a universal toleration and the equality of all men, they attracted to their settlement persons of the most different and incompatible creeds, as well from Germany as from England.

Thus, then, of four important and extensive provinces peopled from our shores during the seventeenth century, three were settled by colonists hostile to the Church of England; Massachussets by Independents, Maryland by Romanists, and Pennsylvania by Quakers. No wonder, therefore, that America exhibits such a fearful preponderance of sectarianism. The fruit which has ripened is the natural produce of the seed which was sown. And while new societies were forming themselves on the other side of the Atlantic, what was the condition of our own communion in those countries? Not a single church existed in the whole of the New England settlements till the year 1679, when, upon an address from several of the inhabitants of Boston, the Lord Bishop of London (Dr. Compton) prevailed upon King Charles II. to give orders for the erection of one in that town, and King William III. was afterwards pleased to settle an annual bounty of 100%. for the endowment of it.

The same Bishop, finding by inquiry that there were not at that time more than four Episcopal clergymen in the whole continent of America, made proposals to the several colonies to furnish them with chaplains; and receiving from them encouragement, induced King Charles to allow to each clergyman or schoolmaster that should go over, the sum of 201. for his passage. He procured also from his Majesty the gift of a Bible, a Prayer-book, a copy of Homilies, and of the Canons, for each parish, to the value, in all, of 1,2007. Soon after the erection of a church at Boston, another was built by the people at Rhode

Island, and "Colonel Fletcher, the Governor of New York, induced the Assembly to set out six churches, with allowances from forty to sixty pounds a-year for the maintenance of ministers."1

In the years 1691 and 1692, the Governor and Assembly of Maryland divided the province into parishes, established a legal maintenance for the respective ministers, and memorialized the Bishop of London to send them over some experienced clergyman as ecclesiastical commissary. The person selected for this honourable office was Dr. Bray, a man highly to be honoured, and to be had in lasting remembrance for his zealous and self-denying exertions in behalf of the Church, both at home and abroad. The appointment was made in 1696, and Dr. Bray at once set about the duties of his office, and directed his first attention to two important objects—the selection of well-qualified Missionaries, and the means of supplying them with theological libraries. A bill having been brought into Parliament, in 1697, to alienate lands given for superstitious uses, and vest them in Greenwich Hospital, he exerted himself very zealously to get a share of them vested in a body politic, to be erected for the propagation of the true Religion in the plantations. In this design, however, he was unsuccessful, as well as in an attempt at obtaining for the same use some arrears of taxes due to the Crown. In abandoning, therefore, all hope of success in obtaining any public grant, he applied himself to the arrangement of a plan for the establishment of a protestant congregation, pro fide propaganda, by charter from the King; and though the time had not yet come for obtaining a deed of incorporation, he had influence enough to set on foot, in 1698, a voluntary association to carry on the

1 Account of the S. P. G. 1706.

service already commenced in the colonies, and to promote Christian knowledge both at home and abroad.

Among other Missionaries employed at this time, Dr. Bray "procured and sent two men, as pious and happy in their conduct as could have been found; one, Mr. Clayton, sent to Philadelphia; the other, Mr. Marshall, sent to Charles Town. Neither found at his entrance above fifty of our communion to make up a congregation; and yet within two years the congregation at Philadelphia, the metropolis of the Quakers, was increased to 700, and that at Charles Town to near as many." A church, too, was built in each place. Both of these excellent missionaries died about two years after their arrival, of diseases caught in visiting the sick.'

So disinterested was Dr. Bray in the acceptance of the office of Commissary, that he was actually compelled to sell his effects, and raise money on credit, to pay the expense of his voyage to America. He sailed in December, 1699, and reached Maryland in the following March; thus taking three months for a voyage which is now accomplished in little more than a fortnight. While there, he promoted in various ways the interests of the Church; and was ultimately induced to return home in order to gain the royal assent to a bill for its orderly constitution,—an object in which, by his perseverance and address, he happily succeeded. On his arrival in England, in 1700-1, he had the gratification of finding that the Association which he had been the chief instrument in founding, was very powerfully supported; and from the number of subscribers, and the amount of their benefactions, a different constitution and more extensive powers appeared necessary for the success of the undertaking.

1 Public Spirit Illustrated in the Life and Designs of Dr. Bray. Lond. 1808.

A petition therefore was presented by Dr. Bray to King William III. for his Royal charter, and being supported by all the weight and influence of Archbishop Tenison and Bishop Compton, was graciously received by his Majesty. Letters patent under the great seal of England were granted for creating a corporation by the name of "The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts." The charter, a copy of which will be found in the Appendix,' bears date June 16, 1701.

1 See Appendix A.

C

CHAPTER II.

Object of the Society two-fold: 1. Spiritual provision for British Settlers. 2. Propagation of the Gospel among the surrounding Heathen-First Meeting-Election of Treasurers and Secretary-Colonel Morris's MemorialColonel Dudley's Account of Religion in the Plantations in North America -George Keith-Letter about the state of Quakerism in North AmericaRev. Patrick Gordon-Rev. John Talbot-Their Voyage to Boston-Mr. Gordon's Death and Character-Missionary Tour of Keith and Talbot— Talbot's Letter to Mr. Richard Gillingham-His Report of the Church and of the various Sects-Mr. Keith's Narrative-Applications to the Society for Missionaries-Public Notice given by the Society-Qualifications of Candidates-Character of Missionaries.

THUS a great step in the progress of the Church of England was taken. She now commenced an organized system for the maintenance of religion among her own emigrant children, and for the propagation of the Gospel among the surrounding heathen. The preamble of the Charter recites the twofold object for which it was granted, viz. first, to provide a maintenance for an orthodox clergy in the plantations, colonies, and factories of Great Britain beyond the seas, for the instruction of the King's loving subjects in the Christian religion; and, secondly, to make such other provision as was necessary for the propagation of the Gospel in those parts.

There can be no doubt, that the main object contemplated by the charter was the spiritual care and superintendence of our own emigrant settlers. They obviously, as being our countrymen, and "of the household of faith,"