at all times to induce the luxurious and extravagant to remember, that there is a real meaning in denying one's self daily, and bearing the cross of our Master, and crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. Men are ready enough to put from them the consideration of such duties as these-too ready to seize a plausible excuse for rejecting them on principle. And certainly, if Mr. Newman and his party had intended to make self-denial ridiculous and suspicious as popery and fanaticism, it is hard to imagine what more effectual methods they could have taken.

SOME NOTICES OF THE EARLY COLONIAL CHURCH,

(Continued from vol. xxvi. p. 629.)

NEW JERSEY.

THE Rev. John Brooke went out as missionary of the Society in 1705, and was placed by the governor, Lord Cornbury, at Elizabeth Town, for the service of that and some neighbouring settlements. The number of churchmen in this mission was at first very inconsiderable, the great bulk being independents, under the instruction of five preachers of their own sect.

Mr. Brooke's practice was to preach at seven different stations, to a distance of fifty miles; and, to use his own expression, he was, "pilgrim-like, scarce ever three days in a place." Shortly after his arrival he laid the foundation of a church at Elizabeth Town, and reported that churches had been commenced both at Amboy and Freehold; while at Piscataway they had repaired a dissenters' meeting house as a temporary arrangement. To each of these Mr. Brooke contributed the sum of ten pounds from his own salary. His exertions were suddenly terminated by death in 1707; and several years afterwards he was still remembered with honour by his parishioners as "our worthy and never-to-be-forgotten pastor, Mr. Brooke, whose labours afforded universal satisfaction to us."* He was succeeded by the Rev. Edward Vaughan, who reported his arrival in 1709, after a tedious voyage, in which he suffered frequent indisposition, " occasioned by the preposterous motion of the ship." He found himself " in the midst of a vast number of Deists, Sabbatarians, and Eutychians, as also of Independents, Anabaptists, and Quakers, from which absurdities Mr. Brooke brought a considerable number of them to embrace our most pure and holy religion;" and he adds, "I hope my labours also will be attended with no less success."+

He officiated alternately at Elizabeth Town and Woodside-a settlement about ten miles off; and his half-yearly reports evidence the success of his labours. Thus his communicants, at the principal station, were, in 1712, thirty; in 1734, seventy; and in 1740, eightyfour.

And not only did his flock in the more settled towns increase, but he had also a numerous congregation " in the mountains," where he sometimes went to preach and administer the holy communion. His

• Humphrey, Hist. Acct. p. 190. VOL. XXVII.-January, 1845.

† MS. Letters, 73, vol. v.

C

report in 1731 states, that in the several stations which he visited, he had, within the compass of two years, baptized 556 children and 64 adults.*

In this useful course Mr. Vaughan continued for the space of thirtyeight years, and died in 1746.

The Rev. Colin Campbell filled the office of missionary at Burlington from 1737 to 1766. Besides his principal station, he had a very promising mission at "Mount Holly," about eight miles off, where the congregation gave evident proof that the labour spent upon them had not been in vain, by building a handsome church, and conveying it to the Society, with three other trustees, of which the missionary at Burlington was always to be one. He relates another gratifying instance of attachment to the church. Mr. Paul Watkinson, who had been clerk of St. Mary's, Burlington, for forty-five years, left by will, after the death of his widow, his house, with a lot of land, worth 1007. for the repairs of that church for ever.†

He

The name of the Rev. Thomas should also be recorded. He resigned his fellowship at Christ's College, Cambridge, "out of pure zeal to become a missionary in the cause of Christ," and for five years did faithful service in Monmouth county; but having come to a resolution to devote himself to the instruction of the negroes on the coast of Guinea, he announced this intention to the Society in 1750. had deliberately made up his mind, expecting to fare hardly, and not sanguine of great success. Indeed, he saw that in the ordinary way one labourer could do but little; yet that God, who made the largest tree to spring from one poor grain of seed, might bless the labours of the meanest of his servants. He argued that if ever the church of Christ is to be founded amongst the negroes, somebody must lay the first stone; and in this spirit of self-devotion he requested of the Society to name him their missionary for this purpose, and appropriate such a salary for his support as they might deem suitable. The Society accordingly appointed him a salary of 701., " in a firm reliance on the good providence of God, whose grace is abundantly sufficient to perfect strength in weakness, by his blessing on our poor endeavours."

The Rev. Mr. Houdin, formerly superior of a convent in Canada, having been received into communion with the church of England in 1749, and being well testified of by various clergymen, was appointed missionary of Trenton in 1753. He had the agreeable duty of announcing to the Society the conformity to the church of two hundred Presbyterians, and some families of Anabaptists, in the town of Amwell; and many of them "observing the peace and charity among our congregations, and the troubles and dissensions among others, contributed towards the erection of the church." §

There is hardly any name in the annals of the American which is better known than that of Dr. Chandler. In whatever character he be regarded, as a missionary, theologian, controversialist, biographer, or champion of the American episcopate, in every way he seems to demand a separate notice. Like many of the best missionaries in Report for 1753, p. 50. § Report for 1754, p. 56.

* Report for 1731, p. 51.
Report for 1750, p. 51.

America, he was recommended to the Society by Dr. Samuel Johnson, who thus introduces him :

"January 12, 1747.

"I write a few lines at the desire of the good people of Elizabeth Town, and of Mr. Thomas Bradbury Chandler, who they desire earnestly may succeed Mr. Vaughan, as they are entirely well satisfied in him, and he in them; and he, on that account, may be very likely to do much good there. And concerning him I can truly give this testimonial, that as he was bred at this college, and I have known him three years at least, he appears to me a truly valuable person, of good parts and competent learning for his time and our circumstances, being bachelor of arts of nigh two years and half standing, and of good morals and virtuous behaviour; and on all these accounts is of good estimation of all that know him. And I make no doubt that he will do every good service in answering the pious ends of the Society, if they shall think proper to employ him as catechist for the present, and in orders when he shall be of age, about a year and half hence."+

He was further commended by the Rev. Samuel Seabury, who had been personally acquainted with him at Yale College, as a person "of good character, descended from a family of honour and reputation in this country," and as one who," from his furniture in learning, prudence, gravity, sincere piety, and good temper, as well as agreeable voice," was likely to prove "very useful in the designs of the Society."‡ It is interesting to know that Mr. Chandler, as well as both Johnson and Seabury, had been educated in principles of dissent, but, on conviction, conformed to the church. He had first been designed for the office of catechist at the station of Bedford and Northcastle, New York; but, in consequence of the foregoing recommendations, he was, in May, 1748, appointed by the Society catechist at Elizabeth Town, New Jersey, on a stipend of 101. a-year. Soon after his arrival, he reported that he was diligently discharging the duties entrusted to him, by reading prayers and a sermon to "a full, steady congregation," on Sundays and many holidays; catechising between services, and visiting the people of every condition.§

In 1751 he was ordained missionary of the same station, including Woodbridge, on a salary now raised to 30%. a-year.

From the date of his first going as a catechist, the congregation, and, what is a better test, the communicants, began to increase. He says, "December, 10, 1754:-When I first came to this place, seven years ago, the number of communicants was something above forty; three years after, when I went to England, they were nigh sixty; and at present they amount to almost ninety. But the pains I have taken in order to this are considerable, both in visiting and preaching lectures in the distant parts of my mission. By means of a monthly lecture at Woodbridge, ten miles distant, which I voluntarily undertook, (and a regular attendance upon which through all the seasons has cost me

† Orig. Letters, vol. viii. p. 38.
§ Ibid. vol. x. p. 123.

much fatigue and many hardships,) there are now twenty families. professors of the Church of England, and several communicants, where, three years past, there was but one family."

These were, in point of fact, recovered from dissent, into which they had fallen from want of the ministrations of a clergyman; and soon after Mr. Chandler commenced his visits they built for themselves a small church.*

There cannot be a doubt that in America, as in England, the mass of dissenters has arisen from the neglect of the church. "As to Roman catholics," says Mr. Chandler, July 5th, 1762, "we have none in this province. The chief enemies of the church are the English dissenters of different denominations, who are thrice as numerous as its professors, and more active against us than our friends are for us."

In 1764, he incurred the displeasure of his congregation by refusing to allow Whitfield to preach in his pulpit, and the rather because this privilege had been accorded to him by the clergy of Philadelphia. But Chandler remained firm, believing that one who had set all the laws and authorities of the church at defiance, could not properly be admitted into the place of the teacher, and all ill-feeling on the subject soon abated. It leads him, however, to the very just remark that, "If the clergy say a word, even to their own people, concerning the unity of Christ's body, the nature of schism, or the necessity of authority derived from Christ in the ministers of his religion, the alarm is immediately sounded, we are stigmatized as factious, and not only so, but the venerable Society is abused on our account. If we are altogether silent on these heads, our own people grow indifferent, and in time may think it immaterial whether they are in communion with the church or join with a conventicle." And then, after alluding to some other embarrassing questions, occasioned by the intrusion of itinerant preachers into his parish, he continues," Extremely happy should I think myself in this case, as well as in many other difficulties which frequently arise, was there a Bishop in these parts, to whom I could apply for advice and direction. But if this is still judged to be too great a happiness for the church in America, so long persecuted by its enemies, and deserted by many of its pretended friends, we must submit. I hope the clergy will continue in the regular discharge of their duty with as much prudence and patience as possible, and leave the event to Providence.'

Allusions now become frequent in Chandler's correspondence to the questions which at this time excited so much animosity between the colonies and the mother country. "It is no secret at home," he says, July 5th, 1765, " that the people in this country are greatly dissatisfied with some late proceedings of the British parliament. How such a general discontent may operate is impossible to foresee. However, I do not apprehend any considerable effects from it in this province; but, should the worst happen, I think I can answer for my brethren, at least, I can promise for myself, that I will exert myself to the † MS. Letters.

*MS. Letter, Jan. 5th, 1762.

utmost to allay the ferment and to promote a peaceable submission to the higher powers, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake."

The following year, however, the aspect of affairs appeared more threatening. The spirit of resistance had become as determined as it was universal. Like many of the wisest men in this country, Dr. Chandler was desirous to see a conciliatory policy adopted, and, though resolutely opposed to the proceedings of the popular party, he maintained that much allowance was to be made for them, inasmuch as the home government had taken no pains to diffuse sounder principles among the colonists. From the date of the first settlements successive ministries had shewn the same blind disregard of the interests of the church which Sir Robert Walpole avowed in reference to Bishop Berkeley's noble project; and notwithstanding the stern lesson which the country has been taught by the successful rebellion of her transatlantic provinces, she seems still disposed to acquiesce in a continuance of the same infatuated policy.

The following letter deserves to be recorded as a document full of warning and instruction on this subject;

"Elizabeth Town, January 15th, 1766.

"The duty of a missionary in this country is now become more difficult than ever. It is hard to dissemble any truths or precepts of the Gospel, and some of them, relating to civil society, it is now become dangerous to declare. Such an universal spirit of clamour and discontent, little short of madness, and such an opinion of oppression, prevail throughout the colonies, as, I believe, were scarcely ever seen on any occasion in any country on earth. And it seems to be the determined, inflexible resolution of most people, from Halifax to Georgia, never to submit to what they esteem so great an infringement of their essential rights as some of the late acts of the British parliament.

"Every friend, therefore, to the happiness of the colonies, or even of Great Britain, who is acquainted with the case as it really is, must wish that the Parliament would relax of its severity; which yet, it must be confessed, will be no easy thing after such provocations as have been lately offered on the part of the colonies. But good policy, I humbly conceive, will rather put up with almost anything than drive matters to a dangerous extremity. Most probably the Parliament are able (although most people here pretend not to believe that they are) to enforce the Stamp Act; yet, should they resolve to do it, a disaffection of the colonies, of which there have been no visible symptoms before, will be undoubtedly established. The government must be put to a great expense, and the commerce of the colonies, so beneficial to England heretofore, will sink comparatively to a mere trifle for none will dare import anything but the bare necessaries of life, and, upon the examination that has been made, it is found that almost every real want can be supplied from ourselves. England has always been benefited nearly in proportion to the wealth and commerce of her colonies. Whether, therefore, any measures that directly tend to lessen that wealth and commerce can finally be of service to Great Britain, is a question which may not be unworthy the