verty, and depressed state, he had such an opinion of this Church, as to think, that, if the great Apostle of the Gentiles were upon earth, and it were put to his choice with what denomination of Christians he would communicate, the preference would probably be given to the Episcopalians of Scotland, as most like to the people he had been used to. This happened, as I perfectly recollect, while we were talking together on the subject of the Scotch petition, on one of the hills near the city of Canterbury, higher than the pinnacles of the Cathedral, where there was no witness to our discourse but the sky that was over our heads; and yet, when all things duly considered, I think no good man would have been angry, if he had overheard us. "If the reader should wish to know more of the people of this communion, let him consult an Ecclesiastical History of the Church of Scotland, by Mr. Skinner, father to the present worthy Bishop of Aberdeen; a history comprehending a plain and unaffected detail of facts very interesting and amusing: and I hope he will be also convinced by the narrative I have here given, not only that the Bishops of Scotland are true Christian Bishops, but that the Bishops of England, from the part they kindly took in the affair, do little deserve the clamour which some have raised against them, as if they were so dazzled by their temporalities, as to lose sight of their spiritual character, and bury the Christian Bishop in the Peer of Parliament." Anecdote of the Rev. George Herbert. ATTENDING the private music meeting at Salisbury, he one day saw a poor man, with a poorer horse, who had fallen under his load. They were both in distress, and needed present help; which Mr. Herbert perceiving, put off his canonical coat, and helped the poor man to unload, and after to load his horse. man blessed him for it; and he blessed the poor man. Like the good Samaritan, he gave him money to refresh The both himself and his horse; and told him that if he loved himself, he should be merciful to his beast. Coming to his musical friends at Salisbury, they began to wonder that he came into company so soiled and discomposed. When he told them the occasion, one of the company said that he had disparaged himself by so dirty an employ. He replied, that the thoughts of what he had done would prove music to him at midnight; and that the omission of it would have upbraided, and made discord in his conscience, whenever he should pass by that place; for if I be bound to pray for all that be in distress, I am sure I am bound, so far as it is in my power, to practise what I pray for. And though I do not wish for the like occasion every day; yet let me tell you, I would not willingly pass one day of my life without comforting a sad soul, or showing mercy. And I praise God for this occasion. And now let us tune our instruments. FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL. The New-York Evening Post of Feb. 13, contains the following from the Connecticut Gazette. "To the Editor of the Connecticut Ga zette, printed at New-London, of Feb. 10. "SIR, "The loss of Mrs. Harriet Lewis, whose distant death was announced in your paper of last week, is, you are sensible, deeply felt, not only by her relations, but by the people at large in this place. Such was her life, that the poor within her acquaintance now rise up and call her blessed.. Many religious institutions too will call to mind her repeated acts of munificence. Still her liberality in life. is but very partially known. With the same retiring spirit, in which her bounty was then given, she, at her death, made large bequests; which, from the nature of them must be publicly known; though she was solicitous rather that they should pass unnoticed. By the consent of her friends you are at liberty to publish a bequest of 1000 dols. to the first Ecclesiastical Society in this place. "One of 500 dols. to a Cent Society, for the benefit of the deserving poor in this place. "One of 2000 dols. to the Asylum for Deaf and Dumb persons at Hartford. "One of 2000 dols. to the Domestic Missionary Society for Connecticut and its vicinity. "One of 2000 dols. to the Education Society of Yale College: and "One of 1200 dols. to the Con- necticut Missionary Society." Here is the sum of $8,700 bequeathed to various religious and charitable purposes. From the tenour of the above notice, (for I am entirely ignorant of the subject of it,) it would appear that Mrs. Lewis was equally distinguished, through life, for pious liberality. Such examples ought to be recorded, and ought to be imitated. Surely there cannot be a more genuine expression of gratitude to the Father of mercies, than consecrating a portion of the wealth with which he blesses us, to the promotion of his glory, and the good of his creatures. There cannot be a more delightful exercise of the mind, than anticipating the blessing which may descend to successive generations, from liberal aid in diffusing the religion of the Gospel. And must it not, through the blessing of him who has promised that even a cup of cold water given in his name shall not fail of reward, minister joy, must it not afford the happiest evidence of the sincerity and liveliness of Christian faith, to reflect, at the trying hour when all worldly possessions are to be resigned for ever, that we have consecrated a portion of them to him who gave them, by bequeathing it to objects connected with the interests of the religion whereby he designs his glory and the eternal good of men? Would we could see more of this spirit in a Church uniting all the advantages for these great ends, afforded by an apostolical ministry, evangelical doctrine, and scriptural worship! If her institu were tions for the education of fit persons to serve the sanctuary, for the support of missionaries, and for the distribution of the holy Scriptures, of their best companion, the Book of Common Prayer, and other religious books and tracts, were more frequently regarded by her members, in their appropriations for religious purposes; if they were suffered sometimes to interfere with expenses not necessary to comfort or convenience; if amid the promises of the contending claimants for what is devoted to the purchase of pleasure, their pretensions to the imparting of enjoyment both to the giver and receiver, duly appreciated; especially if they were frequently remembered in determining the disposal of wealth, after its present possessors shall have resigned it for ever;-the delightful consciousness of promoting the honour of God, of diffusing the blessings of pure and undefiled religion, of advancing the prosperity of the Redeemer's Church, and of contributing to the everlasting welfare of fellow men, would be the reward here. Springing from a true and living faith, these good works would be had in everlasting renfembrance before God, and be made conducive to the eternal happiness of those who wrought them; through the sufficient merits of Jesus, the object of that faith. Auxiliary New-York Bible and Com mon Prayer Book Society. PURSUANT to public notice, the "Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society" held its annual meeting in Trinity Church, on Monday evening, Jan. 25, 1819. The annual Report of the Society was read by Dr. John Watts, junior; whereupon, on motion, Resolved unanimously, that the Report be accepted. Resolved, That the Report be printed, under the direction of the Board of Managers. The Society then proceeded to the election of a Board of Managers for the ensuing year; when the following Charles Keeler, Recording Secretary. Third Annual Report. ON presenting the third annual Report to the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, the Managers feel it incumbent upon them, first, to acknowledge the divine blessing upon their exertions, and to express their sense of gratitude for the prosperity which, under Providence, has attended the labours of the past year. In the infant state of the Society, it became the duty of the Managers to reflect upon the several methods of accomplishing their objects. Repeated and matured deliberations determined the course to be pursued. The smallness of their funds precluded the purchase of stereotype plates of the Bible stereotype copies of it were to be had at a moderate price, while the Book of Common Prayer had not yet been stereotyped in this city. The copies of the Prayer Book which were obtained during the first year of the Society's operations, were disadvantageously circulated; as they were found, relatively speaking, to exceed greatly the price of stereotyped works. With due consideration, therefore, to the usefulness of the Society, and the economy and increase of its funds, in accomplishing its twofold object, viz. the more general circulation of the Bible, and also of the Book of VOL. III. Common Prayer, they resolved to possess themselves of stereotype plates of the Prayer Book. Since that time, the Managers have reason to believe, that a similar advantage to the Seciety, from an improvement in the economy and increase of its funds, would attend the possession of stereotype plates of the Bible also. They had long contemplated and ardently wished to procure them; their funds, however, still remained inadequate to the object, and they did not feel themselves authorized to withdraw any part of the money then employed in circulating the Book of Common Prayer. The necessity of an appeal to the members of the Church was urged, and the result has fully justified the appeal. By the bounty of individuals, emu lating each other in their patronage of the Society, the Managers have been enabled to conclude a contract for a set of stereotype plates of the Holy Scriptures in duodecimo; to be completed by the month of July next. The type and convenient size of the volume adapt it to almost every age and condition of life, and render it appropriate for the school, the closet, and the Church. Directions have been given to commence the execution of the plates with the New Testament, so as to enable the Society to furnish an edition of that part of the holy volume, for the use of schools, and of such persons and societies as may desire to have it, in a cheap and convenient form. These plates will be finished in the course of five or six weeks, and shortly thereafter the New Testaments will be ready for delivery. By this arrangement the ability and usefulness of the Society have been consulted and enlarged, and an additional evidence is given of the unceasing desire of its members to aid in distributing the word of life. The list of subscribers to this work of Christian charity will be published as soon as the subscriptions are completed. Eighteen hundred dollars have already been collected and paid by the Managers on account of those plates-five hundred dollars more will become due on the final delivery of 4 26 Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society. [No. 1. them to the Society. For this sum the Managers have made themselves responsible, in full confidence that it will be subscribed by those to whom application has not yet been made. By an arrangement made the last year with Messrs. Kirk & Mercein, for the printing and sale of the Book of Common Prayer, a great reduction of its price was obtained, with a view to the benefit and increase of that denomination of Christians throughout the United States, whose wants, interests, and religious feelings could not be separated from those of the same persuasion in this state. In relinquishing all profit arising from the sale of the Prayer Book; in surrendering this source of revenue, and thus diminishing the number and extent of their own immediate distributions, the Managers it is believed have greatly extended the circulation of the Book of Common Prayer. The pleasure and credit of being themselves the public instruments of spreading it, co-extensively with the funds that might be derived from the loan of their stereotype plates in this city, was superseded by the paramount duty of rendering the Book of Common Prayer accessible to every Episcopalian throughout the union, either by gratuity, or by cheapness of price, as might best comport with the feelings or ability of individuals. The operation of this plan, in relation to the price of the book, has realized the expectations of the Managers. Instead of a diminution of the sales of booksellers, they have witnessed an unexampled demand for the Book of Common Prayer:-in addition to the number circulated in the name of the 'Society, it is believed that twenty thousand copies have been sold in this city, and that the amount of sales of the Prayer Book during the last year is wholly unprecedented. The interests of individuals have been made subservient to the worship of the Church, and the homage of private sacrifice is paid to the public dissemination of the truths of Christianity, The Managers would call the attention of the members to the aninating reflection that is derived from a retrospect of the few years that have elapsed since the organization of the Society, in 1816. The copies of the Book of Common Prayer, circulated during the first year of its operations, were printed with the ordinary type, and cost the Society forty-seven cents a copy. In 1817, they procured the first set of stereotype plates of the Prayer Book in this city, and, perhaps, the only set at that time in this country: by means of it, there was an immediate reduction of ten cents a copy in the price of the book; and in 1818, a further reduction of seven and a half cents was obtained. Societies and individuals, who wish supplies of Prayer Books for gratuitous distribution, are furnished at the rate of thirty cents per copy, the exact cost of the book to this Society. A neat, well bound copy of the Book of Common Prayer, may now be purchased at retail for thirty-seven and a half cents, which, at the formation of the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, could not be had, of equally good type, paper, and binding, for less than seventy-five cents. In the short space of two years, five or six sets of stereotype plates have been made of the Book of Common Prayer; three of them may be said to be in constant use in this city-one set has been purchased and taken to Baltimore, from which the Bible and Prayer Book Society of that place is supplied; and one or two sets of plates may be purchased in this city, at from twenty to thirty per cent. less than the price of the first set that was executed in this country. The Managers cherish the hope that Societies, similar to this, will be organized in the southern and western states, and that their endeavours to spread and improve the knowledge of their Redeemer, and the distinctive doctrines of their Church, will be aided and extended by the possession of stereotype plates of the Prayer *This set was cast for t'Publishers of this Journal, ferred them at prime cost. During the year 1818, the Publishers caused two other sets of the Prayer Book who, in order to favour the views of the Society, trans to be cast for their own use; and there have also been cast, under their inspection, two sets of plates of the Prayer Book, in octavo, one for the New-York Bible the Common Prayer Book Society of Philadelphia. and Common Prayer Book Society, and the other for Book, thus obviating the great delay and expense of transportation, and diffusing more widely the piety and devotion of that standard formulary of Christian worship. In the act of incorporation of this Society, legal provision is made for incorporating similar associations throughout this state, granting to all such as shall be formed in pursuance thereof, the benefits, privileges, and immunities enjoyed by this Society. As the smallest pecuniary contributions, when multiplied by the number of persons that may be induced to unite in such Societies, give results of sufficient magnitude to relieve the religious wants of particular districts, it is hoped, that they will be formed, not only in the remote parts of this state, but, that they may rise into existence in every section of the union, where religious penury may be seen or felt; on the organization of every such institution, a donation of Bibles and Prayer Books will be made, after a regular notification thereof to this Society, By the reports of the Agent, it appears that since the last Anniversary Meeting of the Society, four hundred and forty-seven Bibles, and four thousand two hundred and ninety-eight Prayer Books have been delivered out of the depository. Of this number, four hundred and twelve Bibles, and one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight Prayer Books have been gratuitously distributed in Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, NorthCarolina, South-Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and the West-Indies. Two thousand two hundred and fourteen Prayer Books have been purchased by Societies and individuals for gratuitous distribution in Rhode-Island, Connecticut, NewYork, Maryland, and Virginia. A number of Bibles and Prayer Books have been given to seamen and soldiers, to the City Prison, Almshouse, Orphan Asylum, to Sunday Schools in the city and state of New-York; one hundred to the Society for the Promotion of the Gospel among seamen; and a large number to clergymen and individuals for gratuitous distribution; making a total of one thou sand five hundred and ninety-one Bibles, and twelve thousand two hundred and eighty-seven Prayer Books that have been distributed by the Society. It is a duty which the Managers owe to themselves and to the Society, to remark, that in almost every instance of presenting the Prayer Book, the Bible has accompanied it, when not found in the possession of the individual; and they would add, that with the multiplied and growing facilities of obtaining the Bible, is the demand for the Book of Common Prayer increased. Communications have been received from various and distant parts of the United States, expressing the highest approbation of the objects of the Society, proclaiming the necessity of a continuance of its exertions, and of its importance in building up the Church in the religious wilderness and desert. It appears from the Treasurer's Report, that a small balance only is remaining in the treasury, and even that will be fully absorbed by the payment of debts now existing against the Society. It is hoped that the charity of Episcopalians generally will continue to display itself in an increasing zeal and reverence for the word of God, and a liberal spirit of contribution to spread the knowledge of the ordinances and ministrations of the Church. To this account of their stewardship, the Managers add their prayers, that the Author of all good will continue to shed his benedictions on the labours of the Society. Frequent inquiries having been made respecting the place of the depository, and many necessarily being left ignorant of the change of its situation, the Managers think it proper to inform distant subscribers and donors, and Episcopalians generally, that the Society's depository is now at Messrs. Kirk & Mercein's, No. 22 Wall-street. JoпN WATTS, jun. Chairman. Jan. 25th, 1819. PLURALITIES. AN ingerious French author (Boursault) relates the following story.-An Abbe, who had no preferment, exclaiming one day to Boileau against |