It was computed that, in 1700, there were in the Province about 5500 persons, beside Indians and Negroes. But there was only one Clergyman of the Church of England settled out of CharlesTown. The Rev. William Corbin officiated among the settlements on Goose-Creek. The rapid increase of population in the American Colonies, soon required more Clergymen and Schoolmasters, than Colonial means could either provide or maintain. Fortunately, the want of religious instruction in the Colonies, excited the solicitude of many pious and eminent persons in England. They reflected that, as they enjoyed the word and the ordinances of God in the pure spirit of the gospel, it was their duty, as christians, to supply their destitute brethren in the Colonies, with the same means of salvation, and to provide for the instruction of the Indians in the doctrines of the Redeemer. Among the most zealous of these was the Most Rev. Thomas Tennison, D. D. Archbishop of Canterbury. Through his influence and exertions, and at the instance of The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, a Society was established for the religious instruction of the poor and needy in Christ, and for giving a christian education to the children of the Colonists.* It was Incorporated by WILLIAM III, on the 16th June, 1701, by the name of THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS, and was especially charged with the religious instruction of the British Colonies in America, and

"This truly was an action suitable to Archbishop Tennison's public spirit and honest zeal for the Protestant Religion, and exceedingly becoming his high station and authority in the Church. The American Colonies sure, can never without the greatest veneration and gratitude remember him, when they shall many ages hereafter, feel the happy effects of having the Christian Religion planted among them, and reflect, how hearty and forward Archbishop Tennison appeared, to obtain that Charter which gave life and authority to so glorious an undertaking: Nay, that his zeal and spirit did not rest here; he continued to promote and guide by his wise counsels, the affairs of the Society; he paid them an annual bounty of fifty pounds during his life, and at his death bequeathed them a thousand pounds towards the maintenance of the first Bishop that should be settled in America." Humphrey's Acc. of Sv. for Prop. Gos. in Foreign Parts, 13,

the West-Indies, while The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge provided for the spiritual wants of England, and other parts of the British Empire.

The King's reasons for granting the Charter are thus expressed in that Instrument:

"I. Whereas we are credibly informed, that in many of our Plantations, Colonies and Factories beyond the Seas, belonging to Our Kingdom of England, the provision for Ministers is very mean, and many others of our said Plantations, Colonies and Factories, are wholly Destitute and Unprovided of a Maintenance for Ministers, and the Public Worship of God; and for lack of Support and Maintenance for such, many of our Loving Subjects do want the Administration of God's Word and Sacraments, and seem to be abandoned to Atheism and Infidelity; and also for want of Learned and Orthodox Ministers to instruct our said Loving Subjects in the Principles of True Religion, divers Romish Priests and Jesuits are the more encouraged to pervert and draw over Our said Loving Subjects to Popish Superstition and Idolatry.

"II. And Whereas We think it our duty, as much as in Us lies, to promote the Glory of God, by the Instruction of Our People in the Christian Religion : and that it will be highly conducive for accomplishing those Ends, that a sufficient Maintenance be provided for an Orthodox Clergy to live amongst them, and that such other Provision be made as may be necessary for the Propagation of the Gospel in those Parts.

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III. And Whereas We have been well assured, That if We would be graciously pleased to erect and settle a Corporation for the receiving, managing and disposing of the Charity of our Loving Subjects, divers persons would be induced to extend their charity to the Uses and Purposes aforesaid," &c.*

*The price of land in Carolina was thus fixed by the Lords Proprietors, in 1702: for a thousand acres near the settlements, not less than £20 sterling. For the same quantity 200 miles distant, or near the mountains, not less than £10

It appears that, Irreligion and Skepticism were gaining ground in the Province, at this early period. The General Assembly, finding that they called for legislation, passed an Act, May 6,1703, "for the more effectual suppressing of Blasphemy and Profaneness." Problably, however, the state of opinions in England was another cause of this act. A similar law was passed by the British Parliament, to counteract the influence of the books industriously circulated by the Socinians. This circumstance gave rise to many severe controversies, in which South, Sherlock and others, were engaged.* In 1694, a Socinian pamphlet was burnt by order of Parliament, by the common hangman, and on the 24th Feb. 1697, the King issued "A Proclamation for preventing immorality and profaneness." The following is taken from the Act of Assembly:

"Whereas some persons have of late years, openly avowed and published many blasphemous and impious opinions, contrary to the doctrines and principles of the Christian Religion, greatly tending to the dishonour of Almighty God, and may prove destructive to the peace and welfare of this Province: Wherefore, for the more effectual suppressing of the said detestable crimes, Be it enacted," &c. "That if any person or persons, having been educated in, or at any time having made profession of, the Christian Religion within this Province, shall, by writing, printing, teaching, or advised speaking, deny any one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity to be God, or shall assert or maintain there are more Gods than one, or shall deny the Christian Religion to be true, or the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be of Divine Authority, and shall, upon Indictment or Information in any of the Courts of Record within this part of the Province, be

sterling, and twelve pence a year Quit-rent for every hundred acres. Lands might be leased, in quantities not above 500 acres, on condition of being settled in 4 years, at a Quit-rent of a penny an acre. Lords Proprietors Instructions to Sir Nath. Johnson, Gov. June 18, 1702.

*See Burnet s His. of his own Time, iv. 308-313, 12mo. Ed G

thereof lawfully convicted, by the oath of two or more credible witnesses, such Person or Persons for the first offence, shall be adjudged incapable and disabled in Law, to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever, to have or enjoy any office or offices, be Member of the Assembly, or have or enjoy any Employment or Employments, Ecclesiastical, Civil or Military, or any part in them, or any Profit or Advantage appertaining to them, or any of them; and if any Person or Persons so convicted as aforesaid, shall at the Time of his or their Conviction, enjoy or possess any Office, Place of Trust, or Employment, such Office, Place of Trust or Employment shall be void, and is hereby declared void: And if such Person or Persons shall be a second Time lawfully convicted as aforesaid, of all, or any of the aforesaid Crimes, that then he or they shall from thenceforth be disabled to sue, prosecute, plead or use any action or information in any Court of Law or Equity, or to be Guardian of any Child, or Executor or Administrator of any Person, or capable of any Legacy or Deed of Gift, or bear any Office, Civil or Military, or Benefice Ecclesiastical, or be capable of being Member of Assembly for ever within this Part of the Province and shall also suffer imprisonment for the space of three years without Bail or Mainprize, from the Time of such Conviction.'

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts had resolved not to obtrude the Episcopal Service upon the Colonists against their wishes. They did not, therefore, appoint Missionaries, until applications were made by the Colonists, for Ministers of the Church of England; nor until they were assured, that adequate means would be provided for their comfort and support. As soon as the formation of the Society was known, applications for Missionaries were received from various parts of America. It became then their duty, to send Episcopal Clergymen to the Colonies. They felt an awful responsibility resting upon

them. Learning, diligence, piety, zeal and discretion were deemed indispensable qualifications in their Missionaries. They determined, therefore, that none should be employed unless they produced satisfactory testimonials of their " temper and prudence, their learning and sober conversation, their zeal for the Christian Religion, their affection to the Government, and conformity to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England." And, as an additional security, these testimonials were to be signed by their respective Diocesans. The following extracts from their Instructions to the Missionaries, Catechists, and Schoolmasters, show the pious and benevolent views of the Society, and the doctrine of the Episcopal Church:

EXTRACTS

FROM THE

" INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLERGY EMPLOYED BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN

FOREIGN PARTS."

"That they always keep in view the great design of their undertaking, viz: To promote the Glory of Almighty God, and the Salvation of Men, by propagat ing the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour.

"That they often consider the qualifications requisite for those who would effectually promote this design, viz. A sound knowledge and hearty belief of the Christian Religion; an Apostolical Zeal, tempered with Prudence, Humility, Meekness and Patience; a fervent Charity towards the Souls of Men; and finally, that Temperance, Fortitude and Constancy, which become good Soldiers of Jesus Christ.

"That in order to the obtaining and preserving the said Qualifications, they do very frequently in their Retirements offer up fervent Prayers to Almighty God for his Direction and Assistance; converse much with the Holy Scriptures; seriously reflect upon their Or