MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,--

Nearly two thousand years ago the first Bishop who was permitted to celebrate his Episcopal Jubilee used to be borne into his Cathedral Church at Ephesus--when he had reached the age of one hundred years--and his Text and his Sermon every Sunday was:

"Little Children, love one another!"

After sixty generations we are called upon to proclaim the Episcopal Jubilee of the Bishop of Guiana, whose life-long Sermon has been:

"Little Children, love one another!"

It is the fact that in celebrating our Bishop's Jubilee, we are celebrating, not merely a local event of exceptional interest, nor one merely which concerns this West Indian Diocese and Province, but an event in the history of the great Christian Church throughout the world.

[6] Those who have made this subject a special and life-long study, tell us that, in the celebration of our Bishop's Jubilee, we are celebrating the historical fact that the Primate of the West Indies is the sixth Bishop who has reigned so long from the days of the Apostle ST. JOHN, downwards, i.e., only one Episcopal Jubilee has been celebrated in every ten generations.

Let me read you a chapter out of the history of a Diocese so peculiarly placed in the Christian World as ours most undoubtedly is.

And first, let me ask: What man, setting himself to write the record of his own times, can safely count on making his record one of things only, rather than of men; of thoughts even, rather than of old familiar faces?

What man, again, who, in the almost autumn of his life, sits down to think of old times and old things, does not find himself often forced away from the remembrance of the dead past by the gentle impulse of what, to him, are loving spirits?

Surely the dry bones of half-forgotten memories will arise and knit themselves together: and, stirred by the breath of sympathy--beyond the reach of which, surely, there cannot be any region, either in this world or the next--the forms of the dim past, long gone by, take heart of grace, and move, and pass, and speak before him. He becomes once again a friend among [6/7] friends, rather than the cool and impartial detailer of facts.

And this is certainly true of the epoch concerning which we would now speak. For the history of this Diocese is almost the life-history of a single man. When that life-history ceases, it will be time to write history in the proper sense of the term. But, meanwhile, let us give a brief sketch of one whom it is quite impossible to omit, if we are to have history at all.

Born of one of the oldest and most respected families in the West Indies on his father's side, and on his mother's of gentle Irish blood, with interests and sympathies essentially colonial, our Bishop stands out as the epoch-making man of his period, while a liberal education, exceptional social advantages, the athletic training in his " College Eight "--and above all, the special training made necessary by his early appointment to his high office, in the peculiar and graceful virtues of tact, moderation, and what, for want of a name, may be termed, courtliness, have added to these sympathies, so truly colonial, the powers and supports which their very colonialism might seem to make them lack.

His is a life which may more wisely be judged by its results than by the separate features which go to form it.

His name, even among the Chief Pastors of the [7/8] Church, will be always remembered for this: that he has always been the Father of his people--has always preached, by precept and example:

"Little Children, love one another!"

And the results of his work are the best commentary on its character. But they are results so noiselessly obtained, that the careless thinker might be half inclined, perhaps, to pass them by, as happy accidents.

Some of the stones, no doubt, were ready marked out, and cut, and polished by the Great Architect and Artificer, for the workman who has so calmly and quietly done the task ready to his hand.

Here, at least is no sound of battle, nor any bitter strife of tongues, nor schism impatient of control, nor great political struggle.

It is a picture almost uninteresting from its very sameness. It is the history of natural developments, rather than of rapid changes.

On the 24th of July, 1824, Dr. WILLIAM HART COLERIDGE was named and appointed Bishop of Barbados and the Leeward Islands; and the next day was consecrated at Lambeth by CHARLES, Archbishop of Canterbury; WILLIAM, Bishop of London; GEORGE, Bishop of Lincoln; and CHARLES JAMES, Bishop of Chester, assisting.

Dr. COLERIDGE was a man of mark, having taken his double first, (Classics and Mathematics, [89] the two Honour Schools of the day) in 1811.

He was accompanied to Barbados by Archdeacon ELLIOTT, (Sub-Rector and Tutor of Exeter College, Oxford), and by Archdeacon PARRY, who was Fellow and Tutor of Balliol College, Oxford, until he left for a College living.

On the 11th May, 1826, the Colonies and Settlements of Demerara, Essequebo, and Berbice, and their dependencies, were annexed to the See of Barbados during His Majesty's pleasure, and "until he shall think fit to revoke the same, and to make other dispositions therein."

The Rev. T. H. FINDER, M.A., was Commissary for the Bishop of Barbados, but returned to Barbados after six months' residence, having been sent to this Colony without special care that he should be well received, and proper provision made for his office. Mr. PINDER became soon afterwards the first Principal of the Theological College, at Wells, and afterwards Prebendary of Wells Cathedral.

It is a singular circumstance that Prebendary FINDER preached the sermon in Wells Cathedral at the Ordination held by the Bishop of Guiana for the Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1854, when Mr. TueKER (now Prebendary TUCKER), the energetic Secretary of the S.P.G., was amongst those presented.

At the date of the annexation, 1826, there were, [9/10] in Demerara, four Clergymen; in Essequebo, two; and, in Berbice, one.

From the year 1796, there had been only one Colonial Chaplain, the Rev. MACMAHON, for the three Colonies. But in 1820, there was an additional Chaplain appointed for the Colony of Berbice, the Rev. RICHARD AUSTIN, of Klien Hoop, Surinam.

The Clergy up to 1826, were all nominally in the Diocese of London, and, as may be easily imagined, the control over them was of the very slightest description.

No confirmations could be held, and the Church was simply the Church of the white inhabitants, the slaves not being allowed to receive religious instruction.

Soon after the foundation of the Bishopric of Barbados came that great event in the history of the British West Indies--the abolition of slavery--and with it the whole of the black and coloured population became, nominally at least, Christians.

At this particular juncture appeared on the scene one who has had more to do with moulding and guiding the destinies of the almost Pentecostal nationalities of those under his spiritual sway, than any other human being.

There was something very providential in the movements of the future Bishop of this colony. The first visit was not even contemplated. For a curacy in Gloucester had been accepted, and was [10/11] held by a relation until after Ordination. The sudden death of Bishop BETHEL, and the deferring of Ordinations by Bishop BETHEL'S successor, together with the earnest persuasions of the Incumbent of St. George's, Demerara, (Mr. LUGAR), besides urgent family reasons, persuaded the future Primate to go as Curate of St. George's, at that time the only Church of England place of worship in this Town and Parish.

To the West, therefore, he bent his way, with his wife, early in 1831.

He was on the point of being admitted to the diaconate, in Barbados, when the hurricane burst upon the Island, and he was, for a time, in considerable danger of life. As soon as possible, after the hurricane, he was admitted to the diaconate, by Bishop COLERIDGE, in the Cathedral of St. Michael, at that time used as a hospital for the sick and wounded. He then returned to Georgetown, and took his post as Curate, only, however, to leave it after a brief residence.

It was important that his mother and himself should meet, and through some miscarriage of a letter they actually crossed each other on the high seas, the mother coming to this colony, the future Bishop going to England. The contretemps obliged the traveller to retrace his steps to Demerara. But other reasons compelled him to bend his steps homeward again, and, after a little [11/12] time, he settled down to a curacy in Somersetshire, and was admitted to the priesthood by Bishop LAW, of Bath-and-Wells, in 1833.

In 1835, such are the uncertainties of life, he was in Demerara again, but with no intention of taking a permanent cure, but to give whatever assistance he could as a volunteer. His parochial charge was St. George's, taking the entire charge for Mr. LUGAR, whose health was so entirely broken down that he was forced to give up his cure.

In his charge of 1884, the Bishop alludes to this period of his life:

"I can remember when I stood alone in this Town as the representative, ministerially, of the Church of England. I had hardly arrived in this Colony, with no intention of making it, as it has been, my home, when the Incumbent of the Church of St. George was laid low with a severe illness, and, at the request of the Governor of the Colony, I went to his relief in order that he might seek, for a time, a change of climate. The Church, as it then stood, held, I suppose, between three or four hundred people. Since that period the population of this Town, with its rural additions, has increased about three-fold, and we have now accommodation in seven places of Worship for about four thousand five hundred persons; and I have reasonable hope that an eighth will soon be erected in a newly created district."

[13] In 1836, Bishop COLERIDGE made Essequebo a Rural Deanery, with Mr. AUSTIN as Rural Dean; an office mainly created at the time to connect him with the Diocese, as he had declined parochial preferment, though he undertook the entire charge of the Parish of St. John, Essequebo, for six months, for the Rev. W. AUSTIN--" the old Dean" as he was in late years styled, who was absent from his Parish Church only one Christmas Day in 57 years' service.

In 1837, Mr. AUSTIN was appointed Ecclesiastical Commissary for Guiana; and in 1838, Archdeacon of Guiana, by Letters Patent.

&t this date the number of churches and clergy were, in Demerara, respectively 12 and 8; in Essequebo, 14, and 6; and, in Berbice, 8 and 4; i.e., say, 18 clergymen, and 34 churches and chapels, in the colony.

In 1842, Bishop COLERIDGE resigned after fifteen years' hard work, as a pioneer Bishop in the West Indies. He was succeeded in Barbados by Archdeacon PARR; while the two new Sees were created:--Antigua to which Archdeacon DAVIS was appointed, and Guiana to which was appointed Archdeacon AUSTIN.

Bishop AUSTIN was born November 7th, 1807, and was not 35 years old when consecrated, on St. Bartholomew's Day, 1842, He was born at Stone, in Staffordshire in an inn, where his [13/14] father and mother were on their travels from Scotland to the West of England; and, ever since, his life has been one of almost incessant motion.

The first charge of the new Bishop was delivered in April, 1843.

Such is the brief summary of events which preceded and directly followed the consecration of the present Bishop of Guiana.

Limited as we necessarily are to time, it will be impossible to do much more than draw up an analysis of those events in the history of this Diocese, which bring out some aspects of the life-story of the man who stands foremost in it, however briefly we may relate them. And first let me give you a bird's eye view of the Diocese in 1843, and now.

(1.) In 1842, there were 69 day schools, with 3,623 scholars. Now there are 70 schools under Government inspection, with 10,276 scholars. And there are, in addition, some 30 private and mission schools with 4,718 scholars. In all, 100 schools, and 15,000 scholars. I am sorry I am unable to say anything about Sunday schools, as the Synod returns are useless here.

(2.) In 1842, there were 5,131 Communicants. Now there are 15,084 Communicants.

(3.) The number of Clergy in 1842 was 18. It is now 41. And I need not add, far too small for [14/15] the increased and increasing Church population in our midst.

(4.) The number of Clergymen who have died in harness since 1842 is 57. The number who have left the Diocese since that date is 105.

(5.) There are resident in the Diocese five Clergymen who have served it for 37 years and upwards: and there are five more, not long gone, now working at home, who served the Diocese for upwards of 30 years. Not a bad record of tropical longevity, nor a bad answer to those who speak evil of our Colony.

(6.) Since 1842, the Bishop has brought into the Colony some $12,000,000--to say nothing of the amount raised in it, during the Episcopate now entering upon its Jubilee--and all--for the moral, mental, physical, and religious education of his spiritual children.

(7.) Since 1842, the then embryo Mission to the Aboriginal Indians, begun by the Rector of Holy Trinity, DUKE, and extended by BERNAU, T. YOUD, and that Prince of Missionaries, WILLIAM HENRY BRETT, to say nothing of the labours of the AUSTINS, of DUFFRIN, of Canon HEARD, of the brothers QUICK, of GEORGE W. MATTIIEWS, and others, has grown and spread until now we have a chain of such Missions extending from the upper Corentyne to the far North West, and from this City to the Brazilian frontier.

[16] Then, there is the East Indian Mission, with its first fruits of ordination, and its Bel Air Training College­and lastly there is that most interesting and most primitive body of Christians--the Chinese--whose liberality is of the type of the "Acts of the Apostles," not of that which costs them nothing, not grudgingly and of necessity, but "exceedingly magnifical"--as believing their creed, and as shewing their faith by their works.

And if we glance at the more general Diocesan work, we have ready to our hand the Bishop's charges, delivered during his long Episcopate, and obviously of great historical value and personal interest. For they all bear the same stamp, and are impressed with the same calm personality. They are almost invariably words for peace, always words for truth, and never, by any means, Articles of War. There is the same calm dignity and natural quiet gracefulness of literary style in all, reflecting in every line the great characteristic of the man who wrote them. In all there is perfect peace of mind, and heart; a perfect, all-pervading trust in the power of Gob to watch, unaided, over His Church: a patience and self-control, which may seem strange to men of hotter blood, in these restless times; but which has been doubtless the secret of a life's success, and an instrument from the manifest reflection therein contained of the holiness and restfulness of the [16/17] Christ, surely most pleasing to GOD, Who has used in it His great work for this Colony and Diocese.

We think that if we were bidden to give in one word, the key-note of the Bishop's life, that keynote might be given in the word, Fatherhood.

With him it has been, if we may say so, a striking of the key-note of one side of Divine Truth, and that the greatest, caught by his willing ear, and made to tune all the music of his peaceful life.

It is a characteristic, not even confined to those under his immediate charge and protection. It is Catholic in aim and intention. It breaks out in all dealings with the erring, and the weak, and the sinful. Rebuke there is, sometimes stern rebuke, coming from a soul so essentially gentle; but rebuke never so far as we have read or heard, ever going beyond the border land of Christian love. "Very dear," he says in one of his charges, speaking of the great sorrow of his Episcopal life--the withdrawal from the ministry of one of the best beloved of his chaplains--"very dear, and, I believe, justly dear to me was he; and you will therefore give me credit, when I assure you that in no bitterness of spirit shall I offer any remarks."--And, after speaking with all the earnestness of one who labours to restrain a feeling, almost overpowering, against the sinfulness, as he regards it, of the offence committed, there breaks out from him:

[18] "But we cannot err, in the meantime, in praying for him who was once our brother, praying that he may yet be saved: and the prayer of faith may be permitted to save him, who is sick with a spiritual malady, and the Lord be pleased to raise him up."

We do not know which is the most conspicuous feature in the picture, the true friend, the true father of souls, or the true spiritual director. It is not easy, after all, nor wise, to separate into three parts what is really one indivisible whole.

Roughly speaking, we suppose there may be said to be two distinct methods of missionary work, the perfect combination of which would go to form the Ideal Missionary, but which are generally found separated in degrees, greater or less, from each other.

The first is, as it were, a working from below upwards, consisting in a wide-spread external policy, itself comprised of well-considered measures for the well-being of the Church, as a body and a whole.

The other may be termed a working from above downwards, and consists for the most part, in the gradual uprising of the Missionary edifice, by the quiet and systematic introduction of internal reforms and of internal progress.

The first is the method most congenial to the mind, in bent, political. It is the method naturally [18/19] to be pursued in large and powerful communities, rather than in communities struggling and obscure.

The second is the not less valuable method of the mind imbued with a sense of the necessity of practical measures for the obtaining of abiding reforms.

The method of our Bishop would seem to have been of the nature of the second, rather than the first, though it by no means follows that that method is ever lost sight of. It is merely subordinated to the more practical and obvious methods of statesmanship.

Such practical methods are clearly seen in the charges to which we have already alluded.

It is difficult, for instance, for us at the present day, to estimate the real importance of the oft-repeated injunction with regard to the vital importance of the weekly Offertory. But it was a doctrine very much in advance of the time, and one that proved an untold blessing to the Diocese.

The absolute necessity of weekly celebrations of the Holy Communion, and the administration of Holy Baptism in the presence of the congregation are, again and again lovingly enforced; and more than one charge deals simply and clearly with the doctrine and ritual of the Church. For the Bishop's position has always been that of a sound Churchman, holding fast the Catholic [19/20] Faith in its entirety, though it is perhaps hardly necessary to say that his Catholicity has always been that of a loyal member of the Church of England.

A mind and temperament such as his could not be controversial if it tried, and it is easy to see the almost relief with which the writer of the Charges turns from anything resembling controversy to the more practical and peaceful matters of clerical life.

Chief among the many words of practical wisdom are those on education; they deserve more generous treatment than time permits me to give to them. But they are well known to all in this Diocese; their value for the present day having been depreciated only in this, as the penalty of their own success become common property. But they were practically pioneer opinions, fifty years ago.

This is the thought, we think, that will come most naturally to those who try to estimate, at its true value, the work of such men as Bishop AUSTIN. It is the thought at least to be impressed on the minds of those, whosoever they may be, who are earnest critics of the dead past, rather than zealous workers in the living present:

"O God, we have heard with our ears and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that Thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them."

[21] A few words more, and our chapter from diocesan history is ended.

This morning, before 8 o'clock, a telegram was received by our Bishop from that alterius orbis papa, as pope Urban II styled the Archbishop of Canterbury, that Princeps Episcoporum Angliae, Pontifex Summus, Patriarcha Primus:

A message of two words only, but from such a source, a message most voluminous:

FELICITATES

CANTUAR.

And what more can we add to this blessing of the Patriarch of the English Church except,--Amen!

At the ripe age of eighty-two the Bishop started on a visitation tour to the distant Potaro, and other Missions, a journey of eighty-one days in the very midst of the primeval forests, and over the downward rushing waters which have proved fatal to so many lives: a journey that taxes the strength and endurance of much younger and stronger men. And during the present year, his eighty-fourth, the travelling on visitation is incessant.

The time must come when these journeys will be no longer possible. But meanwhile, we may thank God for His protection to our Chief Guide and Pastor.

As the years draw onwards to the end, and the [21/22] shadows lengthen towards the mysteries of dim night, who can guess the thought of such a man as this? What depths of hope, and holy fear, and joy, and chastened sorrow, are in that past! What a life-story is here, if it could be ever really told, if it could be ever really known!

God grant to our Bishop in his declining years the peace that passeth knowledge, and the happiness that grows more real, more radiant, as the traveller hastens to the brightness of the other shore, and, when, at last, that shore is won, O just and faithful Knight of God,--The Beatific Vision.

APPENDIX A. TABLE OF DATES.

Important in Colonial and Diocesan History.

1745. Demerara constituted a Colony.

1773. Demerara obtains separate Court of Policy, and Court of Justice. Thus obtaining legal rights with Essequebo.

1796. Three Colonies of Demerara, Essequebo and Berbice, taken by the British.

1802. Colonies re-taken by the Dutch.

1803. Colonies finally ceded to the British. (Germ of future Church of England. Services held in the old Court House by Garrison Chaplain.)

1807. Birth of Bishop AUSTIN (November 7th.) 1809. First Church of St. George built.

1824--1825. Bishoprics of Barbados and Jamaica founded. Arrival of the Rev. T. LUGAR, and Rev. Mr. NURSE.

1826. Demerara, Essequebo, and Berbice, appended to Diocese of Barbados.

1831. W. P. AUSTIN, M.A., ordained deacon in S. Michael's Cathedral, Barbados. Three Colonies of Demerara, Essequebo, and Berbice, united into one. Demerara and Essequebo (not Berbice) divided into (twelve) parishes.

1836. Berbice divided into six parishes. W. P. AUSTIN, M.A., Rural Dean of Essequebo.

1837. W. P. AUSTIN, M.A., appointed Ecclesiastical Commissary of Guiana.

1838. W. P. AUSTIN, M.A., appointed Archdeacon of British Guiana, by Letters Patent; foundation stone of Cathedral Church laid.

1842. Bishopric of Guiana created by Letters Patent.

(a). Archdeaconry of Demerara and Essequebo,

(b). and Archdeacorry of Berbice, are made parts of the See. Cathedral Church completed.

1873. Act legalizing the Diocesan Synod.

1882. Great Meeting at Kingston House to present Addresses to the Bishop, in English, Chinese and Hindi, in commemoration of his forty years' Episcopate.

1891. Bishop's Episcopal Jubilee ushered in throughout the diocese with special Celebrations of the Holy Communion--August 24th--(F. of St. Bartholomew.)

APPENDIX--B.

BISHOP AUSTIN'S JUBILEE.

SPECIAL SERVICES.

Monday last being the Feast of ST. BARTHOLOMEW and the commencement of his Lordship the Bishop's Jubilee year, special services were held in the Pro-Cathedral. There was a very large attendance, nearly 300 communicants being present. Among those who took part in the service were His Lordship the Bishop, Ven. Archdeacon FARRAR, Very Rev. Dean MAY, Canons MOULDER and SMITH, Rev. Messrs. H. GAINER, J. GREATHEAD, E. POCKNELL, and W. H. NASH.

Had the day not been so inclement the clergymen would have been much greater. The services throughout were most fitting for the occasion, the musical portion being from the Union Service by the Rev. W. H. Ness.

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS.

Upon the conclusion of the service His Lordship the Bishop was presented by Archdeacon FARRAR, with an address in the vestry of the Cathedral. It is as follows:

Diocese of Guiana,

St. Bartholomew's Day, 1891.

To The Most Reverend WILLIAM PIERCY AUSTIN, D.D. Oxon. and Dunelm, LL.D. Cantab, Lord Bishop of Guiana, and Primate of the West Indies.

May it please Your Lordship,

It is with no ordinary feelings that we, Your Lordship's Clergy, venture to address you on this occasion, a day which ushers in the fiftieth year of Your Lordship's Episcopate of the Diocese of Guiana.

It is an event almost unique in the annals of Christendom, and altogether unprecedented in the history of the Colonial Episcopate. For well-nigh half a century Your Lordship has lovingly and wisely guided the destinies of the Church in this Diocese, devoting yourself unremittingly and unsparingly to its welfare, both by anxious and earnest watchfulness and council, and by incessant personal labours in all the varied work of your high office.

Most of us have received the grace of Ordination at Your Lordship's hands; some of us have been privileged to labour under you for many years; and it is with great pleasure and thankfulness that we all now unite in offering our affectionate [iv/v] greeting, and hearty congratulations to Your Lordship, as our reverend and beloved Bishop, upon the commencement of the Jubilee of your eventful and honoured Episcopate, which finds you in the 84th year of your age, blessed with the enjoyment of unimpaired mental and physical vigour, and in the exalted position of the Primate of the West Indies, and the "Nestor of the Bishops of the Anglican Church."

May the Loving Father of all, who has brought Your Lordship thus far on life's journey, bless and brighten your declining years until they end, in His own good time, in the dawn of that brighter and higher life which shall be hereafter.

We are,

Your Lordship's faithful and affectionate Servants,

WALTER G. ANDREWS, Principal of E. I. Training Institution.

H. T. S. CASTELL, Incumbent of St. Philip's and Canon.

F. W. T. ELLIOTT, Curate of St. Augustine's, E.C.

THOS. FARRAR, B.D., Rector of All Saints', Archdeacon of Demerara, &c.

WALTER FARRAR, M.A., Oxon., Chap. H.M.P.S.

HARRY GAINER, Curate in charge of St. Mary's, Beterverwagting.

JOHN GREATHEAD, Incumbent, St. Simon's and St. Jude's.

[vi] ARTHUR GWYTHER, M.A., Rector of Holy Trinity.

WALTER HEARD, Rural Dean, Rector of St. John's, Canon, and Chaplain to the Bishop.

JOHN HIGHWOOD, B.A., acting Curate of St. Stephen's.

F. P. L. JOSA, Incumbent of Christ Church.

J. KEELAN, Missionary, Upper Essequebo.

S. MANNING, Licensed Preacher.

B. MASIH DAH, Asst. Missionary to E. Indians.

G. W. MATTHEWS, Missionary, Pomeroon.

HENRY JOHN MAY, Rural Dean, Dean of (St. George's) Georgetown, Rector of St. George's.

J. R. MOORE, Curate, Upper Berbice River.

T. J. MOULDER, Rector, St. Swithin's, and Canon.

W. H. NASH, Asst. Curate, Pro-Cathedral. J. G. PEARSON, Curate, St. Patrick's, &c.

EDMUND POCKNELL, Curate, St. George's, and Registrar of the Diocese.

FREDERICK LOUIS QUICK, Curate All Saints, Berbice.

THOMAS EDWARD QUICK, Missionary, N. W. District.

GEORGE SALMON, M.A., Curate, in charge of St. Mark's, Enmore, and St. Andrew's, Cove and John.

C. B. SEIFFERTH, Rector of St. Peter's.

E. SLOMAN, M.A., Rector, St. Patrick's, Rural Dean,

DAVID SMITH, M.A., Rector of St. Matthew's [vi/vii] and Canon of Cathedral Church of St. George.

P. A. STEVENSON, Rector of St. Paul's.

F. WELCH, Incumbent of St. Margaret's and St. Mary's.

H. A. WESTROPP, B.A., Dub., Curate of St. Michael's.

W. J. WEST, Curate of Demerara River.

R. H. WILLIAMS, acting Rector of St. Peter's.

J. H. WILLIAMS, acting Curate, St. Paul's, Wakenaam.

R. WYLLIE, Curate of St. Bart's.

His Lordship in reply said:--My dear brethren no words to which I can give utterance can convey what I feel at this moment at receiving the affectionate address which you have placed in my hands. Permit me then to confine myself to an expression of grateful thankfulness in being told by those amongst whom I have lived for these many years, and with whom I have always considered it to be a privilege to be associated as a fellow labourer, that I occupy so warm a place in your hearts. This present token of your loving regard will be treasured to my latest hour amongst the memories of life. That GOD will continue to pour His blessing upon each and all of you, and upon the work done in His Name, and to keep you under His sheltering Arms is my prayer, now, and always will be.

APPENDIX--C.

BISHOP AUSTIN'S JUBILEE.

We publish to-day the address delivered by Archdeacon FARRAR on the occasion of his Lordship the Bishop of Guiana entering upon the fiftieth year of his episcopate. The event, as he informs us, is almost unique in the history of the Church; and it is stated as a fact that Bishop AUSTIN is only the sixth Bishop who has reigned so long since the days of the Apostle ST. JOHN. Thus there has been only one episcopal jubilee celebrated in ten generations; and it must be confessed that a proud privilege is conferred upon the sons of British Guiana in being able to point to the head of the Anglican Church as having lived to render service for a period of such unusual duration. Tall and erect, in full possession of his faculties, and distinguished by the noblest attributes of both cleric and gentleman, His Lordship the Bishop can only be regarded as the most remarkable man this colony has ever seen. [viii/ix] His life has been one of unceasing activity in the work of the Church; and time and again he has braved the dangers which have proved so fatal to the majority of those who have entered the little known regions of the interior. It is, perhaps, this hazardous missionary work performed by the Bishop which will appeal most strongly to those outside of the colony; but to those more directly connected with Dr. AUSTIN, he is allied by other and stronger ties. It has necessarily entailed an uphill fight to establish and increase the position of the Church in this colony; and all through, for fully fifty years, the, heat and burden of the day have fallen upon the Bishop. Unflinching has he performed his duty during this great length of time, always advising his ministers to take the paths of peace, and proving a friend to all with whom he has come in contact and the enemy of none. "Felicitates," with the signature "Cantuar," was the brief but happy greeting cabled across the ocean from the head of the Church in England. Indeed it is an occasion for felicitations; and every true heart in this country must wish that the Bishop may live to see adequate celebration of the completion of his jubilee.

To the foregoing we may fittingly add a few words of practical import. Bishop AUSTIN'S [ix/x] life, as we have said, has been one of unceasing activity and of stern resolve to perform in kindly fashion his own particular share of work. The Bishop of Guiana is, we believe, not only the oldest Prelate, but, with the exception of Dr. DURNFORD, the Bishop of Chichester, the oldest man amongst the many Bishops of the Church. Dr. DURNFORD is his senior by five years, but he was only appointed a Bishop in the year 1870. The other oldest English Bishop is the Hon. Dr. PELHAM, who was born in 1811, and promoted to the See of Norwich in 1857. All these may be said to be exceptional men; and that few retain their high offices for so long a period or at so great an age is apparent from the list of retirements for last year. These include the Bishop of Bangor, after serving for a period of 31 years; the Bishop of Worcester, 29 years; the Bishop of St. Albans, 23 years; the Bishop of Winchester, 17 years; and the Bishop of Mauritius, 18 years. It will thus be seen that long after the time when most ecclesiastical dignitaries seek retirement, the Bishop of Guiana continues to perform not only the duties of his office, but missionary labours which few other men could possibly undertake. To mark this very practical aspect of the interesting occasion it is only fitting that some commensurate memento should be raised by the people of the diocese. It is well known that the [x/xi] trophy is to take the form of a Cathedral. The edifice is already in course of building; and that it is much needed is proved by the immense gathering which overflowed the Pro-Cathedral on Monday night. At the very commencement of the Bishop's jubilee year there should not be the slightest doubt that the Cathedral will be completed at the appointed time. We are not aware that there is any misgiving on the point; but what we wish to suggest is that people throughout the colony--and others abroad whom these lines may reach--should put the Building Committee in a position altogether apart from anxiety. We need not point out the way in which this must be done. Happily there are connections of the colony, able, if they will, to secure the desired end unaided. But not only to such as these do we make the suggestion; we give the hint to all whom it should concern, both rich and poor, and especially to the clergy. It is upon the latter that the responsibility really rests.--Daily Chronicle, August 25th, 1891.

APPENDIX--D.

The Bishop seemed particularly pleased with the thoughtfulness of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who sent him a message thus "Felicitates, Cantuar," and his Grace's felicitations are re-echoed by the whole Anglican Communion. The Revd. Mr. RITCHIE of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church came also himself and offered his congratulation; and many letters reached the Bishop during the day all breathing affectionate esteem. The Choral Evensong was sung at 8 and a vast crowd assembled. Among the vast audience, which must have been close upon 2,000, we noticed His Excellency the Governor and party, and the Chief Justice. The choir was strengthened by three other town choirs and the voices numbered about 120, and considering that there was only one rehearsal, the service may be considered a success. The service was sung by the Revd. W. H. NASH.

The sermon preached by Archdeacon FARRAR was very interesting and as it will appear shortly [xii/xiii] in pamphlet form, it is needless to say that every colonist should be the possessor of a most interesting historical discourse. The service ended with a solemn Te Deum and the Primate's benediction.--Argosy, August 29th, 1891.

APPENDIX--E.

THE BISHOP'S JUBILEE.

As a colony, we must feel more than a passing interest in the important event which will be ushered into being during the coming year, should the life of Bishop AUSTIN be spared until that time. On Monday evening last, a special service was held in the Pro-Cathedral to mark the approaching time, as the Bishop had then entered upon the fiftieth year of his episcopacy. The Venerable Archdeacon FARRAR was the preacher on that occasion, nor did he fail to place on record a most important piece of Church history in connection with the Anglican Church and the dispensations of Providence, which placed Bishop AUSTIN as the venerated head of the Church in this colony. Bishop AUSTIN in his charge which was delivered in 1884, said:--

"I can remember when I stood alone in this Town as the representative, ministerially, of the Church of England. I had hardly arrived in this [xiv/xv] Colony, with no intention of making it, as it has been, my home, when the Incumbent of the Church of St. George was laid low with a severe illness, and, at the request of the Governor of the Colony, I went to his relief in order that he might seek, for a time, a change of climate. The Church, as it then stood held, I suppose, between three or four hundred people. Since that period, the population of this Town, with its rural additions, has increased about three-fold, and we have now accommodation in seven places of Worship for about four thousand five hundred persons; and I have reasonable hope that an eighth will soon be erected in a newly created district."

With continuous labour in the tropics, it is more than a wonder that, although of herculean frame, it has not yielded to the deteriorating influences of the trying climate, such as we have it, which is one perpetual summer.

Bishop AUSTIN was born at Stone, in Staffordshire, on November 7th, 1807, in an Inn, while his parents were travelling from Scotland to England, and was at the age of 35 years consecrated Bishop on the memorable St. Bartholomew's Day (which saw such a fearful massacre of Christians); thus on the 24th August, 1892, the Bishop will have actually completed 50 years as Bishop of Guiana,--an event which is almost unique in ecclesiastical history, and certainly [xv/xvi] not approached to any considerable degree outside of England. To mark such an auspicious event, it is hoped that the new Cathedral will be ready for occupation on that day, and the prayers and wishes of all good people are that such might be the case. But as neither prayers nor hopes alone, built the city, or made a blade of grass grow, it will be necessary for honest and zealous labour to be bestowed on the building, and money be contributed to perfect the undertaking, which will be a landmark of double interest. Indeed, we do not see why the Government should not be asked to subsidise the effort, more particularly when it is remembered that the Cathedral of the Anglican Communion is the Church of the State, and as such is entitled to substantial assistance from the Government, not only as an ornament to the colony, but also by way of giving a healthy tone and spirit to the Church of which it is the expression. Archdeacon FARRAR thus concluded an excellent address, which will ever be referred to as worthy of the special occasion:--

"At the ripe age of eighty-two the Bishop started on a visitation tour to the distant Potaro, and other Missions, a journey of eighty-one days in the very midst of the primeval forests, and over the downward rushing waters which have proved fatal to so many lives; a journey that taxes the strength and endurance of much [xvi/xvii] younger and stronger men. And during the present year, his 84th, the travelling on visitation is incessant.

The time must come when these journeys will be no longer possible. But meanwhile, we may thank GOD for His protection to our Chief Guide and Pastor.

As the years draw onwards to the end, and the shadows lengthen towards the mysteries of dim night, who can guess the thought of such a man as this? What depths of hope, and holy fear, and joy, and chastened sorrow, are in that past! What a life-story is here, if it could be ever really told, if it could be ever really known!

GOD grant to our Bishop in his declining years the peace that passeth knowledge, and the happiness that grows more real, more radiant as the traveller hastens to the brightness of the other shore, and, when, at last, that shore is won, O just and faithful Knight of GOD,--The Beatific Vision!

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