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trations, that a firm foundation may be laid for the peace and prosperity of our Church, which shall remain unshaken to the latest ages. And may you, Right Reverend Sir, long continue in the discharge of your sacred office, an example for our imitation, and an ornament to our holy religion; and may we, and all those committed to your pastoral charge, derive from your ministrations a benefit which will be of everlasting duration so that when we are called to answer for our actions, we may give an account with joy; and remain one flock, under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ, the Bishop of our souls."

To this the Bishop replied as follows:

"REVEREND AND MOST DEARLY BELOVED-This affectionate address, your obliging congratulations on my return to my native city, and on the recovery of my health, and above all, your assurances of support in my ministrations, I receive with the utmost satisfaction and thankfulness.

"The object of my late mission being the independence of our Church, and a regular succession of the ministry, was of such magnitude, that its happy accomplishment cannot fail of inspiring all its members with the highest gratitude to Almighty God, and to all who,

under Him, have by their good offices contributed to its success. To the English Bishops, particularly, we are under indelible obligations, and I cordially unite with you in a public testimony of their benevolent and paternal exertions in our favor. Whenever we shall reflect on this important era in the history of our church, they must be remembered with honor and reverence. Let us, my beloved friends, zealously strive to make due improvement of the spiritual privileges which we now enjoy. Let our faith be sincere, and our lives unblemished, as our doctrine and worship are pure and holy, and God will continue to shower down His blessings upon us and our Church with a bountiful hand.

"May you, my Reverend Brethren, aided by His gracious Spirit, continue to be watchful shepherds of the flocks committed to your charge, and maintain the doctrines and discipline of this excellent Church with constancy and zeal, and at the same time with candor towards those who differ from us in religious opinions, that our moderation may be made manifest, and we may joyfully contribute to that peace, and love, and charity which are so strongly enforced in the Gospel of our blessed Redeemer.

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"Deeply sensible of my own imperfections, I feel with solicitude the weight of the important office to which I am consecrated. I rely only on the grace of God to enable me to discharge my pastoral duties with fidelity, to be instrumental in promoting true religion and virtue, in governing this Church in peace and unanimity, and laying a sure foundation for its lasting prosperity; that thus, through His divine protection, your expectation of my usefulness may not be disappointed.

"And now, unto God's gracious mercy and protection I commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord make His face to shine upon you! The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and evermore!"

CHAPTER TENTH.

Early history of the Church in New York-Services in the old fort-Increase of the congregation-Colonel Fletcher's zealous efforts-Royal grant for the benefit of the Church-Honored names-Queen Anne's gift-The "Queen's farm," then and now "The finest church in North America"-Choice of a clergyman-Mr. Vesey-Interesting particulars concerning him The various rectors of Trinity Parish, to the days of Bishop Provoost-Prosperous condition of the Church.

T is time for us to be saying something about the history of the Church in the Diocese over which Dr. Provoost now began to exercise the authority of a Bishop.

When we remember that the first settlers of New York were Dutch, we cannot be surprised at reading in Humphrey's history, that "no face of the Church of England" was seen there until the year 1693.

An act was then passed, under the government of Colonel Fletcher, for maintaining Church clergymen, who were to be chosen by the respective vestries.

The first regular services of the Episcopal Church, in the city of New York, were cele

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brated in a chapel erected in the old fort which stood near the Battery.

The ministers of the Church of Holland had officiated in the same place while the Dutch had possession of the town.

As the congregation which attended upon the Episcopal services increased, a larger building was needed, but several years passed away before any steps were taken for its erection.

"Colonel Fletcher, the newly appointed governor of the colony, was one of the first who moved in this business. As the greatest part of this province consisted of Dutch inhabitants, all the governors thereof, as well in the Duke of York's time as after the Revolution, thought it good policy to encourage English preachers and schoolmasters in the colony. For this commendable zeal, Colonel Fletcher has been reviled and denounced by Smith, one of the earliest writers of the history of New York, as a bigot to the Episcopal form of Church government. But as he had declared, at a meeting of the Colonial Assembly, that he would take care that neither heresy, sedition, schism, nor rebellion should be preached among them, nor vice and profanity encouraged, so he earnestly labored to carry out his purposes to good effect. His measures were violently op