that of the respectable body to which he belongs. The sentiments are at once charitable and manly, without sacrificing at the shrine of spurious liberality any of the distinguishing and essential principles of his Church.

"We prefer, in opposition indeed to a a large majority of our countrymen, but decidedly we prefer the Episcopal form of Church polity. And we do this not on light grounds, or from early prepossessions, but because it is in our estimation of apostolic origin, and therefore of divine institution. To this form which was once established by law in our native land, and is still in the other two branches of the British empire, we steadily and conscientiously adhere, with no feelings, however, of illiberality or uncharitableness towards those who differ from us, much less of envy or reproach towards the members of the Established Church. With that Church we never had any connection, we never separated from her, because we never belonged to her, and therefore in our views regarding her we can be actuated by no sectarian spirit. We respect, and would be the foremost to support her as an establishment in times of public danger,—her numerous and enlightened members, we hold in that just estimation which is their due, and we readily acknowledge her claims upon our gratitude, for rearing and fostering a sober and religious people. But while we entertain these sentiments of respect

and friendship for the Establishment, we sincerely believe that our Church, in constitution, worship, and doctrine, approaches nearer to the purity of primitive times; and we deem it essential that all, who profess to join in her communion, should distinctly understand her principles, and the reason of their attachment to them.Otherwise, situated as we are in the midst of a much larger denomination of Christians, we should soon cease to exist as a religious community; clergy and laity would by degrees become ignorant of our peculiar tenets, and, in consequence, indifferent to our distinctive principles. And thus the Church would soon be absorbed in those religious communities with which she is surrounded, agreeable to that universal law of nature, by which smaller bodies gravitate towards larger ones. Firmly attached then, my brethren, to your Church, in her constitution, forms, and doctrines, from a sincere conviction of their excellence and importance, you will not, I am sure, rest satisfied that you have REMEMBRANCER, No. 66.

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versy, proceeds, with the utmost propriety to deliver a short address to his brethren of the laity. In this address, after observing, that in consequence of the numerous inconveclergy are necessarily subjected, niences and privations to which their they are entitled to claim their cheerful co-operation, attachment, and support, he thus feelingly alludes to the depressed condition of their pastors.

"From the peculiar circumstances in which the Clergy of our Church have been placed for many years, unsupported, as they are, by the powers, and unaided by the wealth, of this world, they have perhaps stronger claims on the best feelings of their people than those of any other Church at the present day. He who is not possessed of a considerable share of Christian humility and self-denial, as well as disinterestedness and zeal, can engage in no employment, which is less likely to yield him satis. faction and comfort than that of a Clergyman of our Church; for except the consciousness, or the hope, of doing good, he can expect no pleasure, he can hope to reap no advantage. You are all aware, my brethren, that from the peculiar nature of 3 A

our undertaking, all the avenues to wealth, independence, or secular reputation, are shut against us. With us, the fruits of a liberal education, the study and application of years, the flower and vigour of life,

are not employed, as in the case of others, in pursuing the paths of ambition, in providing a liberal maintenance for our families, or in laying a foundation for future years of independence and ease, but in submitting to a voluntary though honourable poverty, and in following almost innumerable difficulties and discouragements, the steps of those holy apostles and prophets, who willingly endured every trial and deprivation for Christ's sake, and spent themselves in a zealous effort to promote the salvation of sinners, and to direct fallen

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and erring mortals into the paths of eternal happiness."

This picture is far from being overcharged. The Episcopal Clergy in Scotland derive their sole subsistence from the voluntary contributions of their respective congrega. tions, and though some of these congregations be very small, and the income of the clergyman, consequently, very limited, yet a case has seldom, perhaps never, occurred, wherein the Clergyman has manifested a spirit of discontent with his situation. The Clergy, indeed, with very few exceptions, receive a liberal education, and several of the present Bishops and Clergy are, by their writings, well known to the world. We have, however, been not a little surprised, that the legislature should not have taken some steps to alleviate the depressed state of the Clergy of the Scotch Episcopal Church, when it is well known, that the Dissenters, and even Roman Catholics receive pecuniary aid from Government; yet this Church which is recognized by the State, which teaches the same doctrines, professes the same articles of faith, and uses the same liturgy, with the united Church of England and Ireland, does not experience that protection and support to which (whether civil or religious principles be the object of consideration) she is at least equally entitled with those who are more highly favoured.

A Sermon preached at the Anniversary Meeting of the Stewards of the Sons of the Clergy, in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, on Thursday, May 15, 1823. By the Reverend George D'Oyly, D.D. Rector of Lambeth, and of Sundridge in the County of Kent. 4to. 1824. Rivingtons.

THE text selected by Dr. D'Oyly for his discoure is the following declaration of our Lord: "Into whatsoever house ye enter, there remain eating and drinking such things as they give; for the labourer is worthy of his hire." Which he thus paraphrases, and subsequently considers as containing a general principle applicable to all time and to all conditions of the Christian Church;

"Into whatsoever house ye enter, scruple not to accept of such provisions as may be offered to you; for he who labours for the good of others in the service of the Gospel, and in so doing foregoes his customary means of providing for his own wants has every reasonable claim for a those for whose benefit he labours." P. viii. supply of the necessaries of life from

"The justness of this principle indeed could not (he remarks) be doubted, even if no

precepts relating to it had been delivered by our blessed Lord, or his Apostles. For, if it be the law of nature ordained by the wise providence of God, that the several talents and faculties of mind and body, entrusted to different individuals, should be diligently employed in fulfilling the duties which their stations in society impose upon them respectively; that each, in pursuing those ends which are in the main useful to himself, should for the most part be ministering in due subordination to the advancement of the general welfare; and if the honourable ambition of attaining to worldly distinctions and emoluments, be a feeling implanted in us for the purpose of quickening industry, of invigorating endeavour, of stimulating to useful and meritorious exertion; how will it be maintained that the most important of all professions should be excluded from the operation of this principle? Granting, as assuredly it will be granted, that he who is the ordained minister of the Gospel, ought to derive his principal motives of action from heaven, and not from earth; ought to be influenced, beyond every other consideration, by the desire of approving himself in the sight of that supreme Master whom he serves; still, constituted as we all are, with various wants, natural and adventitious; with various claims upon us arising out of the proprieties of station, and the demands of charity; with various duties to be fulfilled towards children, families, connections, and dependants; it were no less unjustifiable to throw aside altogether views of worldly advancement and emolument, than it is unbecoming to make them of paramount importance, and to pursue them beyond their just degree.

"Let it be remembered too, that it is required by divine authority, not only that those who minister at the altar, should devote a regular portion of their time to their high and holy functions, but also that they should be set apart from the ordinary secular employments of life, ordained by imposition of hands, and thereby invested with authority to act as stewards of the mysteries of God." Nor is it fitting that this office should be undertaken without a regular course of preparatory education. For if we find that no one ever thinks of engaging in the professions which concern the temporal interests of men, without having regularly devoted his time and attention to its peculiar duties; who could tolerate the notion that a different course can with propriety be pursued

* 1 Cor. iv. 1.

with respect to the most important of all professions, that of minister and teacher of the Gospel? He who would instruct others, must be well instructed himself. He who would explain to others the volume of God's inspired word, must himself have made that volume, in some sufficient degree, the subject of his study; must be acquainted with the original tongues in which it is written, and with the labours of learned men in expounding it; must know well the reasons of the faith which is in him, to the end that he may confirm others in the same. And, if it be proper that all should be thus competently instructed in the knowledge connected with their peculiar duties, it is no less necessary, that some at least amongst them should be thoroughly armed at all points to maintain on just occasions, and to confirm the truth, by wielding with skill and with effect the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God *;' by confuting the gainsayer, by exposing the sophistry of the secret enemy of the truth, and by repelling the attacks of the bold and undisguised assailant. Surely then they, of whom it is most properly required that they should qualify themselves for the ministry, by a course of preparatory study, which always occupies a large portion of time, and can only be carried on at a considerable expence, are justified in expecting that the fair and liberal emoluments of a profession may not be denied to them. They who exclude themselves from other advantages that they may preach the Gospel,' may reasonably expect that, 'as the Lord has ordained, they may live by the Gospelt; may be placed in the same condition of outward respectability, in which the diligent employment of the same talents would have placed them in other professions." P. ix.

Dr. D'Oyly then proceeds to anticipate and answer the following objections.

"But we are told, perhaps, that this acknowledged insufficiency of remuneration to the minister, in so many benefices, arises altogether from the unequal distribution of the revenues of the Church; and that the portion of the clergy, who are provided for on too large a scale, is at least as great as of those whose professional income is too narrow and contracted. Without, however, entering far into such a subject as this, I may be permitted to assert the fact, which rests on state

ments too clear to be doubted, that, even if all the larger preferments were stript to increase the smaller ones, still the consequence would be, that the whole of the clergy would be placed on a very humble scale of remuneration, such as no considerate person would allow to be suited to their character and station. But, granting such an arrangement to take place, what would be the consequence? Most assuredly, that the talents, attainments, and general respectability, possessed by the clergy as a body, would become greatly reduced. For let it be asked, under a system which brought the value of all preferments to one moderate level, where, with reference to those worldly advantages which must and ought to weigh in their just degree with every human being,-where would be the reward of merit, where the prize that animates hope, and stimulates to exertion? Where would be the inducement to persons of rising talent and superior endow-ments to devote themselves to the service of the Church, in preference to other professions, in which their laudable ambition of worldly distinction might have fairer occasions and ampler recompense pre sented to it? Surely, it will not be deem ed an ill-timed or an empty boast, but a matter on which we may at all times reflect with honest pride and exultation, that the Church of England has hitherto drawn very abundantly on the best talent of the country for the supply of her ministry; that she has numbered amongst those, who have been ordained to assist at her holy offices, many who would have been proud ornaments to any profession; many who have done excellent service to the great cause of Christianity, by standing up at the hour of trial for the successful defence of her bulwarks. Had all her higher dignities and honours and emolu ments been laid low in the dust, where would have been those, her great lights and ornaments of elder and of later times, whose works remain as models of profound erudition, of clear and apposite reasoning, of sound exposition, of commanding eloquence; and who claim for her in these particulars a marked pre-eminence over the other churches of Christendom? No doubt, their high talents would have been drawn to other callings and walks of life, and would not have graced the lists of our Church, nor have been exerted in her defence. Surely, then, no real friend to the interests of religion amongst us, no one who knows the value and the influence of a well-edu.

cated clergy, who are generally respectable, no less for their professional and other acquirements, than for genuine Christian zeal and inward piety of heart, and amongst whom are to be found individuals of the highest range of talents and attainments, would be desirous of seeing that tame mediocrity of character introduced amongst us, which would unavoidably result from the general reduction of all preferments to one uniform and moderate level.

"But, having adverted to the too numerous instances amongst us, in which the labourer in the vineyard of Christ is deprived of that recompense of worldly emolument which is justly due to him, do not the circumstances of the present times call upon us to allude to another description of recompense, of which all the ministers of the Gospel are now too generally deprived; I mean, a fair return of honour and respect for conscientions endeavours to perform their duty? While to the value of this recompense no person, in any department of life, can be insensible; the the minister of the Gospel doubly prizes it, because he feels that, on the good opinion of those, who are intrusted to his charge, will largely depend the influence which his instructions carry with them, and his usefulness in the exercise of his spiritual functions. If then, in all other professions, there be no indisposition on the part of the public to do full justice to meritorious zeal, and to praise-worthy exertion; why, let it be asked, is a dif ferent measure so often dealt out to the ministers of the Gospel? Why are they so frequently assailed, in various publications of the day, by every species of misrepresentation, calumny, and invective? Why are they subjected to that worst description of inquisitorial censure, which greedily seizes on every failing and infirmity, and delights to magnify it in public view, while it studiously suppresses, and keeps in the back-ground, every topic of well-earned praise and honour? Why, when the general moderation of the clergy in exercising their rights of property is acknowledged by every candid mind, are they so often represented as rigid and severe exactors? Why, if here and there occur unhappy instances of misconduct in individual members of this sacred body

instances which their brethren lament tenfold, but from which they feel it vain to expect that so large a body can be wholly exempt-why is the whole order, with a measure of peculiar injustice, such as is dealt out to no other class of men,

broadly and at once branded with the mark? Surely, the bitterest defamer of the clergy will not deny to them the general credit, that many amongst them are, -we trust, by far the greater number will, by the candid inquirer, be foundpure and blameless in their lives and conversation, punctual in the discharge of their functions, active promoters of good and orderly habits amongst their parishioners, particularly instrumental in training up the young to upright principles, diligent in reclaiming and discouraging the vicious, in consoling the afflicted, in extending alms to the destitute, in holding out to all within their sphere the light of a good example. Why then is the hard measure dealt out to them, as a body, of being subjected to continually repeated aspersions of the grossest kind, the effect of which no consciousness of having deserved better things can prevent them from feeling and lamenting? The Apostle St. Paul exhorted, as we know, his Thessalonian converts, to esteem those who labour for them, and are over them in the Lord, for their work's sake *." But how much at variance with this precept is the too frequent practice of the present day, when to those who labour in the work of the ministry, is assigned no other recompense than obloquy and reproach.” P. xv.

The discourse is concluded with the following just and affecting appeal.

"We have here before us, as suitors for our charity, the children of those ministers of the Gospel to whom has been denied in this world a sufficient recompense for their labours; and who now, in the persons of those most dear to them, solicit some portion of that debt, which every considerate mind acknowledges to be their due. These Ministers of the Gospel, after a life spent in the faithful discharge of the highest of all functions, and after a struggle, under scanty circumstances, to maintain that appearance in the world, which previous habits and a sense of the decorum of their station rendered necessary, have been called perhaps to rest from their labours, leaving their families in á state of destitution, aggravated by the remembrance of better fortunes, and of the brighter hope which once was theirs. If then, in every rank and station, the loss of a father be, to children just rising into life, indeed a bitter portion; involving,

1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

for the most part, the loss of the most effectual and authoritative guidance in the path of duty; how much more mixed up with bitterness is the same portion, when, as in a case where the means of subsistence have depended on the parent's life, the loss of many worldly comforts is added to its other sorrows. Here then is no fictitious tale of distress before us, such as too often damps the glow of charity in the heart, and restrains the hand disposed to give. Here is no ambiguous plea preferred for the relief of calamities which have arisen from the culpable misconduct of those who suffer them. Our suitors on the present occasion are not the bold impostor, not the sturdy mendicant, not the lazy profligate; but the young, the helpless, and the innocent; the children of those spiritual guides who have directed others in the path of righteousness; of those faithful shepherds who have fed their flocks in green pastures, and led them forth besides the waters of comfort*.

"In conclusion, then be the fervent prayer addressed to the throne of grace, that, as well in this work of love which is now before us, as in other points of Christian duty, we may all, through the aid of God's Holy Spirit, be enabled and disposed to fulfil the measure of Gospel righteousness, in a manner suited to our high calling, in Christ Jesus. And may those especially, who are the appointed labourers in the vineyard, whatever be their present recompense, whether they proceed on earth through evil or through good report, remember that their great object must ever be, to approve themselves in the sight of Him, to whose service they are pledged, and in whose work they are employed. Thus may

both they, and the flocks committed to their charge, receive at the last day the crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord, the righteous Judge +."

We add the following notes, which are affixed to the sermon.

"It appears from the returns made to his Majesty in council, and laid before Parliament, in 1818, that of 10,421 benefices returned, 4361 did not exceed 150%. per annum, that 1629 did not exceed 807. per annum, and 735 did not exceed 50%. per annum, while several were below 201 in annual value. Thus it is an ascertained fact, that much more than one-third of the benefices in the kingdom are not worth 150l. per annum; and it is probable that