The following is submitted as a short outline of what Mr. Harper conceives to be the spiritual wants of this district, in respect to Clergymen : In the first place, then, I would observe, that the number of Episcopalians scattered through the district far exceeded my expectations; they are numerous in most of the townships, and in some they are decidedly the majority. In several parts of the district, numbers of them have been induced to leave our Communion to join other denominations, from being unable to obtain the ministrations of their own; but where this has been the case, they almost invariably retain a partiality to their Mother Church, and rejoice at an opportunity of again partaking in her services. Many too who have had their children baptized by the Methodist Preachers and Ministers, of other denominations, have brought their children to me to be re-baptized; and with my brother Missionary, Mr. Elliot, I may observe, as an evidence of the firm attachment which many have to the Church of their forefathers, and of the anxiety of again enjoying her ministrations, I have had persons come not only "ten miles," but not less than fifteen, and that in rainy weather, to attend Church. But I may also observe here, that these persons of whom I speak were Europeans, who have been brought up in the bosom of the Church; their children, however, can scarcely be expected to retain the same attachment, and indeed under existing circumstances, it cannot be looked tor. This may be sufficient to shew, in some degree, the necessity of an increase of labourers in this portion of the Lord's vineyard. But I would yet further remark, that the prejudices which we daily meet with, as well as the objections which are continually raised against the Church arise in a great measure from the ignorance which prevails with regard both to her docirine and practice. So strikingly is this the case, that I have once or twice had it remarked to me, after officiating in mixed congregations-"Why sir, you preach the same truths as we do after all, there can be no essential difference between us," and many other such like observations. I need not, however, multiply evidences of the spiritual wants of the District, and of the loud calls which resound from every quarter of it, for men who shall be" apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." The excellent remarks made by Mr. Elliot, contained in the Society's last report, apply equally to this District, though the number of Episcopalians is considerably smaller. The number of Clergymen, therefore, requisite for such parts of the District as are at present destitute of the ministrations of the Church, if I may be permitted to form an opinion from what I have seen in the sphere of my labours, I conceive to be at least nine-two of these residents; and the other seven travelling or visiting Missionaries, since in the back or newly settled townships, an Itinerant Ministry is the only effectual means of supplying the wants of the people. I have neither time nor space at present to enter into any particular detail, but the division which I have made is as follows:-A resident Clergyman is much wanted in the township of Seymour, where, as I mentioned in my last report, a subscription had already been raised, and application made to the Bishop for one. A resident Clergyman is also much required for Sidney, where a Church has already been built, and which is at present attended to once a week, by the Rev. Mr. Cochran, of Belleville. The township of Loughboro', Pittsburg, and Portland, together with the back concessions of Kingston, afford an ample field for Missionary labour, and would perhaps be more than one man could duly attend to, the number of hearers being very great. Camden and Sheffield would also fully employ another Missionary. Hungerford, Huntingdon, and the rear concessions of Tyendinaga and Thurlow, afford another most extensive range for the labours of a visiting Missionary. Rawdon, Madoc and Marmora, greatly require a Clergyman to reside and labour amongst; for though these townships, and especially the latter ones, are yet but partially settled, the adherents of the Church are very numerous, but as they are very much scattered, and the roads yet very bad, these townships present a field of great exertions for a Missionary. The other two Missionaries, which I conceive to be necessary, would find ample employment in the District of Prince Edward, formerly a part of this District, and where the number of Episcopalians is very great. Thus, then, it appears that in this District alone, nine, or more, Clergymen are at this moment necessary to supply those places which are destitute of the stated services of the Church.This demand daily becomes stronger, as our population increases; but let us trust and pray that He who has sent us forth as pioneers and labourers, to sow the good seed, will also speedily send us fellow-labourers, to "water and to nourish to maturity, the tender plants which have been committed to our charge." W. F. S. HARPER. Can the Christian reader doubt of the awful extent of our spiritual destitution in Upper Canada? Will the Christian reader withhold his assistance? Let it be remembered that such was the state of the province in 1835; we have now passed one quarter of 1838; the necessity must have proportionably increased. We, beg now, to present our readers with an extract from "The Church," a religious periodical published in Upper Canada, connected exclusively, as its name imports, with the Church. By the following communication, founded on information the most authentic, it will be perceived that, in the Midland District, FOURTEEN CLERGYMEN of the Church of England are immediately required, in addition to the six already employed therein; so that, in fact, the supply of Clergymen in that large and populous District amounts only to one-fourth of the actual demand, inasmuch as Kingston possesses two out of the six Ministers engaged in that field. Again, then, we ask, Why are these fourteen places permitted to remain unsupplied? And why are the means which our lawful property would furnish withheld from yielding to those fourteen townships the stated religious instruction which they not only need but are anxiously soliciting? To the Editor of the Church. Napanee, 20th Nov. 1837. Rev. Sir-In compliance with the request contained in the 17th No. of your valued paper, I beg to send you the report prepared by the Rey, W. Harper and myself, who were appointed a sub-committee to report upon the Midland District, by the Rev. Gentlemen nominated at the meeting of the Midland Clerical Association, which took place in Cobourg, in August last, to ascertain and report upon the state of the unprovided townships embraced by the Association. I beg to refer you to the Rev. Messrs. Greer and Wade for reports upon those in the Districts of Prince Edward and Newcastle. I remain, Rev. Sir, In the Midland District there are eighteen settled townships containing upon an average one hundred square miles. Of these, eight, namely, Kingston, Ernestown, Fredericksburg, Adolphustown, Richmond, Tyendenaga, Thurlow and Sidney and the island of Tanti are partially supplied by the ministrations of the Clergymen settled in the towns and villages therein. Commencing at the Eastern limit of the District-Wolf Island-the townships of Pittsburg, Loughborough, Portland, Camden, Sheffield, Hungerford, Huntingdon, Rawdon, Madoc, and Marmora are at present in the opinion of the Committee entitled to a resident Clergyman as contemplated by the provisions of the Constitutional Act. The number of Churchmen and persons favourably disposed to the Church in the majority of these townships, as ascertained by the travelling Missionary, more than justify the assertion that a Clergyman stationed in each would find ample occupation. Of the townships stated as partially supplied by Cleygymen, those of Richmond, Fredericksburg and Sidney, with the island of Tanti, having churches erected in them served by the Clergymen resident in the adjacent towns and townships, have especial claims to the services of a Clergyman of their own. For in each of them there are not only congregations already formed, but from their extent they embrace stations which demand the attention of a Clergyman, as hereafter the accommodation of the settlers will require an additional Church, and probably at no distant day another Clergyman. The rapidly increasing demands of the towns and townships in which Clergymen are already stationed, to their exclusive services, augment the necessity of the townships now partially served by them, being speedily supplied with a clergyman of their own. With regard to the townships in this District, unsupplied by the regular ministrations of the Church, the committee beg to state, that in the townships of Loughborough and Portland, where there are numerous congregations of our Communion, there prevails a strong desire for the services of resident Clergymen, and should any hope of realizing their desire be held out to them, liberal subscriptions would immediately be commenced for the purpose of erecting Churches. In the township of Camden East, in which a large proportion of the inhabitants are either Churchmen or favourably disposed to our Communion, a site for a Church and burial ground has been offered by Mr. J. Williams, and a considerable amount subscribed for its erection. However, not being permitted to entertain the hope that a resident clergyman will soon be acceded them, they are discouraged from commencing it, On the line between the townships of Hungerford and Huntingdon, where the friends and adherents of the Church form a majority of the inhabitants, they are particularly desirous of obtaining a resident Clergyman, and the building of a Church has been long in contemplation. In the townships of Marmora and Madoc, although partially settled, the inhabitants, a great portion if not a majority of whom are members and friends of the Church, are very anxious to enjoy the benefits of a resident Clergyman. Under the auspices of the Hon P. McGill, of Montreal, proprietor of the Marmora iron works, a neat stone church has been built at that place, by the joint contributions of Protestants and Roman Catholics, (we have understood, for the accommodation of both) but in consequence of there being no Clergyman of our Communion appointed for that neighborhood, the committee regret to state, that the church has fallen into the hands of the Roman Catholics exclusively, it having been consecrated by their Bishop and served occasionally by a priest. It will, we believe, be now clear beyond the possibility of doubt that the wants of the Church in Upper Canada exceed by far those of any other branch of the Church in any part of the world. We submit them in tabular form (although much under the actual state) to the consideration of the Church in England, MINISTERS. There are eleven districts in Upper CHURCHES. Each Clergyman would be enabled and required to serve three Churches on a Sunday (not to speak of weekday stations), or about one in each township of ten miles square. Three hundred and sixty Churches are there fore needed at the least; which, at a cost of only 2007. each, would amount to 72,000l.; but as the congregations are expected to subscribe the half in money or labour for each Church, this sum would be diminished to...................... ...... ACTUAL. £36,000 Every 1007. procured in England will secure the erection of a Church in Upper Canada, capable of containing from 250 to 300 |