Bishop would speak either to his clergy or laity on this subject, without a considerable and beneficial effect. But, in addition to this consideration, the authority of the Crown, moved by the most legitimate of all impulses on such a subject, that of the united voice of the Bench of Bishops, followed up, as it would doubtless be, by the dutiful conformity and acquiescence of the Nation and Church ;-would give to the measure a dignity which no other arrangement could effect. Let the hope, therefore, be indulged, that a respectful suggestion on this subject, conveyed in duty, and offered with submission, will be kindly and indulgently received in that important quarter. As respects the Ministers of the Crown; these will surely not be backward, should the spiritual Heads of the Church request the weight of their advice and interposition on this subject. Without examining this point in detail, or attempting to discover unwilling hearers of this proposal in that quarter, several distinguished ministers of the Crown occur to the mind in an instant, who, from what the public see of their proceedings and measures, would probably without hesitation answer to a proposal so submitted to them. Every feeling of holy patriotism, of enlarged piety, of generous faith and confidence, would urge them to forward the pious plan. Not a single motive occurs to me from that quarter, that could be anticipated to be unfriendly to it; every argument that can address itself to the loftiest emotions of the breast of an English statesman occurs in favour of it. Proceeding thus far, with the recommendation of the Bench of Bishops in favour of this proposal, and introduced through their influence to the Council Chamber of the Sovereign, who can doubt that her Majesty's zeal and affection for the best and highest interests of her distant subjects, and for the advancement of a general movement of piety and charity throughout the wide range of her subjects at home, would prompt her Royal Mind to set her seal of approbation on the wishes of her Bishops and the advice of her Ministers? in Whilst the Sovereign of these realms surveys thought, as doubtless she must often do, the vast extent of the empire she governs, recalling in majesty of sentiment corresponding with that of her position, the vast number of spiritual children within her wide influence as the nursing mother of Christ's Church; whilst she considers herself swaying the destinies of millions of the human race, by the tone and character of her measures, suggested by her constitutional advisers; must it not also frequently enter into the Royal Mind, that these countless millions have immortal souls, and that any train of thought or action which cements and binds together, or even tends to cement and bind together, these myriads of her subjects, must be a consummation devoutly to be wished? To an unregenerate, unrenewed heart, indeed, the power that belongs to the wearer of the British Crown might be too apt to suggest the unholy thought harboured by the haughty, self-trusting Nebuchadnezzar: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the honour of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty'?" But when, on the other hand, it is thankfully remembered that the sceptre of the British realms is in the hands of a baptized Christian Sovereign,-of one who both herself, and with her royal consort, is wont to "call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable," to "honour God's sabbaths, and reverence His sanctuary;" when it is further remembered, that the Church of which her Majesty is at once a member, and, in these realms, the earthly head,-is that very body ordained, under Christ, to be the instrument of fulfilment of His divine prayer, that all His followers " may be one 2;"-can we doubt for a moment that to a mind so circumstanced no bond of union could seem more effective and more effectual, from the North to the South, from the East to the West of her Empire, than that suggested by a simultaneous act of national piety and devotion, whereby to concentrate the collected alms of a large Church and Nation, for the extension of Christ's everlasting Gospel to the utmost limits of her sway? As the mind travels with this vast thought to the secret chamber of the illustrious individual reverently 1 2 St. John xvii. 22. referred to, it is lost in admiration at the powers one individual possesses of carrying out such a project, whilst the warmest hopes are breathed at the same time of her readiness to advance its fulfilment! It should seem, therefore, my Lord, as if in the chain of auxiliaries that has been respectfully described, every ground of hope presents itself for anticipating sympathy and co-operation,-from the spiritual heads of the Church, from the constitutional advisers of the State, and from the highest civil and ecclesiastical authority in the realm! God grant that it may so prove! May the present extensive project, my Lord, reach the minds of your superiors and brethren in the Episcopate, in a practicable and desirable form! May their convictions on it be such as to urge their views upon the Ministers of State, who in their turn, let us hope, will not afford a cold or reluctant ear to such a project from such a quarter! And, finally, should the proposition advance so far, let a still livelier hope be respectfully cherished, that the august Monarch of these realms may look with an eye of favour on the suggestion of her Bishops and her Civil Ministers, and set the seal of her Royal approbation on this work of charity and religion. Allow me, my Lord, in conclusion, to apply thus practically that large, comprehensive prayer of our Liturgy:" for the good estate of the Catholick Church;—that it may be so guided and governed by God's good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life." In the spirit of this prayer, and with much respect for your Lordship's person and office, believe me to remain, My Lord, Your Lordship's Obedient Servant, COLE ORTON RECTORY, May 10th, 1845. FRANCIS MEREWETHER. |