is seen dispensing comfort. At the bed of the sick and the dying, he appears, sometimes, indeed, the messenger of wrath; but only that he may exercise, with more effect, the benign office of the angel of consolation.'*

Who is sufficient for all these things? There is a principle that will constitute our sufficiency—the divine prínciple of faith. This is the principle by which we exhort Christians to overcome. Let us show them that this is the principle by which we can become conquerors. Let us believe that we are commissioned by the LORD of all things. Let us believe, that in all our labors, duties, sacrifices, trials, we are co-workers with him in the exalted work of promoting God's glory, and the salvation of men; and are conformed to his example. Let us believe that he is present with us, comforting, succoring us; leading us to duty, to trial, to victory, to reward. Let us behold that reward—a crown of righteousness. By faith, let us look to our Master, let us look to Heaven-and what can we not do? brethren, that this faith may be yours. Pray that it may be his who addresses you. Pray that you, and he, and you the beloved people to whom we minister, may finally be found worthy, by this faith, to be admitted to the Church triumphant,'†

Pray,

The following desponding letters recall the name of one (Rev. C. W.) whose fortunes have already been noted as below his merits. They

* Charge to the Clergy, 1815, p. 39.

+ Ibid. pp. 43, 44.

may seem, and probably are out of place amid the high questions of church policy and official duty, into which our narrative has run; but such is life, and such must be its picture. They were besides, too, promised to the reader, (page 120,) as completing a picture, not without its melancholy interest as that of a poor, humble, right-hearted, wrong-headed country clergyman, His children were now old enough, it seems, to make him feel doubly the pressure of poverty. The following was soliciting aid from a society for the education of a son,

It would be ingratitude in me to doubt your friendship. I have no claim upon the clemency of the Society, no plea but indigence. I know too, that as their benevolence cannot be infinite it must have its boundaries, its longitude and its latitude. But I know, Sir, that the Society has supported two boys, at the Cheshire Academy, whose father is not a resident in your State, and the latchets of whose shoes are worth more than my cassock and band. But they have a right to do what they will with their own. My application in favor of my oldest son was made when I was a resident in your State: perhaps, if I had had that persevering address, so essential in the affairs of this world, I might have obtained my request; but I have a decided aver

sion to repeating a request on human clemency, it bears the aspect of demand. I now expect no favor from that quarter. "Whatever is, is right," says Pope, and a greater than Pope says, "Be careful for nothing."

The more I read the Scriptures, and note the progress of the things of this world, the more illustrious appears the doctrine of the Divine JESUS, "My kingdom is not of this world."

I am much obliged to you for ten dollars enclosed in yours of the 12th instant. I am satisfied; I never troubled myself about the books, and never meant to give you any trouble, although ten dollars is more than, probably, they will ever be worth to you.

That "all things shall work together for good to them that love God," is apostolic theology; whether I am comprehended in this blessing is more than I know. With all due respect, yours,

C. W.'

To close this piteous story, the last letter lighted upon from him is as follows; bearing in its hand-writing somewhat of the feebleness of age. May we not add, too, in its inconclusive reasoning.

FROM REV. C. W.

Right Rev. Sir,

$ Derby, December 9th, 1818.

It is with diffidence I make this communication after a laborious investigation, availing myself both of Protestant and Roman Catholic writers and correspondents. I think that St. Peter held an apostolic supremacy -that the Roman Catholic Church is a Church of CHRIST, holding a valid priesthood—and, that she is not the Anti-Christ spoken of by the beloved Apostle. Whether the Pope of Rome has an exclusive right to St. Peter's keys, is a question upon which darkness and light has alternately rested, as I have turned over the pages of Roman Catholic and Protestant writers.

Thus, as a son to a father, have I unbosomed the sentiments of my heart, nothing doubting but they will be received with that impartial charity, and paternal tenderness of heart, which the Christian verity teaches us is the inheritance of every Father in GOD. If holding these opinions is inconsistent with my holding a peaceable stand upon Protestant ground, I can retire in peace, unwilling to give my bishop or brethren a moment's discomposure-my importance in the Church is not worth it-only asking the blessedness of sitting under mine own vine and mine own fig-tree, disturbing no man, and by none disturbed. I repose my concern upon your paternal bosom, waiting for a reply.

Right Rev. Sir,

Yours most obediently,

C. W.'

CHAPTER XV.

A. D. 1815. Et. 40.

Formation of Church Societies-Their Objects and Influence-Bishop Hobart's Zeal for them-The Principle on which they were founded -Tract Society-Character of its Tracts-Pastoral Charge on the Christian Ministry-Frequency of Bishop Hobart's Instructions on this Point justified-Peculiar Traits of Character-His Notion of the Church explained and vindicated-Publication of the Christian's Manual ' — Ejaculatory Prayer Prayers in the Language of the Liturgy.

INDIFFERENCE on the part of the laity toward the concerns of the Church, has already been noted as one of the evils resulting to the Diocese over which Bishop Hobart presided, from early government patronage. To overcome this apathy in the rising generation of the laity, was a task in which Bishop Hobart long labored, and, finally, succeeded. One by one he gathered around him a band of pious young laymen, attached and zealous coworkers in every good cause. Out of these materials, at first scanty in amount, and influential only through piety and zeal, were formed by degrees, with his sanction, and under his guidance, CHURCH Societies for all the varied objects of Christian benevolence.

Thus arose the Bible and Prayer-book Society