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U ' ^ k 2 ''*'< C! ; T i ; 4 '•. if: ' 3a; u')ii «• bijtii i Ill To the Reverend Clergy of the Diocefe of Nova Scotia. MY REVEREND BRETHREN, . . T- .■ •■■ ., HE following Charge was firft drawn up for Yov ufe, and is now printed at Yomr requeft ; it therefore of rig)it belongSj, and fhould be addreiTed, to You. I trull You have frequently weigked^ and ferioufly laid to heart, the duties of Your funfbon which are here pointed out with great plainnefs and fincerity, as well as with anxiety that You may eminently fhine in the faithful difcharge of them ; and in that cafe. You will readily bear the word of exhortation, which would ftir You up by putting You ia remembrance, and lurn Your attention to thjeaa. VARIOUS indeed and urgent are the motives which call You now to a vigorous exertion in the line of Your profellion. Befides thoCe general obligations which. You are under, in com. mon with all to whom the miniftry of reconciliation is commit- tied, there ace others peculiar to Your fituaiioa, which fhould influence Your conduft. YOU arc placed, as it were* on the fa rthell verge of the Mcfliak*a kingdpm^ to add^ thofe that are yet in Heathenifin to His inheritance; to difpel] the gloom of fpi ritual darknefs ; and 10 fpread the light of faving truth among thofe who, without Your aid», mn^ fit in. the region and fhadow of death, A SR YOUR :h 4 '/ : 1 :il 1 \-\ •I' , ^ ! ■ t VOUJB;iUtieni>'ina niw cottnti^^-^whtre ttkoH^ Aanr aeri, principles, and habits of piety, rirtue and order, which inuft be the future fource of-, the Pcople't happinefs, in time 'thd throH|(h etcTruity, arc novr' to &e formed ; and wlierc Your conduct and cfodeavotii'f wi\\ greatly contribute td fix, and give fhc predominant charadler and colour to, thofe manners, prin, ciplei and habits. YOU are (with very few exceptions) Mihionariei in the fcrvice of a mort venerable Society, whofe praife i« in •11 the Churches ; whofc profcffcd objeft is to Propagate the * Gtfpil in Foreigi i»tfr//i— an objfe£i which they have fteadily jMfj^t in View- fince their firft inflitution, and, with the bleffing of God, have in mahy placed fuccefsfull/ accorafiliflied. To ' Iheoi it is bwing that liiatly parts of the earth, and efpccially in fhii wcll^n h^mifphcrc, havt been blcflcd with the light of the ■<»oipeU • • ■ ■ ... --- ' -'** TlttiY *W Itnl ac^loudy chgaged in the fame benevolent delign. Their ardour to hold out the lamp of heavenly truth to chcir^diftii^t Brethren, is ftill iinabated ; nor w^te tlieir meafaree ever condudlcd with more wisdom and dnergy for this purpofcx - ibaii they ai'e at prefent under the direflion of that ^reat and ex- t'elicrit Prelate who now fo vWrthily preficl«s over the Society. • - Slit 6n Ybti the iffue ati4 fticdcfs of their mcafurcs, much de- -j^ehd; whether their wiflics to prorhote true religion wiU be aaf- Wctedi itkd whether the contributions of Co maoy worthy and well-difpoftd pcrfons to their fund, will be produdtive of the dciircd effedt. Th«f(i contributions are given that the Oojfe/ may ' h€ fropa^Jatid — *-it nearly concerns You whether that end be ac- cOmplifhed. But feparate from this coniideratiojii, what generous, virtuous I* John Moors, P. D. Lord Arciwiiliop of Caiucrbi^r^c. V 'fifftuoui'befirr but muft glow with dcfire to coopcMte with then, and forward fo beneficent a purpofe ? <• . "■"'■'■ TOtke above Particulars, let mc add one more. Tho attention of people, not only in this country, but of thofe alfo in Jlurope, is dirc£ted to Your conduit. An account oi Your pro» ccedingt is innualjy publiflied, and fubjcftcd to the fcrutinizing eyes of mankirid. This calls for peculiar circumfpcAion on Yout part; for, like a city that is fet upon an hill, You cannot be hid. The confidcrjiiion of this circumftancc Ihould incite Your endeavours to make your light fo fhinc before men, that they may fee Your good works and labours in the miniftry, and from thence be kd to glorify their heavenly father. These reflections, I doubt not, frequently occur to You, and dwell upon Your minds ; and happy Ihull I think myfelf if any thing here offered fliall fcrve to impxcis them more ftron^ly, and conduce to Your advantage, A rciidcnce of many years in America has made mc well acquainted wiih the difficulties that attend Your Uation many of them are fuch as are unknown to C^'ergymen in Europe. Bcfidcs thore jbilru6lion« which the Gofpcl is aire to meet wiih *vcry whefc, fnm the prejudices, paflions, and cosrupt inclina- tions of mankind, there are many others unavoidably incident to a new, unfctded country. Thcfe mull increafc Your labours, and often involve You in perplexity. In fliort, a zeal, fimilar to that which animated the firll Preachers ol the Gofpcl, a warm, disintereftcd regard for the falvation of others, an exem* plary life and convcrUtion, an aftive difpofition that fpurns th^ blandilhmcnts of eale and indolence, much good temper, pa* Uence and prudence, are indifpcnfably requifitc in a Milfionary Tiho would iiiihijUy <;nd iucccfslully difwhar^g lui aut^ in Ame- rica ; !■ "" i I: i r.\ ?. I VI rici; tiid ever/ Midlonarj thus qualifted, and thus exertbg hii». Ulf, ii intitlcd to double honour and elleem. FROM a confciousnefs of thefe matters^ and a (inccre dedre to promote the ends of Your appointment, as well ai Your •vf n bed interefts and reputation, proceed the dire£lions conuincd In the following Charge, and the earneftnefs with which thef are urged. I can truly fay that Your welfare is very near my heart — to promote it by every method in my power, is what I carncftly wifli— the relation I bear to You binds it on me as. a duty; and Your kind, afFe£li«nate behaviour fince I came among You, (which 1 here readily acknowledge, and heartily thank You for) makes it a debt of gratitude as well as of duty. THAT the Almighty may take You under his gracious pioteftion— that he may dire£l, fuppoit and ftrengthen You-*— crown Your labours in his vineyard with fuccefs, and finally receive You to his Glory, is the daily, fervent prayer of Your affcftionate Friend aod Bipther,^ CHARLES NOVA SCOTIA H^lIFJX, t>cctmhsi- 30, 17 aft. ' -•vmm ( » ) THE BISHOP OF NOVA SCOTIA's CHARGE TO HIS CLERGY. ' < .1 \i MY REVEREND BRETHREN,, A: .FTER It plcafcd God, by his good providence, to bring me to the place of my dcfti- nation ; and I had duly coniidered the (late of things in this Diocefe, according to the bcft infor- mation I could receive : It appeared highly expe- dient to call You together, as foon as it would be convenient, that I might have the benefit of Your joint ndvice and afliftance in purfuing fuch mea» fures as ihould be judged bcft for the advancement of religion and virtue j to fay nothing of other reafons. It hath been always cuftomary for Biihops thus to meet their Clergy, and confult with them; to t Kg 'I:f »1 « ■ 5 If? ( » ) ni t ! -»■-: td 'inquire into the ftafe of rcligidi^,' Ihd ot)i^ matters which are of common concern to theif fun(5bion. From a ufige, fo proper in itfelf, and cftabliftied by long practice, it vvoqld nftt be right tb depart; efpeciaHy in this country, tvherc cir- cumftances feem to make it peculiarly pccefTary on the appoiijtment ajld arrival of the firjl , Bifliop. Our gracious Sovereign, in His Royal wif* dom, and pious folicitude to promote the beft intercfts of religion in His American Dominions, hath been pleafed /to creft this Province into a Bifhop*s See, or Diocefe \ thereby intending to compleat the Polity of the National Church in this country, and to Tupply a defeat under Virhich it formerly laboured, and was attended with many and great inconveniences. For this benefit, which has been long and earfiicftly dcfircd by the mem- bers of our Church, they Ihould be fincerely thanks ful to Almighty God, the fountain of evj^-y blef- fingj and th^y (hoi^ld ^Ifo tellify , their gratitude to our Soverei|;n for this, among many oth€|r in- ffahces of His paternal care, by.unfh^l^en Loyal^y^ And attachment to His facrcd Perfp^ an4 Govern- ment. , . , , . , , . On me the Lot hath firft fallen /to.pjjr^y inJ» effed His Majefty'^ deiign j an^ to jjie,e^^cwtipn ofthistrufl:^ I humbjy hop^c that ijbjrii^ anaa- xiety for its fuc,cefs, fuitablc to liu, importance*. For being called tp this ftatipn> through the oy.er^ tuling providence of God, and the appointment of our Sovereign, I fliall eftecm it mf grcateft hap- pineft, at it ftiall be my earneft cndjcavour, t« anfvvw* plorJ woul give affifli and I be tions fever You tndH , 'II I i^ w >^i j ^f< < 3 ) anfwer the end of that appointmenf, and to be the initrumeht of doing good among You. >\nd for this purpofe, I ihatl not ceafe to im* plore the afliftance of Almighty God ; that he would enable me to difcharge my duty aright, and give a blefling to my endeavours ; for without his afTiflance and bleiTing, all our thoughts^ deiigns and endeavours are Vain and fruitleAi. Nor {hall I be lefs afliduous in offering up my fervent peti- tions to the throne of Grace, for You and the feveral individuals of my extenfive charge ; that You and they may be guided in the path of truth and holinefs that all, in their rcfpcdtive places, may ferve God faithfully that the Kingdom of Chrift may be widely diffufcd and the power of his religion edabliihed in our hearts; ' It was impbflible td gairt an cxddt krioWtcdge of the (late and condition of this Diocefe in the fhort time that hath elapfed fince my arrival *j I muffc therefore addrefs You on general topics at prefenti Thcfe however will furnilh abundant matter for confideration many particulars concerning ^ At oftce and duty which are interciling •« atid which ic concerns You to lay very ferioiifly to hearty and and reduce to praAice. 1 Ihall now proceed td lay fome of thefc before Y'ou, after premifing this iblemn aflurance That whatevet is faid of the qualifications, exertions, and general conduct or duty ofthofeto whom the miniltry of the Gdfpel Is conimitted, I Ihall apipty tO myfelf^ as well as tof B Youi * October 15, 176*7, i* < 1; i Li .i ■ ? l' n:''\ 1 9 . f. J :i' : ' 5 'H I lA : ! ^■■:: ! ^ § : ^1 I. % msmmammr'd'tx.i^jimw^ - -]|gl*^r_ I i ■1- 1'!. 4 I ^ ■( 4 ) You. God forbid that I Ihould bind beavy burdens to be laid on other*^, withotit equally bearing them myfelf. So far otherwife is the cafe, that I confider ny ftation as requiring greater ftridnefs and rircumfpe6tion— higher degrees of heavenly mindcdnefs—and rnore zealous exertions in the caufc of our Divine Maft^r, and for the fpiritual interefts of my brethren. ' The Gofpel miniftry was inflituted to pro- mote the falvation of fouls • and this object ftiould ever be kept in view by all who are admitted into that Miniftfy. The falvaticn of his flock fhould therefore be the firft and chief care of every Cler- gyman. To this end fhould all his labours and ftudies, all his fermons and exhortations, his earned prayers and interceflions at the throne of grace, be direfted. Of this end he fhould never lofe fight ; but regulate his whole condudl vvith the world fo as to be fubfervient to it. ., ..f, ^ .,>.,,, ,.r the work of the miniitry,. for the edifying the. •' body of Chrift ; till we all come into the unity " of the faith, and of the knowledge, of the fon of *' God, unto a perfedfc man, unto the meafure of " the ftature of the fullnefs of Chrift. * " Here is an explicit declaration, that the intention of our, Lord in appointing thefe different orders, fome of. which do flill, and always will fubfift, was to edi- fy his Church by their labours. that by a true faith, and k,nowiedge of Him, the only Saviour,, and a gradual progrefs in holinefs and Chriftiaa peiTedlion, through their miniftry, the members, of his Church might be fitted and prepared for, heaven. - r This idea runs through the various. paflages of the New Teilamcnt, wheie the office and duties of the Clergy are mentioned,. To them " the mi- " niftry of reconciliation is committed they are •' ambafTadors for Chrift, as though God did be* " fecch men, they pray them in ChrilPs ftead to , " be reconciled to God. ^ They are labourers— "workers, together with God, to befeech men., B 2 "that; « Matth. XXVIir. 3p. Johti XX. 21. » Ephef.JV., 1.2, 13. ^ II Corinth. V, iS^ 20. ' 1 «4 '^'..l ■■i i 'if! I ^jl ■^ .t mmmmmmmmm-^mi^ } ' .• i- 1 r'-i ■it' ! > 1 > ..4 ( 6 ) ^ that they receive not the grace of God mvain.' '^ For this purpofe, they are to ** Preach the word ^ *• be inftant in feafon, and out of feafon," that is, ttt the ftated feafon of reHgions afTembiies, and out c£ that feafon, when opportunities may occafional- ly offer 5 and " they are to reprove, rebuke, cxr ,•• hort with all long fufFering and do(5lrine. * " These are titles and offices of great dignity and importance — fuch as (hould raife our views above temporal things ; and which demand fhe inofl: zealous exertions on our part to difcharge our duty effedually. But inftead of kindling the un- hallowed flame of pride and felf- importance in our breads 1; they fhbuld rather humble us, atid fill us with anxious apprehenfions for the event, when ve conHder our infufficiency for thofe things, with* out divine affiftance, and the awful reckoning chat is to follow. Becaufe ours is an office of great truft and refponfibility, in which we have engaged at the peril of our fouls ^ for the faithful execu- tion of which, we muft give an account to God ; and if lany of thofe that are committed to our care, and for whom the fon of God was crucified, ihould perifh through our negleft or mifbehaviour, their blood will moft aflliredly be required at our hands •' This refie<5lion is enough to make every Cler- gyman tremble for himfelf and others. It Ihould roufe him to the moft vigorous exertions, that he may, at leaft, deliver his' own foul— chat he may not be a partaker of other men's (ins or ruin and, " I Corinth. III. 9. llCor. VI. i. • II Timoih. IV. a. * I Corinth. l)i ty* • ^ .r . i and, may the { princ fent on Yj It(h( betwe conne the w heart. fent fl and oi of ma bleffin or elfe doom have n T the en( to coni for obt Your n to the j And h^ lificatio great e: Ancien » M Di all' ! 1 : ( 7 J gnd, that after he hath preached to others, he may not himfclf be a caft away I Carry this truth then ever in mind that the falvation of Your people is the great and principal objC(5t of Your attention. If always pre- fent with Your thoughts, it will fervc as a guard on Your coiidud):^ and animate You in Your duty. It (hews how clofe and endearing the connedtion is between You and Your refpedive flocks. That connection contains whatever can awaken or engage the warmsfl, tendered afFedtions of the human heart. The efFeds of it are not limited to our pre- fent ftate of exiftence — they extend to eternity ^ and on that awful day, which will decide the fate of mankind for ever. You will either be mutual bleflings, and a crown of rejoicing, to each other ; or elfe, niournful witnefles to juftify the dreadful doom that will then be pronounced on thofc who have made fhipwreck of faith and falvation. The falvation of Your brethren being thus the end of Your miiiiftry ; it will be proper next to confider the methods that will be moft effedual for obtaining this end ; fo that Yqu may fulfill Your miniftry, and give an account of it with joy to the great fhepherd and Biihop of Your fouls.' And h^re, a large field opens concerning the qua- lifications and duties of Clergymen a fubjed of great extent, on which much has been written by Ancients and Moderns. * } ihall, as briefly as I can. t,- 1>>: •1 ClI ■ m i . t, ^' \i • i t u\ i >iti ■ s; ii "■ I- ^ IPctorll. 25. * Many of the writers on thi$ fubjeil tye enumerated by Dr. Br AY in his Bitlictbeca Parochialis, Chap, I, ^ .'l! »«'»! ij 1.K ,It rs*s*^'.i!vj \l 'I ' ■ I ( 8 > can, deliver what is the refult of frequent refledfon^ on the fubject, ;the word of God being my prin-. cipal guidej and 1 fhall have an eye to fuch points as require peculiar attention in our fituation. For as the difFerent periods of Chriftianity have been jTiarked by fojne charaderiftics, which diftinguiihed them from others, and afFe<5ted the ftate of reli- gion ; fo thefe circumftances require afuitable con- dud and exertion in the mii?ii1:ers of religion. ^ The early ages of the Gofpel were noted for the warm piety and exemplary reditude of its pro- fefTors*, and for the firm adherence of Chriftians to their religion, amidft the moll cruel perfccutions. At certain times, falfe philofophy and enthu/iafm have alternately attempted to con'upt Chriftianity, ajid to fubftitu te. their fantaftic dreams for the ra- tional, and heavenly dodrines of the Gofpel. At other periods, a gloomy night of ignorance hath overfpread a great part of the Chriftian world •, owing to the irruption of barbarous nations, who at once deftroyed th€ feats, the monuments and' profcflbrs of literature. Abfurdity and error na- turally followed ignorance ; and Chriftianity lay a Jong time under the incumbent load of error and fuperftition, till the Reformation reftoreditto its original purity and luftrc. It is the bufi'nefs of Ecclefiaftical Hiftory to afcertain with precifion the^ various periods when, genuine piety, or fuperftition when pure Gofpel light, or error and the various kinds of it, fcveral- J/ prevailed •, or in what proportion thefe were blended toguher. My prefent purpof^ only leads • .. •• ^ V ■ . ■ ,. ^ -^ • . . ■.•.• me: mm^ ( 9 ) ynt to make the general obfervation tliat dif^ ferent periods of Chriftianity have been diOih- guilhed by certain charadteriftics which af^c6^(^d the ftate of religion and that the times in v,^hich. we live, are ftrongly marked by a deplorable luk-:- warmner» in profefTors of the Gofpel~"by *a mb- lancholly nfegled of religious duties aiid brdinanc'es ' and by an inditiablc rage for diffipation;^' ^ These circumftahces deferVe notice, when the methods by which You are to promote the end of Yoiir miniflry, the falvation of Your brethren, are under confideratlon ; for if nearly concerns You to countcrad tnem by Your life' and do(5lrine,. which will require "additional; labour arid circumlpeaion on Your part. For fake of brdtrr and perfpicuity, I fhrtll diftihguilii the methods that will cohddcc to the fucccfs of Your miniftry, into thofe which refpeiffc Yourfclves perfonallv ; ahd thofe which' felat*^ to Your condud towards others, whethet* in the mi- hiftrations of Your office, of Your behaviour and general intercourfe with the world. .. ■ ( < !• r* fi I I. And firft, of thofb' vvhich pcifonally concern * - 'Yourfelves. ' ' t.-. ^ ..^ >.. ^ j .: s vh I. It was faid of the Priefts ur^dcr t'he law^ ®f JVIofes " T^e Priell's lips (bbuld keep know- " ledge, and they (the people j fliould feck the* *' law at his mouth \ for- he is- the me{rengerof.lhe ** Lord of hofts. ' '* This is equally true of the Clei^gy urtdef the Gofpel. To their oflice it 'ap • ^ psttain:-; x^ Malaclu U, 7. ,jtt. 1^ \\ • ''X * m< f I . h • f ^1- ' I. ■' n 4 ,•. Jjcrtains to convey kndwledge and inftriidlion td others ; and hence our Saviour tells his difciples^ and efpecially thofe who are his amhaHadors *• Ye are the light of the world ; ' '* intimating that their office in the moral world, is like that of the fun ill the material fyftem they are to com- municate the light of faving truth to all around them. Hi that undertakes to in{lru(5t others, fhould be ivell inftru6ted hinifelf; for ho man can com- H'Uhicatc any knowledge, of which he li not pof- fefTed. Application to ffudy is therefore a part of Your duty< which fhould not be riegledtcd. For whatever ftock of knowltdge You may have had at Your Ordination ; yet this will be infufficient in the progrefs of Your miniftry ; and even that will diminifh, if care is not taken to preferve and increafe it. ThE various branches of fcience are ufeful and ornamental •, but Theology is the flibjedt which (hould chiefly engage a Clergyman's time and at- tention. You folemnly promifed at Youf Ordina- tion that You would ** be diligent in reading of •' the Holy Scriptures ; and in fuch ftudies as help *' to the knowledge of the fame." Such ftud/ therefore is a matter of duty, in confequence of this promife ; as well as of neceifity in variput other relpeAs. * "; r: i ._. ; - ., , 'r, Th)I • Matth. V. 14. > , ... ... * With the ftudy of the Bible (taking in {ach bootcs is m»f help to explain it) I would carnedly recommend that ofEc- . .. clcfullicat quent religi( their ( " ) ircipics, lors [mating that of to com- around fhould n com- ot pof- part of [. For Avc had efficient en that ve and iful and which .nd at- rdina* ing of |as help nee of ariput Th)i 11 fflSf It of Ec sfuiticaf I The ftated times of public inftru6irion fre- I quently recur. The principles and duties of our religion are then to be explained and enforced, and their mutual connection pointed out. This will foon clerirtftical Hiftory, and fbine of the p-imitive Fathers." Prideaux*s CoTine£lion idkcs in the interval between the Ca- nonical books of the Old Teftament, and our Saviour's birth • it is a valuable work in many rcfpedls ; and will be a proper introdudlion to Eufebiusy Socrates^ Sozfmen, Theodaret and EvagritiSy which are ufually printed together, and give an authentic hiftory of the ChriiViin Church for the firft fix hundred years after Chiill. Among modern hiiloHes of this fort, Mosheim's (which is translated into Englifh by Dr. T^laclane) is perhaps the beft compendium wc have, and brings down the hiftory of the Church to the prcfent Cen- tury. ' , ' • Of the early Chriftiart writers, I woiild pariicralarly f"- commend the Apojlolic Fathers ; and the jJvologtJis for Chriftianity, viz. Jufin Martyr^ 'Jthennprayy fertuUian and Minucius /V//>;.alfo 0//^^« again ft O./fuSy and Cyprian f works 1 To thefe few books, I fhall add Binghtwi's Lbrijllan Jittiquities % an elaborate and moft ufeful work, which con- tains a faithful account of the ftate, principles, cuftoms, rites, ceremonies, &c. of the primitive ChriHians \ and which, every Clergyman Ihould read. > All thefe books are eafily prbcurcd, and at a low pHcc — they might be purchafcd for abo-j.t yfjr guinesls. I eannoc- forbear to fubjoin here the words of the excellent Dr Cave-^ Omnibus in hunc modum apparatis .... quid obftit que* minus ad fcripta fanftorum patruin evolvenda feftinemus, & in hseo Itudia toto feramur animu r — — Suaviter nos du- cunt ..... urbium, gentiumquo antiquitatcs; quanto m,i- jori voluptate perfuudunt animum Ecclelioe Chriitiana; natales & priniordia, progreflus & incrementa ? — — . Cui non Volape «ft iidem noftram enafcentem, & c tot dilHcultatum Rudibas C eluilaa4 I"' I ^1 i I r I r t ( »2 ) » - 1. - — foon cxhauft Your firft dock of knowledge, unlefs it IS recruited by reading and meditation. You will often be confulted on points of mo- ment on difficult texts of fcripture — -^on cafcs of confcience on difputed articles of faith, and matters of pradlice. This at Jcall will happen, where people are ferious and attentive, and repofe confidence in their Paftors, which I truft is Your cafe. In all thefe inftances, the reputation of a Clergyman is at flake the Spiritual interefts of his people may be deeply concerned ; and I need not tell You that he can neither acquit himfelf on thofe occafions, with honour to himfelf, or ad- vantage to them, unlefs he is mafler of thofe fub* jecfts 5 and the knowledge requifite for this pur- pofc, can only be acquired by perfeverance in iludy. The principles of our holy faith are fome- times attacked by infidelity. Fanaticifm, in a va- riety of fhapcs, not unfrequently comes abroad, • : ■; • . . . :■ . .. . :. . and eluflantem intueri, & vi quadam diviilitus ImmifTa, totum pene mundum fibimet iubigentem ? Quid deniquc jucundius, quam cum hominibus candidi pc£lori», Sc inf'ucatae pietatls vitam traducere ; cum his veri'ari, qui iuis moribus, dodrina, eruditione, & praeclaris monumends Ecclefiam omarunt, aedificarunt, unaque nomina fua asternitati confecrai unt^ Hue nos ducunt, hac nos dulcedinz pcrmulcent ahdquitatei Chrillianfe. ProJegom, in Hift. Literar. SeJi. IX, f > The Hiftory of the Reformation is alfo an objeft of jm» portance; every Clergyman Ihould endeavour to gain a com- petent knowledge of it; cfpccialJy the Reformation ifi England, of which Biftiop BM^rnct and Mr. ^trpe give t^€ belt account. iC Jl' ( ^ I and would pervert Your people, cfpecially the more ignorapt, from the right way ; to fay nothing of the errors which, from other quarters, may at-, tempt to break in, and difturb Your flocks. It behoves You, on all thofe occafions, to ftand forth the advocates of truth ; and to be " rea- ** dy to drive away all ftrange and erroneous *« doctrines, which are contrary to God*s word." Your own reputation, the credit of religion, and the falvation of Your people, will be interefted in Your being able to repell thofe errors; and to *' give a proper anfwer to every man that afketh *' You a reafon for the hope that is ) You, with •* meeknefs and fear. ' '* And it wiil be impof- fible to do this, unlefs You follow the advice given by St. Paul to Timothy *'Give atten- *' dance to reading, to exhortation^ to dodrine *' meditate on thefe things, give thyfelf wholly ta *' them V that thy profiting may appear to all. * '* Hereby indeed You will profit both Yourfelves and others ; and You will avoid the imputation of indolence, floth, and aegledl of what i$ Your pe- culiar duty. 2. Another method that will conduce much to the fuccefs of Your miniftry, is, the endeavour- ing daily to imprefs upon Your minds a deep fenfe of the value of fouls ♦, and of what confequence it is to them that You faithfully difchargc Your dutv. ' C u Of <' I' ''4 k i .1 * I. Peter m, ly « I Tiai. IV. 1 3, 15.. *-i' IV I I I'; I • 1 * I ( 14 r Of how great value the fouls of men arc m the fight of God, we may learn from that ftupen- dous effort of his love to fave them, by fending his eternal Son to die for their redemption. And with refpedt to men themfelves, our blcfTed Sa- viour aflures us, that it would profit a man nothing, were he to gain the whole world, and lofe his foul. * When You reflecft on this, and confider at the. fame time, that on You it much depends, whether Your rcfpedlive flocks will partake of that redemption, and be eternally happy ; how fiiould it ftimuiate Your zeal to accompliih this moft im- portant end ! Every time a Clergyman looks on his con- gregation, it fhould be with tender emotions of love, and anxiety for their everlafiiing interefts. He fhould view them as the ranfomed of Chrift*s blood, whom the great Shepherd, that laid down his life for them, has committed to his care- to be trained up in the knowledge of God to ba educated for heaven and fitted by inward h. linefs and purity (which conftitute the image of God in man) to be inhabitants of the manfions of glory. Thel'e confiderations, if frequently dwelt on, can fcarcely fail to infpire a Clergyman with fatherly affection to his fpiritual children ; and excite him to unremitting exertions for their eternal welfare.. 3. Another method, and one of the mofi: ef- fesftual, to promote the falvation of Your people, is, to fet before them in Your own lives, an "■ - " " • example i » Mark Vll!. 56. irc m apcn- iding And d Sa- iling, bul. ' ler at )ends, ifthat hould \ im- 5 con- >n3 of erefts. hrift*s dowa to be I'linefs od in lory , can herly • him rare, iftef. op.v. an mple i 15 > example of hoUncfs, piety and humility. For a Clergyman fhould Preach by his example, as well as by his fermons ; and fhew by his own pradicc, that the duties which he inculcates, arcpra(5licablc for others. Without holincfs, no man (hall fee the Lord. * A Clergyman muft be holy on a double account •, both as he is a Chriftian, and a Miniiter. Like all who hope for falvation through the Son of God, he muft daily deny himfelf, take up the crofs, and follow the example of his divine mailer. Without this, he cannot be a difciple of the holy Jefus. As a Minifter, his profefTion and duty oblige him to exhort and guide others to holincfs -, but what effcd can his exhortations have, if contra- diL>ed by his pradicc ? His bad example will whol- ly defeat the falutary purpofcs of his office •, and it will alfo bring difgrace on his order, a blcmifh on the Gofpel. If he, who fhould be a light and guide to others in righteoufnefs, falls away, and lives corruptly ; he does, in the moft aggravated fcufc, " crucify to himfelf the Son of God afreih, " and put him to an open fhame. * " There is not perhaps on earth a more deteft- able charader, than that of a vicious Clergyman. He is a contradiction to reafon a blot in the creation. He pollutes the holy things of God ; caufes many to err and fall j and deftroys thcfe, for 4 ^ mf '1*»SM i-U ' Ucb. XII. 14. * Heb. VI. 6. M' '« it -It ■ I I I I ) : . ■ i •i'" ■ i I • ; •"iii < 1 ( i6 ) for whofe falvation he is bound by the mpft fhcrcd tics to labour daily. ' The bare mention of fuch a charafler, excites horror and indignation ; which are undoubtedly felt by You, as well as by me j and I ardently pray the Almighty that none fuch may ever be numbered among us. But fhould it be our mis^ fortune, it will alfo become an indifpenfable duty to enforce that authority which God and our Church have given, to deliver our profeflion, our Church, and holy faith from fo great a fcandal. Saint Paul exhorts Timothy " to be an '' example to believers, in word, in converfation, *' in charity, in fpirit, in faith, in purity. * " This diredion includes the inward difpofitiori, as well as the external behaviour of a Clergyman ; which he muft poflefs and pratftife, if he would avoid cou'tcmpt, and be ufeful in his (lation. He fhould be " There is no man fo vile as a profane xtviniftcr of religion ; ** he is of all ths moft abjeft, the m.oft; felf-condcmned, and I ** deftitute of plea^ and liable to the heavieft plagues of I *' another life. If the religion he teacheth be /a//e, whyf •* does he commend it to his people ? \i good, why does hcf " not praflife it? He muft ajofwer for the fouls he mifleads ; •• thqir guilt will be required of him. Oh ! the mifchief " of I'uch an example \ It wounds m^ny fouls at once. It I ** reproaches our religion, undermines our Church, brcedsl •* Dilfenters, produceth open enemies to our order, ourl *' funftion,. and conftitution. Thefe men are t)ie enemies! <* of the ChurcK of England.** Bilhop Kidder s Charge, June 2, 1692. he was Bifliop of Bath and Wells, andl aarhor of tiut learned and elaborate worlc— ^/^ DamonJirnttQii^ nj the Mj^as. I Tim. IV, i.t. i \i ( *7 ) be pructcnt in fpecch •, gfave and pious in convcr* fation \ glowing with charity and love to othtirs ; of a candid, even temper and fpiritj of uniform, uncorrupt fidelity \ and of unfpotted purity in his morals. This is the true primitive ftandard, de- livered by the unerring fpirit of God, by which a Clergyman (hould regulate his conduA and tem^ per ; and not by the fafhion or fpirit of a vain and changeable world, which we renounced in our Baptifm. From hence 't appears, that a Clergyman fhould not only ahftain from evil ; he is to avoid tha appearance of it. Nor is even this fufficient— fomething more than a negative gOodnefs is re- quired of him. He fhould be an adl'ive, living example of piety and virtue of thofe graces which he inculcates to Others, Hereby he may exped a blefling on his Miniftry, that he himfelf will be reverenced, and a due regard paid to his inftrudlions. , ;. A Clergyman fhould be gtiarded even in hi^ amufements. Thefe fliould be fuchonly as are ne^ cefTary for health, and do not employ much of hi;^ time, which fhould be chiefly devoted to his £ock and to his fludy. In this, as in other things, if he allows himfelf any improper indulgence, hi^ charadler v/i/l fuffer \ and his peoplb will think themfelves hereby authorifed to proceed nmch greater lengths. What is even lawful^ may hot by any means be expedient. How painful muilthe teflccrfon be to a ClergTiTiann that his example has kd ,/ i; * ?^A V I ^ 1.1 : ' I ■\ Utril WPl>iil.i .!ni.mdWiHli»r' Hm^^, ^ 18 ) f I':; ;r !, li; I'll '■ h i "I ' /) (f: <# ( ■;) - i ,t 1 'f > / !t;. 1 ;) ** i' i V (•H M ^? S 1 ¥ ■11 V' rl \ H ' led others to trifle and waRe away their time, of which they muft hereafter render a ftrict account I In his worldly affairs, fomc care is neceflary ; hut b2 fhould manlfeft by his conduct, that thrfe are only fecondary objects ; and that the falvation of his people is the great and primary objed which he has moft at heart. . , . _ In a word. I cannot be too carncft in urg- ing You, nor can You be too diiigcnt in ftriving, to frame Your lives by the example of our Divine Mafter, and the precepts of his Oofpel ; fince nothing will be fo conducive to Your happinefs and peace, and to the fuccefs of Your labours. It would probably afiift You in this good work, if You would, once a year, read over the office of Ordination, and carefully weigh the folemn Pro- mifes You made when admitted into the miniftry^ which I therefore heartily recommend to You. 4. The lafl method, perfonally relating to Yourfelves, which I fhall mention to infure the fuccefs of Your Miniftry, is, the offering up daily, fervent prayers to Almighty God for his Grace to diredt, ftrengthen and fupport Yourfelves ; to blefs Your labours; and to difpofe the hearts of Your people to receive and improve Your inftructions. It is to God that You ought to look for ef- fectual fuccour and fuccefs. A Paul may plant., an Appollos water; but God only, by his Grace and blelling, can give the increafe, EARN»«y i f9 ) Earnest and anxious therefore ihould Yciiff prayers be to Almighty God f^r the falvation o^ Your refpedive flocks. There are no pctitioixa that You fhould put up more frequently or ardent* ly, than that they may not receive the Qrace o£ God in vain that the Almighty would take fr^^m Hi them all hardnefs of heart, and contempt of hift word and that You may not be punifhed by their unfruitfulnefs under Your miniftry. II. I proceed nov/ In the 'next pl'^ce, to poJnC out tliofe methods which cpncern Your cpnducSfe towards others whether in the miniftrations pf* Your office, or Your daily intercourfe with tii® world that will conduce to crown Your labour^ with f.jccefs, and promote the falvatipn of Yp^c people. I. As Clergymen of the Church of England^' You are under folemn en^aj^ements to conform to op the Liturgy, Offices and Rubrics contained in th^ Book of Common Prayer, Ordep. is efTential to the happinefs and pro-*' fperity of every foclety. Our Church has m^ni- teiled the utmoll: attention to this point; and re- quires a Declaration of Conformity to the Liturgy* from all whoareadn)Itted into her Orders j fo that JKT Clergy are not at liberty to alter, add, or di- minifh, in things which fhe hath prefcribed* Wero any to indulge themfelves in fuch a liberty, it would be a ^rofs violation of their promifc and fubfcrip- D tioui I- } Hi ii,. .f ■:1 ii;»' B -I • '■■} i \ 'U' I WU»\mmm r ,mmmm^--^0i,% M Hon, which fhould be confcientloufly obferved; and it might be prodn.(5>Ive of ccnfufion, and num- berlefs other evils. For if irnovations are once begun, who can tell where they will flop ? A fubverfion of all order, and of the very funda- niCntals of onr religion, niight be the confequence. I i» I I .A n w 4j u i- ^^' II I am aware that difficulties may fomctimes arife here, as in all new countries, in adhering to the diredlions of the Rubrics on certain points^ But without entering minutely on the fubjedt, I ihall beg leave to obferve in general with refpeft to fuch cafes that if a Clergyman makes it appear that he is sduated by a principle of confcience in conforming to the Rubrics if he perfeveres with temper and uniformity, and fhews that his per- feverance proceeds from a fenfe of duty, not from wilfulnefs, or a disobliging difpofition : I am per- fuaded, from my ov/n knowledge and experience, that he will in time furmount every difficulty. I muft therefore requeft, and folemnjy injoin You to obferve a flridt conformity to the Liturgy and Rubrics. This is a duty, from which no man can releafe You. You will find that it \vill be con- ducive to Your ufefulnefs, and to the benefit of reli- gion. It is proper and neceflary in the Clergy of our Church, every where, and at all times— it is peculiarly lo in our firuation. ^ '*^mm% bferved • nd num» ire once 3 ? A funda- iquence, nctimes ;ring to points^ bje'■: :ii!^' i -} S' "^1 I ^n 'i-il '■1 i*^««»*«-- ^wtt- I i ! ii| I I f i ,i:! , 'I ■r: .1 4 ; ;.| k ic cc ( 24 ) foundation the holy Scriptures have, and fron% them the Church of England hath, laid ; nnd every man ihould take heed how he buildeth thereupon. ' " The peculiar and diftinguifhing docftrinesof ChriH-ianity flowing from hence, fhould be frequertly explained and inculcated to a Chriftian audience — — fuch as faith in the holy and undivided Trinity ; min's fall and degeneracy through fin, and reftoration by Jefus Chrilt the neceflity of faith in the fon of God v of attonement (or fin through his facrifice on the crofs; of repentance and amendment of life the neceflity of divine Grace to aflift our infirmities, fupport us under temptations, and to prepare us, by fandlification and ^holinefs, for future happinefs the infuffi, ciency of our own works to Salvation, and the ef, ficaoy of true faith for our acceptance with God, and to produce in us the fruits of good living audi conformity to his will, * The! I Corinth. ITI. lo. Archbiflicp Seder — after enumerating thefcand other evangel He doftrines, which he enjoins his Clergy to Preach, makesl the following obfervations^—-** The truth, I fear, is, thati ** many of us have dwelt too litleon thefe doftrines incur fer.l «* mons : By no means, in general, from disbelieving orflight-l *• ing them ; but partly from knowing iftat formerly they hail «* been inculcated beyond their proportion, and even to thl ** difparagement of Chriftian obedience ; partly from fancyj *< ing them fo generally received and remembered, that littli " needs to be faid, but on focial obligations; andpartlj again from not having ftudied Theology deep enough, tl "tre (( apte our i purp thcfe not ( ficc — Icnts or ot pofes. Evans • becaui becauf will be ed ftate vails, J iy cau^ and ex Your p border I which X diTcipIe iieves i ample, who de " treaj " hav( << porll ^urj; I !'f. I , { 45 ) The Almighty, who knows beft what is ad- apted to our cafe, and will be moft efficacious for our amend. nent, hath revealed thofe truths oa purpofe to guide us in the path of eternal lifej thefe, his Ambafladors fhould therefore preach ) not deviating into fubje<5ls foreign from their of- fice — fuch as may ferve to difplay their own ta- lents ; gratify fome particular fancy in themfclvcs or others; or be fubfervient to worldly pur- pofes. It is peculiarly neceflary to Inculcate thofe Evangelic truths among us at prefent ; not only becaufe many feem to know little of them ; but becauf? that, next to Your good example, they will be moft eiFeftual to roufe men from the wretch- ed ftate of languor and lukewarmnefs which pre- vails, and counterad: the vices which we have d^'u Jy caufe to lament. Preaching thofe dodrines, and explaining them foundly, will alfo prevent I Your people from being mifled by the errors that border on, and proceed from a pervcrfion of, them, which may be propagated among You. I And let me add—that a real Chriftian, a idlfciple of Jefus Chrift, is one who not only be- lieves in him ; but who alfo daily imitates his ex- sample, his temper, difpofition and humility— [who denies himfelf, renounces fin, and devotes limfelf to the fervice and v/iii of God. It is the bufinefs ■!•! K' /■I « It' { ■ ;-i H ■pi i\ ** treat them ably and bejneilcially : God grant it may never " have been tor want of inwardly experiencing their im- ** portancc.'* Charge tt the Ct'ergji of t.ha Dioa'/e of Cantor ^ ( 25 ) blifincfs of Clergymen, and the defign of Preach- ing in particular, to convince men of this, and perfuade them to live accordingly ; and the truths revealed in the Gofpel are the moft likely to fuc* ceed in accompli (hing this purpofe. We know they had this effedt in primitive times j and with the blefTing of God, they may have the fame cfFeft fet this day. The temporal ftate and condition of indivi- duals, are not more various than their fpirituah Some are weak In the faith, as St Paul exprefles it, and others are ftrong. Many are lukewarm, whilft fome have a zeal that is not according to knowledge. Some are bowed down with forrow \ or languifhing under weaknefs of mind, doubtful and defponding about their falvation, and require the confolatory truths and promifes of Gud*s word to fupport them : whilft others again muft be awak* cned by the terrors of divine Juftice from their hard cned, infenfiblc ftate. Some wander in the path of error, and arc to be recalled into the right way ; others again need only to be encouraged to pro- ceed as they have begun. Infinitely diverfified indeed are the fitua- tions and difpofitions of mind to which the diviiKi word is to be addrefled •, a Clergyman therefore, if he would be truly ufeful, fhould attend to this ; and follow St. Paul's diredion to Timothy^— -^ •* Study to fhew thyfelf approved unto God, a II workman that ncedeth not to be afhamed, right- " ijr ( 47 ) ** \y dividing the word of truth. * *' He fl-.ould inftrudl, exhort, reprove, and rcbulwC, as circum- ftances require. But when he rebukes, it fhould be done fole- ]y from a principle of love, a fenfe of duty, and a regard for the fpiritual welfare of his brethren. The reproof ihould both really and apparently proceed from benevolence. Neither on this, nor on any other occafion, fhould any thing perfonal, refentful or felfifh — nor any thing indelicate, or inconliftent with the dignity and facrednefs of the place, ever proceed from the pulpit. * Among • IITim ir. 15. • " * In the Tixth century, Gregory the Great wrote his Pafloral, on the qualifications and duties of the Clergy -i — a book which was tormcily held in high eflimation. It is divided mio four parts ; and moll of the tf^rd part^ which is larger than all the other three, is employed in dircding Pallors how to infl:ru6l thciv flocks how to vary their inih-uftions ac- \:ording to the ftate and difpofition of their hearers. Alitcr iidmoncndi fant viri, lays he, atquc aliter feminae— Aliter adu.oncndi funt guloe dediti, aliter abilinentes— Aliter ad- monendi hint feminantcs jurgia, aliter pacilici Aliter ad- rnonendi funt quiillicita qus faciunt, etlam laudant ; atque alitcr qui accufant prava, nee tamen devitanc &c. He pro- ceeds thus throjgh fix -and thirty dillferent heads ; and points cut, under each, the arguments which he conceives 10 be bell adapted to the cafe. Greg. M. opjra Vol. II. Tom. 3. p. i3i--226. Edit. Antwerp. i6»5. £ . i ? 'LI i. ■I- ; I It! 5' f^ I I 'I .tiw"^. . m "JHwU" li I' ii I * 0\\ ( 28 ) Among the relative duties, which it is Yoi?r bufinefs to explain, one of the principal is that which is due from fubjedls to the Sovereign. On this, the peace, order and welfare of Society great- ly depend. Accordingly, holy fcripture has (Irong- ly inculcated this duty, and bound it on the con- fciences of Chriftians. We are commanded " to fear God and " honour the King to fubmit ourfelves to the ** ordinances of man, for the Lord's fake: Whether " it be to the King, as fupream •, or unto Go- <* vernors, as unto them that are fent by him for ** the punilhment of evil doers, and for the praife ** of them that do well. ' " We are injoined to ** be fubjedt unto the higher powers, as ordained •'of God; and this for confcience fake-, becaufc «* rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the « evil. • " I queftion not but Your inclinations coincide perfedlly with Your duty to imprefs thcfe fenti- ments of Loyalty, order and fubmiflion on the minds of Your people. We have every motive of attachment to our Sovereign and the Conilitution that can influence the human heart. To be a Britifli fubjcdt, with its concomitant advantages, is to polTefs more political happinefs, and greater pri- vileges, than fall to the (hare of any other fubjeds on earth : And wc have a gracious and moft amiable prince . *" ' I Peter II. 13, 14, 17, * Rom. XIII. i, 3, ^. 'tii Your s that On great- trong- ; con- d and to the hether o Co- rn for praife ned to dained )ecaurc to the ( ^9- > prince for our King» who is a father to his fuoJe(*^8 i pattern of every Chriftian and princely vir tuc. Thefe things exhort and teach -, and they will be conducive to order, peace, and happinefs in our land. On this fubjeft, I fhall juft fuggeft a particular or two more. It will be moft advifeable for % preacher not to fpend much time in proving points which no body doubts j or in dating objedions^ which perhaps none of the audience ever heard or thought ofi Neither of thefe can tend to edifica- tion. Indeed;if any notorious error be prevalent^ and is likely to pervert any of his flock, a Clergy- man ihould interpofe, and endeavour to prevent the evil. But I have often found that this may be done more. eifedudly^ by Ihewing in few words^ and as it were incidcntaHy^ how. incoftfiftent the error is with fome clear text of fcripture, or with the analogy of faith, than by a formal refutation* In (hort the pulpit fhould not be. made a ftage of contention or controverfy. It fhould be facred to the Gofpel only i tlxe pure dodlrines of which Ihould be delivereLd from thence with carneftnefs and afFedlion. When this is done, let us commit the iflue to Oq6^ and implore his blcf- fmg. With regard to the efFcdt. of Sermons, I ihall only repeat an obfervationof the excellent and truly primitive Bifhop ofSodor and Man, Dr. fViU /any as it coincides exadtly with my own opinion— " We muft fpeak to the heart, as well a3 to the " underftanding. While we attack men*» reafoii E 2. **<>aiy3» i I LiM ;t I V, 1.' > 3. Catechising is a duty of great importance^ always pradifed in the Chriftian Chiirch; and ftridtly injoined by the Church of England in her Canons and Rubrics. . • . The benefits of early inftilling the principles of our holy faith into the minds of children, are obvious and great. Our Church has provided a Hioft excellent Catechifm for the purpofe, which comprifes, in few words, the fundamental truths of Chriftianity, and the feveral duties we owe to God, to our neighbour, and to ourfelves. \ Of Bp. Wilfon's Works, Vol. I. p. 253. 4to.— — -SimiUr to this, is the obfervation of Bi(hop Burnet '" That fjrmoa ** that makes every one go away filent and grave, and hallen- '* ing to be alone, to meditate or pray over the matter of it •'infecret, h^s had its true efFe(S^." PfiJ^fir, Care, p. 200. Edit. 1736. ■ ) ■■ ' * The finefl encomium perhaps ever beflowed on a Preacher,* fays Dr, Blair, * was given by Levis XIV. to the eloquent < Biftiop of Clermont, Father MaJJillon. After hearing him « preach at Verfailles, he faid to him, «• Father, I have ^' heard many great Orators in this chapel ; I hive been ** highly pleafed with them ; but for You, whenever I hear •* You, T go away displeafed with myfelf; far I fee irorc cf ^* my own Chara(Sl«r." Blair s UHwei $n Rrettricy Vol JI. p. 331. Edit. 178^. Wif, ^racn we en they n hcircr learned ortance^ L ; and 1 in her rinciples en, are vlded a I, which I truths owe ta Of imiUr to at fcrmoa id hallen- uter of it p. 200. reachcr,' rloquent arlng him r, I have 1VC been ^cr I hear z iT< ore of r/r, Vol . ( 3' ) Of how much confequcncc it is that Children fhoui- be inftru(5led in thcfe, You muft be fenuble. The hrft impreflions that are made upon the human mind, arc the mod lading they generally ad- here L ) us in advanced age, and greatly contribute to determine our charadler, and direA ourconducfl, through life. When good principles have got the jirjl poflcfTion, they will fhut out thofe that are bad*, and a fenfe of religion, in the early dage of life, will checlc irregularities, to which we arc then very fubjedt, and prevent numberlefs evils. Here- by, in fhort, a byafs will be given on the fide of virtue, order and religion ; and thofe who would reform mankind, fhould begin with rightly in- ftru(5ling the rifing generation. I therefore recommend very earneftly a due attention to this part of Your duty not for a few weeks only^, but during the whole fummer feafon. If parents or maflersfliould be negligent in fending their Children to be Catechifed ; fail not to remind them of their duty. Exhort them to unite their endeavours with Yours, to train up their Children In the knowledge and fear of God. When Children, and others more advanced in years, are thus dulyinftrucfted, fo that they can give an account of their faith according to the Catechifm ; they may then partake of that fcriptural and beneficial Rite of Confirmation^ which I fhall ]:ercafter, with God's afiiftance, adminifter in the fcveral parts of this Diocefe, and elfevvhere in nvf extenfivc charge, to fuch as are properly prepared. This I l\ ! ■ i I!! . M i I It i \r IS! 1 r i! if. I •■!< IK 1"^ •v'i '1 ) i|^' I I ,1 * i' it ;i't' ( 3'^ ) This Ordinance was »eiigiou{ly obferved m the primitive Church> and attended with falutary ef- fc($l& may it be prodti<5tive of fimilar effedbs a.qaong us^ and help- to revive ^ fpirit of ^ue reli- gion among us. * 4. T^^ two Sacraments^ Baptifjfu and the jLord*s Supper, are facred ordinances, on the due and regular adminiftration of which, muchdepends^ Sixxd therefore You cannot be too careful in adher- LDg to thediredtionaofour Church refpecSfeing them. It gives me concern to underftand that the praiiice of admin ijjiring Baptifm in private houfes, prevail* The Church of England hath not fixed the age at which perlons are to be Confirmed The Rubric only mentions tjhe ye^rs of difcretion, a* the proper time ; whi(?h ii? fome is cajlicr.,. in others later. Perhaps tlie age o^fcmteep years is as fit as any, and the earlieft at which perfons fliould be ad- mitted. They are then generally capable ("ind feldom Iboner) of knowing their duty, the obligations they arc under, and gf, taking oil themfelves their Baptifmal engagement. In this country, where, till lately, there was no opportu- nity of being Confirmed, it is a cj^uelUon of Ibme moment— Whether thofe who have re<. eived the Lord's Supper, fhould pref*? nt themielves to be Confirmed I I have not tim« now to difcuis this quellion ; and Ihall only give my opinion upon it, vy:hich is that the one ordinance docs not- fupeifedc the other ; and that receiving the Lord's Supper, when there was no opportunity of bang Confirmed, fhould not prevent peoj-lefrom preparing and. offering themfclvcs. to be Con- iiriiied, when ihc latter is in their power. This opinion i» tiie lame with tKnt of Bifhop Taylor , Mr. fVhtaify, Arch- bi^fhop :>ecker, and other eminent Divine* of our Church, q» t'.is point* »im»mr' { S3 ) prevails fb much in fomc parts of this Dibcefe^ that few Children, in thofe parts, are brought to the Church to be baptifcd. Thcfu, among other, bad efFeds muft follow this pra<5lice it will di- minifh the folcmnity of this holy Sacrament ♦, and people will gradually lofe a fenfe of its nature, de- ficn, benefits, and obligations thereby laid on the Baptifed and their Sponfors. It will be confidered as a mere outward ceremony, which cuftom as in- troduced, and be obferved from cuftom only. I muft here remind You of what the Rubric diredts on this head *' That the Curate (hall " often admonifh and warn the people, that, with- " out great caufe and neceflity, they procure not *' their Children to be baptifed at home in their *' houfes." It is therefore Your duty to check this irregular pratflice ; which I requcft You would do by mild and earneft admonition at firft 5 and i^ this does not fucceed, by declining to adminifter Baptifm in private, except in the cafe of ficknefs. The Church of England inquires that every Parifhioncr fhall receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at leaft three times in the year, of which Eafter is to be one. That they may kave an op- portunity of doing fo, this Ordinance fhould be adminiftred, not only at the three great Feafts, Chriftmas, Eafter, and Whitfunday, but as often befides, as may be convenient. The general praAice isj to have the Communion the firft fun- day of each month-, or once in fix weeks a . , pra;5tico i, m if 51 f * I I i ; ; I m 1 '!'• ; ' i '! i ' ^'1 ; '1 i. t \M ii'i ( 34 ) . • pradice which You would do well to introduce, if hitherto omitted. If Your Parifhioners are negligent in obferv- ing this duty, it is Your bufinefs to point out their obligation to obey the commandment of our Lord " to do this in remcn:brance of him." You fliould lay before them, earneftly and affedionately, the guilt of disobeying this politive command j and explain the benefits of complying with it. If any of thofe who communicate " be a " notorious evil liver," You are authorised bv the Rubric, and it is Your duty, toadmonifti him not to come to the Lord's Table untill he hath repent- ed and amended. A negle(5b of this Difcipline will be very injurious to religion, and give great fcandal to people that are ferious. I muft there- fore dcfire that You would be mindful to enforce it ; but at the fame time, to do fo with the utmoft tendernefs, temper and caution. Let Your man- ner clearly evince that the didbates of confcience, the intcrefts of religion, the benefit of the offend- ing party, and the edification of all, are Your on- ly motives. These arc fome of the principal branches of Your public duty ; by the faithful and diligent performance of which, You will promote the fal- vation of Your people. They are ftated parts of Your office, which every Clergyman is indifpen- fably obliged to obferve. 5- But i ,; ^.i ( 35- > g. But there are two Ct three other 'particu* •' lirs, which I would recommend, as peculiarly ne* ceilarv ia our fituatioiij to infure the fuccefs of Your miniftry. • -> ,■:■- \ -: / One is, that You would, as often as Yoii conveniently cahj Vifit Your feveral Parlfhibners v not oaly in Sicknefs,- which is a part of Ypur dated duty, but when they are in health. I arti aware that the pariflies of ibme arc extend ve, and the inhabitants much fcattered^ which will !« juftly, and unblameably we behaved ourfelvca *' among you. I »» 7. With refpect to thofe who are not of our communion, a candid,^ brotherly and refpectful be- haviour fhould be obferved towards them j as in* deed it (hould to all mankind. We may be firmly attached to our principles, without illiberality, or a fpirit of malevolence to others ; and if it be pof, lible, as much as lieth in us, wz ihould live peace- ably with all men. * It is truly painful and mortifying to fee a fu- rious Bigot, pretending a zeal fortheGofpel ; yet wholly deftitute of that temper required by the iGofpel, and ignorant of the two firft and principal leflbns taught by it. Humility and Benevolence. Perhaps he tramples on every dictate of truth and Imoral rectitude, as well as of charity, that he may Iferve the contracted fyftem which he has adopted, |i)Lich men and alas ! there are too many of them mifiake the workings of their fallen nature, of iheir narrow prejudices, and felfiih, unhappy temper, for a regard to religion 5 although they nJLirc it in the moft eflential manner. People are jpt to judge of principles by their effects. Were a jdgmeiit to be formed of Chriftianity from the jiiduct of tl-^^fe men, (and mi^ny there are in- lincd to do fj) in how ihocking ^ light muii iz ■pear ! I truft ^ IThciiU. II. JO. * fiQin. xai. 1$. _- — , , ri I .il r\ m i\A ill! ll^< m i .fi' 'I i tf- 'Ill i ( 49 ) 1 trufl: it is unncceflkry to caution You againft fach a procedure. Let us Ihew by our Chriftiaa fpirit, by our regularity, and order, how much better our principles are than theirs j and this will l>e the moft effectual method to foften and remove their prejudices, and win them to the right way. I'he members of our Church have always been diftinguifhed by liberal fentiments-^-may they ever continue to be fo diftingui{hed. Sensible T am, thdt notvvithftanding Your ut- moft caution, regularity, and endeavours to fervej the beft interefts of religion •, there may be un- teafonable men, ftrangers to the Chriftian temper, and fo regardlefs of their own duty, or Your dif[ ficulties, that they will oppofe and revile You. On which I ihall only obferve thatifthii fhould be Your misfortune, or mine; it is a triall to which we (hould patiently fubmit, as cominj by the permiffion of God. Our blefTed Lord hatif warned us to look for fuch things ; and hath alf taught us how to behave " I fay unto You, lovi *' Your enemies ; blefs them that curfe You ; A " good to them that hate You •, and pray for theJ " that defpitefully ufe You and perfecute Youl *< That Ye may be the children of Your Fathj t« which is in heaven. * " ' ' Matth. V. 44, 4>^. as cc PU] " kini " trui cc IC 3n( repj turn " Se) /ial hri '. Zel m-\ ■\3is«mr'^' ( 4' ) This line of conduct \Tas puiTucd by iht primitive Chriftians, who were unjuftly reviled, malicioufly flandered, and cruelly perfecuted ; yet they literally followed our Saviour's diredions •, and the principles which produced fuch amiable ef- feds In them, finally triumphed over all tlie malice arid oppofition of ungodly men. " ' ' ' '" ' * l.ET us go and do likewife ; repofing.our truft in God ; looking up to him fov fupport •, commit- ting the ifiue of our affairs into his hand?, who knows how to deliver his fervants, and to- profper their labours. Let us take care not to defervd fuch treatment •, and endeavour to have the anfwer and confolation of a gQod. confcience, by per- feverance in faithfully doing the work of our raafter-, driving to revive the almoft expired lamp of piety 5 pitying our brethren, Vv^ho have no pity for them- felves, and labouring to pluck them as brands out ofthefire. * " In all things approving ourfelves " as the minifters of God, in much patience ; by " purenefs, by knowledge, by long fufFering, by " kindnefs, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the armour of righteoufnefs on the right hand, and on the left •, through honour •* and difhonour ; through evil report, and good *' report. ' Hereby we may pofTibly difarm malice, and turn afide the (hafts of calumny perhaps, v/in over ,1 \'\ cc (C * See the ApoJogies of y^/vV/ J^u,' "/)•»•, jiihencigcraSf Tertul" * Zechar, III. 2. ^ II CLiiiiiK. VT. 4, 6, 7, S. nil!;'; ^l!^ • « * if: I 'I ( 42 ) over and convert our adverfaries. We fhall aflu red- ly have peace of mind ; and that peace of God which this woild can neither give, nor take away. And when finally called to give an account of our ftewardfhip, we (hall be able to do it with joy ; and like the fervant who improved his talents, we fhall alfo receive the approbation of the mafter we ferved "Well done, good an faithful fervant., .*•• enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. * " • Matth. XXV. 21. • ♦ FINIS. r ' J • -.' . I , t » ■ •* I f I: ( 44 ) on our Parts, fhall always be ready, as far as we are able, to ftrengthen your Hands, and promote your benevoleric intentions. We promife to render to you, at all Times,^ that canonical Obedience which is due to your elevated Station : And we flatter ourfelves, that by a clofe Application to our mi- nifterial Duties, and by fteadily preferving Friend- fhlp and Harmony among ourfelves, our united Endeavours to promote the Interefts of the Redeem- er's Kingdom may be attended with Succefs. It is our fincerc Prayer, that he who is the great Shepherd and Bi/hop of Souls may forever diredt and profper you ; and that you may be long con- tinued an extenfive Blefling to thofe whom the Pro- vidence of God has committed to your Care. .We are, Right Reverend Sir, y With all due Refpcd, Your moft affedtionate and dutiful Sons, Mather Byles, d. d. William Walter, d. d. Joshua Wingate Weeks. Roger Viets. John Wiswall. Richard Money. John Eagelson, William Ellis. John H. Rowland. Bernard Michael Houseal. Thomas Shreeves. I' "\ f ':i To ( 45 ) OUSEAL. To which the Bifhop returned the following Anfwer : My Reverend Brethren, X Heartily thank you for your affc(51:ionate Addrefs and Congratulations-, which are th» more pleafing to me, as I believe them to be perfe<5tly lincere. The Appointment of a refident Bifliop in this Country has relieved the eftablifhed Church from many, great, and unparalleled Hardfhips ; and for this inftance of His Majefty's paternal Good- nefs, the real Friends of our Church fliould praifc the Almighty, (for the Hearts of Kings are in His Rule and Governance) and alfo teftify their Gra- titude to our Sovereign by an unfhaken Attach- ment to his facred Perfon and Government, The Sentiments which you have exprefTed on this Head are very proper •, and I truft your Endeavours will not be wanting to imprefs them upon others. That the benevolent Defigns of His Majefly, in this Appointment, may be accomplifhed, is my earned With. No Objedls are nearer my Heart, than to fee the Redeemer's Kingdom flouriHi ; the mild Spirit of his Gofpel prevail, and its Laws obeyed ; the Benefits of Literature, the Bledings of Harmony, Order and Loyalty, extenfively dif- fufed in this Di ycefe : The Afiurance of your Rea- dinefs to affiil in promoting thefe, muft therefore afford me the trueil Satisfaction, fince fo much de- pends on your Exertions for the Purpofe 5 and I G 2 hope. 'i i' It i f f'i I .It! . ;iul f: !"«• m •' ^ ' mm^r ( 46 ) hope, with the BlefTing of God, that our united EifForts, guided by Difcretion and prudent Zeal, will be attended with Succefs. Love is the CharaderiftiCj the diftinguifhing Badge of Chriftians. By cherifhing this Virtue among yburfelves, as you mention, and towards others, you will evince yourfelvcs to be the Difciples of Him who is the Author of our holy Religion, and fet a laudable Example to your rc- fpeftive Flocks. My future Condudl will manlfeft , I trufl:, on every proper Occafion^ the fincere AfFeAion and Refpedt Which I have for you : And befides the Af- fiftance of your Advice and minifterial Labours, I requeft your fervent Prayers that God may enable me to difcharge my Duty •, for without h» Aid, our Thoughts and Endeavours will be vain and fruitlefs : I fhall not ceafe to offer mine in your Btihalf. May the Almighty take you under his fpecial Care and DircAion, arid enable you fo to fulfil your Miniftry, that you and the People re- fpedively committed to your ChargCj may be mu- tual BlcffingS, and a Grown of rejoicing to eich mher, on that awful Day which will forever de- termine the Fate of Mankind. CHARLES NOVA SCOTIA, 1"! iv f . ■JllJt I 1 , .'^;- -#r ;;,:^ ■ unite.''! t Zeal, ruifhing Virtue towards be the ur holy jrour rc- ruft, ori tioti and 5 the Af- ibours, I y enable ; his Aid, vain and in your nder his ou fo to ople re- ly be mu- to ejtch ever de- [OTIA. t 47 ) No. II. SUNDAY SCHOOLS- THE defign of thefe Schools, is— *a i. Td teach the children of the poor to Read, without inrcrferirig with any bufinefs or employ- ment of the week-days. 2. To give thofe childreii early habits of attending Churchy and accuftom them to the worfhip of Alnlighty God. J. To in- ftrudt them in their duty to God, and their fellov^ creatures. And 4. To prevent the profanatioit of the Lord's Day, which ufually terminates iti vice, profligacy and ruin* The methods that are adopted in the Schools, are well calcukted to accomplifh thefe ends. The children go twice to Church every Sunday j and when there, due attention is paid to their be-*- haviour. They are taught to read j and the NeW" Tcftament, and other proper books ate put into their hands, when they are capable of reading them. They are regularly catechifed \ inftrueled in the duties of Chriftianlty j And warned of thtf guilt and fearful confequences of fin, whether com-i mitted by words or adions* Ih fhortj thofe prin- ciples are inculcated, which naturally tend to guard them againft vice and irreligion *, to make them humble, virtuous, and contented with their ftate ) and fit them to be ufeful, induftrious members of [iocicty^ n Wirn f/ 11^, ( 48 J With this defign, and on this plan, I'wb Sunday Schools are opened in Halifax, one for Boys, under a Matter ; the other for Girls, under a Miftrefs •, both of them perfons of good charader, and competent to the office 5 and the Schools are managed according to the following Regulations and Rules ; which are here inferted, together with tlic preceding account of the general defign of the Schools, for the ufeofthofe who are defirous to promote fimilar inftitutions. Several of the Clerj. gy had applied for copies of them, with this laud- able intention ; but I had not leifure to tranfcribe them. In drawing up thofe Rules, (when the Schools werefirft opened) I availed my felf of fome which had been publifhed in England before I left it J thefe however are fuller, and comprize many more particulars, than any others that I have met with. — — — ^*— — I — General Regulations for the Sunday Schools in Halifax. 1. No Children are to be admitted under the age of Six years ; nor whofe parents can eafily af- ford to pay for their tuition. :, - - 2. Nothing is to be taught in the Schools, "but what is fuitable to the defign of the Lord's Day ; and may tend to preferve the Children from ignorance and immorality. 3. The Schools are to be vifited the firfi: Sun- day in every month j and the Children then exa- min^ti ■•*#i»*!' , Twb one for , under larafter, lools are rulations her with rn of the (irons to the Cler- his laud- ranfcribe ivhen the Ifof fome "ore I left lanyraore ct with» .tew-ww*,; r Sundo)/ under the I ealily af- t Schools, be Lord's dren from I firft Sun- then exa- mined C 49 ) mined as to their progrefs in reading and the Catcw. chifm. Inquiry is alfo to be made concerning their behaviour ; the moft diligent and regular fhould be noticed, and encouraged to proceed in the fame line i and delinquents admonifhed or expelled. 4. Upon the admiflion of Children, their parents fhould be called before the Vifitors, and told It is expedled, that they will pundtually fend their Children to School that they will at- tend Church themfelves as well as their Children, thereby fetting them a good example and, that they will refrain from every thing that would cor- rupt their Children, or defeat the good defign of thofe Sunday Schools. 5. When the Schools are fupported by fub- fcription, no Child is to be admitted without a re- commendation to the Vifitors from a fubfcriber. 6. The Incumbent, or officiating Clergyman, in every parifh where Sunday Schools are opened^ is always to be a Vifitor. If the Church Wardens, or any other well-difpofed perfons are willing to give their attjendance, and affifl in promoting this work of benevolence and humanity, their concur- rence and aid will be gratefully accepted, and may contribute much to its fuccefs. Many perfons are heartily inclined to ferve the beft interefts of their fellow-creatures, if they knew bowi or could be fure their endeavours would: be efFcdtual :. In thc; prefent cafe, the method of doing this, is obvious and cafy •, and little or no doubt caa be entertained; qf th^ fuccqfs^ >i * A 1" H- »' ^^^ n .»i II' iM«.| !1 Rules for the Children. I. Every Child muft be in School at or be- fore 9 o'clock in the morning every Sunday j and at or before 2 o'clock in the afternoon. ' After Church, in the afternoon, they rerurn to School, and continue the re till 6 o'clock. ?. The Children arc to be clean ; their h2indi I ; ]||i I and faces wafhed, their heads combedj, and as dc« cently clothed as their circumftances will admit. 3. All the Children muft attend Church twice every Sunday \ and their behaviour at Church is to be decent and devout. 4. No Child fhall remove out of its place at School, without leave of the Matter or Miftrefs j nor play, nor talk, nor whifper, upon any account whatever ; all the Children muft behave decently and quietly ; endeavouring diligently to learn the leflbns or t4fks aftigned to them by the ivi after at Miftrefs. 5. Every Child will have a numbered Ticket, to be kept by thf parents j and if any parent de- fires leave of abfence for his Child, the Ticket iTiuft be produced to the Mafter or Miftrefs, and the reafon affigned why leave is requeftcd, 6. If any Child is guilty of Iving, fwearmg, fpeaking indecent words, or of any other grofs trapfgifefrion, or is abfent without leave; fuch ; . t Child t* t ■ ■; The hours of attendance may be varied according to the ieft^ ii^n, or other circurailanocs. proved for the fecond and ^^' ''"''''"'''^ •■'- offending. AalJ h^'^rtdl "'V^''''* "'»« ^^ Miftref, to the Vifi or' Jh„ „ ^ *\' '^''«" or delinquent from th S hool! "^^ "'''*'• "P^' the M b^reLlo tfetLt" 'r\"P ■" '^^ School.. ounaay m every month. J^i^/es/or the Teachers. • r. The Mailer and Mi'fl^rpro «d to obferve the paufes LT • T"^ P'-°P"ety. ; tone of voice • t ll- ''"'^, "^^^ moduiation h> Catechif. a'nd othTrtZ '''• '^''''^'•^" '-^^ k behaviour, and •„ nr , ' I" ^^^ching over f-d.t,e,,oftheroffi;e ''^'"S ^^^ ^'--«J '= 'ii Thteadet" o*"'! '^ "'^-" '"^° claf. ""'•^ ''^ put Tn one ir ^^J '^' ''^'^ '"''er . hchers. ^*'*' ''^ ">« difcretion of the U"dil?:;:Jj5^^^^^ 'o '"ftrua the Children h'^»^ *nde„dTv"rT°''^'''^'*° ^^« HolJ mation-_^^..''' °'^'^e"''cy, order and fnh ] ""* consequences of /in and vice. ii \ I 'a ^ i >■!■ ( 52 ). vice, both in time and in eternity. The Children are particularly to be cautioned againft keeping bad company ; againft injuring any perfon or thing ; againft lying, fwearing, ftealing, and profane talk, 4. The Children in general are to be treated with mildnefi, and led to improvement by perfua- iion ; but if feverity ihould be neceffary, it muft be ufed, though with difcretion and moderation. 5. The Teachers are to be attentive in mak-l ing the Children take care of their books. Each time the Schools break up, the Teachers, or fome one for each, fhould collect the books, and lay themj up in a fafc place ; the Children are not to rife and] bring them, which would occafion confufion j andj ftridt order muft be obferved, aS being highly con| ducive to the fuccefs of the Inftitution, Rules for InJlruEiion and Employ . ment of the Day. 1. The names of all the Children are to!) called over every morning and evening ; and m names of abfentees fet down, and reported to til Viiitors, unlefs a reafonable caufe of abfence \\ been afligned. 2. The Schools are to begin every morninl and conclude every evening, with Prayer by tj Teachers ; all the Children devoutly kneeling the time of Pravers. 3. After Prayers in the morning, thelfj thing to be done, is> That all the Children vj I |.„ can read, fhall find the Pfalms, Leflbns and Col- led for the Morning Service •, and if any of them know not how to do this, they are to be taught to find them. ^■■■ 4. The Pfalms and LefTons for the morning are next to be read by themj each taking a verfe by turn ; and the Gloria Patri is to be repeated at the endof each Pfalm. 5. Whatever time remains before Church, is to be employed by the Children v^ho can read, in getting the Catechifm by heart ; and by the Matter and Miftrefs in teaching the other Children to fpell and read •, and alfo in afTifting them to get the Lord's Prayer, the Creed and Tien Commandments by heart: And it muft be an invariable rule^ to hear, and pay fome attention' to, every Child in its tqrn, each, morning and evening* . : 6. In the afternoon before Church, the Pfalms, LefTons and Colledl for the Evening are to be found, as in the morning j and the time is to be employed in the fame manner till Church begins. ' 7. In the evening aflter Church, the higher clafTes are to read the New Teftament, and the other books or tracts with which the School is' fup- f lied, at the difcl-etion of the Teachers, who ar6 alfo to catechife therh: The youhger Children, and thofe who cannot read, are to be taught tb fpell and read, and get hy heart th^s Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and Ten Commandments ; and every Child, as before, is to be heard and taught in its turn. While the Teachers are thus emjplbyed with the f I -,_'■* »s-v {.'^ 1.1 n the lower claflcs, the higher clafles fhould be get* ting the Cateqhifm, or a portion of Uoly Scripture, or iome of IVatU^s Divine Songs^ by heart : And if any time remains after all the Children have heeii heard, the fenchers may employ it in giving fuch occafi )nal admonitions and directions, as circum* ftances, or the behaviour of the Children, may re- quire, till the hour of Prayer and dismiflion* 1-"' Morning Prayer for the Sunday '' - Schools in Halifax: ^ -' O Almighty God and heavenly Father* whole fender Mercies are over all thy Works, look dowtt ivith CompafTion and love on thefe Children* and blefs the means here ufed to train them up in thy faith and fear ; io that as they grow in Years, they may alfo grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jefus Make them thankful for thofe opportunities of iijftru^lion, and fincerely defirous of improving them to thy Glory, and the falvt* tion of their own immortal fouls. Give them grace to obferve with attention, and pradtife with fideli<. ty, the Leflbns that are tau»^ht here, and in thy Houfe. Make them fearful to Offend Thee, who Art a moft holy and Jealous God j and fill their hearts with thy Love* who halt created and redeem*- ed them. May they abhor every finful word and aiftion •, all profanation of thy holy day j all deceit and Lying ^ and never take thy facred name iti vain* I'll li: ?ssw;«»-i"s\,. i be gtt* cripturc, : And if ave bieefi 'ing fuch circum* may re- nday r% whof*e ok down :n« and p in thy irs, they edge of 'or thofe deiirous ( &5 ) vain. Teach them, O Lerd^ to be ehlRe and humble, honed and indudi iou& ; to be grateful to their bcnefadors, obedient to their Superio'rS and Parents} and to be affeiflionate to one another. And as thou haft f^fely brought them to the be- ginning of this day, be gracioufly pleafed to defend them through the fame ; and grant that through this, and every other day of their lives^ they rt^ neither fall into any (in, nor rtm into any kinkl of danger $ but that their coti'dui^t may b€ ordered by thy gc^vernance, to do^ always what is pbaiing in thy fight. All which we earneftly beg for the Me- rits and Mediation of Jefus Chrifty our UlefTed Lord and only Saviour \ who hath taught and commanded us when we pray to {zy-^^Our Father which art in heaven^ &c. Evemng Prayer for ike Sunday Schools in Hdifax. O holy TxA eterrtal: Lord God i Chrifiian MonHoj^y. The Sin and Dmger of negleSling the yuhiic Service of the. Churchy HxherJat^n to tht^ Keligioff^ obfenvance of Go^pd Friday^ and IVatt/s Bi^^, vinf ^Qngs for QhUdr4i{. SvcH Glergymec, and others, of tWs Diocefe^ who, from a principle of regard to tbe honour of^ God^ and welfare ©f their young, hetjplefe Brethren, wifh to promote Sunday Schools, may have fome of thex above Booksi and Trads, gratis,, by apply- ing ta the Bifhop of No va^ Scotia* . / No. III. Jll *!| : i I e » ) No. in. ' • ■' ,. c. Form of a rESrJMONlJL for - HOLT ORDERS. - <- . . I • . " To the Right Rcvercfud Father in God^' hy Divine Permiflioa i^iihop of. Greeting. . ,. . "••"i j> i: » WHEREAS cmr well-betoved in Chrift, A. B. [here mention Jhould he made of U^ "Degree^ if he has any^ hath declared unto us hi$ interttfon of offering himfelfa candidate for the facrcd office of a Deacon, and for that end hath requeftedof us Letters Tcftimonial of his learning and good behaviour : We therefore, whofe names are hereunto fubfcribed, do teftify, that the faid A. B. having been perfonally known tq us for the fpacfe of three years 1 aft paft; hath, daring that time, lived pioufly, foberly and.honeftly, anddi- ligeintly applied himftlf to his ftudies ; nor hath ha at any tinie (as far as we know, or have heard) maintained or written any thing contrary to the doctrine or difcipfineofthe Church of England: And, moreover, we- think him a perfon worthy to be admitted to the facred Order of DeacQn, la 1 ' ^i/il iii • • J ATefti. I : \i I I 1, f ( to > A Teftimonial for Holy Orders fhould h9 iigned by three Clergymen, and as many other re. putable perfons as may be convenient. Since Let- ters Teftimonial are a means for procuring admif- iion into the Miniftry, thofe who fign them (hould ferioufly refledl, before they put their names to them, whether the perfons they arc about to re- commend, truly anfwer the above charader and defcription. Confcience (hould be confulted on the occafion v and no inducement whatever fliould prevail on them to depart from its decifion : for they <■ jht to confider thcmfclves as chargeable, i» a great degree, with any injury that religion,, or the Church of God, may fuftain, in confecjuencft <)f thcjr giving a TeflimiQnial which is not true« ii'i Ml' I ■■iP. No. iv. iJtrj ACADEMY NEAR WINDSOR. The Printer having two or three blank pages^ ana. Jignifying a mjh that they might he filled^ it wasjudgei proper to infer t the following account of the OPEN* ING and FIRST VISITATION of our Academy.^ ON Saturday the ift of November 1788, the Academy near Windfor was opened by the Right Reverend the Bishop of Nova Scotia. A numerous and refpedlable company, confifting, of the Magillrates and principal Gentlemen of the County of Hants^ attended ; which added much tg the fokmnity that was obferved UX •n tn oceafion to truly pleafmg as the founding tnd Opfcning tKt firft public Seminary of Learning in this Province. . The Bifliop begin with prayers ; and then delivered a Latin oration, in which he pointed out the many advantages the public would derive from the inftitution ; and feverally addrcflcd the Ma* giftrates, the Tutors, and the Students. He next read over the Regulations that were cllabliflied by the Gentlemen appointed to undertake the general government of the Academy. Thefe Regulations are well calculated to prefer ve order, to enforce diligence \n the tutors, and promote applicaiiooi and improvement in the ftudents ; and the books to be read by th« feveral clafles are fpecified ; being the fame that are read in the beft feminaries in England.— Soventeea ftudents, the number thea prefent, were next admitted into the Academy ; and the Bifliop very earneftly addrefled them and the tutors, in Engliih, on the fubjeft of their refpedlive duties. The bufinefs of the Ac idemy being finiflied, the Magiftratef and Gentlemen of the County of Hants pfefented the foUow^ing Addrefs to the Bifhop : ■'H RIGHT REVEREND SIR, T. HE Magiftrates and Gentlemen who have the honor to tttend you this day, in behalf of themfelves and the inha» bitants of Hants, beg leave to exprefs their happinefs on the oceafion, when the eftablifhmjnt of a public feminary for learning> under your guidance and government, affords them the comfort and hope that their children, as well as in general the youth of this province, will have the ineftimable advantage of fuch educa- tion as forms the man of learning, with the fentiments that dis- tinguifli the gentleman, and the morality and piety of the true chriftian. . . . . - Happy as the oceafion is, it is rendered infinitely more Co to us, as well as to every parent and every perfon in the dillrift we .teprefent, by the particular fatisfadion arifing from the influence ]Kour prefence and encouragement has had with all clafles of people, *nd we truft will yield every blcffing to be expelled from piety, ijjiorality, andlvaming, while tl\z charge allotted ^o you in .thii '.,, . i |)rovinc« ■ M*i I 1 iiitj ■ ' a I 'I I' I I A :i % ( «2 ) province is fupportcd with fuch tminent aUlItitfs ^nd isal for tht public good. * We humbly offer onv gratef\il thanks to our benign Sovereign for the gracious and diiVinguiflied mark of his rdgard for this pro^ vinc«, in the appointment of a divine poffeffed of every virtue and qualification t3 infpire iiniverfal reverence, a^S^tion and love of religion, as 3i(hop of this Province, to fuperiotend fWs eftablifh. ment, and to extend the light of the gofpel among bis faithful fdb- je6l$ ; and to Heaven we offer our fervent prayer, that yott mat live happy to complete the work you have begun, and long to witnefs the comfort and happinefs of all who benalit by thofe in- ftanCGS of Royal favor, 'till the Saviour, whafe gofpel you teachy filall reward your merits with everlafting bliia. To which the Bifhop returned the following Anfwer : OENTLEMEN, I FEEL myfelf exceedingly obliged by this affectionate and polite Addrefs, for which be plea/ed to accept of my fincereft-thaiiks. Permit me at the fame time to congratulate you on an event fo interefting as the founding and opening a public ferainary of learning at Windfor, which promifes many advantages to the pro- vince. This inftitution, and its concomitant benefits, brigihatcd from our moft gracious and beloved Sovereign, who, among other inftances of his Royal attention to the welfare of his faithf^F ilrb- jefts, ftrongly recommended the meafure; and the ledftatareof this province, wiih apromptnefs and zeal which r^fl^d' honor o« all its members, inftantly adopted, and took the proper Itcps tti carry into cffeft, the Royal inllrudion — H.ippy in proraotittgth^ beneficent vie»vs of his IViajeity, and in co-operating with m^ worthy fellow fu: jcv ts in I'o ufeful a defign> I endeavoured' wirh •11 good faith and lincerity to execute the trull repofcd-in me ; ani that the bufinefsis happily brought to its-prefent ftagc, i^greatlv owing to the ready concurrence and aid which 1 received frOni hit Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, and the other Gentlcmeti, who, with me, were appointed by the late Aft of the Provinte td ''■ undqr- . ( ^3 ) b»tion which you 'Tc fwT'f "^ ">« A"d«n.y T good „uf. "'^ '""--'ate my We exeniof/i^ac «ava„tag« of iSlS" d i' """''' ''^ ""d'^ra to enlar.. „ . befcnfibleofthem "fi n '"""™'^'J''""on, as v„, *' !»nsh.„edphfl:^,H;/lrh^,;,^'--. tha;^^^^^^^ ravage— and that toft. J-r"r " '"Periority over ,1,- "* enk:^edandlibe„S"""'"''«''ted. „e« t;G;d ;""">' ^' •* "nnecefflry to aflar. for the fuccefs nf ih- . >^''"' ">« I feel t^„ . „ blelHngLandl^^'^fcf^tle ~"'' " « " n^dS r^"*'' ( .n 'ill 4 •-' K * ^x^iCifes, and Writing I ''■ I'fi t ;»*l S 11: ( «4 ) V'ri:"mg were alfo infpcfted ; all of which afforded manlfeft proofs of attention and improvement. The Students in the Englilh School were next examined. They, began with reading portions of Goldfmith's Hijiory of England i and delivering, memoritery pieces feledled from Shake/pearey Addifon, IVattSy &c; in each of which they gained the approbation of the audience. Their Writing was alfo infpsfted; and the Students were icverally examined in pradical branches of the Mathematics ; Vulgar and Decimal Fra6lions, and other parts of Arithmetic, which they were learning, and in which they had made conliderable progrefs. ^^he examination lalled upwards of three hours ; viz. from 12 o'clock, till pall 3 o'clock P. M. and the bufinsfs concluded with pablic thanks to the Tutors for their attention and diligence ; and commendation of the Students for their application and good behaviour. It will give pleafure to the friends of literature— —to all who have the reputation andintereft of the province at heart, to be af- farcd that this Seminary is conduced with the utmoft regularity and order ; and that every poflible attention is paid to the morals, health and inftrudion of the Students. The above examination, among other things, may ferve to evince this. No complaint whatever was exhibited, cither by the Tutors, or Students ; or by the Parents or Guardians of Students ; nor did it appear that there was the fmalleft grounds for any a circumftance, that redounds much to the credit of all the parties. The number of Students is now tnuenty Jive ; of which, ten arc Boarders at the Academy, Science, in a new country, is like a tender plant, removed to an unfriendly foil and climate : Much care and attention are requir- rcd> before the roots ftrike deep, and the plant itfelf can fhoot out with vigour. And as this Academy is defigned to diffufe principles of ufeful knowledge, and is replete with many advantages to the community at large : The Governors, to whom the management of riie Tnftitutlon is committed, flatter themfelves it will be cherifh- ed with that generous, dilinterefted zeal which is ncceflary to in- jure fuccefs in its prefent infant Hate ; and that it will meet with that encouragement, aid and fupport from all defcriptions of People, to which it is iullly intitlcd. . • , . HAUFAX, February 20, 1789. ., . ^ ERRATA. Poge 21, Note, L I. for Qainailian, r. Quintillian. ibid. /. 5, aftgr Pleaching, add, \ ' f< and compofitioa of Scrmonsv \ proofs :.' They. nd; and Addifottj of the nts were i Vulgar ich they progrefs. from 12 led with ligence ; nd good all who to be af. egularity z morals, nination, omplaint cnts ; or :hat there redounds Students kademy. noved to re requir- ihoot out principles ges to the magement e cherifh- fary to in- meet with of People, <.'■ >crmonsv