Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

there are yet many ladies in the congregation who have not become members of this society. It is hoped their aid will not be withheld when solicited. It cannot be that they who are continually enjoying the favours of the Most High, whose sanctuary privileges are great as they are numerous, will refuse to assist in the extension of those favours to others, when they reflect that thousands of their fellow creatures are at this moment sunk in the lowest depths of vice and immorality, who might be extricated therefrom by the assistance of those who are abundantly blessed with the blessings of the God of heaven. The mind revolts from the idea that numberless immortal souls should be left to perish, and not an effort made to save them.

Who will refuse their cooperation in a work like this? A brighter reward awaits those favoured beings whom Jehovah permits to be the instruments of promoting his cause, than worlds could ever bestow. It is sufficient to excite the noblest feelings of the soul to think, that by your exertions the heavenly concave may be made to ring with the shouts of seraphic legions, upon the conversion of a soul. Trusting that the advancement of the glory of God, and the extension of the limits of that church, which, planted and fostered by his care he will never forsake, are the points towards which we aim; and knowing that a gracious Being "will not despise the day of small things;" let us continue our exertions for the prosperity of Zion, and we have the assurance that our "labour shall not be in vain."

Columbia College Commencement.

The Annual Commencement of CoJumbia College was celebrated on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 1823, in Trinity church. The day was very fine, the company numerous and highly respectable, and the exercises were well and creditably performed. We annex a list of the names of the young gentlemen who graduated, together with the subjects of their orations; and also of those who received the various honours of the College.

1. A salutatory address, with a poem in Latin, "De summa Cœli regione," by Edmund D. Griffin.-2. English salutatory address, with an oration on the influence of religion upon individual and national happiness, by Edward Anthon.-3. An oration in the Greek language, by Lewis Cruger.-4. An oration on the progress of mathematical science, by *Horatio Allen.-5. An oration on refinement of society, as unfavourable to poetry, by William A. Lawrence.-6. An oration on the neglect of, and advantages derived from, the cultivation of intellect, by *Adolphus N. Gouverneur.-7. An oration on the life and character of Napoleon Buonaparte, by James E. S. Hosack.8. An oration on the moral and political influence of history, by Charles J. Smith.-9. An oration on the social feelings, by Edward M. Clark.-10. A disputation on the question, "Is the prevalence of luxury beneficial to society?" *affirmative, James H. Titus; *negative, John D. Ogden.-11. An oration on the invasion of Spain, by Wm. D. Henderson.-12. An oration on the effects of the influx of foreigners on the people of the United States, by *John T. Ferguson.-13. An oration on the progress of religious toleration, by Grenville A. Sacket.-14. An oration on the influence of individual on national character, by *Christopher Allen.-15. An oration on the pernicious effects of great talents on men destitute of moral principle, by Noel Robertson.-16. The vision of fancy, a poem, by *John B. Foulke.-17. An oration on the rising prospects of America,by Adam D. Logan.-18. An oration on the influence of republican principles, by Jonathan Lawrence.-19. An oration on the causes of the ruin of republican and imperial Rome, by Wm. H. Boyd.-20. An oration on the pleasures of anticipation, by Henry A. Heyer.-21. An oration on the Spanish history and character, by Edmund B. Elmendorf.-22. An oration on intellectual attainments, by Mancius S. Hutton.-23. An oration on the drama, by William L. Keese.-24. An oration on the German character, by William F. Havemeyer.-25. An oration on the Indian character, by John A. Hicks.

-26. An oration on the influence of literature, by *Andrew K. Robertson. -27. The testimonials adjudged at the late concluding examination were then announced.-28. Valedictory address, with an oration on national pride, by Smith Pyne.-The degree of bachelor of arts was conferred on the beforementioned young gentlemen, and on George B. Ögden.

The degree of master of arts was conferred on Daniel L. M. Peixotto, M. D. Wm. Beach Lawrence, Henry Cruger, Wm Mitchell, John L Sukeley, John Mitchell, Wm. Betts, Roosevelt Johnson, Abraham Halsey.

The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred on Samuel Seabury, of Brooklyn, New-York, and on John Carrol, Esq. of Baltimore.

The degree of D. D. was conferred on the Right Rev. John S. Ravenscroft, bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of North-Carolina, and on the Rev. Chancey Lee, of Colebrook, in the state of Connecticut.

The degree of LL D. was conferred on the Hon. Ambrose Spencer, late chief justice of the supreme court of the state of New-York; on the Hon. Nathan Sanford, chancellor of the state of New-York; on the Hon. John Savage, chief justice of the supreme court of the state of New-York; and on the Hon. Edward Livingston, of New-Orleans.

The exercises of the day concluded with prayer by the President.

Students having an asterisk (*) affixed to their names, were excused from delivering their orations.

Ordinations.

On the 30th of June, 1823, in Stamford, Connecticut, the Rev. Ambrose S. Todd, deacon, was admitted to the holy order of priests; and on the 29th of July, in Chester, Mr. William Shelton was admitted to the holy order of deacons, by the Right Rev. Thomas C. Brownell, bishop of the diocese.

At an ordination held in Trinity Church, New-York, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 1823, by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, Cornelius R. Duffie was admitted to the holy order of deacons; and the Rev. George W. Doane, deacon, officiating in Trinity church, to

that of priests. Morning prayer was celebrated by the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, an assistant minister of Trinity church; and an appropriate exhortation delivered by the Rev. William Berrian, an assistant minister of the same church.

At the public commencement of the University of Pennsylvania, on the 31st of July, 1823, the degree of D. D. was conferred on the Rev. John Churchill Rudd, rector of St. John's church, Elizabeth-Town, New-Jersey.

The Rev. Dr. Alexander Arbuthnot, dean of St. Coleman's, Cloyne, has been promoted to the bishoprick of Killaloe and Kilfenora, vacant by the translation of the Right Rev. Dr. Mant, to the bishoprick of Down and Connor.

St. James's Church, Delaware. On Thursday, July 31st, 1823, St. James's church, near Stanton, Delaware, was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, by the Right Rev. William White, D. D. bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of Pennsylvania. The morning service was read by the Rev. Mr. Weller, of the diocese of Maryland, and a discourse, appropriate to the occasion, was delivered by the Rev. Mr Bedell, rector of St. Andrew's church, Philadelphia. The Rev. Robert Clay, rector of the church, and the Rev. Messrs. Williston and Brinckley were also pre

sent.

It is interesting to remark the progress of the church in the state of Dela ware. It is not long since the vestry of the church at Newcastle enlarged their ancient Suilding, and made it a beautiful church, which has been finished with a very fine clock in the steeples the workmanship of Lukens of this city. St. James's church has, for a number of years, been connected with the church of Newcastle under the pastoral care of the Rev. Robert Clay. The old building in which the congregations had worshipped having gone much to decay, the present church has been built within a very short distance, and is a building which reflects great

credit on all who have been engaged, particularly to Mr. Barker, whose zeal and persevering industry is beyond praise. It is a stone building, nearly square, finished with galleries and every convenience for the purpose intended. An air of great neatness runs through the whole. The site on which the church is built is one of the greatest beauty. The building is near one extremity of a ten acre lot (the property of the church) of the most majestic oaks, whose deep rich foliage occasionally hide it from view. There is a repose and a beauty about the scenery, which seem fitted to cherish the feelings of devotion, and the world appears as it were shut out. The grave yard surrounding the old church has many a tomb stone which tells the brief story of those who an hundred years ago had come up to that place to worship.

There were many circumstances which rendered the day peculiarly interesting. The ruins of the old church, which is one of the most ancient which is to be found in this section of the country a new and handsome building erected by the persevering efforts of a few staunch friends-the venerable Bishop of Pennsylvania, whose life has been coeval with the history of the American church-a congregation so large that probably not more than one half were in the interior of the building, and composed of persons of the first respectability-many of the clergy from different dioceses, who took part in the exercises of the occasion-and the circumstance of a neat and commodious building, in which the congregation can worship God after the manner of their fathers, all unite to impress the mind with feelings of no ordinary description. May the great Head of the church, to whom this temple is now dedicated, condescend to bless the undertaking; and may that Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation, be there preached, till the people of the Lord have no more need of earthly temples, but shall serve God day and night in that temple which is in heaven.

As the congregation had come many of them from a distance, and as the exercises were long, Mr. Barker, with a hospitality which has always character

ized him, made a rural table under the fine spreading oaks, and such of the company as saw fit to remain, partook of a substantial dinner which had been prepared for the occasion- a blessing from the throne of grace being asked by the Bishop, to accompany the reception of the creatures of a bountiful Provi dence-Philadelphia Recorder.

For the Christian Journal.

SCRIPTURE HYMNS. Version of Job xix. 21, &c. Thy hand, O God, hath touch'd my heart, My deep afflictions bear me down, My flesh and spirit feel thy dart,

I sink beneath thy awful frown.

O then, that all my words of grief
And tears were written in thy book!
O that my woes without relief

Were graven in the lasting rock!
For great the hope thy promise gives
To all chastised of thee, O Lord!
I know that my Redeemer lives,

And will his mourning saints reward.
Though, in the grave's unhallow'd gloom,
Corruption revel on this form,
And all within the festering tomb

Be given to th' insatiate worm,Yet shall my flesh behold my God,

My body glorious shall arise; And I shall dwell in his abode, And ever see him with my eyes. JEDUTHUN.

Version of 1 Timothy vi. 11–16. Do thou, O man of God,

Flee all the ways of death;
And follow after righteousness,
Patience, and love, and faith.
Fight the good fight of faith

So solemnly profess'd;
Lay hold on everlasting life,
Thou, call'd among the blest!
Be this thy sacred charge;-

As God thou dost revere,
To keep his precepts unrebuked
Till Christ again appear.

For in his chosen times

God will reveal his Son;
The King of kings, and Lord of lords,
Bless'd and supreme alone.

And none but this our God
Hath immortality;

He dwells in light none can approach,
Nor mortal ever see.

To Him then be ascribed,

With highest purest praise, All honour, majesty, and power, Eternal as his days.

JEDUTHUN.

For the Christian Journal.

property, he could not be dissuaded from

The Season of Rest. By a young Lady of 15. the attempt to prepare himself for the

It was night, and all nature was still,

The sun had long set in the west;
I said, "I will now fear no ill,
But enjoy this sweet season of rest."
How like is man's life to a day

That in fleeting colours is drest,
But which in an hour fades away,
And he slowly sinks into his rest.

[ocr errors]

For the sleep of the grave is profound,
By no trouble can we be oppress'd;
And we sweetly repose in the ground,
But-tis" only a season of rest."

For again the bright morn shall appear;
In that morn shall each Christian be blest,
And in worlds where can enter no tear,
Never wish for "a season of rest."

[ocr errors]

MARY.

For the Christian Journal.

To Hope.

Gelestial Hope! I keep this mark,
Thy day-star cheers my doubtful way;
Though oft I wander in the dark,

As oft illumed by thy bright ray.
In dire affliction's night and storms,
When lank despair, with hollow eye,
Approaches with unfolding arms,
1 Tee his grasp, for thou art nigh.
Propitious Hope! on thee I rest;
Led through rough paths by thy soft hand,
Thou dost console my troubled breast,
When wayward fortune lifts her wand.
Upon thy anchor firm reclined,

1 sink into a calm reposeGive all my sorrows to the wind,

And bid it waft away my woes.
Beyond those hills of towering height,
Whose awful summits meet the sky,
My soul to those blest worlds of light,
Bland Hope, on thy soft wings shall fly.

If life's late evening I should see,

And doubt and gloon my bosom rend;
Hope, let me ever rest on thee,
Be my consoler and my friend.
When on the bed of death I'm laid,

Then let thy glowing lamp burn bright;
Support me through the gloomy shade,
And bear me to the realms of light.
LAURA.

Obituary of the Rev. Jordan Gray. THE Rev. Jordan Gray, of this diocese, lately deceased, was born at Arlington, Vermont. From his youth he was impressed with a deep sense of the importance of religion. He was a young man of unquestionable integrity, and could be charged with no vice--In the autumn of 1817, Mr. Gray became more deeply engaged in the service of his divine Master; and notwithstanding he had now a family, and but little

Gospel ministry. After his steadfast determination became fully known, some exertions were made to assist him. In the spring of 1819, he removed to a neighbouring town, where he was employed by a destitute congregation as a lay reader. In this service he continued for more than two years, diligently engaged in improving his mind, and in doing good among the people. Towards the end of 1821, he presented himself for deacon's orders; and though his literary acquirements were scanty, yet such were his endowments of nature and grace, that there was no hesitation in admitting him to the sacred office. Within a few months from the time of his ordination, he was settled in the parishes of Berkshire and Montgomery, in the north part of the state, and soon assisted in organizing another parish in the adjoining town of Enosburgh. In this situation he had laboured but little more than a year, when, in the height of his activity and usefulness, and while enjoying the full confidence and affection of the people under his care, he was suddenly removed from his earthly toils to his heavenly rest. On the 7th of April last, being called to attend the funeral of a child at some distance from home, he had occasion to pass a considerable river, which was much raised by a recent freshet, and the bridge carried away. With two other men, and a lad of about fourteen, he attempted the passage in a small canoe. As soon as they reached the main current of the stream, they were all thrown instantly into the river The other two men, with some difficulty, reached the short; and it appears probable that Mr. Gray, if he had been unencumbered, might have done the same. But, as he fell into the water, the boy clasped around him, and both soon disappeared. Nearly six weeks after the melancholy event, the body of Mr. Gray was taken up about two miles down the river; but the body of the lad had not then been found. Thus a faithful and promising young clergyman has been suddenly taken away; three parishes, that had anticipated much prosperity under his care, are left destitute; and, what is above all things affecting, a wife and two children, who had a fair prospect of a competent and respectable support, are thrown into complete indigence, and must depend on friends for subsistence.-The time is short. Let ministers improve the moments as they pass; and let the people profit by the ministry of the word, and the means of grace; for soon all these privileges will be taken away, and every one's account will be sealed up for judgment.-Gospel Advocate.

To Correspondents.-K. and P. R. came too late for insertion in this number

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

tary.

On motion, resolved, that the thanks of the convention be presented to the Rev. Dr. Barry, for the very excellent sermon delivered by him at the opening of this convention.

Resolved, that the practice of presenting thanks to the clergy for sermons preached at the opening of the conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Maryland, be discontinued.

In conformity with the forty-fifth canon of the General Convention of 1808, the bishop delivered an address, from which the following is extracted. My reverend brethren of the clergy,

and gentlemen of the laity, Under the good providence of Almighty God, we are again permitted to assemble, to review the condition, and to consult the interest of our portion of the church of Christ. The occasion isfull of interest, as well as of awe; particularly when we consider, that the Head of this church is that heavenly VOL. VII.

[VOL. VII.

Being, who in a state of humanity atoned for sin, established a church, and now watches over her concerns. Under his all-seeing eye, and in submission to his holy will, our deliberations are to be conducted.

Two causes have prevented me from being able to perform the usual portion of episcopal service-the one, was the absence of my colleague last year, till the season of visitation had passed away: the other, a severe domestic affiction, which confined me to my family for five months. Still I am not sensible that any episcopal duties have been omitted or postponed, which were absolutely necessary to the welfare of the church. Immediately after the convention, on the 9th day of June, I held an ordination in St. John's church, in the city of Washington, when the Rev. Mr. Aydelott, the Rev. Mr.Wm.Armstrong, and the Rev. Mr. Daniel Somers, were admitted to the holy order of priests and Mr. Lemuel Wilmer to the holy order of deacons. And the same day, in the afternoon, I confirmed, in the same church, twenty-five persons. I Christ church, Georgetown, when eighalso held a confirmation at night, in teen white persons, and seventeen black were confirmed. On the 10th day of the same month, I received from the standing committee a testimonial in favour of Mr. Silas C. Freeman, and placed him on the roll of candidates for holy orders. On the 6th day of September, in St. Paul's, Baltimore, I admitted the Rev. Mr. Joseph Spencer to the holy order of priests; and the same day gave him a letter of dismission to the diocese of Pennsylvania, in as much as he had been appointed a professor in Carlisle college.

I consecrated to the service of Almighty God, on the 17th day of September, 1822, a new church, lately built in Rockville, Montgomery county, by 37

« ÎnapoiContinuă »