Bishop's Court, where he personally examined them in the Classicks, the Greek Testament, and the Thirty-nine Articles; then had them to read over distinctly some portion of the Holy Scriptures, in order to qualify them for reading in publick.1 Dr. Pococke, the Bishop of Meath, found this seminary at work in 1750. On June 27 he writes: The young men who are educated at the academy at Castleton for the ministry, are frequently taken in to the bishop's house to be under his eye, and study divinity for two or three years before they go into Orders, and the example, conversation, and instructions of such a prelate must be of great advantage to them.2 Dr. George Berkeley, before he was Bishop of Cloyne, spent some four years in London endeavouring to secure a charter for a Theological College in the Bermudas. In 1725 he published in London through H. Woodfall his Proposal for a College in Bermuda. A College or Seminary in those parts is very much wanted: and therefore the providing such a Seminary is earnestly proposed and recommended to all those who have it in their power to contribute to so good a work. By this, two ends would be obtained: First, the youth of our English Plantations might be themselves fitted for the ministry. Secondly, the children of savage Americans, brought up in such a Seminary, and well instructed in religion and learning, might make the ablest and properest missionaries for spreading the gospel among their countrymen,3 A charter was granted by King George the Second in 1725 for the founding of a College by the name of St. Paul's College in Bermuda. The President and Fellows were to have the power of conferring Degrees in all Faculties.1 The idea of special professional training is so reasonable and promises to be so fruitful that it is somewhat astonishing that with these precedents it was left to the nineteenth century to put the conception into practice. The other two learned professions, those of the lawyer, and the physician, have now to undergo highly specialised training after leaving the University. Why should the clergyman have such a specially disadvantageous privilege thrust upon him? 1 Memoirs of Mark Hildesley, D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Mann, ed. by the Rev. Weeden Butler, London, J. Nichols, 1799, p. 81. 2 The travels through England of Dr. Richard Pococke, ed. by J. J. Cartwright, Camden Society, 1888, vol. i. p. 2. 3 The Works of George Berkeley, ed. by A. C. Fraser, Oxford, 1901, vol. iv. p. 347. 4 ibid. p. 362. * APPENDIX TO CHAPTER IX. RULES FOR THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY GIVEN BY DR. HORNECK. [The Life of the Reverend Anthony Horneck, by Richard [Kidder] Bishop of Bath and Wells, London, Aylmer, 1698, p. 13.] I. That all that entered into such a society should resolve upon an holy and serious Life. II. That no person shall be admitted into this Society till he arrive at the age of Sixteen, and hath been first confirmed by the Bishop, and solemnly taken on himself his Baptismal Vow. III. That they chuse a Minister of the Church of England to direct them. IV. That they shall not be allowed in their meetings to discourse of any controverted point of Divinity. V. Neither shall they discourse of the Government of Church or State. VI. That in their meetings they use no Prayers but those of the Church, such as the Litany and Collects, and other prescribed Prayers; but still they shall not use any that peculiarly belong to the Minister, as the Absolution. VII. That the Minister whom they chuse shall direct what practical Divinity shall be read at these meetings. VIII. That they may have liberty, after Prayer and Reading, to sing a Psalm. IX. That after all is done, if there be time left, they may discourse each other about their spiritual concerns; but this shall not be a standing Exercise, which any shall be obliged to attend unto. X. That one day in the Week be appointed for this meeting, for such as cannot come on the Lord's Day, and that he that absents himself without cause shall pay three Pence to the Box. XI. Every time they meet, every one shall give six Pence to the Box. XII. That on a certain day in the year, viz. Whitsun-Tuesday, two Stewards shall be chosen, and a moderate Dinner provided, and a Sermon preached, and the Money distributed (necessary Charges deducted) to the Poor. XIII. A Book shall be bought, in which these Orders shall be written. XIV. None shall be admitted into this Society without the consent of the Minister who presides over it; and no Apprentice shall be capable of being chosen. XV. That if any Case of Conscience arise, it shall be brought before the Minister. XVI. If any Member think fit to leave the Society, he shall pay five Shillings to the Stock. XVII. The major part of the Society to conclude the rest. XVIII. The following Rules are more especially to be commended to the Members of this Society, viz. To love one another: When reviled, not to revile again : To speak evil of no man : To wrong no man : To pray, if possible, seven times a day: To keep close to the Church of England: To transact all things peaceably and gently: To be helpfull to each other: To use themselves to holy Thoughts in their coming in and going out : To examine themselves every night : To give every one their due: To obey Superiors both Spiritual and Temporal. RULES OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF ST. GILES' CRIPPLEGATE. [By the kindness of the Rev. Albert Barff, Vicar of St. Giles' Cripplegate, and Prebendary of St. Paul's, I am enabled to give extracts from a manuscript belonging to St. Giles'. It is a book of paper, 16 by 6 inches, bound in limp vellum with two clasps. The Orders and Rules have been begun at one end of the book; and accounts begin at the other. The Orders and Rules are written on the recto only, and the same hand seems to have been employed from p. I to the end of p. 20, where several hands begin to write the names of members.] / Orders and Rules To be observed by all the Members of the Society. [p. 1. 1. That the Sole design of this Society, being to promote Real Holiness of heart and Life; it is Absolutely necessary, that the Persons who enter into it do seriously Resolve to apply themselves in good earnest to all means proper to make them wise unto Salvation. 2. That the Members of this Society shall meet together one Evening in the week at a Convenient place in order to Encourage each other in practical Holiness: by discoursing on Spiritual subjects and reading God's Holy word and to pray to Almighty God and praise his name together. 3. That at such meetings there be no dispute about controversial points State Affairs or the concerns of trade and worldly things; but the whole bent of the Discourse, be to the Glory of God and to Edifie one another in Love. 4. That it be left to every Persons discretion to contribute at every weekly meeting what he thinks fit towards a Publick Stock for maintaining a Sermon and to defray other /necessary charges and the money thus [p. 3. collect shall be kept by the Stewards (who shall be chose by majority of voices every half year) to be disposed of by the Major part of the Society for the uses abovementioned, and the said Stewards shall keep a faithfull Register of what is thus collected, and Distributed to be perused by any Member of the Society at Request. 5. That every Member shall clear his part in the Roll once in two months: the charge of the Sermon occurring once in that time. 6. That at the time of choosing new Stewards there shall be likewise chose, []by the new Stewards) Six Collectors to serve for the following half year and if any of these Collectors so chosen neglect to come or provide one to serve in their place they shall forfeit six pence for every such default. 7. That if any Member Absent himself three Sunday nights together he shall forfeit twopence and shall be judged Disaffected to the Society; without giving a Satisfactory account to the Stewards. 8. That one or both of the Stewards shall not fail upon the forfeit of six pence before the next time of meeting to visit and enquire into the reasons of such members absence and desire him to be more frequent in Meeting his brethren for each others mutual advantage and if after such visit he continues to absent himself four nights more let him be Excluded. 9. That if the Stewards neglect to gather in the forfeits they shall be liable to pay the same themselves. /10. That none shall be admitted into this Society without giving [p. 5. due notice thereof to the Stewards who shall acquaint the whole Society therewith and after due Enquiry into their Religious purposes and manner of life they may be admitted to subscribe their names. II. That every one that is so admitted a member of this Society shall with the subscribing of his name to the Orders enter down his Profession and also the place of his abode and shall if he at any time remove acquaint the Stewards therewith. 12. That every Member in this Society look as near as he can after each others conversation and if they find any that walks disorderly let him Admonish him privately by himself and if it prove inefectual let him be reprov'd before one or two more and if this prove inefectual also, let him be reprov'd before the whole Society and if this reclaims him not let him be Excluded. 13. That every Person concern'd in this Society do wholly decline all Ale-House Games; and shun all unnecessary resort to such Houses, and Taverns and wholly to avoid Play-Houses. Rules. 14. That the respective members of this Society shall heartily endeavour through God's Grace. Rule 1. To be just in all their Dealings even to an Exemplary Strict ness. 2. To pray many times every day. 3. To partake of the Lord's Supper once a month at least if not prevented by a Reasonable impediment. 4. To practice the profoundest Meekness and Humility. 5. To watch against Censuring others. 6. To accustome themselves to Holy thoughts/In all Places. [p. 7. 7. To take care of their words and give not way to foolish Jesting. 8. To be very modest and Decent in Apparel. 9. To be helpful to one another. 10. To shun all foreseen Occasions of evil as evil company known Temptations etc. II. To think often of the different estates of the Glorified and 12. To examine themselves every night what good or evil they 13. To keep a private fast once a month especially near our ap- And in the Old Testament. Lev. 26 Chapter. Deu. 28 Chapter. Isai. 53 Chapter. 16. To shun all manner of affectation and Morossness † and to be 17. To be continually mindfull of the great obligation of this Special profession of Religion, and to walk so Circumspectly that none may be offended or discouraged from this by what they see in them nor Occation † given to any to speak reproachfully in it. 15. That every member be ready to do what upon consulting with each other shall be taught adviseable towards the punishment of publick |