his eyes to the narrow circle of this society's operations, which lies immediately around us. Look to Mantua, and Germantown, and Southwark, and Easton, and Wilkesbarre, and many other places in our immediate vicinity, and there you will see the practical and undeniable proofs of its importance and usefulness. The funds of this institution aided in the erection of those temples of God-the missionaries of this institution assisted in gathering those congregations of his worshippers-and the Bibles, the tracts, and the Prayer Books of this institution assisted in diffusing among those people a knowledge of those eternal truths which tend to purify their conduct here on earth, and to prepare them for unending happiness in Heaven. If a doubt shall still cling to the mind of any one, I would appeal for his conviction to that succession of annual reports which the managers of this society, during its exist ence, have laid before the public-reports which, whilst they faithfully and forcibly portray the urgent wants of the diocess, with equal faithfulness and force, exhibit, in detail, the beneficial character and tendency of this institution. "But enough, Sir, has been said in relation to the utility of this society, as evinced by its operations. "I would now call the attention of this audience to the claims which this institution may justly lay to our attachment and our liberality. I have already stated one of its most powerful claims in the preceding outline of its beneficial operations. The success with which its high and holy objects have been hitherto accomplished, proving as it does the practical utility of the society, furnishes, I conceive, in that circumstance, no feeble induce ment to continue and increase our support of it. Shall an institution, which has enriched the diocess with many churches and many congregations, the beneficent influence of which may be seen, at intervals, from the Delaware to Lake Erie, and traced along the banks of the Susquehannah and Al legheny, the praise of which is echoed to us from all sections of the state, and the aid of which is so earnestly and perpetually solicited by the still suffering members of our fold-I ask, shall such an institution be permitted to decay and perish, through our deficiency of zeal and liberality? Shall it be said, that, in the face of the apostle's exhortation, we have already become weary in well doing? Shall it be said, that, having "put our hands to the plough," and commenced the labour of subduing and cultivating the rugged soil, we have so soon begun to relax in the effort, and to "look back," either from weariness, or indifference to the cause in which we are engaged? I trust, Sir, that this will not be the case. I trust that the past successes of this society will have the effect not to dimi, nish, but to increase our zeal, and be regarded as the first fruits only of a harvest, the ingathering of which wil fill every portion of the diocess. "The claims of this institution nay be further urged from the consideration of its objects. It has no visionary project in view-no unholy purposes to accomplish. It is founded upon the purest principle that can sway the bosom and influence the conduct of man—the principle of love to God. The glory of God and the salvation of men constitute the 'primum mobile' of Christianity. And to aid in the promotion of these glorious ends, to the extent of its humble ability, was this society formed. This is the principle which called it into existence-these are the ends which it has in view. Let me ask then, has this principle ceased to be obligatory? Have these ends been fully and completely accomplished? Is not the glory of our heavenly Father still a motive to action? Is not the eternal salvation of our fellow men still a measure unaccomplished? Has the Gospel of Christ reached every habitation within the limits of our diocess, and sounded its glad tidings in every ear? Would to God, Sir, it were so! would to God there existed no cause, no reason, no necessity, for societies like this! But whilst this devoutly wished for consummation has not yet arrived-whilst the "highway for our God" here on earth is still obstructed by sin and wretchedness→→→→ whilst the tempest of human crime is still unallayed, and the danger of future, of eternal punishment, still hangs over the inhabitants of this world whilst these things are so, shall there be on our part a cessation of exertion? Shall the holy cause in which we are engaged, be abandoned at a moment when it most pressingly demands our aid and our efforts? Alas! it is not a day, Sir, for Christians to grow cold and relax their exertions. The enemies of God and man are still on the field of battle; sin and Satan have not yet retired from the contest; the spirit of crime and infidelity is still abroad, in full and fearful operation. Let us then lay aside neither our armour, nor our vigilance, nor our exertions-we have constant and urgent need of them all. The existing call for Christian effort is equally loud with that of former years; for though much has been effected by this society, much still remains undone. The fields are still white unto the harvest, and if we diminish or terminate our efforts, other labourers than ours will reap it, or perhaps it may be left to perish where it grew. But there are other considerations on which the claims of this institution to your patronage may be urged, beside the successfulness of its past operations and the beneficence of its objects. One of these only will I mention. "The society demands our support, on the ground that it diffuses those views of the Gospel of Christ, which accord with the doctrines and principles of our venerable and apostolic church. To an audience of churchmen, and before the venerable person to whose efforts, under God, we owe in great measure its present firm establishment in this country, it cannot be necessary to say any thing in approbation of the principles of that church. They are associated, I trust, with the best feelings of our bosoms; and our attachment to them, I would also trust, results from the sober conviction of their excellence. But if thus satisfied of their superiority, does there not seem to be obviously connected with such a conviction, an obligation to aid in diffusing them? And how can this be effected with fairer prospects of success, than by supporting a society established expressly with a view to that object? "Do not understand me, Sir, as intimating that this society is engaged, or is about to engage, in any visionary career to proselyte the members of other persuasions to its faith. This has not been its past, nor is it its present, nor its intended operation. Its missionaries and its funds, its Bibles, its Prayer Books, and its tracts, are sent to those portions of the state where the members of our own church are in need of aid; and often to places where no Christian temple meets the eye of the traveller, and the voice of no Gospel herald statedly proclaims the glad tidings of salvation-places which, although situated in a Christian land, may nevertheless be denominated, without bordering on extravagance, heathen spots; places, therefore, where none can deny the necessity of its aid and its operations. In the view then of its being the vehicle by which those views of Christianity which our church deems correct and scriptural, may be diffused, I conceive this society to have a powerful claim upon the affection and liberality of churchmen. It appeals to us there fore for support, not only as men, anx. ious for the moral improvement of our fellow creatures-not only as Christians, solicitous for their spiritual interests, but also as churchmen, desirous that the Gospel should be preached and propagated under that pure and primitive modification of it, which is taught within the venerable church to which we belong. "Such, Sir, are the claims which this institution may honestly and boldly advance-claims which, I ardently pray, will be met by episcopalians with the liberality and support which the society so justly merits by its past successes-by its important objectsand, I regret that I am compelled to add, by its most urgent wants." St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia. THE Consecration of this church took place on the morning of the 2d of June, 1823. The Right Rev. Bishop White preached the sermon; and he was as sisted in the consecration office by the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie, the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, and others of the clergy. The tout ensemble of the interior of this edifice is very pleasing. The parts are well proportioned, the style is chaste-and though no redundancy of ornament is observable, elegance has been attained even in the minutia of the building. The rapidity with which this structure has been carried up, is remarkable. The corner stone was laid in September last. Nine months ago the 'stone which forms part of the fabric, was unquarried the bricks were unburntthe wool out of which the lining of the pews has been made, was on the back of the sheep! Now, the interior, though all the decorations are not quite completed, is prepared for the accommodation of a congregation. The gallery pews will, we understand, be lined in the course of the next two weeks, after which the workmen will proceed immediately to erect the portico, and it is thought the steeple will be raised this season as high as the octagon. The church, when finished, will be the most elegant sacred edifice in the United States. It will not, however, be the most costly. By adhering to one plan, and by appointing men to superintend the building, who, to a theoretical, added a pratical knowledge of architecture, economy has been consulted, and elegance attained without the imputation of extravagance being incur red. Great credit is due to Mr. Haviland, the architect, and to the gentle men of the building committee. We are indebted to a friend, for the following particular account of this edifice. "St. Andrew's Church is situated in Eighth-street, near Spruce. Its front is to the east, and its main entrance from Eighth-street. Its length, including the portico and vestry-room, and base of the spire, is 130 feet, and its breadth 65 feet. The front is one of the most perfect specimens of the Grecian Ionic Order, taken from the Temple of Bacchus at Teos, formed of six fluted columns in enstyle, with a strictly copied entablature, charged with all the enrichment and members of the original. The propor tion of the tympanum is one sixth part of its triangular base. The entrance is by a flight of six marble steps, (extending along the whole front,) through a central door 14 feet wide and twenty five feet high, subdivided into seven horizontal compartments of four panels each. The fascias of the panels are bold and enriched with the egg mould ing the stiles and rails are studded with rivets, giving the whole the cha racter of strength. The conveniencies of the internal part of the church, connected with this door, render it impos sible to open it to the top; it is there fore contrived to open only the three lowest sections, and the four upper ones remain stationary. Passing this door, you enter into the vestibule, 15 feet wide by 33 feet long, terminating at each end in a screen of folding doors that communicate with the gallery and side aisles of the church, rendering it at the same time private and convenient. The ceiling of the vestibule is divided into three divisions. The central point is groined with a simple roseat at its crown, and separated from. the lateral barrelled arches, by a band enriched with the guiloche springing from imposts from either side of the front door. At the extremities of the vestibule, right and left, are formed geometrical stair-cases, equal in diameter to the width of the vestibule. A private door is inserted under each flight of stairs. These open into the body of the church opposite the side aisles, and corresponding to two rear doors. The nave is sixty-one feet wide and sixty-one feet long, and is planned with a middle aisle six feet six inches wide, and two side aisles, each four feet six inches wide. The pews are disposed in simple parallelograms running east and west: three classes of four, five, and six seats each, allowing eighteen inches to each sitting. The back is inclined, and the seat made at right angles with the back. The general appearance of the pews is that of a lounge. The partition next the aisle is formed by a low door, and a carved scroll is bronzed, in which the upper panel of the pedestal of the pew is inserted-the number in Roman numerals, bronzed The lower panels of the door and pedestal are made square, with a double fascia corresponding to the compartments in the ceiling. This feature, together with the arms, áffords a pleasing perspective at the first entrance in the pionaos. The backs of the pews are stuffed and all lined throughout the church with one uniform colour of moreen, made for the purpose since the commencement of the building. "The front of the gallery in its length east and west, is divided into five equal divisions, forming one elongated panel, each enriched with the guiloche and egg moulding. The columns, are composed of a cluster of palm leaves for Hlutes, turning over at the top and forming the capital. Over each is introduced a wreath'; the whole is bronzed, and. supports a light entablature. The pews in the gallery are so elevated, that the minister can be seen with ease while in the reading desk. The transverse partitions which run up and down are in scrolls interlocking each other, and painted of a bronze colour. The whole of these are painted of a delicate stone colour. "In the west end of the church facing the main entrance, are placed the rostrum and chancel. The whole enclosure is seventeen by twenty-five feet. The principal feature in this design, is two large columns with their pilasters and entablature of the Grecian Ionic Order, taken from the Temple of Minerva Polias, at Athens, and here executed with its enrichments in full, with out the slightest deviation from the proportions given us in Stewart's Athens. In the frieze of the entablature is inserted in gold letters, "Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever." "The communion table is composed of a beautiful piece of Italian marble, 10 feet long, supported by two bronzed scrolls, and enriched with the honeysuckle and egg mouldings-the whole forming a finish to the reading desk, the wings of which are compos ed of two bronzed cariatides supporting a light cornice composed of a single ovato moulding reversed. This is gilt, and forms a line, from the centre of which two gilded consoles spring and support the desk on which the book -rests. The front of the reading desk is about three feet high and ten feet long, relieved by the figures at each end with a beautiful specimen of American marble, inserted as a ground between them. The centre space immediately under the desk is hung with rich scarlet velvet, dressed with gold lace fringe, and emblazoned with an uncommon superb "GLORY," formed of massy bullion-The proportion and form of this feature is intended to give a pleasing diminution to the pulpit, as a group terminating in a pyramidical form as a centre. "The pulpit is six feet square, and surmounted by a gilded cornice of the egg mould and bold cavetto, which rises like a tympanum in the centre, and affords an appropriate situation for the introduction of the dove, which is here introduced as a crown to the whole, descending in rays of gold. The dove is of silver. Beneath this, as a cornice, a rich festoon of scarlet drapery is suspended, with a ground of plaited crimson. The stairs into the pulpit are in the rear, convenient to the vestry-room, and concealed from view-the whole is enclosed with a rich perforated railing, carved into honeysuckles and husks, alternate, corresponding to the screen of the or gan gallery. "The organ gallery occupies the whole of the east end of the church, immediately over the vestibule, and can accommodate seventy persons. The front of the organ is 14 by 16, representing a Grecian lyre standing on the pedestal of the design-between a cluster of pipes forming themselves into a tower, surmounted by leaves and a vase at each wing, with a wreath as a base. The centre is terminated with a glory, with the words LAUS DEO under it. The face of this design is finished in gold and bronze, and is one of the most pleasing features in the church. church is to be finished with a spire 230 feet high, a considerable elevation of which will be erected during the present season-the base of this spire affords a commodious vestry-room, school-room, and other desirable accommodations. The church is to be warmed by a furnace in the cellar, purporting to conduct warmth by tubes into every pew. The "The size of the lot on which the church is erected is extensive, and will be laid out for vaults and other burial places." The Rev. Mr. Bedell, red tor of the church, has commenced his labours in the new building.-Phil. Gazette. On Monday afternoon the sale of the pews in St. Andrews' church took place by auction. Seventy-seven pews on the first floor produced $23,130, a sum much beyond the general expectation; and the morning following some were disposed of at private sale, making the total amount received $25,000. Many of the most valuable pews on the ground floor and those in the gallery remain to be disposed of at a future sale. ART. III. The officers of this so ciety shall be a president, secretary, and treasurer, who, with four other members duly appointed, shall constitute a board of managers. ART. IV. An annual meeting shall be held on Ascension-Day, when the officers and managers for the following year shall be elected by ballot. ART. V. The president, with any four managers, shall form a quorum of the board for the transaction of business. She shall preside at all meetings of the society, or of the board of managers; call occasional meetings of the same, and issue orders for books. The secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings, preserve a regular list of members, and give notice of all meetings to the members or managers. The treasurer shall collect and keep all monies of the society. She shall preserve a regular account of the receipts and disbursements, with names and sums of the members and contri butors. their meetings in the church, immediART. VI.-The society shall hold ately after divine service, on the day specified in the 4th article. For the Christian Journal. And would with grateful bosoms learn And raises spring from winter's grave. The feathered warblers tune their voice The fields resume their verdure gay; His conscious soul to God in praise. Our refuge when the storms arise: That peace and joy on earth there be; If meekly sought alone to flow From God, and him in all to sec. The spring of joy shall fade no more. So when the wintry grave is o'er, M.A. W. |