concentrated effort; and that effort is made, as it may best be made, under the auspices of the Church in Massachusetts; but no plan, however wise, will succeed by simply devising it; hearts, and heads, and hands, must be employed to carry it into execution.

RHODE-ISLAND.

The affairs of the Church are in a prosperous condition, but offer nothing for particular notice. We may remark, however, that from the report of a committee made at the last Convention, there appears to be a very lively interest in the subject of education for the ministry. There is an interesting report, too, on the missionary operations of the Church in the state, from which we learn that a few Churches associated for the purpose, have, in the course of six years, established thirteen missionary stations, and supported them, until now at most of them, churches (some of them large and expensive) have been built by the congregations, and their clergymen, in whole or in part, are sustained by themselves.

CONNECTICUT.

This diocese, honoured in our history as having possessed the first Bishop in the Church in these United States, presents several matters to us worthy of notice in a view of her present condition. When Bishop Brownell was elected, almost eighteen years ago, there were but seven parishes capable of supporting the entire services of a clergyman; twenty-four now do it. But yet very much remains to be done; for there are about ninety parishes in the diocese, and only thirty-nine enjoy the undivided services of a pastor. Of the remainder, some are united into pluralities of two or three in a cure, and some are, and long have been, without a regular supply. The whole number of clergy reported at the late Convention in July last, was seventy-eight; but, after deducting the superannuated, the sick, those engaged in colleges or schools, and those absent as missiona. ries, there are not more than fifty-six parochial clergymen ; so that, as the Bishop states, to give to each parish its own pastor, more than forty additional clergymen are required; and this is one of the oldest dioceses of the Church. To meet this want, in part at least, twenty-five candidates for orders belong to Connecticut; but we fear, had she one hundred candidates, the demand would still not be met. Something else is needed beside men. The means of living must be afforded them.

The Society for the promotion of Christian knowledge in Connecticut, a child of the Convention, has done all, or nearly all, that has been done to build up new parishes, and assist in the support of the clergy in such of the old as were unable to bear the burden alone. With scanty means it has done much, and affords an encouraging example to similar institutions in the other dioceses. But it ought to be enabled to do a great deal more. Its objects indeed, like those of its venerable prototype in the Church of England,

are very numerous; but its narrow means oblige it to direct, at present, all its resources to the support of the ministry; and on this point we beg leave to present the very sensible views set forth by the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, the Secretary, in his report. Three things are included in the plan of supporting the clergy-"1. To provide a settled clergyman for each parish. 2. To give the clergy, if not an adequate, at least a bare subsistence. 3. To have the salary raised, paid punctually and promptly when it becomes due."

Under the second of the above enumerated heads, assuming as the minimum salary which a clergyman'should receive, $500, and that is surely little enough, the parishes are divided into four classes. 1. Those able to pay from $400 to $450 per annum: of these there are twenty-one. 2. Those able to pay from $300 to $350. 3. Those that can pay from $200 to $250; and 4. Those unable to pay even that amount. The plan proposed is to assist these parishes in every case to make the salary $500; but to do this, the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge requires an annual in come of at least $8,000. The accounts of the Treasurer for the past year show his receipts to have been less than $1,200.

To meet the wants of the Society, the Secretary recommends perseverance in the plan pointed out by the Bishop, as far back as 1835, of monthly offerings-one cent per month for every Christian child under the age of fourteen, and not less than five cents per month from every one in the Church over that age; and that these monthly collections, thus brought in, should be solemnly offered to. God on the two great festivals of Easter and Christmas. There can be no doubt that a very large sum would be obtained by this mode, not only for the Church in Connecticut, but for other pur poses of the Church at large. Its success, under God, we take the liberty of saying to our brethren engaged in parochial duty, depends almost exclusively upon them. We have been the more particular in dwelling upon the statistics of the Church in Connecticut, because, after all, they furnish the only basis of sound knowledge, and consequent rational action. We are persuaded, that in some of the dioceses a statistical society would do more toward arousing churchmen to action, than some institutions which bear a church name. Let men see what is to be done; make plain by figures the practicability of doing; and then let the clergy press home the Christian duty of doing for the cause of the Redeemer. There is no doubt of the ability of the Church in Connecticut to raise $8,000 for her own purposes, and no one would have cause to think the portion he contributed burdensome to him.

There is another subject on which we would say a word. We find the Bishop in his address suggesting that possibly more good would result from his visitations if they were not annual. Now we have no doubt the Bishop is quite right, provided the visitations made in any one year are of the proper kind. The Canon expects of each Bishop a visitation to each parish at least once in three

years; but custom has almost made it law that he shall visit each congregation every year. The consequence is not only that pointed out by the Bishop of Connecticut, of a diminution of interest in the visitations on the part of the people; but an utter inability on that of the Bishop to act as the father of the whole Church. If he is to exercise a wholesome and paternal influence, let him have an oppor. tunity to remain in a parish two, three, or four days, according to circumstances; let him visit with the pastor the parishioners in their houses; let him drop a word in season, here and there; let him inquire into many matters which he with great propriety may discuss, and in which he may as a father advise; in short, let the congregations feel that he is in truth the watchful shepherd over the whole fold, and he may wonderfully sustain his clergy, and endear himself to a people who are thus improved by his visits. But to do all this, let it not be required of our Bishops, who at best have no luxurious life of easy indolence, to hurry, in some cases, over a dio. cese larger than all the dioceses of England and Wales combined once in each year. Let them not be compelled, by sheer necessity, to hasten through official acts in the morning in one church, and with scarce time to lay aside their robes and snatch a hasty meal, to hurry on to go through the same rapid process in another church in the afternoon, because they have an engagement to preach in the evening at some third church before them yet to be reached in time for the service. The only wonder is, that such visitations are productive of good at all.

There is another topic upon which it gives us pleasure to remark, in connexion with the affairs of this diocese. The Church in Connecticut has always manifested a laudable interest in the cause of Education. The Episcopal Academy at Cheshire is an ancient institution; and under recent arrangements is in a very flourishing condition, and bids fair to be an important auxiliary to the Church.

Washington College, at Hartford, is one of the most important of the higher institutions possessed by the Church. The prospects of this college are now exceedingly flattering. Two professorships, the Hobart and Seabury professorships, have been recently endowed with funds to the amount of forty thousand dollars. The various libraries contain a choice collection of books, amounting to about 12,000 volumes; and the apparatus for the illustration of natural science is very complete and excellent. The number of students has very greatly increased within a year; and under its able President, and with its body of accomplished Professors, we trust this college will take a high rank among the most important literary institutions of the country.

NEW-YORK.

In this very extensive diocese containing two hundred and twenty-three parishes, and exhibiting a list of two hundred and twenty

five clergymen, nothing of peculiar interest to the Church at large seems recently to have occurred. Under the supervision of its very laborious diocesan, all things have proceeded uniformly; the Church is gradually increasing; the opportunities for its favourable introduction into the western towns of the State are frequent and auspicious, and there is peace within her borders.

The subject of dividing the diocese, much too extensive for the care of a single bishop, is privately and amicably discussed among the members of our communion. The proposed alterations in the constitution of the General Church, which are necessary, to allow of a division, are under the consideration of a Committee, from whom a report will be received at the Convention in October. Whenever the time for action comes, we have every reason to anticipate harmony, inasmuch as we believe that the general wish will be to do that which is really for the best interests of the Church, and we think that a large majority will be apt to see her best interests in the same point of view. It is probable, so far as the eastern por. tion of the diocese is concerned, that its course will be much influ. enced by the feelings and wishes of the western brethren, who in this matter have the most direct interest.

Geneva College, we are happy to say, has before her fairer pros pects than she has ever had. She has received a gift of $3,000: a new college edifice will soon be completed, and both the clergy and laity of the West are taking an interest in the progress and prosperity of the institution. There is no reason why the college may not be made to reach an eminent state of usefulness and bene. fit to the Church. It is one of the few seminaries in our country avowedly belonging to the Episcopal Church; it behoves us to foster it, for we have much too long neglected getting into our own hands the education of our own youth, as well as a fair share of the education of our country at large. We hope, therefore, our western brethren will make it a matter of conscience to do what they can in aid of Geneva college, and in the laudable work we cordially bid them God speed.

We would not leave unnoticed the Flushing Institute, and the contemplated college of our brother, its most worthy principal, who with ardent and enlightened christian zeal, added to a generous enthusiasm in the cause of sound learning, has so successfully devoted himself to the great cause of Christian education in the Episcopal Church. We shall speak more of his efforts and plans on a future occasion. For the present we will only say-May God prosper him.

NEW JERSEY.

Under its very active and laborious bishop the Church in this diocese is advancing in prosperity. The journal of the last Convention shows an increase of clergy and several new congregations organized. We observe nothing in the doings of the Convention to

be noticed here, except that an amendment to the constitution of the diocese was offered, giving to the Bishop a negative upon all acts of the Convention; provided that, during its session, he give, for such negative, his written reasons to be recorded on the Journal. This amendment was rejected.

From the Bishop's Address we select two or three points for notice. We learn with gratification that the old Moravian Church, near Swedesborough, which had "been long unvisited, untenanted, and fallen into disrepair," has, together with the property attached to it, been conveyed by the Moravian Bishop, the Right Rev. Mr. Van Vleck, to the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of New Jersey, "in trust for the benefit of a Protestant Episcopal Church, and of a congregation, to worship according to the rules and ceremonies of said church." The Bishop of New Jersey says: "to add another to the houses of God among us, is always most desirable; but the case is rendered peculiar in its character by the trust which devolves upon us, through the benevolence and confidence of our Moravian brethren. They have every where done honor to the name of Christian, by their simple manners, their primitive piety, and their zealous devotion to the cause of missions." The Bishop recommends the immediate repair of the Church. Services have already been held in it, notwithstanding its dilapidated condition, attended by large congregations.

The Bishop urges the duty and importance of a better provision for the support of the parochial clergy. His remarks on this subject are just and forcible, and we are happy to find that, like the Bishops of New-York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, he has spoken in behalf of his brethren.

He also adverts to the system of Monthly "Offerings of the Church" which has been organized in the diocese. We are glad that it works so well. It is a good plan for country parishes; and, by being faithfully and perseveringly pursued by the clergy, parti. cularly in connexion with the monthly missionary lecture recommended by the bishop, more money will be likely to be collected in this than in any other way.

Among the Bishop of New Jersey's multifarious labours for the advancement of the Church, we will mention one object more, adverted to in the Address. St. Mary's Hall, Burlington, is design. ed to be an institution of the highest order for female education. The prospectus of the institution has been for some months before the public, accompanied by a just and eloquent appeal to parents upon the importance of this most interesting department of education being conducted upon Christian principles. We should be glad to speak more at large of this institution, and to give some extracts from the appeal; but we have not room, and must refer our readers to the Bishop's exposition as set forth in the pamphlet we have mentioned. The institution has been opened under the most flattering auspices; and from the beauty of its location, its easy access, and