WILLIAM HARRIS, D.D. President.
Attested,

Benjamin T. Onderdonk, Secretary.

The number of clergy in the diocese of New York is 99; viz. the bishop, 80 presbyters, and 18 deacons.

The number of congregations is 139.

More than fifty of the clerical members of this convention addressed an affection. ate letter to Bishop Hobart, as mentioned in our vol. viii. p. 351. We had expected to have obtained a copy of this interesting document for insertion in this place-not as a part of the proceedings of the convention, for truly it was not considered in that light-but as an article that would form an appropriate appendage to this abstract, and be highly gratifying to our readers. We regret to say, that our ex. pectation has been disappointed.

The Ninth Annual Report of the Managers of the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society.

THE annual meeting of the "Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society," was held in St. Paul's Chapel, on Tuesday, January 25th, 1825, at seven o'clock P. M.; William E. Dunscomb, esq. president of the society, in the chair, and Charles Keeler, sceretarywhen the following report of the board of managers was read by Mr. Floyd Smith

Report.

In presenting this, the ninth annual report of the "Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society," the board of managers tender their congratu VQL. IX.

lations to their patrons and constituents on the continued prosperity of its affairs. tribution of volumes, however important Being well convinced that the mere dis

in itself, can never be admitted as a suffi cient test of the usefulness of this, or any similar institution, the board have anxi ously sought those modes of distribution which would not only place them in the the most certainty ensure their diligent hands of the poor and destitute, but with perusal. For this purpose, when appro priations of books have been made for a particular congregation, or district of country, their distribution has been confided to the settled clergyman, or missi onary, or to some judicious layman, who was best acquainted with the circumstances of the individuals whose wants it was our intention to supply; when to the seamen and mariners of our ships of war, or naval depots, to their chaplains; when to those of the merchant service, to the master or supercargo; when for indigent individuals generally, to our patrons and subscribers; and when to the wretched inmates of our prisons and hospitals, to the venerable and pious chaplain of these institutions. And here it would be an act of injustice not to acknowledge the disinterestedness of this exemplary servant of the cross, who, although not an episcopa lian, has most cheerfully consented to become the almoner of our bounty among the various individuals who, from time to time, are the objects of his pastoral care. Thus, in ail cases, we have steadily borne in mind the important distinction between the mere issuing of our volumes, and the religious and moral benefits to be derived from their faithful and diligent use. With this brief explanation of the views which have guided us in the discharge of a very essential part of our duty, we proceed to exhibit a detailed statement of our operations during the past year.

On Sunday evening, the first of February last, the annual address was delivered in Grace church, by the Rev. Cornelius R Duffie, rector of St. Thomas's church, and formerly senior vice-president of the society. It is due to our reverend friend and fellow-labourer in this good cause, to take this occasion to state, that he was among the projectors of this society, and has given it the aid of a uniform, enlightened, and efficient support, as one of its officers, until a short time previous to his ordination, when he resigned his station in our board, which, by a provision of our act of incorporation, is required to be composed of laymen only. A new opportunity, however, was then afforded to him of manifesting his unabated interest in its affairs; and to us, of at once evincing our sense of former services, and indulging

14

The Rev. John Stanford.

the strongest feelings of personal attachment, by his acceptance of our unanimous invitation to deliver the eighth annual address.

The sudden and intense coldness of the night appointed for its delivery, occasi oned a small attendance; and this, added to the circumstances, that a collection had been that day made in Grace church for its deservedly popular charity school, as also in the Wall-street church, on the same evening, for the benefit of the orphan asylum, very materially disappointed the wishes and expectations we had formed.

Although prohibited by a standing regulation, from publishing the address at the expense of the society, yet so desirous were the members of the board to see a production of so much merit in circulation among the friends of our church, that they solicited and obtained the copy, and assumed, in their individual capacities, the expense of its publication.

The board were not unmindful of their duty to take proper measures to increase the resources of the society. Almost at the very moment, however, when our plans, thus formed, for augmenting the number of our annual and life subscribers were ready to be put in operation, the "House of Refuge," an object which enlisted the purest feelings which could influence the Christian, the philanthropist, and the real patriot, presented its claims to public patronage. The board deeply regretted this unexpected collision, but they had progressed too far in their ar rangements to recede, without the entire abandonment of all the pecuniary advant ages which they had anticipated: and after due deliberation it was determined to proceed. The application, although not successful to the extent of our hopes, resulted in the addition of thirty-eight names to our annual subscription list.

The measures hitherto pursued by the treasurer have imparted such a character of stability to our fiscal concerns, as to preclude the fear of future embarrassment, so long as the same system is faithfully adhered to, and the society enjoys a reasonable share of the bounty of its friends.

The sum of $791 61, including the ba lance of last year, and exclusive of the publication and sale, at prime cost, of 1375 Prayer Books, have been received into the treasury, to the credit of the disposable fund; and $822 26 have been expended in incidental expenses and the publication of books; leaving a balance due the treasurer of $30 66.

By this statement, our patrons will perceive that our distributions have not only kept pace with our present means, but anticipated their future benefactions.

The "permanent fund" has been augmented, during the past year, from $652

13, to $777 67, by life subscriptions and the accumulation of interest. Of this sum $700 is out at interest at 7 per cent. payable quarterly; the balance is in private and safe hands, at 6 per cent. The amount of life subscriptions and interest is invested the day it is received, in such way as to entitle it to an interest of 6 per cent. per annum.

The society's means of gratuitous operation for the ensuing year will be the whole amount of subscriptions for the year 1824, which are now due and collectable; and the amount which may be received when the ninth annual address is delivered.

The agent, in his annual report to the board, has given such a minute and satisfactory account of his department, that we submit a summary of it for the gratifica tion of our patrons.

Summary of the gratuitous distributions of the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, from January 28th, 1824, to January 14th, 1825.

TO WHOM DELIVERED.

To the Charity School of Grace church, New-York

To the Sunday Schools in connexion with the New-York Protestant To other Sunday Schools in the city Episcopal Sunday School Society and country

To the Orphan Asylum, Alms House,
Hospital, State Prison, &c. &c.
To the Crews of several ships
To Missionaries in the northern and
western parts of this State
To Clergymen residing in the States
of Vermont, Connecticut, New-
York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Territory of Michigan
To the Clergy residing in this eity
To the Rev. William A. Clark, for
the use of "All Saints' church,"
New-York

50

100

30

64

10

109

15

81

3

13

131 1541

Being a total of 131 Bibles, and 1541 Prayer Books, gratuitously distributed; and sales have been effected to the number of 1375 Prayer Books, to other societies, and to clergymen and laymen. Total of sales and distributions. the

present year, 131 Bibles, and 2916 Prayer Books. Grand total of sales and distributions since the formation of the society, in 1816, is 3750 Bibles, and 26,008 Prayer Books, or 29,758 volumes.

THOMAS N. STANFORD, Agent. New-York, January 17, 1825.

The disparity between the number of Bibles and Prayer Books is so striking, as not to escape the observation of any present, or of those who may read this report. And in answer to the inquiries which may be made, why this great disparity exists, it will be sufficient to refer to the explanations contained in our last annual report, and to say at this time, that we have promptly met ALL the applications made to us for the former volume, until our last edition was entirely expended.

Our stereotype plates of both the Bible and Book of Common Prayer have been ordered to be read and corrected by the standard copy of the Bible and Prayer Book, recently adopted by the General Convention of our church; the former of which was purchased by, and the latter presented to, the board.

Near the close of this year, the board gave authority to a committee to prepare, and transmit to the reverend clergy, influential laymen, and to institutions similar to our own, throughout the United States, an address on the subject of the distribution of the Bible and Book of Common Prayer. In anticipation of the increased demand which this measure is expected to produce, an edition of 1000 copies of the Bible has been ordered to be printed from our plates, and the number of Prayer Books usually kept in our depository to be augmented. The board indulge the hope, that in this way this society will become more generally, than it has hitherto been, the source of supply to many similar, but less favourably circumstanced institutions, and to benevolent individuals throughout the country, who may pur chase for gratuitous distribution, on more advantageous terms than they could other wise enjoy.

The board continue to receive the cordial acknowledgements of the clergy, and particularly of those residing at a distance, for the good effected by the operations of this society. And they think it not improper to mention one fact, which has been communicated to them, and which, in their judgment, furnishes a striking and practical commentary upon the peculiar adaptation of the Book of Common Prayer, as a book of devotion for general use. The reverend chaplain of the navy-yard, in this port, informs us, that the seamen and mariners of our ships of war, but few of whom have been accustomed to the services of our church in early life, manifest a strong and general disposition to take with them a copy of

that work; and have frequently expressed to him their sense of its value as a book of devotion and instruction. The same fact has heretofore been stated as it regards the seamen of the merchant service. To gratify this preference, as well as to contribute to the moral and spiritual improvement of this valuable, but hitherto much neglected portion of our fellow-men, the board have made frequent donations to the "Port Society" of this city, and to the chaplains and other officers of the navy, for the use of the seamen under their charge and authority.

Although the board have not realized all the benefits which they anticipated from the measures of the past year, yet, as their disappointment is the result of causes not involving any delinquency on their part, and as a reasonable share of success, under the circumstances, has followed their exertions, they trust their constituents will acknowledge the justness of the congratulatory sentence with which they commenced this report.

From what has been exhibited to them at this time, our constituents and patrons will be able to judge with accuracy of the value of this institution, and of its claims to a continued and liberal patronage, with out any efforts of ours further to inform their understanding, or stimulate their zeal. Our appeal is not to the passions, which are as evanescent in their influence as they are easily excited, but, by the exhibition of simple facts, to the enlightened judgment and sober piety of our friends.

The principles on which this society is founded, and by which its operations are governed, are so perfectly understood, and so generally admitted to be sound and judicious by our épiscopal friends, as to render any further explanation or defence of them unnecessary and especially now, when their consistency and propriety are openly acknowledged by those who dissent from the doctrines themselves which we hold. We hope, therefore, that " our epis. copal brethren" will continue to "exercise a most laudable diligence in placing the volume which contains their articles, forms, and offices, in every family within their reach, which belongs to their communion, or can be considered as tending towards it. Our Methodist and Baptist brethren, with no less diligence, do the same, with respect to those books which exhibit the doctrines and order of their respective denominations. All this is as it should be. It bespeaks men sincere in their belief, and earnest in the dissemination of what they deem correct principles."

We quote the language of the Rev. Dr. Miller in his recent and admirable lecture on the "utility and importance of creeds and confessions." And it must afford unfeigned satisfaction to episcopalians, who have been so long subjected to popular

opprobrium, and exposed themselves to denunciation, by adhering to, and advocat ing, "through good report and through evil report," those principles and pecu. liarities which distinguish them from other denominations, to listen to the commendatory language of a learned and pious divine of another communion; who, with out doubt, like themselves, perceives, in the unchecked operation of the latitudinarian principles of the present day, the future prostration of all those characteristics which distinguish truth from error. These better views, which are now gaining ground, of the true nature of Christian charity, (in opposition to that spurious liberality which would confound all just distinctions, and result in the ultimate abandonment of truth,) furnish a new motive to episcopalians to regard the apos tolic injunction, to "hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering," and "to contend earnestly for that once de livered to the saints;" and, by their uniform support of this society, to extend that system of faith, order of ministry, and mode of worship, which commend themselves to their reason, intelligence, and piety, as the most pure, primitive, and apostolic. Thus doing, they will enjoy the rich reward of the approbation of their own conscience, and the blessing of the Divine Head of the church.

For the Christian Journal.

Society for the Advancement of Chris

tianity in Pennsylvania. THE thirteenth anniversary meeting of this society was held in St. James's Church, Philadelphia, on Thursday afternoon, January 6th, 1825, being the festival of the Epiphany.-The Right Rev. Bishop White, President of the society, took the chair, and opened the meeting with prayer. Mr. Durden B. Carter was chosen secretary,-The report of the board of Trustees for the last year was read by the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, which was accepted and referred to the Trustees to be chosen at this meeting. From this report we make the following interesting extracts:

"The missionaries in the service of the society since the last anniversary, are the Rev. John P. Bausman, the Rev. Moses P. Bennet, the Rev. Norman Nash, the Rev. Robert Davis, the Rev. Robert Piggot, and the Rev. Samuel Marks. The four first named had been previously employed by the

society, and the last two have been assigned to the work during the past,

year.

"The Rev. Mr. Bausman continues to labour with encouraging snccess in Fayette county. "In Brownsville," says he, "taking every thing into consideration, the prospect of the church continues flattering. It is gradually progressing; while her members manifest an increased attention and affection to her truly excellent services.”—At Connelsville, he has been encouraged by good attendance upon the means of grace.-At Jackson's church the congregation is numerous. At West church the audience is quite numerous and attentive-Mr. Bausman proposed to concentrate his labours more for the future, in which the committee of missions entirely concurred. His labours may therefore be expected to be more efficient during the present year; though we have much cause of thankfulness for the good success that has attended them hitherto.

"The Rev. Moses P. Bennet resigned the charge of the church at Greensburg, and ceased to be in the employ of the society after May last. The church at Greensburg is a very interesting station, and much anxiety is felt by the committee of missions to procure a suitable missionary for it.

"It was stated in the last report, that the Rev. Norman Nash was labouring with evident advantage in Huntingdon and Lewistown, and the neighbouring country. He made arrangements to divide his time principally between these places for one year, but visited occasionally, about sixteen other congregations within the counties of Huntingdon and Mifflin, in all of which he met with a grateful reception, and encouraging attention. On the 5th July, 1823, he assembled the few friends of the Church at Lewistown, when a vestry, consisting of nine persons, was elect ed--a subscription for building a church begun, an encouraging sum at once subscribed, and a committee appointed to superintend the building. "On my next visit, on August 26," says Mr. Nash, "we laid the corner stone with public solemnities; since which, our God hath so smiled upon, and prosper

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