Annals of Scottish episcopacy, from the year 1788 to the year 1816, inclusive;

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Columbia ^niberssitp

LIBRARY

ANNALS

ov

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY.

5? ^

lis

John Moir, Printer,
JT.dinburgh, 1818.

A'ngr-ai'u/ by TPT^ondJlvm a Mirn,iti,re Pain fed fy ^4.7?obfrts,»i .

-Pkil/jhiii 3/w ff f^MiS bvAMrown.^berdeerv.

' ANNALS

OP

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY,

FROM THE YEAR I788 TO THE YEAR I8I6,
INCLUSIVE;

SEIKG THE PERIOD DURING WHICH THE LATE

RIGHT REV. JOHN SKINNER, OF ABERDEEN,

HELD THE OFFICE OF

Senior 3$is!)op anU ^Jrimus t

OF WHOM

A BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

IS PREFIXED.
BY THE

REV. JOHN SKINNER, A. M.

FORFAR. """^

Sit Rector operatione prsecipuus, ut -vitae viam subditis vivendo
denuntiet, et gi'ex, qui pastoris vocem moresque sequitur, per
EXEMPLTJM melius quilm per verba gradiatur. Greg. Mac

EDINBURGH :

PRINTED FOR A. BROWN AND COMPANY, ABERDEEN
LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN ^
AND J. HATCHARD, LONDON.

181S.

MEMOIR

OF

BISHOP SKINNER.

U

140798

ROU AN ORIGINAL OftAwlNC IN THE POSSESSION OF

THE EIGHT BET W. SKTONEK. M). ABEEDEEN.

Piibhsluia IjyBlacTne i. Son. GlaaJM

MEMOIR, %c.

The late Senior Bishop and Primus of the Scotch
Episcopal Church, was the second son of the
Rev. John Skinner, Episcopal clergyman, for 61^
years and upv/ards, in the parish of Longside, in
the district of Buchan and county of Aberdeen.
His mother was the eldest daughter of the Rev.
Mr Hunter, the only Episcopal clergyman in the
remote islands of Shetland, and the last of the
Episcopal persuasion whose services were sought
for, in that detached part of the British empire.
That Bishop Skinner was eminently blessed in
both his parents, he himself has not failed to make
known, having, in the year 1809, published an

A 2

MEMOIR OF

interesting biographical memoir of his father, pre-
fixed to the learned theological works of that
distinguished divine ; in which memoir, he gives
the following amiable character of his beloved
mother : — that " to her husband she was the first
of all earthly blessings, a sweetly soothing, af-
fectionate wife, his dear companion, who minis-
tered tenderly to all his wants for the uncommon
space of 58 years."

The subject of the present Memoir was born on
the 17th of May 1744, and educated, with an el-
der brother, at the parochial school of Longside.
When in his ninth year, it happened that his fa-
ther was very unexpectedly apprehended, and,
by a warrant of the Sheriff-substitute of Aber-
deenshire, committed to the common jail of the
county, being charged with a breach of the act
of Parliament, which deprived the Episcopal cler-
gy in Scotland of the right of officiating to more
than four persons, besides their own families.
Mr Skinner '' unwilling," says his biographer,
" to give the court any trouble in calling evidence
to prove his having been guilty of this offence,
emitted before the Sheriff' a voluntary confession,
acknowledging that, in the discharge of his pro-
fessional duty, he had been in the practice of offi-
ciating to more than the statuted number j in

BISHOP SKINNER. -^

consequence of which confession he was senten-
ced to six months imprisonment, which, commen-
cing on the 26th of May 1753, ended on the same
day in November following."

It may naturally be supposed that a clergyman
so respected through life as Mr Skinner was, be-
ing carried to prison like a common felon, would
excite, in no small degree, the indignation of his
hearers, and of the whole surrounding country.
The boys at school regarded the event with unu-
sual emotions of consternation and alarm ; and,
deeming imprisonment a prelude to execution,
they so wrought on the tender and affectionate
hearts of Mr Skinner's sons, that they actually
believed they never should be permitted to see
their beloved father again.

From that moment, John became the most
miserable little creature alive. He loathed his
food, his sleep forsook him, and he would have
pined to death, had not his father been permitted
to receive him as his companion and bed-fellow
in prison, where, it was remarked, the boy had
not been a week immured, when he became as
well and as lively as ever.

Previous to his going to College, John, to-
gether with his elder brother, James Skinner,
(who died upwards of twenty years ago in North

6

MEMOIR OF

America,) was committed to the charge of his
grandflither, parochial schoohnaster of Echt, in
the county of Aberdeen ; a man, " whose diU-
gence was such in the line of his profession, that
he fitted out more young men for the university
than most country schoolmasters of his day*."
And when the reader is informed, that Mr Skin-
ner of Longside had himself no other instructor
in, the Latin language, yet was pronounced *' to
have written the best Latin of any Scotchman
since Buchanan," the above eulogium, from the
pen of his pupil and grandson, cannot be deemed
merely complimental.

Although competently skilled in the learned
languages, whether it was that the son found
himself no match for his father in classical at-
tainments, or that, though a fond admirer of
Latin verse, his genius took a different bent,
Bishop Skinner never attempted Latin composi-
tion in any form. Nor does he seem, as was his
father's case, to have attracted notice, while a
student at Marischal College in the University of
Aberdeen, beyond that which a youth, whose
talents are respectable and morals correct, does
at all times attract.

* See Vol. I. of Theological Works of Mr Skinner of Long-
side, p. 4.

BISHOP SKINNER. 7

Having, in the year 176l, finished his mathe-
matical and philosophical studies, Mr John Skin-
ner, as is common with candidates for holy orders
in Scotland, was employed as a private tutor ; in
which capacity he lived for two years, in the
family of Sir Hugh Paterson of Bannockburn,
near Stirling. That, at this period, the father
and son occasionally corresponded in Latin is
not improbable, since, in December 176l> the
former addressed to the latter an Ode in Latin
Sapphic verse, which the Bishop has published
in the memoir of his father's life ; and which, as
the following letter will shew, has been admired
for the charming domestic picture which it ex-
hibits.

LETTER L

LORD WOODHOUSELEE TO BISHOP SKINNER.

Edinburgh, November 28. 1809.
" I had the pleasure of receiving a few days
ago, from Mr Moir the printer, the two copies
of your father's posthumous works ; one of them
very elegantly bound, as I understand, according
to your directions. This favour was not necessary,
in addition to the honour you did me in dedi-

MEMOIR OF

eating the volume of poetry to me, in terms (1
fear) of unmerited encomium ; an honour, how-
ever, of which I am justly proud, as not only
affording me a valued testimony of your regard,
but as associating my name with a character so
highly respectable, both for his virtues and liter-
ary talents, as your venerable father.

" With his exemplary worth and abilities, as
it was not my good fortune to be acquainted
from personal knowledge, farther than the inter-
change of a letter or two in the very end of his
days, I have now obtained a very competent ac-
quaintance from the ample and excellent memoir
which you have drawn up of his life. This bio-
graphical account, I think, you have executed
with great judgment, blending the detail of facts
with the progressive history of the writings and
literary correspondence, so as to form, on the
whole, a very interesting and instructive nar-
rative. The concluding part I particularly ad-
mire, and indeed could not read it without emo-
tion.

" It was well judged to make the volume of
poetry a separate publication. But I trust that
when a new edition of this volume is called for,
you will render it complete, by the insertion of all
those poetical pieces which are printed in the

BISHOP SKINNER. If

Other volumes. Of these there are some which
possess very high merit, — as the beautiful verses
on the death of your mother, — the address to
yourself prefixed to the Ecclesiastical History, —
and the Sapphic ode, ' Ad filinm suum apud
* Bannockburn,' — which contains a charming
domestic picture.

" I cannot help regretting that these make no
part of the poetical volume, as they would have
shone conspicuously among the productions of
the author's muse. If this hint should be.adopt-
ed in any subsequent edition of the poems, I
would recommend likewise the recovery, if pos-
sible, of all the little pieces which are mentioned
as a-missing ; — lost indeed they cannot be, for
their merit must have imprinted them on the me-
mory of many yet alive, although no written co-
pies may be found. Dr Doig's excellent verses,
entitled * Fortuna Mediocris,' which were meant
to be descriptive of your father's life, and which
he justly therefore says, * Mihi fortunaeque meae
* totam vendico,' should certainly find a place in
the poetical volume. Perhaps I ought to ask your
pardon for the liberty I take in thus offering my
advice ; but the interest you have given me in
that volume will, I trust, be sufficient apology.
Of your father's theological writings, and of his

10 MEMOIR OF

opinions on sacred subjects, it would be great
presumption in me to ofl'er any judgment. A large
portion of the former is connected -with a branch
of learning of which I have no knowledge. Of
the latter I can only say, that, so far as I am fit
to judge of them, they are congenial to my own.
Nor can I form a better wish on those matters of
most serious import than, —

* Sit anima nostra cum aua.' "

In the year I763, such was the want of labour-
ers in the humble vineyard of the Scotch Epis-
copal Church, that, although but recently entered
into his 20th year, Mr John Skinner was, by his
ever zealous father, thus urgently required, in a
letter addressed to him at Bannockburn, to quit
his comfortable situation in that family, and re-
pair to Aberdeen for admission into holy orders.

LETTER 11.

MR SKINNER, LONGSIDE, TO HIS SON AT BANNOCK-
BURN.

Linshart, June 5. 1763.
" I hope this will be the last letter I shall need
to write to you, till we meet. Your time is out

BISHOP SKINNER. 11

the end of June, and there is great need of your
making all the dispatch you can. I had your last
the other day, and was doubly glad to find you
in good health, and so busy in preparing for your
new state of life. You will soon begin to see
what a laborious employment ours is, and how
much they must be disappointed who foolishly
enter into it for ease. I know this is not your
case, but I make the observation to assist you to
contemn all who either act or think after that piti-
ful way ! I have seen none of the Ellon folks, the
Dudwick family excepted, since T wrote last, but
have frequent occasions of hearing concerning ^

them, and how keen they continue for your set-
tlement among them. A great many of the
worldly wise are, indeed, surprised at your incli-
nation and my consent 5 but * the wisdom of this
world,* — you know what it is, — * coram Deo stul-
titia ;' — and if there should be what these folks
w^ould call loss by it, you serve a good Master,
who can make you up, and upon him, I trust, it
is that you depend. I had intimated to the Bi-
shop your consent to his plans, immediately on
receipt of yours to that purpose ; but it seems my
letter had, somehow or other, miscarried ; so that,
after waiting some little time, I wrote him again,
which found the honest man so much distressed

12 MEMOIR OF

with the gout that he could not handle the pen,
but earnestly begged that I would make a stretch
to see him, and converse with him on the subject.
I went accordingly, and found him intent on
your ordination, as, in this pressing exigency, he
thought himself at liberty to dispense with the
canonical years, and paid you the compliment to
say, * he neither feared your capacity nor your
'behaviour.' On my return I'was a night at
Dudwick, where the family were all pleased with
the Bishop's determination, and fond of having
you among them. The living, they fear, will not
be great, but, from what they tell me, it will be
no way inferior to my own j and you know that
you do not labour under the disadvantages I did,
on my entering into the world. While I flatter
myself the prospect of doing God and religion
service, and that, too, so near to me, will induce
you to put up with little, and there is no fear of
starving ! Were I to chalk out a route for you, I
would have you come north by Brechin, to Mr
Lunan's at Northwater-bridge, where you may
attend prayers on a Sunday, and be at Bauchory
to tea on Monday afternoon, at which place I
shall meet you. This is my scheme for the begin-
ning of a week, because I don't choose to be from
home of a Sunday j and, if you can order your

BISHOP SKINNER. 13

matters accordingly, let this be the first Monday
of July, — Judy 4th. I do not, however, propose
to fix you, as I do not know your mind on the
subject. You will therefore fully resolve before
you write, and let me know, that I may concert
according to your motions. In any shape choose
the way most convenient for yourself, as I can
defer visiting my father till afterwards ; only let
your journey take place as soon as possible, as
the people and Bishop are much importuning me
on that score. With respect to your apparent
change, we can talk more properly of that at meet-
ing ; which I wish God may make and continue
happy to us both. Only, I repeat, you are not
to expect ease or affluence ; but with an inten-
tion to do God and religion service, you are to do
your best, and leave events to him,"

Having acquiesced in this summons, Mr John
Skinner was ordained by Bishop Gerard of Aber-
deen, on his arrival there, and settled in the
charge of two congregations, at that time widely
separated, but which, under his own auspices,
as their Bishop, he lived to see so far happily
united, that a chapel in the village of Ellon, six-
teen miles northward of Aberdeen, was actually
to have been opened for their joint accommoda-

I4f MEMOIR OF

tion, by himself, on the 25th July, St James' Day,
1816, for which occasion a sermon was found
in his writing-desk ready for delivery. The Bi-
shop, alas! was buried on the 19th day of that
month ; but the clergyman now serving the
cure, having had this posthumous discourse of
his diocesan consigned to him, did, after an ap-
propriate prefatory address, deliver it from the
pulpit the day on which the chapel was opened,
when the impression made by it on the good
people was such as will not speedily be] obliter-
ated. In this extended charge young Mr Skinner
laboured most assiduously and usefully for the
space of eleven years j having, for the first two or
three years of his incumbency, to officiate dur-
ing the summer season twice every Sunday, and
to travel no less a distance than 15 or 16 miles
to and from the diiferent chapels where his peo-
ple assembled : — the emoluments of the charge,
from written documents under his own hand,
varying from L.25 to L.30 per annum.

In the year 1764, when Mr Skinner had little
more than completed his 'iOth year, he was most
respectably and happily married to a parisliioner
of his beloved father's, and the only daughter of
a deceased brother- clergyman, the late Rev. Wil-
liam Robertson of Dundee.

BISHOP SKINNER. 15

This gentleman being the younger son of Tho-
mas Robertson, Esq. of Downiehills in Aberdeen-
shire, and having married Jane, daughter of Sir
John Guthrie, formerly of King-Edward, at that
time of Ludquharn, Baronet, was originally pas-
tor of the Episcopal congregation in Longside,
where the estate of Ludquharn is situated,— and
therefore Mr Skinner senior's immediate prede-
cessor in that numerous and respectable charge.
On the melancholy event of Mr Robertson's
death, which happened when his daughter was
in her 9th year, his widow and family returned
to their relatives in the north country. Hence
it happened, that from their childhood Mr Skin-
ner and Miss Robertson were intimately ac-
quainted,— which acquaintance ripened into mu-
tual attachment and regard, — so that no sooner
was Mr Skinner settled in a little farm belonging
to Mr Fullarton of Dudwick, whose son was the
husband of Miss Robertson's aunt, than they
were happily united on the 27th day of August
1764, and continued to live together in the full
enjoyment of conjugal and domestic bliss for the
space of 43 years. To add to Mr Skinner's
comfort and respectability in his married state,
no sooner was Mrs Robertson freed from her at-
tendance on an aged mother, than she became

16 MEMOIR OF

an inmate of his family ; where she continued to
live " a Christian in deed and in truth," until she
had completed her 90th year !

In the year 1775, when Mr Skinner had be-
come the happy parent of three daughters and
two sons, (the youngest of whom died in in-
fancy,) a wider field of usefulness opened upon
him. By the death of the Rev. William Smith,
one of the Episcopal clergy in the city of Aber-
deen, a vacancy took place, which the subject of
this Memoir was \we\l qualified to fill ; and to fill
it he was, by the Bishop and people, unanimously
invited. Mutually, however, attached to each
other, as he and his flock in the country were,
it was with no small reluctance that Mr Skinner
acceded to the proposal. Nor would he have
acceded, had it not been that the education of a
rising family rendered the proposed change of
situation almost a matter of necessity. At the
period when he entered on his new charge, it
did not consist of 300 people ; yet such was Mr
Skinner's zeal in his holy calling, that he had not
served the cure above twelve months when ad-
ditional accommodation was required. But, in
1776, even the idea of erecting an ostensible
churchiike place of worship dared not be che-
rished by Scotch Episcopalians. Hence was Mr

THE VERY REVEREND AND PvEVERENB

THE DEAN AND CLERGY

OF THE

I

Biocese of Sibettseen*

MY CLERICAL BRETHREN, AND MUCH VALUED FRIENDS,

As you were pleased to honour, with your
warm and unanimous approbation, an attempt,
on my part, to embalm the memory of your late
revered Diocesan ; and as, from your long and
intimate knowledge of Bishop Skinner, his sen-
timents and administration, you can better appre-
ciate the fitlelity of the present performance, or
detect its errors, than any other body of Clergy,
or individual Clergyman of the Scottish Episco-
pal Communion ; to you do I most respectfully
inscribe the Annals of your departed Ordinary's
eventful Episcopacy. And, be the fate of the
z?

IV DEDICATION.

Work, in other respects, what it may, I shall
have my reward, if, on perusal of its pages, they
shall have the effect of imprinting more and more
indelibly, on your and on your people's minds,
the sound Churcli principles, and unceasing pro-
fessional exertions of one, to whose thoughts
both you and yours were ever present, and who,
" labouring, ' as he did, " among you, and being
over you in the Lord, and admonishing you, was
ever, by you, esteemed very highly in love, for
his work's sake."

In this hope, I do persuade myself, I shall
riot be disappointed ; and therefore, with fervent
prayers for your happiness, both temporal and
eternal, I have the honour to subscribe myself.

Reverend and Dear Sirs,

Yuur affectionate Brother in Christ,

And obliged humble Servant^

THE AUTHOR.

InchgaHh, April 1. 1818,

PREFACE.

Before the Reader proceed to pass judgment on the follow-
inw pages, the Author respectfully claims permission to obviate
such objections as either have already been started, or such as,
by presentiment, he is aware will be started, to his humble
Essay.

It has been truly said, that no Son is competent to the task
of giving to the Public, a fair, just, and acceptable account of
a Father's life, character, and official conduct. And so con-
vinced of the truth of this objection was the Writer of the fol-
lowing Biographical Memoir, and Compiler of the Annals of
the late Bishop Skinner's official administration, that although
the undertaking was not without a precedent in the family to
which he belongs, he only complied with the solicitations of
some of the most respectable and respected friends of Scottish
Episcopacy, when assured by them that his incompetency, on
the score of consanguinity, would be atoned for, by his steadily
confining himself to such written documents as his venerable
Father's repositories were known to afford, and by his aiming,
in the character of Biographer as well as of Historian, at no
higher distinction than that which rightfully belongs to a faith-
ful Compiler and Annalist.

62

VI PREFACE.

Yet, ill this humble walk of literature to which the Author
has strictly confined himself, he cannot but admit, that, to a
satisfactory arrangement of materials, or interesting compila-
tion, talents and powers of discrimination are necessary, far be-
yond those which have fallen to his lot. Hence, being ready
to confess that he has come short of giving satisfaction to him-
self, it will naturally be asked, — How he can expect to give sa-
tisfaction to others, whether friends to Bishop Skinner or friends
to the Church, in which, for upwards of half a centurjr, the
Bishop faithfully served ? Above all, how can he give satisfac-
tion to a fastidious Public ? The answer is ready : — In no other
way, assuredly, but by an undeviating regard to truth, and by
never admitting an expression, or even a thought of his own,
TV'heu he could find a written document prepared to his hand.

While, therefore, it may be the opinion of one class of Read-
ers, that Bishop Skinner's Son ought to have devolved the
whole, or the greater part of the Work now before the Public,
on some more experienced and more competent writer than he
has proved himself to be; — while it is the opinion of another class,
thatjwavingthevalidity of this objection, themethodand arrange-
ment of the Work are unskilful, and display a want of taste equal
to its Conductor's want of talent; — and, while it is the opinion
of a third class, that much irrelevant matter is introduced, by
which means the Annals are not merely devoid of neatness, but
of interest : — the Biographer and Annalist has this supreme
personal consolation, that having considered himself in duty
bound to undertake and conduct the vv'ork in the very form in
"which it now appears, the form of a text-book to the future
Ecclesiastical Historian of Scotland, — no man, let his other
objections be what they will, shall have it in his power to say.
that Mr Skinner has used an expression which truth did noj

PREFACE, Vll

warrant him to use, — that he has introduced a document which
liad not, for its ultimate object, the elucidating of some plan on
his beloved Father's part, for the future prosperity and respec-
tability of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, or asserted a fact
which he has not establislied by ample evidence.

The truth is, that in no Society professing itself Christian,
does there, or can there exist less desire, less temptation to in-
novate, than in a regularly constituted Episcopal Church, such
as confessedly is the Episcopal Church in Scotland. Like the
Great High Priest of the Christian profession, the Shepherd
and Bishop of souls himself, true religion is " the same yester-
day, to-day, and for ever." Hence, although a sectarian spi-
rit be daily at work " in telling," or in hearing " some new
thing ;" in '< wresting the Scriptures to the destruction" of
thousands, and in putting glosses and interpretations on the
word of God, which render it literally " of none effect ;" the
" quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus," in other
words, the faith and practice which have " antiquity, univer-
sality, and consent" to support them ; these form the pole-star
of the sober-minded Episcopalian, by which, in peace, in confi-
dence, and in joy, he steers his course through the quick-
sands of modern " confusion, and every evil work," " to the
haven where he would be," the land of everlasting rest. So
that " when they shall say," (as is the cry of modern fanati-
cism,) " seek unto them that have familiar spirits," (in other
words, " experiences, assurances," and what not) " and unto
wizards that peep and that mutter, should not a people seek
unto their God ?" — " To the Law and to the Testimony," is
the meek reply of the Churchman. " If they speak not ac-
cording to this word," i. e. if" binding up the testimony," (ad-
hering to sound doctrine only, ) they neglect to seal the law a,-

Vlll PREFACE.

iTtiong God's disciples," (to have any respect for the positive
institutions of Christianity,) " there is no light in them ;" and
" if the light that is in them be darkness, how great is that dark-
ness !''

Steadily adhering, therefore, to the test laid down by an in-
spired prophet, and " asking for the old paths," the Scottish
Episcopalian " brings every thought into captivity to the obe-
dience of Christ " He " boasts not of things without his mea-
sure ;" but believes, and lives, and acts, and hopes, "accord-
ing to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed."
And the kxvuvs the rule, he holds to be this, " ye are the bo-
dy of Christ, and members in particular, and God hath set some
in the Church, first, Apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly,
teachers," &c. In direct opposition to which rule, the " Will-
worshippers" of the present day do " set," nay, do " heap unto
themselves teachers, having itching ears," being for the most
part <" all Apostles, all prophets, all teachers," &c. the " eye
saying to the hand, I have no need of thee ; the head to the
feet, I have no need of you !"

But " what concord hath Christ with Belial ?" " Is Christ
divided ?" — These striking interrogatories of the great Apostle
of the Gentiles, flash such conviction on the mind of the man
who knows and believes that, in baptism, he was made " a
member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the king-
dom of heaven," that he holds on " the noiseless tenor of his
way," though the cry of" Lo, here is Christ, or lo there," be
continually assailing him ; and " though false prophets be hour-
ly employed m deceiving, if it were possible, the very elect."
" In patience does iie possess his soul ;" notwithstanding every
'iyhere around him is that " strong delusion" which leadeth
♦he unwary " to believe a lie," " herein always exercising him-

PREFACE. IX

iself to hnye a conscience void of offence towards God and to-
wards man."

If the Annalist of Scottish Episcopacy has been fortunate
enough to establish this fact, in the Work now before a discern-
ing Public, as far as regards the Bishops and Clergy of that
Communion, he has obtained his aim ; and the arbiter of taste
in composition, the self-complacent rounder of periods, the fas-
tidious critic, and the bewildered fianatic, may sneer at his un-
dertaking, but for him they will sneer in vain.

When the Prince, whose " immortal memory" is daily toast-
ed with " the Majesty of the People," thus addressed the only
Scottish Bishop whom he ever saw, the amiable Bishop Rose of
Edinburgh ; " My Lord, are you going to Scotland ?" — " Yes,
Sir, if you have any commands for me." — " I hope," rejoined
the Prince, " you will be kind to me, and follow the example
of England." — " Sir," returned the venerable Prelate, " I will
serve you, so far as Law, Reason, and Conscience, will allow
me." Then was the period, the Reader will allow, when law,
reason, and conscience were put to the test : When the Scot-
tish Episcopalian " was tried, as it were, by fire ;" there being,
on the one hand, presented to him tlie continuation of affluence,
worldly lionours, and legal ebtablithment; on the other, nought
but poverty, persecution, and legal oppression ! Which of the
two to choose he hesitated not. In his opinion, " law, reason, and
conscience," decided in favour of the latter. And how, under
God, the ejected Church has, without the sacrifice oi' principle,
been once more restored to freedom, to legal toleration, and to
a state of comparative independence, the Author hopes that the
following pages will satisfactorily explain.

In the mean time, tlie interview which took place at White-
hall, December 1688, between the Prince of Orange and the

X PREFACE.

Lord Bishop of Edinburgh, as commissioned agent of the Scot-
tish Church, having been introduced to the Reader's notice,
justice to both parties demands that the matter should be stat-
ed in an authenticated shape. And as this interview clearly
decided the fate of Scottish Episcopacy, no place for the inser-
tion of such authentic document, in these Annals, seems go
proper as the Preface to them ; since thus the Reader is, with-
out the trouble of reference, at once apprised of the circum-
stances which, leading to the overthrow of that establishment,
render this work worthy of every Scottish Episcopalian's and
serious Churchman's regard.

" I have," says the venerable Bishop Keith* " an original
holograph letter of this Bishop," (the Bishop of Edinburgh,)
*' a copy whereof, as containing sundry particulars relating to
the Revolution in 168S, may not, I i-eckon, be unacceptable to
several persons. It was written, or bears date, at Edinburgh,
October 22, 1713," and is as follows :—

" Because you desire a short history of my own proceedings
and conduct when in London, at the late Revolution, I shall,
for your satisfaction, and that of others, set down a short and
plain sum of it, which is as follows : —

" When, in October 1688, the Scots Bishops came to know
the intended invasion by the Prince of Orange, a good many of
them being then in Edinburgh, and meeting together, concerted
and sent up a loyal address to the King, f Afterwards, in No-
vember, finding that the Prince was landed, and foreseeing the
dreadful convulsions that were like to ensue, and not knowing
what damages might arise thence both to Church and State,

* See Catalopie of Scottish Eishcps, p. 41 — a work become verv scarce.
I For this Address see Skinner s Eccks. Hist, of bcoUuad, Vol. II. p. 615.

PREFACE. XI

they resolved to send up two of their number to the Sing,
with a renewed tender of their duty ; instructing them also to
wait on the Bishops of England for their advice and assistance,
in case that any unlucky thing might possibly happen to occur
with respect to our Church. This resolution being taken, it
was represented by the two Archbishops to his Majesty's Privj'
Council, in which the Lord Perth sat as Chancellor, and was
agreed to and approved by them. Whereupon, at the next
meeting of the Bishops, it v/as not thought fit, even by the
Archbishops themselves, that any of thera, (though they were
men of the greatest ability and experience,) should go up, as
being less acceptable to the English Bishops, from their having
consented to the taking off the sanguinary laws against the Pa-
pists ; and so that undertaking was devolved over upon Dr
Bruce, Bishop of Orkney, and me, — he having sufrcved for not
agreeing to that project, and I not concerned, as not being a
Bishop at that time ; and accordingly a Commission was drawn
up and signed for us two, December 3. 1688. The Bisliop of
Orkney, promising to come back from that country in eight or
ten days time, that we might journey together, occasioned my
stay. But when that time was elapsed, I had a letter from him,
signifying that he had fallen very ill, and desiring me to go up
by post as soon as I could, promising to follow as soon asliealth
would serve. Whereupon I took post, and in a ^ew days, com-
ing to Northallerton, where, hearing of the King's having left
Rochester, I stood doubtful with myself whether to go forward
or return ; but, considering the various and contradictory ac-
counts I had got all along upon tiie road, and that in case of
the King's retirement, matters would be so much the more
dark and perplexed, I resolved to go on, that I might be able
to give a just account of things to my brethren here, from time

XU PREFACE.

to time, and have the a-^vice of the English Bishops, whom I
never doubted to find unalterably firm to their Master's inter-
est. And as this was the occas'on of my coming to London, so,
by reason of the continuance of the Bishop of Orkney's illness,
that difficult task fell to my share alone.

« The next day after my arrival at London I waited on the
Archbishop of Canterbury, (to whom I had the honour to be
known some three years before ;) and, after my presenting, and
his Grace's reading my commission, his Grace said, ' That mat-

* ters were very dark, and the cloud so thick and gross that

* they could not see through it ,• they knew not well what to do
' for themselves, and far less what advice to give me ; that there

* was to be a meeting of Bishops with him that day, and desir-
< ed me to see him a week thereafter.' I next waited on the the»
Bishop of St Asaph, (being my acquaintance also,) who treated
me in such a manner that I could not but see through his in-
clinations, wherefore I resolved to visit hira no more, nor to ad-
dress myselfto any others of that order, till I should have occa-
sion to learn something farther about them. Wherefore, the
wcok thereafter, I repaired again to Lambeth, and told his
Grace all that passed between St Asaph and me ; who, smiling-
ly, replied, ' That St Asaph was a good man, but an angry
' uian ;' and withal toll me, ' that matters still continued dark,
' and that it behoved me to wait the issue of their Convention,
' which, he suspected, was only that which could give light and
* open the scene ;' but withal de&ired me to come to him from
time to time, and if any thing occurred he would signify it to
me. Li that wearisome season, (wearisome to me, because, ac-
tiuainted witli few, save those of our own countrymen, and of
riiese I knew not whom to trust,) I waited on the Bishop of
London, and entreated him to speak to the Prince to putasto^

PREFACE. XIU

to the persecutions of our Clergy, — ^but to no purpose. I was
also with the then Dr Burnet upon the same design, but with
no success, who told me ' he did not meddle in Scottish affairs.'
I was also earnestly desired by the Bishop of London and the
then Viscount of Tarbat, and some other Scottish Peers, to
wait upon the Prince, and to present him with an address upon
that head. I asked, ' whether I or my address would meet with

* acceptance or success, if it did not compliment the Prince
' upon his descent to deliver us from popery and slavery.'
They said ' that was absolutely necessaiy.' I told them, ' I

* was neither instructed by my constituents so to do, neither
< had I myself clearness to do it ; and that, in these terms, I

* neither could nor would, either visit or address his Highness.'

" In that season also I had the honour to be acquainted vvithj,
^nd several times visited, the worthy Dr Turner, Bishop of Ely,
whose conversation was very usei'ul to me, and every way agree-
able. And, besides these Bishops already mentioned, I had not
the honour to be acquainted with any other ; and thus the whole
time of the Convention was passed off, excepting what was spent
in necessaiy duties, and in visiting our countrymen, even until
the day that the dark scene was opened by the surprising vote
of abdication ; on which I went over to Lambeth. WJiat passed
there betwixt his Grace and me, (being all private,) 'tis both
needless, and u'ould be very tedious, and perchance not so
very proper to write it. In the close, I told his Grace, that I
would make ready to go home, and only waif on his Grace once
more before I took my journey.

" While I was making my visits of leave to my countrymen,
I was surprisingly told that some two or three of them, attempt-
ing to go home without passes, were, the first stage, stopt up-
on the road, and that none were to expect passes without wait-

XIV fREFACE.

k\g on the Prince ! Whereupon I repaired again tp Lambeth, ia
have his Grace's advice ; who, considering the necessity of that
compliment, agreed to my making it. Upon ray applying to the
Bishop of London to introduce me, his Lordship asked me,
' Whether I had any thing to say to the King?' (so was the
stile in England then.) 1 replied, ' I haJ nothing to say, save

* that I was going for Scotland, being a member of the Conven-

* tion ; for I understood, that, without waiting on the Prince,'
(that being the most common Scottish stile,) ' I could not have
' a pass : and that without that I must needs be stopt upon the

* road, as several of my countrymen had been.' His Lordship
asked me again, saying, < Seeing the Clergy have been and are
' so routed and barbarously treated by the Presbyterians, will
' you not speak to the King to put a stop to that and in favour
' of your own Clergy ?' My reply was, ' that the Prince had
' been often applied to in that matter by several of the nobility,

* and addressed also by the sufferers themselves, and yet all to

* no purpose, wherefore I could have no hopes that my inter-

* cessions would be of any avail ; but if his Lordship thought

* otherwise I would not decline to make them.' His Lordship,
asked me farther, ' Whether any of our countrymen would go

* along with me,' and spoke partly of Sir George Mackenzie.
I replied, ' I doubted nothing of that.' Whereupon his Lorci<-
ship bade me find him out ; that both he and I should be at
CKiurt that day against three in the afternoon, and that he v/ould
surely be there to introduce us. All which I, having found Sir
George, imparted to him, who liked it very well, and said, ' it

* v,as a good occasion, and wished that several of our nobility
'■ might be advertised by us to be there also.' To which I re-
plied, ' that I doubted much, whether, coming in a body, he
' (the Prince) would give us access ; and that our nobility would

PREFACE, XV

« be much offended at us, if, coming to court upon our invita-

* tion, access should be denied them ; and therefore I thought
« it best that we alone should meet the Bishop at the time ap-
' pointed, and advise with him wjiat was fit to be done,* — which
was agreed to. Upon our meeting with the Bishop, Sir George
made that overture to his Lordship, which he closing with,
very warmly said, • he would go in to the King, and see if he

* would appoint a time for the Scottish Episcopal nobility and

* gentry to wait upon him in favour of the Clergy of Scotland
» so sadly persecuted. Whereupon the Bishop, leaving us in ^
' room of Whitehall, near adjoining to the place where the

* Prince was, staid above a full half hour from us, and, upon

* his return, told us, that the King's answer was,' * he would
' not allow us to come to him in a body, lest that might give

* jealousy and umbrage to the Presbyterians ; neither tVould he
' permit them, for the same reason, to come to him in numbers,
' and that he would not allow above two of either party, at a
' time, to speak to him on Church matters.' Then the Bishop,
directing his discourse to me, said, ' My Lord, you see that the
' King, having thrown himself upon the water, must keep him-
' self a-swimming with one hand. The Presbyterians have join-
' ed him closely, and offer to support him ; and therefore he can-

* not cast them off, unless he could see how otherwise he can

* be served.' And the King bids me tell you, ' that he now

* knows the state of Scotland much better than he did when he
' was in Holland ; for while there he was made believe that Scot-

* land, generally all over, was Presbyterian, but nov/ he sees that
' the great body of the nobility and gentry are for Episcopacy,
' and it is the trading and inferior sort that are for Presbyte-

* ry;' wherefore he bids me tell you, ' that if you will undertake
' to serve him to the purpose that he iss served here in England,

XVI PRFFACE.

* he will take you by the hand, support the Church and order,

* and tlirow oft' the Presbyterians.' My answer to this was,

* My Lord, I cannot but thank the Prince for his frankness and.

* offer ; but withal I must tell your Lordship, that when I came

* from Scotland, neither my brethren nor I apprehended any
' such revolution as I have seen now in England ; and therefore

* I neither was nor could be instructed by them what answer to
' make to the Prince's offer ; and therefore what I say is not in

* their name, but only my private opinion, which is, that I tru-

* ly think they will not serve the Prince as he is served here in

< England, that is, as I take it, to make him their King, nor

* give their suffrage for his being King ; and though, as to this

* matter, I can say nothing in their name, and as from them^
' yet I for myself must say, that, rather than do so, I will aban-

< don all the interest that either I have or may expect to have

< in Britain.' Upon this the Bishop commended my openness
and ingenuity, and said, * he believed it was so ; for,' says he,
' all the time you have been here, neither have you waited oh

* the King, nor have any of your Brethren, the Scots Bishopg,
« made any address to him ; so the King must be excused for

* standing by the Presbyterians/

*' Immediately upon this, the Prince, going somewhere a-
broad, comes through our room, and Sir George Mackenzie
takes leave of him in very few words. I applied to the Bishop,
and said, ' My Lord, there is now no farther place for applj-

* ing in our Church-matters, and this opportunity of taking
' leave of the Prince is lost ; wherefore, I beg, that your Lord-

* ship would introduce me for that effect, if you can, next day,
« about ten or eleven o'clock in the forenoon.' This his Lord-
ship promised and performed. And, upon my being admitted
iato the Prince'js presence, he came three or four steps for-

PREFACE. XVII

ward from his company, 'and prevented me, by saying, * My

• Lord, are you going for Scotland ?' My reply was, ' Yes, Sir,

* if you have any commands for me.' Then he said, ' I hope
' you will be kind to me, and follow the example of England.'
Wherefore, being somewhat difficulted how to make a manner-
ly and discreet answer, without entangling myself, I readily
replied, ' Sir, I will serve you, so far as law, reason, and con-
< science, will allow me.' How this answer pleased I cannot
well tell ; but it seems the limitations and conditions of it were
not acceptable ; for instantly the Pfince, without saying any
more, turned away from me, and went back to his company,

" Considering what had passed the day before, I was much
surprised to find the Prince accost me in these terms; but I
presume that either the Bishop (not having time) had not ac-
quainted him w^ith what had passed, or that the Frince propos=
ed to try what might be made of me, by the honour he did me
of that immediate demand ; and as that was the first, so it was
the last time I had the honour to speak with his Highness.

" The things I write were not only upon the matter, but in
the self-same individual words that I have set them down, — whe-
ther what the Bishop of London delivered as from the Prince
was so or not I cannot certainly say ; but I think his Lordship's
word was good enough for that; or whether the Prince would
have stood by his promise of casting off the Presbyterians and
protecting us, in case we had come into his interest, I will not
determine, though this seems the most probable to me, and that
for these reasons : He had the Presbyterians sure on his side,
both from interest and inclination ; many of them having come
over with him, and the rest having appeared so warmly for him,
that, with no good grace imaginable, could they return to King
James's interest. Next, by gaining, as he miglit presume to
gain, the Episcopal nobility a^d gentry, which he saw was a

XVIII PREFACE.

great party, and consequently that King Jaraes would be de-
prived of his principal support. Then he saw what a hardship
it would be upon the Church of England, and of what bad con-
sequence to ije Episcopacy ruined in Scotland, who, no doubt,
would have vigorously interposed for us, if we, by our carriage,
could have been brought to justify their measures. And I am
the more confirmed in this ; for, after my coming down here,
my Lord St Andrews and I, taking occasion to wait on Duke
Hamilton, his Grace told us, a day or two before the sitting
down of the Convention, that he had it in special charge from
King William, that nothing should be done to the prejudice of
Episcopacy in Scotland, in case the Bishops could by any means
be brought to befriend his interest ; and prayed us most pa-
thetically, for our own sake, to follow the example of the Church
of England. To which my Lord St Andrews replied, that ' both
' by natural allegiance, the laws, and the most solemn oaths,
' we were engaged in the King's interest ; and that we were,
* by God's grace, to stand by it iu the face of all dangers and
' to the greatest losses ;' subjoining, that his Grace's quality
and influence put it into his hands to do his Majesty the great-
est service and himself the greatest honour ; and that if he act-
ed otherwise, it might readily lie as a heavy lash and curse
both upon himseU and family. I can say no more for want of
paper, save that I am, as before,

" Alex. Edinb."

To the letter. Bishop Keith adds the following N. B.

" This letter was written to the Hon. Archibald Campbell,
Bishop.

BISHOP SKINNER. 17

Skinner obliged to look out for some retired si-
tuation, down a close or little alley, and there,
at his own individual expence, to erect a large
dwelling house ; the two upper floors of which,
being fitted up as a chapel, were devoted to the
accommodation of his daily increasing flock, and
the two under floors to the residence of his fa-
mily.

In this house, which contained between 500
and 600 people, Mr Skinner continued for the
space of nineteen years to discharge his ministe-
rial office ; when the penal laws being at last
happily repealed, and not a single seat to be pro-
cured, he and his flock were induced to set sub-
scription papers on foot, for building a proper
and commodious edifice as a chapel, capable of
accommodating from 7OO to 800 people. This
desirable measure was accomplished in the year
1795 ; while such continued to be the success of
this worthy man's labours, that, having possess-
ed this house for twenty years, it also became
crowded to such excess, that the public spirit-
ed members of his flock urged him, not many
months before his death, to set about erecting,
in the spacious street which forms the north en-
try to the city of Aberdeen, a truly magnificent
structure, capable of containing no fewer than

.18 MEMOIR OF

1100 people, and fitted up in a manner more ap-
propriate and ^churchlike than any edifice of the
kind northward of the Forth. This, to him ever
grateful work, their beloved pastor set about
with all the ardour of youth ; and, although he
]ived not to assemble his people within its walls,
yet be lived to see the plan matured, and the
^wails of the building raised some feet above the
level of the ground. To his immortal honour,
and in evidence of their indelible attachment to
liim, and gratitude for his pious labours among
them, the congregation of St Andrew's Chapel,
Aberdeen, aided by.other zealous friends of Scotch
Episcopacy, have placed in the chapel a full
length statue of its founder, by Flaxman of Lon-
•don, one of the first artists of this or any other
country, thus verifying the declaration of the
Psalmist, —

" The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance."

To the whole body of Scotch Episcopalians,
as well as to their immediate spiritual governors,
it must have been clearly visible, that such a
man as Mr Skinner of Aberdeen was, on every
account, a fit person to be invested wit]) the
highest ecclesiastical dignity in the church in
which he seryed. For, as the glory of God and the

BISHOP SKINNER. 19

good of souls actuated his conduct at all times,
and in all seasons, his talents and acquirements,
joined to characteristic zeal and firmness, pru-
dence, and self-command, were peculiarly adapt-
ed to the arduous task of elevating a society so
depressed and cast down as was the Scotch Epis-
copal Church about the middle of the last centu-
ry, when Mr Skinner took part of her ministry.
The Right Rev. Robert Kilgour, of Peter-
head, a man of uncommon benignity of miea
and manner, and of the greatest private worth,
had succeeded, in autumn I76O, to the charge
of the diocese of Aberdeen, then become vacant
by the death of Bishop Gerard. But the duties of
the office, as he advanced in life, proving too great
for his naturally delicate frame. Bishop Kilgour,
with the unanimous consent of his clergy, appli-
ed to the Episcopal College for a Bishop co-ad-
jutor to him in his extensive diocese. His col-
leagues chearfully acquiescing in this measure, Mr
Skinner of Aberdeen was duly elected to the of-
fice of a Bishop by the clergy of the district, and
consecrated at Luthermuir, in the diocese of
Brechin, on the 25th day of September 1782, bj
the Bishops — Kilgour of Aberdeen, Ross of Dun-
blane, and Petrie of Ross and Moray. And such,
in the space of four years, was the confidence

B 2

20 MEMOIR or

with which Bishop Skinner, then only in his 42d
year, inspired the venerable members of the Epis-
copal College in Scotland, that Bishop Kilgour,
having been nominated Primus Scoti^e Episco-
pus, on the death of Bishop Falconer of Edin-
burgh, in 1784, did, with the approbation and
consent of the College, divest himself entirely
of all Episcopal relation to the diocese of Aber-
deen, retaining the office of Primus only, and
was succeeded by his co-adjutor, Bishop Skinner,
in terms of the ninth Synodical Canon of 1743*.

From that period, the Bishop of Aberdeen is
known to have devoted every thought of his heart
and every faculty of his mind towards rendering
the sadly depressed church in which he served,
alike respectable and " worthy of all accepta-
tion" in the eyes of men, as he trusted, by rea-
son of her resemblance in doctrine and discip-
line to the primitive church of Christ, she would
be found acceptable in the sight of God, and
conformable to his holy word and will.

But although a Memoir of the life of Bishop
Skinner must also prove an interesting narrative
of the history of the Scotch Episcopal Church,

* See Skinner's Eccles. History of Scotland, Vol. II. p.
683.

BISHOP SKINNER. 21

from the date at which his revered fatlier con-
chides his Letters on the Ecclesiastical History
of Scotland, yet the author of these pages, aware
that he possesses neither the talents nor the ac-
quirements which befit an historian, has been in-
duced to frame his narrative in the more humble
form of " Annals of Scotch Episcopacy'*

Before, however, entering on " his work and
labour of love," for which Bishop Skinner's pa-
pers afford him the most ample and authentic
materials, justice to the Bishop's memory re-
quires his biographer to state, that, though ac-
cused by some of his countrymen and contem-
poraries of being ambitious, and more eager for
the immediate success of his measures than for
their permanent utility, — at no period of his life
did selfish or sinister motives for one moment
influence his thoughts, much less his words or
his actions. When his small pecuniary means,
and the expences of maintaining and educat-
ing his family are taken into account. Bishop
Skinner's liberality to the clergy of his diocese,
and his hospitality towards all and sundry re-
commended to his notice, were truly wonderful.
Under God, however, such good management
may be said to have been the peculiar work
of Mrs Skinner, who, as a wife, a mother, and a

22 MEMOIR OF

house-keeper, never in any sphere oflifehada
superior. This, alas ! when his amiable partner
came to be numbered with the dead, the good
Bishop lived to feel, beyond what in his lifetime
even he had any idea of. To the sick, the aged
and the infirm, he himself was not more regular,
in discharging the necessary pastoral duties, than
was the wife of his bosom in tendering them her
personal aid ; more frequently discharging the
duties of nurse and sick-bed attendant, than ex-
hibiting the formal and unavailing sympathies of
friendship, *' falsely so called !" It was in con-
sequence of carrying the offices of charity and
mercy beyond what attention to her own growing
infirmities required, that Mrs Skinner was sa
suddenly arrested in her Christian course ! Al-
though very unwell, no personal considerations
would restrain her from passing a most tempes-
tuous day, in the end of February 1807, with a
widowed lady, then on her death-bed, who, be-
ing a stranger in Aberdeen, was without a female
friend to minister to her wants or soothe her
sorrows. From that lady's house, Mrs Skinner
w'alked home at night \ but went to bed, alas ! to
rise from it no more. An obstruction had taken
place, which resisted the most powerful prescrip-
tions of medical skill \ and, in the morning of the

BISHOP SKINNER. 2S

4th of March, in the arms of her devoted husband,,
she resigned her pious spirit into the hands of
him who gave it. In announcing the sad event
to his aged father, thus feehngly does the sur-
viving sufferer depict the loss which he and his
family had sustained.

" Great is the loss which we have all sustained
on this most melancholy occasion. But her own^
family, O ! what have they not lost, — one of the-
most tender and affectionate mothers, — so anxious
for their welfare, — so kind and attentive to them-
in every situation ! If it were not that I have
already been obliged to write so much upon thfs'
most affecting subject, I should wonder at my
being still able to dwell upon it, and give vent
to those feelings which, in ray mind, are inse-
parable from it. Tliere is a luxury in indulging,
this kind of sober, serious grief, while it tends to-
^cherish the resignation of the heart, and keeps
at a distance every repining thought. May no
€uch thought ever find a place in my breast, for-
tified, as I trust it will always be, by the aid of
an Almighty comforter, and a grateful sense of
the many blessings I still enjoy ; the sympathy
of numerous friends, and the affectionate atten-
tion of those of my own family, all striving to do
what they can for my comfort and. support. Who

l24i MEMOIR OF

could have the heart to murmur under the im-
pression of so many instances of the divine mer-
cy and compassion ! Who but would say, in such
a case as what I have now experienced, severe
and trying as it is, — * It is the Lord, let him do
what seemcth him good.' To him it belongs to
act the part of a wise and tender father ; to such a
father we have only to say, * Thy will be done*.* "
Yet, to his family and intimate acquaintances, it
was sufficiently obvious that Bishop Skinner never
recovered from the shock, which the removal of
such an helpmate gave to his debilitated frame.
For forty years and upwards, through her unde-
viating attention to his personal comfort, he had
been a complete stranger to his own bodily wants,
and in some respects insensible to his bodily in-
firmities. And now that she was gone, such was
his feeling of independence, that he would, on
no account permit his sons and daughters, or any
of them, to become to him the kind assistant and
comforter that their mother had been. At the idea
of giving trouble to anyone. Bishop Skinner uni-
formly shrunk; and such was his abhorrence of
personal ease, that he never failed to characterise
it as criminal. Hence he was induced to persevere

* Works of Mr Skinner, Vol I. p. 212.

BISHOP SKINNER, 25

with undiminished, if not with increased zeal and
activity, not only in his Episcopal, but in his pas-
toral duties, to the visible injury of his constitu-
tion, which, though naturally hale and sound, was
never robust. The church, his family, and flock,
were indeed blessed with his continuance among
them for the space of nine years after he had been
deprived of her who, under the Great Shepherd
and Bishop of Souls, was his stay and support ;
yet this was a space of comparatively little enjoy-
ment to the good Bishop himself. For, though
alive to the calls of duty beyond what was re-
quired of him, having for fourteen years enjoy-
ed the official aid of his youngest son, yet, from
the hour of his beloved partner's demise. Bishop
Skinner became in a manner regardless of do-
mestic endearments. The '* feast of reason and
the flow of soul " had no longer any charms for
him.

In the end of the year 1814, he was seized
with an alarming illness. For weeks he conti-
nued in great bodily pain, but happily was never
confined to his bed or to his bedchamber. As
spring 1815 advanced, he recovered so far as to
be released from confinement to the house, and,
though much debilitated, entered with cliaracte-
ristic keenness on his professional labours, preach-

26 MEMOIR OF

ing regularly every Sunday, discharging more-
than his share of the pastoral labours of his con-
gregation, and taking his turn of duty as a ma-
nager of several charitable institutions in the
city of Aberdeen, viz. — the Infirmary, the Luna-
tic Hospital, and the Poors'-House. And so
short was the period of his confinement at last,
that the very forenoon on which he died, Satur-
day, July 13, 1816, he was in his dining-room^
and on Friday, the day preceding, at prayers in
the chapel.

To all who v/ere interested in Bishop Skinner's
life, (and, besides his sorrowing family and flock,
they were not a few,) it was a source of unavail-
ing regret that their worthy father, bishop, pas-
tor, and friend had concealed from his physici-
ans the fatal disorder, viz. Strangulated Hernia,
which at last so speedily terminated his mortal ex-
istence. Had this disorder been discovered, and
the necessary operation undergone at 'its com-
mencement, his valuable life might for a time
have probably been preserved. But though,
when the case became desperate, the operation
of reducing the Hernia was most dexterously and
successfully performed,, morbid symptoms had,
ere then, taken place in the frame at large, and
the Bishop sunk into the sleep-of death vyith-

BISHOP SKIKNER. 27

out being conscious, to all human appearance,
of any such change befalling him.

Were it not that the writer of this Memoir is
afraid he has already subjected himself to the
charge of unnecessary prolixity in his details,
he would endeavour to do justice to the *' sor-
rowing not without hope,'* with which Bishop
Skinner's brethren in the Scotch Episcopate*
his clergy, and the Episcopal clergy of Scotland at
large, his flock, his friends, and his fellow-citizens
of all ranks and degrees, received the accounts
of his sudden and imlooked for dissolution !
Hundreds besides the large company who were
specially invited, followed his body to the grave.
And, though apparently a rude rabble had seat-
ed themselves on the walls of the Mausoleum, a
burying-place in the 'Spital Church-yard of Old
Aberdeen, near to which his mortal remains are
deposited, yet when the officiating clergyman
commenced the funeral service, not a breath was
heard, — not a head but was instantly uncover-
ed ;— and, while tears were seen to flow apace,
not a trace of disrespect marked the conduct of
'the most ragged spectator of the impressive
scene !

On the succeeding Sunday, the 21st of July,
the proximus resident Bishop, the Right Rev.

28 MEMOIR OF

Patrick Torry, of Peterhead, did ample justice to
his late colleague's private and professional cha-
racter, in an excellent discourse, from the pulpit
of St Andrew's Chapel, Aberdeen ; and, in con-
cluding this little Memoir, the author takes leave
to express himself in the words of the Sermon,
delivered by a clergyman of the diocese of Aber-
deen, on the afternoon of the same mournful day,
throughout which the eyes of every auditor were
moistened with tears ; and the gait, the garb, the
gesture of " high and low, rich and poor, one
with another," — marked the undissembled, the
heartfelt grief, with which they were all deeply
affected.

" That * in the midst of life we are in death,*
not a moment passeth without some striking evi-
dence.— We know not what an hour, much less
* what a day may bring forth T Little did you, my
Christian friends, imagine, when last assembled
here, that, ere the next Lord's day came round,
you were to .be deprived of your venerable Bi-
shop and Pastor ; or, that the lips, which then en-
joined you to ' buy the truth and sell it not,**
should so suddenly be sealed by death, never to
address you more !

• It was from these words of Solomon, in Prov. xxiii. v. 25,
tliat, for the hist time, Bishop Skinner spoke from the pulpit.

BISHOP SKINNER. 29

" Kis Right Rev. colleague and friend has al-
ready done such justice to his character in the
church, — to his talents, his zeal, and his unwearied
assiduity in all things pertaining to Christian edi-
fication, that I shrink from the thought of adding
my mite of well-earned tribute to his immortal
memory. Convinced, however, that it is a theme
on which all who hear me delight to dwell, I can-
not refrain from a feeble attempt to gratify both
you and myself, by something like the truth you
have already heard,— by something like a por-
trait of our deceased father, friend, and guardian.

" Nursed in the bosom of the church, and train-
ed to the office of the holy ministry, by a parent
so eminently qualified, so highly endowed as the
Rev. Mr Skinner of Longside was, it would have
been matter both of surprise and disappointment,
if our late Bishop had not given early promise of
superior usefulness and distinction in the cause
of * true and undefiled religion.' Barely had he
reached his 20th year, when he had two distant
country congregations consigned to his pastoral
care, the duties of which were discharged by him,
at that juvenile period of his life, in a manner so
highly satisfactory to the people, that, when he
received a call to exercise his sacred office in this
populous city, his flock in the country could hard-

so MEMOIR OF

ly be brought to acquiesce in his removal, while
nought but the interests of his young and rising
family would have brought him to leave those
who, for the space of eleven years, had honoured
him with such distinguished regard.

" In this numerous and respectable congrega-
tion, however, few are they who recollect the Bi-
Shop*s removal to Aberdeen, while fewer still sur-
vive who were instrumental in promoting that
removal. Forty-one years elapse not without
bjinging in their train many, many changes ;
and, such are the changes which the good Bishop
liiinself was accessary to producing, in the num-
ber, circumstances, and accommodation of his
(originally) ' little flock,' that I may truly say,
the ' place thereof knows it no more.' And, if
changes so great, so encouraging, were effected
here, by the blessing of God, through his pastoral
labours,— still are they as nought to the changes,
which, during the Si years of his Episcopate, Bi-
shop Skinner was instrumental in producing on
the Scotch Episcopal Church at large ; — which
church, from a state of obscurity and depression
unknown in the annals of any other regular
branch of the church of Christ, has risen, under
his fostering hand, to a state of respectability

BISHOP SKINNER. .31

and distinction, such as no other merely tolerated
church on earth enjoys.

" My respected clerical brethren here present,
know that our late Primus and spiritual father
found our ' little Zion' sunk under a dark cloud
of pohtical jealousy and suspicion ; — :he has left
our little Zion a * praise on the earth.' He found
.this portion of the * vineyard of the Lord of
' Hosts* chilled, and rendered unfruitful, by the
mists of popular prejudice and worldly wisdom 5
he has left it in full bearing, — no longer perse-
cuted and forsaken, but counted- worthy of ho-
nour by all * who, by patient continuance in

* well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and im-

* mortahty.' * A besieged city' no more ; the
Episcopal church in Scotland has her gates no
more * made desolate •,' every bar and restraint
have happily been removed, so that the righteous
of all ranks * resort unto her company,' and
' enter into her courts with praise.'

" Should it be enquired how a single individ-
ual could have been so instrumental, as Bishop
Skinner is knov/n to have been, in eifecting this
auspicious change on the face of Scottish Epis-
copacy ? Without arrogating a tittle of merit to
himself, it was thus that this humble-minded ser-

S2 MEMOIR OF

vant of the humble Jesus accounted for his * good

* success :' —

" * The consecration of Bishop Seabury for

* the state of Connecticut in North America, first
'introduced me to the knowledge and acquain-

* tance of some eminent divines of the Church of

* England. They were the men who thenceforth

* interested themselves so much in the repeal of

* the penal statutes, and in the grievously depres-

* sed situation of our church, that, for my own

* part, I had only to inform them and some invalu-

* able and equally zealous lay friends, w^hat my

* venerable colleagues and I wished to be done,

* and they did it 1'

*' Would the man ambitious of worldly fame
have thus meekly relinquished his prize ? Would
the lover of personal distinction more than * a
lover of God,' have thus voluntarily denuded
himself of all distinction, and, self-divested as
he was, have chosen to attribute to others that
good work which his excellent co-operators he-
sitate not to acknowledge wa^s, under God, ef-
fected by his own unwearied labours, his own
sleepless nights and thoughtful days, — labours
which at last completely undermined a consti-
tution which, though never vigorous, v,'hs origi-
nally so hale and sound that, on his entering in-

BISHOP SKINNER. 33

to the Episcopate, Bishop Skinner had the pros-
pect of numbering as many years as his vener-
able progenitors. * Many a time did bis family,
many a time did his clergy and friends urge him
to be less anxious, less thoughtful on^the state of
the church at large, and less occupied (now that
he enjoyed the pastoral assistance of a beloved
son) with the duties of his immediate charge.
In the words of an eminent English divine, Bishop
Cumberland, his uniform answer was, ' better
wear out than rust out :' — better for me * to spend

* and be spent,' in my blessed' Master's service,
than to waste my life, as some do, in doing no-
thing.' '

*' O ! that his bright example may be indelibly
recorded in the Episcopal church in Scotland, as
a pattern to all who engage in her ministry and
service ! And O ! that you, my beloved brethren
in Christ, with the worthy people who now hear
me, and their childrens' children, may maintain
inviolate those princ^les, and ' continue in those

* things* which we and they ' have learned of

* him and been assured of, knowing (as we all do

* His grandfather lived till after 80. His father died at the
age of 86, and his mother at the age of 82. He had recently
completed his 72d year.

C

34 MEMOIR OF ,

* know) of whom he learned them,' — even of the
apostles and prophets, — Jesus Christ himself be-
ing ever with him the * chief corner-stone.' "

In secular learning, Bishop Skinner was no
adept, his studies being solely directed to * the

* knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified.*
In the arts of ornate composition and methodical
address, he was, as his works bear witness, but
little skilled. His aim was uniformly to edify,
not to entertain, an over- anxiety for which ren-
dered his style diffuse and tautological, though it
was always impressive. His sole and unceasing
desire was to * shew himself approved unto God,

* — a workman that needeth not to be *ashamed,

* rightly dividing the word of truth.* In evidence
of which, manuscript sermons in his hand-writing
exist, to the amount of nearly two thousand, and
embrace * the whole counsel of God' revealed in
holy Scripture. Still, though listened to with
more than ordinary attention, and even pleasure,
Bishop Skinner was not, in the common accepta-
tion of the terms, ' a popular preacher ;' his at-
tractions lay in the art of * comparing spiritual

* things with spiritual,' and of thus illustrating
Scripture by Scripture itself. The lambs of his
flock, as was prophesied of his divine Examplar,

BISHOP SKINNER. 35

he * gathered with his arm, and carried them in

* his bosom/ imparting to them, in a Sunday
school, which he regularly superintended, and,
throughout the whole season of Lent, in Chapel,
when public worship was over, * precept upon

* precept, line upon line, here a little and there

* a little,* as their tender minds would bear, until
being * no more children,' they * grew up unto

* Him in all things, which is the Head, even

* Christ,* having been duly taught to * mark them

* which cause' or encourage * divisions, and to a-

* void them.* The youth of his congregation,
thus * brought up in the nurture and admoni-

* tion of the Lord,' thus * trained up in the way

* that they should go,' seldom or never * depart-
' ed,* in things essential, from that way ; and
hence was Bishop Skinner's ministry so success-
ful as has been already stated.

From the year I786 to the year 1792, he an-
nually held two diocesan meetings of his clergy,
and delivered a charge to them at each meeting.
But from 1792 to the year in which he died, his
diocesan meetings were annual only, and took
place at Aberdeen, regularly on the Wednesday
after the third Sunday in August. Hence, his
charges to his clergy amount to no fewer thai
tliirty-six, and are directed against all the pre
c 2

36 MEMOIR OF

minent errors, schisms, and divisions of modern
times *.

Of eight children, born to Bishop Skinner,
four have survived him, two sons and two
daughters.

His two sons being educated for the Church,
John, the elder, was ordained, on St Matthias'
day, 1790, by the late Bishop Strachan of Dun-
dee J and, for the last twenty years of his clerical
life, has been settled in the Episcopal charge of
Forfar, in the diocese of Dunkeld. William, the
Bishop's second son, and youngest child, was or-
dained deacon in March 1802, by the late Dr
Samuel Horsley, Bishop of Rochester, and priest
in the year following by the same distinguished
Prelate, then Bishop of St Asaph ; and, having
assisted his father from that date, was duly con-
secrated Bishop of Aberdeen in his father's stead,

* To present the public with a printed volume or two of
such admirable matter as Bishop Skinner's manuscript char-
ges and discourses afford, would, to his executor and biogra-
pher, be a njost grateful task indeed ! But for him to do so
now, when works of this description are so little esteemed,
without such pecuniary hazard, (not to say loss,) as, in his
situation and circumstances of life, amounts to a virtual pro-
hibition, is impossible ! May more propitious times speedily
dawn upon our country.

BISHOP SKINNER. 37

on the 27th October 181G, having been regularly
and canonically elected to that sacred office by
the clergy of the diocese on the 11th day of
September of the same year.

Jane, the elder daughter, is unmarried j the
younger, Mary, is the wife of Alexander Dal-
garno, Esq. merchant in Aberdeen. Grace ex-
cepted, Vv'ho lived till she reached her eighth
year, Bishop Skinner's other children, all boys,
were cut off in infancy.

END OF THE MEMOIR.

ANNALS

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY.

41

ANNALS

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY.

The Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, by Bi-
shop Skinner's father, reaching down from the
first appearance of Christianity in this kingdom
to the first of May 1788, the present humble
Annalist of Scottish Episcopacy is to be under-
stood as commencing his labours from that date.
Yet, as the work is meant to be conducted so as
to illustrate the character, the views, and the ex-
ertions of the late senior Bishop and Primus, it
is necessary for the author to trace back his steps
to the year 1784 ; when, as was observed in
the excerpt from the sermon above quoted, the
event of Bishop Seabury's consecration, for the
State of Connecticut in North America, first
" introducing Bishop Skinner to the knowledge

42 ANNALS OF

and acquaintance of some eminent divines of the
Church of England," ultimately led to the strik-
ing change wrought on the face of the Episcopal
Church in Scotland, during the thirty-four years
of the Bishop's Episcopate.

At the time when the Rev. Dr Samuel Sea-
bury was in England, (whence he obtained his
letters of orders,) exerting himself for the estab-
lishment of a regular Episcopacy in the state of
Connecticut in North America, a gentleman of
equal worth and equal eminence in his station,
the Rev. Dr T. B. Chandler, formerly Rector of
Elizabeth-town in the state of New Jersey, was
resident also in the British Metropolis, entrusted
with a similar commission by the Episcopal clergy
of Nova Scotia, in aid of the church in that set-
tlement.

On the first day of April 1785, Bishop Skinner
wrote to this gentleman as follows : —

LETTER I.

BISHOP SKINNER TO DR CHANDLER.

" I hope you will excuse this trouble from one
who wishes to be known to you as the friend of
Dr Seabury, anxious for the welfare of that
worthy man, and for the success of his designs.
In a letter, which I had from him lately, dated at
Gravesend, when I suppose he was waiting his

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 43

embarkation, he mentions you as a person w'ith
whom I may freely correspond, about sending
some copies of a sermon, preached here at his
consecration, for sale in London. In itself this
is a matter of no moment, but I cannot help look-
ing upon it as a fortunate circumstance, in so far
as it affords me an opportunity of introducing my-
self by letter to your acquaintance, as one who
sincerely wishes a happy issue to the good cause
in which you are engaged. Allow me, therefore,
good Sir, to entreat the favour of a few lines from
you, when any thing occurs which you think in-
teresting to that cause, I mean to the establish-
ment of a pure and primitive Episcopacy in the
Western World.

" Our worthy friend, who is now, I hope,
crossing the Atlantic for that blessed purpose,
will have many difficulties to struggle with and
much opposition to encounter ; but his cause is
God's, his heart is good, his resolution firm and
steady, and I trust in the mercy of his heavenly
master, that these will ensure success to his pious
services. He has promised to write to me on his
arrival in America, and, I doubt not, he will be as
good as his word. But as you will perhaps have
occasion to hear more frequently from him, I
shall think myself highly obliged to you for any
intelligence respecting him or his affairs which
you may be pleased to communicate. For, be-
sides my being very much interested in his mat-
ters, from a similarity of office and character, the

44 ANNALS OF

short time I had the pleasure of seeing and con-
versing with him here, has given me such a high
opinion of his personal worth, as must ever en-
title him to my warmest esteem and most affec-
tionate remembrance. This honest declaration,
therefore, of my attachment to Bishop Seabury,
will, I hope, plead my excuse with his v/orthy
friend Dr Chandler, for thus intruding upon him
without a more formal introduction. I have
taken the opportunity of a private bearer to con-
vey this to your hand ; but, if honoured with a
reply, let me beg that it be sent by post, as the
surest and speediest mode of conveyance. Ac-
cept of my best respects, &c.

LETTER IT.

DR CHANDLER TO BISHOP SKINNER.

London, April 23, 1785.
" About three days ago, I was honoured with
your very friendly and obliging letter of the first
instant. I feel myself greatly indebted to my
excellent friend. Bishop Seabury, for having men-
tioned me in such a manner as to occasion the
offer of so reputable a correspondence as is pre-
sented in your letter ; and were I to remain in a
situation that favoured it, I should embrace it
with all thankfulness. ^ But I am soon to embark
for America, and for a part of it where, during

SCOTI'ISH EPISCOPACY. 45

my continuance there, I shall be unable to answer
your expectations.

** You may perhaps have heard, that after hav-
ing been separated eight years from my family,
which I left in New Jersey, I have been detained
here two years longer, with the prospect of being
appointed to the superintendency of the church
in our new country. This business, though the
call for it is most urgent, is still postponed j and
it appears to be in no greater forwardness now
than it did a year ago. In the meamvhile, I am
labouring under a scorbutic, corrosive disorder,
which renders a sea voyage and change of cli-
mate immediately necessary. I therefore thought
proper to wait upon the Archbishop a day or two
ago, to resign my pretensions to the Nova Scotia
Episcopate, that I might be at liberty to cross
the Atlantic and visit my family, consisting now
of a most excellent wife and tliree amiable daugh-
ters. His Grace v/ould not hear of my giving
up my claim to the above mentioned appointment,
but readily consented to my visiting my family,
on condition that I v/ould hold myself in readi-
ness to undertake the important charge when-
ever I might be called for, which I promised, in
case my health should admit of it. Accordingly,
I have engaged a passage in a ship bound to
New York, which is obliged to sail by this day
fortnight. By this migration you can be no
loser, if you will be pleased in my stead to adopt,
for your correspondent^ the Rev. Mr Boucher of

46 ANNALS OF

Paddington, a loyal clergyman from Maryland,
the worthiest of the worthy, and one of the most
confidential friends of Bishop Seabury. I have
taken the liberty of shewing him your letter,
and making him the proposal. He will think
himself happy in answering your inquiries from
time to time, and will, as a correspondent, be able
to give you more satisfaction than I could.

*' I have often expressed my wish that your
truly valuable Consecration Sermon might be ad-
vertised for sale in this city. If this had been done
while the occasion was fresh, I am persuaded that
a large edition would have sold, and much good
would have arisen from it. I am of opinion that,
late as it now is, many copies would still be call-
ed for were they known to be at hand. I should
think Mr Robinson of Paternoster-Row might be
properly employed in that way, who has mostly
published for Mr Jones, and sometimes for Dr
Home. By the bye, it gives me pleasure to see
my two learned friends here mentioned, honour-
ed with your notice. In this sermon you have
ably, clearly, and unanswerably explained the ori-
gin and nature of ecclesiastical authority, and * he
* that hath ears to hear let him hear.'

*' This is a subject which I have repeatedly
had occasion to consider, in the course of my pub-
lications in defence of our claim to an Episco-
pate, and I am ashamed to find that it is so little
understood by the English clergy in general.

" Dr Seabury, of whom you cannot have so

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 47

high an opinion as I have, because you are not so
well acquainted with him, left the Downs on the
15th of last month j on the 19th he was 65 leagues
west of the Lizard, with a fair prospect of a good
passage, at which time he wrote to me. It ap-
pears from the late letters from America that there
was great impatience for his arrival, and no appre-
hension of his meeting with ill-treatment from any
quarter. In my opinion, he has more trouble to
expect from a certain crooked-grained false bro-
ther, (of whose character you must have some
knowledge,) than from any other person. I mean
Dr S — th, late of Philadelphia College, now of
Maryland. He is a man of abihties and applica-
tion, but intriguing and pragmatical. His prin-
ciples, with regard both to church and state, if
he has any, are most commodiously flexible,
yielding not only to every blast, but to the gen-
tlest breeze that whispers ! With professions of
great personal esteem for Dr Seabury, made oc-
casionally, he has always counteracted and oppos-
ed him as far as he dared, and I doubt not but he
will continue to oppose him in his Episcopal cha-
racter. He will be able to do this more effectu-
ally if he succeeds in his project of obtaining
consecration himself, with a view to which he is
said to be about embarking for Britain. His cha-
racter is so well known by the Bishops here, that
I trust they would have the grace to reject him,
even were he to carry his point with the ministry ;
and I am sure there is no danger of his imposing

48 ANNALS OF

upon your venerable synod. Before I was aware
1 have got to the end of my paper, and must now
take my leave, but I hope only for a little while ; for
wherever or however Providence may dispose of
me,-I shall be happy in any opportunities of prov-
ing myself your very respectful and obedient ser-
vant."

Previously to receipt of this letter, it is doubt-
ful whether Bishop Skinner had ever heard of Mr
Boucher, more than by name. Eager, however,
to learn tidings of the first Bishop of the Western
Hemisphere, he introduced himself to Mr B. by
letter, thus —

LETTER III.

BISHOP SKINNER TO THE REV. JONATHAN BOUCHER.

Aberdeen, 25th June 1785.
" Sometime ago I wrote to your acquaintance,
Dr Chandler, begging, as a singular favour, that
he would be kind enough to communicate to me
any interesting intelligence he might receive of
our worthy friend. Bishop Seabury, of whose wel-
fare and success, you may believe, I will ever be
anxious to hear. The good Doctor lost no time in
making a most obliging return to my letter ; but
informed me, to my great regret, that his state
of health was such as to render a sea voyage ab-
solutely necessary for the recovery of it, and that

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 49

he was to sUil in a short time for New York, being
obhged to leave the great object of his coming to
Britain unaccompKshed. Pity were it that a de-
sign so laudable, and so essential to the interests
of religion in the new province, should thus be
set aside by reasons of state, without any other
formidable impediment in the way of it.

*' With uncommon attention to my anxiety,
after informing me of his intended departure from
England, and the afflicting cause of it, Dr Chand-
ler adds, ' that by his migration I can be no loser,

* if in his stead I will adopt for my correspondent

* the Rev. Mr Boucher of Paddington,' of whom
he gives a most amiable character, and, what en-
dears you still more to me, describes you as one of
the most confidential friends of Bishop Seabury.
As such, I now gladly embrace the opportunity
of introducing myself to you, in hopes that, by
the time this reaches your hand, there will be
some account of the good Bishop's arrival in Ame-
rica, if it has pleased God to grant him a speedy
and prosperous voyage, for which I doubt not the
prayers of many have been devoutly addressed to
heaven.

*' The Bishop promised to write me from Ha-
lifax, if he found any vessel there for Scotland,
But as you will probably hear of him, if not from
him, sooner than I can expect, and oftener than
he will have occasion to write to me, it will be do-
ing me a very great favour, if you will be so good
as to inform me, from time to time, what accounts

D

5(i ANNALS OF

you may receive either from him or of him, such
as you think will be acceptable to one who loves
and esteems him, and wishes his success and hap-
piness, as I do. This is a task which I would not
have presumed to impose on you, had not Dr
Chandler so kindly paved the way for it.

" Our amiable friend, the Bishop of Connecti-
cut, will have many difficulties to struggle with
in the blessed work he has undertaken; and
particularly from certain occurrences in some of
the southern states, which will, I fear, create
no small opposition to the conscientious discharge
of his duty. The busy, bustling President of
Washington College, Maryland, seems to be lay-
ing a foundation for much confusion throughout
the churches of North America, and it will require
all Bishop Seabury's prudence and good manage-
ment to counteract his preposterous measures. I
saw a letter from this man lately to a Clergyman
in this country, wherein he proposes to be in
London as last month, and wishes to know what
the Bishops in Scotland would do, on an applica-
tion to them from any foreign country, such as
America is now declared to be, for a succession
in their ministry, by the consecration of one or
more Bishops for them ! By this time, I suppose,
he knows both what we would do and what we
have done ; and perhaps is not ignorant, that, as
our terms would not please him, so his measures
would be equally displeasing to us.

" I have seen, in the Gentleman's Magazine,

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 51

various strictures on the subject of Dr Seabury's
consecration ; and the sermon preached on the
occasion has been criticised, and some passages in
it found fault with, as disrespectful to the English
Bishops, and even to the authority of the British
Parliament. As the author intended not his dis-
course for the meridian of London, he was at no
pains to adapt it to the notions that are cherished
under the warm sunshine of civil establishment ;
it is sufficient for him, if it meets with the appro-
bation of the truly wise and worthy, wherever
they be, that look more to the things of Christ
than to the things of this world."

Mr Boucher being on a continental tour when
this letter reached him, delayed answering it un-
til his return to England. The following grateful
communication, of date the 6th of December
1785, was then despatched from Epsom.

LETTER IV.

REV. JONATHAN DOUCHEPt TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" When your very obliging and acceptable fa-
vour of the 25th June reached Paddington, I had
just left it, to go on a long tour into Germany
and France, from which I returned late in Octo-
ber. Your letter was delivered to a most valu-
able and confidential friend, William Stevens,

D 2

ANNALS OF

Esq., who is also the friend of all your friends.
Mr Stevens tells me he acquainted you with my
absence, which, I hope, would apologise for my
not having sooner thanked you for what I really
consider as a very great favour.

*' No doubt you have long ago heard of good
Bishop Seabury's arrival, and most affectionate
reception among the poor scattered sheep of yon-
der wilderness. He carries himself with such a
steady prudence, as to have commanded the re-
spect of even the most spiteful ill-willers of his
order ; and, with all the countless difficulties he
has to encounter, yet, by the blessing of God on
his firm mind, there is, I trust, little doubt that
the church will grow under his pastoral care. I
have as yet heard only of his having ordained five
presbyters, one or more of whom are from the
Southern States, which I mention, as considering
it as an acknowledgment of his powers, even be-
yond the limits of his professed district.

** A general convention of the Episcopal Cler-
gy of all North America, m.ade up of an equal
proportion of lay members, was to meet in Phi-
ladelphia about Michaelmas, to form some gene-
ral plan for the whole Episcopal Church. Dr Sea-
bury, I have understood, though not from him-
self, was invited and pressed to attend this meet-
ing, but he very prudently declined it, as, from
its motley composition, he could not be sure of
things being conducted as they ought. He will
])e there, however, or has been there, (and Dr

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. Oo

Chandler also,) with his advice and influence ;
and this is the only reason I have to form any
hopes of any good coming from the meeting.

" I hear of some very alarming symptoms at-
tending the poor church in the Southern States.
The few Episcopal Clergymen left there are not,
as you may imagine, men the most distinguished
for abilities or worth. The enemies of the Church
see this, and avail themselves of it. T have sun-
dry late letters from thence, which all speak, far
too confidently, of some wild purpose of forming
a coalition, (too like some other coalitions) be-
tween the Episcopalians and Presbyterians. I
have, by every means in my power, put those, over
whom 1 have any influence, in my old neighbour-
hood of Virginia and Maryland, on their guard
against a measure which I cannot but deem insi-
dious, and therefore likely to be fatal. And I
have also called in the aid of those stout cham-
pions, Drs Chandler and Seabury. God grant
that our united efforts may all avail ! It adds not
a little to my apprehensions, that all these things
are carrying on within the vortex of Dr S — th's
immediate influence, who is bent on being a Bi-
shop, * per fas aut nefas,'' and who, if he cannot
otherwise compass his end, will assuredly unite

with the P ns ; and so Herod and Pontius

Pilate shall again be made friends !

" You may not perhaps have heard, as I have,
that he affected to be much pleased with Dr Sea-

54 ANNALS OF

bury's having returned to America, invested witk
the Episcopal character, all which will be abun-
dantly explained to you when I farther inform
you of his having found out that one Bishop alone
may, in certain cases, consecrate another. The
English of this is plain, and may account for your
not having seen him in Scotland ! The case is a
ticklish one, and will require poor Seabury*s ut-
most skill to manage. He knows S — th well, and,
of course, thinks of him as we all do. Yet, if
S — th is thus properly consecrated, such is his in-
fluence, it may be the means of preventing that
sad state of things in Virginia and Maryland
which I hinted at above. Yet it is dreadful to
think of having such a man in such a station !
I daily expect further and fuller accounts, and,
on your signifying that it will not be disagreeable
to you, I shall have much pleasure in commu-
nicating them."

The reader will not doubt of Bishop Skinner's
eagerness to cultivate a correspondence, in all re-
spects so desirable as was the correspondence of
this zealous friend of Church and State. Early
in the ensuing year, therefore, the Bishop repli-
ed to the above interesting letter.

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. S5

LETTER V.

BISHOP SKTNNEPi TO MR BOUCHER.

<< Aberdeen, Jan. 4, 1786.
" I acknowledge, with much satisfaction, the
favour of your obliging letter of 6th December,
which I received with the greater pleasure, as
the intimation given by your friend Mr Stevens
of your absence had unluckily not come to my
hand. The accounts of good Bishop Seabury's
favourable reception in America, you may believe
were highly agreeable to me, and my brethren of
the Episcopal Church in this country ; and though
as yet we have not had these accounts confirmed
under his own hand, we have no doubt but that
a little time will bring us these refreshing tidings,
and open up a happy correspondence between
the pastors of the^ truly * little flock' here, and
those of the * many scattered sheep of yonder
wilderness.* I observed in the newspapers the
other day a paragraph, as quoted from the Ma-
ryland Journal, which gives no more, I hope,
than a true account of our worthy friend's pro-
ceedings, and the honourable reception he has
met with. The description you give of the alarm-
ing symptoms appearing in the Southern States,
is indeed very affecting, and shews such a mise-
rable deficiency in point of knowledge, as well as
zeal, among the Episcopal Clergy in those parts,
as could hardly have been suspected among any

Ob ANNALS OF

who had received regular Episcopal ordination.
It gives me some comfort to hear that such able
advocates for primitive truth and order as Dr
Chandler and yourself, are stepping forth in op-
position to the wild undigested schemes of mo-
dern sectaries. God, of his mercy, grant success
to your endeavours in so good a cause, and raise
up many such to strengthen the hands of his faith-
ful servant, the Bishop of Connecticut, while he
stands single in the great work he has undertak-
en. But is there no prospect of his getting some
fellow-workers of his own order, to assist him in
stemming that torrent of irregularity which seems
to be pouring down upon him from the Southern
States? What you mention of my countryman, Dr
S — th, is too much of a piece with his former
conduct, and plainly shews what some people will
do to compass the end they have in view.

" As to what the Doctor has found out in fa-
vour of a singular consecration, I know nothing
that can justify such a measure but absolute ne-
cessity, which in his case cannot be pleaded, be-
cause, in whatever way the Scottish Bishops
might treat an application in his behalf, there is
no reason to doubt of their readily concurring in
any proper plan for increasing the number of
Bishops in America. And as Dr Seabury must be
sufficiently sensible oftheir good inclinations that
way, I hope he will be the better able to resist
the introduction of any disorderly measure which
miirht be made a precedent for future irregula-

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 57

rities, and be attended with the worst of conse-
quences to the cause of Episcopacy. If S — th
must be promoted to the Episcopate at all ha-
zards, let him at least wait until there be a ca-
nonical number of Bishops in America for that
purpose. That thus, whatever objections may
be made to the man, there may be none to the
manner of his promotion.

*' You will oblige me much by communicating,
from time to time, what accounts you receive of
these matters, as I shall always be anxious to hear
of our worthy friend in Connecticut, and how
things fare with him and the cause which he has
undertaken to support. And although I shall
have little to say in return worthy of your notice,
I shall not fail to acknowledge the continuance
of your correspondence as a very singular favour.

*' We have been lately flattered with the pros-
pect of some friendly notice from the church of
England, and are told that, at a convenient sea-
son, it is intended to do us some service with the
people in power. An anonymous letter to this
purpose, signed * A Dignified Clergyman of the
* Church of England,' was last summer transmit-
ted to our Primus, Bishop Kilgour, at Peterhead.
I wrote to Dr B*******, at Canterbury, wishing
to know if he could inform us who the author
might be ; or what ground there appeared to him
for the assurances which the letter contains, but as
yet 1 have received no satisfactory reply. Thus
kept in the dark, it is no wonder if sometimes we

5S ANNALS OF

mistake friends for enemies, and behave to them
as such, not knowing whom to trust, or where to
look for that rehef which the distressed condition
of our church has so long called for in vain. God
pity and protect us, and support his church in all
places where the hand of the oppressor lies hea-
vy on it !

" Wishing to hear from you as often as conve-
nient, I am, with great regard," &;c.

It stands confessed, that the sentiments of the
very best and wisest of men are liable to be sway-
ed by situation and circumstances. Had the Bri-
tish Government not dreaded the political expe-
diency of giving a valid Episcopacy to the Wes-
tern World, at the time when Dr Seabury so-
licited that gift from his mother church of Eng-
land, he had never been constrained to apply
elsewhere for consecration. But political expe-
diency was the last thing which men situated as
at that period the Scottish Bishops were situated,
would think of consulting. On the contrary,
they must and did feel what the Bishop-elect of
the State of Connecticut felt, and what Bishop
Skinner, not aware that he was doing any thing
improper, expressed in his consecration sermon,
viz. that '• as long as there are nations to be in-
structed in the principles of the gospel, or a
church to be formed in any part of the inhabited
world, the successors of the Apostles are obliged,
by the commission which they hold, to contri-

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 59

bute, as far as they can, or may be required of
them, to the propagation of those principles, and
to the formation of every church, upon the most
pure and primitive model. No fear of worldly cen-
sure ought to keep them back from so good a
work ; no connection with any state, nor depen-
dence on [any government whatever, should tie
up their hands from communicating the blessings
of that * kingdom which is not of this world,' and
diffusing tlie means of salvation by a valid and
regular ministry, wherever they may be wanted.'*
Similarly situated and circumstanced, the No-
va Scotia candidate for the Episcopate, the learn-
ed Dr Chandler, so far from disapproving of this,
or any other sentiment or expression in Bishop
Skinner's discourse, tells him, (as the reader will
have remarked,) " in this sermon you have ably,
clearly, and unanswerably explained the origin
and nature of ecclesiastical authority ; and, * he
that hath ears to hear, let him hear !' " Differ-
ently situated, however, from both or either of
thege parties, the writer of the anonymous letter
to Bishop Kilgour, supposed to be the great and
good Bishop Lowth, who died two years after,
expresses himself in terms as little expected on
Bishop Kilgour's part, as was the offence on his
colleague Bishop Skinner's part an intentional
offence. The letter is verbatim as follows :

60 ANNALS OF

'* Right Rev. Sir,

London, June 9. 1785.

" The Consecration of Doctor Seabury, by
the Scotch Bishops, was an event which gave
much pleasure to many of the most dignified and
respectable amongst the English Clergy, and to
none more than to him who now has the honour
to address you. A man who believes Episcopacy,
as I do, to be a divine institution, could not but
rejoice to see it derived through so pure a chan-
nel to the Western World.

'* Full of the greatness of this measure, I im-
mediately sent for the sermon preached at the
consecration, on observing it advertised. And I
am sorry to say, that I perused it with a mixture
of satisfaction and deep concern. Much of it met
my entire assent. It exhibits principles which
I have always entertained, and which every friend
to Episcopacy must approve. There are some
passages in it, however, which I sincerely wish it
had not contained, and which 1 cannot help
thinking it was injudicious to publish, as I am
afraid they are calculated to hurt your Church,
and dangerous to the interests of Episcopacy in
North Britain.

*' Nor is this my own opinion merely, but of
several of my brethren, well affected to the Epis-
copal Church of Scotland who have read the dis-
course. Many think they perceive in it the
Enghsh Bishops treated with contempt, for not

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 6l

Consecrating Dr Seabury at every risk ; and the
manner in which the Acts of the British Parlia-
ment are mentioned in a note, gives general of-
fence. For passages of this nature there is the
less indulgence, because it is conceived, that, on
such an occasion they were perfectly unnecessary,
and cannot, in any view, possibly do good *.

* Assuredly had this been the case,~had the contents of
the note been " perfectly unnecessary," the writer of this ad-
mirable lettei-, whoever he was, had good right to be offended ;
but was it " unnecessary" for men, in the situation and circum-
stances of the Scottish Bishops at that period, to shew, by the
authority of Divines of the Church of England, that, in the
good work which they had on hand, they were fulfilling, in
some measure, the purpose of their ministry ? The offensive
note is shortly this : — " The late Dr Sherlock, Dean of St.
Pauls, in his Summary of the Controversies, p. 119, says ex-
pressly : ' If Bishops will not exercise that power which
' Christ has given them, they are accountable to the Lord for

* it. But they cannot give it away, neither from themselves
' nor from their successors; for it is theirs only to use, not to

< part with it.' Another divine of the Church of England,
Mr Reeves, in his sermon on Heb. xiii. 17. speaking of the
independency of the Church, says: ' It has been largely and

* warmly argued on both sides, but the merits of the cause

* seem to lie in little room. The question to be resolved in

< short is. Whether Christ has committed the government
' of the Church to the Apostles and their successors, or to the

< laity and civil magistrate ? Now this can be decided only by

* Scripture, from Christ's commission, and from the practice
' of the Apostles and their successors consequent thereupon,
' and therefore all arguments for the Regale, (that is, for the

* King being head of the Church,) taken from year-books,
' reports, and even Acts of Parliament, are of no weight in the
^ question before us. For be they never so full and positive

62' ANNALS OF

" Who the author of this performance is, I
have not been informed ; but I address myself to
you, Sir, having been told that you are one of
the Scottish Bishops. My purpose is not to criti-
cise the sermon ; if such were my views, I might
justly be reckoned an impertinent meddler. I
am actuated, I hope, by better motives, and such
as you will approve.

" The Church of England, Sir, I am well au-
thorised to say, hath, of late years, looked on her
sister in Scotland with a pitying eye. Many of
our Clergy have regarded her as hardly dealt
with, and wished for a repeal of those laws un-
der which she now suffers. I have good reason
to believe that there is an intention formed of
endeavouring to do her some service at a con-
venient season ; and I sincerely hope, no cir-
cumstance will intervene to frustrate that inten«
tion. It pains me to say, however, that this
sermon is not likely to promote it. I cannot
suppose that the Prelate who preached it, meant
by its publication either to alienate the English
Clergy from the society to which he belongs, or

* against the inherent power of the Clergy, yet certain it is,
' and may be spoken I hope without offence, that there is no
' omnipotency in Parliaments, and that the gospel is not

* repealable by the civil powers.' Bishop Skinner merely
adds : ' Many thanks to Mr Reeves for this strong and

* sensible vindication of the Clergy of the Episcopal Church in
' Scotland, who have ventured for a long time to shew more
« regard to the Acts of the Apostles than to the Acts of the
' British Parliament.'

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACr. 63

to insult the British Government ; for I will not
suppose that a Bishop would write purposely to
prevent the good of that Church which, above
all others, it is his duty to cherish. But surely
there are passages in this sermon not well fitted
to induce either the Clergy of England to apply
for a mitigation of those rigours of which the
preacher complains, or the State to grant that
mitigation were the application made. It is in
this view, Sir, that many of us regret the publi-
cation of the sermon, and think it imprudent.
We wish our sister church to prosper, and would
be happy could we contribute to her prosperity.
But with what face could we apply for relief
to her, while her governors openly avow such
sentiments ? We flatter ourselves that they are
not the sentiments of many of the Bishops and
Clergy of Scotland; and we would hope, nay
even beg and entreat, (had we any right to do so,)
that they would not themselves put it out of our
power to make use of those exertions which we
are much disposed to employ in their favour, and
wliich we doubt not might prove successful.

" After what I have said, Sir, I hope I have
no occasion to apologize for this letter. I can
affirm with truth, that it is dictated by the warm-
est attachment to the interests of Protestant Epis-
copacy, and has no other end in view but the
good of that Church over which you preside.
Who the writer of it is you may possibly hereafter
learn j at present he can only assure you that he is,

G4f ANNALS OF

with every sentiment of respect for your sacred
character,

A DIGNIFIED CLERGYMAN
OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

** P. S. — May I claim your indulgence for
franking this letter only to Edinburgh. It is
owing to my not being able to learn the name of
the place where you reside."

That this " Dignified Clergyman" was a Bishop
of the Church of England, the postscript leaves
little room to doubt, from his possessing the Par-
liamentary privilege of " franking ;'* and the con-
jecture of his being the Bishop of London for
the time being, seems not ill founded, from the
non fulfihiient of the implied pledge " hereafter'*
to discover himself, Bishop Lowth having died the
3d November 1787. Mad he given the author of
the sermon an opportunity of explaining himself,
or pointed out any channel of communicating with
one wlio, though evidently a warm friend, was
desirous of present concealment, the writer of
the above excellent letter would have received
Bishop Skinner's thanks, not only for his proffered
services, but also for pointing out to him wherein
he had so unwittingly deviated from the strict line
of duty. To any one not circumstanced as * the
" Dignified Clergyman" shews himself to have
been, it will appear evident that the Bishop only
meant to indulge in a Httle harmless pleasantry^

SCOTTISH EPrSCOFACY,

when, in the * note which gave such general of-

* fence,' he contrasts * the Acts of the Apostles'
with * the Acts of the British Parliament/ and
says, (what was very evident to every body,)
' that the Clergy of the Episcopal Church in

* Scotland had ventured, for a long time, to shew

* more regard to the one than to the other.' It
is to be hoped, that the Bishop, by his reply to
the following appHcation, will be acknowledg-
ed to have made the amende Jionorahle for the
offence of which, in such friendly terms, he had
been pronounced guilty by a Dignified inconiL

LETTER VI.

BISHOP SEABUP-Y TO BISHOP SKINNER.

Wallingford, Connecticut, March 2, 1787.

" I write a short and hasty letter from this
place, where I have been attending a meeting of
my Clergy. They are much alarmed at the steps
taken by the Clergy and Laity to the south of
us, and are very apprehensive that, should it
please God to take me out of the world, the
same spirit of innovation in the Government and
Liturgy of the Church would be apt to rise in
this State, which has done so much mischief in
our neighbourhood. The people, you know, es-
pecially in this country, are fond of exercising
power, when they have an opportunity j and

E

66 ANNALS OF

should this See become vacant, the Clergy may
find themselves under the fatal necessity of fal-
ling under the Southern establishment, which
they consider as a departure from Apostolical
institution.

" To prevent all danger of this, they are anxi-
ous to have a Bishop-coadjutor to me, and will
send a gentleman to Scotland for consecration as
soon as they know that the measure meets with
the full approbation of my good and highly re-
spected brethren in Scotland. It has not only
my approbation, but my most anxious wishes
are, that it may be soon carried into execution.
You will, I know, consult the Right Rev. Bishops
Kilgour and Petrie, and will give me the necessary
information as soon as possible. In the mean-
time, we shall be making the proper arrange-
ments here, that the person fixed on may avail
himself of the first opportunity of embarking af-
ter receipt of your letter.

" I can, at this time, say no more, than to re-
quest you to remember me most respectfully and
affectionately to our good Primus and Bishop
Petrie, to Mrs Skinner and family, and to all who
think so much of me as sometimes to enquire
about me."

SCOTTISH EPISeOPACY. Gj

LETTER VII.

BISHOP SKINNER TO BISHOP SEABURY.

Aberdeen, June 20, 1787.

" Anxious, as I ever am, to hear of your wel-
fare, I was much refreshed some weeks ago, even
by a short letter from you, dated the 2d March,
at WalHngford, where it would seem you had
been attending a meeting of your Clergy. I lost
no time in communicating to our worthy Primus
this agreeable intelligence ; but it came too late
for good Bishop Petrie, who, to the great regret
of this poor and desolate church, was taken from
us by death on the 9th of April last, after a long
and painful struggle with a complication of bodi-
ly infirmities.

" Happily for us, and through the good Provi-
dence of God, he was enabled to assist at the con-
secration of a Coadjutor, about six weeks before
his death. Your good friend, Mr Macfarlane at
Inverness, was the person made choice of for this
office, who accordingly was promoted to the Epis-
copate, in the Primus' chapel at Peterhead, on
the 7th day of March last. He has now succeed-
ed to the districts that were under the charge of
Bishop Petrie j and, I make no doubt, will prove

GS ANNALS OF

a zealous and faithful member of our small Epis-
copal College. *

«* Last year Bishop Kilgour, deeming himself
too weak for the burden of this diocese, resigned
the whole charge of it into my hands, but still
continues to act as Primus, and I hope will yet
be spared for some time with us. I sent your
letter to him, and a copy of it to Bishop Macfar-
lane, and having received answers from both,
shall now lay before you our joint sentiments on
the subject of your proposal.

" It has given us great concern to hear of the
ecclesiastical proceedings in some of your South-
ern States. We fondly hoped that Episcopal Cler-
gymen would have gladly embraced the opportu-
nity of settling their Church on a pure and primi-
tive footing, and of regulating their whole ecclesi-
astical polity, as well as their doctrine and worship,
according to Apostolical institution. In this hope,
however, we have been sadly disappointed, by
the accounts we have received of the nature and
design of their several conventions; and some ex-
tracts, which were published from their new Li-
turgy, increased our dread of a total apostacy,

* In the course of the year 1787, other two members were
added to the Scottish Episcopate. Bishops Abernethy Drum-
mond and Strachan were consecrated at Peterhead, on the
26th September, by Bishops Kilgour, Skinner, and Macfar-
lane; Bishop Abernethy Drummond being, in due time, ap-
pointed to the See of Edinburgh, and Bishop Strachan to that
of Brechin, in which his pastoral Cure (Dundee) was situated.

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 69

giving us ground toappreliend a total departure,
not only from ancient discipline, but even from
* the faith once delivered to the saints.'

" Hearing of their intended application to the
English hierarchy, we were full of anxiety for the
event of it. The character of the present Arch-
bishop of Canterbury gave us reason to think,
that he would not ' lay his hands suddenly/ on
any one ; — and farther information confirmed
our good opinion of his Grace's orthodoxy, which,
we are Informed, would bend to no solicitation in
favour of Socinian principles, or the tenets of
those who * deny the Lord that bought them.'
Nay, we have farther learned, and we are led to
think from good authority, that Drs White and
Prevost, the two new American Prelates, * before
they left Lambeth, became bound, in the most
solemn manner, not to lay hands on Dr S — th,
or on any other man who calls in question the
doctrine of the Trinity, or of our Saviour's atone-
ment. And we are even made to understand, that

* See Note to Eccles. Hist, of Scotland by the Rev. J.
Skinner, Vol. II. p. 687, where it is stated, that, on being in-
formed that the alleged obstacles in Bishop Seabury's case had
been purposely and legally removed, a body of Episcopal
Clergy in the Southern States of America made application
to the English Bishops fov consecration to their Bishops elect,
in consequence of which, on the 4th February 1V87, Drs.
White and Prevost, the former elected for Philadelphia, the
latter for New York, were both consecrated at Lambeth by the
Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by the Archbishop of York,
the Biihop of Bath and Wells, and the Bishop of Peterborough,

70 ANNALS OF

it was recommended to the two Prelates to hold
communion with the Bishop of Connecticut, to
which recommendation a considerable degree of
credit seems to attach, from the circumstance of
no more than two being invested with the Epis-
copal office.

" It is moreover said, that a second edition of
their Book of Common Prayer has appeared, and
on a plan much more unexceptionable than the
first, there being no alteration to the worse, and
some even to the better. It is presumable, that
the English Consecraters have both seen and are
satisfied with the Liturgy which the new Bishops
are to use ; and, provided the analogy of faith
and the purity of worship be preserved, it were
a pity, we should think, to interrupt Episcopal
union, and communion in any part of the Ca-
thohc Church. We do not read that the litur-
gical variations, which are known to have prevail-
ed in the primitive times, occasioned any breach
of communion among Bishops, while no essential
corruptions were introduced, or impure addi-
tions imposed as terms of communion. Where-
fore, all these things duly considered, we are
humbly of opinion, that the objects which our
good brother of Connecticut and his Clergy have
in view may be now obtained, without putting
any of them to the trouble and expence of com-
ing to Scotland.

" We can hardly imagine that the Bishops of
Philadelphia and New York will refuse their bror

SCOTTISH Episcopacy. 71

therly assistance in the measure which you pro-
pose to us,''or yet take upon them to impose their
own Liturgy as the sole condition of comphance.
Should this be the case, and these new Bishops
either refuse to hold communion with you, or
grant it only on terms with which you cannot in
conscience comply, there would then be no room
for us to hesitate. But fain would we hope bet-
ter things of these your American brethren, and
that there will be no occasion for two separate
communions among the Episcopalians of the U-
nited States.

" We are well persuaded that neither you nor
your Clergy would wish to give any unnecessary
cause of disgust on either side the Atlantic ; and
prudence, you must be aware, bids us turn our
eyes to our own situation, which, though it af-
fords no excuse for shrinking from duty, will, at
the same time, justify our not stepping beyond
our line, any farther than duty requires.

" Before this reaches your hand, the English
Consecrate will not only have arrived in Ame-
rica, but will also have probably taken such mea-
sures as will enable you tojudge of the propriety
of an application to them for the end you have
in view. We shall therefore expect to hear from
you at full length on this interesting subject, and
doubt not but you will believe us ever ready to
contribute, as far as is necessary or incumbent
on us, to the support of primitive truth and order
in the Church of Christ.

7'2 ANNALS OF

" I wrote you in June last year, to the care of
a friend at New York, who informs me that he
forwarded my letter to you, together with a small
publication of mine which accompanied it. I
shall send this by the packet, and will be glad to
hear from you how soon it comes to hand ; if you
have leisure for a long letter, it will be doubly
welcome. All whom you met here remember
you most kindly, particularly your friends in this
family, to whom you will be ever dear ; accept
of their and my warmest wishes for your health
and happiness, and believe me ever," &c. &c.

In the reply made by Bishop Seabury to this
truly Catholic epistle, he fears that what his friends
in Scotland recommend to him, " cannot immedi-
ately take place, unless we adopt their (the Ame-
rican Convention's) book of Common Prayer and
lay delegates. The people here dislike their book,
and the Clergy will have nothing to do with lay-
iiien in Church government. This made me an-
xious to have another Bishop in this state, that
we might stand on even terms with them.

*' The public papers have announced that thq
Episcopal Clergy in Scotland now (Nov. 7, 1788)
pray for the King by name. 1 hope it is true, and
flatter myself it will free them, ere long, from
many embarrassments. I shall still pursue mea-
sures for uniting with the Southern churches, and
shall acquiesce in any terms, consistent with soun^l

1788. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 73

ecclesiastical principles. But I cannot give up
what T deem essential to Episcopal Government,
by admitting laymen into any share of it, farther
than the external or temporal state of things
may require. To subject a Bishop to the censure
of a consistory of presbyters and laymen, even
with a Bishop at their head, I cannot consent.
From that thraldom the Cliurch in Connecticut
must, if it please God, be preserved."

And, as far as is known to the Annalist of Scot-
tish Episcopacy, that Church, the first to boast of
Episcopal regimen among the Churches of the
West, has been so preserved, — esto perpetua. The
union which his Episcopal brethren in Scotland
were also so eager to see effected by Bishop Sea-
bury, took place. This excellent Prelate joined
with the Bishops of New York and Philadelphia in
the consecration of Bishops for the states of Vir-
ginia and Maryland, and died in full communion
with the whole Western Church in the year 1796,
to the unfeigned grief of all who knew him, or
who felt interested in the cause of sound and so-
ber Christianity.

17S8.] The event of the Protestant Bishops
and Clergy in Scotland putting up public pray-
ers for the King and Royal Family of Great Bri-
tain by name, having slipped into the reader's
notice in the course of developing another sub-
ject, it is high time for the Annalist to announce

7i ANNALS OP 1788.

the matter in its proper form, and to enter on
the discussion of the consequences which im-
mediately followed ; — " Consequences,'* writes
the Ecclesiastical Historian of Scotland, whose
heart was full of them, " which will be found of
considerable importance in the history of the
Scottish Episcopal Church." Hence, being the
last event which the Rev. Mr Skinner of Long-
side records, there seems to be a propriety in the
writer, whose work aims at no higher rank than
that of a text-book to the future historian, laying
the matter before his readers, in his learned re-
lative's own words.

" On the 24th of April 1788, the Protestant
Bishops in Scotland having met at Aberdeen to
take into their consideration the state of the
Church under their inspection, did, upon mature
deliberation with their Clergy, unanimously agree
to comply with, and submit to the present Go-
vernment of this kingdom, as invested in the per-
son of his Majesty George the Third. They also
resolved to testify this compliance by uniformly
praying for him by name, in their public wor-
ship, in hopes of removing all suspicion of disaf-
fection, and of obtaining relief from those penal
laws under which this church has so long suffer-
ed. This resolution was duly intimated to the
Clergy and laity of their communion, as proceed-
ing from principles purely Ecclesiastical, and
to which the Bishops are moved by the most just

17S8. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. "^5

and satisfactory reasons, in discharge of that
high trust devolved upon them in their Epis-
copal character, and to promote, as far as
they can, the peace and prosperity of that por-
tion of the Christian Church committed to their
charge*."

But ** why," the reader will naturally ask,
" was this particular year and period of time fix-
ed on for such compliance and submission ?" Mr
Skinner, in his History, assigns no other reason
but the fiat of his Ecclesiastical superiors, and
the accordance of the Clergy. About the mid-
dle of February I788, accounts reached Scotland,
that on the 31st day of January of that year the
Count of Albany, the eldest grandson of King
James VIL of Scotland and II. of England
and Ireland, and undoubted heir-male of the roy-
al house of Stuart, departed this life in the city
of Rome. This event had been long looked for-
ward to as a matter of very great importance to
the Scottish Episcopal Church, whose sufferings for
the now generally received principle of legitimate
government had been so great. In fact, the event
was regarded as the means of placing that Church
in a more critical situation than any in which she
had stood, since the era of tl/e Revolution in
1688. Immediately, therefore, did the Bishops,
as the guardians of the faith and practice of their
several districts, communicate to each other their

* Skinner's Eccles. Hist, of Scotland, Vol. II. p. 688.

76 ANNALS OF 1788.

respective opinions with regard to the steps that
were proper to be taken by the Church at large.
Bishop Abernethy Drummond was the first who
laid the matter formally before his Clergy of the
diocese of Edinburgh j and, in a letter addres-
sed to them on the 8th of March 17f>8, gave
them a very full account of his own sentiments,
accompanied with a request, that they would
lose no time in meeting together for the purpose
of deliberating on that important business which
he had submitted to their consideration.

The Edinburgh Clergy met accordingly, on
the 13th of March, and addressed a letter to
their Bishop, in which, after expressing very free-
ly their sentiments on the subject of civil govern-
ment, and their readiness now to offer their alle-
giance to the house of Brunswick, they earnestly
hope that their Ecclesiastical superiors will lend
a favourable ear to the reasonings of their Clergy,
and take the important case, on which they had
been deliberating, into their most serious consi-
deration. On the 9th of April 1788, the usual
synodical meeting of the Clergy of Aberdeen-
shire was holden at Longside ; when, after cal-
ling their attention to the present depressed state
of the Church in this kingdom, their Bishop in-
formed them, that, in his view of matters, it was
now not only expedient, but necessary for them,
to consider whether, and to what effect, compli-
ance with the existing Government might afford
the means of wished-for relief.

1788. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 77..

*' After arguing at length on the subject *, the
Clergy were unanimously of opinion, that as mat-
ters now stood, they were at full liberty to pray,
by name, for the reigning Prince and the Royal
Family ; but considering how necessary it would
be to sanction a measure of this description, by
the highest Ecclesiastical authority, they humb-
ly submitted to the Episcopal College, whether
it would not be proper that it should issue a
mandate to the Clergy, explanatory of the rea-
sons on which it was founded, that they might
read the same to their respective flocks, prior to
the introduction of such a change into the pub-
lic prayers of the Church."

Meetings to the same effect were held in all
the other dioceses of Scotland, and similar re-
solutions adopted. Mr Brown of Montrose, in
the diocese of Brechin, being the only presbyter
who opposed the sentiments of his brethren of
the second order, and Bishop Rose of Dunblane
being the only member of the Episcopate who
did not enter cordially into the measure ; the
worthy man being at that period, from mental
imbecility, incapable of attending to business of
any sort. Matters being in this train, the Bish-
ops were desirous that an affair of such impor-
tance should be forthwith discussed in an Epis-
copal Synod, and this Synod having been, by
special appointment of the Primus, holden at

* The Annalist writes from a document in Bishop Skin-
ner's hand-writincr.

78 ANNALS OF 1788.

Aberdeen, on the 24th of April, (the Deans of
the several districts also attending, as represent-
ing their diocesan brethren,) it was unanimously
resolved to give an open andpublicproof of their
submission to the present Government, by pray-
ing in the express words of the English Liturgy,
for his Majesty King George, and the royal
family ; and the Bishops appointed the same to
take place, in all the Chapels under their spirit-
ual jurisdiction, on Sunday the 25th of May of
the current year ; thus affording time to all and
sundry to state their objections, if they had
any, to their respective Bishops and Pastors, who
were instructed to do every thing in their power
for their removal. This appointment the Synod
also duly notified in the Edinburgh and Aber-
deen newspapers of the day, and caused printed
intimations, signed by the Bishops, to be circu-
lated throughout the Church, in order that
neither Clergyman nor layman might plead ig-
norance of the appointment. The consequence
of which preliminary steps was, that, (the Rev.
James Brown of Montrose excepted,) every Cler-
gyman doing duty on the 25th of May 1788,
did freely, and ea: animo, pray by name for his
most gracious Majesty King George, the Queen,
the Prince of Wales, and Royal family. Thus,
" was an end put to those unhappy divisions,
which so long distracted the kingdom of Scot-
land ; thousands of her sons who had hitherto
been suspected of disaffection to the present

1788. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY.

79

Government, becoming not only loyal and obe-
dient subjects" as the Historian of the day pre-
dicted, but " staunch men and true," as their
conduct for 30 perilous years has proved.

The important business of the Synod was no
sooner harmoniously concluded, than the Bishops
conceiving it their duty to inform Government
of their proceedings, drew up a letter, which
they severally signed and addressed to Lord
Sydney, at that time one of his Majesty's prin-
cipal Secretaries of State, acquainting his Lord-
ship with what they had done, and requesting
that he would have the goodness to lay their sulf-
mission at the foot of the Throne.

LETTER Vlir.

THE PROTESTANT BISHOPS IN SCOTLAND TO LORD
SYDNEY.

Aberdeen, April 26, 1788.
" Perhaps it is not unknown to your Lordship,
that a remnant of the old Episcopal Church of
Scotland still subsists, under the inspection of
Bishops deriving their authority by a regular
succession from the Prelates ejected at the Be-
volution.

"Those Bishops are the persons who now
have the honour of addressing your Lordship.
Certam statutes enacted at different periods did

80 ANNALS OF l78S.

indeed greatly weaken that Church, and, per-
haps in time might have destroyed her, had not
the gracious lenity of his Majesty afforded her a
degree of peace and security, of which we and
the other Clergy, with the laity of our persua-
sion, will ever entertain a most grateful sense.
Anxious to remove every doubt of our attach-
ment to his Majesty's Government, we have re-
solved to pray in time of divine service for the
King's most excellent Majesty, his heirs and
successors by name, and for all the Royal Family,
as the law directs. We have also recommended
to the other Clergy of our persuasion to follow
our example, and we are happy to find that they
are heartily disposed so to do.

" If this step shall be acceptable to his Majes-
ty, we trust that it will be considered as an une-
quivocal proof of our loyalty, and of our steady
resolution to support his Majesty's Government
at all times, and by every means in our power.
We hope your Lordship will not consider it as
too presumptuous, when we request you to lay
this testimony of our attachment and submission
at the foot of the Throne. — And we have the
honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's," &c. &c.

As a piece of respect due to their eminent sta-
tions in the Church of England, from which, as
may be seen in the Appendix,* the present Epis-

* Appendix, No. I.

1788. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 81

copal succession in Scotland is derived, and na-
turally expecting to receive some aid from these
venerable Prelates, in endeavouring to obtain a
repeal of the penal laws, the Scottish Bishops,
at the same time addressed, by letter, the Arch-
bisliops of the provinces of Canterbury and York,
in which they express their humble confidence,
that, upon " their Graces recommending to the
Bishops of their respective provinces the mea-
sure of repeal of those penal statutes under which
the Episcopal Church in Scotland has so long
groaned, they cannot doubt but that, by such
powerful assistance, they shall obtain the desira-
ble end they have in view."

The business on which the Synod met, and
which the members of it had now concluded in
so harmonious and becoming a manner, was not
the effect of any rash or hasty resolution. It had
been long and deliberately weighed with all its
probable consequences. And every circumstance
relating to it having been seriously pondered and
considered, the Scottish Bishops and their Cler-
gy now felt a peculiar satisfaction in reflecting,
that what they had done proceeded from no self-
ish or interested motives, but from a pure regard
to that important trust devolved upon them in
their sacred character ; from a strong sense of
duty, a sincere desire to be more extensively use-
ful in their several stations, and a pious wish to
unite the real good of their country with the in-
terests of that " kingdom which is not of this

F

82 ANNALS OF 1788.

world." These were the motives which induced
the Bishops and Clergy in Scotland to pursue the
path marked out, as they thought, by the wisdom
of Providence, for the peace and preservation of
their Church. They had good ground, certainly,
to expect the concurrence and support of all
who adhered to their humble ministry ; and in
this expectation they were not disappointed to
any great extent. Some, they were aware, would
be disposed to look upon the step which they had
taken as nothing short of an abandonment of
their former principles, there being no society
without individuals of such factious and pragmatic
humours, as are not easily satisfied with any mea-
sures which do not originate with themselves ;
nor was it long before a party of this descrip-
tion was formed in the city of Edinburgh, and
letters, signed by some of its leading members,
were addressed to all the Bishops, complaining
of undue haste on the Bishops part, and threat-
ening that, unless time was given to satisfy their
tender consciences, many of them, " finding
themselves placed in an obnoxious situation,
v/ould prefer joining the English Chapels."
These few malcontents were much encouraged
in their schismatical proceedings, by the Rev.
James Brown of Montrose, formerly mentioned
as the only non-conformist of the second order
of the Scottish priesthood, who not only took
upon himself the pastoral charge of them, but
also made a most daring attempt to perpetuate

1788. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 83

the schism, by invading the right of the Episco-
pate itself,— having the hardihood to repair to
the village of Downe in Perthshire, where Bi-
shop Rose resided, in the extreme of dotage,
and causing him to perform the office of conse-
cration !

When questioned soon after, whether the case
were so, the venerable Prelate, in all the simpli-
city of childhood, made answer, — *' My sister
may have done it, but not I." Being a bache-
lor, an aged sister was Bishop Rose's housekeeper
and guardian. A few years, however, were suf-
ficent to remove, by death, the whole indivi-
duals concerned in this petty cabal ; — so that,
among the Episcopalians of Scotland, a seed of
political disaffection exists no longer.

On the 1st of July, Bishop Abernethy Drum-
mond had the honour of receiving a reply to the
communication made by the Bishops to Lord
Sydney.

LETTER IX.

LORD SYDNEY TO BISHOP ABEENETHY DRUMMOND,

« Whitehall, June 28, 1788.
" I have had the honour of receiving your let-
ter of the 26th of last month, as well as that
which you transmitted to me, notifying the reso-
lution of your body to pray, by name, for the
King and Royal family.
f2

84. ANNALS OF 1788.

" I did not fail to lay those letters before^ the
King, and I have received his Royal commands
to acquaint yoii, that his Majesty received, with
great satisfaction, this proof of your attachment
to his person and family.

*' I am happy to find the resolution has been
carried into execution, and that it has fallen to
my lot to communicate to you his Majesty's plea-
sure upon a subject which must, in every point
of view, tend to unite the affections of his faith-
ful and loyal subjects of every profession.'*

Encouraged by the gracious manner in which
his Majesty was thus pleased to receive the iil-
legiance of Scottish Episcopalians, the Bishops
were now occupied in devising the most proper
mode of laying their case before Parliament, and
of humbly soliciting from the British Legislature,
relief from those severe restraints and penalties
which, during the period of disputed succession
to the Crown, that Legislature had in its wisdom
seen fit to impose. Living in the immediate
vicinity of the late Lord Viscount Melville, then
treasurer of the British navy, Bishop Abernethy
Drummond had frequent conversations with that
distinguished statesman on the subject, as well as
with his Lordship's highly respected kinsman the
Lord Advocate for Scotland, now Lord Chief
Baron of the Court of Exchequer, both of whom
joined in commendation of the step which the
Scottish Episcopal Clergy had taken, and gener-

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 85

ously promised to befriend their cause. But,
before any direct application could be made to the
other members of administration, the King's
alarming indisposition put a stop to every kind of
Parliamentary business, except that of providing
for the necessities of the State by the appoint-
ment of a Regency.

During this gloomy period of national anxiety,
the Episcopalians of Scotland did not fail to tes-
tify their loyalty by the most fervent public
prayers for the King's happy recovery ; and
when that longed-for event took place, they were
not unmindful of the duty of solemn and general
thanksgiving. The Bishops having also on this
joyful occasion drawn up an humble address to
their beloved Sovereign, and having signed the
same, in their own names, and in the names of
the Clergy of their respective districts, it was
forwarded (1789) by Mr Henry Dundas, then a
Commoner, to Lord Sydney ; and being the first
of the kind, it is here inserted,

1789.] " To the King's Most Excellent Majesty,
the humble Address of the Photestant
Bishops in Scotland, and of the Clergy of
their Communion.

*' Most Gracious Sovereign,
*' We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal
subjects, the Protestant Bishops in Scotland and
Clergy of their communion, most humbly request

86 ANNALS OF 1789.

your Royal permission to mingle our hearty con-
gratulations with those that are daily flowing
from all parts of your Majesty's dominions on the
present joyful occasion.

" Deeply sensible of the mildness, equity, and
wisdom of your Majesty's Government, while we
joined with our fellow subjects in sincerely la-
menting the calamitous situation of the British
empire, suffering in the distress of your Royal per-
son, we did not fail most earnestly to implore
that much desired relief, which could come only
from the father of mercies and God of all com-
fort. We are now happy to find that the pray-
ers of a united people have met with a gracious
acceptance, and have obtained from Heaven that
complete restoration of your Majesty's health,
for which, with most grateful hearts, we humbly
adore the goodness of the Almighty.

" We cannot omit this opportunity of acknow-
ledging, with all becoming thankfulness, those
endearing proofs of your Majesty's distinguished
clemency and condescension, which have en-
couraged this humble address. And when we
consider how much it is the anxious wish and
desire of your Majesty's heart to contribute to
the ease and happiness of your people, we rely
with confidence on your paternal goodness for a
participation in the protection and religious liber-
ty which are enjoyed by the rest of your Ma-
jesty's loyal subjects. By this means we shall
be enabled to manifest in an exemplary manner

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 87

that attachment to your Royal person and family,
which we can truly say is founded on a sense of
duty, and confirmed by the warmest gratitude.

*' These sentiments of loyalty and affection to
the best of Princes, we shall make it our constant
study to inculcate on the minds of those who ad-
here to our ministry ; and your Majesty may be
assured of their good dispositions to promote the
public peace and prosperity, by yielding an uni-
form and cheerful obedience to your Majesty's
sacred authority.

«' That the great God, by whom Kings reign,
may take your Majesty under the peculiar care
of his watchful Providence, may guard you from
every danger and preserve you long in health
and happiness as a blessing to the British nation,
and a comfort to your own illustrious house, is,
and ever shall be, the ardent prayer of us,
** Your Majesty's most faithful and obedient
subjects, the Protestant Bishops in Scotland,
and the Clergy of their Communion.*'
" Signed for ourselves, and in behalf of the
Clergy of our respective dioceses, by"
&c. &c.

Bishop Skinner having been elected Primus
in December I788, in consequence of Bishop
Kilgour's resignation of that office, accompanied
the above address with a letter to Mr Dundas,
thanking him, in the most cordial manner, for
the attention he had already paid to the case of

8S ANNALS OF 1789.

the Scottish EpiscopaHans, and earnestly request-
ing a continuation of his friendly offices.

" We cannot," (the Bishop writes,) " but flat-
ter ourselves, that this is a most promising sea-
son for obtaining the object of our humble wishes,
which is, only to be put on an equal footing of
protection and religious liberty with the other
Dissenters from the Scottish establishment, par-
ticularly with those who have their orders from
the Church of England. We presume that this
concession on the part of Government cannot
give the least offence to the candid and liberal
minded of any profession ; and it shall always be
our study to cultivate the good opinion of our
fellow subjects of every persuasion.'*

The address having been presented in the
usual manner. Lord Sydney did the Bishops the
honour to notify to them that his Majesty was
pleased to receive it most graciously. A draught
of a Bill of relief having been now prepared by
Bishop Skinner, at Mr Dundas's special desire, it
was forwarded to him at his seat near Edinburgh.
But this most active servant of the Crown, having
been unexpectedly summoned to London before
he could give his opinion fully on the nature and
language of the proposed Bill, it was the opinion
of many, the warmest and best friends to its
enactment, that nothing effectual would be done
by either branch of the Legislature, without the
personal appearance of one or more agents on
the spot, if not to conduct the business in its dif-

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 89

ferent stages of progression, yet to act as promp-
ters to those who were quaHfied for the under-
taking ; and, by being constantly at hand, to solve
any difficulties that might be started, and, at
the same time, prevent the measure from being
lost sight of.

Among those who honoured the Scottish Bi-
shops with this salutary advice was a worthy,
and, at that period, most intelligent member of
the House of Commons, George Dempster, Esq.
of Dunnichen, in the county of Forfar, who, from
the sincerity of regard, which he continued to
manifest throughout the business, informed the
Primus, that unless a member of administration
would positively pledge himself to introduce in-
to Parliament the Bill for repealing the penal
statutes by which the whole Episcopalians were
so aggrieved, and to carry it through all its
stages, it would be absolutely necessary for some
of the Bishops to repair to London, there to ap-
pear as loyal subjects, claiming a just and reason-
able relief, not only for themselves, but for the
society to v/hich they belonged. The propriety
of adopting this advice was, at the very time,
rendered more obvious, if possible, by the disco-
very of some unfair (to call it by the gentlest
name) representations of the religious tenets of
Scottish Episcopalians. Those English ordained
clergymen, who, being Scotchmen by birth and
parentage, had procured orders with no other
view but that of opposing Scottish Episcopacy,

90 ANNALS OF 1789.

became very much alarmed at the favourable re-
ception given, by all ranks of men in Scotland,
to the cause and claims of the Church of their
forefathers ! And Dr Bagot, Bishop of Norwich,
had been particularly applied to, to thwart, as far
as possible, any measures that might be taken
by the Scottish Episcopal Clergy for their relief.
The applicants went even the length of stating,
that the Scottish Bishops, not satisfied with the
prospect of obtaining liberty for themselves,
wished, nay proposed, to have those clergy sub-
jected to their authority, by act of Parliament,
who officiated, or might hereafter officiate in this
country by virtue of orders from an English or
an Irish Bishop. On what ground such an inju-
rious report could have been raised, the Annalist
cannot possibly imagine. But having been not
only raised, but actually communicated to the
venerable English prelate above-named, Bishop
Skinner, after shewing the draught of the intend-
ed Bill of relief to the late Dr Beattie of Aber-
deen, the intimate friend of Bishop Porteous of
London, requested that the Doctor would unde-
' ceive his Lordship, as one of the most respecta-
ble of his order, on this head, and assure him,
" that though the Scottish Bishops and their
. Clergy heartily wished for union, founded on
principle, among all the Episcopalians in Scot-
land, yet had they not the most distant idea of
endeavouring to promote it by the interposition
of civil authority ; nothing being more absurd

1789. SCOTTISH EPICOPACY. 91

or illiberal than the very thought of depriving
others of that liberty of conscience which they
were so desirous of procuring for themselves."

Dr Beattie, expressing himself perfectly pleas-
ed, not only with the principle of the bill, but
with the language in which it was framed, un-
dertook to mention the matter to the Bishop of
London, and to inform him, at the same time,
that as some of the Scottish Bishops were on the
eve of setting out for London, they would, on
their arrival at the seat of Government, have
the honour of waiting on the Archbishops and
Bishops of England individually, and would give
them a full and fair account of the religious prin-
ciples, as well as political liardships, of their hum-
ble Church.

Immediately after Easter 1789, and when the
nation at large was exhibiting transports of joy
on account of the King's happy recovery, the Bi-
shops, Skinner of Aberdeen, Abernethy Drum-
mond of Edinburgh, and Strachan of Brechin,
set out for London, furnished with the most am-
ple recommendations from all and sundry, in the
different districts of Scotland, who had friends or
relatives members of the British Legislature.

Those which were afforded by nobleman and
gentlemen of the Episcopal persuasion, the rea-
der will not doubt, were framed in terms of the
most friendly and favourable description. Nor
were the recommendations given by members
of the Scottish establishment less honourable to

9§ ANNALS OF 1789.

themselves, than to the parties more immediately
interested. In proof of this, the Annalist cannot
forbear recording the following letter to a noble-^
man of parliamentary eminence, the Lord Vis-
count Stormont, from a distinguished member of
the Courts of Session and Justiciary in Scotland, the
late Hon. Alexander Murray, Lord Henderland,

LETTER X.

LORD HENDERLAND TO LORD VISCOUNT STORMONT.

" Edinburgh, 21st April 1789.

" The Gentlemen who will wait upon your
Lordship with this are Mr Abernethy and Mr Skin-
ner, Bishops of the Ancient Episcopal Church of
Scotland. They go to London to obtain a repeal of
the disqualifications imposed by act of Parliament
upon persons of that persuasion in certain cir-
cumstances, and will, with your Lordship's per-
mission, explain more fully to you the nature of
their business.

They, as well as all of their order that T know
of in Scotland, are men of irreproachable cha-
racter and exemplary conduct ; and as tliey desir-
ed a letter of introduction to your Lordship, who
receives with so much politeness every person en-
gaged in public concerns, I thought you would
excuse my presumption in giving it. 1 have stat-
ed what I believe to be a fair testimony in their

1789* SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 93

favour. As to the propriety of the measure, I
leave others to decide upon it."

In farther submitting to the reader's notice
the interesting progress of the Bill of Relief to
*' Pastors, Ministers, and Lay Persons of the Epis-
copal Communion in Scotland," it would be pre-
sumption in the author of these pages, when in
possession of a regular journal of the whole pro-
cedure in his venerable father'^ handwriting, (and
which, in proof of its authenticity, Bishop Skinner
has ordered his executor to place among the ar-
chives of the Church,) to seek for more satisfac-
tory documents, or to attempt the use of more
perspicuous language than the Bishop's own.

That some slight abridgment will be had re-
course to, the reader must be fully aware, other-
wise this work would swell out far beyond the li-
mits prescribed to it; but as all facts and circum-
stances which may, in the judgment of the An-
nalist of Scottish Episcopacy, seem interesting
to his readers, will fall to be stated in, as nearly
as possible, the words of Bishop Skinner's own
manuscripts, for abridgment only does the com-
piler of these Annals hold himself responsible.

*' We left Edinburgh on the 20th of April,
and arriving in London on the 24th, addressed
a card to the Lord Advocate of Scotland, inform-
ing his Lordship, in compliance with Mr Dundas
the treasurer of the navy's instructions, of the

94t ANNALS OF 1789.

purpose of our journey to London, and express-
ing our anxiety to have the honour of waiting up-
on liim as soon as convenient. Our request was
very speedily granted; and, after entering on bu-
siness, his Lordship interrogated us, * Whether

* the EstabHshed Church of Scotland was disposed,

* as far as we had heard, to make any opposition

* to our relief?* To this our answer being that, * as
far as we had access to know, we had no appre-
hensions of hostility from that quarter,' his Lord-
ship said, ' he believed it to be very true, and
hoped there would be none from any quarter.'*
The interview at this time concluded with his
Lordship's promising, when we had consulted the
English Bishops, that he would lay a state of our
case before the Lord Chancellor. Having learned
that a plan was in agitation for authorising, by a
clause in our Bill, some English or Irish Bishop
to perform Episcopal offices in Scotland, a scheme
for the support of schism and division, which we
were sensible must have originated in Scotland,
and been recommended to the attention of the

* So far, in fact, from opposing, it will be seen in the sequel
that the leading men of the Established Church in Scotland
were most anxious for the success of their Episcopalian breth-
ren's application. In proof of this, Mrs Skinner informs the
Bishop by letter, dated Aberdeen, May 30, 1789, that, in
his thanksgiving Sermon for the King's recovery. Principal
Campbell mentioned the application to Government for repeal
of the penal statutes, and said that his Majesty's countenance
to that measure would add to the many good things he had
done in the course of his reign.

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 95

English Church by very unfair and ill-founded
representations, we resolved to write to the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, and to give his Grace a fair
and candid account of these points, which we had
most reason to fear had been thus misrepresented.
Lest, however, our letter should not have been
couched in proper Archiepiscopal form, as my
worthy friend the Vicar of Epsom was to intro-
duce us to two of the soundest Churchmen of
whom England has to boast, the Rev. William
Jones of Nayland, and William Stevens, Esq.
treasurer to Queen Anne's Bounty, we were an-
xious to have their approbation of the letter, pre-
vious to its being forwarded to Lambeth. The
letter having been approved by those warm and
zealous friends, was transmitted to his Grace ac-
cordingly."

LETTER XL

THE SCOTTISH BISHOPS IN LONDON TO HIS GRACE
THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

" May it please your Grace,

London, May 1. 1789.

" We had the honour of addressing your Grace
about a year ago from Aberdeen in Scotland,
when we formed the resolution of testifying in a
legal manner our attachment to his Majesty's
person and Government. And we are now come

96 . ANNALS OF 1789-

to England to solicit a repeal of those penal sta-
tutes under which the Church in which we pre-
side has so long suffered.

*' With this view, it was our intention to sub-
mit our case to your Grace, to the Archbishop of
York, and the other Right Rev. Prelates of the
Chuich of England ; but having brought a letter
from a friend in Scotland to the Lord Bishop of
Worcester, his Lordship has kindly hinted to us
the propriety of giving your Grace a full expla-
nation of our business, as the best means of com-
municating it to the other Bishops. This, we
hope will plead our apology with his Grace of
York and their Lordships for not immediately
addressing ourselves to them.

Our case, your Grace will readily perceive, is
very different from that both of the English Dis-
senters and of the Scottish Roman Catholics, with
which some affect to compare it.

*' They are both restrained on account of
their religious Creed, which continues the same ;
whereas the restraints laid upon the Episcopal
Church in Scotland were judged necessary only
for crushing the political disaffection ascribed to
the Clergy and Lay members of that Church,
which poUtical disaffection is now entirely done

away.

*' Wherefore may we humbly hope to enjoy
in common with his Majesty's other loyal sub-
jects, the benefits of his mild and equitable Go-
vernment, especially as we ask no more than to

17S9* SCOTTISH EPISCOPACy. 97

be put on an equal footing, in the article of tole-
ration, with the other Protestant Dissenters from
the Scottish establishment.

*' Such, indeed, is our confidence in his Ma-
jesty's goodness and in the justice of his Parlia-
ment, that we are fully persuaded our request
will not be refused, particularly if we shall be
so happy as to obtain your Grace's powerful sup-
port, with that of the Archbishop of York, and
the other Bishops of the Church of England, to
whom, we have no doubt, your Grace will do us
the honour of recommending our cause.

" We have only further to add, that having, since
we came to England, joined in the public devo-
tions of the English Church, we hereby declare
ourselves to be in full communion with that
Church. The Book of Common Prayer, we be-
lieve, in our hearts, to be the best composed Li-
turgy in the world. The Morning and Evening
Service, as read in that Book, we constantly make
use of, and the offices of Matrimony, Baptism,
Confirmation, &c. as occasion offers; and though
we generally use the Scottish Communion Of-
fice, nearly as authorised by Charles I. and in-
serted in the Book of Common Prayer for the
Church of Scotland, yet, so far are we from mak-
ing this usage a condition of comimunion, that
our own Clergy have a discretionary power to
use which of the two offices they please, and some
of them do actually make use of the English Of-
fice.

98 ANNALS OF 1789.

" Having reason to believe that our practice
in these matters has been misrepresented, we
have deemed it necessary to trouble your Grace
with this short account of it, which, when ho-
noured with a personal interview, we shall, with
your Grace's permission, enlarge in a manner, we
flatter ourselves; to your Grace's satisfaction.

" Our business is evidently of the greatest im-
portance to the support of Episcopacy in Scot-
land, and thereby to the interest of that which
we hold to be true religion ; which interests, we
are confident, are so dear to your Grace, that we
have the best ground to hope for your protec-
tion on this occasion.

" We shall be happy to know when we may
have the honour of waiting on your Grace. And
.we are, with the most profound respect and es-
teem," &c.

" A few days after receipt of this letter, we
had a message from the Archbishop, desiring to
see us. We went to Lambeth accordingly, at the
hour appointed, and were received with every
mark of respect, his Grace apologising to us for
not answering our letter of last year, as well as
for now sending us a verbal invitation by Mr
Jones. His inquiries after our situation, were,
as might be expected, very particular ; to all of
which we returned such plain and candid an-
swers, as seemed to give the satisfaction wished
for. ' The pressure of ecclesiastical business,*

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 99

however, he told us, was at that time so great,
and the intended motion in favour of the English
Dissenters so completely engrossed the attention
of the Episcopal Bench, that, until it was discus-
sed, they could not take our business into their
consideration ; but as soon as that matter was
disposed of, the Bishops would meet for the pur-
pose of considering our case, and ' he should then

* desire the honour of seeing us again.*

*' In the meanwhile, the Bishop of St David's,
Dr Horsely, having been waited on by myself
and colleagues, entered on the discussion of our
claims with all his characteristic keenness, tak-
ing notes of our answers to all his queries, and
happy to find that we dilFered from the Church
of England in no essential point of doctrine or
discipline ; for * whatever,' said he, ' might
' have been your religious tenets, as your political

* disaffection is removed, I think you entitled to
' toleration, as far as you ask it. But perhaps it

* may facilitate your business to let it be known,

* as I am now competent to do, that you do not

* essentially differ from our Church.'

" The Earls of Braedalbane and Fife, the Lords
Stormont, Kinnaird, &c. he. did us the honour
to call for us and proffer us their services, as
soon as we had drawn up a memorial of our case,
which they could put into the hands of their re-
spective friends, in and out of administration.
The Bishop of Ndrwich, Dr Bagot, received us
with a great deal of mild civility. He had the

g2

100 ANNALS 0¥ IJ^^'

Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, lately publish-
ed, on his table, and immediately turned to the
passages which referred to our situation. He
talked very properly of the reasonableness of our
request, but was of opinion, that the state of the
qualified Clergy of the Episcopal Communion in
Scotland was to be considered. * It was proper,*
he said, ' to hear what might be urged in their

* bt half ; for which purpose time and serious

* consideration would be required, such as might
' prevent our business being brought to an issue

* this session. At any rate, he was sure that the

* Bishops of England would do nothing with a
' view either to oppress us or to countenance di-
' vision, if at all to be avoided ; and much,' con-
cluded he, * will depend on the opinion of the

* Archbishop, who has been at great pains to in-

* form liimself of your situation and that of the

* English ordained Clergy in Scotland ; of nei-
' ther of which, till within these few years, the

* English Bishops hardly knew any thing.'

" Having again had a long discussion with the
Lord Advocate for Scotland, he recommended
us to lose no time in drawing out a state of our
case, giving a historical detail of the statutes of
which we complained, and the relief which we
deemed necessary, in order that Mr Pitt and the
Lord Chancellor might be rightly informed.
And, on our mentioning Mr J. Allan Park,
a worthy young Barrister, to whom we had been
recommended, as a fit person to take charge of

17^9. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 101

our matters, his Lordship cordially approved of
our choice, and bid us desire Mr Park to call on
him for information, if he needed any, and to
bring him, (the Advocate,) a scroll of tlie paper
before a clean copy was made out ; and the soon-
er the better, as his Lordship must set out for
Scotland in a week.

" After some little alterations in the scroll of the
case drawn up by Mr Park, the Lord- Advocate
and the Treasurer of the Navy, (who is well known
to have acted as Minister for Scotland,) sanction-
ed the printing of it ; the latter informing Bishop
Skinner, that * if the Archbishop did not send to

* him in the course of two or three days, he (Mr

* Dundas) would write to his Grace, and desire

* an interview, as he knew Mr Pitt would do no-
' thing in matters Ecclesiastical without consult-

* ing the Archbishop.' "

** Case of the Episcopal Clergy in Scotland,
and of the Laity of their Communion.

*' It is a fiict well known, that the Bishops of
Scotland, who were deprived of their sees at the
time of the Revolution, continued to exercise
their Episcopal functions, and to ordain ministers
for supplying the vacant congregations of their
persuasion ; which was so far from giving offence
to Government, that it was even deemed ne-
cessary to afford the Scotch Episcopal Cler-
gy the aid of the law, to protect them in the

102 ANNALS OF 1789.

exercise of divine worship, from any disturbance,
to which they might be exposed, from the igno-
rance or misguided zeal of those who happened
to entertain different opinions in religion.

" Accordingly, in the tenth of Queen Anne *,
an act passed, declaring it lawful for those of the
Episcopal communion in Scotland, to meet and
assemble, for the exercise of divine worship, to
be performed after their own manner, by Pastors
ordained by a Protestant Bishop, and who are
not established Ministers of any Church or pa-
rish, and to use in their Congregations the Liturgy
of the Church of England, if they think fit, with-
out any let, hindrance, or disturbance from any
person whatsoever. — The next section provides,
that none shall presume to exercise the functions
of a Pastor in the said Episcopal meetings, ex-
cept such as shall have received holy orders
from the hands of a Protestant Bishop ; and
every person called upon to be a Pastor or Mi-
nister of any Episcopal Congregation, before he
takes upon him to officiate, shall register his let-
ters of orders at the general or quarter-sessions.
The rest of the act is employed in stating the
oaths to be taken by such Pastors or Ministers,
in describing their powers, declaring it to be free
and lawful for them, not only to pray and preach
in the Episcopal Congregations, but to adminis-
ter the sacraments, and marry ; and also requir-
ing them to pray for the Queen and Royal Fami-
ly, in express words.

" 10 Anne, Chap, vii.

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 1C3

" It is here worthy of observation, that at the
time of passing this act, it was universally un-
derstood to mean, by the words * Pi otestant Bi-
* shops,' the deprived Bishops and their succes-
sors ; for it must be acknowledged as an histori-
cal fact, that almost every Minister, who then
took the benefit of the act of Queen Anne,
had received his orders from no other than one
of the deprived Bishops or their successors.

" Many of the Episcopal Clergy then living,
who did not think themselves at liberty to com-
ply with the terms, could not claim nor avail
themselves of the full benefit of the statute : And
as an attempt was made to disturb the Govern-
ment, soon after the accession of George the
Pirst, it was thought proper to lay further re-
straints on those who had not complied with the
statute of Queen Anne.

" Accordingly it is enacted*, that no person
shall perform any part of divine service in any
Episcopal Meeting-house, where nine persons or
more shall be present, besides those of the house-
hold, or supply the place of Pastor in any Epis-
copal Congregation, except such as shall pray
for the King and Royal Family, in express words,
and shall take the oaths to Government, a certi-
ficate of his doing which he must obtain from the
clerk of the court where such oaths are adminis-
tered.

* 5 Geo. I. Chap. xxix. Sect. S.

104 ANNALS OF 1739.

*' la the subsequent reign, when a further at-
tempt was made by the exiled family, it was con-
ceived, whetlier rit^htly or not it is now immate-
rial to enquire, that much of the disaffection to
the Government iv^'oceeded from the toleration
allowed to those places of worship, the Pastors of
wliich had not duly qualitied themselves accord-
ing to the act of Queen Anne. Very severe re-
gulations were therefore thought necessary to be
adopted, which it is the object of the present ap-
plication to Parliament to repeal. — It was en-
acted*, that the Sheriifs should return lists of
all Episcopal assemblies, that the Pastors bhould
produce certificates of their having qualified,
and should pray for the King, &c. otherwise
tlieir Meeting-houses were to be shut up, and
the proprietor to give security of L. 100 not to
let them again for the same uses : That unqua-
lified Pastors ofiiciating, should, for the first of-
fence, be imprisoned for six months; for the
second, be transported for life, and if they
returned from transportation, should suffer im-
prisonment for life. The statute likewise inflicts
the penalty of five pounds, or six mo!iths impri-
sonment, on every one attending such Meeting-
house, and not giving information j and in the
following section declares, that no letters of or-
ders shall be deemed sufficient, or admitted to
be registered, but such as have been given by

* 19 Geo. II. Chap, xxxviii. Sect. 1. Sec,

1789- SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 105

some Bishop of the Church of England or Ire-
land, or if they are, such registration shall be
void. — The act then proceeds to the disqualifi-
cations of those resorting to Episcopal unquali-
fied meetings, by declaring*, that any Peer who
has been twice present at such place of worship,
within one year preceding the election, shall be
incapable of being elected, or of voting in the
election of the Sixteen Peers : That any person
so olTending shall be incapable of being elected,
or of voting in the election of a member of Par-
liament, a magistrate or counsellor for boroughs,
or deacon of crafts, or collector or clerk of the
land-tax or supply ; and also, that any person.
Peer, or Commoner, holding any office, civil or
military, shall ipso facto fori'eit the same, and
shall be incapable of holding any office, civil or
military, for the space of one year.

" Such is the sununary of those laws under which
both Clergy and Laity of the Episcopal Commu-
nion in Scotland at present labour. While sus-
picions prevailed against them, it was in vain to
think of obtaining relief; and while attempts were
making in behalf of the exiled family, it was out
of their power to remove those suspicions. All
they could do was to conduct themselves in such
a quiet and inoffensive manner, as might convince
Government that there was no danger to be ap-
prehended, and no necessitv for putting those se-
vere laws in execution. Even the terms in which
* This clause qxplained by 21 Geo. II. Ch. xxxiv. Sect. 13.

106 ANNALS OF 1789.

the laws were conceived ;'fforded reason to hope,
that a time might come when they might safely
be erased from the Statute-book. Causes of a ci-
vil nature alone produced these disabiHties ; but
a continued oppression of those whose religious
tenets and doctrines are, in the strictest sense,
the doctrines and tenets of the Church of Eng-
land, never could be intended. It is well known
that instead of exciting and fomenting a spirit of
disatfection, the Scottish Episcopal Clergy have
invariably employed themselves in vindicating the
fundamental truths of our holy faith, in recom-
menduig the great duties of the Christian life, and
in enforcing those obligations and virtues which
tend to the quiet, peace, and comfort of society ;
for the truth of which they can safely appeal,
not only to the effects their labours have produced
on the lives and conversations of those committed
to their care, but also to those of the Established
Church of Scotland, who have been daily witnes-
ses of their conduct.

*' The period is now happily arrived which has
put an end to all political distinctions, and united,
in the acknowlegment of a mild, gracious, and
beloved Sovereign, all his subjects of every deno-
mination. Those of the Scottish Episcopal
Church have, for a considerable time past, offer-
ed up their public prayers in terms of the statute
of Queen Anne, for the King by name, for the
Queen, and for all the Royal Family ; and this
open and unfeigned proof cf their loyalty his Ma-

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 107

jesty has been pleased most graciously to accept.
The restraints under which they at present la-
bour are prejudicial to the interests of religion,
by imposing peculiar hardships on a respectable
body of men, both Clergy and Laity, by reducing
them to a state of political insignificancy, and
preventing them from employing their talents in
the support and service of a Government to which
they have given, and are ready to give all other
marks of attachment. '

"Whether the laws in question at the time they
passed were politic or not, it is, on the present
occasion, unnecessary to inquire. It is enough
that the cause for passing them is evidently re-
moved. The mischief, whatever it was, now no
longer continues, and therefore the necessity for
providing against it ceases of course. It never
can be the object of the Legislature, by a conti-
nuance of these disqualifying acts, when there
are now no Episcopal meetings held contrary to
the spirit and intention of the law, to prevent
persons who are attached to Government, and
who are respectable both by their rank and for-
tune, from attending the worship of God in a way
agreeable to their consciences, and conformable
to the principles of the Church of England. His
Majesty having graciously accepted of the late
proof of their loyalty, it is hoped that every
branch of the Legislature will view the subject in
the same favourable light, and remove every odious
mark of distinction, by putting all the Protestant

108 ANNALS OF 1789.

Episcopal Dissenters from the Scottish establish-
ment, in the article of toleration, on an equal foot-
ing. They are far from wishing to encroach on
the rights of the establishment in either part of
the united kingdom. All they presume to request
is, the protection and indulgence granted to
those of the Episcoj)al Communion by the act
of Queen Anne, and which, since the 19th of
Geo. II. have been restricted to the communion
of those pastors who have their orders from an
English or an Irish Bishop. This restriction be-
ing no longer necessary, they humbly pray that
it may now give place to the original design of
the statute of Queen Anne, and that the Legis-
lature will be pleased so to adjust the provisions
of that act, particularly that part of the oaths
which seems to have a retrospective view, to the
circumstances of the Scottish Episcopal Clergy,
that they may be able to enjoy the benefit of it,
and at the same time to express their attachment
to his Majesty's person and Government in a sin-
cere and conscientious manner."

After detailing the means used to give this pa-
per the necessary publicity, and the difficulties
which he and his colleagues had to encounter, in
so framing their Bill as that the wished for relief
might be obtained, and yet no expressions be
used which might excite jealousy and opposition.
Bishop Skinner's journal narrates, that *' on Mon-
day the 15th of Juncj Mr Dundas, the Treasurer

1780. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 109

of the Navy, moved for leave to bring in a Bil!>
which motion was seconded by Mr Dempster, who
informed us, that not only did every person in the
House listen to the motion with apparent satis-
faction, but that when Sir Harry Houghton was
voted into the chair, he was heard to say, he ne-
ver took it with greater pleasure than on this
same occasion.

" On the day of the second reading of the
Bill, however, we were for the first time inform-
ed, that the Lord Chancellor, with the Attorney
and Solicitor- General, was complaining that nei-
ther he nor they knew any thing of the Bill ; for
which reason Mr Dundas moved for the printing
of it, requesting, in the mean time, that we would
send each of them a written copy. This we did
immediately, accompanied with letters of apolo-
gy for the unintentional mistake into which we
had fallen.

LETTER Xli.

THE SCOTTISH BISHOPS IN LONDON TO LORD CHAN-
CELLOR THURLOW.

" We had the honour of addressing your Lord-
ship some weeks ago, and of enclosing in our let-
ter the case of the Scottish Episcopal Clergy.
We presumed also to take the same liberty when
we transmitted to your Lordship a copy of the first
Bill intended for our relief. Finding, however, that

110 ANNALS OF 1789.

some alterations were thought necessary, to ob-
viate every cause of offence to the Establishment
in Scotland, vv'e would have done ourselves the
honour of sending your Lordship a copy of the
second Bill, had it not been, as we are assured,
altogether unexceptionable, and therefore not
likely, we imagined, to be disapproved of by your
Lordship.

*' For this reason, and knowing your Lordship
to be much engaged with a multiplicity of busi-
ness, we naturally thouglit, that to have given
jour Lordship what appeared to us unnecessary
trouble, would have been blameworthy.

** But, understanding that the Archbishop of
Canterbury desires to see Mr Dundas before the
Bill proceeds any farther, and that your Lordship,
with the Attorney and Solicitor General, ought
to have been informed of the nature of the Bill
as it now stands ; if there has been any want of
attention on our part, we would be most happy
to atone for it, if we knew how. Men in our de-
pendent circumstances, your Lordship may be-
lieve, would be glad to wait upon the lowest clerk
in office, could it advance tlie cause in which we
are engaged, and therefore cannot be suspected
of any intentional neglect of duty to persons of
such weight and influence as his Majesty's At-
torney and Sohcitor-General, far less of any such
conduct towards your Lordship.

" May we therefore presume to hope, that your
Lordship will be so condescending as to forgive

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. Ill

any error into which we may have undesignedly
fallen, and to grant your powerful support to the
Bill, a copy of which is here enclosed, when it
shall come before the House of Peers."
« 35, Whitcombe Street, June 20. 1789."

" The Attorney.General, (Sir Archibald Mac-
donald.) and the Solicitor^General, (Sir John
Scott, now Lord Eldon,) were very easily recon-
ciled, and had the condescension to say, that,
as they considered no blame imputable to us, so
we should meet with no opposition from them.
This emboldened us to addiess the Archbishop
on the head, and to inform him of the fact, add-
ing, ' that we would be happy indeed to be as

* sure of the Lord Chancellor's forgiveness, which

* we cannot but flatter ourselves, from what we

* have heard of his Lordship's humanity and love

* of justice, your Grace's favourable interposition

* in our behalf will have the effect of procuring

* us. We have used the freedom to enclose a

* copy of the Bill, as printed by order of the

* Flouse of Commons. And hoping that your

* Grace will excuse this trouble, we have the

* honour to be,' &c, &c.

" Next day his Grace condescended to do us
the honour of caUing on us, and told us, that he
came in consequence of our letter, to satisfy us
that he had no new objection to our Bill ; but,
said he, ' I have certainly heard some doubts

* started by Lay Peers, as to the propriety of the

il2 ANNALS OP 17S9.

* measure, and beg to know when the l^ill may be

* expected to be brought into the Upper House/

*♦ On receiving this information, although un-
able to give his Grace an explicit answer, we
wrote cards, by Mr Dundas's desire, to the Lords
Camden, Bathurst, Loughborough, and Kenyon,
and enclosing for these Noblemen copies of our
Bill, solicited their support. During all this dis-
cussion our Bill was passing through the House
of Commons, without one dissentient voice ;
and on Friday the ^29th June, was read the third
time, passed, and ordered to the House of Lords,
where it was presented by Mr Dundas, and, on
motion by the Earl of Hopetoun, was read the
lirst time.

" This introduction gave US hopes, that there
was no serious opposition intended on the part of
the Lord Chancellor. A few days after, how-
ever, we learned from undoubted authority, that
this ofreat man was still adverse to the measure,
and said, ' it was most indecently brought for-
* ward.'

" This information v/e lost not a moment in
communicating to his Grace the Archbishop, and
to all the Scottish Peers in town, viz. the Lords
Braedalbane, Hopetoun, Galloway, Stormont,
and Kinnaird, requesting the support of the
Archbishops and tiie Bench of Bishops, as well
as of the Lords above-named, our countrymen,
on the second reading of our Bill, as a measure
which their Lordships well knew could give just

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 113

offence to no party in Scotland, and least of all to
the Established Church. To the Earl of Hope-
toun, a zealous member of the Scottish establish-
ment, we were peculiarly indebted, both for at-
tention and advice ; who, though ready to move
the second reading of our Bill, purposely delayed
it for some days, in hopes that we might yet have
interest enough to get the Chancellor's opposi-
tion conquered.

" Should that be found impossible, (as the se-
quel shews,) there was one expedient, we thought,
worthy of trial, viz. to propose not legal tolera-
tion, but connivance simply. This expedient,
therefore, we resolved to adept, and with that
view wrote to the Lord Chancellor, previously
submitting our letter, however, to Mr Dundas's
perusal, and begging that he would favour us
with his opinion how we ought to proceed. The
letter itself and Mr Dundas's very friendly reply
are here recorded.

LETTER XIIL

THE SCOTTISH BISHOPS IN LONDON TO LORD CHAN-
CELLOR THURLOW.

" My Lord,

«* Since we had the honour of sending your
Lordship a copy of the Bill for granting relief to
the Ministers and Lay-members of the Episcopal

H

Hi ANNALS OF 1789»

Corainiinion in Scotland, we liave heard, with
much concern, that your Lordship objects to the
oath inserted in the Bill, in place of the oath of
Abjuration. We therefore beg leave to state to
your Lordship the reasons on Vvhich that conces-
sion was requested on our part, as well as agreed
to by the Lord Advocate for Scotland, and other
servants of the Crown.

" We do not, My Lord, pretend to disguise
the political scruples which so long prevented
the Members of our Society from testifying their
allegiance to the present Government. But no
sooner was tlie cause of that unhappy disaffection
removed, than we cheerfully came forward, and
avowed our sincere attachment to his Majesty's
person and Government, and our determined re-
solution to manifest that attachment in the most
open and unequivocal manner. At the same
timCj as we dare not profess to have been loyal
before we actually were so, and as the oath of Ab-
juration has an evident retrospect, and can be
taken with safety only by those who never be-
lieved the rights which it disclaims, we acknow-
ledge that we cannot venture upon it without in-
volving ourselves in the guilt of perjury, a hard-
ship which, we humbly trust, the British Legis-
lature, will never impose upon us.

" It is now our earnest desire, and will be
henceforth our constant study, to approve our-
selves faithful and loyal subjects, in the fullest
sense of the expression j but, to be so, we con-

l7S9. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. H^

ceive it necessary that we act an honest and con-
scientious part, otherwise no government can
have any confidence in us.

*' We are told that the Roman Catholics, on
account of their religious scruples, have been in-
dulged with a new oath of Supremacy ; and we
cannot but hope, that, for a similar reason, your
Lordship will view our case in a like favourable
light, and permit our Bill to pass through the
House of Peers, with the same indulgence which
it has experienced in the House of Commons.
Or, if your Lordship is of opinion, that, without
taking all the oaths prescribed by law, we are
not entitled to legal toleration, we shall be satis-
fied with that connivance which is extended to a
numerous body of Scottish Dissenters, of whom
no oaths of any kind are required ; and only beg
to have those acts repealed which at present hang
over oiir heads, and deprive us of that freedom of
worshipping God, as conscience directs, which
all other loyal subjects in the British dominions
do enjoy.

" Should your Lordship think proper to adopt
this mode of granting us relief, we have only td[
request that the Bill may not be rejected, but re-
mitted, with amendments, to the House of Com-
mons, and thus be prepared for the Royal assent
as soon as possible.

*' Fear of being tedious, My Lord, has pre-
vented us from expressing ourselves so fully, or
so clearly, as we could have wished. May we
h2

116 ANNALS OF 1789.

therefore presume to request the honour of wait-
ing on your Lordship, if any doubts should still
remain concerning the commutation of the oath,
or any other clause of the Bill."

" Duke Street, York Buildings,
3d July 1789."

LETTER XIV.

« 4th July 1789.
" Gentlemen,

*' I have just now, (half past 9,) received your
letter. I see no objection to your sending your
letter to the Chancellor, but I do not promise
you any probable hopes from it. I can give you
no advice as to your conduct in the House of
Lords, nor can I advise you how to obviate
objections which I do not understand, nor
could have conceived that they could have been
made ! Lord Hopetoun, however, will be able to
inform you upon these points better than I can
do, I was surprised to hear that the Chancellor
had quoted the Lord Advocate's name. If the
Lord Advocate had been here, I should have
considered him as perhaps the most proper per-
son to move the Bill. I certainly did not under-
stand from him, that a Bill, proposed upon the
ground of the present Bill, would have met with
objection from the quarter you suggest.

** Do precisely what you shall think best for
your own success. I am perfectly ready now, or

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 117

in any future Session, to maintain your cause, for
I think it the cause of justice and humanity."

*' On Monday, July 6th, we waited on Lord
Hopetoun by invitation, from whom we learned,
that our letter to the Lord Chancellor was too
late for answering our present purpose ; as Lord
Kinnaird having that very day proposed that our
Bill should be read the second time, the Chancel-
lor moved that it should be adjourned to the 29th
of September. To acquiesce in this, without a
division. Lord Hopetoun considered preferable
to running the risk of a trial of strength, when
the Chancellor might have been induced to speak
on the subject, and thus do the cause irreparable
injury. The good Earl, after hinting to us some
modes of future procedure, assured us that we
might depend on his continued support and as-
sistance. To the Bishop of Bangor, Dr Warren,
as one who was said to be more in Lord Thur-
low's confidence than any o;;her of the EngHsh
Bench, we failed not to represent our case in as
strong language as we could ; — ' that there could

* be no Bishops without the King's authority*,*
we remarked to his Lordship, ' was an assertion
' by one who professed himself a member of an

* Episcopal Church, which not a little surprised us.
' Were this the case, the Apostolic power of Con-

* The avowal of this sentiment by the Chancellor of Eng-
land, must have excited, and did excite, the surprise of others
besides the hurpble representatives of Scottish Episcopalians.

118 ANNALS OF 1789,

* secrating Bishops must have been lost as soon

* as obtained ; hence, there is, at this day, not
' one Bishop in the whole Christian world. It is

* well known. My Lord, that the Church of Eng-

* land, from the murder of Charles the First to

* the restoration of his son, was covered with as

* dark a cloud as ever overshadowed her unfor-

* tunate Sister Church in Scotland, Nay, had Ri-

* chard Cromwell been as ambitious and as able a

* man as his father, Oliver, her misery might have

* been as great and as lasting as that of the Scot-
' tish Church has been. But we thank God it

* was not so. We bless the Almighty that the

* Church of England was restored ; and we pray
' to God she may not only subsist, but flourish in

purity and peace till time shall be no more !
Yet, for argument's sake. My Lord, let us sup-
pose that the Church of England had not been
restored, but had subsisted under persecution,
as our Church has done, to the present day,
would your Lordship, — would any English Pre-
late have admitted that the Church of England
had no Bishops ? And would not the Bishops
have thought it hard, upon their acknowledg-
ing the civil powers, to be denied the liberty of
worshipping God in their accustomed forms, as
well as the right of spiritual jurisdiction over
the people who adhered to their Communion ?
Yet this is all that we presume to ask ; and
certainly it is what, in this age of liberality,
will not, nay, cannot be denied us ! Wherefore^

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 119

* we do again beg leave to propose a friendly

* meeting with your Lordship on the subject of

* this letter ; since we have hopes, that on hear-

* ing a just representation of our case, your Lord-

* sliip will have the goodness to endeavour to sof-
« ten the Lord Chancellor, and to procure for

* our cause that generous treatment in the House

* of Lords with which it has been honoured in

* the House of Commons.

* The Scottish members of both Houses know

* how generally acceptable our success will be in

* our own country. And, when we inform your
' Lordship, that there are many gentlemen in

* Scotland who have taken all the oaths to Go-

* vernment, and have distinguished themselves

* in the service of their country, who, notwith-

* standing, are restrained from praying for the

* King, whom they have faithfully served, in our

* religious assemblies, without forfeiting very es-

* sential privileges, and are obliged either to join

* in other worship which tliey do not approve, or

* go to no place of worship at all. We need say

* no more to point out to your Lordship, whose

* principles on the subject of the Church are re-

* presented to us a3 strictly correct, the unhappy
' effects of these political restraints, and the pro-

* priety of removing them as speedily as possible.'

*' To this communication we received, the same
day on which it was written, the following re-
ply :—

120 ANNALS OP 1789.

LETTER XV.

THE BISHOP OF BANGOR TO THE SCOTTISH BISHOPS.

Great George Street, 6th July 1789.
*' Right Reverend Sirs,

*' On my returning from the House of Lords
this afternoon, I was favoured with your letter.
I have had some conversation with the Chancel-
lor on this business, but I do not precisely know
what his Lordship's opinion is ; and, if I did, I
would not mention it, not having authority so
to do.

" 1 need not tell you that the farther conside-
ration of the Bill was, on motion this afternoon,
postponed till the ^9th of September ; and, if
you should be advised to make another attempt,
find an opportunity should offer itself for me to
declare my sentiments publicly, you will find me
the same firm friend to the Church as 1 have
been represented to be ; and I think myself very
much obliged to those who made such honour-
able mention of me.

*' In the present state of this business, I must
beg leave to decline the conference you propose ;
and am, kc.

" Before leaving London, we addressed a let-
ter of thanks to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
for his Grace's kindness and condescension."

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACT. 121

LETTER XVI.

THE SCOTTISH BISHOPS TO HIS GRACE THE ARCH-
BISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

London, July 8. 1789.
" May it please your Grace,

" The Scottish Episcopal Clergy's Bill being
postponed until the 29th September, our disap-
pointment, severely as it is felt, has not rendered
us insensible of your Grace's kindness and con-
descension, for v/hich we beg leave to offer our
grateful acknowledgments, and to ask the honour
of your Grace's commands for Scotland, for
which we intend, God willing, to set out to mor-
row morning.

" It would ill become us, when writing to a
Prelate of such distinguished worth and judg-
ment, to offer one word in recommendation of a
business which is self-recommended to every
friend of religion and humanity.

*' We are willing to flatter ourselves with the
hope, that our ignorance of the proper mode of
application to great personages individually, or
to administration collectively, will not finally
prejudice the cause of so many thousands of his
Majesty's loyal subjects, who earnestly crave le-
gal toleration in return for unequivocal fidelity.
In their names we beg leave to request your

122 ANNALS OP 1789.

Grace's powerful support ; and have the honour
to remain,' Sec.

" The three Bishops," continues Bishop Skin-
ner's narrative, " returned from London about
the middle of July 1789. And, though they
had the satisfaction to find their conduct approv-
ed in all Synodical meetings of the Clergy, and
by the generality of the Laity, yet were they
sorry to learn that an attempt had been made,
by means of a printed address, to circulate un-
generous suspicions of their having taken too
much upon them in their late undertaking, and
to denounce them publicly, as having proved
themselves wholly unfit for conducting the busi-
ness in a proper manner. It was soon discover-
ed," adds the Bishop, " that the author of this
address was George Monck Berkeley, Esq. son
of the Rev. Dr. Berkeley, Prebendary of Canter-
bury, &c. who, though he had resided some little
time in Scotland, had certainly very little oppor-
tunity of knowing the general sentiments of the
Scottish Episcopal Church on the present occa-
sion," and who, the Annahst apprehends, must
have been actuated by other motives than the os-
tensible one of " interest in the welfare of that
religious Society in which he hopes to die !" —
Of this the Address will at once convince the
reader.

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 123

*^ To the Clerical and Lay-Members of the
Episcopal Communion in Scotland.

" Rev. Sirs and Gentlemen,

" Presuming that by this time you are all suffi-
ciently informed with respect to the steps that
have been taken by your Bishops to procure a
repeal of the Penal Laws, and that you are also
acquainted with the total failure of their under-
taking ; I shall only trespass on your attention,
v/hilst I suggest the propriety of a second appli-
cation to Parliament, and propose to your consi-
deration a Plan of Procedure, of which the expe-
diency will, I doubt not, be sufficiently apparent,
to require little or no assistance from argument.

" The plan for which I wish tr> procure your
sanction, is as follows :- — That each of the two
orders I have now the honour to address, should
elect a representative, to superintend on its be-
half the next application to Parliament, for a re-
peal of those laws which it is no longer the inte-
rest of any man to enforce.

*' To direct the attention of the inferior Cler-
gy to the preservation of their own rights, as
connected with that Church to which their ser-
vices are devoted, would have appeared to me
wholly unnecessary, had I not witnessed their
supineness on the late occasion.

" That the Bishops undertook their embassy
without the concurrence of the Clergy and Laity

J2i ANNALS OP 1789.

over whom they preside ; that they constituted
themselves sole and absolute Governors of the
Church in Scotland ; that they concerted mea-
sures for the relief of that Church, without the
advice or approbation of the inferior Clergy, who,
with themselves, were equally interested in the
success of these measures ; and, that they have
plainly evinced their utter incapacity to execute
their own plans, — are facts I need not call to
your recollection. — But as a man much interest-
ed in the welfare of that Religious Society in
which he hopes to die, I think it a duty incum-
bent on me, to suggest to you the necessity of
preventing a second encroachment on your pri-
vileges, and of attempting, in concurrence with
your Prelates, by a proper and respectful appli-
cation to Parliament, to procure for that Church,
of which you are at once members and guardians,
the protection of a Government whose authority
it acknowledges, and whose lenity it has long ex-
perienced.

*' Do not, Gentlemen, however suppose, that,
to lessen the respect due to the Episcopal cha-
racter, or to circumscribe the authority of the
Bishops by improper limits, is the object propos-
ed by the present Address. Such is by no means
the case ; but when any authority, however ve-
nerable, presumes to invade the rights of others,
it is the duty of those whose liberties are endan-
gered to defend that blessing, for which an equi-
valent has never yet been discovered.

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 125

" Let me, therefore, Reverend Sirs and Gen-
tlemen, entreat you, without delay to elect, each
of you, a Representative who may attend such
Bishops as may be disposed to go upon a second
embassy to London ; for if you reject this mea-
sure, errors, similar to those which have already
disappointed your hopes, may again frustrate any
exertions that may be made in your favour, and
you may for ever lose that relief which the pre-
sent Government so readily affords to all its suf-
fering subjects. This advice will, I fear, lose
much weight, as coming from the pen of an ano-
nymous writer ; and I should certainly subscribe
my name, were I vain enough to suppose it could
in the least influence those to whom it is addres-
sed. 1 have the honour to remain,'* &c.

*' A LAY MEMBER OF THE EPISCOPAL
CHURCH IN SCOTLAND."

The Primus had previously meant to assemble
a Convention of the Church, to be composed of
all the Clergy, with a Lay-delegate or delegates
from every Congregation, that he might lay be-
fore them the whole of his and the other Bishops*
procedure during their stay in London ; and the
above paper determined him to assemble it with-
out delay.

The College of Bishops having readily agreed
to this proposal, intimation was given by the Pri-
mus to every Clergyman in the communion of
the Scottish Episcopal Church, that, on " Wed-

126 ANNALS OF 1789.

nesday, the lltli day of November next, at ele-
ven o'clock in the forenoon, a general meeting of
the Bishops and Clergy of that Church was to be
holden at the village of Laurencekirk, in the
county of Kincardine, for the purpose of taking
into consideration the present state of our appli-
cation to Government for a repeal of the penal
laws, and requiring them also to assemble the
principal members of their respective Congrega-
tions, and that for the purpose of nominating
and appointing some person or persons belong-
ing to each to attend such meeting as delegate
or delegates from the laity of the Episcopal
Communion ; failing which appointment, the
Clergyman of each Congregation, or his proxy,
(if he shall find personal attendance very incon-
venient,) will be considered as representing his
flock, in order that the meeting may be as much
as possible a representation of the whole Epis-
copal Church/'

The Convention took place accordingly, and,'
having been as respectably and numerously at*
tended as circumstances would admit, it was
opened by the Primus delivering the following
address : — -

" Gentlemen,

" As I had the honour of being the immedi-
ate and active instrument in calHng this meeting,
I am very happy to see such a numerous and re-
spectable Convention. The laudable motive

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 127

which has brought you hither from the several
parts of our Church, with which you are respec-
tively connected, will, I hope, equally appear
from the cordial manner in which you will enter
on the business of the meeting, and from the
unanimity with which it will be conducted. I
need not take up your time in recommending
this to your particular attention, as you must all
be sensible how much the success of our mea-
sures depends on that union of sentiment with
which they are concerted, and the generous sup-
port to which they will be thereby entitled from
the whole community represented in this assem-
bly. I have only to add, that as the object
which the convention has chiefly in view is to be
considered as of a civil or temporal nature, not
immediately connected with any thing purely
ecclesiastical, in other words, with any thing
which regards the doctrine, worship, or discip-
line of the Church ; for this reason, looking upon
the present as a Convention of persons aggrieved
by certain political restrictions, and assembled
for the purpose of procuring a redress of these
grievances, I see no necessity for our proceed-
ing according to Ecclesiastical rule, or the Can-
ons of that Church to which we belong. On the
contrary, I think it my duty to declare, as I here-
by, in the most solemn manner, do declare, be-
fore all who are here present, that this is no Sy-
nod or Assembly, purely Ecclesiastical, nor to
be considered as a precedent for any such here*

128 ANNALS OF 17S9.

after in the Scottish Episcopal Church. I there-
fore claim no right from my office or character,
to preside in it. It was necessary that some per-
son should call you together, — should appoint the
time and place of your meeting, and signify the
object of it. That task my situation in the
Church naturally assigned to me ; but having
thus far discharged my duty, I have now only to
propose, that, in the first place. You proceed
to choose a Preses and Clerk ; and, in the second
place, To lay down a few general rules for car-
rying on the business of the meeting with such
order and regularity as become the purpose and
design of it.'*

Bishop Skinner having been unanimously cho-
sen Preses, and the Rev. Roger Aitkin of Aber-
deen clerk, the Convention resolved : " That
every Clerical member shall have a vote for him-
self, and for every proxy produced by him, whe-
ther granted by a Clergyman or a Congregation :
and. That every Lay- member or members shall
have one vote for the Congregation which he
or they may represent : And where there is no
Lay representative from any Congregation, the
Clergyman who hastlie charge of it, or his proxy,
shall be considered the representative, and have
the vote accordingly. But every Clergyman, be
the number of his charges what they may, shall
be supposed to have but one such charge, and
therefore but one vote for it."

From the foregoing resolution, it was found
that no fewer than eighty-four votes were pre-

1789. SCOTTIsk EPISCOPACY. 129

sent, or duly represented in the Convention be-
fore the business commenced, which was done by
the Clerk putting the question, ' Is it the plea-

* sure of the Convention that the proper business

* of it be now opened from the chair ?' Tliis being
answered in the affirmative, the Primus, as chair-
man, spoke as follows : —

" In compliance, Gentlemen, with your de-
sire, I must, first of all, refer to the intimation
■which was circulated in name of the iiishops,
from which it appears, that this Convention was
called, and is now holden * for the purpose of

* taking into consideration the present state of

* an application to Government for a repeal of

* the penal laws.' This necessarily implies that
an application has been made, and is now pend-
ing ; so that our present business leads us to en-
quire into the nature of this application, the man-
ner in which it has been conducted, the probable
consequences of it, and the best method of car-
rying it on, so as to render it finally successful.
These appear to me to be the general outlines of
that important business for which we are now as-
sembled; and if this arrangement is carefully at-
tended to, it will, I hope, enable us to proceed,
in a methodical manner, and to bring our busi-
ness to an amicable and happy conclusion. With
regard to the nature of the application which has
been already made to Government, and the man-
ner in which it has been conducted, as it fell to
my lot to have an active hand in it, b^ing one of

I

130 ANNALS OF 1789.

the three principal agents in the cause, it will no
doubt be expected from me, in the absence of one
of those Gentlemen, and with concurrence of the
other now present, that I should give this Con-
vention a full detail of the part which we have
acted^ of the motives which led us so to act, and
of the result of our actions. Such an account I
am now ready to render, in as clear and concise
a manner as the nature of the subject will admit,
and with all the accuracy and fidelity which my
memory, or rather my materials, shall enable me
to do. Before, however, entering on my narra-
tive, I must be permitted to claim a strict depen-
dence on the honour, the prudence, and the good
sense of the Gentlemen who are members of this
Convention. Remarks will necessarily be made
on the sentiments and behaviour of persons high
in office, or respectable in character and rank,
which it would be very imprudent to publish to
the world, or even to be repeating too freely in
promiscuous companies, and where no good end
is likely to result. In this respect, therefore,
proper caution and reserve are so necessary, (more
especially in our situation,) that 1 hope you will
excuse the liberty which I have taken in recom-
mending to you their strict observance. I shall
trespass no farther on your patience by this pre-
amble, than to mention, that in the narrative
which I am about to submit to you, you will find
frequent reference made to letters, cards, or
other vouchers, the originals, or copies of the

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 131

whole, or greater part of which, being now on
the table, if it be the wish of any Gentleman to
peruse any of them, or to move that any of them
be read at full length when referred to, the wish
shall on my part be cheerfully complied with,
either at the immediate time of reference, or
when the narrative is concluded, as shall to the
general sense of the Convention appear to be
most agreeable.'*

The reader having had Bishop Skinner's nar-
rative already submitted to his perusal, is doubt-
less of opinion, that it was not only sufficiently
minute, but sufficiently satisfactory, and that all
was done which men in the situation and circum-
stances of Bishops Skinner, Abernethy Drum-
mond, and Strachan, could have done to effect
the object which they took in hand. As this,
however, constituted the leading charge against
them in the printed " Address to the Clerical
and Lay Members of their Communion," it
seems incumbent on the Annalist to put the read-
er in possession of the Primus' defence of him-
self and colleagues, as forming the introductory
part of his narrative : —

*' In managing the affairs of any community,
unless some persons take the lead, either by vir-
tue of their office, or from motives of peculiar
generosity, we seldom see any great efforts made
for the public good. In a religious society, it
may justly be expected that the ministers of reli-
gion will step forward as the leading persons ;

J. ^10

132 AJ7NALS or 1789.

and in an Episcopal Church, such as ours, I hope
that, without being suspected of unduly magni-
fying my office, I may say, that the chief lead and
direction must be supposed to rest with the Bish-
ops. On this delicate point, however, let me
not be misunderstood. I am well aware, that in
the management of such a business as that for
which we are now assembled, though the Bishops
may, from their more responsible situation, find
themselves obliged to be the first movers, yet
they ought not to go forward, they cannot indeed,
with any propriety, go forward in any such under-
taking, without the support of those who are equal-
ly interested in the issue of it. Impressed, as I
have all along been, with this sentiment, and ear-
nestly desirous to shew its operation on every part
of my conduct, it gave me great concern to be de-
prived of the means of practising it, at the very
time when both duty and inclination called upoii
me so to do. Yet such was the situation of things
at the period to which I am now looking back, that
it was not in my power, nor in the power of my
colleagues, to take any other measures than those
which the spur of the occasion ])rompted. The
month of March last being the time when Parlia-
ment may have been said to have recovered from
the shock produced by his Majesty's dangerous
indisposition, my colleagues and myself were daily
reminded, from all quarters of the kingdom, that
now was our time to apply to Government for a
redress of our grievances, while our comphance

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 133

was fresh in the minds of the people, and when
the nation was all in good humour. And had
we neglected an opportunity which appeared so
very favourable to our wishes, we, the Bishops,
had certainly incurred no small degree of blame
and reproach, for our remissness and inattention
to the interests of our society. But in the month
of March this year, when such a Convention as
the present would have proved a measure of first
rate expediency, there was such a fall of snow on
the ground, as to render the roads well nigh im-
passable in most districts of Scotland ; and before
the weather was tolerably settled, and the roads fit
for travelling, the Easter holidays were at hand, a
season, we all know,w^hich admits not of Clergy men
travelling to any distance from home, yet the week
preceding passion-week, orpassion-week itself, was
the very time when such a meeting as the present
could have answered anygood purpose, as the gene-
ral opinion was, that the last Session of Parliament
would not have lasted above a month or six weeks
after the Easter holidays, and many reports pre-
vailed that it would have ended sooner. In such
a state of uncertainty, had it been otherwise con-
venient to call a general meeting of the Church,
it is far from probable that any decisive resolu-
tion would have been the result of it. Both
Clergy and Laity were then too much in the dark
to know precisely what path would have been
most proper for them to pursue j and at our first
outset to have stumbled into a wrong course.

131> ANNALS OF 1789.

might have been of very hurtful consequences.
Besides, as a Convention of this nature must make
some little noise in the country, and be talked of
in all parts of the kingdom where there are mem-
bers of our communion, it was difficult to say
what construction might have been put upon it,
and to what reports it might have given rise, had
it been assembled at the time when I and my
colleagues, at the desire of the other members of
the Scottish Episcopate, set off for the seat of
Government. The case is very different now
indeed ; our cause has been gradually brought
into public view ; it has been treated with be-
coming respect, and honoured with friendly sup-
port by some of the first characters in the nation.
It has even received the sanction, the unanimous
sanction, of one of the branches of the British
Legislature. And, under these circumstances,
we need no longer doubt of the propriety of our
meeting here, as a Convention, to deliberate on a
subject which was so honourably introduced, and
so candidly attended to in the House of his Ma-
jesty's faithful Commons. Nay, our very meet-
ing, (though for another purpose,) having been
recommended by one of the principal officers of
the Crown as a proper measure ; it will not, we
may now hope, be branded as too bold or too
presumptuous for persons in our political situa-
tion, while the mouths of our enemies, if not shut
by the countenance which we have received, will
not be opened half so wide as they v/ould have

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 135

been, six months ago. For my own part, there-
fore, I freely own, that I should not have attend-
ed a meeting of this nature in April last, with the
same courage, and the same confidence in its pro-
priety, which I this day feel. I should have met
you then. Gentlemen, with many doubts hang-
ing on my mind with respect to the prudence of
our conduct, and been afraid that in trusting to
the ' harmlessness of the dove,' we had lost sight
of the ' wisdom of the serpent.'

" Let it not, however, be supposed, that in the
midst of so much doubt and diffidence, as to the
propriety of a public general meeting, the bene-
fits of it were wholly overlooked even by my col-
leagues or myself. Though I could not convene,
at that season of the year, the Clergy of my own
diocese, I took the opportunity of a few of them
being met together at Aberdeen, and laid before
them the proposal of an immediate application
to Government, by three of the Bishops going to
London for the purpose. Of which measure they
not only heartily approved, but promised to pro-
cure, and did procure, introductory letters from
Gentlemen of v/eight and influence in their re-
spective neighbourhoods. With the same view,
I wrote to all the other Clergy of the diocese of
Aberdeen, who I knew had opportunities of that
kind, and had the pleasure to find them all equal-
ly active and zealous in what I recommended to
them. To Bishop Macfarlane I applied, for the
same brotherly support from him and his Clergy ;

136 ANNALS OF 1789.

and to Mr Skene at Forfar, as Dean of the dio-
cese oi Dunkeld tor the like assistance, and had
most satisfactory and favourable returns from
both. To tlie same great object I had no reason
to doubt but the two Bishops who were to ac-
company me to London were equally attentive ;
so that we were really honoured with the most
ample recommendaiions to members of both
houses of Parliament ; and, being chiefly from
members of onr o vn conununion, the obvious in-
ference was, that they not only thought themselves
interested in the success of our application, but
ihat they also considered the Scottish Episcopal
Laity, as well as Clergy, sufficiently represented
by those who had undertaken to conduct their
cause.

" But be in this what may, I will not, Gen-
tlemen, on this occasion, dissemble my opinion
that the Bishops of a Church so circumstanced
as ours is, may, in the act of soliciting any favour
or indulgence, be considered as virtually repre-
senting those, whether Clergy or Laity, who are
to share in that favour or indulgence. I ground
not this opinion, however, on the plea of Epis-
copal authority, but on the faith of that paternal
care, that tender and affectionate concern for the
welfare of its members, which may well be looked
for in the chief rulers of every society in which
an union of interests is the surest basis of recipro-
cal confidence.

'* Were the Protestant Bishops in Scotland dis-

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 137

tinguished by any outward appendages of worldly
honour and dignity which might tempt them
first to court promotion to the Episcopate, and
afterwards to claim an undue authority in the
exercise of it ; or had they separate interests to
pursue, unconnected with the interests of those
for whom they are bound * to watch,' there
might be some reason for regarding the whole,
and every individual part of their official proce-
dure, with a jealous eye. But assuredly those
men ' must be afraid, where no fear is,' who can
entertain the least apprehension of Ecclesiasti-
cal tyranny on the part of such poor, untitled,
unendowed, and unprotected Prelates, as now
constitute the Episcopate in Scotland. So far
from harbouring the most distant idea of invad-
ing the privileges of those with whom we are
spiritually connected, we were most anxious for
an opportunity of shewing how ardently we wish-
ed to befriend and do them all the good in our
power. Had we wished to make a merit of this
then, had we waited until we had been courted
and importuned to exert our abilities such as they
were ; then we should not have moved one single
step without a delegated power, conferred with
all the absurd formalities of those motley con-
ventions so well suited to the levelling spirit of
the age. But seeking no more formal commis-
sion or delegation than what our office gave us,
we needed no prompting beyond what our own
inclination afforded, and, with hearts devoted to
the interests of that Church in which we have

138 ANNALS OF 1789-

the honour to serve, we voluntarily engaged in
the laudable design of effecting her rehef from
the pains and penalties of law, by which, for half
a century, she has been aggrieved ; and the pro-
cess and issue of our labours shall now very
briefly be laid before you."

No sooner had the Primus concluded his nar-
rative, than it was, on motion, resolved, that he,
as Preses of the Convention, do leave the chair ;
and that the Convention, with Bishop Macfar-
lane, as Chairman, do form itself into a Commit-
tee for taking into consideration the proceedings
communicated by Bishop Skinner. This being
cordially agreed to, it was moved by the Rev.
Roger Aitkin, and seconded by the Rev. John
Allan,— That

" The Convention, having taken the proceed-
ings of the Bishops into consideration, do consi-
der the same to have appeared, at the time, the
most proper steps that could have been taken for
procuring the proposed relief; that though the
measures which they adopted were not attended
with the desired success, the disappointment did
not arise from any misconduct on their parts,
but from causes which persons in their situation
could not be supposed to foresee, and therefore
could not guard against ; and That, therefore,
the thanks of the Conventioa be given to the
Bishops, for the zeal, alacrity, and indefatigable
diligence with which they attempted the relief of
this Church."

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY - 139

" The motion being unanimously agreed to,
the Rev. R. Aitkin, J. Allan, and G. Gleig, with
John Niven Esq., were ordered to prepare an ad-
dress of thanks, in terms of the motion, and to
report the same at next sederunt.*' Having so
reported, and the address being agreed to. Bishop
Macfarlane was requested to communicate the
same to the Bishops Skinner, Abernethy Drum-
mond, and Strachan, by letter under his hand,
in manner following : —

" To the Right Reverend the Bishops, &c.

" Bishop Skinner having this day read a nar-
rative of the proceedings of the three Bishops
who went to London for the purpose of solicit-
ing a repeal of the penal laws, and being desir-
ed by the Convention to leave the chair, into
which I was immediately voted, the Convention
resolved itself into a Committee, and voted the
thanks of the meeting to those Bishops who had
distinguished themselves with so much zeal in
the important cause which they had undertaken.

" I am therefore desired. Right Reverend Sirs,
to request your Reverences' acceptance of their
thanks for the able and upright manner, in which
you exerted yourselves in so arduous an enter-
prise ; and it gives me pleasure to subscribe, in
their name and my own, a vote which so hearti-
ly meets my approbation.

" Andrew Macfarlane,
" Bishop of Ross and Moray'^

" Laurencekirk, November 11. 1789.

140 ANi;rALs of I789.

It was next resolved, that the Convention
should name a Committee, with full powers to
manage and carry on the measures still held ne-
cessary for obtaining a repeal of the penal sta-
tutes ; which Committee should consist of three
Bishops, three Presbyters, and three Lay-per-
sons ; the senior Bishop to be Preses, and allow-
ed to call meetings with consent of two-thirds of
the Committee.

They were also to choose a Secretary ; and, if
they found it expedient to send agents to Lon-
don, these agents were to be chosen from among
themselves, and to be styled, '* Delegates from
the Committee of the Convention of the Scot-
tish Episcopal Church." 1 he persons named hj
the Convention for this Committee, were, —

The Right Rev. John Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen.
Wm. Abernethy Drummond, Bishop

of Edinburgh.
John Strachan, Bishop of Brechin.
The Rev. John Allan, Edinburgh.
George Gleig, Stirling.
Roger Aitkin, Aberdeen.
John Patullo, of Balhouffie, Esq. Commissary of

St Andrews.
John Stirling, Esq. of Kippendavie, near Stirling.
John Niven, Esq. of Thornton and Peebles, near
Arbroath.

On the second day of the Convention, Novem-
ber the 12th, they took into their consideration
the state of the charitable funds belonging to the
Scottish Episcopal Church j finding that, by bank-

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 14(1

niptcies and otherwise, they had of late much
decreased, and that no distribution had been
made during the last twelve months, to indigent
clergymen and widows as usual, the Convention
made choice of the following five Bishops, viz.
Skinner, Kilgour, Macfarlane, Abernethy Drum-
mond, and Strachan, as trustees for managing
these funds, and did immediately execute in their
favour a deed of election upon stamped parch-
ment, empowering them, and those named by
them as their successors in office, to do whatso-
ever was necessary for discharging the trust com-
mitted to them, as more particularly expressed
in the minutes of this sederunt, and subject to
such rules and restrictions as this or any other
Convention should think proper to frame for the
security and increase of said funds, and to ensure
an equitable distribution from them for the pur-
poses to which they were originally appropriated.
The thanks of the Convention having been
voted to the Preses " for the able and candid
manner in which he had conducted the business
of the meeting,*' as also to the Clerk for his im-
portant services, it was forthwith dissolved ; the
Preses and Clerk subscribing the minutes^ from
which the above account of its proceedings is
faithfully extracted. Nor can the Annalist for-
bear from here recording an instance of pure
and disinterested friendship to the cause of Scot-
tish Episcopacy, and of zeal for its prosperity, —
such as may be equalled, but never was and ne-

142 ANNALS OF 17S9.

ver will be surpassed. Three of the invaluable per-
sonal friends whom Bishop Skinner had been for-
tunate enough to acquire during his stay in Lon-
don, now informed him, that such was the inte-
rest which they felt in the repeal of the penal
statutes, and such their anxiety to see the sound
and orthodox Episcopacy of Scotland alike re-
spected as it was respectable, " they had formed
themselves into a Committee of Correspondence
with the Committee appointed in Scotland by the
Laurencekirk Convention, and had determined
to meet once a-week, or as often as occasion
might require, for the communication of intelli-
gence, and to deliberate on the most proper steps
to be taken for the speedy relief of a Church
they so much venerated.'*

Two of these Gentlemen are yet alive, and to
mention their names is enough to satisfy such of
the readers of these Annals as may have heard of
them only by ' the hearing of the ear,' that as
men of professional talents and acquirements, of
unimpeachable integrity, fidelity, and worth, of
sound religious and political principles, they
have, at this day, no superiors in Church or
State, — the Honourable Sir James Allan Park,
one of the Judges in his Majesty's Court of Com-
mon Pleas, and the Rev. George Gaskin, D. D.
Secretary to the London Society for Promoting
Christian Knowledge, &c. The third Gentleman,
William Stevens, Esq. Treasurer to Queen Anne*s
Bounty to the Clergy of England, lives only in

1789. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 143

the good name which he had secured to himself
by his never ceasing endeavours *' to adorn the
doctrine of God, his Saviour, in all things j" and
the reader may be assured that this name will be-
come extinct in the Annals of Scottish Episcopa-
cy, only when that Episcopacy, like time itself,
shall be no more !

The following letter to Bishop Skinner, from
the near relative and beloved friend of Mr Ste-
vens, the amiable and accomplished Bishop Home,
then Dean of Canterbury, may serve to shew
how happy the Episcopal Church in Scotland
might deem itself in such a patron.

LETTER XVII.

THE DEAN OF CANTERBURY TO BISHOP SKINNER.

Deanry, Canterbury, Dec. 15, 1789.

" It gives me great pleasure to hear that the
Convention went off so well, and that all is har-
mony amongst you.

*' When I consider that last session of Parlia-
ment you had not one opponent in the Com-
mons, and only one among the Lords, I am rea-
dy to hope, if that one be gained, (and unless he
can you may all sit still,) the business might be
done without the trouble and expence of a dele-
gacy coming to London. But you may say, who
can gain him ? I should imagine either the Arch-

141 ANNALS OF 1790'

bishop or the Bishop of Bangor the most likely
to do it ; or, at least, after trial, to inform you
whether he is to be gained or not. if he is, it
might not perhaps be necessary for an applica-
tion to be made again to the members of Parlia-
ment individually, &c. which is a tedious and la-
borious work. All this I write on supposition
that there is no opposition stirred up on fresh
grounds, of which you will get intelligence if
there should be any thing of the kind on foot.

" I am glad you have heard from my friend
and kinsman, Mr Stevens, who knows the trim
of the times as well as any man. He has cer-
tainly had conversation with the Archbishop on
the subject, and therefore I do not think it im-
probable his Grace may have chosen to com-
municate through him any advice he may have
thought useful upon the occasion, — and a better
adviser you cannot have.

" As to the point of law, how you should pro-
ceed, or whom you should send, &c. you must be
yourselves the best judges. Believe me," &c.

*' George Horne.'"

1790.] The first act of the Committee was, with
the approbation of their respected co-adjutors
above named, to transmit letters to the Lord
Chancellor, and to the Attorney and Solicitor-
General, apologizing for any impropriety or ne-
glect which might have happened in the mode
of application last year, and requesting the power-

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 145

ful support of these great officers of the Crown»
in carrying the repealing Bill through the pre-
sent Session of Parliament. These letters being
despatched early in Jartuary 179*'\ the manner in
which they were delivered, and the reception
which they met with, will appear by the follow-
ing extract of a letter to Bishop Skinner, dated
London, January the 28th.

** Your Committee agreed, that instead of de-
livering your general letters in person, they should
be sent, accompanied by a card, to each of the
great men, that they might have an opportunity
of considering the contents, and of conferring
together. I have since endeavoured to see the
Attorney- General, but in vain, as he is indispos-
ed. I had a short conversation, however, with
the Solicitor yesterday, and he said he had not
seen the Chancellor, (who, I know, has been con-
fined for ten days ;) that he himself was a warm
friend to the Clergy, and particularly" to those of
the Episcopal Church ; but he feared that, on ac-
count of the Dissenters, we had come at a bad
time. He, however, declined giving any opinioa
as to the part he meant to take, until he had seen
the Lord Advocate's letter, and conferred with
the Attorney-General. Thus at present the mat-
ter stands as to them ; but I am happy to give
you better accounts from Dr Gaskin, who, by the
hurry of business, is himself prevented from writ-
ing for a few days.

K

146 ANNALS OF 1790.

** The good Doctor waited on the Bishop of
Bangor, who received him with much kindness,
and confessed himself friendly to your cause.
He cheerfully undertook to deliver, in person,
your general letter to the Chancellor, and said,
that he would, from time to time, communicate
with Dr Gaskin, upon the steps most proper to
be taken. But he was most decidedly of opin-
ion, that your business must be postponed to
that of the Dissenters ; as he is satisfied, that one
main ground of your former miscarriage was,
that the nature of your demand, and the descrip-
tion of persons you were of, were not fully un-
derstood.

" His Lordship has also promised to consider
the point, whether the Bill should be introduced
in the Upper or Lower house, and to let us
know. And, as he has been so good as to intro-
duce our cause to the Chancellor*s notice, I
think we should be determined by his opinion.
Of the same mind with the Bishop of Bangor, as
to time, is the Bishop of Salisbury ; with whom
Dr Gaskin has also done you much service."

Early in the year 1 790, Lord Gardenston, at
that time one of .the Judges of the Court of Ses-
sion in Scotland, wrote the following laconic but
interesting letter to the Lord Chancellor, in fa-
vour of the Scottish Episcopal Clergy ; and that,
as far as is known to the Annalist, of his own ac-
cord, without the solicitation of any one.

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 147

LETTER XVIII.

LORD GARDENSTON TO LORD THURLOW.

Edinburgh, January 20, 1790.
" My Lord Chancellor,

" As one of the Judges in Scotland, and as I
had an occasion of being acquainted with you
when at London, many years ago, in the great
Douglas' cause, I take the liberty (I am sure
with a good intention, and I hope without im-
propriety,) to offer, for your Lordship's conside-
ration, my humble testimony in favour of the
Episcopal Clergy in this country.

*' Though bred a Presbyterian, I have ever
revered the order and decency of the Episcopal
Church. In doctrine they are soundly Protes-
tant. Their principles in regard to Government
are now reformed, and not less loyal than ours.
I am so much convinced that this measure will
be a public good, that I have resolved to endow
and establish, at my private expence, an Episco-
pal Chapel in my village of Laurencekirk, now in
a remarkably flourishing progress.

*' I flatter myself your Lordship will receive
this address with indulgence ; and I have the ho-
nour to be, &c.

" Francis Garden."

lis ANNALS OF 1790.

Bishop Skinner was informed, by letters from
London, of date the 3d of February, that the
Attorney-General entered very fully into the sub^
ject of the Bill of Repeal, proving himself to be
well versed in the history of the Scotch Episco-
pal Church, and the points upon which its spirit-
ual authority depended. In the learned Gentle-
man's opinion, the blunder committed last year
had no connection with Parliamentary etiquette;
but as the Scottish Episcopalians came, confess-
ing themselves delinquents, and that they were
willing to renounce, and had renounced their er-
rors, the matter should have been first debated
in the Cabinet ; that the ostensible servants of
Government, as a body, and not individually,
might have been satisfied that their professions
were sincere. Instead of which, the first officer
of the Crown was not consulted, but the Bill of
Relief was introduced as a private matter.

The Attorney-General was much pleased that
the Chancellor had been written to by Lord
Gardenston ; and also that the Bishop of Bangor
had undertaken to introduce the Committee's
letter and cause to the Chancellor's notice. And
he was quite sure, that when the Bill was under-
stood, there would not be a man to oppose the
prayer of the petition, it was so very reasonable
and just. For his part, he was a warm and zeal-
ous friend to it, and would do every thing in his
power to assist. He was also convinced, that no
more eould be required of the Episcopal Clergy

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. H9

in Scotland, than to swear allegiance for the time
to come, without any retrospect whatever.

" It is universally agreed," added Bishop
Skinner's correspondent, " that the business must
be postponed to the Dissenters Bill ; for even the
Bishop of St David's, (Bishop Horsley) who is
a warm friend to the cause, told Dr Gaskin the
other day, that * your Bill must not be received
• until that is disposed of Indeed it is not to be
expected that the Church of England will go to
the field to assist an ally, when she herself is at-
tacked in her own fortress.

About this time, it appears, that Bishop Aber-
nethy Drummond, having had an interview with
the Lord Advocate, found him of the same mind
with the Attorney-General. He wished that the
Bill of Repeal should not be pushed during this
Session, lest, by stirring up the opposition of the
Dissenters, the success of it might be endanger-
ed for ever ; adding, moreover, as a reason for
delaying it another year, that the last session of
a Parliament was always timid, the first of a new
one as constantly bold and confident.

Bishop Skinner finding matters in this criti-
cal situation, and anxious to have the opinions of
the other members of the Committee, thought it
necessary to call a meeting of them, and, as Pre-
ses and Convener, appointed the same to be hold-
en at Perth on the ^ith day of February. Be-
fore the meeting, however, took place, ' e re-
ceived a letter from Dr Gaskin, mentior '^ ^very

150 ANNALS or 1790*

fully his late correspondence with the Bishop of
Bangor, and giving the following additional in-
formation.

*' Last Thursday I was again with the Bishop,
when he told me that he had delivered your let-
ter to the Chancellor, who did not seem to un-
derstand the matter, but that he (the Bishop)
meant to confer with him again. The Chancel-
lor mentioned to the Bishop his having received
a letter from Lord Gardenston. The Bishop de-
sired to see again your printed case, which, though
perhaps in his possession, he could not find.
Fortunately, I was in possession of a copy, which
I told his Lordship I would send to him next
day ; when I sent it, I wrote to him that we had
it in contemplation to reprint the sheet, and that
if his Lordship would be so good as suggest any
alteration, it would be attended to.

" This morning it was returned to me by the
Bishop, with a letter, in which is the following
clause : — * I have returned the case of the Epis-

* copal Clergy in Scotland, and after perusing it

* with care and attention, I am of opinion that it

* ought to be reprinted as it now stands, and this

* should be done without any farther delay.*

** Accordingly, it is gone to press, and a con-
siderable impression will be struck oiF, which, at
a proper time, we shall cause to be conveyed in-
to proper hands. The Dissenters application for
the Test Repeal coming on in the same Session is
an awkward thing 5 for though there is no man-

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 151

ner of similitude in the two cases, there are many
persons, both in and out of ParHament, who will
not give themselves even a little trouble to ex-
amine the difterence. This made the Attorney-
General start the idea of postponing it, till next
year, but it will be best to follow the advice of
the Bishop of Bangor and the Chancellor, if the
latter can be had. On the whole, your little
Committee think that things augur well."

On the 24th of February, in consequence of
the appointment of their Chairman, the great
Committee met at Perth. Members present,
Bishop Skinner, the Reverend Messrs Allan,
Gleig, and Aitkin, (appointed Secretary,) John
Stirling of Kippendavie, and John Niven of
Peebles, Esquires. Bishop Strachan and Mr
Patullo sending valid excuses, yet cordially ap-
proving of the resolutions formed, of which the
following statement is extracted from the mi-
nutes.

" The Preses gave the Committee a detail of
an extensive correspondence which he had held
on the subject of the proposed act of Repeal, par-
ticularly with Dr George Gaskin, James Allan
Park, and William Stevens, Esquires, all of the
City of London. The Committee having con-
sidered that correspondence, and heard each
others sentiments on the present state of the
affairs of this Church, were unanimously of opin-
ion, that an application should be made in the
present Session of Parliament, for obtaining re-

152 ANNALS OF 1790.

dress of the grievances complained of; and that
as the Session may soon be at an end, and much
influence may be necessary for ensuring success,
it was resolved that the application should be
made without delay, and the assistance of such
persons or bodies requested, as were most likely
to promote the business.

" With that view, the Committee resolved to
draw up and transmit to each of the Universities
of Oxford and Cambridge, a letter soliciting their
support, together with a copy of the case which
had been printed for the information of the mem-
bers of both houses of Parliament, that they might
see the state of the Church, and the nature of
the relief of which she stood so much in ne^d.
Agreeably to this resolution, letters both in
Enf^lish and in Latin were written and sub-
Scribed by all the members present, and trans-
mitted to the Reverend Dr Home, then Dean
of Canterbury, and President of Magdalene Col-
lege, for the University of Oxford, and to the
Reverend Dr Farmer, for the University of Cam-
bridge.

*' The Committee further considering that Dr.
Gaskin, Messrs Stevens and Park, had exerted
themselves with much zeal on behalf of this
Church, and had generously offered to meet at
stated times in London, as a Committee of cor-
respondence with the Scottish Committee, for
carrying on the intended application to Parlia-
ment, resolved that the thanks of the Committee

1790. SCOTTISH EnSCOPACY. 153

be given to those worthy Gentlemen, and that
they be authorised to meet and act as before
mentioned.'* A letter to this effect was im-
mediately written and subscribed j while it was
resolved, *' that on account of the great distance
from each other, at which the members of the
Committee lived, the Preses and Secretary should
be empowered, and were empowered accordingly,
to correspond in their name with the London
Committee, and to take such steps for bringing
the proposed repeal to an issue, as might con-
duce to the general interests of religion in this
part of the united kingdom, and be consistent
with the constitution and dignity of the Episco-
pal Church in Scotland." /

On his return from the meeting at Perth, Bish-
op Skinner received a letter, informing him that
the Archbishop having been waited on at his own
request, and having had explained to him every
thing that had been done since the Scottish
Bishops had been at Lambeth, his Grace was not
only very much satisfied with the steps that had
been taken, but hoped and trusted that the Bill
would now succeed, being in a very proper train.
*' The Archbishop," concludes the letter, " sees
no necessity for any of your brethren taking a
journey to London, as detention in town might
be tedious and expensive ; at the same time, he
is of opinion that the Bill ought to be brought
forward this Session of Parliament, not only on

15J» ANNALS OF 1790.

account of the poor Clergy who are injured by
the delay, but for the sake of those people who
at present go to no Church at all, and whose
morals are consequently injured. I am sure that
this opinion must give you, as it gave me, very
great pleasure.

About a fortnight ago, a letter arrived from Dr
Gaskin, dated March the 6th, informing Bishop
Skinner that a meeting of the little Sub- commit-
tee had just been held, and that they had been
honoured with a visit from. Sir William Dolben,
one of the members for the University of Oxford,
who assures us of his disposition to render you
all the service in his power. The letter from
Perth (continues the good Doctor,) came to hand,
and in the name of my two colleagues, as well as
in my ov/n name, I am authorised to assure you,
and do assure you, of the alacrity with which we
are all engaged in the cause of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church, and of the hope which we enter-
lain, that, through the divine blessing, our efforts
will not be in vain. No explicit reply has yet
been had from the Chancellor, but from circum-
stances we are led to conclude that he will not
stand out in opposition to your most reasonable
requests. If we cannot get Sir Archibald iVJac-
donald to introduce the Bill, nor any other law-
yer, we have reason to believe that Sir William
Dolben will do it ; but it is Sir William's opinion,
that the introduction would more fitly come from
a professional man.

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 155

" We are of opinion that it will not be advisa-
ble just now to trouble the English Universities,
and therefore Mr Stevens has written to Dean
Home, as I have to Dr Farmer, requesting them
to suspend the communication of their papers,
until they hear from us again on the subject.
Since receipt of your letter, I have not had an
opportunity of seeing the Bishop of Bangor, as he
is gone to Bath, whence, however, he will return
in the course of a few days.

" In the Bill a clause will certainly be intro-
duced against receiving your letters of orders
as qualifications for English preferment ; but it
will be such a clause as shall cast no more slur
upon the spirituality of your character than the
clause in the American Episcopal Bill does upon
the spiritual character of the American Bishops."

Immediately on receipt of this intelligence.
Bishop Skinner communicated it to the other
members of the Committee ; and being of opi-
nion that no time was to be lost in adverting to
the proposal mentioned in the above paragraph,
he drew up a representation on behalf of the
Committee, setting forth, that ** having taken
into their serious consideration a proposal for in-
serting a clause in the Repealing Bill, whereby
no letters of orders granted by the Scottish Bi-
shops shall be admitted as qualifications for pre-
ferment in the Church of England, and being
apprehensive that such a clause, if expressed in
general terms, without any reference to the ex>

156 ANNALS OP 1790.

pediency of it, or any discretionary power left to
the proper judges of that expediency, might even-
tually prove very hurtful to the cause of Episco-
pacy in Scotland, they thought it their duty to
suggest, with all becoming deference to the
judgment of others, what appeared to them the
probable consequences of it, and to propose the
following clause as sufficiently answering the end
which the proposers of the clause had in view,
and at the same time preserving such strict can^
dour and equity towards the Scottish Episcopal
Church as implied not the least doubt of the va-
lidity of its orders : —

* And be it enacted, by the authority afore-
' said, that no Pastor or Minister of the Episco-
' pal Communion in that part of Great Britain

* called Scotland, although ordained by a Protes-

* tant Bishop, and according to the form of or-

* dination of Deacons and Priests in the Church

* of England, as required by law, shall be there-

* by entitled to induction into any benefice

* within that realm, unless it shall appear expe-
' dient to the Bishop of the diocese within which

* such benefice lies : Nor shall a presentation to
' any benefice, or a call or invitation from any

* Congregation in Scotland, to be its pastor, be

* deemed a legal title for qualifying any person

* to receive letters of orders from an English Bi-

* shop. Provided always, that nothing herein
' enacted shall disqualify any Pastor or Minister

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 157

* ordained as aforesaid, from being a Chaplain in

* his Majesty's army or navy.'

The representation, of which the above is the
substance, was signed by the Preses and Secreta-
ry, and transmitted to Dr Gaskin on the 18th
March 1790, with a request that he would take
the most proper method of communicating the
contents, and of enforcing the purpose of it. Dr
Gaskin's reply, dated March 26, is as follows : — •

LETTER XIX.

DR GASKIN TO BISHOP SKINNER.

** On the day of receiving your favour of the
18th inst. I wrote a letter to Bishop A. Drum-
mond, in reply to one I had received from him j
and because I could not then write also to you,
I requested him to acknowledge for me receipt
of yours, enclosing the representation signed by
yourself and Mr Aitkin.

" It happened that I had an immediate oppor-
tunity of shewing your letter and representation
to the Bishop of St Davids, of whom you may be
assured, thathe isyour hearty well-wisher, and that
he has precisely the same views of your spiritual
character, as Bishops of the One Cathohc Church
of Christ, as you have yourselves, and will not
only rejoice to see the penal statutes removedj

158 ANNALS OF l790.

but will also use his best endeavours to remove
them. I requested his Lordship to take the pa-
pers home with him, and favour me with his
judgment of the clause framed by you, and of
the reasons on which you had framed it. His
Lordship the day after sent for me to confer up-
on the matter, and to dine with him. I went for
these purposes yesterday, w^ien the Bishop gave
me his full and undisguised opinion that such a
clause as you had framed was inadmissible, and
that if every Bishop on the English Bench would
jrive his consent to the introduction thereof, still
he was confident it would not pass the Houses of
Parliament. The King, his Lordship observed,
is, in a certain sense, the Head of the Church,
and without his permission our Bishops are not
to consecrate any Bishop, nor is any British sub-
ject, obtaining the Episcopal character without
the King's permission, so far to be acknowledg-
ed a Bishop as that his Episcopal acts shall have
a civil effect in the Established Church of Eng-
land. It does not follow, that because the same
regard is not paid to the letters of orders of a
Protestant Bishop in Scotland as to those of a
Popish Bishop abroad, therefore the validity of
the former, in a spiritual or ecclesiastical sense,
is in the least degree a doubtful point. But the
fact is, that considering tlie Regal Supremacy in
Britain, our Bishops think that they cannot in-
troduce into their Church persons admitted to
holy orders by a Bishop in Great Britain, to

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 159

whose consecration, the King in virtue of his
supremaccy, had not given his consent.

** There are Bishops of the Popish persuasion
in England, and no doubt in Scotland, of whose
valid Episcopacy no more doubt is to be enter-
tained than of your Episcopacy, or of the Epis-
copacy of the English Bench. But the letters of
orders of one of these Bishops would not have
the same effect towards an English institution as
those of a foreign Popish Bishop ; and, in this
view you are supposed to stand in the same pre-
dicament as do the Popish Bishops who are Bri-
tish subjects.

"By an act of the Legislature, Episcopal go-
vernment in Scotland is done away, at least as
far as the Legislative acts of man can do it away ;
and since the passing of that act the King of
Great Britain has not given his permission, his
conge, for the Consecration of any Scottish Bi-
shop. The King of Great Britain, therefore, as
King, knows nothing of any such Bishops ; and
our Bishops must not be allowed to give a civil
effect in the Church of England to their letters
of orders. Hence, the whole difficulty with re-
spect to introducing in the Bill such a clause as
you have framed, arises from the peculiar nature of
our Ecclesiastical constitution. If, of their own ac-
cord, any three English Bishopswere to consecrate
me, I shouldcertainly be vested with the real Epis-
copal character, and you would give all the effect
in your power to my Episcopal acts 5 but the Eng-

160 ANNALS OF 1790.

lish Bishops would not be authorised to admit
letters of orders granted by me as legal qualifica-
tions to institution. Such, on the main, is, I be-
lieve, the judgment of the Prelate whom I have
consulted respecting your clause, and it is his
opinion that I need not produce it more public-
ly. I shall wait, however, your direction. Mr
Park is not yet returned from the circuit, and
for a few days I have had no opportunity of see-
in o- Mr Stevens. As soon as the Bishop of Ban-
gor returns from Bath, I shall wait upon his
Lordship on your concerns. The Chancellor
has not yet been sufficiently expHcit, but there
is a quarter from which we shortly expect to
hear his sentiments. You are not to wonder at
the appearance of tardiness, and I am sure you
will not attribute it to neghgence on the part of
your London agents. We have done what was
in our power ; and, on the whole, I augurate
well as to the event. I requested Bishop A.
Drummond to transmit to you a copy of the
clause which we had framed, to which the good
Bishop Horsley has suggested an excellent addi-
tion ; but whether the whole or any part of it will
be accepted, we cannot yet tell : —

' And be it further enacted, That a presenta-

* tion to any benefice, or a call or invitation from

* any Congregation in Scotland to be its Pastor

* or Minister, shall not be deemed a legal title for

* qualifying any person to receive holy orders from

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. jQl

' any Archbishop or Bishop in the Church of
* England.*

" P. 5'.— You have been informed, I believe,
that I had a very pleasant reception from the
Lord Advocate, and that he promised to do your
Church all possible service as to expediting the
business.*'

To this most interesting communication, Bish-
op Skinner was induced, on the 5th of April, to
make the following reply.

LETTER XX.

BISHOP SKINNER TO DR. GASKIN.

" I had just finished and sent off my last letter
to Mr Park, of the 31st of March, when the post
brought me your favour of the^6th, the contents
of which made me regret that I had not received
it a day sooner, as, in that case, I might have
been prevented from giving unnecessary trouble,
where it is both my duty and my wish to be as
little troublesome as possible.

" I need not, however, take up your time in
making repeated apologies for thus adding more
and more labour to the task which you and your
colleagues have so generously imposed upon your-
selves, as, knowing that I represent and act for a
suffering community, you will readily excuse my

L

162 ANNALS OF 1790.

doing all in my power to obtain as complete and
effectual a redress of their grievances, as their
peculiar circumstances will admit.

*' I see the force and propriety of that train of
reasoning which you have so correctly detailed
from the conference you had the honour to hold
with the venerable Bishop Horsley, on the subject
of my last letter and representation. I am well
convinced that his Lordship's views of the pure
Episcopal character, are as just and accurate as
his friendship to our cause has been hearty and
uniform, ever since he was made acquainted with
it. A mind bold and discerning like his Lord-
ship's, can easily distinguish between those spirit-
ual powers, which a valid Episcopacy necessarily
implies, and that civil effect to these powers
which a temporal establishment only can grant.
But, alas ! the bulk of mankind are so poorly en-
dowed with this discriminating faculty, that they
will not be able to perceive the distinction ; sa
that where the civil effect is peremptorily re-
fused, they will be apt to suspect that the spirit-
ual power is at least tacitly denied.

*' It is this unhappy tendency, which the world
daily exhibits, to confound things in their real
natures perfectly distinct, that alarms our fears
on the present occasion, and makes us entertain
such apprehensions from the proposed clause in
our Repeahng Bill absolutely incapacitating us
from officiating in the Church of England.
" The great difficulty in attempting to remove

^,

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. l63

the cause of these apprehensions arises, as you
justly observe, from the peculiar nature of your
Ecclesiastical constitution. But as that consti-
tution is already so well defined, and firmly estab-
lished by statutes well known to all concerned,
might it not have been expected that no new act,
or clause of an act, would have been necessary
to explain or ratify what has been long sufficiently
understood, and duly observed by those whose
business is to provide * ne quid detrimenti Eccle-
' sia capiat.' Had this matter been permitted to
remain sub s'llentio, as was happily intended by
the last year's Bill, in our favour, we should have
been perfectly easy under the supposed incapa-
city of our Clergy to hold livings in the Church
of England, because our adversaries would have
had no new handle against us ; and it was on this
footing that the Archbishop himself, as we were
told, wished the matter to rest, fully satisfied that
the Legislature had provided sufficiently already
against any encroachments on the rights and
privileges of the Church of England, and desirous
of casting no slur on our orders as to their spi-
ritual effect in Scotland ; though unrecognised by
the law of the land, these orders could have no
civil effect In England. Happy had It been for
us, and for the cause of Scottish Episcopacy, if
his Grace's opinion had prevailed ; as in that case
no suspicions could have been entertained of the
English Bishops being unfavourable to the spirit-
ual powers of the Scottish Episcopal Church,

L 2

164 ANNALS OF 1790.

And had any Scottish ordained Clergyman been
so ambitious as to aspire after a presentation to
a living or cure of souls in England, the Bishop
in whose diocese the living or cure was situated,
might very properly have said, * I make no doubt

* of the spiritual authority of the Scottish Bish-

* ops in their own Church, but as the law neither

* of England nor of Scotland recognizes any such

* Bishops, their orders cannot be sustained as legal

* qualifications for institution here, nor have any

* civil effect within the Church of England.

*' Such an answer would have settled the busi-
ness immediately, and would have prevented any
further attempts of a like kind. "We are far from
thinking it unreasonable that the patrimony of
the Church of England should be effectually se-
cured to her own sons. We beg leave only to
request of her venerable fathers that this security
may be preserved in such a form as throws not
even a shadow of doubt on the validity of our or-
ders, nor interposes any legal obstacle to com-
munion in things spiritual, between the two
churches.

" We are well convinced that those worthy
Prelates whom you have consulted on this tender
subject, have paid the most friendly attention to
it ; as a proof of which, I am happy in acknow-
ledging the favourable addition which has been
suggested to the clause, of which you send me a
copy. Yet the candid and equitable design of
that addition fhight be evaded, (and often X fear

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 165

would be evaded,) by our candidates for English
orders procuring a title from some of the Clergy
in the northern dioceses of England, and by their
being ordained within such dioceses upon this
legal title. To procure this title, and afterwards
to quit the cure on which it was founded, for a
Chapel in Scotland, might in certain cases be at-
tended with trouble. But it is a sort of trouble
which an enterprising young man would cheer-
fully undergo, rather than accept of such orders
as malice working upon ignorance might repre-
sent as of no validity. To prevent such abuses,
therefore, equally hurtful to the cause of Episco-
pacy in both parts of the kingdom, would be an
object worthy of the piety, prudence, and good
sense of the English hierarchy ; and to their su-
perior judgment and penetration,- must we refer
the determination of this weighty and important
matter. It has been suggested to me, that a di-
rect application to some of their Lordships, par-
ticularly to the Bishops of Bangor and St Davids,
might be of great use. But, for my own part, I
think it more prudent to commit the manage-
ment of the business to you, and our other zea-
lous friends. This letter, if you think proper,
may be shewn to such of the Bishops as shall
honour you with a conference on the subject, or
perhaps greater justice may be done to the con-
tents of it by using your own arguments, if not
by putting mine in a proper dress. In a word,
having already intrusted the whole of this busi-

166 ANNALS 0? 1790.

ness, (which, however simple In itself, seems now
to be entangled in consequential difficulties,) to
the care of our London Committee, on whose
zeal and activity we have th^ utmost reason to
rely, I have only, in the name of all concerned,
to entreat that you will do with us and for us
the best that is in your power, and not allow our
troublesome animadversions to abate your assi-
duity in our behalf, or interrupt the progress of
the main design, * A repeal ot the penal laws.*

" This is the principal object of our present
solicitude, and, after the assurances of support
which you have received, and the hopes which,
in consequence of these assurances, you so kind-
ly cherish, we cannot but flatter ourselves that
the present Parliament will do something for us.
A second disappointment would undoubtedly
make people suspect that there is still some ground
for Government to be dissatisfied with us ; and
such a suspicion, if we have enemies, (as who, or
where are they that have not ?) would certain-
ly give them a great advantage against us. With
respect to the new clause in our Bill, which
doubtless has excited fears of future harm, we
have lifted up our voice against it, in a modest,
and, I trust, inoffensive manner. If we cannot
be heard, there is no help j w^e must here submit
to the will of our earthly superiors, and confide
the care of the Church, and every faithful por-
tion of it, to its Almighty Head, our Heavenly

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY 167

Sovereign, in humble expectation that he will

* make all things work together for good to them

* who' sincerely * love' and seek to please him.
In name of all concerned, I have the honour to
be," &c.

Before this letter could have reached Dr Gas-
kin, Bishop Skinner received

LETTER XXI.

DR GASKIN TO BISHOP SKINNER,

" Anxious to communicate to you all the in-
formation respecting the concerns of your Church
in my power, I embrace the earliest opportunity
of writing to inform you, that I have this morn-
ing( April the 8th) had a long conference with the
Bishop of Bangor, on the subject of your Bill. His
Lordship, who, you may be assured, is your very
hearty friend, sees your hierarchy in its true point
of view, and is for having it as explicitly acknow-
ledged as to its inherent spiritual power, as is that
of the American Bishops. He even commissions
me to assure you of this j so that I do hope, after
all, that we shall get every thing, excepting an
allowance of your actual ministrations in the
Church of England. The clause here enclosed
was framed by his Lordship last year, and he in-
tended to introduce it, in case the Bill had been

168 ANNALS OF 1790.

suffered to go on. This is what he now recom-
mends ; and if it be suffered to pass, there will
evidently be a clear Parliamentary recognition of
your spiritual character, although your ministra-
tions are confined to the other side of the Tweed.
If we can obtain this, it will be more than I ex-
pected a few days ago. The Lord Advocate is
unfortunately gone to Bath, but he will return
very soon. I shall, immediately on his return,
wait upon him again, and on the suggestion of
his Grace of Canterbury, desire him, without de-
lay, to go in person to the Lord Chancellor and
Mr Pitt. Aft^r this, two of the Bishops have
explicitly assured me, that they have no doubt of
their being able to convince his Lordship of the
fitness of granting our request.

*' The Bishop of Bangor does not think Par-
liament so near its dissolution as some people do;
and if so, we may still have sufficient time for our
purpose. God, we confidently trust, is with us ;
therefore let us not be cast down, but humbly
hope all things will go well,*'

The clause mentioned in the above, as framed
by the Bishop of Bangor, runs thus : ** Provided
also, and be it hereby declared, that no person or
persons, admitted to the order of deacon or of
priest, by any Bishop or Bishops so consecrated,
^hall be thereby enabled to exercise his or their
respective office, or offices, within any of his Ma-
jesty's dominions, except Scotland aforesaid, ia

1790* SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. l69

the manner herein before declared." The words
being very little varied from a similar clause in
the act passed anno I786, by which certain per-
sons were permitted to be consecrated for the
Episcopal Church in America, and which express-
ly disqualifies all such Bishops, or the persons
consecrated or ordained by them, from exercis-
ing their office within any part of his Majesty's
dominions. And the enactment may be further
illustrated by what daily occurs in both the army
and navy of Great Britain, when a man, though
duly promoted to the rank of a General or of an
Admiral, &c. is permitted, by the Commander
in chief, or Board of Admiralty, to exercise the
functions of his office in the East or West Indies,
or in such and such foreign parts only.

Yet even a clause of this restrictive nature was
not likely to meet with assent, as appeared by

LETTER XXIL

DR GASKIN TO BISHOP SKINNER.

London, April 22, 1790.
*' I acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated
April the 13th, and am truly sorry to inform you,
that your suggestion respecting the Bishop of
Bangor's original clause was right. We have been
obliged to abandon it ; and what are the precise
terms in which the clause is now to be framed, I

17Q ANNALS OF 1790.

do not certainly know, though I expect to hear
in the course of this day or to-morrow.

" The Bishop of St David's is still anxious for
the introduction of his addition, depriving our
Clergy of the power of holding any cure or chapel
in Scotland. On this account he is desirous of
being furnished with instances of persons being
ordained by English Bishops, in order to officiate
in Scotland. The day before yesterday I wrote
to Bishop Abernethy Drummond on the subject,
and desired him to send his answer by return of
post. You may also be able to give us informa-
tion of the same sort, and we request you will
favour us with it without delay.

" Mr Jones of Nayland has been in town, and
has had a long, interesting, and satisfactory con-
ference with the Archbishop on the subject of
your Bill ; and Mr Stevens, having just left me,
is gone where he will meet his Grace, so that the
next letters you receive will, I trust, be brimful
of good news, at least they will contain impor-
tant information. You may be assured that we
act in your business in perfect unison, and are
all three equally zealous in pursuing the best
means in our power, and in such a way as shall
be most likely to secure the end.

" May God give success to our labours, and
grant to every part of his church the blessings of
peace and prosperity.'*

Of the same date with the foregoing, Bishop

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. l?!

Skinner received information that the Lord Ad-
vocate for Scotland, having arrived in London on
the evening of the ISth of April, had, the day after
a conversation in the House of Lords, with Lord
Chancellor Thiirlow, on the Scottish Episcopal
Bill, the result of which was, that the Chancellor
would think of what had passed for a day or two,
and let his Lordship know his sentiments. Two
objections, it appeared, had arisen in Lord Thur-
low's mind ; the first was, that the Scottish Bish-
ops derive their authority from the Pretender ;
the second, that they were desirous of acquiring
temporal ecclesiastical jurisdiction, by legislative
sanction. The London Committee rejoiced to
find these the only serious objections in this great
man's mind ; because, say they, " an instant of
time will now set him right ;" and then add, " we
have written three letters, — to the Archbishop of
Canterbury, to the Bishops of Bangor and St
David's, stating the Chancellor's objections, and
requesting their immediate assistance, so that we
trust a few days now will determine the event of
this cause."

Li reply to Dr Gaskin's letter, intimating the
Bishop of St David's desire to be furnished with
instances of persons being actually ordained by
English Bishops " in order to officiate in Scot'
land," Bishop Skinner writes as follows : —

172 ANNALS 07 1790.

LETTER XXIII.

BISHOP SKINNER TO DR CASK IN.

Aberdeen, April 29, 1790.

** I wish it were in my power to give such ex-
plicit information on this head as might lead to
farther inquiry into the manifest irregularity of
that scheme which has been productive of so
much unhappy division among the Episcopalians
in Scotland.

" That within the last forty or fifty years a
considerable number of candidates for holy or-
ders have gone from this country, and obtained
ordination in England, with no other view but
that of officiating in chapels in Scotland, is a
fact well known in every corner of this coun-
try. On what titles they were ordained, or whe-
ther they produced a call or obHgation for a cer-
tain living from the Congregations which they
were to serve, it is impossible for me to say.
But the follov/ing instances consist with my own
knowledge, and have happened since I entered
into the Church.

" In the year 1760 I was collated by Bishop
Gerard, then Bishop of tliis diocese, to the charge
of an Episcopal Congregation in the parish of
Ellon. A year or two after I was settled, two
gentlemen of the neighbourhood wished to have
a qualified Clergyman set up in opposition to ray

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 173

ministry. With this view they agreed with ' a
Mr Blake, then a Presbyterian schoohnaster,
who proceeded to London, and was certainly
ordained by the Archbishop of Canterbury of
that day*.

" This Gentleman having found the encou-
ragement inadequate in a country village, was
speedily removed, by the interest of some friends,
to a small Chapel in Aberdeen, where he now
resides ; and, if report speaks true, has shewn
himself decidedly inimical to our Bill. Much
about the same time a similar attempt was made
to oppose a brother Clergyman of mine in the
parish of Lonmay in Aberdeenshire, by a Mr
Bruce, who also got orders purposely in Eng-
land ; but from what Bishop I cannot say. His
endeavours in the country proving also abortive,
he left his situation there abruptly, and now of-
ficiates in what is called the English Chapel of
Arbroath, in the county of Forfar. About the
year I77O, a Mr Laing, in the little town of Pe-
terhead, in the county of Aberdeen, was actual-
ly ordained in Peterhead, where Bishop Kilgour.
the Bishop of the diocese, had his'pastoral charge,
by Dr Trail, Bishop of Down and Connor in
Ireland, then travelling for his amusement And
about six or seven years ago, a Mr Stephen was
recommended by the Countess of Errol, and or.
dained by the Archbishop of Canterbury to suc-

• Dr Seeker became Archbishop of Canterbury in April
1758, and died in 1768 AnnalisL

174 ANNALS OF 1790.

ceed a Mr Mason, whom the Countess had
brought from England on her marriage with the
late Lord Errol. This gentleman now officiates
in the parish of Cruden, Aberdeenshire, in a
Chapel opposed to the Scottish Episcopal Cler-
gyman*. Other instances there certainly are of
persons being ordained in England for the pur-
pose of officiating as Episcopal Clergymen in
Scotland. I have particularised the above, be-
cause they have occurred in my own time, and
in that part of our Church with which I am more
immediately connected. When my colleague.
Bishop A. Drummond, shall have furnished you
with his list, I hope you will have it in your
power to satisfy his. Lordship of St Davids, that
the additional clause which he has proposed may
be productive of the happiest consequences to
the cause of Episcopacy in this country. With
regard to the progress of our main business,
though it is not very pleasant to lie under impu-
tations which are owing entirely to ignorance,
yet I feel myself somewhat relieved by hearing
that the opposition of a certain great man is

* It did not then occur to Bishop Skinner that Dr Moore,
in ordaining Mr Stephen, required no title beyond that of
domestic Chaplain to the Earl of Errol ; while it is but do-
ing justice to Mr Laing of Peterhead, as well as to Mr Stephen
of Cruden, (although both are now in the silent grave,)
to state that they both united themselves and flocks to the
Scottish Episcopal Church, and entered with heart and hand
on promoting the general union of Episcopalians in Scotland,
as will be shewn in the sequel. — Annalist.

1790* SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 175

founded on objections which can be so very
easily removed. The Scottish Bishops can all
take God and a good conscience to witness, that
their authority has no more connection with * the
* Pretender,' than has the authority of the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, or that of the Lord Chan-
cellor himself! And as to their desiring any
temporal jurisdiction in their Ecclesiastical ca-
pacity, it is what you know they have repeatedly
and solemnly disclaimed in every stage of the
business now in agitation.

Bishop Abernethy Drummond having, about
this period, been requested, by a gentleman be-
longing to the established Church of Scotland,
to consecrate a burying-ground on his property ;
and having sent the Bishop of Carlisle, Dr Dou-
glas, a copy of the form of Consecration which
he made use of, received from his Lordship the
following answer : —

LETTER XXIV,

THE BISHOP OF CARLISLE TO BISHOP ABERNETHY
DRUMMOND.

" I was favoured with yours of the 14th, en-
closing your very excellent form of consecrat-
ing a burjing-ground.

'' Were it known among us in this part of the

178 ANNALS OF 1790.

island, how liberally the Scottish Presbyterians
think about their own Episcopalians, your Bill
would meet with fewer obstructions.

" I put lately into the hands of the Archbishop
of Canterbury, a letter from Dr Campbell of
Aberdeen, in which he laments to me the fate of
your last year's application, and bears the strong-
est testimony, that the granting the indulgence
you have petitioned for, will, so far from giving
offence, be highly agreeable to those of the esta-
blishment in Scotland. You will understand
from your agents here what are the Chancellor's
objections to your Bill. Endeavours, I make no
doubt, will be used by the Archbishop, and others
of our Bench, to rectify his misapprehensions,
and I heartily wish those endeavours may be ef-
fectual."

On receiving the information contained in this
letter, Dr Campbell's good offices having been
purely voluntary, and therefore the more grati-
fying. Bishop Skinner waited on him, and, in
name of the whole Bishops and Clergy of the
Scottish Episcopal Churcli, gave the Doctor most
hearty thanks for the friendlv part which he had
acted, in conveying to the Bishop of Carlisle
such a favourable testimony in their behalf.
But the testimony of friends was, at the time, of
no avail. A letter from Dr Gaskin arrived, the
commencement of which augured what the sequel
would be.

\

3790. SCOTTISH EPiscoPAcr. 177

LETTER XXV.

DR G A SKIN TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" It is with most painful reluctance that I sit
down to communicate to you, as from your Lon-
don Committee, the contents of a letter from the
Lord Advocate to Mr Park. I will transcribe
the whole of it, and afterwards subjoin some ob-
servations.

Sackville Street, April 30, 1790.
" Dear Sir,

" I am to blame in having been so long in an-
swering your letters. But I wished to see the
Attorney-General, with whom I have at last met,
and conversed on the subject.

*' With every wish to forward the cause of your
chents, if I may so term them, we both at last
concurred in the inexpediency of urging the re-
peal this Session ; and, I am satisfied, on good
grounds. It is impossible for me to go again to
the Chancellor, even supposing my ideas to have
been different from those I have just now stated,
unless his Lordship was to send for me, and, hint
at a desire of being farther informed on the bu-
siness.

" I beg therefore that you would communicate
to Dr Gaskin, and the other gentlemen concern-
ed in London, that they may intimate to their

M

17S ANNALS OF 1790.

friends in Scotland, the inexpediency, as well as
the impossibility, of bringing their case at present
under the consideration of Parliament. I am,

&c.

« R. DUNDAS."

" To Mr Park."

" You will, I presume, with us, consider this
as a final damper to all our hopes and expecta-
tions this Session ; and I am persuaded you would
counsel us to say, * God's will be done.' One
consolation, which at present we experience, is,
that every step which seemed likely to promote
the accomplishment of our wishes, has been in-
dustriously pursued, and nothing, I am persuad-
ed, has been done to injure you. Another con-
solation is, that at this instant you stand on bet-
ter ground than at any former period. Nothing
has occurred which can induce you to entertain
a doubt of success with the new Parliament ; and
very many particulars conspire, all encouraging
us to renew our application next winter, with
cheerful confidence that it will not be renewed
in vain.

" Your church is now better known on this
side the Tweed than it has been for many years
past. The spiritual character of yourself, and
your worthy colleagues, is most explicitly recog-
nised by the Prelates of our Bench ; and I am
persuaded they are most willingly ready to lend
their helping hand towards the acconiphshment

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 179

of your wishes. The business, however, they all
agree, must be considered as a State measure,
and without the Great Officers of State, nothing
can be done. Of their concurrence next Session
no doubt is to be entertained; and the Lord Advo-
cate himself assured me, that he would then be
in Parliament, and would think it his duty to
bring forward your Bill.

" On such considerations as these, in addition
to the justice of your cause, and the firm belief
that ' God is with us,* we are not in the least dis-
pirited, although for the present we are disap-
pointed.

*' I hope no material injury from the delay will
befal any part of your community, but that the
same gracious Providence, which, during the pe-
riod of a long and gloomy winter, has kindly
watched over the shepherds and your sheepfold,
will continue to you protection from without and
grace from within. I need not at this time add
more than that, if it please God to continue life
and health to Mr Park, Mr Stevens, and myself,
nntil the time of renewing the business come
round again, we shall be most cheerfully ready
to be employed in whatever way the Committee
of Delegates of the Scotch Episcopal Church shall
judge fit.

*' I must trouble you to communicate the sub-
stance of this letter, with our respectful compli-
ments to the rest of the Committee of Delegatesj

m3

180 ANNALS OF 1790.

and be assured that I am, with inviolable attach-
ment to your cause and to yourself, yours," &c.
London, May 3. 1790.

In addition to the information and friendly
suggestions conveyed in the above letter, the
very next post brought Bishop Skinner a short
note from Dr Gaskin, in these words :—

" This moment the enclosed reached me. It
will give you some comfort, and therefore I put
you to the expence of postage. Communicate
its contents to your brethren.

" The Bishop of St David's has at last spoken
to the Chancellor, but he found him so extreme-
ly uninformed upon the business, that he says it
will take him too much time to make him under-
stand it, to give us any reasonable hope of suc-
cess this Session. The Bishop says, that the
Chancellor expressed a desire to hear him further
upon the matter in private, but begged he would
defer the interview till the Spanish business is a
little blown over.

" The Bishop designs to breakfast with the
Chancellor on Saturday the 15th instant, when
he will enter fully into the subject, and he thinks
he shall be able so thoroughly to possess him with
the merits of the cause, as to enable us to begin
early in the ensuing Session. And, indeed, when
I consider the ability of our advocate, , and the

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 181

anxious zeal which he has displayed in the cause
of Scottish Episcopacy, we have every thing to
hope. The Bishop added, that he meant also, a
day or two before he goes to the Chancellor, to
have half an hour's conversation with Mr Park,
that he may be certain he is master of the subject.
He desired me likewise to say from him, by way
of comfort to our friends in Scotland, that there
is no doubt of their ultimate success ; that their
cause, and their rights as a sacred body, are bet-
ter understood in England than ever ; and that
if the Bill is put off, it is not from a doubt of the
propriety of their request, but to be imputed
rather to the urgency of public affairs, which
had hitherto prevented the Chancellor from giv-
ing their Bill that attention which it is necessary
for him to do before it can pass into a law.

" This is most clearly my own opinion of the
Scottish Episcopal Church, which I think, (and
I know that you agree with me,) has already
greatly emerged, even without any Bill, from
that obscurity in which it has been involved,
and from that oppression under which it has so
long and so unjustly laboured. Were it nothing
else, the countenance it has received from, and
the zeal which has been displayed by, some of the
most learned and distinguished Prelates of our
Bench, entitle her already to hold up her head,
as a very distinguished and venerable branch of
the Church of Christ."

182 ANNALS OF 1790.

As soon as possible after receiving the above
friendly communications, Bishop Skinner ac-
quainted the other Members of the Committee
with their contents. All joined in regretting this
unlucky delay in the business entrusted to their
management. At the same time they felt no
small satisfaction in reflecting, that no part of
their own conduct, or of the conduct of their
highly valued friends, could be charged as the
cause of this repeated disappointment. On the
18th of August this year, the Diocesan Synod of
Aberdeen having met, the Bishop laid before his
Clergy an account of the several steps which had
been taken during the last Session of Parliament
for obtaining the relief so ardently desired ;
when the Clergy unanimously approved of the
conduct of their Delegates, and thanked the
Committee for their zeal and assiduity, recom-
mending to them at the same time to solicit the
aid of well disposed Noblemen and Gentlemen,
particularly the support and countenance of the
Kight Honourable the Earl of Kellie,* of whose

* Archibald Erskine, the seventh Earl of Kellie, who died
in the 62d year of his age, anno 1797. A nobleman, of
whom, in a short Memoir of his life, it is justly said,- that
*' being himself a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church,
and having long regretted the restraints which were laid up-
on her worship, it was chiefly owing to his unwearied exer-
tions, that, in 1792, those restraints were removed by Act of
Parliament." See " A Shoi-t Account of Lord Kellie s Life
and Opinions," by Dr Gleig of Stirling.

1790. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 183

zeal in the cause of Scottish Episcopacy the Cler-
gy of this Church could not but be highly sensi-
ble. The Members of the Synod also ordered their
Clerk to transmit an extract of their proceedings,
signed by their Dean, to the Deans of the other
Dioceses of the Church, to be by them laid be-
fore their brethren of the priesthood, for their
consideration and concurrence. In consequence
of this resolution, the Church was unanimous in
expressing the full confidence which it continued
to have in the Committee of Delegates, cordially
thanking them for past exertions, and requesting
them to continue to use their best endeavours in
forwarding the important trust to which they
were appointed.

In September 1790, Mr Park paid a visit to
Scotland, and having spent some days in Aber-
deen, Bishop Skinner had an opportunity of con-
versing with him on the subject which had so
long in a manner engrossed the Bishop's whole
thoughts. The result was, the strongest assur-
ance on the worthy Barrister's part, that as soon
as the new Parliament should be ready to enter
on business, he, and his zealous fellow-agents,
would renew their applications to those who had
influence with people in power, and have the Bill
introduced as early in the Session as possible.
While in Edinburgh, Mr Park was introduced to
Principal Robertson, who gave him full power
and authority to use his name, (and his name
will ever be had in honour, both in the Establish-

ISi ANNALS OF 1790.

ed Church of Scotland and out of its pale,) on
every occasion where it was likely to promote
the present views of his Episcopalian country-
men ; " it being his decided opinion, that the
Episcopalians in Scotland were well entitled to the
relief they claim, — an opinion which he would,
if thought to have any weight, express to such
of the English Bishops as were known to him.**
Testimony of the same kind was also repeated to
Bishop Skinner, personally, by Dr Campbell of
Aberdeen, a man of no less celebrity in the Scot-
tish Establishment than the Historian of Charles
the V. The Doctor, of set purpose, called on the
Bishop, and wished to know, whether there was
any thing farther for him to say to the Bishop of
Carlisle, which might satisfy his Lordship, and,
through him, the bench of Bishops at large,
that the very suspicion of the measure of Repeal
of the Penal Statutes proving offensive to the
Established Church of Scotland was wholly
groundless.

The new Parliament met this year in the month
of November, to settle the business of the Spa-
nish convention, which, with some other national
concerns, occupied their whole attention until
Christmas, when they adjourned to the beginning
of February 1791. As Bishop Skinner, however,
drew up with his own hand, and printed, " A
Narrative of the Proceedings relating to a Bill
(actually) passed into a law, and entitled, ' An
* Act for granting relief to Pastors, Ministers,

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 185

* and Lay-persons of the Episcopal Communion

* in Scotland,' " the Annalist of Scottish Episco-
pacy having ah'eady put the reader in full posses-
sion of every objection to the measure which was
started, as well as of the convincing arguments
by which those objections were repelled, thinks
himself in duty bound to confine his account of
the future procedure of the Bill to the words of
the printed Narrative, which at the time was pro-
nounced, by all concerned, a most correct and
faithful detail of every fact and circumstance
interesting either to the Scottish Episcopalians
or to the public at large.

1791.] " During the Christmas recess, it was
suggested to our Committee, that it might be pro-
per for them to address the English Bishops, and
solicit their good offices in obtaining relief to the
Episcopalians in Scotland. Letters were, there-
fore, immediately written to the two Archbish-
ops, and to all the other Prelates of the Church
of England, requesting the honour of their Lord-
ships powerful interest and support to the ap-
plication which was meant to be renewed, and
in whatever way they should think most con-
ducive to its success. Among the answers which
came to these letters, it was particularly men-
tioned by Dr Douglas, the Bishop of Carlisle,
that he had, some time last year, forwarded to
the Archbishop of Canterbury, letters from Prin-
cipal Robertson of Edinburgh, and Principal

186 ANNALS OF 1791.

Campbell of Aberdeen, recommending, in the
most liberal terms, the cause of the Scottish
Episcopalians, whose relief they had reason to
think would be generally agreeable to the Church
of Scotland. About the same time our friends
in London informed us, that a conference had
been obtained with the Lord Chancellor on the
subject of our application, and a new Bill was to
be framed in such terms as might be supposed to
meet his Lordship's ideas. But owing to repeated
delays, arising from unforeseen causes, it was
again too late in the Session before this Bill could
be properly introduced into Parliament ; and
from the accounts of their proceedings which
were transmitted by the London Committee, it
was abundantly evident, that nothing had been
omitted on their part, which was likely to en-
sure a favourable issue to the business entrusted
to them. Every wise and prudent measure had
been industriously pursued by these faithful
agents, who still promised a continuance of their
services, as long as they should be necessary, or
acceptable to those concerned.

" Depending on these friendly assurances, the
Preses of the Scottish Committee renewed his
solicitations for an early and vigorous attention
to the relief of the EpiscopaHans in Scotland, as
soon as the Parliament should meet in 1792. He
also took occasion to mention to the London
Committee, a proposal which had been suggested

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 18?

by one of bis colleagues *, of procuring from
some of the Royal Boroughs petitions to Parlia-
ment in favour of a Repeal of the Penal Laws, and
exhibiting such a public mark of their approba-
tion of this measure as might shew the expedien-
cy of it in a very satisfactory light. It was also
proposed that application should be made to
some of the Counties for the same purpose, espe-
cially to those in which the principles and con-
duct of the Episcopal Clergy and their hearers
were best known. The consequence was, that,
in a few weeks, petitions were transmitted to
both houi5es of Parliament from the Counties of
Stirling, Forfar, Kincardine, Aberdeen, and Banff j
and from the Boroughs of Forfar, Brechin, Ar-
broath, Montrose, Invei;bervie, Aberdeen, Banff,
Forres, Nairn, and Dingwall, praying that
such relief might be extended to those of the
Episcopal Communion in Scotland as should
seem expedient to the wisdom of the British Le-
gislature. At the same time, the Lord Provost
of Edinburgh very obligingly acquainted the
public, that by the authority, and in the name of
the Magistrates and Council, he had earnestly
entreated the city's representative, Mr Dundas,
to give our Bill all the support and countenance
in his power. Letters were written to the same
purpose by thfe Freeholders of Moray, and the
Magistrates and Council of the Boroughs of El-

* Bishop Macfarlane at Inverness.

1S8 ANNALS OF 1791.

gin and Inverness, to their respective represen-
tatives in Parliament. The petitions from the
above mentioned Counties and Boroughs, intended
for the House of Lords, were transmitted to the
Earl ot Kellie, one of the Sixteen Peers for Scot-
land, who was known to have exerted his in-
fluence for some time past in promoting the ob-
ject of these apphcations.

" IVlatters being thus prepared for introducing
our Bill into Parliament with some probabihty
of success, it was intimated as the opinion of our
friends in London, that one of the Scottish Con\-
mittee ought to be there, to attend the progress
of the Bill through both tlouses ; and application
being made to Bishop Skinner for that purpose,
he received a Delegation, signed by the other
members of the Committee, empowering him to
act in their names, and to take such m.easures as
he might find expedient, and most likely to ob-
tain the end in view. On his arrival in London,
he was informed by our agents there of the steps
which had been taken for bringing our Bill into
Parliament, and was particularly pleased to learn
that Lord Grenville had promised to support it
in- the House of Lords, and to settle with Mr
Secretary Dundas into which of the two Houses
it should be first introduced. Finding things in
this train, he was chiefly employed for two or
three weeks in recommending the object of the
Bill to the attention of some of the most distin-
guished members in both Houises of Parliament.

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 189

He took an early opportunity of paying his re-
spects to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and was
happy to find his Grace very friendly to the de-
sign of the Bill. He felt the same satisfaction in
conversing with some of the other Bishops, and
particularly with the Bishop of St David's, who
had been at uncommon pains to make himself
master of the subject, and of whatever related to
the situation of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
For some time past, his Lordship had been con-
certing measures with the Earl of Kellie for
bringing our business forward, and the favoura-
ble reception it met with in the House of Peers
was chiefly owing to the good offices of these two
noble Lords, who had been long and zealously
endeavouring to set the matter in a true light,
and to remove those prejudices and mistaken ap^
prehensions, which some had entertained con-
cerning it.

** At last, on Monday the 2d of April, the Earl
of Kellie presented the several petitions from
the Counties and Boroughs of Scotland above
mentioned, and moved for leave to bring in a Bill
agreeably to the prayer of these petitions. Two
days after, the Bill was read a first time, without
any appearance of opposition on the part of the
Chancellor, who only observed, that some altera-
tions would be necessary. It was also ordered
to be printed, and laid on the table at the meet-
ing of the House after the Easter holidays, when
the Lords would be summoned, and a day named

190 ANNALS OF 1791.

for the second reading. During the recess, how-
ever, Bishop Skinner learned, that the Lord
Chancellor had been mentioning such difficulties
about the Bill as were not likely to be easily re-
moved, and the first day on which the House of
Lords met, a conversation was held on the sub-
ject, in the course of which the Chancellor went
over all his former ground of opposition, and
particularly insisted, that, without a clause re-
quiring the registration of orders, all sorts of
people, even such as the Blacksmith of Gretna
Green, might assume the character of Episcopal
Ministers, and in that character, if once tolerated,
might celebrate marriages, and do other irregular
acts. To this the Bishop of St David's replied,
that the Scottish Episcopal Clergy would very
gladly register their orders, if the law would per-
mit them ; but the same act which required it,
likewise declared it to be null and void ; by
which means these Clergy were precluded from
the very possibility of qualifying themselves in a
legal manner, and so laid under a species of per-
secution, to which the mildness of the British
Government had never exposed any other class
of its subjects. The Chancellor seemed also in-
clined to say something disagreeable about what
he called the connections of our Clergy with the
Pretender, and had his doubts whether the Estab-
lished Church of Scotland approved of our being
put on an equal footing with the other Scottish
Dissenters.

1791« SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. IQl

On the first of these points the Bishop of St
David*s desired Bishop Skinner to state in writ-
ing the fact as it really stood, with regard to some
consecrations which had taken place in our
Church, soon after the death of the deprived
Bishop of Edinburgh. And to remove all doubts
about the other matter, he thought the best way
would be, to apply for a repetition of the former
assurances given by Principals Robertson and
Campbell. Such application was no sooner made,
than these assurances were renewed in the most
friendly manner, with the addition of a letter to
the Bishop of Salisbury from Dr Gerard of Old
Aberdeen, bearing the same liberal testimony to
the good wishes of the Estabhshed Church in
our favour.

" As to the other objection arising from the sup-
position that the successors of the deprived Bish-
ops not only held a correspondence with the ex-
iled family, but even acknowledged a dependence
on it in the exercise of their spiritual authority,
and were invested with the Episcopal character
in consequence of a recommendation from the
Pretender,— our delegate found no difficulty in
asserting that this was true only with respect to
a very few of our Bishops at a very distant period,
and that it could not be justly charged against
the present Bishops, who never had any connec-
tion with, or dependence on the exiled family,
either in obtaining or exercising their spiritual

192 ANNALS OF 1791.

functions *. The authority with which they are
invested is not derived from any source that can
in the least affect the safety of the State, or the
security ofthe Government under which they live;
and they can so far comply with the oath of Su-
premacy as to " testify and declare, that no for-
eign Prince, Prelate, State, or Potentate, hath, or
ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority,
pre-eminence, or authority, ecclesiastical or spi-
ritual, within this Realm."

" To this declaration our delegate added, on the
part of our Bishops, a solemn disavowal of any
pretensions to legal or temporal jurisdiction:
The authority of our Clergy, he affirmed to be
entirely of a spiritual nature, such as is necessary
to the preaching of God's word, and the adminis-
tration of his sacraments, and which can never in-

* On the death ofthe Bishop^ of Edinburgh, who survived
the other ejected Prelates till the year 1720, it was proposed
by a few of the Episcopal Clergy, that the same dependence
should be acknowledged, and the same respect and submission
paid to the exiled family, in matters of Ecclesiastical concern,
which had been customary in the times of legal establish-
ment. And on this plan a few promotions soon after took
place, in consequence of recommendations from the exiled
Prince. But it quickly appeared, that this scheme did not
meet with the approbation ofthe Clergy in general, who con-
sidered it not only as dangerous, but in every respect impro-
per ; and in a few years afterwards, all attempts to revive it
were for the future prohibited by certain regulations, which
have ever since been regarded as the standard of discipline m
the Scottish Episcopal Church.

\.

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 193

terfere with the civil rights of the establishment.
" All," said he, " which we presume to request
of the British Legislature, is a share of that tolera-
tion, which others so freely enjoy, and the liber-
ty of worshipping God, in conformity with the
religious principles of that Church to which we
belong ; principles than which, corresponding as
they do with those of the Church of England,
none can be more favourable to his Majesty's
Government, or to the peace and happiness of
society."

This was the view in which Bishop Skinner en-
deavoured to represent the principles of our
Church ; and he had the satisfaction to find that
they were seen in this just and proper light by
many distinguished characters in the Church of
England. The Bishop of St. Davids was so well
convinced of the propriety of granting us com-
plete toleration, that he assured Lord Kellie, if
it was judged advisable to push the second read-
ing of our Bill at all events, he would come pre-
pared to speak in its favour, and to combat all
the arguments which could possibly be urged
- against it. With regard to the clause which was
proposed, requiring the registration of our Cler-
gy's orders, the Earl of Guildford observed, that,
upon the general principle of toleration, there
did not seem to be any necessity fqj- inquiring
into the nature of our orders, more than those
of other dissenters ; since it was of no conse-
quence to the state what these orders were, or

N

/

194 ANNALS OP • 1791.

whence derived, if our religion was friendly to
Government, and such as deserved to be tolerated.
The Lords Kinnoul and Stormont were both of
the same opinion, and saw no necessity for re-
quiring the registration of our Clergy's orders,
or that they should accept of such orders as
could legally be registered. This appeared to
them the more unreasonable, as no English or
Irish Bishop could ordain a man, without what
is called a title, and no such title could be ob-
tained from Scotland. But to remove all objec-
tions arising from the illegal nature of a Scottish
Episcopacy, it was thought that our Clergy might
be described as *' dissenters from the Establish-
ed Church of Scotland, who style themselves
Episcopal Clergy ;" and under that description it
was presumed that no good reason could be as-
signed for denying us the same toleration which
was enjoyed by all other Protestant dissenters in
Scotland.

Confiding, therefore, in the reasonableness of
our requests, and anxiously desirous that our
cause might obtain a fair hearing, Lord Kellie
moved the second reading of our Bill to be on
Wednesday, the second of May, and that the
Lords might be summoned for that purpose. A
considerable number of the Peers attended the
house that Jay, and some had intended to vote
by proxy in support of the Bill. The Archbish-
ops of Canterbury and York were both present,
as were also the Bishops of London, Durham,

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 19^

Salisbury, St. Davids, Oxford, Bangor, and Car-
lisle. The Earl of Elgin moved the second read-
ing of the Bill, and, in a short but very sensible
speech, stated the principle of it to the House,
and the merits of those whom it was intended to
relieve. His Lordship observed, that by the
10th of Queen Anne, the Pastors and Ministers
of the Episcopal Communion in Scotland were
made liable to very severe penalties, on proof of
having omitted to pray for the Queen, and for
other instances of non- conformity. Additional
penalties were imposed by the 5th of George I.
and the 19th and 21st of George II., the design
of all which w^as to check the disaffection which
was known to prevail at that time among the
Episcopalians in Scotland. But this design, he was
happy to say, was now sufficiently accomplished.
At present, and indeed for several years past, his
Lordship said, the Episcopalians in Scotland had
given proofs of their being as zealously attached
to the Sovereign on the Throne, and his family,
and as firm in their allegiance, as any other class
of his Majesty's subjects; and therefore he could
not but hope that their Lordships would con-
sider them as justly entitled to the relief which
the present Bill provided, and which he would
not have moved for, if he had not thought it a
matter both of justice and expediency.

The Lord Chancellor then left the Woolsack,
and began with declaring, that he would not ob-
ject to the principle of this Bill, but he wished

N 2

196 ANNALS OF 179i»

and thought it his duty to make some observa-
tions on it. He then proceeded to take an ex-
tensive view of the subject, and entered into a
variety of reasoning on the nature of a church
estabhsliment, and the general principles of toler-
ation ; from which lie inferred, that no Sect ought
to be tolerated but those whose principles were
found to be such as deserved, and might safely
be indulged with toleration. Those, he said,
who imagined that any church could become the
established church of a country, merely by the
truth of its doctrines, or the force of its argu-
ments, were mistaken, and contradicted by all
history, and all experience. Let the doctrines
be ever so pure, and the arguments ever so irre-
fragable, they could not make her the establish-
ed church, unless she was politically recognised
as such, and supported by the government of the
country. This support consisted chiefly in pro-
viding plentiful and competent incomes for her
pastors ; and the distinction he now alluded to
was clearly visible in the case of Scotland, and
England, in each of which countries the Esta-
blished Church was different from the other,
Presbytery being that supported in Scotland, and
Episcopacy in England. In stating the nature
of an establishment, he endeavoured to shew,
that it was absolutely necessary to the preserva-
tion of the Christian religion ; and though he did
not pretend to be deeply versed in ecclesiasti-
cal history, he was impressed with a notion, that,

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 197

before the time of Constantine, it was not the
practice of the Church to pray for kings, which
he supposed was the model that had been pro-
posed for the imitation of the Scottish Episcopa-
h'ans. But they should have remembered, that
ever since the days of Constantine, such prayers
had been deemed an essential part of public w^or-
ship, and prescribed as such in all countries pro-
fessing the Christian religion. Having stated
this, his Lordship proceeded to take notice of
the statutes which enacted penalties ag^ainst the
Episcopalians in Scotland, mentioning the iOth
of Queen Anne, and the 1 9th and 21st of George
II. He said he was far from defending the se-
verities of those statutes. Let the political rea-
sons have been what they might, he thought the
penalties much sharper than even the circum-
stances of those times could justify ; and, there-
fore he could feel no disinclination whatever in
granting the relief that was necessary, provided
it was given under proper regulations ; for he was
far from wishing to harass any Sect of Christians
on account of their religion, much less those who
professed to be of the Episcopal persuasion, since
he himself was rather an Episcopalian. His
Lordship then discussed what he took to have
been the meaning of the Legislature in respect to
the ordination of Episcopalian Pastors in Scot-
land. He again referred to Queen Anne's act
of toleration, quoting with some emphasis the
words, * Pastors ordained by a Protestant Bishop,*

198 ANNALS 'OF 1791.

from which he inferred, that to have been regu-
larly ordained by some Protestant Bishop, (who,
in his opinion, could be no other than an English
or an Irish Bishop) and to have their ordination
registered in the public registers, w^as meant to
be understood as essential in point of form, and
indispensable in substance. He dwelt for some
time on this head, and contended for the neces-
sity of a due attention to this part of the statute,
as a test that these Pastors embraced and taught
doctrines consonant to the principles of Christi-
anity, and doctrines fit to be tolerated. In the
course of his speech he recapitulated the condi-
tions under which, by the existing statutes, the
Episcopalians of Scotland were tolerated at pre-
sent, and argued much on the necessity of their
Pastors being able to establish the validity of their
ordination ; instancing the two solemnities of
Baptism and Marriage as solemnities which they
could not perform unless the}^ were legally or-
dained. After repeating " his favourable incli-
nations towards the Episcopalians of Scotland,
professing himself to speak as an humble member
of the Established Church of this country, and
consequently as an individual who wished to treat
those persons who were the objects of this Bill,
with that degree of respect and decency which
became men in every situation ; and after con-
sidering and arguing upon the whole of their
case. Ills Lordship closed his speech with remark-
ing, that as their principles of religion were not

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOrACY. 199

sufficiently known, or at least no public evidence
was given what they were, or how far they de-
served that indulgence which was intended by
this Bill, he did not think it would be prudent to
grant it on such a broad, unlimited footing, as it
might open a door to many similar applications,
and create much unnecessary trouble to the Le-
gislature.

Lord Stormont then rose, and began with as-
suring their Lordships, that as there was no ques-
tion before them, he was conscious it would ill
become him to detain the House long. What-
ever fell from the mouth of the noble and learn-
ed Lord, he said, had so much weight on the
minds of noble Lords in that House, and with so
much justice, that he begged to speak a few words
in reply to some parts of the speech of the noble
and learned Lord, and also shortly and simply to
explain the principle on which he thought it his
duty to support this Bill. His Lordship then
proceeded to detail the grounds on which the
penalties had been imposed that the present Bill
went to repeal. When the statute of Queen
Anne passed, their Lordships, he said, would re-
collect that the circumstances of the times were
peculiar. Those of the Episcopal Communion
in Scotland were then known to be disaffected to
the Government of the country from motives of
conscience, not thinking themselves at liberty to
withdraw their allegiance from the heir of the
abdicated sovereign. On those persons, there-

200 ANNALS OF 1791.

fore, and on them only, it was that the statute
was intended to attach. The case, however, at
present was totally different. There now existed
no such description of persons as those who were
the objects of that act. The Scottish Episcopa-
lians of the present day were well affected to the
Government of their country, and prayed for his
Majesty and the Royal Family, as formally, and
as sincerely as those in England did. With res-
pect to what the noble and learned Lord had
said concerning toleration. Lord Stormont de-
clared, he did not think it necessary to discuss
that point, or to state his opinion on the subject.
The noble and learned Lord, he observed, had
said, that toleration ought to be extended to those
persons only who were known to profess some
principles of religion consonant to the doctrines
of Christianity. It was, however, his Lordship
remarked, a circumstance rather strong in favour
of the objects of the present Bill, that the mem-
bers of the Estabhshed Church of Scotland wish-
ed them to be relieved from the penalties in ques-
tion, which, although certainly sharper than ne-
cessary under the present circumstances of the
times, were perhaps justifiable at that period of
our history when they were first imposed. In
Scotland, his Lordship said, he should no doubt
be deemed a dissenter ; yet he could not but feel
some degree of national pride on observing the
liberal sentiments which the Established Church
of Scotland had manifested on this occasion.

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. SOI

With regard to what the noble and learned Lord
had said respecting the necessity of every Epis-
copalian Pastor being able to prove that he had
been regularly ordained by a Protestant Bishop
of England or Ireland, Lord Stormont said, he
must beg leave to differ entirely from his Lord-
ship. If their Lordships would but attend for a
moment, they would see that in many cases it
was in its nature utterly impossible. If Episco-
palian Pastors were men of conscience, as he hop-
ed they were, they could not submit to receive a
second ordination. And if they did, he would
only ask how the case would stand in the eyes of
their congregations. Their hearers might justly
tell them, " You have passed upon us these twen-
ty or thirty years, for what you are not. You
have preached to us, and we have listened to you j
but we now at last find, that before this time you
never were duly qualified." Besides, if these
Episcopalian Pastors were to apply to a Bishop
of England or Ireland, where would they get a
title ? If an Episcopalian candidate for orders
were to say, " My friends in Scotland will pro-
cure a meeting house for me, and provide for my
support," — would any of the learned Prelates
opposite to me, said Lord Stormont, pointing to
the Bench, deem that a competent title ? Most
certainly not.

With regard to wliat the noble and learned
Lord had said respecting marriage, it was well
known, that in Scotland marrias-e was considered

202 ANNALS OF 1791.

merely as a civil contract, as appeared from the
frequent reports of what was transacted at Gret-
na Green, a place where he had some concern 'y
and if a Counsel were at their Lordships bar, and
attempted to bring a witness to prove that mar-
riage was any thing else than what he had now-
stated it, he was persuaded the noble and learn-
ed Lord on the Woolsack, would immediately
think it his duty to stop him. The validity of
an Episcopalian Pastor's ordination, his Lordship
contended, was totally out of the question. In
considermg the principle of the present Bill, the
House had nothing to do with it ; and if he held
in his hand the book written by Father Courayer,
some few pages of which he had once read, he
declared he would not resort to the volume for a
single argument in support of the doctrine he
was then maintaining. The sole, and, as he had
before stated it, the simple point on which rested
the claim of the Episcopalians of Scotland to the
relief which the Bill would give, was, that when the
penalties complained of were imposed, they v/ere
clearly meant to attach on persons who were disaf-
fected to the existing government of the country,
and to the Prince upon the throne, whereas the pre-
sent Episcopalians, both Pastors and Laymen, were
persons of a totally dilTerent description. There
was no occasion, his Lordship said, for him to go
back to the reign of Constantine to prove what
Episcopacy was ; and therefore, after' apologizing
to tlieir Lordships for having detained them so

179 !• SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 203

long, he would conclude with declaring that it
appeared to him an irrefragable argument in fa-
vour of the present Bill, that the Episcopalians
of Scotland had exactly and precisely tlie same
claims on the indulgence of the Legislature, as
those of the dissenters in this part of the king-
dom from the Established Church of England.

Lord Stormont w^as followed by the Bishop of
St Davids, of whose speech on this occasion, a
friend who was in the house has favoured u^ with
the following correct statement.
" My Lords,

*' I am happy to perceive, that in the senti-
ments which I have to deliver to your Lordships
upon the present subject of discussion, I shall
not have the misfortune to differ very widely, in
any thing that essentially regards the principle
of the Bill, from the noble and learned Lord
upon the V/oolsack, My Lords, a wide difference
from him I should call a misfortune, because it
would necessarily produce in me a degree of
mistrust of my own judgment, which would con-
siderably abate the satisfaction which otherwise
I might feel in following what still might be the
firm and ftdl conviction of my own mind. Ne-
vertheless, my Lords, in any question like this,
in which the interest of religion, the public weal,
and the credit of the Legislature, miglit be con-
cerned, a question of justice and mercy towards
a suffering part of the family of Christ, it would

204 ANNALS OF ^791 »

ill become me to be concluded in the vote that I
should give, upon any authority but that of my
own conviction ; and it might not less misbecome
me to oppose a high authority by a silent vote,
without stating to your Lordships the grounds
on which my contrary conviction stood. My
Lords, the principle of this bill has been so
clearly stated by the noble Earl *, who moved
the second reading, and so well illustrated by the
noble Viscount f, who spoke last, that it is un-
necessary to dwell upon it. The object of the
Bill is to relieve certain dissenters from the Es-
tablished Church of Scotland, well affected to
his present Majesty and the Protestant succes-
sion, from the penalties of disaffection imposed
by former laws. My Lords, the hardship under
which they labour consists not in the severity of
these penalties. Disaffection in former times,
was generally among persons of their religious
persuasion, though not necessarily connected
with their religion. And of the measures of se-
verity that might be necessary for those times,
the Legislatures of those times were the judges.
But, my Lords, the hardship is, that the present
generation being converted from the disaffection
of their ancestors, and retaining only their re-
ligious principles, cannot, by any thing they can
do, by any security that they can give for their
good conduct and submission to Government,
secure themselves against the penalties of disaf-

• Lord Eldn. i Lord Storraont.

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 205

fection. As cordially attached as any of us to
the existing Government, praying in their reli-
gious assemblies for his Majesty King George
and the Royal Family by name, in the terms in
which we of the Church of England in our own
Liturgy pray for them, and taking the oaths that
we all take, still they are liable. Clergy and Laity,
to all the penalties of the 19th of George IL

" My Lords, the good policy of this Bill of
Relief is not at all connected with any question
about the antiquity of the practice of praying for
Sovereigns. From what fell from the noble and
learned Lord, 1 think there must be a mistake
upon that point. His Lordship must have re-
ceived some misinformation. My Lords, I can-
not believe that these Episcopalians ever alleged
the example of the ages before Constantino in
justification of their omission, in former times, of
praying for the King by name. Prayers for So-
vereigns is one of the very oldest parts of Christian
worship. These Episcopalians must very well
know, that the precept of praying for Kings, and
all that are in authority, is 300 years older than
Constantino, and that it was the constant prac-
tice of the earliest Christians to pray even for the
Princes that persecuted them. My Lords, their
omission of praying for the King by name, was
owing to their notions about indefeasible heredi-
tary right, which would not suffer them to re-
nounce the family to which their allegiance had
once been sworn, nor to adopt the principles of

g06 ANNALS OF 1791.

the Revoliition. The omission was not defended
by any pretended example of antiquity. It stood
upon no better ground than that of gross and
avowed disaffection. But, my Lords, the exam-
ple of the ages before Constantine must have
been alleged to a very different purpose. It has
been alleged by these Episcopalians to justify
their claims to an Episcopacy, and to explain
what sort of Episcopacy that is, which they claim.
My Lords, it is not my wish to lead the House
into the perplexities of that theological discussion.
I shall comprise what I find necessary to say
upon it in very few words.

*' My Lords, these Episcopalians take a distinc-
tion, and it is a just distinction, betvveen a purely
spiritual, and a political Episcopacy. A political
Episcopacy belongs to an established Church,
and has no existence out of an establishment.
This sort of Episcopacy was necessarily unknown
in the world, before the time of Constantine. But
in all the preceding ages there was a pure spirit-
ual Episcopacy, an order of men set apart to in-
spect and manage the spiritual affairs of the
Church, as a society in itself totally unconnected
with civ'il government. Now, my Lords, these
Scottish Episcopalians think, that when their
Church was cast off by the State at the Revolu-
tion, their Church in this discarded divided state
reverted to that which had been the condition
of every Church in Christendom before the
establishment of Christianity in the Roman Em-

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 20/

pire by Constantine the Great ; that, losing all
their political capacity, they retained, however,
the authority of tlie pure spiritual Episcopacy
within the Church itself; and that is the sort of
Episcopacy to which they now pretend. I, my
Lords, as a Churchman, have some respect for
that pretension, but I have no wish to lead the
House into a discussion about it. The merits of
the Bill rest not on the validity of that Episco^
pacy in any sense. In what sense the Bishops
of this Church of Scottish Episcopalians may be
Bishops, whether they are Bishops in any sense,
is not the question. What the validity of their
ordinations may be, is not the question. The
single question is, Are these Scottish Episcopalians
good subjects ; and do they hold religious prin-
ciples, in the emphatic language of the noble and
learned Lord on the Woolsack, *' Fit to be to-
lerated ?" That is to say, are they good subjects,
and do they agree with us in the fundamentals
of Christianity ? For these are the religious prin-
ciples " fit to be tolerated." If they can satisfy
us upon these points, the Legislature is not at all
concerned in the question of the spiritual vahdity
of their orders. My Lords, consider only how
we deal with Protestant dissenters here in Eng-
land. For all that I would wish for our Scot-
tish brethren is, that they, as dissenters from the
Established Church of Scotland, should be put
upon the same footing with the Protestant dis-
senters from the Church of England. My Lords,

203 ANNALS OF 1791.

by the Toleration Act of the 1st of William and
JVlary, a Pastor of a Congregation of Protestant
dissenters must enter the place and situation of
his JVleeting-house ; he must give in his own
name and place of abode ; he must take the oaths
to Government, and he m.ust shew that he agrees
with us in the fundamentals of the Christian re-
ligion ; and by the terms of that statute, which is
the narrowest of all the present schemes of tolera-
tion, he must however testify his agreement with
us in the general principles of Protestantism.
This he does by subscribing a great many of the
S9 Articles. My Lords, when the dissenting
Minister has complied with these conditions, he
is never asked, no ore has authority to ask him,
Sir, how comes it that you call yourself a Cler-
gyman ? What are your orders ? By whom were
you ordained ? By what ritual ? He has given
the security which ail good subjects give for his
loyalty to Government ; he professes religious
principles, " fit to be tolerated ;" that*s enough.
He is admitted without farther enquiry to all the
benefits of toleration. Now, my Lords, here are
a set of dissenters from the Established Church
of Scotland, good subjects, and holding religious
principles very *' fit to be tolerated :" For the
cause of their dissent from the Established Church
of Scotland is their very near agreement with
the Established Church of England; and they
approach your Lordships with this modest re-
quest, that they may not be more hardly dealt

1791' SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 209

with, than Protestants of Various denominations
differing more widely from both establishments.
My Lords, one thing that fell from the noble
and learned Lord on the Woolsack struck upon
my mind very forcibly, as deserving, I mean, a
serious consideration. His Lordship gave it as
his opinion, that it would be for the credit of
Episcopacy in Scotland, that their Congregations
should be supplied with Ministers (according to
the intention of the 19th of the late King,) or-
dained by Bishops of the English or Irish Church.
The noble and learned Lord, if I took his argu-
ment aright, supposed that the statute passed in
favour of the Scottish Episcopalians in the 10th
of Queen Anne would bear him out in that
opinion. That statute made it " free and law-
ful for all those of the Episcopal Communion in
that part of Great Britain called Scotland, to
meet and assemble for the exercise of divine
worship, to be performed after their own man-
ner, by Pastors ordained by a Protestant Bishop."
The noble and learned Lord conceives that un-
der the latitude of this expression, a " Protestant
Bishop," the statute meant indeed to tolerate
the ejected Bishops, and the Clergy immediately
ordained by them, but not to extend the tolera-
tion to the succession. My Lords, I must take
the liberty to differ from the noble and learned
Lord upon the construction of this statute
of Queen Anne. I think it was the inten-
tion of ^the statute to extend its toleration be-

o

210 ' ANNALS OF 1791.

yond the ejected Bishops themselves to the
whole succession. For I find, my Lords, that of
the thirteen Bishops of Scotland ejected at the
Revolution, (the dioceses were in all fourteen,
but it happened that one see was vacant when
the Revolution took place, thirteen Bishops there-
fore were ejected ; now of these thirteen) seven
certainly, probably eight, were dead before the
10th of Queen Anne, and a ninth was out of the
kingdom, for he fled with the abdicated king.
At the time, therefore, when this act was passed,
no more than four of the ejected Bishops were
alive, and within the kingdom, and four new con-
secrations had taken place, two in the 4th of
Queen Anne, and two more in the 8th. At the
time, therefore, when this act was passed, the
Scottish Episcpacy consisted of an equal number
of the original Bishops and the succession, four
of each ; and if it was the intention of the act,
as the noble and learned Lord has argued, to
confine the toleration to the ejected Bishops, and
exclude the succession, I can only say, my Lords,
that the framers of that statute did their business
not quite so well as business of that sort was used
to be done in those times.

" My Lords, with respect to the interests of
Episcopacy in Scotland, my opinion is unfortu-
nately the very reverse of that of the noble and
learned Lord. The credit of Episcopacy will
never be advanced by the scheme of supplying
the Episcopalian Congreg£itions in Scotland with

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY 211

pastors of our ordination ; and for this reason, my
Lords, that it would be an imperfect crippled
Episcopacy that would be thus upheld in Scot-
land. When a Clergyman ordained by one of us
settles as a Pastor of a Congregation in Scotland,
he is out of the reach of our authority. We have
no authority there ; we can have no authority
there ; the Legislature can give us no authority
there. The attempt to introduce any thing of
an authorised political Episcopacy in Scotland
would be a direct infringement of the Union. My
Lords, as to the notion that Clergymen should be
originally ordained by us to the Ministry in Scot-
land, I agree with the noble Viscount, that the
thing would be contrary to all rule and order.
No Bishop, who knows what he does, ordains
without a title, and a title must be a nomination
to some thing certain in the diocese of the Bi-
shop that ordains. My Lords, an appointment to
an Episcopal Congregation in Scotland is no more
a title to me, or to any Bishop of the English
Bench, or any Bishop of the Irish Bench, than
an appointment to a Church in Mesopotamia.

*' My Lords, with respect to Marriages, I agree
with the noble and learned Lord on the Wool-
sack, that if this Bill should pass, the Episcopa-
lians will be authorised to marry in their meet-
ing-houses by the 10th of Queen Anne. But, my
Lords, I see no inconvenience that can arise from
this. It will open no door to clandestine marri-
ages. For, though they will be authorised to

o 2

212 ' Annals of 179I.

marry, they will not be authorised to marry o-
therwise than in conformity to the regulations of
the 10th of Queen Anne ; that is to say, they can
marry those only whose banns have been regu-
larly published, not only in the meeting-houses
where the marriage is to be solemnized, but in
the kirks of the parishes where the parties are
resident. But, my Lords, I go farther ; I say
that this Bill will give them no authority with
respect to marriages, but what they do already
enjoy and exercise. My Lords, the fact is., that
these Episcopalians do now solemnize marriages
every day. They solemnize marriages legally.
They solemnize marriages under the express co-
vert and sanction of the persecuting statutes.
And these marriages so solemnized by them, — -
my Lords, in what I am going to assert, I stand
in the judgment of noble Lords, to whom the
laws of Scotland are more accurately known than
they may be supposed to be to me : — But, my
Lords, I say these marriages solemnized by these
Episcopalians, are good and valid by the laws of
Scotland.

[Here the Scottish Lords all gave a nod of as-
sent.]

*' And, my Lords, the ground of my assertion is
this. Our marriage act extends not to Scotland.
Therefore, by the law and usage of Scotland, it
is not necessary that any should be present at a
wedding except the parties themselves (that's two)
the man who is to act as father, and give the

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 213

bride away, (that's three,) and the clergyman, or
pretended clergyman, who is to perform the ce-
remony, (that's four.) Now, my Lords, by the
express permission of the 19th of the late King,
which I call the persecuting statute, four persons
may assemble for the celebration of any religious
rites, for the meeting is not illegal unless five be
present, over and above the members of the fa-
mily, if the place of assembly be a house inhabi-
ted by a family, or five, if the place of assembly
be a house not inhabited by a family. My Lords,
these are my notions upon the points that have
been agitated. I shall not go into points that
have not been brought forward in objection,
though I am prepared to meet any other objec-
tions that might be moved ; but I am sensible
that I have already taken up too much of your
Lordships' time, and I fear rather irregularly,
when in fact no express question is before the
House. I am aware that the Bill must receive
amendments in the Committee, and perhaps ad-
ditions, but the principle of the Bill has my en-
tire approbation."

The Earl of Kinnoul (Lord Hay) made a short
speech m favour of the Bill, and delivered his
sentmients with much emphasis and energy. He
described the members of the Scottish Episcopal
t^liurch as a decent, quiet, respectable body of
people, who, in the most trying times, had al-
ways behaved in a very becoming and exemplary
manner, and were therefore well entitled to every

Q14< ANNALS OF 1791,

indulgence which the Legislature could shew
them. Whatever amendments might be propos-
ed, he could see no good ground for any objec-
tion to the principle of the present Bill, and de-
clared himself to be thoroughly convinced that a
marked distinction of Legislative liberality ought
ever to attach to the Established Church of ei-
ther part of the kingdom.

As soon as Lord Kinnoul sat down, the ques-
tion was put and carried without a division, that
the Bill should be read a second time, and go in-
to a Committee of the whole House on Wednes-
day next. In the mean time, it was intimated
to Bishop Skinner by the Bishop of St Davids,
and the Earls of Kellie, Elgin, and Fife, who had
all taken a very active part in forwarding the
Bill, that the only thing which the Lord Chan-
cellor now insisted on, was the necessity of re-
quiring from our Clergy some public declaration
of their religious principles, by which it might
be known that they came as near as was said to
those of the Church of England. With this view,
he thought that subscription to the Thirty-nine
Articles ought to be required, as the best and on-
ly means of shewing, in a legal manner, what our
religious principles were, and that our Church
was really such a society as deserved to be toler-
ated. On this head, the Bishop of St Davids
observed, that he saw the justice and propriety
of the Lord Chancellor's remarks, since, except-
ing what was implied in calling ourselves Epis-

1791. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 215

copal, which any Sect might do, we seemed to be,
at least in the eye of the law, a non»descript body,
and as such, on the Chancellor's principles, not
entitled to the full benefit of toleration. He
therefore thought, if our clergy could do it, it
would be right in them to comply with this re-
quisition ; and on the supposition of such com-
pliance, he had no doubt but our business would
go on smoothly, and without any farther opposi-
tion.

To all this, the substance of Bishop Skinner's
reply was, that he believed the Scotch Episcopal
Clergy, or at least a great majority of them, had
no objection to the general doctrine of the Thirty-
nine Articles, although they might not altoge-
ther approve of some particular expressions made
use of in them ; and that the most disagreeable
part of the clause requiring subscription would
be, the obliging Scottish Clergy to subscribe
them as the " Articles of the Church of Eng-
land,'* since the Scottish Episcopal Church was
no part of the Church of England, and could not,
either in strictness of principle, or propriety of
language, be included in it. On this head he re-
ceived for answer, that it was only the general
doctrine of the several articles to which the sub-
scription was required even in England ; that
many expressions in them might no doubt be al-
tered for the better, but as those concerned would
not agree about these alterations, perhaps it was
as well to let the words remain as they are j that

216 ANNALS OF 1791.

there could be no hardship or impropriety in our
Clergy subscribing them as " Articles of the
Church of England," after theylhad professed that
their principles were the same as hers in all the
fundamental doctrines of religion, and that they
wished to be considered as in communion with
her, for subscription was doing that only in a
more solemn and legal manner. On these grounds
it was argued, that the clause requiring subscrip-
tion was not only just and reasonable in itself,
but might be attended with consequences very
advantageous to the Scottish Episcopal Church,
as it would serve to distinguish the members of
that Church from the many upstart sects of dis-
senters, whose principles are conformable to no
known standard. In this view it seemed to meet
the approbation of our London Committee, and
of all those friends to our cause on whose good
offices the success of our Bill depended.

Another clause, which now came to be taken
into serious consideration, was that whereby the
Scottish Episcopal Clergy " were to be restricted
from taking any benefice, curacy, or other spirit-
ual promotion, within that part of Great Britain
called England, the dominion of Wales, or town
of Berwick upon Tweed,'* A restriction which
was considered as absolutely necessary for pre-
serving to her own Clergy the civil rights and
revenues of the Church of England ; and was so
far from implying any doubt of the spiritual vali-
tjity of the orders conferred in the Scottish Epis-

L

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 217

copal Church, that the necessity of the clause
arose wholly from the belief and acknowledgment
of that vaHdity. So reasoned the advocates for
this restriction. *' If," said they, ** the Bishops
of Enscland were not well convinced of the re-
gard which is due to Episcopal Ordination, there
would be no occasion for providing against the
inconvenience that might ensue from a number
of Clergy so ordained in Scotland, applying for
institution in the Church of England. A similar
inconvenience was foreseen when the act passed
to empower the Archbishops of Canterbury or
York to consecrate Bishops for North America j
and therefore a provision was made in that act,
that no Bishops so consecrated, nor any Priests
or Deacons ordained by them, or their successors,
should be thereby enabled to exercise their res-
pective offices within his Majesty's dominions."

The purpose of the restricting clause being
thus defined, it was prepared accordingly, as
well as the clause requiring subscription to the
Thirty-nine Articles. But when the Committee
met, as ordered, on Wednesday the 9th of May,
they got no farther through the Bill, than to the
end of the clause respecting the Laity, which
Lord Grenville was of opinion ought to be alter-
ed, and said he would have a proper amendment
prepared before the next meeting of the Com-
mittee, which was therefore adjourned to Tuesday
the 15th of May.

On that day, as soon as the Committee metj.

218 ANNALS OF 179^.

Lord Grenville went over the heads of the Bill,
explaining, as he proceeded, the reasons of the
alterations which had been made in it ; and
when he came to the restricting clause above
mentioned, the Earl of Radnor objected to it,
and said *' he saw no good reason for refusing
that to Clergy ordained by a Protestant Bishop,
which was granted to Popish Priests." The
Bishop of St. David's replied to this objection,
and pointed out the distinction between a spirit-
ual and legal Episcopacy, and the reasons why
such Popish Priests as had been ordained by
Bishops legally established in foreign countries,
were admitted, on renouncing the errors of Po-
pery, to institution in England. An addition
was also proposed to the restricting clause, where-
by it is provided, " that no Episcopal Pastor or
Minister in Scotland, who has not been ordained
by some Bishop of the Church of England, or of
Ireland, shall be capable of officiating in any
Church or Chapel in England, where the Liturgy
of the EstabHshed Church is used :" which ad-
dition was said to be intended merely to prevent
an evasion of the former part of the clause, by
persons pretending only to officiate occasionally,
when they were really employed as Curates, and
perhaps paid for acting in that capacity. No
part of the clause was supposed to operate to the
prejudice of the Scottish Episcopacy, in regard
to its purely spiritual effects ; and our Clergy's
subscribing the Thirty-nine Articles would be
looked upon as a public testimony of the mutual

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 219

communion which subsisted between the two
Churches.

Next day the Bill was reported, and ordered
to be printed with the amendments: and after
being read a third time, and ordered to be car-
ried to the House of Commons, it was received
there on Friday the 25th of May, read a first
time, and ordered to be printed. But when the
day came for the second reading, the Speaker
said, *' he thought it his duty to state to the
House, that the Bill containing certain money
clauses, which made it inconsistent with the pri-
vileges of that House to receive it from the
Lords, he was under the necessity of moving
that it should be thrown out j at the same time
observing, that another might be immediately
moved for, on behalf of the parties concerned."

This was done accordingly by the Right Ho-
nourable Henry Dundas; on which Mr Charles
Fox got up, and said, *' he did not rise to make
any opposition to the design of this measure,
but merely to take notice of the partiality of it,
and how ready the present administration was to
grant that relief to a peculiar description of dis-
senters in Scotland, which had been denied to
those in England, whose cause he had lately been
pleading ;" — alluding to a motion which he had
made a few days before, in favour of the Unitarian
dissenters. In reply to this, Mr Dundas observ-
ed, " that the Bill which he now moved for, as
well as one of a similar tendency which he had

^20 ANNALS OF 1792,

brought forward three years ago, was intended
to relieve a class of dissenters who laboured un-
der grievances not known to those whom the
Right Honourable Gentleman had alluded to in
England ; as the latter might have any sort of
Ministers they thought proper, whereas the for-
mer were subjected to heavy penalties because
their Pastors could not obtain a license from an
English or Irish Bishop." Mr Fox only answer-
ed, " that the same objection which had been
made to his motion, as brought forward at an
improper time, he thought might with equal jus-
tice be applied to that of the Right Honourable
Secretary." However, the motion was imme-
diately agreed to ; and Mr Dundas and Sir James
St Clair Erskine were ordered to prepare and
brinrr in the Bill. On Friday the 1st of June it
was read a first and second time in the House of
Commons. Next day it was committed and re-
ported ; and on the Tuesday after was read a
third time, passed, and carried to the House of
Lords, where it went through the several read-
ings again in the usual manner, no alteration
having been made in it, and received the royal
assent on Friday the 15th of June, being the last
day of the Session.

The preamble to this Act runs in these terms :
" Whereas, by several Acts of Parliament now in
force, disabilities, forfeitures, and penalties have
been imposed in certain cases upon persons fre-
quenting, resorting to, or officiating in, certain

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. SSl

Episcopal Chapels and Meeting-houses in Scot^
land :

'* And whereas there is sufficient reason to be-
lieve, that the Pastors, Ministers, and Laity of
the Episcopal Communion in Scotland, are now
well attached to his Majesty's person, family,
and government ;

*' And whereas it is just and reasonable that
such of them as are willing in a proper manner
to manifest such attachment, should receive relief
with respect to certain disabilities, forfeitures,
and penalties, in the said acts mentioned : May
it therefore please your Majesty, that it may be
enacted, and be it enacted by the King's Most
Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and
Commons, in this present Parliament assembled,
and by the authority of the same, that so much
of an Act passed in the 10th year of the reign of
her late Majesty Queen Anne, entitled, an Act
to prevent the disturbing those of the Episcopal
Communion, &c. and also so much of an Act
passed in the 5th year of the reign of his late Ma-
jesty King George the First, entitled, an Act for
making more effectual the laws, &c. and also so
much of an Act passed in the 19th year of the
reign of his late Majesty King George the Second,
entitled, an Act more effectually to prohibit and
prevent, &c. and also so much of an Act passed
in the 2 1st year of the reign of his late Majesty
King George the Second, entitled, an Act to

222 ANNALS OF 1792.

amend, and enforce, &c. as relate to the imposing
any penalties, forfeitures, or disabilities on any
person or persons, for, or on account of, his or
their frequenting or resorting to any Episcopal
Chapel or Meeting house in Scotland, or any per-
son or persons, for, or on account of his or their
officiating at any such Chapel or Meeting-house,
shall be, and the same are hereby repealed."

The Act then provides and enacts, that every
such Pastor or Minister shall take and subscribe
the Oaths in the usual manner, and shall also, at
the same time and place, subscribe a declaration
of his assent to the Thirty-nine Articles of the
Church of England, and produce certificates from
the proper officer, of his having so qualified him-
self, to the Clerk of the shire, stewartry or borough,
where his Meeting-house is situated, that he may
make proper entries of the same, and also de-
liver two attested copies of such certificates, one
to be fixed on the outside of the Meeting house
where the said Pastor or Minister officiates, and
the other in some conspicuous place within such
meeting-house ; and every such Pastor or Minis-
ter offending in any of the premises, shall, for the
first offence, being lawfully convicted thereof,
forfeit the sum of twenty pounds Sterling, and
for the second offence shall be declared incapable
of officiating during the space of three years.

It also provides and enacts, that every such
Pastor or Minister shall, as often as he shall of-
ficiate in any Episcopal Chapel or Meeting-house,

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 223

at some time during the exercise of divine ser-
vice, pray for the King's most Excellent Majesty
by name, his heirs and successors, and for all
the Royal Family, as directed in the Liturgy of
the Church of England; and every such per-
son neglecting so to do, shall on lawful conviction
thereof, for the first offence, forfeit the sum of
twenty pounds Sterling, and for the second of-
fence shall be declared incapable of officiating
during the space of three years; and any such
Pastor or Minister offending in any of the pre--
mises before mentioned, shall be incapable of
voting in any election of a member of Parliament,
or of a Magistrate or Counsellor for boroughs, or
of a Deacon of Crafts within burgh, or of a Col-
lector or Clerk of the Land-Tax or Supply ; and
every assembly of persons for religious worship,
in any such Episcopal Chapel or Meeting-house,
shall be held with doors not locked, barred, bolt-
ed, or otherwise fastened, during such assembly.
It further provides and enacts, that no such Pas-
tor, or Minister of any order, shall be capable of
taking any Benefice, Curacy, or Spiritual Pro-
motion, within that part of Great Britain called
England, the dominion of Wales, or town of Ber-
wick upon Tweed, or of officiating in any Church
or Chapel within the same, where the Liturgy of
the Church of England, as now by law establish-
ed, is used, unless he shall have been lawfully or-
dained by some Bishop of the Church of Eng-
land or of Ireland.

Qi^i ANNALS OF 179^.

TThe act having thus provided and enacted all
that is necessary to manifest the loyalty of the
Scottish Episcopal Clergy, and to prevent their
encroaching on the civil rights and revenue of
the Church of England, proceeds next to declare
what is necessary to be observed and attended to
by the Laity of the Episcopal Communion in
Scotland. It therefore provides and enacts, that
if any person at any time after six months, to be
reckoned from and after the first day of July
179*2, shall be present twice in the same year at
divine service in any Episcopal Chapel or Meet-
ing-house in Scotland, whereof the Pastor or
Minister shall not pray in express words for his
Majesty by name, his heirs and successors, and
for ail the Royal Family, in the manner before
directed, every person so present shall, on lawful
conviction thereof, for the first offence forfeit
the sum of five pounds Sterling, and shall suffer
imprisonment for the space of six months, unless
or until the same be paid, and for the second, or
any subsequent offence, shall suffer imprisonment
for the space of two years from the date of such
conviction : but every prosecution for any offence
committed against this act shall be commenced
within the space of twelve months after such
offence committed, and not afterwards.

It further enacts, that no Peer of Scotland
shall be capable of being elected one of the Six-
teen Peers to sit and vote in the House of Peers
in the Parliament of Great Britain, or of voting

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 225

in the election of any of the said Sixteen Peers,
who shall at any time after six months, to be
reckoned from and after the said first day of
July, be present twice in the same year at divine
service in any Episcopal Chapel or Meeting-house
as aforesaid, whereof the Pastor or Minister shall
not pray, in express words, for his Majesty by
name, for his Majesty's heirs and successors, and
for all the Royal Family, in the manner before
directed. And it shall be competent for any Peer
of Scotland present at the election of the said
Sixteen Peers, or of any of them, to make this ob-
jection, and to prove the same by a witness or
witnesses upon oath, or by referring it to the oath
of the peer so objected to ; which oath the Lord
Clerk Register, or either of the two Clerks of Ses-
sion, appointed by him to officiate in his name
at such election of Sixteen Peers, or of any of
them, is hereby empowered to administer. And
in case the same shall be proved, or the Peer so
objected to shall admit the fact, or refuse to de-
pose concerning it, he shall be, and is hereby
disqualified from, and rendered incapable of vo-
ting, or. being chosen at any such election, as
aforesaid ; but such admission, or confession up-
on oath or otherwise, so made at such meeting
assembled for any such election, shall not be made
use of, or given in evidence against any such Peer
upon any prosecution for any penalty inflicted
by this or any former act of Parliament.

It further enacts, that no person shall be capa«
p

226 ANNALS OF 179^.

ble of being elected, or of voting in any election
of a member of Parliament for any shire or bo-
rough in that part of Great Britain called Scot-
land, or of being elected, or voting in the elec-
tion of a Magistrate or Counsellor for Boroughs,
or Deacon of Crafts within Burgh, or of a Col-
lector or Clerk of the Land Tax or Supply, who
shall at any time after six months, to be reckoned
from and after the first day of July aforesaid, be
present twice in the same year at divine service in
any Episcopal Chapel or Meeting house, as afore-
said, whereof the Pastor or Minister shall not pray
in express words for his Majesty by name, for his
Majesty's heirs and successors, and for all the
Royal Family, in the manner before directed.
And it shall be competent for any candidate or
member of the meeting, assembled for any such
election, to make this objection, and to prove the
same by a witness, or witnesses, upon oath, or
by referring it to the oath of the person objec-
ted to, which oath the preses or clerk of such
meeting is hereby empowered to administer.
And in case the same shall be proved, or the
person so objected to shall admit the fact, or re-
fuse to depose concerning it, he shall be, and is
hereby disqualified from, and rendered incapable
of voting, or being chosen at any such election
as aforesaid ; but such admission or confession
upon oath, or otherwise, so made at such meet-
ing assembled for such election, shall not be made
use of, or given in evidence against any such per-

1792» SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. g27

son, upon any prosecution for any penalty inflic-
ted by this, or any former act of Parliament.
And the act concludes with further enacting, that
this act shall be deemed, adjudged, and taken to
be a pubhc act, and shall be judicially taken no-
tice of as such by all Judges, Justices, and other
persons whomsoever, without specially pleading
the same.

When we compare this act with that passed in
the 10th of Queen Anne, generally known by
the name of Queen Anne's Toleration, and
which is still in force, so far as it tends to pro-
tect those of the Episcopal Communion in Scot-
land, we find that the same penalty of twenty
pounds Sterling, contained in the 10th of Queen
Anne, is still to be imposed on those Pastors or
Ministers of the Episcopal Communion in Scot-
land who neglect to pray for the King and Royal
Family in the manner directed ; and that this is
all which their hearers, or the Laity of their Com-
munion, have now to attend to, is evident from
those clauses of this act above recited, which re-
late to the persons who attend divine service in
Episcopal Chapels or Meeting-houses. For in-
stead of requiring the registration of letters of
orders, and a certihcate of the Pastor or Minis-
ter's having taken the oaths, and his name and
place of abode, and the place where his meeting
is to be held, as was required by the 19th of
George 11., those clauses mention nothing more
as incumbent on the Laity, than that they take

p 2

228 ANNALS OF 1792.

care " not to be present twice in the same year
at divine service in any Episcopal Chapel or
Meeting-house in Scotland whereof the Pastor
or Minister shall not pray in express words for his
Majesty by name, his heirs and successors, and
for all the Royal Family, in the manner before
directed."

The reason of this alteration of the law is obvi-
ous, and discovers itself in that part of the pre-
amble to the present act, which affirms, " that
there is sufficient reason to believe that the Pas-
tors, Ministers, and Laity of the Episcopal Com-
munion in Scotland are now well attached to his
Majesty's person, family, and government." The
most public and proper manner in which such
Pastors or Ministers can manifest this dutiful at-
tachment, is by praying for the King and Royal
Family as the law^ prescribes ; and, therefore, to
this alone the attention of the Laity is very just-
ly and properly directed. Where this is omitted,
the law presumes that an essential mark of loy-
alty is neglected, and so puts the Laity on their
guard against countenancing such neglect. But
to have involved them in the consequences of
any other omission on the part of the officiating
Pastor or Minister, would have been unrea-
sonable and oppressive, since in many instances
they might not have it in their power to know
whether, or how far such omission had taken
place. To the books appointed for keeping lists
or registers of Episcopal Chapels, they might of-

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 229

ten find it difficult to procure access ; and they
have no right to demand a certificate of any par-
ticular registration, since the law directs that on-
ly two copies, attested by the clerk of court
shall be delivered. And though these two copies
are to be fixed, one on or near the door, and the
other in some conspicuous place within the Meet-
ing-house, yet no provision is made that they
shall always there remain, in spite of the weather
and other accidents ; neither can it be supposed
that every person who frequents, or happens to
be present in any such Chapel or Meeting-house,
will inquire or observe whether such copies have
been, and continue to be so fixed. But every
person present may easily know whether the Kino-
and Royal Family have been prayed for as the
law directs ; and should even this be omitted, no
penalty ,s incurred till the person has been twice
present m the same year where such omission
has taken place. On the whole, it is abundantly
evident, that the law, as it now stands, respectino-
Episcopal Chapels or Meeting-houses in Scotland!
holds out complete relief to those who attend
divine service in such Chapels where his Majes-
ty King George and the Royal Family are duly
prayed for. May such prayers be graciously
heard at the throne of Heaven, and devoutly
joined in by the members of the Scottish Episco-
pal Church, restored as they now are to the pos-
session of those civil rights and privileges, of
which they have been deprived for the last forty-
six years.

230 ANNALS OF 1705.

Generous and disinterested as were the inde-
fatigable zeal and assiduity of the Rev. Dr Gas-
kin, Messrs Park and Stevens, in forwarding the
views of the whole body of Scottish Episcopali-
ans, their representative, Bishop Skinner, did not
leave the British Metropolis without bestowing,
on each of these revered friends, some little tok-
en of his constituents' gratitude, esteem, and res-
pect. A polished, vase-shaped, Silver Cup and
Cover, with a rich engraved border, was present-
ed to each of the two former, with the following
inscription : —

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SCOTLAND,

RELIEVED FROM PENAL STATUTES,

OFFERS THIS HUMBLE TESTIMONY

OF SINCERE GRATITUDE,

TO

THE REV°. GEORGE GASKIN, D. D.

TO COMMEMORATE HIS KIND AND IMPORTANT SERVICES

TOWARDS THE OBTAINING OF THAT RELIEF.

JUNE 11, 1792.

Mr Stevens, being a bachelor, preferred a lit-
erarv token of regard ; Bishop Skinner, therefore,
presented this invaluable man with a copy of
** Bruckeri Historia Critica Philosophias," &c.
neatly bound in six quarto volumes, with a simi-
lar inscription to that on the cups ; and on June
the 12th, taking leave of these worthy friends,
set out for Scotland.

The good Treasurer to Queen Anne's Bounty,

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY,

231

classing himself with his brethren of the London
Committee, writes thus to Bishop Skinner : ** We
are much flattered by the quick sense which you
and the Committee of Delegates in Scotland en-
tertain of our friendship, though we do not feel our
pretensions very strong, as all we did was as lit-
tle as could well be done, and you had the fairest
claim to every attention paid either to your cause
or to yourself."

The letter written by good Dr Gaskin, in re-
turn to the Bishop's note accompanying the cup
presented to him, is well worthy of a place in
these Annals ; bespeaking, as it does bespeak,
sentiments on the subject of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church which cannot fail to be most grate-
ful to her friends to hear.

LETTER XXVL

DR GASKIN TO BISHOP SKINNER.

Islington, June 15, 1792.

" I acknowledge receipt of your very friendly
and affectionate letter, accompanying an elegant
silver cup, as a present to me from the Commit-
tee of the Scottish Episcopal Church, for what
you are pleased to deem services in the business
of your late application to Parliament.

*' The attention given by me to your concerns,
during the progrsss of the Bill, originated alto-

232 ANNALS OF 1792.

gether In an attachment to those principles of
Primitive Christianity so steadily adhered to by
your Church, and which should ever unite toge-
ther the members of the sheepfold of Christ. I
rejoice that your efforts for the repeal of the Pe-
nal Statutes have not been fruitless, though it
would have afforded me much greater satisfaction
to have seen the Bill in all respects such as we
wished it to be.

'* The opportunity of entertaining under my
roof the Bishop of Aberdeen, which this business
afforded me,* I reckon among the most honoura-
ble and pleasant circumstances of my life. I de-
^ sire you to present my thanks to the Committee
for their kindly accepting my poor services, and
for the manner in which you have been pleased
to signify their acceptance of them. I shall pre-
serve the cup with great veneration, and endea-
vour that it may continue to be preserved when
I shall be removed hence.

"May the Great Head of the Church ever at-
tend with his Grace and Holy Spirit your sacred
ministrations ; and when separated from the
Church militant, may >ve meet together in her
triumphant state ! I beg you to accept yourself

* By special invitation, Bishop Skinner lodged in this highly
respected Clergyman's house, during his stay in London in
1792 ; and continued through life to speak of Dr and Mrs
Gaskin's attentions to him in away which never failed to mark
the lively sense he entertained' of tlieir unmerited hospitality
and kindness.

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 233

my best respects, and to present the same to the
other Prelates of your Communion. Pray re-
member me and my household in your prayers,
and be assured that I shall ever remain," &;c.

On the 4th of July 1792, Bishop Skinner being
now restored to his family and flock, received a
letter from three members of the Committee of
Delegates, viz : Messrs Gleig, Aitkin, and Niven,
mentioning that, as the business was now hap-
pily concluded, for which the Committee had
been appointed, it appeared to them extremely
expedient, that the measures which had been
adopted should be reported to a Convention of
the whole Church similar to that with which their
powers originated ; and also that a sum for defray-
ing the expence which had been necessarily in-
curred, should be raised, either by public collec-
tion or private contribution, as to the Clergy
should seem meet. In compliance with this sug-
gestion, and well convinced of its expediency.
Bishop Skinner desired Mr Aitkin, as Secretary,
to intimate by letters circular, addressed to all
the Clergy in the Church, that a general Conven-
tion was to be holden at Laurencekirk, Kincar-
dineshire, on Wednesday the 2^2d day of August
next for the purposes : " First, Of receiving
their Committee's Keport of the Proceedings a-
dopted in carrying through the Act of Repeal.
Secondly, Of deliberating on an address to his
Majesty. And, lastly. Of devising a plan for

234 ANNALS OF 179^.

Establishing a Fimd for the support of the Widows
and Children of Episcopal Clergymen in Scot-
land. You are requested also," continues the cir-
cular, *' to cause your congregation choose a de-
legate to represent them in the Convention for
the purposes aforesaid, sending with him a certi-
ficate under your own hand of his appointment,
or, instead of such delegate, to empower you as
their proxy to act in their name.

" And as the applications to Parliament have
been attended with considerable expence, it has
been judged most equitable and expedient to raise
a sum for defraying the same by public collection
or private contribution, in the different congre-
gations throughout the Church, previous to the
meeting of the Convention, when it is hoped that
you will bring with you, or send to the Conven-
tion the sum or sums which your Congregation
shall be pleased to contribute for the purpose
aforesaid j the overplus, (if any) after paying the
expence incurred, to be employed for the general
advantage of the Church, in the manner the Con-
vention shall direct."

In the mean while, letters of thanks were drawn
up by Bishop Skinner, signed by the whole mem-
bers of the Committee, and addressed to the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of Salisbury,
(formerly Carlisle,) and St. Davids, the Earls of
Kellie, Elgin, Kinnoul, and Fife, the Lords Stor-
mont and Grenville, and to Mr Secretary Dun-
das, for their good offices in promoting the sue-

17?2. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 2S5

cess of the last application to Parliament. To
these letters replies were made by the Lords
Fife, Stormont, and Grenville, and by the Bishop
of St Davids. The Earl of Fife * bears testimony
to the character and good conduct of the Clergy
of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, which me-
rits a place in her Annals.

" I am old enough, (writes his Lordship,) to
remember the restraining and penal laws since
the 1745. It is but doing justice to your
Church to repeat here, what I said in public, vi:^.
that your attachment to your principles was al-
ways honourable and disinterested, conforming
yourselves to the law of the land with a conduct
so regular as never to give offence. I am confi-
dent our present gracious Sovereign and the Con-
stitution itself have the addition of respectable
friends, and that the Church and State are bene-
fited by your union. I flatter myself the event
will alike promote the comfort and satisfaction of
your Society."

*' Lord Viscount Stormont t tells Bishop Skin-
ner, that he thought it his duty to give all the lit-
tle support in his power to so just a cause ; and
most heartily do J rejoice in your success, being
fully convinced of your loyalty to his Majesty, of
your attachment to the constitution of your coun-
try, and of the zeal with which you will constant-
ly endeavour to inspire those sentiments into the

♦ James, uncle to the present Earl. — Annalist.
t Father of the present Earl of IMansfield.

QS6 ANNALS OF 1792.

breast of others, and to diffuse, through every part
of the kingdom to which your influence extends,
a love of order, a reverence for the laws, and a
grateful and lively sense of the numberless bless-
ings wliich we enjoy." Lord Grenville begs to
assure the Clergy and Laity of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church, that iie " feels very sensibly flat-
tered by the obliging expressions of their letter to
him, and that no one is more firmly persuaded
than himself of the sentiments of loyalty to the
King, and attachment to the constitution, and
good order of the country, by which that respec-
table body is animated." While the language of
Bishop Horsley is in all respects the language of
a churchman.

LETTER XXV n.

" To the Right Reverend and Reverend the
Representatives of the Clergy and Laitt
of the Scottish Episcopal Churci^.

London, August 9. 1792.
" Right Reverend Fathers,
and Reverend Brethren,
" My absence from London was the occasion
that your letter of the 14th ult. came but a few
days since to my hands, and has not been sooner
acknowledged. Ever since it came to my know-
ledge that the merciful providence of God had

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 2S7

preserved to the present day, though in a state
of great affliction, a remnant of the old Episco-
pal Church of Scotland, I felt the deepest con-
cern in their sufferings, and the most earnest de-
sire that they might obtain relief from the ex-
treme severity of penal laws, which political con-
siderations could no longer justify.

" I heartily return thanks to God for the mer-
cy which he has extended to that part of his fa-
mily, and more particularly that he has vouch-
safed to make me, in some degree, the instrument
of it.

*' With the most earnest prayers for your hap-
piness both in time and in eternity, I remain, &c.

" Samuel St. Davids."

It is the opinion of the learned Historian of the
Scottish Episcopal Church, that the introduction
of English ordained Clergy into Scotland, which
at first took place with a view to brotherly assis-
tance, has conduced more than avowed enmity
would have done to depress that Episcopacy,
which, waving political scruples, the English
JBishops have at all times acknowledged to be or-
thodox and valid *. In consequence of the Act
of Parliament passed on the 3d of March 1712,
and so well known in Scotland under the name
of the 10th of Queen Anne, which Act required
all Scottish Pastors ordained by a Protestant Bish-
op, not only to produce their letters of orders be-
* Skinner's Eccles. History, Vol. H. p. 673.

^38 ANNALS OF i792.

fore the Justices of the Peace at their Quarter-
sessions, but to take and subscribe the oaths of
allegiance, assurance, and abjuration ; and every
time that they officiated in their places of worship
so protected, to pray in express words for her
Most Sacred Majesty Queen Anne, and the Most
Excellent Princess Sophia, Duchess Dowager of
Hanover, and all the Royal family, under the
penalty of L.'20 for the first offence, and for the
second of forfeiting the benefit of this Act, ancj
being declared incapable of officiating as Pastor
of any Episcopal congregation for the space of
three years In consequence of this act, with
which their well known political principles pre-
vented the Scottish ordained Episcopal Clergy at
large from complying, one or two English ordain-
ed Clergymen were, at that early period, intro-
duced into Congregations, the leading members
of which were actually Magistrates under the
Hanoverian Government. But the terms and
conditions on which their introduction into Scot-
land was at the time understood to take place,
may be learned from the following letter in the
Annalist's possession, dated Forfar, August 4th,
1717, and addressed to " The Right Reverend
my Lord Bishop of Edinburgh," who from the
period of the revolution was clothed with the
vicarious power of Scottish Metropolitan.

" May it please your Lordship,

" The people of our town and country about.

179-?. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY, SSQ

being generally averse from joining the Presby-
terian worship, and having been so long deprived
of the benefit of public worship performed by an
Episcopal Minister, that they begin to find the
dismal effects of it, both among their children
and those of a greater age. And seeing that the
Government hath shut up us, who are their own
Ministers, under such circumstances, (which grow
still worse and worse,) that they can have no rea-
sonable expectation of being relieved by us in
that particular, our Magistrates, together with
some Gentlemen in the neighbourhood, (though
every way well affected, yet) have resolved to call
a man who is qualified according to law, and set
up a Meeting-house in this town ; only they want
your Lordships permission, without which I can-*
not give my countenance unto it ; and which, if
they had, I doubt not but that they would oblige
the Gentleman whom they call both to under-
take and to act in subserviency to my ministry in
this Congregation ;* whereas, on the other hand,
if I shall go about to oppose them, (they are so
bent and firmly resolved upon the thing,) it will
cause a woful schism among us.

" Wherefore have I despatched an express with
this line unto your Lordship, not only informing
you, (according to my duty,) but also humbly
entreating your Lordship, that you may be pleas-

* Mr Small was Minister of the Town and Parish of F©r-
far, and ejected at the ReYoIution.

ANNALS OF 1792.

ed to consider it as a matter of the greatest im-
portance with respect to this place, and accord-
ingly to grant us your favourable answer. For
though I cannot partake of their worship, but
must still continue to worship God in my own
house as before, yet if your Lordship will per-
mit me to give countenance to their Meeting-
house, the schism may be prevented, all things
may be done in subordination to my ministry,
and we may be kept in unity among ourselves.

*' I have presumed to write the foregoing lines
unto your Lordship ; and if you shall think fit
that I come and speak with you farther upon that
aft'air, you shall be, God willing, very readily at-
tended by," &c.

" Al. Small."

As no such appointment took place in Forfar,
it is evident that the good people, at whose in-
stance Mr Small's application was made, readily
acquiesced in the reasons which Bishop Rose
would naturally assign for his non-compliance
with their dutiful request. In fact, such appoint-
ments were generally discountenanced, until
the memorable year \7^^, when it was enacted
that " No letters of orders not granted by some
Bishop of the Church of England or Ireland, shall,
from and after the !^9th September of that year,
be sufficient to qualify any Pastor or Minister of
any Episcopal meeting in Scotland, whether the
same w«re registered before or after the 1st Sep-

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 2il

temberl746; and that every such registration,
whether made before or since, shall be null and
void."

The 10th of Queen Anne was evidently de-
signed for the protection and preservation of an
Episcopal Church in Scotland, though no longer
the Established Church in that part of the Brit-
ish dominions. But the above enactment had
no other end in view but to cut up Scottish Epis-
copacy, root and branch ; or to sow the seeds of
a schism, which to this day do remain partially
uneradicated. For the fact is, as stated by our
Ecclesiastical Historian, that taking advantage
of the difficulties, which, under the invidious title
o^ Nonjurors, Scottish ordained Clergymen had
now to struggle with, and eagerly embracing the
conditional qualification, by means of Enghsh or
Irish ordination, which this act imposed, young
Scottish students, who felt themselves at a loss
for other occupation, repaired to England, and,
after receiving orders, on the recommendations
by which they were accompanied, returned to
their native land,* and then hesitated not to en-
ter on the functions of Episcopal Clergymen, in
open and avowed hostility to the resident Bishop
or Bishops of the cities or dioceses in which they
established themselves, regai'dless alike of their
own and the peoples duty to walk by Apostolical
canon, and " obey those who had the rule over
them, and submit themselves."

* Skinner's Eccles. Hist. Vol. II. p. 671.
Q

242 ANxNALS OF 171)5.

Immediately on the passing of" the act repeal-
ing all the Penal Statutes, one of those English
ordained Scotchmen, the Rev. Charles Cordiner,
of Banff, whose letters of orders were granted by
Dr Newton, Bishop of Bristol, in 1769, for the office
of Deacon, and by Dr Trail, of Down and Con-
nor, in the town of Arbroath, for the office of
Priest, in 1770> united himself and congregation
to the Diocese of Aberdeen, having become sen-
sible of the anomalous state in which, as an Epis-
copal Clergyman, he had placed himself. The
union was solemnized on Sunday, July 15th,
17921; the Scottish Episcopal Clergyman in Banff,
and Author of these Annals, becoming Mr Cor-
diner's colleague, and both Congregations being
accommodated in the chapel of the latter. No
man could have acted with more heartfelt good
will to the cause than Mr Cordiner acted during
the two years which he survived the measure of
Union. On the morning after which, he thus
gives vent to his feelings :— ■

LETTER XXVIII.

THE REV. CHARLES CORDINER TO BISHOP SKINNEK.

BanfF, July 16. 1792,
*' To the pleasure of divine service, it was a
very additional satisfaction to have your imme-
diate authority for commencing yesterday our

1792. SCOTTISH EPlSCOrACY. 243

joint ministry in St Andrew's Chapel. It seem-
ed to be a festival of very general satisfaction and
joy. Your son, I understand, writes you by this
post ; to him, therefore, I refer the pleasing task
of narrating particulars. The following post will
probably convey to your hands the Articles of
Union, regularly subscribed ; and I have only to
express my acquiescence in the proposal of tak-
ing public notice of the union. It is certainly
right. Whether the Earl of Fife, Lord Lieuten-
ant of the County, witnessing and countenancing
our first service in the sanctuary ? Whether the
Chapel having been considered as in some de-
gree under his patronage ? And whether you
would choose to quote the sentiments of any Bish-
op in England, in favour of such union ? These,
and such like considerations, I entirely leave to
your superior judgment, and trust to your care, —
that as the union itself is equally respectable and
praiseworthy, so the terms in which it is announc-
ed to the Public, will be equally creditable to
all concerned.

" Your pastoral affection, good wishes, and
friendly regards, I receive with due gratitude and
devotion. And I am," &c.

His noble Patron, the Earl of Fife, having pre-
sented Mr Cordiner witli a copy of his letter to
Bishop Skinner, (quoted in p. 235 above,)and hav-
ing authorised him to publish it in the Aberdeen
Q 2

244 ANNALS OF 1792.

newspaper, Mr C. writes again to the Bishop,
(July 25th) mentioning this circumstance, and
enclosing the letter given by his Lordship, with
some additional matter of his own, and thus con-
cludes : " Whatever in the intermediate para-
graph you think superfluous or wrong, I know
you will cancel, and it is my duty to acquiesce
in your determination, — to all the world besides
I would wish to defend the whole. I laboured
to express the state of the case in language that
would most concihate my other brethrens notice.
To those of them whom I most esteemed, I have
written of my having taken the lead in a union
which I equally delight in as an evangelical duty,
as in knowing it would be highly acceptable to
administration.

*' As my esteemed colleague and I have not
yet met our Constituents on the subject of repre-
sentation at the ensuing convention, I shall only
at present add, that you may rest assured of my
most hearty concurrence to every measure, and
all possible aid to every council, in which the
good of the Episcopal Community in Scotland is
concerned. 1 am," kc.

And to his memory it is but justice to say, that
the good man acted up, in all respects, to his pro-
fessions ;. extending to his colleague the right
hand of fellowship, with a cordiality which re-
quires no better evidence on the part of the An-
nalist, than simply to inform the reader, that,

1792. SCOTTISM EPISCOPACY. 2i^5

from the hour of their union, they never differed
on any one topic connected with their profession ;
Mr Cordiner reguhuly administering the Sacra-
ment of the Lord's Supper by the form appointed
for the use of the Episcopal Church in Scotland.
True, he had been reared in the bosom of that
Church, and accustomed in early youth to this
primitive formulary ; but being at perfect liberty
to retain the office to which, as a Clergyman, he
had been accustomed for the space of twenty-
two years, his conformity Avith *' the authorized
service of the Episcopal Church in the adminis-
tration of the Holy Sacrament," (see Canon XV.)
was no less grateful to his youthful colleague, than
to his Bishop and the Church at large.

On the ^2d of August the Convention met at
Laurencekirk, in terms of the order given, when
Bishop Skinner having been chosen Preses, and
the Rev. Roger Aitkin, Clerk, the intended bu-
siness was forthwith entered on, the Bishop de-
claring, as formerly, that the Convention being
merely of a civil nature, it was to be considered
as no precedent for a Synod or Assembly purely
Ecclesiastical. A full report of the proceedings
of the Committee having been, in the first place,
read to the Meeting, Bishop Skinner deemed it
his duty to address the Convention at some length,
obviating every objection which parties, not on
the spot, were not slack to raise against the pro-
visions of the Bill ; particularly that restrictive
clause which precludes Scottish ordained Clergy-

216 ANNALS OF , 1795.

men from holding livings in the Church of Eng-
land. " For my own part," said the Primus, " I
am at a loss to determine, whether we have, or
have not, reason to complain of it. Time will
shew how it is iikely to operate, and I wovdd fain
hope that there is as much probabihty of its be-
ing friendly, as of its being prejudicial to the in-
terests of our Church, so long as our Church is
considered in its true light, mz. as a Society which
has no other object but the promotion of true re-
ligion, and which, therefore, ought to have none
else for its Ministers but those who expect their
reward in a better country even than England,
and from a Master whose kingdom is not of this
world. But v/hatever opinion may be entertained
with respect to this restriction, or whether we
are pleased or displeased with it, I feel no hesita-
tion in affirming, that we had not the most dis-
tant chance, at the time, of escaping it ; because
it did not originate in the humour or caprice of
any single member of Administration, but in the
decided judgment of a body of men, who thought
it their duty, in their legislative capacity, to se-
cure the temporal emoluments of the Church of
England, as far as they can be secured, to her
own Clergy, and to them only. With respect to
the imposition of the oaths, the vvhole oaths, fj'om
first to last, we honestly and fearlessly avowed our
unconquerable objection to that part of them
which has a retrospective view, and which would
require us to abjure, as mere pretended rights,

170-. SCOTTISH F.PISCOPACY. ^ 247

what, in the opinion of the Church to which we
belong, did once really and truly exist ; although
having now, in our opinion, entirely ceased, they
no longer stand in the way of our fealty and alle-
giance to the reigning Prince.

** Free as we now are to profess our loyalty and
unqualified submission to the illustrious family on
the throne, and that in a manner the most sincere
and unequivocal, we did fondly flatter ourselves,
that the Legislature of a country like Britain,
would require no more of us than an oath of al-
legiance ; and that in our case, as in the case of
other British subjects, they would liberally dis-
pense with that particular oath, which they so
well knew we could do no other, as honest men,
than conscientiously refuse. And this, I doubt
not, they might and would have done, had not
* an enemy done this,' had not our adversaries,
(for no men arc without them,) laid hold of this
very circumstance to justify an opposition which,
though secretly, yet, alas ! successfully, tl>ey have
been from the date of our compliance systemati-
cally carrying on. Our candour, our honesty, in
avowing our scruples, and our repeated applica-
tion for a commutation of the Government oaths,
as far as v/e were concerned, were, I suspect, the
means of imboldening our enemies in their ma-
chinations against us ; enabling them to lead, as
it were, a proof in the eyes of them who knew us
not, of our still retaining a little of what they
would call ' the old leaven/ — a tincture of former

448 ANNALS OF 179^.

clisaffection. And hence would tliey insinuate,
that to trust us with greater liberty than what
we formerly enjoyed from the lenity of Govern-
ment simply, would be dangerous and improper.
Here it was that our opposers took their firmest
ground ; and here it was that the Lord Chancel-
lor of England fixed his foot, — that the highest
Officer of the Crown intrenched himself in such
a manner, that, after various attempts to dislodge
him, it was found necessary to drop all thoughts
of a commutation of the oaths, and to propose a
Bill, drawn up witii such scrupulous attention to
the ideas of the noble Lord on the Woolsack,
that every man in office to whom it was shewn
approved of it, and declared they could see no
good reason why it should not pass into a law.

*' Still, however, did this great man's opposi-
tion to us continue, assuming various hues, so
that, when to one friend he would seem to have
relented, and would express himself * almost per-
' suaded that our requests were reasonable,* in
conference with anotlicr he would recur to all
his former objections, and be as stiff and inflexi-
ble as he had ever been. This, Gentlemen, I
trust, is abundantly evident from the documents
now before you.

" And it is a circumstance, to which I wish
you particularly to attend, affording, as it does,
proof positive, that it was in vain for your Com-
mittee to think of gaining over such a man as
Lord Chancellor Thurlow, by length of time and

1792. / SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 249

repeated applications ; for the longer our busi-
ness remained in suspense, the more opportuni-
ties were offered to our designing adversaries of
turning these delays to our prejudice, and, in
the same proportion that our difficulties multi-
plied, their confidence increased, gathering fresh
strength from every defieat which we experienced.
Still it may be said, that the probability of Lord
Thurlow's retiring from office was a circumstance
worthy of regard, and the nearer that this event
seemed to approach, we ought to have the more
patiently waited for it. But, be it observed, our
Bill had been moved, and the merits of it fully
discussed before there was a probability of the
Chancellor's resignation. His objections had all
been heard, his alterations, as well as those sug-
gested by Lord Grenville, had been all proposed,
nay had been all agreed to, and the Bill wanted
nothing but a third reading, a matter of mere
form. To have abandoned it at that time, (in
expectation of an event, which, though it did
speedily ensue, was not to have been depended
on,) after Administration itself may be said to have
bestowed so much pains upon it, would confess-
edly have been a very rash and imprudent step,
nothing short of trifling with the supreme tri-
bunal of our country. Such levity and fickleness
every other consideration apart, would have dis-
gusted our friends, and, to a certainty, encouraged
our enemies. Thus, on the one side, the risk was
imminent, on the other, the advantage to be gain-

250 ANNALS OF 1792.

ed, doubtful ; but had no doubt attended it, it
was neither of magnitude, nor of importance suf-
ficient to have justified our withdrawing the Bill,
and dehiying its enactment to a more convenient
season. Besides, I may appeal to the greater por-
tion of the members of this very Convention,
whether it has not been the general and unchang-
ed language of the vvliole body of Scottish Epis-
copal Clergy, from the moment they were aware
of opposition to the terms of relief which the first
Bill held out, that if the Laity of our Communion
were exempted from pains and penalties, and left
free to attend on our ministrations without dis-
qualification of any sort, we would, one and all be
satisfied, and trust, as we have hitherto done, to
the mildness of the executive government for dis-
countenancing all attempts to turn the existing
laws against us.

" Now, by the present Act, short as it comes of
what at one period we were led to anticipate, the
Laity are not only fully relieved, fully empower-
ed to give the wished for continuance to, and at-
tendance on our ministrations ; but the Clergy
themselves are placed in a far more eligible situa-
tion. Refusal to take the oatlis by the statutes
complained of, was for the first offence to be pun-
ished with six months imprisonment ; for the se-
cond, banishment or imprisonment for life. By
the present statute, a fine of L.20 is imposed for
the first offence, and for the second the Clergy-
man shall be declared incapable of officiating for

1792, SCOTTISH EPISCOPACT. ' ^51

the space of three years. In regard to these pen-
alties, therefore, we are literally brought back to
the same situation in which Queen Anne's to-
leration would have placed us, had no subsequent
Acts been passed against us ; and it has been con-
tended that we had no right to expect any great-
er indulgence. But there is a clause in the new
Act, to which the Act of Queen Anne has not
even an allusion, the clause which enforces our
subscription of the Thirty-nine Articles of the
Church of England. The fact is, the Articles of
the English Church seem to have been consider-
ed by the British Senate as that confessional of
Christian doctrine, which, being best entitled to
establishment in England, is most * fit to be to-

* lerated' in Scotland ; and we having professed
ourselves in communion with the Church of Eng-
land, there really appears to me no hardship in
our Clergy being required, as the law directs, to
acknov/ledge, that the Articles of that Church

* are agreeable to the word of God ;' and all the
inconvenience or apparent impropriety which
some may be disposed to ascribe to the Ecclesias-
tical anomaly of one Church being required,
whether her Clergy will or not, to subscribe
the Articles of another, may be prevented by the
Episcopal Church in Scotland, (having at present
no Confessional but what the Creeds in the Book
of Common Prayer contain,) adopting the Arti-
cles of the Church of England in like manner
with the Liturgy of that Church as her own, and

252 ANNALS OF 179^.

requiring all future candidates for holy orders
as such, ex animo, to subscribe them. This is a
matter, which, as it deserves serious consideration,
shall, 1 trust, in no long time receive it, inasmuch
as in these days of endless innovation, the Bish-
ops and Clergy of this Church must see the ne-
cessity of' contending earnestly,' and of provid-
ing wisely, for the solemn profession of that faith
once delivered to the saints, and which unless we

* hold fast without wavering,' all the freedom we
can enjoy will be of little consequence either to
our comfort here or happiness hereafter. Acts
of Parliament may exalt or they may depress us
in the opinion of the world, according to the
fashion of the times, or according to the light in
which religion is viewed through the medium of
worldly politics. But, like its great original, the

* truth as it is in Jesus' admits of * no variable-

* ness, neither shadow of turning ;' it is the * same

* yesterday, to-day, and for ever ;' the faith of
Christ being that impregnable Rock on which his
Church is so firmly founded as to defy the gates
of hell, and all the batteries which sin and Satan
can raise against it.

" While we ' hold faith and a good conscience,'
while our determination is never to quit these
weapons of our heavenly warfare, we need be
in no fear of fines and forfeitures, or any worldly
loss that can befal us. To comply with the laws
of our beloved country, as far as w,e conscientious-
ly can, will be alike our duty and our pride j and

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. Q53

even where we cannot yield an active, it will be,
I doubt not, our boast to yield a passive obe-
dience. These aretheprinciplesby which, through
evil report andgood report, we have hitherto been
distinguished ; and in a calm and steady adher-
ence to these principles, let us be prepared sub-
missively to meet the enactments of that law,
which, being entitled * An Act for granting relief

* to Pastors and Ministers of the Episcopal Com-

* munion in Scotland' can never be meant to ag-
grieve them.

The time will surely come when oaths of ab-
juration shall be wiped from the statute book,
and when we shall be enabled to shew that our
principles, so far from leading us to infringe the
law, are its best security and defence. In the
mean time, should any person be found so worth-
less as to act the part of an officious informer,
and should * deliver us to the Judge, and the

* Judge to the Officer,' we may then, with good
reason complain of legal oppression, arid, on an
humble representation of the oppression, hope to
obtain from the lenity and wisdom of the British
Government the wished for redress. Nay, * if

* rendering unto Caesar the things that are Cae-
sar's, and unto God the things that are Gods,' the
favour of our earthly Sovereign and those in au-
thority under him should be denied us, we have
still to trust iu the mercy and protection of our
Heavenly Master, of him who is King of kings,
and Lord of lords, — of Him, who is head over
all men and over all things unto his Church, and

^54> ANNALS 01.' 179^.

who has promised to make all things work to-
gether for good to them who truly love and de-
voutly serve him.

" Injustice to myself, and to those associated
with me in the management of our late Parlia-
mentary applications, I have only, Gentlemen,
farther to observe, that in every stage of them,
whatever our hands or our heads found necessary
to be done * we did it v/ith our might,' with all
the zeal, talent, and energy of which we were
possessed, and with a single eye to the interests
of our society. Should any member of this Con-
vention wish for farther information on any indi-
vidual part cf the procedure, he will find me both
ready and willing to comply as far as in my power
with his v.'ish; since to unite the hearts and excite
the interest of both Clergy and Laity in promot-
ing the peace and prosperity of the Scottish E-
piscopal Church, having been through life my
chief occupation, will be at death my chief, my
heart-ciieering consolation."

Having finished the report and the above ad-
dress, the Preses, Bishop Skinner, on motion to
that efiect, left the chair, when the Convention,
forming itself into a general Committee, (the
Very Rev. Patrick Rose, Dean of Brechin, Chair-
man,) unanimously approved of Vi'hat had been
done ; and having appointed a Sub-committee to
draw up a minute of thanks to the Committee of
Delegates and its Preses, the following minute
was given in, and afterwards subscribed in due
form by the Chairman.

1792. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 955

" At Laurencekirk, 22d August 179^. — A Ge-
neral Convention of the Scottish Episcopal Church
having, at the request of the Preses of the Com-
mittee of Delegates, met at this place to hear Re-
port of the proceedings of said Committee ap-
pointed by the Convention of 1789, for obtaining
a Repeal of the Penal Laws, and having heard a
narrative of that Committee's proceedings from
the day of its appointment to the obtaining of
the object intrusted to its care, resolve unani-
mously,

•' ImOy That the Committee of Delegates has
conducted itself with great diligence and pru-
dence in the arduous task of procuring a repeal
of those Penal Statutes by which the Scottish
Episcopal Church was long afflicted.

*' 2rfo, That no part of its conduct was more ju-
dicious than the appointment of its Right Rever-
end Preses to the office of Delegate, to superin-
tend the business in London.

" otio, That the said Delegate exerted himself
to the utmost in discharge of his duty, and ob-
tained the best Bill whicli, in the present cir-
cumstances, could be expected ; and therefore the
Convention returns its best thanks to the Com-
mittee in general, and to the Right Reverend
Preses, for the rectitude of their conduct in that
important trust committed to them ; and request
that their vote of thanks may be kept in the ar-
chives of the Church as a testimony to after ages.

*' Pat. Rose, Preses."

25G ANNALS OF 1792.

" The Convention, after a short adjournment,
proceeded to enquire what steps had been taken,
agreeably to the circular letter sent to the Clergy
to raise money for the purpose of defraying the
expence of the late Act of :J*arliament, when it
appeared that the contributions already made,
amounted to L-SO^, Os. 9d. ; and a state of the ex-
pence being produced by Bishop Skinner, amount-
ing to L.'il3, I'is., the jsame was immediately
paid to him. A balance of L.91, 8s. 9d, remain-
ing to be disposed of as the Convention should
determine, it was, after some discussion, unani-
mously agreed that the above sum should be de-
posited in the liands of the Primus, to be by him
laid out at interest for behoof of the Widows and
Childien of the Clergy ; but on this condition
only, " that the Congregations, or at least a
majority of them which have not already con-
tributed, shall yet consent to do so, otherwise
the foresaid balance shall be returned to the Con-
gregations which have contributed in proportion
to the respective suras advanced by each. This
resolution the Clerk of Convention was enjoined
to communicate to those concerned, and after
receiving their sentiments, they empower him to
lay the same before the Primus, who is instruct-
ed, in case the outstanding Congregations, or ma-
jority of them, do not contribute, to divide the ba-
lance in manner above directed ; or in the event
of their contributing, jointly with his Right Re-
verend colleagues to apply it to the purpose of

2792. scoTTisii EPiscoPAcy. 257

forming and establishing a fund, as aforesaid, and
such as to them and the Clergy of their respec-
tive districts shall seem most likely to render
the fund permanent and efficient."

The balance was then deposited in Bishop
Skinner's hands, and the Convention broke up.

On the '20th of September 1792, the College of
Bishops met at Stonehaven, in the county of Kin-
cardine ; and, in consequence of a regular deed
of election, transmitted to the Primus by the
Dean of Dunkeld, they proceeded to the conse^
cration of the Bishop elect, the Rev. Jonathan
Watson of Laurencekirk, and granted him letters
of collation to the charge of the diocese of Dun-
keld,* vice the Right Rev. Charles Rose, Bishop
of Dunblane, who died in April 1 791 > and to whom
no successor in the see of Dunblane has beenjudg-
ed necessary, the Clergy of that Diocese being
attached either to Dunkeld or Edinburgh, as lo-
eal situation required. The consecration being
over, the Bishops Skinner, Macfarlane, Aber-
nethy Drummond, Strachan, and Watson, form-
ed themselves into an Episcopal Synod, when,

* It does not appear from the account of consecrations giv-
en in Skinner's Eccles. Histor)-, that the sees of Dunkeld and
Dunblane were really distinct sees from the death of Bishops
Gillan and Rattray; for (p. 654') it is said Bishop Alexander
was consecrated " to supply the vacancy," on Bishop Rattray's
death, in the see of Dunkeld ; whereas, in the Appendix, (p,
696.) Bishop Charles Rose is said to have been appointed Bisli^=
wp of Dunblane in room of Bishop Alexander.

R

258 ANNALS OF 1792.

taking into their consideration the propriety of
addressing the King on the late Proclamation,*
and the Primus having produced and read the
form of an address, it was unanimously approved
of; and both the address and a letter to Mr Sec-
retary Dundas were signed by all the Bishops,
and transmitted by next day's post to London.

Before this Synod was dissolved. Bishop Skin-
ner submitted to the consideration of his Right
Reverend Colleagues, the propriety of interest-
ing the Clergy of their respective dioceses in se-
veral measures which the Synod had agreed upon
as matters of paramount importance to the
progressive prosperity of the Church, and the
success of their ministry. But, as these mea-
sures ultimately led to the subscription of the
Thirty-nine Articles of religion of the English
Church in the year 1804, and to the new code
of Canons enacted in the year 1811, it is unne-
cessary, the Annalist conceives, to swell his vo-
lume by the discussion of them here.

He therefore proceeds to the very satisfactory
reply from Mr Secretary Dundas, with which, on
the 2d of October 1792, Bishop Skinner was hon-
oured ; for after expressing the '* great satisfac-
tion he had in informing the Bishops in Scotland
that his Majesty was pleased to receive their ad-
dress in the most gracious manner, the w^riter
adds : —

* Proclamation for the preventing of tumultuous meetings
and seditious writings, issued May 21. 1792.

J

179^» SCOTTISFI EPISCOPACY. 259

" I feel particularly flattered that any part of
my conduct with regard to your concerns has
been satisfactory to you. I can, with great truth,
assure you, that no one is more sensible of the
proofs of loyalty to the King, and attachment to
the constitution, and good order of the country,
which have been shewn by that respectable body
the Bishops and Clergy of the Scottish Episcopal
Church. 1 am," kc.

" Henry Dundas.'*

The Diocesan Synod of Aberdeen having met
by appointment of the Bishop on the 7th' of No-
vember 1792, the attention of the Clergy was di-
rected to the new Act of Parliament, as their Dio-
cesan wished them to come to some resolution
on the subject, which might be entered in their
minutes, and communicated to the other districts
of the Church. Their resolution was as follows :
*' At a Diocesan Synod, holden at Aberdeen on
tlie 7th of November 1792, the Bishop and Clergy
of this Diocese, finding, that on taking the Act
of Parliament lately passed for the relief of this
Church into consideration, they cannot, consis-
tently with the principles which they have ever
espoused, take and subscribe all the oaths requir-
ed by that Act, by which means they are pre-
cluded from an opportunity of giving their pub-
lic assent to the truth of the Thirty-nine Arti-
cles of religion receiv^ed in the Church of Eng-
land, and which, from tlieir brotherly affection to

K 2

260 ANNALS OF 1792.

that Church they are much inclined to give, they
think themselves called upon to declare, in this
Synodical manner, that they will, on all proper
occasions, testify to the world in general, and to
the members of this Church in particular, that
though various opinions may be, and always have
been entertained in the interpretation of some of
those Articles, yet they consider the doctrines
proposed in the same to be agreeable to the word
of God*."

With a view to the measures which the Bish-
ops in Synod had agreed upon, as of paramount
interest to the cause of Scottish Episcopacy, the
Bishop of Aberdeen, after submitting them to his
Clergy, and recommending them as fit objects of
immediate study, " hoped that they would com-
municate to him in writing whatever thoughts
might occur to them, regarding * the outward

* profession of the faith in this Church, the cele-

* bration of public worship, the exercise of disci-

* piine, the catechetical instruction of youth, and
^ the performing the various occasional offices of

* religion,' so that all things might be done, not on-
ly * decently and in order,' but with as much sim-
plicity of manner and uniformity of practice as
possible." Alter this the Clergy having request-

* Tenderly alive, as Mr Skinner of Longside ever shewed
himself, to the peace of the Church and the unanimity of her
Clergy, and being unable at that inclement season to attend
tin's Synod, he addressed his brethren of the Diocese of Aber-
deen, in the Latin verses, which the reader will find in the
Appendix, No. L

1793. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 26l

ed their Ordinary to make the proper acknow-
ledgment to the Society for promoting Chris-
tian Knowledge in London, for their late hand-
some donation of Books of Common Prayer, the
Synod was, in due form, dissolved.

1793.] It was'at this time remarked, as a singular
coincidence, that the French revolution should
have burst forth one hundred years exactly from
the date of the revolution which, in 1688, took
place in Great Britain. And that, at the very
period, when Frenchmen were ready to have,
once more, embroiled this happy land in civil
war, it should have so happened that the last re-
maining branch of the house of Stuart, who could
dispute the succession of the reigning family,
should have been most providentially removed
by death, and thus the whole British nation left
to obey the dictates of conscience, and, with one
heart and one soul, vigorously to repel the as-
saults of every foreign foe. From the moment
that the account of tlie demise of Charles Ed-
ward, better known by the title of the young Pre-
tender, reached Scotland, from that moment, as
has been already shewn, Jacobitism became like
a dead man, out of mind -, every tongue was eager
to swear fealty and allegiance to the House of
Brunswick, and every arm to protect and defend
the Constitution of Great Britain, as by law esta-
blished.

With a foresight, for which the illustrious mini-

26s ANNALS OP 179'5,

ster of the Crown, the Right Hon. William Pitt,
was, happily for this country, famed, Parliament
was called together at an earlier period than usu-
al after the vacation in summer 179'^, when mea-
sures being taken for putting the kingdom into a
state of defence, the French Convention thought
proper to consider these measures as indications
of hostility towards them, and, in the beginning
of 1793, declared war against Britain. In con-
sequence of this alarming step, the design of
which was completely developed in the corres-
pondence then carrying on between the revolu-
tionary demoniacs of France, and certain socie-
ties of deluded individuals, lately affiliated in dif-
ferent parts of this kingdom, the friends of the
altar and the throne, all who *' feared God and
honoured the king," sprung forward with public
testimonies of their deep-rooted attachment to
both, and of their innate abhorrence of the level-
ling principles now so artfully disseminated. A-
mong these lovers of order, not " of confusion and
every evil work," the Bishops and Clergy of the
Episcopal Communion in Scotland quickly ap-
peared. Declarations of loyalty were published
by the Dioceses of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Ross
and Moray, Dunkeld, Dunblane, and Fife, all
vying with each other in expressions of honest
indignation at the conduct of France, and of their
determination to resist and oppose her contamin-
ating principles to the utmost of their power.
The declaration of the Bishop and Clergy of the

1793* SCOTTISH EPrSCOPACY. 263

Diocese of Aberdeen, may be taken as a speci-
men of the matter and manner of the rest.

** Declaration of the Bishop and Clergy of the
Scottish Episcopal Church, within the
Diocese of Aberdeen.

" The Bishop and Scottish Episcopal Clergy of
the Diocese of Aberdeen, duly sensible of the
blessings which they enjoy under the mild and
equitable Government of this country, think it
their duty, at the present juncture, to testify in
the most public manner their grateful and invio-
lable attachment to the King and Constitution of
Great Britain ; a king, whose care and hap-
piness it has ever been to govern agreeably to the
laws, and a constitution which has stood the test
of ages, and is admirably calculated for securing
to his Majesty's subjects all that is desirable of
civil and religious liberty.

" Impressed with these sentiments, and consi-
dering it as an obligation arising from their pro-
fessional character, as well as from the regard
which they owe to the v»'elfare of their country,
the Bishop and Clergy above mentioned will make
it their constant study to counteract the insidious
operation of all seditious and inflammatory publi-
cations, tending to alienate the affections of the
people from the Government by which they are
so equally protected, and to make them unhappy
and discontented with their situation. Justly a-

9.G^ Annals o? 1793'.

larmed at -the dissemination of principles which
have such a dangerous tendency, they will never
cease to inculcate on those who attend their mi-
nistrations, the genuine doctrines of that pure
and undefiled religion which teaeheth men ' to

* render unto all their dues;' — ' to remember that

* rulers are not a terror to good works but to the
evil ;'.:and, therefore, that it is as much the interest
as it is the duty of Christians to * honour and obey

* the King, and all that are in authority under

* jiim/

" And whereas his Majesty has been gracious-
ly pleased, by his royal proclamation, and for cer-
tain wise and pious purposes therein mentioned,
to appoint a public fist to be observed through-
out Scotland, on Thursday the 18th of April next
ensuing, the Bishop, with the approbation of his
Clergy, thinks it incumbent on him to recom-
mend a suitable observance of this religious ap-
pointment to the several Congregations within the
Diocese j most earnestly exhorting and request-
ing them to assemble themselves devoutly and
reverently on that day, for the public worship of
the Almighty God ; for deprecating, in the most
fervent manner, the calamities which the sins of
this nation deserve, and humbly imploring his
merciful protection of the British Empire from
tlie principles as well as from the power of that
deluded people, with whom this country is now
engaged in a just and necessary war.

*' John Skinner, Bishop J^

'< Aberdeen, March 25. 1793,"

1795. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACT. ^65

Nor did these declarations of the Bishops and
Clergy, combined with pulpit addresses of the
most zealous description, fail to produce the
desired effect, on this as well as on every subse-
quent occasion. In fact, than Jacobite and Jaco-
bin, no terms can possibly convey meanings more
lieterogeneous. Hence the long suspected Scot-
tish Episcopalian, confirmed in his professions of
well merited fidelity and regard to the Brunswick
line, by the same undeviating zeal for the legiti-
mate succession of the throne as for that of the
priesthood, was never, during the arduous and
long protracted contest, found in one instance
guilty of sedition, or misdemeanour of any sort,
or even accused of such malepractices. On the
contrary, the former adherents of the house of
Stuart, nicknamed Nonjurors, uniformly swelled
the ranks of every loyal association throughout
the kingdom.

Desirable, however, as was the promotion of so=
cial and political union in our, at that time, dis-
tracted country, ecclessiastical unity and concord
was the measure which the Scottish Episcopate had
most at heart. The thoughts of the Primus may
be said to have been wholly bent towards healing
the unseemly schism which political expediency
had ceased to render justifiable in the sight of
men, and which, in God's sight could never,
Bishop Skinner thought, be justified.

The great object was to get the Enghsh ordained
Clergy in {he metropolis of Scotland, and their

qQQ annals of 1793.

Congregations, to set an example of sound church
principles to those in the other towns and dis-
tricts of Scotland, the whole body of such Clergy
amounting then in number to about a half of the
regular Scottish Episcopal Clergy.

It naturally occiuTcd to Bishop Skinner, that,
as objections might yet be started to the mea-
sure, by reason of the non-compliance of him-
self and brethren with the literal enactments of
the Legislature, so far as concerned the state
oaths, a door should be opened by the venerable
Bishop Abernethy Drummond's resignation of
the Diocese of Edinburgh, into the hands of some
zealous and well affected Clergyman of the Eng-
lish Church, who might be prevailed on to come
to Scotland, and, being there invested with the
Episcopal character, might take charge of the
Edinburgh Diocese. His colleagues, together
with the Clergy of Scottish ordination in the
metropolis, approving highly of the measure,
and no less of the excellent individual whom
the Primus had in view, a correspondence
was immediately opened on the interesting sub-
ject. Bishop Abernethy Drummond, with a
a zeal and humbleness of mind, v/hich would have
done honour to any Prelate of any age, assured
Bishop Skinner, in a letter, dated March 13th,
1793, that he *' most cheerfully adopted the plan
which he and Bishop Y/atson proposed, and would
immediately resign in favour of the worthy Vicar
of Epsom, if he should be so good as accept the

1793. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. ^67

see of Edinburgh" And the worthy Vicar him-
self, after a visit to Edinburgh, ;^id a reception
there, which, to use his own words, " was highly
flattering and favourable,'* told the Primus
also, " As for myself, God is my witness, I have
much at heart the furtherance of his glory, and
the welfare of his Church. If these are promo-
ted, it is very immaterial whether it be by me or
not. I can have no worldly interest in view,
wherefore do I request and charge you to suffer
no undue partialit}^ for me, however flattering
and grateful that partiality may in other respects
be to me, to influence your judgment. The gra-
tifying of such feelings neither is, nor ought to
be, beneath our notice ; but, in the present in-
stance, much higher considerations demand our
attention.

" I add only, that if Providence sees fit to send
me on this great errand, it shall be the business
of my life to pray for the grace of God to ena-
ble me to do my duty in so peculiarly arduous a
station. With the warmest sentiments of piety
and affection, I earnestly recommend his Church,
and his Ministers in your portion of it, to his pro-
tection and blessing.* And I remain," &c.

* The reader has ah*eady been introduced to this venerable
and venerated name. More ample notice of it will be taken
when the Annalist shall have to record his removal from this
world and its vanities. In the mean time, to shew that Mr
Boucher was a man who was well fitted for the situation in-
tended for him in Scotland, he was not only at one time thought

26S ANNALS OF 1793.

Seldom, however, do political and ecclesiasli-
eal expediency ^nite interests, or concur in the
same design ; and so it happened here. ** Do the
heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain
thing?" instantlydo consequences ensue "against
the Lord, and against his anointed j" in other
words, religion suffers. Thus, an alarm being
spread, that " the scheme in agitation was to in-
troduce Bishops into Scotland with the sanction
of Government, and on such legal footing as
to entitle them to some legal jurisdiction," Mr
Boucher would no longer permit the measare to
be proceeded in. And as the Vestry of the Cow-
gate Chapel in Edinburgh had shewn a deep and
laudable interest in the success of the measure,
until the above absurd alarm had gone abroad, it
was finally abandoned, as will appear from

LETTER XXIX.

BISHOP SKINNER TO SIR WILLIAM FORBES, BART,

" That the proposal of bringing Mr Boucher
to Edinburgh, as the instrument of uniting the
two orders of Episcopalians, who have been so
long kept asunder, should have given any offence,
or cause of alarm, can be accounted for in no

of for the Bishoprick of Nova Scotia, to which Dr Inglis was
appointed, but the Archbishop was pressed hard to obtain him
for Canada.

1793. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 269

other way than by supposing that the whole af-
fair must have been grossly misrepresented. The
introduction of Bishops into Scotland, with any
legal claim to temporal jurisdiction, God knows,
was as far from the object in view, as it is from my
view to claim a right to the revenues of the Bish-
oprick of Aberdeen, or to the jurisdiction attach-
ed to those revenues ; nothing more being intend-
ed than to unite the Episcopalians in Edinburgh
under one Bishop, who was in all respects to be
on the same footing, as you know, with his bre-
thren in Scotland, deriving his spiritual authori-
ty from the same source, and exercising it in the
same limited manner as they now do, over those
who choose to acknowledge it, and over those
only. I have perused, with great attention, your
letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and can-
not but admire the very candid and proper man-
ner in which you stated to his Grace the situa-
tion of those of the Episcopal persuasion in this
country. The very good and favourable terms
in which you have had the goodness to mention
the Scottish Bishops, deserve my particular notice,
and cannot fail to make a deep and lasting im-
pression on our minds. May our heavenly Master
pour down his richest blessings on you and yours,
and enable us, his unworthy servants, to act up to
the character which you have been pleased to
give of us. The cause which we have all so much
at heart is now in such good hands, and will, we
4oubt not, on your part be so properly attended

270 ANNALS OF 1793.

to, that we have only to wisl^i and pray for suc-
cess to your laudable endeavours, whenever the
time siiait come for exerting them, without incur-
ring any sucli danger as is now apprehended.
But wl>en that happy period will arrive is best
known to him who knoweth all things, and has
not only times and seasons, but the hearts of men,
in his hands. The spirit of seditious disaffection,
which a short time ago threatened to break out
into acts of open violence, has received that sea-
sonable and salutary check, which was the ear-
nest wish of every friend to social order and good
STovernment. The clamours of the unthinkinsr
crowd are at present drowned in the noise of war,
and all the political theories of our reformers
have given way to the more important considera-
tions of our national danger. How far the re-
turn of peace may operate on the minds of the
discontented, and set -them once more agog in
search of pretended grievances, it is not easy for
human foresight to conjecture. Fain would I
hope, that the laudable end in view, by the pro-
posed union in Edinburgh, would never again be
so far misrepresented and mistaken, as to give the
least cause of offence, of ground of alarm, to any
person of common sense, whether belonging to the .
Establishment or to the most zealous Sectaries.
I shall long to hear of any circumstance that may
prove favourable to the cause of that happy un-
ion, while I fervently pray, that the God of unity
and peace may bless and prosper your good de-

1793. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 271

signs, and finally crown them with that success
which may tend to his glory and the happiness of
all concerned.'*

In the year 1793, a most beneficial act having
passed the British Legislature for the encourage-
ment of Friendly Societies, it immediately oc-
curred to the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese of
Aberdeen, that application ought to be made to
have the benefits of that Act extended to the
Scottish Episcopal Clergy, their Widows and Or-
phans, and indigent members; the Convention
of 1792, having sanctioned the formation of a
permanent and efficient fund for their relief, and
applied the balance of money raised for discharg-
ing the expence of the Act of Repeal of the Pe-
nal Statutes, to the establishment of such a fund.

For this purpose, the Reverend Roger Aitkin,
Clerk to the Diocese, was, at the autumnal Sy-
nod of 1793, empowered by the Bishop and his
brethren of the Diocese to submit the matter to
the other Bishops and Clergy throughout the
Church, who with one or two exceptions, having
cordially approved of the measure, Mr Aitkin was
further instructed to lose no time in drawing up
the necessary Articles and Rules, and circulat-
ing them for the correction and approbation of
those who were to join the " Scottish Episcopal
Friendly Society." A draught of Articles or
Rules v/as prepared accordingly, and having been
printed, it was duly forwarded to all concerned.

272 ANNALS OF 1793.

with a notification from Bishop Skinner, as Pri-
mus, that a general meeting of such Bishops and
Clergy as had a desire to become members of
the Society, would be holden at Aberdeen, on
the 19th of November 179S, for the purpose of
sanctioning the said Articles in terms of law.

The meeting took place on the day appointed,
when, having unanimously formed themselves in-
to a Friendly Society in terms of the Act of Par-
liament, and having deliberated on the Articles
or Rules drawn up for its government, these rules,
after having undergone some slight alterations,
were ordered to be fairly written out, and being
signed by the Preses and Clerk, to be by them
presented to his ]Majesty's Justices of the Peace
for the County of Aberdeen, for confirmation as
the law directs. Being confirmed accordingly ou
the l6th of November 1793, the Society has since
that period continued to flourish beyond what
the most sanguine of its institutors could have
anticipated. From the sum of L.IO annually to
the widows of deceased members, and the sum
of L.lOO to the orphan family, (if no widow ex-
isted,) the annuity of each widow is now increas-
ed to L.20, and the sum given to an orphan fa-
mily L.200, notwithstanding that the individ-
ual members of the Society have never been as-
sessed in a sum above L/i yearly, and that only
for the space of ten years from their admission.
The liberality of Lay contributions, at the time
of €ommencement, and the admirable manage-.

1794. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 27^

ment under which the Scottish Episcopal Friendly
Society has been for twenty-four years conducted,
are gratefully acknowledged as the causes which
have led to this beneficial result.

1794.] The Brief drawn up by Bishop Skinner,
and subscribed by the College of Bishops, and
which, in terms of an order to that effect, was read
by the Clergy severally from their pulpits, on the
fourth or fifth Sunday in Lent, 1791s will shew
the reader of these Annals the mode which was
adopted for establishing the funds of the Society,
the stock of which, now available to all the pur-
poses of it, amounts to nearly L.7OOO.

" A Brief from the Bishops of the Scotch Epis-
copal Church, to be read by the Clergy of
that Church, in their several Congregations,
on the 4th or 5th Sunday in Lent.

** When the adorable Redeemer of mankind
appeared upon earth, as God manifest in the flesh,
he was graciously pleased to found and establish
a Church, or society of faithful people, which was
to be supported and governed by such means and
instruments as he had appointed for that purpose.
Great and manifold are the blessings which the
Christian world derives from this divine institu-
tion. Wonderful are the methods by which it
has been preserved amidst the fall of empires, and
maintained its ground under the various revolu-

s

274 ANNALS OF I79i'.

tions of the kingdoms of tliis world. Sometimes,
upheld by the arm of flesh, it has gloried in the
support of a civil establishment, and been able to
allure men into its service, by holding out tempo-
ral emoluments as the immediate reward of their
labours. But often has it experienced a different
fate ; and, divested of all worldly honours, and
human appendages, been confined to the simple
exercise of its spiritual powers, and obliged to de-
pend, for the subsistence of its ministers, on the
voluntary donations of those who adhered to their
ministrations. To such a state of poverty and
dependance was the national Church of this coun-
try reduced by that change of government which
took place in this kingdom towards the close of
the last century. The part which the Bishops
and Clergy of the Church of Scotland acted on
that memorable occasion is well known, and the
effects of it were long and severely felt. The
distressed situation of the ejected Clergy, many
of whom were driven to the utmost extremity of
want, could not fail to excite the compassion of
well-disposed Christians, especially of those who
Avere inclined to consider them as suffering for
the s:ike of a good conscience. Among such per-
sons applications for their relief were proposed,
and carried on with considerable success. Pub-
lic contributions were made in various places, and
donations received from private hands, for the
support of the suffering Clergy of the Episcopal
Church of Scotland. Nor was the aid of this

1794'. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 27^

charity confined solely to those who had been de-
prived of their livings by the abolition of Episco-
pacy ; it was with equal propriety extended not
only to their widows and families, but also to their
successors in office, many of whom, from a varie-
ty of causes, were found to stand in equal need
of this charitable assistance. A conscientious
regard for that form of ecclessiastical government,
which they believed to be of Apostolic institution,
produced a succession of respectable candidates
for the holy ministry ; but the zeal and abilities,
wherewith thev discharged the duties of their sa-
cred function, were not always sufficient to pro-
cure such a decent subsistence as is necessary to
the support of the clerical character. It was to
supply this want, as well as to hold out some
small but permanent relief to the widows and
orphans of such of the Clergy as died in indigent
circumstances, that the plan of a charitable fund
was first suggested ; and what part of the mo-
nies collected for that purpose could be spar-
ed from immediate distribution, was put into the
hands of such persons as were thought most pro-
per to be intrusted with the management of it.
Under their administration, this fund continued
to be feebly supported by a few occasional dona-
tions, and small but regular collections in the city
of Edinburgh, wliich is the only place that has
contributed to it for many years past. But yield-
ing to the necessity of the times, and influenced
by various motives, the persons to whom the care

s 2

276 ANNALS OF 1794.

of it was committed, have allowed it to be almost
totally exhausted ; and all that remains of it can
afford but a scanty provision to the widows of
those who were formerly benefited by it. The
poorer Clergy are already deprived of its assistance,
and no future widows or orphans can expect any
relief from it. What was provided by the bounty
of form.er benefactors is now brought to an end ;
and were no other spring of beneficence to be
opened, sparingly would the waters of worldly
comfort be dispensed to the servants of religion
in that part of the Christian Church to which we
belong. But the same Lord * who gave the word,

* and sent the preachers' who were to publish it;
He also is * a Father of the fatherless, and defend-

* eth the cause of the widows.' Their ' cruise of

* oil, supplied as it has hitherto been, he will not

* suffer to fail, nor allow their barrel of meal to

* waste,' till his providence point out some other
mode of relief. Trusting to the continuance of
his divine protection, and relying on that care
and kindness of their heavenly Master which they
have so long experienced, the Bishops and Cler-
gy of that small portion which yet remains of the
Episcopal Church of Scotland, have digested a
Scheme for the support of that Church, and the
decent subsistence of its Clergy, and their fami-
lies, which they hambly submit to the considera-
tion of those who continue stedfast in its com-
munion. Willing to take the benefit of a law,
w^hich has been lately enacted for the encour-

IJOi' SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 277

agement of Friendly Societies, they have formed
themselves into one of these, and adopted such
regulations for raising and managing a charitable
fund, as have received that civil sanction which
the law prescribes, and will entitle them to its
protection. By these regulations they have a-
greed, that every member of this Society shall
contribute annually the sum of Forty Shillings,
besides some small casual additions from those
whose families are likely to be benefited by the
fund. Even these contributions, regularly paid,
and prudently managed, would no doubt, in pro-
cess of time, produce such a stock as would be
fully adequate to the object of this charitable in-
stitution. But it is obvious that a long, very
long period of years would be necessary for that
purpose ; and, in the mean time, the claims of
many destitute widows and helpless families might
become very urgent, and demand from the feel-
ings, if not from the equity of the Society, that
immediate relief, which, if too early, and too li-
berally dispensed, would soon reduce its funds to
nothing, and leave the whole work to be begun
anew. This was a discouraging prospect, and
admitted of no other alternative, but either to
give up the attempt as desperate, or to think of
some other expedient, whereby it might be pos-
sible to avoid the danger that threatened so lau-
dable an undertaking. It was suggested, that the
lay members of the Scottish Episcopal Church
had never shown themselves averse from any

278 ANNALS OF 1791'.

scheme that was likely to do credit to the charac-
ter, and promote the increase of that Church,
Many of them had embraced and adhered to her
communion in the most trying times, and when
their worldly interest was in danger of being af-
fected by an avowal of their principles. They
had struggled with her through evil report and
good report, without being ashamed of her pover-
ty, or allured from iier sacred services by the pros-
pect of enjoying greater freedom, and making a
gain of godliness. To them, as her most natural
friends and supporters, who had stood by her in
the day of lier greatest humiHation, and would
not now desert her when she seemed to rise a
little from her former depression ; to them, it was
proposed, that application should be made, and to
them, do We, her present governors and guardi-
ans, now address ourselves, with full confidence
in the purity of our own intentions, and in the
kind and compassionate disposition with which
we trust you will receive this our application.
Though various considerations give us ground to
hope that you will take in good part what we are
now recommending, yet you may be assured it is
with regret we find ourselves obliged to lay this
representation before you. We cannot but be
sensible of the many public burdens, which the
exigences of the state, and the calls of humanity,
as well as the support of religion, have laid upon
you. It is therefore with reluctance that we pro-
pose what some may consider as a needless addi-

1794. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 279

tion to these burdens. But a sense of the duty
which we owe to the station wherein Providence
has placed us, compells us to use whatever means
are most Hkely to promote the welfare, and for-
w^ard the laudable purposes of the Society with
which we are connected. It is with this view
that we find ourselves called upon to propose an
annual collection from the several Congregations
of our Church, which, with the yearly contribu-
tions from tlie Clergy, will it is hoped, in a few
years, enable the Society to open their funds for
the relief of those who are the objects of this
charitable institution. The periods at which the
distributions will commence, and bear to be in-
creased, without endangering the permanency of
the fund, are marked out by the regulations of
the Society, copies of which are in the hands of
our Clergy, and may be seen by those who will
take the trouble to peruse them. You may be-
lieve, it is not intended that these annual collec-
tions should be continued any longer than the
funds may appear to require their necessary assis-
tance,— and till then, we trust, that the piety and
good sense of those to whom we now apply will
not wish them to be discontinued. In this con-
fidence we have desired our Clergy to intimate to
their several congregations, that this yearly col-
lection is to be made on the last Sunday in Lent,
or, in such Congregations as have not the benefit
of public worship that day, on some other Sun-
day or holiday as near it as possible, that so the

280 ANNALS OF 1794.

collections may all be given in, witii the contri-
butions from the Clergy, to the treasurer of the
Society before the first day of May every year.

*' ilaving now laid before you a short account
of the scheme which has been adopted for the
support of an Episcopal Church in this country, a
scheme suggested by prudence, sanctioned by re-
ligion, and which, we trust, will be favoured by
the blessing of Heaven, and the friendly aid of
all those who wish well to the cause of Episco-
pacy in this part of the kingdom, — looking up to
you, our dearly beloved in Christ, as its firmest
friends and most natm'al supporters, we have
only to add our fervent prayers to the throne of
grace, that the AlmiglUy Author of every good
and perfect gift would inspire your hearts with a
just sense of his great and undeserved goodness,
and graciously accept of every small acknow-
ledgment of it, which you are enabled to make.
We are far from presuming to determine what
may be the success of this application, or how
far your bounty ought to extend on the present
occasion. Though we are wiUii]g to hope, that
other less necessary articles of expenditure may
be a little retrenched, and that amidst a variety
of such charitable demands, something may still
be spared for the laudable purpose which we are
now recommending, yet we v/ish no person's ge-
nerosity to exceed his ability ; we v^^ould rather
incline to say. Math the blessed Apostle of the
Gentiles, * Let every man give according as he

1794. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 281

* purposeth in his heart ; not grudgingly, or of ne-

* cessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver :' And
as ' he is able to make his grace abound towards

* you, that ye having sufficiency in all things, may

* abound to every good work,* so it shall be the
daily subject of our prayers, that * He who mi-

* nistereth seed to the sower, and bread to the
'^ eater, may both minister bread for your food,

* multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits

* of your righteousness.' Thus shall the adminis-
tration of this charitable service, as the same
Apostle describes it, not only * supply the wants
of those* whom we have pointed out as the ob-
jects of it, but be productive also of ' many

* thanksgivings to God, and supplications in your

* behalf,' whilst, by this proof of your Christian
liberality, they are excited to glorify God, * for

* your professed subjection unto the gospel of

* Christ,' and for your kind and beneficent atten-
tion to the Widov/s, Orphans, and indigent mem-
bers of the Scotch Episcopal Friendly Society.
May their petitions in your behalf be graciously
received at the throne of mercy, and procure
for you the blessings of that * godliness, which

* has the promise of the life that now is, and of

* that which is to come,' which will make you
happy in time, and crown you with joy to all
eternity.

John Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen.
Andrew Macfarlane, Bishdp of Ross and Moray.
William Abernethy Drummonu, Bishop of Edinburgh
WiLLiAJvi Strachan, Bishop of Brechin.
Jonathan Watson, Bishop of Dunkeld.

282 ANNALS OF 1795,

1795.] On the 29tli of October 1795, his Ma-
jesty, on his way to Westminster, to open the
Session of Parliament, being most grossly insult-
ed and abused by a daring and tumultuous mob,
the Bishops and Clergy of the Episcopal Church
in Scotland, to mark their attachment to the sa-
cred person of the British Monarch, as well as
their detestation of the seditious associations and
treasonable publications, to which this heinous
outrage was ascribed, transmitted an address to
the Throne, in which, after deprecating from the
heart " those wild licentious principles, which
are not more hostile to his Majesty's Crown and
dignity, than to the pea^ie and prosperity of the
British empire," they conclude thus : *' Con-
vinced of the danger to which our country is ex-
posed, from the seditious combinations of evil-
minded persons, we rely on the wisdom of your
Majesty's Parliament for adopting such measures
as may tend to the safety of your Royal person,
and to the order and good government of your
kingdoms ; for promoting which desirable ends,
as far as lies in our power, we shall contuuie, (as
we have hitherto done with effect,) to impress
upon the minds of those who adhere to our minis-
try the purest principles of loyalty to your Ma-
jesty, and submission to the laws."

This address, the Ri^ht Hon. Ilenry Dundas
did the Episcopal Church in Scotland the honour
to present ; Bishop Skinner, assuring this mtrepid
friend of his country, of his own, his colleagues.

1796. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 283

and their Ck^rgy's ** earnest desire to promote,
as far as lies in their power, the sakitary inten-
tion of those wise and prudent measures which
Government is adopting for the better preserva-
tion of his Majesty's person and authority, and
thereby securing more and more the happiness
of the kingdom.'*

1796.] In the year 17O6, the Bishop of Ross
and Moiay having strenuously lu'ged the expe-
diency of appointing a Bishop coadjutor to him
in his widely extended district, the Clergy of
that district did, with their Bishop's approbation,
duly elect the Reverend Alexander Jolly, at Fra-
serburgh, in the county and diocese of Aber-
deen, as a fit person to fill that important ofKce.
For a variety of reasons. Bishop Skinner, as Pri-
mus, thought it incumbent on him to dissent from
the expediency of this measure at the particular
time when it was submitted to him for his sanc-
tion and concurrence. To the learning, the piety,
and strictly clerical deportment of the coadjutor
elect, he bore ample testimony ^ but, as the suc-
cession was then sufficiently strong, and as, in his
view of things, additional Clergymen were more
■wanted in the Highlands of Scotland than the
aid of an additional and non-resident Bishop,
who, though, in most respects, eminently quali-
fied for the office, was confessedly ignorant of the
Gaelic language, the Primus refused to sanction
the choice of the Clergy of Ross and Moray, or

284 ANNALS OF 1800.

to give his concurrence to the present promotion
of a coadjutor to Bishop Macfarlane.

In the estimation of the other members of the
Episcopal College, the theological acquirements
and primitive manners of the Bishop-elect sufficed
to counterbalance the arguments adduced by
Bishop Skinner. Hence, Bishop AbernethyDrum-
mond having been appointed to fix the day of
Consecration, and to preside in the Primus* stead,
Mr Jolly was, on the 24th day of June 1796, duly
invested with the Episcopal character, in Bishop
Strachan's Chapel, Dundee, by the Right Ke-
verend Bishops Macfarlane, Abernethy Drum-
mond, and Strachan.

Men, like Bishop Skinner, whose opposition to
the measures of brethren in office originate in a
sense of duty, without any selfish or sinister ob-
jects, cherish no resentments. To his colleagues
individually, as well as collectively, the right hand
of fellowship was speedily extended; and as no
man experienced through Bishop Skinner's life
more of his brotherly regard than the present
Bishop of Moray *, so did no man more cordially
lament the loss sustained by himself and the
Church at large, in the Primus' sudden demise,
than that venerable Prelate.

1800.] His Majesty having, on the 15th of May
1800, attended Drury-Lane Theatre, a maniac of

* Bishop Jolly never officiated as a coadjutor. The Dio-
ceses of Ross and Moray were, after his promotion, disjoined,
and Moray consigned to his Episcopal care.

1801. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 285

the name of Hadfield stood up, and deliberately
fired a pistol into the royal box, but providen-
tially missed his mark. Addresses of congratu-
lation, on an escape so grateful to the nation at
large, being transmitted by all public bodies
throughout the kingdom, the Bishops and Clergy
of the Scottish Episcopal Church dutifully em-
braced the opportunity of testifying their unshak-
en loyalty, and their determination to " perse-
vere in impressing on the minds of those who ad-
here to their ministry, a just sense of what they
in duty owe to the Prince whom God has set over
them, and in gratitude to one of the best Sove-
reigns, whom the King of kings has vouchsafed
to a highly favoured people.'*

1801.] In the year 1801, a little work issued
from the press, under the special patronage of
Bishop Skinner, and with the approbation of his
Right Reverend Colleagues, which had the effect
not only of edifying the Scottish Episcopalian
himself, but of making the doctrine and discipline
of the Church to which he belongs better under-
stood, and consequently more highly valued. It
is entitled, " A Layman's Account of his Faith
and Practice, as a Member of the Episcopal Church
in Scotland, published with the approbation of
the Bishops of that Church; to which are added
some Forms of Prayer, &c,, with a Letter from the
Reverend Charles Daubeny to a Scottish Noble-
man on the subject of Ecclesiastical Unity."

286 ANNALS OF 1801.

Hitherto it had been more than insinuated by-
strangers, and, it is to be feared, beUeved by
some, not the least respectable members of the
Scottish Episcopal Com.munion itself that the dis-
tinguishing tenets of that Society were purely
political, according to its creed, *' The stancher
Jacobite, the better Christian.'' The account
given by this sound and zealous Layman, of the
only faith and practice which merited the appro-
bation of his Ecclesiastical superiors, speaks a very
different language. '* With the doctrines of the
Church of England," says he, " as laid down in
her public Creeds, and in other parts of her sa-
cred service, the principles of the Scottish Epis-
copalians will be found exactly to correspond."

" It is not because the Scottish Establishment
is founded upon, and took its rise from a differ-
ent system of pohticsfrom that which distinguish-
ed the former establishment, the Episcopal Church,
from which our Clergy derive their orders; neither
is it only because the mode of worship, adopted
in consequence of that change, differs so widely
from all the venerable forms of antiquity, and is
so destitute of the fullness, fitness, and extensive
energy of our liturgical service : But the princi-
pal and most affecting cause of our maintaining a
separate communion from, that, which in this part
of Britain has the law and the majority on its side,
is the unhappy breach it has made in the chain of
succession which leads up to the Apostles and to
Christ ; and that woful defect in the mission of

1801. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. ^87

its ministers which, we fear, must affect the pu-
rity of its worship, and the validity of its sacra-
ments. For this reason, though otherwise well-
disposed to promote the peace of our country,
and ready to unite with the members of the esta-
blishment in every measure recommended by go-
vernment for securing the public safety, we hope
to be excused for continuing to differ from them
in matters of ecclesiastical polity, and for adher-
ing to that pure and primitive Episcopacy, which
we believe to be of divine institution, and there-
fore not to be annulled and abrogated, with re-
gard to its spiritual effects, by any human laws.*'*

* '' Layman's Account," &c. 1st edit. p. S'i, 95. A second
edition of this valuable little work being called for, Bishop
Skinner lived to carry it through the press ; and the Annalist
particularly recommends it to every father of a famil}'-, or guar-
dian of youth, of the Episcopal persuasion in Scotland. It
may be had of the publishers, Brown and Company of Aber-
deen, or of their friends in the trade. Nor can the author of
these pages omit noticing a work from Bishop Skinner's pen,
which though long out of print, (being published in the year
1786,) was for several years the Bishop's text book in catechis-
ing the youth of his congregation, viz. "A Course of Lectures
delivered on the six Sundays in Lent, to a Congregation of the
Episcopal Church in Scotland," &c. &c. To those who possess
the work, it cannot fail to be grateful to peruse the following
testimonial in its favour, from a man of such approved skill and
discernment as the late incomparable Bishop of Norwich, Dr

George Home : .

Canterbury, Aug. 2, 1786.

Dear Sir, — By favour of Mr Boucher I have received a co-
py of your very valuable Lectures, for which be pleased to ac-
cept my heartiest thanks. They are written with equal judg-

288 SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 1801.

It is doubtful whether any act of Bishop Skin-
ner's official life afforded him more heartfelt gra-
tification than the interest which he took in the
success of this little volume, and the unqualified
approbation which all into whose hands it fell be-
stowed upon it.

From the little knowledge to be gleaned in
England of a church so subjugated and depressed
as, for a whole century, the Episcopal Church in
Scotland had been, it was a doubtful point whe-
ther the religious principles of that Church were
" fit to be tolerated," at the passing of the Bill
of Relief, in the mind of the highest legal
authority. What then were Bishop Skinner's
feelings of joy, when, on the publication of
the " Account" of the Scottish Episcopalians
*' Faith and Practice," (sanctioned as its title
page bears, by himself and the other members of
the Scottish Episcopate,) he received letters from
men whose names, could the Annalist take upon
him to publish them, would, at this moment, be
found gracing the senate, the bar, and the pulpit,

ment and piety, in that plain and perspicuous style best adapted
to the subject and to the audience. I am much flattered by
hearing that any writings of mine have obtained the approbation
of so learned, primitive, and venerable a set of men as I have
reason to account the Bishops and Clergy of the Episcopal
Church in Scotland to be. The present afflicted state of that
Church has often of late engaged my thoughts ; and I cannot
but hope that the time may not be far distant when, seme poli-
tical difficulties being removed out of the way, better and more
comfortable days will dav/n upon it. I am yours, &c.

" Geo. Horne."

1801. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. ' 289

all acknowledging the extreme satisfaction which
the Scottish layman's production had afforded
them.

" A book it is," says one letter, " which ought to
be in everyone's hand, and therefore I much wish
it had but half its title, or rather that another edi-
tion could be printed omitting that part of the
title and of the book which concerns only the
Scottish Church. I think it then would not only
sell, but do much good in England. I am great-
ly pleased with it. Wliat a rare layman!"

" How highly do I prize," are the words of a-
nother letter from England, *< the valuable pre-
sent you have sent me ; valuable, not for its cost-
liness, but for the seasonable instruction it con-
tains, for the clearness of the reasoning, and for
the satisfaction afforded on many deep and diffi-
cult questions, at present, alas ! either generally
spoken against, or else neglected, as too insigni-
ficant to deserve investigation. Much are all
sound Churchmen here indebted to your vene-
rable body, for maintaining those primitive opi-
nions, which too many in this country rather dis-
countenance than encourage."

" You are pleased to speak of your venerable
community as an humble part of the Church of
Christ. You want, indeed, the * gorgeous appa-
* rel,'— * the clothing of wrought gold,* but I am
fully satisfied that, in the internal purity, which
most exalts a church, if ' weighed against you
' in the balance, we should be found wantino-.'

T

290 ANNALS OF ISOl.

Whatever * glory' of this kind may attain to us,
it will be ' no longer glorious' when brought in-
to comparison with you, by * reason of the glory
which excelleth.'

*' These are sentiments which I have entertain-
ed for many years, before I had the happiness of
being personally known to you ; and I cannot
help expressing my gratitude, Right Rev. Sir, to
you, in return for your grateful acknowledgments
of my friendly regard towards a Church which
rather reflects honour on those who honour it,
than derives any thing from their estimation."

*' I esreem myself greatly obliged to you," says
the inestimable William Stevens, Esq. * " for the
little tract transmitted me by the Wadhamist,"
(Bishop Skinner's son William, who completed
his education at W^adham College, Oxford, under
Mr Stevens's valuable patronage.) *' I think it the

* When the learned Dr Douglas, late Bishop of Salisbury,
preached before the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Fo-
reign Parts, a meeting which Mr Stevens constantly attended,
and of which in his latter years he was one of the auditors, when
the other Bishops Avere thanking his Lordship for his discourse,
Mr Stevens humbly, but politely, offered his tribute of thanks.
The Bishop expressed himself much gratified ; and, turning to
the other Prelates, said, " Here is a man who, though not a
Bisliup, would have been thought worthy of that character in
the first and purest ages of the Church." And upon a similar
occasion Bishop Horsley, who was not given to flattery, said,
" Mr Stevens, a compliment from you upon such a subject is of
no inconsiderable value." — See INlemoirs of ^^'illiam JStevens,
Esq. p. 21.

1801. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. ^J^i.

very neatest, prettiest thing I ever saw, and its
usefulness not confined to the Scottish Episcopal
Church. You sent a few copies to the Riving-
tons, in case of any Scotchman calling for it ; but
you should have sent some in case of any English-
men calling for it, which is likely to be the fact,
and indeed has been, for there are none of them
left ; and Mr Rivington desired me to mention to
you when I wrote, that he requested to have a
parcel of them as early as might be."

When Bishop Skinner applied to the learned
author of the " Guide to the Church," Mr Arch-
deacon Daubeny, for permission to annex his un-
answerable letter to the late Earl of Kinnoul, (on
the subject of separate Episcopalian Chapels in
Scotland,) to the " Layman's Account," kc.
that stanch friend to the Church of England re-
plied, that, as " nothing certainly afforded sa-
tisfaction to his mind equal to the considera-
tion of being thought worthy to promote, in
any degree, the cause of Christ's Church, wher-
ever it may be situated, it would be a deser-
tion of principle in him to object to the accom-
plishment of Bishop Skinner's wishes on this sub-
ject. At the same time," he adds, " you will
permit me to say, that I feel myself honoured
that my sentiments, relative to the present unhap-
py schism prevailing among Episcopalians in
Scotland, should meet with so distinguished ap-
probation." And when the little work had reach-

t2

292 ANNALS OF 1801.

ed his hand, the Archdeacon fails not to express
himself in language which may suffice the Anna-
list, in the way of eulogium, and the reader in
the way of stimulus, if the Scottish layman's
" Account of his faith and practice, as a member
of the Episcopal Church," be not familiar to him.

LETTER XXX.

THE REV C. DAUBENY TO BISHOP SKINNER.

Bath, Oct. 26, 1801.
" I have to acknowledge the receipt of your pub-
lication, which reached my hands two days since.
The Layman's Account of himself 1 have perus-
ed with much satisfaction ; so much, that I did
not lay it down until I had completely finished it.
The picture which he has given of the Scottish
Episcopal Church is a primitive one, and worthy
to be copied after. I trust that it will make the
Scottish Church better known than it is at pre-
sent ; the more it is known the better. Your
publication, therefore, cannot be too widely cir-
culated,

"I hope the letter to the Earl of Kinnoul, which
you have honoured with a place in your little
valuable book*, will be read by our Bishops.

* This letter Bishop Skinner omitted in the 2d edition,
substituting the Canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church in

1801. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. . 293

and that it will make them think on what they can
do, with propriety, for a sister Church. With re-
spect to the laity in Scotland, I flatter myself
they want only to be directed right on this sub-
ject, to go right ; and if the separating clergy are
honest and conscientious men, and will take the
trouble to make themselves acquainted with the
constitution of the Church of which they profess
themselves to be ministers, they cannot long per-
sist in schism.

" I pray God that, both for the sake of them-
iselves and their flocks, they may see this subject
in the important light in which it ought to be
seen, for the welfare of the Church.

" What you will, I flatter myself, be glad to hear,
I have received a most grateful public testimony
of acknowledgment from the convocation of the
Episcopal Church in Connecticut, in the name of
the Bishop and Clergy, conveyed in a handsome
letter from the Rev. John Bowden, D.D. Princi-
pal of the Episcopal Academy in that State, ex-
pressing their full approbation of " the Guide to
the Church," and informing me that it is the set-
tled determination of the Academy that it shall be
made a standard book for all the candidates for
holy orders. May the divine blessing attend it."

its stead. He wished, if possible, to have the schism com-
pletely healed ; but when out of 22 chapels in a state of sepa-
tion, 15 had united themselves, he thought it expedient to
drop every sort of public appeal, and leave to time to effect,
in its silent progress, what has withstood the force of argu-
ment drawn from sources human and divine.

29 i ANNALS OF 1801.

After a lapse of nine years from the date of the
Episcopal union in Banff, the year 1801 produ-
ced another in a country parish of Aberdeenshire,
the parish of Cruden, where the noble family of
Errol have their seat, Slains castle.

On his marriage with Miss Carr of Etall, in
Northumberland, the father of the present Earl
of Errol had been instrumental in settling an Eng-
lish ordained Clergyman in the Episcopal Con^
gregation of the parish in which he resided ; but
not being able to reconcile the whole people to
that measure, there still continued a" little flock"
in communion with the Scottish Episcopal Church.
It chanced, however, that the Clergyman of Scot-
tish ordination received, in the year 1801, an ap-
pointment to another charge, on which the good
people addressed the following artless account of
their situation to the noble Lord of the manor.

LETTER XXXL

THE SCOTTISH EPISCOPALIANS IN CRUDEN TO THS
EARL OF ERROL.

" My Lord,

*' The Reverend John Gleig, present Pastor
of the Scottish Episcopal Congregation, Wood-
head, having accepted of a call to the Episcopal
Chapel at New Pitsligo, under the patronage of
the rcsnectable Baronet, Sir William Eorbes,

1801. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 295

proprietor of the village, thereby leaves his charge
in this parish vacant ; hence do we, for ourselves,
and in behalf of the remanent members of our
Congregation, presume to address your Lordship
in our present situation. The principle on which
we adhere to the Scottish Episcopal Communion
is, that we conceive it to be the duty of an Epis-
copal Congregation to live in submission to a
Bishop, and in communion with that very Bishop
"within whose bounds such Congregation is si-
tuated. This is a principle which we hold to be
the bond of Christian unity, recognized by pri-
mitive practice and universal usage, in ^which,
moreover, we agree with the venerable Bishops
and other respectable dignitaries of the Churcii
of Engl and J at this day ; nor do we perceive, be-
sides this, any essential difference between us and
the other Episcopal Congregation in which the
Keverend Mr Stephen officiates as Pastor.

** The unblemished manners and Clergyman-
like behaviour of the last mentioned gentleman,
obtain the esteem of all who know him ; and, on
our principles candidly stated above, we would
wilhngly unite ourselves to him as our Pastor,
and render him all dutiful respect, submission,
and support And such compliance on his part is
not without a precedent ; a respectable Congre-
gation in the town of Banff, having some years
ago united themselves to the Scottish Episcopal
Ciiurch, witli the sanction, and under tlie patron-
age of the Earl of Fife, Lord Lieutenant of the

296 ANNALS OF 1801.

County of Banff, and other respectable gentle-
men.

*' The respect which we entertain for your
Lordship, and the connection that has subsisted
between many of us and your Lordship's noble
ancestors, and which still subsists between your
Lordship and ourselves, has induced us to make
this address to you. It would give us pleasure
to worship, without the sacrifice of principle, in
that assembly of which your Lordship is so illus-
trious a member.

** We have only to entreat from your Lord-
ship's goodness, that whatever the result of this
application may be, your Lordship will believe us,
when we assure you, it proceeds from the pur-
est motives, and from our desire to promote
love and concord among people living in our
neighbourhood, and comely order and unity in
the Church of God. We are," &c.

*' Signed by the Managers and Vestry-men,

Woodhead, Cruden, 1 eiffht in number."

4th Sept. 1801. 5

With that urbanity and condescension which
characterise the Earl of Errol, his Lordship re-
ceived the above address, and told the good peo-
ple, that if the measure to which they so proper-
ly called his attention, met the approbation of
Mr Stephen, and of those clerical friends in Eng-
land whom his Lordship thought it his duty to
consult, he should be most happy in acceding to

1802. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 297

their wishes, " as the best thing that could be
done by both congregations.'* And under such
distinguished auspices, the matter was not long in
its progress towards consummation. The noble
Earl having received advice from England, (and
such advice as, doubtless from his Lordship's con-
nection with the then Primate, Dr Moore, was de-
cisive on the subject,) lost not a moment in satis-
fying Mr Stephen of the propriety of the measure
of union, which took place accordingly on the
ISth of December 1801.

1802.] The definitive treaty of peace with
France having been ratified early in the year
1802, the Bishops and Clergy of the Scottish
Episcopal Church, in unison with every public
body in the realm, had the honour of approach-
ing the Throne, with the most sincere acknow-
ledgments of his Majesty's paternal wisdom and
goodness, so signally displayed in his readiness to
put a stop to the miseries of war, and to conclude
a struggle the most arduous that ever was main-
tained, for the preservation of social order and
the prevention of anarchy, confusion, and every
evil work. *' Penetrated," say they, " with the
most lively gratitude for the blessings which our
country enjoys under your Majesty's mild and
happy Government, we shall ever persevere in
recommending the same becoming sentiments to
those who adhere to our ministry, and shall con-
tinue our most strenuous endeavours to impress

298 ANNALS OF 180^.

on their minds a just regard to those sound and
salutary principles of our holy religion, from the
influence of which is derived the only security
for the maintenance of public peacfe and nation-
al happiness.*" Having been transmitted to the

* This address from the Episcopal Church in Scotland, on the
peace of Amiens 1802, brings to the Annalist's mind a similar
address of the Episcopal Clergy of the diocese of Aberdeen,
on the peace of Utrecht, 1713. — " presented by Dr James
and Dr George Garden, attended by Mr Dongworth, Mr Gray,
and Mr Greenshields, managers of the charitable contribu-
tions for dispersing Common Prayer-books among the poor
people in Scotland j and introduced by the Right Hon. the
Earl of Marr, one of Her Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State,"' — an address which recent circumstances render wor-
thy of the reader's notice. Ever since the publication of the
historical novel, entitled " Tales of my Landlord," the peri-
odical press in Scotland has teemed with abuse of the author,
for giving, to the conduct of the Scottish Covenanters, its true
and appropriate colouring ; and much pains have been taken
to convince the young and credulous part of the Scottish com-
munity that the events^ narrated in the " Tales," &c. have
neither fact, nor (he semblance of fact, for their foundation '.
Tlie Annalist of Scottish Episcopacy has no intention of en-
tering the lists with Covenant framers, or Covenant favourers ;
he would only submit the language of an address delivered to
Queen Anne, in person, and in the hearing of the whole British
Court, as affording ample corroboration of the sufferings of the
Episcopal Church in Scotland, at the hands of " that fa-
natical and irreclaimable party," (they are the words of the
Buke of Queensberry, his Majesty's High Commissioner for
Scotland, on opening the Scottish Parliament, March 28,
1G85,) " who had brought the people's rights and liberties to
the brink of ruin and disgrace, and wlio were not more reheis
asrainst the liing than enemies to mankind."

1802. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 299

Right Hon. Henry Addington, then Premier,
with a request, that, in his official capacity, he
•would lay it at the foot of the Throne, that Gen-
tleman lost no time in informing Bishop Skinner,

" Slay it please your most sacred Majesty, —
" Peace is so universal a blessing, so pleasing to the God
of peace, so beneficial to mankind, and in particular to us
who live in this part of Britain, whom the length and burden
of the war and other misfortunes have brought very low, that
we should be wanting to our interests, as well as duty, if,
after public, solemn, and religious thanksgivings to Almighty
Qod in our Churches and Meeting-houses, we did not return
our most humble and hearty thanks to your Majesty, who,
under God, has been the gi'eat and glorious instrument of re-
storing it to us, in defiance of all the bold and restless at-
tempts of those who delight in war.

" We do, with the same thankful hearts, acknowledge the
great freedom we now enjoy, not only in the exercise of our
pastoral care over a willing people, but also in the use of the
Liturgy of the Church of England, which we have ever looked
■upon as the stay and bulwark of the Reformation. But give
us leave, Madam, to mix our joy with some allay, when we
look back on the desolation of our Church, how that the an-
cient and apostolic order thereof is abolished, — how some hun-
dreds of our brethren were turned out of their livings by law-
less force and tumult, — others by ways illegal and unprece-
dented, and most of them reduced to a starving condition,
though there was a proper fund for their subsistence, to which
they might lay claim ;— and how much loss the Church sus-
tains through the want of divinity professors of the Episcopal
persuasion, for training up youth in orthodox and loyal prin-
ciples.

'' We are confident that your Majesty, who has so much at
Iieart the welfare of all your people, will, (now that you are
free from the noise and tumult of war,) be graciously pleased
to look unto these matters, and give such relief, as vou, in

SOO ANNALS OF " 1803.

through Lord Pelham, that his Majesty " was
pleased to receive the very dutiful and loyal ad-
dress of the Bishops and Clergy of the Scottish
Episcopal Church, in the most gracious manner.'*

1803.] Like the calm which ushers in the de-
solating thunder storm, twelve months of treach-
erous peace had scarcely elapsed, when the smiles
of the consular government of France were ex-
changed for frowns ; and nought was heard
throughout the British dominions, but the din of
renewed preparation for war ! To the ambassa-
dors of "the Prince of Peace," warfare of any
sort must ever prove a source of deep humilia-
tion and regret; since its recurrence, apart
from the rapine and bloodshed which war occa-
sions, shews, that mankind cling to the sin which
most easily besets them, and fondly cherish those
" lusts, which, warring in their members," pro-
duce, according to the decision of Holy writ,

your royal wisdom, shall think fit. Whatever misrepresenta-
tions may have been made of us by our enemies, on purpose
to obstruct your royal bounty, and lessen your favour to us,
we take this opportunity, with great submission, to assure your
Majesty, that, in all our devotions, as well as in the use of the
Liturgy, we offer up our prayers to God to bless your Majes-
ty's person and government, and to prolong your sacred life ;
and when, full of years, you shall change this fading for an
immortal crown, that your royal diadem may fall upon the
head of a Protestant successor, is the sincere wish and ferveat
prayer of. May it please your Majesty, &c. &c.

'• Which address her Majesty received very graciously."

1803. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 60l

" all wars and fightings among" individuals, as
well as among states and kingdoms.

Yet as, in common with every other well af-
fected member of the community, Bishop Skin-
ner, in his heart, believed that " the fraternal
embrace" of revolutionary France was more like-
ly to contaminate the principles, and undermine
the morals of Britons, than were her hostile
threats to endanger their liberties and laws, no
sooner were those threats put in execution, and
" the British host went forth again to the battle,"
than the Bishops and Clergy of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church hastened to give the customary
evidence to their King and Country of their heart-
felt regard for both, the Primus transmitting to
the Right Hon. Charles Yod^e, an humble address
to that effect, the gracious reception of which was
duly announced by that statesman j nor must the
reader imagine that the zeal and sound patriot-
ism of the Scottish Bishops and their Clergy ex-
tended no farther, at this most eventful period,
than to a few words of courtly address.

Eager to display the interest which he took in
the preservation and prosperity of his beloved
country. Bishop Skinner, with the approbation of
his Right Reverend Colleagues, framed an ad-
dress from himself and the other Bishops to the
Larty of the Episcopal Communion in Scotland,
which, being printed and circulated throughout
the Church, was ordered " to be read" by the
whole body of officiating Clergymen ** after di-

302 ANNALS OF 1803.

vine service, in their several Congregations on the
first Sunday after they shall have received the
same."

Being a document alike creditable to the loy-
alty and sound discretion of ths late Primus of
the Scottish Episcopate, as illustrative of the live-
ly interest in the success of the war taken by
Bishop Skinner's fellow labourers in the ministry
of the long-depressed Episcopal Church in Scot-
land, the Address is here submitted to the rea-
der's perusal.

" Dearly Beloved in Christ !

" The relation which we bear to that part of
the Christian Chmxh, of which you have the hap-
piness to be members, will be admitted, we trust,
as an apology for our addressing you on the pre-
sent occasion. Your respective Pastors have fre-
quent opportunities of recalling to your attention
the benefits you enjoy, and the obligations you
are laid under, as members of the mystical body
of Christ, as fellow-subjects of that kingdom of
grace which he came into the world to establish,
and fellow-sharers of all its spiritual privileges.
But there is another relation in which you stand,
not only to one another, but to all that live under
the same civil government ; — a relation, not so
important indeed as the other, but of no less corn-
sequence to your temporal peace and safety, than
the other is to your eternal happiness ; and that
is, the relation of fellow-citizen upon earth, inha-

1803. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 303

biting the same country, owing allegiance to the
same sovereign, subject to the same laws, par-
taking of the same rights and privileges, and
mutually engaged for che defence and preserva-
tion of all that is near and dear to you in this
world. It is, therefore, in this character that we
now presume to address you ; as enjoying all the
advantages which arise from the excellency of
our civil constitution of government, the free
course of its laws, the regular administration of
justice, and all the other privileges which have
long been esteemed the glory of this happy
island, and, through the divine goodness, are at
present its principal support under all the out-
ward pressures that bear so hard upon it. It has
been often observed, that a long and uninter-
rupted enjoyment of blessings is too apt to extin-
guish in our minds that gratitude towards the
Author of them, which it ought to cherish and
invigorate. And those wise and wholesome
laws which secure to us the possession of our
lives and properties, and which preserve peace
and tranquillity in our borders, are the less re-
garded, because the courts in which they are ad-
ministered are well known to be regularly held,
and open to all complainers. But very different
would be our feelings and our sentiments, had
we ever learned from sad experience what it v>^as
to see government unhinged, to want the pro-
tection of regal power, and the due administra-
tion of justice by those to whom a portion of

30if ANNALS OF -1S03.

that power is delegated * for the punishment of
* evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well.'
How thankful then should we be, that we live
in a country where these privileges are yet hap-
pily enjoyed, and these benefits duly and re-
gularly dispensed; where, though the guilty
may sometimes escape, the innocent very rarely
suffer, and where the rigour of justice, when
the case can possibly admit of such lenity, is al-
ways tempered with mercy, by the clemency of
a Sovereign, who, through the whole course of
his reign, has shewn the most anxious desire to
promote the happiness, and reign in the hearts
and afl'ections of his people ! These are advan-
tages, which ought to be always duly valued, and
constantly kept in view by those who are happy
in the possession of them. But the estimation
in which they are justly held, ought to strike us
with peculiar force, at a time when we are threat-
ened with the total loss of them, and hear of such
preparations making for the invasion of our coun-
try, as can have no other object in view, but to
strip us of all our enjoyments, to destroy onr
King, overturn our government, and introduce
such a scene of anarchy and confusion, of extor-
tion and rapine, of murder and massacre, as can
hardly be paralleled even in those unhappy
countries which have already fallen a prey to
that devouring monster, who has now turned his
whole fury against this envied land, and threat-
ens to *' swallow us up quick, so wrathfuUy is he

180S. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. S05

displeased at us." It is because Britain alone,
of all the nations of Europe, has dared to set
bounds to this mighty oppressor, that he is now
bursting with rage against us, calling together his
impious legions to pollute our shores, and driv-
ing them on to the bloody conflict by the hopes
of such spoil and plunder as, he knows, will sti-
mulate their brutal vengeance, and make them
worthy of such a ferocious leader. It is thus that
the tyrant of France is proudly employed, forg-
ing the chains with which he hopes to bind the
Sons of Britain to his throne, and force them to
acknowledge his usurped dominion. Because
the people over whom he sways his imperious
sceptre have assumed the power of making laws
to all other countries, and fixing boundaries,
which their constitution declares to be unaltera-
ble, therefore obeisance must every where be
made to the arbitrary decrees of the " great na-
iioriy" and all must fall down and worship the de-
testable image of military despotism which that
nation hath set up. It was in a situation of si-
milar distress and danger that God's ancient
people were admonished not to be afraid of the
utmost force and fury of their enemies, but to
remember the Lord, who is great and terrible,

* and fight for their brethren, their sons and their

* daughters, their wives and their houses.*' Thus
were they encouraged to withstand the tyranny
©f the heathen, the enemies of God's truth, and

* Neheiniah iv. 11.

300 ANNALS OF I80S.

the oppressors of his people. And hence we may
justly infer, that the taking up arms can never
be more proper or necessary than in defence of
all that is valuable to us on this earth ; of
our King and our Country, our families and
friends, our liberties and lives, and what ought
still to be higher in our estimation, our holy and
venerable religion, given unto us by the mercy
of God, and not to be wrested from us by the
cruelty of man. For the preservation of all these,
our countrymen have at this time come forward
with a spirit that does them honour, and with
such ardour in the common cause as deserves the
thanks of every friend to truth, order, and good
government.

" Those that belong to our communion, we
therefore earnestl}' exhort to shew the same
zeal and promptitude in the offer of such ser-
vices as our Sovereign may be pleased to accept,
not doubting of their ardent desire to co-operate
with their fellow-subjects in forwarding every
measure which his Majesty shall think proper to
adopt for the defence of the country and the se-
curity of his people. For, though the safety of
a nation must ever depend on the protection of
Almighty God, (and that protection ought to be
devoutly implored in the way that he has pres-
cribed for that purpose,) yet it is equally certain,
that the people must exert themselves in their
own defence, and it is the duty of every one to
bring forward his just proportion of aid in the

1803. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 307

general cause, both in the way of personal ser-
vice, and by such pecuniary contribution as his
situation may enable him to afford, for support-
ing that immense load of expence which must
be necessarily incurred througli every depart-
ment of government on the present alarming oc-
casion.

" As the danger which now threatens the unit-
ed kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is singu-
lar in its nature and magnitude, and far beyond
any that has been experienced for many years
past, so the means of repelling it are not to be
measured by those of any former contest. They
must be such as are suited to the present awful
struggle ; and when all is at stake which ought
to be dearest to the heart of man, it is not easy
to calculate the extent of every particular sacri-
fice which must be made for the general good.
In seasons of such public and national danger, all
ranks of people must be exposed to losses and
disappointments. The desire of their eyes must
frequently be taken from them ; and those repeat-
ed and daily increasing contributions, whicii the
exigencies of the state require, ought to put them
in mind of the fleeting and transitory nature of
all worldly treasures, which, if not torn from them
by a furious and enraged enemy, must yet be li-
berally parted with to afford the means of pro-
tecting their lives and the remainder of their pro=
perty from such outrageous violence. At times
like these, people must not expect to go on in tlie
u ^

SOS ANNALS OF 1803.

way of accumulating and increasing their for-
tunes. When all is in imminent danger, the pre-
servation of a small portion becomes a matter of
serious concern ; and no British subject, who
l^nows the value of that character, and the privi-
leges connected with it, will think any hardship
or expence too great to be encountered, if by
these he can contribute to the preservation of his
country from the woful effects of that proud,
vindictive, brutal spirit, which has wrought so
much misery and mischief to many of the neigh-
bouring nations.

" These are reflections on the present state of
our national concerns, which we have thought it
our duty to submit thus briefly to the considera-
tion of all who profess to be of the Episcopal
persuasion in this part of the kingdom. The
Church in which we have the honour to serve,
has been long distinguished by the purest prin-
ciples of loyalty and attachment to kingly power.
The particular changes which have taken place
in the outward situation of things, have made
no alteration in that general train of sentiment
which has ever influenced tlie conduct of tlie
Bishops and Clergy of this Church. We are iii
no shape connected with this or that political
party, but always ready to support the measures
of every administration whicii tend to promote

* the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sove-

* reign and his dominions.' From the King or his
ministers^ however desirous v.e may be of tlieir

1S03. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. S09

favour and countenance, we have little more to
expect than that general benefit of peace and
protection which all his subjects so happily en-
joy, under his mild and equitable government.
We are, therefore, actuated by no selfish mo-
tives, and cannot possibly have any object in
view, but that which is presented to us by a
sense of duty and a regard to conscience ; a re-
gard to that fixed invariable rule laid down by
our holy religion, which requires us to ' render

* to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due,

* custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, ho-

* nour to whom honour.' Thus blended with the
grand system of Christian obedience, these are
matters of no small concern both to our tempo-
ral and eternal welfare. As such, it is the busi-
ness of the ministers of the gospel to represent
them in their proper light, and shew the necessi-
ty of a constant attention to that beautiful plan
of civil subordination which has been established
])y God, and for that reason ought to, be revered
by man.

*' Feeling the force of these sentiments, imbib-
ed from the sacred source of all political as well as
religious knowledge, we have thought it our du-
ty to transmit an humble and becoming address,
to be presented to his Majesty in name of our-
selves and of the Clergy of our communion, and
which we have been assured by the Principal Se-
cretary of State for the heme department, his
Majesty has been pleased to receive in the most

310 ANNALS OF 1803.

gracious manner. The address is here subjoined,
to be read in your presence, as an additional
proof of our anxious desire to promote by every
means in our power, what we have been now re-
commending to your generous and truly patrio-
tic support, the authority of our King, the digni-
ty of his crown, and the safety, peace, and pros-
perity of his people."

Unto the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the
humble Address of the Bishops and Clergy
of the Scotch Episcopal Church.

" Most Gracious Sovereign !

*' At a period like the present, when every part
of the British empire is threatened with danger,
more or less imminent, according to its local si-
tuation, and other circumstances, which may
serve to provoke the avarice or ambition of a ra-
pacious, proud, and insolent enemy : We, your
Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the
Bishops and Clergy of the Scotch Episcopal
Church, consider ourselves bound to request
your royal permission to approach the Throne,
with those renewed assurances of the most in-
violable attachment to your Majesty's sacred
person and government, which so well become
our character as Christian Pastors, and are no
less conducive to our honour and interest as Bri-
tish subjects.

*' Although ^Ye cannot fail to be duly sensible

1803, SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 311

how much it accords with our profession as mi-
nisters of the gospel of peace, to study the things
that tend to secure this invaluable blessing, yet
when it can no longer be preserved but by a sur-
render of our privileges as an independent na-
tion, and a most debasing submission to the
repeated encroachments of that hostile power,
wliose progress has been every where marked
with devastation and misery : in these circum-
stances, we cannot but applaud the wisdom, and
admire the energy which have been so powerful-
ly exerted in resisting such unprovoked aggres-
sion, and defending all that is truly valuable in
this world.

' " Impressed with these sentiments respecting
the awful contest in which our country is enga-
ged, we humbly beg leave to express our warm-
est approbation of the loyalty, zeal, and public
spirit which are now so eminently conspicuous in
all parts of your Majesty's dominions ; and our
earnest and ardent wishes to promote such laud-
able exertions for the general safety, by inspir-
ing the minds of those who adhere to our minis-
try with the most conscientious regard for your
Majesty's sacred authority, founded on those ve-
nerable principles of our holy religion, which af-
ford the only ground for public virtue and na-
tional happiness.

" Tliat the high and mighty Being, who is

* King of kings, and Lord of lords, the only Ru-

* ler,' and therefore the surest guard, * of princes/

312 ANNALS OF 1803.

may continue to take our beloved Sovereign un-
der his gracious care and protection ; may so di-
rect the councils and strengthen the hands of Go-
vernment, as to enable your JMajesty to * van-
* quish and overcome all your enemies,* as it is
the voice of our public supplications to the Throne
of Heaven, so shall it ever be the private, un-
feigned wish and prayer of, may it please your
Majesty,' Sec.

" Signed by us the Bishops, for ourselves,
and in name of the Clergy of our respec-
tive districts,

" John Skinner, in Aberdeen.

William Abernethy Drummond, Hawtliornden.

Jonathan Watson, at Laurencekirk.
. Andrew Macfarlane, in Inverness.

John Strachan, in Dundee.

Alexander Jolly, in Fraserburgh.

" Aberdeen, September 19. 1803."

Of the interest which the late ornament of the
Scottish establishment, Principal Campbell of
Aberdeen, took in the relief of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church from penal statutes, the Annahst
has sufficiently apprised his readers. The learned
Principal had the goodness, unsolicited by any-
one, to correspond with Bishop Douglas, fiist of
Carlisle and latterly of Salisbury, on the subject,
while this excellent Prelate, as will appear from
the following letter to Bishop Skinner, justly con-

1803. ^ SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 313

siderecl the cordial approbation and assent of the
Principals of the Universities of Edinbui'gh and
Aberdeen, as, at the time, highly in favour of the
Bill of Repeal.

LETTER XXXII.

THE BISHOP OF CARLISLE TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Windsor Castle, February 23, 1Y9I.

*' I had the honour of your's of the 9th, and
beg leave to assure you, that your application to
Parliament will meet with my hearty support ; I
wish my interest were as powerful as my inclina-
tions are sincere. Every opportunity 1 embrace
of endeavouring to correct the prejudices and
mistakes which have hitherto retarded your suc-
cess. Dr Robertson of Edinburgh having, in the
most liberal manner, recommended your cause to
me, I have forwarded his letter to the Archbishop
of Canterbury, to whom I gave a copy of what
Principal Campbell last year had written to me
on the subject.

" I cannot but hope that their testimony will
be of real use. I am at present much afflicted
with flying gout, which makes writing inconve-
nient, so that 1 can only add, with great truth,
that I am," &c.

" P. aS". I write to Principal Campbell by this
post."

314 ANNALS OF 1803.

On the passing of tlie Bill, Bishop Skinner
waited on his learned townsman, and gratefully
acknowledged the friendly part which he had
acted towards the long depressed Episcopacy of
Scotland, in recommending the measure of relief
from penal statutes " as reasonable in itself, and
as generally agreeable to the established Church
of Scotland."

How then could it fail greatly to astonish Bish-
op Skinner, his colleagues, and the Scottish Epis-
copal Clergy at large to find, on the publication
of their generous benefactors, " Lectures on Ec-
clesiastical History" shortly after the author's
death, that at the very period when he was in cor-
respondence with an English Prelate in favour
of his Episcopalian countrymen. Principal Camp-
bell was holding up those very Episcopalians to
the ridicule and contempt of the theological
students in the University of Aberdeen, to whom,
in his official capacity of Theological Professor,
his lectures were addressed ; telling them, that not
only the polity of the Church of England seems
to have been devised for the express purpose of
rendering the clerical character odious, and the
discipline contemptible *, but that as *' no ax-
iom in philosophy is more indisputable than that
* quod nullibi est, non est,' the ordination of our
present Scottish Episcopal Clergy is solely from
Presbyters ; for it is allowed that those men who
came under the hands of Bishop Rose of Edin-
* Lectures on Ecclesiastical History, Vol. I. p. 71.

1803. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. ' 315

burgh had been regularly admitted Ministers or
Presbyters in particular congregations before the
Revolution ; and to that first ordination, I main-
tain that their farcical consecration by Dr Rose
and others, when they were solemnly made the
depositories of no deposite, commanded to be di-
ligent in doing no work, vigilant in the oversight
of no flock, assiduous in teaching and governing
no people, and presiding in no church, added
nothing at all *.'*

No sooner had the book which contains the
above insidious aspersions reached the sister
kingdom, than the venerable Archdeacon of Sa-
rum thus characterizes it.

LETTER XXXIII.

MR DAUBENY TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" North Bradley, Trowbridge, Aug. 19, 1801.
" I do not hesitate to call Dr Campbell's late
work the most hostile, the most illiberal, and
the most unsupported attack that has perhaps
ever been made on the Episcopacy of the church
of Christ ! while his attack on the Episcopacy of
the church in Scotland, added to the notorious
falseness of the writer's statement, is, mejitdice,
marked with a superlative degree of meanness !
I have a publication coming forward, in the pre-
liminary discourse to which, some strictures on

* See Lectures on Ecclesiastical Plistorv, Vol. I. 355, 356.

Sl6 ANNALS GF 1805.

the Doctor's Ecclesiastical Lectures will be
found, for the information of the younger Cler-
gy *. The subject of the Scottish Church I
have purposely passed over with a slight re-
mark, because I conclude it cannot possibly es-
cape without due animadversion from some
Scotch pen. And I flatter myself, that I am not
mistaken in placing that pen in your own hand.
Sorry am I to think, that, at the commencement
of the 19th century, we should have to confute
arguments, which, for the most part, have re-
ceived their decided answers two hundred years
ago. Our consolation is, that the founder of the
Church has promised to be with it to the end of
time ; consequently, though schism, which is the
work of the devil, may appear to increase, it will
not be permitted ultimately to prevail."

Previously to receipt of the above letter. Bi-
shop Skinner had it in contemplation to vindicate
the church over which he presided from the post-
humous malevolence of one who had in his life-
time, and in her extremity, treated her with so
much unlocked for benevolence ! And Mr Dau-
beny's remarks confirmed him in his resolution.

* See Mr Daubeny's highly valued " Discourses on the
Connection between the Old and New Testament, considered
as two parts of the same Divine Revelation, &c., accompanied
with a Preliminary Discourse, respectfully addressed to the
younger Clergy," &c. ; — a work which ought to be in the hands
of every one whose office it is < in meekness to instruct those
* who oppose themselves.'

1803. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 317

He published, in 1803, his learned v/ork, " Primi-
tive Truth and Order vindicated from modern mis-
representation, with a defence of Episcopacy, par-
ticularly that of Scotland, against an attack made
on it by the late Dr Campbell of Aberdeen, in
his Lectures on Ecclesiastical History, and a con-
cluding Address to the Episcopalians of Scotland.'*

*' That the validity of our divine commission
has been .called in question, in a manner which
surely we did not provoke, and from a quarter
whence we could hardly have expected to meet
with such severe, such unhandsome treatment, is
a fact," observes the author, '* which cannot be
doubted by any one who reads with attention
those parts of Dr Campbell's Lectures on Eccle-
siastical History which are particularly levelled
against the Episcopacy of Scotland, and who, at
the same time, is acquainted with the history of
that Episcopacy for at least a century past, and
knows how little foundation there was for such a
violent and unexpected attack.

" From this consideration, it may perhaps be
inferred, that the weapons of an adversary, so in-
cautiously aimed, might have been allowed to
spend their force, and fall harmless to the ground.
It may, no doubt, be thought a needless waste
both of time and labour to employ them in re-
futation of arguments, which, like all those tliat
have ever been produced against Episcopacy in
general, have been so often refuted ; or even to
take so much pains in defending our own Epis-

318 ANNALS OF 1803.

copacy in particular from an attack which has
notliing but its novelty and perhaps the character
of its author to support it. With respect to the
former, we have said all that is necessary to shew
how little strength there is in it ; in regard to the
latter, we could wish to say nothing, because we
are well aware, how much might well be thought
due to it *."

To those readers who are in possession of Bi-
shop Skinner's Vindication, &c. it is unnecessary
to say a word in commendation of it j while to
those who neither possess, nor have had an op-
portunity of perusing the work, in order to excite
the desire to peruse, ifnot to possess it, it may suf-
fice to say, that the Bishop " establishes,'* to use
his own words, " the following plain and impor-
tant facts, as matters of undoubted certainty,
and worthy of the most serious consideration.

" First, that the Christian religion, being, like
its divine Author, ' the same yesterday, to-day,
* and for ever/ ought to be received and em-
braced as it is represented and held out in tlie
Scriptures of truth, without adding thereto, or
diminishing therefrom.

*' Secondly, That the Church of Christ, in
which his religion is received and embraced, is
that spiritual society in which the ministration
of holy things is committed to the three distinct
orders of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, deriving

* Primitive Truth, &c. p. 4-48. 449. to be had of the Pub-
lishers of these Annals.

1803. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 519

their autliority from the Apostles, as the Apos-
tles derived their commission from Christ. And,
** Lastly, That a part of this holy, catholic,
and apostolic Church, though deprived of the
support of civil establishment, does still exist in
Scotland, under the name of * The Scotch Epis-
" copal Church ;' whose doctrine, discipline, and
worship, as happily agreeing with the doctrine,
discipline, and worship of the first and purest
ages of Christianity, ought to be steadily adhered
to by all who profess to be of the Episcopal com-
munion in this part of the united kingdom.'*

The work is dedicated to the late Sir William
Forbes of Pitsligo, Baronet, the simple announce-
ment of whose venerated name is, in the estima-
tion of every contemporary Scotchman, as well
as of every Englishman who has visited the
Scottish metropolis, enough to convey associations
of private worth and pubhc spirit, of unimpeach-
able honour, integrity, and liberality in business ;
of urbanity, gentlemanlike deportment, and con-
descension in social life, rarely to be met with
in one and the same individual.

Should the reader of these Annals wish for a
character of Bishop Skinner's Answer to Dr Camp-
bell, he is referred to two of the periodical publi-
cations of the day, — the British Critic and Anti-
jacobin Reviews, — which do ample justice to its
merits. To the Bishop himself, however, and
the Church in which he served, it was far more
grateful to find, that the book met with the un-

520 ANNALS o? 1805.

qualified approbation of tliose great and good
men in England, who, so far from harbouring
a thought of Scottish Episcopacy congenial with
Dr Campbell, were instrumental, under the great
Shepherd and Bishop of souls, in raising it to
the distinguished place which it now holds in the
Christian world. Let the following quotations
from one or two letters suffice as a specimen of
what others contain. *' I should not be satisfied
with myself," says the writer of one letter, " if I
did not declare what I both think and feel, viz.
that the Church of England is under infinite
obligations for your general defence of Episco-
pacy, which you have argued with such clearness
and perspicuity, and which you have supported
by such high authorities •, that you have for ever
placed it, (where it must undoubtedly be placed
by all who will consider the subject,) upon the
same rock, where Christianity will ever be se-
cure, even against the gates of hell. As to the
depressed part of Christ's church, over which
you, so happily for its interests, preside, you
have in this work proved your strong attach-
ment ; you have here greatly surpassed all your
former services, and have demonstratively shewed
the wisdom of those pious men, who, at so early
a period of your life, called you to the Primat-
ship of this little Church.*" — " Your address to
the English Episcopalians is conceived in such
mild and holy pastoral terms, accompanied at
Ihe same time with such powerful and persuasive

1803. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. oil

arguments, and withal such a just sense of the
importance of your high commission, that I can-
not but feel the mdst sanguine hopes that your
labours will be attended with the desired suc-
cess. Throughout the whole of your work, I
have admired the great moderation and Christian
temper which you have displayed,-— even when
goaded by much illiberality in your adversary ;
but you have proved, that even in the midst of
controversy you never can forget that Cln'istian
charity which is the end of the commandment."
It was natural for the immediate partizans of
the celebrated author of " the Dissertation on
Miracles," &c. &c. to treat Bishop Skinner, and
his defence of his high calling, with a latitude of
abuse, despite, and contempt, worthy of the de-
nomination which they exultingly assumed, —
*' Whigs of the old stamp *." But the Annalist
can assert on authority, which he holds to be un-
questionable,— the authority of a worthy Histo-
rian of the estabhshed Church of Scotland, — that
a Principal and Professor of Theology, in a
Scotch University not many miles from the river
Tay, " having read Primitive Truth and Order,
<kc. with great care, pronounced it to be the best
defence of Episcopacy in the English language,
and more than a sufficient refutation of Dr
Campbell."

* See Presbyterian Letters, addressed to Bisliop Skinner
of Aberdeen, by Patrick Mitchell, D.D. Minister of Kemnay,
Aberdeenshire.

322 ANNALS OF 1803.

" Be contented," said the learned Vicar of
Epsom to the author, " be contented, as you well
may, to stand or fall with the work before me ;
in my opinion, the best, the most spirited, ani-
mated, and correct of any thing I have ever
seen from your pen." While, to sum up the
subject, another English Clergyman of equal
learning, piety, and talents, after informing Bi-
shop Skinner that " his refutation of Professor
Campbell was most satisfactory," proceeds to say,
" I cannot but think, that the Scotch as v/ell as
the English Church has reason to rejoice that
his Lectures were published, as it has provoked
a discussion which cannot fail to render both
a very essential service. Those of our own
household, I promise myself, must yield to the
affectionate persuasiveness of your concluding
address. I know this to be the wish nearest
your heart, and I hope and trust that you will
see of the travail of your t5oul, and will be satis-
fied ; for, in charity, I cannot allow myself to
entertain even a surmise, that my brethren will
sin against conviction, which I am sure they will
do, if they still refuse to acknowledge you as their
Ecclesiastical superior, and thus to heal that
most unnatural breach, which, that it was allowed
one moment to exist, is one of the many exam-
ples furnished in the present day of human in-
consistency."

And so it happened that, during the year 1803,
Bishop Skinner did '* see of his soul's travail,"

180S. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 323

and had the satisfaction to admit into the bosom
of the Scottish Episcopal Church the English or-
dained Clergymen in the towns of Peterhead and
Stonehaven, the Reverend Dr Laing of Peter-
head signing the articles of union in behalf of
himself and Congregation on the ^7th of June,
and the Reverend Dr Memess of Stonehaven on
the 15th of December 1803.

The latter gentleman had been ordained by
the Bishop of Durham in the year 1752 ; and con-
sidering him as his spiritual adviser, he deemfed
it proper to consult the worthy Prelate who now
nils that See, when he received this short but most
satisfactory reply :—

« Auckland Castle, September 21, 1803,
" Reverend Sir,

" The fundamental principles of the Episcopal
Churches of England and Scotland are the same.
While the Scottish Bishops were attached to the
house of Stuart, and refused to take the oaths to
the Princes of the Brunswick family, there could
be no union between the Churches ; since they
have renounced their former political opinions,
the separation founded on those opinions should
no longer subsist. I am, &Ci,

" S. Dunelm/'

Peterhead being in the diocese of Aberdeen,
Bishop Skinner, on receiving the vouchers of Dr
Laing*s union, failed not to congratulate him and

3^2'h ANNALS OF 1803.

his people on the happy event. He received the
following reply, evincing at once the comfort
iind satisfaction which the writer received from
the step which he and his flock had lately taken.

LETTER XXXIV.

THE REV. DR. LAING TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Peterhead, July 27, 1803.
" Most heartily do I thank you for your kind
consfratolation on our union with the ancient
Christian Church of our Country, and for your
good wishes and prayers for our comfort in this
measure. Of our ever finding comfort in it, I
have no doubt, from the applause of my own
mind that grows stronger on reiiection, from the
great apparent salisfaction of both the Congrega-
tions in this place, as well as from the expressed
approbation of various wise and good persons in
other places, and particularly that of Sir WilUaiu
Forbes ol'l'ltsligo, whose piety and goodness must
shew his judgment and approbation to be highly
valuable. So highly was Sir William pleased with
the measure, that he took the trouble to call on
me three times before I saw him, and twice more
after I had seen him. He told me the particular^
cause of his earnestness at that time was not only
to express his sincere joy and approbation, but
also to inquire by what means and arguments I

1804. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 3^5

had prevailed on a Congregation once so averse
from the measure of union. 1 told him all my
proceedings, and mentioned to him what papers
I had put into my people's hands. He entreated
a reading of every thing tliat had been written on
the occasion, and next day told me he came first
to return the papers with thanks and approbation,
and then to ask leave to carry them with him to
Edinburgh, where he hoped to do good with
them.

" The meeting of our Clergy on the 24th of
August, I propose, if alive and able, duly to at-
tend. That is usually a busy season with me in
my profession as a medical man. on account of
the number of strangers who visit this place in
search of health ; but were it much more incon-
venient than it will be, I could not think of ask-
ing leave of absence from the first opportunity
of seeing friends whom I shall lov^e and esteem.

*' With most respectful good wishes to you.
Sir, and begging leave to commend myself to
your benediction, I remain," &c.

1804.] To communicate union among Chris-
tians, professing, as the Episcopalians in Scotland
do verily profess, " one faith, one Lord, one bap-
tism," having been longthe supreme wish of Bishop
Skinner's heart, of which the reader has had am-
ple evidence, scarce a post now arrived in Aber-
deen without bringing some proposal, some query
to the Bishop's ear, and scarce a post departed

S'^G ANNALS OF 1S04.

without a ready acquiescence on the Blshop'iS
part, if the proposal was reasonable, without a
solution of the query, if the query was capable of
solution. At such a period, however, it was with
grief unfeigned that the Primus of the Scottish
Church received intimation of the sudden demise
of his highly regarded friend and fellow-labourer
in the work of Scottish Episcopal union, the
Reverend Jonathan Boucher, "Vicar of Epsom,
Surry, who was suddenly cut off in May 1804*.
His sufferings in America, on account of his re-
ligious and political principles, cannot fail to ex-
cite the lively interest of those who have perused
his valuable work, published in 1797> viz. " A
view of the causes and consequences of the A-
inericanRevolution,in thirteen discourses, preach-
ed in North America, between the years 1763
and 1775." These sermons are inscribed, by a
well written manly dedication, to General Wash-
ington, whom Mr Boucher states to have been
at one time his neighbour and friend ; but he
adds, in a truly Christian spirit, *' the unhappy
dispute which terminated in the disunion of our
respective countries also broke ofi" our personal
connection ; but I never was more than your po-
litical enemy, and every sentiment even of po^
litical animosity has on my part long ago sub-
sided."

The Annalist of Scottish Episcopacy conceives
that he would be doing his subject injustice,
were he to withhold from his readers, the following

1804. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 327

'• burst of true Christian loyalty,'* as the bio-
grapher of Mr Stevens well denominates it, — of
loyalty so very congenial to the political princi-
ples which have ever distinguished the Episco-
pal Church in Scotland, — that Mr- Boucher's re-
gard for that Church need not be wondered at.
" Sincerely do I wish it were not now necessary
to crave your indulgence for a few minutes long-
er,— it shall be but a few, — to speak of myself. If
I am to credit some surmises, which have been
kindly whispered in my ear, (and I am proud
thus publicly to acknowledge, that it is to a man
whose political tenets are the opposite of mine that
I owe this information, communicated no doubt'
from m.otives of good will and humanity,) that
unless I will forbear to pray for the King, you
are to hear me neither pray nor preach any long-
er. No intimation could possibly have been less
welcome to me. Distressing, however, as the
dilemma confessedly is, it is not one that either
requires or will admit of a moment's hesitation.
Entertaining all due respect for ray ordination
vows, I am firm in my resolution, whilst I pray
in public at all, to conform to the unmutilated
liturgy of my Church ; and, reverencing the in-
junction of an apostle, I will continue to pray for
the King and all that are in authority under him,
and I will do so, not only because I am so com-
manded, but that, as the apostle adtls, we may
continue to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all
godliness and honesty. Inclination, as well as

32S ANNALS OF 1804.

duty, confirms me in this purpose. As long as
I live, therefore, yea, wliilst I have my being,
will I, with Zadoc the Priest and Nathan the
Prophet, proclaim,

*' God save the King *."
Although, since the time of Mr Boucher's pro-
posed elevation to the Edinburgh episcopate, a
situation which he would have filled both useful-
ly and honourably, union among the Episcopa-
lians of that capital had often been the subject
of conversation ; it had hitherto been treated with
so much prejudice on both sides that the true
nature of the thing had been lamentably misre-
presented. It chanced, however, that so long
back as 1793, when the matter was first agitated,
a most respectable member of the vestry of the
Cowgate chapel, after having in vain exerted
himself to promote the laudable measure, was
constrained to leave that chapel, from convic-
tion of its anomalous state, and join himself
and family to the Congregation of Bisliop Aber-
nethy Drummond. Yet, zealous according to
knowledge, did this worthy layman continue to
exert himself in the promotion of a measure, of
his deep-rooted regard for which he had given
such exemplary proof, never letting any oppor-
tunity slip, by which he could impress upon the
minds, whether of clergy or laity belonging to
the separate communion, the strange state in

* Farewell Sermon, preached in Maryland, 1775; p. 587
«f BoLiciiev's Thirteen Discourse^, dc.

180k SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 329

which, as Episcopalians, their separation from
the regular Episcopal Church of the country un-
questionably placed them.

Of date the ^2ith May 1S04, Bishop Skinner re-
ceived from this highly respected individual the
following most interestins; communications : —

LETTER XXXV.

DR. SPENS TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" I take the liberty, at the request of an inti-
mate friend, to transmit, for your })erusal, a let-
ter from him to me on a most serious subject, in
which we are very sincerely interested; and your
Reverence's well known zeal in the cause will
readily excuse this freedom in a stranger.

" Not being able, from age and infirmities, to
take such an active part as my inclination would
lead me to take, or as the subject might require, I
liave requested a clerical friend, the Rev. Mr
Walker, very zealous in the cause, to forward
this to you ; and when it is convenient, and you
are pleased to honour me with a reply, my ad-
dress is, Dr Spens, Edinburgh."

The letter thus transmitted was from an ami-
able young layman ; and, doing him lasting ho-
nour, it is here recorded.

S30 ANNALS OF 1804.

« Edinburgh, May 19, 1804.

" My dear Sir,

*' I know I shall gain your full attention, when
I inform you, that I write this on the subject of
the Episcopal union, and as a most sincere and
decided friend to that measure. I have of late
applied my mind to the study of the question as
attentively as possible, and the result is, my per-
fect conviction that the union is most desirable,
and that our Episcopal Congregations, while dis-
united, are in an irregular and uncomfortable
state.

*' I am happy, too, to think, that the difficul-
ties attending the union are not likely to be
great when the question is fully and fairly con-
sidered J and my object in addressing you is, to
point out one that, I am much inclined to think,
can be easily removed.

" The doubts of those who hesitate, can only
be founded on the nonconformity of the mem-
bers of the Scottish Episcopal Church, So far
as that nonconformity is purely civil, it relates
to tlie oath of allegiance, which no candid man
can doubt the readiness of the Scottish Episcopal
Churchmen to take, if separately proffered ; and
the oath of abjuration, which no candid man can
blame these Churchmen, (their circumstances
considered,) for refusing to take. These points
of nonconformity, therefore, 1 lay out of my
view.

*' There is another point of nonconformity,

1804, SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY, 231

however, which, as to the Legislature, is civil,
but as to EngHsh Priests is also spiritual, I mean
the Thirty-nine Articles which the act of 1792 re-
quires to be assented to by Scottish Episcopal
churchmen, in order to give them the benefits
of toleration. For want of this, it is thought by
some, that the Scottish Episcopal Church is ex-
ceptionable ; first, as having no confessional,
and, secondly, as not acknowledging the King's
supremacy, as thereby declared in the 37th ar-
ticle.

" I am far from thinking this a radical objec-
tion myself; but if it be likely to prove a stumb-
ling-block to any, or if the removal of it be like-
ly to facilitate the object in view, as I really
think it would, you, I am sure, will concur with
me in wishing it removed. Now, to me, it ap-
pears that this would be an easy matter, I would
have been convinced, had 1 never read the ve-
nerable Bishop Skinner's excellent * Vindication/
that the Episcopal Church in Scotland, emanat-
ing from that of England, v.'hatever are its pow-
ers, as a national and particular church, could
have no objection to admit all these articles as
just, reasonable, and useful, for avoiding uncer-
tainties and doubts. But the Bishop's work puts
it beyond a doubt. I need not refer you to
what he says at page 479, where his objection is
naturally and easily drawn from this point of con-
formity, being so linked with the others that
the compliance with it is thereby rendered im-

332 ANNALS OF 1801'.

possible. So I think it as to all civil effects.
But if the Scotch Bishops were to adopt these
articles, with the trifling variations requisite for
Scotland instead of England, as belonging to
their Church, to sign them as such, and to re-
quire the signature of them at ordinations, &;c. I
do think it would materially affect some opinions
worthy of attention. Can 3^ou suggest this to
Bishop Skinner?-— as coming from one who wishes
well to so good a cause, and would be disposed
to treat, with all possible caution, any communi-
cation which you might be authorized to make
to him. I am," &c*
Dr N. Spens.

In the passage of Bishop Skinner's " Vindica-
tion," to which this excellent letter refers, the
author had said truly, that, " to subscribe a de-
claration of their (the Scottish Episcopal Clergy)
assent to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of
England, was a requisition with which they sure-
ly cannot refuse to comply from any objection to
the general doctrine of these Articles, since they
are ready, on every occasion, to testify their be-
ing in communion with the Church of England,
and subscribing her articles is only doing that in
a more solemn and legal manner. It Avould,
therefore," adds the Bishop, " tend greatly to fa-
cilitate our obedience to this part of the statute
(cf 1792.) if means could be contrived to receive
our compliance with it in a manner distinct from

1804. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 333

the other qualifications whicli the law prescribes.'*
The means being now, in some measure, pointed
out, Bishop Skinner eagerly embraced tlie op-
portunity afforded him, in the month of August
following, of submitting to the Clergy of his dio-
cese, at their Synodical Meeting, what he con-
ceived to be the only possible way of complying
with the suggestion in the letter addressed to
Dr Spens, viz. the convoking the whole Bishops
and Clergy of the Scotch Episcopal Church, for
the express purpose of adopting, as the Confes-
sional of that Church, the Thirty-nine Articles of
the Church of England, and of subscribing to the
same accordingly.

Hence, no sooner did tlie Aberdeen Clergy
signify their entire concurrence in this plan, than
the Bishop V\'rite3 thus, (of date SOth August
1804,) to one of the English ordained Clergy m
Edinburgl), friendly to the measure of union :
*' I took the opportunity of a late Synodical
Meeting of the Clergy of this diocese, to lay be-
fore them my opinion respecting the measure of
subscription of the Thirty-nine Articles 3 a mea-
sure which has been so strongly recommended to
us. The result of our deliberation was, that the
matter should be forthwith submitted to the se-
rious and solemn consideration of the whole
Church. In consequence, therefore, of what was
thus earnestly requested by the Clergy under my
inspection, I have suggested to my Right Reve-
rend Colleagues the propriety of our holdin^r a

834f ANNALS OP 1804*

General Meeting of all the Bishops and Clergy of
this Church who may be able to attend it, for the
purpose of exhibiting such a public testimony of
our agreement in doctrine and discipline with the
Church of England as may satisfy the Clergy
of that Church, presently officiating in Scotland,
that they may safely and consistently join them-
selves to our communion, and become part of
the still existing remnant of the old Episcopal,
and once established Church of this country."

His venerable colleagues concurring in the
wishes of their Primus and his Clergy, a circular-
letter was imm.ediately transmitted to every Pas-
tor and Minister of the Scotch Episcopal Church,
in terms as follow :—

" Aberdeen, Sept. 11, 1804.
" Rev. Sir,

*' By authority of the Right Rev. the Bishops
of the Church in Scotland, I have to acquaint you,
that aGeneral Meeting of them and their Clergy is
to be holden in the Chapel of the village of Lau-
rencekirk, on Wednesday the 24th day of Octo-
ber, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. The purpose
of this meeting being, in the most solemn man-
ner, to exhibit a public testimony of our confor-
mity in doctrine and discipline with the Church
of England, and thereby to remove every re-
maining obstacle to the union of the Episcopa»
lians in Scotland, it is hoped that no Clergyman
of our communion will, without cause the most
urgent, v/ithhoid bis attendance.

18041. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 335

" The Bishops are the more anxious that the
meeting be duly attended, lest the unnecessary
absence of any of their Clergy should be consi-
dered as unfavourable to the design for which
they are summoned, especially by those of the
English Clergy officiating in Scotland, who have
expressed, in the strongest terms, their approba-
tion of a measure which promises to be highly
conducive to the interests of Episcopacy, and
the support of the church in this part of the
kingdom.

*' Commending you to God's grace and direc-
tion, I am, &c.

*' John Skinner,
" Senior Bishop and Frimus,'*

Bishop Skinner having forwarded a copy of
this summons, for the satisfaction of the friends
of union in Edinburgh, he received a reply from
the Clergyman to whom the intimation of the
meeting at Laurencekirk was given, which does
equal honour to the head and heart of the writer.

LETTER XXXV r.

THE REV. DR SANDFORD TO BISHOP SKINNER.
«' Edinburgh, Sept. 18, 180-J..

*' I am happy to find by the tenor of the cir-
cular letter to your clergy, that more clergy of

33G ANNALS OF 1804.

the Church of England than myself liave ex-
pressed themselves strongly in favour of the mea-
sure of union. It is pleasant to be supported by
my brethren in this good cause ; particularly so
to me, who have communicated hitherto only
with Mr A. and with him I have not been able
to discuss the subject of your proposed subscrip-
tion to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of
England, on account of tlic present very distress-
ing state of his health. As an individual, I have
fairly and openly stated to you my opinion, from
which I cannot imagine that I shall have any
reason to retract ; namely, that if this testimony
of your agreement with the Church of England
be given in the solemn way which you propose,
and our Thirty-nine Articles be thus made the
permanent confessional of the Scotch Episcopal
Church, there can be no objection to our union ;
nay, on the contrary, that our continuing in se-
paration from you, cannot be justified on any
grounds which will bear the scrutiny of sound
ecclesiastical principles. Thus, Right Rev. Sir,
is my decided judgment formed, as you know,
after much serious and deliberate examination.
And this opinion you are at liberty to express
as mine, if it can be of any use on the present
occasion. But, at the same time, I entreat you
to consider that I speak only as an individual.
I aui not authorized to speak for my brethren.
I, have not as yet made known my decision, and
the reasons upon which 1 have founded it, to

1804. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 33/

those in whose spiritual welfare 1 am most con-
eerned, and who, I hope and trust, will act with
me. Of this solitary opinion I surrender the use
to your good sense, discretion, and friendsliip.
The time is approaching, I trust, when I shall be
able to say more ; but, at present, 1 presume the
object of your Convocation is merely to give this
desirable testimony of your agreement with us,
in the hopes of that favourable result which
may justly be expected from such a declaration
on your part. When you liave done this, I know
what I shall esteem it, in conscience, my duty to
do ; and you of the Episcopal Church in Scot-
land, whatever be the consequence, may say, U-
herafimus animas nostras.^'

On receipt of this the Primus immediately
made the following reply.

LETTER XXXVII.

BISHOP SKINNER TO DR SANDFORD.

" Aberdeen, Sept. 25. 18b4'.
•* It is with very great satisfaction that I ob-
serve what you have written, and written so em-
phatically, on the subject of our proposed sub-
sc'-iption of the Thirty-nine Articles, and of our
adopting them as the public and permanent con-
fessional of our Church ; after which, you think
that there can be no objection to the so much
desired union.

33S ANNALS OF 1804.

'* This, you say, is your ' decided judgment ;*
but you wish me to consider it as the judgment
of an individual only. To this wish I shall cer-
tainly think it my duty to attend, and that the
more cheerfully on account of the weight which
must be allowed to the judgment of such an in-
dividual,— one who has given to the subject in
hand the most serious and impartial examination,
and been at pains to divest himself of every pre-
judice which might entangle his view of it. He
who now sees it in this light, must be well qua-
lified to represent it fairly to others, and I can-
not but hope that due regard will be shewn to
his representation.

*• As our Clergy are now naturally turning
their thoughts to the subject of the Thirty-nine
Articles, some of them have suggested the pro-
priety of a little alteration, particularly in the
seventeenth article, to free it from the absurd
Calvinistic sense which some of its subscribers
in England are daily forcing upon it. But, I fear,
that to subscribe the Ai tides in any amended
form, might be considered as not subscribing
them at all ; and, therefore, any observations
made with a view of illustrating the true sense
of them had better, in my opinion, be thrown
into a preamble to our form of subscription ; and
something of this kind seems peculiarly necessa-
ry with regard to the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and
thirty- seventh articles, which are all peculiar to
the Church of England, and therefore v/hen sub-

1804<. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY, 339

scribed by us, can be considered only as articles
of union, whereby we express our approbation
of what that Church has Intended by them.

" I am just now preparing a discourse on the
subject of the Articles, from 2 Timothy i. 13.
which I mean, God willing, to deliver as an in-
troduction to the business of our meeting ; and
in which I shall endeavour to enforce the neces-
sity of our ' holding forth St Paul's form of sound

* words, in the faith and love which he so pow-

* erfully recommends ; that is, with a firm faith

* in Christ, and a true Christian love to all the

* members of his mystical body.' In that love 1
beseech you, my dear Sir, to believe that I have
a most fervent desire to co-operate with you, in
the pious and good work which is now engaging
your zeal and attention. May God enable you
to bring it to a happy conclusion, and bless you
evermore with his favour and loving kindness.
I shall be longing to hear again from you, and
have mucli more to say than 1 can write at pre-
sent. It will always, however, give me pleasure
to say, with how much affection, esteem, and re-
gard I am, and I trust in God sliali ever be,'* &c.

On the eve of the Convocation, and when every
thing had been arranged between Bishop Skin-
ner and his colleagues for conducting the im-
portant business which they had in hand, he was
lionoured with a communication from Edinburgh,
couched in language which, as it shewed the un-
y '2

340 ANNALS OF 1804'>

precedented interest taken by the highly valued
writer in the welfare of our Church, had the ef-
fect of instantly inducing the Primus to abandon
his intended preaml)le to the Articles, and, in
common with the whole body of Bishops and
Clergy, to admire the modesty, exemplary zeal,
and profound judgment, which dictated the con-
tents of this interesting communication.

LETTER XXXVIII.

SIR WILLIAM FORBES, BART. TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Edinburgh, 21st October 1804-.

*' After a long tour in England, I arrived at
home last night. This morning I have had the
pleasure of an interview with my very worthy
friend Dr Sandford ; and it afforded me no ordi-
nary satisfaction to find his sentiments as strong
as ever in favour of the object we have so much
at heart, an union of all of the Episcopal persua-
sion in this country with the Episcopal Church in
Scotland.

" In conformity with your wish, the Doctor
put into my hands your ample communication of
the 9th curt, on the subject of the Scottish
Church's adoption of the Thirty-nine Articles of
the Church of England, in order to supply the
want of a confessional, and I request your accep-
tance of my grateful thanks for the honour you
do me, by wishing that 1 should see the pream-

I80i. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. S4il

ble *, which you think it may be necessary to pre-
fix to your subscription of these Articles. I have
read the preamble, as well as the King's declara-
tion prefixed to the Thirty-nine Articles, with all
possible attention. I have also had a good deal
of conversation with Dr Sandford on this head ;
and, as I perceive you are to hold a Convocation
at Laurencekirk next Wednesday on that sub-
ject, I do not lose a day to communicate to you
what has occurred to me on this very important
point.

*' With regard to adopting the Thirty-nine Ar-
ticles of the Church of England as a confession-
al for the Episcopal Church in Scotland, 1 hope
I need not use many words to convince you that
I hold the honour and the dignity of our nation-
al Church as high as any one can possibly do. I
know the Episcopal Church in this lapd to be in-
dependent of, and equal to, any Church upon eartli.
God forbid also that I should ever think of her
Bishops and Clergy subscribing Articles, which
in their hearts they do not approve. After hav-
ing heard, however, what Dr Sandford said on
the head, I cannot but agree with him in strongly
expressing my hope that your proposed preamble
may not be insisted on. It were the height of
presumption in me to think myself capable of
entering into the reasons for forming this opinion ;
nor is it at all necessary, because Dr. Sandford
tells me that he has fully explained himself on
* For this intended preamble, see Appendix, No. II,

342 ANNALS OF 180k

the subject to Mr Walker, who is to be present
at tlie Convocation at Laurencekirk. I may,
however, merely go so far as to say, after read-
ing over your preamble with all possible attention,
that although the purpose you had in view when
you drew it up be no doubt extremely laudable,
viz. the preventing any misconception of the sen-
timents holden by the Episcopal Church in Scot-
land in regard to certain of the Articles, and al-
though I do myself most cordiiilly assent to every
word of what you have written, yet I doubt whe-
ther that preamble, or indeed any preamble, could
be made to ansv^^er the purpose you have in view.
For i am afraid it is not within the compass of
human language, or in the power of human intel-
lect, (in our present state of imperfection,) to
frame an interpretation of such abstruse and dif-
ficult points of theology, which shall not be liable
to objections of some sort or other ; because what
appears clear to you and to me at this moment,
may not be so to others. And even in the lapse
of time, human language itself becomes subject
to unavoidable and imperceptible changes, as has
happened, I verily believe, in the case of the
Thirty-nine Articles. Vide Dean Tucker on the
Quinquarticular Controversy.

<' Perhaps, therefore, it will be best, (if you
feel that you can do it,) that the Articles be sub-
scribed agreeably to the Act 1792, as they stand
in the service-book of the Church of England,
and prefaced as they there are with the royal de-

ISO'!'. sroTTisii rriscopAcv. 343

clara'iion ; every subscriber explaining them to
himself, according to what seems most consonant
to the word of God, and according (as I believe)
to tlie practice in England, which I find will be
most agreeable to some of the English ordained
Clergymen here, who in that manner did them-
selves subscribe the Articles.

** But I beg pardon ; I feel that I am getting
out of my depth, and that all whicli is necessary
for me to do is to refer you to the communica-
tions that have passed between Mr Walker and
Dr Sandford on the subject. Requesting your
forgiveness for this long intrusion, and making
offer of my most respectful compliments to those
fathers of the venerable Episcopacy of Scotland
to whom I have the honour of being known,
I remain, with much respect, regard, and es-
teem," &c. kc.

" P.S. 1 shall wait witli no ordinary anxiety
for the result of your deliberations in Convoca-
tion next Wednesdav.'*

As, through the uncommon accuracy and ar-
rangement of the late venerable Primus, the
Annalist of Scottish Episcopacy has been en-
abled thus far to carry on his narrative by the
most authentic documents, establishing the true
and unvarnished state of things as they occurred,
his purpose is to proceed by the same rule, and
sedulously to abstain from tlirusting in either a
sentiment or a word of his own, so long as he

344- ANNALS OF 1804'.

can, in the words of Bishop Skinner, and of his
correspondents, put the reader in possession of
the different facts and circumstances which he
has undertaken to communicate. Apology is
certainly due, and, being due, is most humbly
and respectfully proffered, for thus subjecting
the hasty epistolary productions of the parties to
the public eye. But, in so doing, the Annalist
of the Scottish Episcopal Church throws himself
upon the clemency of her friends, and of the
friends of those with whose correspondence such
liberties are used ; for, being aware, that what
the Biographer of Bishop Skinner is solicitous to
publish is truth, they must know that truth is
only to be sought for and acquired in the holo-
graph productions of those who were immediate
actors with the Bishop in the scenes recorded.
Himself a member of the Laurencekirk Convo-
cation of 1804, the Annalist might here, if any
where, introduce his own statement of facts, and
his own view of measures ; but he forbears, and
proceeds to give, in Bisliop Skinner's own words,
the history of his adoption of the Confessional
of the Church of England by her humble sister
Church in Scotland. The account is taken from
the Bishop's Journal of Transactions in the Scot-
tish Episcopal Church during his administration,
and which the reader has been already informed,
the author of the Journal ordered to be preserv-
ed among the archives of that Church.

*' In consequence of the summons issued by

1804. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 80

authority of tlie Bishops, there assembled atT>au-
rcncekirk, on the 24th of October 1804, four Bi-
shops, viz. Bishop Skinner, Bishop Macfarlane,
Bishop Watson, and Bishop Jol!}', (the other
two, Bishop Abernethy Drnmmond and Bisliop
Strachan being prevented from attending by old
age and infirmity,) and, together with these
Prelates, thirty-eight Presbyters, and two Dea-
cons. They convened in the chapel at ten
o'clock, A.T.i. when the morning-service was read
by Bishop Watson, as pastor of the Congregation
of Laurencekirk. After which the business of
the meeting was opened, in a discourse delivered
from the pulpit by Bishop Skinner ; which dis-
course the Convocation afterwards required the
Bishop to print with all convenient speed, in or-
der that it might be circulated by the Clergy for
the satisfTCtion of their people. No sooner liad
tlie lav-members of the Consrrecration been dis-
missed, than the meeting was solemnly pronoun-
ced by the Primus, A Convocation of the Bishops
and Clergy of the Episcopal Church in Scotland,
regularly called for the purpose mentioned in the
intimation issued by the Bishops ; which purpose
was now to be entered upon with all the solemnity
due to the great and acknowledged importance
of it. The other Bishops having severally deliver-
ed their opinions on the subject before them, in
terms most affectionately expressive of their anx-
ious wishes for the satisfaction of the Clergy, and
for the accomplisiiment of the object they had in

SiS ANNALS OF 1804.

Yiew, Bishop Jolly made an address to llic Con-
vocation.*

*' The Clergy were then invited by the Pri-
mus, as preses, ex officio, to declare their senti-
ments in regard to the measure now proposed to
them; and if any of them had come prepared
to speak on the subject to which their attention
liad been directed, they were assured by the Bi-
shops that they would meet with a most patient
hearing, and their remarks with the most serious
consideration, there being nothing farther from
the intention of their ecclesiastical governors
than the imposing on the consciences of their
Clergy any thing that did not meet with their
own full consent and hearty approbation.

"" On receiving this assurance, theRev. MrSkin-
ner at Forfar requested permission to quote some
authorities, which he had been at pains to collect
from a few of the most approved writers of the
Church of England, tending to shew, (and they
certainly do shew in the most satisfactory man-
ner,) that tlie Thirly-nlne Articles of religion,
ttow adopted as the Confessional of this Church,
are neither Calvinistic, Antinomian, nor Pela-
«Tian, but in all points agreeable to the revealed
word and will of God.

" Having finished the reading of the extracts
which he held in his hand, Mr Skinner said :
^ Impressed as I am with the force of these opi-

* See Appendix, No. III.

1804-. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 347

* nions and arguments, which I have had the ho-

* nour of stating to this venerable audience, I

* do now willingly, and, ex animo, consent to the

* adoption of the Articles of the United Church

* of England and Ireland, as the articles of re-

* ligion of the Church to which I belong ; ac-

* knowledging all and every one of them to be,

* in my opinion, agreeable to the word of God.

* For, after mature investigation, I find, that, to

* the Calvinist, the Articles declare the doctrine

* of universal redemption ; to the Pelagian^ they

* assert the existence of original or birth-sin ;

* to the Antinomian they declare that good

* works are a sine qua non of salvation, though

* not the meritorious cause of it. To the Latitu-

* dinarian they avow, that ' they are to be accur-
' sed who presume to say, that every man shall
' be saved by the law or sect which he profes-

* seth, so that he be diligent to frame his life ac-
' cording to that law and the light of nature j*

* while they teach the Romanist, that ' we are

* accounted righteous before God only for the

* merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ^

* by faith, and neither for our own works or de-

* servings, nor for the supererogatory works of

* saints/

*' The question being now put, whether the
I'est of the Clergy present agreed in tliis senti-
ment ? After a few desultory remarks made by
some on the manifest expediency of the measure,
they all, according to seniority, answered in the

oiS ANNALS OF 1804.

affirmative ; and declared their readiness to sub-
scribe the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of
England in the form and manner required by the
Act of Toleration, passed anno 179^, entitled,

* An Act for granting relief to Pastors, Minis-

* ters, and Lay-persons of the Episcopal Commu-
' nion in Scotland.'

*' A large sheet of vellum having been provid-
ed for the occasion, the following preamble was
drawn uj> and engrossed upon it : — * We, the Bi-
shops and Clergy of the Episcopal Church in Scot-
land, assembled in a Convocation holden at Lau-
rencekirk, in the county of Kincardine, on the
Ji-'Uh day of October, in the year of our Lord
1S01< ; having taken into our serious consideration
the obligation which we lie under, to provide, as
far as we are able, for the preservation of truth,
unity, and concord, in that small portion of the
Church committed to our charge; and having ob-
served with regret, that, owing to the confusions
©f the times, and the various difficulties which the
Episcopacy of Scotland had to encounter, everl
when established by law, no public Confession of
Failh has been prescribed, or handed down to us,
who have thought it our duty to adhere to that
ecclesiastical constitution, which we beheve to be
truly apo>tolical ; — under these circumstances,
are unanimously of opinion, that it would be
highly expedient to exhibit some public testi-
mony of our agreement in doctrine and disci-
pline with the united Church of England and

iSOi. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. Si<)

Ireland, as by law established, and, for that i)ur-
pose, to give a solemn declaration of onr assent
to her Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, in the
words and form of subscription required by the
act of the S2d of his present Majesty, entitled

* An Act for granting relief to Ministers, Pas-

* tors, and Lay Persons of the Episcopal Commu-

* nion in Scotland.'

" Resolved, therefore, as we now are, by the
grace of Almighty God, to adopt these Articles
as the public test or standard of the religious
principles of our Church : —

*' We, whose names are underwritten, the Bi-
shops and Pastors of Congregations of the Epis-
copal Communion in Scotland, meeting for divine
worship at the several places annexed to our re-
spective names, do, willingly and e.v animo, sub-
scribe to the book of Articles of religion agreed
upon by the Archbishops and Bishops of^both
provinces of the realm of England, and the Cler.
gy thereof, in the convocation holden at London
in til e year of our Lord I5&i> ; and we do ac-
knowledge all and every the Articles therein
contained, being in number Thirty-nine, besides
the ratification, to be agreeable to the word of
God. And we, the subscribing Bishops, have
also resolved in future to require, from all candi-
dates for holy orders in our Church, previously
to their being ordained, a similar subscription.'

" The Bishops and Clergy present immediate-
ly subscribed, according to seniority, on this r^heer

350 ANNALS OF 1804.

of vellum, which was committed to the Primus'
charge, to be by him lodged for preservation iii
the Ecclesiastical chest at Aberdeen, and for the
purpose of receiving the subscription of the other
Bishops and Clergy that are or may be consecra-
ted or ordained ia the Scotch Episcopal Church.
*' The measure of adoption and subscription
being thus cordially and happily accomplished,
all that remained was to communicate, in the
most respectful manner, the procedure of the
Convocation to the Archbishops and Bishops of
the United Church of England and Ireland ; —
which communication the Primus was requested
to make as soon as convenient. He accordingly
lost no time after the dissolution of the Convo-
cation, in addressing by letter, of which a copy
is here inserted, each of the Archbishops and
Bishops of England, including the Bishop of
Sodor and Man, and the Archbishop of Armagh,
as Primate of the Church in Ireland : —

"My Lord,

*' The Bishops and Clergy of the Episcopal
Church in Scotland, having lately held a Gene-
ral Meeting for the purpose of exhibiting a pub-
lic testimony of their conformity in doctrine and
discipline ^with the United Church of England
and Ireland, they unanimously resolved to give a
solemn declaration of their assent to her Thirty-
nine Articles of Religion ; which was done ac-
cordingly in the form or words of the subscrip-

1804-. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 35 1

tion required by the Act in the S2d of his present
Majesty, entitled, * An act for granting relief

* to Pastors, Ministers, and Lay Persons of the

* Episcopal Communion in Scotland ;' the Bi-
shops having also signed a resolution to require
from all candidates for holy orders, in their
Church, a similar subscription.

*' A measure so expressive of our earnest de-
sire to promote the true knowledge and salutary
influence of those religious principles by vdiicli
the United Church of England and Ireland is so
happily distinguished, we deemed it our duty to
communicate, in the most respectful manner, to
the Prelates of that Church ; and as senior Bi-
shop of our small society,! was requested to make
this dutiful communication of the sentiments en-
tertained by those with whom I am officially con^
nected.

** In their name, therefore, and with the most
profound respect and veneration for your Lord^
ship's exalted character. I have the honour to
be," &c.

" The Hon. Dr Lindsay, Bishop of Kildare,
having been in Scotland, his native country, at
the time of the Convocation, the Primus wrote
also to his Lordship, and soon after to all the
other Prelates of the phurch of Ireland. To
these letters, returns in due time arrived, from
the Bishops of Winchester, London, Salisbury,
Worcester, Ely, Peterborouijb, Chester, Chiches^

S52 ASSALS OF ISO'I'.

ter, Carlisle, Bristol, Gloucester, Exeter, Bangor,
and Llandaff, in England ; and from tlie Arch-
bishop of Dublin, and the Bishops of Kildare,
Killala, Ossory, Clonfert, and Dromore in Ire-
land,— all expressing sentiments of the most
friendly regard for the Episcopal Church in Scot-
land, and for her prosperity.'*

The Bishop of Salisbury, Dr Douglas, says,
*' I flatter myself it will have very iiappy conse-
quences, and be the means of inducing all the
Ministers of Episcopal Congregations in Scot-
land to acknowledge and submit to the jurisdic-
tion of the Scotch BishoDs."

The Bishop of Ely, Dr Yorke, after mention-
ing receipt of Bishop Skinner's letter, adds : ** It
will, I doubt not, be productive of great satisfac-
tion to my brethren, as it is to myself, to be pos-
sessed of so decisive, so authentic a testimonial
of such perfect harmony of sentiments, as is
expressed in it, between the two Episcopal
churches. With my earnest prayers for our mu-
tual prosperity, I subscribe myself, with great
sincerity and respect, your faithful brother,'' &c.

The Bishop of Winchester, Dr North, writes
thus : — " I am honoured by your valuable com-
munication concerning the Episcopal Church in
Scotland. I have ever retained a high respect
for that Church, for the very respectable cha-
racter of its Clergy, and for your own in parti-
cular. Every increase of union in the Christian
church is matter of great satisfaction to me, and.

y

1S04. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 353

as such, I receive very sensible pleasure from
the intelligence conveyed to me in your letter.
I beg you to accept of my thanks for it, and to
be assured that I remain, with the highest re-
^ spect," &c.

The Bishop of Chester, Dr Majendie, after
mentioning tlie communication made to him,
concludes thus : *' It will doubtless prove highly
gratifying to every Prelate of the United Church
of England and Ireland, to be assured of the de-
claration of conformity to her excellent doc-
trines and form of discipline, from so venerable
a body of men, and to learn that a similar de-
claration will be required of those who may here-
after become candidates among you for holy or-
ders, 1 have the honour to subscribe myself^
your obliged and affectionate brother," &c.

The Bishop of Gloucester, Dr Huntingford,
having expressed his anxiety for maintaining
unity m the church catholic, adds as follows :
" The resolution which you have kindly impart-
ed to me, passed, as it is, by a body whom I ho-
nour and revere, appears to me well calculated
for rendering more firm the United Church of
England and Ireland. Your conformity to its
doctrine and discipline will be the occasion of
disseminating, more widely, opinions favourable
to its principles and practice, — the operation of
which Avill be, more extensive attachment.

" I request you to thank my Right Reverend

So4f ANNALS OF 1804.

brethren in Scotland for this judicious and pious
act of consideration towards our established
Church ; and allow me to say, I was particularly-
gratified in receiving the communication from
you, whose name and writings had before conci-
liated my esteem. I am," &c.

The Bishop of Exeter, Dr Fisher, writes, that
he " feels a high degree of satisfaction from the
late declaration of the Bishops and Clergy of the
Episcopal Church in Scotland, being clearly of
opinion that the interests of that Church will be
greatly promoted thereby."

The Bishop of Carlisle, now Archbishop of
York, Dr Vernon, " sincerely hopes that the
measure which the Episcopal Church in Scotland
has adopted, will be productive of all the advan-
tages which may fairly be expected from it."

The Bishop of Peterborough, Dr Madan, con-
siders it "as an event which cannot fail to com-
fort and gladden the heart of every well-wisher
and cordial friend to the Christian cause."

The Bishop of Bristol, Dr Pelham, " takes the
first opportunity, after receipt of his letter, of
assuring Bishop Skinner, how much satisfaction
he received in perusing its contents, by giving
him that proof of unanimity, which he trusts no-
thing will interrupt" — subscribing himself •' the
Bishop's affectionate brother."

The letter of Dr Buckner, Bishop of Chiches-
ter, the Annalist gives entire : —

1804<. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 355

LETTER XXXIX.

THE BISHOP OP CHICHESTER TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Chichester House, Nov. 20. 1804-.
" Reverend Brother,

" I sincerely participate in the satisfaction
which the Bishops and Clergy of the Episcopal
Church in Scotland express, at the closer con-
nection they have formed with the United
Church of England and Ireland, by adopting
our established formvdary of faith ; and I hope
and trust, that a work which has apparently taken
twelve years to accomplish, will prove of essen-
tial service to the general interests of true reli-
gion in this kingdom.

** Tw auTw CTOi)(U¥ KciyoYt, — TO avTo f^cnTr are apos-

tolical directions; and while we agree in ar-
ticles of belief, may we all harmonize in moral
conduct, and be cvju^vxot in brotherly love.

** With real respect for your venerable frater-
nity, I am,'* &c.

In addition to these endearing testimonies of
brotherly regard from English Prelates of ac-
knowledged worth, piety, and learning, the an-
swers returned by the Irish Bishops speak a lan-
guage equally grateful to the Scottish Episcopate.
The Lord Viscount Somerton, Archbishop of
Dublin, expresses very great satisfaction on
hearing of a " circumstance which cannot fail to

z2

556 ANNALS QF 180'k

promote the true knowledge, and salutary influ-
ence, of those religious principles which are now
held in common by the Churches of England,
Scotland, and Ireland.'*

The Bishop of Clonfert, Dr Beresford, ob-
serves, that " conformity in doctrine and disci-
pline with the United Church of England and
Ireland, £0 publicly testified by the Episcopal
Church in Scotland, must be to us a source of
much congrgitulation ; and the very marked and
respectful manner in which the information has
been communicated, has, I am persuaded, made
no unacceptable impression."

"In respect to myself, with the profoundest
respect and truest brotherly affection towards you
and the venerable body of which, on this occa-
sion, you are the worthy and distinguished prolo-
cutor, I have the honour to be," &c. &c.

The Bishop of Killala, Dr Stock, is " thankful
to the divine goodness, that an end is at last put
to a separation between two reformed Churches
agreed in all essential articles of faith, and dif-
fering only in political opinions of inferior and
transitory importance. Whoever," adds he, "has
studied the history of Scotland at the period of
the Revolution in IG88. will see, with deep re-
o-ret, how easy it would have been, with due ma-
iiaoement and Cb.ristian temper on the part of
the principal actors of the times, to have main-
tained that country in as close agreement with
England in Church-government as in civil."

1804-. ■ SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 357

The letter of the Bishop of Kildare, Dr Lind-
say, breathes so much the spirit of a Scotchman,
that the Annalist trusts liis Lordship will pardon
him for gratifying the friends of Scottish Episco-
pacy with the whole of it.

LETTER XL.

THE BISHOP OF KILDARE TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Dublin, Dec. 28, 1804.
" Hight Rev. Sir,

" Your letter of the 19th November, much as
it flattered my feelings as your countryman and
as a member of a family * formerly in intimate
connection with your portion of the Church, gave
me, at the same time, some uneasiness; fori
was apprehensive that you intended to limit your
communication in these parts to his Grace the
Lord Primate of all Ireland and myself; thereby
addressing each of us separately from the Unit-
ed Church of England and Ireland.

*' The circular letter, which has since been
distributed to the Prelates of this part of the
united kingdom, and, as far as I can judge at
present, with abundant gratulation, has removed
this uneasiness; and, with grateful thanks to you,
Ptight Reverend Sir, and to the rest of the Bi-
shops and Clergy- of the Episcopal Church in
Scotland for the early communication of vour
* The family of Balcarras.

S5S ANNALS OF 1804.

resolutions with which I have been honoured, I
beg permission to rejoice in an event which esta-
bHshes the entire union, and secures the consist-
ency of the united Churches of England, Scot-
land, and Ireland.

" With sentiments of the most sincere respect
for you, the senior Bishop of our now happily
reunited Church in Scotland, I have the honour
to remain,'* &c.

The measure of subscription of the Articles
being thus harmoniously accomplished, and most
cordially approved by the English and Irish
hierarchy, one naturally looks for the good effects
prophesied to result from it ; and closely indeed
did they follow the Laurencekirk Convocation,
since not a month elapsed from that date, when
an English ordained Clergyman in the city of
Edinburgh, whose mental and moral endowments
made him an acquisition to any Church, having
completely prepared himself and his flock for this
important part of Christian duty, addressed the
following most agreeable tidings to the Scottish
Primus : —

LETTER XLL

BEV. DR. SANDFORD TO BISHOP SKINNER.

«« Edinburgh, Nov. 19, 1804'.

" I consider this as one of the happiest days of

iSOi. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 559

my life. I have to day, in presence of the Rev.
Mr Walker and the Rev. Mr Adam, subscribed
the Articles which unite me and my flock to your
venerable Church. 1 am exceedingly glad to tell
you, that my little paper has been received with
the greatest good-will.* Not a dissenting voice
have I heard. Those of my subscribers and hear-
ers with whom I have conversed, and from whom
I have received letters upon the occasion, have,
with one voice, approved of our union. I hope
every thing is done as you would wish, and that
I may now be considered as one of your Clergy,
and as such receive your licence to my charge.
I wait with some impatience your acceptance of
my subscription. And am," &c.

To this interesting communication the reader
will not entertain a doubt, that the return made
by Bishop Skinner was alike satisfactory as it was
speedy ; and that the commencement of Episco-
pal union in the Scottish metropolis was matter
of general gratulation among all the friends of
Ecclesiastical tenets and concord on this side of
the Tweed.

Eventful as the year 1804, (now drawing to-
wards its close,) had proved to the Episcopacy

* For this unanswerable paper, containing the motives which
determined the writer's conduct, and which was drawn up in
order to satisfy liis people of the be)iefits to be derived from an
union with the Scotch Episcopal Church, see Appendix,
No. IV. where the Articles of Union will also be found, No. V,

360 ANNALS OF 1804.

of Scotland, and occupied, as throughout, the
Primus' thoughts had been with the transactions
of the year, he received no small gratification
from the last letter which this vear brought him
from England on the subject of union, inasmuch
as it spoke a language level to every capacity, and
not to be gainsaid by any man who professes him-
self an Episcopalian.

The amiable Bishop Porteous,towhom, as Bish-
op of London, the British Colonies, and, at one
period, the English ordained Clergy in Scotland,
looked with diocesan respect anjd submission, had,
in his letter to Bishop Skinner, of date Novem-
ber 12, 1804, simply expressed himself thus: —
" I am very well pleased to find that you and
your brethren have made a declaration of your
assent to the Thirty-nine Articles of religion of
the Church of England, and beg leave to return
you my thanks for the communication of the
measure so expressive of your earnest desire to
promote the trueknowledge and salutary influence
of those religious principles by which the united
Church of England and Ireland is so happily dis-
tinguished.'* But in the following letter addres-
sed to Bishop Skinner by his Lordship's domes-
tic chaplain and near relative, the worthy Prelate
speaks his sentiments on the subject of Scottish
Episcopal union in a manner as authoritative as
circumstances would permit.

1804. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. S6l

LETTER XLII.

REV. EDWARD HODGSON TO BISHOP SKINNER.
" Fulham Palace, Dec. 10, 1804.

*•' I cannot forbear expressing to you how hap-
py I have been made by hearing from the Bishops
of London and Lincoln, that the Scottish Episco-
paHans have publicly assented to the Thiity-nine
Articles of our Church. Many happy effects, I
trust, will flow from this measure ; and first and
foremost, that which you have felt such a laudable
anxiety to bring about, from the time I first had
the pleasure of being known to you, viz. the un-
ion of the two bodies of Episcopalians resident in
Scotland. My good patron shewed me, some few
weeks back, a letter which he had written to Sir
"William Forbes of Edinburgh, the principal topic
of which was perfectly foreign to this business,
but he afterwards mentions and gives his senti-
ments fully respecting the union, sentiments so
very different from those which, in your quarter,
his Lordship has been represented to entertain on
the subject, that 1 requested he would permit me
to copy what he said, that I might communicate
it to you. His Lordship kindly compUed, and I
give you the extract as follows : —

'• In the mean while, 1 will say a few words
respecting Dr Sandford's letter which you enclos-
ed, and which contains a very concise and able

S62 ANNALS OF 1804.

statement of the unfortunate difference subsist-
ing between the Scottish Episcopal Clergy and
the English Clergy settled in Scotland. I have
no hesitation in saying, that as the Scottish Bish-
ops have now made a declaration of their assent
to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of Eng-
land, and offer the English Clergy the use of
their own Eucharistical Liturgy, there seems to be
no reasonable objection to an union of those two
bodies ; and I am persuaded that such an union
would conduce greatly to the interests of religion
in that part of the united kingdom, because it
would restore what is extremely wanted there,
the benefit of Episcopal superintendence, — the
benefit of a licensed Clergy, — the apostolical
rite of Confirmation, — and the consecration of
their places of public worship, — which things are
all plainly necessary to constitute and preserve a
regular Episcopal Church.

" The union, therefore, of the English and
Scottish Episcopal Clergy, appears to me a de-
sirable object. But as it can only be effected
by the full and free consent of both parties, as
neither the one nor the other can possibly be
forced into it, the only means that can or ought
to be used to bring it about, are argument, per-
suasion, Christian charity, and Christian forbear-
ance ', abstaining carefully from all harsh language
and invidious names, which tend only to irritate
and provoke, and to widen the breach instead of
healing it."

1S05. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 365'

" Such are the sentiments of the Bishop of Lon-
don, which I think you will be gratified to hear.
Bearing in mind the pleasant manner in which I
spent the holidays at Aberdeen, Christmas 1801,
I beg to be kindly remembered to all your family ;
and wishing the Christmas 1804 may be equally-
joyous, I am/* &c.

1805.] The year 1805 commenced no less
auspiciously than the preceding year had con-
cluded. The friends of union multiplied every
where, and gladdened the hearts of its zealous
promoters in England as well as in Scotland.
Congratulatory letters were poured in on Bishop
Skinner from each side of the Tweed, on the suc-
cess of his labours, and on the rapid progress of
Ecclesiastical unity and order,now to receive such
additional sanction and support, as made their
speedy consummation, in the Scottish metropo-
lis, a matter no longer of doubt but of certainty.
On the 26th of February 1805, a regular deed
was drawn up by the trustees and vestrymen of
the English Episcopal Chapel in Edinburgh, ori-
ginally founded by the Right Hon. Lord Chief
Baron Smith, acknowledging the Episcopal
Church in Scotland to be a pure and primitive
part of the orthodox church of Christ, and bind-
ing the subscribers to pay that spiritual obedi-
ence to the Episcopacy of Scotland, which the
members of Episcopal Congregations owe to their
spiritual superiors. Before, however, submitting

304) ANNALS OF 1805.

tliis valuable document to the reader's perusal,
the Annalist would be wanting in duty to de-
parted worth, and to the best lay friend whom
the Scottish Episcopal Church, (amongst all the
sons which she had brousjht forth,) had for a
century seen, were he to omit noticing a corres-
pondence re-opened on the 15th of February
1805, between the late Sir William Forbes, Bart,
and the venerable administrator of the ecclesias-
tical law in England, on the subject of the last
remaining obstacle in the way of union, viz.
" whether English ordained Clergymen in Scot-
land, by uniting with the Scottish Bishops,
rendered themselves incapable of church pre-
ferment in England ; or, in the event of holding
such preferment at the time of their union, whe-
ther they endangered its continuance by such a
measure?" The worthy Baronet, after entering
minutely into some individual cases, which ren-
dered him particularly anxious for a favourable
solution of the above queries, concludes his letter
thus : " I owe many apologies for this long intru-
sion, but the very great condescension with which
you were pleased to receive my last letter, on this
important and serious subject, emboldens me
to trespass on your time, as I am extremely
anxious that you should be rightly informed of
the true state of the matter, for I think it very
likely that the new Archbishop may wish to con-
fer with you on this head.

*' Indeed I could even wish to presume one

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 365

step farther on your goodness, by taking the li-
berty of asking your advice, in what shape the
Vestry of our Chapel, who have the sole manage-
ment of its temporal concerns, as well as the no-
mination of the Clergymen officiating, might
liave the means of arriving at the knowledge of
the sentiments of the new Primate on the mea-
sure of union among the Episcopahans in Scot-
land. We were thinking whether it would be
deemed too great presumption on our part, if we
were to state to his Grace, in a short memoir, the
situation of the English ordained Clergy in this
country, with a view of learning in what light
they will be considered by the Church of Eng-
land on their joining in communion, while thej
remain in Scotland, with the Scotch Bishops —
saving that obedience which those who do hold
livings in Scotland, owe to their EngHsh dioce-
sans ; and with a reservation of the same obedi-
ence, should they afterwards obtain any prefer-
ment on the other side of the Tweed, to the
holding of which, it is hoped, that such union
would be no bar. May I hope that, when you
have a leisure moment, if any such you ever have
from your numerous and important avocations,
you will honour me with a few words on this in-
teresting subject."

As seven months elapsed before the eminent
legal authority, to whom these interrogatories
were put, could satisfactorily reply to them, the
reader will be at no loss in perceiving the reason

366 ANNALS OF 1805.

why the Vestrymen of the Cowgate chapel, and
its junior Clergyman, had piously submitted
themselves to the spiritual jurisdiction of the
Scottish Episcopate, before the senior Clergy-
man, although approving of the measure with
equal cordiality, found himself at liberty to do
the same. Hence the Annalist, bound, as he is,
to pay the most scrupulous attention to dates,
is obliged to record their respective submissions
at different periods ; and, first of all, to insert the
deed transmitted by the Trustees and Vestrymen
ol the Cowgate Chapel to the Primus of the Epis-
copal College in Scotland, as their interim dio-
cesan,— Bishop Abernethy Drummond having,
some short time before, resigned the see of Edin-
burgh for that of Glasgow.

" To the Right Reverend Bishop John Skinner,
Primus of the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

" Right Reverend Sir,

" We, Sir WiUiam Nairne of Dunsinnan, Bart,
one of the Senators of the College of Justice, and
one of the Lords Commissioners of Justiciary,—
Alexander Eraser Tytler of Woodhouselee, one
of the Senators of the College of Justice,— Sir
William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart.— R. E. Phi-
lips, Esq. one of the Commissioners of his Ma-
jesty's Customs for Scotland,— John Smyth, Esq.
of Balliarrv,~-Robert Jamieson, Writer to the

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. SSj

Signet, — and John Hutton, Superintendent of
Water for the City of Edinburgh, Trustees and
Vestrymen of the English Episcopal Chapel in
Edinburgh, originally founded by the Right Hon.
John Smith, late Lord Chief Baron of his Majes-
ty's Court of Exchequer in Scotland, being desi-
rous of uniting ourselves in communion with the
venerable remains of the ancient Episcopal Church
of Scotland, of whose Bishops the succession has
been continued without interruption by you,
Kight Reverend Sir, and your brethren, ever since
she ceased to be the national Church of Scotland.
Wejtherefore do hereby declare for ourselves, that
we acknowledge the Episcopal Church in Scot-
land to be a pure and primitive part of the Or-
thodox Church of Christ, of which we are desir-
ous of being held to be members. And we, for
ourselves, do hereby promise to pay that spirit-
ual obedience to you. Right Reverend Sir, and
your brethren, which the members of any Chris-
tian Congregation owe to their spiritual superiors;,
saving always the respect which we owe to the
national Church of this part of the united king-
dom as by law established, and whose rights, as
far as temporal matters are concerned, we are
bound, as good subjects to acknowledge; and re-
serving to ourselves the exclusive use, as long as
we shall choose, of the Liturgy or Service-book as
used at present in the Church of England.

** We most fervently pray for the preservation

368 ANNALS OF 1805.

and prosperity of the ancient Episcopal Church

of Scotland. And we remain," &c.
(Signed) " Wm. Nairne,

Alex. Fraser Tytler,
William Forbes,
R. E. Philips,
John Smyth^
Robert Jamieson,
John Hutton.
<' Edinburgh, 26th February 1805."

The above interesting paper being transmitted
by 3ir William Forbes to Bishop Skinner, ac-
companied with a most friendly letter from the
Baronet himself, and containing sentiments not
rnore grateful to the Bishop to hear, than the
terms in which the deed of submission was framed,
appeared to him appropriate and judicious. He,
on the 7th March 1805, addressed a letter to Sir
William in return, of which the following is a
transcript.

LETTER XLIII.

BISHOr SKINNER TO SIR WM, TORBES, BART,

" By your most agreeable and obliging com-
munication now before me, I observe, with heart-
felt satisfaction, the progress that has been made
in the pious and good work which has so long oc-
cupied your attention. My mind is also deeply
impressed with a just sense of the honour done
me, by the condescending manner in which you

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 369

have been pleased to express the sentiments en-
tertained of my conduct in this affair, by the
worthy members of the Vestry of your Chapel to
whom 1 beg leave, by your means, to offer my
very sincere and respectful acknovvledg'ments.

*' Tiie same returns of gratitude I may take
upon me to present in name of all the Bishops
and Clergy with whom I am officially connected,
sensible as they must be of the great advantage
which the Episcopacy of Scotland cannot fail to
derive from the countenance of gentlemen of
such distinguished station and character.

•' The cordial manner in which these gentle-
men have borne testimony to the purity of the
Scottish Episcopal Church, and declared their
good wishes for its preservation and prosperity,
may be expected to produce the happiest effects
in exciting the Clergy of that Church to use their
utmost endeavours for accomplishing the object
of the pious wishes of yourself and friends. As
far as my feeble efforts can be of any use in pro-
moting that object, you may depend on tlieir
being faithfully employed in whatever way shall be
thought most likely to render Scottish P^piscopa-
cy both permanent and prosperous.

" As you give me full liberty to make the best
use I can of the valuable paper intrusted to my
care, I shall esteem it my duty to do every jus-
tice to its good intention, and much good 1 trust
may be expected from it, more indeed than from
any thing of the kind which has iiappened to our

A a

370 ANNALS OF 1S05.

Church since it was reduced to its present situa-,
tion. Yet who can account for the force of pre-
judice, or say witli certainty that good will al-
ways follow even where the best examples lead
the way.

" I am much obliged to you for sending me a
copy of your excellent letter to Sir William Scott,
which, I would fain hope will have the desired
effect in procuring from the highest authority
such an opinion on the points submitted to con-
sideration, as will satisfy .Mr A and others on

the same footing with him, of their perfect safety
in uniting, while they reside in Scotland, with our
Church.

" The saving clause towards the end of your
declaration bears a ^very proper testimony in-
deed to the respect that is due from all good
subjects to the national establishment, whose
temporal rights ought undoubtedly to be acknow-
ledged, and are never called in question by those
of the Episcopal persuasion.

" I again entreat, that you will do me the fa-
vour of assuring the gentlemen of your Vestry of
the most perfect esteem and regard which I en-
tertain for them, and of my fervent prayers to
Almighty God for their comfort and happiness
both here and hereafter; while, with every sen-
timent of grateful attachment to yourself, dear
Sir, I have the honour to be," &c.

At this period there was no junior clergyman

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 3? I

in the collegiate charge of the Cowgate Episco-
pal Congregation in Edinburgh. In the follow-
ing month, however. Bishop Skinner was ap-
prized, by his truly zealous correspondent Sir
William Forbes, that " the Rev. Robert More-
head, an English ordained clergyman, at present
pastor of the Episcopal Ciiapel at Leith, having
resolved to submit to the spiritual authority of the
Scottish Bishops, had been elected by the Vestry
of the Cowgate Chapel to be their junior Clergy-
man. You will, therefore," adds the good Ba-
ronet, " give directions to Dr Sandford, or to
any of your Clergy here, to receive from Mr
Morehead a similar declaration to that which was
subscribed by Dr Sandford. I most heartily con-
gratulate both you and myself on this pleasing-
event, because, I trust, it will be productive of
farther accessions to our Church." To this agrree-
able information, it was replied by Bishop Slvin-
ner, that Sir William's kind communication com-
ing to the Bishop's hand on Easter morning,
added greatly to the comforts of that happy day ;
that although the Bishop had no opportunity of
hearing any thing fartker of Mr Morehead than
his settlement at Leith, he had the greatest con-
fidence in the choice of such excellent judges as
the very respectable members of the Cowgate
Vestry ; and that he would, with much pleasure,
"write to Dr Sandford on the subject, and request
that he would be so good as commune with Mr
Morehead in regard to the proper manner of tes-

A A 2

37^ ANNALS O? 1805.

tifying his union with the Scotch Episcopal
Church, by such a declaration as the Doctor him-
self subscribed for that purpose.

Accordingly, on the 30th of April 1805, the
following declaration, subjoined in the declarant's
own handwriting to a copy of the Articles of
Union, framed by the Bishops of the Scottish
Episcopal Church, was transmitted by Dr Sand-
ford to Bishop Skinner ; — " At Edinburgh, the
oOth day of April 1805, I Robert Morehead. or-
dained Deacon by the Lord Bishop of Salisbury,
and Priest by the Lord Bishop of Salisbury, do
hereby testify and declare my entire approbation
and acceptance of the foregoing Articles as terms
of union with the Scottish Episcopal Church, and
oblige myself to comply with and fulfil the same
with all sincerity and diligence. In testimony
whereof, I have written and subscribed this my
acceptance and obligation, to be delivered into
the hands of the Right Reverend John Skinner,
Primus of the Episcopal College, as my diocesan
and ecclesiastical superior during the present va-
cancy of the diocese of Edinburgh ; before these
witnesses, the Rev. Dr Sandford and the Rev.
Alexander Allan, both Clergymen of the said
diocese, specially called for the purpose.

*' RoBT. Morehead."

Ever eager to testify the happiness which such
tidings imparted, the Primus allowed not a post
to leave Aberdeen, after receipt of the above.

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 373

without conveying to the very respectable Cler-
gyman, whose signature is here affixed, the sense
he entertained of his laudable conduct.

LETTER XLIV.

BISHOP SKINNER TO THE REV. ROBERT MOREHEAD.

" Aberdeen, May 4, 1805.

" I have this day had the pleasure of a letter
from DrSandford, enclosing your subscription of
our Articles of Union, and an attested copy of
your letters of orders ; both of which I have re-
ceived with very great satisfaction, as a testimony
of your laudable regard for the maintenance of
ecclesiastical unity and order. I have also been
informed by Sir William Forbes of your having
been elected by the Vestry of the Chapel to
which he belongs, to be their junior Clergyman;
which election I have no doubt will be highly L
greeable to all the members of our Episcopal Col-
lege, as well as to tlie person who shall be after-
wards appointed to the particular charge of the
diocese of Edinburgh.

*' In the mean time, as respresenting your dio-
cesan, and in name of my Right Reverend Col.
leagues, I most heartily wish you all success in
your ministry, and fervently pray that God may
bless your labours to his own glory, and to the
comfort and edification of the people commit-
ted to your charge. I commend you most sin-

374 ANNALS OF 1805.

ceiely to the '^guidance and direction of God's
holy spirit. And 1 am," &c.

It was deemed by the Primus, and the Episco-
pal College in Scotland at large, not a little sur-
prising, that the stanch and zealous friend of
Scottish Episcopacy, the learned Bishop Hors-
ley, did not, along with his Right Reverend bre-
thren of the English Bench, pay the wished-for
recrard to the communication made to him of the
proceedings of the Laurencekirk Convocation.
Tiie following letter contains an ample apology
for his silence at that period ; and shews that the
interest which he had the goodness to take in
the measure of Episcopal union remained unim-
paired.

LETTER XLV.

BISHOP IIORSLEY TO BISHOP SKINNER.

« York Place, March 28, 1805.
" I have to make my apologies to you for
not having sooner acknowledged the satisfaction
which I received from your excellent work upon
Primitive Truth and Order, which I read more
than once with the greatest pleasure^ and I thank
you very earnestly for so valuable a present. I
must account for some apparent neglect in other
instances, which, however, has been only appa-
rent.

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 575

" I received, with the greatest satisfaction,
your notification of the union which has taken
phice in Edinburgh and elsewhere j a measure
which wipes off from the English Clergy the im-
putation of schism, a misprision of schism at least;
and J hope will be of great advantage to the in-
terests of Episcopacy in Scotland, and of the
Christian religion in general. But at the time
that I received it, my mind was too much dis-
tracted with the distressed situation of my family
to write upon any subject.*

*' Another matter, in which I may seem more
unpardonable, is, that I have yet done nothing
in the business you committed to me about the
expence of the law-suit. The fact is, that 1 was
out of town when I received the application. My
physicians having sent me to the sea-side to re-
cover from the effects of a vehement bilious fe-
ver, which came upon me in the spring, and left
me indeed for a long time very ill qualified for
business. But had I been in perfect health, I felt
that nothing could be done at that season, while
I was out of town myself, and all the Bishops dis-
persed.

*' I think some circumstances that have lately
happened are more favourable to the application
than an earlier period would have been ; and
when the circumstances of my family permit me
to appear again in public, I shall try what can

* Mrs Horsley was then on her death-bed, and but just a-
live, when the good Bishop wrote the above. — Annalist.

376 ANNALS OF 1805.

be done. I remain, my dear Sir, your affection-
ate brother,*' &c.

The nature of the lawsuit, to which Bishop
Horsley alludes, and the consequent application
to him, which he treats with such characteristic
benevolence, the reader will best comprehend by
being at once put in possession of the statement,
drawn up by the parties aggrieved, and laid be-
fore the worthy Bishop of St Asaph and other
friends of Scottish Episcopacy, on both sides of
the Tweed.

*' Your Lordship requires not to be informed,
that there exists in Scotland a body of individuals
•which composes the small remnant of what was
the Established Church of this part of the unit-
ed kingdom before the Revolution in 1G88, and
between which and the Church of England there
is a perfect coincidence in doctrine, disciphne,
and worship. Soon after the Revolution, such
members of the deprived Church as favoured
that event, and preserved their attachment to
Episcopalian principles, formed themselves, in
several places, into congregations, and invited
Clergymen from England or Ireland to be their
pastors, as their attendance on their former pas-
tors had become exceedingly dangerous, for well
known political reasons.

" By this means two distinct bodies of Episco-
palians were formed in Scotland j the one con-

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. S77

sisting of tlie Congregations of the deprived and
nonjuring Church; the other of the Congrega-
tions alhided to, who gave to their places of pub-
lic M'^orship the name of English Chapels. Since
the deprived Episcopal Church of Scotland ceas-
ed to be non-jurant, several of those English
Chapels have been re-united to her Communion,
A re-union of this nature took place a few years
ago between the Scottish and English Chapels 'in
the tovv'n of Banff,* with the consent and appro-
bation of all parties concerned, one solitary indi-
vidual excepted, Captain David Cumming, of his
Majesty's marine service, residing in Banff.

*' This gentleman contended, that the coali-
tion of the two Chapels had been productive of
an abandonment of the ])rinciples in support of
v.'hich the English Chapel had been erected ; and,
in proof of this allegation, insisted, that the Scot-
tish Bishops are no bishops, because they preside
over a Church which w'ants the sanction of civil
establishment ; that the Episcopal Church in
Scotland denies the King's supremacy, because
she teaches that the Church of Christ is, in its
own nature, a society independent on every earth-
ly power ; that she retains the Popish doctrines
of purgatory and transubstantiation, because, in
her Communion-office, she commemorates the
faithful departed, and prays that the Eucharistic
elements may become, what the Redeemer called
them, * his body and his blood,' in representation
* See above, page 242.

57S' ANNALS 01 1805.

and in efficacy ; and that she excludes all, except
her own members, from the hope of salvation ;
because one of her Clergy printed some extracts
from the Archdeacon of Sarum's ' Guide,' with
the view of evincing the Apostolic institution of
the Episcopal regimen.

** When Captain Cumming saw, that he could
make no impression on the members of the unit-
ed chapels, by these strange and unfounded asser-
tions, he raised a process, in order to procure, by
the sentence of the tribunals of justice, that dis-
solution of their union which he despaired of ac-
complishing by any thing which he could urge
against it. The cause being brought before the
Lord Ordinary of the Court of Session, was de-
cided in favour of the members of the united Cha^
pels, the defenders, owing in part to the friendly
support w'hich it received from the abilities of
Robert Dundas, of Arniston,JEsq., then Lord Ad-
vocate for Scotland," now Lord Chief Baron of
his Majesty's Exchequer.

*' But although, in this novel and unprece-
dented contest, Captain Cumming's opposers
have prevailed, yet has their victory been attend-
ed with a great accumulation of expense in law
charges, &c. now forming a sum not less than two
hundred pounds Sterling 1

" This sum, the members of the united Chapels
feel to be a load of debt which they are perfectly
unable to discharge from their very limited funds,
before scarcely adequate to afford a decent main-

/

1805 SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 379

tenance to their pastor, — Hence, from your Lord-
ships well known attachment to those pure and
primitive principles, which distinguish their poor
reduced Church in common with that in which
your Lordship so ably fills the high station of a
spiritual father, do the Pastor and managers of
the united Chapels in Banff rely on your friendly
exertions in procuring them a little pecuniary aid
in their present distressing and singular casej
and they shall ever pray," &c.

No sooner did the circumstances of the worthy
Bishop of St Asaph's family permit him to attend
to the terms of this artless petition, than he actu-
ally became a beggar, (and a most successful beg-
gar) in their behalf; as will appear from the fol-
lowing statement, furnished by himself, and ad-
dressed to Bishop Skinner, as Bishop of the dio-
cese in which the persecuted Chapel of Banff is
situated.

LETTER XLVl.

BISHOP HORSLEY TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Palace, St Asaph, Oct. 28, 1805.
" I ought, long since, to have acknowledged
the kindness of the letters I received from you
under my great affliction ; and 1 ought to have
informed you what has been done in the business
committed to me. I am ashamed to say, that the

380 ANNALS OF 1805»

complicated misfortunes which Iiave fallen upon
me this summer have quite broken my spirits,
and made m^e indolent and averse to business, in
an extreme degree. The paper which I enclose
contains an account of the sums collected by me
for the benefit of ' the United Episcopal Chapels
* in Banff,' the whole (amounting to L.1S9, lOs.)
is placed with Messrs Hammersley and Compa-
ny, and stands in their books in the name of * the
« United Episcopal Chapels in Banff.' This L.189,
10s. is in addition to L.6i, 15s.* sent by some of

* " The Bishop of London had sent

L.IO 10

0

Bishop of Durham,

10 10

0

Bishop of Winchester,

10 10

0

Bishop of Worcester,

5 5

0

Bishop of Oxford,

5 0

0

Bishop of Bangor,

5 0

0

Bishop of Salisburj'-,

5 0

0

Bishop of Gloucester,

5 0

0

Bishop of St. David's,

5 0

0

L.61 15

0

" The whole sum collected from the English and Irish
Bishops, is therefore L.251 5s., of which L.189 10s. is lying
at Hammersley 's ; and I now send you a letter to those gen-
tlemen, which I think will be a sufficient authority to them to
pay the money to your order." The form of a subscription
paper, which Bishop Ilorslcy presented to his Episcopal bre-
thren, was thus worded: — " Subscriptions for enabling themem-
bers of the united English and Scottish Chapels in Banff to de-
fray the charges of the prosecution carried on against them
before the Supreme Court with a view to dissolve their union,
a^ detailed in their address on the su))jcct to the Lord Bishop
of St, Asaph.

1805.

SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY.

J81

the Bishops through other hands before my ap-
plication, which was retarded by the dismal cir-
cumstances of my family.

" I applied to none but Bishops, for I thought
that a more general application would be neither
for your credit nor our own. I shall not think of

Subscribers.

The Archbishop of Canterbury,
The Lord Primate of Ireland,
The Archbis'iop of Dublin,
The Archbis op of York,
Bishop of Winchester, 2d Sub.
Bishop of Ln<oln,
Bishop of Rochester,
Bishop of Peterborough,
Bishop of Chester,
Bishop of Litchfield,
Bishop of St. Asaph,
Bishop of Chichester,
Bishop of Bath and Wales,
Bishop of Worcester, 2d Sub.
Bishop of Salisbury, 2d Sub.
Bishop of Carlisle,
Bishop of Hereford,
Bishop of Ely,

L.25

20

- 15

20

10 10

10 10

5 5

5 0

5 5

10 0

10 10

5 5

5 5

10 10

10 10

5 5

5 5

10 10

The amount in nil, from English and
Irish Archbishops and Bishops, L.251 5

Private individuals, and Clergymen,

chiefly in England. 43 o

Expences of process, L. 192 15 5
Incidents,

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-L.ISO 10 0

0

0

L.294< 5 0
-g J ^j- L.270 17 0
Balance L.23 8 0

SS'2 ANNALS OF 1805,

going to London before the middle of January,
if so soon. Till that time letters will find me here.
It will give me great pleasure to hear of your
good health and Mrs Skinner's, to whom I beg to
be kindly remembered. I remain, my dear Sir,
your affectionate brother," &:c.

Such an act of truly disinterested zeal and
friendship on the part of a Prelate, whose private
distresses and public avocations were, at that im-
mediate juncture, so multifarious, unquestionably-
merited the heartfelt acknowledgments of the
parties concerned, and they were speedily con-
veyed to the benevolent Bishop of St Asaph by
Bishop Skinner.

'* May it please your Lordship,

** We, the Pastor and Vestrymen, or Mana-
gers, of St Andrew's Chapel in Banf}', humbly
beg leave to approach your Lordship, to say,
that we have received by the hands of our Bi-
shop, the Right Rev. John Skinner at Aberdeen,
the sum of L.189, iOs. collected by your Lord-
ship, towards the relief of this united Chapel.
When we stated our singularly distressing case
to your Lordship, we placed great reliance on
your friendly exertions on account of your Lord-
ship's well known attachment to those pure and
primitive principles, which distinguish our poor
reduced church, in common with that in which
your Lordship fills the high station of a spiritual

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACT. 385

father. Your Lordship's exertions, as well as the
success of them, have far exceeded our most san-
guine expectations ; and, while we must ever ve-
nerate a Church, whose Prelates know and exer-
cise so well the duty of Christian sympathy, we
request your Lordship to accept our most grate-
ful thanks, as having been the chief instrument
of extricating us from our embarrassments, by
means of the munificent donation of your Lord-
ship and your brethren of the United Church.
The inestimable benefit thus conferred on us,
"will ever live in the grateful remembrance of
those who have now the honour of addressing
your Lordship ; and, in order that the knowledge
of it may be handed down to our successors in
office, and to the members of this Chapel, for
succeeding ages, we have entered on our records
the subscriptions obtained by your Lordship, — a
particular list of which has been conveyed to us
by the worthy Bishop of this diocese. And if it
shall please the Supreme head of the Church, to
bless the Chapel with future increase and suc-
cess, the members of it, on reference to that re-
cord, hereafter will know to whom, after the
shock which this Chapel had singly to sustain, (iu
consequence of its having taken the lead in pro-
moting Church union), they owe this, the second
foundation of their prosperity.

" Permit us tlien to oii'er our fervent prayers,
that your Lordship may be long preserved an or-
nament and a blessing to the Churcli, as well as

S84 ANN'ALS OF 180.5^*

a benefactor to all its faithful members, among
whom we beg leave to be considered, with all hu-
mility, and with sentiments of the highest re-
spect and gratitude, your Lordship's much obliged
and devoted humble servants,

(Signed) " James Milne, Presbyter.

Stewart Souter, James Imlach,
Arch YounGj Geo. Imlach,

Jas. Reid, Gilbert BannermaNc

John Sim, Alex. Wright,

Rob. Reid, Will. Bruce,

James Sim,

Managers."

This most becoming acknowledgment of Bi-
shop Horsley's munificent exertions, from the
good people in Banff, Vvas transmitted by their
Bishop to his Lordship, with the following letter
from himself: —

LETTER XLVIL

BISHOP SKINNER TO BISHOP HORSLEY*

« My Lord,

<' Having received from the Pastor and Mana-
gers of the Episcopal Chapel in Banff, a letter of
thanks addressed to your Lordship, for the very
generous and seasonable donation which you
were the means of procuring for them, I have now
the honour of transmitting the same to your
Lordship, with the repeated assurance of the just-

1805, SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY.

sense I must ever entertain of the favour there-
by conferred upon myself, as well as upon one of

the ConGcreirations with which I am officiallv con-
es o •

nected. ^

" It will, I hope, give no offence to your I^ord-
ship, that t!ie good people whom you have so sin-
gularly obliged, have adopted the method whicli
they have taken the liberty to mention, of pre-
serving the memory of what they owe to those
highly distinguished and venerable Prelates,
whose sympathy and kindness have been so hu-
manely exercised on this peculiarly distressing
occasion.

*' By no act of that exalted body, of which
your Lordship is so illustrious a member, could
the true spirit of Christian charity and condes-
cension hav^e been more signally manifested^
than in the readiness which they have shewn to
pity and supply the necessities of a small, ob-
scure, yet very deserving portion of that great
mystical body to which we all have the happiness
to belong. May the United Church of England
and Ireland be ever preserved as a pure and
prosperous part of that body, and may her go-
vernors be * a praise in the earth,* to all genei"^
tions.

" My son here, who is also your Lordship's
son in the church, begs leave to be remembered
to you with the most sincere respect and venera-
tion ; and, with my fervent prayers to the God
'■it all consolation, that the blessings and cognforts

B B

386 ANNALS OF 1805.

of his Spirit may be ever with you, I sliall at all
times feel myself happy in having the honour to
be, my Lord, your Lordship s much obliged and
most fa;thiul servant, ' &c.

During the summer of 1S05, a Rev. Gentleman,
designating himself" Alexander Grant, D.D. mi-
nister of the English Episcopal Congregation at
Dundee,'* stept forth as the very champion of
separation, and published what he was pleased to
call " An Apology for continuing in the Com-
munion of the Church of England." For thus
*' appearing publicly in defence of himself and of
his brethren, officiating in Scotland in virtue,'* as
he terms it, *' of ordination by English or Irish
Bishops," the learned Doctor assigns the following
motives : " L As a Minister of the Church esta-
blished in England, however obscure or inconsi-
derable 1 may be, I cannot suffer to pass without
contradiction the assertion, that that Church is one
and the same with another, from which I know she
differs widely both in principle and in practice.
'2d, 1 wish to clear myself and my brethren from
a charge so dishonourable to our order and our
character, as unreasonable obstinacy. And, 3d,
To inform the unlearned part of those who attend
our ministrations, and especially my own congre-
gation, of the essential difference there is be-
tween the two churches, and guard them against
the insinuations of those who have of late been
so industrious to persuade them that no such dif-
ference exists.*'

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 387

The sequel, however, of this famous apology of
Dr Alexander Grant, shewed that the title was a
false one ; the apology being, not for " continu-
ing in the Church of England," but for refusing
to join in communion with the Episcopal Church
in Scotland.

Now, that such an apology, nay, all apology
for separation, was, by the Church of England
herself, deemed inadmissible, no stronger proof
needs be adduced than the letters contained
from page 352 to page 363 of these Annals ; yet
a stronger proof does stand adduced in the names
subscribed to the Banff subscription paper. The
apology of Captain David Cumming for institut-
ing a legal suit against the Managers of St An-
drews Chapel in the town of Banff, was, that, iu
his estimation, that Chapel, when united to the
Scottish Episcopal Church, ceased to be in com-
munion with the Churcli of England, and for the
very reasons which Dr Grant adduces. Yet the
Church of England herself, by the act and deed
of her two Archbishops, and of nearly all her
Right Reverend Prelates, says the contrary, and
most liberally affords the means of successfully
repelling the attempt made before the Supreme
Court of Judicature in Scotland to dissolve the
union between the English and Scottish Chapels
in the town of Banff, which had been duly con-
summated. Nor is this all : The Annalist of Scot-
tish E])iscopacy trusts, that the reader will have
as much pleasure ia now^ perusingj as he has ia

13 B 2

388 ANNALS OF 1805.

recording the reply given by the eminent law-
yer who now presides in the Supreme Ecclesias-
tical Court of England, to the queries of the
worthy Baronet Sir William Forbes, as already
submitted to the reader's notice ; and which re-
ply sets controversy on the subject at rest for
ever.

LETTER XLVIII.

SIR WILLIAM SCOTT TO SIR WILLIAM FORBES.

" Earley Court, Reading, Sept. 8. 1805.
" I ought, in the first phice, to apologize to
you for not having answered your obliging letter
before, and I have no sufficient apology to make.
It is no apology to say, that the matter of your
letter, though weighty in itself, did not require
immediate despatch on ray part, and rather in-
deed made some delay unavoidable, by desiring
me to communicate with the new Archbisho[),
whenever his numerous avocations and duties
would permit his attention to be called to such a
subject. May I venture to add, that my own
time has been most peculiarly engaged this spring
by my own official business, which pressed upon
me daily, in various shapes, to say nothing of
parliamentary attendance, which has not only
been laborious, but very painful in its nature,
from the spirit and temper of the session. I have,
however, had the contents of your letter con-

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 389

stantly in my mind ; and coming down here, a-
boiit three weeks ago, to enjoy ahttle retirement,
I brought it with me, as one material part of an
arrear of business which remained undischarged.
-' You may be assured, that the new Archbi-
shop feels all the sentiments of affection and re-
spect for the Episcopal Church in Scotland, which,
you know, his lamented predecessor entertained,
and will be ready to express it on all occasions.
1 should be extremely happy in the opportunity
of introducing you to his acquaintance when
business calls you to London. You will find him
animated with the same spirit. His opinion con-
cars with mine, that a minister of the Church of
England can incur no disability in England by
communicating with the sister Church, if that
can be called a sister which, by the late acts of
your respectable community, is become almost
identically the same. It is quite impossible
that any impropriety, either legal or (as far
as I may be allowed to judge) theological, can
attach to an entire conformity to the Protestant
Episcopal Church in Scotland, during a Clergy-
man's residence in that country. It is surpris-
ing how such a notion could have found its way
into the minds of men in your country, asthatthe
English Bishops aspired to any authority there.
All that friendly and kind communication with
our Episcopal brethren in Scotland can give,
they may always command from the English
Bishops. But authority or jurisdiction in Peru»

S90 AN'NALS OF ISOJ.

is not more out of their thoughts than in Scot-
land. They have all clue respect for the Esta-
blished Church, acknowledi^e its increasing good
offices to the Church of England, and are very
ready to make a common cause against the fana-
tical enemies of establishments in both countries.'*

Notwithstanding, however, that the contents
of the above letter were made known to I)r
Grant of Dundee, by the writer of these Annals,
the Doctor presented the whole Bench of Bishops
with copies of his redoubtable apology. The re-
plies which he received, the Doctor carefully con-
cealed. But one, viz. the reply made by that sound
Churchman, and intrepid friend of Scotch Epis-
copacy,— the venerable Bishop of St Asaph, — the
writer took special care that the apologist of
separation should not conceal, as the following
communication to Bishop Skinner will shew.

LETTER XLIX.

BISHOP HORSLEY TO EISHOP SKINNER.

« St Asaph, Nov. II, 1805.
*' I have received a letter from a Dr Alexan-
der Grant, who styles himself Minister of the
English Episcopal Congregation at Dundee, ac-
companying a copy of a printed tract, dissuading
from an union of the English Clergy in Scotland
with the Scottish Bishops. He tells me, in his
letter, that he has distributed a certain number

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 391

of copies of this tract gratis among his own con-
gregation, and that the rest of the impression will
be annexed to a third volume of sermons now in
the press. Enclosed^I send you a copy of a let-
ter whicli I despatch by this post, in answer to
his addressed to me; of which letter of mine, you
are at liberty to make use, in any way in which
it may be useful. I remain, my dear Sir, your af-
fectionate brother."

"St Asaph, Nov. 11, 1805.
" Reverend Sir,

" It has long been my opinion, and very well
known I believe to be my opinion, that the laity
in Scotland of the Episcopal persuasion, if they
understand the genuine principles of Episcopacy
which they profess, ought, in the present state of
things, to resort to the ministry of their indige-
nous pastors. And the Clergymen, of English
or Irish ordination, exercising their functions in
Scotland, without uniting with the Scottish Bi-
shops, are, in my judgment, doing nothing better
than keeping alive a schism. I find nothing in your
tract to alter my mind upon these points. You
are in a very great mistake in supposing that the
' dissenters in England are required to subscribe

* any one of our Articles, previous to their cha-

* pels being licensed.'

•' I send a copy of this letter to Bishop Skin*
ner at Aberdeen. I am," &c.

Had the reverend apologist of separation
been that ardent friend to truth, and to the

393 ANNALS OF 1805,

Church of England, which he professed himself
to be, would not these authorities have swayed
him from his purpose of" continuing" in a state
of schism, as well as of annexing his tract, on
the imaginary differences between the Episcopal
Churches of England and Scotland, to his third
volume of Sermons? But, regardless of the au-
thority of the Church in which he obtained his
orders, his prejudices proved themselves superior
even to Archiepiscopal decision, — that the two
churches were •' no longer sister churches, but al-
most identically the same ;'* so that he not only per-
sisted in rendering his Apology co- existent with
his Sermons, but lived and died in the faith of its
unanswerable validity. The effects of his gross
niisrepresentations remain with the little flock,
which, previously to his demise, he forsook in
Dundee ; for they remain in a state of separa-
tion from the Scottish Episcopal Church, and
from the ministry of an English Prebendary, to
whom, for several years, the charge of the Scotcii
Episcopal Congregation in Dundee has been.
committed, and who, by his talents, has doubled
their numbers. But on the Episcopalians of Leith,
who had the benefit of the Apologist's " ghostly
counsel", a short period before his death, " like
the morning cloiid," that counsel " hath passed
away ;'' in proof of which, these good people have
been long since so completely united to the
Scottish Episcopal Cl-.urch, that their Clergy-
inan, who is an ornament to his profession, is of

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 39^

Scottish ordination. Nor can it fail to give the
inquisitive reader further satisfaction on this
head, to be informed, that, on receipt of Dr
Grant's letter, accompanying his apology, &:c.
the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Dampier, knowing
that an acquaintance of his own had for many
years taken a lively interest in the Episcopal
Church of Scotland, applied to him for informa-
tion on the subject of the reverend Dr's accusa-
tions. This gentleman immediately apprized
Bishop Skinner of the application, and that he
had committed the case to one, who, besides be-
ing completely versed in all the points on whicii
the * Apology' hinged, had the advantage of being
sufficiently near the Bishop's residence to en-
able him to hold personal conversation with his
Lordship, and the result justified tlie propriety
of the procedure,

*' On calling just now" says lie, " on the Bishop
of R. at your desire, he put Dr Grant's pamphlet in-
to my hand, and asked me if I could give him any
information on the subject. I told him I could
give a very short and satisfactory answer to the
whole, viz. that, * admitting the cljarges which
' the apology contained to be what the Apologist

* represented them, every English ordained Cler-

* gyman, who joined the communion of the Scot-
' tish Episcopal Church, had his option to use

* the Ent^lish Eucharistical Liturgy, if he prefer-

* red it.' The Bishop said, he thought it a suffi-
pent answer J and added, that he observed * L)r

394f ANNALS OF 1805.

* Grant mixed with his complaint another of a

* personal nature, namely, that they (the Scottish

* Episcopalians) were drawing away his Congre-

* gation from him, which he did not like; though

* he concluded his letter, by saying, that he

* knew some at least of the Scottish Bishops, (Bi-

* shop Skinner in particular,) to be most respect-

* able men.'"

Happily for the cause of Episcopal union in
Scotland, the decisive language of the Primate
and Prelates of the Church of England was not
treated by all its clerical members, exercising
the pastoral office in Scotland, with the same
nonchalance as it was by Dr Grant.

LETTER L.

SIR WILLIAM FORBES TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Edinburgh, Nov. 16, 1805.

" I have the happiness to inform you, that the
letter which I had the honour to receive from
Sir William Scott, has proved completely satis-
factory to Mr Alison, who, I believe, writes to
you himself along with this, respecting the mode
of submission to your spiritual authority. To
himself, therefore, I beg leave to refer you on
that head. I cannot, however, but congratulate
myself on the completion of the union of our
Congregation with the Episcopal Church in
Scotland 5 a measure in which I feel the litnicst

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 39.>

satisfaction. As soon as the necessary form of
Mr Alison's subscription is gone through, you
can make such use of this circumstance as, in
your opinion, may prove most advantageous to
our Church.

*' It gave me much -pleasure, indeed, to hear of
the very handsome donations by the Archbishop
of Canterbury and Bishops at large, for the use of
the Chapel at Banff, the manner of conferring
which obligation adds greatly to its value. I shall
take an opportunity of expressing to Sir William
Scott the sense which you, Right Rev. Sir, and
the other friends of Episcopacy in this country,
entertain, of this mark of attention on the part of
his Grace the Lord Primate, and other Bishops,
towards the Episcopal Church in Scotland. And,
in the mean time, I am most respectfully and tru-
ly yours," &;c.

Mr Alison's letter, as a contrast to the Apolo-
gy of " the Minister of the English Episcopal
Congregation at Dundee," is worthy of a place
in these pages, and cannot fail to gratify everr
Scottish Episcopalian.

LETTER LI.

THE REV. ARCHIBALD ALISON TO BISHOP SKINNER.
" Bruntsfield Links, November 16, 1805.

*' I flatter myself, that, from the correspon-
dence of our invaluable friend. Sir "William For-

395 ANNALS OF 1805.

bes, you have been acquainted v/ith the circum-
stances wliich have hitherto prevented me from
accepting those terms of union wliich the Epis-
copal Church in Scotland has so charitably and
so liberally proposed to the Clergy of the Church
of England officiating in Scotland. I rejoice to
find, that the opinion of the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, (as transmitted to Sir William Forbes
by Sir William Scott,) now relieves me from those
difficulties, and enables me to give my assent to
a union, which is not more consonant to my sense
of duty than to the feelings of my heart. I have,
therefore, to request, that you would have the
goodness to transmit to me the proper form of
submission for rny signature, and to express
whatever else you may wish, to render that sig-
nature efficient and respectable.

*' I must presume still farther to avail myself
of this opportunity to testify my long and pro
found respect for that Church to which I now
solicit to be united; to join my prayers to yours,
that this union may be conducive to the great
ends which we have all in view ; and to request
you, Ilight Rev. Sir, to accept individually of
those sentiments of respect and esteem with
which I have the honour to be," &c.

After receipt of the above most gratifying com-
munication. Bishop Skinner lost not a moment in
niaking the wished-for reply.

]805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 397

- /

LETTER LIL

BISHOP SKINNER TO THE REV. AP.CHIUALD ALISON.
" Aberdeen, November 18. 1805.

'*. The measures whicli have been lately adopt-
ed by the very respectable Vestry of your Cha-^
pel, for promoting the cause of Episcopal union
in this part of the kingdom, could not fail to af-
ford the greatest satisfaction to all who have tru-
ly at heart the accomplishment of so desirable an
object. Nothing could exceed the zeal and activi-
ty with which this happy object has been umemit-
tingly pursued by the worthy Baronet, whom you
so justly designate * our invaluable friend.' His
judicious and seasonable application to Sir William
Scott has been the means of procuring from the
venerable Primate at Lambeth an opinion so fa-
vourable to the wishes of the real friends of Epis-
copacy in Scotland, as can never cease to impress
on their minds sentiments of the most profound,
respect for such a distinguished character. The
gratitude excited in our breasts by his Grace's con-
descension on this occasion, receives no small addi-
tion from the pleasing consideration of its having
removed the difficulties of your peculiar situation,
and thereby enabled you to follow the dictates of
your own good sense and piety, in desirin.o^ to be
united with what still remains, (in a state,' 1 trust,
of primitive purity,) of the old Episcopal Church
of this country.

39S ANNALS OF 1805.

" In giving effect to that laudable desire, wliich
your letter before me so fully expresses, I cannot
but feel most sincere satisfaction ; and, agreeably
to your request, I have the pleasure of sending
you a copy of the articles of union which have
been used on similar occasions, and which either
Dr Sandford or Mr IMorehead will have. the
goodness, 1 hope, to transcribe for your subscrip-
tion, in the form proposed, and both of them sign
their names as witnesses to it.

" This, with an attested copy of your letters
of orders, both as Deacon and Priest, is all the
form that we have thought necessary to- be re-
quired in such cases ; and happy shall I be, in re-
ceiving thiCse testimonies, of such a respectable
accession to our Clerical body.

*' Allow me now, my dear Sir, to offer you
my hearty thanks for tlie pious and good wishes
with which your letter concludes, expressed in
terms so honourable to the Church with which I
am connected, and no less friendly to me, as an
iifdividual member of it.

** With my fervent prayers to the tlirone of
grace, that our God and Redeemer may bless
and direct you in all things, and give you still
unceasing peace and comfort in the step v;hich
you are now taking, I beg leave to subscribe my*
self, with very great esteem and regard, Reverend
and dear Sir, your most atFectioiiatc brother," &c.

Accordingly, on the S4th day of November

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY, 399

1805, the Articles of Union with the Scottish
Episcopal Church were duly subscribed 'before
the witnesses above named, by the present senior
Clergyman of what has been so long denominated
the Cowgate * Episcopal Chapel in Edinburgh, —
a man of the first rate professional respectability,
and whose writings on various subjects have secur-
ed him an exalted place in the republic of letters.
Episcopal union being now complete in the
city of Edinburgh, (with the exception of a Mr
Vincent, who, in the year 1805, was pastor of St
George's Chapel t,) the Primus and his venera-
ble colleagues deferred no longer to issue their
mandate to the united Scottish and English or-
dained Clergy of that diocese, empowering them
to elect a Bishop for the vacant see ; the forward-
ing of which deed to the Dean of Edinburgh, the
present Primus of the Episcopal College, conclud-
ed the business of the eventful year 1805.

I80G.] In his letter to Sir WilHam Forbes, (of
date March 7th 1805, and partly quoted above in
page 3i)[) & S70,) Bishop Skinner thus adverts to
the object of the mandate now issued.

*' There is at present no matter of Ecclesiasti-
cal concern which 1 believe my colleagues as well

* This designation, however, exists no longer. The Cow-
gate Chapel has been parted with ; and St Paul's, York Place,
is now the cure served by Messrs AlisoH and Morehead.

f Mr V. was succeeded by Mr Shannan, whose union took
place at the same time with his settlement in Edinburgh.

400 ANNALS OF 180^.

as myself have more at heart than to see a sound,
'tvell informed, and respectable Clergyman at the
head of the Diocese of Edinburgh. By our Can-
ons, the matter must be referred to the choice of
the Clergy of the Diocese, and the Bishops have
only a negative should an improper person, in
their opinion be chosen ; yet I humbly hope, that
on their part every thing will be done to procure
to our Church in Edinburgh a respectable Dio-
cesan, and to our Episcopal College the accession
of a pious, learned, and dignified member.'*

In this hope, now that the Clergy were authori-
tatively required to elect a Bishop, the Primus
was not disappointed. On the contrary, the 15th
of January 18()6 being the day of election, it was
with the utmost satisfaction that, on the 17th day
of that month. Bishop Skinner received intelli-
gence from Edinburgh, not merely of the perfect
unanimity with which the choice of the Clergy
was directed to their present excellent Diocesan,
but of the sense which the English ordained mem-
bers of the meeting entertained of the unaspiring
views of their Scottish brethren, and of the can-
did and generous liberality of their present con-
duct. For, in the very same packet which brought
to Aberdeen the deed of election, was contained
the following most interesting paper.

" Edinburgh, 15tli Jan. 180G.
♦' At this first meeting of the United Episcopal
Churches in the diocese of Edinburgh, assembled

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 401

for the election of a Bishop, Wc, the undersign-
ed, ministers of the Chnrch of England, desu'e
leave to record the following our unanimous re-
solutions : —

'* 1st, That however well we are convinced of
the merits and qualifications of the Rev. Gen-
tleman who has this day been elected Bishop of
this diocese, we are, at this time, deeply sensible
of the candid and generous liberality which has
induced the Presbyters of the Church in Scot-
land, in the present circum tances, to propose
unanimously to concur in the election of a Cler-
gyman of English ordination. And,

** 5^d, That while we consider this measure as
a happy omen of the stabiHty of that union of the
Episcopal Churches, which has been recommend-
ed to us, not only by our own sense of duty, but
by the highest authorities in the Church of Eng-
land, we feel it, at the same time, incumbent
upon us to express, in the most lasting manner
in our power, the sense we entertain of the cha-
ritable and enlightened spirit which has animated
the members of the Church in Scotland, in this,
and in every measure by which that union has
been accompHshed.

(Signed) " Henry Lloyd, D.D. Minister of Leitli*.

Archibald Alison, L.L.B. Senior Mi-
nister of the Cowgate Chapel.

Robert Morehead, A.M. Junior Mini-
ster of the Cowgate Chapel."

* Dr Lloyd, Regius Professor of Hebrew in the University

c c

4,02 ANNALS OF 1806.

In addition to this most honourable testimony
of fraternal regard, on the part of the united Pres-
byters of the diocese of Edinburgh, it was very
grateful to Bishop Skinner's feelings to receive, of
the same date with the above, the following let-
ter from Sir WilHam Forbes, no less characteris-
tic of the often experienced benignity of that la-
mented, because devoted friend of union, than
containing evidence the most ample of his cheer-
ful concurrence in the Edinburgh Clergy's choice.

LETTER LIII.

SIR WILLIAM FORBES, BART. TO BISHOP SKINNER.

« Edinburgh, Jan. 15, 1806.
" With my whole heart do I congratulate you,
as well as myself, on the happy election this day
of a Bishop of Edinburgh, of the most primitive
and exemplary character, to whose conscientious
sense of duty, and to whose steady perseverance
in what he believed to be the conduct which he
ought to pursue, I do verily believe we owe the
happy union that has taken place among all those
who are attached to Episcopal principles, and

of Cambridge, having accepted, for a short period, the charge
of the (formerly English) Episcopal Chapel in Leith, applied to
the Bishop of Lincoln for directions in the matter of union with
the Scotch Episcopal Church. His Lordship's answer was
most explicit. He very strongly recommended him " to go into
the union." Tne Rev. Mr Routledge of Glasgow, and his re-

1806, SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 403

which I cannot doubt will in no long time be-
come universal all over Scotland. After the
election, I saw a declaration by the clergymen
of our chapel on the head, the perusal of which
cannot but be very agreeable to you, Right Re-
verend Sir, and your brethren of the Scottish
Episcopate, as containing a very strong proof,
if any such were wanting, that the whole mea-
sure of the union, and consequent election, is a
matter of duty only, as, indeed, from what other
motive but principle could it flow ?

" I pray God Almighty to grant his blessing
on what has been done towards the good of his
Church, on which may his spirit ever rest ! and
commending myself to your prayers, I ever am,",
&c.*

spectable flock, about the same period, united themselves ; as
did the Rev. Mr Fenwick of Perth ; though, strange to say,
his successor in that charge has made no such overture ! A
circumstance which points out the necessity of the Vestrymen
or Managers, if not the Congregation at large, sanctioning the
submission of their Clergyman, and their applying for such
Episcopal acts as mark their respect for the ofBce of a Bi-
shop ; otherwise union is merely nominal, and ceases on the re-
moval of the Clergyman, who, while he did his duty, was at no
pains to instruct his people how to do theirs.

* This letter, and several others written at the same period,
the worthy Baronet penned with his left hand, having in a tour
through the North of Scotland, in summer 1805, met with an
accident wliich rendered his right hand and arm useless for
many months. But no personal inconvenience did he put in
competition with what he conceived to be his duty. O I
that others would look to and follow his bright example !

C C 2

404 ANNALS OF 1806.

On receiving the above welcome tidings, and
the Bishop-elect's acceptance of the unanimous
suffrages of his diocesan brethren, the Primus
lost no time in procuring his Colleague's assent
to the promotion of Dr Sandford. Having fixed
the time and place of the consecration, the office
was duly performed, in presence of a crowded
congregation of Clergy and laity, in Bishop Stra-
chan's chapel at Dundee, on the 9th of February
(being Sexagesima Sunday) 1S06, by the Right
Reverend Bishops Skinner, Watson, and Jolly.
A most appropriate sermon was preached by the
Rev. James Walker of Edinburgh, from Titus
ii. 15.* And, on the pious solemnity being con-
cluded, the Primus, with an energy and feeling
which sensibly affected the whole auditory, thus
addressed his new made Colleague : —

" Right Rev. and my dearly beloved Brother,

" Having now finished the part which 1 have
been called to perform in the sacred service of
this days anxious as I am to address a few words
to you by way of suitable conclusion, I can hard-
ly find language adequate to my feelings on such
an occasion. — feehngs by no means peculiar to
myself, but which, 1 well know, are impressed
with equal ardour on the minds of those who

* On the requisition of" the Bishops present, tliis discourse
V, as published, and has met with merited commendation from
ail vvhose commendation could be grateful to the worthy au-

tlior.

1805. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 405

have all along acted with myself, in the measures
which have so happily led to the solemnity, in
which we have now been engaged.

*' In an humble dependance on the Almigh-
ty aid, and merciful acceptance of Him who is

* King and Head over all things to his Church,

* God blessed for ever,' we have been discharg-
ing one of the most essential parts of that im-
portant trust committed to us in our Episcopal
character ; and He who sees the heart, and
searches its inmost thoughts, knows with what
sincerity of intention, with what ardent zeal for
the glory of his name and the good of his church,
we have united our weak, imperfect, but most
fervent desires, and willing endeavours, for the
accomplishment of those pious and blessed pur-
poses. Relying for the success of all our labours
on our divine Master's promise to his Apostles,

* to be with them to the very end of the world,*
we, having received in due succession, of their
ministry, have been encouraged to do what a
wise and good Providence has put it in our power
to do, for continuing the same apostolical succes-
sion in that small, and, for a long time, depress-
ed portion of Christ's Church with which we are
more immediately connected. Under all the
stages of its depression, and through all the vari-
ous difficulties which it has had to encounter,
the Episcopal succession has, blessed be God 1
been duly and regularly preserved ; by which
jneans, our little Zion has been supported under

4,06 ANNALS OF 1806.

its distinguishing character, as the venerable re-
mains of the old Episcopal and once Established
Church of Scotland. Hence, when some of our
Episcopal order have reached almost the limits
of old age, and others are considerably advanced
in years, or not so strong in bodily constitution
as might be wished, it became highly expedient
to give the Episcopal College in Scotland addi-
tional strength, more especially when, as on the
present emergency, an opening appeared for the
admission of a new member, whose appoint-
ment, besides requiring on our part the most re-
spectful attention, had the strongest claims to
our serious consideration. This, I have no doubt,
will readily be acknowledged to have been the
case of the diocese of Edinburgh since the late
most respectable accession to our communion,
both of Clergy and laity in that city. Consider-
ed still as the capital, or most conspicuous place
in North Britain, some estimate may be formed
of the general state of Episcopacy throughout
this part of the united kingdom, from the situa-
tion, rank, or character of the inhabitants of
Edinburgh who profess to be of the Episcopal
persuasion. And of the Clergy at large belong-
ing to our Church, it is not to be doubted that
strangers, particularly such strangers as come
from the southern part of the island, will be apt
to judge from what they see or hear of the Cler-
gy resident in the Scottish metropolis : while the
profession of Episcopacy, necessarily implying

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 46?

connection with and subordination to a Bishop —
he, who in that character presides among Clergy
so respectable, as a pastoral charge in the chief
city of Scotland announces, ought himself to be
a person highly respected and known, by all whom
it may concern, to possess the qualifications re-
quisite for such a dignified and important sta-
tion.

" With what sincerity of heart, therefore, may
we hail the solemnity of this day, as affording,
on all and each of these accounts, ample cause of
congratulation ; — congratulation offered, first of
all, to you my beloved brother in Christ, as the
principal instrument in that good work which
God has this day called us to perform ; and con-
gratulation to that particular body of Clergy
whom you are henceforth to take under your
Episcopal charge ; and who are here most properly
represented by the Reverend Presbyter, whose
discourse from the pulpit, prepared at your de-
sire, we have listened to with all the satisfaction
which a subject so aptly chosen could impart, and
with all the delight which the judicious, clear,
and pertinent manner in which it was handled
could excite. Nor can I refrain, my Right Re-
verend colleagues, from extending my congratu-
lations to you, on the acquisition to our sacred
order of one so worthy of the office to which
you have assisted in promoting him, and so just-
ly entitled to the best thanks, the warmest appro-
bation, the most cordial support, that we can

408 ANNALS OF I8O6.

give him in return for his giving himself to the
work of our ministry, and to the cultivation of
the same humble portion of our Lord's vineyard
in which we have been appointed to labour ;— ^
thus making our Httle national Church his own,
and agreeing to co-operate wiih us, as we are
ever disposed to co-operate with each other, in
promoting its best and truest interests.

^' Nay, I would congratulate the whole Scotch
Episcopal Church, in its laity as well as m its
Clergy, (represented, as I may be allowed to hold
them represented, by the respectable body of
Clergy and people now before me,) on the ha})py
event of this day, — an event no less singular than,
I trust, it will be found auspicious ; being the
first of the kind which our Church has witnessed
since deprived of the benefit of civil establish-
ment, and therefore, I hope, to be considered as
a presage of increasing union and comnumion
with the Episcopal Church in the other parts of
the British empire, which is still blessed (and long
may the United Church of P'ngland and Ireland
be blessed) with the full enjoyment of that benefit.

" It is only, however, in professing the same
faith, by using the same Liturgy, and by subscrib-
ing the same articles of religion ;— it is only in
adhering, as far as circumstances will permit, to
the same form of government and discipline, by
which, as a pure Protestant Episcopal Church,
the United Church ot England and Ireland is
adorned, tliaL we can hope or pray to bt uiutc4

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 409

with that Church. And, as in these respects
-the established Church of England and Ireland
deigns to own us as a sister church, it is incum-
bent on me to acknowledge, that none of her
sons have contributed more sincerely and effec-
tually to bring about this happy state of harmony
and concord than the beloved brother whom we
this day constitute a Bishop of the Scottish, as
he had formerly been a Deacon and Priest of the
English Church.

" To his unwearied endeavours for perfecting
the good work of true ecclesiastical union, as far
as we of this Church are concerned, I myself
could bear the most ample testimony, were it pro-
per to mention or to make any appeal to the cor-
respondence which, in consequence of my office,
I have had the honour to maintain on this inter-
esting subject, and with no man more to my
heartfelt satisfaction than with Dr Sandford. Yet
small and inconsiderable is the weight of my evi-
dence in his favour, compared with that of a gen-
tleman, who, residing in the same city, has long
been his intimate friend and acquaintance, and
who, were I at liberty to name him, would be ac-
knowledged by all who now hear me, to be most
worthy of our confidence and regard. By this
distinguished character, a letter was addressed to
me on the very day of Dr Sandfords election to
the office with which he has now been duly in-
vested ; from which letter 1 crave permission to
ttad the iuliowmg short but comprehensive para-

410 ANNALS OF 1806.

graph : ' With my whole heart do I congratulate

* you, as well as myself, on the happy election

* this day of a Bishop of Edinburgh, of the most

* primitive and exemplary character, to whose

* conscientious sense of duty, an(i to whose steady

* perseverance in what he believed to be the con-

* duct he ought to pursue I do verily believe we

* owe the happy union that has taken place

* amongst all those who are attached to Episco-

* pal principles, and which, I cannot doubt, will,

* in no long time, become universal all over Scot-

* land.* With such testimony, and from the
heart and hand that gave it, I may now close the
feeble attempt that has been made to assign the
cause of those unusual congratulations which
have accompanied, and ought to accompany, the
happy occasion of our present meeting. And,
having thus far discharged the duty, which no-
thing but the exigencies of a Church so unsup-
ported as ours could have devolved on me, I shall
yet take the liberty of adding a few brief remarks
on the nature and design of that sacred trust,
which has this day been consigned into the hands
of our now Right Reverend brother, who, after
what^hasbeen already said, and considering that I
speak from upwards of twenty years experience,
will not, I humbly hope, take amiss the freedom
I am about to use, or ascribe my presumption to
any other motive than a heartfelt zeal for the
good of Scottish Episcopacy, and for the increas.
ing credit and character of those who are intrust*
ed with its support.

180^. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY., 411

** The trust which has now, my dear Sir, been
committed to you by the imposition of our hands,
is, you are well aware, termed in the admirable
office of Consecration, * the office and work of a

* Bishop in the Church of God.' The former of
these terms evidently points to that official autho-
rity which can be conveyed only by a valid com-
mission ; wliile the latter term shews, that the ex-
ercise of that authority partakes of the nature of
a work or labour, such as must be considered
wholly incompatible with the indulgence of sloth
or indolence. Thus the Church has taken special
care to put the newly consecrated Bishop in re-
membrance, that, according to St Paul's advice
to Timothy, he ought to * stir up,' in other words,
to exercise and keep in motion and activity, the
grace, the x^f^"/"** or gift of authority, confer-
red on him by the solemn imposition of authoriz-
ed hands ; — that is, nofto allow the power, the
ability of being useful, which he has received, to
sleep or slumber, but to keep it awake by con-
stant exertion, by every suitable effijrt of profes-
sional zeal and diligence. And if, by such un-
wearied zeal, and attention to the duties of his
sacred function, the man of God should at last be
rendered incapable of labour ; should he be worn '
out, as it were, in the service of his heavenly
Master, let him console himself with the language
of a pious Prelate of the Church of England,
who hesitated not to say, that, in such a service,

* it was better to wear out, than to rust out.'

4)12 ANNALS OF 1806,

" But, in discharging the office and work of a
Bishop in God's Church, the manner in which
the office is to be duly exercised, and the means
by whicli we may hope to render the work suc-
cessful, ought also to be carefully attended to, as
they are pointed out for our direction, * first by
the Apostle, and after him by the Church, in the
words which immediately follow those that I have
just quoted : * For God hath not given us the
*' spirit of fear, but of pov/er, of love, and sober-

* ness.*

*' Another Apostle, you know, tells us, ' that

* every good gift, and every perfect gift is from

* above ;' but such is not ' the spirit of fear ;'
that cowardly, timid, time-serving disposition, by
giving way to which, even those who serve at the
altar of God may be tempted to sacrifice to the
world, and to popular opinion, rather than suffer
from a steady adherence to truth and righteous-
ness, forgetting that, in all such cases, the ' friend-
' ship of the world is enmity vi'ith God.* May it
never be said, that any Minister, much more any
Bishop of our Church, has been so unmindful of
his duty, so possessed and influenced by the spi-
rit of worldly fear, as to turn his back on the
standard of heaven, and fly from ' the good fight
of faith.' Not to combat this spirit, which never
can proceed from him who came into the world
that he might overcome the world, and keep it
in subjection, must be a lasting reproach to those,

* See the Consecration Office in the Book of Common Prayer,

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 415

(if justly laid to their charge,) who have the ho-
nour to serve more immediatelv under their o:reat
Captain's banner, and to Vvhom, we are assured,
he is ready to give ' the spirit of power,' — of
power to resist the enemy, of power to deny
ourselves, as well as power to instruct and admo-
nish those committed to our charge.

" This inward, spiritual, and, (if I may be al-
lowed the expression,) ecclesiastical power, we
humbly trust is, notwithstanding all the outward
worldly deprivations which our Church has suf-
fered, still continued with us. And were those who
adhere to our communion and fellowship always
impressed, as they ought to be, with a just sense
of our possessing this precious powerful gift of
God, we should have no cause to regret the want
of any of those powers and privileges derived
from the state which are held in such high esti-
mation here below ; and yet are, in reality, no
farther valuable than as the means of advancino-

is

more successfully the honour of God, and pro-
moting the true Christian edification of his faith-
ful people. It is for effecting this blessed pur-
pose, as far as flesh and blood can effect it, that
God has also given us * the spirit of love ;' be-
cause the exercise of power ought always to be
tempered with love,— the love of God shed a-
broad in the heart, and thence expanding its re-
freshing fruits of love to man for God's sake,
l^or tlius, and thus only it is, that, in our cir-
cumstances, we can expect to enjoy the a})proba-

4l4f ANNALS OF 1806.

tion and support of those who adhere to our mi-
nistry, and hope to * be highly esteemed by them

* in love for our work's sake.'

*' So small, in fact, is our power as to any
worldly considerations, that it is to the love of
our people, their love of our principles, and satis-
faction in our conduct, that we must look for the
wholesome effects of our spiritual authority,—

* the power that worketh in us to the edifying of

* the Church in love.' Nor shall the gifts of * the
' Spirit of power and of love' be ever found in-
effectual in promoting the great purposes for
which they are bestowed, provided that we have
added to them, in terms of the Apostle's decla-
ration, * the spirit of soberness,' that is, a sober,
sound, and well-regulated mind ; a spirit which,
as it permits not the mind of the possessor to be
hardened by unrelenting power, so does it restrain
it from being too much weakened by fond and
indulgent love. The man of God, who thinks
soberly of himself, as every man is required to
think, will be equally preserved from pride in the
exercise of his power, as from partiality in the
expressions of his love. To the former our situ-
ations in life hold out, indeed, few temptations.
So far are we from possessing powers which we
can proudly exercise, that we are daily exposed
to have our authority called in question, spiritual
as it is ; in which case it becomes matter of seri-
ous consideration, whether it may not oftentimes
be more prudent to wave our right to the inter*

1806, SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 4lS

position of authority, than to run the risque of
exposing it to scorn and contempt.

** Where the balance hangs even between two
opposite claims, it is not easy to decide into which
scale the preponderating weight ought to be
thrown ; and this, I have no hesitation in saying,
constitutes the chief difficulty, 1 might have cal-
led it the chief discouragement, with which a
Bishop, a governor, in a C-hurch Hke ours, has to
struggle , and for which, therefore, he should en-
deavour to be, as much as he can, prepared. In
those national Churches, which are not only esta-
blished by law, but actually incorporated with the
state, where the Episcopal character is dignified
with splendid titles, and supported by liberal en-
dowments, nay, fortified, at all points, with can-
ons and statutes, civil and ecclesiastical; there the
Bishop's authority is perfectly secure, for there
every infringement of it, every resistance of the
legal rights of the Church, brings down upon the
guilty head some punishment or other, suited to
the nature of the ofience.

But different, indeed, becomes the case where
the same Church, (in all things essential to the
constitution of the Church) is reduced to the
situation in which this Church has, for more than a
century, been placed ; divested of all support from
the civil power, and thus brought back to the
purely primitive footing, on which the Church of
Christ was originally established. There it is
that the Bishop's authority takes hold of the con-

416 ANNALS OF 1806.

science only, having no more worldly fortune, or
worldly influence to support it, than what may,
and does, fall to the share of any other clergy-
man. In these circumstances, which are precise-
ly those which we experience, if there are any
hopes of preserving a true, regular, and valid E-
piscopacy, worthy of these venerable marks of
distinction, it must be by strengthening the
hands of those whose office it is to continue the
Episcopal succession, and by holding out such
encouragement as may induce men of respectable
character and attainments to undertake such a
',veiffhtv chara'e.

*' Canonical obedience, as we term it, seems,
in the opinion of many, to be a term of doubtfu!,
and, at best, undefined signification, and will al-
ways afixird matter of dispute, when the precise
letter of the canon is not marked out as the boun-
dary of a Clergyman's duty, beyond which he is
not to advance on any occasion whatever. Such
a constrained, such a formal shew of obedience,
may be thought suflicient where the laws of the
state interpose their aid, if necessary, and where
there may be other inferior motives than the glo'-
ry of God and the good of souls to incite men
to desire as well as accept * the oflice of a Bi-
' shop.* But as there is notliing of that kind to
be met with in the Episcopal Church of this land,
neither tlie possession nor the prospect of any
great emohinient or advantage in this world, the'
inference, I think, is plain and obvious, and cau^

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 417

not possibly escape our notice, that, in this coun-
try, the only way in which the Episcopal charac-
ter can be rightfully maintained and supported
in the exercise of that authority which is abso-
lutely necessary to usefulness, is, by securing to
it the filial confidence, the affectionate regard of
those, both Clergy and laity, who profess to be
of the Episcopal communion, and who, in conse-
quence of that profession, believe the Bishop to
be an essential part of every pure, apostolical,
and rightly constituted Church.

** Far be it from me thus to speak from the
unworthy desire of magnifying my office, beyond
that which is due to it. I have not so learned
Christo Conscious though I be, that, from many
infirmities, the Episcopal character daily suffers
reproach in my own person, duty requires me to
say, that it is a character which cannot fail to at-
tract respect, bad as the world is, in proportion to
the fidelity with which its duties are discharged.
And mankind are convinced, that as no sinister
object should lead to the desire of it, so every pre-
paration should be made for sustaining it with be-
coming fortitude and zeal. Of such preparation
on your part, my beloved brother, we have been
furnished with the most satisfactory evidence,
and have, therefore, solid ground to hope, that,
in faithfully discharging the duties of your sacred
office, you will thereby secure to yourself the
obedience and veneration of those who are im-
mediately under your charge, and ensure to the

D D

1-18 ANNALS OF 1 80u.

Episcopal Church in Scotland such increasing re-
spect, credit, and advantage, as the friends of
that venerable Society will naturally expect from
one of your education, cliaracter, and attain-
ments condescending to hold such a distinguish-
ed and important station within its pale.

" For the comfort and ediiication, therefore,
of our little Zion, let our united efforts and most
fervent prayers be ever sincerely oifered to the
Throne of Grace, there to be presented for ac-
ceptance by the Great High Priest of our profes-
sion, the Shepherd and Bishop of souls. And O!
that he niay nov/ look down in mercy, from the
riglit hand of the Majesty on High, on the hum-
ble endeavours of his servants here below, for the
acvancement of his glory and the salvation of
h]!- people ! May he correct whatever is amiss,
and supply whatever is deficient, in our present
sincere, though imperfect services ; and so effec-
tuaiiy bless and sanctify the work of our minis-
try, that the Church in which we are appointed
to serve, and the souls for whom we are bound
to watch, may enjoy all the comforts of liis truth
and peace in this world, and, in the world to-
come, all the blessings of his glorious and life-giv-
ing presence !"

It having been recommended to the Primus,
by the venerable Bishop of St Asaph, to communi-
cate to the Prelates of the Church of England
the progress made, and making, in the happy work
of Episcopal union in Scotland, and the advance-

i806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 419

ment to the Scottish Episcopate of one of the
EngHsh ordained Clerg:ymen in charge of a coft'^
gregation in Scotland, Bishop Skinner addressed
the following circular letter to the Archbishops
•and Bishops of the English Church, and to the
Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin, in Irelanda

LETTER LIV,

" Aberdeen, March 16, 1806,
** My Lord Archbishop,

" The exalted station which your Grace so
worthily holds in the united Church of England
and Ireland gives me ground to hope, that you
will not be offended at the freedom which I now
use, in laying before your Grace a very brief ac-
count of the state of Episcopacy, and the pro-?
gress of what may be termed Episcopal union, in
this part of the imited kingdom. The Congrega-
tions which compose all that remains of the old
established Church of Scotland, are at present
about sixty in number, and are supplied by fifty
Clergymen ordained by the Scottish Bishops ; a
few of these congregations being at this time va-
cant, either by the recent de-ath of their former
Pastors, or through want of ability to make suffi-
cient provision for supporting the pastoral cha-
racter in a suitable and decent manner. A. few
years ago tliere were about twenty-four congre-
gations in Scotland in a state of separation ^rom
the Scottish Episcopal Church, and supplied by

B D S

420 ANNALS OF 1806.

Clergymen of English or Irish ordination, with
no other Episcopal connection than what their or-
dination, and the use of the English Liturgy, af-
forded. Thirteen of these congregations have of
late joined the communion of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church, sensible of the anomalous state in
which, as Episcopalians, their being in communion
with no Bishop placed them, viz. Two in the city
of Edinburgh, and one in each of the following
places : — Leith, Kelso, Glasgow, Stirling, Perth,
Arbroath, Stonehaven, Cruden, Peterhead, Banffi
and Elgin. Of the other eleven Episcopal con-
gregations still in a state of separation, there is
one in Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Haddington,
Dundee, Dunkeld, Brechin, Montrose, Aberdeen,
(tv/o clergy,) Old Deer, Ayr, and Dumfries.*

" On the whole, it appears that thirteen Cler-
gymen, ordained by English or Irish Bishops,
now form a part of the ministry of the Scottish
Episcopal Church ; and it may be hoped that the
other eleven will, sooner or later, see the pro-

* In 1818, the Congregations continuing in a state of sepa-
ration are reduced to five only of the above list, viz. Dundee,
Brt" chin, Montrose. Aberdeen, and Old Deer. Dunkeld is ex-
tinct.— Kelso and Perth having changed their Clergy, are re-
tvir-ied to a state of disunion ; and, since the death of Dr Car-
ter, there has been no Episcopal Clergyman in the town of
Ayr. St George's Chapel in Edinburgh has long been united,
and Musselburgh, Haddington, and Dumfries for some time.
True " the great body of the constituent members of the con-
gregation of St Paul's Chapef Aberdeen,' have given the pub-
He tokaow that they " disapprove of the measure of union

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 421

priety of adopting the same salutary measure.
As an encouragement to this we have lately, my
Lord, had the happiness of making a very respec-
table addition to the number of our Bishops, by
the consecration of Dr Sandfbrd, of Christ Church
College, Oxford, an English Clergyman in the
city of Edinburgh, of most exemplary character,
and who, I trust, will prove a blessing and an or-
nament to our Church.

*' I beg leave to take this opportunity of pre-
senting my grateful thanks for your Grace's kind
benefaction to the Episcopal chapel in Banff, as
belonging to the diocese with which I am officially
connected ; and requesting forgiveness of the li-
berty which I have taken in thus addressing your
Lordship, and humbly offering up my fervent
prayers to Almighty God for the prosperity of
the united Church of England and L-eland, I have
the honour to be, with the highest respect and
veneration,'* &c.

In Bishop Horsley's reply to the above, as ad-
dressed to him, dated a few weeks after receipt
of it, he expresses the " highest satisfaction at
the progress of union in Scotland."

with the Scottish Episcopal Church, being firmly resolved to
continue attached to the Church of England as formerly."
But as no one can read these Annals and not see that the
Church of England recognises no such attachment, unless in
a state of union with her sister Church in Scotland, the Anna-
list doubts not, as their Clergy are friendly to the measure,
but that, in a little time, all the Episcopalians in Aberdeen
shall be one fold under one shepherd.

4^'3 AN>JALS OF 1806,

LETTER LV.

BISHOP HORSLEY TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" I am persuaded that nothing can be more
for the interest of religion in this island,-— no-
thing more for the credit of both parties, and par-
ticularly of the Clergy of English and Irish ordi-
nation ; and I have perhaps some personal satis-
faction in finding the opinion which I gave many
years since to our worthy friend, Bishop Aber-
hethy Drummond, confirmed by this event, * that
' the business of union would certainly do itself,
' if he was not too much in a hurry to drive it
* on.' Nothing can give me greater satisfaction,
than that my son, while in a state of separation
from me, should be thought worthy to have the
care of one of your congregations committed to
him. The employment will be respectable, though
tile profit should be small ; and I am confident,
that he would himself prefer emiiloyment with-
out any profit, to a state of absolute inactivity.
It would be a great consolation to me, indeed,
could I think that God, in his mercy, had made
him the humble instrument in the furtherance of
so great and good a work as that of healing the
unseemly divisions among the Episcopahans of
Scotland."

As a farther specimen of the very favourable

]80n. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 42S

reception whicli Bishop Skinner's communica-
tion met with in England, the repb'es received
from the excellent Bishop of London, Dr Por-
t.eous, and the venerable Dr Madan, Bishop of
Peterborough, are a'so worthy of a place in these
Annals.

LETTER LVL

BISHOP PORTEOUS TO BtSHOP SKINNER.

" London, March 17, 1806,
" Kight Reverend Sir,

*' Having always been a friend to the union of
the English and Scottish Episcopal Clergy iri
Scotland, it gives me pleasure to find that it has
of late made so great a progress. I long since
told my friend, Sir William Forbes, that, by de-
grees, with a little patience and forbearance, and
mild and gentle persuasion, it would assuredly
be brought about. Dr Sandford is certainly a
great acquisition to your Church ; and there ap-
pears to me little doubt, but that, with such an
accession, your object will in due time be com-
pletely accomplished. I am," kc.

LETTER LVII.

BISHOP MADAN TO BISHOP SEINNER.

" Palace, Ptiterborough, March 19, 1806.

" Right Reverend Sir,
'' Please to accept my earliest and warmest

i42'i ANNALS OF 1 806.

thanks for your kind communication of the rapid
progress of Episcopal union in Scotland. It must
rejoice and comfort the heart of every sincere
friend to the Christian cause. I make no doubt
but that this has been, in a material degree, ow-
ing to your own great and pious exertions, for
which God will bless you in his good time. Most
cordially do I unite with you in fervent prayer
to Almighty God for the prosperity of the unit-
ed Church of England and Ireland ; and, let me
also add, for the still further progress and pros-
perity of Episcopal union in yoiu' part of Great
Britain. I have the honour to be, with much
true repect and admiration of your character,

" Sp'^- Peterbro'."

The Bishop of Salisbury, Dr Douglas, enters
fully into the measure of the union, and tells Bi-
shop Skinner, that *' even had he been able soon«
er to have answered his letter, he thought it pru-
dent to wait till he could have a conversation with
the Archbishop of Canterbury, to whom (says
he) I paid a visit yesterday (May 7th) at Lam-
beth. He expressed himself with the same friend-
ly sentiments which I entertain with regard to
the Episcopal Church in Scotland, and wished
that the Clergymen who officiate in your part of
the island, and who have been ordained in Eng-
land, would submit to your jurisdiction,* in

* To strengthen, if possible, the Archbishop's ' wish' for
union, the Annalist conceives that it is a duty which he owes

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 425

a step, which he was glad so many had already
taken, and whicli he thought would be farther
assisted by the consecration of Dr Sandford."

The letter containing this valuable informa-
tion, the worthy Prelate (himself a native of Scot-
land) concludes in these very friendly terms:—
*' I hope no more young men will be sent from
England to serve, as ministers, to your chapels ;
but if any should be invited, and induced to go
to Scotland, I make no doubt but they will be
advised by any of our Bench, who may know of
their intentions, not to refuse acknowledging the
jurisdiction of our brethren the Scottish Bishops."

As, among the last letters, if not the very last
letter, which Bishop Skinner had the honour of
receiving from the indefatigable friend of Scot-
tish Episcopacy, the late Sir William Forbes of
Pitsligo, the Annalist is induced to gratify the

to the outstanding Clergy of English ordination in Scotland,
to apprise them, that were any of them to be presented to a
living or livings m England, he would positively be refused
institution to the charge or charges, without a testimonial
from two Clergymen in full communion with the Bishop in
Scotland, in whose diocese he may have resided for the last
three years, and that testimonial counter-signed by the Bi-
shop himself. The case actually happened, when Mr D. late
of St Paul's chapel, Aberdeen, received presentation to the
living which he now holds in the diocese of York. That gen-?
tieman, though he never united with Bishop Skinner, v.-as ob-
liged to apply to that Prelate for a testimonial, who, although
the applicant's conduct was the more inexcusable, in that he
had been baptized and educated in the Scotch Episcopal
Church, readily granted the testimonial in the form required.

426 ANNALS OF I8O6.

reader with the following. It contains an incen-
tive to union which must go to the heart of
every parent or guardian, professing himself an
Episcopalian, and prompt him, for his offspring's
sake, (^if from no other motive,) to maintain invio-
late Episcopal union, should he be happy enough
to enjoy it, or, should the case be otherwise^ to
*' seek diligently till he find it."

LETTER LVIII.

SIR WILLIAM FORBES, BART. TO BISHOP SKINNER.

" Edinburgh, April 5, 1806.
" It is a considerable time since I received the
honour of your very obliging letter, which I have
too long delayed to answer. Latterly, indeed, I
have purposely let it alone, in the view of the
confirmation, which Bishop Sandford had given
notice that he intended to hold in our Chapel (the
Cowgate) this day sennight, and which 1 wished
to be able to tell you I liad witnessed. You have no
doubt been informed by some of your corres-
pondents here that it took place accordingly ;
and, I must say, 1 never was present at a more
solemn, a more agreeable, or a more impressive
service. It could not but be very edifying to
every seriously disposed person, to see our Cha-
pel, which, 1 believe, is the largest in this coun-
try, filled with a numerous congregation of the
uppei^' ranks of Me, and upwards of a hundred

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 4^7

young persons confirmed, who not only com-
ported themselves with the utmost decorum, but
seemed, as well as many of their parents, to be
very much affected with the ceremony, and who,
I hope, shall be the better for it to the end of
their lives. Three of my own young people were
of the number ; the elder part of my family hav-
ing been confirmed by the Bishop of Man, when
he passed through Edinburgh a good many years
ago. But, hereafter, thank God, we shall have
no need of foreign aid !

*' Having occasion now and then to exchange
a letter with the Bishop of London, on the sub-
ject of the hfe of Dr Beattie, on which lam now-
employed, and in which he is kind enough to
take some interest, I lately, in writing to the
good Bishop, introduced the subject of Dr Sand-
ford's consecration. What he says in answer to
that part of my letter, is short, but very satisfac-
tory. * I congratuLue you on the union of the

* Scotch and English Episcopal clergy. It will

* tend to promote harmony and concord, and the

* general interests of religion.'

" I thank you for your kind inquiry about my
arm ; I am uow able to use it in writing, as you
see, which is a great comfort to me. I remain,
with much respect, regard, and esteem. Right
Kcv. and Dear Sir, &c."

Nor did this great and good man's interest
in the cause of Scottish Episcopacy expend it-

228 ANNALS OF 1806.

self in words only. It was no part of his char-
acter to * sacrifice unto the Lord of that which
cost him notliing.' No sooner was it suggested
to him by one, nearly allied to his amiable family
by marriage, that an attempt ought to be made to
raise a fund for making some small addition to
the incomes of the Bishops in Scotland, and for
relieving the wants of the most necessitous
of their clergy, than Sir William Forbes en-
tered, with heart and hand, on the beneficent
scheme ; giving no less a sum, from his own
private funds, than L.dOO. In order, the more
efTectually to secure success to * this work
and labour of love,' a *' Memoir" was drawn
up in J 806, " respecting the present state
of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, and respect-
fully submitted to the consideration of the No-
bility and Gentry of that Communion.' This
endearing monument of zeal and sincerity in their
Christian profession, on the part of the Institu-
tors of the Episcopal fund in Scotland, the An-
nalist is proud to record, ' injuturam rei memori-
am' * While deeming the following account of
the pious scheme, extracted from the Honourable
Mr Justice Park's valuable " Memoirs of William
Stevens, Esq.", more calculated to excite the in-
terest of his readers at large, and to call forth the
contributions of the wealthy and benevolent, than
any statement which he could give, the AnnaHst
ardently solicits the public attention to it.

" I have been the more diffuse, in this ac-
* See Appendix No. VI.

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 42y

count,!* (the account of the progress of union a-
mong Scottish Episcopalians,) " because it must
be a matter of great curiosity to the student in
Ecclesiastical History ; because Mr Stevens was
continually consulted upon the measures pro-
per to be adopted, (and, he was laborious and in-
defatigable in his consideration and correspon-
dence on the subject ;) and, because this very un-
ion led to still further exertions of this good man's
benevolence, both in his personal labours and pe-
cuniary bounty, for tlie comfort and happiness of
the members of that body.

" Delightful as it was to all good men, who feel
how joyful it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity, to behold such a schism so nearly healed ;
yet it was matter of great lamentation to the
laity to see their Bishops and Pastors, who are not
excelled by any clergy in piety and learning, and
exemplary behaviour, unable to support that de-
cent rank in society to which they are so well
entitled, and which is so necessary to give weight
to their characters, and effect to their public mi-
nistrations. Inasmuch, therefore, as all income
arising from the state was cut down at the Hevo-
lution, these reverend persons. Bishops as well
as Priests, had nothing to rely on but the emolu-
ments arising from their Congregations, which
were often so limited in number, and in such nar-
row circumstances, that the stipends of many of
these pious and exemplary men did not exceed
the wages of a common day-labourer. It could

430 ANN'ALs or 1806,

not, therefore, but be matter of regret to every
well disposed Christian, indeed to every feeling
heart, to see those who had had a liberal educa-
tion, and who filled the distinguishing station,
(whatever the worldling may think) of ambassa-
dors of their blessed master, with such pitiful in-
comes.

** It was also a circumstance worthy of remem-
brance, that not a complaint of the narrowness
of their pecuniary means ever escaped from the
lips of these excellent men; but they proceeded,
through evil report and good report, in hunger
and thirst, faithfully and contentedly discharging
all the duties of their sacred calling. It seemed,
therefore, upon the removal of the penal laws,
and upon this union" (the union in Edinburgh)
" being effected, that to make some improvement
in their worldly circumstances was an object well
deserving of attention. It therefore occurred to
some valuable members of the Episcopal persua-
sion at Edinburgh, in the foremost rank of whom
stood the late great, because the good. Sir Wil-
liam Forbes, to form a fund for making a mode-
rate addition to the incomes of all the Bishops
and most necessitous of the inferior Clergy.*

* '< This subscription was to be entirely of a private naturCo
It included no application to Government, nor any idea of the
slightest connection between the Episcopal Church of Scot-
land and the State. With regard to the Established Presby-
terian Church, its most conspicuous members are well known
to be men of most enlightened minds, who knew too well the
merits of the Episcopal Clergy, and their obscurity also, with^

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 4fSl

*' Accordingly, the Duke and Duchess of Buc*
"Cleugh, and Sir William Forbes, set the subscrip-
tion on foot in Scotland, by large contributions ;
and the latter being about to be removed, for the
reward of his virtues, to a better world, added,
to his original subscription of L/^00, a legacy of
L.200 more. No sooner was this most laudable
plan commenced in that country to v/hich it
more particularly applied, than the friends of
Episcopacy in England, desirous to do every
thing in their power to forward the pious designs
of those in Scotland, in favour of this long de-
pressed, though pure portion of the Christiaa
Church, immediately formed themselves into a
Committee, in order to collect subscriptions, to
suggest plans, and, in short, to co-operate with
the Scottish Managers, in every way in which
their services, for so good a cause, might be re-
quired. This Committee originally consisted of
James Allan Park, Esq, the Chairman ; the very
Rev. Gerard Andrews, Dean of Canterbury; the
Rev. Dr Gaskin ; William Stevens, Esq. ; the
Rev. Robert Hodgson, Rector of St George's,
Hanover Square ; John Bowdler, Esq. of Hayes ;
and John Richardson, Esq. And it will be ob-

out power or influence, to entertain any jealousy of them. In-
deed, it is but justice to say, that upon occasion of this sub-
scription being set on foot, as well as of the application to Par-
liament for relief to those of the Episcopal persuasion, the
most ready consent to, and approbation of both measuregj
were afforded by some of the most eminent members of the
•slablishment in ScolUnd."

432 ANNALS OF 1806.

served, that of them, three were of the old Com-
miitee for procuring the repeal of the penal sta-
tutes. This Committee, jointly and individually,
were most anxiously sedulous In the discharge of
this voluntary trust ; and Mr Stevens himself was
indefatigable in endeavouring to procure sub-
scriptions. But that he might not be supposed
to attempt at influencing others to do what he
had no intention of doing himself, his purse was
ready and open, as usual, upon this occasion ;
and he was himself the first Enghsh subscriber of
L.lOO; and he had before his death, (which hap-
pened in two or three months after that of Sir
William Forbes, of whom and Mr Stevens, it
might be said, * they were lovely in their lives,
* and in their deaths were not long divided,') the
satisfaction of seeing that this work of faith, —
this labour of Christian benevolence, — was meet-
ing with a degree of encouragement worthy of
its importance in the scale of humanity and cha-
rity *.^'

* " Notwithstanding all the exertions of the Committees m
both countries, and notwithstanding the liberal donations of
many of the dignified Clergymen in England, and a vast body
of tlic laity, yet the funds have only enabled the IVlanagers to
collect L.lOO per annum to the Bishop residing in Edinburgh ;
L.60 per annum to the Primus, and L.50 to each of the other
Bishops; L.15 to a very few, and L.IO also to a very few of
the inferior Clergy." Such was the state in 1812, when the
IMemoirs of iVIr Stevens were published, and such is the state
in 1817. — Annalist.

*' But the Committees in both countries do not remit their
zeal and ardour. Tliey attribute much of the backwardness

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 433

Bishop Skinner having, in the month of Au-
gust this year, met his Clergy in regular Diocesan
Synod and having delivered a Charge to them in
the usual manner, he had the satisfaction to find
that the subject of the charge was considered by
his Clergy, as so peculiarly suited to the then state
of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, that they
unanimously requested him to publish it.

to subscribe which Uiey discover, to the situation of the Scot-
tish Episcopal Clergy not being known, and if known, not un-
derstood ; and, to the very quiet and unobtrusive manner in
which the subscription has been, and must be, carried on.
They still trust and earnestly hope, that the great, the rich,
and the virtuous part of the community, will enable them to
do much more for tliose who stand in so near a relation to
the Founder of our holy faith ; and ihey rely confidently, at
least that all those who stand in the same relation to him in
the Church of England, and who have the means, will recol-
lect, that though the outward splendour and territorial pos-
sessions of Scottish Episcopacy are no more, yet in soundness
of doctrine, in solidity of learning, and in innocence of life,
her Clergy are still a burning and shir.r.g light, amidst a
crooked and perverse generation ; and although, by the sure
word of prophecy, the gates of hell shall not prevail against
the Church of God, yet, in the inscrutable dispensations of
Providence, it may hereaiter be asked, ' where is the Church
* of England ?' as we now say, ' where is the Episcopal
' Church of Scotland ?' Let them consider these things and
act accordingly. — See a Sermon of Bishop Horsley."

Another edition of the interesting Memoirs from which this
extract is taken, being called for in 1815, the benevolent au-
thor, after paying every ^expense of printing, publishing, &c.
gave the whole produce of the sale to the fufid for which he
pleads so irresistibly.

£ £

434< ANNALS OF 1806.

The fact was, that the Bishop had reason to
suspect that there were, among the junior Clergy
of Scottish ordination, some, whose ambition it
was to be considered as Clergymen of the Church
of England, and who, if they had not already
abandoned the use of the Eucharistical service of
the Scottish Church, were ready so to do, — for no
other reason but that it was Scottish ! After
therefore giving a brief history of the measure of
union in Edinburgh, of the consecration of the
new Bishop of that diocese, and of the patriotic
reasons (were there no other,) for Scottish Epis-
copal Clergymen adhering to the use " of that
venerable badge of distinction, so well known in
this part of the kingdom, under the title of the
Scottish Communion Office," the author of the
charge sums up his subject in these words : *' By
the very act of toleration, the Clergy ordained
among us are expressly declared incapable of
taking any benelice, curacy, or spiritual promo-
tion within the Church of England as by law
established ; they are therefore, to all intents and
purposes, to be considered solely and entirely
Scotch Episcopal Clergy. Assuming the appear-
ance of another character, and wishing to pass
as ordained in England, by a strict observance of
all the forms prescribed by the English ritual,
can serve only to expose them to ridicule, as af-
fecting to disown the Church to which they pro-
perly belong, and shewing themselves, as it were,
asJiamed of their connection with it. What else

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 455

can be said of that silly affectation, which, if al-
lowed to prevail in the minds of our Clergy,
might tempt them to relinquish the use of our
truly primitive Communion Office, — for no other
reason but because it is Scotch, and has been
found fault with by some, who either know no-
thing about it, or are evidently prejudiced against
it. It is with extreme reluctance that I have
touched on this unpleasant subject; but compelled,
as I feel myself, by a sense of duty, thus to state
my opinion to the Clergy with whom I am more
immediately connected, it is in the pleasing hope
that all of them, whether of Scotch or English or-
dination, will see the propriety of not abandoning
any religious rite or practice, on such light
grounds as mere levity of principle, or a mean
compliance v/ith the fashionable taste of the
times."

Besides the Clergy of the diocese of Aberdeen,
to whom the charge was officially addressed, it
chanced that three members of the Episcopal Col-
lege were Bishop Skinner's auditors on that occa-
sion,— Bishop Macfarlane of Ross, Bishop Watson
of Dunkeld, and Bishop Jolly of Moray. These
Prelates being in Aberdeen, in consequence of
the Triennial General Meeting of the members of
the Scotch Episcopal Friendly Society, the charge
may be considered as speaking the sentiments of
a majority of the Scottish Prelates ; inasmuch as
Bishop Skinner announces in the printed preface,
that '♦ his three Right Reverend colleagues, who

E E 2

436 ANNALS OF I8O6,

were present at the delivery of it, had the good-
ness to express their approbation of it in the
warmest terms of brotherly kindness."

This eventful year, (1806,) however, now draw-
ing towards its close, was not permitted to pass
away, without its full share of calamity and afflic-
tion. Were the reader asked, to what public
characters on either side of the Tweed the Scot-
tish Episcopalian considered himself to be most
indebted ? the answer, without hesitation, would
be, — *' to the Right Rev. Samuel Horsley, Lord
Bishop of St Asaph, in England, — and to Sir
William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart, in Scotland."
Yet, to the deep regret of every friend of truth
and virtue, and to the grief inexpressible of the
Bishops, the Clergy, and lay members of the
Episcopal Church in Scotland, both of these illus-
trious men were snatched away by death from this
sublunary world, ere the year 1806 had reached
its end. The venerable pastor of Longside, then
in his 86th year, endeavoured, in some Latin
verses, to gi e vent to the sorrow which agitated
the breasts of himself, his spiritual fathers and
brethren, on the mournfiil tidings reaching their
ears. Of Bishop Horsley, he suni'^ up the well
earned fame in language too indelibly engraven
on every Scottish Episcopalian's heart to be for-
gotten : —

" Cambria maesta, dole tantum tibi lumen ademptum !
Patronum ablatum, Scotia maes.o, dole !
Dum colitur pifctas, tt amor uivmus honesti,

1S06. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 4*57

Dum retinet primam Scotia nostra fideni,
Pracsulis Horsleii famamque, et juris amorem,
Semper honorabit Scotica turma Patrum *."

Equally just and impressive, the verses on Sir
William Forbes, will ever be had in equal regard.
They were transmitted to the heir of his virtues,
as well as of his title and fortune, by Bishop Skin-
ner, in the following artless and affecting note..

LETTER LIXo

BISHOP SKINNER TO SIR WILLIAM FORBES, BART.

" Aberdeen, Dec. 9. 1806.
" Having already taken the liberty of present-
ing to you, with much sincerity, my heartfelt
condolence and sympathy on a late mournful
event, I again presume to trouble you with a
siTiall testimony of respect from an aged friend of
mine, who, like many others, feels deeply on the
present occasion. The person to whom I allude
having long been an ardent admirer of the cha-
racter of your late worthy father, has attempted
to do justice to it in a {"ew Latin verses, which I
now enclose. May I hope that you wdl not be
offended at the freedom which I have used in
thus laying before you a small specimen of my
father's genius, now in his 86th year, and still
holding the charge of the Episcopal congrega-
tion in Longside, to which he was appointed six-
ty-four years ago.

* Skinner's Theological Works, Vol. III. p. 86.

438 ANNALS OF 1806.

** Requesting your acceptance of my fervent
wishes for the blessing of heaven, and every com-
fort on earth to you and your family, I have the
honour to be, with the highest esteem and re-
gard," &c.

The verses themselves, strictly speaking, are
foreign to tlie Annalist's purpose, but that rea-
der's heart must be of a nature foreign to the
heart of a Scotchman, who can be offended at their
introduction here.

IN OlilTUM

GULIELMI FORBES,

BARONETTI DE PITSLIGO.

Dum sacrata plus lacrymas super ossa prorundo,

Maerori ignoscas, lector amice, meo :
Ne tibi displiceat taleni, quod ploret, ademptura,

Masrente populo macsta cama^na virum !
Charus eras meritoque mihi, Gulielme verende,

Propter et exemplum semper amande mihi !
Te constans, inter cives terrena gerentera

Ornabat purae Relligionis amor.
Te scnsit gaudens Ecclesia nostra benignum,

Laudafc et auxilii pignora larga tui !
Tu regi et legi, patriseque Deoquc fideb's,

Absque dolo simplex, absque timore pius.
Munificus, prudens, tu semper amcenus et almus,

Divitibus monitor, pauperibusque pater!
Talem te genuisse virum, Caledonia, gaude !

Tali da lacrymas nunc spoliata viro !
Tu, quoque, surgentis plebs gi'ata ct prospera villae

Patronum extlnctum pectoreetoro dole!*

* On his estate ofPitsligo the late Sir William Forbes esta-
blislied a village ; from respect to the state, and the villagers

ISOC. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. >■ 439

At tu, qui tantis succedis laudibus Hseres,
Arvaque nunc proprio jure paterna tenes,

Vive diu, multos felix et laetus in annos,
Par fama et meritis, par pietate Patri."

The last letter in the hand writing of Bishop
Horsley which reached Scotland (letters, it may
be, to his own son excepted,) dated June 17,
1806, was addressed to the Rev. Mr Skinner of
Forfar, and contained the following grateful in-
telligence, that, " with respect to the compara-
tive merit of the two communion offices for Eng-
land and Scotland, he (the Bishop) had no scruple
in declarincr that he thouc^ht the Scottish office
more conformable to the primitive models, and in
his private judgment more edifying than the Eng-
lish office now in use, insomuch that, if he (Bi-

*
shop Horsley) were at liberty to follow his own

private judgment, he would himself use the Scot-
tish office in preference "

The last act of Sir William Forbes's pen was
equally characteristic of his deep rooted regard
for the prosperity of that Church whose distin-
guishing ornament is her Eucharistic service. '* I
have scarcely courage," Bishop Sandford tells
Bishop Skinner, in his letter announcing Sir Wil-
liam's death, " I have scarcely courage to speak

of the established reh'gion, he founded a Chapel of Ease, which
he liberally endowed : — from respect to the Church of which
he was a member, he, at the same time, erected an Episcopal
Chapel, the Clergyman of which he amply provided for.

440 ANNALS OF I8O6.

of the loss which we have lately suffered, and a
loss never <o be repaired. I cannot, without e-
motion, think of the valuable man who has been,
taken from us, and revolve in my mind the last
solemn interview I had with him, 1 know, my
excellent Sir, that you will join me in lamen-
tation for ourselves, for, in this case, indeed, it h
only for ourselves that we do lament. I do not
know whether I told Mr John Skinner, that the
last time this good man signed his name was to a
paper in the service of our humble Church."

The paper bore an additional donation of L.200
to the Scottish Episcopal Fund ; for which, may
the pious donor's soul be rewarded a hundred
fold in the day of the Lord Jesus !

Although, as already noticed, the Charge deli-
Keved by Bishop Skinner to his Clergy in the
month of August 1806, was deemed by all who
heard it, Prelates as well as Priests, so peculiarly
seasonable as to be printed at their unanimous
and express desire; yet, in the southern districts
of the Church, no small alarm was excited on the
pubHcation of the Charge, at the following inti-
mation, which, along with Bishop Horsley's let-
ter to Dr Grant, (^see p. 391 above) the Primus
thought proper to append, in form of a note, to
page ^i6 of his Charge. " A Clergyman of the
diocese of Dunkeld intends to publish, in a few
months hence, a new edition of the Scotch Com-
munion Office, with a prefatory discourse on the
doctrine of the Euchaiistic sacrifice laid down

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 41-1

in that office, and shewn to accord, in every re-
spect, with the doctrine of the united Church of
England and Ireland; containing also a complete
illustration of the whole office, after the manner
of Wheatley, Shepherd, &c. and a collation of all
the communion offices that have been used in
Great Britain since the Reformation, as drawn
up by the then Lord Bishop of St Davids, now
of St Asaph.'*

To those who were not aware that the author's
design was to obviate controversy, and to prevent,
in all time coming, men of equal ignorance and
prejudice with Dr Alexander Grant, from belying
the principles and practices of Scotch Episcopa-
lians, this alarm was by no means unnatural.
They dreaded the recurrence of the same divi-
sions, the same party spirit, which, at an early
period after the Revolution, disgraced, in its agi-
tation of the same subject, the Scotch Episcopal
Church. And they were afraid lest any thing
should drop from the illustrator's pen, which
should even but insinuate that the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper was not duly administered by
the office for the holy communion, according to
the present use of the Church of England *. No

* The Annalist is aware, that one very formidable objection
to union among the Episcopalians in Scotland has been foun-
ded on the permission granted to the English ordained Cler-
gymen, to retain the use of the English Eucharistical service ;
by which, say the objectors, two forms or Liturgies are permit-
ted in one Church ; so that division still prevails. To this ob-

442 ANNALS OF 1806.

sooner was Bishop Skinner apprised of these
alarms, than, in a letter to thg Bishop of Edin-
burgh, he proceeded thusto justify the undertak-
ing^, and the intimation of it, as annexed to his
printed cliarge.

LETTER LX.

BISHOr SKINNER TO BISHOP SANDFORD.

« Aberdeen, Dec. 16. 1806.
" I iTiust now, in compliance with the wish
you have expressed to that purpose, take some

jection it has been briefly, yet unanswerably, replied : I do
not see why the slight variations in the Scottish and English
offices for the holy Communion should occasion any breach of
unity between such members of the Church as may pi'efer
either one or'the other ; or, why the use of either of them may
not safely be left to the discretion of the Ministers. Even in
the English Communion office, the Church has left to the dis-
cretion of the officiating Clergyman, the choice of two diffe-
rent prayers for the King, two exhortations, and two prayers
in the Post-communion ; besides a similar licence in other
parts of her ritual. Suppose, then, that the Episcopal Church
in Scotland were to think fit to print both the Scottish and
English Communion offices in her Book of Common Prayer,
and to prefix a Rubric, authorizing the Minister to use either
at his discretion, — what harm or inconvenience would arise?
Indeed, allowing, (what the Church of England — see Article
XXXIV. — contends for,) that " every national Church has a
right to frame its own ritual," such a concession as the Scot-
tish Bishops have granted to the English ordained Clergy and
their Congregations, does much credit to their conciliating
and moderate disposition.

i806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 443

notice of the principal subject of your former
letter, to which I will frankly own I did not in-
tend to make a reply so scon, — being unwilling
to give you needless trouble in regard to a mat-
ter about which, I am sorry to say, we are not
likely to agree in opinion ; although the differ-
ence of sentiment, I am sure, proceeds from the
best of motives, and ought not therefore to inter-
rupt our friendly correspondence. The officious,
and, as you seem to think, alarming note at
page 26, of my lately printed Charge, has excited
fears or apprehensions on your part, which, had
they in any shape occurred to me, would have
made me sooner have put my hand into the fire
than write such a note, or encourage the propo-
sal to which it alludes,

" For the last twenty years of my life, I have had
occasion to take an active part in all the public
measures which have had for their object tlie
quiet, credit, and support of the Scottish Epis-
copal Church ; and, as far as I am able to judge,
from comparing the present state of this Church
with what it was at the commencement of the
period I have mentioned, I cannot find that it has
been in the least injured, but rather considerably
benefited, by the steps which have been taken to
promote its peace, and, at the same time, preserve
its purity.

" It is hard, then, that I should now be suspect-
ed of giving any countenance to imprudent and
precipitate measures, when arrived at a time of

4)4)4) ANNALS OF 180(5.

life which sjenerally cures men of a propensity
to be too forward or rash in their designs. But
though thus, I trust, happily guarded against the
folly of exposing our poor unprotected Society
to any danger tiiat may be avoided, consistently
with our profession and our principles, I yet feel
impressed upon my mind such a firm unshaken
regard to those principles, as will not allow me to
shrink fiom what duty prescribes, in requiring a
public avowal, both of the doctrine and practice,
by which our Church has been hitherto distin-
guished, in the most essential and important part
of her liturgical service. It is for me the more
necessary to stand forward, either personally or
by my nearest connections, iq defence of what is
peculiar to the Scotch Episcopacy, because, in
some of the measures in which I have been prin-
cipally concerned, such as that which took place
at Laurencekirk in October ISOi, and at Dundee
in February last, it has been inferred, that I was
disposed, with the tacit consent of my colleagues,
to let matters go on in such a way as might gradu-
ally remove every vestige of our Scottish original,
and make us appear as a branch cut off, like that of
America and the West Indies, from the English
Church. Among those, who still retain an at-
tachment to us, as the remains of a distinct and
National Church, I know it is insinuated, ' that
since Bishop Skinner has been its senior Bishop,

* things have begun to assume a different ap-

* pearance ; and, by so zealously promoting union

1806. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 445

* with the English clergy in this country, and

* even procuring one of his sons to be educated

* and ordained in England, and then settled as his

* own assistant, it would look as if he were inclin-

* ed to obliterate every mark of distinction, and

* make us forget that we have any thing of our

* own that belongs to a Church, Bishops, Clergy,

* or sacred offices, but that we must get all from

* England !'

" In short, my dear Sir, I am so thoroughly
convinced of the propriety of what is intended,
and which 1 hope will be executed in the most
inoffensive, and unexceptionable manner, that un-
less all my other colleagues as well as yourself put
a direct negative on the proposal, which, as far as
I have yet learned, is by no means their intention,
I shall certainly consider it as my duty to give
every assistance in my povv'er to a design so lau-
dable in itself, and so likely, as I see it, to do
good instead of evil ; good to those whose good
is most desirable, and evil only in their eyes who
are disposed to speak evil of the way of truth.

*♦ From the plain, the honest, and free manner,
in which I have now delivered my sentiments on
this, to me most interesting subject, you will see,
that I am far from being displeased at the free-
dom with which you have treated it in your let-
ters both to my son and me ; 1 rather feel my-
self much obliged to you for giving me an oppor-
tunity of stating my opinion in return with e-
qual plainness, but with the most sincere and

446 ANNALS Oi> I8O7.

humble tieference. Your local situation and
mine are so different in many respects, that it is
no wonder if we view, in different lights, many of
the things by which we are immediately affected.
But it shall ever be my study to conciliate your
esteem and good opinion, which, on your part,
1 am sure, will never be withholden while you
believe me acting to the best of my judgment,
and in the way that my conscience directs,'*
&c. &c.

1807.] The removal, during the preceding
year, of such men and such friends as Bishop
Horsley and Sir William Forbes was, to Bishop
Skinner, and the cause nearest his heart, — a loss
"which could only be surpassed by the bodily dis-
solution of three other individuals on earth, viz.
the wife of his bosom ; the intrepid champion of
Scottish Episcopacy, as Bishop Skinner's revered
father may well be termed ; and the late Wil-
liam Stevens, Esq. treasurer to Queen Anne's
Bounty ; a man who, from the hour in which he
first heard of an Episcopal Church in Scotland,
viz. the period of Bishop Seabury's consecration,
had exerted every faculty of his mind to promote
her interests, and every disposition of his bene-
volent heart to befriend her senior Bishop and
his family. Yet, during the year I8O7, did the
All-wise Disposer of events see fit to remove from
this militant state these worthies, and the Scot-
tish Primus' dearest relatives and friends j — friends

1807. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 447

by whose removal, so very sensibly were his feel-
ings wounded, that although, in every part of
duty, the Bishop's outward exertions were the
same, and * the spirit of the man' appeared * to
* sustain his infirmities,' yet his inward thoughts,
and state of dejection at his vacant hours, shew-
ed that ' a wounded spirit' was more than even he
could * bear/

For an account of Mr Stevens, who, of the
three lamented friends, was the first summoned
from tliis earthly stage, the reader is referred to a
Memoir of his life, drawn up by his bosom friend,
the Hon. Mr Justice Pai'k, than which modern
Biography is not hkely soon to furnish any thing
more interesting, whether we have an eye to the
matter or the manner.

The last letter which this excellent man wrote
to Bishop Skinner, dated 14.th May 1806, is liere
submitted to the reader's notice as a proof of his
unwearied zeal in doing good, as well as afford-
ing a specimen of the extreme humility and self-
abasement with wliich all his extensive chari-
ties were performed.

LETTER LXI.

WILLIAM STEVENS, ESQ. TO BISHOP SKINNER,

" London^ May li. 1806.

*' I wrote to you sometime since, after a shame-
ful neglect of a letter received from vou ; and I

448 - ANNALS OF 1807»

mentioned, that as the time drew near for remit-
ting an annual contribution to the Fund for the
relief of the poor Episcopal Clergy in Scotland,
their Widows and Orphans, it was probable I
might once more be the instrument for that pur-
pose, which I had much doubted when I wrote
before ; and 1 now wTite to authorize you to
draw on me for the same sum as last year." (L 26,
of which he himself contributed L. iO, iOs )

" You are very good to interest yourself so
much in my favour, which is more than I deserve.
I have no pretensions to the usefulness you speak
of, being at best a most unprofitable servant. I
feel no satisfaction in the recollection of the past,
and consequently no great comfort in the pros-
pect of the future. In short, 1 seem neither fit
to live, nor fit to die. My friends have no rea-
son to fear my removal out of sight. I shall
not be missed, go when 1 will. The vacancy
will soon be filled up, and, it is to be hoped, bet-
ter supplied, as it cannot easily be worse.

*' Your account of your triennial visitation last
summer is very pleasing. I don't wonder that
you had some times warm work of it, which pro-
bably was increased, and the fatigue of" it also,
by your being obliged to use expedition. Your
Sees not having the same means as ours, makes
attention to expense necessary ; this is a pity,
and we have only to pray for better times. But if
your Cliurch is poor, you have the comfortable
reflection that it is pure, and perhaps it is not
the less pure for being poor.

1807. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 44^

" I am obliged to you for mentioning your vi-
sit to your good old father. I am glad to think,
that his mental faculties should be so strong in
his 86th year, and that he should be passing away
the evening of his days with so much Christian
tranquillity and cheerfulness. I have had the
satisfaction to hear of you at different times from
different quarters, and I am now in possession of
your last letter to Mr Bowdler, which he put in-
to my hands the other day at Nobody's club,
•where nineteen members assembled, and passed
€in agreeable day.*

" It is comfortable to see your ecclesiastical
matters going on so favourably, and I congratu-
late you on the accession of Dr Sandford to your
venerable bench. I think you may be succeed-
ing, if not so well as you could wish, at least as
well as you could expect; and I flatter myself, you,
in no long time, may look for an entire end being
put to your schism. It is pleasing to think that
Dr Grant's business is settled without his doing
any serious mischief. I dont know that I havq
any thing to communicate in the literary way, or

* It occurred to the gentlemen who were the chief associ-
ates of Mr Stevens, " to institute," says his biographer, *' a
club in honour of their revered and much admired friend, which
should be denominated Nobody's Club, in conformity to the
name which his humility had induced him to assume, when he
collected his various pamphlets into a volume. He entitled
them 'Ovh*oi "E^yit,\. c. tlie Works of Nobody ; and, by the appel-
lation of Nobody, he was ever after known among his friends."

F F

450 ANNALS OF 1807»

that I have any thing farther to say, than that,
relying on your prayers, I am what you are no
stranger to, with cordial regards to all the mem-
bers of your family, known and unknown, your
obliged and fliithful servant, W. S."

This extraordinary man, whether we regard him
as a private Christian or as a learned theologian j
as a citizen of London, or as having his Troxmv/^oc,
his citizenship in heaven, had always hoped that
his death might not be lingering. And all who
knew him were assured, that however sudden it
might be, with him it could not be unprepared, —
which his biographer rightly presumes to be the
true meaning of the word *' sudden,*' as applied
to death, in a petition of the Litany. But so
uncommonly affecting, and, as the Annalist con-
siders it, *' good to the use of edifying," is the
account of Mr Stevens' demise, given in his ho-
nourable friend's Memoir of him, that he hopes
to be pardoned for inserting it in the Annals of
that Episcopacy, to the support of which, besides
expense of thought and bodily labour, this excel-
lent man was, in one way or other, a pecuniary
contributor of many hundred pounds.

" On Friday the 6th of February 1807, Mr
Stevens spent the whole morning at home, chief-
ly in company with his friend, Mr Bowdler, who
says, that his conversation was animated, lively,
and very much like what it ever was with a
friend he so tenderly loved, and whose sentiment?

3807. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 45i

were so much in unison with his own. These
two friends were to dine together, at Mr Rich-
ardson's, King's-road. His coachman,, who had
always been remarkable for his punctuality, and
had frequently received the commendations of
his master on that account, was, on tliis day,
happily and providentially, a great deal after his
time ; and Mr Stevens had put on his great-coat,
in order to be ready; but, just as he was step!
ping into his carriage, he was seized with a pain
in his chest. Mr Bowdler asked the cause of his
sudden emotion,— he answered calmly, * Nothing
but death.'

" He was attended immediately by tw^o phy-
sicians, and he was bled ; and, though restless at
times, he, upon the whole, slept quietly. Mr
Bowdler, who never quitted him till a late hour,
relates an anecdote which proves, that the same
religious spirit, and the same ready obedience
to God's will, which pervaded every thought,
word, and action, from his earliest youth, con-
tinued to operate upon him even to the latest
moment of his existence. After the stroke of
death above-mentioned, feeling (I suppose,)
that he was dying, he refused the medicines
which the physicians had prescribed; and I,"
says Mr Bowdler, *« was desired to prevail upon
hun to take them, which I did with the usu-
al argument,—* but do it to oblige me;' but in
vain, for he still refused. At last I was going to
to say, ' It is your duty to God, to do what you
* can to preserve your life.' But when 1 had ut-
ff2

452 ANNALS OF 1807.

tered only the six first words, he seized the cup,
and drank it to the dregs ; and, laying hold of
my hand," adds Mr Bowdler, " said, with great
earnestness several times, * my dear friend, my

* dear friend !' as if wishing to express, not only
his affectionate regard to this excellently good
man, but his gratitude for recalling him to his
duty to God at that moment, when our excellent
Liturgy, in most impassioned language, in the bu-
rial service, teaches us to pray, — that God will
not suffer us at our last hour, for any pains of
death, to fall from him.

*' Not long before he expired, Mr Bowdler
asked him, after he waked from a calm sleep,
whether he should repeat a prayer ; the dying
Christian assented. Mr Bowdler repeated the
Collect, from the order for the visitation of the
sick, beginning with these words : * O Lord look

* down from heaven,' &c. ; — when he had said,

* give him comfort and sure confidence in thee,'
Mr Stevens said very calmly and distinctly, —

* Amen 1* But as he did not repeat it at the end
of the Collect, it is presumed his mind was ex-
liausted. When the clock struck three, in the
morning, he said to the servant, * My time is

* come ! — Oh, dear good God T and fell asleep
without a struggle or a groan.'*

One short month from the day on which this
invaluable friend and correspondent was with-
drawn, and Bishop Skinner had to mourn his own
fate as a widower. Mrs skinner, as has been no-

1807*

SCOTTIS H EPISCOPACY. 453

ticed in the introductory Memoir, died on the
4th of March IS07. His feehngs on that event,
and others of a like nature, he tkiled not to com-
municate to his friends, as ample apoloi^y for his
epistolary silence. But no sooner did he resume
his pen, than, in the following reply to the ten-
der sympathy expressed by one of his most re-
spected correspondents, the Bishop found it ex-
pedient to recur to the alarming note appended
to his printed Charge of 1806. *

LETTER LXIL

BISHOP SKINNER TO A FRIEND.

" Aberdeen, May 14, 1807.
^ " Your verylvind and affectionate letter of the
'26th March was a cordial to my drooping spirits,
pouring balm into my wounded heart, while, on
the one side, holding out the most pleasing good
\vdl to our little Zion, and, on the other, the ten-
derest sympathy for my distressed situation. It
IS a common saying in this country, that * a green
* wound is half healed ;' implying, that only one
half of the anguish is at first felt; and I can bear
melancholy evidence to the truth of tiie observa-
tion. Were the case otherwise, I should not have
been so long in acknowledging the favour of your
last obliging communication, with all the agree-
able intelligence which it contained. But'' my
* See above, p. 110.

4i54t ANNALS OF 1807*

mind is still in such a state of depression, from
the unexpected shocks it has had to sustain, as to
be hardly capable of raising itself to any exer-
tions beyond what the calls of duty necessarily
require. In such a weak and languid condition,
it is no wonder if 1 be apt to feel the weight of
any reflections on my conduct, which, from the
consciousness of acting to the best of my judg-
ment, and from the purest motives, would other-
wise have fallen lighter upon me.

*' I am led into this train of thought, by phrt
of a most affectionate letter I lately received from
our excellent friend ******* *^ who has still the
goodness of heart to attend to the concerns of
our poor Church. That part of his letter to which
1 allude, was suggested by a person whom he
calls a most warm and zealous friend to our
Church, and who urged, what no doubt appear-
ed to him very strong reasons, for deferring the
publication of a little work, in which my son at
Forfar has been for some time engaged, respect-
ing the doctrine and practice of our Church in
the article of her Eucharistic service ; a work
which I took the opportunity of announcing to
the public about eight months ago, in a note at
p. 26 of my printed Charge. That Charge has
found its way into England, and, from the most
laudable motives on your part, has been put into
the hands of some of the most dignified charac-
ters of the English Church. A pledge has thus
been given, (if we may adopt the political lan=

ISOy. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 455

giiage of the day,) that such a little work would
ere now have made its appearance, and no harm,
as far as I have heard, has been done by the in-
timation of it.

" That any alarm should be raised by notifying
such an intention on my son's part, must surely
be owing to some strange misconception of what
is intended to be laid before the public. On
ivhich account, as soon as my son was informed
of what was stated in ***** **s most friendly
letter, he felt it to be his duty, with all becoming
deference to the judgment of others, to give some
short account of his plan and design, and, with
that view, took the liberty of addressing a letter
to our dear friend, which you either have seen,
or, I presume, may see, and thence judge for
yourself whether any danger is to be apprehend-
ed from what he has undertaken in defence of
our misrepresented principles. Those of our good
friends in England, who have chanced to hear of
Dr Grant's little pamphlet, are abundantly sen-
sible what mischief it has done to our cause, for
the reason, which you very properly assign, that
many of his readers will take for granted what
he has asserted, and inquire no farther into the
truth of it.

" With a view, therefore, to make this inquiry
as little troublesome as possible, my son has en-
deavoured to compress his materials into a nar-
row compass, exhibiting a very clear, though
concise proof, that our doctrine on the subject

456 ANNALS OF 1807.

of the Eucharist is ' one and the same' with the
doctrine of the Church of England ; and that our
practical adherence to that doctrine, and to the
purest primitive forms, is sanctioned by the Li-
turgy, by the Articles, by the Homilies and Ca-
nons, as well as by the writings of the best and
truest sons of that Church. Many of these have
lamented the defects which evidently appear in
the outward form of her Communion-service, and
would have been glad to have seen these defects
remedied by the joint concurrence of civil and
ecclesiastical authority. But as we have nought
to do with civil authority, and therefore have no
other sanction to any of our offices but what is
purely ecclesiastical, our Bishops would have
much to account for, did they neglect any favour-
able opportunity of settling these matters on a
proper basis.

*' It would, in me, be particularly blamable
not to use my utmost endeavours to get things
brought as nearly as possible to fixed principles
before the days of my allotment come to an end.
The measure of union which, as in duty bound,
I have been so anxious to promote, has, no doubt,
its advantages, and may they be daily more and
more experienced ! but, I fear, it has its disad-
vantages also ; and unless both the one and the
other be properly understood and duly weighed,
we shall find it diflicult to fix the bounds by
•which union ought to be circumscribed, or to
gay, in imitation of our pious Monarch, with re-

1807. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 457

spect to concessions in flivour of our Roman Ca-
tholic countrymen, * Thus far we will go, but no
* farther.'

" With my best thanks for your truly kind
and Christian wishes in my behalf, and my fervent
prayers to the throne of grace for all that is good
to you and yours, I remain, in much sincerity
and grateful affection, my dear Sir, your much
obliged," &c.

The worthy friend to whom Bishop Skinner
thus appealed in vindication of himself and of
the much-dreaded illustration of the Scottish
Communion-ofiice, (which, be it observed, had
been in the printer's hands before any alarm was
excited,) being of the same opinion with the
gentleman who first had the goodness to com-
municate the alarm, that this little work was
likely to prove injurious to the success of the
Episcopal Fund, nay, was likely, instead of fix-
ing principles, to produce an intemperate disa-
greement about principles ; the Bishop conclud-
ed the painful discussion in manner following : —

LETTER LXITI.

BISHOP SKINNER TO * * *.

" Aberdeen, June 23, 1807.
'* Ever since I had the honour of your acquain-
tance, and the pleasure of writing to you, I was

458 ANNALS OF ISO7.

never so much at a loss what to write or how to
express myself as on the present occasion. Both
your last letters are now before me ; and, after
having read them over and over in much pain
and anxiety, and with all the attention which the
subject so justly claims, I still feel it very diffi-
cult to account for the change of sentiment which
seems to have taken place respecting my charac-
ter and conduct, even among those whose good
opinion I have long been zealous to cultivate,
and never suspected that I could have so sadly
and suddenly forfeited all future right to it.

*' Applying, with all humility, the Scriptural
remark on a much greater injury, I may surely
say, of what has so unexpectedly happened to
myself, * An enemy hath done this.' But who
this enemy is, or what can be the motive for thus
endeavouring to deprive me of one of the great-
est comforts which now remain to support my
declining years, it is hardly possible for me to
conceive.

" It is a circumstance well known, that a party
has been formed for bringing our humble Church
to what they would call ' complete conformity,'
with the Church of England ; even in those very
points, as to which many of the most sound and
serious divines of that Church would have been
happy in the liberty which we enjoy, to make our
ritual perfectly agreeable to the purest standards
of the primitive Church.

" Yet a privilege so happily preserved to us.

1807. SCOTTISH EpiscopAcy. 459

amidst all our deprivations, there are amongst
us those who would tamely renounce, for the sake
of affectinfij a silly imitation, not of the purity
and excellence, but of what may be considered
the faults and defects of the English Ecclesias-
tical system, because that system happens to be
supported, and all its imperfections covered, by a
strong legal establishment. But as this is not the
means by which we can hope to see our perma-
nence secured to our poor unprotected Church,
the consequence is obvious, that if we are to be
subjected to all the restraints imposed by civil
establishment, without enjoying any of its bene-
fits, and must neither act, nor write, nor speak,
but in the way that the state is pleased to permit
the established Bishops and Clergy of England
to do, it will soon be all over with any thing like
an Episcopal Church in Scotland, and the gene-
ration that succeeds its present members will be
astonished to perceive, that hardly a vestige re-
mains of what they may have heard was the fliith
of their forefathers.

*' This is the only fear which at present lies
heavy on my dejected mind ; not the fear of
hurting our temporal interest, or losing the coun-
tenance of this or of the other great man, be he
Peer or Prelate ; but the fear of offending our
great Master in heaven, by sacrificing any part of
that which we are constrained to allow is * God's
* truth,' to our little worldly schemes, and of thus
losing the favour and protection of Him, who is
' King and head over all things to his Church.*

460 ANNALS OF 1807.

" It was under the force of this apprehension,
that I last year addressed the Clergy of this Dio-
cese, in terms which were approved by them,
and sanctioned by the Bishops who were present,
and at whose desire my son undertook this httle
work, which I then thought it my duty to an-
nounce to the public j and which I am still bound
to patronise by every means in ray power, were
it only for the sake of maintaining that consis-
tency which my character and station require, as
necessary to render ray office any way useful to
the Church with which I am officially connected.

*' On this account, and for vindicating both
my son and myself, in particular, as well as the
Church in general to which we belong, it is but
doing an act of justice to all concerned to let the
work speak for itself, at least in this part of Scot-
land, where a due regard to ray character is yet
of some consequence to the credit of the Scottish
Episcopate. To press this mode of vindication
is also the more incumbent on my part, because
one-half of the work, if not more, was actually
thrown off from the press before any mention
was made of those objections which have appear-
ed so formidable to some minds ; and to have
stopped its publication, by arresting the printer's
progress, would hare implied, that the subject-
matter was little short of treason, or something
that deserved to be checked at any expense. At
the same time you may rest assured, that without
your and Mr *******'s approbation, no publica-

1807. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 4Gl

tion of the work shall take place in England. And
I still hope, that neither you nor he will be offend-
ed at the liberty I have taken in sending you and
him a copy of it, that, being able fairly and can-
didly to judge for yourselves, you may the more
easily repel the false and invidious prejudgment
of others. This, I am sure, you will be ready to
do, with that kind and disinterested friendship
which I iiave so happily experienced from you
both, on many occasions. And I remain, dear
Sir, in all sincerity of affection," &c. &c.

The stipulation here entered into was, on Bi-
shop Skinner's part, strictly observed. His son's
little work, which the Bishops who attended Dr
Sandford's consecration, having spent two days
witli Mr Skinner in Forfar, urged him to under-
take, as the best mode of ansvv-ering tlie cavils of
Dr Grant, was never advertised for sale south of
the Tay. In fact, as neither emolument nor fame
was the object of the illustrator of the Scottish
Communion office, his only disappointment was,
that the antidote was not permitted to attend on
the bane. The purpose of Dr Grant's apology
for continuing (as, by a strange lapsus, he termed
it,) *' in the Communion of the Church of Eng-
land," in a country where the Church of England
professes to have no Communion, but what the
Episcopal Church in Scotland affords, was to
shew, that the Church of England was decidedly
wrong in believing that the Epi.;copal Church in
Scotland was no longer a sister Church, but one

46*2 ANNALS OF 1807o

and the same. The Doctor knew better ; there
was an '* essential difference between them ;"
and this essential difference he asserts, as proven
by a reference to the Scottisli Communion office.
The sole purpose of Mr Skinner's publication
was to refute this daring calumny, and shew, by
pn illustration of that office, after the manner of
Wheatley, Shepherd, and other learned ritual-
ists, that " although the Episcopal Church in
Scotland agrees with the first compilers of the
reformed Liturgy of the Church of England,
and has, in proof of that agreement, taken the
Liturgy of Edward the VI. as a model in fram-
ing her Communion office," (as did the Right
Reverend Prelates of the English Church, to
whom his Majesty King Charles I. intrusted
the compiling of the Book of Common Prayer
for Scotland at large, and as the American Bi-
shops did when they compiled the Liturgy used
in their Church,) yet, that still the doctrine of
the two Churches is essentially the same, inas-
much as the present Church of England, in
complete contradiction of Dr Grant's assevera-
tions, affirms, that she *' is fully persuaded in
her judgment, and here professes it to the world,
that the Book" of Common Prayer, (and there-
fore the Communion office, from which the Scot-
tish office is taken,) '* as it stood before esta-
blished bv law, does not contain in it anvthin<x
contrary to the word of God, or to sound doc-
trine, or which a godly man may not, with a

1807. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 465

good conscience, use and submit unto, or ■which
is not fairly defensible against any that shall op-
pose the same,*" &c.

This ' fair defence' was the task wliich his ec-
clesiastical superiors assigned to Mr Skinner ; and
neither they nor the defender himself ever con-
templated any objections to the work as likely
to impede the measure of union, or to offend, in
the most distant way, the Clergy of English or-
dination who had united with the Scottish Epis-
copal Church. Nay, to use Bishop Skinner's
words in a letter to Bishop Sandford, of date
26th August 1807, " They naturally thought
that a more suitable mark of respect could hard-
ly be paid, than by shewing, in this public man-
ner, that the pastors of those congregations in
Scotland, who, though they professed themselves
Episcopalians, were not hitherto Scottish Epis-
copalians, had, in uniting themselves to the Scot-
tish Episcopate, not departed in the least from
the principles of the Church to which they ori-
ginally belonged ; since, even the Scottish Com-
munion office, though differing somewhat in its
form and order from that to which they had

* See Preface to the Book of Common Prayer of the Cliurch
of England; in direct opposition to which, the man wlio apo-
logised for continuing in her Communion, declares, that there
are things in the first reformed Liturgy of England, " which
are not conformable to the principles of the Church of Eng-
land" now a-days. " Nor am I acquainted with any authority
tiiat ought to make me adopt them." — Apology f p. Q.

46-^ ANNALS OF 1807.

been accustomed, yet contains nothing that is
contrary to, or dissonant from that which is real-
ly the doctrine of the established office for the
holy Communion in the Church of England,
the Scottisli office only expressing in more full,
direct, and appropriate terms, that doctrine which
the other leaves to be gathered and inferred from
the general sense and meaning of the English
ritual/'

No one who has perused the little volume, but
has pronounced the author's success to be com-
plete, " in fairly defending the practice of his
Church against any that have opposed, or shall
hereafter oppose the same*."

** It has convinced me," Said one every way
competent to decide on the merits of the under-
taking, " and, I dare say, will convince every
unprejudiced mind, that there is no doctrine of
the Scottish Episcopal Church that is not per-
fectly agreeable to the doctrine of the Church of
England ; and, if the Clergy of the latter were
at liberty to choose, many of them would pro-
bably prefer, as I should do, the office for the
holy Communion adopted in Scotland, to that
used in England t."

* See the Antijacobin Review for September 1817, in whick
ample extracts from the work are given.

f Bishop Horsley, (as has been already noted, p. 439.) hesi-
tated not to express this opinion : " Were I at liberty to fol-
low my own private judgment, I would myself use the Scot-
tish office in preftfrence (to tlie English.) The aJteration*

1807. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 465

In fact, let his prejudices and predilections be
what they may, no person ever attempted to call
in question any part of the contents of the little
volume ; it was simply objected, that " the time
was peculiarly unpropitious for such a publica-
tion." And, to this objection, Bishop Skinner
naturally enough replietl : —

** If the present time be peculiarly unpropi-
tious for the publication in question, is there any
ground to hope that this peculiarity will soon
cease, and a more propitious time be found?
Shall we be able to shew the truth of our Kucha-
ristic doctrine in a more favourable view when it
has been totally lost sight of, or when men's minds
have been completely blinded against it? Will
the ignorance that now prevails, in regard to the
true nature of our altar service, be c ru ated th
more success when it has been allowed time to
increase in strength, and to derive support from
long continuance ? Or, will a captious humour,
or unreasonable prejudice, be as easily set aside
by giving it full scope to work its way, as when
its progress is checked, by shewing that there

which were made in the Comiriunion service, as it stood in the
first book of Edward VI. were, in my opinion, much for the
svorse ; nevertheless, I think our present office very good ;
our form of Consecration of the Elements is sufficient; I
mean, that the elements are consecrated by it, and made the
body and blood of Christ, in the sense in which our Lord
J/imself said the bread and wine were his body and blood."

See the letter at large, in " Illustration,*' &c. p. 157.

4>66 ANNALS OF ISO?.

was never any cause for its being cliijiished, or
even suffered to arise ? — Ignorance was never yet
expelled but by means of instruction ; nor will
even the silliest prejudice die away, while pains
are taken to keep it alive, by allowing only one
side of the question to appear, or shutting the
other carefully out of sight.

*' Reflecting on all these symptoms of indiffer-
ence about matters, which we, of the purely primi-
tive Scottish Church, are led to regard as of very
great importance, it is no wonder if, with much
concern, we see ground to suspect that the princi-
plr-^ now entertained by many professing to be of
the Church of England, are very different indeed
from what are really the principles of that Church
as established at the Reformation from Popery.
"What else can be said of such a writer as Dr Grant
of Dundee, and many others, equally ignorant of,
or disaffected to, the real doctrine of the Church
in which they received their orders? Viewing such
conduct in its proper light, we cannot fail to see
the necessity of applying, as a guard against it,
the apostolical precept, *' to be instant in season
and out of season ;" nor are we aware of any
mistake in such application, by considering that
season to be the most proper for enforcing the
regard due to any important truth or practice,
when it is evidently exposed to the danger of
being gradually overlooked and disregarded.

" But I have done, and shall never trouble ray
friends with a word more on this delicate and dis-

1807. SCOTTISH EPISCOrACY. 46/

tressing subject. It is an honour much greater
than any which I had ever a right to expect, that,
in this instance, I have been enabled to bear my
testimony to " the truth as it is in Jesus," and to the
mode of worship by which I beHeve that truth to
be most clearly exhibited at the Christian altar ;
and not I only, but every man who understands a-
right the Eucharistical dbctrine set forth in Holy
Scripture, and professed by the soundest Divines
of the English Church *."

* As, in the year 1811, it was canonically enacted in full
Ecclesiastical Synod, that " the Scotch Communion Office,
having been justly considered, is still to be considered, as the
authorized service of the Scotch Episcopal Church, in the
administration of the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper,"
(see canon xv.) ; to which enactment four Clergymen of the
Church of England and Ireland, resident in Scotland, and men
of established professional learning and reputation, were par-
ties,— it is not, he trusts, too much for the Annalist to hope,
that the " Illustration" of that officei, as drawn up by him in
1807, may now meet with the wished-for attention from all
who profess themselves Scottish Episcopalians.

Doubtless, inquiry into a sidiject of such vital importance
as to have required canonical enactment, is the duty of every
one, whether Clergyman or Layman, who believes the Epis-
copacy of Scotland to be a true and valid Episcopacy ; inas-
much as, though permission to use the English Eucharistical
service be most properly granted to such Clergy and their
Congregations as, before uniting themselves to the Scottish
Episcopate, had adopted that form of administering the Lord's
Supper, yet is this permission granted in the full belief that
the unity of the Spirit is still held in the bond of peace ; and
that the great commemoratory oblation by which the death of
Christ is, under the Gospel, equally '• shewn forth till bp.
G n 5

46s ANNALS OF 1808.

1808.] During the year 1808, the only event of
sufficient importance to be submitted to the read-
er's notice, are, the death of the Right Rev. Jona-
than Watson, Bishoprof Dunkeld; the appointment
of a successor to him in the person of the present
Bishop, the Right Rev. Patrick Torry of Peter-
head ; and the elevation of the Right Rev.
George Gleig, L.L.D. of Stirling, to the see of
Brechin, in virtue of the resignation of Bishop
Strachan of Dundee, whose advanced age, and
consequent infirmities, unfitted him for the charge
of that diocese.

Although cut off in the prime of hfe, (a?2. cetat.
47.) yet did Bishop Watson's death proceed from
as complete prostration of strength, and as much
from bodily imbecility, as if he had reached that
period of human life when all is labour and sor-
row ! The Bishop was a native of Banffshire,
and, like most of his contemporaries of the dio-
cese of Aberdeen, had been trained to the mi-
nistry of the Scotch Episcopal Church, by the
venerable pastor of Longside, the father of
his friend and patron Bishop Skinner. Hjs clas-
sical and theological acquirements did honour
to his master, and shewed that he himself was a
diligent and successful student. Though raised

come," as it was foresbewn under the law ; that this oblation,
under its approved symbols of bread atid wine, is still present-
ed unto God, and afterwards partaken of by the luunble anJ
devout Communicant.

The voork may be had of the FubliJiem of ihese Annals.

1S08. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 469

to the Episcopate in earlier life than usual, this
excellent man's deportment was marked by some-
thing so decorous in society, and by a mien, a
voice, and manner so attractive in the immediate
discharge of his sacred office, as to command
the respect of all who knew him, or who witness-
ed the performance of his official duties ; and, as
he lived universally esteemed, he died universally
regretted.

In the year 1791, Mr Watson was translat-
ed from the charge of the Scottish Episcopal
Congregation in the town of Banff, to that in the
village of Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, on the
nomination of Lord Gardenston, who, though
bred a Presbyterian, (as he told Lord Chancellor
Thurlow,*) was pleased, from the high sense
which he entertained of the characters of Scot-
tish Episcopalian Clergymen in general, to en-
dow, in his village of Laurencekirk, a living for a
a Cleigyman of the Episcopal communion, of
which Mr Watson was the first incumbent. Whe-
ther his Lordship bethought himself, with the
poet, that a village-preacher must be " passing
rich with forty pounds a-year," the Annalist
knoweth not ; but so it was, that this was the pre-
cise sum which he allotted as the amount of his
village-preacher's money-stipend. But the addi-
tional items of forty bolls of oatmeal, a comfort-
able parsonage-house, with a garden, and three
acres of the best land in the vicinity of the vil-
* See his letter to the Chancellor, above, page 147.

470 ANNALS OF 1808.

lage,™- these items were considered as sufficient to
make a Scottish Bishop ' passing rich/ and suffi-
cient to make a new proprietor hazard an action
at law for their reduction. Thus it happened,
that the worthy Bishop had to encounter, at the
very time of his lamented dissolution, a keenly
agitated question before the Coiu't of Session,
whether or not Lord Gardenston's deed of en-
dowment was so technically and legally correct,
as to constitute the stipend, &c. of the Scottish
Episcopal Clergyman, a permanentburdenonthe
estate of Johnston, in the county of Kincardine.

It chanced, that on the death of the venerable
Lord of the Manor, his heir sold those lands of
which the village of Laurencekirk forms a part.
The purchaser instantly stopped the good Bishop
Watson's stipend and allowances, because he
would not grant receipts, bearing that the pay-
ments made by him, were in no way to be consi-
dered as precluding the proprietor of the lands
of Johnston from challenging the rights of his
(Bishop Watson's) successor. Hence the mat-
ter being brought in due form before the Su-
preme Court, Lord Gardenston's deed of perpe-
tual endowment was confirmed; and, although
the Bishop lived not to. see the issue, the Lau- •
rencekirk ' village preacher's ' forty pounds per
annum, &c. were declared to be as valid and last-
ing as the donor intended, and as the law of the
land could make them.

Bishop Watson being the youngest man in the

1808. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 471

Episcopal College, his colleagues, two of whom
at the time of his death had far passed their 80th
year, were most anxious to liave the vacant see
filled up with all convenient speed. As soon,
therefore, as respect for their deceased brother
admitted of a mandate being issued for the elec-
tion of a successor, the Clergy of Dunkeld, thus
canonically empowered, met at the^ village of
Alytb, in Perthshire, for that purpose. Two
Clergymen were put in nomination, when the
senior in office as well as in years, the Rev. Dr
Gleig, on being apprized of the intention of his
friends in the diocese to vote for him, recom-
mended to them to make the election unanimous
in favour of his brother-presbyter, the Rev. Pa-
trick Torry ; who being elected accordingly, and
approved by the Episcopal College, was, on the
12th October 1808, consecrated at Aberdeen by
the Bishops Skinner, Macfarlane, and Jolly, and
canonically appointed to fill the vacant see.

Equally eager, as their brethren in the neigh-
bouring diocese, to have the Episcopal succession
still farther strengthened, the Clergy of the dio-
cese of Brechin, in consequence of the superan-
nuated state of their Ordinary, navuig applied
for a mandate to elect a successor to Bishop
Strachan, had this application granted : When,
having met at Montrose, on the Sytii September
1808, they unanimously tendered their suffrages
to the Rev. Dr Gleig of Stirling, and intimated
the same to the Primus in the usual form. On

4i72 ANNALS o? 1808.

receipt of the intimation. Bishop Skinner address-
ed the following note to the person on whom the
Clergy of the diocese of Brechin had fixed their
choice.

LETTER LXIV.

lUSHOP SKINNER TO THE REV. DR GLEIG.

" Aberdeen, Sept. 29^ 1808.

" In consequence of a mandate from the Col-
lege of Bishops, granted at the desire of the
Clergy of Brechin, I have this day received a
letter, signed by some of these Clergy, viz. Messrs
Somerville, Jolly, Nicoll, Milne, Horsley, Cush-
nie, Murray, with a proxy to Mr Somerville from
Mr Garden in Stonehaven, all unanimously vot-
ing for you as a proper person to fill the see of
Brechin ; and earnestly requesting the venerable
members of the Episcopal College to proceed,
with all convenient despatch, to your consecra-
tion. The Bishops, I believe, are all abundantly
sensible of the necessity of a speedy accession of
strength to the present weak state of our Col-
lege : but, before I intimate to them the issue of
the Brechin election, it seems very desirable, in
order to prevent unnecessary trouble, that I should
know your sentiments with regard to this matter,
and whether you are inclined to accept of the of-
fice to which you have been thus elected.

'^ In hope that the resolution, whatever it be,

180S. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 473

■which you shall think proper to adopt, will shew
your sincere desire to see * the things which make
for peace' happily accomplished, and commend,
ing you to the blessed Spirit of Truth and Peace,
I remain, with much regard," &c. &c.

To this address Dr Gleig replied, that he " was
at the disposal of the Bishops ;" that ** if a ma-
jority of the College should be of opinion that it
was his duty to accept, or that it would contri-
bute to the good of the Church for him to ac-
cept the office to which he was canonically elect-
ed, he would accept, and did accept it.'* The
Primus, on receipt of this communication, lost
no time in making known to Dr Gleig the terms
on which his acceptance, and consequent eleva-
tion to the Scottish Episcopate, would meet with
concurrence and approbation on the part of the
College of Bishops, as unanimous and sincere as
was his election to the office of their Bishop u-
nanimous and sincere on the part of the Clergy
of Brechin.

LETTER LXV,

BISHOP SKINNER TO THE SAME.

" Aberdeen, October 13, 1808.
** I have received your letter of the 2d cur-
rent, and also a copy of that which you wrote to
the Presbyters of the Diocese of Brechin, on the

474 ANNALS OF 180S.

subject of their late election. When we, as a body,
subscribed our assent to the Thirty-nine Articles
of the Church of England, and when the Bishops
afterwards admitted into their College a Presby-
ter of English ordination, on his own terms, and
without stipulating for any preference to the
Scottish ritual, we certainly went as far as we
could safely go in the way of concession, and for
the sake of drawing more closely to us those few
Clergy from England, who had united themselves
to our Church. But surely, it is now time that
we look to the preservation of what is pure and
primitive in that Church, whose constitution and
character have been entrusted with us.

" With a view to the faithful discharge of this
sacred trust, I have had some conference with
my two colleagues, the Bishops of Ross and Mo-
ray, who have been with me for two days past,
on an occasion which rather brought us unex-
pectedly together. The former (Bishop Macfar-
lane) having come this length with a son return-
ing to Oxford for his education, it chanced that
the deed of election from the Clergy of Dunkeld
arrived at the same time. I thought it a pity to
put Bishop Macfarlane to the trouble of return-
ing to this place, for the consecration of the per-
son elected, and therefore wrote immediately to
Bishop Jolly, who very readily came up hither
on Monday, and brought Mr Torry along with
him, whose consecration took place in my cha-
pel yesterday with ail due solemnity.

1S08. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 475

" Having this favourable opportunity of com-
municating our sentiments to each other, and af-
ter fully discussing the subject of our dehbera-
tions, Mr Torry, animated by the same spirit
which pervaded ail our proceedings, gave in to
us the following declaration, written and sub-
scribed by himself, viz.—

" * I, the undersigned, do hereby voluntarily,

* and ex animo^ declare, being now about to be

* promoted, by the mercy of God, to a seat in the

* Episcopal College of the Church of Scotland,

* that, when promoted to the Episcopate, I will
' co-operate with my colleagues in supporting a

* steady adherence to the truths and doctrines, by

* which our Church has been so happily distin-
« guished, and particularly to the doctrine of the

* Holy Eucharist, as laid down in our excellent
^Communion office ; the use of which I will

* strenuously recommend, by my own practice,
' and by every other means in my pov.^er. In tes-

* timony whereof, I have signed this declaration,

* at Aberdeen, on the Vii\\ day of October, in

* the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hun-

* dred and eiglit, as v/itness my hand. — Pat.

* ToRRY *

" Having now such a plain rule before us, and
so satisfactory a precedent for our future pro-
ceedings, [ am determined, with God's help, to
abide by it, in any future promotion, at least of
a Scottish ordained Presbyter, that may take
place in our church. If you, then, can sincere-

476 ANNALS OF 1808.

ly and conscientiously emit a declaration similar
to that above quoted, win'ch we have received
from the now Bishop of Dunkeld, you may rest
assured, that I belong to no party, be it ever so
powerful, that would stand in the way of your
promotion ; and, as you tell me so frankly and
honestly how much you would be pleased to have
my support on the present occasion, I can, with
equal frankness and sincerity declare to you, that
my weak support, (for weak at best it must be,)
shall never be wanting to him who does what he
can to support the cause, through all its parts, of
what I believe to be true Christianity. *******#
" Wishing, as I do wish, to shew myself at all
times, Rev. Sir, your affectionate Brother, and
very faithful humble servant," &c.

To this interesting communication from the
senior Bishop and Primus of the Scottish Church,
the following most satisfactory reply was, in
course of post, despatched from Stirling :—

LETTER LXVL

RKV. DR GLEIG TO BISHOP SKINNER.

«' Stirling, October 17. 1808.

*' Your letter of the 1 3th was put into my hands

yesterday as I was stepping out of my house to

go to chapel. I have read it again and again with

great attention, and, surely, I may add, with con-

1808. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 477

siderable pleasure ; for the condition which you
propose binds me to nothing but what I have
uniformly practised ever since 1 was a Clergy-
man, and what I should be strongly inclined to
practise were my excellent Diocesan to forbid
me to do so ; for I am as much attached to the
Scottish Communion- office as you, Right Rev.
Sir, can be, and, I have reason to think, on the
very same principles. Let me, however, do justice
to Bishop Sandford, and to all my other friends,
who have wished for my promotion to tlie Epis-
copal Bench, on the present occasion. I am, in-
deed, the only Clergyman within the diocese of
Edinburgh who administers the Lord's Supper
by the Scottish Communion office ; but I am not
the only one who perceives its superiority over
the English form ; for that is perceived by the
Bishop himself, who, had he been able to come
to Stirling this autumn, would have admitted, in
my Chapel, a young man into Deacons' orders,
and there made use of our form. Nay, to my
certain knowledge, he expressed his disapproba-
tion of the conduct of one Clergyman, who some
time ago laid aside the use of the Scottish for
the English form ; and was really grieved that
any man should have done so, without necessity,
who was under his jurisdiction.

" I am, therefore, perfectly ready to subscribe,
and deliver to you a declaration, similar to that
which has been delivered to you by Bishop Tor-
ry, and to do so whether I am promoted to the

478 ANNALS OF 1803.

Episcopal Bench or not ; but, I trust, that I shall
be left at liberty to recommend the office by those
means in my power, which appear to my own
judgment best adapted to the end intended.
Controversy does not appear to me well adapted
to this end, unless it be managed with great de-
licacy indeed , but I have found no difficulty in
reconciling, by private conversation, all those
who have joined my Congregation, whether from
England or from schismatical congregations in
Scotland, to the use of the Scottish office, and
even to make them see the preference of it to
their own. My Congregation is at least doubled
since 1 came to Stirling ; and there is not a mem-
ber of it more partial to our office than some la-
dies of consequence and excellent education, who
were born in England. The same means which
had so good an effect on them 1 will employ,
whether priest or bishop, upon others, varying my
mode of address according? to circumstances and
to the tempers of my hearers ; but public contro-
versy 1 will never directly employ, nor will I en-
courage it in others. * # # *

With real regard, I am. Right Rev. Sir, your
dutiful Son,*' &c.

This letter being deemed satisfactory, Sunday
the SUth of October was fixed for the time, and
St Andrew's Chapel, Aberdeen, for the place of
consecration, when the office was duly perform-
ed by the Bishops Skinner, Jolly, and Torry. The

1809-10. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 479

consecration sermon having been preaclied by
the Rev. Heneage Horsley, M.A. Prebendary of
St Asaph, &c. &c. who, with a zeal in the cause
of Scottish Episcopacy, inherited from his excel-
lent father, " sought" (to use his own words in a
letter to the Bishop-elect of Brechin) " this hap-
py opportunity of dehvering the sentiments of
Bishop Horsiey, (by the mouth of his son,) re-
garding the nature of the Episcopal functions,
and of the conduct of those Clergy who, though
Episcopally ordained, choose to officiate in con-
tempt of the Episcopal authority." *

1809 and 1810.] With the exception of the
deaths of Bishops Abernethy Drummond and
Strachan, which took place within six months of
each other, (the former on the 27th of August
1809, the latter on the 28th of January 1810,) and
of a loyal address from the Scottish Episcopate,
on his Majesty's having attained the 50th year
of his reign, neither of these years was produc-
tive of any ecclesiastical event likely to excite
the reader's interest.

Bishop Abernethy was descended from the fa-
mily of Abernethy of Saltoun, in Banffshire ; Bi-
shop Strachan from that of Strachan of Thorn-
ton, in Kincardineshire, now represented by the
gallant Admiral Sir Richard Strachan ; and, hav-
ing spent their lives in the strictest amity and

* At tliS request of the College of Bishops, this sermon was
printed.

480 ANNALS OF 1809-10.

friendship, in their deaths they were not far divid-
ed. They were elevated to theEpiscopate* on the
same day, thc^^Oth of September 178?, the one
as Bisliop coadjutor to the other ; but no sooner
was Bis'iOp Abernethy Drummond elected to the
see of Edinburgh, where he had his pastoral
charge, an event which speedily took place after
his consecration, than Bishop Strachan was duly
appointed to the see of Brechin, of which the
Scoitish Episcoi'al Congregation of Dundee forms
a most respectable part.

Bi>hop Abernethy having married the heiress
of Hav.'thornden, in the vicinity of Edinburgh,
had. in consequence of that connection, the sir-
name of Drummond attached to his name. His
only child, a daughter, as well as his lady, prede-
ceased him many years. Bishop Strachan lived and
diedabachelor; and both had completed their 89th
year V» ell scored with professional knovvledge,the
mmd ol'the one was yet of a frame but ill suited
to rhe useful adaptation of that knowledge to
time, place, and circumstances ; hence, his ad-
dresses, whether from ti.e press or from the pul-
pit, failed, for the most part, to produce the ef-
fects which the good, the zealous, and the bene-
volent Bishop Abernethy Drummond himself
uniformly wished them to produce.

As if conscious of inferior talent and acquire-
ment h, though equally well affected to the cause
of Scottish Episcopacy with his beloved friend^
* See note to p. 68, above.

1809-10. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 481

the Bishop of Edinburgh, Bishop Strachan look-
ed for success in his ministry and Episcopate to
a respectable exterior, and to the winning arts
of affability, courtesy, and gentlemanly address.
Thus, notwithstanding their long protracted in-
timacy and friendship, these Scottish Prelates
may be said to have had nought in common but
their profession, and the time allotted here be-
low for the exercise of it. And as, ere that time
expired, the exigencies of the Church had re-
quired their places to be filled by men in the
vigour of life, these good men, having set their
house in order, had nought to do but sing their
" nunc dimittis'' and " depart in peace."

In obedience to an order of his Majesty's Most
Honourable Privy Council, issued on the 27th
of September 1S09, the Bishops and Clergy of
the Episcopal Communion in Scotland having,
on the day appointed, offered up their public
prayers and thanksgiving to Ahnighty God for
the protection afforded the King's Most Sacred
Majesty, during a long and arduous reign, also
thought it their indispensable duty to approach
the throne v.ith an address of heartfelt loyalty
and congratulation on the uncommon event of
his Majesty's entering on the 50th year of his
auspicious reign ! This address they had the ho-
nour of transmitting to the Earl of Liverpool, at
that time one of his Majesty's principal Secreta-
ries of State, who being just succeeded in the
home department by tlie Right Honourable Ri-

II H

432 ANNALS OF 1809-10.

chard Ryder, the address was by him duly pre-
sented, and received in the most gracious manner.

If the Annalist mistakes not, the order of Coun-
cil above noticed was the first which assumed
the form, which has since been used in drawing
up all similar orders, viz. that of distinguishing
the Clergy of the Episcopal Communion in Scot-
land by name, whereas all other dissenters from
the national establishment are passed by unnotic-
ed : " It is this day ordered by the Lords of his
Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, that
every Minister and Preacher, as well of the Esta-
blished Church in that part of the united kingdom
called Scotland, as that of the Episcopal Com-
munion, protected and allowed by an act pas-
sed in the 10th year of her late Majesty Queen
Anne, cap. 7. entitled an Act to prevent the
disturbing of those of the Episcopal Communion,
&c. &c. do, at some time, during the exercise of
Divine Service in sucli respective Church,
Congregation, or Assembly, on the Sunday next
ensuing the 25th day of October next, being the
day on which his Majesty began his happy reign,
put up their prayers and thanksgiving to Al-
mighty God, for the protection afforded the
King's Majesty during a long and arduous reign."

Although, as already remarked, the years 1809
and 1810 were unproductive of any other event
particularly interesting to the cause of Scottish
Episcopacy, the union, (it may be,) of the Rev.
William Smith of Musselburgh and his most re-

1809-10. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 48S

spectable flock excepted ; yet does the corres-
pondence during the latter end of those years, as
found among Bishop Skinner's papers, point out
the causes which induced the Primus and his
colleagues to hold the Ecclesiastical Synod at A-
berdeen in the year 1811, for framing and enact-
ing the code of Canons which now form the rule
of discipline in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

It is well known that the introduction of the
English book of Common Prayer into Scotland
took place, at no earlier period than the reign of
Queen Anne ; and that its introduction was ac-
quiesced in from the facility with which the
book was procured by the people, whereas the
Scottish Prayer Book, from the ravages commit-
ted on it, and from its having been suppressed
by legal authority in 1637, had, in a manner, be-
come extinct. From the period of its introduc-
tion, however, most of the Bishops and Clergy
in Scotland had been in the use of not unfre-
quent verbal alterations in reading the English
service. And for the continuation of such al-
terations, no man could have been a more zea-
lous stickler than was Bishop Skinner ; he hav-
ing had not only the example and sanction of his
own venerable father, in framing his opinion as
well as practice, but the example of the Bishops,
Alexander and Gerard,— men for whom he ever
entertained the greatest fdial reverence.

It happened tliat Bishop Gleig, in the course
of his primary visitation of the diocese of Bre-

H H 2

4^4. ANNALS OF 1809-10.

chin, in the month of August 1809, assembled
his Clergy at Stonehaven, and delivered to them
a charge, which the whole Clergy who heard it,
as well as the parties to whom it was immediately
addressed, requested the Bishop to publish with
all convenient speed. The charge was printed
accordingly, and, although, as will be now
shewn, it elicited some sharp remonstrances at
the time, not merely between the Primus of the
Episcopal College and the author of the charge,
but between the former and the writer of these
Annals ; yet did the issue prove the justness of
the following portrait of the late Primus, drawn
by a Clergyman, who, having had much interest-
ing and important correspondence with him,
could well estimate his character, and appre-
ciate his conduct.

*' The late Primus," writes the Rev. James
Walker, *' was considered by those who were
prejudiced against, and did not know him, as
narrow-minded, harsh, and bigoted. I can tes-
tify distinctly, and I feel great pleasure in testi-
fying, that in all my intercourse with him, (though
"we often differed very materially in opinion,) those
prejudices vvere very unjust; and that he is fully
entitled, by a reference to the great facts of his
administration, (while 1 was best acquainted with
him,) to the reputation of a good and candid man,
who was willing to yield, for the sake of peace
and union, many particular views which he
might have retained without reproach. I need

1809-10. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 485

not remind you'* (the Annalist) " of the very im-
portant Synod held at Aberdeen in 1811, of
which you were a member. I recollect that pe-
riod with serious satisfaction, and I know that
your father's conduct on that occasion ma e a
deep impression on those Clergy who previously
knew him very partially and only by hearsay.
His kind and easy hospitality as our landlord ;
the ability and accuracy with which he prepared
the matter of our deliberations ; his impartial
conduct as President of our assembly ; and the
readiness with which he yielded those points,
which we, from the south, thought most necessa-
ry for general conciliation, — stand strongly in my
recollection, and are certainly worthy of special
consideration in the estimate of your father's
character."

When the reader has perused the following
correspondence, and afterwards remarks, with the
Author of the letter, of v.'hich the abo\e is
an extract, how quietly and becomingly Bishop
Skinner, for the sake of peace and union, yielded
those *' particular views which he might have re-
tained without reproach," not only will the cor-
rectness of Mr Walker's portrait of him be ac-
knowledged, but the Annalist is convinced that
every sound and serious Scotch Episcopalian
will join him, in fervently praying, that the suc-
cessors of the late senior Bishop and Primus, to
the end of time, may in this respect take him for
their example.

486 ANNALS Oi* 1810.

LETTER LXVII.

BISHOr SKINNER TO BISHOP GLEIG,

« Aberdeen, Jan. 3. 181C.

*' I iiope you will have the goodness to excuse
my weakness, in wishing that some of the re-
marks contained in your Charge, though perhaps
proper enough for being laid before your Clergy
in private, had yet been withheld from the pub-
lic eye ; which, in many instances, is but too
ready to view us in an unfavourable light.

" Of these our enemies, some will not be sorry
to hear, * that our Church has been more than

* once brought to the brink of ruin by party
' spirit fermenting among her ministers ; and
' what has happened may happen again.'

*' Other parts of the charge seem to liavc been
framed with a particular view to its appearance
on the south side of the Tweed, as intimating an
entire conformity, in every the minutest article,
to the English Rubrics. Such i::, the intimation
given in p. 17* that our Primii;;, when he was in
London, &c. ' solemnly assured his friends, tliat

* we adhere strictly to the English forms in every

* thing, except the administration of the Lord's

* Supper.' Now, the only assurance I ever gave,
which could be so interpreted, w^as tije putting
my name, at Bishop Horsley's desire, to what he
had prepared as a preface to his Collation of the
Communion Offices, &c, wherein it is mention-

1810. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 48?

ed, that tlie Liturgy now in use among the Scotch
Episcopahans is precisely the same with the pre-
sent Common Prayer-book of the Established
Church of England, except in the Communion
office.

" This paper, I told the Bishop, I might very
safely sign, as we certainly had no other Liturgy
in use among us, for our daily service, but the
English Prayer-book, although there were seve-
ral instances in which we did not, and could not,
with propriety, adhere strictly to the English ru-
brics, or to the ipsissima verba of all the offices ;
and I mentioned particularly our using the term
pastors instead of curates, and some other such
like little variations. Of every thing of this kind,
however, you seem wholly to disapprove, and
therefore wish your Clergy to make use of all the
English offices, without additions, diminutions,
or improvements of any kind ; where, by putting
the word " improvemerits'^ in italics, you would
appear to lay us under restrictions, to which, I
believe, no Church situated as ours is, was ever
subjected,

" Of my sentiments on this subject I have
never yet seen any cause to be ashamed, and
therefore have felt no desire to conceal them.
As a proof of this, I also published a Charge a
few years ago (1806), plainly intimating my opi-
nion of these matters, and now take the liberty
of sending you a copy of it ; not with any view
of bringing you over to my way of thinking, but

488 ANNALS OF 1810.

merely to shew you what my thoughts are, and
therefore what my regret must be, in observing
so strong a tendency to bind us down to a slav-
ish resemblance of the Church of England in all
but one point, where we can never hope for any
similarity, — the splendour of her establishm'ent !

" Be so good as accept the sincerity of my
intentions as some apology for the warmth of my
expressions ; and, whatever you may think of the
hints which I have suggested, be assured of the
cordial warmth with which I shall ever remain,,"
kc. &c.

LETTER LXVIII.

BISHOP GLEIG TO BISHOP SKINNEPt.

" Stirling, January 15, 1810.

" I received your letter of the third instant,
together with your Charge, &c. *****
There was not the smallest occasion for an apo-
logy for your remarks on my Charge. I could
make as many on yours, and support them per-
haps with as cogent reasons ; but I deprecate
every thing like controversy betw^een us, which,
as Johnson somewhere observes, though it may
find men friends seldom leaves them so; and I
do think it of importance, not so much to our-
selves, as to the Church, that w^e continue friends.
Let me, therefore, only state the principles and

1810. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 489

motives which guided me in the few points on
which you remark, and then drop the subject for
ever. I admit that the words, to the * brink of
' ruin* are strong ; and I wish that they had been
less so ; but I really cannot admit that the whole
of what is said on the baleful effects of party
spirit, beginning (p. 28.) with the words, ' 1 can-
* not, however, dismiss you now,' and ending, (p.
SI.) with, ' the officious counsels of any stranger,'
can lessen us in the estimiation either of friends
or foes.

" There never was a Church since the days
of the Apostles, and never will be till the mille-
nium, totally free from party spirit ; and, to
have held up ours as perfect in that respect,
would, I apprehend, have both exposed her and
her panegyrist to contempt and ridicule. I might,
indeed, have omitted the subject altogether ; but,
in that case, the Charge would have wanted that
which, not in my opinion only, but in the opini-
on of much abler and less partial judges, is by
far the most valuable thing in it. At your sug-
gestion I struck out or changed that clause in
the manuscript which mentioned * a party spirit
' fomenting among us just now ;' a clause, by the
way, for which your son thanked me, even with
tears in his eyes, and squeezed my hand in a
manner that indicated gratitude which I can ne-
ver forget*. You are so completely mistaken

* The Annalist heard this excellent Charge delivered at
Stonehaven ; and not only cordially thanked the author, but

490 ANNALS OF 1810.

when you suppose, that any part of the Charge
was framed with a view to its appearance on the
south side of the Tweed, that I assure you there
is not in England a copy for sale. I transmitted
eight copies to England, — one to the Archhi-
shop, one to the Bishop of London, and one to
the Vicechancellor of Oxford, the remainder to
private friends ; and besides these, I do not be-
lieve that there is a copy to be found on the
south side of the Tvv^eed. The Charge has not
been even published. Printed indeed it was, at
the request of the Clergy, but not a co])y more
was thrown off than was necessary to defray the
expense of printing ; and all these copies, ex-
cept the few presents that I made, have been, I.
hope, sold by my friends. That I am desirous
to enforce, in the diocese of Brechin, uniformity
in reading the service of the Church, is indeed
most true ; but that desire proceeds from no
particular partiality to the Church of England,
or from a vain hope to equal her in any thing
but piety and sound principles ; and I beg you
to be assured, that thougli 1 hope to give from
time to time such instructions to the Clergy un-
der my inspection, as to my own unbiassed judg-
ment appear requisite or expedient, 1 will never

readily joined the Clergy of the diocese of Brechin in request-
ing Bishop Gleig to publish it. Party spirit in any man is
odious, in a Clergyman it is sinful ; hence, through a Clerical
life of 28 years, it has been most studiously guarded against
by the person who ig thus compelled to speak of himself.

3810. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 491

interfere with the Clergy of other dioceses, far
less attempt * to lay my colleagues under re-
* strictions/

*' I am perfectly convinced in my own mind,
and have been so these thirty years, that nothing
has done so much injury to our Church as the
useless alterations which are made by many of
the Clergy in the daily service ; but you seem to
be of a different opinion, and have undoubtedly
the same right to regulate your conduct by your
conviction, that I have to regulate my conduct
by mine. Were these alterations the same in
every Chapel, or were they made upon any prin-
ciple that could regulate the conduct of a stran-
ger when occasionally doing the duty of his bro-
ther, something, (I certainly think not much,)
might be said for them ; but as every man in
my diocese varied the form according to his
own judgment or caprice, I found that I could
not officiate for some of my own Clergy, without
either shewing the people that he and I think
diflerently of our forms of prayer, or taking a
lesson from him how to read, before going in the
morning into the Chapel ! To such a length was
this (to me most unaccountable) rage for innova-
tion carried in some ot the Chapels of the diocese,
that I was assured that the very communion ser-
vice was interpolated with long prayers, which,
from the specimens of them, repeated by different
people to me, surely were unworthy of a place in
that solemn service i and to put a stop to such

4-92 ANNALS OF 1810.

an absurd and pernicious practice, I wrote, on my
coming from my consecration, the letter which I
now enclose to you, and which, I trust, has pro-
duced the desired effect.

*' There was no mention made in the original
charge, of these innovations, but a bare reference
to the pastoral letter, if I may so call it ; but the
Clergy so earnestly requested the publication of
the letter, together with the charge, that I agreed
to incorporate the one with the other. Had I
thought that your sentiments on this subject are
different from mine, or that your declaration,
prefixed to Bishop Horsley's collation of the
Communion Offices, could admit of any other
sense than that in which I understood it, I cer-
tainly would not have introduced your name,
either into the Letter or into the Charge ; but
your own candour will admit that my mistake
was natural, when you look to the preface, in
which you declare, ' that the Liturgy now in use

* among the Scotch Episcopalians, is precisely

* the same with the present Common Prayer-

* book,* &c. And I am sure that the same can-
dour will induce you to forgive an ofience so
perfectly unintentional, — I had almost said, so
unavoidable.

" You and I have often pleaded the cause of
catholic unity, and I hope we shall both do so
again ; but I do not see how we can do it with
any effect, among the people at large, if we set,
I know not what kind of patriotism, in opposi-

1810. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 49S

tion to uniformity in prayer, or even uniformity
of dress. Tlie people at large make not nice dis-
tinctions ; and I see not why we may not adopt
the daily service of the English Church verbatim^
and even the decent habits of her Clergy, to
shew the people that we are in full communion
with her j as well as St Paul circumcised Ti-
mothy, and purified himself in the temple, to
shew that he was in full communion with the
church at Jerusalem.

" These, however, are only my sentiments,
and I have no desire to impose them on any
other person. I have stated them at some length
to you, because I should be sorry to lose your
good opinion ; though I must lose it, if you in-
sist, as I am sure you will never do, on my adopt-
ing all your opinions, and being guided in every
tiling by your example. Our responsibility is
awful ; indeed, so awful, that 1 have sometimes
deeply repented that I took it upon me ; but as I
have taken it on me, my conduct must be direct-
ed by what appears to myself right and expe-
dient, for by that I shall be judged. With best
wishes to, &c I am with true respect. Right
Reverend and dear Sir, your affectionate bro-
ther," &c.

To this admirable letter the Primus made no
direct reply ; but having alluded to the contents
of it in his corres])ondence with his son at Forfar,
whom he ever treated with all the confidence, all
" the charities of father, son, and brother," he

4y4 ANNALS OF 1810.

(the Annalist) from a conviction that the zeal
for liturgical uniformity, displayed by Bishop
Gleig, M'as '* a zeal according to knowledge,'*
was induced to address his revered father, in
terms of filial, as well as of friendly e/irnestness,
such as he is tempted to submit to the reader's
perusal.

The Annalist is aware, that those who, on per-
usal, may deem the following letter arrogant and
presumptuous, even in a son to w^'ite to his fa-
ther, much more in a humble Presbyter to write
to the senior Bishop and Primus of his Church,
will deem it tenfold more arrogant and presump-
tuous to introduce it here. But mindful of his
blessed Master's declaration, " He that loveth
father or mother more than me, is not worthy of
me," the Annalist is eager to prove, that he is no
party-man, as well as to shew that his work is not
one continued eulogium on the administration of
Bishop Skinner, who, being a man of like pas-
sions, like infirmities with others, was liable to
error ; though, as the sequel shews, not so perti-
naciously obstinate as those who persist in their
errors, to the very last.

ft

LETTER LXIX.

REV. JOHN SKINNER TO BISHOP SKINNER.
" Incligarth, Feb. 6. 1810.

** On the subject of your late correspondence
with the Bishop of Brechin, I would fain say a tew

1810. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 495

words, although ignorant of the precise terms in
which that correspondence is couched. You will
see from tlieconckision of Bishop Gleig's letter to
me, that he alludes to some charge brought against
him, (but whether from your quarter or not, 1
cannot say,) of his v/ishing to push himself before
his colleagues. Pity it were that you and he,
who are both disposed to act, and not to sleep at
your posts, should not act cordially and in unison.
" With an eye to this, you will forgive me for
saying, that neither of you, in my humble opi-
nion, ought to touch on those little incidental to-
pics of debate, or modes of diocesan arrange-
ment, to which the different habits and predilec-
tions of your respective lives may have attached
you. For I am clear, that on the general principle
of ecclesiastical rule and discipline, you are a-
greed. His attachment to the ipsissima verba of
the Liturgy, proceeds, as does both your attach-
ment and mine to Liturgical forms in general,
from the decency, the order, and unanimity
which it ensures to public devotion ; and, believe
me, if power be given to a Bishop to deviate,
there is no security but that, some day or other,
/he same power will be claimed by a Priest and a
Deacon. Have not complaints been miade to you
by some of your own Clergy on this very score?
You, therefore, my dearest fatlier, (I write from
the most heartfelt conviction that I write the
words ' of truth and soberness,' at the rcadino-
of which, I trust, you will not be offended,) you.

496 ANNALS OF 1810.

therefore, my dearest father, ought not to stickle
for these improvements, as you suppose them, to
which, from time immemorial, you have been ac-
customed ; since, admitting that you should one
day be able to convince others that they are im-
provements, (of which I for one despair,) yet are
they by no means of consequence sufficient to
authorize us to find fault, much less to quarrel
with other churchmen because they neither do
adopt, nor do approve of them.

" The supreme wish of my heart is, to see the
authority of our own Church bearing rule in
every thought, word, and deed, which, in our
clerical characters, we breathe, or utter, or per-
form ! Hence would I gladly submit to the de-
cision of a Synod, a General Convention, for
settling these important points, and every other
branch of ecclesiastical discipline, although the
decision of that Synod or Convention did not, in
every respect, accord with my private opinions
or public practice. The errors of my superiors,
those who are over me in the Lord, will never
be imputed to me, whose duty is implicit obe-
dience. Even General Councils have erred ; but
it would require another Athanasius to arise and
convince me, that the orders of a General Coun-
cil of the Church, of which I am a member, were
not binding on me, in like manner as the acts
of the British Parliament are binding on me, as a
British subject.

*' The liberty of either acting or thinking free-

1810- SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 497

ly, in my profession as a Clergyman, is a liberty
for which I shall never contend, being satisfied,
that private jiulgment, in both Clergy and laity,
has done more mischief In the Christian World,
and therefore in the Christian Church, than any
other invention of the great enemy of souls. For-
give me, my beloved father, for saying, that you
do not apply your wonted powers of just discrimi-
nation and candid investigation to the subject
under discussion.

" The Episcopal Church in Scotland is either,
like all other Episcopal Churches, attached, by
undeviating principle, to the use of a Liturgy, or
she is not. To ensure the regular use of a Litur-
gy, no Church has ever yet been able, but by lay-
ing down rules to that effect, known by the name
of Rubrics. It is not enough for me to know,
that hitherto the Church to which I belong has
received no injury, by having a certain tacit,
though undefined right of private judgment vest-
ed in her Bishop> and Clergy, — a right of deviat-
ing from the English Book- of Common Prayer,
the only Liturgy now in daily use among us. Au-
thoritatively admit and sanction this right and li-
turgical conformity, with all ecclesiastical ' de-

* cency and ordc,' may, for aught we know, be
subverted m a moment. We are commanded, by
Apostolical canon, • All to speak the same thing ;

* all to be of the same mind.' &c. But how, as a
body, is the Church to comply with these injunc-
tions, if not by express liturgical forms, ana Ru-
brics, ao less express, to enloice the use of them?

1 1

498 ANNALS OF 1810.

" "Were 1 placed in such a responsible situa-
tion as that of a Bishop in the Church of God,
impressed as I am with the imperious necessity
of having Liturgical uniformity. Clerical vest-
ments, Synodicai meetings. Diocesan visitations,
&c. regulated beyond all after risk of neglect or
deviation, I would not rest until an ecclesiastical
Synod or Convocation should be holden for the
purpose of canonically settling all these points of
Church discipline. It would never enter into my
head to anticipate, much less to prejudge the
part my Colleagues might take on such occasion.
Neither would 1 be kept back from urging such
a measure, because I had reason to dread that
my own particular sentiments on such interest-
ing topics of discussion might not be adopt-
ed, nor such rubrics, such canons framed, as
embraced my private practice.

'* St Paul, after his conversion, was as hostile to
strict uniformity and compliance with the disci-
pline of the Church of Jerusalem, as any one flf
our Communion can be to strict uniformity and
compliance with the Rubrics and Ritual of the
Church of England. Yet, when the Apostle of
the Gentiles found, that the sentiments of James
and the Elders were not to be altered or brought
to suit his own sentiments, he hesitated not to
comply with their requisition, although they had
no power to enforce compliance, merely for the
Church's sake. What the majority of the Epis-
copal College, in Synod assembled, may find ex-

1810. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 499

pedient to enact, ought therefore to constitute
the rule of conduct, for the minority, as well as
for one and all of the inferior Clergy ; for, un-
less it can be pleaded that a Clergyman once
made a Bishop, in our Church, is exempted
from all authority but that of the great Bishop
of Souls, (which would make the Scottish Epis-
copal Church anomalous as a Church,) the ma-
jority of the Bishops have a right to expect com-
pliance with their decisions by those of their
own order, in like m-anner as by the other two
orders of Ecclesiastics.

This alone constitutes the metropolitical au-
thority for which I plead, and to which I am so
very desirous of submitting the present lament-
able dilemma in which we seem to be involved;
not only with respect to Liturgical uniformity,
but to Clerical vestments, &c. In my subordi-
nate situation, I can only lament that things
should be so undefined as they at present are.
<I have no means of remedy within my reach ;
you, my dear Sir, certainly have. You can bring
the matter to an immediate issue. You can as-
semble the parties who have the power of deci-
sion ; and may now see, from the explanation
given, what my meaning was when I used the
terms ' stickle for your own private improve-
* ments,' viz. that should the majority of your
colleagues, regularly met in Synod or Convoca-
tion, decide against the slight deviations which
you are in the habit of practising, I (were I in
I m

500 ANNALS OF 1810.

your situation,) should not hesitate one moment
in abandoning iWy practice, and conforming in
all thiiijjs to Svnodical decision.

" Hiivitig tluis expla ned myself, as yon desir-
ed, 1 liave done with the subject. Never sliall 1 re-
cur toit, unless atyour own solicitation. The more
1 lead, the more I reflect on Christian unity and
Older, the more I must deprecate every thing
havinsr but th<^ semblance of division. GI\ e me
what the great High Priest of our profession
prayed for, on the very eve of sacrificing his pre-
cious body and blood in our behalf, and I would
give the whole body of my own private opinions
* to be burned ' The ambassador tor Christ, in the
discharge of his embassy, ought, like the ambas-
sadors of earthly sovereigns, implicitly to adhere
to his instructions, and not to rest until every
part of his duty were so defined to him, that,
like the soldier in the day of battle, he had only
to obey.

" But I hear you say, with these principles of
implicit submission you would need to be avyare
of the soundness of their creed to whom the
labour of thinking for you was committed. Un-
questionably I would ; and, for this very reason
it is, that, in all matters of professional duty and
discipline, 1 should wish to confide in no indivi-
dual superior. The King of Great Britain has
no will of his own ; neither ought any individual
Bishop in the Church of Christ ! The King must,
in all things, conduct himself by the laws, wliich

1810. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 501

the great Council of the Nation is called toge-
ther for the purpose of framing and promulgat-
ing. In like manner, would 1 have tlie great
Council of the Church to which I belonrr, to
frame articles of faith and canons of discipline, so
explicit and precise, that being henceforth reliev-
ed from all private responsibility, all individual
doubting and distrust, mine might indeed be-
come the * Post of honour,' inasmuch as I should
then have only to shew how fearlessly, how intre-
pidly, I could maintain the charge assigned me.

*' Nay, as we are now situated, without some
such public and authoritative enactments, how
shall the people of our Communion ever know
what is permitted to be inserted in the daily ser-
vice of the Church, and what is not permitted!
They have at present no means of ascertaining
the lengths to which a private Clergyman, or
even the Bishop himself, may go in deviating
from the printed foims before them. Hence
the state of uncertainty in which, on this very
point, both the Laity and Clergy themselves are
left, is to me lamentable ; and what is more,
most inconisistent with our professions of stricfe
attachment to set forms of prayer,

*' Should you, however, continue to hold a dif-
ferent opinion from that which I have now at such
length imparted as my opinion, the deference
which I owe to your judgment shall, at all times,
prevent me from proclaimmg to others our con-
trariety of sentiment, and from attaching my self to

502 ANNALS OP 1810.

any party or individual who may be disposed to set
tiiemselves or himself in avowed hostility to you,
INo ' if I cannot see things exactly as my beloved
father sees them, he will forgive, and he ought to
forgive me j but I cannot hope for his forgiveness
were 1 ever to act in direct and open hostility
to one, who has ever been more than a father
both to me and mine.

" With filial love and duty, the most sincere
and heartfelt, believe me to be," &c. &Co

LETTER LXX.

BISHOP SKINNER IN ANSWER.

<« Berrybank, February 24', 1810.

" With respect, my dear John, to the contents
of your long and elaborate epistle of the 6th in-
stant, and to the Ecclesiastical Synod, or Conven-
tion which it is your wish to see assembled for
the purpose of establishing a general rule of con-
duct, for all and sundry within the pale of our
Church, it would not be by a majority of votes
that any such code of discipline would be held as
decided, but bv a majority of what would be tri-
umphantly termed, ' the most respectable and
* acknowledged talents.'

** It is of no consequence to me whether you
advocate the cause of conformity with the Eng-
lish Rubrics, merely because they are English,
or not ; because 1 am as certain as 1 can be of

1810. > SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 503

any fact supported by experience ard observa^
tion, that to adhere to such conformity, if strict-
ly enjoined, (and, without the utmost rigour of
strictness, it avails nought to your plan,) would,
in many instances, be absolutely impossible, and,
in some cases would be perfectly absurd and ri-
diculous. I am well aware, and happy in the
knowledge of the fact, that, (as you observe,;
the Episcopal Church in Scotland is attached, —
unalterably attached, to a Liturgy. Yet, not as
essential to the being of such a Church, for, even
when established by law, she had no formal Li-
turgy, and, since she lost her establishment, has
never been able to appoint any other than a dis-
cretionary use of the English Liturgy, in which
the Clergy of every diocese must be supposed to
act by the authority of their respective Bishops,
which, you know, was the case in the primitive
Church, when, in the same state as that in which
our Church now stands, destitute of every thing
like civil establishment. The Clergy are now, as
they then were, accountable to their several Bi-
shops, as every Bishop among us is accountable
to our Episcopal College, for his preserving the
analogy of faith.

*' There may be a zeal without prudence, as
well as without knowledge ; and in either casr,
more harm than good must follow. If people will
not look forward to probable and almost certain
consequences, however strongly their zeal may
operate, there is evidently a want of judgment

504 ANNALS or 1810.

and foresight in being guided by it, and such, I
doubt not, would be the character of yours.

*' As to the case which you quote to me, it
would have been strange if St Paul had not com-
plied with what was recommended by St James
and his Clergy, when they could say, (as is clear
from one part of the business referred to,) it
* seemed good to the Holy Ghost' that he should
do so. Aiid coidd tlie majority of our Convoca-
tion say so, with equal truth, who could doubt
the obligation lying on the rest of the members
to comply with what was thus divinely a; "point-
ed ! But as, in our case, it would be difticult to
persuade either side of the house that the other
had a divine right to enforce its decision, even
though the majority, the consequence must be a
flagrant rupture, instead of a closer union ; an
increase ot division mstead of putting an end to
it.

*' But it is always the wav with visionary re-
, formers to act from their opinion of what man-
kind ought to be, and not from what they reallj
are. I must, therefore, decline all further discus-
sion of this subject, unless it come from another
quarter. You haveaBishoj) of your own, willing,
I hope, to hear, and capable to judge of what
you have to say on the subject ; and you would
need to be cautious in appealing to me, as able,
in my official rapacity, * to bring the n)atter to an
* issue,' lest you thereby conrtim a jealousy, per-
haps already excited, that another is, m fact, the

1811. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 505

senior Prelate, and that I am only the late vener-
able Scottish Primus, — Bishop Skinner ! With
my blessing, however, I am, and always will be,
your most ati'ectionate," &c.

J81I.] Although, at the time of its being
■written, thi-^ letter evidently shews Bishop Skin-
ner to have been averse to the measure of an Ec-
clesiastical Synod, as the mode best calculated for
settHng the point at issue in the above correspon-
dence, as well as every other branch of disci-
pline and uniformity in the Scottish Episcopal
Church, twelve months had scarcely elapsed
before his miud, ever devoted to the interests of
that Church, began to view the measure in a
more favourable light. Hence, having first broach-
ed the subject to the senior members of the Epis-
copal College, and obtained their hearty concur-
rence, he was induced thus to notice to Bishop
Sandford the want of a regular system of canoni-
cal discipline, in that portion of the Church of
Christ in which they mutually served.

LETTER LXXI.

BISHOP SKINNER TO BISHOP SANDFQRD.

<' Aberdeen, Feb. 22. 1811.
" Destitute of all support from the State, and
unaided by any civil sanction m the exercise of
its spiritual authority, the Scottish Episcopate

505 ANNALS OF 181 1.

must, under God, depend entirely for its preser-
vation and purity on the maintenance of the Apo-
stolical rule, * Let all things be done decently,
• and in order;' and on those primitive principles,
which, in its earliest infancy, gave growth and
vigour to the Chiistian cause. During those tur-
bulent periods of our national history, in which
our ecclesiastical rulers were alternately agitated,
with the hopes of gaining, or the fears of losing
the support of civil establishment, we need not
wonder that little was done in the way of form-
ing any thing like a regular system of canonical
discipline.

" At an early period of the reign of Charles I.
an attempt was made to give the Church of Scot-
land a set of canons and constitutions, similar to
those which had been drawn up and sanctioned
in the preceding reign, for the Church of Eng-
land. But that feeble attempt, as well as the in-
troduction of a Liturgy, was completely frustrat-
ed by the disastrous fate of Charles ; and even
the restoration of his son did not much mend the
matter ; as, during the whole of his reign, and
the short period of his brother's, the attention of
the Government seems to have been wholly ta-
l:en up with making provision for the outward
peace of the kingdom, rather than for the inter-
nal order and unity of the Church.

" At last, the Revolution gave a final blow to
the legal established Episcopacy of Scotland j
and, for several years after that unfortunate era.

181 1. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 507

our Bishops had enough to do in keeping up a
pure Episcopal succession, till it should be seen
what< in the course of Providence, might be far-
ther efFviCted towards the preservation, though
not of an established, yet of a purely primitive
Church, in this part of the united kingdom. For
this purpose a few canons were drawn up and
sanctioned in 1743 ; which, though very well cal-
culated to answer the purposes for which they
were intended, are yet far from exhibiting any
thing like a complete code of ecclesiastical disci-
pline, even for our small society.

*' The English canons are, in general, inappli-
cable to our situation, and of the whole (l-il in
number) there are not above four or five that
could, even with some alterations, be adopted
and enforced among us. It is surely time, there-
fore, now that we are fully tolerated, but with-
oiit the smallest prospect of ever being more than
tolerated, that we should turn our attention to
the means which Providence has put in our power
of making the best of our situation, and render-
ing it as conducive as w'e possibly can, to the
great and good design for which our Church has
been so haj)pily preserved, — so signally support-
ed,— even the glory of its Almighty Protector,
and the comfort and edification of his faithful
people." * * * * *

Bishop Sandford, in common with the other
members of the Episcopal College, having signi-

508 ANNALS OP 1811,

fied his cordial apscnt to the Primus' suggestion,
it remained oidv to fix the time and the place
most proper for holding an Ecclesiastical Synod,
and enacting surh a code of discipline for the
future regimen of ihe Scottish Episcopal Church,
as the Synod should, in its wisdom, frame and
approve. The city of Aberdeen being ultimately
fixed on as the most convenient place of meeting,
and the 19th day of June as the most eligible
time, the College of Bishops had still to deter-
mine who should compose the Synod, — the whole
body of Episcopal Clergy in Scotland, or only 3
delegated part ? For obvious reasons, the Bishops
decided in favour of a delegation ; when, of date
March 29, 1811, the following summons was is-
sued by the Primus to the Clergy of his diocese,
and addressed to their Dean, the Rev. AVilliam
Ssangster, Lonmay, Aberdeenshire : —

LETTER LXXII.

(CIRCULAR.)

" Rev. and dear Sir,

*' The Episcopal Church in Scotland having
long felt the want of a proper system of canoni-
cal regulations, suited to its peculiar situation,
the College of Bisho])s, anxious to get this de-
fect supplied, have resolved, through God's as-
sistance, to hold a general Ecclesiastical Synod
for that pnrposr, in the city of Aberdeen, on
Wednesday the 19th day of June next. Ihe Sy-

1811. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. .509

nod is to consist of all the BIsliops and Deans of
their respective dioceses, with an Mditional re-
presentative of the Clergy from each of the said
dioceses which contains more thfin four presby-
ters; such representative being elected* by the
Clergy, and their election*approved by the Bishop
of the diocese.

" You are therefore hereby directed to call a
meeting of the Clergy of this diocese, as soon as
it can conveniently be holden after Easter, for
the purpose of electing an additional delegate,
who, with yourself as Dean, may duly attend,
and represent the said Clergy in the Synod ; —
having previously received from them such in-
structions to that effect, as they may think suitable
to this very important and solemn occasion.
When the meeting is over, you will intimate the
result of it to me ; and any farther information
which you may wish to receive on the subject, I
shall be ready to give. Meantime commending
you and your brethren most sincerely to the di-
vine direction, 1 ever am, &c.

*' John Skinner."

On the day appointed for the Synod, Bishop
Skinner had the satisfaction of meeting all his
Episcopal brethren, together with the Deans of
Edinl)uigh, Aberdeen, Brechin, and Dunkeld
(those of Ross and Moray being prevented by in-
disposition) ; and, as delegates from their respec-
tive dioceses, the llev. Archibald Alison of Edin-

^10 ANNALS OF 1811,

burgh, from the diocese of Edinburgh, — the
Rev. John Cruickshank of Turriff, from the dio-
cese of Aberdeen, — the Rev. Heneage Horsley
of Dundee, from the diocese of Brechin, — and
the Rev. John Skinner of Forfar, from the dio-
cese of Dunkeld.

Having taken the chair e^ officio as Primus,
Bishop Skinner, after solemn prayer to God, that
*' he would be graciously pleased to sanctify, with
his blessing, the work for which his commissioned
servants were now assembled in his holy presence,
and that he would make his unerring word the
guide of all their proceedings, and the gracious
influence of his enlightening Spirit their never-
failing source of support and direction," — thus
addressed his Right Reverend colleagues : —

*« My Right Reverend Brethren, — Having with
jour consent and approbation fulfilled my duty,
in calling this venerable assembly for the import-
ant purpose now to come under our devout con-
sideration, I must bt'g leave to observe, that as
there is only one member of the Scottish Episco-
pate now alive *, who had a vote in electing me to
the office of Primus, if you have any wish or de-
sire to appoint another of your College to that of-
fice, and will have the goodness to intimate that
wish, I am both ready and willing to resign the
station which, unworthily indeed, but to the best
of my poor ability, I have held for so long a pe-

=* Bishop Macfarlane.

1811. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 511

riod. 1 therefore, in all humility, wait your an-
swer to this my proffered resignation."

The Bishops having, with one voice, assured
Bishop Skinner that they cordially approved of
him as the Primus of their venerable College,
and had no wish or desire to place any other
member of that body in the office, which he had
long filled so honourably to himself, and so use-
fully to the Churcli at large ; he went on to say, —

" Being therefore continued in the office, of
which you have in such flattering terms been
pleased to decline the acceptance of my tendered
resignation, I have now a most solemn duty to
perform : * In the name of the Holy and Undi-
' vided Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,' I
declare this Ecclesiastical Assembly, which has
been duly constituted and sanctified by solemn
prayer, to be a regular National Synod of the
Episcopal Church in Scotland, called for the pur-
pose of establishing a Code of Canonical Regula-
tions, suited to the peculiar situation of this
Church ; and such as, by the blessing of God,
may tend to preserve, within its venerable pale,
all the good effects of apostolical order, and of
sound and salutary discipline. To which end,
may He, who is King and Head over all things
to his Church, be graciously pleased so to unite
our hearts, direct our thoughts, and sanctify and
bless our deliberations, ' to the use of edifying,'
that, by promoting, as much as in us lies, the
peace, the order, and the unity of the Episcopal

51S ANNALS OF 1811,

Church in this land, we may be the humble in-
struments of advancing the honour of our Re-
deemer's name and his word, and thereby of
giving * Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to

* the Holy Ghost ; as it was in the beginning, is
' now, and ever shall be, world without end.

* Amen.'*

The Commissions of the several Deans and
Delegates being strictly examined, the Primus
thus addressed himself to them : " My Reverend
"brethren, — the Presbyters of the Church, here
present, — you are, I trust, well aware, that the
Bishops being the proper administrators of the
discipline of the Church, are to be considered as
the constituent members of every Ecclesiastical
Synod ; but the Deans of the several districts, and
those other Presbyters of the Church who have
been duly elected to represent their diocesan bre-
thren on this occasion, and who in that capacity
have been invited to take their place in this Sy-
nod, are to have the privilege assigned to them
by former canons, and by the practice of this
Church ; that is, they are to be allowed to rea-
son and to debate, to propose and to give their
opinions freely, on all those matters of discipline
and canonical regulation, now to come under our
consideration, though not to give any such deci-
sive voice as Bishops only have a rjght to pro-
nounce.

*' In the exercise of this privilege, which your
Bishops are most happy in feeling themselves, by

1811, SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 513

the practice of the Church in the purest ages,
empov/ered to concede to you, if, during the dis-
cussion of the several points of order and disciphne
on which you are met to dehberate, you shall feel
desirous of permission to agitate any question by
yourselves, I have to inform you, that another
apartment is already allotted for this purpose, to
which you are at liberty to retire as often as you
may judge proper. And, if you deem it more like-
ly to expedite our business, that the result of
your deliberations be delivered to us by a
chairman or prolocutor, you have only to make
choice of one of your number to act in that capa-
city ; when you may be assured, that we shall
not only listen to his reports with the utmost at-
tention, but he happy in giving our sanction to
every proposition of yours, Vv'hich (as far as we
may be able to judge) shall have for its object
the true Christian edification of the people com-
mitted to our charge,— an object only to be ef-
fected, in ray humble estimation, by a steady ad-
herence to those good and approved principles,
by which our humble Church has been hitherto
so happily distinguished.

" Regarding these sound and orthodox princi-
ples, as the source of that purely spiritual autho-
rity, which the Episcopal Church in Scotland pos-
sesses for regulating its internal order and econo-
my, and without the most distant approach to
any interference with the external polity, whether
civil or ecclesiastical, of our country, it will, I

K K

514 ANNALS OF 1811.

presume, be judged necessary to introduce our
proposed Code ofCanonical Regulations, by some-
thing in the way of preamble, — pointing out the
original constitution of the Christian Church ;
whence, as the stream from the fountain, will na-
turally flow all those legitimate preservatives of
pure apostolical regimen and order, over which
it is our duty to watch, and which it becomes us,
as much as in us lies, strictly to guard and main-
tain.

" In consequence of the epistolary correspon-
dence which I have been officially called upon to
hold with my brethren of the Episcopate on this
subject, I have endeavoured to sketch out such
a preamble as appeared to me to be expressive,
alike of their sentiments as of my own. This
sketch I shall, with your permission, now take
the liberty of reading to the Synod in detail ;
and afterwards, if thought necessary, paragraph
by paragraph, in order that you may be the bet-
ter judges, not only of the matter introduced,
but of the manner in which it is introduced, and
thus have an opportunity of proposing whatever
alterations and amendments may be deemed pro-
per."

The preamble being read in detail, the Clergy
of the second order withdrew to the chamber
provided for them, where they drew up the fol-
lowing minute : —

"At Aberdeen, this 19th day of June 1811

ISll. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 515

years, the Deans and Representatives of the se-
veral dioceses of the Episcopal Church in Scot-
land having met in a separate chamber, by the
authority of the Right Reverend the Bishops of
the said Church, did then and there unanimous-
ly elect the Very Reverend James Walker, Dean
of the diocese of Edinburgh, as their prolocutor,
and the Reverend William Skinner of Aberdeen,
as their clerk.

" Before the Deans and Representatives retir-
ed to their separate chamber, they heard the Pri-
mus deliberately read the introduction or pre-
amble, proposed for the Code of Ecclesiastical
Laws, to be determined upon and en;;cted in the
present Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church ;
of the general tenor of which they instruct their
prolocutor to state to the chamber of Bishops,
that they do unanimously approve."

In this systematic and business-like manner,
were the Canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church
framed and enacted. The members of the se-
cond chamber regularly took their seats in the
chamber of the Bishops, when a canon was ei-
ther passed into a law, or proposed to be so pass-
ed. In the latter case, their clerk being duly fur-
nished with a copy of the proposed canon, the
Deans and other Representatives of the Priest-
hood repaired to their own chamber, and having
passed their judgment upon the language as well
as on the subject-matier of it, instructed their
prolocutor to state their sentiments to the cham-
K k2

^16 ANNALS OF 1811.

ber of Bishops, who invariably received his state-
ments with the most respectful attention, and
hesitated not to acknowledge themselves much
indebted to the sound knowledge and discretion
with which amendments were frequently suggest-
ed, not only in the terms, but in the tenor of the
several canons.

Nor can the Annalist forbear from recording
the tribute of heart felt gratitude with which
the Synod in general, and the members of the se-
cond chamber in particular, evinced their sense
of the distinguished services rendered the Scot-
tish Episcoi»al Church on this occasion, by the
Prebendaries of Sarum and St Asaph, the Rev.
Messrs Alison and Horsley, who not only ac-
cepted of the commission of delegates from the
dioceses of Edinburgh and Brechin, but also
shewed a zeal and ardour in supporting the inte-
rests of the humble Episcopacy of Scotland, not
surpassed by any member of the Episcopate itself.
In proof of this, it deserves to be noticed, that
they were actually the framers of the 13th Scot-
tish Canon ; in which, although permission is li-
berally granted *' to retain the use of the English
Communion Office in all Congregations where
the said Office had been previously in use, the
Scottish ('ffice is considered as the authorized
service of the Episcopal Church in the admini-
stration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper,"
and " to be used in all consecrations of Bi-
ihops;" every Bishop, *' when consecrated, giv-

1811. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 51?

ing his full assent to it, as being sound in itself,
and of primary authority in Scotland ;" and
binding himself '* not to permit its being laid a-
side, where now used, but by authority of the
College of Bishops." *

For two complete days were the members of this
important Synod occupied in the business of it ;
while, being desirous that a measure of so much
importance as a new code of discipline for the
Scottish Episcopal Church, should be respectfully
communicated to the Archbishops and Bishops of
the united Church of England and Ireland, the Pri-
mus was requested to make this dutiful communi-
cation with all convenient speed, after the dissolu-
tion of the Synod, and the printing of the Canons.

Of date early in September 1811, Bishop Skin-
ner therefore presented the whole English and
Irish hierarchy with a copy of '* the Code of Ca-
nons for the Episcopal Church in Scotland,'* ac=
companied with the following : —

LETTER LXXIII.

(CIRCU LAR )

« Aberdeen, Sept. 4, 1811.
My Lord,
" The Episcopal Church in Scotland having

* See the whole Code of Canons in the Appendix, No. VII.
and Canon 16. in particular, by which all alterations and inser-
tions in the Morning and Evening Service of the Church are
prohibited, and a strict adherence to the words of the English
Liturgy enjoined.

518 ANNALS OF 1811.

long felt the want of a proper system of Canoni-
cal Regulations suited to its peculiar situation,
an Ecclesiastical Synod, for supplying this de-
fect, was lately holden in this city.

" The Synod consisted of the six Bishops, with
a proper number of Representatives of the infe-
rior Clergy ; who, having directed our code of
Canons to be printed, were anxious also that a
measure of such importance to the good order
and discipline of our small society should be
communicated, in the most respectful manner, to
the Archbishops and Bishops of the united Church
of England and Ireland.

*' Being, in my official character, requested to
make this dutiful communication, I do it with
the more satisfaction, in that I humbly hope those
venerable Prelates will find nothing m our Cano-
nical Re,s"ulations, (of which a copy is herewith
transmitted to your Lordship,) but what, by the
blessing of God, shall tend to support that sys-
tem of religious faith and ecclesiastical regimen
and order, by which we desire to be considered
as in the strictest communion with that distin-
guished branch of the Apostolical succession,
from which Scotland has derived its pure and
primitive Episcopacy.

" Offering up my fervent prayers to God for
every blessing, spiritual and temporal, to the unit-
ed Church in which your Lordship holds a most
dignified station, I have the honour to be, with
profound respect and veneration, my Lord, your

1811. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 519

Lordship's most obedient and devoted humble
servant," &c.

The Prelates who honoured the Scottish Pri-
mus with a reply to the above communication,
were the Bishops of Sarum, of Peterborough, of
Carlisle, of Sodor and Man, of Cork and Ross,
of Leighlin and Ferns, and of Cloyne. Their
letters breathe the most fervent regard for the
Scotch Episcopal Church, and individually speak
the sentiments of the good Bishop of Cloyne,
Dr Bennet, who, after thanking Bishop Skinner
and his Right Reverend Brethren for the Canons
of their national church, adds, ** I have always
highly esteemed the Christian piety and honour-
able independence of the Episcopal Church in
Scotland, and earnestly pray, that, under the
guidance of her excellent Prelates, she may con-
tinue that purity of doctrine, for which she has
been so long, and deservedly celebrated.'*

The above necessary and important work of
framing, enacting, and promulgating a Code of Ca-
nons for the Episcopal Church in Scotland, being
accomplished, and pastors and people happily fur-
nished with articles of faith, and rules of disci-
pline accordant in every respect with Scriptural
authority and primitive usage. Bishop Skinner's
anxious mind enjoyed a solace, a relief, and satis-
faction, which the w^orld can neither give nor
take away ; but of which those only are capable
of partaking, the supreme desire of w^hose heart
it is to do God and his Church service, and who,

5Q0 ANNALS OF 1811.

like the late Scottish Primus, havinn; tliroug-h
life endeavoured to make full proof of their mi-
nistry, are permitted to feel, that He who is
Head over all things to his Church, " has pros-
pered the work of their hands upon them, — nay,
that God has prospered their handy work.'*

When the office of Primus Scotiae Episcopus,
was conferred upon Bishop Skinner, in his 44th
year, he had every thing to encounter which
could render the situation irksome, and the du-
ties of it arduons. Did he look to his venerable
colleagues in the Scottish Episcopate ? He saw
himself, w^ith one exception *, surrounded by
"men much his superiors in years, and who, being
jivowedly tenacious of their own opinions on
most points of ecclesiastical and political import-
ance, were not likely to be swayed by him, or
brought to support and sanction his measures.

Did he cast an eye to the Clergy of the Epis-
copal Church in Scotland ? He beheld a class of
men justly commendable for their passive virtues,
for their inoffensive and exemplary moral deport-
ment, and for their meek endurance of a life of
poverty, neglect, and not unfrequent scorn ! but
men, with very few exceptions, unskilled in every
other art but the art of suffering for conscience
sake, and therefore unfit to contribute to the
rescue of tiieraselves and of the Church in which
they served, — from the pains and penalties of law,
and from the obloquy which attended them. Or,

* Bishop Macfarlane of Ross.

1811. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 521

did the Bishop direct his view to the laity of
the Episcopal communion in Scotland ? He saw
considerations of state policy constraining the
class of landed proprietors, whether Peers or
Commoners, and nearly all of the Episcopal per-
suasion in public stations, to turn their backs upon
the altar of their native church, that they might
support the throne of their native land. He saw
many of the youth of both sexes ashamed of
being seen in the place of worship, nick-named
the '• Nonjurant Meeting-house," and frequented
only by their pious grandmothers ; and, in the
southern districts of Scotland, more especially,
he saw the labouring class of Episcopalians fast
withdrawing themselves from the Church of their
fathers, by reason of their ignorance of any other
(listinction but the hitherto ostensible distinc-
tion of non-submission to the House of Bruns-
wick.

These were prospects appalling enough to the
eye of any single individual, let his rank, his in-
fluence, and his talents, have been what thev
may ; and therefore, more than enough to appal
a man in Bishop Skinner's sphere of life, who
ranked no higher than a non-juring Clergyman,
whose influence extended no fartiier than the
wails of his own humble dwelling, and whose ta-
lents, such as they were, had hitherto been whol-
ly devoted to professional study and professional
duty. But appalled as he was at the prospects
before him, the Bishop justly considered, that if

5?2 ANNALS OF 1811.

no attempt at relief was made, extinction of the
fonuerly established Church of Scotland, and of
its re-.?:'jlar Episcopacy, was inevitable. Humble,
therefore, as were his personal powers and pre-
tensions, no time was to be lost, and he resolved
accordingly.

Happily for himself and the Church at large,
Bishop Skinner, during no less a period than
tv.eny-six years of his Episcopate, was blessed
with the powerful support, counsel, and advice
of his revered father ; — >a man, who, although his
ioL was cast in one of the most obscure parts of
the British empire, was possessed of talents
which would have done credit to any station in
the Church of God ; of professional acquirements
tqual, if not superior, to any contemporary Scot-
tish Episcopalian ; and, of such other mental re-
sources as at once enabled him to baffle and de-
feat every attempt made to counteract the mea-
sures deemed necessary by his son and himself,
for the speedy relief of the sadly depressed Epis-
copacy of Scotland. In proof of which, Mr Skinner
readily outargued the argumentative, — outwitted
the tribe of witlings, — and failed not to outstrip
those in the knowledge of ecclesiastical antiquity
who buckled on the armour of the primitive Fa-
thers, whether for the purpose of assault or of
defence. In short, the fact is well known in
Scotland, and his son, the Bishop, never attempt-
ed to conceal it, that in all his measures for the
Church's relief and prosperity, (the late import-

1811. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 5Q3

ant Synod excepted,) he was, under God, more
indebted to the head, the heart, and the hand of
his own father, the venerable Pastor of Longside,
Aberdeenshire, than to any other fellow- labour-
er in his great Master's vineyard.

The measure of giving a valid Protestant Epis-
copacy to the State of Connecticut in North A-
merica, which has been already shewn to have
rescued the Bishops and Clergy of the Church
in Scotland from a^state of oblivion, resembling
that of the grave, was no sooner proposed to Bi-
shop Skinner, and the proposal communicated to
his father, than the good man became its zea-
lous advocate and supporter. The Bishops
Kilgour and Petrie, (men of the greatest pri-
vate worth, but alike timid in disposition, as at
that period they had become infirm in body,) he
stimulated to compliance by arguments which
eventually proved irresistible, while his own son,
who would modestly have declined the active
part which he was constrained to take, he en-
couraged to the v/ork with a zeal equally ardent,
but more according to knowledge, than the zeal
exhibited by the patrons of modern Christian
Missions, who unfortunately, in their ardour to
propagate the * Apostles* doctrine' in foreign
parts, forget the necessity of conjoining with it
* the Apostles' fellowship,' notwithstanding that
a stedfast continuance in both is as much the
duty of the disciples of Jesus now, as it was eigh-
teen hundred vears asjo.

5^4 ANNALS OF 1811,

From tlie date of Bishop Seabury's Consecra-
tion, to the present time, it has been the pur-
pose and wish of the Annalist to shew to the
friends of Scottish Episcopacy, and to the pub-
lic at large, not only every thing that was done
by the late venerable Primus, but almost every
thing that was penned by him in the Church's
behalf. With the measures, the views, the opi-
nions of other members of the Episcopal College,
so far as they were undiscovered to Bishop Skin-
ner, the Annalist has studiously avoided all con-
cern. He writes the Annals of Bishop Skinner's
Episcopate and administration solely ; and should
it unfortunately happen that he has not written
them inoftensively, (although oifence was not in
all his thoughts,) he has the satisfaction to think
and to know that he has written them conscien-
tiously and faithfully as they presented them-
selves.

Doubtless, discussions are introduced, which,
had Bishop Skinnei's son not considered himself
bound to act a strictly candid and conscientious
part, might have been omitted. But * Annals*
necessarily implying a faithful detail of the his-
torical occurrences and transactions of each par-
ticular year, and the care and accuracy with
which the late Primus of the Scottish Church
annually treasured up his correspondence on Ec-
clesiastical subjects, as well as every other Eccle-
siastical document, shewing, that he at least
wished them to be preserved j — his son and exe-

1811-16. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 525

cutor, whose duty it becomes to transmit that
correspondence and those documents to posteri-
ty, might well have dreaded detection had he,
when he undertook the present work, wilfully or
timidly concealed any discussion in which he found
written evidence of his father's heartfelt interest ;
or, had he garbled and mutilated documents to
which Bishop Skinner was known to attach im-
portance, in order to suit the views, the predilec-
tions, and the opinions of other men.

In the words, therefore, of the excellent bio-
grapher of Bishop Home, the biographer of Bi-
shop Skinner is proud to say : ** 1 have brought
this good man to his end, through the labours,
and studies of his life, in all which his example
may be attended with some happy effect on those
who shall make themselves acquainted with his
history. In writing it, I have not permitted my-
self to consider what suppressions or alterations
would have rendered it more agreeable to some
people, into whose hands it may fall. As truth
will generally succeed best in the end, I have
made the story such as I found it. I have con-
cealed nothing out of fear,— I have added no-
thing out of malice, and must now commit what
1 have written to that variety of judgment which
all my other writings have met with.'*

181M6.] From the year IS! 1 to the year 1816,
w%n Bishop Skinner was suddenly cut off by
death, no Ecclesiastical event took place in the Scot-

5^6 ANNALS OF 181 1-16.

tish Episcopal Church of interest sufficient to be
here recorded. And, with respect to Political
events, it seems only proper to remark, that no
part of the British public hailed, with greater
delight, the success of the Peninsular war, and
the final overthrow of Napoleon Bonaparte and
his dynasty, than did the Episcopalians in Scot-
land, Bishops, Clergy, and Laity j of which they
failed not to give the most convincing demon-
strations. The very last act of Bishop Skinner's
administration as Primus or President of the E-
piscopal College in Scotland, was the forwarding
a Congratulatory Address to the Prince Regent
on the marriage of his ever-to be-lamented daugh-
ter with the amiable Leopold of Saxe Cobourg ;
which Address the Bishop, with his own hand,
put in the post-office the morning preceding his
dissolution, — little aware of what a day was to
bring forth to himself, or that in fifteen «hort
months the nation's ecstatic joys should be turn-
ed to * lamentation, and mourning, and woe,* and
that the language of gratulation on the beloved
Princess's nuptials should be changed into ad-
dresses of condolence, griefi and disappointment
on her untimely demise, — sympathetic, heartfelt,
and unfeigned ! O, happy for man is his igno-
rance of futurity ! Were it otherwise, the tor*
tures of the rack would be preferable to the men-
tal tortures, which he would be often doomed
to endure !

And now, the Annalist, having brought his la-

1811-16. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 527

bours to a close, cannot, he conceives, do the cause
of Scottish Episcopac} more substantia) justice
than by presenting his rea-Iers with a portrait of
it, as drawn by two distinguished members of the
University of Oxford ; the one of Vv'hom tiid fill
for many years, most worthily, while the other
is now filling, with corresponding ceiibrity, the
President*s chair of Magdalene Coiiege,

In the interesting Memoirs of Bishop Hcrne,
it is recorded, that *' A Clergyman of Scotland,
who had received English ordmation, applied to
the Bishop, wishing to be considered as under
the jurisdiction of some English Prelate, — that
is, in effect, to be independent of the Bishops of
Scotland in their own country : but he gave no
countenance to the proposal, and advised the
person who made it quietly to acknowledge the
Bishop of the diocese in which he lived, who, he
knew, would be ready to receive him into com-
munion, and require nothing of him but what
was necessary to maintain the order and unity
of a Christian Church ; assuring him, at the
same time, that if he were a private Clergyman
himself, he should be glad to be under the au-
thority of such a Bishop."

And in proof of the sincerity with which the
advice was given, the good Bishop's learned bio-
grapher, Mr Jones, further states, that " from
the present circumstances of its primitive ortho-
doxy, piety, poverty, and depressed state, he,
(Bishop Home,) had such an opinion of the

528

ANNALS OF 181 1-16.

Scottish Episcopal Church, as to think, that if
the great Apostle of the Gentiles were upon
earth, and it were put to his choice, with what
denomination of Christians he would communi-
cate, the preference would probably be given to
the Episcopalians of Scotland, as most like to
the people he had been used to.*"

In the year IS 14, the learned and venerable Dr
Routh, President of Magdalene College, pubhsh-
ed his learned work, " Reliquiae Sacrae, sive Auc-
torum fere jam perditorum, secundi tertiique sai-
culi fragmenta, quae supersunt. Accedunt Epis-
tolar Synodicaa et Canonicae, Nicseno Concilio an-
tiquiores." Which interesting collection is thus
inscribed ;—

« PATRIBUS IN CHRISTO ADMODUM

REVERENDIS,

VIRISQUE OPTIMIS AC VENERABILIBUS,

EPISCOPIS ET PRESBYTERIS

ECCLESIiE SCOTIC.E EPISCOPALIS.

doctis, pus, orthodoxis,
Martinus Josephus Routh
paternitati dignationique eorum
D. D. D."

Nor does the learned author omit his reasons
for singling out the Bishops and Clergy of the
Scottish Episcopal Church, personally unknown
to him, as the objects of such veneration and re-
gard. To the above inscription, and in Latin of the

* See Jones' Life of Bishop Home, p. 15L

1811-16. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. 529

most classical purity, an address is annexed, in
which he tells them, that, * enjoying, as they do
enjoy, the praise of maintaining the manners of
Christian antiquity, joined to the Catholic faith
and to the disciphne of the Apostles, he, the Au-
thor did, on this account, present them with
" Aurea ha3c primorum sceculorum scripta,"
literally, "these golden written productions of the
first ages ;'* that, * though fragments merely, and
picked up from a general shipwreck, the memo-
rials only of what the Church was in her then
humble and depressed state ; he yet considers
them the more fit to be presented to those whose
lot it is to be placed even in less prosperous cir-
cumstances than was the primitive Church itself:'
— that ' though he laments to see the Scottish Bish-
ops and Clergy deprived of civil establishment, of
secular dignities and honours ; this deprivation
in his opinion affords not subject of regret equal
to that which afflicts the mind versed in Christian
antiquity, when it beholds a people of such re-
nown as the people of Scotland, and withal so
justly famed for the respect which they shew to
religion, torn from their pristine hierarchy, and
placed in a state of schism from Episcopal Com-
munion ;* that still, ' it is to himself matter of joy
unspeakable, to have it in his power to congra-
tulate his Episcopal brethren in Scotland on
possessing the privilege (which of right belongs
to all mankind, the privilege) of exercising their
ministry in peace j- which privilege, (he adds) as it

L L

5S0 ANNALS Of 1811-16.

can never be violated but by acts of heinous
atrocity, be trusts, now that our country has
emerged from the agitating waves of civil discord,
will be rendered to the Scottish Episcopalians
both stable and permanent ;* that ' he remembers
well with what patriotic fidelity and devotion they
conducted themselves in the hour of trial, never
allowing their tempers to be ruffled, by reason of
the neglect cast upon their humble petitions for
relief from penal statutes, or by reason of the very
precarious footing on which they were at one time
permitted to minister in holy things ' And so
very appropriate is the peroration of Dr Routh's
address, that the Annalist of Scottish Episcopacy
cannot forbear from adopting it in conclusion of
his own labours, and cordially joining the pious
and learned author, in the sentiments of good
will, as well as in the other sentiments which his
eloquent, chaste, and nervous language confessed-
ly breathes.

" Vivite igitur, sicut soletis, ambitu partium
reraoti ; et Deum, omnibus temporibus, sperate
propitium, * in pace prsemium, qui virtus in hel-
lo.' Faustum omen accipite. Communionem
potissimum vestram voluit esse ecclesise Novo-
Anglicae matricem, summus ille ecclesiarum pas-
tor et dominus, Dominus et Deus noster Jesus
Christus.

" Magnum certe, clarumque Divin^e benevo-
lentiae indicium. Quo etiam provisum est, ut
cui genti vos ipsi successionem vestram sacer*

1811-16. SCOTTISH EPISCOPACY. ^ 531

dotalem debetis, in ejus progenie parem referatis
gratiam, et ipsi emineatis nequaquam minimi in
principibus Judae.

" Valete, et iUud mihi ignoscite, me, tenuem
et obscurum hominem, curas vestras atque labo-
res interpeliasse. Immo vero, siquid ardentissimo
meo, a prima eetate, erga vos studio sit conceden-
dum, vos, etiam atque etiam rogo, ut impertiatur
mihi benedictio a vobis, Reverendissimi Episco-
pi, et ut Memores sitis mei, in precibus vestris,
Venerabiles Presbyteri ; quas plurimum apud
Deum valere, piis omnibus lirmissime persuasum
est.

** Dabam Oxonii

PaTERNITATI VESTRiE

Addictissimus."

Tbc Aullior's distance trom tlie press, and his consequent inability to see.
any of the proof sheets, will, he humbly hopes, satisfactorily account for typo-
graphical errors as well as for errors in punctuation, wC. The latter he can-
not now take upon liim to correct, the most essential of tiie/ormer sue mark-
ed in the following list of

ERRATA.

Page 19, line 12, for ' 1760.' read ' 1768.'

27, 16, — ' «' buryiuij-place, r. ' or.'

65, line 12, — " inconu. i ' inconnu.'

71, 22, — ' consecrate, T. ' consecratV

91, 26, — 'nobleman' r. 'noble men.'

ISt, 7, — 'ago, r. prior to receipt of the above.''

25o, 22, — ' continuatice.'' T ■countenance.'

260,for Appendix, '2Vo.i r.'No VIII.

269, line 21, for very good.' r. ' vert/ kind.'

281, for' William Strachan,' r. ' Jo/en Stiachaji.*

296, line 17, for ' our' r. ■ one.'

302, last line, for citizen' r. ' citizens.'

.520, last line but one, for holy, r. truly.'

325, line 25, for ' cornmunicate, ' r. ' consummate.'

.555, 13, dele 'to'

559, 9, for forth,' r.' fast.'

344, 23, — ' Am,' r. 'the.

359, 22. — 'tenets, r. • unity.'

375,— —5, — '«' misprision, r. ' or.'

424 last line, dele 'in.'

468, first line, for ' eve7it' r. ' events.'

472, 8, iov 'some, ^ T. ' seven.'

496, 16, — ' ff,' r. ' or.'

APPENDI

CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.

I. List of Bishops of the Episcopal Church in Scotland

from the year 1105 to the year 1?>\S, .... Page B2>3

II. Proposed Preamlle tothe Thiiiy-nine Articles ivhen

subscribed at Laurenceliirh, 539

III. Bishop Jolly's Address to the Convocation, 543

IV. Bishop Sandford's Address to his Congregation on his

Union ijoith the Scottish Episcopal Church, .... 550

V. — Articles of Union, 5o3

VI. Memoir relative to the Scottish Episcopal Fund, . . . 555

VII. Code of Canons of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, 560

\ III.— Address, in Latin, by the Rev. John Skinner of Lin-

short, to his Brethren of the Diocese of Aberdeen, . 561

APPENDIX.

No. I.

List of Bishops of the Episcopal Church in
Scotland from the year 1705 to the year 1818.

The following List of Consecrations, with their dates, and the
Dames of the Consecrators, as extracted from their Ecclesiasti-
cal Register, will give a clear and distinct view of the Episco-
pal succession in Scotland since the Revolution, as far as the
present Bishops are concerned.

January 25, 1705. — Mr John Sage, formerly one of the
Ministers of Glasgow, and Mr John Fullarton, formerly
Minister of Paisley, were consecrated at Edinburgh, by John
Paterson, Archbishop of Glasgow, Alexander Rose, Bishop of
Edinburgh, and Robert Douglas, Bishop of Dunblane.*

Bishop Sagediedin 1711. — Bishop Fw/Zar^ow succeeded Bishop
Bose, as Bishop of Edinburgh, in 1720, and aied in 1121.

April 2S, 1709. — Mr John Falconar, minister at Cairnbee,
and Mr Henry Christie, minister at Kinross, were consecrat-

* Archbishop Paterson, Bishop Rose, and Bishop Douglas, with the other
Eishops of Scotland, were deprived at the Revolution by the Civil Power, be-
cause Episcopacy had beea voted aj; insupportable grievanee by the Sc&tthh
Convention.

534i APPENDIX.

cd at Dundee, by Bishop Rose of Edinburgh, Bishop Douglas
of Dunblane, and Bishop Sage. — Bishop Christie died in 1718,
and Bishop Falconar in 1723,

August 23, 1711. — The Hon. Archibald Campbell, who
had been long in Priest's orders, and resided mostly in Lon-
don, was consecrated at Dundee, by Bishop Rose of Edin-
burgh, Bishop Douglas of Dunblane, and Bishop Falconar. He
was elected Bishop of Aberdeen in 1721, which charge he re-
signed in 1724 — and died June 16, 1744.

February 24, 1712. — Mr Jaimes Gadderar, formerly Mi-
nister at Kilmaurs, was consecrated at London by Bishop
Hickes, * Bishop Falconar, and Bishop Campbell. He was ap-
pointed Bishop of Aberdeen in 1724, and died in February
1733.

October %% 1718. — Mr Arthur Millar, formerly Minister
at Liveresk, and Mr William Irvine, formerly Minister at
Kirkmichael in Carrick, were consecrated at Edinburgh, by
Bishop Rose of Edinburgh, Bishop Fullarton, and Bishop Fal-
conar. Bishop Irvine died November 9, 1725. Bishop Millar
succeded Bishop Fullarton as Bishop of Edinburgh, and Pri-
inus,\ and died October 9, 1727.

After the death of Bishop Rose of Edinburgh, which hap-
pened March 20, 1720,

* Dr George Eickes, formerly Dean of Worcester, was consecrated in the
Bishop of Peterborough's Chapel, in the parish of Enfield, Fcbrtary 23, 1695,
by Dr William IJoyd, Bishop of Norwich, Dr Francis Turner, Bishop of Ely,
and Dr Thomas White, Bisliop of Peterborough. Dr Lloyd, Dr Turner, and
Dr White, were three of tlic English Bishops who were deprived, at the Re-
evolution, by the civil power, for not swearing allegiance to William III. They
were also three of the seven Bishops who had been sent to the Tower by
.Tames II , for refusing to order au illegal proclamation to be read in their Dio-
ceses.

f Anciently, no Bishop in Scotland had the title of Archbishop, but one of
them had a precedency, under the title oi Primus Scotiw Episcopus. In con-
sequence of the Revolution, after the death of Bishop Rose of Edinburgh, the
Scottish Bishops reassumed the old form, one of them hiihvr elected Primus,
with power of cojiYocating and presiding, accordini,^ to thei«- canons made ia
1745.

APPENDIX. , 535

October 17, 1721. — Mr Andrew Cant, formerly one of the
Ministers of Edinburgh, and Mr David Freebairn, formerly
Minister of Dunning, were consecrated at Edinburgh, by Bi-
shop Fullarton, Primus, Bishop Millar, and Bishop Irvine. Bi-
shop Cant died in 1728. Bishop Freebairn was elected Primus
in 1731, afterwards Bishop of Edinburgh, and died in 1739.

June i', 1727. — Dr Thomas Kattray, of Craighall, was
consecrated at Edinburgh by Bishop Gadderar, Bishop Millar,
and Bisliop Cant. He was appointed Bishop of Dunkeld, suc-
ceeded Bishop Freebairn as Priimis, am\ died May 12, H^S.

June 18, 1727 — Mr William Dunbar, formerly Minister*
at Cruden, and Mr Robert Keith, Presbyter in Edinburgh,
were consecrated at Edinburgh, by Bishop Gadderar, Bishop
Millar, and Bishop Rattray. Bishop Dunbar was first appoint-
ed Bishop of Moray, and afterwards of Aberdeen, on the death
of Bishop Gadderar in 1733. He died in 1746. Bishop Keith
was first appointed Bishop of Caithness, afterwards of Fife.
He was elected Primus after the death of Bishop Rattray, and
died in January 1756.

June 24, 1735. — Mr Robert White, Presbyter at Cupar in
Fife, was consecrated at Carsebank, near Forfar, by Bishop
Rattray, Bishop Dunbar, and Bishop Keith. — He was appoint-
ed Bishop of Dunblane, succeeded Bishop Keith as Primus^
and died in August 1761.

September 10, 1741.— Mr William Falconar, Presbyter
at Forres, was consecrated at Alloa, by Bishop Rattray, Pri-
mus, Bishop Keith, and Bishop White. He was first appointed
Bishop of Caithness, afterwards of Moray ; succeeded Bishop
White as Primus, and died in 1784.

October 4, 1742 — Mr James Rait, Presbyter at Dundee,
was consecrated at Edinburgh, by Bishop Rattray, Primus,
Bishop Keith, and Bishop White. He was appointed Bishop
of Brechin, and died in 1777.

August 19, 1743 — Mr John Alexander, Presbyter at Al-

* Those Clcrgjnien who, in consequence of the Revolution, were deprived
of their parishes, are in tliis IL-t called mmisters: And those who had not
lisen Parish-Ministers, ucder Uie civil establishment are caUed Presbyters.

536 APPENDIX.

loa, was consecrated at Edinburgh, by Bisliop Keitli, Frimusy
Bishop White, Bishop Falconar, and Bishop Rait. He was ap-
pointed Bishop of Dunkeld, and died in 1776.

July 17, 1747 Mr Andrew Gerard, Presbyter in Aber^,

deen, was consecrated at Cupar in Fife, by Bishop White (ha-
ving commission from Bishop Keith, the Primtis, for that ef-
fect) Bishop Falconar, Bishop Rait, and Bishop Alexander.
He was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen, and died in October

1767.

Junc2i, 1762. — Mr Robert Forbes, Presbyter in Lcith,
was consecrated at Forfar by Bishop Falconar, Primus, Bishop
Alexander, and Bishop Gerard. He was appointed Bishop of
Ross and Caithness, and died in 1776.

Sq:)tember2\, 1768. — Mr Robert Kilgour, Presbyter in
Peterhead, was consecrated, at Cupar in Fife, by Bishop Fal-
conar, Primus, Bishop Rait, and Bishop Alexander. He was
appointed Bishop oi Aberdeen, succeeded Bishop Falconar as,
Primus, in 1784, and died March 22, 1790.

August 24, 1774. — Mr Charles Rose, Presbyter at Down,
was consecrated at Forfar, by Bishop Falconar, Primus, Bishop
Rait, and Bishop Forbes. He was first appointed Bishop of
Dunblane, afterwards of Dunkeld, and died in April 1791.

June 27, 1776. — Mr Arthur Petrie, Presbyter at Mickle-
folla in Fyvie, was consecrated at Dundee, by Bishop Falconarj
Frimus, Bishop Rait, Bishop Kilgour, and Bishop Rose. He
was first appointed coadjutor to Bishop Falconar, whom he af-
terwards succeeded as Bishop of Moray, and died April 19,

1787. •

September 25, 1782.— Mr John Skinner, Presbyter in A-
berdeen, was consecrated in the Chapel at Luthermuir, by
Bishop Kilgour, Primus, Bishop Rose, and Bishop Petrie. He
was appointed coadjutor to Bishop Kilgour, on whose resigna-
tion he succeeded to the charge of the Diocese of Aberdeen,
>n October 1786, and was elected Primus in December 1788.

March 7, 1787.— Mr Andrew Macfarlane, Presbyter in
Invernegs, was consecrated at Peterhead, by Bishop Kilgour,
Primus, Bishop Petrie, and Bishop Skinner. He was appoint-

APPENDIX. .537

ed coadjutor to Bishop Petrie, whom he succeeded soon after
as Bishop of Ross and Moray.

September 26, 1787 — Dr William Aeernethy Duu^m-
MOND, one of the Presbyters of Edinburgh, and Mr Johnt
Straciian, Presbyter in Dundee, were consecrated at Peter-
head, by Bishop Kilgour, Primus, Bishop Skinner, and Bishop
Macfarlane. Bishop Abernethy Druramond was first appoint-
ed Bishop of Brechin, afterwards of Edinburgh, which having
also resigned, he died Bishop of Glasgow. Bishop Strachan
succeeded him as Bishop of Brechin.

September 20, 1792. — Mr Jonathan Watson, Presbyter at
Laurencekirk, was consecrated at Stonehaven, by Bishop Skin-
ner, Primus, Bishop Macfarlane, Bishop Abernethy Drum-
mond, and Bishop Strachan. He was appointed Bishop of
Dunkeld, that Diocese being vacant by the death of Bishop
Rose.

June 24, 1796. — Mr Alexander Jolly, Presbyter at Fra-
serburgh, was consecrated at Dundee, by Bishop Abernethy
Drummond, Bishop Macfarlane, and Bishop Strachan. He was
appointed coadjutor to Bishop Macfarlane, on whose resigna-
tion, he succeeded soon after to the charge of the Diocese of
Moray.

February 9, 1806. — Daniel Sandford, D. D. Presbyter
in Edinburgh, was consecrated at Dundee, by Bishop Skinner,
Primus, Bishop Watson, and Bishop Jolly. He was appointed
Bishop of Edinburgh, that Diocese being vacant by the resig-
nation of Bishop Abernethy Drummond.

October 12, 1808 Mr Patrick Torry, Presbyter in Pe-
terhead, was consecrated at Aberdeen, by Bishop Skinner,
Primus, Bishop Macfarlane, and Bishop Jolly. He was ap-
pointed Bishop of Dunkeld, that Diocese being vacant by the
death of Bishop Watson.

October ZQ, 1808.— George Gleig, L.L.D. Presbyter in
Stirling, was consecrated at Aberdeen, by Bishop Skinner,
Primus, Bishop Jolly, and Bishop Torry. He was appointed
Bishop of Brechin, Bishop Strachan, from advanced age, and
consequent mental imbecility, being vmcquul to the duties of

538 APPENDIX.

the Episcopal office. — N. B. Bishop Gleig was elected PrimuSf
on Bishop Skinner's death, in 1816.

October 27, 1816 Mr William Skinner, Presbyter iia

Aberdeen, was consecrated at Stirling by Bishop Gleig, Pri-
mus, Bishop Jolly, Bishop Sandford, and Bishop Torry. He
was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen, that Diocese being vacant
by the death of the former Primus, Bishop Skinner, t

Though the districts into which the Scottish Bishops have
divided their Church, are not exactly according to the limits of
the Dioceses under the legal establishment of Episcopacy, yet
they btill retain the names by which they were of old distin-
guished, with the exception of St Andrews. Every Dio-
cesan Bishop has his distinct charge, and without assum-
ing any other local jurisdiction than what was acknow-
ledged in the primitive Church for the first three centuries,
may as properly be denominated Bishop of the place or charge
assigned to him, as St James has always been called Bishop of
Jerusalem, Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, or Cyprian, Bishop of
Carthage. Oji this footing the Episcopal College in Scotland
Gonsisis at present of the following members : —

Dr Gleig, Bishop of Brechin, Primus.
Mr Andrew Macfarlane, Bishop of Ross.
Mr Alexander Jolly, Bishop of Moray,
Dr Sandford, Bishop of Edinburgh.
Mr Patrick Torry, Bishop of Dunkeld.
Mr William Skuvner, ^'\^\xo^ of Aberdeen.

\ A few more Presby-ters have been consecrated Bishops in Scotland, since
ihe Revolution ; but as they had no band in can7ing on the Epiioopal suc-
cession, it was thought imnecessary, in maliinj out this list, to raentiun thpit
censccrations.

APPENDIX, 539

No. II.

Proposed Preamble to the Thirty-nme Articles,
when subscribed at Laurencekirk.

We the Bishops and Clergy of the Episcopal Church in Scot-
land, assembled in a Convocation holden at Laurencekirk in
the county of Kincardine, on the 24th day of October in the
year of our Lord 1804, having taken into our serious consider-
ation the obligations we lie under to provide, as far as we are
able, for the preservation of truth, unity, and concord, in that
small portion of the Church of Christ committed to our charge ;
and having observed, with regret, that, owing to the confusions
•f the times, and the various difficulties which the Episcopacy
of Scotland had to encounter, even when established by law,
no public Confession of Faith has been prescribed or handed
down to us, who have thought it our duty to adhere to that Ec-
clesiastical constitution which we believe to be truly Apostoli-
cal ; under these circumstances, we are unanimously of opinion,
that it would be highly expedient to exhibit some public testi-
mony of our agreement in doctrine and discipline with the Es-
tablished Church of England ; and, for that purpose, to give a
solemn declaration of our assent to her Thirty-nine Articles of
Religion, in the form and manner of subscription required by
the act of the 32d of his present Majesty, intitled, an " Act
for granting Relief to Pastors, Ministers, and Lay-persons of
the Episcopal Communion in Scotland."

Resolved, therefore, as we now are, by the grace of Almigh-
ty God, to adopt these Articles as the public test or standard
ef the religious principles of our Church, so far as they are ap-
plicable to its present situation, we deem it our bounden duty,
from a conscientious regard to the truth as it is in Christ, to of-
fer a few observations on the doctrine of the 17th and 25th, and
the peculiar design of the 35th, 36th, and 37th Articles.

I. With regard to the doctrine of the 17th Article, on the sub-
ject of Predestination and Election, it is with extreme concern
that we perceive the great diversity of opinion which has long

540 APPENDIX.

prevailed, and still does prevail, even among the Clergy of the
Church of England, with respect to the true and genuine sense
of this Article ; some contending, very strenuously, that it ought
to be understood in the rigorous, exclusive, Calvinistical sense,
as establishing the doctrine of absolute election and reproba-
bation ; and others, shewing, with much more clearness of evi-
dence, that this is not the sense which the -Church of England
has ever attached to it. To this latter opinion we do readily
assent; and being well assured from Holy Scripture of the
eternal purpose or promise of redemption, according to which
God sent his Son to be " the propitiation for the sins of thewhole
world," (1 John ii. 2.); and "Jesus Christ gave himself a ran-
rom for all," (1 Tim. ii. 6.) ; we receive the doctrine of Predes-
tination as consistent with and agreeable to this most gracious
and general scheme of salvation, which we believe to be uni-
versal in the intention, however partial the wickedness of man-
kind may render it in the application. Under the impression of
this belief, as we must not, on the one hand, attempt to widen
the way that leadeth unto life, which Christ has declared to be
«' narrow," (Matt. vii. l-i.) so neither can we think, on the other
hand, of limiting the extent of his merit, or the objects of his
mercy, and especially of justifying such presumptuous limita-
tion, by the authority of an eternal, but unrevealed decree of
exclusion. When, therefore, we find the Church of England
avoiding the mention of the term Reprobation, and guarding
her general belief of Predestination with a warning to " the cu-
rious and carnal against a dangerous downfal," — " from having
it continually before their eyes," we heartily embrace the very
just and appropriate conclusion of this Article, that " we must
receive God's promises in such wise as they be generally set
forth to us in Holy Scripture ; and in our doings, that will of
God is to be followed which we have expressly declared unto
us in the word of God." And no part of his will is more clear-
ly revealed in that word, than that " God will {!hxu, is will-
ing to) have all men to be saved, and to come to the know-
ledge of the truth. (iTim. ii. 4.) With such express declara-
tions of the divine will, it is therefore the duty of Christians tq>
be fully satisfied, without seeldng to be wise " above that which

APPENDIX. 54il

ia written," or plunging into the mysterious depths of the de-
crees of heaven, but always remembering that distinction so
plainly laid down in these words of inspired wisdom : " The sa-
cred things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things
which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children for ever,
that we may do all the words of this law." — Deut. xxix. 29.

II. We have to remark, that in the Twenty fifth Article it '

is very truly declared, that " there are two Sacraments ordain-
ed of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism
and the Supper of the Lord." And it is equally certain, that
" those five commonly called Sacraments" in the Church of
Rome, " are not to be counted as such, since they have not the
like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper,
having not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God." Yet
we know that in the Church of England, as well as in the
Church to which we belong. Confirmation is acknowledged and
reverently used as an Apostolic ordinance; and in one of the
prayers appointed for the administration of it, the laying on of
the Bishop's hands, " after the example of the holy Apostles,"
is declared to be for " certifying" the persons confirmed " by ^
this sign" of God's " favour and gracious goodness towards
them ;" which plainly shews, that what is said, in this Article,
of Confirmation " having no visible sign ordained of God," is
not meant to detract in the least from the regard that is due to
this truly primitive and venerable rite ; or to insinuate that it
is one of those " which have grown of the corrupt following of
the Apostles," but only to prove that it is not to be considered
as a sacrament, in the strict and proper sense of that word, as
applied to those distinguished means of grace and salvation in-
stituted by Christ himself,— Baptism and the Lord's Supper. ^
It IS still, however, to be received as a sacred ordinance, institut- w
ed by the Apostles for blessing and sanctifying the members of
Christ's body by the gift of the Holy Spirit, the benefit of which
is frequently alluded to in Scripture as the " sealing of Chris- ^
tians ;" a benefit which we cannot but suppose to be of very
great consequence, when we find St Paul, in one of his Epis-
tles, mentioning it next to Baptism, among the fundamental
" principles of the doctrine of Chri.t."— Heb. vi. I. 2.

54''2 APPENDIX.

III. We have, farther, to observe, that the Thirty-fifth Artide,
intitled, Of the Homilies; the Thirty-sixth, Of the Consecration
©f Bishops and Ministers ; and the Thirty-seventh, Of the Civil
Magistrates, are all peculiar to the religious establishment of
England, and, with respect to other National Churches, ought to
be considered merely as articles of union, by assenting to which,
in the form of subscription, they testify their approbation of
what has been done for establishing order and uniformity in the
Church of England. This appears to be the only sense in which
these three Articles can be subscribed by the Clergy of other
Churches ; and where they contain any reference to " Edward
the Sixth," to " Elizabeth our Queen,"and to "this realm of Eng-
land," it is evident that every such reference admits of no direct
application to the state of our Church in Scotland, and there-
fore the subscription required from us, can imply no more than
our assenting to what is thus expressed as a thing right and pro-
per in the realm of England, and so far as it can be applied to
our situation in Scotland. The form of consecrating Bishops,
and of ordaining Priests and Deacons, referred to in the Thir-
ty-sixth Article, has always been used in our Church, since it
•was deprived of legal establisluiient, with no other variation
than what our circumstances necessarily require. And as to the
Thirty-seventh Article, which treats of the supremacy of the
Chief Magistrate, it has ever been the doctrine of our Church,
as well as of the Church of England, that the King's Majesty,
having the chief power in every part of his dominions, has a
right to " rule all estates and degrees committed to his charge
by God, whether they be ecclesiastical or temporal, and to
restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil doers." To
this doctrine we do stedfastly adhere, and never fail, as in du-
ty bound, to recommend a conscientious submission to the
King, and those that are put in authority under hicn, for whom
also we do not cease to offer up our fervent supplications and
prayers to God's divine Majesty, that so " we may lead quiet
and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty ;" in that
♦« honesty," which implies a deceat and proper behaviour in the
state of Hfe to which God has called us : and in that " godli*

A PP FA' DI\. .'5 45

Kcss which is profitable unto all things, having promise of the
life that now is, and of that which is to come." — 1 Tim. ii. 2. &
iv. S.

These observations we have thought proper to commit to
writing, as explanatory, not onlj^ of what we judge to be the
true sense and meaning of the Seventeenth Article, and of that
part of the Twenty-fifth which refers to the rite of Confirma-
tion, but also of the nature and design of those Articles, which
being peculiar to the Church of England, can be applied to our
situation, only so far as existing circumstances will admit of the
application. And, with these explanations thus prefixed to our
subscriptions, we do freely and vciuntarily subscribe a declara-
tion ef our assent to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of
England, as contained in the act passed in the 13th year of the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, in the words following : (We the
subscribing Bishops having also resolved in future to require
from all candidates for holy orders in our Church, previous to
their being ordained, a similar subscription in the same words,)
videlicet. We, whose names are underwritten, Pastors of Con-
gregations of persons in the Episcopal Communion in Scot-
land, meeting for divine worship at the several places annexed
to our respective names, do willin^^y, and ex animo subscribe
to the Book of Articles of Religion agi'eed upon by the Arch-
bishops and Bishops of both provinces of the realm of England,
and the whole Clergy thereof, in the Convocation holden at
London in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and
sixty-two; and we do acknowledge all and every the Articles
therein contained, being in number Thirty-nine, besides the Ra-
tification, to be agreeable to the word of God,

No. IIL
Bishop Jolly's Address to the Convocation.

After the other Bishops had severally declared their opi-
nions on the subject before taem, and, with all becoming re-
M M

54i APPENDIX.

gard to the sentiments of the Clergy, expressed the sincere sa-
tisfaction which they could not fail to derive from an unani-
mo is resolution to subscribe the Thirty-nine Articles of the
Church of England, Bishop Jolly, of the diocese of Moray, de-
livered an Address, to the following elfect : —

" Our attention, my brethren, on this solemn occasion, is
forcibly arrested by these affecting words of St Paul to the Co-
rinthians,* ' Now, I beseech you, brethren, by the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and
that there be no divisions among you, but that ye i)e perfectly
jomeu together in the same mind and in the same judgment.'
This divine admonition, though it leaves room for mutual for-
bearance in points of less importance and doubtful disputation,
(as may be inferred from other passages of St Paul's Epistles,)
yet plainly establishes the necessity of concord and unanimity
in all the great articles of faith and religion ; and if the profes-
sors, much more are the preachers of Christianity, bound to
such consent and agreement. ' The form of doctrine,' — the
form of sound words,' we are accordingly charged to ' hold
fast in faith and love.' Such forms we find recorded by the
most early ecclesiastical writers, particularly by Irenasus and
Tertullian, in the age next to the Apostles. Afterwards, when
the vain imaginations of men corrupted the simplicity of the
' truth as it is in Jesus,' the Church was obliged to counteract
the poison by antidotes suited to the several errors as they a-
rose. Hence confessions and formularies of faith came to be
multiplied and enlarged, dilated in words, but the same in sub-
stance as at first delivered to the saints.

" When the dismal night of Romish error and delusion be-
p-an to be dispelled by the dawn of Pteformation, access was not
at first, and in all places, so easy as could have been wished, to
those early monuments which would have most clearly detect-
ed and exposed the innovations and corruptions whereby the
primitive faith and practice had been so grossly adulterated,
and happily furnished the uniform standard of doctrine and
discipline, stampt with antiijuity, universality, and consent, the

« 1 Cor. i. 10.

APPENDIX. ,545

safe and golden rule of refomnation. Different confessions were
drawn up in different countries; und it is rather wonderful, that
amidst such variety, so much harmony prevailed as we find.*

" The Church of England has been justly called the Bulwark
of the Reformation; and her superior strength and beauty con-
sist in her wise regard to primitive antiquity, whereby she
threw off the adventitious morbid matter which burdened her
constitution, and returned to her early health and vigour. Her
first reformed admirable Liturgy, composed (as an act of Par-
liament expresses it) ' b}^ the aid of the Holy Ghost,' spoke
her sense of religion in the most solemn manner before God ;
and she could not be supposed to hold out a different doctrine
to men in her Articles, the same persons being the framers of
both. The first draught of those articles of religion was drawn
by the great Archbishop Cranmer, assisted by the primitively-
learned Ridley, in the year 1551, and after passing from hand
to hand among the Bishops for their correction, came before
the Royal Council in the end of the following year, was return-
ed to the Archbishop for his last revisal, and passed the Convo-
cation. These Articles, forty-two in number, were published
in Latin and English in the year 1553*.

" The Marian persecution drove many of the English divines
abroad ; and it is matter of regret, rather than of wonder, tliat
vipon the return of peace they brought some foreign doctrine
home with them. When the Church reviewed her Articles in
the year 1562, she prudently contrived, by retrenching some,
and making alterations in the frame of others, suited to the
state of things at that time, to admit a general subscription of
persons agreeing in the main, and forbearing one- another in
love, that they might ' endeavour to keep the unity of the
' spirit in the bond of peace.' These Artic'es, agreed upon in
the Convocation of 1562, were first emitted in Lptin only and
there was no authentic English translation of them till the year
1571, when they were again reviewed by the Convocation,

* Vide " Corpus et Sjiitagnia Confessionum," and" The Harmony of Con-
fessions."
f See them in Sparrow's Collection, p. 39.

54)6 APPENDIX.

brought to their present form, and published authoritatively
both in Litia and English.

" In the following century, when an unhappy pharisaic lea-
ven spread to an alarming degree, we lind, by the King's De-
claration first published in 1623, and still prefixed to the Arti-
cles, that the dissentients all appealed to them as favouring
their different opinions. The royal declaration plainly tended
to repress the extravagance of the Calvinists ; and it is well
known that Archbishop Laud, and other divines in the greatest
favour with King Charles, were far from being inclined to the
Feniiments of Geneva, or the Synod of Dort, or the bare sacra-
mtntarian doctrine of the Lord's supper. They, therefore,
must have understood the Articles, and subscribed them, ac-
cording to the belief of their first framers, who regarded Me-
lancthon more than Calvin. A.t that time Bishop Montague
maintained their anticalvinistic sense in his Appeal, as Dr Hey-
lin did afterwards in his Quinquarticular History : and in the
present day, among others, Mr Daubeny, now Archdeacon of
Salisbury, has most satislactorily cleared them from the false
"•losses of modern Calvinist?, in his excellent work, intituled,
Vindicice Ecciesice Anglicance *.

* ' It is well known,' says Mr Daubeny, ' liial the Declaration prefixed
' to the Articles, conihiiiig all wlio subscribe tb.em to the plain, literal, and
' grammatical sense, was obtained by the influence of Archbishop Laud.
' But Laud and his associates were accused by the Calvinists. of departing
' from the true sense of the Articles to whicli. says Bumet, it was answered
' by them, that they took the Articles in their literal and gxammatical sense,
' and to support this, that Declaration was set forth. The conclusion, then,
' appears as evident as that two and two make four, that at the time that

* this Declai-ation was set forth, the Calvinists themselves did not consider the
' plain, literal, and grammatical sense of the Articles compatible with the inter-
' pretation whicli tiiey annexed to them ; for, had this been the case, Bishop
' Laud, who was known to be the chief spring in the business, instead of be-
' cominT the object of their accusation on this occasion, would have been en-

• titled to their highest regard for having thus contributed so essentially to the
' conlii-matiou cf the Calvinistic cause. Instead of tliis, however, the Calvinistic
' divines of that period petilioued against the Declaration, staling, that a re-
' strai^t was laid upon them for preacliing the saving doctrines of God's free

APPENDIX. • 547

'■< From the writings of Archbishop Cranmer, and others
his contemporariop, it has been proved, that tlic expressions in
the Articles, which Calvinistic divines lay hold of, and misin-
terpret, do not, in their original meaning, favour their peculi-
ar tenets. The ' Institution and Erudition 01' a Christian Man,'
with the ' Reformatio Legum, ' &-c. drawn up by those first re-
formers, explain and amplify here and there what is more
condensed and less perspicuous in the Articles: and happily
■\ve too in Scotland have of late got our authentic Institution of
a Christian Man, in a little book, called, ' A Layman's Ac-
count of his Faith and Practice as a Member of the Episcopal
Church in Scotland; published with the approbation of the
Bishops of that Church.' In adopting, therefore, the Articles
of the united Church of England and Ireland, as the Articles
of our Church, we must be candidly understood as taking them
in unison with that book, and not thinking any expressions,
with regard to the Lord's Supper, in the least inimical to our
practice at the altar, in the use of the Scottish Communion Of-
fice; in which we are supported by the first reformed Liturgy
of England, not to look back to all the ancient Liturgies which
prevailed long before the corruptions of popery had a being.
Some of the greatest divines of the Church of England, Poinet,
Andrews, Laud, Heylin, Mede, Taylor, Bull, Johnson, and
many others, have asserted and maintained the doctrine which
in that office is reduced to practice. Yet these divines did all

• grace in election and predestination ; therefore, it is most obvious, that the
' plain, literal, and gi-ammatical sense of the Articles of the Church of England,

• did not, in the opinion of the Calvinists of that period, contain the saving
' doctrines of free grace in election and predestination, according to the Cal-

• Tinislic interpretation ' Very justly, then, was it observed by one of the

• Clergy present at our meeting, that ' if the disciple of Calvin holds to the
' literal and grammatical sense of the Articles as the anchor of his soul, he

• has been clearly convicted of leaning only to a broken reed, instead of an
' anchor sure and stedfast : for prejudice itself must yield to facts, as facts
' are stubborn things ;' and, in addition to those now produced, we are inform-
ed by a contemporary writer, that Calvin's offer of assistance in conducting;
the Reformation in England, was rejected by Cranmer; ' for,' says Heylin,
' the Arclibishop knew the man.'

54S APPENDIX.

subscribe the Thirty-nine Articles, and must therefore have un-
derstood them consistently Avith their belief of the Commemo-
rative Sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist, using the present Litur-
gy of the Church of England as comprehending it. Our sub-
scribing them in Scotland cannot then be justly interpreted as
an inconsistency with it, smce our belief is diametrically oppo-
site to the corrupt sacrifice of the mass, which, with all the other
errors and corruptions of the Church of Rome, none more hearti-
ly renounce and detest than we in Scotland do, with safety al-
ways to those truly catholic primitive doctrines and practiceSj
whereof these errors and novelties are the corruption. The
term corruption implies a subject once sound, and error implies
original truth, from which it is a deviation. This distinction the
Church of England, in her blessed reformation, carefully ob-
served. Her practice of confirmation may be taken as an ex-
ample.

" Confirmation, by the laying on of Episcopal hands, is
plainly warranted by the doctrine and practice of the Apostles,
and was religiously and universally continued and kept up by
the primitive Church. But the Church of Rome, in her degene-
rate state, justled out the laying on of hands, and exalted the
chrism, which had been before used only as a decent, mutable
ceremony, into the place of it. The Church of England, there-
fore, while she retains and solemnly uses, with fervent prayer
to God, (as does her poor sister in Scotland,) the certifying
sign of the laying on of hands, after the example of the holy
Apostles, yet, in her twenty-fifth Article of religion, condemns
the corruption of that example by the church of Rome, which
makes the chrism the outward visible sign of a sacrament, rais-
ing it to the same level with the elements in Baptism and the
Lord's Supper, thus too truly making void a divine institution
by human tradition. Let any one compare the two offices of
England and of Rome, and he will clearly see what is here
briefly, and therefore perhaps unintelligibly stated. Instead of
" Co7ifirmo te Chrismate Salutis in Nomine Patris," &c. as it is
in the Pontificale Romanunt, it was in the first reformed Prayer-
book of England, more pointedly staring the usurping ceremo-

APPENDIX. 549

ny in the face than at present, ' I lay mine hands upon thee,
in the name of the Father,' &c. In the prayer, after all are
confirmed, the Pontificale reads, ' Prcesta ut eorum corda., quo-
rum frontes sacra Chrismate delinivimus,' &^c. In the English
Liturgy, it is, ' We make our humble supplications unto Thee,
for these thy servants, upon whom (after the example of thy
holy Apostles) we have xiow laid our hands,' &c. The latter is
the following, or true imitation ot the Apostles ; the former is
the corrupt following of the Apostles, which the Twenty-fifth
Article censures. The learned Mr Daubeny, in his work above
referred to, agrees with those who acknowledge, that some of
the Ai'ticles ' might have been better expressed,' and that

* though an admirable, yet they are an improvable form of
sound words.' Much more might we in Scotland claim our
right of expressing that true sense of them, which he, ana other
worthy churchmen, have so iully evinced in words less liable
to be misunderstood. But, instead of a new form, we adopt
and embrace theirs, out of our love and desire of umty and con-
cord ; that, bemg of one heart and mind in our one Lord Jesus
Christ, we may, as with one mouth, all speak the same thing, to
the glory of God, and our mutual edification.

" I shall, therefore, detain you no longer, my brethren, than
by quoting a caution from two writers on this subjec^t, which
seems very suitable to the present occasion : — ' In matters of

* subscription,' says Dr Bennet, (in his Directions for studying
the Articles,) ' a man ought to take effectual care that he deals
' openly and fairly ; that he does not trifle with sacred obliga-

* tions, and play with settled impositions, and thereby give his

* conscience either such a wrench as may often make his heart

* ache, or such a loose as may debauch it in other instances.'—

* A good man,' says Dr Conybeare (in an excellent sermon on
Subscription to Articles) will be ' cautious but not subtle ; he
< will first examine with impartiality and care, and then sub-

* scribe with sincerity and plainness."

550 AFPENDIX.

No. IV.

Bishop Sandford's Address to his Congregation^,
on his Union with the Scottish Episcopal
Chi,irc]i.

The Bishops and Clergy of the Episcopal Church of Scot-
land having, at a Convention held at Laurencekirk, in the coun-
ty of Kincardine, on the 24;th day of October last, solemnly
subscribed the Thirty-nine Articles of the United Church of
England and Ireland; and having, by this act, given the most
decisive and satisfactory testimony of their agreement with that
church in doctrine and discipline, there remains no possible ob-
jection to the Union of the two Episcopahan parties in this
kingdom, and to the submission of the English Clergy here te
the spiritual authority of the Scottish Bishops.

As an Episcopal Clergyman officiating in this country, I think
it my duty, under these circumstances, to make this submission,
in order that the Congregation attending my ministry, may en-
joy the advantages and the regularity arising from the superin-
tendence of a Bishop, of which we have been hitherto deprived.

That my Congregation may be satisfied of the propriety of
the motives which have determined my conduct in this matter,
and of the benefits which they will derive from the Union of
our establishment with the Scottish Episcopal Church, I bc^
leave to submit to them the following considerations : —

1. That the establishments of the English Chapels, in their
present situation, are extremely imperfect and anomalous. Our
Clergy, in the first place, officiate without the license of the
Bishop in whose diocese they reside; an irregularity only to be
justified by circumstances of the most unavoidable necessity.*
Our yoiithhave no opportunity of being confirmed, and are there-
fore admitted to the Holy Communion without this edifying and
Apostolical preparation; an omission very greatly to be lamented.
Our places of worship are not consecrated ; and, in one word,

* See the 23d Arti«k, and the Offices of Ordination of Deacon and Prjcst

APPENDIX. 551

our establishments possess nothing of the becoming order and
reo-ularlty which flow from the spiritual government of a Bishop.
We are Episcopalians depending on no Ecclesiastical Superior,
which is almost a contradiction in terms ; far the Prelates of
the Church of England can exercise no authority in Scotland.
These circumstances have, for a considerable period, given pain
to many serious and reflecting persons ; and indeed no faithful
member of the Church of England can look upon them as
thinp-s indifferent. Every well-informed Churchman knows how
indispensible it is to our comfort and edification, as an Episco-
palian society, that these deficiencies should be supplied, and
these irregularities corrected.

2. The submission of the English Clergy to the spiritual su-
perintendence of the Scottish Bishops, is the easy and obvious
remedy of the anomalies of our situation. This remedy is now
placed within our reach, and that we shall act wisely and pious-
ly by embracing it, will be evident to any one who considers,

3. That the Episcopal Church of Scotland is a ' true' Church,
' in the which the pure word of God is preached, and the Sa-
< craments are administered, according to Christ's ordinance.'*
The doctrines of this Church are the same with those of the
vmited Church of England and Ireland ; the Bishops and Cler-
gy of the Episcopal Church of Scotland subscribing the same
Articles of Religion. The Scottish Bishops are true Bishops
of the Church of Christ, and their Apostolical Succession is the
same with that of the Bishops of the Church of England ; for
the present governors of the Scottish Episcopal Church derive
their authority in a direct succession from those Scottish Bish-
ops who Avere consecrated by the Prelates of the Church of
England at Westminster, 15th December 1661.

4. That the political perplexities which, in former times, oc-
casioned the introduction of the English Clergy into this coun-
try, and the separation of our Chapels from the communion of
the Episcopal Church of Scotland, have long' been at an end,
and the objections to our Union, which might have been urged
©n that score, entirely taken away.

* See 33d Article of Religion,

552 APPENDIX.

5. That the continuance of our separation is therefore wholly
causeless, considered in every point of view. But causeless se-
paration from a pure Church, is the sin of schism ; an offence,
of which it is impossible that any pious and enlightened Chris-
tian can think lightly. " It is contrary to Christian unity, to
separate ourselves from a church which follows the doctrines
and ordinances of Christ and his Apostles, and answers every
good purpose of Christian worship and Christian fellowship." *

6. That while our establishments, by an union with the Epis-
copal Church of this country, acquire the consistency and re-
gularity of which they have long so manifestly stood in need,
we retain the same Liturgy of the Church of England which
we have been accustomed to use, and the temporal regulations
of our Chapels remain as they were. By this junction of our
communion with the venerable Church which was once the
established Church of the land, every thing will be amended in
our situation which was irregular, and nothing altered but what
was wrong.

7. Lastly. Let it be considered, that by the submission of our
Clergy to the Scottish Bishops, we strengthen, instead of wea-
ken our connexion with the Church of England ; for the
Church of England, as a pure branch of the Universal Church
of Christ, is in communion with the Episcopal Church of Scot-
land, also a pure branch of the Universal Church ; + and every
English Clergyman, who would be faithful to the principles
which he professed at his ordination, must therefore necessari-
ly acknowledge the authority of the Scottish Bishops while he
resides within the jurisdiction of their communion.

I have studied this important subject for a considerable

* See " A Short Catecliism" by the Right Rev. Thomas Biugess, Lord Bi-
shop of St David's.

f By calling the Church of Christ universal, we ' mean,' (says the learned
Bishop of St David's, in the Catechism above cited,) " that the Church is not
limited to any particular nation or people, but comprehends all Christian Con-
gregations in which the word of God is preached, and the sacraments are du-
ly administered by persons rightly ordained : and that these congregations,
however distant or numerous, are one by coaununity of faith and ordinances."

APPENDIX. 553

length of time with the utmost attention. I shall be happy to
converse with any of my Congregation, who may wish to know,
in greater detail, the reasons upon which I have formed my
judgment on a question no less interesting to them than to m}'-
self. But, it is ni}'- serious and settled conviction, that it is on-
ly by my submission to the Primus of the Episcopal College,
the Bishop of Aberdeen, (who, during the present vacancy of
the diocese of Edinburgh, is my Diocesan,) that I can satisfy
my own conscience ; that I can act agreeably to the awful re-
sponsibility which I bear as a minister of the gospel of our
blessed Lord and Saviour ; or discharge my duty towards those
for whose spiritual welfare I am bound, by the strongest obli-
gations, to be solicitous.

Daniel Sandford.

Edinburgh, }
Nov. 7. ISOi. 5

No. V.

Articles of Union proposed by the Right
Rev. the Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal
Church, to those Clergymen who officiate in
Scotland, by virtue of Ordination from an
Enghsh or an Irish Bishop.

As an union of all those who profess to be of the Episcopal
persuasion in Scotland, appears to be a measure extremely de-
sirable, and calculated to promote the interests of true religion, •
the Right Reverend theBishops of the Scottish Episcopal Chu; ch
do invite and exhort all those Clergymen in Scotland, who have
received ordination from English or Irish Bisliops, and the people
attending their ministrations, to become pi-itors and members of
that pure and primitive part of the Christian Church, of which
the Bishops in Scotland are the regular governors : With a view
to the attainment of which desirable end, the said Bishops pro-
pose the following Articles of Union, as the conditions on which

554f ATPENDIX.

they are ready to receive the above-mentioned Clergy into a
holy and Christian fellowship, and to acknowledge them as Pas-
tors, and the people who shall be committed to their charge,
and duly and regularly adhere to their ministrations as members
of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

I. Every such Clergyman shall exhibit to the Bishop of the
diocese or district in which he is settled, or, in case of a vacan-
cy, to the Primus of the Episcopal College, his Letters of Or-
ders, or a duly attested copy thereof, that so their authenticity
and validity being ascertained, they may be entered in the dio-
cesan book or register kept for that purpose.

II. Every such Clergyman shall declare his hearty and un-
feigned assent to the whole doctrine of the gospel, as revealed
and set forth in the Holy Scriptures : And shall farther acknow-
ledge, that the Scottish Ei.iscopal Church, of which the Bi-
shops in Scotland are the regular governors, is a pure and or-
thodox pare of the Universal Christian Church.

III. Every such Clergyman shall be at liberty to use in his
own Congregation the Liturgy of the Church of England, as
well in the administration of the sacrament of the Lord's Sup-
per as in all the other offices of the Church,

IV. Every such Clergyman, when collated to any pastoral
charge- shall promise, with God's assistance, faithfully and con-
scientiously to perform the duties thereof, promoting and main-
taining, according to his power, peace, quietness, and Chris-
tian charity, and studying, in a particular manner, to advance,
by his example and doctrine, the spiritual welfare and comfort
of that portion of the flock of Christ among which he is called
to exercise his ministry.

V. Every such Clergyman shall own and acknowledge, as liis
spiritual governor, under Christ, the Bishop of the diocese or
district in which he is settled, and shall pay and perform to the
said Bishop all such canonical obedience as is usually paid by
the Clergy of the Scottish Episcopal Church, or by the Clergy
of the uflited Church of England and Ireland to their respec-
tive diocesans, saving and excepting only such obedience as
those Clergymen who do or may hold spiritual preferment i»

APPENDIX. 555

England ov Ireland, owe to the Bishops in whose dioceses in
thqse parts of the united kingdom they do or n,ay hold such
preferment.

VI. Every such Clergyman, who shall approve and accept
of the foregoing articles as terms of agreement and union with
the Scottish Episcopal Church, shall testify his approbation and
acceptance of the same in manner following, viz. : —
*' At the day of I ordained Dea-
con by the Lord Bishop of and Priest by the Lord

Bishop of do hereby testify and declare my entire

approbation and acceptance of the foregoing articles as terms
of union with the Scottish Episcopal Church, and oblige my-
self to comply with and fulfil the same with all sincerity and
diligence. In testimony whereof, I have written and subscrib-
ed this ray acceptance and obligation, to be delivered into

the hands of the Right Rev. Bishop of as my

diocesan and ecclesiastical superior, before these witnesses,

the Rev and the Rev both Clergymen of the

gaid diocese, specially called for that purpose."

No. VL

Memoir respecting the Present State of the Epis-
copal Church in Scotland; respectfully sub-
mitted to the consideration of the Nobility and
Gentry of that Communion.

Previous to the year 1688, Episcopacy was the established
form of Church Government in Scotland as well as in England ;
but the same Convention of Estates which transferred the Crown
to William and Mary, abolished Episcopacy, and substituted
Presbytery as the established form of Church government in
Scotland ; and this has remained to the present day. At that
time the Episcopal Church in Scotland consisted of fourteen

556 APPENDIX.

Bishops, including the two Archbishops, and about nine hun-
dred Clergy. Both descriptions of Clergy were ordered, by act
of Parliament, either to conform to the new Government, or to
quit their livings. All the Bis'iops, and by far the greater num-
ber of the Inferior Clergy, refusing to take the oaths to the new
Government, were compelled to i-elinquish their livings, in
which Presbyterian Ministers were in general placed.

Although the Episcopal Clergy were thus expelled from their
parochial cures, they almost universally continued to officiate
privately to such as were disposed to attend their ministrations,
notwithstanding severe penal laws were made to prevent them :
And the Bishops, although their order was abolished as a con-
stituent part of the state, still retaining that spiritual authority
in the Church which is inherent in the nature of their office,
took care, as vacancies happened, to preserve their succession,
by new and regular Consecrations. They did not, indeed, at-
tempt to keep up the same number as before the Revolution, nor
continue the division of the country into the same Dioceses, as
there was no occasion for any such accuracy, by reason of the
diminution which their Clergy and their Congregations had
suffered, owing to the discouragements they laboured under.
They have also dropped the distinction of Arch-Bishops, now
only making use of the title of Primus, who being elected by
the members of the Episcopal College, is invested thereby with
the authority of calling and presiding in such meetings as may
be necessary for regulating the affairs of their spiritual com-
munity.

The Episcopal Church in Scotland has thus continued to
exist from that time till the present, notwithstanding the penal
statutes, to the operation of which her Clergy as well as Laity
were subjected. Those statutes, however, which pressed so
severely upon them, were repealed in the year 1792 by the
mildness of his present ^lajesty's Government. From the Re-
volution downwards, the Bishops and Clergy of the Episcopal
Church have continued to struggle, meekly and in silence, un-
der all the pressure of poverty, subsisting solely on the scanty
and precarious income arising from their respective Congrega-

APPENDIX. 557

lions : and surely nothing but a sense of duty could have nia<1e
them submit to so hard and uncomrcrtable a lot. While the
penal statutes existed in all their rigour, men of seriously dis-
posed minds of the Episcopal persuasion, who were unwilling to
subject themselves to the consequences of opposing the law,
which prohibited their attendance on the meeting houses of the
nonjuring Clergy, had recourse, for providing against this, to
a device of so irregular and anomalous a nature as could only
be justified by the singularity and hardship of the case. They
invited Clergymen, ordained by English or Irish Bishops, to
open Congregations for carrying on the worship of God in.
Edinburgh, and several other places in Scotland, according to
the usage of the Church of England. Those Congregations,
however, were subject to several material disadvantages. The
Clergymen, to be sure, had received Episcopal ordination, and
therefore could regularly administer the sacraments of the
Church ; but their Congregations were deprived of the saluta-
ry rite of Confirmation, and the Clerg5'men themselves were
under no sort of Episcopal subjection or authority whatever.

When the penal laws were repealed, the Scottish Bishops
addressed a pastoral letter to the English and Irish ordained
Clergy, officiating in Scotland, by which they invited them,
and offered to receive them and their Congregations into the
Scottish Episcopal Communion. Those Clergymen replied,
among other things, that although the Episcopal Church in
Scotland had all along declared, that their doctrine was the
very same with that of the Church of England, yet as they had
no Confessional, they had no proof to exhibit that such was
the case.

In order to remove this difficulty, the Scottish Bishops held
a Convocation of their Church about two years age, (in October
ISOt,) at which it was resolved unanimously to adopt and sub-
scribe the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England, as
tlieir Confessional, and to use them as such in all time coming;
the Bishops entering it in their diocesan register as an esta-
blished rule not to confer orders on any one who shall not sub-
scribe those Articles in the same manner: Thus giving the

55S APPENDIX.

stroncrest proof in their power of their entire agreement in doc-
trine with the Church of England.

As soon as this measure was made known to the English-
ordained Clergy officiating in Scotland, several of the most
respectable of their number, with their Congregations both in
Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland, most readily acceded
to the Union proposed, by putting themselves under the spi-
ritual authority of the Scottish Bishops, saving that spiritual
obedience which those English-ordained Clergy, who hold Ec-
clesiastical preferments in England, owe to their diocesans
within whose dioceses the preferment may lie. The happy ef-
fects of this measure have been, that those Congregations, in-
stead of standing on the irregular footing above described, now
feel themselves in the comfortable situation of composing a
part of a regular Episcopal Church, pure and perfect in the
completest sense of the words. Another singular advantage
arising from the measure has been, that the pious and worthy
Prelate who has presided for many years over the Diocese of
Edinburgh, being now upwards of fourscore years of age, and
having requested permission to resign his Episcopal functions,
one of the English ordained Clergy newly united with the
Scottish Church, a person of most exemplary character for
piety and learning, has been elected and consecrated to the
spiritual ofSce of a Bishop, with the charge of the Diocese of
Edinburgh. Since his promotion to that situation we have
had the happiness of witnessing his holding a Confirmation ;
which wa% attended by upwards of an hundred young persons,
several of them of families of the first distinction in this coun-
try, who, as well as such of their parents as were present on
the occasion, seemed to enter thoroughly into the merit and
value of the rite thus administered.

In this comfortable state, at which the Congregations of the
Episcopal Church in Scotland have so lately arrived, it is at
the same time matter of great grief to the Laity, to see their
Bishops and Pastors unable to support that decent rank in so-
ciety to which, by their piety and learning, as well as modest
inoffensive behaviour, they are so justly entitled, and which is

APPENDIX. 559

necessary to give weight to their characters, and effect to their
public ministrations. The Bishop in Edinburgh, particularly,
who is placed in a somewhat more conspicuous point of view,
and by consequence subjected to some more expence than his
brethren, must, unavoidably, have many difficulties of that na-
ture; to struggle with. The number of the Bishops is six, and that .
of the inferior Clergy over the whole of Scotland amounts on-
ly to about fifty, many of whom, and one at least of the Bi-
shops, preside over Congregations, so very limited in point of
number, and in such narrow circumstances, that the emolu-
ments arising from them scarcely exceed the wages of a day-
labourer. To see gentlemen, vAw have had a liberal, and, in al-
most every case, an university education, with such pitiful ap-
pointments, must be matter of sincere regret to every well-dis-
posed and thinking Christian. To make some improvement,
therefore, on their situations, seems to be an object highly
deserving of attention. It cannot be denied that it is a duty
incumbent upon the Laity to provide for the decent support of
their Clergy. The laws of the land have wisely enforced this
on the great body of the community in favour of the Esta-
blished Presbyterian Church ; and the mild spirit of religious
toleration, which forms so amiable and conspicuous a part of
our happy civil constitution, leaves all Sects of Christians at
full liberty to contribute voluntarily to the maintenance of their
Clergy. It must also be recorded to their credit, that no com-
plaint of the narrowness of their situations has ever escaped the
Episcopal Clergy in Scotland; and they have gone on in the
discharge of their duty contentedly, struggling with all the
hardships above alluded to. It has, therefore, occurred to some
persons of that persuasion in Edinburgh, that it were desirable
to form a fund for making a moderate addition to the incomes
of the Bishops and most necessitous of the inferior Clergy.
The plan is entirely of a private nature. It includes no appli-
cation to Government, nor any idea of the slightest connection
between the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the State. It
can, therefore, excite no jealousy in the minds of any set of
men, nor give any cause of offence to others, how different so-
ever their religious sentiments may be : And with regard to tlie

N N •

560 APPENDIX.

Established Presbyterian Church, its most conspicuous mem-
bers in j>articular, are well known to be men possessing too li-
beral sentiments, to entertain any jealousy of so very small a
number of obscure individuals, without power and without in-
fluence, as compose the whole body of Episcopal Clergy now
existing in Scotland. All that is proposed, is, to make personal
applications to such friends of Episcopacy as may be supposed
willing to contribute. The money thus subscribed to be vest-
ed in trustees chosen by the contributors, and by them laid out
in Government securities, or on mortgages on landed estates.
The interest to be under the managexnent of the trustees, and
to be by them divided into such annual stipends as the extent
of the fund and the exigencies of the cases shall require.

It having been suggested, that it would be more convenient
to many to contribute a small sum annually to the promotion
of this charitable work, instead of one Jarge donation, thj ma-
nagers beg leave to state that such annual contributions will be
most gratefully accepted.

Any sums contributed, however moderate, will be thankfully
received by the Managers of the Fund, and may be paid to Sir
William Forbes, J. Hunter and Co. bankers in Edinburgh ;
Messrs Hoare, bankers, Fleet Street ; Messrs J. C . BcTesford
and Company, bankers, Dublin; or to Colin Mackenzie, Esq.
one of the principal clerks of Session, at Edinburgh, who has
been chosen Secretary and Treasurer of the Fund.

No. VII.
The Code of Canons of the Episcopal Chupxh
in Scotland, drawn up, and enacted by an
Ecclesiastical Synod boiden for that purpose,
at Aberdeen, on the 19th and 20th days of
June, in the year 181 1.

It had been determined upon to print the Canons in this
place ; but the Volume having swelled beyond the limits origi-
nally intended, and the Canons having been printed separately
some years ago, and sold by Messrs Brown and Co. Aber-
deen,— it has been deemed inexpedient to reprint them here.

APPENDIX, 5G1

No. viir.

Address, by the Rev. John Skixner of Linsbart,
to his Brethren of the Diocese of Aberdeen.

Vos mihl conjuncti Venerando nomine Fratres,

Me quel's devinctum mutuus urit amor,
Quam vobis mitto, solito, vos, more, Salutem

Accipite, et Precibus Corda adhibete meis !
Me nunc rure tenet seclusum, infirma Senectus,

Nee mihi dat vestrum ducere, ut ante, chorum ;
Haec summum mihi fert, meritumque absentia Luctum,

Quantus sit luctus, dicere charta nequit.
At mea vobiscum est, Mentis Concordia sanae,

Spiritus et supplet, quod Caro pigra negat.
Non audet dubias mea tangere Musa querelas,

Quaerere nee quanta, aut cur data, causa cupit.
Hanc lamen antiquo Suadelam ignoscite Fratri,

Nee pia maturi spernite vota Senis.
Per Superos oro, per amandae Viscera Matris,

Per sanctaj laudem, et vincula chara Fidei,
Per quicquid valeant pereuntis gaudia Vitse,

Per quicquid Pretii Vita perennis habet,
Nulla sit in Vestro Rixa aut discordia ccetu ;

Nulla sacrum rumpat Lis animosa Jugum !
Redditur externum, post pondera dura, Levamen :

O ! maneant intus Pax et aracena Quies !
Concedant Fratres quantum concedere fas est,

Quod non sit licitum, cedere nemo roget ;
Pace nihil melius sine Labe aut Crimine culta,

Pacis amatores spondet amare Deus !
Multa Ego, dum juvenis, per nubila teinpora passus,
N X 2

56s APPENDIX.

Ante diu vobis, quam datus ordo, sacer ;
Nunc fractus senio, priscisque laboribus impar,

Extremes vellem Laetus habere Dies.
Hoc precor, hoc saltern, vos, O ! concedite FratreS;

Adsit jam fracto, Pax rediviva, Seni ;
Pacis et ipse Deus, Pacera qui datque, jubetque,

Det vobis Pacis Gaudia plena sua; !

Vobis in Christo devotissimus,

Jpud Limharf 1 jq^. SKINNER.

Novembris S^to. 1^92. J

Anno iEtatis Septuagesimo Secundo,
Ministerii sacri Quinquagesimo Pirimo,

Ad Presbyteros Diocceseosl
Abredonensis in Synodo >■
Congregatos, Aberdonise.}

INDEX

TO THE LETTERS.

I. Bishop Skinner to Dr Chandler, - - . 42
II. Dr Chandler to Bishop Skinner, - - _ 44,

III. Bishop Skinner to the Rev. Jonathan Boucher, 48

IV. Rev. Jonathan Boucher to Bishop Skinner, - 51
v. Bishop Skinner to Mr Boucher, - - - _ (^^
— From a dignified English Clergyman to Bishop

Kilgour, QQ

VI. Bishop Seabury to Bishop Skinner, - - - 65
VII. Bishop Skinner to Bishop Seabury, - - 67

VIII. The Protestant Bishops in Scotland to Lord

Sydney, ^9

IX. Lord Sydney to Bishop Abernethy Drummond, 83
X. Lord Henderland to Lord Viscount Stormont, 92
XL The Scottish Bishops in London to the Arch-

bishop of Canterbury, - - - - - 95
XII. Do. to Lord Chancellor Thurlow, - - - 109

XIII. From the same to the same, - - . - I13

XIV. The Right Honourable Henry Dundas to the

Scottish Bishops, ------116

XV. The Bishop of Bangor to the Scottish Bishops, 120
XVL The Scottish Bishops to his Grace the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, - . - 121
XVII. The Dean of Canterbury, Dr Home, to Bishop

Skinner, . - j^^

XVIIL Lord Gardenston to Lord Thurlow, - - 147

XIX. Dr Gaskin to Bishop Skinner, - . - 157

XX. Bishop Skinner to Dr Gaskin, - - - 161

XXI. Dr Gaskin to Bishop Skinner, - - - 167

XXII. From the same to the same, - . . , igg

>64

INDEX.

Letter
XXIII.
XXIV.

XXV.
XXVI.
XXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

XXX.

XXXI.

XXXII.

XXXIII.

XXXIV.

XXXV.

XXXVL
XXXVII.

XXXVIII.

XXXIX.

XL.

XLI.

XLIL

XLIIL

XLIV.

XLV.

XLVI.

XLVII.

XLVIII.

XLIX.

L.

LI.

Lll.

Ltll.

LIV.

LV.

PAGE.

Bishop Skinner to Dr Gaskin, - - - 172
The Bishop of Carlisle to Bishop Abernethy
Drummond, ------- 175

Dr Gaskin to Bishop Skinner, ... 177
The same to the same, - - - - 231

Bishop Horsley to the Scottish Representa-
tives, - 236

The Rev. Charles Cordiner to Bishop Skinner, 242
Bishop Skinner to Sir Vv^illiam Forbes, Bart. 268
The llev. C. Duubeny to Bishop Skinner, 292
The Scottish Episcopalians in Cruden to the

Earl of Errol, - - - - -
The Bishop of Carlisle to Bishop Skinner,
The Rev. C. Daubeny to Bishop Skinner,
The Rev. Dr Laing to Bishop Skinner,
Dr N. Spens to Bishop Skinner,
The Rev. Dr Sandford to Bishop Skinner,
Bishop Skinner to Dr Sandford,
Sir William Forbes to Bishop Skinner,
The Bishop of Ciiichester to Bishop Skinner, 355
The Honourable the Bishop of Kildare to

Bishop Skinner, _ - - -
Dr Sandford to Bishop Skinner,
llev. Edward Hodgson to Bishop Skinner,
Bishop Skinner to Sir William Forbes,
Bishop Skinner to the Rev. Robert Morehead, 373
Bishop Horsley to Bishop Skinner,
Bishop Horsley to Bishop Skinner,
Bishop Skinner to Bishop Horsley,
Sir William Scott to Sir William Forbes,
Bishop Horsley to Bishop Skinner,
Sir William Forbes to Bishop Skinner,
Rev. A. Alison to Bishop Skinner,
Bishop Skinner to Rev. Archibald Alison,
Sir William Forbes to Bishop Skinner,
Bishop Skinner to Archbishop of Canterbury, 419
Bishop Horsley to Bishop Sldnner, -. 422

294
313
315
324
£29
335
337
340

357
358
361
368

7^
379
384
388
390
394
395
397
402

INDEX.

5Q5

Letter page.

LVI. Bishop Porteous to Bishop Skinner, - 423

LVII. Bishop Madan to Bishop Skinner, - ib.

LVIII. Sir William Forbes to Bishop Skinner, - 426

LIX. Bishop Skinner to Sir Wiiliam I'orbes, - 437

LX. Bishop Skinner to Bishop Sandford, - 442

LXI. William Stevens, Esq. to Bishop Skinner, 447

LXII. Bishop Skinner to a Friend, - - 453

LXIII. Bishop Skinner to * * * - - - 457

LXIV. Bishop Skinner to the Rev. Dr Gleig, - 472

LXV. From the same to the same, - - _ 473

L^iLVl. Dr Gleig to Bishop Skinner, - - 476

LXVII. Bishop Skinner to Bishop Gleig, - - 4^6

LXVIII. Bishop Gleig to Bishop Skinner, - - 4S8

LXIX. Rev. John Skinner to Bishop Skinner, - 494

LXX. Bishop Skinner in answer, - - 502

LXXI, Bishop Skinner to Bishop Sandford, - 505

LXXIl. Circular to the Dean of Aberdeen, - 508

LX}vIXI. Do. to the Arclibishops and Bishops, &c. 517

INDEX

TO THE SEVERAL YEARS.

1788 — Extends from page 73 to page 85.

Meeting of Bishops at Aberdeen, - - -

Death of the Count of Alb my, - - - -
Nonconformity of Mr Broxvn, - - . -

Order for nominal prayers for the King and Royal Fa-
mily, -_-.,.
Communication of that measure to Government,
Also to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York,

PAGE.

74
75

■ 77

78
79
81

566 INDEX.

PAGE.

1788 — Party formed in Edinburgh complaining of the Bi-
shops' conduct, -------82

His Majesty's great satisfaction with that conduct, - 84
His alarming indisposition prevents any direct applica-
tion to Parliament, 85

1789. — From page 85 to page IM.

Address to his Majesty on his recovery, - - 85

Bishop Skinner accompanies it with a letter to Mr Diindas, 87
Bill of relief prepared by Bishop 5/«.'n?t?r, - - 88

Mr Dempster recommends that some of the Bishops

should proceed to London, - - - - 89

Bishop of Norwich instigated to thwart the repeal of the

Penal Laws, - - - - - 90

The draught of the Bill shewn to Dr Beattie for Bishop

Porteons information, - - - ib.

Bishops Skinner, Aber. Drummond, and Strachan, set off

for London, . - - _ - 91

They are recommended by Lord Henderland to Lord

Stormonty . - _ - - 92

Bishop Skin7iers Journal of Proceedings commences, 93
Established Church in Scotland not hostile to the repeal, 94«
The Bishops lay their situation, &c. before the Arch- .

bishop of Canterbury, - - - - 95

They are honoured with a message from his Grace, 98

They wait on Bishop Horsleij, - - - 99

They are waited on by Scottish Peers, - - - 99
They wait on Dr 5cffof, Bishop of Norwich, - ib.

The Lord Advocate recommends to them the drawing

up a historical case, &c. - - - 10t>

The Case as drawn up, - - " - 101

The Bill moved in Parliament by Mr Diindas, seconded

by Mr Dempster, - - - - 109

The Bill moved to be printed on account of complaints

made by Lord Thurlow, - - - ^b-

His Lordship written to, - - - i"*

The Bill transmitted to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 111

iNDi.x, 567

PAGE.

1789. — His Grace visits the Bishops, - - 111

The Bill read a third time in th6 Commons and passed,

and read a first time in the Lords, - _ _ 112
The Chancellor continues adverse to the measure, ib.

He is addressed by the Bishops, - - 113

Mr Dundas confesses the Chancellor's objections are

unintelligible to hira, - - -• - 116

Lord Kinnaird moves the second reading of the Bill —

The Chancellor's adjournment, - - 117

The case represented to the Bishop of Bangor, - 117
He declines a conference, - - - 120

The Bishops thank the Aixhbishop for his attentions, 121
They return from London, - - - 122

An attempt made by a printed address to denounce

their conduct, -._... j^.
The address recorded, - - - - 123
Convention summoned at Laurencekirk, - - 126
Bishop Skinner's address to the Convention, r - ib.
They elect a preses and clerk, - - - 128
The business of the Convention opened from the chair, 129
Bishop Skinner refutes the charges in the printed address, 131
The Convention thank the Bishops for their zeal, alac-
rity, and diligence, Avlien in London, - - 138
They are addressed by Bishop Macfarlanc to that pur-
pose, 139

The Convention nominates a Committee for carrying on

the measure of repeal, ... 140

The Convention makes choice of Trustees for the chari-
table Funds of the Church, - - - Ml
It is dissolved, ----- ib.
The London Committee agreed to carry on a corres-
pondence with the Committee in Scotland, - 142
Bishop Skinner is addressed by the venerable Dean of
Canterbury, - _ _ _ . . 143
1790. — From page H'^ to page 185.

The Committee transmit iettets to the Lord Chancellor
and to the Attorney and Solictor-General, - 14-1'

56s INDEX.

PAGE.
1790. — The manner in which they are received, - li'5

Lord Gardenston interests himself with the Chancellor, H?

Cause of failure last year explained by the Attorney-
General, 14S

He is convinced that an oath of allegiance is sufficient 149

Bishop Skinner calls a meeting of the Scottish Commit-
tee at Perth, - - . - ib.

The Case of the Episcopalians in Scotland reprinted at
the desire of the Bishop of Bangor, - - 150

The Committee, being met at Perth, is unanimous for
an immediate renewal of the measure of repeal of the
penal statutes, - - - - 151

The Committee addresses the Universities of Oxford
and Cambridge, - - ■• - 152

The Preses and Secretary are empowered to correspond
with the London Committee, - - 153

The Archbishop is satisfied with the steps taken, - ib.

He sees no necessity for a delegation to London, - ib.

Sir William Dolben tenders his aid, - - 154?

A Clause proposed in the Bill restricting Scottish or-
ders to Scotland, - - - - 155

Communicated by Bishop Skinner to the Committee,
who remonstrate, - - - - ib.

Dr Gaskin communicates Bishop Hordeys opinion on
the subject, - - - - - 157

Bishop Horslcy suggests an addition to the clause, 160

Bishop Skinners sentiments of it to Dr Gaskin, - 161

Bishop Horsley is anxious for instances of persons pur-
posely ordained in England to officiate in Scotland, 170

The Chancellor's objections stated, - - 171

Bishop Skinner gives instances of persons ordained in
England, for no other purpose but officiating in Scotland 172

He obviates Lord Thurlovos objections by an express

disavowal of them - - - - 1'5

The Bishop of Carlisle gives Principal CamphdVs senti-
ments of the repeal, &c. - - - 176

INDEX. 560

PAGE.

1790. — For which Bishop Skinner thanks the Principal, 176
The repealing Bill postponed for another session, - 177
The Diocesan Synod of Aberdeen approves of the con-
duct of the Coi-nmittee, - . . 182
Mr Park visits Scotland, - - - , 183
Principal Robertson empowers him to use his name as
friendly to repeal, - - - - 181<
1791. — From page 185 to page 1S6, although, by mistake
of the printer, the running title 1791, is carried on to
page 216.
The English Bishops addressed, and their interest soli-
cited, ----- 185
Letters from Principals Roberison and Campbell to the

Bishop of Carlisle, in favour of the Bill, - - ib.
Conference obtained with the Lord Chancellor, - 18S
Bill again too late for this session, - -. - 18S

J 792. — From page 187 to page 261.

Addresses from the counties and royal boroughs in
Scotland in favour of a repeal - - 187

One of the Scottish Committee required in London,

Bishop Skinner the delegate commissioned - 188

The Earl o? Kellie presents the petitions from Scotland,

and moves the Bill, - - - - 189

The Chancellor objects, unless registration of orders is

enforced, - - - - - 190

His other objections about the Pretender, &c. all refuted, 191
Dr Horsley ready to combat every argument a<^aiast

the Bill, ----- 193

The Earls of Guilford and Kinnoul, with Lord Siormont,

see no necessity for registering orders, - 194-

The second reading moved for the second of May, - ib.
The names of Bishops present on the occasion, - ib.
The speech of the mover of the Bill, the Earl of Elgin, 195
The speech of Lord r/uir/oti;, - _ - i{j.

The speech of Lord >SVormo?2^, _ _ . 299

The speech of Bishop i^or^/ey, - - » 203

The speech of the Earl of iir«tt?2o?i/, - - 213

Subscription to the Thirty-nine Articles required - SH
The Clergy restricted from enjoying English benefices 21Q

570 INDEX.

PAGE.

1792. — Earl of Radnor adverse to the clause - 218

An addition proposed to the restricting clause, - ib.

The Bill reported, and ordered to be printed, with amend-
ments, .... - 219

Found by the Commons to be a money bill, and thrown
out, 219

Speech of Mr Fox on the occasion, - - ib.

Replied to by Mr Dunclas, ... ib.

A new bill brought in, and read a first and second time, ib.

The bill passed with the royal assent, - ib.

Heads of the Bill recorded - - - 221

Pieces of plate, &c. presented to the London Committee, 230

Letter from Dr Gaskin in reply, - - 231

Bishop Skinyiers return to Aberdeen, and the consequent
application to him for a Convention of the Church, 233

Convention summoned to meet at Laurencekirk, - ib.

Letters of thanks from the Committee to the friends of
the Bill of Repeal, - - - - 234-

The replies recorded, - _ - 235

Introduction of English ordained Clergy into Scotland
accounted for, _ - _ 238

Application to the Lord Bishop of Edinburgh for such
a Clergyman in the town of Forfar, - 239

Union in Banff between the English and Scottish Cha-
pels consummated, - . . 242

Convention meets at Laurencekirk, August 22, - 245

Bishop Skinner addresses that body on the subject of the
Bill of Repeal, and its enactments, - 246 — 254*

The Convention unanimously approves of the conduct of
the Committee, and of its delegate, - 255

Account of contributions to defray the expence of the
Bill, 256

The College of Bishops meet at Stonehaven for the con-
secration of Bishop Watson, &c. - - 257

Mr Du7idas, {Lord Melville,) expresses his conviction of
the loyalty, &c. of the Bishops and Clergy of the
Scottish Episcopal Church, - - 259

INDEX. 571

PAGE.

1792 — The Diocesan Synod of Aberdeen give their public
assent to the truth of the S9 Articles of the Church
of England, - - - _ 259

They thank the Society for promoting Christian Know-
ledge, in London, for their donation of Prayer Books, 261
1793— From p. 261, to 273.

War being declared by France against Britain, — the Bi-
shops and Clergy publish declarations of loyalty, &c. 262

That of the Diocese of Aberdeen recorded, - 263

Ecclesiastical unity and concord most interesting to the
Primus and the Scottish Episcopate, - - 265

Mr Boucher, Vicar of Epsom, proposed as Bishop of
Edinburgh, _ - _ _ . 266

The proposal abandoned on account of unfounded alarm, 268

The Friendly Society Act passed, and the Scottish Epis-
copal Friendly Society founded, - - 271

Its flourishing condition, - - - 272

1794 .—From p. 273 to p. 282.

Mode of establishing its funds, and Brief by the Bishops, 273
1795. — His Majesty addressed in consequence of insults of-
fered him, 29th October 1795, - - - 2S2
1796 — A Coadjutor proposed in the diocese of Ross and

Moray, - _ . . . 283

Bishop Skinner, as Primus, adverse to the measure, ib.

Bishop Jolly consecrated at Dundee, 24'th June, - 28*

The right hand of fellowship speedily extended to him
by Bishop Skinner, - - . 284

1800. — An address of congratulation to his Majesty on his

escape from the shot of Hacljield's pistol, . 285

1 SOI .— From p. 285 to 297.

Layman's ' Account of his Faith and Practice,' edited
by Bishop Skinner, - - - - ib.

Nature and effects of that admirable little work, - 286

Character of it, as drawn by men of approved sound
principles, .... 289—294^

Union in the country parish of Cruden, Aberdeenshire, 294;

Application to the Earl of Errol to this effect; - 295

572 INDEX.

PACT,
1801 — His Lordship's conduct, decidedly in favour of the

measure, _ _ - - - 297

1802— From p. 297 to 300.

Definitive treaty of peace being ratified, the Scottish Bi-
shops address the Throne, - - ib.

In a note — the address of the Episcopal Clergy of the
Diocese of Aberdeen to Queen Aiine, on the peace of

Utrecht, 298

1803 From p. 300 to 325.

Renewal of the war, and consequent conduct of the
Scottish Episcopalians, - - SOI — 312

The liberal conduct of the Principals, — Robertson of
Edinburgh, and Campbell of Aberdeen, on occasion of
the repeal of the Penal Statutes, - - 313

Principal CampbeWs ' Lectures on EcclesiasticEil His-
tory'— illiberal in the extreme, - - - 314<

Mr Dauhenys strictures on these Lectures, - SIS

Bishop Skinners work, — ' Primitive Truth and Order,'
in answer to the Lectures, _ _ - 317

Character given of that work, - - 320—322

Union in the tow^ns of Peterhead and Stonehaven effected 323

Of which the Bishop of Durham approves, - ib.

Dr Laing of Peterhead returns Bishop Skinner thanks

for his congratulations, S24;

180i.— From 326 to 363.

Death of Mr Boucher, - - - 326

Kis loyalty in America congenial with that of Scottish
Episcopalians, ------ 327

Measure of nnion in Edinburgh revived, - - 329

^r N. Spens communicates the sentiments of an amiable
3'oung Layman on the subject, - - - 330

Passage of Bishop Skiiniers ' Primitive Truth and Order,'
with these sentiments, S32

A Convocation of the whole Clerical Members of the Scot-
tish Episcopal Church determined on, as the only
niode of carrying the Layman's suggestions into effect, 333

Circular letter for assembling the said convocation, S34

INDEX, 573

PAGE.

1804? — Dr Snvdford's resolution in consequence, - 335
Bishop Skinners view of the 39 Articles conu.iunicated to

Dv Sandford, 338

Interesting connnunication from Sir William Forbes on

the subject, SiO

Account of the convocation, and the mode of conducting

the subscription of the 39 Articles, - 314 — 350

The measure communicated to the Archbishops and Bi-
shops of England, - - - _ . 350
And to the Honourable Dr Lir.dsai/, Bishop of Kildare

in Ireland, with the whole Irish Bench, - - 351
Returns to this communication, - - 352 — 358

Dr Sandford's union in consequence, - . - 359
The Bishop of London, Dr Porteous' high approbation

of this union, ------ 361

1805— From 363 to 399.

The Trustees and Vestry-men of the Cowgate Chapel in

Edinburgh unite thenjselves, - - - - 353
Sir William Forbes corresponds vv-itli Sir William Scoit

on the subject, - - - - - . 3(54,

The Deed of the Trustees, &c. of the Cowgate Chapel

recorded, - . - 2QQ

Bishop Skinner acknowledges receipt, «S:c. &c. - 368

Mr Morehead's settlement in Edinburgh, and consequent

union, - _ - . . 371

Bishop Shinner addresses that gentleman, - 373

Bishop Horsleys great satisfaction on the Edinburgh

union - - - . . 37.1,

Nature of the lawsuit regarding the Banff Chapel, as

communicated to Bishop Horslet/, - - 376

Bishop Horslei/s exertions towards defraying the ex-
pence of that suit, - - - . 379
Amount of contributions by the English Bench, - 381
The cordial thanks of the parties concerned transmitted

to Bishop Horshij, - - _ SS2

Bishop Sl-inners private gratitude to that Prelate and

his venerable Colleagues, - - - 384

page;

1805 — Dr Grant's apologj' for continuing a schismatic 386

That apology of a piece with Captain Chnnmmgs legal

process, - _ _ . - 337

Sir WiUiarii ScotCs opinion of union diametrically oppo-
site to Dr Granfs, _ . . , 3S9
Bishop Horsley chastises tlie Apologist of Separation, &c. 391
Yet he lives and dies a separatist, - - 392
Dr Dumpier, bithop of Rochester's account of Dr Grant's

letter to him, - - - - 394..

Sir Williarii Scotfs judgment completely satisfactory to

Mr Alison, „ . - . 394

His letter to Bishop Skinner, a counterpart toj^he Apo-
logy for Separation, - - - * - 395
Bishop Sldnner's cordial approbation of Mr Alisons

conduct, _ - _ - „ 397

?.Iandate issued for the election of a Bishop for the dio-
cese of Edinburgh, - _ ~ 399
1806— From p. 399 to 446.

Bishop Skinner's view of the subject communicated to

Sir JVillinm Forbes, - . - - 400

Bishop Sandford's unanimous election, - ib.

Interesting paper subscribed by the English ordained

members of the diogese on that occasion - 401

Congratulations from Sir William Forbes on the choice

of the Clergy, - - - 402

Consecration takes place on the 9th February at Dundee, 404-
Bishop Skinner's address to his new colleague, 404 — 418
Progress of union in 1806, - _ - 420

Bishop Horsley's " highest satisfaction" at this progress, 421
Bishop Porteons thinks Dr Sandford a great acquisition, 423
Bishop Madan prays for the further progress of Episco-
pal union in Scotland, - . - 424
Bishop Douglas gives his own and the Archbishop's opi-
nion of that union, - - - - ib.
And hopes that no more young men will be sent from

England to serve in Scotland, - - 4-25

Sir William Forbes s account of Bishop Sand/brd's first
Confirmation, . _ - - 426

INDEX. *75

PAGE.

1S06 The Episcopal Fund established,— to which Sir

jVilliajn contributes L.400, - - 428

Account of its origin, &c. &c. - - '^'29

Bishop Skinner meets his Clergy and delivers a Charge,

which they request him to print, - - 433

Account of that Charge, - - ^^^

Deaths of Bishop Horshy and of Sir William Forhes, 436
Mr Skinners Verses on the latter, - - 438

Bishop Horsleys sentiments of the Scottish Communion

Office, ... - 439

Alarm excited by Bishop Sldnners printed Charge, &c. 440
Bishop Skinner obviates it by Letter, - - 442

1807— from p. 446 to 468.

Deaths of Mrs Skinner, Mr Skinner, Longside, and Mr

Stevens, - - " - 445

Account of Mr Stevens and his demise, - - 450

Bishop Skinner recurs to his printed Charge, and to the
Note announcing his Son's Illustration of the Scottish
Communion Office, - - - - 454

The alarm respecting that Work principally felt by

Friends to the increase of the Scottish Episcopal Fund, 457
The purpose of the Work stated, - - 461

Its success pronounced complete, - - 464

But the time of its publication deemed unpropitious, 465
This objection refuted by Bishop Skinner, - - 466
1808— From p. 468 to 479.

Death of Bishop Watson, and account of that excellent

- - - 468

His Successor nominated, . - - 471
The Rev. Dr Gleig elected to the Diocese of Brechin, ib.
Bishop Skinner addresses the Bishop-Elect, - 472
Dr G/e% replies, - - - " ^''^
The Declaration, as subscribed by Bishop Torry, pro-
posed to Dr Gleig, - - - ' 4/5
He accepts the Episcopal office by sui)scribing it, - .477
His Consecration, and Mr Horsleys Sermon, - 479
o 0

576 INDEX.

PAGE.

1809 and 1810— From p. 479 to p. 505.
Deaths of Bishop Abernethi/ Drummond and Strachdn, 479
Account of these Prelates, _ - - 480

Thanksgiving on his Majesty's entering on the 50th year

of his reign, ... 481

Addressed by the Scottish Bishops, - - ib.

Clergy of the Scottish Episcopal Church first noticed in

Orders of Council, ... - 482

Union at Musselburgh, - - - ib.

Correspondence during the years 1809 and 1810 leads
to the framing of a Code of Canons in 1811, - 483
. Bishop Gleig's primary Charge, - - 484

Character of Bishop Skinner, by the Rev. James Walker, 484
Correctness of that Character exemplified, - 485

Bishop Skinner discusses the point of Liturgical Uni-
formity with Bishop G/eig, - - _ 486
Bishop G/e/^ justifies his opinions, - - 488
And is justified by the Annalist, _ - - 494
Bishop Skinner is not satisfied with the mode of justi-
fication, ... - - 502
1811. — He views the measure of a Council, or Episcopal

Synod, more favourably, . . - 505

And proposes it to his Colleagues, - - ib.

He accounts to Bishop Sandford for the want of a proper

Code of Discipline, .... 506

Bishop Sandford, with the other Members of the Col-
lege, agrees to an immediate Enactment, - 508
The Synod fixed, and Members who should compose it, ib.
The mode of conducting its business, &c. &c. record-
ed, - - - - 509—517
The hierarchy of the United Church of England and

Ireland presented with the Canons, when printed, 517
Names of the Prelates who returned answers to Bishop

Skinner s letter, ... - 519

The conclusion of Bishop Skinners labours in the ge-
neral cause of Scottish Episcopacy, - - ib.

INDEX. 577

PAGE.
1811.-16 The difficulties which surrounded him, when

appointed Primus, - > _ . 520

The powerful support, &c. afforded him by his revered

Father, ... - - 522

The Annalist disdains all interference with the measures,

&c. of other Members of the Episcopal College, 524

And concludes in the Language of the Biographer of

Bishop Home, .... 525

Whose character of Scottish Episcopacy, with that of

the present President of Magdalene College, Oxford,

sums up the Annals.

ERRATA.

XJEuicATioN, Paue 1, last line, for ' Episcopacy: read ' Episcopate.'
Appevdix '541,line 3— i, for ' sacred ' r. 'secret.
^ijl. 9 fur'vrit' r. '«7»f.'

THE END.

Printed by John Moir,
■ Edinburgli, 1S18.

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