precedence in our catalogue. The various classes into which these are divided have at least eighteen places of worship. Of these, six belong to the congregations under the General Assembly, which body corresponds in almost every particular except the matter of patronage and State influence, with the national church of Scotland; seven to the Reformed Dutch Church; three to the Associate Reformed Synod, corresponding with the Burghers of Scotland; one to the Associate Synod, or Antiburghers; and one to the Reformed Presbyterian Synod, or Cameronians.

Of these, it is obvious that all but the Dutch Church have been the result of emigration from our native country.

Under the General Assembly, which meets annually in Philadelphia, there are altogether thirteen synods, fifty-four presbyteries, and somewhere about 900 churches. The first presbytery was formed about the year 1720, and consisted of three ministers. Additions were made to their number, partly from among ministers from Scotland and Ireland, and partly from among the congregationalists of New England, who very generally unite with the presbyterian body when they leave their native States. A difference of sentiment however existed between these two parties, which resulted in a complete separation, about the year 1745, in consequence of the arrival and preaching of Whitfield. By the New England party he was hailed

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with enthusiasm, by the others he was regarded with abhorrence. At the period of this rupture there were two synods, that of New York, and that of Philadelphia; the New England party, called subsequently the New Lights, were the dominant power in the former, and the others, who gloried in the name of Old Lights, in the latter. After a separation of seven years a reunion was effected, principally through the exertions of Dr. Witherspoon, formerly of Paisley, then President of Princeton college. The General Assembly was constituted in 1787, when there were no more than four synods, and about 200 churches.

This body is certainly upon the increase, and its ministers are in general men of piety, talent, and education. Its principal strength lies in New York and Pennsylvania, it has little or no footing in the eastern or western States, and not a great deal in the southern.

The Associate Reformed Synod, corresponding with the Burghers among us, has under it about a hundred churches; the Associate Synod, or Antiburgher, about half as many. These denominations although also respectable, are I believe not likely to increase much, for their new congregations in inland districts very frequently form a union with the General Assembly. Indeed in this country, where the absence of all national establishments does away with the principal obstacles to a general union among Presbyterians, it is rather

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a matter of surprise that the original Scotish classification should survive, and it is not improbable that in the lapse of time the General Assembly will gradually absorb the minor divisions. The principal cause probably of their being hitherto preserved distinct, has been the frequent accession to the individual congregations of persons who have emigrated from Scotland; and who bring with them less or more of the spirit of the party with which they were there connected. The Associate Reformed Synod has a theological academy in New York, with two Professors, 26 students, and a library of about 5000 volumes.

Of the Reformed Presbyterians, or Cameronians, there are probably not more than about a dozen churches in the United States. That in New York is large and numerously attended; but generally speaking, the body consists almost exclusively of Scotsmen or their immediate descend

ants.

The remaining division of Presbyterians, the Reformed Dutch Church, is confined almost entirely to the States of New York and New Jersey; but here they are so abundant that they have in all somewhere about 200 churches. So far as I can learn the principal points of difference between them and the others, are, their having generally a plurality of pastors in each church, and a liturgy. The liturgy contains forms of public and private prayer; forms for the administration of ordinances,

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and church discipline; for the ordination of ministers and church officers; and the celebration of marriage. These formularies are followed by the Nicene and Athanasian creeds. Very little im

portance however seems to be attached to this liturgy, at least so far as regards public worship; for on no occasion on which I have been present has the slightest use been made of it.

As to the mode in which public worship is conducted, in the various congregations of presbyterians, a good deal appears to depend on the will of the individual minister or congregation; but it in general corresponds nearly with the practice at home. Among those in connexion with the General Assembly, some ministers officiate in gowns and bands, but the greater number wear neither. Most of them use Watts' psalms and hymns. The other three classes of Scotish descent, so far as I have observed, make use of no canonical dress in the pulpit; some use one selection of psalms and hymns, some another; and a few of the more rigid congregations adhere faithfully to the veteran compilation which is so universal in Scotland. The Dutch Church adopted in 1813 a new collection, prepared by one of their own body; till last Newyear's day, when some of the ladies of the congregations in New York took a fancy to array their pastors in full ecclesiastical vestments, the ministers had long laid aside both gowns and bands. Presbyterians have, so far as I know, no periodical

fasts; their theological academies I have already specified, the more noted colleges under their influence are those of Princeton and Schenectady.

In point of numbers the Episcopalians are the next religious body in New York, where they have about a dozen of churches and chapels.

This denomination had its rise among the emigrants to Virginia, and is still most numerous in the southern States; although in more recent times it has considerably increased in the middle and eastern districts, and at present New York may be regarded as its polemical head quarters.

2

The "Protestant Episcopal Church,” as it is styled, has within its pale seven diocesses, with as many bishops, and between 250 and 300 churches. It corresponds with the church of England in nearly all matters except those arising from State influence. The English book of common prayer is adopted with some few modifications, and the English church is universally regarded with filial regard and deference. Its government is vested in the House of Bishops, and the House of Clerical and Lay delegates, which form the General Convention, and the consent of both houses is essential to enact or repeal its canons. A copy of these canons is before me; they are 53 in number. The prevalent theology of this body is at present decidedly and avowedly Arminian, and its

2 An additional bishop has lately been elected. (1823.)