This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
PRIVATE LIFE IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE
120

because he was precluded from supporting his religion by secular power. He regarded those of his countrymen, who might be under his authority, as representative men, and he was conscious with due humility that his station rendered him the most representative of them all. While avoiding the encouragement of particular forms of religious opinion among his officers, he would impress upon all alike the importance of their displaying a Christian standard in their life and conversation. Though temperate, considerate and even charitable in his judgments on private conduct, he yet was stern to rebuke, and if necessary to repress, whatever might be wrong in this respect.

For himself, he acted on his profession as a member of the Church of England; as one who loyally adhered to her doctrine and discipline, accepting her ordinances, offices, liturgy and articles, as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. But he felt a tolerant friendliness for Protestant communities generally. Indeed for him the thing of things was the Bible, to read, understand and obey. While hopeful that the progress of Christianity among the Natives might receive impulse from the good example set by Christians, he deemed that nothing could be done advantageously by Government to propagate Christianity. He would not allow any religious teaching to be introduced into the Government Schools. But he held that the fact of public servants, himself at the head, being precluded from officially aiding