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intention in singing should not be to prove how well we can sing, nor to test the taste and the musical powers of others. It should be our aim to praise God; and this should be done" with the understanding and with the heart." Should we turn, then, from the altar during this ascription of praise?

The Jews, when absent from Jerusalem, prayed, and sung praises with their faces towards the temple; and, when they were present, they offered their prayers and their ascriptions of praise with their faces towards the altar. It is a good custom, which used to prevail among Protestants, and is still retained in the Romish church, that all, both priests and people, shall, during all the services, turn towards the altar. While on this subject, may I be permitted to remark, that there is an error -not intentionally such, but yet actually an error in resting on the musical powers of one or two singers? This is the case in some of our churches. But its impropriety is evident on a moment's reflection. Praise being designed as an ascription from all, the whole congregation should doubtless join in it."Sing unto the Lord, all ye people: sing unto him, all ye nations." "Let the people praise thee, O God! yea, let all the people praise thee."

Nor is it superfluous to remark, that very frequently confusion arises among the congregation, and devotion is consequently chilled by the evil (for such it is) of continually changing the sacred

music.

On asking an individual, who did not belong to our communion, how he was pleased one Sunday that he had attended service with me at one of our churches, he remarked, "Very much indeed; but I did not think myself in a church." On his explaining himself, I found the main objection he had, was the scanty number of those who sung; it seemed like a concert, where a few individuals are to entertain the company, rather than a congregation assembled to praise God.

This should not be so. The assistance which all voices, however poor, receive from the organ, which, to the praise of our church, has always retained its rightful place among us, ought

to excite every individual in the congregation to join in these ascriptions of praise.

The last censurable circumstance, which I shall notice, is the confusion that frequently arises in church, imme diately after the blessing is pronounced. The profound silence, which generally reigns throughout the congregation while the minister is pronouncing the solemn benediction, ought not so soon to be broken in upon by the bustle of those who are apparently anxious to hurry away from the house of God. It is a beautiful custom which our church has retained that of offering to heaven a silent prayer at the close of the service. The impropriety of intruding upon this will be evident to every reflecting mind. It is generally among the younger part of the congregation that disturbance of this kind is observable. It would tend much to the decent and orderly conduct of public worship, were this fault corrected: and it might easily be done by a little attention on the part of parents in their private admonitions.

Perhaps I shall err, if I close this pa per without remarking upon the impro priety of wearing the hat while entering, and while going out of the church. The mere mentioning of it, I trust, will be sufficient to correct it.

It would certainly be a very good thing, if the congregations in our large towns were to set a strict example on the points above noticed. It would soon be followed by all. And the church would not then be so often accused of lukewarmness and indifference in the discharge of public acts of worship. Furthermore, let it be remembered, that orderly conduct, and devotional attendance at church, may, in a great degree, help to our spiritual benefit-a result which ought always to be prayed for.

The above reflections have been drawn from observation at different times, and in different places. They are not intended as sarcasms against any of our congregations; but only as hints deserving of attention from all. As such, I trust, they will be received; and, where they are right, be adopted, and, where wrong, forgiven.

J.

Communication.

A SACRED CONCERT was given by the choir of the episcopal church in the village of Utica, New-York, assisted by several ladies and gentlemen of said village, on the evening of the 24th of December, (Christmas Eve) 1822. The avails of the concert, (after the payment of the expenses) amounting to $73, were appropriated to the relief of the episcopal church at the Holland Patent, Oneida county, at present under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Hollister.

Episcopal Acts.

Binghamton, (N. Y.) Feb. 7, 1823. On Friday last, a new church, erected in this village, was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, by the name of Christ church. The Rev. Dr. M'Donald, and the Rev. Orin Clark, of Geneva; the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Auburn; the Rev. Mr. Bush, of Oxford, the Rev. Mr. Perry, of Unadilla, and the Rev. Mr. Gear, of this village, were present, and assisted at the solemnities. An ordination was also held by the bishop, and Mr. Burton H. Hecox, a student in the theological school at Geneva, was admitted to the order of deacons. In the afternoon service, the rite of confirmation was also administered.-In the course of the sermon preached by the bishop, he took occasion to state, that when he first visited this place, about nine years since, the episcopal church was scarcely known here. It was only about five years past, that he had consecrated a commodious edifice for worship. And he had now the high gratification of consecrating another edifice, larger than the former, and finished in a style of great neatness, and even with no inconsiderable degree of elegance. He mentioned this circumstance as highly honourable to the congregation, and particularly so to the individuals by whose liberality and exertions so much had been effected in so short a period. And it was his earnest prayer, that in this that they had done, God would remember them for good.-The church is finished somewhat in the Gothic style of architecture. The pews gradually

rise from the chancel, and are nearly all neatly lined and furnished with cushions, and the desk and pulpit are very handsomely finished. The pews are principally sold, and the money arising from the sale, with the subscriptions, has rather more than defrayed the cost of erecting the building.

On Quinquagesima Sunday, Febru ary 9th, 1823, in Christ church, NewYork, the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart admitted Mr. John Sellon to the holy order of deacons.

For the Christian Journal.
EASTER.
Now is Christ risen from the dead!
Cor. xv. 20.

Hark! the bursting sound of joy
Echoes far to distant lands,
And the highest notes employ

Heaven's redeemed and spotless bands.
"Tis the day our Saviour rose,
Conquering death, and all his foes.
Hark! while myriad voices join
All their music in the strain,
Notes of harmony divine

Rise from every sacred fane.
'Tis the day our Saviour rose,
Conquering death, and all his foes.
Christ, our Saviour, hear our prayer;
Lend thine ear to our complaints→→
We thy purchased children are;

Are not we thy chosen saints?
Hear us, Saviour; thou wast given
To guide our souls from earth to heaven.
Angels, tune your harps again!
Hallelujah to the Lord!
Let your voices join the strain!

Echo, Earth! the sounding word! 'Tis the day our Saviour rose, Conquering death, and all his foes.

The Dawn. By Caroline Fry.
Pensive as I watch'd the night,
Many a star was glitt'ring bright;
While their gay, but warmthless rays,
Waked the thoughts of other days;
Like the joys I knew of old,
They were bright, but they were cold;
Parting with the parting shade,
One by one I saw them fade;
Duly as the morning clear'd,
One by one they disappear❜d.
So before celestial light

Sink the joys of nature's night:
'T was but folly made them dear,
'T was but darkness made them fair.
A the dawn of grace increases,
Earth's delusion fades and ceases;
Joys that once were all my bliss,
Fading into nothingness,

Take them wings, and pass away,
Lost in everlasting day,
Ch. Guard.]

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It was opened with morning prayer, conducted by the Rev. Intrepid Morse, minister of St. Paul's church, Steubenville, and St. James's church, Cross Creek; and an appropriate sermon, and the administration of the holy communion, by the bishop.

Agreeably to the 45th canon of the General Convention of 1808, the Right Rev. Bishop Chase delivered the following address:—

Reverend Brethren, and Gentlemen of this Convention,

Since our last meeting I have performed but little episcopal duty; but that little, though mixed with much imperfection, has been the extent of my abilities.

Cramped in my circumstances, and attacked by a violent and lingering disorder, last summer, I was unable to perform but a small part of what I had wished to do in the vineyard of our adored Master. I, however, visited Chillicothe, Portsmouth, Zanesville, and Marietta. Near the last mentioned place, in company with the Rev. Mr. Morse, I was seized with the bilious cholic and intermitting fever so severely, that I was obliged to be transported in a boat, for several miles, to the house of a friend on the margin of the Muskingum river; whence, after about three weeks sickness, I returned home; all the appointments at the east and north being thus frustrated, and my weak state of health not permitting a renewal of VOL. VII.

[VOL. VII.

them. To those persons who, with great kindness and assiduity, ministered to me, and to the Rev. Mr. Morse, (for he was also my companion in sickness,) I beg leave, in this way, to make my acknowledgements of sincere gratitude. I have since understood that some considerable preparations are making for the erection of a church at Marietta.

During the past year, only the following confirmations took place:-At Worthington, on Whitsunday, eighteen persons; St. James's parish, Zanesville, August 5th, six; All Saints, Portsmouth, 24th July, four-in all, twentyeight.

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On the 12th of September last, by divine grace, I was the instrument of consecrating to the service of Almighty God, St. Paul's church, in Chillicothe; which episcopal act is renderded doubly interesting by the circumstance of its being the first of the kind west of the Allegany mountains. The church is small, but neat and commodious, having already a small organ and good music. Much praise is due to the gentlemen who, under very discouraging circumstances, have persevered to the accomplishment of this good work; and I am peculiarly grateful to Divine Providence in that, with the finishing of their church, the parish have, I hope, permanently secured the services of a pious and able minister of the Lord Jesus. The parish of All Saints' church, at Portsmouth, I had visited in July, and found their unanimity and zeal in the cause of truth and piety unabated. The Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg, deacon, having been regularly received into the diocess, by letters dimissory from the bishop of New-York, is fixed for the present at Chillicothe, Portsmouth, and Circleville. What congregations, however small and depressed, will not take courage, when witnessing the blessing with which God hath been pleased to

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crown the efforts of these interesting parishes!

The connexion subsisting between the Rev. Intrepid Morse, and the parish of St. James's church, Zanesville, has been dissolved in great harmony; the former will henceforth confine his parochial services to Steubenville and vicinity, and the latter will be supplied by the ministrations of the Rev. Phi lander Chase, jun.

The Rev. Spencer Wall, deacon, came regularly into the diocess with letters of recommendation from the Right Rev. Bishop Kemp, of Maryland. I advised the offer of his ministerial services to those hitherto much neglected places at the western part of the diocess, viz. Dayton, Springfield, and Piqua. At these he laboured from the 19th of October to the 24th of March last, when he had some thoughts of quitting his station; from which, considering our des titute situation, I was so happy as to dissuade him, so that he still continues among them. From his report, dated the 27th of March, 1822, I make the following extracts: Regular and stated ministrations at these three places and the country adjoining them would, beyond question, contribute much to the prosperity of the church in the west ern part of the diocess. At Piqua, the prospects are such as to justify sanguine expectations of the permanent esta blishment and regular growth of the church. Her friends have already raised a subscription amounting to about six hundred dollars, for the purpose of erecting a church. The donation of a lot has been made, and the deed ready to be executed as soon as the society receives a corporate form in law. It is intended to commence the building as soon as the weather will permit, and complete it the present year. The services and doctrines of the church are acceptable to the people generally, and by many cherished with cordiality; but unless they be soon supplied with occasional ministrations, this infant establishment will be entirely lost."

I make the above extract of the prospects at Piqua in particular, because it is a place never before visited, neither by myself nor any of our clergy. To lovers of primitive truth, how

cheering the prospect, to see the divine seed take root in a soil so new, and yet so free from the weeds and briars of modern prejudices. Other places there doubtless are equally congenial, had we more faithful labourers who, regardless of toil and hardship, would make the glory of their Redeemer's cause their paramount object.

Though unable, as I have observed, to visit in person the churches at the north, south-west, and east, during the last year, yet the tidings from them, through the medium of their respective clergy, and others, have been, as far as our destitute condition would permit, by no means void of consoling, and even animating prospects.

The parish of St. Thomas's church, St. Clairsville, have mostly, through the laudable exertions of a few individuals, been enabled to build and finish a church respectable for its size and convenience; and, I am just now informed, that it is ready for consecration to the service of Almighty God.

The exertions of the Rev. Mr. Searle on the Connecticut Reserve Lands, and in Huron county, have met with my most cordial approbation, and I humbly hope will be rewarded by him in whose service he so faithfully labours. The formation of a parish at Norwalk excites feelings of great desire to see them, and to join in prayers with them to the great Head of the church for heavenly blessings on our infant Zion.

I cannot suppress my grateful feelings to our heavenly Father, that he continues to bless the people at Morristown, in Belmont, and in Monroe counties, with the spirit, patience, and perseverance in the cause of religion, though under circumstances of great deprivation. At the former place they have constant lay reading, and by these means have kept together, and have commenced the building of a small, but decent church. In Monroe, the lambs are not entirely scattered, though they have had but one visitation of a person in holy orders since the summer of 1820. O God of mercy! pity our destitute condition, and send forth labourers into thy harvest. Good accounts have been received from Cincinnati. The labours of a pious minister seem much blessed;

and the number of the faithful is gradually increasing.

On the whole, considering our infant state, the great difficulties we have to encounter, in being so scattered and so poor, we have, in the events of last year, in the patient sufferings of our clergy, and in the perseverance of our people, received such evident tokens of the divine goodness and mercy, that we have great reason to bless God, and take courage" whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth; and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.??

That amidst all our sufferings and melancholy forebodings, the good God hath remembered mercy; I would inform the members of this convention, that the resolutions entered on the jourpals of last year, requesting me to prepare and transmit to the bishops of the respective diocesses in the United States, an address, setting forth the great ne cessities of the church within the dio cess of Ohio, and soliciting aid and assistance in procuring missionaries to reside among them; and also to communicate the existence of our missionary society to the same, and request their aid in furthering and promoting the abjects thereof, were, according to my ability, complied with, A copy of the said address is now submitted to the convention for their inspection. The result of these measures has been such as to call forth feelings of unfeigned gratitude. Most devoutly should we pray God to reward with his choicest blessings those who have thus been mindful of our wants, and of our desolate condition. May this instance of bounty to us, in this our greatest need, incite us to double our diligence and exertions to provide for, and feed the lambs of Christ scattered through our wild world, and now perishing for lack of spiritual food; and, to this end, may God bless all our endeavours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Rev. Intrepid Morse was elected secretary.

The parochial reports furnish the following aggregate:-Baptisms (adults 40, infants 253, not specified 17) 310 -marriages 23-funerals 38-commanicants 469.

From the report of the Rev. Samuel Johnston, minister of Christ church, Cincinnati, we select the following remark:"I must here bear my testimony to the advantages of a conformity, as far as circumstances will permit, to the festivals and fasts of the church.Such is their beautiful order, and pious tendency, that they are seldom celebrated without producing the most favourable results. I have, therefore, in compliance with my duty, observed them as they occurred, and have also held services on Fridays during Lent, and attended church each day in Pas sion Week."

The following report, from the trustees of the bishop's fund, forwarded to the convention, was presented and read:

The undersigned, two of the trustees of the bishop's fund of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocess of Ohio, report

That since their appointment, in 1819, they have not thought it adviseable, in consequence of the pecuniary pressure under which the country has been labouring, to address the circular letter to the wardens and vestrymen of the respective parishes in this diocess, as required by the third resolution on that subject of the convention of 1819.

In discharging the duty assigned the trustees, by the fourth resolution of the same convention, they petitioned the legislature for an act of incorporation in the winter of 1819-20, at which time a bill was reported, and postponed to the next session of the legislature. At the next session of the same body, the application was renewed, and a law passed incorporating "the trustees of the bishop's fund of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocess of Ohio."

The trustees have held themselves in readiness to perform the duties required of them by the second and fifth resolu tions of the convention of 1819, but as no donations, or conveyances of money, or other property, have been made to them by the parishes, or individuals, for the use of their trust, they have had no drafts upon their judgment or discretion, for its management or distribution, for the benefit of the episcopal

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