our power, however, to add to it, and must therefore be content to give it as it is.

Communicated.

Departed this life on Monday, the 18th, in the 39th year of his age, Mr. George Shaw, merchant, of this city. Of Mr. Shaw's usefulness as a citizen, of the excellence of his character in the various relations of life, all who had the happiness to be acquainted with him can speak. His death was not sudden, and for death he was not unprepared; many years since he declared himself "on the Lord's side," and having acknowledged Christ Jesus to be his Saviour, endeavoured to evince the genuineness of his faith by the obedience of his life. Trusting in Christ, and in none other, he died "in the full assurance of hope." "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; even so saith the spirit; for they rest from their labours."

May 27-From the Female Auxiliary Missionary Society of St. Stephen's Church, NewHartford, Oneida county From the Female Auxiliary Missionary Society of St. John's Chapel, New-York

The above was contributed by the Sewing Society attached to the same.

June 6-From the Female Auxiliary Missionary Society of St. John's Chapel, New-York June 10-From the Female Aux. iliary Missionary Society of St. Thomas' Church, N. Y. June 24-From the Female Aux. iliary Missionary Society of St. Paul's Church, Troy

To the Permanent Fund.

May 8-"A friend to the Missionary Society," by the hands of Mr. Jacob Shatzel May 30-Received of the Female Benevolent Society of the Episcopal Church, Catskill, to constitute the Rev. Joseph Prentiss, Rector of St. Luke's Church, Catskill, a member for life

$800

104 00

80 00

94 50

262 00

$548 50

The New-York Protestant Episcopal ledges the receipt of the following valuaTract Society most gratefully acknow ble and timely offering of several benevoits future means of usefulness will be lent Episcopalians of this city, by which greatly advanced, viz.

Complete sets of stereotype plates of the following Tracts heretofore on the Society's list of publications, viz. "The Candidate for Confirmation Instructed;" "The Dairyman's Daughter,” and “ Little Jane, the Young Cottager," (the two last complete, as originally published by the author;)" Nature and Design of the Lord's Supper;" ;" "A Plain Address to Parents on the Subject of Sunday Schools," " Episcopacy and Confirmation;" and the "Peni tent Swearer's Soliloquy and Prayer;" together with a complete set of blocks and furniture of the best description, for using the plates.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of this institution, held on the 17th of June, the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be presented to, Mr. Thomas N. Stanford, and to the other benevolent individuals to whom the Society is indebted for the stereotype plates of several valuable publications, received this evening, by which this Society will be enabled materially to ex tend its distributions.

Extract from the minutes,
BENJAMIN M. BROWN,

Recording Secretary.

For the Christian Journal. Every Day Christian Duties.

Messrs EDITORS,

THE age in which we live is distinguished, in the language of certain anniversary orators, as an era of superior spiritual light and knowledge; as giving rise to splendid schemes of Christian benevolence; and comparisons are continually made between it and all former periods, since the times of the apostles, very unfavourable to the days that are past. It is indeed an age of great religious excitement, and uncom mon zeal and exertion are put forth in promoting the general objects of the gospel, and many plans of doing good have been devised, unattempted before, highly creditable to their authors, and promising extensive and permanent benefit to the cause of Christ and the salvation of men. But amidst this unusual excitement and these praiseworthy efforts to further the diffusion of evangelical truth, to promote the spiritual welfare of mankind, and to build up and extend the Redeemer's king dom, it is much to be feared, and experience and observation seem to sanction the distrust, that the practical influence of religion is not materially increased, and that many former periods, so indiscriminately censured for their deficiency in zeal and activity in the propagation of the faith, would, if brought under review, put to shame the boasting of modern times. In deeds of Christian charity on a large and splendid scale; in the public exhibition of religious fervour; in eloquent talk on subjects connected with the advancement of Christian morals and the spread of the gospel; in exertions and enterprises which are calculated to elicit the admiration and applause of VOL. XIII.

[VOL. XIII

men; the present day, may, perhaps, be deemed to bear away the palm; but it is not so certain that the laudatory language which is applied to it would be merited in regard to the practical duties of the Christian life; to those unostentatious attempts to serve God and edify the heart, which were distinguishing characteristics of days gone by. It is indeed much to be questioned, whether the prevalent rage for doing great things, and the usual manner in which these things are done, the extraordinary excitement which is created and sought to be perpetuated by them, do not cause a distaste for, and a neglect of those humbler, but not less important duties, which contribute to the formation of the true Christian character, and to the meetness of the soul for heaven; and which, though less attractive in the public eye, and of less magnitude in the modern scale of obligation, exert a powerful influence on the well-being of society, and contribute, though secret and unnoticed in their operation, more than is supposed, to the progress of gospel truth, and to recommend, nourish, establish, and strengthen the kingdom of Christ. If the matter be closely investigated, will it not be found that the excitement produced by the splendid and novel schemes of the present age, and the opinions and sentiments which their authors and abettors so industriously inculcate, unconscientiously serve to create a distaste for the more sober exercises of religion, and furnish a principal cause for those erroneous views of divine worship which make the sermon the prominent object of frequenting the courts of the Lord, and place the duties of prayer and praise in the back ground, as things appropriate and useful, but of subordinate interest and importance. 37

Is it not to this, in a very great degree, that that indisposition to the common prayer of our church, and particularly that general neglect of God's house; when it is opened exclusively for the offering of that inimitable service of supplication and praise, may be attributed; and to the same erroneous views may not the prevalent neglect of family devotion, among those who profess and call themselves Christians, be in some degree ascribed. In these respects, our immediate forefathers, though they were not able to boast of such doings as constitute the glory of the present day, were not deficient; nay more, were greatly distinguished; and have transmitted to us a bright and animating example. They were accustomed to frequent the house of God as a house of prayer; they went thither for pur poses of devotion, and not alone to hear sermons; they were found in their places in the sanctuary, when nothing was expected but the common prayer, and felt it to be a privilege as well as a duty to attend under such circumstances. Their sense of religious obligation led them so to arrange their business as to assemble their families together, for worship, statedly every day; in the morning, to thank the Lord for his protection during the night, and implore his guidance and blessing through the day; and in the evening, to supplicate his pardon for the sins and negligences of the day, to praise him for his goodness and his grace, and to commend themselves to his care during the unguarded hours of darkness and sleep.

That by many of those who are most active in religious exertions now, and most imbued with the excitement of the age, these things, and especially this latter duty, is left unperformed, is not pretended to be said; and the con trary is believed and known to an exemplary degree. But it is also thought and believed, that in very many instances these every day exercises of religion are lost sight of in the excitement of those splendid projects, to which the zeal of professing Christians is sought to be so exclusively devoted, and that among numbers of those whose names are enrolled on the lists of Bible, and

Missionary and Tract Societies, and some of whom are distinguished in advocating their claims and promoting their views, they are altogether neglected.

That it is the duty of Christians to cherish and exercise an holy zeal in promoting the cause of Christ and the spiritual welfare of their fellow-men, to put forth all their strength in efforts to diffuse, far and wide, the knowledge of the truth among the ignorant and destitute; to give themselves, and of their substance, freely and constantly, to the charitable work, of giving the bread of life, and waters of salvation, to those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty; to engage with ardour in any and every judicious plan for subserving the great interests of religion and the church; is not for one moment to be questioned. Nor are the members of our communion in any wise too zealous, and too active, and too much engaged in these important objects; would to God they were more so than they are! But while they do their duty in this respect; while they contribute of their counsels to swell the triumphs of the cross, in the customary plans of Christian benevolence; let them not be led away by the excitement resulting from these exertions, to neglect the weightier matters of Christian duty; to entertain erroneous conceptions of the nature and obliga tions of public worship, and to act in accordance with those misconceptions. Let not the temple of God, and its solemn, impressive, and peculiar service, be neglected. Let not the common prayer of the church be read to uninterested auditors, to unwilling worshippers, and the courts of the Lord, when opened exclusively for the edify ing exercises of supplication and praise, be forsaken. Nor let the inconsistency be exhibited, of heads of families, running from place to place, with greedy ears, devouring the speeches and addresses usual at religious anniversaries, and at the same time omitting, for trivial reasons, or from sheer neglect, the stated daily devotion of their homes..

The remarks of some of your correspondents, Messrs. Editors, on the duty of attending public prayers, on

those stated days during the week, which are observed in some of our churches, and which were called for by the very general inattention to that duty and privilege among the members of our communion, it is believed, have already had a salutary effect. They have produced somewhat of a better attendance at these stated opportunities of devotion. Still, there is a lamentable cause for complaint and reproof in this respect. Too many, who have no excuse to offer, stay away, and deem their attendance on the Lord's day sufficient for every purpose of Christian obligation, and seem willing to pursue their journey heavenwards with as little interruption of worldly engagements, and as little sacrifice of worldly convenience as possible. Oh, that they would open their eyes to discover the inconsistency of their conduct, and to perceive the privation of spiritual blessings, to which they voluntarily subject themselves. Oh, that they would be wise; that they would consider their bounden duty, and appreciate the value of the privilege which they forego, and the brevity of the time which is given to them to enjoy and improve it. May the spirit of the living God awaken them to a sense of their deficiency; inspire them with an heartier desire to pray, and dispose them to enter his courts with willing and grateful hearts, whenever they are opened to supplicate his mercy and celebrate his praise.

But if the former duty is by so many forgotten and disregarded, the other which has been adverted to, it is to be feared, is still more generally neglected among those who profess and call themselves Christians. Many heads of families confine the exercise of this salutary duty to the day of sacred rest, alleging in excuse for their omission of it, on the other days of the week, the want of time-the pressure of their worldly engagements. A more invalid excuse could scarcely be offered, and very seldom, if ever, does it necessarily apply. Except in very extraordinary cases, it is unhesitatingly affirmed, that no head of a family can, if the disposition exist, fail in so arranging his or her temporal business, as to admit of stated devotional ex

ercises twice a day. Let professing Christians lay this matter to heart; let them consider the glaring inconsistency of such neglect; let them weigh well the deleterious effect of such omission on those who look up to them for example; and let them ask themselves seriously and faithfully, how little will the excuse which they offer, avail them before God, in the dread hour of judg ment?

There are others, however, who negdect to assemble their families for devotional purposes altogether, and these offer in extenuation thereof, their inability to offer up suitable prayers, and express themselves in appropriate language. This objection must be made on the supposition that extemporaneous effusions are indispensable to the duty. With those who are accustomed to this mode of worship in public the plea is more valid; but with churchmen it is altogether inadmissible. Where is the Prayer Book, and the appropriate and beautiful form of morning and evening family devotion, set forth by the church? Where too are those several excellent compilations for the same end, which are so common and so generally to be procured? And if these be without their reach, a chapter in the Bible, a selection from the Psalms, and the Lord's Prayer, are entirely within the scope of all.

The truth is, the disposition is wanting, or such an excuse would never be made by, in this respect, the highly privileged churchman. And is not such indisposition fearful to think of? Is it not highly offensive in the sight of God? Is it not fraught with fearful consequences to the offender, and most perilous to the soul? Can any one refuse to call upon God in the bosom of his family, and expect the divine blessing on that family? Does he not fear, lest he, who hath cominanded all to pray, should visit him signally for this thing? Can he complain if misfortunes and sorrows and trials be sent upon him? Let every reader seriously lay this matter to heart, and consider how greatly such a wilful omission of one of the first of commanded duties exposes him to the wrath of that God, whose constant providence and care

demands the constant, fervent, and sincere devotion of all his intelligent crea

tures.

Having already occupied so much of your paper, I will not trespass by any further remarks, except to direct the attention of the members of our communion to an excellent little Manual of Family Devotion, recently published by the New-York Protestant Episcopal Tract Society, and by them gratuitously distributed, or sold in various bindings, at various prices, from four up to thirty-seven and a half cents each.* This compilation is the work of the late Bishop of Chester, now Bishop of London, the Right Rev. Dr. Blomfield, a prelate distinguished for his talents, his zeal, and his piety. Many of the petitions are copied literally from the Liturgy of the Church, and its fervent, but chastened spirit, pervades the whole. If there was nothing else to recommend it, its cheapness ought to do so. But it is possessed of more than ordinary merit; is greatly calculated to awaken and cherish a spirit of true and rational devotion, and in sentiment and language, is equalled by very few books of the kind, and surpassed by none, except its model and original, the Book of Common Prayer. While it is a valuable companion and aid to all, in the office of family and closet devotion, the low price at which it is published, places it within the reach of every individual, the poor as well as the rich. Using it daily, the writer of this feels himself competent to express a decided opinion in its favour, and to recommend it to his fellow churchmen as a book accordant in all respects with the principles and doctrines they deem important; and he indulges the hope, that it will soon find its way into every family, and be blessed to their spiritual edification and comfort, and to the glory of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

E. N. X.

For the Christian Journal.

Considerations in favour of an Episcopal Church at Saratoga Springs. Messrs. EDITORS,

IT has been within the knowledge of

* Sold also at the office of the Christisn Journal, No. 127 Broadway.

the present writer a subject of deep re gret to Episcopalians visiting the mine. ral waters of Saratoga the past season, that no provision has been made for the services of our Apostolic Church at that place of resort. The deficiency arises from no indisposition towards the object on the part of the perma nent inhabitants of the village and its vicinity; on the contrary, they are exceedingly desirous of obtaining the services of a respectable and zealous clergyman, and are disposed to contribute liberally towards his support, and to wards the erection of a place of worship. Indeed, if I remember right, my informant stated to me that a very con siderable subscription had already been made for that purpose, which there is no doubt would be augmented by the contributions of visitors during the summer season. It certainly is a matter of no little importance, that Epis copalians who, for reasons of health or relaxation, resort there, should be provided with the regular services of the church of their choice, and of those ministrations to which they are accustomed at home. And the opportunity which is thus afforded of the congregating of persons of various religious opinions from different parts of the United States, many of whom it is probable are entirely ignorant of our liturgy, and from this cause are more or less imbued with the common prejudice against our church, should be embrac▸ ed for exhibiting to those who are strangers to our doctrines and worship, that inimitable formulary of devotion, those interesting and impressive rites, and those primitive and evangelical doctrines, which, from knowing nothing about them, are by so many sensible and well meaning persons deemed but a version of Popish supersti tion and error. The stated ministra. tions of one of our clergymen, while they would doubtless be edifying to those who are attached to our communion, would, it is believed, have the effect, in a very considerable degree, to dispel the mists of prejudice from very many, who only then would have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with what is so greviously misre. presented and misunderstood. These