Ir is a trite remark, that in no sort of public speaking has so little eminence been attained, as in pulpit oratory. While as many, perhaps more, enter upon that profession which requires their constant exercise in this branch of eloquence, as in the other professions which require the exercise of public speaking, how few do we find who attain to excellence; while at the bar and in the senate we perceive daily instances of the most shining superiority. By some, too ready to lay hold on the slightest occasions to abuse and vilify our holy religion in the persons of its professed defenders and supporters, it has been alleged that this arises from the comparative ignorance, indolence, and indifference of the clergy. The calumny is scarce worthy of a refutal; which, however, has been ably given by one who was qualified to judge in such a cause. But while the reasons why such a small number have been found preeminently excellent in pulpit oratory have been ably stated by a more skilful hand, it may not be amiss to notice a few of the requisites for the attainment of the perfect eloquence of the pulpit, which render it necessary that but comparatively few should ever reach the wished-for eminence.

There is perhaps no sort of public speaking that requires more talent, learning, and prudence, than that exercised by those of the clerical profession. In matter, and in manner, the eloquence of the pulpit differs greatly from that elsewhere exercised.

Its matter is the most noble that can possibly be conceived. Whether the object be to set forth the infinite, adorable, and incomprehensible nature of the DEITY, and so to impress the minds of his creatures with a holy and necessary fear: whether it be to show forth the greatness of redeeming love, and so to excite in the hearts of believers a lively and unceasing gratitude to their Saviour: whether it be to set forth the VOL. VII.

rewards promised to those who shall persevere unto the end, and so to encourage Christians in a firm and unshaken faith, and life correspondent thereunto: or whether it be by denouncing the dreadful wrath of the ALMIGHTY to fill the sinner with awe, and rouse him from his dangerous lethargy: -what can be so awfully interesting, so unspeakably important? The subjects then being so noble, it is evident that language and sentiments equally, or at least proportionably noble, will be requisite to set them forth. For the invention of these, the highest talents can scarce suffice.

Yet is this task rendered peculiarly difficult by the nature of the object. It is not, as in pleading at the bar, to set forth the merits or demerits of a particular transaction, where a multitude of circumstances are awaiting the disposal and embellishment of the speaker, and where the chief object is to persuade, whether by ridicule, pathetic entreaty, or lofty eloquence: it is, upon a few simple facts, and some as simple though all-important doctrines, to ground arguments which may induce men to receive our instructions with a willing mind, and readily to comply with our advice. It is not, as in the senate, to set in the most advantageous light the arguments for a particular side of the question in debate: it is to reason upon a matter, upon which there can be no dispute; to illustrate and enforce a doctrine or a precept, already sufficiently, and yet but too generally disregarded. The eloquence of the pulpit is distinguished from that of both the bar and the senate, by the spiritual and mysterious nature of its subjects. Both of the latter relate to matters which are continually passing before our eyes, and which excite a deep interest in the minds of our auditors. They are such as we ourselves may be thoroughly acquainted with, and are perfectly known to those on whom we would produce an impression. But the pulpit orator has to enforce a subject which, though generally known in a slight and superficial degree, is but too seldom understood and experienced. His auditors are too generally but feebly interested in his subject, and his utmost endea36

vours are necessary to rouse their at tention and excite their lambent affections; while the most important parts of his discourse will be disregarded as trite and of little moment. To guard against these evils, by at once securing the attention of the audience by exciting their affections, and commanding their cool approbation by force of reasoning and clearness of expression, requires no common abilities.

[To be continued.]

From the Gospel Advocate, for Aug. 1823.

Massachusetts Convention.

THE annual convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Massachusetts was held in St. Paul's church, Boston, on the 18th of June, 1823, at which were present, fourteen clergymen and twenty lay delegates, the representatives of ten parishes. Great Barrington, Lanesborough and Lenox, Greenfield, Ashfield, Montague and Springfield, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Quincy, Taunton, Cambridge, and Trinity church, Boston, were not represented. The Bishop having ta ken the chair, the Rev. Benjamin C. Cutler was elected secretary, and Matthew S. Parker, Esq. treasurer of the convention. The standing committee were chosen by nomination, and the Rev. Drs. Gardiner and Jarvis, the Rev. Isaac Boyle, and George Brinley, S. Codman, and T. Clark, Esqrs. who served the last year, were re-appointed.

On motion, resolved, that the secretary be a committee to examine if any unfinished business of the last convention remained to be acted on at the present; and that the thanks of the convention be returned to the Rev. Mr. Boyle, for his sermon, and that he be requested to furnish a copy of the same, for insertion in the Gospel Advocate.

clergymen, and to report thereon at the next convention.

The following gentlemen were ap. pointed delegates to the General Convention:-Rev. Dr Gardiner, Rev. Dr. Jarvis, Rev. Mr. Boyle, Rev. Mr. Strong, John Odin, Esq. Gardiner Green, Esq. Dudley A. Tyng, Esq. Ralph French, Esq.

The following report was made by the chairman of the standing committee:

The clerical members of the standing committee, having been directed bythe last annual convention to revise the constitution and canons of this church, and to report to this convention such alterations therein as might be rendered necessary or expedient, to render them conformable with any new regulations of the diocese, which might be adopted at the then ensuing diocesan convention, respectfully report:

A

That the alterations in the constitution of the eastern diocese, proposed at the convention, held in Newport, Rhode-Island, Sept. 27, 1820, were unanimously adopted by the conven tion held at Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, Sept. 25, 1822. By these alterations, the state of Maine is recognized as a part of the eastern diocese, and the meetings of the convention are to be held annually instead of biennially, and to be composed of all the clergy of the diocese, and a lay delegate from each church.

The

These alterations not being considered as sufficient, others were proposed; but, by an article of the constitution, they could not be proposed and acted upon at the same convention. following proposed alterations were therefore ordered to lie over for consideration, at the next meeting of the convention, to be held at Windsor, in Vermont, on the 24th being the last Wednesday of September, 1823, viz. in the second article, that the words "each of the states by rotation," be erased, and the words "such place as shall be agreed upon at the preceding

after the words "lay delegates," the words " or dele ates not exceeding three," be inserted. In article tenth, that the word "annual" be substituted for the word "biennial.”

For the Christian Journal.

[In giving place to the following report, which has only just been received, the editors cannot refrain from an expression of regret that it was not handed in at an earlier day; much

of the interest and effect of such documents being lost by the lapse of time. They would respectfully suggest to the secretaries and managers of all institutions connected with the church, whose reports may be wished to appear in the Journal, the propriety of furnishing copies of them immediately after they are made, in order that an early publication may be secured to their contents.]

First Report of the Managers of the Female Auxiliary Missionary Society of Christ Church, New-York, made December 5, 1822.

In presenting this their first annual report, the board of managers of the Female Missionary Society of Christ Church, aware of their inability to lay before the members and patrons of the institution, any particulars of a peculiarly interesting nature, cannot suppose, however, that any effort made with a view of extending the Redeemer's kingdom, can be viewed with indifference; or that any information on such a subject can be unacceptable to those who profess to be the disciples of the Saviour of mankind, feeble as may be the effort, or limited the information. Debarred by the nature of the institution from the pleasing task of pointing to where once the beasts of the forest roamed in quest of their prey, and in conjunction with the untutored savage were the sole tenants of the soil; to where even when white men became the proprietors of the land and of the lake, the name of God was unheard, unknown, or known and heard only in the oaths of the blasphemer, or in violation of the dread command uttered from Sinai's awful summit-" Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain," -the board have not the pleasing task of pointing to this once dreary, now altered scene, and (even were the means which the society affords competent to effect so desirable an end) of exclaiming, "there has the herald of the cross, sent forth by means of your pious exertions, proclaimed the Gospel of glad tidings to a people once sunk in ignorance and vice-now raised to godliness and virtue; there has been planted the standard of Immanuel-there has been

raised an altar to the Lord of hosts." For facts of this pleasing nature you must be referred to the report of that society to which this is auxiliary.

Inspired with a lively sense of gratitude to God for his mercies, and the privileges which, in abundant profusion, he has showered upon them as members of a congregation, desirous that others less favoured than themselves might become the participants in those mercies and privileges, several ladies of Christ Church determined to unite their exertions in seconding the efforts of the society established for the purpose of sending missionaries to the be nighted inhabitants of the interior.Accordingly a meeting was called, and

society organized, on Good-Friday, April 6th, 1822, under the appellation of "The Female Auxiliary Missionary Society of Christ Church." With the example of a sister congregation in view, it was not doubted but that the establishment of such an institution would be attended with very beneficial effects; and, blessed be God, the anticipations of many of the warmest advocates of the society have been realized. Eighty-four dollars and eighteen cents have been received: five dollars and eighteen cents have been expended for printing and stationary, and seventynine dollars paid over to the treasurer of the parent institution; a sum which, under existing circumstances, cannot be considered as small, when it is known, that, prior to the formation of this, many of the ladies of the congregation became subscribers to the parent society, and also to the gentlemen's missionary association attached to Christ Church. That a much greater sum will be obtained during the ensuing year, is confidently expected from the fact, that a number of the ladies of our congregation have not yet been called upon, by reason of the afflictive dispensation with which our city has been visited of late. The board cannot omit noticing the pleasing willingness to contribute, which, in most cases, has manifested itself in those who have been called upon: and here we would gratefully acknowledge the receipt of a number of blank books for the use of the society.

From the causes already mentioned,