him of his fins, and ftedfaftly believe that Chrift hath fuffered death upon the crofs for him, and fhed his blood for his redemption, earnestly remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving him hearty thanks therefore, he doth eat and drink the body and blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to his foul's health, although he doth not receive the Sacrament with his mouth!"

The excellent Bishop Wilfon has fupplied a fhort Form of Spiritual Communion, as he terms it, in his very useful book on the Lord's Supper; a book which has done more good to fociety in promoting religion and virtue among the mass of the people, than the lucubrations of the most learned profeffors, or the subtleties of the proudest among modern philofophers.

SECTION XXVII.

The fmall Number of Perfons, comparatively Speaking, who receive the Sacrament throughout a Country profeffing Chriftianity.

I'

the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, as the Church afferts, "be generally neceffary to falvation," and fo many most important benefits, as I hope has been proved, be annexed to it in this life, how greatly is it to be lamented, that few in comparison, ever think of receiving it.

Select any great and populous parish in the kingdom, and you will perhaps find, that fcarcely one in ten among the inhabitants, has done that which the Church declares" to be generally neceffary to falvation." The poor

and laborious are certainly no less interested in communicating at the Altar Table than perfons in the middle and higher claffes; yet a very great majority

of

་

of the poor and laborious are found to neglect it entirely, and to refign their breath without having once tafted what is called in Scripture, the Bread of Life.

To a mind which duly reflects, this confideration cannot but be painful. It muft operate in exciting the endeavours of all who have opportunities, to recom→ mend the performance of this duty to every individual, from the peer to the peafant and the beggar. It fhould be the frequent fubject of animated addreffes from the pulpit; of affectionate inftructions in the family, and of friendly converse in the cottage..

The old Canons of the Church are very ftrict in requiring a general attendance on this holy rite. They declare all perfons who.come to Church and join in the prayers, and yet turn their backs on the Eucharift, excommunicate. That fuch feverity fhould be revived is not defirable. Many might be compelled by it to attend with minds unprepared, and in a state which might render them unworthy Example

14

Example and perfuafion are the modes to be now adopted. Inftruction in the nature, end, defign, and benefits, must be first given with patient perfeverance. Little tracts fhould be diftributed; but caution should be used, left those books, which, by explaining away the mystery and benefits, render the Sacrament a mere nullity, fhould infinuate themselves; and left the imitators of Hoadly fhould find their way into the cottage, instead of Bishop Wilson. The pulpit is certainly the proper place for instructing the poor; . but unfortunately the very poor, thofe who are afhamed of their ragged and squalid appearance, feldom enter the church. Yet of fuch was Lazarus and other paupers recorded in the Gospel, to whom the compaffionate Jefus fhewed particular attention. Tracts very fhort and very plain fhould be placed in their hands; and though many of them cannot read, yet they usually find fomebody who can and will read to them, efpecially fince the establishment of Sunday Schools. It is

fomething

fomething to turn their minds to the fob ject. They are pleafed with the attention and folicitude of their fuperiors in their favour; and are often converted by this circumftance alone, from the error of their ways, from drunkennefs and idleness to industry and frugality. I know nothing more that can be done, except, indeed, the zeal of well difpofed perfons fhould lead them to make domiciliary vifits to the poor, in order to enlighten their minds in things which fo much belong unto their peace. Such would be a godlike office; and they who undertake it muft not be offended by the fcoffs and ridicule of worldly-minded and infidel by-ftanders. I believe there are fome among the defpifed religionifts who, animated with fincere piety, perform fuch offices as thefe, and are fuccefsful. No liberal and truly Chriftian mind will def pife men who do fo much good, and, in confequence of it, fuffer fo much evil, as the contempt and reproach of their acquaintance. To go about doing good,

and