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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
<livision. The conse(![uence was, that my confirmations in
that District were sooner than usual by one year, and this
accounts for the smaller number confirmed, for, had I waited
the usual time, there Would have been at least 400.
We nmst, nevertheless, adnn't that the extension of the
Church in the Niagara District has not equalled that of many
other {)ortions of the Diocese. It was settled at a very early
day, and the people left long from necessity, without the min-
istrations of the Church. Before they could be made available
i<» any extent dissent had made considerable progress, and
not a little ajiathy and carelessness among professing Church-
men had been engendered. Wo are now, however, dnily
gaining upon these impedhnents and have no reason to
despond.
llenniining a few days at home to bring up my correspondence,
I began my second journey on the 28th of June. This lasted
foi-ty-two days, during which I visited sixty missions, or
i*arishes and stations, commonly two every day, and occa-
sionally three. Travelling on an average, daily, about thirty,
and sometimes forty miles.
At each station I preache<l. confirmed and addressed the
Candidates. Towards the termination of the tour, I felt now
and then a little jaded from incessant travelling day by day
in a carriage strongly made to suit the bad roads, but for that
reason less easy, reciuiring at times early rising to keep
appointments, and at other times journeying very late to
reach comfortable ((uarters for the night.
On the 14t!i of August, f left Toronto for the Upper
Lakes, an expedition comparatively easy, as it was (excepting
80 miles) travelled by water. The romance of canoes and
encamping on the islands for the night has passed away ; and
now comfortable steamboats ply upon lakes Huron and
Superior. By the helj) of one of these, we reached the
Manitoulin Island on Sunday the 17th, at 9 a. m., and, as the
steamer could only stop a very few hours, we made immediate
preparations for Divine Service.
Owing to the necessity of addressing the Indians after the
confirmation through an interpreter, and the great number
of baptisms, the service was somewhat long, but it was never-
theless singularly interesting. Many of the Indians could
read the Rev. Dr. O'iSIeara their worthy Missionary's trans-
lation of our invaluable Prayer-Book in their own lan-
guage. This translati<ui is said by good judges to be
excellent, and in great request with the American Missionaries
serving among the Ojibwa Indians.
Thirteen adults were baptised, and ten confirmed. The
devout appearance of the Indians Avas very edifying. Tiie
solemnity of their responses, the thrilling effect of theplaimnr"
music, and indeed the whole worship was deeply affecting,
and not be witnessed ])y any one Avithout spiritual profit.
On Monday we called at the Bruce Copper Mines and
examined the pits and nuichinery. Great labom* has been
done, and much expense incurved, and the pros[)ects are
])eginning to be cheering ; yet oui- missionary has received
very little encouragement to multiply his visits, owing rather,
I believe, to the coui'se taken by one of the directors, who is a
Dissenter, than by the company.
We touched at the islaiul of 8t. Joseph, und arranged with
the people to have a full service on our return, and made
the Sault Ste. Mario, or the ntrait between the lakes Huron
and Superior, in the evenin(]f.
Here Ave had to remain eight days, as the steajuer makes
only one voyage per week, and there is no other mode of
travelling.
Duriuii this time we made two visits to the Indian villaiie
at the mouth of Garden River, one on Sunday the 24th, when
Ave had a full service equally interesting Avith that at the
Manitouahning except thiit tlic Indiiins Avere less numerous
and there AA'as only one haptism, and six confirmed.
The weather became \'ery stormy during divine worship,
and on our Avay back the rain fell so heavily that it threatened
to fill our canoe, and compelled us to take shelter in an
Indian Avigwam for upAA'ards of an hour. Having dried oiir-
seU'es and bailed our canoe, Ave pursued our journey, antl
readied our inn sometime after dark.
While Avaitinsj for the retm'n of the steamer we took cxcur-
sions to vicAV the prominent parts '»!' the surrounding country,
one of 15 miles up the strait, connecting the two lakes, Avhere
Ave could behold the opening of the broad sheet of lake Supe-
rior. Tavo headlands, like the pillars of Hercules, about
tAventy miles asunder give a magnificent termination to the
strait, and beyond them Superior presents its immense
vastness.
This Avas on the Avhole a very agreeable journey, and the
more so, as several interesting friends, desirous of seeing
our inland seas, fa\oured me Avith their company. We got
back to Toronto on the 1st of September.
After a brief interval, I made a second journey westward to
visit eighteen or tAventy missionary stations, Avhich occupied a
fortnight.
The result of my summer's confirmations Avas 2088.
Believing that I had travelled enough for one season, 1
thought of 8cttlintrlnyt^elt' (\\uo.t\y at home for the winter, but
I found a Utter on my return inviting me to a meeting
of Bishops whieh liad been projected in the spring, and
which after a little time seemed to drop ; it had however
been revived, and as I had been a consenting party when
it was first mentioned, it was incumbent on mo to attend. It
took place at Quebec. Five Bisliops met on 23rd of Sept.,
being those of Quebec, Toronto, Newfoundland, Frederickton,
and Montreal.
We deliberated on various matters regarding the colonial
Church, and with the most cordial harmony. Our minutes
were transmitted to his grace the Archbishop of Canterbury.
They have since been printed, and favourably received.
I had scarcely got home from Quebec when I was persuaded
to go to Buffalo to assist at the consecration of a magnificent
Church, just erected in that flourishing city. The Bishop of
Newfoundland, who had kindly accompanied me from Quebec,
agreed to extend his journey to Buff'alo. Here we met the
Right Reverend the Bishops of Western New York and
Michigan, Avith a great number of presbyters and deacons, and
eight or ten o^ my OAvn Clergy.
The consecration of the church was conducted with great
solemnity and in the most becoming manner. We felt that
we were truly brethren of the same Holy Catholic Church,
and though of different nations, more closely united through
our Lord Jesus Christ than by the nearest family ties.
On my return from Buff'alo, I engaged with my chaplains
in the examination of candidates for holy orders, and on Sun-
dfiy the 26th ordained seven Priests and five Deacons.
I have dwelt so long on the several incidents connected
with the diocese in 1851, that I must be very brief on those
of 1852.
I left Toronto to visit its eastern portion on the 4th of
June, immediately after the annual meeting of the Church
Society, and having traversed the Home and Simcoe districts,
! l\
i
I fouiul it necessary to stop ut liome » few days to answer
letters and tnke up such nuittcrH of importance as required
early attention before proceedin;^ eastward.
On the 7th of Septeniher, T returned for the season, liavin<;
completed my round of confirmations in rather m<n*e than
three months. The result was very encouragin*;. Tlie can-
didates confirmed amounted to 4.0')^, nearly one-half more
than at my former visit.
Many things worthy of notice occurred in this protracted
journey, hut time permits me to select one only — the confir-
mation at Kingston on Sunday the Tith of September, 1852 —
as it had more than common interest.
At nine o'clock precisely, t attende<l at the Provincial
Penitentiary. Being limited as to time by the regulations of
the institution, [ directed the Litany to 1)0 read by one of my
attending clergy. I then baptized twenty-two of the convicts
and confirmed one hundre<l and one. There was no time for
a sermon, but 1 addressed them affectionately and encour-
agingly as h)ng as the time allowed. (Jreat credit and praise
are due to the Rev. II. Mulkins, Chaplain to the Penitentiary,
for the extraordinary pains and labor lie had taken in pre-
paring these candidates for confirmation and baptism. They
seemed willing and intelligent, and I trust many were serious
and well prepared.
As connected with the history of the diocese, I might go
on to notice the lengthened and important proceedings which
the difficulties of the Church Society and the settlement of
the rectory question have occasioned ; but, as full reports on
these subjects have been drawn up and publisjied, I willingly
forbear.
In pursuing the narrative portion of my address, I am
sadly reminded that since we last met three of our brethren
have been taken from us by the hand of death. The Rev.
Samuel Armour, Rector of Cavan ; the Rev. J. C. Taylor,
M.A., Rector of Peterborough ; and the Rev. George Bourne,
m\
iiil
9
Missionary of Orillia. The Inst was still young in his mas-
ter's service, but of good proniise, from his singleness of pur-
pose, piety and devotion to his ministry. Ilis heart was in
his work, and we naturally looked for fruit in duo time. Rut
God, in his inscrutable Providence, has withdrawn him early.
The Rev. J. C. Taylor was called home in the vigor of life,
but his departure had been preceded by a severe and pro-
tracted illness, which he bore with much ChriHtian patience,
fortitude and resignation. His disposition was habitually
frank, generous and kind, which not only surrounded him
with friends, but endeared him to his people. IIow affection-
ately they remembered his good and amiable qualities appears
from the praiseworthy fact, that on his excellent wife's sud-
den death, a few days after his own, his parishioners con-
tended affectionately with one another, who should adopt his
children, now wholly destitute. They are all comfortably
provided for by their father's friends, who are bringing them
up on a footing with their own children.
As regards my long-tried friend and Presbyter, the Rev.
Samuel Armour, a short notice of his active and useful life,
and his devotedness to his sacred profession, poured out by
filial affection, has already been made public, and renders it
unnecessary for me to add anything to the faithful record
there given.
TRINITY COLLEGE.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that this Institution
has proceeded so far in the most satisfactory and prosperous
manner. The remarkable way in which it has, Avith un-
exampled rapidity, been brought into existence, may well call
forth our thankful acknowledgments for putting it in our
hearts to attempt it and for blessing our labom-s in bringing
it to a successful issue. It will now, I think, bo impossible
for the enemies of our Holy Church to destro}f her, as they
B
10
appear to have contemplated, by endeavouring to cut off the
succession to her ministry ; since this Institution will from
henceforth furnish, from year to year, a regular supply to fill
up vacancies in the Church and extend her borders.
More than forty young gentlemen arc residing within the
building, exclusive of medical and law students, drinking the
purest instruction from our learned Provost and able professors.
The present times, said the Honourable the Chancellor at his
Installation on the Third of June last, are full of hope and
promise.
" The rapid expanoion of enterprise in this country, so wonderful
to witness, is opening new fields to the application of science, and of
the arts, and creating new avenues of employment, by which youth,
with principles well established and minds well cultivated, cannot
fail to profit. May they have the wisdom to appreciate duly the
opportunities of sound instruction, which are here provided for them ;
may they patiently submit to the necessary restraints of discipline,
and may it be their happiness to bring themselves early to the con-
viction whicii a pure minded and admirable member of our Church
at the close of a long life spent in an age of great vicissitudes and
trials caused to be engraven on his tomb: — * That all is vanity that
is not honest, and that there is no real happiness but in solid purity.' "
And here, it is hoped that a few remarks on the quality of
instruction, the mode of discipline, and the Divine Spirit which
we desire to cherish in the breasts of the pupils, although once
spoken, may bear a repetition on this great occasion.
Our desire has been to establish a Seminary of no Laodicean
or uncertain sound, but one which rests on the Rock of Ages
and recognizes the two great Books from which all knowledge
and wisdom must be drawn, — the Book of God's Revelation,
from which no man can take away, neither can add thereunto, —
and the Book of the world's experience, or, as it is commonly
called, the Book of Nature. We acknowledge both as the gift
of God, because both are essential to our well being, and we
seek to place them in their relative and true position.
The great distinction between them is this ; — The Book of
Revelation, or the Bible, stretches to another world; the
11
Book of Nature is confined to this. The latter is mortal,
finite, and the child of time — the former is immortal, infinite
and eternal. Tho one may be considered the body ;
the other, the soul ; and because the body and soul must be
united to make the perfect man, so must secular or human
knowledge be united to divine, to constitute a sound and
complete education.
Hence, divine knowledge (or religion) being infinitely the
more precious, is our first and greatest object. But we neglect
not secular knowledge and the arts and sciences, which cherish
and extend the subordinate ends of our being, and accelerate,
under a wise discipline, our moral and religious progress.
Nor do we neglect those accomplishments and habits of the
body and the mind which are indispensable to all who wisli to
be truly cultivated and educated men in the present advanced
age of the world.
It is true, all that can be done in the most perfect semina-
ries is to lay the foundation of sound knoAvledge, temporal
and spiritual, and to impart the power of acquisition.
Our discipline is of the mildest form, consistent with those
limitations which are absolutely necessary to the companion-
ship and intimate association of so many young and ardent
spirits, living in the same family. We arc solicitous to place
them, as our forefathers did (from whom wo are not ashamed
to learn), under the purest influences during the time that
they are acquiring a moral and religious education ; and,
while we are disposed to give them credit for honour and
conscience, we do not think that good example, affectionate
advice, and paternal admonition, can, without danger, be dis-
pensed with.
For such reasons, our discipline partakes much of domestic
control. We feel, and we Avish our young men to feel, the
beautiful and affecting influence of the pure example of little
children, the favorite lesson of holy Scripture : and, indeed,
every youth who has opened his heart to divine grace will be
K|i 1
12
refreshed by our Saviour with his sweetness; and, after
mixing in the worhl, and perhaps deserving the name of great
and learned, as well as Christian, will only so far feel himself
truly the child of God, as he has returned to that simple and
confi<ling piety which he relished and practised in his earliest
infancy. And it is in this sense that we ought to understand
the memorable words of our Lord, " Unless ye become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of God."
This University is already surrounded with interesting and
endearing associations. It is the offspring of a suffering
Church; it has been watered with her tears, and may be
justly named the child of her adversity. But, " though weep-
ing may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning."
And accordingly, she now presents a noble and living proof
of the Catholicity of the Anglican Church. In Great Britain
and Ireland — in the United States — within this Diocese — and
scattered all over the world, our supplication for help was
met with the kindest sympathies and the most generous gifts.
We appealed first to our own people, and they came for-
ward as one man to replace the Seminary of which we had
been unjustly deprived. We went to England and Ireland,
and the same Christian spirit of liberality met and encour-
aif;(^d us. W^e sent our messenger to our brethren in the
United States, and his journey was one of triumph through
that uiiglity land — a jubilee of Christian love and exultation.
He was everywhere met with the kindest greetings ; gifts and
donations were poured into his lap with joy and gladness and
with prayers and blessings, that the privilege had been given
them of showing their Christian affection.
Hence, this University, now restored to a more holy and
perfect form, is the charitable work of the whole Anglican
Church, and stands before us this day as a bright and lasting
monument of her Catholicity. It is also a living illustration
of the communion of Saints. It has been built by the gift
of hundreds of Church members, scattered through many
regions, and all influenced by the same holy motives. Few
of them can ever see o jmprehend in this world the extent
of the good they have me and are still accomplishing : —
for Trinity University will, we trust, continue for ages to
sanctify this land, by sending forth from time to time hun-
dreds, nay thousands of well qualified ministers of the gospel,
to cultivate the Lord's vineyard ; and these again will gather
together congregations of devout worshippers ; and this holy
process, under the divine blessing, may be permitted to pro-
ceed from century to century, like the Universities of our
Fatherland, preparing and moulding the baptised, generation
after generation, for the Kingdom of Heaven — and all this,
long after the contributors to the structure itself and its
endowments, the Professors, the Scholars, and all who are at
present connectd with it, are mingled in the dust.
But the glorious effect of their works shall never die ; and,
although unknown on earth, because they are too vast to be
known, yet all shall again appear at the last day ; and then,
the benefactors and builders up and cherishers of Trinity
College will be astonished to behold the infinite good in all
its fulness, which they have, through the blessing of God,
brought about, by their humble contributions, donations and
prayers ; because, flowing from the love of God, they have
been sanctified to His glory, and produced fruits which will,
on that great day, call forth the joy of the Hosts of Heaven.
It is thus that such pious works, like Trinity College, con-
nect the Saints who have gone before with those who are yet
to come, even to the consummation of all things.
DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE.
Last spring I deemed it my duty to bring the necessity of
the division of this diocese a second time under the notice of
the council appointed to arrange measures in concert with
Her Majesty's Government for the creation and endoAvment
14
of additional Bishoprics in the Colonies and dependencies of
Great Britain. A copy of my letter to the council was for-
warded to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Her Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, inviting his
favorable consideration to the great importance and urgency
of the case.
His Grace replied in a very kind and courteous manner,
but the want of funds for moderate endowments appeared
the great impediment. Were these forthcoming, there seemed
to be no indisposition on the part of the Government to give
the nomination of the new Bishops to the diocese. Since
then, the Bishop of London, (the warm and tried friend of
the Colonial Church, and the first mover of sending Bishops
to the Foreign dependencies of Great Britain, and who con-
tinues to take the lead in this the greatest forward step ever
taken by the Church of England), has come forward at a
public meeting, and demanded ^45,000 for the additional
Bishops at present required.
Now, although from various causes only a small portion of
this amount has been yet subscribed, it will in a few years be
completed ; for the Bishop of London never fails to bring to a
successful result every enterprise for the good of the Church
which he feels it right to undertake.
In the meantime, the Bishop of Capetown has with great
diligence and perseverance been collecting throughout Eng-
land subscriptions towards the endowment of two additional
Bishops, which he requires for his extensive diocese ; and His
Lordship has made so great progress towards the attainment
of his meritorous object, and recommended liimself so strongly
by his zeal and diligence, that the council have consented to
assist liim to some extent in completing the two endowments.
We are not however forgotten, for Kingston is named as
the next to be provided for, after the wants of the diocese of
Capetown are satisfied ; and although this throws us back,
perhaps some years, yet ought we to rejoice in the extension
15
of our Church in a quarter where the necessity appears in
some degree greater than our own ?
I believe that each of the two great soclet'es have, with
their accustomed liberality, voted a considerable sum as a
beginning towards the endowment of Kingston. In this
state the matter at present rests ; and if nothing be done in
the diocese, several years may pass before a reasonable
endowment can be raised.
Allow me then to repeat the suggestion which I made in
my last charge — namely, the wisdom of taking steps to estab-
lish an Episcopal Fund within the diocese. It is desirable
that our Bishops should in future, as a general rule, be selected
from among our Colonial Clergy. But there will be difficulty
in eflfecting this, so long as the endowments for their support
are wholly furnished from England. And to this fact, I
would earnestly solicit the attention of our Lay brethren.
m\
EDUCATION.
At our Conference in May 1851, the voice of the Chm'ch
in this Diocese, in regard to Education, was declared by the
following Resolution, unanimously adopted : —
•^That this meeting desires to express its sense of the paramount
duty of connecting Religion with Secular Education, and in order to
carry out this obligation, they deem it to be necessary to petition the
Colonial Legislature to permit the establishment of separate Church
Schools ; and that the assessments paid by Churchmen for the sup-
port of Common Schools be applied to the maintenance of such as
are in connection with the Church, wherever sucli appropriation is
practicable and desired.''
Agreeably to this resolution, a petition was presented to
the different branches of the Legislature, praying that such
an alteration of the School laws might be made as would
permit the establishment of separate Common Schools for
the use of the children of the members of the Church of
England, and that the assessments ordinarily paid by mem-
bers of the said Church of England be applied to the mainte-
t
16
nance of such schools as arc in connexion with the Church,
when such appropriations may be practicable, and in cases
wlicre it may be desired by the parties paying such school
assessment.
The Session passed without any proceeding on this impor-
tant subject, and thus the reasonable prayer of more than
one-fourth of' the population of Upper Canada was passed
over.
The subject, however, was of too great importance to the
well-being of the Church and the peace of society, to be
allowed to rest. I therefore considered it my duty to bring
it again under the consideration of the Legislature, during its
last Session, and for a time, it was hoped, with moi e effect.
The subject of separate schools was taken under considera-
tion, and a Statute was passed on the 14th June 1853, sup-
plementary to the Common School Act of Upper Canada,
in which the principle of separate schools is fully recognized.
While this measure was in progress, we were congratulating
ourselves that our petition, so just and equitable, would at
length be granted, but in this expectation we have been
grievously disappointed.
Section 4 of the Supplementary Act does indeed speak of
separate schools, but instead of rendering their establishment
more easy and convenient, the difficulties are increased by
new restrictions : for it is provided, —
1st, That no such schools can be established, otherwise than
on the conditions and under the circumstances specified in the
19th section of the School Act of 1850.
2nd, That no part of any municipal assessments can be
applied, and no municipal authority or officer can be employed
to collect rates, for the support of any separate schools.
(And this intolerant and unjust provision is sarcastically
pronounced a great restriction and improvement in the School-
law, as it has hitherto existed on this subject.)
3rd, That if any persons, whether Roman Catholic or Pro-
17
testants, demand a separate school, in the circumstances under
which it may be allowed, they must tax themselves for its
support ; and they must make returns of the sums they raised,
and the children they teach. (A regulation which has not
liitherto been required ; but wliich is alleged to be necessary,
in order to make out the School Assessment Bill, and to de-
termine the School Collector's duties).
4th, That separate schools are subject to the same inspec-
tions and visits, as well as all common schools.
5th, We are ironically told that all ground and semblance
of complaint of injustice is taken away from the supporters
of a separate school, while they can no longer employ muni-
cipal authority and municipal assessments for sustaining their
schools.
6th, That the supporters of separate schools cannot
interfere in the affairs of the public schools.
Now, on the provisions of these two Statutes, 13 & 14
Victoria, section 19, and 16 Victoria, chapter 185, section i,
I remark : —
1st. That by the 19th section of the first mentioned Act the
establishment of separate schools, to any extent, is altogether
impossible. As regards Protestants, no separate school is
allowed in any School Division, except when the Teacher of
the common school is a Roman Catholic; nor shall any
Roman Catholic separate school be allowed, except where the
teacher of the common school is a Protestant.
Now, this condition is a mere contingency, and secures no
permanence ; for, in a few weeks or months, the master of
the common school may be changed to Roman Catholic or
Protestant, as tht case may be, and the separate school dis-
allowed by the operation of the Act. It is therefore insidious
in its working, since it offers an advantage one day which
may be taken away the next.
2nd. Hence the case affording opportunities for establishing
18
separate schools can seldom happen ; and this accounts in some
degree for the fewnesa of their number.
Again : Under the Supplementary Law, section 4, the pro-
moters of separate schools must tax themselves for their
support ; which entails upon them much trouble, as they are
deprived of the assistance of the municipal authority.
This is not only a cruel and imnccessary, but an uncon-
stitutional restriction; because, were they included in the
general assessments, the portion paid by them could be
easily ascertained.
To such separate schools, the inspection of Superintendents
appointed by County Councils, and their delivery of Lectures,
may produce great inconvenience and hardships, if such are
of diflferent denominations, unless restrained by wise regula-
tions.
On the whole, it is very evident that the framers of these
Statutes were not merely insincere and hostile to religious
liberty, but they had not got so far in the race of liberality
as — common toleration ; for, while they hold forth the sem-
blance of separate schools, they take care to discourage and
cripple them by insidious conditions, totally inconsistent with
honorable dealing.
In fine, the restrictions on separate schools render their
establishment to any extent altogether impracticable ; and
yet we are told, with ludicrous solemnity, that all ground and
semblance of a complaint of injustice is taken away from the
supporters of separate schools.
When we contemplate these restrictions and the exultation
of their promoters at their enactment, we are not a little
astonished at their heartless absuridity. But it is always
found that the greatest brawlers for liberty are the most cruel
despots to all who dare to think differently from them.
Such restrictions are unknown in England, where (blessed
be God) true Christian liberty prevails ; but they are in perfect
keeping with the principle of separating religion from educa-
lf>
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<la, but in time, be made a pre-
cedent for subverting; the Church Establishment of the United
Kingdom, we learned from the London Thne» and other
English journals, that a Bill for placing the Reserves at the
disposal of the Canadian Legislature had been brought into
the House of Commons, and had passed to a second readhig.
You are aware that the Bill thus introduced has l)ecome
Law ; and a reference to the debates will show that nothing
was said by the supporters of the measure to invalidate in the
slightest degree, the powerful, and what ought to have been
felt as the irresistible, arguments of the Earl of Derby, Lord
St. Leonard, the Bishops of Exeter and London, and other
friends of the Church, against it.
The argument of Government was simply a repetition of
the revolutionary maxim, skilfully disguised in verbiage and
sophistry, — "that might makes right ;" — but, as you are well
acquainted with this subject, and 1 trust, convinced, that
everything within our power to avert this calamity has been
done, I shall not enlarge upon it, at this time, but merely
observe, in the words of one who was in the House of T^ords
during the debate, that the most revolting and melancholy
feature of the proceedings, and Avhich in the end may prove
far more disastrous than even the confiscation of the Clergy
Reserves, was that of beholding nine Bishops out of nineteen
(the number present in the House of Lords) voting for the
destruction of the temporal support of a branch of that very
Church which they had vowed in the most solenni manner to
cherish, preserve and extend ; and handing over three Dioceses,
embracing a space nearly as large as the half of Europe, to
the tender mercies of the Church of Rome. Were these
Bishops to live to the age of Methusalah, they could never
atone for the iniquity of this sacriligious vote.
The field of debate, and I fear, of contention, in spite of
Lord Sydenham's solemn protest, and the judgment and
opinions of the best informed sons of the Church, both here
46
and at home, lias been transfcrreii to this country; and it
becomes us to consider what steps ought now to be taken in
<iefencc of our dearest birthright; and, if we do so with
prayerful earnestness for light and direction, in a matter of
so great importance to ourselves and our posterity, and really
and truly feel as the conscientious sons of our Holy Church
ought to feel, wo shall act with unity and faithful dctermina-
tian in that high and holy character, and not, I trust, without
effect. The divine grace will be with us, and we shall have
nothing to fear.
It nevertheless becomes us to look the danger in the face,
and to exai .lue it in all its bearings ; for to be thoroughly
acquainted with the extent and nature of our position, is,
imder God, lialf the victory. We have been betrayed and
deserted by our natural protectors, and it is well ; we trusted,
perhaps, too much in the arm of flesh, instead of entreating
the aid and protection of our Heavenly Father ; and, neglecting
self-reliance and exertion under his guidance, we have been
too much disposed to look for that assistance from distant and
uncertain friends, which we might have supplied from our-
selves.
It must, indeed, be allowed, that the prospects of the
Church in this Diocese are, in a temporal aspect, dark and
threatening ; for, should her remaining property be confiscated,
our Missions, from time to time, will become vacant, as their
Incumbents die. Not that in all cases the ministrations of
the Church will then cease, but it will be so for a time in
many ; and, from the poverty of our people, their hardships
in the new settlements, and severity of the climate, they are,
and will continue to be for years, (even where willing) unable
to support their Clergy. Add to all this,- the most fearful
feature of the Church population is the coldness and apathy
of many of its wealthy members, and their unwillingness to
give up to God his portion for the support of public worship.
Hence many of the successors to those Incumbents who shall
4?
be taken away will have to eat their scanty morsal in bitter-
ness and sorrow. In the meantime, the extension of the
Church ill the now sind remote settlements will be sadly
retarded.
But, leaving this gloomy side of the subject, I am unwilling
to believe that wo shall lose the remainder of our Church
property, for the following, among other, reasons: —
1st. We have, I shoidd hope, a j/ualanx of 22 members in
the House of Assembly attached to the United Church of
England and Trelaud ; and, should a dissolution take place,
we shall have many more. Now, although they have not, in
all things, answered our expectations by their unity, firmness,
and untiring exertions on this vital question, yet, when the
crisis actually comes, we feel assured that none of them will
shrink from the combat, but that each will do his utmost to
protect the Church of his Fathers from fm*ther spoliation.
And, if so knit together, they will succeed, because no
minister would dare to resist one-fourth of the Assembly, thus
resolute and determined ; or, if he attempted to do so, their
righteous cause woidd gain them a sufficient number of friends
to baffle his injustice.
2nd. By the debates in the Imperial Parliament it appears
that the Endowments of the Church of Rome rest on the
same foothig, or rather on one more precarious than those of
the Church of England, and that nothing within the
Province of Canada is excluded from the action of the
local Legislature. Hence every measure introduced into
the house which affects the one affects the other, and this
construction and understanding our friends ought to insist
upon as of present operation, and thus at once tear aAvay the
delusion on this side of the Atlantic, as it has been on the
other, viz : — that the property of the Church of Home is
better protected than that of the Church of England ; for it
is not so. Both may bo dealt with as the Legislature thinks fit.
'h'd. I cannot bring myself to believe that the Roman
/
48
Catholics will join the enemies of Christianity in their cruaatle
against religious endowments, for, besides those they enjoy in
Lower Canada, they have by the '5rd & 4th Victoria, a
large interest in the Clergy Reserves in Cat ada West, of
which secularization would deprive them ; and they must be
singularly blind to their own interests if they do not see that
the fiercest opponents of the clergy reserves are the most
bitter foes of all sncrcd endowments whatever.
4th. It is true the Church of England has great reason
to complain of llomiui Catholic members in the House of
Assembly since the perpetration of the union. To their votes
she owes the destruction of her University, and the transfer-
ring of the question of the reserves from the Imperial Par-
liament to the local Legislature. But there is still time to
return to a more just and becoming policy. They should
i-ecoUect that from the first settlement of Upper Conada till
the union of the two provinces in 1840, a courteous and unin-
terrupted interchange of civilities and social intercourse
continued between the Church of England and the Church of
Rome : and although many Roman Catholic members have
been hostile, yet the two Churches still maintain the same
friendly interchange of good offices. And, as the Church of
Rome has not yet spoken on the subject of religious endow-
ments, it will be easy for her, if so inclined, to restrain her
friends in the legislature, and to direct their energies into the
proper channel.
Indeed I have no hesitation in saying that we have a right
to expect that such will be the course adopted, because the
united Church of England and Ireland has in all her proceed-
ings respected the Roman Catholic endowments.
So long as oui' Church is sustained in the possession of the
small remnant of her property, devoted as it is to sacred pur-
poses, she will feel it her duty to respect that of the Church
of Rome. While retaining our endowments, diminutive as
they are, we can meet on something like equal terms ; but if,
40
through tho votes and influence of Roman Catholic members
we are deprived of our Church property (and without their
votes our enemios can never succeed), the (question will arise
whether we can in duty, after such a deadly blow, respect the
endowments of our spoilers.
How different would the religious aspect of Canada be,
were the Roman Catholic members henceforth to do their
duty. It is their safety as well as ours. If, instead of join-
ing the enemies of religion, they were to make a common
cause with the Churches of England and Scotland so far as
the preservation of Church property and separate schools on
a just basis, is concerned, harmony and peace would prevail
throughout the Province, and the socialist and infidel would
sink into insignificance before such a powerful combination.
Hence, it is manifest that if the result of the present contest
be confiscation of the clergy reserves, the day will speedily
arrive when the same measure will be meted to the Roman
Catholics ; for when they stand alone their Church property
will soon be swept away.
In fine, the confiscation of the clergy reserves will
become the commencement of a fresh contest of the most
uncompromising' character. Let those therefore who look for
peace in robbing the Church of England of her patrimony,
pause in their career of madness; for its accomplishment will
engender a more bitter dissension than has yet been seen in
Canada.
Yet the Roman Catholics arc not all blind to the conse-
quences of secularization, and one of them asks the French
members of the House of Assembly, how they are to
preserve their rights, if they record their votes for the spoli-
ation of the Church of England.
" Think you (says this writer) that those who abrogate the law
which gives the Church of England her rights will respect that
which regards yours? Will they hold sacred that treaty which gives
your Church in Eastern Canada wealth and power? When you see
\b ,6 remember that the destroyer, in his turn, shall perish. The
G
50
clergy reserve question is the outer wall that protects your rights,
and against which now beats the swelling tide of irreligion, and
threatens destruction to all you hold dear and holy. It is our duty
and interest therefore to aid in preserving to the Church of England
her rights. Is there any one so obtuse as not to understand the
import of the fearful denunciation, — secularization of the clergy
reserves'? Is it' not a declaration of war against all that Catholics
hold sacred and holy ? What does it mean but a present and tem-
porary forbearance to the Catholic Church and future proscription ?"
Notwithstanding the very objectionablo proceedings of the
Roman Catholic laymen in the Government and Legislature.
I still feel disposed to hope that the Church of Rome in the
province will declare through her venerable dignitaries against
secularization, and thus quiet the troubled waters and give
lasting peace and tranquillity to Canada.
But after all, it behoves us at this crisis to lay aside
these hopes and expectations, however just and reasonable,
and to ask ourselves plainly what can be done should the
Church property for which wc have been so long contending
be actually confiscated.
To such a question I do not hesitate to reply that, were we
all true to our baptismal vows, such a calamity might in a
short time be more than repaired. There are perhaps nearly
300,000 members belonging to the United Church of England
and Ireland in this Diocese; but assuming only 250,000, and
allowing five to a family, we have a congregation in Upper
Canada of 50,000 families. Now, were each of these families
to contribute on an average the price of a cheap newspaper,
or three dollars per annum, it would yield thirty-seven thou-
sand five hundred pounds, or nearly double what the Church
of the diocese at the present moment derives from the surplus
of the clergy reserves fund, and the bounty of the Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
It is true, many families are not able to give this contribu-
tion, small as it is, but all could give something, and the
deficiency might be more than made up by those who are
more blessed in their temporal affairs.
51
Establish a chr^^j siistcntation fund on some such principle,
and tho burthon would notbc increased; for, as the church can
only be extended by multiplying her menil)er8, any additional
expense that might be incurred would be met by the growing
number of contributors.
On the wholc; our prospects, even at tho worst, are not so
fearfully dismal as some may suppose. We want only real
sincerity in our profession and a singleness of spirit to direct
our efforts and nil our necessities will bo supplied.
The worst m is tho postponement of the Colonial
Church llogu.alii Bill, because, if the threat of seculariza-
tion be actually carried out, we arc not, as we ought to have
been, in a position to adopt with authority any financial
scheme to stay or mitigate the evils with which it must be
followed.
The last session of tho Imperial Parliament has indeed
been peculiarly disastrous to the church in this diocese. The
passing of the Clergy Reserve Act places her support in
immediate jeopardy, and the only measure from which we
might have derived relief — namely, the power of synodical
action — has been without necessity delayed.
CONCLUSION.
It is refreshing to turn from these perplexing topics to a
subject upon which we can dwell with pleasure and delight.
Two years ago the United Church of England and Ireland
having determined to celebrate the third jubilee of her great
missionary Society f , the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts, not only requested her own children in the
colonies to partake in this great festival, but invited in the
most cordial manner her daughter in America, now a portion
of a different nation, to assist in the holy celebration.
The invitation was promptly accepted by the Episcopal
Church of the United States, and two of her most distin-
guished prelates were sent to London to represent her on this
52
happy occasion and to express with grateful acknowledgments,
that the English Church is her Spiritual mother, to whom she
is indebted for her first foundation, and a long continuance of
nursing care and protection.
On the 16th of June 1852, St. Paul's Cathedral presented
a glorious spectacle. The Anglo-Saxon Church appeared in
all her fulness of visible and spiritual harmony and union.
By this wo mean, the United Church of England and Ireland
and their colonies, the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the
Episcopal Church of the United States. Never had such an
assembly been seen in that magnificent and venerable sanctu-
ary. There were Prelates, Presbyters and Lay-members not
merely from every quarter, but we may say from almost every
corner, of the world. It Avas indeed a day to be had in lasting
remembrance, and has been especially blessed by gathering
together in one body the scattered branches of the only
protestant church capable of defending the catholic faith
against the assaults of its numerous enemies.
Nor is this all the kind sympathy and affection which were
called forth and strengthened between the mother and
daughter : it will yet yield eternal fruit. St. Paul's Cathe-
dral is at this moment reciprocated in New York by the
presence of one of our most accomplished prelates — Arch-
deacon Sinclair — and several presbyters of known celebrity,
forming a deputation from the United Church of England
and Ireland to the Church of the United States.
Yet, lovely as such an interchange of good offices and visits
must be, they are only transient and occasional. We therefore
look forward to far more permanent and important results
from the cordial intimacy which has so happily com*nenced
between the Churches. We desire to see them more closely
and systematically connected in the glorious enterprise of
evengelising the whole world. It is evidently their bounden
duty. Providence points them out for the work. The
Anglo-Saxon Church already numbers seventeen millions,
53
and wc know that one hundred and twenty in an upper
chamber in Jerusalem once comprised the whole of the
Christian Church ; and now perhaps one-third of the human
race acknowledges the cross of Christ.
Those seventeen millions possess, or command ready access
to, every nation and tribe on the face of the globe, and ample
power to avail themselves of their manifest and numerous
advantages.
Already they have members, zealous and devoted, in every
clime ; and all they want is full unity of purpose an 1 well-
devised plans of active co-operation, to carry the blesfing of
salvation to all nations.
Moreover, the world seems much better prepared than ever
for this great harvest : — the idolatry of India and the delusions
of Mahomet are waxing feeble, and retain little hold on the
affections of their votaries. China is accessible, and the
opening of Japan will soon follow. It only remains for the
Anglo-Saxon Church to commence operations and to carry the
Gospel into every corner of the earth and islands of the sea,
which is her true mission ; and we verily believe that God has
raised her up for this express purpose, and bestowed upon her
every facility, — in Commerce, in the Arts, and, above all, the
Purity of her Faith, — necessary for accomplishing so glorious
a consummation.
Her members are chiefly composed of a race indomitable
in resolution and perseverance, and increasing far more rapidly
than any other branch of the human family. And from what
has been effected during the last half century, we cannot be
accused of any great stretch of imagination in cherishing the
belief that Paganism will be totally overthrown at no distant
period.
Nor need we doubt our success in purifying and reclaiming
the Greek and Latin Churches. With the former we have
always been on friendly terms, and there is even now no
barrier to mutual communion ; we have therefore good hope
I I
64
that inoro frequent, and in time full intercourse, and the
advance of secular civilizatiojn, will remove the crust which at
present darkens and overloads, by the weight of rites and
ceremonies, the precious truths of the Gospel, which the for-
mularies of the Greek Church still retain.
Nor need we fear to gain on the Latin Church or that of
Rome. The public understanding of Christendom is so much
improved and enlarged, and is proceeding so steadfastly on
the path of general improvement, as to add thousands daily
to the number of those who look with abhorrence on her con-
fessed corruptions. The striking fact that instead of gaining
ground in the United States, Romanism is disappearing like
water in the thirsty sand, shews that, as science and true
knowledge extend, her charms and delusions will disappear.
Such is the faint glimpse which we have ventured to take
of the futvre glories of the Anglo-Saxon Church ; and, weak
and obscure as this Diocese may seem to be, it enjoys at this
moment an opportunity which I trust it will embrace, of
taking one graceful and seasonable step to accelerate her
onward course.
There are, my brethren, still some few restrictions that
require to be removed bythe British Government, and which,
while they continue, prevent Clergymen in American orders
from full freedom in oflficiating in England or in her Colonies.
Let us then, while praying for Synodal action, introduce a
respectful request that such restrictions may be speedily
repealed.
And now, my brethren of the Clergy and Laity, it only
remains for me to apologize for detaining you so long, but at
my advanced period of life, we may never meet at another
Visitation, and I have been anxious to bring under your
consideration as many of the important subjects that were
passing through my mind as I could with propriety accom-
plish.
In conclusion, I entreat you to join with me earnestly in
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