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the Mississippi and La Fourche. May the Great Head of the Church
give such wisdom and zeal to his people, that this and every enterprise
among us, having for its end the glory of his name and the good of
men, be speedily accomplished.

Immediately after the formation of the Congregation at Donaldson-
ville, I left the Diocese for the purpose of removing my family from
east of the mountains, to Tennessee, my former residence, and thence to
my new home. And although it does not come precisely within the
range of such a narrative as this to notice acts performed without the
Diocese, yet I take the liberty of mentioning them here, as no record
is likely to be made of them elsewhere.

The first and second Sundays after Trininty, I passed in St. Johns
parish, Maury County, Tennessee, where I had service and preached
for the colored people of the parish.

On the sixth Sunday after Trinity, I preached in the parish of
Christ Church, Raleigh, N. C.; as also on the eighth and ninth Sun-
days after Trinity.

In the same parish, during my visit, I celebrated one marriage, bap-
tized an infant, and performed the funeral service once.

The tenth Sunday after Trinity, I passed in the parish of the Rev.
Mr. Forbes, Missionary for Lincolnton, N. C. and parts adjacent, for
whom I preached.

On the thirteenth and fourteenth Sundays after Trinity, I read
service and preached in St. Johns parish, Maury County, Tennessee.

On the fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, I assisted the Rt. Rev. Dr.
Otey, Bishop of Tennessee, in the consecration of the Church recently
erected in the same parish ; and at his request confirmed two persons.

From that period, to the 24th Sunday after Trinity inclusive, I offi-
ciated regularly in St. Johns Church every Sunday. During that
time, I baptized two adults, one white and one colored, and two chil-
dren, confirmed two persons, and celebrated the holy communion twice.

On Advent Sunday, I preached in the morning and at night in Cal-
vary parish, Memphis.

On the second Sunday in Advent, I read service and preached on
board the steamer Edwin Hickman, on the Mississippi river.

On the third Sunday in Advent, I read service and preached to a
congregation of colored people in La Fourche.

On the fourth Sunday in advent, I preached to the same people in the
morning, and in the afternoon, read service for the Rev. Mr. Renouf,
who preached.

On Christmas day, I had service and preached in the Court-house
at Thibodeaux : Also on the Sunday following.

On the 8th January, first Sunday after Epiphany, I preached in

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Christ Church, New-Orleans, and in the afternoon of the same day at
St. Pauls.

Besides the above acts, I have celebrated three marriages, and per-
formed the funeral service twice.

Of changes among the Clergy there have been none.

Mr. William F. Brand, a candidate for orders in this Diocese, has
been transferred at his own request to the Diocese of New York ; and
I am happy to inform you that we have now the prospect of having
two others added to the list.

While upon the subject of candidates for orders, let me urge upon
my brethren of the Clergy especially, the duty of bringing the press-
ing wants of the Church in this particular before the young of their
flocks, and exhorting them to take seriously to heart the enquiry, how
far their obligations to God demand their giving themselves up to this
work. We must for many reasons raise up Clergy from among our-
selves, either from those who have come to make their homes among
us, or from natives of the soil. The duty of seeking out such persons
devolves most naturally upon those who are charged with the spiritual
oversight of the people ; and who, from experience of the difficulties of
their work, are most likely to be impressed with the importance of mul-
tiplying laborers for its performance. I trust, therefore, my brethren of
the Clergy will regard it as matter of most serious importance for the
welfare of the Diocese, and the perishing souls who are in the midst of
us; and that they will make it a matter, not only of watchfulness, but of
prayer, that the Chief Shepherd may incline the hearts of many among
the young to count it their high privilege, and their chief joy to serve
him in the sanctuary.

During the last year I have received official notice from the Bishop
of North Carolina of the degradation of John A. Backhouse from the
ministry :

Also from the Bishop of New-York, notice of the degradation of
John Knill, and of the displacement of James Roosevelt Bayley ; in
the case of the latter, for causes not affecting his moral character.

There is a subject, my brethren, which most intimately concerns us
as Christians and Christian ministers, in our peculiar field of labor ; I
mean, provision for the religious instruction of the colored race.
These people commend themselves very strongly to our charities in
this respect, for many reasons. It is one of the chiefest charms of the
Gospel of Christ, that it seeks to equalize the human condition ; and to
compensate, by the richness of its spiritual provisions, for the dispari-
ties existing in the worldly circumstances of our race. It is eminently
therefore the property of the poor. Our divine Master proclaimed him-
self as their messenger, and pointed to his care for their spiritual wel-