profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved *."

I will touch upon only one more point, which is the operations of those societies for religious purposes, and principally, though not wholly, under the conduct and influence of this party. I have not questioned their motives in upholding them, nor the object they have in view; though, as I have stated on another occasion †, I consider other means better adapted to the attainment of that object, and could have desired to have seen their whole zeal and energy employed, where I could have joined them hand and heart, in the promotion and extension of those ancient Societies, which enjoy the undivided sanction of the Church. They have, however, conscientiously felt it their duty to take another course, and it is against the domestic rather than the foreign operations of their societies, that I protest. The agents of these societies do not confine their labours to the parishes of those Clergy who are friendly to them; but entering those of others, tend to dissolve the ties of parochial superintendence and connexion, which constitute an ancient and essential part of our ecclesiastical polity. They present to our flocks the spectacle of a body of Clergy and laity unconnected with the parish, not only originating measures of a spiritual character without the sanc

* 1 Cor. X. 33.

An appeal published on behalf of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

tion of the appointed minister, but advocating them in opposition to his known judgment, and in prejudice of those local charities and ecclesiastical institutions, which he feels it his duty to uphold and recommend to his parishioners. This evil is not mitigated by the employment of Dissenters on these occasions, or by the indiscreet zeal of other agents, which cannot be repressed; and to which strong temptations are presented, of insinuating that the appointed Clergyman is not a preacher of the Gospel, or a serious Christian. When the importance of their mission is urged by these agents, an obvious question may be asked, "how is it that my own pastor is indifferent or opposed to this?" To what answer does this lead? that he is lukewarm or indifferent, mistaken or bigotted. An answer the more weighty from the consequence which these agents derive from being employed by a body of Churchmen, lay and ecclesiastic. I do not insinuate that this is the design of the Societies; but I put it to common sense, whether among the various persons sometimes employed, of warm temperament, officious activity, and little depth, there must not be numbers whose indiscreet zeal will be tempted to decry him, whose principles they are predisposed to condemn, and whose very opposition to their measures is established in their mind as a complete proof of his disregard for the Gospel. From these causes, from the apparently greater concert of the Evangelical party in such associations with

dissenters than with their brethren of the Church, it does appear to me that a spirit of disaffection to the Church is fostered. That spirit of indifference to its establishment springs up, which the dissenters in the quotation adduced, represent as being brought to esteem every thing external in religion only as it is conducive to the spiritual edification of Christians."

I will not press this subject farther-it has been much agitated. My brethren who differ from me may see insuperable difficulties to their seeking the objects they have in view through the medium of the older Church Societies; but I believe that many, and some I know, would as well as myself be desirous to see these objectionable circumstances, connected with the machinery of their own societies, remedied as far as possible, and as far as may be compatible with the discharge of what they consider their paramount duty. Nor can I pass over this opportunity of acknowledging with satisfaction and pleasure the liberal and conciliatory spirit, with which on a recent occasion some of these came forward to evince their respect for the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and to support its appeal to the public.

Though sensible that I have trespassed long, very long upon your time and patience, I must yet in conclusion request a few moments more for an explanation, without which a misapprehension of my views might prevail.

I have spoken of danger menacing the Church. I mean not that the sound form of doctrine, which constitutes her faith, can ever be in danger. To that, and to those who firmly embrace it, applies the sure and unfailing promise of God, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." In this sense the Church of England, which is the Church of Christ, shall never fall. Her candlestick may be removed, her light obscured, but the holy fire will still remain, and in the Lord's good time will blaze forth with unclouded splendour. The storms of persecution cannot extinguish it-the floods of affliction cannot quench it.

When I speak of danger to the Church, I regard it in its external character,-in its discipline and constitution. I regard it too in this light, not as a mere establishment for the support of its ministers; but as the fairest and noblest casket that ever preserved that " pearl of greatest price,”—the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I regard it, no matter how much it may be the fashion to calumniate it, as the dearest and most precious treasure that any nation can guard; adapted to oppose alike fanaticism and ignorance, superstition and scepticism,-to bear the healing influence of religion through every gradation of society, from the throne to the cottage,-to be at hand among all ranks, furnishing the only antidote against the poison of infidelity, pride, and selfishness, which glides in every pore of the country. It is the Church in which the foundation is laid for

all the social duties, from the cradle to the grave; which takes part in all our noblest attachments and dearest interests; gives early power to filial obedience, holy exaltation to parental affection, consecrates with the hallowed sanctions of religion the nuptial tie, and in all the relations of life identifies the love of God with the love of

man.

It is the Church in which I have been nurtured in the days of my boyhood, in which my heart was bowed down to the instructors of my youth; my principles were learned to direct me in manhood, and my consolations were laid up, should it please the Almighty to reserve me for old age. It is the Church in which my infant body and soul were dedicated to my Redeemer, and in which I desire that my body "may return to the dust as it was," and my spirit be commended to God, who gave it. “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning!" It is this Church, connected too with considerations far above those of earthly and temporal import, that I wish to see defended and upheld by the united and unanimous exertions of her sons. It is the safety of the Church, thus contemplated, that I venture to urge upon all, both Clergy and Laity, as worthy of any sacrifices, however costly, and of any exertion, however painful.

In closing this discourse, I shall endeavour to supply my own want of ability (not of zeal) by the glowing description and eloquent expostulation of