zeal and vigilance with which he engaged in the administration of its spiritual concerns; were such as at once to excite admiration, respect, and love, and to throw a brilliant lustre over his name and character. The present dean and chapter can never lose the recollection of his long and faithful services, nor of his numerous and estimable Christian virtues; and they have the highest gratification, in the midst of their regret, of placing upon record this memorial of his excellence, and this tribute of their esteem and affection.”—Ibid.

St. Paul's Church, Boston. THE noble organ, lately erected in this elegant edifice, was built by contract, by Mr. William M. Goodrich. It is the largest and most powerful instrument ever constructed in that city, and, on a critical examination by competent judges, has been pronounced a chef d'auvre in the art. An unbounded spirit of liberality is said to have been evinced on the part of the contracting committee, in allowing Mr. Goodrich to follow the dictates of his own judgment, fancy, and taste, in point of construction, combination of the contents, and form and appearance of the exterior. The order of architecture adopted by the builder comports with that of the interior of the church. Its height is 27 feet, breadth 16, and depth nearly 10 feet. It contains three rows of keys, comprising 30 registers, and moving 30 rows of pipes. Its compass is from double G to F in alto, with one and an half octaves of pedal pipes. The whole number of pipes contained in the great organ is 951; in the choir organ 406; in the swell organ 296; pedal pipes 17; making in the aggregate 1,670 pipes, besides shifting pedals for the choir and great organ. The immense space contained in the audience-room of St. Paul's, is far greater than that of any other place of public worship in Boston, comprising a vacuum of 246,000 cubic feet. To fill such a building with sound, requires great volume of tone. Mr. Goodrich, being aware of this fact, has happily succeeded in bestowing a power both rich and mellow, and conformable to the location of his instrument. Its great power and brilliancy of tone, adds the correspondent of the Boston Traveller, to whom we are indebted for the above account, must convince the most fastidious critic, of the inexpediency of importing from foreign countries, that which can be obtained at home, equal in quality, and greater in extent, at nearly half the cost.-Episcopal Watchman.

Church at Meadville.

THE corner stone of an episcopal church, under the name of "Christ church, Meadville," was laid in Meadville, Pennsylva

nia, on Wednesday, the 11th of May, 1827. As this is the first episcopal church commenced west of the Alleghany river, in Pennsylvania, the circumstance of laying the corner stone attracted much attention, and the attendance was very numerous. The masonic brethren in a body attended, and assisted in the ceremonies. A procession was formed at the Presbyterian church, and marched down to the spot. The services were performed by the Rev. Charles Smith, the rector, assisted by the Rev. Benjamin Hutchins, missionary, and were highly impressive. The prayers were solemn and appropriate, being the same used by Bishop White on a similar occasion. An appropriate and eloquent address was delivered by the rector, the 100th and the 122d psalms were sung; order," and was such as became the inevery thing was done "decently and in teresting and important object in hand. In a cavity, made for the purpose, in the corner stone, were deposited a Bible, a Prayer Book, Bishop White's sermon on the "True Foundation," &c., a copy of the charter of the church, and a parchment, with an inscription, containing the date of the incorporation of the church, the names of its rector, church-wardens, and vestrymen, of the builders of the church, of the bishop of the diocese, and of the officers of the "Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylva nia."

The style of the contemplated building is Gothic; and the character of that style is much better preserved in the plan than is usual in village buildings. The size is 50 by 40, together with a tower in front serving as a vestibule, of 16 feet square; making the entire length of the building 66 feet. The situation is a beautiful one, on the public square, and convenient to the population of the village.—Church Register.

EPISCOPAL ACTS.

In the Eastern Diocese.

On Thursday, the 3d of May, 1827, the Right Rev. Bishop Griswold held an ordination in St. Michael's church, Bristol, Rhode-Island, and admitted Mr. R. B. Drane to the holy order of deacons; and, on the Tuesday following, being the 8th of May, the bishop held an ordination in the same church, and admitted Mr. H. C. Knight to the holy order of deacons, and the Rev. John Bristed to that of priests.

In the Diocese of Connecticut. On the third Sunday after Easter, May the 6th, 1827, the Right Rev. Bishop Brownell held a confirmation in St. Peter's church, Plymouth, Connecticut, of which the Rev. Rodney Rossiter is rector, when

that holy rite was administered to twentyeight young persons.

In the Diocese of New-Jersey.

On Wednesday, May 2d, 1827, the Rev. Smith Pyne was admitted to the holy order of priests, by the Right Rev. Bishop Croes, in St. John's church, Elizabethtown, New-Jersey; and, on the day following, he was instituted rector of the same church, having been the officiating minister since June last. On every mention of this favourite scene of long, though humble labours, we adopt, with much tenderness of feeling, the language of the Psalmist "For my brethren and companions' sake I will wish thee prosperity; yea, because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek to do thee good-Peace be within thy walls."-Rudd's Gospel Messenger.

In the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

The Right Rev. Bishop White held a confirmation on Wednesday, May 9th,1827, in St. Stephen's church, Harrisburg, when twenty-five persons were confirmed; and, on Sunday, 13th of May, in St. James's church, Lancaster, when twenty-seven per sons were confirmed.

In the Diocese of Virginia.

On the 26th of April, 1827, and the three following days, a clerical association was held in the revived parish of St. James's, Northam, Goochland county, Virginia, of which the Rev. William F. Lee is minister.

On the first day of the meeting, the Right Rev. Bishop Moore consecrated St. James's church, in the said parish, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church; on which oc casion prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Croes, and a sermon delivered by the Rev.

Mr. Meade.

On the 27th, the bishop held a confir mation, when twelve persons received that holy rite. Prayers by the Rev. Mr. Cooke, and the sermon by the bishop.

Large congregations were assembled on every day of the association; and, from the deep and general attention which was paid to the services, there is reason to believe, not only that the prejudices are wearing away, which for a length of time have been nurtured against the "Old Church," but, that a spirit of ardent piety and zeal is about to succeed a period of

lukewarmness and indifference.

In the Diocese of South-Carolina. The Rev. Paul T. Keith, assistant minister of the parish of Prince George, Winyaw, was admitted to the holy order of priests, on the 20th of April, 1827, by the Right Rev. Bishop Bowen.

St. Luke's Church, Ludlowville. On the first of January, 1827, an episcopal congregation was organized under this name, at Ludlowville, Tompkins county, New-York. The wardens appointed were Messrs. Samuel Bolt, and Samuel Thorp.

Obituary Notice.

"Died, at his residence, in this city, on the 29th of April, 1827, in the 73d year of his age, the Hon. RUFUS KING. Mr. King entered into public life at an early age. Af ter completing his legal studies, he was chosen, at the close of the revolution, in 1784, to represent the state of Massachusetts in the old continental congress. In this body he acquired great influence, and was the mover of a proposition, which will always render his name distinguished and respected in the annals of his country. We refer to the prohibition of slavery in the old north-west territory. After serving in that body to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, he was deputed by the same state to the convention which formed the constitution of the United States. This instrument having been prepared and submitted to the states for their ratification, Mr. King was sent, by the town of Newburyport, with Mr. Parsons, and Robert Treat Paine, to the state convention, which gave the sanction of Massachusetts to the new constitution. In procuring this sanction, Mr. King was mainly instrumental. Objections were made to it in Massachusetts, as well as in New-York and Virginia; and, whilst the talents of Hamilton and Madison were engaged in surmounting the obstacles opposed to it by the antifederalists of the two latter states, Mr. King was performing an act of equally vital importance to his country, by soothing the fears and prejudices which operated against it in a state that was still agitated by the feelings which produced the Shay rebellion. When the requisite number of states had signified their assent, and the constitution went into operation, under the auspices of Washington, Mr. King was chosen, by the legislature of this state, their representative in the senate of the United States. Here he acquired the particular confidence of Washington, by whom he was selected as the minister of this country to the court of St. James. Al

though a federalist, such was the confidence reposed in his talents and character by Mr. Jefferson, that, upon his succeeding Mr. Adams, he expressed his special desire to Mr. King, that he should continue to represent the United States at the British court. In compliance with this request he continued until, having complet. ed all the negociations intrusted to his care, in 1805, he requested permission to return to his native land, from which be

had been absent about eight years. His patriotic support of the government, during the late war with. Great Britain, and his determination to sacrifice party feelings, and to unite with his friends in the common defence, acquired for him the esteem of his political opponents in his own state. This was evinced by his election, by democratic legislatures, to represent this state in the United States' senate for two successive terms. In 1822, he was chosen a member of the convention which formed the constitution of this state; and, in 1825, he was appointed by Mr. Adams, again to represent the United States at that court, where he had before acquired such a distinguished reputation. Expectations were entertained, that the high respect in which he was personally held by the leading members of the English cabinet, would have essentially contributed to a satisfactory arrangement of the unadjusted difficulties between the two go. vernments, and the marked attention paid to him on his arrival by Mr. Canning, and the other ministers, proved that those expectations were not unjustly formed. An overruling Providence, however, did not permit them to be realized. During his voyage, Mr. King was attacked with a disease, often the consequence of a voyage, and which impaired his health, as to prevent him from an active discharge of the duties of his office. After remaining abroad a year, in the hope of re-establishing his health, without any improvement, he determined to return to die in his native land, in the bosom of his family and his friends. Here, cheered by the attentions of an affectionate family, and in a composed and resigned state, he calmly awaited his approaching end.

"It is, when men like him are taken from among us, that we have cause for grief. We remember the days of his former usefulness, and bend in reverence before the chastening stroke. We rejoice that he should so long have been sparedand that the blow descended not in the hour of his prime and his usefulness. In manner, Mr. King was mild and dignified -in temper, firm and decided.

As a

speaker, he was a model for parliamentary debate. His compatriots in the senate will long remember the respect which he mani fested for their opinions, whilst he firmly maintained his own. As a statesman, pru. dent, penetrating, and comprehensive in his views; his country will long have cause for gratitude, that his talents were devoted to the promotion of the public good. He was his country's true friend; and, while he did not hesitate to condemn the policy which placed us in collision

with Great Britain, he did not permit bis feelings to operate, when his fortune and influence were required to promote the successful termination of the war. His private character was without blemishi. As a husband, affectionate and sincere-as a father, an object of veneration to his children, he has descended with lamenta. tions to the tomb-as a patriot, his country mourns his loss."

For the above notice, we are indebted to the Commercial Advertiser of the 30th of April. We have to add, that Mr. King, attached from principle to the church of our communion, in the general concerns of which he always manifested a deep interest, was, for many years, an active member of the vestry of Trinity church, in this city, and was, on several occasions, the decided and useful friend of the present bishop of the diocese.

Acknowledgment, &c.

The librarian of the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, acknowledges the receipt of the following donations to the library during the months of March, April, and May, 1827 :--

From John Pintard, esq-Simsoni Chro

nicon Historium Catholicum, folio.Caussin's Holy Court, with a life of the author, 4to.

From Dr. William Handy-A collection of classical and philological works, comprising works of Homer, Euripides, Xenophon, Cicero, Quintilian, Sallust, Tacitus, Suetonius, Nepos, Eutropius, Justin, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Terence, Erasmus, Salmasius, Vossius, Lipsius, Buxtorf, Ravisius, Huel, and Moir: 18 vols. 8vo., 6 vols. 12mo., and 8 vols. 24mo.

From the Rev. Thomas Hartwell Horne, of England, through Bishop HobartHorne's Romanism contradictory to the Bible, 12mo. London, 1827.

From the Rev. Edmund D. Barry, D. D.Augustini Opera, ed. Theologor, Loraniens, 3 tom. folio.

From the Rev. George Weller-Clarkson on Liturgies, 8vo.-Usserii Antiquitates Ecclesiarum Britannicarum, 4to.

Calendar for July, 1827.

1. Third Sunday after Trinity. 8. Fourth Sunday after Trinity. 15. Fifth Sunday after Trinity. 22. Sixth Sunday after Trinity. 25. St. James.

29. Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

But few memorials are remaining to us, of the men who served the altars of our church, in the burdensome and intolerant period immediately preceding, and during, the war of the revolution. There were many such, who, especially in the eastern states, were called upon to bear reproach, and submit to privations, of which, in these times of peace and prosperity to our institutions, we cannot readily form an idea. Among the small number of those clergymen who, after passing long lives of usefulness, and without reproach, were permitted to take their departure for their eternal home, in the place where they had first devoted themselves to the service of the Gospel and the cure of souls, was the subject of the following sketch.

Edward Bass was born at Dorches ter, in Massachusetts, on the 23d day of November, 1726. When but little more than thirteen years of age, he entered Harvard college, and graduated in 1744. From this time, for several years, he was engaged in the employ ment of instructing a school, devoting his leisure hours to the study of theology. In 1741, he became resident at the college, still pursuing there his theological studies, and occasionally preaching in the congregational churches in the vicinity. In the course of his college residence, which continued for three years, his attention was drawn to the episcopal church, to the ministry of which, upon the invitation of an episcopal society at Boston, which had furnished assistance to several other candidates for the episcopal ministry, he at length determined to devote himself. The episcopal church in New-EngVOL. XI.

[VOL. XI.

land, at this period, was far from being in a flourishing condition. Those who professed themselves members of the English church, and this is believed to have been the case with a large proportion of the more recent emigrants from England to these colonies, were numerous, and rapidly increasing: so much so, indeed, as to create manifest uneasiness in certain other classes of the population. They were estimated, by the late Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia, in a document formally prepared for the English bishops, in 1762, to amount, in the four New-England colonies, to thirty-six thousand.* In general, they built no churches, until they had obtained a minister of their own persuasion. Wherever there were found among them a few wealthy and liberal individuals, who were willing to provide, at least partially, for the support of a minister, the Society for Propagating the Gospel readily undertook the remaining expense; and, in such cases, which were but few in number, churches were erected, and respectable congregations gathered. But every effort of this kind made them more odious to the dominant sect, and great were the embarrassments thrown in their way. It was among this obnoxious people

"We do not assert," says Dr. Smith, "that all these are actually members of any

particular episcopal church, nor have they op portunities of being so, as numbers of them live at forty or fifty miles distance from any settled church. But they denominate themselves church people, and are continually expressing their desire of forming themselves into regular churches, if they could be supplied with ministers: for want of which, many of them fall in with the dissenters, who, having the advantage of keeping up the succession of the ministry among themselves, are continually sending forth their young preachers into all parts of the country that are unprovided."— Dr. Smith's State of the American Church, presented to Archbishop Drummond, &c. 1762.

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that this young and valued preacher determined to cast his lot; and, early in 1752, he embarked for England, to obtain episcopal ordination. He was admitted to holy orders by Dr. Sherlock, then bishop of London, in the month of May, and after spending the summer in England, he returned to Boston in the autumn, and shortly after took charge of the church in Newbury, (now Newburyport) at that time vacant by the death of the Rev. Matthias Plant, who had been the society's missionary at that place; and here he passed the remainder of his days.

It was not the least of the difficulties under which the members of the episcopal church in this country at that time laboured, that they were not able to effect measures for the perpetuating an episcopal ministry among themselves. The consequence was, that in order to become qualified for her ministry, candidates, who did not altogether shrink from the perils of the task, were obliged to cross the Atlantic ocean, and visit a land comparatively of strangers. A voyage over the ocean, was then a much more serious undertaking than now, and the natives of the American colonies were supposed to be peculiarly liable to that hideous disease, the smallpox, and to sink under it much more easily than a resident of England. As early as 1756, seven young men, who had gone to England for holy orders, had perished, away from their homes and their friends. Several others suffered severely from the small-pox, who yet were providentially permitted to return. But the apprehensions, which some sects entertained from a resident bishop, did not pass away till after the independence of the colonies had been effected, nor until a large proportion of the church people" had become merged in the prevalent denomination. Whenever, antecedently to the revolution, an attempt was made, and in the eastern states there were several attempts to produce correct views and apprehensions on this subject, so important to Episcopalians, they were met by a spirit of uncompromising hostility, and effectually thwarted. was in vain that men, whose characters were allowed vouchers on all other

It

subjects for the truth of their declarations, pledged themselves, that no temporal advantages were desired or expected, that they only sought to be placed on an equal footing with their fellow Christians; the opposition, far from relenting, only increased its virulence. The English bishops had repeatedly taken such measures as lay in their power towards complying with the repeated applications which were made to them, in favour of a plan so reasonable in itself, but were always defeated by the reluctance of the king's ministers, who desired that the responsibility should be upon the parliament, and that if steps were taken, they should be first taken there. On the other hand, the law officers of the crown gave their opinion, that it was a part of the royal prerogative, and of course not within the control of the parliament. Some large sums were, at different times, bequeathed by pious individuals in England, for the endowment of one or more bishopricks; and, at one time, measures were so far advanced, that a house was purchased at Burlington, New-Jersey, for the resi dence of a bishop, who was to have the colonies east of the river Delaware as his diocese.

An accidental connexion had grown up between the bishop of London for the time being, and the churches in the colonies. It was after a time extended so far, that by commission from the king, the bishop of London appointed commissaries in several of the colonies, to exercise a limited jurisdiction, though they might as well have been clothed, so far as regards the injury which could ensue to any one, with the full character and powers of the episcopate. Few men have laboured, in any office, more disinterestedly and faithfully, than did Bray, and Blair, and Garden, in this of commissary.

This was the relation in which the episcopal churches in this country stood to the church of England, at the time Mr. Bass returned from England, and settled at Newbury.

The revolutionary war, which had displaced so many episcopal clergymen from their parishes and homes, found him, at its termination, still dis