hoped, would dispose their hearts, and animate their zeal, to enable us more effectually to carry on the good work of building up the primitive Church planted in this western country. They would send us pious, well instructed, and laborious Missionaries, by whom our infant parishes, formed in the wilderness with the fondest expectations, would not so soon languish.

On the 11th of June, the Sunday immediately succeeding the meeting of the Convention, last year, in this place, Worthington, I administered the Apostolic rite of confirmation to 8 persons. The parishes and members of our communion on the Scioto River and vicinity, from Columbus to its mouth, were the first visited during the last summer. I commenced my journey on Friday, the 14th of July, 1820, as usual, on horseback, being the only mode convenient for visiting our infant settlements. Instead of going directly to Circleville, I passed from Columbus over to a neighbourhood on Darby Creek, which I had been frequently solicited to visit. Here I spent Sunday, the 16th, performed divine service morning and evening, and delivered two sermons; the congregation being large and attentive. The same evening I rode 12 miles, to Circleville, and officiated in the court-house by candlelight. Could a worthy minister of Christ be stationed in the vicinity of these two places for a few years, there is little doubt that, through the divine blessing, the result would be highly beneficial.

On Monday I passed to Chillicothe. During the week I made a particular visit to all the families composing the small but very interesting parish of St. Paul's Church, in this place. On Wednesday and Friday, divine service was performed, and a sermon preached. On Tuesday, the 23d of July, the Apostolic rite of confirmation was administered to 11 persons; 10 were baptized, and 17 received the blessed sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord. The morning and evening services were performed, and two sermons delivered. That a stated clergyman is not yet procured for this parish is most deeply to be lamented. How few, in

deed, the labourers in the vineyard of Christ, when a place promising so much benefit to his cause as this cannot proeure one!

On Monday I rode to Portsmouth, 45 miles. Here, from a very few, scarcely more than two or three families at first, the congregation has become comparatively large; and an unusual spirit of inquiry after truth, and fervour of devotion, seem to prevail among them. The evangelical doctrine and duties of Christianity, as set forth by our primitive Church, were the subject of conversations. On Wednesday, at two o'clock P. M. divine service was held, and a sermon delivered at the court-house: the same duty was also performed at early candle-lighting; the congregations were large and attentive.

Wednesday, July 27th, morning service was performed, and confirmation was administered to 7, and the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 9. Three adults, and 9 children were baptized.

The next day, Thursday, 28th July, I rode back to Piketon, and, in the evening, performed divine service. A large congregation, though unacquainted with the order of the service, were attentive and devout in their behaviour. On the morning of the 29th, in this village, I baptized, in the presence of a small congregation, 6 children, receiving as sponsor a venerable and pious lady, the only member of our communion in the place. After which I rode 19 miles, to Chillicothe; this being the best route to the places I wished to visit on the Muskingum. I spent Sunday, the 30th of July, in Chillicothe divine service morning and evening-two sermons-1 adult was baptized, and 7 children.

At Zanesville, on Sunday, the 6th of August, I had the pleasure of being assisted in my labours by the Rev. Mr. Morse, by whom prayers were read. By myself two sermons were delivered, and the holy rite of confirmation administered to 11 persons. The holy communion was administered to 25 persons.

On Monday, after visiting and confirming a person on a sick bed, (since

deceased), I set off, in company with the Rev. Mr. Morse, towards the south and east. We rode together about 12 or 15 miles, and then separated; he going into Monroe county, to prepare the people for next Sunday's ministrations; and myself towards Marietta, a place which I had never before visited. In speaking of the affairs of the Church in this place, I feel a difficulty, lest the shortness of the time spent in it, and the want of any previous acquaintance, should cause me to err in judgment. The facts are, my visit seemed well received, and myself treated with kindness and hospitality. A considerable number of persons in town and vicinity, of great respectability and worth, expressed themselves sincerely attached to the Church; also, their wishes that they could have the ministrations of a pious clergyman devoted to his profession. A gentleman, professing himself a clergyman of the Church, Mr. Joseph Willard, resides in this town; but, as he had not conformed to the Canons in making himself known, as in regular standing, and had evidently no intention of pursuing the design of his ordination, I signified to the friends of the Church, in the place, that his occasional services in the neighbourhood would be irregular. I had it not in my power, consistently with my engagements, to spend a Sunday in Marietta. I, however, held divine service, and preached three times on Wednesday,, the 8th of August; twice in the meeting-house in Marietta, and once on Point Harman, opposite the town. On Thursday morning I administered the Apostolic rite of confirmation to 7 persons, and the incipient steps were taken towards forming a parish by the name of St. Luke's Church. Nothing under the divine blessing seemed wanting to complete the fondest expectations of the progress of primitive Christianity, in this place, but the labours of a pious, learned, and active Missionary for a few years. To such an one, the friends of the Church in the town and vicinity, it is presumed, would afford a part of his support; and, if otherwise aided for a short time, the minister would soon find himself agree

ably settled in the bosom of amiable people, able and willing to afford him every assistance in building up the kingdom of the blessed Redeemer. These were my impressions, formed during my very short stay at Marietta. Same day I rode some distance on my way up the river Ohio, towards Monroe county. Friday, the 11th, I arrived, after a solitary ride across the almost entire wilderness at Woodfield. Here again I met the Rev. Mr. Morse, and with him held divine service, he reading prayers, and myself delivering the sermon. As in the natural creation, since the earth was cursed for man's transgression, weeds, briars, and other noxious plants first spring up, and infest the soil before salutary fruits can be cultivated, so in the settlement of new countries, few instances are found, especially where men are thrown suddenly together, as in the settlement of new country seats, in which licentiousness, immorality, and irreligion, do not prevail. The friends of virtue should not be discouraged, but rather animated to greater exertions by this. Every endeavour should be made, that the means of moral and religious cultivation should go as fast and as far as the field of usefulness extends. Of his ministers our Lord requires this in particular. Would they could be assisted in this by the means which God has committed to the Christian community to that end!

Then would the law of God and the Gospel ministry go whereever man goes. Then would the weeds of sin be eradicated ere they had taken such deep root as to defy cultivation.

On the 12th of August we rode through a new formed settlement called Malaga. Here they are endeavouring to erect a building for some public worship; and, although it is to be built after the manner of cabins with logs or hewn timber, yet it will afford a convenient place for worship, and for Sunday schools, to instruct the ignorant, of which there is great need in this part of the state. Many of the heads of families in this vicinity were baptized in the Church, and are desirous to bring their children up in the same, but they have no means of instruction, no stated services to train them in her

doctrines and discipline. Could even a lay reader or a pious catechist be placed and maintained for a few years among them, the effects would, to all human view, be very salutary. Malaga is 8 miles from Woodfield. We dined at a Mr. Fogle's, in the neighbourhood, were kindly treated, and passed on to Mr. Dement's, on Seneca Fork of Will's Creek, where, the last year, I held divine service; the evening was spent in exhortation and prayer. On the morning of the 13th of August, Sunday, according to the appointment previously made by the Rev. Mr. Morse, divine service was held in the woods, the congregation being too large to be otherwise accommodated. Here, my voice having failed me to a considerable degree, Mr. Morse read prayers, and preached. I had, however, the ability to deliver a short address. In the intermission I did the same. The afternoon was spent in the same way, the sermon being delivered, though with much difficulty, by myself. Thus ended our labours at this place. Need I repeat here what it is my duty so often to repeat, my deep impressions of the great need of Missionaries! When will you come again? What hopes have we for public instruction? When will our children and the rising generation be rescued from the ignorance which pervades our infant settlements? When will Gospel ordinances be administered among us? These were the questions which met us every where. What answer could be returned? Pray constantly and fervently to the great, the heavenly Husbandman, that he would send forth labourers into the harvest.

We rode the same evening to Mr. Bryan's, and next day to Mr. Wendal's, on Little Beaver. Here, Monday, the 14th, divine service was performed. Mr. Morse read prayers, and the sermon was delivered by myself. Measures are taking in this neighbourhood, by the pious zeal of Mr. Wendal's family and neighbours, to erect a church strictly devoted to the services of our primitive communion; and, I have since heard, they have made considerable progress in the good work. May the Lord's blessing attend their

endeavours, and crown them with complete success!

Same day rode through Barnesville, to Mr. Taylor's, in the neighbourhood of Morristown; and, as his family had not been baptized, I spent the evening in discoursing on the nature and neces sity of that holy sacrament. August 15th, Tuesday afternoon, performed divine service in Morristown-the Rev. Mr. Morse preached. At candlelighting, the service was again per formed by Mr. Morse-the sermon by myself, and 4 adults and 7 children were baptized. August 16th, the Rev. Mr. Morse read prayers, and myself preached, explained the Liturgy, and administered confirmation to 6 persons. There having, through mistake, been a neglect in preparing the elements, the Lord's Supper was not administered. The same day we rode to St. Clairsville. On Friday, divine service was performed, a sermon preached, and one child baptized by myself. Saturday morning, prayer was celebrated, and Mr. Morse preached a sermon. Same day, evening prayer and a sermon by myself. This day also were baptized 4 adults and 4 children. On Sunday, August 20th, divine service was performed, confirmation administered to 14 persons, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 18 persons-a discourse was delivered by myself on the obligation and efficacy of Christian ordinances. Afternoon of the same day, evening prayer and a sermon preached by myself. At early candlelighting, a third service, and the Rev. Mr. Morse preached.

In all our services at St. Clairsville, I felt sensibly the blessings of divine grace in disposing the hearts of the large congregations who attended to apparent seriousness and great decorum of behaviour. Surely, thought I, the Lord is in this place, and will bless the ministration of his word and sacraments. It is to be noted, that the Rev. Mr. Morse had paid this parish, and that of Morristown, several visits after the Rev. Dr. Doddridge had ceased regularly to officiate among them, and much, under God, is due to these gentlemen for their disinterested zeal.

From St. Clairsville, we proceeded

through Harrisville to Mr. Finley's, the old man of whom I spake to you with so much interest in a former communication. We found him yet alive in spirit, in faith, and good works; though in body, by reason of the palsy, almost a tenant of the grave. To attempt a full description of this second visitation to this venerable man, and his numerous and affectionate family, would resemble romance rather than a grave discourse of useful facts. I cannot therefore indulge myself in it.

Though it was late in the day when we arrived, yet the family and neighbours, to a considerable distance, were quickly informed, and as quickly as sembled. Divine service was performed, and a sermon and exhortation given the same evening. It must be recollected, that these pious families are situ ated in the woods, 10 miles from St. James's Church, to which they belong. This distance almost precludes a great portion of them from attending divine services at St. James's, were even those regularly and constantly performed there; but, when it is remembered that this church is open but a small portion of the year, the neighbourhood of the Finley's may be considered as almost destitute. In their ardent desires for the means of grace, how lamentable that they cannot be supplied!-How much good could a pious minister do here! But they lack the means at present of his support; consequently, their case is almost hopeless. Twenty communicants received the blessed sacrament of the Lord's Supper on this day, the 22d, in Mr. Finley's cabin; an address was made on Christian duties by myself; and the morning prayers were read, and a child baptized by the Rev. Mr. Morse. How inter esting these duties here amid such a family! The venerable man, like Jacob, surrounded by his offspring, praying for blessings on their heads, exhorting to good works, and leading the way to the Kingdom of Glory. Craving the Epis copal blessing, and, with tears, wish ing prosperity to the Church of God, the good man bade us farewell.

Three o'clock, same day, prayers were read and a sermon delivered, in the village of Smithfield, a few miles

from Mr. Finley's, by the Rev. Mr. Morse. An exhortation on Christian duties was delivered by myself. On Wednesday, the 23d of August, we ministered in the little Church of St. James's, built in the woods, in the township of Cross Creek, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, who, though residing in Virginia, by letters missionary from the Bishop of Ohio, officiates some part of the time in this interesting parish.. The congregation was large and devout in their deportment. Mr. Morse read the prayers; the sermon and address on Christian duties were delivered by myself. Thirty-seven received the Lord's Supper, and 18 were confirmed. The Rev. Dr. Doddridge informed me, that the communicants in this Church were nearly double this number, but many of them living at a great distance could not attend. For their united zeal in the service of Christ, may the Lord remember this parish for good. May the means of grace be more abundantly afforded them, and they themselves edified in piety and true godliness.

On the morning of the 24th, Thurs day, we rode to Steubenville, one of the stated parishes of the Rev. Mr. Morse. In the evening divine service was held; Mr. Morse read prayers, and myself delivered the sermon. Friday and Saturday, the 25th and 26th of August, the same duties were per formed, and one adult baptized; the congregations were large and devout.

Sunday, August 27th, 1820; the day being uncommonly fine, a large congregation collected, prayers, were read by the Rev. Mr. Morse, and the ser mon by myself. The Apostolic rite of confirmation was administered to 34, and the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 45. In the afternoon divine service and a sermon; the former by Mr. Morse, and the latter was delivered, though with much difficulty, by myself. At candle-lighting, the duties were performed by the Rev. Mr. Morse, my own voice having to a painful des gree failed me.

Much is to be said in favour of this congregation of our Church in Steuben ville. Considering the recent dates of

their first formation, few parishes have done so well. They support their clergyman for nearly one half his time, and lively expectations are entertained that they will soon build a church.

On Monday, leaving Mr. Morse in Steubenville, I rode to New-Lisbon, on my way to the New-Connecticut Reserve. Here, next day, I baptized one child, and rode to Canfield. Same evening performed divine service, and delivered a sermon on the doctrines and duties of Christianity.

Wednesday, the 30th of August, in Boardman, morning prayer was celebrated, one person was confirmed, and the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to 21 persons.

In Poland, on the 31st, I officiated, by reading the evening service and preaching a sermon to a large congregation. Two children were baptized. Owing to the ill health of the Rev. Mr. Searle, who devotes a small part of his services in these three last mentioned places, they had been, during the last year, almost destitute. How deeply it is to be regretted that 'more ministers cannot be procured to supply the wants of this widely extended country! To extend one minister's labours so far is little less than, by attenuation, to destroy the force of his otherwise useful labours.

My duties made me hasten through Warren to Windsor; where, on the 2d of September, I met with the Rev. Mr. Searle, and with him held divine service the same evening; and, the next day, Sunday, 3d of September, morning and evening services were performed, and six persons received confirmation. Through some difficulty in obtaining the elements, the Lord's Supper was, with great regret, omitted. On Monday, the congregation again assembled ; divine service was performed, and a sermon delivered. The people seemed impressed, and disposed to act in future with unanimity and zeal in the cause of religion. With many wishes for the prosperity of this little flock, I bade them adieu; and, on Tuesday, the 5th of September, held divine service in Rome, a settlement about 12 miles from Warren. The Rev. Mr. Searle read prayers, and my VOL. V.

There are

self delivered the sermon. only two members of our communion in this place.

On the 6th we rode to Ashtabula, and were treated with great kindness. After visiting several families, divine service was performed, and a discourse delivered, on the 7th, in a convenient building erected for the useful purpose of a school house on week days, and a place of worship on Sundays, by the members of the Church in the eastern part of this township. The congregation was large, and gave many proofs of their attachment to the cause of primitive Christianity in their correct and pious behaviour during my stay among them.

On the 9th, divine service was held on the ridge road, in Ashtabula township, where a considerable congregation attended. This, as it is proposed, will constitute a part of the same parish with the place last mentioned: services to be performed alternately in each.

Ashtabula township, ridge road, Sunday, September 10th; this day morning and evening prayers were read, and several children baptized by the Rev. Mr. Searle. Two sermons were preached, and confirmation administered to nine persons. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered; the whole number of communicants amounting to 23. In reviewing the affairs of this parish, I cannot sup press my pleasure at the cheering prospects which they exhibit. A spirit of inquiry after the truth, overcoming prejudice, and the many avocations arising out of the difficulties, troubles, and deprivations of a new country, seemed to pervade a considerable portion of this neighbourhood. And, wherever this disposition is cherished by piety, most beneficial are the results. We now turned our course "up lake," towards the south and west.

Near the village of Chagrin, at the house of J. Clarke, divine service was performed, on the evening of the 12th. The Rev. Mr. Searle read prayers, and the congregation, consisting of a few neighbours hastily assembled, were addressed by myself. Same duty was performed next day in the meeting

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