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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
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 Chap. 
 
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CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, MONTREAL. 
 
MY FIRST YEAR IN 
 CANADA. 
 
 RIGHT REV. ASHTON OXENDEN, D.D. 
 
 BISHOP OF MONTREAL, AND METROPOLITAN OF CANADA. 
 
 ffijjirb ffi{j0ttsatti>. 
 
 $ 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 HATC HARDS, 187 PICCADILLY. 
 
 New York : POTT & AMERY, Cooper Union. 
 
 1871. 
 
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 40393 
 
 
 
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CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 I. MY CALL TO CANADA I 
 
 II. FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MONTREAL . . .II 
 
 III. VISITATIONS ABOUT THE DIOCESE . . . 17 
 
 IV. A VISITATION TOUR HIGHER UP THE OTTAWA . 2J 
 
 V. SHORT TRIPS IN COLD WEATHER ... 38 
 
 VI. A WINTER IN MONTREAL 52 
 
 VII. A SUMMER IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS . . 65 
 
 VIII. CLOSE OF THE SUMMER 78 
 
 IX. STATUS AND PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH . . 88 
 APPENDIX : — 
 
 1. FIRST SERMON AT MONTREAL . . 97 
 
 2. PRIMARY ADDRESS TO THE SYNOD . I08 
 
MY FIRST YEAR IN CANADA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 MY CALL TO CANADA. 
 
 It has so happened that from failure of health, 
 and other causes, I have visited many countries, 
 France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Ma- 
 deira, &c. But least of all did I think that I 
 should ever set foot on the shores of the New 
 World. God however sometimes selects a Home 
 for us where we least expect it ; and certainly my 
 present Home in Canada was not of my own 
 choosing : God seemed to mark out the way for 
 me, and called me hither. 
 
 The circumstances which led me to the Far 
 West were these. One day in March, 1869, when 
 my wife and I were passing a few days at Bourne- 
 mouth, a Letter reached me, penned by a strange 
 hand, and stamped with a foreign post-mark. 
 Its contents too were as strange to me, and as 
 foreign to my previous thoughts, as were the 
 
 B 
 
2 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 Person who wrote it, and the quarter from whence 
 it came. 
 
 The writer of the letter was a Canadian Bishop, 
 who was at the time personally unknown to me. 
 Its purport was to tell me that, in consequence of 
 the lamented death of Bishop Fulford, the Synod 
 of Montreal had met in the previous November, 
 and had failed to accomplish its object, namely, 
 the election of a Chief Pastor for the Diocese, and 
 a Metropolitan of the Province of Canada. He 
 informed me that the Synod would again meet in 
 May, and asked if I would allow my name to be 
 sent down by the Bishops, and whether, in the 
 event of being elected, I should be content to fill 
 the office. 
 
 After due consideration, and prayer to that 
 Heavenly Counsellor on whose guiding hand I 
 could unreservedly depend, and after consulting 
 two confidential friends whose judgment I valued, 
 I sat down to write my answer. It was, that for 
 reasons which I mentioned, I felt myself unfitted 
 for so high and onerous an office ; and begged 
 him not to submit my name as a candidate for 
 the post. I despatched my letter, convinced that 
 I had acted rightly, according to the best of 
 my judgment, and feeling that I was in the hands 
 of One who could and would overrule it, if He 
 saw fit. 
 
 Nearly two months passed, and Montreal with 
 
My Call to Canada. 3 
 
 all the circumstances connected with it was almost 
 forgotten ; and certainly I never expected that 
 my name would be even mentioned at the Synod 
 after the decision I had come to, and which I had 
 expressed in my letter. We were sitting at break- 
 fast however one morning, in our sweet Kentish 
 Rectory, when the postman brought my customary 
 allowance of letters, and amongst them one with 
 this startling address : l The Rev. Ashton Oxenden, 
 Bishop Elect of Montreal/ 
 
 I own it took me altogether by surprise. It 
 informed me that my name had been duly sup- 
 pressed by the assembled Bishops, in accordance 
 with my wish, but that in the course of proceeding, 
 circumstances arose which led to the mention of 
 myself amongst that of others, by certain members 
 of the Lower House ; and eventually to my un- 
 animous election. 
 
 Such were the contents of this most unexpected 
 Letter from a friend then unknown to me, but 
 whom I now regard as a beloved and valued 
 Brother, the Bishop of Quebec. 
 
 What was to be done ? I, of course, took 
 counsel with my wife on a matter which so deeply 
 concerned us both. To each of us our course 
 seemed equally clear, and our duty plain ; and 
 never since has the conviction, on that day formed, 
 once varied. Not one misgiving from that hour 
 sprang up in our minds. A voice from above 
 
4 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 seemed to say, Go; and we had henceforth no 
 doubt that such was the will of our Heavenly- 
 Father. 
 
 I will not weary my reader with all that occurred 
 in quick succession during the next few weeks, 
 and all the varied thoughts, which, flowing out as 
 from a newly opened spring, rushed through our 
 minds — the disclosure to our nearest friends of 
 what had taken place, and of which they had not 
 even a suspicion — the severance from a beloved flock, 
 with whom I had been ministerially connected 
 above twenty years — the rending of those family 
 and social ties, which nature binds so strongly — 
 the quitting a peaceful home and a beloved country 
 — and the prospect of beginning life again in a 
 new and unknown land. On these, both for my 
 own and for my readers sake, I refrain from 
 dwelling. 
 
 Suffice it to say, that on Sunday, August 1st, 
 1869, I was consecrated in Westminster Abbey 
 by the Archbishop of Canterbury and six assisting 
 Bishops. And, having been thus solemnly set 
 apart for my great and important work, I left the 
 shores of England in the good ship 'Nestorian/ 
 one of the fine Steamers on the Allan Line, com- 
 manded by Captain Aird, of whom I cannot speak 
 with too much praise. Our party consisted of my 
 wife, myself, our child, and four faithful English 
 maid-servants. After a speedy and prosperous 
 
My Call to Canada. 5 
 
 voyage of ten days, we reached Quebec a little 
 after midnight, on August 29th, a few hours before 
 the dawn of a Canadian Sunday morning. 
 
 After a disturbed night's rest on board the 
 Steamer, we rose, and were greeted by a kind 
 deputation of Clerical brethren belonging to the 
 city, and also of two Rural Deans of my Diocese, 
 who had come all the way from Montreal to bid us 
 a hearty and true welcome. We soon found 
 ourselves at home among strangers : and after 
 refreshing ourselves at a comfortable hotel (the 
 St. Louis), we prepared for Morning Service at 
 the Cathedral, where we and several of our fellow- 
 passengers gave public thanks to God for the many 
 mercies of a safe and successful voyage. I assisted 
 in the service, and preached in the evening. 
 
 We were delighted with the striking situation 
 and beauty of Quebec — a quaint old town, very 
 foreign, and perched on the side of a steep hill, 
 commanding a glorious view of the river and of 
 the surrounding country. We remained there till 
 the following evening, and then proceeded by rail 
 to Montreal, a distance of 180 miles. 
 
 By the way, I must mention a curious incident 
 that occurred. On the night of our arrival at 
 Quebec, I had retired to rest in our little cabin, 
 and had fallen asleep, in spite of the trampling of 
 feet and other indescribable noises in the ship, all 
 of which seemed to concentre at our door, and 
 
6 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 were symptomatic of our having reached our port. 
 Presently a loud rap was heard ; and after much 
 discussion on the outside, and a vain endeavour 
 on my part to persuade the people that I was only 
 half awake and did not wish to be disturbed, I 
 
 was told that Mr. B had sent his car, and 
 
 hoped I would make use of it. Who Mr. B 
 
 was I did not know. I could only guess that he 
 was the proprietor of the hotel who had kindly 
 sent a conveyance for us ; and so I begged to be 
 allowed to rest quietly where I was till morning. 
 
 A few minutes after came another knock. It 
 was in vain to close one's ears, or to refuse an 
 entrance. I was told that a Deputation was wait- 
 ing to receive me. It was rather a trying hour 
 and place for so formal an interview ; so I said 
 it was impossible, and still pleaded, as I had 
 
 done to Mr. B 's messenger, a desire not to 
 
 be disturbed. 
 
 But to return to Mr. B and his Car. When 
 
 morning came, I learnt that Mr. B was not 
 
 only a leading member of our Church, but was 
 also a most important person at Montreal, on 
 whom the destinies of the railroad depended, and 
 one of the most intelligent, upright, and respected 
 men in Canada ; and that the Car spoken of, and 
 which I in my English ignorance had mistaken 
 for a Cab, was his own private railway travelling- 
 carriage, w r hich he had with very great courtesy 
 
My Call to Canada. 7 
 
 and kindness invited us to make use of. But he 
 was too sensible and kind a person to be offended, 
 and repeated his welcome offer for Monday 
 evening ; and in that comfortable and luxurious 
 carriage, we (that is, our seven selves and our two 
 Rural Deans) steamed on to Montreal, arriving 
 there at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning. 
 
 Our journey from Quebec, though under most 
 propitious circumstances, was somewhat tedious. 
 The train was far less expeditious than those we 
 had been accustomed to in England, and the 
 stoppages seemed to be needlessly protracted. 
 The Grand Trunk is making rapid improvements ; 
 but still there is a lack of that smartness and 
 regularity, which are met with on English lines. 
 The stations are miserable ; and there are no 
 porters to help the passengers on their arrival, 
 but each one is expected to shift for himself as 
 best he can. I must say however that in my 
 various railway trips, I have met, from officials 
 and others, with as much courtesy and attention 
 as could possibly be shown in any country. 
 
 The luggage system is well managed, and it is 
 scarcely possible for any one to lose his baggage. 
 Its safety is ensured by checks, given to the 
 possessor, with corresponding numbers attached 
 to the goods themselves. As a single line gene- 
 rally prevails in Canada, the trains are necessarily 
 few and far between. The carriages, or cars, are 
 
8 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 long narrow conveyances, resembling in some 
 respects our second-class compartments, but far 
 more comfortable. There are only two grades of 
 conveyance ; the one in which the world in general 
 travels, and the other which is only resorted to by 
 those to whom cheapness is an object. In addition 
 however to these, a new description of car has been 
 introduced upon some of the lines, luxuriously 
 furnished, and provided with every comfort for a 
 night journey. 
 
 But to go back to our journey from Quebec. 
 
 At St. Hilaire, Major C , who is the possessor 
 
 of one of the old Seigneuries, a warm-hearted 
 Englishman, and a staunch friend of the Church, 
 joined us, bidding us welcome to the neighbour- 
 hood of Montreal. On arriving at the Bonaventure 
 Terminus, a large number of Clergy, with the 
 venerable Dean at their head, were assembled to 
 receive us ; and with them were the leading 
 Laymen of the city and neighbourhood. Their 
 welcome was very touching, making us feel at 
 once that we had come among friends, and that 
 our new abode would soon prove a home to us. 
 
 The various introductions over, we drove up 
 
 in Mrs. H 's carriage, with the Dean and Mr. 
 
 Hutton (the Diocesan Treasurer), to our residence 
 in Drummond Street, which had been generously 
 provided for us free of expense for the next eight 
 months. Here we found every want anticipated, 
 
My Call to Canada. 9 
 
 and every comfort supplied. The urn was even 
 fizzing on the table, a delicious breakfast ready, 
 and our larder and storeroom filled for weeks to 
 come. I never ate a meal with feelings of greater 
 thankfulness. 
 
 On the afternoon of the same day, an Address 
 was presented to me in the Synod room from a 
 large gathering of the leading Laymen, and another 
 on the next day from the Clergy. These were 
 followed by others — by the English Working 
 Men's Society, and a week later by the Bishops 
 of the Province, who were represented in person 
 by the Bishops of Quebec and Huron, who had 
 kindly travelled many miles to express their hearty 
 welcome. 
 
 During the first few days we had little time 
 to ourselves, for besides my more public engage- 
 ments, our visitors vied with one another in testify- 
 ing their hearty goodwill and kindness to us. Our 
 hearts must have been dull indeed, if we could 
 have mistaken these tokens of affection so sincerely 
 offered to us. 
 
 On the first Sunday after our arrival, Sep- 
 tember 5th (having previously re-appointed as my 
 chaplains the two clergymen who had filled that 
 office under my predecessor), I was duly installed 
 in the Cathedral, a building erected nine years 
 ago, and of great beauty, worthy of the Metro- 
 politan See of Canada. At the close of the service, 
 
io My First Year in Canada. 
 
 I preached on the text,* ' Whom shall I send, and 
 who will go for us ? Here am I, Lord, send me.' 
 I also preached in the evening to a large and 
 attentive congregation. 
 
 And here ended the more public ceremonies 
 connected with my entrance upon Episcopal life 
 in Montreal — a life which I humbly trust may 
 in some measure tend to the promotion of my 
 Master's kingdom and glory. 
 
 * The Sermon is given in the Appendix. 
 
II 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 OUR first impressions of the city of Montreal were 
 very favourable. It is a well-built town, beauti- 
 fully situated on rising ground, and backed by a 
 fine mountain-like hill, from which it takes its 
 name (Mont Real), having at its foot the huge and 
 noble St. Lawrence. It has been justly called ' The 
 young and beautiful Queen of the West/ 
 
 The lower parts of the town, near the river, are 
 chiefly inhabited by the French-speaking portion 
 of the population, with the exception of two or 
 three leading streets filled with first-rate shops, 
 which are mostly served by English proprietors ; 
 and still nearer the river are clustered the hand- 
 some warehouses and offices of our wealthy 
 merchants. The upper parts of the town are 
 of more recent growth, and contain commodious 
 and detached houses, belonging to men of business 
 and persons of fortune. The streets in this part of 
 the town are as yet incomplete, showing at present 
 certain gaps, which will ere long be filled up with 
 handsome houses. They are all flanked by trees, 
 
1 2 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 chiefly maples, which, besides the welcome shade 
 they afford in summer, greatly add to the beauty 
 of the town. 
 
 One thing particularly struck us at first, namely, 
 that most of the houses have their shutters closed, 
 so that the rooms are in almost funereal darkness. 
 This arises from the necessity in hot weather of 
 excluding the burning sun, and also the flies which 
 here abound. And the consequence is that people 
 get so used to this state of things, that darkness 
 becomes the normal condition of many rooms 
 even in winter. Loving as I do the bright sun- 
 shine, it will be long before I shall be prepared 
 to endorse this custom. 
 
 The Montreal builders are excellent. They not 
 only run up their houses at an indescribable speed, 
 but they build them well and substantially. A 
 house begun in the early spring is often finished, and 
 even inhabited, before the following winter. The 
 exceeding dryness of the climate facilitates this 
 speedy occupation. The English maxim does not 
 therefore hold good in this country, 'When your 
 house is built you should put your enemy into it 
 the first year, then your friend, and afterwards you 
 may get into it yourself/ We are now building a 
 house under the wing of the Cathedral for the 
 Bishop's residence ; but we are too fresh from 
 England to hurry matters ; and so, having begun 
 it in April, it will be finished in the spring, and we 
 
First Impressions of Montreal. 1 3 
 
 hope to get into it next autumn. I was unwilling 
 to have entered upon this responsibility, since it 
 involves a permanent tax upon the episcopal in- 
 come; but a small sum originally devoted to the 
 purpose was available to meet about one-third of 
 the outlay, and it seemed to me especially desir- 
 able to do something towards the completion of 
 the group of ecclesiastical buildings around our 
 beautiful Cathedral. May it be the peaceful and 
 happy abode of many of my successors ! I cannot 
 expect it to be more than a very temporary resi- 
 dence for myself. 
 
 I cannot speak with much praise of the street 
 roads of Montreal. This year, at least, they have 
 been in a chronic state of roughness, and the con- 
 sequent jolting is extremely unpleasant. It must 
 be very difficult however to keep them in decent 
 repair, in consequence of the severity of the winter, 
 with its repeated attacks of frost and snow. The 
 side-walks are not paved, but are covered with 
 strong springy boards, which, though somewhat 
 unsightly, are by no means unpleasant to walk 
 upon. 
 
 The streets are all alive with carriages, both 
 hired and private, and the pace at which people 
 drive is at first rather alarming to a sober, slow- 
 moving Englishman. The public cabs have a 
 very old-fashioned look, being very high from the 
 ground and difficult of entrance, with a good deal 
 
14 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 of silver about them, and of the stamp of the Louis 
 Quatorze age. They are however very clean, and 
 the drivers are generally honest and unexacting. 
 
 The private carriages are extremely well ap- 
 pointed. They are well built, and the horses 
 good ; but one misses the neat liveries to which 
 we are accustomed in England ; and the practice 
 which prevails pretty generally of driving with one 
 rein in each hand, strikes one as being a little 
 awkward. 
 
 The chief buildings which adorn the city of 
 Montreal are its Churches. The largest, although 
 not the most beautiful, are the Roman Catholic 
 Church of Notre Dame, and the Jesuits* Church 
 in Bleury Street. But the English Churches are 
 far more beautiful, at least to our taste. Of these 
 our Cathedral stands first and foremost, being a 
 large cruciform building, and a very pure specimen 
 of the Early Decorated style of Gothic architecture, 
 with a simple but extremely beautiful little Chapter- 
 house beneath its shadow. 
 
 The whole is very chaste and handsome. The 
 inside is less effective than the exterior. The recent 
 addition of an obelisk to the memory of the late 
 Bishop makes the group complete. 
 
 Besides the Ecclesiastical buildings, there are 
 others which strike the eye. M'Gill College is 
 admirably placed with the mountain as a back- 
 ground, and a little park in front. It is a secular 
 
First Impressions of Montreal. 1 5 
 
 University, and well managed. Then the principal 
 Banks, St. Patrick's Hall, the Town Hall, &c. are 
 all worthy of this flourishing and wealthy city. 
 
 The Victoria Bridge, which spans the broad St. 
 Lawrence, is one of the wonders of Canada. This 
 enormous bridge is, I believe, nearly two miles 
 long. It is of wrought-iron, and rests upon twenty- 
 four limestone piers. The railway passes over it, 
 and it is therefore of immense importance to 
 Montreal, and to Canada generally. It was con- 
 structed at an expense of about one million and 
 a half sterling. 
 
 Montreal has lately sustained a great loss in 
 the removal of the Imperial troops. The barracks 
 have now a deserted look, and I fear that very 
 soon there will not be a soldier left. 
 
 At one time it was doubtful whether Montreal 
 would not be chosen as the Seat of Government. In 
 many respects it seemed the obvious place for this 
 distinction ; but for reasons, wise or unwise, Mont- 
 real was set aside, and Ottawa chosen. In the 
 latter city Government buildings have been erected 
 on a large and splendid scale ; and there the 
 Governor- General resides at Rideau Hall, just 
 outside the town ; and there also the Dominion 
 Parliament meets, and the Ministers of State have 
 their offices. 
 
 The Parliament consists of an Upper House, or 
 Senate, chosen by the Crown, and a Lower House 
 
1 5 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 elected by the people. The members of the former 
 have the title of ' Honourable ' prefixed to their 
 names for life. The same privilege belongs to 
 those who have served as Ministers of State. 
 
 The city of Montreal has a Mayor and Corpora- 
 tion, to whom is entrusted the management of its 
 local concerns. The inhabitants are exceedingly 
 well conducted. One rarely meets with anything 
 that offends either the ear or the eye, and a 
 drunkard or a beggar is seldom seen ; on Sunday 
 too the streets are unusually quiet and orderly. 
 
 Upon the whole, I prefer Montreal, as a place 
 of residence, to almost any town that I have ever 
 seen. And we may truly feel that ' our lines are 
 fallen in pleasant places,' and that God has sur- 
 rounded us with temporal blessings far beyond our 
 deserts. 
 
 But the loveliest spot does not constitute 
 happiness. Our joy depends far more on what we 
 are than where we are. A right and well-regulated 
 mind is a better possession than the most favoured 
 dwelling-place. 
 
i7 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 VISITATIONS ABOUT THE DIOCESE. 
 
 My first purely episcopal act was the consecration 
 of the pretty little church at Como, a hamlet on 
 the south bank of the Ottawa. This took place 
 just a fortnight after our arrival in Canada. 
 
 The morning was lovely, though somewhat 
 hazy. Our party, which numbered eight or ten, 
 consisted of my wife and myself, my chaplain Mr. 
 
 L , two other clergymen, their wives, and 
 
 the Archdeacon of Ontario, who joined us on the 
 way. We left Montreal by train for Lachine, 
 where we took the steamer, and at tw r elve o'clock 
 arrived at Como. We had been detained for nearly 
 two hours by a river fog, and found the congrega- 
 tion waiting for us. The church is small, but very 
 pretty, and in good taste. It is situated in a 
 picturesque and peaceful spot near the river. The 
 congregation was not large, but devout and 
 orderly ; and all seemed to enter warmly into 
 our simple but beautiful Consecration Service. We 
 
 afterwards, all of us, assembled at Mr. G 's 
 
 house on the banks of the river. It was a happy 
 
 C 
 
 'j 
 
1 8 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 day for us, and a still happier perhaps for our good 
 and generous hosts, through whose exertions, and 
 that of their neighbours, the little church had been 
 erected. 
 
 Not one of our party was allowed to pay either 
 for our voyage, or for our journey by rail. Such 
 is the liberality one meets with in this country. 
 
 A week later, I went a little higher up the 
 river, being anxious to seize the opportunity of 
 fine weather for visiting this portion of my 
 Diocese. 
 
 The Ottawa runs from north-west to south-east, 
 uniting itself with the great St. Lawrence a few miles 
 above Lachine. It is a splendid river of considerable 
 width, but the navigation is occasionally impeded 
 by rapids, so that the steamboat here and there 
 leaves the river for a few miles of rail, or for a 
 short canal. The scenery is generally picturesque, 
 without reaching the standard of beauty : it lacks 
 boldness and diversity of character. In the autumn 
 however there is one feature peculiar to Canada, and 
 very apparent here, namely, the crimson tint of 
 the foliage. This effect is principally produced by 
 the leaf of the maple-tree, which turns to a deeper 
 and more vivid red than even our own Virginian 
 Creeper. 
 
 But the maple-tree, which abounds in this 
 country, has another excellency. It produces in 
 the spring a valuable sugar, which exudes from the 
 
Visitations about the Diocese, 19 
 
 tree when tapped, and is much used in Canada. 
 The maple sugar-season is quite an epoch in the 
 year. It occurs in the early spring, when the first 
 warm weather causes the sap to rise. An incision 
 is then made in the bark, and the bleeding of the 
 tree takes place. To make this operation per- 
 fectly successful, two or three morning frosts are 
 needed at this crisis, which greatly facilitate the 
 flow of sugar, and improve its taste. The fluid is 
 boiled, and afterwards becomes solid, in which state 
 it is mostly used ; but it also makes a very pure 
 and agreeable syrup. 
 
 But to return to my Visitation tour. It was but 
 a short one this time, and I was quite alone. My 
 first point was St. Andrews, a village on the oppo- 
 site side to Como, being the principal parish in this 
 part of the Diocese, from which the Deanery bor- 
 rows its name. 
 
 At starting the day was wet, and I spent my 
 time on board the steamer in preparing my sermon 
 for the Cathedral on the following Sunday. We 
 passed Como, which certainly had a less riant 
 appearance than it had a week ago, caught a 
 glimpse of the little church which will be ever dear 
 to me as being the first-fruits of my Episcopal 
 office, and reached St. Andrews about one o'clock. 
 This place is only two miles distant from the river, 
 and is one of the seven Rectories in the Diocese, 
 constituted by royal patent. 
 
20 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 The worthy rector, Mr. L , is the rural dean. 
 
 A service was held that evening in his church, and, 
 in spite of bad weather, about a hundred and 
 thirty persons were present, and I preached to 
 attentive hearers. 
 
 Next morning, after breakfast, Mr. L drove 
 
 me along a roughish road to Grenville ; I enjoyed 
 my drive, though it was none of the smoothest. The 
 constant glimpses of the Ottawa were very pretty, 
 and my companion extremely agreeable. 
 
 At Grenville we had Service on our arrival, and 
 slept at the parsonage, the owner of which, Mr. 
 
 N , is brother to one of my old Pluckley 
 
 parishioners. 
 
 At these Parsonages, which are less luxurious 
 than those in England, one always meets with a 
 most kind and warm reception. The clergy have 
 usually but a very limited income, seldom exceed- 
 ing 600 dollars, or 120/. sterling, and often 
 less. Frequently their household concerns are 
 carried on without the aid of a servant ; and even 
 the horse, which is a needful appendage to a 
 missionary's establishment, is looked after by the 
 clergyman himself, or one of his family. 
 
 After a short drive to the river, I proceeded 
 alone by steamer to Ottawa. This mode of travel- 
 ling is very agreeable both in good and bad 
 weather. The vessels are clean, roomy, and conve- 
 nient. The meals on board are nicely managed, 
 
Visitations aboitt the Diocese. 2 1 
 
 and the food excellent. The proprietors and 
 officials moreover are unusually civil and obliging. 
 All this makes a day on board a pleasure instead of 
 a weariness. 
 
 We arrived late at Ottawa, where I was 
 
 received by Mr. J , the Incumbent of Hull, 
 
 which is in my Diocese, whereas Ottawa itself is 
 in the Diocese of Ontario. There was a room full 
 of ladies and gentlemen in the evening to meet 
 me. 
 
 The next morning there was Service at eleven 
 o'clock at Hull. The little church is one of the 
 prettiest in Canada, new and in excellent taste. 
 There was a good congregation and a nice warm 
 service. I preached as usual. We then returned 
 to Ottawa, dined, and walked out to see the Houses 
 of Parliament. 
 
 Ottawa is strikingly situated on a rocky emi- 
 nence, overhanging the river. The new Government 
 buildings which crown the hill are a beautiful and 
 substantial group, lately erected at a vast expense. 
 The town itself is poor and unfinished. Indeed it 
 will take years before it can present an appearance 
 worthy of its position as the seat of the Dominion 
 Government. 
 
 In the afternoon Mr. J drove me to Aylmer, 
 
 a distance of eight miles, along an excellent road. 
 Here, again, a Service had been announced, and a 
 fair congregation was assembled. Mr. S , the 
 
22 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 incumbent, is a St. Augustine's man. After service 
 we drove back to Ottawa, had some tea, and went 
 to bed. 
 
 At six o'clock next morning I was on board 
 my favourite steamer on my return to Montreal, 
 which I reached about five o'clock, having passed 
 five very successful days. 
 
 After a day's rest at Montreal, and preaching 
 at the Cathedral, I started again on Monday, 
 September 27th, on another short Confirmation 
 
 tour with my chaplain, Mr. L -. The weather 
 
 had become cold, and I was not feeling very well. 
 The first place we visited was Hemmingford, which 
 we reached by train, thirty miles from Montreal ; 
 
 and there the rural dean, Mr. D , met us and 
 
 joined us in our tour. The incumbent, Mr. M , 
 
 was a young deacon who had formerly belonged 
 to the Presbyterian Church. An open log-fire, a 
 rather unusual luxury, greeted us on our arrival. 
 This was no small comfort, and around it we 
 gathered gladly. At night I suffered a great deal 
 from the sudden change of the weather ; for it had 
 become exceedingly cold. 
 
 The Church was half a mile off, and thither we 
 repaired in the morning, and found a good congre- 
 gation, and twenty-five candidates. This was my 
 first opportunity of performing the rite of Confirm- 
 ation. I addressed them for a few minutes 
 
Visitations about the Diocese. 23 
 
 before the laying on of hands ; and then invited 
 the congregation to join me in silent prayer. I 
 confirmed each one singly, coming up one by one, 
 which had a solemn effect. And I then preached 
 from St. Matthew, ix. 9. There was also an Adult 
 Baptism, which was very striking in its connexion 
 with Confirmation, and preparatory to it. 
 
 It was my birthday, and I was greatly interested 
 in this my first Confirmation, which I conducted 
 ever after on nearly the same plan — addressing 
 the candidates for five minutes before the question 
 is put — having a very short, silent prayer — laying 
 hands on each severally — and then, when the ser- 
 vice is completed, preaching an unwritten sermon 
 to the congregation generally, but more pointedly 
 to the confirmed. 
 
 After service, Mr. D drove me fifteen miles 
 
 to Russel town, where I slept. I was very cold, 
 but they kindly put up the winter stove, and made 
 a fire in my bedroom. 
 
 Next morning there was a Service at ten at 
 Havelock, one of Mr. F 's churches, and twenty- 
 five candidates. At Franklin, four miles on, we had 
 a second service, but no Confirmation ; and I con- 
 secrated the Burial-ground. We then returned to 
 Mr. F 's house, where I passed a second night 
 
 We proceeded in the morning to Hinching- 
 brook. The road was considered to be a good 
 one, but I thought it very rough ; and it certainly 
 
24 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 tried the springs of our waggon and the strength of 
 my back. At Hinchingbrook we had service, with 
 twelve candidates — the congregation small. 
 
 Another kind person drove us on to Huntingdon 
 for afternoon Service. The readiness with which 
 one is driven from place to place is very striking. 
 No difficulty is ever raised, and no one seems to 
 grudge the use of his carriage if he possesses one, 
 but it is forthcoming as a matter of course ; and 
 I have never on any tour found it necessary to 
 hire a conveyance. It does indeed compensate for 
 many inconveniences to meet with such invariable 
 and freely offered goodwill on the part of both 
 clergy and laity. 
 
 At Huntingdon I found a nice little parsonage- 
 house, furnished with great taste and comfort 
 by Mr. and Mrs. E — . And here we had a 
 crammed Church and thirty-five candidates. Two 
 ladies had come from the States, twenty-five miles 
 off, having read some of my books. A few of the 
 leading parishioners assembled at the parsonage in 
 the evening. 
 
 The next day was the close of my present tour. 
 About ten miles brought us to Durham, where 
 we had a Confirmation at ten, in a tolerably filled 
 church. There were twenty-seven candidates. 
 
 After refreshing us with dinner, Mr. B , the 
 
 incumbent, kindly drove us twenty-five miles 
 along a jolting road to the Indian village of 
 
Visitations about the Diocese. 25 
 
 Caughnawaga, from which we crossed the Ottawa, 
 and reached home late at night. Our drive, though 
 rough and long, was pleasant. It was over a good 
 deal of what is called corduroy road, that is to 
 say, a road formed by trees laid across as the 
 foundation. This causes constant ridges like 
 corduroy cloth, and there is a perpetual bumping, 
 which cannot be avoided. Occasional holes in the 
 road are bad enough ; but these unseen furrows, 
 which are just concealed by the mud, are still more 
 dislocating. 
 
 Thus ended very happily my first Confirmation 
 Tour. All was new to me, the services, the coun- 
 try, the mode of travelling, &c. But I was most 
 thankful to have accomplished it, and not a little 
 rejoiced to reach home and find all well, and my- 
 self none the worse for my journey and labours. 
 
 After the refreshment of a quiet Sunday, and 
 preaching at St. Stephen's to a crowded congrega- 
 tion, I went next day, October the 4th, by the four 
 o'clock train to Lacolle, a distance of forty miles, 
 
 where Mr. L met me and took me to his 
 
 parsonage. At one of the stations at which we 
 stopped, a very old man, with silvery hair, came 
 into the railway-carriage, lantern in hand, and 
 asking me if I was the f Lord Bishop/ he said he 
 had come to welcome me, having been himself 
 eighty years in Canada. These little traits of 
 courtesy and goodwill are something more than 
 
26 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 mere formalities, and are cheering to a new comer 
 into a strange land. 
 
 Next morning we had our Confirmation service, 
 and eighteen candidates, with a fair congregation, 
 considering a deluge of rain. The evening train 
 having been taken off, I was detained a second 
 night at Lacolle. 
 
 I returned to Montreal for a few hours, and was 
 off again in the afternoon for St. Remi. The par- 
 sonage being at a distance from the station, I was 
 
 entertained by Mr. D , a wealthy farmer of the 
 
 place, who, with his wife, showed me true kindness 
 and hospitality, inviting three or four of their neigh- 
 bours to meet me in the evening. 
 
 The next morning, Mr. S , the clergyman, 
 
 drove me to his little church (the smallest in the 
 Diocese), where we had a thin congregation, and 
 only two candidates. We then went on to the 
 
 parsonage, which was close to Mr. S 's second 
 
 church, where we had an afternoon service and four- 
 teen candidates. I returned to Montreal the same 
 evening, and reached my home at eleven o'clock, 
 very tired. The rough roads, constant change of 
 quarters, &c. are rather trying ; but all these are 
 nothing when one is in the pleasant path of duty, 
 and engaged in the service of a loving Master. 
 
27 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A VISITATION TOUR HIGHER UP THE OTTAWA. 
 
 On the day after my return from St. Remi, Oct. 9th, 
 an event took place which caused a great sensation 
 among the community of Montreal — the arrival of 
 H.R.H. Prince Arthur, who had come to join his 
 regiment, the Rifle Brigade, and to spend the 
 winter in Canada. He was enthusiastically wel- 
 comed by the Mayor and Corporation, and con- 
 ducted to his residence amidst general rejoicing. 
 I asked permission to pay my respects to him on 
 the following day with the Dean, when we were 
 graciously received by him. 
 
 I may truly say that no person ever created 
 more interest, made fewer enemies, and more real 
 friends, than our young English Prince. The un- 
 selfishness of his character, his desire to please, 
 which was unceasing and not forced, the invariable 
 uprightness of his conduct, his happy way of doing 
 and saying always the right thing, made his 
 presence like a sunbeam among us, and produced 
 great happiness wherever he went. Both he and 
 his suite made an impression during their stay in 
 
28 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 Montreal which will never be effaced. In his 
 household there was no display ; but a quiet, 
 refined, and royal tone pervaded the whole of the 
 arrangements. 
 
 The next day, Saturday, I had a whole holiday. 
 On Sunday I preached at the Cathedral and at St. 
 James's ; and on Monday, October I ith, I left home 
 with my wife on another expedition up the Ottawa, 
 with a view of going higher up the river this time, 
 and visiting three stations at the further extent of 
 my Diocese to the north-east. 
 
 The day was delightful, the tints most lovely, 
 and the steamer very comfortable. My good 
 
 friend, Mr. L— , the rural dean, joined us at 
 
 Carillon, and remained with us for four days. We 
 reached Ottawa in the evening, but pushed on to 
 Aylmer, where we slept, as the Upper Ottawa boat 
 starts from thence. 
 
 Tuesday, October 12th, we left at seven for 
 Onslow ; but to our dismay, instead of finding a 
 nice, clean, comfortable vessel, we had to put up 
 with a dirty little tug-boat, rigged out for the 
 occasion, as the regular packet was undergoing a 
 thorough refitting for Prince Arthur, who was ex- 
 pected in these parts in a day or two. This de- 
 tracted somewhat from the comfort of our voyage. 
 
 When on the Ottawa the scene is often enli- 
 vened by the appearance of a huge raft which 
 
A Visitation Tour higher up the Ottawa. 29 
 
 comes in sight. These rafts bring down the sawn 
 timber from the mills at Ottawa and elsewhere, 
 which is eventually shipped either for England or 
 for the United States. They are of an enormous 
 size, and are composed of timber bound together 
 by clamps of wood into a solid stage, and generally 
 so constructed as to be subdivided into two or 
 three compartments, in case of a storm. On one of 
 these rafts are sometimes erected four or five 
 wooden houses, the dwellings of the raftsmen. 
 These floating islands drop down the stream, and 
 are guided by long oars. The lumber of which 
 they are composed has probably travelled some 
 hundred miles from the forest in the interior. 
 
 The life of the shanty-men, who fell the timber, 
 is a very peculiar one. Being engaged by the 
 lumber merchants, they go up in the month of 
 October or November in regular gangs to certain 
 localities in the Bush, previously untrodden by the 
 feet of men. There they establish themselves 
 during the long winter ; and the trees which they 
 fell are dragged out over the snow by oxen or 
 horses, and then floated down the river to the saw- 
 mills. 
 
 These hardy men meet with many privations ; 
 but they live well, having plenty of good beef and 
 pork to support them. They are restricted, how- 
 ever, from the use of spirits, and indulge in no 
 stronger drink than tea, with an abundance of 
 
30 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 which they are liberally supplied ; and the quality, 
 I am told, is excellent. 
 
 The shanties are temporary wooden buildings, 
 each one holding from twenty to thirty persons. 
 They are divided into two compartments — the 
 one for cooking, and the other for eating and sleep- 
 ing ; the latter being usually furnished with two 
 tiers of berths. 
 
 An occasional Missionary visits these shanties, 
 attracted there by a desire to carry the glad and 
 welcome tidings of the Gospel ; and if he comes in 
 a right spirit, he is pretty sure to meet with a kind 
 and warm reception. Three of our Clergy have 
 volunteered to devote a week or two to this self- 
 denying service in the coming winter. But I hope 
 the time will come when our Church will be able to 
 employ two regular travelling Missionaries, whose 
 time shall be entirely occupied in going from shanty 
 to shanty during the winter months. We need 
 special funds for the purpose ; but I cannot help 
 trusting that the means will be supplied for so 
 blessed an object. 
 
 We landed at Onslow about ten o'clock, a pretty 
 missionary station amidst the woods. The clergy- 
 man was Mr. B , who had visited us at Pluckley 
 
 before leaving England. He and a brother clergy- 
 man received us at the landing-place, and drove us 
 to the parsonage. Service was at three o'clock, 
 but rain had come on, and greatly thinned our 
 
A Visitation Tour higher up the Ottawa. 3 1 
 
 congregation. There were only five candidates. 
 On the same evening we had a Missionary Meeting 
 at seven o'clock. 
 
 These missionary meetings are very unlike ours 
 in England. In the first place, tfyey are usually 
 held in the Churches, for want of room elsewhere. 
 And then the object is not so much missionary work 
 among the heathen, as the support of the Church 
 in the Diocese. This causes a little flatness, and a 
 lack of that stirring life and interest, which marks 
 some of our Parish missionary gatherings at home. 
 I cannot but think that our Church in Canada, 
 needy as she is, would have a larger blessing if 
 she did more for our brethren in distant lands. 
 
 We left next morning early, October 13th, in 
 
 Mr. R 's waggon for Clarendon, a distance of 
 
 sixteen miles. The drive interested us a good deal, 
 as the scene was new to us, the country through 
 which we passed being only half cleared. Of this 
 kind of country we have had many specimens since. 
 We passed through some miles of pure Bush or 
 natural wood-land, the trees being chiefly maple, 
 pine, ash, and hemlock, the bark of which latter is 
 greatly used here for tanning purposes. Then at 
 intervals we came to an open space with a Log 
 House erected in it by some recent settler. The 
 clearances are made either by cutting down the 
 trees, or, more commonly, by burning them. But 
 the stumps are allowed to remain about three feet 
 
32 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 above the ground, presenting the appearance of a 
 huge graveyard. The custom is to leave these 
 stumps for several years till they are fairly rotted, 
 as the expense of grubbing them in their sound 
 state would be ruinous. My wife much enjoyed 
 the drive, and I should have enjoyed it too, for 
 our friends were very pleasant and agreeable, and 
 we had two good horses which carried us along 
 famously, but I was a little out of order, and the 
 morning was chilly. Halfway however we got my 
 indian-rubber foot-warmer filled at a cottage, which 
 nearly set me right again. 
 
 When we arrived at Clarendon, the Church-bell 
 had been ringing for some little time, and the 
 people were all assembled for service. The church 
 has little to recommend it ; but the largeness and 
 earnestness of the congregation made up for all 
 that was wanting, and our hearts were warmed and 
 our spirits cheered by the hearty service. Fifty- 
 two were presented for Confirmation, several of 
 whom were grown-up persons ; and this is often the 
 case in Canada. 
 
 In the evening we had a Missionary Meeting, 
 which partook of the same character as that on 
 the previous evening. In each case the Clergy 
 were all in surplices, and spoke from the Chancel. 
 
 October 14. — Off at nine o'clock for Portage du 
 Fort. A ' Portage ' is, properly speaking, a road 
 by the river's side, where there is a rapid. But it is 
 
A Visitation Tour higher tip the Ottawa. 33 
 
 often used, I believe, for other roads as well. 
 Our party had now swelled to the number of ten 
 persons, namely, my wife and self, Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 R and others of their family, Mr. L , our 
 
 rural dean, and Mr. K , a clergyman from 
 
 Thorne. An agreeable drive through a half-cleared 
 country, much like that of yesterday, brought us to 
 Portage du Fort. Here again the people were 
 all assembled, but the congregation was small. 
 There were thirteen candidates for Confirmation. 
 It was rather a mixed service, as I had appointed 
 the day as a general Harvest Thanksgiving day 
 throughout the Diocese before I had arranged my 
 Visitation tour. This interfered somewhat with the 
 distinctness of the service. Mr. G — ■ — , I grieve to 
 say, has since left the parish and Diocese for a post 
 in the States. 
 
 Soon after daybreak our kind host and hostess, 
 and the rural dean, walked down with us to the 
 river, and there left us on board our steamer. 
 Again we had to put up with an inferior boat, the 
 regular one being detained for the Prince, who 
 had meanwhile gone a little higher up the river. 
 But our Captain was most civil and obliging, and 
 gave us up his nice airy cabin on deck, which 
 was a refreshing change from the saloon below. 
 A part of this journey was performed in a some- 
 what novel manner. Half-way between Portage 
 and Onslow is a rapid over which the steamer 
 
 D 
 
34 My First Year in Canada, 
 
 cannot pass. This interval is supplied by a 
 wooden railway. Over this line, which is three 
 miles long, we were drawn by two horses tandem. 
 In portions of it, the little railway spans a deep 
 ravine, and as there is no parapet fence, it was 
 rather a strain upon one's nerves. However they 
 assured us that never yet had a single accident 
 occurred ; and so we were content. 
 
 On reaching Aylmer, Mr. J met us, and 
 
 drove us to his house at Ottawa. As however 
 we were to make an early start on the following 
 morning, we thought it wiser to sleep on board, 
 and were quite glad to find ourselves once more 
 in our favourite steamer. The next day we de- 
 scended the river, and reached home in good time 
 the same evening. 
 
 Our trip had now come to a happy close, and 
 it was time that we should cease our travellings 
 for the present year. The weather was fine, but it 
 had become cold, and there was a taste of autumn 
 in the air. 
 
 It is clear that more Clergymen are needed 
 in the district of the Upper Ottawa. The present 
 staff is overtaxed, and is not sufficient to occupy 
 the ground open to us, and these few are miserably 
 paid. Additional men are wanted, and more 
 money. I am determined, if possible, to obtain the 
 latter, and God will, I believe, provide the former 
 to meet our requirements. 
 
A Visitation Tour higher up the Ottawa. 35 
 
 I made with my wife yet one more excursion, 
 and then we shut up for the winter. This was 
 to Dunham, where I was anxious to attend a 
 Ruri-decanal meeting. 
 
 We started on Saturday, October 23rd, in a 
 torrent of rain from the Montreal station for 
 
 Stanbridge, where Mr. S , the rural dean, sent 
 
 his brougham to meet us, a luxurious mode of 
 conveyance not often met with here. But, alas, 
 we discovered, on leaving the train, that our 
 luggage had been left behind at St. John's ! And 
 how could a Bishop show himself on Sunday 
 without his Episcopal attire ? There was no other 
 train due before Monday morning. However we 
 telegraphed ; and fortune favoured us, for there 
 happened to be a special freight train just starting, 
 which brought us our lost luggage, and gladdened 
 our hearts. I preached at Bedford in the morning, 
 and at Frelighsburg, ten miles off, in the evening, 
 sleeping at Mr. D 's rectory. 
 
 Next morning, 25th, we went on to Dunham, 
 where about twenty clergymen were assembled, 
 and fourteen churchwardens. The meeting took 
 place in the underground basement of the church, 
 which was warmed nearly to boiling heat. The 
 Rural Dean was in the chair. The meeting lasted 
 about three hours, when we adjourned for tea and 
 evening service. 
 
 There was vigour in this meeting, and more 
 
36 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 than an average measure of intelligence, but a 
 painful lack of gentleness and moderation among 
 the speakers, which marred its effect. In the 
 evening I preached on the love of Christ. There 
 was a church full of people, and the service was 
 very calming. 
 
 I woke next morning with a terrible cold, 
 which had been coming on for some days. This 
 was not improved by the snow which we found 
 upon the ground on looking out of our window, 
 nor by an early walk to church, where we received 
 the Holy Communion together. This however was 
 a blessed preparation for our adjourned meeting 
 after breakfast, when a much better spirit showed 
 itself, and such a Christian tone as made me leave 
 Dunham with feelings of thankfulness. We re- 
 turned to Bedford, had some tea at Mr. S 's, 
 
 and got home to Montreal by ten o'clock. 
 
 The chief subjects discussed at the meeting 
 were the mode of raising funds for our Church 
 work, and the best means of dealing with the 
 younger members of our body, which latter sub- 
 ject led to the formation of an organised Church 
 Association for the various parishes in the diocese. 
 
 The Ruri-decanal system was also a subject 
 that cropped up two or three times at the meeting. 
 I find the office of Rural Dean somewhat unpopular 
 in the Diocese, and especially in these parts. But 
 being an important organisation in the Church, and 
 
A Visitation Tour higher up the Ottawa. 37 
 
 one that is likely to be very helpful to myself, I 
 feel unwilling hastily to abandon it. I have there- 
 fore somewhat modified the system by requesting 
 the clergy in the several deaneries to nominate 
 for my approval one of their own choice, and also 
 by limiting the term of office to three years, and, 
 further, by carefully defining the rural dean's 
 powers. With these changes I trust that the 
 system will yet work well, and prove useful in 
 the Diocese. It is surely very important that 
 any changes which may be needful in the various 
 missions should pass through the local board 
 of the deanery, and receive their sanction, before 
 being finally adopted ; and if a rural deanery is 
 necessary, there must be an officer at the head 
 of it. 
 
 Though pleased with our visit to the eastern 
 townships, we were thankful to get home, for 
 there was a decided change in the weather, and 
 it was time to get into our winter shell. If the 
 reader has grown tired of my travels, he may 
 console himself by knowing that I was fairly tired 
 out also. 
 
38 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 SHORT TRIPS IN COLD WEATHER. 
 
 DURING November, and the five following months, 
 I considered myself debarred from regular Visi- 
 tations in the Diocese on account of the weather. 
 I was able however to make an occasional short 
 expedition, and chiefly by railroad. 
 
 One of them was a visit to Chambly, where 
 
 Mr. W , who had been my fellow -labourer 
 
 at Pluckley up to the time of my coming out 
 to Canada, had lately accepted a post ; and I 
 was anxious to see the nature of his charge, and 
 to become acquainted with his flock. I went to 
 inaugurate a course of weekly Advent services. 
 We slept one night there, and a bitter night it 
 
 was, at the house of General W , one of his 
 
 kind and hospitable parishioners : the thermometer 
 was much below zero. I found the congregation 
 small, the place having known better days when 
 it was a military station. 
 
 Ten days later, December nth, I made a 
 tedious railway journey of six hours to Lennoxville, 
 to attend a Corporation meeting at the College. 
 
Short Trips in Cold Weather. 39 
 
 The Building is handsome and in excellent taste, 
 and it has every advantage which the healthiness 
 and beauty of its position can give. But both 
 the College, and also the School attached to it, 
 have lately been in a depressed state, and much 
 need a revival. The chief reason why the Insti- 
 tution has lost the confidence of Churchmen here, 
 is that it has earned the character (somewhat 
 unjustly perhaps) of nurturing extreme opinions 
 in its students. This however there is at present 
 a great desire to rectify. At the time of my visit 
 the Rector of the school was on the point of 
 leaving, and another has been since appointed, 
 who is likely to give general confidence, and to 
 restore the school to the popularity it certainly 
 deserves. 
 
 At the College a good classical education is 
 given, and degrees are conferred. A theological 
 department is also connected with it. But its 
 distance from Montreal is a great disadvantage ; 
 and as a Training Institution for our students it is 
 therefore not satisfactory. It is just within the 
 Quebec Diocese, the Bishop and myself being joint 
 visitors. 
 
 The next day was given to business ; and there 
 was a large party at the Rector's in the evening. 
 
 On the following morning Dr. N , the Principal, 
 
 drove me to Sherbrook, where I attended an 
 important missionary meeting, the Bishop of 
 
40 My First Year in Canada, 
 
 Quebec in the chair. The Town-hall was completely 
 full, and the meeting interesting. They received 
 me most kindly ; but I fear that many must have 
 been a little disappointed by the tameness and 
 meagreness of my address. 
 
 After a very wearying railway journey, the 
 train being constantly impeded by the snow, I 
 reached Montreal six hours after time ! The cars 
 are usually heated to a fearful temperature by 
 a stove at either end, and scarcely any escape is 
 allowed for the vitiated air. For this reason 
 I much dislike Canadian railway travelling in 
 winter. 
 
 Later in January I passed a Sunday at 
 St. John's, once a garrisoned town, and still a 
 place of some importance, about twenty-five miles 
 from Montreal. My wife accompanied me. St. 
 John's and six other places in the Diocese were 
 constituted rectories by Royal Patent in the 
 reign of George III. They still retain their rank, 
 but enjoy no other advantages arising from their 
 dignified nomenclature, except it be that the nomi- 
 nation of the clergyman is with the parishioners, 
 subject to the approval of the Bishop. 
 
 Mr. D , the rector, greeted us at the station, 
 
 and had a large party of his parishioners to meet 
 us in the evening. This plan gives one an ex- 
 cellent opportunity of becoming acquainted with 
 
Short Trips in Cold Weather. 41 
 
 the Church people in the different parishes, and 
 they seem much to like it. 
 
 We had a wet Sunday, but good congregations 
 both here and also at Christieville, a pretty village 
 over the river, where we went for afternoon Service. 
 At the latter place the church was crowded, many 
 having come from St. John's, where the Service 
 was suspended for the occasion. 
 
 Next day, January 24th, we went to Sebrevois, 
 a missionary Institution, ten miles from St. John's. 
 
 Mr. M, drove us in his comfortable sleigh 
 
 and pair, and Mr. M'G and a large party 
 
 followed. The country is rather low, and had been 
 completely flooded ; the consequence was that the 
 road was one continuous sheet of ice, over which 
 our sleighs glided most joyously. As an evidence 
 of the severity of the weather, I observed, as we 
 went along, that a fringe of ice had formed upon 
 the eyelashes of one of our fair companions. 
 
 Sebrevois is supported partly by the Colonial 
 Church Society, and partly by local subscriptions ; 
 and has been, and still is, extremely useful. It is 
 in the midst of a French-speaking population ; and 
 consists of a large school, containing about fifty 
 boys and girls, chiefly French Canadians, a few of 
 whom are Roman Catholics. There is also a 
 church which is a rallying point for the few Pro- 
 testants in the neighbourhood. I subsequently 
 confirmed twenty-eight persons, and was greatly 
 
42 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 pleased with the intelligence and Christian spirit 
 which evidently prevailed there. 
 
 We had Morning Service; the Litany being 
 read in French ; the singing half French and half 
 English ; and my sermon, which of course was 
 English, although understood by most of the audi- 
 ence, was repeated in French by Mr. L , at 
 
 least the substance of it. We afterwards dined at 
 the simple parsonage — about twenty of us — and 
 then returned to St. John's, and home to Montreal, 
 thanking God for what we had seen and heard. 
 The expedition had been a satisfactory one, and 
 we had enjoyed it much. 
 
 Early in the following month I had engaged 
 myself to be at Waterloo, but was forced to put off 
 my visit by telegram, on account of the inclemency 
 of the weather, and the drifts of snow which had 
 blocked up the line of railway. 
 
 I started however a few days later, hearing that 
 
 the line was clear. The two Mr. L s met me 
 
 on my arrival, and we hastened off to church, for 
 which I was a little late, in consequence of the 
 stoppage of the train. There was a capital congre- 
 gation in a most unecclesiastical-looking building, 
 which I am happy to say they are soon to vacate 
 for a handsome Church, which the parishioners are 
 building at a considerable cost and with much 
 taste. On my return to the parsonage I found the 
 
Short Trips in Cold Weather. 43 
 
 house filled with about forty visitors, who had been 
 invited to meet me. There is something very 
 primitive and genial in these gatherings of the 
 church people around their Bishop, and it makes 
 one feel that the Office is appreciated. 
 
 The next day was bright and beautiful ; but the 
 thermometer was lower than on any day in the 
 winter — nearly thirty degrees below zero. It is 
 remarkable how little one feels this excessive cold, 
 so long as there is an absence of wind. The dry- 
 ness of the air makes it bearable. 
 
 In the afternoon we drove to South Stukeley, 
 where we had an Evening Service, to which the 
 people were summoned without much notice. I of 
 course preached according to invariable custom. 
 Indeed, I have done so at every service that I 
 have attended on my tours, with one exception : 
 and I am sometimes almost a marvel to myself, 
 preaching for two or three days successively with- 
 out any great fatigue. I never could have done 
 this in England ; but God has strengthened me 
 for the work He has given me to do. He does 
 indeed fit the back for the burden it has to 
 carry. 
 
 Our drive back to Waterloo was very pleasant. 
 It was a thorough Canadian night, the moon and 
 stars wondrously bright, and the snow perfectly 
 
 clean and white. Mr. A , the Incumbent, is a 
 
 good man ; but in very weak health, and greatly 
 
44 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 needing rest. He and his wife suffer many priva- 
 tions, chiefly resulting from insufficiency of salary, 
 and from the difficulty in this country of getting a 
 servant. This is no solitary case among the clergy ; 
 and for their uncomplaining and cheerful accept- 
 ance of this state of things one cannot but greatly 
 admire them. 
 
 I returned home by train next morning to 
 Montreal. A very early start was needful ; and 
 my kind hostess, knowing my chilly nature, and 
 mindful of my comfort, took good care that I 
 should not leave her roof cold or breakfastless. 
 Long before dawn I was awakened by a white 
 figure flitting noiselessly into my room with hot 
 coals and wood ; and in a few short seconds, before, 
 as she hoped, I could wake up, she had lighted my 
 fire and disappeared. She little knew that, in the 
 kindness of her heart, she had effectually roused 
 me, and had thus shortened my night's rest, though 
 she had certainly won my warmest gratitude. 
 
 Two more excursions were made this winter. 
 One of these was to Mascouche, which is a vil- 
 lage about twenty-five miles from Montreal, on 
 Saturday, February 13th. This time, also, I had 
 
 the comfort of my wife's company. Mr. G , the 
 
 clergyman of Mascouche, came to fetch us in his 
 sleigh. On leaving our house we met the Prince 
 taking one of his early drives to the Barracks. It 
 
Short Trips in Cold Weather. 45 
 
 was always a pleasure to meet him, and he had 
 a genial word or two to help us on our journey. 
 We stopped at St. Vincent de Paul on our way, 
 where we dined, and I held a Confirmation for the 
 prisoners in the Reformatory. At the time of my 
 visit, there were 1 30 in the Prison, a small minority 
 of whom were Protestants, under the care of Mr. 
 
 A , the Chaplain. I inspected the building 
 
 with the Warden, who kindly lionized me over it, 
 and showed me great civility. The convicts were 
 ranged in the yard for our review, and I was much 
 struck with their appearance, for crime had sadly 
 left its stamp on most of their countenances. Six 
 were presented for Confirmation. I spoke kindly 
 to them, and felt much for them, knowing that if 
 any of them were at all impressed for good they 
 would indeed stand a poor chance among such 
 companions. 
 
 We had about twelve miles on to Mascouche, 
 over a bleak country with snow and high wind in 
 our faces. However, we arrived safe and sound at 
 
 Mr. G 's parsonage, where a little party met us, 
 
 consisting of the Squire of the place, Mr. P , and 
 
 his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. B , who had lately 
 
 come from England, and established themselves 
 there. 
 
 The next day was Sunday, and a bright, clear, 
 cold day it was, the snow lying thick and crisp upon 
 the ground. We had a nice Morning Service, and 
 
46 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 in the Afternoon we went to Terrebonne church, a 
 simple wooden building six miles off. 
 
 On Monday we had planned a longish expedi- 
 tion, to visit the Missions of New Glasgow, twelve 
 miles off, and Kilkenny eight miles beyond. A 
 fall of snow however alarmed the ladies, and they 
 
 stayed behind. Mr. P drove us in his tandem 
 
 sleigh, and a most severe drive we had ; so much 
 so, that we were forced to abandon all thoughts 
 of getting beyond New Glasgow. We had service 
 there, and I preached as well as I was able, my 
 teeth chattering with cold. The church is dreary 
 and barn-like, and the Mission in rather a broken 
 
 and forlorn condition. After dining at Mr. G 's, 
 
 one of the Churchwardens, we again mounted our 
 sleighs. The snow was deep, and the road but 
 indistinctly marked, so that for a great part of the 
 way we were forced to travel at a foot's pace. 
 
 On the whole, it was the roughest and most 
 trying expedition that I have made. The scene 
 was very striking, with a sheet of snow on all sides ; 
 and the sleigh and our fur robes made it thoroughly 
 Canadian. The fact however of the Bishop driving 
 up to the church-door in a tandem, was thought 
 nothing of in this land of sleighs, and snow, and 
 necessities. Had it not been for my admirable 
 fur coat and cap, the gifts of my dear Sisters in 
 England, also a thick cape and a capuchin hood 
 over all, with my wife's ' Cloud' closely covering 
 
Short Trips in Cold Weather. 47 
 
 my face, and acting as a respirator, I could not 
 have borne the cold. The skill too of our charioteer 
 made me feel quite safe. 
 
 We dined that evening with Mr. P , who 
 
 sent his Traineau to fetch us, and to take us back 
 to the parsonage. These traineaux, which are in- 
 tended only to carry wood, are capital rustic 
 conveyances for a party. They are capable of 
 holding almost an unlimited number ; there are 
 no seats, all being obliged to stand, and hold on as 
 best they can. We much enjoyed our short drive, 
 as the night was beautiful and the weather warmer. 
 
 Mr. P drove us the next day in his comfortable 
 
 sleigh, with good horses, to Montreal. Mr. G 
 
 and Mr. and Mrs, B accompanying us as far 
 
 as Terrebonne. 
 
 My last winter Visitation of any importance was 
 a four days' tour, on which I started by train at 
 seven o'clock on Saturday, March 5th. I left home 
 with rather a heavy heart ; but the day was bright 
 
 and fine. Mr. S , a layman, met me at the 
 
 station, and went with me as far as St. Hyacinthe, 
 where we had a [Missionary Meeting, he and I being 
 the only speakers. He then left me ; and I w r ent on 
 
 by train to Acton, where I slept at Mr. W 's 
 
 parsonage. Mr. H , a farmer, from Boscobel, 
 
 had come to meet me, according to his kind pro- 
 mise, and to convey me next morning to the 
 
48 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 Mission in which he is interested, consisting of 
 Boscobel, North Ely, and Roxton Falls. This 
 Mission was at the time without a pastor, and 
 he had urged me so strongly to visit it, that I 
 could not refuse, though I rather dreaded the 
 journey. 
 
 Early on Sunday morning, Mr. H was at 
 
 the door with his sleigh, and we drove together to 
 North Ely, a bad road, through a rough and only 
 partially cleared country. He had two little Cana- 
 dian horses. These are most serviceable animals, 
 and just suited to the rough roads and inclement 
 weather ; they are very active, sure-footed, and 
 endurant, and will stand bekig tied up in any cold 
 place, according to the custom of the country. 
 They are about fourteen hands high, and rather 
 ungainly in their appearance, with narrow chests ; 
 but they trot away at a famous pace, and are very 
 handy and understanding, being treated quite as 
 friends of the family. The harness is usually of 
 rather an uncared-for type, but light and useful. 
 
 Mr. W , the Acton clergyman, most kindly 
 
 followed in his sleigh, in order to assist me in the 
 service. 
 
 After a pretty good jolting along a road of four- 
 teen miles, we suddenly turned a corner in the 
 midst of the Bush, and came upon a most pic- 
 turesque scene. There was the humble school- 
 house in which our service was to be held, with 
 
Short Trips in Cold Weather. 49 
 
 about twenty sleighs and horses all round it, and 
 the greater part of the congregation assembled at 
 the door in their buffalo coats and furs, ready for 
 the Service. Some of the horses were tied to posts 
 or trees, and some perfectly loose, but standing 
 most quietly until they were required. It snowed 
 a little, but the day was not cold. Our horses 
 shared with the rest, being tied up without the 
 slightest shelter, after their three hours' drive. 
 The whole scene outside the school-house had the 
 appearance of a fair. 
 
 On entering the room I found a scorching stove, 
 and the temperature up to about 70 ; and as there 
 were double windows, and no aperture for the 
 ingress of fresh air, and the place was crammed 
 full, I began to fear lest we should be stifled. So, 
 after making a few signals of distress, I got them 
 to open the door and give our lungs a chance. 
 The good people had decorated the school with 
 fir-boughs and strips of coloured paper, so that it 
 had the appearance of a series of German trees. 
 
 Mr. W , who knew the congregation to be a 
 
 motley one, made up of all denominations, wisely 
 brought with him a number of Prayer-books, and 
 gave out the page when he passed from one prayer 
 to another. Thus we had a nice, simple, earnest 
 service ; and I preached from St. John, iii. 3, 
 cheering them with the assurance that I would 
 do my best to find them a clergyman, which I 
 
 E 
 
50 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 have since done. I humbly hope that God may 
 have blest my words. 
 
 Mr. W then left me for his own Evening 
 
 Service; and Mr. H drove me on to his 
 
 home, eight miles off, where we dined. In the 
 evening we had another Service at Boscobel, 
 Mr. L , from Waterloo, having at some incon- 
 venience come over to help us. Mr. O , a lay- 
 Reader and a good man, was for the time in charge 
 of the Mission. 
 
 My host drove me next morning back to 
 Acton, a distance of twelve miles : and from 
 thence I went to Upton, and on to Lennoxville 
 on College business. 
 
 My visit to Ely and Boscobel was very satis- 
 factory, as it gave me an insight into one of our 
 roughest Missions, and the people had expressed 
 
 a great wish to have me among them. Mr. H , 
 
 at whose house I slept, is a well-to-do farmer, who 
 came out to Canada some thirty years ago. By 
 his shrewdness and energy he has risen in the 
 world, and has now a nice house and a consider- 
 able property, living in quite a patriarchal manner 
 with his children and grandchildren all gathered 
 around him. To each of his sons he has given a 
 piece of land, which they work themselves. He 
 has also living under his roof a faithful old servant, 
 who has been with him twenty years, and is con- 
 tent to labour on with his master, although he has 
 
Short Trips in Cold Weather. 51 
 
 saved enough to make himself independent. When 
 in England he had been a travelling musician, and 
 had given way to intemperance ; but during the 
 twenty years of his Canadian life he has been a 
 sober and respectable man, as well as a most 
 faithful helper to his master. 
 
 On the morning of my departure from Mr. 
 
 H 's we breakfasted at seven ; and the mother 
 
 and three sons appeared in their ordinary working 
 dress. The father had specially desired this, he 
 told me ; for though he wished to do honour to his 
 guest, he wanted to show me how they lived, and 
 that work was the rule with all. 
 
 I was glad, as I always am, to reach home, and 
 specially glad to have accomplished such a feat as 
 a winter visit to Ely and Boscobel, and felt myself 
 none the worse for all the bumping, and jolting 
 and other experiences to which I had been subject 
 
52 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A WINTER IN MONTREAL. 
 
 I HARDLY know a pleasanter place in which to 
 pass the winter months than Montreal. Its cheer- 
 fulness, and at the same time its quietness — 
 for, instead of the rumbling of carriages along the 
 streets, they glide noiselessly over the snow — its 
 many appliances to keep out the cold — the kind- 
 ness of its inhabitants — the facilities for moving 
 about, &c. — all make it a charming place of resi- 
 dence in the winter. We were living in a most 
 comfortable and convenient house in Drummond 
 Street, which had been provided for us by some 
 generous members of our Church ; and here the 
 time passed as happily as it could in the absence 
 of those beloved ones whose companionship we 
 sorely missed. I had now a good deal of quiet 
 time for gathering up the arrears of work, w T hich a 
 year without a Bishop had accumulated in the 
 Diocese, and also of becoming acquainted with the 
 clergy and congregations in the city of Montreal. 
 
 There are nine churches in the town : most of 
 them in a prosperous condition ; and certainly 
 
A Winter in Montreal. 5 3 
 
 the staff of clergy is above the ordinary standard 
 both in point of earnestness and power. My inter- 
 est was of course in the Cathedral primarily ; but 
 the other churches also had a strong claim upon 
 me. In the former I held my first Ordination, con- 
 sisting of three persons, who were admitted to the 
 Order of Deacons. This was a very solemn time ; 
 but the actual ceremony was in a measure spoilt 
 by the peculiar inconvenience of the structure for 
 such a Service ; so much so, that I felt it would 
 be better to hold the three following Ordinations 
 in other churches. 
 
 As I found a deficiency of labourers in the 
 Diocese, I was thankful for this accession of three 
 promising men to our ranks. My present desire is 
 rather to raise than to lower the standard of minis- 
 terial acquirements, feeling that the greatness of 
 the work and the advance of education demand it. 
 
 The congregations in our city Churches are 
 generally good, and the services well ordered. 
 There is a Sunday-school attached to each church; 
 and some of these are excellently managed and 
 numerously attended. At the two largest the 
 numbers amount to five and six hundred. These 
 schools are in some instances held in the basements 
 of the churches, in a large room almost under- 
 ground. They are attended by all classes, even 
 the highest, and the number of teachers is large. 
 On one day in the winter all these Sunday-schools 
 
54 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 assembled in St. George's Church, and I preached 
 to them. The Service was especially interesting ; 
 and my feeling was that I had seldom addressed a 
 more important congregation. 
 
 There is also an abundance of Charitable In- 
 stitutions at Montreal — Hospitals, Church Homes, 
 Friendly Societies, &c, and all well managed. St. 
 George's society, St. Andrew's, and St. Patrick's, 
 lay themselves out to receive poor emigrants on 
 their arrival in Canada ; also to be generally useful 
 to their countrymen, and to keep up a national 
 feeling amongst them. 
 
 I have scarcely ever seen a beggar in the streets 
 of Montreal, or in the country. There is a great 
 absence of poverty, except perhaps among the 
 lowest French population. Of course, there are no 
 Poor-Laws or Unions here ; but there are several 
 charitable Refuges, in which the needy and friend- 
 less are cared for. And among the Roman Catho- 
 lics especially there are many Institutions on an 
 enormous scale. 
 
 Besides the several fine churches belonging to 
 our own Communion, which would be an ornament 
 to any town, there are handsome buildings 
 belonging to other denominations. Between the 
 various sections of the Protestant Church there 
 exists a friendly rivalry, but an absence of that 
 bitterness which sometimes disgraces the members 
 of differing religious bodies. We, who are Church- 
 
A Winter in Montreal. 5 5 
 
 men, are decided Churchmen, perhaps even more so 
 than in England ; but we honour the feelings of 
 those who conscientiously differ from us, though 
 we are persuaded that they would be great gainers 
 by joining our ranks ; and earnestly long for the 
 time when ' there shall be one Lord, and His 
 name one.' 
 
 The Roman Catholics are by far the most 
 numerous body, and have some fine churches, 
 though not strictly in harmony with our English 
 tastes. Happily there is at present a kindly 
 feeling between the Roman Catholics and Pro- 
 testants, each pursuing their own course without 
 molesting the other. And it is well that it should 
 be so, for little would indeed be gained on either 
 side if controversy and contention were the order 
 of the day. As a Reformed Church, we desire, by 
 God's help, to hold our own, and i contend ear- 
 nestly for the faith once delivered to the saints/ 
 But we wish at the same time to speak the truth 
 in love, carefully avoiding all bitterness and harsh- 
 ness of language, which only wounds without 
 healing. 
 
 But now — to speak more generally of the state 
 of things at Montreal — the whole city is at this 
 season in its winter's dress. The roofs of the 
 houses, and also the streets, are covered with 
 snow from the beginning of December to the end 
 
56 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 of April — five long months. In the majority of 
 the streets, no attempt is made to remove it from 
 the wooden side-walks ; but it becomes beaten 
 down, and makes a solid footpath. Sometimes the 
 walking is very bad, and almost dangerous, so 
 that elderly gentlemen, like myself, are glad to 
 put on l creepers,' which are something like the 
 spikes which are attached to cricket shoes, or to 
 the 'crampons/ which are used in Switzerland 
 for crossing the glaciers. However, the people at 
 Montreal are not much given to walking ; and 
 last winter Mrs. Oxenden and myself were about 
 the most persevering pedestrians in the place : 
 and this, I am sure, contributed not a little to 
 our health. 
 
 The sleighs, darting about from street to street, 
 are most picturesque. Some of them are very 
 handsomely got up, with an abundance of furs and 
 other trappings. The motion is most agreeable, 
 and the pace delightful ; and even in the keenest 
 weather, provided there is a tolerable absence of 
 wind, one suffers little from cold. A fur coat, and 
 cap with ear-pads, completely protect one. We 
 have sometimes been out at night in an open 
 sleigh, when the thermometer has been consider- 
 ably below zero, without feeling it so much as an 
 ordinary cold night in England. They usually 
 hold four persons, and being almost on the ground, 
 and most of them without doors, one steps in and 
 
A Winter in Montreal. 57 
 
 out with the greatest ease. The hired sleighs, of 
 which there are plenty, are clean and good, and 
 the owners take a pride in the robes with which 
 they are provided. Most people keep a sleigh of 
 their own ; but we were an exception, and found- 
 but little inconvenience. One has occasionally to 
 satisfy oneself that one's nose and ears are all 
 right, as they are sometimes frozen before the pos- 
 sessor is at all aware of his condition. Ordinary 
 precautions however are sufficient to prevent such 
 a catastrophe. 
 
 The roofs of the houses and the Church-spires 
 are often of zinc, and their appearance is very 
 dazzling and pretty. But in the country wooden 
 shingles are generally used, and are very service- 
 able, lasting about five-and-twenty years, and keep- 
 ing out the wet and cold extremely well. Few 
 objects are more striking than a country church 
 with a zinc spire glittering in the noon-day sun. 
 
 I know not how it is, but there are more con- 
 flagrations in Canada than elsewhere. A fire at 
 Montreal is a thing of weekly occurrence, and even 
 more so at Quebec. There is an admirable Fire 
 Brigade ; and the whole system is perfect in its 
 arrangements. There are telegraphic wires, which 
 communicate between all parts of the town and 
 the engine-stations, and the supply of water is 
 excellent. The plan of operations is this : when a 
 fire breaks out, some one immediately runs to the 
 
58 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 nearest telegraphic box, of which there are more 
 than one in each street, and having procured the 
 key which is known to be deposited in an adjoining 
 house, the box is opened, and a little button pre- 
 sents itself, which, being pulled, conveys the alarm, 
 by means of the telegraphic wire, to the Engine- 
 house. There the horses are kept harnessed, and 
 a body of men are always in readiness, so that in 
 the course of a few minutes the engine is at the 
 door of the house in danger. In the country, large 
 tracts of woodland are sometimes on fire for days 
 together, and it is very difficult to extinguish them ; 
 but of this I shall speak further in another chapter. 
 I have said that Prince Arthur was in Montreal 
 during this winter. His Royal Highness might be 
 seen day after day driving his phaeton and pair 
 down to the Barracks after an early breakfast, or 
 walking home a couple of miles in the afternoon. 
 There was no parade about his movements, but all 
 was natural, and yet most correct and princelike. 
 His presence among us added not a little to the 
 enjoyment of all. Twice he honoured us by being 
 present at an evening reception at our house, which 
 enabled us to entertain all our kind friends, to the 
 number of some hundreds, who had given us so 
 cordial and hearty a welcome. The Prince shone 
 much on such occasions, being full of kindness, 
 and showing always that good breeding for which 
 England is remarkable. 
 
A Winter in Montreal. 59 
 
 The Skating Rink is a great winter feature in 
 this city, and to this the Prince paid almost a daily 
 visit. It is a very large and handsome building, 
 the flooring of which is a smooth sheet of ice, 
 constantly renewed by the inlet of a flood of 
 water: Here hundreds of persons may be seen 
 skating every day, and especially in the afternoon, 
 among whom are some of the best skaters in the 
 world, of both sexes. 
 
 We went there on one grand occasion, when 
 every skater wore a fancy costume. It was one of 
 the most beautiful sights I ever beheld. The place 
 was hung with the gayest flags, most tastefully 
 arranged : it was splendidly lighted, and filled with 
 skaters in their fancy dresses, and lookers-on. 
 The Prince invited us, and also the Bishop of 
 Quebec and Mrs. Williams, who were with us at 
 the time, to his gallery, from whence we had 
 a delightful bird's-eye view of all that was going 
 on. It was indeed a fairy scene to look upon. 
 The skating was wonderful, and the dresses gor- 
 geous. On this occasion the Prince was only a 
 spectator. 
 
 The great St. Lawrence is of course, frozen 
 over during the winter ; but the state of the ice is 
 totally different to that which we had pictured to 
 ourselves. I expected to see a smooth, even sheet 
 of ice, spread over the bed of the river, so that 
 upon this even surface people could walk and drive 
 
6o My First Year in Canada. 
 
 ad libitum: but no such thing; the river is covered 
 with an irregular mass of snow and ice jammed 
 together upon the water, and presenting all kinds 
 of shapes. In this state of chaos, it is perfectly 
 impassable, until two or three roads are made upon 
 it leading to villages on the other side. Along 
 these roads there is a considerable traffic, as pro- 
 visions, and especially hay, are continually being 
 brought in from the country. A few places are 
 cleared for skating, but these are very few and but 
 little used. The whole appearance resembles an 
 irregular glacier more than anything else. 
 
 Before leaving England, I was charged by my 
 doctor to ride ; and I was one of the few who 
 steadily persevered in this exercise during the 
 whole winter. It was a great refreshment to me, 
 when wearied with indoor work, to get an hour on 
 horseback before luncheon. There were but few 
 days when I was prevented by the cold, although 
 I confess that I had sometimes a difficulty in 
 keeping up a sufficient amount of circulation. For 
 this exercise, which contributed not a little to my 
 health, I was indebted to a kind officer command- 
 ing the Artillery, Colonel G , who pretended 
 
 that I did him much service by keeping his two 
 horses in exercise. 
 
 The custom of paying friendly visits on New 
 Year's Day has long prevailed among the upper 
 classes, both of French and English, in Canada. 
 
A Whiter in Montreal. 61 
 
 These visits are paid by gentlemen only, the ladies 
 remaining at home to receive visitors. An excep- 
 tion is kindly made in the case of the Bishop and 
 the Clergy, who are allowed to consider themselves 
 as the visited on this occasion. We received on 
 New Year's Day nearly 300 visits, and among 
 them we were honoured by a special visit from 
 the Prince. 
 
 It is a genial and time-honoured custom, and 
 one that I should be very sorry to see discontinued. 
 It draws out much kind feeling; and I have known 
 cases where it has been the signal for a reconcilia- 
 tion between persons who have been long estranged 
 from each other. 
 
 Dinner-parties are frequent in Montreal. There 
 is perhaps a little too much expense devoted to 
 them ; and this prevents all but the wealthy from 
 indulging in such hospitalities. 
 
 I should say that the general cost of living 
 here is much the same as in an ordinary English 
 town. House-rent is high, and so are all kinds of 
 grocery and dress ; whereas meat, poultry, fish, &c. 
 are reasonable and excellent. The meat is fairly 
 good, but not perhaps first-rate. The beef is some- 
 what hard, and the mutton is generally too young, 
 being usually little more than grown-up lamb. 
 There are no butchers' shops in the streets, but 
 every kind of meat is to be had in the public 
 markets, which are held daily, and are admirably 
 
62 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 supplied. It is by no means unusual to see the 
 greatest Ladies sallying forth after breakfast to 
 make their purchases. Much of the meat is 
 killed in December and kept frozen through the 
 winter ; but in this state it loses somewhat of its 
 freshness and flavour. It is not at all uncommon 
 in passing one of the markets, or when driving into 
 the country, to see a large hog standing stiff on 
 all fours, looking quite alive, but having ceased to 
 breathe for many weeks. 
 
 The turkeys and fowls are remarkably cheap 
 and abundant ; and the game, which consists of 
 partridges, prairie-hens (a kind of grouse), quails, 
 snow-birds, &c, are excellent. One often sees a 
 string of cock-pheasants hanging up outside a 
 grocer's shop, which have been sent over from 
 Blenheim or Stowe ; also English hares, of which 
 there is only a very debased mongrel kind to be 
 met with in this country. 
 
 The Canadians are somewhat demonstrative in 
 their sorrows. The funeral cavalcades are of 
 enormous dimensions. It is a common thing to 
 see a hearse followed by forty or fifty carriages, 
 and sometimes by one or two hundred mourners. 
 There is a very picturesque and beautiful Protestant 
 Cemetery on the north side of the mountain, about 
 three miles from the town ; and here most of the 
 burials take place. There is however something 
 very sad and unsatisfactory about the ceremony, 
 
A Winter in Montreal. 63 
 
 for, owing to the severe cold, there is usually no 
 service in the open air, as in England ; and from 
 the impenetrable state of the ground, no interment 
 can take place in winter, but the body is consigned 
 for a time to a public vault within the enclosure 
 of the cemetery. The service therefore is read in 
 the church before leaving the town. 
 
 Montreal is decidedly a healthy city during the 
 winter, and unhealthy in the summer, especially 
 for children. There is no lack of medical advice, 
 and that of a high character. As to the legal 
 profession, there are almost as many lawyers as 
 there are clients ; and yet I am sure that the 
 Canadians are not a quarrelsome or combative 
 people. 
 
 But I must now be bringing my chapter to a 
 close, and the winter too. Suddenly, in the end 
 of April, the thermometer mounted up from zero 
 to forty degrees. Two or three days of hot 
 weather came, and then a soaking rain. The 
 sleighs were suddenly put by, and wheels once 
 more were the order of the day. The snow and 
 ice disappear in wondrously quick time, almost 
 before one is able to put by one's furs, and take 
 to a more seasonable dress. The transition from 
 winter to summer is remarkable : there is scarcely 
 any intervening spring. 
 
 On the first of May half the people of Mon- 
 treal change their houses. For about three days 
 
64 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 huge waggons piled up with furniture are to be 
 seen in every street, and innumerable auctions take 
 place. We, among the rest, moved to a fresh 
 house, which we have taken for a year, when we 
 hope to get into our new and permanent abode, 
 to which I have ventured to give the name of 
 ' Bishop's Court/ there to remain fixed so long 
 as God shall be pleased to keep us here. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 A SUMMER IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 MONTREAL, as I have already said, is not desirable 
 as a place of residence in the summer ; for, although 
 the upper parts of the city are airy and pleasant, it 
 is, for some reason which I cannot fathom, certainly 
 not healthy, especially for children, during the hot 
 weather. I suppose there is something defective 
 in the drainage of the town, although I certainly 
 should not have come to this conclusion, had it not 
 so frequently been pressed upon me. 
 
 After casting about for a place of retreat, we 
 fixed upon the little village of Dunham, in the 
 Eastern Townships, about fifty miles south of 
 Montreal. Most people choose gayer and more 
 fashionable quarters, where they may get sea-air ; 
 such as Portland, a sea-port in the States, or 
 Murray Bay, Riviere du Loup, or Cacouna at the 
 entrance of the Gulf below Quebec. Others again 
 are content with Lachine, a village near the junction 
 of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa, which unite a little 
 higher up, and here present a noble expanse of 
 water. This is a nice change for those who like 
 
 F 
 
66 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 boating, and wish to be near Montreal; but the 
 place is not otherwise very attractive. 
 
 We decided upon a pretty little new house in 
 the peaceful village of Dunham, because we longed 
 for perfect quietude after the publicity of a winter 
 at Montreal ; also because it lay in the very heart 
 of the Diocese, and I was anxious to become better 
 acquainted with my clergy and their people. It 
 also gave me a favourable opportunity of holding 
 several Confirmations, with scarcely the necessity 
 of spending a single night from home. 
 
 Here we arrived at the end of June, immedi- 
 ately after the Synod and its anxieties were fairly 
 over. And never did I seem to breathe more 
 freely than when I found myself with my wife, 
 child, and servants, established in our village 
 home. 
 
 A large tract of country to the south of the St. 
 Lawrence goes by the name of the Eastern Town- 
 ships. In the reign of George III. the Government 
 laid out this part of the country in plots of land, 
 each comprising ten or twelve square miles, and 
 called a township, having its own separate munici- 
 pality. These townships extend from Bedford and 
 Stanbridge in the west to some distance beyond 
 Richmond in the east, and on the south they touch 
 the line or border of the States. The larger por- 
 tion of this tract is in the Diocese of Montreal : 
 the rest in Quebec. The country has a more 
 
A Summer in the Eastern Townships. 6j 
 
 riant and flourishing appearance than other parts 
 of Lower Canada. It is tolerably cleared, and is 
 pretty well cultivated. And if it were not for the 
 long and severe winters, I should say it must be 
 as fine a spot for farming enterprise as any in the 
 world. 
 
 The whole country, from Philipsburg on the 
 Missisquoi Bay eastward towards Memphre Magog, 
 and from thence to Brome Lake, and across to 
 Waterloo, Shefford, Iron Hill, and Sweetsburg, is 
 extremely pretty. In many respects it reminded 
 us of parts of Switzerland. The mountains are 
 low, but beautifully wooded, and of mountain-like 
 formation. There is a little lack of water in the 
 district, with the exception of two or three beauti- 
 ful lakes ; and the wooden buildings certainly can- 
 not compare with the picturesque Swiss chalets. The 
 country is studded about with innumerable barns 
 and outhouses; but they lack the projecting eaves, 
 the carved work, and, more than all, the colouring 
 of the same class of buildings in Switzerland. Still 
 it is a beautiful country, and we were charmed with 
 many of our drives. 
 
 My first step was to buy a little horse and 
 carriage, as I found it was almost impossible to hire. 
 The usual conveyances in these parts are called 
 waggons or buggies. They are extremely light, on 
 four very slight wheels, and holding two persons. 
 The wheels are very high and near together, and 
 
68 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 the whole carriage weighs less than an English 
 pony-carriage. They are neat enough in them- 
 selves, but they are usually unwashed, and there- 
 fore have a slovenly appearance, and the harness 
 is not of the best, nor is there much blacking 
 bestowed upon it. Every one has his carriage here, 
 as no one walks. If a person comes round with 
 wild raspberries, she calls in her buggy ; and as 
 for walking a mile, it is a thing unheard of; every 
 one drives. 
 
 I was told of a beggar in an adjoining parish, 
 who keeps his carriage, and drives from house to 
 house collecting alms. So we, like our neighbours, 
 fell into the Dunham way, and drove about the 
 country, almost forgetting that we had legs to walk 
 with. 
 
 It is curious to see the number of carriages that 
 are gathered around the churches. Close to every 
 Church there is commonly a large half-open shed ; 
 and this affords shelter to the waggons in the sum- 
 mer, and the sleighs in the winter, the horses 
 patiently remaining during service. 
 
 The roads are mostly unstoned, but they are 
 fairly good, are most pleasant to drive upon, 
 and I am not sure that I would exchange them 
 for a hard English flint road. At all events we 
 were quite content with them. 
 
 There seemed at first to be one great deficiency 
 in our Dunham house. There was no garden 
 
A Summer in the Eastern Townships. 69 
 
 attached to it, and no vegetables were to be 
 bought in the place. But our wants were abun- 
 dantly supplied, and at times even superabundantly, 
 by the kindness of our neighbours, who sent us 
 far more beautiful vegetables of all kinds than we 
 could have got at Montreal. Potatoes, cabbages, peas, 
 French beans, tomatoes, Indian corn, cauliflowers, 
 melons, &c, found their way into our kitchen, 
 and were all the sweeter for being free-will gifts. 
 One farmer, a stranger, drove over from a village, 
 twelve miles off, with a beautiful specimen of his 
 garden produce as an offering to the Bishop. The 
 Indian corn is eaten in a semi-ripe state as a 
 vegetable. There are various ways of serving it ; 
 but I think the best, though perhaps not the most 
 elegant, is to boil the whole upon the cone. You 
 then spread a little butter upon it, and eat it au 
 naturel ; and it is really very good. 
 
 Both the wild and cultivated Flowers are in- 
 ferior to those in England. The latter grow too 
 luxuriantly ; and it is rare to meet with a really 
 trim flower-garden. 
 
 There are but few Birds that make their home 
 in Canada. Most of those which are to be seen 
 in summer are birds of passage. Of these some 
 are very pretty, though, as songsters, they are 
 inferior to those we have in England. The 
 prettiest bird is perhaps the so-called canary. 
 In shape it is almost like a sparrow, but it is 
 
/O My First Year in Canada. 
 
 strikingly handsome — a deep yellow, with very 
 defined patches of greenish brown. The colours 
 are more decided than' those of the tame canaries 
 which are seen in England. One constantly sees 
 them in companies of half-a-dozen by the road- 
 side ; and they are so tame that one would expect 
 them to be content with a prison life ; but this is 
 not so, and one rarely sees them in cages. 
 
 The Canadian robin is as unlike our English 
 redbreast as possible, It much more resembles 
 the thrush. I at first fancied that we had not left 
 all our friends the rooks behind us; but, upon 
 closer inspection, I found that my black acquaint- 
 ances were something between a carrion crow and 
 a rook. They have however a very homelike look, 
 and a familiar caw, which reminds us of rookeries 
 in the dear old land. 
 
 The little humming-bird is rather rare, and 
 they are seldom seen but in flower-gardens. They 
 are more like butterflies or gadflies than birds, 
 both as regards their size and their habits. There 
 is, I believe, but one species commonly met with, 
 but that is very beautiful. It seems almost 
 unaccountable that this very delicate little creature 
 should take so long a flight to visit us for merely 
 a month or two in the height of the summer. 
 
 There are but few snakes in this country, and 
 none, I believe, of venomous character. There 
 is a slim kind of squirrel, which is very domestic, 
 
A Slimmer in the Eastern Townships. 7 1 
 
 and seems to delight in exhibiting its antics in 
 public. And there is also a little fellow between 
 a squirrel and a rat, called a chipmink, which is 
 beautifully mottled. 
 
 The farmers around Dunham are many of 
 them substantial men ; their fathers and grand- 
 fathers having settled here and purchased land, 
 clearing it by degrees. As there is a great 
 deficiency of labourers, they are obliged to do 
 a great deal themselves ; and certainly many 
 of them are singularly active, busy, hard-working 
 men. In this immediate neighbourhood a great 
 deal of very excellent cheese is made, and every 
 person has his staff of cows, varying from twenty 
 to fifty. These are milked by the road-side, morning 
 and evening ; the milk is deposited in zinc pails, 
 and placed on a platform, and a cart comes 
 trotting by, picks up the various contributions, 
 and carries them to the nearest cheese-factory, 
 where each lot is weighed and duly accounted 
 for. Some of these factories receive the milk of 
 a thousand cows. The cheeses, which usually 
 weigh about sixty or seventy pounds, are sent 
 either into the States or to England, and better 
 I have never tasted. 
 
 Soon after our arrival the hay-making season 
 began. This is a stirring time. The grass is 
 mostly mown by machinery, and it is often cut, 
 made, and carried on the same day ! Indeed, from 
 
7 2 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 its ripeness, and the dryness of the atmosphere, 
 it needs scarcely any making, but is fit to carry 
 almost as soon as it is mown down. It is then 
 deposited in barns, a stack being a rare sight in 
 these parts. 
 
 The corn-harvest follows almost immediately. 
 The most productive crop is the Indian corn, which 
 this year was very fine, and was a good month 
 earlier than usual. A few hop-gardens are to be 
 seen here and there; but they are not cultivated 
 in the Kentish style. My dear old Pluckley 
 Parishioners would cast a very contemptuous eye 
 upon them. And yet in spite of weeds and very 
 scanty manuring, they produce a fair crop, and 
 I have no doubt that, if more expense and labour 
 were bestowed upon them, they would grow well, 
 and make a profitable return. 
 
 The mode of farming is very different from that 
 which I have been used to. Much is done by 
 machinery, and little by manual labour. What 
 strikes one perhaps most is the speed with which 
 both men and horses move here. Instead of 
 a huge Kentish plough drawn by four fat horses, 
 you see a light instrument with a couple of quick 
 ponies, which the driver, with the reins round his 
 wrist, steers most dexterously between the roots 
 and rocks, with which the fields abound. Then they 
 carry their loads in very light waggons, the driver 
 perched on the top, and driving with reins at a 
 
A Summer in the Eastern Townships. 73 
 
 good brisk trot. Thus they whisk up their produce 
 and carry it off to the barn, whilst our labourers 
 would be crawling about the field, and deliberating 
 as to their next step. 
 
 We were much amused one day to watch this 
 process, as we were taking a drive along the high 
 road. We saw, in an adjoining corn-field, a wag- 
 gon pretty well loaded, and coming towards us. 
 We discovered the only gap in the fence whereby 
 it could properly make its exit, and that rather a 
 steep and perilous one. So we stopped to see how 
 the waggon would fare. It came up swaying 
 terribly from side to side, the driver standing on 
 the top with his legs very far apart, not only keep- 
 ing his own balance, but poising the whole load by 
 the nice adjustment of his own weight. When he 
 arrived at the gap he paused, as if to take aim, and 
 then, giving a shout of encouragement to his horses, 
 he dashed through, and making a sharp turn into 
 the road, trotted along to the barn, and deposited 
 his oats there in perfect safety. It was a great feat 
 of dexterity, and would have astonished not a 
 little our English waggoners if they could have 
 seen it. 
 
 It strikes me that, considering the great scarcity 
 of labour, most of the farmers have too large a 
 tract under cultivation. The consequence is that the 
 land is insufficiently worked, and not made to yield 
 half that it is capable of producing. There is more 
 
74 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 to be done than the few industrious hands can 
 properly accomplish. 
 
 A great number of English emigrants came out 
 this summer. But most of them were disposed to 
 pass on to Upper Canada, rather than seek their 
 fortunes here. There is however a good living to 
 be got, and a fair prospect for the future, for a 
 settler in the Eastern Townships. What is chiefly 
 wanted is willingness to work, and steadiness of 
 character. 
 
 Two emigrants were brought specially under 
 my notice, who had both come from my neighbour- 
 hood in Kent. One was a sturdy, sensible, sober, 
 well-educated man, who was fit to be a foreman 
 or bailiff on an English farm. He had left his wife 
 and children behind, and, poor fellow, he longed 
 to send for them, but the means were wanting. 
 However he scraped together enough to nearly pay 
 their passage. This is the stamp of man that is 
 wanted ; and if he perseveres, and is content to 
 work as a farm-labourer for a few years, he will 
 soon be likely to save enough to buy a little land, 
 and thrive in this country. 
 
 The other was the son of a clergyman in an 
 adjoining parish to Pluckley. His father could not 
 afford to start him witlj any capital ; but he desired 
 to emigrate ; and being young and strong he deter- 
 mined to try his fortune in Canada. So he took 
 his passage for Liverpool as a common emigrant. 
 
A Sammer in the Eastern Townships. 75 
 
 The day after his arrival in Montreal, we met him 
 in the street on his way to our house. He was 
 looking pretty well, but he had suffered not a little 
 from his voyage. He had roughed it, he said, 
 before ; but never had he passed through such an 
 ordeal as his emigrant's passage. He was one of 
 four hundred, who were closely packed in one of 
 the regular Line Packets. He had paid the regu- 
 lation price, six pounds, and was treated after the 
 regulation fashion. 
 
 After being a few days with us, he regained his 
 spirits, and cast about for employment. He soon 
 engaged himself to a wealthy farmer, and there he 
 set to with all his heart, turning his hand to any- 
 thing required of him, and there he remained till 
 after the following harvest. Had he been enabled 
 to remain in the country, I doubt not he would 
 have succeeded ; but a death in his family, I grieve 
 to say, called him home. 
 
 There are numbers of schools in and around 
 Dunham ; about one, I believe, to every square 
 mile. Indeed, there is no lack of schools in 
 Canada generally. Many of these however are 
 very small, and the instruction is defective. 
 There is a peculiarly desolate and unpicturesque 
 appearance about them ; and certainly, if the 
 charms of education are represented by the build- 
 ings, there is little to attract. There is also this 
 great and radical fault — the education is secular 
 
j6 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 and religionless ; and consequently that which 
 ought to be a blessing to this infant country, will, 
 I fear, prove to be its curse. Private efforts should 
 be made to remedy this evil. A few good church 
 schools, where religion is the recognised basis, and 
 a Christian tone cultivated, would be an inestimable 
 boon to Canada. 
 
 In the first part of our stay, I was chiefly 
 engaged with my Confirmations, which I held in 
 most of the parishes of the Deanery. The number 
 of candidates generally averaged about fifteen. 
 They were always well conducted, and generally 
 seemed to be impressed with the solemnity of the 
 rite. It gave me an opportunity of gathering the 
 parishioners together, and holding services which 
 the people generally seemed to appreciate, as 
 well as those more immediately concerned ; and 
 for these services, I have reason to feel thankful. 
 It is not unusual in a Canadian confirmation to 
 have a large proportion of adults, and even persons 
 of advanced age, among the candidates. I have 
 confirmed an old man of ninety, and several above 
 seventy. Many of these had remained long unbap- 
 tized, and have only recently been received into 
 the Church. 
 
 During the latter part of my stay in the Town- 
 ships, I had hoped to be free from work. But this 
 I could not quite manage, as little calls for labour 
 were for ever presenting themselves. A Church 
 
A Summer in the Eastern Townships. yj 
 
 had to be opened here, and a special Confirmation 
 to be held there. But still I had a good deal of 
 quiet time to myself, which I greatly enjoyed. 
 And as for ever being quite at liberty, I suppose a 
 Bishop can never expect that ; for whether in or out 
 of his Diocese, there are always letters to be written, 
 and matters to be settled, requiring anxious and 
 painful thought. This however is necessarily a 
 characteristic of my work ; but I willingly accept 
 it, and am very thankful that my labours are often 
 greatly lightened by the thoughtful consideration ot 
 those over whom I am placed. 
 
78 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CLOSE OF THE SUMMER. 
 
 I FELT a little sad when our short summer drew 
 to a close We were led to think that the heat 
 would be intolerable, but we have found it other- 
 wise. The temperature may be higher, but the 
 heat is less oppressive, than during many a hot 
 season which I remember in Kent. 
 
 We had our little gaieties at Dunham — our 
 drives, our calls, our sewing-society meetings, and 
 our tea-parties. These latter are usually the meal of 
 hospitality. Guests arrive about six, and the little 
 parlour is well filled. Then, presently, the folding- 
 doors are thrown open, and a well-spread table 
 presents itself. There is no stint of provisions. 
 There are plates of bread cut in the thinnest slices, 
 cakes of various shapes, and of invariable goodness, 
 and a profusion of jam, which is served to each 
 person in a pretty little glass saucer ; besides this, 
 there is plenty of good butter, and sometimes 
 cheese. Certainly, there is no fear of one's going 
 home hungry, or of not meeting with a warm 
 reception. The tea which is most used is from 
 
Close of the Summer. 87 
 
 Japan ; it has very much the flavour of our green 
 tea, which is considered so unwholesome in Eng- 
 land. This however seems to be perfectly inno- 
 cuous, and to my palate it is very agreeable. One 
 of the clergy told me that a servant of his, observ- 
 ing that her master preferred black tea and her 
 mistress green, whispered to him confidentially 
 one morning, that she had put some green tea at 
 the bottom of the teapot, and a spoonful or two of 
 black at the top ; and that if he would pour his out 
 first, he would get all the black, not calculating 
 that the process of admixture would take place, 
 and render her care for her master's interests some- 
 what futile. 
 
 After tea there is a little friendly talk, and 
 then the pleasant evening generally closes as it 
 ought, with a chapter of the Bible and Prayer. 
 Such at least was usually the case at Dunham, 
 when I have been present. 
 
 One of our few great excursions was up the 
 Pinnacle, a little strikingly shaped conical moun- 
 tain, about seven miles from Dunham, closely 
 wooded almost to the summit, with a bare rocky 
 peak. It was seen from all parts, and appeared 
 to be constantly saying to us, ' Come up, and see 
 what I have to show you/ And as we heard that 
 the ascent was quite worth the pains, we determined 
 that it should tempt us no longer. 
 
 So we started one afternoon, and drove to the 
 
So My First Year in Canada. 
 
 foot of the mountain ; and our clergyman, Mr. 
 
 G , and his wife, accompanied us. Having had 
 
 some experience on the Swiss mountains, though in 
 a very small way, I of course thought and spoke 
 somewhat contemptuously of such a trifling walk 
 as this ; but it proved to be a harder afternoon's 
 work than I had bargained for. 
 
 Arrived at the base, we tied up our horses at a 
 farm ; but hearing that the ascent was a case of 
 impossibility for the ladies, we posted them on a 
 pleasant woodland slope, from whence they could 
 see us on reaching the top, and having obtained 
 some directions from the farmers, we plunged 
 boldly into the bush. Certainly there was a blind 
 path, but we were constantly losing it on account 
 of the number of huge trees, which had been toppled 
 over by a severe hurricane in the previous week. 
 However, by mounting continually upwards, we at 
 length saw the wished-for rock, which we imme- 
 diately recognised as the goal towards which we 
 were pressing. 
 
 We were quite repaid for our walk, and a 
 sharp one it certainly was ; and though the atmo- 
 sphere was hazy, we still had a good near view, and 
 imagined what was beyond. 
 
 And now for our descent, which we pictured 
 to ourselves as a mere bagatelle, and easily to be 
 accomplished. Well, we began at a merry pace, 
 but soon lost our bearing. I thought we were 
 
Close of the Summer. 8 1 
 
 pointing too much to the left ; my companion was 
 sure that we were going right. Both proved to 
 be wrong, and I the more so of the two. For 
 when, after a while, we saw daylight again, and 
 emerged from the bush, we found ourselves a good 
 three miles north of the spot from which we had 
 ascended ! Hot and tired as we were, we had to 
 press on to reach our party, who, we .knew, must 
 be beginning to feel alarmed, as the shadows of 
 evening were gathering around us. And truly 
 they were a little alarmed. Finding that we did 
 not arrive, they had gone to the farm ; and there 
 the good, kind people fully entered into their 
 anxiety, although they assured them that we had 
 only shared the fate of most travellers, and missed 
 our way, and would soon turn up. One of 
 them however most kindly volunteered to sally 
 forth with his horn in search of us ; and two 
 labouring men said that they would also be on 
 the look-out. But presently our welcome arrival 
 set all right ; and going into the farm-house, we 
 rested ourselves for half-an-hour, revelled in some 
 new milk, and started home by moonlight. 
 
 But our troubles were not over. Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 G led the way in their buggy, and we followed 
 
 in ours. Our little mare was unusually fresh and 
 impatient, and the harness was evidently not right. 
 I got out and adjusted it ; but she did not seem 
 very placid even then. And presently, when going 
 
 G 
 
82 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 down a steep hill, with a ditch on either side, she 
 fairly jibbed, at one moment refusing to move, and 
 the next darting forward as if she was shot out of a 
 gun, so that I could scarcely hold her. At length, 
 when half way down the hill, she peremptorily re- 
 fused to go on, and finally backed us into the ditch, 
 locking the fore-wheels across the road. At this 
 critical moment to jump out was our best chance ; 
 and this we did safely with the reins in hand. And 
 then, with the assistance of our kind and active 
 
 friend, Mr. G , who had come back in search of 
 
 us, we coaxed our steed on, and eventually restored 
 her to a better temper. 
 
 We did not reach home till ten o'clock ; and 
 there we found our servants gathered on the 
 gallery, having become a little anxious as to what 
 had happened to us. This then was one of our 
 Dunham gaieties, an excursion which I should 
 much like to repeat under other circumstances. 
 And this too was one of the many instances in 
 which God has watched over us, and kept us from 
 harm. 
 
 The weather was delightful during our three 
 months' stay at Dunham. The summer was more 
 than ordinarily hot ; but we were never really op- 
 pressed by the heat. Certainly, a healthier resi- 
 dence we could not have found. 
 
 For about a week the atmosphere was more or 
 less charged with smoke, owing to the burnings in 
 
Close of the Sitmmer. 83 
 
 the woods. These fires are sometimes most dis- 
 astrous. They were unusually so this summer, 
 in consequence of the excessive dryness of the 
 ground. I was told that on one occasion, during 
 a hurricane, the fire travelled over thirty miles 
 of country within an hour — such was the fearful 
 rapidity of its giant strides. Cases occurred too of 
 parents pouring water over their children, in the 
 hope of sheltering them from the burning heat, 
 until at length they were forced to yield them up 
 to the devouring element. 
 
 In the neighbourhood of Ottawa, houses, barns, 
 and even villages, were destroyed by the flames. 
 In one of these villages I was to have held a Con- 
 firmation, but I was unable to do so, as the people 
 were obliged to watch their homesteads for days 
 and nights together, and much property around 
 them had been utterly destroyed. 
 
 The commander of the Fire Brigade writes 
 thus : — 
 
 ' I encountered sights that for misery and desolation ex- 
 ceeded all I had ever previously experienced. Towards 
 Bell's Corner, for miles, not a habitation was to be found. 
 At one place I observed a man sitting on a charred pine- 
 log, with flannel shirt, and no hat or covering for his head : 
 his story was short ; " A few hours ago," he said, pointing 
 to the smouldering embers, "there stood three barns, two 
 of them filled with grain ; there stood the cow-shed, and 
 there the stables ; now you can see the carcases of eight 
 cows, forty sheep, and nine hogs." Then, turning round, 
 
84 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 and pointing across the road, he said, " There stood our 
 home, now all is gone, the fruits of thirty years' hard 
 labour. In yonder swamp are my wife and bairns, with no 
 more clothes than now cover myself; but, thank God, our 
 lives are all spared, and within this breast is left a good 
 Scottish heart, so I know we shall not want." J 
 
 These fires generally originate from the in- 
 cautious burning of logs and boughs, which have 
 been heaped together in some spot that has been 
 recently cleared, the wood not being worth remov- 
 ing. A breeze perhaps springs up, and the adjoin- 
 ing trees catch fire, and then it is often impossible 
 to arrest the flames. 
 
 Sometimes too, where the soil is peaty, it gets 
 into the ground, and remains there smouldering for 
 weeks beneath the surface. A gentleman told me 
 of a fire in his father's land, which broke out in 
 June. It remained in the ground during the 
 following winter, burning beneath the snow, and 
 burst out again in the spring ! It is indeed a 
 great mercy to have been spared witnessing such 
 scenes. 
 
 One of my last drives was to Mansonville, 
 which is one of our Missions, at the southern ex- 
 tremity of the Eastern Townships, and within a 
 few miles of Lake Memphremagog. My wife and 
 I started on Saturday morning in our waggon, and 
 went over the hills to Abercorn, where I consecrated 
 a Burial-ground, dined with some members of the 
 
Close of the Summer. 85 
 
 Church Mr. and Mrs. N ; and then on through 
 
 a most lovely and romantic country to Glen 
 Sutton. Here a little congregation was assembled 
 for service in a schoolroom — a most primitive Ser- 
 vice, and I preached to them on ' God is love.' We 
 then proceeded to Mansonville, calling on our way 
 on a nice old lady of eighty-four, who ' would very 
 much like to see the Bishop/ 
 
 Next morning, Sunday, Mr. B- and I 
 
 went to South Bolton, which belongs to another 
 Mission, and is now without a pastor. Here we 
 had service at eleven, and returned through a 
 beautiful country to Mansonville for an Evening 
 Service, when the church was crammed. This is 
 about the most Swiss-like portion of the country 
 that we have passed through. 
 
 Our last pleasure excursion was to Eccles Hill, 
 the scene of the recent conflict with the Fenians. 
 We went a party of ten, and had a capital inspec- 
 tion of the battle-field. Dr. G and two Mr. 
 
 B s, who were in the engagement, were with 
 
 us, and acted as excellent cicerones, pointing out 
 to us all the interesting particulars. 
 
 It seems that, on the night before the skirmish, 
 a party of the Home Guard (a small, but sturdy, 
 band of Irregulars, composed of farmers in the 
 neighbourhood of Dunham) occupied a little emin- 
 ence close to the village of Eccles Hill. This 
 ground is studded with rocks, which form a natural 
 
86 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 fortification. It is backed by a thick toll of trees, 
 and commands the village and road, through which 
 the Fenians were expected to pass. 
 
 The Home Guard was joined in the morning 
 by about 200 Regular Volunteers. They all 
 posted themselves in this strong and advantageous 
 position ; and presently the dreaded Fenians began 
 to show themselves. A few advanced beyond the 
 Border line, and were instantly fired upon by our 
 men. Two or three fell, one in the road, 
 about 300 yards off, and another as he was run- 
 ning across a field at about twice the distance. 
 Several more were wounded, but escaped to a 
 neighbouring wood, dying on the American side 
 of the Border. In less than a quarter of an hour 
 the work was done ; and the Fenians, who did 
 not expect so warm a reception, were glad 
 enough to retire, never, I hope, to make another 
 attempt to trouble us with their presence. Some 
 of the regular troops, with Prince Arthur among 
 them, were posted in the town of St. John's, 
 ready to come to the rescue, had their aid been 
 needed. 
 
 We saw the spot where one of the Fenians 
 found a temporary grave ; and we went into a 
 house in the village, which had suffered a little 
 from our rifle-balls. One of these had made a 
 clean cut through a pane of glass, then through 
 the opposite door, and lodging in the wall beyond. 
 
Close of the Summer. 87 
 
 We were very glad to have made this expedition 
 before leaving the neighbourhood. 
 
 And now I must close my chapter, and the 
 account of our pleasant stay in these country 
 parts. Truly I may say of our good friends at 
 Dunham, and indeed of the people of Canada 
 generally, that their hospitality and kindness 
 know no bounds. If a horse or a carriage is 
 needed, you have but to name your want, and 
 one is so cheerfully and willingly offered that 
 you cannot refuse it; and as for food and lodg- 
 ing, they are at the service of every one, whether 
 friend or stranger. During my year in Canada, 
 in all my Visitation tours, which have been pretty 
 numerous, I have never once had occasion to pay 
 for a single article of food, or to provide for a con- 
 veyance. The clergy and laity seem to vie with 
 each other in their kind and generous anxiety to 
 serve their Bishop. 
 
 We closed most reluctantly our summer in the 
 Eastern Townships, and I exchanged it for three 
 weeks in the rougher parts of my Diocese. This 
 however will not come into ' my First Year in 
 Canada.' 
 
88 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 STATUS AND PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 I FOUND the Church, on my arrival, pretty well 
 organised, with its Dean and Canons of the 
 Cathedral, an Archdeacon, and four Rural Deans, 
 besides some six or eight Honorary Canons. The 
 staff of clergy amounted to about seventy. It 
 had also its Synod for some years past, although 
 its affairs were principally managed by a " Church 
 Society." This society was however merged in the 
 Synod shortly before my arrival. Thus I found 
 the Church with its admirable and solid frame- 
 work fully elaborated; and for this I am mainly 
 indebted to the zeal, energy, and practical wisdom 
 of my valued predecessor, Bishop Fulford. I 
 have since added another Archdeacon to our 
 staff. 
 
 The old Church Society seems to have done 
 its work well for the time being. Still how- 
 ever it was but an imperfect organisation, and 
 gave place to the Synod, which is the legitimate 
 ruling power in the Church. The Church Society 
 was suited to the days of the Church's pupilage ; 
 
Status and Prospects of the Church. 89 
 
 but the Synod belongs to a riper and more 
 perfect system. The one was but a voluntary 
 association within the Church ; whereas the other 
 is the true representative Body of the Church 
 itself. 
 
 The Diocesan Synod meets annually, and its 
 sittings are generally extended over three or four 
 days. The Bishop presides, and the members con- 
 sist of all the licensed clergy, and lay delegates 
 from the various parishes or missions, the whole 
 number being upwards of two hundred. 
 
 The Provincial Synod, including representa- 
 tives from the clergy and laity of the several dio- 
 ceses, meets once in every three years, at Montreal. 
 It consists of an Upper House of Bishops under 
 the presidency of the Metropolitan, and a Lower 
 House presided over by an elected Prolocutor 
 The acts of this Synod rule the whole church of 
 the Province. 
 
 The first Bishop of Canada, Dr. Mountain, was 
 consecrated in 1793. Montreal was formed into a 
 diocese, and Francis Fulford was consecrated its 
 first Bishop, in 1856. The See is made over to 
 the Bishop by Royal Patent, and he is regarded 
 for all legal purposes as 'a corporation sole,' in 
 whom is vested most of the Church property of 
 the Diocese. 
 
 Each of the other Canadian Bishops is elected 
 by the clergy and laity assembled in Synod. But 
 
go My First Year in Canada. 
 
 the Bishop of Montreal, being also Metropolitan of 
 the whole Province, is elected by a somewhat dif- 
 ferent process. The Synod of Montreal meets, 
 and with it the House of Bishops ; and no election 
 can be made by the Synod, unless the name is first 
 sent down to them by the assembled Bishops. 
 
 The last election was nearly leading to a cata- 
 strophe. The Bishops named several for the office ; 
 but one after another was rejected, either by the 
 clergy or by the laity, whereas it was required 
 that both should be consentients. A party in the 
 Synod was anxious that some clergyman of the 
 Diocese should be exalted to the Episcopate, and 
 another party was equally determined that the 
 office should be filled by a stranger. At one time, 
 it seemed as if any solution whatever of the ques- 
 tion was hopeless, until at length a compromise 
 took place, and a reconciliation between the con- 
 tending parties was happily effected. 
 
 The meeting of the Synod this year took place 
 on Tuesday, June 2ist, and we continued in 
 session three days. It began as usual with a 
 solemn service in the Cathedral, and a celebration 
 of the Holy Communion. In the afternoon we met 
 in the Synod room, where the names having been 
 called over, and the officers appointed, I delivered 
 an opening address,* and the Synod was fairly 
 launched. Knowing the difficulties which had pre- 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
Status and Prospects of the Church. 91 
 
 viously existed, I looked forward to its meeting 
 with some degree of apprehension ; but all went off 
 far better than I anticipated. The speaking was 
 short and to the point ; and although a little 
 party spirit every now and then showed itself, it 
 readily gave place to what was for the common 
 good. 
 
 On one or two occasions the gauntlet of discord 
 was thrown down ; but after a few explosive words 
 things went on calmly again. For example, the 
 introduction of the epithet Protestant, in framing 
 an address to the Irish Church, was the signal for 
 the discharge of a little oratorical artillery. A few 
 pungent words were uttered, and then all rallied 
 round the standard of peace. One speaker gloried 
 in the term Protestant ; another had rather have 
 his third finger amputated than that the word 
 should be expunged; whilst a third contended, 
 that the Irish Church was not Protestant, but 
 Catholic. In our difficulty, when it seemed as 
 if some trouble must ensue, one of our moderate 
 and wise laymen, who has more than once before 
 come to the rescue on such occasions, and will, 
 I trust, do so yet again, stood up, and by a short, 
 but well-timed amendment succeeded in satisfying 
 the combatants on either side, and made each feel 
 that his own idiosyncrasy was truly represented. 
 It was indeed pleasant to see how a little brotherly 
 and Christian concession commended itself to all. 
 
92 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 The most important measures were the adoption 
 of a Report on the future management of our 
 missions; also the selection of a certain number 
 of clerical, and an equal number of lay, delegates, 
 to represent our diocese at the next Provincial 
 Synod; and the appointment of thirty members 
 for the Executive Committee, in whom is vested 
 the management of all the fiscal affairs of the 
 diocese. These elections were made by ballot ; 
 and the latter by the separate votes of clergy 
 and laity. 
 
 This arrangement of 'voting by orders is necessary 
 in this case, and is also resorted to on other special 
 occasions, on the application of any three members 
 of the House. This is an important safeguard 
 in cases where the peculiar interest of either order 
 is at stake; but, as it has a tendency to array 
 one body against the other, it is a privilege 
 which should be used very sparingly, and certainly 
 not for party purposes. There exists at present 
 a good feeling between the clerical and lay 
 members of our communion ; and it is my earnest 
 and heartfelt wish that this feeling may be 
 strengthened ; for without it the Church cannot 
 really prosper. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Synod is important, 
 as affording an opportunity for ventilating questions, 
 and for the expression of opinions, affecting the 
 welfare of the Diocese, and also for the framing of 
 
Statics and Prospects of the Church. 93 
 
 canons for the due regulation of its Church work. 
 And this is done in a manner so consistent with 
 Church order that there is no room for discontent. 
 
 Besides the Synod meeting, we had in the 
 course of the winter another of scarcely less im- 
 portance. It was the Annual Missionary Meeting 
 — not Missionary according to the English mean- 
 ing of the word — but in a Canadian sense, as it was 
 for the furtherance of general Church objects in the 
 various missions of the Diocese, and to give inform- 
 ation as to the progress of the work. The meeting 
 was a very successful one ; the room was crowded ; 
 and the speaking was unusually interesting and 
 effective. Some of our leading laymen took part 
 in it ; and we had upon the platform Bishop Stevens, 
 of Philadelphia, an able and eloquent representative 
 of our Sister Church in the United States. The 
 collection was larger and the numbers greater than 
 on former occasions ; and it gave, I trust, a little 
 spur to Church energy for the year. 
 
 And now what shall I say as to the prospects 
 of our beloved Church ? When I consider what 
 the Canadian Church was but a few years ago, and 
 what it is now, I do indeed rejoice and feel thank- 
 ful. The present Dean of Montreal recollects the 
 first Anglican Bishop, and was himself ordained by 
 him. He began his Episcopate with only five 
 
94 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 clergymen in the whole province : now we have 
 about four hundred and fifty in the Province, and 
 upwards of seventy in this Diocese. But we want 
 more ; for there are fields here ripe for the harvest, 
 if we had but labourers to occupy them. There 
 are at this moment new Missions which ought to 
 be opened, and which others will snatch from us if 
 we do not seize our opportunity ; and there are 
 clergymen working hard who are sadly overtaxed, 
 and need help. I also long to employ one or two 
 Travelling Missionaries, regularly to visit the 
 Lumber Districts during the winter ; but we lack 
 both men and funds. May some reader of these 
 pages be stirred up either to offer himself for the 
 work, or to give me the means of sending others ! 
 Souls may thus be won, and members may be 
 gathered into the Church. 
 
 Our Church system is fairly launched in its 
 integrity. We have an able and devoted body of 
 clergy, and a laity who feel a real interest in its 
 welfare and prosperity. May God be with us, pour- 
 ing out His Spirit upon each Mission, each minister, 
 each member of the Church, and we shall then be 
 blest, and be made a blessing to this land ! 
 
 The Ecclesiastical Province, over which the 
 Bishop of Montreal presides as Metropolitan, con- 
 sists of the Dioceses of Huron, Toronto, Ontario, 
 Montreal, and Quebec. But it is likely that the 
 following will ere long be added ; Frederickton, 
 
Status and Prospects of the Church. 95 
 
 Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Rupertsland, and 
 Columbia. 
 
 The Church in the Diocese of Montreal derives 
 no special advantages from the State, beyond the 
 miserable pittance of 3500 dollars per annum, 
 recovered with some difficulty from the Clergy Re- 
 serves, when they were secularized in 1855. She 
 also retains six or seven Rectories, made over by 
 Royal Patent. These however, as has been already 
 shown, have scarcely any advantages over ordinary 
 missions, and have no special salaries attached to 
 them. The Rectory of Montreal is an exception, 
 having the sum of three hundred pounds paid 
 annually by the Government ; but this will be for- 
 feited at the death of the present Rector. 
 
 The income of the Church is derived from the 
 following sources : — 
 
 1. From the small sum saved from the wreck of 
 the Clergy Reserves ; 
 
 2. From certain local Endowments ; 
 
 3. From an annual Grant from the Society for 
 the Propagation of the Gospel, which is gradually 
 decreasing, and will eventually be withdrawn ; 
 
 4. From the Voluntary Contributions of Church 
 members. 
 
 From these sources, the wants of the Church are 
 with difficulty supplied. When a mission is formed, 
 the pecuniary capacity of the congregation is ascer- 
 tained, and they pledge themselves to make up a 
 
g6 My First Year in Canada. 
 
 certain sum, the remainder being supplemented by 
 the General Church fund. 
 
 When a locality contributes but a third of the 
 sum needed, the post is called a Mission; when 
 one-half, it is a Parish; and when it becomes self- 
 supporting, it is then considered as a Rectory. In 
 the two first cases the Bishop appoints the clergy- 
 man, whilst in the last the Congregation nominate 
 him, and it rests with the Bishop to confirm the 
 nomination if he approves. 
 
 The clergy are at present very inadequately 
 paid, their incomes rarely exceeding 600 dollars, or 
 a hundred and twenty pounds sterling. It would 
 be greatly to the advantage of the Diocese, and to 
 the credit of the Church, if a worthier stipend were 
 accorded to those who 'labour in the word and 
 doctrine.' If the clergy were thus relieved from 
 the distracting cares of a straitened income, they 
 would labour not only with more comfort, but with 
 more power. 
 
 I have held three Ordinations during the past 
 year, and have ordained seven clergymen. My 
 first ordination was held in the Cathedral ; my 
 second at Hemmingford ; and the third at Trinity 
 Church, Montreal. 
 
97 
 
 APPENDIX I. 
 
 FIRST SERMON IN THE CATHEDRAL, 
 MONTREAL. 
 
 THE LORD'S CALL, AND MAN'S REPLY.— Isa. iv. 8. 
 
 • I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I 
 send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I, 
 send me.' 
 
 THERE are times when the Lord calls upon His ser- 
 vants to enter upon some special work which He has 
 marked out for them. He called upon Noah to 
 prepare an ark for safety during the coming deluge. 
 He called Abraham to quit his native country, and 
 to shine like a beacon light in a distant land. He 
 called Moses to give up a life of ease in the court 
 of Pharaoh, and to undertake the leadership of His 
 people Israel. He called Daniel to make a bold 
 confession before the scoffers of Babylon. He 
 called the sons of Zebedee to turn away from their 
 seafaring life, and henceforward to become ' fishers 
 of men/ 
 
 II 
 
98 Appendix L 
 
 The case brought immediately before us in the 
 text is perhaps still more special. We find the 
 Lord condescending to invite His servants to 
 volunteer, as it were, for a certain work on which 
 His mind was bent. Like some great General, who 
 sees that a fort is to be attacked, or a city wall 
 to be scaled; so the Lord asks who of His soldiers 
 will offer themselves for the enterprise He has in 
 hand, and cries aloud, ' Whom shall I send, and 
 who will go for us ?' Upon which the prophet 
 Isaiah steps forward with a willing heart ; and with- 
 out a moment's hesitation gives himself for the 
 work ; e Here am I : send me.' 
 
 And yet, it may be, his heart was not altogether 
 free from misgiving — not as to his duly, but as to 
 his fitness. For do we not find him a moment 
 before, when brought into the near presence of a holy 
 God, shrinking back at the thought of his own 
 shortcomings, and exclaiming, 'Woe is me, for I 
 am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips ; 
 for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of 
 hosts?' Yes, he was awed, not so much by the 
 difficulty of the work to which the Lord might be 
 pleased to call him, but from the persuasion of his 
 own inability to discharge it — not that he felt 
 unwilling, but unworthy to be employed for such a 
 Master. 'Then (we are told) flew one of the Sera- 
 phims unto him, having a live coal from off the 
 altar, and laid it upon his mouth, and said, Lo, 
 
The Lord's Call and Maris Reply. 99 
 
 this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is 
 taken away, and thy sin purged,' 
 
 And now, in a humbled and chastened spirit, 
 but with a full assurance of God's pardoning 
 mercy, and of his own acceptance, he stands boldly 
 forward, ready for any errand to which he may be 
 called. 
 
 Here, then, is a noble pattern for us to imitate. 
 In the great machinery of God's world we have all 
 of us a post to fill. God calls us to work for Him. 
 It is true He does not require our aid ; He can act 
 wholly without us ; but yet He graciously invites 
 us to be workers together with Him. To each one 
 He says, ' I have a work for you to do — a special 
 work for which you are fitted — a work in which you 
 may glorify me — a happy work in which it is your 
 privilege to engage.' This work, whatever it be, 
 may be small and insignificant in the eyes of men, 
 or it may be great ; it may be a work which needs 
 self-denial; it may be a work unsought for, un- 
 looked for. Still, if He summons you, and calls 
 you to it, it is your duty and your happiness to 
 enter upon it. 
 
 Some persons are always looking out for work, 
 but never finding it. And yet perhaps their real 
 work, that which God would have them engage in, 
 lies all the while very plainly before them, but they 
 see it not. 
 
100 Appendix I. 
 
 Some again are always intending, always wish- 
 ing to do something for God ; and there it ends. 
 Many things are thought of and talked about, but 
 nothing is accomplished. Brethren, we must be 
 working, and not mere wishing Christians; doers, 
 and not mere dreamers. 
 
 He says to us, ' Son, daughter, work to-day in 
 My vineyard.' And woe unto us if we shrink from 
 it ! Woe unto us, if we are slack and dilatory in 
 obeying Him, if we put off till to-morrow what He 
 bids us do to-day ! 
 
 Then too some are ready to plead a backward- 
 ness arising from humility. ' What can / do in my 
 humble position, situated as I am, with so few ad- 
 vantages, and so little influence ?' But surely we 
 can all do something for our Lord. Does not our 
 Master say, ' To every man his work ?' Whatever 
 be your position, something is within your reach. 
 Every one has an influence for good or evil which 
 he may exert. Every one has a hand to lift, a foot 
 to move, a heart to feel, a voice to raise. Every 
 one may employ himself for the good of others and 
 for God's glory. If through the mercy of God you 
 have received light from above, you can let your 
 light shine. You need not force it upon any one, 
 but simply let it shine. Yes, and in God's sight 
 your little speck of light may perhaps be as bright 
 as the flaming torch of some great one. The 
 smallest twinkling star above us is as precious to 
 
The Lord's Call and Mans Reply. 101 
 
 Him, and in its measure serves His gracious pur- 
 pose, as much as the brilliant mid-day sun. 
 
 Oh, that God would give us willing hearts ! 
 Oh, that we were more eager to labour for Him ! 
 Oh, that, when He says, ( Whom shall I send, and 
 who will go for us ?' we were ready to exclaim 
 with all humility, but with a holy promptitude, 
 1 Here am I : send me/ ' Lord, what wilt Thou have 
 me to do ?' 
 
 It is a great mercy, Brethren, when God shows 
 us clearly where our work lies, when He points the 
 way so plainly and unmistakably that we can but 
 follow. Thank God this seemed to be the case 
 with myself, when suddenly and unexpectedly a. 
 call came to me from this Church in Canada to 
 leave the quiet and humble post that I was filling,, 
 and to occupy the exalted position which is now 
 assigned to me. A call so distinct from the Church 
 of Christ, gathered in solemn Synod, seemed also 
 to be a clear call from God ; and I could not — 
 dared not — hesitate. It whispered, as it were, in 
 accents too clear to be mistaken, ' Son, go work 
 to-day in another portion of My vineyard. The 
 time is short. Life's little hour will soon be gone.. 
 The sun has passed its meridian ; ere it sets, go 
 forth and work awhile in a new field of labour.. 
 My finger points the way. My everlasting arm 
 supports thee. My presence shall go with thee/ 
 
 Could I then hold back ? Could I hesitate to 
 
102 Appendix I. 
 
 accept a call so lovingly made ? Instead of taking 
 credit for any willingness to obey, I should have 
 been simply faithless had I doubted. 
 
 And now I proceed upon my errand, conscious 
 of the important task which I have undertaken, but 
 assured that He who has called me to it can also fit 
 me for it. Feeling that the discharge of a humbler 
 office in the Church would perhaps have been 
 better suited to my powers, but knowing that He 
 can give me grace and strength even for the 
 highest. 
 
 And now, dear Brethren, I want your Sympathy, 
 your Help, your Prayers. 
 
 I want your Sympathy ; and I feel that I shall 
 have it. Are we not ' One body in Christ, and 
 everyone members one of another ? ' Are we not 
 children of a common Father, and servants of the 
 same loving Saviour ? Are not the interests of one 
 the interests of us all ? Are we not as sheaves bound 
 up in the same bundle of life, placed one here and 
 another there in the wide harvest field, but to be 
 gathered one day into the same heavenly garner ? 
 One of the gospel's golden rules is that we should 
 ' bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law 
 of Christ/ And truly this rule has been abundantly 
 observed towards me. I may say that there are 
 few things that have tended more to sweeten the 
 bitterness of parting with those most dear to us in 
 
The Lord's Call and Man's Reply. 103 
 
 our own beloved land, than the marvellous sym- 
 pathy which has been so abundantly shown us 
 both by friends and strangers. 
 
 Never, I think, has anyone been blest with so 
 many kind and affectionate wishes as I have ex- 
 perienced in the last few weeks — the hearty expres- 
 sion of good will from both rich and poor, who 
 have desired to speed us on our way. These 
 have been like sweet breezes which have wafted 
 me and mine to the shores of our adopted country. 
 These have comforted us in our moments of trial ; 
 and the grateful remembrance of these will comfort 
 us in days to come. 
 
 And, thanks be to God, we find that self-same 
 spirit of affection awaiting us here — throwing open, 
 as it were, its arms to receive us. Though we have 
 exchanged a long-cherished home, and still dearer 
 ties, for those which are altogether new, we rejoice 
 to find that the strong but invisible thread of 
 sympathy is in no way severed ; but we still feel 
 its sustaining power ; it still draws us out of our- 
 selves, and binds us on to those whose faces are 
 strange to us, but whose hearts are one with us. 
 
 But, further, I want your Help. And I am 
 asking you for what you all may give me. In a 
 family the humblest servant or the youngest child 
 may be very helpful to his Master or his Parent. 
 In a parish each individual member of the flock 
 
104 Appendix I. 
 
 may give a helping hand to his Minister. He may 
 help him by his influence ; for who is there that 
 has not, as I said just now, some influence ? Who 
 is there that may not say something, or do some- 
 thing, to forward the great work in which his 
 pastor is engaged ? He may help him by follow- 
 ing his directions and carrying out his plans. He 
 may help him yet more by the daily preaching of 
 a holy and consistent life. And, Brethren, as your 
 Bishop, I also shall look to you for help. The 
 work I have undertaken is a very arduous one ; but 
 you, each one of you, may do something to lighten 
 it. I cannot tell you how much it will tend to 
 diminish my burden, if I can have the happy feel- 
 ing that you are doing your best — it may be but 
 little, but still your best — to strengthen my hands 
 and cheer my heart. I shall doubtless have my 
 trials and my difficulties. Some will blame me for 
 being too severe ; others for being too remiss. 
 There are those whose quick eye will be ready to 
 mark each little error in judgment, each incon- 
 sistency in conduct ; for who among us can always 
 stand upright ; who is there that has not need to 
 pray, ' Cleanse thou me from secret faults ? ' But 
 at such times of trial and difficulty, when my heart 
 will perhaps ache within me, and my path for a 
 moment will be full of perplexity, and the feeling 
 that I have done my very best will not be enough 
 to reassure me, if I can fall back upon the kind 
 
The Lord's Call and Man's Reply. 105 
 
 forbearance of my brethren, the charity that 
 thinketh no evil, the love that is ever ready to 
 start up in support of God's servants, then I shall 
 indeed feel that I have a tower of strength, on 
 which I can confidently rely. 
 
 And yet, after all, whether in the case of a 
 parent, or of a minister, or of one filling a still 
 higher post, in every time of anxiety our truest 
 refuge is in God, our real repose is in the bosom of 
 our Lord. Happy indeed is he who can look up 
 and say, 'Thou art my hiding-place;' 'Thou wilt 
 keep him. in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
 Thee.' 
 
 I ask then for your Help ; and I have shown 
 you that you can give it. I shall greatly need it 
 in carrying out my plans for the good of the 
 Diocese. I shall need it, if I am to accomplish 
 anything here for God. I shall need it, for my 
 own comfort and encouragement. Alone, I shall 
 be weak and powerless ; but,, backed and supported 
 by you, I shall feel a strength which will sustain 
 me. 
 
 But I have another request to make, a yet 
 harder request to grant, a boon even more difficult 
 to bestow. I want your Prayers — not a momentary 
 lifting up of your hearts for me, but a continued 
 pleading in my behalf before God, who can make 
 me all that He would have me to be. Pray, Brethren, 
 
106 Appendix L 
 
 that I may have come to you in the fulness of the 
 blessing of the Gospel of Peace. Pray that He 
 who has summoned me to my exalted post may 
 strengthen me and guide me in the discharge of it. 
 Plead for one who greatly needs help from above — 
 grace in his own soul — and vigour to nerve him 
 for his work. Pray that a living fire may touch 
 my lips, and that the Holy Spirit of God may 
 sanctify my heart. The prayers of Abraham would 
 have saved the guilty cities, steeped as they were 
 in iniquity, had there been but ten righteous men 
 in them. Elijah's prayer called down refreshing 
 showers on the parched plains of Israel. Prayer 
 helped St. Paul in his abundant labours. And, 
 Brethren, if you wish to help me, pray for me, that 
 my labour may not be in vain in the Lord. In 
 answer to your prayers, souls may be saved, and 
 gifts may descend, like the former and latter rain, 
 upon the thirsty ground. ' Prove me now herewith, 
 saith the Lord, if I will not open the windows of 
 heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there 
 shall not be room enough to receive it.' 
 
 Be assured, God has great things to give, and 
 He loves to give them in answer to our entreaties. 
 He will be inquired of for this to do it for us. 
 ' The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man ' — 
 of even the humblest servant of God — 'availeth 
 much.' 
 
The Lord's Call and Man's Reply. 107 
 
 And now, before I close my sermon — my first 
 sermon preached in this my Diocese — let me ex- 
 press a fervent wish that God's best blessing may 
 rest upon this branch of the Church of England ; 
 that she may ever be a living, growing, advancing 
 Church ; that she may be sound in faith and 
 holy in practice ; wise in her moderation, and yet 
 abounding in zeal and earnestness ; that she may 
 be faithful, devoted, and true to her Lord. Oh, 
 that God may bless her clergy, and give spiritual 
 life and grace to all her members ! 
 
 Beloved, I now commend you to God, and to 
 the word of His grace, praying that He will build 
 up those among you who are His true people, and 
 enable you to walk more and more closely with 
 Him; praying, also, that He may be pleased, by 
 the power of His Holy Spirit, to draw those of you 
 to Himself who as yet know Him not and love 
 Him not ; so that you too may be numbered among 
 His children now, and enjoy His presence hereafter 
 for ever. 
 
io8 
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 PRIMARY ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF 
 THE SYNOD. 
 
 My brethren of the Clergy and Laity, — In 
 presiding for the first time over this your Annual 
 Synod, I must ask you to bear with me if I begin 
 with a few remarks personal to myself. 
 
 Having been summoned by the unanimous vote 
 of the Clerical and Lay representatives of the 
 Church in this Diocese, when solemnly assembled 
 in Synod, I felt that I had no alternative but to 
 leave my quiet retreat in England, where I had 
 watched over a simple and affectionate people for 
 one-and-twenty years, to obey at once your call, 
 and to come among you as your elected Bishop. 
 
 I felt that under such circumstances your call 
 was the echo, as it were, of a higher summons from 
 above ; and I regarded the expression of your 
 wishes as indicative of the will of God. I came 
 out therefore to fill my allotted post, not without 
 sundry misgivings, but at the same time with a 
 
Address. 109 
 
 strongly impressed conviction, and I may also say 
 with an assured confidence, that He, who seemed 
 so plainly to have marked out my path, and who 
 Himself knew all my deficiencies, would give me 
 the needed strength, the requisite wisdom, and the 
 grace to fit me for my new and unexpected work. 
 
 During the ten months that I have exercised 
 my episcopal office among you, I may truly say 
 that I have never once regretted the step which I 
 have taken. The kind and generous reception 
 which I met with on my first arrival from the in- 
 habitants of this city and Diocese ; the cordial and 
 affectionate desire shown by the Clergy to carry out 
 my wishes ; and the very hearty co-operation of the 
 Laity, who have evinced a zeal for the Church's 
 welfare, as well as a respect for my office, which at 
 once endears them to me — these would of them- 
 selves be sufficient to call forth my thankfulness, and 
 make me content with my present lot. But I have 
 yet further cause for gratitude from the marked way 
 in which God has, in answer to my prayers, been 
 graciously pleased to endue me with bodily 
 strength, such as I have not experienced for years 
 past, and to afford me other helps to fit me for the 
 emergencies of my new position. To Him I desire 
 thus publicly to give the praise. 
 
 I cannot help taking this early opportunity of 
 acknowledging the debt I owe to my justly revered 
 and beloved Predecessor, for the great work he 
 
I io Appendix II. 
 
 achieved, with your assistance, in laying the founda- 
 tion, and building up to its present height, the 
 Church in this Diocese, with all its synodical and 
 other organization. It is indeed a glorious structure, 
 which will ever bear the impress of his wisdom, his 
 intelligence, and his Christian character. He has 
 been the 'wise Master Builder ;' and it remains for 
 his successors to rear the spiritual edifice, according 
 to the model which he has designed with such 
 consummate care and skill. There are many 
 features in our Canadian Church system, especially 
 as regards its synodical character, which have 
 called forth the unqualified admiration of our 
 brethren in the mother country. And all that we 
 now want is from time to time the infusion of fresh 
 life into it, that life of which the Holy Spirit is 
 alone the Author and Giver. 
 
 And now there are certain points of general 
 interest, in connexion with our Church and Diocese, 
 which I desire to touch upon. 
 
 i. First, as regards our Country Missions* 
 The number of these amounts at the present 
 time to fifty-nine, having many of them from two 
 to four churches or congregations attached to them. 
 Of these I regret to say only eight are self-sup- 
 porting, and the remaining fifty-one are more or 
 
 * These should perhaps rather be called c Church Sta- 
 tions/ since many of them have lately assumed a less 
 missionary, and a more permanent, character. 
 
Address, in 
 
 less dependent on the Church at large for their 
 maintenance. It is essential that these should 
 be properly and vigorously sustained, that the 
 ministerial teaching in each mission should be 
 efficient, the public services adequate, and our ad- 
 mirable Church system heartily carried out. 
 
 But our attention must not be confined to 
 existing missions. Whilst we use every exertion 
 to preserve these in a flourishing condition, we must 
 also be constantly on the alert to occupy fresh 
 fields of labour as they present themselves. And I 
 am persuaded that if our Church has real life and 
 vigour in her, her bounds will be extending them- 
 selves year by year; and though an increased 
 demand will thereby be made upon her resources, 
 she will hail with joy every fresh necessity as it 
 arises to multiply her missions, and increase her 
 staff of labourers. 
 
 There are at this time two or three new posts, 
 which might with advantage be entered upon, in 
 each of which a faithful missionary would find his 
 labours abundantly rewarded ; and each of which, 
 if not undertaken by ourselves, will eventually be 
 lost to the Church. There is also great need for 
 two 'Travelling Missionaries,' to visit the lumber 
 districts during the winter months, and to carry 
 to those hardy and endurant men the message of 
 the Gospel and the ministrations of the Church. 
 
 May we not look forward to such an increase 
 
112 Appendix II. 
 
 in our resources as will enable us to carry out these 
 works of faith and labours of love, and that devoted 
 men will not be wanting to fill these posts of self- 
 denial to which the Church calls them ? 
 
 In providing for the spiritual wants of our 
 members, we should have a due regard for those 
 districts which cry out to us for help, but can bring 
 little or no resources of their own to supply the 
 stipends of their ministers. To refuse to establish 
 a new mission simply because there is but little 
 prospect of its being in any measure self-supporting, 
 would be a fatal error. To despise a call from our 
 brethren because they chance to be poor would be 
 contrary to the spirit of the gospel, and be unwise 
 as well as unchristian. The fact of the Church's 
 ministrations being demanded should be a sufficient 
 reason for supplying that demand, if practicable, 
 at any sacrifice to ourselves. There is much truth 
 in the remark which I have somewhere seen, that 
 'a Church which is content to lose its poor is 
 losing its true riches.' 
 
 And this leads me to speak of the manner in 
 which our missions are at present sustained. The 
 Church's work in this Diocese is to a certain extent 
 fettered for lack of funds. Now, if it is to be 
 carried on in a really earnest and hearty spirit, as I 
 trust it will be, these five things are needed : 
 
 First, Our Church members in the various 
 parishes must make a more strenuous effort to 
 
Address. 113 
 
 supply their proportion of the stipends of the Clergy 
 who labour among them. I know that many of 
 them can ill afford to do this, but I am very 
 sure that they will see the paramount necessity of 
 giving to the very utmost of their means for an 
 object in which they themselves are so deeply 
 interested. 
 
 Secondly, The richer Laity of the Church, in 
 this city and elsewhere, must be prepared for an 
 in:reased demand upon their contributions to the 
 Gjneral Church Fund of the Diocese; or, I would 
 suggest (what would be far more beneficial) that 
 the/ be willing, as some have already done, to 
 name a fixed annual sum as their regular subscrip- 
 tion to the fund. Their past liberality, whenever 
 appealed to, makes me feel the most entire 
 confidence that it will not be withheld, if only 
 it be clearly shown to them that their Church 
 needs it. 
 
 Thirdly, In addition to the requirement of the 
 Synod that an annual sermon be preached in every 
 Church, it will be necessary that a bond fide collec- 
 tion be made from house to house in every parish 
 or mission throughout the Diocese, in augmenta- 
 tion of this general fund. 
 
 Fourthly, It will be necessary that an enquiry 
 be mivde into the state of the various Endowments 
 which exist in certain parishes, and the manner 
 in which each property is invested ; also that a 
 
 I 
 
114 Appendix II. 
 
 correct record be kept by the registrar of all such 
 endowments. 
 
 Fifthly, And above all, a better organization 
 is required for the distribution of our mission 
 funds. I am rejoiced to say that a committee 
 of laymen has been sitting, for the purpose of 
 remodelling our system of grants on the one hand, 
 and our requirements for the people on the other. 
 Whatever changes this committee may recommend 
 in their report, and the Synod may sanction, will, 
 I trust, be carried out with the hearty concurrence 
 of both clergy and laity. 
 
 It is the more necessary that the Mission Fund 
 should be forthwith placed on a sound footing, 
 since the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel 
 is gradually withdrawing its hitherto liberal grant 
 from the Church in this colony. 
 
 I feel that there is yet another point which I dare 
 not omit. I believe that no Church will thoroughly 
 prosper, unless she enlarge her heart towards those 
 nations which enjoy not the same spiritual blessings 
 as herself. While trying then to meet our own 
 pressing needs, we must not close our hearts 
 towards those of our fellow-men who are sitting 
 in darkness and the shadow of death. Let us 
 make an effort, according to our means, to extend 
 help to others, and then we may look for God's 
 blessing on ourselves. * There is that scattereth, 
 and yet increaseth.' 
 
Address. 115 
 
 During the past year the special collections 
 throughout the Diocese have been carried on with 
 much zeal, and with some success. The Annual 
 Meeting, in the Mechanics' Hall, was perhaps the 
 largest that has been held for many years. And 
 we were glad to number among the pleaders for 
 our work an eminent Bishop of the American 
 Church. By his eloquence, the cause of our 
 mission was greatly advanced ; and also an 
 opportunity was given for the interchange of 
 those cordial and brotherly feelings, which will, 
 I trust, ever exist between the two Churches — 
 each carefully adapting itself to the special require- 
 ments of its position, but both one, indissolubly 
 one, in all essential matters of faith and practice. 
 
 i Facies non omnibus una, 
 Nee diversa tamen, qualem decet esse sororum/ 
 
 Whilst speaking on the subject of our financial 
 resources, it will not, I trust, be thought out of 
 place if I allude to a method very much resorted 
 to at the present time, in order to raise money 
 for religious objects — I mean that of Bazaars. 
 I am quite aware of the multifarious and pressing 
 nature of those efforts which, from time to time, 
 claim the attention of clergymen and others. I 
 am aware too of the exceeding difficulty of 
 obtaining funds for the accomplishment of any- 
 good object. But still the end, however desirable, 
 
n6 Appendix II. 
 
 can never sanctify the means, if in themselves 
 unworthy. It seems to me that by so doing we 
 are setting aside real Christian benevolence, as 
 if it were a thing in these days hardly to be 
 attained, and are substituting in its stead a 
 spurious and worldly system of liberality, on 
 which God's blessing can scarcely be expected 
 or even asked for. I should be very thankful to 
 see a higher standard of almsgiving, and a healthier 
 tone of charity, prevailing among the members 
 of our Church. 
 
 But I now pass on to speak, secondly, of the 
 Condition and Prospects of our Clej'gy. 
 
 I have on another public occasion borne my 
 willing testimony to the general character of those 
 who minister in holy things among us. I doubt if 
 there is any Bishop w T ho can boast of a more la- 
 borious, self-denying, earnest clergy than those who 
 are working under my episcopal superintendence. 
 
 I cannot but speak with much thankfulness 
 of the general harmony of views which exists 
 among us, and of the soundness, faithfulness, and 
 moderation, which for the most part mark the 
 preaching from our pulpits. There will ever be 
 some few whose opinions reach the extreme line 
 of what the Church permits ; but I am not aware 
 of any within my Diocese who are so decidedly 
 overstepping that line as to call for my interference. 
 
Address. 117 
 
 Still there are some, whom I would gladly see 
 conforming more heartily to the general feeling 
 and spirit of the Church in which they serve. 
 And I am extremely anxious that, by a little 
 modification of practice, and by the exercise of 
 a conciliatory spirit, there may be brought about 
 a more entire conformity throughout the Diocese, 
 especially in the ordinary mode of conducting 
 our sendees. I hope that those who feel with 
 me in this matter will be willing to make a 
 sacrifice of their own cherished opinions, where 
 at least no sacred principle is involved, in order 
 to attain this desirable end ; and that they will 
 boldly lead the way in making such concessions. 
 
 It is the policy of our great enemy to separate 
 us from one another as widely as he can ; it should 
 be our policy — our holy and Christian policy — 
 to close our ranks, and wage our warfare side 
 by side. Our strength lies in united action. And 
 if God is pleased to draw us nearer together by 
 the attraction of a loving spirit, this will make 
 us strong against our common foe, and strong 
 in the discharge of our spiritual mission. May it 
 ever be so with us ! For then, and not otherwise, 
 will our Church answer to that description given 
 in the inspired song ; she will be ' beautiful as 
 Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army 
 with banners.' 
 
 As regards our Christian brethren who belong 
 
n8 Appendix I L 
 
 to other communions, we should avoid anything 
 like an attitude of antagonism towards them, 
 or the use of hard words and unkind expressions, 
 whilst we hold our own with a honest and firm 
 hand. We should inculcate in our teaching 
 sound and definite Church principles, and at the 
 same time set forth clearly, distinctly, and pro- 
 minently, the great and life-giving doctrines of 
 the Cross. Our best weapon is, I believe, an 
 earnest declaration of what we know to be God's 
 truth, a simple uplifting of Christ before our 
 people, and a desire to embody this teaching in 
 our daily lives. 
 
 On the appointment of a clergyman to any 
 leading parish or mission, I propose in future 
 either to induct him into his charge myself in 
 the presence of the whole congregation, or to 
 commission some one of my clergy to act as my 
 representative in so doing. The entrance of a 
 clergyman into a new sphere of labour, and his 
 reception by the congregation, I feel to be of 
 so solemn a nature, that the opening service in 
 which he takes part ought to be marked by some 
 public ceremony befitting the occasion. I have 
 prepared a Form of Service for this purpose, which 
 is chiefly borrowed from one in use in the Sister 
 Church of America. 
 
 I spoke just now of the duty and expediency 
 of sustaining our Missions with vigour. But we 
 
Address, 119 
 
 must not forget that the Church has also a duty 
 to perform towards the Labourers in these missions. 
 The incomes of the clergy strike me as being 
 lamentably small ; not merely in comparison with 
 the stipends allotted to them in other dioceses, 
 but also in comparison with those enjoyed by 
 men who are engaged in other and less important 
 callings. Many of our most active clergymen 
 are at present receiving barely $600' a-year. I 
 am glad however to see it acknowledged in the 
 authorized rules and constitution of the Church 
 in this Diocese, that 'the minimum salary of the 
 clergy shall be $800 per annum/ I should be still 
 more glad if that intention could be carried out, 
 though at present it seems scarcely possible, owing 
 to the deficient state of our funds. I would 
 express a hope that the attention of the laity 
 will be directed to this urgent question ; and the 
 more so, as I feel assured that no request will 
 emanate from the clergy themselves. 
 
 The fact that the supply of clergymen is at 
 present somewhat below the demand is attributable 
 in part to this inadequacy of the remuneration 
 we have to offer them. It is true, men can be 
 found, but not men of the right stamp, to fill 
 our ranks. And I am sure you will agree with 
 me in feeling that it would be a serious disaster 
 to our Church, if, in consequence of the lack of 
 men, we were to lower the qualifications of our 
 
120 Appendix II. 
 
 clergy, and admit candidates of an inferior grade. 
 My desire is to raise, if possible, the standard 
 of ministerial efficiency, rather than to diminish 
 it, assured that in these days especially we want 
 a well-educated, as well as an earnest and faithful, 
 body of clergy. 
 
 The number of spiritual labourers within the 
 Diocese at this time amounts to eighty-seven. 
 Of these seventy-nine are in holy orders, and the 
 remaining eight are catechists, or lay readers, 
 licensed by the Bishop. 
 
 3. The Training of our Candidates for Holy 
 Orders is not altogether on a satisfactory footing. 
 The fact of our Theological College being at a 
 distance places us at a disadvantage. And I should 
 certainly be thankful if I could gather my candi- 
 dates for the sacred ministry around me here 
 at Montreal, where I could watch their characters 
 and conduct, and superintend their preparation 
 for the ministry. I feel unwilling however without 
 more mature consideration to interfere with the 
 present arrangement as regards the college at 
 Lennoxville. But if it should eventually be found 
 desirable to move the theological department 
 nearer home, I doubt not that I should obtain 
 from the Churchmen of the Diocese the needed 
 help to enable me to carry out the project. My 
 present conviction is that, if we had in this city 
 
Address. 12 1 
 
 a Theological Institution, with a Building worthy 
 of its character, it would prove an immense blessing 
 to the Diocese. 
 
 4. I feel anxious to take this opportunity of 
 calling attention to what I consider a very lax 
 and objectionable practice in administering the 
 Sacrament of Baptism, and in celebrating the rite 
 of Marriage, in private houses. There are reasons 
 why it should have been permitted in this country, 
 and principally from the fact of many parishes 
 having been hitherto unprovided with Churches. 
 These reasons however for the most part no 
 longer exist. I must request my clergy to dis- 
 continue a practice so entirely without precedent 
 in our Church, except in peculiar cases, and then 
 not without the special permission of the Diocesan. 
 As regards Baptism, however, the illness of the 
 recipient is, of course, a sufficient ground for the 
 use of the private service provided in our prayer 
 book. 
 
 5. The subject of Liturgical Changes has of late 
 occupied some attention. I have on many occa- 
 sions, both in the Convocation of Canterbury and 
 elsewhere, advocated a certain modification of our 
 rubrical directions, to suit the wants of the present 
 generation. I would gladly see liberty given for 
 the use of the Morning Prayer, the Litany, and the 
 
122 Appendix I L 
 
 office for the Holy Communion, as separate ser- 
 vices, according to the original intention ; or, when 
 used in their combined form, divested of certain 
 repetitions which now mar their beauty. 
 
 We greatly need also a Third -Form of Service, 
 to be used in the evening in those churches where 
 prayers have already been read in the morning and 
 afternoon. This seems to be especially called for 
 in our city congregations. 
 
 And further, we perhaps want a curtailed Form 
 of Prayer for occasional or special use. 
 
 But for these we may be well content to wait, 
 until the Mother Church leads the way, which she 
 is evidently prepared to do at no very distant 
 day. 
 
 I much hope that the new Lectionary, which 
 has been prepared with great care by the Ritual 
 Commission, and has passed the English Convoca- 
 tion, will be submitted to our Provincial Synod at 
 its next meeting. The adoption of this new 
 Calendar of Lessons will be a great boon to our 
 Church, and has long been wanted. 
 
 I propose putting into the hands of my clergy a 
 Form of Harvest Thanksgiving. It may be used 
 this year merely as an optional service, with a view 
 to some approved Form being ultimately submitted 
 to the Provincial Synod for its sanction. 
 
 6. The expediency of having one authorised 
 
Address. 123 
 
 Hymn Book for the Diocese, if not for the whole 
 Province, has been much on my mind. A com- 
 mittee appointed by the Provincial Synod upon the 
 subject is now sitting, and will, I hope, before next 
 year be prepared with its Report. 
 
 There are many difficulties and arguments 
 which array themselves against the adoption of 
 such a book, but the countervailing advantages 
 seem to me to be immense. 
 
 I have long felt that the lack of uniformity in 
 this respect is a prominent source of the Church's 
 weakness ; and I should heartily rejoice to see it 
 remedied. We are rich in Hymn-books in the 
 present day; and from the varied treasures that 
 exist an excellent selection may be made, and one 
 that would, I hope, commend itself to persons of all 
 views, and would meet with general acceptance. 
 In any case it would be very unwise to make the 
 reception of such a book compulsory on our congre- 
 gations : it would be sufficient that its introduction 
 into the diocese or province should be permissive, 
 sanctioned as it would be by authority. 
 
 7. I cannot omit the mention of a subject 
 which has given rise to some discussion in the 
 lesser meetings of our Clergy and Laity. I refer to 
 the Ruri-diaconal System. 
 
 I know that it has not found much favour 
 with the Clergy generally; but feeling that the 
 
124 Appendix II. 
 
 office is of ancient origin, and that it now forms an 
 integral part of our Ecclesiastical system, feeling 
 also that it may be made extremely helpful to the 
 Bishop, as well as conducive to the good order and 
 working of the Diocese, I am unwilling lightly to 
 abandon it. I must therefore ask you to bear with 
 me in my conservative wish that it should be con- 
 tinued as a part of our Church Organization. I 
 propose however in the event of vacancies occur- 
 ring, to leave the selection of the Rural Dean in a 
 great measure in the hands of the Clergy of the 
 Deanery. This will relieve me of some responsi- 
 bility, and make me feel that the office is filled by 
 one of your own choice. It may also be desirable 
 to review and re-cast the Form of Instructions 
 given to the Rural Dean, on his appointment by 
 the Bishop. 
 
 8. I am thankful to say that I have been 
 enabled to visit the larger half of the Diocese, 
 namely, forty-three missions, during the past ten 
 months ; and I hope to complete my visitation of 
 the whole before the commencement of another 
 winter. My first Episcopal act was to consecrate 
 the little church at Como in September last. Other 
 churches are now in the course of erection : and 
 several, especially in the Deanery of St. Andrews, 
 will be ready for consecration during the ensuing 
 autumn. I have held Confirmations in twenty 
 
Address. 125 
 
 parishes, and received nearly four hundred persons 
 into full membership with the Church. I have also 
 ordained six Clergymen, who are now at work in 
 the Diocese. 
 
 And now, as to the future of our beloved Church 
 in this land, I cannot but think that the prospect is 
 bright and hopeful. With a sound and devoted 
 Clergy, loving the work which their- Heavenly 
 Master has given them to do, and anxious by the 
 power of His Holy Spirit to win souls to Him ; 
 and with a generous and right-hearted laity, zealous 
 not merely for their own, but for the Church's 
 welfare, we have little to fear. There is a great 
 and glorious work entrusted to us by our Lord ; 
 and happy for us if during our short hour of life 
 we take, each of us, our part in the fulfilment of 
 it. On you, my reverend brethren, devolves the 
 important duty of acting as leaders in the progress 
 onward ; and whilst you go forward, undaunted by 
 the difficulties before you, and confiding in the 
 promise of your Lord, sure I am that our lay brethren 
 will rally round you, upholding you in your great 
 enterprise by their untiring aid, and cheering you 
 by their sympathy. 
 
 I have now only a few more words to add 
 regarding the present Synod, which I have to-day 
 the privilege of opening, and over which I have the 
 
126 Appendix II. 
 
 still greater privilege of presiding. I have looked 
 forward to its meeting with some degree of anxiety, 
 knowing the influence which its calm and dignified 
 bearing will have upon the Church at large, and 
 feeling the great responsibility of the part in it 
 which I am called to take. But of this I am 
 assured, that if He whose aid we have solemnly 
 invoked, is Himself with us, my anxiety will be 
 exchanged for thankfulness. The eyes of many of 
 our brother Churchmen are turned towards Canada 
 at the present time ; let it be seen, from the temper 
 we display at our Synod meetings, that we can 
 come together as Christian brethren, and separate 
 with our hearts warmed, and our spirits calmed 
 and chastened. 
 
 I am inclined to think that in all mixed gather- 
 ings of Churchmen there is some little danger, lest 
 a feeling of clanship should be allowed to spring 
 up between the Clergy and Laity. This should 
 be especially guarded against ; for surely the in- 
 terests of the one body are the interests also of the 
 other ; and the moment those interests are divided, 
 the well-being of the Church is in peril of being 
 weakened. 
 
 It is for this reason that I would venture to 
 recommend a very sparing use of our privilege of 
 Voting by Orders. It is important for both parties 
 that the privilege exists ; but we should resort to it 
 only on very exceptional occasions. This manner 
 
Address. 127 
 
 of voting should be regarded by us as something 
 *ather held in reserve, than brought into frequent 
 exercise — as a power which should be rather felt, 
 than often used. It is well for a Church when its 
 clerical and lay members feel such mutual confi- 
 dence towards each other, that they can consult 
 together with perfect freedom and singleness of 
 purpose. And better still is it when they can be 
 seen habitually voting together, and acting together, 
 without distinction. This should be our rule ; the 
 other only the rare exception. 
 
 And may I not also express a hope, an earnest 
 hope, that the Clerical members of this Synod may 
 have come here prepared to lay aside their sectional 
 differences — that from the tone which prevails 
 within these walls it may be happily apparent to 
 all that the spirit of party is speedily dying out, 
 and that the spirit of union is taking its place. 
 
 Try to forget, my Reverend Brethren, any little 
 specialties, either of doctrine or practice, which 
 have in days past ranged you on separate sides ; 
 and think only of the greatness of those matters 
 on which you are sent here to deliberate, and of 
 His honour which should be dearer to you than 
 all else. Look at each question which shall come 
 before you, not as to how it will affect yourselves, 
 but how it will affect the Church at large. 
 
 In your recent Sessions the subject which 
 engaged your attention was of an unusually exciting 
 
1 2 8 Appendix II 
 
 character, and naturally aroused a certain warmth 
 of feeling. That subject has now passed away, 
 and with it I trust any little irritation which it 
 called up at the time. We shall henceforth do 
 well to lay aside all bitterness of feeling, and devote 
 ourselves to those questions of practical importance 
 which shall come before us. And surely if our 
 deliberations are conducted in a spirit of self- 
 control, and as in the presence of God Himself — if 
 we speak with all deference towards each other, 
 and with due respect for the opinions of those who 
 may chance to differ from us — then may opposing 
 views be expressed without the slightest risk of our 
 harmony being disturbed. 
 
 I have full confidence in those who are now 
 before me, that they will strive to promote the 
 feeling which I have expressed ; and that their 
 chief forbearance will be exercised towards myself, 
 in presiding for the first time over this important 
 Assembly. 
 
 May the Holy Spirit so possess our hearts with 
 His calm and gracious influence, that we may 
 speak with all Christian love and wisdom ! And 
 may He Himself so direct all that shall be said 
 and done during this present session, that it may 
 tend to the advancement of His glory, and the 
 growth of His Kingdom among us ! 
 
 London : Strangeways and Walden, Printers, Castle St., Leicester Sq. 
 
WORKS BY 
 THE RT. REV. ASHTON OXENDEN, D.D. 
 
 Bishop of Montreal and Metropolitan of Canada, 
 
 Published by HATCHARDS, 187 Piccadilly. 
 
 1. Short Lectures on the Sunday Gospels. 
 
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BARHAM TRACTS. 
 
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 The Bible 
 
 Prayer 
 
 Public Prayer 
 
 Family Prayer 
 
 Cottage Family Prayers .... 
 Ditto, in covers 
 
 The Sinner and the Saviour . . 
 
 Are you Happy? 
 
 Are you Ready ? 
 
 Passion Week 
 
 Baptism ; or, What is the good 
 of being Christened ? 
 
 The Lord's Supper,- or, Who 
 are the Welcome Guests ? . . 
 
 My Duty to my Child 
 
 How shall I Spend Sunday ? 
 
 The Season of Sickness 
 
 The Great Journey 
 
 How shall I spend Christmas ? 
 
 I am deaf, and therefore do not 
 go to Church 
 
 The Prayer which many use, 
 and but few understand . . 
 
 Old John; or, the Bible with 
 a large Print 
 
 Is my State a safe one ? 
 
 Poor Sarah 
 
 The Holy Spirit 
 
 A Happy New Year 
 
 A Word or two about Lent . . 
 
 How shall I spend Whitsun- 
 tide ? 
 
 Private Prayers for Cottagers 1 
 How shall I spend To-day ? . . 
 What shall I do this Michael- 
 mas ? 1 
 
 The Fatal Railway Accident. . 1 
 
 A Word or Two for Servants . . 1 
 
 My Duty to the Heathen ..... 1 
 
 The Promised Land 1 
 
 I have had my Child registered 1 
 What can I do for my Church 
 
 and my Parish ? 1 
 
 Thoughts for the Sick and Sor- 
 rowful - 2 
 
 The Pathway through the 
 
 Corn-field 1 
 
 Simple Truth for the Unlearned 1 
 
 Do you believe the Bible ? . . . . 1 
 
 True and False Repentance . . 1 
 David Jones ; or, the old Welsh 
 
 Churchman 1 
 
 Alfred Barton; or, the Down- 
 hill Path 1 
 
 The Great Deliverer 1 
 
 The Joyful Resurrection .... 
 Heavenward. A Tract for 
 
 Ascension Day 1 
 
 Deathbeds 1 
 
 The Sleeping Sinner on Earth 1 
 
 The Awakened Sinner in Hell 1 
 
 The Penitent Sinner on Earth 1 
 
 The Saved Sinner in Heav en . . 1 
 
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 in and Abel; or, the Infidel 
 
 id the True Believer 1 
 
 >ch; or, a Close Walk with 
 
 lod 1 
 
 mselah; or, Life's Pil- 
 grimage 1 
 
 6. Noah; or, the Preaching Life 1 
 6. Abraham ; or, Faith and Works 1 
 ?. Lot ; or, the Unhappy Choice 1 
 I . Isaac ; or, the Child of Promise 1 
 f. Jacob; or, the Wrestler with 
 
 God 1 
 
 10. Joseph ; or, the Secret of True 
 Prosperity 1 
 
 No. d. 
 
 11. Job ; or, the Blessing of Afflic- 
 
 tion 
 
 12. Moses ; or, the Faithful Leader 
 
 13. Pharaoh; or, the Gradual Hard- 
 
 ening of the Heart 
 
 14. Balaam; or, the Empty Wish 
 
 15. Joshua; or, the Pious 'Officer 
 
 16. Samson; or, Man's Weakness 
 
 and God's Strength 
 
 17. Ruth; or, the Mourner Com- 
 
 forted 
 
 13. Eli; or, Mistaken Kindness.. 
 
 19. Samuel ; or, the Son of many 
 
 Prayers 
 
 20. Saul;' or, Misery in the midst 
 
 of Greatness 
 
PLUCKLEY TRACTS. (First Series.) Continued. 
 
 No. 
 
 2 1 . David ; or, the Man after God's 
 
 own Heart 
 
 22. Solomon; or, Grace is Better 
 
 than Wisdom 
 
 23. Elijah; or, the Fearless Man 
 
 of God 
 
 24. Elisha; or, the Lowly Ex- 
 
 alted 
 
 25. Hezekiah; or, the Good King 
 
 26. Manasseh ; or, the Royal Peni- 
 
 tent 
 
 27. Josiah; or, the Right-minded 
 
 King 
 
 No. d. 
 
 28. Daniel ; or, the Safety of those 
 
 who Trust God I 
 
 29. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- 
 
 nego ; or, Deliverance in the 
 Midst of Danger 
 
 30. Jonah ; or, the Withered Gourd 
 
 31. Belshazzar; or, the Hand- 
 
 writing on the Wall 
 
 82. Nehemiah; or, Prayer the 
 Secret of Success 
 
 33. Haman ; or, the Favourite Dis- 
 graced 
 
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 No. 
 
 1 . St. John the Baptist ; or, the 
 
 Voice in the Wilderness .... 
 
 2. Simeon; or, the Aged Believer 
 
 3. Andrew; or, the True -hearted 
 
 Brother 
 
 4. St. Peter; or, Strength and 
 
 Weakness. Part I 
 
 5. St. Peter; or, the Zealous and 
 
 Faithful Minister. Part II. 
 
 6. St. Matthew; or, Leaving all 
 
 for Christ 
 
 7. Lazarus and his Sisters ; or, the 
 
 Family whom Jesus Loved • . 
 
 8. Zaccheus; or, the Seeker Re- 
 
 warded 
 
 9. Mary; or, the Honoured Mother 
 
 10. Judas Iscariot; or, a Traitor 
 
 among the Twelve 
 
 11. Saul; or, the Pharisee Con- 
 
 verted 
 
 12. St. Paul; or, the Soldier of 
 
 Christ 
 
 13. Nicodemus ; or, the Weak Be- 
 
 liever made Strong 
 
 14. Pilate; or, the Unrighteous 
 
 Judge 
 
 15. The Dying Thief ; or, Salvation 
 
 to the Uttermost 
 
 16. St. Stephen; or, the Fearless 
 
 Martyr 
 
 1 7. The Woman who was a Sinner; 
 
 or, the Penitent's Love to 
 Christ 
 
 18. Mary Magdalene; or, the 
 
 Faithful Mourner at the Cross 
 
 No. 
 
 19. Cornelius; or, the First-fruits 
 
 from among the Gentiles 
 
 20. Onesimus; or, the Converted 
 
 Slave 
 
 21. St. John; or, the Disciple 
 
 whom Jesus Loved 
 
 22. The Woman of Canaan; or, 
 
 Prayer Heard and Answered 
 
 23. St. Thomas; or, Encourage- 
 
 ment to the Weak Believer.. 
 
 24. Philip; or, the Heaven-sent 
 
 Guide 
 
 25. Timothy; or, in the Morning 
 
 Sow thy Seed 
 
 26. Gallio ; or, the Spirit of Care- 
 
 less Indifference 
 
 27. Lydia; or, the Woman whose 
 
 Heart the Lord opened 
 
 28. The Heathen Jailor ; or, What 
 
 shall I do to be Saved? 
 
 29. The Man Born Blind ; or, Christ 
 
 near to us in the Hour of Need 
 
 30. Ananias and Sapphira ; or the 
 
 Hidden Falsehood brought 
 to Light 
 
 31. Simon the Sorcerer; or, the 
 
 False Convert 
 
 32. Aquila and Priscilla; or, the 
 
 Christian Helpers 
 
 33. The Cripple of Bethesda; or, 
 
 Wilt thou be made Whole ? 
 
 34. Joseph of Arimathea; or, a 
 
 Hidden One of Christ's Flock 
 
 HATCHAKDS, 187 Piccadilly ; 
 
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