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Un des symboles sulvants apparaitra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols —► signifle "A SUIVRE", le symbols V eignifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may ba filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diegrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent 6tr(> film6s A des tsux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clich6, II est filmi d partir de Tangle sup6rleur geuche, de gauche L droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ' ¥-" h-fOfi^ %■ THE ti MjjasE&ffiivfta'J t4|^'' RESERVE QUESTION, 4' -iftky^iiS*" m .. . OR Jl WORD FOR THE CHURCH, BY 4int 0t Itu H^UVttS. AUDI ALTERAM PARTE Mr FIAT JUSTITIA. PRINTED FOB THE AUTHOR. 1837. ^xttntt. The writer of the following pages ought perhaps to apologize for the warlike turn which has been given to some few parts of his address. But while some of the terms are military and the imagery occasionally assumes a martial air, he must beg that his readers will not misunderstand him. For the warfare of which he speaks and the unflinching contest to which he in- vites the Clergy of his Church, is not that of sanguinary encounter, or of fierce and malignant feeling ; but that of strenuous and persevering exertion for the undisturbed possession of their important rights and privileges. He hopes he is no bigot. He is not aware that he feels the least enmity against any sect or denomination in the Province : nor is he disposed to assert with arro- gancy of assumption that his is the only Church to the exclusion of all others. He claims indeed the right of preference : and strong are the convictions which have led to End which cause him still to cherish this his preference. But he still concedes to others the right of choice. And were he and his Church only left to themselves as he would leave others — to proceed quietly and undisturbedly in the peaceful discharge of their respective duties, — not a line on the present subject would ever have been sent by him to the press. But when such hosts of assailants have gathered around his revered and hon- ored Church ; and when they rapaciously, and as it seems to him, iniquitous- ly talk of severing from her, or altogether alienating her exclusive endowments : and when in order rriore fully to secure their aim, they do not scruple either ignorantly or maliciously, to malign her — under such circumstances, he felt it his bounden duty to speak out ; and while he has endeavoured to do this with manly christian courage, he is not conscious of having cherished against any one, the least bitterness of feeling. ■rti "W¥*WWW* 1 theii the' host char Wh' attei ness lish( emi and ered Ac tion CLERGY RESERVES. *' And we shall see war no more !" Such was the ardent hope of the Clergy of the Established Ciiurch when they left the angry disputations of their native land, in search of trans-ailantic quietness. " In Canada surely" was their natural conclusion " nothing will disturb our peace. None of the wonted missiles will then be hurled against us : no firebrands of tithes and sinecures, and pluralities ; no causes for heart-burnings and fierce contentions : but peace, happy long wished-for peace shall be enjoyed in that secluded coun- try." Such were their feelings, as they approached the Canadian shores. — The desire of greater usefulness had loosened ihem from the fond ties which bound them to their native Country ; for the strong and reiterated cry had reached them, — "O come over and help us; for Clergymen are so greatly need- ed here. You may go for miles : and see neither Church nor Minister. No public worship unless you collect your family and a few solitary neighbours in your own house or go to hear the imperfect lispings of the uneducated poor in their meetings for prayer. We want resident and educated Ministers : some one to whom we can look up : who will gather up the rough and unsha- ped materials around us, and with the cement of piety, prudence, and affec- tion, unite us into a compact and seemly edifice. Yes ! you must come and help us ; and you will find how gladly we shall welcome you." But no sooner had they reached the shores of the far-famed Ontario ; and turned with admiring gaze from its majestic waters in search of some scene of quietude and usefulness, than they found that they still had enemies to en- counter,-— enemies if possible more fierce and bitter than before. Scarcely a sect or denomination, but had feelings of hostility against them. *'No domi- nant church, here, in this free colony : no arrogant assumption of superiority ; no salaried Ministers : no lordly pampered priest-hood ; let them rough it as we have done before them. Away with their gowns, their surplices, and their hoods j with all their worldly trappings and priestly vanities, remnants of the vestments of the Babylonish whore." And why all this vehemence of hostility 1 May I unveil the mystery ? will it be inconsistent with christian charity to tell of the apparently unhallowed feelings which dwell within ? — Why then this hostility ? Has it not its origin in Envy ? that baneful feeling, attended vtrith its usual concomitants, "hatred, malice, and all uncharitable- ness" ? For they readily perceived that whenever a minister of the Estab- lished Church settled amongst them, they sank down from their wonteci pre- eminence, and were obliged to take some lower place. The more wealthy, and influential, and soberminded, from among the community, gradually gath- ered around him : for "all things were then clone decently, and in orders — A constant residence ^ave him a stronger hold on the affections and co-opera- tions (if his people ; enabled him to enter upon more efficient plans, and gave 1 1 i unity QS well as vigour to liis proceedings ; — whilst hi.'- independent income, derived not from the scanty, precarious, and grudging contributions of his con- gn^gation, hut from his endowment, and appointed salary — this his small, but still independent income, enabled him to act so differently from themselves, as his judgement or his circumstances might require, without servile fear and without iiumiliating compliance. And all this painful contrast was unhappily associated in their minds with our exclusive possession of the Clergy Re- serves. Such then has been the unhappy lot of our English Clergy ! Misconstrued and maligned in tlieir Native Country, they found the same opposition on their arrival here : and all this, when they had hoped that they should com- pletely escape from the windy storm and tempest ; flee away from it for ever, and be at rest. But how was this hostdity met by them 1 Did they return evd for evil, or railing for railing? Did they drag these unhallowed subjects into the House of their God ; and make the pulpit the arena of angry feeling and bitter contention ? Did they pour into their people's ears, in their pastoral visits or their social parties, the language of just recrimination or indignant retort Sordid they (to borrow a phrase from the world's vocabulary) endeavour " to shew up" their church's adversaries in their due coloring and proportions? No! Taught by 'he safe and imperative word of their God, the rising feelings of indignation were checked ; and the outraged consciousness of rectitude thus assailed, which was strrling up into the posture of defiance and retaliation, was taught to bow before the sense of duty. Instead therefore of attempting to avenge themselves, they quietly gave place unto wrath. Instead of being overcome of evil, they endeavoured to overcome evil with good. " For the Servant of the Lord" — the man who would outlive opposition, and by patient endurance in " well doing, would put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." " The Servant of the Lord" must not strive, but be gentle unto all men ; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves : if God peradventure give them re- pentance to the acknowledgement of the truth." The christian feeling therefore, of the ministers of our Church, has im- posed on them that silence which they have hitherto so strikingly maintained. And if they have erred in this respect ; and their silence has been miscon- strued into cold indifference, or a conviction of the badness of their cause; much as such inferences are to be lamented, it must still be regarded as an error on the right side. But their habits of quietude have likewise contributed towards this almost criminal forbearance. It is not cold apathy ; it is not cowardice : it is not any vvilfu. dereliction of duty, which has made them shritikfrom the contest. It is because their habits of retirement make them fancy that they are not called upon to take any active share in the more public matters of the day. These things they feel that they ought mostly to leave to others. And if at times they are dragged from their privacy by a sense of bounden duty ; if the rights of their church, or the general interests of religion, or the security of the throne call for their services ; — they take down their armour, — and with firm- income, his con- nnl], but selves, as fear and nhappily rgy Re- jonstrued sition on lid com- for ever, r evil, or House of ntention 1 ;ir social they (to up" their lught by dignation assailed, as taught 3 avenge overcome 3rvant of ndurance ' "The meekness them re- has im- lintained. I miscon- ir cause; d as an is almost s not any lest. It ot called These at times le rights of the 'ith firm- ness of purpose, and full preparedness lo sulfer in the rij^lileous cause, tlicy buckle it on, and go foitli to the fight. But no sooner has the warfare been accomplished and the cheering notes of returning peace meet their delighted ear, than they fall back into their beloved retirement and devote thenidclve.s with renewed vigour to their peaceful and heaven-directed labours. And while they feel with Hooker the sorrowful conviction "that this vvovld is made up of perturbations" they are enabled to look more fully toward^: that glorious state where differences and alterations will cease for ever. The parish-priest, then, generally speaking shrinks from contention. There are found indeed within the privileged enclosure of our establishment some few men of oiher habits : and it is well that such men have been raised up a- mong us: but they do not constitute the mass of our Church's labourers. We find occasionally for example, the Political Champion. The man who has been rewarded for his zeal and activity in his Country's cause, with some honourable station ; placed as is meet, among the professors of his University or the dignitaries of his Church : and who still retaining his distinguishing characteristics, is ever ready when occaaion calls " to poise the lance, or hurl the quivering spear." The Grave Polemic is also occasionally seen a- mong her ranks. Nursed in the disputations of his College : habituated to distinguish the slightest shades of error,.nnd to detect the smallest flaw in argu- ment ; accuiitoraed to triumph over his less acute and less talented foe, tho arena of discussion is his delighted sphere. And there are other grades of dis- putants, other shades of revered, and honoured worthies, who are found among our Clergy ; such as the orthodox defenders of our forms, rites, ceremonies, claims, and privileges, all of them ustful, necessary, and essential, as the but- tresses and bulwarks of our favoured Zion. But still these form but a small fraction of our Clergy. The majority of our Pastors are men of other habits. They arc the laborious cultivators of the vineyard of their Lord, rather than the warm and spirited defenders of their Country's or their Church's rights. In the bosom of their families, and the calm retreats of their parishes they are actively, and conscientiously engaged in the more immediate and direct further- ance of the blessings of the gospel of peace. Nor is it merely their christian forbearance and their love of quietness, which have imposed on them the silence which they have hitherto maintained. Some of the subjects in difc-pute, are unhappily of inauspicious bearing. The bandied question of Reserves, for example, is too closely allied with the long reiterated charge of "love for the loaves and fishes :^^ and they shrink from the bare suspicion of their being worldly and covetous m their views. Frequently do they need assistance ; and many a struggle have many of them had to sup- port their families, and to maintain that decency of appearance which their education and their station requires. The scanty pittance which many of them receive is much less than the stipends attached to their former cures in England : and having expended all that they could readily convert into mon- ey, in order to bring them to this Country ; and having also shorn themselves of many a comfort to accomplish this end, they have now no little hoard of savings to which they can have recourse, and at times they are in no small 8 danger of suflTering frorn want. \ 'iidcr such circumstances therefore how glad- ly would they have received the extra aid, which their paternal Monarch and his Imperial senate had appropriated fur their use. But they open not their mouths in clamorous complaint. They will not put it into the power of the malicious to charge them with mercenary views. They have therefore for- borne to urge their claims ; and have hitherto suffered to proceed without re- buke or resistance that shameless attempt at spoliation which has been passing before their eyes. But oh ! blame them not for this their meek and heavenly minded forbearance, this their magnanimous, and pious silence ; a spirit which while it rescues them from censure, and raises them indeed above all praise, is seen in perfect contrast with that exhibited by the mass of those who revile and oppose them. With them truly and exclusively, has been the clamour "for the loaves and for thefishesj" and short of this anticipated consummation oJ* their wishes, they will never, it is to be feared, contentedly rost. But the silence of our Clergy, may be yet further attributed to "their con- sdotisness of the justice of their claims^ They could not believe it possible that men were serious in the language which they used. They regarded these observations rather as feelers put forth to ascertain the probability of success, than any real expectation, that such absurd and preposterous demands should be realized. So confident indeed did they feel that justice was on their side, and that truth would eventually prevail — that they could hardly bring them- selves seriously to argue on so self-evident a point. And I am not surprised at this their firm conviction : for never surely was there a clearer case, or a more righteous cause. And only let the matter be fully, and impartially considered ; let popular ferment be permitted to work out its recently accumulated impurities, and be lefl quietly to subside ; let the heated imaginations of the party-spirited, worked up as they have lately been to more than their customary fierceness, be suffered to cool ; give us only time for the re-action of the public mind, and then the question of the Re- serves will be so self-evident to parties of every description that the wonder will arise how it was possible to have misapprehended it. It is not my intention to enter into any enlargement on this question. A short and simple statement will be quite sufficient to convince the unbiassed mind ; and the most lengthened and elaborate detail would be altogether lost on those who have already prejudged the question. How then does the matter simply stand ? A large and important Province was added to the British Empire and became part of the same. Its pious Sovereign, the venerable parent of his people, was desirous of securing to the settlers the blessings of an established religion. The Episcopal form of Church Government which so considerably predominated in his realms : which had ever been connected with the state, and as such was termed the Establish- ment or the National Church: and to which form of- Church Government both as a Monarch and as a man he was most warmly attached ; — this was of coui*se fixed imon by him as the one to be established in the new Province. But as without i. suitable provision for the support of its Clergy, no predo- minant or leading influence, and no permanent continuance could be antici- pated, luch provision was coneequcntly made. Aim as the unpopular mode of providing for the English Clergy wns a perpetual source of contention and irritation, — in order to spare the feelings of his Clergy in his new Province, and tu dioarm the dissenters of their hoslility, or at least to rennove from them every just ground of objection, glebes and parsoncges were contemplated in the stead of tithes; and land of sufficient extent was accordingly eet nport, and apportioned to their use. And thus originated the Clergy Reserves. In order also that they might be employed for their sole we and beneBt, it was stated in express terms, that these Reserves were a provision for the i«uppoi-t of " the Protestant Clergy" — Protestant^ as excluding Roman Catholics j Clergy as excluding Ministers of all other sects and dtnominations. For by the term *' Clergy" is meant in England the ministers of the Established Church and those alone. * * I am aware that our ScoUith fricnd.i, and the Presbyterians among them especially, uie the term " Clergy" in a less restricted sense : and appljr IL generally to the ministers of their own Church. But this is completely a Scolticitim. It is never used by Englishmen, unless they happen to have adopted it through intercourse with Scotchmen. I never mysell' during a residence in England of nearly 50 years, recollect to have heard it otherwise uaed than as designating the Clergy of the Established Church : and I am persuaded that nine hundred and ninety nine out of a thousand so employ it. And its bearing on the present question ia most important. For it must be recollected that the Constilutionnl act in which the expres* Bton "Protestant Clergy" is employed, was framed in England, where this is the comnion and almost invariable acceptation of the term, and consequently the Clergy Reserves were intended for the Protestant Clergy of the Established Church and these exclusively. Besides if the English Parliament had contemplated the admission of Presbyterian Ministers togeth< cr with the English Clergy, they would more accurately have described their intentions ; and used such additional words as would have made their meaning more definite and unam> higuous. Framers of Parliamentary acts arc notoriously profuse in their use of distinctivo terms. They employ them in smileabic abundance. Why then so sparing in the present instance 1 It is therefore the merest sophistry to suppose that by the terms « Protestant Clergy" our Legislators had the least reference to Presbyterian Ministers. I am further aware that the members of the Scottish or Presbyterian Church consider themselves as entitled to a share in these Reserves on another ground, because they form so large a portion of his Majesty's subjects : and that in Scotland the Presbyterian form of Go- vernment is established as their National Church. But they should remember that the Pres> byterian form of Church Government was not ihe form selected for and set up among them by an English Monarch and an English Senate, but one which had been previously adopt< ed and actually established among them *, and which was merely recognized and suffered to remain as their Naticnal Church. It was also as an Establishment, simply confined to Scotland : and its extension cr estab- lishment elsewhere, was in no wise contemplated. And it was evidently supposed that should any member of the Presbyterian Church leave Scotland, and settle either in £rgland or in any of the Provinces, they must of course leave behind them Piesbyterianism as an estab- lisjfiment : and quietly and contentedly uphold their respective congregations without any di- rect recognition from Government, beyond toleration and protection. And that should pe> euniary support in any way on such occasions be granted to them by Government, it mutt be considered as a mere boon, and in no wise as a claim. I trust however that our Scottish friends, who politically have so extensively and generally been considered as " loyal men and true," will soon forbear to harrass and impede us by their strange perseverance in these vexatious claims, and in their endeavouring to deprive us of our birthright as Englishmen by severing the connection of our Church with the State. At least if they cannot see the matter in the same point of view with ourselves,, let thun still be willing to like us offiictionatcly by lbs hand, and amicablj- agree to differ. B 10 I Thiu Provision tlien for the support of the Protestant Clergy : rf in olhei' terms for the Ministrrs of the Estahlished or National Church, is that concern^ ing which this 8tra;ige and protracted altercation has arisen. It was the Mon- arch's duty and the Monarch's act to provide for the Established religion, thi« being the birthright of Englishmen, as part and parcel of the British Constitu- tion. And this appropriation was made on the supposition that our Province would eventually cooner or later be filled by a majority of emigrants attached to, and strongly preferring the Established religion *, inasmuch as the same rel- ative proportion of members, must eventually be found in the Province as in the Mother Country itself. "But if this is the real state of the case, why," it will be asked "showld there be any disputes respecting them ? why any further attempts to legislate about their appropriction ? Right is right, and just claims should be respected* These Reserves having evidently been designed and appropriated for the sole use of the Clergy of the Established Church, not cae acre of them can with any rectUude be wrested from them, and given to any others, or devoted to any other purpose." But while Rtctiiude would thus decide respecting the varione ctaini9 there is another interpreter nineh in vogue in the present day, which is so ex- pert that it obviates all difficulties, overleaps every barrier, sets aside all invest' ed rights a^ ' legal claims, and permits its advocates to think, act, and legislate as they may please : and this bewildering magician is expediency. But what is this Expediency ? This potent charmer, this despotic ruler of the destinies of men ? F(4itical expediency tn&j be logically recognized, as that which is politic or seemingly desirable, and which because thus appa-* rently. desirable may be adopted irrespectively of right* For expediency is distinct from rectitude: a something which swerves and decfmes more or less from it. It brings itself to no moral touch-stone ; it admits of no hampering restrictions as to right or wrong ; but takes upon itself to pronorrnre as to what is most beneficial ; most for the general good, or best for the time bein^, and on this apparent utility it bases all its measures, and feels that it is justi- fied in leaving all abstract quegtions of moral obligation to the schoolmen or the divine. But I would ask, what have Christian senators to do with so garbled and bane- ful an expediency as thisi Let this fallacious, this Proteus-like doctrine be es-- ,t:b!ished, and away go all the bonds of social, political, and commercial life. For debased expec'iency will teach us that the end will justify the means. They were its abettors who framed and know so dexterously how to apply that - ,_ . — ...■— — ..— _ ■ I _ ., ■ , ., , „ ■■■_., a* ■-— — ., - .. — .— I ■ „— ■ ■ ■■.■■. I ■ — ■ I -We have heard it strongly asserted though we are loath to believe it " that the Presbyterian* are at the bottom of the whole affair^ that they are the most bitter, prejudiced and intolerant of any ; that they are so stiff and stem and do^atkal in all their opinions ; that the Knoxi nind Camerons and others of the gloomy and more repulsive school, too much prevail ; tnd that the benign and winning influence of the loveable and attaching Chalmers is but of nri occurrence." General assertions can never be strictly true ; and many a redeeming excep- •t.ion have we happHy been favoured with. May they ^vt -.ore and more abound ; and in the future intercourse of our widely diflerirg churches, uaj' it become oar mutual endeavour th.it -' Ephraim may no longer envy Judab. nor Judah vex Ephraim.** • .,^: I tl infernal maxim, *' Let us do evil that good may come, whose damnation i« just" — severe, but scriptural, and therefore just conclusion. For this hate- ful doctrine will hurry its advocates into acts the most flagrant and atrocious in order to obtain some desired object, to gratify some clamouring rabble, or to avert some dreaded political influence. It will bound over every obstacle : «iap asunder every bond : and triumph over every scruple : and should cir- cumstances require it, will teach its advocates to follow in the desperate steps of the time-serving vacillating Pilate, who could deliver up the just and holy Saviour in whom he could find no fault, because the clamouring multitude required it. Oh what will not the man of mere worldly expediency do, who truckles for popularity and who regards the ever varying wishes of the people rather than the things which are " honest, just, and true." I admire a legitimate expediency as much as any man ; though not the base, time-serving, money-calcuiating expediency of worldly men : but the expe- diency of rectitude : that which is founded upon the strict and undeviating principles of right and wrong. Shall we go at this late period of the world and amidst the clear and bright efiulgence of the gospel day, to the upright heathen for his sentiments 1 And yet there are some who would listen to such a teacher, when they would scorn the morality of the gospel. Let them ponder over the answer of the just Aristides to the base, but seemingly expe- dient proposal of the wily Themistocles, — " Nothing can be useful, but wliat is right.^ And the high spirited and honourable Athenians, with a tact . of feeling unknown to many among ourselves, determined ** that the just counsel was the best ;" and the base proposal was rejected. When will the Sena- tors of the present day, be prepared to learn that nothing can politically be right, which is morally wrong ? Let then the baneful doctrine of political expediency be banished from the Senate, and the public raind ; and let the matter of the Reserves, be discus- sed on the only proper basis of Rectitude, and the question will soon be set at rest for ever. We fear not for one instant as to the result. Such is the simple question of the Clergy Reserves and such the plain and exclusive right of the Clergy of our Church to this provision so considerately appropriated for them. And can we wonder that the Clergy all along thus viewing what appeared to them so self-evident a matter, should rmWe or mar- vel at their opponents, rather than seriously set themselves to confront them. But a still further reason may apologetically be added for the silence, and lupposed apathy and indifierence of our Clergy ; they too naturally looked for aid from others. They considered that if unhallowed hands had been raised up against them, there were others, whose delegated office it was to .uphold and defend them, and who would lift up their voice on their behalf, while tbe7 were suffered to hold their peace. That while they *^ abode by the Stuff," the legitimate conservators of their rights and privileges, would main- tain their righteous cause. They had hoped that they had faithful men and .tru-9, among the Assembly of the People ; not merely the nominal but the at- tached members of their Church j and on these they thought the church could confidently rely, that they would sooner part with their heart's blood, than suffer 12 ;■■ I ^IR I- 'I' her vested claims to be infringed upon and her exclusive property iniquitously transterred to others. But the hints, and whispers of spoliation have pro- ceeded throughout all the different grades of insinuation, expectancy, bold astsertion, arrogant claims, and loud intimidation till at length the bewildered and mystified mind of the people at large, has begun to doubt as to the right- ful issue, and tha^shout of the iincircumcised, already nngs throughout their camp in anticipatfon of speedy victory. And all this, while the professed sons o( the Church in the house of their Assembly, " stand silent and cow- ardly by," knowing full well that the ark of their sanctuary is in danger, but that to attempt to rescue it, would inevitably expose themselves to peril ; and therefore they sutler the rapacious struggle to proceed. And oh ! "tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of'Askelon," some of these pretended, but Rpurious sons, are traitorously lending a helping hand to the consummation of the sacrilegious process. Disappointed in the aid they anticipated from these professed, and as they had ho[jed, these true and genuine sons of their established church, they look- ed with imploring at^pect, and with confident expectations towards the higher powers; the legitimate upholders, and defenders of their rights. But the regis of their protection, the sheltering covert of the monarch's representative, has hitherto been so charingly aflbrded, so cautiously and tardily given, that little hope now remains for them, but in the justice of their cause, and the eventoal interference of that gracious being, who sooner or later will "stretch forth his right hand to help and defend them." They have been taught in- deed to "cease from man whose expectations are vain," and to tnist in that Goo, "who sitteth on the throne judging right ;" the sceptre of whose kingdom is the sceptre of rectitude. To these various causes it must be ascribed that the Clergy of our Province have hitherto been suffering the work of spoliation to proceed with a half criminal non-resistance to their Church's foes. Yet she is now beginning to a- rise. Too late perhaps in the estimation of many, but not too late we trust in point of fact. For when the secluded and retiring parish-priest steps for- ward and solicits the public ear; when the voice so seldom raised in his own defence, is at length imperatively and conscientiously uplifted, it is never heard in vain. He is listened to with more than usual deference and respect. The intelligence, the clear and unsophisticated reasoning of these maligned, but still most honoured men, has ever had a charm upon the public mind. Their straight-forward and untampering honesty, has ever awakened the strongest sympathies on their behalf. Besides these are the men who in every case of public peril, have exhibited so firm a bottom and so unflinching a courage, that their confiding country has never looked to them in vain ; — men who know how fearlessly to maintain, that which they conscientiously believe ; — who in the discharge of their pulpit and other dvties are compelled to stand the brunt of personal or parochial opposition, and who with all their tender- ness and affection are still required to make their faces harder than a flint, rather than be found guilty of a dereliction of their duty to God. These there- fore are the men who will not truckle to the base, nor be intimidated by the 13 •trong } but having their hands strengthened by the mighty God of Jacob ; clad in unearthly armour, and wielding uncarnal weapons they will stand unsha- ken and unappalled in the evil day, and never quit their ranks or abandon their righteous cause. They dare not yield. They can neither compromise, nor desert. Not a singlt claim can they ever be prevailed on to relinquish. Call them stubborn, mistake their inflexible integrity, and their un Jterable decision for pertinacious bigotry ; brand them with ever so many an opprobious name ; yet such is the nature of their present contest, that when once convinced of the real objects and the probable success of their Church's foes, they will never inglorious!/ leave the field. Th^se perhaps are strong expressions ; stronger you may think than the ne- cessity of the case requires. Listen then to calmer statemen ", and suffer me to shew the grounds of their inflexible decision. ><^ Every thing teaches the Minister of the Established Church, the utter hoptt' lessness of concession. "Does he not ehrlnk from contest" ? some one may speciously enquire ; "have you not told us he is a man of peace, and does he not wish to promote its interests ? Why then so exclusive and perti« nacious? Why not suffer others to partake in common with himself 1 Let him only express his willingness to consider the Reserves as common proper- ty, and let other denominations be admitted to their duly regulated share, then will the question be forever settled, and peace restored within our Zion*s bor- ders." There are times in which these specious reasonings have induced him to pause, and consider ; for peace, delightful peac« is an object most dear to his heart, and in order to obtain it, how extensively would he sacrifice ! But he soon finds that it cannot be. Concede on this point, and instead of peace, it would be the commencement of interminable war. Let the principle of par- tition once be admitted, and where would the distribution stop ? Claimants after claimants, like the successive hordes of Goths, Huns, and Vandals, hun- gry, impoverished, and sorely beset, would sweep away all before them, and leave nothing but a desolated wilderness behind. No ! to concede, would be either wholly to abandon, or incessantly to contend. Instead of peace, there would be yet more inevitable and hopeless war. But perhaps his liberality, candour, and piety are appealed to ; and the ar- rogancy of general claims being for the occasion waived ; he is asked in seem* ing meekness and modesty, "But why so desirous of engrossing the whole ? You find the benefit of these Bfeserves yourself; and you know full well the difficulties with which we have to contend. Why then so reluctant to bestow on us, that portion from your own ample superabundant provision, which you could so readily without the least detriment spare, and which would prove so material a benefit to us? We appeal then to your christian feelings. We know the interest you take in the adv ^ncement of the Redeemer's kingdom. You know the need that exists for labourers in this part of our Lord's vine- yard, and you cannot do otherwise than wish us on them gen- erally this as their Iwunden duty. And who can question the efficacy of this united cry entering as it doubtless will, into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. But should this duty he neglected, should prayer be omitted, all other means will be employed in vain. We m&y talk, and harangue, and congregate, and petition and write without end : and all will prove the "imbelle telum" hurl- ed by the powerless army of Priam, unable to reach ita object, uselessly fall- ing to the ground, -ii''-' *' « v«!vV^ -» n< But Canada in expectiflg that "every Clergyman should do his duty," ex- p>ects that every one slwuld enlighten to the utmost^ his respective circle. It is a favourite maxim of the day, that ^^knowledge is power^^ and who can so efficiently communicate this knowledge, as the authorized and weekly teach- ers in our Church ; the men of intelligence and of piety, of respectability apd of influence amongst us? What are then the Clergy of Upper Canada doing at the present moment t Are they enlightening their people, on the all engrossing subject which so oc- cupies the public mind ? Are they collecting all the materials in their power so as to enable them to argue, reason with, illuminate, or convince them, as the case may be ? Do they when thus furnished, take every suitable oppor- tunity of bringing the subject before their hearers? or of conversing with their friends and people in the social circle ? Do they purchase and circulate a- mong them all the tracts, and publications, which are likely to give them cor- rect views, and arouse their dormant energies ? Do they at the same time boldly avow their own sentiments on all collateral points? Such as their de- cided preference for the Churcli to which they belong, with the various grounds for this preference. — Its Episcopal form of Government. — ^The soundness of its doctrines, as seen in its articles, homilies, and liturgy. — ^The intelligence, respectability, and staidness of its ministers ; their zeal without innovation ; their piety without fanaticism. — The mass of its members attached to consti- tutional and conservative principles, upholding the state as well as-the church. The smile of Heaven which has so long rested upon it, preserving it from sink- ing amidst the wildest storms, and enabling it to survive the most lengthened and furious attacks, — The advantages it derives from being an established re- 'M\ •ii' 19 ligion, of possessing endowments In perpetuity, that the worship of God and iho preaching of his word, may descend to tha remotest periods. — And con- sequently, the claim whtch such a Church has upon the affections of the peo- ple, and the paramount duty of contending for its just rights. " - '^ *^ - Are they moreover, striving to extend the sphere of their usefulness beyond the narrow limits of their respective cures, and neighbourhoods, by endeav- ouring to benefit the Province generally, throtigh the medium of the Press ? employing either the more extended pamphlet or the less obtrusive tract, as their leisure, talents, or habits may suggest, and sacrificing small sums in its publication, so that its circulation being mostly gratuitous, it may be as widely diffused as possible ; taking as their encouragement the declaration of our Saviour, " she hath done what she could f ' Every Clergyman on such an occasion as the present can do something ; and every one oughiy and should not suffer himself to plead excuse or exemp- tion. It is now upwards of twelve years, since the writer of this unpretend- ing tract, has in any public way employed his pen. And gladly would he in his less efficient years, have committed the task to some more youthful or vi- gorous hand. But conscience kept sounding in his ear, the personal convic- tion, that he as well as others was expected to do his duty, and having yielded to the monitory call, " he has done what he could." But there is another way in which diffused benefit, may most advantageous- ly be conveyed. You have seen doubtless the announcement of the intended publication of " the United Church" and may have heard perhaps of the able Editor, who has consented for the present to conduct it. But as every one has his own peculiar gift and talent, so every clergyman of our United Church should set himself conscientiously to contribute; and should send one contri- bution at least, every month ; and in the mean while should use every effort Xo procure for the projected paper, pecuniary support, and when its publica- tion shall be commenced, he should spare no pains that all within the reach of his influence, should have the opportunity of regularly reading it. Ah ! give us but time for the settling of this long agitated question, let us only have a few months before us to enlighten the public mind ; let Senators and people calmly consider the weighty arguments which from time to time, will we .doubt not, through this weekly visitant be brought before them, and another session will find such a reaction among the representatives of the people, that they will no longer hesitate to confirm to us, our just and equitable claims. Nothing I am persuaded, of more cheering augury has occurred for many years within our Province, as connected with the true and vital interests of our church than the projected publication of this paper, so expressly intended as it is for advocating the Churchman's cause, and promoting in every way, the piety and edification of his mind ; and of lasting disgrace will it be to us as Clergymen, should we suffer so beneficial an object to fail. Let then our pen, our purse, our influence, and our exertions be conscientiously devoted to its service. But perhaps you will suffer me to suggest to you a concluding motto ? The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge, Our cause is good, to our faithful and righteous God we have committed it, and in the peaceful assurance of divine aid, let us cheerfully proceed. I i V^ ?;■ » il it «'♦ 30 The day of man^s extremity hns becrt well characterized as that of God*8 opportttniiy» ami ho will a{>pear perhaps in some way or other, which at fir«t we letsi antidlfpate. How May for'exdinDle is it fur hi-n *< to turn to nought the counsel of the mott subtle JiJitiqpAel. And we cannot'btit luspeict thtitthis process is ac- tually commeAcing. Many begin to see that the unjust clamoun which have been raised^ display too little of a gracious savour) and too much of a rkpa- «ious zeal. They begin to see, that in the very nature of things, there must be some dominant or leadiiig Church, and that as & dominant Church, no other wpuld l^iqually tolerant. less bigotted, more seemly, or more benefi- dally influentj^thtin the cliurch already e«tablished among lis; That the .outofT against Church dominancy is the mere makk to conceal from obflerva» tlon, thieir own lurking wish for pre-ettiinence. That these aspirants have in the excess and imprudence of their zeal, spoken out too soon and too plainly, have somewhat overshot the mask, and in the violence and acerbity of their fbeiings, have given but too clear indication of what they would be, were they unly to succeed. The counsels then of these wise men, begin to be suspect- ed, and ix)8S)bly 6re tong the God of truth iind uprightness, may utterly siknce and ccnmiind t^emr How easy also is it for God to raise up for ui'some uneafpectei aeliverer. Some powerful mastering spirit from the less conspicuous walks of life, who shall hear the soul inspiring call addressed to him, as it was to the lowly Gi- deon^ ** Go forth in this thy might,''* Or perhaps some stripling, like the youthful son of ^esae, who unaccustomed to the armoury of camps, but simp- ly trusting in the blessing of that God whose armies had been defied, shall go ^orUi t^) the seemingly unequal encounter with his sling and stone, and sha)! j^in the easy, the astounding victory. Or possibly God miay command some .veteran in the cause of truth, who shall rise up amidist the sophistry of be- wildering argument, an4 with gigantic grasp, crush to atoms, the subUetiee of error, and cast them indignftAtfy to the seattenng i/fiiid. Or he may see fit tio cali'from t|ieir beloved redretnent; the anttfes of our Israel, the men indeCNl oi peace and quietness, wbo^e spirits have so long shrtitflf from cointentioi^, rbutwho sliau Bte]^ lorth obedlentfy to ^e call of dnty, and {^lacHig tfiemselves under the ba^n^ of the God that heareth prayer, shall ** stiind still" in the omnipotence ofiaith, "and see the salvatibn of t^eli^ God.** Or which is yet . more probable) there may scarcely an individual amongst them be called for^ to outward observation, but he may simply pour upon theih ** the spirit of grace and supplication,'* and stir them up to wrestle and to plead with him in hum- ',^^If* and believing prayer. For such is God's frequent procedure, in order j M that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of man."^ **^Nbt hj^inight, or by power, butby my spirit saith the Lord of Hosts." "■ .* ':^" ^.^'. Pv[t ip whatever way it may please our gracious God to interpose, let us 'cporish ,th^ confident expectation of a prosperous result. <