we have been permitted again to convene for the purpose of consulting on the means most likely to promote the true interests and highest welfare of this section of it.

As preparatory to these deliberations and their results, and as an encourage ment to quicken our zeal and to persevere in our efforts; or, should it be necessary, to remind us of our negligence and want of exertion; it is provided, that a statement of the affairs of the diocess, and of the several visitations of the Bishop, be laid before you at every annual meeting. This duty I proceed to perform.

My first visit, after the close of our last Convention, was to the lately formed church at Paterson. This took place on Sunday, August the 27th, on which occasion I officiated twice. The congregation of this church continues vacant, and, though it has not yet érected a building for the service of GOD, encouragement was given to me that proper attention would be paid to

it.

On Friday, September 22d, I visited the Episcopalians at Amwell, and preached at the house of Mr. Robert Sharp; and, on Sunday, the 24th, I also visited St. Thomas's Church, at Alexandria, at which I performed divine service, and preached twice. This congregation, I rejoice to say, has, through divine goodness, risen from a state bordering on extinction, to one comparatively prosperous. It has, indeed, so much improved, that it is not only repairing its church, which was literally in ruins, but enjoys already the stated services of the Rev. Mr. Dunn for a portion of his time.

Shortly after, on the 28th of the same month, I visited St. Peter's Church, Perth-Amboy, and administered the Apostolic rite of confirmation; on which occasion I also preached. The number confirmed was 28. St. Peter's Church preserves its standing, and has, within a few years, considerably increased.

On Friday, the 20th of the succeeding month, I visited the Episcopalians at Woodbury, and preached in the evening; and, on Sunday, the 5th of November, I also visited St. Peter's

The day following I repaired to Salem, and, on Tuesday, the 7th of November, I held an ordination in St. John's Church, in that town; preached on the occasion, and admitted to the holy order of Priests, the Rev. Richard F. Cadle, Rector elect of that church, and of St. George's Church, Pennsneck. On the succeeding day I instituted Mr. Cadle into the rectorship of the church first named. In both these cases I was assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Morehouse and Douglass; the former of which preached at the institution.

The revival, and thus far the restoration of this respectable, though not numerous congregation, which, with the exception of a short time, had been for more than fifty years without a rector, and in a state but little removed from extinction; whose church, indeed, for a considerable period, had lain in ruins, the common resort of birds and beasts; the revival, I say, and re-establishment of this church, and the neat and decorous style in which its building has been repaired, are not only matter of surprise, but of joy and gratitude to GOD for his goodness; and cannot but encourage and animate us to renewed exertions in our endeavours to build up our decayed and waste places.

On Sunday, the 28th of January, 1821, I visited St. Peter's Church, Spotswood, and preached twice on the occasion; and, on Sunday, the 26th of May, I again visited that church, and performed the same office once.

The church at Spotswood, always small, and unable of itself to support a minister, has, from this circumstance, and other causes, rather declined than advanced. It is, however, not very different from its former condition. The ancient building in which the forefathers of the present congregation worshipped GOD, is now put into excellent repair; and the day, I trust, is not very distant, when it will be supplied in part with a minister.

I visited, on Whit-Sunday, (the 10th of June) the congregation of Christ Church, at Newton, in Sussex; preached twice, and administered the sacra

ment of the Lord's Supper. This congregation, almost lost to our communion, has, within a few months, revived; and is comparatively flourishing. The Rev. Mr. Dunn, their minister, resides in Newton, and officiates two Sundays out of four. The people are attentive, and there is every prospect that its re-establishment will be perma

nent.

From Newton, in company with Mr. Dunn, I visited St. James's Church, Knowlton. Here I preached; and, assisted by Mr. Dunn, who is the minister of this church also, I administered the communion. St. James's Church, though long vacant, was not reduced to so low an ebb as the church at Newton, and bids fair, under the smiles of Providence, and the care and exertions of its pastor, to become one among the large and respectable churches in the diocess.

The week succeeding my return I proceeded to visit the churches in the southern part of the diocess; and, on Thursday, the 21st of June, I again performed divine service, and preached at St. Peter's Church, Berkeley. This church, though small, is favoured with some stated service, by the Rev. Jacob M. Douglass, rector of Trinity Church, Swedesborough; and, considering the disadvantages under which it labours, may be said to be flourishing, especiaily in its spiritual concerns.

On Friday, I visited the large and flourishing congregation of Trinity Church, Swedesborough; and, in the morning preached, and instituted the Rev. Mr. Douglass into the rectorship of that church. In the afternoon I held a confirmation; on which occasion I also preached, and administered that holy rite to fourteen persons. The Rev. Mr. Cadle, of Salem, assisted me in these exercises.

On the Sunday following (June the 24th) I visited, in company with Mr. Cadle, St. George's Church, Pennsneck, preached, and administered confirmation to eight persons.

This congregation, though not large, possesses a neat brick church, nearly new, and has a considerable fund. It is progressing both in numbers and piety, since the accession of Mr. Cadle

to the rectorship; previously to which, with a small exception, it had been vacant nearly thirty-five years. In the afternoon of the same day I visited again St. John's Church, Salem, and preached to a comparatively large and very respectable congregation.

On Monday I returned to Berkeley, accompanied by the Rev Messrs. Cadle and Douglass, and administered confirmation in that church to nineteen persons. Mr. Cadle delivered the sermon. The occasion was more than ordinarily solemn and affecting, and the benefit, it is to be hoped, will correspond with it.

I visited St. Mary's Church, Burlington, on Thursday, the 28th of the same month; but did not perform any ser vice, as the church was undergoing alterations and repairs. The congregation of St. Mary's is in an increasing state; and, through the liberality of its members, and the particular exertions of a lady, it has lately ornamented its church, and improved its sacred music, by the addition of a handsome organ.

On the Sunday succeeding my visit to Burlington, I visited St. Mary's Church, Colestown, and preached to a numerous, respectable, and attentive congregation. This church, though vacant, with some exceptions, for many years, has, in common with the other vacant congregations, been occasionally served by Missionaries, and the Clergymen of the neighbouring churches. In consequence of which, it has not only been preserved to our communion, but has suffered little or no diminution. The day is not far distant, I hope, when, with the Divine blessing, it will enjoy the stated administration of the word and sacraments.

In the afternoon of the same Sunday I visited St. Andrew's Church, MountHolly, and performed divine service, and preached. The church of St. Andrew preserves its standing, and, compared with what it was many years since, is respectable for its numbers, and its attention upon the worship of GOD.

I again visited St. Peter's Church, Spotswood, on Sunday, the 15th of July, and preached, and, on the next Sunday, I visited St. James's Church,

Piscataway, where I performed the game service. The church at Piscataway, always small, and for many years vacant, gives but faint promise of its ever rising to distinction among its sister churches.

The church to which I next directed my attention was St. John's, at Elizabeth-Town. This church I visited on Sunday, the 29th of July, on which occasion I performed divine service, and preached both morning and afternoon.

It is not too much to say of this church, that, in point of antiquity, respectability of its members, their attendance on the services of the sanctuary, and their correct and devout behaviour in the house of God, it is second to none in the diocess. Its condition is also prosperous.

On Sunday, the 5th of August, I visited Trinity Church, at Woodbridge. and officiated. This church, small, and necessarily vacant, though risen from a state that threatened its total extinction, and, though possessed of a building neatly and substantially repaired, yet promises but little as to any such increase of its numbers, for many years, as shall enable it to support a minister.

The last church that I visited, previously to our present meeting, was St. Michael's Church, Trenton. This took place on Sunday last, on which occasion I preached twice, and administered the Apostolic rite of confirmation to thirty persons. The congregation was numerous and attentive, and the exercises were rendered very interesting by the solemn and devout behaviour of the persons who came forward to ratify their baptismal engagements.

The congregation of St. Michael's Church, till within the last seven or eight years quite small, has become one of the most respectable in the diocess, as to numbers, order, and attention to divine service, and appears to be still progressing.

The number of persons confirmed since the preceding Convention is ninety-nine.

Since my last address two persons have been admitted candidates for holy orders, Robert B. Croes, of New-Brunswick, and John Mortimer Ward, of

Newark. Others are preparing for admission.

Only one ordination has taken place, viz. that of the Rev. R. F. Cadle, be fore mentioned.

The Rev. Augustus Fitch, a Deacon in this diocess, has, by a letter dimissory to the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, been transferred to the diocess of NewYork.

The Rev. George H. Woodruff, also a deacon in this diocess, has, by a like letter to the Right Rev. Bishop White, been transferred to the diocess of Pennsylvania.

The Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, for several years the rector of Trinity Church, Newark, has resigned his sacred charge, and removed into the diocess of New-York.

The Rev. Henry P. Powers, a Deacon, lately of the diocess of New-York, has, by a letter dimissory from the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, been transferred to this; and has also been elected Rector of Trinity Church, Newark.

A license has been granted to John M. Ward, a candidate for holy orders, to officiate in Christ Chapel, Belleville, as a lay reader.

It is pleasing to me to state, and I trust it will be received with becoming gratitude to God, the Author of every good gift, that the progress of the several institutions, connected with the Church in this diocess, continues uninterrupted; and, though slow, is, perhaps, as great, under all circumstances, as ought to be expected. The fund of the Corporation for the Relief of the Widows and Children of Clergymen— the Missionary fund-the permanent fund of the Protestant Episcopal Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Piety-and the fund for giving additional support to the Bishopare all in a state of gradual augmentation; and promise to be, in addition to their usefulness at present, important means in the promotion of the welfare and progress of the Church hereafter. Their beneficial influence-especially the Missionary and Episcopal Society funds-we have already experienced in a very considerable degree. The continuance, however, of their progress, greatly depends on the attention and

faithfulness of the Clergy of the diocess, in having the required collections punc tually made, and otherwise promoting the interest and advancement of institutions so valuable. The Laity will always be ready, I am convinced, to second their endeavours in the good work. It is another source of gratification, that the Sunday schools in the diocess, so capable of being made nurseries of religion and of the church, when properly instituted and conducted, are both increasing and flourishing. It is to be hoped that the resolution of the last Convention, requiring clergymen, and, in cases of vacancy, the wardens, to report the state of the schools in their respective churches, will be duly attended to in this sitting.

Committing our Church, and her important concerns, to the care of that divine and gracious Being, who has declared, that he will be with his ministers to the end of the world; and that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his Church; may we not, with pious confidence, anticipate a continuance of her prosperity, as well with regard to the little vineyard in which we labour, as to that extensive field, of which ours is only a part.

I now offer the Parochial Reports which have been presented to me, in conformity with the provisions of the 45th Canon of the Church, by the Rectors, Ministers, and Wardens of the several congregations in the diocess, that they may be read for the information of the Convention, and inserted in the Journal. JOHN CROES. Mount-Holly, August 22d, 1821.

The Reports mentioned in the above address, together with those of the missionary services of the several clergy, furnish the following aggregate:-Baptisms (adults 19, children 68, not specified 50) 137-Marriages 42--Funerals 54-Communicants 597.

The Rev. John Croes, jun. called up the proposition which he made at the last Convention, to amend the first article of the Constitution, by inserting the word Shrewsbury between the words Mount-Holly and Elizabeth-Town.

On motion, the amendment was unanimously adopted.

The following appointments were made by the Convention :

Standing Committee:-The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D. D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Rev. John Croes, jun. the Rev. Abiel Carter, Robert Boggs, Esq. William P. Deare, Esq. Dr. P. F. Glentworth, and Peter Kean, Esq.

Deputies to the General Convention: The Rev. Charles H. Wharton, D.D. the Rev. John C. Rudd, the Rev. John Croes, jun. the Rev. Abiel Carter, James Parker, Esq. Peter Kean, Esq. Joseph V. Clark, Esq. and Daniel Garrison, Esq.

The following sums were reported as having been collected :—For the Missionary Fund,

Episcopal Fund,

$151 60

114 25

The Clergy reported their missionary services as follows:

The Rev. Mr. Rudd reported, that agreeably to appointment, he performed divine service and preached twice in St. Peter's Church, Spotswood, on the fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1820; on which occasion he baptized two infants; that he made an appointment to officiate there again in the month of October, and left home for that purpose, but the day was so tempestuous that he did not get there. He further reported, that he preached one Sunday for the Bishop, while he was absent in the discharge of his Episcopal duties.

The Rev. Mr. Chapman transmitted a report, that he had, according to appointment, officiated on two Sunday afternoons in Trinity Church, Woodbridge, and one Sunday in Christ Church, New-Brunswick, in the absence of the Bishop.

The Rev. John Croes, jun. reported, that he had fulfilled his appointment in preaching one Sunday at New-Brunswick for the Bishop, and one Sunday at St. Peter's, Freehold; that he had also preached a second Sunday at Freehold, and administered the communion; and again on a week day.

The Rev. Clarkson Dunn reported, that he had, in addition to his appointments as Missionary, officiated three times at Woodbridge; twice at Belvidere; twice in the church at Johnson