of this, the danger of division among brethren will be lessened, and the bonds of fraternal and Christian affection cemented. But if, after all, you still think we deserve the reproof which you have administered, I shall greatly regret it. I desire ever to say, "Let the righteous smite, it shall be excellent oil to my head." But when he smites for that which is a matter of conscience and deliberate conviction with me, I must have, at least, the privilege of saying, Παταξον μεν, ακουσον δε. And now I have only to add, that if what I have written can be shewn to be inconsistent with the Scriptures, with the natural attributes of the divine Being, and with Christian piety, I will blot it out forever, and weep in secret places over an error which contributed, in any way, to dishonour that Saviour, in whom are all my confidence and hope. Show me and my brethren our error, and we will never cease to thank you for a kindness so important to our welfare and usefulness. If we are not deceived, we hold our minds open to examination. Audi alteram partem is a maxim which a Christian, who earnestly seeks for truth, is bound never to forget. To show us what the Nicene fathers believed will not-cannot satisfy us. The fact we can easily admit; but the inference, that we are to believe as they did, and because they so believed, neither you would urge, nor we admit. Nothing but the respect and affection which I have for you, would have induced me, at present, to undertake the laborious investigation through which I have passed. But I acknowledge, that the manner in which you spoke of the sentiments that I embrace, did constrain me to re-investigate them, from a sense of Christian obligation. If they are so palpably wrong and dangerous, as you seem to think them, I concluded it was time for me to know it, and renounce them. With full purpose to renounce them, if I found sufficient reason for it, I begun my inquiries anew. The result I have given. And now, if with simple Scriptural argument, that result can be shewn to be erroneous, I will redeem the pledge which I have made. : REPORT. OF THE WORCESTER SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY, READ MAY 6, 1835. WORCESTER: The WORCESTER SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY was organized Oct. 8, 1834. The following is its CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE 1. This Society shall be called the Worcester Sunday School Society. ART. 2. The object of this Society shall be to concentrate the efforts and to strengthen the hands of those who are interested and engaged in Sunday Schools, and to improve and give more efficiency to Sunday School instruction, by collecting intelligence and disseminating useful information by means of public meetings and addresses, the publication of tracts and books, and the recommendation of works proper for Juvenile Libraries. ART. 3. The Officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall perform the duties usually devolving on these officers, and shall be chosen annually, on the first Wednesday in May. ART. 4. There shall be a Standing Committee of three, to be styled the Publishing Committee, whose duty it shall be to prepare suitable manuals, cards, and hymns, for Sunday Schools, and tracts and books for Juvenile Libraries, and to contract with some printer for the publication of the same. ART. 5. There shall be another Standing Committee of three, whose duty it shall be to review the books published for Juvenile Libraries in some religious news-paper, or in their Annual Report to the Society. ART. 6. The Secretary shall annually make a Report of the number and condition of the Sunday Schools connected with this Society. ART. 7. There shall be at least two public meetings of the Society in a year, at which, a Sermon or Address shall be delivered, or both, as the officers of the Society may direct. ART. 8. The Ministers, Superintendents, and Teachers of Sunday Schools within the limits of the Worcester Ministerial Association, shall be ex-officio members of the Society; and all other persons within the same limits may become members by transmitting their names to the Secretary. The following are the Officers of the present year, elected REV. NATHANIEL THAYER, D. D., President. HON. JOSEPH G. KENDALL, Vice President. REV. ALONZO HILL, Secretary and Treasurer. REV. PETER OSGOOD, REV. JOSEPH ALLEN, Publishing Committee. Reviewing Committee. |