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"Hyram" and Philo." On a careful review, it is believed, "Hyram's" piece will be found to be a direct and open attack" of a system of sentiments, (not of any one particular author) which he briefly describes. "Philo" evidently gives his faith concerning "a resurrection to condemnation," and of "a general judgement," and a few scriptures which he considers support these ideas. No doubt, the design of both these writers was to invite discussion, with a view to aid the cause of evangelical truth, and not to bite and devour, or sow discord among brethren, as our admonisher 'seemed to suggest.

FURTHER REMARKS, &C.

The reader will doubtless recollect the promise, in the last number of the Repository, to present in this, further remarks on Mr. Lathrop's observations or lecture, on Matt, xviii. 15-20. The principal object is, to consider his application of the scriptures which he quoted, in proof of the heart-chilling doctrine of endless misery. Not only do my limits forbid a full explanation of each passage he quoted, in his dis course; but, it is considered sufficient, to evince their total want of evidence in support of his doctrine. The first quotation was John iii. 3. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." But let us soberly ask the following questions, and answer' them with as much freedom and honesty, as though beyond the scrutinizing eye of designing and dictatorial priests. Does the above passage declare, that any man shall be endlessly miserable? It does not. Because a man does not see the kingdom of God, does it follow of conse quence, that he never will behold it? Does the text assert that any part of the human family shall never be born again? Surely not. Then it is no proof of

the horrible doctrine of interminable torture. Every man was once destitute, in some degree, of the image and spirit of Jesus; and in that sense and degree, in which he was destitute, he needed a renovation. And it was then, and with each individual, as true as with Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." But would any rational man infer from hence,that none who were thus needful of the new birth should ever receive it? Nothing could be more preposterous! And yet, we might as fairly infer that none would be born anew, as that all would be eternally miserable who stood in need of this renovation. Look at the following; Eph. ii. 12. "Ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." O lamentable condition! Is there the least hope? How can the poor wretches be saved, who are without Christ, having no hope, and even without God in the world? How easy it would be for Mr. Lathrop to prove that all those were mere blind leaders of the blind, who should preach that such Christless, hopeless, Godless creatures could be saved? Yea, with what facility might an ingenious Calvinistic Baptist prove the doctrine of a partial commonwealth of Israel—a partial covenant of promise, with a Christ and a God of the same description? They would depute reprobates in scores, who were from eternity ordained to this hopeless and heavenless doom; and, yet, infinitely blameworthy for not frustrating the purpose of God, in listening and adhering to their exhortations, to repent and be saved. Multitudes have been so far distracted by such pervertions of truth, as to surrender their own better judgement and reasoning faculties, to the merciless dominion of a dominant priestcraft. But stop, my friends, and for a moment reflect! Does it prove that any rational offspring of Jehovah

will be endlessly tormented,because some were withou! Christ? You answer, in your reasoning moments, no; for such were the characters he came to save. Very true; and did he not come into the world to save such as must be born again? And if so, was not the new birth a mean of effecting the salvation of sinners? Nothing can be plainer. And further, Mr. Lathrop might as fairly prove, that all the indisposed in Vermont would forever die, because their physicians had in truth said, Except you take medicine you cannot enjoy health, as that those will be forever suffering, to whom Jesus said, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of Ged.' But I will dismiss this point, by observing, that probably, in some future. number, we shall offer for consideration, a brief Essay on the new birth; but cannot in this article discuss so important and extensive a subject. R. S..

[To be continued.]

OBITUARY.

Extract of a letter from the Queensbury Society of Universal Friends, N. Y. to the Northern Association of Universalists, convened at Reading, Sept. 28 and 29, 1820.

"Since our last, three of our aged fathers in the faith, have paid the debt of nature; viz. Sylvanus Holly, Ichabod Kneeland, and Michael Harris. For the consolation of those who trust in the living God, as the Savior of all men, we transmit the following interesting account, touching the situation of their minds, at the time of their departure."

"Sylvanus Holly, a few days previous to his death, called his family to his bed side, and addressed them in the following words; "In a few days I shall have another fit * and shall die. I have often been told, that universal doctrine is pleasing to the carnal mind

He had been subject to fits.

that it would do to live by, but not to die by. I am now addressing you for the last time; and my only joy and consolation is in that God, who is good unto all, and whose tender mercies are over all the works of his hands! I leave you in the fullest assurance, that in a period, known to an all-wise, merciful, and good God, I shall meet you, together with all Adam's family, ', 'in realms of unclouded glory; where none will be able to tell me, “your faith in an impartial God (as you used to call it) has landed you in perdition ;" but all will shout and give glory to Him, who sitteth on the THRONE, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever! It is to me more than probable that, at the time of my death, I shall not have my reason. I, therefore, now request, that when I am dying, the song composed and sung by Elhanan Winchester, at his death, should be sung by my family." In a few days agreeable to his prediction, he had another fit and died. His wife and eldest son,a young man of about 8 years,sung the song according to his request. He had been an ordained Elder and preached among the Baptists, 30 years; but in the year 1815, he came out from the multitude, and professed Abraham's faith."

"Capt. Ichabod Kneeland, on the morning he died, it being a clear morning, called to his wife,and requested to be raised up in his bed. He then spoke to the following purport; "Farewell, sun, that rises and sets! -Nothing remains but to unlock the door, and let the prisoner go soon my weary spirit will launch into the ocean of ineffable delight; shall not need the light of the sun, moon, or a candie any more; for the Lord God and the Lamb will be my light; and angels, archangels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, will be my company through immesurable ages! Brethren, my faith grows stronger and stronger; and I wish to have it published to the world. that I died in the faith that I have professed for 30 years-a faith that

owns all men brothers, and the children of one com mon Parent, who will not suffer one of his offspring to perish without remedy; but will fulfil all his will, which is, that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth."

"Michael Harris met his approaching dissolution with a smile; and he said, "My friends, death is no terror to me; though for the sake of my family I should wish to live; but infinite wisdom cannot err; I, therefore, feel perfectly resigned to his will.”

Died in Reading, October 30, Samuel Stow Loveland, only son of Samuel C. Loveland, the Editor of this work; aged 10 months.

The following lines were sung at the funeral.

Dear Lord, in that great house prepar'd

For ev'ry chosen one,

Hast thou a happy mansion made.
For this, my little son?

Yes; sleep, my babe, divinely blest;
Thy Savior calls thee home;
His kindness has prepar'd thy rest;
His voice invites thee, 'come.'
The Lord whe numbers every hair,
Nor let a sparrow fall

Without his notice and his care,
Will ne'er neglect thy soul.

Thy anxious parents fain would keep
Thee with them here below;

To lose thy cheerful smiles they weep,
But yield to let thee go.

Farewell, dear babe, we part with thee.
No longer is thy stay?

No more thy pains, thy misery;

But thine is endless day.

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