r IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 2.5 US ^ 1^ 12.0 IL25 III 1.4 M 1 1.6 ^ ^ J> '"5 ^WV / Hiotograiinc ScMices Garporation 33 VtflST MAIN STMIT VmSTII,N.Y. H5M (716) •73-4503 '^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de nricroreproductions historiques T«chnical and Bibliographic Notas/Notaa tachniques at bibliographiquas Tha Inatituta (taa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction. or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chaclcad balow. 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Lorsque le document est trop grend pour Atre reprodult en un seul cllchA, 11 est filmA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A drolte, et de haut en bes. en prenent le nombre d'images nAcesseire. Les diagrammea suivants lllustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■fi ^=z ON THE (fP USTFLTJENCE OF , .1, -.• .' 'f VC: AMERICAN IDEAS IN lUE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN THK DIOCKSE OF M01SrTIiEA.ll. (WITH OTHER MATTER) BY REV. I. CONSTANTINE, M.A. Price, 12| Cents. Yj^' MONTREAL: Prixtkd at thr Mgntrkal Oazgtte Office, 171 St. James Street. 1870. ik ^ fViwiS' . Al\ DI R PbiI ON THE INFLUENCE OF AMERICAN IDEAS IN TUE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN TUK DIOCESE OE MOKTl^E^T. (WITH OTHER MATTER) BY REV. I. CONSTANTINE, M.A MONTREAL : Printed at ihs Montreal Gazrttb Office, 171 St. James Street. 1870. CONTENTb I. Ou tho influence of Amerit-au iilcan, &c. II. Circular from Secretary of Synod, giving notice of Mr. Bothune'a motion. III. Letter to Montreal Gazette. IV. Proposed resolution of sympathy vv'ith tho Irish Church. V. Short Sermon on tho Fenian raid (published by request). Note -This pamphlet xvas written before tho exposure of tho Union League in the columns of the Montreal Gazette. It has no connection witu that^or any other source of the kind, being Tvritten solely from the author s own personal observation. The strange story in the Gasettc, however, confirms the view here stated, and alno tallies with eomo f.«5ts, not here alluded to, which have already transpired. Stanbridgo East, July, 1870. I. ox THE INFLUENCE OF AMEIIICAN IDEAS, Eic. The object of the in'cscnt publication is to place another way- mark in the progress of our ecclesiastical history, as it proceeds in the settlement of the Anglican Church in this country. A new element has recently made its appearance in the Canadian Church, one which will be variously estimated, but one whose course will need to be watched rather closely, with an eye to its influence on the future. The number of pamphlets which have lately appeared, dis- cussing sundry matters connected with the late Episcopal election, the affairs of Christ Church vestry, and the dismissal of Canon Loosemore, seems to render an apology necessary for the appearance of another pamphlet, having only a secondary reference to those painful matters. Apart from the offensive and personal part of this literature, however, there are certain things of more than passing value which ought not to be lost sight of, furnishing, as they do, some important data for future guidance. Really valuable contributions to the literature of the recent controversy have appeared, and should be kept in mind. Mr. Sanborn's pamphlet, and "A Short History of the Canon for the election of a Bishop of Montreal and Metropolitan of Canada, by a Lay Delegate," are both valuable. It is as a further contribution to the history of the subject that I decided on re-publishing, in this pamphlet, a Letter which 6 ■ first appca/cd in the Montreal Gazette. The occasion of tliis letter was a circular from the Secretary of the Synod, giving notice of Mr. Bethune's motion in full, by which it was evident that it would be in the power of a party to bring up the whole subject and initiate it for legislative action. Tlie notice will bo found at page 14, and will explain itself. Mr. Bethune, on the second day of Synod, rose to address the House on the subject. 1 am not aware whether his remarks were reported, but, after some personal allusions to myself, he went on to say that he had no motion to propose, and, with the permission of the Synod, desired to withdraw the notice. So far it was well. But he also said that he had not been unwilling to ascertain whether the sense of the Synod was favourable to his motion ; and, therefore, it is no unfair inference that, if he had found such to be the case, he would have proceeded with it. There could be no doubt that a majority of the clergy were strongly against it, and that it could have no chance of passing. Hence it was, m every way, the most prudent course to withdraw it. It was a great relief to the Synod, for although there could be no chance of its passing, yet there was the certainty that, had it been pressed, it would have awakened all the bitter feelings so painfully mani- fested during the late proceedings. It was desirable they should not be again called into action, nor the dignity of a deliberative assembly of the Church, I will not say imperilled, but simply destroyed, by their exhibition. Another Lay member of the Synod — Hon. L. S. Huntington — immediately rose to express his regret that the motion had been withdrawn, and stated that, had ho known of the intention to do so, he himself would have been prepared to move one to the same effect. This may be taken to foreshadow future action. It will be well to be " fore- warned and forearmed," for assuredly what is contemplated is nothing less than an ecclesiastical revolution, in the sense of brin^g our Church into conformity with American ideas. I desire distinctly to state that I am far from charging either Ml*. S. IJctliuiio or tlio rlor^ym.'ni wlinsc lumio lins hceii so extensively mixed iip in all tlie i«,'ciMit tiaiwaetions (Dr. Iklch ) with any deliberate intention to Itrin.!^ aUout a se) arati(tn I'rcni either Chureh or State in the mother eountry ; Imt there are sometimes tendencies' at work which arc (|uitc heyond the control of individuals, and to ])romute which, individuals may he uHod by others whoso aim it is to give a certain direction to the current of affairs. To my mind it seemed certain, from the commencement of our late difficulties, that there was an American idea runnin<^ throughout the opposition manifested towards the House of Bishops and their nominations. Accustomed, from living many years in the Eastern Townships, to notice the manner in which Americans, settled in Canada, are wont „ , act, it seemed to me clear, from the commencement, that they had taken up an idea, and, with characteristic determination, were bent upon carrying it through. It so happened, however, that there were a few quietly-defprmincd men in the Synod, who understood the position, and woi ; prepared to make any sacrifice rather than that the Church sliould be committed to the course sought to be imposed upon her. I observed the manner in which the idea passed from its chief propagandist in Montreal to his American following in the Eastern Townships; how it was an exciting element in their private conversation ; and how there seemed to bo an understanding among them, held to with the tenacity of a clan, to force their man upon the Church with such vehemence as to compel the Bishops to nominate him for the vacant See. It is this alone which can explain how the leader of the movement and his following held together to the last, and how vehemently he denounced the compromise by which he and his friends had been at length abandoned. He was pleased to say they had been defeated by the superior tactics brought to oppose them. Whether this were so or not, it is certain that the other party had no candidate apart from the nominations of the Bishops ; that they were simply supporting the Bishops in the exercise of a constitu- 8 tional obligation; and in doing so, only did what they wcro further bound to do — vote on what appeared to them to be the most eligible name on the list, or the name on which it seemed the Synod would be most likely to agree. They, at least, secured the triumph of the constitution of the entire ecclesiastical Pro- vince : and it was noteworthy to observe the mfinner in which they were plied with threats and intimidation of various kinds. Clergymen, of long standing in the Diocese, were threatened with worldly loss, in no obscure terms, on the very floor of the Synod. Lay delegates used the most bitter invectives against the clergy very freely in general society. Others boasted that they had driven already one from the Diocese, and that others should go. This was avowed, accompanied by coarse language, too shocking to be given here. Adjournments were advised, or threatened, so as to put off indefinitely any election to fill the vacancy, while, at the same time, application was recommended to Parliament for powers to manage the temporalities during the vacancy. It was very evident, tc , that the effect of these varioud moves upon the clergy was most anxiously watched by the leaders ; and when it became evident that they were not to ba overawed or intimidated^ that their phalanx could not be broken, t^.en there was a visible change in the countenances of the leaders, indicating something very like panic among them. It became evident, beyond a doubt, that that body of underpaid and not-too-well used men really had a mind of their own, and a conscientious firmness to adhere to it. This aggressive attempt upon the freedom of the clergy met with its merited fate. It deems too certain, however, that they will have, for many years to come, to struggle for the just rights of their consciences against an overbearing spirit, which is often artfully played upon by a small minority of the clergy them- selves. Such a state of things is one of considerable danger, for whenever tlie just independence of the clergy is undermined, the last security for the freedom and integrity of the Church at 9 large is taken away. It is a sayiii;^ in the avovU, that " you cannot eat your cake and have it." You cannot take away the consciences of the clergy, and still demand that they shall have consciences. It was freely said that, as the Laity have to pay the clergy, the latter muse yield compliance. If they are to be the mere echoes of the Lay mind, it is as well for them to know the price at which they are to s^ll themselves. If it is to come to a matter of hiring servants, and paying them so much to do just as they are told, it may as well be known at once that we are come under the dominion of Mammon, and that we are henceforth to surrender the awful sanctions and restraints of the Ordination Service, and the Christian conscience in general, for the American idea of subordinating all things to the will of the people. It is quite another question whether any, and what amount of, consideration is to be yielded from the clergy to the Laity. Such duties are reciprocal^ and will be yielded, on both sides^ most freely, and most lovingly, where conscience is most respected. .■;.^5v''.:-v;.vrti.':;5 "^■>;r'*>4 ''f^^Mvi In curious contrast with this high-handed behaviour towards the clergy rith others. A gieat deal of similar exiravagant language has been used for two or three years past — ^language which is unjust towards many who arc now, and tow^ards some who have been, in years past, in the Diocese of Montreal. ^'^-^ - Of the same tendency was the unfortunate expedition to the United States to solicit the alms of the American Church in some financial arrears of this Diocese. Of course, we all regard with interest and affection the Church in the United States, and are deeply grateful for any sympathy and help they may have extended to us. But, at the same time, we feel that it was a mistake to go there, not the least on the ground of the injustice of asking them to bear any share in our burdens. The appeal itself was only made in consequence of the failure to elicit the liberality of churchmen in Montreal, a fact which goes directly to contradict the statement made in the Vestry meeting. Why go to the States if such extraordinary things had been accom- plished here ? But the disposition immediately showed itself to talk in such a strain of the liberality of the American Church, as, in a period of twenty-three years, I have listened for in vain in regard to the largo assistance received from England, since the first founding of the See of Quebec in 1793. Yet so great has been that liberality of the Mother Church, as it seems to me, that it is quite unexampled, and yields no unworthy proof of the power of Christian faith in these late ages of the world. Yet. let me ask, is it at all appreciated by the popular mind of the Church in this country, or have any attempts ever been made bv the leaders of public opinion to impress it upon the popular mind ? Or, notably, have we ever heard anything about it from our new friends ? It has, indeed, received acknowledgment in Episcopal and other official utterances, but who has heard any enthusiasm of popular gratitude ? The Church in this country is a plantation of the Church of 11 1-ist [•ctl ist in the Euglaiul, placed here at much cost, and nourished with tender and affoctionato care. If, by listening to clamorous voices, wc allow ourselves to relapse into forgetfulness of what we owe to the Mother Church and country, it will not be simple forget- fulness, but criminal ingratitude on our part. ' : The habitually fulsome language in which some persons are in the habit of speaking of the United States would lead one to suppose that all the benefits that ever came to this country are from that source. There is a growing disposition to imitate that language in Church matters, as if the material prosperity of the United States had a powerful charm over some minds, which they are unable to resist. The recent attempt, in Synod, to move an address of sympathy to the Irish Church, applying to her the prolix and ambiguous title which the American Church has been so unfortunate as to affix to herself, was, fortunately, corrected by an amendment. There was real force in the objection taken to addressing the Irish Church by a different name from that she has herself ap^tumed. It was urged, and not without reason, that there was a covert intention to bring into familiar use among as the title of the American Church, for some purpose not ranked among the objects contemplated by our communion. Now, these things, and others that might be cited, tend to show that there is a disposition, in certain quarters, to cry up American persons and things, and to remain coldly silent about, or to get rid of those which are so unfortunate as to belong only to the Church of England. With all these facts in view, I will repeat my conviction, that the American element, which camo into unusual prominence in the late transactions, really had a purpose in view, reahzed by the more keen-sighted ones, and acquiesced in, in a more general and undefined way by others less committed to it ; and again, assisted unwittingly by others without suspicion of its real object. Had the attempt to have an American-elected Bishop succeeded, 12 aud the bogging mission to the United Statei^i not been paralyzed by Mr. Mackenzie's interference.^ it is not at all beyond the range of probability that it would have been represented that the affection of the Canadians towards the United States was bo great that they were already rushing into the brotherly embraces of the great Republic. Hence a direct argument for annexation has been shattered to pieces. We are not seeking any change of political connexion. Not long subsequent to the transactions in the Synod, and elsewhere, the leader in them came forward as the apostle of Canadian independence, or separation from the mother country. The very proposal is a piece of characteristic audacity. But it is practising too strongly upon the credulity of the country to impose upon it the idea that such a proposal does not mean annexation. It is beyond my purpose to discuss a political question, but, as a "party of the future" has been announced, and simultaneously there are rumors of a Union League being formed in the cicy of Montreal, it is only too likely that the difficulties of our position in the Church, only too great already, will be seriously complicated. Annexationists (at least openly such) are not numerous in the Church, but there are some such ; and there are others who subscribe to Church funds in various parts of the country, and who may be counted upon to give or not to give according to the subserviency of the Church to their ideas. Hints have been pretty freely thrown out. Many of these persons are wealthy, and not unconscious of the influence of money among a money-getting and money-lovuag people. For the most part this influence is associated with latitudmarianism in reli^on, which, in the cities, is found in the more polished form of Unitarianism, and, in the country, in the coarser and rougher form of Universalism. I have lived too long in the Eastern Townships to be in any doubt of the existence of an influence such es I have described, and it is one by which our Church is seriously affected in her operations. It meets us at almost nge Ithe 80 Ices lioi) 18 every step. In many points it bears a strong resemblance to the Arianism of the fourth century. Tlie religious difficulties arising from it are oven of a more serious character than those which belong to its political aspect. I, of course, do not intci.d to discuss it here, but merely to point out that latitudinarianism in religion, and extreme secularism in education, are its distinguish- ing characteristics. It has insinuated itself into a large number of our High Schools in the Eastern Townships, which have been seed-plots for the propagandism of extreme American ideas, hereafter to bring forth their fruits. There are men in the Eastern Townships with whom the propagandism of these ideas amounts to a fanaticism of their lives. Let notliing I have hero said lead any one to suppose that I would regard the clergy as having any interests antagonistic to those of the laity — far otherwise — nor that I would make dis- tinctions of nationality in the Church. All this has been done by others already. In a catholic body, such as ours, men of various nationalities must find a congenial home. There should bo neitlier Jew, nor Greek, nor barbarian ; nor Englishman, Irishman, or American here. Regeneration in Christ should make us all simply citizens in the city of God, In the circum- stances of our country various nationalities will throw their ingredients into the crucible to bo moulded into one catholic body. Each unit so contributed can love and honour tho body from which it has proceeded, in due subordination to the princi pies of that body which it has entered. The spirit of which I have written pro<3eeds rather from the political world than from any particular church. I am ([uite sure that it would find no sympathy in the American Church. They know, if we do not, the value of the privileges we possess. They would never part with them if they were theirs. Why, then, should we ? Why should we not preserve the precious inheritance we possess, and especially those great catholic features of it, which, at this moment, are more valuable even than ever, in consequence of the 14 I ii madnefls by yrhich Homo is destroying ivhat remains of the catholic inheritance within herself? And as to the laity, it will be an evil day for them when they are set agunst the clergy. It often happens tliat the laity take more advice from the world, in consequence of being in constant communication with it. They will do well to sift and examine this advice, and see if it is always sound and good, or such as a Christian may, with a good conscience, follow. They may even sometunes venture to consult their clergy, and it may be found that, because the clergy are brought more into contact with sacred things, their advice may contain an element which is not heard among the voices of the world, and which it may not be against the interests of a layman to hear. At any rate, the clergy are not, and cannot bo, the enemies of the laity. Who- ever suggests this is an evil counsellor. They may at least urge, that to be in the position of clergy at all, they have made sacri- fices which have proved the sincerity of their devotion to their holy calling. If tiiis cannot be accepted as a proof of their good will and devotion to the laity, it seems quite in vain to urge any other claim. July, 1870. n. The following is from the Circular of the Secretary to the Synod: — The Eleventh Annual Synod of the Diocase of Montreal will bo held iu the Synod House, at 2 o'clock p.m., Tuesday, the Slat of Jane. Divine Serrice. with sermon and administration of the Holy Commouion at half-past ten o'clock a.m., in the Cathedral. The Secretary has received the following notices of motion : To the Reveretul Lewis P. "W. Balch, D.D., Clerical Secreianj of " The Synod of the Diocese of Montreal : " I hereby give notice, that at the Annual Meeting of the Synod, to be held on Tuesday, the 15th day of June next, I shall move that it be resolved :— 1.— That this Synod renounces, and it hereby doth renounce, henceforth and forever, to nil right, claim or title to which the City of Montreal, in this 16 Diueusc, may bavu t(i bu coiiKiUcrud aud behl lo bo Uio MotruiHtlitun i■ :>.• '■';!, > I) ■ ;; .1; Sermon on the Fenian Raid. [ JVof« to Sermon on Fenian Raid q/ 1870.] • The following short sermon was preached on Whitsunday, 1870, soon after the Fenian raid. It is published by request. A few words of explanation are offered. There is strong language in it in regard to the complicity of the American people in the late attempt. I do not, of course, think this may be charged against American churchmen as a body. But, then, they are the non- political classes of that country. The charge lies against the restless political sympathizers, whose aim is to control all agres- sive movements which can be made to minister to the aggrandize- ment of the United States. The author picked up from among the scattered rubbish left on the Fenian camping ground in Vermont a portion of a blank form of weekly return of Fenian operations. The chief space appeared to be de^'oted to lectures, the proceeds of which were to be an itfm of this return. Think of this ! Lectures publicly given, and money collected for years, for the purpose of carrying invasion and war into a friendly country ! Such acts as these destroy the amity of nations, and must bring on war, if persevered in. What if the same thing were done in England as against France, or in Franco as against Prusfda, — ^would those Governments tolerate it ? It is plain, then, that if such things continue to be allowed in the United States, war must grow out of it. No diplomatic language 20 can avert this. Plain Rpoaking is noodod in the interests of truth, and of this country, and even of charity. A second time wo have had this violence upon us. In 1866 the panic and distress in my neighbourhood were very great; in 1870 they wore less so. But a repetition of the offence makes it more serious. It is plain that it cannot continue. The writer sees in Fenianism, chiefly, an outbreak of the corruption existing in the body politic of America. It is filibustering in Cuba ; Fenianism attacldng Canada. While statesmen are using the language of compliment, facts are speaking of aggression and violence. English statesmen should bo brought to understand that tlio matter is too serious to be smoothed over by a few complimentary sentences passmg between Secretaries of State. Truth is more severe in dealing with facts, and truth will be found the safest policy in the end. <.* .ti-,?M'',? . < .r . SERMON. ' ■•■. " I ^ill uot learo jou comrortless : I will ooino to you."— S. Joiik xiv. It?. (Oospel for Whitsunday.) Last time tiiat we met together in this house of prayer the sounds of violence had scarcely died away from our borders. In Ascension-week, as we all know, an attempt was made, by largo bands of wicked and misguided men, to invade our country, take possession of it, and destroy the government under which it is our happiness to live. The eyes of a whole continent on this side the Atlantic ocean, and of several of the nations of Europe, were fixed upon the attempt. So far as this continent is concerned, it had the effect of drawing all eyes, save a very few, from the gaze of religious worship, by which we follow our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven, on the festival of His ascension. Few thought of that day and its sacred memories. Churches, in some instances, were closed ; in others the worshippers were few. It was a natural result of the carthliness in which men in general live in this land. It was not a matter for very great surprise. A more religious 81 people would have llockod into tlio houses of prayer to beseech the Divine protection at a moment of public danger. But all oyos, except a very few, wore turned to this earth. It was not unnatural, under all the circumstances. There was, of course, a deep interest centred in the struggle : very great issues depended upon it. On one side was clearly contemplated a disturbance of power, as it nuw exists in the world. A leading idea, I might say the leading idea of the invasion, was to bring down a great Christian empire to a lower position of power and dignity in the estimation of the world. A considerable crowd had followed the invading side, hoping that the time was come for their seeing this favourite idea realized. It is to be feared there were others who shared this wish, even while enjoying the protection of that great Christian empire. It is a wish which cannot be squared w^th the obligations of the Christian religion, nor is it to be found in any truly Christian breast. It is an almost invariable accompaniment to that so-called "independence" of character which prides itself on being free of the obligations of the Christian religion. It is well the two should go together ; they are fitting companions, congenial in their tastes, and not unworthily mated in their objects. But the desire to cflect our ruin has been defeated, and all at once our enemies have discovered that they are very virtuous and did not intend it. Did they, then, intend the ruin of the misguided men whoso object it was to work us harm ? If they held their work in abhorrence why did they not tell them sooner? Why did they wait until the attempt was defeated — ^until it became an unauocessful cause — before they would venture to give the least sign of disapproval ? Would it not have been charity to the deluded men to have warned them of fche dangerous nature of their enterprise, and to have dissuaded them from it in due time ? But no ; year after year preparations for this invasion of our country are allowed to be carried on openly and notoriously, and that, too, a second time, amid much public encouragement 22 awarded ^o it, ivith largo sums of money publicly gathered after lectures and at meetings held openly and the object avowed, without one word of discouragement or one step taken to prevent the invasion, until after the invaders have crossed our borders and been driven back with ignominious defeat. Does not all this infallibly suggest the comment that it was mtended they should go on ; that, in that silence which is more potent than words, it was, in effect, said, " go on, if you succeed we shall step in and reap the gam ; if you fail you alone must bear the blame ? " And now, like unsuccessful adventurers in general, they have to bear the consequences of their own defeat, and, not the least, the reproach of tliose who were ready to flatter them on, so long as there was any prospect of advantage accruing to those who so encouraged them. Such is human baseness in some of its forms, and, while the circumstances of this wicked invasion are so gross as to maka any expressions of pity or commiseration to the misguided men wholly mnplaced, yet, of all the parties to it, the leaders and oncouragers roust be held more deeply involved in the guilt than the more ignorant herd whom they led into the perpetration of their design. Design there has been — design long nursed, steadily pursued, carried out at last, so far it was not hindered by defeat. There have been all the elements at work which lead to war on a large scale, elements by which the peace of the world is endangered. It is well we should understand this, for guilt will assuredly be ours if we suffer ourselves to be involved, directly or indirectly, by open aggression, or by loosening the ties which bind our present constitution together, with a view to promoting revolutionary designs in our State: from all these insidious plottings we shall keep ourselves clear if we mean to preserve our conscience pure and undefiled before God. A Christian man can have no part in sedition. It is natural to an infidel to be seditious : to a Christian it is unnatural, foreign to all the impulses of a regenerate nature. Hence a Christian loves peace. He sees in governments " ♦-he powers [■ F'- m >r r :• that be that arc ordained of God." If they arc Christian powers, having all the sacred sanctions of that august and vene- rable name, they will be still dearer to him ; they will not be mere cold political abstractions, but " bone of his bone," " flesh of his flesh," — they (^iill be objects of his Christian love. And such is the Christian empire to which we belong. Such may it ever be. May it be our hope, too, that it may ever be distinguished among the nations as a Christian power, one that will, before all things, order its affairs according to the eternal principles of right and justice; that it will never be ashamed to correct public wrongs ; that it will never be led by lust of con- quest, or desire to aggrandize itself, to forget that " righteousness exalteth a nation." Perish all national vainglory that would forget this, or pursue a path of ambition without reference to the eternal government of God ! He it is that putteth down and lifteth up ; and any power that is raised up in opposition to His immutable laws for the government of mankind, can only be that it may be cast down, sooner or later, with tho tokens and brands of Divine reprobation. May we be preserved from this, what, ever may befall us. May we never be tempted by worldly ambition to forsake the path of rectitude and honour. Tempta^ tions are constantly placed before the people of this land to sacri- fice all else to an idol called commercial prosperity, as if there were no good in the world worth the desire of nations or of men but worldly prosperity, — amassmg wealth or acquiring property ; or, as if there were no evil, save the lack of these. Let us not think in so material a fashion. Let us not be such slaves to the world. Let us not unduly exalt the world. Come affiiction, come trial, come adversity, come humiliation, — come what will, and let it all be taken thankfully as a blessing, rather than the heart should grow proud, and rebel against the Divine govern- ment, or cease to acknowledge our dependence upon God ! Every thoughtful man should now give due consideration to the relation in which we now stand to the nations of the world, .;. 24 especially to our mother country, and to God, who is the ruler of all. It may be, and vrill bo, if the spirit of revolution among ourselves can be held in check, that our country may yet furnish, by force of better example, certain elements of stability to be derived from Christian sources to other lands on this continent where they are notoriously lacking. But be it so, or be it not so, let it be our endeavour to be faithful to God. And now let us acknowledge the debt we are under to our good God at thifi time. Very manifestly has His protection been over us. No harm has come, notwithstanding the most murderous intentions on the part of our invaders, to any one of the brave defenders of our country. It is wonderful that it is so. To God be the thanks and praise that not one drop of the precious blood of our fellow-citizeus has been shed. And let us acknowledge the deep debt of gratitude we are under to those brave men, who, disregarding their own personal convenience, and sacrificing all the att>tictions of their homes, offered themselves freely for the defence of their country. Theirs has been a noble example, and by it the selfishness of many others has been severely rebuked. All honour be to our brave defenders. They should be dear to us, and their example inspire the youth of the country with an ardent patriotic zeal. And now, m&j the Lord Jesus Christ not " leave us comfort- less." May he " come to us," and inspire all nations to speak the same things of truth and charity, of justice and uprightness, one with another ; and may His Church have liberty "joyfully to serve God in all quietness," through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. : cijiji:*!* i 'r:ib\-i i ha^ s:nu^:i ^i^Q ^-i'--''- ' • is tJio ruler of rolution among layyet furnish, stability to be this continent or be it not so, under to our jrotection been lost murderous e of the brave is so. To God precious blood s acknowledge le brave men, and sacrificing Ives freely for loble example, been severely They should of the country ve us comfort- tions to speak d uprightness, erty "joyfully Jesus Christ, wmmm J'