The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace both now and evermore. Amen."

This society was merely an humble effort to improve the imperfect system of theological education, and was certainly an important aid to the private instruction of clergymen, which was still continued. Many look back with gratitude to the helps and advantages which it afforded to them; and some, perhaps, may number these among the means by which they have been raised in the Church to usefulness, respectability, and honour.

About two years after the establishment of this society, Mr. Hobart purchased a farm near Springfield, in New-Jersey, which is beautifully situated on a commanding eminence, overlooking a wide extent of country, with the intention and hope of being one day able to found there an Episcopal College, in connexion with a Theological Seminary. But the slumbering zeal of Churchmen was not yet awakened. He never ceased, however, to call public attention to this subject, till, by his conversation, his writings, his influence in procuring benefactions from some during their lives, and prevailing on others to leave a lasting memorial of themselves, when all things else might be forgotten, the great and noble work of a foundation for theological learning was auspiciously begun, and, as we trust, will at length be gloriously accomplished.

In the summer of 1807, Mr. Hobart published his Apology for Apostolic Order. This work was occasioned by the strictures and denunciations of the

Christian's Magazine, and addressed to its editor, the Rev. Dr. Mason. The reputation of this gentleman as an accomplished scholar, an eloquent preacher, and learned divine, had been long established in this country, and widely spread abroad. With a vigorous mind, a forcible style, and the full confidence of genius, he delighted, on all occasions, in bold and striking expressions; and when contending on theological points, he was apt to infuse into them a strong portion of bitterness and contempt. Rooted in his attachment to his peculiar principles, he was thought by many to have too little respect for the right of judgment in others, and to give to the defence of what he deemed the truth, too deep a tinge of prejudice and passion.

It was, therefore, an act of boldness, and almost of temerity, in Mr. Hobart, who was then so much less known, and but little skilled in controversy, to encounter the champion of the Presbyterian cause; but confiding in the goodness of his own, more than in his ability to defend it, he entered fearlessly upon the contest, and retired from it with credit to himself and advantage to the Church.

After noticing the general tone of the Christian's Magazine in regard to all who differ from the editor in their religious views, he asserts, "that it does not present a decided, yet decent defence of divine truth, and exposure of error, but an unrelenting system of intemperate denunciation ;" and he makes out the point so clearly, that it must be acknowledged by every impartial reader. He fully justifies the assertion," that throughout its pages there is an entire want of that delicacy of feeling, that

modest recollection of human infirmity, that tender regard for the character of others, which are strictly compatible with the sternest devotion to the cause of truth." This is more especially the case in respect to the review of the Collection of Essays on Episcopacy, and to the remarks on its advocates and defenders. Instead of a calm and dispassionate inquiry into the abstract truth or falsehood of their opinions, they are tortured into extreme consequences, which are not more odious than they are uncharitable and unjust. He then shows, that in defending their peculiar principles, they have only availed themselves of a common right, which it is the duty and the practice of all Christians to exercise; that no greater stress is laid upon external order in the Episcopal Church, than in the Presbyterian; and that all the censure which may be heaped upon the former for exclusive pretensions, is equally applicable to the latter in reference to other denominations. These points are treated with great dexterity and skill, and yet with perfect fairness and candour. In the remainder of the work, the general subject of Episcopacy is ably discussed; the concessions of the Continental reformers and later divines in favour of it are adduced, and the popular objections against it refuted.

From the circumstance of Mr. Hobart having followed the reviewer's train of remarks, the Apology is necessarily of a desultory character, and therefore less useful than if it were an orderly and welldigested work. It was long his wish and desire to divest it, as far as practicable, of its controversial form, in order to give it a general and permanent

interest; but in the constant succession of his labours and cares, this good intention was never accomplished. Had it passed through his hands when his style had acquired more precision and force, and been pruned of the redundancies with which it abounds-had the sallies of imagination and feeling which sprung out of temporary excitement been suppressed, and the whole chastened with the sober judgment and better taste of his riper years, it would have been worthy, not only of a much higher degree of admiration than it has already received both at home and abroad, but would have probably ranked among the best works on evangelical truth and apostolic order.

From Dr. Hobart to Archdeacon Daubeny.

"Archdeacon Daubeny.

"REV. SIR,

"New-York, Dec. 11, 1807.

"About two years ago I took the liberty to transmit to you two productions of mine, to which I was emboldened to solicit your attention; as they afforded an evidence that I was anxious, according to my humble talents, to diffuse, in my own country, those principles of primitive truth and apostolic order, for the extension of which, in Britain, you have so honourably and successfully laboured. Will you pardon the further liberty which I take of troubling you with some copies of a work in defence of my former productions against the attacks of a bitter opponent of Episcopacy in this city? One copy you will do me the favour to keep for yourself, and the others, should you think them VOL. I. 16

worthy of so much attention, to bestow on such of your friends as you may think proper.

"We have reason to believe that the Dissenters in England are active in the circulation of works written in this country against Episcopacy; and we have observed a notice in some late London periodical publications, that one of these works will be republished in that city. The principal motive, therefore, which leads me to trouble you with the books which accompany this letter, is to satisfy one so much interested as you must be in the welfare of the Apostolic Church throughout the world, that that branch of it which subsists in this country does not want sons determined to defend her to the best of their abilities. Should you honour my book with a perusal, you will find that the liberal use which, in my former productions, I made of your writings, induced an attack upon you, which I have endeavoured to repel.

“ To you, indeed, the cause of apostolic order is greatly indebted, and you merit the veneration and gratitude of all its friends. That Providence may preserve you for long and increasing usefulness in the Church of which you are so distinguished an ornament, permit me to say, Rev. Sir, is the sincere prayer of

"Your very respectful

"And obedient servant,

"J. H. HOBART."

To this letter the Archdeacon sent a full and

gratifying reply in the following spring.