These letters conclude the notice of what may be peculiarly termed the period 'militant' of Mr. Hobart's life, in which he stood forth, and at first almost solitary, a champion, as he may well be termed, for it required at that time no small courage to avow them, of the distinctive principles of the Church. At the time, opinions as to his course, even among Churchmen, were greatly divided; now, all unite as to the debt of gratitude due to him. However painful the contest, few, who examine into the subject, will deny its necessity; none can doubt the result. Since that period, outward respect and internal prosperity have marked the course of the Church he defended. The unfounded but popular prejudices by which it was before borne down have given way. It is no longer taunted with foreign attachment or hostility to civil liberty, for Dr. Hobart's pen not only cleared up, to the entire satisfaction of the public mind, the distinction between its temporal and spiritual government, but he was the foremost, also, to reject all such unholy union, and to exhibit the connection of Church and State, as events abroad are now showing it to be, a source of weakness to the Church, and not of strength. Church, too, no longer stands charged with a cold and formal service, for, as a Churchman, Dr. Hobart was as evangelical as he was apos

The

tolical, and exhibited the prayers of the Church, both in his writings, and his use of them, as combining all the requisites of a deep and heartfelt devotion.

Nor is it any longer liable to the reproach of having a laity uninterested in its concerns, or, uninstructed in its doctrines, or backward in any measures of Christian usefulness requiring personal sacrifice or liberal contribution. Such a charge would now be a calumny; but it was not so at the time when Mr. Hobart first came forward. The natural result of belonging to a Church that required not such exertions for its support, had made the majority of Episcopalians to be, rather hangers on,' than 'true members' of their Church; and in all matters of doctrinal controversy to feel much more like bystanders than affectionate children. To prove all things and hold fast that which is good,' was for them too troublesome a task; they left such matters to their clergy, whose duty it was; to co-operate in advancing the Church, by their time and money, was again too costly a sacrifice, they left that to denominations unblest with wealth.

Such, with some few exceptions, was the lethargic condition of the laity of the Church when the writings of their young champion aroused them, 'quasi classico dato,' as if by the sound of a trumpet for a time, however, they

were content rather to wonder than approve, and to admire the boldness rather than applaud the spirit of him who sought to rally them around an almost forgotten standard. But it was a blast long and loudly blown, giving courage to the timid, and time to the cautious; and the result of it has been, combined doubtless with many other causes, under the blessing of Heaven, to evangelize the character of Churchmen, making them prominent in every rational scheme of Christian beneficence.

But to return to some earlier events of a less public nature.

CHAPTER VII.

Letters from 1803 to 1808.

Letter from Governor Jay-Call to St. Paul's Church, PhiladelphiaInteresting Incident of a Conversion to the Romish Church-Influ ence over the Young-Letters - Dr. Berrian-Mr. A. McV—— -Mr. How-Anecdote of General Hamilton.

IN 1803, the following letter points out Mr. Hobart as an active member in the formation of the earliest of the religious societies of the Church in this Diocese. The letter itself, though one of mere acknowledgment, is also to be prized, as coming from one of the purest patriots of our Revolution.

Sir,

FROM HON. JOHN JAY

'Bedford, 21st January, 1803.

It was not until Monday last, that I received, by Mr. Munro, your letter of the 29th November last, mentioning that a Protestant Episcopalian Society had been instituted for promoting religion and learning in the State of New-York; and informing me that I had been elected an honorary member of it.

Be pleased to present my acknowledgments to the Society for the honor they have done me; and assure them that it will always give me pleasure to have opportunities of co-operating in the advancement of religion and learning.

Accept my thanks for the obliging terms in which you have communicated to me these circumstances; and believe me to be, Sir, with those sentiments of esteem which your character naturally inspires,

Your most obedient servant,

JOHN JAY.'

The Rev. J. H. Hobart,

Sec. of the B. of T, of P. E. S.

In the year 1804, Mr. Hobart received a call to the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia; his native city claimed him; his earliest and best friend, (Bishop White,) urged him, and his relations besought him to accept a proposal which would again unite them. But he had entered on a sphere of duty which was opening and expanding before him into extended usefulness, and after some struggle of native affection, he declined the proposition. In his reply he observes: 'My situation, in New-York, affords me every opportunity for the exercise of whatever means of usefulness I may possess.' 'Various considerations, therefore, of expediency and duty oppose, at present, what would otherwise be very gratifying to me—a residence in the place of my nativity and among my earliest friends.'

Among the more private incidents of this same year, there was one which deeply and painfully affected his mind. One of his female parishioners, a lady of education, talent, and