The preceding is the record left by the Rev. Eli Wheeler, who resigned the Rectorship of this Parish, much to the regret of the congregation, on the 31st of March last. I took the temporary charge of this Church, on the 28th of April, and expect to continue in the same until the arrival of the Rev. Warner Hoyt, the Rector elect, from Maryland. I have attended the funeral of one child, and have recently organized the Sunday School, which now consists of 10 teachers and 50 scholars. The Church offerings amount to $16.33.

The members of this congregation have set a laudable example to many other and wealthier Parishes in this Diocese, in their efforts to procure a comfortable and permanent residence for their Clergyman. A neat and commodious parsonage is now in progress of building, and will be completed by

autumn.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, HUNTINGTON.

REV. FOSTER THAYER, RECTOR.

The Rector assumed the charge of the Parish on the 20th of May. Owing to the sudden bereavement of a venerated parent, I have been absent about ten days, and I have not been able to ascertain particulars in reference to the condition of the Parish. The attendance upon Divine service is good, and steadily increasing. The town, like many others in the State, has suffered from emigration, and there has been a proportionable decrease in the number of families of this ancient Church. Though it has been exposed to severe trials, the present members are ready to do what they can for the promotion of Apostolic order and purity. A vigorous effort is now making to paint the Church edifice, and we hope to have it accomplished in October. The gleanings of the vine are few, but mellow, and I trust will long beautify the garden of the Lord.

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, WILTON.

REV. A. NICHOLS, LATE RECTOR.

I officiated in this Parish from July 15th, 1838, to April 1st, 1839. The number of families, 40; baptism, 1; communicants, 40; marriages, 3; burials, 4; Sunday School-teachers, 10, scholars, 50; no contribution, except for the defraying of Parish expenses, has been made.

TRINITY CHURCH, NEWTOWN.

REV. S. C. STRATTON, RECTOR.

Families, 190; baptisms-infants, 9, adults, 4; confirmed, 8; communicants-added, anew, 8, lost, by death, 5, removals, 3, present number, 177; marriages, 14; burials, 23; Sunday School-teachers, 33, scholars, 176, in the course of the season there will be probably 200; number of volumes in the Sunday School Library, six hundred; number of volumes in the Adult Library, two hundred and seventy; Bible class, 5, number of members, 152; missionary and charitable contributions, $239.71: to the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, $26; to the General Missionary Society-for Foreign Missions, 15, for Domestic Missions, $40; to the American Colonization Society, $8.18; to the American Tract Society, for foreign distribution, $15; to St. Paul's Church, Woodbury, Connecticut, $109; to remaining contributions, $26.53. Cash paid for books to increase our libraries since the last report, $56.09; amount of the offerings of the Church for one year up to last March, $170.67.

I have little to add to the above statement, except that my congregation is united and prosperous in its spiritual and temporal affairs. In the course of the past year, in addition to my other labours, I have frequently performed divine service and preached in the congregation of St. James', Zoar. That Parish has not yet consummated its reunion with us, as intimated in the last report, though it is still contemplated. I greatly regret that my present indis

position will most probably lessen my ability in future, to meet the demand for services of my increasing charge.

The Parish adopted this spring, at my suggestion, the plan of renting the pews, and they were accordingly disposed of on very advantageous terms. It was resolved also, to put a new roof on the Church during the present season, and I cherish the hope that ere long the whole interior of the Church will be remodeled and fitted up, according to the most improved style of Church architecture.

ST. JAMES' CHURCH, DANBURY, AND ST. THOMAS' CHAPEL, BETHEL.

REV. D. H. SHORT, RECTOR.

Families, 91; baptisms-infants, 14, adults, 5; confirmed, 2; communicants-added, by removals, 2, anew, 4, lost, by death, 2, removals, 7, whole number, 68; marriages, 3; burials, 11; Sunday School-teachers, 17, scholars, 78; missionary and charitable contributions, $29.97: to the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, $22.69.

From the time of the last Convention, up to the first Sunday after Easter, my services were divided between St. Paul's Church, Brookfield, and the Parish of St. James' Church, Danbury, and St. Thomas' Chapel, Bethel. Since the last Convention, I have baptized 25 persons: 17 infants and 8 adults; 19 of these belonged to Danbury, 14 infants and 5 adults, and the remaining, 3 infants and 3 adults, to Brookfield. Notwithstanding the opposition to infant baptism, by the sects within my cure, the number of infants baptized the past year is greater than during any previous year of my ministry. This indicates a return to a more healthful state of the Church; to a belief of the Scripture doctrine, and to the practice of the primitive Church. Still there are not less than fifty children of my congregation, under fourteen years of age, remaining unbaptized.

At Brookfield, at two visitations of the Bishop, I presented 14 candidates for confirmation, two of which were from Danbury. To the Holy Communion, I have admitted 10 persons-6 in Brookfield and 4 in Danbury. I have solemnized 6 marriages, 3 in Danbury, 1 in Brookfield, and 2 in Newtown, at the request of the Rector. I have attended 15 funerals, 5 in Brookfield, and 10 in Danbury; and 1, the funeral of a member of my own family, was attended by the Rev. Mr. Stratton, of Newtown, making 11 deaths in the Parish of Danbury.

Since leaving Brookfield, my services have been exclusively devoted to the Church and the Chapel, over which I was instituted. Notwithstanding the serious pecuniary embarrassment, and the many extraneous difficulties under which this Church at the last Convention was labouring, the present condition of the Parish is truly encouraging. The Parish is now free from debt. And in addition to subscribing the Rector's salary wholly in advance, a new bell has been purchased for the Chapel, at an expense of $180, and the Chapel, surrounded by a handsome yard, has been enclosed with a neat and durable fence. The number of communicants reported, is less than that of last year. This is owing to an unusually large number of removals. The removal of one family, that of a man who for many years had been the Senior Warden of the Church, deprived the Parish of three communicants at one time. But the increase of attendants, both at the Church and Chapel, has of late been considerable. The report exhibits, over and above the removals, an increase of 17 families. These, however, have not all been added during the year just past. Many of them have attended for a considerable time, but not having been educated in the Church, it was not known whether they were sufficiently attached to the doctrines, worship, and ministry of the Church, to be accounted as belonging to the Parish. But the firm adherence of these families to the Church during two years of adversity, gives us confidence to believe that they are now so firmly attached as never to forsake it. In a word, it is thought, that the Parish has never been, since my connection with it, in a more healthful and prosperous condition.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCHI, BROOKFIELD.

REV. D. H. SHORT, RECTOR.

Baptisms-infants, 4, adults, 3; communicants-added, anew, 6, lost, by death, 2, whole number, 77; marriages, 2; burial, 1; missionary and charitable contributions, $22.41: to the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, $12.53.

CHRIST CHURCH, TRUMBULL.

REV. D. G. TOMLINSON, RECTOR.

Families, 80; baptisms-infants, 8; communicants-added, anew, 5, by removals, 4, died or removed, 2, present number, 78; confirmations, 4; marriages, 3; burials, 9; Sunday School-teachers, 9, scholars, 70; Bible class, 25; monthly offerings of the Church, $40.84.

A better state of things, in many respects, seems to exist in this Parish than we have been able to report for two or three years. The Parish is now engaged in erecting a new Church edifice at Long Hill, three miles from the old Church, which is expected to be completed the ensuing fall. The design in erecting a new Church is to accommodate the part of the Parish at Long Hill. When occupied, services will be alternately one half of the time in each Church. Our Sunday School was, perhaps, never in a more flourishing condition. This is encouraging, and is a promise of good. But to reverse the picture, we have to meet the discouragements arising from want of deep, growing, practical piety, in the mass of our congregation; from the neglect on the part of many parents to maintain that family religion and instruction they ought, and from the neglect to bring their children to be baptized. We cannot altogether say that the ministration of the Gospel among us are of none effect. But still, a reference to the small number added to the communion the past year will show, that, to a large extent, the desponding language of the Prophet is applicable to us: "Who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed ?"

ST. MARK'S CHURCH, NEW CANAAN.

REV. DAVID OGDEN, RECTor.

Families, 55; baptisms-infants, 15, adult, 1; communicants-added, by removals, 8, lost, by death, 3, removals, 4, present number, 65; marriages, 3; burials, 13; Sunday School-teachers, 10, scholars, 48; missionary and charitable contributions, $18.

The temporal condition of the Parish for the past year has been prosperous, though not much can be said in reference to its spiritual advancement. For a Connecticut village, New Canaan is rapidly increasing in size, wealth, and population. There are ample materials here for the continued growth of the Church, and I cannot but express my belief, that ere long, under the influence of the stated services and all the means of grace, the congregation will become permanently strong and prosperous. As it is, there are probably few Parishes which are making nobler exertions for the support of the Gospel.

CHRIST CHURCH, GREENWICH.

REV. BENJAMIN M. YARRINGTON, RECTOR.

The charge of this Parish was committed to me in April last, since which time there have been added, families, 2; baptisms-infants, 4; burial, 1. A collection was made May 26th, in favour of Collinsville and parts adjacent, in Illinois, $52.51.

Previous to April there were recorded during the past year, by my predecessor, Rev. Joseph H. Nichols, baptisms-infants 2; marriages, 2; burials, 2. The Sunday School has been resumed, and is well attended.

The Ladies' Sewing Society is still sustained with equal zeal and efficiency. The funds so raised are judiciously applied to local purposes.

Besides the usual services on Sunday, at my own Church, I have preached two Sunday evenings in the remote regions of the Parish. A Methodist Church in the neighbourhood of Glenville has been kindly offered, where I expect to officiate at least every other Sunday evening during the season.

CHRIST CHURCH, READING.

REV. C. J. TODD, RECTOR.

Families, 55; baptisms-infants, 4; communicants-added, 1, present number, 33; marriages, 2; burials, 8; Sunday School-teachers, 14, scholars, 60; missionary and charitable contributions, $20.

CHURCH, WESTON.

REV. C. J. TODD, RECTOR.

Families, 30; marriage, 1; burials, 2; Sunday School-teachers, 8, scholars, 30.

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, LITCHFIELD.

REV. WM. PAYNE, RECTOR.

Families, 90; baptisms-infants, 5, adult, 1; communicants-added, by removals, 7, anew, 3, lost, by death, 2, by removals, 2; marriages, 5; burials, 10; Sunday School-teachers, 12, scholars, 80; missionary and charitable contributions-by the Young Ladies' Sewing Circle, to the African Mission, $60; collected at a county meeting of the Clergy and divided between the Foreign and Domestic Missions, $25; monthly offerings, yet unappropriated, $42.50-total, $127.50.

I have had charge of this Parish since the 22d of last July, for which period alone the above report is made. A Bible class was held during the winter, when the members studied and wrote upon the Collects, Epistles, and Gospels; but it has been discontinued for the summer months. Besides performing the usual Sunday services, it has been my plan to observe the Festivals and Fasts, as appointed by the Church, and to improve them to the instruction and spiritual good of my people. A number of persons were expecting to receive the rite of Confirmation, and after that to partake of the Communion; but being prevented from receiving the imposition of the Bishop's hands, who was unable to keep his late appointment, on account of sickness, they have not as yet become communicants. There is no unusual degree of religious sensibility among us, but a manifest improvement in many respects. I would especially express my gratitude to Almighty God for having made me the instrument of establishing harmony and peace in the Parish, on what appears to me to be a correct and permanent basis. The congregation has very much increased, a spirit of encouragement and animation prevails; and efforts have been made and are now in progress for improving and beautifying our house of worship. May the great Head of the Church continue to bless us in our external condition, and above all, visit us with spiritual blessings for his glory!

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, PLYMOUTH.

REV. WM. WATSON, RECTOR.

Families, 105, increase, 5; baptisms-infants, 17; confirmed, 29; communicants-added, by removal, 1, anew, 33, lost, by death, 3, removals, 5, present number, 176; marriages, 3; burials, 8; Sunday School-teachers, 24, scholars, 115; Bible class, 73; missionary and charitable contributions—to aid a feeble Parish in our neighbourhood, $30; to the Christian Knowledge Society, $33.81; to General Theological Seminary, $10; to the Church Scholarship Society, $100; to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, $70; collec

tions on hand unappropriated, $68.83-total, for objects without the Parish, $312.64.

Further, I report, that a weekly Lent lecture, made daily in Passion Week, was sustained throughout the season, with, it is believed, decidedly beneficial effects. Other special occasions, to which the Church calls attention from time to time, have likewise been observed; and when the Minister has not been occupied with these, he has held weekly lectures in remote parts of the Parish.

The foregoing statistics show that we are increasing in numbers, both as a Parish and as a professing Church; and that our contributions for the upbuilding of Zion, which, in the increase of their measure indicate, I hope, our growth in genuine charity, are becoming more and more abundant; and to these evidences of our prosperity, I may add, that never has there been a fuller attendance on the ordinary services of the sanctuary; and never more of an obedient and humble seeking for grace through the divinely constituted channels, than at present; while those of our number who name themselves of Christ are, as a body, honouring their profession by the manifestation of those holy tempers, and that blameless life, which are the only sure evidences of Christian character. It is with devout gratitude to the Giver of all good that these acknowledgments of his favour to us are made.

CHRIST CHURCH, WATERTOWN.

REV. NATHANIEL S. RICHARDSON, RECTOR.

Families, 112; baptisms-infants, 14, adults, 4; confirmed, 19; communicants-added, by removals, 6, anew, 21, lost, by death, 3, removals, 3, present number, 131; marriages, 11; burials, 11; Sunday School-teachers, 24, scholars, 170; Bible class, 50; missionary and charitable contributions for missionary purposes, $121.41'; by ladies, for objects within the Parish, $60—total, $181.41.

This report of the Parish comprises the entire year. The baptism of 10 infants and I adult, the confirmations, 2 marriages and 3 burials, are reported for the Rev. Dr. Holcomb, and at his request.

My labours in this Parish commenced the Sunday after my ordination, July 15, the fifth Sunday after Trinity, and my connection with them as their Minister and Rector elect, on the 26th of November last, and immediately after the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Holcomb, a step taken by him, at the sacrifice of the most cordial sympathies-sympathies, strengthened by a happy pastoral relation, of more than twenty-four years.

Besides the regular services of the Lord's day, a weekly lecture, with some interruptions, has been sustained in various parts of the Parish. A meeting of the Sunday School teachers is held every other Saturday evening. A Bible class, on Sunday evenings, promises to exert a happy influence. During the season of Lent, and also during Passion Week, the appointed services of the Church were observed, and they evidently proved, that " it is not a vain thing to call on the name of the Lord." A considerable number are in readiness to receive the rite of Confirmation. A Ladies' Charitable Association, mostly for domestic charities, is in a flourishing condition.

The plan of monthly offerings, is in successful operation.

On the whole, there is reason to believe, that through the blessings of a covenant God, this Parish is steadily advancing in numbers, in ability, in moral strength, and in a willingness heartily to engage in every good word and work.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, WOODBURY.

REV. SOLOMON G. HITCHCOCK, OFFICIATING MINISTER.

Families, 57; baptisms-infants, 14, adults, 8; communicants-added, by removals, 3, anew, 4, lost, by death, 1, removals, 3, present number, 42; marriages, 2; burials, 9; Sunday School-teachers, 8, scholars, 54; missionary