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.ÿþthe recommendations of local clergy, laity, and William and Mary professors.William Robinson, commissary during the 1760s, explained to the bishop ofLondon how he handled these situations:I have received Letters from three worthy Clergymen in the Neighbour-hood where he [the candidate] lived, who from their intimate Acquain-tance with him for several years past, bear Testimony to his Moral Char-acter, that he is a Person of Piety, Virtue, and sound Principles.I havelikewise received a Certificate sign d by the Minister, and other credibleinhabitants of the Parish where he resided, expressing that Notice wasgiven in the Church, in times of Divine Service, of his intention to offerhimself a candidate for holy Orders.And from my examination of him,I find him to have a competent share of learning.44Two features of Robinson s practice are noteworthy.He required publicnotice of the candidate s intention to seek ordination in the parish church ona Sunday at least a month prior to his leaving in much the same fashion andto the same purpose to deter the unqualified and unworthy as the publi-cation of the banns of marriage.45 But Robinson s insistence on this was vig-orously challenged by Governor Fauquier.When the commissary refused toprovide James Maury Fontaine with a recommendation because his intentionshad not been brought to public notice in his parish, the governor protestedmightily to the bishop of London:Mr.Fountaine and all the Gentlemen of the Vestry who are extremely de-sirous to have him for their Minister, looked on it as a particular Slurr onMr.Fountaine, that it should be insisted upon in this first Instance, and Iam informed that the Clergyman who was to have made such publicationdeclind it, thinking Mr.Robinson was not vested with powers to enforcesuch Orders of publication of any Matter in Churches.However usefuland proper such a Regulation may be hereafter, I am humbly of Opinionit is highly improper under the present Circumstances of religious Con-cerns in this Colony.If Mr.Robinson s Zeal should deter Gentlemenof such Characters and Abilities from applying for holy Orders, I appre-hend the Cause of God and Religion would suffer, and the Case of thisColony be Truly deplorable.46Before providing his recommendation, Commissary Robinson also metwith and examined the candidate.To maintain credibility with the bishop, the.Preparations for Ministry 115
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