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yonder; it is but faint before you who outdo the example; whatsoever Judas and the rest did to the man Christ Jesus, you attempt on God, you invade heaven, sentence, crucify Divinity itself.-ALLES

TREE.

THE AGONY.

From Bishop HALL, altered by GLASSE.

Now the Saviour of mankind is entering into a dark cloud of anguish-"He began to be sorrowful, and very heavy." Many anxious thoughts for those whom he came to redeem, had on former occasions been subdued by his divine fortitude; at last, his grief is too great to be concealed"My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." Blessed Lord, what must thou have felt, at the moment of thy complaining? Feeble minds are apt to be moan themselves on slight occasions but that grief must needs be violent, which causes a strong heart to break forth into passionate lamentation. Alas! what a word is this for thee, the Son of God, to utter! Where is that Comforter, whom thou didst promise to send to others? Where is thine eternal Father, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, in whose presence is the fulness of joy, and at whose right hand there is pleasure for evermore? Where is thine undaunted resolution, that thou wouldst walk through the valley of the shadow of death without fear? O Lord, thou couldst not thus have suffered, had not the face of thy God been for a while withdrawn from thee, that thou mightest tread the wine-press alone. It was night, as in the material world, so in thy soul. It was the hardest portion of thy misery, that thou wert disconsolate.

But to whom dost thou reveal thy sorrows, O Saviour of mankind? Wretched is he who must unbosom himself to his inferiors. Had Peter, or James, or John uttered such a lamentation to thee, they would at once have found rest to their souls-thou wouldst have been both ready to show compassion and able to afford relief. But now, while thou makest thy lamentation to them, what issue dost thou expect? They might be astonished and filled with horror at thy grief, but they had no power to give thee assistance, or even to mitigate, while they shared thy woe. Indeed, what could all the angels of heaven, as of themselves, do to succour thee? What strength could they have, but from thee? What creature can help, when thou complainest ?

The venerable Simeon prophesied to thy blessed mother, that a sword should pierce through her soul. How many swords in one moment pierced through

thine, when thou cricdst out, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death ?" It was not thy body that suffered nowyet thou who wert best acquainted with the nature of thy sorrows, declarest thyself not only assaulted, but possessed, by grief-grief so vehement as to be without relaxation, and as it were without remedy-exceeding sorrowful unto death.

O blessed Saviour, what was it, what could it be, which thus lay heavy on thy divine soul? Was it that thou didst fear to die? Was it that thou didst shrink with horror from the pain, and shame, and torment of thine approaching crucifixion? O poor and base thoughts of weak and impotent mortality! How many thousands of thy blessed martyrs have welcomed no less exquisite tortures with smiles and congratulations? how many have triumphed in the midst of those sufferings which their very persecutors thought were intolerable! If their weakness was thus undaunted, and could thus prevail, how could thy power fail of the victory? No: it was the grievous weight of the sins of a guilty world-it was the burden of thy Father's wrath in, consequence of that sin, which thus pressed down upon thy soul, and wrung from thee these affecting lamentations.

What can it avail thee, O Saviour, to tell thy grief to man? Who can afford thee succour, but He of whom (speaking in thy human character) thou saidst— "My Father is greater than I?" Lo, to him thou hast recourse. "O my Father, if it be possible, remove this cup from

me!"

Was not this the prayer, blessed Lord, which in the days of thy flesh thou offeredst up, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save thee from death? Never was any voice so strongnever was God so solicited. O thou who saidst, "I and my Father are ONE," dost thou suffer ought from thy Father, but what thou hadst consented, hadst determined to suffer? Was this cup placed in thy hands by accident, or by compulsion? Away with these mistaken suppositions of ignorance and frailty. Thou camest to suffer, and thou wouldst do what thou camest for. But since thou wert willing to embrace the whole of our human nature, sin only excepted-since it is human, and not sinful, for the heart to recoil at suffering-thou wouldst both show what the nature which thou hadst assumed would be inclined to wish, and what, in regard to the salvation of mankind, thou hadst deliberately fixed on. "Not as I will, but as thou wilt!"

While thy mind was thus agitated by varied emotions, no marvel if thy feet were not fixed-thy place is changed, but not thy thoughts: now thou awakenest

the vigilance of thy disciples-now thou returnest to thy ardent prayer. Again thou art prostrate on thy face-thy soul, as well as thy body, is brought low even to the earth-it cleaveth to the dust. As thy sorrows increase, so doth the vehemence of thy supplication-" Being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." O thou Lover of souls, what pain, what fear, what strife, what horror, was in thy sacred breast! How didst thou struggle under the burden of our offences, while thou wert encountering the indignation of Heaven in our behalf! Till thou camest to take our human nature, all was peace with thee-thou wert one with thy coeternal Father-all the angels worshipped thee-all the powers of heaven and earth acknowledged thy supreme dominion. It was thy condition, as man, which exposed thee to this misery and torment. In that, thou didst sustain thy Father's wrath. If eternal death be intolerableif every sin deserve eternal death-what were those sufferings, which in one tremendous hour made atonement for a guilty world! Teach us, oh teach us, to abhor our own wickedness-to admire, and to bless thy mercy.

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As their clamour increased, the justice of Pilate declined. His feeble and dubious virtue was carried away by the tide of popular tumult. Thrice had he declared our Lord guiltless; now, "willing to content the people," he prepares to sentence him to death. O wretched slave to human ambition! Not God, not his Conscience meets with regard, but the giddy multitude-that senseless idol of the proud man's adoration, whose anger is but a fleeting shadow, whose applause is as the wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

Now must the Gentiles complete the bloody deed, which these remorseless hy pocrites had begun. The cruel Pilate, though he knew that Jesus was delivered for envy, falsely accused, basely and slanderously traduced, no longer refuses to yield to Jewish bigotry and superstition,

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O Saviour, thou didst fulfil thine own word, "I gave my back to the smiters, and my checks to them that plucked off the hair I hid not my face from shame and spitting." Lord, how can we be sufficiently sensible of those sins which occasioned thy bitter sufferings! Thou wert wounded for our transgressions-thou wert bruised for our iniquities-the chas tisement of our peace was upon thee, and by thy stripes we are healed.

Now, into what a world of reproaches, indignities, miseries, art thou entering! To an ingenuous disposition, unmerited ignominy is torment enough;-but here, bodily anguish is added to mental suffering-and both conspire to gratify the despite and malice of thine enemies.

The perpetrators of these savage cruelties are fierce and merciless soldiersmen inured to blood-in whose very faces were written the characters of murder. These are called together with eager haste-each man has his appointed office -each man, joining insult to barbarity, hastens to add more sorrow to a heart that is grieved.

Was it not enough then, O Saviour, that thy sacred body was stripped of its garments, and disfigured with bloody stripes; but that thy person must be thus indignantly treated by thine inhuman enemies-thy back disguised with purple robes-thy temples wounded with a thorny orown-thy face spat upon-thy cheeks buffeted-thy head smitten-thy hand sceptred with a reed-thyself de rided with bent knees and scoffing acclamations? Whence are all these mockeries, but to insult Majesty? Whence are the ornaments and ceremonies of royal inauguration, but to cast scorn on the despised and persecuted Jesus? Was that head fit for thorns, which every eye shall hereafter see crowned with glory and supremacy? Was that hand fit for a reed, whose sceptre controlleth all the world? Was that face fit for contumelious spittings, from whose dreadful aspect impenitent sinners shall flee in guilty consternation, when he shall arise to shake terribly the earth?

In the mean time, whither dost thou abase thyself, O thou Son of the Father, whither dost thou abase thyself for mankind? We have sinned, and thou art punished-we have exalted ourselves, and thou art dejected-we have dishonoured thee, and thou art scorned-we have smitten thee, and thou art smitten for us -we have clothed ourselves with shame, and thou art covered with robes of ignominy.

Thus disguised, thus bleeding, thus mangled, art thou brought forth to the furious multitude, presented to their derision and reproach. "BEHOLD THE MAN! Behold him, O ye Jews, the man whom ye

envied for his greatness, and feared for his usurpation. Does he now command your reverence? Will he wrest the scep;

tre from the hands of Cæsar?

Behold

him, discoloured by cruel buffetings, wounded with thorns, torn with scourges, bathed in blood. Is he not now sufficiently miserable? Would ye expose him to more aggravated sufferings and torment?"

What an inward war is in the heart of Pilate! His conscience bids him sparehis regard to popularity bids him kill. His wife, warned by a dream, cautions him to refrain from shedding the blood of that just man--the importunate multitude presses him for a sentence of death. All expedients have been tried to liberate one, whom justice pronounces innocentall violent motives are urged to condemn one, whom malice pronounces guilty.

In the height of this contention, when conscience and a regard to duty are ready to gain the victory in the heart of Pilate, the Jews cry out, "If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend." Now Jesus must die-this is the fatal, the decisive allegation. In vain shall we hope that a wicked man can prefer virtue to safety. Pilate hastens to the judgmenthall his lips no longer refuse to pronounce the bloody sentence-" Let him be crucified."-Bishop Hall's Contemplations, altered by Glasse.

NEW-YORK, March 19, 1817.

At a meeting of the New-York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society of Young Men and others, in Trinity Church, on Wednesday evening, the 5th instant, at which several persons friendly to the Institution attended, the Right Rev. Bishop HOBART delivered the following Address:

Ir is my intention to lay before the present meeting, the design of the Institution for which their patronage is solicited, and to call their attention to some brief remarks on the necessity and importance, particularly at the present period, of Missionary exertions, and of efforts to increase the Missionary Fund.

The appointment and direction of Missionaries are vested, by a Canon of the Church in this Diocess, in the Bishop, and a Committee appointed by the Convention. The fund from which the Missionaries are supported, with the exception of about 700 dol

lars annual revenue, arising from an appropriation for Missionary purposes, made some years since by the corporation of Trinity Church, is constituted by the yearly contributions of the congregations in the state. The number of Missionaries employed must, of course, depend upon the amount of the fund.

It is with a view to increase this

fund, and thus to aid in the support of Missionaries, that the New-York Protestant Episcopal Young Men's Missionary Society was instituted.

It is organized on the principle of avoiding all interference with the Canon of the Church in this state, on the subject of Missionaries. By this Canon, the Bishop, and the Commiltee for propagating the Gospel, &c. appointed by the Convention, are vested with the direction and regulation of all Missionary concerns throughout the Diocess. All collisions in the allotment of Missionaries which might take place, were the appointment of them not intrusted to one body, are thus avoided; unity of operation, so essential in all concerns of this nature, is secured; all interference with the ecclesiastical authority prevented; the necessary responsibility of Missionaries to that authority preserved; and that judicious distribution and direction of Missionaries attained, which would not be equally practicable upon any other plan. And thus also the Convention of the Church receives annually from the Bishop, as the organ of the Committee, a comprehensive and complete view of the Missionary affairs of the Diocess.

Proceeding simply upon the principle of aiding the ecclesiastical authority in the support of Missionaries, the second article of the Constitution of the Society provides as follows:"The object of this Society is to assist, but not in any degree to interfere with the established authority of the Church in the support of Missionaries. It is therefore declared, that in whatever shall be done, that authority shall be recognised and con formed to. Accordingly, the monies raised by this Society shall be paid to such body as, by the Constitution and

Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, may have the appointment and direction of Missionaries; provided that the Missionaries who may derive their salaries from the funds of this Institution, shall be designated as Missionaries aided by the New-York Protestant Episcopal Society of Young Men and others: and the President of this Society, ex officio, shall be requested to lay before the Society, from time to time, the names of the Missionaries who may be aided by its funds, and such information with regard to them as he may deem proper, together with the Reports of their Missionaries, as presented by him to the Convention of the Church."

By this article it appears, that while the monies collected are paid to the Treasurer of the Missionary Committee constituted by the Convention, the Missionaries who may be aided by the funds of this Society are particularly designated; and thus a just tribute of gratitude and respect, in proportion to its exertions, is rendered to this Society.

The persons who first engaged in the meritorious design of aiding the ecclesiastical authority in the support of Missionaries being principally young men, the Society took the denomination of the Young Men's Missionary Society. But as the counsel and aid of those more advanced in years are useful in the management of their affairs, as some of this description were associated with them, as the association of others is still desired, and as the liberal contributions of all the friends of our Church are expected and will be necessary, it is deemed proper to propose a change in the title of the Society, and to style it, The New-York Protestant Episcopal Society of Young Men and others. Young men being thus brought forward in the title of the Institution, the expectation is excited, that the enterprise, zeal, and industry by which they have so frequently and honourably distinguished themselves, will be applied in an increased degree, to this most important object of extending the blessings of salvation to their fel

low-men. The title of the Society indicating also that it embraces persons of all ages, the hope is cherished, that the co-operation and bounty of all the friends of our Church will be afforded to this most necessary, benevolent, and pious Institution.

In order to excite their lively interest in behalf of this Society, it will be sufficient, I trust, to detail a few facts illustrating the extensive and important benefits that have resulted from Missionary labours.

About the years 1797 and 1798, the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, since deceas ed, and the Rev. Mr. Chace, at present of Hartford (Connecticut,) were employed as Missionaries, and extended their visits to the new countries in the western part of the state, and as far as Canandaigua in Ontario county. In visiting many of these places, where flourishing congregations are now organized, I have heard lively expressions of gratitude for the labours of those Missionaries, who rejoiced the hearts of the few Episcopalians that were scattered through those wilds, with the welcome voice of the apostolic ministry of their Church; affording them an opportunity of again uniting in those prayers that bear the soul in the purest devotion to heaven, and of receiving those ordinances that constitute and preserve the union of Christians with that mystical body, which derives spiritual life and holiness from the divine Redeemer, who shed his blood for it, and now rules it as its all-merciful and almighty Lord. It is easy to conceive the great utility of those Missionary visits to Episcopalians in these desolate places, in reviving among them fond recollections of their Church; in rekindling that attachment to it, which no difficulties nor trials could afterwards extinguish; and in sowing that good seed, which, diligently watered and cultivated by succeeding labourers in the same field of apostolic labour, has produced rich and plentiful fruit.

About the same period, the Rev. Daniel Nash commenced his ministerial services in Otsego county, then but recently settled. Though not

employed as a Missionary, he received, during that period, aid from time to time, from the corporation of Trinity Church. His indefatigable labours throughout the county, and occasionally elsewhere, in visiting the Episcopalians, in cherishing their pious attachment to their Church, in forming them into congregations, in applying catechetical instruction to the young, and in faithfully preaching the word and administering the ordinances, were remarkably attended with the divine blessing. Several flourishing congregations in that county look up to him as, under God, their spiritual founder. Within these few years it has been deemed expedient to place him on the Missionary list, with the view of extending his counsels and care to other congregations; which services he discharges with zeal and fidelity.

In December, 1801, the Rev. Davenport Phelps, whose name ought never to be mentioned but with gratitude and veneration, received Orders at a period of life somewhat advanced, and was appointed a Missionary; and engaged in a course of arduous duty in the western district of the state. Se laboured until his decease, which took place in the year 1813, in the counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Broome, Ontario, and Genessee; travelling, though often in an infirm state of health, through this, extensive circuit; and by his piety, his sound Church principles, his prudence, and his zeal, most essentially advancing the interests of our Zion.

In the year 1804, the Rev. Gamaliel Thatcher was appointed a Missionary, and officiated in that capacity until his decease in 1805, in some of the towns of Montgomery, Saratoga, Washington, and Oneida counties.

The Rev. Jonathan Judd, who at present resides in Connecticut, in the same year was ordained Deacon, and engaged as a Missionary, officiating principally in some of the frontier counties of the Western District for a short period, with fidelity and zeal.

In 1804, the Rev. John C. Rudd, the present Rector of the Church at Elizabeth-Town, then in Deacon's

orders, officiated for one year at the congregations of Setauket, Huntington, and Islip, which had been almost destitute of niinisterial services since the Revolution; and he succeeded, by the blessing of God, in reviving their almost expiring zeal, and in exciting them to exert themselves for the reestablishment of the Church among them.

The Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, at present Rector of Trinity Church, Utica, was engaged as a Missionary in 1806, and directed his labours principally to the counties of Oneida and Herkimer. The Church and Academy at Fairfield, in this latter county, are much indebted to the exertions of Mr. Baldwin.

The Rev. Joseph Prentis, Rector of the Churches at Athens and Catskill, performed occasionally, during the years immediately succeeding his ordination in 1808, Missionary duties in the counties of Greene and Delaware.

The Rev. Parker Adams, in 1809, went on a Missionary tour to the Western District; and the Rev. Reuben Hubbard, at present of the Diocess of Connecticut, in 1811 and 1812 performed Missionary duties in this state.

Some Missionary services were also performed about the same period, by the Rev. George Strebeck, and the Rev. Isaac Jones, of Connecticut.

In 1810, the Rev. Samuel Fuller was appointed a Missionary in the counties of Albany and Greene; and he has been successful in raising, through the divine blessing, a respectable congregation of our Church in the town of Rensselaerville, who have lately erected a handsome edifice for worship. Until Mr. Fuller, who was the former congregational minister of this town, received Episcopal ordination, and officiated there as an Episcopal clergyman, the services of our Church were not known in that place.

Since 1811, additional Missionaries have been annually employed. The spread of population through the uncultivated parts of the state, the organization of new Churches, and the revival of some old congregations

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