hortations, as well to the sick as the whole, within your cures, as need should require and occasion should be given." You did then vow, that, by the grace of God," you would be diligent in prayers and in reading the holy scriptures. and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same; laying aside the study of the world and the flesh."

You did then vow, that, the Lord be ing your helper," you would be diligent to frame and fashion your own selves and families according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ."

You did then promise and vow, that, the Lord being your helper, "you would maintain and set forward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love among all Christian people, and especially among them that are or shall be committed to your charge."

Finally, you did then, under the same solemnities, promise, that, by the grace of God, "you would reverently obey your bishop and other chief ministers, who, according to the canons of the church, may have the charge and government over you; following, with a glad mind and will, their godly admonitions, and submitting yourselves to their godly judgments.'

All this you did promise and vow; and that each and every part of this most solemn transaction was on your part done in sincerity and truth, without any reservation, prevarication, or self-evasion of mind whatsoever, the divine blessing was invoked upon you in these most solemn and pious words by the bishop:-" Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

These, brethren, are your ministerial duties, and this a faithful recital of the obligations which you took upon you, when admitted to the dignity of the priesthood. They are too plain to need a comment; too solemn to need enforcing.

The only thing to be feared is, that,

amidst the cares and vexations of this mortal life, we suffer them, at any time, to escape our memory, and thus sin against God and violate our oaths, as effectually by negligence, as by wilful transgression Precious and important as is the treasure of the Christian ministry, yet we must ever remember, that we bear about with us "this treasure in earthen vessels;" of whose frailty, especially that of negligence, if we be not constantly mindful, we may lose our own souls, and those of many who are committed to our charge.

Suffer, then, the word of exhortation, I beseech you. Let no suspicion of even a remote personality deprive that exhortation of its due effect. Keep ever printed on your conscious minds, the full nature and extent of your ordination vows. To which end, often peruse them; and as in the presence of the heart-searching God, often ask your own hearts, without partiality or reservation, for the sincerity with which you are bound to fulfil them. Above all, as the year rolls round and brings to your enjoyment another anniversary of the day of your ordination, resolve to dedicate it in serious meditation on the past, and holy resolutions for the time to come. Wherein you have been remiss, or, at the expense of duty, consulted personal ease, worldly interest or passion, there implore, in humble prayer and unostentatious fasting, the divine forgiveness, through Jesus Christ; and never cease your supplications to this effect, till you feel your prayer answered in the grace of God, giving you holy and steadfast purposes of amendment for the future. In short, keep your vows, as Christian ministers, always on your minds and hearts, and God will give you grace to fulfil them, to the edifying of his church, and the saving of your own souls.

Dear brethren of the laity,

In addressing you of this convention, it is understood that I am addressing the members and friends of our communion throughout the diocese.

Appointed by the providence of God to preside over you in the character of a Father to the family of Christ, there would be reason deeply to lament my

great insensibility, if the relation which I bear to you did not call forth the tenderest solicitude for your welfare; especially that which relates to the salvation of your souls. Redeemed by the blood of Christ, you constitute a charge, of all things the most precious, of which, if I am not in some degree sensible, words would be wanting to shew my crime. You will therefore believe the assurance which I now most solemnly give you, that to be instrumental in securing the end of your redemption in the final salvation of your souls, is my best and highest wish-a wish, which by day often rises into prayer, and by night, in anxious visions, visits my pillow. But how to be this instrument, and how to accomplish this wish, forms my greatest anxiety. The means of grace are before you, it is true; but how to persuade you to use them aright is the difficulty. The Holy Bible is in your hands, but who can incline your hearts to read it with attention? Sermons are preached in your ears, but who shall give them that saving efficacy by which your hearts may be convinced of sin and converted unto holiness? The sacraments are often administered to many, and before the most of you; but who shall so bless them, as, on the one hand, to excite you to their constant use, and, on the other, to shield them from abuse and profanity? God's providence is always before you, in governing the world, in giving you fruitful seasons, in filling your hearts with food and gladness, in warning you by the death of others, to be mindful of your own; but, who shall awaken-oh! who shall subdue your callous hearts, rightly to improve that providence to the salvation of your souls? As God alone can do this, to him only can I look for aid, for power and direction, to make my labours, and those of my dear brethren of the ministry, of any use to you. Fruitless, however, will be the prayers as well as the endeavours of the ministers of Christ, unless you also can be excited to pray for yourselves. Prayer is to the soul what culture is to the soil; it fits and prepares it both to receive the seed of God's werd, and to render the dews and showers of heavenly grace availing. To this one

point of duty, therefore, I would call your attention; for, without it, as you perceive, ali the means of grace which you enjoy. will be as if they never were. Pray, then, for yourselves, or the prayers of others will be lost upon you. In secret beg God to give you a sense of your sins, and shew you your undone condition by nature; or the offers of pardon made to you in the Gospel, will have no power to excite your love. Commence, and continue, the worship of God in your families; or God will not commence, nor continue, his work of grace to the salvation of yourselves and households.

On the morning and evening lesson read with solemnity according to the appointment of the church, never cease to implore the heavenly blessing, that God "who hath caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning, would be pleased to direct and sanctify your hearts, that you may so read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of his holy word, you may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life." When prayers are offered up to God, and his praises celebrated in public, never cease, I beseech you, to join, with your hearts and voices, in the solemn duty. Be not among those, who, when appearing before God, refuse to perform the pious part assigned them; or, those that think a cold, outward conformity is all that is required. Remember that close attention and unfeigned devotion are the indispensable requisites to make the beauty of our worship "the beauty of holiness."

If you complain of lukewarmness in your devotions, let the danger which these complaints suggest, prompt you to pray God to give you a heart to pray. If your sins present themselves in array against you, and attempt to stifle the voice of prayer, fly as those who are perishing, to the bosom of your Saviour, who once bore your sins on the cross, and now, if you put your trust in him, is ever ready to relieve you from your burden. Ten thousand times better is the case of him who feels his sins weighing him down to the earth, if they cause him to smite upon his breast and cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner,"

than that of him, who, however he may "thank God that he is not as other men are," yet by his life and conversation shews that faith and piety are not his ruling principles. Beg God, then, to make you feel your sins-and his mercy will hear your prayers when crying for forgiveness. In hearing sermons, never content yourselves with barely hearing. As you go along with the preacher, and approve of what is said, sincerely though silently offer unto God the fervent wish, the devout ejaculation, that the God of grace would bless his word and impress its truth upon your hearts. The sermon otherwise, however true and excellent in itself, will do you little good. All that is said will be meant for others and not for you: your taste may criticise, but your hearts will be none the better.

Hear, then, the sum of all I would say to you. Sincerely say your prayers to God through Jesus our Lord. Begin to pray, and you will cease to sin: continue instant, faint not in this holy duty, and God will own you for his children, his family and his church here on earth; and in the world to come, he will crown you with eternal glory. Dear brethren of the clergy and laity.

Having spoken thus freely and sincerely, though very briefly, of your duties, it remains to speak of those which God has enabled me to perform since our last meeting. In an address of this nature, to mention my own embarrassments might want decorum, were it not necessary to state the cause of neglect ing so great a portion of my diocese.

Painful as it has been to my feelings to leave the north part of the state for two summers without an episcopal visitation, yet my health, and the want of pecuniary means of travelling, not permitting it, I am sure of your forbearance from censure; and I hope, also, the Great Head of the church will not record the omission as a sin against me. On June 9th, the Sunday next succeeding the last convention at Worthington, I admitted Messrs. John Hall and Rufus Murray to the holy order of deacons ; and on the same day, at the same place, I administered the apostolic rite of confirmation to twelve persons.

On the Wednesday following, viz. the 12th of June, 1823, I admitted the Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg to the holy order of priests, in St. Paul's church, Chillicothe. On the 15th, Saturday, I was at Portsmouth, and performed divine service and preached in the evening, Next day, Sunday, read morning and evening prayers, preached two sermons, and confirmed six persons. The sacraments of the Lord's supper and baptism also were administered.

On the 19th of June I was at Chillicothe, and performed divine service and preached in the evening. Sunday, the 23d, at Worthington, and performed the ordinary duties. The 28th, on Allum Creek, and performed the burial service. Sunday, the 30th, I was too much indisposed in bodily health to leave my dwelling.

July the 1st, though in ill health, I set off for the south.

July 2d, I preached and performed divine service in Springfield, and the 3d, did the same at Dayton. Sunday the 7th, I preached in Cincinnati three times.

Previously to my visiting the last mentioned place, I had received letters from the trustees of Cincinnati College, signifying my election to the presidency: and now, finding that this appointment had not only been unanimous, but that it was urged on my acceptance with assurances of its being consistent with the performance of my episcopal duties, as far, and perhaps farther, than for the want of the means of travelling would otherwise be permitted, I thought proper to-accept it. The kind treatment I have hitherto experienced, and the field opened to me by these means, of being constantly useful to the rising generation, are eircumstances which, though attended with some sacrifices, are calculated to afford agreeable prospects. The measure is at the disposal of a merciful Providence: I pray that it may be for good.

In returning to my family, then at Worthington, after spending the Sunday at Dayton, and performing morning and evening service, and preaching twice, I took Troy and Piqua in my way, where did the usual duties.Here the prospects of the church, though lately very flattering, are some

what damped by the unexpected departure of the Rev. Spencer Wall. They seemed, however, not discouraged; and look forward with peculiar solicitude for the services of a pious missionary.

Sunday 21st, I was at Worthington; and the 20th at Delaware, performed duty morning and evening. Monday 29th, in the afternoon, I read prayers and preached at Berkshire, besides meeting the youth in the evening for prayer and exhortation.

Monday 22d, I pursued my journey, through almost an entire woods, to Coshocton county. Here, in Perry township, a few families had associated together under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Morse, by the name of St. Matthew's Church. Their zeal in proceeding immediately, though under straightened circumstances, to the erection of a place for public worship, deserves much priase. The building, though made with hewed logs, bids fair to unite a considerable degree of neatness with commodiousness and firmness: when it is considered that it is the effect of the personal labour of a handful of pious men, assisted only by the voluntary donation of a few persons in Zanesville, in the articles of glass and nails, it will, when finished, furnish a theme of wonder and praise. God grant that this worthy example may be imitated by others in like, and more favourable

circumstances.

In this parish I endeavoured to perform the duty imposed upon me by our Heavenly Master, in visiting the sick, in prayers, and in preaching the word, from the 31st of July till the 4th of August, when I administered the Lord's supper to 17, and confirmed 22 persons. Monday the 5th, in company with Mr. Trimble, I rode about 15 miles to Mill Creek township, between the Tuscurawas and Whitewoman rivers. Here, the same day, according to appointment previously sent, I preached, confirmed 9, and administered the holy communion. The same day rode 12 miles to Coshocton village, held service, and preached in the evening.

From Coshocton to Steubenville is 80 miles. Under a burning sun God

enabled me to travel it in two days. The remainder of the week was spent in assisting the Rev. Mr. Morse in paro chial duties. On the evening of the 10th, divine service was performed by Mr. Morse, and a sermon by myself.

Sunday the 11th, still at Steubenville morning and evening service. The holy communion was administered, fourteen persons confirmed, and one child baptized.

Monday 12th, at St. James's, Cross Creek, the holy sacrament was administered, and five persons confirmed.

Tuesday 13th, at Mr. Finlay's, 10 miles from Cross Creek, confirmed one, and administered the communion to between 20 and 30 persons. From this till Saturday, I spent the time in St. Clairsville, when divine service was held and a sermon preached.

Sunday the 18th, I consecrated a neat and commodious building to the service of Almighty God in St. Clairsville, by the name of St. Thomas's Church. It is 50 feet by 40, built of brick, and neatly finished. The people of St. Clairsville, under the very laudable exertions of the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, who, though living in Virginia, officiates by letters missionary among them, deserve much praise for their zeal and liberality. Few persons have done more with the like means. Would that their example in this respect were imitated. This is the second church consecrated in the episcopal communion west of the mountains. After the service of consecration, the rite of confirmation was administered to ten, and the holy communion was celebrated.

Monday the 19th of August, in company with the Rev. Mr. Armstrong and others, I visited Morristown, preached, and baptized one child. The body of a small church is reared in this place, which, it is hoped, may be finished for consecration this fall. The pious exertions of a few in this place and neighbourhood deserve much commendation. I sincerely pray that their liberality may be returned in heavenly blessings.

Wednesday 21st, I was in Monroe county, held divine service, and preached, at Mr. Bryan's; same evening rode through the woods about five

miles to visit a sick person, and, after prayers and exhortation, returned to Mr. Wendal's.

Next day, August 22d, I held divine service, and preached to a congregation gathered in the woods, and baptized one child.

Viewing the destitute condition of these interesting people, not only in respect of the means of religion, but those of common learning, I thought proper to engage Mr. Jno. M. Jones, a candidate for holy orders, as a lay reader and catechist, to place himself among them, and to teach school. From his well known character for piety, from conversations had with him in person, and more especially from accounts by letter received from the people of his charge, I am fully persuaded he has done his duty faithfully, and been instrumental of much good to the church of the Redeemer. For this important service, I gave him to expect the sum (would it were more) of 50 dollars per annum, it being understood that the principal means of living would be afforded him by the persons among whom he officiates. From Monroe county I passed directly to Zanesville, where, on the 24th, Saturday, there was service and a sermon.

Sunday the 25th, assisted by the Rev. P. Chase, jun. divine service was performed, and sermons preached, morning and evening. The same duties were performed on the Saturday following; the remainder of the week being employed in visiting the members of the parish.

Sunday, 1st of September, still at Zanesville. Two persons were confirmed, and the holy communion administered-sermon and prayers both morning and evening. In the evening the holy sacrament was administered at the bed-side of a sick person. On Monday and Tuesday I returned to my then residence in Worthington.

My time from this period to the present has been divided between the duties of an ecclesiastical nature, and those which arose out of the appointment to the Presidency of Cincinnati College. In going to and returning from the commencement last September, I officiated at Springfield, Dayton,

and Hamilton. The last mentioned place, 25 miles from Cincinnati, I have visited three times this spring; instituted a parish by the name of St. Matthew's, in which are eight communicants, three of whom I confirmed.

Having been called to Zanesville last February, by the very alarming sickness of my son, I had the great satisfaction of administering the holy supper again to the communicants of that parish, all the members of which seem now doubly dear to me, for their uncommon kindness shown their minister in the time of great distress.

Besides my duties to the youth in college since in Cincinnati, I have deem

ed it incumbent on me to assist the Rev. Mr. Johnston, whenever in my power, in whatever pertaineth to the adminis tration of the word and sacraments.

I cannot close this account of the year that is past, without thus publicly acknowledging the goodness of God in raising me twice, since I saw you, from very great and dangerous sickness. When to all expectation brought very near the eternal world, the Divine Hand was almost visible in detaining me.That this, my longer continuance among you, may be for our mutual good in this world, and eternal happiness in the next, I beg you to join your prayers with those of your affec tionate pastor.

By the foregoing statement, it may be seen that, in this diocese, during the last year, there have been confirmed eighty-seven persons. The number baptized, on my private record, is thirty-six. With the exception of one or two instances, I have noticed a considerable increase to the holy communion, and a growing zeal for religion. Many places, however, by reason of their remote and destitute condition, are more the subject of our prayers than of our congratulations.

As president of the missionary society, under your particular patronage, I can state to you that all the means, by writing and entreaty, to such at the eastward as I supposed influential in sending proper clergymen to visit and build up our vacant parishes, have been hitherto unavailing. With anguish of heart inexpressible, I have been