CHAPTER XX. EPISCOPATE OF DR JOHN MATTHIAS TURNER, stances Turner to accept the Bishopric. 1. THE successor of Bishop James was the Rev. CircumJohn Matthias Turner, rector of Wilmslow, in which inCheshire, prebendary of Lincoln, and examining duced Dr chaplain to the Bishop of Chester. It appears that he was selected for the office not long after Dr James had signified his intention to resign. For Lord Ellenborough, to whom he had for some time been known, offered him the appointment, and in a postscript to a letter to Sir John Malcolm,' his lordship states "I am going to send you a very excellent new Bishop, whenever Dr James resigns-Mr J. M. Turner. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and indeed all the Bishops I have seen, are quite satisfied that Mr Turner is as fit a man as could have been selected. He will be mild and firm. He is a very good and pious man, without worldly notions, and really devoted to his high calling." The following pages will shew the correctness of this estimate of Dr Turner's character and capabi 1 Published in the Bengal Hurkaru, June 1. 1830, No memoir or journal of Bishop Turner having been published, this chapter is drawn up from the best sources of information the author could procure. VOL. V. XX. CHAP. lities for the post to which he was raised. When the appointment was offered him, he determined to accept it, not from any overweening self-confidence or ambitious views, but influenced, doubtless, in a great measure, by the dying injunction of his wife, recently deceased.1 Yet, though his heart was given to the cause of Christianity in India, "he still lingered from better motives than personal peril, and would much rather have preferred a less conspicuous and responsible station in his Saviour's vineyard." Interviews with Mis 2. After his appointment was settled, he was insionary vited by the Christian Knowledge, the Gospel ProSocieties. pagation, and the Church Missionary Societies, to meet their several committees, and in his interviews with them, he gave them assurance of his intention to tread in the steps of his predecessors, and extend his patronage and protection to their operations in different parts of his diocese. At the anniversary meeting of the Church Missionary Society in 1829, he gave, in the following address, his view of the missionary work, and of the benefit of trials and difficulties attending it :-"I shall take leave to offer a few suggestions, by way of encouragement It is said, that "this excellent woman, on her deathbed, in reply to an inquiry whether he ought to accept the Bishopric of India in case it were offered him, as probably it might be, entreated him by no means to decline it. She urged him, at whatever sacrifice of ease, or health, and favourable prospects at home, to go out in the spirit of a martyr to that distant land; not counting his life dear to himself, if by any means he might promote the glory of his Redeemer and the welfare of immortal souls for whom He died. She had before her eyes the names and early loss of Middleton, and Heber, and James; but she bid him let none of these things move him, but in the faith and strength of his Lord go wherever his sacred vows of fidelity as a servant and ambassador of Jesus Christ impelled him." Vide a "Brief Notice" of Bishop Turner, published in the Christian Observer and Missionary Register for 1832. to those who have exerted themselves in promoting missionary labours, and who have closely and anxiously considered this subject. That difficulties and hindrances should lie in the way of missionary labours, is nothing more than might be expected: but it is consoling to think, that many of the difficulties are transitory; and there is encouragement in the reflection, that there are no difficulties or obstructions which patience may not endure and perseverance subvert. It is a sufficient incentive to consider, that thousands are famishing to partake of those counsels of wisdom, which it is the object of missionary labours to supply to all, and that the promised reward of such labours is the treasure of everlasting love. In the difficulties and hindrances which present themselves to the progress of missionary labours, it is also to be observed, that the fulfilment of an express promise may be recognised. It is nothing more than what the holy Scriptures give the friends of the missionary cause reason to expect. It is necessary that the leaven should purify itself gradually, until all should be purified ; and that the light should shine more and more, until at length all is brightness. In reading the history of military achievements or of commercial adventure, the mind is distressed by considering the loss of life which such contests and enterprises lead to, and thousands fall victims to war or to commercial enterprise; but, in this peaceful, but glorious struggle, comparatively few lives have been lost, and the names of the individuals who have fallen victims to their zeal for propagating the Gospel may be counted man by man. The objects, however, with which wars are in general commenced and commercial speculations carried on, are extremely insignificant, even when confessedly just and laudable, compared with the great cause which this meeting has assembled for the purpose CHAP. of advancing; and which must prosper, because it has the sanction of God himself.1 XX. Holds a confirma tion at the Cape, and establishes a Sunday school. sal from 3. Bishop Turner embarked for India July 15. 1829, stopping a few days at Madeira, Rio, and the Cape of Good Hope. At the Cape he preached, held a confirmation, and visited the Government day schools and college. He also established a Sunday school, commenced an afternoon service in the school-room, chiefly for the benefit of the Sunday scholars, and guaranteed the payment of three years' salary for a master and mistress. The success of this school exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those who took an interest in it. Many a child," writes one gentlman from the Cape, "of every shade and hue might justly be taught to bless the name of Bishop Turner. fact, I have been assured by those who are acquainted with the colony, that his visit gave a decided spring to the social-religious feelings, so to speak, of this town."2 In 4. Before the Bishop sailed from Portsmouth, he received a communication from the Colonial Office, Conveys intimating a wish, that, on his arrival at the Cape, the propo- he would communicate with the Governor, Sir Govern- Lowry Cole, for the purpose of ascertaining what arrange an arrangements it would be desirable to adopt, with ecclesiasti- reference to the ecclesiastical establishment of the blishment colony. The governor being absent during the ment to cal esta there whole period of his visit, the Bishop conferred with the acting authorities and the senior chaplain, the Rev. George Hough; and, "after diligent inquiry," 1 Missionary Register 1829, p. 296. A letter, in MS., to the present Bishop of St Asaph, dated from Government House, Cape of Good Hope, February 7. 1833, which, with other documents, his lordship has kindly entrusted to the author for his use. he wrote, "I am satisfied that the general feeling of the more respectable classes at this moment is favourable to our Church; the personal character and declared views of the present governor, and of Lady Frances Cole, have had a most salutary influence; those who were disposed to activity have had their hands strengthened; the hostile are conciliated; and many who professed indifference have been induced to declare themselves." Then, after expressing a confident hope of success if this concurrence of favourable circumstances were improved, he remarks--"The several points to which the Society's attention should be turned may be enumerated under the following heads :-1, The appointment and maintenance of the clergy; 2, The erection of churches; 3, The establishment of schools; 4, Missionary institutions for the direct object of converting the heathen." Having enlarged upon each of these heads, and stated that, in reference to the first, he had fully communicated his sentiments to Government, the Bishop concluded his despatch in the following impressive terms :-" I should apologise to the Board for the length to which this letter has been extended, if I did not feel persuaded that the subject will justify a large demand on their attention. The question is nothing less than this, whether a colony so fertile in resources, so rapidly advancing in civilisation and social importance, shall or shall not form a part of our national church? Should this question be resolved favourably, we shall look forward with confidence to the issue; but should the decision be adverse, we must be prepared to see this powerful dependency, not merely alienated from He is writing to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Vide Report 1830, pp. 35-37. |