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venerable Bishop, in a distinct and audible voice, spoke as follows:- "Mr. Mayor, and good people here assembled, you are told in the form which is circulated with regard to the proceedings here today that they will commence with a few words addressed to those who are present on the object for which we assembled. And can I more properly engage your attention than by observing that we are standing around a lady well known to you for her unvarying kindness on all suitable occasions, and for her earnest desire to promote the glory of God and the spiritual interest of the population in which her lot has been cast. That lady is about, in the name of the blessed Trinity to lay the first stone of an edifice which we trust will, ere long, lift itself here as the receptacle of God's people worshipping within its holy walls, and obtaining there God's favour and blessing. Such being the object for which you are assembled, I am sure you would feel that it is improper to commence any such undertaking except in the way in which the Christian people of this happy land always desire to begin their important undertakings, namely, by imploring the blessing of Almighty God, and by committing them to his favour and protection.
Is it not necessary that such an undertaking should be put forward at this particular spot? You know that there are rising from year to year, and from week to week, houses that are to become the dwellings of the continually increasing population; and one consequence of this is that unless care be taken to provide places for public worship, such public worship must fail in the land. And when I say this, I am not insensible to laudable efforts that are made by other communities. I do not speak of the defect of places of worship in that sense; but I must say that it is the duty of bishops and other ministers of the Established Church to give an opportunity to the members of their Church for that which we in our consciences - and without censure of those who differ from us - regard as the more excellent way. And if it is the feeling of the inhabitants of this Christian land that no important undertaking should be commenced without an application to God for his aid and blessing, surely the object of building a church to His honour should be commenced by commending it with prayer to the Almighty Governor of all. I am thankful to see you in such numbers; and be assured there is a God who heareth prayer - a God who looks down now on this -