We have reserved to the last the reports of the committees on the state of the Church, and the Theological Seminary.

REPORT.

The house of clerical and lay deputies, in compliance with the fortyfifth canon of 1808, have taken a general view of the state of the Church, and send the same, as required by the said canon, to the house of bishops.

VERMONT.

There has been a gradual and steady advancement of the Church in this state, since the last meeting of the triennial convention. By a late decision of the supreme court of the United States, a large amount of landed property is expected to come into the possession of the Church, which will afford a permanent revenue for the support of the clergy, for which the gratitude of Episcopalians is due to that venerable society, which was the first in those exertions for the promotion of Christianity, that so peculiarly distinguish the present period; which has done, and is still doing so much for extending the influence of pure and undefiled religion, on this and on the other continent-the Society in England for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Since the last report of the general state of the Church. a church has been consecrated at Manchester; the church at Windsor has been finished and consecrated, a work that does great credit to the zeal and liberality of the Episcopalians of that town, especially to the munificence of one individual; the contribution of the Hon. Jonathan H. Hubbard, in the land on which it is built, and in money to build it, amounting to more than two thousand dollars; a church is now ready for consecration in the town of Berkshire, and another has been commenced this season in the town of Bethel. The number of communicants has very considerably increased during the three years last past; but our clergy have suffered a diminution by the removal of the Rev. Mr. Beach, and by the untimely and lamented death of the Rev. Mr. Gray, who was successfully officiating in Berkshire and the adjacent towns. A missionary society was organized in this state in 1821, which, small as are its means, has already been attended with some good effects. They are employing a missionary, the Rev. Mr. Brainerd, lately ordained a deacon, in the northern parts of the state, who gives a favourable account of his mission. Still there is much more to be done, which we hope, through that grace, without which nothing is strong, nothing is holy, to see in due time accomplished.

MASSACHUSETTS.

The Church in this diocese may justly be represented as flourishing, if we take into our view the difficulties and trials which it has had to encounter. Notwithstanding the political and religious prejudices which operated here with peculiar hostility, there were seventeen churches founded in Massachusetts proper, between the years 1679 and 1774. During the revolution two clergymen only continued the exercise of their publick ministrations; yet of the seventeen thus founded, fifteen have been preserved to this day, through evil report and

good report; and though most of them are small, they are still united and striving together for the faith of the gospel. The churches here enumerated, are Trinity church and Christ church, Boston; St. Peter's, Salem; St. Michael's, Marblehead; St. Paul's, Newburyport; Christ church, Cambridge; St. Paul's, Dedham ; St. Andrew's, Hanover; Trinity, Marshfield; Trinity, Bridgewater; Taunton ; Christ church, Quincy; , Hopkinton; St. James's, Great Barrington; and St. Luke's, Lanesborough.

Trinity church and Christ church, Boston, are full and flourishing. The churches at Newburyport, Great Barrington, and Lanesborough, are also thriving. The church at Salem has lately become vacant, and is consequently suffering; but when again supplied, will doubtless regain, and probably increase, its former strength. The churches at Hanover and Marshfield have been for some years united under the rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Wolcott, and are increasing. Those of Bridgewater and Hopkinton are stationary for the want of missionaries, having been vacant most of the time since the revolution, and kept alive only by the occasional services of visiting ministers. The Rev. Isaac Boyle has been settled, within the last year, at Dedham, where the prospects of the increase of the Church are encouraging. Such also is the case with the church at Quincy, where the Rev. Mr. Cutler is officiating. During the present year an attempt has been made to alter the charter of the Episcopal parish at Marblehead, so as to convert it into an Independent or Congregational society. The attempt was occasioned by the declining state of this once prosperous church, which has never recovered from the blow it received at the revolution. Through the merciful providence of God, this design was defeated, and what was meant as an occasion of its falling, has been the means of increasing its strength. A missionary is now established there, and the scattered remnant of the flock are returning to the fold. At Taunton, publick service has been suspended in consequence of the accidental demolition of the small and inconveniently situated church which was erected there in 1767. The members of that congregation have of late, however, expressed a wish to build in a more favourable position. In case this measure is accomplished, they will be supplied with a missionary. The church at Cambridge, founded in the year 1761, but deserted and almost destroyed during the revolution, has languished ever since, having been chiefly supplied by lay readers, who were resident graduates at Harvard university. It is now in so ruinous a state, that it was thought necessary to suspend publick worship in it in December last, since which time it has not been opened. The Episcopal students at the university have amounted, for a series of years, to one seventh of the whole number; and this year there are forty-five, most of whom are from the middle and southern states. The students are not allowed to go to Boston to attend Divine service; and the Episcopalians, their own church being closed, are required to attend constantly at the college chapel. It is due, however, to the president of the college to state, that he has expressed a desire to have the church re

paired; and provided with a suitable minister, as a means of providing for the accommodation of those students who profess to be Episcopalians. If the influence of impressions made on the minds of these young men during the interesting period of collegiate life is properly considered, the state of this church will produce a feeling of anxious solicitude in the bosom of every parent in our communion, who wishes to have his children enjoy the advantages which that distinguished and richly endowed university offers. The church at Cambridge is therefore to be considered as a chapel for Episcopal students, and, as such, a subject of general interest.

Such is the state of the churches formed previously to the revolution. Since that event, eight new congregations have been organized, and seven of these within the last ten years. These are St. Paul's and St. Matthew's churches, in Boston; St. James's church, Greenfield; Trinity church, Montague; St. John's, Ashfield; St. Mary's, Newton; St. Paul's, Lenox; and church, Springfield.

It is remarkable that the churches formed since the revolution are, generally speaking, more vigorous than those which existed previously to that event. The fact is doubtless to be accounted for from the absence of those political prejudices which were then excited, from the supposed inseparable connexion of Episcopacy with monarchy. Shortly after the session of the last general convention, St. Paul's church, Boston, which had been built in the preceding year, was consecrated to the service of Almighty God; and it is now nearly, if not quite, equal in numbers to Trinity church. What renders this increase a subject of greater thankfulness, is the fact that it has taken place without weakening in any respect the previously existing churches. On ⚫ the contrary, both Trinity and Christ church are as full, if not fuller, than they were before the erection of St. Paul's. St. Matthew's was unhappily built in South Boston, a new part of the city, connected with it by a toll-bridge, and in which there are few inhabitants, most of whom are labourers, and a great many of them Irish Roman Catholicks. It is under the care of a lay reader, and is slowly increasing, but is not likely to have a fuil and permanent congregation for many years.

St. James's, Greenfield, on Connecticut river, is of very few years standing, but having been blest by the constant services of a zealous and faithful pastor, it has become one of the most flourishing parishes in the state. By his ministrations, the two congregations at Ashfield and Montague have been recently organized. The former is especially flourishing, and is the most promising field for missionary labours in the whole state.

The church at Springfield, on Connecticut river, was organized. and for a short time enjoyed the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina. Since he left it there has been, it is believed, no service there, excepting when they have been visited by the bishop, or Mr. Strong, the rector of the church at Greenfield, who is the only one near them. The want of clergymen to act as mission

aries, is sensibly felt by this little flock.

It is not so with the church at Newton. This zealous congregation have, with the aid of occasional missionary labours, for the few years since their church was built, and by the constant use of the liturgy, built themselves up so, that, during the past year, they have elected their first rector, and now support him without depending on any other than their own exertions.

The church at Lenox, which, though mentioned last, was the first formed after the revolution, is in a very flourishing state, and is quite equal, if not superiour, in numbers to the old parish of Lanesborough, with which it is connected, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Aaron Humphries.

These twenty-three churches are all which are at present organized. It is impossible to state the aggregate amount of their parochial reports, as these have not been given with sufficient accuracy to warrant any thing more than a conjectural estimate.

A missionary society, for foreign and domestick purposes, was incorporated in the year 1815, with a provision enabling them to distribute bibles, prayer books, tracts, and volumes of a religious and moral character. This society, which had remained inactive, and without funds, was revived in 1822, and has commenced its operations with a prospect of considerable success. The want of missionaries, however, has been the chief obstacle with which it has to contend. Employment might be given at once to five or six, and the society have but two. The increase of manufactures in Massachusetts has, within the last few years, been uncommonly great, and this has attracted to that part of our country a large number of English families, most of whom were educated in the principles of our common faith, and are attached, from habit at least, if not from higher motives, to the externals of our worship. These are scattered over the whole state, and if exertions are not speedily made to supply their wants, they must inevitably be lost from our communion. In addition to this, it may be remarked, that there is every where visible a growing respect for our liturgy, and for the Episcopal office and ministry. It may, therefore, be said, without exaggeration, that no part of our country presents to the faithful and diligent minister, who would gladly spend and be spent in his Master's service, a greater field of usefulness.

The number of clergy in Massachusetts is twenty, of whom three only are in deacon's orders. One is connected with Harvard university, two have private schools, two are at present chaplains in the navy, and three are without cures.

Since the last convention, the bishop has admitted, on the recom. mendation of the standing committee of this state, Messrs. Alfred L. Baury, Silas Blaisdale, Stephen H.Tyng, Benjamin Clarke Cutler, and Lot Jones, to the order of deacons; and the Rev. Isaac Boyle, and the Rev. Alfred L. Baury, to that of priests. Mr. Tyng removed soon after his ordination to the diocese of Maryland. The institutions, since the last convention, have been the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis, D. D., to the rectorship of St. Paul's church, Boston; and the Rev. Isaac GOSPEL ADVOCATE, VOL, IV.

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Boyle, to the rectorship of St. Paul's church, Dedham. The Rev. John L. Blake has lately removed from Concord, in New Hampshire, to Boston, where he has opened a boarding school for the education of young ladies.

There are, at present, recommended by the same standing committee, six candidates for orders :— -William T. Potter, Joseph Muenscher, Thomas S. W. Mott, Benjamin C. C. Parker, James Everett, and Theodore Edson. One of these is a student of the General Theological Seminary, two at Andover, and three, from the want of means of support at New York, are obliged to pursue their studies in private.

RHODE ISLAND.

No material change has taken place in the Church of Rhode Island during the last three years. The several congregations are in a state of continued prosperity. The Rev. George Taft has recently been settled in North Providence, under very auspicious circumstances. The Rev. Mr Alden is employed as a missionary in the state, and measures were adopted, at the last meeting of the convention, to increase the contributions for missionary purposes, which promise to be successful. Sunday schools are established in all the congregations; and a proper regard is paid to the canons and rules of the church. There are two candidates for the ministry, and three prepreparing to become candidates. Number of baptisms 151, communicants 619.

CONNECTICUT.

The state of the Church in the diocese of Connecticut has been steadily improving since the last triennial report; and now generally appears under prosperous circumstances. In some instances, the increase of communicants has been altogether unprecedented; and in every parish, where the ministrations of the word and ordinances are regularly enjoyed, the congregations are advancing in number, zeal and respectability.

The following churches have been finished and consecrated, viz. St. Paul's, Sharon; St. John's, Kent; St. Paul's, Ripton; St. John's, Washington; St. John's, Essex; St. Paul's, Woodbury; and Grace church, Hamden. These are all new, spacious, and commodious edifices, reflecting great credit on the zeal and liberality of the respective parishes. St. Andrew's church, in Northford, raised before the revolutionary war, having been completely refitted and finished, has also been consecrated. The churches in Hartford and Bridgeport, in consequence of the increasing demand for seats, have been so altered as to accommodate their growing congregations. Three other churches are now building in the diocese.

The following persons have been admitted to the holy order of deacons :-Edward Rutledge, since removed to South Carolina; Daniel Somers, since removed to Maryland; Beardsley Northrup, lately a minister of the Methodist connexion; David Botsford, since deceased; Bennet Glover; Thomas Warner, late of the Associate Reformed Church in New York; Moses P. Bennet, since removed to Pennsyl