he seems devoted to this object, it may be a powerful inducement with him to stay among us. I should like to have you state these facts to Dr. Channing, whose opinion we greatly reverence, and whose approbation we would gladly deserve. We hope to have him preach for us whenever we get a meetinghouse. With respect to "all the world," we intend to have a notice put in the paper for their information and satisfaction.

On the subject of the Calvinistic seal which you advocate, I must say I greatly differ from you. I have lived among Calvinists twelve years, and I often have had them inmates of my house; the recollections of this period of my life would furnish me well-authenticated anecdotes of them, which would fill a volume. I have sometimes thought to

ZEAL IN RAISING MONEY

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record them, but I feel that it would be an unworthy office, and that it is far better to forgive their injuries, and remember their extravagances only to avoid them. I know that their zeal has carried them to distant lands and to the isles of the sea to make converts, and that it has enabled them to endow their theological institutions munificently; but I know, too, that it has in most instances failed to teach them the more difficult duty of subduing their own hearts, and eradicating their own bad passions. And I know, too, that much of the money bestowed on their favorite objects is procured by foolish and nefarious means. They do not hesitate to beg first in the parlor, and then in the kitchen,-- first of the parent and then of the child; not only from the wealthy, but they will urge the pittance from the "hard hand of poverty." They will do what is worse than all; they will go to the bed of death, and seize in God's name the trifle which affection would bestow on needy relatives. This is nothing figurative, facts bear me out in every assertion. This, and more also, the Calvinists have done for the Amherst Institution. They have hired beggars by the day, and taken subscriptions of twelve and a half cents from those who had not the change to give. If Cambridge would do this for its institution, they could get double the money they want in a few weeks. But would the end sanctify the means? I scorn to see such conduct under the mantle of religion. Our Saviour, when on earth, was indeed poor, but did he beg?

I have always thought it a great privilege of true

religion that it united so readily with common duties, and I will not allow that Unitarians are inferior to others in discovering its effects in their lives; but we will treat especially of their zcal. Surely, you have distinguished individuals among you, who have lent their whole intellectual existence to the cause of true religion; and I turn with pleasure to my good friend and minister, Mr. Willard, who has stood at an out-post for a course of years - rejected by his brethren, exposed to slander and malignity and has exhibited a firmness of purpose and a strength of principle which convinces me he would not shrink from the fagot and the stake in supporting his Christian integrity; and the young minister whom we hope to call our own gives strong indications of the same character. He has not yet been tried, but I trust he will be able to pass the furnace of Calvinism without blenching. I hope you will not think me impetuous on this subject; but I have dwelt so long exposed to these unholy fires, I have seen them so often consuming all gentle and sweet affections, all noble and lovely virtues, all holy and heavenly principles, that they are the objects of my peculiar aversion: no crime named in the Decalogue brings more unpleasant association to my mind than Calvinistic zeal. I pray that we may kindle a purer flame, that it may burn with a more equal lustre, that it may enlighten many understandings and purify many hearts, making them fit inhabitants of that heavenly kingdom which is the object of all our aspirations. Do not think I mean to be indiscriminating in my censure of Calvinists.

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know that there are those among them who fear God and regard man; but these are not the persons who are continually thrusting themselves forward to relate their religious experiences, and publish their religious donations. Truc piety with them, as with sincere and devout Unitarians, takes a more quiet but a more useful and honorable course. I do believe that there are some sanctified hearts among all persuasions, but the general character of Calvinism seems to me to have few touches of the spirit manifested by our Lord and master. If you know any Calvinists who are distinguished alike for a true zeal and an enlightened Christian morality, I would thank you to let me know who they are, for I should be as willing to respect and admire them as you are. I feel that I ought not to tax your patience with them any longer.

Mrs. Mills has always manifested some impressions that the Calvinists here conducted improperly, though she has said but little about it. She at tended a Thursday lecture here before she went to Boston, and I think hearing Dr. Channing and Mr. Gannett did her good. Nevertheless, she is so shackled here, I think it will be difficult for her to come over to us. Mrs. has for the most

part observed silence; the Dwights, too, have been very silent, and have been at our meeting at an evening lecture. I think Charles Sedgwick's practical illustration of Unitarianism has been very serviceable to them. Betsey Chester is at Weathersfield. These are all the Calvinists here that you care anything about. We feel as though our worst

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