the fruits of our ministry amongst you; but that such also may be the reward of those who will henceforward carry on, with equal zeal and affection, the work which is now transferred to them, under the most solemn obligations to faithfulness! May he bless the labours of all his servants, in such direction and degree as shall seem best to him; and convert, in his own good time, those sinners, whom we have failed to convince; and make free course for his Word, through hearts which now seem to be harder than the rock! In due time we know that this will be brought to pass. What Christ has promised, he will make good. What he has begun and carried on by the ministry of his Church, he will also finish. We rely, with undoubting confidence, upon him, to accomplish the work, to which the best and the ablest of his servants must feel himself inadequate not relaxing our own efforts, because we know that the work in effect is his; but exulting in the privilege, while we tremble under the responsibility, of being instruments in his hands, to set forward his glory, and the salvation of men; and anxious above all things, that we may be able to say to him, when he shall require of us an account of the souls over which he has appointed us to watch, Lord, of those whom thou gavest me, have I lost none.26 And now, in the presence of Him, to whom we must all ere long give account,—I, as having been allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel" for your good; and you, for the improvement which you have made of the opportunities afforded to you,-let me acknowledge, with thankfulness, the comfort and support which I have experienced, in your diligent and regular attendance upon my ministry; your increased and increasing obedience to the last request of a crucified Saviour; your ready and free cooperation with me in every scheme of charity, by which, as the Apostle said, ye have shown before the churches the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf;28 and your zeal hath provoked very many.20 If such a return, for earnest though imperfect endeavours to promote your eternal welfare, has created a bond of affection, which no change of circumstances can or ought to destroy, I have great reason to be thankful to him, whose servant I am, that the still more important station in his household, to which I have been called, does not cause a final and total 26 John xviii. 9. 27 1 Thess. ii. 4. separation between us; but leaves it still part of my duty, as it must ever be my delight, to watch over your welfare; not merely as members of that Christian Church, of which I am a minister and a ruler, but as the inhabitants of a parish, the spiritual interests of which are placed by the laws more exclusively under my personal care and jurisdiction. I thank God that I have lived amongst you to see the commencement of another place for Christian worship, according to the forms of our Church; by which the spiritual destitution of a part, at least, of this parish and district will be supplied: and allow me to suggest to you, that as the erection of that edifice will entail no expense upon the inhabitants of this parish, they may reasonably be expected to be the more liberal in their contributions towards supplying the religious wants of other places. An opportunity is this day offered to you, of aiding the exertions of a Society, which I do not hesitate to describe as being, at the present juncture, the most important of all Societies to the interests of the Established Church, and to the improvement of the people. I am at a loss to conceive how any sincere member of that Church, who possesses the means, can forbear from adding his contribution to that, which may truly be termed the treasury of the Lord's house, when he considers, by the expenditure of how trifling a sum he may secure for one of his poor brethren the privilege and comfort of hearing the Word of God, and of performing the duty of public worship. The Society for Promoting the Building and Enlargement of Churches, is supported entirely by voluntary subscriptions; but it is supported only in a degree unworthy of this Christian nation. Its funds, inadequate as they were, have been most economically husbanded, and most judiciously dispensed. By the expenditure of less than 110,0007. it has been instrumental in providing more than 150,000 additional sittings in Church, of which more than 116,000 are unappropriated, and free for the accommodation of the poor. Since, in proportion as you increase the number of those who are instructed in the principles of our National Church, additional facilities must be provided for their attendance upon her ordinances, or they will of necessity desert her communion, and perhaps embrace no other; and since, by a subscription of so small a sum as about fifteen shillings, you may secure the perpetual advantage of a free sitting in Church for EE one of your poorer brethren; surely you will not hesitate to contribute, to the very extent of your power, towards providing them with those opportunities and advantages, for your own enjoyment of which, I trust, you have great reason to bless the goodness of God. I ask of you this mark of gratitude and affection towards the Church of which you are members. The Church herself asks it of you, as a proof of your sincere attachment to her, as an integral and valuable part of the constitution of this favoured country; but still more, as having been the instrument, I hope the effectual instrument, in the hands of God, of promoting your own personal holiness, and your chance of everlasting salvation. And now, finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect; be of good comfort; be of one mind; live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.30 Remember them which have had the rule over you; who have spoken unto you the Word of God; whose faith follow; considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and listen, with the same gladness and teachableness, to those who shall henceforth be entrusted with the same spiritual charge over you: let your 30 2 Cor. xiii. 11. "Heb. xiii. 7. 31 |