Autobiography of the Rev. Samuel H. Turner, D.D., late professor of Biblical learning and the interpretation of Scripture in the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America

Chapter I

Design of the Writer — Parentage — Early Associates — Studies — College Course — Choice of a Profession — ^Visit to the Rev. Dr. Feltus — Its Efiect upon his Mind — He becomes a Communicant in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, under the ministry of Dr. Pilmore — Influence of Religious Books — Studies for the Ministry under Bishop White — Text-books Employed — Adopts the Views of Stillingfleet, Hooker and White in regard to Church Polity — Avidity in Study — Mistakes Corrected — Hebrew and Greek Studies, . . . .. .9-33

Chapter II

Ordination — Revisits Dr. Feltus — Succeeds the Rev. Wm. H, Wilmer in Chestertown, Maryland — First Sermon there — Letter from Judge Chambers respecting the " I. U. Church " — Character and Extent of his Labors — The Haunted House — Parochial Visiting — Labors among the Blacks — Weekly Lectures— Sermon- Writing — Theological, Ecclesiastical, and Biblical Studies — Latin and Greek Classics, and Hebrew Language —-Best Mode of Learning Ancient Languages— Important Principle in the Composition of Sermons — Pioneer in the Sunday-School Work — Election of Bishop Kemp — War with England— Fight near Chestertown, . . . 34-56

IV CONTENTS.

Chapter III

Pernicious Effects of Climate and Slavery — He is offered a Professorship at Annapolis — Leaves Chestertown — Call to Germantown, Pa. — St. Ann's, Brooklyn — Elizabeth, New-Jersey — Rev. Dr. Bowen — Grace Church, Nevr-York — Dr. Jarvis — Return to Philadelphia — Visits Chestertown, Washington, and various places in Virginia, returning by Central Pennsylvania — His Mother's Death — Her Character — Historical and Theological Studies — Labors in Philadelphia — Trinity Church the Result— Preached the Opening Sermon, . . . 57-69

Chapter IV

Appointed Superintendent of the Theological School in Philadelphia— ^Bishop Alonzo Potter his first Pupil — Translation of "Bochart's Phaleg" — A General Theological Seminary Proposed in the General Convention — Measures Taken for its Establishment— History of its Formation and Organization — Mr. Turner Elected Professor of " Historic Theology " — Charged Temporarily with the Duties of the Professor of Systematic Theology — Dr. C. C. Moore's Gift to the Seminary — Rev. Dr. Gadsden's "Statement for the Seminary" — South- Carolina its Originator — The Error of the Bishop of Oxford in ascribing it to the Influence of Bishop Hobart — First Students in the Seminary — Professor Turner's Course of Instruction, 70-85

Chapter V

Indifference of Bishop Hobart and leading New -York Clergymen to the Seminary — Proof of Want of Interest — Difficulties with Professor Jarvis — Professor Turner's Views on certain points of Theology not- in Harmony with those of Bishop Hobart— The Seminary removed to. New-Haven — Bishop Brownell's Remarks in regard to it — The Seminary organized on a New Plan — Open to Students of all Religious Denominations — Incidents of the Summer's Vacation— Introductory Discourse at New -Haven — Varied and Pleasant Duties in the Semi-

CONTENTS. V

nary — ^Its Patrons and Friends — His Father's Death — Sketch of his Life, 86-111

Chapter VI

^ Diocesan Theological School established in New- York, at the Instance of Bishop Hobart — Jacob Sherred's Legacy — A Special General Convention called to consider it — The Seminary restored to New- York — United with the Diocesan School under a New Organization— Heorganization of the Seminary — First Critical Publication — South-Carolina Trustees suggest a Seminary-Building— ^Bishop White's Remarks on laying the Corner-stone— Professor Turner's Marriage — Progress and Character of the Seminary Buildings — Study of the French and German Languages — Revision of our Church Psalmody and Hymns — Translation of "Jahn's Introduction," with Notes — Birth of his First Child — EstabUshment of Public Worship at the Seminary — Formation of a Sunday-School — St. Peter's Church grows out of these Labors — Studies in Ancient and Modern Languages, and in Rabbinical Writings — Dr. Nordheimer,

112-132 CHAPTER VIL

Clerical Association in New-York — Object of it — Constitution — Bishop Hobart's Attack upon it — Dr. Turner's Reply — The Course pursued by the Members — Erroneous Impressions— Essays, etc., in Biblical Literature, . . 133-168

CHAPTER VIIL

Elected Professor of Hebrew Language in Columbia College — Lectures in the College Chapel — Their Publication — Discouragements— Death of his Daughter — Translation and Publication of Professor Planck's Introduction to Theological Knowledge, with Notes — Birth of his first Son — Peter G. Stuyvesant's Endowment of a Professorship in the Seminary — Death of Mrs. Turner — Publication of " Companion to the Book of Genesis" — Object of the Work — Criticisms of two Church Papers, 169-183

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

History of the Seminary — New-York City an Unfavorable Location— Effects of the Doctrines of the Oxford Tracts and their kindred Usages — Conflicting Views _ with regard to them — Suggestion of the Examining Committee — Dissent of Drs. Anthon and Smith, in the Committee — Professor Turner's Reply to the Implied Censure — The true Place and Value of the Early Fathers in the Exposition of Scripture — ^A Proposition to the Trustees — Resolutions of the South-Carolina Convention— Unfavorable Rumors in regard to the Seminary — Report of the South-Carolina Committee — Singular Questions propounded to the Faculty — Episcopal Visitation of the Seminary— Professor Turner's Answers — Communication from Bishop Mcllvaine^— Christmas Novelties — Apostasies to Rome

— Professor Turner's Resistance to Novelties — The Attempt of "The Churchman" to Ridicule his Published Statement of Facts — " Records of Councils" — Its Ignorance and Indecency

— Resolutions of the Visiting Bishops — The Real Value of their Opinion — Romanism among the Students — Secret Plans for Propagating it — Action of the Faculty — Expulsions from the Seminary — The Expelled Students Ordained in New- York, North-Carolina and Maryland — Further Apostasies to Rome — ^Influences Outside of the Seminary — The Errors and Cant Phrases of the Times — Characters most easily led astray — The Responsibility of those who Recommend Candidates for Orders — Resignation of Professors Wilson and Moore — Professor Ogilby's Death — Appointment of Professor Johnson and Mahan, , 184-213

CHAPTER X.

Serious Personal Injury — Record of Publications — " Essay on our Lord's Discourse at Capernaum" — "Biographical Notices of Jewish Rabbis" — Dr. Murdock's opinion of the "Work — " Spiritual Things Compared with Spiritual" — Reply to Strictures upon the Publication — Two Discourses on the Rule of Faith — A Volume on Prophecy — The Epistle to the Hebrews in Greek

CONTENTS. VU

and English — The Epistle to the Romans in Greek and English—The Epistle to the Ephesians in Greek and English — The Epistle to the Galatians in Greek and English, . 214r-234

CHAPTER XI.

Plain-Song in the Seminary — ^Mr. Hopkins — Pastoral Care of the Students — The American Bible Society— His Relation to it — The Standard Bible — The Fortieth Anniversary of his Professorship — Sketch of Dr. Wilson — General Review,

235-266 CHAPTER XII.

EDITORIAL CONCLUSION.

Death — Funeral — Bishop Potter's Address — Notices of the Press — Resolution of various Committees, etc., . . 267-292

PEEFACE.

The following autobiography of the Rev. Dr. Turner does not contain all the important events of his life, much less does it present the striking features of his character. • As a memoir, a delineation of the whole man, or as a history, it is incomplete.

The main design of the writer was, to leave for his family, a memorial of the principles which governed his conduct, and of those events which would be especially interesting to them ; and to furnish an authentic record of such facts connected with his official and public life as he deemed particularly important to the truth of history, the cause of the Gospel and of sacred learning.

The work of the editor has been limited to the breaking up of the narrative into chapters, preparing suitable headings, appending a few pages at the conclusion, and superintending the progress of the book through the press.

For several years he has enjoyed the friendship of the lamented author, and regards it a special privilege

X PBEFACE.

and honor to be connected with the publication of this sketch of his life.

May the illustrious example of one so gifted, quietly and unostentatiously prosecuting his arduous work, employing with marked diligence and devotion the many talents committed to his trust, adhering through a protracted life so inflexibly to the "old paths" of truth, and, by his life and conversation, adorning the doctrine of God his Saviour, incite others, and especially those who, as learners, were privileged to sit at his feet, to follow him even as he followed Christ.

BrooMyn, May 6iA, 1863.

ATJTOBIO GEAPHT

07 THK

REV. SAMUEL H. TURNER, D.D.

CHAPTEE I.

Design of the Writer — Parentage — ^Early Associates — Studies — College Course — Choice of a Profession — ^Visit to the Rev. Dr. Feltus — Its Effect upon his Mind — He becomes a Communicant in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, under the ministry of D^. Pilmore — Influence of Religious Books — Studies for the Ministry under Bishop Wlajte — Text-books Employed — Adopts the Views of Stillingfleet, Hooker and White in regard to. Church PoUty — Avidity in Study — Mistakes Corrected — Hebrew and Greek Studies.

The following notice of some particulars of my life is committed to writing in the belief tliat my children will feel an interest in a brief sketch of their father's biography, however imperfect, and in the hope that they will not fail to trace the hand of Divine Providence in directing and moulding apparently incidental circumstances, so as to promote His own wise and 1* benevolent purposes. With tlie exception of wliat peculiarly constitutes the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and is essentially connected with the plan of redemption through Him, the only Mediator, there is no principle more satisfactory, and in its influence on human character and action more practical, than that which recognizes the agency of God in all events of life, however seemingly unimportant. The exercise of a steady and habitual faith in this doctrine will enable a man to submit with acquiescence at least, if not with cheerfulness, to the dispensations of Heaven, and to trust the universal Euler even when His arrangements appear to be at variance with His general course of kindness, confident that the result will afford evidgice both of His wisdom and also of His benevolence.

I was born on the twenty-third of January, , 1790, in the house of my father, the Rev. Joseph I Turner, No. 370 South Second Street, in the District of Southwark, Philadelphia. My mother, whose name was Elizabeth Mason, was the daughter of a physician of Devonshire, England, of which country my father also was a native. The mansion was built by his uncle, Philip Hulbeart, who occupied it as his country-seat a long time before the revolutionary war. The

KEY. DE. TUENER. 11

gradual increase of the city soon brought the dwelling within the limits of regular streets, numerous houses, and a considerable population ; although, when I was a boy, there were extensive fields in the vicinity, some of which were under cultivation, and others, lying low, were covered with water, affording, in winter, fine skating-places. The house was solidly built of brick, and was occupied by the family for more than one hundred years. My father always retained a large space of ground in two divisions, which were respectively appropriated to flower and vegetable gardens. The cultivation of these he superintended himself, an employment which was a source of great gratification to him even in advanced age. His early vegetables, fine fruit of various kinds, pai^ticularly cherries, and beautiful display of roses, and other flowers, were, in the beginning of summer, a general attraction to the neighborhood. Among the earliest recollections of my childhood are his faithful black dog. Bull, a necessary guard, especially during the long winter nights, and a sorrel horse. Jack, which for twenty years carried him in his chaise, to his country churches, and was a well-trained and sagacious favorite.

I was the youngest of eight children, three sons and five daughters. My eldest brother, after wliom I received my first name, died before I was bom, and the other, named after his parents Joseph Mason, who was two and a half years older than myself, died at about the age of twenty-two. At the time of my birth my father was forty-eight years old. He died on the twenty- sixth of July, 1821, at the age of seventy-nine.

Of the period of my childhood I have nothing of much consequence to relate. I remember showing my copy-book to my father's old friend, the Rev. Dr. Blackwell, one summer afternoon, in 1796, and about the same time being called up in Mr. Little's school, that my father, who happened to make a visit there, might hear me read in the New Testament. The portion selected was the first part of the thirteenth chapter of St. Mark, and I well recollect how strange and incomprehensible the statement in the second verse appeared to me. I could not see how " one stone" should " not be left upon another," and yet should "not be thrown down." I remember having been ill with the yellow fever in 1T98, when all our family except our parents suffered with the disease. The only particulars which I can call to mind are, that the attack commenced at night,

EEV. DE. TUKNER. 13

with a violent chill and pains in the back and head, and that at some period of the sickness my father spoke to me about dying, and preparation for another world, from which I infer that I must have been seriously ill. A servantgirl died of the complaint in our house, also Mr. George Keppele, who within a year before had been married to my sister Ann. I mention as a very remarkable fact, that although our own family physician, Dr. Pfeiffer, a German of the Moravian Church, was too unwell to leave his house, my father being obliged to visit him daily and report our respective cases, and bring home his prescriptions, yet all his patients, with the exception of the servant before alluded to, recovered of that deadly distemper. Mr Keppele had the personal attendance of another physician. The doctor's son, who not long after became a medical student in Philadelphia, gave evidence of more than ordinary ability and industry, and would no doubt have become distinguished in his profession had he not been cut off by an early death.

My first Latin teacher was the Rev. John' Melancthon Bradford. He was a nephew of the venerable Dr. Ashbel Green, at that time a celebrated Presbyterian clergyman in Philadelpiia, and afterwards President of Princeton College. He was also the father of Alexander W. Bradford, LL.D., the able jurist who is now Surrogate of New-York. He became a clergyman of the Dutch Church, and settled in Albany. On his leaving the city I was put under the care of Mr. James Thompson, who two or three years afterwards became Professor of Languages in the University of Pennsylvania. He taught in the Quaker Academy in Fourth street near Chestnut, which at that time was one of the best Latin schools in the city. The whole time was devoted to the ancient languages, except half an hour employed in writing a copy and listening to a chapter in the Bible read by all the scholars in rotation. The morning was spent in reciting ; one lesson in Greek or Latin Grammar ; one in Csesar, Sallust, or Virgil, and I think after the study of Greek was begun, we had another in the Gospel of St. John, or Lucian. A single lesson in some one of these authors occupied the afternoon. The Academy was patronized by some of the best families. Dallas, now our minister at the Court of St. James, was one of its pupils. The late Thomas I. "Wharton, well known and esteemed as a highly respectable member of the Philadelphia bar, was one of my class-mates. We entered tlie University of Pennsylvania in January, 1806, and graduated together on July twenty-third, 1807, when I was exactly seventeen and a half years old. Our whole collegiate period did not exceed eighteen months. The University was at that time in a very depressed condition. There were then but two classes, the Junior and the Senior. Although I entered the former at nearly its middle period, I had so far forgotten my arithmetic that I was obliged to begin with. reduction or the rule of three. The course was necessarily very imperfect, although the institution commanded the services of some very able men, especially the literary and classical Dr. Andrews, Vice-Provost, and the elder Dr. Patterson, distinguished for his knowledge of mathematics and philosophy. The learned John McDowell, BL.D., entered upon his duties as Provost only a few months before I left. He used to say that Bishop White and Dr. James Wilson were the two clergymen whom he habitually heard with satisfaction.

Our mathematical studies comprehended the elements of algebra, the first four books of Euclid, plane and spherical trigonometry, surveying, gauging, and navigation. Some of the class, I think, learned conic .sections. I know

16 /UTOBIOGEAPHY OF

tliat I copied out the elements of this branch, . but never studied the subject. One member, Mr. Joseph Hall, son of a former Governor of . Delaware, who was decidedly head of the class, rose above us all into the regions of fluxions ; but I believe he soared alone in this high atmosphere of mathematics. Chemistry, mineralogy, and other similar branches, were entirely ignored. A slight course of mechanics, hydraulics, hydrostatics, optics, and astronomy constituted the sum of our instruction in natural philosophy. In moral, Beattie's Elements was the only text-book ; in history, the Abbe Millot ; in rhetoric and logic. Dr. Andrews's Compends. Our Latin reading embraced Horace, Cicero's Orations and De Officiis, and two or three Satires of Juvenal. In Greek we read some Dialogues of Lucian, two books of the Cyropsedia, three of Homer, Epictetus, and some portions of Longinus. I never wrote a page of English composition either at school or college. The oration which I delivered at Commencement was furnished by a friend ; and about two weeks afterwards I had the gratification of seeing it in a periodical some three or four months old !

I left college without any determination as to my future course of life. I knew that my parents were desirous that I stould devote myself to tlie ministry. But they never made use of any persuasion, or attempted to bias my mind towards tlie sacred profession. In early youth my thoughts and feelings were often under strong religious influence ; and I remember, when a mere child, going into a small closet to pray. But I have no reason to believe that these impressions were very deep or habitual in their influence. My deportment had always been morally correct, and I had a good deal of conscientiousness. But when the question of the choice of an occupation or profession came up for consideration, my mind wavered, and I became very undecided, I can not say that I felt any ardent, earnest desii*e to make known to others the Gospel, because of having myself experienced its blessings. In this doubtful state of mind, I was at one time strongly inclined to study medicine under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Rush, who had been for some years our family physician, and had repeatedly prescribed for frequent indispositions, to which in early life I was subject. Thad unfortunately become quite experienced in his ten or twenty grains' prescriptions of calomel and jalap, taken to remove some trifling ailment, or in the sj)ring, when I was enjoying good health, to keep off the enemy who was supposed to be insidiously lurking in ambush. Happily I was not subjected to bleeding or cupping; though, from frequent observation, I became familiar enough with the former.

While thus wavering in the choice of a profession, I accepted an invitation from a clerical friend of my father to spend a week with him at his parsonage in Swedesborough, New-Jersey. I found the Rev. Henry J. Feltus very kind and hospitable. He treated me like a younger brother, or rather like a son. And here I can not but say a few words in reference to this truly pious and good man, to whom I am greatly indebted. Mr. Feltus was a- kind-hearted and devoted pastor. It was evidently his great object to do good among the people of his charge. He well knew how to accommodate himself to their generally plain habits and mode of living, so as to make his association with them practically available to their spiritual good. He was exceedingly pleasant in his private intercourse, told a story admirably, and relished a good witticism as well as any man I ever knew. Although his early education had been imperfect, and his acquaintance with literature and science was limited, yet lie had evidently read mucli, and acquired considerable information. In the pulpit he was at times quite eloquent — disposed, however, to introduce occasionally some show of learning. His discourses were characterized by sdund Scriptural instruction, and an evident desire to impress religious truths upon the understandings and hearts of his people. He was deservedly much respected and beloved. I became very intimate with, and greatly attached to him. I accompanied him on some of his parochial visits. One occasion of this kind made a strong impression on my mind.

Having made his personal preparations, in doing which it was his habit to be rather particularly attentive as to his dress and appearance, he took me into his study, and, after locking the door, kneeled down and offered a short prayer for divine aid and guidance. We rode to the houses of several of his parishioners, some of whom were hard-working, industrious poor ; and to all he had some religious counsel, or instruction, or exhortation to give, generally closing his pastoral visit with a short and fervent prayer. The tendency of his mind seemed to be to depend on God and to ask His aid. On another occasion, a walk of a considerable distance having brought us into a deep and retired wood, he suddenly stopped short and said, " Let us improve this scene ; " and kneeling down among the thick trees, where no eye of man was likely to observe us, he poured out a prayer to the "Father who seeth in secret." He was fond of, and slightly acquainted with, music. I spent a pleasant and profitable week with this excellent clergyman, and freely opened my mind to him respecting my uncertainty as to the profession I should choose. He did not advise me to form an immediate resolution to enter the sacred ministry, knowing that this ought to be the result of a conviction of duty arising out of a desire to make known the Gospel as the only method of salvation for sinners ; and, considering my youth and inexperience, his counsel was, to begin a course of theological reading, and to defer any determination in the matter to a subsequent period, when I should be better able than I was at that time to make a right decision. If this should not be in favor of entering upon the sacred office, the course of reading pursued would yet be useful, and I should still have sufficient time to make suitable preparation for another profession. On my return home I took his advice, and adopted the course recommended.

During the following autumn my religious view3 and feelings became enlarged and deepened. My convictions of man's natural sinfulness, of the need of a Redeemer to reconcile sinful man to Ms Maker, of a Divine agency to turn the heart to heavenly things, of self-devotion to God, ana a holy life, became stronger ; and I pursued my theological reading with a direct view to ultimate admission into the ministry of the Church. This state of mind was, in a considerable degree, promoted by the conversation and counsel of Mr. George Warner, who afterwards married my elder sister, the widow of Mr. Keppele. Mr. Warner's son, a married gentleman with three children, was residing in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, where he had gone for the benefit of country air adapted to his condition. He was gradually sinking in consumption, of which disease he died not long after. I accompanied Mr. Warner one morning, I think in October, to the sick man's residence, and for the first time partook with him^ of the holy communion, administered by the Rev. Mr. Feltus, of whom Mr. Warner had been an old friend and patron. Afterwards I became a communicant in St. Paul's Church, to which our family belonged — then under the charge of the Rev. Joseph Pilmore, D.D., who had succeeded Dr. Samuel Magaw as rector.

The work which was most effective, in the Providence of God, in opening and impressing my mind in reference to practical religion, was Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. Few books have been^more extensively blessed to the conversion of the sinner and the edification of the Christian, than this unpretending, simple, and earnest production of one of the kindest, most intelligent, nseful, and holy men of modern times. To this work I must add, as one of the most deeply religious books ever published. Bishop Beveridge's Private Thoughts, This very practical treatise I found greatly beneficial ; and, indeed, it can hardly be too highly prized. It ought to be familiar to every Christian, and especially to every one who aspires to the sacred ministry of the Church.

My theological studies were pursued under the direction of Bishop White, whom I regu- ■ larly visited in his study, at first once in two weeks, and afterwards once a month, for upwards of three years. The Bishop never subjected me to any examinations ; indeed, I do not recollect that he ever questioned me in reference to any theological point except at my examinations for orders. K the plan of stated recitations had been pursued with

EEV. DR. TURNEB. 23

some regularity, my studies would, no doubt, have been more thorougb and my knowledge more accurate. As it was, I read a great deal, but thought and studied little. To use common language, I crammed so fully that I had neither opportunity nor ability to digest any thing intellectually. Consequently, my conceptions of theology as a system were very vague and undefined, and my acquaintance with the several departments of divinity loose and imperfect. The candor of the good Bishop showed itself in one respect, very conspicuously, illustrating also his love of truth and his confidence that a search after it was best promoted, not by concealment of error, but by general and extended investigation of controverted points. If he recommended any one book in defense of doctrine or discipline, he did not hesitate to put into my hands some other defending an opposite view. Thus Campbell's Lectures on Ecclesiastical History were read in connection with Skinner's Truth and Order, and Lord King's Primitive Church along with Slater's Original Draft. After Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity, and Potter on Church Government, with the controversial works of Hobart, Howe, Bowden, and Miller, he put into my hand, Stillingfleet's Irenicum.

And I shall never forget the remark which he then made : " A book much spoken against, but never answered."'^'

I read somewhat extensively on the subject of Church polity. For a considerable time my mind was unsettled, and I studied the various

* When a young man, I heard it said by some of our elderly and most distinguished clergymen, that Stillingfleet retracted in after-life the principles of this book. I never met with any one, however, who could tell me where this retraction was to be found, though I repeatedly made the inquiry. I can not believe that he ever retracted the fundamental principles of the book, which, indeed, are very like, and in a measure identical with those of Hooker. No doubt he changed his views on some of the details, and especially in what he says on the subject of ordination by presbyters. And probably the rumor above alluded to, had its origin in the following passages which occur in the author's preface to his Unreasonableness of Separation, quarto, London, 1682. When he published this work he was Dean of St. Paul's ; twenty years before, when the Irenicum made its appearance, he was rector of Sutton, in Bedfordshire. On a public occasion the Dean had preached a sermon on " the unreasonableness and mischief of the present separation." This production became the occasion of a good deal of controversy, and, among other things, the preacher was charged with advocating view^ inconsistent with those which he had maintained in the Irenicum. In reply he makes the following acknowledgments implied or expressed : " Will you not allow a person who happened to write about these matters when he was very young, in twenty years' time of the most busy and thoughtful part of his life, to see reason to alter his judgment ?

But after all, where is it that he hath thus contradicted himself? Is it in the point of separation ? No," etc. *' But if any thing in the following treatise," that is, the work on Separation, " be found different from the sense of that book, I do entreat them to allow me that which I heartily wish to them, namely, that in twenty years' time we may arrive to such maturity of thought as to see reason to change our opinion of some things^ and I wish I had not cause to add of some persoois too." (Pp. Ixxii. Ixxvi.) But these passages afford very insufficient grounds for the statement that the author retracted the principles of his former work works witli particular attention. The result of my examination was this, that diocesan Episcopacy was of apostolic origin, instituted under divine guidance, and consequently jiwe divino. But whether this form of church government was divinely established in perpetuity, and intended to be necessary to the Church at all periods, so that the preservation of it becomes essential to its existence, or whether it were established as being best adapted to the apostolic age, so that, subsequently, changes might be introduced without destroying the validity of the ministry or its acts ; these appeared to be questions for private judgment, on which different views might allowably be entertained by different mjnds without affecting the soundness of their church views. The fact that the Jewish succession in the high priestly oince had been tampered with, and persons introduced into it who had no legal Mosaic claim, and yet that in our Lord's time the Hebrew Church was not regarded as nullified or mutilated thereby, nor the ecclesiastical authority of those who thus held office questioned by Him, but that on the contrary, He spoke of the Scribes and Pharisees as " sittino^ in Moses' seat," and therefore havino: a rig^htful claim to obedience, made a strong impression on me, 2 and had no slight influence in enabling me to come to a decision. The principle defended against the Puritans by Hooker,* that even divinely established laws are not necessarily permanent, was that on which my mind ultimately rested. I saw no reason for abandoning Episcopacy, but on the contrary very strong ones for adhering to it. Yet I could not admit the conclusion that those who had done so, had thereby unchurched themselves, especially under circumstances where Episcopacy could not readily be secured.