...... Leaving the temple of the Lord and its holy employments, we must recall his image when divested of his sacred functions and engaged in social intercourse. Who that, upon these occasions, has once beheld him, will not remember, and alas! weep at remembering,-now to be seen, and heard, and felt no more!—his kind expressive smile, the cheerful accents of his voice, the quick and friendly pressure of his hand. How ready and unaffected was his interest in all that concerned the happiness and welfare of his friends ..... No one could have known him, even casually, without a full conviction that he possessed a heart as warm and susceptible of all kind affections as ever rested in a human bosom. ... Active in body as in mind, prompt in judgment, decided and firm of purpose, persevering in exertion, his efforts were indeed triumphant. Discriminating, decided, active, zealous, his integrity unstained and unsuspected, the evidence of a single heart strongly exhibited in his countenance, his words, his manner,—differences of opinions almost uniformly gave way before him; and where there was yet indecision, the conviction of his sincere and ardent zeal would often produce a conquest of the will, if not a full assent of the judgment. These vigorous powers of the mind and sterling virtues of the heart were by him sacredly devoted to one grand absorbing object, THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD EXHIBITING EVANGELICAL TRUTH UNITED WITH APOSTOLICAL ORDER. this he was devoted, body, soul, and mind; for this he would have sacrificed every earthly object; and to promote its interests he would willingly have resigned his life. In this view of his character his death was appointed by a wise providence, with a coincidence of circumstances at once striking and affecting. He died upon the field carrying forward the banners of salvation, and in the hearing of the triumph of the Redeemer's cause. Το Such was the splendid example of "singleness of aim," and uncompromising steadiness of pursuit, which this departed prelate has left to the universal Church, and to that portion of it especially, which, (with a feeling fully reciprocated by the wisest and best members of our national establishment,) values herself upon her descent from the Church of England. "The mother-country," observes the pious Bishop of Pennsylvania, (for so we are yet affectionately styled), "the mother-country, which sent colonies to these shores, reared also the Church within the colonies, by providing and supporting missionaries: and the religious debt we owe to the mother-country, we repay to the regions that have sprung from our older territories."* To the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and her benevolent exertions under Archbishops Tenison and Secker; Bishops Lowth, and Sherlock, and Berkeley; Dean Kennet, Gloucester Ridley, and others, the cause of religion is indebted, (as far as means may be thus spoken of) for the implantation of those seeds which have produced so fair a harvest. Like a matron, justly proud of her children, growing up into usefulness and distinction; the honours of our offspring remind us of the value of those principles by which such effects have been produced — the principles, to adopt the standard of the departed Bishop, of EVANGELICAL TRUTH AND APOSTOLIC ORDER. * Address of the Right Rev. H. Onderdonk, before the Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania. January, 1829. The lasting and valuable results before us, of a steady adherence to these in all missionary undertakings, oblige us to the duty of supporting, by all our means and influence, the same uncompromising system, which, without any infringement of the right of private judgment, will never consent to regard as matters of indifference, the peculiar doctrines and discipline of our Apostolic Church ;--and, on the other hand, will never admit the pretext of orthodox opinions to shelter a cold, heartless, and apathetic disposition,-careless about the growth of Christianity abroad, uninterested in the labours of its ministers, and inclined, when a few guineas have been parted with, to suppose that a full acquittance is obtained from the highest of all possible obligations-the advancement of the kingdom of Christ throughout the world, under the standard of EVANGELICAL TRUTH AND APOSTOLIC ORDER. ART. II-The Iris: A Religious and Literary Offering. Edited by THE month of November is periodically marked, in the publishing world, by the appearance of those elegant little volumes, called "Annuals ;" and we cannot forego the pleasure of introducing some of their beauties to our readers. Of those which we have selected as the subject of our primary consideration, religion is the prominent feature; and as such, they are justly entitled to our more immediate regard. Nor do they yield to their more gay and lively contemporaries in point of literary merit and splendid illustration; and, if we are of opinion that either the one or the other of them has not reached the standard of last year, the failure is no less evident in all their rivals. We do not hesitate to say that most, which we have yet seen, have deteriorated, at least in point of embellishment; and we predict that this deterioration, added to the fact that there are too many competitors in the field, will have the effect of diminishing their number, before another Christmas smiles upon the survivors. Among the deaths and marriages, however, we do not anticipate those of the Iris or the Amulet. The latter of these volumes has now attained the sixth year of its periodical existence; while the former, to which we have given the precedence in compliment to its clerical editor, is only in the second year of its probation. In the literary department, we expected, from the high and deserved reputation of Mr. Dale, nothing short of excellence; nor have we been greatly disappointed. It is true that we have 66 searched in vain for any thing that will bear comparison with the Daughter of Jairus," which placed the former volume on the basis of substantial popularity. Nor has the editor produced so many of his beautiful "Scriptural Illustrations" as before. Upon the whole, too, the contributions are of a more sombre and melancholy caste, than we expect to find in "New Year's Gifts," and "Christmas Offerings." We trust, upon the next occasion, to meet Mr. Dale in a more lively mood. There is a time to laugh," as well as a "time to weep;" and we have been used to look upon the season of the Nativity as more congenial with "joy and gladness," than "lamentation, and mourning, and woe." 66 Proceed wè to our extracts. From the prose we select the following, by the author of the "Living and the Dead ;" chiefly because it is the shortest piece which will suit our purpose. YET "HOPE." on the It was a sorrowful group which gathered around Henry M.twentieth anniversary of his marriage, in the garden house of the little vicarage at Wilmington. It was evening-the stillness of the gentle skies, the softness of the summer breeze, the stars in their distant loveliness, the moon in her mild and tranquil radiance, all spoke the language of harmony and peace. Alas! for those whom nature has no power to soothe! That anguish must indeed be acute, which makes us loathe the face of creation beaming in beauty and brightness, and hide ourselves from its smile. Those must be moments of unimaginable bitterness, when the loveliness of nature without, cannot charm away the recollection of misery within. Henry M, the ex-curate of Wilmington, was one who had preferred a life of privation and usefulness to a career of profusion and indolence. His godfather, for he was an orphan even in infancy, had, on entering him at college, set both before him, and desired he would make his election. He chose the former; and cheerfully abided by the consequences. He obtained at Cambridge high academical distinctions, obtained them decisively; while the abilities of his antagonists added to the honour, though not to the danger of his victory. This scene of, to him, well earned triumph, he quitted without a sigh, to become a labourer in the richest of all vineyards,- -a soldier in the noblest of all armies. And bravely did he maintain his post; though, at times, pushed to the front of the battle, and, from the situation of his curacy, separated from the host. To assert that his was a contented and an united flock is not, perhaps, saying much for it; a parish can scarcely be otherwise when its pastor is devoted to his duties. But he could affirm more. "I have not, to my knowledge, two dissenters in my district. I am quite sure there is no chapel within my beat. How delightful to be spared the task of contrasting the merits of different creeds, by all my people abiding in one!" But man is but an instrument in the hands of a higher Power, and that Power often dashes in pieces the instrument before the work be complete; or removes what appeared an honoured and successful agent from the scene of his usefulness,-dooms him thenceforth to silence and inactivity; and finishes His work without him. Such was the case here, as if to prove the uncertain issue of human efforts, however well directed. The scourge of fever visited the village;— the parsonage was not exempt from its ravages :-and its revered inmate, after a protracted struggle, was wrested from its grasp, only to be doomed to blindness during the remainder of his days! Beggary now appeared the inevitable portion of him and of his children: his curacy must be resigned, for he was no longer equal to its duties. And what expedient, what refuge remained for him, who had nothing but his profession to rely upon? Necessity makes even the timid daring. A mother will venture much, to avert want from her children; and Mrs. M- who had been known to the Princess Charlotte in very early life, determined to lay her case before that benevolent Princess. A letter written on the very morning of her marriagewhat a heart must that have been, which even in the very heyday of its happiness could remember the woes of others and remedy them!-announces Mrs. M-'s success; and concluded thus: "I am commanded by H. R. H. to assure you that steps have already been taken towards carrying your wishes into effect." The next week but one brought a presentation. Oh, what gratitude, what joy-did its receipt occasion! what bitter disappointment,-what heartfelt regret were attendant on its rejection! The event was, without delay, communicated in person by M- to his diocesan. Bishop, though a mild and amiable man, was the slave of forms. "I commiserate your case," he said. "I would do any thing in my power to serve or to assist you; but I cannot break through established usage, or create a mischievous precedent. Shew me how you intend to read yourself in, and I will give my Secretary the necessary instructions forthwith." Protracted correspondence, and repeated interviews, left the matter in this perplexing situation-as undecided as ever. How long affairs could have remained in this state, or whether any adjustment would ever have taken place, cannot now be decided: for one evening, when M- himself was beginning to feel the sickness of hope deferred, and the spirits of his family were deeply depressed, a new turn was given to affairs by Arthur, the eldest boy, starting up and exclaiming, "Father, since the Bishop says you MUST read yourself in; and Mr. the Proctor, says the same; and you say (truly enough) you can do nothing of the kind: suppose you were to repeat yourself in? I am sure, since I have heard you say the whole of the first book of Virgil, you could manage the thirty-nine Articles; and I would be with you in the desk, and stand prompter." 66 the Bishop's Secretary, says the same; and Mr. 'Blessings on you, my dear Arthur," was the reply of the agitated parent, "you have suggested a plan which will relieve us from all our difficulties." And it did. I was not at the church myself on that eventful morning; but there sits by my side one who was. He tells me that there was scarcely a dry eye in that crowded building, when Arthur guided his blind and aged parent into the desk; that the old man's voice faltered greatly at the commencement of the morning prayers, and the services of his prompter were put into active requisition-that he gained courage as he proceeded, and made a noble ending:that most cordial, and hearty, and sincere were the congratulations offered him at its close by his new parishioners; and that many a rough and weatherbeaten hand seized his, and shook it with friendly sympathy, as he was guided through the churchyard, at the end of the service, by his dutiful and delighted son. And, reader, upon these details you may rely. Would you know who it is that smiles as I write this, and tells me that I am spinning "a long yarn,"but a true one? It is (bronzed with foreign service, and not altogether so choice in his expressions as I could wish) my Friend, and I hope, yours, Captain Arthur Among other contributions, "A Scene of the Pestilence," "Nathan and David," "Recollections of a Murderer," and "Judith," will be read with considerable interest. The poetic department is also very rich. As specimens, we subjoin "The Protestant's Kyrie Eleëson," and one of the editor's "Illustrations." III. THE PROTESTANT'S KYRIE ELEESON.' Thou, who shar'st the Father's throne, Thou in equal Majesty, By the scourge, the shame, the scorn- Thou, who with th' Incarnate Son, Holy, holy, holy Three! Spirit! guide from earth to Heaven, CHRIST IN THE GARDEN WITH MARY. BY THE REV. THOMAS DALE, M. A. I. Love is not of the Earth! A Ray that issued from the Throne of Heaven And then to dwellers of the dust 't was given; Their pearl of price, their gem of peerless worth, II. But Love the pure, the bright, Hath lost on earth its glory, and hath fled To its own realms of Light; Scarce lingering o'er the unforgotten dead, Where in the lonely place of tombs, by night, The mute, fond prayer is breathed-the silent tear is shed. Love is no more divine, III. Save when it seeks the source whence first it came- And, like the Prophet, on a car of flame Mounts to the Holiest! Such, dear Saint, was thine, THOU didst not heed the cry Of myriad voices, clamouring fierce for blood! The truest turned to fly, The boldest quailed,—but firm the weaker stood! Thy heart endured to watch His agony, Unawed by scoffing Priest and warriors fierce of mood. V. Yea, when his parting groan Smote, like Death's fearful summons, on thine ear; Thou didst not seek alone Idly to shed the fond yet fruitless tear ; By thee the last sad care of Love were shewn- Pp. 81, 82. |