Page images
PDF
EPUB

October, 1821. The clergy of that diocese consist of the bishop and eighty clergymen, of whom sixty-five are presbyters, and fifteen deacons. Of these, four presbyters are without cures, and four presbyters and two dea cons are instructers of youth in colleges, academies, and private schools. There are, therefore, but seventy parochial clergymen be side the bishop, while there are one hundred and twenty-four congregations. In one of these, the church at Plattsburgh, the reverend Mr. Clapp, of Vermont, officiates one third of his time. The convention consisted of the bishop, fifty-two clergymen, and eighty laymen, the representatives of forty-two congrega tions in twenty counties. In the course of the year preceding the convention, the bishop ordained six deacons and four presbyters, instituted one presbyter, consecrated three churches, laid the corner stone of a new church in the city of New York, and administered confirmation, in various parts of the diocese, to three hundred and sixty-four per

sons.

"The rite of confirmation," he observes, "has been so frequently administered in the various congregations, that it is not to be expected the numbers confirmed will be so great as heretofore. It is a circumstance, however, gratifying to every friend of our church, to know, that in the western district particularly, and at Turin, on the Black river, the persons confirmed, principally of adult age, were, with few exceptions, those who, not educated in our church, had embraced it from a conviction of the soundness of its principles, and of its affording, eminently, the means of spiritual edification, and those apostolick ministrations and ceremonies by which their communion is to be established and maintained with that Redeemer who, through his church, conveys the blessings of his salvation." There are now thirteen candidates for orders, and "nearly as many, at New York and at the academy at Geneva, are engaged in the preparatory studies, and some of them are ready to apply for admission as candidates for orders." Among the deacons, ordained by the bishop, one is a respectable coloured man, who officiated in the African church, called St. Philip's, in New York, where, the bishop observes, "he was collecting a large congregation, who exhibited much order and devotion in the exercise of worship." We speak of these exertions as past, and not present, because we have learned that the church was unhappily destroyed by fire in December last.

To give our readers some idea of the labours of the very active and indefatigable bishop of New York, we extract the following passages from the register of his proceedings: "In the month of February I visited the westeru part of the state; induced to this journey, at this unfavourable season, principally with a view to consecrate the churches

[ocr errors]

at Rochester and Buffalo, and to make arrangements with respect to the branch theological school, which had been fixed at Geneva. On the eighteenth of the month I officiated at that place; and on the twentieth consecrated the new church at Rochester, by the name of St. Luke's church, and confirmed ten persons; and, the following day, admitted the reverend Francis H. Cuming, the officiating minister thereof, (who had recently removed from Binghamton,) to the holy order of priests. It gave me great satisfaction to see a respectable and increasing congregation established in a flourishing village, the site of which, at the falls of the Genesee river, a few years since, was a wilderness. On the twenty-third I officiated to the congregation at Avon, and the following day at Geneseo, both on the Genesee river; and on the twenty-fifth consecrated a neat and commodious edifice, on the banks of lake Erie, at Buffalo, by the name of St. Paul's church. This is also, comparatively, a new village, having been settled but little more than twenty years; and I experienced high gratification in witnessing the spirited exertions of the congregation in the erection of their edifice. Confirmation was administered to about twenty persons.

"On the first of March I performed service at Batavia, on the second at Le Roy, and on the Sunday, the fourth, at Canandaigua; on the fifth at Richmond, and on the eighth at Auburn on the ninth at Onondaga court-house; on the eleventh at Utica, and on the fourteenth at Albany."

"In the months of August and September I officiated as follows: August ninth, at Catskill, the eleventh at Waterville, and the Sunday, the twelfth, at Delhi, the county town of Delaware, where a congregation was organized a few years since, which promises to be numerous and respectable; Tuesday, the fourteenth, at Unadilla, and confirmed seven; Thursday, the sixteenth, at Catharinetown, and confirmed twelve. This congregation, though only supplied, for several years past, a few times every year with the services of a missionary, still keep up their numbers, and retain their attachment to the church. This is in no small degree to be attributed to their meeting regularly for worship, having the service and sermons read by a lay reader. On Sunday, the nineteenth, I performed divine service at Angelica, the county town of Alleghany. This was only the second time that divine service, according to the forms of our church, had been performed in that place by a clergyman; the reve rend Mr. Phelps, who for some time was the only missionary in the western district, having performed service here several years ago. This is one of the many places in which our church could be established, if it could be supplied with missionary aid. From Angeli

[ocr errors]

ca I visited, on the twenty-second, the congregation at Buffalo, and admitted the reverend Deodatus Babcock to the holy order of priests, and confirmed four persons; the twenty-sixth officiated at Batavia; the twenty-eighth at Geneseo: the twenty-ninth at Richmond, in the morning, and in the evening at Canandaigua, and confirmed seventeen persons; the thirtieth at Geneva, and confirmed thirty-seven; the first of September at Waterloo, and confirmed eighteen persons; the second at Auburn, and confirmed fortyone; the fourth at Onondaga, and confirmed thirty-eight; and the fifth at Manlius, and confirmed eighteen, and admitted Phineas L. Whipple to the order of deacons.

"From the western district I proceeded to the northeastern section of the state, and officiated at Turin, on the Black river, on Sunday, the ninth, and confirmed twenty five persons; on Wednesday, the twelfth, I officiated at Waddington, on the St. Lawrence, and confirmed seven persons. This congregregation has been for some time destitute of the services of a clergyman, but has been kept together by the judicious services of a lay reader. The next day, the thirteenth, I officiated at Ogdensburg, where a handsome stone edifice, for publick worship, is in considerable forwardness; and the evening of the fourteenth at Sackett's Harbour. On the morning of Sunday, the sixteenth, I officiated at the Holland patent, in the town of Trenton, where there is a sinall congregation, whose exertions are deserving of particular notice. They have raised and enclosed a building for worship, principally by the contributions of two individuals, in moderate circumstances; with both of whom I conversed, and found them possessed of that knowledge of the church, and attachment to its principles, which induced them to think no exertions too great to obtain its invaluable services. This congregation has enjoyed but seldom the ministrations of a clergyman. In the afternoon of the same day I performed divine service in the village of Oldenbarneveld; on the eighteenth I officiated at Johnstown, and instituted the reverend Parker Adams rector of the church, formerly of this diocese, who had removed to South Carolina, from whence he had recently returned; I also confirmed eight persons. On the follow ing day I instituted the reverend Alexis P. Proal to the rectorship of the church at Schenectady, to which place he had removed from Johnstown, and confirmed twenty-eight persons. On Sunday, the twenty-third, I officiated at Goshen."

Parochial reports were presented to the Convention from 57 congregations, as follows: Baptisms in 54 congregations 1319. Marriages in 46 Funerals in Communicants in 55 dv.

do. 43 do.

336.

1114.

5168.

To these numbers are to be added 239 baptisms, 26 marriages, 75 funerals, and 375 communicants, reported by the missionaries, making a total in the state of New York, as far as reported, of 1558 baptisms, 362 marriages, 1189 funerals, and 5543 communicants.

From the report of the committee for propagating the gospel, of which the bishop, by virtue of his office, is president, it appears that there are thirteen missionaries employed, eleven of whoin receive a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per annum. It is the duty of each missionary to make an annual report of his labours to the bishop, and from the reports thus presented, the bishop, as president of the committee, makes a condensed report to the convention. We give the following extracts, not only to show the exertions made in the diocese of New York to build up the Redeemer's kingdom, but also as an evidence of the great importance of missionary labours throughout our nation.

The lamentable state of religion, owing to the divisions among Christians, and that even in the old and more thickly settled parts of the state, is very strikingly exhibited in the report of the reverend Samuel Fuller, missionary in Albany and Greene counties. "Soon after my return from convention, last year," says he, "proposals were made for my officiating at Rensselaerville the greater part of the time the ensuing year. It was thought that the situation of the church in this place rendered such a measure highly important.

When the church was built, principally at the expense of a few individuals, and under many discouraging circumstances, it was the expectation of the society to be furnished with the services of a clergyman the greater part of the time. But, owing to various cir cumstances, which it is not now necessary to mention, it has been supplied, until within the last year, but a little more than half the time. With well-established episcopalians, this circumstance could not have materially affected the prosperity of the society. But, it is to be remembered, that it was composed of people, who, until within a few years, were wholly unacquainted with the service of the church; and a number of them, although they appeared to harbour no hostility to the church, and joined in using the service, yet would not be unwilling to unite with a society of another denomination, provided there was a prospect of such society's becoming more numerous and more permanent than the church.

"In this part of the country many societies of Christians are very fluctuating. It is a serious difficulty with them to provide means to support their preachers. These societies have no funds, and their preachers are supported principally by subscription; and it is difficult to find people sufficiently united in

sentiment to raise a sum adequate to the support of a preacher of any one denomination. "Taking these considerations into view, it was the wish of the episcopalians, that the church might be opened every Sunday, or nearly so.

"Being myself anxious for the prosperity of that society, which, under the divine Head of the church, I was instrumental of forming, and in some measure of preserving, I consented to devote the greater part of my services to this church for one year, provided the measure should not be disapproved by yourseif; and, I am happy to state, that the success of this arrangement has, in a good degree, answered the expectations of the friends of the measure. The congregation has been respectable, and the worship has been conducted with order and propriety. It is due to them to say, that, in no country church that I have visited, have I seen the worship conducted with more decency and order.

"Owing, in part, to an unsettled state of religious opinion, as it respects some individuals who usually attend the church, there have been few baptisms, and few additions to the communion. But, should the society assume that stability which would present a reasonable prospect of its continuance and increase, there is reason to believe that some, who are now wavering, will come forward and receive baptism for themselves and for their children, and will unite with the church in communion at the Lord's table."

(To be continued.)

Account of the missionary institution at Basle, extracted from the appendix to the report of the church missionary society, for the year 1819-20.

In the year 1815, some Christians of Bâsle, struck with the immense disproportion between the number of the people yet walking in darkness, and that of the missionaries sent to them by Christian churches, resolved to establish a seminary, for the purpose of training young evangelists; and of thus furnishing to the different missionary societies, subjects qualified to undertake the office of ministers to the heathen. The new establishment was placed under the direction of a committee, consisting of respectable pastors and professors; and Mr. Blumhardt, who was eminently fitted for this difficult post, was appointed inspector. The seminary, thus constituted, opened in the summer of 1816 with ten pupils, from eighteen to twenty-eight years of age; who possessed indeed but little learning, but appeared to be animated with a truly Chris tian spirit, and a disposition to surrender themselves without reserve to their arduous calling.

In the daily instruction which these pupils received, their attention was particularly directed to such objects as might establish

them in the faith, at the same time that they were initiated in the knowledge of the lauguages and sciences indispensable in the vocation which they had embraced. Their rapid progress and their happy dispositions manifested that the blessing of God rested on the seminary, and filled its founders with joy and courage. Their zeal increased with their thankfulness, when they perceived in how remarkable a manner divine providence preserved and protected the seminary during the scarcity of 1816 and 1817; while the faith and piety displayed by the pupils, under circumstances which had well nigh caused the ruin of the establishment, furnished them with fresh cause to praise the Lord for his good

ness.

It was at first intended that the students should remain three years at Bâsle; but their devotedness to the cause in which they had engaged, and the necessities of the various missions, caused their stay in the institution to be shortened.

The number of ten bad,

indeed, been soon reduced to seven; one having been compelled, on account of ill health, to relinquish a career of which he would not have been able to undergo the fatigue, and two having entered the service of the Netherlands missionary society before they could finish a regular course of study at Bâsle. Iu the autumn of 1818, the remaining seven departed for their several destinations. Five of them joined their companions in the Netherlands, and two were engaged by the church missionary society.

In the spring of 1818, the directors of the institution had entered into correspondence with the church missionary society, for the purpose of offering the services of such of their pupils, as might be qualified by their preparatory studies to act as missionaries in British India. This letter contained the most encouraging view of the interest excited in Germany and Switzerland in favour of missions. It stated that there appeared, in those coun tries, an increasing readiness to take an active part in diffusing the knowledge of Jesus Christ among the heathen; but that their geographical and political situation precluding any direct co-operation in the cause, no other way seemed at present open to their exertions, than that of preparing pious and able missionaries for the service of the gospel, and of thus strengthening the hands of the missionary societies already established in other countries. With respect to the future prospects of the institution, it was intimated that twenty pious and hopeful young men had already solicited to be received as students, whenever a new course of instruction should be entered on; and the directors, after expressing a hope that the contributions of their German and Swiss brethren would enable them to maintain eight of these at their own expense, proposed to the church missionary

society to authorize them to receive eight more; for each of whom the expenses of board, apparel, and instruction, could be defrayed at the moderate rate of twenty-five pounds per annum. These proposals were accepted on the part of the church missionary society.

So propitious a commencement indicated the divine protection, and subsequent events justified all the hopes which had been conceived. The relations established by the institution with missionary societies, the increasing opportunities of affording instruction to pupils, and the earnestness with which missionaries were called for among the heathen, were so many favourable circumstances which concurred to animate the founders of the seminary to follow up their pious undertaking with redoubled vigour. A second course of instruction, of three years, accordingly commenced, under the superintendance of Mr. Blainhardt, assisted by Mr. Schlatter of St. Gall, and by some pastors and ministers of Basle. The number of pupils was limited to twenty, of whom sixteen were admitted in the first instance, and three more have been subsequently added.

The number of students being doubled, the directors were soon aware that the house which they had hitherto occupied would no longer suffice for the increased wants of the establishment. They resolved, therefore, to build another, which should afford the requisite space for fifty or sixty pupils in case their number should be still further augmented, of which there was every prospect. The reiterated and urgent cries of so many labourers in the heathen vineyard for help, made them feel it their duty to use every means of extending their operations. The students were accommodated in a large building, assigned for their use by the council of Bâsle until a new edifice could be erected and the difficulties which might have arisen from the want of adequate funds, were most opportunely removed by the contributions of many, whose deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. "Considering the impoverished circumstances of so many inhabitants of our country," writes Mr. Blumhardt to the secretary, "the greatest part of our friends have surpassed, by their gifts of love, not only our most sanguine expectations, but even their own fortunes; and it would steal away tears of joy from your eyes, to see the mites of widows and day-labourers committed with the greatest willingness to this holy cause."

[ocr errors]

OBITUARY.

Day after day prepares the funeral shroud; "The world is gray with age; the striking hour

"Is but an echo of death's summons loud"The jarring of the dark grave's prison door."

Death, in its multifarious destruction, rare. ly occurs under more affecting circumstances, than in the subject of the present notice. The publick prints have informed our readers of the sad disaster that occurred at Durham, Connecticut, on Thursday, of the past week. In the act of passing a brook, excessively swollen by the late store, the bridge fell, and precipitated the mail stage into the flood. Of the three persons it contained, two perished, Mr. John Temple Palmier and cap. tain Prentiss, both of this town.

Mr. Palmer was the eldest son of William L. Palmer, esquire, and of Augusta, a ughter of the late sir John Temple. He took leave of his friends here to enbark at New York on the twenty-fifth instant, with a view to join his parents, and return with them, shortly, to this country. His fate is surrounded with darkness, and with melancholy, even to those by whom he was unknown. To be drowned in a stream so sinall as to be almost nameless, and in a manner beyond human foresight, and almost beyond conception, excites our feelings, whoever may be the subject. But, in this case, other circumstances heighten the gloomy interest. He was at an age when the hopes of his friends were to be realized. His life, thus far, had been a continued scene of arduous preparation-how arduous, may be inferred from the fact, that, at the age of twentytwo, he had attained an unusual knowledge of the Greek, including the Romaick, and the Latin; and of the French and German languages. Besides the authors in these, he had read many of the best works of Italy and Spain, in their original languages.

In disposition, he was averse, partly from diffidence and modesty, to much intercourse with the world. But for his friends his regard was ardent. Having obtained his education in early life, under the care of the reverend Dr. Gardiner, of this place, whom he was ever pleased to compare with the most conspicuous men of Europe, he spent more than eight years at Eton, in Germany, and Italy, and returned to read the law in his native country. He pursued his studies with his respected relative, Mr. Emmet, of New York, and at our university. He had been two years absent from parents, and brothers, and sisters, for whom his attachment was boundless; and, under the buoying expectation of joining their circle in France, death, in an unexpected and horrifick form, dashes from him these pleasing hopes. Instead of greet. ing parents, the cold arms of death embrace him. The ship that would have borne him to them, carries the intelligence of his sudden decease.

The death of a young gentleman of Mr.

Palmer's age is apt soon to be forgotten, except by his suffering friends. He has, generally, been employed in his study, or in some unimportant preparatory occupation. He has produced little for the publick; and nothing remains long to recall his memory. The history of one is that of all: Pulveris exiqui sparget non longa vetustas Congeriem, bustun.que cadet, mortisque pe

ribunt

Argumenta tuæ.

The melancholy duty devolved upon him, who could alone divulge the author's name, to inform those who have, on the pages of the Gospel Advocate, enjoyed, it is believed, the only pleasing translation of the Messias, that Mr. Palmer they are indebted for this pleasure. Under a hope, perhaps coloured by regard for Mr. Palmer, that his memory will, by this means, avoid the common fate, and be cherished with pleasing associations, his friend assumed the responsibility of making this disclosure. He that would criticise should bear in mind, that the pieces are anonymous, and without ostentation or parade. A poet only, acquainted with the original, should be that critick.

May that Messias, whose benignity and whose sufferings are so winningly portrayed, by Mr. Palmer, in our native tongue, receive him to that bliss, which even poetick feeling cannot conceive.

CONSECRATION, AND OBITUARY NOTICE. On Thursday morning, January 17, Trinity church, in Catharine, between Second and Third streets, in the district of Southwark, Philadelphia, was consecrated to the service of almighty God, by the right reverend bishop White, assisted by several of the episcopal clergy of Philadelphia, and in the presence of a crowded and respectable audience. The services of the occasion were solemn and interesting, and the sermon, delivered by the reverend Samuel H. Turner, highly appropriate and impressive.

It must be peculiarly gratifying to episcopalians, to see in this part of the city, a place of worship erected, in which the holy services of religion are to be celebrated, according to the usages of a church, venerable for her antiquity, and conspicuous for the elevated standing which she has so long occupied among her sister churches in Christendom. Present circonstances authorize the expectation of success in the organization of an episcopal congregation in this district, and in the consequent promotion of the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.

The building is of brick, sixty-five feet long, and fifty-five feet wide. Although not an elegant edifice, it is perfectly neat, and well adapted to its intended use. The writer is informed, that the erection of this church is in no inconsiderable degree owing to the exer

tions and generosity of the late reverend Mr. Turner; and he avails himself of the present opportunity, to pay to his memory that tribute of respect, which his piety, his philanthro py, and his zeal in the exercise of his profession, so justly merit.

The late reverend Joseph Turner, was a native of Devonshire, in England, and born in the year 1742. He came to America some considerable time before the revolutionary war. Being naturally of a serious and con templative turn of mind, and raised by the liberality of his uncle, Philip Hulbeart, esquire, above the necessity of any professional exertions, he devoted a portion of his time to theological studies, and soon after the introduction of the episcopate into America, applied to bishop White, the first Pennsylvania diocesan, for admission to holy orders. The uniform correctness of his conduct, and the unfeigned piety of his life, rendered his appli cation successful, and he was accordingly or dained a deacon in 1791, and a priest in the following year. He was called to the rectorship of St. Martin's church, at Marcus Hook, which he retained about twenty-five years. During a part of that time, he acted as an assistant minister in the Swedish episcopal church, under the superintendence of the reverend Nicholas Collin, D. D. Declining health, and fatigue, arising from the distance of his residence from his flock, obliged him to relinquish his charge, a few years before his decease. He died on the 26th of July, 1821, after a short, but severe illness, which he sustained with exemplary Christian resignation and fortitude, looking forward with eagerness and holy hope to his emancipation from the fetters of mortality, and his admission to the promised joy of his Lord. He was buri ed in the church-yard of St. Paul's, of which church he and his family were members, and in which he frequently officiated.

That this faithful and diligent disciple of Christ should thus "finish his course with joy," was the natural consequence of that simplicity and purity of conduct which adorned his character. Unambitious of popular applause, and regulating his deportment by the influence of that leading Christian virtue, humility, he "kept the noiseless tenor of his way,"in the constant exercise of that faith and practice, which he so earnestly recommended to others. Confiding in the sacred assurances that "he who winneth souls is wise," and that "they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever," in conformity to the example of his divine Master, "he went about doing good." As a citizen, he discharged all the relative duties, both publick and domestick, with the strictest integrity and the tenderest attention, invariably exemplifying the character given by our blessed Saviour, of a pious Jew behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"

« PreviousContinue »