"An arrangement was made with these gentlemen for supplying the Church for several months, and a liberal compensation was voted them by the vestry; but they declined 'receiving any pecuniary reward' for their services." Dorr's History of Christ Church, Philadelphia, pp. 44-5.

"SIR:

"CANNOT DESERT THE POOR FLOCK."

Mr. Talbot to the Secretary.

"Burlington, May 3d, 1718.

“I used to write to you now and then, though I seldom have the favour of an answer, or not to the point. All your missionaries hereabouts, are going to Maryland, for the sake of themselves, their wives and children; for my part, I cannot desert the poor flock, that I have gathered, nor will I, if I have neither Money, Credit, nor Tobacco. But if I had known as much as I do now, that the Society were not able, for their parts, to send Bishop, Priest, nor Deacon, no Lecturer nor catechist, no hinter, nor holder-forth, I would never have put the good People in these parts to the charge and trouble of building Churches ; (nay, now they must be stalls, or stables for Quakers horses, when they come to market or meeting) as I said before, but some people will not believe till 'tis too late. Dr. Evans himself is gone to Maryland, for he says nobody will serve the Church for nought, as I do; for my part, I cannot blame the People in these parts, for they do what they are able, and no body can desire more, rich or poor, for those that do them any good. Duty to the Honourable Society.

"I am your most humble servant,

My

"JOHN TALBOT."

"THE HUMBLE PETITION OF MANY OF THE FAITHFUL IN

NORTH AMERICA."

June 2d, 1718. "A representation to the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England was presented to the Vestry of Christ Church, Philadelphia, by the Rev. Dr. Evans, and the Rev. Mr. John Talbot," of Burlington, N. J., which was read, and it was thereupon "ordered that the Churchwardens sign the

said address in the name and by order of the vestry." The address is as follows:

"To the Most Reverend Fathers in God, the Archbishops, and the Right Reverend the Bishops of the Church of England: The Representation and humble Petition of many of the faithful in the communion of the Church of England in North America, most humbly showeth :

"That whereas the British Collonies and Settlements in America, have now for many years been blessed with the pure and primitive doctrine and worship of our Mother the Church of England of which you are happy at this day in being great ornaments and prime rulers

"And whereas for want of Episcopacy's being established amongst us, and that there has never been any Bishop sent to visit us, our churches remain unconsecrated, our children are grown up and cannot be confirmed, their sureties are under solemn obligations, but cannot be absolved & our Clergy sometimes under Doubts and cannot be resolved

"But whereas more especially for the want of that sacred power which is inherent to your apostolate the Vacancies which daily happen in our Ministry cannot be supplied, for a con-iderable time from England, whereby many congregations are not only become desolate, and the light of the Gospel therein extinguished but great encouragement is hereby given to sectaries of all sorts which abound and increase amongst us and some of them pretending to what they call the power of ordination the Country is filled with fanatick teachers, debauching the good inclinations of many poor souls who are left destitute of any instruction or ministry. May it therefore please your Lordships in your great pity and regard for the government of the Church by Bishops, to think of some means whereby these our sorrowful complaints & most grievous misfortunes may be heard and redressed, and that Almighty God may of his infinite. mercy, inspire your thoughts and assist your pious endeavors to accomplish this evidently necessary work is the most earnest and daily prayer of may it please your Lordships

"Your Lordships most humble petitioners & most obedient sons and servants.

"In the name and by the order of the Vestry of Christ Church at Philadelphia the second of June 1718.

"In the name & by the order of the Vestry of St Mary's Church at Burlington the ninth of June 1718.

"SIR:

"and many others from all parts of America."

"THE SCHOOL INDIFFERENT WELL."

Mr. Ellis to the Secretary. Extract.

66 'Burlington in New Jersey July 10th 1718

"My School is indifferent well having of Christian Parents Children 20, of Quakers 12, of others 5. I know not what to term them besides sectaries having no knowledge, and yet obstinate; *

*

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE PARISH REGISTER. THE

FIRST CHURCH LIBRARIES.

Up to the year 1719, the pages of the Parish Register are filled, almost exclusively, with the entries of baptisms. No burials are recorded; and only three marriages, one of which is that of "Rowland Ellis and Sarah Allison, April 17, 1715."

On the first fly-leaf, however, we find the little item, "Lent to J. H. 1 piece of 8. 4 bits & 1 Eng. shill."

And, on the last four leaves, we have a list of books, which Michael Piper,t-the writing is not Mr. Talbot's-assisted Mr. Talbot in revising, on the first day of the new year, O. S.

At a Vestry meeting of Christ Church, Philadelphia, held June 23d, 1718, it was "Resolved, That if it should happen that the clergymen who are to serve the Church during this vacancy be sick, or should not come, that Mr. Piper, the school master, read the prayers in the Church." Dorr's History, p. 47.

A CATALOGUE OF BOOKS BELONGING TO BURLINGTON LIBRARY REVISED BY MR. JOHN TALBOT INCUMBENT & MICH: PIPER YE

25TH DAY OF MARCH 1719.

FOL:

QUARTO.

QUARTO, OCTAVO, &C.