Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-09-17


habits Of virtue. ,hcy initiate them into practices
which will form their character through life, and
ouerate upon them as persuasive sne a preserva-
live against vice. For habits formed in early life,
are of all others, most lasting IN their duration.
and The most difficult TO eradicate. The remark OF
tbe great moral post
:. Just as the twig 10 bent, the trees iuclin'd,
Is perfectly correct asthe foundations either OF
vir,uous or vicious life are generally laid IN the
| season Of youth. - "
F,cs. the w. York Ne,eay.i!e -5xs*riisey.
70 ALL cHnIsTIAss, AND ESPECIALLY TO
CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S.
While reading the address OF the american Bible
Sosisy to the people Of the United States, thought
but one thug more is necessary to complete the
system for universal diffusion Of christian knewl
edge and that it, united cooperation of the sew
eral denominations Of protesting chrstians.-I'ut
how shall this be efecteds There are, it is true,
some shades Of difference in sentiment among the
several orders respecting baptism. church govern
ment, &c.. but they are points so ineonsderable
In themselves, that think catholic christian
would wlin2y sacrifice bis own peculiar senti-
ment., Chat is, think and let think, without max
ing them subjeets of controversy for the sake Of
concentrating in one an,ed body the several orders
Of sbristisns. and Of combining their collected and
united influence to oppose sn, and to establish and
circumfuse holiness throughout inhabited world.
Might not the great body of christians, laying
aside all disputes upon nlstters OF minor Importance,
agree in establishing and defending the following
articles Ms fundamentals viz:
1. One God in unity o. trinity. The fall, and
consequent depravity Of man-3 The complete
atonement of Christ, byths sacrifice OF himself for
the sins of tho whole vorld--i. The necessity OF
regeneration by the agency Of the holy spirit, nsti-
fcaton by faith, and holiness Of heart and life.
The certainty OF future rewards and punishments.
What if all denominations, who consider the
above doctrines as essential articles OF the Christian
faith, were To agree to send delegates, who should
meet together and digest plan for general union
and co-opclatiou of all truly pious ministers and
people !?
Let the Presbyterisns, Congregationalists, seee-
ders, Dutsh Reformed, Epscoprl'ans, Msnthodists,
Bsptists, l4ulherans, Friends, Moravians, and any
others who may unite 10 maintaining the above
mentioned doctrines, send each an equal numbs' OF
delegates, to sonvsae ia some central place, say
New ork or Phiiad-lph,a, and les them ssiastrue-
ted to their wisdom and influence TO digest aud
prepare a plan for collecting ard consolidating
general UNION for spreading the glorious gospel Of
the Son of God.
7 What Ell suspicious era would that be, which
should present TO the world Uniled Esongefteas
Caarei, all of whose ministers and members should
Most High uod through all parts of the known
world! How glorious were they 10 publish TO The
world u manifest, explaining their views aud OBJ
jsct, and Inviting all 10 join ia the holy league!
1t was sy to anticipate difficulties which might
arise TO prevent SUCH proposed union (; but, 10
obtain object OF such magnitude, OF such incal-
culabe good 10 mankind, who would not sacrifice
private views, party feelings, secta, ian jeaou-
ses," and sef-intsrest. Whatever objections may
DO made, think might be easily obyiatcd by all
appeal scripture, to reason to that universal be-
ncvolence, which every christian feels to prodemi-
nate IN has breast, and to the certain good which
must result from such an extensive combination Of
talent pie,y aud zeal, for the best of all causes.
hat difficulties are there, but might be overcome
by the united efforts Of jealous christian ministers,
aided by tns prayers of ali christian people, and a
bove all, aided by the presence and grace OF an ON
npotsnt Rcdeemer-for surely the great head of
the Church must smile upon an undertaking so
God-ike, 30 benevolent, and calculated for such
extensive and such lasting benefits TO the whole
human family.
Whether The time has yet arrived for the watsh-
men 10 see sye to sye, cannot tell; but the time
must come before the universal reign of Christ spon
earth eau DO realized and the event must be
brought about by means that adapted to its at
tanneat. Ii any more likely to attain the object
than those above mentioned, Can be resortsd 10,
may some one point them out, and may they be
speedily used; If not, let Us sacriGse all party
spirit aud selfish views upon the altar Of hrotherIy
love Let every one bring stone for the temple
of union and universal benevoIeuce, and the built
ding shall be erected; and God himself will no
doub. Gil il with the glory of his Prcsencs--ali
shall be animated by the same spirit, and all party
Distinctions shall be lost IA the eDdearing sppeila-
ton of brother. This is the day for the sons Of
Zion TO arise in their collected and uaied strength,
and in the name OF the King OF Kings, TO 20 forth,
with their combined influence. until the Kingdoms
of this world shall become Tho klngdoms Of the
Lord, and of his Christ. -
PHtLANTHROPISr.