a memorial before God."-The pupils have not only been regularly instructed in reading and spelling, but faithfully taught in the principles of religion, as contained in our excellent catechism. They have also committed to memory a great portion of the Psalms and the New Testament, with Hymns and Prayers. This institution, with the divine blessing, must rescue many from destruction, who have been as ignorant of the principles of Christianity as the savage that roams the wilderness.They have learned those precepts which will follow them through life; and, it is hoped, they will ever remain invulnerable to any attacks made upon their faith by the enemies of our holy religion. The Female Benevolent Society belonging to our Church have, for eighteen months past, convened every week for the kind and charitable purpose of making up garments for the indigent children attached to the school. They have, with all the ardour of female piety, gone through the storm and tempest, visited the meanest hovel, and the most weather-beaten shed, in order that these young immortals might be comfortably clad, and made, through the humble medium of this school, fit inhabitants for the Kingdom of their Heavenly Father.

I should have officiated more frequently in the neighbouring parishes than I have done, had not my avocations been so numerous. Services have been performed in Covington and Newport, Kentucky. At Lawrenceburgh, in the State of Indiana, I have performed divine service twice. In the Miami country, at Reading, once; Round Bottom, once; Lebanon, once; Xenia, once; Hamilton, once; Dayton, twice. The latter place continues zealously affected towards the primitive customs of our Zion, and the present time is very propitious. for building up the Church. They are anxious to procure a clergyman; they deserve one; and, if possible, they should have one. In the whole State there is not probably a church which will do more, in proportion to their means, for the support of religion, than the Episcopalians of St. Thomas's parish; and its situation is such as to make it favourable for

spreading the Gospel in its vicinity.On my way to the Convention I officiated twice in Wilmington, and though the members of our communion there had never before been visited by a clergyman of the Church, yet such was the solemn attention to the service and attachment to the primitive faith, that it will amply justify exertions for missionary aid in their behalf. It is needless for me to state to the Bishop, that at least two Missionaries might be usefully employed in the Miami country. The Lord has, indeed, been gracious unto us, and we cannot doubt but our own exertions, accompanied with those of Missionaties from the east, will cause the Episcopal Church in this re gion to rise, increase, and flourish as a vine which the right hand of the Lord hath planted. O that such of our young men in the Atlantic States as are now entering into the fold, were within the sound of the bleating of the sheep in the west, that they might hasten, in obedience to the call of the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, and feed them with the bread of life, and give them to drink of the waters of salva tion!

The Rev. Intrepid Morse reports to the Bishop as follows:-That since the last annual Convention he has divided his services between St. James's parish, Zanesville, and St. Paul's, Steubenville, and has occasionally vi sited other places as time and opportunity admitted. The general situation of these parishes is much the same as represented in the report of last year, and the future prospect of their permanency and increase is, on the whole, encouraging; but it would be much more favourable could a minister be settled in each, in order that they might enjoy more frequent services than is possible at present. Officiating in places so widely separated from each other, the ministerial duty is attended with great personal inconveni ence and fatigue; of this, however, he has not complained; yet, for the advantage of the parishes, it is much to be regretted that a minister cannot be stationed immediately in each.

Such a measure is rendered particularly necessary by the circumstances

that several places in the vicinity of these parishes earnestly desire, at least, the occasional services of a clergyman of our Church. Often has their present pastor been compelled to hear frequent and earnest calls for the ministra tion of the word and sacraments in distant and destitute congregationscalls to which he could pay only a partial attention-often has he seen fields white unto the harvest, but, alas! there was none to put in the sickle. Considering Zanesville as the centre of a circle, whose radius is 60 miles, within which there are hundreds, and, perhaps, thousands of Episcopalians, what can be expected from the labours of only one clergyman, and that but half or a third part of the time, in a region so extensive? Services thus widely diffused are in a great measure ineffectual: experience proves, that in order to produce any durable impressions, they must not only be regular but frequent; and, unless this object be obtained, the increase of our congregations cannot ordinarily be expected; because the means of grace under such circumstances are, in a great measure, withheld from them. It is a melancholy fact, that except there should be an increased number of labourers in this part of the vineyard, not only new parishes cannot probably be formed, but those which we already have must suffer in the absence of regular ministrations, and decline, perhaps, solely from want of more frequent services.

Mr. Morse has officiated on Sundays in the following places, viz.-Pittsburgh twice, (by exchange with the Rev. Mr. M'Elhinney, Deacon, in order to administer the communion); St. Clairsville three; Morristown one; Seneca township one; Chillicothe one; Worthington two; and Delaware oneand, on week days or evenings, in Wellsburgh, Wheeling, Smithfield, Knoxville, Springfield, Woodsfield, Malaga, Little Beaver, Somerset, Lancaster, Circleville, Columbus, Coshocton, Gnadenhueten (in the Moravian Church), New-Philadelphia, Jefferson, Perry, and Millcreek townships, in most of them several times. In the last three places, some steps were taken towards the organization of parishes; VOL. V.

there being about 15 families of our communion in each; who, like many others, have hitherto been scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd; yet, with the Bible and Prayer Book in their hands, although never before vi sited by a clergyman of their order, they had most of them maintained inviolate attachment to the primitive doctrines, worship, and faith taught therein. With tears they entreated to be supplied, were it only at distant intervals, with the services of a Missionary, that they might, once more, be enabled to worship God in the beauty of holiness, and in the Church of their fathers, for which their hearts have long sighed in secret, while no man cared for their souls.

The Rev. Thomas A. Osborne reports to the Bishop as follows:-Having no parochial cure to superintend, nor any missionary appointment whereby to be directed, it is not to be expected that much either of interest or peculiar importance can be contained in the annual report of my circumscribed ministerial labours.

During the summer season succeeding the Convention of last year, I regularly officiated in the little congregation of our church, at Hamilton, as often as my collegiate duties would admit. I have preached for the Rev. Mr. Johnston, when elsewhere engaged, and also once at Xenia, and twice in Columbus. In regard to the congregation first mentioned, although small in numbers, yet such is their zeal and attachment to the mode of worship in our venerable Church, it has often been a source of regret, that the distance at which they are placed, and other causes, have hitherto prevented, and must continue to prevent, the performance of more frequent ministrations among them. It is due from me, to the politeness of those not connected with our communion, to mention here, the becoming liberality of sentiment which they have manifested in offering me the Presbyterian church whenever unoccupied by themselves, which is generally every second Sunday. The court-house, however, as being equally convenient for worship, and always 46

free of access, has been most commonly used. The day seems at length arrived, blessed be God, when bigotry and sectarianism are every where giving place to the more expansive and Christian exercise and charitable feeling. Mankind, as they become better and more enlightened, begin to see the vanity and danger of that emulation which has but too long divided Christian from Christian. Christ Jesus, and him crucified, the God and author of our salvation, when held forth and understood as he is exhibited in the intelligible language of Gospel simplicity, will become "all in all."

From what has come under my ob servation in this diocess, it appears that the harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; yet from the reasonable prospect that opens of seasonable relief, we can proclaim to our suffering brethren throughout this State-behold we bring you glad tidings of great joy. The day of your deliverance draweth nigh; when you shall no more be suffered to sit moaning by the waters of Babylon, nor your harps remain unstrung upon the boughs of the willows

The Rev. Philander Chase, jun. Dea con, reports as follows:-That since his ordination, in June, 1820, he has constantly been employed as immediate teacher of the institution in Worthington, and that, owing to his very infirm state of health, shortly after his ordination, and the confined nature of his occupation, he has been but little able to perform the services of the Church in the neighbouring parishes.

He has, however, supplied the desk in Worthington, constantly during the absence of the Right Rev. Bishop, the rector, for a great part of the last summer and autumn. He has officiated three times in Columbus, and twice at Delaware; in both of which places, it is his opinion, that numbers would be added to the Church, and the present members of the same would be much increased in zeal, could means be devised for the continuance of stated services among them.

During a tour to the eastern part of the State, in the fall vacation of the institution, Mr. Chase performed divine

service at Steubenville, during the absence of the Rev. Mr. Morse; once in St. James's Church, Cross Creek; once, by request of the Rev. Dr. Dod dridge, at Wellsburgh; as also in St. John's Church, Brook county, on the Virginia side of the Ohio River; once, on his return, at Zanesville, and once, to a respectable congregation, at Newark. Baptized, by Mr. Chase, at Worthington and Delaware, during the absence of the rector, three adults and three infants; funerals seven.

Resolved, by a majority of the two orders of Clergy and Laity, That the sixth article of the constitution of the Church in this diocess, as amended by the last annual Convention, be, and the same hereby is adopted.*

Resolved, That it is expedient to form and organize a Missionary Society for the diocess of Ohio.

Resolved, That the following articles be adopted for the Constitution of the Missionary Society for the Diocess of Ohio:

Constitution.

Art. 1. The Society shall be known and called by the name of "the Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, within and for the Diocess of Ohio."

2. Every person who shall subscribe and pay one dollar, annually, shall be a member of said Society; and every person who shall subscribe and pay twelve dollars in hand, shall be considered a member of the Society for life. 3. Every person who becomes a member, in virtue of annual subscription, hereby binds himself to pay, to the Treasurer of the Society for the time being, his annual subscription; and agrees, that an action may be sustained against him for the amount

are

*The article is as follows:-The standing committee of this diocess shall be chosen in this Convention annually, and shall consist of such equal number of in session, shall deem sufficient, and hold Presbyters and Laymen as the Convention, their offices until their successors elected. Any three of said committee, one of whom at least shall be a Presbyter, shall be a quorum for transacting business, when convened at the request of the Bimittee, a majority of the whole members shop at all other meetings of the comshall be a quorum to transact business.

thereof, in the name of the Treasurer for the time being, for the use of the Society, until notice be given to the President that such person is no longer a member of the Society.

4. So soon as fifteen subscribers have subscribed this constitution, the Society shall proceed to organize itself, and choose its officers. The time and place of such organization shall be appointed by the Bishop of the diocess.

5. The Bishop of this diocess shall, ex officio, be President of the Society, and President of the Board of Managers.

6. There shall be a Board of Managers, to consist of twelve members, who shall be elected annually, by ballot, by the members, at their anniversary meeting. The Board of Managers shall elect, out of their own body, one VicePresident, a Treasurer, a Corresponding, and a Recording Secretary, who shall vote in the Board of Managers as other members. Any five of the Managers, with the President, or Vice-President, shall constitute a board to transact business.

7. There shall be an annual meeting of the Society in every year, at the place where the State Convention shall meet, on the day next succeeding the day of meeting of the Convention, and the President shall appoint some proper clergyman to deliver a sermon, before the Society, at such anniversary. meeting.

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8. The Board of Managers shall meet twice in every year, at such time and place as the President shall appoint, and as many times oftener as the President and five of the Managers shall deem necessary. The President shall cause the Recording Secretary to notify the Managers of the time and place of such meeting, at least thirty days before the time appointed for it to take place.

9. If, from any cause, the President shall be absent, or unable to act, or if the Episcopate shall be vacant, the Vice-President shall officiate as President of said Society.

10. The funds of the Society shall be solely appropriated to the support of Missionaries within the diocess of Qhic. The Ecclesiastical authorities

of the diocess shall employ and direct the service of such Missionaries, who shall, in all cases, be subject to the Constitutions, Canons, and Rabrics of the Protestant Episcopal Church in force in the diocess of Ohio.

11. All sums paid by subscribers, made by voluntary donation, or collected by agents under the direction of the Society, shall be paid into the treasury, and only paid out by the Treasurer, upon order of the President, or VicePresident, acting as President. The Treasurer shall exhibit an account of the receipts and expenditures at every meeting of the Board of Managers, and also at the anniversary meeting of the Society. His accounts shall be audited and settled once in every year, by a committee of the Board of Managers, to be appointed by the Board.

12. The names of all those who make voluntary donations to the Society, shall be recorded and published with the amount of such donation, whenever a publication is made of the state of the funds of the Society.

13. It shall be the duty of every member to exert himself to increase the strength and extend the usefulness of the Society; and, the better to effect this, the Society shall have power to receive the aid of auxiliary societies, which are recommended to be formed in every parish.

14. The Board of Managers shall unite with the Bishop of the diocess, in selecting one or more persons to make personal representations to the Bishops of the respective diocesses of the United States and elsewhere, if they may think proper, of the destitute state of the Church within the diocess of Ohio, and to obtain proper authority to solicit donations for the support of Missionaries within the same.

15. This Constitution shall not be altered except at an anniversary meeting, by the consent of two thirds of the members present; and alterations so made shall have no effect until approved of by the Convention.

The committee appointed to consider the propriety of an address to our brethren in the 'Atlantic States, soliciting aid and assistance towards the sup

port of Missionaries in this diocess, reported as follows:

Whereas there are many vacant congregations of the Church in this state, which are unable to support ministers, and numerous members of our communion scattered over an extensive country, destitute of the ministrations of the word and sacraments; therefore,

Resolved, by this Convention, That the Right Rev. the Bishop be requested to prepare and transmit, to the Bishops of the respective diocesses in the United States, an address, setting forth the great necessities of the Church within the diocess of Ohio, and solicit ing their aid and assistance in procuring Missionaries to reside therein.

Resolved further, That, should a Missionary Society be organized upon the plan proposed by this Convention, the Bishop communicate the fact and object of such Society to the several Bishops of the United States, and request their aid in furthering and promoting the objects thereof in such manner as shall be deemed most expedient. Read and unanimously adopted.

The committee on the preservation of piety and purity in the members of our communion, to whom was referred so much of the Bishop's address as relates to the resolution of the House of Bishops, adopted in 1817, reported as follows. That the resolution referred to is in the following words :

"The House of Bishops, solicitous for the preservation of the purity of the Church, and the piety of its members, are induced to impress upon the clergy the important duty, with a discreet but earnest zeal, of warning the people of their respective cures, of the danger of an indulgence in those worldly pleasures which may tend to withdraw their affections from spiritual things. And especially on the subject of gaming, of amusements, involving cruelty to the brute creation, and of theatrical representations, to which some peculiar circumstances have called their attention, they do not hesitate to express their unanimous opinion, that these amusements, as from their licentious tendency, as from the strong temptations to vice which they afford, ought not to be frequented."

In respect to this resolution of the House of Bishops, the committee recommend, that the Convention adopt the following resolutions :

Resolved, by this Convention, That the foregoing resolution should be considered obligatory upon the consciences of the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and that they ought not to omit any opportunity of urging it upon their respective congregations.

Resolved, as the sense of this Convention, That all sports arising from severe and cruel exercises imposed upon animals of the brute creation, be sides their evil tendency, in a moral point of view, are inconsistent with the humane precepts and doctrines of Christianity, and ought not to be in any manner countenanced by the members of a Christian Church. And as theatrical amusements, besides that they are frequently coarse and indelicate, tend rather to excite the feelings and inflame the imagination, than to enlighten the mind in matters of vital concern, or to correct the evil passions of the heart, they cannot, therefore, supply any thing proper for Christian improvement, and ought not to be frequented, especially by communicants.

Read and adopted.

Resolved, That, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of stationary and printing for the Convention hereafter, the parish of Christ Church, Cincinnati, shall pay five dollars; the parish of St. Thomas's Church, Dayton, three dollars; the parish of St. Paul's Church, Chillicothe, five dollars; the parish of St. John's Church, Worthington, five dollars; the parish of St. James's Church, Zanesville, four dollars; the parish of St. Thomas's Church, St. Clairsville, four dollars; the parish of St. Paul's Church, Steubenville, five dollars, each annually; and all other parishes, each two dollars annually: to be collected in such manner as the wardens of each church may direct, and forwarded to the Secretary of the Convention by the clerical or lay delegate attending the same.

And for defraying the expenses aforesaid, of the present Convention, and for payment of a sum due for printing the Journals of the last annual Con