CHAPTER NINTH.

A great object accomplished-Preparations for returning to America-Dr. Inglis in London-A kind letter-Departure from Falmouth-Long and boisterous passage-Sea-sickness -Arrival at New York on Easter-day--Bishop Provoost welcomed by his Convention-Address of the Rev. Abraham Beach-The Bishop's reply-God's blessing invoked.

AVING accomplished the great object which had brought them to England, Bishops Provoost and White made all haste to return home. Our readers will remember Dr. Inglis, who re

signed the rectorship of Trinity Church, New York, at the close of the Revolution.* This was the same gentleman whom Dr. Provoost met with soon after his arrival in London. The day after the consecration of the American Bishops, he addresses this kind note to Dr. Provoost:

"Monday Morning, February 5, 1787.

"MY DEAR SIR-I do assure you I was not a little mortified in being prevented by my

* He became Bishop of Nova Scotia in 1787. We have already collected many valuable materials for his biography.

DR. INGLIS'S NOTE TO DR. PROVOOST. 73

lameness from attending at your consecration, and that of Dr. White, yesterday; and from congratulating you both on the occasion, which I now do most sincerely, and fervently pray that the great Shepherd and Bishop of the Church may direct and prosper the endeavors of you both for the promoting of true religion, and the support of our depressed Church in America.

"It was my full intention to have called on you this morning with my two children, that you might see them, and give an account of them to their sister at New York; but my ankle still continues to be so much swelled and inflamed that I cannot possibly stir out. My little boy, John, was in town, and I send him with this as the representative of the whole. The several letters from my children and myself to our friends in New York, I have put under one cover, directed to Mr. Ellison, as it will lessen your trouble.

"You will not, I presume, set out for Falmouth till after dinner; suppose then that you and Dr. White were to come and take a family dinner with me. You may have it at any hour you choose. It will be extremely pleasing to me, and I could mention some particulars which I wish to communicate, and have not

time to write down. But if hurry should prevent this, give my love to Dr. White. I sincerely wish you and him a safe voyage, and a speedy sight of your friends. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Provoost, and my good old friends at New York, whom I often think of with affection and esteem; not excepting even those in whose conduct there might have been some appearance of unkindness.

"Sincerely wishing you health and happiness, I am most affectionately yours,

"CHARLES INGLIS.

"RIGHT REVEREND DR. PROVOOST."

Time was pressing. The two Bishops had to decline many urgent invitations extended to them by English friends. And on the evening of the day next succeeding their consecration, Bishops White and Provoost left London for Falmouth, which they reached on the 10th of the month. They were there detained by contrary winds (no steamships then) until Sunday 18th, when they embarked; and after a voyage of seven weeks, during which Bishop Provoost was so ill that it was feared he would not live, they arrived in New York, the Bishop having happily recovered, on Easter day, April 8th.

ADDRESS OF THE CONVENTION.

75

Bishop Provoost had every reason to be gratified with his reception, as he was cordially greeted by his fellow-citizens of all denominations.

The first Convention of his Diocese, after his return, was held in St. Paul's Chapel, New York, in June, 1787, and consisted, besides himself, of six clergymen, and twenty-three lay deputies, representing seventeen parishes. He was then formally received in his new character by the Diocese, in the following address to him, in the name of the Convention, by its Secretary, the Rev. Abraham Beach:

"RIGHT REVEREND SIR-We, the clergy and laity, representatives of the Protestant Episcopal Church, now assembled in Convention, beg leave to address you, on this solemn occasion, with sentiments of duty and unfeigned respect.

"After having successfully accomplished the great object which you had in view, we congratulate you on your return to your native city, safe from the hazards of a long and tempestuous voyage, and in a great measure restored to health from a painful and dangerous illness.

"While we express, in terms of the warmest

gratitude, the high obligations we are under to the English Bishops for their paternal interposition in our favor, we beg leave to present to you our hearty thanks for your compliance with our desires; and thus, through many difficulties and sufferings, rendering our Church complete in all its parts.

"This propitious event, so long and ardently wished for, forms an important era in the history of our Church. We are now, by Divine Providence, placed in such a situation that a regular succession of the ministry may be continued to us and our posterity, without being reduced to the necessity of applying to a distant land.

"Justly reposing the highest confidence in your integrity and piety, your love of peace and order, and in your unremitted endeavors for the advancement of true religion and virtue, we rejoice that the distinguished honor of filling one of the first Episcopal chairs in these United States hath been conferred on a character so truly estimable; and we trust that we, and those whom we represent, shall never fail to render you all due support, respect, and

reverence.

May it graciously please the Almighty Ruler of the universe so to bless your minis