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Toua lee autres axemplaires origineux sont filmte en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une ampreinte dlmprnaion ou d'illuatration at w terminant par la darniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dee symbolae suivants apparaitra sur la damiAre ima(f,9 de cheque microfiche, seion le caa: le symbole — »• signefie "A SUIVRE", le symboie V signifie "FIN". Lee cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmie i dee taux de reduction diff«rents. Lorsque l« document est trop grand pour itra reproduit en un seul clich«. il est film* i partir da I'angle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche i droite. et do haut en baa. en prenant le nombre d'Images nteessaire. Lea diagrammes suivants illi<8trent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 A CHARGE, DKLIVERED TO THE CLEROI OF THE DIOCESE OF MONTREAL, On the 17th January, 1856, AT [ THE TRIENNIAL VISITATION, HELD IN ^1)t ®at^«!5:d €|jurc!^ of i^JentreaJ, BY FRANCIS FLLFORD, D.D. LOED BISHOP OF MONTBEAL. * Puiblt^ljctf at tlje rrqucgt of t!)c Clerflu prc^f nt on tf)e amUan. MONTREAL : PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, AT HIS STEAM-PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT, ST. NICHOIAS STREET. 1865. 55 §£! yya 'I I ^ 'k.y A CHARGE, ii^ i. DELIVEUED tO THB CLERCIl OF THE DIOCESE OF MONTREAL On the 17tli January, 1855, AT THE TRIENNIAL VISITATION, HELD IN %^t ®at|5e^ral ®yuvci& «jf iMentwal, BY FRANCIS FULFORD, D.D. lOED BlsnOP OP MONTBBAIi. ^uSItiS^clr Ht X^^t rrqueiSt of tlje Clersp jpreiSent an i\^t orcnHf0« MONTREAL : PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, AT HIS STEAM-PBINTINO ESTABLISHMENT, ST. NICHOLAS STREET. 1855. ' TRIENNIAL VISITATION, &C., (fee, &C. The Lord Bishop of Montreal held his second Triennial General Visitation in Christ Church Cathedral, in the City of Montreal, on Wednesday, the 17th of January. Divine Service commenced at ^ past 10 o'clock, A. M. The Bishop occupied his throne during the former part of the service, but on the delivery of his Charge sat in a chair on the North side of the Communion Table ; and the Right Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., Provisional Bishop of New York, who was present on the occasion, had a place assigned him on the South side," The Dean and other members of the Cathedral Chapter, in their full canonicals, occupied the several stalls in the Chancel ; the rest of the Clergy, habited in their black gowns, had their places in the adjoining pews. The Very Rev. the iJean read the morning prayers, the Rev. Canon Reid the first lei?son, and the Rev. Canon Town- send the second. The Rev. Canon Leach read the ante- communion service, the Rev. Canon Bancroft reading the Epistle, and the Venerable Archdeacon Lower, the Gospel. The roll of the Clergy was then called, and the Bishop delivered his Charge. After which the offertory was read by the Rev. Canon Gilson, and the elements having been consecrated by the Right Rev. the Provisional Bishop of New York, were administered to the com- mnnicants (all the Clnrgy and several of the Laity parfak- ing) by the two Bishops, assisted by the Dean and the Archdeacon. The offertory collection was appropriated to the fund for the Widows and Orphans of the Clergy. Of the fifty-four Clergymen, officiating in the Diocese, forty-six were in attendance, the rest having been pre- vented by illness, domestic affliction, or some other unavoidable cause. There were also present the Prin- cipal and the Bursar of Bishop's College, Lennoxville, one Clergyman from the Diocese of Toronto, and one retired Missionary of " the Society for the Propagation of Ihe Gospel," making altogether fifty, besides the two Bishops. After the conclusion of the services at the Cathedral, the Clergy, by desire of the Bishop, met His Lordship at the Diocesan Library, when several matters of importance to the Diocese were brought under their consideration, and, amongst others, especially the contemplated meet- in" of Clergy and Lay Delegates in October next. A Committee, consisting of Clergy and Laymen, was appointed to assist the Bishop in preparing the business to be brought before the said meeting, with the view of making arrangement for the establishment of a regular system of Diocesan Synods for this Diocese. Before they separated, an address was presented to the Bishop, numerously signed by the Clergy, requesting him to aMow the Charge, which had been delivered to tht that morning, to be published ; which His Lordship pro- mised to do. f I ■TT* I A charge:, (fee, (fee, (feo Mv Reverend Brethren, The three years wh^ch have ohipscd since last we met together ill this place, on an occasion similar to the one which has caused our assembling here this day, have been marked not only by many events which are seriously atiecting the world at large, both soci- ally and politically, but by such as are of no light importance to the interests and well-being of the Church in which we serve. Let us, however, before passing on to any more particular consideration of our ecclesiastical position and prospects either as relating to this Diocese, or as we are connected with the whole body of the Church at large, acknowledge, with all humility and gratitude, the v ->- of our God, our Creator and Preserver, in that, amidst iv changes and chances of this mortal life, the pestilence that w in darku'iss, and the sickness that destroyeth at noon-da^, \ not called on to mourn over the loss of even one of our mm since old and young have alike been spared hitherto ; and let u.s hope that it has been for the perfecting of the work of our own salvation, that we may make our "own calling and election sure," and may win increasing numbers of souls to Christ to be our " hope and joy, and crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming." And, indeed, circumstanced as we now are in these Provinces, and with the many difficulties that surround us, we could ill afford the loss of any of those who are labouring amongst us, few and ill provided fs they now are for the work that is to be accomplished- The recent act of the legislature, which has deprived the Church of all assistance from tlie property arising out of the Clergy Reserves, after the death of the present Incumbents, and the decision of « the Society for the Propagation «mm 6 of the (Jospcl," not only not to iucrt-nse, l.iil «,mulnully to willnlraw Vt*r fiiil, must lotnlly nltor rho whole system vvliidi has hithevto Ix^oti iu-ti'i'i upon ii! carrying forward the work of the Church in this country. An.l, whatever may be the eventual success with which our otlbrts may be blessed, I cannot but fear tliat, for a time at 'east, we njust not be (li.-«-ouraij;ed if the increase ami progress of tiie Church shall not seem to proceed at the same rate as it has done in years past, bul must bo willing to consider that no small matter has been achieved, if we can prevent ."ny actual loss of ground alreaeople of education and possessed cf capital to settle in our agricultural districts, mjst prove great hindrances In tlie way of obtaining any sufficient maintenance for our Clergy ; if we should be forced to depend merely on the volun- tary contributions of the iieo]tle. In the last Annual Report of "the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," which we have jX'cently received, there is an extract given from a letter of the Bishop of Fredericton; the remarks in whicli apply so justly to our own case, as well as to that of his Diocese, that I will read it: "The Society are tlic best judges of the mode of expenditure, and of the time when tbey tliiidc the Colonies sliould support ll.iomselves, I'ut in regard to this Province, I beg to state, that since I camo out in 1815, the emigration has all been of one kind, and that most unfavorahJe to the Church of England. The prices of all provisions have increased more than 50 per cent., in some cases 100, in a few 200 per cent. As the incomes of the Cle'-gy are no larger llian they were, I confess I do not know how they live upon their preseuo incoi es. If th -,e were taken away they must starve or reriuvo ; bu', where are they to go to ? A great deal has been said of tho vigour aud efficiency of the voLmtary system in the United States, ijet us tak'i my thr'-e nearest neigh- bours, in States older and nore cultivated than Now Brunswick, and compare the communicants and tho Clergy in each with Nov/ Brunswick. I quote from the last journal of Convention : Population. Communicants. Clerg}'. Maine has 588,000 86V 12 New Humpshire, about.... 300,000 511 10 Vermont, about 300,000 1,460 25 Total 1,1^8,000 2,804 47 " New Brunswick has 200,000, nearly 2,000 communicants, and 52 Clergy. Thus, I have a population of about one-sixth of these three Di' oeses, two-thirds of their comraunicanta unucd, and five more Cler^,->' than all three put together. If the Society's aid be withdrawn, and emigration continues as it has been, my 52 would sink dov,n into 12 or 14. Bishop Eantburn, of Massachusetts, has lately written a charge, or pastoral letter, in which he complains, that in his Diocese '•espectablo parents will not bring up their children to the clerical profession, because the salaries hardly keep people from starving. He declares that it is so everywhere around him.'- Now, I think that, at present,the Diocese of Montreal will compare very favorably, not only with those alluded to in the United States* but also with New Biunswick. According to the last returns of 1851, the total of the population of the District of Montreal, with which my Diocese is exactly co-extensive, was 472,405, being a little more than one-third of the population of the three American Dioceses ; while it is considerably more than double that of New Brunswick. But then, 385,787 of these are Roman Catholics, the greater number ot them of French origin,* and with a regularly organised and most richly endowed Church establishment ; yet under this great disadvantage, we have, according to the last returns I received, and they are certainly since increased considera- bly, 2,941 communicants, and 54 Clergy now ij charge of curus ; * Note A. / 8 beiBff more communicants and more Clergy than all these three American Dioceses united, though they contam treble our popula- 1" And taking into the calculation all our French Roman Catholic population, we have one communicant o every 160 ot :: ^11., a number ^^^jch is only exc^ded 1^^^ throughout the whole of the United States* Howlon^ ..aintlin such a superiority of nun.bers were all ^^^^^^ suddenly withdrawn, I cannot undertake to decide; though I should much fear that very many of our country missions would have to be abandoned. , ^ -o ». Having referred to the returns given in the last Census Report before I proceed to other subjects, I cannot but state my be lef that the numbers there given do not furnish anything like a farr statement of the members of the Church ot England I do no mean to say that this was done designedly ; but, at he time, I well remember there were many complaints made m this City of the incorrect manner in which the work was done and ot irregu- larities in the collection of the forms which had been left a the different houses, to be filled up by the residents. In the whole of Lower Canada, the members of the Church of England are re urned as 45,402 ; while, after specifying Presbyterians, Methodists and others there are 10,475 returned as Protestants, 4,521 with no creed riven, and 13,834 as othev creeds not classed. Now, that a considerable proportion of these ought to have been returned as members of the Church of England, I think you will agree with me in believi.g, when you know, for instance that in the whole County of Huntingdon, in which are situated Lacolle, Sherrington Laprafrie, Chateauguay, St. Remi, and parts o ^uem^^^^^^^^ L'Acadie, all of which, are more or less served by oar Cleigy, theret not a single member of the Church of England returned ; noTindeed, any^ther communion specified, except the Church of Rome, and one undivided item of 3,978 Protestants. But a it was the duty of the Returning Officer to specify thepaiticular reli<.ion of each individual, and special columns were niserted m the'schedule for this very object, it does ^eem extraordinary that throughout the whole county, not one individual of these 3,97b » Note B. 9 aliould have given the necessary information. Again, in the City of Montreal, the members of the Church of England are given as only 3,993, and of specified Protestants, including those of the Church of England, there are altogether, 8,310 ; while under the bead of other creeds not classed, are 7,760. Now, from returns I received on Christmas Day, previous to the taking of the Census, there were 647 persons who received the Holy Communion in our churches in this city on that festival : which, of course, is not the full amount of our communicants, as some are always, from various causes, kept away; but which would still give about one commu- nicant actually present on the same day for every six members, including sick and children, which is certainly a much larger proportion than exists. I think therefore that instead of 25,549, the number of members of the Church of England in that portion of the Lower Province, which constitutes this Diocese, as given in tlie Census Report, we are justified in reckoning them to have been over 30,000. A few more statistical remarks will perhaps not be out of place on the present occasion. First, with respect to the number of our Clergy now officiating in this Diocese ; and in reference to this matter, I may remind you again that we must not judge of our position now, by comparing the rate of increase with that in former years, when " the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel" was enabled to give fresh grants for the maintenance of as many Clergy as the Bishops could find to occupy the fresh missions that were ready to receive them ; but rather feel that it is no small success, particularly on the first change of a system forsupportino" the Clergy, to have been able to maintain our ground without loss of strength. And not only have we not the same funds from which to draw for continually increasing support, as fresh demands are made for the services of the Clergy, but there has been through- out all this continent an increasing difficulty, felt everywhere, throughout the United States* as well as in Canada, in finding laborers willing to be sent to work in the Lord's Vineyard, even when the necessary funds are furnished. This has risen, no doubt, in no small degree, during the more active state of all branches of • Note C. 10 trade and commerce, which has prevailed for the lasi three years, previous to the breaking out of war, from the comparatively inade- quate salaries which were offered in the Church for the mainten- ance of the Clergy ; I say comparatively inadequate, as contrast^ ing them with the prospects which presented themselves to young and active minds in commercial life ; and as a consequence even where young men have seemed willing to devote themselves to the study of theology, and to become candidates for the ministry, they were kept back through the urgent remonstrances of their friends. This is an evil that ought, certainly, in part to be remedied by endeavouring to obtain more adequate support for the Clergy, pro- portionable to the increasing wealth of the country and the rise in the cost of all articles of food and of labour ; and also, and still more to the purpose, by a better and more systematic training of the rising generation, so that a greater number among them may be able more fully to realize the greatness of the calling of those persons, who are commissioned to act " as Ambassadors for Christ," and "Stewards of the mysteries of God." In the year 1850, when I arrived at Montreal, just four years and a half since, there were 48 Clergymen, including the Military Chaplain officiating in the Diocese, serving 43 separate ohurches of missions ; 10 new mis- sions or separate cures have since been formed, making altogether 53, of which one is just vacant ; the rest are being served by 54 Clergymen now licensed to officiate in the Diocese. In addition to the 48 Clergymen I found here on my arrival, there have been added to our number 15 ordained by me, 1 received into the Diocese from Quebec, 1 from Toronto, and 2 from England ; maldng altogether 07. Which gross number, on the other hand, has been diminished by 10 who have left the Diocese, and 3, still residents in the Diocese, and paid out of the grant allowed to us, who have retired on pensions iTom the " Society for the Propagation of the Gosi-el," (besides one other who had retired previously,) bringing us to the number stated above 54.* Of the 53 separate cures now being served in the Diocese, 20 only are provided with parsonage houses to which are attached, in most instances, some portion of glebe; of this number, 7 have been built since 1850, * Note D, . 11 and in 4 v ther Parislies, glebes and sites for houses liave been obtained. During the same period 11 churches have been conse- crated, and 10 others built, or are in course of erection. And I may add, that in some of the more recently erected churches, there lias been a marked improvement in the style and character of the building, and an increasing interest is manifested by the people in the work in their several neighbourhoods, to which, in many instances, they have contributed with very commendable liberality. I would mention particularly the church at Durham, now ready for consecration, those in course of erection in the missions of Cowans- ville and Churchville and North Shefibrd, that at Stukely nearly completed, the one at Frost Village already consecrated, and the little church of St. Luke's* in this city, which was opened for ser- vice the Sunday before last, in aid of the funds for building which church we received a liberal grant from " the Society for Promot- ing Christian Knowledge ;" which Society has also contributed, at different times, towards the erection of most of those in the Dio- cese, as well as given us assistance by grants of service books for use in our churches, and also books for the establishment of Par- ochial Libraries.! We are not in a position, even if it were wished, to expend large sums in mere ornamental work, and elaborate carving, but it is satisfactory to see a greater attention paid to the style and character of the buildings which are intended for the service of God ; and that while houses of a costlier description and more adapted to the wants and comforts of the inhabitants are everywhere rising up around us, the Houses of God are becoming not only more in keeping with the growth and progress of the country, but also with the objects to which they arc intended to bo dedicated. In my last confirmation tour, I confirmed 521 males and 603 females, making a total of 1124 ; and, according to the last annual returns which I have received of baptisms, (those recently called for are not yet complete.) there were 48 adtdts and 1018 infants baptized within the year, making a total of lOGO. For the present support of our Clergy we receive annually £3,600 fcterling from the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," and last year £905 sterling from the Clergy Reserve Fund, and * Note E. f Note F. ^I^o Mi 12 £500 sterling from the Imperial Government, this last item being the remains of the old grant formerly made to the Canadian Clergy, and which is paid to three of the oldest Clergymen in the Diocese, and terminates with tiieir lives— making altogether, in round nuinbers, £6,100 currency ; while by the returns for the last four years, sent into " the Church Society," there have been rais- ed within the Diocese by voluntary contributions, on an average, about £9,500 currency per annum, for Church purposes generally throughout the Diocese. It might be supposed from so large a sum being annually raised within the Diocese, so much in excess of the amount received from other sources, that a little greater exertion might soon enable us, should external aid be withdrawn, to make up any deficiency in the assistance thus aflbrded to us ; but one thing must be taken into consideration, that a considerable portion of the £9,500 annually raised within the Diocese, arises from particular efforts made in ditfere.it missions — the building of a church, the purchase of a glebe, or erection of a parsonage, the formation of a partial endowment fund or, as in the case of the Cathedral and other churches, the liquidation of an old outstanding debt. In most of the missions, the maintenance of the Clergyman is a small portion of the work to be accomplished ; and though, by some extraordinary effort, in this or that year, certain deficiencies are being provided for, still, as yet, regularly recurring demands to a largo amount, from the same congrega- tions, could scarcely be expected to be met with the same success. It is, however, satisfactory to find that such large amounts are annually raised for the services of theChu»-ch, that not only the gross sum collected in the Diocese by voluntary contributions during the past year is greatly in excess of the preceding one, but that in particular, as we heard at the annual meeting of " the Church Society" last evening, the general funds at the disposal of that Society, raised by sermons and subscriptions, have increased during the past year to the amount of £245, being £609 for 1854, as compared with £424 for 1853; while the receipts amounted altogether, for all purposes, (including the Widows' and Orphans' Fund,) to £1,042; and this, notwithstand- ing tlie great scarcity of money, and the depression in all branches M 13 of trade and commerce, (especially in the lumber-business, the great staple of this Province,) which have now been prevalent for many- months. It had been asserted by some, even of our own members, tliat while there was a feeling entertained that the Church possessed a source of income, such as the Clergy Reserves, liowever insufficient it might be for the maintenance of the Clergy, the zeal and liberality of her own congregations would never be adequately shown in her support; but that, when it was once known that she was deprived of such aid, there would be such- an increased readiness to con- tribute, that the deficiency would be more than made good. I wish we may find such prospects realised. We must, however, remember that the secularization of the property of the Church not only ati'ects us in the Dioceses of Quebec and Montreal, where the proceeds arising from the Reserve Fund are comparatively small, but also in Toronto, where they amounted, last year, as the share of the Church of England, to £21,805. And whatever atlects the interest and prospeiity of our brethren in Upper Canada, cannot but be felt by us also in the Lower Province. Put inde- pendent of the loss to us of such a fund for providing for the necessities of the Church, I cannot but lament the course of action which has been taken by the Legislature, inasmuch as it affects their own character, and the credit of the Province, and the security of property, and the sanctions of legal enactments. For, whatever may be argued respecting the unsold lands, to which, however, I by no means would concede that our claim was not strictly good, yet certainly the proceeds of the funded property, which have been assigned to the Church of England, and of which she was enjoying the benefits, tverc actually in her possession, by legal right and in fact ; and of these she has been deprived by an arbitrary act of the Legislature. And if this ivas a property given originally for her use, secured to her by solemn legislative acts and the authority of high judicial opinions — which she had in actual use for the maintenance of her Clergy and service of the Church, the forcible abstraction of such a property from sacred uses, and the application of it to secular purposes is certainly a sacrilegious act, against which, without wishing to keep alive any bitterness of 14 feeling, now that it is consummated, we must protest, and upon wliich no Divine blessing can be expected to rest. Not that I am in the least inclined, in consequence of the course which events have taken, to alter the opinion I previously held, respecting the propriety of conceding to the Provincial authorities the right of re-opening the question, and legislating afresh on the matter of these Reserves: for I must believe that in the present state of Canada, and after the policy which has now for some years been adopted by the Imperial Government in the administration of the affairs of this Province, it could have answered no good end, it could not have been of any eventual benefit to the Church, if an attempt had been made contrary to the avowed principles upon which Canada was now to be governed, to retain the control over such an important branch of her internal administration, by the exercise of the Imperial authority. But the question having beeu remitted to Canada, what did surprise me was to find such a measure for secularizing Church property, without any compen- sation being secured, carried through the Houses of the Legislature, not merely by the votes of those members with whom the abolition of all ecclesiastical endowments and ecclesiastical corpo- rations has been always a great principle of their political creed,— but by votes of members who have always been maintaining the inviolability of this very property ; and also of those who belong to a Church that not only sanctions endowments, but possesses them in great abundance. Should some of their associates, in this matter of secularization, hereafter quote it as a good precedent for future legislation, when applying the same measure to their rich endowments, they can have no right to complain, although they may then discover their present mistake. Should such an event ever occur, in them will be realised the truth of the words of the ancient poet : — " Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futurfs, Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundig. Tumo tempus erit, magno cum optaverit emptum Intactum Pallanta, et cum spolia ista, dieraque Oderit." It may seem to have happened at an unfortunate period m the history of the Church in Canada, that this secularization of our 15 property within the Province, should have been decided upon just at the time when we are beginning to experience the withdrawal of the funds heretofore so largely supplied by " the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," for the support of the Church in these North American Dioceses. And, no doubt, when that measure was decided on by the Society, they considered this very Clergy Reserves Fund, now every year increasing in value, as one great permanent source of dependence for providing the incomes of the Clergy, in all the poorer and newly established missions. But they were also influenced by other motives. It was felt, in consequence of the readiness with which grants were made for the payment of the salaries of Clergymen, and the belief that was generally en- tertained by the people that such grants would furnish a sort of permanent provision for the various missions, that thers was not that full measure of exertion made within the Province to render the Church self-supporting, which might justly have been expected ; and that after having continued to render pecuniary assistance to the Church in Canada, with increasing liberality, since the year 1'784, it was now time to prove what root she had really taken in the country — what inherent vitality she possessed for the purpose of maintaining her place in the affections of the people, and sup- porting herself by her own internal resources. Moreover, the in- creasing demands upon the funds of tha Society by other and more destitute colonies for help, demanded some revision of their former scale of allowances. But, even in this withdrawal of their aid, by fixing it on a gradually decreasing scale, so that v/e mav be able to prepare for its operation, they have testified their care and interest for these missions, which are among the earliest of any with which they have existing connections ; and whatever may be our lot hereafter, yet as long as we continue to maintain the character and ministrations of the Church, we must ever ac- knowledge (as do the members of the Episcopal Church in the United States, with warm gratitude, to this day) that, to the foster- ing care and liberal support provided by " the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," we, under God, are indebted for our existence as a branch of Christ's Holy Church, and for whatever measure of strength we possess for prosecuting our work, and pre- 16 serving to future ages " that good thing whidi has been committed" to us. According to the engagements which the Society entered into with me on behalf of this Diocese, when I was in England, in July, 1853 (and I did ray best, as you will, I am sure, well believe, to obtain as favorable an arrangomeut as possible,) they are to give us a grant of £3,600 sterling per annum,^"" which is to be appor- tioned for the payment of present and new missionaires, strict regard being had to the observance of good taith with all those to whom the Society is already pledged; no new engagements are to bo entered into on behalf of the Society for a longer period than five years, when tlie grants will be subject to revision ; and that, from and after the 1st of July, 1&58, the said grants shall be reduced by not less than 10 per cent. In order, therefore, to be prepared to meet this reduction in 1858,— a reduction which will amount at least to £300 steiling per annum, besides any losses that may arise on the Clergy Reserves list,~it must bo evident that we must leave several vacancies, as they occur in our present missions, without fresh appointments, unless much larger contributions are raised for missionary purposes within the Diocese. It is well, then, that these things should be cleariy understood, that we mciy not be building on false foundations ; and though, as 1 have al- ready stated, 1 am fully persuaded that it is utteriy impossible for the Church in this Diocese, at present to be self-supporting,— indeed, if she were at once reduced to such a strait, one-half at least of her cures must be abandoned,— yet I certainly do think that more may and ought to be done for this object than has hitherto been accomplished, and that more will be done when we have fairly placed this matter before our people, and explained the state and prospects of the Church to them, and brought into operation a well-organized system for developing their resources and energies. Our " Incorporated Diocesan Church Society "f naturally pre- sents us with fitting machinery for assisting us to meet these our difficulties ; but, if the Society is really to bo made an efficient engine, it must, notwithstanding the increase that ap- *NoteG. fNoteH. 17 pears in its fuads for the past year, meet with much greater and more general support than has hitherto been accorded to it. The •whole matter, however, will really resolve itself into this simple question : Whether the members of the Church of England in this Diocese are now, indeed, in earnest in their work: do they feel it to be their duty and privilege to further the spread of the Gospel, according to that pure and reformed faith which our Church teaches : and are they willing, for God's glory, and the salvation of souls, to allow the Ciiurch to " reap of their worldly things, while she sows to them of her spiritual things ?" I certainly think it very probable that some of our present missions will have to bo abandoned asper7nanent stations for Clergymen ; and perhaps it has given a wrong impression of their position, to have allowed Clorfrymon to occupy a settled l./cation, with an apparent perma- nency given to their ministrations, approaching rather to that of a parochial character, while they still rstain the name of Mission- aries, and continue to receive the whole, or nearly the whole, of their support from Missionary Funds, raised without the Diocese. If we are to look to the permanent establishment of the Church in this Diocese, with a hope of its ever being self-supporting, I think that, for the future, it is very questionable whether, on vacancies occurring, any parish or district should be ccnsidered as entitled to the permanent and regular services of a Clergyman, until the congregation is prepared to supply a very much larger proportion of his maintenance than is now generally the case, — even if we cannot as yet require (which would be impossible, except in a few instances,) the whole to be raised within the cure. Without interfering with existing arrangements, in order to meet the case of any future vacancy that may occur (since the funds at the dis- posal of the Church will certainly not admit of their being filled up on the system hitherto pursued,) I would suggec-t that there should always be at least two travelling missionaries for the Diocese, in addition to the located Clergy, who may give occasional serviccB in vacant cures, and visit any unprovided or detached districts ; — such vacancies only to be filled up permanently according to some fixed and specified rule. And, if possible, T should wish always to have also one or two candidates for orders, or deacons during I 18 thofi^tyoar of their munstry, ^vho might be employed under proper superintendence, in order to train and prepare them or occu- ^>yi g hereafter independent eharges of their own. And that >^e Ligl^be able to carry into effect some such plan, etiorts should ,t once be made to increase the funds of " the Church Society so as to enable it to bonr the expenses of two such travedmg m - sionaries, and assist such deacons, or candidates or orders m add - tion to the present charges on its income. And mo e than t^ns that we may be providing for the permanency o the Umch position, and effectually elicit the local eflorts ot the dn^nent conc^regation.. we ought to try to raise special funds for mak ngV^nts in aid of local subscriptions for the purchase of glebes and partial endowments. We found how well such a p n was beginning to work in this Diocese, when » the Society fo. the Propagation of the Gosr>el" agreed to make us an annual grant of £1000 for that purpose ;* but which grant was unfortunately obliged to be discontinued. If instead of £093 a year there could be raised, for the general fund at ^^l^^^^f^'/^^ Church Society," at least £1,200, or it might be £1,500 with prospect of future increase as the Church gains strength and he country advances in wealth,) we might really begin to hope that we might be able, year by year, to do something material y to help forward the Church in this Diocese. Nor are these such extrava- gant sums to expect even with all the other ■which they have been previously received at their baptism. |U 25 In reference to the necessity and advantage of accustoming onr cliildrcn in their earlier years to the use of our Book of Uommon Prayer, and explaining to them its contents and meaning, I would mention as a fact worth noticing, that, wliilemany professing mem- T)er3 of our communion speak lightly of, and treat with indifference and irreverence, the liturgy with which we have been provided, as if such a guide and help for our public devotions was rather a hind- rance than a blessing, many of the different religious bodies in England, who, dissenting from the Church, have hitherto rejected not°orly " the Book of Common Prayer," but all forms for public use, and have always been loudly proclaiming the superior excel- lence of their own extemporaneous exercises, have begun to acknowledge their own failure, and seem inclined to seek the aid of forms fo;- their liturgical services. A leading minister at the Autumnal Meeting of the Congregational Union at Manchester said : " I should like to direct the attention of the brethren to the question of liturgies, and to urge upon them the necessity of greater spirituality in the devotional part of their services. In this we are very deficient. I am not going to say that liturgies would increase a spirit of devotion. I don't know, but I think if the people were brought into active employment with the service it might react upon our own feeling-s as ministers, and tend to re- produce a like spirit among the people." The same sentiments were shared by many others then present, as well as by members of other dissenting communions expressed at various tunes. It is, however, argued by some who fully admit the principle of such liturgical services, that our " Book of Common Prayer," needs some revision, both as to its arrangements, and the length of the services, and in some particulars, as to its doctrinal state- ments. As to this, independent of any conclusions we may arrive at on other and higher grounds, it is no small satisfaction to know that, when " the Book of Common Prayer" was subjected to a revision in the United States, under no very favorable circumstan- ces, in days of reform and revolution, at a crisis when the tradi- tions of the Church of England were not likely to be most influ- ential, that at such a time, it received such very small alterations * Note M. 26 in material points ; and that it continues, with our own, to bear united, but independent testimony, for all the great essential doc- trines of the Catholic faith ; and, not least, on the subject of the Sacraments and the ministry of the Church. That the services and ministrations of the Church may, by certain arrangements, be better adapted to present circumstances ; and particularly, as bear- ing upon the labors of missionaries with unformed congregations, or when preaching to the heathen, is a subject fairly open for con- sideration ; and has been brought, simultaneously but without pre- vious concert, both before the Houses of Convocation in England, and the House of Bishops in the United States, at their ]a°t sit- tings ; and very important and able Reports have been presented, containing many and various suggestions and inquiries, which are still being followed up, and will undergo still further careful investigation. Any mere alteration, however, or adaptation of services, by whatever authority it may bo made, will not meet the necessities of our case ; beside this, and over and above any pecuniary assis- tance which we can obtain towards the support of our Clergy or our schools, we require, what I trust we shall not much longer be waiting for, I mean the organization of regular Diocesan Synods. We have already on two different occasions had this subject brought Tinder the consideration of the Diocese. The matter has also been amply discussed in other Colonial Dioceses, and both in Parliament and at Conferences of the Bishops in England. The question is becoming better understood, and our increasing diffi- culties, in the absence of any system of Ecclesiastical law^ more generally acknowledged. I have been informed, and indeed Lord John Russell intimated as much himself last year, that it is expect- ed the Government will bring in again, some such declaratory act respecting the Colonial Church, as was passed in the HoJse of Lords last summer. It is, however, the opinion of many eminent lawyers, that no such act is really requisite; though, if any doubts do exist, it would be more satisfactory to have them removed. But, whatever may be the course pursued by the Lnpcrial Parliament in the ensuing session, I shall hope, by God's permisrion, to invite you all to meet once more, with the Lay Delegates from your several cures, in the course of next autumn, when I trust nothing vf\]\ prevent our commencing the organization of a regular Dio- cesan Synod. The Dioceses of Toronto and Nova Scotia have already entered upon the task ; and we shall, no doubt, be able to obtain much useful information from the accounts of their pro- ceedings. But if this most important object is to be obtained, and if, when obtained, it is successfully to be worked out in its permanent ope- rations, as an institution of the Church ; and if, in any of those other points to which I have alluded, we are to hope that we may look for the better administration of our ecclesiastical system, or the advancement of true religion, or even for the strengthening the things that remain, it must be, my reverond brethren, by God's grace and blessing, through your faithful and combined assistance, your earnest self-denying zeal as " Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the Mysteries of God." On a former occasion I entered more minutely into some considerations of tho difficulties of your position, arising out of the state of the Church as now existing in this country, and the nature of the population ; and I then reminded you of the duties incumbent on you, and the man- ner in wliich you should endeavor to fulfil them. The increas- ed experience of the last three years has not lessened my sense of those difficulties ; while it has more strongly impressed upon me, how hopeless it is to look for any good fruits of your ministry, unless you are yourselves aiming to live up to your calling. Con- sistency and earnestness in your own lives will, in the end, prove far more influential, than uny mere popular gifts; and, if your own lives are sanctified by prayer, and guided by the Word of God, and so blessed by His Spirit, a precious unction will assuredly be poured upon those over whom you are placed, through the work of your ministry among them. Much good may always, no doubt, be hoped for, through the public pi-caching of the Word ; and this means is to be specially looked to, when you labor amongst a mixed population, many of whom have never yet been brought into any covenant relation with God, and are still, too often, both in understanding and in state, in the condition of heathens. Much carefulness is ncccs- 28 saiy, in order tlmt, wlien preacliliig the Word, you may not deliver an iiieffijctiial message, and miss an opportunity, through any fault or neglect of your own ; and I think that you may, not without profit, attend to the remarks made bv one who, though liot a member of the Church of England, was yet a person of considerable zeal and talent ; and who, after the experience of fifty years, has left on record the following advice : " I early preached in villages, and never discontinued the practice as long as I was able and had opportunity. I ought, therefore, to know, from much (3xperience, what is required in such services. I never went to them unprepared. It appeared to me strano-r- that any could suppose that less care and labour are necessary tn pre- paration, as those we address are less disciplined and qualified to receive instruction. I always peculiarly studied for these occasions, only my study was how to he intclWfihlc and interesting. The minds of the rustics are not inaccessible ; but you must take the trouble to find the avenues to them. There are modes of makino- them look eagerly, and hang upon the preacher's lips ; and the preacher who secures their attention, whatever some think, has the honour of resembling Ilim of whom it was said-' the common people heard him gladly.' " Persons of education may be approached tlirough more intel- lect, but the poor generally are like women, whose heads are in their hearts. They are like pools who feel before they think Application with thom is an offoct rather than a cause. They attend not to feel, but must be made to feel in onler to aUend. " Nothing that requires a lengthened connection of aro-umen- tation will succeed with ordinary heareiv.. They are not accustomed to unbroken trains of thought or discussion. For them, if the preacher be wise, he will find out acceptable words: the words of tlie wise are as goads and nails. The mass are not mathema- tical ; they are not logical. Tii,. deep and the subll,. in rea- soning will commonly escape them. Yet th^rois often in them largely the principle of common sense, and they are capable of takinj m even a profound proof or argument, if it be despatched witli brevity and plainness. It is also very advantageous, if not necessary, in their case, to attach to the proof or argument sd some fact or image, not in evidence (for metaphors prove nothing,) but in illustration. Thus a kind of handle is given to the subject, by which they arc enabled to lay hold of and carry away what would else bo too large or unfit for their grasp." I wish wo might all be able so to a<]apt our preaching to the state and condition of our congregations ; and in the coui'sc of such preaching faithfully to expound the Word of God; and teach our peoi)l(s what things, as members of Christ's Holy Church, "they ought to know and beMeve to their soul's health ;" teaching 'hose who have been baptised, " that baptism doth represent unto us our profession, Avhich is to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him ; that as ho died r.nd rose again for us, so should all we, Avho are baptised, die fiom sin, and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt af/ections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living." And, while wo thus appeal to them, as under a special bond and covenant, calling also upon all those who are as yet without the covenant, to " repent and be baptised every one of them, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins ; and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Pro- ceeding, I say, thus, according to the example of the Apostles, and the instruction of our Church, and teaching also the duty and privilege of prayer, and the promised gift of Christ to all the faithful in the Lord's Supper, for the strengthening and refreshing of their souls : teaching that the religion of Christ is not a vague unmeaning sentiment, or matter of abstract belief, but a rule of life and ])rovit n«T. Francis Fulfo.'d, D. D., RcsicUincc Sco House. Montreal. CLEIiGV. OatheilrAl— Deiin, Very Jtev. J. JJothtmc, '). D. ; Senior Canon. Von. 1 ArulKioiicon l^owt-r, M. A. ; Junior Ounoii, li,uv. S. Cils(.n,M. A • Honorary (Juii.,nM, Jlcv. JiiiiieH Keid, Rev. M. TownHLiiJ.Iitn- W.' 1. Lcacii, D. C. L., Rev. C. lianemft, M. A. AroluiiMoon of Montreal— \'fii. H. M. Luwcr. M. A. 15isli(i|/ri Cliajilains— VenLi-ablo ArcliLJeacou Lower, M. A., Rev. J. .'Hiott, M. A. JJisliop'a Secretary— Rev. Canon Gils.i. M. A. iiov. Canon Lead., D. C. L. ; Rev. W. U. Rond, Assistant Minister, bt. George's Cinircli. Rev.' A. J). CumpbcU, Trinity Churcli. •• J. Ellegood, B. A., St. Stephen's Cluircli. " Can:jn Gilson, M. A., St. Luke's Church. " liJ. Roi-era, Military Chaplain. '• Vv'ui. Abbott, Rector, St. Andrew;). " Vt''. Anderson, Rector, Sorcl. " J. A. McLeoil, CliristievilU'. ■• C. lianc'-oft, M. A., Rector, St. Joiins. "■ i. r. White, Rector, Ciiambly. " A. n. Whitten, Sheflbrd and Waterloo. ■' T. A. Young, St. Martin's and St. Therene. '• IL. Cornwall, Mascouche and Terrebonne. " E. Duveruet, B. A., Henry ville. " J. Flanagan, Lacbine. " C. Forest, Grenvillo and Chatham. " J. Fulton, Russeltown and Manningvillo. " D. Gaviu, Sabrevois. " J. Griffin, Gore. " W. Merrick, B. A., Berth ier. '• J. Johnson, Aylmer and Hull. " J. Jone^, Bu.lford. " Wui. Jones, Farnliamaud St. Brigide. " 1). Lindsay, Frest Village. " A. i). Lockhart, New Glasgow and Kilkenny. " R. Lonsdell, Laprairie. " Thomas Machin, Granby. " C. Morice, Lacolle, " W. Morris. Buckiughani. " J. Mountain, B. A., Ceteau du Lac. " F. S. Neve, Huntingdon. " G. de Courcy OGrady, B. A., Hcmmingford. " .1. J'yke, Vaudreuil. " J. Roiil, Rector, Frelighsburgh. " F. Robinson, Abbotsford and Rougemont. " C. RoUit, Rawdon and Kildare. " J. CLOStantine, Stanbridgo F;cst. •' J. Scott, M. A., Rector. Dunham. c Rev. R. Liiiil-iay, liromo. " J. K. .ludil, f/Aoiulie. " a. Sl.ick, Milton. M. '!■( R«ct(i iiwtiHeni " U. Wliitwell, Hector.' Pliillipsburdi'. •' W. IJri-tl.oiir, K A., Duiliuru. " E. (}. Sutton, Edwiinlstown. " John Davidson, Cowiinsvillo and Churchvillu. " A. F. Wutheriill, Stukdoy. '• .f. S. Sykus, Olurendon. •* J. (iodtlon, St. Jlyiicintlic and Upton. " II. Monttfomery, Sucton. " I*. S. Williiui: s, Uivor Dcvid and partn adjacent to Horol. Note E. p. IJ, The erection of St. Luke's chuicli in the Queb.-o Suburbs, one of clio poorest districts lu the city, was coniniencod soon after tlio groat tiro of July ■"-•»«■«. i>yrt„„,,,i,.„. Win bo w™a„ „ ^.x::zz:::r^:r' -■^■^ ■" ^''" Af n Note fK p. ic. '»M\:i":r,;::,f i;;;:-;;;'''" ^-'^'^ '»' «.o Pr„p.ga«„„ .r ,^. o„.p.,, n-xt <,,,„i„,,, ,],„ mm,,,f f,fi r., •;• r"""'' •""" "■« l""f July II. n.at from ftnd after the '.t of Julv 18n«M •, re ...eel by not less than ton per cent '^''* ^'''^* «'»«" b« III. That tLo local Treasurer of tho Society P G F P ' ^r authonzed to draw on the Treasurers of the Parent st; ^T ^" sum by equal quartely bills on the <^t of nlf v t ^ ^^^' '"'' "^^^ "t°^« P»ro„t Society. Iho name. „f „1| Mi,.i„„„rie,"^,„ h!^^ nf»raot,on of Ih, portion of .,,0,, g™„t-...e.eatio„ofLdt-aSaCnti^'— ^^^^^^^^^^^ 36 jpoor Clergymen, and towards making a provision for tlioao who may Ik* inciipacitiited by ngo or infirmity, and for Widows and Orpb'^ig of the Clergy of the said Churcli in the said Dioocso. 2nd. — Tlio encouragement of Education, and tlic support of Day and Sunday Schoola in the said Diocese, in conformity with the jirinciples of the said Church. 3rd. — Granting a-iaistfjice, where it may be necessary, to tliose who may be preparing for the Ministry of the Gospel, in tlie said Church within the said Diocese, 4th. — Circulating in the said Diocese the Holy Sei'iptures, and such publi- cations as have the sanction of the Church, viz: — Prayer Books, Homilies, Catechisms, Collects, and Canons, with the addition of Eooks and Tracts circulated by the Society for P. C. K. in London. 5th. — Obtaining and granting aid ttnvards the erection, endowment and maintenance of churches according to the establishment of the said Church in the said Diocose, the erection, and maintenance of parsonage-houses, the getting apart of burial grounds and church-yards, the endowment and support of parsonages and rectories according to the said establishment and the management of all matters relating to such endowments. His Excellency the Governor General, if a member of the Church of England, shall be requested to become the Patron of the Society. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Montreal, shall be the President of the Society, and shall be "ex-ojjrcio" Chairman of all meetings of the Society, and of all Committees thereof, at wliich ho may be present. Tlie "V ice- Presidents shall consist of such Chairmen of the different District Associa- tions of the Society, as are hereinafter provided for, and such others as shall be nominated at the Geueiii ' Annual Meeting of the Society, from among its members. Note I. p. 18. In the year 1851 " the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel" con- Bcnted, in answer to an application made by me, to give an annual grant, not exceeding £1000 sterling, for the purpose of assisting in providing glebes and endowments for the several parishes and missions in this Diocese. No one parish or mission to receive more than £150 out of such grants, and only upon condition of raising as much by local subscriptions as was given by the Society. This plan was only just becoming generally known, and about to bo acted upon, when in consequence of the many other claims on its funds, and similar applications from other Dioceses, which it was not able to meet, the Society felt obliged to withdraw the grant, subject only to such payments as had been already pledged to any parishes or missions, in con- sequence of compliance with the conditions proposed. Under this temporary Btimulus, great exertions were made to obtain the benefit of the grant during the first year by a few Clergymen and their congregations : and the sum of £644 28. 6d. sterling, was received from th<^ Society, in addition to the like 37 .1.. ..,„„ ..„„™ ,,,„ .,^ ,„„„ „., j;;-;^ 2u::;:::r""" '" """"'"• ( rm. Note K. p, 20 soon after I cam,, out to «,mf,.,.l V ' " »l'Pl"-''''on to mo Bio«.,,.a„,Hale; "ffiec r;^;3wr„?'^rt^ !" -* '" "•« Committee.- IlavinirrM™,,, h , . '"™' Conospondiu^ "f llieh- «.e„t,"irj:,r M '. •''"""''"<«' '"'""'<' ««. 'Wl -idcnfofthecommit.e::andret:::redi:r.itrnr"' T.. , ^OTfi L. p. 22. Piovincial Legisllt, re i '784t H ' "^'^ /"^^'-P^^^^^^-i ^7 «« Act of the it a University andrmno^! ' f. ''''^^^<^ ^ ^-J^^ Charter constituting tion. and the Bishop of M^Ljfrv ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ''''''. ^^P- tors. There are at present thirtopn J a f !"'^"* • «"d ^^^ey are joint Visi- are candidates for 0^^, bu ^ ^ '^ " '''"''''''' '»!--* -^^ of whom monts are in pro Jss for mak LH 'l'^^'''''' '^^« ^e^n granted arrango- the general eJucS :^ iTvro^T''''' "°" ^^^^"'^^^^ ^'''^^'^^^' Note M. p. 25 in addition to what I hare stated in the body of my Char- I thinl, .k f...o,,,„ extract from ...he^ew Yor. Chnrch'jonrnll^ri^Lt t ^^easonsfor alitur^.aod for wi.hin, Jseeitad'opLTlC^^ 38 iBt. By tlie laws of our nature, associated thoughts gradually cUrstef about every sul)j.^ct of poriodical attention, and accordingly an appointed form of pniyer becomes, to those who faithfully use it, riclily suggestive. 2nd. A Liturgy, if once toucb-'-'g and impressive, is always so— nay, it borrows increased interest from antiquity. But the mind of the minister is, from indisposition, trouble, or some other cause, liable to be unfitted for duly leading the devotions of the sanctuary in accordance with Congrega- tional usages. And, it must be added, that Clergymen who are in all res- pects highly gifted, not unfrequently, when praying, give utterance to ideas not by any means favorable to the mental unison which should exist between themselves and their fellow worshippers. 3d. Man and humanity remain from age to nge intrinsically the same. Hence a fixed form of prayer is appropriate to our condition, and solemn from the universality of its nature. 4th. The gift of prayer depends upon a religious genius which is not often imparted. A good Liturgy crystalizes and preserves for the light and com- for.^ of successive generations the best devotional thoughts of good men. 5th. An impressive Liturgy renders the services of the sanctuary highly useful, although the preaching may be unacceptable. P. S.— While the foregoing pages w ue passing through the press, I saw the following opinion, bearing the signature of four eminent lawyers, includ- ing that of the present Solicitor General, who had charge of the Colonial Church Bill, in the House of Commons, last year. I am not aware that there is any reason why Montreal or Quebec may not be substituted for Adelaide. " W« have great pleasure in giving publicity to the following important opinion upon the legality of Diocesan Synods : — "We are of opinion that the Act of Submission (25 Hen. VHI e. 19) does not extend to prohibit or render illegal the holding of Diocesan Synods within th« Diocese of Adelaide "(Signed,) Richard Bkthell, FiTZROY Kelly, Joseph Napier. A. J. Stephens, ? " Lincoln's-inn, Dec. 1, 1864." i I