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of young men and others in the city of New-York.' This was afterward published, and tended greatly to strengthen the hands of the Society, in their praiseworthy labours The address itself is of rather local and temporary interest. It contains, however, a gratifying history of the rise and progress of missions in the Diocese. But nothing from Bishop Hobart's pen could close without a spirit-stirring appeal.

'An impetus is given to the Christian world that is urging it forward to great results. We, my brethren, should go, not reluctant, not backward, but foremost in the march, with the ark intrusted to us, the symbol and the pledge of the Divine presence, until it rests encircled with its primitive glory, and extending its lustre throughout the earth. Be foremost in this holy career; excite your absent brethren to equal zeal in a cause which has for its object the salvation of men; a cause for which the Son of God died, and for which he still intercedes in heaven, and rules on earth'.'

The interest taken by him in Sunday schools added still further to his parochial labours. In that attached to St. Paul's Chapel, in his own parish, he was frequently present, encouraging both children and teachers, by his earnest and affectionate exhortations. This was as their Rector, but as Bishop, his views went further, and his anxiety was greater. For a moment he looked with a doubtful eye upon the whole system, that is to say, upon an operation which was converting every zealous young member of a congregation into a teacher and expounder of the Christian faith; while leaving to chance or individual choice, the books of instruction by which themselves were to be guided, and the minds of the children formed. This was an unpopular view to take of the subject, and some said it was part of the Bishop's nature to forecast evil in good schemes. But if this were so, they must also

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admit it was equally part of his nature to labour to secure the good while he guarded against the evil, and such has evidently been the case in regard of Sunday schools. By uniting them as parts of one common society, in connection with the authorities of the Church, he added to their efficiency while he guarded against abuse; each rector became, under his system, the responsible head of his own school, while the wisdom of all united was directed to the preparation or choice of proper books of instruction, over which he again, as responsible head of the Church, exercised a final supervision. That this was no barren responsibility, may be judged from the answer given to the author, by one who long held the situation of Sunday school agent: While I, Sir, was there, not a scrap of the pen ever passed the press without his approbation; nor, I believe, while he lived.' Thus originated the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, at first a diocesan, now a general Society, in estimating which, while we calculate the amount of good effected, we should not forget, also, the probable amount of evil avoided, by the securities it affords against ignorance and error. But, whatever there be, either of good effected, or evil avoided, it is, unquestionably, greatly due to the sagacity and influence of Bishop Hobart. How early he entered into the cause, and upon what principles, may be learned from an anniversary address delivered by him in 1817; the Society having been organized under his direction the year previous, a date which ranks it among the earliest in the United States. This address was subsequently published under the title of The Beneficial Effects of Sunday Schools considered.'

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The only other letter that remains of this year is of a more cheering tone, though it, too, was destined soon to bear another character, by the praises it contained of a coadjutor and friend who was shortly to prove to him a deep and living sorrow.

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Our excellent Chief Justice, on his way to Boston, proposes passing through your city, and affords me an opportunity of thanking you for your kind favour of 9th February.

I read the periodical which you had the goodness to send me, with much interest. The biographical sketches cannot fail of producing the most beneficial effects on the minds of all who read them. The notices of the various efforts now making for spreading the Gospel, are not only interesting, but refreshing to the hearts of sincere Christians. The selections are judicious, and frequently most impressive. I read with much pleasure your address on the beneficial effects of Sunday Schools. How you find time to compose so many eloquent addresses and sermons is to me a matter of astonishment.

In this country the Church still creeps slowly, but on the whole gains ground. I was likewise abused for joining the Prayer-book with the Bible; but I have strong nerves, and when conscience approves, I am callous to slander. You will gain ground in spite of all opposition, and a short time will prove the soundness of the principles upon which you have acted.

I am, sincerely yours,

JOHN STRACHAN.'

CHAPTER XIX.

A. D. 1818. Et. 43.

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 WarriorYoung Onondaga-Visit of the Author-Prosperous Condition of the Diocese-Religious Revivals; the Bishop's Opinion; their Result-Bishop Hobart's Explanation of Evangelical Preaching.

THE meeting of the Convention of 1818 was to the Bishop a period at once of the highest pleasure, and the severest mortification. The pleasure arose from the proofs afforded of the unprecedented extension of the Church during the past year, not only by its parochial reports but also by the unusually large assemblage of delegates representing it. The latter circumstance was so marked, that the Bishop opened his address with noticing it as 'gratifying evidence,' said he,' of increasing zeal for the interests of our Church.'

The mortification arose from the misconduct of one who, from boyhood, had been to him as a bosom friend, and, for several years past, his assistant in the Church, and coadjutor in all his labours for its defence and advancement. Far be it from him who now records his humiliating fall to dwell one moment beyond the needful moral, on this sad tale of human infirmity. From such a height did he fall, and so low, that, when first known, the instinctive exclamation of every heart was,-'Lord! lead

me not into temptation, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.'

If such was the shock to those who knew him but as a Christian minister, what must it have been to one who loved him as a brother, and rested upon him as a bosom friend and counsellor. Nor was he called only to mourn over it in secret. As head of the church it became his duty to publish it to the world, and, not only that, but to inflict, as it were, with his own hand, the merited punishment. To such a heart it was more than a Roman trial. For to one who held, as he did, life cheap, when compared with duty, it would have been easier, far easier, to have passed upon him the sentence of death than of degradation.

What he felt upon the occasion must be conceived, for it was not expressed; his words conveying it were few and stern; It is incumbent upon me,' said he, 'on conviction, to inflict upon him the sentence of degradation from the ministry, and I shall, without delay, discharge my duty in this business.'

But even convicted unworthiness could not tear him from his heart. From among the papers of that unfortunate man, of whom, though still living, we may yet speak as dead, and raise this tablet, if not to his memory, at least to others' warning; from among these have been saved, as relics, two letters (would there had been more!) from his mourning friend, which must have wrung from him bitter, and, may we not hope repentant tears. The first is of a date a short time subsequent to his final sentence. The second, from the Bishop, bears date but a few weeks. previous to his own removal to a better world.

TO THOMAS Y. HOW, ESQ.

'New-York, March 17, 1819.

Scarcely a day passes, my dear How, in which I do not think of you. But the scenes of our friendship, once so interesting, and

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