IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) 1.0 1.1 2.8 Hi 1.25 i 1.4 2^ iiiiii 1.6 V ^ /} '^ ,^ Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 m \ >v \\ <6 S #% > \ 6^ U.A CIHM Microfiche Series (Monographs) ICIMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques at bibliographiques Th« toi The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy bvailable for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D Couverture endommagee Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restauree et/ou pellicul6e □ Cover title Le titre de missing/ couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Caites g^ographiques en couleur □ Coloured ink (i.e. Encre de couleur other than blue or black)/ (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) D Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relie avec d'autres documents □ Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge interieure D n Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela etait possible, ces pages n'ont pas ete filmees. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplementaires: This Item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filme au taux de reduction mdique ci-dessous. 18X 12X 16X J XX L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a iti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-ltre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methode normale de f ilmage sont indiques ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommagees □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurees et/ou pellicultes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages decolorees, tachetees ou pique Th€ poa oft filnn Ort{ bag the sior oth« first sior oril piquees □ Pages detached/ Pages detachees 0Showthrough/ Transparence varies/ inegale de I'impression □ Quality of print Vi Qualite inegale de □ Continuous pagination/ Pagination coritinue □ Includes index(es)/ Comprend un (des) index Title on header taken from:/ Le titre de I'en-t^te provient: □ Title page of issue/ Page de titre de la I □ Caption of issue/ Titre de depart de la The shal TIN! whit Map difffl entii begi right requ met) ivraison livraison n Masthead/ Generique (periodiques) de la livraison 22X 26 X 30X 24 X 28X J 32 X lu'il cet de vue e tion les The cepy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: D.B. Weldon Library University of Western Ontario The Images appeering here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in Iceeping with the filming contract specif icationa. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illuatrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illuatrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol ^-^^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"). whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be 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 diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce A la g6nArositA de: D.B. Weldon Library University of Western Ontario Les images suivantes ont M reproduites avec la plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet* de l'exemplaire film*, at en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmaga. Les exemplaires originsux dont la couverture en pepier est imprimis sont film«s en commonpant par la premier plat et en terminant soit par la dorniAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dee symboles suivants apparaitra sur la derniire image de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN ". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmAs A dee taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichi, il est film* A partir de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 32 X 1 2 3 4 5 6 Letters ON THE BWts of th([ (|httiirfi in Ih^ Inii^d ^fatii», AND ON THE PROCEEDINGS OP THE GENERAL CONVENTION, BALTIMORE, OCTOBER, 1871. hw V ; FIKST PUBLISHED IN THE "LONDON GUARDIAN. " BY WILUAM 0. KETGHUM, D. D., St. Andrews, N. B., and Honorary Canon of Chiist's Church Cathedral, Frederlcton, Canada. . Irfi §jo tt (Bcthsia. ST. JOHN, N. B. J. & A. McMillan, 78 prince wm. street. 1872. • C. 4f'' '■ k Letters ON THB IKiastons of th^ djhtttitli in th^ Init^d ^tat^«, ANU ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL CONVENTION, BALTIMORE, OCTOBER, 1871. FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE "LONDON GUARDIAN. Br WILLIAM 0« KETCHUM, D. D., Rtctor of St. Andrews, N. B., and Honorary Canon of Christ's Church Cathedral, Fredericton, Canada. ^ro $eo zt .^ccUstB. ST. JOHN, N. B. PRINTED BY J. & A. McMillan, 78 PRINCE WM. STREET. 1872. V .V CONTENTS. Introduction. PAGI 6 LETTER I, Diocese op Maine— Early History— Bishop Burgess— Election of Bishop Neely— The Cathedral, Portland-Church Schools and Missions — Aroostook Missions g.j'r LETTER II. Baltimore- General Convention in 1808— Present Convention in 1871— Opening Services and Sermon— Reception of Bishop of Lichfield and English Clergy— Their Addresses to the Con- vention LETTER III. 18-34 Consecration of Assistant Bishop of South Carolina— Service at St. Paul's, and Sermon by Bishop of Lichfield— Society for Increase of the Ministry— Bishop of Lichfield's Address— Fire in Chicago— Eitual of the Church 35-44 LETTER IV. Bishops in Council on the vrord "Eegenerate" in Baptism— Church Hymnal— Clergy Sufi'erers in Chicago— Missions of the Church —Board of Missions and Committees 46-58' LETTER V. Washington — State of the Church— Louise Home— Bible and Praycr=Book Society-Church Education— Racine College- General Theological Seminary— Meeting of Alumni 59-66 if CONTENTS. LETTER VI. Ubb of the Prayer-Book— Canon of Ritual... 67-70 LETTER VII. m Addbebs to Church of Ireland— Work of Christian Women— Italian Churr^h Reform Commiseion — Addrees of Dean Howson — DiscuBBion on Ritual— Communion with Russo-Greek Church. 71-81 LETTER VIII. PaitADELPiiiA— Close of Convention— Pastoral Letter— Church as it was and is— Bishop Potter's Memorial— Women's Work- City Missions 82-90 LETTER IX. New YoBK— Mission Church and Schools of St. Chrysostom. ........ 93-96 ' V 67-70 rri INTRODUCTION. 71-«1 82-90 93-96 i At the requost, of several valued friends I venture on this publication. The subjects treated of, confessedly of great interest and importance, may V in themselves commend the undertaking to a kind consideration. Th3 " London Guardian," for which these letters were written, with a very wide circulation in Great Britain and its immediate dependencies, is not •o generally known in the United States and the Dominion of Canada. In the hope of conveying more general information with reference to the Church in the United States, its Institutions and Missionary work, these letters are now re-published in their present form. Among the members of the American Church there is little want of information on the subjects referred to. They are fully alive to the value of the Press, and in many instances it is made use of in the interest of the Church with great ability. Still, those who are earnestly engaged in any undertaking, naturally regard with interest the opinions of others— of those not so engaged as themselves. In some respects, it may be considered, that a more correct view is gained by an impartial looker on. Churchmen in the United States may wish to know how a deeply interested observer regarded the proceedings of their late Convention, and all those subjects connected therewith. His own opinion on those questions by which the Church at the present time is agitated, the v,yli : has endeavoured to keep out of sight in his account of the late discussions at the General Convention. He would deeply regret it, if, in any instance, he has inadvertently made a misrepresentation. American Churchmen will not regard the writer with less approval for bis allusion to improvements required in connection with the great work of the Church, and "the supply of things that are wanting." Should it be thought that, in the following pages, too high a coloring is given in the description of what he observed,— or a view too hopeful,— for this the writer alone is responsible. This idea was not gained from an elated feeling on the part of those with whom he associated. They who INTRODUCTION. devote themselTcs most heartily to the work of the Church in the United States feel most keenly ita defects,— its short comings, and its enormous responsibilities. With such men, who take the lead in all that work alluded to in these letters, there are more indications of depression than of undue elation. If, under these unfavourable circumstances, God has evi- dently done great tilings for his Cliurch, His servants "rejoice with trembling." It cannot do any harm to let our brethren know that wp, not sharing individually in their labours and their cares, entertain for them and for their work's sake, warm feelings of sympathy and regard. In the Dominion of Canada a prospect opens up for the Church, full of hope, by the united action of all the dioceses of British America under a Provincial Synod, which will correspond to the General Convention ol the Church in the United States. The Bishops in British America are surely not too many nor the Clergy and Laity too numerous to form one General Council representing the whole body. This is a matter of vast Importance at the present time and for all future generations. Ought not temporary hindrances to be got over, and all feelings and prejudice to be 1 .id aside? Is it unbecoming to learn from the experience of the past, or, from what is presented by a state of things now existing ? If ihe statements in the follow- ing pages can be relied on, it has pleased God to bless the work of the Church in the United States under circumstances of peculiar difficulty, and to place her, at this day, in a position well fi'led for the extension of His Kingdom on the earth. All this has unquestionably, in a great degree, been brought about under the principle of centralization,— by the united action of the Church, through the Bishops and representatives of the Clergy and Laity in their General Conventions. From time to time there have been temptations to disruption. Against this, those most eminent for learning and piety have striven and prayed. The evil has, under the most trying circumstances, been averted. In the Church of the United States, there was no separate Provinces, North or South, East or West. Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Maine and Minnesota unite on equal terms with New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Deputies from the smaller and more distant dioceses influence the pro- ceedings of the assembled body. The Church in the United States will not give up her triennial Conventions. They will be retained, not so much I INTRODUCTION. ?ii for purposes of legisla'uon ; of this the Church requires little, -the less she has the better ; but it is this meeting together from the most distant parts of the country in one communion and fellowsliip, — the finding out that supposed differences are small, the bringing to bear upon the whole body the benefit of holy intercourso and united action for one common object, — it is this which imparts an advantage and a furtlicrance to the work which might otherwise bo wholly wanting. In like manner, by Union of the Church in the Dominion of Canada in one Provincial Synod, much may be gained, — conducive to the glory of God and the benefit of Ilis Church. There is a Missionary work for the destitute at home, and for the heathen abroad, — there are the education of the young in the principles of the Church, and Theological Schools for the training of the Clergy ;— in devising and carrying out these and similar objects, representative members of the Church from all parts of Jjritish America would find prejudice and party feeling soon lose their hold before the influence of zeal for the extension of the Kingdom of Christ. The Parsonage, St. Andrews, N. B., New Year's Eve, 1871. I LETTERS ON THE CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. LETTER I. Portland, Maine, September 30, 1871. On my way to Baltimore, to attend the approaching Con- vention of the American Church, I had the pleasure of spending a few days at this place. As a resident for many years in one of the dioceses of the adjoining Dominion of Canada, much re- garding the work of the Church in Maine had come under my observation, and for the past few days I have learnt more. It has struck me that there are many incidents relating to the past and present position of the Church in this State— its peculiar difficulties and trials— which must be new to many of your readers, and of deep interest to all who are alive to that great work going on at the present time throughout the world by the Church of Christ. . With Church progress in the other Eastern States of the Union, I am less familiar. It may be fairly re- garded, in many respects, as similar to that in Maine. This diocese— commensurate with the State— adjoins, by a great extent of its border, on the Dominion of Canada. It is 31,776 square miles in extent, and contains a population of nearly 700,000 souls. The character of this population differs widely from anything known in the old country : it is different also in many respects from that in the adjoining Dominion, and in other colonial possessions of Great Britain. B 10 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. in In all these latter there exists, from original settlement and from emigration, a certain amount of Church element; there was also an influence exercised by the members of the Church from their coimcction, or supposed connection, with the Estab- lished Church of the empire, and, in most instances, there had been considerable endowments by grants of Crown lands; but most of all, there has been constant aid in all missionary work and church building through the great Church societies, as well a,s individual offerings from the mother Church in England. All this has been wholly wanting in the diocese of Maine. Tt is a most interesting incident in the history of this coun- try that the first settlement of J^]nglishinen on the shores of New England was on the coast of Maine, at the mouth of the Kenebec river. This took place in the year 1G07. The expedition was under the charge of Greorgo Popliam, and the first religious ser- vice was performed by the Rev. Richard Seymour, who accom- panied the expedition. A record of this service (taken from the Prayer-book of King James) is still preserved. The event is annually commemorated, 'ud a few years since, at the 250th anniversary, this original service was used by Bishop Burgess. This settlement, under the influence of the Church, took place thirteen years before the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth. Afterwards, under the rule of Cromwell, there was a further emigration, but this was entirely of the Puritan ele- ment. The colony at Plymouth extended their jurisdiction, and that originally formed at the mouth of the Kenebec, under the auspices of the Church, was broken up. Under the terms of their charter the Plymouth colonists claimed and finally obtained jurisdiction over this whole region, which therefore became a part of the Massachusetts colony, and took its religious character from the Puritans. In subse(|uent years, it was here that almost every other sect of Christians found a home. From ^he original Puritans branched out the Unitarians and the Universalists, who still exercise a large influence in the State. We must also notice that the principal employment of the LEIl STL I. 11 labouring population, especially in the earlier settlement of the country, was that of lumbermen — that is, they prepared, from the almost endless forest, timber for sale and exportation. They were an enterprising and hardy race, but difficult to approach and lead by the teaching of the Church or any religious influence. Again, there was another hindrance, — which is every year losing its effect, — and that was the close connection of the American Church with that of England, and the strong prejudice, upon this ground, which existed in the Republican and Puritan mind. Ft was not till the year 1820 — two hundred and thirteen years after that first landing of the English above noticed — that Maine became a separate State, and in the same year the Church was first organised. But it was not in a position to have a Bishop, or form a part of the General Convention until the year 1847, and even then there were only six parishes and as many clergy. Dr. George Burgess was the first Bishop of Maine — a man of deep learning and high attainments, and the exceeding loveli- ness of his character attracted all within its influence. It was, however, more after the likeness of the loving St. John than the great missionary St. Paul. With earnestness and devotion Bishop Burgess for several years performed the arduous duties of his office, and at a comparatively early period of his life, while seek- ing in a milder climate restoration to health, he was called from his work on earth to his rest. The American Church did well to mourn deeply over the death of the first Bishop of Maine. With the choice of a successor the future welfare of the Church would seem now to be most intimately connected. The missionaries themselves, in such a work as this, must evidently bo men of no ordinary character. They must possess the very highest gifts which God imparts to His servants in the way of learning and wisdom, and zeal, prudence, and self-denial. If all this be requisite in the missionary, how much more in him who was to be their guide and example ? The clergy and lay deputies of the diocese assembled in sadness to take solemn counsel on the election of a Bishop, and they made choice of one who had no 12 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. |i I previous connection with the diocese. He was selected wholly from his well-known fitness for the post, and we may well believe under the guidance of the great Head of the Church. In the American Church there are few more desirable posi- tions than that occupied at tlio time we speak of by Dr. Ncely, as assistant minister of Trinity Church, New York. Every temporal want abundantly supplied, surrounded by friends and society suited to a highly cultivated mind, with every prospect of a bless- ing upon his labours, — his unexpected appointment to the Bish- opric of Maine must have been most startling. But it was a call which must be obeyed, and Dr. Neely was ready at once to give up home and friends and associations — in simple obedience. It is now a little over four years since Bishop Ncely's consecration, and I would briefly bring before the notice of my readers what has already, under God, been done during his episcopate. The Church had been already recommended by the teaching and holy life of his predecessor, upon whose labours Bishop Neely now entered. At Portland, the leading city in the State, he took up his residence. Here he began a new work in the American Church, — the building a cathedral. This was effected by noble offerings here and by large assistance from friends abroad. The labour to the Bishop himself will be understood by those who have engaged in like work. I shall not attempt a description of St, Luke's Cathedral. It is a substantial stone structure, plain and massive, — of grand proportions, and, when fully completed with its tower, it will be one of the finest churches in this country. Adjoining the cathe- dral, at one corner of the quadrangle, is the Bishop's residence, well fitted for the generous hospitality of which it is the frequent scene. Opposite the Bishop's residence, on the other side, it is contemplated to erect a Chapter-house and School-buildings. This will leave a beautiful court-yard in front of the cathedral. Though much remains for the full completion of this noble church, it is now well fitted for it*i holy purposes. The sittings, from eio'ht to nine hundred, are free. Here, every day, the sacrifice of LETTER I. 18 Morning and Evening Prayer is offered, with the Holy Commu- nion on every Festival and Lord's Day. An efficient surpliced choir of men and boys well perform their important parts, and you will fail to find elsewhere services more hearty and effective. Another parish has lately been organized in Portland. A stone church and parsonage have been erected, and the parish is under the charge of a useful and most efficient clergyman, who, with the Bishop's chaplain, form the present cathedral staff, to which at least another clergyman should be added. At his cathe- dral and at his house the cleriry are always welcomed by their Bishop, and here they are made to feel they can find a home. Let the readers of this letter consider a moment the influence of such an institution as we speak of upon the inhabitants of this great centre, — this rapidly increasing community ; think of the many, by the cathedral services, from among the young, drawn within the holy ways and teaching of the Church, — the many "living without God in the world," the many taught in the ways of error, here led to a knowledge of the truth. Several instances of this have come under my own observation, where the members of leading families belonging to various sects have sought private instruction from the Bishop or his clergy, and have been received into the communion of the Church. I was present at the early morning service at the cathedral on the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels. I noticed among the congregation a lawyer of some repute, a leading man resident in the northern part of the diocese. This man, -three years ago, had left the Unitarians for the communion of the Church. His business at court was laid aside to be present at this service, and he spoke of it as his great- est comfort to be with us and at the Holy Communion. The system of education in this country is well known as that of free schools without definite religious instruction. With this the Church is not satisfied. The Bishop of Maine has now his St. Catharine's Hall, for the education of the daughters of the Church, the importance of which cannot be over-estimated. There are at present eighty inmates in this school, ten of whom 14 CnURCII IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. wore confirmed during the last year, and eight of tliis number arc members of families who had never heard the scrviees of the Church. The Bishop has also, in connection with his cathedral, a church school for boys under one of his own clergy, and another for girls entirely under his own control. From these institutions no pupils go out without full instruction in the distinctive prin- ciples of the Church. But I must proceed to notice that which may well be con- sidered the most important subject of uiy letter, and that is the missionary work in this diocese. The number of clergy is comparatively small, and very inadequate, in that respect, for the task that is presented. I wish it to be borne in mind that a missionary, to do his work cltcctually in this diocese, requires an endowment of talents of no ordinary character ; and the Bishop considers that the Church had better wait than send forth those who are in any way incompetent. Still, under the little band of earnest labourers, a great work is being accomplished. I will notice one instance illustrating the truth of this assertion. It is one part of the duty of every Bishop in the American Church to visit, once a year, every church and congregation in his diocese. In the northern part of this State there is a tract of country, lying on the borders of the Dominion of Canada, known as the Aroostook county. This section, of exceeding value on account of its forests, is now found still more so from the fertility of its soil and its adaptation to agricultural purposes. It is rapidly being filled up by a sturdy and intelligent population, and already at certain centres there are thriving towns and villages. At a visit by the Bishop four years ago, the service of the Church had never been heard in that region By the blesing of God he found a man who would undertake this missionary work — one wonderfully well fitted for the arduous undertaking. Year by year this devoted clergyman has laboured at his distant post, ably seconded by the yearly visits and co- operation of the Bishop. At one post, where there is now a LETTER I. lA consecrated churcli, there arc fifty coniinunicant.s, and the riiiiiics of one hundred ehihlren on tlie roll of the Sunday Schodl. Twelve persouH were confirmed at this church at the late y<'arly visitation, besides others, the same day, at a missionary statinn, The wise policy of the civil government has led large numbers of Swedes to emigrate and settle on this setti(m of the country. This most interesting settlement, called New Sweden, was lately vihited by the Bishop, who, assisted by an interpreter, made the services and his address fully understood. Tlujre is reason to hope that measures will be taken to bring these interesting and well-behaved people, with their pastor, under the charge of the Bishop of Maine. At another great centre in this district another church was lately consecrated. Here also several were confirmed, and the interest in the holy services was evinced by many travelling twenty and thirty miles to be present. I must here add an extract from a late account of this visitation : — Oh Moruliiy morning there was a general excursion to Portage Lake, ten miles nortli, where occasional services are held. At one o'clock tiiere was an open-air service, on the shore of the lake, under a noonday sun, the bright waters gleaming before us, the green forest to right and left. There were a hundred people present, who listened with deepest attention to the stirring addre.ss of their Eishop. At these missionary stations on the Aroostook there have been no less than three hundred baptisms — a great portion of them adults — during the past three years. It might well bo made known to our fellow-churchmen in the mother country that i;. many localities in this diocese the labours of the Bishop and his missionaries arc called fur on behalf of Enr/lish people, who, as daily labourers, seldom have much of this world's goods to aid in the support of the services with which they are, or ought to be, supplied. I will mention one instance. A missionary, an Englishman by birth, a man of first-rate ability and great fitness for his duties, is stationed at a town containing over twenty thousand inhabitants, the far greater portion of whom have no connection with the Church. Here 16 CHTJRCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. there is a small church edifice — inferior in every respect to what it ought to be, and too small for the work which ought to be done. For, among those twenty thousand inhabitants, there are fully fifteen hundred English ojjcratives, most of whom were baptised in infancy, and would remain steadfast to the Church. Three or four thousand pounds at least are required to place the Church here on a footing to enable the missionary to keep those children of the Church within her fold. Would that this account might appeal to some of those generous hearts in England, and lead them to cheer up the minister of God by their sympathy and their offerings in aid of that work which might be done ! It is a heavy charge — almost too heavy — which the Church lays upon those called to the office of a Bishop in such a diocese as this. The physical and mental labour are most exhausting: we all know who felt so keenly " the care of all the Churches." It i- almost too much when you add to this the want of means for evident usefulness, or the venturing too much upon the promises of others. A gift from some of our wealthy fellow-Churchmen in England in aid of the Missions of Maine, and especially in aid of their destitute fellow- ■countrymen, or a gift in aid of the completion of the Bishop's noble cathedral, would be an offering acceptable to God, and a touching instance of sympathy on the part of Churchmen at a •distance with that work which I have endeavoured to show is going on in this diocese. And is it not wonderful to notice the unity in this work the like spirit by which it is marked wherever it is being carried on ? The teaching of the Bishop of Maine in his cathedral, in his schools, in his missions, is that of the Church, with no uncertain sound. It is of a like spirit and character with that which is restoring cathedrals and churches in our fatherland — like that which has founded bishoprics and missions throughout the colonial empire— like that which is establishing and building hospitals and schools, and trying to reach the depths of ignorance and degradation in the crowded cities of the Old World. I \ \ I I } LETTER I. 17 Beyond the benefits through time and eternity arising from this work, through this unity of spirit, there is thereby a wonderful influence affecting the peace and happiness of nations. This communion between the Anglican and American branches of the Church reaches above and beyond all ideas and questions of loyalty and nationality, and it has had more to do in ensuring good will, brotherly love, and peace between the two greatest nations of the world than the late Treaty of "Washington. I / LETTER II. Baltimouk, Oct. 6, 1871. Tn my last letter 1 ciulcavounMl to give you some account ol" the missionary work in tho diocoso „f IMainc— its catliodral and Clnuvli schools. Had tim(> since permitted. T would have presented t.) your readers another aspect of missionary work, not less arduous nor less important than (hat in the distant settle- ments ef :, new and extensive diocese— that -oinj^r on in one of the Missi.m stations in the city of New York, as it lately came under my notice. I also intended to have given you some account of the theological institutions in the various dioceses for the preparation of eandidatcvs for holy orders, with especial reference to the past work and present condition of the leading institution at New York, called the Cencral Theological Seminar)^ which I visited a few days since. The all-absorbing interest in' the proceedings at present going on here must oblige a postpone- ment of all other subjects for subsequent letters. I am now writing this in the rectory of St. Paul's Church, being the guest of the kind and highly efficient rector. This is one of the iddest houses in this— the oldest and most interesting city on this Continent. The last meeting of the General Convention held in Baltimore was in the year 1808. The House of Bishops met in the RiTton/ of St. Pour,. It consisted of only two prelates— two honoured names— those of Bishop White of Pennsylvania, and Bishop Clagget of Maryland. Six dioceses only were represented in the Lower House, which numbered thirty-six members. I have now before me the journal of this Convention, a document of great interest to the whole Church. At the previous Convention, held in 1804, au office for the "institution of ministers into parishes or churches" had been prepared. At the Convention in 1808, when the Bishops met LETTER II. 10 in this houHo, thin sorvico waH sot forth with iiniriKlnionts as it, uow cxifitH in the Amorlcan Hiu.k cf Vumuum Vr.iyc.r. It is an OflReo of great vahie, and liighly vntwrnod by vory many in the; American Church. It hIiowh that thvy were men of no ordinary character who formed the last Convention held in Hidtiinore. And it is certainly most wortliy to notice that Dw. services as thus set forth in tlie Hook of Common IVaycr have nmalunl umif/nrd to the present day. With that I'rayer-hook and the holy Scriptural tcaehin- it presc-nts, tin- Churci. in this country has done the work wliich we sliall now allude t<». r wisli to set before the; n-aders of this l(!tt(;r the state of things as th(>y now exist compared with what they wcsre ir- 1808. What would those; pn^lates, who met here in solemn council, and, doubtless, with much misgivings,— oidy scit aside by an abiding faith in the promises of the great Head of the (Miurch ;~what would they have thought if, with a propliet's eye, tlicy had seen what wo saw on Wednesday last ? Their "little one" they so nourished " become a thimsand !" Sixty-three years— years (»f labour, trial, and difficulty to tlic Churcli— have passed ; and, as we met at Emmanuel Church on Wednesday, who, knowing sonuithing of the events of former days, was not ready with the exclamation of old—" What hath God wrought!" Tn the place of two bishops ai'd six dioceses. represented by twcnfi/six members, which formed the Convention which met here in 1808, we hud nearly ///^ Uishops, and clerical and lay delegates froln /orfi/ dioceses, who,— counting eight as the representatives from each, makes the body composing the Lower House over three hundred in number. During the period alluded to, this country has made vast advance in popuIaHon, wealth, and power. It is confessedly foremost now among the greatest nations in the world. And is it not a blessed hope which we may be permitted to indulge that the Church has, in some degree, kept pace v/ith this wonderful advancement ? For weeks past the most prominent of the secular journals have made this Convention and its work the subject of their leading articles. 90 i^trjicn I., THE FNITEi; »TATE.«. &o. Thay Imw their ropcrtons .-.t tho uactinKs now. TTu'y speak of thi« ( onvontiou - tho muHt iuflu. -tial Church ..rganizatiou i„ tho country Tlhe Bishops and doh^gat, ,. fo thin Church (^.uncil arc from every ... <„,/. >f thi. wide doinaiu-stret.'^ ug Iron. Maine to the Cult' of Moxic ..,-fron, the great States of the Atlantic- of the West and South-Wcst -fro,., the S..uth, and the distant H lores of the Pacific. They are the chosen fro.n an.ong tho clergy and la.ty of eacli diocese— the, n.ost en.inent divines and most distinguished layn.en ;-thc>y embrace the most gil'ted theo- loguuis ,n the United States. On the list you find the nan.es of the Secretary of State, of Covernors, Judges, Officers in the army as well as other eminent citizens, who all seem to regard it as a privilege to devote their time and talents in this way to the ser- vice of the Church and it« I)iviiio Head. Among the Bishops there arc men of deep learning and great experience, and there arc. especially among the younger prelates, men who, in their z» and their labours, prove a succession from the Apostles My readers may now form some idea of tho contrast existing between the two General Conventions held in l^iililmore. Tho mother Church of England did well to have herself represented on this occasion. And who could have been sent better fitted for this office, at tho head of such a representation than tho Bishop of Lichfield, so well knowu throughout all the branches of tho Church for his labours in New Zealand ? And among tho English clergy, there are few names more aflfection- ately regarded than that of Dean Ilowson, whose Life and Writ- iTiffs of St. Paul have made his name familiar in so many house- holds. Nor did it seem that tho other clergy who accompanied the Bishop were unfitted to represent those who, in the Anglican Church, are striving by the devotion of their lives and\heir earnest labours to extend its blessings. I shall not attempt to give a minute account of the opening services which were \old in Emmanuel Church on Wednesday, at ten o'clock. It h c ^vmJ'-s church, capable of seating a large' congregation, and it{< :V.', -.i, ar; « Jigcmoats are those which pre- LETTER II. 21 vailo,! HO generally till lato years. Ah a | m-IhH chur.l,, Ruited for an ordinary congregation, it could not have boon expected to bo, in every way, fit((>d for the Hervices on WcMlncsdiiv lant. Every possible arrangen.ent, however, had (evidently been attend.^d to, and the eon.niittee orinanagciinet.t— the offieers of the church— did all in their power to meet the en.ergeticy. To the devout and thonghtruj, calling to mind the past and anticipating the ^"^"'' "'^'^'"K "P'^" t''« rt'l'ition of tho8o asHonibled in this churcli wiM. the salvation of souls and the glory of God, all (jues- tin,,.' of n.inor importance were lost sight of, in the grand and aoleinn contemplation of that body of men met together in tho immediate presence of Almighty God. Uesidc the IJishops and deputies, with visitors from the clergy of the English and (Colonial Church, the building was filled by a most attentive congregation. The expressions from this vast assembly of tho appointed praises of tlio Church— the loud-peal- ing, earnest response in such a body of voice, carried one back in thought to what is said of the "Amens" by tho historians of tho oarly Church. ^ The sermon was by tho Bishop of Virginia, and was wholly without notes. It Wius unfortunate that evidently enfeebled health prevented the preacher from speaking so as to bo generally hoard m the more distant parts of tho church. To myself the sermon seemed most admirably fitted for tho occasion, and such an one as an inspired Apostle might have delivered. Tho text was from 2 Cor. v. 13, 14. Tho earnest appeals of the good Bishop could hardly fail to elevate the minds of his hearers,— to lead them above thos.? questiuus which agitato and divide men's hearts to t^w one great source of unity and ' vo and duty— the love of Christ. " The love of Christ constraineth us" was the subject. The Ofibrtory was for foreign and domestic missions. There must have been from four to five hundred communicants. In the administration of the Holy Conuuunion the Bishops of Lichfield and Nassau took a prominent part, followed by many of the American I'ishops. Immediately after the conclusion of the ser- 22 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. H vice, the presiding Bi?liop came forward and addressed the con- gregation. He spoke of his gratification, in times past, in having Colonial Bishops present at the General Convention. This, how- ever, he said, was the first instance of the attendance of a Bishop from the mother Church, and he concluded by expressing the great pleasure he felt from having among them, on this solemn and interesting occasion, the prelates and clergy whose names I have already mentioned. Both houses proceeded at once to business after the services were over. In the Lower House Dr. Craik was again chosen President, and Dr. Perry was re-elected Secretary. A good den' of time was occupied in calling the roll. The proceedings of the day were brought to a close by the appointment of a committee to wait upon the Bishops and clergy of the English Church with reference to their formal reception by the House. Yesterday, after the opening service, which was intended for the House of Bishops as well, the Lower House proceeded with the usual preliminary business — appointment of Standing Com- mittees, &c., the members of which are named by the President. At a little after twelve o'clock, all business was interrupted by the entrance of the committee appointed the previous evening, accompanied by the Bishops of Lichfield and Nassau, Dean How- son, and other English clergymen. As they proceeded up the centre passage the whole body of clerical and lay delegates, to- gether with those visitors who occupied seats assigned them, rose, and remained standing in respectful silence. His distinguished guests were met by the President of the Convention and con- ducted to seats on the platform. Introducing the Bishop of Lichfield, the President of the House, Dr. Craik, said : — " The House is receiving most worthy guests from the mo- ther Church of England, and from the Colonial Church. They are distinguished not only by their rank, but more by the services which won that rank. It is not long since all Christendom was startled by the events which seemed to indicate that the Apos- f M ( ] ] ( 1 i 1 1 ( 1 1 LETTER II. 23 i I tolic days had revived — a nation had been born in a day. A young man high in social rank had left his native country, and borne aloft the banner of the Gospel in a heathen laud. He had preached the love of Christ to a race of savages, noble in their way, but dark and untutored in the road to eternal life. In a little while the labours of that Christian warrior had produced the most fruitful and glorious results. The little Church which he had gathered around him grew to a diocese, and that soon expanded into a wide-spread province, with its Bishops, and its Deans, and numerous clergy. A few years more of hard colonial labour, and this same man was called back to the mother country. His labour — his work — was wanted to help forward the new, teeming life of the grand old Church at home." Turning to his lordship. Dr. Craik then said — " I now have the honour of introducing to you the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, the apostle of New Zealand." " The Lord Blslwp of Lichfield — My very dear friends and brethren both of the clergy and of the laity — It may be wrong, perhaps, to begin by fretting your President right, but he will pardon me if I say that he has imposed on me the necessity of doing so, because he has ascribed to me that which humanly belongs rather to those who preceded me in the ministry of the Church in New Zealand — names honoured in the missionary annals — the two brothers, Williams, one of them now Bishop of Waipau, who I believe for very nearly half a century has been ministering, and is still ministering, in the native Church of New Zealand, and has been now for about twelve years consecrated as a Bishop of that Church. It was he who, under the guidance of the Divine blessing, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and his brother Ilonry Williams, presbyter of the Church, who were among the most foremost of those who laid the foundation of the Mission Church in New Zealand. I simply came to reap what by God's grace they had sown ; and when I came into the islands of New Zealand and made my first missionary journey and 24 CHUECH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. Visitation throughout the islands, wherever T w.nf . Ho,/ woT MorivLnir' I "'° ''"-""« "'«"=■'» villages, and every day of Z \ "^ ""'' "^ ""»« t atio the fi.t three yea. of .y e;™'^ int: Zela'°l oeen bapt.sed by the missionariea who were before me in the £rr--rr;;;-r:drr- shall of eourse agree m giving the whole glory to God WhZ ever anything tempts ns to think of ourselves^ in tv 7 agents, we must remember that we are hI ^en" Va by S we live, and move, and have onr beios And wh™ ^ -u.e .0 onr minds, the effectna, antfdote^to Ipp^rtC: wo d eertamly not used in that sense in the tainslee I together to-day with TlJ^^^^^ I^™ ^ consider it, eertomly a very hearty one, from the moth r Chn" h saw irf 7 ^ ^°'' ^""^'^^ '" ""^ «°'^»" services. We ^w hnndreds of eommunicants eoming to the Lord's Table We heard words which shonid bind as all together in one hear; Zt fte/n A.,'"™'' f""'™ ''''° '"^'^"'^'^'i "" yesterday, iTwr^r . If . "J""'^' "^''^ '" ""= '"'■"' °f Perfectness.' It was that whieh made the Apostolic Church to bo of ■one heart t, at every Christians g of God's 5 of those visitation t had the to receive I tell jou Zealand I who had ne in the ainful the tvho were le whole, ■, in the me. We When- ly degree by Him y praises them a nee, but ro know 70 come we may Church mblage, s. We Table. e heart pointed fcerday, binds itness.' 5 heart LETTER II. 25 and of one soul'; and it is that which will enable us ' to keep the unity of the Spmt in the bond of peace,' ever remoinberiug that there is but one body and one Spirit, and oven as wo are called m one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and lutther of us all, who is above all, through all, and in you all. This will be the spirit, my dear brethren, which will animate you in all your deliberations. This is the spirit which will prevent you from ever pressing any point of difference to such an extent as to rend asunder that Church which is the spouse and body of Christ. J3ut as I shall have to speak to you please God, on Monday evening, more at length, and with more careful preparntion, and as I have brethren here, the Dean of Cho'^.,er and many of my own clergy, whose privilege and bapp.aess it will be to address to you on this occasion a few words of Christian sympathy and encouragement, I must not trespass upon their field. I must leave this entirely or mainly to theni, trusting, if God will, to pour out more of my own heart m this same house of God, before the General Convention of this Church assembled here on Monday evening, when 1 hope we may all meet together prepared to seek in earnest prayer for that spirit of counsel which may bind together all the branches of our Anghcan Church in one holy union, and make our Church a praise upon earth." ('^ Amen," from all parts of the house.) f. ^. " '^^''^ ^r'"^ ^''''''^'- '•^' ^''''"'' '""'^ '^ S^"^' '""^ pleasure to have the honour of being presented before this body. He was deeply sensible of its kindness in extending to him a welcome but he hoped to escape making a speech. It was not in his line; but he thanked the gentlemen for the honour they had shown him. He had the deepest interest in the welfare of the Church here. The ties which bound him to the Church in the United States were of the closest nature. His Islands were contiguous to the United States ; they were only separated by the Gulf Stream, and that was no chilling line of separation. This gave him a chance every year to welcome his brethren of the •2i\ CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. (Jhurch in this country. There were several clergymen from the (Ihurch here who hud taken parishes in his diocese, and who worked faithfully. His great grandfather had been one of the (tonsecrators of IJishop White. Then there was the more personal connection by friendships formed with many of the Bishops and other members of the American Church. He had ever received from them words of sympathy and kindness, rising above the Hues of State, and .showing that oneness in our Lord makes an English Churchman your fellow citizen." ■• The Dean of ('hrs/er~My dear friends of the clergy and laity — for the reception with v/hich I have met since my arrival in America, both in New York and here, leads me to be sure that I am not triiiisgrcssing the bounds of decorum and truth when 1 take it for granted that you would wish me to address you in such familiar language. 1 cannot possibly speak to the members of this Convention as if they were strangers. [ feel it to be a great blessing and advantage to me to have this opportu- nity of realising a wish which I have for many years indulged. r have long hoped that I might be present at such a Convention ; and now that hope is fulfilled. There are several reasons why I have indulged this desire. Perhaps one reason is this : that for many years I resided in Liverpool. I need not more than allude to the name of Liverpool to make it quite clear that the wish to be here among the Churchmen of America was very natural to me. It is a great pleasure to me to find that there are in this city two at least — one a clergyman, another a layman — with whose education I had, in Liverpool, something to do. I have been very anxious to have the benefit of being present at such a Convention as this. In Chester, one's thoughts and feelings are frequently directed with great warmth toward the sister Church in America. It is not merely that I have the pleasure of continually meeting there both your laymen and clergymen who visit our shores ; but there is a very close connection of a very peculiar kind between our cathedral and this church, and LETTER II. 27 \ I between our cathedral and this diocese, which is not paralleled in the case of any other of our ancient cathedrals in England. There are few books, J believe, of English theology better known to the Bishops and clergy and theological students in America than the Exposifion of the Creed by Bishop Pearson. A few years before your great war began, two hundred years had elapsed since that Bishop's work was published. I am ashamed to say that at that time there existed no memorial of Bishop Pearson in Chester cathedral; his very place of interment was not known; and I think it is creditable to the American Church that a friendly reproach came to the authorities of that cathedral from this side of the Atlantic. That reproach produced its legitimate effect. An effort was made to erect a memorial to that Bishop. The story of the discovery of his place of interment is very interesting, though too long to recount here. In the end, it has come to pass that a monument of great beauty (designed by a son of one of our most eminent Bishops, Bishop Blomfield, once Bishop of Chester) stands conspicuous and beautiful, and seen by every American traveller. But not only do we owe the first suggestion of that monument to the expression of feeling which came from this side of the Atlantic, but contributions also came toward that work from the hands of the Bishop of this very diocese, in which I have the great honour and pleasure of being present at this triennial Convention. I believe you will not consider me out of place if I read one minute from the book kept by the Secretary of that memorial. On the 24th of June, 1859, words to this effect were entered in the minute book—' That the Bishop Pear- son Memorial Committee desire to express their most grateful acknowledgments to the Right Rev. the Bishop of Maryland, with the clergy of his diocese, for the deep interest they have taken in promoting this object, and for the Hberal subscription forwarded through the hands of Canon Slade.' Again, I find under the head of December 17, 1860. a record of personal sympathy and kindness and liberality, expressed by Bishop Whittingham himself, in reference to this object. And once 28 CnURCir IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. uioro 1 must ask your attontiou to a cpincidoiico singularly interosting at this iiioiuont. Tlio secretary wislies nie to make it kuown in Maryland tliat tlie subscribers to this monument include forty Archbishops and IJishops besides Bishop Whitting- ham, and that the Colonial Church was represented in reference to that work by him who was at that time its senior Metropolitan, the Bishop ol' New Zealand. It is very delightful that it should 80 happen that the Bishop of New Zealand, now the JJishop of Lichfield, should be here present to receive from the Dean of Chester the grateful acknowledgments of that Cathedral Body to tliis diocese of 3Iaryland. 1 must express my grateful ticknowledgments to the President for his friendly and cordial allusion to certain efforts of mine in connection with a colle"-e friend, now in his grave, to elucidate the character and life of the (Jreat Apostle of the Gentiles. It is a very great blessing to any man, and I do not think it is likely to make him vain — far more likely to make him humble and thankful— to feel that he has been enabled by God to write something for those who speak the English tongue which is really useful, and which is likely to do no harm. I could not help thinking of the Apostle Paul during the concluding words of that most effective, most serious sermon, which we had the advantage of listening to, from the Bishop who was the preacher yesterday. I felt that he had concentrated iu that sermon the main spirit of St. I'aul's life and character; and it seemed to me, aa he spoke (evi- dently showing the traces of long experience and hard work), that there was a persuasiveness iu his language and his manner of speaking which was extremely like what must have been witnessed and heard by those who listened to the great Apostle; and I felt deeply thankful that, while one great characteristic of your meeting, as impressed upon my mind, was that you possess a splendid organisation, still there is one thing that you care for more than organisation, and that is the spiri- tual religion of each individual soul iu communion with our living and personal Saviour. May God grant to you that while I / LETTER II. 20 I / your organisation bcc<.:ncs stronger, you may never rest in that organisation, but still hold close to that great principle of living faith in ('hrist, whieh is the salvation not only of each soul but of every faithful (Miurch. ('Anion.') May T just express to you in ojio word what the one impression was on my mind at the close (.(■ that sermon, and then I will ask the permission of the President to read the addn-ss whieh has been entrusted to me by the clergy of the cathedral b idy, to which T have the honour to belong, and which I have first been permitted to read in the House of JJishops '{ The imj.i-ossiou at the close of that sermon on my mind was simply this, that I never before had fully understood the depth and the br vulth of those words which we are constantly using in our public worship, very often without recollecting what they mean—' I believe in the Holy Catholic Church; I believe in the communion of saints.' Will you permit jne, sir, to read the address with which T have been officially entrusted by my colleagues in onr ancient cathedral of Chester ? It is in words addressed to myself; but, in truth, it is addressed to this Convention." " The Rev. Edioard James Edwards, the vicar of Trcntham and Rural Dean, read a short address from the Dean of Lichfield, the three Archdeacons of the diocese, and two hundred and eleven of the clergy. He said— My llev. brethren and Laity of this Convention, it is but twelve days ago since I left my own small country parish in the heart of England to join the Bishop of my diocese and other clergy in this deeply interesting visit to your Convention. I am sure you will understand me when I say that the transition is so violent (I can use no lesser word) from the ordinary routine of a country pari.sh in England, where Christi- anity has been known for not less than eight hundred years, to a Convention like this, representing the Church in her youth, that [ feel utterly unable to give any expression whatever to the thoughts, and with still greater difficulty to the feelings, which throng heart and mind on such an occasion. I will venture to 30 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. say this, in the presence of all parents, that I think we learn in domestic life that, as fathers, we glean from our children truths no less important chan our children glean from us; and I most respectfully wish so far to apply this expression as to say that 1 feel myself here a learner, and I trust an observant learner, in all that is passing in the Convention, with the hope that in someway It. may contribute to the strengthening of our own Diocesan Conference in the diocese of Lichfield. I will say no more ; but thank you most deeply, first for the invitation, conveved to us Presbyters through our Bishop for your welcome to us* this day and at the same time I must thank my own Bishop most earnestly for allowing me to be one of the clergy that accompanied his lordship; but, above all, and infinitely above all, I devoutly thank Almighty God that he has graciously vouchsafed to me an opportunity of seeing and hearing so much that deepens one's impressions of His own eternal Word of Truth." (Applau.de.) " The Rev. A. T. Bangham, vicar of Christ Church, Lich- field, and Rural Dean-I will not venture to occupy your attention more than a few moments in expressing the very sincere joy which I experience in being present at this your Triennial Con- vention. The kind reception we have received here is, to my mind, a proof that there is a real and living union between the hearts of Churchmen and Churchmen, which over three thousand miles of intervening ocean can neither dissolve nor weaken. As unity in any particular Church is both a sign and a cause of its stability, so union between Church and Church must necessarily be instrumental in carrying out the great work of our common Eedeemer, for the Master has told us that by it the world shall know that He hath sent us. If I had any power of guiding the politics of England, I think that it would be exerted toward disentangling it from all European alliances, as far as duty may allow, and uniting it firmly and heartily— as mother and daughter should be united— with America, and Canada, and New Zealand, and Australia, its powerful children, \ / '. LETTER II. ;ti \ f which shall hereafter, as I think, rule the destinies of the world. (Manifestations of applause.) But much more would I h,. earnestly desirous, as an English Churchman, to unite the hearts of those people together, Church with Church, who speak the same language, for the most part receive the same creeds, and worship by means of the same ancient formulas as ourselves. The kind reception which we have received here will make us most desirous to receive our American friends on the other side of the water, and I hope that we shall not be disappointed. I should very much desire, when any American Bishop sets his foot upon our shores, or any bearing Episcopal letters of com- mendation, that there should be some record kept of his arrival and of his probable course through that country, so that he might be received by those among us who are desirous to receive such, and be shown such hospitality as may be acceptable to him. I hope that such a course may be brought about before very long. I have great pleasure in thanking you earnestly f.r your kindness. " The liev. J. n. Iks, vicar of Wolverhampton— Brethren of the clergy and laity, I spfiak to you as a stranger, and yet I can scarcely look upon you as strangers to myself, because I seem to know you through so many of your Bishops. It was my good fortune to have a church in Wolverhampton, the town where" the Church Congress assembled in 18G7, after the meeting of the Pan-Anglican Conference. At that Church Congress many of your Bishops were present. I had to provide for their entertain- ment, and to welcome them on their arrival ; and, therefore, I formed many sincere and hearty friendships : and let me say this, that very much of the success of that Church Congress at Wolverhampton in 18G7 was due to the kindness of your Bishops. Your Bishops preached sermons to crowded congregations. They spoke thrilling words to a large meeting of upwards of two thousand of our working men. In every way they cheered us. In every way they expressed their sympathy, and also spoke to. n'2 vuvnru in the tini ikp statks. ,Vc. us w..r.ls or wis,|,.m. A...I now. m.v <.mIv (ill., lo hnui: Ihmv jh I tinnk. (1... (id., or hnni work a( l.oino --I,,,,-,] wn,k in „ ,.o„n/ry wInH. iM (In. pvafrst ,.o„(ns«, fo your l.n^^lK, sl.ininj.- (own hor.. (Ii.. M.i.'k .•oMMdv ol' Sondi Sliiironlshiiv. Mnt, y,.t ono wonM IW'I :,.|,,.„n.-,l (oH|...i,k of V work .•,( hon..- wln-n in (In' ,.,vs..nco "• ••• Ix'.ly or nion. many of wl.on. In.v nn.' luin.lnMis of niih-M '"'• ""-'• "'••>•' wo l.avo. Lo( ,,,1.1 (his; n.y ,„v,l,.,.,.ss..r jUHt. now l.as sai.l (l.al |,o wonl.l ^k'-lly woloonn- v.'u/an.l h,.,sp.,k,. «'si..-.MalIyor(lu. Misln.pH, I hav.MvolconuMl youV |{ish,.,.H. Mvy <'•"' I"" '< >■"<- tl'o ln-ar(s ofothors In-ro pmsont (,. oo.no as wvll .•<"<1 !,.( nn. ,sa.y that whalovor wvlcotno Kn-land may niv,. (|„.m MuMv will 1.0 no lu-arti.M- w.'Ioom.. than ll,a(. wl.i.-l,'^ (l,..y will mvMvo iron, (ho [•,vsby(or.M an.l od.orH in tho dioo.;,, of liU'hlioKl." ' \ \ i I "Tho h\r. ~ ]Vi//,ff (.,r Wo.s(, liromwirlO-My IJov btvdnvn of tho doruy,— my ,loar lnv(hm, of tho |.,i(y'„r M„. Aniorican (Muuvh-duM-o is n..(. and (h.-ro cannot ho any .liiri- culty in ono vhhon of (hat i,n-,.at ami -lorions KoptiMio. wliicih knows no (oi-ritorial hounds in oarih or h..avon, ChiisCs lUAy Catholi,.(^hmvh.ad,livssin-anod.or.and 1 toed. I can assuro you, iuspiml hy diat Uvlin- ol' om- common citiz.mship, a i^^rcat Judp in addressing you on (his o.rasion ; and yot I have, asdios,- who have ad(hvss,-d y,.u before, a personal (ie in (his nu'edn- ; for no( a mondi passes by but sonui one or more of my sp?ritual chihlren aj.ply to me for my blessin^^ before du-y hvive (heir naiive parish for your slunvs on this side (.f (he Atlantic. I, like Mr. lies, who spoke to you b.d'ore, am a minister in a -reat and a populous inanufaeturin.n: dis(rie(. in which the coal amrdie iron have brou-ht i(s population together; and from (hose artisans and workers there is g-oing f,.rth a eon(inual s(ream from their .native parish to yonr sliores. Aiid [ hero take the opportunity, I/ICTTKIt TT. ' \ m (or F mIimII n,.vrr Iwiv,. it ..K.-.in, ..I' nskiri^' y,,,,. my l.n-lhn-n ofth,. H.Tfry, li'yuu .-v.t r.- uu Mm- HJinrcM .,C Mmm mc I.'iMM (() dh-ni." rn 1 w "Tl.., hVr.J. li. Sr/,r>/n, of \V..lv.Tl.;,n.p(un, H;,i.| (|,;,(, |,. saw I„.n. Mm. .'vi.lm.vs „(' nii-l,(y (l.inoM („ I,,. ,„ ,„plis|„Ml. TluMv Nvvn- Mn«n licv .•.■ii.ly l„ ^iv.. „p ..vorydiin- In, (|,n (.musc H.w.isnu nsn ,|,.nyin- (|,,,(, fli.T.' I.;..l Imm-,. ;i s-.n-nrss I.Hwcon tins mi. I III,. M.ullirr n.inilry, l.ufc Ii,. (n.sl.MJ (Juit (|„.ir nUitvHuw.u hii.l .•,in.;Mly ivinnli,.,! (Ms, (|„i(, ('hurcl. Unin,, w.-iiM ^n ou «1<>V.-I<.piii.,., .,,,,1 Hint, w.., Ilin An;,'l„.S,ixon r.u-v, w„..i.| yn on t..K,^M.,.r nnuinn-wy; and to nmimv in .ill (l,,-,t is .ro„d, arKnioIv and right." ' •'' Tims r;ir i(, is IMt hy M.o | ,,di„g ,„„„il,rrs of tl..> (!onv,.nt,ion Mmf, Its I ro.T(«dinn;s Imv.M.p.Mu-d very nivomii))ly, and (I.;i(, much which was dn,,dt-d— much which mi-ht have l.'d U> ill i;.,.|i„fr ;'>"1 divisions in (he (!hurch,-n.ay hy (;od'H mercy, |,c avoi.h.l. Ihc presence ,.f such repn.s,.ntativ(>s Inm. the mother (Church, the ..xpivssion of (heir sympathy and kindly feelin- the spirit of love and laid, set i;.r(h in what (hey said t<. (he (Convention,— all this s..ems to have had a nmst salutary elh-.-t, and to have dooponed the inipn^ssions made at tlu^ openii.fr .s(,rvices. 1 must not omit to mention (hat last evenin- an immense <'«)ngn-ation assenihled at Kmmanuel l^hurch. After th.' usual Kv.-nin- |.,,,^.,,r^ ,^ ^^.^y ahle scu-m.m was d.divcrod by tlie IJishop "f l*i((shur-h, -ivin- a brief historical >- --f-" Bishop's resi.lcneo have eseinoT I "•''"lotlral and the J^este™ diocese has lost n2 ,„ hf' •"■" ^;*°'' "' "-«- deputy from Chicago, a jud! of t 'V'™ °''""'°' """ " 'V tho most useful members of the O ^^■'""' ""'•"'• ""<' ""o of all hispropcrt,. Worse l^nluZT"' X'^'' '» ''-'"o^' boon very great. ""■ *° "oss of life is say ,„ ,,^^^ This great calamity, and (he l,„i spoken, seem to have d'awnlh " ofSj^^'r ■' """'' ' '>™ another. The subject before tC- P ""°* """" '° ""o bavo mentioned, was one of ,!,„ t^oo^ontion, interrupteu as I Ritual. ButhereleouMn f™: "f """"'■--'"-ttat of '868. There seemed on Mon ay 1 t ftr ,'" 1^' """"8° -- and less sense of danger and Z 7 f °'' '""orness of feeling At the close of the r ""^ "*' ™"^oq«nees. ^' Pa-d by the ulXoZ^'T '" ''"'' ' -»'»«o» ™ additional rubrics orLe^ufe::''!*; ""f"^^ '^ "^f™ ■nonding.in the meantime submit!; 'r" """^^''y --ooom- '0 the counsel and judgment tf T "' ""' "^ "■" *'8y would call attentions fte grit e u '°7?' '''*°'''- "^ I No change can bo made nTuv H 1*." ^'"™""° Church. Prayer unless it has been pr^p^d ^o r ''"' "' '^^™™- then submitted to the considerrt n „f th" °™' ^°»™°«». ventions, and afterwards confl m A ''™"' ^'""o^"" Con' Bishops and a majority of b„troi'' '• ""f "'^ "^ "'^ House of The House of Bifhops * 8 ' d'd" '' '^°"'' «™»«- -t forth additional rubriS. Thl ap'pobt f ■°'' " '''"''"' ^ committee of five of th.- 7 ^PPomted, instead of this a ,.>»miiK.-*-».. -.■..,^- ^^f ^ LETTER III. 43 expedient, and to report at this present Convention. This report has been presented. Instead of acting upon it in the House of Bishops it was sent down to the Lower House, with a message asking for a joint commission to take the subject into furth'^r consideration. Five Bishops have been chosen on this commis- sion, who arc to unite with a like number of both orders in the Lower House. The house was occupied a great part of the day on Tuesday in a discussion regarding the appointment of this committee, which was finally left to the selection of the President. The discussion of this question, on its merits, can only come up fully upou the report of the committee. The subject is evidently regarded with great interest. This was shown by the very full attendance at the proceedings on Tuesday. I noticed beside the President's chair, the Bishops of Lichfield and Nassau' who seemed much interested in the discussion. The whole tone of the debate was most conciliatory,— I did not notice one harsh or bitter expression. I was struck with the remarks made by a leading lay member of the Convention, a deputy from Philadelphia, who, I feel sure, would, three years ago, have spoken in a different tone. He is one who, for his work's sake in the Church, is respected by all parties. In the course of his speech he said, with regard to restrictive legislation respecting Ritual — ° So far as false doctrine is taught, we all agree there is need of restriction yet Uiat need is not as great as it vvas three years ago. I Iiave nothing like the fears I had three years ago In a Republic, the last thing I am afraid of is that we shall become extra-ritualists. I am very much afraid of a growing disrespect for the Church and a growing disrespect tor the clergy. This year there was not the need there was three years ago. Three years ago Rome seemed to be attractive to hundreds where she is repulsive now. I am afraid whilst we are picking out the mote in others' eyes we will not see the beam in our own I think we are frightened over much. I have not seen the Church retarded in her work, and I took pains to ask those who have been associated with me in some five or six Mission parishes whether they found the least hindrance to their work because of this ritualistic movement, and invariably they told me, No I 44 CIlliKCn IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. I ' believe tlint wlipii we ci me Lead to lioiul and heart to licart, wbe-. r.e act out tlie teadiiiigs tliat we liave had from this prelate (tlie Bishop of Lieli- field), we sliall have no difliculty in our work. It does nuike me siek at heart when I find we seem utterly unable, by any ordinary means, to reach the great outlying masses. In my subsofjuont letter, I will mention the result of the consideration of the subject of Ritual, I do not believe the regulatiouK recommended in the report of the five Bishops will be adopted by this new couimittee. In bringing my present letter to a close, I may mention that it is thought by many that no determination will be come to during the present session ou this subject. With those of this opinion '• the wish is father to the thought." Again, there are many who regard legislation i\s very necessary. They may be joined by those who would go for further restrictions than those proposed in the report of the five Bishops. Watching all these proceedings with deepest interest, the imprcf'sion upon my mind is that we have good reason for great thankfulness and much ground for hope. The Church must g(j foru-ard in her blessed Waster's work. No men, no party in the Church, can stay her progress. All agencies— all means at the command of her children and her servants — will be made use of lu doing this work — in striving to reach and draw Avithin her blessed pale those who need just what the Church can alone supply — people of diverse minds and tastes and habits will be drawn more together. A stricter uniformity than as at present allowed — closer restriction — may not be desirable, may not be requisite. T'liiformity and restriction might not lead to unity ; they might lead to (livman : while, going on all together in the one great work will lead, as we learn it has done, those thus engaged, — diverse though they may be in matters of minor importance, — in the way of forbearance and charity. Every year the more the work goes on for Christ will witness among the doers of it an increase of the spirit of love ; it will so, not in additional rubrics nor in restrictive legislation, but in quietness and in confidence shall be the Church's strength. LETTER IV. Baltimore, October 20th, 1871. T propose to make the missionary work of tlio American Church at home and abroad the principal subject of my present letter. Before doing this, however, T wish to speak of the most important matters connected with the proceedings of the Conven- tion, as they have already transpired. In my last letter, I noticed the action taken on the subject of Ritual. The commit- tee has been appointed, and the members are now engaged in making up their report, which will shortly be presented. There is, of course, much conjecture and no little anxiety as to what may be the nature of this report. Such feeling, however, is abating under the consideration of matters of weighty and vital importance, lately presented to Convention and Board of Missions. Ev-r since the meeting of the General Convention three years ago, great eflPorts have been made in favour of such an alter- ation in the appointed Service for Baptism as would either leave out, or allow the omission of, the word " regenerate." By those who sought to gain this object no pains have been spared. It was, in the view of many, a popular movement. The press was very generally made use of. Strong appeals were made— solemn warnings uttered. As the meetings of the General Convention approached, memorials were industriously circulated all over the country for signature. Meanwhile all possible sympathy wa.« evoked in behalf of the celebrated " Cheney case,"— that of a clergyman in Chicago, who had been tried and sentenced to deprivation by the Bishop of Illinois, for omitting the words referring to regeneration in the Baptismal Office. Here was the 46 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. Ac. case of ii uiiirtyr, suflbriiig i\n' tlio truth,— lor conscience sake. Then, ju.st before this present meeting, two leading cha-gynien of this school in New York, followed by a large congregation, had withdrawn their connection with the Church in th.) hopelessness of relief, and had adopted an amended form of service, from which all objectionable terms had been expunged. To many it seemed that a strong case had been made out. The old cry was raised, " The Church is in danger !" Was there not evidently a great schism imminent ? If begun hero, would it not extend throughout the Church in all its brauchesl' Were the tender consciences of so many (J(mI/j/ miuistcrs with the large body of professed followers among the laity to be disre- garded ? Nine members of the House of IJishops favoured the proposed movement. This they had publicly expressed in a formal document under their signature. Previous to the meetin"- of the Convention, and during its earlier sessions, I do not think any other subject more disturbed the minds of the members of the Church. It was felt, indeed, that the strength of the party asking for relief or change had been magnified, and that even the lay members of the Convention were by a large majority opposed to any such measure as that alluded to. Still, every one knew that the question would, in some form, come up for discussion. It did, I am told, occupy much consideration in the House of Bishops. At all times the Bishops sit with closed doors. It is only the result of their deliberations which is known outside. But when they sit " in Council," as they did upon this subject, even the officers and servants of the house are excluded. After the mo?t solemn deliberation, the House of Bishops came to an unanimous determination — one which may cause some surprise to many of my readers as it did to many Churchmen here. It was, I believe, altogether unlocked for. It may be open to objection and criticism, and be very unsatisfactory to those who represent, on both sides, extreme parties in the Church. It is well to remember that the coHclusiou arrived at, under such circumstan- ces, is worthy of deep consideration. This declaration was pre- ■-■fiMiraainii^aa LETTER IV. 47 Was m a . / parod and agrood to by muii of -rcat experience, much Ks-irning and wisdom, and witli u special jjrayer for the guidanc(i of the Holy Spirit. On Friday last a message was brought to the; Lower House communicatin'' the ibllowin"- : — Declaration nf the liish,])s in Coimcil, October 11///, 1871. We, t,l»e subscriborH, BJHliops of the Protestant Episcopal Cliureli in tlio Uiiitod SfiilcH, bfiuf,' iiHked, in order to the quieting of the conscienceB of sundry lucnibcrH of tlio said Cbureb, to declare our convict ions as to the meaning of t.he word " regenenite," in liio " Oilices for the MinisLrulion of Uiipti.siii for TnfiintH," do declare tliat, in our opinion, the word "regene- rate " in not tliere so u.sed as to determine tiiat u moral cliango in the sub- ject of Baptism is wrouglit, in the Sacrament. To thi.s dcjument was appended the signature of every one of the Hishops, and V am told that those who desired a more extended measure expressed their determination to use all their influence with the clergy and others to make this a final settle- ment of the controversy. The following declaration, signed by the nine Bishops whos( action is referred to above, has since been published : — A Slatemait. The undersigned, in October, 18(*.9, united in an appeal to their breth- ren in llio Episcopate, representing the disquietude occasioned to many in our Cliurch by certain expressions in our fornuilaries, and asking tlieir co- operation for the relief of such persons, especially suggesting some modifi- cation of the OfTice for the Ministration of the Baptism of Infants. In re- sponse to this appeal, and for other considerations, the foUowiiig declaration has been adopted by the House of Bishops with remarkable unanimity [see above] : — This action was taken with solemn prayer for divine guidance, after- unreserved and earnest deliberation, and with a manifest desire on the part of all the Bisliops to relieve existing difficulties, and to secure the peace and unity of the Church. We now desire to express our gratitude to thu great. Head of the Church for this result, and to bear witness to the fraternal and Christian spirit which led to the above declaration, and animated through- out the full discussion which terminated in its adoption. Although not the precise relief whicl. was sought for, it is, in our opinion, a most important, timely, and beneficial measure. We do earnestly commend this expression 48 CnURCn IN THE UNITED STATES, &o. to the porioim anrl candid attention of those of otir bretliren of tho clergy iind laity who have felt themselves burdened in tho use of tho langiingo of tho Baptismal Offlces, in the hope and trust that it will liave great weight in their judgment, relieve their minds, and satisfy their scruples. Now, whatever view may be taken of tliose iuiportant pro- cco(lin-s, the Church cannot bo too thankful H.r the spirit by which tliey were animated, and lor a settlement by wliich the miiids of many n:ay be set at rest. Tho dan<,'(^rs wliich were anticipated have been avoided, without any compromise affecting the doctrines of tho Churcli, or change in her holy services. 3Iuch time of the Convention has been taken up by another important matter— the adoption of a Church Hymnal. For many years this has been before the American Church. At tho last session of the General Convention, a committee was appoint- ed to prepare a Ilynmal. In the meantime, the use of Jh/mm Ancient and Modern and the use of the Peopled I ft/mnai were permitted, under the authority of tho several Bishops. The col- lection of Psalms and Hymns in the American Prayer-book (not so bad, indeed, as our Tate and Brady) was generally felt to be greatly inefficient. The committee embraced the well-known names of Bishops Coxe and Huntington, and no labour or pains has been spared. A Hymnal has been prepared, consisting of 49(5 hymns, embracing a good selection of the metrical Psalm.s arranged as hymns with the others. Copies sufficient for the Convention have been printed, which, with the report of the committee, have been presented to both houses. To give your readers au idea of the principles upon which this book has been compiled, I subjoin the following extracts from the report of the committee :— As tho best test of a true hymn is determined by the fact that it meets the average standard of Christian feeling, and is therefore adopted, by a sort of spiritual instinct, as an element in the universal worship of Christian people, the hymns which have been added to the present collection are selected mainly from the list of those which have been sanctioned and endorsed by general usage here and abroad; tho Lu-ger number having been taken from the hynuials which are received with the greatest favour in our mother Church of England. LETTER IV. 49 It, 19 believed that this book of praise will k« found to bo in entire doet-inal harmony with the Book of C.inmon Prayer, and witli the Holy Scnphires, and to contain nothing which confli.'ts with the accredited teach- ing ol cir Liturgy. A few iiUM.Iental altenitions have been made in c.-rtain hymns, taken from foreign sources, in order to bring them int.. mr.re exact accordance with the doctrinal modes of expressi,,,, which are peculiar to our own communion; while everything that, is excessive and li;iblo to per- version in any direction, has been scrupulously av.ided. The committee are entirely satisfied that this hymnal is not open to criticism, either fur excess or defect in the matter of doctrine. It is iiardly possible that a hymnal could be framed which would in all respects satisfy every individual. Every one has some favourite hymns which ho would not have omitted ; and every one is sure to find some hymns in the compilation which lie will wonder should have been thought worthy of consideration. In tliese respects, each member of the c.mniittee in conference, has felt himself obliged to waive his own preferences and make some sacrifice for the sake of attaining the general result. By those who may ho considered competent jiuli,'es, this Hymnal is, in many respects, approved. Its adoption" by the General Convention is counted as a great gain to the Church. You must know this book is not taken as a finality. During the present session many additional hymns will be reeonnno.uled and will probably bo adopted. 3Ianv ^ ars will elap..e before improvements in the book are ended, till it finally forms the expression of a great portion of the praises of this branch of the Church. The terrible calamity arising from the fire in Chicago still absorbs much attention. Oft,Ttory collections wore made on Sunday last in all the churches in aid of the sufi-erers. The kindness shown by the people in England is spoken of with much feeling. There is still a further calamity. Owing to excessive drought, and the prevalence of high winds, the States of Wisconsin and Michigan have suffered great loss of life and property. The fires have swept over immense forests, carrying ruin and death into many settlements, towns, and villages. I much fear that in such instancen human suffering may 'exceed that endured in larger cities, where it is brought under more general notice. 60 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. 1)1' H There is, in connection with the fire at Chicago, an instance which, I trust, will appeal to the warmest sympathy and generous heart of some among our fellow-Churchmen in the mother country; — that is, the case of three clergymen, who, with their families, are rendered utterly destitute. In the distribution from general funds, such cases cannot be reached. This can only be done by the kind consideration of those who feel for them as "brothers in the Lord." In a letter from one of the clergymen of Chicago he says — •' Our grand church is in ruins, the ln)mes of my people — elegant and costly homes, the abodes of taste and wealth and hospitality — have gone up in smoke. Fortunes vanished in the flames in an hour. Three hundred thousand dollars' worth of church propcrity vanished in Chicago on Sunday night. Five parishes with their churches have been wiped out." But this is the case I would beg to press upon the notice of my readers ; the three clergymen have been rendered utterly destitute, churches, parsonages, and every building for miles around consumed, and in one case the valuable literary labours of years for ever lost. The Church hospital — an excellent institution under the charge of Dr. Locke, one of the clergy of Chicago — is full of inmates, and will so continue during the winter. Means for the support of this institution can only now be obtained from abroad. Will not some of our generous-hearted fellow-Churchmen in England think of these three destitute clergymen and of that hospital, which >y increased offerings might be a home during the approaching winter for many a sufferer — where the wants of body and soul will be alike provided? Offerings for these objects will be thankfully acknowledged by the Ilev. Clinton Locke, D. D., Chicago, or by another member of the Convention, by one whose name will be recognised by many in England — Rev. James DeKoveu, D.D., Warden Racine College, Wisconsin. In proceeding now to remark upon the great missionary work of the American Church, I shall speak of the principles upon which the Missions are established ; the mode and means LETTER IV. 51 of their operation, and the apparent result. The work of Mis- sions is well considered the most important subject which comes before the General Convention. It has been often asserted, and it is unquestionably true that vahi-jj haptlscd member of the Church is thereby a member of the Missionary Society. The General Convention, in its deliberative and legislative functions, represents every baptised American Churchman. This body devolves the work of Missions upon a selected number, consisting of all the Bishops, and a certain number chosen triennially from the clerical and lay deputies of the several dioceses. This constitutes what is called the '• Board of Missions." This board appoints its committees, numbering from seven to nine, and to these committees is assigned the real work — its control and responsibility. These committees appoint their own officers. There is (1) the Foreign Committee, (2) the Domestic Commit- tee, (3) the Indian Committee, and (4) the Committee for Coloured People. The Board of Missions meets annually to receive the reports of the Missionary Bishops, of the clergy, and the various sub-com- mittees. At the triennial meeting of the General Convention, these reports are generally more full and of greater interest. They are presented in order, according to an arranged plan. The Convention sits every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Board of Missions generally meets at five for business, and the reports above referred to are pii.sented later in the evening — at 7.30, when there is generally a full attendance not only of the members of the board, but of others interested in the proceedings. In all these reports there is a great deal that is exceedingly interesting, showing in every instance an immense amount of work done by the Missionar}'^ Bishops, and the clergy under their charge. And here I must speak of that which especially marks the conduct of the members of the General Convention. It must be borne in mind that it is, at no ordinary sacrifice, that such men as compose the laity in the Convention leave their very im- portant business, and devote three weeks to this duty. And they i i 52 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. irafh/ work. The attention of every member in the Lower House is constantly in exercise. Now, you will see these same men day after day in their places from ten to three, and then again at the Board of Missions every evening from 5 and 7 p.m. till it is often quite late at night. Many of them are also the most active in the duties assigned as members of committees. There is in all this an instance of zeal for the Church, and indus- try, which might well be imitated, at least, by the laity in the Colonial Church. The means for the support of these various Missions are the voluntary offerings at missionary meetings, and regular offerings from the different dioceses. 3Iore might be done by systematic subscription lists, by which the offerings to the societies in England are so well supplied. During the past year a larger item in the receipts, no less than 825,000 for Domestic and 67,000 for Foreign Missions, was obtained from the offerings of the children of the various Sunday-schools. In addition to the Missions which are under the control of the board are what may be called the Diocesan Missions : those for which funds are pro- vided in tht several dioceses, and are expended under the direc- tion of the Bishops and the local boards. The aggregate amount raised the past year in this way and for this purpose was nearly $175,000. Subsidiary to these Diocesan Missions is a system in many dioceses under a Convocation, which generally embraces ten or twelve parishes. For mutual edification the clergy meet at stated periods, and by offertory collections and by subscriptions funds are raised for the support of Missions within the limits occupied by the members of the Convocation. This system is much on the increase, and will, without doubt, be productive of great good to the Church. The total amount of offerings placed at the disposal of the Board of Missions for the past year was about S257,000, and an increase over the previous year of at least $50,000. The Foreign Committee has under its charge Missions to Western Africa, with its Bishop, eleven clergy, and a large staff LETTER IV. iili of catot'hists and tdachor.s ; a Mission to China and Japan also, with its Bishop, rh^ht clergy, and a like subsidiary staff: it has its Missions to Greoco and also to llayti. From the reports which have boon lately made, and otlier unquostiunable assui- anccs, this portion of the Church's missionary labour is blessed with a gnnit measure of success. At one of the late meetings of the board the presiding JJishop presented several clergymen, catcchists, and t(!achers, who were about to leave for the foringn missionary field, and, after a short and most touching address, "bade them God speed!" Under the supervision of the Domestic Committee comes, first, the work in the territories — those assigned to the Mission- ary Bishops, who, with their clergy, are maintained in whole or in part from the funds of the Domestic Committee. Then there is a large body of clergy in the various dioceses who receive their stipends in part from the p-un, source. I was mueh struc' a statement made at one of our late meetings with referei.., .u the first beginning of the Foreign Missions I liave spoken of It was a comparatively short time ago, — fifty years, — and then the beginning was only sustained, through hopcdessness, by faith. Only a very few, and they the oldest among the members of the Church, witne^sod the origin of this blessed movement in the city of Philadelphia. It has grown and prospered. From a very little beginning, its income is now over §100,000 yearly, and those who arc spared to mark the events of another fifty years will no doubt sec a greater change than is exhibited in the past. Among the Home Missions, that which is doubtless first in importance is the Mission to the native Indian tribes. Of this remarkable people several thousand are still in a state of savage heathenism. These are scattered in the border Western States, cither on lands reserved by the Government, or else they still wander wild in more distant territories, as yet beyond the white man's constant pressing advance. It is only vvithin a few years that the Church became alive to her responsibility to this inter- •I rA CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. i esting people. Upon them bitter wrong had long been inflicted by the Government — or rather through its agents. Constant cruel wars and frightful massacre embittered, with fiercest hate, both the natives and the border settlers, till at one time it was gravely considered by many that complete extermination would be the necessary, the inevitable result. But a God of Mercy had pity on His people, and He had pity also on His Church. For this great emergency Ho raised up the " right men in the right place." Bishop Clarkson was sent out to Nebraska and Dacota, and Bishop Whipple to Minne- sota. Tn these vast dioceses 'he greater portion of the native Indian^ arc embraced. Here they number 285,000. There are in New Mexico a very warlike, wandering tribe, numbering G,000, while in Alaska, a territory lately ceded to the United States by honour of the and are more Russia, there are 75,000. These latter, to the Greek Church, have been more looked after, amenable to the teaching of those who would raise them in the scale of being. Never since the days of the Apostles has there been a more successful missionary work than that, so well authen- ticated, which has been doiie in the territories alluded to. Mis- sionaries well fitted to labour under such Bishops have been increased, in many instances, from the natives ; churches have been built and schools established ; communicants among the Indirns are numbered now by their thousands. To the undying honour of Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, is mainly due (under God) the salutary change in the policy of the Government. This was brought about by the exercise of no small amount of courage and zeal, and at no slight risk of life. The Government agents, xiiider whcm so much wrong had been done, have been displaced. They are now appointed at the recommendation of the religious bodies engaged in this IMission field, among whom the Church is foremost. H'^ro is a most desirable connection between the Church and the State. The Church will take care and secure agents of pioper character and disposition, and tli" ofticers of the State can afford many facilities \ LETTER IV. 55 \ to the missionaries. The Honourable. Cohimbns Delano, Secretary of the Interior, a Minister of State, came from Washington to attenu a late meeting of the Board of Missions. In a very, plain, earnest, and elFective address, he stated that the determination of the Administration in dealing with the Indians was one of justice and humanity, and he bore full testimony to all that had been done in their behalf by the Church. This work is so encouraging, and withal so engrossing, that it is said a Bishop will be chosen for this special charge before the close of the Con- vention, and the choice will probably rest on one of the mission- aries of Nebraska, one thoroughly versed in the Indian character and habits, with a full knowledge of the language of the natives, and who has already met with great success in his abundant labours. Not because they arc less important, but for want of time and space I must remark more briefly on the subject of the other Missions of the Church. There is the Mission among the Mormons in Utah under Bishop Tuttle, a man remarkably well fitted for his trying position. This is a special, peculiar work, such as the Church has not bad on hand ever before. And the " little one" of a few years ago i? becoming now " a thousand," amid the millions of that deluded people. The Bishop is going forward, increasing his Missions and his schools. He well deserves sympathy and support from England — for from England and Wales come the greater portion of those who make this Mis- sion necessary. Here I cannot forbear inserting the concluding portion of an address I ktely heard from Bishop Tuttle : — "Brethren, .ve have some hard work to do there. My home is without the father's and the husband'.^ presence for half the year, It is a home in the midst of a fanatical people. God only knows what may be done amjnf^ them or by them in the future. During the half-year that I am away I am among wild, wayward, reckless, wicked people, and there are discouragements and there are disappointments, and there are anxieties constantly connected with the ongoing of this work ; but God, the Holy Ghost, the true Vicar of the Lord Jesus Christ, is doing His wurk in the hearts and homes of men on all this earth, as ;vell in the far West, as well among the Morir. jns, as well I 56 ft I » CHURCH m THE UNITED STATES, &e. scattered all ore? the earth fl„^ on tk. wort i„ I,. !,,„, „, "^ J Tnn^;!' """•» >>, u,y .i„e ,,.ipi„^ te»rt.; I thank ,.„„ r„ ,,„.„. ^" . J "■•"'Oodfor putting it i„t„; 'hat j„u are ready to help it„„, 3' '!■»' ^O" •J'mpathise with it hnmbl,. forward to th, ,i,„, wblV a ^d " , ,^'"'°'''"'"^' " '">«' ^tbered bol-„re tb. Great King above a'db^K,""-'''"""" -»»? <- H.m b„„biy and with a Woa Jbope and t1„^J^ " "^ ""»» "»«'» '» »" Heaven, ,.tber, we are, and tL:rS:'rJb:i:rt:t?; -ongtho f-o coloured people of iTuthn-' ""' '""' "' TO ordinary difficulty, and rcauircs f" . " " "'"■'' "^ and patience. Whatever ,naX T ®''°'^" ''"'■''' P™'''"'"", .-ogarding ,be result 11171^ ft f 7"' ^■''''' » «"^ South fecdcn of the negro race I hltve h >"f "'^'"^ """^^''^ '" ^o »or have I hoard anylir^d f "" °'™"^'^ '"' ^'-"y. of thing, „n,ong this people ^ielt": ll "/"'"" '" *"' ^'^'^ ■X however, no douL but thi r 1 ''^'''"'''' "-•■ ^here passed over the ,„t of f^ur t „ nVc^ t "''T "''''' "'^ slaves has tnade the mission of tIePh { ''^'' """' '"'^'y It Win recuire n.„ch tin,e and '^eht^'^ "'"""'■ ^'^^''^ 'to young, to bring this ccitlr . «' '*'="'''"y ™»"g ttc sober i..fluenee the h V ! \ ""f °""°S P"P'^ "-^'r is ^cing done under the agencv f ^b"' °' '^ *''™""'- ^-l a-J schools. It seen,s ve^ d L°bk hT" '""' ""^ "'™^ supplied fron, the most inteiltl , , f ''"^^'"■'"■■ies should be people tben,selvcs, and i. as fho ta t '""'°« "' *" ™'°"-'^ Bishop appointed for this Z^tu^lT " '""'"'^ '° "^^ ■> abroad:;::ti:t^:™:j^^^^^^^^^^^^^ tamed and extended in ve^y i e e Tb"',;"'"' ^™S "--- -MinnesotaareeachdoinLwJinSXL^i:^^ r own homes. e Holy Gliobt, Y side helping ?rcat comfort; •git into your nd bj gifts I ithise with it (■"llj, if it be' rers may be ese words to leart, 'Here, iven to us.' " d another (^ that is a work of prudence, the South ted in the T slavery, hat state There ^ich has re lately lifficulty. y among le under Much ^lissions ould be oloured have a me and ; main- braska chools. LETTER ly *o on., thins lae „id which .tr c ' 1^1:? ;•,■"••"■ ^'"" "" Are we who liow diocese, at ll„ ir,.A T ^ ' "°"''' ""' ""'"•if lo. wouW forfeit that nam" Whll m^^'^T "' "°" ^'l-"' <■■>« <>' '' tkat wonld equal that? Are wet ^ll M "" T"""'"'" »" ""> »"" I am .„rc that i, the only on.TLT "'""°""-')' Bi«l.op», rey. brethren ? be lords over God'. i^^^L^ XuZZTTr!T'- ^° "° ""' "* '» account of the Missions of th. a ^^'""'^'^ '"«^ an he... of God. ™:wthtf;:,r a' r' -^ :"' ''" "■» have had such an acconnr ,. „ ,j I "P"- ^ou should and Colonial ChurcTtT "" '"^ ^''^'^ """l" ""= Mother Never since ZttCZZ'Trc' "" "'^ "^^^^^ --' Master's name did t her! t ' ""'" '''"* '" ">«, extension of His KitdlT "J'""'" *'" °P™-°S f»' 'ie •Foceedings iSl^'af Z "oV IC™ a' d" "V° '"^ ""- attended these meetings, and waLl^d Z, " """ ""^ ^ion, ean fail to see tha God has flttid ,. f '°."'" '^'""'"'- .eat eonntr,::,it ^2 ttttt: tt;'t;:r-^'^'» required, individuals arise-" born " a, i „ , """""-eeney -.1 adapted for the high aodtnort: 'fri ^^".^"^ " ^"' re,u.red the. to perform. S„ it seems totrtho ^7^ 56 CHURCH m THE UNITED STATES, Ac. !l ' Strife and a struggle greater and more important than any this country has ever witnessed— the strife and the struggle to be maintained for Christ and for His Church, which is opening up everywhere now in the way I have endeavoured to show. And we find the Church not unprepared. Men of morbid tempera- ments, who think they themselves are wiser than all the Bishops together, who must have every one run along just in the groove they have traced out, may find fault and cavil and profess to despond. This, however, can scarcely be denied— in this branch of the Church God is raising up from time to tii:.e, both as Bishops, clergy, and laity, men whose " hearts He has touched"— men of great physical and mental power, who are ready to go forth and do the Church's work and fight her battles. Thus the American Church, in celebrating as a jubilee her fiftieth year of Missions, has only just begun her course, but in that beginning the prospect to the eye of faith and love is full of joy and hope for the future. LETTER V. Washinqton, October 23, 1871. _ I SHALL not attempt a description of the very many objects of interest which are presented to the visitor at this place. It is only so far as they relate to the Church and her institutions that I have at present to do. The District of Columbia, which in- cludes the capital of the United States, forms a part of the diocese of Maryland. In this section of the country, since 1868, two additional Bishops have been appointed-Dr. Lay, as Bishop of ^aston, formerly a part of the diocese of Maryland, and Dr Pmkney, T»ho, owing to the infirm state of health of the Bishop of Maryland, has been appointed as his assistant. The Church has before her a grand work in the city of Washington. Considerable advance has been made within the past few years. But this growth is not fully provided for, nor is It what It might have been. When I said to one of the clerj^v the other day that I was told that " if three large new churches with free sittings were built, they would at once all be filled " he said that "more than that number was required." The members of the Church, as well here as elsewhere, are becoming alive to the great importance of this position-the making this grand centre of political rule the grand centre for the work of the Church. For a great portion of the year the whole country and to a certain extent, the whole world, is represented at Washing- ton. What is needed, and what the Church will have before long, IS this-a great cathedral church in this city, with its Bishop and an efficient staff of clergy, and the services of the Church and^all her holy offices presented as they might be. What a' mighty influence for good would be extended in this way upon the hundreds and thousands who would themselves receive a 60 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. benefit, and teJl the story of tl.e Church all over the country on their return to their distant hon.es! In the great Capitol and other public bu.ldings, in the iMinisters of State and their subo-d.nate officers, the State is, no doubt, well rcprcsentcl : why should not the Church of Christ be equally so? Why should sue not be represented as she deserves to be ? Wealthy Church men (and there arc nmny here who could give their n.illiuns) should be led by the spirit of earlier days, and consecrate for this object l» Commission on 'he late trc, ty. Earl De Grey and Ripon visited this institution and I am toM he spoke of it as one of the best he had ever klo 1 „ .' After the loved name of his wife and chil.l Mr o has named this institution the "Louise Home 'if "" is made for ladies of culture and efineZt -vto 7""°° circumstances, have been reduced to want Here dithir": "7 waysof^iLTty* TheiLr h::,y'°,rr ir --fr 1 am told that fifty or s.xty ladies fron, the South will bo n,ade winter. How much more fitting such a memorial as this tb,n he^^monumonts often unmeaning or heathenish, e cctc „rca wni be prepared to go forward"in"h: ^IZX^r """ ''' 03 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. I On Sunday evening there was a special scrvieo at one of the principal churches at Washington, at which addresses were deliver- cd by the Bishops of Maine and Vermont, in aid of what is called the Bible and Prayer-book Society. This Society provides Bibles and Prayer-books for gratuitous di tribution, or for sal., under the charge oi the Bishops. In tho addresses referred to many striking instr.nces were mentioned of the efficacy of tho Prayei^ book in leading those ignorant of its teaching to a knowledge of than $37,500 had been contributed to the fund, while 25 000 volumes-the greater portion consisting of Prayer-books at a cost of $9,063.98-had been disposed ^f for sale or grll: distribution during the past year. Among the striking features which mark the present position and work of the American Church are those connected with rehgious-Church-oducation. To this I alluded in my first letter when speaking of the Church schools under the management of the Bishop of Maine. The same thing exists in all the various dioceses m the country. The foremost undertaking in all these great Western States and territories is the establishment of Church schools and colleges and more especially schools for girls, where the inmates, who are' to be mothers in the Church, are fully instructed in all her ways and holy teaching. It is most surprising to notice how well such institutions are supported by the attendance of the children of those who are whoMy ignorant of the principles of the Church One instance I will here mention, and I only wish I had space and time for a more extended notice. In the diocese of Wiscon- sin, at Racine, within easy distance from Chicago, there is a Church school and college, under the Wardenship of the Rev James DeKoven, D. D. This institution is entirely self-support^ ing. Dr. De Koven has under him a large staff of professors and teachers, and is most positive in his teaching with regard to everything a well-instructed Churchman should learn. At this college and school there are no less than 178 students, and amon^ lETTER T, J, thorn aro the eoDS of 8omo of the most wealthy and i„fl«o„tia| -.doate m thi, part of tho country. Thk Lrk, at let which « not a solitary instance, will show n,y readers wha s goins on ■„ the American Church, and the influL!^ by , '■'-'"■n-"'^ of the future generation are being mJS ' Hut the Church here i» multiplying other institutions The Missionary B»hops and those in charge of the »ore disla„ aries under their own oversight and direction. Hence each of these Bishops has founded or is fouodin. :.. tie prin pal cUies of each diocese, a theological school. Stude,,;,- who hXe Cn irom tho native Indians, may be traine-l .in tb;, way for their fu ure work. In many of the older diocc .here are theolol ' oolleges of much repute, such as those in Connee ticut td a Nashota, some of which are supported by endowments ; but " most instaneos they are maintained by the annual v;iuntn stiff .1; ''""". """■ ''" 0'-" "^y^^" S Intl^X u" '"""•«^°f™'= of these Church institution, in the South, when ho speke of the numbers under his tuition- How do you get the means for the necessary expenditure ? •- His reply was worthy of record :-" On my • kLJ" iZL mention that the institution referred to, and its inmates ha heen reduced to eomparative poverty by the result of the lai war in th! rh t "i ""'y ""'"'"S "f ""»"^ «"<^d '» "--try in the CWh ,s the "Theological Seminary" at New V-I This great institution merits more than a passing notice It t, ^der the management of a Board of TrnsLs, of which all the Bishops are members «. o^cio, and with whom are associated one nstee chosen m each diocese, and one additional for every ei^h ^L"" Thl'^^t'" "'" "'° -'""'" of studen'.:; seventy-one. This year it is greater. The whole number of the steTl82r\f r' ^'"^-''^'"- ^"^ Waladled Ths iLtlLrn f^^T"--.'-' - °- thousand and fiftv.i._ "is institution IS largely endowed. Its library can scarce'ly be 64 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. IM I: excelled by any other in this country. The number of volumes IS fourteen thousand three hundred and twenty-five. The staff of rrofessors is large, and every department connected with sound theological training is provided for. There is no charo-e for room rent or for tuition. The expenses of the student are merely personal and they may be very small. The incoo.e of each of the scholarships is $150 a year. The literary qualifications required on admission from the candidates for holy orders are those usuallyacquired by a degree in the Arts, together with satisf ictory evidence of religious and moral character, and a limited knowledge of Hebrew. The income of this institution durin. was ^.2,748. Three years are occupied in the required course and the student who has, at the close, passed satisfactorily, is received as a candidate for holy orders without further exami- nation by the Bishop in whose diocese he is to minister. Graduates from this institution occupy very prominent positions ,iow in this Church : among them are many of the Bishops, and very many have " finished their course." Without any further delay, it is to be hoped that those on whom the responsibility rests will provide for the removal of this institution to a more suitable position, and provide fitting accom- modation for the important work it has in hand. This work must be very much hindered by the present confined space for the library, lecture-room, and rooms required by the professors and students. " r In the year 1832 an Association of the Alumni of the beminary was organised with the avowed object of cherishinc. a spirit of mutual interest and union among its mombers, advancing the cause of theological learning, and of promoting the advantages of the institution with which it was counected. A triennial meeting of the association is always held during the session of the General Convention. At such a meeting it was my great pleasure to. be present on Thu . ^,day last. The proceedings were well begun by a large attendance of I' LETTER V. Qg Pauls Church at 7 a. m. The Bishop of Now York was the ^ ebraut, and as one looked at the long ,i„o of devout and ZZ ful-look og clergymen, who in such nun.bers came forward to^cthe; to that holy table, the work of the theological seminar, and Its co„neet,o„ with the present and future°„f the Chnfe'h wer^ uppermost ,n the mind. Immediately after the ser ice the hotel. There were about two hundred present, ineludin.. sevc: d of the B,shops and a few invited guests. Tile Bishop°„f New York pres,ded-with that dignity and gracefulness which nr.rk h,s character. t seemed to be much regretted that the Dislop ef Maryl.,nd eould not, owing to ill health, be present. A letter to th,s effect was read fron, him, and the Secretary mentioned the regrets of many of the Bishops who eould not'attend he meeting. In a most graceful and tonehing way the Bishon of New York alluded to the late visit of the Bishop'of LicMeM Ve menfon of whose name is always received here with the v rmes marks of respect and affection. A resolution was carried by elamafon rec,nest,ng Bishop Potter to convey an expression of th.s fee mg t„ the Bishop of Lichflcld on the ^rt of the aZci f the"bc'"rd"- "; T"'" °'*° '""^ ^°"- - S«-%feU of the benefit derived from his preseoee at the late meeting, of the Convent™. Dr. Hill, who is at the head of the Missi™ b Greece-- a dear old man in his eightieth year-was then Id r ' f' V'^^' '"' """^ '" "^ " "■»"»'»««" f™"> k'ters he had received on h.s departure from Athens from the Arehbishon of Athens and of Zante, in which were expressed high ap„ tkt on Hill a 7'v *^'""'°"' "'"" "■« ^'"O^' f^'^'^' '"wards nr H 11 and h,s assoe^tes. The reading of these letters and the fittmg remark, of Dr. Hill were very warmly received, and the uteres on th,s subject was kept up by an address which followed f n, the B,shop of Oregon, who, au.ong other things, spoke of h, fr,endly mtereourse with his nearest neighbour-the fifshop „f the Greek Curch of Alaska. 1 cannot give you any notice of 'he 66 r I CnURCn IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. other addresses, all of which were very appropriate, and roceived with much enthusiasm. The kind brotherly feeling exhibited at this reunion oi the alumni of this great Church eolloge,~tho cordiality with which so many of the ]Jishops entered into the proceedings, will be productive of lasting good, and will help to bind the clergy together. As the time came on for attendance at the Conv-ention, this pleasant party was obliged reluctantly to break up, after a few earnest closing words by the liishop of New lork the singing, with heart and voice, of the Gloria in cxcclm, and the Benediction. \ - If I LETTER VI. . I IUltimore, October 24, 1871. One of the most interesting debates of the Convention was on the report of the Committee on (Janons, to amend the Canon on "the use of the Book of Common Prayer," ,s follows:— " Every minister shall on all occanionB rf public worship use the Book of Common Prayer, as the Hamo is or may bo established by the authority of onfnf nTv"" "''•'" '^'''"'^= ,,,, j,,i^ ^,.l^^,,^^jj be understood to prohibit all additions to and omissions from the preHcribed order of said book except ,n the cases prescribetl by Section 14 of Canon 13 Title I • provided that on otlier occasions than Sundays, and the morni.Js of .l,08c week-days for which a special service is ordered, and at all times in Misnion 8tat.ons and other places than parish churches, where the prescribed order of Morning or Evening Prayer cannot be used to edification, other services may be used, compiled only from the liook of Common Prayer; but no such deviation shall be permissible, except on emergencies, without the approba- tion of the Ecclesiastical authority of the diocese." Tliis amended canon was passed by a large majority. There was a strong opposition from those who dread any change in the services of the Church. Many amendments were moved and lost This discussion, which exhibited much ability, displayed by one party a strong conservative feeling, and by anoth u- a fear lest the proposed canon would- impose upon them additional restrictions Under it, no office can be used in divine service excepting from tvonhmthe Book of (fommon P>un,n: Beyond the covers of that book no Bishop nor clergyman can go for the expression of the worship of the people in the house of God, except it be in those cases where the Bishops are required to provide for special services, and then only additional collects are to be addea Of course, this canon allows the use of hymns, and it was also clearly stated that it did not exclude the use of anthems in words taken trom the Prayer-book or Holy Scripture. This measure appeared 68 'I i (I. k Wi ; CHURCH IN THE UNITEP STATES, &c. a„,„„g those who k,.:": h " „f fto T" . "'1°° ""'""^ worship, thoclcmyn,a„mav.'^,'■* ^ ''" """lo of from tho ordinar/u c wwf> T^ " "^ J'"""'""'"'- Change. in service. i„ lI^; Ij' o C w 1" r ° ''T" ''"'"^'^ the authority of the Bishop T "''"^-^"y^' '""! ^o "'nde „„der eturches ,vi„ he attended hy ^..;:tj;!:lr '""''' '"' Bi^hJ; :^ 'T:::e':r did":': °' "" -p-' "- ^"-" -f *» «ve r auihieport did not coniuiond itself tn fl,n -R any part, ,n tho Convention. You may re 1 -",''""';'' joint committee of both houses li.rl h '*'"'''^' ' ' that a joct. On Thursday last tr • '^^''"'"^ ^^^' *'^'« «'^t)- t,- , ^""ii'uay last the committee subniittnrl fi.„- which was in the follov-ag words :~ '"^"^^^^^^^ their report, ^"»o?i of Ritual. recog„r:'7j^;:*i:;:*:^«/"' ""^-^'^ ^^'■'«' "• H.a ■!'«"■ Section 2.-.T... pro^.ionT; 'C; Thi 0, "l """* °' ^'"•'- Firgf Tiu_ -R , „ _, iviLUdi m tills Church are— Bions, or other alterations from time tTtil ^^ ' '^ "''^^^''"^' «'"'«■ Seeond-The Canons of U. CI .^h ofC f"""^ "^'^■ provinces before the year 1780 and Z I ^ .^ '" "'' '" ^^'^ ^'"^^'•<=a" pWe, it i. bereb, dec'.;:,":: p™, ^^^'I ""7 °"" ""'-"" '° -d..oahe ordinary ^ro^eSr^rrS;::;--- I e, and one on services er mode of Changes especialJy iido uiider it is fully iriety, the jf the five favour of ' ■ that a this sub- r report. its Head, ' accepted 'he differ- of Christ. Ordinal 'Hs, omis- i-inerican tered, or iction or »r by its ! public abifs of 1 to the after to arising of this office ther of f-ETTER VI. Q9 i .» ..i"">er branch „f ,be Church t L "^ c" ""'I- "'"''"' "' '"^ Anglican c„,„n,uni„„, „,th th C „ ch o ."hrT"' Iv"''^ *" ■' '= «entonded by the ablest canon ste that t '" " ""''■ ""'' Ae Church of England and T H ° """""O" '™ of P'W as well as th caln hw •"'"'" "^ "'« C°"™»" -ben they have not been se"'; i"\"°" '" '""' '" "'■^ Church, "eueral Convention '^' ""^ '''°""'' «°'"--'"'«»t'^ of the -- o"s x:^ ::r;h:^x:r::rrtf- "^'"« --■ ^/*n'/ ^"r. Even those who do nn V '""' '■'^'"«'" «-^ wish to impose restrieti:' .u ,r ^r; '""'TT- f ^'^^ '^ ^^ •^•ily going on in lar-^e cities w, i ""^"'^^ ^^ ^^'^^^"««- and outwrrd acts ofle ^o^ 'd" •"" ^^ ^^'-"-^^ well known that in ^^Z^^^^] '' '' ''''' ^^ ^« •apposed. Stranc^e to s.v •''"'. ^''*' ^^^^'"l-^ ^^re strongly whoobiecttosu^n:;:^,:::;:::-- ^^-^ are 1.31.:^: -•e greatly prized by the p onleth T'''' '''"'''''" ''^'^' -pect for Episcopal'autl or'; t J :"::tr' ''''^ ' ''''' American Church, it mav r.n^fi' '^ S'"*^'"^ '" ^'^^ tions are made to Se tbu's o ' h^ 'l '^'''''' ''''' ^-^^ objec- that it wonld leave e-oh P l! f '''""• ^' '' <^'ontondnd '' ''^"'^ ^"^^i^ ^" ^««'de tor himself what is the i**"|-iiiniiiiiiiBg^ 70 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. law. On the other hand, it is asserted that it is better to leave it to the decision of the Bishop than allow each individual clergy- man the exercise of his own will. Then it is asserted that in all this excessive ritual, especially regarding the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, there is a teaching of (idse doctrhii\ This I heard perfineatly answered by an earnest layman in this way :— If false doctrine is taught in the Church, why not procec 1 agransL the offending party under the canon provided for that purp'ise? How can a better romed.y lie gained by a canon on ritual? I was surprised to > Kserve the attention given to this subject and the knowledge displayed, i, i,ecia% naiong the laymen, who took part in the debate; au'I 'Kq jnofct pleasing feature of all wa;.: the moderation and good temper which pervaded all the proceed- ings. I have just heard this morning (Tuesday) that the House of Bishops passed the canon last evening, after a long debate and strong opposition, by a majority of 24 to 19. This will probably inliiufnce the decision of the Lower House when the question is resumed to-day. In my next letter I will give you further par- ticulars, and probably an account of the proceedings of the Con- vention at its close. f f I 1 C( ter to leave lual clorgy- that in all ion of the e. This I lis way : — !ci agjiinsl t purpi.se ? lal? his subject jrmen, who of all wa;; e proceed- ! House of lebate and I probably [uestion is rther par- ' the Con- I LETTER VII. Baltimore, October 27 1871 which have come under the ™/^^ '"'''"*'^ of importance During the prTvtu? :::,::'; t: i:''' '°''""*°- attention has been given to the,,! ' - ""'^"°^' '°"°'' book. Thi, ha, now LrfuIIv i? *" *°'^'''-'' P'^'y^'- octavo edition of the Boofcofro^ r'"'"" ''^ ""<">■ The the Sacraments, &c serfor [ h T™/"^'"'' A''°>i"««ion of year of our Lo d STlatd' 1 ." . 1°""' ''°''™"«°°- - '^e and Common Pra/er-bo k g^tf ' *! "'^ ^"'^ ^'Wo standard edition. The Storeetr. ^'> °7 ^'=*"''«» "• ''^ the the custody of a proper officerlfd n "t .•''" '**" "'^ -'^''' be made except Vsuch cur L:'n°:»"»-«on can committee, consisting of two RUb7' j ''™'' "^ » Joint corrections and emenda&I thusTr " ^"'''^'^'»' ""^ >" General Convention. Tthis r„r/ T' ^ ''^'^'^ ^ *e book are to be referred '^^^^^'^ '""""'"'" "^ ""= P'^yer. jealously preserved a„d l^lZl.^T- "' '^''^ ''""^ '» *- «.ade to the ConveU on fL ttlT '° "'l *° ^P""-*- into German or French, the g eaterct It'"' "^^^'"'"'^ e«ot teaching of the Prayer Took Iv "™ '" S"'«-d the tion, subject U. authoritfand "^ ^ T"™^ " ™™°' '™"- edition. ^' "'"' ""b reference to this standard book.'-n t:^;\^„r^ r;- - -Py-igbt in the Praye. Tbis is not the cr;rtttrZl,1h°°\''^ 'f '''''■ was earn^tly contended for in Z C-. f™^'' "' «"' 'bis -rerencewiththeHouse„fB.hop;:Jrde:™:ed^;i: fl 72 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &o. Ih I". , ' 'r : a copyright in the Ilvmml Ti,^ . . form a fund for the sunn,.rt „f ,1 ■ , '"'°"*'"''' "'» '» clergy, and for .CZZL! "" .'"''""' ""'> "'Ph'-^ "f the age or infirmity''^ ^° "^ meapaeitaM for d„ty fr„n> Much attontion has been given bv fbo Pn^ .■ -oi. order.,, and. ;~;Lrrr: to7rd' Tf ^"'"^ ^»' ret!!;::- ir:-- : r » «:::;:::: Ti, ^- 11 • , ^aniission to the ministry of the ChnrpT, concurred iu by the Lower IW-i"'' "'"' ""'"''^omly o«nt, have obligod v„„ LTl ^ t^ ."""^ '°™ """ """"el. "Wch re«nt ».r.e„abS^ VhsH ,;iTt "'™°' "'"'"'""•'' "> «»" "«" J- far, and with .o ™„ohtCnv I 1 ■''"'tr' ^°"' """ "' """"^ *"■ of the Charcli. '' '^""-"^ ">« •>«™«aent reorganmtion and adhering to the prLIte and air °"f *'''"^'' "> "=" ™"". -n i„h.H.„„„ aadirTf "uIH S « f™' f"" ,"" ~"- organisation, k nearly aUied to that „f iw^t^u i. , °' «»'m'>"Wi»1 faUy attested and ap/r^ed in tt:^^^^ --^. «"<> - LETTER VII 73 and will, notwithstanding S'r?""^''''"°'^^^P^^^^^^ P^^^^-"; poralities. be able to st n^ T^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ "^ ^-vs of its te.-' influence which once made it Till ■ f '■""^'"' '^"^^ ^° ^^^^^^^ ^he and Apostolic order .:ll 1^;^ ^irp? ^ '' E.n.elicl truth church^:'rra:L?ctr!h^^c^^^^ ^--- ^^- ^^« nion and fellowship of Christ "!v Zlf' ^'"^ """"'^ ^" °"« ^«'"'°"- advancement of His glory and .r^s!l 7 1 '"''''''' "^^'^ ^"-^ ^^ ^^^ our Lord. ^ ^ ^ '^' ^^^""^'^^'^ "^ "^«". through Jesus Christ the ^W llMTZl ^ ^^-' - ^- -^^ ^i^^. ^0. aod that - itr z^r— r^^« ^--io. is concluding remarks in thr etrt of th"." "•"'" ^°" *'^ speaking of the progress of Zrh . f ''^^^^^oo. After years, during whih" t^d t %thZ\ J^f P^^ ^^-e and of the wants and costs which St 11 ;?. ^ consecrated, concludes as follows :- ^"^'' ''"^^^^' *^'« ^^PO^t atthr;r;:L:itor:;^^^^^^^ p^e tl^n our doubts, alienli::;!^:' We 'ca:! ^ "• ^^^^ ''' ^^™"^«^ m this great Triennial Gen ral C uncil thTstr fe , "T'" " ''' '^"^ ^''^^ predicted, todestroy our .00^1.^!^ i I ^' ^''"' "°^ ^« «» °^any whocan be most Tb ar^g L'^^^^^^^^^ «- -other, but tosel preserve his conscience puflandb' 'l''"'' "^8"-^-°-. and yet ready for whatever grace and ble ""'"^"' '' ^"'^ ^^^^'•' ^'^ ^^^^ outstretehed for .hate wo^m T^ ""' ^ J^"'''^-^^^' -^ his h.nds ever be praised for •< the I^ '^^^^^^^^^^ very bond of perfectness." ^ °^ ^'^'^ "^"^^ ^^^^^ is the In^the American Church there is no subject of greater |f*«% 74 M' ! I i it: 'I f tii CnUBCH IN THE UNrrED STATES, Ac. f^ Chmt,, „ womeu. Already th. ,„ ha,, been a good deal do„. i„ ,hi way .„ the larger eitio, by trained ou. ,» and Si^te,. „ Me ^ Ph J ,T"; '" *" "■■"' '" N" York and Baltimore It Ph, adolphia ak,, there is a trainir,;. school for those wo,„o„ „h, would devote the„.clve» to work for the Chureh. ..fj™ .w to say r„oro ,„ „,y „e,t letter. This moveu.ent has bl ' eloed on by an a dr« delivered a few evening, sinee by Br I^^ he De.nn of Chester, who ha, been present several tin,, s dX' 1°Z T 1 *° ';'°"°"""' """ "'- ™ ""» oceas;, „ .; kt r 7, 1. "^'T'" '"^""^'•'S neaeonesses and Sis.erhoo* , the Cl,„rch ,„ England. The Chureh here has re ,gni,ed utio'^t "^^r"""";" "" '"'"'" f™"' ^-"^ i-'itutio . W utrons have been adopted by the General Convention with tl objeet of seennng, a, far a, possible, in every dioe.-e „ o„nt t,on w,th a eentral hon,e or hospital, an order .f Beae ne, es ot Sisters of Merey and trained nnrsos, with a training ,eh o f works of merey, and for employment in.missionary and other work under the d.reetion of the Bishop, and elergy The report of "the Italian Chureh Hef-m Commission" was presented to the Convention on Friday last ffisTZc of Western New York, is ehairman of this e'omritto ^ „tt' ■the follow,ng eztraet from thi, mo. :„tere,.ung doeu,„ent :- The facl, thus revealed jastify the f„U„,i„g .„„cl„,i„„,, ^^^.^ ment of Church work entirely distinct from that commiUed t- -.n. Tl present regular agencies of the Church. This worT L ,7h witness, n. a lo.ing and faithful spirit, to our historj ur ' eiZa' a distmctive part of Christ's Holy Catholic Church a, ,Cl r^ ' care one of anotl,er.» ^ ' "™'*" *°°''' ''"» "" »■»« LETTER VII. 76 After the reception of this report, the President „f IW •luent and late visits in Italv -md fr„ , •' ' with n„„. 1„ I- , ^' " personal acquaintance est,mo„y „ he great propriety of the proeeeding on the nart of the Oo„n„ss,„n, and of the hopeful result whiol, might ho ex pected there ro,„. Ue alluded, also, tnost kindly and favourab v a»entof , Comnms.on. My readers will not find fault with the Convention. V TJ^lTl T™"' "'^"''^ °' *. B.neh Of the , ';! rx^x.t tt!;::^ .ind the .iibieet i, of „,, fm..^,, '""""J""' ^^ «""« ■■ Ml of interest, proper , J oneor Z S Xn IZZ' "T"'"' '° ■"" "'"' ^°" >vill h. a great udWntange a„Ti fl ° ^ '""' "' ^""'P'- " u„gd„nLa.r„„g»aT.:: L v::i:t:„:tB;r'T- ^'- tins country, I am auiet m.r« h« ^Mi . ^'^''°P '"eti'rns to when you .LtirCeSnt rir -V" '" ""'"^ "°^'' '^"^ ^^^^ hare come to in 1871 ^"' ^'^ "'^^ ''^'' '^' decision you This church is far too jrrAnt^ f..» f„ -*n, „t,. an .He ,„r>d. O,.; t,„/; ^e S^ ^'C ^ L'^'^ "i 76 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. Ill w ll ' oy r you «,nce the Convonlion last met in 13altin>ore, in the year 1808 wl.er. I bdu.ve, the whole body of lii.hopn consisted of about half a Zn aS he Hou«e o B.shopn in th.s city ..ntained iu,t two, I cannot e,p I ; ! ' h depth of my feehng.and will only»y ,.at the feeling is yery d en when I h.ok down tlus list of nan.cs .o fumiliur to you. exhibited n' ThZ msenpt.onsof StateaaorStateo.erti.i«vastContinL romno^^^^^ from east to we.t. A. I have looked again and again at these name" la e felt an enu.t>on so strong that I should Unci it diflleult to express it Let us all g. vo thanks to Ahnighty God for the spirit of charity and of r^^ln^:::^::"^"'^^'" ^^e^^i-.- a.erycr.tieaftime,hasre^r ::: In my last letter, I inforuK-d you that the cauon ou ritual had passed the House of Bishops. A motion for eoncurreuce by the Lower House has given rise to the longest a.rd most interest" mg debate of the session. It has occupied several days, and ha. been on two occasions prolonged to a late hour in the eveniujr Large numbers of attentive listeners have been attracted by the discussions, filhng the seats assigned both on the floor and in the galleries. A resolution to postpone the passing of the canon till the meeting of the next Convention, and, in the meantime, to appoint a joint Commission on the subject, though supported by consider- able numbers, was lost; and while writing this letter I am told that the session last evening was prolonged till two o'clock this morning, when, on a division on the canon, non-concurrence was declai^d, there being an equal vote by the clergy, or rather by the clerical vote in the dioceses, although there was a small majority on the part of the laymen. ^ Without being supposed to express any opinions of my own r wish to present, as briefly as possible, the main points brought out m this interesting debate. As may be readily supposed, this discussion was marked by the difi-erent views of the individu-.l speakers. Apart altogether from any such influence, the present measure seemed very ill matured and unfitted for the object proposed. In this connection, it was urged that if a canon na 1808, wliori, dozen, and press to you deep, when d in these 1 and south, •lies, I liave it. ^rity and of reigned in ou ritual rc'ucc by iiitorest- aiid has evening, d by the id in the I till the appoint :onsider- ani told )ck this nee was ther by a small ly own , )r(>ught pposed, ividual present object Qon OQ LETTER VII. -- rittxal wore re uiired by the Chun-h, the want was not met by that - down y the Hi.hop.s. The .ue.stion with reference tV ho lu V 1 """^ ';'/'" '''""'• '' ^^""'-'^ «» '^-^^^ i" th count y remains unsettled,_many of those canons are inapplic- able to present circumstances, and do not at all cn.bra e t o the whole ritual of the Church. It was also s-.id th7 r.l J^rther delay, and the considerations alillrr V^ 1^ d.scuss.on, would enable the joint Commission to prov do' wd -ature measure for the next triennial meeting, whil by b l" A„,,m, there were those who carn.stly conteclod n-,|„«, ,„„ rortnctive legMation o„ the ™bjoet. ''rho, ,1 ,„ =;" Z p aet,ces wh,oh they have adopted, a„d ref^.rd a» i„,p„ t„ no esse„t,a , should be iu.erfered with. A,„ong such are „Ve of he „,o,t elo,,„e„t „„d .eaion, of the eler,y and"als„ of the Z Sueh men as ,o the mother Ohureh, arc doing here a great dd to .nstrnet the ,g„„ra„t and to relieve distress, and on thfs aeeo«„ hey have confessedly, a clain, to great respect and reg rd To h,s school ,t wa, said wo owe many ho.piLs, and school a„d ay deputy in the debate that it was not the clergy only but the X V Tif:; n f ""';"'' - '- -''' ^''— ^^^^^^^^^^ worship. The laity," he said, " were behind the clergy in this air:::: w^"'"^ '" '--'' ^^^^ -^^^ those m'jnw; above they were unable to carry the motio. for postponement and the appointment of a joint Commission PO'^^^^ent stood^n". fi ''^'' ''^'' ^'" ^'"' '^''' ^^° ^i" ^' ^«" under- stood as belonging to the old High Church school-eminently conservative-and who, on the ritual canon, ioined in ""0 w.th the Low Church party. This latter party is represented t 78 t^' ill,.-!, . I'. :, i M J i I, r ., I i;Ji f'if :i . Ml ;' hi' if' Hi CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. a.v work being dooo for Christ anlflr h "l ^ ^l !l "'-'T '° !'it in'h """'^ "' "'^ •^'"'">'' »- »«' »""■ mi" sZ no excoss of ritual or brought up in its defect? From all sides, from loading n,on of the Evau^elioal oartv r havo heard strong expressions in favour of all thoset ngs^oh Hrjrn—rrt^i-o^rt afraid of the use of ntua.) or ornament, because they find i^^.. LETTER VII. 70' load^g ele.,yu,a„ of tho I,„w Ch„rch^.eh ^l "1 TftSrh l'' '«pn«n ij uoccrme. ihe sacred doctrine of the »t™ck with thi. „„ tho part of the Si ll ? "'"'f^' her present difficulties, are these ■- ^ i» t'.'5^i^^:thtHs:'Th,v' '"^ '"''T °'*" ««»' p— oiy j^.ucnanst. This is expressed in her services in tl... the objcefve and tho subjeetive. But she has ,-,y- "',„ If". : '°.''"'""' ^""^'' *«-'»-. »-!«-■!,. i^ or nam and under her orders, and for the benefit of her^h dre should have a right or permission to do what the Church >S •na-M „Uc„!o„ has not done. And, on the other iZd frm ho reverence with which the Church regards her h„ v p ct solemn awe her services inspire in approaching the ho / ' , 80 m mi i I i CHUECH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. Now, it is witli rofercDoc to this sacred subicct that ,h,. fihurch hero .eon,, to call fe additional legislativocnact , o„t Whether this would effect the desired object n,ay be d , b fu ' w. Is by the mfluenees which n,ay now be brought to bear would not probably act otherwise under further restrfctiou. I u't ft"! what I have sa.d, it u,„st be seen, even to those out idc Lt X lato d,scuss,on partakes of an importance beyond what th el 1 subject ef ritual would seem to indicate. Whatl llbe th immediate result, the discussion will do good the ,^tT'\f'l ^"^"^ °^*° *"■<'' «"'■<■'""'." full report of the deba^ w,ll shortly be in the hands of all who feci an n c res m t e subject. It n.ay never be found necessary to resume tin another General Oonvcntion. The vast ,mo„ J f c afibrded in this discussion, the kno^t of t rsutje'ctrrZ b,hty displayed by the speakers, the kindly feeliu, which w A very few exceptions, was manifested, reflect the highe irldh on th,s Conveufon. Scarcely anywhere else would you find a the subject, or who would have entered upon it in a better prT .oems to prevail here more than in the ctr^b i r.r™;' aluded before to the kindly iutereourse existing be w c,f the Mission of the American Church at Athens and the w v in the Greek Church there ■ and r „1 v " ""'hontics , . lucre, ana l now subiom an extract fr, «. "" ^c.j-upoman oi ALuens, and the Holy er name to individual mere com- fc that the inactment. ddubtful. their owu !ar, would But, from , that the the mere ly be the report of t interest iffle it in 3rniation and the ch, with it credit find, at ) discuss r spirit, nifested reasons, ind. r 'en the liorities t from > those ■aternal le Most itriarch e Jf oly LETTER VII. "liicl. tho anmu. and ™,t„., gooTlt:;';,!:""''""'™'""'' ■"— ^ '«" 'nlereou„e r „ ''^l";f' "»' ''';i"""-™»'-so with other branches of th„ Church House of Btshops rogardin.. the movcu.cnt now ..oin- on Z Z arert inih";" ;' .'J'" »'"""y P™""""! »" Germany t^ ascorfc m the real nature of this important movement. 1 he well-known character of this distim-uishej prelate hi, gr at learmng and high Catholic views, emi:entlv fit 1, m f,,^ Mtsston whid, may be fraught with i„,p;rta„t rr,„lt! " o-ont o"f?B;: 2f 'T' 'T'' I^P^I'-f "•« P™P«J appoint, mcnt ot a Jiisliop to whom the special ohan'e of the Tnrli.,,, f -i m the west was to be as.i,™e^ T, t '"'""' ,: , ,.„ , . assigned. It seems, however, that constitii- .onal d,fficult,es, regarding jurisdiction, stood i„ tb. w ^d he appointment has been deferred for the present. T^^-eho „' : ti !tt°""' ^r"'°^ '" ^'"'■■'- "''''^'■"' '-" p--j^ with ,n the tpper Ho„.se, was also relinquished duri,, , fh„ told that there wdl be a special meeting of the House of Bishop to make the appointment. J'lsnops .oi::iri:^^-:S,:hi:s;:;::i^ sufficient at this timp to sp^mw. fl, -"'^''ops ot tbo Church, h doemed "10 umo to secure the supDression nf nil .1... : ;. unseeiuly, and to promote greater uViromifv^m"n ' 7 'r^'^Y'^'' "^'^ worship of the Church anr^,•n^^!^^•'^ e„n,h.cting tho public P tne tiiurch and in the administration of the Holy Sacrament {■ 'l ',.,ll !|i lil ' SaT LETTER VIII. Philadelphia, October 30, 1871. When the debate on ri^uil of wi.- ;, t eongrc.g,«,„„. At ,I,„ close „f eLi,,. ^Zt'p^"' Ur- tijron, beloved in the Lnrrl t\„ :.Ml 0,1871. n account e Couvcn- ? for the 'Hce to the re passed, ^n Friday ter would leir robes i in which f prelates *r a time 1 for the y solemn iike it so. the sing- lio whole Pastoral lengthy, 'egarded did, by •s in the foui the eemer is 'nant, as ■'iss and J many LETTER VIII. gg extraordinary providences in the affkirs of the world God l,n« 'r ^ bless us with much nf f.nrfl,i 1 • ' " "^^ continued to connnunion of ntcL rd 'vr'rr ""'■"'' "^'""'"^"'" '"^-^ ^ '^^ a Pastoral letter^ m^bel w M H ?'' '" "'^^•"'^^^'"S •^'^" ^^^ "'^''^ i" a confession of ou" la? r' "!^""^ acknowledgments, and with the Most High. ' — thmess of such distinguished favours from much^^^res^f 1''^ ''""^^ '' ''''' -^P^^- ^f' -^ -^^ mucn thankfulness for the missionary zeal which is " thn , . precous adorning of the Church in the oy^ ^ --^ ''^ "^'^^ Allusion IS then made to those Bishops who since the U.f Convention, have gone to their rest ^ in . W IT^ '^' '^ ^""^""*'"' »""^'^-^^"^ 5« ^^P°kon of as marked in a high degree, by manifestation of the Divine favour and the presence of the Holy Spirit. "- (^hurlh of'f ? *!?' Convention of fathers and brethren from the Chuich of England, and from the sister Churches of her Coloni empire, are mentioned as having o-ivon '•marker] .nl r intfra^i f.> fi. 1 X ,. ^ o^^"-ii maxked and peculiar interest to the late proceedings." The Pastoral then goes'on to notice the action taken with -gard to t^o Baptismal Office by the House of Bishops and to speak on the subject of ritual in the following words T' '" nots:!;^Z:;t^^^Xv'::1"' n^^''^ «„ the one hand we must against ritual f^ZstonZoT f " l ' """ "' """ ^'''''''^'^ -^--« •^f 3eif-den,i„g laK J;;::; ^^^^^ ^ ::r r:r f r^ ^^^"r^-^ '■"""•■ " "" --i-'^ertamiv unauthorised by Holy Scripture, entirely 84 CHUECir IN THE UNITED STATES, &o. 'ill ;, 1 , i' 1 ■; i I' I I if 1 1. ! 1(1 1 aside from the purposes for which \h. vr ^ o most dangerous in their tendencies To n ^"'Y'"''"^ ^^^ '"«"^»ted, and our dear Lord in the Holy Go mmun 7"'u''' ^"^^ ^Piritual presence of -h a presence as allows worsh p « h" J^^ ^'^ ^r °^ ^^° '^''^^^^ '« the very least, to be wise above tha w^l '"' ''^"' P'''^^^'''^ -> *« «-J ^or the objects of this Holyl j' ts';."^""' " """^'^ ^^"'^ ^^'-d' memorial before God of tl,e on s^rifice fo'"""- '"'"'"^' ^''^' «-^' ^^^ thestren,gtheningand refreshin.oT b. [ TT '"^ ''^'" ' '-^"'l' ^^^ondly. one can fail to see that it . rnpoLble f^r tV " '"'*'"'• '^"^ ' - Ime between the worship of sucTan , i r ,' '""'™'" ™'"'^ '° ''''"'i- the the awr:.l error of adorin/he ^ I t " '"' ™^^'^'-^-'« I---ce an suggests this error by act or posU e h T r^ ''''^''^'"-' '^ ^ ^-^her doctrine of this Church and Z ^^LfZ^T^ '^ ''^"'^«""'-- ^^ the - -ul, of men. In the presenc:; ^ ^"^^ ^'"'^ "^ P^^ t|ie m.r.sters and members of this Church ' I ''^"^''•' ^« ^'-^'^ "?«" ^Houl.l always cherish and exhib Sfattu " 7 " '""' ^''^^ ^"^'^^ *'«^ devoutly recognises " the dignity of the bn '" ^'""^"' '^^^''^^^'^ ^^hich he unworthy receiving theC ' ye • t T^7 '"' ^'^ ^^^^ P-'^'^ «f ^;uy hunself the outward expression of w . ?'"'^'" '^"''^ °^ ^^''^ '^"^ to Jf that expression even ...i rincuIcaT ! I "" ™''^ *'° "^"^^ — "-' 'd«i^try. '"'^"I^'^te and encourage superstition and declaS :!!^^' '^ '^'^- -^--> - have the f.IWi„, She permits and afrers to her chilrL.n fV, pnrate to some minister of Gods Word H.; ?T' '' '''''' ^^'^'^ '" fi-t resort. She does not provide for t", f '^''^ "'^^ ™*^^ ^his the practice; she does not impose it L" ' -^"r' '"'''''''''' '' ""iform hold or declare it necessary fZ the L" ""'t "''"^"^^^ ^^^ ^^-« -^ h'gh degrees of spiritual advancem n" 'Z "l" , "'^ °'' "^^ '-^"-^-'^t of which can be secured only bv tl '' ''°'^ ^'^^ ^""^^^^^ ^ith it blessings -ends this privilege to th'ose'of h X^^^^^^ ^'^ «^'"P'^ ^^^s and com'- conscences by self-examination, immediate co„f '"""' "^""^ '""''^ «-" Chnst, repentance, and restitution ml "" *" ^''''' ^'^'^ ^^'th in comfort and counsel not except Jal ^ I"""' '" '""'^^ *^'^ ^^^king of (if not by actual law, at X^'^^lToZT'^^ ^ '''' '''' ^^^-^ - to rob Christ's provision of ifs mercyt | 'T;'^' f- '"^^ "^"^«^'"-)' oppression and a source of corruption hII T^' '' "^'" ^° ^"g'"°« °f experience of famihes, and even of Z" , "^ demonstrates this. The evils are inseparable from trg laabuT:' ^tT ''" ""^ ^"^^^ ^^^^-^ ---e Which may ,uietadLrbe:::sc.:^r-:---^^^ m *A. fee. IS instituted, and itnal presence of ■ tbo faithful is n-esent is, to say I's Holy Word. '. are, first, the and, secondly. Moreover, no >d to draw the 's presence and 're, if a teachcT igonisni to the d puts in peril wo call upon lat while they erenee which great peril of ' each one to ily reverence, erstition and LETTER VIII. 85 e fol] OWl "g eir griefs in ake this the or uniform lie does not ^aininent of it blessings a and com- their own th faith in seeking of t enforced ecessities), engine of his. The ■ practical W counsel *ry direc- tion which supplants the conscience is to do away with that sen^e of moral Responsibility under which every man "shall give account of himself to Strong and positive admonitions are given against any ten- dency to error connected with the worship of the saints, and against any departure from the use and teaching of the Litur-y • and also with regard to the circulation of books which inculcltJ talse or unsound doctrine, and against the crying evils arising trom prevalent irreverence and lawlessness, with regard to which the following counsel is enjoined : Cultiv.7te, then, beloved, in the daily walk of your Christian life, in your houses and by your firesides, above all, in the temple of God, where His holy Name is worshipped -such a spirit of reverence as shall manifest itself in word and act, and such a temper of submission and obedience to what is duly ordained and appointed as may make for the Church's peace and for your own great spiritual good. So shall brethren "dwell together in unity," and you shall see " Jerusalem in prosperity all your life long." This important document concludes with the following fatherly exhortations : — Wherefore, Christian fathers and Christian mothers, ask yourselves earnes ly and honestly how necessary for the nurture and admonition which your children are receiving at your hands, in this most worldly age, are the nurture and admonition of the Lord ;" how far the pleasures and associa- turns encouraged and allowed are compatible with the life of God- how far the books permitted to be read and the ideas cherished in the minds of children are eading them to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ; and, therefore, how far you are discharging, towards those whom God has given you, that household priesthood which exalts your position as parents, and commensurately increases your responsibility If you are faithful to this solemn trust, then all the holiest interests of society are sure to feel the benefit of your fidelity. If you are unfaithful, not only wi your sin be visited on those who are dearest to you, bu worldliness hke a flood will sweep away all that God has made our most precious herit^ige in His holy Church. Of the effect of this in our country It 18 not necessary that we should speak. Fearful indications of coning judgments are already before us. The history of empires during the past year 13 a warning whiuh need not be expounded of that smft destruction 86 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. h> > I {*'' I 1 ft' ■ \h til hi rpi:t::t:;: s:ir '^^^^"^^^' -^^ ^^^-^ -p- ^^^^^ own ^ea^s f... the ^ s^^::;:- ^: ci:;^ ^r ^ f r^«p« ^-a, ...end I^ovo Him with a fervent ove Id wth ^^'"'>^ «^^^ ^'-™ "^ -thority. proof of ,our gratitude for X IpelhT ""r'"'^""^ ^^-^-"- Make jour presents and come into Hi Zr 7f '^ '' ^'' ""'^P^'- " ^"ng Him in the beauty of practi afLrn " w! r "™T'"' '^^^''' ^'^ ^^^^P stinted liberality, which demand H •. ^^' '" '^^^^^ ^^^^^ call for no tbat God is waging to b X' ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ love, which indicate selves for Hin visitation. ' ^^ "'' P^^P^'' ^^1^ Prepare them- Tile whole Church nf nu^ui. • • . arace. mercy and peace b XXl^"'^" 1 ^^^ ^^^^^^"^ P— . Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Iml '"''' "^'" ''' "''« ^<^^^ ^^e Soon after the Bishops had retiro^ fl. Lower House were resumed anViw ^ ^'"«' '^" '^^ twelve audnight that w^h tC "'' ""'^^ *^^^ '^•^"^- «^" Bishops, the busine s ;/ n ^"-f^rrence of the House of i--iini Address ::r; b'?xt;7™^"r • ^^ ^ -- President announced the In ^ "^""^ thankfdness, the Joined in singin;::e SlS^^r ^"^'^ '''''''''' '''' ^'^ In a subsetiuent letter, I bom to ,..;™ i some most important Mission woik L H • , " °°"'=" "'' Homo and Hospital, whoro Oh sf °^ ^' "'"' "^ •■' ^".rch duties. Before hoover ets^ ™°""' '"■° '"™<' f" *oir codings of the Convent ;„!? °? '""""•'^ °" *» '"'o P™- view of the vast iatel "t of'the 7k ""1"'='' '° ^»^ *"' »' feel my i„effieienc/&; the Lsl T f"' '° '.'' "'* ^'""■''''' ' •»ost part, my letters have be» writ ° ™, '"""^" ' ^" «"« or when too mueh oeelied hv ! °"' °"°^ '"'-"'P'io.s. know, in many ways deZvI ^, r'""*^ ''™"''- '^''^J' »■•». I -a that my idef: tiZ;^ '" if ,^« -'r - a correct account of these Drocn,vIi„ "'""'■ "•' 'east, to afford The „.„ro I havetZd Th °" ''""'« "■'^'■- «-™nce. €hnrch,-t.he more T 1, M ™'"''° "^ *'» ''ranch of the who take a leadl partTi*' ""I'IT ?f »'— « «* th„t' -post interest inC:-rSr^^^^^^^^^^^^ li LETTER VIII. 87 May I be permitted here also . aiontion the oxceedinff kindness extended towards myself? To others, doubtless who have more claims, equal consideration has been afforded.' My readers will have noticed, from what has been said before warmth of feeling shown towards the Bishop of Lichfield and the clergy who came with him from England. Judging from my own experience, the clergy of the Colonial Church ai-e received with a like brotherly welcome, which should be gratefully acknowledged; and I may add that neither in attendin.- the debates in the Convention, nor in frequent and varied Social intercourse, have I heard an expression regarding our common mother country, our Church, or our institutions, to which a sub- ject of the Queen or a member of the Church of England mi-ht not willingly have listened. ° It was my privilege to attend the meetings of the former Convention in New York three years ago, and I cannot but notice the contrast, in many respects, in favour of the assembly which has just closed. There were, on the part of the leading clerc^y and laity the same marks of high culture and great learning and zeal for the advancement of the Church; but, I think, I could observe in this last Cr)nvention less narrowness of party more of a truly Christian spirit, more enlarged Catholic views, and a greater determination to go forward with the grand mission of the Church and by united works of love to rise above low sectarian feelin-^ for ^he benefit and salvation of mankind. In many instances I c^ould not but observe more reverence in the House of God and increased attention at the services of the Church. In writing to you three years ago, I ventured an opinion that the American Church would not consent much longer to hold her Conventions in her churches. This feeling, I find, is gaining ground, and I am much mistaken if a change in this respect, which is so much be desired, be not made regarding the next triennial meeting which IS to be held in New York. It will be a bright day for his Church,-the beginning of the -^ great things" which are to be done for her, when neither her General nor Diocesan Con- 88 '!»), i! 1 1, f li 1 i . 1. )!,'' ( <,', 1 Nil' U, .:/' ill CIIUECII IN THE PNITEB STATES, fe cLurche aro m d tj / "'"" "' ""» «'^' """"'^y the 00.; «. ;„„ w,!:;,;;;'iTi;:x::;o:; '""'° ''"'-'■ »"^ -" due to the good n,a„,,gom„„t of Dr Crl t" T """^^ " Perry, tho secretary -^.t . i- , , ' ° president, to Dr. wa. ox„res>,"d b! n u,n ' ""''"''"'' '^'"''""''- ^his feeling ConvenLnll ;:;":;; r^ "f *;"'» » *o part of th! afforded by the e rpr te ,f ^ " '°' '"■*-"»" ^avo been edition, and wifh 2 s r' ^71. "l ^7 '™°' " ""'^ Senate from Washin.-tou thev . "f""''"' "^ "■« report of all the Teo^ "', ^. ,? «'™° ^""^ " '"■*<""" th^ '».por.nee'^TS\rrer:-Ch "l'""''"'' ^"^"^ 'ogardod, a, shown by tho .,.,„.! ofThoT . " ^"""""^ vention in tho leading so.,.:;.,^^TZ'j:f '"^ "'"'■ speaking of the closing .,r,«„ j „T' ,■/• "^ °f *»»'-' Papors, session was looked forward to *" P '" •"" " ""= '•■"« «s a prevailing il;;tth,tr ■™''V°'""^'- ^'■"- eutainate in a r„pt!rT Those T'""' '"'^"'•'=°'="' ""»''' verified, the proceed „, of t^l »PP'-'"'«.''s,„ns have not been harn,„ni„„s than for jears' """'"" '™°S I'"™ »- progrir:ru,it''brc;; !?;: ?"; "'"' - ^'"=™"' -^ '^« ^■•n-i.. furnished to mo" ^l tn'dttlir:!!"' ''""'' "^ hundr^,, and tbi. .^:!:XtTZ^rJZVfr ''•'''' '""^ '™ elwgy retainmg their lotaltv ar,5 . ^ "" ""r-many of the that, to h„,„a„\M„„, Serican b'fT'r/", ""• ="'■* J""""-. -» e^mot. Indeed, at a much 1^1 ^S °L't ^'r'' ■>' ="Sland „.. later peri«i, Bishop Meade wa, told b; Jul^ LETTER VIII. 89 Marshall that there was no use in trying to revire the Episcopal Church in Virgirna. In 1789, a single room could eamly hold f Uo first General Con- vention, but now, m eighty-two years, our Clmrch extends from Eastportto San Frano.sco, and from Oregon to St. Augustine, numbr-ring two thousand SIX hundred and five churches, two thousand eigiu hundred and thirty-eight clergymen, Baptisms during last year thirty-six thousand four hundred and th.rty-two, Confirmations, twenty-two thousand one hundred and fifteen Sunday-school teachers twenty-three thousand and thirty-one, scholars two hundred and two thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine, contribution « ,. Uve million two thousand seven hundred and twentv-ono dollars. t. The original dioceso of New York has been di'vided into five dioc. . and our own Maryland diocese into two, with a probability, at no distant date of three or four subdivisions. In view of such enlargement we may well exclaim, with the Pr, ,phet, " What hath God wrought ! " Before each (ioneral Convention fears are expressed that some disrup- tion will take place; but such fears are groundless, for if the American Church bore the strain of our recent civil war, it can well bear the discus- sion of any mooted point. It is said-- How can such diverse opinions be held in one Church? Are not these diversities incompatible with unity?" No! We rejoice that the Church allows such latitude of opinion Its Catholicity is thereby exhibited, and, as the centrifugal and cent, ipetal forces are necessary to the earth's ,.rbit, so differing views, within certain bounds are necessary to true Church progress. Eitualism is a relative term. Its progress is as great probably in the denominations around us as with us. Contrast the church buildings erected fifty years ago with those now building,-mark the improved style of mu8ic,-and you will conclude that this ritualistic advance results from the general increased ajsthetic taste, and fron. that refinement which comes from growing wealth. Shall we decorate our houses and let God's temple be un- furnished? It may safely.be said that the Prayer-book will receive no alteration; that the liberty heretofore allowed will not be abridged- and that any special legislation for temporary evils will be warily entertained as those evils, if let alone, will cure themselves. If such has been the progress of this Church under such trying circumstances in years p<',st,-if, as it has been my purpose to show, there are abundant proofs now of the presence and power of her gre?t Head,— what may we not hope regarding its work for the future ? I heard Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, in one of the churches in this city yesterday, speak of fifty thou- ■■ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) ^/ ;4^. % & 1.0 I.I ^1^ 1^ ■ii Ui 12.2 IL25 III 1.4 1.8 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ,\ <^ •1>' \\ o^ ^. '^ <.' <« I/a z 80 i\ .1 CHUBCH IK THE UNITED STATES, 4c. a„d homosteads taken up i„ his diocese by imn,igrau., durio,, the past year. I heard him speak of the ehurches there wh cJ are be.og ereoted.-all open and /,„, and of his dev d m.ss,ona„es tramed in his own theological school; I know hat h,s .s on y one work of the many like it, to o.erLto th7 a human t,de passmg on to the great West. I have noticed „h, - domg ,n I,ke manner in dioceses of less rapid grow h luy we no then rest m the assurance that God will «do great thii for us through the American Church, in teaching, guid g "nd controlLng a people whose destiny is evidently contcctcd w'th much wh.ch .n the future will have to do with L natio s ofle n &c. ligrauts during- 3s there which his devoted 1 ; I know that rtake the vast :i noticed what, growth. May lo great things , guiding, and )ni.cct«d with nations of the LETTER IX. New York, November 1 1871 Phia. There, inZnZ^:-! ""^r^'\"'» -'^ »f PWladel- natod from lame lifts bvTf .^^"''^ '""P'''''' ''"■'"l' ""gi- gestion, made i„ 18631*^^^ ™'l ""*'"»«» arose ftem sug. bear., .„d tor who! ' t, l^T;'"" '^ "■" "•>- -= ft ally opeaed i„ 1867 The W„ ^^ T"""™'- '' ™ f"™" prese't Bishop of Pe„„,v, T *"' "'"''' °™' t" »« Managers of ifafd ! ThT CIT ^^rf";- "' '"^ ^""^ "^ under the control of the BishT Tt ^''.° f'^-''' ■"""agement is minuleriny womni who hv , V ' f """"'"^ »' " Home for their sphe^'e of" .X,' ,!^ ;t°w ";" t'-^ '''"" '» '^ » -o^^Ciitz: :■:: !=ri-:i'^Tt tr-n 'he institut on the Lado Pn;„„- i , "' ^' too opening of House; for a eonsidorSl ? ^^"J ™ ""^ ""'^ °™''P'"" »f the the las report we da it T ""' r""'™ ""^^ ="""' ■>"' » e^. and -o'^Ati-irstr '^rirjiirrr"- Heaven y Father for flio ™ i j • v> e laay well thank our institntio'ns of a la aote: te tir 'T °' ""'' "''"^-» "^ none should depreeiaL ev- t " ^ ''°"'"'- ^"'^ ™''' oonneetion with th e ;h„ '.' """""' '" ''"° determinate It is onl/fa r hJetr r'*"!." V' """' '"™''"'' "'""J' denial, pro J. thi^ trS "l" ■"""" ™^' ""^ -''■ and schools, and hospital say that these homes, 'pitaJ, and all their efforU. in behalf of the 92 r fii. I I •I CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. poor and the ignorant, are conducted under the doctrine and system of the Church, without the use of anything which can be accounted extreme in ceremony or ritual. I must here record the name of Mr. William Welsh as one of the foremost in labours of love in the American Church. He is the moving principle in the Memorial House. With the assistance of his wife and daughter, he is engaged week after week, and apparently with great success, in instructing the wives and mothers and children of the vast manufacturing class in and around Philadelphia. He seems ready to devote all his time and a large portion of his means in the relief of suffering humanity, and it is to his exertions and untiring efforts that the Church is much indebted for her success in the Mission to the Indian tribes. The most extensive and effectual work done by means of the services of Christian women is, no doubt, in the city of New York. In all this the rector of Trinity Church, Dr. Dix, takes the warmest interest. Of the details regarding this work in New York I cannot now speak. Without doubt it is of the greatest benefit wherever it is brought in contact with the great masses of ignorance and vice which abound in all large cities. Notice what is said in the following extract from the last report of the " Bishop Potter Memorial House." It is addressed to tho Bishop, and is as follows : — A few days since you consecrated a church that clearly reveals the ripeness of the field, and the power of a trained Christian woman — one of our full Sisters, who had been detached to visit from house to house in a neglected jogion. That beautiful Church, with its well compacted congi egation, sprang mainly from the labours of that Sister during the past eighteen months. Another Church work in Philadelphia deserves especial notice. To this my attention was called during a late visit to that city. It was originated by the Bishop of the diocese in November, 1870. Begun in faith, it has so far prospered beyond all expectation, — in the provision for its support from the voluntary offerings of the faithful, in the work which has been done, and in the increnaine' LETTER IX. field for exertion which is constantly opening up. The Mission IS entirely under the control of the Bishop, with a board of laymen . to manage the finances of the institution. The Bishop has ap- pointed a clergyman of much experience and energy as superin- tendent, who has five other clergy under his control, and several laymen and women, who have been trained for the work. The objects of this Mission are to preach the Gospel to the very poorest and most abject and depraved in the city and its suburbs, to establish schools and industrial agencies, to visit the poor and the sick, and to aflFord temporal relief when it is required, to aid the parochial clergy by canvassing the districts around their several churches, to keep up regular services of the Church in public, charitable, reformatory and penal institutions, no less than twelve of which are open to this work; and to carry on the Mission in strict accordance with the doctrine and worship of the Church, as it is said in the report, " a Church possessing Christ's own Sacraments, an Apostolic Ministry, an evangelical faith, and fitted to adapt itself to the necessities of all classes, and furnish instruc- tion and guidance to all hearts and minds." I have before me a stirring address from Bishop Stevens delivered on the opening of this Mission, and the report of the superintendent for the past year. From conversation with the latter I have learnt a great deal regarding the present working of the institution. He tells me that he is greatly encouraged— that more missionaries are wanting, and that a most interesting feature in the work is that which is presented among the emigrants from France and Germany. In his address it is stated by the Bishop that there are in the city of Philadelphia 200,000 inhabitants unprovided with religious instruction of any kind. "What " adds the Bishop, "should we think of a city of 20,000 inhabitants unprovided with religious instruction of any kind ? Yet scattered through Philadelphia there are what is equivalent to tm such destitute cities! And not only so; there are three wards in this City, containing from 14,000 to 16,000 inhabitants, where we have no house of worship, and no stated religious services accord- ing to our Church Liturgy." 04 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES, &c. t'Hii I need not enter into the particulars furnished in the semi- annual report of the superintendent. It shows a great amount of work already done in the way of visiting, teaching and preach- ing, lb speaks of largo donations of books and clothing, — offer- ings in money, for the period mentioned, to the amount of $0,285- 27. There is every reason to believe that this Mission will prove very successful, and that, before long, it will be supplied with the necessary buildings, in the way of chapels, schools and hospitals. It seems to me that Bishop Stevens has begun a work just in the quarter where there is crying need. I am told there is a similar work going on in Boston and New York. In the latter city I know of one great missionary operation of which I will speak presently. But is there not a crying want for such Missions in all the large cities in this country, and in the old world ? While we are making often too feeble efforts to send missionaries abroad to the heathen, the Church is not suflSiciently alive to the terrible cry from ignor- ance and misery which is going up to heaven from the teeming over-stocked population of our large towns, in every one of which thousands and thousands are born, grow up, labour, suffer and die without any of the instruction and consolation which the Church has been intrusted to impart. There is, indeed, in Philadelphia a largo population which is constantly increased by immigration. But it has its sixty church parishes, and we have no reason to suppose but that the clergy are faithful in their several charges. The proportion of those destitute of the means of grace, is, prob- ably, as much, if not more, in every large city. Now what would be thought of this Church if it left in any diocese (say) 15,000 or 20,000 people wholly without religious services? wholly with- out the softening, guiding, sanctifying influence of our holy re- ligion ? Is it a matter of wonder that the sad history of the past year speaks of frightful outrages committed by ignorant savages left to that neglect of which we are speaking? May it not be that God will in this way visit other cities besides Paris, unless the work of which I have given a brief account, is imitated and carried on in other places? LETTER IX. 95 In my first letter [ gave you an account of the Missions in Maine, the most Eastern of the dioceses in this country. I have noticed the work undertaken specially by means of Cityllissions. I will now bring my letters to a close by a brief notice of that which has been done and is being carried on in a Mission Chapel in New York, in connection with Trinity Church in that city. On the appointment in 1864, of Bishop Neely, who now pre- sides over the diocese of Maine, as assistant minister of Trinity Church, he found great numbers of children in attendance at the Sunday-schools, whose parents, owing to the want of free seats in the churches, were practically precluded from the services of the sanctuary. To remedy this evil it was determined to establish a Mission in a convenient locality, the Corporation of Trinity Church undertaking to provide the necessary funds. First a school-building, then a public hall, was made use of for divine service and Sunday- schools. The movement was so successful, and the number of attendants so great, that it was determined to build a church and schools, and hence have arisen the chapel and schools of St. Chrysostom. The buildings are of stone, plain and substantial — most pleasing and church-like in appearance. They occupy a corner in a densely populated portion of the city. The seats in church are all free, and the interior arrangements for the week-day and Sunday-school library, guild and reading-room are all most complete. The cost of these buildings, which was over 8140,000, has been provided. by Trinity Church. There is now in charge of the Mission a most active clergyman, who has an assistant minister anJ four lay assistants in his out-door work, A guild supports the reading-room and library, which is open for men every evening. There is divine service in the church three times on Sunday with weekly Communion, and the church is open for service twice every day in the week. The attendance, especially on the Lord's day, is very large. There is a surpliced choir, and I am told that the congregation, which is almost all made up of the labouring class, enter most heartily into all the services. 06 CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. Ac. A most, important part of this blessed ^ork are the day and good religious education, while there are tnree at the Sunday-school. • . „. T V^pliove out of I give you these particulars as one instance, I ^« "^^f^^^^^^^^ n,nnv of the work which the Church is carrying on m the large many, of the worK w ^^^^^ beginning, from demand m these constantly growing , will be true to her great charge, engage in and do the work Ts caUed and so well fitted to do-before it be too late. FINIS. ^ ■ .-..^M X ■Hi ^ ^ (5 V) J' ^^ 7^ • -4^ ' "' m day and ban two ceiving a scholars ve, out of the large ling, from room, asA 3 was only irisen this the work ortal souls. vast work has under- i, when we sr Missions know what k, we may home, but 3e and vice jan Church le work she '■Ik'' ■:M