Paris, Jan. 29, 1833.

WHEN I met you and your friends in Earl Street, I expressed my conviction that Mr. Kieffer's health was seriously deranged, and that it would not be possible for him to continue much longer his occupations on their present scale. For some time past he has evidently declined; and when last with me, the detail of his complaints confirmed my belief, that if he could drag on till the spring, it would be necessary for him to pass many months in the country, and in repose. He kept up however, pursued his course of daily duty, and was as punctual and as attentive as ever. Yesterday week he was out, went to the College of France, but was too ill to give his lecture from thence he went to the Depôt, to give orders for the issue of Bibles.-Alas! he could not stand to give his directions; and having been met by Mrs. Kieffer, he was conveyed home and to his bed he has not since been able to rise; and this morning, at two o'clock, his earthly labours and sufferings ceased. He was calm, patient, and devout. Mrs. Kieffer informs me, that his eyes were often lifted towards heaven; and as long as his strength permitted, he uttered audible ejaculations, expressive of his dependence and reliance on the Lord. I am much grieved at the

sudden disappearance of this steady and estimable labourer, from this vast and important field. We are praying, "Send more labourers!" The Husbandman recalls one, long tried and well approved: but he is the Lord of the vineyard, and has a deeper interest in its prosperity than any of us.

Another letter states,

I write under a strong impression of grief, and just before the hour for the post; not knowing if any body else writes. The kingdom of God on earth has sustained this morning a great loss, and the kingdom of God in heaven has gained a citizen. Our dear brother and friend, Professor Kieffer, is removed from time to eternity; and has exchanged his earthly toil for the everlasting rest purchased by the blood of that Saviour in whom he believed, and whose kingdom he endeavoured to promote with so much zeal, steadiness, and amiableness of character. I loved him dearly, and respected him much, and wept over him. I only heard this morning of his illness, and went immediately to see him; but was, alas too late. I shall meet his respected and friendly countenance more on this side the grave. May we all meet in the heavenly abode !

no

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN

THE UNITED STATES.

THE Triennial General Convention of the Bishops, and Clerical and Lay Delegates of this church, was held at New York, on Friday, the 19th of October, and three following days (Sunday excepted); when various grave questions, deeply affecting the future prosperity and discipline of the church, were discussed with much Christian feeling, gentlemanly candour, and urbanity and the convention closed with perfect harmony among its numerous members: the following are a few of the leading measures adopted.

Bishop Chase's resignation of the

episcopate in Ohio was, after mature deliberation, accepted by the House of Bishops, a canon being passed to prevent Bishops from resigning their sees in future; (Bishop Chase has sold his estate in Ohio, and purchased another in the territory of Michigan, whither he has gone to reside.)

The Selection from the Book of Psalms in Metre, (the New Version of Tate and Brady) recommended by the Joint Committee of the House of Bishops and of Clerical and Lay Deputies, appointed at the General Convention in 1829, was adopted. The newly formed dioceses of Alabama and Michigan, were re

ceived into union with the Convention: and the Canons of the church were revised, and ordered to be printed.

On the 31st of October, FOUR Bishops were consecrated in St. Paul's Chapel, New York, by the Right Rev. WILLIAM WHITE, D. D. Presiding Bishop, with the assistance of the other Bishops, who had been present at the General Convention, viz. the Rev. CHARLES P. M'ILVAINE, D. D. to the Diocese of Ohio; the Rev. GEORGE WASHINGTON DOANE, of Boston, to the Diocese of New Jersey; the Rev. JOHN H. HOPKINS, D. D. to the Diocese in Vermont, which has been detached from the eastern diocese, and created into a distinct see; and the Rev. B. B. SMITH, D. D. to the Diocese of Kentucky. The Consecration Sermon was preached from Isaiah Ixvi. 21. by Bishop Onderdonk, of Pensylvania.

Lately have been reprinted at the Protestant Episcopal Press, New York, the Bishop of Chester's 'Apostolical Preaching considered,' also his 'Practical Expositions' of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

PROGRESS OF TEMPERANCE IN
AMERICA.

AN order has been issued by the Minister of War in the United States, forbidding the introduction of spirituous liquors into fortresses, garrisons, and camps. The ration of spirits which was formerly allowed to the soldiers, is abolished, and will for the future be replaced, by an allowance of sugar and coffee. The contractors are particularly forbidden to furnish the troops with whiskey, and in order to enforce this prohibition, no redress can be obtained for debts incurred on account of it.

By later intelligence we learn, that several of the American Newspapers have refused to admit any more advertisements for the sale of spirituous liquors. Thus it is to be hoped, they will in no long time be brought back to their original use, as chemical ingredients.

BUENOS AYRES.

Mr. W. Torrey, an American missionary at Buenos Ayres, has been imprisoned by order of an ecclesiastical tribunal, and condemned to pay a fine of a thousand dollars, for having officiated at a

mixed marriage. We have not learned whether a prohibitory law actually exists, but the bigoted state of those countries is sufficient to account for the fact. The prejudices against Protestants are in full force, while the harmonising spirit of true religion is unknown. Mr. Torrey has protested against this despotic act, in an appeal to the American Consul, which may probably lead to inter-national stipulations on this subject.

BRAZIL:

THE attention of our various Missionary Societies has not yet been directed sufficiently to this empire. The cities of Rio Janeiro, St. Salvador (or Bahia) and Perambuco, are thronged with British merchants, whose religious wants, we fear, are but scantily supplied. The conduct of the English at the last mentioned place, is described as being extremely dissolute, while, bent as they are on profits of commerce, the world to come requires to be placed before them distinctly and forcibly. The chapel, which is supplied by a late naval chaplain, is thinly attended, nor is the ministry calculated to be beneficial to souls. On the other hand, the Romish clergy are pourtrayed as living in a state of abandoned profligacy; the Friars, who make a vow of leading a pilgrim's life, are continually racing on the finest blood horses; at the same time, the service is celebrated with all imaginable splendour, and with exquisitively beautiful music. Respect continues to be paid to the habit of the priesthood and of the monastic orders; but religion, as a feeling and a principle, is fast wearing out. In considering what means would be most efficient in pro moting religion among the British, we would suggest, that the residence of a pious family would be most desirable. Among dissolute people, a layman's example is often more powerful than a minister's precepts, and he has many ways of reaching persons, which the other has not, from being circumscribed by his profession. When we remember what it pleased the Lord to effect among the British soldiery at St. Helena, we desire earnestly to see a similar work wrought among our merchants and residents in foreign cities.

The state of the clergy in Bavaria, is thus described in the preface to Dr. Pye Smith's Testimony to the Messiah.

Learned and pious members of the Papal church itself, are now openly proclaiming this principle, of deriving all religious truth from scripture, especially in the south of Germany; in particular.

at

Munich, Dillingen, Mentz, and Frankfort. The superstitions and errors of their church, though not rejected and even in some degree revered, yet occupy a very low place; while their understandings are enlightened, and their vigorous piety is sustained, by clear views of the great scriptural doctrines concerning grace, redemption, and the Divine person, by whom those blessings are communicated to men.'

There are now in the diocese of Augsburg from sixty to seventy Catholic Priests, of evangelical sentiments, but who instead of separating from the Romish church, contend earnestly for a reform

within it, rather than break with it entirely by uniting themselves to the Protestant communion. A short time since, a parish containing a thousand souls, demanded and obtained, in accordance with the pastor, the sacrament in both kinds, and the use of the German language in divine service. They declared their resolution of becoming Protestants, if their request was not granted.

Bavaria contains 5,394 public primary schools, and 498,000 scholars, with a population of 3,960,000 inhabitants. The whole number of places of instruction is 5530, and of the scholars, 500,000, or more than an eighth of the population. This fact explains the progress which Bavaria has made in the last thirty years. Her clergy are the most Scriptural of any Romish country in Europe, and a class has been forming among them, which will materially tend to influence and enlighten the rising generation.