EDITOR'S TABLE.

THE NEW JERSEY CASE.

It is much to be desired that whatever Bishops may assemble at the time last appointed for the ecclesiastical Court at Camden, will previously have sought the advice of good men, learned in the law, on the important question whether the Senior Bishop has not transcended his powers, in changing the time of meeting; and that they will first deliberate upon, and settle this point. It should be deliberated upon and settled independently of the parties litigant; and if counsel is heard, it should be other counsel than theirs; for the obvious reason that their motives might be liable to sus. picion. I cannot think that the agreement of the parties to let the trial go on should have any weight. This cannot give validity to acts which must be invalid, if the change of time was unlawful.

I am anxious to have this matter duly considered

and settled for three reasons.

actment and not by implication. This gives a bounda ry, clearly defined and unmistakable, and therefore safe. Overleap it, and get into the adjoining close of implied powers, and there is no telling whither it may lead. It is a field without fence or limit, stretching far off into the distance. The pasture is sweet, and invites onward. A taste of the rich red clover which is to be found there, is not apt to encourage a very strong desire to return to the stubble that has been left behind.

When the Bishops convene, the first question which will present itself will be-by what authority are we here? This question must be met and settled. It is true that the postponement was at the suggestion, not of the senior bishop, but of the Bishop of Michigan, and that Bishop Doane has waived all objection to the irregularity. So much the better. The case thus presents itself in a light favorable to calm and judi1. Because I think the technicalities, restrictions, cious consideration. It comes up as an abstract proand rules, which have been devised for controlling ju- position, disconnected altogether with any real or supdicial proceedings, ought to be respected and observed, posed intentional exercise of arbitrary power. The as means established by wise and good men for keep-postponement was simply the result of mistake, ing straight and pure the stream of judicial action; for meeting that very obvious tendency of human nature, whereby prosecutors, and prosecutors' counsel, almost always have unconscious of it as they may be-the desire of pride, of consistency, and of yearning for success, that conviction and punishment be secured, if efforts can secure them; and also for preventing the escape of the really guilty.

2. Because of the stern fact, which all history, not excepting that of our own age and nation, establishes, that ecclesiastical courts ought especially to be thus hemmed in, and kept in order.

3. Because it behooves us of the American Church to guard against any subtle change that may come over the principles and policy of our organization, by allowing power to accumulate irregularly in the hands of the Senior Bishop; sometimes improperly called the Presiding Bishop of our Church. We have no such officer.

*

We give above a short article sent us by one of our correspondents, which, as it expresses our views upon the New-Jersey case, we have put in the Editor's Table. We have been unable to discover any authority vesting in the Senior Bishop the power to change the time for the meeting of the Court of Bishops, from that for which it was originally summoned. We think, as a general rule, that the best interests of all parties are subserved by giving a strict construction to all laws, whether statutory or canonical, which vest power and authority in individuals or public bodies. They should take such power as is expressly granted them, and no more. What they receive should be by positive en

prompted by no ulterior design. This will free the consideration of the subject from everything personal in its nature; but it may, perhaps, induce some of the Bishops to overlook it as unimportant. It must, however, be remembered that it may be invoked at some future time as a precedent, and there may be evolved from it high, though erroneous ideas of the preroga tives and powers of the Senior Bishop. The act of postponement, in the present instance, considered merely by itself and in its immediate consequences, may be of but little moment; and the cause of justice, in the particular case, may not suffer by its exercise. We might admit not only that the postponement was a mere error of judgment, and that the rights of Bishop Doane will not be injuriously affected by it, but also that a decision that the Court is not legally convened will occasion delay and serious inconvenience to many of the members. These considerations, however, must give way to principle. The words of wisdom which Shakspeare puts into the mouth of Portia may not be inaptly quoted.

The Jew was demanding, with a savage and fero-
cious exultation, the "penalty and forfeit of the bond."
Indignant at the fiendlike joy with which, in anticipa-
tion, he gloated over the "pound of flesh cut off near-
est the merchant's heart," Bassanio thus appeals to
Portia, disguised and acting as a Judge:
"I beseech you.
Wrest once the law to your authority:
To do a great right, do a little wrong,
And curb this cruel devil of his will."
To which Portia thus replies:

"It must not be. There is no power in Venice
Can alter a decree established:
'Twill be recorded for a precedent,
And many an error, by the same example,
Will rush into the state. It cannot be."

"Resolved, That the thanks of the Clergy of Rhode Island be rendered to the Right Rev. Bishops Doane, Southgate, and Williams, for their kind fraternal services in officiating at the funeral solemnities of their late brother in the Episcopate, our beloved Bishop. Resolved, That the thanks of the Clergy of this Diocese be rendered to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Williams, Assistant Bishop of Connecticut, and to the Rev. Dr. Atkinson, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Baltimore, for their Sermons preached at the funeral services of Bishop Henshaw, by the former in Providence, and by the latter in Baltimore; and that these gentlemen be requested to furnish copies of their Sermons for the

"Rasolved, That one thousand copies of the Sermons be published, one hundred for the family of the late Bishop Henshaw, one hundred each for Bishop Williams and Rev. Dr. Atkinson, and the remaining seven hundred to be distributed among the Clergy and Parishes in the Diocese."

THE RIGHT REV. JOHN PRENTISS KEWLEY HENSHAW, D. D., Bishop of Rhode Island, whose death we could but briefly record as our last number was going to press, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, June 13, 1792. He graduated A. B. at Middlebury College, Vermont, at the age of 16. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Griswold, in St. Michael's Church, Bristol, Rhode Island, on Trinity Sunday, June 13, 1813; and immediately entered on the pastoral charge of St. Michael's Church, Marblehead, Massachusetts. In a few months, he removed to the charge of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, New-York, in which he was ordained Priest by Bishop Hobart, June 13, 1816. In 1817 he became Rector of St. Peter's Church, Balti-press. more; where he continued until 1843, in the faithful and useful discharge of the pastoral functious, in the full enjoyment of the affection and confidence of his people, and taking an active part in the concerns of the Diocese, and of the Church at large. He was particularly devoted to the cause of Missions. He was a Deputy from Maryland to all the General Conventions, except three, from 1820 to 1841, both inclusive. In 1843 he was elected Bishop of Rhode Island, and Rector of Grace Church, Providence, in that Diocese. His consecration to the episcopate took place in St. John's Church, Providence, on Friday, August 11, "Resolved, That we recognize in this melancholy 1843. The consecrators were Bishops Brownell, event the hand of a wise and merciful Providence, and Benjamin T. Onderdonk, Hopkins, Doane, Whitting-bow in humble submission to the chastening rod that ham, and Johns. Bishop Henshaw was himself a conhas so severely afflicted us, and deeply sympathize secrator in the cases of Bishops Southgate, Burgess, with our brethren in a visitation that has suddenly de and Williams. He was the third occupant of the Seeprived this Church of its beloved and revered head, of Rhode Island; and the first who held it as his only and the Church at large of a learned prelate and judiSee; his predecessors having been Samuel Seabury, cious counsellor. who held it in connection with Connecticut-conse. crated November 14, 1784-died February 25, 1796; and Alexander Viets Griswold, who held it in connection with other New-England Dioceses, in a confede ration known as the Eastern Diocese-consecrated May 29, 1811-died February 15, 1843.

As stated in our last, Bishop Henshaw, at the time of his death, which occurred on the 20th of July, was visiting officially a portion of the Diocese of Maryland, at the request of Bishop Whittingham, who had gone abroad for his health. We find we were in error in saying that he died in a few minutes after an attack of apoplexy, in a carriage in which he was riding. It now appears that, although he had symptoms in the carriage, which occasioned some anxiety, he retired to rest on the night of the 19th, without any apprehensions being excited by his case. He experienced a paralytic attack in his right side about 4 A. M., of the 20th, and expired at about 1 P. M. His was the second death in our House of Bishops in less than one month; Bishop Gadsden having died June 25th.

The funeral took place at Providence, on the 26th of July.

The estimation in which Bishop Henshaw was held by those who best knew him, will appear from the following proceedings, published in the papers of the day:

"Immediately after the funeral solemnities, the Clergy of the Diocese present assembled at the house of G. C. Nightingale, Esq., (son-in-law of the Bishop,) and unanimously adopted the following resolutions:

"Resolved, That in testimony of our filial regard to the memory of our late beloved Diocesan, it be recommended that the Clergy of this Diocese wear upon the left arm the usual badge of mourning, and a rosette of black crape upon the left shoulder of the surplice during divine service for a period of thirty days.

"Resolved, That the Vestries of the several Parishes in the State, be requested to have the Chancels of the several Churches dressed in mourning for the above period of time.

At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Rhode Island, specially convened in Providence on occasion of the death of our Diocesan, the Right Rev. John P. K. Henshaw, D.D., July 26, 1852, it was unanimously

"Resolved, That we shall ever hold in grateful and affectionate remembrance the christian courtesy and kindly confidence that has ever characterized the intercourse of our late Diocesan with this Committee, and also his many private virtues, and able and efficient of the Diocese have been successfully promoted and public ministrations, by which the harmony and interests sustained.

"Resolved, That we tender our affectionate condolences to the widow and children of the deceased in their afflictive bereavement, and pray that the God of all consolation may lift up the light of his countenance upon them, and give them peace.

Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with the bereaved parish who by this mournful event have been deprived of both a Bishop and a Pastor, and trust that his faithful ministrations and godly counsels among them will be affectionately cherished as a rich legacy, and be an enduring memorial of his christian virtues and pastoral fidelity.

"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, signed by the President and Secretary, be sent to the family of the deceased, and to the presiding Bishop, and be published in the daily papers of this State, and in the Christian Witness.

"THOMAS BURGESS,

"GEORGE TAFT,
"President pro tem.

28

To SUBSCRIBERS.-With the present number we the meeting on the decease of the Rt. Rev. J. P. K. / again send out bills to those subscribers who are still Henshaw, D.D., late Bishop of Rhode Island. "Thereupon, the following persons were chosen the indebted to the office. We are sorry to be compelled

Committee:

Rt. Rev. Bishop Doane, of New Jersey.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Southgate, of Massachusetts.
Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D., of New York.
Rev. Robert A. Hallam, of Connecticut.

Rev. Richard Newton, D.D., of Pennsylvania.
Rev. David Pise, of Tennessee, and
Rev. Henry Waterman,

Rev. Silas A. Crane, and of Rhode Island,
Rev. Benjamin Watson,

to remind them that they are in arrears, for we dislike
anything which has the appearance, even, of a dun.
But duty to ourselves and our magazine compels us,
however reluctantly, once more to call their attention
Most of our subscribers remit to us
to the subject.
promptly at the cominencement of the year, according
to the terms of our publication, and thus aid as in meet-
ing the engagements which we on our part must as-
sume. But a large number are forgetful of our claims.
The sum is small, and its importance, therefore, is apt
to be under-estimated. The amount of one subscrip-
tion is small, very small; but when it is multiplied by
1,000, it becomes a very respectable member of the

"The Committee reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: "WHEREAS, it has pleased Almighty God, in His divine and inscrutable providence, to remove from this world the soul of our beloved father and brother in Christ, the Right Rev. JOHN PRENTISS KEWLEY HENSHAW, D.D., Bishop of Rhode Island, therefore "Resolved 1st, That while we bow in devout sub-family of figures. If each one of the 1,000 subscribers mission to the divine will, we deeply feel the loss sustained by our whole Communion in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, by the with drawal from its ministry of one so zealous and devoted, so influential and efficient, in the promotion of the Gospel in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resolved 2d, That in his death we especially deplore the loss to the missionary work, at home and abroad, of one of its most efficient supporters, wisest counsellors, and most eloquent advocates and de

fenders.

"Resolved 3d, That in the steady growth of the Church in the Diocese of Rhode Island during his Episcopate, and in its present high degree of prosperity, we recognize the noblest monument of his ability as a man, and his faithfulness as a Bishop.

"Resolved 4th, That while our hearts are deeply touched by the departure of our beloved father and brother from this life, at a distance from his home and from his flock, while administering the Diocese of Maryland, in the absence of its Bishop for the recovery of his health, we feel the beautiful propriety with which his ministry was closed upon the field of service, which, for more than a quarter of a century, he had distinguished by his talents, adorned by his piety, and advanced by his labors and his prayers.

"Resolved 5th, That we deeply sympathize with the parish over which the departed Bishop presided as Rector, in the loss of a pastor who so faithfully and successfully ministered to them in holy things.

"Resolved 6th, That we tender our hearty condolence to the afflicted widow and family of the late Bishop, and commend them to the grace of Him who alone can effectually heal the wounded heart.

"Voted, That the foregoing preamble and resolu-
tions, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the
meeting, be transmitted to the afflicted family of the
deceased, to the Wardens and Vestry of Grace Church,
to the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Rhode
Island, and to the Ecclesiastical authority of the Dio-
cese of Maryland.
"G. W. DOANE,
"Chairman.

"HOBART WILLIAMS,
"Secretary."

(we do not speak figuratively) who has not yet put
himself in communication with our medium, (the U.
S. Mail,) and set his little $2-bill skipping towards our
office, had been more punctual, he would have saved
us from the necessity of this rapping, and, what is of
more consequence, would have furnished us wind
enough to keep our sails full, without requiring us to
test, to no inconsiderable extent, the capacity of our
private bellows. We, therefore, request you, reader,
if you are one of the forgetful ones, to be forgetful no
longer, but to remit the amount you owe without fur.
ther delay. We need all our outstanding dues. We
have spared no expense about our magazine which
our means would justify, and the obligations we have
laid ourselves under have been based in part upon
what we should receive from you. Are we wrong,
then, in the assurance which we feel, that you will at
once respond to our call?

Our circulation, you know, is necessarily limited. We make no appeals to a depraved popular taste, which finds its enjoyment in that unnatural stimulus bow and smile at that spurious liberality which stretchwhich enervates while it excites. Neither do we es out the right hand of fellowship to all men--who are of its own way of thinking. Ours is a CHURCH MAGAZINE, and its circulation confined mostly to Episcopalians. Therefore, as we before said, it is limited, and for that very reason the greater is the necessity that those to whom it looks for support should see that it be given in such way as will be the most available. Nothing, we beg you to remember, is more effectual to this end than prompt and early payments. Having now said our say, we take our leave, hoping to hear from you very soon.

PSALM AND HYMN INDEX.

BOOK TABLE.

One who has had pastoral experience in the Church for forty years, begs to express the great pleasure he has experienced in lately seeing a neat octavo volume of 207 pages, entitled "The Selection of Psalms and Hymns in use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, alphabetically arranged in lines: By which any Psalm or Hymn may be found on reference to any line contained therein. Arranged by Octavius Longworth." Williamsburgh, N. Y. : Octavius Longworth. New-York: Orville A. Roor. back.

the soldier, but while humanity wept over the bloody fields, it also, as far as might be, by its kindly offices, "smoothed the wrinkled front of war." The position which the subject of the biography now occupies before the public, will give to this volume an additional interest. It may be had of Bunnell & Price, 121 Ful

ton-street.

LITTLE PEDLINGTON AND THE PEDLINGTONIANS. By John Poole, Esq., author of Paul Pry, &c., &c. 2 vols. 1852.

A book of much humor and penetration. It serves As indicated by the title, any of the Selections of up in a truly artistic way the small vices and defects Metre Psalms, or any of the Hymns, can be found, if to be found in small villages, where everybody makes any one line is remembered. The occasions have every other body's business his own, and a thousand been very numerous in my own experience and obser- "Salanders" are constantly at work in a small way, vation, when such a guide would be a great accommo- nicking small fragments out of each others' very small dation. A clergyman, in his study or vestry-room, characters. The author expected to find in "Little must often feel it. The volume, therefore, ought to be Pedlington" a perfect El Dorado of contentment, hapin every such study and vestry-room. The portion to be piness, and the homely virtues, but only realized that sung in Church too often fails of being announced with human nature is human nature still, and that Little sufficient distinctness, although a line read may be Pedlington was far from giving form and shape to those recognized. If this volume is in the pew, the portion ideas of a terrestrial paradise which we are apt to conmay be found. In domestic or social sacred music,nect with the unsophisticated simplicity of the "Rural this guide may often lead to a desired favorite Psalm Districts." It forms one of Appleton's Popular Lior Hymn; and so it may in the retirement of private brary of the best authors. meditation and devotion. Let it then be in the family, and in the closet of prayer. The compiler suggests an idea of great solemnity and interest, which the observation and recollection of many will inforce, when he says, Who that has witnessed does not know with what delight the sick, the afflicted, and the dying, seize upon detached portions of the Psalms and Hymns, in which to offer their prayer or praise, or to give utterance to their sentiments? Such a manual, then, becomes valuable to the sick room." [Com.]

16

THE HUDSON, illustrated with Pen and Pencil; comprising sketches local and legendary, of its several places of interest, together with the Route to Niagara Falls; forming a companion for the pleasure tourist. New-York: T. W. Strong. 1852.

A handsomely got up pamphlet, containing spirited wood-cuts of most of the places of note or interest on the Hudson River. The letter-press is descriptive of the scenery, and is interspersed with numerous revolutionary and other incidents connected with the lo

LIFE AND SERVICES OF GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. By Edward D. Mansfield, Esq., author of Historycalities on the river. It will serve as a very intelliof the Mexican War. With Engravings. New-gent guide and agreeable companion to those who York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 1852. pass up and down the Hudson, and who desire to possess themselves of information of what they see.

The career of General Scott has been so identified with the affairs of the country, that his biography is, to a very great extent, the history of the later years of the U. S. The present volume sketches his eventful life from his earliest days to the present time. It details his brilliant achievements during the last war on the northern frontier, at the battles of Queenstown,

Chippewa, and Niagara; his successful negotiations with the Indian tribes of Sacs and Foxes; his connection with the South Carolina question in 1832-3; his conduct of the Seminole War; the part he took in the peaceable settlement of the questions growing out of the north-eastern boundary; and his splendid and triumphal march into Mexico. With such material, the book could not fail to be eminently interesting. One of the most attractive traits in Scott's character, as illustrated in the present volume, is his humanity. Notwithstanding the scenes of bloodshed and horrors of battle with which he had become so familiar, the finer sensibilities of his nature appear to have retained all their freshness and vigor. The man was not lost in

* Since the General Convention of 1844, this is the proper title; calling them Psalms is an irregularity.

At Burlington College, the Anniversary of Ameripriate Exercises. Bishop Doane takes advantage of can Independence is always celebrated with approthe occasion to instil into the minds of the pupils, just views of their duties and responsibilities as citizens of this republic. The present oration is a brief but wise exposition of the duty this country owes to other nations, and of the mode by which that duty is to be accomplished. He deprecates anything like active intervention. The intervention he inculcates is the influence of our example, and of our institutions. We should so take care of our own affairs, so exalt our character as a nation, so use the great blessing of freedom which we enjoy, that other nations, less favored than we, may draw hope and courage from our history and example. The oration, though short, is full of force and meaning, and strongly inculcates the great fact that nations, like individuals, must be governed by the precepts of Christianity.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Virginia—July 16. Rev. Benjamin B. Leacocke.
Western New-York-July 2. Rev. Laurence Sterne
Stevens, Rev. Julius Sylvester Townsend, Rev.

Osgood Eaton Herrick, Rev. Daniel Frederick South Carolina-July 14. Church of the Holy Cross, Warren, Rev. John A. Jerome.

Connecticut-June 29. Benjamin H. Paddock, A. B.
Mississippi-July 25. John Philson.
Ohio-August 1. D. Risser, D. C. Mayben, M. D., J.

E. Pattison, M. D., M. R. Jukes, C. S. Doolittle.
Pennsylvania-July 11. Aaron Christman,
South Carolina-July 7. Edward Edmund Bellinger.
Virginia-July 16. Addison B. Atkins, William H.

Brooks, Robert A. Castleman. J. William Chesley, John M. Chevers, T. F. Martin, Archibald N. Morrison, Jos. A Russell, Hugh R. Scott. Western New-York-July 2. Joseph Morrison Clarke, William Paret, Charles Wells Hayes, James Andrew Robinson.

CONSECRATION OF CHURCHES.

Maryland-July 8. St. George's Church, Spesutia,

Harford County.
Pennsylvania-July 13. St. Mark's Church, Mauch
Chunk.

South Carolina-July 14. Church of the Holy Cross,
Claremont.