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Episcopal Acts.

The bishop, during the year preceding the meeting of the convention, had admitted 4 to priest's and 9 to deacon's orders, consecrated 2 churches, laid the corner stone of Christ church in the city of New York, and administered confirmation in 13 churches to 782 persons. The bishop was prevented by a dangerous sickness of some weeks continuance, from performing to a greater extent, the duties peculiarly Episcopal. There are at present 21 candidates for orders. In the bishop's address to the convention, after enumerating the several official acts abovementioned, the removals of clergymen, the return of the General Theological Seminary, and other changes which had occurred in the diocese, he proceeds to notice the incorporation of a college at Geneva. "With the exception," he observes, "of Columbia college, which, eminently useful and respectable as it is, must, from obvious circumstances, accommodate almost solely the citizens of New York, the colleges of this state are under the management of nonepiscopalians. Extending our views to the other states of the union, the numerous colleges that are established in various parts, with increasing funds and influence, are, with one or two exceptions, under the same control. The fact is an alarming one, and were it not for the very peculiar circumstances of depression and difficulty under which she has laboured, and which rendered all her exertions necessary for providing the means essential to her existence, would be a disgraceful one to our Church. The union between science and religion, and their reciprocal influences, are so intimate and powerful, that no religious community can flourish where that union is not recognised, and that influence maintained in literary institutions and colleges subject to its paramount control. There is no instance of any universities or colleges in the Christian world, in which some religious denomination has not directly or indirectly a predominating influence. The causes of this may be traced to the intimate union between science and religion, and to principles deeply seated in human nature. And it is believed that no universities or colleges, whatever may be their professions, will long be managed on any other footing. But, without digressing into these general views, it is surely obvious, that Episcopalians, in common with other Christian denominations, ought to have colleges in which their candidates for orders may receive preparatory instruction, and in which they may have an opportunity of educating their sons under circumstances most favourable to their being confirmed in those principles and views of religious truth, maintained by the Church of which they are members.

"An eminently favourable opportunity of obtaining a college of this description is now afforded. The regents of the university in this state, recognising the right of all religious denominations to colleges of their own; and viewing, in the competition thus excited, results highly favourable to the general interests of science, have, with great liberality, granted conditional charters for two colleges, one at Ithaca, and the other at Geneva: the former of which, it is understood, will

be under Methodist influence, and the latter under that of our own Church. Not that there is to be exacted any religious test for office, or any exclusion from the benefit of these institutions of those of other denominations, or any restraint imposed on the religious principles of the students, or any obstacles presented to their worshipping where they may think proper. But it is presumed that, without infringing on the rights or privileges of others, these institutions will be managed as other institutions are, with an especial reference to the interests of those religious denominations who have the principal control over them.

"In my address at the last convention, I took the liberty to allude to the eminent advantages of Geneva as the site of a literary institution, and I much question whether, in any part of the continent, a place can be found, uniting so many advantages for a college which is to accommodate Episcopalians generally. Central in its situation in reference to the western and Atlantick states; immediately contiguous to the canal, the great water communication between them; in a country that is destined to be the garden of America, affording from its soil the richest products, and in its numerous lakes and diversified surface, the most interesting and picturesque views, the healthy village of Geneva unites all the local requisites for the site of a literary institution. Our Church has now an opportunity of obtaining a college that may be made, in all respects, to answer her wishes; and much is it to be desired that Episcopalians, laying aside all local jealousies and partialities, should unite their liberal and zealous efforts in the establishment of an institution that will be honourable to their Church, and productive of incalculable and lasting benefit. It is believed that the institution may be so organized as to present powerful inducements to general support."

The bishop, in the above observations, speaks very justly of the great importance of union among the members of our Church, the advantage of laying aside local jealousies and partialities, and devoting their liberal and zealous efforts to the establishment of one great institution. If this be true with regard to a college, why is it not equally true with regard to a general theological seminary, or a general missionary society? We were therefore a little surprised at seeing the following remarks on the last named subject.

"A Domestick and Foreign Missionary Society was organized at the last general convention, and is recommended to the patronage of the members of our Church; and, so far as may be compatible with the claims of this diocese, where there is so extensive a field for missionary exertions, I trust this patronage will be extended. I should much fear, however, that any plan of constant and permanent operation, such as the constituting of auxiliary societies, would essentially interfere with the missionary system of this diocese, which has been so successful in its operation, and to which we are indebted for the organization of many new congregations, and for the resuscitation of some which were nearly extinct. In order to increase the missionary fund, the last con

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vention provided, by a canon, for the formation of parochial associations, or societies; and it is hardly to be expected that our parishes would liberally support more than one association or society for missionary purposes, or, if constituted, that they would not materially interfere with each other. I should therefore consider, as a preferable mode of aiding the General Missionary Society, occasional collections, to meet special exigences, or to answer particular appeals. Of this description was the recent call from the state of Ohio for pecuniary aid, for the support of missionaries, which was answered in this state, and particularly in the city of New York, and in the city where we are now assembled, with a promptness and liberality which prove that, strong and numerous as are the claims upon us from the destitute portions of our own diocese, we are not insensible to the urgent wants of our brethren in the western states.

"The field for missionary labours in this diocese is very extensive. Many portions of the state have been recently settled, where, as well in some older settlements, there are opportunities of establishing our Church. The want, however, of clergymen, and especially of the means of supporting them as missionaries, is a great obstacle to its increase, and is a loud call on Episcopalians to continue and to increase their contributions for the purpose of extending the ministrations and ordinances of religion to their brethren who are deprived of them."

We do not quote this with the invidious design of exhibiting any inconsistency where there is so much that is excellent; yet we cannot refrain from thinking that the passages we have put in italicks will seem to our readers rather strongly contrasted with the recommendation of unity on the subject of the Geneva college.

The bishop concludes his address with the following excellent remarks on the important subject of Sunday schools and a uniform sys. tem of religious education for youth.

"It gives me pleasure to notice the prosperous condition of the Sunday schools which are instituted in several congregations of our Church. As the principal object of these schools is the religious instruction of the young, it would seem that they ought not to be liable to any influence or any control but that of the authority of the Church, the young members of whose fold they profess to instruct in Christian truth and duty.

"And here, my brethren of the clergy, I would earnestly call your attention to the important part of our office, the religious instruction of the young members of our flocks, as the best security, against enthusiasm on the one hand, and lukewarmness on the other, and as a principal mean, with the Divine blessing, of establishing them in the principles and habits of sound piety.

"I am not influenced by any apprehension that this important duty is neglected. On the contrary, I well know that some of the clergy have extended this instruction beyond the formulary set forth by the Church designed for children, to explanations of the Christian system, suited to those of riper years. My object is to suggest the importance

of uniformity, as far as may be practicable, in this particular. It would seem that the Church catechism supposes some preliminary religious instruction, and that this excellent formulary will admit of a subsequent enlargement of the course of religious instruction. Under this impression, a short scripture catechism, which has been prepared and submitted to the revision of the venerable senior bishop of our Church, and the alterations suggested by him adopted, has been published. It is my intention to pursue the same course with the explanation of the Church catechism in use in this diocese, and with the volume on the festivals and fasts, the basis of which is the standard work of Nelson, the pious layman of the Church of England. It would then seem that in the scripture catechism, in the Church catechism broke into short questions and answers, in the catechism explaining and enlarging the Church catechism, and in the work on the festivals and fasts, there will be a course of instruction embracing the whole circle of religious truth and duty, the ministry and liturgy of the Church, and those parts of the sacred volume which establish and enforce the doctrine and duties of the plan of salvation which it reveals. It is my intention to take measures to have these books stereotyped, so as that they may be procured at low price.

"The importance of this subject will, I trust, account for the solicitude with which, in the discharge of my official duty, I would press it on your attention."

We are pleased to see a diocesan fund commenced by contributions from the different churches, amounting this first year to $424,25. The objects of this fund are explained in the following extract from the canon passed at the preceding convention. "One half of the amount contributed, if necessary, shall be appropriated, under the direction of the convention, exclusively towards defraying the necessary expenses of clergymen attending the convention from a distance; and the remainder shall be appropriated to defraying the contingent expenses of the convention." The canon also precludes from the benefit of the fund all clergymen whose parishes do not contribute. Appropriations were made to all clergymen who had to travel more than 20 miles ; and the remaining half of the whole sum was devoted to pay the expense of printing the journal and other similar charges. This is a provision which ought to be adopted in every diocese throughout the Union.

A committee, appointed to ascertain the number of trustees of the General Theological Seminary to which the diocese of New York is entitled, reported that it is entitled to 24, as follows:

For the diocese

1 additional trustee for every 8 clergymen say 88

The whole amount of property subscribed to the funds of the seminary by the diocese of New York, including Mr. Sherred's legacy is $81,957 giving 12 additional trustees as follows:

1

11

-12

For the first $10,000

For every additional $10,000 one

5

7

-12

-24

A further sum of $17,000 being subscribed but not paid, and it being likely that this, with an additional sum, would be paid before the meeting of the general convention, two additional trustees were nominated, making the whole number for New York 26.

Three churches have been incorporated and were received into union with the convention.

Delegates to the general convention-the Rev. David Butler, the Rev. Thomas Lyell, D. D., the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, the Rev. Orin Clark, Philip S. Van Renssellaer, Esq., Richard Harrison, Esq., the Honourable Morris S. Miller, John Wells, Esq.

Standing committee of the diocese-the Rev. William Harris, D. D. the Rev. Thomas Lyell, D. D., the Rev. William Berrian, the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, M. D., Richard Harrison, Esq., William Ogden, Esq., Nicholas Fish, Esq., Henry Rogers, Esq.

Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church for propagating the gospel in the state of New York, of which the bishop is, ex officio, chairman-the Rev. Thomas Lyell, D. D., the Rev. Henry J. Feltus, D. D. the Rev. John M Vickar, Dr. John Onderdonk, Thomas L. Ogden, Esq., Hubert Van Wagenen.

South Carolina.

ON Sunday, the 23d of February, being the second Sunday in Lent, a stated ordination was held by the Right Rev. Bishop Bowen, in St. Paul's church, Charleston, when Mr. Benjamin H. Fleming was admitted to the holy order of Deacons. Prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. De Lavaux, of St. Matthew's parish, and an appropriate discourse was delivered by the Rev. C. Hanckell, rector of St. Paul's.

North Carolina.

Ar the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of North Carolina, lately held at Salisbury, the Rev. John S. Ravenscroft, D. D. of Virginia, was unanimously elected bishop of the diocese of this state.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Several communications are on file for insertion as our limits will permit.

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