There yet remains a more important inquiry, as to their religious state-Parishes like single persons are supposed to possess a character in this particular-that character to be truly estimated, should be compared with the infallible standard of God's word, and how few, alas! on such a comparison, would not be found wanting! To do our duty in some respects, and to neglect it in others, to be orthodox in some points of faith, and at the same time, to hold dangerous errors, to be often inconsistent by condemning ourselves in that thing which we allow is a course of conduct that sometimes marks the character of the same person. It is truly, then, no matter of surprise that a similar diversity of opinion and practice should distinguish the characters of different individuals of whom parishes are composed. On this point, however, I should not be willing to say less than was said by the pious and faithful curate of Donoughmore, "there is a fair proportion of religious men amongst them, with a due allowance of profligates."

I have found in the course of a ministry already exercised for a longer term of time than is usual in the same place, that while God, his word, his church, and ordinances, change not; man is ever changing, sometimes from one sin to another, and always, until reformation commences, from lesser to greater degrees of the same sin. The oftener he resists the calls of God to repentance, the less will be the effect of those calls repeated, till he relapses into that dangerons state sometimes denominated “gospel hardness of heart." That freedom and plainness demanded by such circumstances, I am persuaded, is the only course, which can make me useful as a preacher in my present situation. I have therefore aimed at what is by some called "close preaching," endeavoring to correct my own manner in this particular, by coming at the truths of the gospel in a more direct way, and by making a more pointed application to my hearers. The effect, as far as I am able to judge, has been good. General remarks from the pulpit, applying alike to all persons, except it may be they were designed especially for the absentqualifying clauses thrown in sometimes to avoid the suspicion of enthusiasm, but implying that these are dangerous errors, and that some persons have fallen into them, together with the practice of preaching down Christians of other denominations, I have found unprofitable, and calculated to leave the sinner contented with his own condition, rather than to produce those pungent convictions which sometimes produce "a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness.' Allowing for that partiality which no man can have greater cause than myself to feel towards his people, I shall be pardoned when I say, that the religion of Christ in connexion with our Catholic and Apostolic

Church, has already in these parishes, many true friends, and I think the number gradually increasing.

St. Matthew's Church, Wilton,-The Rev. Origen P. Holcomb, Rector.

Baptisms 11-adults 1, children 10; Marriages 4; Funerals, 14; Confirmed, 13.

Church at Ridgefield, The Rev. Origen P. Holcomb, Rector. Baptisms, 1; Funerals, 2; Confirmed, 5.

The number of Communicants in these Churches is 85.Five new Communicants have been added the last year, and four have died. The number of Families has been increased by the accession of some who before had made no distinct professions of religion, and has been diminished, on the other hand, by the removal of several families, leaving the whole number, without much variation from 90,-the same as reported at the last Convention. Within the last three years the churches have been repaired and painted, and during the year preceding, have been furnished with bells. In addition to the stated services on Sunday in the seasons of Lent, annually, I have performed weekly services and preached in different parts of the Parish at Wilton, and have often officiated at a third service in the Parish in Ridgefield. The important duty of the public worship of God in general commands zealous and devout attention; though in stormy and unpleasant weather-many of the people living three and four miles from Church-the Congregations are small. A Sunday School, (in union with the General Sunday School Union) has every year, in the pleasant season, been kept in successful operation at Wilton, with the addition the last year of a Bible class consisting of about 20 young persons. At Ridgefield I am in the practice, on my regular days of service, of frequently teaching and explaining to the children of the Parish the Catechism and parts of the Liturgy of the Church. It is more difficult in Parishes where the people live remote from each other, and many of them several miles from Church, to maintain the operations of societies for Missionary and other purposes. So far as objects of this character are accomplished, much depends, according to my experience, on the personal zeal and efforts of the Clergyman. I have the present year 18 subscribers for the Episcopal Watchman.

St. John's Church, New-Milford, The Rev. E. Huntington, Rector.

During the interval since the last meeting of Convention, there have been 9 Baptisms, 4 of adults and 5 of infants. The

number of persons admitted to the Communion has been 15. A large proportion of these have been awakened to a sense of the duty of preparing to commemorate the dying love of the Saviour by affliction, and have participated for the first time of this holy sacrament in the house of the sick. Religious conversation introduced at such times I have found in many cases not to have been introduced in vain. Three persons likewise in Bridgewater have been admitted by me to the Communion, as I have occasionally delivered a lecture to the Episcopalians in that quarter of the township, on a week day. The number of Marriages since the last report has been 9; Burials, 8. The Sunday School has been continued, and derived much benefit from the publications of the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union. A very commendable spirit of liberality has continued in the congregation. Besides supporting the services of the Church during the whole year, when they formerly had them but half the time; they have contributed 150 dollars towards purchasing a bell, about 50 for ringing, and an auxiliary Church Scholarship Society has been formed, to which about 70 dollars have been subscribed.

St. Luke's Church, Glastenbury,-The Rev. Hector Humphreys, Rector.

The Rector of St. Luke's Church, Glastenbury, reports, that during the past year, the people have enjoyed the ministrations of the Gospel as heretofore, the Church having been opened for divine service every Sunday, with preaching and lay reading alternately.

It is designed during the present year, to alter the interior of the church in such a manner as to furnish a considerable number of additional seats, which are wanted. We have a Sunday School in successful operation, in connexion with the P. E. S. S. Union, and possessed of a library, composed of such books as have been published under the auspices of our Church. We lament exceedingly, however, that the number of books published by the Union is so limited that our library is inadequate to our want. We would not omit this occasion to express our hearty desire that this General Institution of our Church, may yet receive the substantial support of our entire Communion. In no other way, we believe, can we more happily comply with the touching charge of our Lord and Master, "feed my sheep, feed my lambs."

St. John's Church, Essex Borough, Saybrook,-The Rev. William Jarvis, Rector.

Number of Families, 51; Communicants, 46; New Communicants, 5; Baptisms, 13-adults 2, infants 11; Marriages, 3; Deaths, 3; Sunday Scholars, 44; Teachers, 6.

The Rector is happy to be able to state that the prospects of this little parish have in some respects improved since the last meeting of the Convention. It is earnestly hoped and believed that its members generally, have through the divine blessing, advanced in spiritual knowledge and graces. And if liberality in supporting the institutions of the Gospel, may be regarded as any evidence of attachment to it, we may confidently hope that the spirit of piety is shedding its hallowed influence on their hearts with increasing power and lustre. During the past year they have contributed to the Sunday School Union of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 15 dollars; to the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, more than 11 dollars, and to the Church Scholarship Society, through the very able and efficient exertions of its agent, nearly 500 dollars. It may also be mentioned to their praise, that for the last two years, there have been about thirty subscribers to the Episcopal Watchman; and to the general diffusion of this invaluable paper may be attributed, under God, much of the increased zeal which has pervaded the congregation. May the divine promise that "he who soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously," be fulfilled in them; and may the bounty which they have dispensed to their destitute brethren, be returned a thousand fold into their own bosoms.

St. James' Church, Derby, and Union Church, Humphreysville, The Rev. Stephen Jewett, Rector.

I am happy in being able, this year, to present a more favorable report of the parishes under my care, than I have heretofore given. These parishes a few years since, (especially St. James') had but "a name to live." By the blessing of God improvements have been made, but more in the last than in any previous year. By the praiseworthy liberality of the Ladies' Society, a new and elegant suit of hangings has been put on the pulpit and desk of St. James'. This Society has rendered assistance also to the committee. Lamps, for the convenience of evening Lectures, which during the winter were given statedly on Friday evenings, have been furnished by a few young gentlemen of the Parish. Last Easter we were, for the first time, enabled (by consent of the owners) to rent the greater part of the slips in this Church. They sold readily for a sum sufficient to pay my salary for half the time. This measure, which has long been desirable, has had a most happy effect. A new impulse has been giv

en. The congregation has considerably increased, and during the past week, a sum has been raised amply sufficient to purchase and put up a bell of twelve hundred pounds weight. The bell has been ordered, and is expected in two or three weeks. A spirit of unanimity now, seems to prevail throughout the Parish. The Parish of Union Church have also, within the last year, procured a bell, of suitable dimensions, for their Church, and made other improvements in and about the Church. In this parish the slips rented this year for a sum considerably larger than they heretofore sold for, and amply sufficient for the present demands on the parish.

Our Sunday School, which is in union with the General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, is in successful operation in both parishes, and will number about one hundred scholars in each. In my last report I ventured to express a hope that 40 would be added to my list of Communicants, during the year now past. We have done better than this. The number added since my last report, including 3 who have given their names, and will, (Providence permitting) come forward at the next administration, is 60 in the two parishes.

Communicants added, 60; died, 7; several removed; present number in both parishes, 230; Families about 180; Baptisms, 53-adults 7, infants 46; Burials, 29; Marriages, 14.

The assessment for printing the Journals, &c. has been made. Owing to unfavorable weather and some other circumstances, no collection has yet been made for the benefit of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, but I pledge myself that (God willing) one shall shortly be made, and the money transmitted to the Treasurer of the Society.

Our S. School is under the general supervision of the Rector, and is conducted by a suitable number of Superintendants and Teachers. We have a S. School Library in both my parishes. In St. James' sixty-five volumes. In Union Church one hundred volumes.

St. John's Church, Bridgeport,―The Rev. H. R. Judah, Rector. The Rector begs leave to report, that the prospects of the Church, in which he ministers, are still encouraging. Although there is much to lament of lukewarmness and worldly-mindedness among the professors of Christ's Religion-and of inattention to the "great salvation" among those, who by baptism have put on Christ-still he is encouraged to believe that God is giving an increase to his labors, in the gradual advance of pure and undefiled religion-of deeper interest in the missionary cause, and of decided attachment to the institutions and doctrines of the Church of Christ. The Sunday School attached to