you are at liberty to publish a bequest of 1000 dols. to the first Ecclesiastical Society in this place.

"One of 500 dols. to a Cent Society, for the benefit of the deserving poor in this place.

"One of 2000 dols. to the Asylum for Deaf and Dumb persons at Hartford.

"One of 2000 dols. to the Domestic Missionary Society for Connecticut and its vicinity.

"One of 2000 dols. to the Education Society of Yale College: and "One of 1200 dols. to the Connecticut Missionary Society."

Here is the sum of $8,700 bequeathed to various religious and charitable purposes. From the tenour of the above notice, (for I am entirely ignorant of the subject of it,) it would appear that Mrs. Lewis was equally distinguished, through life, for pious liberality. Such examples ought to be recorded, and ought to be imitated. Surely there cannot be a more genuine expression of gratitude to the Father of mercies, than consecrating a portion of the wealth with which he blesses us, to the promotion of his glory, and the good of his creatures. There cannot be a more delightful exercise of the mind, than anticipating the blessing which may descend to successive generations, from liberal aid in diffusing the religion of the Gospel. And must it not, through the blessing of him who has promised that even a cup of cold water given in his name shall not fail of reward, minister joy, must it not afford the happiest evidence of the sincerity and liveliness of Christian faith, to reflect, at the trying hour when all worldly possessions are to be resigned for ever, that we have consecrated a portion of them to him who gave them, by bequeathing it to objects connected with the interests of the religion whereby he designs his glory and the eternal good of men? Would we could see more of this spirit in a Church uniting all the advantages for these great ends, afforded by an apostolical ministry, evangelical doctrine, and scriptural worship! If her institu

were

tions for the education of fit persons to serve the sanctuary, for the support of missionaries, and for the distribution of the holy Scriptures, of their best companion, the Book of Common Prayer, and other religious books and tracts, were more frequently regarded by her members, in their appropriations for religious purposes; if they were suffered sometimes to interfere with expenses not necessary to comfort or convenience; if amid the promises of the contending claimants for what is devoted to the purchase of pleasure, their pretensions to the imparting of enjoyment both to the giver and receiver, duly appreciated; especially if they were frequently remembered in determining the disposal of wealth, after its present possessors shall have resigned it for ever; -the delightful consciousness of promoting the honour of God, of diffusing the blessings of pure and undefiled religion, of advancing the prosperity of the Redeemer's Church, and of contributing to the everlasting welfare of fellow men, would be the reward here. Springing from a true and living faith, these good works would be had in everlasting remembrance before God, and be made conducive to the eternal happiness of those who wrought them; through the sufficient merits of Jesus, the object of that faith.

Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society.

PURSUANT to public notice, the "Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society" held its annual meeting in Trinity Church, on Monday evening, Jan. 25, 1819.

The annual Report of the Society was read by Dr. John Watts, junior; whereupon, on motion, Resolved unanimously, that the Report be accepted.

Resolved, That the Report be printed, under the direction of the Board of Managers.

The Society then proceeded to the election of a Board of Managers for

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the ensuing year; when the following gentlemen were duly elected, viz. Luther Bradish, President. Gerardus A. Cooper, 1st Vice-Presid't. Floyd Smith, 2d Vice-President. Cornelius R. Duffie, 3d Vice-Presid't. William E. Dunscomb, Corresponding Secretary. Charles Keeler, Recording Secretary. J. Smyth Rogers, Treasurer. Charles W. Sandford, Agent.

Managers-Edward N. Cox, Benjamin Haight, Dr. John Watts, jun. Thomas N. Stanford, Lewis Loutrel, David A. Clarkson, Charles Nichols, John Anthon, Henry Barclay, William Onderdonk, jun. Cornelius S. Bartow, Ferris Pell, John J. Lambert, William H. Harison, Murray Hoffman, Peter Kean, Dr. Samuel W. Moore.

Third Annual Report.

ON presenting the third annual Report to the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, the Managers feel it incumbent upon them, first, to acknowledge the divine blessing upon their exertions, and to express their sense of gratitude for the prosperity which, under Providence, has attended the labours of the past year.

In the infant state of the Society, it became the duty of the Managers to reflect upon the several methods of accomplishing their objects. Repeated and matured deliberations determined the course to be pursued. The smallness of their funds precluded the purchase of stereotype plates of the Bible: stereotype copies of it were to be had at a moderate price, while the Book of Common Prayer had not yet been stereotyped in this city. The copies of the Prayer Book which were obtained during the first year of the Society's operations, were disadvantageously circulated; as they were found, relatively speaking, to exceed greatly the price of stereotyped works. With due consideration, therefore, to the usefulness of the Society, and the economy and increase of its funds, in accomplishing its twofold object, viz. the more general circulation of the Bible, and also of the Book of VOL. III.

Common Prayer, they resolved to possess themselves of stereotype plates of the Prayer Book. Since that time, the Managers have reason to believe, that a similar advantage to the Seciety, from an improvement in the economy and increase of its funds, would attend the possession of stereotype plates of the Bible also. They had long contemplated and ardently wished to procure them; their funds, however, still remained inadequate to the object, and they did not feel themselves authorized to withdraw any part of the money then employed in circulating the Book of Common Prayer. The necessity of an appeal to the members of the Church was urged, and the result has fully justified the appeal.

By the bounty of individuals, emu lating each other in their patronage of the Society, the Managers have been enabled to conclude a contract for a set of stereotype plates of the Holy Scriptures in duodecimo; to be completed by the month of July next. The type and convenient size of the volume adapt it to almost every age and condition of life, and render it appropriate for the school, the closet, and the Church. Directions have been given to commence the execution of the plates with the New Testament, so as to enable the Society to furnish an edition of that part of the holy volume, for the use of schools, and of such persons and societies as may desire to have it, in a cheap and convenient form. These plates will be finished in the course of five or six weeks, and shortly thereafter the New Testaments will be ready for delivery. By this arrangement the ability and usefulness of the Society have been consulted and enlarged, and an additional evidence is given of the unceasing desire of its members to aid in distributing the word of life. The list of subscribers to this work of Christian charity will be published as soon as the subscriptions are completed. Eighteen hundred dollars have already been collected and paid by the Managers on account of those plates-five hundred dollars more will become due on the final delivery of them to the Society. For this sum the Managers have made themselves responsible, in full confidence that it will be subscribed by those to whom application has not yet been made.

By an arrangement made the last year with Messrs. Kirk & Mercein, for the printing and sale of the Book of Common Prayer, a great reduction of its price was obtained, with a view to the benefit and increase of that denomination of Christians throughout the United States, whose wants, interests, and religious feelings could not be separated from those of the same persuasion in this state. In relinquishing all profit arising from the sale of the Prayer Book; in surrendering this source of revenue, and thus diminishing the number and extent of their own immediate distributions, the Managers it is believed have greatly extended the circulation of the Book of Common Prayer. The pleasure and credit of being themselves the public instruments of spreading it, co-extensively with the funds that might be derived from the loan of their stereotype plates in this city, was superseded by the paramount duty of rendering the Book of Common Prayer accessible to every Episcopalian throughout the union, either by gratuity, or by cheapness of price, as might best comport with the feelings or ability of individuals. The operation of this plan, in relation to the price of the book, has realized the expectations of the Managers. Instead of a diminution of the sales of booksellers, they have witnessed an unexampled demand for the Book of Common Prayer:---in addition to the number circulated in the name of the 'Society, it is believed that twenty thousand copies have been sold in this city, and that the amount of sales of the Prayer Book during the last year is wholly unprecedented. The interests of individuals have been made subservient to the worship of the Church, and the homage of private sacrifice is paid to the public dissemination of the truths of Christianity.

The Managers would call the attention of the members to the aninating reflection that is derived from

a retrospect of the few years that have elapsed since the organization of the Society, in 1816. The copies of the Book of Common Prayer, circulated during the first year of its operations, were printed with the ordinary type, and cost the Society forty-seven cents a copy. In 1817, they procured the first set of stereotype plates* of the Prayer Book in this city, and, perhaps, the only set at that time in this country: by means of it, there was an immediate reduction of ten cents a copy in the price of the book; and in 1818, a further reduction of seven and a half cents was obtained, So

cieties and individuals, who wish supplies of Prayer Books for gratuitous distribution, are furnished at the rate of thirty cents per copy, the exact cost of the book to this Society. A neat, well bound copy of the Book of Common Prayer, may now be purchased at retail for thirty-seven and a half cents, which, at the formation of the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, could not be had, of equally good type, paper, and binding, for less than seventy-five cents. In the short space of two years, five or six sets of stereotype plates have been made of the Book of Common Prayer; three of them may be said to be in constant use in this city; -one set has been purchased and taken to Baltimore, from which the Bible and Prayer Book Society of that place is supplied; and one or two sets of plates may be purchased in this city, at from twenty to thirty per cent. less than the price of the first set that was executed in d in this country. The Managers cherish the hope that Societies, similar to this, will be organized in the southern and western states, and that their endeavours to spread and improve the knowledge of their Redeemer, and the distinctive doctrines of their Church, will be aided and extended by the possession of stereotype plates of the Prayer

pluralities" Is it possible," says the ecclesiastic, "that the people you named, who have the reputation of being very learned men, and are such in reality, should be mistaken in their opinion? Unless these would absolutely oppose the doctrine laid down by the apostles, and the directions of councils, must they not be obliged to confess, that the holding several livings at the same time is sinful? I myself am in holy orders, and, be it said without vanity, of one of the best families in Touraine. It becomes a man of high birth to make a figure suitable to it, and yet, I protest to you, that if I can get an abbey, the yearly income of which is only 1000 crowns, my ambition will be satisfied; and be assured, that nothing shall tempt me to alter my resolution." -Some time after, an abbey of 7000 crowns a year being vacant, his brother desired it it for him, and was gratified in his request. The winter following he got another of still greater value; and, a third being vacant, he solicited very strongly for this also, and obtained it. Boileau hearing of these preferments, went and paid his friend a visit. "Mr Abbe," says he, "where is now that season of innocence and candour, in which you declared that pluralists hazarded their souls greatly?" "Ah! good Boileau," replied the Abbe, "did you but know how much pluralities contribute towards living well!" "I am in no doubt of that," replied Boileau; "but of what service are they, good Abbe, towards dying well?"

Last Moments of King EDWARD VI. KING EDWARD VI. born at Hampton Court, 1537. The cultivation of his understanding, if we may credit historians, was amazing. He was said to understand the Greek, Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish languages. He was versed in logic, music, natural philosophy, and theology. Cardan, the extraordinary scholar and physician, happening to pay a visit to the English court, was so astonished at his early progress, that he extols him as a prodigy of naSure, He expired at Greenwich, in

the sixteenth year of his age, and the seventh of his reign, greatly regretted by all, as his early virtues gave a prospect of a continuance of a happy reign. In the time of his sickness, Dr. Ridley, Bishop of London, preached before him; and took occasion to enlarge on the subject of charity, and on the obligation imposed on persons of high rank to be eminent in good works. The King was much affected at the discourse, and wrote to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, requesting them to inform him speedily in what way he could most properly administer to the relief of the poor. Having received their answer, and duly considered the subject, he founded Christ's Hospital for supporting and educating the fatherless children of poor freemen of the city of London; he gave his own house, at Bridewell, to be a place of correction and employment, for persons who were wilfully idle; and he also confirmed and enlarged the grant for the hospital of St. Thomas, in Southwark, which he had erected and endowed some months before. When he set his hands to these foundations, he fervently expressed his gratitude to God for having prolonged his life till he had completed that work. Thus he became the founder of these institutions; which, having had great additions since his time, may justly be ranked among the noblest in Europe.

He expressed, during the whole course of his sickness, great submission to the will of God; and seemed glad at the approaches of death: but the consideration of the state of Reli

gion and of the Church much affected him; and on that account he was desirous of life. At length his strength and spirits were so sunk, that he found death hastening on him, and in a most devout manner prepared himself for it. His whole exercise, some hours before his departure, consisted in short prayersand ejaculations. The last that he was heard to utter, were the following, "Lord God! deliver me from this miserable and wretched life; and receive me among thy chosen! Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done! Lord, I commit my spirit to