hand on the accused, as well as on the standing committee, who, by one of their number, prosecute the case, and produce such evidence as they can obtain. A majority of the board decides all questions, and renders judgment. Both parties may consult legal or other advisers, but no layman may be advocate for either party in the trial. Evidence must be reduced to writing by the secretary of the board, and signed by the witnesses respectively; and some officer, authorised by law, may, at the desire of either party, administer an oath or affirmation to the witnesses. The entire trial, if the accused desire it, may be in public. Depositions of absent witnesses may be taken by a person appointed by the bishop, both parties being allowed time to attend and examine the deponent. After considering the evidence, the board declares in writing, signed by a majority, their decision on the charges contained in the presentment. This is delivered to the bishop, accompanied with an opinion of the board as to what sentence should be pronounced. The bishop then passes sentence of admonition, suspension, or degradation, as he may deem proper, provided that he does not exceed the sentence recommended by the board. This sentence admits of no appeal, and is final, unless the bishop sees fit to order a new trial.

Such is the method of conducting clerical trials

in Ohio; and similar to this, on the whole, is the course pursued in other dioceses. As yet, few dioceses have adopted any definite mode of procedure in regard to the trial of a bishop, influenced, no doubt, by the extreme improbability of such an event. A canon has been proposed in General Convention, which, if constitutional, and finally adopted, will place such trials in the house of bishops, on the presentment of two-thirds of the clergy and of the laity in the diocese of the accused.

A general canon has been passed by which a bishop is empowered to resign his jurisdiction, although under limitations which must preclude the possibility of such a resignation except in very peculiar cases. In the first place, two-thirds of the clergy and of the parishes in the diocese, must, in convention, express their assent to the proposed measure of their bishop. In the second place, a majority of each order in the General Convention, voting by States, must declare their consent, or in their stead, a majority of the standing committees of all the dioceses. And, lastly, a majority of the house of bishops must agree to the contemplated resignation before it can be valid. A bishop who has resigned his jurisdiction, does not thereby cease to be a bishop, but is still subject, in all matters, to the authority of a General Convention. It is not probable that many will have cause to desire such a

resignation. Infirmity cannot, generally, induce a wish to resign; for when, by old age, or disease, a bishop is unable to discharge his episcopal duties, another bishop may be elected, by his diocese, to assist, and ultimately to succeed him. Nor can a resignation be made desirable by a want of means to sustain the expenses of the episcopate. A bishop is always supported respectably, either by some parish, of which he is the rector; or by a college, of which he is the president; or by a fund raised for the purpose within his diocese. Some controversy with his clergy and laity is almost the only conceivable circumstance which can lead to a separation; and, in the ordinary course of events, this can occur but seldom.

I have thus given a tolerably minute delineation of the principal features in the American Episcopal Church. It is now time to exhibit the system at work; and I will begin with a brief history of the formation of my first parish, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and some account of my parishioners there.

Emigrants to the West.-Early years of Mr. Gunn.—He reads the Service in Connecticut and in New York.-He emigrates to Ohio, and reads the Service at Portsmouth.-Bishop Chase visits Portsmouth.-The Lay-reader's labours terminate.He becomes blind.-He gives a third part of his property towards the building of a Church.-He addresses his descendants on his death-bed.—He dies.-Episcopal Parish at Portsmouth. The Author resigns his charge.

THE rapid growth and increasing prosperity of the Western States afford a fit subject of admiration to the political economist and the statesman. Nor can the Christian behold the vast prospect without the deepest interest and solicitude. Sometimes he is tempted to fear that the means of education and religious improvement will never keep pace with the increase of the population; and again, he is cheered when he listens to the "church-going bell," in regions where but a few years since the Indian wandered, and the bear and wolf lay down. Of the

many thousands who annually emigrate from the Eastern States and from Europe, the great majority, doubtless, are actuated solely by the hope of advancing their temporal interests. Yet there are not a few whose controlling motive originates in a higher source. Here are intelligent and pious settlers, who, while they seek a more genial sky, and a more productive soil, forget not that, wherever their lot may be cast, they are bound to use their utmost exertions in the cause of morality and religion. Such was the character of the humble individual by whom the episcopal parish of Portsmouth, in Ohio, was founded. I shall give a concise account of his efforts in behalf of the Church, as they will both serve to throw light on the system of American Episcopacy, and will at the same time afford a specimen of a large class of persons among the laity.

Samuel Gunn was born at Waterbury, in Connecticut, in the year 1763, and baptized by a clergyman sustained by the "Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts." The war of the American Revolution commenced while he was a child, and consequently, he took no part in that fearful struggle. But the Church suffered severely during the momentous period in question, and became, in many places, but a name; a name, too, of obloquy and reproach. Yet Samuel Gunn continued faith