grand children grow up around you, in honesty and good esteem. He will make your memory blessed upon earth, and will grant to you for ever to enjoy the light of his divine countenance, in the mansions of eternal felicity. There, there shall we be for ever united in one happy family." He uttered these last words hesitating, interrupted voice; and as he ceased, he wiped his eyes, from whence involuntary tears had began to flow. He then prayed, pronounced his blessing over the dying woman, and took his leave. He tenderly kissed the children, and bade them not to weep. I observed him also to give them some money. I was deeply affected by the scene; my heart felt heavy within me; and could scarcely breathe when I came to the fresh air. es whence have you so much strength of mind, and power of endurance?" said I to Lavater, in my surprise at his fortitude and activity. "My dear friend," replied he, "man rarely wants the power to work when he possesses the will. The more I labour in the discharge of my duties, so much the more ability and inclination to labour do I constantly find within myself." A good Wish about hearing the Gospel. (From the Christian Guardian for Aug. 1819.) 1 shaphat, I may prefer one Micaiah before four hundred false prophets; yet that I may ever make a differ. ence betwixt an evil Minister's preaching and practice, and even when the Minister is full of grace, may so distinguish between the treasure and the vessel, as not to value the messenger for the messenger's sake, but to bid the workman welcome for the work's sake. I wish that I may be so sensible of my own inability to profit by this holy ordi. nance, and of the speaker's impotency to preach home to my conscience, that I may cry mightily to my God, that he would open my heart to receive the word with all affection, and so direct the arrows which the preacher taketh out of the quiver of Scripture, that they may hit and pierce my dearest corruptions. I desire that the consideration of the word's excellency may cause me to prize it highly: of its necessity may cause to me to improve it diligently; and of its efficacy may move me to go to hear (as a prisoner going to the bar,) to be tried for my everlasting life or death. I wish that the weight of the word may sink so deep into my heart, that I may never hear sermons to pick flowers of oratory, or to please my fancy, but to receive virtue from Christ, for the drying up my issue of sin, and that I might cleanse my ways by taking heed thereto according to God's word; that worldly thoughts may never hinder me from hearing the voice of my God. I wish that when I come into the place of worship I may sit myself solemnly as before the Judge of quick and dead, and as in the presence of the Lord, with fear and awe, give audience to his word. If I were hearkening to an earthly prince I would be serious: O, with what reverence should I hear from the blessed and only Potentate! because without application 0 the word will be unprofitable. I is sown, I may beg that the show- ed forth while the Minister was preaching, may ripen into practice; that whatsoever character others are known by, to be Christians, I may be known by this mark, to be one of Christ's sheep, even by hearing his voice, so as to follow him wheresoever he goeth. Though others, VOL. III. like petty chapmen, deal only in some particular commodities, and those such as will serve their own turns, I desire that I may deal with the word by wholesale, and esteem all God's precepts concerning all things to be right. O that I might order my whole conversation aright, and at the last see the salvation of my God! Amen. FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL. Abstract of the Proceedings of the 36th Annual Convention of the Diocess of New-Jersey, held in Trinity Church, Swedesborough, on the 18th and 19th Days of Aug. 1819. THE Convention was composed of the Right Rev. Bishop CROES, four Presbyters, and Lay Delegates from ten parishes. The Convention was opened with morning prayer by the Rev. John C. Rudd, Rector of St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town, and a charge to the Clergy by the Right Rev. Bishop. The Rev. John Croes, jun. was elected Secretary. On motion, resolved, that the thanks of the Convention be given to the Bishop, for his charge to the Clergy, delivered this day; and that he be requested to furnish a copy of it to be published. The Right Rev. Bishop Croes delivered the following Address. My Brethren, of the Clergy and Laity, By a canon of the Church, it is made my duty to address you at each annual Convention, on the affairs of the Diocess; and to state to you the events that have taken place since the previous meeting. In the prosecution of this duty, I inform you, that I have visited, and preached to, the vacant congregations at Amwell; at St. Thomas's Church, Alexandria; at Paterson; at St. Matthew's Church, Jersey; at Newton; at St. James's, Knowlton, where I also administered the communion; at St. George's Church, Penn's Neck; at St. John's, Salem; at St. Peter's, Berkeley; at St. Stephen's Church, Mullica-Hill; 44 at St. Thomas's Church, Glassborough; at St. Mary's Church, Colestown; at Trinity Church, Woodbridge; on three Sundays at St. Peter's Church, Spotswood, on one of which I administered the communion; on two occasions, at St. James's Church, Piscataway, on one of which I held a confirmation, on the other, administered the communion; and twice among the Episcopalians at Woodbury. I have also visited, and officiated at St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town; St. Peter's Church, Amboy; St. Andrew's Church, Mount-Holly; on two Sundays at St. Michael's Church, Trenton; and three times at Trinity Church, Swedesborough. I likewise visited, and held confirmations at Trinity Church, Newark, and St. Mary's Church, Burlington. The number confirmed in the three churches mentioned was fifty-five. I On Friday, the 7th May last, in Christ Church, New Brunswick, ordained to the holy order of Deacons, George H. Woodruff, of this Diocess. Since my last address, Clarkson Dunn has been admitted a candidate for Holy Orders. The Rev. Augustus Fitch, a Deacon of the Diocess of Connecticut, has, by a letter dismissory from the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, performing Episcopal offices, according to the canons, in that Diocess, been transferred to this; and is, at present, performing ministerial duties at the Chapel at Belleville. The Rev. Francis H. Cuming has returned from his mission to the Western States, and is officiating, in his clerical capacity, at Morris-Town, in this Diocess. The Rev. Daniel Higbee has discontinued his services as the minister of St. Mary's Church, Colestown, and is now residing at Moore's Town, without a cure. St. Mary's Church, therefore, is again vacant. The Rev. George H. Woodruff has, by authority from the Board of Directors of the Missionary Fund, been appointed a Missionary to the vacant churches of the Diocess, for one year, and is now engaged in his duties. St. Michael's Church, Trenton, has lately been taken down, and a new one, of much larger dimensions, and in a superior style, is now erecting on the site of the old one. St. James's Church, Piscataway, is undergoing repairs and improvements, directed by Mr Daniel Terrill, of St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town; who, from attachment to our Church, and zeal for its prosperity, has engaged in this laudable work. St. James's Church, at Knowlton, has been repaired and improved within the last year. St. Thomas's Church, at Alexandria, now almost in ruins, it is believed will be repaired this season. Licenses have been granted to Clarkson Dunn, a candidate in this Diocess, to officiate as a Lay Reader in the vacant churches at Woodbridge and Piscataway; and to Charles Mc Ilvaine, a candidate in the Diocess of Pennsylvania, to officiate, in the same capacity, at St. Mary's Church, Burlington, in the absence of its Rector, the Rev. Dr. Wharton. Since our last meeting I have been called upon to assist in the consecration of two Bishops, the Right Rev. Dr. Nathanael Bowen, for the Diocess of South-Carolina, and the Right Rev. Philander Chase, for the Diocess of Ohio. It cannot but give pleasure to the friends of the Church, that events so auspicious have taken place, especially the extension of the Episcopal Office to the States west of the Allegany Mountains, an object so long and so much desired. It adds to this pleasure, that the Diocess of Connecticut have lately elected for their Bishop the Rev. Thomas C. Brownell, of the Diocess of New-York. It is with great satisfaction I inform you, that the funds of " the Episcopal Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Piety," are increasing, and that during the year past, a considerable number of Bibles, Prayer Books, and religious Tracts, have been gratuitously distributed, especially among the vacant churches. The permanent fund now exceeds $800. The state of the Sunday Schools established in our churches continues to be flourishing. Much good, it is be lieved, results from these institutions, not only as it respects the literary, but moral and religious improvement of the pupils. The increase of them is much to be desired. On the whole, the state of the Church in this Diocess may be considered as improving. At no previous time have there been so many Clergymen resident in it, or so many regularly performing ministerial duties. I must not omit mentioning to you, that the Theological Seminary, established by an act of the last General Convention, has at length gone into operation. Whether it shall arise from its present humble commencement, to that dignity and importance which it is due to the character of the Episcopal Church of the United States to see that it possesses, must depend principally on the enlightened and pious views and liberal contributions of its members, especially of those upon whom God has bountifully bestowed wealth. It is to be hoped, that when the subject shall be fairly brought forward, in this Diocess, there will not be wanting a spirit, and an elevation of sentiment, that shall correspond with the greatness and utility of the object, and with that sense of self-respect, which every member of our ancient and apostolic Church should possess and cherish. ed to a good congregation in Trinity Church, Woodbridge, and baptized one adult ;-that he performed divine service and preached once, on a week day, in St. James's Church, Piscataway. The Rev. John Croes, jun. reported, that he had officiated in St. Peter's Church, Freehold, agreeably to appointment, twice on Sundays, since last Convention; that he administered the sacrament both times; and that he baptized in that church three children. The Rev. George Y. Morehouse reported, that, agreeably to the direction of the Bishop, he officiated at St. George's Church, Penn's Neck, on Sunday A. M. November the 22d, of last year; and on the same day, P. M. at St. John's Church, Salem, to a numerous auditory. The Rev. Mr. Wilmer reported, that he had, agreeably to appointment, officiated occasionally, in the vacant churches in his vicinity, viz. at Salem, Penn's Neck, Mullica-Hill, Glassborough, and Berkeley. The Bishop reported, in behalf of the Rev. Mr. Bayard, that he had, agreeably to his appointment, preached one Sunday at St. James's Church, Knowlton, and in the congregation of Christ Church, Hardwick; and one Sunday in Christ Church, New-Brunswick, in his, the Bishop's, absence, visiting the churches. The Bishop also reported, in behalf of the Rev. Mr. Carter, that he had, agreeably to appointment, officiated two Sundays in Christ Church, NewBrunswick, in his place, while performing his episcopal duties in other churches. Extract from a Report made to the Bishop, by the Rev. Francis H. Cuming, a Deacon in this Diocess. "Soon after my return, last fall, from a missionary tour to the westward, I commenced doing missionary duty in this state, and officiated as follows, viz. Nov. 15, 1818, -Three times at Paterson, -22, twice at Spotswood. -Dec. 13, once at Spotswood, once at Freehold, -14, once at Woodbridge. Feb. 28, 1819, once at Woodbridge. I was at Piscataway and Woodbridge on the 29th of November, but so inclement was the weather, that the people did not assemble for divine worship. On account of indisposition I was obliged to suspend my labours until the month of May, when I accepted of my present situation at Morris-Town. From that time, there has been service here regularly once, and occasionally twice, every Sunday. The number of Episcopalians in and about Morris, is between thirty and forty, though the number of hearers is much greater. The responses are made with great propriety, and apparent devotion. On the first of August the communion was administered by the Rev. Mr. Onderdonk-on which occasion, fourteen received that holy sacrament. Of these some were strangers. It is thought that a very respectable congregation may in time be raised in this place. Our Liturgy is generally admired, and there seems to be a prevailing wish, that there should be an Episcopal Church here. In addition to the services already enumerated, I officiated, June 20, 1819, once at New Vernon-July 18, once at Orange-24, once at Morris Plains-25, once at New-Vernon." It is but justice to the Rev. Mr. Cuming to observe, that his performance of ministerial duties, in the vacant churches in this diocess, on the several occasions stated in his report, were done without receiving any compensation from the Missionary Fund. From the reports of the Clergy of collections for the Missionary Fund, it appeared that $79 92 had been collected. The sum of $705 50 was reported to have been subscribed to the Episcopal Fund during the past year. The ninth article of the Constitution of the Church in this State was so altered as to read thus: At every Annual Convention, divine service shall be performed, and, in cases in which the Bishop shall not deliver a charge, a sermon, suitable to the occasion, shall be delivered, previously to entering on business; and these religious exercises shall com mence precisely at 11 o'clock A. M. on the stated day of meeting. The following resolutions were passed relative to the Episcopal Fund: Resolved 1st. That personal applications for subscriptions and donations to the said Fund, shall be continued as opportunities may present. Resolved 2dly. That it shall be the duty of every minister of the Church in this state, to cause a collection to be made for the Episcopal Fund, in the Church or Churches in which he regularly officiates, some time between the first of August and the first of November yearly; and if convenient, to preach a sermon suitable to the occasion. In case of the meeting of the Convention in any Church, the collection for that year shall be made there, at the time of such meeting. In vacant congregations, the collection for the above purpose shall be made either by the missionary, or by some clergymen who may visit such congregations, at whatever time of the year it may be found convenient. All such collections shall be immediately transmitted to the Treasurer of the Convention; and the Convention following shall determine what proportion of them shall be paid to the Bishop, in addition to the interest of the Fund, and what shall be added to the principal. On motion of the Rev. Mr Wilmer, resolved, that the thanks of the Convention be presented to the Rev. Mr. Rudd, for his indefatigable labours to augment the Episcopal Fund; and that he be respectfully requested to proceed in the business, when his convenience and judgment shall direct. The following gentlemen were elected the Standing Committee of the Diocess: The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Rev. James Chapman, the Rev. John Croes, jun. Robert Boggs, Esq. Peter Kean, Esq. James Parker, Esq. Charles Higbee, Esq. The following gentlemen were elected Delegates to the General Convention: The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Reva |