I have witnessed scenes myself that would disgrace dancing Dervises, and make Harlequins blush with shame. Kicking, jumping, pounding each other; shrieking, and so forth, were among their common rites and ceremonies. They evinced their renunciation of the world, and attested the truth of their creed by selling every thing at the highest price. Their charity consisted in getting for themselves all they could; and their meekness and gentleness were forcibly displayed in the manner in which they abused and denounced all who differed from them. Ministers were "dumb dogs, that would not bark ;""lying prophets;" "wolves in sheep's clothing;" "Hirelings, Robbers;" &c. A few of the many that were carried away by this fatal delusion," returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls;" but by far the greater number remain in their fallen and lapsed condition, exhibiting in their alienation from God, the dreadful consequences that ensue from believing cunningly devised fables instead of the truth; and from walking according to the desires and devices of their own hearts, instead of walking by faith, and according to godli

ness.

"Be it my only wisdom here,

To serve the Lord with filial fear,]
With loving gratitude;

Superior sense may I display,
By shunning every evil way,

And walking in the good."

While I was stationed in Stanstead, I derived great advantage from having associated with me two most excellent and devoted colleagues-the Rev. Henry Lanton, and the Rev. Robert Graham; both of whom are members of the Canada Conference, and are zealously and faithfully prosecuting the important and glorious work to which God has called them.

It has often been asserted that an established church is calculated to prevent these indecent and irreligious developements. The advocates of this opinion maintain that a national church established by law, and liberally sustained from the public revenue, is best adapted to supply the spiritual necessities, and meet the spiritual views of the people. They add, however, that the Episcopal form of government and ordination, is not only the best for this purpose, but that it is the only Scriptural form; and some have been rash enough to declare, that all the irregularities and absurdities which have, in the name of religion, made "the Reformation" a proverb of reproach, are the legitimate consequences -the inevitable results of dissent.

Now let us examine this-let us subject these "High Church" opinions to cool and dispassionate investigation. The Church of England was established, say three centuries ago. It was then made a

part of the state-of the constitution-in fact, the great religious element of the nation. It was, according to human policy, set up under the most favourable circumstances: and exhibited the most perfect ecclesiastical organization, and the best constructed instrumentality for the attainment of its own ends, that could be conceived or desired. What is the result: what has this great religio-political apparatus effected? Has it prevented the rise and progress of dissent? No. Has it restrained the growth, or modified either the letter, or the spirit of Popery? No. What has it done for the diffusion of popular education, or for the advancement of morality and religion? How has it succeeded in Ireland: where are its trophies-where shall we find the record of its victories? It has been established there for more than two hundred and fifty years; during all that time it has had the only University in the kingdom under its exclusive control, and the revenues of the kingdom for its treasury. During all that time it has been fostered by the government; protected by the army; favoured by the court; honoured and dignified by patronage, and what has it achieved? It has not been able to prevent the growth and power of dissent, and for its inability in this respect, we are unfeignedly thankful to God—it has not been able to restrict the right of private inter

pretation, or the exercise of civil and religious. liberty, and for its inability in these respects, we are unfeignedly thankful to God. But it has originated Puseyism-Tractarianism, and other semipopish elements and principles, and this we sincerely and deeply deplore. Nearly two hundred of its ministers, and a great multitude of its people, have within the last twenty years, conformed to the church of Rome, and for this "the harlot " rejoices, and "the saints" mourn. The church of England may increase the number of her dioceses--she may multiply Bishops-she may create and endow universities and Colleges-she may do all this; but so long as she clings to the Popish fiction of" Apostolical succession," all her efforts will be but a magnificent proselytism, and the only preventative of error, and the only safeguard of religion pure and undefiled, will be found in the doctrines-practices-and ecclesiastical polity of the dissenters.

CHAPTER VII.

APPOINTED TO MONTREAL-REV. W. SQUIRE-REV. MESSRS. BROWNELL AND BOTTERELL REMARKS ON THE GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT OF MONTREAL-ADVENTURES IN VERMONT-STATE OF METHODISM IN MONTREAL, UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE REV. MR. LANG, &c. &c.

A short time after the half of our third year in Stanstead had expired, we were removed thence to Montreal, to supply the place of Mr. Borland, the second preacher in that city. Mr. B. had become very ill, some thought dangerously ill, of bronchitis. The physicians advised him by all means to proceed to England, alleging that a sea voyage would, in all probability, work an effectual cure. He went, and I entered into his labours. He remained but a few months in England, and then returned to Canada a new man, resumed his place in the vineyard of the Lord, in which he is still labouring with fidelity and success.

The first six months, or thereabouts, I laboured as co-pastor with the Rev. Wm. Squire, a faithful and devoted minister, who has since ceased from his labours, and entered into rest. He was a native of Bruton, a small town in Somersetshire, in the