instruction, medical care, and general superintendence of the Patients in the Hospital, without the expenses usually incurred in the salaries of chaplains, surgeons, nurses, and other attendants.

"2. The general principles upon which this Community is founded are contained in the following passages of Scripture, or may be deduced from them:

"Matt. xxv. 40. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto ME.

"Matt. xxii. 39. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

"Luke x. 37. Go, and do thou likewise.

"John xiii. 14. If I then, your LORD and MASTER, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

"Matt. v. 46. If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye ? do not even the publicans the same?

“Gal. v. 6. Faith which worketh by love.

"James ii. 17. Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in

"1 John iii. 18. deed and in truth. "Luke xvii. 10.

When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

"3. The Brethren and Sisters of the Hospital of St. John are a Community who desire to be enabled, by Divine grace, to carry the above Scriptural principles into effect: and who pledge themselves to minister, so far as their health will allow them, to all the wants of the sick of all classes, without respect of persons, or reservation of service, in the hope of excluding all hireling assistance from a work which ought, if possible, to be entirely a labour of love.

"4. The Brethren and Sisters of St. John are prohibited from receiving payment for any services performed in the Hospital, but will be entitled to expect for themselves and their families, in cases of sickness, the active sympathy and aid of the other members of the Community, and the free use of such medical advice, and other comforts, as the College can supply.

"5. Candidates for admission into the Community must be presented to the Bishop, and in his presence pledge themselves to follow out (so far as their health and strength will allow them) the course of duties which may be assigned to them.

"6. The duties of the Community are arranged according to day and night courses, to secure, as far as possible, the constant presence of one superintendent of each sex, to administer food and medicine at the hours appointed by the House Surgeon.

"7. Those members who reside at a distance from the College will be exempt from the duty of personal attendance; and will be considered to discharge their duties sufficiently by regular contributions of meat, poultry, eggs, milk, butter, and other necessaries; or by assistance in needlework, washing, and the like.

"8. A tithe of the share of produce and increase accruing to the College will be regularly set apart for the maintenance of the Hospital; and the greater part, if not the whole, of the proceeds of the weekly Offertory at the College Chapelries; but, as these sources of supply may not be sufficient, the contributions of all friends and neighbours will be most thankfully received; and especially, the stated supplies of those who have been enrolled as Brethren of St. John.

"9. It is a fundamental principle, that all patients, of whatever race, station, or religious persuasion, shall receive the same kind and brotherly treatment, without distinction of persons.

"10. The usual regulations will be enforced against the admission of patients afflicted with contagious or infectious disorders; the present Hospital not being on a sufficient scale to admit of separate classification."

The Romish Propaganda.-The Tablet, in announcing the arrival in London of Dr. Pompallier, the Romish Bishop of New Zealand, from Ireland, whence he took with him several priests, who are to accompany him on his return to the colony, contains the following statement:

"He intends," says the Popish print," to return to his diocese in the course of next month, attended by at least twenty European priests, should he be able to procure funds sufficient to defray the expenses of their passage. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith has made him a considerable grant, and some private individuals have also contributed towards the expenses of his mission, which, notwithstanding, are heavier than he can at present discharge. His Lordship has baptised with his own hands more than 10,000 persons in his extensive diocese."

SYRIA. Ancient Christian Church in the territory of Moab.—A party of Americans, who have recently explored the neighbourhood of the Dead Sea, have discovered the existence of an ancient Christian community at Kerak, the Kirjath-Moab of the Bible. A deputation from this body came to salute the travellers, who give the following account of their communication with them :

"The joy of this people at meeting us was unbounded. They caressed us, brought us water and leban, (sour milk,)—all they had,and some of them spent nearly a whole night hunting a wild boar, wherewith to regale us. When told that our forms of worship in America were different from theirs, they replied, 'What matters it? Christ died for all. Do you not believe in Him?' When told that we did, they said, 'Then what are forms before God? He looks to the heart. We are brothers!' And brothers they continued to call us to the last.

"We could not trace their origin, but concluded that they are either the descendants of one of the last tribes converted to Christianity, who in the fastnesses of the mountains escaped the Mahomedan alternative of the Koran or the sword,' or of the crusaders under the 'Christian Lord of Kerak.' They number about 150 families, and live in the

town-the only one now left in the once populous country of Moab. Within the walls are also the huts of 100 Moslem families, and outside are the black tents of the fierce tribe Kera Keyeh, numbering 750 fighting men.

"These poor Christians are much tyrannized over by their Moslem neighbours. Their only place of retreat, when threatened with violence, is their little cell of a church, which can scarcely hold twenty families. Their account, which in its narration bore the impress of truth, seems confirmed by the circumstance that in the centre of their little church there is a well, which supplies them with water until their provisions are exhausted, or the restless nature of their persecutors takes them elsewhere. The object of all their hopes is to build a church sufficiently large to hold all their wives and children; for, with all their intolerance, the Moslems respect the house of Him whom they call, 'Issa, the Prophet of the Christians.'

"The foundation, and part of the walls of a church, have been built, but the work has been discontinued from the want of means-the sirocco and the locusts having swept their harvests for several years. They gave me an appeal to their Christian brethren in America, which I prefer sending forth in its own simple and touching brevity. I will only add that little should be given, and that discreetly, at different times, so as not to excite the cupidity of the Moslems. The Board of Foreign Missions at New York will doubtless receive what may be given, and forward it either to their brethren in Beirut, or to the Anglican Bishop at Jerusalem, for distribution.

"By God's favour; may it, God willing, reach America, and be presented to our Christian brothers, whose happiness may the Almighty God preserve: Amen. 8642.

"We are in Kerak a few very poor Christians, and are building a church. We beg your excellency to help us in this undertaking, for we are very weak. The land has been unproductive, and visited by the locusts for the last seven years. The church is delayed in not being accomplished for want of funds; for we are few Christians surrounded by Moslems. This being all that is necessary to write to you, Christian brothers in America, we need say no more.

"ABD'ALLAHEN NAHAS. (Sheikh.) "YACOB EN NAHAS.'

TURKEY.-The American Mission at Constantinople.-Several of the American Bishops have issued Pastorals, calling upon their flocks to support the American Episcopal Mission at Constantinople, which appears to be in an embarrassed condition, for want of funds. In the Pastoral of the Bishop of Rhode Island, the following passage occurs:— "To allow this Mission to sink under its present embarrassments, would be to withdraw from the Oriental Christians one of their chief safeguards against the arts and seductions of papal emissaries, and to leave them without any specimen of Protestantism, but one which, having repudiated the Apostolic discipline, adheres with no tenacity to VOL. XI.—NO. XXII.-JUNE, 1849.

the orthodox faith; and whose history in this country gives ground for the fear that it will contribute to the propagation of division and error, rather than to the restoration of primitive unity and truth.

"There is no time for delay in this cause. It may be that, before intelligence of any special effort to save the Mission can reach him, Bishop Southgate, compelled by necessities and sufferings no longer endurable, may be on his return home."

It appears that the offerings for this Mission during the last year did not amount to above half the sum (4000 dollars) originally appropriated to it. Bishop Southgate intended to depart for America in the month of April.

UNITED STATES. -Annual Convention of Pennsylvania.—Bishop H. U. Onderdonk.-At the Sixty-fifth Convention of the diocese of Pennsylvania, held in May last, the following resolutions, relative to the case of Bishop Onderdonk, were adopted :

"Resolved, That the removal by the House of Bishops of the disabilities imposed by that body on the Right Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, D.D., would give great satisfaction to the individuals, clerical and lay, composing this Convention; and also, it is believed, to many others, as well in the Church generally, as in the diocese once under his jurisdiction.

"Resolved, moreover,-That while such removal would cheer the declining years of a venerable and distinguished servant of the Church, it would secure to his many admirable productions their just estimation by posterity, and be in accordance with the charity so eloquently portrayed in the teaching, and so consistently exemplified in the conduct, of the great Apostle of the Gentiles."

The resolutions were introduced by the Rev. Dr. Coleman, who was listened to with the most profound attention, while he accompanied them with the following remarks :

-

"For nearly five years has the venerable prelate who is the subject of these resolutions, meekly and silently submitted to the authority of the Church. The uncomplaining spirit in which he has borne his sufferings, and his exemplary life during all this time, are well known to many of us; and they have greatly exalted his Christian character in the estimation of those who knew him best. I believe the resolutions before us speak the sentiments of this whole community, and the diocese at large; and that their passage by this body will convey the most lively satisfaction to every quarter of the Church. The House of Bishops will naturally look for some action first on the part of this diocese; and such an expression of opinion by this Convention cannot but have great weight with those who were solemnly charged at their consecration, so to minister discipline, that they forget not mercy."

"Another reason for my offering these resolutions now is, that life is uncertain. I trust that our late Right Rev. Father will be spared for many years of further usefulness in the service of the Church; but before the House of Bishops shall again assemble, it may please God to

take him to Himself; and in that case it will be no small consolation to those who now sympathize with him in his distress, to know that they, at least, did what they could that his grey hairs should not be brought down with sorrow to the grave.”

During the delivery of these remarks, a deep and solemn silence pervaded the whole Convention; many being affected to tears. The resolutions were immediately seconded by several members, and passed by a vivá voce vote; there being but two or three negative voices. Dr. Coleman then rose, and after humbly thanking God for the remarkable unanimity displayed, renewed the offer which he had before made-to reconsider the question, if it was desired, that the clergy and lay deputies might vote as two distinct orders; but the loud ayes from every part of the House rendered such a course unnecessary.

Exclusion of Negro Churches.-At the same Convention of the diocese of Pennsylvania a petition from St. Thomas (African) Church, praying "that the eighth revised regulation, which precludes the lay delegates from that Church from taking seats in this Convention, be rescinded," was ordered to be laid upon the table by a majority of 99 to 50.

Annual Convention of New Jersey.-Attempted Impeachment of Bishop Doane.-At the meeting of this Convention, on Thursday the 31st of May, a resolution was proposed, on the ground of certain "serious charges impeaching the moral character of the Bishop," propagated by "public rumour as well as newspaper publications," for the appointment of a committee of three clergymen, and three laymen, to "make such inquiries as shall satisfy them of the innocency of the accused, or of the sufficiency or ground for presentment and trial." After an "earnest debate" the Bishop, who retained his seat as President of the Convention, rose, and, after a few brief observations on the painful position in which he was placed, put the resolution, when not a single voice, not even that of the proposer, responded by an aye; but, 66 on the contrary," an unanimous shout of noes plainly indicated the sense of the Convention. From what fell from the speakers in the course of the debate, it would appear that the charges related to alleged imprudence in pecuniary transactions for the promotion of diocesan objects.

Annual Convention of Virginia.—At the annual Convention of Virginia, held at Charlottesville, a new constitution for the Theological Seminary was submitted by its trustees for ratification, and adopted. The number of students is 25.-On the report of the committee ap pointed in regard to the Presidency of William and Mary College, it was resolved that if the Bishop and assistant Bishop, after further conference with the visitors of William and Mary College, shall be of opinion that the interests of religion and literature will be promoted by Bishop Johns' accepting the Presidency of the College, the Convention give their consent to such acceptance, his continuance in the same being subject to the future advice and action of the Convention.—A new code of canons was adopted, with the exception of the canon respecting offences for which members of the Church may be repelled