regard to refinement and intelligence. The former ascendancy of Quaker influence still operates in checking the luxuriant growth of fashionable frivolity, and in imparting a tone of quiet and sobriety to the population at large. I met with substantial tokens of encouragement in Philadelphia, and was much assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Van Pelt and Boyd, and others of the clergy and laity. I had the further pleasure of meeting the venerable Bishop White, then in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and his assistant Bishop Onderdonk, brother of the Bishop of New York. The Episcopalians in the city were at that time deeply engaged in establishing a college of their own at Bristol near Philadelphia, yet this did not prevent the manifestation of great interest in the religious improvement of the West. Having remained a week among these estimable people, I took my leave of them and returned to New York, and thence on the following day to Hartford in Connecticut.

While in Hartford we did not omit to visit the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and other objects of interest and importance. Nor did we neglect to ascend Wadsworth's Tower, a lofty elevation commanding a splendid prospect. But the New York canal being now open we determined to re-commence immediately our westward journey, and, accordingly, having proceeded to New York and

Albany by steam, we advanced to Buffalo by canal, and thence by steam to Cleaveland, Ohio. We then went by land to Gambier, where we found that immense improvements had been effected during our absence of nearly three years. The place had assumed the appearance of a neat New England village, and the comfortable abodes of the inhabitants were surrounded by gardens flourishing in all the verdure of an Ohio spring. Bishop M'Ilvaine inhabited a handsome dwelling, and the professors were chiefly accommodated in comfortable brick mansions in different parts of the village. Kenyon College had been enlarged by the addition of one wing; and Rosse Chapel was advancing towards completion. The appearance of the students had improved considerably, and all things seemed to promise that this favoured spot would hereafter become one of the most delightful places of resort in the western country. At the present time the number of students in the Theological Seminary is twelve, in the college fifty-six, and in the grammarschool ninety-four, making a total of 162. The authorities of the institution have the exclusive control of the lands belonging to the corporation, extending about a mile and a half in each direction from the college buildings. These lands are leased on such conditions and to such persons that no injurious influence from this source can be ex

pected. The annual expenses of a student for tuition, board, room-rent, bedding, washing, fuel, lights, and medical attendance, are, in the grammar-school, 123 dollars (287.); in the college, 100 (237.); and in the Theological Seminary about 70 (157.); no charge being made for instruction or room-rent. The college library contains between 4000 and 5000 volumes. At present the students sustain eighteen Sunday-schools in the vicinity, embracing about 1000 scholars.

After a short stay at Gambier, we proceeded to Newark, where we found a substantial Episcopal church erecting, and had the pleasure of meeting the worthy clergyman lately settled there. Travelling by canal, in two days we reached Portsmouth, where we were kindly treated by my former parishioners. I preached to them several times, and then taking a steam-boat we advanced sixty miles down the Ohio river to Maysville in Kentucky. We then took our seats in the stagecoach, and proceeded sixty-four miles over a delightful road to Lexington, where we arrived about the end of May, having completed a journey from Andover of nearly 1400 miles.

CHAPTER X.

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN CHURCH.

General remarks.-First Settlement of America by Episcopalians. -Emigration of numerous Dissenters.-Gradual increase of the Church.-Opposition of the Puritans.-Cromwell's persecution of the Cavaliers.-Church established in Virginia. -Sustained in New England by the Propagation Society.— Character of the Clergy.-Disorders ascribed to the want of Bishops.-Rapid growth of Dissent attributed to the same cause.-Episcopalians endeavour to obtain Bishops without success.-Puritans oppose Prelacy.-Ruin consequent on the Revolution.-Episcopal candidates still ordained in England. -Origin of the General Convention.-Consecration of Bishop Seabury.

HAVING in the preceding pages given an account of the present aspect of the American Church, I proceed to narrate the steps by which, through the most disheartening trials, it has attained its existing state of comparative prosperity. Its eventful history is replete with useful instruction to the established churches of Christendom. Here may

be seen the deplorable effects which follow when the Church is left destitute of adequate Episcopal supervision. Here may be contemplated the ruin which ensues when the Church is suddenly deprived of that legislative aid on which it has been accustomed to rely. And here also it may be perceived that the Church, although cast down by such an event, is not destroyed; that its energies become contracted, its native resources developed, and, finally, its former days of happiness and usefulness more than restored.

The eastern shores of the country, now denominated the United States, were discovered under English auspices, and claimed by the English monarch, as early as the year 1497. Yet in deference to the authority of Pope Alexander VI., who had granted to the Spaniards all the territory more than a hundred leagues west of the Azores, no settlement was attempted prior to the Reformation of the Anglican Church. The feeble minority of Edward VI., distracted with factions, was not a more favourable period to schemes of doubtful utility; and the bigotry of his successor, Mary, disposed her to pay a sacred regard to that grant of the holy see, which vested in her husband Philip an exclusive right to the New World, It was not before the reign of Elizabeth that the English began seriously to form plans of settling colonies in those