combined with his impressions of duty, as they become more and more lively and operative from that period, to gain for him, in that view, an unsolicited distinction. His was the conduct of zeal, nobleness, and goodness: he considered every talent in his possession as the gift of his Divine Master, and to be employed to his honour. He became assiduous in his attention to the sacred oracles, and drew from them the principles which animated his private and social deportment. He practised the closest self-inspection, and consequently became penitent for transgression, and a humble suppliant, at the horns of the altar, for forgiveness through the adored Redeemer. He was overwhelmed with the sense of Divine condescension and pity; and his grateful soul could never satisfy itself with any oblations which he could effer, as adequate to the grace received. He knew that the most acceptable tribute was that of a devoted life, and his heart impelled him to render this most gladly and constantly. He had truly that "honest and good heart which, having heard the word, received it, and brought forth fruit abundantly." His faith was efficacious and fruitful; his hope was cheering and enlivening; and his charity, in the full sense of the term, was admirable: it prompted him to beneficence, to the extent of his ability, and disposed him to cast a veil over the faults of others; while he reserved his censure for himself. Of others he thought the best, he hoped the best, he believed the best; but of himself he thought severely. I see the beloved, the venerable man-his hairs now whitening with years, and silvering fast with the trials incident to a scene of probation, yet engrossed by nothing so much as the sense of his own unworthiness, and the immensity of divine love and compassion. Gratitude! gratitude! was his darling theme; and three times a day did he present his stated oblations of praise and prayer. Nothing diverted him from this course, nor from morning and evening devotions with his family, nor from the public duties of God's house, nothing which was really within his control. But his whole life was become one continued act of praise; and he prayed always," by sustaining the prevalent, ever-actuating sentiment of hum. ble dependence, of habitual and unreserved self-dedication, of contrite penitence, and faithful, cheerful obedience. His devout ejaculations were continual. He was ripened for his final change by considerable preparatory sickness, and was gathered to his fathers in the 69th year of his age, March 15, 1819. A letter from a friend, speaking of his funeral, remarks as fol lows: "Although the day was cloudy and cold, there was a large concourse of people, of all ranks and classes. A most excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Hubbard, of St. Michael's parish, (the minister of the parish not officiating, from the circumstance of his having married one of Mr. Singleton's daughters), from the following text:- Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.' Numb. xxiii. 10.—I never witnessed a scene more affecting. When the minister mentioned the character of the deceased, but few in the house could refrain from shedding tears, and expressing their sympathy with the feelings of the family, as if they had lost their dearest friend."-This last clause touches that especial trait which was remarkable in the deceased. When we dwell upon this particular in his endeared character, we cling to his memory, and can never let it go: we would relate to all, how true, how cordial, how earnest, how effectual he was in every just indication of undissembled friendship. His friendship, his unaffected kindness, and ready exertion for all who needed a friend, was the emblem, and, in some sort, the source of that fervent devotion which characterized his piety itself. The energy and sincerity of his character no sooner took this direction, than the hand of hea ven was manifested in the heartiness of the worshipper, the closeness of his walk with God, and the integrity of the grace im. parted. We have felt so much reluctance to quit the theme of our friend's religion, and his eminent services as a vestryman, which we would gladly see imitated by others, that we have declined speaking of another excellence, which has endeared him to society and the public in general. He has long been known to the gentlemen around him as a farmer of the first note. Mr. Bordley, in his work on farming, some time published, has introduced very often the mention of Mr. Singleton, as one on whose judgment he placed a chief reliance; and it is with pleasure we introduce here an extract from an obituary pa ragraph which appeared in an Easton paper soon after the demise commemorated. "The extremely precarious state of his health had precluded him from attending any of the meetings of the Agricultural Society of Maryland, from its first organization; but at a late meeting of the socie ty, a few days before his death, he was unanimously admitted as an honourary member, the first instance recorded on their journals. The farmers in this section of the country are much indebted to him for his many and useful experiments in agriculture, and more particularly for his discovery and application of the marl. The face of the country is undergoing a rapid change by the use of this manure, and the wonderful improvement wrought on the estate of the deceased, will have a most happy effect in stimulating others to follow his example." We fervently hope, and solicitously pray, that the light of such an example may, throughout, continue to irradiate not only the family of our departed friend, in its several members, but his neighbours and acquaintance universally. May they, like him, learn to live the life of the righteous, that so their last end may be like his. May they, like him, be "not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." From the Charleston Sunday Visitant. Was e'er employ'd in this design; Companion of my childhood's day; That saw the light of glory rise 'Twas joy with this dear book to rest, From cares and life's anxieties. When sabbath bells, with cheerful sound, Rang on my anxious list'ning ear, Above all else was quickly found "My little book of Common Prayer.” At church,-ah! yes,-'twas there indeed I found the help of such a guide; For though a child, I yet could read, And on my faithful book reli'd. I was a child, and God has said That such to him should always pray; How then could I have him obey'd, Unless my book had shown the way? In such a worship I could join; My life on wings of time has flown: And hold its treasures as my own, FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL. On the 26th of July, 1819, a new church was organized in Norway, Herkimer county, by the name of Grace Church. One year previous to that time it was scarcely know that a single Episcopal family resided in the town. At present a handsome number have attached themselves to the Church, among whom about 70 Prayer Books have been distributed; and the service, considering the very short time allowed for forming an acquaintance with it, is performed with accuracy and devotion. Among other gratifying circumstances, I have to remark the attention given to the service by the younger part of the congregation. Mr. B. Noble, of Nobleborough, a ve nerable and pious emigrant from Ireland, and a warm friend to the Church, has secured to the above mentioned Church, on landed estate, the payment of twelve dollars and fifty cents per annum for ever. He has also made a temporary annual donation to the same church, of the further sum of twelve dollars and fifty cents, un til an Episcopal Church shall be organized in Nobleborough, at which time the latter sum is to revert to said church for ever. D. M'DONALD. The corner stone of the new Episcopal Church in Common-street, Boston, opposite the Mall, to be called Saint Paul's Church, was on Saturday morning, Sept. 4, laid by the Right Rev. Bishop Griswold, of the Eastern Diocess. On Saturday, the 14th of August, 1819, an ordination was held by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, in St. Peter's Church, Ply mouth, Connecticut, when the Rev. Rodney Rosseter, Deacon, was admitted to the holy order of Priests. On Thursday, the 2d September, St. Pe ter's Church, in Waterville, Delaware coun ty, New York, was consecrated by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, and confirmation administered to 40 persons. On Sunday 5th, in St. Peter's Church, Albany, confirmation was administered to 120 persons; and on Monday following, the Rev. 1 William B. Lacey was instituted, by the Bishop, Rector of the said Church. Utica, September 28. On Sunday, the 19th instant, the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart performed divine service in this town, and administered confirmation to 22 persons.-On the day following, St. Paul's Church at Paris was consecrated, and 69 persons received confirmation. On Tuesday last, the Chapel erected for the Oneida Indians, at Oneida Castle, was consecrated by the Bishop, by the name of St. Peter's Church, and 56 Indians, who had been previously prepared for that purpose by their Instructor, Mr. Eleazar Williams, received confirmation. At the visit of the Bishop the last year, 94 Indians were confirmed. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the exertions and pious zeal of Mr. Williams, in his success. ful efforts to bring into the Christian Church his infidel brethren. When he arrived among them, two or three years ago, more than half of the Oneidas were of that character. On Thursday, September 2, 1819, the Right Rev. Bishop Griswold, of the Eastern Diocess, held an ordination in St. John's Church, Providence, Rhode-Island, and admitted the Rev. George Taft, of Providence, and the Rev. Patrick H. Folker, of North-Kingston, Deacons, to the holy order of Priests; and Edward R. Lippitt, of Providence; Jasper Adams, Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Astronomy in Brown University; and Addinson Searle, of New-Hampshire, to that of Deacons. Divine service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Marshall, and an appropriate discourse delivered by the Bishop, who was also assisted in the solemnities of the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Crocker, and the Rev. Mr. Blake, of RhodeIsland, and the Rev. Mr. Wheaton, of Maryland. On Trinity Sunday last, June 6, the Right Rev. Bishop Chase held an ordination at Worthington, Ohio, and admitted Mr. Benjamin Birge, of Lexington, Kentucky, to the holy order of Deacons. On the same day 79 persons were confirmed. At the annual commencement of Brown University, Providence, Rhode-Island, on Wednesday, September 1, the degree of Doctor in Divinity was conferred on the Rev. William H. Wilmer, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Alexandria, District of Columbia. DIED. Lately, the Rev. JouN CAMPBELL, Rector of Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On Monday morning, September 20, after an illness of six days, the Rev. THOMAS P. MAY, Rector of St. John's Church, Norris town, and St. Thomas's, Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania. A clergyman, long and intimately acquainted with Mr. May, and in whose church, while on a visit to him, Mr. May had officiated but a few weeks before his death, noticed that event in the sermon he preached the following Sunday, in these terms: "The Rev. Thomas P. May, a faithful and laborious servant of Christ, who but a few weeks since visited your pastor, and dispensed with general acceptance from this place the offers of redeeming grace, is no more. On this day fortnight he was in the apparent enjoyment of perfect health. With a constitution unusually robust, and at a period of life when it had just obtained its utmost vigour, no man seemed to have a surer promise of lengthened days, and a long course of usefulness in a work to which he was most fervently devoted than himself. One week before his endeared flock beheld their friend and instructor a pallid lifeless corpse, he had three times proclaimed his Master's message in different churches in Philadelphia, with even more than his accustomed energy and zeal. On the following day he returned to his family, was suddenly assailed by a fever, which baffled the physician's skill, and in a few days he fell a submissive vistim to the unlooked for dispensa. tion. Blessed be God, that affection to a departed brother requires not that we should mourn for him. For his bereaved family, for his shepherdless flock, for ourselves, for the church, which he adorned, the voice of lamentation may well be heard. But for him we mourn not. He was a man taught by that heavenly Instructor of whom we have this day spoken. Under the powerful ministrations of one whose praise is in all the churches where his worth is known, he was a few years ago awakened from a state of sinful security, and brought, a mourning, afflicted penitent, to the foot of his Redeemer's cross. There he poured out the lamenta. tions of a burdened sin-sick soul, and in the Lord's own time found that mercy which he needed. He now turned his back upon a vain and thoughtless multitude, the recent companions of his folly, devoted himself to a life of self-denial, assumed the cross, and, amid the scoffs of a deriding world, declared his purpose to follow Christ whithersoever he should lead. In obedience to the inward calls of his spirit, and the pointings of his providence, he sought the required preparatives for the Gospel ministry, was in due time, with much approval of his talents for the work, invested with the office, and the spiritual prosperity of his parish attests that his labours were attended with no ordinary blessing by the Master whom he served. In the midst of usefulness he has been suddenly cut off. Such was the will of God. Thy will, O God, be done.” The Life of the Right Rev. JOSEPH BUTLER, LL. D. late Lord Bishop of Durham. DR. Joseph Butler, a prelate of the most distinguished character and abilities, was born at Wantage, in Berkshire, in the year 1692. His father, Mr. Thomas Butler, who was a substantial and reputable shopkeeper in that town, observing in his son Joseph an excellent genius and inclination for learning, determined to educate him for the ministry, among the Protestant dissenters of the Presbyterian denomination. For this purpose, after he had gone through a proper course of grammatical literature, at the free grammar school of his native place, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Philip Barton, a clergyman of the Church of England, he was sent to a dissenting academy, then kept at Gloucester, but which was soon afterwards removed to Tewkesbury. The principal tutor of this academy was Mr. Jones, a man of uncommon abilities and knowledge, who had the honour of training up several scholars, who became of great eminence, both in the established church and among the dissenters. At Tewkesbury, Mr. Butler made an extraordinary progress in the study of divinity; of which he gave a remarkable proof, in the letters addressed by him, while he resided at Tewkesbury, to Dr. Samuel Clarke, laying before him the doubts that had arisen in his mind, concerning the conclusiveness of some arguments in the Doctor's demonstration of the being and attributes of God. The first of these letters was dated the 4th of November, 1713; and the sagacity and depth of thought dis ⚫ He was the youngest of eight children. VOL. III. [VOL, III. played in it, immediately excited Dr. Clarke's particular notice. This condescension encouraged Mr. Butler to address the Doctor again upon the same subject, which likewise was answered by him; and the correspondence being carried on in three other letters, the whole was annexed to the celebrated treatise before mentioned, and the collection has been retained in all the subsequent editions of that work. The management of this correspondence was intrusted by Mr. Butler to his friend and fellow-pupil, Mr. Secker, who, in order to conceal the affair, undertook to convey the letters to the post-office at Gloucester, and te bring back Dr. Clarke's answers. When Mr. Butler's name was discovered to the Doctor, the candour, modesty, and good sense with which he had written, immediately procured him the friendship of that eminent and excellent man. Our young student was not, however, during his continuance at Tewkesbury, solely employed in metaphysical speculations and inquiries. Another subject of his serious consideration, was the propriety of his becoming a dissenting minister. Accordingly he entered into an examination of the principles of nonconformity; the result of which was such a dissatisfaction with them, as determined him to conform to the established church. This intention was, at first, disagreeable to his father, who endeavoured to divert him from his purpose; and, with that view, called in the assistance of some eminent Presbyterian divines; but finding his son's resolution to be fixed, he at length suffered him to be removed to Oxford, where he was admitted a commoner of Oriel college on the 17th March, 41 1714. At what time he took orders doth not appear, nor who the Bishop was by whom he was ordained; but it is certain that he entered into the church soon after his admission at Oxford, if it be true, as is asserted, that he sometimes assisted Mr. Edward Talbot in the divine service, at his living of Hendred, near Wantage. With this gentleman, who was the second son of Dr. William Talbot, succes sively Bishop of Oxford, Salisbury, and Durham, Mr. Butler formed an intimate friendship at Oriel college; which friendship laid the foundation of all his subsequent preferments, and procured for him a very honourable situation when he was only twenty-six years of age. For it was in 1718 that, at the recommendation of Mr. Talbot, in conjunction with that of Dr. Clarke, he was appointed by Sir Joseph Jekyll to be preacher at the Rolls. This was three years before he had taken any degree at the university, where he did not go out bachelor of law till the 10th June, 1721; which, however, was as soon as that degree could suitably be conferred upon him. Mr. Butler continued at the Rolls till 1726; in the beginning of which year he published, in one volume octavo, "Fifteen Sermons preached at that Chapel." In the meanwhile, by the patronage of Dr. Talbot, Bishop of Durham, to whose notice he had been recommended (together with Mr. Benson and Mr. Secker) by Mr. Edward Talbot, on his death-bed, our author had been presented, first to the rectory of Haughton, near Darlington, and afterwards to that of Stanhope, in the same diocess. The benefice of Haughton was given to him in 1722, and that of Stanhope in 1725. At Haughton there was a necessity for rehuilding a great part of the parsonage-house, and Mr. But ler had neither money nor talents for that work. Mr. Secker, therefore, who had always the interest of his friends at heart, and acquired a very considerable influence with Bishop Talbot, persuaded that prelate to give Mr. Butler, in exchange for Haughton, the rectory of Stanhope, which was not only free from any such incumbrance, but was likewise of much superior value, being indeed one of the richest parsonages in England. Whilst our author continued preacher at the Rolls chapel, he divided his time between his duty in town and country; but when he quitted the Rolls, he resided, during seven years, wholly at Stanhope, in the conscientious discharge of every obligation ap pertaining to a good parish priest. This retirement, however, was too solitary for his disposition, which had in it a natural cast of gloominess. And though his recluse hours were by no means lost, either to private improvement or public utility, yet he felt at times, very painfully, the want of that select society of friends to which he had been accustomed, and which could inspire him with the greatest cheerfulness. Mr. Secker, therefore, who knew this, was extremely anxious to draw him out into a more active and conspicuous scene, and omitted no opportunity of expressing this desire to such as he thought capable of promoting it. Having himself been appointed king's chaplain in 1732, he took occasion, in a conversation which he had the honour of holding with Queen Caroline, to mention to her his friend Mr. Butler. The queen said she thought he had been dead. Mr. Secker assured her he was not Yet her majesty afterwards asked Archbishop Blackburn if he was not dead; his answer was, "No, madam; but he is buried," Mr. Secker continuing his purpose of endeavouring to bring his friend out of his retirement, found means, upon Mr. Charles Talbot's being made lord-chancellor, to have Mr. Butler recommended to him for his chaplain. His lordship accepted, and sent for him; and this promotion calling him to town, he took Oxford in his way, and was admitted there to the degree of doctor-of law, on the 8th December, 1733. The lord-chancellor, who gave him also a prebend in the church of Rochester, had consented that he should reside at his parish of Stanhope one half of the year. Dr. Butler being thus brought back into the world, his merit and his ta lents soon introduced him to particu lar notice, and paved the way for his |