nal, without beginning and without end? But that which as yet did not exist was to be predestinated, so that, in its own time, it should so be as it was predestinated to be before all time. Whoever, therefore, denies that the Son of God was predestinated, denies also that he was the Son of man. But, on account of the contentious, let us also hear the apostle in the beginning of his Epistles; for in his first epistle (that to the Romans) he says at the beginning, 'Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated to the gospel of God (which he had before promised to his apostles in the Holy Scriptures), concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David according to the flesh; but was predestinated the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead.' According to this predestination, then, he was glorified before the world, that his glory might be, from or after the resurrection of the dead, with the Father, at whose right hand he sits. When, therefore, he saw that the time of his glorification had now come; that what had already taken place in predestination might now take place in bestowal,— he prayed, saying, 'And now, Father, glorify me with thyself with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.' As if he had said, 'The time has come when I, living at thy right hand, should receive the glory which I had with thee; that is, the glory which I had with thee in thy predestination."" - In Johannis Evang. Tr. cvi.

In conformity with this explanation is that of verse 24, "For Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world;" which verse St. Augustine explains as meaning, "He loved us in him before the foundation of the world, and then did predestinate what he would do in the end of the world." In Johan. Tr. cxi. In conformity with this is Calvin's explanation : "This also agrees far better to the

person of the Mediator than to the naked divinity of Christ. It is harsh to say that the Father loved his own wisdom. But the context prevents our adopting the latter meaning. There can be no doubt, that when Christ prayed, in a former verse, that the apostles might be with him where he was, and might behold the glory of his kingdom, he spake as the Head of the church, as he was. In this verse, he says that the love of the Father was the cause of this glory of his kingdom. Hence it follows that he was loved [before the world was,] inasmuch as he was predestinated to be the Redeemer of the world."— CALVIN ad locum.

CHRISTIAN UNIONS.

To the Editor of the Monthly Journal.

YOUR suggestions for the establishment of Christian Unions, under the auspices of the American Unitarian Association, are worthy of particular attention, and should be put into practical operation. To this end, I herewith send a brief form of a Constitution for such bodies. This form will answer for either large or small Unions, but is more particularly adapted to neighborhoods where the Liberal Christians are few and have no regular society. The provision requiring at least one meeting to be held on each sabbath is designed to promote the usefulness of the Unions, and also to make them grow into permanent Liberal churches.

The establishment of such Unions is an important preliminary to systematic missionary action on the part of the Unitarian Association.

Some of these Unions might, perhaps, have ample pecuniary means, and yet be small in numbers; requiring, consequently, only occasional lectures or sermons from the agents of the Association.

Others might be large in numbers, but deficient in means; requiring, therefore, contributions in books, as well as frequent visits from the agents.

A large portion of the Liberal Christians in this country are scattered, away from the Liberal churches; and if the formation of such Unions shall aid in bringing them more frequently together, and also into more sympathetic relations with the American Unitarian Association, then a great and good work will be initiated.

W. H. W.

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I. NAME.

This society shall be called "The Christian Union of....

The purpose of the Union shall be the religious, moral, and intellectual improvement of the members, and the promotion of pure Christianity.

Any person desirous of co-operating in the objects of the Union may become a member upon signing the Constitution in the presence of one of the Directors, and upon paying the dues.

§ 2. Members whose dues are in arrears three months shall forfeit membership, unless, by reason of their absence or inability, the Directors waive or postpone such forfeiture.

§ 1. The officers of the Union shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer, who together shall constitute a Board of Directors. All of the officers shall be chosen annually by ballot, and hold their offices for one year, or until others are elected.

§ 2. The duties of the officers shall be such as usually pertain to their respective offices. The Board of Directors shall meet within one week after their election, and shall hold regular monthly meetings thereafter. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the President, or any three Directors. The Corresponding Secretary of the Union shall serve as Secretary to the Board.

§ 3. The Board shall have general charge of the affairs and interests of the Union. They shall provide a suitable place of meeting, and cause the same to be properly furnished, warmed, and lighted; and institute and superintend such public exercises as will, in their judgment, promote the objects of the Union.

§ 4. The Chairman shall, at the annual meeting, present a Report of the condition and prospects of the Union. The Corresponding Secretary shall present a similar Report, semi-annually, to the American Unitarian Association; which Report shall include a list of the officers.

§ 5. The Treasurer shall have charge of the Constitution, receive the signatures of members, and collect the dues. He shall present to the Board a quarterly report, showing

the condition of the finances.

No bills shall be paid by

him without the approval, of the Chairman, or a majority of the Directors.

Vacancies occurring in any of the offices shall be filled by vote of the Union; and the officers so chosen shall hold their offices until the next succeeding annual election.

The Board of Directors may appoint committees, charged with the execution, under the direction of the Board, of any duties devolving upon the Directors. Committees may also be appointed by the Union, whenever occasion requires.

At least one public meeting of the society, of a religious character, shall be held on each sabbath. At such meeting, a sermon or lecture shall be delivered or read, or a conference, or Sunday school, be held. The Directors may call such other religious meetings as they deem to be requisite and proper. The annual meeting, for the choice of officers and other business, shall be held on the . . . . day of. . . . . in each year. Other business-meetings may be called by the Chairman or Directors, or any five members.

No member or committee shall have power to contract any debt in the name of the Union, except by a vote of the Board of Directors; and the Directors shall have no authority to contract debts exceeding the annual income, except by a vote of the society.