ders, and which, seconded by their ignorance and want of gentlemanly training, has excited no unreasonable disgust against theirco-operation. If we look into their reports, this assumption of importance constantly presents itself to our notice. Do they fail in accomplishing their work on any occasion-it never occurs to them, that the persons themselves may have done wrong;-the conclusion is "they are persecuted." The cause of failure is always extrinsic to themselves. It is thus we find that, having done nothing in the West Indies, they cast the blame of their own inefficiency on the Planters, and arrogantly assume that the cause of religion is opposed, because it is opposed in their own persons. The friendly support now on the eve of being afforded from the Mother Church, is precisely the aid which is wanted, and which we are assured will be received with open arms in the West Indies. What ever may be the objection made by the Planters to the attempts of unauthorized ministers, we have every reason to believe that they will cordially conspire with the efforts of a regular Clergy directed and controlled by their Bishop. There is, throughout the West Indies, a strong feeling of respect on the part of the Colonists, for the clerical profession and character, and a disposition to receive favourably any suggestions from those who are lawfully set over them in the Lord. While the Colo. nists look not unnaturally with an eye of suspicion at the undisciplined intruder into the ministerial character, their prejudices all conspire with the chastened zeal of the minis. ters of a Church which they revere. But we are forgetting the task which we have undertaken, to lay before our readers the contents of the Sermon, preached at the consecration of the first Bishops of the two newly-formed Dioceses-and we hasten accordingly, with pleasure, to fulfil our engagement. Mr. Campbell, we think, has treated his subject very ably and judiciously. Selecting for his text, I Cor. xii. 28, And God hath set some in the Church-first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers; he directs the argument of his discourse to the advantages possessed by the Church of England, (as constituted agreeably to this intimation of Scripture,) for propagating the Gospel in the West Indies. The subject is introduced by a reference to the economy of the Divine Grace as unequally vouchsafed to different portions of the world-in correspondence with the general analogy of nature-from which inequality of distribution results the duty on the part of those communities who enjoy the light of Revelation to impart their spiritual benefits to their less favoured brethren. From the acknowledgment of the duty, the transition is natural to the most expedient means of performing it-which leads us immediately to the main purport of the discourse. But let us hear Mr. Campbell. himself. Having alluded to that diversity and that unity which at the same time pervade the dispensations of grace as well as of nature, he thus proceeds: "The knowledge of this fact is peculiarly important on the occasion for which we are now assembled. "God hath given us one body, but many members:" of those members some are strong, and some are feeble, some are more or less honourable. In like manner the Almighty hath divided his gifts in different proportions to different quarters of the world. Civilization, liberty, religion are given to one and with-held from another. One country is the respected honoured head-another the toiling weary limb. Not long before but since the promulgation of Christianity, the Potter who hath power over the clay, bath made some nations as it were to honour, and some to dishonour,-hath poured upon some the exceeding brightness of the Gospel, and suffered others to remain in that unbelief in which all were originally con cluded. "But He that concluded all in unbelief, did so, that he might have mercy upon all. And they who have been admitted first into the Church of their Lord, may sooner or later be made his instruments in compelling others to come in. In the natural body, the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again the head to the foot, I have no need of thee: in the spiritual body likewise, all men are members of the same family, all are the ransomed and redeemed of Christ, and must have the same care one for another.' "Thanks and glory be to God for bringing home this truth to the hearts of our countrymen. The duty of caring for our West Indian fellow-subjects, is at last universally acknowledged. We trust that the time is at hand, in which another branch which was wild by nature, shall be graffed in and made to partake of the root and fatness of the olive-tree. We trust that another member is about to be added to the mystical body of Christ, and indis. solubly united to its Divine Head. are no longer contented to leave the unhappy Negro to the darkness and pollutions of Paganism, but we point out to him that Light which can lighten the Gentiles, we endeavour to save his soul from sin, we teach him how even in the midst of corporal bondage, he may attain unto the glorious liberty of the sons of God.' We "And while we rejoice that our countrymen are thus made the humble instrument of conveying God's blessings to their less favoured brethren, our gratitude should be further excited by observing, that the object is pursued in the spirit and after the pattern of that all-wise God, who hath set some in the Church,-first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers. Hitherto the Clergy in our Western Colonies have borne no adequate proportion to the number of the inhabitants. Even the white population has been scattered over so large a surface, that many have been deprived of the regular ministrations of the Church. And the want of resident Bishops, who might unite and govern the whole, who might stimulate the indolent and restrain the impetuous, who might encourage the deserving and remove the worthless, has been long and severely felt. "Notwithstanding, therefore, the meritorious services of the West Indian Clergy, we hail the present addition to the Church Establishment, as an important æra in its history. In this country, as at Corinth, God hath set different orders in the Church; and the dispensation has proved so valuable, that we rejoice at its communication to every dependency of the empire. We are convinced that it is requisite for the preservation of Christianity among those who already believe, as well as for its propagation among heathen nations. The equality or uniformity which some are disposed to admire, is an unattainable, an unnatural state. The various situations and abilities of men require a variety of means,-and the Gospel of Jesus supplies it. There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. And until we forget the means by which Christianity was communicated to our ancestors; until we despise the example of the primitive Church; until we forsake the practice of the Apostles of our Lord, and disobey the precepts of Revelation, we can never entertain a doubt respecting the merits or the claims of Epis copacy. "From the beginning there has been, and to the end there will be an authorized appointment, a regular gradation-a systematic superintendence and control, 'God hath set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased Him.' He who alone had the right to ordain and to give, gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers—for the perfecting of the saints-for the work of the ministry-for the edifying of the body of Christ," P. 4. Waving, then, any further consideration of the scriptural arguments by which the communion of our Church may be defended, Mr. C. is content to rest the issue of the question on the grounds of expediency alone, and to show that our Church not only is able to effect the conversion of the negroes, but that she will effect it more safely, more speedily, more completely, than any other religious society whatsoever.' Mr. Campbell then points out the peculiar excellences of the Church, as addressing herself irrespectively to every class of the population, and as calculated to improve at once the temporal and spiritual condition of the negroes, He thus describes the prospect of temporal improvement which a Church Establishment in the West Indies holds forth: "Looking merely to the civil improve ment of the Negroes, it must evidently be effected by their masters; and its progress will be materially accelerated when the ruling powers in the Colonies listen to the recommendation of the Church. She will tell them, not harshly, but plainly, in what respects they are to blame: if permitted, she will suggest practical schemes of amendment: she will convince the planters that the civilization and welfare of the slaves must increase the security and value of their possessions: she will not be exposed to the temptation, or the suspicion of seeking undue influence over one part of the community, by exaggerating the mistakes or misconduct of another: she will promote that cordial union between men of different ranks, which in this country always attends her steps, and always vanishes where her influence is lost." P. 9. We cordially agree in this view of the melioration of the condition of the slave. How different is the system of proceeding here suggested from that mode, to the adoption of which the reckless zeal of the religious empiric would instigate the Legislature of the country. Our Church, agreeably to the true character of the religion which she teaches, will not intermeddle with the relation subsisting between master and slave, but will wisely endeavour only to modify that relation to the mutual advantage of both parties, so as to render the condition of slavery practically no slavery-in her anxiety to do good to the unconverted slave not overlooking the respect which is due to his Christian master. Mr. C. thus alludes to the peculiar circumstances of the West Indies as favourable to the work of improvement: "In fact the instruction of the Negroes in Christianity, though it has formerly been delayed by peculiar obstacles, may now, under a complete and sufficient Church Establishment, be carried on with peculiar facilities. Most of the difficulties to be surmounted in other countries, are unknown in the West Indies. The African Negroes are not devoted to the practices of a remote antiquity-nor blinded by pre judices inimical to the progress of truth;~ they are not the followers of a false Prophet, their imaginations are not captivated by a gorgeous and sensual idolatry— their pride is not flattered by the dreams of philosophy. The mind of the Negro is comparatively a blank-and a blank on which Christianity may be inscribed. If we search for his rational, moral or spiritual qualities, nothing presents itself to our view but one immense void,—and it is a void which the Gospel will fill up. The teacher's task will be to civilize as well as to convert and the immediate effects of the first will smooth the way for the second. When a Negro learns to command his passions, and purify his heart, when he cultivates domestic habits, and domestic affections, when the savage gradually disappears, and the Christian citizen rises in his place, he will become a different being, and experience a different treatment. Others observing his advancement and prosperity, his higher estimation and his increasing comforts, will endeavour to tread in his steps. The flame will spread from rank to rank, and the Lord will add daily to the Church such as shall be saved." P. 10. To this description of the gross ignorance which prevails among the negroes, we are happy to say we know of some splendid exceptions. We would mention in particular one which has been related to us of an old negro on an estate in Barbados, who, though unable to read, had acquired, by his constant attendance at Church, such an acquaintance with the Bible as to be able to quote a great deal of it from memory, and apply it very pertinently in his conversation. He was a regular communicant. He lived to a great age, and his chief delight to the last was in obtaining a Clergyman to read the Scriptures to him, and talk to him on subjects of religion. Such instances, however, are of course very rare, and we only allude to them to shew what may be done for the poor negro, even as he is that he is not so debased in intellect and enfeebled in his moral powers as to be incapable of being moulded to religion-and that it is not necessary, therefore, to loose him from his corporal bondage in order to elevate him to the spiritual freedom of a Christian. "In short," continues Mr. C. "let the Missionary charge be committed to persons who will neither abuse nor neglect it,-let the piety and benevolence of the white population be quickened, by a steady application of the truth as it is in Jesus to their consciences; let sufficient assistance be provided for the religious instruction of the slaves, and the Gospel will be brought home with such power to their hearts-it will prove so exactly what they want, and make them so entirely what they ought to be, that the work of conversion will be forwarded from every quarter, and hailed with transport by every class. Christianity will be followed, as it hitherto has always been, with the choicest social and political blessings;-degradation, suffering, and sin will be exchanged for righteousness and peace, and some may live to see the day in which through the knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, the Negroes shall be in the exercise of the duties and the enjoyment of the privileges even of the most favoured classes of mankind." P. 11. Mr. Campbell then obviates the objection raised against the utility of a Church Establishment in the West Indies by those who contend "that men of humble rank and limited education are peculiarly fitted for the task of converting the negroes." This objection he answers by asking whether there is a single instance on record in which Christianity has been preached to the lower classes alone, and by an appeal to the first preachers of the Gospel, who, while they were illiterate, were also inspired-and particularly by the example of St. Paul, who, by the variety of his gifts, was eminently qualified for instructing every description of persons. At the same time he shews that the Church by no means rejects the assistance of persons of inferior consequence and attainments in those departments for which theyare fitted. The necessity of all who are engaged in the work of conversion, being united in due subordination to ecclesiastical authority, is then enforced by Mr. Campbell. "If unhappily any such should be unwilling to proceed decently and in order, to submit to the superintendance and control of those whom God hath set above them in the Church, the Church must forego their assistance. The zeal that sparns control, is a zeal without knowledge. A false spirit of independence is no qualification for the Christian teacher; and those who have learned to forsake father and mother, and brother and sister; those who could give their bodies to be burned for the sake of the everlasting Gospel, may have to achieve a harder conquest, and suffer a severer pang, before they are fit to co-oper ate in this work of conversion. If ecclesiastical subordination be requisite any where, it is most requisite in distant lands, where the checks of public opinion and professional feeling are least active-the restraints of law and religion least effectual. If prudence be any where necessary in a minister of the Gospel, it is especially necessary in heathen countries; and ten times more indispensable where the object of his ministry is in bonds. If it be important under any circumstances to preach the Gospel of Christ, unmixed with the alloy of human errors and inventions, it is most im portant so to do, where religion has been too little regarded by many, and altogether unknown to more." P. 13. Anticipating, then, from the character of the Church of England, from the order and propriety with which the Prelates who have devoted themselves to the arduous task will prosecute the undertaking, that obstructions which have hitherto impeded the progress of the Gospel will speedily be removed, Mr. Campbell thus concludes his discourse: "This, then, is our concluding argument upon the present subject. We have consented to consider the question, a question of expediency-and the measure before us is most expedient, because it is a measure upon which we may confidently anticipate the blessing of Almighty God. Paul may plant, and Apollos water-but God and God only giveth the increase. And where can that increase be expected or hoped for, if not where his rules and ordinances are observed his sacraments rightly adminis tered, his word purely preached? Conof the Deity work together for good—we vinced that all the complicated operations trust that the Divine plan is gradually opening. We hope that the day is nigh free course and will prevail-there the triumphs of Grace will be complete-the veil upon the unbeliever's heart will be rent in twain, all nations and languages will acknowledge and serve their Redeemerand we, being many, shall become one body in Christ." P. 15. To these glowing anticipations of success, formed on an estimate of the character of the Church of England, we cannot, we are sure, be accused of an undue partiality if we add our confident expectations of good from the character of the individual Prelates who have been so honourably selected to preside over the Church in the West Indies. MISCELLANEOUS. ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCRIPTURE. 1 Sam. xxvi. 7. So David and Abishai came to the people by night and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him. The son of this man came out to meet the ambassador at Sewund, and made apologies for the absence of his father, who he said was reposing himself after the fatigues of a long journey. Indeed, on coming near the village, we saw him extended under a shed, fast asleep on the ground, with a spear stuck at his bolster's head, which now, as in the days of Saul, marks the spot where a man of consequence reposes.Morier's second Journey through Persia to Constantinople. 2 Sam, xii. 20. 22, 23. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. At their burials, instead of mourning they rejoice, for they collect round the grave, where they sing and dance the Chupper to the sound of music. If the person to be buried has been killed in battle they rejoice the more, looking upon his death as Halal, lawful; and should he have died at a distance from his home, they make up a temporary cenotaph, place his cap, his arms, and other effects upon it, and dance and rejoice around it.—Ibid. 1 Kings xiii. 31. And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. Not far from this is another large mausoleum, built by Shah Sulri |