nicated, you will no doubt hear, with pleasure, that, from the reports made at the General Convention, which lately sat at Philadelphia, the state of our Church, through the divine blessing, has much improved, within the three preceding years. Its borders have been considerably extended, its numbers increased, a large accession made to its ministers, and a growing zeal in its interests, and in the practice and promotion of piety, generally manifested. It is, in some degree, an evidence of these truths, that a General Convention of our Church, so numerous, had never before assembled. Eight of the Episcopal Order, and a delegation from the Church in fifteen States, consisting of thirty-six clergy men, and twenty-seven lay gentlemen, were present; besides a considerable number of gentlemen who attended as visitors. These favours call for our grateful acknowledgments to the Great Head of the Church, and for renewed endeavours, always in dependence on divine aid, to live more to his glory, and to devote ourselves more faithfully to his service, in promoting the great interests of that body, which he purchased with his blood.

JOHN CROES.

Newark, August 23, 1820.

On motion, Resolved, That in cases in which any person appointed a deputy to the General Convention shall decline serving, or shall be unable to attend, the standing committee are hereby authorized, on a summons from the President, to assemble, and appoint a deputy to supply his place; and, it is hereby made the duty of the person so declining, or being unable to attend, to give timely notice, of either of these circumstances, to the President of the standing committee. In cases of death, the President shall call a meeting on the mere knowledge of the event, and the standing committee shall proceed to appoint a deputy in the place of the deceased. In all cases of appointment by the standing committee, the deputy shall be furnished with a special certificate, signed by the President, and stating the circumstances under which he is appointed.

The Parochial Reports rendered to the Bishop, and entered on the minutes, according to the Canons, furnish the following aggregate :

Baptisms (Adults 7, Infants 95, not specified 42) 144-Marriages 28Funerals 60-Communicants 547.

Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the ministers of this diocess, and, where there is no minister, of the church wardens, to make reports, at every annual Convention, of the Sunday Schools in their respective parishes, stating their number of scholars and teachers, and such other particulars as may be deemed interesting to the members of the Church.

The Rev. Mr. Rudd presented the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted.

Whereas the establishment of a Grammar School and College, to be conducted upon principles calculated to secure the patronage of the friends of the church, is an object of essential importance to its interests; and, whereas New-Jersey is advantageously situated to be the seat of such an institution;

Resolved, therefore, That a committee be appointed, who, together with the Bishop, shall take this subject into consideration, with power to adopt such measures as they may deem expedient, for the organization and support of such Grammar School and College; and that said committee make report of their progress to the next Convention.

The persons appointed to constitute the committee were, the Rev. Mr. Rudd, the Rev. Mr. Croes, jun. the Rev. Mr. Morehouse, and Peter Kean, Robert Boggs, and William Chetwood, Esqrs.

The clergy were then called on for their reports of collections for the Missionary and Episcopal Funds.

In compliance with which, the following sums were reported to have been collected :—

For the Missionary Fund
For the Episcopal Fund

$155 27

101 79 The Bishop informed the Convention, that he had received a communication from the Right Rev. Dr. Kemp, of Maryland, stating, that in conse

quence of receiving a letter from the Rev. William L. Gibson, a presbyter in that diocess, declaring that he "resigned his office in the ministry of the Church, and renounced his membership in the same," he, the Bishop, had, in conformity with the Canons, "displaced the said Rev. William L. Gibson from his grade in the ministry of this Church."

The clergy were then called on for reports of services, rendered as Missionaries to vacant Churches. In compliance with which—

The Rev. Lewis P. Bayard reported, that agreeably to appointment by the Bishop, he had officiated on two Sundays during the past year, at the village of Belleville, and administered the communion. That he had preached also on two Sundays at the village of Paterson, and likewise several times, on week days, at Williamsville, in the township of Orange.

The Rev. J. C. Rudd reported, that he had officiated on a Sunday (twice) in Christ Church, New-Brunswick, while the Bishop was absent; that he had been prevented, by indisposition, from officiating in St. Peter's Church, Spotswood, but that he has made an appointment to perform that duty on the 3d of September next.

The Rev. Mr. Chapman reported, that he had officiated two Sunday afternoons in Trinity Church, Woodbridge, and one Sunday in Christ Church, NewBrunswick, for the Bishop, while he was performing Episcopal duties in other Churches.

The Rev. J. Croes, jun. reported, that he had officiated twice on a Sunday, in St. Peter's Church, Spotswood; once on a week day, and once on a Sunday, in St. Peter's Church, Freehold, on which last occasion he administered the communion.

The Rev. A. Carter reported, that he officiated one Sunday in Christ Church, New-Brunswick, in the absence of the Bishop.

The Rev. G. Y. Morehouse reported, that he had, agreeably to appointment, officiated on one Sunday at St. Mary's Church, Colestown, and on one Sunday in Christ Church, New-Brunswick, while the Bishop was administering

the rite of confirmation in St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town; that he likewise officiated on a week day evening in St. Peter's Church, Berkeley.

The following appointments were then made:

Standing Committee.-The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Rev. John Croes, jun. and the Rev. Abiel Carter; Robert Boggs, Esq. William P. Deare, Esq. Peter Kean, Esq. and Matthias D. De Hart, Esq.

Deputies to the General Convention. -The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Rev. John Croes, jun. and the Rev. Abiel Carter; James Parker, Esq. Joseph V. Clark, Esq. Joseph Higbee, Esq. and Peter Kean, Esq.

On motion, Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Convention be, and he is hereby directed, to invest all the monies collected for the Episcopal Fund in six per cent. stock of the United States, provided the price of that stock shall not be more than one per cent. above par. But whenever the price shall be higher, he shall, in that case, loan any monies in his possession, to respectable individuals, on bonds with interest, secured by mortgages on unincumbered real estate of double the value of the sum lent.

The Treasurer may also receive, in lieu of money, promissory notes, on interest, payable to him, in his official capacity, on demand, from persons who have subscribed, or may hereafter subscribe, to the fund.

So much of the resolution adopted at the Convention at Perth-Amboy, in 1816, as requires the Treasurer to invest the monies belonging to the Episcopal Fund, in six per cent. of the United States alone, is hereby repealed.

The following Report is an Appendix to the Journal:

The Board of Directors, to whom is confided the appropriation of the Missionary Fund, beg leave to make the following report to the Convention :

That in the month of June, 1819, as was stated in their last report, they, through their President, engaged the Rev. George H. Woodruff to perform

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the duties of a Missionary to the vacant churches in the diocess, on every se cond Sunday, for the space of one year; and, in consideration of the expense he would incur, they agreed to allow him, out of the fund, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.

Mr. Woodruff, however, finding it inconvenient, partly on account of his health, to continue the mission longer than six months, requested to be released from the further performance of the obligation. This request was of course granted.

From Mr. Woodruff's report to the Bishop, who is ex-officio President of the Board, it appears that he has, in execution of the trust committed to him, performed divine service and preached in the vacant churches upwards of forty times within that period, viz.-On two Sundays in the congregation of St. Andrew's Church, Amwell; on two Sundays (three times) in St. Thomas's Church, Alexandria; on one Sunday (twice) in St. Peter's, Freehold; on two Sundays in St. Peter's, Spotswood; on two Sundays, (four times) and once on a week day, at St. James's, Knowlton; on two Sundays (three times) at Newton; on two Sundays, and one week day, at St. Peter's, Berkeley; on three week days at Woodbury; on a Sunday (three times) at Paterson; on a Sunday, and a week day, at Trinity Church, Woodbridge; on a Sunday at St. James's, Piscataway; on a Sunday, and on a week day, at St. Mary's, Colestown; on two Sundays, and a week day, at St. Stephen's, Mullica-Hill; on a Sunday at St. George's, Pennsneck; on a Sunday at St. John's, Salem; on a Sunday in Greenwich; on a week day at Hardwick; on two Sundays, and a week day, at Swedesborough, in exchange; on a Sunday (once) at Christ Church, New-Brunswick, for the Bishop, while he visited the church at Spotswood.

Mr. Woodruff also reports, that the collections for the Missionary Fund, during his mission, amounted to $39 82 cents.

The Board have, with pleasure, learned from their President, who has since visited the vacant churches, that the services of Mr. Woodruff were highly acceptable to the several congre

gations; and that the people speak of him with great affection and respect. The Board also express their approbation of his zeal and fidelity in the discharge of the duties assigned him; and trust that they have had beneficial effects both in tending to preserve to our communion those destitute churches, and in promoting their spiritual interests.

The Board further report, that the Rev. Clarkson Dunn has been engaged as a Missionary for one year to the va cant churches in Sussex county, and in other parts of the diocess, and is now in the regular performance of his duties.

Signed by order of the Board,

JOHN CROES, President. Newark, August 24, 1820.

From the reports of the Treasurer of the Convention, it appears that the collections for the Missionary Fund, during the past year, amounted to $195 43 cents; and those for the Episcopal Fund, to $216 79 cents; and that the aggregate amount of the former fund is $3484 84 cents, and of the latter, $869 28 cents.

A list of the Clergy of the diocess, attached to the Journal, contains the names of the Bishop, 10 Presbyters, and 4 Deacons.

Meditation for a Young Person.
ON MYSELF.

VAIN world! I would for a while retire from thee, and turn my back upon thy fleeting pleasures, and thy glittering toys. I would hearken to the voice of David, when he says, "Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with thy own heart, and be still." I would sound the depths of my inmost soul, and examine the scope and object of my being. "Lord, teach me so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom!" And whilst I muse, may a holy fire kindle within me and may I rise from a profitable solitude enlightened by the Spirit of truth, and quickened to steadier services of love and duty!

What then am I? Am I but a creature of yesterday; born to creep for a few weeks, or months, at most for a few years, on this, little speck of earth,

and then to drop into the silent grave, no more to wake or rise? If this, indeed, be all, what means this thinking, conscious soul; this reflecting mind, stretching its ardent gaze to future worlds, embracing with delight the distant hope of endless bliss, or shuddering with the transient dread of neverending woe? Ah, no! even Nature "Not so." says, But plainer still revealed truth" For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Awful tribunal! at which an assembled world shall receive their irrevocable doom, "Come ye blessed," or, "Depart ye cursed!" Words which must respectively be followed. by "joy unspeakable and full of glory," or by despairing anguish and unutterable confusion!

Where then, O my soul! where shall be "thy lot in the end of the days ?”? Thou art an immortal, thou art an accountable, thou art a degraded, being! far gone from original righteousness, the guilty offspring of a fallen race! Alas! how often hast thou broken the laws of that holy God, whose eye piercest the darkest corners of thy bosom, and is perpetually reading all thy thoughts there? His unerring Spirit hath said, "The thought of foolishness is sin." O how many foolish, and therefore sinful, thoughts are daily and hourly pouring forth from this corrupt and wicked heart! Truth itself hath declared, that "for every idle word men shall be brought into judgment." Alas! how many idle and wicked words too have passed these unhallowed lips, to the dishonour of my God, and, perhaps, to the injury of my fellow creature! My great Creator hath likewise commanded me, and all his rational creatures, to love him with the whole heart, and soul, and strength. But how have I violated this most reasonable and holy commandment! How many idols have I worshipped by giving them a dearer place in my affections than the Creator and Preserver of my existence, the Father of my mercies, and the God of all my comforts! Vain companions, trifling or sinful

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pleasures, have engrossed by far the greater portion of this short and almost useless life; whilst he who demands, and infinitely deserves my best, my all, is set at nought, forgotten, or despised! O blind, mistaken, and unwise! how have I slighted the service of him to whose power, grace, and goodness, I owe life, and breath, and all things! A social being, and yet living to myself; an immortal being, and yet limiting my views to the beggarly elements of this transitory world; an accounta ble being, and yet so regardless of the reckoning-day! Where then shall I

flee for pardon and for help? Blessed be God! "there is a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness," even the blood of the everlasting covenant! Therein may I wash and be made every whit clean! "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth," "cleanseth from all sin," and maketh white, yea, whiter than snow!

Source of grace and truth! to thee may I now and ever look for the rich supplies which my many and great wants are constantly requiring. O dispel all mists of ignorance and error from my mind, and guide me into all truth. Open my understanding, and spiritualize my affections, that, through thy Holy Spirit, I may "know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." May I know, and love, and obey him, as my "prophet, priest, and king." And though I once saw in him "no form or comeliness," 66 no beauty" in him " that I should desire him," display him now to my renewed soul and sanctified affections, as "the chief among ten thousand, the altogether lovely," that I may testify in all things that "the love of Christ constraineth me." Keep me in a holy and child-like dependence upon thee (through him) for all things needful for my good, and I shall be safe; keep me innocent, and I shall be happy; preserve me (to that end) from idleness and folly, from sinful companions, unholy desires, and deceitful practices; keep me in a nearness to thyself by fervent prayer and a diligent attendance upon thy sanctuary and altar; that those amongst whom thy providence may place me (the daily witnesses of my

walk and conversation) may take knowledge of me," as of thy servants of old, that I am a faithful disciple and humble follower of the meek and holy Jesus.

Thus may I (in thine hands) both appear and be as a " tree of righteousness," of thine own right hand planting, nourished by the heavenly dews of thy blessing, and fostered by the sunshine of thy favour; casting a goodly and a graceful shadow over the walks of life, and bearing fruit abundantly to thy praise and honour!

Consider, therefore, now, O my Father, I beseech thee, the weakness and frailty of thy child, and watch over me for good. Make thou thy strength perfect in my weakness, and thy grace sufficient for me; so that, thy Holy Spirit working in me to will and to do of thy good pleasure, both the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, may be alway acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer!

Finally, I pray thee, "guide me here on earth by 'thy counsels, and hereafter receive me to thy glory."

[Christ. Guard.

[Communicated for the Christian Journal.]

Of Sermons and Preaching. [From "Notes Explanatory, Practical, and Historical, from approved Writers of the Church of England on the Book of Common Prayer." By the Rev. Richard Mant, D. D. London, 8vo. 1820.]

THE ancient practice of explaining considerable portions of Scripture to the people was revived by our reformers. Before them Colet had employed many years in publicly expounding all the Epistles written by St. Paul. Archbishop Cranmer expounded Hebrews, as Bishops Hooker, Latimer, and Jewel, did Jonah, the Lord's Prayer, many of the Epistles, and all the Epistles and Gospels used in the Communion Service on Sundays and Holy Days. From the practice of Ambrose, Origen, Chrysostom, and Austin, among the ancients, and of our reformers and other more modern divines, we may with safety affirm, that explaining and applying portions of Scripture read in the Lessons, (and

other parts of the public service), is a very beneficial mode of preaching to ordinary congregations.

Shepherd.

As to the preaching used in the Church of England, if we consider either the excellency or frequency of it, we may justly affirm, that if any church under heaven "hath wherewithal to glory on this behalf," our Church hath much more.

As to the excellency of it, this praise has been long yielded to our Clergy, both at home and from abroad, by the universal voice both of Protestants and of Papists. And the reason of it is apparent: for nonation under heaven hath such seminaries of learning in all kinds, as this nation hath, or any thing like them: I mean, our renowned Universities. And if ever the enemy would come up against our Church, the City of our Sion, to take and to destroy her, that policy of Holofernes against Bethulia will be most effectual, to

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SEIZE UPON THOSE FOUNTAINS OF HER WATERS."

And as to the frequency or plenty of the word preached, which continually flows from these fountains, this provision of our Church, which appoints a sermon once on the Lord's Day, must appear sufficient, yea, abundant; if we look back to the scarcity of it in the days of the Reformation, when the provision of a sermon was but quarterly, as made in Edward the Sixth's time, 1547; and for many years after but monthly, according to an injunction of Queen Elizabeth, 1559. Wherefore this present provision of our Church, in appointing one sermon on the Sundays, ought to be received with all thankfulness. And, in truth, a greater plenty than this may turn perhaps not to our nourishment, but only create in us a waste and wantonness. That appetite in many after a multitude of sermons is no other than that of the Israelites, when, not content with the regular provision of their daily manna, "they required meat for their lusts." Far be it from me that I should discourage or straiten the ordinance of preaching: but God forbid that the enlarging of that should ever straiten

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