IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // #y^ A. y^:v 1.0 I.I Ui Hi 1^ |££ ta. 112.0 L25 III 1.4 m i 1.6 ^ A \ Cv 6^ 23 WeST MAIN STRilT WEBSTER, NY. 14SS0 (716) 872-4503 M L (rnaaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol y (moaning "END"), whichavar applias. Maps, platas, charts, ate, may ba filmad at diffarant raductior r-aiios. Ttiosa too larga to ba antiraly includad in onei »xposura ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft han'' ,;)rnar, laft to right and top to bottom, as ma .y framas as raquirad. Tha following diagrams illustrata tha mathod: 1 2 3 L'axampiaira film* fut raproduit grica h la g4n4roslt* da: HaroM Campball Vaughan Mamorial Library Acadia Univarsity Las imagas suivantas ont 4t4 raproduitas avac la plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da l'axampiaira filmA, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat da filmaga. Las axamplairas originaux dont la couvartura mn papiar ast ImprimAa sont filmte an commandant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la darr^iAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illustration, soit par la aaeond plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras axamplairas originaux sont filmAs an commanfant par la pramlAra [y^ga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par la darniAra paga qui comporta una talla amprainta. Un das symbolas suivants apparaftra sur la darniAra imaga da chaqua microficha, salon la cas: la symbols — ► signifia "A SUiVRE", la aymbola Y signifia "FIN". Las cartas, planchas, tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra filmte A das taux da rMuction diff^'anta. Lorsqua la documant ast trap grand pour Atra raproduit an un saul cliche, !l ast film* k partir da I'angia sup4riaur gaucha, da gaucha i droita, at da haut an baa, an pranant la nombra d'imagas nAcassaira. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 4 5 6 A CHARGE DKLIVBRKD IN (!jhri8t-(l{bttrch (l|athdral Sl^timt^m, JULY 4:th, 1871, AT THE TRIENNIAL VISITATION, BT JOHN, BISHOP OF FREDERICTON. PUBLISHED AT THE BEQUEST OF THE 0LESO7 FBESENT. FREDERICTON, N. B.: H, A. CROFXiKY, I>RII^TE3R. 1871. 'V^liB d^hri ^' ■0' s JOT \ pu: A CHARGE DELIVERED tN a|hri!5t-d|hurdi 0|sitheilriil cii'f'Icvii[ton, JULY 4tU, 1871, <# ' AT THE TEIENNIAL VISITATION, BY JOHN, BISHOP or FEEDEHICTOjST. \ PUBLISHED AT THE EEQUEST OF THE CLERGY PRESENT. FREDERICTON, N. B. : H. A.. CROPIjTTIY, IPRIISTTKR. 1871. A CHARGE TO THE CLERGY dDf tlt^ ii0me of ivtMHin, Reverend and Dear Brethren, Wt seldom iceet at our Triennial Visitations without tlie los^s of one or more of our small bond of Clergy. The absonee to-day of three familiar faces is no doubt painfully felt, especiaUy by the elder clergy. One 'f/as called to his rest, full of years, endiiij^ a lono;' and faithful service vith a calm .and peaceful death, and perlonninf^- his full duty the Sunday before his last illness came upon him. He was ever one of the most loyal and true hearted of the clerrfain warrants of Holy Scripture." If we are still called on to subsciibe to this Article, how can we properly consent to the dis- use of what onf the con- ows wliat leasure of holiness is absolulely necessary to salvation. Not only cjo we all come short of the true and perl'cct standard set us in tho Scriptures, but some much more so than others. We arc obliged to receive and believe the passages I liavo quoted, but we attempt in vain to draw the line of dcmarcalion between various classes of mankind. It nniy possibly be tl;ouylit, that 1 am travelling out of the record in alluding to what has no place in tliis Proviuce; but 1 must remind you, not oidy that our minds arc daily (though perliaps insensibly) intluenced by Avliat goes on around us, especially in our Muthek* Church, but that the same spirit which is now at work elsewhere, may not improbably manliest itself hero. And our union with the Provincial Synod of Canada may possibly bring up many questions ou which our Church in Xcw Brunswick has hitherto been silent; and wo shall no longer bo able to escape the responsibility of acqui- cseiice, or of protest. But I pass on to speak of certain changes in our own condition and prospects, which it is well to think of cautiously and wisely, that wo may not on tho one hand misspend our time in lamenting over tho past, nor on the other, fail of our duty in regard to our present con- dition. Among the subjects which demand our most earnest and careful consideration is tho Constitution and conduct of our Synod. Intelligent and practical churchmen in all parts of the world have come to the same general conclusions respecting the necessity for synodical action, as the best substitute for the old forms of an Estab- lished Church, which are not now considered practicable out of England. Whether we look to North America, Australia, or Now Zealand, tho same general feeling prevails, and the sanio necessity is felt, wholly irrespective of party considerations. The exceptions appear to belong to such countries as India, where the Chuich is in a very peculiar and anomalous condition, and to tlio small scattered communities of Europeans in the East, which present insuperable obstacles to combined action. But wherever the (vhurch is free, numerous, and intelligent, this appears to be the form of self-govern- ment universally chosen. It combines the following advantages: First, it is not wholly dissimilar to the prinntive assemblies which are recorded in the New Testament, and to the subsequent Councils to which we owe the formation of our Creeds. Practically, no doubt, a modern Synod differs in some importa. t respects from an ancient Council. In tho original assembly at Jerusalem the lay-element was certaiidy admitted, but with what powers and under what limitations the sacred writer does not inform us, for the whole condition of the Church was unlike any thing before or after it, but that the consent of the laity was given to the apostolic decree, is beyond a doubt. 4^' A dfAKUn TO TUK CI.KR«Y In sttbi^equRnt Conuclls the liiiM-arcliical and |>rio!«tly clomoiit prn- domiiiatcd, and the laity, tliou^fli picscnt by Mieii- v (ncsciitulivos, occupi(Ml an ttnimportimt ]nirt. Modern Synods roc<)<,'ni/,e in its fullest fXtoRt the "royal prirsthood " oft ho whole body of believers, andore, in this respect, more in aj^'rcenient with apostolical rnlo; but there is mueh reason to apprehend, that a« in ancient times, the undue preponderance of tiie sacerdotal element led to many and deep-rooted evils, so It will require all our wisdom to steer clear of those dangers i)ito which an undue pi-eponderance of laymen, many of them ignorant of theological controvei-sies, and very moderately versed in Church History and biblical learning, may lead us. A Synod is supjmsed to be, by its very luune, a body of christian beliovers, travelling on the same road, and govern<'d by the same general principles of action. It is TU)t a ])olitical body, consisting of citizens owning no special form of faith, drawn tog(!ther by (he exigencies of the time, and liable to be parted asunder by sudden political storms. Our position as clergymen and communicants in the Chu/ch of England supposes a widei- and tinner l)asis, and should lead us to nuu-e reverent handling of subjects which concern the welfare of the Clairch of (iod. a more careful acrjuaintance with its history and its laws, and a more tolerant and charitable conduct towards each other. If, in legislative asseinl)lies, the laws of the past govern the j)resen( (ill tiiey are repealed, and (he wise foundations laid by our ancestors are considered to be the i)illars of our legisla- ! tion, si> ill a Synod, we lu-itlier meet to found a Church nor to settle j the Cam)n of Holy Sci-ipture, nor to frame an Kcclesiastical Constitu- ' tion, nor to separate our-elvcs from the Catholic believers before us. nor to begin to form a Liturgy. We set out with these broad found- ations laid already ; on these we are to build, and in accordance with them we can alone prove our title to be wise builders. (h\ the one foundation, Jesus Cliri'^t. and on the Church of his foundation, we are (o lay our superstructure. But woe be to us if what we lay be that " wood, hay, and stubble,"" winch those who build with loose material-^, in ignorance of their art, will be sure to erect. NVhilst therefore a Synod will do well and wisely not to reject those changes which the geneial progress of maTdcind, and the Providential course of the world, have renderer believers, il rule; l)nt (iincs, tho rnfiiiy nml (('<'!• (ilojir of iiicM, many iiKxIcrately iis. of christiiin y the HHino '»ii>istiii"- of luT by I he by sudden iinicants in and shonld loiKtorn the icfi with its >!e mndiict ' of the past bnndafions onr loo-isla- lor to settle iI Constitu- i before us, cad found- dance with On tlie one dalion, wo We lay be witii loose ■ojcct those •ovidontial I llio form !ed to last, '■oquiri no- ill dolibor- anj^e; and 'f a party, f^hoy place ic Cimrch in all ages. In proportion to tlu; iargfeness of the powers ontrusted to UN, should be our reverent ciin; to use th«in with moderation. And wo may ex])(H;l that thL.<;n either guided by the Iftws of Eng- land, or by (he traditi>t;nin^' every year. ( .'hanges are made in the I'rayei' Book, and more nmy ln> made ; but no official notice is eroi' given to us. We receive no advice, and our connection with lOnjfland iei severed, ap[)arently, without regret. At my death, no successor will be appointed by the (Jrown, and no oath of obedience will be taken to the Arciibishop. The changes in the Ordiinition Service, in the terms of subscription, and in the Lectionary, which is not an inconsiderable one, have never been communicated to the ('olonies otlicially. It is not too much to assume, that, as time goes on, lOngJisli Courts of Law will be heard of rather than felt among us, and that we shall be driven (of necessity) to adopt a speedier, more econom- ical, and more church-like solution of dilBculties. If it should come to i)ass that we thus become an indei)eiident branch of the (JIuirch, in full communion with the Church ol' England, as we did not seek such a position, we must accept it when it comes, as part of the Providen- tial ordering of Him who knows what is best tor us. We have within us all the elements of a New Testament Church; a faith built on Clu'ist our corner-stone, and in fundamentals derived from primitive cliri^J- tianity; a Bible which is in the main faithfully translated; a Liturgy agreeing in many respects with tlie ancient forms; Sacraments duly administered; an Episcopate, apostolicully descended; Presbyters and Deacons rightly ordained ; and a body of faithftil Laity. To tliis it must be our care to add a code of dis(;ipline, such as is insisted on in tlie New Testament, and is required by our condition; and if wo are faithful to our trust, and to the faith, we have no cause for fear. The promises of Christ are stronger tium the wealth of lOngland, and as they were divinely given before her greatness, th(!y will outlast (which (iod forbid) her fall. But we may well fear even tho suspicion of unfaithfulnesK; we may well hesitate to cut the moorings which bind us to the great mysteries of Christianity; we may well distrust the leaders who would sacriiice our Creeds to satisfy those who luiver believed in them, and would cut short our acts of worship to please those who may tolerate us by their silence, but can join in no such worship of their own. I can only add my humble prayer, that a higher than liunian wisdom nuiy watch over our endeavours, and will preserve us from breaking down either the Liturgy or the government of our Church. As you will have full opportunity of learning the nature of tlie 8 A CHARGE TO THE OLERCrY Bill which enables ns to unite ourselves with the Provincial Synod of Canada, as well as of the r>ill introduced into our local Legislature for the purpose of incorporatini^ oui- Synod and ii'iving ns a le^al Constitution, I shall not forestall the discuission by any obsei'vatious of my own upon them. But 1 pass on to say a few words on another of the changes in our EcclesiaiJlical position, in conscquenco ofllin " Presentation to Bene- fices Act." The power to present havinj,^ been taken from the Lieutenant Governor, and having: been lodged with the Parishioners at large, under certain limitations, it is to be hoi)ed that those who have the power, will reflect very seriously on the responsibility they incur in the use of it. In choosin<^ men for any office, it would always be desirable that those who nuiko the selection should have some knowledge of the qualifications requisite in the person who is to be chosen; and as they are about to choose a Pa'^tor who, when once inducted, is protected by the Law, it would be well that they would take care that he is competent, not only to please them by his fluency, but to instruct them by his learning". We are surrounded by various religious bo lies, who naturally desire the increase of their own {'lunch, and many of them have made advances in religions and secular literature most creditable to them. This plainly shows us that no ignorant clergyman can long hold his own; and it is certain that, unless as we grow older, we keep pace with the general know- ledge of the day. we shall fall back into a state of listless and con- temptible ignorance, which men are shrewd enough to observe and to desi)ise, even when they know no better themselves. Several great and pressing dangers surround this Presentation question. As regards the laity, great mimbers must be totally untitted to judge of the religious learning of a pastor; and in the towns, where learning is most needed, it may very often happen that showy and less solid acquirements A il carry the day; and when the difficulty occurs which sound knowledge and so'yor judgment alone can meet, every one will look for it, but it. will not be found. The establisii- lucnt. ot a Theological Institution, even of the humblest character, rcfiuires 1 think, the most serious attention of churcbinen. For it is evident that I cannot personally undertake the whole of such duty, and unless students arc well furnisiied with Divinity before they enter the Ministry, they cannot find time allerwards to begin such studies, nor are they willing to i)rosecute them. Some of you have received at my hands, and at the hands of those who have kindly assisted me, such instruction as it has been in our power to bestow, But I would intieat you all. whether 'io assisted or not, for your own sake, for the ('hiii'ch's sake, to be students to the lati.'st. haur of your lives, and ti^ stidv continually the Greek of the New Testament. Your chi( You are explain i people, elements planatioti of eviden doctrines wide ran and woeE of the bristling decorate* sermons, viction t( own mil the texts hearers them th< prayer ; language gent and and thou suasiven have son laity ma tends to raneous capacity And, 1 into the a skilful you dis] win the; them, ai earnestl and to livings ; worse, < tempori deprive commu behalf, ment, I OP THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON. iicial Synod Loyislature us a legal •bsei'valions ngcs in onr ion to Benc- II from the 'rtrisliioiiers t those wJjo ibility fhoy e, it would ^houhl have I'soii who is who, when 11 that lliey them ')y liis surrounded ase oftheiv 'lij^ious and y shows us it is certain loral know- ^s and con- )bserve a)id 's. Several icstion. unfitted to vns, where showy and difficulty ) can meet, • ostahlisli- characler, . For it is such duty, cforc they Je;,^in sueii f you have [ivo kindly lo bestow. ■ y<»ur own III- of your restameut. i Your chief duty in the pulpit is to be expositors of the Word of God. You are to exhibit it in its due proportions, to grapple with and explain i difficulties, to place its truths in lucid order before the people, and to make your discourses not vapid repetitions of the elements of faith, but clear expositions of passages which need ex- planation ; of truths which require to be matched with other truths ; of evidences which should be made plain ; of histories which elucidate doctrines; of parables which admit of present application; of the wide range of Scripture thought, which it profitable for all the wants, and woes, and inner needs of man. In the highest and best sense of the woi'd, you should preach learned sermons; not sermons bristling with Latin and Greek quotations ; not sermons which are decorated with other men's thoughts, as if they were your own ; but sermons, which however plain and homely in their form, carry con- viction to your congregations that you have a treasure within your own minds ; that you think much and deeply during the week, on the texts on which you preach ; which show that you do not give the hearers the first thoughts that come uppermost, but that you give them the result of well-digested reading, pains-taking thought, and prayer; though that result may not be perhaps thrown into eloquent language. This will always, in a legitimate sense, please the intelli- gent and devout hearer; it is a mode of address that will wear well; and though it may not startle by its novelty, it will win by its per- suasiveness ; and men will go to hear, because they know that they have something to learn and to gain, from the discourse, which the laity may reasonably require of you. On this account my experience tends to this conclusion: that valuable as the power of extempo- raneous preaching is, it is never safe for a man of ordinary average capacity to give up the practice of writing sermons altogether. And, to make use of a familiar illustration. As it is not gettin ;• into the saddle that makes the good rider, but having a firm seat ai;d a skilful hand after he has mounted ; so it is not the pleasing qualities you display before you are elected by the parishioners, which will win their permanent esteem, but your ability and readiness to instruct them, and the godly simplicity and sincerity of your own lives. I earnestly hope, moreover, that you will not add to your own daiigers and to the evil influence on your parishioners, by canvassing for livings; whether it be done after the death of a brother, or still worse, during his lifetime. Such a course will only ensure you the temporary support of a few interested partizans, and will certainly deprive you of the respect of the thoughtful and judicious part of the community. And if I may, after twenty-six years of service in your behalf, venture to say any thing connected with my own appoint- ment, I would humbly say, that no thought gives me more unmixed 2 / L^rrmn*^ . 10 A CH VIKJK TO THK CLKRGV A* ImAt**^' satisfaction, than that I never entertained the notion, nor cherisiied the desire of obtaining- the jiost I now hold; nor do I know, even at this liour, who recominendt'd me to the Archbisliop's choice. Every sincere and earnest clerg-ynian mnst be painfully conscious of his own shortcomings in every spliere; but if there is one thing that will leave a lasting sting in a man's own bosom, it is this; that the place he knows himself unwoj-tliv to till, he sought by his own repeated Importunity, or won by the prompted or too easily permitted can- vassing of his friends, 1 deem it my duty also to say, that if you expect the parishioners )o be scrupulously honest and punctual in their engagements to yon, and to treat you as gentlemen and as cler- gymen should be treated, it is no less, it is if po?sibld more your duty that in your dealings with them in respect to the acceptance or resig- nation of benefices, and all matters of a pecuniary nature, you study not only to live honestly, but to live above suspicion. For certainly those on whose lips the Scriptures are constantly found, will be sup- posed not only to know, but to be ready to act on the precepts to " Provide things honest in the sight of all men," and to *' Do unto others as you would have lliem to do unto you." You may expect me to <-ay something on two important changes in wluch we are all deeply interested, — the revision of the Lectionary, and the revision of the KnL',lish version of the Bible. Bearing in mind the eminent scholars and divines who are engaged in these re- visions, and the worthy molives by which they have been influenced, I 8hall nevertheless venture to express my own opinions freely, and leave you to form your own judgment, according to the best infor- mation you can obtain from myself or from others. St. James informs us, that " Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day;" in other words, that appointed portions of the Pentateuch (and as we learn from St. Paul's address in 13th chapter of the Acts), of the Prophets also, were road on the Jewish Sabbath-days before the people. The fourth chapter of St. Luke supplies us with such a reading by our Lord himself. Following this godly custom of the Jews, the Christian Church in like manner ordered to be read select portions of the Old and New Testament. In the time of Archbishop Parker, Tables of Proper Lessons were introduced, which were nearly identical with those in our present Prayer Book, and they were settled in their present form in 1661. The (-ycie of Proper Lessons seems to have been formed on two very wise principles. First, it was desired to set before us the creation, the fall, and the conseque:icos of that fall ; the steps taken by God to procure our redemption ; the election of a peculiar p<'ople to preserve true religion in the earth, and to prepare the way for the fncaruation; and the conduct of that people, i or cherished '>w, even at ice. Every s of his own ig that will mt the place vti repeated tnitted can- that if you punctual in and as cler- e your duty ICO or I'esig- ;, you study or certainly will be sup- preccpts to > " Do unto t changes in Lectio nary, Bearing in in these re- influenced, freely, and best infor- I every city ly Sabbath Pentateuch r the Acts) , lays before vith such a torn of the road select Archbishop vere nearl}- ere settled IS seems to ras desired ;e8 of that he election th, and to >at people, OF THK DIOCKSE OV FKKl>LUICTON. 11 tlieir apostasy, and their puiiishmeiit, a- illustrations of God's deal- ings both with t'liurches and with individuals in Christian times. A second object in the selection of lessons, was to lix in the minds of the worshippers the chief truths of the (Jhiisiian Jleligion in due order, whether by prophecy, as during Advtnt and Epiphany, and on Whitsunday; or by type, as on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Trinity Sunday; or by history, a'; in the lessons in Holy Week. Fu'-ther, it is provided that the Old Tesiiinient should be read once, and the New Testament three times, in the daily course throughout the year. All will agree in the wisdom of tlusc. general principles, and in tiie value of the continual instruction llius given to the people at large. The chief thing to be regretted is, that both clergy and laity liave so little availed themselves of the inestimable privilege; the Bible being to the great mass of our congregations, a sealed book from Sunday to Sunday, and the priest teaching his flock by daily example, that the churcli i.s the only place where, during the week, l)rayer is never wont to be made ; and thi> while we vainly boast of an open Bible and an incomparable Liturgy. If we loved either the one or the other as vve think we do, we slionid undoubtedly make much more frequent use of both. In towns esj)eoially, there can be no suf- ficient reason why this should not be done. Now the very lact oj" a selection of pa.>sages from the Bible, jiroves that we consider the Church authorized to consider some i)0i lions ot the Bible as more instructive to a mixed C(jngregation than others. And even those who cling the niost closely to the divine authority of every syllable, can hardly refuse to admit that there are chapters which we would not willingly hear publicly read; and that ihere are others, mere listt ol names (I do not refer to the two geiealogios of our Lord, the public reading of which is defensible on <.ther grounds), which could serve no good purpose in being publicly recited. But if there be a selection at all, the Church has clearly a right to improve upon that selection, unless it c?,u be shewn to be incapable of amendment. The need of improv^unent rests, 1 believe, on the following grounds: Some lessons are read, especially in the daily service, which it is desirable to omit; not merely chapters, but whole Books of Scripture, are in the present Lociionary for no valid reason omitted. Among these is especiall} to bo noted the Book of Itevela- tion, which in its obscurest part> is no more obscure than some of the j)rophetical books, and can be no darker to us than their own piophecies were to the Jews. TIk^ selecilon of chapters to be read on Saints" Days i>, on many occasions mo>t unsuitable, there being no apparent leason why the chapteis sclcct<;d should be read rather than any other. Certain of the chapters selected from the Apocrypha I 12 A CHARGE TO THE CLERGY are unwisely chosen ; and lastly, the lessons are (in many instances) too long, and break in on the unity of a history, or a parable, or an exhortation, by various other matters which fail to leave a distinct impression on the mind. I feel compelled to admit the reasonable- ness of many if not all these objections, whilst at the same time one cannot help making the following (1 think) not unimportant obsei*- vations. The Bible is remarkable not only in the Old Testament but in the New, for its distinct mention and its plain condemnation of sins, the very name of which is painful. The spirit of the age leads men to hubh up all such matters, but to act in secret the vile things which it is afraid to speak of, and to hear condemned. As in this respect the Bible and the world are clearly at variance, nothing can be more dangerous to public morality than to refuse to read what the sacred writer has evidently recorded for the general good, and which will be in all probability unheeded in private, when the lesson is considered unfit for public reading. A clergyman who would close the book or substitute another chapter, when the chastity of Joseph is recorded for our instruction, if he would be consistent must cease to read the first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans ; and where are we to stop? I should regard this closing of the Scriptures as trifling with the Word of God, a kind of Protestant concealment of which a Romanist might be ashamed. A remark may also be made on the Apocryphal lessony. Admitting that there are a few parts of the Apocryphal Books which many will gladly see removed from the Lectionary, a very large portion of the rest contains lessons of the deepest wisdom ; and on comparing the Apocrypha with the Books of the New Testament, it is very remarkable that the sacred writers often make direct quotations from the Apocrypha ; or it seems that the description or exhortation given by the New Testament writer was first sketched out by the ancient Jewish authors. For instance, the conclusion of the 11th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is taken from the Book of Wisdom; the description of the heavenly city in the 2Ist chapter of the Revelations, from the 13th chapter of the Book of Tobit; and the very striking account of " the mul- titude that no man can number, clothed in white I'obes, with palms in their hands," is adapted from the 2nd Book of Esdras. The lesson in St. James' Epistle, against God tempting us to evil, is taken from the 15th of Ecclcsiasticus; and the " one day with the Lord is as a thou- sand years," the being ** swift to hear," the " weeping with those that weep," the "rerealing of mysteries to the meek," from the same Book, besides many turns of thought, and parts of sentences, which reappear in the New Testament ; and I make no question, that had the 2nd chapter of the Book of Wisdom been found in the Prophet Isaiah, it would have been considered as perfect a prophecy of the conduct of the Jews considere new Lect than too formed p Jews, an Testamei sons is n from Ad to which Trinity i have obv of Reveli kept aim and a re: It seems vices, th abridgin Book is shorten i Holy Sc rather t( tition ot single S mornim poor, ai hearing tomed too littl has bee comes 1 Lectioi become diligen fully tt lessons that th the les in the of the canno and tl that 1 sistinj OF THE DIOCESE OF FUEDERICTON. 13 any instances) parable, or an !ave a distinct the reasonable- same time one iportant obser- Testament but >ndemnation of f the age leads the vile things ed. As in this e, nothing can ' lead what the 3od, and which 1 the lesson is ho would close tity of Joseph snt must cease and where are ures as trifling 3nt of which a 3 made on the V parts of the )ved from the lessons of the ith the Books sacred writers i" it seems that tament writer For instance, the Romans ' the heavenly 13th chapter of " the mul- s, with palms I. The lesson aken from the I is as a thou- ith those that om the same iences, which I, that had the •ophet Isaiah, le conduct of the Jews towards our blessed Lord, as the 63rd chap, of Isaiah is justly considered at present. It may therefore be a question, whether the new Lectionary will not be found to have removed too much, rather than too Utile of those venerable Books, which though they never formed part of the Canon of Scripture, were highly esteemed by the Jews, and largely quoted and adopted by the writers of the New| Testament. In the new Lectionary, the change in the Sunday Les- sons is not so great as at first sight might be supposed, especially from Advent Sunday to Trinity Sunday ; and the general principles to which I have before adverted, are still strictly observed. After Trinity Sunday, the greatest change in the lessons occurs. But we have obviously a great gain in the insertion of lessons from the Book of Revelations, the Book of Job, and the Books of Chronicles, hitherto kept almost out of sight in public reading. It may be an objection, and a reasonable one, that some of the lessons will be found too short. It seems to me, that if the object were to shorten the time of the Ser- vices, that object would have been much more profitably attained by abridging the great number of State prayers by which our Prayei Book is burdened, or by a Ircsh arrangement of the Services, or by shortening the Sermon, than by lessening the number of verses of Holy Scripture which arc read. If the Lord's Prayer is repeated rather too frequently, much more unnecessary is the continual repe- tition of State Prayers, one of which would be amply sufficient for a single Service, but which now occur four or five times on a single morning. And considering the very few opportunitiei? which the poor, and indeed many others who are not poor, have of reading or hearing the Word of God, I think they will much miss their accus- tomed portion of the Sacred Word. Probably in other particulars, too little time has been given to the subject, and the Church at large has been less consulted than is desirable. However, if the Bill be- comes law, I fear we shall have no choice but to submit, as the new Lectionary will be inserted in all new Prayer Books, and it will soon become impossible to procure the old. I should advise the clergy diligently to study the new Lectionary on its first appearance, care- fully to observe when a discretion is givon them of choosing new lessons, and when it is withheld, and to be very particular in reading, that they begin and end with the right verses, as in the new selection the lesson often begins In the,middle or f i of one chapter and ends in the middle of another. If this is not read very carefully, the sense of the lesson will be lost. This is the first of the changes made ; I cannot say it is the last that will be attempted in our Prayer Book, and the prospect before us is a very serious one. We see too plainly, that all changes must pass through the ordeal of assemblies con- sisting in some part of unbelievers, and In great part, of men hostile 14 A ciiau<;l to thk cleugy or indifferent to our services; ixw^.. that a i»'reat number of legislators defer rather to wliat is po|)iihir thf.ii tThal is right; and that we are supposed to accept as much or as litile, as they in their collective wisdom think proper to leave us. If this yoke is to be made yet more heavy, and their little fingers are to be thicker than our fatliers' loins; if the voice of the Church is not to be heard, and the very foundations of the faith are to be tampered with, stibscription to the Formularie^ and Articles of the Churcn will become a matter for very serious consideration with every man who has hitherto believed in the connection of the Churcli of England with the past, and in her succession not only of holy Orders, but of holy Doctrine. " Suflficient however unto the day is the evil thereof;" when the trouble comes, we must pray for Divine light to see the right course to take, and for courage to take it. 1 may novv call your attenticn to another equally important mat- ter, the proposed revision of our English Translation of the Bible. 1 suppose few persons who have long read and loved their Bible — as I trust we all have — and have made it the subject of their daily study can think without serious misgivings of the necessity for re- vision, ard of the probable or possible consequences of revision, i^, ar English Translation is a household god (so to speak), among us. Its idiomatic felicity of expression, its true ring of sterling Saxon English, its charming rhythm, its memories which recall our youth- ful lessons, and suggest our holiest prayers, and linger on our lips as the last words we utter to those dearest to us when we bid farewell to earth, have given it a standing in our minds which approaches the idolatry of the letter. We forget that these are not the very words which our Lord and the inspired authors uttered. They are oidy an attempt, in all good faith, but an imperfect attempt, to reproduce their glory in a foreign — and to the original writer — a barbarian tongue. God has indeed signally blessed that attempt, but He has not been pleased to exempt the authors of our translation from the infirmities to which all men are liable. The Holy Spirit (I doubt not) blessed and assisted our translators as we may suppose he bless- ed the authors of the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament; but he no more made our translators good Greek scholars, than he gave to the Alexandrian Jews good Hebrew manuscripts. And as our blessed Lord and His Apostles read, and used, and quoted from a translation which, when compared with the Hebrew, is extremely imperfect, and yet it would be absurd to suppose that this translation was intended to preclude all further improvement; so we have done well to use our (in many respects) faithful translation ; but the time may come when amendment is clearly practicable, and if practicable, is a positive duty. It is not generally recollected, or perhaps gener- m. ally knov^ such attt idiomatic his rende Be this al translati^ than onel points m solutely alternati| the text; „ot readl lawfully But our ations. to us for in our v( ity is lit be refle( There Uahed I they gei by ;>.ny < miiller. thrown and tha phets, c the Ne more c light h Greek turns ( hold t( are bo and tl aimed less a Apos differ exact in th Tti adva race OF TIIK OIOCESK OF FUKDKRICTON. 16 ^f legislators 1 thuD we are Bir collective l^e made yet our fUtlieis' lid the very iptiou to tlie ter for verv believed in «'id ill iier "Sufficient uble comes, 5A''ife' us. ItH 'ing SaAon our youth- our lips as 'id farewell roaches the ^^n wordH lie oidy an leproduce barbarian "t He has ' ^I'om the (I doubt ' be bless- 'stanient; *> than he And as »ted from xtremely liiislation ave done tiie time cticable, »s gener- ally known, that the present translation is the fifth, not the first of such attempts in the English tongue; and if we owe much to the idiomatic version of Tyndale, in some places we have departed from his renderiiig, tu the injury rather than the improvement of the sense. Be this as it may, let it be remembered, that the history of English translations is a history of attempts to do well and to do better, rather than one sudden and permanent effort. It is a history which rather points the way to future improvement, than bars the road by an ab- solutely perfect success. The very fact that our translators adopted alternative renderings, some of which are in the margin and some in the text of our Bibles, and the better rendering is often that which is not I'ead to the people, would lead us to the conclusion that wo may lawfully revise both, if a still more accurate rendering can be found. But our duty to God must manifestly supersede all other consider- ations. The Bible, like the Christian Religion, is a trust consigned to us for the benefit of mankind ; and we are as much bound to fidelity in our version, as to the extension of the Christian Religion ; and fidel- ity is rightly shewn, when we allow the light which God gives us, to be reflected on the version and on the text of the Holy Scriptures. There can be no doubt that many of our translators were accomp- lished Hebrew scholars ; and in difficult passages it is evident that they generally leaned to the opinions of learned Jews, as may be seen by anyone who reads either the Commentary of Pococke or of Rosen- mnller. But it would be affectation to deny that great light has been thrown on various texts by the researches of modern commentators ; and that in the Rooks of Job, of Solomon's Song, and of the minor Pro- phets, our translation is capable of a much clearer sense. In respect of the New Testament, not only is the Greek language more studied and more critically known than in the time of our translators, but much light has been thrown on the peculiar phraseology of the Macedonian Greek in wliich the Apostles spoke and wrote, and the niceties and turns of thought are now more distinctly apprehended. Those who hold to the verbal inspiration of every syllable of the New Testament, are bound to reproduce the same in English, as far as is possible; and those who think that such verbal inspiration was not the object aimed at by the control and assistance of the Holy Spirit, must be no less anxious not to lose a particle of what our Lord said and the Apostles wrote, bu^ to reproduce it as correctly as a version in a different tongue can ever do ; though be it remembered, a perfectly exact reproduction of the original in another language is not possible in the most faithful translation, in all cases. It is doubtless a great convenience, and it is considered a paramount advantage to have one English Bible for the whole English-speaking race ; but it may be doubted whether this advantage, great as it is, 18 A CHARGE TO THE CLERGY has not beeu over-rated. The unity of the volume has not p" served us in unity of faith and practice. We apneal to the same texts, and to the same version of them, to support our respective differences; and scholars in the several communions in their arguments with each other, are never satisfied to abide by the translation even while they commend it, but invariably appeal to the original as superior, and to their own version as the best; so that even if a revised version should lead to other like attempts, which Is not cctain, that which Time proves to be the best will supersede the others, and Aaron's rod will swallow up their rods. These however are only possible or probable consequences. Duty is the first point; and fidelity to the text and to the version demands that we should make both as perfect as we can. Should it be still objected, that on this principle the version of the Bible may always be changing to the end of time, it may be answered that this is the history of the Bible from the beginning, as soon as the languages in which it is written ceased to be spoken and generally understood. A dead language can only be understood in a version. The present square Hebrew letter, with its accompanying vowel points, is a sort of version of the original character, in order to retain as much as possible, the ancient traditional proiiunciation and the use of the words. The Septuagint version was an attempt in a wider direction, to reproduce the original in a foreign language. 1.%q earli- est known version of the New Testament was in Syriac, made as early as the second century probably; but this was succeeded by others in the same tongue. Both Greek, Syriac, and Hebrew being dead languages to the Latin I'ace, the Versio Itala was made, the origin of which is lost in a^itiquity ; and it seems uncertain whether it was made in Rome or in the African provinces, as the first converts at Rome probably spoke Greek. Be this as it may, that version, though widely dispersed, popularly used, and considered by Saint Augustine as the best, was not the only Latin version. There were, it would appear, several others, which have long si ce disappeai'ed. The greatest step in advance, and in the way of wholesome progress, was made by Saint Jerome, the most learned of the Fathers, when he undertook to produce a version of the entire Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into the Latin tongue. It was expi'essly written in Latin in order that it might be more generally understood ; the Latin lan- guage being in the fifth century mere widely diffused (in Europe at least, for which he wrote), than any other. So successful was his attempt, that this translation rapidly took the place of every other ; and having at length received the sanction of two Popes, was with some emendations or alterations, adopted by the Roman Church as the one correct translation ; and in consequence of the sway of the Papal power (being called the Vulgate originally from its popular I character' Roman C (ret the de without it inferior recti y froi on a Iran remarkab quences tiiie — g» but defic oughly s strenuou the adva course t( Strange advantaj the Apoi the writ: this hast have no are not from th desire f< only P« ars mus able scl text ; t( to rest( looked of lexi nical t beside done > guage our tr tvast ' that t of Bi bette possi So the r our OF THE UIOCK3K OF FREDEUIUTON. 17 t p- served e texts, and differences ; ts with each wJiile they I'ior, and to •sion should »^hich Time n's rod wiJl or probable text and to as we can. sion of the e answered soon as the d generally I a version, "ig vowel 1" to retain ifid the use in a wider Ti^o earli- c, made as ■ceeded by •rew being made, the n whether t converts t version, by Saint ere were, appeared. progress, . wJien he I Hebrew in Latin iatin lan- ^urope at was his •y other; v^as with t^iurch as Y of the popular character was received and used, and is the present version of the whole Roman Church. No possessor of our English Translation ought to for- get the debt of gratitude he owes to St. Jerome for this version ; for without it it is probable that inferior materials would have produced an inferior English Translation ; and had no tran8lation been made di- rectly from the Hebrew, we might possibly have been still dependent on a translation from the Greek of the Septuagiut. It is certainly very^ remarkable, and reassuring to those who are alarmed at the conse- quences of a revision, to find so great a mind as is that of St. Augus- tine — greater in depth and original power tuan any of the Fathers, but deficient in scholarship and entirely ignorant ot Hebrew — thor- oughly shaken by the prospect of a revised translation, and most strenuously opposed to it, so little did that eminent man understand the advantages which would flow to all posterity from having re- course to the fountain head of all sacred learning, the Hebrew verity. Str&nge indeed it seems to us, that whilst he must have known the advantage of reading St. Paul's thoughts in the language in which the Apostle wrote them, he should not have applied the same test to the writings of Moses and the Prophets. We see, therefore, from this hasty and imperfect glance at the history of translations, that we have no cause to be alarmed at an improved English version. We are not now (as St. Jerome) proposing an entire new translation from the Hebrew; that has already been done. Nor is there any desire for an entirely new translation of any part of the Bible. The only purpose of the revisors is to correct those errors which all schol- ars must admit to be numerous and important; in the words of that able scholar. Canon Lightfoot, " to substitute an amended for a faulty text; to remove artificial distinctions which do not exist in the Greek ; to restore real distinctions existing in the original, which were over- looked by our translators ; to correct errors of grammar and errors of lexicography ; to revise the treatment of proper names and tech- nical terms; and to remove . few ambiguous or faulty expressions, besides inaccuracies of editorship in the English. All this may be done without altering the character of the version ; and if the lan- guage of our English Bible is not the language of the age in which our translators lived, but in its grand simplicity stands out in con- trast with the ornate and often affected diction of the literature of that time," (as we may see by comparing our Bible with the sermons of Bishop Andrews and Dr. Donne), " we may well believe that if a better model was possible in the seventeenth century, it is qnite as possible in the nineteenth." So much I have deemed it right to say, to allay needless alarm in the minds of any of yourselves or of your flocks, as to the future of // i^^i i{t4^ our English Version. Still I am bound to admit, that the project has 8 Id A CH VU(iK TO THK CLKROT I been taken np with more liastc, and i)rcsic(l with Ics.-, consideration t'oi tlic fecliiiLfs and inloro.'^ts of FOii;,''lish-s))oul\in<»' people living out of "^ ijihind, than was dosinible. Wlictlier it be that all real scholarship is upposed to be centred in men nurlnred in the En<,'lish Universities, or that as the present traii>]ation was made by Kn«>lish divines, it is tbonjiht the dnry of the world at lar;i^e to accept without reluctance or hesitation, the decisions ot Enirlish scholars; or whatever be the real cause, it is certain in my opinion that the excellent Bishops and divines who originated this movement, have been somewhat inattentive to the circnnistances and foeliiigs of the times. Jt is imi)08sible to overrate the ditlbrence between the days of James the First, when our translation was made, andof (^ueen Victoria. In the lirst instance, great power was centred in the royal will, great power was exercised by the Bish- ops; all the scholarship of England was united in a few minds easily directed to a conunon end; the England of those days was bounded by thecircund'erenceof the little island, and the rest of the world Avas occupied for the most part by the Roman Cominuiuon, to whom our tongue was as foreign as our religion. How is it imw? The tongue of the islands is spread abroad through the whole earth, but their political institutions have (in vast regions) ceased to hold their sway, and tlic influence of England is moral, rather than politically domin- ant and exclusive. In one part of the world a powerful, proud, and sensitive race has grasped the reins of Empire, and deals on equal terms with her who could once threaten and command. In sacred things, a wide-spread and loyally affected Church conspicuous for the education, the wealth and general intelligence of its members, has established itself on the old foundations, is proud of its ancestral and hierarchical descent, but in the true spirit of English freedom, " gives place by subjection, no, not for an hour," to the exclusive supremacy of English domination. In this great country a large body of other Christians is to be found, all using the English Bible, but more jealous than the Church of any attempt at dictation, and easily offended by any appearance of neglect. At the other side of the world two other vast territories are discov- ered, owning allegiance to the British Queen, but jealous of all that affects their rights, real or supposed, political or religious. I say nothing of such small spots of earth as that which we inhabit; sup- posed by the ignorance or the pride of most Englishmeu to be wild and inhospitable shores, where scholarship can find no refuge, and eloquence and learning will never seelc a home. Be it so ; yet we are men, we are Christians, we are churchmen. Is this a time to remodel (were it for the better) that goodly frame which holds ns all together, i without respectful consultation with at least some of the bodies I have (uai^.^'V:* America boasts her millions, and feels her power. She OF THE UIOCE&t OF FKKDKUICTON. 19 nnsiderntion living out of 'cliolarship is Universities, •livines, it is eluctunce or ' be the real iiiitl divines tntivetothe 3 to oven-ate n' translation f,n'eat powe r by the Bish- inlnds easily t'as bounded e world was whom our The tongue li, but their 1 their sway, ially dornin- ive race has ith her who v'idc-spread , the wealth tself on the lesccnt, but jection, no, omination. a be found, irch of any of neglect, are discov- of all that lis. I say abit; sup- to be wild 3fuge, and yet we are o remodel together, ies I have i^er. She numbers among her citizens many devout, earnest, shrewd and prac- tical churchmen, numy and diligent ^llulonls, many names of rennirk- ablo power, and some of considerable bibliiial learning. Was it wise to overlook them? Was it i)rudent, in the prospect of the success or failure of the attempt, with true official coldness, never even to notice them officially or collectively, till it was evident that they felt hurt by our silence, and to leave it to a single llisiiop to disclose what would have come gracelully from the whole assembled Episcopate, or from a body of scholars and divines in England in connection with the convocation of the Church, as an act of grave fraternal consultation? But when matters went far beyond this; when, without the general assent of the Churcli, the Committee of Kevision determined not only to associate with themselves members of various Nonconformist bodies, but to admit an advanced Unitarian to their Councils; when (as has been admitted) this resolution was carried only by a majority of one. and that, one was prevented by an infirmity of deafness from hearing what resolution he was voting for, we may surely require more serious deliberation than this; and when this fraternization was extended to Holy Communion with one who denies the Deity of our Lord, the Divinity and Personality of the Holy (Jhost, the Incar- nation of the Eternal Word, the existence of the Devil, the Atone- ment on the Cross, thus leaving Christianity deprived of all its supernatural mysteries, a shock was given to many thousands of devout churchmen in ' gland and in America which will not soon be forgotten. Some of t ic most distinguished Bishops in the United States have declined to take any i)art in the work, and none have expressed their willingness to join in it on such principles of com- munion. About four thousand clergy in England have united in a protest against so deplorable a departure from sound principle, in j which I am thankful to say our small body has very generally joined,! and I never have had one misgiving on the subject of that protest, j Looking to the strong language on the subject by St. John, in hisj sf^^ond Epistle, to the discipline of the Church in primitive times, to I ti:e course adopted in the Arlan controversy, to the general language of our own Creeds and Articles, I can come but to one conclusion, that one who denies the Dpity of the Eternal Son, and other like Articles of the Faith, ought not to be invited to Holy Communion with us, and that it is better not to associate ourselves with him at all in so sacred a work as the revision of the Holy Word, whose testi- mony he so manifestly rejects iu its plain, positive deductions. Some attempts have been made to justify this communion, and (as far as my knowledge extends) there has been no distinct and united repudiation of the act on the part of those whom we look to as guardians of the Faith. The personal character of the man, and 10 A CniAUOK TO TIIK CLKIMJT .his general reimtation for leftrninjf of a certain kind, have been more iconsidered apparently than the Faith of the Church. It has also been Raid, that there should be no theological bias in our translation of the [words of Hilly Scripture. All would agree that wo should translate faithfully, and according to the tenor of the record before us; bnt it" by theological bias in meant that we should enter upon the transla- tion as if we had no Faith at all, and as if wo were about to translate Horace or Thucydidcs, I cannot for a moment assent to such a propo- siiion. The meaning of the Greek or Hebrew words is indeed our first consideration ; but the meaning of those words is not determined by Lexicons only. New Testament terms are used in an Old Testa- ment sense. They are borrowed, not from classical authors, but from ancient Prophets and Psalmists. The very terms and ideas are wholly foreign to Pagan literature and are strictly theological. They tench a religion which has its own nomenclature; and the versions of the Bible cannot be separated from the history of the Church, for the Church was teaching orally before a word of the New Testa- ment was written. Thousands of Christians must have believed without being able to read, and probably in primitive times, and cer- tainly in medisBval times, the number of those who could not read was far greater than of those who were able to do so. It is no dis- paragement of the Scripture to say that in Old Testament and in New Testament days, there has ever been a Faith preserved and taught iu the Church botli before the Scriptures were written and since they have been written, and that these Scriptures confirm that Faith, whilst every one knows that the number of the Sacred Books is not determined by the Bible itself. Those then cannot be properly selected as translators who deny the fundamental Faith taught by the Church and confirmed by the Scripture. This will be called theological bias. I consider it to be a sound, christian, reasonable rule, from which we ought not to swerve. And though it has been said that St. Jerome, in his translation, had recourse to the interpi*e- tations of learned Jews, as indeed had the authors of our own ver- sion, yet those Jews were not made associates in the work on equal terms, much less were they admitted to communion with the holy Blather; and to my mind, the Jew has as much claim to communion as the Unitarian, and the Mahometan as the Jew. For the Jew, if he could believe that Jesus was the Messiah, would own his Deity ; and the Mahometan already believes that Jesus is a great Prophet and a good man, which is all that tiie Unitarian believes. But neither of them is capable of Christian Communion while they reject the teach- ing of the Apostles of our Lord. I fear I have detained you too long on this subject; but it is very important, and I have been desirous to put it as clearly before you as I could. OF THK DIOUKSE OF niEDEIUCTON. fl ve been more has also been s'ation of the uld translate »'o us; but if » the transla- t to translate uch a propo- 8 indeed our t determined » Old Testa- autJiors, but "d ideas are ffical. They nmdc no alluKion, as you inr.st liave perceived in this Ad- dress, to some of the controvorKles of the day, of which, if a man does not l interest ic service idler from ', beariiur lie graces wo desire most to be imparted, Whei'cvcr this service was used, it met with acceptance among the people, and appeared to be a help to reverence and devotion. In doing so, 1 only pursued tlie plan universally adopted in all primitive Churches, and partially and frequently pursued in our own Church in England, and amangst ourselves, that on special occasions the Bishop of each (Jhurch is authorized by his oflBce to assist the devotions of the faithful by special prayers. This is a truly Catholic jjriuciple, which I am not prepared to surrender. If it had not bc(!ii recognized every where, we should have had no Liturgy at all, and specially no Litany. On every occa- sion of general humiliation or general thanksgiving, I have drawn up similar forms of Prayer, which have been used in all our Churches without hesitation, though neither laLitied by our Statutes nor found in our Prayer Book, and the ol)jcction comes too late. The practice has already grown into a usage, and that usage is universal ; for iu England every Bishop draws up similar prayers on special occasions, and not only does every Bishop use a form ofConsercation not recog- nized by the Act of Uniformity, nor found in the Book of Common Prayer, but every Bishop uses his own special form by virtue of the Apostolic power inherent in liis office. I am aware that a Statute of this Province lias been appealed to, which inflicts the grave penalty of deprivation on all who use any other service than that found in the Prayer Book. But it is no disrespect to the framers of the Statute who adopted the clauses from the Act of Uniformity, to say, that it was made when no Bishop had been consecrated here or was con- templated, and that it never could have been intended to deprive the Churcli of those privileges which tlie possession of a Bisliop confers upon the people at large. In those very early days. Confirmations were hardly to be obtained. Consecrations of Churches were hardly known, Churcli Assemblies could not be expected, and the only notion that prevailed was to re- strain men by severe penalties from falling into entire anarchy. Now that we have a regular order of Church government, the con- struction of such Statutes must not be pressed too closely. For there is not a Church in the Province (and they are more than a hundred in number), nor in any of the other Provinces, which lias not been consecrated in tlie teeth of the Statute; the Service used is not pro- vided for by the Prayer Book; has proper Psalms, Lessons, and Collects of its own; and as you liave all taken part in such Services, and some of you will be again calling for them, you ought all at this moment to have been deprived, and be as if you were dead. My wonder is, that intelligent persons who desire that all possible life and vigour should be imparted to the Church, consistently with an orderly manner of devotion, should not see that an occasional depart- 24 A CU\U(}K TO THK CLl!:R<;Y I lire from the one fixed oidor, at a special time and for a special pur- pose only, and in liaitnony with tho principles of our Piayer Book, and under the direction of tlie Chief Pastor of the Church, rather tends to increase our reverence for our usual form of Prayer than to diminish it. One more matter I may very briefly mention, antl it alludes to the occasional offices, viz., that all tlie baptisms, burials, and marriages in your parishes be regularly entered in a suitable register boolj, re- cognized as the property of the parish. There has been a custom into which some clergymen liave fallen, of making such entries in a pri- vate book of their own, mixed up with i)rivate memorandums of their own aflfairs. Great public inconvenience and injury have re- sulted from such a practice, and as it is much to be blamed, 1 desire that you will all entirely and for ever abandon it. I trust also, that you will be very careful to institute inquiries of those who come to be married, in reference to their consanguinity and whatever else is needful to be inquired into, especially if they come from another parish or Diocese. I speak advisedly on this point, for not only have there been rumours of persons being married in our Cliurch within the prohibited degrees, but two cases have occurred within my knowledge, in which J do not mean to throw the blame on the clergy, of op^n sin, one of which has brought ruin and misery on an innocent family. I cannot but think if due care were taken, and all persons were married as tiie Church directs, that such guilty people would shrink from the danger of public exposure in the Church. And now, dear Brethren, before I dismiss you, bear with me, if as briefly as the subject admits, I venture to give you some fatherly ad- vice, which in my judgment is profitable for your soul's health. Many of you have met often in Visitation. We have seen our breth- ren, one by one, called to the dread presence of our God, and the account of their life's labours on earth summed up and closed for ever. We liave a little longer to remain, but the lines of our hand- breadth are visibly shortening; the things that are seen will soon be the shadows that are past, and the things that are not seen the lights of the Eternal world. Once more then, I press upon you Progi^eas. Progress in your spiritual life. Not only Ix; more earnest in prayer and more frequent in prayer, but let the stamp on your rsharacter be that of heavenly intercourse. As the face of Moses shone with a heavenly radiance, when he (!ame down from the mount, so let it be seen that you have drawn nigh to God by the increasing reverence, humility, sincerity and simi)licity of your character, and by that tender devotion in sacred things, which it is impossible for the worldly-minded I'astor to Imitate, and that thoroughly single mind i OF THE DIOCESE OF FUEnEUICTOX. 25 pedal pur- fvyer Book, rch, rather yer than to udes to the marriages r book, re- ustom into s in a pri- andums of y have re- ed, 1 desire it also, that ho come to ver else is )m another V not only >ur Churcli ired within lame on tlie isery on an ien, and all lilty people 'hurch. Hi me, if as fatherly ad- iil's health, our breth- od, and the closed for our hand- bill soon be I the lights t in prayer liiractor be •ne with a o let it be reverence, id by that le for the ngle mind without which tlie most ostentatious piety is but darkness; and ** how great is that darkness? " Progress in your Pastoral work. Let this be proved by the earn- estness and lite of your discourses ; by your tlirowiug yourselves into the spirit and marrow of Scripture, rather than in making broad your phylacteries by mere repetitions of the letter of Scriplurc; by your faithful, affectionate, hearty, and pains-taking intercourse with your flocks; encouraging tlie weak, warning the unruly, toaching the young children, stopping the mouths of the i)rotiUic and dissolute, and building up, not destroying, the foundations ot tin; Faith for all. Progress in your acquirements of learning, fur the Gospel's sake. That you may know wliat the dlfliculties of the times are, and may be able to encounter them manfully and solidly; that yt)u may gain some new learning every year; giving attendance to reading, to meditation, till tlie Lord come; remembering that you cannot be innocently ignorant of Avhat a layman need not know; and that if your office binds you to explain the Scripture to others, your duty is to master its sense, and to search it as for hid treasure, not to be con- tinually repcatin<; truths of an elementary character. Progress in your Parishes. That in the midst of all the irrellgion which abounds, many may be seen clinging to your side, and with you, fearing not to believe the faith and practise it; that your cliurches may be more frequently, and in town parishes, daily open for prayer: the Sacraments more frequently and more reverently administered, and your people not slumbering in the i)rejudices of the past; not longing for the shadows that have departed, but active to supply the present needs of the Church, and helping themselves and you by a faithful, honest, manly and energetic piety. Once more, I exhort you to reverence, thatgracie the most wanting, in an age of real or fancied light. Reverence in all your sacred offices will never be lost sight of, when the pastor lives, and works, and prays, as in the presence ot (iod; and without this constant sense of the Dhdne presence, the very handling of the Divine Mysteries begets irreverence ; and the intelligent ind devout layman witnesses with dis- gust slovenly reading, careless manner, unpunctual attendance, and above all, the unworthy celebration of the Lord's Supper, as if any thing were good enough for that blessed 1 sst, and the more slovenly the manner, the more si»lritnal the action. If the liubrics of our Church are carefully observed, their spirit is so reverent, that irrev- erence in the I'riest would seem impossible ; but such neglect is by no means an unusual error. Thus children learn irreverence from their youth; their elders set (hem no example, and the offices of the Church are not done unto God as acts of worship, but are done unto man as ceremonies which lend dignity to those who condescend to patroni/e 26 A CnAUGE TO THE CLERGY fhem. Remember the ^70l'ds which were once said over you, and to which lime only adds a fuller, deeper meaning — "Receive the Holy Ghost, lor the office and work of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands." These words are living truths, not dead formalities ; and it were better for us never to have heard them, than by the actions of our life and ministry to deny them ; and there can be none who ought to praj"" to be delivered from the unpardonable sin more than the clergy, for of them to whom God has ** committed so much," lie will surely " aslc the more." Once more, I exhort you to unity and charity. I do not mean that you, more than any other body or men, can be absolutely united in judgment on every point; but a good deal may be done to pi'omote this end by those who strive for unity, and who do not factiously separate from their bretliren, or secretly cabal against them. " The same spirit," into which (as the Apostle says) " we were all bap- tized," is freely given to us all. "We have the same Scriptures, the same Creeds ; we were born witlxin the same Church, and have de- clared that the whole Prayer Book we use is agreeable to the Word of God. If we were thoroughly taught by the Blessed Spirit of God, there is no doubt that we should all be, as the denizens of Heaven are, in all things one. But as by the imperfection of our nature this cannot be at present, at least let us believe the best we can of each other; and not only practise the usual courtesies of life, but use no terms which imply that other clergy neither believe nor understand the Gospel, neither pray for, nor are taught by the Spirit of God. In the free discu^^sion of our Synod, we shall have much need of charity. There will be of necessity, as there was in the first Council, " much disputing," but there need be no breach of unity. And let us learn wisdom from other quarters, to keep our discussions to our- selves, and not «^xpose our weakness to the outside world. We are weak enough already ; we do not need to excite the contemptuous pity of others, by taking the whole community into confession. Whenever we have mastered the principles, and adopted the practice of the 13th chapter of St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, we shall be a strong Church; strong in our unselfish and forbearing love; strong in our untiring and spiritual devotion. It has pleased God to allow me for more than twenty-six years to preside over you, and during that long period I have to bless His goodness tor an unusual measure of health, and to thank you, and many of the laity, for cheerful and ready hospitality in my journeys, and for many other kind offices of love. Unlike the blessed Apostle, I have not gone Irom place to place knowing that ** bonds and afflic- tions await me," but rather encouragement and respect, and though I occas] tainei autho vision single other from f and k and if may -^ the po left an ^1" , and to ive the of God, These itter for life and praj"^ to r, iov of ly " ask Ban that nitcd in pi'omote ctiously "The all bap- ires, the liave de- le "Word of God, Heaven ture this of each t use no ierstand of God. need of Council, And let to our- We are nptuous fession. practice ans, we bearing years to ess His ou, and mrneys, \.postle, d afllic- though OF THE DIOCESE OF i>BEDERICTON. 27 1% occasionally hard things have been said and unjust suspicions enter- tained of me, I have, I hope, outlived many of tlicm, and I wish their authors no worse than a wider grasp of truth and a less contracted vision. I have also much reason to rejoice that I cannot recall a single act of discourtesy and unkindncss from the members of any other religious body. On the contrarj', I thankfully acknowledge from some, who do not belong to our Communion, acts of sympathy and kindness, and general respect to my office from many more; and if a nearer, dearer fellowship is hardly to be expected on earth, may we at last meet where a true understanding will be given us ef the points on which we have differed, and there will be ''no room left among us cither for error in religion, or for viciousness in life." ^ s) H. A. CROPLEY, PUINTKU, FREDERICTON, N. U.