period in which exertion was necessary; and if there ever was a period which bid fair to crown that exertion with success, this is the time. Though few in number, yet depending for support upon the promises of God, we may look for an abundant blessing upon our labours. Jehovah has promised to be with his Church to the end of the world: and he will fulfil his declaration. The parishes are invoking our aid. O, listen, I beseech you, to their numerous entreaties! Be steadfast, then: be unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.'"

A diocese entering upon its new career under such auspices, having at its head a successor to the apostolic office animated by the apostolic spirit, seconded by a small band of clergymen distinguished for zeal and devotion in their Master's work, countenanced and cheered by the hearty co-operation of a few intelligent and pious laymen scattered throughout the parishes; and above all, relying for success in the great work of reviving the Church, upon the promised blessing and presence of its Divine Head, could not fail to be prospered.

Accordingly, we find the Bishop, in his address to the Convention of 1816, employing this strong language of congratulation and hope: "It is with the most sincere happiness I inform you, that the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of Virginia, presents to the view of her friends a prospect truly encouraging. The clouds of adversity, which for years have overspread her horizon, appear to be dispersing, and our Zion, animated by the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, is recovering from her desolations, exhibiting the most heart-cheering evidences of returning health and vigour."

During this year, Episcopal visitations were made to the

northern parts of the diocese, and to the Churches west of the Blue Ridge, and the apostolic rite of confirmation was administered to about 750; several vacant parishes were supplied with devoted ministers, and five were admitted to holy orders. Twenty parishes, which, at the time of Dr. Moore's consecration, were destitute, were now reported as being favoured with the stated services of the sanctuary, performed either by ordained ministers, or by pious candidates for orders, licensed as lay readers.

At the Convention of 1816, an important measure was proposed, by a most respectable committee of three clergymen and three laymen, in relation to the providing of a permanent support for the Episcopate. "Our venerable Bishop," says the Report of the Committee, "has diffused, through various and remote parts, a portion of that zeal which animates his labours. But the duties of his parochial charge necessarily limit the sphere of his usefulness. It appears to us, therefore, necessary, as well in order to give full effect to his Episcopal ministrations, as to derive the benefits contemplated by the Convention, that some mode be devised by which he may be rendered independent of any parochial charge. By this means every part of the Church may occasionally enjoy the benefits of the public ordinances, and of the Episcopal functions; and thus, being enabled to pervade every part of the diocese, he will have it in his power to encourage the desponding, to rouse the thoughtless, to give direction to the zeal and energy of the pious, and to impress upon the whole system a salutary impulse."

This important proposal, though often renewed and discussed in subsequent Conventions, was never carried into full effect. The late Bishop was always earnest in its advocacy, not with a view to his own ease or emolument,

(for it was very improbable that he would live long enough to receive any benefit from the fund,) but to secure the independence of the office, and the comfort of those who might be his successors in it. For want of such provision, he afterwards generously relinquished one thousand or fifteen hundred dollars of his salary as Rector, for the support of an assistant in the Monumental Church, that he might devote more of his attention to the duties of his Episcopal charge. The majority of the Convention, persuaded that the endowment of the Theological Seminary and of the High School, was an object of more pressing necessity, believed that the raising of the Episcopal Fund might safely be deferred till that was accomplished. It is hoped, however, that the day is not distant, when ample provision will be made in that wealthy and extensive diocese, for relieving the Bishop from the necessity of assuming a parochial charge, or of depending upon the precarious support to be derived from the voluntary annual contributions of the parishes.

At the same Convention a society was instituted for the distribution of Prayer-Books and Tracts in the Diocese of Virginia, which still continues in successful operation, and has proved a valuable auxiliary in the revival and extension of the Church. The publications of this society have found their way to many a destitute neighbourhood or solitary residence, never reached by the living missionary, and have there borne silent but effective testimony for Christ and his Church. The proposer of this institution, BENJAMIN ALLEN, Jun., then a lay delegate from St. Andrew's parish, Jefferson county, deserves a passing notice in this memoir. A young man of genius, enterprise, and energy, he had left his native state of New York, and visited Virginia, it is believed, in pursuit of occupation as a

teacher of youth. ion had been with the Presbyterians, but being convinced of the superior claims of Episcopacy, he became a candidate for orders in the Church; and having been licensed as lay reader, he journeyed on foot, with his bundle upon his back, and commenced his labours in the rich and beautiful valley lying between the Potomac and the Shenandoah, west of the Blue Ridge. Charlestown and Shephardstown were the two principal scenes of his ministry; but, with true missionary zeal, he extended his labours to several destitute places in the vicinity. He remained there for several years after his ordination, and was the instrument, in God's hands, of causing several churches to be erected and of gathering within their walls large congregations of devout worshippers. Having accomplished this important work in the diocese of Virginia, he, on the decease of Dr. Pilmore, accepted a call to the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. Of his ministry there we propose not to speak, farther than to say, that he was the chief agent in the introduction of the late Dr. Bedell to the scene of his successful ministry, and in the erection of St. Andrew's Church. All the good which has resulted from the erection of that church and the successful labours of its first distinguished rector, should, under God, be ascribed to the disinterested benevolence and holy zeal of the Rev. Benjamin Allen. His life affords a memorable example of the good which may be effected by moderate abilities, sanctified by grace, and under the direction of a heart animated by the love of God and of souls. Mr. Allen died on his return voyage from England, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, in the year 1828.*

His previous ecclesiastical connex

The writer has been informed, by what he deems good authority, that a coarse of lectures delivered by Mr. A. in Kendall, England, led to the

It was clearly perceived, by those who were engaged in the good work of resuscitating and extending the Church in Virginia, that a large supply of faithful, devoted, and well-qualified ministers of the cross was indispensable to the success of their noble undertaking. And at this early period, before any Theological Seminary connected with our Church had been established at the North, incipient measures were taken in Virginia to provide the means for the education of candidates for orders in an institution of its own. The most liberal views were entertained in reference to this important subject, and, so far as we are informed, the diocese of Virginia is entitled to the credit of taking the lead in the cause of theological education in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. That some of its members were disposed to enter upon a measure of such vital interest with pious zeal and comprehensive views, is manifest from the following extract from an address of the Standing Committee entered upon the Journalof 1816.

"The Convention of 1815 received a communication from the President of William and Mary College upon the expediency of establishing a theological professorship in that institution. Whether this important object will ever be accomplished will depend entirely, under the blessing of God, upon the liberality and zeal of the friends of the Church in providing for it a suitable fund. For the present we submit the subject for consideration, and ask your aid and advice at our next Convention in organizing a plan which may embrace a charity so extensive and useful.

establishment of Bible classes by members of the Society of Friends, and gave the first impulse to the numerous conversions which have taken place from that Society to the Church within the last few years.