Al

The prejudices of the Jews in favour of their ancient laws were so great, that, although they were converted to the Christian faith, they still insisted upon the ne cessity of this Abrahamic institution, and, consequently, were circumcised. though the temple and polity of the Jews were broken and destroyed in the year 70, by Titus, yet there was not a complete dispersion of the nation till, under the Emperor Adrian, 66 years after Titus's success against this ancient metropolis. The Bishops of Jerusalem, therefore, before this last event, were called Bishops of the Circumcision, and afterwards they were denominated Bishops of the Uncir cumcision.

Peter, Achillas, Alexander,

which runs into the era of the triumph of Christianity.

The following is the Roman succession.
St. Peter and St. Paul were suc-

ceeded

A. D. 68 by

79

92

100

108

118

128

138

142

157

168

Soter,

176

Eleutherus,

191

Victor,

201

Zephyrinus,

218

Calistus,

224

I proceed to the Succession of Antioch.
It will be recollected that in this place
the disciples of our Lord were first called
Christians.

Evodius, martyred, A. D. 68
do.

Miltiades, who continued till Constantine's edict in favour of Christianity.

It is easy, if it were necessary, to bring down the succession to the present Archbishop of Canterbury, and even to the present Bishop of New-York. But since the days of Constantine there can be no doubt in regard to the hierarchy in question.

The Church of England, and the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country, in the line of their Bishops, claim the honour of being the legitimate descendants of that Church which Christ established with his apostles. If, by virtue of the commission which Christ gave his apostles, the power of transmitting the ministry was lodged by them with the Bishops, as is evident from Scripture and antiquity, and no other mode of conveying the sacerdotal functions was instituted by the Divine Founder of the Church, or his apostles, nor any other ever thought of for fifteen hundred years after our Lord's ascent into heaven; it appears to me that the exclusive claim to the ministry is on the side of Episcopacy, as clear as any matter

of fact can be made out.

LONG-ISLAND.

St. Paul's and St. John's Chapels, which were stated, at the last report, to be in union with this Society, the Managers are happy to note, that there has been added a very flourishing School, consisting of a male and female department, formed in the newly organized parish of Zion Church.

The following account of these several Schools is drawn from the reports of their respective Directors, made to the Board of Managers at their late meeting. The Schools will be arranged according to the number of their Scholars respectively.

The first that presents itself according to this order, is the School of St. John's Chapel. The state of the male department will be seen

day School Society.

THE Second Anniversary of this Society was celebrated in St. Paul's Chapel, in this city, on Monday, June 7th, the weather having proved unfavourable on Whitsun-Monday, the regular day. On this occasion divine service was performed by the Rev. JAMES MONTGOMERY, Rector of Grace Church; and an address delivered by the Rev. WILLIAM CREIGHTON, Rector of St. Mark's Church. The Scholars present (between 6 and 700) then sang the 23d Psalm in metre, omitting the 5th verse. The solemnities were concluded with a few

ap

propriate Collects from the Liturgy, and the Benediction, by the Right Rev. Bishop HOBART.

The following Report of the Board of Managers had been previously circulated:

Second Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the New-York Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society.

To the Schools of Trinity, St. Mark's, and Grace Churches, and

tracts from the Report of the Di

rectors.

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During the last year the state of the School has been generally equal to the preceding year. The number of attending Scholars has not been uniformly the same, but the average for the whole year exceeds eighty boys.

"There are at present on the ClassBooks of this department, 107 attending Scholars; of whom 42 read well, and commit to memory va rious religious exercises; 21 read indifferently, and also commit tasks to memory; 17 are spellers only; and the residue are learning the alphabet, and joining from two to six who are regular, punctual, and ac letters. There are many of these curate in their several duties, and tions of Scripture and Catechism. some who commit very large por The Scholars are now rewarded for their attendance and performances by tickets, redeemable in books; and no premiums being de livered except they are earned in this mode; and the redemption bes

ing punctual, the Scholars are more incited to regular attendance and uniform industry, than they were when their rewards depended, in a great measure, upon periodical and momentary exertions.

"The instruction of the Alphabet Class having always been found comparatively more laborious and tedious than that of any other division of the School, and its improvement being very slow, and in some cases almost imperceptible, it has been lately determined to introduce a Sand Desk into the School for the use of that class. The desk has been procured, and it is believed will fully serve the object intended by its introduction, the more speedy instruction of that class.

"The conduct of the boys during divine service, has been much improved since the last report, in consequence of the careful and unremitting attention of the Teachers; two of whom, in regular succession, sit with them every Sunday

"The School has continued to improve, and has doubtless been the instrument of much good to many of the destitute children of want and idleness."

In the female department of the same School, the number of regular attendants has increased, and the general improvement of the children is such as to afford the highest gratification to their Teachers, and amply compensate for the time and attention so cheerfully and unremittingly devoted to their welfare.

The School at present consists of 139 white girls, and 37 coloured women and children, divided into 13 classes. The coloured applicants having greatly increased during the last year, it has been judged expedient to form them into two classes, as they require more than common attention; and it is impossible to do justice to the two

young ladies, who so zealously endeavour to make amends for the neglect which many of them have unhappily experienced in early life.

In the course of the last year, 15 Bibles, 30 Prayer Books, 10 Testaments, and 50 small volumes, calculated to inform the mind, and regulate the heart, have been distributed to the most deserving. It is a primary object, that all who can read, shall be supplied with Bibles and Prayer Books before other premiums are given-all which are awarded according to the number of tickets presented to the Scholars, as evidences of their diligence and general good conduct.

as

It is an earnest of the valuable accession we have, in the newly formed School of Zion Church, that it has entitled itself to the second place in the order of this report. Its late organization, however, prevents as detailed an account might otherwise have been given, The male department was opened on the 3d of January, 1819, with 16 Scholars and two Teachers. Since that period it has been gradually increasing, and is now in successful operation, with two Superintendents and 16 Teachers, and the names of 150 Scholars on the Numerical Register, between 50 and 60 of whom attend regularly. Many of them have given proofs of improvement, both in morals and learning. About 25 boys read very well in the Prayer Book and Scripture Instruction; some of whom have committed to memory a great part of the Church Catechism. Great improvement has also been made by some in the smaller classes, who, at the time of entering the School, did not know a letter;-they can now spell words of short syllables with ease.

The female department of this School commenced the 31st January,

1819. The number of Scholars plac ed under its care since that period is 118, of whom 48 attend regularly. Their behaviour at Church and School has been better than could have been expected from so many children, who have been so little in structed. 80 of them are under the age of nine years. Their improve ment has not been very great, although some, who, when they commenced, did not know their letters, can now spell in words of two and three syllables; those who could spell, can read, and have committed to memory part of the Church Catechism, and those who were farther advanced have improved proportionably.

They are under the care of 17 young ladies, who are regular in at tendance, and persevering in their duties.

The coloured class is under the care of two of the ladies, and consists of 21. Their improvement has been very satisfactory to their Teachers. Two who commenced with the alphabet, can read with fluency. Three who could only spell, can read, and have commenced learning the Catechism. They behave, generally, well.

Of the male department of St. Paul's Chapel School, we have ob tained the following information.

"During the last summer, and throughout the winter, the male de partment of the Sunday School attached to St. Paul's Chapel expe rienced considerable reduction in its number of Scholars. The principal causes of this were the same which will be detailed in the account of the female department. It is pleasing, however, to add, that the School is now increasing: the number of Scholars attending is between 40 and 50; and the perseverance and assiduity of the Teachers, aided by a visible increase of VOL. III.

interest among the Directors, will, no doubt, add much to that number.

"The deportment of the Scho lars has generally been good; their improvement manifest,-in some to an extraordinary degree; and every day's experience renders more clear the beneficial effects of the institu tion.

"Since the last anniversary report, there have been received in donations from the Auxiliary NewYork Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, 26 Bibles and 51 Prayer Books; and from the First Juvenile Female Tract Society of New-York, 50 Tracts of various descriptions.

66

It is, perhaps, proper to remark, that besides the Bibles and Common Prayer Books mentioned as having been received from the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, several more Prayer Books were likewise received from that institution by individuals in some way connected with this School, and have been principally appropriated to its use."

In a Report from the Female department of St. Paul's School, the following are the leading particu lars.

"From January, 1818, until July and August in the same year, be tween 60 and 70 regular Scholars attended. The number was afterwards reduced to about 40. Many causes conspired to produce this de crease. A few of the most prominent ones may be stated. The Chapel, at the time, was undergoing extensive repairs, and the meetings of the School, which were notwithstanding still held in it, were ren dered, on that account, extremely inconvenient both to the Teachers and their pupils. In addition to this, the Scholars were compelled, every Sunday, while the Chapel re

26

mained closed, to attend divine service at Trinity Church. The length of the walk, on these occasions, and the excessive heat of the season, were powerful inducements, with a large number, to absent them selves altogether from the meetings of the School. The Teachers were likewise compelled, about this period, to discontinue their customary visits to the parents of the Scholars, on account of the absence of the Superintendent, who was under the necessity of leaving the city. These, operating with other causes, too numerous and minute to admit of being mentioned, gave a temporary check to the increase of the School. Their influence, however, was not of long duration. The renewal of divine service in St. Paul's Chapel, and the return of the Superin tendent to the city, and to the active duties of her station, soon had the effect of placing all things on their former footing, and the Scholars again increased in number to about 80. They have continued to fluctuate between 70 and 80, until the present month of May. The School now consists of about 50.

The

ing the period above mentioned, has been marked by regularity, diligence, and a fondness for learning. Very few of them have given occasion for any harsh interference on the part of the Teachers. Their proficiency has invariably kept pace with their desire of instruction. The School is at present divided into two classes; and these are again subdivided, the first into three, and the second into two smaller classes. There is, besides, a Bible Class, consisting of about 14 of the most advanced Scholars, who are obliged, every Sunday afternoon, to repeat from memory a chapter of the Scriptures; upon which they are afterwards examined by the Superintendent.

In the Female School of Trinity Church there are seven regular classes of whites, and four of coloured. Four classes of whites read, learn Catechism, and study Bible Questions; also two coloured classes perform the same. Every fourth Sunday these classes are examined upon the above mentioned lessons. Only two examinations have taken place, owing to their not having been prepared. They are likewise admonished to commit Psalms, Collects, &c. to memory, which they do sometimes.

About 47 Scholars attend regularly; of these 23 are white, and 24 coloured children. 28 are capable of reading the Prayer Book, and joining in with the services of the Church.

With regard to the other classes, only eight Scholars read in the Primer; the others are confined to the alphabet, and words of one, two, and three syllables. The examination of the above takes place every fourth week, and the last exam