IMAGE EVALUATION
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23 VnST MAM STRHT
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CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHIVI/ICIVIH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Inttituta for Hiatorical Microraproductions / Inatitut Canadian da microraproductiona liistoriquaa

Technical and Bibliographic i\lot«t/Notaa tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa

Tha Inatltuta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat
original copy avallabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia
copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua.
which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha
raproduction, or which may algnificantly changa
tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow.

Colourad covara/
Couvartura da coulaur

I I Covara damagad/

Couvartura andommagte

Covara raatorad and/or iaminatad/
Couvartura raataurte at/ou paliicuMa

Covar titia miaaing/

La titra da couvartura manqua

Colourad mapa/

Cartaa gtegraphiquaa an coulaur

Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/
Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira)

Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/
Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa an coulaur

Bound with othar material/
Rail* avac d'autraa documanta

Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion
along interior margin/

La re liure aerrte peut cauaar da I'ombre ou de la
diatortion la long de la marge IntMeure

Blank leavea added during reatoration m<ay
appear within the text. Whenever poaaibia, theae
have been omitted from filming/
II ae peut que cartainea pagea blanchea ajoutiea
lore d'une reatauration apparaiaaent dana la taxte,
mala, ioraque cela Atait poaaibia, caa pagea n'ont
pea AtA filmAea.

Additional commenta:/
Commentalraa aupplimantairea:

L'Inatltut a microfilm* la meilleur exemplaire
qu'il iui a 4t* poaaibia de ae procurer. Lea d^aila
da cet exemplaire qui aont paut-Atre uniquea du
point de vue bibiiographique, qui pauvent modifier
une image reprodulte, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dana la m4thoda normale de filmaga
aont indiquAa ci-daaaoua.

n
n

Coloured pagea/
Pagea de couleur

Pagea damaged/
Pages endommagAea

Pagea raatorad and/or laminated/
Pagea reataur^ea at/ou pellicultea

Pagea diacoloured, atained or foxed/
Pagea dAcoloriaa, tachatAea ou piquAea

Pagea detached/
Pagea dAtachAea

Showthrough/
Tranaparence

Quality of print variaa/
Qualit* iniftgale de I'impreaaion

Includea aupplementary material/
Comprend du matiriel auppMmentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Mition diaponible

Pagea wholly or partially obacurad by errata
alipa, tiaauea, etc., have been ref limed to
enaure the beat poaaibia image/
Lea pagea totalament ou partiellement
obacurciea par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont Ati filmAea A nouveau de fapon A
obtenir la mellleure image poealMa.

P(
of
fll

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b«
th
ak
ot
fir
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or

ah
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dil
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bJ
rig
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Thia item ia filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document eat filmi au taux da reduction indiqu* ci-deaaoua.

10X 14X 18X 22X

2SX

30X

12X

16X

2DX

a«x

2IX

32X

Th« copy fllmad h«r« has h—n r«produc«d thanks
to tha ganarosity of:

Library of tha Public
Archivas of Canada

L'axampiaira film* fut raproduit grica A la
gAniroaitA da:

iM bibiiothAqua das Archivas
publiquas du Canada

Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha bast quality
possibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibillty
of tha original copy and in kaaping with iha
filming contract spacifications.

Original copias in printad papar covara ara f ilmad
baginning with tha front covar and anding on
tha last paga with a printad or iiluatratad Impras-
sion, or tha back covar whan appropriata. All
othar original copias ara filmad baginning on tha
first paga with a printad or iiluatratad Impraa-
slon, and anding on tha laat paga with a printad
or iiluatratad Impraaaion.

Tha last racordad frama on aach minroflcha
shall contain tha symbol -^ (moaning "CON-
TINUED"), or tha symbol y (moaning "END"),
whichavar appliaa.

Laa imagaa aulvantas ont 4t* raprodultas avac la
plus grand aoin, compta tanu da la condition at
da la nattatA da l'axampiaira filmA, at an
conformity avac las conditions du contrat da
fllmaga.

Las axamplairas orlglnaux dont la couvartura an
papiar aat ImprimAa sont fllmAs an commangant
par !a pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la
darnlAra paga qui comporta una ampralnta
d'impraaaion ou d'illustratlon, solt par la sacond
plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras axamplairas
orlglnaux sont fiimAs an commandant par la
pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta
d'Imprasslon ou d'illustratlon at an tarminant par
la darnlAra paga qui comporta una talla
amprainta.

Un das symbolaa auivants apparattra sur la
darnlAra imaga da chaqua microficha, salon la
cas: la aymbola ^^ signlfia "A SUIVRE", la
symbols V signlfia "FIN".

Maps, platas, charts, ate, may ba filmad at
diffarant raductlon ratios. Thoaa too larga to ba
antiraly included In ona axpoaura ara filmad
baginning in tha uppar laft hand cornar, laft to
right and top to bottom, as many framaa aa
raquirad. Tha following diagrams llluatrata tha
mathod:

Las cartas, planehaa, tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra
filmte k daa taux da rMuctlon diffirants.
Lorsqua la documant ast trop grand pour Atra
raproduit an un aaul cllchi, 11 ast film* A partir
da I'angla supAriaur gaucha, da gaucha h drolte,
at da haut an bas, an pranant la nombra
d'Imagaa n6cassalra. Las diagrammas sulvants
illustrant la mAthoda.

wimm

•mmifmmi^^imfm^^^^^^

■^^-^

A CHARGE

TO THB

CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF QUEBEC,

DELITERBD

I i

AT THE VISITATION IN

MONTREAL, Lower Canada, 9th August,

KINGSTON, Upper Canada, 23rf Aug

YORK, Upper Canada, 5th Sept.

IN THE YEAR 1833.

iiir

CHARLES JAMES STEWART, D. D.

BISHOP OF QUEBEC.

^ . QUEBEC .

PRINTED BY THOS. GARY AND CO.

1834.

TO THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF QUEBEC,

THIS CHARGE,

PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST,

IS INSCRIBED WITH SINCERE AFFECTION AND RESPECT,

BY THEIR FAITHFUL FRIEND AND BROTHER,

C. J. QUEBEC.

-#^

A CHARGE,

My Reverend Brethren,

Through the providence and the grace of God I
am enabled once more to meet you on the solemn
occasion of our assembling in one place, for the
mutual purposes of consulting together, and
edifying one another. May God's Holy Spirit,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, guide and govern
us in all our thoughts, words and actions !

The glory of God, the increase of His Church,
the benefit of our own souls, and of all souls
which we can in any way reach, are the important
objects to which our attention and endeavours
should be directed. To promote these results
the means are numerous. It will therefore be
necessary that I select those topics for our
consideration which aflfect interests very extensive

.^i^'^., .■•>-'

in their nature and consequences, and which are
in many respects peculiar to the circumstances of
this Diocese. When I last addressed you on a
similar occasion, I treated of subjects of universal
importance ; the duties of Ministers to their
flocks, as to public worship, the sacraments and
ordinances of the Church ; their elevation above
the things of this world ; and the necessity of
their being examples of the believers in all
respects. At present, the times are extraordinary,
the condition of the United Church of England
and Ireland, with regard to its establishment,
support, and means, not satisfactory ; the want
and demand of more labourers in the vineyard
here are urgent, and the supplies for the support of
Clergymen in this country in danger of being
diminished rather than increased. Under existing
circumstances, I deem it to be my duty to take
particular notice of these points, as excitements to
our humility, zeal, and disinterestedness in the
cause of God and his Church ; and with a view
of directing our thoughts and prayers to the
conduct we should pursue in our present situation,
and of making preparation and provision for
future contingencies, necessities and wants —
temporal and spiritual, which may reasonably be
contemplated.

The opportunity of my speaking to you in
public assembly on these topics has been delayed,
owing to the circumstances which called me last
year to England ; for I fully intended to have
holden a visi*^^ation last summer. My visit,
however, to the Mother Country has, I believe,
afforded me some advantage in treating of the
subjects which I have mentioned, as it enabled
me to acquire information which had a bearing
upon them, as well as to communicate it to
influential persons at home. The knowledge
which I obtained is rather of a disappointing
character. I found that His Majesty's Ministers,
were so situated as to conceive themselves obliged
to reduce the allowances which had formerly been
given to the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts, for the support of the
Church in this part of the world ; and that they
were not prepared to come to any definite measure
with regard to the disposal or appropriation of
the Clergy Reserved Lands, and the revenues
which arise from them. The Parliamentary grant
to the Society has, I believe, been reduced ; and
the measures proposed * since my return to this

* A Bill to repeal cartai.n parU of an Act passed in the 31st year of
His late MajestyGeo. Ul. chap. 31. in so far as the same relates to reserves
of land for a Protestant Clergy in Canada, and for other purposes, was
introduced in 1832, by Message from His Majesty into the Provincial
Parliaments of Upper and Lower Canada, but did not pass in the House
of Assembly of either Province.

country respecting the lands, arc not calculated
to give satisfaction.

When I was in London, I presented to His
Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the
Colonies, a scheme of appropriation by sale and
endowment of somewhat more than one half of
the Lands Reserved for the maintenance of a
Protestant Clergy, in the hope that it might be
speedily adopted. It was kindly received, but no
encouragement was given me to lead to an
expectation that the plan would be put into
execution. In drawing up the scheme, I was
greatly indebted to the Reverend Alex. Bethune,
Missionary at Cobourg, for the information and
assistance which he afforded me ; and it is with plea-
sure that I avail myself of this opportunity of
acknowledging his services in this and other
matters connected with the first interests of the
Diocese.

One circumstance which occurred during my
residence in England I am happy to communicate.
An application, simultaneous with one from my
brother Bishop of Nova Scotia, was made by me
to a quarter which we have always found ready
to assist us to the utmost of their power — I mean
the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

I represented to that venerable body, that their
grant to me in 1827, to the amount of j£300,
had been exceedingly useful in these Provinces,
but that it had for some time been exhausted.
With their usual generosity they placed jC500
at my disposal, for the further promotion of the de-
signs of the Society. At the same time they voted
a like sum to the Bishop of Nova Scotia. And
not long before making these grants they had, in
consequence of a representation laid before them
of the formation of a Sunday School Society in
this Diocese, sent a donation of books to the four
central Committees, viz: at Quebec, Montreal,
York, and Kingston. We are all, I am confident,
very sensible of their bounty, and shall be happy
to co-operate together in making the best
improvement of it, in gratitude to them, and in
conformity with our own desires and obligations.
Permit me to exhort you to further their benevolent
designs, by promoting, as much as you can, in
your respective congregations, the circulation
and distribution of the Bible, the Books and
Tracts of the Society, and the purchase and use
of the Book of Common Prayer. It will give me
pleasure to distribute their talents intrusted to
me. Here, however, I shall mention that at
the time the last grant was made to me, I was
nearly £200 in their debt ; and that I have, at

f i

their request, promised to give assistance from
this fund to the Society formed at York, for
converting and civiUzing the Indians, and
propagating the Gospel among the destitute
Settlers in Upper Canada.

This new Society claims our attention, and I am
engaged to recommend it to your consideration
and support. It is unnecessary to enlarge on the
duty of extending our services to the spiritual
benefit of the poor Indians, a duty, which I fear
we must confess has been too much neglected by
us, and one to the prosecution of which we are
now particularly called. The claims on our
services of the destitute Settlers are not less
obvious, and I cannot entertain a doubt of our
inclination to meet them to the utmost extent of
our pow^er. For the accomplishment of these
objects it will be expedient that Committees or
Auxihary Societies be established in different
parts of the Diocese, and that a plan should be
drawn up and well digested of co-operation with
the Society at York.

I |!l

i
If

The Sunday School Society for the Diocese
also demands our notice. Scarcely any thing can
be more conducive to the interests of true
religion than the institution of Sunday Schools.

They begin and carry on tlie work of instruction
in the soil most easy and profitable for cultivation.
They are with facility spread over the country ;
and the benefit of them extends not to the
scholars only, but also to the families of the
young people taught in them, and to the teachers
themselves ; for it is a just observation, that every
one in teaching others is sure to gain instruction
himself. For the support, and the promotion of
the best system of conducting them, it is very
desirable that a well organized plan of instruction,
and a combined effort for raising the means
necessary to meet the expenses incident to them,
should be pursued throughout the Diocese. A
scheme for the attainment of this object was some
time since prepared by a Committee chosen for
the purpose at Quebec. And I take pleasure in
mentioning our obligations to one of our brethren,
the Reverend George Archbold, Missionary at
Cornwall, at that time Visiting Missionary of the
Diocese, who first conceived this design, and
afiforded great assistance in the prosecution of
it. The scheme will be shortly submitted to
you; and I am happy in anticipating your
approbation of it and your cordial co-operation
in carrying its provisions into effect. May God
bless and give increase to our united endeavours
to bring up the youth committed to us, in an

Li -fnTT^janre i iiW i Tj i

i I i!

habitual observance and improvement of his
Sabbaths, and in the fear and love of His holy
name !

It has been mentioned that in furtherance of
the designs of the Sunday School Society, a
donation of books to the four central Committees
has been received from the Parent Society, for
Promoting Christian knowledge ; and I am
happy to inform you that in support of the
same object, the Venerable Society P. G. F.
P. have given £200. Nearly the whole of
this sum has been expended in printing elementary
tracts and cards of instruction for the use of the
Society, which were partly drawn up by the
Committee at Quebec.

Hli 1'

i ] i-

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
in Foreign Parts have also adopted measures
for the maintenance of a body of Catechists in
this Diocese, a provision which cannot fail of
being highly beneficial to the Church in those
places where the services of a Minister are not
yet afforded to the people ; and also in rendering
subsidiary aid where those services are scattered
over an extensive and populous mission. Great
care must be taken in making a selection of men
well suited to so responsible an office, and the

Clergy must be watchful not to recommend any
person in whom they cannot confide, under the full
persuasion^ from ample knowledge and experience
of his character, that he will prove a diligent,
devout and judicious catechist. Schoolmasters
may be appointed to the office, but in all cases
the pay of those who undertake it will be
proportioned to their capacities, and the extent
of their services, to the best of our knowledge.
To meet the expense of this provision for the
benefit of the Church, the Society have authorised
me to draw upon, the Treasurer for the payment
of salaries thus incurred to the extent of i&500
per annum, and the charge upon this account in
the Diocese amounts now to nearly that sum. —
It is unquestionably a judicious and important
appropriation; it is another instance of the liberal
and fostering care of the Society in supporting
our establishment : we acknowledge it with
gratitude; and we shall, I trust, under God's
blessing, make good improvement of it to the
increase of His Church.

The last topics'mentioned exhibit the genero*
sity of the Societies in England, and also the exer-
tions made here to form new Societies, viz: that for
converting and civilizing the Indians, and pro-
pagating the Gospel among destitute settlers^

and that for the establishment of Sunday
Schools throughout the Diocese. But I have
observed that the condition of the Church at
home is not satisfactory, and that our prospects
of increase, not to say continuance of usual
support, are not encouraging, and this at a time
when we particularly need assistance. The
language which under existing circumstances is
held by His Majesty's Government, and the
policy which it is thought necessary to pursue,
promise no increase, but threaten a diminution
of funds. I would fain, however, hope that the
extent of the Emigration to this country, and the
encouragement given to it, may induce the
advisers of His Majesty to take into consideration
the spiritual wants of the new and destitute
settlers, and cause a special grant to be made for
their particular benefit.

The Clergy Reserved lands cannot very soon,
consistently with their good management, be
made available to the extent of our wants. It is
to be hoped that some plan for their appropriation
will soon be fixed on, that they may without
delay benefit us in some degree.* It is a provision

* Since the reduction of the annual Parliamentary grant in 1832, with a
view to its entire discontinuance after the year 1834, the salaries of the
Clergy of Upper-Canada have been in part defrayed, by the direction of
His Majesty B Government, out of the proceeds of the Clergy Reserved
Lands. And at this present timo their salaries are paid, vo the extent
which the funds will allow, from this source. We have reason to be thank-
ful for tht'se acts of justice and kindness towards us.

It i

which has been made by the Government for the
Clergy, and it is to be regretted that so many
obstacles have interfered with the improvement
of this property. It is not, however, my intention
to impute blame in any quarter with regard to
the obstacles and delays which we have to lament.
It was not easy to adopt any efficient plan, or to
fix a just value upon them, especially while the
emigration to these Provinces was inconsiderable,
and the country was not flourishing to th« extent
in which it has prospered of late years. That
the Government of a country should provide for
the support of the Church is, I am persuaded the
opinion of His present Majesty and his Ministers.
That the people should contribute in some way
to the maintenance of the Clergy, is to me
manifest: it is not less so, at the same time, that
the Ministers of God in the land should not
be entirely dependent upon the voluntary
contributions of the people. As long as the
majority of the people are unrighteous, it cannot
be expected that due support will be properly
given to the maintenance of the Ministers of
religion. Much has been said about the United
States affording an example tending to a different
conclusion, l^t I believe that a fair view of the
subject will not bring us to this result. In that
part of the States where the Protestant Episcopal

!«•

\ \

has considerable fund^ >" P^^ congregational
contribution ; and wn ^^^^^^

Church i. best supported, .t has ^^^ ^^^

,.y law ; and after a^l. Ae pr „f

support of reUgion. and f"'™;" United States
Xtersin the greatest f^^ °l^^;^,,^,, of
i,,amentablydeficient;andHePO.

feelings of solicitude and alarm.

=„ much incumbent upon
»''^"°''':;Te;it"tamatterofduty

meat P'«'«"**°*'7" state should support
and exprfiency. ha he St^ ^^^^^

the Church, or * 'f ^^^^P^,^,, or of their

^" •=°"Trcontrii to the maintenance of
own good Will, comr patiently to

God's Ministers, as to exhort y V ^^

submit to the .«^*^:^^,y Jplace''. -«»

through faith in the dmn v ^„„ren-

plate without unnecessary a»^y.^^^.^„ ^,

ees -1^* -^^Sur^rdhumbly and res-

the same *•>"*• ^*" Majesty's Government,
pectfully repre-UoHi^sty^^.^ bounty and

*:ti:r:;'Xciering the means for her

support which are in their power ; and I am
disposed to believe we shall be favorably listened
to, and not hardly dealt with. I trust, however,
that whatever may be the at^ ect of the times,
you are not anxious about your own worldly con-
dition ; that you are willing to work, and that
cheerfully, without due recorapence from man,
putting your trust in God, who rules over aU
things, provides for his people in the way best
for them, and who has declared that the gates of
hell shall not prevail against his Churchi the
mystical body of Christ. That Church will be
visible in the world till his kingdom of glory
come ; and in the mean time he will feed his
flock. Be watchful only that you and your peo^
pie belong to his fold. Keep the enemy out of
it— the evil one, sin and its train of mischief, to
the utmost of your power : sin only separates
between us and our God ; and "if God be fot
us, who can be against us ?" Not that we
should be careless altogether for the things of this
world, for ourselves and those who may follow
us, but that they should not predominate in our
heart and mind. We are taught to provide for
our own, and specially for those of our own
house :* *' Even so hath the Lord ordained, that
they which preach the Gospel should live of the
Gospel." t It is the duty of those who partake of

• 1 Tim. v. 8.

t Cor. IX. H

(Jli "

.18

i „,inl8tcrin carnal things lo
.piritaal things, to mm.«c^ ^^^^^^ k„ow

those who instruct them. ^^

*^'« *° '^v't'S: i^S»s '"*^«^*" *:

acquainted with their j^e support

Jre readily they -« "^-Ji. They ought
of God's worship a°d f»° ^„d BO fully ami
to he called upon to this eBe<^t • ^ ^^^^^ ^^

persuaded of their -l-tV -f;^^ ' ^t of such a

L Church ->"^^^^2X^-^^-'^'"'"''''^'
calUhatl am "^'JT^* *°2 Meeting them to
to the Clergy of this Dioce^. ^^^^^^^^

point out to t^^'^TtSsuhstance. in giving
to honor the I»"l;'* ^^^'t of the services

a part of it to^^'^^^^Je So P"*"" *'"''
of the sanctuary and those w P^^ ^^.^_ .^ .^

Vrhere the peop^ can aflo ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^

ohviously their futy- ^.^ent, and the

cannot, owing to their recert s .^ ^^^^^

poorness of their c.rcums'- ; ^^.^^.^^ ,
Lym'^y^e-S^S^^^': "providing for the
church, and so /" *^ ^^.^J^. Butwherethe
worship of God '"J"*^^ ^,^d houses.- and also
people are " dwelhng in c^ed ^^^^^ ^^^

Le churches »<> ^^-"\*; :;;ort'of their Mi-
^^-'°^t:fyt'randXselves.andin
nister, in duty to

- . cor. IX. 11, and Gal, VI. 6. , ...r 1834.

.Cnt.c.n,uponO.-..re.ol«f.ontUUhep.e«nty..r.l
^1 was prevented from MtWB up

b to

are

the
ipport
ought
ami
:hat of
such a
;ircular
hem to
igations
a giving
services
m them,
his, it is
ces they
, and the
in others
luildiag a
r for the
where the
;' and also
hould give
their Mi-
es, and in

es»nt y«»r. 1834.

order that a portion of his salary received from the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, may
be applied towards the maintenance of Mission-
aries, where the settlers are numerous, and
they are yet unable to contribute to such an
object. This is surely consistent wi^h the right
order of things, at least in the present condition
of a great proportion of this country, where the
accession to the population is great and extraor-
dinary, and the means of the people for their own
subsistence very limited ; and where the public
resources in support of the church are deficient,
and the provision for the maintenance of the
Clergy is in an unsettled and precarious state.
All persons are stewards accountable to God
for the property or the goods which they possess ;
and they should give a portion to the support of
his Church ; and the most obvious and profitable
way of performing this duty, is contributing to
the maintenance of their own Minister. It is
good to give to the preaching of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts, but certainly we should see this,
in a measure at least, provided for in our own
place and neighbourhood, before we send our
means for the advancement of this object to any
other part of the world. I feel myself called upon
to recommend this point of duty to you and your
people, wherever any considerable number of

: . ,Lrtve dependance on laboat fof
them are msed *«'*''*P rf^s and comfort,
providing the c°«>«<'" "^J^"^ a„„, i„ «,veral
"^»^''- Titt^-x:5e^oberonowed.
places, and it « jn ^^^.^^ i„ ,„„« re.^

It may not ^e f^e f^" J ft is immediately
pecte. but what .b so dt°S«*«^ ^„ .„,we them

tended - ^^^^ ol^Sute pi«=e. , hut
to hestow their houmyp ^^^^ .„pportof

the principle of c"'"""*'" .„ jt^tf „eceMary
religion, ^bich'tmvolve'. «« ^^^^^^.^^

:irt^^::s-"--^-
^---"r^:ro?:in^s-

^'™'"*'°:;^;r.^Sve;diffe^^^^ But I

rm^rn:irae-usofpro^n;.--,re
Uase the number of -^a«g^^^^^^^^

accompUshment of «>« *'«^ J ^^^ I

,hove all t^^°f Jf add in eve;y possible way
would do my best to ^^^ ^y

to the real c-f^^^^" /^ f„ », I can the in-"
first desire is to promote as ta ^^^.^^ ^^

crease of God's Ch„rc^.J^^t^^^^,^,^,,„

souls, in this part of the vm y ^^^^^^^^_

"^"^"■"l^^^urertshu'dbebiredandsentto
that more labourers sn ^^^ ^^^^^

cultivate a field so extensive, an

time promising so abundant a harvest. Without
Ministers Ocd'a word and sacraments cannot be
duly dispensed, public worship will not be regu-
larly performed, nor the Sabbath day devoutly
observed ; and unless these ordinances of the
Lord are kept up in the land, religion will not be
maintained among the people. Many places are
destitute of them : there is in this country a
^ide uncultivated field for the labours of thie
Ministry ; there is hard work to be performed,
and workmen are needed who will labour for a
moderate compensation. Missionaries must, of
all men, be spiritually minded, and zealous for
the salvation of souls ; they should be well in-
structed in the word of God, and able rightly to
divide it "in demonstration of the spirit and of
power," and possess that knowledge which makes
them ready to give every man a reason why he
should embrace the faith, hope, and charity of the
Gospel. To enable them the better to do this,
they should be learned men ; and that we may
have learned men, literature should be cultivated
and encouraged in the country. The estimation
of this, and the means for its acquisition in a
new country are generally deficient ; the mass of
the people, at least, are apt to undervalue it.
[But in this place, (York, now Toronto, U. C.,),
I am happy to observe that the means for its ac-.

quirement are not wanting; and I hope that they
are duly appreciated.] Let us recommend and
promote just views of the matter, and although
it cannot be expected that the highest attain-
ments in learning should be reached by all the
Ministers of the gospel, yet they all should be
rich in doctrine, in the knowledge of the prin-
ciples of religion, and of the distinguishing
excellencies of our own Church ; they all should
excel in that practice which leads men on to
perfection, and particularly in a desire and ability
to be instruments of communicating to their
fellow-creatures the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Here I shall make a few remarks for our
mutual edification upon some essentials in
preaching the gospel. St. Paul writes, " I de-
termined not to know any thing among you, save
Jesus Christ, and him crucified." The cross of
God is the power of God to salvation. Con-
viction of sin and repentance toward God
through faith in Jesus Chridt, is the beginning of
a life unto holiness. That we have no righte^
ousness of our own, and can only be justified by
faith in Jesus Christ, is a doctrine necessary to
salvation. That a right faith must produce good
works, fruit unto holiness, should always be
set forth : faith must work by love and keeping

the commandments of God ; this is the new
creature ; a heart believing to righteousness
is the new heart and spirit, without which no man
shall see the Lord. But we have not sufficiency
of ourselves, in our fallen and unrenewed nature
to think or do any good thing ; we must ask
with faith in the name of Jesus Christ, for the
Holy Spirit. To teach us to do this, the Gospel
is given unto us ; and it promises us the pre-
venting grace and the co-operating grace of God
to enable us to make improvement of the
powers and talents bestowed upon us for the sake
of Jesus Christ, if we do not wilfully resist the
Holy Ghost, and neglect so great salvation.
Christ died, tasted death for every man, that he
might live to the glory cf God ; if he will net do
so, he will go to hell, and God will finally be
glorified by hell itself. " Faith cometh by hear-
ing, and hearing by the word of God ;" due
attention given to that word, and earnest prayer
for his special grace, will for Christ's sake be
blessed by Him. " Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift!" Let us preach the whole
Gospel in its simplicity, broadness and fulness,
not wresting any part to suit any system, form,
or formality, dogma or precise view of any
human master, but striving to comprehend with
all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and

depth, and height of the love of Christ, which
passeth knowledge, and that oeace of God which
passeth all understanding. Preach peace to theco
that are ufar off, and to them that are nigh.
*' And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
of them that make peace." " The Kingdom of
God is righteousness, ai d peace, and joy in tho
Holy Ghost." Promote this kingdom to the
utmost of your power in your own hearts and
those of your hearers. Be not jealous of other
denominations, or needlessly obnoxious to them,
taking heed that you do uot conflict with the
truth, or the peace of God. Be anxious for
overcoming sin and evil in every shape, and for
magnifying in all things the glory of God ; tb£n«
you will be opposed to the devil and wickedness
more than to things of inferior importance, upon
which we ought not to spend our best strength ;
and you will never be inclined to contend for
those which are to be ranked among the doctrines
and commandments of men. Without compro'
mising in any way the principles or tlie intere^s
of the Church which you immediately serve, you
will study to be quiet, and to do your own busi-
ness ; and to be " an example of the believes,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, ia
faith, in purity," building up yourselves and your
flock on holy faith and prayer. Bring the wan-

0'>

derers back iVom the error of their ways to the
fold of Christ : proselyte to a right faith the
unconverted ; but make the increase of Christian
truth and charity your first desire and object ;
and they never interfere with each other, but
always render mutual assistance in their growth.
In this land there is wide room, ample work to
engage the Ministers of the Gospel. Open your
hearts, stretch and extend the cords of our tents
to embrace as many as you can o/ the children
of men within our Zion. Prefer your own
Chu zh. from conviction^ examination, and fair
inquiry ; and be ready to defend her institutions,
if necessary, '* in meekness instructing those
that oppose themselves ;" but avoid all needless
controversy ; it is apt to lead to discord and un-
charitableness. Press rather plain and essential
truths, pure faith, practical religion, trust in
God only, through faith in Jesus Christ ; and
the influences of the Holy Ghost : so doing you
shall both save yourselves, and them that hear
you. ^

I have briefly treated of your primary obligations,
the plain and leading points of your duty ; and if I
have been induced to dwell upon matters which
concern the temporal interests of the Clergy, it is
not that I regard these last as equal in import-

hut that the circumstances of the Charch
,nce, but that tne „t. make

in the Diooese at this partie" ^

^ think it necessary that ^ ^^^ wilhoal
„„st now draw to a dose not , ^0--"^; ^^^

partof'Hevrotld.mwbicnu i^

to us all, setting at "°»f ^J'.^Sily Aall
,isdomofman;shewmglht^h«-»o y^

be done, and that mthout H.m, we

any thing.*

Th. chief n.le. aid ^w.;o..in^^»^2^

^d. under every oaWy ., My ^ ^^^
not thou the chastemng of the 1^.
when thou art rebuked of h«n ^^»^
tbat it is the dispensatum ^^^J^, J, ;„

«-*'""^rifUtrrr»^»pp'y"^''

His promises. Itwereoe uus^d to u». The
ihismy. it will certamly be bk ^^ o ^

^t^''"i^'^rrrhr-Uu^t.

ful that we are hert , lo chasteniiag

^'^.rfSr;nroul:wn souls, and
of the Lord to the goo ^„tributins.

those of our «"='f ^"f ' J^ J comfort of the

as far as we can. »» *;^^*^*!? !^ We should

.v.. sick and the afiii^iea. "
poor, the «" ^i a^ strangers and

shew and ««»* *"^„,bl is a passage to.
pilgrims here; tha. *"'* J .4„,„„„„Js.p.eml.",l»M■
The Cholera ww al »U lieig'"
■ubaided.

and a preparation for a b etter one ; that our
treaoure, our heart, our life and conversation,

should be in Heaven ; that Y^hether we live, or die,
we serve the Lord.

This is peculiarly the duty of the Ctergy, and
above all in this time of visitation you should
lead your flocks to the pastures of God^s ordi-
nances, to waters springing up to everlasting life,
to the cross of Ch''ist, who was lifted up to draw
all men to him, to draw them from bondage to
sin and the world, and the fear of d^ath, ta the
glorious liberty of the children of God, to deli-
verance iVom evil, and forgiveness of their sins,
through faith in his blood, blotting out thetr
iniquities, and to spiritual mindedness, which i?
life and peace. You should exhort them to pray
to God for the Hohr Spirit, to read his wortf,
which is able to make them wise unto sahration,
through faith which is in Christ Jesus, to come
ta the communion of God, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, in the Supper of the Lord,
a table prepared beft>re us against all our troubles ;
to do these things tmly believing in the promises
of God. If tlley so do them, tiiey wilt be
happy, always ready to appear before God' in any
aiid'al! of his dispensations, to praise him always ;
and yoit wilf be blessed in being instruments^ in
his hands of saving souls-^ immortal souls, heira

!■' lit

■'!'(<

■h

if*

I! :![•

of heaven and a glorious eternity. Therc'iii.
balm in Gilead, there is a physician here ; there
are sick souls wounded and hurt, fie ye Minis^.
ters of Christ to preach the Gospel to the poof^
to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliveranciB
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to
preach the acceptable year of the Lord ; and if
you are faithful in your preaching, and act accor-
dingly, this year in particular, will be a blessed
one to you and to many souls. God grant it for
the sake of Jesus Christ.

Let us all, every one here, do our duty to-day,
not anxious for the morrow, but always ready for
eternity. Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof; but if we are doing our duty now, and
prepared to give an account to God, not with
grief, but with joy, every day will be blessed
to us, and our last day on earth, be it near or far
off, will minister to us an entrance abundantly
into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, through whom alone, we
have any real grounds of consolation, and who is
the sole author of all peace and hope in this life,
and of our salvation and everlasting glory in the
world to come. Now to God, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory for
ever and ever. Amen.

m .

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