have got through the Gospel of St. Luke, and as far as twenty chapters in that of St. Matthew.

Mr. Dunn has again been to see me, and was so kind as to remain with me several days. I was much worse after his first visit. For ten days, I expected twice in each day to breathe my last. It is only within a few days past that I have thought my recovery probable. I have now reached the twenty-seventh day of my confinement, but, much as I have suffered, dearest Hobart, I would not exchange my present situation to obliterate all that has passed in those days of bodily and mental anguish, and to be restored to perfect health again. Humility and resignation, and the blessed assurance that my numerous sins and transgressions are forgiven, have made my sick bed, a bed of roses, my pillow, the pillow of repose.

of

To have had you, my beloved friend, to soothe, to console, and guide my often sinking and wandering spirit, during this trial, would have been the first wish my heart. But a merciful God has provided me with some pious friends, on whose bosoms I have wept tears of indescribable joy. The happiest hours of my life have been spent in this darkened chamber.

My love to your family, dearest Hobart, and may ALMIGHTY GOD of his infinite mercy, unite us again in a world where we shall not be separated, either by our professions or our abodes.

Your affectionate,

C. F. M.'

The following, though of a more public nature, shows his watchful care over the interests of his flock.

Dear Sir,

TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TAYLOR,

'New-York, March 22, 1815.

I perceive, by the newspapers, that a bill is before the Legislature prohibiting clergymen from solemnizing marriages, except in the counties in which they reside.

Will you allow me to state to you the great inconveniences to which this provision of the law may subject Episcopalians. In many counties, where are Episcopalians, there is no Episcopal clergyman. The contemplated law would either compel them to travel a considerable distance, to the residence of an Episcopal clergyman, and thus deprive them of the gratification of being married at home, or debar them from the privilege of being married according to the rites of their own Church. Two cases where this hardship would have been felt have occurred within my knowledge. In the course of my visitations of the Episcopal congregations through the State, I have performed the marriage ceremony for two clergymen, one resident in Onondaga, and the other in Washington county. They were the only Episcopal clergymen in those counties, and, had the contemplated law been then in operation, they would have been compelled, either to forego the convenience and gratification of being married at home, and to travel a considerable distance to the residence of an Episcopal clergyman, or to receive marriage contrary to the order and solemnities of their own Church.

It may happen, also, that the church and residence of a clergyman is contiguous to one or more counties, in which reside many of his congregation. In this case a clergyman would be prohibited from going to the houses of some of his own parishioners in order to

solemnize marriage. This hardship would not affect Episcopalians alone. Indeed, the inconveniences generally, would be felt by all Christian societies who have not a clergyman in every county in the State. The Roman Catholic clergy of this city could not go to Westchester, where, as in many other counties, there is no Roman Catholic clergyman, to solemnize marriage for one of their own communion.

If the sole object of the contemplated provision is to secure the registry of marriages, could not this be done, by requiring all clergymen to have their marriages registered in the counties, respectively, in which they were celebrated.

Begging your indulgence for the liberty which I take of addressing to you these remarks, I remain, &c.

J. H. HOBART.'

Toward his old college President, Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith, he still retained those feelings of respectful kindness which should ever belong to that relation. But their relative position was now changed; the President, whose nod once was law, had sunk into age and poverty, while his warm-hearted pupil had risen into rank and influence. Among its grateful results was the ability it gave of befriending one to whom he owed a portion of that greatest debt which man can owe to man-the debt of a well-disciplined mind. The following letter made a request which, it is hardly necessary to add, was promptly and liberally answered.

Dear Sir,

FROM REV, DR SMITH.

'Princeton, June 23, 1815.

Your being at the head of one Church, and I a disabled minister in another, will not place such a distinction between us as to impair our friendship, or that of my former friend, Dr. Howe. I do not hold Christianity on such narrow grounds. I have been employing the irksome leisure of my indisposition in revising, and preparing for the press, a compendious view of the principles of natural and revealed religions, with the evidences of the latter; the substance of which has been many years used in the college to a small theological class. The principles of this system, though a moderate Calvinism reigns in two or three chapters, are such, I persuade myself, as will meet with the approbation of those gentlemen who accord with the “Christian Observer." The question of church government I entirely avoid.

Mr. Hamilton goes into your city to solicit subscriptions for this work. It is such, I presume, as to involve no interference with the principles of your Church. I cannot suppose that Mr. Hamilton's object will militate with any rule you may have thought proper to adopt on such subjects. I should be happy in any countenance you may think it decent to show to this gentleman, or to his object; but, whatever it may be, shall always, with the same cordiality, remain your friend,

And very respectfully,

Your most obedient, and

Most humble servant,

SAMUEL S. SMITH.'

CHAPTER XIV.

1815.-Et. 40.

Convention-Missionary Cause-Outcry against Bishop Hobart as an Enemy to Foreign Missions-Explanation--Oneida Indians—Mr. Williams-History-Bible and Common Prayer-book Societies 'Pastoral Charge' on the subject-Letter to Episcopalians-Charges against Bishop Hobart-Explanation.

THE Convention of this year continued to evince the fruits of the Bishop's well-ordered zeal. The number of clergy in the Diocese had already doubled during the four years of his episcopate, while the number of missionaries in it had more than quadrupled. Still, however, his zeal outran his success; and the wants of the wilderness' was a theme still uppermost in his heart and on his tongue.

'The missionaries,' says he, 'continue, as usual, faithful and diligent in their important work. It is impossible to appreciate too highly the importance of their exertions.' Nor were the laity wanting on their part.

There have been instances of individuals, possessing only moderate wealth, who have given the tenth, and the eighth part of their property to the building of churches, besides liberal contributions in the same proportion, to the support of the clergy. The congrega