The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-03-08

Shropshire, England, and graduate OF
the University Of Oxford, and in De-
cember. 1896, look the Degree of Bach
elor and Doctor Of Divinity at that
college. In December, 1886, he sailed
from the Downs and so strictly had he
obeyed the Divine Command carry
neither purse or script" that he was
Obliged to sell his household goods,
and obtain money upon mortgage for
his voyage The salary Of e40O sterling
promised him as a coinmissary was
not paid, and he had exhausted his
private means.
The earnest and eloquent words Of
DR.. Bray touched every heart George
Keith's letter deeply moved these men
with pity for their brethren In Amer
lea. 1t was the subject OF much and
anxious discussion at the early meet
ings Of the Society, how they could
best accomplish the object for which
they had been incorporated. A
general knowledge Of the needs Of the
Colonies was insufficient; there must
be particular and definite information
Of every place where the services
could be best maintained with any
prospect Of growth and pernanence.
Col. Morris and GOV. Dudley could
speak in general of the appalling spir-
itual restitution, but they had no
personal knowledge Of the exact spir-
itual condition of every settlement on
the whole Atlantic coast. This would
require the services of q man who could
go from town to town, bearing the
commission of Priest in the Church
of God, and having loving sympathy
for the souls of men. The writer Of
the letter just referred to, the Rev.
George Keith. was a man particularly
fitted for this mission; and he. was ap-
pointed the first missionary from the
newly organized Society to the Amer
lean Colonies.
An important step toward the or
gauization Of the American church was
taken when In November. 1702, the
seven clergymen of the Middle Col
onies met in the City of New York AT
the instance and charge of his Ex-
cellencyy Col. Nicholson. GOVERNOR
Of Virginia. In words that has be-
come classic in the missionary annals
of England, John Talbot thus de-
cribes this first general Convention Of
churchmen;
Eve were but seven in all, and q
kstogether we sat, considering OF
ways and means to propagate the
Gospel, and to that end we have
drawn up a scheme of the present
state of the Church in these Provinces.
We have a great need of a Bishop
here to visit all the churches. to or
dain some, to confirm others and bless
all We pray for my good Lord of
London, we cannot have better than
be whilst he lives; therefore In the
meantime we viii be very we'll con
tent with suffragan
These were the strong words Of q
strong man, one who believed and
wished others to believe in the adapta-
ton Of the church of England, with
it's doctrines, discipline and worship,
to the religious needs of the American
Colonies. They expressed the honest
conviction of a man well fitted for the
special work he had to do.
EARLY MISSIONARY BOOKS
The books he asked to be sent to
the Colonies were then recently pub
lished. They included Bishop Ken's
Exposition Of the Catechism, and 9th
ers.
are owned by the Editor of THE IN
QUIRER, they are,
The Great Duty of Frequenting the
Christian Sacrifice 18th EDITION. Lon
don, 1928. The first edition appear
ing in 1905 This copy has the game
of William White 1882 written In it
and on cover is Sophia F. t. (indis-
tinctl nee White.
This book was compiled by Robert
Nelson from the most ancient records.
Church CatechisIn Explained,
Collected by John Lewis. 10Th edition
London 1744 The Epistle Dedicatory
reads, To the Right Reverend and
Honorable the Lords and Others,
Members of the Society Cat Londonl.
for Promoting Christian knowledge
This book is also said TO have at one
time belonged to the Whit" family of
Monmouth County. There was no
cover on this book when purchased,
but otherwise it is perfect and the
Introduction from DR.. Comberp is
in heavy black type.
We also have Bishop Ken's Expo
siton of the Catechism. London. l706.
Continued Next Week.