fulfil the prayers of the pious; cover the hills with its shadow, and stretch out its boughs unto the sea.

A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH.

Note. Perhaps some advantage would result from exhibiting to the different dioceses an estimate of the quota of each necessary to the proper endowment of the General Seminary. The number of clergy is the best basis for the estimate, because this will be in some degree proportioned to the zeal and ability of the dioceses. We do not know the exact number of members, and therefore have no other criterion than the above.

The whole number of bishops, priests, and deacons is 380.

The endowment necessary, (Andover has a larger,) say $300,000 That is, for a charity fund, income applicable $100,000

to the support of beneficiaries,

Capital for professors' salaries,

Buildings to be provided in addition.

200,000

By a calculation founded on these data the quota of each diocese

The amount derived as above from the different states 231,000

301,000

From this statement it is evident, 1. That this endowment is a measure which may be easily accomplished. 2. That it is true economy to have one General Seminary, as on this plan each diocese may secure the education of their candidates for a moderate sum, and have their pecuniary resources diverted but in a small degree from other useful objects, as sending forth missionaries, distributing bibles and prayer books, erecting and repairing churches, &c. &c.

ADVERSARIA.

THE OPINION OF AN EMINENT CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER about ReVIVALS OF RELIGION. I bave endeavoured to guard my people against an errour too common, where religious conferences are much attended; I mean, substituting these in the place of divine institutions, and making them a kind of thermometer, by which to prove the degree of heat and cold in religious zeal. When we hear of a revival of religion in any place, the unusual frequency and the general attendance of lectures and conferences by day and by night, are adduced as decisive evidences of it. When these meetings become less frequent, or less full, it is said, "Religion appears to be on the decline." We ought always to place religion where the scripture has placed it, in holiness of heart and life; and to regard devotional duties as instrumental to this end. We are never to place the essence of religion in things which are but the means of it.

A serious man from a neighbouring parish, being one evening at my house on secular business, took occasion to inform me, that there was a great revival of religion in his vicinity. I expressed my satisfaction in the intelligence; but asked him, wherein the happy revival discovered itself: whether the people appeared to be more humble, more condescending, more meek and peaceable, more kind and charitable, better united in ther social relations, more virtuous in their manners, &c. He could not answer particularly with respect to these things; but said, "People were much engaged in attending religious meetings; they had private lectures as often as any transient preacher could be obtained; and they had conferences very frequently, almost every evening." I observed to him, that an attendance on the word preached was highly important, and a hopeful indication; but asked him, how it was on the Lord's day; whether they attended on the instituted worship of that day better than they used to do: (for I knew they had been shamefully negligent of that duty.) “Why, no," said he, “we don't go to meeting on the sabbath.” What, 1 inquired, do you neglect God's institutions to observe your own? The prophet marks this as a token of the decay of religion among the Jews. He answered, "We do not like our parish minister very well." I observed to him, that if they had a minister, who did not preach the gospel, this was a reason why he should leave the pulpit; not why they should leave the meeting house; and they ought to take regular measures for his removal, and the introduction of a better "O," said he, “I don't pretend, but that he preaches the gospel; but there are some subjects, on which he does not preach." Perhaps he preaches on them, when you are absent. He continued, "I don't like his manner of preaching. He is not so fervent, so engaged, as I wish; he uses his notes too much," &c. Friend, said I, you well remember, that Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, all preached in Corinth. They preached the same gospel; but had different voices, and different modes of speaking. And among their hearers, one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos; and a third, I am of Cephas.

rnan.

Now on this occasion, Paul told them, they were carnal. Apply this to yourself. On the authority of Paul, I tell you, that you are carnal. He answered, "I do not see, but that it is so. He had the honesty to confess his fault; whether he had the virtue to reform, I do not know.

Occasional meetings and private conferences may be useful, if properly conducted; but they are matters of Christian discretion, not of divine institution. I know of no apostolick precept or example, which elevates these to a place among the institutions of God. When Paul came to Troas, where was a Christian church, and doubtless some stated place for publick worship, he waited seven days for the return of the first day of the week, on which day the disciples were wont to come together for social worship. Then he spake to them, and continued his speech to an unusual length.

When he preached in Ephesus, where a church was not formed, "he taught publickly, and from house to house." As the Christians had no stated place in which they could claim the privilege of assembling, they convened where they could. Paul first taught in the Jewish synagogue; meeting with opposition there, he removed to the school of Tyrannus, and here he continued for a length of time, teaching daily.

His teaching, though from house to house, from the synagogue to the school, where he could obtain leave, was publick; not private. His teaching daily in the school was incompatible with his spending much time in private houses. He always chose the most open manner of teaching. He never imitated those seducers who creep into private houses.-Memoir prefixed to Dr. Lathrop's Posthumous Sermons, pp. 31-34. Springfield, 1821.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK.

THE thirty-seventh annual convention of this diocese was held in Trinity church, in the city of New York, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 21st and 22d days of October, 1823. The bishop having been for some time greatly out of health, sailed for England the 24th of September. The convention was attended by a large proportion of the clergy, but the number of laity present was very inadequate to a full representation of the parishes. There are, it appears, 75 presbyters and 20 deacons in the diocese--total 95. Of these, 13 have no cures, and 6 are exclusively engaged in theological and academical instruction, leaving 76, who have the care of souls. According to the canons of New York, 64 only of the clergy are entitled to seats. Of these 15 were absent. The remaining 57, together with 7 not entitled to seats, were present. We last year reported the whole number of congregations, 127; and at this convention 6 were received into union, making the whole number at present 133. Yet there were present only

68 lay delegates, the representatives of 34 congregations. We greatly lament this vast deficiency in lay-representation. Religious indifference in the laity is the great evil with which we have to contend in this country; and until we can induce our highly respectable and intelligent laity to be present at our ecclesiastical councils, it will be impossible to make them feel that interest in the concerns of the Church which is so essential to her welfare. We do not make these remarks, because they are peculiarly applicable to New York; they have been induced by the striking fact we have mentioned, but the evil extends in a greater or less degree through the Union. To the laity of New York we look for an example of greater zeal in building up our apostolick faith.

In consequence of the absence of the bishop, the Rev. William Harris, D. D., president of Columbia college, was called to the chair, and the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk was re-elected secretary.

The report of the committee for propagating the gospel in the state of New York, states the amount placed at their disposal during the past year, at $3284,11, arising from collections in the different churches of the diocese, two missionary societies, and the incorporated society for the promotion of religion and learning. The disbursements during the same period have amounted to $2779 67, but as there were current salaries due, the whole sum would fall short $700. The number of missionaries employed is 21. The sums they receive are very inadequate to the amount and value of their services. The committee therefore urgently invite the attention of the Church to what they justly call "this most wise and benevolent charity." On this subject also the following remarks are taken from the bishop's address.

"At a period when there are many infant congregations which require the cherishing aid of missionary labour, it is with deep regret I state. that the deficiency of the missionary fund will render necessary a reduction of the number of missionaries, unless efforts are made to increase the contributions for this most valuable object. And I entreat my brethren of the clergy and laity, not, by a relaxation of zeal, to permit congregations that are now rising to importance, to languish or become extinct; and the numerous opportunities that occur of establishing new ones, to be lost."

We proceed to exhibit a tabular view of the missionary reports,* and regret that our limits will not permit us to enter into a more detailed exhibition of them. The most interesting subject mentioned is the state of the Oneida Indians, concerning whom we extract the following report of Mr. Solomon Davis, their catechist and lay reader. They have, it seems, erected a church, which is known by the name of St. Peter's, Oneida Castle.

66

By permission of the bishop, I have performed the duties of layreader and catechist among the Oneidas, one year and one month. During which time, the services of the church have been well attended by the natives, and I have reason to believe, that my endeavours

*This will be inserted in our next.

to bring them to a knowledge and practice of the duties of Christianity, have been rendered in some degree effectual, by him, without whose assistance, our best efforts are vain. The Oneidas have made considerable progress in civilization, and are considered the most respectable of the six confederate nations. Their number consists of 1160 souls. The chiefs and warriours, and in fact the whole nation, are zealously attached to the Episcopal Church. They view it as the church of their forefathers. They revert with pleasure to that period, (the year 1701,) when the society in England for propagating the gospel in foreign parts, sent a faithful labourer among them, who reared the standard of the cross, and planted the apostolick church in the bosom of their nation. The gospel tree,' say they, which was then planted among us, is again permitted to flourish in the midst of our canton--we will sit under its branches, and partake of its glorious fruits. Notwithstanding the opposition of interested individuals, and the strong prejudices which prevail in the minds of many, in regard to the utility of missionary labour among these degraded sons of the forest, I think it is evident, from what has already been accomplished since the establishment of this mission, that much good will result from a continuance of our exertions. I have performed the services of the church on Sundays in their own language, to a congregation of about four or five hundred Indians; all of them, with becoming sobriety, taking an interesting part in the worship of God. And I have the satisfaction to say, that many of them are not only hearers, but doers of the word. I have catechised, during the summer, from fifty to sixty children, twice a week; attended 17 funerals, and witnessed the baptism of 56 Indian children; thirty-six by the Rev. Mr. Anthon, of Utica, seven by the Rev Mr. Nash, of Exeter, and thirteen by the Rev. Jonathan Judd, of the diocese of Connecticut. Two have been added to the communion, which makes the number to consist of forty.

The Indians are now engaged in preparing a school house, and have invited Mr. Albert G. Ellis, a young man who formerly resided here with Mr. Williams, and who has acquired some knowledge of their language, to take charge of the school, which will probably commence in about twenty-five days. In this school it is thought best to pursue the Lancasterian system, as far as practicable, and instruct the scholars in both their own and the English language. It is thought that at least fifty children will attend, as it is a subject rendered highly pleasing to both parents and children, by making a part of the studies to consist of their native tongue, which is considered the most powerful means of attaching them to the school the want of which attachment has, heretofore, proved, in similar establishments, an insurmountable barrier to success; as the Indians, not relishing the study of a foreign language, generally become disaffected, and leave the institution before any thing like a course of studies could be completed."

The Rev. Daniel Nash, mentioned in the above report, is a most interesting and venerable missionary in the county of Otsego. A man