me to caution you against that reaction to which the human mind is so prone. Let me exhort you to beware of falling into the opposite extreme. Let me exhort you to beware of giving utterance to any sentiments tending to depreciate the efficacy of those sacraments which when rightly received and duly administered, must, by virtue of their Divine institution, have a special blessing attendant upon them. Beware of lowering the claims which our apostolic Church has upon the allegiance of its members, and of evincing any inattention to its discipline.

It must be freely admitted, that the kernel is incomparably more valuable than the shell, by which it is enveloped, but the latter must be protected, in order that the former may be brought to maturity. Suffer not, therefore, your flocks to suppose that external ordinances are matters of indifference-that modes of faith are of secondary importance, provided they be held in sincerity-that the authority of the Church is of little moment-that there are no limitations to the exercise of the right of private judgment-or, that the sin of schism may be committed with impunity. When St. Paul, in writing to the Ephesians, had enumerated the gifts which the Lord Jesus had imparted to His Church after His Ascension, he assigns the end for which they were bestowed, viz. for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. If, therefore, the ministers of the Church of England feel themselves called upon by the peculiar circumstances of the times to uphold their office and to as

sert their authority, it is because they deem such a course consonant with the word of God; and because they cannot fail to perceive the injurious consequences flowing from that schismatical and sectarian spirit, which is so much opposed to the commands of him, who is "the author of peace and the lover of concord." If they exhort the people committed to their care to obey those that have the rule over them and to submit themselves ; it is because they watch for their souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief,

Having already trespassed so long upon your attention with reference to subjects affecting the purity and integrity of that system of religious truth which was adopted by our Reformers; very little time now remains for touching upon others which are connected with the temporal rights and privileges of the Church, and the external relation in which it stands to the state. They must not, however, be passed over wholly unnoticed.

It is painful to me to be obliged so frequently to give an expression to my feelings in the language of complaint; especially when those feelings may appear to some to be imbued with the spirit of party. But, when Church and State are so closely interwoven as they are in this country, if secular politicians carry their interference in the concerns of the former to an unwarrantable extent, it is our duty to protest against such interference. In doing this, while I would never shrink from the honest avowal of my own convictions, I would, at the same time, avoid any unnecessary asperity of remark,

and any allusion to political measures, except as they may tend to affect the stability of our religious institu

tions.

Ever since the fatal inroad which was made upon the constitution in the year 1829, you must have observed that wherever the interests of the United Church of England and Ireland were involved-and I may add, with regard to the registration acts, even where its discipline was concerned, -the whole current of legislation has flowed in a channel adverse to those interests and to that discipline. Whether it may be from the spirit of the age," or in consequence of "the pressure from without," the reckless hand of innovation has been busily and unsparingly at work. Legislative enactments have been passed in opposition to the wishes of the immensely preponderating majority of ministers and members of the Established Church, and in deference to those of its avowed and inveterate enemies. One encroachment upon its privileges and independence has been attempted after another, till it is impossible to say how far the machinations of its foes will be suffered to proceed.

In Ireland a system of education has been introduced directly opposed to the conscientious convictions of the Protestant Clergy, and calculated to diffuse the errors of Popery. An invasion also of the temporal rights and possessions of the Church has been perpetrated upon a large and extended scale. By the suppression of no less than ten sees, a precedent has been established for an unjustifiable alienation of ecclesiastical property from

its original purposes in the maintenance of those sees, to which temporizing statesmen can make a plausible appeal when meditating further changes. Accordingly, not only has a plan been announced by which, if it had been carried into effect, the Clergy of Ireland would have been despoiled of a large portion of their incomes, and converted into mere stipendiaries of the state; but an inquisitorial tribunal has been erected in this country for the purpose eventually of taking out of the hands of the Bishops and of the corporate bodies of the Cathedrals, the management of their own estates and endowments, and of devoting any surplus, which may by some dexterous process be extracted from them, to the liquidation of the Church rates. It is obvious that if this scheme be accomplished, it would inflict a fatal blow upon the independence of the prelacy, and, at the same time, defraud the Church of rights which are founded upon the most ancient usage, and immemorial prescription.

Time will not permit me to enter upon the consideration of two other topics of great importance, viz. the reduction of Cathedral establishments, and the recently proposed system of national education. Against the former, many solid arguments may be advanced. To the latter, we are bound by every motive which can influence us as ministers of the everlasting gospel, who have received this special commission from its Divine Author-feed my lambs-we are bound to maintain a firm, decided, uncompromising opposition.

Permit me now in conclusion, earnestly and affection

ately to exhort you, my Reverend Brethren, to stir up every faculty, every gift, every grace, to the most strenuous exertions, in humble dependence on the Divine blessing to crown those exertions with success. We are engaged in a contest not less arduous, than it is honourable. Our position is one of overwhelming interest and of the highest responsibility. The ark of the Christian faith is committed to our custody, and upon us devolves the important office of shielding it from every assailant. It behoves us to watch over the purity of that faith with assiduous and unremitting attention; and most thoughtfully to consider how we ought to behave ourselves in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Reflecting how many eyes are upon us for evil, and not for good, we should walk warily and circumspectly, giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed. The more we magnify our office, so much the more carefully should we guard against any thing which might reflect the slightest discredit upon it. Conscious that we are made, as it were, a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men, let us take heed to ourselves and to the doctrine which we deliver. We are the depositaries, not of an uncertain, precarious, fallible tradition, but of the infinitely momentous and immutable truths contained in the unerring word of God, and exhibited and illustrated in the formularies of our Church. Of that blessed word, we are the authorized interpreters; and for the faithful interpretation of it we are deeply responsible; and to the correct interpretation of it we are

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