rassing darkness will be dispersed by their liberality, and the society be enabled to pursue its work of faith, and labour of love, with renewed vigour and increasing effect." For the Christian Journal. Fredericksburg Common Prayer Book and Tract Society. We are indebted to a friend, who is an active member of the church in Virginia, for a copy of the ninth annual report of this society, made at the anniversary meeting in July, 1826. Though its means, and the sphere of its operations, are necesssarily limited, yet the pious zeal of its members effects much. We are gratified with this report, and make from it the following extracts, which will no doubt be acceptable to our readers; more particularly as they furnish the opinions entertained by several very eminent clergymen of other denominations, of that excellent ritual, the Book of Common Prayer : "The managers entertain the belief, that the books and tracts which have been confided to them, have been distributed in a manner advantageous to the community at large, whilst a just regard has been had to economy in the use of the funds of the institution. "We congratulate the friends of the society on the decided proofs of usefulness which have so far attended their labours. Nothing else, we are persuaded, but such an assurance is necessary to incite them to continued zeal and perseverance in so good a cause. "That the claims of this cause may be more extensively felt and appreciated, it may be useful to devote a few remarks to their illustration. of this book, have borne a highly honourable testimony to its uncommon merits. Dr. Adam Clarke, of the Methodist society, in England, says of it, 'It is almost universally esteemed by the devout and pious of every denomination, and is the greatest effort of the reformation, next to the translation of the Scriptures into the English language; a work which all who are acquainted with it, deem superior to every thing of the kind, produced either by ancient or modern times, and several of the prayers and services in which were in use from the first ages of Christianity, and many of the best of them before the name of Pope or Popery was known in the earth. Again this dis tinguished writer says, As a form of devotion, it has no equal in any part of the universal church of God. It is founded on those doctrines which contain the sum and essence of Christianity, and speaks the language of the sublimest piety, and of the most refined devotional feeling. Next to the Bible, it is the book of my understanding and of my heart.' "The Rev. Mr. Watson, of the same church, says, 'Such a liturgy makes the service of God's house appear more like our true business on the Lord's day; and besides the aid it affords to the most devout and spiritual, a great body of evangelical truth is, by constant use, laid up in the minds of children and ignorant people, who, when at length they begin to pray under a religious concern, are already furnished with suitable, sanctifying, solemn, and impressive petitions. Persons well acquainted with the liturgy are certainly in a state of important preparation for the labours of a preacher; and their piety often takes a richer and more sober character from that circumstance.' "The Rev. R. Hall, the eminent Baptist minister of Leicester, England, speaking of the liturgy, says, "Though a Protestant dissenter, I cannot be insensible of its merits. I believe that the evangelical purity of its sentiments, the chastised fervour of its devotions, and the majestic simplicity of its language, have combined to place it in the very first rank of uninspired compositions.' each in diameter, embracing sixty-four feet eight inches of the front: the columns rise from a basement of four feet eleven inches in height, supporting an enriched entablature, crowned by an appropriate ballustrade, extending along the sides of the building one hundred and thirty-two feet nine inches by seventy-two feet eight inches, including the body and portico that projects from the front. The vertical angle of the pediment is about 135°, forming a line (only interrupted by the base of the steeple) from the east to the west end of the apex of the roof. The ascent from the street to the portico is by a flight of eight steps in front and at the ends, to a platform twenty-one feet nine inches wide. There are three entrances: the centre door opens into a large octagon vestibule, with folding doors to the body of the church; above which springs the lofty spire, forming an elevation equally striking and beautiful: from the ground it is two hundred and fourteen feet six inches in height, composed of the Lonic, Corinthian, and Composite orders, with appropriate vases on the entablature over each column. The steeple is neatly finished with a copper ball, whose diameters are thirty by thirty-three inches, iron ornaments, and vane richly gilt. The proportions are considered correct, and the appearance is perfectly light and elegant. At the east end of the church there has recently been erected a building corresponding, two stories in height, sufficiently large for the purposes of a vestry-room and accommodations for the instruction of the Sunday scholars attached to the church. In the cellar beneath is constructed a furnace, lined with fire brick; being simply erected within an air-chamber, through which the external air passes, and becomes heated by the furnace; it then passes through flues to the church, which, together with two large stoves at the west end, amply warms it. The ground floor of the church has two double and two single ranges of pews, separated by a centre aisle, two side aisles, and a cross aisle at each end, paved with the order, and may be said to be equal to any in the United States. They are plain, not futed. marble, and extending the whole depth of the church, terminating by a platform passing around the chancel, which is of a serpentine form, and elevated three steps; behind and above which are the reading desk and pulpit. The desk is of the Corinthian order, having a frieze and cornice, supported by four fluted pilasters, with sunken panels intervening, and is entered by a door at the north side. The pulpit rests upon a base, uniting with the end of the church; the front and angles are circular; the frieze and cornice are supported by six fluted columns, surmounted by acroters. The door-way at the back of the pulpit is a carved and richly ornamented screen. At each side of the pulpit is a three-quarter column and pilaster, with a full entablature, forming two recesses, and a centre circular-headed space, in which is a niche, intended for some appropriate emblem By a projection of the wall, an arch is formed over the whole. On this surface, on each side, are two lofty fluted pilasters with their entablatures, the termination of the lofty ceiling resting on the one, and on the other an architrave, in form of an arch, with its members enriched, the key-stone of which forms an ornamental shield, supported at the sides by two cherubs, and having on the centre surface I. H. S.; the whole is crowned by a mitre. On each side of the church (constituting the principal feature) are ranges of five fluted columns, and corresponding pilasters at each end against the walls, with their full entablatures, upon which rests the beautifully arched and highly ornamented ceiling, supported at the same time by brackets or trusses, with architrave, frieze, and cornice, against the side walls,and between the windows, which are seven in number on each side, having green venetian blinds on the south. The front pews in the galleries are mostly square, with slips behind, and against the walls. A number of seats are elevated for the accommodation of the Sunday scholars, on each side of the spacious organ occupying the centre of the west end gallery, which is allowed to be a superior instrument. The entrance to the galleries is by two flights of stairs from the side-doors of the portico. The capitals and carvings Pearl-street,New-York, has announced, altogether of the exterior, as well as that an unknown individual, through a interior, are of exquisite workmanship, confidential agent, had purchased the and the whole maintains that simple church and three lots of ground in elegance which is agreeable to the eye Orange-street, lately owned by the Irish and consistent with true taste It is Presbyterian congregation of this city, considered to be inferior to no building in order to bestow the same as a free in the United States, either in elegance gift on the Evangelical Lutheran conof workmanship or durability of mate- gregation now under the pastoral care rials. At the east end there are stone of the Rev. F. C. Schaeffer; and, steps and iron gates leading to Yorkstreet; and it is intended to erect an ornamental iron railing in front, to enclose the portico. On each side of the church is a space of fifty-three feet, adjoining to which on the north is the rector's (Bishop Hobart's) residence; and on the south side is a handsome range of buildings, which adds much to the appearance of the whole.-The builders were Thomas C. Taylor, Isaac M'Comb, Henry Hedley, and Daniel Dominick. For the Christian Journal. St. James's Church, New-York. very generous and praiseworthy act which forms the subject of the present article, with the sterling excellence of the epistle to which it gave rise, merits a more durable record than is af forded by a daily newspaper. We therefore transplant it to our pages from the Commercial Advertiser of the 3d of April. To the wealthy of our own communion we take the liberty to recommend this example of pious munificence; and although a similar object of their bounty may not present itself, yet we can assure them there are very many cases in which their liberal benefactions would be of the greatest use in building up and supporting the temples of our truly apostolic church. "At a meeting of the evangelical Lutheran congregation of St. James's church, in the city of New-York, held on Friday evening, March 30, 1827, at the New-Jerusalem chapel in Pearlstreet, New-York, the following preamble, resolutions, and epistle, were unanimously adopted : "Whereas the Rev. F. C. Schaeffer, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation now and recently worshipping in the New-Jerusalem chapel in "This congregation having complied with a request accompanying the said announcement, namely, to be incorpo-* rated; and the said congregation having elected church officers, and attended to the formalities prescribed by law in such cases; and having, on the 21st day of February, in the year of our Lord 1827, obtained from the proper authorities a certificate of having been legally incorporated, under the name and title of The Corporation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. James, in the city of New-York ;' and, "Whereas Leonard Bleecker, esq. and the Rev. Frederick Christian Schaeffer, have, on the 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1827, received a legal deed and unincumbered conveyance of the afore-mentioned property in Orange-street, to have and to hold the same in trust to and for the sole and only proper use, benefit, and behoof of the corporation of the Evangelical Lu theran church of St. James, in the city of New-York, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Frederick Christian Schaeffer, their successors and assigns for ever; and the said Leonard Bleecker, esq., and the Rev. F. C. Schaeffer, having notified this congregation of their readiness to convey the said property to the corporation of the Evangelical Lutheran church of St. James, according to the intent and purpose of the generous donor; therefore, "Resolved, that this congregation acknowledge, with gratitude to the great Head of the church, and with thankfulness to his generous servant, as his instrument, the munificent gift of a house of worship to the members of this congregation and their posterity. "Resolved, that we view this remarkable occurrence as a signal interposition of Providence, and an act unparalleled in the annals of our church in America; and that we will ever regard it, and teach our children to hold it in remembrance, as an emphatic call unto active piety and persevering zeal in the service of Christ, and for the cause of the Evangelical Lutheran church. "Resolved, that the following epistle, together with a copy of these proceedings, be transmitted, in the name of the pastor, officers, and members of this church, to Leonard Bleecker, esq., with the request that he, as the confidential agent, forward the same to the unknown benefactor of St. James' church. "" EPISTLE. "To the unknown and munificent individual who has presented the church and three lots of ground in Orangestreet, between Hester and Grandstreets, New-York, lately owned by the Irish Presbyterian congregation, to the Evangelical Lutheran congregation, under the pastoral care of the Rev. F. C. Schaeffer, now and recently worshipping in the New-Jerusalem chapel in Pearl-street, New-York: “Generous Friend, "We, the pastor, elders, deacons, trustees, and congregation of St. James' church, greet you in the name of the Lord. "Our hearts are filled with gratitude to that all-wise and gracious Being, who turneth darkness into light, and who commandeth us to put our trust in him. "He who hath sent his Son as the Saviour of sinners, and who grants his Spirit that we may be renewed after the image of God, daily manifests his power, wisdom, and goodness. By these tokens of his love he confirms the promises of his word, and lays his impressive commands upon us to profess his precious Gospel unwaveringly, to live and die unto the Lord that loved the church, and gave himself for it. "We have often seen and tasted that the tabernacles of God are amiable. We were desirous of continuing unitedly to worship him in spirit and in truth; and with our children to go up to Zion, and have communion with the Eternal in the place and inheritance of our fathers. But the great Head of the church permitted sore trials to come upon us: he rebuked and chastened us in love. "When our feet could no longer stand in the holy place where the blessed Gospel of our meritorious Saviour had often edified us in our most holy faith-when we were shut out from our beloved sanctuary, and from the fair temple of our own rearing-we felt that our hearts are not at the disposal of mortals, that our souls are not in the hands of the children of men to do as they list--we felt that it would be a still severer affliction to be separated from each other, or in any wise to have those Christian ties severed which had for many years of prosperity and adversity united us as one household, and as members of the same evangelical congregation. "Our souls longed, yea even fainted for the courts of the Lord: our heart and our flesh cried out for the living God. We thought of the sparrow that findeth a house, and of the swallow that flieth to the altars of Jehovah― and we were greatly strengthened. "Meanwhile, pastor and people endeavoured, through grace, to be ready for filial obedience to the Lord's will, and to labour in the place of his appointing, whether near at hand or far distant. "While preparing for whatever trials the hand of our heavenly Father might send us as a Christian flock, a beam of light suddenly broke through the darkness, and those unto whom we were strangers took us in. Such Christian deeds the Lord and Saviour of all will recognize: he delighteth therein. Here then, deprived as we were of our own birth-right and of the fruits of our labour, we were not destitute. Providential circumstances had prolonged the sojourn of our spiritual instructor, and the request to abide with us for a season was not unheeded. The future, however, was still dark. We prayed for more light; and the Lord showed us the light of his countenance. Unexpectedly the marvellous message was brought to us, when we were assembled in the Divine name-You have a church and a home, as a free gift, bestowed upon you and your children; give thanks unto the Redeemer-worship him in the beauty of holiness! "We were bowed down under the weight of such glad tidings, we rejoiced together in so signal an interposition of a mysterious Providence. With one accord we gave God the glory; and our tears, which were the overflowing of grateful hearts, bore testimony to the sincerity of our fervent prayer: Lord help us to prepare our hearts in righteousness and peace. Then, in the decline of the day, rose the hallowed strains of the church, and every member of the devout family sung the solemn vow My God, my Life, thy various praise "To you, beloved friend, whose great act stands unparalleled in the history of our church in America; to you, whose heart is so noble, whose soul is so generous; to you, whom God hath appointed as his worthy instrument to spread the purest joy, and to work out incalculable good to the souls of men; to you we offer our most affectionate and hearty thanks for such great love and regard. While in this grateful acknowledgment we accept your pious donation, even the offering of uncommon liberality, we pray most fervently that you who confer this blessing, may be unspeakably blessed. Have you a family, relatives, and kindred dear; may the riches of divine peace descend upon them, and abide with them and theirs for evermore! For from the first day we thank our God upon every remembrance of you, always in our prayer for you making request with joy, that your felicity may be perfect in Christ Jesus. "And not those only who are gladdened by your bounty, as its immediate recipients, invoke the choicest favours of Heaven upon you, but very many of our friends and brethren among various Christian denominations in this city, rejoice and pray with us; and thousands of our fellow-believers in distant places participate in our happiness, and thank God and supplicate before his throne on your behalf. "We cannot refrain from declaring, that the value of your munificent gift is enhanced by many circumstances under which it was bestowed, and especially by your kindly considerations toward the shepherd as well as toward the flock to whom he ministers. 6 "Alas! we know not the name of our benefactor. We have not the privilege to approach him in person, and to say, while pressing his generous hand, God bless thee, our brother; more thanks than we can express, we owe and feel.' Nevertheless we have the consolation, that GOD, WHO SEETH IN SECRET, KNOWETH YOU, AND THAT HE IS YOUR REWARDER. "Though your name is concealed, your work is seen-your light shineth, and your example is felt. It seemeth then, that the left hand shall not know what the right hand doeth. In one great privilege we rejoice—we have you in our heart. "We and our children, their children and succeeding generations, shall ever bless the noble founder, the munificent benefactor, the unknown friend of the Evangelical Lutheran church of St. James, in the city of New-York. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and fit us for the happy meeting and certain recognition in heaven. Amen. "Resolved, that the thanks of this congregation be presented to Leonard Bleecker, esq. for his kind and prompt services as the agent of our munificent benefactor. "Resolved, that the resolutions, with the preamble, and the epistle of this church, be signed by the Rev. F. C. Schaeffer in behalf of the congregation, and published in the newspapers. "F. C. SCHAEFFER, "New-York, March 30, 1827.” From the London Morning Chronicle. The late Mr. Ellerby's Will. A paragraph having appeared in your paper of Saturday last, relative to the will of the late Mr, Ellerby, |