Uniciilus, a Low-Latin term for an alms-box with a perforated co\er.
Uniformity. The ecclesiastical use of this ■word is to denote the use of one and the same form of public jirayers, administration of sacraments, and other rites, etc., prescribed by the Acts of Uniformity. The first of these was issued by Parliament during the reign of Elizabeth, and provided — for the first offence, forfeiture of one year's profits and six months' imprisonment; for the second offence, deprivation of all s])iritual promo- tions and imprisonment for one year; and for the third offence, deprivation of all spiritual promotions and im- prisonment for life (see stat. 1 Eliz. c. 2, § 4-8). According to the act j)assed in the reign of Charles II, 1()()2, every person obtaining prefer- ment in the Church or universities must declare his assent to everything contained in the Book of Common Prayer. See Conformity.
Unigenitus (so called from its first word, referring to titr (nily-henottt'H Sou ), TllE Bui.l., was an instrument which was issued by pope Clement XI, and made its appearance on Sept. 8, 171o. It was directed against the French translation of the New Test, with notes, published by Quesnel, a celebrated Jansenist. In con- sequence of the disputes which this book had occasion- ed, it had previously been condemned in 1708; but, this step being found ineffectual, Clement jiroceeded to con- demn one hundred and one propositions contained in the notes. The following may be taken as a specimen of the opinions denounced by this bull : " No graces are given except through faith." '-The reading of the Sa- cred Scriptures is for all." '-The obscurity of the Sa- cred Word is no reason for laymen to dispense them- selves from reading it." "The Lord's day ought to be sanctified by Clhristians for works of piety, and, above all, for the reading of the sacred Scripture. It is dam- nable to wish to withdraw a Christian from this read- ing." This bull, procured by Louis XIV and the .Tes- nits, produced great commotions in France. Forty (ial- lican bishops accepted it ; but it was opposed by many others, especially by Noailles, bishop of Paris. Sixteen bishops suspended the bull in their dioceses. They were supported by the mnversities of Paris, Kheims, and Xantes, and by the Paris faculties of theology, law, and arts. Many of the prelates and other persons ap- pealed in vain to a general coimcil, and were for this reason called Appellants. A persecution was raised against those who adopted the principles of the Jan- senist Quesnel, and many of them were obliged to Hee
their country. This bull was, however, overruled for good. It tended to confirm Protestants in their sepa- ration from Home; and it alTords a full and satisfactory answer to the falsehood ]uit forth by fiopish priests, that they do not hide tlu^ Scriiitures from the (leople. See Blunt, Diet, of 'llmA. s. v.; F'arrar, Eccks. Diet. s. V.
Uiiio Mystica {mygticdl union') is a theological term applied to that intimate union between (iod and man that results through the exercise of saving faith. See Hagenbach, JJist. of Doctrines (18G9), 1, 188; ii, 288.
Union American Methodist Episcopal Churcll, TiiK, was founded liy Kev. Peter Spencer, in Wilmington, Del., June, 1813, and was composed of seceding colored members of the Methodist E]iiscf>pal Church. It was chartered under the title of "The African Union Church," which it retained luitil af- ter the war, when its present name was adopted. Originally the ministers served witliont com]iensation, and without any limit to their term of service. The societies, though, adopting common articles of religion, usages, and discipline, were distinct from each other. In 1871 a convention was called, which adojited an itinerant ministry, limiting the pastoral term to two years; and permitting compensation. The doctrines are precisely those of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are also the general features of the government. They have a gen- eral conference, meeting once in four years; annual con- ferences, of which there are now five; quarterly confer- ences; love-feasts; and class-meetings. A general super- intendent is elected by the (ieneral Conference, who holds his office for four years, and is eligible to re-election. The general superintendent in 1878 was Kev. Edward Will- iams, and two sidisuperintendents, Kev. John C.Kamsey and Kev. A. S. Sandfbrd, D.D. The statistics in 187G are given as follows :
C..iilev.ncfs
I'reiubers.
Me. libers.
S. S. Sch. lurs.
Cliuul. Property.
Dehiwaie and Pel
usylvaiiia.
60 25 6 5 25
i:i47
600
300
300 315
21 SO 200 K'H 50
$.00,000
4.'),000
35.000
5.0O0
.5,000
ArkMUSiis
Total
121
28G2
2533
$140,000
Union with Christ, that act of divine grace by which we are joined to Christ ; and is considered, 1. As virtual, or that which was formed from all eternity (Epli. i, 4) ; 2. Vital, or spiritual, formed in the moment of our regeneration (John xvii,2(j; 1 John iv, lo). It is rejjresented in the Scripture by the strongest expres- sions language can admit of, and even compared to the union between the Father and the Son (John xvii, 11, 21, etc.). It is also compared to the union of a vine and its branches (xv,4, 5) ; to the union of our food with our bodies (vi. 5(5, 57); to the union of the body with the head (E|)h.iv, 15, Hi); to the conjugal union (v,23,30); to the union of a king and his subjects (Matt, xxv, 34, 40) ; to a building (1 Pet. ii. 4, 5; Y.\)\\. ii, 21, 22). It is also repre.sentetl by an identity or sameness of spirit (I Cor. vi, 17) ; by an identity of body (xii, 12, 27) ; by an identity of interest (Matt, xxv, 40 ; John xx, 17). This union nnist be considered, not as a mere mental union only in comfort or notion; nor a physical union, as between the head and the members; nor as an essential union, or union with the divine natures; but as a mystical union (Eph. V, 32); an honorable union (1 John iii, 1,2); a su- pernatural union ( 1 Cor. i, 30) ; holy (1 John iii. 24) ; nec- essary (John XV, 4) ; inviolable (Kom. viii. 38. 39). Some state it thus: 1. A union of natures (Ileb. ii, 1 1); 2. Of actions, Christ's obedience being imputed to us, and our sins reckoned to him (2Cor. v, 21); 3. Of life (Col. iii, 4); 4. Of.sentiment(2 Cor. V, 17); 5. Of interest (Matt, xxv, 34, etc.) ; 6. Of affection (2 Cor. v, 14) ; 7. Of residence (John xvii, 24). The advantacjes of it are knowledge (Eph. i, 18), fellowship (1 Cor. i, 9), security (John xv),