High, for the existence of the church within our borders, and indeed throughout the whole of this extensive continent. It was well said to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, by a pious agent from the church in the United States of America, when visiting England, that "this venerable society might point to the present prosperity of that branch of the church, and challenge any other missionary society to shew equal fruits of its labours." But these fruits are happily to be seen here also. Many of our clergy have been fostered by the society almost from their cradles-they have been assisted in their education, cheered in their labours, and sustained in their trials and privations. Their flocks have been encouraged and assisted in every good work, in the building of churches, the support of schools, the wide circulation of the Bible, the Prayer-book, and innumerable books and tracts full of holy instruction, under every variety of condition that can be seen among the children of mortality. And have these benefits been diminished at the present time? Far otherwise. Never were the exertions of the society so great as they now are; never was their assistance more readily and more liberally afforded; and while they give in faith, they trust that their barrel of meal and their cruise of oil will not be permitted to fail until the whole earth shall be refreshed by the heavenly rain.

In June, 1838, the society resolved to make those great exertions which have been constantly increasing ever since, and are likely to be still greatly extended. The contributions to their funds in the preceding year had amounted to 10,000l.; in 1838 they exceeded 16,000l. In 1839 they exceeded 23,0001; in 1840 they extended beyond 41,000; and there is good reason to hope that, by the blessing of God, they will go on prospering, and to prosper. In the last year alone the society has engaged the services of forty additional missionaries; and it is ready to engage a still greater number, and indeed to any extent that may be necessary, if fit men for the arduous duties of a missionary can be found-men with a single eye to the glory of God and the prosperity of the church-competent in talents and attainments-eminent in faith and holiness, and entirely devoted to the work of their heavenly Master, in the salvation of sinners through faith in the divine Redeemer.

It may assist the object of this letter to advert to the original design of the Incorporated Society in England. It was not so much to supply a competent support to clergymen in the colonies as to give ready encouragement and assistance to the poorer settlements, where an earnest desire for the ministry of the church was manifested by exertions among the people to do all they could to contribute to this support. Under the peculiar circumstances of these provinces, and especially from affectionate regard to those loyal members of the church, who had been driven from their comfortable home by the American Revolution, the society, when aided by parliament, had been induced to raise the salaries of the missionaries from time to time, until the people began to lose sight of their own obligations in this matter; and thus some injury was mingled with the benefit of its bounty. It has been compelled to return to its first principle. It insists upon those exertions in our settlements, which are not only necessary to the support of the missionaries, but full of important advantage to the people who make them; for they are thus exercised in proper consideration of their binding duty, and in the performance of that duty to themselves, to their children, and to the church of God.

It is very obvious that if any other society steps in, and offers more assistance than our own may think proper to afford, the people will too naturally avail themselves of this apparent advantage; they will relapse into the inaction from which they are now happily awakening, and their own efforts, which are even more valuable than any extrinsic aid, will be suspended. Much good that has lately been effected will be lost.

And this leads me to observe, that although some of our missionaries have been deprived of a fourth part of their former income, which is a grievous and cruel hardship upon themselves and their families, the hardship has not been

inflicted by the society, which now pays to its missionaries, individually, larger salaries than were ever paid before from its own funds—and quite as large as it can venture to give, without encouraging the inaction of the people among whom the missionaries minister, and (which is also of great importance,) without risking the loss of much of the public favour, which is essential to their extensive usefulness. Nothing more encourages and increases that favour than evidence that the people who are to be assisted by the society are so desirous of the ministry of the church that they make zealous and increasing efforts to assist themselves in this great object.

It may now be right for me to advert to some of the reasons most frequently and earnestly urged in favour of the claims of the new society.

1st. It is said that no rivalry is intended, but co-operation with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. We need not doubt the sincerity nor the kindness of this intention; but until the ancient society, being the most competent judge in this matter, and having such claims as it possesses upon our cordial regard, shall signify its desire for this co-operation, or at least its willingness to accept it, I think we cannot feel it to be our duty to take part with the new association.

2. The great extent of religious destitution which still prevails in this portion of the world, as well as in all other portions of it, is the next plea that is pressed upon our consideration. It is most true that such destitution does prevail. You need not be told that no one can be more fully apprised of it than myself; and it is not unknown to you that it has been one leading object of the labour of my life to be instrumental, through the divine blessing, in obtaining the most desirable and most effectual relief for it. But when we compare the present spiritual condition of these colonies with the sad state in which they formerly were, and even within our own recollection, we have abundant reason to thank God for the change that has been effected,-to take courage, and go forward in his strength, in the way in which we have hitherto advanced. Churches and clergymen have been increased tenfold. In the last fifteen years it has been my happiness to consecrate no less than one hundred and nineteen churches and chapels; several are now ready for consecration, and many others are in progress. In the few months which have elapsed since my return to the diocese seven deacons have been added to our number, and several others will soon be ready for ordination. Five deacons have been admitted to the order of priests. Eleven divinity students in King's College, at Windsor, are now preparing for the work of the ministry, and many others in the Collegiate School are intended for the same course. Our society at home is diligently inquiring for fit and willing workmen, and ready to engage all such as may desire to come to us. If, therefore, it be admitted, as it must be, that much religious destitution still prevails, we must also admit, and I trust we acknowledge it with grateful hearts, that much progress is making for a large measure of relief, and in a most unexceptionable manner, without incurring any risk of interrupting our essential order and unity. There is no question as to the need of relief, or the desire to afford it in full measure. The only question before us refers to the mode in which it is most proper for the members of the church to seek for that relief.

3. It has been reiterated in England and in the colonies that the ancient society has frequently declared its inability to provide for the wants which have been pressed upon its attention. It did certainly, on several occasions, declare, as was its duty to declare, the insufficiency of its funds; and especially when deprived of parliamentary support, on the continuance of which it had been encouraged to rely. But why were these declarations made? For the purpose of inviting new societies to share in their work? Assuredly not; but to awaken all the members of the church to a sense of the duty which was laid upon every individual among them, to come forward to the relief of the society, and to take a share in their labour of love,-to feel for every suffering of the distant members of that body, of which Christ is the head, and espe

cially to regard the perishing members in the wilderness. But the society did not rest in these declarations, and in these calls from their committee-room. They soon adopted more vigorous measures, and sent their appeals to every portion of the kingdom. An interest has been excited through the whole church, and I have already informed you of the effect up to the present year, which we humbly trust is to be regarded only as an earnest of much greater results in the years that are coming. And why should we not indulge in such hope? In one week no less than 8000l. were poured into the treasury of the society. 5000l. were paid at once by an individual whose name is unknown, and who strictly prohibited any effort to discover it. Who can doubt that such benevolence was prompted from above? And who can doubt that similar prompting will be given, to any extent that may be required, if the society continues faithful in the discharge of its high and solemn duties as the agent of the church, and rests entirely, with confiding hope, upon the abundant mercies of the Most High? Already it has been so far relieved that its most pressing want at present is a want of men fit for its holy work. Perhaps it may be asked, why then not encourage the efforts of others to supply such men? If a sufficient answer has not been given already, it may be added, that others are not without the same difficulties. The Colonial Church Society must have the same difficulties. It sent appeals to the different colonies, and invited statements of the religious wants that existed. While Newfoundland remained a part of this diocese an answer was received from thence, stating much general destitution, and the peculiar necessities of four settlements in particular, for which the new society was requested to provide missionaries; a copy of this answer was put into my hands with a communication from the secretary of the Colonial Church Society, expressing a hope that I would receive from it four missionaries for these four destitute places. My answer was, that the destitution was not overstated,-that I had been an eye-witness of it, and was most anxious for its relief, not only in those places, but in several others equally destitute; and if they could recommend to me four clergymen or candidates for orders, or a larger number who were willing to engage in the arduous work, I would gladly endeavour to ascertain their fitness; and, when satisfied of this, would encourage their immediate departure to Newfoundland, where the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel would gladly support them, having been long ago apprized of all these sad cases, and most anxious to relieve them. My answer was received in a very courteous manner. I was informed that the Colonial Church Society was unable at that moment to name any fit persons, but would diligently inquire for them, and make them known to me as soon as they could be found, not caring from what quarter the expenses were defrayed, if the destitution could happily be relieved. I heard no more upon the subject, and, doubtless, because the difficulty in finding the men proved to be greater than was apprehended. The ancient society made inquiries, also, and was happy in finding the persons so much desired, whom it forwarded to Newfoundland; and we have the comfort to be assured that a blessing attends their labours. This difficulty in finding missionaries is felt by all who are seeking for them. It is to be attributed to several causes,—to the large increase of churches and chapels in England,—to a largely increased demand for curates in the more populous parishes throughout the kingdom, and to a similar increase of demand in the numerous colonies. The North-American, colonies being less inviting than others whose religious wants are as great as theirs, suffer most from this difficulty; but I have pointed out some of the sources from which we expect relief. Several missionaries, however, were sent from England to this diocese, and to Canada, in the last year; and we may hope for many more. And why should we desire, under all the circumstances which I have mentioned, to receive missionaries from a new society, when our own society is ready and willing and desirous to supply all our wants, if fit men can be found in sufficient number? I feel authorized at the present moment to engage, on behalf of our society, as

many missionaries as could be judiciously stationed in all the waste places of the diocese, if men regularly educated and duly qualified would offer me their services. Nor have I any doubt that means for their moderate support would be provided, by the mercy of God, through the benevolence of those who are daily becoming more acquainted with our condition, and more alive to their own religious responsibilities.

4. But it has been said, if there be no necessity for receiving missionaries from the new society, or if it be inexpedient to receive them, why should we not gladly accept at its hands schoolmasters, catechists, and lay readers, who might be very useful? If it could be admitted that all these are as desirable as they have sometimes been represented to be, which is doubted by many valuable and pious men, there would still be need of much caution in receiving catechists and lay readers, because such persons are sometimes apt to forget their proper office, and trespass upon that of the ministry. I have known lay readers who considered themselves justified in becoming lay expositors of the Word of God, and lay preachers, in direct inconsistency with the articles and canons of the church. I have known several who have not scrupled to administer the sacrament of baptism. In all such cases the mischief is serious. The poor people among whom they are placed soon lose all distinct notions of the character of the ministry, and the want of such accurate views is already too prevalent.

We cannot be too desirous for the Christian instruction of the whole community, and especially for the proper instruction of the children of the church. My anxiety on this point has often been expressed to my clergy. This anxiety, indeed, has prevented me from saying hitherto, and prevents me from saying now, that I should refuse to receive schoolmasters, catechists, and lay readers, if competent persons, of whom I could approve, were sent to me. I should, however, consider it essential to the good order of the church, that, like other lay readers in the diocese, they should be licensed and controlled by the bishop, who should determine upon the places for their settlement, as he determines upon the places for the labours of the missionaries; and the bishop's superintendence of such schoolmasters, catechists, and lay readers, would chiefly be exercised through the nearest missionaries. Under such control they might be very usefully employed in many places; but the bishop could not share this superintendence with local committees, or other agents of a society in England. But again I revert to the hope that the members of the Colonial Church Society will yet be induced to relinquish their separate action, and give their active benevolence, and animated zeal, and valuable influence, to the ancient society; and with fervent prayers for the continual blessing of the Divine Head of the church upon their united labours, will contribute greatly to the success of the noble work, in a way that will surely tend to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. We must be willing to assure ourselves that the Colonial Church Society will gladly aid in thus promoting the extension of Christ's kingdom through his chosen instrument the church. The more highly we may think of the ability, the zeal, and the piety of the individuals who compose the new society, the more anxious must we be for such blessed union in the prosecution of an object of such supreme magnitude. But if, unhappily, the hope of union cannot be realized, there is one remaining consideration, which of itself should, in my opinion, withhold all the members of the church in this diocese from connecting themselves with the Colonial Church Society; and I am the more ready to mention it, because its full influence may be indulged even by those who have formed the most favourable opinion of that society, collectively and individually. It is well known that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, by whose beneficence the church in this part of the world has been greatly aided in every year of its existence, and afterwards the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, encouraged the formation of diocesan and district committees in the colonies, not with any view to the increase of

their funds, but solely for the benefit of ourselves. The first colonial committee of either of these societies was formed in Halifax: its operations were greatly favoured, and it did good service to the church; the benefits which it drew forth from the parent societies were extended to every settlement. They penetrated to the most remote and isolated dwellings in the forest; they were even carried to the few who dwelt, and to many who were shipwrecked, on the desolate sand-bank on our coast, well known to mariners as the Isle of Sable. Many district committees were also formed in various parts of the diocese with different measures of success. Several of them, after a few years, began to languish; the pulsation in the extremities became feeble at so great a distance from the heart. Many considerate persons were of opinion that much more could be effected for the great objects of the church if, instead of forming committees of societies, whose vital principle was so far distant, some association could be organized here, with the source of vitality and centre of action present among ourselves. Advice was asked from those in England most competent to give it. The reply being encouraging, a proposal was made for the formation of the Church Society in this diocese, in which all our committees of the two English societies were merged. Those benevolent bodies not only approved of our design, but became at once the patrons of our infant association, and enriched it by munificent gifts. This society thus cherished is now spreading through much of the diocese with increasing benefit,-promoting union among the members of the church, most profitably exercising their best feelings, awakening their charity, and strengthening the ties which connect the pastors with their flocks, and the members of those flocks with each other. The objects of this diocesan society, with all its district committees, are so extensive and so important, that they demand all our attention, and all the means which we can apply to them, and are worthy of them all. Any diversion of this attention and of these means could not fail to interrupt and even neutralize our young association; but if this were not so, it may well be asked how we could possibly take up a new society in England after separating from those older societies, (our unvarying benefactors,) and so separating only that we might more effectually promote the objects of the church by devoting ourselves to an association entirely our own! How ungrateful would this appear to those societies to which our warmest gratitude and affection are for ever due,-to those societies who, after constant efforts for our highest benefit ever since the settlement of these provinces, are now increasing those efforts and enlarging the amount of their bounty to us every year, and are most willing still further to enlarge it to any extent that can reasonably be required!

I trust I have said enough for the discharge of my duty. It has been my wish to speak of the Colonial Church Society, under the influence of that respect and esteem which I sincerely entertain for those of its members who are known to me. Some of them, perhaps, would not be unwilling to give to these remarks the consideration which I request from you.

You will now understand the reasons which induced me to decline taking any part in the Colonial Church Society when invited to join it; and you cannot be surprised, and I am sure you will not be offended, when I express a hope that they will induce the members of the church in this diocese, and especially the clergy, to direct their warm and affectionate zeal, and their utmost liberality, to the support of our own Church Society, under the patronage of the two great church societies in England, who have ever been, who still are, and who will long continue to be, our nursing mothers. I venture also confidently to hope, that the duty and affection which we owe to these venerable pillars of the church, and our anxiety to preserve the peace, and harmony, and love, of this portion of our Zion, will likewise induce the clergy and their flocks to decline respectfully any participation in the worko the Colonial Church Society.

Heretofore, by the mercy of God, we have been wonderfully saved from the