was consecrated, the Rev. Mr. Leonard was instituted into the parish. The services were well attended; and the kind hospitality of the people of the place added much to the satisfaction which all seemed to enjoy. We have rarely, if ever, seen more laudable efforts of pious liberality and united zeal, than that which has added to the number of our churches this beautiful edifice.

In our churches in Maine there has been no material change. At the time of my tour in that state, immediately after our last convention, there seemed to be a good opening for the labours of a missionary; but it has not yet been, and I fear is not likely soon to be, in my power to send one thither. The Rev. Mr. Blake has removed from New Hampshire to Boston, where he has the care of a school, and preaches occasionally in the neighbouring churches. Mr. Richardson, a candidate for holy orders, has, for many months, read prayers in New Hampton, and Mr. Brainerd has also for some time performed the like services in Drewsville. The labours of a missionary are needed in Colebrook, in the same state. Another minister is also wanted to labour in Cornish, Claremont, and Charleston.

In Massachusetts, the Rev. Mr. Carlile's sacerdotal connexion with the church in Salem was, in October last, by mutual consent dissolved. In Marblehead, the prospects have for some time been discouraging; the late death of Dr. Drury, one of its principal supporters, has diminished our hopes in that place; but the Head of the church is able to build, and it should be the subject of our prayers that he may build up, in that place, the walls of Zion. We are very desirous that a suitable missionary should be stationed there. The other churches, in Boston and its vicinity, are in a flourishing state. The Rev. Mr. Baury has been instituted into the parish of Newton. The Rev. Lot Jones has for some time officiated as a missionary in Ashfield, where the numbers and pious zeal of those attached to the Episcopal Church are increasing. In Leicester, we may hope, will soon be a parish established, and a church erected. In Berkshire county, the churches are doing well. In Lanesborough, the parish is increasing. In Lenox, it is still more flourishing; no parish has exerted itself more laudably, and God, who is ever faithful, has blessed their exertions. In Great Barrington, the prospects are not less comforting. They have improved the interiour of their church, and put it in good repair; the parish has become united, and there is reason to believe, was never in a more hopeful state. A few families in Washington have formed a new society, and regularly meet for Divine service; and that God, who never forsakes a praying people, we trust will give them prosperity. In other towns in the western parts of Massachusetts, there is some reason to hope new parishes may be formed; especially if one or two missionaries can be sent and supported among them.

In Rhode Island, the Rev. Mr. Taft has become the rector of the church in Pawtucket. The Rev. Mr. Alden is employed by the Church Missionary Society in Rhode Island to officiate in East Greenwich. One of the religious societies in that town, with a liberality which does honour to their religious feeling, allow him the use of their

meeting house; attend on his ministry, and add something generous to his maintenance. The parish in Bristol has made liberal contributions to various missionary funds; and their Sunday school, this present year, has been flourishing, and, we have reason to believe, very beneficial.

The present situation of the Church in Vermont is critical, but, we trust, not unhopeful. The much lamented death of our Rev, brother, Jordan Gray, was a calamitous event. His talents seemed peculiarly fitted for building up the Redeemer's kingdom in that part of the diocese; and in no part could his labours be more needed. Unerring wisdom has seen it most fitting to remove him from his labours, and from the world. The Rev. Mr. Beach has removed from his parishes in Franklin county, into the diocese of Connecticut. The Rev. Mr. Brainerd has officiated some time in St. Alban's. Three clergymen are much wanted in that county, and parts adjacent.

The parish in Berkshire have finished their church, and, with Divine permission, it will soon be consecrated to the holy purpose for which it is erected. The parish in Bethel, also, much to their praise, have erected, and almost finished, a house for the same sacred use. The Rev. Mr. Shaw has officiated in Guilford, since November last. It gives me pleasure to add, that the Rev. Mr. Smith has taken the pastoral charge of the church in Middlebury; and that little flock, we humbly trust, after so long struggling with adverse circumstances, will find, from happy experience, it is good to wait the Lord's time. The Rev. Alexander Jones has left this diocese.

In May last, I attended the general convention in Philadelphia. With the exception of Rhode Island, there were very few delegates from this diocese. Very great unanimity prevailed among the members; all its business was conducted with the utmost harmony, and the friends of the Church had much cause to rejoice in its general prosperity. The Rev. John S. Ravenscroft was consecrated bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in North Carolina, under circumstances highly favourable to the continuance and increase of its prosperity.

The interest which was taken in the Domestick and Foreign Missionary Society was gratifying to those who regard the honour of our Church, and the spreading of the Redeemer's kingdom. It is natural, and we cannot deny but it is reasonable, that men should form their opinion of our Church, not so much from our creeds or articles, or professions of orthodoxy and primitive order, as from our zeal and efforts in converting mankind to the Christian faith; in propagating the gospel, and extending the knowledge of Christ to every creature. The common objection to foreign missions, that our own citizens require our utmost and undivided efforts, though weighty and worthy of much attention, is more than balanced by other considerations. It is like pleading the wants of our family, in excuse for our giving nothing in charity; not considering that alms-giving, in proportion to our ability, is the duty of all. They, generally speaking, who are most charitable, provide best for their own families; and have most reason to hope

And it is a fact very

that God will continue to them the means. much to the purpose, that those of the various denominations of Christians, who do the most for foreign missions, do most also for those at home. To determine that foreign nations shall not, by our efforts, hear the gospel at all, till all the people of our own country hear it every week; till our own nation is fully supplied, is not consistent with the principles of Christianity; it is in its effect to determine that the gospel shall for ever be confined within its present limits. Christian charity requires us to give something, not only from the abundance, but even from the necessaries of our table, to feed those who are perishing with hunger. Those to whom we may send the gospel, never, while they live, will hear the doctrines of life and salvation, if we neglect to send it. During the last century, there were in England no small number of people, for whose spiritual wants the national Church did not effectually provide; but that was no valid objection against the formation of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; or to its making those generous and noble efforts of which we are still reaping the blessed fruits. True Christian zeal is diffused, like rays of light, in every direction; its beams, indeed, are shed more profusely on nearer objects; yet they extend to regions the most remote. Every Christian, even he who has but little, is bound, and if he is sincerely pious and truly concerned for the salvation of men, he will desire, to contribute something for the propagation of the gospel. And we know who has said, that it will be accepted, according to that which a man hath." She, who in the gospel gave a mite, was highly commended by him who cannot err, though it was her whole living.

On this occasion it will not be improper to remind you that some important alterations have been made in the constitution of this diocese, which are now in experiment. In my judgment, they have been wisely made, and they have my cordial approbation. But the utility and success of these, and indeed of most prudential regulations, depend, under God, on the care and zeal with which they are carried into effect; on practically availing ourselves of the good which they are intended and calculated to produce. That we should assemble annually in convention, will require an additional expense of time and money which is certainly of some serious concern. But let us not forget that we have committed to us the same gospel, which apostles and evangelists, at the risk of their lives, proclaimed through all the world. They thought no sacrifice of time or goods, of ease or safety, too great to make in such a cause. Reason teaches, and expe rience has shown, that the increase of godliness and the prosperity of religion may be much promoted, by the assembling of Christians, of the clergy especially, for counsel, and union of effort. If our coming together is not for the pleasure of a journey, but for the love of Christ; if our hearts are so in the Church, that it is our meat and drink to do our Master's will; if we are willing to spend and be spent in building up his kingdom, and extending to our fellow men the knowledge and means of salvation; if we convene with the desire and intention,

as God shall give us wisdom, of devising, and carrying into effect, whatever shall seem necessary or expedient, for promoting the prosperity of Zion, much good will result from our conventions, and the more from their being annual. It would be very proper, and permit me to recommend, and even to request that, in some way, either from the parishes, or the state conventions, the parochial reports, which the canons require, be made to this convention of the diocese.

And the mention of this will naturally lead our thoughts to the ways and means of giving religious information to our people. Through the blessing of God we have a way before us, and means already in possession. The monthly journal, or religious magazine, called The Gospel Advocate, and published in Boston, is considered as under your patronage, and is devoted to the general interests of religion; and especially to the promoting and diffusing of piety and Christian knowledge among the members of our Church in this diocese. The merit of this work, as a religious miscellany, is already attaining its just level among the best publications of the kind, and is read and admired far beyond the limits of these New England states: I can cordially recommend it to all Episcopalians. But to us it is of peculiar importance, as affording great facility of religious intelligence, and communication of what we are much interested in knowing, to every part of the diocese. But this valuable, and very useful, and to us almost necessary work, cannot be continued without patronage: without contributions from the pens and the purses of those to whom God has given the talents and the means. They who desire to obtain religious knowledge; to be established in the faith of Christ, or instructed in the duties of Christian life, cannot effect it more easily, or with less expense than by taking the Advocate. And they who are teachers; whose duty or desire it is to instruct and edify others, cannot perhaps do it more extensively and to better effect, than by writing, or selecting suitable matter, for this work. Pious thoughts, and all manner of useful information, of a religious nature, will, through that journal, be very extensively communicated, and may, for years, and perhaps for ages, be read to the edification of thousands.

It is of much importance that, where it is practicable, we obtain and establish parochial and missionary funds, and provide other means of giving a competent maintenance to those who labour in the ministry. And it is equally important, that whatever means or funds of this nature, through the Lord's goodness, we already possess, be managed with the utmost prudence and good economy, and applied to the best effect. Whatever has been given for any religious purpose or charitable use, should be most conscientiously applied, according to the will and intent of the pious donors. It is lamentable that even Christians, in a late, and often the last solemn act of their lives-the bequeathing of their estates to posterity; declaring to what purpose and to whose benefit those good things, which a bountiful God has committed to their stewardship, shall be applied, should so generally forget to honour their divine Benefactor; that by so few any thing should be demised to religious use. Some honourable exceptions

there are of names which will long shine among the best benefactors of mankind: though dead, they yet live to do good on earth, and to enjoy its fruits in heaven. Is it not strange, or rather extremely inconsistent, that God's people, who should honour him with their sub stance, and with the first fruits of all their increase, should forget him in that awful moment, its last distribution? that so many Christians had rather that their large fortunes should be spent in luxury and dissipation, than in administering to famished souls the bread of life! that their estates should be applied to the ruining, rather than to the saving of mankind. Certainly the cases are not few to which these reflections may justly be applied; and are more numerous, we may well fear, in our Church, than in any other.

Our business is, however, not to judge others, but to take heed to ourselves. Let us cherish a grateful remembrance of those who bave remembered Zion. There are more than one or two places in this diocese in which churches exist and flourish, in consequence of the pious benefactions of individuals. But the highest praise we can bestow upon their memories, is a faithful discharge of our trust, applying the avails of their liberality to the honour of God, and to the promotion of pure and undefiled religion.

In this state,in which we are now convened, a trust of no inconsiderable importance, (far less,indeed, than report has declared, but yet something considerable,) and, of course, of no small responsibility, is likely to devolve on some of us. This property, if carefully managed, and justly and conscientiously applied, according to the intention for which it was reserved, will be a very great blessing to the publick; to the people generally. For their temporal wants mankind are sufficiently careful and diligent in making provision. Their natural propensities; their love of the riches, and honours, and pleasures of this world, are incitements sufficient to insure their attention to its business and cares. Every profession or occupation which opens a way to wealth, or fame, or pleasure, is sure of being filled. There is, for instance, no reason to fear that the publick will ever suffer from the want of due attention to the study of the law, or the practice of medicine. Not only the necessaries, but the luxuries of life are in such demand that the means of supplying them are in no danger of being neglected. These things are estimated at their full value: the love and the pursuit of this world need no stimulus nor funds for their encouragement; it is not even desirable that men should be more generally anxious than they are to obtain worldly things. But in regard to religion and good morals the contrary is true. Mankind, in this their fallen state, are inclined to wickedness, and are naturally opposed to the doctrines of Christ, and a godly life. There is less, and after all we can do, there will be less, of virtue, and the knowledge of the scriptures, and the practice of piety, than is desirable, and even necessary to our best happiness in this world, and eternal life in a future state. We cannot, in any prudence, trust to the existing demand the natural or general desire of mankind, for righteousness and faith and the love of God. Without the instruction of parents