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-Pas- toral 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 vin- dicated-Publication of the 'Christian's Manual '-Ejaculatory Death of Bishop Moore-Funeral Address-Eulogium-Essay on State of departed Spirits-Reputation as a Biblical Critic -Article on the Creed-Various Opinions-Letter to Bishop White-His Opinions-Letter of Bishop Skinner-Bishop Hobart's Views of the Church of Scotland-Letters from the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie-Archdeacon Strachan--Candidate for Confirmation instructed-Prejudice against Bishop Hobart's of Character exhibited by Bishop Hobart in the Board of Trustees-Anecdotes illustrative-Character as given by the Rev. W. R. W.-Visitation of the Diocese-Letter from Dr. Butler-Admiration of Nature-Brevity of Visits-Rapidity- Second Charge to the Clergy, 'The Corruptions of the Church of Rome' - Death of Dr. Bowden- Character -- Death of Bishop Dehon-Character-State of the College-Letter from Rufus King-Anonymous Note-Letter to Rev. Dr. Romeyn -Letters from and to Dr. Smith; to Dr. Berrian-Painful Letters from an old Friend-Letter from Dr. Strachan, Nor- ris, &c.-Theological Seminary-Endowment-Address be Address to Convention-Painful Duty-Mr. How-Letter to Dr. Berrian-Oneida Indians-Letter to the Bishop-His Answer-Visits them-Interesting Scene-Aged Mohawk Warrior-Young Onondaga-Visit of the Author-Prosper- ous Condition of the Diocese - Religious Revivals; the CHAPTER XX. A. D. 1819-Et. 44. Letter from Rev. H. H. Norris-Mant and D'Oyley's Family page 473 PREFACE. A VOLUME of the Professional Life of Bishop Hobart, as promised in his Early Years,' is now put forth, though with unfeigned diffidence, for many and obvious reasons. The subject and its events are too well known for the interest of biography, and too recent for the freedom of history. It is a story too which can hardly, now at least, be told, without compromitting both names and questions, in a way not easy to avoid reviving old offence or giving new-and, perhaps, too, some may think, of awakening controversies in the Church which are now at rest, and had better be left in silence. Still, however, the narrative is put forth, and, as a lover of peace, the author feels himself bound to state, in few words, his justification. It is, then, in the hope that the good resulting will not merely overbalance, but, in great measure, neutralize the evil that is dreaded— that the history of theological controversy, if rightly given, will be found to teach the lesson, not of division but of unity; of kindness, not of contest. It may be, too, that by viewing dis A* puted questions from the higher and more peaceful ground on which we now stand, the very memory of offences may be rooted up, by showing that they originated in mistake or misconception. It may be, too, that such a narrative, instead of reviving doctrinal disputes, concerning the nature and ministry of the Church, will exhibit these questions as lying, necessarily, at the basis of a Church rising, as ours did into notice, in the midst of much ignorance and many prejudices; thus showing that the time for such discussions is comparatively passed, and that, leaving these, its foundations, we are now called upon to devote ourselves, in a purer air, it may be said, and with less encumbered hands, to raising higher the superstructure of Christian faith and practice; and, finally, it may be that the opinions of many, both in the Church and out of it, will undergo, in the perusal of this narrative, a change in relation to Bishop Hobart's course and policy, when they come to review the questions then agitated by the light which subsequent experience has thrown upon them;' and, to enable the reader to do this for himself, the language of Bishop Hobart is generally laid before him, and a comparison with well known results, occasionally, either drawn out or suggested. |