INTELLIGENCE.

CANADA.

THE STATE OF RELIGION IN CANADA.

The Rev. F. Bosworth, M.A., whose services as Classical Tutor in the College at Montreal have often been mentioned, being on a visit to this country, we have requested him to furnish us with a bird's-eye view of the state of religion in Canada, and he has favoured us with the following paragraphs:

Many causes concur in rendering the position of Canada, in a religious point of view, somewhat an anomalous one. The difficulties to be surmounted in the dissemination of the truth are either peculiar to the province, or more formidable than in any other country, perhaps, where the English language is spoken.

Teaching thus becomes too often the dernier resort of the indolent and the worthless.

With mental powers undeveloped, and habits of indolence in the exercise of the

thoughts induced, it cannot be surprising that even professors of religion must not, at least in the country parts, be exempted from the charge of ignorance. The Canadians are not a reading people, nor are Canadian Christians in general deep and prayerful students of the bible. Their religion is one rather of feeling than of intelligent assent; hence their attainments are superficial, not profound.

Need it be wondered at then that the wildest notions to which an unrestrained and excited imagination can give rise, find in Canada a congenial soil? The vast extent of frontier (and, in new countries at least, such districts are pre-eminently the abodes of ignorance and fanaticism) renders the introduction and transmission of the crudest dogmas and the most licentious doctrines

propagating their fearful doctrines, and frequently, with honesty at least, practically exhibiting their belief in the salvation of the vilest, irrespective of faith in Christ. One of their preachers once affirmed to a missionary, that were the parricide to terminate at once his career and his crimes by taking his own life he would immediately be "received up into glory." Then there are the Campbellites, Christians, Mormons, and sceptics of every shade, from the deist to the infidel, unsettling the minds of men too little fortified, alas, by solid information of any kind.

To the pressure of these difficulties is it owing that the state of religion there must be pronounced to be anything but encourag-peculiarly easy. Thus in some parts of the "' delusion ing. A reference to some of the most power- eastern townships the "Millerite ful of these hindrances will, doubtless, serve reached its height some few years since in acts best to exhibit the present posture of affairs of extravagance almost surpassing belief. In in Canada. almost every corner of the province universWithin the province ignorance and fanati-alists are found insidiously and zealously cism abound to a most alarming extent. In no country in the world, perhaps, where the facilities for acquiring information are as great, is there so slight an acquaintance with the standard literature of the age and so great a distaste for mental effort. The country is deluged with the cheap, trashy publications which daily issue from the presses of the United States. Every week's express brings large quantities of novels to the exclusion, almost, of any works of lasting interest and value. They are to be found in the hotels and on the steamers in all parts of the province, silently yet surely producing their pernicious effects, unrestrained by any taste for higher literature, or by that safeguard against the morbid excitement of the imagination which a thorough course of mental training supplies. Indeed, so great is the demand for these publications that the booksellers hesitate not to regard this branch of their business as necessary to their success.

This craving after excitement rather than instruction manifests itself in the fondness which is frequently exhibited for religious services of a more exciting nature than those of a stated ministry, and for a style of preaching abounding in anecdotes and in harrowing appeals to the feelings, in a word, for sound rather than sense.

The sad want of liberality in the maintenNor is this all. The schools throughoutance of stated worship is another hindrance the country, with some pleasing exceptions, are wretchedly inefficient. In many sections the choice of a schoolmaster does not depend on the possession of sufficient information for the discharge of his responsible duties and on an aptitude to teach, but on the smallness of the sum for which his labours can be ensured.

to the progress of the truth. The emigrant part of the population having left their native land to better their circumstances, too often slight the public services of religion, and with reluctance contribute to their maintenance. Whereas the natives and old settlers knowing well the scarcity of money in the province

exclusion of all the British members from a church in the province. Another was rent asunder because while the American members insisted on females and males sitting in separate parts of the house of worship, the old-country members indignantly opposed the measure. It is often the case where Scotch members predominate in a church, no minister is regarded with much favour whose birth has not taken place north of the Tweed. Should, on the other hand, Americans outnumber, a minister from the States must be procured.

are careful to keep it. These remarks apply too often, alas! to the professors of religion. Besides this, it must be borne in mind that numbers of the founders of churches in the country were farmers, whose ministrations were entirely gratuitous-that very many such preachers are now zealously and disinterestedly labouring in various parts-and that several religious bodies foster, not intentionally perhaps, this spirit of illiberality by fully sustaining their ministers or missionaries. In Canada generally preaching must be cheap in order to be enjoyed. Of course there are very many pleasing exceptions, but this is A still greater evil arising from such a the prevailing sentiment. A few instances mixed, disunited population is the great of the want of Christian liberality will not diversity of religious belief and practice, be improper. An excellent missionary with Few see alike, few act alike. Hence relideep gratitude wrote home to his society gious bodies are very numerous and very informing them that his people had engaged small. In Montreal, for instance, there are to raise him £70. Years have passed away upwards of twenty protestant places of since then, but thirty of the seventy only worship to perhaps fifteen thousand proteshave been received. A laborious pastor once tants. Guelph, with a population of two or confessed that all the money he had received three thousand, has nine separate churches. during the year was £2. Another, as the In Paris, whose inhabitants are scarcely pecuniary result of a year's labour-during more than fifteen hundred, there are which six or seven services were held weekly five resident ministers and six churches, when -obtained a horse and forty dollars. As two might amply discharge all the duties their pastor had been ill some of his church required. And what is worse still, not only engaged to pay the doctor's bill, and how? are denominations numerous, but even these The grain with which payment was are subdivided. Thus in a town of three to be made was so utterly worthless that thousand persons there are three presbyrespect alone for the minister prevented the terian ministers, two methodist, and two medical man from throwing it into the road. independent. Under these circumstances The plan is to pay the pastor, not in money, united efforts for the common cause but in pork, butter, apples, firewood, hay, are scarcely to be looked for. Petty quarrels &c. And frequently is it the case that and jealousies exhaust the energies required the articles sent are not only very bad, but for far more important objects. And still the prices exorbitant. Any conduct, nay, further, in churches thus necessarily small, even trickery, seems to be allowable, by the varieties of belief, manners, &c., are so which the pastor's claims can be most easily met. great, that but little unanimity is enjoyed, Under these circumstances the duty of the and if peace prevails the elements of disorder missionary becomes very trying, and want is are at hand. Of course in the country, and often severely felt. If he does not complain especially in the back townships, this superhis people will half starve him. If remon-abundance of preaching is not enjoyed. On strance be made offence is taken, for there is nothing respecting which men's minds, throughout the province, are more susceptible than that which relates to the pocket. If full support be obtained elsewhere the evil is, and ever will be, unredressed. The only plausible plan is partially to support an indefatigable ministry whose chief aim shall be to engage the affections of the young, and make them the objects of his prayerful solicitude and untiring efforts. In the young is the hope of Canada.

The third and the greatest hindrance to the progress of the truth in Canada, to which reference will now be made, arises from its mixed population.

There are to be found the natives of various climes not as yet amalgamated. The names American, English, Scotch, and Irish, are not yet merged into that of Canadian. National antipathies and manners are very strong. A dispute arising from such a source led to the

the contrary, a lamentable deficiency is felt.

Many of these evils time will cure. National antipathies will soon subside, and with the increase of population, churches will become more harmonious and numerous. Yet it must not be concealed that the present is a period of momentous import to Canada. The youthful energies of a rising nation must now be directed. The characteristics of a great people will now be formed. To no higher or holier mission can the energies of the pious be turned. In no field of labour, perhaps, may success, with self-denial and hard labour indeed, be expected with greater probability. The yearnings of a Briton's heart cannot, must not, but be felt towards the adopted country of Britain's sons-a country which, with others, is destined to perpetuate the name of our fatherland, and to exert a powerful influence in the civilization and evangelizing of the world when we are no more.

to flow as a river until her last sigh was heaved.

Many were the solemn charges which she gave to her beloved relatives, and to the servants in her father's family, and precious were the encouragements which she address

developed itself with affecting rapidity; so much so, that after living among her new friends sufficiently long to obtain a high place in their esteem, it was found necessary to remove her to the more genial air of the south. This placed her in a position peculiarly painful, inasmuch as she was unavoid-ed to her weeping friends. So perfect was ably separated from her husband during a great portion of her last illness. Nevertheless, she never murmured, but quietly submitted to what was manifestly the will of God. Had there been the slightest hope of her recovery, her husband would have resigned his charge in the north, and sought a sphere of labour in a milder region; but as the highest medical authority asserted that it was utterly vain to indulge in any such hope, he felt it his duty to retain his existing pastoral connexion. However, through the kindness of his flock, he was permitted frequently to visit the dear sufferer, and to spend the last month of her sojourn on earth in her society. And gratefully would he adore the Divine goodness which permitted him thus to perform the part of a spiritual instructor to the wife of his youth, amid her conflict with sickness and death. His mind, too, was relieved of much anxiety during his weeks of separation from his suffering companion, inasmuch as he knew that she was sheltered beneath the roof of her affectionate parents, whose attention to her comfort was tender and unremitting.

At the commencement of her last illness, Mrs. Stock was deeply and painfully exercised in her mind. She often mourned over the opportunities of doing good which she had neglected; and was but little comforted, when reminded that her delicate health had not permitted to her greater activity. She was overwhelmed with her perceptions of the divine purity, and once said, "I am about to appear before a Being of such infinite knowledge, that I fear he will find in me sins which I have overlooked and failed to mortify; and he hates sin with such an unutterable intensity, that he cannot fail to reject the subject of one unmortified transgression." This state of mental distress continued for several weeks; but prayer was made to God on her behalf without ceasing, by her pious relatives, and by the church at Salendine Nook; and graciously did the Lord hear and answer these petitions.

the tranquillity of her spirit, that she gave
directions with regard to arrangements to be
made subsequently to her death, without the
least repugnance. The surrender which she
made of herself, and of all her beloved rela-
tives (not excepting her only living child), to
the care of God, was unreserved and cheer-
ful. Those beautiful hymns commencing-
'Rock of ages, cleft for me," &c., "Jesus,
lover of my soul," &c., "To Jesus, the
crown of my hope," &c., were often read to
her, and fragments of them repeated by her.
Among her dying sayings may be recorded
the following:-"I can now give up every-
thing, that I may but be with Jesus." "I
am not afraid of eternity."
"I shall soon
eat of the fruit of the heavenly Canaan."
"I know that He is able to keep that which
I have committed unto him until that day."
"I long to be gone;" and then bursting into
tears, "yet I hope I am not impatient."
"That text, 'My times are in thy hand,' is
very precious." "All my hope centres in my
Saviour."

On the morning of Monday, the 5th of November, a change took place in the sensations of the patient, and in the aspect of her countenance, which plainly indicated that the mortal struggle was soon to terminate. The king of terrors stood brandishing his dart at the bedside of the sufferer, prepared to strike the fatal blow; yet the happy saint could look upon the fearful weapon without alarm, for on it she discovered the stains of Immanuel's blood.

From one until two o'clock of this day, her dying pains were great. When they were at their height, she exclaimed, "This is hard work;" but immediately added, "Yet it is nothing when compared with what my Saviour endured for me." At two o'clock her agonies abated, and from that time she suffered but little. When speech had nearly failed, she fixed her piercing gaze upon the domestic who was in the room, and with difficulty exclaimed, "Sarah," but could not say more. Again she tried to speak, and Saturday, October 20th, was the most with great difficulty uttered this weighty and painful day which the invalid had yet passed, comprehensive charge, "Sarah, meet me in as to her physical sensations; but it was heaven!" The expiring saint then kissed memorable as the period of her release from her beloved husband and all her other relaher spiritual darkness and depression. She tives who were in that solemn chamber, and felt that the blood of Jesus could and would bade them "adieu" with an imperturbable cleanse her from her sins, and again rejoiced serenity. On being asked, some few minutes in hope of the glory of God. She ex-after, if she still found her Lord with her, pressed a wish, at the close of this Saturday, she could only faintly articulate "Yes." that the next day (the sabbath) might be spent by her with Jesus. From this time her peace was never disturbed, but continued

At five minutes to three o'clock her happy spirit took its departure to the Saviour, so gently, that for some moments her attendants

were unaware of the fact. Thus she died, as she had lived, "in perfect peace."

Her remains were interred on Saturday, the 10th of November, in the vault in front of Zion chapel, Chatham, in the presence of a large assembly of weeping friends.

Of Mrs. Stock's character the writer will not attempt any elaborate description. Her excellencies were too well known to those who had the privilege of enjoying her friendship, to render such details necessary for their information, and it is for them principally that this memoir is composed. The writer cannot, however, forbear stating, that, during the ten years of his acquaintance with the dear deceased, he never once saw her betrayed into a passion, or even into the exhibition of feelings bordering upon such a state. And yet he has often seen her brought into circumstances which were peculiarly trying. Would that all ministers and ministers' wives more closely resembled her in this particular! In the social and domestic virtues she peculiarly excelled; and in the guidance of her household affairs ever manifested a spirit of prudence and economy. It was from the first her determination to "owe no man anything," and from this principle she never deviated. Happy would it have been for some ministers of Jesus, if their companions had practically carried out the same determination! May the writer be permitted to add another statement ? Mrs. Stock never brought her husband or any other individual into trouble by an imprudent use of her tongue. She knew when to be silent. And should this memoir be read by a youthful minister of the cross, who is looking round him for a suitable companion, let him take this friendly caution,-Above all things beware of uniting yourself to a gossip, for be sure such a wife would utterly ruin your usefulness. But we must not further enlarge, but will close this brief notice by ascribing to the grace of God all the honour of the excellencies of the departed; and by exhorting our readers to be "followers of them who now, through faith and patience, inherit the promises."

Salendine Nook.

REV. T. SCOTT.

JOHN STOCK,

larly led to the house of God." But still he remained a stranger to that faith which worketh by love. He soon endeavoured to throw off parental restraint, and disregard parental admonition. Thus he went on in the forwardness of his heart for a season, when it pleased God to stop him in his career of sin and folly. Speaking of this, he says, "But God who is rich in mercy did not give me up to an impenitent heart; he caused me to feel that the way of transgressors is hard; by the operation of the Spirit through the ministry of the word he was graciously taught to know and feel the evil of sin, and by prayer and supplication to seek for salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; nor did he seek in vain. In due time he was admitted into the baptist church at Eythorn, Kent, under the pastoral care of the late Rev. W. Giles. He was then about eighteen years of age. It pleased the wise Disposer of all events to remove him from his birthplace (Canterbury) to Ashford, where he lived many years much respected; was honourably and affectionately dismissed from the church at Eythorn to the church at Ashford. They soon ascertained he possessed talents for usefulness, and called him to the work of the ministry. He laboured in the neighbouring towns and villages with acceptance, and frequently supplied the vacant pulpit at Brabourne; and ultimately, by the unanimous call of the church, settled among them as their minister. His labours were greatly blessed; many were added to the church. He was indeed made a blessing to the people. He continued their pastor until it pleased his Master to call him to that house where there are many mansions, after a pastoral service of rather more than twelve years. His end was peace. His public labours were distinguished with earnestness and fervour. His statement of evangelical truth was clear and practically enforced; he knew the worth of souls, and endeavoured to show them the way of salvation, by pointing to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. As a father, master, and friend, he was greatly esteemed.

The pastor of the independent church at Hythe, to whom the reader is indebted for the preceding sketch, adds, "The writer, in his removal, has lost a fellow labourer and excellent friend, in whom he could confide. Died, October 31st, 1849, Thomas Scott, We often took sweet counsel together, our pastor of the baptist church, Brabourne, friendship of more than forty years' duration Kent, much beloved by the church and conwas never interrupted. But my brother is gregation, and greatly esteemed by a large no more scen among men, he is gone-not eircle of friends. The deceased was blessed lost-but gone before, he rests from his labour. with pious parents, to whose beneficial trainAt the earnest request of his family I endeaing he made special reference at his ordina- voured to improve the death of my brother, tion in 1837, in these words, "It was my on the 11th of November, to a very crowded privilege and happiness to be born of Chris- and afflicted congregation, from these words, tian parents, whose anxious care was to bring "What I do thou knowest not now, but me up in the nurture and admonition of the thou shalt know hereafter." May the Lord Lord. For me daily prayer was presented to sanctify this bereaving dispensation to the the throne of grace, and by them I was regu-family, church, and congregation!"