IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^. (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol ▼ (moaning "END"), whichavar applias. \}n das symbolaa suivants apparaftra sur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microficha, salon la cas: la symbols — ► signifia "A SUIVRE". la symbols V signifia "FIN". lira Maps, plataa, charta, ate, may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratios. Thosa too larga to ba antiraly included in ona axposura ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft hand cornar, laft to right and top to bottom, as many framas aa raquirad. Tha following diagrams illustrata tha mathod: Las cartas, planchas, tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra filmte A das taux da reduction diff Grants. Lorsqua la documant ast trap grand pour Atra raproduit an un aaul clichA, 11 ast film* A partir da I'angla supAriaur gaucha, da gaucha A droita, at da haut an baa, an pranant la nombra d'imagaa nAcassaira. Las diagrammas suivants iilustrant la m^thoda. by arrata lad to •nt ma palura. aqon A 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7-A''i Vt'^i '-«<■ -^W .-*'■*« > ^• .is'*- .:«^' ?^' '^"iy .< •p '^ - *•«<: ,1 i'' J" ^ *-f ^'^'^ , •>t*. t* J* -*5 if r^ • ♦ 4t>- t - -'IS .**' ^ ->•« *• *> / ^ *- '^ Vf-».'<»i Ifj!,,^^' ./ / -^r\ ^t i«lB of tjje christian Mmttt m JfolWitg C|rist. THE SERMON I'liKAf'IIKI' A I A N frbinatifln flf |1ncst5 aiib gcacons. HKt.I) IIV TITK PROVISIONAL IJISFIOP OF NKW-YOIIK. IN TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK, ON THE THFllI) SUXIMY AFTEIf TIUNITV, irrT.V -J, l,sr.4. BY fiEORGE J. MOUNTAIN, D.I)., D.C.L., lorii iUDlioy of iT.arbtf, NEW-YORK : < n r If < TT i> i: i><) s I I' o i{ v J) A N [ E I, D A N A . Ik. Xn. 03/ Hramhraii At.lKCC'.MV. ^ ^ A l■l.ll^i:^ ,•. ui..s>i;i.i.. imsI^n ri:us, ;■! .iMii,N..sTi!i;|.ri' I t I \ \ i PREFATORY NOTE. The following Sermon was jiieaohed at the npocial roqucst of Hialiop VVuinwri^hf. "When it wasasccitaiiU'd lliat tho jnoposed Oriliiuifinn woiilil Wwv^ logc'flior a Iari;er niiiiilifr of Camliilatcs for the Holy ^liiiirftiy tlian hail oviT been onlainod uipoii a sinirle ocfasion in tho I'mleslant Kpisco- pal Churcli of tho Fnitoil States, the Hishop (kenicil it a favoraljlo oppor- tnnity to add one more to those social tics, of a religious natiue, which have recently been drawing together, in so haiipy a manner, and with such happy results, two Churches standing to each other in the near re- lation of mother and daughter. He therefore addressed the Senior llishop of tho Colonial Church of England on this continent upon the subject, and recjuesfed him on this ground, as well as on the score of \\w friendly relations that have snbsistoil between them for a quarter of a cen- tury, to be present, and take part in the ordination services. To this rc- ([uest tlio Bishop of Quebec nioit readily assented, and made -Jirange- mcnts for a temporary absence from his Diocese. His visit i.> New- Vork was a source of nmch satisfaction to friends whom he bad formerly known here, and toothers of flic clergy and laity, who gladly embraced the opportunity to become personally acijuainted with one whose faithful and successful .services in the Colonial Church, lioth as Ardidcacon and Bishop, bad long roinmaudeil tlicir high respcft. Tho following account of the Services on this o(!casion is taken mainly irom tho Church Journal : — A Special Ordination was held last Sunday morning, (July 2,) by tho I'rovisiiiual Bishop of Xew-Vork, in Trinity Church, at which eighteen were ordained Deacons, ami three Deacons were made Priests; — !i •,'i'oatoi' ininilji'i iliaii woro ever before oidaiiiPil in tliit romitry at uiiy orin tiiiii* Till' |iioci'ssioii, ln'U'li'tl l>y till* St.'xliii Willi Ins >tull, I'lilt'rod Inuii iliii Vcslry pri'cirii'Iy at liall' paxf li'ii o'clock. Tlio fwciity-nnc (!aiiiii('es.-Jor.s 'riuuci, iliiight, Johnsun, ami .Muhan, ol the (ii'iicial 'l'h(!uluj,'ical Si'iiiinary, wtie also pioscnt among the same. Mominj,' I'rayi r wa.s sanl hy tlu; Ucv. .Mr. S)lc, Mi.j^ionaiy to China and (he Kfv. i)r. Herriun : tin; Lcsxuis lu'in;,' u-ad liyliio Ili'V. Dr. Hell- nnith and the llev. Mr. Nicholls. The Serniun was preached, by special invitatioi\, by (he Uishop of liurbec. I'roui St. .John, .\ii.. 'J7. Tiiis earned, lailhliil and huaulirnl Discourse buiiii,' endt'd. the ('audi- dates lor lln- J)ia((ina(e ami I'rieslhood were .successively presented to the ]{ishop by the Ucv. ])r. Ilai;,'hl, (c.vcept Mr. .Morion, atandidate lor the Diaconate. wlio was presented by th(! Itev. Kvuu M. Johnson.) and, bcintj eonniieniled to the prayers of (lio congregation, the Litany, with speeini snllVaLre.", was saiil by the JJishop ot Indiana. The lii.shop ol" Tennessee lit! lowed with (he aute-Connnunion Olllce, tulhocnd of the Kpistle. The following were (hen ordained Deacon.s, being all Ahiumi of (ho iSemi- nary, except the last (wo : — .1. II. Ilobart iJruWM, KdniumI Cooper, William 15. Kdson, A. JNI. : J. Se- bastian 1$. Hodges, A. I». ; John K. i,ivingstoii, Jr., A. M. ; Nichola.s F. Lmllnni, A. IJ. ; Stevens I'arker, A. H. ; William Iv Phillips, A. 11. \ William P. ]:ay, A. P.; Tlionia.s Kichey, John K. C. Srnede.«, A. K. ; Cyrus V. Knight, ^Valtc^ A. Sterling, A. ]]. ; Julius Henry Waterbury. A. B. : JNIerritt II. Wellmau, A. ]5. ; Treadwcll Waldcn, James Morion. Jr., and James Slarr Clark. The llev. Mr. l..ivingston read the (Jospel. The following Deacons were raised to the Priesthood, the U(!V. Dr. Ilelhnuth and the Key. ]\Ir: Nicholls joining in the laying on of the hands of (he Presbytery: — r» 1 Tlin |{e'V William II f'iirtor. A. M. : llm Kcv. AiiizusIih Valli'ln riaik- snii, \. M : iiiiil ilio Kcv. Ivhvai.i M IVrkf. M. A., Al i <<{ (in-Sfmi iiaiy Hisliop \\ aiiiwriylil tlnMi picpcctli'il with tin' Olifitory. (Iioat iniiii- l>«ix rcmaiiKNllo the C'lmiiiiiiiion. till- Pnivisioiial Hislioji Ihmiil,' a».M«tc(l ill till Ollicc |.y liic Kishops (if 'r«'iiii(>sst>(' niiil liiiliaiui, niid in tlu' tlis- liiluitioii liy ollirrsiil' (hr < loijry. 'I'lii' liny was cloiullpss, 'rin- (•(inijrci.Mtidii was nowdcd to tlic liill~- iimiiy star.tliiii.' in tlio alloys tliroiiirliiuit tin- scrvirc 'I'lic m\mr. was all lliat (ouM hr (Icsiri'il— cxcopl as to .[iiaiitily, tlic livmdi of flic seivifts lirocliiilini: any aiMilion. Tlio scivicc was llrnliios in |),. and was i^'ivcn Willi lull clVcft. fii tilt? (diantiiiir and iKalin^dy the {jicaf body of im-ii's voif-c's lii'Iow addi'd irn'atly to tlic oH'cfl. The (,'/,, ria ui Kxclsii in lli.' Comnmiiion Oilici- was S(ni',' willii.nl the Oi^an. It was. tlironiiliont, siudi a day's spivitc as not only lills the licails of ( 'InindinnMi licit' willi joy: Init slirs \\w ffclin^'s yl nioif dct'iily, \ anions' us wliosf very picscnicand participiUion in llio.so sacred oHici's mUls aiiotin r shininjf thread to that Lroldcii Koiid of Inity, whiidi wiili fvt'i-;,rn,\vin,L,' biiliiancy and slivn£,'tli l.iiids lh« cvtr-innltiplyinj,' luanrlics of fhr Holy ("alliidii' Cliiireli toi,M!thcr in < Mic, Tlio liftiufsi to tho itishnpof (iuuhcc I'ur the pnldication of his Ser- mon, anil his liordship's Answer, will In; foninl in Ihf rollowiiii.f pages. C0RRES1>0NI)1^]NCI]. I lU.WK }(iu iiinsl cordiiilly li»r mmh- ic;hI\ :l^•>t•llt lu mv rf-iuost ill |)iV!icliiiiuMlic Scnnuii ;ii the ( >i(liiiali..ii lu-ld l.y mV ill Trinity (-'ImiitIi mi Sunday la. an- many aiul clear tlint there is an earnest and "frowiuff desire on the part nt' nur ('lun-ch lor more tre(|ueiit interconnnunication hetwcen ourselves and our sister Church, planted hy oiu- connnon Mother on this eonti- nent, and we I'ully helieve that this desire is reciprocated hv you. This interconnnunication tends to the promotion ot' even a higher and holier purpose, now stirrintf the hearts and enu'au- ing the (hiily and devout prayers of multitudi's ot' the faithful everywhere— the restoration of the visihie unify of the Church, on the simple and uncorrupted platform of -the faith once de- livered to the saints." While we pray for this, and douht not. hut earnestly helieve that in God's own good time it will he accoiuplishcd, we take^ great comfort in every manifestation of Catholic unity and love, and with grateful thanks to the Great Head of the c'hurch 8 \\t\- il, \vt! look upon the recent one as a clieerini; earnest ul l)eltei' tilings t(t come. I am. dear liisliop, most titilr. V<»ur Friend and l>n»lliei •loNA. M. \VAi.\\vi:niHT. The III. Ilev 'riii: liOiii) l)i. III- (|ri:iti:(; IWw-Yor/,-, .lulfi It/i, 1H51. .\i;\\-VoUK. ./«/// T). IfSiil. I)i;ai{ JJisinn- : — We cordially concnr in the reqnest ol our Ut. Ilev. IJrother, tlie Provisional Jiishop of Xew-Vork, to have a coity oj" your ( h'dination Sermon, preached at Trinity ( 'liin'ch on last Siuidav, lor publication. And we desire iurtherujorc to express our liearty ci»ncurrcnce in the sentiments which he has con- veyed to you, ot" a desire to draw closer tctuether the honds ol" Christian union and brotherly love, by intercommunication be- tween the members everywhere of Christ s l)ody — the Church. Xi'vy truly and laithfully, Y'our aHertionate Friends and Brethren, Jas. H. Oti:v. CIkO. Ul'l'OLIt. To the Jit. Ilev. Tin; Jioun Bisnor or (iii;iii:c. I .\i:w-VouK. •» Ju/i/, 1851. JMv Dear and Ut. Ivkv. Buktimikn : — [ cannot feel mysell" at liberty to decline compliance with vour kindiv expressed desire lor the publication t>l" niv Ser- men: lor J did not come here tidbllow my own judgment in a mutter of this nature, but yours. My Sermon exhibits notliing recondite, and has no ambitious pretensions of any kind — but I i 9 do not know that it is an objection to it, if it is even iialilo to In* called coiiinionplace. The manner in which I respond to the si-ntiments which you havt' cxjiresscd respecfini; the intere<»uise and nintnai allecti(»n- ate recotfiiition of our two hianches oithe Church, appears in the Sermon itselt". I will only add here, that the ureat kindness which I and the companions ol" my way have experienced, as well liorn our Kiiiht l{everenly Ministry, has served to lend an ii/lditional warmth to those sentiments, hetore most cordially entertained. I venture to use this opjxirtunity ti»r mentinnin-j: that I owe acknowledixments also in anofjier and dilVerent (|narter, lor the sii^iiification olach'sire that my Sermon should appear in print. It was preached lirst on the precetlin^ Simday. (i<\' conrse. with the omission of passatfes havinti; a local application in New-^ Ork.) in St. (!eor«re"s ("hurcli. Lennowille. in my own Diocese, at an ordination oi' two |)eac»»ns, prepared for Holv Orders at llishop's Colle'ie. estahlished in that place. The cler^v who assisted in the service judifcd it with sullicient in- dulijjence to prompt a desire on their part that it should he pid)- hshed, and the two ijfentleinen ordained made a separate recpiest to the same ellect. .My ac»|uiescence was mad<^snl)ject to the condition that I miiiht lirst make use of it in fulfilling my en- irasement at New- York. (Jod onlv i^rant that its ell"ecfm-iv in any measure answer the expectations which, in the dillerent instances here noticed, sufrgested the application. I am, my dear IJishops, Very sincerely, your allectionate Brother, To the Right lievcrend TnK ruoviaioNAi. l]iriiior of Nuw-Vokk, And the Uiiilit llevereiuls CI. .J. C^UKlUC. Bl:^ SllOrs OF IKNNESSEL AND INUIAXA. SERMON. John xii. 'ZG If any muii snrvu nie, let him t'olluw mc; ami where I am, there t>hall also my servant be : if any man serve me, him will my Father hoHor My I5iiETJiKEN — clerical and lay — I feel thankful (if iny personal fcclino^s oiio-lit to l)o allowed any ex- pression) that I am here njion a happy and interesting occasion in the Church. I feel thankful to witness such a scene as this American Church can exhibit to-day — this Episcopal l)ody, which, before the Revolu- tion, Avorc an anomalous aspect, and of which men, at the close of that crisis, might have been ready to ju'onounce that its bones were dried and its hope was lost ; but which soon, under the breath of the Divine l)lessing, came together in its scattered parts, rose to a new life, assumed its distinctive organization antl legitimate coherence, and, by the same blessing from above, has thriven till it is full of healthy activity, and fit for groat achievements and for far-extended conquests, under the banner of the Cross. I feel, also, that every opportunity is to be prized, 12 tliat (ivary circiunstanco is marked witli blessing' wliicli, to wliatever small extoiit, ln'ings toi^etlior iu one, those two Lranclios of onr Apostolic Commnnion, which exist nnder ditVcrcnt ])ohtiral circunistanors, hut are spirit- ually portions of the same Avliole, and ai'e mutually endeared in tlie elosest l)onjeet of doing justice to such an occasion: — not an anxiety for preserving, in all points, the credit of the (Imrcli in tlic! jnihlic eye, (although that, itself, is far fi'om Itcing unimportant to the interests of Ueligion,) liut an anxiety for actually contrihutinii', I>y the will of (Joel, to stir U]) that holy ardor and devoted e:irn(!stness of pur])ose in the recip- ients of Ordination, ol' which the fi'uit shall show hereafter that they lia'c^ imtthcir hands to the plough, never, never t(» look hack. (Jive nic, I heseech you, your prayers, — all stranger as I am among you, — not for my sake, but for the sake of these (Vindidates, now prepared to assume their dilferiuit grade's in the Holy Ministry; for the sake of tin; Hocks to he intrusted to them; for the sake of thii Church of Christ, for which He shed His blood, — that I may be permitted humbly but not incll'ectually, to helj) in the work of this day. My Brethren, we are all^ Avhatever be our vocation in life — if we avow ourselves to be Christians — avow- edly the s^rmv/AMjf the living God. And (rod only grant that, in all the diversified, and too often absorbing engagements of this passing life, — in all the com- 1ft «♦ mcivial siiccnlatious tuid t'Uteri)i'iscs, iii all the political coiiipt'titioiis, ill all the opiHutuiiitits of jn'otessii »iial ad- vancement, in all the teini)tations to luxury and worldly display, which ju'esent themselves t)n every side, in a g'rcat, prosperous, an- priation in the words, Thcij ahall he jiinj;, mith the Lord of IJost6; in that daij irheii I viale up my jeweh ! The serrants of Christ are charged, we see, to J'oUofr Christ. And this we profess also to bing our ow n liearts, and considering our ways. But, forbearing from the pursuit of any excursive inquiries of a more general 14 kintl, in the application of our text, let us, in conformity and connection Avith the special solemnity (»f this day, consider t]i(» charge which it conveys in Its application to the case of thosi^ Avho ai'e the servants of the Most ITigli in a pc^culiar and eminently sacred acceptation, — the servants of the sanctuary — the serrantsofthe Lnrd^ that standi)! the hovse of the Lord,, in the courts of the house of our (iod. The word which, with sufficient correctness, we rcnider servant in our present text, is a word (as will l)e remendiered Ly some among us) sig- nifying, in its larger sense, a minister of any 1-cind, a subordinate attendant and heljjcr in any department of human life ; and is the very word from Avhich, in its more restricted ai>plication, th'' title of one of the standing orders in the Christian Ministry is formed. If any man serve me., let him follow me. J^^otj,oav ME, we all know, was the form in which the call to the A})ostles w^as conveyed. The same call is addressed to us, under difierent circumstances, in our occupation of every separate grade in the Christian ministry. Carrying the commission of Christ, to execute His work upon e.'irth, v;q follow in His own track. We are sent by Him, as He was sent by tlie 1^'ather. We are andjas- sadors for (fhrist, as thongh 6W (wonderful pictur(^ of condescending love !) did hcseech men, hy ns : we ]yray them, IN Cuuis'i's sti:ai), he ye reconciled to (rod. We take the charge of souls. Wc call simiers to repent- ance. We warn tiiem to Hee tivmi the Avrath to come. We go forth to seek and to save that u>liicli was lost. We go forth with an unctvm from tlte Holy One., — not ! 15 . such, indeed, jis J/w who wus cDioUited with the oil of gladness alove Jlisfelloivs, and to wlumi the Sjiirit was not given hy mmsiire^ — yet we go fortli with an iiiictiou from tlie Holy One, to preach the (fospel to the ]>ooi\ to he(d the hruhen-hearted^ to preach deliverance to the cap- tives^ and recovering of sight to the blind. We gatlier and we feed the sheej) of Christ. And as tlie good and great Shepherd gave His life for the sheep, so we who are His representatives and deputies, ought to stand prepared, if need wore, to laij down oar lines for the hrethren. These are the general views of our task, deliberately end)raced and deeply laid to heart, with which we should enter and prosecute the Holy JMinistry of the Gospel. But let us jirocecd to consider tin: charge of the text, that we should follow Christ in that paiiicuhir asjiect in which, according to language frequently nsed by St. Paul, it presents the idea of direct imitation. (In fact, in the passages from that Ajjostle to which I refer, a word denoting imitation would more lit(jrally render the original, than the word found in our trans- lation, Avhicli denotes following^') Let us endeavor fa- miliarly and practically to exemplify this imitation of our Master by us His ministers, under several specific heads. First, then, we, above all men, should so take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, as to im])il)e His heaven- ly spirit of meekness and lowliness of heart — as to mani- • Sec I Cor. iv. 10; xi. 1 ; Kph. v. 1 ; Phil. Hi. 17; 1 Thoss. i. fl ; ii 14; •-• ThesB. iii. 7, 9; Heh. vi. 12; xiii. 7. Soe also 1 Pet. iii. 13; 3 John 11 10 r test His temper of i^'ontloiiess, ami graciousncss, and lovo : love which is the all-in-all of the Christian character, the test and touch-stones of true disci] >loshi|), estahlish- cd ])y Jliinself. ( ), how often do the very ministers of lieligion, in their very maintenance of religious jxmits, sutler themselves to he Ijctrayed into asj)erity of lan- guage and bitterness of feeling! How often, in this con- tentious and cavilling age, are they thrown otl' their guard, in dealing, possildy, with unfair and unscrujui- lous opponents, and led to render sarcasm for sarcasm, and retort provocation for provocation! How ]ial)le are they, in defending, perhai)s, some veneraljle rule or usage — periiaps some important j)rinciple — perhaps some vital truth, which has Leen assailed ]>y appeals to popular i)rejudice, or made odious ]jy misrepresenta- tion, to forget the ingenuous simplicity of the Gospel, and the pattern of Him of whom it was an eminent characteristic, that no guile was found in His moutli ! How lialile to adopt a policy in dealing with their sub- ject, a management of their cause, a recourse to phrase- ology, used for particular effect in this or that cpiarter, which savors hut too strongly of the arts emjdoyed l)y worldly tacticians ! The servant, the follower of the Lonl^ engaged in the vocation of the Ministry, ;/i?/*^ uot atrive^ Jnd he iKh tient towards all men, a]jt to teach, in meekness instruct- ing them that oppose themselves. He should breathe abroad the spirit of charity and peace ; and go forth to his work in that exercise of a ready condescension and generous compassion, of which we see so many beauti- .; 17 t'ul and touehinu: instances in the naiTJitivos of tlio work of ('lirist iij)on earth. Look, tor exani])lo, at tlic t'or- h)rn widow folh)wini;' hor only son to tlic grave. When tlioLord saw her, lie had compassion. lie telt the ini- nian emoti«jn of pity : He (h)es not stop there ; He s])eaks words of kindness— I le said unto her. Weep not: lie does not content Himself with mere words; He proceeds at once to relieve her sorrow ; He gives back Iier son alive to her arms. We cannot perform acts such as this ; wc are not l(H'ds of uature, who can call back the dead to life ; n(jr have we, like the A})ostles, any (h'iegated pow- er by which to perform miraculous works: — ^but we can soothe the mourner; Ave can ciieer tiie desolate; we can pour balm into the wounded bosom; Ave can often lU'ocurc relief to supply the wants of the bereaved, and cause the Avidow's heart to sing- for joy. More than this — ae can, as instruments in the liands of God, speak Avords Avhicli are life-giving words : we can, under the blessing of the Divine Spirit, so bring home to the lieart of the simier the api)eal, ^1 wake^ tJum that deepest^ and arise from the dead ^ and Christ shall give thee light, that the spiritual renowation thus described as taking- place within the man, shall lead to the literal resurrec- tion of the body itself to eternal life. And Avith re- spect to the other point which Ave liave touched upon — the guilelessness of the Lord Jesus Christ — His pure sin- gleness of i)urpose — His lofty sim})licity (for so it Avas, although the terms, in the ordinary and unchastened ap- prehension of men, may seem not to consort together) — His lofty simplicity of dealing — Ave ought carefully to 2 IS riiiiu'iulicr that the sjuiu; staiii|» must Ijc impressed upon our own mlmiiiistratioii of nnv oil'u'c, whatever ttMuptatiou may pivsent itself to swttrve a little here, ami to aceomm(j(lat(i our laii'MiULfe or i)ro(:ee(lim;s there, to the j)nrtieular (»l>jeet to Ite i,^aim'(l — or iu another ([uarter still, to esea]>e sonie disadvaiitaL-eous admis- sion. We must, as our invarialde, our intlcxihle rule, do noth'i)n/ dijain-'it the frutJi, hut for flu truths and htj maniftistation of the truth, commend (yur.s'c/re.s- to every 7n(in\' <'on6'cience in the aiyht of (fod. The meekness, howevei, the simplicity, the jjoverty of s]>irit which ought to be transfused from the mind whieli was in Christ .Icsus into that of His ministers. Would be greatly misunderstood, if it were conceived of as something incomi)atible with that «liscerning judgment of men and things, and that practical wisdom which in Ilim were su[>remely eminent, and which, in our hundde measure and degree, sliould be carefully cultivated in uh who carry His c(mimissi(jn. Mtj -scr- nmt shall deal i^rudenthj^ is a characteristic strok<' in the prophetic delineations of tlie jNIessiah. In the ex- ercise of His ministry, recorded in the (Joj^pels, we see, in many instances, how wary and how wise ilcAvas; how He forbore to commit Himself to His enemies, he- cause He hnexo what was in mati ; with what an admi- rable sagacity He confounded their malice, upon repeat- ed occasions, when they had laid snares to entangle J Lhn in His talJc; with what skill of adaptation He dealt out His divine instructions, according to the capacity and more or less prepared condition of the recipient ; with nprcssod vliJitever 'le hvvv, g's 1 1 lore, aiiotlior Hclinis- •le ruK', a?tartrii(.'iits oC tlic work of the (y'lmrcli, without riskiiiy; tlic loss ot* their scrvict! ore nisi linL,'- thcii' own spiritual life — to make our (U-licatc and lucasuHMl apprtjachrs where men esti'ani^ed iVoui holiness, hauLrhty in spirit devoted to the world, ])erh{ips inured to ii'reHi,'i(!\i and vice, arc untler some visitation from the hand of (lod, of which ■we liope to muko ailvantaj^*', throui:h His m(3r('y, for the recovt'ry of their souls — to lecoiinnend in tli(^ eyes of men unfavoi'aldy prepossessed, the oflic(3s, the system, the oi'ganization, tlie veneraMe claims of our A])ostolic Church, without either otfeiul- ing their feelings on the one side, or eoinpromisini^ an iota of our own principles ontlu'other: — these may l)e instanced as anu)n!4" the points of diiliculty which yon iny beloved brethren, who ]U)W assume your ministry may Le liable to encounter, and to (U'al successfully with which, deuumds a watchfulness of eye and nicety of hand which God alone, the author of every ij^ood and perfect gift, can (qualify ns to exercise. And thankful indeed nuiy we Le, in such a charge, that if we ask of Hhn the wisdom which we lack, He giveth liberally, and upbraidcth not. Now, in order to the attainment and h)ii)rovementof this necessary wisdom, we must, in conjunction with our prayers to God, diligently lay np all stores within our reach, of profitable knowledge, that we may hv, ficrihos' insfyuctcd imto ilw kingdom of Hcuvim^ able to hring out of our t reassure, things- nciu ul;1i I lis oiiiiiif'nil iscd, tli(» ('iu'i'al)l(' '!• oft'cjul- lisinuf an ! may be liic'li yoii ministry !cess fully 1(1 iiioety jfoocl and thankful 'c ask of ally, and cment of ion with s within may Ik; , able to Id; and tinnally I I familiarize our.selvt's with the written word of (i.td. It is tlh-ne*', we kimw, that th< nuni nf (iml — a term whiili, in the laiiLTUai^'e '>f Seriptinc, ext Insively deMMilx-s a Minister of KeliL'ion, niu-t In jxrfirt, tlnuniiiilil)/ />//■• iiisiiid iiiiin iill ijixnl trill I. prepared in his private soul, for the exercise of all ('liristian LCi'aces, - j)re[(ared abroad foi' every )i)i^ ii itching for doctrliii-y till cow)ii(iiidnii Ills- if )iii ii — these arc aAvful declarations from the lips of Christ, abundantly ai)pli- cable to that state of things in tln^ Christian Church which it was provided by the fathers of the English Reformation, si)ecially in the sixth of our Tliirty-nine oo Articles of lleligion, and in tlie torni of the Ordination of Priests, l)otli standinic nnaltered in your American Trayer Book, that Ave, in our Ministry, slionld utterly repudiate and renounce. It is a Avell-knoAvn saying of an ancient father of the Church, that — in the Bi])le (iod speaks to ns, and in prayer we speak t(^ Him ; — and it aftords a simple and striking exhibition of two great means of our devotion- al intercourse with the Father, l)rouglit home to us in all their reality and force. In prayer, then, in re\'er- ential prayer, approaching the throne of ghny through the Son and by the Spirit, w«^ actually sim:aiv to God. And have not they avIio arc? appointed to conduct, in pub- lic, the devotions of their feilow-mcn, an example in the person of their divine Master, (►f thus drawing near, in private, constantly and earnestly, to hold communion with the Father and to pour ont their hearts before Him, alike in supplication for themselves and interces- sion for others — pleading fervently for their Hocks and for the Clmrch at large? — Can they be said to be fol- lowers of Christ in their Ministry, if they do not culti- v^ate, in private, heav(Mdy affections and spiritual exer- cises ? — AVhat? — to be followers of Christ, of whom we read, that rising up n grcdt wliih hvfore (l<(f/, Ih ivciit into ((, soliUti'y pluce to 2>m]] ; — of Avhoni we read, upon another occasion, immediately before lie chose His twelve Apostles, that lie coiitinwd (dl night in i^vmjei' to God; — of whom Ave arc told that in the days of His flcfli and in the hour of His sorrow — (and the hour of our sorrows in life will come, and sorroAv Avillbe our portion 23 ' Ordination I* AmtTicaii mid utterly tlier of tlie ' "s, and in simple and 1' devotion- ne to lis in II, ill vevov- y tlii'oui^dj fv TO God. let, in pub- nple in the '.J? near, in )inmunion rts before interces- ocks and o be foi- lot culti- ual exer- Iiom wo lit aunt 1^1, upon L)se His 2^ I'd ye I' of His r of our :)ortion forever, if we have no sorrow for our own sins, and n<> trembling anxiety for our chargi',) — in the days ol' His ilesh, tlien, and in the hour of His sorrow, He offa'al nj)2^>'t(l/(rs- and ■s-ifpjtlu'(/fii)//\, ivifh -strong cnjiiiy nforniity to spiritual observance, whether of divine, or, if agreeable to the divine will, of human institution. It is, indeed, in my apprehension, strange, and sad as w(dl as strange, that, Avith such an example before their eyes, men should be found among us — and good men, too — who actually think it an evi- dence of enlightened piety and S])iritual lleligion to de- nounce all earnest concern for tlu^ externrd dignity and honor of the sanctuary — to depreciate the value and ef- ficacy of religious ordlnancis — to disparage a fr(>quent attendance ui)on the stated services and solemnities of the Church, and to discountenance every endeavoi* to preserve and perpetuate in its integrity, the orderly f // 24 system and ample devotional provision laid down in the IVaver-Uook. We behold onr hlessed Saviour constant in His attendance <>n the teni^jle services: wc S(u; Ilini roused to a holy movement of indignation at tlie dislionor done, l)y the sons of traffic, to His Father's iiouse ; we iind the words of the Psalmist applied to llini, T/if ZKtJ nf TliiiK holier httih (af(iiii)f up: we ob- serve that He was present at the winter feast of dedi- cation in the temi)le, which was appointed by num. We may notice Him, accepting and approving, ui)oii ditferent occasions, and in dilforent forms, conventional demonstrations of homage and costly otferings, revcr- entialV rendered to Himself. AVe discern the lesson which lays down in general terms, and as a standing principle in l^eligion, when He insists upon submission to the baptism of John: Sitjft /■ if fo h .sv iio>'\- for thus- it becor/itf/i i'\ fn fulfil iiU ri(j]itoiU8iu-^-\. Looking at all this, and more, wliich might l)e adduced from the New Testament, in all fair and natural construction — • not in that forced — I was almost going to say that af- fected S2)irituality of construction applied to all cases wliich, while it flatters men with a fictitious superiority of religious discernment, is not uiuipt to play danger- ously with the wonl of Goil, — we surely cannot be wrong in loving and honoring the Sanctuarv and all its services, and moulding, so far as depends upon our care, the faithful children of the Churcli, to tlie same aftec- tionate and y mail, viiiiv, iij),,ii Hveiitional "g-^, rever- tlio lesson ' ^taudiiiir i'd (mission •■ />>*' ill ?ry lookino- at from the I'lietion — ■ Y that af. aJl eases poriority daiiifer- nnot ])e id all it.s 'iir care, le affee- shonld hat Wo e-^ and "it- mistake the mere punctilious jierformance for the Keligion of the heart and life ! God grant that wc may ever tror.^hlp the Father in -spirit nud in truth^ and as 1)elievers who are rtnetred in hnoirhdje^ '(/''•'-'' ^Z''- ini<((/e of Him tlmt created u-sl But it would be haj)])y for us and our people if, in these very points, Ave could reach the standard of Christian excellence attained l)y the venerable men who compiled our Liturgy and fram- ed our ol)servances — or who, in succeeding times, have stood forth to vindicate and explain them, and have served God, in a sedulous use of them, day hy day, witli gladness of heart. ■ Finally, my brethron, let it l)o our aim — viewing at large our vocation in the Holy IMinistry — to follow Christ, in the surrender of ourselves to the work ot* (rod upon earth, and our untiring devotedness of labcn* in the cause. Follow me, und let the dmd hxni their dead! The claim upon us to show care for the burial of the dead, is a claim most fully recognized in Scrip- ture, and it can present no stronger case than that in which the remains of a father are concerned. But when (/URrsT demands our service, there is no earthly claim — none — wliich can be suffered to come in com- petition Avitli that call. In this sense^ — in the event, ann. .f / ' '''''^ certainly o^^'V, noi must we ])e rearlv f^ +] ^^''iirire if we meet in . . ^ *^'''^'^ "P our "' "".«rr:;:z-;:,::;''' - »' »"■»■ I I "1 27 '^^^^ of Ciilist. tj ((in/ m<(n servants of ^G, i\ni Lord 'eniiuds tlie ei-tuljy and ^'es as tli(, tiuctly, in ■ of siiifiil »o pli-a.sed ^lim who ^^1 beiiirr ind love ; fc not too >!' shrink g to eu- »er sort I'ivatioii iu tluj rtuinly "P our I'eturn, PC, hut fi'adic- 1 ^2V>// o/' ■siiiiKi'-s- (icjdlnsi Iliinsclf] h-st ivt Ik ircarial <(nd faint ill our iniiuh. And are we disliearteiied at sucli ai)ietiire of tilings, wliich, perhaps, Avith many bk-ssin^-s, and by tlie side of circumstances of a more elieering character, may bo inei(h'ntal to our task ^ Will parents be impelled to utter the sentiment — We can nmrk out a far more comfortable way of life for any of our children, and one which will yiehl a more tangible return for our ex- penditure in their behalf!, than if we se<'k to direct their miiuls to the profession of a eler2:}'man 7 AVill any aspirant to the Ministry permit the thought to (niter his mind, that he begins to repent of his choice? Will any who has been prepared, and brought up to the point of presenting himself to receive his sacred eonnnission, be prompted to say, I tlid not take all this into my calculation ? Will any who are hdriie-'^-si'il^ and carry their weapons for the sacred Avarfare, once think of fuming tJieni\-rlve-s- hack in the dm/ of battle? O! no — never — let not such a supposition come near us — let it not be heard of by friend or foe — Tdl it not in Gath^ 2^'^^^^^^'"^^' ^^ ""^ ^" ^^"' ''osed as that, by the faithful hdjor of a whole life, we could turn but tnu., Avould it not be enough to have our human share in the eflect declared to us — with the ('(uiscious- ness of having instruinentally produced that effect — tliat THERE IS JOY IX THE PUESEXCE OF THE ANGELS 01" (JO!) MVEIl OXIO SINNEU THAT UEl'ENTETH ? NOTE. The following extract from ChiUingworth sustains the views set forth (ni/xtgcs 23 — 2r>. "For wliat, if our devotion towards tlnd out of a desire, that He should he worshipped as in si)irit and in truth in the first place, so also in the heauty of holiness? What, if out of fear that too much simplicity and nakedness in the puhlic service of Clod, may heget in the ordinary sort of men a dull and stu])id irreverence; and out of hojjc that the outward state and glory of it, being well disposed, and wisely moderated, may engender, quicken, increase, and nourish the inward reverence, resjicct and devotion, which is due unto God's sovereign majesty and power ? What, if out of a jjcrsuasion and desire that papists may he won over to us the sooner, by the removing of this scandal out of their way ; and out of an holy jealousy, that the weaker sf)rt of Protestants might be the easier seduced to them by the magnificence and jjomp of their Church service, in case it were not removed? I sav, what if out of these considerations the governors of our Church, more of late than formerly, have set themselves to adorn and beautil'y the places where Cod's honor dwells, and to make theni as heaven-like as they can with earthly ornaments? Is this a sign that they are warping to- wards popery ? Is this devotion in the Church of England an argument that she is connng over to the Cjiurch of Home? Sir Edwin Sandys, I presume, every man will grant, had no in- clination that way ; yet he, forty years since, iiighly com- mended this part of devotion in papists, and makes no scruple J *. . 81 & I • of proposing il to ilic imiliition ol' Protestiints ; little tllillkin^ lli.'it they who would lollow his counsel, and endcnvor to take nway this dispju'ageineiit of Protestants, and this glorying of papists, should have heeii censured for it, as making way, and inclining to popery. His" words to this purpose are excellent words; and hecause they show plainly that what is now ])rac- lised was approved l»y zealous I'rotestanfs so long ago, I will here set thein down. ' This one thing I cannot hut highly com- mend in that sort and order ; they spare nothing which cost can i)erform in enriching, rir skill in adorning, the temple <»!' (lod, or to set out llis service, with the greatest jiomp and mag- nificence that can he devised. And although, for the most part, nuich baseness ami childishness is predominant in the masters and contrivers ol" their ceremonies, yet this outward state and glory, being well disposed, do then gender, (piiekeii, increase, and nourish the inward reven-nci'. respect and devotion which is due unto sovereign majesty and p(»wer. And although 1 am not ig- norant that many men. well reputed, have embraced the thrilty opinion of that disciple, who thought all to be wasted that was bestowed on Christ, in that sort, and that it were much bet- ter bestowed on the pool", (vi't with an eye, perhaps, that themselves would be his (piarter-ah-ioners ;) notwithstanding, I must conl'ess, it will never sink into my heart, that in propor- tion of reason, the allowance for furnishing out of the service f»f Cod, should be measured by the scant and strict rule of incre necessity, (a proporti(.»n so low. that nature to other most bountiful, in matter of net;essity hath not failed, no not the most ignoble creatures of the world ;) and that tor ourselves no measure ol" heai)ing, but the most we can get ; no rule of ex- pense, l)ut to the utmost pom}> we list: or that iJod Ilimsidf had so enriched the li>wer parts of the world with such wonder- ful varieties of beauty and glory, that they might serve only to the pampering of mortal man in his pride, and that in the ser- vice of the high Creator, Lord and Giver, (the outward glory of whose higher palace may appear by the very lamps that we see so far otf burning gloriously in it.) only the simpler, baser, * Survey of Religion. I.'iiit 32 cheaper, less noMc, loss beautiful, less glorious things should he employed : especially seeing, as in |)riiices' courts, so in the service of (lod also, this outward state and i^lory, hcinjj; well disposed, doth (as I have said) engender, (piieken, increase, and nourish, the inward reverence, respect, and devotion which is due to so sovereign majesty and power; which those whom the use thereof cannot persuade into, would easily, hy the want of it, he hrought to confess. For which cause I crave leave to he excused hy them herein, if in zeal to the connnf)n Tiord of all, 1 choose rather to connnend the virtue of an enemy, than to Hatter the vice and imhecility of a frien * Jhr-IT"