Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/32

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16
The Founding of the Church

called S. Martin's, and soon, by their preaching and consistent method of living, they won over the interest of the people. The king himself very soon declared that he had become a Christian, and as early as June 1st, after the missionaries landed, he was baptized. His subjects very soon followed his example. By the end of the year Gregory reckoned there were 10,000 converts to the Gospel in England. Augustine then had received the protection of the king, and soon after the king's baptism he went to Gaul again, where he was consecrated Archbishop of England. He returned to his work in Kent, which consisted chiefly of preaching, teaching, and baptizing. The little Church of S. Martin's now became too small for the new movement, and it was decided to erect a larger building; this was done on the site of the present Cathedral of Canterbury. On this same spot the Britons had erected a Church before. As success was more certain, Augustine found it necessary to call more clergy to the work. He wrote to Gregory for his help, and as a result of this, in the year 601, Mellitus, Justus, and Paulinus were sent from Rome, and two of them became Bishops of new districts of England. These men brought over with them many valuable books and ecclesiastical vestments. Gregory sent over, said Mr. Hore, [1]"A Bible in two volumes, two copies of the Psalms, two copies of the Gospels, a book of lives of the Apostles and Martyrs, and a Commentary on the Gospels and Epistles."

The Mission having been fairly started in Kent, Augustine turned his attention to several other districts in England. In the year 604, Mellitus was ordained Bishop of London,

  1. Hore, p.26, Ibid.