made no provision for the religious instruction of a population which ebbs and flows, collected suddenly in a given spot, to be dispersed as suddenly, after a lapse of a few years, or a few centuries, when the hidden riches which first caused the influx shall have been exhausted. To the wants of a body of men who, like the inhabitants of a mining district, from the very nature of their work are so fluctuating in their number, and so shifting in their dwellings, those perpetual endowments which, generally speaking, our ecclesiastical forms most wisely require, are in a great measure inapplicable. But is it fitting that the church should therefore reject them as outcasts from her fellowship, or deny them the liberty of entering that pale, within which, as her members believe, the purest form of communion is found, and the best external means are provided for worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth? Is it consistent with her profession, that they should be as sheep having no shepherd, or abandoned to every blast of vain doctrine to which, in the absence of other teachers, they may chance to be exposed? If it be true, as we have been lately told, that the number of Dissenters from the Established Church is increased, even to the half of the population of the kingdom, can we wonder at this accession to their ranks, so long as we close the door against our own friends, and compel them to take refuge in other asylums? Is it extraordinary that men should be willing to accept from the policy or zeal of others, what we are too tardy in giving, or are unable to give ourselves? Something perhaps might be done to remedy this evil, if a fund were created for the support of clergy of our own Establishment, who might be stationed from time to time, as occasion required, in places where the excess of population had arisen from causes of a temporary nature, and was not likely to be permanent. An expanding and contracting power would thus be provided, which, if used discreetly, and employed under proper sanction, might preserve within the bosom of our own communion thousands to whom the comforts of religion are now inaccessible through the portals of the Established Church. This, however, is not the proper time or place for such a suggestion. It is sufficient for my present purpose to have called your attention to the existence of the evil, and the consequences which must inevitably result from it. Meanwhile it may be convenient for some of my clergy to know, that in parishes where the present accommodation is insufficient, and a large proportion of the population is situated at a distance from the church, I shall not decline to license suitable buildings, under certain provisions, for the temporary performance of Divine Service, if no more unobjectionable means can be devised for administering to the spiritual wants of the people. Charge, pp. 8-10.

The piety, good sense, and Christian regard to the existing wants of the population, which these remarks exhibit, are above any praise which it is in our power to give. Had this principle been acknowledged and acted upon before, how few would have left the Church of their fathers, and ranged themselves under the banner of Dissent! We blame not our Non-conforming brethren for being consistent with their principles, and we bless God for their labours in parishes where the truth is perverted or denied; but they must allow us to be equally sincere in the profession of our own sentiments. We do not scruple to declare our conviction, that if the Right Reverend Prelates of our church would, with one accord, thus bend their attention to the actual state of things in their several dioceses, and endeavour to

meet extraordinary times by extraordinary measures, the effect in a few years would be perfectly astonishing. Our temples would be crowded, our altars thronged with communicants, and that large but most important portion of the people-the poor-finding that an ancient and national establishment could yet accommodate itself to their wants and changes and exigences, while listening to the faithful messengers of mercy, would feel an attachment to the Episcopacy which nothing could destroy.

Our prelacy never had a louder call to diligence and perseverance. In the strength of Divine grace, let them only do their duty; and the nation as well as the Church, and the Non-conformist as well as the Episcopalian, will approve of their measures, and bless Heaven for their success.

How often alas! to our sorrow, to the injury of the souls of men, and to the division of the body of Christ-how often has a contrary course been pursued by men to whose cold or worldly hands has been committed the chief government of the Church! We could tell of parishes where the sudden increase of population, by the establishment of a manufactory or the working of a mine, has excited in the breast of the parish priest a desire to carry to a negligent and careless multitude those spiritual instructions which they did not care to visit their parish church to receive. Anxious to be strictly "regular," the Presbyter has consulted his Diocesan. In some cases, the reply has been, that the Bishop would rather give no opinion on the subject; and in others, that he should feel it his duty to censure any religious services, conducted even by the accredited minister, without the walls of the parish church. And what has been the consequence let the state of many of our market-towns and large villages declare. The people have, in most such instances, either degenerated into a state little short of Atheism; or, a new temple being erected, and a new church communion formed, the alienation of the people from their former spiritual guide, has necessarily ensued. While the very men who, in spite of the frowns and censures of their superiors, have been "in labours more abundant" in those parts of their parishes which were most remote from their church, have, in no few instances, had at length to rejoice in seeing a chapel of ease erected to the honour of God, to the welfare of the people, and to the perpetuity of that faith and discipline which is the boast and the glory of our Church.

But we must proceed to notice another part of this admirable Charge. After stating, that, according to the official returns made to him from the several parishes, there were, in the whole

diocese, "of communicants, four thousand one hundred and thirty-four;" "of attendants at church, nineteen thousand one hundred and sixty-nine," " on a population exceeding, in 1821, one hundred and fifty thousand individuals, of all ages," his Lordship thus powerfully addresses himself to his clerical brethren.

Of the accuracy of the returns on which these calculations are founded, the clergy who have transmitted them are the best judges; but, on the supposition that any thing like this statement be a true representation of the condition of the Established Church in these parts, it is indeed a subject calling for serious reflection on the causes which have led to it, for deep humiliation on account of this spiritual desert, and for unceasing and fervent prayer for a more abundant measure of Divine favour on the parochial ministry. In reply to the circular query respecting the probable cause of the deficiency, it is attributed, in some few instances, to the want of a resident clergyman, to the negligence of a former pastor, or to the distance of the church from the bulk of the population; but in the greater number of answers, it is ascribed either to the activity of the Dissenters, or to the indifference of the people to all religion. If it be meant that the Dissenters are more active than the Established Church, in promoting the cause of religious truth, according to their own view of it, it follows, that we have been unmindful of our solemn promise to "be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word," and have not done all that lieth in us, according to our bounden duty, to bring all such as are committed to our charge unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no place left among us, either for error in religion, or for viciousness in life." In such case, it behoves us to call to mind the solemn admonition of our church: "If it shall happen the same church, or any member thereof, to take any hurt or hindrance by reason of your negligence, ye know the greatness of the fault, and also the horrible punishment that will ensue." Nay, if it could be indeed believed that the examples of ministerial activity were to be found only in the ranks of Dissent, the friends of religion might well be excused for adopting the words of the Apostle, until a portion of the same zealous and energetic spirit were infused into the ministrations of the members of our own communion. "What then,

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notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." If, on the other hand, the true source of the evil be the indifference of the people to all religion, has their apathy led to a corresponding exertion of zeal on our part, that if they perish for lack of knowledge, their souls be not required of us at least, as unfaithful watchmen over the sheep of Christ, "bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood?" Like the Apostle, whose labours in season and out of season should be the pattern of our ministry, can we protest, as in the presence of God, that we "have not ceased to warn every one," whether he would hear or whether he would forbear, "both night and day, with tears," and have taught them" publicly, and from house to house;" calling them all to witness, that we are 66 pure from the blood of all men?"

My reverend brethren, God alone, who is the searcher of hearts, is conscious of the truth or falsehood, of the integrity or infidelity manifested in our observance of those solemn vows which are upon us as ministers and stewards of Christ's mysteries. It may be that he has not yet seen fit, in trial of our faith, to set his seal to our ministry; or he may withhold his blessing for a time, lest men should attribute their success to a wrong cause, should "sacri

fice unto their own net," and "burn incense unto their own drag." Or it may be that our usefulness has been counteracted by the operation of other causes more dependent on ourselves; by a deficiency of zeal; by a wrong direction of labour; by a partial or imperfect distribution of the Divine word; by remissness in securing the affection of our people; or by other still more obvious reasons, to which I am unwilling so much as to allude. But, however these things may be, our future duty is plain. We are to humble ourselves before Him who alone giveth the increase, that he may be pleased to make us more fruitful labourers in his vineyard, and to multiply our crowns of rejoicing." And, whether he bless or not,we are still to continue to "cast our bread upon the waters," without ceasing, in a spirit of fervent prayer, of redoubled earnestness, of unwearied and patient vigilance, like those who wait the stirring of the waters, and watch over the souls of others, as men who must give

account.

The observation of this sad deficiency has led me to reflect on the external means by which, under God, your ministry may be strengthened. I have not scrupled to lay open to you fearlessly the true state of the case, because it is my conscientious belief that the wound must be probed to the quick, ere it can be healed; and that, to a certain degree, the remedy, with the Divine blessing on our labours, is in our own hands. There is no wisdom in shutting our eyes on the face of the land, until others see its nakedness, and come in, and plant and reap in our own neglected vineyard. Charge, pp. 14-17.

We are well assured we need make no apology for this lengthened extract. The supreme importance of the subject, and the intelligent and Christian way in which the Bishop has handled it, must appeal at once to the understanding and to the heart of every real friend to our Zion. We cannot but regard the publication of this Charge as likely to form a new era in our ecclesiastical history. It boldly asserts truths which thousands had long believed, but which few had dared to avow. It points out evils, which, unless removed, must ultimately prove the ruin of our Establishment; but which, in order to be removed, must be fearlessly exposed. And it recommends the adoption of measures which have been seldom regarded by our hierarchy with that attention which they deserve. How excellent is the following suggestion!

To those of my clergy who officiate in two churches, and are consequently unable to perform in each more than one duty on a Sunday, I may suggest, that in many places a week-day service would probably be attended with the most profitable results. Charge, p. 18.

But it is time that we hasten to the concluding paragraph. It displays a measure of Apostolic wisdom, simplicity, and zeal, worthy of primitive times; and we doubt not the effects produced by it will be such as shall outlive the Bishop, and bring forth abundant fruit, when the present pastors and teachers of the flock shall cease from their labours and be gathered to their reward.

I will not detain you longer, my reverend brethren, with remarks which your own reflections on the tenor of the queries I have circulated have pro

bably rendered unnecessary. I will only remind you, in conclusion, that there is something still wanting, when every care has been taken for the better ordering of the palpable and visible worship of God amongst us,-something without which it will be as a body without a soul-the form and semblance of Christianity, without its power and substance. I take for granted that every provision has been or will be made for the decency of our outward religion more frequent opportunities of assembling together in public afforded-the truth preached, as it is in Jesus-our flocks duly visited-their wants inquired into their Bibles multiplied—the sick attended without waiting for a summons -the church carried, as it were, to those who from age or distance are unable to be present at the public ministrations. But all this and more may be done, without arriving at the mark of real devotion, or promoting the worship of God in spirit and in truth. The church may be regulated externally, but that which is within may yet remain unsanctified and impure. That God's blessing may prosper our ministry, it must be begun, continued, and ended in prayer. "Except the Lord keep the house (and more especially his own house, the temple of the heart, wherein the Holy Ghost has promised to dwell), their labour is but lost that build it." In the spirit of prayer, therefore, let us entreat of God-for our people, that, according to his promise, he will be alway with his church, even to the end of the world, and that "the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God;"—for ourselves, that we may be enabled to render up our account with joy, and say, if possible, with the great Shepherd of souls himself: " Of those whom thou hast given me, have I lost none." And may "the almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the church is governed and sanctified, receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before him for all estates of men in his holy church; that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve him, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Charge, pp. 27, 28.

Such is the Charge of the Bishop of Llandaff, which exhibits the firmness of truth with the meekness of wisdom and the gentleness of Christ. The prelate was evidently anxious to be found faithful" in the discharge of the sacred office committed to his trust. It has not unfrequently been the case with some of our poorer bishoprics, that, being committed to men who expected to be ere long promoted to a richer see, and felt themselves to be only "birds of passage," but little attention has been paid to the spiritual state of a district which it was hoped would shortly be transferred to other hands. Here it is, therefore, that we feel ourselves bound to applaud the conduct of Dr. Sumner. His Lordship could not but know the affection borne to him by the highest personage in the state. He could not but know, that if the life of his sovereign were spared, he himself could scarcely expect to remain at Llandaff for life. But, conscious as he must have been of his probable rise on the episcopal bench, how did he act? Did he veil the truth that he might please the world? Did he resolve not to make full proof of his ministry till he should have arrived at that post of duty and honour which might be his permanent allotment? No: he entered upon his varied duties