tion, it ought to be spent with decency; that on the following day, at the inspection of the corps by the general of the district, the colours would be used for the first time, which would be the proper day for rejoicing.

'It is hardly possible to describe the attention, solemnity, and impression, which prevailed through the whole ceremony from its commencement to its conclusion.'

Any wise provisions made by the State, for the purpose of strengthening and supporting the Church, ought certainly to be received with gratitude by all lovers of piety and good order; but nothing short of a radical reform of the fundamental defects here mentioned, will effectually remove our dangers.-Page 32.

Aiding the view here expressed of the State of our Church, by Dean Milner, appears to be the following

recent

ADDRESS TO THE DIGNIFIED CLERGY.

The times in which we live are awful and portentous; the nations of the earth are shaken terribly; and the events which have taken place within the last twenty years, alarming and dreadful as they have been, seem to be but "the beginning of sorrows." In turning our eyes to the Continent, we cannot but perceive

that judgment has begun at the house of God;, and for this evident reason, that all the impiety, superstition, and hypocritical, unmeaning formality of the people, could be traced up to the corresponding evils which existed in those who were called the Priests of the Lord, who ought to have watched as shepherds over the sheep, and to have shone as lights in the world. What has happened in other places, may happen here; nay, if there be one nation which has reason above another to be alarmed, and to expect a heavy visitation, that nation is ours. We have been spared amidst the general wreck; but has the long-suffering of God led us to repentance? We have an establishment, the doctrines of which are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; but have we maintained those doctrines? Have we exemplified, in our lives, their power and sacred influence? Impressed with the fullest conviction of their importance, feeling a sincere attachment to the established church, and mourning over the degeneracy which is too apparent in it; we shall endeavour to declare the truth, and to do it in love, free from prejudice, and from every, even the smallest, desire to wound the feelings of a single individual who may read these lines. May the few following facts be perused with candour by the high Dignitaries of our Churches; and may those who are elevated to such high and honourable situations, as Arch-Bishops and Bishops, become alive to the best interests of mankind -to the solemn duties which they have engaged, and pledged themselves at the altar of God, to perform; and may they be brought to observe that consistency

of character, which the Holy Scriptures, common-sense, and the opinion of the world require.

'Popery and sectarism are, no doubt, the two great opponents of the Establishment; but it appears, to us, that they ought to be treated in a different manner from what they are. The higher powers in the Church seem insensible to the evil and danger of the former, although its principles are propagated, and its spirit of proselytism supported, and pursued with unceasing energy, and unexampled success: whilst all their indignation is poured forth against Calvinists and Methodists, so called-for it is an incontrovertible fact, that those Clergymen in the Establishment who are so repeatedly calumniated, by those who, perhaps, never saw or heard them, are fully aware of the errors into which the violent of both parties have fallen, and desire to walk in a middle way-contending earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints, and by which the world is overcome, the heart purified, and true christian charity, or love, promoted.

"

'How highly delighted are the enemies of our Establishment when they hear any Bishop bearing his testimony in a public manner against the zeal, exertion, and labours of those amongst his Clergy who seem to have some regard for the souls committed to their care; whilst the careless and the worldly-minded are permitted to pass without a censure or a rebuke, and even suffered to declare downright falsehoods, in order to excuse themselves for their shameful and daily neglect. A clergyman may be a fox-hunter, a frequenter of clubs and assemblies, of races and plays, a blasphemer, a drunkard, a debauchée, with impunity; he may totally

neglect every duty of his sacred calling, and in case such a man has interest, he will, doubtless, be amply provided for—and sent to a parish to fleece the flock. But, on the other hand, if a Clergyman prefer the company of the serious-if he read his Bible, and endeavour to live a life of holiness, if he be zealous in instructing the people, not merely in the Church, but from house to house if he lend his assistance to those places which are adopted for diffusing the light of the Gospel to the dark nations of the earth-he takes the most effectual method of excluding himself from the support and countenance of his Superiors in the Church.

'As far as we can learn, there is an existing order in some dioceses, by which strangers are excluded from preaching-but even here an undue and unwarrantable partiality is evident; the idle and negligent part of the Clergy ask, and admit whom they please to assist them, or to supply their places when absent of this no notice is taken; but if a Clergyman of other sentiments should perchance indulge in the same liberty, an immediate censure is the consequence. When will men, who profess a belief in the Scriptures of truth, learn to judge a righteous judgment?

The act of an individual who is connected with those who are represented as turning the world upside down, is regarded as the act of a body; and if any error be committed, it is laid at their door, and is often construed into a systematic opposition to superior authority. It would be unjust to charge the whole Bench of Bishops, however, with the indiscretion of any one of them.

'The idle and negligent Clergy do not like zeal and

exertions-their feeling, no doubt, is, in so doing, you condemn us and therefore they will not associate with those who expose them to the just and merited rebuke of an observing, though ungodly, world; and even this very separation is charged upon those with whom it did not originate.

'The obstacles which are opposed to the entrance of young men of piety into the Establishment, forms another awful proof of prevailing degeneracy. A youth, whose ignorance, worldly-mindedness, and even impiety, are glaring, readily procures ordination-especially, if, as is sometimes the case, he is the son or relative of a Bishop; whilst one whose understanding, literary attainments, and piety are calculated to make him an ornament to the Church, and a blessing to society, is rejected, perhaps without a hearing-without a patient, candid consideration of his qualifications. If under such circumstances, he attaches himself to any other Church, and becomes a Minister, his former profession is regarded as hypocritical and insincere; if he remains a member of the Establishment, he is obliged to enter upon other studies, and to bend his mind to other pursuits, without the least consideration for his lost labour, time, and expense.

"The precept "lay hands suddenly on no man," seems to be either totally forgotten, or totally misunderstood; and certainly, at present, neither zeal, nor piety is any recommendation for one who wishes to be ordained, or to obtain a situation in the Establishment.

'As our Visitations are now carried on, they are mere matters of form-and certainly there is more attention paid in many instances to the collection of