"I learn from a source entitled to credit, that the change proposed in the ecclesiastical constitution of that diocese will be carried, though not without opposition; and if so, what in such event is likely to be the course pursued by the House of Bishops? what ought to be their course under existing circumstances? and what the probability that the real interests of the Church and of true religion will prevail against the specious but fallacious pretence of maintaining peace by yielding to innovation?

"These are subjects which haunt me, I may almost say, and which even the anxiety consequent on the daily decline of my poor wife's health cannot shut out. Is it proper that some interchange of opinion between the bishops should take place?

Is it proper and prudent that precautionary measures should be set on foot, while the danger may be considered as only possible? And may I request your view of the whole? ***.

"I greatly regret that so little intercourse takes place between the bishops, as I have reason personally to lament. I do not think it is right, officially speaking, and certainly the late and present state and temper of the American Church calls for concert, union, and firmness amongst those who, as watchmen, stand answerable not only for present but for future interests, and these such as involve the glory of God and the salvation of men.

"I need not say, I trust, that I shall rejoice to hear from you, to receive the benefit of your greater experience, more extended range of observation, and intimate knowledge of character, and that I shall most readily communicate that information

which a knowledge of the principles and views of the leaders in Virginia, acquired by a service of six years as their fellow presbyter, has given me.

* * *

"For the re-establishment of my health, now much improved, I am debarred from my usual course of visitations during the winter. But it would still have been thus, in the providence of Almighty God, by the serious, I fear I may say, hopeless state of Mrs. Ravenscroft's health, over whose daily decaying frame I have to watch continually. She is, however, patient and cheerful, possessing 'the confidence of a certain faith, and the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope,' for which I heartily thank an ever gracious God, and pray that the like consolation may be yours and mine in that trying season.

"Your affectionate friend and brother,

"JOHN S. RAVENSCROFT.”

There is a very important feature in the public character of Bishop Hobart, which, perhaps, in the first place, contributed more than any thing else to his elevation to the Episcopal office, and after he had attained it, to the increase of his influence and consideration, that I find myself unable to represent, except in a very imperfect and general manner. His talents for public business were of the highest order. Fond of its excitement, patient of all its details, clear and sagacious in his views, prompt in action, full of resources, there was nothing which he did not understand, and nothing which he was not at all times prepared to engage in with interest,

and to act upon with decision. He was, therefore, one of the few who form the life and soul of every public assembly, and who influence, direct, and control its deliberations. Without being forward or assuming, he was always self-possessed, confident in his own powers, prepared for any emergency, and roused to a more vigorous exertion of his intellect when taken by surprise. On occasions of this kind he not only spoke with ease and fluency, but sometimes rose to a high and commanding eloquence.* But though it is well known that he took a most active part as a presbyter in the business of our State Convention, that from an early period of his ministry he made himself conspicuous in the general councils of the Church, and that he exercised a great degree of influence at a later period in the House of Bishops, yet it is difficult to point out the

* The late Rufus King, who was an admirable judge of the wisdom and eloquence in others, of which he himself furnished so illustrious an example, entertained the most favourable opinion of Bishop Hobart in regard to both. In a communication which I have received from Charles King, Esq. he remarks, that he has "heard his father more than once, in adverting to the influence which the Bishop exercised in various deliberative bodies where they met, speak with high admiration of his powers and promptness as a debater. He often used to say, that if the Bishop had been a politician instead of a clergyman, he could not have failed of obtaining and preserving a great ascendency in public assemblies, by those qualities of his mind which enabled him to perceive with intuition the weak points of an adversary's argument, and urge with convincing earnestness the strong points of his own. When to this was added that sincerity of purpose which was so obvious in all that he said, it may readily be believed that it was difficult to withstand him."

important questions in which he was engaged, or the occasions on which he was particularly distinguished; for no record is kept of the debates in our conventions, and little else can be learned from the Journals than the result of their proceedings. The persons with whom he acted before his elevation to the Episcopal office, are for the most part dead, and at this distance of time accurate informatica on these points cannot be obtained from those who are living. The same remarks may in a great measure be applied to the more private discussions in which he was engaged in the House of Bishops.

In the autumn of 1828 the plan of a clerical association was formed by a few of the clergy in the city of New-York and its immediate neighbourhood; the object of which was declared to be "the promotion of the personal piety and the official usefulness of its members by devotional exercises, and by conversation on missionary and such other religious subjects as might conduce to mutual edification.' The purity of intention on the part of those by whom it was instituted, and the fair promise of usefulness which it held out, would have commended it to the favour of common observers; but the Bishop, with his usual penetration and sagacity, observed in it those seeds of evil and discord which would inevitably spring up amidst the good fruits, and endeavoured at once to check its establishment and growth. Fond of the good old paths, and witnessing the happy effects of a strict adherence to all the usages of our Church, he was not easily led astray by specious appearances, but preferred the sure advantages of experience to the uncertain hopes of novelty

and innovation. He therefore regarded this scheme with a scrutinizing eye, and when he had surveyed it in all its tendencies and probable results, and was satisfied of its inexpediency, he communicated his opinions to the clergyman by whom it was originally proposed, with the earnest desire that it might be abandoned. After a kind discussion of the subject between them, the Bishop entertained the hope that there would be an end of the matter, and the undoubted conviction that it would not be finally resolved on without further communication with him.

In this, however, his frank and confiding nature misled him. The Bishop soon learned that a meeting of several of the clergy had been called, with a view of organizing the plan. He immediately resolved on seeing two of them, and stated earnestly and solicitously, but with as much mildness as was in his power, the reasons which convinced him that, laudable as was their object, the plan which they proposed for accomplishing it was inexpedient and unnecessary. A statement nearly similar was also made on a different occasion, in a spirit of frankness ¿and kindness, to another of the clergymen who took the lead in the measure. But notwithstanding all these conciliatory and precautionary measures, notwithstanding his objections, his wishes, and almost his solicitations, he found that his endeavours were unavailing. The association was organized. Efforts were made to extend it. It was publicly announced

Something must have been said, probably in a courteous way, and with a view of getting rid of the subject, which admitted of this inference, though it might not have been so thought nor intended on the part of the speaker.