the two theologies, natural and revealed. They contain a deal of sound argument and solid instruction. We can stay to notice but one point. Atheists have been wont to assert the possibility of an infinite series of beings in the world. Metaphysic theology has striven hard to convict this notion of absurdity, but in vain. The notion is smashed up at once by the stern tread of geologic fact. The earth is a vast graveyard of beings which at a certain time were not, and of others which at a certain time began to be. There is not a species of plant or animal now living, that dates beyond the third great geologic period. Each of the extinct groups had a beginning and an end: there is not in the wide field of science a more certain fact; and every species of the group that now exists had in like manner their beginning. So that the infinite series of the atheist can have no place in science; the speculation dies under its touch.

READERS' EXCHANGE.

In the early days of the Church at Greenfield, Massachusetts, there were a great many laughable incidents, which still live there by tradition. The late Dr. A. F. Stone was the leading layman, and much of the Yankee wit spent its shafts on him. While they were preparing to dress the church for Christmas, an old farmer stopped his wagon to inquire, "Doctor, what ye duin' with all them bushes? what ye got that stuff here for?" That is laurel, we are going to put it up in our church.” “Humph! p'r'aps it won't hurt you. We call it lamb-kill; it poisons the sheep, but I dun'no as it will hurt goats!"

Another plain man, a patient of Dr. Stone's, asked him one day, "why do ye keep a feast at your church for old Queen Easther." The Doctor explained, there was no feast kept for Queen Esther; his patient probably meant to speak of Easter Sunday-which they had just kept. "Easter" meant rising, and was kept in memory of our Saviour's resurrection. But the explanation did no good. "I know better'n that-I know ye do keep a feast for old Queen Easther. What d'ye do it for?"

The population of that vicinity certainly was not, at that day, very well prepared to receive the Church, so far as ecclesiastical learning went. If another story, which used to be told of a neighbouring "deacon" is true, the schoolmaster was abroad in some other departments also. This "deacon" was of the Congregational stripe, and in one of his greatest efforts began a "prayer" (which was certainly extemporaneous) thus: "Oh! thou Allsufficient, Self-sufficient, and In-sufficient," &c., &c. But that was before Noah Webster had published his folio dictionary.

THE CHURCH AT HOME.

THE PROSPECT of a Theological Institute in the Diocese of Vermont appears to be brightening. The Bishop, in his late address to the Convention, informs

us that the sum of $12,225 has been paid, and thereby 100 acres of land, with the buildings, all secured as the property of the Church, without any incumbrance. That at a meeting of the Trustees in March, he laid before them a report, together with a plan for the proposed Seminary building, which was adopted. That a resolution was passed, accepting the legacy of Dr. Willoughby; and that the Rev. A. H. Bailey was elected as the first Profes sor on the Willoughby foundation, and had accepted the office. The Bishop closes his remarks on the subject thus:

But we must remember, my beloved brethren, that what has been done, in the last two years, is only the beginning of that better era of Church progress, which it will require long and peseverring effort, under the favouring hand of God, to bring to the proper consummation. True, indeed, it is, that my first plan of raising $15,000 has been so prospered, that we have now secured more than $30,000. True, that instead of merely adding to the residence of your Bishop sufficient room to commence in a very humble way the work of theolog ical instruction, we are now able to contemplate a distinct edifice, large enough to accommodate our resident Professor and students, and also a school for boys, on a beautiful location of their own. True, that instead of hoping that our brethren in the large cities would sympathize with our wants and aid our efforts, we have now had positive proof of their generous liberality. All this, thank God!is true. But it is likewise true, that the solid pro-perity of the work demands much more to make it what it ought to be. The labour already accomplished must be our stimulus to greater labours, until the object is fully attained. And I must frankly say, for myself, what I am sure will meet with a cordial response from the Church at large, that our past success is the best possible argument for renewed zeal, and more strenuous exertion.

THE COLLEGE of St. James, Maryland, is likely to be a gainer by its late fiery calamity; as appears by the following from the Baltimore County Advo

cate:

We understand that the site of the College has now been fixed-a farm near the Northern Central Railroad, some twenty miles from Baltimore, belonging to the estate of the late John Anderson, deceased, having been selected and purchased for that purpose. The farm contains 138 acres, high and rolling on the eastern side of the railroad, a short distance above the Phoenix Factory, adjoining lands of Henry Carroll, Abraham Miles, Levi A. Slade, and others. The location of the College at this place will conduce to the improvement of this portion of the country, and will no doubt increase the value of property in the neighborhood.

THE REV. MR. BRECK, our heroic missionary among the Indians of Minnesota, has been experiencing great troubles. The withdrawal of the Govern ment troops from Fort Ripley led to an outbreak among the Chippewas, in consequence of which he was forced to abandon the mission. The facts are thus given by a correspondent of the St. Paul Democrat of July 19:

Mr. Breck has two stations, one at Gull Lake (called St. Columba), about 20 miles from Fort Ripley, and 14 from the Agency. This, in a very flourishing condition, was last year placed by Mr. Breck under the care of Rev. E. S. Peake, while he himself went forward 60 miles, and at Leech Lake established a second mission-built houses, commenced farming, gardening, &c., and opened a school for Indian children, and had daily public worship in a chapel. He had already an important establishment.

Ever since the abandonment of Fort Ripley, however, the Indians about Mr. Breck bave put on an air of insolence and bravado; the chief, and the parents of the scholars, professing friendliness, but declaring themselves unable to con trol or resist the "braves." They supply themselves with whiskey.

The sequel has been, that in repeated visits, drunken squads of Indians have demanded whatever they fancied in the mission house-have shot down cattle in the yard, and poultry, and held feasts on them in sight-have threatened the life of the missionary—and left him no alternative but to flee at night with his household, and such effects as were most valuable, towards Fort Ripley, where

he how is. Two or three men were left at the mission to protect the residue. Some teams were met going up with provisions for settlers beyond, to be deposited for them at the mission, and to bring away those left behind. No word has been received from there. These events, if they shall secure the restoration of military protection to our frontier, will neither daunt the heroic missionary, nor lessen sympathy in his great enterprise. For the present his work at the new mission has been suspended-and he will be among us in a few days. How far the old station may be safe, under these circumstances, may be questioned.

THE JOURNAL of the Tennessee Convention gives the following statistics : Number of parishes, 17; of clergy. 17; of baptisms, 236; of confirmations, 82; of communicants, 914; of S. S. Teachers, 76; of scholars, 494; of candidates for Orders, 5. The contributions are estimated at $9,891.

THE JOURNAL of the Kentucky Convention furnishes the following figures: 26 clergymen, 23 parishes, 469 baptisms, 223 confirmations, 1,518 communicants,; of Sunday Schools, 269 teachers, and 2,109 scholars; of Parish schools, 23 teachers, and 436 scholars: two candidates for Orders; one priest and one deacon ordained; and $23,172 contributed. Well done!

THE JOURNAL of the Missouri Convention, though not giving complete returns, supplies encouraging statistics: Parishes, 25; clergy, 24; baptisms, 227; confirmations, 161; communicants, 981; ordinations, 1; S. S. teachers, 99; scholars, 685; offerings, $10,345.

THE JOURNAL of the Ohio Convention reports the following results for the year: Parishes, 89; clergy, 84; baptisms, 691; confirmations, 325; communicants, 5,117; S. S. Teachers, 609; scholars, 4,288; contributions, $46,891, exclusive of salaries. The Bishop's address reports 3 priests and 9 deacons ordained, and 7 candidates for Orders.

ORDINATIONS.-June 20th, at Somerville, South Carolina, the Rev. P. G. Jenkins to the Priesthood. Also, July 20th, at Bluffton, Beaufort District, Mr. J. M. Green to the Deaconate.-July 12th, at Newark, Delaware, Mr. Thomas M. Martin to the Deaconate.-July 19th, at Jubilee College, Illinois; Mr. J. R. West to the Deaconate.-July 21st, in Grace church, Boston, Mass., the Rev. J. A. Penniman to the Priesthood.-July 26th, in Christ church, Delaware City, Delaware, the Rev. W. H. D. Hatton to the Priesthood.— July 26th, at Danville, Penn., Messrs. Hurley Baldy and J. W. Goughler to the Deaconate.-July 28th, in St. John's church, Essex, New York, the Rev. J. N. Fairbanks to the Priesthood.

CONSECRATIONS.-June 25th, St. Luke's church, Ypsilanti, Michigan.-June 28th, a new church at Joliet, Illinois. Also, July 1st, St. Peter's church, at Sycamore. June 20th, a new church at Somerville, South Carolina. Also, July 19th, the church of the Cross, at Bluffton. July 16th, Grace church, Orange, New Jersey.-July 17th, St. Paul's church, Montrose, Pennsylvania.-July 19th, the burial ground of Jubilee College, Illinois. July 21st, St. Paul's chapel, Windham, New York.-August 6th, St. John's chapel, Beltsville, Maryland.

THE CHURCH ABROAD.

THE CANTERBURY CONVOCATION has again been in working session. The meeting was on Friday, July 10th, with a good attendance in both Houses, Though little was done beyond receiving the reports of committees, much substantial gain was effected in the way of counsel and agreement as to what ought to be done.

In the Upper House, the Bishop of Oxford brought up the report touching

missions at home and abroad. A brief digest of the report is all we can give That the home missions be organized under the Bishops, and such of the clergy and laity as will cooperate with them in ascertaining and relieving the spiritual wants of the Dioceses. That clergymen having special gifts for influencing those now estranged from religion be sought out, and put to work in temporary buildings, till flocks are gathered for churches. That when the parish church is not large enough for the people, there should be extra services open to all, and, if need be, the missionary clergymen called in to aid those of the parishes. That the deans and canons of cathedrals shall consider how they may assemble the working classes for short services, and sermons from preachers specially qualified to reach them; and that, instead of their set discourses, the clergy use such plain expositions of Scripture and appeals to the conscience as may be easily understood by all. That the parochial clergy urge upon the people, at least twice a year, the duty of promoting religion at home and abroad; and that there be two collections, one for the home work, and the other for the foreign. That there be some system adopted whereby aged or disabled incumbents may retire from their livings on pensions, and their place supplied by men of working vigour; and that to this end there be a thorough revision of the enactments touching simony. The report lies over for the next meeting.

The Bishop of Oxford also presented a petition signed by clergymen of all parties, praying for some change in the laws of discipline. That the burial service is forbidden by rubric to be used for any one excommunicate. That by the 68th canon of 1603 a clergyman is to be suspended for three months, who shall refuse to bury any corpse, unless the person have died excommunicate. That, from the difficulty of obtaining sentence, persons living in open and notorious sin are scarce ever presented. That a royal license be granted to deliberate on a repeal or modification of said canon, so as to remove this grievance.

In the Lower House, Archdeacon Bickersteth brought up the report touching missions, agreeing in the main with that of the Bishops, but adding vari ous other proposals. That there be an increase of the Episcopate, and a provision for aged and disabled Bishops; also for coadjutor Bishops. That the Deaconate be extended, so as to mark more distinctly between that order and the Priesthood. That men be selected for the ministry more for their moral and religious character, and their power of influencing others, than for scho lastic acquirements; and that there is needed a more specific and systematic training for the pastoral office. That lay agency be called more and more into the practical work of the Church; and that there be a larger use of the services of Christian women of every rank, as visitors and nurses.

The report also takes up the subject of church-building, and recommends the building of churches of a more simple and inexpensive kind. Chapels costing not more than one pound a sitting are desired for the mining and manufacturing districts. Special services and catechizings for children and more frequent confirmations are recommended. Parliamentary grants for education are thankfully acknowledged, but the increase of schools and schoolmasters will not compensate for the want of increased spiritual agency. The retention of the young in Sunday classes, and the general establishment of evening schools and classes under the personal direction of the clergy, are specified as important. The poverty of a very large number of benefices is then mentioned with regret, and the necessity of better provision in this respect is urged.

As to foreign missions, the report speaks of the great extent of the field, especially in the Colonies. Thankfulness is expressed for the agency of various Societies, and the development of the colonial episcopate. Missionary as sociations ought to be formed in every parish at home, the choice of the

instrumentality to be left to each several parish. The episcopate abroad should be extended, and the universities are urged to give increased facilities and encouragement to those who may be willing to devote themselves to missionary work. It is further suggested that the funds of the various diocesan, archdeaconal and other charities, for the sons and orphans of clergy, might be usefully employedin providing exhibitions for missionary colleges.

Dr. Wordsworth brought up the report on Diocesan Synods. That the well-being of the Church greatly depends on the hearty coöperation of clergy and laity. That the primary elements of this cooperation may be found in parish vestries. That rural deaneries might facilitate the lay cooperation, if churchwardens and synodsmen of parishes, and perhaps other laymen, were invited by the rural dean to confer with the clergy on subjects previously proposed. In regard to archdeaconal visitations, we have the following:

The Committee feel persuaded that these visitations afford valuable opportunity for obtaining the cooperation of the clergy and laity, and for promoting the practical efficiency of the Church. The churchwardens are legally the lay representatives of the several parishes of the archdeaconry, and are cited as such to the visitations. The synodsmen also are by the 90th canon recognized officers of the Church, whose duty it is to assist the churchwardens. Everything therefore, ought to be done to increase the efficiency of these officers, and to strengthen the bonds of union which connect the clergy with them. It may be hoped that if, as occasion might require, they were called into consultation with the clergy at these visitations, they would be stimulated in their efforts to do their duty; and the office of churchwardens would be raised in public esteem, and would be sought by earnest and zealous laymen, to the benefit of religion, and to the promotion of charity and union. The Committee take for granted that the conferences at these synodical visitations would be limited to questions concerning the practical efficiency of the Church, especially wi hin the archdeaconry; and that no question of purely doctrinal character would be submitted for discussion.

As to Episcopal visitations, the report, after mentioning that there are 21 Dioceses in the Province, continues thus:

The average number of the clergy in each of these dioceses is not less than 650, and the churchwardens probably amount to more than 900, on an average, in each diocese. In most dioceses the bishop's visitation takes place only once in three years, archdeaconal visitation being held in the two intermediate years. Your Committee gratefully recognize the benefits at present arising from the meetings of the churchwardens, together with the clergy, at the visitations of the bishops; and they see in those visitations the basis of arrangements which might, if strengthened and amplified, be made available for the consultation and cooperation of the laity with the clergy of the diocese, under the presidency of the bishop. But they would further express their earnest desire that, by a subdivision of dioceses, the clergy and laity of every diocese might be enabled to meet under the presidency of their bishop, and be associated with one another, uuder his parental authority, in the cathedral church of the diocese, for mutual counsel and edification, and for Christian fellowship in the offices of religion.

Various other questions, some of them highly important, were more or less agitated; but the above may suffice by way of indicating the spirit and direction of the movement. We must notice, however, that Canon Selwyn represented as a grievance, " that measures of great importance, affecting not only the property but the discipline of the Church, are proposed and enacted in Parliament, without being previously communicated to the clergy in Convocation." He also moved, "That a Committee be appointed to consider what was the ancient course of legislation in ecclesiastical affairs; and what are the rights and privileges of the clergy in Convocation in this respect, by the Constitution of this Realm; and to report to this House."

A NEW DIVORCE BILL has for some time been pending in Parliament, one