INTELLIGENCE.

DEDICATION AT STERLING, MASS.-The meetinghouse recently erected by the First Parish in Sterling was dedicated on Wednesday, December 14, 1842. The services were as follows:-Invocation, by Rev. Mr. Sears of Lancaster; Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Stebbins of Leominster; Prayer of Dedication, by Rev. Mr. Hill of Worcester; Sermon, by the Pastor of the Society, Rev. Mr. Fosdick; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Allen of Bolton.

The text of the Sermon was from 1 Corinthians iii. 11: "Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." The preacher began by commenting on the design of Paul in the chapter containing the text. This design was, to discourage divisions among the Christians of Corinth. After calling attention to many passages in the Old and New Testament where the Church of God is represented under the metaphor of a building, he proceeded to remark on the special importance of knowing what is the foundation of "the temple of God"-the Christian Church. The text communicates information on this point. Confirmation of the sentiment it expresses was adduced from very many other passages of the New Testament. The theme of the discourse was then announced in the question: what are we to understand by the statement, that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian Church? In reply to this question the preacher remarked in the first place, that Jesus Christ is meant to be the foundation of belief, practice, and temper to every Christian; secondly, that neither Christian belief, nor Christian practice, nor the Christian spirit is of itself alone sufficient to constitute a Christian; thirdly, that it is not necessary, in order to make a man a real Christian, that either his belief, his practice, or his spirit should be in all respects accordant with the dictates of Christianity; and fourthly, that it is not for us to determine, how far belief or practice or temper must coincide with real Christianity in order to constitute a man a Christian. On each of these heads the preacher dilated largely. He then proceeded to deduce several inferences from the discussion. 1. If there be no other proper foundation than Jesus Christ, then those who exalt reason above revelation are resting upon a false foundation. Under this head reference was made to those by whom self is set above Christ-even deified; who make the truth as it is in Jesus succumb to the truth as it is supposed to be in reason. 2. If there be no other proper foundation than Jesus Christ, then it is wrong

to substitute therefor or affix thereto any traditions and commandments of men as fundamental. 3. If there be no other proper foundation than Jesus Christ, then Christian preachers and all Christians ought to make it manifest, that they lay principal stress upon Jesus Christ. He is the radiating centre of all the influences of Christianity. This point was insisted upon with earnestness. The discourse closed with a few remarks to those present whose views differed from the views given in the discourse, and a plain personal appeal to the members of the religious Society by which the house had been erected.

Although the morning was tempestuous, the house was filled in every part by the people of Sterling and the neighboring towns, and an interest was shown on the occasion which indicated that here at least the ancient respect for our religious institutions has not yet died away. The building, which is of wood, is one of the neatest of the newly erected structures which we have seen. The front is Grecian in its style, surmounted by an extremely well-proportioned tower and steeple. The interior is not less tasteful. It is without side-galleries and will comfortably hold about six hundred people, in eighty pews besides the singing gallery. The cost of the house and all the fixtures was between $8,000 and $9,000. The pews have all been sold, most of them at an advance above the appraisement; the whole amount of premium being a little less than $700. The result has shown that the building was not made capacious enough for the interests of the Society. The parish has been a large one from time immemorial, and more spirit was manifested in the purchase of pews than was anticipated by the most sanguine. Many who wished to purchase were disappointed, and are now obliged to take half-pews, that so the whole congregation may be accommodated. The Society deserve commendation for the unanimity, promptness and energy with which, after beholding the destruction of their ancient temple by fire, they have proceeded to rear a new one on its ruins.

DEDICATION AT HUBBARDSTON, MASS.-The house of worship, recently erected by the First Congregational Society in Hubbardston, in place of the old and dilapidated edifice of seventy years' standing, was dedicated on Wednesday, December 21, 1842. The services were as follows:-Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Kinsley of Stow; Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Dean of Westminster; Sermon, by the Pastor, Rev. Mr. Bradford; Dedicatory Prayer, and Remarks, by Rev. Dr. Thompson of Barre; Dedicatory Anthem; Address, by Rev. Mr. Lincoln of Fitchburg; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Gage of Petersham.

The preacher took for his text, Haggai, ii. 7: "And I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts." His remarks from this text obviously divided themselves into these two heads of inquiry;-1. What is the glory of the Lord's house? 2. How shall we obtain it? Under the first head, he took occasion to speak of the various significations, or applications of that comprehensive term, glory, and, of course, to contrast,true glory with false, showing that the glory of the Lord's house consists entirely of faith, love, and charity, on the part of the worshipper. In thus distinguishing between the words love and charity, he had regard to the difference in their general acceptation, rather than to any actual difference in their original meaning. In order to enjoy and exercise these virtues in their perfection, and of course to fill the house with their glory, he showed, in the second place, that man must co-operate with his Maker, by prayer and effort. "We must glorify God," he said, "in order that God may glorify us, or our house." And how shall we do this? Jesus tells us;-'herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. So shall ye be my disciples.' He concluded by dedicating the house to faithful, practical Christianity.

The whole cost of the building, including a large and commodious vestry, and the payment of the price appraised upon the pews in the old meetinghouse, was $5100. The new building is brought much nearer the main road than the old one was, and commands a beautiful view of the common, on one side, and on the other, of the magnificent valley that stretches out till it is bounded by Mount Wachusett. The sale of the pews took place the next day after the dedication, when an eagerness to obtain them was manifested, which astonished those even who had been most zealous in their wishes and efforts for a new meetinghouse. The pews were all disposed of immediately, and more were wanted; so that after covering the whole expense of the building, there was a surplus left of choice-money, amounting to about $400.

CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.-This body now worships in Amory Hall, Boston, under the pastoral care of James F. Clarke. It is composed mostly of Unitarians, and sympathises with the Unitarian denomination, but does not profess to belong to any school but that of Christ. Hence it takes the name of Disciples, intending thereby that it is not composed so much of the partisans of any system of belief, as of those who desire to learn continually more and more from the great Teacher. This name however has not been adopted by any formal vote of the church, but has come by degrees to be commonly applied to it. The church was organized April, 27 1841, by 48 persons, who affixed

their names to the following declaration of faith, which had previously been adopted unanimously, as the foundation of the church.

We, whose names are subscribed, unite together, in the following faith and purpose:—

Our faith is in Jesus, as the Christ, the Son of God;

And we do hereby form ourselves into a church of his disciples, that we may co-operate together in the study and practice of Christianity."

Persons joining the church give their assent publicly to this confession, and sign their names in the Book of the church. In some cases the public confession is dispensed with. The church now consists of about 125 members, a large number of whom were never before connected with any Christian church.

The mode of worship that has been adopted is as follows. A hymn is sung by the whole congregation to introduce the services. This is followed by the reading of one or more of the Psalms by the minister and people in alternate verses, and the Lord's prayer repeated by the minister and people together. There is but one extempore prayer, and this is after the sermon. A pause of a few minutes, for silent prayer, is also introduced. The other services resemble those of the Congregational churches generally.

The voluntary principle is practically maintained. The church defrays its expenses without the sale or taxation of seats, by a voluntary subcription. At the beginning of the year each person subscribes whatever sum he thinks himself able to give, for the salary of the Pastor and other expenses. A monthly collection is also taken for the same purpose. All the seats in the church are free.

Besides the meetings on the Lord's day for public worship, which are attended in the morning and evening, this church holds at present the following extra meetings.

Sunday school in the afternoon of every Sunday, and Teachers' meeting once a month.

Lord's Supper administered at a meeting for that purpose only, on the afternoon of the first Sunday in every month.

Social meeting of the church, for discussion of religious and moral questions once a fortnight, at the houses of the members.

Prayer meeting once a fortnight, for the development of religious affections.

Bible class for ladies, and another for gentlemen, every week.

Meeting for benevolent purposes, once in three weeks. At this meeting cases of want and distress are presented, and persons appointed to visit and relieve them.

Ladies' meeting for giving out work to poor women every Saturday afternoon. The means for this charity are supplied by a collection *aken from the church members every month, at the Lord's Supper.

The object in having such a variety of meetings is, to meet the wants of all classes of minds, and supply Christian employment for all the members. The Pastor does not attend nor take part in all the meetings, but it is understood that whoever joins the church is to hold himself ready to assist in carrying them on. In the absence of the Pastor the services of the Lord's day have sometimes been conducted by lay brethren.

NEW RELIGIOUS PAPER.-A new weekly journal, devoted to the interests of religion, especially in the Unitarian denomination, was commenced with the present year, by Mr. George G. Channing, assisted by several clerical and lay contributors. It is published in this city every Saturday, in a folio form. Its objects, as stated in the Prospectus, are, to revive religion, to awaken an interest in all the great philanthropic and benevolent enterprises of the day, and to explain in a familiar and serious manner the practical doctrines of the Gospel; its main object being "to awaken a deeper religious interest and rouse to greater religious activity." The name first chosen by the Publisher-The Gospel Quickener-was meant to indicate this design of the paper; but the objections which were raised induced him to change this for another title, the principal objection to which is its want of meaning. The numbers that have appeared give evidence that The Christian World will be conducted with ability and spirit. Of the want of another journal in our denomination we are not perhaps competent to speak, although in the variety of opinion which marks the present time we cannot doubt that a paper promising to give new views, whether speculative or practical, or to exhibit old views under new forms of power and earnestness, will find readers and be welcomed by a portion of the community. We wish that the proprietor had assumed this fact-of a diversity of sentiment and taste as the basis of his hope of success, instead of speaking of the periodical publications already supported among us in terms of, at least implied, disparagement. We own too, that we should regret to see in its pages an attempt, or a tendency, to overlook the great points of difference between our denomination and the Orthodoxy by which we are surrounded. We have no confidence in a union or a charity which is built upon a vague or ambiguous use of language. It is not by endeavoring to mould the opinions or the phraseology of other sects into shapes that will allow them to pass current among us, that we shall approach a realization of the great idea of the unity of the Church. Independence, frankness and candor, but above all clearness of expression with blamelessness of life, will do far more towards producing