the decisions of one, this would be an assumption of authority for which there is no foundation in law or justice.

"We, therefore, humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to refer all matters involving any alteration in the doctrine, worship, discipline, or government of the Church, to the consideration of a General Synod of the United Church of England and Ireland, in order that such measures may be framed as, if approved by your Majesty, may receive your Majesty's Royal assent, or (if the sanction of the Legislature be likewise needed) may be suitably recommended to Parliament.

The Church of England and Ireland therefore is acting quite in accordance with Catholic antiquity when she guards the right of her Metropolitan Synods, which are Provincial Synods, from the offensive intrusion of any other Province, and we do most sincerely hope that the Spirit of Wisdom may be given to the rulers of the British nation, in order that, by learned and godly counsel and advice, the conflicting interests of the Church may be harmonized to the glory of God and the welfare of His Elect.

We cannot conclude this review of "the Provincial Synod of Canada," without expressing our warm admiration at the spirit which seemed to actuate the whole of the proceedings. It was to be expected that differences of opinion should find utterance in so large an assembly of persons from distant parts of a widely extended Province; but it would appear from the account of the published proceedings, that the utmost Christian courtesy prevailed, even when questions which warmed the heart were under discussion. In dissenting from the action pursued by those who argued for the maintenance of the present state of things, we by no means desire to be considered as pronouncing a harsh condemnation on their acts. We have too high a sense of the value of the services of such rare intellects as are given to some men, who, like the Hon. I. H. Cameron, has performed his duty to the Church of England when some of her children turned from her in her hour of danger. A man who would thus brave political desertion of friends, who was content to suffer loss of influence in the State to save the property of the Church, is no ordinary man, and we have no doubt that his familiarity with the frigid and unbending domination, which prevails at the Colonial Office, alone induced him

to turn against the authorities there those dextrous little instruments, which legal gentlemen know so well how to use to advantage. We hear, from all parties, strong expressions of affection towards the Hon. and honored advocate of the cause of our common Mother, and it is quite certain that we of the Sister Church in America, cannot but respect, personally, one who deserves the admiration of every sincere Christian.

In conclusion, we may briefly point out that the circumstances of the Church now are very different to what they were at the time of the Reformation. Then England contained within her shores, the Reformed Church and but two Provinces; whereas, now, there are the Irish Provinces joined to her, and some in the Colonies, some forty-two or more Colonial Bishops and Metropolitans, with a lesser number within the old imperial limits. And, as it would be very difficult now to consult all the Provinces, individually, as was the case at the Reformation, it surely is but an act of ordinary wisdom to determine by what means a National Council may be instituted. This can only be done by summons from the Crown to Bishops, who, as a Commission, may first take opinions of the various Provinces, and then, drafting on their recommendations the plan, obtain the sanction of the Crown for its execution.

ART. IV.-EARLY ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN CHURCH.

CHAPTER II. 1609-1610.

It is the boast of the Puritans of the Modern School, that their forefathers were driven to the American Continent, by the persecutions of the English Church. The glory, which they deserve for enduring such hardships, will appear, when we remember, that overtures were first made by the London Company to the Puritans then dwelling peaceably in Holland, to join them in the settlement of Virginia, and that Sir Edwin Sandys, Sir John Wolstenholme and Archbishop Abbot, members of the Virginia Council, together with many other prominent Churchmen, used all their influence to secure such a partnership. This was finally agreed upon, under the promise of the king, "that he would connive at them, and not molest them, provided they carried themselves peaceably." This promise was so satisfactory to the Puritans, that in spite of the tempting invitations of the Dutch, to settle in some of their plantations, they resolved to accept the terms of the London Company, and the word of the King, that they should not be disturbed in their religion. Indeed, such (in their own language) was "their great desire to live under the protection of England, and to retain the language and the name of Englishmen," that they assure the Company "the oath of Supremacy we shall willingly take if it be required of us." They finally sailed from Leyden, with a charter granted under the seal of a Company of Churchmen, with the intention of settling in the territory over which they had entire control. It turned out, however, that a Dutch Pilot carried them further North than they intended to go, and within the limits of the Plymouth Company, where they had no right whatever. There they remained, however, and three years after, received a Charter from this Company, the members of which also belonged

*Life and Times of Brewster, p. 198.

to the Church of England.-This is the true version of the story concerning the Puritans being "driven to the wilds of America by religious persecution," which should no longer delude an intelligent people. It is a pity, to be sure, that so much poetry and romance should be destroyed. It is a pity, that the whole staple of New England dinner speeches, and anniversary orations, can be no longer available to those who have any regard for historic truth; but still, it is high time that Americans of common intelligence, concerning the history of their own country, had ceased to believe this fable.*

*The reader, who wishes for further information on this point, will find it in a multitude of writers, of the highest authority. The history of the negotiations between the Puritans and the London Company, will be found briefly told in the "Life and Times of Elder Brewster," by the Rev. Ashbel Steele, of Washington,. D. C. This work gives the copies of several letters which passed, and also the Seven Articles of the Leyden Church, which were sent to the Council of Virginia, by Robinson and Brewster.* These articles are of such interest and importance in shewing the position the Puritans then occupied, in reference to the Church of England, that we give them entire.

1. "To the Confession of Faith published in the name of the Church of England, and to every Article thereof we do, with the Reformed Churches where we live, and also elsewhere, assent wholly.

2. As we do acknowledge the doctrine of faith there taught, so do we the fruits and effects of the same doctrine, to the begetting of saving faith in thousands in the land, (conformists and re-conformists,) as they are called, with whom, as also with our brethren, we do desire to keep spiritual communion in peace, and will practise, in our parts, all lawful things.

3. The king's majesty we acknowledge for Supreme Governor in his Dominion, in all causes, and over all persons, and that none may decline or appeal from his authority or judgment, in any cause whatever, but that in all things, obedience is due unto him, either active, if the thing commanded be not against God's word, or pas-sive, if it be, except pardon can be obtained.

4. We judge it lawful for his majesty to appoint Bishops, civil overseers, or officers in authority under him, in the several Provinces, Dioceses, Congregations or Parishes, to oversee the Churches and govern them civilly, according to the Laws of the Land, unto whom they are in all things to give an account, and by them to be ordered according to godliness.

5. The authority of the present Bishop in the land we do acknowledge, so far forth as the same is indeed derived from his majesty unto them, and as they pro-ceed in his name, whom we will also therein honour in all things, and him in them.. 6. We believe that no Synod, Classes, Convocation or Assembly of Ecclesiastical.

* These Articles may also be seen in the 3d. Vol., 2d Series, of the N.Y. Historical Society's Collection, with an introductory note by Mr. Bancroft.

We have no such boast, either true or false, to make in behalf of those early enterprises, that brought to this country the reformed and Catholic Faith of the Church of England. They who first illuminated these shores with that Faith, were

Officers, hath any power or authority at all, but as the same is by the magistrate given unto them.

7. Lastly, we desire to give unto all superiors due honour, to preserve the unity of the Spirit, with all the fear of God, to have peace with all men, what in us lieth, and, wherein we err, to be instructed by any."

As a further indication of the feelings of the Puritans toward the Church of England, we have the following confession of Robinson, the Pastor. "For myself, (he says,) I believe with my heart before God, and profess with my tongue, and have before the world, that I have one and the same faith, hope, Spirit, baptism and Lord, which I had in the Church of England, and none other; that I esteem so many in that Church, of what state or order soever, as are truly partakers of that faith, (as I account many thousands to be,) for my Christian brethren, and myself a fellow-member with them of that one mystical body of Christ, scattered far and wide throughout the world."

The assertion, then, that the Puritans were driven to this country by persecution, is utterly groundless. They were dwelling in peace and prosperity in Holland, far out of the reach of the English Church, and finally entered into partnership with the London Company, with the consent and approbation of the king, and started to this country, to settle in the Colony of Virginia, then under the entire control of Churchmen.

In addition to these facts of history, it may not be amiss to give here the testimony of Morton himself, the Secretary to the Plymouth Court, and of course a zealous Puritan. He says, in his "Memorial of New England," after giving five reasons for the removal of the Puritans to this country, none of which even hint at persecution-'these, and such like, were the true reasons of their removal, and not, as some of their adversaries did, upon the rumour thereof, cast out slanders against them, as if the State were weary of them, and had rather driven them out, (as heathen histories have feigned of Moses and the Israelites, when they went out of Egypt,) than that it was their own free choice and motion."-Morton's Memorial, p. 21.

In corroboration of the statement, that overtures were first made to the Puritans by the members of the London Company, we have the testimony of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, the President of the Plymouth Council, who was under no temptation to mis-state, and whom the House of Commons pronounced "a gentleman of honor and worth." He says, in his Description of Virginia,-" The Virginia Company were forced, through the great charge they had been at, to hearken to any proposition that might give ease and furtherance to so hopeful a business. To that purpose it was referred to their consideration, how necessary it was, that means might be used to draw into those enterprises some of those families, that had retired themselves into Holland for scruple of conscience, giving them such freedom and liberty as might stand with their likings. This advice being hearkened unto, there were that understood the putting it in practice, and, accordingly, brought it to effect."-See Mass. Hist. Soc. Col. Vol. VI, 3d Series, 66, 67.