ment, singleness of purpose, fervent piety, devotion to the Church of the living God; all is beautiful, consistent, and harmonious throughout. Friendship was the solace of his life, and no man whom I ever knew so quickly inspired and so fully enjoyed it, amidst the checks and interruptions which it is apt to meet with in this selfish world.

The dark picture, therefore, which was drawn of him in the "Solemn Appeal," was so much at variance with his general character, that it would be an utter violation of probability to suppose it faithful and correct.

Such was the prevailing sentiment at the time when it appeared. Dr. Hobart was elected to the Episcopal office by the suffrages of the great body of the clergy and laity; and none had more reason to deplore the effects of this rash and intemperate publication than its unhappy author, whom it deprived at once of an enviable situation, and irreparably injured in the public esteem.

And here I will take occasion to remark, that I entered upon this subject with unfeigned reluctance, and have reviewed it with the utmost pain and regret; but it was so intimately connected with an important period of Bishop Hobart's life, as to make silence impossible. I have not written under the influence of early prejudice and dislike. In my youth I entertained a respect for Mr. Jones's character, and had a due sense of his kindness. The change in my opinions arose entirely out of his public conduct. But, much as I disapproved of this, it was not without commiseration for its consequences to himself; and God knows, that, if it VOL. I. 18

could have been avoided, I would neither have followed him beyond the grave, nor revived the sorrows of the living.

But after the settlement of this important question, the Church was still kept for some time in a state of agitation. The restless and discontented made the most violent attacks on her authorities, endeavoured to thwart the exercise of discipline, and seemed to take pleasure in prolonging disturbance and confusion. These measures received a degree of countenance from some persons of weight and consideration, who either had formed, as we conceive, erroneous opinions on the points in dispute, or allowed their commiseration for the case of an individual to prevail over their regard for the general good. Bishop Hobart met these assaults with promptitude and vigour, preserving great coolness of temper under the strongest motives to excitement, and not only vindicating his cause with success, but heightening the reputation which he had already acquired by new proofs of his intellectual power. The various controversies, however, which arose out of this unhappy contention, embarrassed him for a while in the discharge of his Episcopal duties. In the following year he entered upon them with an ardour and zeal which were never afterwards abated by similar discouragements, but uniformly excited and cherished by the countenance, support, and approbation of those who were committed to his charge; and even some of the clergy who were conspicuous in their opposition to him during the controversy with Mr. Jones, as well as several among the laity, not only changed their

unfavourable opinions of him, but were afterwards numbered among his warmest supporters and friends.

In consequence of the turbulent scenes through which he had recently passed, it will be seen, by the following letter, that he felt a more ardent desire than ever for rural retirement and peace. From Dr. Hobart to the Rev. John M'Vickar.

"REV. AND DEAR SIR,

"New-York, Nov. 9, 1811.

"It gives me the greatest pleasure to see you so seriously engaged in the labours of your ministry. I almost envy you your happy retirement; with sufficient calls of duty to admit of your usefulness, and none of those perplexing cares that encroach on the plans of study and the joys of domestic life. A clergyman, usefully situated as you are, surrounded by all his friends, and with all the pleasures of rural life, has many things for which to be thankful. Perhaps hereafter the calls of duty may lead you to more public scenes, and then I think, if you should feel as I do, you will more fully appreciate your present enjoyments.

"I am,

From Dr. Kollock (at Savannah) to Bishop Hobart.

"MY DEAR HOBART,

"It is late on Saturday afternoon, and my sermons are not finished for to-morrow, yet I cannot

permit the Juno, which sails in the morning, to depart without a few lines to assure you that neither interposing seas nor difference of communion can diminish my love and esteem for you. Wherever my lot may be cast during the years I have to spend on earth, my heart shall ever be warmed with affection to you, and till its last throb I shall not cease to regard you as a faithful, tender, and long-tried friend.

"Since my return I have been unusually occupied. I arrived in the height of the sickness, and for some time was standing at the couches of the dying and over the graves of the dead. How deeply ought such scenes to teach us to look for a more durable portion than this world can give!

"My health has never been better than since my arrival, and I hope soon to acquire again the habits of a student. I have become a true Presbyterian in my regimen. This produces such a lightness of body and vigour of mind, that I shall persevere in it during my life.

"I have begun to my people, the life of our Saviour, in the form of sermons. I hope that the study and contemplation of this great Exemplar' will not be lost upon myself, and will be useful to my flock. I shall devote all my powers to this course of sermons. They embrace subjects which deserve to engross all the energies of the mind. If you meet with any new works that are really good, and that will assist me, be so kind as to purchase them for me; and also (if you are not using it, and if you do not feel any apprehension of its being lost on so long a voyage) lend me Bishop Taylor's Great

Exemplar. It shall be carefully used and safely returned.

"The pews of my church were rented about a fortnight since at public auction, (which has always been the custom here,) for the ensuing year. The rents amounted to seven thousand six hundred and eighty-eight dollars; a strong proof that the people are not indifferent to the public ordinances of religion. We want more churches here very much; and I find, with great delight, that the vestry of the unfinished Episcopal church have at last resolved to complete it. Next year they expect to have it ready for public worship, when they intend sending on a call to Mr. Beasley. Were he with me, I should indeed be happy.

"How proceeds the 'bellum Episcopale?' Have any new champions appeared on either side? Write me particularly concerning the progress of the controversy. Though it does not appear to me of the same consequence as to you, yet I must be interested wherever you are one of the combatants. "Adieu, my dear Hobart; it is so dark that I cannot see to proceed.

"Your sincere friend,

"H. KOLLOCK."

About this period a very accomplished scholar and divine of our Church submitted to Bishop Hobart the plan of a periodical publication, in which it was intended to treat only of those subjects in which most Christians agree, and to exclude from it all those more controverted points which would hinder its general circulation. This it was thought