"New York.

"The Diocese of New-York contains eighty-nine Clergymen, víz. the Bishop, sixty-nine Presbyters, and nineteen Deacons, and one hundred and twenty-seven congregations."

"Twenty Missionaries are at present employed in this Diocese*."

Missionary labours continue to receive much attention, and to be very usefully prosecuted. The appointment and charge of the Missionaries rest solely with the ecclesiastical authority. There are a number of Missionary Societies; but their only object is to collect funds to be placed at the disposal of the Committee for Propagating the Gospel, which is appointed by the Convention, and of which the Bishop is, ex officio, chairman. As an important portion of our western country is included within the bounds of New-York, and the rapid increase of its population renders obvious the duty of extending to it proportionable means for the diffusion of the principles and practice of the Gospel, it is gratifying to find this section of our Church bestowing its efforts in this way. There are annually raised, in various ways, within the Diocese, and devoted to this object, about 2,500 dollars. The reports of the Missionaries afford the gratifying hope that much good to religion and the Church is thus effecting.

"Besides these missionary exertions at home, the members of the Church in this Diocese lent a willing ear to the late earnest and affecting appeal of the Bishop of Ohio for assistance to the Missionary Society of that Diocese, from the more favoured sections of the Church in the Atlantic States. It appears by the returns of the agent of the Ohio Society, that of the 2,911 dollars 9 cents raised by him, 1,339 dollars 17 cents, were from the Diocese of NewYork t.

"The several Societies of the Church in this Diocese continue their beneficial operations. Under their auspices, Bibles, Common Prayer Books, and Religious Tracts, are distributed in considerable numbers, funds are raised for missionary purposes, and the benefits of gratuitous Sunday instruction, extended to a large number of children and others. As connected with this latter branch of religious charity, may be mentioned the existence and successful operation, in the city of New-York, of an Episcopal Charity School, originally established, long before the Revolution, but lately enlarged and organized on Dr. Bell's system, extending daily instruction to 250 poor children, and particularly devoted to their improvement in Christian knowledge and piety.

"It appears by the address of the Bishop to the last Convention, that there is now a fair prospect of securing, at Geneva, in this

* It appears, that since the last Triennial General Convention, seven new Churches have been organized in this diocese, and eight new churches conse. crated by the Bishop.

+ It appears also from a report of the Trustees of the General Theological Seminary, that in the State of New York, 20,000 dollars have been raised for the General Theological Seminary, besides a legacy of about 60,000 dollars from a gentleman of the city of New York.

Diocese, what has been so long a desideratum in our Church-a College, to be under the management and direction of her members. Should the efforts to this end prove successful, as there is every reason to hope they will, very essential benefit to the cause of our Church and religion, may be anticipated.

"To this notice of matters relating to the outward State of the Church in this Diocese, it is gratifying to be able to add, that there is reason to hope, that in the much more essential point of spiritual prosperity, the divine blessing continues to rest upon it; and that in the enjoyment of this, very satisfactory evidence is afforded of the natural tendency of the institutions of our Church, and of conscientious adherence to her primitive and evangelical order, to promote the interests of true Gospel piety, and with them, the glory of the Saviour, and the spiritual and eternal good of his people.'

"New-Jersey.

"In New Jersey the Church continues gradually to improve." "The Sunday Schools are flourishing, and promise much good. Very considerable benefit is derived from the Missionary fund, which is gradually increasing."

"The Episcopal Society of this Diocese, for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and Piety, which was instituted principally for the distribution of Bibles, Prayer Books, and Tracts, has succeeded beyond calculation. Its support is derived chiefly from four or five congregations; yet it has been able, through the smiles of Providence, to distribute, and almost altogether gratuitously, upwards of two thousand Prayer Books, besides a large number of Bibles, and more than five thousand Tracts. Its permanent fund also exceeds 1000 dollars.

"The congregations, with an occasional exception of one or two, are visited yearly by the Bishop.

"From all these circumstances, it is evident that the Church in this Diocese is regularly improving, both in its temporal and spiritual concerns. May it, under the blessing of its Divine Founder and Head, still progress, and become instrumental, in a higher degree, to the promotion of his glory, and the best interests of men."

"Pennsylvania.

"The Diocese of Pennsylvania consists at present of the Bishop, twenty-nine Presbyters, four Deacons, and forty-four congregations."

66

Sunday Schools exist in many of the parishes, and are flourishing. Their effects have been highly beneficial both upon pupils and teachers; 1,587 scholars were reported from eleven congregations. Bible classes have been established in some parishes, and have been found highly advantageous.,

"In consequence of the exertions of some respectable ladies of the city of Philadelphia, a Scholarship has been established in the General Theological Seminary by the deposit of 2,500 dollars in its Treasury. In aid of the same institution, a board of agents, established in Philadelphia, has collected 1,500 dollars.

"The Church in this Diocese has exhibited much interest in the concerns of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. Several public meetings were held in Philadelphia to promote its important objects. Eight Auxiliary Societies have been organized. Some of the Clergy have been made patrons by the female members of their congregations. The Treasurer's statement shews that in Pennsylvania there are ten patrons, nine life subscribers, and seventy-one annual subscribers.

"The interest thus exhibited in the cause of this institution, has not, and it is trusted, will not affect the concerns of those societies which have been established to promote the welfare of the Church within the bounds of the Diocese. The Society for the Advancement of Christianity continues its useful labours. Eight Clergymen have acted as its Missionaries, or have been assisted from its funds, while they were endeavouring to build up infant churches. Three Missionaries are now in their employ, and they are anxious to obtain some more."

"Delaware.

excep

"The Diocese of Delaware continues nearly in the same state it was at the meeting of the last General Convention, with the tion of some improvements in repairing and building Churches." "Maryland.

t

"Since the meeting of the last General Convention, the prosperity of the Church in this Diocese has been steadily progressive. The number of communicants has considerably multiplied; and in general there is an increasing attention, among the different congregations, to the services of the sanctuary, and a continued call for the labours of devoted ministers."

"Virginia.

"No material alteration has taken place in the condition and character of this Church since the last report. The number of its ministers had increased until the last year, when, by deaths and removals, it was reduced to the number reported to the last Triennial Convention. Some valuable ministers have been lost to the State by reason of the great difficulty of procuring a support for them in these times of unparalleled pecuniary embarrassment."

"North-Carolina.

"The prospects of the Church in this State are equally as bright and encouraging as they were represented to be in the General Convention of 1820. Its renewal resembles indeed less the restoration of an old and decaying, than the healthful growth of a young and vigorous plant. This appears, not only from the rapid augmentation which has already taken place in its numbers, but from the principles of increase which it appears to possess within itself. Its present prosperity is visible in the addition to the numbers of its congregations and Clergy, in the erection of new Churches, in the increase of baptisms and communicants, in the greater zeal manifested for the fundamental doctrines, and correspondent practices, of our holy faith in general, and of the government and discipline of our Church in particular; also, in the formation of Bible, Prayer Book, Mis

sionary, and Tract Societies, and Societies for the encouragement of industry, and relief of indigence.

"There are at present twenty-five congregations in this State, being seventeen more than was reported at the General Convention of 1820. Most of these, however, are small, and but badly provided with ministerial services. Some are attended by Missionaries, at regular, indeed, but long intervals; while many have to depend entirely on the occasional visits of the parochial Clergy. This want has been supplied, as far as possible, by the appointment of lay readers, and much benefit has apparently resulted from the measure, Congregations have, in some instances, been saved, in a good degree, from dissolution; greater interest has been produced for the cause of the Gospel, and a better acquaintance contracted with the more common forms and ceremonies of the Church."

"Completeness has recently been given to the organization of the Church in this Diocese, by the election and consecration of the Rev. J. S. Ravenscroft, as Bishop thereof."

"South-Carolina.

"Since the last General Convention, the number of Clergy in this Diocese has increased. In 1820 there were twenty-seven; there are at present thirty-five, the Bishop, 28 Presbyters, and six Deacons. Some of the parishes have been endeavouring to create permanent funds."

"Six young men from this Diocese have been pursuing their studies preparatory to the ministry, at the General Theological Seminary.

"There are at present thirty-five organized congregations. Five of them are vacant. Since this state was settled by Christian people, there has never been so many ministers of our communion as at present.

"The Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South Carolina has essentially contributed to the present promising condition of our ecclesiastical concerns. It has aided several of the parishes, otherwise unable to support ministers. The missionaries sent forth at different times, have all, with a single exception*, derived their whole support from this society. It is formed on the most comprehensive plan, being at once a Bible, a Prayer Book, a Tract, a Missionary, and an Education Society. Its books have been distributed in most of the parishes. It has aided several young men while engaged in their academical studies, preparatory to theology; after which, it has been hoped, the [General] Theological Seminary, by Scholarships, or otherwise, would provide for them. It possesses a select library, which contains about one thousand volumes, and is increasing, instituted more particularly for the use of the Clergy and the candidates for the sacred office." "In obedience to the high authority of our Supreme Council, the General Theological Seminary, and the General Missionary Society, have been patronized in some degree; and there can be no

"The Mission to Cheraw, here referred to, was partly maintained by the Young Men's Society."

"

doubt that this Diocese will co-operate, cheerfully, promptly, and effectually, in forwarding these great undertakings.

The Convention, by a resolution unanimously adopted, is pledged to contribute its full proportion to the Theological Seminary. It is intended that sermons should be preached in all the parishes, as has already been done in several of them, and collections made for the benefit of this institution."

"By encouraging our candidates* to pursue their studies at the Seminary, we have also wished to testify our desire to assist in rearing this valuable establishment. On its success, as the number of our Clergy is scarcely sufficient to supply our Churches, must depend greatly that of the Missionary Society. We consider, therefore, that we are essentially promoting the interests of this excellent Society, by aiding the Seminary; the natural operation of which will be to increase the number, and the capacity for usefulness, of labourers in the sacred ministry."

"In this Diocese the Church is rapidly rising into notice; and its present state and prospects are such as to warrant the most sanguine expectations of its more general extension.".

Ohio.

"The Clergy generally are very faithful and laborious; and striet attention is paid to the Canons and Rubrics of the Church."

It appears from the Journals of the Convention that very great interest is excited in favour of the GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. For many years there was a diversity of opinion on this subject,

It was at first, we believe, placed in New-York, and afterwards removed to New-Haven, with an express understanding, and with the express permission of the bishops, that a Diocesan Seminary was to be established in New-York; a measure which, under the circumstances which then existed, was advocated by the bishop of that diocese. Happily, however, as we conceive, for the dignity and unity of the Church, and for the successful prosecution of theological education, events occurred which indicated a probability that a junction of the seminaries could be effected on principles which would remove objections that heretofore existed to the General Seminary, and which would unite the whole Church in its support. Bishop Hobart, of New-York, in an address to the convention of his diocese, stated this probability, and advised the measure of uniting the two insti tutions, This was effected with great unanimity in a general convention of the bishops, the clergy, and the laity, in November, 1821. The following Constitution for the Seminary,

* All the candidates of this Diocese, excepting one, who is peculiarly circumstenced, and another who has returned home on account of ill health, are now connected with the General Theological Seminary. The candidates recognized in this Diocese are four in number." 9