that the word, as used in the Rubric, has but one origin? This is my opinion, that, in ancient times, those prayers were called Collecta, which were read together, una voce, by the minister and people, as the ord's Prayer is appointed to be used to this day. It strengthens me in this opihion, when I observe persons who have been educated in the Church of England, constantly adhere to the practice of saying with the minister, (summissa voce,) the Collect for the day, and the other two Collects at Morning and Evening Prayer. And I think that there is something agreeable to this opinion in the very construction and matter of the Collects; for, with the single exception of the last Collect for Good Friday, there is not a word of intercession in all the Collects of the Liturgy: the petitions are all for us, or what, to a Church man, will easily appear to be the same thing, for the Church, the elect family of Christ; as if it were the original intention of the Church, that the people should utter with their own lips, all the petitions which were strictly for themselves, and that the priest's voice should be solus in those cases only in which the people could not unite with him without intruding upon the sacerdotal office. If this opinion be well founded, although it may not be necessary to restore the ancient practice with regard to the collects, it is surely necessary to be on our guard against any further encroachment of dumb silence, in those parts of the service where the Church still enjoins the whole congregation to worship the Lord" with the words of their lips," as well as with the meditations of their hearts.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL.

Episcopal Society of New-Jersey for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and Piety.

-THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held in the city of New-Bruns wick, August 20, 1818.

The Board of Directors made the following Report +

When this Society was organized, in the autumn of 1810, it could not have been calculated by any of its members, that so much would have been accomplished by it in the space of time which has elapsed. The first emotion, therefore, on reviewing the progress of the institution, is that of the sincerest gratitude to the great Head of the Church for his goodness in extending its means of usefulness.

One primary object in view, in the organization of the Society, was to supply the poor Episcopalians of NewJersey with the Book of Common Prayer and Religious Tracts. The framers of the Constitution, however, considered that a state of things might take place which would render it desirable to vary the application of the funds. Though their means should be limited, they chose to embrace a number of objects, in order that the little good in their power to accomplish might be felt in any particular to which the exigencies of the Church should call the attention. They selected a name expressive of these views, and called themselves " a Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and Piety." In this they followed a most illustrious example. The oldest, and one of the most powerful, active, and efficient societies on the records of Protestantism, is that in England "for Promoting Christian Knowledge." Though we must ever remain at an immense distance from that institution, still it will be honourable and delightful to follow, though very far behind, in the race of Christian charity and zeal, such a powerful leader. The benefactions to the Society beyond the Atlantic, have, in some instances, exceeded those of which any similar association can boast. Not to enumerate where so many splendid acts of bounty have been witnessed, it will not be improper to notice the donation of a single nobleman, amounting to more than 70007. sterling. That Society has long led the way, in carrying the light of Revelation to the poor of almost every clime. The superstitions and horrors of Braminical Faith have been checked by her pious exertions.

The Directors of the Episcopal So. ciety of New-Jersey would invite the members of the Church generally, to contemplate those displays of Christian zeal as incentives to exertion here.

In the progress which has been made, there is great encouragement to activity and perseverance; and, in the objects to be accomplished, there -is sufficient to call forth the orts of the wealthy, the liberal, and the pious. In the progress which has been made, humble as our means have been, there is great encouragement.

Though the Society was commenced in October, 1810, it was not till May in the following year, that any thing effectual was done; and then the whole sum received was but $130. As it was an original design to create a permanent fund, which might be in a state of gradual augmentation, the first appropriation was only about $60.

It must be gratifying to the Episcopalians of New Jersey, to learn that the permanent fund has advanced from this sinall beginning to the sum of $675 94. During the accumulation of this amount, the expenditures of the Board have been $687 23. This sum has enabled them to purchase and distribute 274 Bibles and Testaments, 1011 Prayer Books, and 780 religious Tracts. They also contributed their mite to the purchase of the first set of stereotype plates cast in this country for the Book of Common Prayer; and they have aided, though in a very small sum, the translation of parts of the Liturgy into the language of the six nations of Indians.

The Directors have been very essentially aided in their means of use fulness by the formation of several auxiliary societies. The ElizabethTown Female Bible and Prayer Book Society was formed auxiliary to this in June, 1816, and has paid into the treasury the sum of $240. The Newark Female Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, which had been previously organized, became auxiliary to this in August, 1816, and has paid into the treasury $128 38.

The Female Episcopal Society of

Shrewsbury and Middletown was organized auxiliary to this in June, 1817, and has paid into the trea sury $53 25. The ladies of Christ Church, in New-Brunswick, have contributed to the funds of the Society $56.

The Directors would here take the liberty of suggesting to other congregations the propriety of forming similar auxiliary societies; they would affectionately invite their brethren throughout the state, to consi der the claims of the Society to their cordial support; and they would, likewise, solicit those who are not already members to add their names to the list of subscribers.

In the objects to be accomplished by this association, there is sufficient to call forth the efforts of the wealthy, the liberal, and the pious.

An important design of the Society was to provide for an extensive circulation of the Prayer Book, and religious Tracts; still, as this was to be a Society for promoting Christian knowledge, it became an obvious dictate of propriety, that the Bible should also be distributed. In this, the framers of the Constitution followed the example before alluded to. Among the means of that knowledge which the Society proposes to promote, the Holy Scriptures certainly should be recognized as the basis of all, although the portion of the funds applied to their distribution may, at. present, be small, from the circumstance of the existence of many and powerful Bible Societies.

The Directors are far from wishing to enter into the discussion of a topic which has been of late years warmly argued, but they deemed these remarks proper as explanatory of their designs.

It will not be necessary here to urge, at length, the advantages to be derived from an extensive circulation of the Book of Common Prayer.

It cannot fail to be useful to distribute a work which, like this, carries the doctrines of the Gospel to the heart, in language the most pure and tender, drawn from the fountains of primitive faith and devotion. To the

decayed congregations of our communion, we furnish a most valuable assistant in religious exercises, when we send them this inimitable Liturgy.

By the occasional circulation of suitable Tracts, the Society will contribute to the spread of useful information on subjects connected with religion and the Church; and often arrest the attention of the thoughtless, instruct the ignorant, and confirm the pious in their faith.

Besides these objects, the distribution of Bibles, Prayer Books, and Tracts, it has been contemplated "to aid young men of piety and talents, who may need assistance, in the necessary preparations for the Gospel ministry." While it may not be in the power of the Society to take up an individual, and give him the whole of an education for the ministry, it may come within their means, to afford occasional relief to deserving characters, who may fall short, in their pecuniary provisions, of means to complete their course of theologi cal studies. Such opportunities frequently present themselves; and when they are embraced, often contribute to furnish the Church with able ministers of the New Testament. In a Diocess like New-Jersey, where' the clergy are few in number, and where there are many parishes unable to give very ample support, it becomes especially important to provide, as far as may be in our power, for the supply of ministers to those parishes which have not the means of holding out any considerable encouragement to enter the sacred office. A provision like that here contemplated by the Directors, is the only remedy which can be applied to the existing evil, the paucity of ministers in our Church. This, then, is a great object which may always afford ample field for the exertion of members of the Society, and open a door for those who delight in deeds of bounty in the best of causes.

In securing a permanent fund, the Constitution contemplates a time when the annual collections and sub

scriptions may be discontinued. In this fund, also, there may be provision made for future operations of great value to the Church; and the Society, having for its object the promotion of Christian knowledge and piety, may lend her means hereafter to particulars not at present seen. In any event, by the steady, though humble, efforts of the members of the Church, there may be here provided a store which may one day be employed to great profit, in advancing the honour of God, and the everlasting interests of the souls of men.

Such are the encouragements, such are the objects which the Directors hold out to their brethren. In this age of wonders in the work of Christian charity, it is to be hoped that the Churchmen of this Diocess will not be backward. There is sufficient to animate them in the example of those numerous and immense associ ations formed in various parts of the world, enjoying the co-operation of the most distinguished men, and sharing in the bounty of emperors and nobles.

The holy volume, in almost innumerable languages, is making its way into those regions where its truths were lately entirely unknown. Norway, Russia, and Finland, with many other sections of the globe, not only see the light, but begin to feel the blessings of that warmth which is shed by the Sun of Revelation. The horrors of Pagan superstition, and the rites of Mahometanism, may, ere long, be expected to give way before that tide of truth and salvation which is now overflowing the earth. not but be interesting to the best feelings of the human heart, to participate, however humbly, in this glorious work, this labour of love.

It can

The share of this Society in the hallowed employment may not be great, owing to the scantiness of their means; but every member may recollect, for his encouragement, that the beneficent Being who gives his blessing for a cup of cold water, fered in his name to a disciple, will never forget the humblest gift intended

of

Attested,

JOHN C. RUDD, Secretary New-Brunswick, Aug. 19, 1818. The preceding Report having been read and accepted, the Society proceeded to the choice of Directors, when the following were chosen; viz. Right Rev. Bishop CROES, President. JOSEPH MARSH, Esq. Vice-President. Rev. JAMES CHAPMAN, Treasurer. Rev. J. C. RUDD, Secretary.

In addition to the clergy of the Diocess, who are members of the Board of Directors, the following laymen were chosen; viz.

JOSHUA M. WALLACE, Esq. ANDREW BELL, Esq. Hon. WILLIAM COXE, RO BERT BOGGS, Esq. JOSEPH PHILLIPS, Esq. PETER KEAN, Esq. Mr. SAMPEL PINTARD, JAMES PARKER, Esq. Mr. GEORGE C. THOMAS.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL.

Mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New-York to the Oneida Indians.

THE Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocess of New-York, have, for several years, employed Mr. ELEAZAR WILLIAMS, a young man of Indian extraction, as a Catechist and Schoolmaster among the Oneida Indians, who reside in the western part of the state. Some months since they sent the following address to the Right Rev. Bishop HOBART. It was written by a young Indian who is a communicant of the Church.

The Missionary Funds do not admit of the adequate support of Mr. WILLIAMS, and of accomplishing other important pu poses connected with the religious in struction of the Indians. The contribu tions of the benevolent, for this pious object, are earnestly solicited, and will be gratefully received by the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this citys or by GERRIT H. VAN WAGENEN, Esq.

the Treasurer of the Missionary Fund of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this

state.

We understand the Bishop, Curing his present visit in the western part of the state, expects to spend a Sunday at Oneida Castle, and to administer to several of the Indians whom Mr. WILLIAMS has caree

fully instructed, and whose lives correspond with their religious professions, / the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the ordinance of Confirmation.

Address of the Chiefs of the Oneida

Nation of Indians in the State of
New-York, to the Right Rev. Bishop
HOBART.

RIGHT REV. FATHER,

WE salute you in the name of the ever adorable, ever blessed, and ever living sovereign Lord of the universe; we acknowledge this great and al mighty Being as our Creator, Preserver, and constant Benefactor. RIGHT REV. FATHER,

We rejoice that we now, with one heart and mind, would express our gratitude and thankfulness to our great and venerable father, for the favour which he has bestowed upon this nation, viz. in sending Brother WILLIAMS among us, to instruct us in the religion of the blessed Jesus. When he first came to us, we hailed him as our friend, our brother, and our guide in spiritual things; and he shall remain in our hearts and minds as long as he shall teach us the ways of the great Spirit above. RIGHT REV, FATHER,

We rejoice to say, that by sending Brother WILLIAMS among us, a great light has risen upon us: we see now that the Christian religion is intended for the good of the Indians as well as the white people; we see it, and do feel it, that the religion of the Gospel will make us happy in this and in the world to come." We now profess it outwardly, and we hope, by the grace of God, that some of us have embraced it inwardly. May it ever remain in our hearts, and we be enabled, by