lodged, were several naval and military, as well as mercantile gentlemen; and I remember an officer who had been drilling his rifle corps one Sunday, remarking on the strong representations which the Presbyterians had been making to him on the subject. He defended the practice by those arguments of expediency which have been worn threadbare by the commanders of our volunteer corps. A few years since, no remonstrance would have been hazarded; or if hazarded, the summary argument of a pistol, would probably have silenced the interference.

I will reserve, till we meet, all details respecting the comparative numbers of the different religious denominations, as well as with regard to the constitution and present condition of the American Episcopal church. As a member, and minister of the Church of England, I know you will rejoice sincerely to learn, that the Episcopal Church of America is flourishing and increasing, as there is every reason to believe, in numbers and in piety.* It is, however, with the

"The preceding facts and statements will give our readers a tolerably accurate view of the present state of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the American Union. Her future prospects are flattering, and the labours of her exemplary clergy are unremitting. In most of the dioceses, (we

deepest regret, that I observe in the diocese of New York, no small portion of that intolerant and exclusive spirit which appears to identify Christianity with episcopacy, and to look with a cold or jealous eye on the diffusion of religious truth, and the advancement of religious principle, if not accompanied with the extension of the discipline, the authority, or the interests of a particular church. Attached, from conviction and principle, to the Church of England, it has been with shame and grief that I have heard the examples of some of her dignitaries occasionally adduced to justify a spirit so little accordant with her Catholic principles, and so much at variance, as it appears to me, with the spirit and principles of the gospel.

believe we might say 'in all) the clergy are ex officio missionaries, in addition to their stated pastoral duties. Sundayschools are attached, we believe, to almost every church. Most, if not all, of the dioceses have likewise their separate missionary societies, as well as societies for the promotion of Christian knowledge, by distributing Bibles, prayer-books, homilies, tracts, &c. Besides these, there has been organized " A Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society" of the whole church, which is in correspondence with the Societies in London for propagating the gospel in foreign parts, and for promoting Christian knowledge; and also with the Church Missionary Society, which, in 1821, granted £200 sterling in aid of its important objects."-British Review.

If, indeed, the Church of England were not calumniated, by being cited in support of a sectarian and exclusive spirit; if she required from her adherents such a superstitious veneration for a particular form of church government as would suppress every generous sympathy with those of a different communion; if she could refuse to extend the right hand of fellowship and cordiality to all who are labouring to communicate by unexceptionable means, the light of Christian truth to those who are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death,"she would merit little indeed of that attachment and respect, with which I hope I shall never cease to regard her.

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I am, happy, however, to say, that there are many Episcopalians in New York, of a more liberal spirit than that on which I have animadverted, and that the body of Episcopalians are distinguished by meritorious exertions, within the pale of their own church. *

* For many interesting particulars on this subject, I beg to refer to Duncan's Travels, which contain more valuable information respecting the United States than any work which I have seen. The reader will find in these Travels many important details, which, having no idea whatever of publishing, I omitted to collect, and many particulars which I have suppressed, on finding that Mr. Duncan had already laid them

before the public. I have not the pleasure of being acquainted with Mr. D.; but I am gratified by the opportunity of bearing testimony, as far as my opportunities of observation have enabled me, to the general accuracy of a work, which I trust will be extensively circulated.

Letter XL.

Salem, 24th February, 1821.

IN my last I gave you, what I think you would consider an encouraging picture of the present state, and still, more so of the future prospects of religion in this country. I did not, however, reply to your inquiries respecting Unitarianism, of the extension of which you appear to be already aware. From all I can learn, it appears that Unitarian opinions have been entertained in New England for fifty years at least, and perhaps much longer. Generally speaking, however, they were not very openly avowed, till much more recently; some of those who held them concealing their sentiments, because they were unpopular,-others, because they felt indifferent about them,—and others, more reflecting and philosophical, because they conceived that their extension would be most effectually promoted at that particular time by reserve and caution. The first Unitarian congregation, formed in America, was established in the King's Chapel soon after the Revolution.