In 1696 Thomas Bray, an English country parson, was commissioned to
report on the condition of the Church in the colony of Maryland. He spent
only ten weeks in the colony, but he radically re-organized and renewed
the Church there, providing for the instruction of children and the
systematic examination of candidates for pastoral positions. He founded
thirty-nine lending libraries and numerous schools. Both in Maryland and
upon his return to England, he wrote and preached in defense of the
rights of enlaved Africans, and of Indians deprived of their land. Back
in England, he worked for the reform of prison conditions, and for the
establishment of preaching missions to prisoners. He persuaded General
Oglethorpe to found a American colony (Georgia) for the settlement of
debtors as an alternative to debtors' prison. He founded a missionary
society, the Spg (Society for the Propagation of the Gospel) and an
educational and publishing society, the Spck (Society for Promoting
Christian Knowledge), both of which are still active today.
O God of compassion, who didst open the eyes of thy servant Thomas Bray to see the needs of the Church in the New World, and didst lead him to found societies to meet those needs: Make the Church in this land diligent at all times to propagate the Gospel among those who have not received it, and to promote the spread of Christian knowledge; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
O God of compassion, who opened the eyes of your servant Thomas Bray to see the needs of the Church in the New World, and led him to found societies to meet those needs: Make the Church in this land diligent at all times to propagate the Gospel among those who have not received it, and to promote the spread of Christian knowledge; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.