Sketches of Our Life at SarawakMcDougall, Henriette
History
Sketches of Our Life at Sarawak
McDougall, Henriette
McDougall, Henriette, 1817-1886 -- Travel -- Malaysia -- Sarawak; Sarawak (Malaysia) -- Description and travel
The Bishop has consented at my request to print the discourse,
which I shall have the pleasure of sending copies of for the
Archbishop and yourself, I was gratified at observing that the
text is taken from the solemn words used at the very act itself
of consecration. After the examination, the Bishop returned to
the vestry to put on the rest of the episcopal dress; and as the
vestry in the cathedral is at the west end of the building, he
had to pass down the one hundred and twenty feet conducting to
it, with the eyes and hearts of the congregation fixed upon him
with wonder and pleasure. On his return, the "Veni, Creator
Spiritus" was sung, each alternate line being answered by the
Bishops and clergy, with the accompaniment of our fine organ.
After the appointed prayers, which are directed to follow this
hymn, the imposition of hands took place, and the words of the
consecration pronounced by myself as presiding metropolitan. The
Bible was next placed in his hands, with the admirable
exhortation prescribed--an exhortation which I think
incomparable and almost inspired, as indeed the whole service
is. The collection at the offertory was made for the Sarawak
Mission, and above five hundred C. rupees collected. The whole
service concluded with the Holy Communion of the body and blood
of Christ.
The new Bishop preached at St. Thomas's Church on Sunday, the
21st, for his mission; and a single gentleman contributed one
thousand C. rupees. He will preach at the cathedral on the 28th,
when something more will be gathered. The Bishop of Madras has
presented the four hundred rupees of his voyage expenses, from
Madras to Calcutta and back, to the same blessed cause. I have
had three breakfast parties (for I don't give dinners) to meet
the Bishop, of about forty each, on the day after the
consecration, and on Saturday, and this morning, and the
addresses made by Bishops Dealtry and Smith were most warmly
received. Thus has this great occasion passed off--the first
consecration, I believe, that has ever taken place out of
England since the glorious Reformation, and perhaps the first
missionary Bishop sent out by our Church; unless the Bishop of
Mauritius may be considered as having preceded him.
It was, indeed, a singular event that four Protestant Bishops
should meet in the heart of heathen India, amidst one hundred
and fifty millions of idolaters and worshippers of the false
Prophet.
God be praised for this completion of episcopal functions in
India!
DANIEL CALCUTTA.
I must add to this graphic letter a note which the venerable Bishop
wrote to my husband, November 6th of the same year.
Tennasarim, Bishop's Cabin.
MY BELOVED REV. BISHOP OF LABUAN,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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