to the episcopate, and from the great extent of his diocese, the official returns are necessarily incomplete; sufficient however is evident, to shew that pure and undefiled religion is evidently increasing in this State. Attention is here paid to a class of people who, in most of the American States, are but too much neglected by other communions--we mean the people of colour; and many useful, moral, and religious tracts (among which is a catechism explanatory of the admirable summary of Christian doctrines and duties in the Common Prayer, edited under the authority of the Bishop and his Clergy), have been published and distributed by the Protestant Episcopal Society for the advancement of Christianity in South Carolina; these tracts are stated to be calculated to excite attention, to instruct the people in practical religion, and to attach them to the doctrine, discipline, and liturgy of the Church. The ladies in this diocese have, much to their credit, opened a subscription to establish a scholarship in the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, which is to be called the Dehon Scholarship, in honour of the memory of their late revered and beloved bishop.

IX. The diocese of Ohio is of very recent formation, and comprizes the state of Ohio, together with the western states of Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Missouri. The Right Rev. Philander Chase is the Bishop of this diocese, whose annual convention was held on the 6th and 7th of June, 1821. It is only little more than two years since the bishop of this interesting portion of the Church was consecrated, and the convention just noticed was only the fourth which has been held; yet the evidence it exhibits, of increasing attachment to the primitive faith and order, is highly animating, notwithstanding all the difficulties they have to encounter. Thirteen parishes were represented in this convention, by sixteen lay delegates, and parochial reports were received from ten, which contain 257 communicants. At present there are only five clergymen in the state of Ohio, exclusive of the bishops, the whole of whose address to the convention of his diocese, is too long to admit of insertion. The following passages, however, will shew that the episcopal duties, in the American Union, are those of a missionary, and the very circumstances of the country, exhibit a picture of journeyings often,' and of labours' most abundant,' which will remind our readers of the state of the primitive Church, when the Apostles first conveyed to the world the tidings of the Gospel. That Bishop Chase travelled in the course of the year (1820) on horseback, which is the only way of visiting the infant settlements of that country, a distance of twelve

hundred and seventy-nine miles, confirmed one hundred and seventy-four persons, baptized upwards of sixty adults and children, administered the Lord's Supper to more than two hundred and fifty, performed divine service and preached eighty-two times, besides attending, in several instances, the sick, the dying, and the afflicted, will exhibit to our readers that the bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Ame rica have succeeded not only to the office of the Apostles, but also to their labours and privations.

On Monday I rode to Portsmouth, 45 miles: here, from a very few, scarcely more than two or three families at first, the congregation has become comparatively large; and an unusual spirit of inquiry after truth, and fervour of devotion, seem to prevail among them. The evangelical doctrine and duties of Christianity, as set forth by our primitive Church, were the subject of conversations. On Wednesday, two o'clock, p m. divine service was held, and a sermon delivered at the court-house; the same duty was also performed at early candle-lighting; the congregations were large and attentive.'

"On Monday, after visiting and confirming a person on a sick bed (since deceased) I set off in company with the Rev. Mr. Morse, towards the south and east. We rode together about twelve or fifteen miles, and then separated; he going into Monroe county, to prepare the people for next Sunday's ministrations; and myself towards Marietta, a place which I had never before visited.'

"I had it not in my power, consistently with my engagements, to spend a Sunday in Marietta. I, however, held divine service, and preached three times on Wednesday, the 8th of August, twice in the meeting-house in Marietta, and once on Point Harman, opposite the town. On Thursday morning I administered the apostolic rite of confirmation to seven persons, and the incipient steps were taken towards forming a parish, by the name of St. Luke's church. Nothing, under the divine blessing, seemed wanting to complete the fondest expectations of the progress of primitive Chris tianity in this place, but the labours of a pious, learned, and active missionary for a few years.'

"Friday, 11th, I arrived, after a solitary ride across the almost entire wilderness, at Woodfield. Here, again, I met the Rev. Mr. Morse, and with him held divine service, he reading prayers, and myself delivering the sermon. As in the natural creation, since the earth was cursed for man's transgression, weeds, briars, and other noxious plants, first spring up and infest the soil, before salutary fruits can be cultivated, so in the settlement of new countries, few instances are found, especially where men are thrown suddenly together, as in the settlement of new county seats, in which licentiousness, immorality, and irreligion, do not prevail. The friends of virtue should not be discouraged, but rather animated to greater exertions by this. Every endeavour should be made, that the means of moral and religious cultivation should go as fast

and as far, as the field of usefulness extends. Of his ministers, our Lord requires this in particular. Would they could be assisted in this, by the means which God has committed to the Christian community, to that end! Then would the law of God and the Gospel ministry go, wherever man goes. Then would the weeds of sin be eradicated, ere they had taken such deep root as to defy cultivation.

On the 12th of August we rode through a new formed set> tlement, called Malaga. Here they are endeavouring to erect a building for some public worship; and, although it is to be built after the manner of cabins, with logs or hewn timber, yet it will afford a convenient place for worship and for Sunday schools, to instruct the ignorant, of which there is great need in this part of the State. Many of the heads of families in this vicinity, were baptized in the Church, and are desirous to bring their children up in the same; but they have no means of instruction, no stated services to train them in her doctrines and discipline. Could even a lay reader, or a pious catechist, be placed and maintained for a few years among them, the effects would, to all human view, be very salutary. Malaga is eight miles from Woodfield. We dined at a Mr. Fogle's in the neighbourhood, were kindly treated, and passed on to Mr. Dement's, on Seneca Fork of Will's Creek, where the last year I held divine service; the evening was spent in exhortation and prayer. On the morning of the 13th of August, Sunday, according to the appointment previously made by the Rev. Mr. Morse, divine service was held in the woods, the congregation being too large to be otherwise accommodated. Here, my voice having failed me to a considerable degree, Mr. Morse read prayers and preached. I had, however, the ability to deliver a short address. In the intermission I did the same. The afternoon was spent in the same way, the sermon being delivered, though with much difficulty, by myself. Thus ended our labours at this place. Need I repeat here, what it is my duty so often to repeat, my deep impressions of the great need of missionaries! When will you come again? What hopes have we for public instruction? When will our children, and the rising generation, be rescued from the ignorance which pervades our infant settlements? When will Gospel ordinances be administered among us? These were the questions which met us every where. What answer could be returned? Pray constantly and fervently to the great, the heavenly Husbandman, that he would send forth labourers into the harvest.

"We rode, the same evening, to Mr. Bryan's, and next day to Mr. Wendall's, on Little Beaver. Here, Monday 14th, divine service was performed. Mr. Morse read prayers, and the sermon was delivered by myself. Measures are taking Measures are taking in this neighbourhood, by the pious zeal of Mr. Wendall's family and neighbours, to erect a church strictly devoted to the services of our primitive communion and I have since heard they have made considerable progress in the good work. May the Lord's blessing, attend their endeavours, and crown them with complete success !

"Same day rode through Barnesville to Mr. Taylor's, in the neighbourhood of Morristown; and, as his family had not been baptized, I spent the evening in discoursing on the nature and necessity of that holy sacrament. August 15th, Tuesday afternoon, performed divine service in Morristown; the Rev. Mr. Morse preached. At candle lighting, the service was again performed by Mr. Morse, the sermon by myself, and four adults and seven children were baptized. August 16th, the Rev. Mr. Morse read prayers, and myself preached, explained the liturgy, and administered confirmation to six persons. On Friday divine ser vice was performed, a sermon preached, and one child baptized, by myself. Saturday morning prayer was celebrated, and Mr. Morse preached a sermon. Same day, evening prayer and a sermon by myself. This day also were baptized four adults and four children. On Sunday, August 20, divine service was performed, confirmation administered to fourteen persons, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to eighteen persons; a discourse was delivered by myself, on the obligation and efficacy of Christian ordinances. Afternoon of the same day evening prayer, and a sermon preached by myself. At early candle lighting, a third service, and the Rev. Mr. Morse preached.

"In all our services at St. Clairsville, I felt sensibly the blessings of divine grace, in disposing the hearts of the large congregations who attended, to apparent seriousness and great decorum of behaviour. Surely, thought I, the Lord is in this place, and will bless the ministration of his word and sacraments.'

"From St. Clairsville we proceeded through Harrisville, to Mr. Finley's, the old man of whom I spake to you with so much interest, in a former communication. We found him yet alive in spirit, in faith, and good works; though in body, by reason of the palsy, almost a tenant of the grave. To attempt a full description of this second visitation to this venerable man and his numerous and affectionate family, would resemble romance rather than a grave discourse of useful facts. I cannot, therefore, indulge myself in it.

"Though it was late in the day when we arrived, yet the family and neighbours, to a considerable distance, were quickly informed, and as quickly assembled. Divine service was performed, and a sermon and exhortation given the same evening. It must be recollected, that these pious families are situated in the woods, ten miles from St. James's church, to which they belong. This distance almost precludes a great portion of them from attending divine services at St. James's, were even those regularly and constantly performed there; but when it is remembered that this church is open but a small portion of the year, the neighbourhood of the Finleys may be considered as almost destitute. In their ardent desires for the means of grace, how lamentable that they cannot be supplied! How much good could a pious minister do here! But they lack the means, at present, of his support; consequently, their case is almost hopeless. Twenty communi

cants received the blessed sacrament of the Lord's Supper, on this day, the twenty-second, in Mr. Finley's cabin; an address was made on Christian duties, by myself; and the morning prayers were read, and a child baptized, by the Rev. Mr. Morse. How interesting these duties here, amid such a family! The venerable man, like Jacob, surrounded by his offspring, praying for blessings. on their heads, exhorting to good works, and leading the way to the kingdom of glory. Craving the episcopal blessing, and with tears wishing prosperity to the Church of God, the good man bade us farewell." Gospel Advocate, Oct. 1821, p. 317.

"Having mentioned Portsmouth, a flourishing place at the junction of the Sciota with the Ohio river, I should not obtrude any additional observations concerning it, were it not for the increased interest which that place excited, by a second visit during this last year. An unusual spirit of religious inquiry, as to the apostolic means of salvation, scems here to lead to very happy results. It needs but the divine blessing on the performance of our primitive services among them, even but a portion of the time, to ensure great success to the Church in this place. On this second visitation my services were almost incessant. On Sunday, the 10th of December, four adults and three children were baptized, eight persons were confirmed, and the holy communion was administered to an increased number. Amidst many inquiries, when will you come again to see us? and when are we to have the stated means of grace?'-I left this infant society, with many prayers in their behalf." Ibid. p. 319.

In performing this almost continual and fatiguing duty, it is no wonder (as this primitive bishop announced to his clergy and people) that he found his constitution much impaired and his voice almost gone.' In consequence of the view of the spiritual wants of the diocese thus presented by the bishop to the convention, they readily concurred in his värious suggestions for the spread of religion, and authorized him to prepare, and transmit to the several bishops of the United States, an address, setting forth the great necessities of the Church within the diocese of Ohio, and soliciting their aid and assistance in procuring missionaries to reside therein.' The following passages from this apostolic ' address' (a copy of which is now before us) we cannot withhold from our readers.

"The map of Ohio will show you the extent of our charge. Our extreme parishes, as those of Cincinnati and Ashtabula, are distant, each from the other, rising of three hundred miles. In other directions their distance is not much less. On this vast surface our settlements are thinly scattered; and among these settle ments are mingled the members of our primitive Church. Having emigrated from places where the pleasant things of our Zion were. +