SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOCIETY.

from general education, and would feel that, on leaving The third annual general meeting was held at Edin-home, their children would continue to enjoy some of its burgh, Dec. 7, and was very fully attended; Bp. Low in best blessings. Such an institution must of course be the chair. After prayers, the rev. E. B. Ramsay, sec., placed under a clergyman of very high character and read the report. The meeting was subsequently ad- attainments, together with assistants, who will thoroughly dressed by the earl of Roseberry, the ven. archd. Wil- comprehend the design, and imbue all the details with a liams, sir James Ramsay, the rev. N. Johnstone, E. D. religious spirit. It is also contemplated to provide inSandford, esq., bp. Terrot, rev. J. Mackenzie, W. Forbes, struction in classical literature, mathematics, and those esq. From the report-which is of a very satisfactory branches of mental and natural philosophy usually comcharacter-we learn that, although the accounts of the prehended in academical courses. The Scottish bishops present year show a falling off in donations, and record have now, by their synodal letter, authoritatively deno legacies, still it is gratifying to find that the amount clared their approval of the principle of the scheme, and of congregational offerings has not diminished, and that their desire that aid should be solicited for its support the annual subscriptions are increased. The committec through the instrumentality of a committee. It is ob consider that the best proof which can be given to the vious that, in order to carry the object into effect, a very subscribers of the benefits effected, will be offered in the considerable sum will be required. The purposes to statement, that upwards of 16007. have been expended which the funds will be devoted comprise the providing this year in promoting the objects of the society of this a chapel, with halls and other suitable buildings; the sum 7741. have been paid towards raising the incomes of salaries of a warden, professors, and teachers; and the 32 incumbents to 80%., whilst 3157., paid over to the foundation of bursaries. It is calculated that the lowest episcopal fund, have enabled the trustees to extend the amount of capital which would justify the cominencescale of their grants amongst the smaller incumbencies ment of the institution is 20,000l.; and, as soon as that of the church; 1487. have been paid to 12 schools; 1007. sum is raised, a meeting of the subscribers for allowances to retired incumbents; 2807. for repairs afterwards specified will be called, to confer with the and erection of churches, in nine particular cases, where bishops on the permanent constitution of the college. A there was a difficulty in raising the necessary funds; 207. sum of nearly 6,000l. has been already privately contrifor bibles, prayer-books, and testaments. Whilst the buted, and it is proposed to raise the remainder by a income has been expended for these objects, the donations general subscription, under the following conditions › received during the year have been added to the capital stock, the dividends on which go to increase the annual disposable fund for distribution. The report further states that a new auxiliary committee has been formed in London, an association at Bridgnorth, and that contributions have been received from the bps. of Madras and Bombay, and others in India.

FOUNDATION OF AN ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION.

The institution, mentioned in the accompanying synodal letter, is designed to embrace objects not attainable in any public foundation hitherto established in Scotland, viz., the combination of general education with domestic discipline and systematic religious superintendence. It is proposed to found in a central part of Scotland, north of the Frith of Forth, and removed from the immediate vicinity of any large town, a college, to be called, "The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity," which may receive and board a large number, say ultimately from 150 to 200, of youths from eight to eighteen years of age; and also afford a sound clerical education to young men destined for holy orders, of whom a considerable number, in addition to those required in Scotland, may be usefully employed in supplying the demands which are now made for clergymen in the British Colonies. It is intended that the institution shall provide exhibitions, or bursaries, to be conferred principally on boys likely to become divinity students. It is anticipated that, by the means proposed, parents would be enabled to secure all the advantages of a liberal and scientific education at a very moderate rate, varying probably from 50l. to 801. per annum, according to the age of the scholar. They would also escape the great evil of separating specifically religious

as

1. That all contributions of 501. and upwards are to be payable either at once, or (at the option of the donor) in fire equal instalments. The first to be due when the committee shall declare that 15,000l. have been subscribed the others at successive intervals of six months.

2. That all payments whatever are to be returned, unless the subscription, including the price received for nominations, shall reach 20,0007.

3. All donations of 100l. and upwards are to entitle the donor, being a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church, or of the United Church of England and Ireland, to a voice, in conjunction with the bishops and the members of committee, in the settling of the permanent constitution of the establishment, at the meeting to be held for that purpose.

4.-Perpetual rights of nomination to the college shall be purchaseable as follows:-One for one hundred guineas, two for two hundred, three for five, and five for a thousand. Nominated pupils to be received with a deduction of ten per cent. from the current rate of annual payment for board and education.

Synodal Letter."To all faithful members of the reformed catholic church, the bishops in Scotland, greeting. Grace be with you, mercy and peace, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Whereas certain lay members of the church, moved by a pious desire to promote the glory of God and the welfare of the flock over which he hath made us overseers, have represented unto us that our church, having been long depressed, hath suffered the total loss of temporal endowments; and that hence great difficulty hath been found in maintaining the decent administration of

God's word and sacraments, more especially in so far as the same depends upon the due education of candidates for holy orders; that the sense of this deficiency hath been frequently declared by various pious but inadequate bequests for this purpose, and more recently by the church herself in her 40th canon, and that the same still exists in almost undiminished magnitude: and whereas they have represented unto us their desire, under God's blessing, to attempt a remedy for this want, and, in pursuance of such design, have proposed to us the foundation of a school and theological seminary, to be devoted to the training, under collegiate discipline, of candidates for holy orders; and, at the same time, of such other persons as may desire the benefit of a liberal in conjunction with a religious education: and whereas they have represented unto us, that sufficient pecuniary support hath been secured to warrant their perseverance in the design, and that they are now desirous, under our sanction, to make a public appeal to the members of the church in its behalf. Now we, the bishops of the reformed catholic church in Scotland, in synod assembled, desire to express our warmest gratitude to those with whom this proposal hath originated; and, above all, to God, who hath put into their hearts to attempt the supply of wants, the reality and urgency of which we have long painfully experienced; and, having maturely considered the said design, we do hereby formally approve the same, and recommend it to you, our brethren in Christ, as a fitting object for your prayers and alms. We have farther, for the promotion of this good work, requested certain discreet persons to act in committec, and, in concert with ourselves, to prepare a scheme for its execution, to be submitted to the members of the church. In thus endeavouring to awaken your zeal and charity in behalf of that portion of the church committed to our charge, we deem it fitting to state, solemnly and explicitly, that we are moved by no feelings of rivalry towards any religions community, but by a desire to supply the wants of our own coinmunion, and thereby to fulfil a duty implied in the first principles of the Christian church.

"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amen." (Signed by the bishops). Trinity College.-The committee have very great satisfaction in bringing before the notice of the members of the episcopal communion in Scotland, the scheme for the establishment of Trinity college, of which the general features are delineated in the accompanying "proposals." The committee are fully persuaded that the want which it is now proposed to supply has long been felt, especially by those who desire to undertake the duties of the holy ministry; and, while they regard with feelings of the warmest sympathy and most affectionate interest the efforts which are now making to ameliorate the temporal condition of their clerical brethren, they are convinced that the establishment of the proposed college is eminently calculated, not to impede, but to farther that good work. The committee desire to take the present opportunity of saying, that their object is perfectly plain and straightforward: they utterly disclaim any peculiar or party views; they have no purpose beyond that which is plainly set forth in the printed statement. They have received the sanction of, and are acting in concert with, their bishops; and they have the utmost gratification in stating that, having submitted their proposals to the archbishops of Canterbury and York, they have been favoured with the approbation and encouragement of these prelates. The committee believe that, taken in connexion with the synodal letter of the Scottish bishops, the names of these venerated prelates will afford the best guarantee that the individuals who now come forward earnestly entreating, on behalf of Trinity college, the support of all who take an interest in the episcopal church of Scotland, have no object in view but that of promoting her best and dearest interests. The committee request that all communications on this subject may be addressed to Mr. W. P. Dundas, 8, Athole Crescent; or to Mr. R. D. Cay, 18, Rutland-street, Edinburgh. Subscriptions will be received by either of these gentlemen; or by Sir W. Forbes and Co., bankers, Edinburgh.

31st.

TORONTO.

COLONIAL CHURCH

Church consecrated.-St. Stephens-in-Vaughan, Oct. Ordination, Oct. 24.-Priests.-H. C. Cooper, B.A., Pemb. Camb., Usborne; M. Boomer, B.A., Trin. Dublin, Galt; T. Fidler, Fenelon Falls. Deacon.-W. M. Shaw, B.A., Sidney, Camb., Emily.

QUEBEC.

Churches consecrated. Springfield, Oct. 14th; St. John's, Huntingdon, Oct. 19; St. Martin, Isle of Jesus, Oct. 21st.

Ordinations.-Priests.-W. B. Bond; W. Thompson; J. Pyke. Deacon.-D. Falloon, Trin. Dublin.

the institution as it respects the religious profession of those who shall be admitted for their course of study; nor will any other rules be insisted upon with respect to their attendance upon public worship, than that those who belong to the church of England should attend the ministry of that church, and that those who are of other persuasions should attend such ministration as the parents and guardians may desire; it being understood that they will attend the church of England where no desire is signified to the contrary.

NEWFOUNDLAND.

Visitation. The following letter from the bishop, dated St. John's, Nov. 2, 1841, was read to the meeting of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge:"Having returned from my visit to some distant parts of my diocese, and finished the business of my visitation, by convening the several clergymen of the island at St. John's, it is but due to the venerable society by whose bounty I have been so largely assisted, to render them some account of what has been accomplished by my endeavours to promote, under God's blessing, the benevolent intentions of the society in this land. In the course of my visitation during the present year, I have travelled by land and by water 1,118 miles; visited 35 stations; confirmed 1,136 persons; consecrated six churches; originated or assisted in the building of 21 new churches; ordained two priests and eight deacons, and founded or restored more than twenty day-schools and Sundayschools. Of the liberal grant of the society, I have ap

Collegiate Institution.-The bishop of Montreal has set on foot a collegiate institution at Three Rivers, but the removal of which, to the neighbourhood of Sherbrooke, is now contemplated, where it is proposed that it shall be reorganized on an enlarged scale. For the accomplishment of this desirable end, he has reason to expect very liberal donations, as well as a considerable annual grant from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and the Society for Propagating the Gospel. The whole cost has been estimated at 2,500l. to 3,000l., and the annual expenditure for its maintenance at 1,000l. The officers of the college to consist of a principal, who shall be professor of divinity, to be appointed by the bishop, and by him removed from time to time, if cause for such removal should arise; and, for the present, of at least one other professor, both of whom shall be clergymen of the church of England in full orders, and graduates of some univer-propriated 4651., according to the annexed statement, sity of repute in the British dominions. A chapel will be built in connection with the institution, in which morning and evening prayers will be daily read, and the attendance of the students and pupils will be then required. No exclusive character, however, will attach to

and the remaining sum I propose to expend in aiding the building of two chapels, one at the island of Belleisle, and one on the southern side of the harbour of St. John's, where a considerable population is growing up, at a great distance from the parish church. The wretchedly dilapi

dated condition of St. John's church has obliged me to restrict the performance of all episcopal acts to the smaller chapel of St. Thomas; and, in order to render this more fit and decent for such purposes, very material alterations and improvements have been necessary. In aid of these I have hitherto contributed the premium of bills drawn on the society, and I am happy to say that the interior of our church, which is generally admirably well filled by a mixed congregation of rich and poor, would not be discreditable to any community. As soon as the question of site for the cathedral church can be satisfactorily determined, I hope to commence, and rapidly progress with the building. The money which we do not immediately need for the work should be placed at interest, either here or in England; but as to the time of my drawing for the 5001. granted by the Society, 1. must be guided by the consideration of the rate of premium paid at St. John's, which is extremely fluctuating. The present is not an advantageous period for the negociation of bills."

MADRAS.

South India Mission of Church Missionary Society. Visitation of the Bishop.-The bishop commenced his visitation in the province of Tinnevelly, on the 2nd of Jan. The following particulars are furnished by the missionaries of the Palamcottah district, in their report, dated Feb. 22, 1841:

the catechists and members of congregations in the rev. P. P. Schaffter's districts, amounting to 281, and those from our districts, amounting to 284-a much less number than had been prepared by us, many not having come in from the villages-each furnished with a printed ticket, were confirmed. His lordship was suffering so much from exhaustion and illness, as to be able to add only a short, but impressive and faithful address to those who had been confirmed; an address which we hope will be remembered by them with advantage all their remaining days. As this was the first confirmation that had taken place in these parts, the chief part of the people were adults; and feeble trembling limbs bore many a grey head to receive the bishop's blessing. His lordship was pleased to express himself much gratified, both by the number of candidates, and by the devout and orderly manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the service. We doubt not that a lasting blessing from on high will accompany the solemn services of the day. On Saturday morning, soon after six o'clock, we held the anniversary of the Tamul book society, the bishop kindly occupying the chair. At noon divine service in Tamul was held; at which the rev. E. Jones, the bishop's missionary chaplain, preached; and the Lord's supper was administered to 120 native communicants. In the course of the same day, the rev. J. Devasagayam assembled the children of our schools in and around Palamcottah, about "The first station visited by the bishop was Dohnavoor. 300 in number, and drew them up in order before the After confirming there 160 persons, prepared by the rev. bishop's verandah; from which his lordship heard them E. Dent, his lordship the same evening proceeded to the read, and addressed a few words of instruction to them. other stations, in the following order Satankoollam, | On Lord's day, the 17th, his lordship admitted to deaMoodaloor, Meignanapooram, and Nazareth, visiting also con's orders Mr. Mooyart, from Colombo, and Mr. Macseveral of the smaller villages in his road; and after leod, appointed to Negapatam; and to priest's orders the confirming the candidates prepared by the reverend rev. E. Dent; the missionaries assisting in Mr. Dent's Messrs. C. Blackman, G. Heyne, J. Thomas, and A. F. case. It was very gratifying to see the catechists also Cremmerer, and receiving the congratulations of the present as spectators: an advantage gained by the recent catechists, schoolmasters, and Christian people at each enlargement of the church. At his lordship's request, station, came into Palamcottah on Saturday morning, the the silence which is devoted to secret prayer in the course 9th of January, greatly exhausted, and suffering from of the service was broken by the hymn, Come, Holy bodily infirmity. On Lord's day morning, the 10th, his Ghost, our souls inspire!" being sung by the clergy to lordship confirmed six candidates belonging to the Eng- Luther's hymn tune. The service ended by the adminislish congregation, during the English service, and tration of the Lord's supper to the clergy and the usual preached from the words, "Come, take up thy cross, communicants. In the evening, at his lordship's, request and follow me." In the evening, the rev. C. Blackman, the rev. E. Mooyart read prayers, and the rev. G. Pettitt at the bishop's request, preached from Acts viii." He preached from 1 Pet. iv. 18. The next day was appointed went and preached Christ unto them." The following for the visitation. The bishop, having met all the clergy three days were devoted to the examination of the can- at breakfast, proceeded to the church; and after having didates for holy orders, to receiving the calls of the gen- examined their letters of orders, the service commenced tlemen of the station, and to interviews with the clergy. by the rev. S. Hobbs reading prayers; after which the On Wednesday evening, his lordship, though much ex- bishop delivered a charge. The service being concluded, hausted, preached from Rom. v. If when we were and the congregation having withdrawn, the missionaries enemies, we were reconciled to God," &c. On Thursday of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and of morning he received the salutations of the catechists of the Church Missionary Society, stationed in this prothis station and their wives, of the schoolmasters, the vince, presented a valedictory address to his lordship, preparandi class, the seminary boys, and the girls of Mrs. which was read by the rev. C. Blackman. His lordship Petit's school, with great numbers of the native Chris- received it in the kindest manner, but was unable, from tians, both men and women, from the various congrega- exhaustion, to say more than a few affectionate words in tions of this station. Afterwards divine service was held reply. Thus closed our intercourse with his lordship, in the church, and the confirmation took place; at which who in the afternoon left Palamcottah.

Miscellaneous.

PROPOSED MARINE COLLEGE; FOR THE ADVANCE-
MENT OF NAVIGATION AS A SCIENCE, AND IM-
PROVEMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE MER-
CHANT MARINE OF GREAT BRITAIN.

TO WILLIAM LYALL, ESQ.

are not only allowed but encouraged to grow up within it.

2. While, however, a large proportion of each succeeding generation of our countrymen desire to follow the sea as a profession, it is clear that the royal navy is insufficient to meet the craving appetite for nautical life exhibited in the growing members of the great English body, and-the honourable East India company's sea service having been brought to a conclusion-the merchant marine appears to afford the only means of satis

St. James's, Bermondsey, London. MY DEAR SIR,-I am very desirous to draw your attention, and that of your friends engaged in mercantile pursuits, to a projected improvement in the merchant marine of this country, which appears highly important, and which I doubt not, from your connection with mer-fying it. cantile shipping, will prove interesting to yourself.

1. It has long appeared to me that England, from her position as a maritime nation, ought to have a recognized influential body who should do her credit throughout the world, in her merchant marine. But her strength in this particular has been dissipated by the confused elements that compose it, and the separated interests that

3. But so long as the marine of the commercial world is unable to present a definite rank to its officers, many who might be its brightest ornaments, will be debarred from entering it as a service; and others, even in its present improved state, will only hold by it as a means of existence, instead of taking a pride in it as an honourable profession.

ERRATUM.

Mr. Peile (See Essays for Dec.) should have been styled of Hatfield, Herts, not Hants.
Preferments-E. E. L. Wightman, St. Alkmond's (V.), Shrewsbury, not St. Chad's.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A letter containing a list of preferments to the colonies has been passed by without notice, being anonymous. Two letters hav reached us from Scotland with Poetry; one with two pieces, evidently made up of gross plagiarism; the other with two, one of which appeared in our pages years ago. What can the writers mean? The post marks are Dumfries and Dunblane.

We call attention to a praiseworthy, charitable institution-the SYRIAN MEDICAL-AID ASSOCIATION of which a notice appears in our advertising columns. It appears to us likely, if adequately supported, to effect much good; and it is fitting that in that country, where England has of late bared her arm in war, she should show herself ready to communicate the blessings of peace-to heal as well as to wound. This association is unconnected with any missionary object; but we think that missionaries, and as the head of them our respected friend the bishop of Jerusalem, may derive much assistance from it.

London: Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk-street Strand,

Ecclesiastical Intelligence.