ening their minds from a blind submission to ecclesiastical dictators. The resolution was adopted.

S. Higginson, jr. Esq., of Cambridge, then presented the following resolution, which he supported by a statement of facts. Resolved, That the increasing demand for Unitarian preachers, calls for an increase of the means by which this demand may be supplied.' The Rev. Mr Hall of Northampton, in an animated address, in which he spoke of the efforts required of Unitarians for the diffusion of their faith, seconded the resolution, and it was passed.

Judge Story moved, that the Report be printed, and circulated as a tract, which was voted. The Ascription, beginning, From all who dwell below the skies,' was then sung by the assembly standing, after which the meeting was adjourned sine die.

Massachusetts Convention of Congregational Ministers.-The annual meeting of this Convention, was held in the Court House, in Boston, on Wednes. day and Thursday, May 28th and 29th. No business of much importance was transacted, except that which regularly comes before the meeting, in relation to the charity for which the Convention was instituted. The committee to whom last year was referred the question of measures to be adopted respecting the dinner, which has usually been given to the ministers of the State by the societies of Boston, were not ready to report, in consequence of Professor Stuart's nonattendance. He had given his written views on the subject, however, but they were not communicated to the Convention. Some conversation ensued on a proposition for an indefinite postponement of the whole subject, in which the origin and history of the custom were detailed. The ground taken by the majority was, that it was indelicate to interfere in the premises. This was opposed, principally, by the Rev. Mr Wisner, an Orthodox minister of Boston, who was the most active debater on that side both last year and this. He could see no impoliteness in giving notice to his host that he begged he would not be at the expense of an entertainment in future, which has hitherto been very gratefully received and properly estimated, but which is now a piece of extravagance, and ought, for temperance and example's sake, to be discontinued. The Rev. Mr Hildreth, however, was of a different opinion, and thought the more proper course was to

leave it discretionary with the host to provide or not provide, and equally discretionary with the individual guests, to accept or not accept the proffered hospitality, asking no questions for conscience's sake. The latter view of the subject prevailed, as being more consistent with the rules of good breeding, and so the proposition for indefinite postponement was carried.

The choice of preacher was next made, and by long established rules it should have fallen upon a Unitarian. But the Orthodox seemed determined that the Liberal party shall not monopolize the credit of being the only reformers of abuses, and, leaving the reformation of the faith to them, took to themselves that of other matters, and chose the Rev. President Humphreys by a majority of thirtyfive votes. On Thursday, the Convention Sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr Griffin. We have already spoken of the character of his performance in our Notices of Recent Publications.

Ordination at Baltimore.-On Wednesday, the 23d of April, the Rev. Geo. W. Burnap of the Theological School in Cambridge, was ordained as the pastor of the First Independent Church, in Baltimore, formerly under the charge of the Rev. Mr Sparks. Introductory Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Furness, of Philadelphia; Reading of the Scriptures, by the Rev. Mr Briggs, of Lexington; Sermon, by the Rev. James Walker, of Charlestown; Ordaining Prayer, by the Rev. Dr Porter, of Roxbury; Charge, by the Rev. Dr Ripley, of Concord; Right Hand of Fellowship, by the Rev. Mr Stetson, of Medford; Address to the Society, by the Rev. Dr Bancroft, of Worcester; Concluding Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Ware, of New York.

Installation in Boston.-On Wednesday, May 21st, the Rev. Mellish Irving Motte was installed as Pastor of the South Congregational Society in Boston. Introductory Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Gannett; Selections from Scripture, by the Rev. Mr Ripley; Sermon by the Rev. Dr Channing; Prayer of Installation, by the Rev. Dr Ware, Professor of Divinity in Harvard University; Charge, by the Rev. Dr Harris, of Dorchester; Fellowship of the Churches, by the Rev. Mr Upham, of Salem; Address to the Society, by the Rev. Mr Greenwood; Concluding Prayer, by the Rev. H. Ware, jr.

Ordination at Dennis.-The ordination of the Rev. Daniel Mansfield Stearns, as Pastor of the Congregational Church and Society in North Dennis, took place on Wednesday, May 14th. Introductory Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Hersey, of East Barnstable; Sermon, by the Rev. Dr Lowell, of Boston; Consecrating Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Shaw, of Eastham; Charge, by the Rev. Mr Simpkins, of Brewster; Right Hand of Fellowship, by the Rev. Mr Stearns, of Stoughton; Address to the Church and Society, and Concluding Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Stone, of Provincetown.

Ordination at Brighton.-On Wednesday, June 4th, the Rev. Daniel Aus tin, from the Theological School in Cambridge, was ordained Pastor of the First Congregational Society in Brighton. Introductory Prayer, by the Rev. Mr White,of Littleton; Selections from Scripture, by the Rev. Mr Francis, of Watertown; Sermon, by the Rev. Mr Stetson,

of Medford; Ordaining Prayer, by the Rev. Dr Ware, of Harvard University; Charge, by the Rev. Dr Ripley, of Concord; Right Hand of Fellowship, by the Rev. Mr Burton, of East Cambridge; Address to the Society, by the Rev. Mr Field, of Weston; Concluding Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Whitman, of Waltham.

Ordination at New York.-On Thursday, June 19th, the Rev. William Parsons Lunt, was ordained as Pastor of the Second Congregational Unitarian Society in the city of New York. Introductory Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Colman, of Salem; Selections from the Scriptures, by the Rev. Mr Pierpont, of Boston; Sermon, by the Rev. Mr Greenwood, of Boston; Prayer of Ordination, by the Rev. Dr Kendall, of Plymouth; Charge, by the Rev. Mr Frothingham, of Boston; Right Hand of Fellowship, and Address to the Society, by the Rev. William Ware, of New York; Concluding Prayer, by the Rev. Mr Parkman, of Boston

RUSSIA. On the 27th of April, the emperor of Russia made a formal declaration of war against the Ottoman Porte, and it is understood that about the same date the Russian army on the Pruth, passed that river, and entered the Turkish territories. No particular account of the operations of the army has yet reached us. The declaration enumerates various causes of complaint against Turkey for the last sixteen years, the principal of which are the violation of the convention of Akerman, and other treaties, the closing of the Bosphorus against the Russian trade on the Black Sea, the interference with the negotiations for peace between Russia and Persia, and the hostile declarations in the Turkish manifesto of the 12th of January. The emperor disavows any ambitious designs, and declares that countries and nations enough already obey the laws of Russia, and cares enough are united with the extent of her dominion; but that the war being brought on by Turkey, she must bear the burden of making good all the expenses caused by it, and the losses sustained by Russian

subjects. The objects of the war are to secure the observance of the treaties which the Porte considers as no longer existing, entire liberty, for the future, of commerce in the Black Sea, and of navigation of the Bosphorus. He declares that although he is at war with the Porte for reasons which are independent of the convention of July 6, 1827, with Great Britain and France, he will not depart from the stipulations of that convention. The duties which it imposed upon Russia he says will be strictly observed, and the Allies will find her always ready to act in concert with them, in the execution of that treaty, and always zealous to cooperate in a work which is recommended by religion, and all the feelings which do honor to hu-, manity. The declaration concludes by saying that the emperor will not lay down his arms till he has obtained the results stated in the declaration; and that he expects them from the benedictions of Him, to whom justice, and a pure conscience have never yet appealed in vain.

It appears from various declarations from members of the British and French

governments, that an entire harmony subsists between Russia and the other Allied powers. The fleets of the three powers, which were disabled in the battle of Navarino, have been repaired, and are supposed to be employed in the waters of the Archipelago, for enforcing the convention of July 6. A body of French troops, prepared for foreign service, and a large naval armament with transports for the conveyance of troops, was lately assembled at Toulon and Marseilles, which was probably destined for the Morea. But it seems the Allied

powers have resolved on a different course, and the armament has been dispersed, and the troops marched to their respective cantonments. The war between France and Algiers still continues.

GREECE.-Count Capo d'Istria has arrived in Greece, where he was received with enthusiasm by all parties. He has organized a provisional government, and has used great efforts to introduce order and efficiency into the different departments of the administration. In aid of the finances he has established a bank, and invited men of property in the country to invest their funds in it. He has endeavoured to introduce a system of organization into the army, and has taken decisive measures for the suppression of piracy. The attempt of the Greeks to obtain possession of the island of Scio proved unsuccessful. After having obtained the command of the whole island except the castle, and having held that fortress in a state of seige for several weeks, a large reinforcement of Turkish troops arrived from the Asiatic coast, under the protection of a fleet from the Dardanelles, in consequence of which they were obliged to retreat to the western part of the island, and were soon after taken off by Greek and French vessels.

GREAT BRITAIN.-The ministry of which the Duke of Wellington is the head, appears to be firmly established, notwithstanding the secession of some of its members, and they seem disposed to retain their power, by adopting a course of liberal policy, and by such reforms as are strongly called for by the public sentiment. A bill has passed both houses of parliament, by the support of the ministry, and has received the Royal assent, for the repeal of the corporation and test acts, and substituting for the

sacramental tests which were required to be taken as a qualification for office, merely a declaration that no privilege, power, or influence which may be derived from the office, shall be made use of to overthrow or disturb the present church establishment. A resolution, proposing a committee of inquiry into the Catholic claims, passed the house of commons, after a debate of three days, by a majority of six votes, in a very full house, viz. yeas, 272; nays, 266. After the adoption of this resolution, the house of lords were invited to a conference for the purpose of communicating the resolution, and asking their concurrence. The conference was agreed to, and five conferees were appointed on the part of each house to meet on a future day, named by the house of lords. This form of proceeding, though not without precedent, is quite unusual in the British parliament. At the conference, Sir Francis Burdett, on the part of the house of commons, submitted the following resolution, which was reported to the lords, and the 9th of June was appointed for taking it into consideration; viz.-That it is expedient to consider the laws affecting his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects in Great Britain and Ireland, with a view to such final and conciliatory adjustments as may be conducive to the peace and strength of the United Kingdom, to the stability of the Protestant Establishment, and to the general satisfaction and concord of all classes of his Majesty's subjects.

PORTUGAL.-Don Pedro, emperor of Brazil, on the 3d of March last, by a public decree completed his abdication of the crown of Portugal, in favor of his daughter, Donna Maria, who is recognised as queen of Portugal, by the constitutional charter, given to Portugal by Don Pedro, on the death of the late king. Don Miguel, the brother of the emperor of Brazil, and appointed by him regent of Portugal, during the minority of Donna Maria, has shown little disposition to regard the obligations of the constitution, but on the contrary seems inclined to assume an absolute authority, in his own right, as successor to his father. The friends of the constitution have been disgraced, the advocates of absolute authority promoted, and in many of the principal towns, except Lisbon and Oporto, Don Miguel has been openly proclaimed king,

without opposition. The British troops have been withdrawn from Portugal, and it is reported that all the foreign ambassadors, accredited at the court of the regent, have received orders from their governments to give notice of the termination of their functions, in case he should carry into effect the designs he is supposed to meditate, of having himself declared king, by a convocation of the three estates of the kingdom.

SOUTH AMERICA.-The information from the new States of the South, is not of a very agreeable character. Accounts have reached us from Brazil, that negociations were in train, for a peace between that country and Buenos Ayres, on a basis which was likely to be successful, viz. the recognition of the independence of the country about which the two parties have been contending. In the mean time the finances of both the belligerent parties are in a poor state, particularly of the Buenos Ayreans, and what was worse for the latter country, their government is in a state of the greatest disorganization. The republic of Colombia is in hardly a better state. The government appears to be in a state of abeyance. The national convention, at the date of the last information from that country, was still in session, deliberating on the mode of remedying the evils of the times, and on amendments of the constitution, which should restore efficiency to the government. Bolivar was at Bogota, and had addressed a message to the convention, in which he resigned his office as president of the republic. He represents the government as entirely prostrated, and insubordination everywhere prevalent, and recommends a new distribution of power, in which there shall be a strong executive, and in which the legislative body shall have less control. If the reports which have reached us can be depended on, there can be little doubt that Bolivar will be constituted Dictator, and the forms of his administration will be regulated at his pleasure.

CENTRAL AMERICA.-The condition of this government is still worse than that of Colombia. Mr Rochester, appointed Charge d'Affaires of our own government, to reside at Guatemala, lately proceeded as far as Omoa, for the purpose of entering on the duties of his appointment, but he there received such information of the distracted state of the country, as induced him to return to the

United States. The late president of the union, Arce, had resigned. Two parties called the Guatemalians or Centralists, and the St Salvadorians or Liberalists, were at open war with each other. Honduras, and Porto Rico, were in a state of tranquillity. Mr Rochester left Omoa May 17th.

MEXICO. The state of this country has undergone no improvement, but is rather growing worse. No effectual measures have been taken for sustaining the credit of the government in Europe, and the dividends on the large loans obtained in London remain unpaid. The Mexican stocks, as well as those of the other new American States, are consequently at a very low ebb in the European markets. Measures of still further severity against the Spaniards in Mexico, have been adopted, which have an unfavorable effect on the trade of the country.

UNITED STATES.-The Congress of the United States closed its annual session on the 26th of May. The measures of the greatest public interest adopted during the session, were,an act increasing the duties on certain articles of foreign manufacture, designed for the promotion of domestic manufactures; an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution; an act appropriating a million of dollars in aid of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal; and an act making an appropriation for the construction of a break-water at the mouth of Delaware river. The first of these measures was contested with warmth in both houses of Congress, and the opinions of the public are much divided on the question of its justice and expediency. A large number of private bills were passed, by which the just claims of individuals, who had long sought redress in vain, have been acknowledged and liquidated.

A convention between this country and Great Britain, has been recently published, by which the form of proceeding is arranged, for preparing the question respecting the boundary line between Maine and New Brunswick, to be submitted to the arbitration of a third power. Mr Albert Gallatin of Pennsylvania, and Judge Preble of Maine, have been appointed commissioners on the part of our government, to prepare the statement of our claim, for this arbitration.