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fellow it becomes light, not by being removed but by reason of the strength He gives enabling us to bear it. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength,' imparting it by means of His Word, carried home to the conscience by the Holy Spirit's influence in answer to prayer.

The teachings of His Word are not difficult to discover, what we require is the heart to apply them. We do this when we place ourselves before Him as His creatures. 'We are the clay, Thou art the potter.' Shall the thing formed say unto Him that formed it, Why hast Thou made me thus? We place ourselves in the presence of the Judge of all the earth, 'shall He not do right?' Shall we impugn His wisdom, equity, and goodness? Shall a living man complain if His judgments inflicted in righteousness are loving corrections? Shall we forget that He is our Father, who pitieth His children?

We look back upon the love wherewith He has loved us in His Son, and with the Apostle conclude that He who spared not His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, will with Him also freely give us all things. . . . . We look within and we see much that requires to be purified. Shall we repine because He places us in the furnace, and sits as the refiner of silver, that He may cause His own image to appear? If the Son learned obedience by the things which He suffered, can we expect to be exempt from the same needful discipline? If the head must needs suffer, shall not the members bear their part, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in their flesh for His body's sake, which is the Church?

Are we to be so bowed down by the grief we feel as to be unable to look up and to look around for all the surpassing consolations of God's providence and grace? Shall we be unmindful of the great blessing of a happy union during so large a portion of life's way, of the fellowship in aim, in work, and the entire oneness throughout a life which in its later period involved much self-denial, yet was so bright in the consciousness of being permitted to do

something for the Lord, as to be a life of happy usefulness? Shall we not gratefully reflect upon the painless illness, the peaceful end, the abundant entrance into the presence of the King, and the blessed hope of an eternal union before the Lord ? Shall we be unmindful of the Throne of Grace to which in our time of need we have free access, and where we meet with the sympathy of Him who is touched with a feeling of our infirmities? To these must be added the tender kindness and deep felt sympathy of many friends, the testimony so freely given to the worth of one who is gone, the prayers so universally offered for him who remains. These are the Lord's mercies, renewed day by day, and possessing them, we gratefully acknowledge that in this our day of adversity the strength which He giveth is not small.'

My dear brethren, I invite you to the consideration of this subject, with no other view than that you may enjoy the happiness of such a life as I have shared, and the peace of such a death as I have seen.

Thus upheld and strengthened by the grace and promises of God, the Bishop was enabled to apply himself to his official duties in the day of adversity and sorrow, and to discharge them with his accustomed fidelity and zeal.

CHAPTER XIV.

1876-1879.

Session of Diocesan Synod, 1876-Visit to North Queensland-Preparations for General Synod-General Synod, 1876-Week of Prayer Session of Diocesan Synod, 1877-Departure for England -British Syrian Schools-Tour in Syria and Palestine-Arrival in England - Appointment of Principal of Moore College Bishop of North Queensland-Marriage of Bishop of SydneyReturn to Sydney-Session of Diocesan Synod, 1878-Religious Instruction in Public Schools - Provincial Synod - Arrival of Bishop of North Queensland-Session of Diocesan Synod, 1879Primary Education, Bishop's Views-Resolutions of Provincial Synod, 1879-New Public Education Act.

mencement.

THREE months before the occurrence of the sad event mentioned in the last chapter, the Bishop had notified to the clergy his intention to hold a Confirmation throughout the diocese during the year 1876, and he had fixed April the 24th for its comThis arrangement was carefully adhered to, and in accordance with his usual practice, Sydney and the suburbs were taken first, then the County of Cumberland, and the more distant parts of the diocese later in the year. In the months of April and May confirmations were held in forty-one parishes, and thirteen hundred and ten persons confirmed.

In the month of June the annual session of the Diocesan Synod was held, and several important matters were dealt with, upon which with the Standing Committee he had bestowed considerable attention. One of these, the Presentation Ordinance, has been already mentioned. Another was an ordinance for providing pensions for superannuated clergymen. This was passed after very full discussion, and having received his assent as president, became a law of the diocese. Under the provisions of this ordinance, a fund was commenced shortly after, which has since been largely augmented by the donations of the laity, and promises at no distant period to be sufficient to supply subscribing clergymen upon their retirement from active service. with pensions, varying in amount according to the periods during which they have been subscribers.

The time had now arrived when the Bishop felt that another and more strenuous and a final effort should be made to accomplish the formation of the See of North Queensland. With a view to bring this about, he resolved to pay a visit to each of the principal towns of that district, and by observation and conference with the residents in them to ascertain their actual condition, their spiritual wants, and their wishes in regard to the bishopric. This purpose he carried into effect in the months of July and August. Leaving Sydney on July the 4th, accompanied by the Rev. Stanley Howard as his chaplain, he arrived at Brisbane on the 6th, hoping there to find Bishop Hale and to confer with him before he proceeded to the north. The bishop was, however, absent on a long journey, from which

VISIT TO NORTH QUEENSLAND.

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he was not expected to return for some time, and, therefore, after a day's detention, the Bishop of Sydney set out for the northern ports in one of the coasting steamers.

It is

The first place reached was Bowen, a small town with about one thousand inhabitants. described in the Bishop's journal as beautifully situated, having a semicircular beach with fine sand, the houses built upon the shore, ranges of hills of various forms, distant mountains, and a fine open bay. Here he landed, and was gladly welcomed by the clergyman and his people. A notice was soon circulated through the town that Divine service would be celebrated that evening, and at the hour notified a good congregation had assembled. The next morning a Confirmation was held, when a number of young persons, who had been under careful preparation by the clergyman, received the imposition of hands. In the evening a second service was held, at which the Bishop again preached, and after the service a public meeting, at which he laid before the people his views regarding the projected bishopric. These views met with hearty approval, and a committee was formed to take steps towards raising the necessary endowment.

After being detained by the weather for some days, he proceeded on July the 17th to Ravenswood, the next settlement in his route, visiting Inkerman by the way. At Ravenswood he preached, consecrated the Church of England portion of the public cemetery, and held a public meeting on matters of local Church interest. After replying to an address