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minister" for each district; and, for the support of the minister so chosen, they were authorized to levy upon each district a certain sum, to be paid by the inhabitants, of all denominations. The act itself made no invidious distinction between mmisters of different denominations; but it was interpreted as allowing of the choice only of those of the Episcopal Church. A construction, so disingenuous and unwarrantable, naturally provoked much dissatisfaction in the community; and in April, 1695, a petition having been presented upon the subject, the assembly declared it to be their opinion, "that the vestry-men and church-wardens have power to call a dissenting Protestant minister, and that he is to be paid and maintained as the act directs. The intent of this petition," adds the historian, "was to refute an opinion which prevailed, that the late ministry act was made for the sole benefit of Episcopal clergymen [See Smith's Hist, pages 137 — 143 — and Chris. Mag,]." The popular discontent was not quieted, however, by this manoeuvre: it was a mere piece of finesse; — for, whatever was the power of vestry-men and churchwardens in the matter, under their auspices the operation of the law was sure to be what it had been, and what, no doubt, the crafty governor intended it should be, — solely in favour of such

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clergymen; and thus the Episcopal church was established and supported for near a century, in the counties above mentioned.

Before this law was enacted, the Dutch Church was by far the most distinguished of any in the colony. In numbers, in wealth, in respectability, it unquestionably occupied the first place; but as soon as the Episcopal church was made so prominently an object of government-favour, it lost some supporters, as a natural consequence of the inducements then held out to defection; and a character and reception were at once, by that means, in connexion with others employed for the same purpose, secured to the English language, which, in their influence, in process of time, produced a considerable change in its relative situation, and for a while, indeed, very seriously affected its peace. — To cultivate an acquaintance with this language, soon became necessary and fashionable among the people; and it is not improbable, that a view to the object, prompted several at first to frequent the Episcopal Church, who afterwards found it convenient to connect themselves fully with that Church. The civil courts performed their business in the English language: — English families multiplied: — English schools were established: — the trade with