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I*i'/~l 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 TO THE 
 
 i 
 
 Clergy of the Archdeaconry of York, 
 
 BY THE HONORABLE AND VENERABLE 
 THE ARCHDEACOJ^ OF TORK- 
 
 DELI» V.AED AT TORONTO ON AVBDNESDAT T«E l?**^ SEPTEMBER, 1831. 
 
 My Reverend Brethren, -^ The meeting- of I 
 the Clergy of (he Established Churcii of this \ 
 Province, held, in October last, under th'>ir 
 two Archdeacun8,iu the absence of the Bi<hop, 
 may, with great piopriely, be considered an 
 era in our Ecclesiastical History. 
 
 The measures then considered and agreed 
 upon have been carried out or put in opera- 
 tion with as much diligence and bffect as 
 time and opportunity, or their nature end 
 character, permitted. 
 
 A most gracious answer has been received 
 from our late beloved Sovereign to the Ad- 
 dress which we adopted and sent to the Se- 
 cretary of State for the Colonies to be pre- 
 sentee! ; — and we are encouraged to hope that 
 the Diocese will be divided, and that this 
 Province, at no distant period, will be placed 
 under the superintendence of its own Bishop. 
 In regard to annual Convocations notliing 
 material has been effected from the absence 
 and feeble health of our late excellent Dioce- 
 san. His Lordship was too far gone in the 
 distemper which has since removed him to 
 his place of rest, to permit of his examining 
 the comrnunications which were directed by 
 the meeting to be placed before him. 
 
 The great merits of Bishop Stewart are so 
 well known to you, my Reverend Brethren, 
 that I feel it impossible to add to what your 
 hearts and recollectiocs will of themselves 
 readily suggest. In bis Lordship were com- 
 bined a frankness of disposition, an honesty 
 of purpose, and a coD8cie:i(iou8 anxiety to 
 
 promote the welfare and interests of the 
 Church, which attracted the most general re- 
 gard. He was literally worn out in the ser- 
 vice of religion. Before his elevation to the 
 Euisctipnte, he had, for many years, been 
 travelling Missionary through the whole of 
 this vast Diocese.-cxposed to the vicissitudes 
 and privations of the weather, intolerable 
 roads, and a partially settled country. Never- 
 theless he went on his way rejoicing; and his 
 arrival at any of our numerous stations was 
 hailed by the resident Minister as a sort of 
 jubilee and felt to be a blessing. The sincere 
 kindness of his disposition never failed to be- 
 get confidence and esteem. It was easy to 
 see that his heart was wholly in the work of 
 spreading the Gospel according to the forms 
 and principles of our Apostolic Church, of 
 which he was so zealous a servant and so 
 bright an orrament: His plainness of speech 
 and primitive simplicity of chaiactcr gained 
 him the confidence and esteem of all denomi- 
 nations of Christians, for all were convinced 
 of his faithful and hearty devotion to the cause 
 of true religion, and were ready to receive 
 him in his journeys with affectionate wel- 
 come. His disinterestedness in all he dit, 
 and the delight he enjoyed in doing acts of 
 kindnesii to his Ciergjr will be long most 
 gratefully remembered. In our hearts he 
 still dwells, and well will it be for us to fol- 
 low the gcdly purity of his character and con- 
 versation. 
 The subject of an annual Convocation be- 
 
 1 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
8 
 
 ing still in abeyance, it was deemed ini3xpe- 
 dient to convene a general meeting of the 
 Clergy during this summer ; but for the pur- 
 pose of procnriiig brotherly communication 
 and a good understanding amon^ the Breth- 
 ren, the Archdeacons resolved to meet in 
 (beir respective Archdeaconiies, and, by 
 means of a deputation, it was hoped that the 
 same community of opinion and sentiment 
 wouM be obtained as if all had assembled in 
 one body. 
 
 Next season, the Lord Oishnp of Montreal 
 will, no doubf, extend his visits to this Pro- 
 vince, for the purpose of exercising his Epis- 
 copal functions, and will, in all probability, 
 assemble the Clergy and favour us with bis 
 opinion on the subject of a Convocation. It 
 is matter of joyful coneratulation lo have, as 
 it were, one of ourselves placed over the 
 Church in the Canadas ; — one who knows so 
 well the privations, and difficulties, and per- 
 plexities with which the Missionary has to 
 contend, and who has already given so many 
 proofs of his anxious zeal to promote the in- 
 fluence of true religion, and whose mildness 
 of disposition and promptness in performance 
 of duty offpr the most pleasing anticipations. 
 
 In recrard to the encouragement and sup- 
 port of Missions, a step has been taken m 
 accordance with the recommendation of the 
 meeting which promises the most happy and 
 extensive results. 
 
 The Rev. Messrs. Batlridge and Cronyn 
 were authorized last winter, to proceed to 
 England on this business. They were di- 
 rected, however, to go by the way of Lower 
 Canada, to consult with the Bishop of Mon- 
 treal on the propriety of taking such a j 'Ur- 
 ney to solicit donations in behalf of the 
 Church oi the Diocese, and to procure his 
 Lordship's countenance, and such additional 
 authority as he might think necessary. The 
 Bishop of Montreal received ihe Deputation 
 roost kindly— examined such of their docu- 
 ments as the shortness of the time permitted, 
 — bidding them God speed, and promising to 
 send letters after them to his friends in Eng- 
 land. The Deputation was graciously re- 
 ceived by the Archbishop of Canterbury and 
 the heads of (he Church. They have held 
 
 Jublic meetings at Cambridge, Oxford and 
 jondon, and are succeeding in procuring 
 subscriptions for the support of Missiona- 
 ries and for the building and endowing of 
 Churches. 
 
 Their exertions have attracted very con 
 siderahle attention, and the leadinp journal 
 of England, perhaps of Europe, very forci- 
 bly remarks that "while the expediency nt 
 'imparting Christian instruction to the Idol- 
 " ators of India it universally recognised by 
 «' the friends of humanity and religion, the 
 " latter can never doubt tiiat (he stated sup- 
 " ply of divine ordinances am)ng our own 
 *• countrymen, whether at home or in the Co- 
 " loiifcs, is a matter of superior urgency and 
 •' importance. We are satisfied that the re- 
 *' tention of the Canadian Provinces depends 
 " mainly upon the retention of British fcel- 
 « ings a>d haLits among the Inhabitants; — 
 " the conviction which we have long enter- 
 « tained as to the expediency of increasing 
 « our Ecclesiastical force in that Colony has 
 " only gathered strength from the appeals 
 "and representations on (he subject now tub- 
 " mitted to tht public. The case indeed ap- 
 " pears to be one of peculiar urgency." 
 
 The recommendation respecting the edu- 
 cation of young men for the Ministry has not 
 been lost sight of, and it is hoped some ar- 
 rangement may be made in (hat behalf with 
 the University of King's College, without 
 being very burlhensome lo (he Church. A 
 facimy of Divinity In connection with (he 
 Established Church may be attached pr be- 
 come part of that Institution, and as it is in 
 contemplation to add a Professorship of Di- 
 vinity for the benefit of the Scotch Church so 
 soon as the University shall be in actual op- 
 er8*'~'n, no particular difficulty is to be appre- 
 hei ji. 
 
 The most alarming part of this important 
 subject is that there are very few young men 
 in the Colony looking forward to the Clerical 
 profession. Parents are debarred by the 
 great poverty of the Church, from directing 
 the attention of their children to the sacred 
 profession. It is nevertheless essential to the 
 true interests of religion, to have a well edu- 
 cated Clergy, for, without learning, they can- 
 not discharge with fidelity the functions of 
 that high office. 
 
 The Bible consists of Narratives, Prophe- 
 cies, Psalms and Letters,— in which the di- 
 vine Doctrine is not delivered in nuked and 
 simple propositions, but on the contrary, re- 
 quires a sound judgment to separate its gene- 
 ral truths from the particular circumstances 
 in which they ate involved. The sacred vo- 
 lume consists not of Articles or Catechisms, 
 
but declaraliona, made on certain occasow, 
 and the dealings ol God wilh certain nations 
 J?individual8 5 and from Ihem U » required 1 
 Z deduce the peculiar principles or doctrines 
 which constitute the Christian system. 
 
 hich constitute me \-iirii»"«"°j -"••-: 
 Had the scriptures been left entirely to 
 themselves, without any authoritative inter- 
 pretation, we maysee. from the conduct of 
 the various sects around us, who all claim 
 even for the most wild and opposite opinions 
 the support of Scripture, that the true doc- 
 trine never could have b^en discovered. 
 
 Now this dangerous contusion was most 
 carefully guaid« J against by our Lord and 
 his disciples. Our Saviour selected the 
 Apostles to b.^ always with him and after- 
 wards the Seventy -To these men he gave 
 authority to preach, and he Provided the 
 means of their perpetuation as a separate class. 
 The first of this class hearu the doctrine of 
 the Gospel from the mouth of the Apostles, 
 and were carefully instructed how o teach 
 ?he s^me toothers: They were supplied wi h 
 he forms of sound words in the most ample 
 manner, and the writings composed by the 
 Apostles and their immediate disciples are 
 
 ''"polvc'am was instructed by the Apostles 
 and was n the society of many who had 
 Jeen The Lord .-he taught the form of sound 
 words handed down ly ft. John, and 
 Shour Church, at this d«/» t««^<=»'" '" 
 Til their purity, and he sealed them w.h his 
 blood, as an illusfrious and glorious Martyr. 
 From the earliest period.including the Apos- 
 toic age, Creeds, Articles, and Canons were 
 adoctea in the teaching of the Church, in order 
 fo secure her membc.s against P"t'cu«r er- 
 rors, and render them familiar with the true 
 Faith. And, in the present age, how are 
 Clergymen, unless competently »«"«««'' *» 
 become acquainted with the knowledge of he 
 state and succession of/he doctrine of the 
 Church, and to contend;for the faith once de- 
 Hvered to the Saints? Even St. Vaul. not- 
 withstanding his great abilities and thorough 
 TnstruSn fn the taw. found it necessary after 
 bis conversion to read ai.d meditate upon the 
 Scriptures, and to seclude himself for this 
 study several years before he assumed the cJ- 
 fice ofapublic instructor. Surely then, it 
 this eminent Apostle required to make use of 
 such diligent exertioni to prepare bimsell lor 
 the great work of preaching tl.e Gosoel, how 
 much more need have we of mucli study, 
 
 niayer, and mcditalion ? God docs not supply, 
 Py Sacles, natural deficiencies vvhich cure 
 ami industry may remedy, «"d y.«' ^KJ'Jf ' 
 then of our proJassion has been infinitely in- 
 creased. In^deed, all that --'ZTXc:". 
 the Apostles' time, and «"«•» mow W-^d^fa 
 sary now ; and it is only ^. be «VP^»««{; »^ 
 humble dependence on Divine power, by a 
 superior eaucation, extensive reading, and 
 deep meditation. W«> must not tj«[«|«" "'^ 
 sight of this recommendation, but do all e 
 1 can to secure to our Church the benefit of a 
 
 '"-JTime^lr^nJi permitted, nor perhaps does 
 the situation of tlbe Clergy at P^^^^nJ ««^^ »^ 
 expedient, to take any measures «r cimg 
 the Establishment of a Widows' H und, but 
 he subject and its further consideration caQ 
 be very easily resumed in more prosperouB 
 
 ^"In'deference to the recommendation of the 
 assembled Clergy, a Journal fo' .^f '^'ng [J- 
 
 ligious intelligence, in con^^^^'" ri** i°^ 
 Church ol England, has boen established and 
 we are under the greatest obJig^^'O'^ /.^/^^^ 
 Rev. Gentleman who has undertaken the ar- 
 duous task of being Editor for the fi"l year. 
 Of his superior talents and fitness for so 
 tVoublesome an office there can be but one 
 
 ^'''Poubts have been enteriained by persons 
 wbuse o|,inions merit respectluUonsideration, 
 regarding the propriety of making use of the 
 pllic pFess lor the dissemination of religious 
 knowledge ; but in what way are we to coun- 
 teract error and diffuse the I'uths °f ^^^^^f" 
 pel among such as never or seldom come to 
 Church, o?who have no opportunities of ob- 
 taining information on Christian Doctrine from 
 their local situation, if ih. Press be not em- 
 
 ^^Ivery one knows that the most dangerous 
 errors a?e, at this moment, propagated through 
 the Province with alarming success. In the 
 oresent state of religion in the Colony, it is 
 K "o s duce into erFor a l^'ge portion of the 
 population who are not grounded m the prin- 
 ffis of Christianity, and have had no oppor- 
 fun ty of acquiring religious kno^l^dg?- Tje ' 
 at en^ion is attracted by novelties, which their 
 
 ?nven ors endeavour to conceal under the a^- 
 inventors enj««v ^g jj^^j^ 
 
 SXth ttt'ensToKhe 
 
 fo supWL pilly . ^ Bewildered by a j ausibl 
 
 sophistry which they are unable to detect or 
 
•ptll 
 
 expose, tbey arc silenced by bold assertions 
 which they are unable to disprove. 
 
 In fact, the people, scattered as (hey neces- 
 sarily must be i*^ <i netv country like this, are 
 not only destitute of the information necessary 
 for seli-defence, but of all the mean^ of ac 
 quiring it, and are therefore apt to become the 
 adherents of every species of error prepared 
 fur thf ir acceptance. It is not uncommon to 
 find people who have professed many diQbrent 
 forms of Christianity, changing from one de- 
 nomination to another, till (hey make a total 
 shipwreck of the (aith, and at length discard 
 religion altogether. 
 
 Some teach Christianity, mutilated and di- 
 vested ofaimost every thing which distinguish- 
 es the faith of the Messiah from mildelily. 
 Many who, with better opportunities, might 
 be ornaments of society, sink into total indif- 
 ference to all religious opinions, and too fre- 
 quently become regardless of (he common 
 principles of morality. The only way to 
 meet many of these evils, in the present limit- 
 ed power of the Church, is to employ the 
 press. 
 
 It is, indeed, the only expedient that we 
 can adopt in order to withstand the progress 
 of error in many places where we are unable 
 to carry the Gospel sound. To place, by 
 means of our weekly Journal, true informa- 
 tion on religious subjects in the hands of (he 
 people is an effectual means of arresting the 
 progress of error. It will enable many to 
 form their opinion with judgme> (o detect 
 false principles, and at length to contend ear- 
 nestly for the faith. 
 
 And while our Journal, in this manner, 
 furnishes an increase of Christian Knowledge, 
 among all classes of the community, it, at the 
 same time, vindicates truth and elevates (be 
 common st:indard of mui'ul<;. 
 
 In addiiion to the disst^mination of the pu- 
 rest Christianity, the Press may be made still 
 more efficient ihan the Pulpit in removing the 
 bitter and unfounded prejudices against thn 
 Church, which are sedulously propagated 
 throughout the Colony. No denom^nition 
 miifcrs so much as we do from this cause, 
 poubtless, much of this bitterness arises from 
 ignorance of our forms and doctrines, and the 
 grounds on which tJiey rest; but they are not 
 the less injurious because unjust. They beget 
 jealousy, and a spirit of resUess und rancorous 
 hostility : in some, superstitious aversion ; in 
 others, a self-righteous coutt^mpt. Even 
 
 many of our own members in the back settle- 
 ments, conscious of the unfavorable light in 
 which our Church is viewed by other dertomi- 
 nations, waver in their attachment to her cause 
 — love her with a divided affection — and sup- 
 port her interests by languishing efforts. It 
 will be the business of (he Journal to direct 
 the spirit of religious inquiry to the principles 
 and usages of the Church, and furnish the in- 
 formation which it demands. From such in- 
 vestigations our Church has every thing to 
 hope and nothing to fear : the faith of her 
 children will be confirmeil, and their extor- 
 tions animated ; the prejudices of ignorance 
 will be subdued or removed, ai>d tha tonguo 
 uf slander put to silence. 
 
 In accordance with the recomneodation of 
 the assembled Clergy, your Archdeacons 
 petitioned the Lieutenant Governor and the 
 other two brandies of the Legislature to au- 
 thorise the introduction of an additional co- 
 lumn in tha rolls of the next assessment, in 
 order that the religious persuasion of the in- 
 habitants might be inserted therein. The 
 measure, owing to the press of business, has 
 not yet been adopted ; but, as it is our in- 
 tention to renew the application, it is hoped 
 that during the next session of tha Logisia- 
 ture it will become a law. Indeed the in- 
 formation is so useful and so generally wish- 
 ed for, that no opposition need be apprehen- 
 ded. The Church has suffered much from 
 the misstatements of her vncmies respecting 
 her numbers, and though certainly the most 
 numerous denomination in the Colony, we 
 have been again and again represented as the 
 lowest. 
 
 There lies before me a religious analysis 
 of the Members of the present House ol As- 
 sembly which appeared in one of our most 
 respectable journals,and which has never been 
 contradicted, in which I find thirty-six out of 
 siXtytwo, the whole number of Kepresenta- 
 tives, given to the Church of £ngland, whiio 
 five only are assigned lo the Church of 
 Scotland. Now were we to take these mem- 
 bers as indicating the relative proportion of 
 the two churchbs, it would not I apprehend 
 be found very far from the truth. It is admit- 
 ted that the same Journal gives four members 
 to Presbyterians not of (he Jhurch of Scot- 
 land, and therefore the Piesbyterian denorai- 
 nitioD taken generally counts nine or ten Re- 
 prest;ntalive3,butthe Kirk repudiates the other 
 Presbyterians, and cannot therefore take crs- 
 
(lit for any more than their own five, or I be- 
 lieve from a recent vacancy, -ix Represen- 
 
 tdtiVGS* 
 
 Th«r« are other grounds of approximaling 
 to a just estimate of our relative numbera. 
 The first selllers in the Province being L . t,. 
 l^oyaiislB were principally members of the 
 Clmrch of England, and since that period the 
 number of Kniigrants from the United King- 
 dom has doubtless borne a proportion to the 
 various religious denominations of the parent 
 Stale. Now of the twenty-lour millions 
 which the three kingdoms are said to contain 
 fix are supposed to be Roman ( atholics, four 
 rresbylerians and other Protestant sects, and 
 fourteen, including the Wesleyan Methodists, 
 of the Church of England. It is, therefore, 
 sufficiently clear that the Emigrants must 
 bear a proportion to the respective churches. 
 It is not asserted nor is it necessary to con- 
 tend that such proportion is exact, but it is 
 matter of demonstration and agreeable to cono- 
 roon sense, that a mucib greater number wiU 
 emigrate from fourteen than from four mil- 
 lions. But our de«ire is lo set this matter at 
 rest by ascertaining in a legal way the exact 
 nuuibtr of each denomination, and not leav- 
 ing it to mere conjecture. 
 
 I regret that my duly to you. my Brethren, 
 and the tranquillity of our Church, compels 
 me to proceed to the notice of a subject 
 which I would have most willingly avoided, 
 namely the opposition to the Rectories whicti 
 existed at our general meeting in October 
 last, and which we then thought, from its tol- 
 ly and injustice, would soon pass away. It 
 is a painful subject 4" very difficult to deal with 
 in chrislinn charity, as it has been sedulously 
 continued by the Clergy and members of the 
 church of Scotland in a spirit by no means 
 commendable. I shall, however, touch upon 
 its history from its commencement to the 
 prcse.it time as gently m truth will allow.— 
 The Synod of ihe Presbyterians in connexion 
 with the Church of Scotland recommended to 
 their dirtercnt cona;ri!gations that they should 
 meeiaod adopt petitions to the Frovincial 
 Legislature against the Rectories. This 
 was accordingly done, and the Petitions, as 
 might have been expected, when ur^ed by 
 such authority, were in general conceived in 
 language of unnecessary bilterness and hosti- 
 lity. You are aware, my Reverend Brethi^n, 
 that the contest respecting the Clergy Re- 
 sci VPS was begun many years ago by (be meoa* 
 
 bers of the Kirk, and has been persevered in 
 10 this day with increasing violence and per- 
 tinacity. For a time they made a common 
 cause with other denominations against the 
 Church, and some of the petitions, besides 
 the destruction of the Rectories, still pray 
 for the division of the Reserves among all 
 sects, or their appropriation to the general 
 nuri-oses of education ; or i« other words, lor 
 the support of inadelity, for education, sa- 
 paraled from religion,can lead to nothing else. 
 In consequence of the great number of pe- 
 titions presented to the House of Assembly 
 on this subject at the commencement ot the 
 last session, they were referred to a select 
 Committee to report upon their prayer. An- 
 other select committee was also named to re- 
 port upon the best mode of disposmg of the 
 Clergy Reserves. . . , a 
 
 It is not necessary lo enter into a minute de- 
 tail of tho proceedings of the House on the 
 reports presented by these two Comroittees,-- 
 or the violent elToris made to destroy the only 
 provision for the dissemination of pure Gos- 
 pel principles existing in the Coiony, as they 
 have yet failed ; but on looking over tho 
 diflferent divisions, it is most afflicting to see 
 that some of the most lurious opposersof the 
 Church and the most eager to depriva her of 
 her vested rights pretend to belong to her 
 communion. Not so the members of the 
 Kirk, for ihey not only uphold their church, 
 but seek to enrich her by every exertion m 
 their power, and Dtver for a moment compro- 
 raise what they call her claims, however pre- W 
 poslerous or absurd. But alas ! the poisoa X 
 of a spurious liberality has shed lU blight / ^ 
 over many ol those who ought to be the nurs- 
 ing Fathers of our Apostolic church, and for 
 the sake of a hollow popularity they lend 
 themselves to rob and betray her ; and thus 
 sacrifice thi-ir principles as honourable and 
 
 religious men. ,.«. . 
 
 Now, however much we differ in opinion 
 from the Scotch Presbyterians, we cannot 
 but approve of their firmnesa and devotion to 
 their chuich, and, if justice were on their 
 side, we should consider them entitled to our ; 
 admiration; but we repudiate as unworthy V 
 those who declare themselves members of our / \^ 
 church, while they seek her temporal de- / 
 struction and degradation. Were we seeking 
 ag«nandizdment or grasping at more than our 
 legal rights, they might find some ground of 
 justification; but we desire bare justice only, 
 
and thii much the memberi of our Church, if 
 honeit men, are bound to •upport to th«s ut- 
 mo«t of Ibeir power,— »nd, if they do not, 
 they are n^'^e of ui. 
 
 To one inoportant result, and to one only 
 did the Houae oi" Assembly arrive after much 
 discussion, comprised in the following reso- 
 lution, which passed by a majority of thirteen 
 in a house of fifty-three members : — " Re- 
 " solved, that this House regards as inviolate 
 " the rights acquired under the Patents by 
 " which the Rectories have been endowed, 
 '*and cannot therefore either invite nr sanc- 
 " tion any interference with the rigli's thus 
 " established. 
 
 Even on this resolution, so just and reason- 
 able in itself, and which could not have been 
 otherwise without disturbing the titles to pro- 
 perty through the whole Colony, we have 
 the mortificution to see some opposed, who 
 call themselves members of the Church of 
 England. It would be vain to attenc ^ to re- 
 concile such conduct either with consistency 
 or correctness of principle. 
 
 In regard to the arguments used in the Pe- 
 titions of the Scotch Presbyterians, though 
 copied In a great measure from the resolutions 
 of their Synod, we cannot concede to liiem the 
 slightest force, while they betray not a little 
 coarseness, selfishness, and bad temper. 
 
 They seek the dectruction of the Rectories 
 principally on two grounds : — 
 
 1st. As conferring powers on the Rectors 
 or Incumbents incompatible with the rights u( 
 the Scotch clergy. For such apprehensions 
 there is no foundation ; — nor do those who 
 pretend to urge them believe them to be true. 
 Parishes have been formed in all the Colonies 
 without calling forth any complaint, because 
 other denominations felt that neither their 
 civil nor religious liberty was, in the small- 
 est degree compromised. In fact, the Cler- 
 fy of the Church of £ngland residing in this 
 'rovince never had or pretended to have any 
 authority over other denominations, and not 
 even over their own people,excppt in matters 
 purely spiritual ; and so sensible are we of 
 our weakness, as respects our own congrega- 
 tions, that, in seeking from the Bishop an an- 
 nual convention, we found our proposition on 
 the fact, that our Ecclesiastical law and dis- 
 cipline do not extend to this Colony. What- 
 ever, therefore, the petitions state oo this 
 head is deplorably hypocritical, for no such 
 fears or apprehensions were ever cherished or 
 
 felt ; and so perfectly destitute of any foundu* 
 tion are such allegations that no coniplnint 
 has been made on the subject by any other 
 denomination of Christians in the Pruvince, 
 several of which are unquestionably no les* 
 alive to their civil and religious rights than 
 tite Church of Scotland., 
 
 21. The value of the endowments .-- 
 
 By the Constitution, our Church is entitled 
 by legrtl right to more than two millions of 
 acres, and because twenty, or twenty-two 
 thousand have been attached to fifty-seven 
 Rectories, a quflnlity much less than many 
 private individuals possess, and not one hun- 
 dredt*! part of her just claim, complaint has 
 been made ; but such complaint comes with 
 a singularly bad grace Irom the Scotch Pres- 
 byterians, to whose Congreghtions the Pro- 
 vincial Government has always shown the 
 greatest readiness to grant glebes. 
 
 It is farlher to be lemarked that, in many 
 cases, the lands composing the endowments 
 of the Rectories have been in possession of 
 their several incrmbents, by licence of occn- 
 pbtion and order of the Executive Council, 
 from their first setllem. nt in the Parish, and 
 their situation in becoming Rectors is not 
 otherwise improved than in acquiring a better 
 title to what they were in possession of be- 
 fore. 
 
 It is necessary to remark, however painful, 
 that the proceedings of the Clergy and Mem- 
 bers of the Presbyterians, in connexion with 
 the Church of Scotland, are marked by the 
 sime kind of angry complaint (tor they deal 
 not in argument) which characterizes those 
 of the y oluntaries and other enemies ol Church 
 Et'tablishments in Great Britain ; and that, 
 but for the good sense and honorable princi- 
 ples of a large majority of the House of As- 
 sembly, a vote would have passed against the 
 Rectories ; and although it could never have 
 been carried into effect, it would have tended 
 to unsettle every title in the Province. Hap- 
 pily the Patents establishing the Rectories 
 cannot be destroyed by any power known to 
 the Constitution, as appears manifest from 
 the fact that the Church of England has pre- 
 served and recovered many of her most valu- 
 able endowments in New-York, Vermont, 
 New-Hampshire and Virginia, notwithstand- 
 ing the crisis of a revolution; because they 
 were secured under the same title as the Es- 
 tates of private persons. To break down the 
 one, offered a precedent for breaking down 
 
Ihe other ; intl to (his men of lenie and cha- 
 racter never would con«enf. 
 
 Amidst the violenc*' and folly which these 
 petitions present, it is reficshinjf to find even 
 one moderate in language and fair in princi- 
 ple, "o as in a great dej^ree to meet Ihe desire 
 which our Church has uniformly expressed, 
 and in which w« are still ready to concur.— 
 The Pelilion of the Minister, Elders, and 
 members of the Congregation of St. Andrew's, 
 Kingston, in connexion with Iha E9li;bli8hed 
 Church in Scotland, aMer expressing becom- 
 ing confidence in the Legislative Council, 
 submits, " whether the Imperiil Parliament, 
 " by their entire removal from the conflicting 
 '* interests and endless variety of opinions 
 •• which have for so many years agitated the 
 " country and perplexed,.the Provincial Le- 
 " Kislature, in reference to the Clergy Re- 
 " serves, are not be?t aualified to explain 
 " iheir own Act and dehnitely settle what is 
 " doubtful in the existing Statute without the 
 «• danger of farther disturbing the tranquillity 
 " of the Province." The petition proceeds to 
 state that the " Provincial LegiRJalure can do 
 •« nothing satisfactory, however just and equi- 
 " table., nor so stable as a declaratory enact- 
 " menton that subject orijfinated in and pass- 
 «» ed by the Imperial Parliament, who, ii may 
 " be trusted, in explaining the provisions of 
 «' the Act, will be careful to preserve our 
 •'Constitution inviolate." 
 
 This is idmost exactly what was proposed 
 by the Bishop and Clergy of our Churcb in 
 1S22 in their petitions to the KiDg and both 
 Houses of Parliament, soon after the conten- 
 tion respecting Ihe Reserves cotnmenced; for 
 we have always sought most anxiously to avoid 
 agitating the question in the Colony, and con- 
 tinually urged, as we are doing now, its refer- 
 ence for final settlement to the Imperial Par- 
 liament. 
 
 In passing from the petitions against the 
 Rectories by the Clergy and members of the 
 Scotch Church, I may be allowed, as an act 
 of justice, to contrast their anxiety for the de- 
 struction of our Church in the Colony with 
 the mildness which characterizes the Petition 
 of the United Synod of the Presbyterian 
 Church in Upper Canada not in connexion 
 with the Church of Scotland. In urging their 
 claim to share in the Reserves, this respecta- 
 ble body truly state that they wer<e the firbt 
 organized Presbyterian Institution in the Pro- 
 vince ; that (hey have suffered as many priva- 
 
 tions as any of their fellow christian laborers, 
 and yield not, in loyalty to the Queen and at- 
 tachment to the British Constitution, to any 
 body of professing C iristians in the Colony ; 
 and in conclusion pray that, in any distritju- 
 tion of Ihe Reserves, they may be mcluded as 
 well as the Church of Scotland. They indulge 
 in no virulence against our Churcb, much less 
 do they plead for her robbery, but.salisf^ 
 themselves with a courteous appeal for (fonsi- 
 deralion on the part of the Legislature, should 
 a division of the church lands actually take 
 
 flace ; and were it a mere question of desert, 
 must say that the Piesbylerians in Upper 
 Canada are more indebted for religious in- 
 struction to the ministers ol the United Synod 
 than they have as yet been to those of the 
 Church of Scotland, imd, indeed, whatever 
 moral influence the latter may exercise io 
 their respective congregations, it is a lament- 
 able fact that they are chiefly known to the 
 public as expert agitators against our church. 
 Much stress has been laid by our opponents 
 on an opinion elicited by Lord Bathurst from 
 the Attorney and Solicitor Generals of Eng- 
 land in 1819,— an opinion which contradicts 
 the spirit of all the clauses of the Si Geo. 
 3d. chap. 81. regarding Ihe Reserves and 
 their appropriation, and in truth contradicts 
 itself. On this point it is sufficient fur my 
 piesent purpose to remark, that we have au- 
 thorities which we consider far more sound, 
 declaring that the provisions of the statute 
 contemplate the Clergy of the Church of Eng- 
 land and no other body whatever. At the 
 same time, the natural effect of such aa 
 opinion of the Crown Officers was to beget 
 contention in the Province. Every day'a 
 experience more and more proves how de- 
 plorable it is that an explanatory Act has not 
 been passed by the Imperial Parliament, set- 
 tling for ever this perplexed question. It can 
 never receive a satisfactory disposition by any 
 other authority. 
 
 In so far as the provisions of the Constitu- 
 tional Act in respect to the Clergy Reserves 
 has boen carried out, it is quite evident that 
 the Provincial Legislature cannot touch them. 
 The power of repealing, altering, &c. is for 
 the future, not for the past. But, indeed, 
 any action on the part of Ihe Provincial au- 
 thorities regarding the Reserves toausl be 
 unsatisfactory on ail hands ; and if so. much 
 less can we adroit the opinion of individuals, 
 however high in the legal profession or 
 
 S 
 
 J 
 
d 
 
 > 
 
 T 
 
 in official rank, to dlipoM of our 
 rightf. 
 
 Veltrd 
 
 ZtSLi. IIJI the imperial L5.;«j-e 
 
 Sk". t away. It cannot be .urrendcred .were 
 Iven the B J.CP and all our Clergv to con- 
 flflnt. becauie the chu-ch consiitn of the peo- 
 ple a> well at the Clergy, and they have a 
 Ucd right by the Conttitul Ion to have (he 
 roini.tration of our church allowed them In 
 every part of the Province free of all «x- 
 
 ''^Our course then, my Reverend brethren, 
 is clear and distinct ; namely, to abide by 
 the Constitutional Act. If the property, set 
 apart to sustain a Protestant clergy for the 
 purpose of supplying the people with the 
 consolations of our holy religion, be forcibly 
 taken away, we must submit, and trust in 
 God that some other means will be discover- 
 ed to secure the teaching of the Gospel to the 
 members of our communion. 
 
 Before dismissing this subject, you will ex- 
 pect me to notice the recent decision of the 
 Crown Lawyers respecting the Rectories. I 
 forbear making any remarks on the extraordi- 
 nary case submitted to them at the instance 
 of the Colonial Department, before the Scotch 
 agent, the Honorable William Morris, reach- 
 ed London ; because that Department contain- 
 ed all the documents necessary to have en- 
 ablod the Secretary of Slate to have made out 
 the case full and complete ;— but this I will 
 observe that the case decided upon confirms 
 the Rectories in the strongest possible ma;n- 
 ner, for it declares them illegal in the absence 
 of certain instructions, a double set of which, 
 one to President Smith in 1813 and another 
 to Sir Peregrine Maitland in 1825, besides a 
 strong admonition from Lord Ripon in 1832, 
 are in the possession of this Government, and 
 far more than sustain Sir John Colborne in 
 the course he pursued. Nay, these instruc- 
 tions have not yet been abrogated or with- 
 drawn, and would enable the present Provin- 
 cial Government, If so disposed, to constitute 
 and endow Rectories through the whole Pi-o- 
 vince ; and this power will remain till they 
 are formally withdrawn, nor could any Con- 
 stitutional authority disturb them. You need 
 not, therefore, my Brethren, be under «ny ap- 
 
 prehension in regard to (he Rhetorics ah endy 
 Utabliihed. but rather devoutly pray tha five 
 hundred more may be constituted before those 
 instructions which are still in force can be re- 
 
 Disappointed, or rather, as it would seem, 
 enr-ged, that the Colonial Lppisluture would 
 not lend itsflf (o the destruction ol the Kec- 
 tories, the Presbyterian congregations were 
 again urged to Wve rccouMe to agitntlon. 
 Public meetings were again hold and l»He- 
 gates appolnl.'d to meet in Convention, ujaj 
 an appeal might be made from the Provincial 
 nuthorltlcs to the Imperial Government. I he 
 resolutions and petition to the Into king adot.t- 
 ed by th*? Delegates are such tliat, ii carried 
 out in their full spirit, would not merely des- 
 troy the Church of England as an tstablish- 
 mefit, but even make its toleration or that of 
 any other denomination In the Colony more 
 than doubtful, and clothe the Kirk with all 
 the powers and immunities which it pcsiesses 
 in Scotland. For the petition prays that all 
 Sessions and Presbyteries which are in con- 
 nexion with the Church of Scotland sh?" be 
 constituted bodies corporate to the effect o! 
 holding lands, buildings, and other property 
 for Eccltsiastical and other purposes, and 
 that effect shall be given to (heir judements 
 and proceedings in matters spiritual in the 
 same manner as is done in the Mother Country. 
 It must be confeMed that this is sufficient y 
 bold, and not likely to be readily granted ; 
 but it evinces a most striking infatuation when 
 put in contrast with the otlier portion ot the 
 prayer, Which in efTect seeks the destruction 
 of tlie chuicb of the Empire. 
 
 The petition farther prays that all the dis- 
 abilities under which the Scotch Presbyterians 
 labour in the Colony may be removed ; but as 
 1 am unable to discover any such disabilities, 
 I 1 roust pass on to the argument attempted to 
 i be derived in their favour from the Act of 
 Union between England and Scotland. SjucU 
 en attempt is feeble, and cannot f^il to excite 
 the smile of thinking men. The laws and re- 
 
 Heion of England are carried to all the Colo- 
 nies, and have been so carried mthout pro- 
 ducing the slightest complaint in any of the 
 dependencies of the Crown. The religion of 
 Scotland is confined expressly , by the articles 
 of Union as well as the laws, to Scotland ,-- 
 while the laws and religion of England extend 
 and ever have extended to all the Colonies. 
 Had the Prchbyierians in connexion with itie 
 
 -f 
 
 -^ 
 
-f 
 
 < 
 
 Church of Scotland, reiiiltnK in »h« Pmtince, 
 «p(>lie<l to lh« lm|)eriHl Oafeminent for m»p- 
 |iorl in ItmlB at well at in money jiwj lo be 
 endowed in Uw Mm* manner at rhe Hector- 
 let, on the gmund Ihitt there was |ilen(y of 
 land for each, there would have at leatl been 
 ■ome thow of reaion ; and although I thould 
 have cf»nti(lered (he other clott of Presbyte- 
 r ao«. who are |>erbd|it no Ittat nutneroua and 
 equally retpeclable, to the tame degree en- 
 tiiled, had the Inw permitted, yet on our part 
 there would have been neither complnint nor 
 opiNMi'tion. But their object it to break down, 
 not to build up ; ami it is evident, from their 
 conduct, that they would n.uch rather a«e at 
 protlrate in the duit than actively rmploved 
 in carrying the trulbt of the Gotuel lo the dei- 
 titote iettien, pmvided they could rite on our 
 ruint. The origin of tuch a tpirit ncedt no 
 comment. 
 
 It it pleaaipg (o remark (hat, nmidsl the bit- 
 ter and unchriitian agitation of (he Scotch 
 PrMbyteriani, our people have exhibited in 
 contrattthe greotett meekneit and tranquil- 
 lity : we have had no meetingt traiong our 
 congregations : we have made no appeald to 
 their i>a»tlon« : and now, when we meet by 
 ourselTet, it will be our slurty to preserve the 
 public peace and to act strictly on the defen- 
 sive, for although It be our duty to preserve, 
 ns far as in us lies, those rights and |>ririlege8 
 which (ire secured to us by the Conetitution of 
 tbe Pfovince.-^rights and'privileges wbich we 
 dare not surrender had we the power, without 
 offctidlng nguinst conscience and incurring the 
 jott reproach of Aituro generations, — it must 
 not be done by wicked ntfitafinn and •tlrriog 
 up the corrupt passions oTour people, but by 
 manly remonstrance, a clear and quiet state- 
 taent of facts and a firm adherence to the law. 
 
 We must never forget that our Lord's king- 
 dom is not meal and drink, but righteousnegg 
 and peace end joy in the Holy Ghost, and that 
 he has promised to be with his church to the 
 end of the world. It is true, that if deprived 
 of the means destined by bis late Majesty 
 Oebrge the Third of blessed memory, and his 
 Parliament for the support of our church, we 
 shall Tpquire a much longer ptriod of time to 
 extend her ministrations tliroagli the Province, 
 but we must not be discouraged ; and what the 
 band of violence takes away, will be more 
 than made up by the affections of our people. 
 
 Govtmnrents have seldom or ever endowed 
 ciiurches or supported the Christian religion : 
 
 this has ever been done by individual liberal- 
 ity ; and (hit Province presents the Hrst at- 
 tempt on the part of the British Government 
 to extend the olessingt of the National churcli 
 lo the Colony ;— an attemirt wlilcb seems to 
 have called into action the most malignant 
 passions, as ifthe Govemnoent had been going 
 a most wicked thine. 
 
 Were each member of our connexion, who 
 b'- : the ability, to davole one hundred acres of 
 tdiid (o\vards its support, as an instruraeot in 
 the hands of God for (lio spiritual instruction 
 ot (he people, an endowment nearly equal to 
 that set apart by the Constitution might in 
 time be accumulated, and the church, freed 
 from all anxiety, would flourish to the ever- 
 las(i«ig benefit ot 'he country. And there are 
 several instances already of (ar greater liber- 
 ality than the limit I have mentioned, and 
 wi(L the blessing of God they tvill incrcotio 
 with our necessities. Indeed were each com- 
 munic9n( to give a very few acres of land, it 
 would in lime greatly contribute to the inde- 
 pendence of Hie church. Nor would any such 
 assistance be long wanting were we alC both 
 clergy and laity, animated wholly by the prio- 
 c i plus ot the Gospel ; for, in that case, t!ie 
 tame liberal tpirit and enlarged views which 
 actuated the nrst christians in every land of 
 their conversion would produce the same fruits, 
 and a |>ortion for the service of the Lord would 
 be first set arart :— it would also bo jnade per- 
 manent, and not allowed to fluctuate accoid- 
 iiig to the varying tempers and dispositions of 
 the people. 
 
 You are aware, my brethren, that the basds 
 of the ciiurch of Christ is not secular bat spirit- 
 ual ; it is not io be considered merely a civil 
 Inslitution—nn erection or portion of the State ; 
 — nor does it depend upon (be breath of Go- 
 vernments or upon the enactments of human 
 law. On the contrary, it is an ordinance of 
 God, — the place where his liouor dwclleth, — 
 the appointed instrument for preserving Iho 
 faith in purity, and dispensing the truths of 
 the Gospel for the instruction and salvation of 
 ma,ikind. This church is episcopally consti- 
 tuted ;— a form of Government which prevail- 
 ed, without interruption, for more than fifteen 
 centuries. From this form ofcJiurch govem- 
 ment, which is of divine origin, Calvin, in the 
 pride of Ills heart, departed, and from this 
 wicked error have arisen most of the divisions 
 which pfTect tJ»e Protestant part of tlw Chris- 
 tian worit!. 
 
 2 
 
 -/ 
 
 7^ 
 
10 
 
 The portion ofthe Catholic church to which 
 we have ti)e happiness to btilong is not only 
 pure in its constitution, andprimilire in ils 
 discipline, but in charity, mildness, and sim- 
 plicity, is, I tru>-i, worlliy of its divine master, 
 and approaches as near to Cbri&tfin perfection 
 as any fnstitution, partly bnman, can hope to 
 attain. Under the banner of such a church we 
 hare only to oiulliply our labourers, and at- 
 tend to her artic.'ef , rules, and discipii'.e, to 
 transform this beautiful country to a moral 
 garden. 
 
 A vast fiolu is open to the church, and in- 
 vites her cultivation : many parts are unoccu- 
 pied by ministers of any denomination, and in 
 every township there is room for onr own. 
 The religious'character ofthe p«iopIe is, in a 
 
 treat measure, to form ; and, in the mean time, 
 eresy, incMfiference, and infidelity ar«! spread- 
 ing around us. If ar.y denominatton can suc- 
 ceed in evangelising the colony, it ought 'o be 
 the Church ol England ; and if she does not 
 accomplish this great blessing, ibe fault will 
 be in her ministry, and notinlier government 
 and principles. But i contend ihat it is im- 
 possible for her tc fail, Ifshe employ faithfully 
 the means commil(?d to her ^iiarge. 
 
 We do not expect that so desirable a change 
 can be speedily accomplished ;— a more nu- 
 merous clergy •vjil become necessary, and 
 resources for their moderate support. Mea- 
 ^"'■♦'s 'la^e beenadopi ^ which, I trust, under 
 the blessing of God, wjJl greatly assist in sup- 
 p'.ying both. But, after all, our chief depeu- 
 uence, next to God, must be in ourselves, and 
 great must be our exeruons for years to come 
 to supply our many scattered and destitute 
 congregations, and to make an impression on 
 the ranks of infidtiiify, o, on othc.- denomina- 
 tions of Christians less pure cod apostolical in 
 iheir prmciples, forms, an:1 discipline. 
 
 I he present position of the fi^stablished 
 church 10 this Province, with reference to the 
 J I? 'J"^''^ opinion concerning religious 
 and Ecclesiastical principles, requires on our 
 parr a tirm and.uncomprcmising adheron'je to 
 her lorms and institutions. United together in 
 aeart and nsind as our church intends all i-er 
 ""?i! 1? ^.^'^' ^^^ cannot fail to carry with 
 pn^« f.r'?^."'"^"^'*"'''"' ""J ihe ii.flu- 
 n?nL o''- ^^""^y ?^^"'- The ordinary parts 
 of our oivine service, in their precise form. 
 Pr*rh < y autfiority from which no Bishop, 
 rresbyter, or Deiicon is at libery to depart 
 by bis own alterations or insertions, lest such 
 
 liberty should produce consequences destine- 
 live of decency and order; and I am persuad- 
 ed that we shall best succeed by a strict adhe- 
 rence to the canonical direction. 
 
 It is true, we may be branded as bigots by 
 Ihat false iibeiitliiy which is so much tii<) 
 fashion of the times, and which consists in in- 
 sincerity, absence of all principles, fickleness, 
 mystery and false shame ; but our ordination- 
 vows are recorded in heaven, and to adhere 
 strictly to the Liturgy ofthe c'mrch is one of 
 their principal objecis; and I am persuaded 
 Ihtit the more scrupulous wc are in keeping to 
 the rubrics of the church, Ihe greater will our 
 measure of success be. The true chuichnian 
 is kind and tolerant to every one, but as he 
 sincerely prays against ali false doctrine, 
 heresv and schism, he cannot conscientiously 
 join those who differ from him in Societies for 
 Oas promotion of religious purposes. Yi>u will 
 do me the jus'ice to believe that I am actuated 
 by a spirit no less charitable towards those 
 who differ from us than those churchmen who 
 are found on the platforms of promiscuous re- 
 ligious assemblies, and no less disposed to 
 show iheia every personal kindness in my 
 power; but I have sworn to adhere to our 
 church and to her form ot sound words. I'hal 
 church I love and believe the most perfect, 
 and I cannot conscientiously give my support 
 and int^uence to any other. 
 
 In the present times, we seem to revolt at 
 every thing connected with order and regular 
 establishments : but, I tttist, that on this point 
 1 have nothing to apprehend. I ".m, howevur, 
 solicitous that the church of England may ever 
 stand fast in this Colony, and that, slaitding 
 fast in one spirit, her Clergy and Members 
 may, through God s grace, resent every at- 
 tempt to divide them, since every hope of 
 good to be derived Irom our Apostolic church 
 would be defeated by a difference among our- 
 selves. Let us not, bow^jver, misiake stand- 
 ing .'ast in thtf Spirit for indifference. Unity is, 
 indeed, precious in (he sight of God, and 
 bvcly in the eyes of men ; but it supposes that 
 wo are truly religious, fur even differences are 
 to bo preferred to a hol'^iw christiap.ily. 
 
 H^ippiIy, such a state of things is carefully 
 guarded against by our faith and worship. Our 
 Liturgy is a luminous comment on the Gos- 
 pel ; its devotions breathe the purest spiiit ; 
 and on every page, the great and saying truths 
 of salvation are prominently brought for\.ard, 
 and no person can be in any danger of becom- 
 
11 
 
 iiif^ indifferent to the doctrines of redemption 
 and grace, while ho holds fast this precious 
 Tolume. 
 
 Our Apostolical church seems to stand alone, 
 M a beacon on a hill, emitting a clear and 
 steady light, for the direction of the world ; 
 and her wisdom in adhering, through good re- 
 port and ,'vi! report, to the doctrine and piin- 
 cipL's of lie primitive age, will yet appear in 
 this grow ng Province, and be fully admitted 
 hy many who now consider such adherence 
 to be little else than the extreme of bigotry 
 and folly. 
 
 The Church may be persecuted, but I trust 
 we shall not, my Reverend Brethren, be found 
 wanting. God will give us faith, strength and 
 energy, when we need them, in these days of 
 trouble, reproach and blasphemy ; and he will 
 raise up Rulers whose trust is in him, who are 
 willing to suffer for conscience sake, and ready 
 to become the followers of those, who through 
 faith and patience inherit the promises. 
 
 The matters of business likely to come be- 
 fore you aro not such as to call forth any divi- 
 siion of sentiment or protracted discussion, and 
 we shall have the benefit of the deliberations 
 of the Clergy of the sister Archdeaconry for 
 our guidance and direction. As we are united 
 in one interest, it is hoped that the present 
 meeting will find no difficulty in concurring in 
 the steps which have been adopted ; nor can 
 we apprehend any but the most beneficial re- 
 sults from such assen.blies, if we pray for the 
 hallowing and restraining influence of the 
 Holy Spirit to direct us aright. 
 
 Wc frequently see the members of secular 
 assembli<^s, after the most ample and minute, 
 and sometimes waim discussions, finish their 
 debates in the greatest harmony ; and shall not 
 we, who have nothing at heart but the peace 
 and prosperity of the Church, separate in re- 
 newed confidence in the faithfulness of the 
 promise that the Redeemer will be always 
 with his Church ? In truth, there can be no 
 debates nor combination of circumstances so 
 trying as to be incompatible with kindness and 
 equanimity. 
 
 We mi!st be on our guard against excite- 
 ment, and not fall into the error which we dis- 
 approve so much in the enemies of the Church. 
 The measures which we take to preserve her 
 temporalities must rest on just principles, 
 firmly but respectfully urged ; and having done 
 80, patiently wait the result:— and even 
 
 should that resuli be unfavourable, we are not 
 to pander to the wicked passions by violent 
 agitation and complaint. The Church, labour-, 
 ing under every privation, may still do essen- 
 tial service to the population of the Province ; 
 and save them, when no other power can save 
 them, by urging, steadily, independently and 
 quietly, its blessed truths upon their hearts. 
 
 Such is the tempei of the times that first 
 principles are shaken, and instabilitj seems to 
 pervade every institution ; if, therefore, the 
 property of the Church be taken from us by 
 legal oppression, we must receive it as a trial 
 of our faith, and, submitting in all patience, 
 seek consolation in turning with redoubled ar- 
 dour to our sacred duties. 
 
 From teaching the Gospel in the purest foim 
 to the inhabitants of Upper Canada we cannot 
 be driven. We are a Missionary Church ; — 
 in this consists our true character ; and as our 
 organization is Missionary, let us cherish more 
 and more a Missionary spirit. This can be done 
 amidst the wreck of our temporalities as well 
 as amidst the slander and contumely of our 
 enemies, without affording them a single just 
 cause of irritation. By thus proceeding we 
 shall exhibit the character and principles of 
 the Church in all their attractive beauty, and 
 win far more friends in the day of our adver- 
 sity than in that of our prosperity. 
 
 Remember, my Brethren, that, next to God, 
 every thing depends upon our conduct and 
 ability. A Clergy, to be truly efllcient in a new 
 and rising country like this, must unite many 
 qualities of rare and superior excellence. 
 Their piety must be sincere and consistent ; 
 their habits patient and laborious : — they must 
 possess the power of holding Christian conver- 
 sation with persons of all classes, and be at all 
 times ready to give a reason for the faith they 
 profess. They must be attached to order and 
 discipline,have clear and comprehensive views 
 of the evidences of religion, and a competent 
 acquaintance with the history of the Church 
 of Christ. They must also be well acquainted 
 with the constitution of our own Church, her 
 articles of Faith, her rules and discipline ; and 
 that knowledge of the Scriptures which is 
 every where expected in the clergy, though 
 here, from the circumstances of the country, 
 it is particularly required. " Such a body of 
 Clergy," says a distinguished Missionary 
 Bishop of the Church, " though not numerous, 
 " acting on common principles, breathing the 
 
1« 
 
 «< 
 
 same spirit, and speaking the «ame tiu'nf ; — 
 *' combining zeal wjth lote of order ; courteoits 
 ** without secnlarit}- ; sedate withoot being 
 <* anstere ; respectable from their education and 
 "attainments, and rerered as living examples 
 <' of the power of the Gospel over the heart; 
 
 " such men can never be witliout influence in 
 *'any region of the civilized world. They 
 ** possess, indeed, an efficiency which is not 
 « properly their own, — but is rather the opera- 
 "tion in and through them of the Hox.y 
 « Spirit." 
 
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