in order to preserve, that
unity in their churches, which properly belonged to a people of the same nation.
But unexpected difficulties presented themselves, in the oaths with which the
policy of England had fettered their establishment, and much time was spent,
before a conscientious sense of duty would permit the prelates of Britain to
delegate the authority so earnestly sought. Time, patience, and zeal, however,
removed every impediment, and the venerable men, who had been set apart by the
American churches, at length returned to their expecting dioceses, endowed with
the most elevated functions of their earthly church. Priests and Deacons were
ordained; and missionaries provided, to keep alive the expiring flame of
devotion, in such members as were deprived of the ordinary administrations, by
dwelling in new and unorganized districts.
    Of this number was Mr. Grant. He had been sent into the county of which
Templeton was the capital, and had been kindly invited by Marmaduke, and
officiously pressed by Richard, to take up his abode in the village. A small and
humble dwelling was prepared for his family, and the divine had made his
appearance in the place, but a few days before the time of his introduction to
the reader. As his forms were entirely new to most of the inhabitants, and a
clergyman of another denomination had previously occupied the field, by engaging
the academy, the first Sunday after his arrival was suffered to pass in silence;
but now that his rival had passed on, like a meteor, filling the air with the
light of his wisdom, Richard was empowered to give notice, that »Public worship,
after the forms of the Protestant Episcopal Church, would be held, on the night
before Christmas, in the long-room of the academy in Templeton, by the Rev. Mr.
Grant.«
    This annunciation excited great commotion among the different sectaries.
Some wondered as to the nature of the exhibition; others sneered; but a far
greater part, recollecting the essays of Richard in that way, and mindful of the
liberality, or rather laxity, of Marmaduke's notions on the subject of
sectarianism, thought it most prudent to be silent.
    The expected evening was, however, the wonder of the hour; nor was the
curiosity at all diminished, when Richard and Benjamin, on the morning of the
eventful day, were seen to issue from the woods in the neighbourhood of the
village, each bearing on his shoulders a large bunch of evergreens. This worthy
pair was observed to enter the academy, and carefully to fasten the door, after
which their proceedings remained a profound