abundantly sufficient to comprehend all that is necessary for salvation, contracted though they be, and uncultivated. But the heart of Man, be his station what it may, is in perpetual cultivation and exercise. The feeling of thankfulness towards a Gracious Redeemer-the hope of an everlasting recompence the longing after the promises and the presence of Christ,--these are affections which are not overshadowed by ignorance, nor benumbed by poverty. Nay I might even say, that that darkness and apathy of soul, which is impenetrable, and insensible to any holy emotion, is most commonly found among those whom superior refinement has exposed to deeper corruption, and on whom greater knowledge has only conferred the fatal boon of greater obduracy.

The more thoughtfully we regard the events that are passing around us, the firmer, I think, is the ground for our conviction, that the heart of this nation is yet sound and untainted, and faithful in its allegiance to Christ. There are differences, as to the manner in which he is best pleased that we should approach him. There are differences as to the purest form of ecclesiastical polity. There are some who profess the name, while they disclaim the worship of Christ. And doubtless some there are, who are seduced by collateral scruples into absolute unbelief. But these last are as nothing, when compared with the multitudes who believe-who believe in all since

rity and earnestness; whose affections in some measure keep pace with their belief, and who love the name which they devoutly adore. There is no ground; my brethren, for those querulous bewailings that we sometimes hear, about the apostacy of this mighty people, and the growing prevalence of anti-christian opinions. These are unfounded and, in my mnd, injudicious lamentations. We have much greater cause to glorify the name of God, that it hath pleased Him, not only to preserve us, through many perplexities and some dangers, a faithful and a Christian people; but even to enlarge the boundaries of his kingdom, and animate the zeal of his worshipers-to glorify Him, that he hath achieved this triumph during the rapid progress of that intellectual cultivation, which has occasioned some vain apprehensions; but which rather seems to assure us, that the Gospel of Christ is designed to bear the richest fruits in the brightest daylight, and take the firmest root in the most informed and civilized community.

And this great result, as it hath not been thus far advanced without the spirit of Christ, nor without the fervent exertions of Christ's ministers on earth, so must it be brought to its final consummation through the continuance of the same Grace, and a still more diligent and ardent display of the same

exertions. And in these our future and increasing efforts, we must bear in mind, my Reverend brethren,it would be dangerous if we were to blind ourselves to this truth—that our great object must be, to win and to keep the hearts of the People. We must not hang our destinies on any pretensions, however just, which are remote from the common principles and understanding of mankind. We must not rest our hopes on any specious arguments-arguments which will not weigh with the mass of the community against the commission of a single trespass, or the neglect of a single duty. Henceforward, our nobler aim must be, to gain the affection of the millions who believe in Christ. These must be with us, and around us-these must be our constant and confiding listeners-these must be our friends, our disciples, and under Christ Jesus our protectors too-if we would retain the sacred privileges, with which God hath invested us for the good of His people.

The means of attaining this object I shall not presume to suggest to you, from whose experience and piety there is far greater need,that I should seek counsel for my own guidance. Your practice is familiar with all the momentous duties of the Ministry; and years spent in works of Godliness have taught you, that the faithful discharge of those duties is the only path to the hearts of those committed to your care.

And if in your public and private intercourse with them, you have constantly kept before their eyes the Star of their Salvation; if you have earnestly endeavoured to lead all their faculties, and move all their feelings towards Christ; if you have made this the object and essence, the beginning and the end, of all your preaching; you have found-as you will ever find that theresult of those exertions is reflected back very certainly upon yourselves; and that the Ministers, who shall infuse into their people the warmest love for Christ, will have the strongest and the surest hold on the respect, the affection, and the confidence of their people.

These are the remarks, my brethren, which, on this solemn occasion, I have thought proper thus to offer to you. The remarks, as I am well aware, convey nothing that has not already occurred to your reflection, or influenced your practice. And the language, in which they are expressed, may well appear too homely for the refinement of your cultivation. But I have ever seemed to observe, that ingenious novelties, however recommended by the eloquence of him who utters them, seldom leave any lasting traces, or produce any practical improvement in those who hear. And though the subtleties of sophistry may need to be set forth in the dazzling ornaments of speech, the simplest expressions are those which best become the maxims of Sincerity and Truth.

JOHN WOOD WARTER, M.A.

RECTOR OF PATCHING, AND VICAR OF WEST TARRING, SUSSEX; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE SCANDINAVIAN AND ICELANDIC LITERARY SOCIETIES,

AT COPENHAGEN.

"God fails not to sow blessings in the long furrows which the ploughers plough upon the back of the Church."-JEREMY TAYLOR.

"It is necessary that we cheer our spirits, and refresh our minds, but we must still remember that there is no greater pleasure than to praise the Lord."-PATRICK'S PILGRIM.

66

Ψυχῆς τροφὴ θείων λόγων ἑστίασις.”—BASIL. SELEUC.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON,

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD,

AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL.

1835.

Price 1s. 6d.