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Protestant Episcopal Theological

Seminary.

THE Trustees of the Theological School of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States held their annual meeting in the city of New-York, on the 23d day of July, 1822, The meeting consisted of Clerical and Lay Trustees from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New-York, and Pennsylvania. The venerable presiding Bishop of the Church, Bishop White, of Pennsylvania, favoured the meeting with his presence and his counsels-Bishop Hobart, of New-York, and Bishop Croes, of New-Jersey, also attended Bishop Brownell, of Connecticut, had made arrangements for attending, but was prevented by indisposition. At the meeting, an interesting communication was read from the Standing Committee of the Church in South-Carolina, affording strong evidence of the lively and zealous interest of the Bishop, and Clergy, and Laity, of that state in the success of the Seminary, to which they have liberally contributed. The Trustees adopted Statutes for the govern ment of the institution, and attended an examination of the students, who afforded evidence of very satisfactory proficiency in the different branches of study which they had pursued. An interesting address was delivered in the presence of the Trustees, the Profess ors, and the Students, by the presiding Bishop, which we shall publish in our next. A dissertation was read by one of the students, and sermons publicly delivered by two of their number. The following is the report of the Professors:

New-York, July 22, 1822.

The Professors of the General Theological Seminary beg leave respectfully to report to the Trustees as follows:

At the commencement of the session, on the 13th of February, 1822, the following students were admitted as members of the institution:-Seth W. Beardsley, New-York; Augustus Convers, New-York; Robert B. Croes, New-Jersey; John Dick, New-York; Edward K. Fowler, New-York; Thomas T. Groshon, New-York; Lemuel B. Hull, Connecticut; William L. Irving, New-York; Levi S. Ives, New

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York; William Jarvis, Connecticut ; Samuel R. Johnson, New-York; William L. Johnson, New-York; Samuel Marks, Pennsylvania; Henry M. Mason, Pennsylvania; Matthew Matthews, Pennsylvania; Sylvester Nash, Virgi nia; Thomas V. Peck, New-York William Potter, Massachusetts; George M. Robinson, New-York; William Shelton, Connecticut; Edward Thomas, South-Carolina; Henry J.Whitehouse, New-York; and Joseph L. Yvonnet, New-York. March, Samuel G. Raymond, NewYork, was admitted on the 22d of April, Joseph P. Verdries, Pennsyl vania; Philip Gadsden, South-Carolina; and William P. Coffin, SouthCarolina; and, on the 17th of June, Paul T. Keith, South-Carolina.

On the 22d of

The students attended the Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pulpit Eloquence one day every week, from the commencement of the session until the month of June. The service of the Church was on these occasions performed as a devotional exercise by the students in rotation, and two sermons, and frequently more, were delivered by them, which, as well as the performance of the service, were the subjects of the criticisms of the Professor. They also went through a short course of instruction on the qualifications and duties of the clerical office.

of the Interpretation of Scripture, reThe Professor of Biblical Learning and ports, that he has attended two classes, One of them, having studied with him, during the last term of the Seminary, while in New-Haven, the Epistles from Romans to Colossians, inclusive, has, during the present session, gone through the remainder. As this class attended him but once a week, it has been found impracticable to review any but the Epistle to the Hebrews. The other class attended twice a week, and, after carefully reading the Gospel of St. Matthew, examined the Evangelists as an harmony, the Greek of Archbishop Newcome being used as a text book, and the general principles of other harmonists being occasionally pointed out. Since the beginning of May, they have pursued the

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study of the historical books of the Old Testament from Joshua to Esther, inclusive; but, as the variety of duties which engaged their attention made it impracticable for them to devote more than one day in the week to this pursuit, it was impossible to attend to it with any minuteness. Lectures on subjects connected with these studies were occasionally read by the Professor, and he believes that the most important questions of a critical nature arising out of them were topics of discussion.

The class attending the Professor of Systematic Theology* began, shortly after the opening of the Seminary, to study Bishop Pearson's Exposition of the Creed, and have proceeded as far as that part of the work, inclusively, which treats of the personality and divinity of the Holy Ghost: comprising nearly fivesixths of the whole. The class was at tended three times a week generally, but considerable interruptions in their exercises has been occasioned by the state of the Professor's health. The course pursued by him has been to connect with the study of the Exposition of the Creed, that of other works on some subjects which appeared to require a more full examination than the Bishop's Exposition contains. The class, accordingly, have studied nearly the whole of the following works:-Jones's Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity-Bishop Horsley's Tracts on Unitarianism Dr. Magee on the Atonement-Bishop Hobart's Tract on the Descent into Hell, with Bishop Horsley's Sermon on the same subject; and West on the Resurrection, with several of Bishop Horsley's Sermons on that subject.— Occasional references have likewise been made to passages in other authors.

With the Professor of the Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Christian Church, and Ecclesiastical History, the students attended during the present session in two classes. The first class, having prosecuted in the Seminary, while at New-Haven, the study of the History of the Church before the coming of Christ, and for the three following centuries, have attended to the Ecclesiastical History of the fourth century,

Rev. Bird Wilson, D. D.
Rev. Benjamin T. Oncerdonk

with Mosheim for the text book. It was then thought adviseable to direct their notice to the writings of the earlier fathers, with the view of passing from them to the study of the Nature and Ministry of the Church, under the advantage of the important light thrown on these subjects by that sound and best rule for the interpretation of Scripture, the generally prevailing principles and practice of the first Christians.

The various other claims upon the time of the students rendered impossible a critical study of the fathers in the original languages. All, therefore, that could be done on this head, was, to recommend that exercise to them when opportunity shall be afforded. The generally accurate translations of Archbishop Wake, and of the Rev. William Reeves, were made subjects of particular examination, and those parts of them which had the most important bearing on the principles and practice of the primitive Church, having been compared with the originals, such inaccuracies as occasionally appeared were pointed out. The notes and other observations of these translators, particularly applying the study of the fathers to the important topics connected with the first department of this professorship, were made the subject of particu lar notice and examination.

The second class have been engaged in the History of the Church before the coming of Christ, and have recited that portion of the third part of Stackhouse's Body of Divinity which relates to this subject, and the first six books of Prideaux's Connexions.

Each of the above classes has attended the Professor once in every week, and, for a short time, the second class has attended twice,

The Professor has devoted as much of his time as his other avocations would admit, to the recitations of the students from the above text books.Where additional facts or illustrations have presented themselves to his mind, in the course of this exercise, he has endeavoured to improve the circumstance, by a familiar and informal notice of them.

Upon the union of the General Seminary with that of New-York, those

students who had made some progress in the Hebrew language, formed themselves into two classes, who have attended the Professor of Hebrew and Greek Literature,* since the commencement of the session until the present time. During the above period, the classes have severally read the first 17 Psalms, and the first 17 chapters of Isaiah; and, beside continual repetitions of distinct parts of the same in the course of the recitations, they have nearly completed a general revision of the whole. The class that read Isaiah have attended the Professor once a week from the commencement of the session. The other class, for some time, attended two recitations in each week; but, in consequence of the numerous studies to be pursued, the faculty thought it expedient to diminish the number of recitations one half. Several students who were not able to join either of the above classes, have separately attended the Professor during the latter part of the session. In addition to the above course of study, a part of each week has been devoted to such of the students as were desirous of having assistance in reading the notes to Bishop Pearson's Exposition of the Creed.

The Professor of the Evidences of Revealed Religion and of the application of Moral Science to Theology,† reports, that since the last week of April, nearly all the students, except those of them who had already gone over the same course during the last year in the New-York Seminary, have attended

his instructions.

The text book used in this part of the course, was Paley's Evidences, in which the class was regularly examined. In going over this work, it was endeavoured to give such an enlargement of Paley's argument by extemporary instruction, reference to other authors, and, where the subject appeared to demand it, by written lectures or dissertations, as to present a general view of the historical and internal evidences of Christianity, of the popular objections of infidelity and their refutation, and of the history of controversies on that subject, especially so far as they seemed

* Mr. Clement C. Moore.
Mr. Gulian C. Verplanck

to have an influence upon the opinions of our own country; excepting only those objections and controversies of a purely abstract and metaphysical cha racter, the consideration of which has been reserved for another part of the

course.

The Faculty beg leave further to report, that, of the students above mentioned, Messrs. Dick, Fowler, Groshon, Peck, Robinson, and Raymond, have left the Seminary; also Messrs. Irving and Ives, in consequence of their expectations shortly to take orders, and Mr. Nash, in consequence of the illness of his father. Messrs. Marks and Yvonnet are absent.

All which is respectfully submitted. Signed by order of the Faculty of the Theological School,

J. H. HOBART, President.

Society for Promoting the Enlargement and Building of Churches and Chapels.

THE anniversary meeting of this society was held on the 20th day of May, 1822, at the society's rooms, in Lincoln's Inn Fields; present, the Archbishop of Canterbury in the chair; Bishop of London, Bishop of Chester, Bishop of Llandaff, Lord Kenyon, Dean of Carlisle, Archdeacon of Cambridge, Archdeacon Watson, Archdeacon Blomfield, the Rev. Dr. Shepherd, the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth, George Gipps, Esq. M. P. Joshua Watson, Esq. together with a large assembly of subscribers to the institution.

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sure in reporting, that during the last year the society has received two anonymous donations of £500 each.

National School Society,

On the 6th of June, 1822, the annual meeting of the London National School Society took place. It appeared from the report which was read by the Secretary, that upwards of two hundred and fifty thousand poor children were educated by the Society, and that twelve thousand had been added to the schools in different parts of the kingdom within the last year. The institution has been in existence only eleven years, and is supported entirely by private contributions,

Convention of Rhode-Island, Providence, R. I. June 7, 1822. THE annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state was holden at St. Paul's Church, in Wickford, on Tuesday last. Prayers were offered by the Rev. Mr. Wheaton, and a truly appropriate sermon was delivered by the Right Rev. Bishop Griswold. The officers of the last year were generally re-elected.

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Rev. Benjamin P. Aydelott, M. D. the Rev. William Armstrong, jun. and the Rev. Daniel Somers, Deacons, to the holy order of Priests; and Mr. Lemuel Wilmer, to the holy order of Deacons. The Rev. Amos Treadway, of NorthCarolina, was admitted to the holy order of Deacons, in the Monumental Church, in the city of Richmond, by the Right Rev. Richard C. Moore, D. D. on Sunday, the 30th of June, 1822. On the 11th July, at Fredericksburgh, Mr. Stephen Willson Presstman was admitted to the order of Deacons by the same reverend prelate.

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The Right Rev. Bishop Hobart held Confirmation at Flushing, on Sunday morning, July 14th, 1822. On this occasion morning service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Thorne, and an able and appropriate sermon preached by the Bishop, who administered the rite of Confirmation to 65 persons.

On Monday, the 15th of July, 1822, the new church erected in the village of Jamaica, was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the name of Grace Church, by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart. Morning prayer was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Newtown; the lessons read by the Rev. Mr. Proal, of Schenectady; and an ap

Reports were received from the several churches, (excepting St. Paul's, North-Providence,) by which it appropriate sermon delivered by the Bi pears that the state of the several parishes is flourishing, and that some are or have been more especially visited with divine blessings.

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A resolution was adopted respecting the subject of missionary funds, and a committee appointed to draft and report the necessary regulations; and committees were appointed in each rish to obtain contributions. The Bishop was authorized to appoint a missionary; and it is hoped that additional funds will be raised among the Episcopalians of our state to enlarge the borders of their Zion.

The Bishop was requested to furnish a copy of his sermon for the press.

Episcopal Acts.

ON Sunday morning, the 9th of June, 1822, the Right Rev. Bishop Kemp held an Ordination in St. John's Church, Washington, and admitted the

shop. There were present of the Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, besides the above and the Rev. Mr. Sayre, the rector of the new church, Rev. Messrs. Lyell, Wainwright, and the Rev. Mr. Hart, of Hempstead, the Richmond, of New-York, the Rev. Mr.Wheeler, of North-Hempstead, the Rev. Mr. Onderdonk, of Brooklyn, and the Rev. Mr. Thorne, of Flushing.

The services on this occasion were aided by the exertions of the ladies and gentlemen of the excellent choir of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn; their attendance being very politely solicited. Besides the usual portion of Psalms, they sang, in a very superior manner, two of Chapple's best anthems. These anthems are in a sweet and simple style, and admirably calculated for public worship, as they can easily be learned by a congregation.

The building consecrated is plain but elegant. From the chaste and solid ap

pearance of its ornaments, it would, we presume, be classed by architects in the Doric order; and there is nothing mixed or incongruous in the whole building. The chancel, desk, pulpit, and pews, are very conveniently arranged; and the whole edifice is an excellent model for churches of this size. We congratulate the Episcopalians of Jamaica, and the Episcopal Church at large, on this additional evidence of the very flourishing state of their religious community.

Charleston Protestant Episcopal Sun

day School Society.

THE third anniversary of this society was celebrated in St. Philip's Church, in the city of Charleston, on WitsunTuesday, May 28th, 1822. Divine service was performed by the Rev. Dr. Gadsden, and an appropriate address delivered by the Right Rev. Bishop Bowen. Nearly 170 children attended; and, by their correct deportment, presented a spectacle pleasing and interesting to the Patriot and the Christian.

Literary Honours.

Ar the late Commencement of Union College, Schenectady, the degree of D. D. was conferred on the Rev. Henry J. Feltus, Rector of St. Stephen's Church, New-York; and the honorary degree of A. M. on the Rev. William B. Lacey, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Albany. The degree of LL. D. was recently conferred on John Pintard, Esq. of New-York, by Allegany College,

The Rev. Alonzo Potter, recently admitted to Deacons' orders by Bishop Hobart, is appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Union College, Schenectady.

The Right Rev. Philander Chase, Bishop of the Diocess of Ohio, has accepted of the Presidential Chair in the Cincinnati College, and will enter upon the duties of the office at the commencement of the winter session, in the month of October next.

Obituary Notices.

DIED, at Middletown, Connecticut, on the 27th July,1822,theRev. WALTER CRANSTON, Rector of Christ Church, Savannah, Georgia, aged 32 years.

DIED, on Thursday, the 12th of July, 1822, in the 68th year of her age, Miss ANNE BROWNE, for many years an inhabitant of this city, and well known for her exemplary piety, her zealous attachment to the Episcopal branch of the Protestant Church, and her constant and devout attendance upon its public worship.

This truly respectable woman was born on the 25th of August, 1754, at Beverley, near Salem,in Massachusetts, of which latter place her paternal ancestors had long been ranked amongst the most distinguished inhabitants. The first of the family who emigrated from England, was William, the youngest son of Francis Browne, Esq. of Branden, in the county of Suffolk, born in 1607, and married to a daughter of the Rev. Sydney Smith, Rector of North-Yarmouth. William Browne came to America with his wife in 1635, and settled at Salem. He was a member of the provincial council, and held other offices in the colony. He died in 1688, bequeathing £250 currency, to Harvard University, (at the foundation of which he had already contributed the sum of £100,) and leaving other legacies to a large amount for pious uses or public objects. He had been extensively and most prosperously engaged in commerce, which enabled him, be sides making the bequests mentioned, to leave a large residuary estate amongst his children, of whom the third, Major William Browne, married, in 1664, Hannah, the daughter of George Curwen. The third son of this marriage was Colonel Samuel Browne, born in 1669, and married in 1705, to Abigait Keatch, of Boston, by whom he had four children. The second of whom, William, the father of the subject of this notice, was born in 1709, and married, in 1737, to Mary, daughter of William Burnet, Esq. Governor of the then Province of New-York, and son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet. The fruits of this marriage were several children, of whom, the eldest son, William Burnet Browne, Esq. survived his parents. He married and died, before the Revolutionary War, in Virginia, where he left descendents in the female line. Upon losing his first wife, Wil

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