restoration of others to decency and neatness, and to that degree of external good appearance, the neglect of which is so discreditable to those who allow of it, and so inconsistent with a just reverence of the sanctuary. It did not satisfy him, however, to have effected improvements, in various ways, himself. He was careful to lay a foundation for the benefit of any who should come after him. His documents, in my possession, not only constitute a most honourable monument to his own industry and fidelity in office; they are also a collection of facts so valuable, and so complete, as to leave, comparatively, little to be enquired into by his successor; whilst they cannot but afford the greatest light and assistance towards setting such things in order as may still be wanting.

I am well aware, therefore, that I am but entered into another man's labours, and that there is nothing better for me to do than to go on in the track which his care has so happily marked out for me. Before we meet again, I shall hope to have seen every church, and to have made the requisite examination into the state of the several parishes. When I shall have accomplished this, there may probably be some results which I shall consider it my duty to lay before you. But I must not ground any re

marks upon a partial investigation.

For the present, therefore, I shall proceed to request your attention to a few observations of a general

nature.

My reverend brethren, I am not addressing myself to persons who are now to learn the importance of the work to which they have devoted themselves; or who are to seek, at this time of day, for the grounds upon which they may expect success in it. You are well assured that the office which you hold is of divine institution, and that, having yourselves been "lawfully called and sent to execute the same,"

you may look to Him who gave you your commission, to "be with you always," according to His own sure word of promise. You have also diligently examined and compared with holy scripture both the doctrines and the public ritual of the national church. You are verily persuaded that when our fathers put their hand to the work of reformation, they were " tanght of God" to "ask for the old paths and to walk therein," and that having "proved all things," they held fast that only which is good. And you are therefore satisfied that, in order to the glorifying of God, and the edification of the people of your charge, you yourselves have no other course to take than to

be "followers of them as they were of Christ;" "giving," according to the vows which are upon you," your faithful diligence always so to minister the doctrine and sacraments and the discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded, and as this church and realm hath received the same."

But you have not forgotten that it is with the body of the church as with its individual members-that it is "militant here on earth;" set in the midst of dangers, liable to assaults and treachery; and that, in fact, particular churches (not because outward violence could have done any thing against the power of their Master, but because they themselves had become lukewarm and unbelieving,) have fallen from time to time, and have had their candlesticks removed out of their place. You know, too, that in cases where this has been previously threatened, the warning has been addressed to the "

angels" or presiding ministers of those churches. And therefore it is doubtless much upon your minds, that, however certainly that scheme of doctrine which is embodied in the articles of our own church, and recognized in the Liturgy as the basis of our hope towards God, be "the faith once delivered to the saints,"

*Ordin. Service.

yet the church cannot stand by the orthodoxy of its formularies, unless also they be zealous and faithful men, whose part it is to teach the people in conformity to them. At all times, therefore, you will look well to yourselves, as conscious how much, under God, does at all times rest upon you: and, in the observation, which you cannot but take, of passing events, and of the state of public opinion, whether you should be able or not to come to any settled persuasion as to the final bearing which things are likely to have upon the church's interests; yet, if the church seem to be, in any wise, concerned in them, you will at least be studious to enquire what conduct is peculiarly called for from those whom God has placed as watchmen upon her walls.

This is what I would suggest, and it is, in substance, all which I shall presume to suggest with particular reference to that act of the legislature which has awakened general anxiety so much of late. Certainly I do not hold myself to be called upon to discuss the merits of a public measure which has at length actually passed into law. I am not competent to predict the consequences; nor will I on this occasion express my concurrence either with the anticipations of those who may take one view

of it, or with the alarms of those who may take another. But this I will say-if it were possible to put it out of our minds that such an act has passed, it would, on our parts, be most unwise to do so. For whether it be so that what has taken place has brought, or, when present effervescence shall have subsided, is likely to bring those of the Romish faith into a situation in which they may be apt to listen with less repugnance to what may be said for the confutation of their errors, and in which, as feeling less bound in honour to maintain their old opinions, they may be more assailable by fair argument, and more open to convictionor whether, on the other hand, they have attained to a position in which they may better attack and injure us, and more effectually cooperate with any who may be seeking the overthrow of an establishment which cannot, as we are well assured, be weakened without a correspondent detriment to the cause of vital godliness or whether there be misgivings on all sides, so that they who hope the most, must confess that there are respects in which even they are constrained to rejoice with trembling; whilst such as have feared the worst will admit that there may be something upon which itis reasonable to build a hope of good-in any