Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

exertions of his clergy. How pleasing to consider that, at the antipodes of Britain, where, but a few years before, was nothing but savage and cannibal barbarism,—which barbarism is not completely softened yet, that here not only is civilization advancing, but christianity is exercising its heavenly influences; our ministry is constantly labouring, an Episcopal See is formed, the services of our Church are regularly celebrated, and the Divine command is now being fulfilled: "Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth." The Bishop of Tasmania has but lately arrived at the scene of his labours, and was received with due respect by the clergy and members of his Diocese. We trust the formation of these Episcopal Sees will cause our Church to "strengthen her cords, and lengthen her stakes." May these dignitaries of the Church receive from the Church's Head all wisdom, grace, and strength! May their master who sent them forth, cheer them now they are in their labours! "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon them, and establish thou the work of their hands upon them, yea, the work of their hands establish thou it!"

We have lately been much gratified by a visit from the Bishop of Tasmania, who came to spend a short time with our own Bishop, and, doubtless, to consult with him concerning the common good. We repeat it, that we were much gratified with

this visit. The Bishop is very young for so grave an office; but we feel assured that a sound discretion has been exercised in sending out a man in the prime of life, to combat difficulties of no ordinary magnitude, and to undergo labours to which a person in the decline of years would be obviously unequal. In a former part of this chapter we have given a view of the principal Church. of Sydney (St. James's); annexed will be found the

[graphic][merged small]

present Cathedral of Hobart Town. The difference between these buildings is striking. The one

184

NECESSITIES OF THE CHURCH.

looks like the church of a large old town, the other, is beautifully and romantically situate, and seems as though it were in a quiet country township: it is, however, neatly, nay, elegantly fitted up within, which it owes, in no small degree, to the good taste of the senior chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Bedford. We look forward, with pleasing anticipations, to the first triennial meeting of the Bishops to be held in Sydney. It will be a scene, we confidently hope, of unusual interest, bringing us back to the best days of the church. Christians at home will surely not forget those who have thus left their shores to become foster-fathers of the churches which are formed in these far-off southern lands.

We have one more duty to perform, which is, to return the thanks of the Church here to those Venerable Societies in England which have frequently rendered us valuable and seasonable aid. We tender them our best acknowledgments for these Acts of Christian liberality. May they be abundantly rewarded. While we return our best thanks for this assistance, we present our claim for further help. Still "many perish for lack of knowledge;" still we are, in our means of religious instruction, far below what a British colony should be. Our wants are pressing, and assistance we must have. Nature smiles on us; our soil is productive; our climate is genial; commerce, though subject at times to depression, promises yet to advance; and if we be but a religious, we shall, assuredly, be a prosperous, a

happy people. When thus we are arrayed in the beauty of holiness, all our natural charms will be more charming still. How redolent of fragrance will be our plains, when "the plant of renown," the "Rose of Sharon," blooms beauteously in our land! How smooth and peaceful will be our streams, when they move, like Bethesda's pool, to heal and refresh the weary and sin-sick soul! With what unwonted lustre will our firmament shine, when the mystic star leads to Jesus, and when the southern cross directs the gazer to the Lamb that has been slain ! How resplendent will shine the orb of day, when unto us "the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing on his wings!" What sweet warblings shall those be, when the burden we hear is, "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men! And this shall come to pass. Eternal Truth is pledged to accomplish it; Omnipotence undertakes the work, infinite love "willeth not that any should perish;" perfect Holiness hates sin, and desires Holiness to dwell in the land. Every attribute of the Triune God is pledged to accomplish the work. And have we nothing to do? Nothing to do! We may be sluggish if we will,-God needs not our instrumentality;-others can do his work; but,-if we labour not, let us beware, lest against us the ancient doom be again pronounced, "Curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty."

186

THE RESULTS OF FAITHFULNESS.

Let us, however, act up to our high privilege, let Britain understand her duty, and with hallowed zeal extend to the nations of the earth, the Gospel which has raised her to the position she occupies among the nations of the world, and she shall see how by blessing others, she will herself be blessed, -how the best means to obtain revival at home is by diffusing religion abroad. It is not more true that the soil is fruitful to minister to man's necessities, that the sea flows to bear on its billows the ministers of a nation's prosperity, diffusing commerce and its attendant blessings over the earth, that the sun shines in the firmament not for itself, but to cheer, gladden and render fruitful the earth, than it is the will of God, that the Gospel has been committed to the church, that she may distribute it to others, and thus receive back fresh blessings to herself. The church is put in trust with the Gospel-to betray that trust is disaster to herself and dishonour to her head; to fulfil her trust, is to bless the world and to be prosperous herself; it is to perform the injunction, and finally to share the reward, comprised in those spirit-stirring words: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

« PreviousContinue »