Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 2.djvu/324

 276 RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION UNDER GROSK 17M At the foundation of the colony but slight provision had been made for the religious instruction of the community, The ^ and the labours of the single chaplain (Rev. R. Johnson) were relations performed under difficulties which the circumstances ren- wlth Phillip ^ wid Grose, dercd unavoidable. Having to deal with an intractable com- munity, consisting as it did chiefly of convicts and soldiers, he required all the countenance and support which those in authority could give him. In Phillip's time, although his work was done under very trying conditions, he received the countenance and assistance of the Governor; but from Grose he met with obstruction and contumely. Before considering the treatment he received, it will be as well to point out the circumstances in which the Chaplain was placed when Grose took charge. He was the only JjhiSii. minister of religion in a colony of about four thousand inhabitants, distributed over three settlements — Sydney, Parramatta,and Toongabbie. The people were soill-disposed to profit by the Chaplain's ministrations that Phillip had found it necessary to issue an order by which the Commis- sary was instructed to stop a certain quantity of flour from Kegieotof the ration of any convict who neglected to attend divine tmulic __ worship service without sufficient reason. When Grose took charge, the disinclination on the part of the people to take part in the services had become conspicuous. Although the colony had been founded for nearly five years, no place of worship had been erected, nor had any serious steps been taken in that direction. It is true that in the spring of 1791 the