THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
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 ^ L^C^
 
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 y 
 
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 or 
 
 I! I Ml (t I' W I I, SO \. 
 
 C AL( IT TA, 
 
 BT TUB 
 
 REV. JOHN N XiUtrDN. D.D.. 
 *■•■•• > PAKna :" "MinKr Kxaiio** ;" - ura or 
 
 X rkwwtor »m4 ttamt*; t 
 
 - i: W Y O U K : 
 
 Crnrnl D(olr«T.in! Ep.»rop.iI ibuno.111 ^rt)ool flnion 
 anO Cbuub ilooh :iorirtp, 
 
 t 4 B U U iJ A U W A Y .
 
 Entered, acconling In Act of Cont^rr**, lo the rc*r IMI^ 
 By the Gineual Protimtaxt Eri«rorAL i>i-!<DAT ScaoOL UsiM 
 
 AND ClIL-KCU UOOK SoCirTT, 
 
 In the Clerk's Ofllce of the DlMrlcl Court of the fnltcd SlMlm telto 
 Southern District of New York. 
 
 William Dkxyse, 
 
 8tkkf.0ttper and electbottpkb, 
 
 1S3 William Utreet, y. y.
 
 PUBLISH i:i) 
 
 ni not oil TiiK 
 
 ^fftrings of Ibt .^unb.iii $£l|ool 
 
 or 
 
 omm:: . 
 
 CAWBRIDGE. 
 
 M AS S A< II t S i; 1 I S. 
 
 550571
 
 THK UT. iiKv. (;uK(j()i:v T. iu:i)i:i.i.. d.d.. 
 
 It *•• mjr prlTilrgf, <luriii|; my Smitnary enurme, lo Ix? ■ frcquriit 
 altcndanl upon jnur minittmUniu In »w Yurk, anil my 0rsl aii<l 
 only pariah hail rrrt-Ool. in lU rarly ilaya, mual 2<'nrri>u« a>alolaiir« 
 ttma jTMurk, In rrmmitiranre ■•/ whtrh II bear* lU namr. Tbeae 
 beU wccralf.! Lhr |>r<>|iru'ly ••( 
 
 DrDtrating ttis Uooh to Vou. 
 
 I tm«i that ihc lUM-iiy (hut taken may noi )><• ilUplpaalnf; to you, 
 •lace thr memory of HUIii>|i Wllaon mud Ur ilrar lu yuur brait. 
 
 That Qo4 may grant you a loof and houurcnl carver, like bU, la 
 IIm wrller't bumble prayer. 
 
 !•
 
 '•Bishop Wilson's energy, his truly cvangrlical love of ioul*, hit 
 distinguished liberality, his missionary spirit, his fenrlessnesa in 
 speaking out whatever he thought ought to b« salJ, his slrapliclty 
 and transparence of character, his love for lloly Scripture and f<»r 
 prayer, his fervent personal piety— all these rightly won for him the 
 reverential alTecllon of all who were brought near him." 
 
 Church Jonrnal for April 4th, \960. 
 
 "Daniel "Wilson was a model, as a Christian Bishop— the most 
 admirable combination of evangeliral truth iin«l apostolic order of 
 whom we have ever read. He dearly loved the Gospel. Chrltt 
 was to him all In all. At elghty-slx, he was as full of zeal and lore 
 for the salvation of souls as in the early hour of holy devotion t'» 
 the mlnistr>' of reconciliation ; and withal he was so sound, so true, 
 so earnest a Churchman, in the very best sense of that much-abused 
 word, that he soemod the imbodlmciit of the principles of our gl.i- 
 rious Reformation, breathing the very spirit, as he held fast by the 
 Scriptural doctrines, of the Prayer-Book." 
 
 Southern EpUcopalian for May, 1640.
 
 !• i: i: r \ ce. 
 
 A» a college Btudcnt, tlu- writor u»e<l to rei-ilo, on Mon- 
 day In^•^tin^;^, « vi ry iin.nul.lc lfi*un from Bishop Wil- 
 ■un's Evuithee* vf ChruttanU^—n work n-frrrtil to in tiie 
 narrative which follows. Having fornie^l the iic.|Uiiint- 
 aocc of thiit go«»l mtu\ thus early in life, he uIwuvk rem! 
 with interml wlmte\ei Miut pul>liAheil, ironi lime to tiiiic, 
 O'UivruinK hii« nhun>iiuit iulN.rx in India ; luxi he regiiidit 
 it aa a hij;li |.ri\iieKe, iiidce.1. that lie in permitted, 
 through theM i>ii^'n«, tu do sonuthiiig t^^wtlrd^ jierpiluiit- 
 iug his meuiury. 
 
 The life ol lii^hop Wilion, liy hi^ Hon-in-luw and linst 
 chaplain, the Itev. Jiwioli Uutcman, is u treuiture-houiio of 
 facta, and thii> unpretendinK volume could hardly have 
 bwn pre|iare<l without it. But uhile the clerpy will never 
 ciuplttin ol that work Oh heinj; Uh, Iouk, theie aie thou- 
 RKuds of the laity who woijj-l mver tiud time t.i rea«l it. 
 We trust, therefore, that we are introtlurin^; the late 
 Binhop of Cakulta to many who might otherwiw; have 
 bt«n almost strangers to him. 
 
 Whatever fault* may U- found in regard to arningo- 
 ment or style, the writer is c«inlident that all must give 
 him cre<lit for the strictest honesty of purpose, and a sin- 
 cere desire to record nothing but the truth. 
 
 F»Ai»KroiiT, Kr., Xur., 1960.
 
 Fbom Greenland's icy mountains, 
 
 From India's coral strand, 
 Where Afric's sunny fountains 
 
 Roll down their golden sand ; 
 From many an ancient river, 
 
 From many a palmy plain, 
 They call us to deliver 
 
 Their land from error's chain. 
 
 What though the spicy breezes 
 
 Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle, 
 Though every prospect pleases. 
 
 And only man is vile : 
 In vain with lavish kindness 
 
 The gifts of God are strewn ; 
 The heathen in his blindness 
 
 Bows down to wood and stone. 
 
 Shall we, whose souls are lighted 
 
 With wisdom from on high- 
 Shall we to men benighted 
 
 The lamp of life deny 1 
 Salvation ! oh, Salvation ! 
 
 The joyful sound proclaim. 
 Till each remotest nation 
 
 lias learned Messiah's name ! 
 
 BiSBOF ILebeb.
 
 OON r KN TS. 
 
 CllMTTM I. 
 
 ^l„i-.| »n n ^ ^. Mi.i,rv.rMr..l Kncn-. « in bu- 
 
 < L.II.T 1.. u •■•i> -'I '"""pn"- 
 iit A irii.- |M.rtrn I, with nil 
 
 . ,„ rl un.lir the .Irura.lInK IiiHu 
 
 • l-rmr for ihc l.t.Ui»t«''-0«l'» g«clou* ileal- 
 ,, . ^ jM-.ci- f..r Uu- »..ul " 
 
 CHAITKU 11. 
 
 Dlfflr«IU« In thr w.y of .MitrrlnK iho mlnlMry C..nMiIUII..n. 
 
 - M, . v.rui .l.r->Mi.ii Hi* fiitti.r r..n«-iilii (o hi* IfnvliiR 
 * "" ' - '.'r ITnll -l>iii.ni- 
 
 ■ iijiMCc ">f U'lnjiiu- 
 - 1' ■....■* III.- nnnl 
 
 '. ir» - 
 ' ■ . uii>r- 
 i^^\,i .>x.ofJ Marr.atfc =oUi..- »..-..wmI m Mr. >S .I-mu.'. ^ 
 ehildrcD 
 
 CUAITEU lU. 
 
 DutiM •I Oif.H-Cunilr nf Worlon-AlleinpU to b<rn<nt Iho 
 ^un...-r.r..ln,....-r,v..r...M..w..rW..r...^^^^^^^ 
 
 r"'--?' • sir ■r^T' linn:;: 
 
 the t>»nUucnt-KlrBl I. swm* in th.- sch-wl of afflutlon 
 
 CHAFrEU IV. 
 
 Mr. Wll^m «ppe»r» In «noih.r p„lp,l-Min(tton-The last In- 
 rumtH-nl-.'n. pary .l.-liRhU-.l. a.nl Uu- -.Ih.r "VI';^'„ f "f, ,^.I 
 Th.. new VunrV Hr.t ..•rn...n-\ValliMB the I.-r. » K?'^" •>''";- 
 Worldly wl»aom-All diOicullicB hormouiwd - >o such 
 
 50
 
 X CONTENTS. 
 
 thing as getting a comfortable game at cards :"-9ittine In lh« 
 pulpit-Efforts for additional ehurcli accommodation -1)H«- 
 cullies in the way-The first meeUng of the .y'»<^* -"^'^^f, 
 service begun-Improving health -Circular Icllor m rc(r«rd to 
 building new churches-The final adoption ol the plan prrv 
 posed-Application to the Church Commissioners—' I »■""'"* „ 
 unto them that dream"-Fifleen Sunday-schools esimbluhed . . .» 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A storm brewing— The afternoon lectureship-A long and pain- 
 ful struggle brought to ii pcaci-abli> end - P.-rsuaslv.- mfliimrr 
 —The Cross taken iip-t^evere aftlution-Mrs. \\ Hson's i>tcli. 
 ness and death— "The same yesierday. and t.wlay, and for- 
 ever" — Resignation — Large Coiinrmati"n — I'repnrnlion for 
 first Communion -Prosperi'Us --ondition of the parish- Consc- 
 oration of the iliree new churches Freidpm fro n debt— Ap- 
 poipimeut of clergymen— The Lord's wort proapering tl 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The private journal once more resumed— Mr. Wilson enter* 
 upon his fitly-third year— Honest confe>sions of n contrite 
 heart— Islington in an uproar— Cause of the disturbance The 
 praver of faith receives an answer of peace — \ voice from 
 India— Death of Bisliop Turner- Difliculty in finding a suc- 
 cessor—Mr. Wil.xon offers to go— His motives scruilnii.-d— 
 Consecration— I'reparations for leaving England — Set* sail for 
 Calcutta IW 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 Making good use of a sea voyage— Daily routine on ship-board 
 —Interesting letter to the Dean of Salisbury— The dark »nd 
 bright sides of the picture— Desire to glorify God-Aii unex- 
 pected visitor- Ten <lays well spent — Affecting farewell - More 
 diligent than before — Sickness breaks out— First sight of India 
 — Landing at Calcutta ... IIS 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Bishop's installation— Kind address to the clergy— Jurisdic- 
 tion of the Bishop of Calcutta in 1S32 — A wise division of »o 
 vast a field — First i^ermon in the Cathedral — General inspec- 
 tion of schools and missionary societies— The civilities of life 
 — Bishop's Palace — "Enough for six months I"- Preparing to 
 live — Marriage of a daughter — Two years for acclimation — 
 Impossil>ility of pleasing everybody — Wisdom justified of her 
 children — Personal liahils — Modes of gaining inforinalion— 
 Friendly and confideiUial intercourse with the Governor-tJen- 
 eral — Attending to business on horseback — " Lord Willi;ini is 
 less of a Churchinan than I could desire" 120
 
 COXTENT8. 
 « HAnKU IX 
 
 r4«B 
 
 i^^w — i»«|'n»iii a.iiiiiiiimrr.I — ■• If.NKl, 
 
 •^ ■ 199 
 
 CHAl'lKK X. 
 
 l" 
 
 •n* • hlBilranrr !•• ihe 0<wp«l 
 
 ebtorr/ art lo Wurk j^ 
 
 CHAITEK XI. 
 
 Tfc« w«nl trf MlUMo plarra for fiuMlr w..r«hlp-A fruiblo plan 
 
 fcf rrtn..lT r.,. -t,. r. 1 l!, .t.i f. ,: _. r. .,. ?. v i. „ . , , .,'ur.. 
 
 ' .Dll. 
 
 V •■'« : 
 
 ami 
 
 . ■ , r^ -...._ I'rc*. 
 
 bji. riau tj/u^ ...J r ^^ 
 
 M 
 
 (HAI'IKH XII. 
 
 • HUhoji-i vlilutioo— 
 
 h<'a<l*— It'iprrul |iri>»- 
 
 I r... .. 1 . r Tutant 
 
 ' fr.ini 
 
 llii- 
 
 .■.~iiii{ tlif 
 
 ' >t<'riiiiieiit 
 
 .U'i Ixlovrtl 
 
 I J—- . ..^ .^,., ,,.>,■,. ,,fi,.«t — ck-crct 
 
 '-*"'**'-••• IflO
 
 Xii CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. ^^,, 
 
 -Happy six months-Safe arrival at Cakuua •"> 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 At home but not idle-Chanees in the Governtnent an.l depart- 
 ure of'friln.l8-An affecting duly-Lor.l William relum. 
 home-Perplexins question. settU-l-Tlie Ulsh-.p reM.nu., hi. 
 v"sTtation-EntraiU'e gale to the i^yrian churehes-nn.- ic- 
 I^unt ol then'i-Servkfl-s at Quilon-Sets „ul f..r the ."l.r or- 
 Preaches at Allepie-Atlciiipis to beiu-flt the Syrian C hriM..n. 
 -The College at Cttayani-Bisliop WiUon waited up,.n by 
 the Syrian elergy-Uis :-.,nferenee» with then.-" Nev.-r .R.in 
 shall I behold such a sight" 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Hurrying onward to Cochin— Intercourse with white ind black 
 Jews— V word ..f . xhortation, which was not very favdrabljr 
 received — Conflrmalion at Cochin— Visit to several >vnan 
 churches — (Jeiieral impressions concerning their npiriiuiil 
 state— Old Goa— St. Francis Xavicr— The City of (. hurche*- 
 Military ^tation at Beltfaum— Sixteen days spent in Bomba) — 
 Preparations for a long land journey IW 
 
 CHAITER XVI. 
 
 Poonah and Kirkee— New Year's blessing— Ready for marchlnn 
 —Horse and foot— The Sepoy guard— Order of prooe.xllng*— 
 Temperance lecture— Enters the territories of the Nizam— A 
 nice church, but one seldom used— 1 he effects ut plain preach- 
 ing under certain clrcuinstanees-Lay re;idiiig rec.miniended 
 — The Bishop of Madras sends a warning, which is uiiheedi-d 
 —Braving dangers • Standing up for the order of the Churclu. 211 
 
 CHAPTER XV U. 
 
 Jyepoor— Journey to Delhi— Mosques and palaces— Holy Week 
 at Meerut — Four thousand Christians— A well-spent week- 
 Confirmation— Visiting the sick — Sudden ilhu-ss — Himalaya 
 Mountains — Mussooree — Building a church — Deo grutlas — 
 Perilous journey — Arrival at Simlah— Four months' compara- 
 tive rest — Preparing a volume of sermons for the press t2i
 
 CONTENTS. Xni 
 
 CHAITEU XVIII 
 
 PAaa 
 Af«iB on thr march TraiitKluii (Vom Mi»t lo hot— Tak(.« t>oaU 
 Bl !t'"'j>tir— V" »!("■ •-■->••— Th.- wn''-h-»n>ine of I.itliiire — 
 
 • ' • ■" .hiiilri convrrl — 
 1; rrlxiil at l>.lhl— 
 
 • f "■■ Ininot' 
 
 »r», 
 
 - »«t- 
 
 -I' IfeT III 1.1V Aboll- 
 
 • -p Currif - raasa(r«< U> 
 
 «» 
 
 CHAITKK XLX. 
 
 Hont" vrk ..i,.-^ it...r.. y.,,..r,\ .. r f., II. .1 .■ —1,. _x 
 
 !• > of 
 
 >•'■ \n 
 
 *■■ llio 
 
 !•• -.1" 
 
 •if 
 
 lll!l SIX- 
 
 ll. 
 
 Ij-SrM ) e*r jjO 
 
 CHAITKK XX. 
 
 Amither rhanrv lo ihr clergy—" Tlie Traru fur Hip TliUfa"— SoU 
 
 •""■'■•"■•■" ^ •"•"■■'»'"'■-•■ ' '■• '■■"■•' •"■ r lo prayor 
 
 Malkin — 
 b ■I..,- Ju.lg. 
 
 »"■ ..; rouiKl'— 
 
 ^ ■ of a new ('liu|ilulu — 
 
 '• ' ili<-»- 1 ..urw i>l lAfUt 
 
 l'>----'- . " K - »Jr«l-"My L4.r.l, U U 
 
 all }uura'°— Laying llic corovr-Moiio— 1 tif gTvU work Im.-|;uu.. 861 
 
 ciiArn-:K xxj. 
 
 A Mare<lonlan cry — Won<liTful awakvuing amonK the nalivv* — 
 I'udiiif; the sirklf into lli<- liurtcst The l;irli<i|i >;••(■» liiiiiMlf 
 tu tbare In tin- g\'irunin wi.rk— .■<«-veiil)-l»»o iiulnu villu|{f« iu 
 one iDltsloiiary circuit— Tin- bapiiniii'at AiiuikIu Hum— ■• Wo 
 renounn- lln-iii all'' 1 In- Uislii>|i K'k-b on liig way n-Joicirig— 
 A city set on a hill— «Julfl ri-Luke, which acc..m|)li»h»«l it« 
 liurpoM-— l.uioi march ln-(tun— Iwo churches coniK-cruled at 
 Cawnpore — The same duly pcrrormtMl lu other places—" Fainl, 
 jrel pursulog''— A loDg Jouruey safely ended 278
 
 Xiv CONTENTS. 
 
 • CHAPTER XXn. ^^^^ 
 
 A few troubles to disturb the smooth current of evenu- Oxford 
 theology again-The Plymouth Brethrt-n maWo a cn'Tt- 
 Efforts to bTin- back the wan.lering sheep \\ :.t.-h.nK the c- 
 thedral— All Calcutta mail after the wor(J-A sln.n »i» 'atlon 
 —Sunday at Sylhet— EUlinj? iu Iwais and on elephants - 1 hlrra 
 Poongee-Supreniaey of the Holy ^erlplure8 dt-fcn. led Unl 
 metropolitan visilation-Doings at Ma.lra»-Ca>t.- d.ffl.-uiii.ii 
 — Movin" onward— lihenia's tomb— Syrian churches- Ui»ap- 
 pointed hopes- At Bombay-Thanksgiving »erinon on reach- 
 ing home 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 On board ship— "Works of faith and love— Serious llln«>«»-Coo- 
 secration of church at Almorah— Preparing a lM>i.k for hU 
 diocese— Farewell to Simlah- Another si-vcre ultark The 
 Bishop returns to Calcutta— Dejiarture f«.r Kngland- num- 
 mary of thirteen years' labor- One- more at Uiingloii- \\ h«l 
 was aceomplishe'l during his visit — A last farewell — Arrival at 
 
 ■ Calcutta—" I must go s<il1ly"— Consecration of the cathedral 
 — "Dying charge"— A new visitati-m begun »8 
 
 CHAITER XXIV. 
 
 Keception at Bombay- Colombo-Overwork at Madras— IllneM 
 — Ordered to sea— New palace— Visitalimi n-uined— Thirty- 
 six days fully occupied— Consecration of a church in Borneo- 
 Sickness of Professor Street— The differene-s l>rlwci-n b<xm1 
 meu fading awa\ — Growing old — .\iii>th»r r.iilhful clinrtie- 
 Picture drawn by the Bishop of Victoria Arrival <>f n grand- 
 son—inauguration of the Kast India Kailwaj— lonsecralion 
 Of the Bishop of Labuan 80> 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Last charge to the clergy — Seventh visitation— Brave old man — 
 Failing strength- His resolution to die at his post- The In- 
 dian mutiny — Trying the effect of sea air- Last Ordination- 
 Confined to the bed — " I am talking in my sleep"' — All in peace 
 — Funeral solemnities — Brief epitome of his labors— Character 
 — His benefactions- Peculiarities 319
 
 LIFK OF 
 
 BIS H () r W I I.SOX 
 
 (fl|np(fr first. 
 
 BIBTIl A.M» yxnaST XOK—l'UOVtH TKKATMKXT FOK A 
 PCXT INFAXT— AT SCHOOL, WnKX SEVKX YKAIW OLD— 
 PLACED IXDKR MK. IIACKXKT'b CARK — '• XOT W 0I£ TU 
 FLO<;i.IXii"— lOLEXEM, tl IIEI>— KXtJAOEH IX HIMXES8 
 — W'Mi; EAI!I.Y KEMIMtKEXCES— LETTEH TO A SCHOOL 
 Ct.MI'AXI<.X — KOITIXE OK KAULY EMI'LOYSIEXT — A 
 THl E ItlirrKAIT, WITH ALL 1T» LIGHTS AXD SHADES— 
 THE HEAKT IXDEIt THE DE«ilUniXO IXKLIEXC EH oK 
 
 BIX— "I'lCAY FOK THE FKELIXOS" OOD'b OUAC10U8 
 
 DEALIXUS. 
 
 HE general interest felt in liisliop 
 IIel)er ]<y all Christian })eo|)le, has 
 brought India close to the liearts 
 ^^Ip of thousands. Tliose who followed 
 him in his high office might feel 
 a.-sured that there would be many 
 to watch their labors and to rejoice in their 
 success. But aside from any such adventi-
 
 16 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 tioiis circumstances, the subject of this me- 
 moir was quite too remarkable a man to make 
 it necessary that his importance should be 
 increased by borrowing from the reputation 
 of others. Our readei-s cannot fail to be 
 interested in tracing his eventful career. 
 
 Daniel Wilson, the eldest son of Stephen 
 and Ann Collett (West) Wilson, was born m 
 Church Street, Spitaltields, London, July 2d, 
 1778. His father was a silk manufacturer— 
 a worthy and excellent man, and a devout 
 Christian. Mrs. Wilson had early in life 
 chosen " the good part," and \vas an exem- 
 plary wife and an afi'ectionate mother. 
 
 Daniel, being a feeble infant, wjis sent to 
 the country to be nursed, and to enjoy tlie 
 benefits of purer air. By proper attention, 
 he grew up to be a healthy, vigorous boy, 
 and no one who observed his firm step, 
 buoyant spirits, and intellectual countenance, 
 would have supposed him to be the same per- 
 son whose early days had been so unpromising. 
 At the age of seven, he was sent to a pre- 
 paratory school at Eltham, in Kent. lu his
 
 LIFE OF nisniir wii.sox. 17 
 
 tenth year he was phiceil uiuler the eare of 
 the Kev. John Eyre, in lluekuey. This re- 
 spected elcr;.'yniau eked out the inadequate 
 salary drrivid InuM t\\v re^^'uhir (hities of his 
 otHce by teaehin^ a t-uiall seliool. lie soon 
 learned to appreeiute the character of Daniel 
 Wilson, anil haid : "There is no milk-and- 
 water in the 1m»v ; he will be soniethiii'^. 
 either very bad or very p)od." 
 
 One day, in a tit of idleiios and perversitv, 
 the lad not only refused to do his accustomed 
 work, but nei^leeted an additional ta>k which 
 had been set him as a punihhnient. Mr. 
 Eyre, passing through the room, saw he was 
 wasting his time, and remarked, with some 
 sharpness: "Daiiit-l, vou are not \V(trth ll«><r- 
 ging, or 1 V ould tiog you." This stirred the 
 boy's pride at once, and he was never accused 
 of idlene^s afterwards. Indeed, he i)ecame 
 6o persevering and pain^-taking, that on one 
 occasion, tinding himself unable to master 
 his appointed lesson, he declined going to 
 breakfast, saying, "No; if my head will 
 
 not work, my body shall not eat." 
 9*
 
 18 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Mr. Eyre soon became proud of his pupil, 
 and always spoke of him as posscjisiiij: an 
 intellect of the higliest order. Daniel Wil- 
 son loved his teacher, and in after yeare ho 
 used to ask his advice in cases of doubt and 
 difficulty. He remained at school until his 
 fourteenth year, when he was taken into the 
 warehouse of Mr. William WiUon, a near 
 relative by blood, and his maternal uncle by 
 marriage. 
 
 Daniel now found himself in a new world. 
 His uncle was an extensive silk manufacturer 
 and merchant — a strict and jubt man — ex- 
 pecting in others the industry and persever- 
 ance which he practised liimself, and holding 
 out the prospect of preferment to such as 
 deserved it. Daniel thus speaks of thid 
 period of his life : " My parents, for the tirst 
 years of their marriage, were a kind of loose 
 Church people, from the M-ant of piety in 
 their pai'ish ministers, attending regularly at 
 Mr. Romaine's, of Blackfriars Church, in the 
 morning of the Sunday, and at the Taber- 
 nacle, I suppose, in the evening. AVhen
 
 LIFE OF BISHOI* Wn.BON. 19 
 
 their young family made the distance from 
 Blackfriare inconvenient, they attended at a 
 dissentiii«^ meetinf; Ikuisi' in tluir neiglihor- 
 hood in the morning, and at Spitaltields 
 Church in tlie evening. My schoohnaster, 
 however, being a clergyman — though not 
 strictly regular — I wtu^ accustomid t<» the 
 Church service duritig the four years of my 
 resitlence with him. 
 
 " When I Wfut to live with my unelc, be- 
 fore I was fourteen, an entire change took 
 place in these respects ; for he was a strict 
 and conscientious Churchman, attending tirst 
 Mr. Romaino, and al'tcr his death, Mr. Crow- 
 thcr, of Clirist Church, Newgate Street, Mr. 
 Cecil, Mr. Scott, and Mr. I>u6il Woodd. My 
 ])rejudicc's, therefore (for I had no religion), 
 were then in favor of the Church of England, 
 and though the j>redilection was slight before 
 I went to college, it became, from the mo- 
 ment I entered the University, so deeply con- 
 6cientiou.-j, that I have never done any one 
 act inconsistent with the bonds of that com- 
 munion from that period."
 
 20 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 The records of his first three years of 
 service are somewhat scanty. His daily 
 duties are described in the foHowin- U'ttcr to 
 a school companion (named Vardyi, witJi 
 whom, for a short time, he carried ou an 
 active correspondence. 
 
 •• February 16, 1797. 
 
 "My individual employment is not labori- 
 ous, but it is constant. Our usual h..urB of 
 work are from six o'clock in the morning till 
 eight o'clock in the evening, in the summer ; 
 and from seven o'clock in tlie morning till 
 eight in the evening, in winter, so that you 
 see I have but little time to myself. After 
 eight o'clock, in general, I am at liberty to 
 read or write alone, till supper-time, which 
 is at half-past eight o'clock or :i (juarter of 
 nine; and after this I sit reading with the 
 family till ten o'clock, wlu-n my uncle calls 
 them to prayers, and all go to bed. lint as 
 my leisure moments were by these regula- 
 tions exceedingly circumscribed, I have al- 
 ways been accustomed to spend a couple of 
 hours in my room before I retired to rest.
 
 i.Ut "t lil-llul' WIL80N. 21 
 
 Tlien 1 used coMhlantly to ttiuly mv Latin 
 and Flench, bo that I am making considur- 
 ahle progrcivj in bo". Ii." 
 
 As it is onr itur|M.-i> to give a true jiortrait 
 of Daniel Wilsou, iinbimiscd l.y j.rejudit-o, 
 wo niubt allow him lo mention some ihin'^a 
 in regard to his early religious character, not 
 much to his credit. We can not, however, 
 fail to admire the straight forward honesty 
 which led him to acknowledge liis faults. 
 
 " As far back im I ean remember [he says] 
 my whole heart was given to sin. Kven 
 when a boy at tchool, when j.articular cir- 
 cumstances recur to my min<l, I am shocked 
 at the dreadful depravity of my nature a.s it 
 then discovered itiielf. I have indeed pro- 
 ceeded in a regular progression iVoni tlie less 
 sins of bad books, bad words, and bad <le- 
 sires, to the grosser atrocities of those em- 
 I'hatically known as 'the lu.sts of the flesh.' 
 I was constantly acting against a better 
 knowledge. I had received a religious edu- 
 cation, and had been accustomed to a re"-ular 
 attendance on public ordinances. I could
 
 22 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 criticise a sermon, and talk aud dispute 
 about particular notions; hut I loved my 
 sins, and could not bear to part with them. 
 I never had gone so far as to deny any one 
 of the doctrines of the Gospel. I acknowl- 
 edged them to be true, but for want of that 
 necessary attendant, self-application, I could 
 hear whole sermons, but not a word belonged 
 to me ! I took a false idea of the Gospel, 
 and, from this distorted view, dogmatically 
 pronounced it out of my power to do 
 anything ; and so, hushing my conscience 
 with ' having done all I could,' I remained 
 very quietly the williug slave of sin and 
 Satan." 
 
 The atmosphere of the warehouse in which 
 Daniel Wilson passed his time was by no 
 means favorable for growth in gi-ace, or even 
 for much serious thought. All was bustle 
 and confusion daring the day, and at ni^ht, 
 when the restraint of the master's presence 
 was withdrawn, the young men indulged in 
 much vain discourse, and I am sorry to add 
 that our holy religion was spoken of .witli
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP ^VIL80^^ 23 
 
 little reverence or respect. The spirit of the 
 age was skeptical, and it is hardly to be won- 
 dered at that a youth full of self-will, and 
 fond of self-indu]«reriee, should yield to sur- 
 rounding temptations, and be found at last 
 sitting with composure in the seat of the 
 Bcorner. 
 
 But the Holy Spirft did not cease to 
 strive with him, and he thus describes some 
 of God's gracious dealings with him : " One 
 evening (^March 'Jth, 1700), I was, as usual, 
 ensrased in wicko»l discourfec with the other 
 servants in the warciiou.<e, and religion hap- 
 pening (humanly si)eakiiig, 1 mean) to be 
 started, I was engaged very warmly in deny- 
 ing the responsibility of mankind, on the 
 supposition of absolute election, and the folly 
 of all human exertions where grace was held 
 to be irresistible. (I can scarcely proceed 
 for wonder that God should have u[)held me 
 in life at the moment I was cavilling and 
 blaspheming at His sovereignty and grace.) 
 "We have a young man in the warehouse 
 whose amusement for many years has been
 
 24 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 entirely in conversing on tie subject of reli- 
 gion. He was saving that God had appoint- 
 ed the end — he had also appointed the means. 
 I then happened to say that I had none of 
 those feelings towards God which he reqtiired 
 and approved. 'Well, then,' said he-, 'pray 
 for the feelings.' 1 carried it otf witli a j«.ke, 
 but the words at the lirst made some inijircs- 
 sion on my mind, and thinking that I would 
 still say ' I had done all I could,' when I re- 
 tired at night I began to pray for the feelings. 
 It was not long before the Lord in some 
 measure answered my prayers, a!id I grew 
 very uneasy about my state.'' 
 
 Young "Wilson immediately sought an in- 
 terview with his old tcaclK-r, Mr. Eyre, and 
 the letters which passed between tliein showed 
 how earnest the penitent mut^t liave been in 
 his inquiries after truth, and how faithful the 
 spiritual adviser whose counsels had been 
 asked. His parents were soon made ac- 
 quainted with his state of mind, and in reply 
 to a letter from his anxious mother, he writes 
 as follows :
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 25 
 
 April 7, 17%. 
 
 "I have reeeiveil your ktter, and wituld 
 answer in sinct-rity your solemn tiiiLiy, ll<'\v 
 is it between God and your soul i 
 
 "What shall I say f ll<'\v is it between 
 the great on»ni})otent God, the creator and 
 preserver t)t' my lite, in whom I live and 
 move and have my being, and the soul of 
 me, a worm of the earth, who exists only at 
 llis will { Awful thought I Ihit this is not 
 all. liow is it between a ju>t uiul holy God 
 — a God of intinite purity — and my soul full 
 of corruption and pride i I low tun I answer 
 such a (piery ( 
 
 "But when 1 add to these considerations, 
 that while this God ha8 been blessing mo 
 with the blessings of His ]»rovidence, while 
 He has been continuing me in life, and pre- 
 serving me from every danger, I have been 
 transgressing against Ilim in the most aggra- 
 vated manner, against light and knowledge, 
 and even now daily transgress against Him ; 
 I say, when 1 think on this question in connec- 
 tion with these ideas, I know not what to reply. 
 3
 
 26 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 "This I know and feel, that 1 have forfeit- 
 ed His favor ; that in me does not my help 
 lie ; that the curse of God is ui)on me, and 
 that it is because He is God, and not nian, 
 that it has not long ago been executed. This 
 also I am sensible of, that the curse may be 
 executed this night, that my breath is in my 
 nostrils, and that if I this night should be 
 cut off, I should sink — wlicro { Inti> that 
 tremendous place where the ' worm dieth not, 
 and the fire is not quenched.' 
 
 " But I have cried unto the Lord for mercy, 
 and do endeavor still to cry unto Him, from, 
 as it M-ere, the very mouth of iiell. And I 
 have some faint hopes that the Lord will be 
 merciful unto me and bless me. And this 
 pursuit I hope and trust I shall never relin- 
 quish till I am blessed with an answer of 
 peace. 
 
 " Oh ! my dear mamma, it is not the 
 pleasures of this life, nor the possession vf 
 its vain riches or honors which I seek after. 
 No ; but it is even the happiness of my im- 
 mortal soul, which must exist for ever and
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 27 
 
 ever. Oh ! may the word Eternity never 
 enter my ears without imjtressing my heart." 
 At the time ot wliich we are speakin*;:, that 
 excellent man, the liev. Juhn Nt-wtun, was 
 rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, and Daniel 
 Wilson, who had often attended upon his 
 ministry, now derived much benefit from his 
 counsels and i»rayers. For months and 
 months, liowever, he cotitinued to have 
 doubts and misgivings, and to distrust his 
 own purposes of good ; but at last he was 
 enabled to throw himself unreservedly upun 
 the promises of God in Christ Jesus. Un 
 the first Sunday in October, 1797, he received 
 the Lord's Supper at the hands of Mr. ICyre, 
 drawing near in faith, and taking '' that holy 
 Sacrament to his comfort." In speaking of 
 this important step, in a letter to a young 
 friend, he remarks: "Never did I enjoy so 
 much the presence of my dear Redeemer, as 
 I have since that time ; and this, not so much 
 in great sensations of pleasure, as in broken- 
 ness of heart, and, I trust, in sincere desires 
 to be devoted to llis glory. Yefiterday and
 
 28 LIFE OF BISIlOl* WILSON. 
 
 to-day have been, I think, the happiest (fays 
 I ever remember. The Lord sliines so upon 
 my soul, that I can not but love ///m, ami 
 desire no longer to live to myself, but to 
 Him. And to you I confess it (thouglj it 
 ought, perhaps, to be a cause for shame), that 
 I have felt great desires to go or do anything 
 to spread the name of Jesus, and that I liave 
 even wished, if it were the Lord's will, to go 
 as a missionary to heathen lands." 
 
 t
 
 d'bapttr ^tcoui). 
 
 DrFVH I int.- IN TUK WAY oK ENTEHlNli THE MI.MSTHV 
 — <X>NSlI.TATInXS WITH SEVKItAl. t lEHOYMEX — IU8 
 FATUKK ItiXBEXTS TO IU8 LEAVlSii Hlt^lNKss — ENTEIW 
 8T, EUMIXUH HALL— Mlt. l-UATT — UKMKMllliAM EH 0^^ 
 THE WOKTHT VKK-PKINCIPAL — UEsJftTAXlE OK TEMPT- 
 ATION — (oxrinMATios — LrrrEit to iua yuTHEU — 
 
 PAlWEd THE II.NAL KXAMIXATU>XA WITH HOXOK 
 
 I'UlZt E-HSAY — felXUlLAK lUlXUnEXCE— OUIUNATUiN 
 — BE103IE9 UK. CKIIL'h CCKATE — AllfM>AXT LAUoJW 
 — ABOVE THE IXKLIESCE OP PETTY JEALOIHT — AP- 
 POINTED TO A TITOKHHIP AT OXFOItli MAHKIAOE 
 
 (K)UK AOCorxT OF un. wiij»on'8 CHILUUEN. 
 
 LTlIorCilI Daiiifl Wils(.ii't>tliou«,'lits 
 
 rl were now turned towards the sacred 
 
 miiii>try, aiul triiiids with wlioiii lie 
 
 Vi;> y advised encouraired liiiii t<» prosecute 
 
 ^^ his studies, there were dithculties in 
 
 the way not easy to be overcome. 
 
 His father wjis decidedly opposed to this 
 
 plan, having entertained sanguine liopes that 
 
 his son niij^ht become a successful man of 
 
 business ; and he had occasional ai>prehen- 
 
 sions himself that his desire to become a 
 
 8*
 
 3U LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 clergyman might be only another evidence 
 of the pride of heart which was one of his 
 besetting sins. 
 
 Mr. Eyre and Mr. Xcwton were consulted, 
 and, after some time of anxious suspense, tlie 
 idea occurred to him that the Kev. Rowland 
 Hill might help him to discover the patli of 
 duty. The young man was kindly received 
 by the eccentric clergyman of Surrey Chapel, 
 who inquired minutely into his family rela- 
 tions, his motives, and wishes, and finally 
 expressed a hope that if the tiling was really 
 of tlie Lord, it might eventually prosper. 
 This interview with Mr. Hill was followed, 
 some months afterwards, by one with the 
 Rev. Richard Cecil (one of the excellent of 
 the earth) ; and at last all obstacles were 
 happily removed, and with a heart full of 
 thankfulness he makes this record in his pri- 
 vate journal : 
 
 " Oa I tlie wonders of the Lord's goodness ! 
 My dear father let me go to Mr. Cecil's and 
 Mr. Goode's, and they, atter due examina- 
 tion, gave their opinion that I was called <>f
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSt>N. Si 
 
 God to tlie ministry. J/y fatha- consenUd 
 to vuj leaving hunlmss. In a few days I am 
 to go and enter my>elf at St. Edmnn.rs Ilall, 
 Oxford, and he at ^fr. Pratt's as a i»rivate 
 I'lipil till I am ready to reside in eolleffe. 
 My dear uncle has conducted himself with 
 tlie greatest kindness during the ^yll(.le mat- 
 ter, and has readily consented to tlie arran"-e- 
 ment made by my father. The Lord has led 
 me by a way that I knew not. To His o-reat 
 name be all the glory !" 
 
 In accordance with the i)lan thus proposed, 
 Daniel Wilson went uj) to Oxford, and enter- 
 ed himself at St. Edmund's Hall, on the Ist 
 of May ; and in the same month he writes 
 to Iiis mother from Doughty Street, liussell 
 Square, Avherc the Key. Josiah Pratt then 
 resided : 
 
 "Tlie desire you expressed to hear from 
 me as soon as I was comfortably settled liere 
 has not been forgotten. I am encircled wi:]i 
 mercies. In every point of view I find my- 
 self, as to outward circumstances, in the best 
 possible situation. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are
 
 32 , LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 extremely good-tempered and agreeable, and 
 very pious. My fellow-students (twoj, though 
 not serious, have been educated in a Mora- 
 vian coUeije, and are very civil, moral youths. 
 I have a most beautiful prospect from my 
 room over the fields, unobstructed by any 
 houses. So much as to outward blessings ; 
 but these are nothing compared with spirit 
 nal, though all should excite gratitude from 
 him who is unwortiiy of any.'' 
 
 At the age of twenty, Daniel Wil?on began 
 in good earnest to prepare liimself for that 
 holy calling which he was so long to adorn 
 by his life and convei-sation. lie n<~»t only 
 applied himself with all diligence to study, 
 but improved every favorable opportunity of 
 doing good to his former companions, wlio 
 might have received injury from his evil 
 example in time past. The vice-principal of 
 St. Edmund's llall, at this i)eriod, was the 
 Tiev, Isaac Crouch, who exercised a most 
 beneficial influence over the young men in- 
 trusted to his care. Thirty -four years after- 
 wards, Daniel Wilson, writing to liim from
 
 LIFE OF ni.'SHni' Wll son. « 33 
 
 the Indian Ocean, says : "I look back now 
 witli fond delight to my introduction to you 
 on April 3<>tli, 170S. I recall your friendly 
 advice, cautions, and instructions. I remem- 
 ber the (ircck Testament lectures (of which 
 I have my short-hand notes still), the delight- 
 ful dinner parties, the ISuMday-evenin*^ read- 
 ings, the various scenes where I used to see 
 your friendly countenance, and where I used 
 to pass such happy lioiu> with Mr. (ireig, 
 William Marsh, Cawood, and others. Many 
 and many a reflection, dropped by you in 
 conversation, now returns to my mind with 
 double force. Accept, then, once more, my 
 best acknowledgments. I have now in my 
 cabin your present of Van-der-IIooght's 
 Hebrew Bible, given me by you in 1801. 
 It has been my comj>anion ever since. Its 
 binding has become again as old as that 
 which you replaced by so splendid an exte- 
 rior, tliirty-two yeai*s back." 
 
 Our young collegian was thrown amongst 
 those, at Oxt\)rd, who were extravagant in 
 their habits, and who ran recklessly into
 
 34 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 debt; but he so carefully husbanded the 
 hundred guineas a year which his fatlier 
 allowed him, that his expenses were kept 
 within his income, although a desire to pos- 
 sess some new or valuable book was a tempt- 
 ation hard to be resisted. 
 
 The Church very properly permits persons 
 to come to the Holy Communion before they 
 have received the apostolic rite of «'la\nng 
 on of hands," in case they are "■ roaily and 
 desirous to be confirmed." It was on tliia 
 condition that Daniel AVilson lia<l hreii ad- 
 mitted to the Lord's Supper. On the 7th of 
 June, 1799, he was confirmed by the Bishop 
 of Chester, the Bishop of Oxford (Dr. Small- 
 well) being then too ill to discharge the du- 
 ties of his office. Months passed away with 
 little worthy of record. After spending the 
 holidays in the bosom of his father's family, 
 we find him once more at the University, 
 entering upon his third and last year. A 
 letter to his mother, dated January 12th, 
 1801, discloses the state of his mind and 
 heart.
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 35 
 
 **Thc time I spent with you in town np- 
 j>ear8 to me now likr a dream that is passed 
 away. Thus it is tliat our life is hastening 
 along. One scene j)resents itsell", and tlien 
 vanishes; a second folh>w8, and disappears 
 in like manner. Now we are well ; anon 
 sickness seizes us. At this nionuMit, every- 
 thing? is prosperous and eonitortahle ; the 
 next, all is dark and niis<.'ruhle. 
 
 " From reflectinir iii)<>n these changes, how- 
 ever, we may learn two important lessons — 
 the one solemn, the other encouraging. It is 
 a solemn consideration that, amidst all the 
 fluctuations of life, we are still making rajtid 
 advances towards eternity. Every wave, 
 whether placid or turbulent, wafts us nearer 
 to that awful shore. Like a ship which c<ui- 
 tinues to make its way, whatever the passen- 
 gers on hoard may he doing, we are perj>etu- 
 ally hurrie<l forward, whatever may he our 
 employments. 
 
 " But as tliis is a solemn thought, so is it 
 encouraging to contrast the uncertainty of 
 all things here below with the unchangeable-
 
 36 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 ness of our gracious and Almighty Lord. 
 This is our safety, that there is One wlio hath 
 said, 'Because I live, ye shall live also;' and 
 that there is an unfailing fountain of love 
 and mercy in Him to remedy all the evils 
 of time, and to crown us with ever^' bless- 
 ing. 
 
 "The more Satan cau liring us to look 
 upon the waves, the sooner we shall sink. 
 It is when faith is fastened upon a orucitied 
 Jesus, that peace dwells in the heart, and 
 holiness adorns the life atid conversation. 
 God gives us this 'precious faith,' that, lrx)k- 
 ing unto the great Captain of our salvation, 
 and receiving every supply from his fulness, 
 we may go on our way rejc>icing. The com- 
 mand is, ' Rejoice in the Lord always.' May 
 ihe Lord the Spirit produce in us continually, 
 and enable us to know more of the i)ower of 
 that kingdom which is righteousness and 
 peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." 
 
 Young Wilson had applied himself so 
 closely to study during his whole college 
 course, that the approach of the final exami-
 
 LIFE OF lilSUop WILSON. 37 
 
 nation— an occasion of so much alarm to the 
 dissipated arid idle-gave him no particular 
 uneasiness. He pju^sed tlie tiying ordeal 
 with great credit t.. him^eli; and carried off 
 the prize for an Knglibh essav on Common 
 Sense. It is an interesting fact, that when 
 he descended the rostrum, amidst the ap- 
 plause of the audience, Tweginald IIeueu 
 arose to recite his 'poem of '♦ Palestine." 
 
 There is something ali'ecting in the j)icture 
 of these two young a.spirunts, thus l.rought 
 togetlur in the morning of life, who were 
 afterwards called to hear "the heat and bur- 
 den of the day" in the same far distant lield ; 
 sometliing, also, in th- scrolls they held, 
 characteristic of the men— the one, throwing 
 over India the charm of p.-)etry, piety, and a 
 loving spirit; the other, stamping upon it 
 the imprests of Scriptural supremacy and 
 evangelical truth ; something of adaptation, 
 also, in the divine orderin'.; of those conse- 
 crated spots wheie " they rest in their graves" 
 —the chancel of 6't. John's, Trichinopoly, 
 and the chancel of St. Paul's, Calcutta. 
 4
 
 38 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Daniel Wilson liimself referred in after 
 life to this meeting in the Oxford Theatre : 
 
 " Is it not a singular coincidence,'* he said, 
 "that Heber, my revered, able, and pious 
 predecessor, delivered his poem of ' Pales- 
 tine' on the very day that I delivered my 
 English prose essay on ' Common Sense ?' I 
 well remember, as I came down from the 
 rostrum, seeing Ileber, who sat immediately 
 behind, testifying his applause in the kindest 
 manner, though I never made his acquaint- 
 ance till July 2Uth, 1812, when Mr. Thornton 
 introduced him to me at St. John's Chapel, 
 Bedford Row, after hearing me preach from 
 Hebrews ii. 3.* 
 
 Mr. Wilson began his ministry under very 
 favorable auspices — as curate, or assistant, of 
 the Rev. Mr. Cecil, rector of Cobham, a 
 pleasant agricultural village in Surrey, and 
 Bisley, a retired hamlet three miles distant. 
 He makes the following entry in his jounial, 
 in regard to this most important step: 
 
 " I am now numbered amongst the dressers 
 o Batemau's Lile of Wilsoa, p. 51.
 
 .v4»
 
 UKE OF blSUOh WILSON. 39 
 
 of God's vineyard. I entered into holy or- 
 ders on the liUlh ."^tjtteniber, hy tlie imposi- 
 tion of hands of the Bibho}> of AVinchester. 
 Whilfet Mr. Cecil is absent, I sliall have two 
 Bermons ti» preueli weekly — one at Cobliain, 
 and one at l>ial«.'y. Ail difiieiilties having 
 been reniovcnl by the helj) of GihI, 1 atn now 
 liappily di^char^in^ n»y saered functions. 
 AVhat I had j)rej)ared, being coniinittcd to 
 memory, I wu^ eiiabhd to delivt-r freely. 
 Isor havf 1 to complain of any unkind recep- 
 tion ; on the contrary, I have to acknowledge, 
 with gratitude to (iod, that it Mas far beyond 
 iny expectations. 
 
 "In my tir>t bermi»n, I treated of the wili- 
 iugnesd of Christ to receive sinners coming 
 uuto him. ' Him tiiat cometii unto me I will 
 in no wise cast out.' In the second, I en- 
 deavored to explain thp peace which Chri^t 
 gave to His disciples — 'Peace 1 leave with 
 you.' Grant, Almighty God, that these 
 tilings, which by Thy grace have happily 
 begun, may by Thy power be brought to a 
 good result."
 
 40 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Towards the close of the year, the young 
 clergyman was left with the whole duty of 
 the parish upon him, which called forth all 
 his energies, and taxed his strength to the 
 utmost. 
 
 Besides preaching three times a week, he 
 was most faithful in visiting his people — 
 going into every mud hut, and obtaining 
 from Mr. Cecil himself (a man not accus- 
 tomed to deal in empty compliments) the 
 name of " The Apostle AYilson." 
 
 He began at first by writing his sermons 
 fully out, and committing them to memory; 
 but he soon adopted the plan of taking up 
 notes only into the pulpit. 
 
 His journal furnishes many little incidents 
 which serve to illustrate his character. 
 
 '• I clearly perceive that my preaching is 
 very bad," he remarJcs in one place. " Jt is 
 all ' vi et armis.' I make clamor and shout- 
 ing and noise my helpers — as if sound with- 
 out sense ever did any good. I must spare 
 no pains to correct these faults, now I know 
 them. I only giieve most deeply, that when
 
 LIFK OF BISHOP WILSON. 41 
 
 Mr. Cecil in the kindest manner mentioned 
 them to me, I perceived a secret sensation 
 of anger, wlien I ought to have felt nothing 
 but gratitude." 
 
 Some persons are so mean-spirited as to 
 feel jealous wlienevcr anothei- is commended 
 for qualities which they are sensible of pos-) 
 sessing tliemselves in a smaller degree. Not 
 60 witli Mr. Wilson. On one occasion, when 
 he went up to Oxtbrd fur a s-hort time, his 
 place was supplied by his friend Marsh. 
 We find this record in his journal, upon his 
 return : 
 
 "Praises of all kinds were showered on 
 him, my jK'Ople were so stiuck witli his 
 countenance, his address, his seinidns, his 
 courtesy, that they lauded him to tiie skies — 
 God be praised I" 
 
 Havinjr labored two vears at Cobham, 
 some things occurred which changed his 
 plans fur the future. The following is his 
 own account of the first of these events : 
 
 "January 23, 18U3. I have wonderful 
 things to record. I have refused the curacy 
 4*
 
 42 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 of Henley, which has beea offered to ine, 
 because, when I came here, I engaged to 
 stay with Mr. Cecil three yeai-s. This beii g 
 settled, lo! another matter, much more seri- 
 ous, occurs. Ml-. Crouch wishes to know 
 whether I should be willing to return to 
 Oxford, and, conjointly with himself, under- 
 take the office of Hitor at St. Edmund's Hall. 
 It is to be with this understanding, that the 
 lighter part of the duty falls upon me at tirst, 
 but that I should be prepared eventually to 
 take the whole burden. The question is 
 under consideration. The Principal haa to 
 be sounded. Mr. Cecil mtist be consulted 
 and persuaded. Almost everything want^i 
 arrangement. May God's will be done 1 
 This alone grieves and vexes me, that, witii 
 so great a matter hanging over me, I am so 
 feeble in mind, so full of sin, so backward 
 in prayer, watchfulness, and submission." 
 
 The same subject is again referred to on 
 the 9th of March, a day never forgotten by 
 him : 
 
 "Seven years have passed since the grdcn
 
 LIKK OK msilul* AVILSON. 43 
 
 of God came with power to nie, wlio was 
 buried in total darkuesss. 1 ackiiowled«<e 
 myself to he the vikst of the vile, and I 
 grieve over it. Still ila- grace of God is 
 exceedin<;ly abuiulant towards mu. I wish 
 to be nothing, and would cleave to Christ 
 only, 
 
 "The Oxfonl business is aitj»roaehing its 
 completion. 'Hie Princij)al has consented. 
 My parents acquiesce. Mr. Cecil, though 
 disinclined, does not absolutely refute. 1 
 have written to Mr. Cr<»uch to say that 1 
 shall be ready to undertake it as soon as I 
 have fultilled mv engagement tt) remain with 
 Mr. Cecil lor three years. This must be 
 done, unless Mr. Crouch can find some one 
 whom Mr. Cecil would be willing to take in 
 my place, and thus set me free. The will of 
 the Lord be done.'' 
 
 Several months passed away before Mr. 
 Wilson Could secure a successor for his cu- 
 racy, and it was not until November that he 
 preached his farewell fccrmon and took his 
 leave. Large congregations assembled to
 
 44 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 hear his parting counsels, and many tears 
 were slied. 
 
 The other event to which we referred was 
 the marriage of the young clergyman with 
 his cousin Ann, the daughter of liis uncle, 
 Mr. "William Wilson, to whom he had heen 
 tenderly attached for several years. The 
 ceremony took place on the 23d of Novem- 
 ber, 1803. 
 
 A few words in regard to family matters, 
 in this place, will not be amiss, especially as 
 the happiness of Mr. Wilson fur many vi-ars 
 afterwards was greatly increased by his 
 union Avith this lovely and excellent woman. 
 As a daughter, she had her father's testimony 
 that she had never given him one hour's un- 
 easiness ; and after the death of a beloved 
 mother, she had been a guide and protector 
 to her younger sisters. Although naturally 
 inclined to silence and reserve, when fhe be- 
 came a clergyman's wife she gave up her 
 habits of retirement, and interesting hei>elf 
 in her husband's work, she presided over his 
 household with dignity and grace, and dis-
 
 LIVE OF Bl.inop WILSOX. 45 
 
 charged lur approj)riate duties in the fear of 
 God. 
 
 In November, ISOo, his eldest son, Daniel, 
 was horn ; in September, 1807, Ids second 
 son, Jnlin : in June, lsoi», his daugliter, 
 Amelia. These three were b<»rn in ( ).\iV)rd. 
 
 In N<tveinl>er, 1811, a second daughter, 
 Ann Margaret, was born; in March, 1814, a 
 third daughter, Eliza Emma; and in Novem- 
 ber, ISlfl, a third s(»n, William. These were 
 Itorn in L«»ri(h»ii. Thus (ind •' made him an 
 house," and for nearly fourteen years (with 
 one sad interruj)tion, occasioned by the death 
 of his infant daughter, Amelia, in 1809) the 
 voice of joy and health was heard in it. 
 
 Mr. Wilson was always too much occupied 
 •with the duties of his office to spend much 
 time with his children, and while he was 
 ready to j)romote their good at any sacritice, 
 he did not enter into their jairsuits, and was 
 not as patient with them as some are. At 
 the same time, probably no parent ever suf- 
 fered more acutely than he did when they 
 were sick or in trouble.
 
 46 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON'. 
 
 After the death of little Ann. in 1818, he 
 thus pours out his heart, in a letter to Mrs. 
 Hannah More : " It is impossible for me to 
 describe to you what we are going through. 
 After the sudden death of one child— a lovely 
 girl, about six years and a half old — a second 
 child has been seized with sickness, and lias 
 now continued for above seven weeks in a 
 most affecting and alarming state, AVe arc 
 watching our dear little boy dying before 
 our eyes. He has been for eiglit days in 
 perpetual convulsions, except as opiates com- 
 pose for a time his agitated frame. Tlie 
 afflicted mother hangs over her suffering 
 child with an anguish I cannot describe. 
 Thus it pleases our heavenly Father to exer- 
 cise us with by far the most severe trial we 
 have ever known. 
 
 " For myself, as a minister of the sanctuarv, 
 I am quite assured that God ' in very faithful- 
 ness has caused me to be troubled.' I want 
 bringing down. The natural tendency of 
 my mind is towards excessive activity and 
 bustle, with all the secret love of display and
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WII.SOX. 47 
 
 thf ])raise of men wliirli accompanies such a 
 turn of character. I have now gone on 
 seventeen years in the sacred ministry, Miili 
 a large share of liealth and spirits, with some 
 success in the great W(.rk of ' reconciliaiinn' 
 intrusted to me. Some late circumstances, 
 in wliich I had, Ik.wcvit. very little }>er.-onal 
 effort, have hrought me still more hef..re the 
 public eye, and now my lu-aveidy Father 
 chastens me for my profit, that I mav he a 
 partaker of His holiness. He takes me aside 
 from my j.ul.lic duties to private self-exami- 
 nation, and he calls me from preaching to 
 praying— from the instruction of others to 
 the instruction of myself. He l.ids me look 
 inward, and lake the gnage and measure of 
 my heart. He commands me to be silent, 
 and contrite, and interior in my religion. 
 He is preparing me for comforting, perhaj.s, 
 the minds of others with the comfort where- 
 with I myself am comforted of (iod; and 
 whilst he conlines me to the chamber of soi- 
 row, is perhaps fitting me in some bettir 
 manner to discharge those high and elevated
 
 48 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 duties of a steward of the mysteries of God 
 which I Iiavc so little honored as I oiij^ht. 
 Oh, that I may learn softness, confession, 
 humility, and tenderness in this school of 
 suffering !" 
 
 The little boy spoken of in this letter re- 
 covered partially from this dangerous attack, 
 and having survived until five years old, an 
 object of solicitude and tender sympathy, he 
 gently passed away. 
 
 Mr. Wilson's eldest-bom, Daniel, was a 
 great comfort to his parents, and became a 
 useful clergyman — still being si)ared to labor 
 for the good of souls. 
 
 John, the second son, was led awav from 
 the path of duty by tlie seductions of bad 
 companions, and finally retired to the Conti- 
 nent, where he died in August, 1833, sin- 
 cerely penitent for his faults, and at peace 
 with God and man. His father was then in 
 India, but his brother ministered at his 
 dying couch. He was patient under the 
 most intense sufferings, and thankful for 
 every mercy, receiving the Holy Sacrament
 
 LIFE OF BISHUl' WILSON. 
 
 49 
 
 humbly, and tinding it ii means of grace to 
 Lis soul. 
 
 We havo prelerrtd to bring together these 
 items concerning iauiily mutters, that the 
 regular course of t!.c narrative may not be 
 interrupted by them hereafter. 
 5
 
 DUTIES AT OXFORD — CFRATE OF WORTOX — ATTK.MITS TO 
 BENEFIT THE UNDER-GRADCATE3 — I TPER AND LOWER 
 WORTOX A STRIKING CONTRAST "HE KXUW9 AL- 
 MOST EVERY thing!" CALLED TO ANOTHER FIELD — 
 
 ST. John's, Bedford row — reason for making xnis 
 
 CHANGE — unselfishness — A SCATTERED CONOKXOA- 
 TION SOON RALLIED — THE PREACHING OF " CHRIST 
 crucified" GRAPHIC PICTIRE — INTEHESTIXO INCI- 
 DENTS LARGE CONFIRMATION — EVIDENCES OF PAS- 
 TORAL FIDELITY — OUTSIDE LABORS — SCENE AT A 
 DINNER-TABLE — MRS. FRY — HABITS OF PRATER — 
 FAILING HEALTH — VISIT TO THE CONTINENT — FRESH 
 LESSONS IN THE SCHOOL OF AFFLICTION. 
 
 X the year 180-i, Mr. Wilson was re- 
 siding with his family in Oxford, 
 where his collegiate office occupied 
 him during the week, his SuiidnyB 
 being employed in officiating as cu- 
 rate of Worton, When he began his 
 duties at St. Edmund's Hall, he held a 
 subordinate position, having Mr. Crouch to 
 lean upon for counsel, and to aid him in diffi- 
 culties. Three years afterwards, when his 
 old friend retired from office, his responsibili-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 51 
 
 ties were greatly increased. lie thus writes, 
 in January, 1807 : 
 
 " Our friend Mr. Crouch has now resigned 
 to me the whole management of the Hall ; 
 and utterly incompetent, I am left alone. I 
 can scarcely tell what I am to do, and what 
 leave undone. Nevertheless, I must follow 
 the leadings of God's providence. 
 
 " The number of young men in the Hall 
 at present, and the measure of their attain- 
 ments, are not, perhaps, l)eyond my roach; 
 but what plans may be adopted for the future 
 I know not. You will easily undcistand how 
 much I am engaged, when I tell you that 
 this next term I have to lecture on Aristotle 
 and the tragedies of -^schyhis; that the 
 New Testament has to be critically and co- 
 piously dealt with, and Aldrich's ' Ars logica' 
 to be entered on. I will do what I can. If 
 I cannot do for my pupils all that my wishes 
 and the duties of my office require, yet 
 nothing shall be wanting that good-will, 
 kindness, and careful study can accomplish. 
 
 " It seems to me that my main object must
 
 62 LIFE OF BISHOP -WILSON. 
 
 be 80 to instruct them in the saving knowl- 
 edge of God, and so to imbue their minds 
 (as much as in me lies) with true pietj, that 
 however little they may profit by me in 
 secular matters, they may nevertheless learn 
 to love God, to believe in Christ, and reject 
 the vain traditions and fimcies of men, to 
 estimate aright the value of the soul, and to 
 know and be ready to proclaim tlic excellent 
 glory of the Cross. If they know and under- 
 stand these things savingly and experiment- 
 ally, they know all. 
 
 '- So far as all this goes, my opinions re- 
 main unchanged and immoveable, though I 
 know well that I am unable to follow them 
 diligently, or carry them out successfully by 
 my own power and might." 
 
 Besides the regular lectures and other in- 
 structions, Mr. Wilson sought to be useful to 
 the under-graduates, by inviting them, in 
 small parties, to the familiar intercourse of 
 his house and table. His good intentions 
 were, however, in a measure, defeated by a 
 gravity and coldness of manner which left an
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 53 
 
 unpleasant iinpretsion, making even social 
 gatherings partake too much of tlie character 
 of meetings for hiisiness and duty. His pu- 
 pils, however, liuuored and admired him, and 
 his influence wa» very generally felt. Thus 
 much for iiis college duties. 
 
 Ilis pastoral labors at Worton are those in 
 whicli we feel most interest. There are two 
 Wortons — r]>per and Lower — little villages 
 lying betwei M IJamhury aiul Woodstock, in 
 Oxfordshire; the population consisting of 
 farmers and agricultural laborers, and both 
 places united not exceeding two liundred 
 souls. A small church belonged to each 
 village, where the people enjoy the privi- 
 leges of religious worship. 
 
 Some of Mr. Wilson's predecessors in this 
 curacy had been extremely careless in the 
 performance of their duties, and every thing 
 had fallen into sad neglect. 
 
 The contrast between this and his earnest 
 and laborious ministry must have been very 
 striking. At the close of the year 18U3, he 
 tlius writes to his mother :
 
 64 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON 
 
 "I am called a laborer, a minister, an am- 
 bassador, a worker with God ; niav I I'ullil 
 the solemn duties which these lilies impljr, 
 and which they re(|uire of me! An idl" 
 laborer, a careless minister, an unfaithful 
 steward, a false ambassador, a 6lc-c|>in{^ 
 watchman, will bring down upon him^-lf a 
 tenfold destruction. 
 
 " I wish, my dear mother, to be more like 
 Mary sitting at the feet of Je8U6, and learn- 
 ing His words. I wish to be more like 
 IsAiAu, who cried aloud and spared not, in 
 showing his people their tnu)sgrefi6ion», and 
 the house of Israel their sins; I wish to l>o 
 more like 8t. Pail, instant in 6ca««»n and 
 out of season, reproving, rebuking, exhorting, 
 with all long-suticring and doctrine; above 
 all, it is my prayer to have in me the sanic 
 mind which was also in Christ Jesus, to bare 
 Christ formed in nu-, to walk worthy of the 
 Lord unto all well-pleasing, being fruitful in 
 every good work, and abounding in the 
 knowledge of God, 
 
 "I have now two pari&heu on luy hands,
 
 UKE OK UlSilOl' WILSON. 65 
 
 where death ami sin ami durkne&s have 
 reigijei! uncontrolled. Jesus is here un- 
 known, grace is here a slrjinptr. holiness is 
 neither uiidersttHxi nor dfsire«l. All is uudt-r 
 the iK>wcr of the 'strong man arninl.' But , 
 tlio Hible teacheti me a charm which ha* a 
 60ver«ign efticacy : ' I, if 1 In? LiriU) ui-, will 
 draw all men unto me.' ' The weajuina of our 
 warfare aro not carnal, but miijhty thnnKjh 
 (/W.' ' We have this treasure in earthen 
 ve*»eU, tiiat the (xcdUncy of the poxttr nuiy 
 be of God, and not K)i uk' Tliei»e iiri- my 
 firet principloi. lliis is my system. 1 .iebiro 
 to preach ' peace by Jt*us Christ,' and then 
 pray for the j^jMnt of .lesus to apply it 
 Wivingly to the heart and conscience. I am 
 only aehametl tJiat 1 do it so weakly and 
 imperfectly." 
 
 Throwing aside all stiffuets and formality, 
 the realous curate endeavorml to adapt busi- 
 ness to the capacities of his rubtic congrega- 
 tions, and illubtralioi»s for his discourses were 
 freely drawn from the setnl, the suck, the 
 common, or the fanner, husbandman, uud
 
 56 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 gardener. On one occasion he had been 
 preaching on the resurrection of the body, 
 and had dwelt upon the dying of the grain 
 of wheat ere it springs up to new life. Two 
 farmers were standing by the porch, after 
 service, when one remarked : " There, you 
 see, he knows a'most every thing. lie told 
 us truly how the seed dies afore it grows. 
 He is not like our parson, who scarcely 
 knows the difference between a cow and the 
 moon." 
 
 "I remember," said a laboring man, who 
 had been referred to for recollections of these 
 days, '* when one time he was speaking of 
 victory over sins of the heart, and he im- 
 pressed his thoughts upon us by saying, in 
 his earnest way, ' oSTow, if you want to sub- 
 due sin in your hearts, you must encourage 
 all that is holy there. He who will keep 
 tares out of the sack, must fill it up with 
 wheat.' " 
 
 Doddington is a large village in the imme- 
 diate neighborhood, and the people were 
 busy enclosing the common. '" Mark," he
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 67 
 
 said, " the way to heaven is not like an open 
 common, with very many ways running 
 through it, but a road fenced on both sides 
 by the word of God." 
 
 Occasionally, there was a rapidity of utter- 
 ance in the pulpit, and an impetuosity of 
 manner; but tliis was not habitual or con- 
 stant. His delivery was quiot and deliberate, 
 and so distinct that the whole sermon was 
 often taken down, in common writing, from 
 his lips. He was very close in his appeals to 
 conscience, and so solemn and impressive in 
 his warnings and exhortations, as to })roduce 
 a trembling awe. " l^ray, do not let Mr. 
 Wilson preach here again," said a lady to 
 her minister, in an adjoining parish, "he 
 alarms me so!" And this was doubtless 
 sometimes true, for he was in earnest, and 
 could almost say, with the Apostle, "Whether 
 we be beside ourselves, it is to God ; and 
 whether we be sober, it is for your cause; 
 for the love of Christ constraineth us." 
 
 The effect of all this was not sudden, but 
 progressive, and it may encourage some who
 
 58 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 think that they are laboring in vain, and 
 spending their strength for nought, to listen 
 to his own account. In July, 1804, he writes 
 to his friend Mr. Pearson : " My Worton 
 flock improves very little, if you speak of 
 true religion. I cannot, however, say that 
 my ministry has been altogether unsuccess- 
 ful." In May, 1806, he writes again : '• We 
 are going on well in our churches. The con- 
 gregations are numerous and attentive ; and 
 on Sunday last we had lifty-eight communi- 
 cants. I hope the Lord is doing something 
 for us, and that several are seeking a better 
 country, even a heavenly." 
 
 Again, in January, 1807 : '• A certain 
 measure of success attends me at Worton. 
 The congregations are numerous for tlie 
 place. They hear and receive gladly the 
 divine Word, but very few attain to salva- 
 tion. Pour upon us, O Holy Spirit I tliy 
 heavenly grace, that tiie dead may hear Thy 
 voice and live." 
 
 During the long vacation of the same year, 
 he says: "Alfairs prosper now at Worton.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 59 
 
 We have a AVednesday service as well as on 
 Sundays. The church is crowded. It is de- 
 lightful to see such a great cum}»any listening 
 tu the word of (lod ; whilst we may hope that, 
 many will be endued with divine life, and 
 attain to heavenly blessedness." 
 
 Great good was accomplished through all 
 the country about AVurton, and the little 
 churches were not only crowded, but many 
 stood in the churchyard during the whole of 
 the service and sermon, and large numbers 
 of communicants came to the altar of the 
 Lord. 
 
 A marble tablet over the entrance of 
 Upper Worton church stands as a memorial 
 of the faithful curate who there once dis- 
 pensed the bread of life. 
 
 In the year 1809, Mr. Wilson was called 
 to a more important field of labor. lie thus 
 writes from Oxford to his friend Pearson : 
 '' At Christmas last, Mr. Cecil sent for me to 
 Clifton, and urged me to take St. John's as 
 his curate, when ray assibtant at St. Ed- 
 mund's Hall should be in a situation to act
 
 60 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 alone. I objected strongly on the ground of 
 St. John's not being suitable to my cast of 
 character; but this difficulty being removed 
 by the assurance h'^ gave me of the universal 
 approbation manifested when I liave taken 
 duty for him, I then agreed that, in the course 
 of two or tliree years, if God should please, 
 I would yield to his wishes. With these im- 
 pressions I left Clifton, and scarcely thought 
 further of the aifair, till a letter from liim 
 reached me about a month back, to state that 
 his health was very rapidly declining, that 
 things were falling to pieces at the chapel, 
 and to nrge me to take it wholly, as minister, 
 whilst his life remained to him and the power 
 to consign it legally. 
 
 " I was seized with the utmost consterna- 
 tion, and the moment the term closed, hurried 
 to London to weigh the summons. 1 found 
 Mr. Cecil too far gone to be capable of giv- 
 ing advice, but his mind was fi.xed on me as 
 his successor. I stated to Mi-. Cardalo and 
 the principal people of the chapel, all my 
 difficulties, arising from Mr. Ilill, my pro-
 
 LIFE OF BI5UOF \NaL80N. 
 
 61 
 
 posed successor at the Hall, being yet an 
 undor-graihiate, and incapable of being left. 
 Ko obstacle would divert tlieni iVuni their 
 entreaties, and 1 yielded at length, on the 
 supposition that no impediment arose in the 
 execution of our plan. The Principal of St. 
 Edmund's Hall consented ^vithout a scruple 
 to the succe.sMun of Mr. Hill, upon my j-roTu- 
 ise of continuing to sui)erintend till he hhon d 
 be settled and had become a Master of Arts. 
 Three bishops— Oxford, Hereford, and Lon- 
 don—loaded me with civilities and kindness, 
 and I left London on Saturday, virtually 
 mini:>ter of St. John's. My plan is to be 
 there in the vacations, and such times during 
 the term as I can be spared, and to manage 
 at Oxford till Mr. Hill is Master of Arts and 
 ,of an age for holy orders, so as to be able to 
 officiate for me in the Hall chapel and at 
 Worton." 
 
 This letter was written in March. Some- 
 what later he thus reveals his motives : 
 
 '•The employment of a tutor at Oxford 
 has been far from being perfectly congenial
 
 63 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 to my mind. As to the propriety of my 
 leaving the University, and giving myself 
 wholly to my ministry, I cannot have a 
 doubt. The gradual decay of vital piety in 
 my own heart is too obvious and too alarm- 
 ing a symptom not to force itself upon my 
 conscience. May God yet spare me for his 
 honor !" 
 
 Mr. Wilson entered upon his public duties 
 at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row, on the 
 2d of July, 1809 (his birth-day), before any 
 legal arrangement had been made, which led 
 to a little unpleasant affair at the beginning, 
 but his business ihatters were speedily ar- 
 ranged to the satisfaction of all parties. Two 
 hundred guineas a year were to be paid out 
 of the income of the chapel to Mr. Cecil and 
 his family until the close of the lease, leav- 
 ing three hundred pounds a year as Mr. Wil- 
 son's salary. To show his disinterestedness, 
 it should be mentioned that he gave up a 
 parish with £500 per annum, that he might 
 devote himself more entirely to the work of 
 the ministry.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP ■V\^LSON. 63 
 
 In consequence of Mr. Cecil's long-contin- 
 ued illness, the congregation of St. John's 
 had become much scattered, but within a 
 month aftor the arrival of his successor, the 
 chai)el was crowded. The building itself 
 possessed no architectural beauties to attract, 
 and the service was conducted in the plainest 
 way, without any chanting — a psalm and 
 hymn being sung, with the accompaniments 
 of the organ. The manner of the new in- 
 cumbent was natural, his voice j)erfect, and 
 his action graceful and aj>]»ropriate. Mr. 
 Simeon used to say that the concreo-ation 
 were at his feet. The preaching of " Christ 
 crucified" j)roved to be a powerful agency 
 for arousing the slumbering consciences of 
 the M-icked, and many went away from that 
 tabernacle humbled and penitent. 
 
 The congregation was gathered from all 
 parts of London, and was one well calculated 
 to draw forth the powers of a clergyman 
 " Amongst the regular attendants were Johr 
 Thornton and his sons— names suggestive oi 
 singular goodness and beneficence. Thcrj
 
 64 LIFK OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 sat Cliarles Grant -with his family, and two 
 sons, distinguished afterwards, the one as 
 Lord Glenelg, President of the Board of 
 Control, and Secretary of State for the Colo- 
 nies; the other as Sir Robert Grant, Gov- 
 ernor ot Bombay. There also sat Zacliary 
 Macaulay, accompanied by his son, the legis- 
 lative counsellor of India and historian of 
 England — ennobling literature, and now en- 
 nobled l)y it. Dr. Mason Good was there — 
 a physician of high repute, the master of 
 seventeen languages, and translator of the 
 Psalms and the Book of Job, who, once a 
 disciple of Belsham, was now ' sitting at the 
 feet of Jesus.' !Xear him might be seen Mr. 
 Stephen and his family, Mr. Cardale, Mr. 
 Buinbridge, Mr. AVigg, Mr. Charles Bridges, 
 and many others of high repute and piety. 
 Lawyers of note, also, who afterwards adi)rn- 
 ed the bench, were pew-holders in St. John's. 
 The good Bishop Ryder often attended, and 
 Lord Calthorpe ; Mr. Bowdler, the ' facile 
 princeps,' as he was termed, of the rising 
 barristers of his day, and Sir Digby Mack-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 65 
 
 worth. Mr. "NVilbertorce was frequently 
 present, with his son Samuel, 'to take care 
 of him.' The late Duchess of Beaufort, also, 
 often sought to hear him, with many mem- 
 bers of her family. Individuals of every 
 'sort and condition' were thus assembled, 
 high and low, rich and poor, one with another. 
 Tiiirty or forty carriages might often be 
 counted during the Lciudon season, standing 
 in triple rows about the doors; and though 
 there was, as is too often, unhappily, the case 
 in proprietary chapels, but scant accommo- 
 dation for the poor, yet they loved to attend, 
 and every vacant sitting-place was tilled by 
 them the moment the do(»rs opened."* 
 
 Many interesting incidents are related, 
 showing the good whieii Mr. Wilson accom- 
 plished, while olheiating as minister of St. 
 John's. It is told of one now advanced in 
 life, and distinguished both in the political 
 and religious world, that when he first came 
 up to London, to study for the bar, he casu- 
 ally (as men speak) entered St. John'^ Chapel 
 
 ° Bateman's Life of Wilson, p. 140-1. 
 G*
 
 66 LITE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 one Sunday evening. After standing for a 
 long while, and failing to get a seat, he felt 
 vexed and chafed, and was retiring. ^ One of 
 the settled congregation, however, saw him 
 going, followed him co the onter door, brought 
 him back, and made room for him in his pew. 
 The sermon that he then heard was instru- 
 mental to his conversion, and he walked 
 thenceforth in the way that leadeth to ever- 
 lasting life. The incident is not only encour- 
 aging to ministers, but instructive to j)ew- 
 holders ; the opening of a door may lead to 
 the salvation of a soul. 
 
 Another incident may also be noted. A 
 near relative of Daniel AVilson was one of a 
 large company, when a gentleman approach- 
 ed and sought a personal introduction. " I 
 wished to be introduced," he said, in ex- 
 planation, " to a relative of one to whom I 
 owe everything for time and eternity. I am 
 only one of very many who do not know and 
 never spoke to Mr. Wilson, but to whom he 
 has been a father in Christ. He never will 
 know, and he never ought to know, the good
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 67 
 
 he has been the means of doing ; for no man 
 could bear it." 
 
 There were large Sunday schools connect- 
 ed with St. John's, taught by members of 
 the congregation, which claimed the pastor's 
 notice ; and the Welsh schools, or the youth 
 of the schools for the instruction and main- 
 tenance of children of the Piincipality at- 
 tended upon his ministrations. 
 
 Mr. Wilson bestowed particular pains in 
 preparing candidates for Contirmation, and on 
 one occasion three hundred and twenty-five 
 young persons were presented by him to the 
 Bishop, to receive his blessing in this holy rite. 
 
 The number of conmiunicants at St. John's 
 was very large, five hundred being sometimes 
 present at once, which made the service so 
 long, that only a few minutes intervened be- 
 tween the close of the morning and the com- 
 mencement of the afternoon service. 
 
 The collections for benevolent purposes 
 were surpassed by those of no church in 
 Loudon. Mr. Wilson's appeals were most 
 importunate, and few were able to resist
 
 68 LI^E OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 them. Once, wlicn pleading the cau^e of 
 charity, he closed by saying, " Some will, I 
 fear, notwithstanding what I have urged, 
 pass the plate and give nothing, thinking 
 nohody sees. I tell you— I tell such an one 
 — God sees." 
 
 Although the people who attended St. 
 John's were thoroughly evangelical in i)rin- 
 ciple, they were devoted in their attaciiment 
 to the Ciiurch, and when the Hon. an<l Rev. 
 Baptist Noel, one of Mr. Wilson's successors, 
 left it, for some peculiar reasons of liis own, 
 only a few individuals followed him, in spito 
 of his great popularity. 
 
 Mr. Wilson had much to do beyond the 
 limits of his charge, and the religious and 
 missionary operations of the day found in 
 him a zealous advocate and friend. During 
 the summer holidays, having established his 
 family at Worton, or some other coimtry 
 phice, he mfide extensive tours for the benefit 
 of the Bible or Cliurch Missionary Society, 
 calling forth an interest in their affairs, and 
 collecting funds to aid them, A few inci-
 
 LIFE OF BISUOP WILSON. 69 
 
 dents connected witli these interesting jour- 
 neys may here be apjiropriately introduced. 
 Once, when travelling with an old and be- 
 h>vo'l tVitMul, the lic'V. J. W. C'uiininghain, 
 (»M a missionary excursion, they dined at a 
 house wliere the provision was most luxurious 
 and costly, and where a company was assem- 
 bled quite foreign to the character of the 
 deputation and their immediate object. In 
 due course the host arose, and in a sort of 
 uproarious manner calleil upon the eoiii])any 
 to drink "Health to the Deputation." The 
 whole spirit of the dinner was ofleusive to 
 devout mind?, and the question was to 
 change it. Others sat still, but Daniel Wil- 
 son rose up, and said, " I l)elieve it is custom- 
 ary, when any one's health is drunk, to return 
 thanks ; and this I do most cordiaJly ; and 
 most ati'ectionately do I wish you, sir, in re- 
 turn, and this company, good liealth. But 
 then (he added, in that deep tone into Avhich 
 his voice naturally fell when he was strongly 
 moved) you will, perhaps, allow me to tell 
 you in what I conceive ' Good Health' really
 
 70 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 to consist." And then he proceeded to speak 
 of the health of the wul, in language so sol- 
 emn and aflecting that every one at the table 
 felt the power of truth thus announced, and 
 the whole character of the assembly was at 
 once changed and solemnized. And yet all 
 this was said and done with such exquisite 
 good-humor and kindness, that not a single 
 person was otfended ; but all manifesed their 
 gratitude to him in expressions of 4-espect, 
 almost amounting to affection. 
 
 An incident of a somewhat similar charac- 
 ter occurred at Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton's 
 house in town. A large party of clergy and 
 laity, attracted by the May meetings, had 
 been invited to his hospitable board. All 
 were of one mind, and all desirous of mutual 
 edilication ; but the evening was passing 
 awav, and the conversation was still desul- 
 tory and broken. Suddenly a loud voice was 
 heard from the top of the table, addressing 
 one seated near the bottom. It was Daniel 
 Wilson speaking to Dr. Mai-sh. '' William 
 Marsh," he said, " may I ask you a question ?
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 71 
 
 You have liad some experieuce in dcaliifg 
 witli c-riiniiials lying under the sentence of 
 execution ; is theiv any ]>urtiun of the Scrip- 
 ture that yon liave t'uund more efficacious 
 than anotiier in bringing them to conviction 
 of sin and true repentance ? But" — checking 
 himscdf, and rrt'erring to Mrs. Fry, who was 
 sitting beside him — "perha]>s I ought rather 
 to put the question to my neighbor. May I, 
 dear madam, ask whether any particular 
 pa?sage of Scripture occurs to you as having 
 proved most useful to that class of our fellow- 
 
 sinners 
 
 V" 
 
 " 1 can have no hetitation in answering 
 thy (juestion,'' replied Mrs. Vrv] "one pas- 
 sage 1 have found far more etleetual than any 
 others ; and the bimple reading of it has 
 proved most useful. 1 refer to the latter part 
 of the seventh chapter of Luke's Gospel. It 
 has softened numy hearts, and made eyes 
 weep that never wept before." 
 
 •'The seventh chai»ter of St. Luke!" said 
 Daniel Wilson. "The latter part. Let us 
 examine it. IIow glad I am that I asked
 
 72 LITE OF BISHOP WILBON. 
 
 you !" Then, taking a little Testament from 
 his pocket, he began to read the passage. 
 This led to a comment on it, to inquiries 
 from others, and to general conversation; 
 narratives flowed from Mrs. Fry, and illus- 
 trations of various kinds from others, so that 
 all were pleased, instructed, and editied. 
 
 The formation of the Bible Association at 
 Oxford was a difficult and delicate matter, in 
 which he showed much tact. At a kind of 
 preliminary meeting of many of the authori- 
 ties of the University, he was present, en- 
 deavoring to remove objections and to win 
 assent. The weather was oppressive, and 
 Daniel Wilson approached one of the heads 
 of houses, who was present, not as an ap- 
 prover, but a listener, with cake and wine. 
 This gave occasion for conversation, and a 
 hope was expressed that he would patronize 
 the Society and take part in the meeting. 
 An immediate refusal was given, and strong 
 objections urged. The Society, it was said, 
 would increase the influence of dissent, and 
 tend so far to the injury of the Church.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 73 
 
 "Exactly so," replied Daniel Wilson; 
 "this will be the result if the work is left in 
 the hands of the dissenters; and therefore, 
 Doctor, how important it is that men of 
 weight and influence in the Church shoukh 
 come forward and take the lead." 
 
 Other arguments were added, and pre- 
 vailed ; and thus, by his tact and good tem- 
 per, he gained his point, and the Doctor 
 became an oflice-bearer in the {Society, and 
 made a speech at the meeting. 
 
 Two or three more incidents may be added, 
 as illustrating Mr. Wilson's habit and mode 
 of prayer. A friend (the Eev. Thomas 
 Harding, now vicar of Bexley) accompanied 
 him to Brighton on behalf of one of the re- 
 litrious societies. Two large meetings had 
 been attended; and the evening having been 
 closed by an address to a circle of friends at 
 Sir Thomas Bloomtield's, and by prayer, they 
 entered the coach together on their return to 
 town. There were no other passengers. The 
 moment they had fairly started, Daniel Wil- 
 son, drawing up the window, said : " Now, 
 7
 
 74: LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 my dear friend, we must have our evening 
 prayers together ere we sleep." He then 
 commended Lis friend, liiniself, and thcHse 
 they had just left, to the Divine protection ; 
 and, his petitions ended, he fell fast asleep. 
 
 Once, on a visit at a friend's house, he was 
 requested to officiate at morning prayere with 
 the family, but to be very thort, becunse of 
 some pressing engagement. AVhen the serv- 
 ants were seated, he said: ''I am requested 
 to be very short to-day ; I will therefore give 
 you Christianity in a nut-shell. Our heavenly 
 Father said of our blessed liedeemer, ' Thou 
 art my beloved son, in whom I am well 
 pleased.' Any soul that can say of that Re- 
 deemer, 'Thou art my beloved Saviour, in 
 whom I am well pleased,' is a real Chri&tian. 
 Now, let us pray." 
 
 The last trait of character to be mentioned 
 is related by Dr. Marsh, and is short and 
 simple. He sometimes travelled, on behalf 
 of these societies, with Daniel "Wilson, and 
 on arriving at their inn, they were frequently 
 compelled to share a double-bedded room.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. <5 
 
 On such occasions, Dr. Marsh records the 
 fact, that the hist sight his eyes met at night, 
 and the first sight in the morning, was always 
 Daniel Wilson on his knees. 
 
 Such incessant and exciting labors as the 
 zealous minister of ISt. Joim's was engaged 
 in, could hardly fail to exhaust his strength, 
 and we are not surprised to find that in the 
 autumn of 1>^2l* he was prostrate and con- 
 fined to a sick room. Early the next year 
 he resumed his public duties, but soon found 
 that nature had not yet recovered from her 
 previous strain ; and acting upon medical 
 advice, he made a visit to the Continent, 
 which lasted from June to November, and 
 which was a source of much benefit and en- 
 joyment. He otiieiated on two Sundays after 
 his return, greatly to the joy of his people, 
 when all the bad symptoms of his disease 
 appeared again, in even a worse form than 
 before, and again he was compelled to learn 
 the lessons of patience and submission, under 
 his heavenly Father's chastening hand.
 
 €\'^kx lourtl). 
 
 MR. WILSON APPEARS IV AXOTIIEK PCLPIT — ISLINGTON 
 
 — THE LAST INCUMBENT ONE PARTY DELIGHTED, 
 
 AND THE OTIIEK APPKEIIENSIVE — THE NEW VlCAu's 
 
 FIRST SERMON — WAITING TUE LORd'S GOOD TIME 
 
 WORLDLY WISDOM — ALL DIFFICULTIES HARMONIZED 
 
 " NO SUCH THING AS GETTING A COMFORTAULE GAME 
 AT cards" — SITTING IN THE PULPIT — EFFORTS FOB 
 ADDITIONAL CHURCH ACCOMMODATION — DIFFICULTIES 
 
 IN THE WAY — THE FIRST MEETING OF THE VESTRY 
 
 A THIRD SERVICE BEGUN IMPROVING HEALTH CIR- 
 CULAR LETTER IN REGARD TO BUILDING NEW CHURCHES 
 — THE FINAL ADOPTION OF THE PLAN PROPOSED AP- 
 PLICATION TO THE CHURCH COMMISSIONERS — " I AM 
 LIKE UNTO THEM THAT DREAM" — TWO FAITHFUL 
 CURATES — FIFTEEN SUNDAY SCHOOLS ESTABUSHED. 
 
 FTER a silence of eight months, Mr. 
 
 "Wilson appeared in another pnlpit, 
 
 and in very different circumstances 
 
 ■\^,hip from those which had hitherto sur- 
 
 rounded him. The important living 
 
 of Islington had become vacant, and 
 
 Mr. William Wilson (his wife's father liaving 
 
 purchased the advowson,* as it is called) 
 
 o "Advowson is the right of patronage to a church or
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 77 
 
 presented it to his son-in-law. Although the 
 parish ^va8 then regarded almost as a country 
 district— green fields dividing it, in some de- 
 gree, from the great metropolis — it has long 
 since been swallowed up in the onward march 
 of London, and all distinctive marks are 
 swept awuy. 
 
 Islington was a most important charge, 
 embracing thirty thousand souls. The last 
 incumbent, a fine specimen of an old-fash- 
 ioned divine, had been a great favorite with 
 a large portion of the parishioners, but he 
 had done little to rouse them from the spirit- 
 ual lethargy into which they had sunk. 
 
 an ecclesiastical benefice ; and he who has the right of 
 advowson is called the patron of the church, from his 
 obligation to defend the rights of the church from op- 
 pression and violence. For when lords of manors first 
 built churches upon their own demesnes, and appointed 
 the tithes of those manors to be paid to the officiating 
 ministers which before were given to the clergy in com- 
 mon, the lord who thus built a church, and endowed it 
 with glebe or land, had of common right a power annexed 
 of nomin.iting such minister as he pleased (provided he 
 were canonically qualified) to officiate in that church, of 
 which he wivs the founder, endower, maint;iincr, or, in 
 one word, the patron."— Hook's Cuurch Dictionary.
 
 78 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Some who had attended St. John's Chapel, 
 Bedford Row, were residents of Islington ; 
 and these persons were delighted at the idea 
 of having their favorite minister so near 
 them. Others, again, expressed no little ajv 
 prehension lest Mr. Wilson's thoroughly 
 evangelical teaching and energetic manner 
 might prove disagreeable to a congregation 
 60 long accustomed to a different system, 
 while a few even went so far as to declare 
 that tliey would not attend cliurch. 
 
 Although still very feeble in health, the 
 new Vicar of Islington preached his first ser- 
 mon in St. Mary's Church, July 2d, 1824, 
 entering that day on his forty seventh year. 
 This experiment showed him that his strenorth 
 was not sufficiently restored to enable him to 
 prosecute the work which he so much desired 
 to begin — and he must needs abide the Lord's 
 good pleasure. It was not until the close of 
 November that his voice was heard again in 
 the parish church, when he delivered a stir- 
 ring Advent sermon, from St. Mark i. 15 
 
 "The time is fulfilled and the kinfrdom of
 
 LIFE OF BISnor 'WTLSON. 79 
 
 God is at band, Eei)ent ye, and believe tbo 
 Gospeb" 
 
 Mr. Wilson veil understood tbe position 
 wbicb be occupied, and be resolved to pursue 
 a course so prudent and unexceptionable, 
 tbat wbile be made no compromise of tbe 
 trutb, none niigbt take needless otfenee. 
 Soon, bowever, some began to wonder at 
 wbat tbey tbougbt a sacrifice of principle. 
 His ii|»peals seemed to be less fervent, and 
 bis manner less earnest. They said, "lie 
 was very difterent at 8t. Jobn's." Tbey al- 
 most doubted if be preacbed tbe (jiospel. 
 But tbis was " their foolishness." The ser- 
 mons were the same. They were St. John's 
 sermons, wisely adapted to Islington ; and 
 tbe course pursued was tbe one most likely 
 to produce tbe desired effect — " if by any 
 means I may save some." lie was gently 
 remonstrated M-ith by a well-wisher, and his 
 reasons were asked. Tbe answer was imme- 
 diate, and to this effect: "I could preacb 
 away tbe parish cburcb congregation in a 
 fortnigbt ; and in another fortnigbt, perhaps.
 
 80 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 I could fill it with a congregation twice as 
 large. But these are my parishioners. I do 
 not wish to drive them away. I long for 
 their souls as one that must give account. 
 My heart's desire is to lead them to Christ. 
 The branch in tlie vine must not be cut off, 
 but made fruitful.'' 
 
 And his actions out of the pulpit, as well 
 as in it, were in accordance witli these words. 
 When troublous times came on, and many 
 were oftendcd, some friend told him of an 
 angry parishioner who had declared that 
 neither he nor his family would ever come 
 to the parish church again. "■ What do you 
 say?" was the vicar's response ; "what name 
 did' you mention? Wliere does he live? I 
 will call on liini to-morrow morning." He 
 called accordingly, and saw the family, and 
 all was set right in a moment ; for few could 
 resist him when he wished to })lease. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to say that this ac- 
 tion was entirely disinterested. As vicar, he 
 was of course independent of all secular mo- 
 tives; and the slightest intimation of an.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 81 
 
 intention of giving up a pew in church, was 
 followed by twenty earnest applications for 
 it. The efl'eet of th/ conduct then pursued 
 was, in tlie end, wliur he desired. None left 
 the church ; but, ou the contrary, prejudices 
 began to yield, hearts to soften, grace to 
 work. Keligion became prominent, and 
 worldliness drew back complaining, and 
 murmuring, ""There is no such thing as get- 
 ting a comfortable game at cards now, as in 
 Dr. Strahan's time." 
 
 One old gentleman, a poor Churchman 
 from his youth, was so full of anger at the 
 change, that he could scarcely speak upon 
 the subject. He threatened to leave the 
 parish altogether. But wliilst he lingered, 
 the angel of the Lord "laid hold upon his 
 hand," and all was changed. " No," he re- 
 plied to an application about his pew, " 1 
 shall not leave. I shall remain. I find now 
 that religion is heart- work." 
 
 It will readily be supposed that vast 
 crowds assembled in the church, and that 
 every standing-place was occupied.
 
 82 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 It was the practice of the vicar now to sit 
 in the pulpit. He was at first compelled to 
 do this from ill health; but it became a 
 habit, and he continued it to the end of life. 
 A stool was construc*^^ed which would take to 
 pieces, and which raised him, sitting, to the 
 height of a person standing. Cross bars 
 steadied it and rested his feet ; and upon 
 these, when excited by his subject, or desiring 
 to impress some weighty truth upon his au- 
 ditors, he often rose, greatly increasing his 
 heiglrt, and suggesting the idea originated 
 by John Knox, that he was about to " tiee 
 out of the pulpit." The effect, though not 
 graceful, was impressive and earnest; and in 
 Daniel Wilson's case, something of dignity 
 was always attached even to his pcculianties. 
 
 When the Yicar of Islington had got fairly 
 at work in his new parish, he began seriously 
 to consider what arrangements could be 
 made for additional church accommodation. 
 
 His efforts in this direction were hindered 
 by a peculiarity in Islington — a large body 
 of trustees, elected by the people, having
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 83 
 
 power to act with the church-wardens in the 
 nianagement of all business matters. In 
 consequence of this arrangement, every ex- 
 citing question brought together a large 
 crowd, and the vestry meetings were often 
 scenes of disgraceful turmoil and confusion. 
 As the building of additional churches 
 must be a work of time, Mr. Wilson wisely 
 determined to make the best possible use of 
 St. Mary's, and he accordingly proposed that 
 niirht services should l)e held there, besides 
 those of the morning and afternoon. The 
 first vestry meeting which he presided over 
 was called to consider this matter. He thus 
 describes it : 
 
 " IsLDJOTON, February 18, 1825. 
 
 "I had, last night, my vestry for nearly 
 four hours at the church, on the evening 
 service. About two hundred persons attend- 
 ed, and long discussions arose — not upon the 
 main question, for all approved of opening 
 the church, but on the points : AVhether the 
 church should be entirely free, or the seats 
 be let? and then, whether the expenses
 
 84 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 should be paid by the church-wardens, or by 
 voliiDtary subscription ? It was carried, at 
 length, unanimously, that the church should 
 be free, and by 117 against 59 that the 
 church-wardens should pay the expenses. 
 Nothing could be more kind and respectful 
 than their whole conduct to me, personally, 
 but I was worn out with standing, speaking, 
 talking, and calling to order — in short, 
 ' rulinor the waves of the sea and the tumult 
 of the people.' " 
 
 The third service was immediately begun, 
 and the crowded congregations were a most 
 gratifying testimony to the expediency of 
 such a measure. Mr. Wilson's health was 
 improving, and his zeal kept pace witli his 
 increasing strength. Having made the best 
 arrangement he could to supply the spiritual 
 wants of his overgrown flock, he ap])lied his 
 mind to the only measure which could ])0S- 
 sibly meet the demand — the erection of new 
 churches. The trustees were reluctant to 
 engage in this undertaking in consequence 
 of their unfortunate experience some years
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 85 
 
 before, when a chapel-of-ease had been built. 
 Through niisnianagement, and other causes, 
 a debt had been contracted, which still 
 weighed heavily upon the tax-payers, and 
 rendered thoin indisposed to assume addi- 
 tional responsibilities. 
 
 Mr. Wilson, however, prepared a circular 
 letter to his parishioners in the spring of 1S25, 
 the main points of which were the following : 
 
 The parish contained thirty thousand 
 people, and was rapidly increasing. Land 
 was already let for buildings which, when 
 completed, would raise the population to 
 fifty thousand souls. The church and chapel- 
 of-ease together had sittings for two thou- 
 sand five hundred ; so that out of every 
 twelve parishioners, eleven were absolutely 
 shut out of the house of God. 
 
 The trustees of the parish and His Ma- 
 jesty's commissioners alike concurred in the 
 opinion that one church, in a parish spread- 
 ing over so wide a surface, would be com- 
 paratively useless, and that three were 
 absolutely required. This would involve an
 
 86 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 expense of £30,000, at the very least. But 
 if the parishioners would find the sites, and 
 advance £12,000, His Majesty's commis- 
 sioners would take all further responsibility 
 upon themselves, ana complete the whole 
 work. This £12,000 might be first raised, 
 and then eventually extinguished, by a rate 
 of three-pence in the pound, which would 
 only require, from the great bulk of the 
 parishioners, on an average, a payment of 
 three or four shillings per annum — and that 
 not from each individual, but from each 
 family inhabiting a dwelling-house. Under 
 certain contingencies, even this might be 
 lessened, but it could not possibly be ex- 
 ceeded. And thus, at so small a sacrifice, 
 and no subsequent risk, the whole parish 
 might be provided with church accommoda- 
 tion for years to come. 
 
 The letter ended as follows : 
 
 " Let me entreat the prayers of my pa- 
 rishioners to Almighty God, the author of all 
 good, that such a soundness of judgment, 
 and such a temper of peace and charity may
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 87 
 
 prevail throughout the consideration of this 
 great question, tliat it may be crowned, if it 
 should seem right and lit, with the desired 
 success ; but that, at all events, it may prove 
 an .occasion, not of heat and contention, but 
 of good-will and kindness and conciliation 
 between all the remotest inhabitants of this 
 vast and important parish." 
 
 This able appeal produced a decided eflfect, 
 and five days after the letter had been issued, 
 a vestry meeting was held to consider so 
 important a question. Mr. Wilson by no 
 means relied upon mere human agency to 
 accomplish the desire of his heart, but he 
 made it tlie subject of unceasing prayer. 
 And how wonderfully the Almighty over- 
 ruled all things for the advancement of His 
 own glory ! The trustees assembled, and 
 the plan proposed by the vicar was unani- 
 mously adopted. Tliis vote, however, must be 
 confirmed at another meeting, and although 
 difficulties were then raised, and some ob- 
 jected, the previous action was approved of 
 by large majorities.
 
 88 LIFE OF BISHOP WII.?ON. 
 
 Application must be made to the Church 
 Commissioners, who a^jreed to build the 
 churches. TVe o:ive Mr, Wilson's own ac- 
 count : 
 
 " IsLWCTOx. May 25. 1825. 
 
 " Surely praise should follow prayer. 
 Yesterday our groat undertaking succeeded. 
 The two archbishops, and twenty or more 
 bishops and noblemen, condescended to our 
 petition, and Thrte Churches, to contain five 
 thousand souls, are to be immediately built. 
 The intense curiosity with 'jvhich my person 
 was surveyed by the Episcopal Commission- 
 ers is more than I can describe ; and mv own 
 nervousness in answering to a thousand ques- 
 tions, and undergoing an hour's examination 
 before such a Board, almost deprived me of 
 the presence of mind necessary for such a 
 conjuncture. To God I ascribe the whole 
 success. I am like unto them that dream. 
 A parish of thirty thousand people, in eon- 
 fusion and ill-will, and determined against 
 any more new churches as long as they lived 
 (we are paying £2.354 annually for our
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILgON. 89 
 
 chapel-of ease), brought round to vote almost 
 unanimously the sum of £12,000 ; and this 
 pittance accepted by the Commissioners, tor 
 chapels that will cost them £35,000 — and 
 would have cost the bunglincr managers of a 
 parish £70,000 ; this is ' the Lord's doing, 
 and it is marvellous in our eyes.' Let May 
 12 and May 24 be marked in my calendar as 
 'jubilee days.' " 
 
 After a brief season of rest, which was 
 passed at Cheltenham and Worton, Mr. 
 Wilson resumed his Libors at Islington, 
 whence he thus writes on the 12th of Novem- 
 ber, 1825 : 
 
 " I am wonderful well for me. In fact, I 
 have been better the last seven weeks than I 
 have been for years. The calls upon me 
 since I came home have been incessant ; and 
 yet I have been al)le to preach at church 
 every Sunday. The attention at church is 
 intense. 1 trust and believe good is doinsr. 
 Tlie seed must have time to lie in the ground 
 before it springs up. Oh I may the heavenly 
 Husbandman make ' the ground' into which 
 8*
 
 90 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON'. 
 
 it falls 'good !' I begin now to find what T 
 though'. I was prepared tor — chocks and ob- 
 stacles in my great church atfairs. It is 
 astonishing how little one is practically pre- 
 pared to meet disappointments. Theory 
 and practice are not necessarily connected in 
 our disordered hearts." 
 
 Although nothing has been said of Mr. 
 "Wilisun's assistants, our readers would hardly 
 suppose that so much machinery could liave 
 been kept in successful operation by one 
 man alone ; but it niay be well enough to 
 mention that his eftorts were ably seconded 
 by two faithful curatt-s — Mr. Mar^ball and 
 ^Ir. Uambleton. Various agencies were 
 em})loyed for the good of the extensive |iar- 
 ish — and among others, til'teen Sunday -schoids 
 were established — from which much precious 
 fruit was <'athered.
 
 (Tbapttr /iflli. 
 
 A PTOBM BREWIXO THK AFTKKXOOX IJICTrRESIlII 
 
 LOXQ Jk.VU I'AIXKUL bTUrGc;LK BKOfGIIT TO A PEACB- 
 ABLS £XU — PEIUirAblVX IXKI.UKSCE — THE VUOtM TAKKX 
 n* — SEVERE AFKLUTIOX — SIKH. WIlJJOX's SICKNESS 
 AND HEATH — "THE I^AME VKSTKItDAY, AM) TO-I)AT, 
 
 AND Ff>UEVKK!" KEnlii.N ATloN — I.AIUiE CU.VFIKMATION 
 
 — PKEPAltATlOX FOU KIlOiT lOlilM (MUX — rBOSI'EKOCS 
 CONDITION OF THE I'AUISH — fOXMEritATIXO OF TUB 
 TUREB NEW CIIIKCHES — FREEIMM FItOM PEIIT — AP- 
 POINTMENT OV C'LBUUYMBN — THE I.oRD's WUKK I'KUB< 
 PEUINO. 
 
 Ill's fur Mr, Wilson's (.'arnost prayer, 
 that peace and truth mi^ht abide 
 amongst the j»eoj>le of his eliurge, 
 1^'-' had been graciously answered. 
 Early in 1S:2G, however, this hujipy 
 state of things was unex])ectc'(lly 
 disturbed. The ditliculty grew out of what 
 was called the aftenioou lectureship ; the 
 vicar not being responsible for this service, 
 and about a hundred pounds a year being col- 
 lected by Voluntary subscrijitions, to defray 
 its expenses. The lecturer at this time was
 
 92 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 the Rev. Mr. Denliam, and it was a report 
 of liis intended resi^rnation which tli-f sn.'- 
 gested any disturbing question. 
 
 As tlie one hoKling this office was n<»t 
 obliged to perform any pastoral duties during 
 the week, it was suppose<I that tlierc might 
 be several applicants l\»r the vacancy, and 
 Mr. Marsliall, the senior curate, solicited the 
 votes of the parishioners by means of a cir- 
 cular letter. At this stage of the proceed- 
 ings, Mr. Wilson thought proper to interl'ere, 
 and announced his intention, in cat.e of a 
 vacancy, to make arrangcin.'nts bin:. ..It" f*..r 
 the afternoon service. 
 
 A controversy grew out of this — the vestry 
 standing up for what they contended to bo 
 their rights in the case, ami tiie vicar insist- 
 ing upon his own. At tlie tirst meeting 
 which was held un the subject, Mr. Wilson 
 iiaviiig entered a j.rotest against any en- 
 croachment upon his jirivileges, promised 
 that if the right of app(^intment legullv 
 belonged to the i)arishi(>ners, they should be 
 permitted to clioose whom they pleased.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 93 
 
 The vestry agreed to this, but when the 
 vacancy really occurred, they seemed to 
 have forgotten their engagement, and tliey 
 actually met to elect Mr. Dtiilmiirs suc- 
 cessor. The motion to do tiiis was, however, 
 voted down, and at last, when the whole 
 question was lell to the arl)itration of Dr. 
 Lushington, it wasdecided in the vicar's favor. 
 It is grievous to think li<)\v much l>itt<r- 
 ness and ill-will had Ikoii arousrd hy the 
 whole proceedings — and we are thankful to 
 be able to record that the storm now sK»wly 
 passed away. Mr. Wilson saw that it was 
 important, for his future peace, that the 
 inllucnco of good and energetic layiiKU 
 Bhould be secured to modify and manage so 
 unwitldy a body as the trustees, and he 
 ,6ought to interest some of his friends in this 
 behalf One instance will illustrate the 
 course he pursued, and prove his persuasive 
 intiuence over the minds of others. He 
 desired to secure the services of a gentleman 
 whose scientitic attainments, courteous bear- 
 ing, calmness of temi»eramcut, and general
 
 94 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 ability rendered his aid most valuable. 
 With this object in view, lie ealUnl upon 
 him one morning, and said : 
 
 " I am anxious to induce the gentry of tho 
 parish, and especially those who value true 
 religion, to take part in the management of 
 its concerns habitually. Will you consent to 
 be nominated as a trustee and come forward 
 and help us ?" 
 
 " I cannot think of it," was the reply. 
 " I am a man of peace — I have my ]Mir8uit8, 
 which are pleasant to myself, and I hope, iii 
 some respects, profitable to othei^s. I am 
 always ready to take my part in educational 
 matters, and in religious associations, but 
 from parish matters I shrink." 
 
 " But I wish," said the vicar, '* to urge 
 upon you the importance of exerting your 
 influence on the side of order, and supporting 
 the Church and your vicar." 
 
 " And I should be glad indeed to do so. 
 But parish business, in my view, would in- 
 volve a loss of self-respect. I must decline 
 all part in it,"
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 95 
 
 *' JJut, my dear Iricnd, do you not believe 
 that one day you will have to render an ac- 
 count to God of all the means vt' intluenee 
 placed at your disposal, and of all the talents 
 coininitted to your char^j^e T' 
 
 "Certaiidy ; hut this is foreign to my liah- 
 its and distasteful to my feelim^s." 
 
 '"Ah! hut remember, my friend, that we 
 are called upon to 'deny ourselves,' to ' take 
 up our cross,' to 'run with patience the race 
 set before us.' " 
 
 "True — very true." 
 
 "Are you, then — are any of us the best 
 judges of what is the path for us to walk in i 
 It is iK^t always the ea>y j>alh which is the 
 rigbt one ; it is not always when we please 
 ourselves that we best please God. iiettcr 
 follow duty when it calls, and you will secure 
 God's blessing." 
 
 The result may be anticipated. The cross 
 was taken up, duty efficiently performed, 
 good service rendered, a useful examjjle set, 
 and the great oiject gained. 
 
 Mr. Wilson was overtaken, in the midst
 
 96 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 of his labors, by the lieaviest trial of his life 
 —the death of his dear, devoted wife. She 
 had been an invalid and a sufferer for several 
 years, and from this cause her friends had 
 been less prepared to expect a sudden ternii- 
 nation of lier earthly coui-se. In April, 
 1827, her disease grew more alarming, and 
 early the next month it was evident to all 
 that her end must be near. Without a inui-- 
 mur or regret, she turned at once to the work 
 of self-examination, submitting herself en- 
 tirely to God's holy care and keeping. On 
 the morning of May 7th her husband entered 
 the room, and, standing by the bedside, bent 
 over her in silent sympathy. She opened 
 her eyes, and recognized him at once. All 
 the tenderness of her early love seemed to 
 gush forth. She lifted up her wasted hands, 
 stroked gently and repeatedly each side of 
 his face, and whispered, "Dearest creature!" 
 adding, " do not excite me ; say something 
 to cahn me." With tearful eye and quiver- 
 ing lip, he named that name which is above 
 every name — " Jesus Christ, the same yes-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON, 97 
 
 terday, aud to-day, and for ever." It found 
 a response in the heart. '* Tliat is beautiful," 
 she said. To lier sister-in-hiw, wlio was soon 
 after at lier side, she said, " Perhaps I may 
 not be alive long." " And if not," was the 
 reply, '-you will be in Paradise." "Ah, 
 yes," she said, '' that will he far better." 
 
 Her thoughts still chiiig to her children 
 witli the tenderest love. Their temporal and 
 eternal welfare was very near her heart ; and 
 when all was silent in the room, her voice 
 was often heard ascending up to heaven in 
 earnest supplications on their behalf. 
 
 "My dearest love," said her husband, on 
 coming in, "you will soon be with Jesus." 
 " To see Him r was her brief but weighty 
 answer. 
 
 Soon the power of articulation began to 
 fail, and the notice of external things to 
 lessen. All stood around the bed — husband, 
 children, sisters, servants, "^he noticed no 
 external thing, but still held communion with 
 her God. " Lord, have mercy on my soul ! 
 Succor me in Jesus Christ. In sickness and 
 9
 
 98 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 in dying, oh, succor and save ! Lord, let me 
 enjoy Thy presence for evermore. I have 
 no merits in myself, but my reliance is on 
 Christ. Lord, save me in Christ Jesus. I 
 do love Him. Though I am a sinner, save 
 me for His sake." 
 
 These were the last connected words. A 
 few fragments only of love and piety could 
 afterwards be gathered. " Lord, teach sub- 
 mission" — " no more sin" — " sing with joy" 
 — " dear John" — " dear Dan" — '' resignation" 
 — " Saviour .^" 
 
 Till the afternoon of Thui'sday death iin- 
 gered; and on that day, May loth, at one 
 o'clock, she ceased to breathe, and her spirit 
 returned to that Father who gave, and that 
 Saviour who redeemed it. She slept in 
 Jesus; whilst friends knelt round her bed, 
 weeping, yet sorrowing " not as others wlio 
 have no hope." She was interred in tlie 
 family vault under the parish church of 
 Islington. The funeral sermon was preached 
 by the Dean of Salisbury ; and then the be- 
 reaved husband set out once more on the
 
 LIFE OF BTSHOP WILSON. 99 
 
 journey of life, a solitary and widowed man. 
 He had lost one who had been a help meet 
 for him — his counsellor in difficulties, his 
 comforter in sorrows, his nurse in sickness. 
 He never ceased to think of her with true 
 affection, nor to speak of her with tender 
 regret. 
 
 '' Indeed, it is all true," was the expression 
 of his first letter after the event; ''I have 
 lost the companion of my youth, the partner 
 of my joys and sorrows, the mother of my 
 children, the guide of my Christian course. 
 My sorrows flow deeply, and must flow, so 
 long as I remain behind. But I hope I do 
 not murmur. I hope I desire to say, 'Not 
 my will, but Thine be done.' I hope I am 
 grateful for four-and-twenty years of peace, 
 and union, and comfort. I hope I bless God 
 for the delightful testimony to her Saviour 
 which she bore in life and death." 
 
 Although Mr. Wilson was greatly dis- 
 tressed by this late aflliction, he regarded it 
 as a call from God, requiring him to be more 
 devoted in His service.
 
 100 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Almost seven hundred yonng persons in 
 his parish had just renewed the vows of 
 Baptism in Confirmation, and he was now 
 most anxious to ])repare them for their first 
 Communion. Besiaes preaching on the sub- 
 ject, he urged them to come to him, in i>ri- 
 vate, for additional instruction, and many 
 gladly availed themselves of the privilege. 
 
 The year 1828 found the aflairs of the 
 parish in a most encouraging state. In ad- 
 dition to three full services on Sundays and 
 great festivals, the church was opened for 
 prayers on every Wednesday and Friday 
 morning, and on Saints' days. 
 
 The next important event to he noted is 
 the consecration of the three new ciiurches, 
 which had been erected within the bound? 
 of the parish. 
 
 St. John's Church, Holloway, which ac- 
 commodates about eighteen hundred persons, 
 was consecrated by Dr. Howley, then Bishop 
 of London, on the 2d of July, 1828, and St. 
 Paul's, at Ball's Pond, on the 23d of Octo- 
 ber, in the same year. This church is about
 
 LIFK <»F BISHOP WILSON. 101 
 
 as large as St. John's. Trinity— the largest 
 of the three, having two thousand and nine 
 gittiuo-s — was consecrated on the 19th of 
 March, 1829. 
 
 The whole business arrangements had been 
 so admirably managed that, so far from con- 
 tracting any debt, a balance of one hundred 
 pounds was returned to the parish. Mr. 
 Wilson presented to eacli church on the day 
 of its consecration a beautiful comniuniun 
 set. His great anxiety was to secure efficient 
 clerfymen for them, and after due considera- 
 tion, the Rev. W. Marshall, the Rev. John 
 Sandys, and the Rev. II. F. Fell were ap- 
 pointed. The churches were soon filled, and 
 the work of the Lord })rospered. The good 
 vicar continued to feel the deepest interest 
 in them until his dying day.
 
 Clia})tcr ^kll]. 
 
 THE PEIVATE JOURNAL OXCE MORE RESUMED— MR. WIL- 
 SON's entrance upon his FIFTY-TniRD YEAR — HONEST 
 CONFESSIONS OF A CONTRITE HEART— ISLINGTON IN AN 
 UPROAR— CAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE — THE PBAYKB 
 OF FAITH RECEIVES AN ANSWER OF PEACE— A VOICE 
 FROM INDIA— DEATH OF BISHOP TIRSER— DIFFICILTT 
 IN FINDING A SUCCESSOR — MR. WILSON OFFERS TO GO — 
 HIS MOTIVES SCRUTINIZED — CONSECRATION — PREPARA- 
 TIONS FOE LEAVING ENGLAND — SETS SAIL FoR CAL- 
 CUTTA. 
 
 , E liave now brought down oiir nar- 
 [ ^ rative to the year 183(». On the 
 ffi-MEA 12tli of January, Mr. Wilson takes 
 ^^^uJ ^^^^ ^'^^ ^^^ private note-book once 
 more, and makes tliis record : 
 " Twenty-three years have passed 
 since I wrote in this journal. I can scarcely 
 say why — I believe that I ceased to write 
 because pride gradually increased, and I 
 could not even describe the state of my soul 
 without some inflation, which spoiled all." 
 
 Again, on the iirst of July, he writes in 
 this journal, in which the secret workings of
 
 LITE OF BISHOP AVLLSOX. 103 
 
 his heart are described: "To-morrow, if it 
 please God, I sliall conjplete nij fifty-second 
 year, and enter my fifty-tliird. What should 
 be my resolutions lor the new year i . Tull 
 me, O my soul ! Mlmt I ought to do, as it 
 respects my private devotions, my ministerial 
 work, my children, religious societies, and 
 the Church of God. 
 
 " 1. My private devotions ought to be 
 more regular, fervent, and spiritual— above 
 all, I ought to study the Bible more humbly 
 and prayerfully. 
 
 " 2. My ministry demands more simplicity, 
 sweetness, tenderness of heart, spirituality, 
 fidelity, boldness. 
 
 " 3. My children require my prayers, my 
 example, my instructions, and a steady, con- 
 sistent walk. 
 
 "4. The societies need carefulness to avoid 
 divisions, and to keep from needless interfer- 
 ence ; all must be open, straightforward, wise. 
 
 " 5. The Church of God wants a heart full 
 of charity, a single eye, and the simplicity 
 of Jesus Christ in all things.
 
 104 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 " I have, myself, to guard against (1) 
 pride ; (2) the lusts of the flesh ; (3) vain 
 and worldly reading. Give me, O God ! the 
 needful grace," 
 
 Once more, on the 10th of the same month, 
 we find'these honest confessions of a contrite 
 heart. " How can I begin my meditation ! 
 How can I enter Thy presence, my God ! 
 My thoughts oppress me. Tlie instahility 
 of my character, the weakness of my will, 
 my frequent relapses, shut my muutli and 
 make me miserable. I liave preached tliis 
 morning on the fall of David, from the words, 
 ' Tliou art the mani' But I liave more need 
 of self-application than any of my hearers. 
 
 "'I am the man I' the man unfaithful, 
 the man ungrateful, the man pioud. the man 
 living to himself — the man full of covetous- 
 ness, weakness, and corruption. O my God ! 
 have pity on me. Visit me with Tliy grace. 
 Give me Thy Spirit. Destroy in me tlie 
 dominion of sin, and set up the kingdom of 
 purity and virtue." 
 
 About the time that Mr. Wilson was
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 105 
 
 making these entries, all Islington was in an 
 uproar. The difficulty arose from an unin- 
 tentional error which had been made in the 
 election of the parish trustees, for which he 
 was in no way responsible. It gave occa- 
 sion, however, for the old spirit of opposition! 
 to show itself again, and several stormy 
 vestry meetings were held. The vicar's 
 friends were unwilling that he should be ex- 
 posed to the thickest of the contest, and the 
 senior warden presided in his place. We 
 shall not attempt to go into particulars, but 
 merely say that the agitated waves of party 
 strife ere long subsided, and when the war- 
 den, in his capacity of chairman, went to the 
 vicar to report, the latter replied to his con- 
 gratulations on the favorable result : 
 
 " My dear sir, I thought it would be even 
 as you had said, because I knew that God 
 heareth and answereth prayer. The moment 
 you left me last night, I sent for my curates, 
 that ' two or three' might agree in wliat they 
 should ask ; and when you were taking the 
 chair, we fell upon our knees and besought
 
 106 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 the Lord to give you a mouth and wisdom 
 that no adversary might be able to gainsay 
 or resist. Thus, whilst you were striving in 
 the plain, we were ])raying on the mount. 
 And this is the i-esult. May God be praised !" 
 
 " Ah, sir," said the church-warden, when 
 giving this account of his vicar, with tearful 
 eye and quivering lip, " ah, sir, he was 
 indeed a man of prayer." 
 
 Mr. Wilson had spent eight years at Isling- 
 ton, and thirty thousand persons had felt the 
 influence of his devotion to their service. 
 
 It had seemed a great undertaking when 
 he entered upon the care of this single par- 
 ish, but it was as nothing compared with 
 that which now awaited him. 
 
 In 1831, Bishop Turner, of Calcutta, died. 
 He was the fourth prehite who, witiiiu a 
 short space of time, had sunk under the 
 enervating climate of India. 
 
 It is curious to observe how Mr. Wilson's 
 thoughts had for years past been turned to- 
 wards the East. His interest in Bishoj^ Heber 
 we have already referred to. In 182'J, wlien
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP "VVILSON. 107 
 
 Dr. Turner was about to sail lor liis distant 
 diocese, he visited Islington, and attended a 
 meeting ot" the Church Missionary Society. 
 Mr. Wilson presided, and in his address he 
 assured the Uisliop that it", at any time, the 
 people of Islington could give or do anything 
 to benelit India, they were ready. Little 
 did he foresee how that pledge would be 
 redeemed ! 
 
 Bishop Turner had so great confidence in 
 Mr. Wilson's judgment, that he begged him 
 to make such su":<;estions as he thouj^ht 
 would be of use to him in his Indian Ei)isco- 
 pate— which request was faithfully complied 
 with. 
 
 Two years passed by, and Bishop Turner 
 liad been taken away, and India was calling 
 for another to fill his place. Such a fatality 
 had attended those who had hitherto gone 
 out (four Bishops having died \\ithin nine 
 years), that several who had been offered the 
 mitre, declined to accept it. In this emer- 
 gency, Mr. Wilson declared his willingness 
 to go, in case no one else could be found.
 
 108 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Does not the death of his devoted wife 
 seem desijjned bv Providence to break a tie 
 wliich iniirht have bound him fast to En- 
 gland, and kept him back from long years 
 of service in Indi.i i Let no man i>resiime 
 to say that it was ambition wln'ch prompted 
 the Vicar of Islington to ninke the ]»ropo8al 
 he did. lie was most ha]>pily situated, en- 
 joyed an ample competency, occupied a high 
 position, was surroundi'd by loving friends, 
 and exercised a wide influence. AVhat c»»nld 
 India ofi'er in exchange for these ? Those to 
 whom the appointing power was entrusted, 
 were sensible of the deej) respon.-ibility 
 which rested on them, and tluy made the 
 most anxious inquiries concerning Mr. "Wil- 
 son's fitness for so difficult and trying a 
 position. All were at last fully satistied that 
 he was well qualified for the office, and ho 
 was accordingly offered the Bishopric of 
 India. No further time was to be lost. 
 Nine months had already passed since the 
 death of Bishop Turner, and his successor 
 should be ready to depart.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 109 
 
 Sunday, April 29th, was fixed for the con- 
 secration. On that day he arose early, and 
 made this entry in his journal : " 1 am now 
 come to the beginning of this awful, solemn, 
 delightful day — the day of my espousals to 
 Christ iny Saviour — the day of my renewal 
 t»f my vows as deacon and priest, and of the 
 additional vows of siii>erintendent, overseer, 
 and Bishop of the Church of CaU-utta. O 
 Lord! assist mc in the piepaiation for this 
 office. Aid me during the solemnities of ilu- 
 day. Grant me grace after it to fullil my 
 engagements and jiromises." 
 
 At jtrayers with his family that morning, 
 he expounde<l St. I'aulV address to the elders 
 of the Church at Ephe>us, and wiih decj) 
 feeling and faltering voice a))plie(l some of 
 the verses to his own case. 
 
 "I also go to India under somewhat simi- 
 lar circumstances with the Apostle; in that 
 *I know not the things that shall befall me 
 there.' But his God will be my God, and 
 his Father my Father, and therefore none of 
 
 these things move me." 
 10
 
 110 LIFE OF BISHOP WILCOX. 
 
 The consecration took place in the chapel 
 of Lambetli Palace, the Archbishop of Can- 
 terbury being assisted in the solenwi office bv 
 Dr. Bloomtield, Bishop of London. Dr. Moiik, 
 Bishop of Gloucester, and l)r. (iray. Bishop 
 of Bristol. 
 
 The new bishop of Calcutta readied home 
 about five in the afternoon, and retiriiifj to 
 his study, appeared no more that day. The 
 following were his evening metlitations: 
 "Lord, I would n..w adon- Thee for Thv 
 great grace given unto me; that I should be 
 called to the ofiice of Chief pastor and 
 Bishop of Thy Church. Oh ! guard me from 
 the spiritual dangers to wliich I am most 
 exposed — pride, self-consequence, worldliuess 
 of spirit, false dignity, human applause, 
 abuse of authority, reliance on j.a.st knowl- 
 edge or experience. Lord, give me sim- 
 plicity of heart, boldness, steadiness, decision 
 of character, deadness of affection to the 
 world. Let me remember that the great 
 vital points of religion are the main things 
 to be kept constantly and steadilv on mv
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Ill 
 
 heart, tlien compassion for souls, then sini- 
 plicitv of object, iiud ulistraction from everv 
 other interfering claim; then a spirit of 
 prayer and supplication ; then learning les- 
 sons from atttietinn, when God sends it." 
 
 "We shall not attempt to describe the mul- 
 tiplied engagements which (jccupied his last 
 dav8 in Enjrland. Having seen his son in- 
 ducted into the living of Islington, and at- 
 tended to every other «iiit y, he left his native 
 shores on the llMh of .June, 18^2, in the ship 
 James Sihhald, bound for Calcutta.
 
 C^a^tcr Stbmtlr. 
 
 MAKING GOOD USE OF A SEA-TOYAGE— DAILY BOtmSE 
 ON SHIP-BOABD— INTEKESTIXG LETTER TO THE DEAN 
 OF SALISBURY— THE DARK AND BRIGHT 6IDE.S OF THE 
 PICTURE— DESIRE TO GLORIFY GOD — ARRIVAL AT 
 CAPE TOWN— AN UNEXPECTED VLSITOR — TKX DAYS 
 -WELL SPENT— AFFECTING FAREWELL— MORE DILIGENT 
 THAN BEFORE — SICKNESS BREAKS OUT — FIRST SIGHT 
 OF INDIA — LANDING AT CALCUTTA. 
 
 NY one who has experienced the 
 inconveniences and discomforts of 
 a sea-vovage, will be prepared to 
 V(2y give Bishop AVils«>n full credit fur 
 his eflbrts to be nseful during so 
 trying a period. The confinement 
 of the ship, to a certain extent, affected liis 
 health, but he made the best use of his time, 
 as will be seen from the following extract 
 from a letter to a friend : 
 
 'July 26, 1832. 
 
 " "We live very i-egularly. My day is this : 
 I rise at six o'clock, and spend till nearly
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 113 
 
 eight in my cabin ;^ then walk for a quarter 
 of an lioiir before prayers in the cuddy, when 
 I read and comment on tlie prophet Isaiah ; 
 reading and writing, with occasional walks 
 of five minutes interposed, occupy the moi-n- 
 ing till two o'clock; we dine at three; repose 
 in cabin follows till five ; at half-past five we 
 have evening prayers on deck, when I read 
 and comment on the Acts of the Apostles; 
 tea at six ; then come exercise and readiuir: 
 at nine o'clock, private prayer in cabin, with 
 my daughter and chaj)lain ; at ten o'clock I 
 am in my cot, with light put out. Our pro- 
 vision is abundaiir. Tliere were shipped, I 
 understand, thirty-six dozen of poultry, forty 
 sheep, forty pigs, one hundred barrels of 
 beer, one hundred and fifty Yorkshire hams, 
 and a cow to give milk all the voyage; be- 
 sides dried fruits, preserved meats, and wines, 
 including champagne and claret." 
 
 A letter to the Dean of Salisbury, which 
 we transcribe, will interest our readers and 
 furnish the best account of his experiences 
 on the great deep. 
 
 10*
 
 114 LiFi: OF iJisnoi' wilson. 
 
 ''Saturday, July 28, 1832. N. Lat. 4- 10'. W. Lonp. 
 14° 12', about 4,300 miles from England by 
 the log, and 400 miles from Cape Palmas. 
 "Did you ever see such a date, with so 
 many guides to the reader' But such is the 
 best method of giving you a correct notion 
 of our present spot. AVe are hoping to meet 
 some homeward-bound vessel as we pass the 
 line, and I write in order to avail myself of 
 the opportunity. We liave had a most lavur- 
 able passage thus far — not very quick, but 
 most agreeable; no storms, no heat, no calm, 
 no rain. We are now entering the trade- 
 winds, which will not leave us, as we Impe, 
 till we reach the Cape. The sea-sickness 
 was a mere trifle ; in one week we had over- 
 come it. But the real pressure upon the 
 mind and body is separation, the severing of 
 all bonds of nature and habit, desolation of 
 heart, the feeling of being alone and impris- 
 oned on the wild, barren, boundless ocean, 
 without the possibility of escape ; no change, 
 no external world, no news, no communica- 
 tion. Then, the diti'erence of diet, bad wa- 
 ter, bad butter, bad tea, a rolling cot by
 
 LIFE OF BISnOP WTLSON. 115 
 
 night and an uncasj ship by day, the head 
 confined, the heart withered, the capacity of 
 thought and prayer lost! These constitute 
 the privations of a five or six months' voy- 
 age, undertaken for the fii-st time, in the fifty- 
 fourth year of a minister's age, and after all 
 his habits and associations have been but- 
 tressed and propped up by parish commit- 
 tees, public duties, a circle of brethren, and 
 the endearments of a family. 
 
 "This is tlic dark *ide of the picture. 
 Revei-se it, and all is brightness, joy, confi- 
 dence in God, peace, anticipation, gratitude 
 for being permitted to enter on such a design, 
 and preparation for a future day. And all 
 the previous chaos of feeling has its lesson. 
 It constitutes a ' dispensation,' and draws one 
 inward upon conscience, faith, prayer. These 
 allure the heart out of itself, and, from the 
 sensible objects of discouragement, to God 
 and His sovereignty, omnipresence, all-suffi- 
 ciency, and then it arrives at peace, its true 
 felicity and end. I have been much reflect- 
 ing on the mysterious course of events which
 
 116 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 have led me to this cabin as a Bishop of In- 
 dia, compared with my education as a boy 
 destined for commerce, in December, 1792. 
 Then began that intercourse with my fatlier- 
 in-law, which led to my espousing his eldest 
 daughter in 1803, to the parish of Islington, 
 to the new churches, and t'roni these to Cal- 
 cutta. AVhen I trace back this order of 
 events, I am smitten with adoration at the 
 mercy and compassion of the Lord. If a 
 single link had been wanting in the chain, 
 the whole would have fallen to pieces. Yea, 
 my beloved friend, I look back, like Jacob, 
 to the time when witii my staff I ])assed 
 Jordan, and now 1 am become two bands. 
 To the Lord only be all the ]>raise ascribed. 
 My heart overflows with love and adoration 
 to my God and Saviour for all His mercies. 
 And yet other feelings perhaps surpass these 
 — a sense of huiniliation for my returns for 
 all these benefits. I cannot enter upon this 
 topic, it would defeat its object. But God 
 knoweth my heart. What a sinner before 
 my practical knowledge of the Gospel, :nul
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 117 
 
 what a feeble, wandering soul since ! One 
 more thought, however, equals, or ought to 
 equal, this — the desire to glorify God, and 
 fultil my duties in the Superintendence and 
 Bishopric^ now so unexpectedly entrusted to 
 me. All my past history should make me 
 the more anxious to amend, to rise higher, 
 to acquire more wisdom, to act with more 
 decision, promptitude, disinterestedness, and 
 consistency ; to believe, love, and obey, with 
 more elevated and aspiring motives than 
 ever. Nothing more easy than to nuir the 
 last scene of life. But to till it up with 
 dignity, meekness, discretion, holiness, sim- 
 plicity of aim — this is tlie difficulty. Lord, 
 help me !" 
 
 It had been arranged, previously to Bishop 
 Wilson's departure from England, that he 
 should stop at the Cape of Good Hope, and 
 discharge such Episcopal functions as might 
 be required, notice having been sent before- 
 hand to that effect. 
 
 When the vessel reached Cape Town, he 
 was sorry to find that these despatches had
 
 118 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 not been received, and no preparations made 
 for bis visit. 
 
 The Bishop was, however, received with 
 the utmost courtesy hy the Governor, and 
 arrangements were made to enable liim to 
 spend the brief period of his sojuurn to the 
 best advantage. Besides preacliing on sev- 
 eral occasions, visiting the schools, conse- 
 crating two pieces of ground on which 
 churches were to be built, attending a meet- 
 ing of the Society for Promoting Christian 
 Knowledge, and huldiiig an ordination, lie 
 confirmed three hundred persons. An aft'rct- 
 ing farewell address closed his labors at 
 Cape Town — when many followed him to 
 the ship, and with tears and prayers for his 
 safety, bade him farewell. The ten days, 
 thus profitably spent, were long remembered 
 with satisfaction and delight by the inhab- 
 itants of the Cape, and the Bishop found in 
 them a useful preparation for the more 
 arduous duties which awaited Jiim. During 
 the remainder of the voyage he diligently 
 applied himself to his studies, drew closer to
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 119 
 
 the missionaries and cateehists, who were 
 his tV'lluw-passengers, aiici began a course of 
 lectures in his privat' cabin, in anticipation 
 of tlie ordination at Calcutta. 
 
 Meanwhile, 6ickIK■^.s had broken out, the 
 Bishop's daughter being one of the suf- 
 ferers. It was a great relief to his anxious 
 mind when they reached the yellow waters 
 of Sangor — and, in <iuc time, the low nunl 
 banks of the Ilooghly presented themselves 
 to view. 
 
 When the ship cast anchor oft' Kedgeree, 
 a little steamer canTe ah»nir<ide, brinirin^ 
 Archdeacon C'orric and Di-. Mill — the former 
 of whom, having long kii.«wn the IJishop, 
 now hastened forward, embraced, and kissed 
 him, with the most tender aftection. The 
 James l^ibbald was towed by the steamer to 
 Calcutta, where the Bishop landed, under a 
 salute from the fort, on Monday, November 
 5th, 1832.
 
 €\mitx 6igbtl]. 
 
 THE bishop's installation — KIND ADDRESS TO THE 
 CLERGY — JURISDICTION OF THE RI^HOP OF CALCUTTA 
 IN 1832 — A WISE DIVISION OF 80 VAST A FIELD— FIRST 
 
 SERMON IN THE CATHEDRAL GENERAL IXSI'ECTIOX OF 
 
 SCHOOLS AND MISSIONARY SOCIETIES— THE CIVILITIK8 
 OF LIFE — bishop's PALACE — " KNOUOH FOR 8UX 
 months!" — MARRIAGE OF A DArOHTEK — TWO YEAB8 
 FOR ACCLIMATION — IMPOSSIBILITY OF PLEASING EVERY- 
 BODY — WISDOM jrSTIFIED OF HER CHILDUEN — PER- 
 SONAL HABITS — MODES OF GAINING INFORMATION — 
 FRIENDLY AND CONFIDENTIAL INTERCOURSE WITH THE 
 GOVERNOR-GENERAL — ATTENDING TO BrSIXES.S ON 
 
 HORSEBACK '' LORD W ILLIAM IS LESS OF A CHIRCUMAJI 
 
 THAN I COULD DESIRE.'' 
 
 HE same inorning tliat Bi^llOl> Wil- 
 son landed at Calcutta, lie went to 
 the cathedral, where he was in- 
 stalled* by Archdeacon Corrie, with 
 the nsiial ceremonies, about twenty 
 clergymen being present. He took 
 advantage of this occasion to make a bhort 
 
 <* A full description of the service of installation will 
 be found in the Life of Bishop Stewart, of Quebec, in this 
 series, p. 9-t.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 121 
 
 and affectionate address, in which he begged 
 an interest in their prayers, and assured them 
 tliat he wished to be regarded as a brother to 
 the older clergy, and a father to the younger. 
 
 The jurisdiction of the Bishop of Calcutta, 
 in 1832, extended over territories now wisely 
 divided into sixteen distinct dioceses. The 
 burden was enough to crusli any one wlio 
 should nuike the attempt to carry it, and yet 
 the new prelate of India was resolved, by 
 God's help, to do what he could. So little 
 had hitherto been accomplished in the way 
 of establishing great general principles «f 
 action, that he was obliged to proceed with 
 extreme caution, taking advice from others, 
 and calling his own good sense into constant 
 requisition. 
 
 On the 11th of November, the Bishop 
 preached liis iirst sermon in the cathedral, 
 choosing for his theme the language of St. 
 Paul [Ephesians iii. 8], " The unsearchable 
 riches of Christ." A large and attentive 
 congregation, including the public author- 
 ities, was in attendance. 
 11
 
 122 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 He next went round preacliing in all the 
 Other churches in Calcutta and the neighbor- 
 hood. He also visited Bishop's College un<l 
 the several mission schools, pre&ided nv.r 
 meetings of the Societies for Promoting 
 Christian Knowledge, and for the Propaga- 
 tion of the Gospel, besides writing letters of 
 instruction to Madras, Bombay, Ceylon, 
 Australia, aTid China. 
 
 All this while the whole society of Calcutta 
 was jjaying him the courtesies due to his 
 position and office, and he was busy making 
 a/rangements for taking possession of the 
 house which the Government provided for 
 his use. This was entirely unfurnished, and 
 when the Bishop first went to see it, he found 
 such a scanty supply of chairs and tables 
 scattered through it, that lie said to Arch- 
 deacon Corrie, to whom he had written from 
 England to have it provided with all things 
 needful, " Why is this ?" The good clergyman 
 replied, " I thought, my lord, that there was 
 enough to last for six months." As most of 
 the Bishop's predecessors had died within
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 123 
 
 this brief space, he concluded, in his sim- 
 plicity, that it would be foolish to make 
 arrangements for a lon<^er period. The 
 Bishop smiled, but immediately gave orders 
 to have the house completely furnished. 
 India was henceforth to be his home, and, in 
 order to prolong his days for usefulness, 
 he must secure for himself the comforts of 
 life. 
 
 Before the close of the year 1832, the 
 Bishop's daughter became the wife of his 
 chaplain — the Eev. Josiah Bateman — a mar- 
 riage which gave great satisfaction to the 
 devoted father. The new comers had been 
 advised to remain for two years in Calcutta, 
 in order to become acclimated, and they fol- 
 lowed these prudent counsels. 
 
 It is impossible for a man to please every- 
 body, let him act as wisely and prudently as 
 he may. Bishop Wilson soon found that 
 Calcutta was like Jerusalem of old. "There 
 were children sitting in the market-place, an(l 
 calling one to another, and saying, 'We have 
 piped unto you, and ye have not danced ; we
 
 124 LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.' " 
 Bishop Heber had been blamed for neglect- 
 ing etiquette ; Bishop Wilson was blamed for 
 observing it. Bishop Turner had been cen- 
 sured lor keeping no establishment, seeing 
 little society, being little known, and failing, 
 consequently, in acquiring that influence 
 which he had often needed in carrying out 
 his wise and practical measures. Bishop 
 Wilson was accused of ostentation for keep- 
 ing open house, for using hospitalit}*, and for 
 acquiring in this way valuable friends and 
 extensive influence. 
 
 But wisdom is justified of all her children. 
 His personal habits at this time were very 
 simple and regular. He rose early, and rode 
 on a small black horse, brougiit from the 
 Cape, which for a time was able to take care 
 both of itself and its master, and by an easy 
 amble gave air without eflbrt. Piivate de- 
 votions were succeeded by family prayers in 
 the chapel which he had himself fitted up. 
 His chaplain, from the reading-desk, read 
 the appointed lesson, and he, from his seat,
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 125 
 
 expounded it, and then prayed. A hearty 
 breakfast of rice, fish, and soojce (a kind of 
 porridge) followed. The morning was then 
 gi ven to business. At mid-day lie rested, and 
 generally slept for two jiours; and thoiigli 
 business M-ent on, he was never disturbed. 
 Eefreshed by sleep, he was ready for the 
 afternoon dak, and for any matters that 
 pressed for decision. The evening ride or 
 drive and the late dinner followed; family 
 prayers and evening devotions closed the 
 day. Good appetite and sound sleep, the 
 two pillars of good health, sustained him 
 during the many years of his Indian course. 
 He was indefatigable in acquiring informa- 
 tion. Every chaplain as he visited the Presi- 
 dency, each missionary when he called on 
 business, travellers like Dr. Wolff from far 
 countries, all civil and military servants with 
 whom he came in contact, were put under 
 contribution. No pains were spared, no 
 opinion despised, no advice rejected. A visit 
 to Dr. Carey at Serampore elicited many 
 interesting reminiscences of the early Chris- 
 11*
 
 126 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 tianity of India. A visit to Enssipngla gave 
 reality to the missionary work now carrying 
 on. A friendly conversation with Dr. Duff 
 furnished important information on the sub- 
 ject of native education. All was written 
 down at the time in a MS. book, and pre- 
 served for future perusal, enlargement, or 
 correction, lie was, in truth, thoroughly a 
 man of business. His heart was in liis work. 
 It engrossed even his morning ride and even- 
 ing drive. When others, weary with a sleep- 
 less night or breathless day, sought the early 
 bracing air or cool evening breeze, and felt 
 totally unfit for business, he seemed lit for 
 nothing else, and to like nothing half so well. 
 Join him, and the business of yesterday, the 
 plans of to-day, the proji)ects for to morrow, 
 were instantly brought upon the tapis ; and 
 the matters discussed alreaily many iimes, 
 were discussed at full length unee more. It 
 was thus he developed his ideas and fixed his 
 purposes. His mind was cleared and made 
 up, not so much by thought as by conversa- 
 tion. The repetition caused him no we^ri-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 127 
 
 ness. Business was liis recreation and de- 
 light.* 
 
 When Bishop Wilson first reached Calcutta, 
 he was received by the Vice-President, at- 
 tended by his aides-de-camp ; the Governor- 
 General, Lord Bentinck, being then absent 
 on a tour through the upper provinces. The 
 Governor-General, however, sent him a cour- 
 teous greeting, and after returning to Calcutta 
 in February, 1S33, he calletl on the Bishop 
 without ceremony, and friendly and confi- 
 dential intercourse at once began. They 
 were accustomed to go out on horseback 
 together almost daily, and much important 
 business was transacted during these pleasant 
 rides. 
 
 " Lord and Lady William," says the 
 Bishop, when writing to Mr. Charles Grant, 
 '' are a blessing to India. We differ widely 
 about establishments, etc., but what is that 
 compared to a difference, which might easily 
 occur, about the good of India, the interests 
 
 o Bateinan, p. 252, etc. Many ptissages taken in whole 
 or in part from this work, are not specially noted.
 
 128 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 of the natives, and the diflusion of Chribti- 
 anity, on which we are strongly agreed?" 
 
 And again, later: "Lord William is rather 
 more of a Whig, and less of a Chnrclunan, 
 than 1 conld desire, hut incomparably better 
 than the highest Churchman, if without 
 piety, vigor, and activity. Lord William 
 reverences religion and its sincc-re professors 
 and ministers, but he has prejudices against 
 bishops, ecclesiastical establishments, and 
 national churches."
 
 Cliapttr Pntb. 
 
 DETAILS OF LABOR — DIFFICULTIES IX THE FREE SCHOOL, 
 AND MEASURES TAKEN TO RECONCILE THEM — PUBLI- 
 CATION OF PAINE's "age OF REASON*' — LECTURES 
 ON THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY — CLERICAL 
 
 MEETINGS — THEIR EFFECTS — BISHOp's COLLEGE THE 
 
 NEW BISHOP DOES HIS DUTY AS A VISITOR — FIRST 
 ORDINATION IN INDIA — A HOLY WEEK — LARGE CON- 
 FIRMATION — THE "seven duties" — NOT TOO LATE — 
 AN AWKWARD INTERRUPTION — CONVERSION OF THE 
 NATIVES — TJlE BISHOP VISITS AN INTERESTING MISSION 
 —CHRISTIANITY AND PAGANISM SIDE BY SIDE — BAP- 
 TISM ADMINISTERED " GOOD, GOOD." 
 
 ^/(^^ HE two years spent by Bishop Wil- 
 son in Calcutta, while becoming 
 accustomed to the enervating efiects 
 of the climate, were very busy ones. 
 "We mu?t go somewhat into details, 
 in order to show the multiplicity 
 and importance of his engagements. 
 
 The Free School — a noble institution, 
 founded many years before, for the benefit 
 of the East Indian and Portuguese inhabit- 
 ants of the city, where three or four hundred
 
 130 LIFE OF BISHOP -WILSON. 
 
 children were trained for future usefulness — 
 had been much hindered in its great mission 
 for good, by unhappy dissensions among the 
 trustees. 
 
 At the urgent r --quest of all parties, the 
 Bishop consented to arbitrate in the matter. 
 Having made himself fully acquainted witli 
 all the particulars of the case, he brought his 
 worldly wisdom to bear upon it, and at last 
 succeeded so perfectly in restoring harmony 
 and peace, that he received a corTlial vote of 
 thanks for his kind and conciliating conduct. 
 All this was to liini a subject of grateful 
 praise, as every previous step had been a 
 subject of fervent prayer. 
 
 Infidelity had been active in India, as in 
 other quarters of the globe, in attempting to 
 BOW tares among the wheat ; and on the 
 Bishop's arrival, a copy of Paine's " Age of 
 Reason" was handed him — one of a large 
 edition which had been published by some 
 who professed to be Christians, for the per- 
 version of the educated and inquiring natives. 
 In order to counteract the evil effects of this
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP Wn.SON. 131 
 
 dangerous book, he delivered a course of Lent 
 Lectures, in the catliedral, on the Evidences 
 of Christianity, which were largely attended, 
 and produced a very decided impression. 
 
 One of the Bishop's first acts was to estab- 
 lish a series of clerical meetings, to be held 
 at his own house, witli a view to cultivate 
 more friendlv relations amonjr the clergy of 
 Calcutta and the neighborhood. Personal 
 friendships were tlius strengthened and pre- 
 judices removed, many interesting theological 
 questions were discussed, and devout prayers 
 offered up for the influences of the Holy 
 Spirit, which we may believe were abun- 
 dantl}' answered. The Bishop always opened 
 the discussion himself, after having given a 
 brief statement of measures in progress, or 
 completed, for the benefit of the diocese. 
 Each clergyman present was called npon in 
 turn to explain his opinion, and at the hour 
 of prayer all proceeded to the chapel, to 
 make known their wants unto God, and to 
 implore the great Head of the Church to 
 bless the labors of His servants.
 
 132 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 In 1832, although the buildings of Bishop's 
 College were complete, and the institution 
 was in operation, the }>upils were few and 
 the prospects discouraging. According to 
 the statutes of the College, the Bishop of 
 Calcutta was made a visitor, by virtue of his 
 office — all pecuniary arrangements being 
 supposed to be sanctioned by iiini ; and yet 
 60 many unpleasant difficulties had arisen 
 between the College authorities and Bishop 
 Turner, that he had quietly withdrawn from 
 all interference. Ilis more energetic suc- 
 cessor felt that this would be wrong, and he 
 accordingly resumed the position which law- 
 fully belonged to him, and by a cour.-e at 
 once kind and decided, he did mucii to pro- 
 mote the usefulness of this noble institution. 
 
 Bishop Wilson's first ordination, in India, 
 was held on the Epiphany after his arrival, 
 when two candidates were admitted to the 
 holy order of Deacons, and seven to the 
 Priesthood. As all subsequent ordinations 
 were conducted after the same model, it will 
 be proper to mention that during the week
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 133 
 
 preceding the solemn occasion, the candidates 
 were guests at the Episcopal palace— lectures 
 being delivered, each day, at morning 
 prayers, from one of the Epistles to Timothy 
 or Titus, of which notes were taken down 
 by tliose for whose benefit they were deliv- 
 ered. And thus the whole week was spent 
 in prayer, examination, and in familiar 
 instructions — a week which was never for- 
 gotten. 
 
 On Tuesday, April 2d, 1S32, the Bishop 
 held his first Confirmation in India. Four 
 hundred and seventy pei*sons ai)peared in the 
 cathedral, and participated in the sacred 
 rite. Of these, more than one hundred were 
 native Christians. Their numbers excited 
 great astonishment at the time, and no small 
 apprehension as to the effect upon those that 
 were " without." They clustered round the 
 communion rails, whilst the Europeans filled 
 the body of the cathedral. The services 
 were read, and the rite administered sepa- 
 rately. 
 
 The many confirmations following this 
 12
 
 134 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 first, seemed always to be attended with a 
 blessing. The Bishop's manner was most 
 impressive, and his words most earnest and 
 affecting. He usually gave two addresses — 
 one, hortatory, before the administration, 
 and one, jiractical, after it. The full assent 
 of the catechumens he almost always re- 
 quired to be repeated twice, and sometimes 
 thrice, till the church resounded with the 
 words, " I do." And in the second address, 
 he was accustomed to deliver seven rules, 
 which were to be repeated after him at the 
 time, and written in tiie Bible or the Prayer- 
 book afterwards. Subsequently they were 
 expanded and printed ; but originally they 
 wore short and sententious, as follows : 
 
 1. Pray every day of your life for more 
 and more of God's Holy Spirit. 
 
 2. Prepare at once for receiving aright 
 the Holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood 
 of Christ. 
 
 3. Read every day some portion of God's 
 Holy Word. 
 
 4. Reverence and observe the Lord's Day.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 135 
 
 5. Keep in the unity of the Church. 
 
 6. Avoid bad company, and seek the com- 
 pany of the good. 
 
 7. When you have got wrong, confess it, 
 and get right as soon as you can. 
 
 In many a Bible and Prayer-book through- 
 out India these words will be found written ; 
 by many a civilian, soldier. East Indian, and 
 native Christian have they been repeated 
 and treasured up. " Please, sir, will you 
 give us our seven duties," was the constant 
 request to the Bishop's chaplain after ser- 
 vice. A co^jy of them was always made, 
 and left behind at every station, for the use 
 of those who had been confirmed. Many 
 interesting, and some curious, incidents oc- 
 curred in connection with them, of which the 
 following are specimens : 
 
 On one occasion, when the Confirmation 
 was concluded in a large military station, 
 and the Bishop was resting for a few minutes 
 in the vestry, a young and noble-looking 
 English soldier hastily entered, and made 
 his military salute. On being questioned,
 
 136 LIFE OF BISHOP \\nL80N. 
 
 it appeared that he had been a candidate 
 for Confirmation, and was duly prepared ; 
 but, having been on guard, he was too late 
 for the ceremony, and came now to express 
 his sorrow, and see if his case admitted of a 
 remedy. For awhile the Bisliop doubted ; 
 but his interest was roused by hearing the 
 soldier plead previous knowledge, and say 
 that he had been a boy in the Islington pa- 
 rochial schools ; that he had often been 
 catechised in that church, and that he had 
 heard the Bishop's last sermon, 
 
 "Kneel down," said tlie Bishoji. He 
 knelt, and was confirmed, and admitted to 
 the full communion of the Church militant 
 on earth. 
 
 On another occasion, in tlie Straits, when 
 the Bishop was enumerating tliese seven 
 duties, and requiring the assent and pledge 
 of the catechumens to observe them, a voice 
 was heard from the midst refusing compli- 
 ance. An aged man had been confirmed, 
 of an eccentric character. " No," he said, 
 " he would observe what the rubric required.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 137 
 
 but would pledge himself to nothing more." 
 No difficulty, of course, was made ; and with 
 the surprise the matter passed away. It was 
 not the time or place to dwell upon " all 
 those things which your godfathers and god- 
 mothers then undertook for you." 
 
 The conversion of the natives to the true 
 faith was a subject in which the Bishop felt 
 the deepest interest, and whenever any mis- 
 sionaries had candidates ready for Baptism, 
 he was glad to give the sanction of his 
 presence. 
 
 On Whitsunday, 1833, he baptized a native 
 convert, who had passed through the various 
 stages between the dark regions of heathen- 
 ism and the purer atmosphere of the Gospel. 
 Afterwards, we find him going in u flat- 
 bottomed boat, hollowed out of a tree, to 
 visit the missions of the Society for the 
 Propagation of the Gospel, under the charge 
 of the Rev. D. Jones, and his catechist, Mr. 
 Driburg. When the little church-bell rang 
 out its cheerful invitation to assemble for 
 public worship, the beating of the tomtom in 
 12*
 
 138 LIFE OF BISHOP WILBOS. 
 
 a pagan temple hard bj seemed to breathe 
 defiance. 
 
 After Divine service, the candidates for 
 Baptism Avere publicly examined, and the 
 Bishop admitted seven to the ark of Christ's 
 Church, and then addressed them in an im- 
 pressive discourse from our Saviour's words, 
 " I am the light of the world," each sentence 
 being translated by the missionary. Great 
 interest was manifested, and now and tlien a 
 low murmur was heard of " good, good ;" 
 " true, true ;" " yes, yes." 
 
 During the first two years of the Bishop's 
 residence in Calcutta he witnessed the bap- 
 tism of one hundred and seventy-eight 
 natives — a number which was afterwards 
 largely increased.
 
 aptcr f cntlr. 
 
 tjifhappy ditisioxs among christians a hindrance 
 to the gospel — bishop wilson discourages a 
 bpirit of proselyting — establishment of infant 
 schools — successful experiment — extract from a 
 bengalee paper — the bishop's efforts in behalf 
 of steam navigation between england and india 
 — the wide space bkidged oveh by oriental 
 steamers — renewal of the east india company's 
 charter — the king authorized to make some 
 important changes in church affairs — bishop 
 Wilson's joy at the dawn of better days — the 
 
 DIOCESES filled, AND THE NEW MACHINERY SET TO 
 WORK. 
 
 HE unhappy divisions in the Chris- 
 tian workl present a great obstacle 
 to tlie more rapid spread of the 
 '>_p Gospel, and those who are called to 
 labor in heathen lands find their 
 dithculties much increased thereby. 
 Not only are the poor benighted pagans per- 
 plexed by the disputes among the disciples 
 of one Lord and Mastei-, but the missionaries 
 of different denominations often expend more
 
 140 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 energy in battling with each other, tlian in 
 wao-ing war against tlie common enemy of all. 
 
 Bishop Wilson thought, as the tield was so 
 broad, that it was inexpedient to encourage 
 any thing hke the proselyting of native 
 Christians from other Protestant bodies— not 
 only because it would occasion much hard 
 feelino- among the missionaries, but because 
 it might encourage persons who had been 
 disgraced in one congregation to seek refuge 
 in another. Much could be said on both 
 sides of such a question, and it is one about 
 which good men will conscientiously differ. 
 
 It had been a favorite plan with the Jiishop 
 to establish infant schools in India, as being 
 an admirable means for developing the na- 
 tive mind and character. Having interested 
 a number of influential men in the enterprise, 
 a subscription was raised of live tliousand 
 rupees, and a competent master and mistress 
 sent for from England. The school was lirst 
 opened, in 1834:, for the benefit of the nomi 
 nally Christian children of Portuguese and 
 East Indian descent, and every thing prom-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 141 
 
 ised well. The Bishop presided at a public 
 examination which was held in the Town 
 Hall, in June of the following year, inanj 
 induential natives being present, and express- 
 ing themselves as greatly delighted with the 
 exercises. 
 
 It was now determined to open a school 
 for native children, to be under the care of 
 the same master and mistress as the other 
 school, but in a distinct apartment. In four 
 months' time, an examination of native chil- 
 dren, from two to seven years of age, was 
 held, a large audience having assen)bled to 
 witness it. One Imndred native infants, 
 clad in the splendid dresses of the East, and 
 decked with the ornauK'nts of tlie harem, 
 crowded the platform, and went through all 
 the exercises usually displayed at home. 
 They spoke English fluently, sang hymns, 
 marched, clapped hands, examined one an • 
 other, showed wonderful intelligence, and 
 elicited universal admiration. No infant 
 school in England could have surpassed these 
 little briglit-eyed, dark-skinned Indians. The
 
 142 LIFE OF BISHOP "VVILSOX. 
 
 experiment completely answered. The Euro- 
 pean gentry were charmed ; and the feeling 
 amongst the natives, generally, may be 
 judged of by an extract from a Bengalee 
 newspaper published at the time. Thus 
 spake the editor of the Gyananeshum : 
 
 " On Thursday morning a meeting of the 
 Infant School Society was held in the Town 
 Hall. The Lord Bishop. Sir Edward Ryan, 
 Sir Benjamin Malkin, Sir J, Grant, Lady 
 Ryan, and numerous other friends of educa- 
 tion, of both sexes, were present. After the 
 business of the Society had been transacted, 
 the boys of the native infant school were 
 ushered in. They were about a hundred in 
 number. The postures they put themselves 
 into, at the command of their master, were 
 pretty and amusing. They sang several 
 English songs, and kept clap])ing the time 
 in good order. Tliey astonished the audience 
 by the expertness with which they answered 
 questions put to them in numeration, addi- 
 tion, the tables of currency in this country, 
 etc. All this was done, in English, bv tiie
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP A^^L80N. 143 
 
 Hindoo children. Tlie audience seemed to 
 he much gratified at their progress. The 
 Lord Bishop took particular notice of the 
 correctness of their pronunciation, which he 
 highly eulogized." 
 
 The experiment liaving proved a complete 
 succe s, tJie Bishop was anxious to have such 
 schools established throughout India, and 
 application was made to the '^ Education 
 Committee'' of the government to provide 
 funds for the purpose. The Committee re- 
 ceived the proposition with many gracious 
 words, and for three years nothing was done 
 on the subject. Meanwliile the native school 
 in Calcutta continued to prosper, but another 
 generation may pass away before the many 
 advantages of such institutions will be enjoy- 
 ed throughout the Avidely extended bounda- 
 ries of India. 
 
 But it was not only in religious and educa- 
 tional matters that the Bishop exerted him- 
 self for the benefit of society. Among other 
 subjects which engaged his attention was 
 that of steam communication between Eno--
 
 144 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 land and her distant provinces in the East. 
 In 1832 it was not uncommon for a letter to 
 be one hundred and seventy or eighty days 
 on the voyage, a most imtbrtunate delay fur 
 those engaged in business, and most painful 
 to kindred and friends living at such a dis- 
 tance apart. 
 
 Bishop Wilson felt that by .shortening the 
 long intervals of correspondence, the general 
 interests of India would Ite mateiially pro- 
 moted, and the Gospel extended under more 
 favorable auspices. The subject had been 
 talked about for some time, and here it 
 seemed likely to end, until he came to the 
 assistance of those most nearly interested, 
 when a feasible plan of operations was imme- 
 diately prepared and permanent steps taken. 
 It was unusual, indeed, to see a bishop pre- 
 siding over a public meeting where such 
 questions were discussed, but his rare gifts 
 of energy and decision, tein})ered by j)ru- 
 dence and common sense, were too much 
 needed at such a time to permit him to re- 
 main inactive. He did not cease to exert
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP M'lLSON. 145 
 
 himself in the cause until the distance be- 
 tween England and India was bridged, as it 
 were, by those splendid Oriental steamers 
 which have done so much to soften the neces- 
 sary pains of absence, and to insure, in cases 
 of danger, earnest sympathy and prompt 
 relief. 
 
 In October, 1833, tidings reached India 
 that a bill had been brought into Parliament 
 for the renewal of the East India Company's 
 charter, wliich also empowered the king to 
 divide the diocese, to erect Calcutta into a 
 metropolitan see, and to appoint two !?utfra- 
 gan bishops tor Madras and Bombay. While 
 Bishop "Wilson was ready to shrink back at 
 the bare thought of the responsibilities which 
 would thus be laid ujion him, his heart over- 
 flowed with thankfulness at the brightening 
 prospects of the Church. 
 
 " How can I tell you my joy at the pros- 
 pect of the suffragan bishops I" he says, in 
 a letter to an old friend. " How I labored 
 that plan before I left England, in June, 
 1832 ! The president, the chairman, the 
 13
 
 146 LIFE OF BISHOr -WILSOX. 
 
 Archbishop, the Bishop of London, the secre- 
 tary of the Board — all Avere assailed and 
 urged by me in turns. The two Mr. Grants 
 at first thought the wliolc plan iinpractical>le, 
 but ended (after three months' incessant 
 drives, and comparisons of plans, and refer- 
 ences, and delays) in the arrangement of a 
 bill, drawn by Mr. Groom, the solicitor of 
 the Board. 
 
 " Well do I remember Mr. Sinjeon saying, 
 that if I had been made Bishop of Calcutta 
 merely to carry that measure, and was never 
 to reach India, I should have done a great 
 work. My disappointment, of course, was 
 the more keen when Dr. Dealtry sent me 
 word last August that it had been found im- 
 practicable to bring in the bill that session ; 
 for on the Saturday, June Kith, when I dined 
 at Mr. Grant's, the first thing Earl Grey had 
 said, upon my being introduced to him, was, 
 that he highly approved of the measure as 
 circulated by Mr. Grant, and thought it very 
 reasonable. I then went up to the Bishop 
 of London, and with joy brought him to the
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 147 
 
 Prime Minister, when he confirmed what he 
 before had said. This took me to Mr. Grant 
 and to the chairman, to express my gratitude 
 and delight. I conceived, in fact, that tlie 
 thing was carried, and so it was ; for now it 
 is inserted in the charter speech, not as a 
 matter of debate, but as previously arranged ; 
 and probably the very bill drawn and ready 
 in June, 1832, will be passed now. And 
 how greatly are my joy and gratitude to 
 Providence enhanced by the very delay and 
 disappointment ! Mr. Grant's speech came 
 upon me as a thunder-stroke. I wrote off 
 instantly a long letter imder the first impulse 
 of joy. I have now heard from Dr. Dealtry 
 (June 23) to know my wishes as to the men. 
 I have proposed Archdeacon Corrie for Ma- 
 dras, Archdeacon Robinson for Bombay, and 
 Archdeacon Carr, now of Bombay, to be, by 
 my appointment, Archdeacon of Calcutta, 
 instead of Corrie. 
 
 '• I am advising Corrie to proceed to En- 
 gland instanter for consecration, and I pro- 
 pose to meet him, on his return, at Madras,
 
 148 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 and consecrate (if we are permitted) Robin- 
 son. 
 
 " My soul swells with thanksgivings and 
 praise to God for his vast mercy, not as it 
 respects my Episcopate, but the permanent 
 good of India. But I fear even to write to 
 you of these feelings, lest I should grieve the 
 Holy Comforter ; for Satan's grand assault 
 upon my mind since March 27th, 1832, is 
 elation, joy, natural spirits, eager pursuit of 
 a great object, a soul panting to stretch 
 itself to the length and breadth of my vast 
 diocese." 
 
 The bill passed Parliament August 2l6t, 
 1833, and reached India at the close of the 
 year. Considerable delay occurred in carry- 
 ing out its provisions ; for the expenditure 
 sanctioned for the whole ecclesiastical estab- 
 lishment was limited, and the Archdeaconry 
 of Bombay being tilled up, as we have seen, 
 the funds did not at once admit of the ap- 
 pointment of both bishops. Eventually, 
 however, all came round. Archdeacon 
 Corrie — one of those men whoso praise is in
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 149 
 
 all the churches, and whom the Bishop 
 deemed, for meekness and gentleness of 
 spirit, more like his Divine Master than any 
 one he had ever known— was recalled from 
 the visitation on which, with proper allow- 
 ances, now fur the first time obtained, he 
 hud been engaged, and sent to England. He 
 returned, in 1S35, Bishop of Madras. The 
 Archdeacon of Madras retired on his pension. 
 Archdeacon Carr was summoned home in 
 1837, and returned Bishop of Bombay. 
 
 All the dioceses were then filled, and a 
 new machinery began to work. It formed a 
 precedent of vast importance for a spreading 
 church, and has been followed, both in Aus- 
 tralia and in Africa. They also have now 
 their metropolitans and suftragans ; and 
 if ever, in the providence of God, these great 
 dependencies are separated from the parent 
 stock, their Church will still retain within 
 itself the power of reproduction and indefi- 
 nite expansion — still be enabled to put forth 
 great branches, and bear fruit for the healing 
 of the nations. 
 
 19*
 
 Cljaptcr 0:lrljcutl]. 
 
 THE WANT OF SUITABLE .^LACES FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP 
 
 A FEASIBLE FLAN FOR REMEDYING THE EVIL — ITS 
 
 GRATIFYING RESULTS A KNOTTY QUESTION WHICH LED 
 
 TO SOME DIFFICULTIES — THE BISHOP LOSES COSFIDKNCB 
 IN PUBLIC MEN — PREPARATIONS FOR A VISITATION OF 
 
 HIS DIOCESE I1I3 FIRST CHARGE TO THE CI.EKOV 
 
 DEPARTURE FOR PENANG — WHAT HAPPENED TIIKRK — 
 A FLOURISHING NUTMEG PLANTATION, AND ITS CLER- 
 ICAL OWNER — AN AMUSING INCIDENT — ARRIVAL AT 
 SINGAPORE — ITS RELIGIOUS DESTITUTION — SOME IM- 
 PORTANT STEPS TAKEN — PRESBYTERIAN SCRUPLES RE- 
 MOVED. 
 
 HE want of suitable Imildings for 
 public worship had long been felt 
 in India, and the barrack and 
 Ccx^)^ the ball-room had been the only 
 places which could be secured for 
 the purpose. No regular plan for 
 remedying the evil was propo^e<l until 1834, 
 when a communication appeared in the 
 Christian Intelligencer (then edited in Cal- 
 cutta by Bishop "Wilson's chaplain and son-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 151 
 
 in-law), suggesting that a fund should be 
 raised, by voluntary subscriptions through- 
 out India, of one rupee a montli — the man- 
 agement of the fmul being vested in the 
 Bishop, Archdeacon, and Presidency chap- 
 lain. 
 
 This plan, with tome modifications, was 
 speedily carried into eftect, and its results 
 may be gatliered fioni a brief extract from a 
 report published in 1857: "There are now 
 one hundred and twenty churches in this 
 diocese (Calcutta), including those in the 
 course of erection ; and to sixty-six of these 
 has this 'One-Rupee-Subscription Fund' 
 contributed, since its commencement in 
 1834, sums amounting to eighty-one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and thirty-eight rupees." 
 
 During all the time which had elapsed 
 since the Bishop's coming to India, we must 
 imagine him taking exercise every morning 
 on horseback, usually in company with Lord 
 William, and discussing important questions 
 of Church and State, as usual. The relation 
 of the chaplains to the Government and the
 
 152 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Bishop was one of these, and it had caused 
 no little disturbance and anxiety. 
 
 Having been formally requested by the 
 Government to define the duties of chaplains 
 at military stations, and to give his opinion 
 as to the degree of authority which it was 
 proper for the commanding officer to exer- 
 cise at such stations, he acceded to the re- 
 quest according to his best judgment, the 
 Governor-General fully agreeing with him in 
 his decision. And yet, strange to say, when 
 Lord William published his otlicial orders, 
 not long afterwards, he took entirely different 
 ground. The Bishop could liardly believe 
 his eyes when he read the paper, but after 
 having appealed, in several able letters, fmm 
 the decision which had been made, he sub- 
 mitted as patiently as he could. Few under- 
 stood how deeply his feelings had been 
 wounded, and how much his confidence in 
 public men had been impaired. Ilis private 
 notes, however, make some disclosures. He 
 thus writes : 
 
 " If, after consulting a bishop as to the
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 153 
 
 relative position of military officers and chap- 
 lains, and agreeing solemnly with the ex- 
 planations given, the Government can then 
 publish orders- in contradiction to that ex- 
 planation, and their own avowed pledge of 
 concurrence ; if they do this without inform- 
 ing the Bishop ; if they do it after having 
 communicated other points of difference, hut 
 concealed tiiis, what can a bishop do or hope 
 for? Where is faith or trustworthiness to 
 be found ? 
 
 " But, hush, my soul ! Silence thy human 
 reasonings and carnal complaints I This is 
 Thy hand, O my God ! and Thou, Lord, 
 hast done it. Is it not by Thy permission, 
 and for the spiritual humiliation of the 
 Christian, that the events of this world take 
 place ? Before Thy righteousness I desire to 
 bow, trusting that Thou canst reverse these 
 evils, if for our real and highest good, and 
 believing that Thou art calling on us to 
 cease from man and creature props, and to 
 rest ourselves entirely and unreservedly on 
 Thy Almighty Arm."
 
 154 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 The climate of India and the pressure of 
 business were producing tlieir effect upon tlje 
 Bishop's health, and he was liy no means 
 sorry when the two years were ended, and 
 he could enter upon a visitation of liis exten- 
 sive diocese. The serious illness of his 
 daughter, which rendered a sea voyage indis- 
 pensable, increased his anxiety to leave Cal- 
 cutta, and he accordingly requested that a 
 vessel might be provided for conveying him- 
 self and his suite to the various settlements 
 on the eastern coast, and thence across the 
 Bay of Bengal to Madras and Ceylon. 
 
 The primary visitation was held in the 
 cathedral, at Calcutta, on tlie 13th of August, 
 1834, twenty-one clergymen being present, 
 when the Bishop delivered his charge, which 
 had occupied his attention for several months 
 past. When his reverend brethren gathered 
 about liijii, he commenced his address by 
 saying, "That in tlie short space of twelve 
 or thirteen years a fifth bishop of Calcutta 
 should be addressing his reverend brethren 
 from this chair, is a most affecting memorial
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 155 
 
 of the uncertainty of life, and of the mys- 
 teries of the Divine judgments. As to man, 
 all is weakness and change. The pastoral 
 staff drops from the hand before it is grasped. 
 Measures are broken off in the midst ; and 
 we nmst look to the mercy of God alone for 
 the settlement and future safety of our 
 apostolical branch of Christ's holy Catholic 
 Church in India." His feelings were over- 
 powered ; all the circumstances connecting 
 together the past and the present seemed to 
 rush upon his mind; his voice faltered; he 
 paused in deep emotion, and was a consider- 
 able time ere he could resume his self-com- 
 mand. Then, continuing his address, he 
 riveted the attention of all his hearers, and 
 sympathy gave place to a feeling of deep 
 , solemnity. 
 
 ' The statistical part of the address showed 
 a considerable improvement in Church affairs 
 
 in India. 
 
 After the close of this interesting assembly, 
 the Bishop delivered a farewell sermon at the 
 cathedral, and early on Monday morning,
 
 156 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 August 24th, he embarked, under the usual 
 salute, and went forth on his first visitation. 
 The passage to Penang was prolonged by 
 adverse winds, and was rendered more anx- 
 ious by the continued ill health of his daugh- 
 ter; but on the 19th of September the vessel 
 glided into the roadstead formed by the island 
 of Penang on the one side, and the Queda 
 Country on the other. 
 
 The Bishop and his party landed inuiiodi- 
 ately, and were hospitably received and shel- 
 tered in the house of Sir Benjamin Malkin, 
 the Judge and Keeorder of the Si rait:?. 
 Nothing could exceed the kindness mani- 
 fested by himself and his excellent lady dur- 
 ino- the whole of the Bishop's stay ; and after 
 he left, his daughter, having derived no ben- 
 efit from the sea voyage, and being unable to 
 continue it, found there a home for numy 
 months, and remained until increasing illness 
 compelled a permanent return to England. 
 
 The real business of the visitation soon 
 be^^an, and all that could be done the Bishop 
 did. The chaplain was first visited in his
 
 LIFE OF BISnOP AVILSON. 157 
 
 parsonage, and the Bishop looked grave 
 when lie found attached to it a flourishing 
 nutmeg plantation. Words ot* caution only 
 Mclc spoken now, but the pursuit was after- 
 wards forbidden. 
 
 The colonel in command at the station, 
 wishing to show the Bishop all possible 
 respect, proposed that the troops should pass 
 in review before him, which was accordingly 
 done. This is rather amusing to think of, 
 but it was meant in kindness, and it was so 
 received. Having visited the schools and 
 hospitals, preached three times, confirmed 
 forty-eight persons, and administered the 
 Lord's Supper, he took his leave and em- 
 barked for Singapore. This is a free port, 
 to which merchants of all nations had access, 
 and the place had neither been famed for 
 morality nor honesty. As no church had 
 hitherto been built, and religious services 
 were not celebrated with any regularity, the 
 Bishop was very desirous to take prompt 
 measures for establishing a better state of 
 things. He landed on Saturday night, and 
 14
 
 158 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSr)N. 
 
 sent around notice of Divine service and the 
 Holy Communion for the following morning, 
 and of a public meeting for Monday. The 
 attendance on the Sunday service was large, 
 and all the influential people in the settle- 
 ment met on Monday morning, to discuss 
 the propriety of building a church. The 
 Bishop presided, by their request, and sub- 
 mitted a plan for raisiiig funds, which was 
 speedily adopted, and three thousand dollars 
 were subscribed before the adjournment of 
 the meeting. 
 
 The young persons who were desirous of 
 Confirmation were then called together, and 
 examined and instructed. A good many of 
 them having been brought up Presbyterians, 
 had some objection to the reference in the 
 preface to the Confirmation office to god- 
 fathers and godmothers. The Bishop decided 
 that, in all such cases, the natural parents 
 stood to their children in God's stead ; and 
 that this being, previously understood and 
 allowed on both sides, they might answer 
 conscientiously, and he confirm willingly.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 159 
 
 He then addressed them earnestly upon 
 the point of dedication to God, and on the 
 appointed day administered the rite. 
 
 Having consecrated the church-yard, and 
 encouraged the building committee to go on 
 witli their work, the first Episcopal visit ever 
 paid to Singapore was brought to a close.
 
 Cbapttr f iuclftlr. 
 
 MALACCA CAUGDT NAPPING RESULT OF THE BISHOPS 
 
 VISITATION — MOCLMEIN — YELLOW ROBES AND SHAVEN 
 
 HEADS — HOPEFIL PROSPECTS SPICY BREEZES FROM 
 
 CEYLON THREE WEEKS OF CONSTANT LABOR DAN- 
 GEROUS PASSAGE TO MADRAS — NARROW ESCAPE FROM 
 SHll'WRECK — AN ESPECIAL ERRAND, AND NOT A PLEA- 
 SANT ONE — THE CASTE QUESTION — NO MORE HALF- 
 WAY MEASURES — WINNOWING THE CHAFF FROM THE 
 ■WHEAT — TIME-SEUVING POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT 
 
 PROCEEDS TO TANJOBE " THE TRACK OF THE HOLY 
 
 AND BELOVED HEBER" — RECEPTION AT TANJORE — THB 
 OLD NATIVE PRIEST — SECRET ASPIRATIONS. 
 
 N the night of October 10th Bisliop 
 Wilson landed at Malacca, and sought 
 shelter in the old white Stadt-hoiise, 
 no one being there to -welcome or to 
 entertain him. " From the sublime 
 to the ridiculous there is but a step," 
 he said, with great good-humor, as he seated 
 himself upon an euip y box; and the next 
 morning, with his u>ual energy, all necessary 
 arrangements for the visitation were made. 
 Divine service was celebrated in the old
 
 LITE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 161 
 
 Dutch church, which the trustees kindly 
 offered to transfer to the Bishop if he would 
 consecrate it, and secure the appointment of 
 a chaplain. lie promised to do his best to 
 obtain a clergyman for them, appointed a 
 candidate for Holy Orders, as lay-reader, but 
 deferred the consecration of the building 
 until a chaplain had been sent. Twenty-nine 
 were confirmed, and thirty- one communi- 
 cated ; and after bidding the people an affec- 
 tionate farewell, he writes home in regard to 
 Malacca ; 
 
 " God grant that the spices and fragrance 
 of grace and holiness may equal the exqui&ite 
 odors of this place. But one feels horrified 
 to think that we are in the midst of pirates, 
 murderers, and opium caters — men of fierce 
 and barbarous usages beyond conception. 
 Oh, what Avould not Christianity do for these 
 poor creatures ! It is a comfort to think that 
 the rule of England is merciful and bene- 
 ficial compared with that of the Malays, 
 Mohammedans, Portuguese, or even the 
 Dutch, imperfect as our Government is. 
 14*
 
 162 LITE OF BISnOP -VTILSON. 
 
 May the spirit of real piety and zeal fill our 
 rulers more and more ! I am sure the 
 Bishop has enough to do, as well a^^ the 
 clergy, in beginning every thing ariglit." 
 
 The steamer now turned her course to- 
 wards Moulmein, and here it occurs to me 
 to recommend the reader to open a map of 
 Asia, and follow the Bishop in his journey- 
 ings. 
 
 All was new and strange in Moulmein, 
 which was part of the territory cedrd to the 
 English in the last war. Pagan priests with 
 flowing yellow robes and shaven heads 
 were numerous, and idols of gigantic size 
 sat in the temidos which had been erected for 
 their worship. A large body of English 
 troops were tlien stationed in Moulmein, and 
 many distinguished othcers. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton, the chaplain, assisted in 
 making arrangements for the Bishop's visit- 
 ation, which included an inspection of tlie 
 schools and hospitals, the consecration of a 
 handsome Gothic church, and the adminis- 
 tration of the rite of the " Laying On of
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 163 
 
 Hands." On the 2Sth of October the Bishop 
 took his leave. 
 
 " I have been linishing," he says, " the 
 last Sunday of my second year's residence in 
 India by preaching my hundred and fifty- 
 second sermon, before five or six hundred 
 persons of all ranks, in the newly consecrated 
 church of Moulmein. It is a beautiful struc- 
 ture, just such as Augustine built in England 
 at the conversion of the larger cities towards 
 the end of the sixth century. AVe have been 
 proclaiming the Gospel in the Burman 
 Empire, with Cliina on one side and India 
 on the other ; lihud and his monstrous 
 fables deceiving four hundred millions on 
 our right ; and Brahma with his metaphys- 
 ical atheism chaining down one hundred 
 millions on our left ; whilst the base impos- 
 tor Mohammed rages against the Deity and 
 Sacrifice of the blessed Saviour in the midst 
 of both, witli ten or twenty' millions of fol- 
 lowers. But our DrvixE Lord shall ere long 
 reign ; and Bhuddist, and Brahminist, and 
 Mohammedan — yea, tlie infidel, and papist,
 
 164 LIFE OF BISHOP ^^^L60N. 
 
 and nominal Christian throughout Asia, shall 
 unite in adoring His cross." 
 
 On the 7th of November the Bishop was 
 regaled with the sweet breezes from the cin- 
 namon groves of Ceylon, and a new and 
 beautiful scene was unveiled before him. 
 But he had something to do besides inhaling 
 fragrant odors and admiring lovely sccncr}'. 
 Many urgent matters pressed for settlement, 
 misunderstandings between the higliest au- 
 thorities of Church and State must be exam- 
 ined into ; disunion among the clergy must 
 be healed ; learned oontrovei*sies in regard to 
 two diflerent versions of the Bible into 
 Cingalese must be listened to, and a final de- 
 cision made — all this, and more, came upon 
 the Bishop at the very beginning of his visit- 
 ation. He exercised a sound discretion in 
 the settlement of every difficulty, and if all 
 parties were not satisfied, none could censure 
 him for showing an undue bias to either 
 side. 
 
 On Sunday, he preached to an overflowing 
 congregation, in the Fort church, and on
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 165 
 
 Tuesday confirmed one hundred and eight 
 young persons, the words and final blessing 
 being repeated in English, Cingalese, Por- 
 tuguese, and Tamul. 
 
 On Tuesday the Bishop held his visitation 
 and delivered his charge to the clergy. 
 These multiplied engagements were varied 
 by a visit to the Church Missionary Institu- 
 tion at Cotta, wliich he thus describes : " 1 
 must tell you of the exquisite drive we have 
 had through the cinnamon gardens for five 
 miles. Kotliing since the garden of Eden 
 was so beautiful — a vast field of green fra- 
 grant bush, with every fibre and branch 
 bursting with cinnamon. But even this 
 extraordinary scene yields to tlie moral fra- 
 grance of this dear missionary station of 
 Cotta, now numbering twelve out-stations, 
 four clergymen, twenty-one native teachers, 
 six hundred average attendants on public 
 worship, twenty-one communicants, nineteen 
 seminarists, sixteen schools, and four hun- 
 dred and thirty scholars. Our honored Mr. 
 Lambrick, after eighteen years of steady and
 
 166 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 holy labor, presides over the whole. "Will 
 you believe that I have been examining 
 native youth in the English Scriptui-es, 
 geography, history, astronomy, mathematics, 
 Latin, Greek, and Hebrew ?" 
 
 Fifty-five young natives were confirmed 
 here. Having made an excursion to Kandy, 
 the ancient capital of the island, where 
 Bhuddism was seen in one of its strong- 
 holds, and a faithful missionary was cheered 
 ill the midst of discouraging labors, the 
 Bishop returned to Colombo on the 18th of 
 ]S^ovember, in time to examine the candi- 
 dates for Holy Orders. Three days after 
 wards, the ordination was held, and soon he 
 was under way for Matura and Trincomalee. 
 At the latter place, the visitation of Ceylon 
 ended, liaving cost three weeks of incessant 
 labor. 
 
 In his passage to Madras, the Bishop 
 barely escaped from death, through the 
 mercy of Him who can rule the raging of the 
 sea. The condition of the poor, worn-out 
 vessel was so perilous, that the captain cried
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP AVILSOX. 167 
 
 out in despair, " I can do no more ; tell the 
 Bishop he had better go to prayers." Al- 
 most overcome with fatigue and sea-sickness, 
 the good man obeyed the summons, and hav- 
 ing read St. Paul's account of his shipwreck 
 (Acts xxvii. 13-36), his voice being well- 
 nigh drowned by tlie groaning of the ship 
 and the noise of the waves, he called upon 
 the Lord to deliver them . The Almighty, who 
 hears the supplications of His servants, made 
 the storm to cease. 
 
 At day-dawn, December 10th, they landed 
 at Madras. The Bishop had come here on 
 an especial errand, and he had looked for- 
 ward with much anxiety to the results of 
 this visit. " The Caste question" had been 
 the occasion of many difficulties in this por- 
 tion of the missionary lield, and it was con- 
 cerning these that prompt measures were 
 now to be taken. 
 
 "We can only explain, very briefly, that 
 while in Bengal, and elsewhere, the natives 
 who embraced Christianity had been obliged 
 to give up all connection with idolatry and
 
 168 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 its usages, greater liberty had improperly 
 been granted to the converts in Soutliern 
 India, wlileh had allowed half tlie evils of 
 Paganism to be retained under tlie name 
 of Christianity. The old distinctions of 
 caste were so far preserved as to mar the 
 solemnities of public worsliip, and to engen- 
 der envy, hatred, and pride — and all this had 
 been winked at for years, le&t any interference 
 on the part of the missionaries should alien- 
 ate larire numbers of their confjreirations. 
 
 Bishop Wilson was well informed in re- 
 gard to these things, and rejecting all timid 
 counsels and time- serving compromises, he 
 looked at the question simply as a matter of 
 right or wrong, and acted accordingly. In 
 the summer of 1S33 he addressed an earnest 
 letter on the subject to the missionaries 
 througlioiit his diocese, in tiie course of 
 which he takes the following decided posi- 
 tions : 
 
 " 1. The catechumens preparing /or bap- 
 tism must be informed by you of the Bishop's 
 decision, and must be gently and tenderly
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 169 
 
 advised to submit to it. Of course, the min- 
 ister informs tlie Bishop or Archdeacon a 
 week previously to the intended baptism of 
 each convert, agreeably to the directions 
 given by my honored predecessor, in his 
 charge delivered at Madras, in November, 
 1830; and this will afford opportunity for 
 each particular case being well considered. 
 
 "2. The children of native Christians will, 
 in the next place, not be admitted to the 
 Holy Communion witiiout this renunciation 
 of castes; their previous education being 
 directed duly to this, amongst other duties 
 of the Christian religion, no material diffi- 
 culties will, as 1 trust, arise here. 
 
 "3. With respect to tlie adult Christians 
 already admitted to the Holy Communion, I 
 should recommend that their prejudices and 
 habits be so far consulted as not to insist on 
 an open, direct renunciation of caste. The 
 execution of the award in the case of all new 
 converts and comnmnicants will speedily 
 wear out the practice. 
 
 " 4. In the mean time, it may suffice that 
 15
 
 170 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 overt acts, which spring from the distinction 
 of castes, be at once and finally discontinued 
 in the church; whether places in the church 
 be concerned, or the manner of approach lo 
 the Lord's table, or processions in marriages, 
 or marks on the forehead made with paint or 
 mixtures, or diiferences of food and dress — 
 whatever be the overt acts, they nmst, in the 
 church, and so far as the influence of minis- 
 ters goes, be at once abandoned." 
 
 The circulation of this letter produced a 
 great sensation. Many of the native converts 
 went back to their old ways, and congrega- 
 tions which had been large and flourishing 
 were suddenly reduced lo a mere handful. 
 It was a thorough winnowing of the chaff 
 from the wheat. The Bishop was duly in- 
 formed of all that occurred, and his advice 
 was freely given in all cases of perplexity. 
 His difliculties were greatly increased by the 
 cowardly policy of the Goverumeat, which 
 was disjtosed to yield to the remonstrances 
 of the natives, and to sufler matters to fall 
 back into their former state. Surely, England
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 1/1 
 
 paid dearly, at a more recent day, for her 
 unfaithfulness towards India, and her count- 
 less children sunk in ignorance and degrada- 
 tion ! 
 
 Bishop Wilson was not a man to falter in 
 the di-.charge of a plain duty, and he was 
 determined to abide by the decision which 
 he had given. While he remained at Ma- 
 dras, he delivered sixteen sermons and ad- 
 dresses, confirmed six hundred and seventeen, 
 and delivered his charge to the clergy, be- 
 sides attending several committee meetings of 
 different religious bodies. He also preached 
 twice in the church of the native Christians 
 of Yepery ; and ahhough to all outward 
 appearances a stranger would have been well 
 pleased with their orderly and reverent be- 
 havior, one more familiar with them could 
 not fail to have observed the old distinction 
 of caste in as active operation as before. Tlie 
 Bishop concluded to do nothing more to re- 
 strain this evil until his return from Tanjore. 
 Towards that place he now hastened, treading 
 in the steps of his predecessor, and accompa-
 
 172 LIFE OF BISilOP WILSON. 
 
 nied by Archdeacon Itobinson, whose society 
 was as pleasant as his experience was valu- 
 able. Madras was left on December 29th, 
 and on the 31st, at Atcherawauk, the follow- 
 ing words were written : 
 
 *' Our ten miles' march is over, out of 
 wliich I rode four on my Pegu pony. The 
 close of another year calls to consideration 
 of the end of life, usefulness, projects, de- 
 signs. The track of the holy and beloved 
 Heber is solemn and aflecting indeed. Poor 
 fellow ! Tlie thermometer, as he joui-neyed, 
 sometimes stood at 112 degrees; and even in 
 his tent, the Archdeacon who accompanied 
 him says they could not get it lower than 
 97 degrees. It was the very wcrst seat^on 
 of the year for the fcoiith (^March to April, 
 1826). Sir Thomas Monro again and again 
 warned him that the end of January was tlie 
 last moment he should have left Madras. 
 God's holy will, however, is thus accom- 
 plished in us and in the Church. Two things 
 strike me: (1) Bishop, lleber's budden death 
 was necessary to seal his doctrine, to awaken
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 173 
 
 all India, to turn his astonishing popularity 
 and loveableness into an attachment to the 
 cansu in which he died, to fix England and 
 India in one gaze of interest. (2) His death, 
 after two and a half years of residence and 
 journeys, saved him all the odium, misrepre- 
 senta!ii)n, conflict witii the worldly, envy of 
 the wicked, and jarring with religious socie- 
 ties. All was thus couleiir de rose ^ and as 
 to influence after his decease, he died at the 
 exact moment." 
 
 Early on the morning of the 10th of Janu- 
 ary, 1835, the Bishop esj)ied the pagodas of 
 Tanjore ; and at a ford over one of the 
 brandies of the river Caverv a large number 
 of native Christians and school-children were 
 assembled. The venerable missionary Kohl- 
 hoff was at their head, and crowds of heathen 
 stood around. The river was soon crossed, 
 and the Bishop immediately alighted from 
 his palanquin ; but before he could salu'.e 
 them, a hymn of praise rose on the morning 
 air, sounding most sweet from native tongue?. 
 When it was ended, mutual greetings were 
 
 1 r * 
 iO"
 
 174 MFE OF HTSnor WIL80N. 
 
 interchanged. The native priest Nyanapra- 
 gasen (the efl'ulgence of glory), eighty-three 
 years of age, drew near and Avas presented, 
 llis long white robe, comhining in om; gar- 
 ment l)0th gown and caesock, liainionizcd 
 well witli the snowy hair falling on liis 
 shoulilors, and gave iiini a most vcni'ialile 
 appearance, lie took the liiishop's ollLTed 
 hand between both of his, and blessed iind 
 for bringing liini amongst them, adding a 
 hope, that as Elijah brought back tlie stift- 
 necked Israelites to God, so he might over- 
 come the obstinacy of this people. 
 
 After a few more kind words, tlie Bisliop 
 bade them farewell, and hastened on to the 
 Residency, where Colonel Macleane and his 
 admirable family were ready to receive and 
 entertain him. 
 
 " Here I am, entering into this once flour- 
 ishing Church, O Lord, in Thy name, and 
 with a single eye to Thy glory and the jmrity 
 of Thy Go8i)el over all India. (irant me 
 Thy meekness, Thy wisdom. Thy lirmness, 
 Thy fortitude, Thy discretion. Thine address
 
 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 175 
 
 in treating with men. To Thee do I look up. 
 As to myself and Imiiiaii power, my heart 
 faileth me. For what can I do with seven- 
 teen hundred revolters and ten thousand un- 
 informed and prejudiced Christians? Lord, 
 undertake for me." 
 
 Such were the first secret aspirations of his 
 soul. We must leave further particulars for 
 the next chapter.
 
 Oaptcr f Irirttcntb. 
 
 MOST rNPBOMISINO COSDITION OF AFFAIRS LOOKING TO 
 
 GOD FOR HELP — SWAItTz's GRATE — INTERESTING 6KB- 
 VICES — EFFOICTS TO DRING THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS TO 
 A BETTER MIND JkURNET TO TRICHINOroLT — SER- 
 VICES IN THE MISSION CHCKCH — BISHOP IIF.BER — THK 
 CASTE QUESTION AGAIN — MEETING THE DIFFICULTT 
 BOLDLY — SOME CHANGES FOR THE BETTER — ORDINA- 
 TION AT TANJORE — A RALLYING POINT GAINED 
 
 HAPPY SIX MONTHS — SAFE ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA. 
 
 F FAIRS at Tanjore were in a most 
 unsettled condition. Large iiuin- 
 bers of na'.ive Christians had re- 
 fused to submit to the Bishop's 
 decision in regard to foi-saking their 
 old pagan rules of caste, and the 
 state of morals was deplorable. The mission- 
 aries had become extremely unpopular, and 
 every thing was as un])roiiii5>ing as it well 
 could be. Refuge was sought in God, as the 
 only hope, and the Bishop prayed most earn- 
 estly that he might be guided to do what 
 was for the leal good of the Church. Ilav-
 
 LIFE OF RISIIOl* WILSON. 177 
 
 ing held several conferences with some of the 
 native priests, catechists, and others, he in- 
 vited them all to attend service on Sunday, 
 and they promised to do so, if they could sit 
 according to their former arrangement of 
 caste. Permission was given tliem, on this 
 occasion, to follow their own inclinations. 
 
 On Sunday, the Bishop preached in the 
 morning to the English congregation. Di- 
 vine service was held in the Mission church 
 • — a hallowed spot, where Swartz and other 
 venerable men had ministered throuirh life, 
 and found a resting-place at death ; where 
 many souls, rescued from heathenism, had 
 been added unto the Lord ; and where some 
 of Heber's last loving words had been spoken. 
 
 In the evening, fi-om the same place, the 
 native Christians were addressed. The ser- 
 vice, necessarily, was in Tamul, and young 
 Mr. Com merer, who was a catechist, and 
 spoke it admirably, acted as the Bishop's 
 interpreter. Seven hundred and fifty per- 
 sons were counted, sitting, after their man- 
 ner, on the floor of the church, of whom
 
 178 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 more than three hundred were Soodra men 
 and women ; whilst uncounted crowds stood 
 round the doors and windows. 
 
 The Bishop's text was, '• Walk in love, as 
 Christ also loved us;" and he dwelt upon 
 two points— the love of Christ to us, and our 
 love to one another, lie was very aflec- 
 tionate and very earnest, and the etiect was 
 perceptible, the whole congregation was 
 moved. Towards the conclusion, he dwelt 
 upon the character of the " Good Samaritan,'' 
 as illustrative of the love we should bear to 
 one another. He described the meeting 
 with the " certain man" of the parable ; the 
 seeing him in distress ; not asking him who 
 he was ; not dreaming of defilement by con- 
 tact with him ; but meeting the present 
 duty ; pouring in oil and wine ; putting him 
 on his own beast ; taking care of him ; and 
 nil because he was in distress, and because 
 lie was a neighbor. 
 
 " And what," asked the Bishop, rising 
 from his seat, and with outstretched arms 
 bcndino- over the congregation which sat
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 179 
 
 beneath him, " what did our blessed Master 
 and Saviour say concerning this ? What 
 was his doctrine ? What was his command ? 
 What were his words i Go and Do Thou 
 Likewise !" 
 
 A long pause of motionless and breathless 
 silence followed, broken only when he be- 
 sought every one present to offer up this 
 prayer : " Lord, give me a broken heart, to 
 receive the love of Christ and obey his com- 
 mands." Whilst the whole congregation 
 were repeating these words aloud in Tamul, 
 he bowed upon the cushion, doubtless en- 
 treating help from God, and then dismissed 
 them with his blessing. 
 
 On Monday the Mission churches and 
 buildings were inspected ; the room in which 
 Swartz died, and all the other places of in- 
 terest, were visited ; and then another con- 
 ference was held, at which it was resolved to 
 invite all native Christians, who might wish 
 it, to private conversation, affording thus an 
 opportunity to hear their difficulties, and 
 help in their removal. Time would fail us
 
 180 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 to give even an outline of all the efforts 
 which were made to bring the unhappy 
 people to a better mind. The native Chris- 
 tians were in sore perplexity. They had 
 hoped that the Bishop would yield to tlair 
 importunities, but they found him both 
 kinder and firmer than they expected. On 
 the 2l8t of January he set out for Trichin- 
 opoly, proposing to defer any final arrange- 
 ments until his return. Stopping at a large 
 native station, called Multoopatty, he 
 preached, and administered the holy Sacra- 
 ment to two hundred and forty-SQven native 
 communicants, no foolish question of caste 
 troubling any mind. In the afternoon, six- 
 teen children were baptized. 
 
 " I^ever,'- says the Bishop, recalling this 
 day, " had I such grace given me since I 
 have been in orders, now thirty -four years, 
 as is now vouchsafed ; that 1, who am, in- 
 deed, ' less than the least of all saints,' should 
 be permitted to preach amongst the Gentiles 
 ' the unsearchable riches of Christ.' If God 
 carries me through this series of iluties and
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 181 
 
 labors, I may say truly, ' Lord, novr lettest 
 Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine 
 eyes have seen Thy salvation.' One such 
 day as we have just passed is worth years of 
 commoH service. I really almost wish I might 
 resign Calcutta, and take the see of Madras. 
 These native churches require just the care I 
 should delight to give." 
 
 On Friday, January 23d, lie reached 
 Trichinopoly, a place of fifty thousand inliab- 
 itants, where tlie beloved Heber died. 
 
 Here, the troublesome caste question was 
 again encountered. The Bishop preached in 
 the Mission church on the day after his 
 arrival, taking no notice of the Soodras, 
 who were clustering together in a group by 
 themselves, and who had not been near the 
 church for nine months before. They had 
 a native priest amongst them, and he, as 
 well as many of the congregation, being pos- 
 sessed of independent property, were appar- 
 ently determined to stand out. It was 
 necessary, however, that the matter should 
 be at once brought to an issue, for the 
 16
 
 182 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Bishop had but a few days to star, and he 
 would return no more. 
 
 Here, therefore, he resolved, for the first 
 time, to carry out the purpose he liad fornjed. 
 There was no hope tliat, in any ease, the 
 whole dissentient body would comply with 
 his wishes. The evil lay too deep, the prej- 
 udices and habits were too s?trong. But a 
 nucleus might be formed, round which 
 others might gather from time to time, and 
 to wliich all new converts might be added. 
 If this nucleus could be formed in eacli sta- 
 tion, and arranged upon the basis of the 
 Bishop's direction, then time, j>atience, and 
 watchfulness, by God's grace, would do the 
 rest. 
 
 This, therefore, was the Bishop's purpose ; 
 and to accomplish it, notice was given of 
 Divine service and the administration of the 
 Lord's Supper, for the very morning of his 
 departure. All seemed impressed with the 
 importance of the occasion, and the church 
 was thronged. When the Bishop, in his 
 robes, left the vestry in order to proceed to
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP AVILSON. 183 
 
 his seat at the communion-table and com- 
 mence the service, lie saw many scattered 
 groups of natives standing apart from the 
 main body of the congregation, who were 
 seated on the floor. Fully aware of the 
 cause, he joined one group, and taking two 
 native Christians by the hand, ])e gently led 
 them forward to a vacant place in front, and 
 seated them. Ilis chaj>lain, following in the 
 surplice, by his directions, did the same. 
 Others who were j)re.<ent were bid to assist. 
 It was all done quietly, and no sort of resitit- 
 ance was made. The Soodra sat by the 
 Pariah, and the Tariah by the Soodra, and 
 both were intentionally intermingled with 
 many of the authorities and influential 
 Europeans of the station. 
 
 "When all was quiet, the service com- 
 menced; and in the course of it forty nalivcs 
 came up, without distinction, and were con- 
 tirmed. Then followed the sermon, from the 
 words, *' Preaching peace by Jesus Christ." 
 When the holy Sacrament was about to be 
 celebrated, the Bishop quietly gave directions
 
 184 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 as to the mode of administration. A Soodra 
 catechist received it first, then two Pariah 
 eatechists, then a European gentleman, then 
 a Soodra, then some East Indians. The gen- 
 try of the station, lii.ving been much inter- 
 ested in the matter, had placed themselves at 
 the Bishop's disposal; and, at the special 
 request of the lady of the highest rank, a 
 Pariah knelt and communicated between her 
 and her husband. This lacilitated the ar- 
 rangement ; and silently, but most effectually, 
 the barrier which had existed for so long a 
 time was broken down, and one hundred and 
 forty-seven partook of the Lord's Supper, 
 without distinction. 
 
 A precedent was thus set. This was the 
 nucleus of the native Church of the future. 
 Every wanderer, every dissentient, might 
 join it; but always in this way and accord- 
 ing to this rule. New converts also, and 
 every one who was confirmed, would know 
 what was expected from them. Dead leaves 
 would gradually drop ofl'; these were to be 
 the new buds.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 185 
 
 Of course many Soodras had retired from 
 the church before the Sacrament was admin- 
 istered, and all had been free to do so. But 
 it was found that nine families of influence 
 had conformed, and were well content. 
 These, with the large body of Pariahs, were 
 suflicient for the purpose ; and the Bishop 
 thanked God and took courage. lie preach- 
 ed once more, and made a collection, which 
 Bishop Heber's death had prevented his 
 doing nine years before, for the Propagation 
 Society, and then took his departure. He 
 called at the missionary station of Boodalore, 
 in his way, and arrived at Tanjore again on 
 Wednesday morning, January 28th.* 
 
 Three days after his return, the Bishop 
 held an ordination, when four deacons were 
 admitted to the priesthood, and a Lutheran 
 missionary was made deacon. The next 
 morning was appointed for service with the 
 natives, and as it was the last time he could 
 meet them, it was anticipated with some 
 
 o Bateman, p. 381-2. 
 ■ 16*
 
 186 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 anxiety. The day began auspiciously by the 
 receipt of a letter from the native Christians 
 at Vepery, signed by seven, in the name and 
 on behalf of all, confessing past errors, and 
 promising unfeigned and unconditional obe- 
 dience for the future. 
 
 The morning prayers were read in Tamul 
 at eight o'clock; and at half-past ten all 
 were assembled for the sermon and holy 
 Sacrament. They arranged themselves as 
 they pleased ; a few sat apart ; but the greater 
 number were mingled together. About six 
 hundred were present. The Bishop did not 
 interfere, as at Tricliinopoly. Attt-r the Lit- 
 any, he preached t'win the words, *' "Why are 
 ye fearful, O ye of little faith ^" The whole 
 congregation seemed to remain for tlie holy 
 Sacrament ; for though some had retired, 
 yet the church looked full. The Kesident 
 and ladies of his family Hrst ap})roached — 
 then some Soodras and Pariahs iMtermin«:led 
 — then some Europeans — then natives and 
 Europeans mingled — then natives and East 
 Indians mingled — then one or two missiona-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 187 
 
 ries and natives. All was voluntary, and all 
 was perfectly understood. 
 
 The only remaining peculiarity — and that 
 was fairly allowable, and perhaps desirable 
 — was, that amongst the natives men and 
 women communicated separately — the men 
 first, the women after. The whole number 
 of communicants on this occasion was three 
 hundred and forty-eight. Of these, sixty- 
 two were Europeans, and two hundred and 
 eighty-six native Christians, amongst whom 
 forty-three were Soodras from Tanjore and 
 the neighborhood. Here, again, God gave 
 success. The number thus conforming cer- 
 tainly was small, as compared with the many 
 non-conformists ; but it was sufficient for a 
 precedent. It afforded a rallying point ; and 
 ,the Bishop was content. 
 i The result was better than at one time he 
 anticipated. Henceforth all depended on 
 strengthening the mission, watching over 
 new converts, and instructing the rising 
 generation. 
 
 Having delivered his " Missionary Charge"
 
 188 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 at Tanjore, the Bishop retraced his steps to 
 Madras, where he arrived on the 14th of 
 February, 1835, "iiaving spent," he says, 
 "the happiest six months in my life; so 
 much do I love missionary work." Ten 
 days were given to Madras, and by the iid 
 of March he was once more safely sheltered 
 beneath our roof, in Calcutta, having com- 
 pleted a journey of six thousand five hun- 
 dred miles.
 
 Cjyaptcr Inurtctntlr. 
 
 AT HOME, BUT NOT IDLE — CUANGE IN THE GOVERNMENT, 
 AND THE DEPARTURE OF FRIENDS — AN AFFECTING 
 
 DUTY LORD WILLIAM RETURNS HOME — PERPLEXING 
 
 QUESTIONS SETTLED THE BISHOP RESUMES HIS VISIT- 
 ATION — ENTRANCE-GATE TO THE SYRIAN CHURCHES — 
 BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THEM — SERVICES AT QUILON — RETS 
 OUT FOR THE INTERIOR-r-FREACHES AT ALLEPIE — 
 ATTEMPTS TO BENEFIT THE SYRIAN CHRISTIANS — THE 
 
 COLLEGE AT COTTAYAM BISHOP WILSON WAITED 
 
 UPON BY THE SYRIAN CLERGY — HIS CONFERENCES 
 WITH THEM — "never AGAIN SHALL I BEHOLD SUCH 
 A SIGHT." 
 
 LTHOUGH Bishop Wilson had 
 reached liome, it was not for tlie 
 enjoyment of rest. The atmosphere 
 of Calcutta was foggy, damp, hot, 
 and suflocating ; but he roused liim- 
 self up to bear the pressure of daily 
 duties, and many perplexing cares. Changes 
 were soon to take place in the government, 
 friends were departing for England, and his 
 own faith seemed sometimes almost to waver. 
 Lord William Bentinck had suffered so se-
 
 190 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 verely from the climate, that he had resigned 
 his office. His unpleasant difficulty wi:h 
 the Bishop was now forgotten, and the latter 
 said of him, " 1 verily believe we shall never 
 see his like again. Had his lordship been 
 educated in Church principles, he would 
 liave been nearly perfect." 
 
 Lord William's health had been so poor, 
 that he had been uiuible to attend public 
 worship for some time past, and a special 
 service was held for his benetit, wliicli the 
 Bishop thus describes : 
 
 "Monday, March \Oth, .835. 
 
 "Last night I had a most afteoting duty. 
 I performed Divine service for the first and 
 last time in Government House. A drawing- 
 room was fitted witli a high table, covered 
 with crimson cloth ; seats were arranged on 
 each side of tiie room; all the Court was 
 assembled — aides-de-camp, j.ublic and pri- 
 vate secretaries, physicians — in number about 
 twenty. My chaplain read the evening pray- 
 ers (we were both robedj, and 1 preached 
 from the words, 'Come unto Me, all ye that
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 191 
 
 labor and are heavy laden, and I will give 
 you rest.' I used Swartz's sweet notes, 
 as at Tanjore. I spoke and told out 'the 
 whole story,' as Joseph Milner would have 
 expressed it, addressed the conscience, called 
 on the infidel (such were pi-esent) to consider 
 his ways, invited the superstitious (such were 
 present) to the simplicity of Christ, and com- 
 mended the Governor-General and his family 
 and suite to the blessed Jesus durin"- the 
 voyage. They were affected to tears. After 
 the prayer at the conclusion, I pronounced 
 the benediction, and gave it a personal appli- 
 cation by going round and laying my hands 
 on the head of each kneeling worshipper, and 
 then returning to my seat and concluding it. 
 The Governor-General and Lady William 
 came up to thank me after service ; but they 
 were almost unable to speak for tears. Who 
 can tell what good may be done ? I suppose 
 it was the most affecting scene ever witnessed 
 at the departure of a governor-general. 
 
 "My own soul is subsiding more and more 
 into God. The excitement of India is gone
 
 192 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 by; the novelty has ceased; I have run 
 through the first series of duties; human 
 schemes and hopes are exhausted. Now, 
 blessed Jesus! I return to Tliee. Do Tliou, 
 and Thou only, work in me, and by nic and 
 for me, and througn me. Be Tliou only 
 glorified. Disphiy Thy grace in the efiects 
 of Thy glorious Gospel in the hearts of 
 
 men. 
 
 The day before tlie Govcruor-Gencrars 
 departure', thr Bishop was requested to ad- 
 minister the Ib'ly Communion at (iovern- 
 ment House, lie makes this record on the 
 ITth of March: "I iiavc perfwrnu-d the sol- 
 emn service. None were present Imt Ix)rd 
 and Lady William. Af er the Communion, 
 they sat down and talked over with me the 
 main things atiecting my department. Not 
 a word was ^aid of the ^ad business of last 
 June. Ihit every thing in matter^ of detail 
 was conceded to me that 1 could possibly 
 wish. I then embraeed each of them, and 
 bade them farewell." 
 
 And now a nunii»er of peri»le.\ing que8-
 
 LIFE OF BTSnOP WILSON. 193 
 
 tions whicli presented themselves, required 
 all the Bishop's wisdom and prudence and 
 decision of character, rightly to settle. 
 Archdeacon Corrie had gone to England, for 
 consecration as Bishop of Madras ; and ac- 
 cording to a very absurd custom which had 
 grown up, the senior Presidency chaplain 
 fully expected to be a])pointed liis successor. 
 Bi<hop Wilson determined tliat this course 
 should be abandoned, aii<l in tlie face of the 
 most violent opposition on the part of the 
 aspiring applicant and his friends, he gave 
 the Archdeaconry to Mr. Doaltry, then chap- 
 lain of the old church, Calcutta. 
 
 The relations between the Bishop of Cal- 
 cutta and the Church Missionary Society 
 were now definitely settled ; Dr. "Wilson 
 being unwilling to occupy the position of 
 subserviency to a committee of clergy and 
 laity at home, to which his predecessors had 
 felt obliged to submit. The " Select Vestry" 
 of the cathedral, also, who for years had 
 managed its affairs in their own way, were 
 taught that a Bishop had some rights in his 
 17
 
 194 LFFK OF BISHOP -WILSON. 
 
 own church, and that he was able to main- 
 tain them. 
 
 These temporary troubles, however, by no 
 means interrupted Bishop AVilson's ministra- 
 tions, and he continu'^d to i)reach with accept- 
 ance the Gospel of the grace of God, and to 
 exercise the peculiar functions (tf his office. 
 On the 13th of October, 1885, we find him 
 once more on shipboard, about to resume his 
 visitation. It was proposed to close the year 
 at Bombay, filling up the brief intervening 
 period by a visit to the Syrian churches, and 
 Goa, on the coast of Malabar. From Bom- 
 bav, the visitation would extend over the 
 upper provinces, and close at Calcutta, in the 
 spring of 1S37. 
 
 The little brig which the Government had 
 provided for the Bishop, bore him safely 
 down the Bay of Bengal, around Ceylon and 
 Cape Comorin, and then ascending the coast 
 of Malabar, landed him at Quilon, the en- 
 trance-gate to the Syrian churches. The 
 story of these ancient churches is well worth 
 reading, but this is no place to repeat it.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 195 
 
 Claiming St. Thomas, the Apostle, as their 
 founder, they liave preserved, through long 
 ages, the primitive organization of tlie Church, 
 and since Dr. Buchanan's visit in 1806, a 
 friendly intercourse has been kept up with 
 them. Bishop Middleton went to see them 
 ten years afterwards, and Bishop Heber cor- 
 responded with one of their bishops. ^Ye 
 have now to accompany Bishop Wilson, on 
 his visit, in the autumn of 1835. 
 
 Landing at Quilon, he preached, con- 
 firmed, and ordained, and then set out for 
 the interior, several boats, each rowed by a 
 dozen men, being provided for his party. 
 As they approached Allepie, a station of the 
 Church Missionary Society, the bell Mas 
 heard sounding sweetly over the waters, and 
 calling to evening service. Though weary 
 with a journey of sixty miles, the Bishop 
 preached to a congregation of about three 
 hundred native Christians, and then at once 
 retired to rest. 
 
 The Church missionaries, while laborino- 
 amongst the heathen, in the province of
 
 190 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 Travancore, were endeavoring, in a prudent 
 way, to correct some of the abuses which had 
 crept into the ancient Syrian Church. It 
 was a delicate task, but they had ah-eady 
 accomplished some good, and Bishop Wilson 
 encouraged them to hope for more. With a 
 view of countenancing and aiding this work, 
 he now proceeded to Cottayam, where a col- 
 lege had been established. A grant of land 
 had been made towards its support by the 
 Kajah, and an agreement entered into with 
 the Syrian Metran, or Bishop, that all his 
 candidates for the ministry should enjoy its 
 benefits. The Church Mi^sionary Society 
 had contributed liberally for the establish- 
 ment of that important institution, on the 
 condition that while the Syrians should have 
 the management of the land, the English 
 missionaries should instruct the studenis. 
 
 This arrangement, while very admirable in 
 theory, was most difficult in practice, and 
 what complicated the wliole matter still 
 more, was the character of the Syrian Bishop 
 — who did not enjoy a high reputation for
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 197 
 
 either morality or honesty. It, however, 
 formed no part of Bishop Wilson's plan, to 
 go beyond his own lawful authority, and it 
 was rather as a visitor and an adviser tliat 
 he had come to Cottyam. 
 
 Making his headquarters with the English 
 missionaries, he was waited upon by the 
 Syrian Bishop and a number of the centaurs, 
 or priests, and afterwards inspected their 
 churches, attended their worship, and, by 
 invitation, preached, with liis accustomed 
 simplicity and force. A special day was set 
 apart for holding a serious conference with 
 the Syrian Bishop, in regard to the afl'airs 
 of his Church, a full account of wliich has 
 been preserved.* The college difficulties, 
 the importance of establishing more schools 
 throughout the country, and the duty of ex- 
 plaining the Gospel to the people — these, 
 and other points, were freely discussed. 
 
 On the day following, wliich was Sunday, 
 Bishop "Wilson preached. " I have wit- 
 nessed," he writes, " the most affecting scene 
 o Batemaa's Life of Bishop Wilson, p. 431, etc. 
 
 17*
 
 198 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 which I ever could have conceived — two 
 thousand of the ancient Syrian Christians 
 crowding to hear the word of the Gospel 
 in the principal church at Cottayam — the 
 Metropolitan and about forty priests and 
 deacons being present. After their own ser- 
 vice, performed in their usual manner, I 
 preached from llev. iii. 7. S, for more than 
 an hour, the Rev. Mr. Bayley interpreting. 
 I dwelt on wliat the Spirit saith unto the 
 Church of Philadelphia : first, as it respects 
 Christ, who addressed the Church ; secondly, 
 as it respects the Church itself; thirdly, as 
 to the promise made to it. On this last head 
 I showed them that Christ had set before 
 them an open door by the protection and 
 friendship of the English Church and people. 
 In application, I called on each one present 
 to keep Christ's word, and not deny his name, 
 as to their own salvation. 
 
 " Never again shall I behold such a sight. 
 How can I bless God enough for brintrinsr 
 me here at this critical time ? for under the 
 present Metran all has been going back."
 
 C^apUr liftecntl). 
 
 HASTENING ONWARD TO COCHUf — IXTEECOTJBSE 'WITH 
 WHITE AXD BLACK JEWS — A WORD OF EXHORTATION 
 
 WHICH WAS NOT VERT FAVOJJABLY RECEIVED COX- 
 
 FIRMATIOX AT COCniX — VISIT TO SEVERAL SYRIAN 
 CHURCHES — GENERAL IMPRESSIONS CONCERNING THEIB 
 
 SPIRITUAL STATE OLD GOA — ST. FRANCIS XAVIEB 
 
 THE CITY OF CHURCHES MILITARY STATION AT BEL- 
 GAUM — SIXTEEN DAYS SPENT IN BOMBAY — PREPARA- 
 TIONS FOE A LONG LAND JOURNEY. 
 
 tARLY on Monday morning, Novem- 
 ber 23cl, Bisliop Wilson and his 
 ^ company returned to their boats, 
 
 and hastened onward to Cochin, 
 wliere Mr. Risdale, the English 
 missionary, gladly received him. 
 Amongst those who called upon him were 
 deputations from the White and Black Jews, 
 soliciting him to visit their synagogues. He 
 accepted the invitation, and after the usual 
 worship, in the synagogue of the White 
 Jews, he was requested to address some word 
 of exhortation to the people. It was a
 
 200 LIFE OF BISHOP AVILSON. 
 
 strange position for a Christian Bishop, but 
 he rose without liesitation, and spoke as 
 follows : 
 
 " Children of the God of Abraham, the 
 God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hearken : 
 
 " We believe, as you do, in tiie God of 
 Moses, David, Isaiaii, and Daniel. The 
 prophet Isaiah says, in one place, 'A virgin 
 shall conceive and bring forth a son,' and in 
 another, ' He shall be despised and lojected 
 of men.' The })rophet Zechariah says, ' Thy 
 King comelh unto thee, meek, aiid having 
 salvation.' The prophet Daniel says, ' After 
 three-score and two weeks, Messiah shall be 
 cut off, but not for liimself.' Now, we Chris- 
 tians say that all these things liave been ex- 
 actly fuliilled in our Lord Jesus Christ ; that 
 He has come ; that lie has proved His 
 mission by fullilling prophecy, by working 
 miracles, by a pure and holy life. Ilim, 
 through ignorance, your fathers slew and 
 hanged on a tree. You are still expecting a 
 temporal Messiah, with external splendor 
 and glory ; we say that the highest glory of
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 201 
 
 our Lord is exhibited in His condescension 
 and humility, in that, though He was rich, 
 yet lor our sakes He became poor, and 
 liumbled Himself even unto death for us men 
 and for our salvation. We pray you to 
 listen to these things. Seek for the Spirit 
 of God who spake in times past unto the 
 fathers by the prophets. Pray that your 
 hearts may be opened to understand and 
 believe the evidences of the Christian faith, 
 and the Messiahship of tlie Son of God. 
 There is salvation in none other, for there is 
 none other name given under heaven amongst 
 men whereby we can be saved." * * * 
 
 Eyes glanced fiercely and lips curled 
 scornfully as he spoke these words ; and 
 whispers were interchanged, as if each one 
 was confirming his neighbor in unbelief. 
 But no outward manifestation of displeasure 
 appeared ; and when the discourse was ended, 
 prayer once more arose from the desk, and 
 the " Bishop of Calcutta" (for the words 
 were plainly distinguished) was apparently 
 commended unto God.
 
 202 LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 The congregation was dismissed, and liav- 
 ing examined the parcliment rolls of the law, 
 the Bishop visited the synagogue of the 
 Black Jews, and then retired to Iiis quarters 
 at Mr. Risdale's house. On Tuesday, No- 
 vember 14, he confirmed seventy-five young 
 persons in the church at Cochin, and having 
 devoted the next day to a visit to several of 
 the Syrian churches in the northern ])art of 
 Travancore, he once more returned to the 
 brig and pursued his course. He thus re- 
 cords his impressions concerning this part of 
 his visitation : 
 
 '• I must pour out my heart, ere the im- 
 pression is weakened, now that 1 have com- 
 pleted my visit of ten days to the Syrian 
 churches. And first, I owe humble praises 
 to Almighty God that lie has granted me to 
 see the two spots I most eagerly desired, but 
 never thought 1 should be allowed to visit — 
 the southern scenes of Swartz's labors and 
 the Syrian churches. I have also been per- 
 mitted to visit them each in the most critical 
 juncture, and have, 1 trust, been enabled in
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 203 
 
 each to lay the foundation of important ser- 
 vice. I was yesterday well enough to write 
 out my sermon on Rev. iii. 7, 8, which Mr. 
 Bayley will immediately translate into Ma- 
 layalim, and circulate, when printed, amongst 
 the two hundred and fifty clergy, and one 
 hundred thousand laity of the Syrian Church. 
 The Eesident will, moreover, immediately 
 meet the senior missionary, and see the 
 Metran, and put things in train to meet my 
 wishes. God only knows what events may 
 happen ; but never in my life, 1 think, 
 was I permitted to render a greater service 
 than in these dear Syrian churches. But, 
 hush, my soul ! lest thou rob God of His 
 glory. 
 
 " Amongst the general remarks which oc- 
 cur to me whilst reflecting on these churches, 
 one is, that we have here an example of a 
 native ministry in primitive simplicity, living 
 for the most part in their churches, on about 
 eight or ten rupees a month (or ten or twelve 
 pounds a year), their dress white linen, their 
 food rice, eggs, and milk. It was thus Am-
 
 204 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 brose and Basil and Austin lived, allowing 
 for differences of climate. 
 
 " Another remark is, that we have here 
 the primitive use of synods and elections. 
 The Metran himself is chosen by the clergy, 
 two or three being set apart, and then lots 
 drawn. The congregation, also, approves of 
 the priest before he is set over them ; and 
 the deacons are nominated in the first in- 
 stance by lay pereons. For all great mat- 
 ters, bishop, priests, and chief laity meet in 
 synods. 
 
 "Another primitive custom is, tiie number 
 of priests and deacons who live at each 
 church. There are generally six or seven ; 
 and as, from their j>overty, they are fre- 
 quently unmarried, they live upon the fees. 
 This leads to abuse. 
 
 " Another trait is, the high reverence of 
 the people for the sacred office. They dis- 
 tinguish between the bad character of the 
 present Metran and his office. This rever- 
 ence doubtless partakes of supei"stitiou. 
 
 " It is a further peculiarity, that each Me-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP AVILSON. 205 
 
 tran or Metropolitan consecrates his successor 
 early, and then dismisses him to the most 
 distant part of his diocese, to live retired in 
 one of the churches, without allowing him 
 the power of ordination or the privilege of 
 jurisdiction. Tliis is to keep up the apostol- 
 ical succession. 
 
 " Once more. Ecclesiastical and civil suits 
 are brought before the bishop, while criminal 
 cases go before the ruling powers, according 
 to St. PanTs directions to the Corinthians. 
 This is, however, giving way in civil matters, 
 but the ecclesiastical power is complete. 
 
 " Affain. This is now the onlv Church, so 
 far as I know, that professes to be governed 
 by the decrees of the Council of Nice, and 
 enforces on her priests, at ordination, obe- 
 dience to its canons. 
 
 " As to the Nestorian and Jacobite errors, 
 they seem to know nothing about them, 
 though the liturgies now in use amongst 
 them employ ceriainly the Jacobite terms." 
 
 The Bishop's next halting-place was Goa — 
 the only renmant of the Portuguese domin- 
 18
 
 206 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 ions in India, and the head-quarters of Ro- 
 manism. The Bombay Government had 
 announced his coming, and requested that 
 he might be received with becoming cour- 
 tesy. This request was more than granted, 
 and every kindness was shown him. Free 
 access was given to the many inj\gniticent 
 churches, and he visited the tomb of St. 
 Francis Xavier on the high festival day set 
 apart to his memory. The following page 
 from the Bishop's journal is worth pre- 
 serving : 
 
 "Old Goa, Convkyt of th« ArorsnrfKS, | 
 Thursday, Decembn M, \K\b. ) 
 
 "Here, in the very building where Dr. 
 Buchanan, in ISOS, wrote those touching 
 memoranda about Goa, which tilled England 
 afterwards with indignation at the Inquisi- 
 tion, I am sitting, witli mixed feelings of 
 admiration, grief, and joy. I see some etiecta 
 of that eminent man's labors. A tew years 
 after he wrote, the Inquisition, by tho inter- 
 ference of England, was abolished; and in 
 1830 the entire building was levelled with
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 207 
 
 the ground. I have been walking over tlie 
 ruins, and it was with ditticultj I was pulled 
 up the mounds of overgrown fragments. I 
 looked round on the vast masses with wonder 
 at the mysteries of Providence in the wvv- 
 throw of this monstrous usurpation. The 
 dungeons. were inaccessible, and, indeed, the 
 long, lank, wild herbage springing up all 
 abi)ut, rendered the separate divisions of the 
 building indistinct. It seems to have been a 
 quadrangle, with an interior court und clois- 
 ters. It adjoined the cathedral and arclji- 
 episcopal j)alace, and is an emblem now, as I 
 hupe, of ihe fall of the kindred establish- 
 ments of an apostate church in Europe. 
 
 **Thi8 was, as Dr. Buchanan well expresses 
 it, the City of Churches. In 15UU there 
 were one hundred and litty thousand Chri.- 
 tians in comnmnion with the Church <.!' 
 liome. Now the number of communicants 
 in the cathedral and ditferent parish churches 
 is about two hundred. As the power of 
 Portugal sank before the Dutch in 1(J6U, and 
 was at length annihilated bv the British su-
 
 208 LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 premacy, Goa gradually lust its influence 
 It then became, and was discovered to be, 
 unhealthy. Thus it was deserted, and so 
 remains. 
 
 " I have been breakfasting in the cloisters, 
 on provisions brought by Archdeacon Carr, 
 of Bombay, who has joined ns, and Captain 
 Le Mesurer, who is appointed to command 
 our escort. On either side 1 liad a monk ; 
 one held ottice in the convent, and spoke a 
 little French. I told him how I admired St. 
 Austin, and liad read only a few days since 
 an abridgment of his ' Confessions.' I said, 
 ' We Protestants believe in Jesus Christ as 
 St. Austin did, though you think we are 
 atheists. Ko ; we know we are sinners, and 
 we humbly trust in the merits and death of 
 the Son of God.' 'Je ne suis pas J6suite, 
 moi ; mais je suis Jesus, ^'on sum Jesuita; 
 sed ego sequor Jesum.' They assented." 
 
 On the otli of December the Bishop let\ 
 Goa (having returned his best acknowledg- 
 ments for the kindness which had been ex- 
 tended to him), and jiaid a hasty visit to
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 209 
 
 the military station at Belgaum, where he 
 preached on the next day to a thousand Eu- 
 ropean troops, and o:i Monday confirmed and 
 administered the JJnly Coninmnion. Five 
 days more brought him to Bombay. Land- 
 iug early on Sunday morniug, he rode at 
 once to St. Thomas' church, and having 
 preached to a large congregation, he was 
 invited to make his home with his old friend, 
 Sir Eobert Grant, the -Governor. Sixteen 
 days were spent in Bombay, where all things 
 \vere found at peace. The usual sermons, 
 confirmations, school examinations, and com- 
 mittee meetings took place. 
 
 On the 23d of December the Bishop deliv- 
 ered a charge to the clergy, and then began 
 his i)reparations for a long journey through 
 the upper provinces of India. It was of 
 great importance to reach the IlimaUiya 
 Mountains, and obtain slielter there before 
 the hot weather set in; and this involved a 
 succession of one hundred marches, and a 
 distance of fifteen hundred miles, through 
 countries in many parts unsettled, and by no 
 18*
 
 210 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 means safe. From the commissariat stores 
 of the government, elephants, camels, hack- 
 eries or country carts, and tents, with their 
 attendants, were furnished willingly ; but 
 each one of the party had to provide for 
 himself servants, bearers, palanquins, horses, 
 and all the many contrivances essential to 
 comfort, and indeed to health, upon a long 
 land journey in India. The camp was gra- 
 dually formed and sent forward, and soon 
 afterwards the Bishop took leave of his kind 
 friends at Bombay, and set out on his toil- 
 some way.
 
 POOKAH AND KIKKEE — XEW YEAR's BLES3INQ READY 
 
 FOR MARCIIIXG IIOKSE AND FOOT — THE SEPOY GUARD 
 
 — ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS — TEMPERANCE LECTURE 
 
 ENTERS THE TERRITORIES OF THE NIZAM — A NICE 
 CHURCH, BUT ONE SELDOM USED — THE EFFECTS OF 
 PLAIN PREACHING, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES — 
 LAY-READING RECOM.MENDED — THE BISUOP OF MADRAS 
 SENDS A WARNING WHICH IS UNHEEDED — BRAVING 
 DANGERS — STANDING UP FOR THE ORDER OF THE 
 OHUBCn. 
 
 HE last day of the old year and the 
 lirst day of the new were passed by 
 Bishop Wilson at the great military 
 ^i^i^"-. stations of Poonah and Kirkee. 
 
 He thus records his reflections 
 there : 
 
 " PooNAii, December 31, 1835. 
 
 "We arrived at this ancient seat of the 
 Mahratta Empire at Ave o'clock this morn- 
 ing. It is an immense cantonment. It has 
 been fearfully cold. At eight o'clock yester- 
 day morning, the thermometer was 54°. The 
 fine old Mahratta commander of the thirty
 
 212 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 horsemen who form ray escort, and ride 
 peaceably beside my palanquin, was a cele- 
 brated officer under the Peiswah's govern- 
 ment, and fought most fiercely against the 
 English only eighteen years since. The 
 tremendous character of these Mali rat t as re- 
 mains, though they are subdued. My com- 
 mander came to be introduced to me this 
 morning, bedizened with gold. lie had a 
 dark, jutting countenance, eyes tierce and 
 prominent, mustaches black as jet, sword 
 sheathed by his side. This Poonah, with 
 Ahmedabad, was one of the scerR'S of the 
 acute negotiations of the Duke of Wellington 
 in 1803. Even at present, no Mahratta is al- 
 lowed to go to Bombay without special license. 
 
 "January 1. 183<i. 
 
 " A happy, happy new year to my dearest 
 family. A bishop's and a father's blesting 
 rest upon you all. Be encouraged in the 
 good ways of the Lord. Let us grow in 
 grace, and in the knowledge (which includes, 
 in inspired language, faith and love) of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let deep,
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP ■WILSON. 213 
 
 unaffected, heartfelt humility before God, 
 silence, dread of human applause, a willing- 
 ness to be unknown, a sole reference to the 
 approbation of God the great final Judge, an 
 independence of the frown or flattery of the 
 religious world, be our constant aim. May 
 all this increase in us this new year, im- 
 mensely ditiicult as eacli part of it is." 
 
 On new year's day the Bishop preached 
 to five hundred soldiers at Kirkee, and on the 
 day following in the handsome church at 
 Poonah. A Confirmation closed his services 
 at tiiese important stations. By the 4th of 
 January all things were in readiness for the 
 march to Simlah, and the Bishop, accom- 
 panied by Archdeacon Carr, his chaplain, 
 captain, and doctor, began his patriarchal 
 lite. Two hundred and seventy persons 
 accompanied him, and formed a motley 
 group of all ranks and callings. First came 
 the soldiers, horse and foot, the former as a 
 guard of honor, but still calculated to render 
 good service ; the latter as a defence in a 
 district full of thieves.
 
 214 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 The commander of the horsemen has been 
 already described. The men were in strict 
 accord with him— wild and undisciplined 
 Mahrattas, full of fire and pride. They 
 received British pay, but each wore his own 
 dress, provided his own horse, and chose his 
 own weapons. The dress was fanciful, and 
 composed of mingled colors of red, yellow, 
 blue, and white, with a small turban set 
 jauntily upon the head ; the horse was 
 active, but full of vice, and incapable of long 
 continued service ; the weapons consisted of 
 a long gun, a spear, several swords, and 
 pistols ad libitum. These troopers served to 
 carry messages and procure guides. 
 
 The Sepoys, on the other hand, guarded 
 the camp at night. Without such precau- 
 tion in this part of India, few could escape 
 being pillaged. A naked man, with hair 
 shaved close, and skin dark us the niglit, 
 would glide beneath the cords, cut an open- 
 ing in the canvass, and strip the tent. All 
 would be conveyed away so silently and 
 imperceptibly, that the inmates, however
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 215 
 
 numerous, would be unconscious of the 
 wrong till the morning light revealed it. 
 Nay, instances were common of the very 
 sheets of the bed being taken from under the 
 sleeper. A tickling feather sufficed, without 
 awaking, to cause a restless movement, and 
 this admitted of a pull. Then came a pause ; 
 after which the process is repeated again 
 and again, till the object was attained. And 
 if from any sudden cause tlie sleeper awaken- 
 ed, and discovering, attempted to seize the 
 thief, a greased body, and a sharp dagger 
 fixed outside the elbow, insured escape. A 
 party who came across the Bishop's route 
 aflbrded an illustration of all this. They 
 asked to be allowed to j)itch their tents close 
 to his guard of soldiers, for the better secu- 
 rity. They were willingly allowed to do so, 
 but in the morning there came a message to 
 beg for clothes, since husband, wife, child, 
 and nurse had been robbed of almost all. 
 
 But besides the troops thus needed for 
 honor and for safety, each individual of the 
 Bisliop's party was provided with a full set
 
 216- LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 of bearers (for no delays were to be met with 
 in these parts) for carrying the pahanquin, 
 and running into stations for the Sundays; 
 whilst each hackery, elephant, camel, bul- 
 lock, and pony had one or more attendants, 
 with wives and families accompanying them. 
 Soon all things fell into order. Each person 
 in the encampment found his proper place, 
 and moved on, day by day, without friction. 
 
 Lens before dawn the summons to aj'ise 
 and depart was heard ; and if the sleeper 
 hesitated, the tapping of his teiit-pegs and 
 the collapse of the canvass covering presaged 
 a catastrophe. A cup of coffee was ready at 
 his call; his horse stood at the tent-door; 
 one after another joined the single file, fol- 
 lowing the troopers and the guide, and keep- 
 ing close together, lest from the high jungle 
 on either side a tiger should make his spring. 
 Five or six miles were thus slowly passed ; 
 and when the sun arose, the Bishop finished 
 the march of ten or twelve miles in his 
 palanquin, and the others on the gallop. 
 
 Arrived at the new encampment, a second
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 217 
 
 set of tents, fac-similes of those just left, stood 
 pitched in the same external order as on the 
 day before ; whilst the proper occupant, on 
 entering, found his table, chair, book, writ- 
 ing-case, and pencil arranged precisely as 
 when sleep had closed his eyes on the pre- 
 vious night. All remained the same, but in 
 another scene, and under another sky. Some 
 hours after, the elephants, camels, and carts 
 came up, bringing the tents and baggage. 
 Then daily food was sought, followed by the 
 morning's quiet, the mid day meal, the even- 
 ing stroll. 
 
 In this style the Bishop made his visitation 
 through this part of India. Divine service 
 and a Confirmation were held at the station 
 called Ahniednuiz:icur, where the breach is 
 still seen which Wolliiigtou's great guns 
 made in its strong walls. He also delivered 
 a powerful appeal in behalf of temperance, 
 as the evils of hard-drinking had been seri- 
 ously felt. 
 
 The Bishop now entered the territories of 
 
 the Nizam, and was escorted to the famous 
 19
 
 218 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 town called Aurungabad, not far off from 
 which was the encampment of English 
 troops. Although tlie number of Europeans 
 did not exceed thirty, there was a neat 
 church and burial-ground — but, alas! no 
 chaplain, nor any attempt at religious wor- 
 ship. Besides preaching and administering 
 the Lord's Supper, the Bishop baptized a 
 number of native children, whose parents 
 sought this blessing for them. 
 
 To show the eftect of plain preaching upon 
 the minds of those who had long lived in the 
 neglect of Christian duties, it is said that 
 some were quite alarmed at hearing idolatry 
 denounced, lest the Nizam should be oflended 
 at it. The old Colonel commandant had no 
 such fears, but not having attended service 
 before for twenty years, he made up his mind 
 that the sermon was all meant for him, and 
 was so enraged that he would not even sav 
 good-bye to the Bishoj». 
 
 Another officer in authority, but of a dif- 
 ferent cast of mind, expressed the utmost 
 astonishment. " I came out," he said, " as a
 
 LIFE OF UISHOP WILSON. 219 
 
 boy of fifteen. I have been many years in 
 India, and have been tossed hither and 
 thither. I have been stationed here some 
 years, and have not heard a sermon preached. 
 I never heard such words delivered witli 
 such power. I had no idea in my mind of 
 such manly eloquence. I cannot express my 
 feelings." 
 
 Before leaving Aurungabad, the Bishop 
 exhorted the residents to assemble every 
 Sunday, and let one of their number read 
 the Church service and a printed sermon, 
 until some better arrangement could be 
 made. 
 
 When the Presidency of Bombay was 
 changed for that of Bengal, Archdeacon 
 Carr returned, and another captain took 
 charge of the escort. Ilere the Bishop re- 
 ceived a letter, to which he thus refers : 
 
 "The Bishop of Madras has sent me an 
 earnest entreaty to return to Calcutta by sea 
 from Bombay, and not venture the journey 
 to Delhi and the hills. But by this I lose 
 all the advantage of the last three months.
 
 220 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 
 
 I turn back upon my steps before any ade- 
 quate cause appears, I leave the Upper 
 Provinces to be visited some other time with 
 increased risk and inconvenience. All here, 
 however, witli whom I consult, so fully agree, 
 that I am quite a^ ease in foro conscienticB^ 
 and have resolved to go on, whatever Provi- 
 dence may appoint for me. I am with 
 God." 
 
 Braving the dangers of an unsettled coun- 
 try and of deadly disease, the apostolic man 
 pushed onward, only halting for rest, and for 
 the performance of his sacred duties at the 
 stations which he passed. We need not fol- 
 low him, step by step. Everywhere he en- 
 deavored to raise the tone of morality and 
 religion, and to preserve the orderly an-ange- 
 ments of the Church. At a distant station, 
 where he found the chaplain about to read 
 prayers for a Presbyterian minister, who had 
 announced his arrival and expressed a will- 
 ingness to preach, the Bishop put a stop to 
 the irregular proceedings. It was nor, in 
 this case, the result of an advanced liberality,
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 221 
 
 but sprang from ignorance on the part of the 
 chaplain, and an inability to say "No." 
 This was not an isolated instance ; and the 
 recurrence of it was checked by a general 
 circular to the clergy. 
 
 19*
 
 C^a^tcr f cljfntctntli. 
 
 JTEPOOR— JOURNEY TO DELHI — MOSQTTES AXD PALACES 
 — HOLT WEEK AT MEERUT — FOCR THOrSAXD CriRIS- 
 TIANS — A WELL-SPENT WEEK — CONFIRMATION — VISIT- 
 ING THE SICK — SUDD'JN ILLNESS — HIMALAYA MOUNT- 
 AINS — MUSSOOREH — BUILDING A CHURCH DEO ORATIA8 
 
 PERILOUS JOURNEY— ARRIVAL AT SIMLAH — FOUR 
 
 months' COMPARATIVE REST — i'UEPARING A VOLUMB 
 OF SERMONS FOR THE PRESS. 
 
 AVING performed Divine service 
 and preached several times at Jye- 
 poor, Bishop Wilson reached Delhi 
 on the 26th of March. "After a 
 journey," lie writes, "of eighty-nine 
 days, of. which fifty-one were, in 
 part, spent at the different stations, and 
 thirty-eight wholly in travelling, I came this 
 morning within sight of the domes and min- 
 arets of Delhi. The distant view vorv nnirh 
 resembled that of Oxford from the Banbury 
 road. A near approach, however, dissipated 
 the delusion, as it displayed the h.fty citv 
 walls, in excellent repair, stretching as far an
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. -2'2o 
 
 the eye could reach. We entered tlie fortifi- 
 cations at about seven o'clock, after fifteen 
 hours' dak ; and most imposing was the 
 grandeur of the mosques, palaces, and man- 
 sions of the ancient monarchy of the world. 
 The red stone of which many of the build- 
 ings are constructed is very beautiful. The 
 wide streets, the ample bazaars, the shops, 
 with every kind of elegant wares; the ])ro- 
 digious elephants, used for all purjjoses ; the 
 numerous native carriages, M'ith noble oxen ; 
 the children bedizened with finery ; the vast 
 elevation of the mosques, fountains, and 
 caravanserais for travellers; the canals full 
 of running water raised in the midst of the 
 streets, all gave me an impression of the 
 magnificence of a city which was once 
 twenty miles square, and counted two njil- 
 lions of inhabitants. May God bless the 
 hundred and thirty Christians, out of the 
 hundred and thirty thousand Hindoos and 
 Mohammedans now constituting the popula- 
 tion." 
 
 As the Bishop proposed to make a longer
 
 224 LIFK OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 lialt at Delhi on his retuni, he only spent the 
 Sunday before Easter there, at this time, and 
 then jni.xhed on to Meerut, where Holy Wt-ck 
 Nvas to be j>a6sed. Here, a noble chiircl., 
 eapable of holding two thousand persons, 
 had been consecrated by Bishop Ileber, in 
 l>>i'-i. Several fine regiments of English sol- 
 diers, besides a large body of native troops, 
 were stationed at ^[oerut, the number of 
 Christians in the jdace being four thuu>an(l. 
 
 Each day of Holy AVeek the church* was 
 opened for morning j)rayers, each day the 
 l3i^hoJ) e.\i)0unde(l the (iospel with imikIi 
 tendernesij, and eacli <luy more than two 
 hundred persons assembled to receive the 
 word at his mouth. On Good Eriday and 
 Ea-ttr Day the whole body of the military 
 thronged the spacious church. Such a sight 
 called forth all the Bishoj)'6 })Owers. 'lo ar- 
 rive in time, he had far (»utstripped the 
 camp, and his sermons w ere all k-ft behind ; 
 but he made fresh ones on each occasit)n, 
 more suitable, perhaps, because written un- 
 der j>resent impressions.
 
 LIFK OF BISHOP WILSON. 225 
 
 Meerut was full of sickness and full of 
 sad hearts, and deep sympathy had been 
 aroused for one of the chaplains into whose 
 house death had again and again entered. 
 As three dear children were in quick succes- 
 sion carried to their burial, the hearts of all 
 were moved, and prepared to receive the 
 word when the Bishop, on Easter Day, ad- 
 dressed his crowded audience from 1 Thess. 
 iv. 13, 14, and spoke of the " child of sorrow 
 consoled by the fact, the benefits, and the 
 prospects of the resurrection." It Mas hard 
 to decide whicli was the more affecting sight 
 — that witnessed when linndreds were melted 
 into tears in the great congregation under the 
 power of his appeals, or that when, the pub- 
 lic service ended, lie went into tlie house of 
 mourning, and read his sermon once again 
 to the bereaved and weeping mother. 
 
 The number presented for Confirmation 
 on Easter Eve had been one hundred and 
 twenty-two; the number of communicants 
 on Easter Day was one hundred and twenty. 
 The evening services, though voluntary as it
 
 226 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 respected the attendance of the troope, and 
 though the Bishop did not preach, were 
 largely attended; and on Easter Monday 
 and Tuesday the interest continued unabated. 
 
 On Wednesday the Bishop preached in a 
 pretty missionary chapel, built by the Begum 
 Sumroo, and under the charge of a catecliist 
 named Richards. On this occasion, seventy 
 natives were baptized and contirnied. 
 
 On Thursday Divine service was celebrated 
 on occasion of the consecration of a new 
 burial-ground; and on Friday one hundred 
 sick soldiers were visited in hospital, ad- 
 dressed tenderly, and prayed for. The fine 
 schools of the Dragoons and l>utis were also 
 examined. 
 
 On Saturday two hours were sj)ent amongst 
 the native Christians, and two hours more in 
 earnest and anxious conference with the 
 chaplains, the mind of one having been long 
 harassed with conscientious scruples on vari- 
 ous Church questions. 
 
 On Sunday the Bishop preached twice, 
 with his usual energy, but at length he was
 
 LITE OF BISHOP "SVTLSON. 227 
 
 taken dangerously sick. Fortunately, a skil- 
 ful physician was at hand, and he soon re- 
 covered and pressed onward. On the 16th 
 of April, 1836, he was at the foot of the 
 Himalaya Mountains, the very day arranged 
 for his arrival there, nine months before ; so 
 wonderfully had a gracious Providence or- 
 dered all his goings. 
 
 Ilis lirst stopping-place, in the ascent, was 
 Mussooree, where was neither chaplain nor 
 church. He preached at Landour, the sana- 
 tarium for sick soldiers, and announced to 
 the crowded congregation that he intended 
 to build a church for them, at the same time 
 calling a public meeting to make the neces- 
 sary arrangements. He thus speaks of the 
 gratifying result : 
 
 " Mussooree, Tuesday, April 26, 1836, 6.30 a.m. 
 
 "Yery chilly morning; thermometer 44 
 degrees; driven in from my walk by the 
 wintry cold. Yesterday also was cold, with 
 a cloudy sky and rain. My poor torrified 
 frame, accustomed for four years to excessive 
 heat, is shrivelled up with this English Janu-
 
 228 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 ary weather. But what a blessing such hills 
 are! There were twelve new houses built 
 last season (April to October), and there will 
 be more this. Kor are we without hopes of 
 an Enfflish-like country cliurch being built. 
 I was sitting, about eleven o'clock, with two 
 or three gentlemen who had called, amongst 
 whom was Captain Blair, just returned, 
 along the hills from Simlah, when the two 
 leading persons at ^leerut, Hamilton and 
 Hutchinson, came to talk with me al>out the 
 church of which I gave notice on Sunday. 
 We soon warmed. Plans, sites, architects, 
 means of supply were arranged in about 
 two hours. I promised one thousand rupees 
 from the Church-building Fund, tw«> hundred 
 rupees from the Christian Knowledge Soci- 
 ety, and two hundred rni»ees myself. Three 
 gentlemen each subscribed two hundred and 
 one hundred. We ordered our ponies and 
 johnpons (commonly so called, but properly 
 char-palkee — a four-legged chair, carried on 
 two poles by two or more men, and usual on 
 the hills) on the instant, to go and see the
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 229 
 
 three or four places pronounced eligible for 
 sites. The heavens were cloudy, and no sun 
 to di'cad. "We were on the grounds from two 
 to four o'clock, and selected the best spot. 
 Before night Mr. Bateman, my chaplain, had 
 sketched an elevation for a church, lifty feet 
 by twenty-live, to hold two hundred people; 
 and I had finished mv letter to Mr. AVhitinxr, 
 the owner of the land. On ]\Ionday we hope 
 to be ready fur the jmblic meeting. My 
 church-building experience at home comes 
 in, and enables me to speak with decision. 
 Deo y rat las. 
 
 "May 4th. We shall have a chureh hero 
 presently. The beautiful [)lan Mas entirely 
 approved by the committee here on Monday, 
 as well as by a scientific oflicer at Saharun- 
 pore, to whom it was submitted. The esti- 
 mate is three thousand two hundred rupees ; 
 and the subscriptions already raised amount 
 to three thousand three hundred rupees. A 
 little hesitation remains about the exact site, 
 because the habitations ramble over a space 
 of four or five miles ; but we have two in 
 20
 
 230 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 view, and I hope, before we leave, on May 
 16th, to lay the iirst stone, 
 
 "May lO.h. God he thanked! I have 
 just returned from measuring out the site 
 for our new cliurch, to be called Christ 
 Church, which Mr. Proby has given us out 
 of his own garden, about une hundred feet 
 by sixty. This will be the Iirst churcli built 
 in India after the pattern of an English j)ar- 
 ish cliurch. It will stand on a njountain like 
 Zion, ' beautiful for situation.' The tower is 
 eighteen feet square and thirty-five feet high ; 
 the body of the church is fifty-five by twenty- 
 three. 
 
 "Monday, May 16th. On Saturday we 
 laid the foundation-stone of Christ Church, 
 Mussooree. The whole Christian population 
 poured out — I suppose four or five hundred 
 persons. The scene on the gently sloping 
 side of the hill was exquisite, and the entire 
 ground aroimd the circuit of the foundations 
 was crowded. The Himalaya Mountains 
 never witnessed such a sigiit. I began with 
 some prayers from the service for consecrat-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOJS^. 231 
 
 ing churclies, slightly varied. Then luy 
 chaplain read Psalm Ixxxvii. Mr. Proby 
 read Haggai 1st, and the whole assembly 
 sang the hundredth psalm. I made a short 
 address. The senior civilian, Mr. Hutchin- 
 son, next read the deed of gift. Colonel 
 Young, political agent (the king, in fact, of 
 the Dhoon), read a copy of the inscription. 
 All was now ready, and I descended into the 
 deep cavity in the mountain, and laid the 
 stone in the name of the Father, the Son, 
 and the Holy Ghost. The Lord's Prayer 
 and Benediction closed the service. As we 
 were departing, the band of the Ghoorka 
 regiment struck . up the national anthem, 
 which, echoing and re-echoing amongst the 
 mountains, was the finest thing I ever heard. 
 Afterwards I entertained the committee at 
 dinner. We sat down, twenty-one, in camp 
 fashion, each one sending his own chair, 
 knives, forks, plates, and spoons. God be 
 mao-nified ! The whole celebration was 
 unic^ue. It will be the first church raised 
 amidst the eternal snows of Upper India,
 
 232 LIFE OF BISHOP WIIJSON. 
 
 and all planned, executed, and money raised 
 in a single month. Xine months will tin- 
 ish it." 
 
 Tlie journey between Mussooree and Sim- 
 lah was full of hai-d^hips and perils, but it 
 was safely accomplished, and on the 3d of 
 June, at an elevation of seven thousand two 
 hundred feet above the level of the sea, the 
 Bishop makes this record : 
 
 "We arrived here this morning, attcr a 
 march of four hours. Judge of my dflight, 
 ■when a packet of seventy-one letters and 
 papers was placed on my table; and this in 
 addition to forty-three sent out to me on the 
 preceding day. But I am -too mucli fatigued 
 to enter on them. My spirits also are over- 
 whelmed. The impression, on a first reading, 
 is thankfulness to the God and Father of all 
 grace for His goodness to the most unworthy 
 of His creatures. 
 
 "Saturday, June 4th. A calm, delightful 
 repose of eight honrs, in our nice bungalow ; 
 perfect quiet ; no jabbering tongues of three 
 or four hundred natives, at half-past two
 
 LIIK (>!•' li!^iE^O^ WILSOX. 233 
 
 o'clock in the morning; no bugle sounding 
 at four o'clock ; no exliausting march of 
 three or four hours. AVhen our camp from 
 below has come up with my books, papers, 
 and implements of l)usiness, I hope to 
 sit down for four months' diligent work in 
 this charming climate. But one hundred 
 and fourteen letters rather overwhelm me. 
 1 have been at present only able to take 
 them, like Hezekiah, and spread them before 
 the Lord. I have twice done so — expanded 
 them on mj desk, turned them over, and 
 prayed for each individual who has written 
 them, especially for the sixty-six brethren 
 assembled in Islington, who signed the letter 
 of January 5th. 
 
 " First Sunday after Trinity — June 5th. 
 Blessed be this holv morn ! All calm, all 
 inspiring peace and gratitude. I am sitting, 
 at six o'clock in the morning, in my roonj, 
 with its windows open all around, and the 
 sun just making its way over the eastei-n 
 hills. There is not a sound to interrupt the 
 moments of communion with the Author 
 20*
 
 234 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 and Preserver of my blessings. But some- 
 thing more is wanting than external repose 
 and opportunities — even Thy Grace, hUss- 
 cd Saviour /—or the suul cleaves to the dust 
 still, nor rises ever towards Thyself. Quick- 
 en Thou me according to Thy word ! Three 
 of our party are likely to be conliucd from 
 church from over-fatigue npou the march, 
 and sleeping for nine days in damp tenths. 
 They have smart fevers. I owe my own ex- 
 emption, under God, to the better tents pro- 
 vided for me, and the less fatigue I underwent. 
 
 " But I must break off. 1 have no books, 
 no robes, no sermons, and am waiting for 
 their coming up before the time for service." 
 
 The Bishop remained at Sindah four 
 mouths, the quiet being n)ost grateful to 
 liim after a period of con^^tant labor. 
 
 There being no clergyman at the station, 
 lie celebrated Divine service twice every Sun- 
 day, assisted by his chaplain, his leisure houre 
 during the week being occupied in preparing 
 a volume of sermons for the press, to gratify 
 the oft-repeated application of his friends.
 
 (LbapUv dEightcciitJT. 
 
 AGAIX ON THE MARCH — TRAXSITIOX FKOM COOL TO HOT 
 
 TAKES BOAT AT IJOOPUR XO VAIN BOAST THE 
 
 WATCH-HOCSE OF LAHORE — JOURNEY TO KURNAUL 
 
 FIRST ORDINATION OF A BRAHMIN CONVERT — ROMAN 
 CATHOLIC PRIESTS SENT FOR IN HASTE — ARRIVAL AT 
 DELHI— COLONEL SKIXNEr's NOBLE VOW— CONSECRA- 
 TION OF ST. JAMEs' CHCRCII- IMPRESSIVE SCENE — 
 AGRA — TRYING WHEEL-CARRIAGES — CONDITION OF 
 ROADS — NEW YEAR AT BAREILLY — SOWING IX TEARS, 
 AND REAPING IN JOY — FITTYGHCR — CAWNPORE — 
 
 DIFFICULTIES SETTLED— EXTENSIVE CHARITIES FUT- 
 
 TEHPORE I'lLGHIM-TAX ABOLITION OF AN EVIL 
 
 PRACTICE — DEATH OF BISHOP CORRIE — PASSAGE TO 
 CALCUTTA — THANKSGIVING. 
 
 /f^ X the 10th of October, 1836, Bishop 
 "Wilson once more began Iiis march. 
 The change from the cool, bracing, 
 mountain air to the sultry climate of 
 the plains was very great, but there 
 was no alternative. Two days' travel 
 brought him to Roopur, on the river Sutlej, 
 where huge boats were in readiness to bear 
 the party onward.
 
 236 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 "While gliding down the stream, tlic Bishop 
 was uj^on the deck, and, looking towards the 
 territory of the Punjab, then scarcely known, 
 exclaimed aloud, '* I take possession of this 
 land in the name of my Lurd and blaster, 
 Jesus Christ." The prosperous condition of 
 missions in that region now, shows that it 
 was no vain boast. 
 
 Landing at Lodianal (whicii wjis then the 
 watch-house for Lahore, and tlie frontier sta- 
 tion on the English side of the livcri, he 
 found about one iiundred Christians residing 
 there, for whose benefit ho at once made ar- 
 ranirements for the erection of a dnirch. 
 The usual sservices were held, Confirmation 
 and the Holy Communion administered, and 
 a lay-reader appointed. 
 
 Passing tlirough Sirhind and Kajjxiorah, 
 the Bishop othciated at Umballah, and came 
 next to Kurnaul, an important station, with 
 a large church. Two Sundays were given to 
 this place, a great impression being made by 
 the services. More than a hundred soldiera 
 were confirmed. An ordination was also
 
 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 237 
 
 held — Anund Musseeh, a Brahmin convert 
 of fifreen years' standing, being admitted to 
 deacon's orders. There seemed but one ob- 
 jection to this — the fact that Anund Mus- 
 seeh's wife remained a heathen, and, by the 
 wise rule of the,«primitive Church, no candi- 
 date could be admitted to the ministry unless 
 his whole family had become Christians. 
 Bishop AVilson ho|)ed for the best. It was 
 the first na:ive he had ordained, and, indeed, 
 the first Brahmin ever admitted to holy or- 
 ders in the English Church. The new deacon 
 was ajjpointed to labor at Kurnaul, under 
 the direction of the chaplain. Among the 
 multitudes that had ai tended ujion the Bish- 
 op's nlini^trati<lns was a number of Roman 
 Catholics, who afterwards called to thank 
 him for his sermons. Some of the more 
 zeahuis had become so alarmed, that they 
 sent in haste to Calcutta for a priest, " to 
 stay the plague."' 
 
 The nuxich was resumed on the 14th of 
 November, and four days afterwards the 
 company reached Delhi. Here the Bishop
 
 238 LITE OF BISnOP WILSON. 
 
 was to consecrate a church, which had been 
 built at the sole expense of Colonel Skinner 
 — quite a celebrity in his way. Brought up 
 in the camp from his earliest years, he had 
 seen much hard service, and on enterinjr 
 Delhi, with a conquering army, he made a 
 vow, while gazing t)n its countless domes 
 and minarets, that if he ever possessed the 
 means, he would there erect a temple to the 
 only true God. Twenty years passed by, but 
 he did not forget his vow ; and when the 
 government offered to aid him in his work, 
 he nobly insisted on doing it all him.<elf. 
 And now he stood before the Bisho]), a tall, 
 Btout, dark man of fifty-six, clad in a military 
 dress of blue, silver, and steel, with a he-avy 
 helmet on his head, a broadsword at his side, 
 and a red ribbon on his breast — to sav that 
 the church was finished, and to beg that it 
 might be consecrated. Jlis sons were Chris- 
 tians, as he was, but his wife remained a 
 Mohammedan, though, as he said with tears, 
 " a better wife, for more than thirty years, no 
 man ever had."
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 239 
 
 The Bishop instantly drove with him down 
 to the church. It was a beautiful Grecian 
 building, in the form of a cross, with hand- 
 some porticoes at each extremity, three of 
 them forming entrances with flights of steps, 
 the fourth closed in and appropriated for 
 the chancel. The body of the building was 
 circular, and surmounted by an ornamented 
 dome, cupola, and cross. The flooring was 
 marble, and a temporary desk and. pulpit 
 served for the present occasion. The whole 
 effect was very chaste and beautiful. The 
 Bishop was delighted, and, mindful of the 
 founder, called it St. James, and lixed ^o- 
 vember 22d for the consecration. 
 
 On that day a large congregation assem- 
 bled, and a very striking and impressive 
 sermon, going a good deal into detail, was 
 preached. 
 
 After the consecration, the whole European 
 society of Delhi met at Colonel Skinner's 
 hospitable abode, and expressed their deep 
 gratitude to him. They also requested the 
 publication of the Bishop's sermon as com-
 
 240 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 memorative of the day. A most kindly feel- 
 ing pervaded every mind. 
 
 A Coniirmation followed, and the Colonel, 
 with his three sons, knelt at the altar to 
 dedicate himself, as he had previously dedi- 
 cated his church, to tlie service of God. The 
 scene was very impressive, and the Bishop's 
 address moved all to tears. At the con- 
 clusion, the Colonel himself attempted to 
 express his acknowledgments, hut words 
 failed, and he wept silently, whilst the 
 Bishop prayed that the kindness shown to 
 the house of his God might be returned 
 sevenfold into his own bosom. 
 
 After a visit of ceremony to the old King 
 of Delhi, and the transactiou of much im- 
 portant business, the Bishop proceeded to 
 Agra, where Sir Charles Metcalfe was now 
 the permanent Governor. Three weeks were 
 spent here — a churcli consecrated, a soldiers' 
 chapel licensed, frequent services held, and 
 much good accomplished. 
 
 By this time the Bishop had become very 
 weary of the monotony of camp life, and the
 
 LTFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 241 
 
 disturbed nights in his palanquin, and on 
 leaving Agra he resorted to wheeled car- 
 riages and relays of horses, by which he out- 
 stripped the slower movements of his large 
 company. The roads were dreadful, and 
 Bishop Heber, who had passed over the 
 same route, compares them to a farm-j'ard 
 first trodden into deep holes, and then frozen 
 hard ; and says, that " though a buggy can 
 go over them, since it can go anywhere, yet 
 they were never meant for buggies nor bug- 
 gies for them." 
 
 Stopping for service at Allyghur, he trav- 
 ersed eighty miles more, and came to Ba- 
 reilly, where the year 1837 dawned upon 
 him. The attempt to build a church at this 
 place was violently opposed by the officer in 
 command, who insisted that the Government 
 ought to do all this, and he argued the ques- 
 tion at his own table, in the presence of his 
 invited guests. The Bishop was taken so 
 completely by surprise, that he burst into 
 tears and attempted no reply. God took 
 
 care of His own cause, and the party had no 
 21
 
 242 LIFE OF msiior wir.sox. 
 
 sooner left the dining-room tlian a subscrip- 
 tion was opened, and a handsome sum put 
 down. Christ Clmrch, Bareilly, was, in due 
 time, erected. 
 
 Another rapid journey of forty-eight miles, 
 through Furreedpore and Futteligunge- to 
 Jellahibad, on January 5th, f( (Mowed by 
 another of equal distance, varied by a pas- 
 sage across the mighty Ganges on January 
 6th, brought the Bishop safely to Futtyghur, 
 where he foimd an excellent chajilain, a good 
 church, and all things in order. Much 
 pleasant intercourse toc>k place here witli 
 friends, wlio were gradually passing down 
 the country from Sinihili ; ihe germes of mis- 
 sionary work were watched and encouraged ; 
 the church and burial-grounds were conse- 
 crated ; Divine services wei e performeti ; the 
 Holy Sacrament and Confirmation admin- 
 istered ; an^ tlion tlie l'i>ln)p rejoined the 
 camp for a few days' quiet march. The 
 sportsmen went out and provided the table 
 with wild geese, as on the other side of India 
 it had been provided with peacocks.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 243 
 
 On January 14th the Bishop entered the 
 large station of Cawnpore, and rested in the 
 cliaphiin'.s iioiise. He seemed himself to be 
 no worse for the efforts he had made, but all 
 his company suffered greatly, and over some 
 of them the shadow of death for a time had 
 passed. It requires a certain knowledge of 
 India to understand the effect of these forced 
 marches, hurried journeys, and constant ex- 
 posure. 
 
 Cawnpore covered an extent of seven miles, 
 and contained three thousand Christian inhab- 
 itants, although it had no church building. 
 The state of society was by no means favor- 
 able to true religion, and unpleasant dis- 
 agreements had taken place between the 
 commanding officer and one of the two resi- 
 dent chaplains. We can not go into details, 
 and can only speak of results. The Bishop 
 went to the bottom of the difficulties and 
 decided the several disturbing questions with 
 his usual promptness. Before his visit was 
 ended, he had preached several times, con- 
 firmed, visited schools and hospitals, con-
 
 244 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 secrated four burial-grounds, held an ordina- 
 tion, and laid the corner-stones of two 
 churches — towards the erection of which he 
 gave two thousand rupees out of his own 
 purse. His charities were scattered broad- 
 cast over India, and he delighted in nothing 
 more than in helping torward God's great 
 work in that heathen land. 
 
 Leaving Cawnpore on tlic Gth of February, 
 he officiated on Ash-"\Vcdnesday at Futteh- 
 poor, and on the 11th inst. was welcomed at 
 Allahabad, by the Rev. Henry Pratt, the 
 chaplain. The grand annual fair was about 
 to close, and immense crowds of ]»ilgrims 
 were paying their tax of one rupee each. 
 The Bishop stood for a long time in the 
 strongly barricaded office, where, by a Chris- 
 tian hand, this tax was taken and a corre- 
 sponding ticket issued, admitting the bearer 
 to tlie margin of the sacred stream. Upon 
 the production of the ticket another Chris- 
 tian hand stamped a red signet on the de- 
 votee's right arm, whicli authorized him to 
 bathe, and realize its supposed beatitudes.
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 245 
 
 The Bishop looked upon tlie frenzied mul- 
 titude, the hideous assemblage of idols, the 
 town of straw huts raised on the river 
 banks, the countless flags indicating Brah- 
 niinical establis' iiients, and the pilgrim, now 
 shaved, bathed, marked, and jjcnniless, retir- 
 ing from the scene with a little vessel of the 
 sacred water to be carried liome — if, indeed, 
 he ever reached his home. 
 
 In the contemplation of all this, he says 
 that " he was never so affected since, two 
 years before, he had stood at Juggernaut." 
 
 He soon, however, roused himself to etibrt. 
 He first sought out the despatch of the Home 
 Government in February, 1S33, absolutely 
 prohibiting the collection of the tax. He 
 then obtained one of the tickets which was 
 really issued, and is still preserved, num- 
 bered 76,902, and bearing a stamp and an 
 inscription in Sanscrit, Persian, and English, 
 for the admission of one Jattree, or pilgrim, 
 to the stream. He gathered up all the 
 statistics also, casting the balance between 
 profits and loss, and inquiring from the best 
 21*
 
 246 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 authorities the probable expenditure of hu- 
 man life. And upon all this, as a founda- 
 tion, he raised the superstructure of a strong 
 personal appeal to the Governor-General. 
 
 He wrote, moreover, to th6 Society for 
 Promoting Christian Knowledge; and his 
 strong statements obtained immediaie pub- 
 licity, and the widest circulation in England 
 and India. Private letters were also written 
 to Fowell Buxton, the Pev. F. Cunning- 
 ham, and other influential and philanthropic 
 friends ; and thus he did his part to overthrow 
 the evil wliich had been so long and so ably 
 denounced by others. How far his repre- 
 sentations may have been eft'ectual in India 
 does not appear. But before the year was 
 ended, the tax was abolished. 
 
 The station at Allahabad was very hand- 
 some, the situation agreeable, the class of 
 residents superior. A cliurcli was rising 
 effectually, though amidst some strife and 
 dissension. A long stay was not required. 
 The usual services were rendered on the one 
 hand and fully appreciated on the other ;
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 247 
 
 and then the Bishop took his passage in the 
 steamer, and dropped down the river on his 
 way to Calcutta. Two dajs afrerwards lie 
 heard of the deaili of Bishop Corrie, of 
 Madras. 
 
 "How can I describe my feelings?" he 
 says. "I have this morning heard of the 
 sickness and death of my honored and be- 
 loved brother, Bishop Corrie. Oh, what will 
 become of India! Here I am again left 
 alone, with three dioceses on my single hands. 
 Dearest, dear Corrie ! Only one year and a 
 quarter in his diocese! It was on the 6th 
 of February that the lamented event took 
 place. Blessed man I he has entered into 
 rest. Never was there a more exalted, meek, 
 consistent Christian. No one — not even 
 Bishop Ileher — has filled a more important 
 station in the general propagation of the 
 Gospel in India. All Hindoostan loved him. 
 He inspired universal confidence. There 
 was a gentleness of chai-acter, a quietness of 
 spirit, and a boldness in the profession of 
 Christ, which are rarely combined. Well, it
 
 248 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 is the Lord. His ways are in the deep, and 
 His judgments past finding out. He can 
 raise up instruments at His pleasure. May 
 he be graciously present witli his widowed 
 Church." 
 
 Mirzapoor and Chunar, the scene of Bishop 
 Corrie's earlier labors, were next visited. 
 Four days were given to the wonders of 
 Benares and the interesting labors of the 
 Church missionaries. 
 
 Ghazecpore, Buxar, Dinapore, Monghir, 
 Bhaugulpore, and liampore Bcauleah were 
 successively touched at. " Of all these 
 scenes," the Bishop says, " Hebcr's descrip- 
 tion is perfect and most lively. He was 
 then new to tiiem. They met him early. 
 We come to them with minds satiated with 
 sights, and bodies exhausted with heat." 
 
 On the 13th of Maivh tlie Bishop reached 
 home, having spent two years and a lialt" In 
 his visitation. "I cannot enter upon any 
 one duty, this first morning aftei- njy arrival 
 in Calcutta," he writes, "without humbly 
 ofifering my praises to the great Giver of all
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOK- 249 
 
 o-ood for the preservation vouchsafed to His 
 unworthy servant. Thirteen thousand five 
 hundred miles have been traversed, and the 
 whole diocese of India visited, though not in 
 all parts ; and now I return in safety and, I 
 can thankfully add, in perfect health. I feel, 
 in truth, far better this morning than when 
 last 1 left Calcutta. Oh, for internal, spirit- 
 ual, ecclesiastical, domestic, personal peace 
 in Christ Jesus, amidst the changes and 
 trials which I must, and do, and ought to 
 expect."
 
 Chapter ^incttcntlj. 
 
 HOME WORK ONCE MOEE — FCNERAL SERMOX FOR BISII01:» 
 CORRIE — A FEW WEEiIS WELL FILLED UP — SHORT MIS- 
 SIONARY TOUR — CITY OF KRISHNA — THE FAITHFUL 
 
 WEITBRECHT SCRIPTURAL NAMES AN ELEPHANT 
 
 TEACHING A LESSON OF PATIENCE LOSS OF FRIENDS 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF 1838 PREDICTION COXCEKXINO 
 
 THE " OXFORD SCHOOL" OF THEOLOGY — SERMON BY A 
 BRAHMIN CONVERT — IGNORANCE OF DECORUM — RE- 
 FLECTIONS ON EASTER DAY — ENTERING UPON HIS 
 SIXTY-FIRST YEAR. 
 
 f^\ OME work began once more. The 
 Mj) usual Lent services were going on 
 ^ at Calcutta, and Bishop Wilson 
 '^i^ availed himself of one of tliese oc- 
 casions to deliver a iuneral sermon 
 for good Bishop Corrie. " All India 
 mourns," was its opening sentence. " We 
 have lost one of the gentlest, meekest, most 
 exalted Christians that our Church has ever 
 known. We have been deprived, for the 
 fifth time, of a chief pastor of our flocks, 
 after a brief, though most honorable and use-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 251 
 
 fill Episcopate. We have lost liim at the 
 very instant when his presence was required 
 for the solemn office of consecrating a brother 
 Bishop, and thus settling for the first time 
 our Anglican Apostolic Church in India, 
 with her appointed pastors. 
 
 An immense congregation filled the cathe- 
 dral, to sliow their respect for departed worth. 
 The Bishop delivered addresses in each of 
 the city chui'ches, confirmed five hundied 
 young persons, and held an ordination, be- 
 sides attending committee meetings of vari- 
 ous Churcli societies, visiting schools, and 
 performing other work 
 
 The summer proved to be extremely hot, 
 and Calcutta was one huge vapor-bath ; but 
 his labors did not stop. In July he made a 
 ishort missionary tour, to visit a few points 
 which had been passed over before- 
 Interesting letters describe what was done 
 at two of them. 
 
 '* KKISHNAGHtJK,130 MILES FEOM CALCUTTA, 
 
 Jidy 24, 1837. 
 
 f 
 
 "We arrived on Saturday at this bigoted
 
 252 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 centre of Hindoo idolatry— the city of Krish- 
 na. Two pious missionaries of tlie Church 
 Missionary Society have made a little begin- 
 ning. I have visited their schools, and 
 examined the children in the Gospels, sur- 
 rounded by hundreds of heathen spectators, 
 full of curiosity. The children are not Chris- 
 tians; but they replied to my questions with 
 a quickness and decision (juite delightful, so 
 that all the crowd iR-unl the word o\' the 
 Gospel. Besides the schools, the missionaries 
 have small chapels, where they confer daily 
 with the people and i)rcach. Sometimes two 
 or three hundred are collected. The ' lewd 
 people of the baser sort' at times disturb, but 
 none dare injure them. They have no adult 
 converts as yet. We are doing all we can 
 to encourage Christianity and help on this 
 blessed cause."' 
 
 '•BcRDWAr, AuffustGth, 1837. 
 
 "There is a little church here, very neat 
 
 and appropriate. Yesterday we spent four 
 
 or live hours at the mission-house, which is 
 
 about a mile from the town. I have e.xam-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP ANaLSON. 253 
 
 ined a hundred and fifty native scholars from 
 the villages around. Kothing could be more 
 deliglitful. Indeed, what I have seen of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Weitbrecht gives me the highest 
 iiiipiessiun of their talents, character, exalted 
 piety, excellent sense, and simplicity of heart. 
 I am charmed and edified. 
 
 " There is a little Christian village attached 
 to tlie premises, of about eighty souls. I 
 visited it. A neat row of cottages, raised a 
 little from the earth, gardens for each family 
 in front (Mr. Weitbrecht is gardener, archi- 
 tect, and every thing), a fine tank before the 
 gardens, three rooms in each cottage, a little 
 nice furniture, beds, tables, chairs, and writ- 
 ing-desk. A picture of Robert Hall adorned 
 one of the walls. The men and women came 
 out as we passed, and I asked, What is 
 this child's name? Theophilus. And this? 
 Abraham. And this? Sarah What are 
 your several occupations ? I am a carpenter. 
 I am a tailor. I am a Hurkaru. 
 
 "Thus the cleanliness, comfort, purity, 
 diligence, and honest employments of En-
 
 254: LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 glish villages begin to appear. I do nof, of 
 course, speak too contideutly ; but if life is 
 spared, and, instead of six yeais, Mr. Weit- 
 brecht continues forty, there is nothing I 
 should not hope. I confirmed nine baptized 
 adults yesterday— all hopeful, and most of 
 them decided Christians. 
 
 "Tell my grandchildren that an elephant 
 here had a disease in his eyes. For three 
 days he had been completely blind. His 
 owner, an engineer officer, asked my dear 
 Dr. Webb if he could do anything to relieve 
 the poor animal. The doctor said he would 
 try nitrate of silver, which was a remedy 
 commonly applied to similar diseases in the 
 human eye. The huge animal was ordered 
 to lie down ; and at first, on the a[)i)lication 
 of the remedy, raised a most extraordinary 
 roar at the acute pain which it occasioned. 
 The efl:ect, however, was wonderful. Tiie 
 eye was, in a manner, restored, and the 
 animal could partially see. The next day, 
 when he was brought, and heard the doctor's 
 voice, he lay down of himself, placed his
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 255 
 
 enormous head on one side, curled up his 
 trunk, drew in his breath — just like a man 
 about to endure an operation — gave a sigh 
 of relief when it was over, and then, bj trunk 
 and gestures, evidently wished to express 
 his gratitude. What sagacity ! What a 
 lesson to us of patience !" 
 
 Soon after his return from this tour, the 
 Bishop lost two of his friends and associates, 
 Dr. Mill, the Principal of the College, and 
 his private chaplain, Mr. Bateman, both of 
 whom were obliged to go to England for the 
 benefit of their health. A third (Sir Benja- 
 min Malkin), no less dearly loved, was 
 stricken down by death. " I never had such 
 a blow (he writes) in ihe loss of a friend. 
 Thank God for his religious character ; liis 
 inward piety (which I doubt not far exceeded 
 wliat his modest and silent carriatre allowed 
 him to speak of) ; his constant attendance, 
 twice on the Sunday, at cliui-ch ; his delight 
 in religious conversation and family prayer. 
 Yes, I doubt not he is now in the presence 
 of his Redeemer, a glorified and happy
 
 256 LIFE OF BISHOP ^^^LSOK. 
 
 spirit. But we are indeed left desolate. 
 Calcutta is desolate ; his family and circle of 
 friends are desolate ; the many religious and 
 benevolent institutions he nourished, are 
 bereaved of one of their purest, ablest, sweet- 
 est, and most valuable members. Oh, that 
 I may ' hear the rod, and who liath appoint- 
 ed it !' My daughter gone — my son and 
 chaplain gone — Dr. Mill gone — my most 
 intimate friend now gone ! Blessed Jesus ! be 
 Thou All to me — daughter, son, chaplain, 
 adviser, friend. Thou all-sutticient Saviour, 
 whose self-existence and intinitc fulness for 
 the suppl)' of those that trust in Thee are 
 declared in Thy name — • I am Th.\t I am' — be 
 Thon my refuge." 
 
 The beginning of 183s found the Bishoj) 
 at home, and rejoicing in some evidences 
 that his efforts for India were beginnini; to 
 bring forili fruit. 
 
 The caste question wa-^ <piiet, for a timi' 
 at least, and seventeen mi&sionaritti were oc- 
 cupying the field where lie had found but 
 two.
 
 LITE OF BISHOP AVILSOX. 257 
 
 About this period, the Bishop examined 
 the writings of Mr. Newman, and others of 
 his school, lie writes : " Kewman's Pro- 
 phetical Distpiisitions are, as a whole, wrong 
 — grossly, glaringly, dangerously, incon- 
 sistently wrong. ' An enemy hath done this,' 
 may be written over the title of his volume, 
 AVa5 ever anything so impudent as the con- 
 demnation he passes on Hooker, Jewell, and 
 all the leaders of the Reformation, till he 
 comes down to Laud ! ' My soul, come not 
 tlinu into their secret; unto their assembly, 
 mine honor, be not thou united.' No; if 
 we cannot stand against the reproduction 
 of these school suldleties, we are unworthy 
 of the name of Protestants. If no one 
 brother will unite with me, I am ready to 
 l»rotest alone against this egregious, drivel- 
 ing Fatuity." 
 
 A few gleanings from Bishop "Wilson's 
 journal will furnish the most interesting 
 account of this period. 
 
 " Shalimar. Epiphany, January Gth, 
 1S3S. On Thnrsday evening I had the sin-
 
 258 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 gular delight of hearing Krishna Mohun 
 Banerjea, my Brahmin convert, preach, for 
 the second time, in English, in the old 
 church. It is an extraordinary thing, surely, 
 that a Hindoo college student, only live or 
 six years ago rescued from the gulf of infi- 
 del metaphysical Pantheism, should not only 
 have embraced, but be able to expound and 
 teach, in a very competent manner, the 
 Christian religion. Ilis amazing extent of 
 English knowledge, his good style and 
 propriety of accent, augment tli(> surprise. 
 May God preserve liim steady, humble, 
 dilisrent. I tremble. 
 
 " Calcutta, Easter-Eve, April Uth. I 
 have just had three ofiicers of the fleet with 
 me, to beg me to patronize a i>l:iy to be got 
 up for the faniine fund. 'No, gentlemen,' 
 said I, ' that is impossible. You could not 
 wish me to undo all I have been doing my 
 whole life ;' and 1 bowed them out. "NVliat 
 a profound ignorance, even of decorum ! 
 
 " Easter-Day. April 15th. May we rise 
 to greater newness of lite with our triumph-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON, 259 
 
 ant Lord ! This is my sixth Easter in India. 
 Soon it will be said, 'His bishopric let 
 another take.' Oil, to end well ! I am 
 jealous over myself. (1) I would examine 
 my heart. (2) I would search into my 
 administration of this vast diocese. (3) I 
 would suspect myself, especially on two 
 l^oints — where the natural selfishness of man 
 blinds his judgment of his own actions — and 
 as to sj^iritual affections, where decays of 
 grace begin. Lord, raise me up with Christ. 
 " Calcutta, July 1st. I close to-day the 
 sixtieth, and enter, please God, to-morrow, 
 the sixty-first year of my age. My sermon 
 at the cathedral is from Gen. xxxv. 1, 3. I 
 am, as it were, about to go up with Jacob, 
 and build an altar to the God that appeared 
 to me in the day of my distress, and kept 
 me in the way which I went. How import- 
 ant are the denunciations of Scripture against 
 the world, worldliness, secularity, the name 
 to live when we are dead, leaving our first 
 love, being neither cold nor hot, under the 
 highest professions of knowledge and faith I
 
 260 
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 These are the dangers I feci, because they 
 creep insensibly on the unconscious heart, 
 and because public life now for forty years 
 has been wearing away the gloss and bloom 
 of internal piety, and rendering the revival 
 of them more difficult. Simplicity once 
 gone, how hard to restore I In this view I 
 look upon the trials sent me as memorials of 
 mercy, warnings, voices, compensating dis- 
 pensations, needful medicines for the soul, 
 the chastisements of a heavenly Father."
 
 apttr flucntittl). 
 
 ANOTHER CHARGE TO THE CLERGY — " THE TRACTS FOR 
 THE times'' — SETTING OUT ON A SECOND VISITATION 
 — REMARKABLE ANSWER TO PRATER — A NEW FRIEND 
 
 GRIEF FOR THE DEATH OF SIR BENJAMIN MALKIN — 
 
 STATE OF CHURCH AFFAIRS AT MALACCA — GOD's UN- 
 SEARCHABLE JUDGMENTS — SINGAPORE — A WHOLE COM- 
 MUNITY "COMING round" CHITTAGONG SIR WILLIAM 
 
 JONES AERIVAL OF A NEW CHAPLAIN — THE BISHOP 
 
 EESUMES HIS OLD COLLEGE DUTIES — COURSE OF LENT 
 LECTURES — PLANS FOR BUILDING A NEW CATHEDRAL 
 "my LORD, IT IS ALL YOURS" LAYING THE COR- 
 NER-STONE — THE GREAT WORK BEGUN. 
 
 j^^X the Oth of July, 1S3S, Bishop Wil- 
 son delivered a ciiarge to the assem- 
 ^\2J^■ hied clergj in Calcutta. Besides 
 y^^ giving a full account of his visita- 
 tion, and the general condition of 
 mir^sions in India, the charge con- 
 tained his solemn protest against all doctrines 
 and practices tending to undo the work 
 which cost Cranmer and his fellow-sufferers 
 their lives. The Bishop embarked immedi- 
 ately afterwards, with his good friend Cap-
 
 262 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 tain Clark, of the brig Ilattrass, and set out 
 on his second visitation. 
 
 On 'the 26th of August he thus records 
 God's merciful providence towards them : 
 
 "I have been returning grateful tlianks to 
 our Redeemer for Ilis answer to our prayers 
 on Friday last. On that morning I com- 
 mended our ship to the Divine mercy, en- 
 treating favorable winds, and bciririnir that 
 the judgment of the captain might be guided 
 what to do ; for our stores were falling short, 
 and it seemed almost necessary to return 
 upon our track, tlie wind was so directly and 
 obstinately adverse. Not an hour had passed 
 afterwards, when the wind changed, we ran 
 by the island of Junk Ceylon, and, instead 
 of putting back, we have been going on 
 steadily for two days. Surely a more re- 
 markable, and, as it were, tangible answer 
 to prayer has seldom occurred to me in the 
 whole course of my life. Accordiu'Hv I 
 have composed and delivered a sermon to- 
 day on Ps. cxvi. 1, 2, subject, ' Affectionate 
 gratitude to God the dutv of those who have
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 263 
 
 been delivered in answer to prayer,' The 
 divisions were— First : A state of distress 
 supposed. Second: Deliverance in answer 
 to prayer commemorated. Third: Resolu- 
 tions of grateful love. Application : The 
 happiness of religion, which works chiefly 
 by gratitude to God, the fountain of good. 
 The misery of sin, whicli consists of ingrati- 
 tude and neglect of God, the only source of 
 
 joy." 
 
 Having followed the Bishop so closely in 
 his first visitation, it will be needless for us 
 to do this now. AVc 'f>lnill only refer to the 
 most interesting incidents. At Penang, he 
 found in the Jiew Recorder, Sir William 
 ]!^orris, an excellent friend; but (he loss of 
 Sir Benjamin Mulkin weighed heavily upon 
 his spirits. The Hatirass carried down to 
 the island the first jiews of liis death, and the 
 grief was universal. In the charge recently 
 delivered in Calcutta, the Bishop had publicly 
 borne testimony to his worth; and he at- 
 tempted to read the extract when addressing 
 the congregation on the first Sunday morn-
 
 264- LIFE OF BISHOP 'WILSON. 
 
 ins. But the whole audience were in tears, 
 and his own feelings were so overpowered 
 that lie was obliged to call the Archdeacon 
 np into the pulpit to finish the quotation. 
 
 At Malacca he found the Dutch church, 
 which had been resigned to him, fitted up 
 with all suitable conveniences. A reading- 
 desk was provided, the pulpit was removed, 
 the communion-table inclosed, a vestry built, 
 and new pews erected, so as to iiiciease the 
 accommodation. Porch and belfry were also 
 added, and every thing prepared for him. 
 
 Moreover, another of the missionaries con- 
 nected with the Chinese College and the 
 London Missionary Society, a !Mr. Evans, 
 applied to him for admission into holy orders. 
 The decision in his case was j>ostjx)ned, as it 
 had been in the case of Mr. Hughes, till the 
 Society had been communicated with, and 
 had bidden him " God-speed." P>om that 
 quarter there w;is no difficulty. But it is sad 
 to record that, when all hinderanceci were 
 removed, and the way made plain for the 
 reception of these two excellent men, and
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 265' 
 
 the fulfilment of their conscientious desires, 
 lliey both died of cholera within a very short 
 period of each other. The Eishoji refers to 
 this melancholy bereavement on January 9tli, 
 
 1841: 
 
 " Conceive my distress at receiving a letter 
 from the Governor of Singapore, dated De- 
 cember 7th, conveying the melancholy ac- 
 count of the death of both Mr. Hughes and 
 Mr. Evans by cholera — the first on November 
 25th, the second, after interring his friend, 
 on Xovember 2Sth. Ko particulars. Each 
 seems to have been seized unexpectedly, and 
 to have died within four hours. Oh, n)y 
 S9,viour! how unsearchable are Thy judg- 
 ments! Two of the best men in India cut 
 ofi' in the prime of life and health, and just 
 at the moment when plans of usefulness were 
 opening before them. Kever since I have 
 been in India has the Church suflTered a 
 greater loss. For themselves the change 
 was blessed, but for survivors, alas ! the blow 
 is most severe. Still it is the Lord ; let Him 
 
 do what seemeth Ilim good." 
 •rA
 
 266 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 At Singapore, he found the church whicli 
 had cost him so nuicli care and pains on his 
 former visit, completed and ready for cor.so- 
 cration. But it was chiimed by a })ortion of 
 tlie subscribers, who were not members of 
 the Church of England, as their own j>rop- 
 erty ; and a protest against its consecration 
 obtained sixteen signatures, and was j)re- 
 sented to liim. lie never had a harder task 
 than to arrange this matter of common hon- 
 esty. But he dealt very gently with it. 
 The Governor was iirm, and the result good. 
 A public meeting was held to consider the 
 matter, at which the whole case was so 
 clearly explained, that the protest was with- 
 drawn, and tlie petition for consecration 
 signed by fifty-one persons. All were eon- 
 ciliated. One opponent offered to collect 
 money for an organ; a second undertook to 
 raise a tower ; the Archdeacon gave a bell ; 
 the Resident, a clock. " 1 never saw a whole 
 community come round so well,*' says the 
 Bishop. " To God be the praise !" 
 
 Chittagong was now visited, lliis was a
 
 LU'E OF BISHOP WILSON. 267 
 
 new station to the Bishop, and the fallow 
 ground had to be broken up. Situated on 
 the coast of Arracan, the novelty of every 
 thing and the exquisite beauty of the scenery 
 charmed him. iiut there was no church, 
 no Divine service, no Sunday observance, no 
 charitable institutions, no exhibition of Chris- 
 tianity. An occasional visit of the chaplain 
 from Dacca aft'^rdcd tlic only means of 
 grace. 
 
 Plans were at once set on foot to remedy 
 all this. A puhlic meeting was called, and 
 it Wits determined to erect a church. Sixteen 
 hundred rupees were contributed on the spot. 
 The iJifchop gave live hundred for himself, 
 and five hundred from the Christian Knowl- 
 edge Society. An application to government 
 and a grant from the Church-building Fund 
 completed the five thousand rupees required ; 
 and, as in so many other cases, a church was 
 reared at Chittagong. 
 
 A house in the immediate neigliborhood, 
 frequented by the celebrated Sir "William 
 Jones, was visited with much interest. It
 
 268 LITE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 stood upon the summit of a hill commanding 
 a magnificent view of tlie sea on one side, 
 and the mountain range ujjon tlie other, and 
 was called Jaffierbad. Ilis sturly was pointed 
 out ; l)Ut all Avas falling into ruins. 
 
 The various leligious services connected 
 with the visitation were thoroughly appreci- 
 ated. Not a soul was absent on any occa- 
 sion. "Never Avas there a station," says the 
 Bishop, "M-hich needed a visitation more; 
 and never one where we succeeded more 
 completely in the great ends in view. Our 
 host was Mr. II. T. Eaikes, sou of the excel- 
 lent chancellor of Chester."' 
 
 On November 21st he left Chittajrons, 
 and on the 23d arrived safely in Calcutta. 
 " I have hardly yet turned round," he says, 
 on entering the palace ; " but gratitude for 
 the Divine meicy should. swell in my heart, 
 when I consider four months of absence 
 without any one calamity." 
 
 In January, 1839, the Bishop was cheered 
 by the arrival of the Rev. John H. Pratt, 
 his new domestic chaplain, the son of his
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 269 
 
 old tutor and dear friend, the Rev. Josiali 
 
 Pratt. 
 
 About this time, two of the Professors 
 of Bishop's College being obliged to leave 
 their pos s, on account of failing health, 
 Bishop Wilson came forward, and once 
 more assumed the otiice of Tutor and Vice- 
 Principal, thus adding greatl}^ to liis labors, 
 but recalling, very pleasantly, his earlier 
 
 days. 
 
 A course of Lent Lectures, this season, on 
 "The Lord's Prayer," attracted very large 
 congregations; indeed, the church was so 
 crowded that he began to think the time had 
 come for building a new cathedral. The 
 su"-o-«stion was so' favorably received, that 
 at the -last of the Lent Lectures he an- 
 nounced his intention to the twelve hundred 
 persons present. "I thought," he said, "I 
 should never have such a favorable oppor- 
 tunity again ; and that, to express' a firm 
 purpose on my part, was one step towards 
 success, amidst the timid, vacillating, shifting 
 
 population of India." 
 
 23*
 
 270 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 The Bishop entered upon this work with 
 the utmost enthusiasm, as may be seen from 
 the frequent mention of it in his journal.. 
 
 Having applied to Colonel Morrison, the 
 Governor of Bengal, to grant him a suitable 
 lot for the cathedral, his request met with 
 the kindest reception. The Bishop makes 
 this note on the 14th of June : " I wrote on 
 the morning of the 12th to the Governor of 
 Bengal, and begged him not to resign me to 
 the Military Board, but to put me at once in 
 possession of my ground, and let me mark it 
 out the same evening. He did so. He 
 wrote a note from Council to Colonel Mac- 
 leod. At six o'clock in the evening of that 
 d^y? yo" would have seen me standing on 
 the ground — about one thousand feet by six 
 hundred — and have heard Colonel Macleod 
 telling me, ' My lord, it is all yours. Choose 
 whatever part you prefer for your cathedral.' 
 I seemed to myself like Moses surveying 
 from Mount Pisgah the promised land. I 
 figured to myself my beautiful spire, rising 
 up two hundred and twenty feet — the finp,
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 271 
 
 deeply-buttressed Gothic nave, chancel, and 
 transepts, marking the massive grandeur of 
 the Christian religion, the magnificent organ, 
 sounding out, ' Thou art the King of glory, 
 O Christ !' — my native presbyters, in th^ir 
 snow-white vestments, walking down the 
 aisles, the Christian neophytes responding in 
 the choir, and Jesus acknowledged as the 
 Lord of all. 
 
 " But, hush, my foolish heart ! All future 
 things are with thy God and Saviour, who 
 oft abashes human projects, and dashes 
 them to pieces like a potter's vessel. God's 
 will be done. I liave called the cathedral 
 St. Paul's, to denote the doctrine which will 
 ever be proclaimed by its ministers, and llie 
 example* of tenderness and fidelity which 
 they will ever exhibit. I have fixed June 
 ISth for issuing my proposals, because it is 
 the anniversary of my leaving England, and 
 completes my seventh year ; and because it 
 is the anniversary of the victory of Waterloo, 
 emblematical, I hope, of the spiritual victoiy 
 of Christ in my cathedral. The next step is
 
 272 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 to see and get the plans drawn and arranged. 
 I wish I were an architect. But I am not." 
 The Bishop saved every rupee he could, 
 towards the carrying out of his noble design, 
 and spared no pains to interest his friends, 
 far and near, in the work so dear to his 
 heart. On the 9th of Octol)er, the first stone 
 of St. Paul's Cathedral was laid, with solemn 
 ceremonies and an appropriate address. All 
 preliminary measures having been arranged, 
 the work jjroceeded as rapidly as could be 
 expected.
 
 A MACEDOXIAX CRT — WONDERFUL AWAKENING AMONGST 
 THE NATIVES — PUTTING THE SICKLE INTO TUE HAR- 
 VEST TUE BISnOP GOES HIMSELF^ TO SHARE IN THE 
 
 GLORIOUS WORK — SEYENTY-TWO NATIVE VILLAGES IN 
 ONE MISSIONARY CIEOUIT — THE BAPTISM AT ANUNDA 
 
 BASS " WE RENOUNCE THEM ALl" — THE BISHOP GOES 
 
 ON HIS WAY REJOICING — A CITY SET ON A HILL — QUIET 
 REBUKE AVHICH ACCOMPLISHED ITS PURPOSE — LAND 
 MARCH BEGUN — TWO CHURCHES CONSECRATED AT 
 CAWNPORE— THE SAME DUTY PERFORMED IN OTHER 
 PLACES — '• FAINT, YET PURSUING" — A LONG JOURNEY 
 SAFELY ENDED. 
 
 //iSl.NE day, toNViirds tlie close of the year 
 1S3S, a native, of courteous address 
 and tine bearing, brought the Bishop 
 a message fiom the niis.sionaries of 
 Krisluiaghur, informing him of a 
 gL'iieral movement amongst the na- 
 tives towards Christianity. Hundreds were 
 seeking for instruction; many were anxious 
 to be baptized, and there were only two 
 missionaries on the spot, to put the sickle 
 into the ripening harvest.
 
 274 LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 After a little delay, Archdeacon Dealtry 
 and the Rev. K. M. Banergee were sent 
 down to Krislinaghur, and were met there 
 by two other missionaries. They found the 
 inhabitants of fifty-two villages exceedingly 
 interested in regard to their salvation, and 
 after making all due allowance for worldly 
 and selfish motives which miffht influence 
 some, there were thousands who seemed to 
 be sincere and earnest. 
 
 In February, 1830, the Bishop baptized 
 one hundred and thirty-five native converts 
 at Banipore, and confirmed sixty who had 
 been baptized before his arrival. 
 
 Reports coming to him from various 
 quarters conceining the progress of the great 
 work, he soon afterwards left Calcutta, pro- 
 posing to make an extensive circuit. 
 
 He found that the mission in Krishmiirhur 
 had already assumed a distinct form. Sev- 
 enty-two villages were embraced within its 
 circuit, seven hundred converts having been 
 baptized, and several tliousand being under 
 a regular course of instruction. Tlie Bishop
 
 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 275 
 
 went from station to station examining, 
 preaching, encouraging, and confirming. He 
 visited Krishnagliur, Solo, Ruttenpoor, An- 
 unda Bass, and Ranobunda ; and said lie could 
 hai-dly sleep, from agitation, joj, and anxiety 
 to direct everything aright. He describes 
 the baptism of one hundred and fifty con- 
 verts at Anunda Bass as follows : 
 
 " Xever did I feel the beauty of our bap- 
 tismal and confirmation services so much as 
 this morning — the prayer of thanksgiving of 
 the first, the laying on of hands and suppli- 
 cations of the second. It was the sign and 
 seal and first day, in the eye of others, of the 
 new birth by water and the Spirit. It was 
 the descent of the sanctifying grace of the 
 Holy Ghost. 
 
 "We began witli examining the candidates 
 for baptism. ' Are you sinners V ' Yes, we 
 are.' ' How do you hope to obtain forgive- 
 ness V ' By the sacrifice of Christ' ' What 
 was that sacrifice?' 'We were dinners, and 
 Christ died in our stead.' ' How is your 
 heart to be changed V ' By the Holy Ghost.'
 
 276 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 'Will you renounce all idolatry, fcasrs, poo 
 jahs, and caste?' 'Yes, we renounce tlicin 
 all.' 'Will yon renounce the world, the 
 flesh, and the devil?' 'Yes.' 'Will yuu 
 sufi'er for Christ's sake ?' ' Yes.' ' Will yon 
 forgive injuries?' 'Yes.' Jn a word, T went 
 over all the branches of Christianity with 
 the candidates, and finding from Mr. Deerr 
 that they had for a year or more been under 
 instruction and walking consistently, I begged 
 him to read the baj»tismal service. 
 
 "When we came to the questions, I paused 
 to tell them of the seriousness of the en^ajre- 
 ment, and I asked the whole congregation of 
 the baptized if they would be witnesses and 
 godparents to these candidates. They shout- 
 ed out tluit tliev would. 
 
 "The sight was most touching — one hun- 
 dred and fifty souls al)ont to enter tlie Chris- 
 tian Church, and the whole of the Christian 
 village standing sponsoi-s for them I Baptism 
 was then administered ; and I stood in the 
 midst, and received them into the ark of 
 Christ's Church. You cannot imairine the
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 2Y7 
 
 intelligent, anxious eyes of the assembly as 
 this was iroino' on." 
 
 At Kanobuuda, two hundred and fifty 
 were baptized in the same manner ; and 
 these additions to the Church raised the 
 whole number to above one thousand. 
 
 Tiie foundations of the requisite missionary 
 buildings were next laid, a sub-comuiittee 
 was ajDpoiuted, tiie four missionaries now on 
 the iield were counselled and encouraged ; 
 and then, on November 1st, the Bishop went 
 on his way rejoicing. "A good and great 
 work is evidently going on," he says. " But 
 to oppose this, there is cause to fear — 1. Tem- 
 poral motives. 2. The effect of the relief 
 granted at the time of the inundation. 3. 
 The countenance and presence of so many 
 Padres and ISahibs. 4. The influence of ex- 
 ample and popular movement. 5. The insta- 
 bility of the human heart. 6. Satan's infinite 
 craft. But .... Time will show who 
 are tares and who wheat.'''' 
 
 A certain measure of reaction followed, as 
 it always does ; for in the spiritual, as in the 
 24
 
 278 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 natural world, tlie blossom far exceeds the 
 fruit. It proved so at Krishnagliur. The 
 gathering did not equal the ]»roiuise ; yet a 
 great work had been wrought. A true 
 Church was gathered out of the world of 
 heathenism ; and it still stands, like a city set 
 upon a hill. 
 
 The Bishop pursued his journey through 
 Berhampore, stopping at Mourshedabad, and 
 then passing ou to Beauleacli, Patua, Gyah, 
 and Hazeerabagh. At the last-named place 
 he spent Advent Sunday, and administered a 
 quiet rebuke to those wbo liad suticred ihe 
 church to remain two year- in an untinished 
 condition, by holding Divine service withiu 
 the four walls, which had neither roof nor 
 floor. The lesson was so salutary, that a 
 pledge was given that the building should be 
 completed in two months. 
 
 He preached and performed the usual ser- 
 vices at Ghazeepore, Jaunpore, and Benares, 
 and ofliciated on Christmas at Allahabad, 
 where the river was left and his laud march 
 began. Captain Hay, a gentlemanly otiicer,
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 279 
 
 commanded the camp, which numbered more 
 than two hundred souls — tlie Bishop travel- 
 ling S(jnietimes in a h'.tle phaeton, and some- 
 times on his old whit.- '' ghoon." or liiU-pony. 
 
 On the 4th of Jai.uary, 1840, the company 
 reached Cawnpore, where two churches were 
 consecrated, and thence the Bishop proceeded 
 to Lucknow and Bareilly, where the same 
 agreeable duty was performed. 
 
 At Meerut tlie services were extremely 
 interesting, being at;cndeJ by a large num- 
 ber of soldiers just returned from the first 
 prosperous campaign in Ati'ghanistan and 
 Caubul. After a short visit to Delhi, the 
 camp moved to Ahmorah, on the mountains, 
 wliere the corner-stone of another bill-church 
 was laid. The Bishop, although much worn 
 by his travels, continued on his w&y across 
 the mountains, and on the 24th of April ar- 
 rived safely at Mussooi ee, where he remained 
 three weeks. Here, also, a new and beautiful 
 church was consecrated. 
 
 From this point he parsed on by the lower 
 route through Xahun, to Simlah. His brief
 
 280 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 sojourn here was characterized by incessant 
 activity. Bidding it adieu, witli a devout 
 aspiration for God's blessing upon it, he set 
 out on his return to Calcutta — consecrating 
 churches, and performing other important 
 duties as he went — and reachinsr home on 
 the 3d of April, 1841. "May God be for- 
 ever praised and magnitied,'" he says, " for 
 all His goodne.-s and meiev dui-inir a year 
 and a half. I have attended church once 
 more, though I took no duty. It will require 
 a few days for my mind to calm down to 
 regular occupations. Oh, for grace, wisdom, 
 power, victory over self, real si)irituality, 
 meekness, preparation for sufleriug!''
 
 Cl)a|)ter f;iucn(i)-Sctoiiir. 
 
 A FEW TROUBLES TO DISTDKB THE SMOOTH CURRENT OF 
 EVENTS — OXFORD THEOLOGY AGAIX — THE PLYMOUTH 
 BRETHREN MAKE A CONVERT — EFFORTS TO BRING BACK 
 
 THE WANDERING SHEEP WATCHING THE CATHEDRAL 
 
 ALL CALCUTTA MAD AFTER THE WORLD — A SHORT 
 
 VISITATION SUNDAY AT SYLHET IIIDING IN BOATS 
 
 AND ON ELEPHANTS CHIRRA POnNJEE — SUPREMACY 
 
 OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES DEFENDED — FIRST METRO- 
 POLITAN VISITATION DOINGS AT MADRAS CASTE 
 
 DIFFICULTIES — MOVING ONWARD HHEXIA's TOMB 
 
 SYRIAN CHURCHES DISAPPOINTED HOPES AT BOMBAY 
 
 THANKSGIVING SERMON ON REACHING HOME. 
 
 ISHOP WILSOX found enou-^rh to 
 oociipj hiin, upon his return to Cal- 
 cutta, and some things which trou- 
 \§^^ bled him not a little. 
 
 A professor had been sent out 
 from England to fill a vacancy in 
 the college, whose theological opinions were 
 too much in harmony with those of the 
 Newman school to please him, and he en- 
 deavored to have him recalled. This request 
 was refused. 
 
 24*
 
 282 LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 
 
 Another anxious matter had reference to 
 Mrs. Wilson, who liad done a great deal for 
 the promotion of female education in the 
 East, Leaving Calcutra (where she had 
 succeeded admirably), she removed to Au- 
 gurpara, fourteen miles distant, to take 
 chai-gc of a large orphan asylum Here she 
 Avas cut off from the i)rivileges of the 
 Church, and fell in with a denomination 
 called " the Plymouth Brethren," who spared 
 no pains to make a proselyte of her; and, 
 sad to relate, they succeeded in their cflbrts. 
 The eflect of this upon the Bishop's mind we 
 prefer to give in his own words. 
 
 " Alas ! Mrs. Wilson, of Augurpara, is 
 determined to secede from the Church, and 
 join the Plymouth Brethren. You start ! 
 But it is too true. I derermined, instantly 
 I heard it, to go down with the Archdeacon 
 and ]\Ir. Pratt, and see what an interview 
 Avould do, under God's blessing. We con- 
 versed with her for two or three hours with- 
 out the least effect. Yesterday I recapitu- 
 lated the conversation in an affectionate
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 283 
 
 letter, and offered to paj for the support of 
 a missionary at her station, if the Church 
 Missionary Society would not. All was in 
 vuin. We must now endeavor to save the 
 mission and orphans if we can ; for this is 
 only the beginning of the fall. My com- 
 fort is to cast myself on my Lord Christ, and 
 submit to His righteous will in this sharp 
 affliction. Her apostasy is like a standard- 
 bearer's fainting; and all aggravated by 
 opposite errors. Never was I in such a 
 plunge. Xever ! But now faith must have 
 her triumph, faith in the power and grace 
 of Christ, faith in Ilis love and wisdom." 
 
 The following exti-act from his private 
 journal will show that his annoyances did 
 not end here : 
 
 I "April Sth.. Every moment is occupied. 
 1 have been five days in Calcutta, and four 
 times to my new cathedral. I ride round 
 the scaffolding and framework of the build- 
 ing every morning on my ghoont (as Nehe- 
 miah, on his beast, around the desolations 
 of Jerusalem), and watch the progress mak-
 
 284 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 ing, and the different views the cathedral 
 will present. The sun will not allow me to 
 visit it whilst the men are at work. 
 
 " Easter-Monday, April 12th. Yesterday 
 we celebrated onr Easter. The Governor- 
 General and his family not present ; neither 
 were they last Sunday, nor Good Friday. 
 The collection was o;dy one thousand and 
 fifty rupees, instead of live or six thousand, 
 when Lord William and Sir Cliarlcs wore 
 present. The Governor-Generarf non-attend- 
 ance encourages ihe judges, members of 
 council, commander-in-chief, and higher civ- 
 ilians to a])sent themselves. AVe had only 
 about live hun«h-ed in church. All Calcutta 
 is mad after the world. French plays are 
 acted at Government House, a new theatre 
 is built, two Sunday papers desecrate the 
 Lord's Day ; ifll is rushing backwards, as to 
 morality and religion, with a refluent tide. 
 I must see what I can do. r>ut tlie Loid 
 Christ and His Spirit can alone awaken a 
 torpid world like that of India. We must 
 wait and pray."
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOIT. 285 
 
 On the Gth of October, the Bishop left 
 Calcutta, proposing to visit a few stations 
 hitherto omitted, and having spent a short 
 time at Barrackpore, Bnrdwau, and Chin- 
 surah, he embarked on a 8:eanier and pro- 
 ceeded to Sylhet and Cliirra Poonjee. 
 "Writing of Sylhet, he says (under date of 
 Sunday morning, IS^ovember 7th), "I ad- 
 dressed, pretty strongly, a party of sixteen 
 here, at family prayers, last night, and am 
 now thinking what sermon I can best select 
 for a station where a chaphiin has not been 
 for a single day for three years, and where I 
 shall preach only once. I think St. John v. 
 24, will give me as much scope as any ; 
 'These things I say, that ye might be saved.' 
 May the Lord help me ! 
 
 " Mr. Sealey's house, in which I am, is 
 perched, like a bird's nest, on the top of a 
 little hill, perhaps one hundred and twenty 
 feet hi^h. But, as it is a cone, the whole 
 circuit of the ])lains, covered with verdant 
 and thick vegetation, stretches around to the 
 horizon with its green mantle. Tlie contrast
 
 286 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 with the heats and mosquitoes is inex- 
 pressible." 
 
 Concerning the other new station, the 
 Bishop tlins writes : " Chirra Poonjcc. We 
 are four thousand feet above the plains. The 
 thermometer in the garden, at six o'clock in 
 the morning, is 56^ ; iii the house, and with 
 a liro, at eight o'clock, it is 67\ A wild 
 kind of jonrney of fourteen hours brought us 
 here. We went fiffoen miles in a covered 
 boat from Chuttaek : then mounted ele- 
 phants ; then I got into a tonjon with bear- 
 ers ; and Mr. Pratt rode on a ]>ony. The 
 place is very Itleak ; and though doubly and 
 trebly clothed, and sitting by a fire, I am 
 not warm. I have now visite<l all the hills 
 but Darjeeling. 
 
 " Chirra Poonjee is not mucli frequented, 
 for the water is bad, and the climate a per- 
 petual rain. The distance from Calcutta is 
 only three hundred and s-ixry miles, but the 
 access is difficult. Sometimes more jrood is 
 done in these desolate places thau in much 
 larirer ones.
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 287 
 
 "At Chuttack (Mr. Inglis') we liad a 
 family of seven, and many in tears durino- 
 the service. Three were confirmed, and the 
 whole seven partook of the Holy Sacrament. 
 
 " We are on the south-eastern frontiers of 
 our Avonderful empire. Tiie hill people are 
 from Thibet and China. They raise rude 
 altars on the tops of mountains, and offer 
 goats in sacritice. "We had Divine service 
 on Friday ; congregation only fifteen, hut so 
 attentive, it was delightful to observe them. 
 On Sunday there were two services, and 
 Holy Communion."' 
 
 On the 24th of August, 1842, tlie Bishop 
 delivered another charge to his clergy, in 
 M-hicli he strongly defended the supremacy 
 of the Holy Scriptures. The same evening 
 he set out on his first metropolitan visitation, 
 proceeding first to Moulmein, Malacca, and 
 Singapore, and then stretching across to 
 Madras, where he landed on the 23d of 
 November. 
 
 Before proceeding further, it will be suffi- 
 cient for us to explain that a Metropolitan is
 
 • 288 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 
 
 one who presides over the other bishops of a 
 province It will readily be perceived that 
 this office was one mo^t difficult to be exer- 
 cised, and whicii reciuired a hirge measure of 
 j;rudeuce. 
 
 Dr. Spencer was the Bishop of Madras- 
 and it was in his diocese that Bishop Wilson 
 began his labors as Metropolitan. Many 
 matters of anxiety had to be discu.-sed, many 
 ditHcult questions settled, niuiiy wounds 
 liealed. lie stayed twenty days, delivered 
 his charge, preached many times, performed 
 a modilicd course of duty, and then deparied 
 for Ceylon. ":Never,'' he say.-, "had I a 
 more difficult series of ilnties to discharge 
 since I came tu India. Tiie office of Metro- 
 j)olitan is indeed more im})ortant than I 
 could have conceived.'' 
 
 The Bishop of Madras was himself <n 
 visitation, and the sliij) (^hiviiig landed the 
 Metropolitan at Xega[>atam, on the coast) 
 carried him on hi.s way to Trincomalee. 
 
 yroin Negapatiiiii, tlie journey to Tanjorc 
 was performed by land ; and «;n Decendjcr
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 289 
 
 ITth the Bishop of Calcutta found himself 
 once more received into the same Eesidency 
 (though, alas ! death had entered it, and 
 changed tlie residents), as in former years. 
 To animate these missions, aad confirm as 
 Metropolitan tlie decision he had passed as 
 Bishop, was iiis great object. He found the 
 mission much strengthened ; hut caste was 
 not destroyed. Bishop Corrie dealt gently 
 with it; and Bishop Spencer had to learn its 
 evils. Tiic present visit, therefore, was not 
 ill-timed ; foi* seven years had weakened the 
 impression made by the former one in 3 83G. 
 The venerable Kohllioff still survived, in his 
 eighty -first year ; and the native priest, 
 Nyanapragasen, in his ninety-third. 
 
 The native Christiaiie flocked in crowds to 
 church from Tanjure and all the surrounding 
 villages, and were startled by the determined 
 and uncompromising condemnation of caste 
 to which they listened. " On its being hon- 
 estly and irrevocably abolished," said the 
 Bishop, " the life of these missions depends." 
 
 On Christmas Day, services were held for" 
 25
 
 290 LIFE OF BlSriOP WILSON. 
 
 both Europeans and natives, and four hun- 
 dred native communicants assembled roinid 
 the Lord's table. jS^o Cunfiiniation was ad- 
 ministered, nor any conference lield, because 
 of an unwillingness to interfere in iiny way 
 with the functions of the diocesan. 
 
 A hasty visit was also paid to Trichinopoly ; 
 and after live nights' travelling and nine 
 times preaching, in sixteen days, the Bishop 
 returned to Negapatam, and tinding his ship 
 ready, sailed for Trincomalee. Here, " being 
 almost worn out," he rested for six days, and 
 was refreshed by the intercourse and friend- 
 ship of his brother of Madras. 
 
 On the 5th of .luniiary, 1843, Bishop Wil- 
 son embarked at Trincomalee, and, having 
 narrowly escaped shij«wreck, arrived t-afely 
 at Colombo. Here tlie charge was a.-ain 
 delivered, and a clause introduced interdict- 
 ing the clergy from coffee plantations and 
 specidations. The several stations having 
 been duly visited, the vessel's head was 
 turned towards Tutocorin, whence the south- 
 ern missions of Tinnevelly, Palamcotta, and
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 291 
 
 Kazareth (not liitlierto visited) were access- 
 ible. But wind and weatlicr forbade; and 
 after much difficulty, a landing was effected 
 at a desolate spot called Poovera, about 
 twenty-five miles from Cape Cumorin. 
 
 No food, no shelter, no means of commu- 
 nication presented themselves for some time. 
 At length a Roman Catholic priest appeared, 
 and a very slender knowledge of La! in en- 
 abled him to provide the party with food 
 and bearers. At each halting-place a friend 
 appeared in the shape of a missionary of the 
 London Society ; and at length, af;er great 
 fatigue, Palamcotta was reached, in the night 
 of the 29th January, 1843. Seven missiona- 
 ries were at hand to welcome the Bishop. 
 He at once pronounced the " peace" enjoined 
 by Christ, and then knelt down to return 
 thanks for the preservation and guidance 
 vouchsafed. 
 
 Most interesting services commenced the 
 next morning. At dawn of day, one hundred 
 catechists and schoolmasters delivered to him 
 a poetical composition in Tamul, congratu-
 
 292 LIFE or BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 lating him on liis safe arrival, and on the 
 joj caused by the sight of " his noble face." 
 
 Rhenia's tomb was visited, on which ap- 
 pear the words, engraved at his reqiu-st, 
 " My judgment is with the Lord, and my 
 work with my God.'' These words, and the 
 tender feelings excited by the visit, were 
 referred to by the Bishop when di'livt-ring 
 his charge to twelve missionaries of l>oth the 
 Church societies next day. Station after 
 station was then visited — missionary after 
 missionary conferred with. 
 
 "There are glorious heginnings here," he 
 said, "and it is delightful to talk with such 
 calm, well-educated, }»iou8, devoted, 8cnsil)le 
 men, who know what thry are about. I 
 have written to the Bishop of ifadras, to 
 express my wonder at these blessed mis>ions, 
 and to say that there iiuist be twenty-four 
 more missionaries sent out — twelve from 
 each society ; for now the harvest languishes 
 for want of reapers. What is England about, 
 with her drivelling controversies, whilst India 
 is in vain stretchiniir out her hands to God V
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 293 
 
 He went about everywhere pleaching — 
 now in tinislied, now in \iniiuished churches 
 — now in tents, and now in the open air ; 
 but he held that his chief work lay with the 
 missionaries themselves ; and when, on the 
 last day of his visit, he found ten suriound-i 
 ing him, he made them a farewell address, 
 condensing the advice he had previously and 
 occasionally given them. In the evening, 
 after Divine service and a sermon by Mr. 
 Pratt, they presented a touching and beau- 
 tiful address, acknowledging the Bishop's 
 kindness and entreating liis prayers. 
 
 He turned now to the Syrian churches ; 
 and a journey of fourteen hours from Tri- 
 vandruni brought him lirst to Quilon, and. 
 thence to Cottayam. The reader will not 
 have forgotten what passed at the previous 
 visit. But he has now to learn that -all the 
 measures then suggested for the improvement 
 of that ancient Church — for the extension of 
 education, the elevation of the clergy, the 
 eradication of error — had been absolutely 
 rejected. Even the very donation left by 
 
 9n*
 
 294 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 the Bishop, which was a kuid of first-fruits 
 of an endowment for the Church, was treated 
 as a bribe, and refused. The moment he hud 
 retired, the bow returned to its usual bent. 
 The Metran was again in the ascendant, and 
 the Church had sunk too low to desire or to 
 compel a refoi-mation. 
 
 So far had this gone, that a covenant was 
 entered into, to forbid all further intercourse 
 with the missionaries, and to withdraw all 
 deacons from the college. "What sinister 
 influence might have been at work did not 
 appear. One unworthy clergynian, a chap- 
 lain of the company, had travelled through 
 the country, telling the people that crucifixes, 
 and prayers for tliu dead, and all the super- 
 stitions learned from Rome, were right ; and 
 that the missionaries and their doctrines were 
 all wrong ; but his visit had been short, and 
 he had been forbidden to repeat it. 
 
 It needed not this to unveil the matter. 
 Further acquaintance with the Metran and 
 the leading men had developed deep-seated 
 evils, and explained the distaste for any
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 295 
 
 change. And the only course apparently 
 left open was, to set up an open mission. 
 This course had been accordingly adopted 
 by the missionaries, and sanctioned by the 
 Bishop of Madi-as, under whose license they 
 were now acting. 
 
 A great change was thus produced. Hand- 
 some churches were in the course of erection. 
 The propeity attached to the college, which 
 had been jointly held, was now divided. 
 The old l.iuildings had been left for the 
 Syrians, and new ones, already containing 
 seventy pupils, had been raised for the mis- 
 sionaries. Primary schools were multiplying 
 on all hands, and about seven hundred chil- 
 dren were under instruction, so that there 
 was good promise for the future. But it was 
 still mingled with regret. It was pleasant to 
 see the light shining in a dark place; but it 
 would have been pleasanter to say of that 
 ancient Church, "Thou hast the dew of thy 
 youth." This regret, however, was unmin- 
 gled with self-reproach. Our Church had 
 " done what she could." She had held out
 
 296 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 the right hand of fellowship to the Syrian 
 Church, and been refused ; and she could do 
 no more. 
 
 At Cottajani, seven missionaries were 
 assembled to receive the Bishop's charge. 
 Divine service was celebrated, the Holy 
 Communion administered, the new college 
 examined, and then he passed on through 
 Allepie to Cochin, and on February 17th 
 embarked for Bombay. 
 
 The voyage was long and weary, and he 
 did not arrive till the 13th of March. 
 
 "Hurry, pressure, contusion'' — sucli is the 
 first entry in the juunial at Bombay. "The 
 Bishop is an ' angel' — so sweet, humble, and 
 spiritually minded ;'' such is the second en- 
 try. The charge was t»nee again delivered ; 
 a controversy was settled about the erection 
 of a memorial to the troops who fell in 
 Affghanistan ; an address was delivered on 
 laying tKe foundation-stone of a college in 
 memory of Sir Robert Grant ; much pleasant 
 intercourse was held with the governor. Sir 
 George Arthur ; all the places endeared by
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 297 
 
 former recollections were revisited ; and then, 
 on April 3d, the Bishop once more embarked, 
 and, after calling at Goa on his way, reading 
 through a volume of St. Augustine, and suf- 
 fering from an attack of gout, he' reached 
 Calcutta in safety on Saturday, May 12th. 
 
 Thus ended a journey, by land and water, 
 of eight thousand seven hundred miles. On 
 Sunday he preached a thanksgiving sermon 
 from Psalm Ixxi. 14, 16, and on Monday he 
 writes : 
 
 '* I luive not yet been able to compose my 
 mind, the change is so great. But, oh ! may 
 God give me wisdom and understanding to 
 go in and out before this so great people ; 
 and especially to stand tirmly and unmoved 
 in defence of the Gospel ! I have preached 
 eighty sermons during my absence."
 
 r ^tocntn-Tbirlj. 
 
 ON BOAED SHIP — WORKS OF FAITH AKD LOVE — 8EBIOITS 
 ILLNESS — CONSECRATION OF CHURCH AT AI.MORAH — 
 PREPARING A BOOK FOR HIS DIOCESE — FAREWELL TO 
 SIHLAH — ANOTHER SEVERE ATTACK THE BISHOP RE- 
 TURNS TO CALCUTTA DEPARTURE FOR KNMJI.AND^ 
 
 SUMMARY OF THIRTEEN YEARs' LABOR ONCE MORE 
 
 AT ISLINGTON — WHAT WAS AClOMPLISHKD DURING 
 HIS VISIT — A LAST FAREWELL — ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA 
 " I MUST GO softly" CONSECRATION OF THE CATHE- 
 DRAL — ''DYING charge"' — A NEW VISITATION BEGUN. 
 
 ,X the 17tli of October, 1S43, Bishop 
 Wilson was again on board a steamer 
 bound for Ghazeepoor. When this 
 jiuint was reached, he left the river 
 and resumed liis tent life, jourm ying 
 through Gornackj)oor, licnarch, Al- 
 lahabad, and Futtehpoor. At the last- 
 named place he closed the year. 
 
 Passing onward, through Futtehgur and 
 Bareilly, he came to a new mountain station 
 called Nynee-Thal. Tiie visit to this point 
 was too early in the season, and not a single
 
 LITE OF BISHOP AVILSOX. 299 
 
 European was in residence. Here the Bishop 
 was taken very ill, and was with some diffi- 
 culty removed to Almorah, where he was 
 confined to the bed for several days. Rally- 
 ing again, he consecrated a little churcii, 
 then passed on to Moradabad, Shahjehan- 
 poor, and Meerut ; halted for Passion Week 
 and Easter; and then proceeded to Deyrah 
 Dlioon, Landour, and Mussooree. "Want of 
 tents for the hill route delayed him till May 
 14th; and it was not till June 1st that he 
 arrived at Simlah. 
 
 " Simlah, June \st, 1844. 
 " Blessed be my God and Saviour for 
 bringing me once more, after four years, and 
 after a journey of seven months, to this sta- 
 tion, and to the same comfortable house 
 which I occupied in 1840. May God assist 
 me during the four or tive months of repose. 
 I want to print a volume for my diocese, 
 after eight years — experimental, simple, ec- 
 clesiastical, Indian, aflfectionate, final. It is 
 clearly ' now or never' with a poor, hurried, 
 overwhelmed bishop, like myself Lord,
 
 300 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 revive Tliy work in the midst of the days. 
 As nature sinks, may grace wax stronger and 
 stronger." 
 
 While remaining at Simlah, besides pre- 
 paring the vohime just referred to, he en- 
 couraged the erection of a new and larger 
 church, and on the 9th of Sei)tember laid the 
 corner-stone. Un the 17th of October the 
 Bishop left ISimlah, to return iiu mure. 
 While tarrying at Umballah, he again be- 
 came alarmingly ill ; and although he lioped 
 the illness would prove to be but a temporary 
 attack, it became indispensable to take a 
 voyage to England. As soon as he was able 
 to move, he turned his face to Calcutta, 
 where he arrived on the 26th of April. 
 Meeting Colonel Forbes at the cathedral, he 
 ofiered humble thanks, and dedicated the 
 edifice, the architect, and himself to Al- 
 mighty God. The examination ot the can- 
 didates and the ordinations followed. Two 
 hundred young persons were contirmed. 
 Affectionate addresses were presented to 
 him, both from the clergy and laity of Cal-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 301 
 
 cutta ; and he was requested to sit in Eng- 
 land for a marble bust, to be placed in the 
 cathedral library. 
 
 His fourth visitation was held ; a last let- 
 ter was written to his children, announcing 
 his departure, and laying upon them a sol- 
 emn charge not to attempt, either by word 
 or deed, to influence his mind, or persuade 
 him to relinquish his conscientious purpose 
 of returning to India; and then, on May 3d, 
 accompanied by his chaplain, he embarked 
 on the Precursor steamer for England, via 
 the Red Sea. He had. been in India nearly 
 thirteen years, and every power of body and 
 mind had been consecrated to God's service 
 there. Fourteen hundred times had lie 
 borne witness publicly to Christ. His sub- 
 stance had been laid upon the altar of sacri- 
 tice. lie had done much to give tlie exten- 
 sion of the Ejuscopate a right bias, and three 
 bishops were now in the field. Tiie control 
 of the Metropolitan was recognized. His 
 relation with the Government was far better 
 understood. Nothing of an ecclesiastical 
 2G
 
 302 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 character was done without liis cognizance 
 and approval. 
 
 Bishop Wilson reached En<,'land on the 
 25th of June. Once more he was in Uie 
 hosom of his loving family, and in his old 
 home at Islington. Friends flocked to fteo 
 him from all quarters, and every attention 
 was paid him which the higheat respect for 
 his character and services could suggest. 
 Although threatened now ;ind thru with a 
 return of his disease — the terrible jungle 
 fever — he was enabled to attend to much 
 important Church business, and occasionally 
 to preach. Queen Victoria presented him 
 witli an elegant coniniunion si-t for his cathe- 
 dral, and friends sent in their contributions 
 towards the missions in his vast diocese. 
 
 But now the time drew nigh when he 
 must bid a last farewell to Ids dear native 
 land. The romance of India had loner since 
 passed away, and he knew all that awaited 
 him there, in the shape of trials, and sac- 
 rifices, and labors. But none of these things 
 moved him, and having preached bis last
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 303 
 
 sermon at Islington on the 30th of August, 
 1846, he took an affectionate leave of all who 
 were dearest to him on earth, and with 
 invigorated strength went forth to finish the 
 work which God had given him to do. 
 
 Landing at Calcutta, on the 14th of De- 
 cember, he drove to the cathedral, where all 
 the clergy of the city had assembled to wel- 
 come his return, and lie offered up witli them 
 a devout thanksffivinjr to God. 
 
 From this period we must not expect to 
 find the venerable Bishop as active as 
 in earlier years. " I must go softly," he 
 said. " I must take in sail." And so he 
 did. But still the gradual lessening of effort, 
 the contentment with daily duties, and the 
 general superintendence of the Ciiurch were 
 varied by many novel incidents and vigor- 
 ous movements ; so that, with chastened 
 expectations, the sunset will be found the 
 pleasantest part of the day. 
 
 Eight years had elapsed since the first 
 stone of the new cathedral had been laid, 
 and early in October, 1847, it was ready for
 
 304 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 consecration. It was designed to answer a 
 threefold purpose. First, it was to be a 
 parish church for a large district of Calcutta ; 
 secondly, it Avas to be served by a body of 
 clergy who, under the designation of a dean 
 and cliaptor, were to bear a missionary char- 
 acter and to cari-y out missionary objects ; 
 thirdly, it was to be the cathedral of the 
 Meiropolitan See of Calcutta— the Bishop's 
 sear being transferred to it, and all i-piscopal 
 functions performed in it. For the com- 
 mencement of the second of these designs a 
 large endowment fund, amounting to nearly 
 £30,000, had been raised, and for the com- 
 pletion (»f it a similar amount was still re- 
 quired. The annual income thus accruing 
 would have sufficed for the maintenance of 
 six missionary canons, who, with the addition 
 of the archdeacon and six honorary cant>ns, 
 would have constituted the dean and chapter 
 of the cathedral. 
 
 But the failuio in obtaining the Act of 
 incorporation frustrated this part of the 
 design ; and the funds were eventually dis-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 305 
 
 posed of in ii way whicli will be told in its 
 place. For this failure, and the disappoint- 
 ment consequent uju»n it, the Bishop was in 
 no way responsible. He had done what he 
 could. But the reluctance of the East India 
 Company Avas not to be overcome. The 
 " better times" for whicli he waited are yet 
 future. 
 
 Of course the consecration of the cathedral 
 was a grand occasion. The Bishop preached 
 for an hour from 2 Chrojiicles vi. IS. We 
 must allow him to describe the scene. " It 
 was a wimderful siglit for India. As I drove 
 to the cathedral at ten ox-lock, the whole 
 space around it was rilled witii carriages of 
 all descriptions, in the most picturesque 
 groupes. The clergy and laity were waiting 
 my arrival, 6nrroun<le(l with multitudes of 
 spectators. I made my way through them 
 with verger and pastoral staff, and then pro- 
 ceeded up the middle alley to the commu- 
 nion-rails. The petition for consecration was 
 then read. I assented ; and then the j)ro- 
 cession began, repeating, as usual, the 
 20*
 
 306 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 twenty-fourth Psalm. The other forms hav- 
 ing been gone through, the morning service 
 commenced, the organ leading superbly in 
 the chants. Colonel Forbes was sitting near 
 me. I turned to him and >aid, ' ir<>w huau- 
 tifully the voice is heard I' When I ascended 
 the pulpit, there was all around me a sea of 
 heads, reaching to the doorway and outer 
 steps. At the communion, the thirty-five 
 clergy kneeling at the rails, and tlie live 
 ministering within, presented to my mind 
 an overwhelming sight. AVe retired at iialf- 
 past three o'clock, praising and blessing 
 God for all we had heard and seen. The 
 dinner subsequently went nil" udmirably 
 well. The Governnr, members of council, 
 secretaries, clergy, etc., were full of kindness 
 and love. Can I wonder that the Lord sent 
 me a ' thorn in the flesh,' a ' messenger of 
 Satan to bufl'et nio C X<». I rejoice in His 
 chastening hand." 
 
 The Bishop, in his. journal-letters to his 
 children, relates many things which hajv 
 pened, day by day, but these, though cer-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 307 
 
 tainlj interesting, can hardly be considered 
 of sufficient inqiortance to be permanently 
 preserved in a biography. 
 
 In the autumn of 1848, after delivering his 
 "Dying Charge," as he called it, he^m- 
 barked for Bombay, to enter uj)on his second 
 visitation as Metropolitan, and his fifth gen- 
 eral visitation. 
 
 «^ %t.
 
 Oapttr ftucntii-iourtb. 
 
 KEOEPTION AT BOMBAY COLOMBO OVERWORK AT MAD- 
 RAS — ILLNESS — Oi.UERED TO SEA — NEW PALACE — 
 VISITATION RESUMED— TIIIRTT-SIX DAYS FULLY OCCU- 
 PIED CONSECRATION OK A CllUmil IN IIORNKO SICK- 
 NESS OF PROFESSOR STREET— THE DIFFERENCES UE- 
 
 TWEEN GOOD MEN FADING AWAY IJROWINO OLD 
 
 ANOTHER FAITHFUL CHAROE PICTURE DRAWN BY THE 
 
 BISHOP OF VICTORIA — ARRIVAL OP A GRANDSON — 
 INAUCJURATION OF THE EAST INDIA RAILWAY CON- 
 SECRATION OF THE HISHUP OF LABUAN. 
 
 ISnOP WILSnX iraclK'd r.ombay 
 early in Dcceinl er, 1S4S, l>eing 
 warmly received liy Bishop Carr 
 ^??¥^ and his cK-rjiy. Hero he delivered 
 his charire, and jH-rformed various 
 duties belonging to his office as 
 Metropolitan, and then proceeded to C'oloin]>o, 
 in Ceylon. On his way thither, he narrowly 
 escaped death, from tailing through an open 
 hatchway on the lower deck. At Colombo 
 he was overwhelmed with kindness, and fin- 
 ished the year by preaching in the cathedral
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 309 
 
 before the Governor and a large congrega- 
 tion. 
 
 On the first of February we find liim at 
 Madras, now left destitute of a bishop, good 
 Dr. Spencer luiviiig returned to England 
 with a constitution much shattered by the 
 climate. 
 
 Bishop "Wilson forgot that he was getting 
 to be an old man, and labored with so little 
 regard to strength, that he was attacked with 
 a low fevei-, and was hurried ofi' to sea by 
 his physician, although he begged to be per- 
 mitted to remain long enough to administer 
 Confirmation to several hundred persons who 
 were waiting to receive it. Once more at 
 Calcutta, his recovery was rapid, and he was 
 able to discharge his duties as usual. 
 
 Early in September, 1849, he took j^osses- 
 sion of a new mansion which had been pre- 
 pared for him, and he thus refers to it in his 
 journal : 
 
 "'This is the first day I have come over to 
 study, and write, and meditate. I sit in the 
 third story. The prospect is exquisite. The
 
 310 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 cathedral adjoin? the compound; the espla- 
 nade stretches unobstructed to the south and 
 south-east; the air is delicious. We sliall not 
 come to live here, most likely, till <»>ir retuin 
 from visitation ; lor we start a^^ain, please 
 God, on September 21st. Now I desire to 
 dedicate this new abode to Thy glory, O 
 Lord! May every succeeding bisljoj) live 
 and preach Thy Gospel more and more 
 clearly; ni;iy every r«Kiiii have its alUir of 
 prayer aud praise ; and may this change 1x3 
 for tlie comfort and usefulness of Thy serv- 
 ant's successors, and the glory of Thy great 
 and holy name." 
 
 On the 21st of the m(»nth his visitation 
 was resumed ; and in the usual accommoda- 
 tion boat the Bishop ascended the river to 
 Allahabad, and then droj)j>ed down, stopping 
 at the various stations, and performing the 
 required duties. With these stations and 
 duties the reader is now familiar, so that it 
 will be sufficient to state that the journey 
 was performed in safety, and Calcutta re- 
 gained on January 22d, 1S50.
 
 LIFE OF BISIIOI' WILSON. 311 
 
 In Auirust of this year he made another 
 circuit, a summary of his hil)ors being thus 
 given by hiniMlf : "In tliiriy-six days I have 
 2)reached eighteen times. The good seed 
 sown in tliese visitations is of the last import- 
 ance. 1 am satisfied a Bithop does notiiing 
 more usefuh The tone of religion is raised. 
 Individuals are touched. The clergy are 
 roused, liut I shall be glad of rest now, 
 after a journey of two thousand miles, and 
 eierht stations, with about a thousand Chris- 
 tians altogether. Most of these have never 
 been visited before. Jiesides preaching, I 
 have held four conlirnuiiions, have conse- 
 crated one church and cemetery, and opened 
 two others. Eben-Ezer I Hitherto the Lord 
 hath helped us. Fine weufther, a favorable 
 entrance amongst the peojde, grace sufficieni. 
 good health, our beloved Church strength- 
 ened, error denounced, Christ alone exalted, 
 many souls, I hope, blessed forever — the~e 
 have been the characteristics of this visita- 
 tion." 
 
 The Bishop had hardly got rested, after
 
 312 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 this journey, before he received a letter from 
 the Bishop of London, begging him to pro- 
 ceed to the ishmd of 13<»ine<», and consecrate 
 the new church recently erected by Sir 
 James Brooke, the liajuh of Sarawak. A 
 voyage of fourteen weeks and a journey of 
 four thousand miles was thus suggested, by 
 the stroke of a pen, to a Bishop in his 
 seventy-third year! For a moment his heart 
 sank wiiliin him; but he had never vet de- 
 clined the call of duty, and his courage soon 
 revived. lie communicated with the Gov- 
 ernment, and no obstacle juvsenting itself, he 
 resolved to go. 
 
 Setting sail on tlie llih of November, and 
 preaching and contirming at various stations 
 by the way, he Reached Borneo on the 18tb 
 of January, l>ol. The church, though not 
 quite covered in, was consecrated amidst an 
 imijieiise assemblage of Chinese, Malays, and 
 Dyaks, from all i)arts of the island. It was 
 built of iron- wood and the pahn- ree, and 
 was a handsoujc structuie. 
 
 "Never," said the Bishop, '' did I feel such
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 313 
 
 delight in consecrating a church. The site 
 of it, two years ago, was covered with thick 
 jungle; and Sarawak itself, ten years ago, 
 was desolated by pirates. The whole is next 
 to miraculous ; and if the evangelical spirit 
 govern the mission, and strong, heroic men 
 can be sent forth, full of faith and love, glo- 
 rious things may be anticipated in fuaire 
 years." 
 
 Many services were performed by the 
 Bishop on his return to Calcutta, where he 
 landed on the 14th of March. 
 
 We referred in a former chapter to the 
 appointment of a j)n.fL'6sur in the College, 
 with views which gave the Bishop much 
 unea iuess. A few days after his return from 
 Borneo, word M'as brought that Professor 
 Street was very ill, and desired to see liiuL 
 lie went without delay. '' His appeaiance 
 [says the Bishop] was death-like ; and though, 
 from the spasmodic action of the throat, he 
 could not speak, yet his intellect was clear. 
 I simply directed him to the bleeding Lamb, 
 and His one ottering for sin, in a few strong 
 27
 
 314 LIFE OF BISHOP ^VII.-«^. 
 
 words, and then made a short prayer lo tl.u 
 same effect, mentioning; tlie righteousness of 
 Clirist ahjue for justification, and the influ- 
 ences of the Holy Spirit for sanctification. 
 I then kissed liim, pronounced tlie benedic- 
 tion, and retired." 
 
 As the Bishop was leavin":, the dying man 
 raised himself in his bed, and with a great 
 effort said, "God bless your lonhiiij).'' This 
 was tlu'ir hist iiitcrvirw. Tia- Professor died, 
 and the Bishop officiated at the funeral. 
 
 Thus do the differences which divide 
 Churclimen fade away as they approach the 
 borders of that better wurhl where tiie spirit 
 of controversy and (li^c^»rd can never come. 
 
 The Bishop's own health had become so 
 feeble, that wiien the time for his visitatittn 
 to the upper provinces returned, he com- 
 missioned the ArchdeacMtn to go in his j)lace 
 and look after ihe atlairs of tlie churches 
 there. Before the Aiehdeacon's departure, 
 another faithful ciiaige was delivi-red lo the 
 clergy. 
 
 In January, lbo'3, the Bishop of Victoria,
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 315 
 
 who liappened to be in Calcutta at the time, 
 attended his hundred and twenty -second 
 clerical meeting, and thus describes the 
 Bishop of Calcutta as he then appeared : 
 
 " It is one of the most noble, as well as 
 one of the most affecting spectacles I have 
 ever witnessed, that of an aged man like 
 him, voluntarily separated in his last years 
 from his beloved family (and my presence 
 when he read his last letters from his chil- 
 dren enabled me to perceive how greatly he 
 loved them), and waiting for his sunnnons in 
 humble faith and love. T never before saw 
 him. I shonld inuij^ine that he is {jrettinj; 
 feeble in body, but he retains a wonderful 
 amount of mental energy and vigor, and sits 
 up nuiny hours in the day to his desk, read- 
 ing or writing. The voice fails him most, so 
 that he does not now preach so often, but 
 gives most powerful expositions at morning 
 and evening family devotions." 
 
 In the autumn of 1854, the Bishop's eldest 
 grandson, Daniel Frederick Wilson (with his 
 wife), arrived in Calcutta. He was gladly
 
 316 LIFE OF BISUOP WILSON. 
 
 received, admitted into Holy Orders, and, 
 during the short period of his visit, attached 
 to the catliedial. 
 
 At the counnencement of the year 1854 a 
 short visit was paid to the missionary stations 
 of Ki-ishnaghur and Buidwau ; but the more 
 lensthened visitation was reserved for the 
 autumn, when, with Mr. and Mrs. Bloom- 
 fiehl as liis comj)anions, tlie Bisliop ascended 
 the river i<» Alhihal»:id, as in former times. 
 
 Here he stayed a week, performing the 
 customary duties, and liohling an ordination 
 for three missionary candidates, one of wliom 
 was Daoutl Singh, of Umritsir, who iiad 
 nuiintained a steady Christian character lor 
 nine years, Tiien droi>ping down the river 
 quietly, he performed, without fatigue, the 
 duties of each !«uecessive station, and havijig 
 " set in order the things that were wanting," 
 he arrived in Calcutta at the close of the 
 year lS5i. 
 
 A few extracts from the Bishop's journal 
 must suffice for the following year. 
 
 " February oth. On Saturday the East
 
 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 317 
 
 Indian Railway was publicly inaugurated 
 by the Governor-General. Alcoves with 
 flowers formed a covered way from the Ghat 
 to an ornamented steamer ; the orher alcoves 
 led np to the station-house. At nine o'clock 
 the Governor-General arrived, and I read a 
 prayer, in my church robes, before the train 
 started. Mr. Fisher, who was acting as 
 archdeacon, and Mr. Bloomfield, in their 
 surplices, read some jwrtions of Holy Scrip- 
 ture. Twenty-four carriages then carried 
 six or seven hundred gentlemen to Burdwin, 
 a distance of sixty -seven miles, in three hours. 
 There a breakfast was prepared, and a number 
 of excellent speeches were afterwards deliv- 
 ered. I reached home by half-past seven, 
 after eleven hours of great heat and fatigue." 
 , Dr. Macdougal, of Borneo, having been 
 appointed Bishop of Labuan, his consecration 
 took place at Calcutta. Bishop Wilson thus 
 refers to it : " Oct. 13.— Things are moving 
 on. The Bishop-elect of Labuan arrived last 
 week ; Bishop Smith (Victoria) on the 10th ; 
 Bishop and Mrs. Dealtry (Madras) are ex- 
 27*
 
 318 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOX. 
 
 pected to-morrow. Dr. Macdoiigal, with liis 
 buoyant spirits, fine health, and romantic zeal, 
 is very much liked. All the gentry are asking 
 him to dinner. I have promised him the 
 offertory on Thursday, and a sermon on the 
 2Sth, for the benefit of his Sarawak mission.'' 
 " Monday, October 22d. The consecration 
 took phice with wonderful success on Thurs- 
 day. Bishops Dealtry and Smith only just 
 arrived in time. Dealtry preached a glorious 
 sermon, which will be printctl. The cathe- 
 dral was crowded. Hundreds crammed 
 themselves into every corner ; but liundrcds 
 could get no admission. Tiie sight of the two 
 assistant Bishops conducting the Bi5;h(»j)-elect 
 in his rochet from the distant vestry and 
 presenting him to me was most affecting; 
 and when, having returned to robe himself, 
 he kneeled at the communion rails, the con- 
 gregation seemed overwhelmed. The j.res- 
 ence of three Bishops, in thi' heart ol' luatlicu 
 India, setting apart a Missionary Bish..p fur 
 the immense field of Borneo, was an event 
 almost miraculous."
 
 Chapter f lucntn-liftfr. 
 
 LAST CHARGE TO THE CLERGY — SEVENTH VISITATION 
 
 BRAVE OLD MAX — FAILING STREXCJTII — HIS RESOLUTION 
 TO DIE AT HIS POST — THE INDIAN MUTINY — TRYING 
 THE EFFECTS OF SEA AIR — LAST ORDINATION — CON- 
 FINED TO THE BED "l AM TALKIN(i IN MY SLEEP" — 
 
 ALL IS PEACE ITNEHAL SOLEMNITIES BRIEF EPITOME 
 
 OF HIS LABORS CHARACTER — HIS BENEFACTIONS 
 
 PECULIARITIES. 
 
 N tlie 23d of October, 1855, Bishop 
 Wilson delivered his last charge to 
 his clergy. It was founded upon the 
 address of St. Paul to the presbyfers 
 of the Church at Epliesus, and was 
 full of wholesome and fatherly coun- 
 sels ; and then, though seventy-eight years 
 of age, the brave old man set out on another 
 visitation, liis seventh and last. It will be 
 needless to go much into details. The 
 ground passed over was, for the most part, 
 what we are already familiar with. The last 
 Burmese war had, however, greatly enlarged 
 the British possessions in India, and when-
 
 320 LIFE OF BIS nop WILSON. 
 
 ever the Bishop visited any new points, he 
 manifested his accustonied enemv in having 
 churches establislied, and otlier imj>oitant 
 agencies i)Ut in motion. His route includttl 
 both Madras and Ceylon. He was now sub- 
 ject to more frequent attacks of sickness, and 
 early in the year 18.57 lie had a fall, which 
 fractured his ihigh-bone ; but, through the 
 mercy of God, lie recovered much more 
 speedily than cuuhl have been expected at 
 his advanced age. 
 
 IJ.is children became more farncst than 
 ever that he should retire from jmblic dut}' 
 and spend his last days in the bosom of his 
 fa.iiily. lie still insisted, however, that a 
 Bishop should die at his post, and he accord- 
 ingly remained where he was. 
 
 About this time the terrible Indian mutiny 
 began, but this is no place to detail it* hor- 
 rors. While all about him were bi'wildered 
 and alarmed, the Bishop was calm and col- 
 lected, and called upon them to look to God 
 for help. Calcutta was crowded with fugi- 
 tives from the upper provinces, who had
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP AVILSON. 321 
 
 barely escaped with their lives, and he cheer- 
 fully bore his part towards the relief of their 
 pressing wants. 
 
 Towards the last of October his health 
 became so feeble, that lie was once more 
 urged to try the eflects of a short sea-voyage. 
 On his return to Calcutta he was able to 
 hold an ordination in the cathedral. As the 
 Bishop expressed it, when speaking of liis 
 failing health, " Tlie old building may be 
 patched up a little, bnt it is worn out. The 
 order of nature fixes its speedy dissolution, 
 and the purposes of tlio ' only wise God' 
 will direct the time and tlie way." 
 
 Again, at the repeated requests of his 
 friends, he went out to the receiving-ship, 
 cruising around the sand-heads, that he 
 might breathe the sea air, but he expected 
 little benefit from the change. His antici- 
 pations proved true. He preached to those 
 on board until the 27th of December, when 
 he became so weak that he told those present 
 at Divine service that they would hear his 
 voice no more. He was barely able to reach
 
 322 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 home. His last dajs were spent in devo- 
 tional exercises, deeds of charity, and in set- 
 ting his house in order, for his departure 
 hence. 
 
 As his kind physician sat by his bed-side, 
 on the night of Januar}'- 1st, 1856, the Bishop 
 said to him, " Now you had better go ; I 
 only thought I should like to see you once 
 again before you retired." lie was asked 
 to send a summons at any time during the 
 night if he wanted anything, and was then 
 recommended to compose himself to sleep. 
 "Sleep." he replied, "I am asleep already. 
 I AM TALKING TS stY SLEEP." Remarkable 
 words ! Death in his case wa.s felt without 
 being realized. It was the " Sleep of 
 Death." 
 
 As the Archdeacon was rising early in the 
 morning to visit the sick-room, a servant 
 came running to call him. Tlirough the 
 night, it appeared, the Bishoi) ^>»d ^een some- 
 what restless, as aforetime. At half past five 
 in the morning he had his usual cup of tea; 
 and the bearer, at his wish, combed the few
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 323 
 
 thin, white hairs which were to him " a crown 
 of glory." He then lay down again, and 
 seemed to fall into a doze. His old and 
 faithful Sirdar, the man who had assisted 
 him when liillen in the verandah, the year 
 before, sat with the other servants, just in- 
 side the door, waiting and watchino-. 
 
 As time passed on, they were all struck 
 with the unusual stillness. Kot a sound was 
 heard — not a movement made. All was 
 silent and motionless. At length they be- 
 came frightened, and one ran for help. The 
 Archdeacon hurried to the room, and found 
 the Bishop lying calm, and apparently un- 
 conscious. Doubttul wla-tiier what he saw 
 was life or death, and unwilling to utter a 
 disturbing word, he instantly knelt down 
 and oflered up the prayer appointed for a 
 departing soul: "Wash it in tlie blood of 
 that immaculate Lamb that was slain to take 
 away the sins of the world, that whatever 
 delilements it may have contracted in the 
 midst of this miserable and naughty world, 
 through the lusts of the flesh or the wiles of
 
 324 LIFE OF BISHOP "SVILSON. 
 
 Satan, being purged away, it may be pre- 
 sented pure and witliout spot before Tliee." 
 Then, rising from liis kiiocs, ho kissed the 
 pale, coM cliet'k, and souglit lor any linger- 
 ing signs of life, But none a])i)eared. With- 
 out a struggle or a sigh, the soul had loft its 
 earthly tenement, and in that hour the Mas- 
 ter liad fultilled the oft-repeated prayer tiiat 
 his servant might ** End well." 
 
 Soon a little group of mourners stood 
 around the lifoloss body. It lay upon a 
 couch in the study where so many hours had 
 been passed, surrounded by books and papers, 
 the eyes closed, the features calm, the hands 
 gently crossed upon the breast. Dn a table 
 by his sido stood the desk so lately opened 
 by his trembling hands. There, also, lay the 
 broken watch, the unfinished letter, and the 
 oft-read Bible. It was a ^ight inexpressibly 
 aflfecting to those loving friends, and sent 
 them at once to the throne of grace and the 
 God of all comfort. Thanksgivings mingled 
 with their prayers. They thanked (iod for 
 liaving taken t<» ]lim^t•]f tlio sold of thi> do-
 
 LIFE OF BISEIOI' WILSOX. 325 
 
 parted in such perfect peace, and prayed that 
 they iiiiglit follow liitii as he had followed. 
 Christ. Then, rising from their knees, they 
 went to duty. Bishoj) AVil<on's funeral took 
 place on the 4th of January, and one of the 
 Calcutta journals gives this account of it: 
 
 "The mortal remains of this venerable 
 prelate were consigned to their last resting- 
 place at St. Paul's Cathedral, which was in 
 deep mourning, on Monday evening last. 
 At about a quarter after four, p.m., the cof- 
 fin, whieh w:i> ot" mahogany, covered with 
 silk velvet, and suitably adorned, was re- 
 moved from the Bishop's palace to the ca- 
 thedral. It was placed on a large bier, borne 
 by twelve English sailors — picked men, of 
 good repute, from 11. M. S. Hotspur, then 
 lying in the river — and was followed by the 
 Governor-General, the Lieutenant-Governor, 
 the Members of Council, the Judges of the 
 Supreme Court, the Secretaries, many civil 
 and military officers, almost all the clergy 
 and missionaries, and a large concourse of 
 people of all classes, male and female. In 
 28
 
 326 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSOX. 
 
 this order the solemn procession arrived at 
 the gate of tlie cathedral, where it was pre- 
 ceded hy the Reverend Messrs. Moule and 
 Burney, the former reading a portion of the 
 burial service, till they entered the church, 
 when the rest of the service was gone through 
 by both of the clergymen above named. 
 The doleful peals of the organ, at the conclu- 
 sion of the service, added to the solemnity 
 of the occasion ; and though the cathedral 
 was crowded to sutFocation, the quiet main- 
 tained throughout was admirable. Every 
 one vied with his fellow to have a last part- 
 ing look at the place where the venerable 
 divine's remains were laid, and all seemed 
 impressed with deep sorrow for the loss they 
 had sustained. The coffin is laid inmiediatc- 
 ly under the communion-table, in a vault 
 constructed for the purpose. The bells of nil 
 the Established churches sounded their sol- 
 emn knell from three o'clock to the hour of 
 burial. Thus ended the career of this pious 
 and faithful servant of Christ. Overwhelmed 
 with the care of his flock, he spared neither
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 327 
 
 health nor comfort, at the advanced age of 
 eightj, to watch over then- spiritual interests, 
 even to the last moment of his existence. 
 His charitable disposition and kindness of 
 heart will ever be remembered with feeline:s 
 of deep and lasting gratitude. His end was 
 peace. AVell may he have said, with St. 
 Paul, 'I have fought a good fight, I have 
 finished my course, I have kept the faith. 
 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown 
 of righteousness, which the Lord, the right- 
 eous Judge, shall give me in tliat day.' " 
 
 "The Church of England in India," says 
 another newspaper of the day, " when Bishop 
 AVilson arrived, had i'ew chaplains, few 
 churches, imperfect organization, and no in- 
 fluence beyond that which had been gained 
 by Heber, Corrie, Martyn, and a few more, 
 in a comparatively narrow circle. He saw 
 the whole aspect of things changed, and the 
 energy of the Christian community expand- 
 ing with the increase of the diocese. His 
 preaching in all parts of India, contributions 
 to religious purposes, the example of his zeal,
 
 328 LIFE OF BISHOP "WnLSON. 
 
 his firmness in resisting doctrinal error, his 
 growing catholicity of sj^irit, and his piivate 
 influence concurred powerfully with other 
 causes to strengthen the English Church, to 
 raise the tune of public sentiment, and to 
 attract to India the attenlion of many who 
 never had thought of her before. We do 
 not propose to sketch minutely his public or 
 his private character, but nr>ne who knew 
 Bishop Wilson can iiave overlooked the 
 steadfastness of his friendships, the warmth 
 of his piety, the clearness of his views, the 
 keenness of his sagacity, the power of his 
 memory, and the undiminished vigor of his 
 understanding to the close. 
 
 "His acquaintance with many of the best 
 men of bygi>ne years had given him a fund 
 of interesting knowledge, and his extensive 
 experience of life enabled him to discern the 
 characters of men with remarkably quick 
 penetration. There have been many who 
 have mistaken both his character and man- 
 ner; many who have been unable to appre- 
 ciate his sterling excellences and the difli-
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 329 
 
 culties of his position ; many who have been 
 offended by his preaching. But his powers 
 were as undoubted as his zeal ; and England 
 will cherish his memory. Many such she 
 lias given to India for other kinds of public 
 service, and recent intelligence has shown 
 the promptitude of our countrymen to de- 
 mand for them justice and rewards. But 
 ' peace hatli her victories no less renowned 
 than war,' and we doubt not that the linished 
 course of tliis venerable servant of God will 
 strike a chord in the heart of England, and 
 kindle into life the latent energies of many 
 who will emulate his faith and holiness." 
 
 The Bishop left eight thousand volumes for 
 the use of St. Paul's Cathedral ; and to his 
 successors in office, his carriages, and many 
 other things which would be useful to them. 
 His legacies to various Church societies and 
 benevolent institutions were large and liberal. 
 
 Tliis sketch of Bishop Wilson would hardly 
 
 be complete without a brief reference to his 
 
 jpeculiarities. " He suffered them to grow," 
 
 remarks Mr. Bateman, " and they became 
 
 28*
 
 330 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 marked features. It was not originality or 
 eccentricity so much as peculiarity and 
 oddity — an odd M'ay of saying and doing odd 
 things. And yet there was something of 
 originality in what was thus done and said — 
 something of set purpose — something which 
 gave point to the expression and took firm 
 hold upon the mcmury. It wjis discernible 
 in his conversation. To young chaplains, 
 when first they arrived in India, he would 
 say, 'Don't see the sun for two years.* 
 ' Don't eat too much — don't stuff.' ' The most 
 healthy comple.xion for India is that of a 
 boiled chicken. The great secret of health 
 is a contented mind.' " 
 
 Speaking of a missionary who had sought 
 and obtained a chaj)lain(y, he said, " Ah I 
 he was a true missionary ; perhai)s there was 
 not a better in India. But Satan and Eve 
 have persuaded him to (pi it the W(»rk." 
 
 One of the chaplains in the upper prov- 
 inces had preached a >ermon, in his presence, 
 strongly directed against Calvinism. The 
 argument was elaborate, and claimed to be
 
 LIFE OF BISHOP WTLSON. 331 
 
 triumphant. The Bishop said nothing at 
 the time ; but when about to step into his 
 palanquin and leave the station, he shook 
 liands kindly with the chaplain's wife, and 
 thanked her for her courtesy, adding, " Please 
 to tell your husband that he has not settled 
 that question.'' 
 
 lie would often join together a commenda- 
 tion and a caution. Thus, introducing a 
 chaplain to tlie Governor, he mentioned him 
 as one " who bids fair to be very valuable to 
 us, if only God keeps him humble." 
 
 It appeared in his actions. "When ill, 
 once, at Serampore, and unable to join the 
 dinner-circle, a little portion had been sent 
 into his study. He had just eaten it, when 
 the doctor called to inquire after his health. 
 " How are you now, my lord ?" " Better, 
 thank you. 1 have been eating a little din- 
 ner." " It will be well for you, then, to lie 
 down by-and-by, and rest for an hour or two." 
 He rang his hand-bell, and when the servants 
 appeared, said, " Lord Sahib sota" (the Lord 
 Bishop sleeps). The next instant he had left
 
 332 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 the study, lain down in liis bed, and covered 
 himself up for sleep, leaving the doctor 
 amazed at the sudden result of his prescrip- 
 tion. 
 
 It characterized his e.\j)08ition8 of Scri|>- 
 t.ure. One of liis cliaplains was ordered up 
 to the Punjaub, but his wife was unwilling 
 to go. In the course of the morning's read- 
 ing it happened that this passage occurred : 
 "Having his children and his household in 
 subjection witli all gravity." "Now," said 
 the Bishop, commenting on it, "I don't call 
 it having his household in stil»jcction with all 
 gravity, when one of my chajilains is ordered 
 up to Lahore, and his wife says she won't go." 
 
 It sometimes apj)cared in his family devo- 
 tions. Not that they were tw fann"liar— for 
 familiarity is the mark of a child, and (iod 
 was indeed his Father and his Friend — but 
 he went very mtieh into detail, and ran 
 sometimes into discussion and narration. 
 He would tell how this thing happened, or 
 that ; why he had done this, an.l whv that. 
 If he returned thanks for deliverance from
 
 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 333 
 
 shipwreck, lie would tell how the vessel 
 rolled, and the boiler burst, and the passen- 
 gers were obliged to hold by post and rail. 
 
 " I am 60 surprised at the Bishop's pray- 
 ers," said a lady who was staying at the 
 palace ; " are they really prayers ?" " I will 
 tell liini what you say," said his chaplain, 
 " and ask him your question." "Tell her," 
 said the Bishop, wIkii this purpose was car- 
 ried into eftect, " to read her Bible, and mark 
 the prayers of Moses, David, Isaiah, Jere- 
 miah, Daniel, Nehemiah, and others ; she 
 will find that discussion and narration is the 
 basis of prayer. All these talked with God." 
 
 As for his faults, they will have been dis- 
 cerned by the reader lung ago. No attempt 
 has been made to disguise or conceal them. 
 They all lay upon the side of hasty impulse, 
 quick action, sharp words, want of considera- 
 tion for others, a sanguine temperament, 
 something of egotism, and occasional inaccu- 
 racy of statement. If the reader has the 
 heart to dwell upon them after the d-eep self- 
 abasement they have caused and the lowly
 
 334 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 
 
 confessions thev have called forth, he is of 
 course at liberty to do so. They are not 
 denied. All with whom the Bishop came in 
 contact have felt them in their turns; but all 
 with one accord enshrined his niemoiy in 
 tlieir hearts ; all revere his name ; all ac- 
 knowledge his worth ; all assert his piety ; 
 all would fain tread in his steps ; all say, 
 with Allan Wcbl), a|>ostropliizitig his lifeless 
 body — " A Brave axi> \oblk Soldier ; a 
 Wise, Bold Leader. I Esteem rr tiik 
 Greatest Privilege of my Life to have 
 Xkown AjfD Loved LLim."
 
 CKinCAL NOTICES. 
 
 THE 
 
 HOLY DAYS OF THE CHURCH 
 
 BY MRS. MARY E. BRADLEY. 
 
 This IB one of three Church books which we wish to be 
 used in training up the young in the knowledge of reli- 
 gion and discipline of the Church. Fiist should come Mrs. 
 D. P. Siinforrl's "Church Primer" for the beginners; next, 
 this lK)ok, which gives the Liturgical Order, and explains 
 to youthful capacities the Holy days in the Christian year, 
 imparting much collateral information ; and third. Dr. 
 Coxe's ••'I'houghU on the Services." ITiey all, taken in 
 roUtion, would build up a young person into being an in- 
 telligent, conscientious Churchman, and, while creating 
 attachment for the Church, would furnish him reasons for 
 his devotional practicx'8, and make him strong again.st 
 gainsayers. Not that we consider that these volumes con- 
 tain all that may be SJiid in fuvor of the Church system, or 
 tdl knowledge couc-erning it, but that they are excellently 
 suggestive, being free from polemical discussion, and ad- 
 mirably adapted for the designed i)urpose. The book be- 
 fore us is beautifully gotten up, having several engrav- 
 ings; but we recommend it specially for its contents in 
 poetry and prose, which answer the question, "What 
 mean ye by thii service?" — Calendar. 
 G4
 
 CKITICAL NOTICES. 
 
 ADDRESSES 
 
 TO 
 
 CANDIDATES FOR OIIDIXATION, 
 
 ON TUI 
 
 QUESTIONS IN Till: OIIIUNATION SKHVJCE. 
 
 i;r THK HISHOP <iF OXFOED. 
 
 Every Prit-st, when not prcvonU-*! by Ih'* iirgont call* of 
 panxliial <liity, ouRlit to review the Ortliimtion S«Tvicc on 
 ever)' annivenwiry of his (ulmitoUun to holy onlrnt. Here 
 is a iMxik well worthy his attention in connection with 
 this 8\il>ject. It hius an A<liin's« Xvuetl on ••iwh inquiry put 
 to the candidate for Ordination — twelve Addromrs in all. 
 It is needleKS to say that they are highly HUggentive, In- 
 Btructivo, and encourapinp. while ahoundinp with t«>lemn 
 warnings, since they were delivere«l by such a man as the 
 Wslinp of Oxford, and delivered by him at gncci-KUve 
 Ordinations in his dioccso, Put we recommend this vol- 
 ume specially to students in Divinity, who have yet in 
 jirospect their reception <jf the a<mniii«ion of a Minister 
 of Jesus Christ, 'lliey will tind in this book much cx- 
 phinative of the meaning of the Oniinal, and much noblj 
 Ciilculatc<i to 8tir their holii-st affections, ami to induce 
 many serious reflections on the rexponsibilities of the 
 sacred oflice. This would, indeed, con»titutc a good ttixt- 
 book in Pastoral Theoloijy. — Calendar. 
 65
 
 CRITICAL NOTICES. 
 
 BLIND LILIAS; 
 
 OH, 
 
 F K L I. O W S H I*P WITH GOD 
 
 A lALE FOll THE YOUXG. 
 
 BY A L-VDV. 
 
 The triumphs of evangelical principle are graphically 
 delinoaUxl in this Biniplcand iK'autiful narrative. It t^Us 
 of dis< ipline in aniiction, and of its gradual work in re- 
 fining and rectifying corrupt nature. By degrees the 
 perverse will is overcome, and the heart renewed in 
 rightcou.snes.'*, till the kingdom of Go<i is estaldlshed in 
 the soul. With an intimate knowled;j;e of human nature, 
 and a charming naturahu-ss, the laiiy author has brought 
 before us the life-like portmiture of a young and ingenu- 
 ous girl, affectionate, impresi*ible, and impulsive, but 
 wayward and self-willed ; full of warm and generous 
 feelings, but perverse, proud, and passionate ; with a mind 
 of superior power and great intelligence, but headstrong 
 and impatient of control — a character needing the severe 
 clia-stcning with which, in the providence of God, she is 
 visitetl, to prepare her heart to receive the heavenly 
 leaven. Finally, the child of nature Ix'comes the cliild 
 of grace, and walks in foUowtihlp with God. Tliis story 
 abounds with interesting incidents. ITie volume is beau- 
 tifully gotten up, and adorned with plates. -Calendar. 
 66
 
 CRITIC A r, NOTICES. 
 
 Kalli, the Esquimaux Christian. A Memoir. By the 
 
 Kev. T. B Murray, M.A. New York : The Church Book 
 
 Society. 1861. 
 
 The conversion of this young man is one of the fruits 
 of Arctic expeditions. In November, 1851, Knllihirua wivs 
 placed in the Missionary College of St. Augustine, Cun- 
 terhury, England, at the siigpe.«<tion of the Society for tho 
 Propagation of the Gospel. Tlie intention wa« to fit hira 
 for missionary work m hi.s native land. He met the de- 
 sires of his Christian friends in respect to progress in liter- 
 ary and spiritual preparation for his designed work. He 
 has been of great help in compiling a Ctreenland f^^iui- 
 maux Vocabulary. But he departed this life in June, 
 185G, through a disease aggravated or accelerated by bis 
 close application in St. John's College, Newfoundland. 
 This memoir contains mu<h collateral infortnation ain- 
 cerning the Esquimaux countrj', the inh.U.itants, thiir 
 customs, religious notions, etc., I>eside8 many u.seful re- 
 flections. — Cikitiltir. 
 
 Christmas Day tells how plea.««intly n little boy spent 
 this great Festival, and with what a happy heart he went 
 to his bed at night, Ix-cause he hail endeavored not to be 
 selfish in his enjoyments, but mneml>ering the text, 
 " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth pcsicc, good- 
 will toward men." had i)nitticed the " good-will" there 
 enjoined.— CAf/rcA Ititdligauxr. 
 
 The Church Book Society has is.sued, in neat form, the 
 admirable sermon preached at the late annual meeting in 
 New Haven by the Rev. Dr. Randall. It discu-sses the 
 mutual relations between " Our Sunday Schools and our 
 Country," in a manner which shows at once the deep 
 thinker, the sound Churchman, and the true patriot.— 
 CItitrch Journal. 
 
 73
 
 CKITICAL NOTICES. 
 
 "We have received from the General Protestant Episcopal 
 Sunday School Union and Church Book Society, New York, 
 F. D. Harriman, Agent, the following : 
 
 The Holy Days of the Church. By Mrs. Mary E. 
 
 Bradley. 
 
 Plain explanations of our Holy Days, designed especially 
 for children. It is crowded with beautiful illustrations. 
 Basil, the Fai'hful Eoy. 
 Dora and Charlie- hy the author of "Little Dora:" 
 
 and The Blind Boy, by Rev. H. Hastings Weld. 
 The Eose JPuds. By Mrs. D. p. Sanford, author of 
 
 " First Scripture Lessons," etc. 
 
 Little Mary's Pet and The Arab Horse. 
 The Faithfiil Friends and The Swallow. 
 
 Five pretty 82nio books, of about OU pages each, foi 
 young children. Elegantly illustrated. The first three 
 are especially good. — Episcopal Recorder. 
 
 Thoughts on the Services. Designed as an Introduc- 
 tion to the Liturgy, and an Aid to its Devout U.se. By 
 A. Cleveland Coxe, Kector of Grace Church, Baltimore. 
 Third American edition. 
 
 This admirable work was republished from Dr. Coxe's 
 contributions to a periodical which originally appeared hi 
 1845, and has already passed through two editions, besides 
 being reprinted in England. It will prove an acceptable 
 and valuable volume to all, but particularly in missionary 
 districts, where families are remote from the privileges of 
 the Church, and to the young, who require to learn that 
 the arrangement of the lessons and other portions of 
 Scripture is a commentary of itself, and that the word 
 thus fitly spoken is indeed " like apples of gold in pictures 
 of silver."— C7<MrcA Record. 
 
 74
 
 CRmCAL NOTICKS. 
 
 Addresses to the Candidates for Ordination, on the 
 
 Questions in the Oidinali'.n Service. By tbe Hiahop nf 
 
 Oxford. I'rice $1. 
 
 Wc arc glad to .^ce this most valuable book publihhcd, 
 and to see it appjirently endorsed in quarters where the 
 Bishop has too often been censured. It in tvidrnt, it is 
 thought, a great good ain come out of him, and we rejuic« 
 it i.s thought so. No better means can In? employe*! to 
 raise in men's thoughts the stiindurd of minUlerinl piety 
 and duty than tlie circulatii>u and rcoiling of this Iniok. 
 A note to this American edition snys tnilr : '* Itarcly is 
 one permitted to read a work so rich with the sweetuc« 
 and riuliual with the lovt-linei* of pivty. so bathed in ilie 
 spiritual deeps of devotion, s»i strict in its portraiture of 
 holiness, wiiile, at the same time, so just and judicious in 
 it9 a'ihercnce to order ; presenting the Uuspil of Ji-sus in 
 the Cliurch of Jt-sus ; go fn-e from the extn-mes of parti- 
 sans ; exasgerating neither the subji-ctive nor objtvtivo 
 influences of Christianity, l>ut according to the pn>portions 
 of faith, atijiisting ihe inward and outward of religion in 
 a divine harmony.— Z?ann«- o/ the Crott. 
 
 'riie Church Bt>ok Society lays four new l>ook« on our 
 table. Mrs. Sanford's " Ilo»ebu<U' is s ver) little volume, 
 with cuts much less.attractive than the lively work of the 
 popular authoress. " Jw«y Muores Four Gift^.' and 
 " Not Lost, but Laid Aside," are two nice tales, the latter 
 bearing on the title i«ge "a trucstory." 'llie fourth isu 
 memoir of •Kalli. th.- r><iuimau.\ l"hristian," which isu 
 brief but very iaten sting narrative. Kolli was Uiplixed 
 in the old church t.f S. Martin, Canterbury, and died soon 
 after in Ncwfounlland. while the devoted Bishop of New- 
 foundhmd was in the act of commending his soul to God 
 in prayer — Cliurch JtAiriud. 
 
 lb
 
 CRITICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Little Mary's Pets. This is designed to excite senti- 
 ments of kindness toward the dumb creatures. Be- 
 tween the same covers is a line story of 
 
 The Arab Horse, showing the intelligence, docility, and 
 natural uoMoiu-ss'of that animal. 
 
 The Faithful Friends. This story ought to be read 
 aft«r the ' ' Faithful Boy . ' ' In the same volume is a tale 
 about 
 
 The Sparrow, which gives an insight into the nature 
 and habits of that bird. 
 
 Basil, the Faithful Boy. An entertaining story, incul- 
 cating a good religious moral. 
 
 Dora and Charlie. By the author of "Little Dora." 
 Here ib a pleasing narrative of two afifectionate chil- 
 dren, and of the Christian influences brought to bear on 
 them in forming their character. In this book, too, is 
 another story entitled 
 
 The Blind Boy, which brings before the reader a picture 
 of hiiiiseliold synipathy and tenderness, sanctified by 
 religious princijiles. 
 
 The Old Cabinet; or, Leigh Thornton's Choice. By 
 
 Helen Wall Pierson. 
 
 This is a larger publication of the Church Book Society 
 than those just noticed, and though we have spoken of it 
 so recently, we take occasion to recommend it again ; for 
 its moral is so excellent, and the teaching of it so impor- 
 tant, that we wish that it might be read, not only by 
 youth, but by parents who wish their children to grow up 
 and be honest men, lirm in their integrity, ready to sacri- 
 fice selfishness, and willing to render justice, whether or 
 not compelle 1 by statute. Procure this book, and read it 
 aloud in your family, and talk over its contents. — Calendar. 
 76
 
 CRITICAL NOTICKS. 
 
 Thoughts on the Services. Pt-signed as an Introduc- 
 tiun to the Liturgy, and an Aid to its Devout Use. By 
 , A. Cleveland Co.xe, Rector of Grace Church, Baltimore. 
 We are happy to phue again in our columns the title of 
 a book which we highly esteem and desire to be widely 
 circulated. First published two years ago, it£ third edition 
 is now rapidly selling otf. Tliis work, a£ now published 
 has been greatly improved and enlarged since its first pub- 
 lication. Every person desiring an intelligent apprecia- 
 tion of the Church Service should pt^ruse this book, which 
 explains, in an interesting manner, the connection and re- 
 lation of the different parts of the Liturgioil order. Wo 
 recommend these "Thoughts' to the attention of young 
 pers«ins who would have their eyes and heart£ open to the 
 beauty, excellence, and Scriptural charoiter of the Lit- 
 urgy. — CaUndar. 
 
 The Children's Chant Book is a brief but very good 
 
 selection of cliaiits ;uid uuils, juid is st>ld cheap — the one 
 great requisite for Sunday Schools and gtnend use. It is 32 
 pages, and only three cenU. It contains 13 chant* (of which 
 one is given twice), with two rcspt)nse8 to the Command- 
 ments, three Glorias, and a Triaaffion. At the end are The 
 Christmas Trtt. The Chnstnuu CaiUata, Tht Thrte Kings of Ori- 
 ent, and Carol, Brothers, Carol. — Churdi Journal. 
 
 Christmas-Tide, and its Customs. By the Rev. t. b. 
 
 .MuiT.iy, M.A. 
 
 A book for the season, givin? a brief account of ancient 
 Chrihtm;is customs, some of which are still retained in 
 England; and also pointing out the way in which we 
 should individually apply the religious teachings of the 
 day. Three hymns for the Christmas festivals ore bound 
 in the same volume. —CAurcA IiUtUigencer. 
 77
 
 CEITICAL NOTICES. 
 
 The Lily of Tiflis. A Sketch from Georgian Church 
 
 History. 
 
 A thrilling story, giving an account of the attack and 
 overtlirow of the Georgian Christians hy the Moliammedans 
 under the fierce Menian. The firm faith and heroic death 
 of the good Queen Susanna and little Tamar is a touching 
 exhibition of what the Christian religion can fit one to en- 
 dure. Through mental and bodily anguish they passed 
 alike unshaken, sustained by the religion which they pro- 
 fessed. This is one of a series of tales now being published 
 to illustrate the chief events in ecclesiastical history, thus 
 enabling the general reader to become acquainted with 
 facts otherwise scarcely known to any but the student of 
 divinity. — Church Intelligencer. 
 
 The Life of Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Dowti, Connor, 
 
 and Dromore. By George L. Duyckinck. 
 
 We take pleasure in bringing this little volume to the 
 notice of our readers, many of whom, we are sure, must 
 be hearty admirers of that most excellent man, Jeremy 
 Taylor, most justly called by Coleridge "The Shakspeare 
 of Theolog)'. ' ' The truth and beauty of the title conferred 
 upon him by the poet have been so widely recognized, 
 that it now seems inseparable from the name. Mr. Duyck- 
 inck has been most successful in his undertaking, and has 
 given the world a life of Bishop Taylor adapted equally to 
 youthful and mature readers. He has also been most 
 happy in selecting, so far as a small volume would allow, 
 the finest productions of " The Shakspeare of Theology," 
 side by side with the incidents which in many cases gave 
 them birth. This biography is a fitting companion to the 
 Life of George Herbert, also by Mr. Duyckinck, which was 
 publi.«hed by the Church Book Society last year. — Chicago 
 Record. 
 
 78
 
 CEITICAL NOTICES. 
 THE 
 
 ciiriirii AM) Till-; ri:i:ss; 
 
 OR, 
 
 ClIi:i>'iIA.\ LIlKKATli:!-: 
 THE INIIEKITAXCE OF THE CHlia II, 
 
 AMD 
 
 THE PRESS AS EDUCATOK ANI> AN ETAXGEUST. 
 
 A Sermon preached in Richmond, at St. I*)kur« Church, 
 October lllth, 18:)9. nt the Eleventli Trlrnnlal Meeting 
 of the Sundiiy Schocjl Union and Chiirxh Ilook Society. 
 By A. Clkvela.vd Coxe, Kivtur of Grace Churrh. Ualti- 
 more. Fourth Thounand. New York : OenenU Pro- 
 testant Epimxipal S. 8. Union and Churrh IkM>k Foci- 
 ety, No. 762 Broadway. 
 
 " A sermon of Dr. Cleveland Coxe's iwual thooRhtfnl« 
 ncss and fulness of critical ami imitginativc power, and 
 more than usuidly able, urKCft upon American Churchmen 
 the imperative duty of using the powerful inctrument of 
 the Press mtire thorouphly and mf>re mUously. Hia re- 
 marks are not without their moral to ourwlvcs. To our 
 colonies they speak its appnipriat<dy and as urgently m to 
 America herself." — Guardunt (Ijondon, &tg.) 
 79
 
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