Within the past year, the subject of infant baptism has received special attention. It has been ascertained, that the sentiments so prevalent at the present day, without the bounds of the Episcopal Church, respecting this sacrament, are not without their influence within the limits of this Parish. A very large number of children are as yet unbaptized. The Sunday School is in a flourishing condition under the superintendence of the senior warden. In connection with the Sunday School, a class has been formed for the purpose of studying the evidencies of Christianity-which class is proceeding prosperously under the supervision of a thoroughly educated professional gentleman. Blake's Conversations on the evidences of Christianity has been adopted as the text book. One object aimed at in the formation of this class was to interest in serious things, a portion of the congregation at that period of life, when the Sunday School is usually deserted. It is attended by between thirty and forty persons, married and unmarried, a majority of whom are young men. The number belonging to this class, is included in the above report of the Sunday School.

For the building up of this people in the faith and order of the Gospel most reliance has been placed upon the ordinary appointed means of grace. During the season of Lent, the Church was open for prayers on Wednesday morning and Friday evenings, with preaching at the evening services. In Passion Week, these services were more frequent. Occasional evening services have been held in the outskirts of the Parish.

Within the past year there has been no unusual interest in this community on the subject of religion. The plain truths of the Gospel however, have been listened to with attention, and in a few instances, the delightful privilege has been enjoyed of pointing the enquiring soul to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. For each of these marks of God's infinite love, as well as for every other blessing, with which an unworthy ministry has been crowned, God's holy name be praised, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, MONROE.

REV. RODNEY ROSSITER, RECTOR.

Families, 50; baptisms, 7; communicants-added, anew, 3, lost by death, 2, removals, 1; present number, 61; marriages, 7; burials, 9, to these may be added, 5 in a vacant neighbouring Parish, or not belonging to the Episcopal Church, Sunday School-teachers, 9, scholars. 50; missionary and charititable contributions, $29, Domestic Missions, $13; Foreign Missions, $13, Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, $3.

Missionary to Africa.

[REV. T. S. SAVAGE.]

ST. JAMES' CHURCH, DERBY.

REV. JOSEPH SCOTT, RECTOR.

Families, 110; baptisms-infants, 11, adults, 2; confirmed, 7; communicants-added, by removals, 2, anew 7; lost by removals, 2, by death, 5; present number, 130; marriages, 7; burials, 18; Sunday School-teachers, 12, scholars, 100; missionary and charitable contributions, $40.

Nothing of particular interest has transpired in this Parish during the last year. Its condition continues to be prosperous. There is a good attendance upon the stated and occasional services of the Church, and our communions have been more fully attended than usual, the last year. For our continued

peace and prosperity and every blessing, thanks be given to the great Head of the Church.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, WINDHAM.

REV. HENRY BEERS SHERMAN, RECTOR.

Families, 83; baptisms-children, 4, adults, 3; communicants, present number, 13; burials, 3.

Concerning the present state of the Parish, I am happy to report a good degree of improvement during the past year. This is manifested in a growing attention to the institutions of the Gospel, and an increasing attachment to the distinctive features of the Church. The special occasions for public worship, appointed by the Liturgy, have been uniformly observed, and the services well attended. No Sunday School has yet been organized in the Parish; as the children are catechized by the minister on each Lord's day during the summer.

On the whole, the state of the Parish is prosperous; and though in a Christian sense, for the most part, fallow ground,-indicative of a steady growth. We think it may be safely said of the condition of the Parish generally, that at no period of its history, have its prospects appeared more favorable.

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

REV. D. H. SHORT, RECTOR.

Families, 94; baptisms-infants, 5, adults, 5; confirmed, 16; communicants-added, by removals, 2, anew, 19, lost, by removal, 1, by death, 3; present number, 94; burials, 7; marriages, 2; Sunday School-teachers, 15, scholars, 50; contributions, $33,80.

Since the last Annual Convention, little has occurred in this Parish which requires particular notice. As heretofore, the number of communicants has been steadily increasing. And when we look back and compare the present state of the Church with its former condition, our heart swells with gratitude to Almighty God, for the degree of prosperity which he has seen fit to bestow upon this once humble Parish. Four years have not elapsed since the present incumbent entered upon the duties of the Parish, yet the number of communicants has been more than doubled. This however affords no ground for self congratulation. The Great Bishop and Shepherd of souls once said to his Apostles, "One soweth and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labors; other men labored and ye are entered into their labors." "And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth may rejoice together." Neither is this ground of rejoicing any just occasion for human exultation. "Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God giveth the increase." "So then neither is he that planted any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

Although two families have removed, and one which last year was reckoned as belonging to the Parish, has ceased to attend; yet the number of families is not diminished. Of the six additional families enumerated, two are from other denominations, two are by the formation of matrimonial connexion, and two by removal. This statement however, if it were not qualiified, would convey an erroneous impression respecting the real condition of the Parish. This includes many families not baptized, and who do not profess any strong and decided attachment for the peculiar dictrines of the

Church; and I am sorry to be compelled to add, for any particular form of Christianity; yet as they give the Church their preference on account of her uniform character, and the regular order and comeliness of her worship, and contribute to her support, attend her worship, when they attend any where, and call upon the minister of the Church for any services which they deem necessary; it was thought proper to include them in this report. The number of male persons legally connected with the Parish is only 40.

Since the beginning of the last season of Advent, there has been a minute observance, as far as circumstances would permit, of the special seasons and days of the Church, and it is thought with decidedly beneficial results. Since the deeply interesting services of Lent, Passion Week, Good Friday, and Easter Day, there has been manifested a much more lively interest in the services of the Church; the congregation has been unusually full, and there has also been an increased attendance of the young people. This latter effect, however, may in some measure be ascribed to the improvement which has recently been made in the style and execution of Church music, and the effort to adapt, as much as possible, this music to the various seasons of the Church. One effect of the observance of the days and seasons of the Church has been, instead of exciting the prejudices, and arousing the opposition of Christians of other denominations, to increase their respect, and to win their admiration for the system of worship adopted by the Church for the improvement of her members in Christian knowledge and their growth in grace.

As an evidence of the zeal of this Patish for the due celebration of divine worship we can not omit to mention the purchase of an entire new set of communion service for the Chapel, at an expense of not much less than fifty dollars. May the Great head of the Church continue to increase the zeal of the members of this portion of the Church militant, not for external things only, but also for that inward holiness of heart without which no one cau be fitted to enjoy the happiness and glory of the Church triumphant.

UNION CHURCH, HUMPHREYSVILLE.

REV. JOHN D. SMITH, RECTOR.

Families, 115; baptisms-adults, 3, infants, 8; communicants, added by removals, 5, anew, 5; died or removed, 9; present number, 72; confirmed, 9; marriages, 9; burials, 12; Sunday School-teachers, 13, scholars, about 60; contribution to the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, $5.

This Parish still continues its connection with that of St. Peter's, Oxford. On account of the effect produced on many of the members of this Parish, by the general prostration of business, it was thought expedient to continue this connection, though in the estimation of many, it is abundantly able to sustain clerical services the whole time. The Parish is free from debt, and a considerable sum is raised above the amount paid for the support of a Clergyman. The Church has not pews enough to accomodate all the families that desire a seat in it. Were it otherwise, a much larger amount might be raised than is at present. The general attendance at Church is very encouraging.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, OXFORD.

REV. JOHN D. SMITH, RECTOR.

Familiés, about 60; baptisms-infants, 10; communicants-added, anew, 1, died or removed, 4, present number, 40; marriages, 2; burials, 6; Sunday School teachers, 8, scholars, 50.

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The greater part of the families belonging to this Parish, reside at a considerable distance from the Church. Yet the attendance on divine service during the year past, has been very encouraging. Several families residing about three miles from the Church, have seldom failed to be present, when services were performed. Since last Easter, this Parish has met with some serious losses, in the removal of some of its most valuable members, who. though lost to us, are we doubt not, a valuable acquisition to the Church where they reside. Some substantial pillars of the Church, it is to be hoped, yet remain, whose faith fails not, and whose zeal and piety in the cause of pure and undefiled religion, we trust nothing but death can destroy. May all others" be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

[REV. ALBERT SPOONER: no Report.]

[REV. SERVILIUS STOCKING: no Report.]

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, MERIDEN.

REV. S. STEBBINS STOCKING, OFFICIATING MINISTER.

Families, 64; baptisms-infants, 4, adults, 10; confirmed, 14; communicants-added, anew, 11, lost, by death, 3, removals 1; present number, 96; marriages, 3; burials, 6; Sunday School-teachers, 10, scholars, 65.

The above report is taken from the records left by the Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, who resigned the rectorship of this Parish on the 1st of Oct., and by the Rev. Joseph H. Nichols, who subsequently officiated as minister until Easter.

It may be proper to add, in respect to myself, that after receiving Orders on the 4th Sunday in Advent, 1 immediately took temporary charge of Trinity Church, Newtown, where I remained until Easter. During that time, I attended 4 burials, and solemnized 1 marriage. On the Sunday after Easter, I took charge of St. Andrew's Parish, Meriden, since which time I have baptized 3 adults. The Parish is in a prosperous condition, in respect both to its temporal and spiritual interests.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, STAMFORD.

REV. AMBROSE S. TODD, RECTOR.

Families, 105; baptisms-infants, 7, adults, 8; confirmed, 14; communicants-added, 13, lost by removals, 3, by death, 2; present number, 181; marriages, 3; burials, 12; Sunday School-teachers, 10, scholars, 60; library, 280 volumes; Bible class, 27; collections, for Christian Knowledge Society, $12,70.

The Rector of St. John's Church, Stamford, may continue to report his Parish as prosperous. The great Head of the Church still continues to bless the labours bestowed upon this portion of his vineyard. During the past year there has been an increase, both in numbers and attention to the services of the Church. The demand for pews on last Easter Monday, was greater than has been any preceeding year, since the Rector's residence in the Parish, a period of seventeen years. At the last Convention, he hoped to have it in his power to report the erection of a new Church, but his hopes have been disappointed, while he has to lament at least, the certainty, that the congregation cannot be increased so long as the deficiency of Church accomodation is suffered to remain.

In regard to the observance of the special occasions of public worship, ap

pointed by the Church, it has been the practice of the Rector, as far as practicable, always to celebrate divine services on the days set apart. The congregations on these occasions although they have not been large, have been respectable in point of numbers. An opportunity has thus been afforded the Rector of bringing before his people the leading doctrines of our faith, and the prominent articles of Christianity on occasions which the Church has expressly appointed for the purpose,

CHRIST CHURCH, READING.

REV. CHARLES J. TODD, RECTOR.

Families, 55; baptisms-infants 1; confirmed, 3; communicants-added apew, 4, lost, by death, 1, by removal, 1; marriages, 2; burials, 5; Sunday School-teachers, 14, scholars, 60; Bible class, 20; missionary and charitable contributions, $18,00.

CHURCH, WESTON.

REV. CHARLES J. TODD, RECTOR.

Families, 30; baptisms-infants, 3; communicants, added, anew, 2; burials, 7; Sunday School-teachers, 8, scholars, 40; missionary and charitable contributions, $9,23.

CHRIST CHURCH, TRUMBULL,

REV. D. G. TOMLINSON, RECTOR.

Families, about 80; baptisms-infants, 11, adults, 3; confirmed, none; communicants-added, anew, 6; lost, by death, 2, and by removal, 1; present number, 81; marriages, 4, burials, 9; Sunday School-teachers, 10, scholars, 70; Bible class, 17; monthly offerings, $35,99. In addition to which $10 were contributed by individuals to the General Missionary Society, and $5 by the ladies sewing society, to Bishop Chase, Jubilee College.

In temporal matters, the Parish is, perhaps, more prosperous than at any former period. Services are now held alternately in the old Church, at Tashua, and the Church recently erected by the Parish at Long Hill; this latter building, it is expected, will be consecrated the ensuing week.

It would seem now that by the blessing of God, what only is wanted to establish the Parish on a good foundation, to sustain, services, and increase in prosperity, is a patient, persevering, animated zeal, which wearies not in well-doing, on the part of the members. To them we would say, Brethren, this rests with us. Let us not be wanting to our duty and privilege, and God will not be wanting to us. We must look for trials; but let us hold fast to our duty and we shall be carried through in safety. Parishes often fear in respect to pecuniary matters; but let us remember what we have most to fear, and this we are apt to overlook, is a decline in piety, in devotion to the cause of Christ and his Church. These let us fear, and while God remains we shall have nothing else that we need greatly fear.

The principal special occasions of public worship appointed by the Church, have been observed, and with a tolerable good attendance.

WASHINGTON COLLEGE.

REV. S. TOTTEN, D. D., PRESIDENT.

Since the meeting of the last Convention in this Diocese, my time has been mostly employed in the duties of my calling as President of Wash