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HO> 
 
 VI 
 
CHURCH FELLOWSHIP. 
 
 A SERMON, 
 
 Preached on Wednesday, September 5, 1832. 
 
 AT THE VISITATION OP THE 
 
 HONORARLE AND RIGHT REV. CHARLES JAMES, 
 
 LORD BISHOP OF QUEBEC. 
 
 BY THK 
 
 VENERABLE JOHN STRACHAN, D.D., L.L.D., 
 
 ARCHDEACON OF YORK. 
 
 ^utiHfiii^etr at tf^t ttttxitut at tljr itltvQs* 
 
 YORK: 
 
 PRINTED BY ROBERT STANTON. 
 
 1832. 
 
SERMON. 
 
 Acts, 2nd Chap. — Verses 41-42. Then they (hat gladly 
 renewed his word, were baptised; and the same day there wer& 
 added unto them about three thousand Souls. — And tlipy con- 
 tinued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship t and 
 in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
 
 The office of the Apostles was twofold. — They were 
 witnesses appointed by Christ to bear testimony to 
 the facts of his Ministry, and this they were qualified 
 to do by their constant attendance upon him while he 
 remained on earth, whether they understood the full 
 import of these facts or not. They were also Minis- 
 ters of the word, ordained of the Holy Ghost, and 
 Ex[)ounders and Preachers of the Gospel. 
 
 Previous to his departure, Jesus conferred upon 
 them the power of working signs and wonders, that 
 their testimony might have a prevailing influence up- 
 on the minds of others; but he commanded them to 
 vTait for the coming of the Comforter, before they 
 acted upon the commission which he had given them, 
 to go and teach all nations, baptising them in the 
 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 In expectation of this great event, the disciples as 
 they had been directed, remained at Jerusalem from 
 the Lord's ascension to the day of Pentecost; which 
 being fully come, *•' they were all with one accord in 
 
one place, when suddenly there came a sound from 
 heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all 
 the hf)Ut«e whcM'e they wiire sittiiig ; and there appear- 
 ed unto them ch)ven tonoriios, Hke as of fire, and it sat 
 upon each of them, and they vv(T(^ all filled with the 
 Holy Ghost, and began to sj)eak with other tongues, 
 as the Spirit gave them utterance." 
 
 The Apostles full from the power conferred upon 
 them by this wonderful manifestation, that the mo- 
 ment had arrived for commencinof the work of 
 conversion ; and going iinmc^diately forth, they preach- 
 ed to the Jews then assembled at Jerusalem, from all 
 quarters of the world, the words of eternal life. The 
 multitude were amazed at hearing these poor illite- 
 rate Galileans speaking with the greatest fluency and 
 propriety, the languages ofilieir res[)ectivo Countries; 
 announcing the commencement of the Messiah's 
 kingdom, and the glorious privileges obtained for 
 believers by the birth, death, resurrection and ascen- 
 sion of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Tliough it be eviihuit from tlie context that the other 
 Apostles addressed different portions of the people, 
 yet, the Holy Evangelifet confnies himself in his nar- 
 rative, to the sermon of St. Peter, as being d(MibtIess 
 the same in substance with the rest ; and which, 
 through the mighty energy of the Spirit, converted 
 three thousand Souls : — all these gladly received the 
 word and were baptised, and continued steadfastly in 
 the doctrine of the Apostles, in fellowship and break- 
 ing of the bread, and in the prayers. Such was the 
 
 
ori<,nn of the Christian Cliurcli, wliicli, since the cjay 
 ofPontorost ha.^ boon conlinnally iricreassiiij^s for the 
 Lord adds daily to its nunibor puch as s!i:dl be 
 savod. 
 
 After informing ns that the Chnrch of Christ began 
 in one congregation, which enlarged itself like a 
 fruitfnl vine, an(J gradually branched into many con- 
 gregations, for the convenience of vvor!*hip and dis- 
 cij>Iine ; the text points ont the conditions of Chnrch 
 Membership required by the Apostles, and which are 
 as necessary now as they were in the Church of 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 These conditions are so clear and simple, and so 
 well adfipt(!d for promoting unity and peace, that it 
 is difficult to conceive how they could have been mis- 
 taken or pervertiul. But it is no less strange than 
 true, that many professing christians are more ready 
 to appeal to the book of Revelation to justify precon- 
 ceived principles and o[)inions, than for correct infor- 
 mation concerning such as it is their duty to adopt. 
 They first assume certain tenets, and then they 
 search and sometimes wrest the Scriptures, in order 
 to support them. Instead of beginning with the law 
 and the testimony — instead of taking up the IJible 
 with the docile simplicity of children, and asking, how 
 readest thou I What says the word of God I They 
 are much more disposed to say, What thinkcst iliou ! 
 They will not surrender their understanding to Christ 
 as a Divine Teacher, and will only receive and ac- 
 knowledge his doctrine as far as it can be reconciled 
 
to the Hystutn n hicli iUvy Uiiw alrtindy cliusen — But 
 \vor(5 they in lln* tnic spirit of cjiridoiir, to portnit tl»o 
 ^*criptiin»s lo sit. in j(i;!i>inoiit iipdii tlwinsclvc^s, tlii.Mr 
 initlivcs au.'l I'rinciplrs, tin; vcrdii't v.ouM amuliil;it(; al- 
 most all lli<; DivisiiMis tij;jt aliilcllhi*. (-liii.>tia?i (.'Imrcli. 
 
 Tho comlilious ot' Ciiurcii Mciiiborsliip rocjuircd 
 by tliii Aj)c>sili's wcrr, 
 
 J'^ral — r.Miv I.N DocriMM'], 
 
 Sicond — 1.\ I'l.i.Lowsmp, 
 
 Third — In rm: r.\i{ i k ifATio.H or iin: Sackamlms^ 
 
 Four ill — Is PiJAvr.i:. 
 
 First — 'I'o coiitiimc rtcadfastly in tli(; Apostles doc- 
 trine, was tin; lirst thiii'^ r(M|uir('d in llio priniilivo 
 Clnircli. TIjo inorc^ rssontial articU.'s of our roligioii 
 called ill Scripture^ "The furni of sound words," the 
 words of "Faith," the princijjics of llio doctrine of 
 Christ, or in our coinnion \v<:y of spoakinj^, tluj (>roed 
 have, from the coininiMUHMneut of Chri?;tianity, heeii 
 collected in ont? IxmIj — "^iich smnniiuies wimo C(>rn- 
 mitted hy the Af^os'dcs to th(; first Preachers, for their 
 guidance in teachin;/ the converts and their children, 
 as wc iind from ^:'l. I'e.nrs directions to Timothy. — 
 They began with the Creed of our Saviour's own 
 inakinir» nafiiely, th'.; reco^rsritiun and belief in the 
 Holy Trinily, which was also the principal part of 
 the commission <iiv(Mi to the twelve Apostles, and was 
 ordained to be the express form of admission into 
 his Church l>y Christ himself. Here then we have 
 the first article of the Apostles' doctrine — a firm be- 
 lief in the Holy Trinity, in which belief the members 
 
of iho priiiiiiive (Jliuroh or congri'^'ation continued 
 «teadfiist. — Had God llie Father, ncvrr cn.'atod us — 
 or God llio Son, rc'd«'iMn('d us — or (iod iIk; IIoIv 
 Ghost saiiclirM'd us, yet (h(\v h.id Ixmmi cfjufdly glo- 
 rious — but ut)t l)(;iii<f irumilcslcd iti this [ninicul.ir 
 manner they could not h-ivc; been woishipjicd by 
 those lith3S — Vmi now each INtsdu of tht; (io(lh<'!id 
 iias a (bstinci change in the (r^cononiv ofour nMh-inp- 
 lion, and, therefore, (lacli is lo be \voitfhi|t')ed wiih 
 separate and aj)j)i{>[)riate (bnotion. 
 
 AVhen the l^^on Ivy his incarnation, his [)rearhin«T 
 and sulVerin;.^ hiid finished the work <jiven hirn to do; 
 wiien the llo\y Cihost had muMifesttMl his IN.'rson by 
 numerous niirach;s, and his fr|t,ii()iis (h^scent u[)orithc 
 Apostles, then, and not tiil then, did they baptise in 
 the name of the I'atJH^r, and of the Son, and of the 
 Holy Ghost. 
 
 The sermon of St. Peter, which is the first ever 
 preached under the Gospel dispensation, incbnles eve- 
 ry article necessary to salvation. That Jesus, whom 
 the Jews had crucified, was the Son of God the pro- 
 mised Messiah; that he had arisen from the dead 
 and become tlic first fruits of {\w.m that slee[); had 
 ascended up into heaven, and sitteth on t\\r right hand 
 of God, administering the kiri!,nloni of Providence 
 and Grace, and where he sliall contirnie to reign in 
 power and glory, till his triumph over sin, death, and 
 the world is complete — his enemies his footstool, and 
 
 his friends 
 
 com 
 crowne 
 
 d with eternal felicity. 
 
 The preaching of these doctrines by the Apostle, 
 
8 
 
 made such a poweiTul impression on the minds of the 
 multitude, that they were pricked to the heart, and 
 cried out, men and brethren, what shall we do 1 St. 
 Peter replied, repent, and be baptised every one of 
 you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission 
 of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy 
 Ghost. In fine, the doctrine gathered from this elo- 
 quent and searching address, and its effects on the 
 people, comprehends every thing material which we 
 find in the creeds of the Churchy and teaches us 
 that it is necessary for us, to avow our belief in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ — that we can have no access to 
 the Father but by the Son — nor access to the Son in 
 any other way than by embracing his doctrine, and 
 trusting to the efficacy of the atonement which he 
 hath made, for the sins of the whole world. The 
 word steadfastly attached to doctrine, is in this place 
 of peculiar import — there was no wavering among 
 the converts, no doubts, no misgivings — they were 
 firm and determined, believing, and speaking the 
 same thing, and perfectly joined in the same mind, 
 and in the same judgment. 
 Second — In Fellowship. 
 
 The text exhibits a beautiful picture of the primi- 
 tive Church. The disciples were distinguished by 
 their ardent faith and love for Christ their Saviour, 
 and this made obedience to his commands, rather a 
 pleasure than a duty — united in principle, and in the 
 bonds of charity and usefulness ; such purity, and 
 warmth, and singleness of heart, were communica- 
 
ted to their devotion, as to make it the pouring out of 
 one soul. We need not, therefore, wonder that their 
 enemies acknowledged their virtues, and that they 
 themselves enjoyed in the practice of holiness, and 
 in their mutual affection one towards another, a feli- 
 city during life, and a consolation in death, totally 
 unknown to other men. 
 
 This state of purity and love, presents a very differ- 
 ent aspect from what the visible Church of Christ 
 now offers to our view. Torn into a thousand frag- 
 ments, and these filled with pride and animosity, one 
 against another. The rending of our Lord's seamless 
 garment, and tearing in pieces his mystical body, is 
 the greatest calamity that has befallen the Christian 
 Religion, and is completely at variance with its object, 
 which ought only to be one though branched into 
 many Societies, and to exhibit love and unity as its 
 principal and unchangeable features. Not that this 
 unity can exist without the conditions mentioned in 
 this and other places of Holy Scripture. There must 
 be adherence to the truth and to holiness of life, for 
 without these there can be no peace, — the wisdom, 
 says the Spirit, which is from above, is first pure and 
 then peaceable. Therefore, peace, however desirable, 
 is only to be sought in subordination to purity, and all 
 attempts to reconcile differences among Christians, 
 which involve the smallest sacrifice of truth, or seek in 
 any manner to explain away or compromise it, are alto- 
 gether inconsistent with the Christian character.— 
 B 
 
 ' :i 
 
10 
 
 Having chosen Christ for their portion, and euHsted 
 under his banners, the primitive converts constantly 
 and dihgently engaged in his service, and counting 
 all things but loss when compared to the excellency 
 of God, their Saviour ; they felt that the world would 
 judge of their religion by the fruits which it manifest- 
 ed in their conduct and dispositions. It w^as, there- 
 fore, their delight to act as became their lofty desti- 
 nation — as the salt of the earth, as the light of the 
 world, — walking in all purity and holiness of conver- 
 sation as those w^hose Fellowship is truly with the 
 Father, and with the Son, and with the Holy Ghost. 
 Were the Spirit of the Gospel to prevail now as it 
 did then, the followers of Christ, penetrated with the 
 blessings they enjoy, through his mediation, would 
 live together in the same peace, harmony and love. 
 Every one in his own station, would exert himself to 
 communicate holiness and happiness to his neigh- 
 bour — and this by secret prayer, by attending the 
 public worship and ordinances of the Church, by 
 avoiding the appearance of evil, by a conscientious 
 discharge of the duties of social life, and maintaining 
 a right state of mind towards God. In this way, the 
 sweet fellowship in unity and love which adorned the 
 primitive Church would again appear among Chris- 
 tians—the same truth, the same holiness, the same joy in 
 Christ Jesus ; and all these communicating the blissful 
 sensation that they are dwelling in love with God, and 
 with one another. It is on such as these that our 
 Heavenly Father bestows his nature and his happi- 
 
 f 
 
 i 
 
11 
 
 isted 
 antiv 
 nting 
 lency 
 vould 
 nfest- 
 there- 
 desti- 
 3f the 
 :)nver- 
 ;h the 
 jihost. 
 V as it 
 ith the 
 would 
 1 love, 
 self to 
 neigh- 
 ng the 
 ch, by 
 entioiis 
 aining 
 ly, the 
 led the 
 Chris- 
 e joy in 
 blissful 
 od, and 
 hat our 
 happi- 
 
 \ 
 
 i 
 
 ness ; he prepares them to delight in the same actions 
 and pursuits, to become a people after his own heart 
 the brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 as he makes them recipients of purity and felicity, he 
 continues to bless them, more and more. 
 
 Third — Is the pauticipation of tiik Sacramkms. 
 
 Only two symbolical institutions, 15aptism, and the 
 Lords' Supper, were appointed by our Saviour him- 
 self, and both are referred to in the sacred Scriptures, 
 as generally necessary to salvation. They represent 
 in a form, equally intelligible to all men, the most im- 
 portant truths of the Gospel. The subjects of our 
 Lords preaching were Repentance and Failh — the 
 promised result of repentance was the cleansing from 
 sin, as signified by wasliing with water in baptism — 
 the result of faith was forgiveness through the atone- 
 ment of our Saviours' death, and his miraculous as- 
 sistance as set forth in the Elements used in the 
 Eucharist. Here the symbol is two-fold — the bread 
 is broken and wine poured out to denote Christs dy- 
 ing for us. The bread is eaten and the wine drunk 
 to denote the spiritual strength, refreshment and life, 
 which we derive from his mysterious presence and 
 union with us. The Sacraments were ordained by 
 our Saviour himself, and neither left to the Holy 
 Ghost nor to the Church, under his guidance. 
 
 Baptism is the symbol of a covenant betwixt two 
 parties — between the Christian and his Lord — on the 
 part of our Saviour it was instituted as the means by 
 which grace was given, and as a proof, it was in the 
 
12 
 
 primitive Church, perhaps always accompanied by 
 some extraordinary gifts of the Spirit ; on the part of 
 the Redeemed, it was a pledge that he believed. — 
 Thus when the Eunuch requested to be baptised by 
 Philip, his answer is " If thou believcst with all thy 
 heart thou mayest." The same qualification for ad- 
 mission into the covenant of salvation is required by 
 all the Apostles — they were the special witnesses of 
 what was to be believed, to them was committed the 
 Sacrament of admission into the Church, namely, 
 "the keys of the kingdom," and it was their duty to 
 announce to those desiring to enter the flock of Christ 
 the condition necessary for admission, and to become 
 standing witnesses, that it had been complied with. 
 
 The Lords' Supper is termed a memorial — it was 
 enjoined on the Apostles and all Christians to com- 
 memorate our Saviours fulfilment of the most impor- 
 tant part of his Ministry. Being a monument of the 
 most mysteri9us of those facts to which they were ap- 
 pointed witnesses — and they were the best qualified 
 to understand and explain its origin, as they vi^ere 
 also to bear testimony to the awful scene which it 
 calls to remembrance. 
 
 These beautiful and aflfecting ordinances declare, 
 that we are called to mercy and redemption, and when 
 the bread of life touches our lips, it conveys to our con- 
 sciences a stronger assurance than the voice of Angels, 
 that our iniquity is taken away, and our sins blotted 
 out. The two Sacraments refer in a most affectio- 
 nate and lively manner to the two most interesting 
 
 
d by 
 art of 
 ed. — 
 ed by 
 Jl thy 
 ir ad- 
 ed by 
 les of 
 3d the 
 imely, 
 iity to 
 Christ 
 ecome 
 I with, 
 •it waa 
 ) com- 
 impor- 
 of the 
 ere ap- 
 lalified 
 r were 
 lich it 
 
 eclare, 
 d when 
 ur con- 
 \.ngels, 
 blotted 
 fFectio- 
 resting 
 
 13 
 
 events of the believers' pilgrimage on earth — by Bap- 
 tism he is admitted into the Church of Christ, and i:^ 
 promised the most excellent benefits which God con- 
 fers upon man, namely, the purification of his soul by 
 the influence of His Holy Spirit, ^y the Sacrament 
 of the Lords' Supper, which is equally tender and 
 lovely, the mind is filled with the most grateful affec- 
 tion, and all those holy impressions which our Lord 
 intended by its appointment. 
 
 These Sacraments are of unspeakable advantai^e, 
 in uniting the members of the Church, and attachifig 
 them affectionately to one another. They are a visi- 
 ble chain connecting Christians together, the first and 
 last links of which connect them with God. They 
 open a common resort of benefits in which men af- 
 fectingly perceive their mutual relations — and that 
 their hopes, and interests, and pursuits are the same. 
 One Christian discovers in another the same holy 
 badge which he himself wears, the same objects, and 
 the same cares ; and these form a bond of fellowship 
 and union at once pleasant and impressive. In what 
 way can the feelings of brotherly kindness and cha- 
 rity be more strongly excited, than when Christians 
 are gathered round the same table — to recognise the 
 same head — to feed upon memorials of the same de- 
 liverance from a common destruction, and to receive 
 at the same hands the pledges of a joint inheritance 
 of everlasting life 1 But it is not my present purpose 
 to dwell upon the benefits of the Sacraments, but only 
 to shew that a participation in both was one of the 
 
14 
 
 conditions of Church MembershiiJ in the first congre- 
 gation of Christians, and ought to be so still. 
 
 Fourth — And in Prayer — or as it ought to hetrans- 
 latedy In the Prayers. 
 
 They continued in the Prayers, that is in public 
 and common prayer, delivered by the Apostles in the 
 Congregation of the Faithful. Although we do not 
 meet with express precepts in the law of xMoses about 
 praying by forms, yet we read of devout people pray- 
 ing in the temple. We likewise know that public 
 forms of prayer, as well as reading select portions of 
 the Scriptures, constituted the worship of the Jewish 
 Synagogue, and that our Saviour so far from express- 
 ing any dislike of these ministrations, freely and con- 
 tentedly joined in them. Had they been contrary to 
 the will of God, our Lord, who never hesitated to re- 
 prehend his countrymen for corrupting the Law in 
 any of its essential points, and severely reproached 
 them for preferring the traditions of men to the com- 
 mandments of Cod, would have reproved them on 
 account of their forms of public worship, and never 
 sanctioned them by his presence and participation. — 
 But so far was he from finding fault, that we behold 
 him reading and expounding the portion of Scripture 
 appointed for the Sabbath day, and regularly fre- 
 quenting the worship of the Temple and Synagogue. 
 
 We find that John the Baptist taught his disciples 
 how to pray — and when our Saviour in a certain place 
 ceased praying, one of his disciples said unto him, 
 Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught his disci- 
 
1: 
 
 :j 
 
 pies, and accordingly lie instructed them to pray by 
 that form which goes by the name of the Lords 
 Prayer — Now this fact aflbrds us indisputable autho- 
 rity not only for praying in a set form, but for using 
 the same words on different occasions both public and 
 private, since the prayer given at the request of the 
 disciple, is the same with that which was delivered 
 by our Saviour in his Sermon on the Mount. This 
 prayer was, therefore, twice given by our Saviour, on 
 the Mount, and about a year after at the request of 
 one of the twelve. Now it is scarcely possible to be- 
 lieve that the Apostles would ever omit this prayer in 
 the public worship of the Church, nor is it credible 
 that in the numerous congregations which were im- 
 mediately constituted, far too many for the twelve to 
 serve in person, that they would leave the mode of 
 worship to the direction of uninspired men. They 
 had before them the practice of the ancient Church, 
 the example of St. John the Baptist, and that of our 
 Saviour himself; the latter of which is to be consi- 
 dered equal or rather the same as an express com- 
 mand. And thus it seems to have been understood 
 by the Primitive Christians, for we find that the 
 Church from the very first adopted forms of prayer, 
 some of which must have been authorized by the 
 Apostles themselves. In no other way can we ac- 
 count for the harmony which pervades all the most 
 ancient liturgies, and the union in form and worship 
 maintained in all the Churches, however distant and 
 by whichever of the Apostles planted. 
 
16 
 
 We are apt to blame the Church of Rome, and 
 with justice, for praying in a tongue unknown to the 
 people, but there appears to me very little tlifferenco 
 between such prayers and those which are unknown 
 till they are pronounced, and which the hearers may 
 find totally inapplicable to their case and situation. 
 Moreover, the petitions or expressions follow each 
 other so rapidly, that the mind becomes distracted, 
 and each being new to the hearer, he has no time to 
 think or reflect upon their import before another is 
 announced. With the prayers before us, we can give 
 life to every expression, and apply to ourselves with 
 intense earnestness, those parts which more particu- 
 larly suit our state and feelings, without any perplex- 
 ity or interruption to our devotion. 
 
 As it is then matter of history that forms of prayer 
 were employed in the Jewish worship, and that litur- 
 gies were universal in the Christian Church at a very 
 early period, we have reason to conclude that the 
 practice was general — that it originated in Apostolic 
 direction and example, and consequently, that the 
 prayers spoken of in the text were prescribed devo- 
 tions appointed by the inspired and legitimate gover- 
 nors of the Church, and offered with one accord in all 
 the assemblies ; and all this assumes the force of 
 demonstration, when it is farther observed, that the 
 article the ought to be placed in the text before the 
 word Prayers, as in the Original Greek; that is, the 
 converts continued in the prayers of the Church. 
 
 ;i 
 
e, and 
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 inown 
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 lation. 
 ' each 
 acted, 
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 articu- 
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 prayer 
 t litur- 
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 at the 
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 ►rce of 
 tat the 
 are the 
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 h. 
 
cc 
 A 
 
 cc 
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 sh 
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 wl 
 tic 
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 be 
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 17 
 
 't 
 
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 ■it 
 
 Sucli, my IJrothrcn, ia a very briof notice of iho 
 conditions of Church Membership required by the 
 Aposthis, and ch(;erfully compbed with by the first 
 converts to Christianity, and it is especially j^'ratifyijig 
 to find, that our Church recognizes and expects a strict 
 compliance with them all from her children. Formed 
 after the model of that established by the Apostles, 
 she maintains the same doctrine and similar forms of 
 devotion, and dismissing from her public worship 
 whatever is superfluous, she retains every thing essen- 
 tial. Rightly administering the sacraments, and join- 
 ing in known and approved prayer, as was the practice 
 of the primitive Church, she insures the spiritual edifi- 
 cation of all her members. 
 
 In her ministerial offices also she follows the Apos- 
 tolic rule. The sacred record requires dispensation, 
 and, therefore, provision was made from the very first 
 for an order of men, distinct from the laity, to become 
 the dispensers. We find the twelve, and those whom 
 they appointed, employed exclusively in the perform- 
 ance of ministerial duties ; and if the preaching of 
 the word and administration of the sacraments are to 
 continue forever, the obligation among Christians to 
 have an officiating order to succeed the first, duly to 
 dispense them must also continue forever ; and it may 
 be safely pronounced, that there is no corruption in 
 the Christian Church which has been, and still is, 
 attended with so many deplorable consequences as 
 
 that, of persons assuming the ministry of the word 
 C 
 
18 
 
 and saciamcnts, without being sufficiently qualified 
 and lawfully called. 
 
 The three orders of Clergy, consisting of Bishops, 
 Priests and Deacons, were, from Apostolic times, re- 
 cognized as the orders of Ministers, whose special 
 office and duty it was to be dispensers of the truths 
 contained in the New Testament. Those who suc- 
 ceeded to the Apostles, imbued with that lowliness 
 which distinguishes the true disciple of Christ, were 
 unwilling to assume the same name, and adopted 
 the humbler title of Bishop or Overseer. The like 
 modest course was pursued by the other two orders, 
 and no distinction was observed beyond that of Bi- 
 shop, Presbyter and Deacon, and as their functions 
 were well defined, they lived in harmony and concord ; 
 so much so, that during the first, or primitive age of 
 the Gospel, the words Bishop and Presbyter w'ere fre- 
 quently used promiscuously, as we sometimes call 
 Kings, Princes and Judges, Magistrates, but the au- 
 thority of Bishops, in certain spiritual functions, was 
 ever distinct and supreme. 
 
 We should very much mistake the government and 
 discipline of the primitive Church, were we to con- 
 sider the power of the Bishops either arbitrary or 
 unlimited. The Church is not a heritage to com- 
 mand, but a family to govern, and it was the glory of 
 the successors of the Apostles to do nothing of weight 
 or moment without asking the advice and consent of 
 their Clergy. This was found not only decent and 
 becoming, but absolutely necessary, to give due force 
 
10 
 
 and authority to tlie acts of the Church, and while 
 this mode of proceeding prevailed, nothing could ex- 
 ceed the brotherly kindness which existed among the 
 Ministers of the Altar. All things were transacted 
 by the Clergy, with the Bishop at their head in com- 
 mon council, and after full deliberation — whether it 
 were ordination to the Ministry — the exercise of dis- 
 cipline — the reconciliation of penitents, or the regu- 
 lation of the revenues and temporal affairs of the 
 Church. The Presbyters sat in the Provincial As- 
 semblies or Synods, and attended to the interests of 
 religion within their bounds. This prudent distribu- 
 tion of power was exercised most successfully for 
 many ages, and may be considered a mark of the true 
 Church, and essential to her prosperity. And indeed 
 some of our most able Divines attribute the decline 
 of the Mother Church in the affections of the people 
 of England to a departure from this salutary mode of 
 government. Pure as her Parochial Ministrations 
 are, and conducted, generally speaking, with a single- 
 ness of heart and faithfulness of purpose, that has 
 never been exceeded in any Christian Society, yet 
 from not having public assemblies to interest the 
 population and enlist their affections in her favour, 
 her salutary influence is daily diminishing. She is 
 the onlv Ecclesiastical Establishment to be found in 
 the history of our Religion, which has no Synod, no 
 efficient Convocation, no means within herself of 
 making such alterations in her forms of worship and 
 ceremonies, as times and circumstances may render 
 
20 
 
 expedient. Hence the relaxation of her discipline — 
 want of unity among her Clergy in promoting her 
 objects as the true Church of Christ, and their readi- 
 ness to join, for the sake of a corrupt and hollow 
 popularity, other denominations for religious purposes 
 which are continually plotting her destruction. In 
 the early ages of Christianity, the Church possessed 
 a salutary influence over her members, which effectu- 
 ally prevented such strange anomalies and dereliction 
 of principle. She devised the best means for pro- 
 moting the general interests of religion, and exercised 
 at the same time a wholesome but mild discipline 
 over her erring and ofl:ending adherents. There may 
 be many difficulties in the way of restoring this salu- 
 tary authority to the Parent Church, though it is much 
 to be desired, and has often occupied the considera- 
 tion of her most intelligent Members, and is even now 
 exciting general attention. But here it is compara- 
 tively easy; and we, like the ancient Episcopal Church 
 in Scotland, and that of the neighbouring States, in 
 which the Clergy retain their proper share of power 
 and honor, and have their regular councils to deliberate 
 for the welfare of their respective communions, may 
 with the greatest advantage return to primitive usage. 
 These Churches, with their Bishops to preside over 
 the meetings of their Clergy, to discuss, and finally to 
 sanction, such measures for the general interests of 
 religion, as changes in climate, manners and govern- 
 ment may require, and to become the dispensers of 
 those graver awards of discipline necessary for the 
 
ine — 
 ff lier 
 •eadi- 
 ollow 
 poses 
 I. In 
 essed 
 Fectu- 
 iction 
 r pro- 
 re ised 
 lipline 
 e may 
 3 salu- 
 inuch 
 idera- 
 n now 
 mpara- 
 Jhiirch 
 tes, in 
 power 
 berate 
 s, may 
 usage, 
 e over 
 lally to 
 ests of 
 ;overn- 
 sers of 
 for the 
 
 . y 
 
21 
 
 wcilfare of their communions, are rapidly increasing 
 in strength and numbers. Their conventions spare 
 their Bishops many painful duties, the discharge of 
 which is not uiifrequently accompanied with much 
 odium. Reports from the different Clergy will often 
 suggest measures for the good of the Church, which 
 sober deliberation matures and puts into operation. 
 Even the requiring such periodical statements of the 
 situation of each Congregation, its progress or de- 
 cline, and comparing them in the assembly one with 
 another, serves as a salutary check to indolence and 
 imprudence, and the dread of exposure will frequent- 
 ly rouse those to diligence, whom the love of Christ 
 and the Christian principle of duty had failed to move. 
 Moreover the Clergy being thus brought into constant 
 communication, act in concert with the Zeal and intel- 
 ligence of an efficient and united body — defects of 
 plans for the improvement of the people, adopted by 
 individuals on their own judgment are amended, and 
 the objection of a want of system in the proceedings 
 of the Church effectually removed. 
 
 Tfje period is rapidly approaching when something 
 of the kind will be found necessary in this Province, 
 if we really desire the prosperity of our Apostolic 
 Church, and to carry her affectionate and beautiful 
 Ministrations into every cottage of our people. Al- 
 ready has the law made a distinction between the 
 Clergy ordained in the Colonies and those in Eng- 
 land, and now we are about to be removed from the 
 fostering care of the Society for Propogating the Gos- 
 
22 
 
 pel ill Foreign parts, wliich has for ages watched 
 with the most unwearied attention and Christian afFec- 
 tion over tlie Spiritual interests of British America. 
 It will, tlierefore, be necessary for us in future to de- 
 pend more upon our own resources and exertions than 
 lias been hitherto required. And with a Bishop of 
 the primitive age, wliose active exertions and anxiety 
 for the extension of Christ's Kingdom, neither slum- 
 ber nor sleep. A Bishop, familiar with almost every 
 foot of this extensive Diocese, and which he has tra- 
 versed in its length and breadth many a time. A 
 Bishop, who identifies himself with the Country in 
 which he has spent the greater portion of his life, 
 and is surrounded by an affectionate Clergy, eager to 
 second and even to anticipate his wishes, what may 
 not be effected under the divine blessing ; all acting 
 with one mind and one soul, with the Scriptures and 
 our affecting liturgy in our hands, and the holy Spirit 
 dwelhng in our hearts. Much, my Brethren, may be 
 done to build up the Church in the affections of the 
 people. Even now something more than usual may 
 be accomplished. By itinerating where we are un- 
 able to open permanent Missions — by occasional: 
 visits where more is not allowed, the scattered sheep 
 may be collected, and the sacred flame kept burning 
 in almost every Township, for theman of Macedonia 
 is every where crying out, come over and help me. 
 
 All who are truly interested in the glory of God, 
 will rejoice in the dissemination of the Gospel through 
 the Province, and although other denominations may 
 
23 
 
 ;he(l 
 
 flfec- 
 
 rica. 
 
 • de- 
 
 thaii 
 
 p of 
 
 xiety 
 
 lum- 
 
 ivery 
 tra- 
 
 . A 
 
 ry in 
 life, 
 
 rer to 
 
 ; may 
 
 cting 
 and 
 
 spirit 
 
 ay be 
 
 f the 
 may 
 e un- 
 ional : 
 hccp 
 
 Irning 
 Ionia 
 le. 
 
 God, 
 
 rough 
 
 may 
 
 naturally desire to be the instruments employed in 
 this good work, yet I verily believe, that next to thoni- 
 selvcs, they wish it may be done through the pure 
 channel of our Establishment, and this more espe- 
 cially for the guidance and consolation of thousands 
 of our Friends who are daily emigrating from Eng- 
 land and Ireland, and settling in the wilderness — that 
 they may retain their love of religion unimpaired, and 
 possess the sweet blessing of its ministrations, as in 
 their Father land. And to the accomplishment of 
 this, we are greatly encouraged by the well known 
 fact, that there has always prevailed, with very trifling 
 exceptions, the greatest harmony among the various 
 denominations of Christians in Upper Canada. 
 
 Widely as we differ from the Roman Catholics, in 
 many religious points of the greatest importance, we 
 have always lived with them in the kindest intercourse 
 and in the cordial exchange of the charities of social 
 life. The worthy Prelate, by whom they are at pre- 
 sent spiritually governed, has been my Friend for 
 nearly thirty years. 
 
 With the members of the Church of Scotland wc 
 associate in the same manner. Only one Minister of 
 that communion resided in the Province for many 
 years after my arrival from Great Britain, with whom 
 I lived in the most friendly terms, and after his 
 lamented death, it was my privilege and satisfaction 
 to speak of his benevolence, his piety and retiring 
 
24 
 
 excellence of character.* Unfortunately as the num- 
 ber increased, a subject of controversy arose, which 
 has had the effect of producing something of a tem- 
 porary estrangement, but it is now passing away. 
 And why, should it not] The merits of our Sister 
 Church cannot be unknown to you my Brethren. 
 To me they are familiar, and connected with many 
 of my cherished and early associations. In the ex- 
 emplary discharge of their duties, and in the modest 
 simplicity of their lives, the Presbyterian Ministers of 
 this Province are entitled to much commendation. 
 Though differing in some matters of considerable 
 moment, and more especially in the principles and 
 forms of Ecclesiastical Polity, I am always ready to 
 aflirm, that they deserve the confidence of the com- 
 munity and the warm aifection of their own people. 
 Of that popular and increasing class of Christians 
 who call themselves a branch of our Church, both at 
 
 Note. — * This alludes to the controversy about the Clergy Reserves, 
 and though I am still of opinion, that as the law now stands, they belong 
 exclusively to the Church of England, and will never, even if they 
 remain undiminished, yield more than a very moderate support to her 
 Clergy required in the Province, yet I freely declare in my ow n name, and 
 that of many of my Brethren, that it will be grateful to us to see our Pres- 
 byterian as well as our Roman Catholic Friends, placed on a respectable 
 footing as to the means of obtaining that religious instruction which they, 
 as well as we, are unable to procure permanently for themselves; and so 
 far are we from feeling envious and jealous at any assistance bestowed 
 by his Majesty's Government on those acknowledged branches of the 
 Christian Family^ that we shall rejoice to see itgreatlv increased. 
 
:i>j 
 
 lionio and abroad, I would also Bpeak with pra'mn, 
 notwithstanding their departure from the Apostolic 
 ordinance, and the hostility long manifested against 
 us by some of their leading members. This hostility 
 was the more to be deplored, as their Founder was a 
 regularly ordained Minister of the Church of Eng- 
 land, who never departed from her communion or 
 allowed his followers to separate. Simple, and dis- 
 interested in his views of great learning, intelligence 
 and sagacity, he was also adorned with some of the 
 brightest graces of the Christian character. Hence- 
 forth it is expected that the piety and zeal of his fol- 
 lowers in this Colony will be directed by his spirit, and 
 that having assumed his mantle and unfurled his ban- 
 ner, they will cherish the same friendly disposition 
 towards our Establishment which their brethren do in 
 England. 
 
 Now this social harmony among the different deno- 
 minations of Christians sufficiently proves, that there 
 is no particular impediment to the extension of our 
 Church in this magnificent Province, if we are only 
 active in the performance of our duty. The popula- 
 tion is multiplying every summer by tens of thousands, 
 and spreading itself through the whole country. Both 
 Parents and Children are in very many places shut 
 out from public worship and the sacraments of the 
 Church. Left entirely to secular callings, their minds 
 are by degrees engrossed by temporal, and withdrawn 
 from spiritual things. Great then is the obligation 
 that rests upon us to fan the holy flame that has onco 
 
'JG 
 
 been lighted up — and to maintain the saving truth in 
 every heart that has once acknowledged its sanctions. 
 Nor arc we to stop here, but to difluse the glad tidings 
 of the Gospel over every part of this fine country, and 
 to do so through what we conscientiously believe to 
 be the most effectual channel, our Ecclesiastical Es- 
 tablishment. This is not only our duty and privilege, 
 but is imposed upon us by the most sacred of all 
 Christian obligations. And how, my Brethren, is it 
 to be done"? Surely by every one of us diligently 
 doing the work of an Evangelist. By enforcing the 
 conditions of Church fellowship, as required by the 
 Apostles — by making full proof of our Ministry, and 
 carrying Christianity into the hearts of those who are 
 still ignorant of its blessings. 
 
 But remember, that in accomplishing these mighty 
 objects, persuasion must be our only weapon. French 
 the word was the direction issued from on liigh. 
 Preach the Gospel to every Creature. Proclaim it 
 as Heralds through the world. Sound it in the ears 
 of all men, for its credentials will in time give it uni- 
 versal reception. It was preached by our Lord and 
 his disciples in pure and perfect love. Joy and glad- 
 ness were its constant attendants, and so they must 
 ever be, for the propagation of the Gospel is nothing 
 
 more than the expansion of celestial joy, puritjf and 
 love. 
 
g truth in 
 sanctions, 
 id tidings 
 Hitry, and 
 believe to 
 stical Es- 
 privilege, 
 red of all 
 liren, is it 
 diligently 
 )rcing the 
 cd by the 
 istry, and 
 e who are 
 
 ise mighty 
 . Preach 
 on high, 
 roclaim it 
 1 the ears 
 ve it uni- 
 Lord and 
 and glad- 
 they must 
 is nothing 
 purit^f and