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1837 
 
yif~^:_'f?r^r '< 
 
 f ^ 
 
 4;- 
 
 FROM THE SYNOD OF THE 
 
 PRcSBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CAHADA , 
 
 IN CONNEXION WITH THE 
 
 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 
 
 IN NAMfi, 
 
 AND BY APPOINTMENT OF THE SYNOD, 
 
 AT KINGSTON, 
 WILLIAM RINTOUL, 
 
 MODERATOR. 
 
 LP 
 1837 
 
 PRINTED AT THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER OPPICE. 
 
 1837. 
 
 f.^ 
 
T. SKWEi.r,, Printer, Niagara, U, C. 
 
 ''%^ 
 
PASTORAL LETTER 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 SYNOD OF THE PRESBYTEBIAN CHURCH IN CANAD/i, 
 
 IN CONNEXION WITH IHE 
 
 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 
 
 Introductory JVotice^ * 
 
 The authority of the Synod, under which the Moderator has written tills letter, warrants liiiii 
 to call, as he now does, on his honoured Brethren in the Ministry, ns well us on the Mission- 
 aries uf tiie Synod, to read tlie same to their several conKregations, on the tirst or second :4u.b- 
 bttth after it shall have come into their hands. Mr. W. 1). Miller, Niagara, Publisht-r of the 
 I'hriatian Fixominer is instructed to transmit a few cu|)ie» to every session or congregation i:a- 
 der the jurisdiction of the Synod. 
 
 AVM. UINTOUF,, :\fodeTntur. 
 
 SiieetBville, '27th May, 1S37. 
 
 The Srpiod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada in communion imth the 
 Church of Scotland; — To the members of that Church, and all who attend on 
 the ministry of the tvord by her Pastors and .Missionaries, wish peace an4 
 salvation from God the Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Dbarey Belovkd,— 
 
 Bearing in mind that the high and proper objects for which we, the Minis- 
 ters and Elders assemble in Synod, are the edification, peace, and enlargement 
 of the Church; and, that these objects, through the divine blessing, mu.y b« 
 promoted by a word of counsel and admonition from us, as well as by our de- 
 liberations; we the rather address you all, in this common epistle: and we du 
 80, with the greater liberty, because of the esteem and confidence which you 
 entertain towards us. Were we addressing ourselves only to those of you 
 who make a full profession of Christian discipleship, by attending at the sacra- 
 mental table, as well as the other institutions of the Saviour, charity itself 
 would forbid us from speaking to them, as though they were all in truth, belie- 
 
f 
 
 a TUB MODKnATOll's PASTORAL LnTTKH. 
 
 verf, and saints; knowing, as we do, that neither in any past age, nor in tho 
 present, amongst ourselves, or in any otlicr Christian coniniiinity, lias it been, 
 or is it so, that "all arc Israel which aro of Israel." Hut, seeing that wo aro 
 expressly addressing ourselves to many who, in a certain respect, aro of us, while 
 yetthcy make onlya partial or equivocal profession of their coinicxion with tho 
 Saviour — those wc mean who have been baptized in infancy, and now, excepting 
 in so far as regards their attondings on the preaching of tho word, and contri- 
 buting, it may be, to uphold It, give no other distinctive evidence of being 
 Christians — wo cannot but speak to thcni according to the character which 
 they sustain. 
 
 We know, indeed, that such of you aro often expostulated with, and repro- 
 ved, in tho ordinary ministrations of tho word, for your inconsistency: and yet, 
 " dearly beloved and longed for," as we may call you, wo would, even now also, 
 plainly and aflbctionately admonish you, that, if you would not be tho veriest 
 fools for time and eternity, you must bo not almost, but altogether Christians. 
 You must realize your baptism, by putting away all your sins, and cordially 
 embracing Jesus as he is tendered to you in the Gospel. So shall yon bo- 
 come one with him; and salvation, in all the boundless extent of its present 
 ajid reversionary blessings shall be yours. You will then love Christ su- 
 premely, and devote yourselves to his service; you will glory in Ins death, 
 delight to commemorate it, and number yourselves with those who are waiting 
 for his coming. 
 
 And to all into whoso hands this letter comes, who, with or without a pro- 
 fession of heing the followers of Christ, have never seen the glory of his charac- 
 ter and salvation; nor surrender themselves to him as his willing and obedient 
 people, but continue worldly and ungodly— -it may be even vicious,licentious, 
 and intemperate— we would say deceive not yourselves concerning your charac- 
 ter and condition. You are of " tho congregation of the dead," and nothing 
 but an entire renovation of heart and life can save you from having your por- 
 tion with the lost in the regions of outer darkness. 
 
 It is good for us Brethren, as v, ell as for you, frequently to remember, that 
 our office as rulers in the Churnh of God, is directly conversant with your 
 spiritual and immortal interuets. The Ministry is the very principal institu- 
 tion of that Kingdom which God has established in our world for the salva- 
 tion of lost men, and the manifestation of his own glory. It is charged with 
 the administration of the laws and privileges of that Kingdom; it interprets 
 liis oracles, and fetches from these instructions to men according to their 
 varied circumstances and characters. It is in short, a grand instrument of the 
 Holy Spirit, by which he brings men into union with the Son of God, and a 
 fellowship with each other, and by which also, he purposes them for a ho- 
 lier and more exalted condition in liis heavenly kingdom. Ministers them- 
 t-elves may well feel their entire unworthiness of their office. — A deep 
 sense of this indeed, will always characterize those who are best accomplish- 
 ed for it. They may yet properly call on their hearers, as we would now do 
 on you, to honour the ministry, to expect much from it, to attend diligently 
 on it, to concur in tlie gracious designs of God respecting it, and to strive ear- 
 nestly in prayer, for the Holy Spirit to put forth his saving power by it. You 
 
THE MODERATORS PASTORAL LETTKR. 
 
 pp, nor in tlio 
 y, liaH it been, 
 tliat wo aro 
 ro of us, wliiio 
 \iou with tho 
 iovv,cxccptii)g 
 ■d, and contri- 
 ico of being 
 laractcr which 
 
 th, and rcpro- 
 jncy: and yet, 
 !ven now also, 
 )o tlio veriest 
 ler Christians. 
 
 and cordially 
 shall yon bo- 
 of its present 
 ive Christ su- 
 
 in liis dcathf 
 ho are waiting 
 
 without a pro- 
 • of his charac- 
 g and obedient 
 ous,licentious, 
 g your charac- 
 ," and nothing 
 ving your por- 
 
 cmeniber, that 
 ant with your 
 icipal institu- 
 for the salva- 
 3 charged with 
 it interprets 
 ding to their 
 rument of the 
 >f God, and a 
 ;hem for a ho- 
 nistera them- 
 ice. — A deep 
 3t accomplish- 
 ivould now do 
 end diligently 
 to strive ear- 
 T by it. You 
 
 must entertain honourable thoughts of the ministry if you duly recognise itB 
 Divine authorit)', and its high ends — tho presenting men perfect in Cliri&t 
 Jesus— the displaying to principalities and powers in heavenly places the man- 
 ifold wiedom of God. And you must diligently attend on it, and earnestly 
 implore God to bless it, if you would prove its cfFicicncy to your own salva- 
 tion, and that of others : fur, his sovereignty and grace must be acknowledg- 
 ed and honoured in all the means which ho employs in his spiritual Icingdom. 
 Yea brethren, we beseech you all, by your own supremo interests in that 
 kingdom, and by all that should constrain you to seek its establishment in thin 
 land, to pray for us, who minister the word that it may have free course and 
 be glorified. Plead with him in our behalf, and for tho soke of hia GrcatNamc, 
 in your closets, and families, and social meetings; and then, we may be well 
 asBumd, that ho will look down from heaven, and behold, and visit us ns n 
 church, and cause liis face to shine upon us. 
 
 We are not here formally treating of your duty towards tlie ministr}', and pn 
 there are many views of it which we are not at present setting before you ; 
 yet, there isono wliich, both on account of its own importance, and of its being 
 seldom exhibited in our ordinary ministrations, wo would be bold in this 
 epistle to press upon you — that, wc mean, which respects your providing 
 for the maintenance of tho Ministry. We may say, that it would not in all 
 respects be seU'-deiiial for Ministers to bctalic themselves to secular employ- 
 ments for their support: some of those have their own allurements, and most 
 of them in this land, their abundant profits. It is on the score of self-de- 
 nial, tliat they should eland aloof from such employments. Tho public and 
 private work of the ministry do properly claim the whole time of those who 
 aro called to it : and hence, it is the very first duty of a people, to c-ee that so far 
 as their influence and abiUty extend, their ministers shall have no temptation 
 to alienate their time to any inferior concerns. If, unhappily,Ministersmu8t 
 engage in secular employments for a temporal provision for themselves and 
 their families, the abstraction of even a large portion of time is not the great- 
 est injury which their spiritual work sustains. They are too opt to contracf. 
 a worldly and covetous spirit, and then at best the spiritual life can only etrug- 
 gle for '■11 existence within them, and in such a case, it may not be expected, 
 that ;.' j;. are to he extensively useful in communicating that life to others. 
 Christiar, < then, who allow their Ministers to struggle with poverty, or to la- 
 bour in worldly callings to keep poverty at a distance, aro treacherous, nliko 
 to their own eternal interests and to the cause, as well as the authority of 
 their blaster. 
 
 All Princes and Powers on earth owe a homage to Him by whom thoy reign, 
 and when, happily, they contribute their resources to the support and extenbion 
 of the Saviour's kingdom, in 130 far as they may be available to these ends, 
 they are, in the very way of promoting the temporal and eternal welfare of 
 their subjects. But, if rulers fail to appreciate the truth and to do it due iiom - 
 age, who does not see, that the followers of Christ arc thcnisolvos, on tiiis 
 account, bound to do more for its support ? ' 
 
 But beloved brethren, we need scarcely remind you, tliat tho pastoral uflico 
 is conversant about more than preacliiug Hi« word. Tlitro u a visible or- 
 
 
TllK MonKHATOR S rABTORAI, I.RTTKR. 
 
 jTonizntion of Chrint's kiiipdom on earth, called tlio Chnrrli, wliirli \vr, your \)M- 
 tors and elders, arc called to inaintnin. To ns, conjunctly, iHcntruHted the nd- 
 miniatration of the laws which roajject ndmiHHion into the (!^hnrch, the conduct 
 of its members as such, and the administration of the BncnimentH. And wit 
 now call on you to honour and support us, in the mainteimneo of tlio discipline 
 of the Church. 
 
 Ah, we painfully feel that the discipline of tho Church is not by many of 
 us at least so zealously and vigorously maintained, as to give occasion for us to 
 deprecate your displeasure for even ai)i)«rcnt severity. The many infirmities 
 that beset us, to say nothing of our liability to error, from a wish to judge 
 f harilnbly of those who are the subjects of discipline, do rather, we fear, expose 
 us to the charge of lenity. Y'et, there arc too many menilHjrs of the church, 
 who arc impatient of admonition, and reproof, however tenderly applied; and 
 who seem to tl'ink, that their religious profession should subject them to no 
 spiritual controul. Hut we would have such to consider, that if it is the occa- 
 sional duty of all the followers of Christ to counsel and reprove each other, it is 
 the proper duty of tho rulers of tho Church to do so, to those whose con- 
 duct openly contradicts tho profession they have made of being a peculiar peo- 
 ple ' rrdeemed from all iniquity.' And that if it is with the rulers of the 
 church, to declare the terms of admission into it, and to judge of the qualifi- 
 cation of candidates for its privileges, so, they are also authorized, even to 
 <'a.st out of its coninmnion, those who spurn at admonition, and reproof, or 
 rontinue in their evil courses after having been afl'ectionatcly H'arncd to for- 
 sake them. 
 
 This letter may conic into the liands or be read in the hearing of some, who 
 have been admitted into the Church by baptism in infancy, trained up to an 
 nttcndaiico on its ordinances, and it may be even formally numbered with 
 his people at the sacramental table; and who yet, for all this, have drawn 
 back from us r.nd well nigh abdicated all connexion with Christ and with his 
 cause. Oh, that a word of expostulation and reproof might be eflectual to 
 the reclaiming of such to the way of peace and safety! ('an such say that 
 their own experience of the ways of religion and of irreligion justifies them 
 for casting off the fear of God, and neglecting the Cospel and its ordinances? 
 — that they hove arrived at a well grounded assurance, that the word of 
 (Jod with its tesliiiionies to the character of God, its promises of a present 
 iiiid everlasting salvation, audits threats of a second death id all who disobey it, 
 IS a cunningly devised fable 1 Will they pretend, thu! tiie world for which 
 tlieyare now living gives and promises them a satisfying and durable peace'? 
 Ah, wc know that all backsliders arc self-condemned, and as wc would have 
 them escape tho condemnation of Ilim who is greater than conscience and 
 kiitiweth ill! things, we beseech them, to return to that God whom they have 
 tnrsakcn. Lot them bewail and confess their folly before him, embrace the 
 nverturcs of reconciliation which he still holds out, and cast in their lot for timn 
 Mud eternity with hie people. 
 
 There are not a few, whom wr areforinnily nddrespiiig in this letter, wiip. 
 alas, cannot ordinarily attend on the ordinnnces of the Church, from the want 
 of the stated adnimiytration nf these nnioncst theiii. Some of voii. wc '■no\\. 
 
 <Vt>l keen 
 her the 
 you wen 
 praise, 
 for bettet 
 mate to 
 your chi 
 of (tod n 
 shall fiou 
 arc most 
 clearings, 
 isters and 
 the settle 
 ernment, 
 despair 
 the Gosr 
 them. 
 
TUK MOtlKnATOR.S I'ASrolXAL l.KTThR. 
 
 r> 
 
 wc, your pas- 
 riiHtod tlio n<I- 
 ), tlio roiuliict, 
 t.B. And wc 
 tlic (liBciplinR 
 
 by many of 
 Lsioii for UR to 
 ny intirmities 
 ivish to judge 
 
 fear, expoeo 
 )f ttic churcii, 
 
 applied; and 
 b them to no 
 it is the occa- 
 ch other, it ie 
 !c whose con- 
 
 1 pccuhar pco- 
 rulers of the 
 of tiio qiialih- 
 rjzcd, even to 
 id reproof, or 
 arncd to for- 
 
 of some, who 
 
 led up to an 
 
 umbered with 
 
 <, have drawn 
 
 t and with hie 
 
 JO effectual to 
 
 "iuch say that 
 
 ustifiea them 
 
 ordinances? 
 
 the word of 
 
 of a present 
 
 10 disobey it, 
 
 rid for winch 
 
 rable peace'? 
 
 '0 would have 
 
 iiscicnce and 
 
 •rn they have 
 
 embrace the 
 
 ir lot for time 
 
 letter, wlip. 
 om the wnnr 
 oil. wc 'nctsv. 
 
 feel keenly your present ppiritual deMtitution, and even weep, when you remem- 
 ber the privilcffes whicii jou enjoyed in the land of your fsthers, when 
 you went with the nuiltitiide to the houne of God, with the voire of joy and 
 praiHC. Mut, take it not os a mockery of your sorrow, that wo bid you hope 
 for better days. The Hoil which many of you are now clearing, and the cli- 
 mate to which you have removed, teem with promises of plenty to you, and to 
 \ our children. And an enliifhtened acquaintance with the spiritual economy 
 of God may warrant the belief, that ere lonjjf the most forbidding moral desert 
 hhall flouiiMh and blossom like the rose! The jilaccs in these Provinces which 
 iircmost favoured as to spiritual privileges — alas, at best small and imperfect 
 clearings, in surrounding wastes, were yet only a few years ago, without min- 
 isters andclmrches; and, now, through the Divine blessing, on the exertions of 
 the settlers themselves, assisted, as in many cases they have been by the gov- 
 ernment, or the church at homo, they are, what they are. Do not ye then 
 despair of yet enjoying a stated ministration of the word and ordinances of 
 the Gospel. Above all things, guard against becoming indifferent about 
 them. 
 
 Ah, many on their first coming to this country, thought that all the temporal 
 Tomforts which it afforded or promised them were nothing, because of the wnnt 
 of schools and churches for their children and themselves which they encoun- 
 tered: and yet of these, not a few have been found willing to forego the educa- 
 tion of their children for the profits of their labour; while they have sunk into 
 an apathy about divine things through their eager pursuit of the world, and 
 destitution of religious principles ; so that, after the lapse of a few years, when 
 the Gospel has come to their doors through the labours of Missionaries, 
 or Ministers, their relishjor concern for it, have altogether vanished. We would 
 have those of you then, who are sensible of your spiritual privations to exert 
 yourselves to the utmost, to obtain the ministrations of the Gospel. Invite the 
 occasional service of the Ministers who are nearest to you. Endeavour to asso- 
 ciate yourselves in your several neighbourhoods for procuring the labours of 
 a Missionary or stated Pastor. And where these cannot be obtained, you 
 may do well, to meet together on the Lord's day, in a school house, or pri- 
 vate dwelhng, for prayer, and praise, and other spiritual exercises. For God 
 will meet with you, and bless you, if you do indeed seek to know and honour 
 him; and you will thus be in the way of keeping alive religionin your families 
 and neighbourhoods, and of preparing also for a more abundant and effective 
 administration of its ordinances. The infant settlements of this day, should 
 know, that some congregations which have now acquired a measure of vigour 
 and stability, had their origin in little companies that for a time, went Sab- 
 bath after Sabbath, from one log house to another, to sing and pray, and read 
 the Bible with the exposition of its truths, by some of the worthies of our 
 native land. If there be among you Elders, honour their oiRce by inviting 
 I hem to preside in your devotional meetings; and, if there be not, we recom- 
 mend you to lay your case-before the Presbytery, within whose bounds you 
 reside, and seek their direciiofi and assistancp. They may see fit, to organ- 
 ize you into cougicjrationF, and ordain Eldert amongst you. They mny direct 
 
TIIB M«)l)imATOU'» PASTORAL LRTTnil. 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 MlHMionnrius to \ii*it ynii, or 8ciul from tiino to tituo, n Minislcr to dinpcnao 
 imioiijXfit \^,i, Diviiin ordiimnms. 
 
 Uut, '»lc««e(l bn (iod, nil acccRH to iiiin, nnd ooinmunion with liim arc not for- 
 biddct liig people even tlioiifjli they rimy bo diHperaod in the lonely wildorneM, 
 nnd fir from IiIh Hiinctiiari( ... For Jciiovuii who ih great in Zioii lina hin 
 dwelliii;,' " with him, that ia of a contrite und hiimblo Hpirit, to revive the 
 spirit of the hiimbli', and to rcvivn the heart of the contrite oncH." And he 
 heara the prayer poured out to him in secret, and apoukB peace to hia people 
 throufjli hid word: nnd, wlien they wait humbly on Him with their familicH, ho 
 causca the voice of rcj^icin;: nnd .snlvalion to be heard in their tabornaclefl! 
 And hcri!, Uhktmrkn, permit uh to Hay in roforcnco to FAMii.r Woiiship, that 
 if the Btatcd atid uerious obscrvanco of it i« ncceusary to the healthy cxiatencd 
 of family religion, ovun when all llio public ordinances of the Church are 
 enjoyed, then, the want of thoBO ordinances only enhances the neceaaity for 
 its observance; by everyone at least, who would adopt thoresolution of Josh- 
 ua: "as for me, and my house, wo will Korve the Lord." 
 
 Attendance on the jjiiblic wort^hip of (iod, to which wo have been ndvertinp, 
 is but one brunch of another more comprchcnHivc duty, to which also we would 
 now call your attention— that of honouriko the Lokd'» Day And, in res- 
 pect of this great duty, which draws its sanctions alike from the law of the Ten 
 Commandments, and the gospel economy, wo dcsiro to leave a formal testi- 
 mony with all whom wc are now addressing, whether dwellers in the woods, 
 or in villages and towns. 
 
 Be assured then, tliat a conscient/ou3 regard to the Sabbath as a day for spir- 
 itual exercises is essential to the existence and perpetuity of the Divine life 
 in the soul. Tlie glorious character and works of God, especially as they 
 are moiufested in the plan of redemption, must liave a set time for being 
 studied. The fear and love, adoration and praise which are supremely dun 
 unto him, must have a time for being cultivated and expressed. The glory 
 and immortality which the gospel oilers to our faith nnd hopes, to be seen by 
 ns in their own transcendant importance and excellence, must bo contemplated 
 at a time, when ouv minds are withdrawn from tlic cares and pursuits of 
 earth. And such a time, a time too appointed by Cod is our Wkrklt Sab- 
 bath. Sec then, Bkloved Buethiien, that you prize the Sabbath, and honour 
 it, according to the gracious designs of God in instituting it, and the directions 
 of his word. Sabbath profanation you may at once perceive is in its very na. 
 ture a master sin — a sin, not merely malignant in itself, but subversive of all 
 that is good, and introductory to all that is evil in the character and life. — 
 Where it prevails, personal, family, and national religion alike are destroyed. — 
 The annals of crime uniformly attest, that the habits of lircntinusnoss, fraud, 
 and violence, which have brought multitudes to din ignominiously in beggary, 
 or in hospitals, or by the public executioner, were in many cases formed, and 
 in all fostered, by the sin of Sabbath profanation. And a reference to the 
 history of Christianity since the reformation will shew, tliat those churches 
 which took up low views of the authority of the Sabbath, have been least efii- 
 cicnt in holding forth the light of Divine truth; andhavo been, to the great, 
 est extent, tainted with error end iniidclity. 
 
THR MOnnBATOR 8 PASTOIIAI. LKTTKH. 
 
 lalcr to ilispcnatf 
 
 Iiim arc not for- 
 oncly wildoriiCBB, 
 in Ziuii liaH Iuh 
 it, to revive tiie 
 oiicH." And tie 
 ace tu Ilia peoplo 
 their families, ho 
 heir tabcrnacleH! 
 T WoiisHip, that 
 lieaithy cxistencQ 
 the Church arc 
 the necessity for 
 tisolutionof Joali- 
 
 D been advertinp, 
 ich also VIC would 
 AY And, in res- 
 10 law of the Ten 
 a formal tcsti- 
 ilerBinthewoodti, 
 
 as a day for spir- 
 
 jf the Divine life 
 
 jecially aa they 
 
 !t time for bein{f 
 
 supremely din^ 
 
 scd. The glory 
 
 s, to be seen by 
 
 )e contemplated 
 
 and pursuits of 
 
 r Wi'.RKLT Sab- 
 
 atli, and honour 
 
 id the directions 
 
 s in its very na» 
 
 nibvoi'eivo of all 
 
 actor and life. — 
 
 ire dcatroyed. — 
 
 inusnesp, fraud, 
 
 isly in bopf^ary, 
 
 scs formed, and 
 
 cforencc to the 
 
 those churches 
 
 been least efii- 
 
 n, to the great. 
 
 Wo exhort yo»i therofore, lJrollir<!n, a^ you would ponsoMs true religion, and 
 prcncnt it in a vigoroiiH type for theiniitiitiun of the generation now riwiiig 
 around you— to honour thk Lom/.s Dat. Not only rest from biifiinenB 
 and journoyingM on it, but wfudy to enter into f he rent of God. (live yoiir- 
 selvcR, with alacrity, to all the cxorciHcH which are designed, at once for tho 
 exprcHsion of tlio homngo of the heart to our Father in heaven, and for tho 
 conveyance by lliin to us of His Holy Spirit. Sonic of you, wo believe, are 
 under peculiar temptations to tho violation of the Sabbath — who dwell in 
 places whore this holy day in but rarely marked out from other days by tho 
 sounding of the (Jospel trumpet, and is regarded an a day for bodily relaxation, 
 and pleasure. Butconeider, BiiKTmiRN, that neitlier evil examjile, nor any other 
 
 temptation however prevalent, or powerful, can bo on excuno for our sin. 
 
 Cod rccpiires one whole day in seven, as well as a portion of every day for 
 his worsiiip; and wo must neither allow the example of ungodly men, nor 
 wordly connexions and friendships to inthioncc us to rob him, and rob our- 
 selves of the Sabbath. Remember that exposition of tho law of tlie Sabbath, 
 which you have known from childhood, and can verify from Scripture, <* The 
 Habbath is to be sanctified by a iioly resting all that day, even from such 
 worldly employments and recreotions as are lawful in other days; and spend- 
 ing the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, ex- 
 <^ept so much as is t>'li'j taken up in the works of necessity and mercy." 
 
 The Rrligious Thainino of the You.vo is an exercise peculiarly proper 
 for the Sabbatli, while it is in itself of such paramount importance, tliat it may 
 properly be touched on in this address. Natural affection if rightly directed 
 would lead parents to train up their children in the fear of God, and for 
 liis service. Tho law expressly prescribes this duty to parents; and, tho 
 very continuance, and enlargement of tho Church of God in our world are 
 dependent on its being observed. We do therefore exhort all heads of fami- 
 lies into whose hands this letter comes, by their regard to the present and eter- 
 nal welfare of their children — tlie authority of God — and the advancement 
 «<f tho Kingdom of our liord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to be diligent in in- 
 Btructing the young in Divine Truth, and earnest and persevering in prayer 
 for the Di\ine Life to be formed in them. 
 
 Lot parents, as they have opportunity, send their children to Sabbath 
 Schools, and Bible classes: — they must yet know, that no pains, and no labours 
 of Ministers and teachers can exempt thorn from the obligation to instruct 
 their household in the things of God; and this obligation is to be discharged 
 by a godly example in every day hfe,by daily counsels fetched from the ora- 
 <:lcs of God,and the more formal instructions of the Sabbath evening. 
 
 • We would be far from unholy boasting concerning that branch of the church 
 to which wc belong, yet we may say, that she hag been honourably distin- 
 ^juished among the Churches of the Reformation for maintaining tho Divine 
 authority of the Sabbath, and for pressing on all heads of families in her com- 
 munion the duty of catechising their children and domestics on the evening 
 of that day; and that to those causes mainly, under the Divine blessing, may 
 l>e referred the hereditary character which the profession and practice of 
 
THE moderator's I'ASTORAIi I.ETTERv 
 
 
 godliness has to a certain extent liad, in the land of our fathers, since the diry* 
 of the Reformation. 
 
 In exhorting you to the practice of family catechising, we would remind 
 you of the use which may be made of those Formularies ok Scripture Doc- 
 trine, which the Church has adopted for exhibiting her faith to the world. 
 These were drawn up by men who had been deeply taught in Divine Truth. 
 They are plain, methodical, compendious, and, yet also,, minute; and they ap- 
 peal so constantly for the truth of their statements to the Bible that none who 
 use tliem are in danger of being led away from it. Yet, after all, the Bi- 
 15LE is the very fountain of inspiration, and we would have you to draw daily 
 from it for yourselves and for your children. It is in reference to the words 
 of God as they were spoken by himself that the commandment runs: "Thou 
 shall teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou 
 sittcst in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou iiest 
 down, and when thou risest up." We desire that your faith may be founded 
 not on the o{)inions of men, but on the word of the living God. And the prev- 
 alence of gross error around us, some of which seeks its support from new 
 Revelations, makes us jealous of saying any tiling that might even seem tO' 
 countenance the deceivers who are abroad, in their attempts to introduce 
 an authority diverse from that of the Apostles and Prophch' of our Lord. 
 
 We may say this at least, of the Formularies of our Church, that theic 
 Scriptural soundness has been witnessed to by the present Churches of tlie 
 Reformation ; and that, in no age, either before, or since that event, has the 
 life and power of godliness been long maintained, when the doctrines which 
 they contain liave been abandoned. — And without arrogating any undue au- 
 thority for them, we do also say, let none of you lightly give up their doc- 
 trines, for those which new teachers may bring to your ears. 
 
 We know that the zeal of false teachers now abroad, their pretensions in 
 some cases to apostolical authority, as well as to piety and disinterestedness,, 
 are very specious; and are too often successful in turning the confidence of 
 those to whom they address themselves. But need we remind you, Dear Breth- 
 ren, that the Scripture teaches us to expect false teachers, especially in times 
 like the present, of iukewarmness, division, and corruption. A zeal, fervid as 
 was that of the ancient Pharisees, has often been put forth by the propagators 
 of errorgross as was thcirs,shaming the coldness of the teachers of a purer faith. 
 The clothing of the sheep has often concealed the ravening ferocity of the 
 wolf. And now, as in other days, the horns of the Lamb may be seen, where 
 the spirit of the Dragon prevails, and his voice may be heard. 
 
 Hold fast, then, the form of sound words in which you have been taught, 
 and give way neither to heresies nor superstitions ancient or modern. Char- 
 ity is to be exercised to all, even to deceivers and the deceived. But remem- 
 ber, that errov itself,^ is no more an object of charity than is sin. It should 
 ever be hated and shunned, and that in proportion to the dishonour which it 
 does to the oracles of God and the Kingdom of his Son. Ciiristians should 
 contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints. And oh, that 
 each of you would consider liow much you can do, yea, and ought to do, for 
 that Faith, how humble soevennay be your gifts and contracteu your sphere. 
 
since the diiy* 
 would remind 
 
 CRIPTUIIE Doc- 
 
 to the world. 
 Divine Trutlj. 
 !; and they ap- 
 that none who 
 er all, the Bi- 
 i to draw daily 
 
 to the words 
 runs: " Thou 
 em when thou 
 vhen thou iiest 
 lay be founded 
 
 And the prev- 
 )ort from new 
 even seem to> 
 
 1 to introduce 
 of our Lord, 
 irch, that theic 
 lurches of tlie 
 event, has the 
 ictrinea which 
 any undue au- 
 e up their doc- 
 
 p pretensions in 
 interestedness,. 
 confidence of 
 )u, Dear Breth- 
 ecially in times 
 zeal, fervid as 
 le propagators 
 if a purer faith, 
 ferocity of the 
 )e seen, where 
 
 been taught, 
 modern. Char- 
 But remem- 
 sin. It should 
 )nour which it 
 ristians should 
 
 And oh, that 
 gilt to do, for 
 I your sphere. 
 
 TUB moderator's pastoral LETTSR. 9 
 
 — By acting it out before the world, in a humble, gentle, benevolent, honeet, 
 nnd holy conversation, you will draw from men a honaage both to the truth, 
 and the excellency, of the religion of Jesus: and may happily also, in a day 
 of merciful visitation, win eome to embrace and obey it. 
 
 We may yet ngniii briefly advert to the importance of the Religious Cul- 
 lURR OF THE YouNo, in connexion with another great duty— The PR0M0TI^(4 
 THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE KiNODOM OF THE Saviour. The children now oil 
 the breasts of their mothers, and around our tables, and the youths acquiring 
 the rudiments of learning, and the arts and occupations of life, must very soon 
 take the place and the stations in the Church and in the State, of the present 
 geuevation of men and women. Of what infinite moment, then, is it, that our 
 children should be imbued with the fear of God, and love to the Saviour — in a 
 word, regenerated! And, on what instrumentality does this blessed result so 
 much depend, as Parental instruction? We would have the fathers and moth- 
 ers then, who liear or read these lines,dcliberatcly to consider that it is with them, 
 through the promised blessing of our Heavenly Father, on the right exercise 
 of rlieir influence and authority in their households, to ^ive an increase of active 
 and useful members to the Church of God. 
 
 If our population shall henceforth increase at a rate only the half of what 
 it has done, since the territory was divided into two Provinces, then, ere the 
 youllis of our day shall have reached their threescore and ten years, the Upper 
 Province alone will contain a population of seven millions of souls. How 
 solemn the thought, that ere long, on a land that was but recently a wilderness, 
 60 large an addition is to be made to the Kingdom of God's Dear Son, or to the 
 kingdom of the Prince of darkness! And, who that knows the natural tenden- 
 cy of men to profligacy of principle and practice, and observes the many in- 
 fluences of an evil kind that are now in vigorous operation in forming the char- 
 acter of this youthful community, and observes also — we fay this with sorrow 
 — how feebly Christian influence has yet been put forth by ourselves, or any 
 other Church, to bring individuals under the reign of Christ, and mould the 
 public mind to virtue — will not anticipate the future with the deepest solicitude'? 
 The regeneriition of individuals and nations is indeed the direct result of the 
 Divine Spirit; and yet, like any of the beneficial changes that take place in the 
 natural world, it is in all cases brought about through the apphcation of suita- 
 ble means: and hence we do certainly infer, that unless there shall be found 
 amongst us increased activity and zeal on the part of the Church of God, to- 
 gether with a more vigorous exercise of Christian influence, through the Press, 
 Educatiox, and Leoislatiow, then, there must inevitably ensue a rapid in- 
 crease of spiritual ignorance and error, superstition and infidelity, with their 
 sure accompaniments — licentiousness, fraud, violence, and anarchy. Beloved 
 Brethren, let all of us, Ministers, Elders and People, do our part; we may do 
 much to avert these evils, and promote the reign of the Prince of Peace. Let 
 us study to know "the love of God, which passeth all understanding," the "un- 
 speakable gift of God," which is Christ the life of the world, and the commu- 
 nion of the Holy Spirit, who quickens and sanctifies all the elect of God, and 
 then,Bhall we present our very selves "living sacrifices to God," and improve ouv 
 many opportunities for the advancement of His cause in this land. 
 
 J 
 
 J 
 
10 
 
 rilli MOriKRATOUf PASTORAL LUTTKR. 
 
 ft 
 
 We specially commeai to yourcouatoiurc I support the Missionary un- 
 dertakings oi" your several Presbyteries. Gn • not the occasional absence of 
 your Ministers wlien they may be sent forth co niinister the word and ordinan- 
 ces in destitute settlements; and give willhig-ly of your substance for the support 
 of Migsionaries, according as the Lord has bestowed on yourselves temporal 
 abundance, and spiritual privileges. Tlie liberality of the Church at home, in 
 sending forth Missionaries, and in contributing to the nid of our feeble congre- 
 gations, should encourage you to make increased exertions and sacrifices for 
 the same objects . It is confessedly "the day of f mall things with us" : yet, we 
 rejoice to announce to you, that a sciieme for the education and training of 
 pious youths for the Ministry, is now under our consideration, soon we trust to 
 be submitted to you, for your concurrence and support. 
 
 But we must close this epistle, and though we are not without a suspicion that 
 it is somewhat desultory, and may also be chargeable with omissions, we do 
 yet call on you to receive it, in so far as it brings to you "the words of soberness 
 and truth." And, Beloved Brethren, we do earnestly pray that we may be 
 approved of God, and accepted of you, as wise and faithful in the ministry of 
 the word and ordinances with which we have been severally entrusted; for then, 
 indeed, shall you and we be made to lejoice together in the great salvation, and 
 promote the glory of God. And now, heartily commending you all unto His 
 Grace, we bid you farewell. 
 In namci 
 
 And by appointment of tlie Synod, 
 At Kingston, 
 
 Diet VI. Session VI. Year 1836. 
 
 WILLIAM RINTOUL, Moderator. 
 
 .',i 
 
 I 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 P. I, 1. 15— For communion read connexion. 
 P. 2, 1. 7 — For attendings read attendance. 
 
 Do. 1. 25 — Forsurrender read surrendered. 
 
 Do. 1. 37 — For his oracles read the oracles of God. 
 
 Do. 1. 40— For purposes rend prepares, 
 P. 3, 1. 8— For interests read interest. 
 P. 4, 1. 12— For lenity read laxity. 
 P. 5, 1. 24— For principles reaa privileges , 
 P. 8, 1. 22 — For present read purest. 
 
 Do. 1, 3W— For turning read winning. 
 
lissionary iin- 
 iiial absence of 
 d and ordinan- 
 for tiic support 
 3lves temporal 
 ch at home, in 
 feeble congre- 
 d sacrifices for 
 th us": yet, we 
 nd training of 
 oon we trust to 
 
 L suspicion that 
 ssions, we do 
 ds of soberness 
 lat we may be 
 the ministry of 
 asted; for then, 
 t salvation, and 
 u all unto His 
 
 Moderator*