dant incidental evidence of this devout spirit, in these experiments at colonization, to which we can but briefly refer.

Sir Humfrey Gilbert, the half-brother of Ralegh, obtained his patent from Elizabeth in 1578, "for the inhabiting and planting of our people in America." He is described, as being a "learned knight and gallant sea adventurer," and there is touching evidence in the sequel of his history, that he lived "in such a state, as never to be afraid to die." One of the Articles of this first Charter ever granted for the establishment of an English Colony, enacts that the laws and ordinances "be not against the true Christian faith or religion now professed in the Church of England.”

The historian of this expedition, who alone returned again to England, says that "a glorious opportunity was thus given to sow the seed of eternal life in those lands of heathenism;" and he makes the distinct acknowledgment, that this "must be the chief intent of such as shall make an attempt that way; or else whatsoever is builded upon other foundation shall never obtain happy success or continuance." Notwithstanding, however, the pious intent with which this voyage was undertaken, its history was brief and disastrous. Gilbert did not sail from England till the eleventh of June, 1583, and he landed his company at Newfoundland on Sunday, the 4th of August. Here mutiny, sickness and robbery, so soon thinned their numbers, that the survivors were glad to turn their two remaining vessels toward the shores of England, before they had passed a month in their new home. Their gallant Commander was lost at sea on this homeward voyage. He had embarked with some of his company in a small vessel of only ten tons, for the purpose of exploring the coasts of Newfoundland, and now refused to go on board the larger ship, saying "he would not forsake his little company with whom he had already shared so many storms and perils." Both vessels were overtaken by a violent storm in the parallel of the Azores, and Gilbert is described, at the moment of greatest danger, "as sitting abaft with a booke in his hand and crying out to those in the other ship, as often as they approached within hearing, we are as neare to heaven by sea as by land."" That same night this little vessel

with her crew and gallant Christian Commander, "was devoured and swallowed up of the sea."*

But there is on record the history of two voyages that more directly concern the purpose in hand, undertaken by the celebrated navigator, Martin Frobisher, in 1577 and 1578, the first one, a year before Gilbert received his charter. Hakluyt's account of these voyages furnishes us with several interesting particulars. It does not appear that any clergyman accompanied the first voyagers, but they did not set out upon their perilous undertaking, without applying devoutly to the source of all true strength and courage. Frobisher's own Journal contains the following interesting entry:

"On Whit-Sunday, being the 26th of May, Anno. 1577, early in the morning we weighed anker at Blackwall, and fell that tyde down to Grauesend, where we remained vntil! Monday at night. On Monday morning, the 27th of May, aboord the Ayde, we received all the Communion by the Minister of Grauesend, and prepared us as good Christians towards God, and resolute men, for all fortunes, and towards night we departed to Tilberry Hope."

The next voyage of Frobisher, in the year 1578, is one of much more interest, as he took with him Master Richard Wolfall, the first Clergyman of the Church of England, who celebrated the Ordinances of Christ's institution in America. Before sailing from England, certain regulations for the guidance of the adventurers were drawn up, of which the following is an extract:

"Articles and orders to be observed for the Fleete, set down by Capt. Frobisher, Generall, and delivered to every man in writing:

"1. Imprimis, to banish swearing, dice and card playing, and filthy communication, and to serve God twice a day with the ordinary service of usuall in the Churches of England, and to cleare the glasset according to the old order of England."

This regulation is a gratifying evidence of the sober and religious spirit, in which these brave adventurers entered upon their perilous voyage.

The first notice we have of the services of this Clergyman, is in the following entry in Frobisher's Journal, describing the * Anderson, Vol. I, p. 55. Hakluyt, Vol. III, p. 75.

† Hour glass.

frelings of the party on rejoining some of their comrades, whom they had supposed to be lost:

"Here euery man greatly rejoyced of their happie meeting, and welcommed one another after the sea manner with their great ordinance, and when each party had ripped vp their sundrie fortunes and perils past, they highly praysed God, and altogither vpon their knees, gaue him due humble and heartie thanks; and Maister Wolfall, a learned man, appointed by her Majesties Councell to be their Minister and Preacher, made vnto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankful to God for their strange and miraculous deliuerance in those so dangerous places, and putting them in mind of the vncertainties of man's life, willed them to make themselues always readie as resolute men to enjoy and accept thankefully whatsoeuer aduenture His diuine Prouidence should appoint."

The following quaint account of this devoted Minister, shows us what kind of men were found in those days to enter upon these perilous adventures. The Journal goes on to say of him :

"This Maister Wolfall, being well seated and settled at home in his owne countrey, with a good and large liuing, having a good honest woman to wife, and very towardly children, being of good reputation among the best, refused not to take in hand this painefull voyage, for the onely care he had to saue soules and to reforme these Infidels, if it were possible, to Christianitie; and also, partly for the great desire that he had, that this notable voyage so well begunne, might be brought to perfection; and therefore he was contented to stay the whole yeare, if occasion had serued, being in euery necessary action as forward as the resolutest man of all. Wherefore, in this behalfe, he may rightly be called a true Pastor and Minister of God's Word, which for the profite of his flock spared not to venture his owne life." Toward the end of Frobisher's Journal, we find the following interesting entry:

"On the 30th of August Master Wolfall, on Winter's Fornace, preached a godly sermon, which being ended, he celebrated also a Communion upon the land, at the partaking whereof was the Captaine of the Anne Francis, and many other gentlemen and souldiers, Mariners and Miners with him. This celebration of the diuine mystery

* Hakluyt, Vol. III, p. 84.

was the first signe, seale and confirmation of Christ's name, death and passion, euer knowen in these quarters. The said Mr. Wolfall made sermons, and celebrated the Communion at sundry other times, in seuerall and sundry ships, because the whole company could neuer meet together at any other place."*

We are indebted to the faithful labors of Richard Hakluyt, a Clergyman of the same Church, of whom we shall yet speak more fully-for the preservation of this interesting event in the history of our religion in this country. It was the year 1578 that witnessed this early preaching of the Gospel of Christ, and celebration of the Sacrament of His death in this far off wilderness. And the reader will notice that this was forty-two years before the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and fifty-one years before they had an ordained Minister among them.† The Straits in the 63d parallel of north latitude, which still bear the name of Frobisher, will at once point out to the reader the inhospitable shores upon which this daring navigator landed his company. Their effort to make a permanent settlement in those "moss grown barrens of the Esquimaux," proved a sad failure. After numerous disasters the plan was abandoned, and the few vessels left of a "magnificent fleet" returned laden with a worthless black ore that abounded in those regions. This is the last we hear of this enterprise, but notwithstanding its failure it is deeply interesting to us, by reason of the devout spirit in which it was undertaken, and the evident purpose to sanctify the entrance of civilization into a new world with the ministrations of our holy religion.

Sir George Peckham testifies to the existence of this same religious and missionary feeling, in a discourse written in 1583, concerning the planting of English Colonies in America, and thereby extending the knowledge of the true God. He says:

"Those countries are at this day inhabited with savages who have no knowledge of God. Is it not therefore, I say, to be lamented that those poor Pagans, so long living in ignorance and idolatry, and in

*Hakluyt, Vol. III, p. 91.

This was one Ralph Smith, a Non-Conformist Minister of the Church of England. Mather's Magnalia, Book I, § 5.

sort thirsting after Christianity, that our hearts are so hardened, that few or none can be found, which will put to their helping hands and apply themselves to the relieving of the miserable and wretched estate of these sillie souls."*

Numerous instances of this same spirit might be given. The following, which concerns a voyage of Capt. Luke Fox, in search of a North-West Passage, a few years later, will serve as an illustration. He says: "My greatest care was to have my men of godly conversation, for all our dependances was upon God only, for I had neither private ambition or vaine glory."

**

The following are among the "Orders and Articles" for the government of the voyage:

"Forasmuch as the good success and prosperity of every action doth consist in the due service and glorifying of God, knowing that not only our being and preservation, but the prosperity of all our actions and enterprizes doe immediately depend upon His Almighty goodness and mercy, of which this being none of the least, eyther of nature or quality.

"1. That all the whole company, as well officers as others, shall duly repair every day, twice at the call of the bell, to heare public prayers to be read (such as are authorized by the Church,) and that in a godly and decent manner as good Christians ought.

"2. That no man shall swear by the name of God, nor use any prophane oath, or blaspheme His holy name, upon pain of severe punishment.

"8. That all men duly observe the watch, as well at anchor as under sayle, and at the discharge thereof, the boatswain or his mate shall call up the other; all praising God together, with psalme and prayers. And so committing ourselves, both soules and bodies, ship and goods, to God's merciful preservation, we beseech him to steer, direct and guide us, from the beginning to the end of our voyage; which Hee make prosperous unto us, Amen."t

Let us return, however, to those efforts in which we are more directly interested. Neither Gilbert's nor Frobisher's failure could check the spirit of adventure that was now fully aroused in the English people. Sir Walter Ralegh had been interested

* Hakluyt, Vol. III, p. 167.

+ Preface to Publications of Hakluyt Society, Vol. for 1847, &c.