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They supersede the laws and its officers, and substitute the abstract views, and irresponsible actions of combinations, not established by, nor known to the government of the whole people. They are virtually mobocracy, setting aside the laws of their rule, and superseding the proper execution of the law, by substituting the unauthorised, and unacknowledged actions of men. Let the people govern by the laws they make through their proper representatives-and let those laws be executed by the officers of the people, properly chosen and commissioned to enforce them. When a government of the people fails, it will be time to erect another of organized combinations, to govern the people."

Again he says-"Let the laws properly provide for the punishment of offences against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth, and for the protection and assistance of their prosecuting officers-let every citizen report such offences to the police, and require attention to their complaints-and no SOCIETIES, or other mean will be necessary to effect the complete suppression of intemperance, seduction, gambling, profanity, and every other vice that now infests society, and causes the land to mourn under the wreck of virtue, and the ruin of peace."

Stephen K. Smith, associate editor of the same paper, exposes so clearly the intemperate measures of the abstinence party, that we beg the privilege of laying his remarks before our readers.

"Among the measures that have been manifestly in

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jurious to the cause of temperance, may be reckoned all those that partake of fraud or coercion. We conceive that every measure that brands another with reproach or infamy because he does not adopt our theory, to be coercive & reprehensible. That thousands of dissenters from the rage of temperance measures have been thus abused cannot be denied.

Art is sometimes employed to draw individuals into societies. As an instance, the name of some influential person is obtained, in order to induce others to unite-while that individual retains full privilege to take his wonted dram whenever he pleases. Examples of this are every where abundant.

But the most specious instance of this kind of craft, is connected with the temperance lectures. No fact is more obvious than that in the commencement of the. career of forming societies, it was generally intended to make them sectarian. This was acknowledged by the American Temperance Society-and was as palpable in its auxiliaries. A particular class of men were the prime movers, and managers, in every place where they possessed the power or influence to lead.

The liberal part of community, seeing the manner in which things were got up and managed in the societies, generally stood aloof, and were often grossly abused in consequence. Many of this class of men, are highly influential, either by their wealth, their public station, or their moral character; and it was extremely desirable to win them over. To effect this, a Universalist

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clergyman is selected to deliver a temperance lecture, and the invitation very generally originates with some member of the society who is distinguished for his opposition to the doctrine of the restitution. The plausibility of such a measure very naturally brings together for the occasion, a large proportion of liberal men, who when warmed by the address, are thrown off their guard, and thus give their names to the society."

RECOMMENDATION.

"This certifies that the Rev. John Gregory has been employed as a preacher of the Gospel, by the First Universalist Society in the town of Woburn, Mass., for one year and a half; and that he is universally liked, both as a preacher, and a man, and that we are well satisfied with his labors. The society under his judicious management, is, we are confident, in a better con dition than it was previous to his settling among us. The meetings have been well attended, and he has preached to our general satisfaction. His letter, asking a dismission from our society, we have received with regret, and hope that we can prevail upon him to stay with us longer. His moral character we believe to be good, even above suspicion, and we are willing to recommend him as a faithful preacher of the Gospel, to such society as God in his Providence shall call him.".

WILLIAM RICHARDSON,
MOSES WINN, ¡

LUKE REED,

Standing
Committee.

Signed by One Hundred and Five individuals. who have contributed to my support the last year.

The object of my publishing the above recommendation, is to silence the slanderous stories in circulation against me. Not that those stories can injure me in the estimation of those with whom I am acquainted, but that those unacquainted with me can see my standing in Woburn, where I have resided nearly two years,

CERTIFICATE.

"This certifies that we have read the 'Bramble," published by John Gregory, and do concur in the senti