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HALIFAX: rBINTBD BT WILUAM GOSBIP, 24 OBANVILLK STBBBT. 1859. 7).. \ »;J*MMLi.;cfT--if,JHnri,lrf^-i impnj '■^''Ai'''A^'ihk' K la 1 ai "( di |p m [/ ' us /■^ dc m ad "'- yoi Kj> the J tba >* occ o tfoi 1 1 '1 der \ exp con una wbi Bre you by t ablel will «lly, '•■'IMl cr> *j> A CHARGE, ifC. ^C. My Rkteuknu Bkjstuben} In the coureo of an extendetl Tour tbroaghout the Province, lately completed, I have visited all of you in jour own Parishes, and having thus enjoyed the opportunity of conversing with you in- dividually upon matteiB of mutual interest, with reference to the welfare of the Church, and the progress of God's work amongst us, I doubted whether I should call you together at this time, or defer this formal Visitation to next year. And I was induced to adhere to my original intention by the consideration, that most of you would in any case come to the City to attend the Meeting of the Diocesan Assembly, which I had not the power to defer, and that the business to be discussed by the Church Society on this occasion is of such vital importance as to demand the best atten- tion of the greatest number of the Clergy that can be convened. I believe moreover that, having regard to the benefits thence derived, you are not unwilling to bear the inconvenience and tho expence of }Our journey to the City, although these are not in* considerable in the case of those who reside at a distance, and are unable to avail yourselves of water, or railway, conveyance ; and whilst to such as are ordinarily excluded from converse with your Hretfaren these oecitsions must be of peculiar value, I trust that you will all return to your respective duties cheered and refreshed, by this respite from your laLurs, and by mutual intercourse. To mv^elf it is always gratifying to meet you, and I am glad to bo able thus publicly to aeUriowIedgo with gratitude the kind attention whicli I have received from you, both collectively and individu- ally, throughout tho eevon years that have elapsed since liio i->iii!iic:!'.'. •juicnt !■!' I'Viv ;ii'i|n;»int;in"c : nu'.l wliilst tlic cx).icil'.Mii.'e li" mmm V //I . ^b-^^ the pasi Wds me to believe that you will at all times be ready to uphold my hands in the discharge of the arduous duties committed to no, you may be assured that I do moat heartily sympathize with you, and that I am always anxious to do as much as I can to lighten your toil, and to meet your wishes. May the Holy Spirit be with us at this time, directing all our proceedings for the glory of Ood and the benefit of His Church, and filling our hearts with brotherly love and charity unfeigned. When I last addressed you from this Chair, we were about to meet on the following day to consider the expediency of holding periodical assemblies of the Bishop, Clergy, and Laity of this Dio* eese, and I will briefly review our proceedings in this matter. This question was decided in the affirmative, by a vote of B7 to 9 amongst the Olergy, and of 28 to 10 amongst the laity, and I Mi that i^er anch an expression of opinion I had no choice but to act upon it. A Committee was at that time appointed to prepare a Constitution, and their report was received, nnd with some Amendments adibpted the next year. It was then determined, that the first Meeting of the Diocesan Assembly duly organized, should be held in 1856, and that thenceforth triennial Meetings should be the rule. In order to maintain as far as practicable uniformity of action, wo adopted with a few alterations the Con* stitntion, the rules and regulations, of the Toronto Synod, and if it be found on trial that they are susceptible of improvement, they may be modified from time to time ; but the " Declaration of principles'' upon which our action is based is to be regarded as defi- nitely fixed and unalterable. And this declaration ought to bo suffi- cient to calm the fears of those, who are anticipating that the Assembly will introduce alterations in our services, and will lead to a separation from our Mother Church. You are aware that contra- dictory objections have been urged against our Meetings, some asserting that they will increase the power of the Bishop and Clergy, others opposing the introduction of the Laity, whilst some who allow that they are expedient cannot be reconciled to the principle that the joint consent of Bishop, Clergy, and Laity, shall be reqninite for the validity of any Act. That Synods, properly so called, are composed of the Clergy alone, \re arc agreed, and our own Ccrivocalion altogether cxclurlcs ) re&dy to sommitted ympathize 1 1 can to [oly Spirit the glory earti with e about to >f holding r this Dio- is matter. )f a? to and I felt bat to: aet prepare a itfa some iermined, >rgaDized, Meetiogs racticable the Con' and if it ent, they iration of d as defi- >bosnffi- Lssembly »ad to a t coDtra* (8, some lop and 1st some to the |ty, shall Clergy bclurlcs the Laity ; but it would be useless to attempt to constitute such a body on this side of the Atlantic, and we should deprive ourselves of one of the prineipal benefits anticipated from these Meetings,, if the lay members irf'the Church were to be excluded. The Clergy without the Laity no more form the Chureh than the Laity without the Clergy, and I am f.iways anxious to enlist the services of the Iisity, and to find suitable'employmont for all who desire to be useful. There are many matters in which they can act more effect- ively than the Clergy, who ought to be relieved from the necessity of giving to temporal affairs, the time and attention which should be devoted more exclusively to the Ministry of the Word. And we hope that, through their attendance on these occasions, and partici- pation in our discussions, they will become more interested in the aflairs of their Church, and better acquainted with its system and its [Hindiples. They will thus have the opportunity of thoroughly examining eaeh measure proposed, and if, after hearing the argu- ments on either side, they are not satisfied, they have full power in themselves to reject it, even though it should be ogreed upon by. the Bishop and Clergy. In like manner, if the Bitihop and Laity should agree upon any measure, the Clergy have the power to defeat it, if a majority of them deem it objectionable, and lastly the Bishop has the same power as the Clergy and Laity re- spectively and no more. He can reject, but bo cannot adopt, any measure without the consent of both of the other Orders, and praetioally, the effect of the right of " veto,*' thus exercised by eaeh order, will be merely to cheek any rash decisions, and to prevent too hasty an adoption of propositions requiring caution and protracted deliberation. Maqy attempts have been made to excite prejudice and suspi- cions, by the use of the obnoxious word " Veto," and by sugges- tions of consequences likely to result from the exercise of that right by the Bishop, but these alarmists cannot be ignorant that, supposing the right to exist in the most extensive signification of the term, and to be arbitrarily exercised, its effect must be in every case simply to leave things as they are, and therefore it should lo highly prized by those who are afraid of changes and protest ag&inst any alterations. It may be observed moreover that, with reference lo one elasf? of business, this principlo bus been already established ti«wiwuvt i af i iini.ri i !WW i m^^:im i;fc:i,.w^;:A" \'v v..: A, G I'V \\>v! C'liurcli Ai this ISill was followed by tho acceptance of the nominee of the Synod as tho Bishop of the new Diocese of Huron, thus introducing u new system \Mo our Church, whether for good or evil : and btlilg in England I was called upon to ofBciate at its inauguration, tho Consecration of the Bishop at Lambeth, about thiS time last year. What will bo tho cfftict of the election of Bishops by the Synods, experience alone can inform us, and I must confess that I feci somewhat doubtful, judging from tho history of former times. We trust however that the electors will never be influenced by sooh unworthy motives as the cotemporaries of St. Chrysostom, who, after mentioning that an election to a Bishopric caused great divisions among*t the Presbyters, assigns as tho reason that " they do not regard that ono qualitication which alone ought to be regarded, spiritual excellence, but the introduction to this honor, depends upon other causes. Ono says this man should be elected because he is of illustrious descent, another is in favor of that man becauso ho is weaUliy, and will not require an income from the reve- nues of the Church, another is supported because he has joined us from the ranks of our enemies ; this man wishes to honor the man who is friendly to himself, that his relative, another prefers tho skilful flatterer, but no one chooses to consider whether ho is a suitable person, nor to cnqniro about his mental qualifications." I <::iW.'A al!(v.- thiii tlif c.^j'CU'jn"'; ff iliy I'uitc'l J^'uto« {-rovos f, nhJ Laity, oh property. stion (0 Uto ioundooM of ) rtmoTe all liOgisUturo, 111, and Her twerved that it Synodi are I, existing in le Church of power of re* al Secretary romeot Were The assent tninoe of the i introducing 1 : and being juration, the ne last year. bops by the confess that irmer tintes. icud by such ostom, who, ent divisions they do not e regarded, or. depends cd because an becauso ihe rovc- s joined us or tho man refers tho or ho is a ifioations." itc« proves ouch tears groundless, for Ihe pooplu arc ihoro so much accu^tonivil to election!), (all their chief officers buing appointed in this wuv.) that a dofuut is generally borne by the niioority with inucli more equanimity than amongst ourselves. Neverthuluss wc hfpu thut succeeding elections will be conduuted ufier tho pattern of the tiist, and that the same harmony and good feeling will be evinced on vll such occasions, and that when the oonlesi is* over tho nvijoriiy and minority may always cheoi fully unite in welcoming, and cot>pcrut- ing with, tho person chohon. The mode of providing for tho maintonauco uf o sufficient body of Clergy is becoming a question of extreme iniporiunue, and nnh;ss some comprehensive scheme is adopted and carried ouii without delay, there must soon be a sad dearth in sonio parts of the Province, " not a famine of bread, but of hearing the wutdsof tho Lord." In the first place, fourteen Clergymen are puid out of a Parliamentary grant tho amount of £2,200 sterling, the whole of which will be lost to the Diocese on tho death or retirement of those who now receive it. How is this to be made up ? I3y what means can we raise an additional £2,700 currency per annum ? littt this is not by any means the full extent of the diminution fur which we have to provide. The venerable Society for the Propa- gation of the Gospel insists upon our adoption of a plan for a gradual reduction of its grant to us, independent of deaths or vacancies, and this amounts to more than £3,500 sterling, so that in fact in order to provide fur the present payments, we must be prepared within a few years to collect more than £7000 currency per annum, in addition to the sums now raised in the Province, or we must have our operations curtailed, our progress stopped, and the work of so many years undone, whilst Churches will bo closed, and the people deprived of the accustomed ministrations of the Church. This is not conjecture merely, a few years may elapse before this change in our position is completed, but it has already commenced. Now it is evident that the oircumstances of some of our Congregations are such that they cannot entirely sup- port their own Ministers, and for these aid must be provided. The first source to which they will look will be the Church Soci- ety, and all must admit that its annual income ought to be greatly increased, and its prosperity depends principally upon yourselves ■'■A>; i.V; .■'.y \ ■^■*i*-ft 8 (/ Drothron, for I And that whorovor tbo ClorgymoD ii warmlj^ ioto* rested in thu Huuoess of tbo Socieijr, and exerta himielf in ita behalf, there the amount of aubsoriplions ia comparatively Urge, and wbaro tbo amount ia small, compared with the reaouroea of the oongre* gation, I havo reaaon to believe that tbo Clergyman baa not done what he could. lo some oaaea I have been informed that, in order to avoid the trouble of collecting the amaller aubacriptiona, you havo paid them out of your own pookota, but tb!a ia not right or just either towards youreelvea or your people. Still after all ia done ita annual income will be far from aufficient ; and after long and onxioua oonsideratioo, and deliberation with othera, I have arrived at tbo conclusion that, in order to obtain security, a oapi* tal sum must bo raised without delay of not leaa than £25,000, to be employed, cither in allotments of the interest or of portions of the Capital, by way of Endowment of the several Parinbea, ao that each of the poorer Missions may be partially endowed to such on extent, (say with £50 per annum,) that the additional amount required may, not be altogether unattainable. The details of a proposed plan for raising tbia amount will be submitted to yon at the annual Meeting of the Society,* and ii it be decided to adopt it, it will be incumbent upon you to exert yourselves to the utmost to promote its aucoess. You can urge this with the more earnestness, because it is rather to secure a provision for your successors than for yourselves. And where you have to depend upon the people for a portion of your own salaries, you must not benitatu to speak plainly, teaching them their duty in this respect. I know that some of you would rather suffer any amount of inconvenience than press for your dues, but for the sake of others, of those who are to come after you, if not (or yourselves, you aro bound to do this, you must cast away false delicacy, and must claim what is required for your decent mainte* nance as a debt, resting upon the authority of Scripture, and following the example of iSt. Paul in enforcing the obligation, although you may not be ablo to imitate him in foregoing * At the Meeting, which was unusually large, it was resolved to en- deavor to raise £40,000 within four years, and a. Committee was appoint- ed, with full power to make arrangements for commencing this great work immediately. I warmly ioio* fia itiUbtir, ge, and wb«ro >f the ooDgre- I bai not done that, in order ciiptiona, you IS not right or II nftor all is nd after long otberi, I baTe euritj, a capi* ban £25.000, or of portions il Pariflbet, so lowed to suoh itional amount 9 details of a itted to yon at oided to adopt I to tbe utmost because it is for yourselves. T a portion of nly, teaching of you would for your dues, |er you, if not ist away false leoent mainte* iripture, and e obligation, in foregoing Bsolved to en- was appoint- ing this great 9 what be might justly have tukon. And if you iihow, by your diligenoo vnd zeal in the ditohargo of your Ministry, that you seek not theira but them, that you only urge them because, having devoted yourselven to this work, you are doponilont upon tbera fur a decent maintenance, according to the Lord's commandment, that " they who preach the Gospel rhall live of the Gospel," they will in time be convinced that your motives aro not mercenary, and will !earn to contribute regularly. Your ftuccoss in your endeavors to czcico their liberality will depend upon the mode in which they are taught to regard their subscriptions. If they do not take u correct view, if they regard tbem as they would any other payment, it is not surprising that they try to make the best bargain they can, and puy all their other debts rather than this. But if they learn to regard theo), os ibey an represented in Holy Scripture, and to feel that what they give is an ofToring to the Lord, they will give in a diftjrent spirit, and they who care for their souls will give willingly. It is greatly to be desired that this principle may bo fully caniud out in practice, and that as far as possible all collvctions may be taken in the Church, and formally presented upon the Holy Table. At the last Meeting of Convocation in Eitglucd, there appeared to be a general feeling that this would bo the most effectual, as it is un* doubtedly the most becoming, mode of colleoting, and a rusolutioii was adopted by both Houses, that " weekly collections should bo *' made, that so even the poorest Members of the Church may have •* the opportunity of contributing on the Lord's Jay according us •' God hath prospered them." And this feature of such eollection.s is not to bu overlooked, fur the poor have a right to enjoy the ]irivilege of offering to God according to their ability us well as their richer brethren. In 8ub.scii|ition lists they would lie gcne- rully passed over, but when u cullection is taken in the Church, the iimallcfc^t uuiii may be given ; and when wo think of the gracious approval of the widow's mite, we feel that wo uie doing a wrong to the poor, if wc do not afF>rd them the opportunity of giving to God even out of their penury. '» ■"■■■{ ^ .'' » -U' . < It is true that under tiiis system some will perhaps give much less than if their names wore written down and the amount of their contributions known to their nei;jhhouri<, but this is in iis fiivor, fjr d^-'A]f >u.--^ \ 10 what is given will not bo given grudgingly or of ncocssit?, ihero ¥riH be less admixture of word ly motives, and wo may expect a richer blessing from Him who searcheth the hearts, and the sincere worshippers will be much more anxious to do to the best of their ability than under other circumstances. Some nominal Christians will always lo found, content with offering to God what costs them nothing, wishing to have the benefit of the ministrations of the Gospel, but contriving how they may have them as cheap as possi* ble. Such must be warned, that they will derive little benefit from their lip service, that in attempting to defraud God they will impoverish their own souls. I am happy to declare my satisfaction with the efforts la'ely made in several Parishes to repair and beautify the Churches. AVithin a few years, some of our Churches have been so much improved, that they can scarcely be recognized by those whu knew them in their previous: otate. And we regard this as a favorable symptom, because although there may be much care of the mate* rial fabric without any corresponding attention to the spiritual building, we are certain on the other hand that there is no love of God, where His House i^ allowed to continue in a dilapidated, dirty, or neglected state. And I think that, with • few exceptions, the Congregations will generally be willing to contribute fur such a purpose, when taught by their Minister what is wanting. Whilst we are improving the etyle of our dwellings, and adding to the comforts of our own homes, it must be a strange perversity that will forbid alterations and improvements in our Churches, or grudge the money expended to adorn and beautify them. Since uur last Meeting, we have sustained a heavy Iofs in the death of a much respected and highly esteemed Brother ; and one of the oldest Missionaries, whose absence must be deeply regretted by us all, has been obliged to excuse himself froni attendance here to-day on account of his ago and infirmities. Three Clergy, men have been obliged to resign their Missions, and to return to England, in consequence of want of physical strength for the work of a Missionary in this country, six have removed of their own accord to other Diocese.^, and of ono I was compelled to revoke the Licence,* whilst on tiie other hand si.\tccn have been added to * Tho melancholy intelligence of the perversion of Mr. Mtittirin, wlio was at the time of the delivery of the Charge, in Knglinid, was syun iif- tJr\r:irfl« received, ;ind his License also lias liccn revoked. cocssUv, ihero may expect a iDd the sincere le best of tbcir inal Christians rbat costs tbem trations of the cheap as possi' :le benefit from Qod tbej vrill e efforts la'ely the Churches. been so much bose who knew as a favorable c of the mate* o the spiritual re is no love of a dilapidated, few exceptions, ribute fur such is wanting. s, and adding ige perversity Churches, or bciu. ivy loPS in the her; and one eply regretted m attendance Three Clergy- to return to li for the work of their own led to revoke iccn added to Muturin, who ll, WAS stjjii r.t- ,- 11 - ..:,,.,.' ■ our ranks, so that our number has increased ; but I have never- theless at present three Missions vacant, and consequently suffering loss owing to the want of men to fill them, tbe supply from our College being insufficient to meet tbo demand. And I know not how we are to overcome this difficulty, for we cannot obtain more than an occasional recruit from England, now that no certain pro* vision can be guaranteed, and we may not be content in these days with a lower standard of education in the Clergy than in former times. On the contrary we want men well trained and disciplined, of deeper and more varied learning, fully equipped both for de* fensive and for offensive warfare, prepared to contend effectively against the many prevailing errors. And he cannot be an autho* ritativo expositor of the Word of God, who cannot at the least read tbo New Testament in tbe original tongue. We have therefore to look to our College to provide properly qualified Candidates for Holy Orders. We do not desire to have it become simply a Theological Seminary, for we believe that the commingling of those who are afterwarde to pursue different paths is productive of good to all ; but there are peculiar advantages for the Divinity Student, reduo* ing the cost of residence at College to little more than a nominal sum, so that poverty need not be a bar to those who desire to prepare for Ordination. We fear that the love of tbe world is the great impediment, and that the certainty o£ obtaining more of its goods by other occupations detors many from devoting themselves to thu Ministry. The prospects of those now ordained are oer* tainly not very alluring, but surely there are to be found some, willing t", do their Master's work without reference to earthly gain, surely there are pious parents in this Province, blessed with prosperity, who will cheerfully give up a son for tho Lord's service, and will be content to expend a portion of their substance in aid of his scanty salary, even although they might otherwise put him in the way of amassing earthly riches in some secular occupation. We would not have any young man urged to become a Divinity Student against his will, for wo do not want as Minis- ters any whose hearts arc not in tho work, but if pious parent.s ^TouId early devote a Son to tho service of tho Lord, and would tr.'iin iiini with .i view Iv tlio Mjtii.otry, ami teach liiin to look ] V \ 12 forward to it as tho chief object of his life, he would in most cases, whon of the proper age, select it for himself, and if other- widc bo will not be the worse for having been educated tfor it. May the great Head of the Church dispose the hearts ofmeo, who may be qualified for the sacred office, to oflfer^tbeniBelves willingly. Wo arc to pray tho Lord of the harvest that he may send forth laborers into his harvest ; and whilst wo pray we must not omit to do our part. It is yours, Brethren, to set this before the people, and to endeavor to induce both parents and young men to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ and his Church. So also with reference to the paucity of other students at our College, I would ask you to consider whether you cannot each do more than heretofore. We must all foel how important it is to have our young mon, of all classes, well educated in a Church Institution. Have you then pointed this out to your people? have you remonstrated with those who foolishly send their Suns to be educated where our Church is opposed or ignored, and have you urged those who have tho means to secure for them, in tho first place, a good education, instead of being so anxious to see them early beginning to make money V They who are destined for either of tho learned professions will undoubtedly gain more than they will lose, by devoting a tew years to the general culti- vation of the mind, before commencing the study of their profes- sion ; and they who are 4o engage ir commercial business will not be less successful, in consequence of having received a better education ; whilst there is good reapon to believe that the lament- able degradation of many .young mon, through intemperance and dissipation, would be prevented, if they wero early trained to find pleasure in intellectual iniprovcraont, and more elevated pursuits. With reference to the general education of the people, I think we may hope that some progress has been made since I last met you, although there is still a lamentable duticiency, both in the quan- tity and the quality of the supply in some parts of the Province. From the Report of the Superintendent, fur tho past year, I ga- ther that upwards of £45,000 was expended upon the education of the young, and thot ubout 88,000 pupils attended tho Schools, Itcitig about 1 ill 7 of (lie pojtulutiijti, aiul shewing an inerc«se of 1;} )uld in most and if other* tcated ifor it. larts of men. r^tbemselves that he may pray we must ct this before id young men luroh. iidents at our moot each do rtant it is to in a Church irour people ? their Sons to ad, and have them, in the nxious to see are destined ly gain more ;eneral culti* their profes- ness will not ed a better the lament* perance and trained to re elevated >ple, I think I last met lintbequan- le Province. ^ear, I ga- c'ducation [he Schools, inei'Ciisc uf fiOOO.ovcr the preceding year. This U so far satisfactory, but ihw style of teaching is frequently of a very inferior kind, and this defect cannot be remedied, so Ion;; as the remuneration of teachers is wholly inadequate ; for it is not to bo expected that young men and women, of good abilities and well qualified, will give them- selves to the work unless they can hope to obtain a decent maintenance thereby. It is to be hoped that this evil will be remedied, and that such provision may be mado, as to induce respectable parents to bring up their sons and daughters with a view to this occupation ; for the office of teacher, although involv- ing much labor, and the endurance of many discomforts, is nevertheless highly honorable, and opens a door for those who desire to be useful to (heir fellow creatures. i; ra mi You are aware that the Training School established by the Colonial Church Society has been discontinued. It was reluctantly abandoned, but was finally relinquished in consequence of the small number of Members of our Church offering themselves for instruction. When it was opened the ground wa.s unoccupied, the Legislature had not decided upon establishing a Provincial School, and as we were prepared to receive and educate teachers of any denomination, and had secured the services of a very su- perior Master, bringing the highest class Certificates of proficiency from England, we hoped to remedy an acknowledged defect, and to receive publie support to enable us to extend the benefits of the . Institution. But the Normal School at Truro was soon afterwards commenced, and we could no longer expect any pupils except , those preparing for the Society's service, since those educated at the Public Institution are likely to enjoy special advantages in their after life. And as we cannot have what we would prefer, we must endeavor to avail ourselves of the agency provided for the purpose of improving the character of the education throughout the country. The School has proved to be, as was expected, chiefly bene* : ficial to a particular locality, and to one denomination, exactly half of the pupils in the last year reported having been supplied by Colchester, and 42 out of 64 by the Presbyterian Cburch of N. S. and the Free Church. Bnt now that the facilities of access liavo greatly increased, it is tu Ic Imped that other jiaris ,;--H A :iV,: /•^.V-V^ V \ 14 (•r thu Province will derive mure benefit from it ; and you trill do gnud servico by persuading such of your young people as you niny consider qnulified, to seleot the occupation of teaobing;, and to go to Truro to obtain the nenessary training. I do not under- Matul why wo furnish so fuw School Masters and Mistresses, for our people are certainly not on the average of inferior attainments compared with any of tho denominations, and it is not satisfactory to have the education of the country altogether in tho hands of those who aro opposed to our views and system. At tho Provincial School wo cannot expect any distinctivo religious teaching, but tho Hector of Truro has undertaken a liihitt Glass specially for any of our own Communion wbo may be at the School ; and provided the authoritios enforce their own regulations, the objections that would otherwise have existed to pending our young po9ple there will thus be in a great measure ob* viated, for the 12th bye law is, that "all pupils attending the Institution shall be required, when practicable, to attend their respective places of worship on the Lord's day, and to wait on such means of religious instruction as the Clergymen or Ministers thereof shall seo fit to appoint, and that a Certificate to this effeet be produced at tho close of every Term before any diploma is granted." Moreover the elementary principles of religion are inculcated as part of the system, which is thus described by tho Superintendent, *' they are habitually brought in contact with tho ]3iblo, as the cnly sufficient and infallible enlightener and director of the moral faculty. The precepts of the divine word are not taught merely, or deposited in the memory, but every opportunity is taken to reduce them to practice in the daily intercourse be- tween Master and Scholar, between Scholar and Scholar.'' This is good, so far as it goes, and I hope that, with the addition of tho Clergyman's weekly instruction, our young men and women will receive what we may venture to call to a certain extent, a religious education. And we should be thankful if we could secure as much as this in the Common Schools, throughout the Province ; but whilst persons of every denomination, or even avowed unbelievers, may be teachers, it is vain to expect it. There can be no definito relt- gious teaching, unless tho system of separate schools bo atIof»teil, ai lal fol Sc tic PM firJ 1(1 you will do people as joa teaobing, and do not under- listreaae?, for or attainments lot satisfaotory tho hands of ny distinctive undertaken a )ion wbo may orce their own ave existed to at measure ob* attending the attend their id to wait on n or Ministers e to this effeet ny diploma is |f religion are cribed by tho Intact with tho r and director word are not [y opportunity tercourse be- olar." This addition of and women |ain extent, a las much as but whilst ^lievers, may [definite relt- bo a(loi4cd, 15 and for this our population i» ^uppcacd not (o bo Huttici; <>tly large. There are three methods in whicii the State may apply fundd for education ; either it may select one communion and place all Schools under its control, or it may dispense with religious instruc- tion altogether, or it may grant to each body of Christian^*, in proportion to their numbers, a share of the public money. The first would be theoretically the best, but is wholly impraciiuablc. and therefore wo must be content with the second or third, and the last would doubtless be tho better of tho two, if fairly carriud out; but there must be no such system as was to havu been intro- duced by the Bill proposed last year, allowing the Romanists to hare separate Schools, but ignoring all distinctions amotig&t Pro- testants. If the conscientious scruples of the Romanist, objecting to send his children to receive religious instruction from u Pro- testant, are to be respected, I cannot understand why the scruples of the Members of other denominations are to bo disregarded. I cannot see for instance why a baptist should have to send his child to a roan, who will teach that child that infant baptisira is a divine command, or a methodist his child to one, who will teach that infant baptism is not baptism at all, who cannot therefore consci- entiously train it as a Christian child. And surely all must allow, that the mode of teaching, proper for children who have been admitted into Covenant with God, is not equally suitable for those who are left in their natural i>tate of alienation from Him.* If it be said, that children may be instructed in the elementa. ry truths received by all Christians, we answer that if Protestants are to be satiefied with this, there is no reason why Romanists bhould have anything more, except upon the unwarrantable supposi- tion, that Protestants are less anxious about the inculcation of what they believe to be the truth. Moreover they would have the privi- lege of inculcating their own principles to the fullest extent, whilst all others would be restrained from any dogmatic teaching, and under * One whose autliority will be respected, by many who are not of our Communion, snys, " That infants should be baptized, nnd titen bo left by Ministers nnd Churches in u situation undistinguishable from that of otiicr children, appears to me irrcconcilcablc with any scriptural views of the nature and importance of this Sacrnmcnt." --Lfc-. ,.-jw^^^Ai?^,j£V^W^ii ^W. \ N 10 thi.s*ft)>tcin we itiigiit have to son*l ourciiildicn lo recuivo religious ill^t^uctioll tVoiii a Unitarian, or a Universaliiit, for bo it obi>orve(l that no distinction could bo made ; the Stato cannot determine j ' which denominations are orthodox, and which are heretical, and therefore if a Hill h passed, distinguishing merely between Ro< inaiiists and Protestants, we must be prepared to have the teaching in Protestant Schools rcstiictod to the few doctrines contained in I lie moFt limited Creeds. It will bo your duty to see that your people thoroughly un- derstand this, and to urge them to insist, either upon con>mon School? for all without exception, as in Ireland, or which would be far better, upon an allotment of the public money to each denomination, either in proportion to its numbers, according to the Census immediately preceding, or as in England, proporlionato to the amount raised to meet the grants. There is undoubtedly a difficulty in the adoption of the latter plan, arising from tho nature of our settlements, tho population being scattered, and so much divided, that in some places the impossibility of combination might altogether prevent the establishment of a School. But the difficulty may not be altogether insuperable, and will not generally exist in the Towns ut all. The present Common School system, although highly ap* proved by some, and resembling the Irish National system, is extremely unsatisfactory, fur under it there is not, and cannot bo, any provision for religious instruction worthy of the name ; and where secular knowledge, the knowledge of earthly things merely, is imparted, and the intellect cultivated, whilst the conscience is neglected, where the physical and intullectuul faculties are nurtured, whilst the moral part of man's nature is suffered to lie waste, it may well be doubted whether the benefit conferred, or the injury inflicted, pn^domina'c.-).* tilaiistics appear to shew, that a large proportion of crimintfis have received a sufficient secular education, * Lord Jolm Russell lately said, in tiio course of a Parliamentary debate, " I think it would bu n very great misfortune if, in order to sraootii over diiliculties, and put au cud to jarring amongst diti'erent sectaries, any system of secular education were established, by which re- ligion should not bo made the foundation of the instruction to bo impart- ed in the Schools ; I cannot but think that mere secular education wuuM be regarded in this couutrv in no other liulit tluui as bcinjr adverse to the Bible." * ^ . is w recuivo religious or bo it ob^orved annot doteruioo ro herotica), and 'ely between Ro- lave the teaching nes contained in c thoroughly un- r upon oon>inon or which would money to each !rs, according to [id, proportionate is undoubtedly arising from tbo scattered, and ao y of combination School. But the rill not generally ugh bi;;hly ap* ional system, is , and cannot bo, the name ; and things merely, e conscience is iosare nurtured, lie waste, it , or the injury w, that a large lular education, a Parliamentary if, in order tu Imongst difi'erent led, by wliicli re- in tobu iinpart- cducation woulil Iboinjr adverse to 'IT . , - .. and that ignorance is not more productive of crime than unsanctificd knowledge}. And tbia wo might havo expected, for " knowledge is power," and power will be used for mischievous purposes, where there is no high controlling principle to direct it.* But viewing the subject in all its bearings we must conclude, that the extension of general education, under any system, is to be desired and promoted , since they whose minds have been ex- ercised, who havo learned to think, will be much better material to work upon, than they whose faculties lie dormant, and our confidence in the soundness of our principles leads to the convic- tion, that the incrcaeo of intelligence amongst the people will tell in our favour. Wherefore if it be possible to devite any other scheme, with due regard to the claims and interests of all denominations, we must do our best to promote what is practica- ble, whilst we endeavor to counteract its injurious tendencies. But thw state of things imposes upon you the necessity of addi- tional exertion, in order to protect the young of your flock from the dangers to which they are exposed. Many of you are Com- missioners of the Schools in your respective Districts, andjall of you have a legal right to visit them, which you should frequently exercise, representing to the Commissioners, or to the Superin- tendent of Education, whatever you may see amiss. And parti- * It ia a humiliating fact, though a fact too important to be concealed, that when we have succeeded in obtaining the most cultivated and intel- lectual man, we have no security that we have obtained the man who is a useful member of the society to which he belongs He may bo as little what, as lovers of mankind, or as lovers of our country, we desire him to be, as the very man who has been least raised above the ground he treads on througli the process of education ; he may be as much a slave to debasing vice ; he may be as neglectful of those whom he ought to cherish ; he may be reckless of any moment beyo'id the present, he may bo impro- vident, dishonest, cruel. And with this undeniable fact before us, how can wo close our eyes against the truth, that it is vain to give men know- ledge, unless you give tiiem also rho qualities which make knowledge valuable, such as industry, prudence, temperance ; and that in order to make men industiious, and temperate, and provident, you must supply them with the motives from which such virtues spring,— such motives as really influence and atfcct the heart. For the man who is wise in the things which Scripture teaches, he has also that wisdom which is really to bo desired for this world . He may be deficient in secular acquirements, but his moral understanding is enlightened, and he is raised above hi.s follows by qualiticatiuns of real and lasting value, qualifications which are alike acceptahlo to God, and approved of men ; ho is sober, and dili- gent, and prudent, and upright, and afFectiomitc.— CA«;-(/e of Bishop of ChesUr (Sumner) 1S.1S. 8 - !■' |i I ' lli i iii j ji VH i jW' i 'r' il i i li\n I ■■'I'b^iflritfii/to^ «^>;- ;V-1^^^ifi/.xL.' ■;'■ \ 1 m \ 18 cularly jou should ntisfy yourself that, at least so far u regards the children of your own people, or those who have been baptised Ly you, the regulations are observed, and such attention as is , required by the law given to their morals and general behaviour. But the duty to which I would especially call your attention, in connection with this subject, and as supplying the only remedy for the lamentable defects of our system, and the only available antidote to a godless education scheme, is attention to the Sunday School. This will reward you as well as any part of your labor. Of the difficulties in your way I am not ignorant, in consequence of yourinabiiity in many cases even to be present, and the want of suitable persona to superintend, as well as to teach, in your absence. Where you have solely a laboring population, it will be almost impossible to procure such persons ; but I have witnessed success achieved by determined perseverance, in some apparently hopeless cases, and if you rigbtly set before those whom you deem most fitting for tbo wori:, their duty, and the benefit to be derived by themselves, whilst trying in this way to do good to others, I believe you will generally be able to prevail on some one or more to assist you. If you cannot attend on the Sunday, you should make a point of meeting your teachers, as often as possible, en a week-day evening, both to encourage them, and to teach them how thev are to teach others. And where families are so situated that the children cannot be sent to a Sunday School, you should make a point of calling those children together, from time to time, and instructing and catechising them. Bemember the charge, dear Brethren, " feed my lambs ;" do not neglect the little ones of Christ's flock. You should watch over every child received by you into the Church with the utmost vigilance and jealousy. Ever bear in mind that each has been " made a Member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven," and its continuance in that state of salvation, to which it has been called, may in God's providence depend upon your faithfulness, both in providing instruction, and in persuading the parents to educate it as a Christian child. It is customary to admit to our Sunday Schools the children of dissenters, without requiring them to leavn our Catechism, and this is expedient, but nothing can release us from (h C C in itf 9 far •• regardi ) been baptised attootion as is kl bebavioar. your attentioD, ae only remedy only available 1 to tbe Sunday t of your labor, in consequence ;, and tbe want teach, in your ation, it will be have witnessed ome apparently vbom you deem it to be derived 3d to others, I oae one or more ly, you should possible, on a each them how iil«lren cannot oint of calling structing and thren, '* feed 8 flock. You to tbe Churcb in mind that d of God, and nuance in that nay in God's in providing acate it as a inday Schools to leain our lease us from the daty of teaching it, to all who have been baptised in our Communion ; and you will adopt a much safer . and more useful course, if you make this the basis of all your instruction to them, than if you teach in any other mode of your own devising. It is vain to expect to bav^ a Congregation of sound, intelligent, Churehmen and Church women, unless you train up the young in the Church's way, and in the knowledge of her priouiplos. Of all the departraonts of the Minister's work, there is pro- bably none, in which a more direct, and more aburidunt, return is obtained, than in the preparation of Candidates for Confirmation. Tbe efficient performance of tbi: part of your duty, will involve much labor and anxiety, and requires much sound judgment, but although some may have greater ability than others to make thorn profitable, every one may produce some good effect in connection with these Seasons. Every Clergyman finds difficulty in retaining bis hold of tbe young, after they leave the Sunday School, but at these Seasons the young are brought more directly under his influence, it is understood that they are to attend his classes, and in other ways to receive special religious instruction from bim, and whilst looking forward to the solemnity for which they nro prepar- ing, their minds are more open to receive religious impressions, and their thoughts are necessarily directed towards the position in which they stand before God.* And tbe extent to which these eflfeots are produced will ordinarily correspond with the zeal and ability of the Minister in dealing with his people. ' Aa the Confirmations are held at regular intervals, and the time when the Bishop may be expected is known, your prepara- tion may commence whenever you think fit, and in large scattered Parishes it may be well to commence a full year beforehand, in those parts where your visits are unfrequent, or even immediately * This preparation brings the youth of our Congregations into perso- nal contact with their Minister, just at the time when they are most susceptible of friendly and aUcctionato advice. It enables them to open out the thoughts and feelings wliich may have already begun to stir with- in them in secret. It wins their confidenco towards an intelligent guide, who can direct their inexperienced minds, and preserve them from the errors of youthful enthusiasm. It institutes a connexion and communi- cation, ofwhich they will probably be ready to avail themselves in after seasons of perplexity, of sorrow, or of temptation. — Griffith on Confirm- ■■*i\:jtm^w^m^'» -'•'^■' ".di^!iiMM^ ;^:,Mi. \ 20 nftcr a CunGrniation to begin to prepare for tbo next. And in every case, upon receiving tbo official nnnouncempnt of tbe Biabop's intended visit, Sermons should be addressed to the seve* ral Congregations, pointing out tbe importance of tbis saored ordinance, and tbe probable ovil results of negloot of it, and calling upon all parents and sponsors to perform tbeir part, and see tbat tbeir children or godcbiUlren, vrbo have arrived at years of discretion, avail themselves of your arrangements for their in< struotion. Sponsors generally require to be reminded of tbe admonition, addressed to thsm at tbo baptism of their Godchild ; " ye are to take care that this child bo brought to the Bishop to bo confirmed by him ;" yet they certainly cannot bo said, in any sense, to have fulfilled their vows, and to be released from tbeir obligations, until tbis has been done : and it Trould be well if tbe rubric were more generally obeyed, tbat " every one shall have a Godfather or Qodmother as witness of their Confirmation." At the same time, notice should bo given to all Candidates to send in iheir names before a specified day; but tbis alone is not sufficient, and you will probably have but fow, unless you personally visit all the families containing any unconfirmed Members of a suitable age, and search out those who ought to present themselves. Tbis preliminary work is much facilitated, where lists of those confirmed on each occasion have been regularly entered in a Regis* ter. Tbis has been done in some Parishes, and it is much to be regretted tbat the practice is not universal. Such a Record, togo* ther with a list of Communicants, left by every one for his succes- sor in office, would be invaluable. If you have no such guide, you should on entering on a new Cure, enquire of all who profess to belong to the Church, whether they have been confirmed. Tbis applies to the aged as well as to the young, for I have had several instances of persons advanced in years presenting them* selves, who had been previously passed over, because it bad been taken for granted that they had been confirmed in early life ; and such persons are frequently reluctant to acknowledge their former neglect. Having discovered who ought to be Candidates, we have next to make arrangements for their instruction, which should lo of a twofold nature, partly in classes, and partly juivalc. General mat ber of elei I next. And in incement of the assed to the sove* Q of tbis saored jglcct of it, and Q their part, and arrived at years ants for their in- eminded of the their Godchild ; to the Bishop to s bo said, in any leased from their lid be well if the one shall have a ifirmation." At idates to send in is not sufficient, ersonally visit all irs of a suitable loraselves. ere lists of those ered in a Regis- it is much to be a Record, toge* e for bis succes- no such guide, all who profess Deen confirmed, for I have had resenting them* use it had been early life ; and ge thoir former , wc havei next should lo of k'atc. (jfjneial 21 instruction can be bettor imparted in cIas./'■ 1 ! v 22 cauKcil, and occasion given to the anemj to blaaphuntc, in oonio* i|iietico of oarcU'Mness in iliis respect. Thoj who havo rejected thii Aposioiio institution derive a plea for theroselvei from its abuse ; and wo cannot bo surprised if it falls into discredit, where n number of pursona arc allowed to oomo forward, and make a pntfosAion, which their neighbours and acquaintances cannot but ind believe to bo insinuure, fur thereby an injury is inflicted on the fttaD(| individuals, who are tliu» permitted to forswear themselves, and upon the Church which receives them.* At the samo lime, we are unwilling to discourage any who have a desire to do right, even though they may bo weak and wavering. Wo have to take hoed, that we do not break the bruised reed, or quench the nmoking flux, that we do not reject any, whoso feeble resolves and faint aspirations, might be strengthened, and cherished, by this ordinance. It will bo safer therefore, to risk erring on the »iido of charity, and not absolutely to reject, except in casert where there can be no doubt of the unfitness of the Candidates. ]}ut then, that your own consciences may bo clear, you must take caro to set before them plainly the nature of tho net which they are about to perform, in its relation to both of the holy Sacra* inents, as a supplement to the one, and an introduction to the other. You must not only unfold the full meaning, and applica- tion, of the vows to be ratified, but also explain that neglect of the Holy Communion will be a direct violation of them, and that unless they aro purposing to become Communicants their profes- sion cannot be sincere. When you havo done this, you may ordinarily leave each to decide for himself, and tho responsibility of duciiiting will be entirely their own. We cannot suppose the meaning of the rubric to be, that all who aro come to a competent age shall bo brought to the Bishop, * Certainly no greater injury can bo done to religion, than to suffer young people to come to Confirmntion, before they know the reason of this Service, and have been well instructed in the principles and duties of Christianity. This being tho ver^ tinao of seasoning their minds with sound knowledge, of fortifying their wills with sober resolutions, and of engaging them to piety, before sin has got tho possession of their affec- tions ; this being also the time of qualifying them to receive benefit by all our future labors, and of arming them against apostasy, heresy, schism, and all other vice?, to which wc are subject in this state of trial. — Bifhrqt Wilaox , lasphoino, in conio- who havo rejected IteroBelvet from its to diaorediti where ward, and make a itanoos cannot but id inflictHd on the swoar themselves, * At the same have a desire to do Tcring. Wo have d reed, or quench 1080 feeble resolves and cherished, by risk erring on tho t, except in oases of the Candidates, ear, you must take ho act which they of the holy Sacra- ntroduction to (he ning, and applica- lin that neglect of 3f them, and that leant:) their profes- uo this, you may tho responsibility )ric to be, that all ;bt to the Bishop, ion, than to suffer now the reason of iciplcs and duties of ig their minds with resolutions, and of ssion of their affcc- cceive benefit by all sj, heresy, schism, »te of trm.—Bifhop • >•» II a matttr of course, provided thoy can repout by rote nil the mswers to liie questions in tho Cuteuhiimi ; tliu instiiiotioti nitiu- ioned mu»t imply much more than this, fur none can givn an ntelligent answer to the question addre-osed to tbum, unless thoy inderstand the force, and signlHcanoo, of tho vows to ha ratitiud nd confirmed.* It must bo required that at tho luant thuy under* itand what they repeat ; and upon tho Minister of ouch Cungrega- ion devolves tho responsibility of deciding who are fit, and wliu ire not fit, to be presented to tho Bishop for Confirmation. And [ wish it clearly understood. Brethren, that you are re$ponsible ; yon arc bound to soaroh out, and to use the utmost diligence in listruoting, all tho unconfirmed within your several Cures ; but laving done this, if you feel that you cannot conscion'iouMly pre- sent any one of those whom you havo taught and examined, you are not required to present them, and I would muoh ruther see before mo two or three apparently impressed with the solemnity of the occasion, than a multitudo evidently careless and insincere. There will always be some unsatisfactory cases, but I am convinced that, where tho Minister is faithful, his labor will not be altogether in vain, and I belle vo that tho Confirmation Seasons nay be made in the best senso Church " revivals.*' This word las been so muoh misused, that a natural prejudice has been excited, and in many minds revivals are associated with extrava- gance and fanaticism in the extreme, but notwithstanding, there is It sense in which they are to bo desired. For consider what is the meaning of the Term, it is simply that tho action of the Church becomes more vigorous, that renewed life is imparted, and that her Members are multiplied, — persons being induced to come for- ward and make public profession of their faith, and being there- * No persons ought to make promises for themselves, till thoy reasonably well understand tho nature of them, and uro capable of forming serious purposes. Therefore in tho present case, being able to say the words of the Catechism is by no means enough, without a competent knowledge of their meaning, and intention of behaving as it requires them, which doubt- less they are supposed to have at the same time. And if they have not, making a profession of it is declaring with their mouths what tliey feel not in their hearts at the instant, and will much less reflect upon after- wards : it is hoping to please God by tho empty outward performance of a religious rite, from which, if they had been withhold, till they were duly qualified, their souls might have been affected, and their conduct influen- ced by it as long as they lived. — Archbishop Seeker on Confirmation. iV-H^ !/i \i^kJ^ \ II iiii i ! i i li!.iM 21 upon admitted into full Communion. And these effects should titways accompany a Confirmation, and mav bo expected in answer to the prayer of faith, attended by a right use of lawful means. There are in the Church both bad and good, faithful disciples, and mere professors, many who, although baptized into Christ, are ubt living members of his body, who bring forth no good fruit Many of thetio are respectable, and attentive to religious duties but evince no zeal, or love, or devotion; the world is in fact their God, and the salvation uf their souls is a secondary matter. Some even of our Communicants, who are believed to be converted persons, are content to live in a lukewarm utate, when there is nothing to arouse them ; they become drowsy, and sleepy, an require something more than the ordinary Services, and the ordi nary Sermons, to awaken them. The Church has accordingly appointed two revival Seasons annually. Advent and Lent, and especially the latter, in which she calls upon all her children to withdraw from the world, and to give themselves to fasting, and prayer, to an extent, and with an intensity, which could not bo maintained throughout the year ; and it is the duty of the Clergy to further the objects of this arrangement to the utmost, by specia Services, by heart-searching addresses, and by extra diligence in visiting from bouse to house. They who refuse to observe this order find nevertheless the necessity of some variety in their ministrations, and not having the benefit of these appointed Sea sons, of this change of fast and festival, they have invented i method of>their own for awakening an interest in spiritual things According to their theory, indeed, these revivals cannot in any respect be dependent on man's arrangements, since they are sup posed to be produced by a special extraordinary operation of th Holy Spirit, acting arbitrarily, and at irregular intervals; but in practice there is a nearer approximation to the truth, and it ii doubtless believed that, when means arc used to awaken religious feeling, and earnest supplications are offered, they may at any time be produced. And this is according to our belief, for wt doubt not that, whenever the prayers and supplications of the Church are oiiured, with peculiar fervency and earnestness, and with undoubting faith, an increase of spiritual gifts will be vouch safed. these effects should 3 expected in answer Dt' lawful means. >d, faithful disciples, tptized into Christ, forth no good fruit. to religious duties, vorld is in fact their dary matter. Some :d to be converted tate, when there ia J, and sleepy, anc vices, and the ordi- :cb has accordingly rent and Lent, and all her children to ilves to fasting, and which could not bo duty of the Clergy utmost, by specia y extra diligence in use to observe this le variety in their lese appointed Sea y have invented i in spiritual things, vals cannot in any since they are sup- y operation of the intervals; but in 10 truth, and it ii awaken religious they may at any our belief, for wt pplications of the earnestness, and 'ifts will be voucb- Sucb an increase should be particularly Eought for, and ex- pected, during the time of preparation for a Confirmation. At those Seasons, the Members of each Conp;regation should bo reminded of this part of their duty, and should bo exhorted to pray for an abun- dant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that many may bo induced to present themselves, that they may do so with sincerity, with peni- tenco, and faith, and that tbcy may receive strength to perform thoir vows, and by a consistent holy life to adorn tho doctrino of Christ their Saviour. All earnest Christians will thankfully act upon this advico, 8omo will have young relatives and friends, in whom they are interested, and they who are zealous for tlw salvation of soula m\\ feel an interest in all, who arc about to make their profession, and to bo received into full Communion with tho Church. Thus tho hands of tho Pastor will bo strengthened, he will be stirred up to moro earnest efforts, bis Candidates will be led to take a much raoro serious view of what they are about to do, and amongst his people generally, botli young and old, a moro lively interest will bo awakened, and the rin and danger of neglect of their responsi- bilities and privileges will bo more clearly impressed upon their minds. And if tho Minister be skilful in bis treatipcnt, and thoroughly in earnest, wo may expect that great effects will be produced, that by the influence of the Holy Spirit, in answer to united prayers, his labors will be made effectual to the convcreion of sinners, and that every such Season will bo in truth a " time of refreshing from the Lord.*' There will not Le, in this, any of that mischievous excitement, which appears to be the principal feature of the revival Meetings, and protracted Meetings, and Camp Meetings, so common on this Continent, and which is easily produced in any largo assembly, especially where it is expected. There will always bo & f«w of excitable temperament, whoso feelings aro easily touched, and in conformity with the law of our nature, these emotions will be propagated by sympathy until a considerable number of those present may bo violently agitated. In this state they will be ready to comply with invitations to come forward, and do what- ever may be urged upon thorn. IJut it does not follow that there is anything more than mere animal cxcltomont in all this. We do not doubt t!iat some may be converted, but the reality of the i i& iVl. \ I i 26 cbango roust bo tested hy tbc results ; &nd wo fear tbcre is mttob reason for believing that, in Ibe majority of tbcso cases, tbere is no manifestation of tbe fruits of tbo Spirit, whilst many are de« luded by a false confidanoo, being led to suppose that all is right, although their religion has evaporated with the excitement, and they become in reality colder, more hardened and unimpresaible, than they were before. But such evils do not result from the method here recommended, for every step is taken deliberately, and advisedly. They who have not previously made a public profession, are earnestly exhorted to give themselves to God, not to be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, but they are not called upon, nor indeed permitted, to do this under tbo influence of any momentary excitement. They have abundant time for consideration, and there is little reason to fear tbe reac- tion, which ordinarily succeeds the excitement both in congrega- tions and in individuals. Whilst speaking of revivals, I must not leave unnoticed that which has lately occurred in the neighbouring States, and which spread tbere very widely. It appears to have been distinguished by several peculiar characteristics, and to have been remarkably free from many of the excesses, by which similar movements have frequently been disfigured. Wc cannot but hope that good has been done, for there appears to have been an awakening of tho religious feeling of tbc Nation ; and although the effect upon many has probably been transitory, amongst those awakened, and led to think seriously of the stute of tbeir souls, Bomo must have boon carried on to a better state and truly con- verted. At the least it may be hoped, that tbe value of tbe Church's provision for daily prayers is now better understood, and that some, after attending tbe daily Prayer Meeting whilst it was continued, have since become regular worshippers at tho daily service of the Church, where the opportunity is afforded. And if at any time, in any of your Parishes, there should bo signs of more than ordinary seriousness, if from any cause the attention of the people is drawn to spiritual things, it should bo your care to take advantage of this state, to deepen the impressions mado, to assist and lead in the right way those who may bo crying, " What shall I do to be saved V" Should any uttcaipt be made to got up ar there ia much 10 cases, there is let many are de* I that all is right, ezcitement, and id unimpresftible, result from the cen deliberately, y made a public ilves to God, not ■ucified, but they this under the !y have abundant 1 to fear the reae- both in congrega- b leave unnoticed ghbouring States, appears to have istics, and to have , by which similar cannot but hope to have been an ion; and although ry, amongst those te of their souls, e and truly con- the value of the r understood, and ting whilst it was Ipers at the daily s afforded. And should bo signs of e the attention of be your care to essiona mado, to e crying, " What Ic made to got up cscitemenl9, and spurious revival.^, in your neighbourhood, the beat mode of counteracting the anticipated evil results will bo, to afford your own people additional opportunities (or united prayer, to increase your own efforts, and to supply them with those means of grace, which they might otherwise bo induced to seek by for- bidden paths. Let us beware of giving occasion to any to sup- pose, that we do not rely solely and entirely, upon the influence and operation of the Holy Spirit, for the implantation, or raainte* nance, of life, in the Church, and in its individual Members. As closely connected with this subject, I have to urge you to increase, in almost every Parish, the celebration of the Holy Communion. Can wo expect our people to flourish, if we deprive them of the heavenly food, given for the strengthening and re- freshing of their souls? Now there arc some Parishes, where there were only three, and others with only four, celebrations last year, and that even where thero is more than one Church. This cannot be justified, and I fear it betrays unsoundness, and the absence of a due appreciation of this holy Sacrament, and of tho benefits that we receive thereby. Tho excuses assigned are two- fold, 1st. the paucity of communicants ; 2d. the difficulty of finding time, where there are several Churches under tho care of one Pastor. In answer to the first, I reply that frequency of celebration gene- rally increases the number of communicants, and when the Minister of God's word does not appear to value this sacred Ordinance, you cannot be surprised if it is little esteemed by his people. And if there bo but few, but three or four, desiring to be fed with the spiritual food provided by their Lord, wc may not presume to say to them, " your souls are not worthy of my care, if there were many I would not hesitate to provide for them, but I cannot trouble myself to udtiiiuistcr to such a small number." The second obstacle mentioned i.s more difficult to overcome, whoro £ Clergyman has to hurry from one Church to another, an ar- rangement which is unavoidable in some of your Parishes, although very objectionable. Under tlioso circumstances, you are naturally unwilling to attempt any additional duties, besides the ordinary services of the dny. IJut wo have to consider what is tho groat purpose of tho asyciiiijliiig of uuisclvos tof^ethcr on the Lord's day. Is there not :i niinooncoplion on this sul'joct 't Wc must i^o back \ 1 M I i^!lil!i n i !iii 28 to first princiiilcs, and primitive practice. Wc loam from Scrip- ture, that the celebration of the Holy ComiDunion occupied the '* most prominent place in the worship of the cnrlj Christians ; thoy eame together to " break bread," nod surely it is a sigti that tbe love of many has waxed cold, that our relish for spiritual things is fainter, when this which vras once the daily food of tbe Ghureb is provided only two or three times in the year. If then any thing must be abandoned, let it bo some other part of the Service, and where you are limited so that there is actually not time for the full Service, take the Litany and tbe Communion Office, which oom> bined supply all that is required in public worship,— confession of 6id, and supplication, thanksgiving, profession of faith, together with the reading of portions of Holy Scripture. tn the principal Churches, the celebration ought certainly not to bo less than twelve times, and in all others not lees than eight times, in the year, for when any of your people are so far from the Parish Church as to require separate services, they equally require separate communions, the communicants frequent- ly being in fact the very persons who are least able, on account of ago or infirmity, to travel to a distant place. We may by preaching awaken the careless, and lead sinners to repentance, and we are bound to be diligent in the performance of this duty, but wo are also to feed the flock of Christ, wo must not neglect to supply his own faithful people with the means of grace ; wo must not deprive of their privileges those who should be our first care. More good will be effected, and greater progress will bo made in the conversion of sinners, if a little band of consistent earnest Christians be first secured, if they are edified, and their growth in grace promoted, than if you neglect thcni whilst seeking to gain and restore the wanderers. Preaching is God'd ordinance, both for the purpose of bringing sinners to the knowledge of the truth, and for the edification of the believers ; and as an instrument it cannot be too highly valued, but it is only one instrument, and tho word without the sacraments, and the sacraments without the word, are alike insufficient. What therefore God hath joiaed to- gether, lot not man presume to separate. An iiuportaiii Jccibioa liuvir.'g been jjiououiicod lust year b)' the hiijUcEt uutliority, ib.at 1::^ '■:' j.:\y, liy 'lie Queen in (.'ouucii, upon * A 29 c learn fi-om Sorip- tnion occupied the J Christians ; thoy t is a sign that tbo r spiritaftl things ia d of the Church is If then any thing of the Service, and not time for the full Office, which com- bip,_confcssion of I of faith, together on ought certainly others not lees than r people are so far rate services, they municants frequent- able, on account of ace. We may by nors to repentance, mance of this duty, must not neglect to of grace; wo must Id be our fivst care. OSS will bo niado in consistent earnest and their growth in st seeking to gain i ordinance, both edge of tbo truth, an instrument it instrument, and inienta without tho od hath jyioed to be report and recommendation of the Judicial Committee, I do >t feel at liberty to pass it over altogether without notice, and I ^Ul endeavor briefly to bring before you its principal points ; since 18 binding tbrongbout Her Majesty's dominions. Complaints having been entered against the Incumbent of Sc?| aars, Knightsbridge, in the Court of the Bishop of London, \ igment was given against him by Dr. Lusbington, and was eon- inned by the Provincial Court of Canterbury ; but after the case lad been fully heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy }ounoil, the judgment of those Courts was partly confirmed, and \ «rtly reversed, and by this decision we are undoubtedly bound. !be question of the admissibility of stone altars, and of crosses, in r On Churches, occupies a large portion of the judgment. Tho brmer are condemned, and wooden tables are alone sanctioned, ut crosses are declared to be lawfully used as emblems of our utb. That they have been abused, like other good things, is dmittedy but the language of the Committee is nevertheless dcci- ' ivoy as recorded in the following extracts : — " Although it is true | at crosses have been abused, as well as crucifises and images of | bints, it must bo remembered that there is a wide diffurenco I letween the cross, and the images of saii'.ts, and even, though in loss degree, between a cross and c crucifix." " Upon tho rhole, their Lordships, after the most anxious consideration, havo ome to the conclusion that crosses, as distinguished from cruci- xes, have been in use as ornaments of Churches from the earliest \ eriods of Christianity, that when used as mere emblems of I ho f Christian faith, and not as objects of superstitious reverence, they / lay still lawfully be erected, as architectural decorations of / Ihurcbes."* In England a cross is ordinarily placed on tho gablo ) d of the Churches, and it seems to me, that Buildings erected j IS Christian worship ought always to be thus distinguished. Thoy ^lahomedan distinguishes his sacred places by tbo Crescent ; how ^ it that Christians are not equally anxious to raise aloft tbo/ Itandard of the Cro^s ? . ... * There is indeed a strange tendency to relinquish tho use of Ills sacred symbol to the Romish Chuicb, as though she alone set iijcotl last year by i;i <.'ouncil, upon I * A wooilcH cross attached to ;i Communion Tabic U prohibited. ■:.:■'>■■ 7i'', 4 \ Vi II' 1 I ' ii{ llii w 30 fortli Christ crucified, nnd rightly ostctmcd llic FBcrifieo on© oflTurcd on tho cross. To the uso of a crucifix, or imaj^e of Chrisi upon tho Cross, many valid objoctions may bo urged ; but I can not understand how any one, who glories in tho cross, who feel its power, can object to the use of this emblem either in or on on; Churches, and I am thankful that its legitimate use is recogniioi in this City, it bting represented on the front of tho Pulpit bot here and in St. George's Church, whilst it is raised alofc upon Si Luke's, whore every Christian beholding it must feel that is a much more becoming termination of tho spiro, than a vane weathercock, the very emblem of instability, blown about byovei wind. I know that some persons, of genuine piety, entertain strong objection to tho use of the cross anywhere, but this foelinj is unintelligible to me ; and I must be permitted to attribut* it t| prejudice early imbibed, through erroneous teaching, or a want reflection. And of this I am sure, that no one who loves tl Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity will treat with contempt this Chrii tian symbol, let him see it where ho may, upon a Church, or a Book, or in any other place, when it is used to remind us Ilim who gave himself a sacrifice for us, who requires us to tak up our ctoss daily and follow him. Lot us rather shew that >rd8, although the offence of the cross has not yet ceased, we are no ere ashamed of it,* and that it is precious in our eyes. Farther we are required, by this judgment, to obey the dircc he lOl re iS nd •ttbt ati lOW ani idei e c^ ere i 1 tious of u rubric which has been very commonly-neglected, tho noi icu obpcrvnnco of wMuh can no longer be excused, now that it \a spc e Ch cificuily enjoined upon us. The principle is asserted by thlintei Council, that " in the performance of tho services, rites, and oenAlatio monies, ordered by the Prayer Book, the directions contained ips Wi it must be strictly observed, that no omission and no additifl|null( * In tho Baptismal Service, tho sign of the cross is expressly said to a " token that wc shall not be ashamed to confess tho faith of Ciirist crj cificd, and manfully to fight under his banner." And tho thirteenth ci non afBrms that, in tho primitive Church, " if any had opposed themselvq against it, they would certainly have been censured as enemies of tq name of tho cross, and consquently of Christ's merits, tho sign wher they could no better endure." And again, " tho Holy Ghost ^y ■" mouths of tho Apostles did lionour the name of the Cross so far, liidt ul der it lio comprchcndotl not only Cinist irucilicd, but tho force, cficct| and merits of his death and ))a.ssioii, witii all the tomforts, fruits, on promises, which wc receive or expect thcicl>y." larlei ae 1 stom sigi the Tiu cdcnt: 31 (1 the facriftco oncA bo poriniltoii j" and iliid ia npplicd to iho rubric jircccding r, or ima{;e of Chriflle Prajror fur tbo Church Militant, us fullows ; " The rubrio }o urged ; bat I omflrects that, ut a certain point in the cour^ie of the couimuniou the cross, who feelBrvioe, (fur this is no ioubt the true meaning of the rubric,) the n either in or on oulinister shull place the broad and wine on the Oommunion Table, ate use is reoogniioAt where thoy are to be placed previously is no where stated. In nt of tho Pulpit botflactioe, they are usually placed on the Communion table befuro raised aloft upon SAo commencement of the service, but this certainly is not accord- it must feel that j^g to the order prescribed. Nothing seems to be less object ion- ic than a small side table,* from which they may bo conveniently ihed by the officiating Minister, and at the proper time trans* rod to the Communion tablo." You will observe the declaration of their Lordships, (and it 8 expressly stated, that the Archbishop and the Bishop of ndon fully concurred in the Judgment,) that there can be no ubt of the meaning of the rubric ; and it is certainly so clear 1 contempt this Chrifat it is hard to account for any wrong interpretation, but wo upon a Church, or obow, as a fact, that persons have attempted to give it another used to remind us waning. That the act is to be done at that particular time is ho requires us to tawident, not only from the word then, but also from the following IS rather shew that )rds, " after which dune the Priest shall say, &o." Whether et ceased, toe are no ere is any particular reason for these directions, or not, wo e equally bound to comply with them, but here undoubtedly nt, to obey the dircc ere is a reason, and this rubrio was restored at the last review, y-noglected, tho non leu also the word " oblations" was inserted in the Prayer for e Church Militant, shewing that a formal oblation of the elements intended in this act- In all tho ancient Liturdos we find an spire, than a vane blown about by ovei no piety, entertain rhero, but this foelini itted to attributt it t| teaching, or a want ) one who loves t1 crits, tho sign wher' 10 Holy Ghost ;jy Cross so far, tiial u but tho force, effect ^ Tlio term coiiiforts, fruits, at ;tlcntztisch. d, now that it ia sp< is asserted by th vices, rites, and oen lation, or solemn offering, of the bread and wine to G^d, and rections contained i is was retained in the first Prayer liook of Edward YI., but ion and no additio nulled in the second, and then finally restored in the reign of larles II. You are aware that, in ancient times, the bread and tho fiutro/christ cr "o were actually brought as offerings by tho laity, and this And tho thirteenth jtom is preserved, and also the meaning of the term oblations, red ns^cnomics of t > signifying both the elements and other gifts, exclusive of alms the poor,) is illustrated in the Coronation Service, where tho Credence" means a sideboard, equivalent to tlic German mi w^M ■..;i1. \ 'fW" / li It • liii 32 Sovereign at the offjrtory makes two " oWations," first bread an wine for tho Communion, and then a purso of gold, tbcso obh tions being fullowod by a prayer to Ood to receive them. You will observe tbcn that this oblalicn is purposely introA ccd, and there can now bo no excuse for neglecting to comply wit these directions, which have fallen into disuse, probably naof from carelessness than from any other cause, it being more oonvt nicnt to allow tho elements to bo placed on the table by sexton, or lay attendant, before tho Service. In this Oburob I Wi glad to find, on my arrival here, that tho correct mode had bee odoptod, and although no provision has beon mado, m it oogHl have been, of a credence or side table, novorthelefNB the elemen are placed upon the table, at the proper time ; and it ia to hoped that ere long this rubric, now authoritative^ interjpretei will bo universally obeyed. The minds of those who suspect tendency to Bomanism, in every restoration of rubrical eonfonnit will bo relieved by tho declaration of tho Lords of tho Com that " a credence Table has no connexion with any stfporstitim usage of the Church of Home, and that tilleir Lordahipi «aiin but think it is more properly an adjunct to a Communion td)Ie fcli; to an altar." If no Credence table be provided, and there is other place at hand, " from which tho elements can be oonvsi ently reached" previous to the oblation, the only alternative to bring them, or to have them brought from the vestry, at t proper time ; but now that your attention baa boen oalied the rubric, and you arc required to obey it, you cannot under a| circumstances be justified m continuing tho common, irregttl^ and slovenly, practice. In conclusion their Lordships, referring to tho eighty* Canon, eay " Tho object of this Canon seems to be to seoarej cloth of sufficiently handsome description, not to guard aj too much splendor. In practice, black clothes are in mi €hurcbos used during Lent, and on the death of the Sovereit and some other occasions, and there seems nothing objeotionablej the practice. Wbctbcr tho cloths so used are suitable or not ii matter to bo left to tho discretion of the Ordinary." Embioidc and laco on the " fair white linen cloth" are prohibited. I must alio rccoiuincnd you, fjeneralhj to adhere as closolyl CO. In this Oburoh I «i bo correct modo had beej boon mado, os it ought novorthelefls the Oiemeni n time ; and it is to \thoritat%v9ty interfrei of those who sttspeot ion of rubrical eonfonnit ho Lords of the Goai )biations," first broad anMossible to the directions of the rubrics, and the recogniiod rules irso of gold, these oblflf the Church, more particularly in the administration of baptisms, to receive them. Bod the solemnisation of marriages. In consequence of the dis- iticn is purposely introdAaeo of many of your people from any Church, it may be neees- neglecting to comply witlary sometimes to officiate on these oocasions in private houses, o disuse, probably moAut this can only be justified by a necessity which is superior to all use, it being more oonvelaws, and it is your bounden duty to discourage these practices to ccd on the table by tliPhe utmost. The intention of the eixty>second Canon, although not rictly enforced in the letter, must be your guide, whilst the Prayer ook expressly requires the persons to bo married to come into the dy of the Church ; and it cannot be expedient to divest marriage any of the solemnity that may be derived from its celebration in he House of Qod. I must also notice an irregularity, of which veral instances have come to my knowledge, and must enforce ;be law of the Church, with which the law of the Province accords, robibiting the eolemnhation of marriage except in the Pariah or ission in which one of the parties resides, especially requiring you ion with any suporstitioAiot to marry persons under age, without the consent of Parents or It tiheir Lordshipi oann luardians,— >although young women, of sixteen or seventeen years a Communion table iht >f age, have been thus married by some of you. The Provincial provided, and there is i aw is very lax, and allows great facilities for dandestino iuhI elements can be oonvei llegal marriages, but we must take care that, so far as we are the ofdy alternative ionoerned, every proper precaution is used. The happiness of a from the vestry, at t iommonity is v«ry much affected by its marriage laws, and we all ntibn has boon called enow how ranch misery may be introdueed into families by impro* it, yott cannot under ai >er marriages, and 'f you marry persons unknown to yo«i, without the common, iri^guk he request or consent of the Clergyman, in whose e«re tliey eside, you make yourself partakers of the guilt where any impe- inc to the eighty-aecoi ^iment exists. It ia no excuse to say, " if I did not marry them seems to be to seoare ^3 would go away to some less scrupulous Minister, and perhaps n, not to guard agati '^ l^^t to us ahogetber.'* Sueh persons cannot be worth retaia- clothes are in ma >*£• ^^^ '^ ^'^^ ^'® ^** ^^^ 6<^i"' >" ^^'^ <^"<^> ^^^'^ >^ ^^ generally death of the Sovereic ^Qown that, whatever others may do, no Clergyman of the Church nothing objeotionableV^ England will solemnize a marriage, unless be has reason to are suitable or not iftnow or believe that tlvere is no legal impediracBt. rdinarv." Embroidcl Again, the rubiic requires you to admonish the people, t« prohibited. Ihave their children baptized, " when the most number of people 1/^ to adhere as closol}V<^6 togellher,'' and furnishes you with reasons for this adioociitkMi -, 111 m 'i*-'j \ I'! i 34 and I am happy to find that, where tho Clergy do their part ir tbiB rospoct, tho laity arc not gonerally unwilling to comply witl a rule, of which tho propriety cannot he disputed ; and I hoj that ere long, the present irregularities, both in baptisms anc marriages, will be matter of history, and will appear as objectioo-| able to our people as to ourselves. The repeal of the Act, by which tho Church of England wa established in this ProTinoe, has in some respects altered ourl relation to the State, ond has removed some doubts formerly ex{ isting. Although nothing was contributed by tho Provinoe,! towards your support, it was supposed that all the inhabitants had] the same claim, as the people in England, to the services of the Clergy, and that we were bound to perform ony of the offices of tho Churoh for any person applying to us. This suppositicaj whether well or ill founded formerly, cannot now be entertain'^.'^i| The State now regards us merely as ono of many sects, t;ogos. Had Moses and the Prophets, Christ and his Apostles, })n)y tau<»ht, and by miracles proved, religion to their eotempora- ios, the benefit of their instructions would have reached but to a i M Joctiinc and in disfiplinc. llomc denies our existence in the early aj^cs ; |vu on tiie contrury niaiutain, that tin; twu UiaUfhcs wcic hoUi at jini mch :i • ifijiia orr nvi''. \ I ! ;iiii 86 itted Ibi d 01 rvic a jc M uldfi Id ordf, mmoi th Auall pari of Mankind, CbriatiaDitj muat h«TO been in a groai degree rank and forgot in a very few agei. To prevent thii rppeara to have been one reaion why a vitiUt Church was inalij tuted ; to be like a Citj upon a bill a itandiog memorial to tb world of the daty wbieh we owe our Maker ; to call men contin ally, both by precept and instruction, to attend to it^ and by th Ibrai of religion ever before their eyea remind them of tbo reality to be tbe repository of the oraoles of God ; to bold np the light o revelation in aid of that of nature, and propagate it throughonj all generations to the end of the world." In our Articles, W( have this doctrine stated in various forms, the visible Gburc being mentioned, and its character described, and power anA und anthocity attributed to it.* And with this view also the foreign en Protestant confessions of faith coincide. ents ? The Lord hath appointed in bis Church a living Ministry, n( ve an less thiln a written standard, by which their teaching is to b bavin tested. He or His Apostles guided by Him provided for bility i perpetual succession of Ministers, and to them He gave the pro ve an mise, " Lo I am with you always even unto the end of tbe world,' so by and they who reject a part <^ the systom instituted by Him eanno jt with expect to be guided into all truth. The Word of Qod is tbe tef mce of by which all teaching is to bo tried, but the Ministry is equally ( at nobl His appointment. And a high estimate of tbe authority an >wfor i dignity of your office must ever be connected with a deep sense ( istroy, the respoDsibilities involved in it, as the two are joined togethc ' as ca in the Ordination Service, where we are exhorted to have i en on I remembrance, into bow high a dignity, and to how weighty aMto anot office and charge, we are called, and bow great a treasure is eoolith qui< Juch bo * By tbe Churrh in this question we understand no other than onljr tli risible Church. For preservation of Christianity there is not any thin more needful, than tliat such as are of tlic visiMo Church hare mutual f(^ lowship and Society one with another. In this sense the Church is alwajl a visible Society of men ; not an assembly but a Societv. For althougl the name of the Church be given unto Christian assemblies, although anj multitude of Christian men congregated may be termed by the name of i Church, yet assemblies properly are rather thmgs that belong to a Churclj A Church, as now wo are to undcrsw-^nd it, is a Sonety ; that is, a nnnif ber of men belon^ng unto some Christian fcilowship, the place and limi] whorcof are certain. That wherein theyhu. ''oiinnunion is the publj exorcise of such duties as those mentioned in tlic A,)Ost!cb' Acts " inbtru| tion, breaking of bread and prayer." — JJoohr. suture ( jlvation |r such 1 'bat a a ;ence, a kish eti Ne( inty of liJinutiu §r b«cn in a groa< To proTflok Ibii Church wai inatij { memorial to th call men contin ilteJ to onr oaro. And I ittrongly rcoommend yuu, my revorvnd ibren, tiriotly to obaorvo (ho anniversory of your Ordination, d on that day, at loaat, if not more frequently, to r ad over tho rvice with rigid self examination. Tbia will bring vividly boforu tt yonr ipeoial obligationf, and will enable you to judgo of the to it^ and by thAaDoar, in wbich yon are fulfilling them. . em of tbo reality I " \V« watoh for aouls as they that muat give aooount." If we >ld np the light oAuld fully understand all that is implied in this sentence, surely it igate it tbrottghoaloald overwhelm us ; and if we attach any meaning at all to the n our ArUcles, w( ords, tbey must be a perpetual stimulus. St. Chrysostom thus lie visible Gburol »mment8 upon this declaration ; " how difficult, bow hoiardous, , and power am i undertaking is this I What shall a man say, to those wretched r also the foraigi en that rashly thrust themselves into such an obyRs of judg- ents? All the souls that are committed to thy care, thou art to living Ministry, m ve an account of." And again, " if we shudder at the thought teaching is to b ' having to give account for our own souls, and the almost impos- n provided for bility of escaping the fire, what fate must he expect who is to He gave the pro ve an account of so many souls V* The same language is used end of the world. so by St. Augustine. And Bp. Bull says, '* I have ofttime?, ire joined togethi lorted to have how weighty a ted by Him eanno i>t without wonder and indignation, observed the strange confi> of Qod is the tet mce of empirics in physic, that dare venture m tho practioe of at noble art, which they do not at all understand, eonsideriog tbe authority an m for a little petty gain they shrewdly hazard, or rather certainly h a deep sense < sstroy, the health and lives of men, and have jndged them worthy ' as capital, and ignominious, a punishment, as those that kill en on the highways. But I have soon exchanged this meditation to another of more concernment to myself, and my indignation a treasure is eon ith quickly returned into my own bosom, when I consider, how uch bolder and more hazardous an attempt it is for a man to other tlian only t\ suture on tho priestly office, to minister to the eternal health and re is not any thin lyntioo of fiouls, how mueh skill is requisite to qualify a man ~ ' ' ' r such an undertaking, how great care in the discharge of it. hat a sad thing it would be if, through my unskilfulness or neg. ;ence, any one soul should miscarry under my hands or die and rish eternally." " . j Need I exhort you, to be men of prayer and dllif^ent stu- ints of God's word ? To this you pledged yourselves at your tdinuliuu, only by thii uicaois uau you obtuiu wisdom, and [le Chnrch is alwa} letv. For althoug ablics, although an pd by tho name of elong to a Churct that is, a nnn the place •nd limi [nion is tlic publ k^- i ' r' •iJ'H ■hi i yi ■^■^i t!i' 38 strcngll ), for your work, aiiJ you require much wisdom as wcl t)» knowledge. If the physiuian cannot accomplish much withoi experience and judgment, these are not less required by the phj sicians of souls. You ought to be able to understand the symj turns of different diseases, and to administer the remedies fittir for each case. What would bo the result, if a phylsioian were meet his patients in classes, and explain to them in a leoturo tl virtues of various remedies, leaving the selection and appHcatic for each case to themselves ! The physician of souls finds thl his patients require as much judgment, and discrimination, as til diseased in body ; one requires to be aroused and alarnlied, anothv^^P^^j to be encouraged, one to be convinced of sin, another to be l*"'®"**! with faith, in the Saviour of sinners, to cast bis burthen at tv®'^''® foot of the cross. You have to point out the particular passagVP^*^^ of Scripiurc applicable to each ; and you cannot do this, nnleP'^'^ ^ you first examine the cases individually. Although yon mt ^° preach the truth from the Pulpit, this general teaching will effo '^» '*'' very little, unless from house to house you seek out the sever ^ ^^ * Members of your flock, and apply it to their particular cases. I fear these pastoral visitations are too often restricted to tl sick, but this is a dereliction of duty. The sick and afflict( have the first claim to your attention, and in times of sorrow suffering, many will thankfully receive your exhortations, w re upo weal ( who "Vjvprs, te, whi would perhaps at other times have refused to listen ; but it is vei ^ &ccou iujuriou.4 to allow persons to suppose that they are only to expc your pastoral visits, and your instruction, when they are on bed i'f sickness. In the cases of those who have deferred all ca of their souls, until death stares them in the face, much caution requisite, lest you lead the dying sinner to be too easily satisfie and encourage others to procrastinate, in the hope of making up 1 lost time, when their last hour approaches* Nevertheless wbi ■y acce] t, in i Iter of lommen ve the * Truly it is grievous, when that renewal of the heart, which must found in every one, of whom we have good hope through grace, is defcj red to a season, when all experience tells us that it seldom takes place] all, and when there can be no test or proof of its reality. The visitatij of the sick is the most painful of all clerical duties, and too often, fear, the most unprofitable. The Minister is summoned, perhaps for tl lirst time, when recovery seems hopeless, and it is expected, by the paj out or by liiij I'riendsi, tliut the Holy Sucrunient bu administered to iii] Yet nothiiii: is less cuuulcuauccd by Scriptmc, thiiii the practice ol'udi ering th 8, have i-chbisho Jnless ti entnnec, I course t land of 1 easy h( lit leadt life an( cs, nay \tvnU C'(i jcre is life there is hopo, nnd tliorcforo wc arc to endeavor to lifad I sinner, oven at tbo inst, to have recourse to the Saviour, whom has ne|;lvctod and dot^pisod throughout hia life, although wo Low that little reliance can be placed upon a death bed repent- BC. When tbo realities of another world, and the fearful aishmcnt awaiting the impenitent and disobedient, are brought ir, there are few so hardened, so entirely given over to a rcpro- |te mind, as not to be sorry for the past, and to wish to escape impending horrors ; but this is not necessarily a godly sorrow. id we are taught to be very doubtful in all such cases, by tho imples of many who, when expecting death, appeared truly litent, and determined to give themselves to the Lord, but have rertheless, on their unexpected recovery, proved that their ;>p08ed conversion was merely the effect of terror, and that their irts were not under the influence of the Holy Spirit. . In like manner, much caution is requisite in speaking of tho fid, for although the maxim " de mortuis nil nisi bonum", is in itself, we have to consider what effect our opinion may re upon the living. The dead cannot be affected by us either weal or woe, but if we speak as if we were satisfied concerning i, who during life evinced no signs of piety, we mislead tho rvjvors, we encourage them to be content to live in tho samQ |te, which we pronounce to have been all that was needful. On account, I think the custom of funeral Sermons, in the ordi- ty acceptation of the term, very objectionable as a rule. I know Lt, in some parts of the country, a Sermon is expected as a [iter of course upon the occasion of a funeral, and I would »mmend you to take advantage of this custom, so far as to im- kve the opporttt.iity of addressing a number of persons, who ar^ Uring the Communion at a dying hour, to those who, during their pnst Is, haver uibited nouQ of the fuitli, which leads to that Communion. yivhbishojt of Canterburi/'i t'harye, 1849. Jnless tho sickness has been of long continuance, and that tho person's entancc, his patience, his piety, has been very extraordinary during Icourseof it, he (the Minister) must bo sure to give him no positive |und of hopo, but leave him to tho mercies of God. Tlio giving quick easy hopes not only makes those persons perish securely themselves, I it leads all about them to destruction, wlicn they see one, of whoso life and late repentance they have been the witnesses, i)ut so soon in cs, nay by some unfaithful guides mudc sjuic of salvation. — DuntcU's \tontl t'arc. '3; P \ > k i < > \ 40 rarely befuro you at other times ; but it should be understof ^^ |^ that you will say nothing about the particular person, at who ^ ^ _, funeral you are officiating, in the way of praise or blame, of appi ^ ^^ val or disapproval, unless under very peculiar oiroumstanoes. ^^ We may not, in any respect, limit the mercy of God, and * |j may sometimes indulge in hope even against hope in the case ^j. the departed, but we must insist upon the danger of delay, a |. f . the improbability, to say the least, of the acceptance by God ^^^^ the last of those, who throughout thuir lives refuse to listen to I ^ ^^^ calls. And if this truth be deeply impressed upon our own mint ^ ^ it cannot but stir us up to give diligence, not only to make oar oi ^*g -^ calling and election sure, but also on behalf of those committed ^ our care. Observe the solemnity of the aged Apostle'i charge j^' Timothy, " I charge thee, before God and the Lord Jesus Obri ^^gj ^ who shall judge the quick and the dead, at bis appearing and -p kingdom, preach the word, be instant in season and out of seas* -^ reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine ,gg^„^ Many out of every Cure will refuse to return to the great Sh ^^^^^^ herd of their souls; notwithstanding the utmost seal, and M^^^^. ' most unceasing efforts for their conversion, many sinners perish, but let us take care that none perish through our negle let us keep ourselves pure from the blood of all men, for it written, *' if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his w that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but bis blood will I quire at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wickw his way to turn from it, if he do not turn from his way, be si ^-^j^ die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivcied thy soul." If one method is unsuccessful, we must try another and a ther ; consider the example of that apostle who could say, ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." kept back nothing that was profitable for you, but have shei you, and have taught you publicly and from house to house," And I fear we may generally conclude, that the trut ^^ q]^^ which are least palatable to our hearers, are the most necess for them. There will always be many who desire us te " b{ unto them smooth things, to prophesy deceits," but we roust bear in mind the declaration, undoubtedly applicable to ou: as well as to him who uttered it ; " If I yet pleased men, Ish lO ser^ O 3t us ] >til a < Ivatio] d rec emsel' nts in dhab s true at, ev und w id 10 It I Chri hould be nnderstoc lar persoDt %t wboi le or blame, of appi r oiroumstanoes. nercy of God, and st hope in the case danger of delay icceptance by God 'efuse to listen to upon our own iuin< only to make our o of those committed d Apostle'a charge le Lord Jeans his appearing and son and out of seai fering and doctrine irn to the great Sh utmost zeal, tiud n, many sinners I through our negle »f all men, for it wicked from his wi It his blood will I warn the wick«< ■om his way, he si y soul." try another and a who could say, y with tears.*' but have she^ ouso to house," e, that the tru the most desire us to " s " but we roust plicable to ourse leased men, Ish * Isdeeds, neoesfi ^^^^ 41 t bo the servant of Christ" Popularity is always dangerous, generally iraplios, more or less, a want of faithfulness, for it n seldom be acquired, except by withholding some part of the th. The man of the world may adopt the maxim, " vox puli vox Dei," but wo have a sure guide teaching us, that they are led by the Spirit, and who therefore love the truth, are few, wherefore the most correct views of scriptural truth can arcely bo in accordance with popular sentiment. If therefore are faithful, and shun not to declare, according to our ability, e whole council of God, we must be prepared to sharo our Mas- 's portion, to endure with him scorn, and reproach, r 1 misre* esentation. It will be said to you by one, " bast ^uou found me mini enemy ?" ; by another, " art thou not he that troubleth ael?" But while we thus oppose men's errors, ai. 1 reprove their while as ambassadors for God we fearlessly deliver his ssage, we must yet make it manifest that, in all things, we are tuated by a spirit of love, that we are ready to spend, and be ent, for the good of those to whom we minister. We must be e servants of all for Christ's sake. O that we were all animated by a more fervent love for souls ! t us ponder upon the condition of those committed to our care, til a sense of their danger, and an anxious solicitude for their Ivation, inflames our zeal, and excites us ta renewed exertions, redoubled efforts, if by any means we may save some, itting from our calculations ^ those who avowedly separate emselves from us, we would have you reckon up your communi- nts in your several Cures, and reflecting that none who wilfully d habitually turn their backs on the table of the Lord, can -be true disciples, can be in a gtatc of salvation, and then further at, even amongst those who accept the invitation, some may be und without the wedding garment, is not the inevitable conclu* altogether appalling ? It is vain to attempt to escape from it ; let a conviction of the danger of the great majority, of those whose souls we are to some extent accountable, stimulate us d arouse all our cnern;iGS. And let a sense of our own insuffi- ncy induce more constant fervent supplication to Him, with lom all things are possible, firmer reliance upon Him, who alone Q influence the heart. It m )n h.^"^^ 'i)^? I 42 If bj our sacred calling wc are prcscrTccl from Boroo of t\ dangers and temptations of tho vrorld, wq arc exposed to othc peculiar to ourselves. We are in danger of substituting a sort official religion, and official holiness, for personal pietj ; whil investigating the condition of others, we maj forget to search oi our own hearts. We may, says an old writer, " like unskilf horsemen which open a gate on the wrong side, by virtue of o office open heaven for others, and shut ourselves out;" or another says, " God may feed his people as he did Elijah, by raven, and make a cold breath kindle the sparks of grace in t hearts of others, and blow it up into a flame." We may point to others the way, and yet not walk in it, but oh what a wretchi state is this ! and moreover it will generally be found, that must lead in the path, along which we would have others wal|^P®^* and that our real success, will depend very much upon our o experimental acquaintance with tho power, and efficacy of principles and doctrines that we inculcate. May our God gri us each grace to give ourselves wholly unto these things, and to take heed unto ourselves, that we may both save ourselv and them that hear us, that our portion may be with those whom it is written, " they that be wise shall shine as the brigS^*^^ ^ ness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousnV^^'^^ as the stars for ever and ever." Let us labor now, that wo mff"^ *^ enjoy rest hereafter, that " when the chief shepherd shall appejB**''*"^^ wo may receive a crown of glory that fadoth not away." V"'' ^ "t his p in re! Si turir taini lomic iwillin n, a melei eptio ly ai se pel nfew ■■"( cious c to ju Inicatcd some 0! Bnce in qualil difficu tbc a it was I Eviction )ut\var- APPENDIX. •-t^jr- •, Since the preceding pages wore sent to the Printer, Mr. iturin has published a letter to the Parishioners of St. Paul's, itaining, according to his advertisement, his " reasons for Boming a Convert to the Catholic Church" ; of which I am Iwilling to say much, for it is intensely painful to rae to think, jspeak, of this subtle though futile attempt to throw discredit )n, and to destroy, the faith which once he preached, and this ^meless avowal of a long continued system of dissimulation end eeption. It is well known, that dishonesty has been almost inva- bly an accompaniment of the tendency towards Romanism, in [se perverts whose history has been made public; but there have bn few instances, if any, in which a Clergyman has continued for [eral years taking a decided part in opposition to Rome, whilst icart he has been with her. Yet he says, " still I feel that Iring all ray years of separation from the Church, mjf heart was tntially Catholic.^- We cannot now be surprised at his fro- ent melancholy, and depression of spirits ; one would think It his position must have been intolerable, if his state of mind in reality such as ho now declares it to have been. With an fious desire to discover excuses for him, I am unable in any to justify the course adopted by him. He ought to have com- [nicatcd his doubts, (if they were only doubts, ) confidentially Bomo other Clergyman, for although ho may not have had con- cnce in his Bishop, we cannot admit that no one of his Brethren qualified to afford him advice and assistance. And then if difficulties wore not removed, he ought to have withdrawn the active work of the Ministry, until he could finally decide [at was the path of duty. After hig doubts were cxchang'>d for Ivictiun that ho ought to renounce our Communion, continuance juHvai'l udhoiciice tu it wa.s unpaidunablo. They who have .ti. f.fij*';:"-^^'''**^^ . , ^ f ■ . tr:4,ii(^v,^iij J a to< M» A» w^..ii>.^iat .. M .'■-••„. '^ J.U..t.' 44 '\ w § Church is this tenet oftbeCbt lave dedu ot we ne\ read bis letter will learn with astonishniont tliut, within the lasfc I Kulo of four years, ho has subscribed the Articles, and taken the oath of I ^e reoei\ Supremacy, as it is commonry though improperly called. "When Iral, and ! he entered upon his Curacy, the See was vacant, and I was not I every ma; aware that this Subscription had not been made by him, until my I according last Visitation, after which I called upon him to comply with the | results of requirements of the Law. How he could reconcile this to his conscience, he may be able to explain, but I cannot understand. The only satisfaction to be derived from his pamphlet is, the assurance that he never was a sound Churchman, that he was oscillating between tae extremes of llomanism and ultra Protest antism, and that the sure anchorage of sound Church principlesftuide, by has not been tested by him. He tt'ls us of his Huguenot anccs-Kpon every tors, and his Protestant forefathers, but of his Churchmanship heBaa preserv can only say, be had " a moderate preference for the Englishlierself, the Church"; these are not the terms in which any true Son vrouIunTrit," and describe his affection for her. In short, whatever ho may froniloarages all time t? time have said to the contrary, he always practicallynTord. Sb( proved, what ho now formally states, that he regarded all deno.Hicd by Ood minations as having equal claims. The force, small as it is, oAat the spin bis pamphlet, depends upon the assumption that no distinctioowe do not r can be made ; and he enumerates as Protestints, " EpiscopaliansAntrary we i Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Arians, Socinians, Lutherans^ testimony Calvinista, Arminiaus, &c. &c." implying that all are answerabli for tho errors and excesses of any of these denominations. No we can only successfully oppose the claims of Borne, by takini our stand upon the truth, receiring and upholding all that ii Catholic, and rejecting all that is merely Koraan in her systoo, The peculiarity of the Reformation in England, as contrasted wii other Countries, was that it was strictly a restoration and not revolution. They who were raised up and led, by Him who ha promised to be with His Church always, to purify her, and rees blish the primitive doctrine and practices, were wonderfuli guided. Shrinking from the introduction of any novelties, th diligently sought out and studied the primitive system, ai if we would be faithful Members of tho Eeformed Church of Ei gland, we must adhere to the principles on which thet/ acted. The great controvcrsj between us and Rome is upon iQ tbo last tho oath of a. When I vras not I. until my 45 Bulo of failb, the Bible being virtually suporscdud by bcr, whiltit we receive it as tho only infallible guide. The Romanists in gene* ral, and Mr. Maturin in particular, charge us mth holding, that every man may take the Bible and discover his religion for himself, according to his own interpretation, and they point to the practical iv \7ith the I results of this system, in proof of its fallacy, and say that their this to lu3 I Oburch is the only infallible guide. Now we altogether repudiate lorstand. I this tenet; we are perfectly aware that men, rejecting the teaching thlet iSi thelof the Oburch and relying on their own independent conclusions, bat he waslbave deduced heresies, and false doctrine, from tho Scriptures, itra Frotest-lbat we nevertheless maintain that they are the one only infallible th principleaKul^^' ^J ^hich all teaching is to be* tested. We therefore call uonot anccsKpon every one to accept the teaching of the Church, which she bmanship helias preserved unaltered from the earliest ages, since she claims for the Englishlierself, the honorable office of a " witness and keeper of Holy le Son wouUBliVrit," and " authority in controversies of faith," although she en- no may fromHoorages all her children to compare her teaching with tho written s practicallyWord. She relies, with perfect confidence, upon the means sup- ilicd by Qod as a security against any serious errors, and is assured at the spirit of truth will guide her in the use of those means, e do not reject tradition restricted to its proper office, on tho ntrary we receive with due deference, whenever we can trace it, testimony to the interpretation of Scripture, and to the doc- i^nes and practices recognized in the primitive Church. We iten with respect to the consentient voice of the early Fathers, d the decisions of the (Ecumenical Councils, namely those held fore the separation of the Eastern and Western Branches of the uroh, but wc reject every thing that is plainly " repugnant to Word of God," knowing that Ho cannot contradict himself, alking according to this rule, we are assured that we shall be ipt in the right way, and that " tho Gates of Hell shall not pre 1" against us, but we deny altogether tho existence of an llible living guide, with po^er to define articles of faith ;;vhich not be deduced from the written Word. However plausible the theory of the necessity for the exist- ic of such a Judge of Controversy, we cannot close our eyes to fact that such aid has not been vouchsafed to U3, for Council Icon oppoicd to Council, and Pope to Pope, Councils have h-n 'T'^TfT. linrTTiiy i'.A,^ ^<77 1^ , ■J! 46 doposcd Popes, and Popes have condemned Cyunoils. Moreover- , _ wo cannot boliovo that Qod would have left us, without any reye-l ° P' lation of the Agents by whom this groat gift of infallibility was tor '™'^' °' bo exercised, since if it be bestowed it supersodea the necesBitjl ^^^^'^ f(jr any other guidance, and cannot be disregarded without peril tol^°^°®^®' our souls. At the least, wo havo a right to expect the infalliblel*'?^**' *' guide to declare the seat of Infallibility, for it is utterly useless.f''.'* ™°™ if we are uncertain whore it is to be found. But this questionP" ^ has never been decided, and the opinions of her Doctors an divided upon it. Most of them indeed agree in the opinio that the Decrees of a General Council, confirmed by the Pope, an^ infallible ; but then who is to decide which Councils are general U^^^P*'^^S^ The ultramontane theory is, that the Pope himself, speaking e cathedra, is infallible on all questions of faith and morals ; but tbi Galilean Church has always opposed these papal claims, and it ii impossible to discover, with any certainty, the doctrine of thi Roman Church upon this the key stone of her system. Mr. Maturin dwells at length upon the variations of t Protestant Churches before the completion of the Reformation, b be has not attempted to explain this absolute denial of the Papaff'^ '^' infallibility by tho important and influential Church of FranceM®'^®^* Rome whilst claiming immutability has been notoriously changeaVP*^^'^ bio, to such an extent, that Dr. Newman, recognising her cbang«**"P ® ^ as an acknowledged fact, adopted the theory of developement t(B*°^®""S ' account fur it ; but it is bard to reconcile with any preleneions tiv' °^ ^^ immiitjiliiiity and infallibility, uncertainty and variation with resM® " P*"®^* pect to iho infallible authority. As he has referred to Bossuet'M''°°*®°'^ ® work as having done good service, I give you the following exW'°^^°S '^' tract from it: "A form for explaining the Pope's authority havinM''^ ®^®'J^ been proposed at Trent, in such terms as that his superiority oveB'^S ^^nU tho General Council might in some manner be inferred, the CaB°*'° *° ^^i dinal of Lorraine and the Bishops of France being opposed to itj the form was suppressed, and the Pope answered, that • nothi ought to be defined but what all the Fathers should unanimous! agree to ;' an admirable rule in order to separate what is certai from what is doubtful." " And tho renowned Andrew du Vi decided, that tho doctrine denying the Pope's infallibility b ni absolutely against faith ; ami that which places the Council abo onditioQ he Imma n his sol rsonal ii In 00 cause m er with 1 ave thouj aturia's tendency f that the; lall prove ( How Chris believe I countenai cidc that a Is. Moreover lOut any reve- llibility was to the necessitj rithout peril to t the iafoUible itterly useless, this question r Doctors are n the opinion 7 the Pope, an s are general If, speaking e: norals j but tbi slaims, and it i doctrine of thi tein. ariations of t e formation, b al of the Papi rcb of France! iously changeij jing her cbangi evelopement ti preleneions liation with rei d to Bossuet'i e following e; juthority haviDj uperiority ovei rred, the C opposed toil] that ' nothini d unaniraouslj hat is certaii ndrew du Ti llibility is ni Council alo 47 the Popo cannot bo branded with any censure, cither of heresy, or error, or even of temerity." Wo may add to this weighty authority, the assertion of a well-informed veriter of our own day, ♦^",t •' It has never yet been determined, which of the many dej^x-^o or rival Popes are to be acknowledged dejuro. A Romanist might at tbis moment deny the existing Pope to bo St. Peter's successor, irithout violating any Article of his Creed." What then is the sondition of those, who receive as an Article of faith the dogma of be Immaculate Conception, which was pronounced by the Pope n his sole authority, which therefore no one can be justified in iCoepting as such, until be obtains satisfactory evidence of the rsonal infallibility of the Pope ? In consequence of our former connection with the Author, cause many of us have in times past taken sweet counsel toge- er with bim, when we walked in the House of God as friends, I ave thought it right to append these few observations upon Mr. aturin's letter, but I do not entertain the slightest suspicion of tendency towards Rome on the part of any of my Reverend rethren, and although in the late melancholy case, the unhappy rvert formerly appeared much more inclined to proceed in the posite direction, I feel confident that there cannot bo a second izample of such successful duplicity amongst us. Instead of nkeriug after what God has not been pleased to grant to men, t us be thankful for the guidance actually vouchsafed, and whilst Q "prove all things, hold fast that which is good." Let us contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto tho Saints," owing that the Latitudinarian is liable to be " carried about itb every wind of ductrine," and is constantly in danger of log hurried into extreme error on one side or the other. Adhe- ince to any system, and reception of any doctrines, imply a be- f that they who differ from us are more or less in error, and we lall prove our charity and goodwill towards all who profess to low Christ, by pointing out and urging them to abandon what bulieve to be an admixture of error in their creeds, rather than countenancing their adherence to it, or rashly presuming to cidc that any portion of the truth may be of little importance. MSr 1 If ■W i.'t ml '■gi^.-- 48 (note to paqb 20.) A friend, who has road the Cbargo since it came from thtj Press, suggests that the observations upon the Judgment of the] Committee of the Privy Council may bo misunderstood by lome oil the younger Clergy, and that they may suppose themselves autho] risod, or even required, to set up crosses and to introduce altera] tions in thoir Churches, in opposition to the wishes of tbeij Congregations. I therefore add a caution (o my younger Brethren never to make any alterations, without the advice and approval o| older or more experienced Ministers. And to all I would rooon mend great caution, in introducing an j thing, however good itself, to which your people are opposed. You must consider th weak, and remember tho many who must be " fed vrith milk,| because thoy are not " able to bear strong meat." Where tii laity have been rightly instructed, and are attached to their Churclj they will not object to anything, that has been duly explained i them, and proved to be in conformity with her principles aol order ; but where this is not the case, you must beware of aliv. ating them by the introduction of anything, to which you are d| pledged by your oaths and subscriptions. came from tb udgment of the ood by lome oi imseWes autho. ntroduce altera viahoB of tbei iDger Brethren and approval oj I would roco owever good ist consider t led with milk .*• Where tli to their Ghurc ly explained principles an )eware of all lioh you are n