about the close of 1824. We extract the following account of the consecration from "The Living and the Dead.”

To this hour I remember the effect-and I question whether aught but the chilling approach of death will efface it from my recollection-which the Archdeacon's air and manner produced upon me the last time I ever saw him officiate. It was at the consecration of his church at Rode. I call it his church, because to his influenceto his exertions-to his judicious and unbounded liberality, it owes its existence; because it was embellished by his taste; and completed under his constant and unwearied superintendence. The expression of countenance as he accompanied the bishop up the aisle, repeating the consecration service-those who witnessed, will ever remember, though they cannot describe. Joy-gratitude-humility-devotion-all were imaged forth in that dark and full beaming eye.-It told of difficulties surmounted-of obstacles overcome- of holy triumph-of heaven in view. Nor was the scene subsequently, at the altar, less imposing. There stood prominently before it three venerable figures, whose united ages could not fall short of two hundred and forty years. The Bishop of Salisbury, bending under the pressure of age and infirmity, occupied the foreground. On the right was Dr. Daubeny, on whose erect and manly form time seemed hardly to have dared to lay his withering hand; on the left, the Vicar of Steeple Ashton, whose tottering gait and silver locks bore out the assertion that he was verging on his ninetieth year. Around them were to be seen in clustering attendance, the junior clergy, with whose glowing countenances and youthful figures, these aged dignitaries formed an affecting contrast. They had nearly finished their course on time's eventfal journey; with the others, it was just begun.

The church is a perfect picture. Built in the most beautiful style of Gothic architecture on the summit of a hill-in the midst of the most enchanting landscapelooking down with an air of protection upon the hamlet that is scattered at irregular intervals below it-and completely isolated from every other object-it forms a feature on which the eye of the most fastidious critic may repose with transport. Its cost is reputed to have exceeded ten thousand pounds; of which the Archdeacon alone contributed three. "It is my legacy," ," he said to me at Bradley, after the consecration was over, "to the Church of England." The books for the reading desk are the gift of the Archdeacon's

grand-children! being, as I heard the little ones joyfully relate, "the savings of our pocket-money towards grandpapa's church." The plate for the communion, was presented by the Archdeacon; and there is a fact connected with it so emblematic of his simplicity of heart, and to my mind so expressive of his character, that I cannot forbear recording it. Some months previous to the completion of Rode church, its indefatigable supporter was so severely attacked with illness that his recovery was deemed hopeless. Acquainted with the opinion of his medical men, and perfectly coinciding in it, he calmly and steadily betook himself to settle his affairs, and especially every particular relating to his church. "Let the communion vessels," said he to his old friend Mr. Hey, as handsome as can be made-but plated. I have always condemned those who have placed unnecessary temptations in the path of their fellow mortals; and I am earnest that the last act of my life should hold out to others no inducement to sin."

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The Archdeacon afterwards built a manse for the minister, in the same Gothic style; expending altogether upon these pious works between 4 and 5000%. exclusive of about 30007. which were subscribed towards it. The duty of this church seemed to be a fresh stimulus to his exertions, frequently officiating in it, although distant nearly four miles from Bradley. His health was of late much improved, and his mind actively employed in writing his Charge, and preparing his two last works for the press. The Archdeacon entered on his last visitation, accompanied by his son-in-law, with great alacrity and cheerfulness. The day after he delivered his Charge the following insertion appeared in the Devizes Gazette:

The Venerable the Archdeacon of Sarum yesterday held his visitation at Salisbury. His charge was listened to with the warmest emotions of admiration; it embodied every thing relative to the times; it was decided but benevolent. "Mercy and truth met together, righteousness and peace embraced each other." When we beheld the man of fourscore years in the midst of his clergy, it recalled to our mind the day when the venerable patriarch, on the verge of eternity, was occupied in instructing and blessing his children. What a "crown of glory" is the hoary head, when moving in the paths of righteousness. May those to whom his admonitions were directed imi

tate his apostolic example, and the Church will appear fair as the morning,-bright as the sun, and terrible to her enemies as an army with banners."

The three following days the Archdeacon visited at Hindon, Warminster, and Melksham; and returned home in excellent health and spirits, and without experiencing the slightest fatigue. On the Sunday following he read the communion service at his parish church in the morning, and preached in the evening at Rode, Church, with his accustomed energy. The next morning he said he had passed an unquiet night, and soon after breakfast he retired to his room. In a short time his daughter was summoned, when she found him sitting by the bed-side, apparently faint; but before she could call for assistance her venerable parent fell to the floor. Being raised in the arms of his children, he instantly recovered, and said, that he was seized with pain on his chest soon after he laid down, which he supposed had caused his faintness. The pain was relieved, and cheering hopes were entertained that he would soon be as usual. But, alas! the pain soon returned, and continued, with little intermission, through the day. When most severe he turned to his daughter and said, "I hope that I am not impatient, but this pain is hard to bear; I never felt any thing like it before." At another time he said, "My child, I am giving you all a great deal of trouble." His hands were frequently clasped and raised, and his lips moved. Once he was heard to say, in a subdued tone, "Oh! might it, or may it, please the Lord now to take me." No expression of impatience escaped him; he took every remedy which was prescribed, and at intervals conversed with his usual cheerfulness. His sufferings seemed considerably to abate, but still he appeared extremely restless. In the evening, his medical attendant coming in, he spoke to him cheerfully, but observed, that he thought the pain was increasing. Soon after he complained of sickness; and in a moment closed his eyes, and sunk gently into the arms of his attendant.

Thus died this good and venerable man; so imperceptibly, that not a single struggle or sigh escaped him. By those

who dearly loved him; by his family especially, who daily saw him in full possession of his faculties, alive to every call of duty and affection; by all those it is deeply felt as a sad, an irreparable bereavement. But when they recal the period of his former sickness; when his soul, at the expected approach of death, was full of resignation, of hope, and immortality; and know, that it was his own firm conviction, that he was then raised up to fulfil a blessed work, which has been most happily completed, to the comfort and joy of his heart; surely they ought to derive their highest consolation from the reflection, that this pious and upright man, like the "wise virgins," had long since "trimmed his lamp," he had nothing more to do than to obey the blessed call, and " go forth to meet the Bridegroom."

It is now proper that we should say a few words respecting the Archdeacon's character. We say much, but we speak safely when we affirm, that he was a truly honest man. Possessed of great firmness of mind, and the most ardent love of truth, he appeared to have a natural aversion to every thing mean or unworthy, and to despise all arts of flattery and obsequiousness. Perhaps few persons, possessed of his mental and personal advantages, ever sought so little the opinion or distinctions of the world. His reluctance to mix with the gay, and his reserve towards strangers, was often construed into pride, by those who knew little of his character; this, together with the natural firmness of his mind, rendered him unsuited to the world in general. It was the remark of the pious and learned Mr. Jones, of Nayland," that being quite right stood more in a man's way than being a good deal wrong." Thus the Archdeacon was too orthodox, too upright, too rigid in his notions of right and wrong, to associate generally with the world. His feelings were of the most susceptible kind, which, added to a delicate and nervous frame of body, often painfully overpowered him, and caused him to suffer acutely under all domestic afflictions. His temper was quick, but free from the smallest tincture of bitterness and moroseness; so much so, that if he was conscious of

Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Scriptures were disseminated at a time when no other society existed for the dissemination of them. From the year 1748 down to the year 1809, this country received a supply of Bibles and Testaments, amounting in all to 80,000 copies; and from the year 1812, when this Diocesan Committee was formed, down to the present year 1827, this diocese alone has received a supply of Bibles, Testaments, Prayer Books, and Religious Tracts, amounting to 64,411 copies, which, added to those distributed in the other dioceses of North and South Wales, will make an amount of about 30,000 books received from the stores of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.*

tion has been paid by the respective masters; and has proved that the want of due results in others, is solely to be ascribed to the indifference of the master to the interests of his poorer scholars, and to the selfish feeling, which induces him to forward the views only of those who are not instructed gratuitously. To the superintending care of the Clergy, the committee looks with confidence; without this, the master who would do his duty, loses his best earthly reward; without this, the master who wishes to neglect his duty, sins unrestrained against the rising members of his Church, weakens the efficiency of the national system of instruction, and injures society at large. It is presumed also, that the Clergy, who assemble in such numbers at the periodical examinations of the children of their parishes, would feel their zeal was rewarded, could they obtain the attendance of the resident laity, at the examinations, as they now obtain their kind and liberal co-operation, in the general support of these institutions. J. H. COTTON,

Secretary.

We have received, with much pleasure, an account of the first exertions which have been made in this large and important district in behalf of these venerable Societies. We believe, on a former occasion, we noticed this town, among many others, as being deficient in zeal in supporting the great and Christian cause of providing for the spiritual wants of their poorer brethren at home, and of converting the unenlightened heathen. Believing that this deficiency arose mainly from a want of knowledge - a proper conception of the nature and objects of the Societies, we commend the mea

"A translation of Bishop Blomfield's Manual of Family Prayers into Welsh has beed adopted, upon the recommendation of some of the Prelates more immediately connected with the Principality; and in order to secure greater correctness in the printing, arrangements have been made for printing this and other Welsh Books in Wales."-Extract from the Report of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge for 1827.

sures which were adopted by the vicar and his clergy. They issued a brief but sufficient statement of the designs of these Institutions, and earnestly appealed to the hearts and consciences of their parishioners to discharge a plain and positive duty. This document was attested by the signatures of all the clergy of the town, that nothing might appear wanting to insure it proper attention. Soon after, on the 25th of November last, two Sermons were preached in two of the churches, one in the morning by the Rev. J. B. Sumner, and the other in the afternoon by the Rev. W. S. Gilly, names too well known to need any addition. The churches were crowded to excess, and it is calculated that not less than 5000 persons were present; so dense indeed was the mass, that the attempt to make a collection in the churches was much hindered, and the plan of holding plates at the doors appears not to have been adopted. On the following day a PUBLIC MEETING was held to establish a District Committee, and further

to invite the attention and contributions of the public. The Vicar of Newcastle was called to the chair, and he stated that the Bishop of the Diocese was prevented filling that situation by numerous engagements. In addition to all the Clergy of the District, and the Rev. Messrs. Sumner and Gilly, the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, and the Rev. John Sandford lately preferred by the Bishop of the Diocese to the Vicarage of Chillingham, and a few laymen, took their stations on the platform.

Before we proceed to give an account of many excellent and interesting speeches which were delivered, we feel compelled to state the impression received by the perusal of some of them. The speakers appear to us not to have sufficiently considered the peculiar and distinctive character of the Societies whose cause they advocated. Do not the members of the Church of England believe, that within her pale "the purest form of communion is found, and the best external means are provided, for worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth?" (Bp. Sumner.) Should it not, then, be the endeavour of every honest churchman, by all the means in his power, yet in the spirit of love, to extend the influence of his church? Do not, therefore, the venerable Societies we have mentioned, deserve especial praise, because such is their grand and leading object? Are they not to be commended, because they strive to disseminate the Gospel truth in all sincerity, yet with those forms and ordinances of grace which the Church of England deems highly expedient and of apostolic origin? Our church holds that the Bible, without note or comment, contains all that is necessary for man to believe and practise; yet being firmly persuaded, that her polity is well fitted to advance the glory of God and the salvation of sinners, that her comments explain and illustrate and enforce the sacred text, she honestly and fairly, through the medium of these institutions, invites others to walk in that way, which she knows to be safe. Hence she scruples not to send out with the Bible her most evangelical commentary, the Book of Common Prayer, and adds tracts and exhortations, written in conformity with her doctrines. Our church fully

admits the right of private judgment; but she knows also, that it is her duty to remind her people, "that they are morally accountable for the exercise of that right." (Bp. Kaye.)

We regret that we must now be more particular in our remarks, for we must advert to the following passage, which we find in the reported speech of the Rev. Thomas Gisborne:

The doctrine of Christ was universal love; and for the sake of Christ we ought to support all institutions that have for their purpose the extension of his kingdom. It had been stated, early in the day, that the different religious societies all tended to the same result-to effect one common object, the knowledge of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. In corroboration of this unity of purpose, he was happy to state, that the two old Church of England Societies, and the Bible Society, and the Church Missionary Society, had each contributed 5000l. towards the erection and endowment of Bishop's College, in Calcutta, to instruct a Christian priesthood, and furnish native missionaries for our immense empire in India.

The inference that we draw from these words is this, that it is the duty of Christians to support alike all institutions which have a religious object; and to give an example, that it is the duty of churchmen to subscribe to both the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, commonly called the Church Missionary Society. If this be the meaning of the Rev. Gentleman, does it not involve a serious charge against those members of our church who give their support to one Society only? Viewing it in this light, we shall shortly state our reasons for thinking that a churchman may honestly confine his contributions to one. Suppose he can afford to give four guineas annually towards missionary objects. Mr. Gisborne would perhaps say, Give two to one, and the same to the other. Our advice would be, examine the constitution, enquire into the present state of each Society, and that which you judge the safest and the best, that support with all your means. It is not enough that a society has a religious object; with what success, and in what manner is that object pursued? We confess we prefer the Society for the Propagation