tion and assistance, without which all our consultations are but vain, and all our labors useless.

Since our last annual meeting, I have had ample opportunities of witnessing the condition of the Church at large, as well as in our own particular diocese. The survey has been highly encouraging, and such as should animate our exertions in the cause of primitive truth and order. In the month of June last, I attended the examination, and the Commencement of our General Theological Seminary, established at New York. This Institution will have its salutary influence extended, and its permanency secured, by the munificent bequest of one hundred thousand dollars, to be derived from the estate of the late Mr. Khone, after the decease of his widow. It is greatly to be lamented, that so few of our candidates for Holy Orders avail themselves of the advantages which this Seminary presents. So far as they are deterred by considerations in regard to the expense, may we not hope that a remedy will soon be found in the beneficence of the friends of the Church.

In August last, I attended the meeting of the General Convention of our Church, at Philadelphia. Its proceedings were highly interesting; and the Report on the state of the Church, presents such a view of the prosperity of the several Dioceses, as should call forth our thankfulness to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, who watches over them. The Right Rev. Dr. Meade was consecrated as Assistant Bishop of Virginia; and two new dioceses, Kentucky and Tennessee, were received into union with the Convention.

At the request of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of our Church, I have made an extensive Tour through those western and southern States of the Union, which are not under the jurisdiction of any Bishop of our Church; for the purpose of performing such Episcopal offices as might be desired, to visit the Missionary stations established by the society, and to take a general survey of the country, for the purpose of designating such other Missionary stations as might be usefully established. A summary Report of this Visitation has been made to the Board of Directors of the Society. It may suffice, for the present occasion, to state, that something more than one-third of the past year has been devoted to this Visitation. During which time, I have travelled nearly six thousand miles; preached or assisted at divine service, seventy-four times; administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on several occasions; baptized twenty-two children, and twelve adults; administered the holy rite of Confirmation, in seven parishes, to one hundred and forty-two persons; consecrated the churches at Lexington and Louisville in Kentucky, at Natchez, Jefferson, and Woodville, in Mississippi, and at New Orleans, in Louisiana. I also admitted the Rev. John C. Porter, of the diocese of Mississippi, to the Holy Order of Priests. In the course of my visit to Louisiana and Alabama, I presided at Conven

tions for the regular organization of the Church in those States. Preliminary measures were also taken, at these Conventions, for uniting the Churches of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, into a South-Western Diocese. At the next meeting of the General Convention, it is probable that these measures may be so matured, as to open the way for the consecration of a resident Bishop, to preside over the concerns of the Church in this interesting portion of our country. It is probable, too, that measures will soon be taken, by the Dioceses of Kentucky and Tennessee, for the election and consecration of a Bishop, whose administrations may be extended over the North-Western portion of the Union. Such arrangements would open a wide region for the extension of the institutions of our Church, and must prove highly auspicious to the cause of religion in the West.

It is with the most grateful recollections, that I avail myself of this opportunity to acknowledge the cordiality and kindness with which I was every where received during my visitation. I could not but esteem myself happy, in being regarded by the scattered members of our communion in the West, as the messenger and voucher of the sympathies of their Eastern brethren. It is my constant prayer to the great Head of the Church, that these sympathies may not be suffered to languish; that the religious intercourse which has been so favorably commenced between the East and the West, may be continued and enlarged, and that it may be abundantly blessed by the promotion of pure and undefiled religion in our own hearts, and in the dissemination of it among our distant brethren.

The various avocations devolving on me, after so long an absence, have rendered my visitations in this Diocese, during the Spring season, less extensive than I could have wished. In the course of the past year, however, about the usual number of Parishes have been visited.

Many of these Parishes have not required the performance of any of those offices which are now to be reported, pursuant to the provisions of the 45th canon of our Church.

Since the last annual Convention, I have administered the Holy Rite of confirmation in the following Parishes of this Diocese, viz.:

In Simsbury to 4 persons-Meriden, 18-Middletown, 23-Norwich, 20-Salem, 26-Waterbury, 26-Watertown, 15-Woodbury, 10-Washington, 4-New Preston, 12-New Milford, 8-Kent, 5Sharon, 14-Salisbury, 13-Milton, 8-Northfield, 6-Monroe, 9-— Trumbull, 11-Pomfret, 10-In all, to 242 persons.

The following Ordinations have taken place during the past year, viz. On the 3d of September, in St. John's church, Woodbury, I admitted the Rev. Wm. Lucas to the Holy Order of Priests; on the 5th of September, in St. Andrew's church, New Preston, I admitted the Rev. Harry Finch to the Holy Order of Priests; and this day, I have admitted the Rev. Norman Pinney to the same holy office.

I have consecrated five churches, since the last annual Convention ; viz:-St. Andrew's Church, Simsbury; Trinity Church, Southington; Christ Church, Norwich; St. Paul's Chapel, New-Haven, and Christ Church, Pomfret. Three other churches are nearly ready for consecration, and arrangements are in progress for the erection of three or four more. The new edifice erected by the Parish of Christ Church, Hartford, was consecrated, during my absence, by the kindness of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart.

Four new Parishes have been organized during the past year, from which applications will be made to be received into union with this Convention.

Great changes have taken place among our brethren of the Clergy, since our last meeting. The Rev. Smith Miles, of Chatham, the Rev. Joseph Perry, of New-Haven, the Rev. Daniel Somers of Norwalk, and the Rev. William H. Judd, who was performing the duties of a Missionary in the State of Alabama, have been removed by death.— While we bow, with humble submission, to these dispensations of Divine Providence, we cannot fail to be admonished to remember our own frailty, and to redouble our diligence in our Master's cause; and, while we view the scanty number of the laborers, and the abundance of the harvest, we must feel constrained to pray to the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth more laborers into his harvest. The Rev. Samuel Fuller has received a dimissory letter to the Eastern Diocese, the Rev. William Shelton to the Diocese of New-York, the Rev. Harry Finch to the Diocese of New-Jersey, and the Rev. Francis L. Hawks to the Diocese of Pennsylvania. The Rev. Palmer Dyer has relinquished the editorial charge of the Episcopal Watchman, and returned to the Diocese of New-York. The Rev. Birdsey G. Noble, who had relinquished the Parish of Middletown, and removed to the Diocese of New-Jersey, previous to the last Convention, has since that time received a dimissory letter to that Diocese, The accessions to the Diocese have not been equal in number to these losses which it has sustained. The Rev. Richard Peck has exhibited to me letters dimissory from the Eastern Diocese, and has taken the charge of the Parish of Huntington; the Rev. Christian F. Cruse', with letters dimissory from the Diocese of New-Jersey, has accepted the office of Principal of the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire. The Rev. Ulysses M. Wheeler, from the Diocese of New-York, is officiating as Minister of the Parish of Woodbury. The Rev. Charles Smith has presented dimissory letters from the same Diocese, and is officiating in the Parish of Fairfield, and the Rev. John S. Stone, from the Diocese of Maryland, has accepted the station of Associate Rector of Trinity Church, New-Haven.-There have also been several removals within the Diocese, during the past year. The Rev. George C. Shepard has removed from the Parish of Hebron to that of Stratford. The Rev. Ashbel Steele has removed from Stratford to the Parish of Essex Borough. The

Rev. Alpheus Geer has removed from the Parish of Waterbury to that of Hebron. The Rev. Wm. Lucas has removed from Woodbury to the Parish of Litchfield. The Rev. Joseph T. Clark has removed from the Parish of Woodbridge, to that of St. Peter's Church, Plymouth. And the Rev. Reuben Sherwood has resigned the Parish of Norwalk, and accepted the station of Rector of the Hartford Academy.

The following persons are now candidates for Holy Orders, in this Diocese, viz.-Charles Bradley, John Morgan, Joseph Scott, Oliver Hopson, Allen C. Morgan, William Walter, Gurdon S. Coit, Robert A. Hallam, Fitch W. Taylor, Hobart M. Bartlett, Levi H. Corson, and Edward Jones and Augustus O. Cæsar, men of color, who are destined as Missionaries to Africa.-Eight of the above named candidates are alumni of Washington College. May we not hope that this Institution will prove a nursery to the Church?

The fact is now becoming generally known, that the greatest hindrance to the extension of our Communion arises from the inadequate number of our Clergy. Such has been the growth of the Church, that the supply has by no means kept pace with the demand. It is obvious, therefore, that the principal efforts of Episcopalians should be directed to the education of pious young men for the sacred ministry. Under these circumstances, our academies and colleges, and all institutions which facilitate this important object, become doubly interesting to us. But it will be in vain to look to our literary institutions for an adequate supply of candidates for Holy Orders, unless they are aided by the cooperation of education Societies. The sacred profession holds out few worldly allurements to young men of enterprize; and few will be induced to embrace it, except those who are urged to it by a strong sense of religious duty. It is to be lamented too, that a great portion of the sons of wealthy parents are educated in habits which indispose them to so sacred and self-denying a profession. The chief resource of the Church must be sought among the youth of piety and of talents, whose circumstances in life have not subjected them to the severe temptations of wealth and ambition, The experience of other denominations of Christians has taught them to look to such resources. The American Education Society, composed chiefly of the Congregational and Presbyterian denominations, has now four hundred beneficiaries under its charge, who are designed for the ministry in their communion. Unless we would see the Church languish and decline, and unless we are willing to abandon it to the ministrations and instructions of other denominations, we must make corresponding exertions. Young men whose piety would lead them to embrace the sacred office, and whose talents would qualify them to adorn it, but who have not the pecuniary means of obtaining a competent education must be assisted. Such youths are to be found. The experience of the Church Scholarship Society has demonstrated this fact. There have been many more

applications for aid, than its funds could relieve. The exertions which have been made in this Diocese, in behalf of the Church Scholarship Society, have already afforded important aid to thirteen young men,who are preparing themselves for Holy Orders, I earnestly hope that its means of beneficence may be enlarged, and that similar efforts may be put forth in every other Diocese in the Union.

The "Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge" does not exert that efficiency which its important objects demand. The funds which come into its treasury result entirely from the canon of the Convention which requires parochial collections, and are altogether independent of any influence of the Society. Indeed, the Board of Directors is so constituted as to preclude the practicability of any meeting, except during the session of the Convention, when there is no time afforded for deliberation If some more efficient organization should not be devised, I would recommend the appointment of a Standing Committee of the Board, residing near to each other, and to whom the active operations of the Society should be confided.

The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, established by the General Convention of our Church, has within the last year commenced a most auspicious course, and has received the most unequivocal proofs of the public favor. A wide field for its enterprize has been opened. Abundant proof has been afforded that there is no want of zeal and liberality in the Church, for the support of Missionaries.— But the discouraging fact is now disclosed, that duly qualified Missionaries are not to be obtained, to supply the demand for them; thus affording another evidence that the first and greatest efforts of the Church should be directed to the education of pious young men for her Ministry. A general education society should be established. Till this measure is accomplished, or something equivalent to it, neither the General Seminary, nor the General Missionary Society can adequately fulfil the objects for which they are designed, and our vacant parishes must remain unsupplied.

My Brethren of the Clergy:

To us the present season is peculiarly interesting. We have met together to take counsel of each other in relation to those great concerns which constitute the occupation and business of our lives. Let us pray God to free our minds from all error, prejudice and pride, and to inspire us with a sincere desire for the promotion of his glory, and the welfare of his Church. Let the occasion animate our zeal, and incite us to fidelity in our Master's cause. We never assemble together, in this way, without a strong probability that in the course of divine Providence, it will be, to some of us the last meeting. Let each one of us apply this consideration to himself; and what our hands find to do, in our ministry, let us do it with our might, knowing that there is no knowledge or device in the grave, whither we are hastening. THOMAS CHURCH BROWNELL.

New Haven, June 2d, 1830.