nor had any drunkenness been witnessed-the attendance on public worship is regular and large, three times on the Sunday; on an average, not less than 1200 or 1300 Negroes, while Mr. Johnson's first congregation amounted but to nine: at morning and evening daily prayers, not less than 500 are present the schools, which opened with ninety boys and fifty girls with thirty-six adults, now contain upward of 500

scholars.

These were great encouragements to Mr. Johnson in his labours: but he was not satisfied with the reformation of the manners of his people: he prayed for indications of a change of heart, and the influence of a living principle. Nor did he wait long. One and another began to visit him, burdened by a sense of their sins, to ask what they were to do to be saved-disclosing to him the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit on their hearts, in the most simple and touching manner. He saw persons, in every direction, before they came to attend morning and evening daily worship, kneeling in private prayer behind bushes and houses. All, without exception, wish for baptism; but Mr. Johnson admits none to that ordinance till he is satisfied of their intelligence and integrity. All have abandoned polygamy, greegrees, and devil-worship. The baptized are in the habit of regularly partaking of the Lord's Supper, unless prevented by illness; and when Mr. Johnson left, in April of last year, the number of communicants amounted to 263. The converts are earnest for the salvation of their country-people, and are continually going to them to persuade them to embrace the Gospel: and they are equally anxious for their mutual edification; Mr. Johnson seldom visiting a sick communicant without finding some of his Christian brethren or sisters there, employed in offices of devotion or charity. So striking and remarkable, indeed, has been the influence of the Divine word, that Mr. Johnson has withheld from the Society many of the indications of grace among his Negroes, lest they should appear in

credible.

And it has been the plain and simple preaching of the mercy of God, as dis

played in Christ Jesus, which has been rendered the instrument of quickening and giving efficacy to the benevolent measures of government, and of producing this mighty change-brought home, indeed, as this preaching was, by the patient labours of an affectionate servant of the Lord. In Negro towns, where this word of salvation has been, for want of ministers, but unfrequently or irregularly preached, the natives are far behind in civilization and in all the benefits of social and domestic life. Mr. Johnson's course of labour was-to preach Christ, as the Saviour of sinners -at morning and evening daily worship, to set forth to the people the simple truths of the Gospel-to follow up these instructions and prayers, by visiting from house to house to reprove sin wherever he witnessed it-to open to the people the miserable estate of a sinner, and the way of escape and deliverance by the grace of the Gospel.

(From the Washington Repertory, for DeEducation Society of Maryland and cember, 1820.) Virginia.

THE Education Society for Maryland and Virginia, held its annual meeting on the 26th of October last, in Christ's Church, Georgetown.

The Society assembled at eleven o'clock; the morning service was performed by the Rev. Charles P. M'Ilvaine, and a sermon was preached by the Rev. E. M. Lowe. After which the following officers were elected for the ensuing year.

Rev. Wm. H. Wilmer, D. D. President; Rev. W. D. Addison, 1st. VicePresident; Rev. Wm. Hawley, 2d. Vice-President, and Secretary; C.Page, Esq. Treasurer.

Managers. Rev. Oliver Norris, Rev. C. MIlvaine, Rev. E. C. McGuire, Rev. Wm. Meade, Rev. Geo. Lemon, Rev. Chas. Mann, F. S. Key, Esq. Dan. Murray, Esq. Rich. West, Esq. T. Henderson, M. D. E. I. Lee, Esq. P. Nelson, Esq.

Standing Committee.-Rev. W. D. Addison, Rev. Wm. Hawley, Rev. C. P. M'Ilvaine, Richard West, Francis S. Key, Thos. Henderson.

The two following Resolutions were unanimously adopted, by the Board of Managers :

Resolved, That it is expedient to establish a Theological Professorship, to be located at William and Mary college, or elsewhere, as the Society may, from time to time, order and direct. And, for the accomplishment of this important object, it is further.

Resolved, That the President be, and he is hereby requested, to prepare a circular, explanatory of the object of the Society, and urging the strong claims of the church, upon the liberality of her members, for the furtherance of this desirable and useful establishment; and, that he send a copy thereof to each of the clergy in the two diocesses. At night, divine service was again performed, by the Rev. Thomas Horrel, and a sermon, adapted to the occasion, was preached by the Rev. Dr. Wilmer. After which a collection was made for the benefit of the Society. The Society affords assistance to. four young men, who are now engaged in the prosecution of their studies. The following is the Circular Address of the President of the Society, on the establishment of the Theological Professorship, agreeably to the second of the foregoing resolutions:

Alexandria, Nov. 8, 1820.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

The managers of "The Society for Educating Young Men for the Ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in Maryland and Virginia," having resolved, that it was expedient to establish a Theological Professorship, have instructed me to address you on the subject, and to solicit your aid and cooperation in furtherance of their resolution. They are encouraged to make this effort, by the increasing interest which the friends of the church take in the concerns of the Society; and from the great benefits which must result from the successful accomplishment of the object now proposed. The establishment of such a Professorship is intimately connected with the original design of the Society, inasmuch as, after having provided the means of defraying the expenses of a preliminary

course of education, to pious and indigent young men, it becomes highly important to furnish them with the means of completing their course of Theological study, under a competent instructor.

The importance and necessity of a well-educated ministry, are too obvious, and generally acknowledged, to require any illustration. Without it, no church can prosper, or be respectable. And, it is a matter of congratulation, that among all denominations of Christians, there is an increasing attention to this subject. Our own church, in this matter, has been far behind the just expectations which have been formed of her wealth, talents, and piety. But, though late, she is now resolved, with earnest measures, to pursue this great object. At hér General Convention, holden in 1817, she established a General Theological Seminary; and, in 1820, renewed, by the same authority, her sanction of this measure. This General Institution was then transferred to New-Haven, in Connecticut, and has commenced under circumstances which augur the most beneficial results. As inti

mately connected with the reputation and prosperity of the church, and as this institution claims our best wishes sanctioned by her highest authority, and efforts. As churchmen, we rejoice in a measure, which promises to retrieve the character of our church, from an apathy so foreign to her own principles, and to the commendable zeal and activity of other churches. We hope and believe, that it will prosper. We wish it therefore to be understood, that our efforts are not intended to supersede, or to militate against, the General Seminary, but to co-operate in subordination and subserviency to it, though in a sphere so humble, as to embrace subjects which lie beyond the reach of that greater body.

The managers deem it their duty to take advantage of the peculiar circumstance, which, in this case present themselves in favour of the attempt to establish a local seminary in the southern country. 1. The college of William and Mary has offered to theological students certain privileges, which will render the resources that may be obtained in this section of country, more

effective and useful, in their appropriation in that way than in any other. 2. It is ascertained that the public will give more liberally and cheerfully, to an object thus brought home to them, and identified with their local interests and associations, than to the remote, though equally important one at NewHaven. It seems proper, therefore, to adopt that plan, which both raises the largest amount of fund, and renders that fund efficient to the largest quantum of benefit. Both these objects, we think, will be attained by cherishing the local project of the society.

The plan proposed is, to provide funds for a theological professor, who will probably be located at William and Mary College. That institution is now supplied with able professors, and with all the securities for procuring a complete education. The faculty, with one exception, have offered a gratuitous course of instruction to all bona fide students of theology. An excellent theological library is attached to the college; and, in the event of our succeeding in a professorship, a very valuable private library, belonging to a clergyman of our church, will be added by that worthy person. The living at Williamsburg is cheap, and the climate healthy, except during the months of vacation, when the professor and students might easily, and to the advantage of their health, remove into the upper country.

Thus, with the small contributions which are necessary to support a professor, we shall enter at once upon all the benefits which are attained in other cases, only after many years of labour, and great expense. We shall, in fact, have gotten all the valuable purposes of a college of our own.

We cannot but hope then, that an object so important, and circumstances so favourable for the attainment of it, will be duly appreciated and cherished. Now is "the flood" in the tide of our affairs, which, if improved, cannot fail to lead us to a prosperous issue. The object is one which rallies around it every variety of motive. It appeals to the mortifying and surprising fact, that this southern land, so rich in resources, in wealth, genius, and piety, should be

dependent on foreign institutions for the education, the habits, and principles, of those who are destined to fill her highest offices. her highest offices. But, it appeals to weightier motives still, in the connexion which it has with the prosperity of the church, and the glory of the Redeemer's kingdom. In this view it claims the fervent prayers and warmest endeavours of all who love God, and have any proper sense of the value of immortal souls. To them it speaks of the waste places of Zion repaired; of the temples of God, now frowning in portentous silence over our land," once more made vocal with his praise; of aged parents lifting up to heaven their faded eyes, now lighted up with joy, that their children will be permitted to "dwell in the house of the Lord, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." It tells of instruction to the ignorant; of pardon for sin; of peace and joy to the weary and heavy laden; of comfort, and triumph, and hope, to the sick and dying"; of consolation administered to the anguish that kneels at the grave of departed worth; of grief assuaged, and tears wiped away; of the gates of heaven opened to redeemed and blood-washed souls. It points to these glorious issues, as flowing to ages yet unborn, through the instrumentality of those whom your bounty may enable the Society to raise up, and send forth to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. In a charity so noble, in a cause which associates us with God himself, we believe that many will rejoice to co-operate. While they have the opportunity, we entreat them for their own sakes as well as for the cause we plead, to "make to themselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness," by giving liberally of that portion which God has intrusted to them as his stewards. Of those who have much, much will be required, both while they live, and when, at their death, they may have it in their power to live anew by bequeathing something to this great charity. From those who have but little, a less sum, given with a right spirit, will be acceptable to God, and effectual to our purpose; since, by the aggregate of many small sums, like the accumulation of many drops of wa

ter, a copious fountain may be formed
to refresh a thirsty and parched land.
I am respectfully,

Your friend and obedient servant,
WM. H. WILMER,
President of the Society.

A Clergyman and his Friend's Visit to the Sick.-An Extract.

"Tis but a step across the village green, Where the geese paddle in the pools between; We lift the latch-and there before our eyes, Bed-rid and blind the Widow Thompson lies. That short five minutes walk across the green, Sufficed my friend to tell what she had been; Loving and loved she entered upon life, A village beauty and a farmer's wife; And children sprung around, and left no fears Of kindly succour in declining years. All promised fair:-but then her husband gave His name, the credit of a friend to save; And when the bill was due, that friend had flown,

And left his bail to meet the storm alone: Markets were dull, and harvest months were

wet,

And so poor farmer Thompson died in debt. Then though her children bloom'd in manly pride,

Consumption came, and one by one they died-
All-all were gone: and she was left behind
To mourn and suffer-poor, decrepid, blind.
She knew the very step of him, whose voice
Had taught her 'mid her sorrows to rejoice,
And whose wan features, as he took her hand,
Show'djoy that worldings cannot understand-
A trust in him who has the power to save-
A hope that fearless looks beyond the grave.
Then held she converse of her hopes and
fears,

Befitting Christians in a vale of tears.
Not her's the cant of those, whose vulgar slang
Is Greek to all who are not of the gang:
Not her's the lights by pride and passion bred
From the deep quagmires of a muddy head:
Not her's the fool-born jest and stifled sigh
With which Philosophers prepare to die-
Her talk was lofty, yet 'twas humble too;
How much she had to hope, how much to do
How little she had done, how much remain'd
To do, before the victory were gain'd-
To run, to fight, to wrestle, to endure,
To make her calling and election sure.
She spoke with gratitude of trials past,
And calmly dared anticipate the last :

She when by care o'erwhelm'd, by doubts dis

tress'd,

Look'd to the cross for peace, to Heaven for rest;

And confidence in him who cannot lie,

Had made her patience strong, her courage high... "'Well,' said I, dashing off a single tear, 'Tis surely good for us to have been here: Such lively faith, such patient hope to see, Does more than tomes of Dutch divinityNot for the world these visits would I miss, If all your sick-list cases be like this.' Like this! I would they were; but those who go

To search the lairs of poverty and woe,
Must nerve their hearts, and be prepared to
find

The body's pain embittered by the mind;
Or see the reckless sinner, that can die
Without a hope, and yet without a sigh:
Or hoping all in works of human pride,
As if no Saviour died, nor need have died.'
With that he stopp'd; for we had reach'd
the door

Of an old lonely cottage on the moor;
There o'er the embers crouched a feeble pair,
With sallow cheeks, and thin, yet matted hair.
Clay was the flooring, and the walls were clay,
And in the window rags obscured the day:
'Twas old and filthy all-the very air
Felt dull, and loaded with miasma there.
In one dark corner stood a crazy bed,
With half a broken tester over head;
There lay their only son, and he had been
The first in many a bold and bloody scene;
Untaught in youth, he led a wandering life,
Till caught by scarlet cost, and drum and fife,
He sold the liberty he held so dear,
And quitted home and friends without a tear.
For six campaigns, he follow'd in the train
Of victory, through Portugal and Spain.
But cold, and midnight bivouacks, impair'd
The frame that ball and bayonet had spared;
And he, with wasted limbs and aching head,
Lay dying there upon that crazy bed.

This was distressing-yet there might have been

A light reflected from the future scene;
But there was none; for when my friend began
His colloquy with that poor dying man,
And talked of Christ, of judgment and of sin,
I saw at once the work was to begin.
To every truth a careless ear was lent,
And every pause received a faint assent
He knew that he had sinn'd, like all the rest,
But God was good, and so he hoped the bests
This was the sum of his religion, this
His penitence for sin, his hope of bliss.

Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary of New-York.

Ara meeting held in the city of New York, on Thursday, the 8th Feb. 1821, of the Board of Managers of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society, established by the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of New-York, it was resolved that the Interior Theological Seminary, to be organized under the authority of the Society, shall be located at Geneva, in the county of Ontario, upon certain conditions proposed by some of the inhabitants of that place, in documents laid before the Board.

The Bishop, from the Education Committee, made a report proposing the following resolutions, relative to the plan of study in the Theological Seminary to be established in the city of NewYork; which were unanimously adopted. Resolved, That the subjects of theological learning in the Seminary in the city of New-York, be distributed into 'the following departments:

I. Biblical Learning; comprising whatever relates to the original languages of the Holy Scriptures, and the knowledge which is necessary to the critical study and interpretation of them, including Jewish and Oriental literature, profane history in its connexion with sacred, and biblical chronology and geography.

II. The Evidences of Revealed Religion; establishing the genuineness, authenticity, and credibility of the Scriptures; with the interpretation of them, so far as may be necessary to the full exhibition of the evidence of their divine authority and inspiration, and a view of the character and effects of Christianity, and of moral science in its relations to theology.

III. The Interpretation of the Scriptures; exhibiting the principles of scriptural interpretation, and the meaning and practical application of every part of the sacred writings.

IV. Systematic Divinity; presenting a methodical arrangement and explanation of the truths contained in the Scriptures, with the authorities sustaining these truths; a statement and refutation of the erroneous doctrines attempted to be deduced from the sacred

writings; and a particular view and defence of the system of faith, professed by the Protestant Episcopal Church; thus affording a minute exhibition of controversial and practical theology.

V. Ecclesiastical History; displaying the history of the church in all ages, and particularly of the church in England, and of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country.

VI. The Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Church; comprising a view of the nature of Christian church and the duty of preserving its unity; of the authority and orders of the ministry; with a statement and elucidation of the principles of Ecclesiastical Polity, and an explanation and defence of that of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and also an exhibition of the authority and advantages of liturgical service, with a history, explanation, and defence of the liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and of its rites and ceremonies.

VII. Pastoral Theology; explaining and enforcing the qualifications and duties of the clerical office, and including the performance of the service of the church and the composition and delivery of sermons.

Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying the foregoing course of theological study into effect, it is expedient to provide, as soon as possible, three professors for the first four departments, viz. a Professor of Biblical Learning, a Professor of the Evidences of Revealed Religion, and a Professor of the Interpretation of the Scriptures, and of Systematic Divinity.

Pastoral Theology, be placed under the Resolved, That the last department, viz. charge of the Bishop of the diocess.

Resolved, That the other two departments, viz. Ecclesiastical History, and the Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Church, be assigned to the professors above named, or to some of the resident clergy in the city, until other arrangements can be made with respect to them.

It is sincerely hoped that the efforts which Episcopalians in aid of a design so calculated to are making to call forth the extensive resources promote the cause of literature and religion, will

of

not be in vain. There cannot be a moment's the means of the Episcopalians of this flourishing doubt, that liberality in generous proportion to city and state, will enable the managers to carry into speedy and full operation the plan above detailed, and to establish an institution which will produce the happiest effects on the respectabili ty and prosperity of the church and on the general interests of religion; and which will refleet lasting honour on those by whose contributions and exertions it has been established.