The Redeemer established his Church, that it should extend to all nations the blessings of his religion. What deep anxiety, what lively interest, what liberal contribution, what faithful exertion in the good cause of being instrumental in the enlargement of its borders, should be excited by witnessing so great a portion of the globe still wrapped in heathen darkness, still the votaries of the religion that mere reason can afford with all its superstitions, its idolatries, its cruelties, and follies! Christians; unite your prayers, enlarge your bene factions, contribute, in your respective spheres, your faithful and unwearied exertions, to build up that Church, to bring within its holy pale all over whom you may have influence, to increase the faith, the zeal, devotion, and piety of its members, whereby its light may shine before men, to the glorifying of its divine Head and Pre

server.

Here, indeed, so crying are the

wants at home, that without injustice

to our own household, we can give but little more than our blessings and prayers to the exertions of that church whose preeminent advantages mark it out as designed by Providence to bear the glad tidings of the Gospel to the remote corners of the earth. Let those blessings and prayers be with them; and remembering a fervent supplication for ourselves, let us, in humble reliance on Divine direction

and aid, bestow our utmost efforts to lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes of the spiritual tabernacle, the church of God, which he has reared up in our land. We shall thus contribute to the great work most faithfully and effectually, within the sphere which appears to be prescribed by Providence to our present exertions,

On our brethren in this city, now that the stated time is at hand for soliciting their contributions in aid of the extensive usefulness, and in relief of the crying necessities of the missionary cause, we would respectfully and earnestly press this subject. Ó that we could bring to their ears the heart-rending complaints of spiritual

deprivation, and the earnest entreaties for spiritual help, which are perpetually heard in the new settlements of our state! that, for a moment, they could see the opportunities, daily lost, of laying, under most promising circumstances, the foundation of churches which, in a few years, would gladly and ratefully relinquish foreign aid; and the triumphs malignantly exhibited by irreligion and vice, where, by a little exertion-rendered impossible through want of means the pure doctrines of the cross might diffuse their holy influence! Their

hearts would melt. Their own dis

tinguished religious privileges would excite pity for their suffering brethren. In the rich edifices, and amidst

the decent and impressive solemnities of their worship, they would think of those whose hearts would dance for

joy, could they, but in humblest buildings, and with homeliest appenda

ges, be blessed with the ministrations of God's ambassadors. They would

fairly weigh the merit of every claim upon their pious liberality; and this would, rejoicing, wait the issue.

The third Annual Report of the NewYork Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, instituted to assist the Authority of the Church in the Support of Missionaries, presented at the Anniversary Meeting, held in Trinity Church, December 7, 1819.

Trinity Church, December 7, 1819, THIS being the third Anniversary of the Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, pursuant to public notice, the Society assembled in the Vestry Room of Trinity Church. The Rev. THOMAS LYELL, Rector of Christ Church, was called to the chair, and THOMAS N. STANFORD appointed Secre

its funds. The multiplicity of previously established charitable associations having claims upon the public bounty, forbade the hope of any considerable accession of funds, by the ordinary means of annual subscriptions; the Board therefore deemed it expedient to appoint a committee to make arrangements for having a Sermon and Collection for the benefit of the Society, both as it respected the augmentation of its funds and its more particular introduction to the favourable notice of their fellow Episcopalians. Accordingly, with the consent of the Rector of St. George's Church, in this city, a sermon, to be preached by him, and a collection for the benefit of the Society, were appointed in that church on Sunday evening, the 20th of December last. To excite

a higher degree of interest, and thus to insure a crowded audience, they addressed and distributed nearly five hundred printed invitations to respectable heads of Episcopal families. The various duties of that Committee were arduous, and demanded the sacrifice of considerable time, which might have been profitably devoted to their pri

York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society" deem it an essential part of their duty, to express their gratitude to the "Giver of every good and perfect gift," for their individual preservation during the past year, for the continued existence of the Society over which they have presided, and for the opening of its greater future usefulness.

The importnace of this Institution, as one of the means of extending the "Borders of our Zion," and proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation by her apostolic ministry, demanded the utmost exertion of the Board of Directors to augment

faithfully and diligently performed, and the sacrifice cheerfully borne, in the delightful anticipation of being amply rewarded by a liberal collection. Their expectations were not disappointed. It is proposed, the present year, to have a Sermon and Collection in Grace Church, in this city.

The sum of $926 31 have been received into the treasury during the past year, including $167 17, the balance of last year; five hundred and five dollars of which was collected in St. George's Church. The current expenses have amounted to $157 98, which includes the printing of the second Annual Re

port, and the expenses in St. George's Church. Seven hundred and fifty dollars have been paid into the General Missionary Fund, and the balance remaining amounts to $17 45.

Although the constitutional period for the payment of the annual subscriptions is the first Tuesday in December of each year, the collection of them has heretofore taken place in the months of September and October, in order to place all the funds of the Society at the disposal of the "Committee for Propagating the Gospel," at or before the meeting of the Convention; at which time it was understood the Missionaries generally received their salaries. The existence of malignant fever in our city, the consequent dispersion of a large proportion of our subscribers, and the general derangement of financial affairs, were the reasons assigned by the Treasurer for having omitted to make the collections at the usual time. These reasons were accepted, as satisfactory by the Board, and directions given further to postpone them until after the anniversary meeting. Board, in the early part of this year, anticipated the gratification of paying into the "General Missionary Fund" the sum of $1250; and but for the operation of unusual causes, this anticipation would have been realized. The sum yet to be collected on account of this year's subscription amounts to nearly $650, deducting probable losses.

The

The scheme of forming Parochial Auxiliary Missionary Associations throughout the Diocess, by many may have been thought to be more an effort of well intended zeal, than the result of sober calculation, founded upon a comprehensive view of the state of the Church. It was not expected that such associations would be instantly

and simultaneously formed, or that every part of the system could be brought into immediate and efficient operation. On the contrary, it was felt and acknowledged to be an arduous undertaking, in the accomplishment of which many, and almost insuperable difficulties would occur; but it was also felt to be essentially important to the future well-being of the Church; it was believed to be practicable, and that ultimate success, by the blessing of Providence, would be the reward of patient perseverance. Undismayed, therefore, by difficulties, however formidable in prospect, your Board of Directors determined to make an effort, that should correspond with the high importance of the object to be accomplished.

A circular letter was addressed to every Clergyman in the Diocess having the charge of one or more parishes; from several of whom letters have been received, approving the plan, and promising their exertions to assist the Society, by forming associations as soon as a favourable opportunity shall offer. In the city of Albany an Auxiliary Society has been formed. The prompt attention of the Episcopalians of that city to the circular, demands the public acknowledgment of our gratitude.

In the parish of St. Stephen's, in this city, (of which the Rev. Mr. Feltus is Rector) a Missionary Association has been formed. The second article of its constitution declares its object to be " to assist the Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church for Propagating the Gospel in the State of NewYork, as appointed by the State Convention." It would have contributed to the gratification of the Board, to have announced that association as an auxiliary to this; but its object being the same with our own, we joyfully hail it as a sister society, and heartily wish it "God speed" in its good work.

The constitution of the "Geneva Missionary Society" has been altered, so as to make it an auxiliary to this society. It has given a practical evidence of its ability to become an efficient aid, by the transmission of sixty dollars to our Treasurer. The Secretary of that society, in his letter, observes, "that in compliance with the above resolution begs leave to state, that this society, since its formation, has increased rapidly; it consists at present of upwards of one hundred members, and continues to increase daily. It has excited considerable interest in our little village. Each member pays annually one dollar." It is worthy of remark, that it is but a few years since that "Geneva" and its vicinity was a field for missionary labour, without a place of worship, and with but few Episcopal families; that it now has a neat and commodious house of worship, a flourishing congregation, is enabled not only to make a competent provision for its settled Clergyman, but to assist in furnishing to others that description of aid which was formerly extended to them. These facts are honourable evidences of the pious zeal of the Episcopalians of that place, and of the Missionaries who laboured among them. They also afford animating encouragement to this society to persevere, with unabated diligence, in its favourite scheme. Having began an important work, let us not look back, let us not relax our exertions, let us continue to invoke the blessing of Jehovah, and if we " faint not," we shall reap the rich reward and consolation of knowing that we have been instrumental in originating and fostering a system that may hereafter be the means of sending forth the " living Teacher" to re

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pair the waste, and to exchange "the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise," in the desolate places of "our Zion," long after we shall have submitted to the stroke of death, and gone hence, to render an account of the deeds " done in the body."

The Bishop has furnished the Committee with that part of his address to the late Convention which relates to the subject of Missionaries; which, on account of the information contained in it, and the pressing necessity which it exhibits for an increase of Missionary contributions, the Board deem proper to subjoin to their Report.

Extract from the Address of the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart to the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, October 20,

1819.

"The importance of Missionary labours, and the zeal and fidelity with which our Missionaries discharge their arduous duties, cannot be too highly appreciated. To those labours we are indebted, under the Divine blessing, for the organization of many new congrega. tions in various parts of the state. I lament, however, to say, that the Missionary Fund does not admit of our sending Missionaries to many situations where their labours are earnestly desired, and would be eminently useful; and thus many opportunities are lost of establishing congregations of our Church. In my visitations of the Diocess, I have seen many places "white unto the harvest," but there were no labourers to "put in the sickle." I have had my feelings often awakened by the anxious inquiry of those who, from the paucity of their numbers, and the inadequacy of their means, are unable to procure the ministrations of the word and ordinances-Can you not supply us with Missionary services

48

and thus establish among us the Church to which we are attached? And I have been compelled to depress their earnest desires by an answer in the negative.

"The stipend allowed to each Missionary for the last year was only $175; the remainder of their support depending on the contributions of the congregations among whom they officiate. The Missionary Fund, which is under the direction of the Bishop and a Committee chosen annually by the Convention, entitled "the Committee for Propagating the Gospel in the State of New-York," has for two years past derived considerable aid from the "New-York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society," who place their funds at the disposal of. this Committee; to whom, with the Bishop, the Missionary business is confided by the Canons of the Church. But the other sources from which the Missionary Fund is supplyed (the contributions of the congregations) have so much diminished in the past year, that the Committee, so far from indulging the gratifying prospect of sending Mssionaries to many places where they are wanted, will be under the necessity of diminishing the number of the present Missionaries, or of reducing their small stipends. My brethren, what is to be done? I see the contributions of Episcopalians extended to religious institutions not immediately connected with their own Church. I see their bounty flowing in channels that convey it to "earth's remotest ends," and yet many of their fellow Episcopalians in this State are destitute of the ministrations and ordinances of the Church, and unable, from their poverty, to procure them. Many of their own clergy are labouring as Missionaries on a scanty stipend, which, from the inadequacy of the Missionary Fund, must be

reduced. It would be presumptuous, and it would be useless for me to attempt to control their bounty. But having seen and felt, being perpetually called to see and feel, the spiritual wants of many of those of whom I have the charge, may I not be permitted, in the strong impulse of duty, to askif the bounty of Episcopalians now generally distributed, were confined to their own household, till the wants of that household were supplyed; if their contributions for religious purposes were bestowed on Missionary, Bible, and Common Prayer Book Societies, and other institutions under the exclusive control of their own Church, would they violate any apostolic precept; any dictate of a sound and enlightened benevolence; or fail in the duty of extending in its purest form the kingdom of the Redeemer?""

Deeply sensible of the high importance of the matters contained in the foregoing extract, and of the soundness of the principles it inculcates, the Board cannot repress their desire, earnestly to recommend them to the serious consideration of their fellow Episcopalians. Let it not be said, that we are less solicitous for, and faithful to, the interests of our Church than other denominations; let us not be reproached for our indifference to the diffusion of religious principles, as maintained by our venerable Church. Our Zeal, our exertions, our pious contributions are due to her. In the exercise of our benevolence and Christian zeal, let us invariably act upon the same consistent and prudential principles which govern us in the common affairs of life, and our Church will never want our best, our most ardent efforts for her good.

The Board commend their suc