> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) # >* z I 1.0 I.I 11.25 III U 116 *" Hidographic _Sciaices CarporatiQn ^\^ A ^H!^ ^^ ^^ ^^ 33 WBT MUm STRUT WnSTIR,N.Y. 14SM (7U)t7a-4S03 v\ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Inatituta for Hiatorical Mieroraproductiona / Inatitut Canadian da microraproductiona liiatoriquaa Technical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notas tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa Tha Inatituta haa attamptarf co obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqu.a, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may aigniflcantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chaokod balow. D D D D D Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur I I Covara damagad/ Couvartura andommagAa Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raataurte at/ou palllculte □ Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua □ Colourad mapa/ Cartaa gtegraphiquaa gtegraphiquaa an coulaur •d inl( (i.a. othar than blua Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) r~~| Colourad init (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ I I Colourad plataa and/or illuatratlona/ Planchaa at/ou Illuatratlona an coulaur Bound with othar matariai/ RalM avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortlon along intarior margin/ Larallura aarrAa paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatortlon la long da la marga IntArlaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoratlon may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibia, thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajouttoa lora d'una r(»stauration apparalaaant dana la taxta. mala, loraque cala itait poaaibia. caa pagaa n'ont paa «t« fllmtea. Additional commanta:/ Commantalraa auppl4mantairaa: Thi tol L'Inatltut a microfiimA la malllaur axamplaira qu'ii lui a AtA poaaibia da aa procurar. Laa ditaila da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-4tra unlquaa du point da vua bibllographiqua. qui pauvant modiflar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mfthoda normala da filmaga sent indiquAa d-daaaoua. I — I Colourad pagaa/ D Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagAaa Pagaa raatorad and/oi Pagaa raataurtea at/ou palliculAaa Pagaa diacolourad, atalnad or foxa< Pagaa dAcoiorAaa, tachatiaa ou piquAaa Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa ditach4aa Showthrouglv Tranaparanca QualHy of prin Qualit* in^gala da I'lmpraaaion Ineludaa aupplamantary matarii Comprand du matMal auppMmantaira Only adMon availabia/ Saula MMon dlaponiMa □ Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa □ Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ Pagaa Pagaa diacolourad, atalnad or foxad/ Pagaa □ Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa r~7| Showthrough/ I I QualHy of print variaa/ r~n Ineludaa aupplamantary material/ I — I Only adMon available/ Th4 poi ofi filn brii bai the atoi oth fir* aioi or Th« aha Tin Ma dm ant bei rigl req me Pagee wholhf or partially obacured by errata aiipa. tiaauae, etc.. have been ref limed to enaura the beat poaaibia Image/ Lea pagaa totalement ou partiellement obacurciae par un feulHat d'errata, una pelure, etc., ont 4tA fllm4ee i nouveeu de ta^on A obtenir la meWeure Image poealMe. Thia Item ia filmed et the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document eet filmi au taux de reduction indlqui cl-deaaoua. 10X 14X 18X 22X anc 30X IL 12X 16X 20X "^"WJigiii TiM copy filmtd h«r« has bMn r«produc«d thanks to tho gonorotlty of: Library of tha Public Archivaa of Canada L'axamplaira f limA f ut raproduit grtca k la gAnArosIt* da: La bibliothiqua das Archives publiquas du Canada Tha Imagaa appaarinn hara ara tha bast quality poasibia eonaidaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and In icaaping with tha filming contract spacificatlons. briginal copies In printed papar covers ara filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the bacic cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or iiiuatratad imprea- aion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impreasion. Las Images suivantas ont AtA raproduites avec ie plus grand soln, compto tenu de la condition at da la nattetA de rexemplaire film*, at en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de fiimage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couvertura en papier est imprlmte sont filmte en commenpant par ie premier plat at en terminant soit par la darnlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iiiustration, soit par la second plat, salon la cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la premlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iiiustration et en terminant par )a darnlAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain tha symbol — ^> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever appiiea. Un das symboies suivants apparattra sur la darnlAre image de cheque microfiche, seion ie cas: la symbola — ► signlf ie "A SUIVRE ", ie symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratloa. Those too large to be entirely included In one exposure are filmed beginning In the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many frames as required. The following diagrama illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimte A des taux de rMuction diff Arents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui clicht, 11 est f limA A partir da i'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en bas, en prenant Ie nombre d'Images nteessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrant la mAthode. 1 2 3 3iX 1 2 3 4 5 6 c A C H A R E DELIVERED TO THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO AT THE VISITATION ON WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12, 185^5, BY JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF TORONTO. VI 1- 'I 'I' 'I T O 11 O N T : HENRY ROWSELL, KINO STREET. 1853. '-ti :i ; 1 < ^1 •1' HKNRt ROWSEMi, PRINTER, KINO STREET, TORONTO. A CHARGE, My Brethren of the CiiKHGV and Ijxity : — In my circular calling tlus meeting I mentioneil that it had been postponed to a late period of the season in tiie hope that the Bill introduced into Pailiament by his grace the Archbishop of Canterbury would have piissed, and required immediate action, but as it has been throAvn over to the next session, our deliberations must be confined, as in May 1851, to those local matters, which, in the present eritieul position of our ecclesiastical aftairs, demand our immediate attention. But before we proceed furtl.cr it is my duty to give a brief history of the Diocese since our last visitation. And here it becomes us all to bless and praise our Heavenly Father with devout thankfulness for the measm*e of success which he has vouchsafed our feeble endeavours to dissemijmte the gospel truth in this great country, and to pray for the continuance of his watchful care and protection on our})resent and future labours to increase the limits of our Lord's Kingdom. The beginning of May 18.)! may ])e deemed an important era in the history of the Church in this Diocese. On the first, I delivered my visitation charge to the Clergy, and on the second, I opened our first Diocesan Conference, or Synod ; and I rejoice to say, its proceedings were conducted through- out in the greatest harmony. The meeting of the Clergy and Laity, under their Bishop, presented the Church in a venerable and commanding aspect, and in all her fullness. She spoke with authority, and her words have made a deep, and we trust a lasting impression. Already the timid are hecomo bold, and the indifferent, warm and resolute ; and all :ire encouraged to press with redoubled earnestness for synodal liberty. On the 18th of May 1851, I commenced my confirmation journey through the Niagara District, and was employed seventeen (hiys in traversing that beautiful portion of the Diocese. Confirmations were lu;ld in twenty parishes or missions, and the result in numbers, •J;U. This would appear rather a falling off, but 1 had anticipated one year, which will account for the seeming decrease. I found from experience that the division I had made of the Diocese for the purpose of confirmation was unequal, the Kastern being much the larger ; and to bring the two nearer an etjuality, 1 added the District of Niagara to the Western tion, which rriii be found, when carried out, exclusive and intolerant. On reading the school laws of this Province we are struck with two things : — First, Their slavish imitation of the educational policy of our neighbors. Second, Their com ;)lete negation of everything like Christianity, while, witli incredible assurance, they pretend to be based on religion. This covert enmity to true religion is not to be wondered at, because the position of the population of Upper Canada and of many of tho United States is very similar. The general tendency however is not the less to be lamented, for it leads directly to democracy and socialism. In a mere secular point of view, we readily admit that much has been done in Upper Canada to promote what is vulgularly called education, and we are willing to believe that many of those employed in carrying out the laws act ender the delusion that they arc favorable to religion. We are also disposed to admit that so far as the Normal School is concerned there is much in it to approve as a nursery for teachers; because it does not altogether ignore religion, as the common schools virtually do. And it may be further conceded that the masters employed in the Normal School have evinced much ability and skill in training the teachers, both male and female. Nor are we disposed to overlook the unwearied assiduity and zeal of the Chief Superintendent, (however misdirected by enactments which he has, we presume, no power to control) in managing the whole system of education now in operation throughout Canada West. Nor are we unwilling to believe that the Superintendent carries his exertions in favor of religion of some sort further perhaps than a rigid interpreta- tion of the laws would warrant. I blame not the persons employed, or find fault with what •1 20 has been done so much as what has been left undone. Much has been accomplished and more is in progress to render the scholars, male and female, physically comfortable in this world ; but to render the system complete, wo must educate the whole, body and soul, and not only make man fit for his place here, but for his higher state of existence in a future world, and if this principle cannot be carried out in mixed schools to the satisfaction of both Roman Catholics and Protestants, the law should render the establishment of separate schools easy of attainment, instead of making them all but impossible. Now, it is because this provision is not honestly carried out, that we complain ; and because it is assumed, contrary to the fact, that the commonschool system is founded on Christian principles. Whereas, the statutes by which they are estab- lished make no reference whatever to Christianity or the Bible, but virtually exclude all religious instruction worthy of the name, and afford no opportunity to parent of any communion to bring up their children in the doctrines and duties of their faith. Throughout the school acts no direct reference is made to man as an immortal and accountable, guilty and redeemed being, but all is secular. Hence such secular knowledge, being unsanctified must, silently but eifectually, undermine every sacred and moral principle and feeling, and thus promote infidelity and moral corruption throughout the province, and send forth generation after generation, into the ocean of life, with no compass to guide and direct them. All this fully appears from the regulations of the Council of Public Instruction, founded on the 14th section of the the Common School Act : " That no foreign books in the English branches of education shall be used in any model or common school without the express permission of the council of public instruction ; nor shall any pupil in any such school be required to read or study in or from any religious book or join in any exercise of devotion or religion which shall be objected to by his or her parents or guardians : provided 21 always that within thin limitntion, pupily shall be allowed to receive iiiich religious instruction ns their parents anil j^uanlians shall desire according to the genercil rogulatiorii* which Hhull be provided accord- ing to law." • Now the special regulation ami recommendation made by the Council of Public Instruction for Upper Canada is the following : — "The public religious exercises of each school shall be a matlur of mutual voluntary arrangement between the trustees and teacher ; and it shall be a matter of mutual voluntary arrangement between the teacher and the parent or guardian of each pupil as to whether he shall hear such pupil recite from the scriptures or catechism or other summary of religious doctrine and duty of tiie persuasion of such parent or guardian. Such recitations are not, however, to interfere with the regular exercises of the school." Now this seeming approach to religious instruction is most offensive and derisive. It seems to have been drawn up by persons who arc ashamed of religion and plotting its destruc- tion. First, the triLStccs and schoolmasters must agree, and tliey may be all persons who have no religion or sense of religion whatever. Then the parents and teachers must arrange. The best result of these negotiations that can be expected is that at the option of the trustees and convenience of the teacher, if so inclined, a verso of Holy Scripture may be occasionally read, or a question from the catechism asked, provided the school business does not interfere. Under the mockery of such an enactment and regulation there is no guarantee that so much as the Lord's Prayer is ever heard in anyone school, or the Holy Bible over reverently introduced, or the children taught so much as the Ten Com- mandments. Nor have we any assurance that cither trustees or teachers are God-fearing men or have the slightest regard for holy things. Hence, whatever may be asserted by the promoters of the school system it is evident, that it contains no available 22 provision for religious instiuction, not can it be effectively introduced without separate schools, as in England. Let us now look at the working of the system. It is said to be founded on that adopted in Ireland, and that the same books arc used ; and to some extent this appears to bo the case. In the common school annual report of 1851, page 28, the grand total of schools for 1851 is - 8,001 And the grand total for 1850 is - - - 3,050 Decrease ... 58 From the same report, page 36, it appears that in 1850, out of the whole number of schools (3,059), two thousand and sixty-seven used the Bible and New Testament, leaving 982 schools not using the Bible and New Testament. It further appears on the same page that in • 1851 the schools reported as using the Bible were 1,748 Not using it 1,253 Total number of schools 3,001 It also appears from the same report that the number of common schools in 1851 had decreased by 58, and the number of schools using the Bible and New Testament had decreased by 319. Moreover, it appears from the same report, page 36, that the Scripture Lessons prepared for the Irish schools were not used in any school, nor the lessons on the truth of Christianity ; nor (so far as the tables furnish information) was any refer- ence made to Christianity. Now, to say that under such a plan of instruction the prin- ciples of religion and morality are inculcated, when not a book on religion or morals is used except in such schools as admit the Old and New Testament, is a fallacy. Without calling in question the success of the common school system in a merely secular point of view, it clearly 28 appears that it has and can have no practical iuflucnce in promoting true religion. Nothing is attempted to be taught but worldly knowledge, while that ^ainwledge to which all other should be subservient i« entirely neglected. That such a state of things cannot long continue, we may be well assured. When the question shall l)0 regularly brought' home to the hearts of our people, wi,"ther their children are to be taught religious truth, or be confined to secular instruc- tion, we shall not find one in ten Avho does not desire his child to be instructed in the Gospel of our Saviour. Eut they have been and still are deluded by the assumption daily and hourly put forth that the Christian religion is the basis of our common school system. This deception cannot now be continued ; and the good sense of our people will soon, I trust, seek a remedy for so pernicious an evil. And this remedy may be found without any other alteration of the law than granting separate schools where desired, without any penal restrictions. Such restrictions no State has a right to impose upon its people. It ought to make no distinction between different religious communities, but award to each, in due proportion, their share of the public money and assessments, leaving the religious portion of education to be settled by each denomi- nation in their own schools according to their own religious opinions, and annexing no other condition except a guarantee that the aid should not be misapplied. Now, the modification we desire is our undoubted right, so far as it can be practically attained, for although there may be difliculty for a time in carrying it into extensive operation from the scattered nature of our people, yet it may be at once effected in cities, towns and incorporated villages, and ex- tended by each denomination, as its population admits. There is no difficulty in England. " The Wesleyari conference receives grants iVoni the State on condition that it shall be the fundamental regulation and practice of 24 their schools that the Bible shall be daily read therein by the children and religious instruction shall be given to all children in the said schools whose parents anil guardians shall not, on religions grounds, object thereto, " And aj/ain, that every school sliiill be regularly opened and closed with devotional singing and prayer, in which the Wesleyan Hymn Book shall be used ; that the Holy Bible, comprising the sacred scriptures ol' both the Old and New Testament in the author- ised version only, shall be read and used in such schools, accompa- nied with instruction therein by the teachers or visitors, or bodi. "That, for the purposes of catechetical instruction, the Wesleyan catechism authorised by the yearly conference shall be used in the schools, and that Christian Psalmody shall form a part of the daily exercises ol" the children and young persons in such schools. " Similar stipulations are accepted as entitling them to grants by the British and Foreign School Society, which is the otficial adhesion of the great body of dissenters. " Grants are awardnl to the Roman Catholics in England for the maintenance of their schools without special conditions, because the Church of Rome claims for her clergy the sole and exclusive chai;4e of the religious and moral training of her children, and a power to frame the regulations connected therewith. No right of Lay inter- ference, even though Catholic, can be recognized in these matters." Such is the practice in England. All denominations who apply have grants conferred upon them for building school- houses, for salaries to masters and mistresses, for the purchase of books, and stipends for pupil teachers, &c. FREE SCHOOLS. In regard to free schools, it has been said that to make them absolutely so, would be to drag education into the kennel ; to paralj^ze and degrade it, and to place it on a level with the schools of the work-house. It has also been said that no one values what he has not paid for. It has been further noticed that Connecticut, which, in connection with common schools, was held in honor, has fallen from this high position because her state endowment is more than sufficient to meet all the requirements of instructing her youth ; that it has put her actually asleep. Hence her school fund is quoted 25 as a warning and example to deter other States from giving the proceeds of their funds except on condition that those who receive shall meet the aid given by an equal sum from rate or contribution. It is even urged that in some places in Upper Canada the attendance has.fallen off since the schools became free. The question of placing education within the reach of all entirely without cost, is no doubt perplexing ; but I believe that under any circumstances good schools will command full attendance. At the same time the more you interest the parents in them the more will they value the benefit ; and although it may be admitted that in largo towns and in our back settlements, the situation of some parents renders them unable to pay the school fees, their number is very few and might be easily remedied without exposing their poverty. The moral effect of a small tax on the poor in the shape of school pence is, that it appeals to paternal duty and enforces domestic piety. It likewise establishes parental authority and vindicates personal freedom. Thus schools, which should resemble so many Christian households, if wholly supported by extraneous means, do not excite the sympathy of parents nor the anxiety and personal interest of the teachers. They become matters of business, in which the 'affections have no concern ; the parents and teachers become estranged, and the public or social relations supersede the domestic. To make the families of the poor scenes of Christian peace ought to be the first object of the school ; but our common schools are so conducted as to substitute the idea of tlie citizen for that of the parent, political rights for those of domestic duties, and the claim of public privileges for the personal law of conscience. But let the members of the Church have their separate schools and all other denominations that may desire to enjoy that right, and we shall be able in a great measure to restore domestic kindness and authority in our household ; and having D !'. I 26 a common bond of union and love with our teachers, and the same faith and truthfulness, our schools will gradually exchange their selfish and political character for the charities of domestic life. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. As in the present state of public aftairs it may be some time ])efore we can attain that simple alteration in the school law for which we are contending, we are not in the meantime to be idle. But, Avhile we urge our claim with all becoming earnestness, we must, in as far as possible, supply the deficiency. Permit me therefore, with this view, to suggest the increase of your Sunday schools in number and efficiency. Establish one at each of your stations ; and though this ^vill be attended with no small additional trouble, remember that all your time and faculties belong to the Church — that your vows bind you in the most solemn manner to do everything in your power for her benefit ; and if you go earnestly to work, you cannot fail. 1 am not, my brethren, ignorant of the difficulties you will have to encounter from apathy and carelessness, from the scarcitv of teachers and from their general inability, even when willing ; but such obstacles arc daily overcome by others, and why not by us? You will not only have to solicit and persuade your teachers to come for- ward to your assistance, but you will have to win over to your side their parents and friends, many of whom are cold and indiff"erent, and not merely unconscious of the vicious princi- ples upon which our system of common schools is established, but many of them in their ignorance are satisfied and pleased with the progressive secular knowledge which some of their children may have made. If you s[)eak of their religious deficiency, they do not seem to be sensible of it, but, on the contrary, believe the confi- dent assertions, so often repeated, that sufficient attention is 27 paid to this the most valuable of all branches of knowledge. All these things are indeed disheartening ; but the truth is on your side, and with good temper and perseverance, you will overcome all such impediments. Again : you will have to meet your teachers from time to time by themselves, to encourage them and shew them how to proceed in communicating instruction in such a way as may secure respect and affection from their pupils. You will say, perhaps, that it is impossible for me to keep my engagements at my different stations and likewise assist at so many schools. This may, to some extent, be true, but much may be done by good arrangements. You can take the schools for an hour by rotation, and this at such intervals as may not interfere with your various en- gagements. Moreover, you can appoint an evening on some week day to meet the teachers of your different schools in their turn. Nor will the discharge of this more increased duty be slow in bearing fruit. Your congregations will become more numerous at your different stations, more attentive and docile. By acquiring greater influence and more kindly respect and attention, you will feel encouraged from the conviction that by your own exertions and those of your teachers, you have been impress- ing on the young of your charge the great truths and pre- cepts of Christianity ; training them up in the principles of religion and habits of regularity, propriety and cleanliness, enlightening their understandings, softening their hearts, purifying their morals and civilizing their manners. Nor would these benefits be confined to the pupils ; your teachers would become so many friendly missionaries among your people, to extend and enforce your instructions, and you would in a short time be delighted with the happy change through your whole mission. All would become acquainted with their Bible, and learn to know their duty as men and Christians, and to understand those principles which are to ^^1 i"^:M m 28 be their guide in after life, and their path to heaven. And is it nothing to have excited a general spirit of improvement among all ranks of your people, to have brought the rich acquainted witli the wants and actual circumstances of their poorer neighbours, and to have produced among them mutual feelings of sympathy and acts of kindness ? Is it nothing to unite your flock through the whole neighbourhood, removing the prejudices of one, encouraging the efforts of another, softening the asperities of a third, and engaging the affections of all ? I can only touch upon Sunday schools as one of the most trustful sources of a clergyman's usefulness ; but there is one duty more upon which I mui t detain you a few moments, namely : VISITING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE. This Apostolic injunction can never be safely omitted, be- cause there are so many benefits gained by such visits to families which cannot be attained in any other way. It is, however, to be feared that many clergymen content themselves with one general visitation, and think they have done enough ; but if they never see their people afterwards how arc they to become acquainted with their tempers and dispositions, their peculiar habits and propensities ? Hence the necessity of establishing a regular system of visitation. Large as our missions are they seldom exceed 64 square miles, or a square of eight miles ; but whatever their extent may be, let it be divided into such portions as may be visited systematically in a given time. Commence your first round as quickly as possible after you take possession of your mission, that you may know your people, and ever after so arrange that you may visit every household at least once a year. Some families require your personal attention oftener than 29 At others, and to this you should as far as practicable give your attention. You should bo found occasionally in every part of your mission, otherwise you will never become intimately acquainted with your scattered flock. To proceed in this manner is more necessary in a colony like this than in the mother country, because our population is continually moving — some going and others coming ; and in the more remote settlements the greater number are com- monly emigrants just arrived. Suppose the mission, when you first assume the incum- bency to contain 600 inhabitants, or 120 families, with the certainty of doubling every ten years : this presents at first sight a formidable field of labor, but as the population is mixed a third or fourth only belong to us, it is not beyond the strength of an active clergyman, with the aid of method and order. At first his portion would be about thirty or forty families scattered over a large surface, and these may be all visited in a very few weeks ; nor should he refrain from calling on those without, when they arc disposed to receive him. As the inhabitants increase so will the labor, but not in an equal ratio, for the roads will be getting better and will lessen the fatigue of travelling. In time the population will become thousands instead of hundreds, and as this is proceeding the mission Avill be divided into two, three or even four missions, till at length they somewhat resemble parishes in om* father- land. The missionary m\\ find great benefit from having correct lists of the people under his charge ; the number composing each family, the number of communicants and of the con- firmed. Such lists may bo rendered particularly convenient and beneficial by appending privately, for his own special use, remarks on their character, habits and dispositions, their progress in religious knowledge, and their general conduct. To the emigrant recently arrived, and still mourning over his 1 * j| 30 separation from his fatherland, the sight of a good and faith- ful clergyman is felt to be a blessing. Much may be said to soothe the father and mother in their novel position, sur- rounded perhaps by a large family of children with many trying difficulties and privations to contend Avith. He can remind them that One is watching for them and looking after their spiritual concerns, who will never leave them nor forsake them. lie can encourage them in their new career, in ac- (piiring a certain independence, and shew them that the hard- ships they are enduring are temporary, and not on the whole greater than those they Avcre suffering in their native country, with this happy diff"erence, that here a few years of steady labor is sure to secure a competence, while such a result for persons in their condition is hopeless in their native land. Then, taking an interest in their children, furnishing them with tracts to read during the winter evenings, and urging the benefit of sending them to school as soon as their ages permit, they feel their hearts warmed towards their pastor as their friend and benefactor. They return to their labors with redoubled strength, and are cheered by the hope that in a short time they Avill be comfortable and happy. They may also be made aware that already their situation is much improved from what it Avas in England or Ireland, for the four great wants of the poor, house-room, fuel and food, arc abundantly supplied ; and if their clothing continue homely for a time, the second or third crop will remove that incon- venience. I might enlarge on the uses to be made by the faithful missionary of the domestic events of joy and sorrow which happen in all families. The marriage, the birth, the confir- mation — the first communion on the one hand, and the times of misfortune and trouble, of sickness, of grief for the depar- ture of some beloved one : all of which may be made, through God's blessing, the means of great spiritual and temporal 31 improvement ; but, considering the ground I have yet to pass over, I must forbear. PUBLIC WORSHIP. In this way we gradually train our people to profit by public worship and to value the blessings of the Sabbath day. Every seventh day God speaks to a fallen world and gives us the foretaste of a better Sabbath, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. Its holy and tranquillizing duties, its sanctifying lessons, the self-communing Avhich it promotes, are among its special benefits. But even as a mere respite from toil, wordly cares and distractions, it is replete with mercy. Paramount to all its privileges are the public services of the Church : — '*• We assemble and meet together in God's presence to render thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary as well for the body jib the soul." To give full efificacy to the Church services we must en- deavour to procure from our people punctual attendance, to bo scrupulously careful in making the responses, and to join in the prayers with our hearts and understandings. For, unless we get our people, young and old, to do all this, they do not profitably worship ; all seems dead and uninteresting. We must therefore win their affiictions to the beauty of the service, and teach them how to make every prayer and petition their own. And in order to effect this, we should read the prayers with 'solemnity and fervor, and shew by our manner that we feel them to be what they really are, contrite, humble, grate- ful and trustful. Thus an earnest and subdued utterance will shew that our souls are engaged and that the language of our lips is heart- felt and sincere. But not only ought the members of our Congregations to HI 32 attend to the responses and thus identify themselves with the holy services of tlio Church, but also to the Psalmody. The influence of music in aiding religious feeling is admit- ted by all men : it has delighted all ages and all nations ; and tiioy must have hearts very cold and insensible from Avhich it doth not draw religious delight. PREACHING. Faithful and fervent preaching ought ever to accompany the ordinance of prayer ; and perhaps the best rule is that laid down by the Apostle in lii.s Epistle to the Hebrews : "Therefore leaving tlie principles of the doclrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repen- tance from- good works and of faith towards God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands and of ressurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, and this we will vo, if God permit." The Apostle tells us not to dwell exclusively on the princi- ples or rudiments of our holy religion ; but, when thcpe are well understood, to proceed to their practical application. And this appears to be the principle on which our inestimable Book of Common Prayer is composed. It provides that our congregations, old and young, shall be made well acquainted with the great doctrines and facts of the Gospel as illustrated in our Saviour's life from Advent to Trinity Sunday ; and again from Trinity to Advent, it directs us more especially to their application to our advancement in holiness and purity of life and conversation. Hence, during the course of its ecclesiastical year, it de- livers to us the Avhole counsel of God. Among the many excellences of the Book of Common Prayer is, that it furnishes the most appropriate texts for every Sunday, fast and festival of the year, and enables us to divide the Avord in the most perfect and useful manner. It gives every doctrine aiul precept its proper place ; and the clergyman who preaches in accordance with its calendar, is sure to preach the Gospel in all its fulness. 88 To preach the Gospel in faith and fervor, is to feed the flame of true devotion, to bestow wings on the soul, and give life to the good ufFectioiis of the heart. It is not, however, my intention to dwell on the present occasion on this subject, however important, but to direct your attention to two errors in the mode of preaching, which seem too prevalent in the present nge, and which a due reference to the Book of Common Prayer, as we have recommended, will eifectually remedy. In the first place, many dwell almost exclusively on doc- trinal points, and some select only one or two favorite ones upon which they expatiate Sunday after Sunday, and exhibit great ingenuity in subtle distinctions, curious abstractions and technical phrases, which bewilder and confuoC, but give no definite instruction or edification. Were the doctrines taken up on the days the Church sets apart for their express commemoration, and presented in their tenderness, sublimity and beauty, the effect would be very different. They would purify and elevate the hearts and minds of the people, instead of wearying and distracting them with refined divisions and repetitions. In the second place, a numerous class of clergymen teach that the world and the things of the world, though necessary to be attended to for their temporal comfort and prosperity, are nevertheless among the deadliest enemies to our spiritual and future interests. Now, although in times of great peril and revolting sacrifices, in daily dread of martyrdom and the crushing of our dearest affections and hopes, the mind naturally becomes gloomy, and may at such times sympa- thise with this view ; yet in the passing age, when the pro- fession of Christianity exposes us to no privations, the proper distinction should be taken between using and abusing the , things of this world ; and the preacher ought not to depreciate intemperatcly the gifts of God, and cry down the beauty E 34 of the Creation around him, ita thrilling interests, its glorious works and holy affections. The common affairs of life should not l)e represented as hostile to our true concerns and inter- ests, but as the appointed field of our duty and probation. Instead, therefore, of keeping up a constant jarring between this world, in which we must act and take aninterest, and the world to come, in which we ought to find our lasting hapj)iness and welfare, we should discharge our duty in our present state with all our might and in the most religious spirit we can put forth ; and in doing this, we may be assured that we are preparing ourselves for a greater trust and higher station in the world to come, of which this is an earnest and a part. In fine, our style of preaching ought to be made conform- able to the spirit and peculiarities of Christianity, and the example of our beloved Master, Avho fulfilled " the work that was given him to do." And in thus following him in our subordinate spheres with corresponding diligence and practi- cal wisdom, we shall hope to rise with him to a higher place in his Father's Kingdom. Always remembering that this world is the kingdom of grace and of forgiveness to sinners ; that we must never cease to be humble, contrite, believing, tliankful and full of hope, as becomes beings who arc con- scious of having sinned, but who arc also permitted to look for that pardon and acceptance which was proclaimed by one who himself came from Heaven on this special errand of mercy to the human race. Were you, my brethren of the Clergy, conscientiously to pursue the course which I have endeavoured, though feebly, to bring under yom* consideration, it would vastly increase your influence for good, and the whole diocese would present a formidable barrier to the progress of evil. Our office is to bring men out of the kingdom of this world into the kingdom of God. We are therefore to be at work in both kingdoms; hence the necessity of our being watchful and diligent in 35 i our vocation, prompt in charity, blameless in our conversation, and pure in our doctrine, tliat we may win the love and respect of our people, and procure from them a ready con- currence and obedience in all things lawful. This is the true and prevailing; influence to which a faithful clergyman ought to aspire and endeavour to possess in hit' Parish ; and, while it admits of no abuse, cannot fail to be effective for good. CONTROVEKSY WITH ROME. In my last charge 1 briefly mentioned what has been called the Papal Aggression, and told you that I did not view it in so formidable a light as many others. The language it* indeed arrogant and offensive, and deeply to be regretted ; because it was sure to produce (as it has done) great excite- ment, by rousing the worst passions and reviving the warfare between the two Churches, which good men hoped was gradually subsiding. But, since it could have little or no effect as a positive attack on our Protestant faith, I depre- cated all penal enactments. If, indeed, it militates against the Royal Supremacy and tho Constitutional Law, the Imperial Government had, and still has, the remedy in its own hands, to preserve its pre- rogatives, to keep the peace, and to sec that the just rights of all parties are secured. It is true the Roman Church desires not toleration and equal rights, but absolute ascendancy and domination, crowned at last by the suppression of every other creed. But this is no new discovery ; it has ever been the leading principle of that Church before, as well as since the Reforma- tion. She may have advanced or withdrawn it, at times, as it suited her convenience, but she never gave it up. Her doctrinal pretensions arc ever the same ; and wherever Romanism lifts her head and extends her branches, freedom of thought withers and disappears. 30 All tlii.s wns HA well known before the A^'Rrcsnion as since, and rendered the remedy adopted against it u )re than ridieulou.^ because (as was foreseen) totally inefl'ectual. And so will be the result of all attempts in the present age to coerce matters of opinion and conscience, because they arc beyond the power of legislation. There is nevertheless serious difficulty in dealing with the Ilomish Church. It is not simply a form of worship and Theology, for, in that case, Roman Catholics and Dissenters would be much the same. But the Roman Catholic system is dift'erent from all varieties of non-conformity, for it is not merely a Religion but a Polity, and this System or Polity embraces the whole of her Religion. The truths she publishes exist only in her keeping, or during the pleasure of the Pope, whom she pronounces in- fallible, and who can alter, change, extend, or contract day by day whatever she affects to believe. She is therefore continually in a state of transition, and her polity grasps all things of a temporal as well as of a spiritual nature, when opportunity serves. So far as our Church is concerned, these attacks from Rome have done her good service. They have opened the eyes of all the thoughtful and serious of our own people and of all other Protestant denominations, both at home and abroad, to her vast importance in the religious war that Rome in her phrenzy has commenced ; and they begin to doubt whether they are acting wisely,. not only in alienating them- selves from the Church of England, the true bulwark of the Protestant faith, and aiding the great enemy of Gospel truth on account of some minor differences unknown to the Church Catholic in its primitive purity, and which, when traced back to their foundation, have only the authority of single and erring individuals. As if the judgment of one was to be pre- ferred to the Creeds which have been sanctioned by the 87 prayers, uiul wutorcd by the tears and blood, of Haints iiiul martys. The attackH of Home arc; not made a;^ainst Protestant Dissenters, >vIioni si e values as nothing; but, as might be expected, they are «lirtM'ted against iho United Church of England and Ireland — her only powerful opponent ; before whoso vigor, zeal and learning she has often quailed. She feels our Church is a true branch of the Catholic Church, the pillar and ground of ti nth, and the only one that can make head against her corruption. Nor is the United Church of England and Ireland insensi- ble of her high mission. She knows it to be her duty, as it is her privilege, to stand in the front of the battle. But her weapons must not be those of her adversary, — intolerance, persecution, torments, and death ; but those which were used so effectually by the holy Apostles and their successors during the first three centuries of the Christian era. These holy men went forth having their loins girt about Avith truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, they had the shield of faith, wherewith they were able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. They had the helmet of salvation, and the SAVord of the Spirit, Avhich is the Word of God ; and all these Avero sanctified Avith prayer, and supplication, and Avatching Avith all perseverance. Now these Aveapons are . U ours, and, if used in humble dependence upon God our Saviour, they Avill bo as effectual now against principalities and poAvers, against the rulers of the darkness of this AM)rld, against Spiritual Avickednoss in higli places, as they Avere during the more early ages of the Church. The same Aveapons directed by the same Holy Spirit dis- tinguished the great preachers of the Reformation, and enabled them to shakf; off the fetters of superstition and the corruptions of Faith, and to rear the purest form of Gospel 1 I 38 truth and order that had yet been known since its first promulgation. And, for more than three luindred years, the Church which they established in such purity and excellence has brought forth a succession of sons not unworthy of their fame and approbation. During this long period the Divines of our Church have nobly and incontrovertibly supported the principles and evidences of the Christian faith against every form of heresy and infidelity. With Rome they have carried on the contest in a manner unanswerable and triumphant, both from Scrip- ture and reason. Every novel and unauthorized sect, as it arose, has been met with a complete refutation of their errors and the most perfect elucidation of the pure and complete doctrines of the Gospel which were once delivered to the Saints. Surely in the founders of our Church, and their able and vigilant successors, our Clergy of the present day can never want high examples to animate their zeal in the cause of Divine Truth. I look, therefore, forward with assurance to a successful issue in our contest with the Church of Rome ; and while our main defence will continue to be the strict discharge in all Christian love of our duty in our respective parishes ; yet, should any of us be called to a more extensive field, I hope we shall not be found wanting. COLONIAL CHURCH REGULATION BILL. I directed the Colonial Church Regulation Bill to be printed for the Conference, because some expression of opinion on its provisions seems to be called for from the Church of this Diocese. The Bill was introduced by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, who remarked, on the 21st of July, in the Lord's Committee, that, for some years past, considerable distress and inconvenience had arisen in the Colonies in consequence 39 of the want of the regular administration of their Ecclesiastical affiiirs. His Grace further stated that there was considerahle unanimity among the members of the Church in the Colonies on the subject, for all agreed that some legislation was necessary on the part of the Imperial Parliament : that whatever plan might be adopted for the regulation of the Church in the Colonies, the Lay members ought to have a fair share in the administration of her affairs ; but that nothing ought to be agreed upon which had any tendency to separate us from the Church in the Mother Country. After a spirited debate the Bill passed through the Com- mittee and was reported to the House, with amendments, without a division. As the measure had been agreed upon by the whole bench of Bishops and unanimously passed the House of Lords, it was expected to go through the House of Commons without the slightest difficulty. It was simply permissive, noc com- pulsory, and merely empowered the Church in the Colonies to exercise her natural and inherent right to regulate her own affairs and discipline, but which certain impediments placed in her way by some antiquated and obsolete laws prevented her, without some enabling enactment, to carry out. The Bill consists of the preamble and seventeen clauses, and is entitled, " An Act to enable the Bishops, Clergy and Laity of the United Church of England and Ireland, in her Majesty's Foreign and Colonial possessions, to provide for •the regulation of the affairs of the said Church in such pos- sessions." On Tuesday, tlie '2nd of August, the Bill was called up in a way very singular, if not offensive, by Lord John Russell, who told the House of Commons that tlie Solicitor (Jeneral had prepared certain clauses to do, in an unobjectionable manner, what was proposed by the bill ; and moved tliat the second reading be adjourned till Monday the eighth. This called up Mr. Kinnaird, Avho declared that he would resist the 40 Bill in every stage, as opposed to the principles of Colonial self-government. ^ How he can make this out does not appear ; but he con- cluded his speech by moving that the Bill be read a second time that day three months. The Colonial Church seemed to have no friend in the House, or any one who took the slightest interest in a proceeding of the utmost consequence to her future weliiirc and progress, if not to her existence, except Mr. Itoundell Palmer, who, in a manly and straight- forward speech, vindicated the measure against the unworthy clamour and mean prejudices raised against it by misrepre- senting its character. This upright senator considered the treatment the Bill had met with not very respectful to such a body as the Bishops of the Church of England with whom it had originated, being the result of the mature and deliberate consultation of that venerable body, assisted by several of the Colonial Bishops, who had come homo for the express purpose of consider- ing by Avhat means they might best accomplish the objects desired by the uiembers of the Cliurch of England in their respective Dioceses, without introducing the principle of a Church establishment, and without interfering with the rights itf other denominations of Christians. Mr. Palmer declared that the Bill was not open to those terms of contumely and reproach which had been thrown out against it, nor was it open to the charge of seeking to obtain any special privileges for the Church of England in the Colonies. His defence of the Bill was true, vigorous, and trium}diant, but he was alone; only one senator could be found in the House of Commons to stand up in favor of the iidu>rent rights of the Colonial Church, embracing more than a million of British subjects ! It is true that the Chancellor of the Exchequer faintly admitted that the measure had not been fairly attacked in the discussion that evening, and therefore he thought it right 41 to say a few words before the question was put. Tie believed that the positive character of the piovisions of the Bill, which was objected to as tending to create an Established Church in the Colonies, was a fault in the Bill ; if so, why were not tliose provisions modified by the Duke of Newcastle, who was a party to its prepara';ion, aftd who seems to have been per- mitted to make any amendments he thought right or expedient, while the measure was in progress thi'ough the House of Lords. It is a new thing to see a Ministei- of the Crown eagerly assiduous in rendering palative a measm-e and passing it unanimously in one house, and then allowing it to be thrown out without ceremony in the other. 'L^he Chancellor of the Exchequer likewise stated, that in a former session of Parliament he had brought in a Bill for the purpose of liberating the Church in the Colonies from the real or supposed disabling effects of Imperial Statutes, and so far to place it in the position of Dissenting bodies in the Colonies ; and to that declaration of the law or repeal of the disabling statutes, lie added certain clauses containing certain restraints. He then proceeded to make several judi- cious remarks respecting the provisions of the Bill and the true question at issue, which, if they had been made with a view of amending the Bill, instead of forming an excuse for acqui- escing in its postponement, tho Colonies would have been thankful. But, when it is considered that Mr. Gladstone might have procured, through his colleague, the necessary modifications of the measure before it passed the House of Lords, or when it came before him in the House of Commons, we cannot feel assured that he was earnest in the cause, or that his fondness for his own Bill did not make him forget the respect due to the heads of the Church at home as well as of the Colonies, who were all earnestly employed in perfecting the measure ; and although they might not be, (as was sarcastically F 42 observed,) such Colonial philosophers as there were in the House of Commons, they were nevertheless anxiously desirous of maintaining the connection l)etAveen the Church at Home and the Church in the Colonies, and entitled to much more courtesy and vespect than they appear to have received. As the subject stands over to the next session of Parlia- ment, we must wait witli as much patience as we can under a sense of unmerited disappointment, and solace ourselves with the hope that the Imperial Legislature will give a fair recep- tion and full consideration to some such measure during the next session, for the purpose of allowing the Church fair play in the Colonies, upon the footing of an Established Body. On reference to the Statutes of Upper Canada, I find that tiie Legislature at its first session enacted that in all matters of controversy relative to property and civil rights, resort shall be had to the Laws of England as a rule for the decision of the same ; l)Ut no notice whatever is taken of the Ecclesi- astical Laws of England. Hence it might at first be inferred that they did not extend to this Diocese ; but on further examination, such an inference does not hold good, for the C^olouial Churches are in law considered as offshoots of the (.'iiurch of England ; and their Clergy are by their ordination vows bound ])y the same regulations as those of the Mother Ctiuicli. Their Bishops are under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to His Grace, their Clergy may in certain cases appeal ; and such appeal, when brought to a hearing, must be decided by the Ecclesiastical Jjaw of England. Moreover, the case of holding regular Convocations in the (Jolonies was tried by the Bishop of New Zealand, a Prelate whom all bless and honour ; but the regulations or canons drawn up inider his guidance, when sent to England and submitted to the highest law authorities, were declared illegal and invalid. Now, it being the great object of the Colonial Church to i ? 48 n the isirous [lome more *arlia- hder a t» with recep- Ing the V play 1(1 that lattei'H preserve and maintain its identity with the Cliurch at Home, this cannot be effectually done without some measure of the Imperial Parliament, and as this may be done, according to the Hon. Mr. Gladstone by a simple enactment of half a page, it is strange that such opposition or difficulty should stand in its way. Nevertheless, the emancipation of the Colonial Church is of great importance and wortli waiting for, and it is so just and reasonable that it cannot be much longer delayed. As the Bill has been postponed, I shall not detain you with going through its different provisions, for enough trans- pired in the House of Commons to satisfy us that it will never be presented in the same shape ; and therefore the best course; open for us to take will be to make use of the Ohancellor of the Exchequer's hint, and request simply by pet.cion a single clause of half a page to enable us to hold Synods for the management of our Ecclesiastical affairs. This much even our greatest enemies seem prepared to grant, and perhaps it is better than to be entangled by a number of details and restrictions. The measure, though delayed for this year jind perhaps longc", must soon again come up ; for neither indif- ference nor tne continuance of the bitter hostility with which it has been assailed, can long prevent its being brought forward in a modified form and becoming law. In the mean- time let us be patient, but yet strenuous in demanding our just rights and privileges, which we do not forfeit by remov- ing to a Colony. THE CLERGY RESERVES. '< On Friday, the 3rd orDecember, 1852, Sir Wriliam Molesworth asked Sir John Pakington, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether it was the intention of the Ministers to bring in a Bill to enable the Canadian Legislature to dispose of the proceeds of the Clergy Reserves, subject lo the condition that tlie stipends and allowances heretofore assigned and given to the Clergy of the Church of England and Scotland, or to any other religious bodies or 44 denominations of Clirislians in Canada, slioiikl he secured during ihe natural lives and incumbencies of the parties now receiving the same. " Sir John Pakington answered that Her iMajesty's Government had given iho fullest and most anxious consideration to this difficult question, and to the whole of the circumstances under which it had been forced upon their attention ; and his answer now was, that, considering that it was essentially an Upper Canada question, and that the Representatives of Upper Canada were as nearly as possible equally divided upon it, — considering that the majority which had carried the Resolutions consisted of a large proportion of Roman Catholic members of the Lower Province, whose religion had been ami)ly and miuiificontly endowed, — considering that the Act of 184'0 was i)roposedand accepted by all parties as a final settlement of this long discussed and most diflicult question, — and considering, above all, that the Act of 1840 was part of the arrangement made by the Act of Union of the two Provinces ; — considering all these circumstances, it was not the intention of Her Majesty's Govern- ment to introduce any Bill for the purpose of enabling the Canadian Legislature to dispose of the proceeds of the Clergy Reserves in the mannor referred to by the honorable gentleman." Unhappily, Lord Derby's Govcnimeiit was soon after over- turned by the strangest and most accommodating coalition that is to be found in the history of the British Empire, and no sooner was the new Ministry installed, than it began the work of sacrilege. The despatch of the Duke of Newcastle, the new Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the Earl of Elgin, Governor General of Canada, on the subject of the Clergy Reserves, is dated the 15tli of January. It was published on the 16th February, at Quebec, and reached Toronto about the 20th. — This document announced a total change of policy in dealing with the Church property in Canada, from that which had been wisely and honestly adopted by Her Majesty's late advisers. It took the Province completely by surprise ; and before the members of our Church had time to consider the grounds upon which a change so injurious to the interests of religion in the Colony was sought to be supported, or to devise the means of averting a course which must, if pursued, not 45 only destroy the j)cace <>f Oiiiiii