of most primitive simplicity of manners and singleness of heart. He has laboured long and faithfully in the vineyard of his Master. In his report he makes the following observations on the Indians. "In the month of May I visited the church at Oneida, and with pleasure can testify to the excellent order observed among the Indians. In no congregation, although I have seen many solemn assemblies, have I beheld such deep attention-such humble devotion. By the blessing of divine providence on the labours of the young gentleman, who has been with them since the departure of Mr. Williams, they have been kept within the fold of the Church, although exertions have been made to lead them astray. Those exertions most probably will, in a great measure cease, as it has pleased God to awaken to a just sense of religion, a number of the most respectable of the white inhabitants in the vicinity of the church. This pious congregation, though small, will have a tendency to secure the attachment of the Indians; were there any danger, which I think there is not, of having their affections alienated." We add the concluding paragraph of his report, though not connected with the subject, for reasons which will present themselves to the mind of the reader. "The infirmities of age have prevented me from equaling in my labours, the labours of former years. The knowledge of this leaves a solemn impression on my mind, that I must soon cease from those labours. And O how little has been done in comparison with what might have been done !—It is an arduous thing,' said a pious missionary, 'to root out every affection to earthly things, so as to live for another world.' I will add, that it is an arduous thing to be entirely devoted to the service of God our Saviour. That service is delightful, but seldom realized." Mr. Anthon, the highly respectable rector of Trinity church, Utica, who is also mentioned by Mr. Davis, makes the following corroborative statement in his parochial report. "The rector of this church has occasionally visited the Oneida Indians; administered the communion, at different times, to between 30 and 40; baptized 36 children; and preached, through the medium of an interpreter, to congregations respectable in point of numbers, and manifesting a sober and serious attention." (TO BE CONTINUED.) ORDINATION. On Sunday last an ordination, which had been fixed for the preceding Friday, but which the health of the bishop of the diocese had obliged him to postpone, was held in the Cathedral church of this city, when the following gentlemen were admitted to holy orders by his lordship, assisted by the archdeacon of Quebec, and the Rev. Dr. Mills, chaplain to his majesty's forces. Priest The Rev. J. Deacon, of Adolphus-town, Bay of Quinté, 1. C. Deacons Mr. W. Abbott, who proceeds to the mission of Yamaska Mountain, L. C. Mr. A. Ansley, who proceeds to the joint missions of Hull, L. C. and March, U. C. both upon the Ottawa river. Mr. J. Grier, who proceeds to the mission of the carrying-place, Bay of Quinté, U. C. Mr. A. Mackintosh, who proceeds to the mission of St. Thomas, Port Talbot, on Lake Erie, U. C. In all these places churches have been recently erected by the inhabitants, but there are many others in the two Provinces where the same proof has been afforded of anxiety for the regular administration of the word and ordinances, which are still unprovided, but which the lord bishop hopes by the assistance of the incorporated society for the propagation of the gospel to be enabled in the course of time to supply. Quebec, June 17. JEWS' SOCIETY. On the eighth anniversary of this interesting society, the board of directors regret, that with the exception of the usual sums sent to Bombay, and to the Palestine mission, no opportunity has been afforded of promoting the cause for which it was instituted. The directors however have not been inattentive to the resolution which was passed on the 10th of July, 1822, in which it was determined to procure a missionary who should labour among the lost sheep of the house of Israel, residing in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean; but as yet their endeavours to obtain a suitable person have been ineffectual. Two gentlemen have been offered, of whose piety and missionary qualifications they entertain an exalted opinion, but, owing to circumstances over which they had no control, they were prevented from employing them. It must be acknowledged that their expectations have been disappointed; that, at times they have been tempted to listen to discouraging suggestions, and the path marked out by Providence has not been clearly perceptible. At present, however, the prospect appears more cheering. They have recently heard of a young gentleman possessing high literary attainments, eminent piety, and a truly missionary spirit, and means are now in operation to ascertain whether he will consent to engage in the service of the society. Perhaps while they have been yielding to discouragement, or hesitating with regard to the path of duty, God has been training him up for this very purpose. Perhaps, too, it was necessary that their faith and patience should be tried in this manner, that they might depend more implicitly on the guidance of the Almighty, and learn more effectually that no exertions can succeed without his special assistance. Truths which although we may admit most willingly, make not, in general, that deep impression on our hearts which is necessary to insure a corresponding conduct. Within the last year the society has met with an irreparable loss in the death of Mrs. Huntington, in whom piety, loveliness, and intelligence were blended in so uncommon a degree, that she never failed in attracting the warm admiration and esteem of all who had an oppor tunity of cultivating her acquaintance. Her superiour judgment, her ardent zeal for the glory of God, and her strong desires for the conversion of his ancient people, rendered her services as a manager, peculiarly valuable, and endeared her to every member of the board. May they ever cherish, most sacredly, the recollection of her many excellences, and resolve in an humble dependence on Divine strength, to imitate so lovely an example. A condensed statement of receipts, expenditures, and state of the funds of the Female Society of Boston and vicinity for promoting Christianity among the Jews. 66 66 $76 64 330 00 332 00 "auxiliary societies, female associations, monthly concerts of prayer, and individual contributors interest on United States 6 pr. cent. stock 71 96 interest on money loaned Sewall, Wil ་་ 66 66 liams and Co. Amount brought forward from last year's account, being the balance then remaining in the treasury 74 38 122 88 $997 86 EXPENDITURES. Amount sent to Bombay for the education of Jewish children 100 00 forwarded to Messrs. Fiske and Temple for the Pales 66 66 100 00 loaned Sewall, Williams and Co. on interest paid for printing reports, for stationary, postage, ad The permanent fund amounts to $1620, of which $1200 are invested in United States' 6 per cent. stock, and the balance $420, is included in a note of Sewall, Williams and Co. The amount of disposable fund is $1230, which is at interest in the hands of Sewall, Williams and Co. FRANCES ERVING, Treasurer. 66 TO CORRESPONDENTS. A LAYMAN, on bowing at the name of Jesus," is received; but the conductors of the Gospel Advocate think that the subject has been sufficiently discussed in the number for April. LATIMER on "Temperance in Religious Controversy" is received. The style and manner of the paper are not likely to counteract the evil he complains of. THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. No. 4.] AUGUST, 1824. [No. 8. Vol. IV. THEOLOGICAL. [THE following essays are taken from the Religious Instructer, or Church of England Magazine, a work which we noticed in our Number for July, 1823, p. 217. They are, we think, calculated to be highly useful, and we earnestly recommend them to the attention of our readers.] ESSAYS ON THE LITURGY. No. I. ON THE ORIGIN AND ANTIQUITY OF FORMS OF PRAYER. "What mean ye by this service." Exod. xii. 26. "That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed." Luke i. 4. THE Book of Common Prayer is confessedly the most excellent of all human and uninspired compositions. We might therefore suppose that it would be well examined and understood by those who continually enjoy the advantages afforded by it to the humble and devout Christian, who desires to pray with the spirit and with the understanding also. Such persuasion, however, would be incorrect. Among the multitudes by whom it is possessed, comparatively few understand its claims upon their regard and veneration. THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTER will endeavour, according to its ability, to remove this ignorance; it will aim, not merely to show both teachers and scholars how they may give an answer to every man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them, concerning the great truths of salvation; but also, how they may understand their privileges, as members of a Church by which they are so admirably assisted to worship God in spirit and in truth. The liturgy might indeed expect to be valued and loved upon the plain ground of its own intrinsick beauty and spirituality. To those, however, who desire to "ask for the good old paths," and to walk therein, that they may find rest to their souls, it may be instructive to begin our remarks with a very short and summary inquiry into the ori gin and antiquity of forms of prayer. The subject may not be without its use even to those, who, in days of innovation like the present, when every thing venerable for its antiquity is deemed unfit for modern use, and condemned by modern refinement, consider the liturgy of the Church of England, and every other form of sound words, unworthy of their respect and adoption: for if it can be shown that forms were used in the early ages of the world, that they were commanded 30 GOSPEL ADVOCATE, VOL. IV. by God himself, and used in obedience to his authority, by men undeniably influenced and inspired by the Holy Ghost, we shall at once do much to establish the important fact, that they are lawful in themselves-expedient for us-and acceptable to God. The only remaining question for consideration will then be, whether the liturgy of the Church of England be not built upon the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone and therefore whether its adoption and use be not equally our duty and our privilege ? I. If any class of persons could be described, to whom forms of prayer were more unnecessary than to others, those great and gifted men whom the Most High commissioned to instruct and enlighten their ignorant and sinful brethren; on whom his Spirit rested in its greatest measure, and to whom his will was most plainly revealed, must be so considered; these men, however, received such forms at the hand of God himself,-they used them in acts of worship among the people to whom they were appointed the spiritual pastors; they handed them down for our instruction, in the scriptures of truth; and we cannot, therefore, with justice be blamed for imitating those forms of prayer and praise which holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The first act of solemn publick worship recorded in scripture, is a hymn of praise, written by Moses, when Israel was so miraculously delivered from the hand of Pharaoh and the Egyptians at the Red Sea. It was sung alternately by the men, with Moses, and by the women with Miriam at their head. Exodus xv. 21. It must, therefore, have been a precomposed form of thanksgiving to Almighty God; for unless the singers had previously committed it to memory, or held it written in their hands, they could not possibly have used it in the manner described by the sacred historian, When David brought the ark from the house of Obed-Edom, to the tent which he had pitched for it in Jerusalem, he composed a form of prayer and praise, selected from different psalms, and gave it to Asaph, for the use of the whole assembly, (compare 1 Chron. xvi. 7-36 with Psalm cv. 1-15, Psalm cxvi. 1-13, Psalm cxxxvi. 1, and Psalm cvi. 47, 48.) The whole book of Psalms, indeed, is a prescribed form, indited by David, under the direct influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not only to assist and warm his own private devotion with a flame enkindled in heaven, but to direct and animate the general and publick worship of God in the tabernacle and temple. In the following ages these most beautiful and spiritual compositions were used as forms of devotion by the Jewish church. Hezekiah (so appointed them, when he restored the temple worship, which had been interrupted in the days of Ahaz. 2 Chron. xxix. 30. Ezra, whose memory has always been held in the highest esteem, and who, though not expressly styled a prophet, certainly wrote under the influence of the Holy Ghost, enjoined the use of Psalms, when the foundations of the second temple were laid, after the return of Judah from captivity. Ezra iii. 10, 11. In addition to this evidence, it has been amply proved by learned men, that the Jews used stated prayers, which |