support, yet their kindness and good will towards me have been unvaried, and the same is now acknowledged with gratitude.

On the 6th day of June, 1819, I administered the holy rite of confirmation, in Worthington, to 79 persons; and, soon after, took my journey to the south.

At Circleville I held divine service, and at Chillicothe spent the Sunday.

Having passed on to Portsmouth, at the junction of the Scioto with the Ohio river, I organized a parish, and confirmed 6 persons. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to 12 persons, and a number, both adults and infants, were baptized.

At Chillicothe, on my return, I held divine service several times; and, on the 26th of June, I administered confirmation to 14 persons. Most deeply is it regretted that the respectable parish in this city have not hitherto been successful in their endeavours to obtain a clergyman. Lay reading, though it may serve for a time to cherish the flame of piety, and preserve a taste for the beauty of our primitive service, yet, if it be relied on for a permanency, or be conducted by persons who, however excellent in other respects, are not dedicated to the service of the Church, nor can be supposed thoroughly acquainted with her rubricks, canons, and established usages, a habit of coldness ensues, in regard to the sacraments and apostolic ordinances, much to be la

mented.

Taking Zanesville in my way home, I spent the Sunday with the Rev. Mr. Morse, and with him attended divine service on the 4th day of July.

I performed duties in my Episcopal character at Delaware and Berkshire. In the former, on the 18th of August, I confirmed 17, and in the latter, on the 5th of September, 13 persons.

In Columbus, on the 12th of September, I confirmed 10 persons; and, soon after this, took my journey to the north and west part of the state.

It would be tiresome to you, and perhaps ostentatious in myself, were I to go into the particulars of this tour; a tour of more than five hundred miles before I again visited the place of my

residence. It was undertaken with no prospects of earthly reward but to do my duty, and perform the service of our heavenly Master. The consciousness of this truth supported me through all my fatigues; made trivial the frowns and scoffs of the proud; height ened the greetings of my friends; made my hours by day glide sweetly on, and filled my night dreams with pleasant images.

I took my course towards the Rocky river, which I reached in safety. After having visited and performed divine service at Columbia, I administered the holy sacrament to a number, and confirmed 10 persons at Liverpool: this took place on the 25th of September.

The same day, at evening, I performed divine service at Medina county-seat, and the next being Sunday, I rode to the dwelling-place of the Rev. Mr. Searle. Although both himself and Mrs. Searle were in ill health, (a circumstance which precluded him from attending me that part of my tour), yet he was able to attend the sacrament. He also presented for confirmation 9 persons. This was on Sunday, the 26th of September last.

At Cleaveland, on the 27th, I performed divine service, and the next day, Tuesday, 28th, I confirmed 10, and administered the holy communion to several persons.

I was at Ashtabula on Wednesday night; visited a number of families; and performed divine service on Thursday, and on Friday, the 1st of October, administered the rite of confirmation to 8 persons.

Wine for the holy communion being not to be had, that sacrament was omitted. The same day I rode to the township of Rome ; on Saturday, reached Windsor, and in the afternoon performed divine service. The day following, Sunday, the 3d of October, 34 persons were confirmed, and the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper was well attended. On my way to Canfield I performed divine service in Warren and Boardman. In Canfield, on the evening of the 6th of October, İ also performed divine service; and, on the 7th, administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and confirmed 16.

In the evening of the same day divine service was again attended in the same place. During the two following days I rode to Steubenville; and, on Sunday, the 10th of October, I held morning and evening service in that place.

Being joined by the Rev. Mr. Morse at Cadiz, and in the evening attending divine worship with him at that village, we came together the next day to Zanesville; where, on Thursday, I performed the public services of the Church; and, the two following days, I arrived at my dwelling in this place. I have put the events of my northern tour together, not that they were destitute of interesting matter for many observations, but that I might not unne cessarily fatigue you who have so patiently listened to me in the discharge of my duty thus far. I could tell you of the hospitality and kindness shown to me in every place; I could tell you how firmly many are attached to primitive truth as it is set forth in our Church; and how ardently others are seeking after it. But of all these I for bear. The effect of the whole on my mind has been cheering, and prompteth the oblation of my grateful heart to the Great Head of the Church, who hath not left us comfortless. Yet I cannot repress my deep regrets at seeing such a dearth of clergymen where there are so many to feed: "The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labour ers into the harvest."

In the latter part of October last I visited Cincinnati, and tarried there two Sundays. During which period the services of our Church, by the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Johnston, were performed as often as practicable.Every kindness was shown me which a grateful heart could name. I pray the Lord to bless them, and to stir up their hearts, and awaken them to do his service. Bless him, O God! bless thy servant who ministers among them. Make thy word, by his mouth, powerful, that the harvest of his labours may be abundant. On the 31st of October eight persons were confirmed. The communion was administered at the same VOL. V.

time; the congregation was large, and their deportment solemn and devout.

While at Cincinnati I visited a neigh bourhood on the banks of the Little Miami, and performed service at the house of Col. Biggs. On my way to and from Cincinnati, I performed divine service several times at Dayton, where they have since taken measures to become a parish and a legal body corporate. It seems, though young, a society of much promise.

The Rev. Joseph Doddridge, who resides on the Virginia side of the Ohio, still continues kindly to extend his pious labours to this state. I have thought fit, therefore, at his request, and that of my council of advice, to give him letters missionary to entitle him, according to our diocesan consttution, to a seat in our Convention.

The Rev. Thomas Osborne, presbyter, is appointed Professor in the College at Cincinnati. His letters dimissory from the Right Rev. Bishop Bowen, of South-Carolina, assure me of his regular standing in the Church, and of his ability, under God, to do much good.

I have admitted Philander Chase, jun. as a candidate for holy orders, on letters dimissory, accompanied with certificates of his good character, from the Right Rev. Bishop Griswold, of the eastern diocess.

I have deferred to mention another event which took place since we last met, because of its solemn nature and most affecting sequel.

On the 6th day of June, 1819, the Sunday following the adjournment of this Convention, I admitted to the holy order of Deacons, the Rev. Benjamin Birge, of Lexington, Kentucky. We have lately received the painful intelligence of his decease.

Had he been a member of this diocess, it were proper, in this place, for the benefit of religion, to mention his pious example, and drop a tear over his untimely grave. As it is, we can' not refrain from giving vent to our feelings in a few words. From his recommendations to the Ecclesiastical authority of this diocess, as well as from the universal report of his amiable and pious manners, joined to his respecta 26

ble examination on the subjects of theology, and his correct deportment while among us, we had reason to esteem and love him. The Church at large, and especially that portion of our primitive Zion this side the mountains, had good cause to rejoice in the mild influence which his example and correct principles would shed over her prospects. The morn of his life was clear, and the sky serene; and we did hope to see its meridian splendid and full of good fruits: but the shades of night, the night of the grave, have intervened; he is taken from our view, and sleeps with his fathers. Fond memory, however, does not so soon leave him; we mark his youthful footsteps; recall to our minds his words, and linger on the places where he gave evidence of a renewed heart and Christian zeal. From all these we learn our present loss and his gain; that while we mourn he rejoices; and that, though our infant Church in the west feels the loss of this excellent young man, yet we have sufficient proof of his present blessedness to make us dry our tears, and stifle every wish that he had continued longer Besides this, our faith lays our resignation on the broad principle of the infinite wisdom and goodness of God, that, though "his way is in the war ters, and his footsteps are not known," yet, whatever he doeth is just,right, and good, and, if improved aright, all his dispensations shall turn out for the good of those who love and obey him.

among us.

The Rev. Samuel Johnston was, by ballot, elected Secretary of the Con

vention.

The Clergy were called on for their Reports required by the 45th Canon of the General Convention, which were presented and read, and, as required by the said Canon, inserted on the Journals. The following is an extract from the report of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, M. D. Missionary, to the Bishop: "Since the Convention held at this place, two years past, I have regularly attended the congregations of St. Thomas, in St. Clairsville, and St. James, in Jefferson county, until last fall; the congregation of St. Peter's, at Morristown, and that of Seneca, in

Con

Monroe county, occasionally. sidering the small amount of clerical services which these places receive, the good work appears to be going on well. "The parish of St. James's Church, Cross Creek, is, for this country, numerous. The communicants are about 50.

"It is with great regret I announce the necessity of lessening the extent of my clerical labours. Age is fast approaching, and I am not wealthy. It is my duty to provide something for my family, and, I am sorry to say, that, in the present state of our affairs, this duty cannot be discharged by the means of the emoluments of the ministry. F shall, however, do all I can for the interest of our spiritual Zion; while, at the same time, I place my principal reliance on my medical profession as means of support for myself and family."

The Rev. Thomas A. Osborne, Professor of Languages in the Cincinnati College, reports to the Bishop as follows:" Since my arrival in Cincin nati, from the diocess of South-Carolina, in December last, I have preached eighteen times in different parts of the state, viz. in Cincinnati six times, for the Rev. Mr. Johnston, whilst en gaged on a missionary tour through the adjacent parishes; in Dayton three times; in Xenia once; in Round Bottom once; at Walnut Hills once, and at Hamilton six times. I would beg leave to observe, that the distance of some of the above places from the city is such, as will render it impossible for me to visit them often in the winter, nor yet as frequently as I could wish in the summer season, especially when it is considered, that in the performance of my professional duties, my attendance is required in the College chapel every second Sabbath. In Hamilton, however, I have made an engagement to officiate one Sunday in the month as long as circumstances will admit.

"As to the prospects of our Church within the limits described, and the progress of Christian zeal in the maintenance of true Christian principles, what I can say is more fully and satisfactorily given in the report of the Rev. Mr. Johnston, whose opportuni

spectable, and established on a firm footing. Its members manifest a zeal that would do credit to our older and more populous congregations. Seldom can there be discovered a more correct knowledge of the Church, or a more inquisitive disposition to be acquainted with its principles. There are some individuals in it who are zealously affected in a good cause, and spare no pains that the Church shall rise in the splendour of her primitive services, and command the admiration of Christians. "Springfield was visited on my way to the Convention, and more Episcopalians were found in it than is usual in towns of its size.

"I preached to them four times, baptized one child, and articles for a parish association were drawn up and signed.

"At Urbana public worship was at tended twice, and two children were baptized.

"Could a clergyman be settled in the Miami Country, making Dayton a central point, he would have a pleasant circuit, and would find no part of the diocess where, with the divine blessing, he could be more useful.

"It is with pleasure that I acknowledge the services of my worthy friend, the Rev. Mr. Osborne, who has officiated for me several times, and is instrumental in building up the Church in the adjacent country.

"Could the members of our communion in the Atlantic states realize our destitute situation, Missionaries would no longer be wanting, nor funds for their support. We have sanguine hopes that the Philadelphia Missionary Society, which has already done great good, will adopt some plan, with the General Convention, for this all important object of searching for the poor and wandering sheep in the wilderness, that they may imitate their blessed Master, in seeking to save that which was lost.

thers. When we consider that all other denominations are zealous in the propagation of their principles, is it not singular that we, who profess to be the purest Church in Christendom, possessing such abundant means, should be so far deficient in the important duty of sending Missionaries where they are so much wanted? May the zeal, now enkindling in the hearts of our brethren in the eastern states, extend its animat ing and comfortable influence to the disconsolate members of our Church, scattered abroad, in this western world, #h, as sheep having no shepherd."

The Rev. Intrepid Morse reports to the Bishop as follows:-" During the. year past, and since the last Convention, his services have been chiefly de voted to the parish of St. James, Zanesville, and St. Paul's, Steubenville: in the former, he has officiated one half of the time; and, in the latter, about one fourth. In each of these parishes there has been an accession to the number of communicants at the altar, and, it is hoped, an increase of piety as well as of numbers. At Zanesville there are now 36 communicants, and at Steu benville 20.

"Both of these congregations, considering their infant state, are well instructed in the doctrines and discipline of the Church, and the services are performed with apparent zeal, proprie ty, and devotion. The distance between them is so great (nearly 100 miles) as to prevent the ministrations of a clergyman alternately, except at considerable intervals; but public worship, according to the Liturgy, is regularly performed at Zanesville by a layreader, and it is contemplated to introduce the like practice at Steubenville, so soon as circumstances will admit and render it expedient. The importance of such a regulation must be obvious. While our congregations are distant and small, and the services of a clergyman necessarily divided among many, under the blessing of God, nothing can have a better effect towards removing prejudice, making others acquainted with the forms of the Liturgy, and nourishing our own members in the ways of piety and godliness, than frequently assembling together for public