I was at Piscataway and Woodbridge on the 29th of November, but so inclement was the weather, that the people did not assemble for divine worship. On account of indisposition I was obliged to suspend my labours until the month of May, when I accepted of my present situation at Morris-Town. From that time, there has been service here regularly once, and occasionally twice, every Sunday. The number of Episcopalians in and about Morris, is between thirty and forty, though the number of hearers is much greater. The responses are made with great propriety, and apparent devotion. On the first of August the communion was administered by the Rev. Mr. Onderdonk-on which occasion, fourteen received that holy sacrament. Of these some were strangers. It is thought that a very respectable congregation may in time be raised in this place. Our Liturgy is generally admired, and there seems to be a prevailing wish, that there should be an Episcopal Church here. In addition to the services already enumerated, I officiated, June 20, 1819, once at New Vernon-July 18, once at Orange-24, once at Morris Plains-25, once at New-Vernon."

It is but justice to the Rev. Mr. Cuming to observe, that his performance of ministerial duties, in the vacant churches in this diocess, on the several occasions stated in his report, were done without receiving any compensation from the Missionary Fund.

From the reports of the Clergy of collections for the Missionary Fund, it appeared that $79 92 had been collected.

The sum of $705 50 was reported to have been subscribed to the Episcopal Fund during the past year.

The ninth article of the Constitution of the Church in this State was so altered as to read thus:

At every Annual Convention, divine service shall be performed, and, in cases in which the Bishop shall not deliver a charge, a sermon, suitable to the occasion, shall be delivered, previously to entering on business; and these religious exercises shall com

mence precisely at 11 o'clock A. M. on the stated day of meeting.

The following resolutions were passed relative to the Episcopal Fund: Resolved 1st. That personal applications for subscriptions and donations to the said Fund, shall be continued as opportunities may present.

Resolved 2dly. That it shall be the duty of every minister of the Church in this state, to cause a collection to be made for the Episcopal Fund, in the Church or Churches in which he regularly officiates, some time between the first of August and the first of November yearly; and if convenient, to preach a sermon suitable to the occasion. In case of the meeting of the Convention in any Church, the collec tion for that year shall be made there, at the time of such meeting. In vacant congregations, the collection for the above purpose shall be made either by the missionary, or by some clergymen who may visit such congregations, at whatever time of the year it may be found convenient.

All such collections shall be immediately transmitted to the Treasurer of the Convention; and the Convention following shall determine what proportion of them shall be paid to the Bishop, in addition to the interest of the Fund, and what shall be added to the principal.

On motion of the Rev. Mr Wilmer, resolved, that the thanks of the Convention be presented to the Rev. Mr. Rudd, for his indefatigable labours to that he be respectfully requested to augment the Episcopal Fund; and proceed in the business, when his convenience and judgment shall direct.

elected the Standing Committee of the The following gentlemen were

Diocess:

The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Rev. James Chapman, the Rev. John Croes, jun. Robert Boggs, Esq. Peter Kean, Esq. James Parker, Esq. Charles Higbee, Esq.

The following gentlemen were elected Delegates to the General Convention:

The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Rev.

John Croes, jun. the Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, William Coxe, Esq. Col. Samuel J. Read, Joseph V. Clark, Esq. Peter Kean, Esq.

Canon adopted in Convention of the Diocess of New-Jersey, 1819.

Of the Presentment and Trial of Clergymen.

Any Clergyman chargeable with improper conduct, may be presented in either of the following ways, viz. by any two Presbyters of this Church, by the Wardens and Vestrymen of any Parish with which the accused is, or may have been connected, or by

the Convention of this Diocess.

The party presenting shall forward to the Bishop of the Diocess, a written accusation, specifying the charges which they have reason to believe may be substantiated against the accused; and this presentment shall be signed with the names of the party presenting, in case two Presbyters, or the Vestry of a Parish, present; but when the Convention presents, the signature of the Secretary of that body

shall be sufficient.

The Bishop, on receiving such presentment, shall, as soon as convenient, give notice of the same to the accused, with the charges brought against him; and also inform him, that he has appointed five Clergymen of the Diocess,

from which number the accused has the privilege of selecting three, which three shall constitute a board, or court, for the examination and decision of his cause; and in case of his refusal to select, the Bishop shall make the selection. The Bishop shall give notice to the persons selected, of their appointment, and name the time and place for the opening of the Court. The person first named by the Bishop in the selection, shall be president of the Court. The Bishop shall also appoint some Clergyman to act as Clerk, and carefully to record the proceedings.

It shall be the duty of the party accusing to attend the trial, and lay before the Court all such testimony as shall be deemed proper. At the conclusion of the trial, a copy of the pro ceedings, certified by the Clerk, shall be transmitted to the Bishop. The

The Board of Directors of the Mis

sionary Fund present to the Convention the following report.

That the circumstances of the Fund did not admit of their engaging a clergyman to succeed the Rev. Mr. Stratton, as a Missionary, earlier than the last spring; that they were then so happy, through the agency of their Presi dent, to engage the Rev. George H. Woodruff, a Deacon in the Diocess, to act in that capacity, and to devote the half of his services to the vacant churches, for the space of one year

from the first of June last. Mr. Woodruff is now engaged in the performance of his duties, and has already

officiated at several Churches. The Directors hope that they will be able, in future, to keep a Missionary regularly employed in that very im

portant service.

Signed by order of the Board,

JOHN CROES, President, Swedesborough, Aug. 19, 1819. From the Treasurer's report attached to the Journal, it appears that the Missionary Fund amounts to $3230 81.

In a list of the Clergy of the Diocess, printed with the Journal, there are the names of the Bishop, 10 Presbyters, and three Deacons.

Recent Martyrdom of a Christian in Smyrna.

(From the Christian Observer for Sept. 1819.)

THE following statement is given on the authority of a gentleman resident in Smyrna. The Greek Church, it seems, has a law never to receive again a person who has

once fallen from their faith. To the operation of this strange law the following instance of martyrdom must be attributed; the victim might, indeed, have escaped with life, but would never have been received by the Greek church and people. “Athanasius, a young man of about twenty-four years of age, was the son of a boatman; but not being brought up to sea, or taught any handicraft trade, was obliged to leave the land of his birth, in search of a livelihood as a common servant. Having served two or three masters, he fell into the hands of a Turk, who lived in decent circumstances. His master, pleased with his conduct, often proposed to raise him from the degrading bondage of a Greek, to the privileges of a Turk, which could be done only by taking the exterior mark of a disciple of Mahomet, and renouncing Christianity before the Meccamay-the Turkish bishop and judge.

"Every temptation to this change was long resisted, till, on one fatal festival night, he uttered the word of abjuration, and next morning was made a Turk. He remained with his master about a year after this; suffering, no doubt, many pangs of conscience, and having no alternative but to die, as he could not live, a Christian. Thus circumstanced, and probably urged by his own people, he resolved to sacrifice his life rather than any longer disguise his sentiments. With this intention he quitted the Turk his master, and went on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, a spot covered with convents, and filled with monks and friars. Here he remained some months, receiving instruction, and preparing for death.

"On the expiration of his pilgrimage, he quitted Mount Athos, with the congratulations of the whole body, on the prospect of becoming a distinguished saint. He arrived at

Smyrna in the habit of a Caloyer, or Greek Monk, and went immedi ately, with the approbation of the Greeks, to the meccamay, declaring his resolution to die a Christian rather than live an apostate. The judge, in order to save his life, wished to persuade the Turks that he was mad; but he persisted in publicly abjuring Mahomedanism, and asserting his readiness to die. Upon which he was confined in a dungeon, and put to the torture, which he endured with the greatest fortitude and patience.

"The Greeks were afraid that the tortures he suffered, and the extravagant promises and allurements held out to him by the Turks, would shake his resolution, and therefore sent a fanatical priest to strengthen him to suffer death.

"On the day of execution, Athanasius was led out of prison, with his hands tied behind him: he walked firmly to the square before the large mosque, where again he was offered his life, with riches, houses, lands, &c. if he would remain a Turk; but nothing could tempt him to save his life. At length a Turkish blacksmith was ordered by the captain of the guard to strike off his head; but, as a last attempt, the executioner was directed to cut slightly into the skin of his neck, that he might feel the edge of his sword: but this expedient also failed of success; and Athanasius, on his knees, declaring, with a calm countenance, that he was born in the faith of Jesus, and would die in the faith of Jesus, was released from his sufferings with a single blow.

"The Turkish guard instantly threw buckets of water on the neck of the corpse and dissevered head,, to prevent the expecting Greeks from dipping their handkerchiefs in his blood, to keep as a memorial of this event. The body lay exposed and guarded for three days. It was afterwards given up to the Greeks,

and buried in the principal churchyard.

"In such a circumstance it is dif. ficult to say, who are the most culpable-the Turks or the Greeks. The Turks are always ready to shed the blood of a Christian; but how abominable is it, that a church -a Christian church, should refuse mercy to a once fallen but penitent member! When will the day come that shall open the eyes of these people; and what a weight of respon sibility lies on those who are better instructed, to attempt their spiritual improvement! especially by distributing among them that blessed Book of eternal life, which proclaims the mercy of him who willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live."

Chinese Superstition.

(From the same.)

On the 13th of May, 1818, a storm suddenly arose at Peking, which darkened the heavens and filled the air with sand and dust. The Emperor was greatly alarmed, conceiving it to be a Divine judgment, and was anxious to know its meaning: he also called on his ministers of state to endeavour to discover the cause. In a public document, he reprimanded his astronomers for not having previously informed him when the hurricane was to take

place. They had but three days

before stated to him what felicitous stars shed their happy influence around his person, and indicated long life and prosperity; but all this, he says, was the language of flattery, whilst they could not, or would not tell him what evils were about to happen.

66

Three of these wise men" gave their opinion that the cause of the hurricane was the dismissal of the late premier Sung Tajin, and suggested the propriety of recalling

him; but his majesty was far from approving their suggestion, and reproved their advisers for their presumption in meddling with his royal prerogative.

The Mathematical Board also presented their opinions; and intimated, that if this kind of hurricane, accompanied by a descent of dust, continued a whole day, it indicated perverse behaviour and discordant counsels between the sovereign and his ministers. It also indicates great drought and dearness of grain. If the wind should blow up the sand, move the stones, and be accompanied with noise, inundations are to be expected. If the descent of the dust continues but an hour, pestilence may be expected in the southwest regions, and half the population will be diseased in the southeast.

The Gazette expresses his majes ty's painful anxiety on account of the long drought, and has sent his sons to fast, to pray, and to offer sacrifice to heaven, to earth, and to the God of the wind. The 25th of May was to be a solemn fast; and, on the day of sacrifice, the kings, nobles, ministers of state, &c. were all to appear in a peculiar cap and upper garment, indicating deep contrition. -Such is Chinese superstition.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL.

CHRIST'S RESURRECTION.

TWICE had the sun his setting ray

Shed o'er our Saviour's tomb,

And twice had twilight's "mantle gray"
Veil'd earth and skies in gloom :
But ere the dawn of the third day

Illum'd the eastern skies,
An angel rolls the stone away,
And Christ is seen to rise.

He burst the tyrant chain of death;
He left his lowly bed:
Now glory's never-fading wreath
Adorns his God-like head.
In majesty sublime he rose,
Dread terrors seize his guilty foes

To Heaven's fair court he flies;

As he ascends the skies:

Lines written by the late Right Rev. Bishop MOORE, of New-York, for a Lady who was afflicted with a lingering and dis tressing Malady.

O POWER Supreme! to thee my thoughts I turn,

Thou only comfort, when we truly mourn; The orphan's parent, and the wretched's friend!

To thee my trembling knees I humbly bend :

O arm my soul the strokes of fate to fear, And check the impetuous torrent of despair;

Teach me submission to thy awful doom, To see thy mercy through misfortune's gloom.

Still with this sacred truth my heart inform,

To guide my steps through life's uncertain storm,

That thou, who dost in nought but good delight,

Hast ordered all, and therefore all is right.

Consecration of Bishop Brownell,

On Tuesday morning, October the 26th, 1819, the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocess of Connecticut met at Trinity Church, in the city of New-Haven; and on Wednesday the Rev. THOMAS C. BROWNELL, D. D. LL. D. recently one of the assistant ministers of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, was consecrated a Bishop, for the Diocess of Connecticut, by the Right Rev. Bishop WHITE, of Pennsylvania, The Right Rev. Bishop HOBART, of New-York, and, under the 20th canon of the General Convention, Bishop of Connecticut; and the Right Rev. Bishop GRISWOLD, of the Eastern Diocess, consisting of the states of Rhode-Island, Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, and Vermont, being present and assisting.

The morning prayer was read by the Rev. REUBEN IVES, Rector of St Peter's Church, Cheshire; and an impressive and appropriate discourse delivered, from the 1st chapter of Romans, 16th verse, by the consecrating Bishop, to a numerous and attentive congregation.

Immediately after the consecration, the

Convention was addressed by Bishop HoBART, who closed with an affectionate farewell.

The Rev. Dr. BRONSON, in behalf of the Convention, then addressed Bishop BROWNELL, and was answered by him; ministered, which closed the solemnities after which, the holy communion was adof the day.

Institutions and Ordination.

On Thursday, Oct. 14, 1819, the Rev. Gilbert H. Sayres, was instituted Rector of Grace Church, Jamaica, Long-Island. The Rev. Evan M.Johnson, Rector of St. James's Church, Newtown, Long-Island, performed morning prayer; the Rev. Barzillai Bulkley, Rector of St. George's Church, Flushing, Long-Island, officiated as instituting Minister; and the Rev. James Milnor, D.D. Rector of St. George's Church, New-York, preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion.

On Saturday, the 16th of October, 1819, the Rev. Thomas Breintnall was instituted Rector of Zion Church, New-York, by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart. Morning prayer was performed by the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis, D. D. Professor of Biblical Literature in the Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a sermon preached by the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church, New-York.

On Monday, the 18th of October, 1819, the festival of St. Luke the Evangelist, the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart held an ordination in St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, Long-Island, and admitted the Rev. Hugh Smith, Deacon, Minister of said Church, to the holy order of Priests. Morning prayer was performed by the Rev. Thomas Breintnall, Rector of Zion Church, NewYork, and a sermon preached by the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church, New-York.

Days appointed for Thankgiving & Prayer.

The Governor of Connecticut has recommanded Thursday, the 2d of Decem ber, to be observed in that State as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.

The Governor of the State of New-York has recommended Thursday, the 23d of December, to be observed in the said State as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.

The Governor of the State of Pennsylvania has recommended Thursday, the 9th of December, to be observed in that State as a day of thanksgiving and prayer.

The Governor of the State of Ohio has recommended Thursday, the 25th of November, to be observed in that State as a day of thanksgiving and prayer.