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pened to have more leisure, from the mere force of habit and his remarkable facility in this species of composition, they were generally written in the same haste. They are by no means, therefore, the best specimen either of his style or of his powers. Besides, many of them were composed when he was comparatively young, before the first had attained its final form, or the last their full maturity and vigour. These discourses, however, are written in an easy, flowing, and popular style, which, with the freedom and animation of his manner at the time of their delivery, gave them almost the air of extemporaneous discourses, and made them very captivating to the hearers. But though they have in many respects great excellencies, yet they cannot be regarded as finished compositions. The style is often wanting in precision, elegance, and grace. It is in general too much encumbered with epithets, which weaken its force. And occasionally it is deformed by the use of false and common-place ornaments, or by a confusion of figures. But notwithstanding these blemishes and defects, their merits are of a high order. The topics are well selected for the edification of a Christian people. They are practical, useful, and evangelical, in the best sense of that sacred but often misapplied term. The leading doctrines of the Gospel are continually set forth in the clearest manner, and Christian duty is always inculcated on Scriptural principles. A fervid glow pervades them, which even now is felt, but which once the kindling and stirring spirit of the speaker transfused through every heart. With all this warmth and freedom, the union is still pre

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served with soberness and truth. The thoughts are natural and just; the general treatment of the subject is always clear and intelligible; the divisions are sometimes singularly striking and happy; the reasonings are acute and convincing; the practical appeals and final application are often exceedingly affecting and impressive. Had the sprightliness of the Bishop's imagination been under the guidance of a severer taste-had there been as much felicity as there was freedom of expression-had there been as much vigour of style as there was boldness in his conceptions, he would have made one of the most powerful and eloquent preachers of the age.

His Charges and Pastoral Letters, which were written with greater care, and sometimes under stronger excitement, are among the most chaste and forcible of his writings; and some of his controversial pieces are the fairest exhibition of his theological learning and intellectual powers.

Bishop Hobart left England on the first of September, in the ship Canada, Captain Rogers, from Liverpool. He arrived early in the month of October, and was received with so warm a greeting that his heart melted within him, for the cordial congratulations of all seemed to confound the degrees of affection towards him, and each one whom he met appeared like a dear and personal friend. From Bishop Croes to Bishop Hobart.

New-Brunswick, Oct. 14, 1825.

"DEAR AND RIGHT REV. SIR,

"Having read in the Evening Post of yesterday, the very agreeable intelligence of your arrival from

Europe, I avail myself of the earliest opportunity to congratulate you on that happy event, and to express the great pleasure and satisfaction I feel that you are, by the goodness of God, restored to the bosom of your family, to your friends, your diocese, and to the Church generally, after so long and painful an absence. I hope, my dear Sir, that your health is entirely restored, and that you may be enabled to resume the duties of your diocese with that vigour, energy, and usefulness, so peculiarly yours.

"I intend, with Divine permission, to make you a short visit as early as possible, perhaps next week, towards the close of your Convention.

"With my best respects, and the respects of my family, to Mrs. Hobart and your children, whom we sincerely congratulate on this very happy occasion, "I am, my dear Sir,

"Your sincerc and affectionate
"Friend and brother,

"JOHN CROES."

From Bishop White to Bishop Hobart.

Philadelphia, Oct. 17, 1825.

RIGHT REV. AND DEAR SIR,

"The bearer, the Rev. Mr. Howell, has called to inform me, that he is starting this morning for New-York. I will not lose the opportunity of congratulating you on your safe return, which I should have done by Mr. Montgomery, had not the information of his going early in the morning reached me late on the preceding evening, and when I was engaged in company.

"I also beg leave to present my congratulations on the occasion to Mrs. Hobart and to all the members of your family, and remain

"Your affectionate brother,

"WILLIAM WHITE.

"P. S. You will easily believe that all the members of my family share in the satisfaction which I feel in the event.

“W. W."

From Bishop Ravenscroft to Bishop Hobart.

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Raleigh, Oct. 22, 1825.

"RIGHT REV. AND DEAR SIR,

"The public prints having announced that the wishes and prayers of many in your behalf are answered in your safe return to your country and family, I beg leave to present my congratulations on the happy event, and to assure you, that I feel thankful, not only for your safe return, but that it hath pleased God to sanctify the means used for the restoration of your health with full success.

"I cannot, I think, accuse myself of any tendency to enthusiasm, yet I am constrained to view the providences of the great Head of the Church towards you, as a speaking indication of his watchful care over his Church, and of his favour and goodness towards that branch of it planted in this country.

"From past experience we may flatter ourselves that the renewed health and strength conferred on you, with the watchful care which has preserved you by land and by water, will operate to produce yet more devoted exertions for the extension of that VOL. I.

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kingdom, which is to progress in its conquests, until the ends of the earth see the salvation of our God, and with one heart and one mouth confess Jesus to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

"In this arduous but happy work, permit the youngest of your brethren to offer his most sincere co-operation, and to add his earnest prayer to the supplications of many, that as you are restored, so may you be guided and supported in every endea vour for the advancement of the glory of God, the good of his Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of his people.

"Your affectionate brother in Christ,
"JOHN S. RAVENSCROFT."

On the Sunday after his return from Europe Bishop Hobart preached a sermon, which, from its novel and peculiar character, was heard with a great diversity of feeling and opinion among ourselves, and which attracted a considerable degree of attention abroad. He seemed to be perfectly aware of the effect which it would produce, but having deliberately made up his mind as to the propriety of the step, with his usual fearlessness he gave himself no trouble about the consequences. He remarked to the Rev. Dr. Montgomery and myself, who accompanied his that morning to Trinity Church, that he had intended to confer with us and a few others on the subject, but as the measure was a bold one, he had concluded that it was best to take the whole responsibility of

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upon himself. The train of observations was so entirely out of his ordinary course, (for in general no one confined himself more scrupulously to the topics

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