though from 10 to 40 years severed from the rest of their fellow Episcopalians, deprived of the ministrations of their clergymen, and surrounded by the solicitations of other sects.*

"Hitherto nothing more bas been done, than to excite their attention, awaken their dormant predilections, animate their zeal, and form their detached portions into organized congregations; the very crisis has then just now arrived, which demands peculiar and immediate attention. The old have held firm by the faith of their fathers thus far through life; but to the religious mind it is hard to die unconnected with any church; and unless the endearing offices of their own clergy are renewed among them, they will soon pass, however reluctantly, into the pale of other denominations; and either bear their families along, or weaken their present attachment: while the young, whose predispositions have not as yet become fully confirmed by a sufficient familiarity with our services, are already detaching themselves from our number.

have held a 6

"In addition to this, there are many populous spots totally deprived of the ministrations of any denomination, and still more, which enjoy only the occasional services of itinerants. The mouth of the Tunchannock is surrounded by a populous settlement, but there is no clergyman within 15 miles on that side of the river, and the occasional preaching of some Baptist or Methodist is very rare at the place. On the Tunchannock, about 10 miles from its mouth, is a secluded valley, inhabited almost entirely by Episcopalians, who, for a few years past, reading meeting' on the Sunday, and also kept up a small Sunday school, principally under the direction of Mr. Rose, formerly a vestryman of Trinity Church, Easton, and yet this interesting spot has not been trod by the foot of an Episcopal clergyman. About 7 miles from Tunchannock, on the river, around the residence of Mr. Heisz, a gentleman of fortune and education, formerly of Philadelphia, there is another little band, who, a few years ago, made their preparations for a reading-meeting,' which, however, was unfortunately frustrated by some sudden casualties. During my tour I baptized the eight children of Mr. Heisz at his house, and re. ceived his assurances of liberal support to a missionary who would

* We are sorry that any of our clergy should adopt this loose language. We are not a sect. Is Christ divided? Alas! it is the sin of our country, that all the strength of professing Christians is paralyzed by their divisions. Our principles tend to unite the members of Christ's body in one communion, not to divide them. We hold nothing as essential, but what is common to the great body of professing Christians. Are we attached to Episcopacy? So was the whole church for 1500 years; and so is now the great body of the Christian world. Are we attached to a liturgy? So are almost all who profess and call themselves Christians. Are we worshippers of the triune God? Are we believers in the divinity and atone. ment of the Son of God, and in the personality and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit? Such has the universal church ever been, and such will it ever continue to be. The fermentations of human corruption, and the inflations of human pride may, from time to time, raise up bubbles in the stream of Christianity; but though they may float for a while, they will most assuredly be broken, and fall back again into the stream of ages.

occasionally officiate in his vicinity, which is but 10 miles from Springville. Not long since there was also a reading meeting in the neighbourhood of Silver Lake. Indeed there is scarcely a spot in the county in which, with proper pains and conduct, a small congregation might not readily be formed. And I fervently hope and pray this truly interesting quarter may not long be unsupplied with the services of an intelligent and steady clergyman.

"The congregation at Springville, where I preached repeatedly, have erected a commodious building, which they are compelled to use at present for the double purpose of a schoolhouse and a church. Several gentlemen have recently come forward and taken a very active and zealous part in the church affairs; and it was with much satisfaction that I observed in the congregation the indications of real and increasing piety. I trust some zealous and interesting missionary may soon be furnished them.

·

"At Wyalusing they are about commencing the building of their church, which they propose to make not less than 30 feet by 40, and perhaps larger. The situation they have chosen is judicious and commanding, on an eminence overhanging the valley; and there is great reason to believe, that when the edifice is completed, and the services of the Church renewed, the entire surrounding population will become Episcopalian. Reading meetings' are regularly held on Sundays, both here and at Springville, and at this latter place there is a Sunday school. The Wyalusing school will, I expect, shortly be recommenced. At Springville I performed two baptisms. The communion bas been administered but once among the great body of Episcopalians in this county this was last summer on the Wyalusing, when 19 members of our Church partook of the ordinance: four of these were from the Springville congregation. A very large number are anxious to receive confirmation, and many, it is expected, will, for that purpose, be at Wilkesbarre at the time of the bishop's anticipated visit. Many, it is also expected, will be there with the hope of participating once more in the communion.

"Such is the information my tour has afforded me, relative to the state of things in Susquehanna; a representation, in which I acknowledge my feelings have betrayed themselves, but for the correctness of which, I can adduce the testimony of every one acquainted with the county and I feel persuaded that a visit to this truly interesting people, would produce in the feelings of every one, a similar impression to that which prevails in mine. I wish it were in my power to make to the convention, and to the more fortunate Episcopalians of other parts, a persuasive appeal in favour of this quarter of our Church. Can no one be found, who, animated with that missionary spirit which prevails in our sister diocese of New York, will penetrate into this new country, where, growing with its growth, he will raise around him flourishing congregations, who will bear to his garner the first fruits of their fields, and in love, in kindness, and in gratitude, repay him richly for all bis labours? Susquehanna contains a population of 12,000, and yet possesses but two resident clergymen, a Baptist, and

a Methodist! A very large portion of this population is Episcopal, and surely their claim upon the assistance of the Church is very peculiar and strong."

DELAWARE.

We have, for the first time, received a copy of the journals of convention of the state of Delaware. We are not informed whether they have heretofore been printed; if they have, we shall be obliged to the friend who has transmitted that of the present year, to furnish us with the preceding journals from the first organization of the church. It is to us a pleasing, and often, an instructive employment, to compare together the proceedings of a series of years, and to see the steps by which the Church hath been gradually strengthened and enlarged.

The state of Delaware is divided into three counties; and there are three clergymen in it, and as far as we are able to judge, from inspection of the journal, 12 parishes.

The annual convention was held at Dover, in Kent county, on Saturday, June 7, 1823. On Sunday, the holy communion was administered; and on Monday, the 9th of June, the convention was adjourned. Two of the clergy were present, and eleven lay delegates, the representatives of eight parishes: the Rev. R. Williston was chosen president. The parochial reports are as follows:

NEWCASTLE COUNTY has four churches. 1. Trinity church, Wilmington, of which the Rev. Ralph Williston is rector. This parish appears to be in a flourishing state. The communicants are about 200; 18 of which have been admitted during the last year. There have been eleven baptisms; four adults and seven children, and nine marriages no funerals are reported. In the Sunday schools, the number of boys is not reported; the number of girls is 120. The services of Mr. W., during the past year, have been very laborious. He has, almost invariably, performed service, and preached three times on every Sunday, and three times steadily during the week. 2. Emmanuel church, Newcastle. Rev. Robert Clay, rector. This church has been lately rebuilt, and was consecrated, on the 29th of October last, by the Right Rev. Dr. White, bishop of Pennsylvania, Rt. Rev. Bishop Kemp, of Maryland, being also present. Divine service is performed, and the holy sacraments are duly administered in this church, and hopes are entertained, that it will thrive, and diffuse around it extensive and essential benefits. 3. St. James's, Staunton. Of this church, the Rev. Mr. Clay is also the rector. This gentleman is spoken of as advanced in years, and probably on this account his labours have been lightened by the active ministrations of Mr. Williston. The latter reports, that he visited the church twice, when he conducted divine service, and preached to a numerous, respectable, and attentive congregation. They have recently erected a commodious stone church, which will soon be ready for consecration. 4. [St. Ann's church,] Middletown. This church is vacant; Mr. Williston has once visited it, and has been prevented from more frequent ministrations there by sickness in his own family.

Mr. Williston has held, on Sunday evenings, a third service in the borough of Wilmington, where exertions are making to build a church. A considerable sum has been raised for that purpose, and it is hoped that the building will be commenced in the course of the summer.

There are no parochial reports of the number of families, communicants, baptisms, &c of the churches in this county, excepting that we have given of Trinity church, Wilmington.

KENT COUNTY has two churches, St. Peter's, Smyrna, and Christ church, Dover. Both are vacant, and no reports concerning them are

returned.

In SUSSEX COUNTY there are six churches, all under the pastoral care of the Rev. Daniel Higbee. Mr H. finds it difficult to furnish a very correct report relative to the number of families and communicants in different congregations. The following is the most correct he is able to furnish:-1. St. Paul's church, Georgetown. Families from 20 to 25. Communicants 10. Baptisms 2. 2. St. George's chapel. Families 30. Communicants 25 or 30. Baptisms 7. Funerals 3. Marriage 1. 3. St. Peter's, Lewiston. Families 25 or 30. Communicants 20 Baptism 1. Funeral 1. Marriage !. 4. Prince George's church, Daysborough. Families about 40. Communicants 20. Baptisms 5. Funeral 1. 5. Christ church, Laurel Town. Families 50. Communicants 15 or 20. Baptisms 10. Marriage 1. 6. St. George's church, Little Hill. Families 20. Communicants 10. Baptisms 10. Funerals 2. Total number of families under Mr. H.'s pastoral care is about 200. Mr. H.'s account of the state of these churches is by no means favourable. A Laodicean coldness appears to pervade them; we give his own statement in his own words, because we consider his remarks as applicable to many other churches beside those of Sussex county.

"A surprising indifference as to the welfare of our Church too generally prevails in the congregations; but still there are some members in the churches, who manifest à laudable zeal for the institutions of our venerable and apostolick Church. But what, my brethren, will the bare name of Christians or Churchmen avail us in the hour of death, or in the day of judgment, if we proceed no farther. The primary design of the Christian institution, and the establishment of the Christian church was to produce a radical change in the hearts and lives of men, and by the influence of a satisfactory discipline to train them up in the principles and practices of holiness, so that they may appear without spot and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have we not reason to fear that this great and awful subject is too little understood? What means that strange apathy under which so many of our members labour? Can no means be adopted, no measure devised, that will arouse them from this slumber, and lead to one noble and united effort for a general reform? We most awfully fear that this fatal indifference to the most essential principles of religion, will, by a kind of fatal contagion, be transmitted to future generations. May the most serious regard for the welfare of the rising generation, as well as our own happiness, induce us to become practical Christians."

Communicants

Sunday scholars one

Standing committee.-The Rev. Ralph Williston and the Rev. Daniel Higbee, of the clergy; and Kensey Johns and John Rumsey, of the laity.

The standing committee reported concerning the subject of missions which had been referred to them, that they had applied to the general missionary society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States for aid, and had obtained an appropriation of 200 dollars, on the condition that an auxiliary society should be formed in Delaware, with a promise of further aid in future, and that any money collected in that state would not be diverted from the use of the same so long as it should be needed therein. The standing committee therefore recommended the formation of an auxiliary society, and the adoption of the form of a constitution for that purpose prepared by a special committee on that and other subjects. This constitution, thus recommended, was adopted; and the vice presidents, and other officers of the society (the president of the convention being ex officio president of the society,) were elected. A suitable address to the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Delaware, which was submitted by the president, was concurred in. A resolution was passed to hold the next stated convention at Dover.

OHIO.

We are unable to give as full an account of this interesting portion of the Church as we could wish. From a newly settled country very perfect and systematick returns cannot be expected; and when it is considered that the diocese was not organized till 1817, and that the clergy are so few, it is rather a subject of surprise that the journal of their sixth convention should contain so much to gratify the wishes of their Christian brethren. Wherever the clergy have been long enough settled to give regular parochial returns, we observe with great pleasure, that they do it with considerable exactness.

The convention was attended by the bishop and all the clergy, six in number, and by 17 lay delegates, the representatives of 12 churches. There are twenty-five organized congregations, fourteen of which enjoy, in a greater or less degree the stated ministrations of the six clergymen. The rest are kept alive by the visits of the bishop, the occasional services of the clergy, and lay reading. They are scattered over an area of nearly 30,000 square miles, from the shores of Erie to the confluence of the Ohio and Great Miami, which circumstance alone renders the labours of the bishop and clergy most arduous. We give the following extracts from the observations of the clergy, in their parochial reports, as an example of the kind