informs us, that a Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Piety has been instituted in the western parts of the state, and that in future the Gospel Messenger will be published under its immediate patronage. We bid it welcome, and hope it will ere long be enabled, by additional patronage, to put on a more enlarged and comely form than it at present wears.

The Christian Sentinel.

We have recently received the prospectus of a new religious and literary periodical, intended to be published at Montreal, Canada, and to be conducted by the clergy of the established church, under the sanction of the lord bishop of the diocese, to be entitled The Christian Sentinel, and Anglo-Canadian Churchman's Magazine. It is intended that this work shall be pub. lished every second month, in numbers of 60 octavo pages each, at two dollars per annum, payable in advance. The first number, for January and February, was to have been issued on the first of March. We with pleasure give place to the prospectus, and offer our best wishes for the prosperity of a work which promises to be conducted with great ability, and to be the means of much usefulness in the extensive district of country whose wants, in respect to the objects therein stated, it is intended to supply.

"The design of this undertaking is, generally, to circulate throughout this extensive diocese the genuine principles of the catholic church of Christ, by the publication of articles, some original and some selected, on topics both doctrinal and prac. tical;-and especially to defend the apostolic constitution, orthodox doctrines, and scriptural ritual, of the national church of England, by elucidation, by argument, and by appeal to the authorities of sacred Scriptures, of the ancient fathers, and of ecclesiastical history.

"In accomplishing this desirable end, all dereliction of Christian charity is strong. ly deprecated;-indeed, the earnest desire of the editor is never to act on the offen. sive, but, like a good sentinel, to defend one's own post, and to watch with vigilance the motions of an enemy from whatever quarter. This work, therefore, in that portion which may be devoted to polemics, will only defend the doctrines, discipline, and rights of the church, on points wherein that hallowed establishment may have been previously attacked.

"Communications from all quarters will be thankfully received; but it is to be understood that they must be of a descrip tion tending more or less to effect the design above stated;-articles therefore, which are purely political, literary, or scientific, will not be admissible. Party po

litics will be altogether avoided, excepting so far as the indissoluble connexion between church and state may sometimes render a slight allusion unavoidable. Two or three pages will be open to poetical productions.

"The proceedings of religious societies in these provinces, and in the parent state, will be briefly recorded; more particularly those two pre-eminent institutions, to which, under the Divine blessing, the Anglo-Canadian Church owes the deepest obligations, viz. the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts,' and the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.'-The leading religious publications of the day will sometimes pass under review, and the biography of eminent churchmen will, it is hoped, occásionally afford pleasure and profit. Ecclesiastical promotions will be noticed, and in short, any proceedings or events likely to prove interesting to the members of the church in general, and to the clergy in particular.

"The first number will contain a short memoir of the life and labours of the late lord bishop of Quebec, the venerable father of the Anglo-Canadian Church.

"All communications to be addressed (free of expense) to the editor, the Rev. B. B. STEVENS, chaplain to the forces, Montreal."

Episcopal Watchman.

"I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."

At p. 32 of our present vol. we noticed the discontinuance of the Churchman's Magazine, and inserted the prospectus of a weekly paper intended to supply its place, under the title of the " Episcopal Watchman." We have just received the first number of this paper, and have merely room to say we are much pleased with its appearance, and have no doubt it will meet, as we are persuaded it will merit, ample support.

No. 5.]

For the Christian Journal.

Convention of South-Carolina. THIS Convention, the printed journal of which has just been received, was held in St. Michael's church, Charleston, on the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of February last; and was attended by the bishop and 18 clerical and 24 lay members.

"Divine service was performed by the Rev. Francis P. Delavaux, rector of St. Bartholomew's parish, and an appropriate discourse delivered by the Rev. Peter Van Pelt, rector of St. Luke's parish. The holy sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered by the bishop."

The Rev Dr. Dalcho was re-elected secretary; and the Right Rev. Bishop Bowen delivered the following address:

"Permit me now, brethren, according to my prescribed duty, to submit a statement of the transactions and occurrences of the past year, in which I have been officially concerned, and other matters suited to interest you, as the assembled representatives of the churches of the diocese.

'Early after the adjournment of the last convention, I visited the episcopal church on Edisto-Island-instituted the Rev. Mr. Osborne as its rector, by the joint desire of himself and the vestry-and consecrated a chapel at Edingsville, provided for the accommodation of the congregation in the sickly season, bearing the name and title of St. Stephen's Chapel, Edingsville. It is a handsome and commodious edifice, exhibiting the character of feeling which distinguishes the people, who, by their generous individual subscriptions, have defrayed the expense of its erection in a light peculiarly interesting. Subsequently, in the same season of the year, St. John's church, Colleton, was visited; and shortly after, St. Bartholomew's parish; where every evidence continues to be exhibited of faithful and useful ministration. A new church has also been erected in this parish, at Walterborough, for the use of its people removing thither in the summer. It has not yet been consecrated, but is contemplated to be, as soon as circumstances will permit.

"Sheldon church, in Prince William's VOL. XI.

[VOL. XI.

parish, was consecrated on my visiting that parish in April; the Rev. Mr. Walker, the Rev. Mr. Delavaux, and the Rev. Mr. Neufville being present, and assisting at the solemnities of the occasion. A numerous and respectable congregation was assembled; the sacrament was administered to a considerable number of persons at the table of the Lord, here, after a lapse of so many years, again set for his feast of grace and love; and all present seemed alike affected with the same gladness of heart, in having been permitted to come up together to this venerable house of God, whose magnificent ruin had so long awakened the pious regrets of the Christian passenger. The Rev. Mr. Neufville, who, as the missionary of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in this portion of the diocese, had been instrumental of the restoration of this church, is continuing to officiate there; and the hope is entertained, although not without discouragement, that provision may be made for the expenses of his permanent establishment as the minister of the parish. In conformity with provisional arrangements, according to the 20th canon of the General Convention, the churches of Georgia were visited at about the same time-and their convention being held at Macon, I attended and presided in it. Confirmation was administered there, as well as at Savannah and Augusta. The kindness exerted, as well by the clergy as laity of the churches in those places, to facilitate the performance of the services required of me, and separate from it every thing like personal inconvenience, is entitled to my affectionate acknowledgment. -Feeling it to be duty, for none but the most urgent cause to be declined, I proceeded in the autumn to Philadelphia, to attend the sitting of the General Convention of our church there; and on my way, visited St. Matthew's parish, and Trinity church, Columbia. My purpose to visit also St. David's church, Cheraw, was frustrated by an unexpected unavoidable necessity of travelling on the only days on which the plan of my journey had permitted me to contemplate tarrying there. Of the proceedings of the General Convention, held in November, the journal has not yet been received; and without it, or special communication from the secretary, no regular authentic information of its proceed17

of these three valuable members of it, constitutes a serious decline of the diocese from the condition in which we last year contemplated it. May our prayer for help be heard in the day of our depression; and may we be watchful to strengthen the things which remain.'

"Other changes which have taken place, are the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Motte as rector of St. Matthew's parish, who has since, by his own desire, according to the provisions of the 7th canon of 1820, been divested, by indefinite suspension, of authority to exercise the ministry in any of its offices; and that of the Rev. F. H. Rutledge, as rector of Christ church parish. The latter has removed into St. Thomas's parish, to take charge of the Beresford bounty school. He is at present serving the churches of that parish gratuit ously. The confinement to which he is unavoidably subjected by the circum. stances of the employment from which alone his support is derived, makes the performance of pastoral duty scarcely practicable, and affords an example of the embarrassment to which the business of the ministry is always liable, even in the case of such as are most zealously affected as to its objects, from the necessity of combining with it other employment, for which large appropriations of time and personal attention are required. In this case, however, there is encouragement to hope that provision will be made, by which, as the responsible superintendent of a school, the minister will be personally more at liberty to prosecute his peculiar calling.

“The Rev. Mr. Hathaway, a deacon of the diocese, has left the station, viz. St. David's, Cheraw, in which he had served at once as minister of a particular congre gation and missionary of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in SouthCarolina; and I have been officially notified of the appointment, by the vestry, of the Rev. C. P. Elliott, who, when the convention last met, was rector of St. James's, Goose Creek, to the rectorship of their church. St. James's, Goose Creek, was vacated by the resignation of Mr. Elliott in March last.

"The Rev. Philip Gadsden, also a deacon of the diocese, and who last year officiated at North-Santee, is now officiating in both Christ church and St. Paul's parishes; and an arrangement has been made, by which the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, rector of St. James's, Santee, serves also the chapel at North-Santee.

"The Rev. Edward Rutledge has, since the last convention, received, on his application for it, the canonical certificate of dismission from this diocese.

"The Society for the Advancement of Christianity, on the principles of our church, in South-Carolina, identified as it

is with the diocese, claims as usual to be noticed on this occasion. Its prosperity has been in some degree affected by the depression of the pecuniary interest of the community; yet the zeal of its trustees to do good to the house of God, and the offices thereof, has not been relaxed. The report of their proceedings just pub. lisbed will evince this, while an address which it has been thought expedient to distribute among the members of our church, will show the society's need of further support, and the grounds on which its claim of it rests. Might not the clergy, by instituting auxiliary or branch socie ties in their parishes upon the plan proposed by the trustees, and after the example of that set on foot by the Rev. Mr. F. Rutledge, when rector of Christ church, essentially advance the interests of this important institution? The accounts of the treasurer of the society, as to the funds committed to them in trust, will be sub. mitted for the inspection of those concerned.

66

Having stated all the transactions and occurrences of the year peculiarly affecting our diocesan condition, permit me to mention, as I have felt it my duty so often to do before, the claims which the General Seminary of our church still has on us for assistance. The building, of which mention was made to you at the last convention, has been erected-but must remain unfinished, until the several dioceses will put the trustees in possession of the necessary funds. New-York has assumed the responsibility of this provision to a generous extent and only 15,000 dollars remain for the other dioceses jointly to provide. Of this, our quota is no more than 1700 dollars; the proportion in which each diocese shall be solicited to contri bute to it, being regulated, according to a resolution of the General Convention, by the allowance of 50 dollars for every minister. It is sincerely hoped that we may be able to meet the expectation which has been entertained of our assistance in that proportion. Amidst the discourage ment which the aspect of the times induces, the hope is not sanguine of even this little to be done in addition to that which already has been. But I may suggest as motives of a continuance of the best patronage of which circumstances admit from us to this institution, that the very desirable object contemplated, of giving it such a local habitation as will insure its permanency, must, without it, fail; and that the good influence which it has already exerted on the character of the ministry, bids us anxiously desire the best possible security of its interests, with a view to greater and more extensive benefit.

"The claims of other institutions are, I am aware, at the same time upon us,

having for their justification the interest and extension of the church; and it is not to be expected that we should be able to satisfy our own feelings as to them all. Yet a discrimination may be made, by which, while none of those claims are dishonoured, those having the chief merit and importance may be adequately answered. Nor can I forbear once more to urge upon my brethren the discrimination in favour of the demands of the institutions of their own church, by which their bounty so of ten variously solicited for those of others, might be made abundantly sufficient for them. I am utterly unconscious, in this suggestion, of the influence of any uncharitable or illiberal sentiment. I may indeed deceive myself. But I cannot but be persuaded, that while our own institutions want our help to make them answer in an honourable degree their end, it is at least a very mistaken liberality, that by an indiscriminate unthinking distribution may disqualify us for adequately giving it.

"My brethren of the ministry, our ut most exertions are necessary in our several spheres of employment, to keep our ministry effectually available for the interest of the church of God, and the happiness of our fellow-men. It is a ministry which we are persuaded we hold by au thority from him who is head over all things to his church; and in the doctrine, and discipline, and worship, according to which we are pledged to exercise it, we see all that is conducive to the end of all religion, viz. to make men morally wise, good, and happy in time, and conduct them, pardoned and sanctified, blest and rejoicing, to eternity. But this great treasure we have in earthen vessels; and while this is verified in the moral infirmity and frailty of which we cannot but be continually conscious, it is true in a no less degree in the sense of that perpetual li ableness which, with all heirs of mortality we partake, to be rendered back to our native dust. The first should admonish us' to take good heed to ourselves,' that we offend not against the sacred interest committed to us, otherwise than by unavoidable and involuntary error; the other, (and the events of the year should come to our recollection in aid of it,) that we be dili gent and active to make full proof of our ministry, according to all the ability and opportunity which may be allowed us, because we know not when our Lord shall come to require an account at our hands of the work given us to do.

"And will my brethren of the laity think it unreasonable that I entreat them, according to the relations which they bear to our ministry, to strengthen its hands and animate its spirit by all that the law of Christ and of his members, one for another, requires for the better and better, the more and more honourable accomplishment of

its work? Indulgence and candour, will they not permit me to suggest, are from them reasonably due towards men often, coming to this calling more pure and fervent in zealous devotion to its objects than practised in the world, or qualified by the wisdom of experience for the various intercourse of life; gentleness and meekness, in receiving from their lips the words of admonition or instruction, which of indispensable obligation they must utter; and kindness and benevolence towards men who often have in these their only temporal resource, and at the utmost, can but with decency provide for their present sustenance, and perhaps for that of families, which they ultimately. must leave to no dependance but a generous sensibility in the minds of their brethren and people to the memory of their virtues and their services.

"NATHANIEL BOWEN."

The clergy were, on motion, requested to read the address to their several congregations.

The following gentlemen were appointed the standing committee for the ensuing year :-The Rev. Christopher E. Gadsden, D. D., the Rev. Paul T. Gervais, the Rev. Frederick Dalcho, M. D., the Rev. Allston Gibbes, the Rev. Christian Hanckell, David Alexander, Keating Simons, Robert J.Turnbull, Thomas Lowndes, Samuel Wragg.

The returns of the several parishes in the diocese are condensed in a tabu

lar form, and present the following aggregate:-Communicants 1875; baptisms (adults 28, children 275) 303; marriages 115; burials 159.

"The following preamble and resolu tion were moved by the Rev. Dr. Gadsden, and unanimously agreed to:

"Whereas it appears from the last report of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina, that its income is considerably diminished; and whereas the prosperity of our church in this diocese has been greatly promoted, and is in a great manner identified with this valuable institution; and whereas the supporters of this society in some parishes are few in number, and in others none; and whereas a combined effort in its behalf, on the part of ministers, delegates, and vestries, would elevate it to a station of usefulness alike honourable to the diocese and gratifying to the patriot and the Christian; and whereas our attention has been particularly invited to this important subject by the address of the bishop to this convention, and by another address from him as president of the society,