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ance with our communion, which, after a course of enquiry and study, may ripen into strong, holy and enduring attachment. Thus impressed with the importance of this spot, I have felt justified in advising a liberal appropriation of missionary aid to St. Paul's Church. I think it proper to add, that being providentially detained in the vicinity, I spent the fourth Sunday after Trinity with Mr. Brewer, preaching twice, he reading the service. I was much gratified at witnessing the increased congregationtaking them, as I did, perfectly by surprise.

Sunday, Jan. 12. I visited St. Michael's Church, Manchester, preached three times and confirmed eight persons-the Rev. Mr. Moore, the Rector, reading morning and evening prayers. This is one of our more recently organized parishes. The regular congregation is stated not to be large, but increasing. There is gratifying evidence of a liberal, zealous and devout spirit, as well as of the ministration and reception of sound and wholesome instruction concerning the doctrines, discipline, government and privileges of the Church. Here is a beautiful Grecian Church, cast in proportions remarkably fine-and paid for-the cost being not much above $2000. It was built after a design by Mr. Bailey, a member of the parish. In the Grecian style, I think it a model for a country Church. One evidence of the growing prosperity of this parish is, that it is gradually relinquishing its claims on the missionary treasury. It will soon, I trust, be able to support itself without aid from abroad, and will become, under the faithful labors of its Rector, one of our strongest Churches, "able to help others also."

Jan. 13.-I visited St. Thomas' Church, Dover, preached in the evening, and confirmed one person-the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Horton, reading prayers. It should be stated here, to account for the fact that no more were confirmed, that the Rt. Rev. Bishop Eastburn of Massachusetts, in compliance with request, had held a Confirmation here within the year preceding my visitation. Probably no Church has suffered more than this. from the dispersions consequent on the fluctuations of secular business. 1 am happy to find, however, that by the blessing of God on the well-directed and persevering labors of the Rector, it is rapidly repairing its losses, and is likely soon to exceed any former period in numbers, piety and strength, The Church is a most beautiful edifice of wood, in the Gothic style of architecture, and may be referred to as a model of the kind. One thing in the interior struck me forcibly and favorably: the organ gallery or choir, which usually rises above the heads of a portion of the congregation, is here sunk to within about three feet of the common level. There are several important advantages in this arrangement, which will occur to any one who visits St. Thomas' Church at a time of divine service.

Jan. 14.-In company with the Rev. Rector of St. Thomas' and the Rev. Mr. Lambert from Massachusetts, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Dover, and many zealous friends of the Church in the latter place, I visited Christ Church at Salmon Falls, and preached in the afternoon, the Rev. Mr. Horton reading prayers. I am happy to have it in my power to

state, with confidence, that this parish is reviving. The fluctuations of business several years ago occasioned a dispersion of the entire congregation, which was composed wholly of manufacturers. Business is reviving, population returning, and the privileges of the Church have been loudly called for. In the month of December last, I issued a license to Mr. J. D. Watson to act as lay reader and catechist. On my visit, I found him laboring faithfully, wisely and efficiently, drawing the children together in a Sunday school, and doing all that a layman could do for the restoration of suspended animation. He informed me, that a few gentlemen in Boston had most generously volunteered to contribute the sum of $300 a year for two or three years, towards the support of a clergyman, and that it was hoped nearly the same sum would be raised on the spot. Within a few weeks, as I am informed, the Rev. Newton E. Marble, from the diocese of Massachusetts, has accepted an invitation to the Rectorship, and has entered on his work. I make this statement with great satisfaction, and look with confidence for abundance of good fruits from the connexion.

Jan. 15.-I visited St. John's Church, Portsmouth, preached in the afternoon, and confirmed eight persons-the Rector, the Rev. Dr. Burroughs, reading prayers. Again, in the evening after divine service conducted by the Rev. Mr. Lambert of Massachusetts, I preached in the chapel of St. John's. Of this ancient Church, if indeed any thing Anglo-American can be called ancient, it is needless to say, what is so well known, that it presents a case of sound and consolidated Church principles manifested through a long series of years of unabated vigor and prosperity. It may be called the mother Church of the Diocese-the foster-mother, certainlyfor it has contributed to the aid of every parish that has been organized within the last five and thirty years. My respected friend and brother will pardon me, if 1 advert to the fact, that here is one of the four oldest pastoral connexions now existing in the four States of the old Eastern Diocese, —that of our venerable brother—or more properly, our venerable father, of Holderness, now borne down by the weight of years and infirmities, being one of the four, the third being in the Diocese of Rhode Island, of the Rev. Dr. Crocker, and the fourth in Massachusetts, of the Rev. Dr. Strong. It is superfluous to add, that this fact suggests an inference honorable alike to the pastor and the flock. I was glad to find here what I hope to see in all our Churches—a parish library, well selected and extensive.

Thus closes the account of my first visitation of the Churches of this Diocese, including all except Trinity Church, Holderness. Circumstances, needless to be mentioned, have prevented my visiting that Church hitherto. Providence favoring, I shall see it soon.

Oct. 28, 1844.-I received from the presiding Bishop the sentence of suspension pronounced by the House of Bishops against the Rt. Rev. Henry Ustick Onderdonk, and immediately communicated the same to the clergy of the Diocese.

Nov. 7.—I received from the Bishop of Delaware, notice of the displacement from the ministry of John V. E. Thorn.

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Jan. 17, 1845.-I received from the presiding Bishop the sentence of suspension pronounced by the Court of Bishops against the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Tredwell Onderdonk, and communicated the same to the clergy, ac; cording to canon.

Feb. 11.-1 received from the Bishop of Connecticut, notice of the displacement from the ministry of George A. Sterling; also, Feb. 21, from the Bishop of Kentucky, notice of the displacement from the ministry of Wm. McCallen.

March 22.-I attended at Woodstock, Vt., the funeral of the wife of my old and esteemed friend, the Rev. Joel Clapp, delivering a sermon on the solemn occasion.

March 30, being the first Sunday after Easter.-In Trinity Church, Claremont, I admitted to the holy order of Deacons Mr. Daniel Grosvenor Wright. The candidate was presented by the Rev. N. Sprague, who also delivered the sermon. Morning prayer was read by the Rev. O. H. Staples.

Mr. Isaac G. Hubbard has this day been admitted to the holy order of Deacons in your presence.

The whole number of persons confirmed is fifty-seven.

The following changes have occurred in our ministry: The Rev. Petrus S. Ten Broeck, the Rev. Moses B. Chase, and the Rev. Calvin Wolcott, have been transferred by letters dimissory to the Diocese of Massachusetts.

The Rev. Silas Blaisdale, the Rev. Darius R. Brewer, and the Rev. Newton E. Marble, have been received into this Diocese from that of Massachusetts.

The Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck having resigned the charge of St. Paul's Church, Concord, has been succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Brewer. The Rev. Mr. Wright has succeeded the Rev. Mr. Staples in charge of Cornish and Plainfield; and the Rev. Mr. Marble has taken charge of Christ Church, at the village of Salmon Falls.

We have one candidate for orders, Mr. Ezra Jones, who resides in Claremont.

I take pleasure in stating, that I find in our parishes generally flourishing Sunday Schools, which seem to be fostered by a pervading conviction of their exceeding importance as a means for forming the character of the young to piety and virtue. I trust my brethren will continue and increase their endeavors to render this department of pastoral care as efficient as possible and I take occasion to express a wish, that at my next visitation of the Churches, I may have an opportunity to meet the respective schools. In connexion with this subject, I feel constrained at least to glance at another. I refer to the formation of parish libraries, which I most earnestly and affectionately recommend to the immediate attention of all pastors and vestries and people. Its importance as an instrument of general cultivation to the mind, and especially of edification in the knowledge and obedience of Christ, including prominently the distinguishing principles

and usages of the Church, can hardly be over-rated. I have reason for saying, that among our people generally, there is a great and lamentable want of Church books-books that explain, and illustrate, and defend the doctrines, discipline and worship of the Church. There is no better way of supplying this want than by the formation of parish libraries, to the use of which your children may naturally rise from the more juvenile library of the Sunday School. Begin in a small way; collect a little money, and purchase a few choice books. After being once fairly begun, your library will increase to your great surprise.

It is a remarkable fact, and what I apprehend can be said of no other Diocese in our confederacy, that our Churches are all, without exception, supplied with pastors and regular ministrations. Brethren, what shall be done? Shall we sit down drowsy and indolent-and satisfied, if we can but keep our ground and maintain our border lines unmoved? No. We must raise funds; we must employ missionaries; we must put our minds, hearts and hands to the work, and act as missionaries ourselves-in our journies at every opportunity which the providence of God shall create for us. We must, in meekness and wisdom indeed, but with zeal, cast our precious seed abroad. The labor will find a blessing somewhere. We must organize new parishes: we must not be content with our present centres of holy and saving influence; we must multiply them. We must have more Churches; and to accomplish this so desirable multiplication, we must rely on ourselves and on our own means, and on nothing else but the blessing of the Lord of the Church. Without that, indeed, we can effect nothing; but if we do the work of our stewardship faithfully, we shall have that blessing by the surety of Heaven's most solemn promises. The Lord meets his laborers in the field of action. To the field, then, let us go-and what our hands there find to do, let us do with our might. I will heartily join you in any measures which may be brought to bear efficiently on this good work. The most difficult part is to obtain the funds. As an expedient for this purpose, I recommend the adoption of a canon, or a resolution by which it shall be made the duty of the Churches to take up a collection annually at Easter. I also recommend most earnestly and affectionately to all rectors and ministers of Churches, and to all parish officers, that they immediately take such measures as they, in the exercise of of a wise and liberal spirit, shall judge best adapted to the securing of funds for this sacred purpose,

In connexion with this topic, I think it proper to remark, that 1 regard it as a matter of the greatest importance to strengthen our present Churches by more fervent prayers, and by an increased activity in the use of all the appointed instruments of pastoral influence. Never Diocese more needed that its ordained bands "be instant in season and out of season." We have gained, and are now standing at a remarkable point. We are at the end of the beaten path, and must now turn back, or else with the weapons of our warfare newly edged and burnished, and with eyes of faith uplifted to heaven, we must hew out for ourselves. a way to other possessions. Whatever I can do to add strength to hearts and hands, as the Lord shall give me health, I will most gladly do, and will give as much of my time

among the Churches as my immediate connexion with a parish will in any way permit. It is my desire to be personally acquainted with every individual in my Diocese, old and young, which in so small a Diocese needs not be difficult. And I shall regard it as a favor if in this the clergy will give me their aid.

It is well known, that a Canon was passed at the last general Convention, providing for the introduction into the service of the Church of a new class of Deacons. The ordination of Deacons under that Canon is made dependent on a previous request from the diocesan Convention. Whether we need such a class here, you will judge. For myself, I see no demand. On the subject of the property belonging to the Church in this Diocese, the Committee appointed at our last Convention will lay before you a report. It has been found to be embarrassed with difficulties of great and perplexing magnitude, though not insurmountable. I trust the time is near, when these funds will be placed in a condition satisfactory to all concerned, and that the views of donors and contributors will be carried out in all respects. I respectfully recommend to the consideration of this Convention the practicability of organizing, under the general statute con. cerning religious societies, a body politic and corporate, that shall be capable of receiving, holding and managing this common property of the Church. Having, to our deep regret, failed of obtaining a charter from the State Legislature, this seems to suggest itself as the next resource.

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Brethren of the Clergy and Laity :

our acts.

I have detained you long-perhaps too long. I solicit your pardon for the trespass.-We are assembled in this earthly temple to deliberate and lay our humble counsels together concerning the affairs of a kingdom that is not of this world. It behoves us to take good heed to the spirit and the purpose, which, in the sight of our Master, give character to With faithful hearts let us throw ourselves on the mercies of him, without whom nothing is strong, nothing holy; seeking his direction, and submitting cheerfully to every indication of his will, Let us show ourselves good stewards of the manifold grace of God. As we have freely received, so let us freely give. If we are true to our duty, the Lord will be with us and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us. The friends of Christ and the Church will be multiplied, and our numerous household will be found "breaking forth on the right hand and on the left." Then will be heard that cheering word to a prosperous Zion-"En. large the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations-spare not-lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes." That in the lifetime of many here present, and as the fruit of their faithful labors, believers and Churches may be greatly multiplied in this jurisdiction, the Lord mercifully grant for the Redeemer's sake.

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Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire.

After its delivery, it was, on motion, unanimously resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be presented to the Rt. Rev.

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