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MEMOIR OF THE LIFE OF BISHOP MOORE.

a character; who would desire a more enviable lot than his? Enjoying for fifty-four years the high privilege of declaring the glad tidings of the Gospel to ransomed sinners-beloved by all, eminently successful both in his ministry and in his Episcopate, without enemies, his death has been like his life, gentle, calm, full of love, and hope, and peace. Let it be repeated, he had no enemies, for he was just and upright in all his dealings, he had a tender regard for the reputation and feelings of all, and never spoke evil of any: and who could cherish aught but love and reverence for one so full of love to all? The citizens of Richmond loved to see his venerable form and benevolent face as he walked the streets. His best eulogium is the love and veneration of the whole population of Richmond-the tears of the immense assembly that thronged the Church at his funeral; yes, of all, old men and matrons, young men and maidens and children. Who can forget the sobs which were heard throughout that vast crowd? Who was not impressed by the unparalleled multitudes which swelled his far-lengthened funeral procession?"

CHAPTER V.

FROM 1814 TO 1829.

The views and spirit with which Bishop Moore entered upon the duties of his Episcopate. Notices of the early success of his labours. An Episcopate fund proposed. Formation of Prayer Book and Tract Society. Rev. Benjamin Allen's labours. Measures taken to promote theological education in connexion with William and Mary College. Founding of Theological School, and the Education Society. Brief sketch of the history of both. Fashionable amusements and lay discipline. View of Bible Societies, and letters relating to them. His ardent love for the Liturgy, and desire to have it strictly adhered to in his Diocese. Opposition to proposed changes in it. Letters on the Liturgy. Baptismal Regeneration, &c. His views relating to the removals of Clergymen from one parish to another. Episcopal services in North Carolina. Death of Rev. Messrs. Norris and Wilmer. Rumours of his wish to retire from the Diocese. His desire for an Assistant Bishop. Dr. Meade elected, with an objectionable restriction, which was afterwards removed. Consecrated in 1829.

THE lovely example of zeal, faithfulness, and success in pastoral duties, exhibited in the life of Bishop Moore, so imperfectly sketched in the preceding chapter, was but a counterpart of the exhibition of the like qualities in the performance of the higher functions of his Episcopal office. In addressing ourselves to this part of our work, which will require, not only a notice of prominent events in the history of his diocese, but also a view of the principles by which he was guided, the policy he adopted, and the motives which prompted him in the discharge of his important duties as a Bishop in the Church of God, a wide field is opened before us; and it will be difficult to confine

ourselves within the limits allotted to the present memoir; but we shall study brevity, so far as it may be consistent with the faithful performance of the duty of a biographer.

The first Episcopal act performed by Dr. Moore, as Bishop of Virginia, was the consecration of his newly erected parish church to the service of Almighty God. This was soon after his removal to Richmond; and before the close of his ministry, the number of Episcopalians had so increased in that city of his habitation, that he had the pleasure of setting apart to the same sacred use, two other edificesChrist, and St. James' Churches. Though a large portion of the first year of the Bishop's residence in Virginia was necessarily occupied by the duties of his parochial charge, yet was he enabled, by the grace of God, to accomplish much for the welfare of other parishes, and to enter upon that course of Episcopal visitations which he maintained ever afterwards with exemplary energy and zeal, till he was compelled to intermit them, in some measure, by the visitations of infirmity and disease.

In his address to the Convention of 1815, he reports that he had visited several of the parishes, confirmed 180 persons, received four candidates for orders, admitted two to the diaconate, and one to the priesthood, and consecrated one church besides the Monumental. "The visitations I have made," says the Bishop, "though very circumscribed, have enabled me to form some view of the state of our ecclesiastical concerns, and from that view, I think myself justified in drawing the most pleasing conclusions. In every parish which I have visited, I have discovered the most animated wish in the people to repair the waste places of our Zion, and to restore the Church of their fathers to its primitive purity and excellence."

"The apostolic rite of confirmation, which I have ad

ministered in several parishes, was received by people of all ages with the greatest joy, and a general principle of union and exertion was, upon those occasions, universally expressed. Parishes which have been destitute of ministerial aid for many years, which had slumbered until the warmest friends of the Church conceived it to have been the sleep of death, have, in two instances, been awakened from that state of torpor in which they were involved, and have arisen in all the vigour of perfect health. The younger clergy of this diocese, who, from their youth and spiritual attainments, are well qualified for the glorious work, have exerted themselves in a manner deserving the most honourable mention. They have carried the standard of the Lord Jesus Christ through a considerable portion of this Church; they have gone out into the highways and hedges, preaching the truths of their divine Master; and by their holy conversation with the people, have adorned the Gospel of Christ. A number of their elder brethren, though prevented by age from using the same exertion, have laboured with fidelity, and contributed their best efforts to promote that work which has been entrusted to their hands. The laity have been equally assiduous in the discharge of that duty peculiar to their station-the duty of providing for the ministers of religion. May Heaven reward them for their labours of love; and may every cup of cold water which they have given to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, receive a disciple's reward."

The address concluded with the following solemn and earnest appeal: "My brethren of the clergy,-The welfare and advancement of our Zion depend upon our joint and vigorous exertions. Great is the duty imposed upon us, and great is the responsibility of that character we fill, as ministers of the Gospel of peace. If there ever was a

period in which exertion was necessary; and if there ever was a period which bid fair to crown that exertion with success, this is the time. Though few in number, yet depending for support upon the promises of God, we may look for an abundant blessing upon our labours. Jehovah has promised to be with his Church to the end of the world: and he will fulfil his declaration. The parishes are invoking our aid. O, listen, I beseech you, to their numerous entreaties! Be steadfast, then: be unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.'"

A diocese entering upon its new career under such auspices, having at its head a successor to the apostolic office animated by the apostolic spirit, seconded by a small band of clergymen distinguished for zeal and devotion in their Master's work, countenanced and cheered by the hearty co-operation of a few intelligent and pious laymen scattered throughout the parishes; and above all, relying for success in the great work of reviving the Church, upon the promised blessing and presence of its Divine Head, could not fail to be prospered.

Accordingly, we find the Bishop, in his address to the Convention of 1816, employing this strong language of congratulation and hope: "It is with the most sincere happiness I inform you, that the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of Virginia, presents to the view of her friends a prospect truly encouraging. The clouds of adversity, which for years have overspread her horizon, appear to be dispersing, and our Zion, animated by the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, is recovering from her desolations, exhibiting the most heart-cheering evidences of returning health and vigour."

During this year, Episcopal visitations were made to the