RESOLUTIONS ON THE RESIGNATION OF THOMAS MILNOR. At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Mary's Church, held November 7th, 1860, the Committee reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: "WHEREAS, Thomas Milnor, Esq., the Senior Warden and Treasurer of this Parish, has communicated to the Vestry, his desire to resign his positions, both as Warden and Treasurer; "Resolved, That in accepting Mr. Milnor's resignation, the Vestry act only from a sense of courtesy to him and from an unwillingness to resist his plainly expressed wish. "Resolved, That the Vestry cannot sever the official connection, which has so long existed between Mr. Milnor and themselves, without expressing their sense of his long and faithful service, both as Warden and Treasurer, extending over a period of many years; under depressing and difficult circumstances, calling for the exercise of prudence, patience, forbearance, and liberality, which have never failed. "Resolved, That the Vestry sincerely regret the necessity, which compels them to accept this resignation; and that as an expression of their regret and esteem, these resolutions be entered on the minutes of the Vestry, and a copy signed by the Rector, and Secretary of the Vestry, be sent to Mr. Milnor. "WM. CROSWELL DOANE, Chairman. PASTORAL LETTER IN BEHALF OF BURLINGTON COLLEGE. "Among the noble foundations for Christian Education, which the zeal of the late Bishop, and the co-operation of generous friends, secured for the Diocese of New Jersey, and the Church at large, is Burlington College. "As St. Mary's Hall was designed for the education of our daughters, so Burlington College was planned to give our sons a thorough preparatory and university training. This latter Institution has never been adequately sustained by practical sympathy and support; and, therefore, according to mine office, which fills me with solicitude for the proper intellectual as well as Christian nurture of the lambs of my flock, I now remind the members of my Diocese of their privilege and duty in this particular. "The necessity of a distinctively Christian education, to fit our sons for their political and religious responsibilities, is not more evident, than is the moral obligation resting upon us to sustain, by our patronage and prayers, our own Diocesan College. Its discipline and course of study bear the impress of large experience and elegant scholarship, and are perfect for all the purposes of the highest Collegiate and Christian culture; and there is only wanted the conscientious interest of the churchmen of New Jersey, to make the Institution in fact, what, in its theory, it was designed to be by its founder. That interest I now invoke, by commending to your earnest attention the accompanying appeal of the Rector, and by asking you to scrutinize for yourselves the working of the College as at present in operation, and, if satisfactory, to send there your sons, and the sons of those over whom you have influence. "It is entitled, in my opinion, to entire confidence in all its departments, Moral, Domestic, and Academical; and it possesses in its Rector, the Reverend J. Breckenridge Gibson, A. M., a gentleman eminently fitted, in connection with his estimable wife, to make the Institution a refined Christian home. "WILLIAM HENRY ODENHEIMER, "Bishop of New Jersey and President of Burlington College. "Riverside, February 9th, A. D. 1861." A FALDSTOOL FOR THE EPISCOPAL CHAIR. On the 10th of March, 1861, a Faldstool, of black walnut, was placed in front of the Episcopal Chair, "near to the Holy Table." The book-board of the faldstool has a brass plate, with this inscription : "THE BISHOP OF NEW JERSEY. "I was glad when they said unto me, we will go into the House of the Lord.' Fourth Sunday in Lent, A. D. 1831." STATEMENT TO THE CONGREGATION OF ST. MARY'S PARISH, BURLINGTON, N. J. "The Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of St. Mary's Parish have long borne, alone, the anxiety consequent upon the large indebtedness of the Parish. The actual labour of the financial administration of its affairs, falls naturally upon them, and they have no disposition to avoid it. But they feel it right that the difficulties under which they often labour, should be understood by the congregation, in order that the plans which they adopt may be fairly judged, and the reason of their pecuniary embarrassment may be fully known. They recognize, moreover, the entire right of every member of the congregation to be informed of the exact position of its affairs; and feel, that the consequent upon this right, the duty rests upon the people directly, and upon the Vestry, only as their representatives, of assuming, and providing for, the expenses of the Parish. In a word, the Vestry feel that the indebtedness belongs to the congregation, and that they, and not the Vestry, are bound to meet it. "Holding this view, the Vestry, at a meeting held on the 29th January in this year, passed the following resolution : "Resolved, That the Rector, Wardens, and Treasurer, be at committee to prepare a full statement of the financial condition of the Parish, showing their assets and liabilities, revenue and current expenses, with a view of making a detailed report to the congregation.' "The Committee so appointed, after a minute and extended examination of books, papers, reports, and deeds, presented their report, which was accepted and entered upon the minutes of the Vestry. This report, condensed in some points, and in others, enlarged, is now laid before the congregation. "The assets include all the property of the Parish. The Church building is valued at its actual cost; estimated from a condensed statement of the accounts of the Building Committee, made by the present Treasurer. And the other property is set down at a very moderate valuation. "The liabilities will be found to include unpaid interest (monies and salaries of other years); but to be made up chiefly of monies borrowed for the erection and completion of the new Church building. Advances of former Treasurer...... $2,968 92 Loan from Board of Island Mana gers for Church building......... 10,100 00 Other loans for same object... Unpaid bills and tax........ Unpaid interest.... Unpaid salaries..... Total Liabilities......... 5,559 25 621 51 100 00 225 00 .$82,070 00 19,574 68 Excess of Assets over Liabilities..... $62,495 32 "It will be seen of course from these, that the creditors of the Church are amply and thoroughly secured; and the Vestry have no doubt that they would be entirely satisfied, if the congregation will provide, as they should, for the prompt and regular payment of the interest as it accrues. It is to this matter that they especially call their attention. At the same time, they feel bound to say to the congregation, that in their judgment it would be right and proper to take any means, which would not sacrifice the property of the Church, to lessen the indebtedness. And further, that in their judgment, the standing of the Parish would be materially improved, if an earnest effort were made by gifts and subscriptions, to clear off, entirely, the debt. "We ask the attention of the congregation now, to a simple comparsion of the revenue and current expenses of the Church. Other receipts (wharf and burial ground) ab't.... 100 00 $1,979 88 "It will be seen at once, that this state of things simply involves a constantly increasing debt; and places the Parish, before the eyes of men, as either insolvent or dishonest. The Vestry are convinced that the congregation will not allow such an imputation to rest upon a portion of Christ's Church; and will not leave their representatives, especially the Wardens and Treasurer, in a position so painful and embarrassing. "And the Vestry are equally convinced, that the congregation will see that the deficiency can only be met, by an increase of revenue. The expenses cannot be reduced. The Vestry are assured of this, after a careful examination of the whole case; and are sure that the congregation will see it. The chief item is the payment of interest, which can only be avoided, by the liquidation of the debt recommended above. The salaries are altogether unworthy of the congregation. And the other items of expense are unimportant. It must also be borne in mind, that in the item of incidental expenses, repairs are included, many of which are much needed now; and which will increase in amount and necessity every year. "Simply, therefore, with a view of putting ourselves in a position to meet our yearly expenses, the Vestry appointed a Committee to propose such a re-assessment of the pews, as would |