New-London. The congregation we found in a very destitute situation, as we had expected. But little vital piety was visible among them. At the same time it was gratifying to see, by their ready attendance, that they had not lost all relish for the public services of the church. Though but little direct benefit could be expected from the few sermons we preached among them, yet indirectly it seems likely to produce a beneficial result. They are now making efforts to have their church supplied, and for this purpose have started a subscription. They also contemplate repairing their house. May the great Head of the church strengthen the things that remain, and are ready to die.

Report of the Rev. Mr. Bull.-I visited and preached to the congregation of St. Peter's church, in the Great Valley, Chester county, and also administered the holy communion to about twelve persons. Religion seems to be in a languishing state here; but as the congregation is not very small, and the funds of the church such as to afford a moderate compensation for the services of a clergyman one half of his time, hopes are entertained, that, with the blessing of God, an augmented attention to their eternal interests might be produced.

1 also visited and preached to the congregation near New-London Cross Roads, in the above county. The people are very much scattered, and, except in a few instances, zeal for the interests of the church seems nearly extinguished. Unless efforts be soon made for their resuscitation, with the present generation will expire that languishing congregation.

The Rev. Mr. Clay reported, that he visited and officiated at Milton, Northumberland, and Sunbury. In these towns there are but few episcopal families, and but little to encourage missionary efforts; unless, indeed, the low and languishing state of our church in those places be a motive to exertion for its revival.

Report of the Rev. Mr. Sitgreaves.
I have just returned from my excur

tour.

sion through Susquehanna county, and the gratification I derived from it would have been complete and unmingled, had I not been seized with a violent illness, which limited the extent of my I am, however, fast recovering, and I take this earliest occasion to communicate to you the result of my observations. I should be very reluctant to express, what I think I have reason to believe, of the favourable prospects of our church in that quarter, were it not that I can confirm the justness of my impressions by the decided testimony of Judge Scott, and of every one, indeed, acquainted with the true state of things. I am fully persuaded there is no better missionary ground in our diocess. A large portion of the population is episcopal, and episcopal not from chance or accident, but from the training and culture of early years, and from subsequent inquiry and conviction. Those who have now attained mature age, passed the first period of their lives in Connecticut, at a time when the church was yet in its infancy, and struggling with a powerful opposition, and the prejudices of a century; but when its principles were canvassed and brought to light, men embraced them from the thorough approbation of their understandings and the impulses of their conscience. The episcopalians of Susquehanna are in consequence more truly episcopalian, and better acquainted with the history of the church, the nature of its institutions, the reasons upon which its peculiarities are founded, and the arguments by which they have been defended, than the members generally of any congregation I know any thing of out of the city, and perhaps I might say within the city too. Iu their hands are found the trial of Episcopacy, Skinner's Truth and Order, Bishop Seabury's Sermons, Daubeny's Guide to the Church, Nelson's Festivals and Fasts, and other works, explanatory of the tenets of the church, with the contents of which they are perfectly familiar; the Wyalusing congregation have recently purchased Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, and other writings, in which they will doubtless be soon well versed as in the old stock. Several of the episcopalians

of Susquehanna are gentlemen of liberal education; and others even, who are comparatively most uncultivated, and uninformed in other subjects, are nevertheless quite intelligent in church matters; and so remarkable has been their adherence to the church, an adherence not arising from mere feeling and fancy and "liking," but produced by conscientious inquiry and conviction, that there is no instance among them of a dereliction of early attachment, though from ten to forty years severed from the rest of their fel low episcopalians, deprived of the ministrations of their clergymen, and surrounded by the solicitations of other

sects.

Hitherto nothing more has been done, than to excite their attention, awaken 'their dormant predilections, animate their zeal, and form their detached portions into organized congregations: the very crisis has, then, just now arrived, which demands peculiar and immediate attention. The old have held firm by the faith of their fa thers thus far through life; but to the religious mind it is hard to die unconnected with any church; and unless the endearing offices of their own clergy are renewed among them, they will soon pass, however reluctantly, into the pale of other denominations; and either bear their families along, or weaken their present attachment: while the young, whose predispositions have not as yet become fully confirmed by a sufficient familiarity with our services, are already detaching themselves from our number.

In addition to this, there are many populous spots totally deprived of the ministrations of any denomination, and still more, which enjoy only the occasional services of itinerants. The mouth of the Tunchannock is surrounded by a populous settlement, but there is no clergyman within 15 miles on that side of the river, and the occasional preaching of some Baptist or Methodist is very rare at the place. On the Tunc hannock, about 10 miles from its mouth, is a secluded valley, inhabited almost entirely by episcopalians, who, for a few years past, have held a "reading meeting" on the Sunday, and also

kept up a small Sunday school, principally under the direction of Mr. Rose, formerly a vestryman of Trinity church, Easton; and yet this interesting spot has not been trod by the foot of an episcopal clergyman.—About 7 miles above Tunchannock, on the ri ver, around the residence of Mr. Heisz, a gentleman of fortune and education, formerly of Philadelphia-there is another little band, who, a few years ago, made their preparations for a "reading meeting," which, however, was unfortunately frustrated by some sudden casualties. During my tour, I baptized the eight children of Mr. Heisz at his house, and received his assurances of liberal support to a missionary, who would occasionally officiate in his vicinity, which is but 10 miles from Spring ville. Not long since, there was also a reading meeting in the neighbourhood of Silver Lake. Indeed there is scarcely a spot in the country, in which, with proper pains and conduct, a small congregation might not readily be formed. And I fervently hope and pray this truly interesting quarter may not long be unsupplied with the services of an intelligent and steady clergyman.

The congregation at Springville, where I preached repeatedly, have erected a commodious building, which they are compelled to use at present for the double purpose of a schoolhouse and a church. Several gentlemen have recently come forward and taken a very active and zealous part in the church affairs; and it was with much satisfaction that I observed in the congregation the indications of real and increasing piety. I trust, some zealous and interesting missionary may soon be furnished them.

At Wyalusing they are about commencing the building of their church, which they propose to make not less than 30 feet by 40, and perhaps larger. The situation they have chosen is judicious and commanding, on an eminence overhanging the valley; and there is great reason to believe, that when the edifice is completed, and the services of the church renewed, the entire surrounding population will become episcopalian. "Reading meets

ings" are regularly held on Sundays, both here and at Springville, and at this latter place there is a Sunday school. The Wyalusing school will, I expect, shortly be recommenced. At Springville I performed two baptisms. The communion has been administered but once among the great body of episcopalians in this county:, this was last summer on the Wyalusing, when 19 members of our church partook of the ordinance: four of these were from the Springville congregation. A very large number are anxious to receive confirmation, and many, it is expected, will, for that purpose, be at Wilkesbarre at the time of the bishop's anticipated visit. Many, it is also expected, will be there, with the hope of participating once more in the communion.

Such is the information my tour has afforded me, relative to the state of things in Susquehanna; a representation, in which I acknowledge my feelings have betrayed themselves, but for the correctness of which, I can adduce the testimony of every one acquainted with the county: and I feel persuaded, that a visit to this truly interesting people would produce in the feelings of every one, a similar impression to that which prevails in mine. I wish it were in my power to make to the convention, and to the more fortunate episcopalians of other parts, a persuasive appeal in favour of this quarter of our church. Can no one be found, who, animated with that missionary spirit which prevails in our sister diocess of New-York, will penetrate into this new country, where, growing with its growth, he will raise around him flourishing congregations, who will bear to his garner the first fruits of their fields, and in love, in kindness, and in gratitude, repay him richly for all his labours? Susquehanna contains a population of 12,000, and yet possesses but two resident clergymen, a baptist, and a methodist! A very large portion of this population is episcopal, and surely their claim upon the assistance of the church is very peculiar and strong.

For the Christian Journal.

On the frequent Misapplication of Scripture in the Pulpit.

AMONG the many advantages resulting from theological seminaries, a thorough and an accurate study of the Holy Scriptures is not the least important. Formerly, the youth of our country were admitted to that holy office, which is one of the principal means, whereby men are to be made wise unto salvation, with little more knowledge, than what was derived from a hasty perusal of a single commentary, and a short system of divinity. But through the means, which Divine Providence has ordered for the furtherance of his de

6

signs, this state of things has changed. The Faculty of the General Seminary of our church have, in their course of instruction, provided that the Scriptures shall be the prominent object of attention; and with the advantage of an instructor, who to piety and learning joins that aptness to teach,' which the apostle represents as the requisite of a minister, the institution, I am per suaded, offers as many advantages to the young student, as any institution in the country. Already has it sent forth men, who, though few in number, are qualified rightly to divide the word of truth; and it should be the ardent prayer of every Christian, that, to the latest generations, these blessings may be continued, that all 'people and nations and languages' may, by its means, have preached to them, in their purity, those truths, "which, while they are the power of God unto salvation, afford the only security for social order, for the perfection, dignity, and happiness of men."*

These remarks, Mr. Editor, have been occasioned by my having heard, in the course of a few weeks, several şermons from different preachers, which have contained expositions of passages, not only foreign to the design of the writers, but some of which, if carried to their legitimate conclusions, would be highly dangerous. It is my intention at the present time, briefly to notice two or three, and, if agreeable to

Bishop Hobart's Introductory Address.

changeable, he had from the first preached the same doctrine, which he now preached, to wit, justification by the merits of Christ, without the works of the moral or ceremonial law. All the parts of these two chapters, says Mr. Locke, concenter in this; and a closer view will show us, that the whole is so skilfully managed, and the parts so gently slid into, that it is a strong, but not seemingly laboured justification of himself, from the imputation of preaching up circumcision.' The third and fourth chapters contain the several arguments by which he proves, that the observance of Jewish ordinances was of no avail. The Holy Spirit and gifts of miracles were given to them, not through the works of the law, but by the hearing of faith, that is, of the Gospel which had been preached to them, iii. 1-5. The children of Abraham, who are entitled to the inheritance and to the blessing promised to Abraham and his seed, are not those merely who are descended lineally from him, and who are under the law, for the law brings a curse upon those who are under it. They only are the children of Abraham, who, like him, believe in God,-those who are the children of faith, 6-17. But, it is replied, to what then serveth the law? It is not contrary to the promise, he answers, but was added, to show the Israelites the fruit and inevitable consequence of sin, and thereby the necessity of betaking themselves to Christ: but as soon as men have received the Gospel, and show their faith by being baptized into Christ, they have attained the end of the law, and are no longer under it: of course, circumcision can avail them nothing, 19-29. That the law is not contrary to the promise, is farther illustrated by the case of a child under tutors. As he is not disinherited by being under a master, so those under the bondage of the law are not disinherited, but may, after a course of discipline, throw off its chains, and obtain the liberty, which Christ, who was born under the law, hath purchased for them. How absurd would it be for such persons, after enjoying the benefits of this liberty, to turn again to the weak and beggarly

elements of the world! iv. 1, 11. The apostle then calls to their recollection, the kindness they manifested, when he was among them, and assures them, they have no reason to be alienated from him, although false teachers had endeavoured to exclude' him; and after showing, from the law itself, that the children of the promise were to be free, but the children of the flesh to be in bondage, he earnestly exhorts them to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free.* The fifth chapter, from the second to the thirteenth verse, is taken up in refuting the reports that he was in favour of circumcision. His whole preaching was directly opposed to such a supposition. From the first he had declared that neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision, availed any thing' to salvation; that the mere circumstance of being a Jew or a Gentile could be of effect, but what was requisite was faith in Jesus Christ, and such a faith as wrought by love. The rest of the Epistle, as far as vi. 10, is employed in a practical exhortation to various Christian duties. On mentioning what a long letter he had written with his own hand,' to show his affection for them, his former remarks concerning circumcision, which filled and warmed his mind, recur, and he again declares, that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision, availeth any thing, but a new creature.?

Thus, from the whole scope of the Epistle, it appears, that the apostle had no reference to the efficacy or inefficacy of Christian ordinances; but that his principal object in writing it, was to show from the law itself, that the Jews could have no hope of salvation through the law, but that it was necessary to become new creatures; that is, as appears from parallel passages, to be regenerated into a new covenant by the laver of baptism,-to be renewed in the spirit of their minds, to have a 'faith which worketh by love.'

2. Similar to the above is Rom. xiv.

* The first verse of the fifth chapter should have been joined to the fourth. The sense is destroyed, by separating it.