1 pray for victory over Moab, Edom, and Philistia; or for deliverence from Babylon? There are no such nations, no such places in the world. What then do we mean, when, taking such expressions into our mouths, we utter them in our own persons, as parts of our devotions, before God? Assuredly we must mean a spiritual Jerusalem and Sion; spiritual ark and tem ple; a spiritual law; spiritual sacrifices; and spiritual victories; spiritual enemies; all described under the old names, which are still retained, though "old things are passed away, and all things are to become new." By substituting Messiah for David, the Gospel for the Law, the Church Christian for that of Israel, and the enemies of the one for those of the other, the Psalms are made our own. Nay, they are with more fulness and propriety applied now to the substance, than they were of old to the "shadow of good things then to come." And, therefore, ever since the commencement of the Christian era, the Church hath chosen to celebrate the Gospel myste ries in the words of these ancient hymns, rather than to compose for that purpose new ones of her own. For let it not pass unobserved, that when, upon the first publication of the Gospel, the apostles had occasion to utter their transports of joy, on their being counted worthy to suffer for the name of their dear Lord and Master, which was then opposed by Jew and Gentile, they broke forth into an application of the second Psalm to the transactions then before their eyes. See Acts iv. 25. The primitive Christians constantly followed this method in their devotions; and, particularly when, delivered out of the hands of persecuting tyrants by the victories of Constantine, they praised God for his goodness, and the glorious success and establishment of Christ's religion, no words were found so exquisitely adapted to the purpose, as those of David, in the xcvi. xcviii. and other Psalms-"Sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, and praise his name: be telling of his salvation from day to day. De clare his honour unto the heathens, his worship unto all people,"&c. &c. &c. In these, and the like Psalms, we continue to praise God, for all his spiritual mercies in Christ, to this day. The Psalms, thus applied, have advantages, which no fresh compositions, however finely executed, can possibly have, since besides their incompara ble fitness to express our sentiments, they are, at the same time, memorials of, and appeals to, former mercies and deliverances; they are acknowledgments of prophecies accomplished; they point out the connexion between the old and new dispensations, thereby teaching us to admire and adore the wisdom of God displayed in both, and furnishing, while we read or sing them, an inexhaustible variety of the noblest matter that can engage the contemplations of man. Bp. Horne.] Let us stop for a moment to contemplate the true character of these sacred hymns. Greatness confers no exemption from the pains and sorrows of life. This the Israelitish monarch experienced. He sought in piety that peace which he could not find in empire, and alleviated the disquietudes of state with the exercises of devotion. His invaluable Psalms convey those comforts to others which they afforded to himself. Composed upon particu lar occasions, yet designed for general use; delivered out as services for Israelites under the Law, yet no less adapted to the circumstances of Christians under the Gospel; they present religion to us in the most engaging dress; communicating truths which philosophy could never investigate, in a style which poetry can never equal. Calculated alike to profit and to please, they inform the understanding, ele vate the affections, and entertain the imagination. Indited under the influence of him, to whom all hearts are open, and all events foreknown, they suit mankind in all situations, grateful as the manna which descended from above, and conformed itself to every palate. The fairest productions of human wit, after a few perusals, like gathered flowers, wither in our hands, and lose their fragrancy; but these unfading plants of Paradise become, as we are more accustomed to them, still more and more beautiful; their bloom appears to be daily heightened, fresh odours are emitted, and new sweets are extracted from them. He who has once tasted their excellencies will desire to taste them again; and he who tastes them oftenest will relish them best. Bp. Horne. The following Documents form an Appendix to the Journal of the late Convention of the Diocess of Ohio. ADDRESS TO THE BISHOP. Right Rev. and dear Sir, portance of giving strength and stability to the foundation of the Church in this Diocess, by a strict attention to its doctrines and discipline, must be obvious; in these, and in all other respects (as in duty bound) we promise our true and canonical obedience. Relying upon your piety and zeal to direct the work; trusting to the promises of God to crown it with success, with prayers that your health and usefulness may long be continued a blessing to the fold of Christ, we are, Right Reverend and dear Sir, your friends and servants in the Lord, SAMUEL JOHNSTON, INTREPID MORSE. WE the undersigned clergymen of the Episcopal Church, would do injustice to our feelings were we to omit Worthington, June 2d, 1819. our congratulation on the establishment of the Episcopate in Ohio. We welcome your safe return to this Diocess after consecration to the holy office which you now sustain; we felicitate ourselves on the successful issue of an event so important to the interests of our infant Zion, as was this consecration; we rejoice in the opportunity now afforded by a merciful Providence, to assemble in the first Convention, west of the Alleganies, holden under its Episcopal Head. With no ordinary feelings, Right Rev. and dear Sir, do we advert to the present situation of the Church in the west. It is a rose planted in the wilderness; may it be watered with the dews of Heaven; may it be nourished by the continual blessing of him who is the fountain of goodness, until it flourish in beauty and perfection. There is indeed great reason to be thankful for the past, and to take courage for the time to come. Much has been done; but much yet remains to be executed. Under the blessing of God, a few more labourers in the vineyard would be instrumental to introduce a spirit of primitive piety and order, where once they were little known, and still less regarded. Are there no means by which they may be procured? We feel it a duty to state, that in your exertions for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, you will have our prayers for success, and our hearty Co-operation in the work. The imVOL. III. REPLY. To the Clergy of the Diocess of Ohio. Your address to me, on the subject of commencing the duties of the Episcopate, and of opening the Convention of Ohio, is now before me. My feelings in reading it, are those of gratitude to God, and great friendship and love to you. I wish I could express them in a becoming manner-acceptably to him, and satisfactorily to myself and you. The Divine Head of the Church has indeed been gracious unto us. Let us improve his mercy, by devoting ourselves more and more ardently to his service. Let us be instruments in his hands, of watering this "Rose in the wilderness," planted by his gracious Providence. Let us, with the strength and wisdom which his word and Holy Spirit alone can give, shield and nourish it.-To the blessing of the dews of Heaven, let us pray God that he would add, on the one hand, that of keeping far from it the chilling frosts of indifference and impiety; and on the other, that of protecting it from the tempests of fanaticism. By day let it receive our constant care; and in the night season let it not depart from our pious thoughts. Your tender solicitude for more la bourers in the spiritual field before us, is by me most sincerely reciprocated. Ifeel the subject most deeply; and with 42 you will pray the Lord, that he will dispose the hearts of many to go forth into his vineyard; but the means are as yet mostly withholden from our view. Your characters in life, and your friendship to me in particular, are a sufficient pledge of the sincerity with which you promise canonical obedience. While I live, this great honour which God has bestowed on me shall, with his help, never be abused. His glory, and the good of his Church, shall be the sole motives in prompting me to every act of spiritual advice and discipline. That I fail not herein, a sense of my own weakness makes me entreat your fervent prayers. To God's holy keeping and protection, you are now commended, by your faithful friend and Pastor, Worthington, June 2d, 1819. PHILANDER CHASE. Constitution of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in the Diocess of Maryland. WHEREAS it has been recommended by the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocess of Maryland, to raise a fund for the support of Missionaries and the education of young men for the ministry, it is therefore proposed to establish a Society to accomplish these laudable objects. This Society shall be called "The Society for the Advancement of Christianity in the diocess of Maryland. 1. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, all the Episcopal Clergy in the city who are entitled to seats in the Convention, and who are willing to join in the promotion of the objects of this Society; and also of three LayManagers from each Episcopal congregation in Baltimore, provided the congregations be willing to promote the interests of the Society. The Bishop of Maryland, for the time being, shall be President, ex officio. The VicePresidents shall be chosen by ballot by the Clergy of the city, and the Managers from each congregation by the Vestry thereof. The Managers shall appoint annually a Secretary and Treasurer 2. Meetings of the Managers shall be called by the President, or by a majority of the Standing Committee, except the annual meeting, which shall be on the Feast of the Epiphany, when a sermon shall be delivered by some one of the Clergy, and a colleetion made for the benefit of the Funds. If the Epiphany should happen on Sunday, the meeting shall be on the Monday following. Eight of the Managers shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. 3. The Managers shall appoint, by ballot, at their annual meeting, a Standing Committee, consisting of one Lay-Manager from each Episcopal congregation in the city. The Episcopal Clergy of the city shall be members of the Committee, and the President of the Managers shall be President of the Standing Committee. This Committee shall manage all the ordinary concerns of the Society. They shall apply the Funds to the assistance of such students of divinity, and such young men as may be prosecuting their studies with a view to the ministry, as may require pecuniary assistance: and also to the support of such missionary or missionaries as may be deemed necessary, and appointed by the Committee, with the approbation of the Bishop. The Bishop shall fix the stations of these missionaries, and regulate their services. 4. Annual contributions to this So. ciety shall be five dollars; but those who pay fifty dollars or upwards at once, shall be considered as members for life. 5. The Ministers and Vestries of the different parishes in the diocese shall be requested to form Auxiliary Societies. 6. This Constitution shall be unalterable, unless at an Annual Meeting, two-thirds of the Managers being present. Constitution of the Protestant Epis copal Sunday School Society in Charleston, South-Carolina. Instituted August, 1819. THIS Society is formed for the parpose of aiding and supporting the Su perintendent of the Protestant Episco- 3. The persons composing this Society shall meet as soon as may be convenient, and always thereafter, on Tuesday in Witsun-week, and elect from among themselves eight persons, who, together with the Assistant Ministers of the different churches in the city, and a Secretary and Treasurer, (the last mentioned officer to be elected at the time specified by the rule) shall constitute a board of direction and government. 4. It shall be the business of the board of direction and government (to be denominated the Board of Managers) personally, or by means which they may institute, to collect children and others for the Sunday School, and assist in governing and disciplining it. They shall hold four stated meetings in each year, viz. on the Thursday next after the day of the annual meeting of the members of the Society, for the election of officers, and quarterly from that day; at each of these meetings they shall appoint a committee of their number, consisting of three, to continue in appointment until the next meeting, whose business it shall be to attend the exercises of the School, and give their counsel and advice in all matters which may require them. 5. Each member of the Society shall pay into the hands of the Treasurer, a sum not exceeding one dollar per annum. And the payment of ten dollars shall constitute any person a member for life. 6. Persons of colour shall be encouraged by the Society to partake of the benefits of the Sunday School Institution; but in all cases where they are slaves, they shall be required to produce to the Superintendent, a certifi cate from their owners, that it is their pleasure they should attend and be in structed. Resolved, That the female members of the Protestant Episcopal Church be respectfully invited to form themselves into an association, for the purpose of providing systematically for the instruction of the females, under the direction and in aid of the Superinten dent, and also in furtherance of the views of the Society. Rev. Andrew Fowler, A. M. Superintendent The Rev. Christopher E. Gadsden, D. D. Rector of St. Paul's Board of Managers. Rev. Robert S. Symes, Rev. Frederick Dalcho, M. D. Rev. Allston Gibbes, Assistant Ministers of St. Paul's, St. Michael's, and St. Philip's Churches, ex officio Managers. Rev. Milward Pogson, and the following gentle men of the Laity, Thomas W. Bacot, Daniel Huger, John W. Mitchell, Charles W. D'Oyley, Col. Simon Magwood, James S. Johnson, Alexander W. Marshall. We are warned by the word and Spirit of God, not to procrastinate the work of religion, and the interests of our immortal souls. This warning is renewed in the occurrences of almost every day, but more particu larly in those afflictive dispensations of Providence which press on our minds the lesson of the shortness and uncertainty of human life- and that more important lesson, the duty and happiness of being at all times pre pared for death and judgment. My brethren who receive the communion of the body and blood of our Lord, I have said, we are all warned not to delay the work of salvation, and the profession of Christ's religion, and that fre quent afflictive dispensations of Providence impress on the minds of us all the lessons of the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of constant preparation for death and judgment; but since we last celebrated the Lord's supper, this warning and these lessons have been taught us most forcibly. Two of our number, who have often joined with us in these holy solemnities, and who have been long beloved and re spected, have been removed from us to the world of spirits. United to Christ by affection and duty, by interest and gratitude, they continued faithful unto death. They have finished their course with joy, and do now rest from their labours. One of them had passed the years allotted to man, and had arrived at that age when friends hardly allow themselves to anticipate, that they shall be blessed by a continuance of their lives from month to month. The sincerity of her piety, the amiable ness and humility of her disposition, and the purity of her life, while they endeared her to her friends, rendered every moment of her existence valuable to them; and they have the satisfaction of contemplating her relief from the infirmities and sorrows of life, and her enjoyment of the rest prepared for the people of God. But the other has been taken from us in the prime of her years, and in the midst of her usefulness-endued to a most eminent degree with the disposi tion, and also with the means of doing good, she spent her life in the service of our blessed Master, in acts of piety, kindness, and charity. It is due to the character which she sustained, and to those who have not passed beyond her years, that the example of one of their own age may be impressed on their minds, and that her virtues should receive a more particular notice. We are rarely called on to mingle our tears with those of afflicted relatives, by a more severe dispensation of Providence, than that by which this excellent person has been removed from us. In her death her friends have sustained an irreparable loss; society has been deprived of one of its most useful and valuable members; the poor, of one, who, feelingly alive to all their wants, was unwearied in her endeavours to relieve their distresses, and to comfort them in their sorrows; and this Church, of one who, devoted to its interests, adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour in all the various scenes of life. She was endeared to her friends by the strongest ties of affection and by the amiableness of her disposition; to society, by her usefulness and the example of her virtues; to the poor, by her tender regard for them, and her constant and innumerable acts of kindness and charity; and to this Church, by the ardour of her piety and the fervour of her zeal. In the recollection of her excellent qualities her friends have a bright example of every Christian grace and virtue. Amiable and affectionate in her disposition, firm and decided in her principles, correct and independent in her judgment, and persevering in her endeavours to do good, she enjoyed in an eminent degree, the love, the esteem, and the respect of all who knew her. Remarkable for self-denial, she sought, with unremitting perseverance, the happiness of her family and friends, and the relief and comfort of the poor; nor were any personal sacrifices deemed by her too great for the attainment of their objects. Aspiring after the happiness and glory of heaven, her peculiar delight here on earth was in the courts of Zion, in the services of which she always aimed to engage with an holy fervour and devotion. and strong in the faith, she confessed Christ without ostentation in the services of the sanctuary, in the ordinances of the Gospel, and in works of piety and charity. Devout and holy in her temper and conduct, she was a most interesting example of meekness, humility, and patience; a pattern of virtue, she ascribed to herself no merit, but acknowledged her sufficiency to be of God, and reposed for acceptance on the divine goodness and mercy through the merits of the Redeemer-and though she wished to have lived for the happiness of her friends, yet united to Christ by faith, by love, and by steadfast obedience, and supported by a sense of the Divine presence, favour, and acceptance, she was perfectly resigned to the Divine Firm |