their conversion, for it cannot be done. Let them form churches and societies of their own, and manage them in their own way; furnish them with the necessary aid, and then avoid pestering them with supervision. Treat them as self-governing bodies, and receive them into full fellowship. In this way, a congregation that was made up of the dregs of society, will, in a generation, become as intelligent, self-relying and efficient, as any of its elder sisters. Tract visitors and city Missionaries are doing a noble work in leading sinners to the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world;" in which result we rejoice; but it will be found that other denominations get nearly all the increase. If we desire them to enjoy the benefit of our admirable polity, they must be gathered into distinct churches, and thus encouraged to stand alone.

The providence of God has brought us to the point where we must separate from our ancient allies, the Presbyterians, in the work of Home Missions. Though we love them no less, and though we fondly believe there has been no abatement of their affection towards us, yet a separation is inevitable. We have the same great end in view, but our measures differ, and therefore we cannot walk together. Avoiding all participation in the controversy that has been, or is to be, in relation to this matter, we cannot suppress the wish that the separation may be made as peaceably and speedily as possible. This Journal has not labored to produce the result; but as the result is a foregone conclusion, we accept it, and are disposed to make the best of it. Both bodies will be stronger and more efficient after the separation has been made, and we have entered upon a settled line of policy. But we must, on both sides, guard against the prevalence of a sectarian spirit, and not strive to supplant each other in any part of the field of our operations. The field, "white to the harvest," is broad enough and long enough for us, and for all other disciples of our common Lord.

As a matter of necessity, we must have our own Home Missionary agencies. Whether the American Home Missionary Society, which enjoys the unabated confidence of Congregationalists, or whether a new society, for the denomination, or whether State organizations, will be employed, must be left for time to decide. This is a point which will not be settled in this connection; but we may offer the suggestion, that it will be as necessary to have a permanent organization for raising funds to build churches, and sustain literary institutions in the west, and on the Pacific coast, as for supporting missionaries. This should not be left to chance, nor to impulse, nor to agencies which take our funds, and apply them to the support of other

denominations. If we have anything to give away,—and may the time never come when we shall not have much,-we can just as well do it, in our name, and through our own organizations. Other bodies will love us as much, and respect us more.

Our union with the New School Presbyterians, and the Dutch Reformed, in the Foreign Missionary enterprise, need not be disturbed, so long as we can work together harmoniously; and we know of nothing that ought to disturb our harmony. It is very possible that more would be accomplished, if we should separate; but it would be an experiment, at the best, and an experiment which could not be made without a severe trial of hallowed Christian affection. It is a pleasant sight, when the representatives of three religious denominations meet on the same platform, and come around the same table to commemorate the love of a common Saviour.

Shall Congregationalism be confined to the free States and Territories? We answer no, if it can be established in slave States without being implicated with slavery. If the principle laid down by the Albany Convention should be followed, in the founding of churches in Kentucky and other States where slaves abound, there would be no danger, because slaveholders would not seek for admission into churches whose ministers faithfully applied the Gospel to the sin of oppression. We need not settle the question whether slavery is a malum in se, or not; we need not decide the question whether we will admit a slaveholder, who gives evidence of piety, to the church, or exclude him, until he gives freedom to his bondmen. Such men will not trouble us, if we adhere to the Albany platform; they will find a home elsewhere, and our churches will grow up free from the guilt of upholding slavery. And is there not a wide field for us in the States and Territories where slavery is allowed? We believe there is, and that it would not be long before a hundred men of the same stamp as James G. Fee, would find employment in all that region which extends from the Allegany to the foot of the western slope of the Cumberland Mountains. Indeed, the time is approaching when our denomination will have a great advantage, in the Southern States, from the fact that it is not implicated with slavery. Multitudes of Christians there are convinced of the sin of slaveholding, and they will gladly join churches from which slaveholders are excluded, as soon as they can do so with safety. Just as soon as we elect a national executive, who will protect anti-slavery men in the Southern States, in all their lawful endeavors to overthrow slavery, we shall see a development of opposition to that accursed institution that will fill our timid

conservatives with amazement. May the hope of such a result unite us to earnest prayer and well-directed effort.

We have thus considered the past history, the present condition, and the future duties and prospects of Congregationalism. If, in performing this task, anything has been said which is justly offensive to Christians of other denominations, we shall deeply regret it. Our own brethren, who are forming and expressing their own opinions, will not, we trust, think us presuming, in offering these suggestions to their candid attention. And now our Article shall close as abruptly as it began, with a single remark. As our aim in all our efforts to promote the spread and growth of Congregationalism is to honor our Redeemer and gather souls into his everlasting kingdom, so should we be governed in all our counsels, and in all our labors, by His Spirit. He loves Christians of other denominations; let us love them also. He loves the souls of men; let us love them as He does, and then, in our efforts to lead them to Him, we shall respect the feelings and rights of all His disciples.

ART. IV.-VISIONS OF AN ANDOVER STUDENT.

VISION THIRD.

THE wretched Andover Student proceedeth to his third vision.

The moonbeams were sweetly sleeping on the top of Mt. Olivet, and on the waters of Siloam. They sparkled on the cloisters and golden roof of the glittering temple. The city was hushed in profound repose. Not a street-dog's voice was heard. Superstition and atheism, lust and violence, were awhile suspended. The angel of Mercy was taking his flight, and the angel of Vengeance was descending. His garments were spotted with crimson; his sword was bathed in blood. I saw the angel of Mercy drop a tear into Siloam's waters, and they welled out to fill the whole valley with their flood: the angel of Vengeance washed his sword in them, and they became as the waters of Dimon. A low, wailing voice sighed on the midnight wind, saying: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto

thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."

I looked up and thought I saw a mighty leopard, crouched on the top of the mount of Olives; his fiery eyes were fixed on something half way down the mount. I looked to the spot and saw an old shepherd in worn out garments asleep with his flock around him. The leopard was watching when he should crouch, ready to spring and devour him with his flock-now and then glancing at the city. Then I remembered the words written, "A leopard shall watch over their cities."

I saw also, sitting under a blasted fig tree-the same perhaps which our Saviour cursed-a man who appeared not to have slept for seven years and five months.* His back was all lacerated with stripes, and he was knocking his heart and speaking in a most lamentable tone-Woe to the bloody city-woe to Jerusalem; woe, woe, woe. He had been crying these words all day through the streets; a divine fury seemed to be seated in his face, dreadfully in earnest, and yet more dreadfully calm; and no terrors, nor stripes, nor human power, could induce him to suspend his tearless lamentation. I looked into the temple and saw a light-not from the moon, but brighter than the sun, shine around the Holy altar, and there was nothing there but ashes and bones. I noticed the brazen gate on the east to open of itself, groaning on its hinges; and I heard a voice, as of distant waters-"Let us go hence." Then there was a rushing sound of many wings, as if a holy choir were taking their flight. I lookod up to the sky and saw a most dreadful sight. A fiery sword was hung down over the city, and near it was a comet; and the whole heavens seemed to be filled with chariots and horses of fire, rushing to conflict. "Surely," said I, "some terrible doom awaits this devoted people. The hour of vengeance has come."

The victim they had crucified had foretold their fall. From his cross had emanated a light very peculiar; it had produced one of those silent revolutions which, though many feel, few ever appreciate. From the time of his execution to the appearance of these portents, our boat had slipped down the river about thirty-three and a half miles. I had as carefully counted the mile-stones as I could, which were fixed all along the banks, though some of them were worn to decay, and inscriptions sadly effaced. His party had not been inactive; they had made his death the means of their triumph. They gloried in his cross.

Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Lib. vi, chap. 5.

+ Ibid.

In fact, they were looking beyond the world, to a city which had a foundation whose builder and maker was God.

I noticed that the governors of this unhappy nation had been a source of constant irritation. Sometimes they would shock their religious feelings by bringing images or military standards into the city; sometimes they would try to erect the image of a distant emperor in the temple; sometimes a profane soldier would insult them, as they were going up to the place of worship; sometimes their sacred laws would be trampled on and burnt; and always were they subjected to the disagreeable imposition of paying tribute. In the mean time, there was a large party of meek men that had withdrawn from them-they scarcely went up to the temple at all. They seemed to have a temple in their own hearts, and they looked forward to no political deliverer. All the Jews that had any taste for spirituality joined them, and this left the conservative party in a worse

state.

There had been great irritations, but no thought of rebellion, until I noticed one procurator, who drove them beyond all bounds of patience. Indeed, the mighty nation which held them in subjection was so much superior, that to resist their authority seemed little short of madness. They had remonstrated, had wept, had petitioned and supplicated, and even lain their bodies down to be trampled upon; but no one thought of resisting the infidel power, except a few madmenuntil having gone down the river about sixty-six miles, I beheld the whole land in a tumult. There were wars, and rumors of wars, armies marching-men slain-robberies multiplied, and the great city, I could see through my glass, was filled with rowdies and robbers. Even the very temple was profaned, and nothing was now popular but resistance to the gigantic power, which could crush them, in all human probability, in a moment. They seemed to trust to the strength of their walls, their own natural courage, and the demon-fury which pervaded their breasts; or, destitute as they were of all moral virtue, and having but a shadow of a ritual religion, they seemed to hope that God would make bare his arm, and rescue them by a miraculous deliverance. Their conduct was a singular mixture of daring infidelity and surpassing faith. They were the most wicked religionists I had ever seen; abounding in sacrifices, and mixing the very blood of their murders with that of the altar. I turned to the old man in the boat and said, "Father Pilot, what do these men expect? What has changed their passive fortitude into such aggressive courage? Are these the same people? What do they expect?" The old man shook his head, took the pencil