There was also one other general provision, too important and interesting to be passed over without notice.

It was made the duty of the clergymen who presided successively at the meetings of the society, from time to time "to impress on the members the usefulness, the dignity, and the high consolations and rewards of the Christian ministry; to enforce the necessity and duty of acting at all times with that circumspection and propriety which were demanded equally by their Christian obligations, and by the sacred profession which it was their intention to assume; to urge them to acquire and to cherish a practical view of the exalted plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, its conditions, its aids, and rewards, in order that they might be fitted in after life for proclaiming and enforcing them with suitable fidelity and zeal; to explain to them the excellence of that Apostolic and Primitive Church to which they had the happiness to belong; and above all, to impress on them that, as they could hope for salvation only through the merits of their Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, they should be frequent and earnest in invoking the grace of God to enlighten and purify their hearts, to strengthen them against the temptations of the world, and to enable them to discharge the public duties of the ministry as well as the private duties of the Christian life."

The constitution, containing the provision for these useful exercises, and for the general regulation and government of the society, was drawn up by Mr. Hobart; and the prescribed forms of devotion which he compiled and composed, were so

beautiful, appropriate, and impressive, that, as they were never joined in without emotion, so I think they cannot be read without admiration.

Having been a member of this society myself for many years, it may be that the sacred recollection of them, now doubly hallowed by their association with my departed friend, invests them with an interest which they may not in reality possess; but still it is thought that the insertion of them may be gratifying to some readers, and at least preserve another memorial of the deep, uniform, and fervent piety of their author.

"Offices of Devotion for the Episcopal Theological Society.

"Office of Devotion at the opening of the business of each meeting.

"The minister to recite some appropriate sentences of Scripture, and then to say

"Let us approach the throne of the heavenly grace with the confession of our sins.

"The Confession in the Liturgy to be then repeated by the minister and the members of the society, kneeling.

"After which shall follow the collect or the first prayer for Ash-Wednesday, and then the Lord's Prayer.

Here, all standing up, the minister shall say"Praise ye the Lord;

"Answer. The Lord's name be praised. "The minister and the members of the society shall then recite, alternately, the psalm in the Office of Devotion for the morning, of Whit-Sunday, in the American edition of the Festivals and Fasts.

"And after the lesson, the prayer following, all devoutly kneeling, the minister first pronouncing"Let us pray.

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Almighty God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee, grant us the aids of thy heavenly grace in the important duties in which we are now to be engaged. Blessed be thy holy name that thou hast inspired these young persons with the resolution to devote themselves to thee in the sacred ministry of thy Church. Aid them, O Lord, in their preparation for this most important and honourable work. Open to their minds the treasures of thy everlasting Gospel. Imprint on their hearts the great truths of salvation through thy Son Jesus Christ. May they, in all their studies, and in all their exercises, be diligent, zealous, and faithful; may they aim at advancing thy glory and the immortal interests of their fellow-men; may their only emulation be, who shall love thee best, who shall serve thee, the greatest and the best of Beings, with the purest zeal; and may they advance in that divine knowledge by which they will finally save their own souls and the souls of those to whom they may hereafter minister, through the merits and mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen. "Then shall follow the Apostolic Prayer.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.

"Office of Devotion at the conclusion of the business of each meeting.

"The minister shall first say

"Let us pray.

"And then, all devoutly kneeling, shall be said the Lord's Prayer.

"Here, all standing up, the minister shall say"Praise ye the Lord.

"Answer. The Lord's name be praised.

"The minister and the members of the society shall then recite alternately the psalm in the Office of Devotion for the evening of Whit-Sunday, in the American edition of the Festivals and Fasts.

"Then shall follow a short portion of the New Testament as a lesson.

"And after the lesson, the prayer following, all devoutly kneeling, the minister first pronouncing"Let us pray.

"Most gracious and merciful God, we render thee most humble and hearty thanks as for all thy mercies, so especially for the inestimable plan of salvation through thy Son Jesus Christ, in whom we have access unto thee, our offended Judge, in whom we receive the spirit of truth and grace to enlighten and purify our nature, and in whom we enjoy a title to an everlasting inheritance of glory beyond the grave. Look graciously, we beseech thee, upon these young persons, who, depending upon thy grace, are humbly desirous to prepare for receiving the glorious ministry of reconciliation, and to become the heralds of mercy and salvation to a fallen world. Strengthen and increase, we beseech thee, the good desires which thy grace has enkindled. Impress on them the exalted dignity, the everlasting importance, and the rich rewards of the Christian ministry, that no prospect of worldly advantage, no enticements of sensual pleasure, may seduce them from the service of thee. Amen.

"Blessed Jesus, the divine Head of the Church

which thou hast purchased with thy blood, behold with thy favour these young members of thy fold. May they ever cherish a deep sense of their own unworthiness and depravity, and a lively view of thy grace and mercy, that they may be fitted, as the ministers of thy everlasting Gospel, for leading the guilty children of men to thee, their all-sufficient and compassionate Saviour. Amen.

"Holy Spirit, Almighty Sanctifier of the faithful, enrich these persons with thy heavenly graces. Inspire them with deep humility and distrust of themselves, with ardent piety and love to God, with humble and holy confidence in their Saviour. Teach them constantly to invoke thy enlightening and sanctifying power, and in thy strength to war against all the temptations of the world. May they regard all its highest pleasures with holy indifference, and press forward for the prize of their high calling in Christ Jesus. Sanctify them by thy truth, that they may be preserved from the evil that is in the world. Amen.

"Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, unto thee we commend them. Fit them for the holy office of displaying the manifestation of thy glory and mercy to the world; and when they have been the successful instruments of turning many to righteousness, and of advancing the Redeemer's kingdom, may they receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away, and be admitted to the participation of thy ineffable felicity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.

"Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we commend you. The Lord bless you and keep you.