the fine feelings of our nature. It is emphatically only does it afford a religion of peace. And not us the purest happiness here, by saving us from the love and dominion of sin, but it promises us, beyond this transitory state of existence, "an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." O, who is there that does not perceive the beauty and excellency of this religion? All hail, sweet harbinger of joy! Life without thee were a world without light, a death-like song, a frightful dream! Where could we flee in adversity but to thee? When sorrow and sadness pour upon us like a mighty deluge - when grief corrodes within the breast when cares perplex the mind, and disappointments bring their train of melancholy, - then it is that we are permitted to taste the value of religion. It irradiates the darkest gloom, and spreads an ocean of unbounded delight over all the scenes of human existence. May it ever be my ambition to recommend this religion, both by precept and example, to the attention of my fellow-men. "I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice, May all, to whom these remarks may come, be entreated by their youthful friend, by one who feels an interest in their happiness, to "break off their sins by righteousness, and their iniquities by turning to the Lord." Then shall they enjoy that peace of God which passeth understanding, and find, by happy experience, that in keeping the commandments there is great reward. Fear of Death. How many thousands of our race are now living in misery, and trembling with horror, through fear of death! Sighs and tears - troubled bosoms aching hearts-hours of darkness lives of sorrow, are their bitter portion. The beauties of earth, and the sweets of friendship, present no charms to the tremulous vision; and at last the destroyer comes, and they lie down in despair. And all this is through fear of death. But, can the true believer be in bondage to fear? No, never! He reposes with unshaken confidence in the God of heaven, and exercises a strong and abiding faith in the gospel of his Redeemer. Fear is a stranger to his bosom. He can exclaim with the Pslamist, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Profanity. THE practice of profane swearing is one of the most useless, foolish and pernicious sins of the day. To be saluted on every hand with a profane oath, is, to the man of sensibility and feeling, truly revolting. And, above all others, professed Universalists should be the last to indulge in this vile practice. Theirs is not a doctrine of cursing and bitterness, but of blessing and love. They are, therefore, exceedingly inconsistent and foolish when they call on God to damn their fellow-men. A certain opposer of our faith was right when he said that Universalists, in order to swear, were obliged to steal oaths to swear with. True. The worst oath which a Universalist can utter, and be consistent with his faith, is, "May God bless you." O that all who profess this faith would remember this, and govern their conduct and conversation in such a manner as shall reflect honor upon the doctrine they believe! It is a sentiment which gives no license to sin, no room for the indulgence of profanity. Its language is, Thou shalt bless, and curse not. If we heed this command, and are governed by its spirit, we shall promote our own happiness, the welfare of others, and the glory of God. Even so may it be. "Be courteous." If there is any one thing needed among us more than another, it is Christian courtesy. Christians manifest a lamentable want of respect for each other's feelings. They do not appear to deem the exhortation at the head of this article worthy of their attention. They will denounce those who may honestly differ from them in sentiment, as infidels, sinners; and brand them with the most opprobrious epithets. Universalists have suffered from this lack of courtesy among professing Christians. They have been called hard names treated with disrespect-ranked with infidels and others who regard not the word of God. And what is worse, this has been done in the pulpit, by those who have stood forth as teachers of virtue and piety. Now, of one thing we are certain, that whatever else these brethren possess, they are greatly deficient in Christian courtesy. When they come to us, and address us as rational beings, call us by our proper name, and give us credit for what we do believe, instead of denouncing us as infidels, we shall begin to think that they have some regard for the exhortation of the Apostle, "Be courteous." FRAGMENTS FROM LETTERS. Immortality. I HAVE been thinking, my dear friend, of the happy seasons we have enjoyed together; of that blessed spirit of which we have drank so freely ; of that pure flame of love which has been kindled upon the altar of our hearts; of "those unsearchable riches" to which our minds have been directed; of that inexhaustible theme on which we have expatiated; and I have asked myself, Can it be possible, that creatures capable of such sublime enjoyments of possessing such holy desires-of indulging such glorious hopes, are to exist for a few short days, and then lie down to perish? Can it be possible, that those endearing relations, those strong ties of affections, which have here bound us together, are to be annihilated when the taper of life shall cease to burn? Can it be, that when a few more changes shall have mocked us, these pleasant scenes shall be forever o'er? I cannot, I will not indulge the dreadful thought. My Redeemer hath |