rect principles, and piety. And if in these respects you may be justly view ed as placed on an eminence, your light will shine all around, and you may be the happy instruments of preserving the integrity of the Church, and, of leading, by your example, sinners to the fountain of mercy. Grace Church, in the city of Baltimore, having been duly organized, was received into union with the Convention. The Parochial Reports made to the Bishop, and entered on the Journal, agreeably to the Canons, furnish the following aggregate: Baptisms (Adults 15, Children 116, not specified 962) 1093-Marriages 257-Funerals 525-Communicants 2426. Samuel J. Donaldson, Esq. from the Committee on the Episcopal Fund, furnished the following report, which, after being amended as follows, was accepted : The committee to whom was referred the subject of devising a plan for raising a permanent fund for the sup port of the Bishop of the diocess of Maryland, beg leave to report That an anxious desire to contribute effectually to the welfare of the Church, and to assist in placing her permanently on that respectable eminence to which the purity of her faith, and the excellence of her services, so justly entitle her, have urged your committee to meet the business confided to them by the last Convention, with that serious consideration which its importance appeared to demand of them. They have revised the various measures which have heretofore been adopted by for mer Conventions, or suggested by persons feeling an interest in the affairs of the Church, with a view of selecting from them some plan which would enable the diocess to provide a fund for the support of a Bishop, without rendering him liable to the performance of parochial duties; but it is with regret they say that they find among them nothing to justify the hopes of success in attaining the contemplated object. They were, therefore, obliged to seek for new expedients, and endeavour to find some aid in those efforts made in other parts of the Union, in relation to the subject. In Considerable progress has been made in the diocesses of Connecticut, New-York, and Pennsylvania, in providing for the Episcopate. In the first mentioned diocess, through the exerforded by the Legislature of the state, a tions of Episcopalians, and the aid affund has been raised which now yields an ample support for her Bishop, and talents to his Episcopal functions, and enables him to apply his time and his also to devote a portion of them towards advancing the interests of the TheoloPennsylvania, collections for the supgical Seminary at New-Haven. port of a future Episcopate were begun in 1813, and the proceeds at this time amount to between six and seven thou sand dollars, chiefly the produce of annual collections in their churches in the cities. This, with a legacy of four thousand dollars bequeathed for the same object, places in possession of the Church, in Pennsylvania, a sum of about twelve thousand dollars, which is continually increasing from the application of the accruing interest to the principal sum, together with the amounts received from their annual collections. In New-York also a sum has been raised, but in what manner is not exactly known to your committee. It is said, however, to be considerable, although not judged sufficient for immediate application to its design. In turning our eyes from these laudable, and so far successful, exertions, and reviewing what has been done in the populous and wealthy diocess of Maryland, we cannot but regret that so little has been hitherto effected, In adverting to the report of the Treasurer at the last Convention, it will be found that only $707 78 cents remain in his hands as the permanent Episcopal Fund. And yet, since 1792, when a Bishop was first consecrated for this diocess, the subject has again and again been presented to view, and appears to have received the consideration of our Conventions. The great advantages to be derived to the Church by abstracting the Bishop from the cares incidental to the situation of a parochial clergyman, are too obvious to require illustration; they are such as must necessarily present themselves to the mind of every one whose connexion with our Church has led to any reflection on them. But your committee are aware, that notwithstanding their plainness, they have been too little regarded. To what this lamentable want of zeal, in promoting the peculiar interests of our Church in this and other matters, is to be attributed, it does not come within the province of your committee to point out. It would, however, give them the most heartfelt pleasure, if they could, in any degree, be instrumental in substituting for that supineness which now pervades our community, an ardent attachment to our institutions, and a zealous spirit in promoting the welfare of our Church. That, with proper exertions, an Episcopal Fund, sufficient for the object contemplated, could be obtained in Maryland, your committee cannot doubt; but, in order to do so, it will be absolutely necessary that the clergy and laity should constantly co-operate, and on all occasions enforce, in the strongest manner, the propriety of placing the Bishop of this diocess in a state of comfort and independence. And although, with our best exertions, a considerable period must elapse before a productive fund could be realized, yet without such a union between the clergy and laity, nothing effectual can at any time be done. In this diocess there are sixty-one parishes and churches, and if ten years were allowed for raising this fund, it is presumed that a sum sufficiently ample would be subscribed. In order to obtain $50,000, the average sum for each parish or congregation would be $809 67 cents; and, as it may be counted on with certainty, that in the city of Balti more, and in some of the larger parishes, much more than the average amount would be collected, it will of course follow, that in many of the parishes much less than the sum last mentioned would answer every purpose; and it needs only the union before adverted to, and a sincere and earnest desire on the part of the clergy, and some of the influential members of their re spective congregations, to carry into effect some plan by which the object could be attained. Every motive which should induce men who believe that the principles and practices of our Church conform to the scriptural standard, and to the examples of the primitive Christians, should actuate us to vigorous measures on this subject; and exertions corresponding with such motives, would most assuredly be successful. Your committee therefore beg leave to submit for the consideration of the Convention the following plan, viz.— 1st. That a committee of five, of whom the Rector shall be one, shall be appointed in each parish and congregation of this diocess, for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions to the Episcopal Fund, who shall annually report their proceedings to the Convention, and render a list of subscribers, the amount of subscriptions, and the sums actually paid to them. 2d, That a treasurer, shall be appointed for each parish and congregation, who shall pay to the Convention annually the sums received by him from the committee of subscription. 3d. That the money actually paid to the Convention shall be immediately vested, and the interest as received shall be added to the principal until it shall amount to the sum of $ 4th. That this Convention, when requested by any vestry so to do, shall state the sum which each parish or congregation shall be expected to contribute, and on the payment by any parish or congregation of the sum so required of them, such parish or congre gation shall be for ever thereafter discharged from further contribution for this purpose, 5th. That all vacancies in the parochial committees shall be filled by the vestries of their respective parishes and congregations. 6th. That a treasurer shall be appointed by the Convention to manage this fund, who shall vest the money as soon as he receives it, in the name of the Bishop for the time being, as trustee of the Episcopal Fund of Maryland. The plan thus offered to the Convention is not considered as perfect: and if others more capable than your committee, of devising ways and means of raising this fund, could be induced to turn their attention to this subject, and propose a mode less objectionable and more efficient than the present, the views of the committee will be answered. But it is hoped that something towards accomplishing this desirable object will now be done, and that we shall no longer sleep over a subject so important to the best interests of the Church. Other denominations of Christians in supporting their peculiar institutions afford us, in their unanimity and perseverance, examples worthy of imitation. Why should churchmen alone be backward in promoting the interests of their religion? Why should a Church, whose members boast of her faith, her liturgy, and discipline, be suffered to languish, and, through the lukewarmness of her children, be denied those temporal advantages which would enable her to extend the influence of her principles, and more widely to disseminate her doctrines? No reason can exist for such a state of things, and we trust that the time is approaching, indeed, has now arrived, in which the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Maryland will prove the sincerity of their attachment to the cause of religion, and the institutions of their own communion, by liberally bestowing a part of their wealth in providing an ample and permanent fund for supporting the Episcopate in this diocess. The committee on the account of the secretary for the publication of the Journal of the last Convention, report, that there appears to be in the hands of the secretary, towards defraying the incidental expenses of the present session, the sum of ten dollars. John Clapham, Esq. was re-elected Treasurer for the ensuing year. On motion, Resolved, That the next annual Convention of the diocess of Maryland be held in St. John's Church, in the city of Washington. The following gentlemen were appointed the Standing Committee for the ensuing year :— The Rev. Henry L. Davis, D. D. the Rev. William E. Wyatt, D. D. the Rev. William Hawley, the Rev. John P. K. Henshaw, the Rev. William Wickes, the Rev. Samuel C. Stratton, and the Rev. William Ninde. (To be continued.) For the Christian Journal. THE last number of the Christian Journal (page 247) gives an amusing anecdote respecting Doctor Barrow's extraordinary prolixity, in consonance, however, with the manners of his age, when long sermons were the order of the day. His sermons, from the richness of their matter, and rareness of their style, can never appear long to the erudite divine, nor fatigue the polite scholar. The following extract from his discourse against foolish talking and jesting, has been considered by Corbyn Morris, in his ingenious "Essay on Wit, Humour, and Ridicule,” a profuse description of wIT, which will convey to such of your readers, not clerical it is hoped, as are not familiar with the writings of the learned Barrow, a fair specimen of the exuberance and inexhaustible fecundity of his mighty mind. King Charles the Se cond called him an unfair preacher, for that he exhausted every subject of which he treated. I. of speaking out of the simple and plain way, (such as reason teacheth and proveth things by,) which, by a pretty surprising uncouthness in conceit or expression, doth affect and amuse the fancy, stirring in it some wonder, and breeding some delight thereto. It raiseth admiration, as signifying a nimble sagacity of apprehension, a special felicity of invention, a vivacity of spirit, and reach of wit more than vulgar; it seeming to argue a rare quickness of parts, that one can fetch in remote conceits applicable; a notable skill, that he can dexterously accommodate them to the purpose before him; together with a lively briskness of humour, not apt to damp those sportful flashes of imagination. (Whence, in Aristotle, such persons are termed idé, dexterous men, and TρOTTO, men of facile or versatile manners, who can easily. turn themselves to all things, or turn all things to themselves.) It also procureth delight, by gratifying curiosity, with its rareness, or semblance of difficulty: (as monsters, not for their beauty, but their rarity; as juggling, tricks, not for their use, but their abstruseness, are beheld with pleasure :) by diverting the mind from its road of serious thoughts; by instilling gaiety and ariness of spirit; by provoking to such dispositions of spirit in a way of emulation or complaisance; and by seasoning matters, otherwise distasteful or insipid, with an unusual, and thence grateful tang." "But first (says the learned preacher) it may be demanded, what the thing we speak of is, or what this facetiousness (or wit, as he calls it before) doth import? To which question I might reply, as Democritus did to him that asked the definition of a man, "Tis that which we all see and know.' Any one better apprehends what it is by acquaintance than I can inform him by description. It is, indeed, a thing so versatile and multiform, appearing in so many shapes, so many postures, so many garbs, so variously apprehended by several eyes and judgments, that it seemeth no less hard to settle a clear and certain notion thereof, than to make a portrait of Proteus, or to define the figure of the fleeting air. Sometimes it lieth in pat allusion to a known story, or in seasonable application of a trivial saying, or in forging an apposite tale sometimes it playeth in words and phrases, taking advantage from the ambiguity of their sense, or the affinity of their sound: sometimes it is wrapped in a dress of humorous expression: sometimes it lurketh under an odd similitude: sometimes it is lodged in a sly question, in a smart answer, in a quirkish reason, in a shrewd imitation, in cunningly diverting, or cleverly retorting, an objection: sometimes it is couched in a bold scheme of speech, in a tart irony, in a lusty hyperbole, in a startling metaphor, in a plausible reconciling of contradictions, Story of the Old Man of the Mountain. or in acute nonsense: sometimes a scenical representation of persons or things, a counterfeit speech, a mimical look ar gesture, passeth for it; sometimes an affected simplicity: sometimes a presumptuous bluntness giveth it being sometimes it riseth from a lucky hitting upon what is strange sometimes from a crafty wresting obvious matter to the purpose. Often it consisteth in one knows not what, and springeth up one can hardly tell how, Its ways are unaccountable, and inex, plicable; being answerable to the num, berless rovings of fancy, and windings of language. It is, in short, a manner (From a Review of Murray's Asiatic RUBRUQUIS gives a detailed, and by far the best, account that had yet been received of the manners, customs, laws, and government of the Tartar tribes: and though he, as well as the other mi nisters of the Christian religion, failed in the grand object of their missions, yet the accounts which they brought back of the barbarous magnificence and splendour of these oriental despots, awakened a spirit of commercial enterprise, which laid the foundation of that intercourse with the east to which the Venetians were not a little indebted for the wealth and prosperity their republic so long enjoyed. Two brothers (Marco and Nicolo) of the Polo family were the first to avail themselves of the opening thus afforded. They set out from Constantinople, in the year 1254 or 1255, and were well received at the Camp of Baskah, the brother of Batu, grandson of Gengis-khan, then at Sarai, beyond the Volga: from this place they proceeded to Bokhara, and, after a journey of twelve months, arrived at the imperial residence of the Great Khan, who then occupied the throne of China. They returned to their native country in safety in 1269. Marco Polo, the son of Nicolo, set out on a second expedition about the end of the year 1271, and, after many years residence in China, returned homewards, by sea, to Ormus, in the Persian Gulf; whence he proceeded through Persia to Trebizen, on the coast of the Euxine, and by the way of Constantinople and of Negropont, arrived safely at Venice after an absence of twenty-four years. The reproach of dealing too much in the marvellous, which had been attached to the name of Marco Polo, was gradually wearing away, as later experience continued to elucidate his veracity; but Mr. Marsden (who has rendered a signal service to literature by his elegant and faithful translation of those remarkable travels) has completely rescued his memory from all stain on that score, and proved him to be not only an accurate observer, but a faithful reporter of what he saw, and what he learned from others. Per haps no stronger proof of this could be produced than the fidelity with which he relates the fabulous or romantic stories current in the east, according to the notions of those from whom he drew them. As an instance of this kind, and to show how truth may assume the appearance of falsehood, we shall give the story of the "Old Man of the Mountain," and endeavour to trace it to its real source: "The district in which his residence lay, obtained the name of Mulehet, signifying, in the language of the Saracens, the place of heretics, and his people that of Mulehetites, or holders of heretical tenets; as we apply the term of Patharini to certain heretics amongst Christians. The following account of this chief, Marco Polo testifies to his having heard from sundry persons. He was named Alo-eddin, and his religion was that of Mahomet. In a beautiful valley, enclosed between two lofty mountains, he had formed a luxurious garden, stored with every delicious fruit, and every fragrant shrub, that could be procured. Palaces of various sizes and forms were erected in different parts of the grounds, ornamented with works in gold, with paintings, and with furniture of rich silks. By means of small conduits contrived in these buildings, streams of wine, milk, honey, and some of pure water, were seen to flow in every direction.— The inhabitants of these palaces were elegant and beautiful damsels, accomplished in the arts of singing, playing upon all sorts of musical instruments, dancing, and especially those of dalliance and amorous allurement. Clothed in rich dresses, they were seen continually sporting and amusing themselves in the garden and pavilions; their female guardians being confined within doors, and never suffered to appear. The object which the chief had in view in forming a garden of this fascinating kind, was this: that Mahomet having promised to those who should obey his will the enjoyment of Paradise, where every species of sensual gratification should be found, in the society of beautiful nymphs; he was desirous of its being understood by his followers, that he also was a Prophet, and the compeer of Mahomet, and had the power of admitting to Paradise such as he should choose to favour. In order, that none without his license might find their way into this delicious valley, he caused a strong and inexpugnable castle to be erected at the opening of it; through which the entry was by a secret passage. At his court, likewise, this chief entertained a number of youths, from the age of twelve to twenty years, selected from the inhabitants of the surrounding mountains, who showed a disposition for martial exercises, and appeared to possess the quality of daring courage. To |