and of a Masonic origin, and, for these reasons, has attracted some attention from Oriental scholars and antiquarians in different sections of the country."

"It is almost needless for me to state, that, having been asked my opinion by interested parties, it was unhesitatingly given adversely to the genuineness of the monument as an ancient symbol, or as a work of any character anterior to our own day. Indeed, you will see, by the photographed and traced copies of it herewith forwarded to your address, that it carries its condemnation on its face, as a bungling imitation of the printed Chaldee letters in our later editions of the Hebrew Bible." The "Proceedings" adds the following note, embodying the judgment of the Society.

"The copies, sent by Mr. Merrick, were passed around among the members present, and no person was found disposed to differ from the opinion expressed by that gentleman, while some surprise was manifested, that so transparent a fraud, or piece of pleasantry, should have made so much stir, and deceived so many people." Thus it may be settled, that the "Holy Stone" is neither very ancient, nor Masonic, but something like Joe Smith's celebrated copper-plates, though the discoverer is, evidently, an honest man.

KENTUCKY.

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Smith, in his Address to the late Convention, notices at length the fact, that two distinguished Methodist preachers, Rev. Dr. Ralston, and Rev. Dr. Parsons, the former having been already ordained in the Church, and the latter become a Candidate for Orders, have both returned to their former connection. The Bishop states very clearly the causes which are leading to an increasing dissatisfaction with Methodism, and then adds: "To promote the sacred ends of peace and charity, it is here earnestly submitted, that these causes are at work on so large a scale, and are at this moment exerting so powerful an influence, that no amount of clamor or of opposition can by any means arrest their progress. On the other hand, all violent measures, designed to produce this effect, cannot possibly fail of injuring the cause they are intended to promote. The tendency of primitive Methodism to expire by its own limitations; and the tendency of the more highly educated Methodist mind to seek and to find repose within the sacred inclosures of our common Mother Church, is irrepressible. Calm and quiet acquiescence in a fact so fixed and well defined, is the true wisdom of all concerned."

The return of Drs. Ralston and Parsons to the Methodists is to be accounted for, we think, on another ground. They entered, or proposed to enter the Church, from mere expediency or preference, as into a mere Sect among Sects. We venture the assertion, that they never seriously sat down to meet the question, whether JESUS CHRIST, through the HOLY GHOST, and by the Inspired Apostles, established, and for all time, some particular Church, some particular Sacraments, some particular Ministry, some particular Lord's Day, some particular New Testament, some particular Government, some particular Faith, some particular Worship. All these stand or fall together, on the same method of argument; and the development of Modern Systems is proving, that where one of them is laid aside, the rest will, by necessary consequence, sooner or later disappear,. We pledge ourselves to prove this, to a demonstration, to any one who will pledge himself to abide by the argument, fairly presented. The great difficulty is, an unwillingness to meet the question, with that docility of temper which it demands.

DISPLACEMENT OF THE REV. C. B. TAYLOR, OF CALIFORNIA.

The Rev. C. B. Taylor, late of Marysville, having violated, wilfully and stubbornly, the Canons of the Church, in officiating for a factious congregation in San Francisco, the Standing Committee having forbidden him to do so, Bishop Kip, on his return, appointed a Court to try him. The Judges were, the Rev. Drs. Ver Mehr, of San Francisco, Gassman, of Sonora, and the Rev. Mr. McDonald, of Stockton. Mr. Taylor, having been found guilty, has been displaced from the Ministry by Bishop Kip. The notorious Rev. Starr King, the Unitarian Infidel, subsequently lectured for the benefit of Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Taylor accepted the sop. Loyalty to the Church need expect no better treatment anywhere than it has received in California; and the sympathy with Mr. Taylor is a part of the same game which is played, in one way or another, in the older States. The old hate of the Church is not dead, it is as bitter as ever. It solemnly flatters and praises whom, at heart, it despises, and whom, behind the curtain, it laughs at.

CONVERSIONS TO THE CHURCH.

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Illinois have recommended the Bishop to receive Mr. John Crouch, (formerly a Methodist minister,) as a candidate for Holy Orders. This makes the third Minister "of another denomination" who has applied to be received as a candidate for our Ministry within six months, in the diocese of Illinois alone.

Testimonials in favor of Edward Squires, late a Minister in the Unitarian denomination, recommending him to be admitted a candidate for Holy Orders, in the Diocese of Massachusetts, have been received.

The Rev. Alexander Shand, admitted to Deacon's Orders, by Bishop McCoskry, March 12th, was formerly a Presbyterian minister.

The Rev. L. H. Jackson, recently ordained Deacon in Maryland, was formerly a Methodist exhorter.

Rev. Mr. Juny, of Kentucky, (late a Roman Catholic priest,) has been admitted to the Ministry of our Church by the Bishop of Illinois, and has commenced services in the French language, for the French Protestants of Chicago. He is attached to the "Bishop's chapel," as one of his chaplains. Mr. Juny is a gentleman of fine accomplishments and high character, and is every way adapted for his interesting work.

On the 19th of May, Bishop Bedell, at Bellefontaine, Ohio, confirmed eight persons, including a clergyman recently of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, who has also applied to become a Candidate for Orders in the Church.

At a late Convention of the Diocese of Missouri, at Hannibal, May 23d, the opening sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. McMasters, at the close of which an interesting and rather novel incident occurred. Seated in a chair in front of the chancel was a dignified-looked clergyman, whom Bishop Hawks, in some very appropriate remarks, introduced to the Convention and congregation as the Rev. Ignatius Koch, late a priest of the Church of Rome, who had abjured its errors, and now sought admission to the communion and ministry of our Reformed Catholic Church. Mr. K. then read his renunciation of the corruptions of Popery, and promise of conformity and obedience to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the

Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America; when the Bishop put to him the questions in the office for the "Ordering of Priests,” and then, taking him by the right hand, received him to the office and work of a Priest in the Church of God, and invited him to a seat in the chancel. Mr. Koch is a scholar, and gentleman of unblemished reputation, who enters the Church with high testimonials from various quarters. He has long resided in Weston, in that Diocese, where he has ministered to a large German congregation, who are strongly attached to him.

PENNSYLVANIA.-PARISH BOUNDARIES: DIVISION OF THE

DIOCESE.

The recent Convention of this Diocese, took the following action on both those important points.

The first regulation being read, it was adopted, as follows:

It is hereby declared, in accordance with the 2d paragraph of the 2d section of the Canon of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, that the sanction or veto of the formation of a new parish, or the establishment of a new church, or congregation, in any part of this Diocese, shall be vested in the Bishop of the Diocese, or, in case of his absence or inability, in the Assistant Bishop, if there be one, acting by and with the advice of the Standing Committee, and in case of there being no Bishop in the ecclesiastical authority: Provided, that an appeal may be taken therefrom at the next Diocesan Convention, whose decision shall be final: Provided, also, that nothing in this resolution shall affect the legal and vested rights of any parish.

Rev. Dr. Wilmer, from the Committee to whom was referred the subject of the division of the Diocese, made the following report:

Whereas, In the present disturbed condition of our country, it is not probable that any portion of the present Diocese of Pennsylvania will be in a condition to form a new and independent Diocese, therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee on the Division of the Diocese be continued, with power to report at a future period upon the subject committed to their attention. The report was adopted.

In respect to Parish boundaries, there was an attempt made to pass a Resolution, which would have opened the way for all sorts of intermeddling, but it was promptly put down by the strong conservative vote of 80 to 41 of the Clergy. The Lay vote was not taken.

CHURCH RELATIONS IN THE CONFEDERATE STATES.

Bishop Gregg, of Texas, has issued a Pastoral Letter, from which we make the following extracts. "I have very recently received from the Right Rev. Leonidas Polk, D. D., Bishop of Louisiana, and the Right Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr., D. D., Bishop of Georgia, a communication, which they have been induced to make as the Senior Bishops in the Confederate States, proposing a Convention at Montgomery, Alabama, on the 3d of July next, to be composed of the Bishops of the said dioceses, and of three Clerical and three Lay Deputies, from each, to be appointed by their respective Diocesan Conventions. The object of this Convention will be, to consult upon such matters as may have arisen out of the changes in our civil affairs; and,

especially, as touching the relations of the dioceses within the Confederate States to the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.

'It is thought better,' in the language of the said communication 'that these relations should be arranged by the common consent of all the Dioceses within the Confederate States, than by the independent action of each Diocese. The one will probably lead to harmonious action, the other might produce inconvenient diversity.' If there are elements of change which cannot be overruled or controlled, a fraternal interchange of views and harmonious action will, doubtless, give to these changes a right direction.

If again the general sentiment of the Church, North and South, should ultimately be found to tend to the expediency of a severence of the ecclesiastical unity, heretofore existing, then friendly consultation on our part, as preparatory to the final action of the General Convention, would be every way desirable.

Or, if there may be ecclesiastically a union, as there is, unquestionably, in doctrine and feeling, a unity of the Church Catholic, which is above all nationalities-the course here suggested, under the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed, will be most likely to lead to its recognition.

And if, in accordance with this latter view, (though our present ecclesiastical organization should have to give way to the force of circumstances,) another should be established, providing, as a bond of Union, for a General Council of the Church in all the States, to meet once in six years, or at longer intervals of time—and legislate on matters affecting the Church in its Catholicity, as its Liturgy and Faith -with Provincial Synods, composed of Dioceses contiguous and naturally falling together, meeting once in three years, to take charge of their missionary and other local work-the Annual Diocesan Convention assembling, of course, as heretofore -an end would have been attained, most important in the consequences resulting from the spectacle of such a union, for the Church and the world, as well as in the happy effects directly upon the great body of the faithful-an end, for which the mind of the Church seems to have been gradually preparing, and which many earnest hearts have longed to bring about.

May every change be directed aright, and the course of this world so peaceably ordered by God's governance, that His Church may joyfully serve Him in all godly quietness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You will perceive, from the foregoing, the reasons for this movement at the present time.

Before the last of June, the Conventions of all the Dioceses within the Confederate States will have met.

And it was foreseen that, unless joint action, as in the proposed Convention at Montgomery, should be agreed upon, there would be independent Diocesan action. leading to inconvenient diversity, and to a severance, moreover, of those bonds, which have united us so long and so happily with our Northern brethren.

What the result of this general consultation will be, cannot be foreseen. Whatever action may be taken, will be marked by calmness, moderation, and a spirit of peace and love.

If it can be made to appear that some bond of union may continue to exist, as suggested in my address, it will be ground of rejoicing.

The thought of a violent rending of the Church, or of a separation, if such must needs be, otherwise than as brethren and friends, is not for a moment to be enter

tained.

We bless God for the spectacle of union, and of unity, which the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country has ever presented to the world.

And, whatever its future history may be, we feel assured it will be only such as we would desire to see written.

Peace on earth, and good will towards men, will be, as of old, the message proclaimed.

You will join me, I know, in fervent prayers to God, that His good Spirit may be with us in our counsels, and that His Church may be one; evermore preserving the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Austin, April 15, 1861.

ALEXANDER GREGG, BISHOP OF TEXAS.

Deputies to the proposed Convention have been appointed by all (we believe) of the Conventions of the Confederate States. We had proposed to give, in this No. of the Review, a paper from one of the soundest and ablest Canonists of our Church, on the question of Church Unity as affected by our present political relations. It seems better however to await the action of the Convention at Montgomery. The whole subject will however, we trust, be met by the entire Church, both North and South, in that fraternal and that Catholic spirit which is due to so grave a matter. Especially do we hope that hasty legislation will be avoided on all sides.

SUMMARY OF FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

CONSECRATION OF THE BISHOP OF WORCESTER.

The Rev. Dr. HENRY PHILPOTT was consecrated to the See of Worcester, on Monday, March 25th, at Lambeth Palace. The officiating Prelates were, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishops of London and Llandaff. The Sermon upon the occasion was by the Rev. E. H. Browne, Norrisian Professor of Divinity, of Cambridge, in which he advocated, strongly, an increase of the Episcopate in England. Rev. Dr. Henry Philpott, entered St. Catherine College, Cambridge, (then called Catherine Hall,) in 1825, and in 1829 took his first degree of Bachelor of Arts, when he was first class in classics, and the senior wrangler of his year, the present Duke of Devonshire being second wrangler. In the contest for "Smith's Prizeman," Mr. Philpott stood second, the present Duke of Devonshire ranking first. On the death of Dr. Proctor, 1845, Mr. Philpott, who was then a Fellow, was elected to the Mastership of St. Catherine College, and succeeded to the Canonry Residentiary in Norwich Cathedral, which is attached to the mastership. Twe years afterwards, he proceeded to the degree of Doctor in Divinity, and more recently became chaplain to Prince Albert. Dr. Philpott has been three times ViceChancellor, and is one of the most popular men in the University.

CONSECRATION OF THE BISHOP OF CENTRAL AFRICA.

The Rt. Rev. F. C. MACKENZIE, Missionary Bishop to the Native tribes of Southern Africa, was consecrated in the Cathedral at Cape Town, Jan. 1, 1861, Feast of