as viewed under different aspects, to the reason, the imagination, and the feelings of a true believer. He traces the lineal history of the cross, and develops its symbolic meaning. Of course there is much of a beautiful, an impressive, and an edifying power in all the historical associations and fond sentiments which ages have gathered around this symbol. Mr. Alger has treated his theme with a pure taste and with wisdom.

"The Island of Life: an Allegory. By a Clergyman." (16mo. pp. 89.) Several very delicate etchings help to illustrate the meaning and design of this little volume. Though we do not regard allegory as the most desirable medium for impressing truth, and would but seldom have recourse to it amid such an abundance of unimproved and unappreciated facts, we see no harm in an occasional contribution of the sort to our literature. There is a simplicity and a gracefulness in this specimen of it, which will make its beautiful and touching lesson very effective to a susceptible heart.

"Hora Vaciva. A Thought-Book of the Wise Spirits of all Ages and all Countries, fit for all Men, and all Hours. Collected, arranged, and edited by James Elmes." (16mo. pp. 256.) This is an American reprint-edited, with an occasional note, by Rev. Dr. Vinton of an English compilation. The original editor made this work the genial occupation of his hours through four years of blindness, reviving his own memories and exercising his judgment as the pages of the past were read to him by his daughter. The collection is rich in pregnant thoughts and in words of wisdom. Pagan, Jew, and Christian contribute here from their wealth of mind. All classes of writers who have earned a good remembrance furnish one or more paragraphs.

Messrs. Munroe & Co. have likewise published (16mo, pp. 160), a second edition of the Translation by George S. Hillard, Esq., of M. Guizot's " Essay on the Character and Influence of Washington." This was originally prefixed to a French version of Sparks's Life of Washington. Many of our readers are already acquainted with this brilliant Essay, which is a noble tribute to one of the best and greatest men of our race.

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The five little stories, entitled respectively, "A Trap to catch a Sunbeam,"—" Old Joliffe," "A Sequel to Old Joliffe," "Only," and "The Dream Chintz," all written by a lady, and published in a very neat style by Munroe & Co., have been received with delight by a large circle of readers. Their popularity is well deserved, for their contents and their morals are admirable.

"The Glory of the Latter House: a Discourse delivered at the Dedication of the Meeting-house of the Second Congregational Society in Worcester, March 2, 1851. By Alonzo Hill, Minister of said Society." (Worcester: Andrew Hutchinson. 1851. 8vo. pp. 55.) The Dedication of this Discourse refers to a peaceful and happy ministry, still exercised after the lapse of twenty-four years. The preacher, who has been so long honored and beloved for his faithful service, greets the erection of a new and elegant place of worship over the ruins of one destroyed by fire. After some introductory remarks, appropriate and earnest, having reference to the place, and the instruments and incitements of devotion, Mr. Hill sets himself to answer the two questions,-"In what has the glory of our New England Churches consisted ? " "And how shall their glory be yet greater?" The answer to the former question shows, that our churches have maintained the independency of religious associations, have presented a simple, but admirable form of church organization, and have established spiritual freedom and progress upon an immovable basis. The answer to the second question is, that the Church must still maintain her freedom, and hold her rightful spiritual supremacy; must meet the growing scepticism and irreligion of the times; must make her ministra tions more practical, and must exert a genial, spiritual, and uplifting influence.

The edifice is of brick, stuccoed, of the Roman Corinthian order, and the society is free from debt.

"The Good Parishioner. A Discourse occasioned by the Death of Benjamin Rich, Esq., delivered in the Church on Church Green, June 8, 1851. By Alexander Young, D. D. Printed by request." (Boston: J. Wilson & Son. 1851. 8vo. pp. 24.) "One that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue," is the text eminently appropriate in both its clauses to the subject of this discourse. Dr. Young presents, after the manner of the sterling old English writers, a sketch of the character of a good parishioner, embracing those public and private exhibitions of a religious purpose which show a kind, a friendly, and a conscientious spirit, a sympathy with the minister, and a sense of obligation to a holy cause. The preacher then illustrates these excellent traits as manifested in the life and character of the late Hon. Benjamin Rich, a man of a most kindly spirit and a most industrious and useful life; one of that race of merchants to whom Boston owes so much. Without lavish eulogy, Dr. Young is content to tell the simple story of a most energetic and benevolent life, and to allow the spontaneous deeds of a good man to impress their own moral. Personal friendship and constant intercourse would have justified even warmer praise from the pastor of his good parishioner.

"The Seventeenth Annual Report of the Executive Committee of the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches." (Boston: J. Wilson & Son. 1851. 8vo. pp. 33.) “Ninth Annual Report of the Ministry at Large, in the City of Providence, by Edwin M. Stone." (Providence: A. C. Greene. 1851. 12mo. pp.

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26.) "Sixth Semiannual Report of the Ministry at Large, with the Report of the Edgeworth Chapel Sunday School, in Charlestown. By Oliver C. Everett." (Boston: W. Chadwick. 1851. 12mo. pp. 24.) Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the Association for the Support of the Warren Street Chapel, together with Mr. Barnard's Report." (Boston: Dutton & Wentworth. 1851. 12mo. pp. 40.) "First Annual Report of the Association for the Relief of Aged Indigent Females.' (Boston: J. Wilson & Son. 1851. 8vo. pp. 36.) — We give the titles of these pamphlets, and we might add many others, - to indicate the continued prosecution, and indeed the increase, of those benevolent agencies, in a peculiarly Christian form, which have been established within a few years in our cit ies. Portland, Lowell, Roxbury, and St. Louis furnish us other materials. Mr. Everett's Report, the first which has been published of the ministry in Charlestown, is in our opinion a model report, instructive, judicious, and offering the right sort of encouragement. We are sorry that that noble enterprise, so fruitful of evident blessings, which Mr. Barnard has for many years conducted, should be in debt, but the announcement of the fact will doubtless soon make it no longer a fact.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ANNIVERSARY WEEK.

The Massachusetts Bible Society held its Annual Meeting in the Central Church, Winter Street, on Monday afternoon, May 26th. Hon. Simon Greenleaf presided, and, after the devotional exercises had been conducted by Rev. President Hopkins of Williams College, introduced the great cause which had again called together what is generally the largest assemblage of Anniversary Week. He spoke of the one single object which the Society had in view, - the circulation of the Bible, as engaging the zeal and interest of all Christians, as distinct from any sectarian or controversial purpose, and as prompted by our own experience of its value, and by the fact that the Holy Scriptures inspired and guided every noble enterprise for the welfare of humanity. The Rev. Dr. Parkman then read the Annual Report, drawn up in a felicitous style, so concise and weighty in its statements, and so appropriate in its diction, as to make a model for those who are held to discharge a similar service. This State Society has distributed during the last year 7,715 copies of the whole Bible, and 16,839 copies of the New Testament, of which entire issue all except about a thousand copies were in the English language. By the labors of the Agent, several

new Auxiliary Societies have been formed during the year. Earnest and impressive addresses, which deeply engaged the attention of the audience, were made by Rev. Dr. Stow of Boston, Rev. Dr. Johns of Baltimore, Rev. Samuel Osgood of New York, and Rev. M. Leon Pilatte from France.

The American Unitarian Association held the business-meeting of its Twenty-Sixth Anniversary at the Chapel of the Church of the Saviour, on Tuesday morning, May 27th. After prayer had been offered, Rev. Calvin Lincoln read the Annual Report, which considering the wellknown obstacles attending the operations of the Association, and the very limited extent to which it engages the hearty coöperation of those of whose religious views it is the exponent - presented an encouraging statement of success. The report was written in an admirable spirit, avoiding alike boasting and bigotry, and commending the objects of the Association solely on the ground that they are identified with the interests of the pure and benedictive Gospel of Jesus Christ. The appeal which had been made during the year in behalf of the Meadville Theological School, for the sum of $50,000, which was so promptly met, and the collection in this city of some $ 18,000 for the Boston Port Society, the whole of which latter sum, with the exception of some two or three hundred dollars, was, like the former, contributed by Unitarians, would of course be felt in the treasury of the Association. But about $10,000 has been received and expended during the year.

A nominating committee was chosen to present the names of candidates for the offices of the Association for the ensuing year. The President, Dr. Gannett, declined a nomination for reelection, much to the regret of the members present. The Rev. Dr. J. W. Thompson

and the Rev. Alonzo Hill also declined re-nomination as Directors.

The following gentlemen were then nominated and elected by ballot : Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, President; Hon. Stephen Fairbanks,_and Rev. Dr. E. B. Hall, Vice-Presidents; Rev. Dr. H. A. Miles, Rev. Charles Brooks, Hon. Albert Fearing, Isaiah Bangs, Esq., and Rev. G. W. Briggs, Directors; Rev. Calvin Lincoln, Secretary; and Henry P. Fairbanks, Esq., Treasurer.

On accepting the office thus conferred upon him, Mr. Lothrop referred to the many years through which he had already served the Association in various capacities, and briefly reviewed its history and objects. His predecessors had been men of high name and honor, and he especially adverted to the devoted and faithful example of Dr. Gannett. He hoped to receive the approbation of those who had committed to him a great trust, and should seek to deserve it by imitating the zeal and fidelity of those who had gone before him.

Dr. Gannett replied to the expressions of regard made towards himself, by commending, as Mr. Lothrop had done, the members of the Executive Committee, who had heartily coöperated with him. He spoke a few earnest words for the Association, inviting for it a warmer and more efficient support. We can but join in the general acknowledgment of the eminently dignified and devoted spirit in which Dr. Gannett has discharged his duties. Our cause owes more to him than to any one among the living. Though beyond all others of our brethren he insists most emphatically upon Unitarian distinctions, we do not think that he has ever made himself an enemy, or lost the esteem of a single individual among the sects around us.

Near the close of the business meeting, the Rev. S. J. May of Syracuse introduced a preamble followed by a Resolution; the former named with marked disapprobation several distinguished Unitarians, laymen and ministers, on account of their opinions concerning the Fugitive Slave Law, and the latter recommended every form of opposition to the law save that of physical force. It was voted that the document should not be received. The meeting then adjourned until evening, when it was held in the Federal Street Church. Rev. Dr. Barrett opened the exercises with prayer; the President called for the reading of a summary of the Report, and made a few introductory remarks. At his call successive speakers rose to enforce the Resolutions, which he read as follows:

"1. Resolved, That the history of the Christian Church and the signs of the times, not less than its wide-spread and undeniable wants, teach us that, avoiding sectarian aggressiveness and bitterness, we should be faithful in the exposition and dissemination of the Gospel of Divine grace, as we have drawn it from the oracles of our faith."

This was spoken to by Rev. Dr. Hall of Providence and Hon. Judge Rogers.

"2. Resolved, That the history of Christian beneficence, and the examples of efficient labor in other directions, show that, while the strength of every enterprise lies in the purity of personal conviction and action, success in the diffusion of truth depends very much on union of individual resources."

Spoken to by Rev. Barzillai Frost of Concord, and Hon. H. Chapin of Worcester.

“3. Resolved, That personal holiness, originating in an active faith, and expressed in the practical life, is at once the proof and the method of a true reconciliation of the soul to God."

Spoken to by Rev. E. H. Sears of Wayland, and Rev. E. B. Willson of Grafton.

"4. Resolved, That the past contributions of our scholars to the means of Biblical study, and the interest taken at present in the forination of Bible classes, concur with the claims of Scripture, to impose on us the duty of an earnest and constant perusal of the sacred volume."

Spoken to by Rev. Dr. Parkman and Francis B. Hayes, Esq.

"5. Resolved, That the logical and spiritual tendencies of Unitarian thought lead, not to scepticism or disorder, but to a calm and clear faith."

Spoken to by Rev. W. H. Eliot of St. Louis, and Rev. W. Mountford of Gloucester, late of England.

The exercises closed with a doxology and benediction. We have never enjoyed more this anniversary occasion. A spirit of reverence, of love and fidelity, seemed to influence all the speakers. What was said was good, and it was wisely and affectionately expressed. Without owing any of its impression to that detestable stuff which is called platform oratory, the meeting left upon the heart the glow of a truly religious communion on high themes and holy duties.

But we could not avoid some wanderings of thought from the words of the speakers, as we considered in our own mind why it is that the actual Unitarianism in these United States makes such an inadequate expression of itself in any of our organizations. If we are a Christian sect, then it is very certain that we show to a disadvantage among all other sects in the disproportion between our real strength and ability, and the exhibitions which we make of them in the ordinary ways of sectarian