house, in Euclid. The congregation large and attentive.

Thursday, the 14th of September, confirmation was administered to 12 persons, in the parish of Trinity Church, Brooklyn, opposite Cleaveland, and the holy communion to the same number. The same day I visited a sick person, and held much religious conversation with the people of this interesting parish. The Rev. Mr. Searle having proceeded on to Medina, I held, on the 15th, divine service, and preached a funeral sermon in Brooklyn; and, before I leave speaking of the small flock in this place, I must express my heartfelt approbation of their pious and correct zeal, and my ardent prayers that it may be crowned with

success.

I

The 16th of September I was at Medina, and held divine service in the court-room; the Rev. Mr. Searle reading prayers. The congregation was small. Sunday, 17th of September, at the centre of the township of Medina, the holy rite of confirmation was administered to six persons. The whole number of communicants is 21. The other services as usual morning and evening. From Medina I went to Liverpool, a settlement on Rocky River, to the north-west. Here I found the neighbourhood in great distress, by reason of recent deaths and present alarming sickness. Some persons who, last year, were in good health, and manifested great zeal for the Church, and kindness to me, were now no more. visited and prayed with the sick, and endeavoured to comfort the mourners, on the evening of the 18th, and morning of the 19th of September. At 11 o'clock, of the 19th, the Rev. Mr. Searle having again joined me, divine service was performed, and the holy communion was administered to as many as, in duty to the sick, could attend, and four persons were confirmed. My duties at home imperiously demanding my presence, and having already spent more time than was allotted, I was obliged this day, immediately after divine service, to set my face towards the south, and ride 15 miles through an entire wilderness to the first house. Next day 1 rode 42 miles,

to Mansfield; thence, the next day, about the same distance, through Fre derick to Kingston; and the day fol lowing, 20 miles, to my residence, in Worthington.

Having travelled on horseback in this tour 875 miles, and overcome so many difficulties, I felt an impression of religious gratitude to him who spareth in mercy, directeth our path, and helpeth our infirmities, too deep and exquisite to be expressed.

From the 22d of September, to the 15th of November, 1820, I spent my time at Worthington, in domestic and parochial duties; visiting Columbus, Delaware, and Berkshire, parts of my cure, each once. The same is to be said of these parishes, in relation to myself, as of those on the Reserve, in relation to the Rev. Mr. Searle. vine services are necessarily too seldom among them to be of much essential service, and, unless some assistance can be afforded, much of our labour, however indefatigable and painful it may be, will prove useless.

Di

Having detained you so long, the account of my journey to the south and west must be more laconic. I began it on the 15th of November, and finished it on the 19th of December, having travelled 404 miles. Through the inclemency of the season, the roads were unusually bad; but God's protecting goodness and mercy were with me. My course was from this to Springfield, Dayton, Hamilton, Cincinnati, thence across to Williamsburgh and Portsmouth; thence up the Scioto home.Myrotine of duties was as constant, and the manner of performing them the same, as in my eastern and northern journey. At Springfield there are many friends to the Church, earnestly desiring to unite with some other place in the support of a clergyman. If a Missionary of the Church could be established there, he would have a wide field and a good soil for his ministerial labours.

At Dayton, the friends of our communion have already formed themselves into a regular parish, respectable both as to number and character, and they manifest their piety by their holding service every Sunday as permitted

ร

in case of Lay Reading. Most earnestly have.they expressed their desire to obtain a regular pastor; but, as yet, they have not been successful. With great cheerfulness they would support one for half the time even now, but none are to be had; and, as to the other half, there is nothing as yet so far certain as to induce the clergy of our Church to come many hundred miles to see them. What is to be done? The Lord help both us and them! I officiated many times in this place, and was treated with great kindness. In Hamilton there are some pious members of the Church, who, with thousands of others in this expansive country, like the children of God in captivity, are sighing for the prosperity of Jerusalem, and once more to sing the songs of Zion. What will become of their children? They of necessity will soon -speak the language of Babel. I found the parish of Christ Church, Cincinnati, in a very flourishing state; giving evidence of piety worthy of the cause in which they are engaged. Measures were taking, which I am since told have been effectual, to pay off the debt contracted for their church. This is much to the credit of those gentlemen who have liberally contributed to so desirable an end. May the Lord reward them in his abundant blessings both spiritual and temporal! With the aid of the Rev. Mr. Johnston, and Mr. Osborne, divine services were performed many times during my stay at Cin

cinnati.

On Sunday, the 2d of December, 15 persons were confirmed, and the holy communion administered.

While at Cincinnati I rodę, in company with the Rev. Mr. Johnston, to Lawrenceburgh, state of Indiana, and performed divine service.

The Rev. Joab Cooper, of Cincinnati, having made, in writing, the declaration mentioned in the 7th Canon of the General Convention of 1820, it became my duty to suspend him from the exercise of the duties of the Christian ministry, and in this manner to publish the fact.

Leaving Cincinnati, I performed the evening service, and preached to a large and attentive congregation, in Williamsburgh, on the 5th of December.

Having mentioned Portsmouth, a flourishing place at the junction of the Scioto with the Ohio River, I should not obtrude any additional observations concerning it, were it not for the increased interest which that place excited by a second visit during this last year. An unusual spirit of religious inquiry as to the Apostolic means of salvation seems here to lead to very happy results. It needs but the divine blessing on the performance of our primitive services among them, even but a portion of the time, to ensure great success to the Church in this place. On this second visitation my services were almost incessant. On Sunday, the 10th of December, four adults and three children were baptized; eight persons were confirmed, and the holy communion was administered to an increased number. Amidst many inquiries "when will you come again to see us? and when are we to have the stated means of grace?"-I left this infant society with many prayers in their behalf.

Having officiated at Piketon, on my way I spent several days in Chillicothe. On the 13th, 14th, and 17th, divine services were performed. The holy commnnion was administered, and two children were baptized. The members of the parish of St. Paul's Church, in this place, deserve credit for their exertions in building even in these very difficult times, a church. The walls were up and the building covered when I was there; and, though its dimensions are not large, yet may it be the means of the enlargement of the Redeemer's Kingdom!

At Circleville I performed service on the 18th, and, on the 19th, arrived at my dwelling in this place. In all this year I have travelled (on horseback) 1279 miles; confirmed 174 persons; baptized many adults and infants; and, with the assistance of the reverend gentlemen before mentioned, have performed divine service and preached 82 times.

In performing this almost continual and very fatiguing duty, I have found my constitution much impaired, and my voice, as you may now witness, almost gone.

With this picture before us of the Church in this diocess, which has been with studied simplicity, and accompanied with plain facts, delienated, what must be our impressions? what our feelings in relation to the great object of founding and maintaining primitive Christianity in these western regions? If the few who have commenced this work find it too much for them, where is the unreasonableness of our looking, under God, to others for aid? We see none; and, accordingly, turn our eyes towards the Bishops, the Clergy, and Laity, of our Church, in the Atlantic States; and, while we pray God to incline their hearts, we beseech them not to turn a deaf ear to our entreaties, that Missionaries may be sent to us; assured at least of a partial support while doing the duties of evangelists and pastors of our infant flocks. If, in the minds of some of them, the time has not yet come for so great a blessing; if it be asserted that the labourers are not yet quite prepared to come into the field; we answer, that, as the field is already white unto the harvest, the time will soon come when it will be too late to send them. The professors of religion, and the friends of our primitive Church, dismembered and isolated as they are in this wilderness, will very soon have fallen, like ripe wheat, to the earth, leaving nothing but the weeds of ignor ance, infidelity, and sin, to supply their place. And how bitter will be the reflection, a few years hence, in the bosom of every sincere and pious Episcopalian throughout the American Church, on being told that the golden opportunity of promoting the establishment of primitive Christianity, "beyond the mountains," has been lost-lost, perhaps, for ever.

What would the Episcopal Church, now so flourishing in these United States, have been, without the aid which once she so gratefully received from her friends beyond the seas? The same, we answer, as there is reason to believe we soon shall be, should she not extend to us, and that speedily, what she once received from others, the benefit of able and pious Missionaries. That this observation is as just

as it is alarming, may be seen by alluding to a few facts. The diocess of Ohio includes a greater area than all the inhabited parts of New-England. In this wide extent of country, there are between forty and fifty places where there are members and friends of our Church, who have either already formed, or, had they any hopes of regular ministrations, are ready to form, themselves into regular parishes, To supply these, there are only five parochial clergymen, including the Bishop, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, the latter of whom, from his residing in Virginia, and having parishes there, can devote but a part of his time as a Missionary in this state. And what are all these among so many? Are we supplied with clergymen? Is the vineyard of our Lord supplied with la bourers? What would our brethren in the Atlantic States say to such questions as these, had they clergymen, to average one for each state, and, of course, to travel some hundreds of miles to perform his parochial duty?— This is literally true of us and its being so, prompts the observation, as melancholy as it is true, that the present labourers, if they have no assistance from abroad, in endeavouring to do so much, may soon find their strength brought down in their journey, and their day shortened. will the pastors and friends of the Church of God, in other parts of our country, see this with indifference ?— We hope not; we believe not. have but to make our NECESSITIES KNOWN, and we shall obtain relief.

And

We

If, from any statements of congratulation on the extension of the Church to the west, the idea has obtained in the east, that the filling of the Episcopate in Ohio secured the education of clergymen, and their maintenance in our infant parishes, the statement of facts throughout this address will prove this idea, of all others, the most delusive and detrimental to our prosperity. It prevents, and, it is feared, has already prevented, that aid which we might otherwise have received to keep us from premature extinction. Our Church in this diocess has no funds, the Epis copate has no funds; our little school,

now under our fostering, anxious care, has none; not even to a penny's amount, in paying the teachers, who rely solely on a very limited tuition for subsistence; and our parishes are poor and scattered. What, therefore, is there short of a miracle of grace from above which can save us, should this unhappy idea prevail, that we are now competent to the work of spread ing the knowledge and practice of primitive Christianity throughout this new world of the west! Brethren, and Gentlemen of this Convention,

If, from the subject now laid before you, there should be a conviction in your minds, as there is in mine, that the Church cannot prosper, and hardly exist, west of the mountains, and particularly in this state, without the aid of more labourers than we can either prepare, send forth, or support; the way and means to obtain relief are the proper subjects of our consideration. For this purpose I recommend, 1st. The formation of a Diocesan Missionary Society among ourselves; that the hands of all may be joined in doing what we can. 2dly. That an address, stating the urgency of the case, be framed, and, by a person duly authorized, be presented, personally, to the Right Rev. the Bishops, praying, not only for ministers, but for liberty to solicit the several congregations and individuals, throughout their respective diocesses, for means to support them.

3dly. That you do join in recommending the appointment of a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, in which all the members of our communion throughout this diocess may, as in duty bound, assemble themselves together in their respective places of public worship, confess their sins, implore mercy, and forgiveness of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, and entreat his grace to amend their lives according to his holy word. In which also they may more particularly beseech the Great Head of the Church to take pity on that part of his mystical body which he has begun to rear in this western country; that he would guard and protect it from the power of the Enemy; that he would not leave it comfortless

to perish for the lack of heavenly food, but send forth and maintain faithful ministers to guide, foster, and feed it, lest it become, even now in its infant state, extinct, and be no more seen.

4thly. It is recommended that the resolution of the House of Bishops, passed May 27th, 1817, enjoining the solemn duty on the clergy, to warn, with discreet and earnest zeal, the people belonging to their several cures, of the danger of an indulgence in those worldly pleasures which may tend to withdraw their affections from spiritual things, be placed again on our minutes. In recommending this last measure, I think it my duty to state, that the same reasons exist here which seem to have prompted the resolution above named, to the consideration of the Right Rev. the Bishops, at the time of its passage. To prove ourselves sincere in seeking, and worthy of receiving, the means of grace from others, we must not be wanting in opposing the means of temptation and vice among ourselves. Let but the friends of religion do as much in opposing, as the advocates of licentious practices do in supporting vice, and we need not despair of the divine blessing.

I have admitted Mr. Rufus Murray, and Mr. John Hall, both residing in the northern and eastern part of this state, as candidates for holy orders.

To finish this address, already protracted to a much greater length than I expected, there is but one more duty, which, however painful to my feelings, I am bound, by the 7th Canon of the last General Convention, in this manner, to perform.

The Rev. James Kilbourn, of Worthington, Ohio, having, by his letter to me addressed, declared his intention no longer to be a minister of the Church of Christ, I have, agreeably to the aforesaid Canon, displaced him from the ministry, and, before the required testimony, recorded the fact.

Commending you to the grace of God, and praying that all your deliberations may tend to his glory, and our salvation, I am, Brethren, and Gentlemen of this Convention, your affectionate Pastor, PHILANDER CHASE. (To be continued.)

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Of the Piety, Integrity, Industry, and Docility of the Christian Negroes, at Regent's Town, Sierra Leone. MR. THOMAS MORGAN, who, in part, supplied Mr. Johnson's absence from Regent's Town during his visit to this country, (England) was requested, on his return home on account of his health, to furnish the Committee with a statement of such facts and circumstances, respecting Regent's Town, as might serve to make them better acquainted with the state of the people.

Of his means of knowing their condition, he says-No day passed, when I was capable of taking exercise, without my entering some of the huts around us. Visiting unexpectedly, as I often did, the families of all classes of the communicants, I could not be deceived as to their actual condition.

Of their PIETY, Mr. Morgan says Scarcely an event occurs but what they notice as springing from the averruling Providence of God. Taught of God, they mark the painful events of his Providence, as children would mark the dealings of a father. After the death of Mr. Cates, I have frequently heard their expressions of sorrow for sin, and acknowledgments of God's justice in punishing them. They have used such language as this:"We have done something very bad-God is very angry: he is removing all our teachers by and bye nobody will be left to tell us good. We must pray, my dear brothers and sisters: we must look into our own hearts some bad live there."Similar occurrences in England would have passed, perhaps, unheeded by the greater part of professing Christians.

I was struck, during a fire which broke out in our house, with the sudden disappearance of the women, who, at the commencement, almost filled the house. On inquiry, I found that they had retired to the Church, to offer up their prayers unto God. What but a divine influence could draw them to God in this trial, to ask his blessing on the exertions of those employed?

While we were replacing the books which had been scattered on this occa

sion, two of the girls came to us. I asked what was wanted:-" Nothing, Massa," was the reply; "but we come tell you, God hear every time some body go talk him.""How, my child," said I, "do you know that God hears his people when they pray?”. She said "Massa! when fire come this morning, I sabby your house no burn too much. Every morning I hear you and Mr. Cates, and you pray God keep this house, and all them girls and boys what live here; and when fire come, I say to Sarah, 'Ah! God plenty good: he hear what Massa say to him this morning: he no let this house burn too much.' "What a reproof did I feel this! I knew how often my heart was indifferent while I asked for these mercies; and I trust it made me more anxious to urge the duty of Family Prayer on others more earnestly. Soon after, the same girls mentioned their desire for one of the elder girls to pray with the school children before they went to bed, and when they rose in the morning.

The Christian Negroes show a strong attachment to the simplest views of religion. I began some explanation, as plain as possible, in successive evenings, of the Lord's Prayer. It pleased God graciously to bless these words to the people. They made the most practical use of them. A display of an unholy temper would receive a re proof"If God your Father, that no be like his child." Some said that they needed, indeed, such a Father-others, such daily bread. Some thought God could not be their Father, because they did not feel sufficient desires that his Kingdom should come amongst their country-people; and others felt that they were rebellious children for not doing his will on earth more, as it was done in Heaven. Some wept, to think how he delivered them from temptation and evil: and all, I believe, burned with love, to ascribe to him the Kingdom of his Love, the Power of his Spirit, and the Glory of their Salvation. I was obliged, by the pressing requests of the people, to repeat these explana tions four or five times; and resolved, in future, to know nothing and to speak of nothing among the Negroes,